In the world of Magic: The Gathering, Commander Brawl has become a beloved and fast-growing format for casual and competitive players alike. Among the most thrilling and chaotic combinations in this format is the duo of Vial Smasher the Fierce and Gleeful Grenadier. This pairing creates explosive gameplay, powerful synergies, and a satisfying blend of unpredictability and strategy. Players who enjoy high-impact spells and aggressive tempo will find this combination particularly appealing. With each turn offering chances to swing the battlefield in unexpected ways, it’s no wonder this deck has gained attention in multiplayer Brawl matches.
Understanding the Commanders
Vial Smasher the Fierce
Originally released in the Commander 2016 set, Vial Smasher the Fierce is a Rakdos-aligned (black-red) Goblin Berserker. Her power lies in her passive ability: the first spell you cast each turn causes Vial Smasher to deal damage equal to that spell’s mana value to a random opponent. In a multiplayer setting, this creates a constant threat and applies pressure from the moment she enters the battlefield.
This randomness, while chaotic, can work in your favor by spreading damage across opponents or eliminating a key threat. Importantly, this damage is not targeted, making it difficult to prevent with typical protection spells or hexproof effects.
Gleeful Grenadier
Gleeful Grenadier adds a unique flavor to this deck with her penchant for artifact destruction and fast, reckless attacks. While not a legendary creature in the traditional sense, she fits thematically and mechanically into the Rakdos archetype, especially in formats where thematic synergy plays a larger role than strict rules. She excels at sacrificing artifacts for bonus damage and creating explosive turns filled with chain reactions.
Her value increases in a deck with a high density of cheap artifacts or tokens that can be used as fuel. Pairing her with Vial Smasher opens up a lane for not only spell-based damage, but also combat and artifact-based strategies.
Deckbuilding Strategy
Color Identity and Mana Base
As both Vial Smasher and Gleeful Grenadier operate in the Rakdos color identity (black and red), the mana base should be built to support these colors consistently. Here are some components to consider:
- Dual lands: Blood Crypt, Dragonskull Summit, and Foreboding Ruins
- Mana rocks: Rakdos Signet, Mind Stone, Talisman of Indulgence
- Utility lands: Castle Locthwain for card draw, or Den of the Bugbear for extra aggression
Staying consistent with mana generation ensures that you can play your key cards early and trigger Vial Smasher’s ability as soon as possible.
High-Cost Spells
Since Vial Smasher deals damage based on the mana value of the first spell each turn, including high-cost instants and sorceries can maximize her effectiveness. Cards like Blasphemous Act, In Garruk’s Wake, or Violent Eruption serve as both board control and massive damage dealers when triggered through Vial Smasher.
Even if you only cast one spell per turn, the passive damage can add up significantly, especially in longer games.
Artifacts and Sacrifice Synergy
To fully utilize Gleeful Grenadier’s explosive abilities, populate the deck with a range of disposable artifacts or treasure generators:
- Cheap artifacts: Ichor Wellspring, Mycosynth Wellspring
- Treasure makers: Big Score, Deadly Dispute, Unexpected Windfall
- Artifact recursion: Goblin Welder, Scrap Trawler
These cards allow you to repeatedly sacrifice, destroy, or recycle artifacts, adding depth and options to your battlefield control and offense.
Key Synergies and Interactions
Spell-Based Burn and Control
Rakdos colors excel at removal and direct damage, so packing your deck with instants like Terminate, Lightning Bolt, and Rakdos Charm can help maintain control while triggering Vial Smasher for additional damage. Combining control with randomness makes it hard for opponents to predict your strategy or counter your moves.
Damage Doubling and Chaos Multipliers
If you want to escalate the mayhem, include cards that double damage or repeat triggers. Cards like Fiery Emancipation, Torbran, Thane of Red Fell, or Wound Reflection can drastically amplify Vial Smasher’s and Grenadier’s effects.
Even seemingly minor triggers can snowball into lethal damage with the right setup. This is where the deck thrives unexpected explosions of power that turn the tide in an instant.
Playing the Deck in Brawl
Opening Hands and Early Turns
In your opening hand, prioritize mana ramp, low-cost spells, and a clear path to casting Vial Smasher. A well-balanced start may include a mana rock, a removal spell, and a three-drop that establishes board presence.
Getting Vial Smasher on the board early allows you to begin dealing chip damage before opponents can mount defenses. You don’t have to dominate the board early this deck excels by threatening gradual, unpredictable bursts of damage.
Mid-Game Planning
By mid-game, your goal is to control the board and maximize each spell’s impact. Use Gleeful Grenadier to sacrifice artifacts for added pressure, and keep an eye on your opponents’ health. At this stage, Vial Smasher’s random damage becomes more impactful, especially when players are under 20 life.
Use targeted removal to eliminate blockers or combo threats. Cards that allow you to play spells at instant speed during opponents’ turns can trigger Vial Smasher multiple times each round.
Late Game and Finishing Moves
In the late game, you’ll often rely on damage multipliers, large spells, and explosive artifact synergies. A well-timed Exsanguinate or Mizzix’s Mastery can be game-ending when paired with a strong battlefield.
Keep in mind that this deck thrives on unpredictable lines. Sometimes, a low-cost spell can trigger Vial Smasher to deal lethal damage to a weakened opponent, or Gleeful Grenadier can crack through defenses with a sudden artifact-sack finisher.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths
- High burst potential
- Unpredictable damage that’s hard to counter
- Efficient removal and artifact synergy
- Fun and chaotic gameplay, perfect for casual multiplayer
Weaknesses
- Vulnerable to counterspells and graveyard hate
- Relies heavily on commander presence
- Artifact removal can disrupt Grenadier combos
- Random damage can be inefficient against targeted threats
Vial Smasher and Gleeful Grenadier Brawl
Combining Vial Smasher the Fierce with Gleeful Grenadier in Brawl offers a perfect storm of chaos, power, and explosive turns. This deck thrives on unpredictability, punishing opponents with spells that deal damage before they even resolve and leveraging sacrificial artifacts for deadly finishers. Whether you’re playing for fun or climbing a competitive ladder, this Rakdos pairing offers something uniquely satisfying. With the right balance of burn, control, and explosive mechanics, you’ll always keep your opponents guessing and on the edge of defeat.