Nelly Borca, Impulsive Accuser costs {2}{R}{W}, is a 2/4 and has vigilance. Whenever Nelly attacks, you suspect target creature, then goad all suspected creatures. A suspected creature has menace and cannot block. Whenever one or more creatures an opponent controls deal combat damage to one or more of your opponents, you and the controller of those creatures each draw a card. Her goaded creatures hit other players, and you draw.

The precon already has the goad spells, including Disrupt Decorum, Hot Pursuit, Vengeful Ancestor and Take the Bait. Each swap below pairs a cut with an add, and every card is scored with the same numbers the Oracle uses to build decks: synergy and inclusion from the Nelly Borca decks, plus lift, which shows how much more often a card turns up in Nelly Borca decks than in decks that could play it.

Looking for the unmodified list first? Read the Blame Game precon guide.

13
Swaps
$25.42
Cost of the adds
37→37
Lands
17→40
Avg Oracle score

What is holding the deck back

Not enough cheap goad and suspect

Agrus Kos, Spirit of Justice, Puppet Master, String Puller, Grenzo, Havoc Raiser and Convenient Target goad or suspect a creature for two or three mana. They are among the top-scoring cards the precon leaves out.

Expensive finishers and wipes

Ancient Stone Idol, Steel Hellkite, Angel of the Ruins, Darien, King of Kjeldor and Etali, Primal Storm cost six or more, and Winds of Rath wipes the creatures the deck sends at the table.

Defensive cards that do not draw

Wall of Omens, Stalking Leonin and Otherworldly Escort defend the table, while Mangara, Firemane Commando and Aurelia draw whenever players attack.

The 13 swaps

Each pair shows the numbers for the card coming out and the card going in. Click a card image to zoom.

Swap 1 of 13
Ancient Stone Idol
Cut
Ancient Stone Idol
Artifact Creature — Golem · 10
Inclusion11%
Synergy10%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 11
Agrus Kos, Spirit of Justice
Add
Agrus Kos, Spirit of Justice
Legendary Creature — Spirit Detective · 2RW
Inclusion69%
Synergy68%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 68

Ancient Stone Idol is a 12/12 artifact creature for {10}, cheaper for each attacking creature. It is played in about one Nelly Borca deck in nine.

Agrus Kos, Spirit of Justice is a 2/4 double strike, vigilance creature for {2}{R}{W}. Whenever it enters or attacks, you choose up to one target creature: if it is suspected you exile it, and otherwise you suspect it. A second source of suspect that also removes. It is the highest-scoring card the precon leaves out.

Swap 2 of 13
Feather, Radiant Arbiter
Cut
Feather, Radiant Arbiter
Legendary Creature — Angel · RWW
Inclusion11%
Synergy11%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 11
Taunt from the Rampart
Add
Taunt from the Rampart
Sorcery · 3RW
Inclusion68%
Synergy60%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 63

Feather, Radiant Arbiter is a 4/3 flying lifelink Angel for {R}{W}{W} that copies spells targeting it. It is played in about one Nelly Borca deck in nine.

Taunt from the Rampart costs {3}{R}{W}: goad all creatures your opponents control, and they cannot block until your next turn. Every creature at the table attacks someone else, and Nelly draws a card for each hit.

Swap 3 of 13
Steel Hellkite
Cut
Steel Hellkite
Artifact Creature — Dragon · 6
Inclusion13%
Synergy12%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 13
Grenzo, Havoc Raiser
Add
Grenzo, Havoc Raiser
Legendary Creature — Goblin Rogue · RR
Inclusion51%
Synergy49%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 50

Steel Hellkite is a six-mana 5/5 flying artifact Dragon. It is played in about one Nelly Borca deck in eight.

Grenzo, Havoc Raiser is a 2/2 for {R}{R}. Whenever a creature you control deals combat damage to a player you choose one: goad a creature that player controls, or exile their top card and cast it this turn. A two-drop that goads again.

Swap 4 of 13
Winds of Rath
Cut
Winds of Rath
Sorcery · 3WW
Inclusion17%
Synergy15%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 15
Puppet Master, String Puller
Add
Puppet Master, String Puller
Legendary Creature — Human Artificer Villain · 2R
Inclusion38%
Synergy37%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 37

Winds of Rath is a five-mana sorcery that destroys every creature that is not enchanted. It is played in about one Nelly Borca deck in six, and it kills the creatures you are goading.

Puppet Master, String Puller is a 2/4 for {2}{R}. Whenever you attack, you goad target creature an opponent controls and it cannot block this turn, and whenever one or more goaded creatures deal combat damage to one of your opponents you create a Treasure. A three-drop that goads every turn and pays for it.

Swap 5 of 13
Angel of the Ruins
Cut
Angel of the Ruins
Artifact Creature — Angel · 5WW
Inclusion17%
Synergy14%
Lift5.7×
Oracle score 16
Aurelia, the Law Above
Add
Aurelia, the Law Above
Legendary Creature — Angel · 3RW
Inclusion51%
Synergy41%
Lift5.5×
Oracle score 45

Angel of the Ruins is a seven-mana flier that exiles two artifacts or enchantments. It is played in about one Nelly Borca deck in six.

Aurelia, the Law Above is a 4/4 flying, vigilance, haste creature for {3}{R}{W}. Whenever a player attacks with three or more creatures you draw a card, and whenever a player attacks with five or more it deals 3 damage to each of your opponents and you gain 3 life. A flier that rewards every goaded attack.

Swap 6 of 13
Darien, King of Kjeldor
Cut
Darien, King of Kjeldor
Legendary Creature — Human Soldier · 4WW
Inclusion17%
Synergy15%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 16
Geode Rager
Add
Geode Rager
Creature — Elemental · 4RR
Inclusion35%
Synergy34%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 35

Darien, King of Kjeldor is a six-mana 3/3 that makes Soldiers when you are dealt damage. It is played in about one Nelly Borca deck in six.

Geode Rager is a 4/3 first strike creature for {4}{R}{R}. Landfall: whenever a land enters under your control, you goad each creature target player controls. A goad on every land drop.

Swap 7 of 13
Stalking Leonin
Cut
Stalking Leonin
Creature — Cat Archer · 2W
Inclusion17%
Synergy17%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 17
Mangara, the Diplomat
Add
Mangara, the Diplomat
Legendary Creature — Human Cleric · 3W
Inclusion31%
Synergy25%
Lift5.3×
Oracle score 28

Stalking Leonin is a 3/3 for {2}{W} that secretly exiles an attacker once. It is played in about one Nelly Borca deck in six.

Mangara, the Diplomat is a 2/4 lifelink creature for {3}{W}. Whenever an opponent attacks with creatures, if two or more are attacking you or your planeswalkers you draw a card, and whenever an opponent casts their second spell each turn you draw a card. A card engine for a table that is attacking.

Swap 8 of 13
Etali, Primal Storm
Cut
Etali, Primal Storm
Legendary Creature — Elder Dinosaur · 4RR
Inclusion20%
Synergy17%
Lift6.5×
Oracle score 19
Firemane Commando
Add
Firemane Commando
Creature — Angel Soldier · 3W
Inclusion24%
Synergy20%
Lift5.6×
Oracle score 21

Etali, Primal Storm is a six-mana 6/6 that casts spells from the top of each library when it attacks. It is played in about one Nelly Borca deck in five.

Firemane Commando is a 4/3 flier for {3}{W}. Whenever you attack with two or more creatures you draw a card, and whenever another player attacks with two or more creatures they draw a card if none of those creatures attacked you. A flier that draws on every attack.

Swap 9 of 13
Wall of Omens
Cut
Wall of Omens
Creature — Wall · 1W
Inclusion21%
Synergy18%
Lift7.7×
Oracle score 19
Convenient Target
Add
Convenient Target
Enchantment — Aura · R
Inclusion20%
Synergy20%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 20

Wall of Omens is a 0/4 defender that draws a card when it enters. It is played in about one Nelly Borca deck in five.

Convenient Target costs {R}. When it enters it suspects the enchanted creature, and the creature gets +1/+1, and for {2}{R} you return it from the graveyard to your hand. A one-mana suspect that you can reuse.

Swap 10 of 13
Otherworldly Escort
Cut
Otherworldly Escort
Creature — Human Detective · 3W
Inclusion18%
Synergy18%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 18
Fast Forward
Add
Fast Forward
Sorcery · 4R
Inclusion16%
Synergy15%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 16

Otherworldly Escort is a 4/3 flash Human Detective for {3}{W} that returns once as a Spirit. It is played in about one Nelly Borca deck in six.

Fast Forward costs {4}{R}, minus {1} for each opponent you attacked this turn. It goads all creatures your opponents control. After you attack, it can cost two mana and sends the whole table at each other.

Swap 11 of 13
Ransom Note
Cut
Ransom Note
Artifact — Clue · 1
Inclusion12%
Synergy11%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 12
Bothersome Quasit
Add
Bothersome Quasit
Creature — Demon · 2R
Inclusion52%
Synergy50%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 51

Ransom Note is a one-mana Clue that can goad a creature or draw a card. It is played in about one Nelly Borca deck in eight.

Bothersome Quasit is a 3/2 menace Demon for {2}{R}. Goaded creatures your opponents control can't block, and whenever you cast a noncreature spell you goad target creature an opponent controls. A goad engine that clears the way for your own attackers.

Swap 12 of 13
Elspeth, Sun's Champion
Cut
Elspeth, Sun's Champion
Legendary Planeswalker — Elspeth · 4WW
Inclusion27%
Synergy21%
Lift4.7×
Oracle score 23
The Sound of Drums
Add
The Sound of Drums
Enchantment — Aura · 2R
Inclusion41%
Synergy40%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 40

Elspeth, Sun's Champion is a six-mana planeswalker that makes three Soldiers a turn. It is played in about one Nelly Borca deck in four.

The Sound of Drums is an Aura for {2}{R}. The enchanted creature is goaded and deals double combat damage, and for {2}{R} you can return it from the graveyard to your hand. A goaded creature hits another player for double, and Nelly draws for both of you.

Swap 13 of 13
Solemn Simulacrum
Cut
Solemn Simulacrum
Artifact Creature — Golem · 4
Inclusion36%
Synergy17%
Lift1.9×
Oracle score 25
Alexios, Deimos of Kosmos
Add
Alexios, Deimos of Kosmos
Legendary Creature — Human Berserker · 3R
Inclusion50%
Synergy44%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 46

Solemn Simulacrum is a four-mana 2/2 that fetches a land and draws a card. It is played in about one Nelly Borca deck in three, and does nothing to the goad plan.

Alexios, Deimos of Kosmos is a 4/4 trampler for {3}{R} that attacks each combat if able and can't attack its owner. At each player's upkeep, that player gains control of it, untaps it and puts a +1/+1 counter on it. It is passed around the table, attacks someone else every turn, and gets bigger each time.

The full swap list

Cut

  • Ancient Stone Idol
  • Feather, Radiant Arbiter
  • Steel Hellkite
  • Winds of Rath
  • Angel of the Ruins
  • Darien, King of Kjeldor
  • Stalking Leonin
  • Etali, Primal Storm
  • Wall of Omens
  • Otherworldly Escort
  • Ransom Note
  • Elspeth, Sun's Champion
  • Solemn Simulacrum

Add

  • Agrus Kos, Spirit of Justice
  • Taunt from the Rampart
  • Grenzo, Havoc Raiser
  • Puppet Master, String Puller
  • Aurelia, the Law Above
  • Geode Rager
  • Mangara, the Diplomat
  • Firemane Commando
  • Convenient Target
  • Fast Forward
  • Bothersome Quasit
  • The Sound of Drums
  • Alexios, Deimos of Kosmos

What to keep

These cards are doing the deck's heavy lifting. Do not cut them.

If you want to spend more

These are strong but sit outside a budget upgrade. Prices are the cheapest paper printing.

The verdict

Blame Game already has the goad spells. The upgrade is cheap creatures that goad, suspect and draw whenever players attack, in place of expensive finishers, a wipe and defensive cards. These thirteen swaps cost about $25 in total.

Want a full 100-card list built around Nelly Borca, Impulsive Accuser from today's data?

Build with The Oracle →

Frequently asked questions

What are the best upgrades for the Blame Game precon?

Using data from 6,405 Nelly Borca decks, the highest-scoring additions are Agrus Kos, Spirit of Justice (for Ancient Stone Idol), Taunt from the Rampart (for Feather, Radiant Arbiter) and Bothersome Quasit (for Ransom Note). The full list has 13 swaps, each scored with synergy, inclusion and lift.

How much does it cost to upgrade Blame Game?

All 13 swaps cost about $25.42 at the cheapest paper printings (TCGplayer market prices via Scryfall, 2026-10-27). If you want to spend more, the guide also covers Windcrag Siege ($0.31).

What should I cut from Blame Game?

The weakest cards for this commander are Ancient Stone Idol, Feather, Radiant Arbiter and Ransom Note. The guide explains the reason for every cut, and swaps each one for a card that scores higher.

Which cards should I keep in Blame Game?

Keep Disrupt Decorum, Hot Pursuit, Vengeful Ancestor, Take the Bait and Duelist's Heritage. These are the cards doing the deck's heavy lifting.

What does Nelly Borca do?

Nelly Borca, Impulsive Accuser costs {2}{R}{W}, is a 2/4 and has vigilance. Whenever Nelly attacks, you suspect target creature, then goad all suspected creatures. A suspected creature has menace and cannot block. Whenever one or more creatures an opponent controls deal combat damage to one or more of your opponents, you and the controller of those creatures each draw a card. Her goaded creatures hit other players, and you draw.

More Murders at Karlov Manor Commander upgrade guides

All precon upgrade guides

How the numbers work

Inclusion is the share of Nelly Borca, Impulsive Accuser decks (6,405 of them when this was written, 2026-10-27) that play the card. Synergy is how much more often they play it than other decks in the same colours. Oracle score is synergy × 0.6 plus inclusion × 0.4, the same blend The Oracle uses to rank cards for a deck. Lift compares how often the card appears in these decks with how often it could, capped at 8× here; it is shown for context and does not change the score.

Two cautions. Players who run the precon unmodified count as Nelly Borca decks, which flatters every card the precon contains. Lift is high for many goad cards because few decks play them outside a goad deck, so use lift to compare cards, not to judge one in isolation. Prices are the cheapest non-foil paper printing on TCGplayer (via Scryfall), in USD, and move daily.