Introduction
Few cards have impacted the Commander format as significantly as Dockside Extortionist. Since its debut in Commander 2019, this unassuming 2-drop goblin has turned games on their head, enabling explosive combos, massive tempo swings, and game-winning turns in both casual EDH and high-powered cEDH.
In this article, we’ll break down:
- Card text and synergies
- Optimal decks and formats
- Broken combos and interactions
- Meta impact and community bans
- Budget-friendly alternatives
- Rules tips and frequently asked questions
Let’s explore why Dockside Extortionist is considered one of the most format-warping creatures in all of Commander.
Card Breakdown: What Makes Dockside So Strong
Dockside Extortionist
{1}{R}
Creature — Goblin Pirate
1/2
ETB: Create X Treasure tokens, where X is the number of artifacts and enchantments your opponents control.
- Mana Value: 2 (cheap and easy to cast repeatedly)
- Card Type: Creature – triggers many recursion loops and bounce effects
- Primary Synergy: Generates Treasure tokens equal to opponents’ board states, often 5+ mana on resolution
- Treasure Tokens = Mana Ramp + Combo Enabler
Synergizes With:
- ETB-focused decks (e.g., Korvold, Fae-Cursed King, Prosper, Tome-Bound)
- Combo engines like Temur Sabertooth, Cloudstone Curio, Deadeye Navigator
- Reanimation/Blink effects (Karmic Guide, Ephemerate)
Best Formats & Decks for Dockside Extortionist
cEDH (Competitive EDH)
Dockside is a near-auto-include in red-inclusive decks due to its:
- Speed: Easily creates 5–10 Treasures turn 2 or 3
- Combo Potential: Enables infinite loops with minimal setup
- Tempo Recovery: Allows a player behind to surge ahead in mana
Popular cEDH decks running Dockside:
- Winota, Joiner of Forces
- Korvold, Fae-Cursed King
- Najeela, the Blade-Blossom
- Kraum/Thrasios Midrange
Casual EDH
In 75% power-level metas, Dockside is still powerful but can feel “unfair.” Many playgroups have house-banned the card due to its impact.
Decks that love it:
- Prosper, Tome-Bound – Treasures fuel more exiled spells
- Jhoira, Weatherlight Captain – Artifact synergies galore
- Isshin, Two Heavens as One – Double ETBs = double Treasures
Legacy/Vintage
Dockside is legal but not prevalent—other 1- and 2-drops often outclass it due to game speed. It occasionally shows up in Goblins sideboards vs artifact-heavy metas.
Key Combos & Infinite Interactions
Dockside becomes busted when you can repeatedly re-enter the battlefield. Here are some of the most broken combos:
1. Temur Sabertooth
- Cast Dockside with 5+ artifacts/enchantments on the board
- Use 2 Treasures to bounce Dockside with Temur Sabertooth
- Repeat infinitely to generate infinite Treasures and infinite ETBs
2. Cloudstone Curio
- Control Dockside and another nonartifact creature
- Cast one, bounce the other, and repeat
- Each Dockside ETB nets you more Treasures for mana
3. Deadeye Navigator
- Soulbond with Dockside
- Use 2 Treasures to blink Dockside
- Infinite mana with enough targets
4. Underworld Breach + Dockside + Brain Freeze
- Recast Dockside repeatedly using Breach and the Treasures it makes
- Storm off with Brain Freeze targeting yourself, milling your graveyard to loop spells
These combos are compact, require minimal setup, and are almost always game-ending.
Meta Impact & Power Level
Dockside has created tension in the Commander community. It’s so strong that:
- Rule 0 bans are common in casual pods
- Many cEDH players agree it’s “top 5 creatures of all time”
- It often creates feel-bad moments when one player ramps to 20 mana turn 3
The Command Zone ranked Dockside as one of the most powerful Commander cards ever printed. Playing With Power frequently features it as a key combo piece in top-tier cEDH lists.
🧠 “Dockside changes the math of the entire game. It’s not just ramp—it’s ritual-level mana generation on a 2-drop.” — Joseph Schultz, Playing With Power
Budget Alternatives
Can’t afford a real or proxy Dockside yet? Here are a few budget-friendly substitutes:
- Reckless Barbarian – Not treasures, but mana on sacrifice
- Seething Song – Burst mana for combo decks
- Pirate’s Pillage – Draw and Treasures
- Big Score – Instant-speed version with similar upside
- Captain Lannery Storm – Repeated Treasure generation on attack
While none offer Dockside’s explosive ceiling, they can still support budget builds.
For the best quality Dockside proxies, AbyssProxyShop.com offers tournament-style reproductions for casual and cEDH events.
Rules & FAQs
Q: Does Dockside count token artifacts or enchantments?
✅ Yes. It counts all artifacts/enchantments your opponents control, including Clue, Treasure, and Food tokens.
Q: Can you respond to the ETB trigger?
✅ Yes. The trigger goes on the stack. Players can remove artifacts/enchantments in response to reduce Treasure count.
Q: How does priority work with Dockside in a combo loop?
⏱ You must maintain priority through the loop (e.g., via Temur Sabertooth or Curio) and resolve each ETB individually.
Q: Does it trigger from your own artifacts/enchantments?
❌ No. Only opponents’ board states count.
Conclusion: Should You Play Dockside Extortionist?
In a word—yes. If your deck includes red and you’re allowed to use proxies or can afford the card, Dockside Extortionist is an all-time great.
From budget cEDH builds to artifact-heavy midrange lists, it performs above curve and enables infinite mana, combo kills, and ridiculous value engines.
For many players, especially budget-minded or proxy-permitted groups, Dockside is an essential inclusion—and a clear candidate for a powerful, proxy-worthy staple.
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