Oroku Saki, Shredder Rising

Commander is where Oroku Saki, Shredder Rising does its best work — the ninjutsu loop is repeatable, the political angle of swinging at multiple opponents creates real board pressure, and the 99-card format gives you enough evasive creatures to support the gameplan. In 60-card formats like Modern or Pioneer, a five-mana legendary with no immediate enters-the-battlefield effect is hard to justify when cheaper, more consistent threats exist. Pauper rates similarly: the mana cost alone prices him out of a format built on efficiency. Standard is the one constructed format where he might see fringe play if the aggressive ninja shell is deep enough in the set, but that window is narrow.