Whenever you cast your first spell each turn, choose an opponent at random. Vial Smasher deals damage equal to that spell's mana value to that player or a planeswalker that player controls.
Partner (You can have two commanders if both have partner.)
Cast big spells (often free or cost-reduced) to fling Vial Smasher damage at random opponents while building toward a deterministic kill. Pair with a Partner to add a second color or strategic angle, then chain spells and X-spells to burn the table out, or pivot to a combo/storm finish.
Free incidental damage every turn just for playing your deck normally
Partner flexibility lets you splash a third color and tailor the gameplan
Rewards high-mana-value spells like X-spells and Eldrazi, which decks want anyway
Punishes planeswalkers and can pressure a single opponent hard
Random target selection makes damage unreliable for closing out a chosen player
Only triggers on your FIRST spell each turn, capping throughput
Three toughness dies to most removal and sweepers easily
Color identity (BR by itself) lacks card draw and ramp without the partner
Copying expensive spells maximizes board impact, though Vial Smasher only fires on the original first cast.
Choose a high-power partner—Thrasios, Triton Hero for Sultai value and combo, Kraum or Tymna for card draw—then add fast mana (Mana Crypt, Sol Ring, Jeweled Lotus) and efficient tutors (Demonic Tutor, Vampiric Tutor) to assemble a compact win. Lean into a deterministic combo rather than relying on Vial Smasher's random damage, and run interaction (Swan Song, Mystical Tutor, Dockside Extortionist) to protect your turns.
Legendary Creature — Goblin Berserker
