Crown Quartermaster is great on turn one and for generating a Steel Dagger to equip on Rihad Horseman or Rihad Battlemage, and putting Skaven Pyromancer in the lane with Dunmer Nightblade can force out the Steel Sword.

The Redguard strategy is simple, especially so with common cards: get the Rihad out and have an item ready for them.

Using creatures to summon or drop swords and daggers leaves extra space for more spells, so a secondary Battlemage theme involves Crystal Tower Crafter and spell combos. Lesser Ward and Ice Spike can be cast any time after she’s on board. Not only are they both cheap, but they’re both very useful for Battlemages: protection from Lethal and face damage with card draw.

Fiery Imp is an excellent card to mulligan for on turn one, while Camlorn Hero can stay in an opening hand, and so can Morkul Gatekeeper.