Akroma’s Will can turn a developed white creature deck into a serious combat threat while also protecting its attackers. Controlling a commander as you cast it allows you to choose both modes, combining evasion and double strike with lifelink, indestructible, and protection from each color.
A wide token board is a strong starting point. Avenger of Zendikar’s Plants, for example, can become much more dangerous once they have grown and receive flying and double strike. Vigilance allows the attackers to remain untapped, while lifelink can rebuild a life total after an aggressive combat. The spell rewards having creatures ready to attack rather than creating that board by itself.
Its defensive mode can also be useful on its own when you need to survive damage or protect creatures from colored interaction. If you have already chosen both modes while controlling a commander, losing that commander before resolution does not reduce the spell to one mode. Plan around the creature board that will actually be present when Will resolves.
The spell does not grant haste, so newly created creatures may still be unable to attack. Protection from colors does not include colorless, and exile effects that do not target can bypass it. Protection can make your own colored Auras fall off and prevent your colored spells from targeting the creatures, so plan targeted support before granting it. Akroma’s Will is strongest as a combat payoff for an established board, with enough creatures and power to make the extra abilities translate into meaningful damage.
