Archidekt Deckbuilding Contest - August 2026 (Locked)

{"ops":[{"insert":"The Idea / Goal"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The idea behind this deck was \"what if I can guarantee "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ashaya's Enduring Bond"}},{"insert":" will always hit its namesake "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ashaya, Soul of the Wild"}},{"insert":" when cast for 5 mana?\" With Gruul being no stranger to powerful high-mana creatures and big mana enablers (including Ashaya itself capable of filling both roles fairly well), the answer was simple: every nonland card in the deck would simply cost 6 mana or more "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"except"},{"insert":" for Ashaya and one other spell to hit with the commander's first casting at 3 mana.\n\nExcept, it wasn't "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"quite"},{"insert":" that simple. The fact that the commander specifically requires you to control a legendary creature or planeswalker before you can cast it at all complicates things, and means it can't just be cast as soon as you have three lands with nothing else on the field. Naturally that means we'll have to lean heavily into legends, but the fact that this idea specifically puts all but two of our spells in the 99 at 6 mana or higher pretty much forces us into a bracket 2 deck that will spend most games playing draw-land-go until we can cast a six or seven mana legend. The goal from there will be to set ourselves up so we explode rapidly and hopefully overrun our opponents with big beaters faster than they can rein us in.\n\nKey Cards"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"We've already mentioned "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ashaya, Soul of the Wild"}},{"insert":", which suggests utilizing some payoffs for landfall and having a lot of lands. Picking something that will pair well with Ashaya for our 3 mana cast of the commander will be important to get the value train rolling, which naturally lead me to "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Nissa, Resurgent Animist"}},{"insert":". In addition to being thematic, as both a legendary and a Lotus Cobra-style effect, she fits beautifully with our intended game plan by netting us extra mana for every land, including a small rebate on every creature spell we cast (including off of the commander's discover effect) while Ashaya's out, helping to keep our explosive turns going. Nissa's second resolution effect will also help us find powerful elementals like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Nyxbloom Ancient"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Omnath, Locus of Rage"}},{"insert":", or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ancient Greenwarden"}},{"insert":" more reliably.\n\nRamp, Ramp, Ramp"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"In order to carry out our plan, we'll need a lot of mana. Both of our hidden commanders in Nissa and Ashaya help here once we can start the ball rolling, especially together, but they're just the beginning. The deck is packed with ramp options, too many to go through them all, but let's look at a few categories and highlights:\n\nCards like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Old Gnawbone"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Klauth, Unrivaled Ancient"}},{"insert":", and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Sakiko, Mother of Summer"}},{"insert":" can net us tons of mana when we swing in with our big attackers, letting us bring out even more threats after combat for next turn.\n\nWe can also get one-shot bursts of mana from spells like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Brass's Bounty"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Reckless Endeavor"}},{"insert":", or the death effect on "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ancient Adamantoise"}},{"insert":". "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Fungal Reaches"}},{"insert":" can also build up to this slowly in a pinch, especially in combination with true mana doublers (more on those later).\n\nThe land base plays multiple important roles in this effort too. Lands like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Myriad Landscape"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Crystal Vein"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Temple of the False God"}},{"insert":", and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Untaidake, the Cloud Keeper"}},{"insert":" among others can help get that first legendary card out a little bit early or squeeze through the first couple castings of our commander. Once the ball gets rolling, powerhouse lands like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Evendo, Waking Haven"}},{"insert":", and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Three Tree City"}},{"insert":" (likely declaring elementals, though other types might make sense depending on the board state) can give us a huge amount of mana turn after turn.\n\nWe'll always be happy to see additive mana like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Groundchuck & Dirtbag"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Zendikar Resurgent"}},{"insert":", or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Vorinclex, Voice of Hunger"}},{"insert":". But the real all-stars are "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Nyxbloom Ancient"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mana Reflection"}},{"insert":", which work with nonlands like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"The Great Henge"}},{"insert":" and even treasure tokens, while giving a bigger boost to anything that taps for multiple mana, even simple filter and bounce lands, to say nothing of the flood of mana from doubling or tripling Nykthos or Evendo.\n\nLand Synergies"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"While the deck doesn't strictly rely on it, there are a few powerful landfall effects available for Ashaya to supercharge. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Omnath, Locus of Rage"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Rampaging Baloths"}},{"insert":" can produce a horde of tokens, "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Geode Rager"}},{"insert":" can easily force all of our opponents to swing out at each other and leave us alone, "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Glacier Godmaw"}},{"insert":" can lead to huge blowout swings with haste and vigilance, and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Moraug, Fury of Akoum"}},{"insert":" can see us getting a frightening number of combats.\n\nAshaya can get big fast, so why not have a few more creatures just as big? "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Multani, Yavimaya's Avatar"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Molimo, Maro-Sorcerer"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ulvenwald Hydra"}},{"insert":", and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Lumra, Bellow of the Woods"}},{"insert":" all compound on Ashaya turning all of your creatures into lands to go tall, and most of them have a little bit of extra utility to boot.\n\nFun Odds & Ends"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"At a preposterous average mana value just shy of 7(!), this may be the perfect deck for "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Triple Triad"}},{"insert":", as any flip other than a land is going to nearly guarantee you can cast at least one or two of your opponents' spells, and getting all three may not be that uncommon. In a similar vein, "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Lurking Predators"}},{"insert":" will be a kill-on-sight threat with nearly half the deck being high-cost bomb creatures. But even scarier is the threat of a "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Primal Surge"}},{"insert":"; with only four other non-permanent cards in the deck, successfully resolving this card is likely to lead to a nearly insurmountable lead even if it doesn't give you an immediate swing for game.\n\nWith the deck aiming to win virtually only through combat damage, we have more than a few ways to help bring that plan to its conclusion. Big eldrazi with Annihilator like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Kozilek, Butcher of Truth"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ulamog, the Infinite Gyre"}},{"insert":", and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ulamog, the Defiler"}},{"insert":" can help clear a path. Classic finishers "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Blightsteel Colossus"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Etali, Primal Conqueror // Etali, Primal Sickness"}},{"insert":" lurk in the deck to one-shot a vulnerable player with poison damage. And there's no shortage of +1/+1 counters and overrun effects, with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Nissa, Ascended Animist"}},{"insert":" deserving special mention for combining a potentially massive overrun alongside Ashaya with a stream of large tokens, utility removal, and a legend that can enable our commander's first casting for less than 6 mana.\n\nOne final trick to call out: "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ba Sing Se"}},{"insert":" makes for a uniquely interesting utility land in this deck. Turning a land into a meager 2/2 isn't very strong here, but it's worth noting that earthbending can target lands that are "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"already"},{"insert":" creatures, including "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"any"},{"insert":" of your non-token creatures while Ashaya's on the board. The 2 +1/+1 counters aren't bad, but the real draw here is the chance to protect a key creature (like Nissa or Ashaya) from most forms of removal. Alongside theft effects from Triple Triad or Etali, it can also make sure lands and (with Ashaya) creatures you've borrowed stay on your side of the field through removal, since earthbend's death/exile trigger always returns the affected permanent under "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"your"},{"insert":" control (though the reminder text doesn't make this fact clear). And it also has one more little trick: in a pinch, Ba Sing Se can turn any of the deck's legendary lands into a legendary land "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"creature"},{"insert":", enabling our commander in a situation where we might otherwise be stuck.\n"}]}

{"ops":[{"insert":"Olinda is here to make everyone stanky.\nThrough multiple flicker/copy abilities I plan on stacking their board state with her odor counters. As well as giving away worthless creatures/tokens that I can add counters onto. Throw in a few drain/life gain creatures, some instant drop protection, and this game is going to one place. \n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"THE STINK DIMENSION. "},{"insert":"\n"}]}

{"ops":[{"insert":"This deck priorites landfall abilites of the commander and the other spells in the deck\n"}]}

{"ops":[{"insert":"The End Times is upon us!! Doom doom! Nephilim and their kin walk among us! In addition to including all of the Nephilim creatures, this deck uses changelings to capitalize on the commanders tutor getting you the ability select just the right creature for the current situation and to grow in strength quickly. With the addition of effects like cascade (Rain of Riches & Wanda’s Vision), discover (Pantlaza, Sun-Favored), cost reduction (Morpheon), and cheating creatures strait into play (Lurking Predators, Kindred Summons, Improvisation Capstone, and Prismatic Bridge), this deck goes both tall and unblockable with surprising speed!\n\nThe wincon is just going big and hitting hard before the opponents can react.\n\nEach of the Nephilim have unique mechanics and this deck tries to both incorporate and support their unique flavor so that no matter what you draw, there’s a Nephilim to tutor to enhance the effects.\n\nFor example, Ink-Trader Nephilim copys arcane spells targeting it, which lets you use cards like Irenicu’s Vile Duplication to make a copy of each creature you control. Or you can just use spells to make your creatures indestructible or have doublestrike.\n\nYore-Tiller Nephilim is a great recursion engine and can land hits with well with Nephilim Epochal on the field. Further recursion comes from the Hourglass of the Lost and the ability tutor and clone Yore Tiller, even from the graveyard with Lazav. \n\nThe end is here and coming quickly for your opponents.\n"}]}

{"ops":[{"insert":"This is more than just a Battle of Wits deck!\n\nWe have subthemes of...Yorion blink from extra zone.\nArtifact and enchantment recursion, including cycling and discarding to bring back.\nSynergies with having less lands.\nTop of library synergies.\nToolboxes to recur cards from graveyard.\n"}]}

{"ops":[{"insert":"This is a "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Shadowborn Apostle"}},{"insert":" s deck helmed by "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Uugguu, the Omniplasm"}},{"insert":" . \n\nUugguu's ability creates copies of nontoken Oozes when they die. The goal here is to give all our Shadowborn Apostles the Ooze creature type so that when we sacc 6 of them to summon a demon, 12 of them return to the battlefield. These 12 can either be used to summon more things, or to go wide and attack in combat depending on the game state!\n\nCards like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Maskwood Nexus"}},{"insert":" can slime-ify our non-ooze creatures. Maskwood Nexus is the optimal card in this category, as it also turns all our creatures into demons, so they can be tutored up by the apostles, but the other options are just fine, there just might be an extra step. The deck still plays fine if you don't have this card, since the first 6 apostles can sac to get "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Rune-Scarred Demon"}},{"insert":", or similar, to tutor up the effect needed. \n\nOnce Uugguu can duplicate our apostles, it can enter the battlefield. From this point, there are a couple of options based on what you're working with:\nkeep accumulating apostles and pop out "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Craterhoof Behemoth"}},{"insert":" to overwhelm the board with huge trampling clerics"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"if we can't trample over, we can at least force some blocks. we can pop out "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Dreadhound"}},{"insert":" or similar to drain our opponents out if they are forced to block"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"we can tutor up a bunch of huge demons and win the classic cult way."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nI really delight in "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mirror Box"}},{"insert":" decks where you can beatdown with shadowborn apostles instead of just using them to summon powerful demons, and I think Uugguu provides a whole other take on this since the 6 original apostles both summon a demon and replace themselves with 12 more. (naturally only the non-token apostles get the buff from the box, but they will be gigantic!)\n"}]}

{"ops":[{"insert":"My first thought when I saw The Unluckiest Planeswalker (once I got past \"Hey! The curse guy!\") was how he could color fix really well and then how he was even better as drawing card. The second thing I thought was OHMYGAWD! NEW LAND ENCHANTMENT COMMANDER!! I LOVE LAND ENCHANTMENTS!!! LET'S GOOOOOO!!!!! (Pretty much verbatim)\n\n+1 Ability\nAs I said, Mr. Curses works quite well as a color fixing mana dork, and I wanted to lean into that instead of running a ton of rocks and rainbow lands. So we excluded both. In fact, this is a 5 color mono-red land enchantment deck. Obviously since we are talking land auras, I am running some of the famous ones such as [[Abundant Growth]], [[Wild Growth]], and [[Nature’s Embrace]]. These pair so well with cards like [[Fertile Ground]] and [[Dawn’s Reflection]] to stack the effects to tap one land for 4 or more mana at a time. All of these are castable with no other fixing than The Unluckiest Planeswalker. And the more of them we get on board, the more color fixing we have available.\n\nColor fixing to definitely play more enchantments on my lands, but also on yours. Land enchantments make me so happy because what do you "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"mean"},{"insert":" I can steal that Gaea’s Cradle instead of Strip Mining it thanks to [[Annex]]?! I can tap this one land and spit out 5/5 beasts? Thanks [[Spawning Grounds]]! And I love “Counterspell And” type effects like [[Sunken Field]] and [[Buried in the Garden]] that move my game plan along while also messing with my opponents’ plans.\n\nAnd since we are talking about messing with my opponents’ plans, no one said this wasn’t a curse deck, its just a cursed lands deck. We are using cards like [[Lithoform Blight]] and, literally, [[Cursed Land]] to enchant our opponents’ lands. There are a lot of very good lands running around the format these days and having some way to spot remove them is definitely a good idea. We can also work on keeping the token deck under control a little bit with [[Nettlevine Blight]].\n\n-3 Ability\nI adore the fact that the design for The Unluckiest Planeswalker makes it so that he potentially becomes his own curse. Drawing "},{"attributes":{"italic":true,"bold":true},"insert":"double"},{"insert":" the number of cards as auras we control is not only strong but dangerous. The more you lean into the aura synergy, the closer you get to decking yourself. Because this man knows how to draw cards! And if we have [[Rowan’s Talent]] attached to him at the time, its off to the races.\n\nSo we are going to weaponize that and ty to win with cards like [[Psychosis Crawler]] and we make enough mana in the deck thanks to the aura ramp and [[Koth of the Hammer]] that we can just load up some [[Words of War]] triggers before activating his -3 ability. Words of War also doubles as a great way to keep from decking ourselves and so does the little [[Obstinate Familiar]].\n\nAll of that brings us back to the land base and the fact this is a 5 color "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"mono-red"},{"insert":" deck. Meaning we want things to burn. Cards like [[Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle]] and [[Longshot, Rebel Bowman]] start off our burn by pinging on nearly everything we put on board, including our commander. [[Koth of the Hammer]] gives us plenty of mana to dump into a [[Jaya’s Immolating Inferno]] to kill the table or can turn all of our mountains into shots to the players’ faces. And I love [[Last Light of Durin’s Day]] here finding [[Desert Were-Worm]] or the chaos pick of [[Themberchaud]]. Nothing feels more fitting for a deck with The Unluckiest Planeswalker than one that risks taking ourselves out with our own wincons!\n\n\n"}]}

{"ops":[{"insert":"Do you find MTG games too boring? Maybe you're missing that thrill of gambling? "},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Itazura, Lingering Wick"}},{"insert":" presents the"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":" Izzet Jack deck"},{"insert":"! And presents it to everyone.\n\nBut why would anyone want to participate in this when you could just play MTG as usual and completely ignore Mr. Wick? After a bit of research, cards from the most popular Commander archetypes (aggro, control, burn, tokens, etc.) were added to the deck as a prize pool foundation ("},{"insert":{"card-link":"Purphoros, God of the Forge"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Skullclamp"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mystic Forge"}},{"insert":"). But that was only the first step.\n\nThe real meat and the reason to join in are the combos — after all, everyone loves putting together cool combinations and being the smartest player on the planet! \nAnd we provide the platform for that — a huge variety of combos to suit all tastes, the most diverse ways to win in the deck, from classic two-card combos like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Niv-Mizzet, Parun"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Curiosity"}},{"insert":" to alternate win conditions: "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Hellkite Tyrant"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Chance Encounter"}},{"insert":".\n\nIn short, the core idea is: Combos in the deck are like poker hands. When you realize you've made a straight or some other great poker hand, you go all-in. We're just humbly offering players that same opportunity. \nYou might think: But we could just quickly assemble some combo ourselves and not bother? \nThat's absolutely true. But that's not interesting.\n\nThis deck has three main principles: \n1. Everyone is aware of the combos in the deck and that they can be obtained through the auction. All potential \"hands\" are also shown to everyone in advance. (Below the link is a document describing all possible combos for our opponents —"},{"attributes":{"link":" https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Xn5Wqiq4ycGPSplNcvzzFA43OTPFQpCh2JZFDa_Ga7I/edit?pli=1&tab=t.0"},"insert":" https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Xn5Wqiq4ycGPSplNcvzzFA43OTPFQpCh2JZFDa_Ga7I/edit?pli=1&tab=t.0"},{"insert":")\n2. We don't directly claim parts of the combos (no returns to our control, to our hand, or tutors) — the first choice belongs to our opponents; they have priority. \n3. Any returns, interruptions, or destruction of combo pieces don't happen for no reason. Any win is legitimate, and any manipulation of it on our side is mostly harmless ("},{"insert":{"card-link":"Tishana's Tidebinder"}},{"insert":") and more often just prevents the game from ending too early or saves us from a threat ("},{"insert":{"card-link":"Polymorphist's Jest"}},{"insert":"). Opponents are also aware in advance of what manipulation capabilities we have in the deck.\n\nWith rules like these, if we are the only ones assembling combos, all hell will break loose on us. Since all players know there are many combos in the deck, but we ourselves are an easy target.\n\nNow we just need to figure out how to win. \nOf course, we're not here strictly for the win, but that option is there too. And the best thing we can do ourselves is to accidentally assemble a combo from whatever's left over, or finish off those who've overbid. \nPlayers will most likely not allow each other to have combos, nor will they allow us to have them — but since we are the croupier of this gambling house, manipulating the cards in the deck is much easier for us than for our opponents. The deck includes a certain class of cards for topdeck manipulation ("},{"insert":{"card-link":"Soothsaying"}},{"insert":") — they're primarily needed to maintain a decent quality of prizes, but with proper play, you can plan several turns ahead. And to have multiple prizes, there are cards for creating several Itazuras ("},{"insert":{"card-link":"Chameleon, Master of Disguise"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Quantum Misalignment"}},{"insert":") (though this may lead to uncontrollable consequences). Unfortunately, not all combos in the card pool will be good enough, so we offer cards to improve them like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Torbran, Thane of Red Fell"}},{"insert":". As a counterbalance, there are cards to slow down combos — if anyone feels in danger, they can always grab one of those "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Platinum Angel"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Scrawling Crawler"}},{"insert":".\n\nTo sum it up: with such a foundation, we create the perfect conditions for truly massive bets and for braking of the strongest people relationships.\n"}]}

{"ops":[{"insert":"The \"Rulebreaker\" cards stood out to me, but for a different reason than most: many of them allow a deck to use basic lands of any type. My mind immediately went to Domain, a keyword that's quite difficult to use in Commander. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Maular, the Next Evolution"}},{"insert":" is one such Rulebreaker commander, and my focus was spent on that basic land access. The other thing that interested me was its ability to double power and toughness. Since this doubling effect happens in the same layer (7c) as flat bonuses to P/T, it means buffs can essentially be doubled in value. My goal was to focus on these aspects of Maular: not his ability to enable a rainbow of expensive beaters, but the opportunity to leverage buffs for potent effect, and to showcase the humble basic land.\n\nWith a commander that cares about 7-mana creatures, and a wide range of basics, having enough ramp and color access is crucial. That's why every ramp card either puts lands from my hand into play, or searches up basic lands. The best-case scenario is to play a 1- or 2-mana source of ramp in the first two turns, play a 4-mana ramp spell on turn 3, and reach 7 mana as early as turn 4. Some of the 4-mana ramp spells are particularly useful, too: "},{"insert":{"card-link":"New Generation's Technique"}},{"insert":" can be played as early as turn 2 if we play a 1-mana dork like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Elvish Pioneer"}},{"insert":" on turn 1. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Encroaching Dragonstorm"}},{"insert":" can return to hand with a few different Dragons, letting it be replayed in the late game. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Invasion of Zendikar // Awakened Skyclave"}},{"insert":" is easy to attack with our massive creatures, and when defeated becomes an additional way to get mana of any color we need. And while it doesn't fit the profile of either a ramp spell or a big 7+ mana creature, "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Overlord of the Hauntwoods"}},{"insert":" is a crucial part of the deck for its ability to make Everywhere lands that count for all 5 relevant types of basic land.\n\nThis mana base is further supported by strong fetch lands and a series of basic landcyclers to further support our somewhat demanding mana needs.\n\nOnce we have our lands, we can start using our colors with the \"Painbow Connection\" category. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Draco"}},{"insert":" is infamous as the most expensive card in the game, but its Domain ability means it's only 6 mana to cast and has no upkeep payment needed. This ancient relic becomes a potent 18/18 with Trample when it attacks, thanks to this deck letting it shine. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Scion of Draco"}},{"insert":" is a similar card that, though weaker, is even cheaper through Domain, and gives valuable keywords to our entire board. Not limited to just creatures, "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Jodah's Codex"}},{"insert":" gives us a free card draw each turn thanks to Domain.\n\nSunburst is another potent keyword to use our land base, giving "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Suncrusher"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Solarion"}},{"insert":" 5 +1/+1 counters on cast. Suncrusher can utilize those counters to destroy up to five creatures, and Solarion can double them each turn to become an exponential menace when combined with Maular's power doubling.\n\nThe rest of our color payoffs overlap with our other focus: taking advantage of the chance to double up on buffs. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Might of Alara"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Gaea's Might"}},{"insert":" can terrorize an opponent if cast before attackers are declared, giving us a +5/+5 bonus that's then doubled to a whopping +10/+10 for just a single mana. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Tromp the Domains"}},{"insert":" does the same thing for our whole board while giving Trample, making this underused sorcery into an effective way to close out a game. combines the buff with card draw if our hand gets too low. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Quilled Greatwurm"}},{"insert":" is especially interesting given the doubled power of attacking creatures, because it means that the +1/+1 counter don't just double their power and toughness, but actually triple them.\n\nThis doubled power can also translate to incredibly potent card draw. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Hunter's Insight"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Starwinder"}},{"insert":" can be cast fairly cheaply and turn our doubled damage into massive burst draw, and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Return of the Wildspeaker"}},{"insert":" can be cast as soon as a creature has been declared as an attacker - you don't even need to wait for damage to be dealt.\n\nA massive board isn't always enough to muscle through a game, so other forms of removal outside of combat are still needed. \"Bite\" spells like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ram Through"}},{"insert":" can be cast after declaring an attacker, destroying creatures that an opponent might want to protect from using as a blocker. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ezuri's Predation"}},{"insert":" gives us an army of disposable 4/4 tokens to fight back against players with wider boards than us, and [_] practically turns into a one-player "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Blasphemous Act"}},{"insert":" if its power has been doubled. Some of our non-green creatures help with removal, too: "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Zacama, Primal Calamity"}},{"insert":" is constant artifact and enchantment removal, and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Sheoldred, Whispering One"}},{"insert":" is a combined removal and reanimation engine all in one.\n\nA special shoutout too to "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Not of This World"}},{"insert":" as basically being a free counterspell here in a \"mono-green\" deck, something likely to catch an opponent off guard!\n"}]}

{"ops":[{"insert":"This "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Rikala, Homarid King"}},{"insert":" deck has a structure you'd expect from most, with cards such as "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Clockspinning"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mister Hyde, Monster Within"}},{"insert":" that look to control the amount fo tide counters on the commander. However, you may see that the deck has a pretty unique game plan outside of that. It looks to use burst proliferation with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Radstorm"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Expansion Algorithm"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Deepglow Skate"}},{"insert":" - often enabled with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Kaho, Minamo Historian"}},{"insert":" - to greatly increase the amount of tide counters on Rikala and deliver a game-ending blow to multiple opponents at once.\n\nWhile the deck is packed with tech cards such as "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Sylvan Tutor"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Tidal Barracuda"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"High Tide"}},{"insert":" and a few untap spells intended to work with Kaho, it also supports a +1/+1 counter subtheme, with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Simic Initiate"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Helium Squirter"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Wilderland Scrounger"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ambitious Dragonborn"}},{"insert":" as basic, low-investment ways to get counters on the board - with the last two benefiting greatly from Rilkala's counters' power increase. This amounts to a mass of high-powered creatures for you once you cast the Radstorm or Expansion algorithm. \n\nTo finish a game with this deck, a player does not necessarily need to pull off a Kaho-Radstorm combo or something of the sort. If you manage to establish control of the counters on Rikala with a "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ferropede"}},{"insert":" or the aforementioned Mr. Hyde, it is not hard to use an alternate game ender, such as "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Jumbo Cactuar"}},{"insert":" or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Pathbreaker Ibex"}},{"insert":" - the latter of which greatly benefits from the power buff from the commander - two very strong cards that benefit greatly from the variety of evasion present in this deck, "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Artful Dodge"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Pym Particles"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Lockjaw, Slobbering Teleporter"}},{"insert":" and more. They and other creatures are helped by "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Concordant Crossroads"}},{"insert":".\n\nThe deck lacks in traditional removal, however it supports many counterspells, such as "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Counterspell"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mana Drain"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"An Offer You Can't Refuse"}},{"insert":" and more, providing safety from the biggest threat to this deck: board removal. They, along with the sorts of Tidal barracuda also allow for you to take your time and perform a game-winning play on your turn and be protected.\n\nThe deck's mana curve is quite interesting; it has a lot of cheap cards - cantrips, small creatures like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Bold Biochemist"}},{"insert":" and the aforementioned Simic initiate, and more - however it will hold on to most of them to perform a game-ending combo, and will rely on more expensive cards throught the game. This means that the deck is sometimes a little slow. It, however, has plenty of ramp that can be used on you early turns, allowing for you to move ahead of your opponents in the middle-stage of the match.\n\nOther cards that the deck finds really useful include "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ouroboroid"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Champion of Lambholt"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Snapcaster Mage"}},{"insert":".\n\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Made for the august 2026 deckbuilder contest."},{"insert":"\n"}]}

{"ops":[{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Jandor, Generous Within [RGW Mounts]"},{"insert":"\n\nIn a typical commander game, what is the likeliest reason someone would control an Elephant or Beast token? Generous Gift and Beast Within! This deck aims these spells at our own indestructible creatures and recurs them to grow an army of Mounts to attack, draw cards with our commander Jandor, Fortuned Traveler, and overwhelm our opponents! And with so many Mounts, they can ride each other to get the benefits.\n\n(1) Destroy to Create Mount\nGenerous Gift and Beast Within are our key spells, excellent removal for opponents' permanents and engine pieces for us. Terastodon can remove our opponents noncreatures and turn Jandor's food into Elephants.\n\n(2) Indestructible\nOnly Terastodon cares if the targeted permanent actually dies, so granting indestructible lets us keep our permanents and our forces can grow net positive.\n\n(3) Spread Spells\nFeather, Radiant Arbiter; Mirrorwing Dragon; and Zada, Hedron Grinder copy single-target spells to every other creature we control, allowing us to double our Mounts with each casting. Radiant Performer spreads the spell to every valid permanent (so be careful about accidentally or purposefully creating an 8+mana mass land destruction combo)!\n\n(4) Recur Instants and Sorceries\nThese cards get back our Generous Gift and Beast Within so we can repeatedly re-target our permanents to create Mounts.\n\n(5) Create Copy\nThese copy spells help us grow our army before we draw into Generous Gift et al. Some are only temporary clones, but that makes them even more appealing for Jandor to send into battle to draw a card and create a Food. Kindred Charge and other effects that care about creature type can fortunately name Mount.\n\n(6) Create Mounts\nThese create token Mounts, further amplifying the power of our copy effects. Also note that Silverfur Partisan can snowball easily with Zada spell spreading.\n\n(7) Draw and Cantrips\nCantrips, when amplified by Zada et al. can turn into massive draw spells. Coupled with Jandor's attack trigger, we should draw into our key pieces quite easily.\n\n(8) Tutor\nSunforger can help us get Generous Gift or other white or red spells. \n\n(9-12) Ramp, Removal, Board Wipe, Lands\nThe creature ramp pieces work well with our copy effects, and Inspiring Statuary takes advantage of all of Jandor's food. Many removal pieces grant indestructible to help protect our permanents, even from ourselves, and Ezuri's Predation helps turn our opponents' creatures into Beasts for us!\n\nI'd love to hear what you all think, thanks for reading this far!\n"}]}

{"ops":[{"insert":"When it awoke the All Form stirred in his slumber...\n\nI've always loved "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Orvar, the All-Form"}},{"insert":" and now I get a four color version along with his bestie "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ink-Treader Nephilim"}},{"insert":" !\n\nWhen building this deck I thought about what creatures love to be copied\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Harabaz Druid"}},{"insert":" makes more mana with each copy (Orvar is also an ally)\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Terror of the Peaks"}},{"insert":" becomes even more terrifying\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Exalted Sunborn"}},{"insert":" requires an advanced math degree to figure out the number of copies\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Goldspan Dragon"}},{"insert":" gives you an army and repays the mana\n\nEarly turns are spent building up some tokens that can stop early aggression, make mana with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Cryptolith Rite"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Enduring Vitality"}},{"insert":" and once we have "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ink-Treader Nephilim"}},{"insert":" the more tokens we have, the more cards we draw\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Loki, God of Mischief"}},{"insert":" "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ivy, Gleeful Spellthief"}},{"insert":" "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ms. Marvel, Kamala Khan"}},{"insert":" "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Feather, the Redeemed"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Season of Growth"}},{"insert":" turn our early cantrips into draw engines\nOnce you've built up enough resources cast "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Nephilim Epochal"}},{"insert":" to find Orvar. I like to start copying mana creatures like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Bloom Tender"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Faeburrow Elder"}},{"insert":" . Once we've got enough mana, make a copy of Nephilim Epochal to find Ink-Treader Nephilim and draw a bunch of cards. From here you should have a hand full of cantrips so we can make a little army and swing in making all our creatures unblockable with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Pym Particles"}},{"insert":" \n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Jeskai Ascendancy"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Stirring Hopesinger"}},{"insert":" pump up our board and can make even our smallest tokens legitimate threats\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Evolution Charm"}},{"insert":" serves as recursion for our creatures but can also use its last mode if we need something to target to make a copy\n\nMost of our interaction is in the form of cards that target so that they will also turn on Orvar like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Legolas's Quick Reflexes"}},{"insert":" "},{"insert":{"card-link":"March of Swirling Mist"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Retraction Helix"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Banishing Knack"}},{"insert":" serve as removal and can be a one sided board wipe with Ink-Treader Nephilim. \nWe also have a few untap cantrips to help untap our board with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Refocus"}},{"insert":" "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Cerulean Wisps"}},{"insert":" and even "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Claim the Firstborn"}},{"insert":" in a pinch (this card goes crazy with Ink-Treader)\n\nOrvar is way too fun of a commander to stick to just one color. Enjoy! \n"}]}

{"ops":[{"insert":"This is a Nephilim Epochal deck that seeks to use "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Maskwood Nexus"}},{"insert":" effects to let its commander act as a toolbox deck. The deck has a small changeling package in order to facilitate a naked Epochal, as well as a massive amount of tutors to get relevant cards to set up the toolbox, as well as other targets for them if you've already grabbed the important things. It can either win through combat using Epochal's pumping ability, or has a 2-card with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Brago, King Eternal"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Lithoform Engine"}},{"insert":" (chosen because it can be grabbed with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Transit Mage"}},{"insert":" ).\n\nNotable includes:\n\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"The Arkenstone // Seek the Heart"}},{"insert":" : It's here as a bridge from Transit Mage to any of my legendary creatures.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Loyal Inventor"}},{"insert":" : This can search up any artifact to hand, but only if you have an assassin. However, the commander can grab changelings, so it's very reasonable to have active.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Vedalken Aethermage"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Step Through"}},{"insert":" : There are a surprising amount of wizards in the deck that aren't changelings, including "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Spellseeker"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Rukarumel, Biologist"}},{"insert":".\n "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Celestial Reunion"}},{"insert":" : Similar to Loyal Inventor, the amount of changelings lets this act like a more flexible "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Green Sun's Zenith"}},{"insert":" a lot of the time.\n\n\nNotable excludes:\n\nThe Original Nephilim: I think most of them aren't that great, and don't help the toolbox idea of the deck. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ink-Treader Nephilim"}},{"insert":" could be useful with the flicker effects, but I'd rather stick to the no nephilim bit.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Morophon, the Boundless"}},{"insert":" : There aren't a lot of actual pips in the list despite being a decent home for the card. It's also trying to be toolbox and less storm.\nGame Changers: I wanted this to fall into Bracket 2-3, and the only one I would've really wanted was Worldly Tutor.\n"}]}

{"ops":[{"insert":"All right, ding-dongs. it's going to get super political, and we got the demon for the job with Miss Highwater.\n\nOh! And we're using alternate win conditions and Stickers. There's a lot going on--just, hold on. We'll cover the fun parts.\n\nFirst off, 'Highwater's whole thing is that, when she damages an opponent, they can opt to discard their hand and draw 7 cards--sweet deal for them, I love that journey for them! And when they do this, they get a contract counter. And when that player loses the game, you get a copy of all their creatures and artifacts that they had before they lost!\n\nI don't know why it took THIS long to FINALLY get a demon that does demon contract tomfoolery, but here we are.\n\nYou can do the traditional, \"let's make a deal--don't block her and take the 5, get your contract!\"\n\nBut there are opponents that DON'T want to make deals! Can you believe it?! I'm just and fair! And sometimes a bit more...leverage is needed.\n\nSo you run things like Tree of Perdition and Giggling Skittersprite. Take the deal, or you go to 13 life--or you get the others at the table to get them to take the deal, lest Skittersprite does damage to EVERYONE--respectively. Or also threaten them with Unstoppable Slasher to half their life points--all before you declare attackers.\n\nBut we have MORE than just Highwater and outward threats like Giggling Skittersprite and Tree of Perdition and Unstoppable Slasher. We can also use POSITIVE reinforcement and butter up our opponents with Oft-Nabbed Goat, or what I like to call it, \"The Black Rhystic Study\". \"Pay 1 for goat?\" \"Pay 1 for goat?\" \"Pay 1 for goat?\" Now YOU get to be as annoying as every Blue player--except you're actually helping out your opponents. SURE! They DO take 5 damage when the goat has run it's course, just shush your opponents and urge them to stop asking questions. Too many syllables and not enough action on their end--they should be ashamed.\n\nWe also have Kain, Traitorous Dragoon and Unscrupulous Contractor and make deals with these two. Opponent is struggling with card draw? Make a deal? Need something from your deck? We got Scheming Symmetry and Wishclaw Talisman. We can make deals ALL DAY! That's what we do here!\n\nWhat can your pedestrian dilettante opponents offer? \"Uhhh. I won't attack you for a turn?\"\n\nOH! CUTE! A \"Fog\" that's carried by hopes and dreams?\n\nNo. You need tangible results! I can get you the cards you want, little card draw, and even a whole new hand! Just agree to let her hit you and shake my hand for that contract counter. You can trust me! And in EDH, who CAN you trust? Not these self-serving mutants offering you a 1-turn \"Fog\". C'mon. YOU deserve better than that!\n\nWhat else do we got?\n\nOh! Mindslaver, The Dominion Bracelet, and Worst Fears. Look, there are some players that need more coaxing than others. It happens. The Dominion Bracelet and Mindslaver can help coax player to get in line--a nice political tool. Worst Fears are when you just need to send a message. As a deal-maker, it's necessary.\n\nOH! The stickers. Glad you asked. The Unfinity mechanic--FIRST OFF! It's legal, so scope that. Second, you HAVE to have a 10 card sticker deck, and you randomly get 3 of those cards to work with for an entire game. I'll run through some of the interactions:\n\nBlade of Selves + Ticketomaton/Carnival Carnivore = Myriad several of them into play and get a bunch of Tickets and/or Ticket placement"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Ticketomaton/Carnival Carnivore + Conjurer's Mirror = Instant Ticket and/or ticket placement"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Infect Sticker + Giggling Skittersprite/Stuffy Doll/Barbed Servitor = Infect counters straight to the opponent(s) dome! "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Infect sticker + Changeling Outcast + stat replacement stickers = Big unblockable with infect"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Unstoppable Slasher + Carnival-Elephant-Meteor 2-Ticket effect = sack, draw 2, it comes back with 2 stun counters, repeat when the counters are off."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Giggling Skittersprite + Monstrous + Cool-Fluffy-Loxodon 5-Sticker effect = 18/18 indestructible that does 18 damage to all opponents when it attacks, blocks, or is targeted."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nThat's SOME of the shenanigans, but it's some of the more fun ones.\n\nNow! Here's where we get stupid silly with making deals. Because what would a Demon-deal deck be without tipping the scales in your favor?\n\nYou have a few enchantments and creatures that look pretty craptacular:\nArchfield of the Dross"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Immortal Coil"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Demonic Lore"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Demonic Pact"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nNow, you have Liquimetal Coating and Liquimetal Torque to turn 'Lore and 'Pact to turn them into Artifacts for the turn. And this makes it so you can use Fateful Handoff or Gauntlets of Chaos to throw them at an opponent and watch them either instantly lose on their upkeep or scramble to have an opponent get the enchantment off of them. Basically, throw some of these \"auto-losers\" at opponents that are either an unfathomable threat or if you want a contracted opponent's board. You also have Stardew Valley to throw any of the above four at them PLUS get a card draw out of it.\n\nOH! There's MORE! We have two alternate win conditions.\n\nRevel with Riches can get you Treasure tokens. If you win, cool. But it's basically there as a risky Treasure generator. The REAL threat is Liliana's Contract. And we run a bunch of Demons. Now! Let's play a game: How many demons does this deck run. Let's see if you can spot them all. Don't scroll down until you're ready.\n.\n.\n.\n.\n.\n.\n.\n.\n.\n.\n.\n.\n.\n.\n.\n.\n.\n.\n.\n.\n.\n.\n.\n.\n.\n.\n.\n.\n.\n.\n.\n.\n.\n.\n.\n.\n.\nMiss Highwater"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Archfiend of the Dross"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Changeling Outcast"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Universal Automaton"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Promise of Power (demon token--yep! it count's, it's a token named \"Demon\" per guidelines)"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Firdoch Core (a mana rock that's a changeling! Doesn't need to transform, it can just sit there)"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Runed Stalactite (turns any non Demon creature into a Changeling--which is now a Demon)"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Stalactite Dagger Shapeshifter token (it's a changeling named \"Shapeshifter\")"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Stalactite Dagger (equipped to non Demon to make it a Changeling-Demon)"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Soulstone Sanctuary (it becomes a creature with all types and the effect doesn't go away)"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Tomb of Urami (Demon token named Urami)"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nSo yeah, you have a good number of Demons necessary to make the dream work!\n\nSo make those deals, make yourself a REALLY unappealing attack target (along with using Sunstone + snow-covered swamps for crucial moments), and bargaining to not get attacked for crucial turns. You're either going to run over opponents with the contracted creatures of the fallen opponents, or use an alt win because they are being too difficult and you just need to seal the deal.\n"}]}

{"ops":[{"insert":"As pretty much the only Mystery booster commander that looked interesting to play in a way that wasn't just good stuff card piles with a slight theme , but with the power creep to let you ignore that theme and still have powerful decks, I went with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Tsagan, Raider Warlord"}},{"insert":" . Originally it was just going to be \"Splicers and Strikers\", with a mostly golem focus, and a few good things first strike, but I decided there wasn't enough support with just golems, and added slivers and changelings to give the deck some overall cohesion and power. But even then, I went head first into the creature first and foremost ideology that makes these kind of clusterdecks so fun. At least until you need to start adding the same 30 interaction/ramp spells to make the deck viable in todays power crept meta of unoriginality.\n"}]}