ShakToth
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Commander
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{"ops":[{"insert":"Deck Overview"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nThis is my attempt at building a "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Ketramose, the New Dawn"}},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":" "},{"insert":"Commander deck that combines Orzhov flicker, exile based value, and lifegain/drain payoffs while still functioning as an actual high-power casual EDH deck.\n\nThe deck is built around three connected ideas:\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Flicker"},{"insert":" — blink creatures repeatedly to reuse enter-the-battlefield effects."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Exile"},{"insert":" — use removal, graveyard hate, and temporary exile effects to enable Ketramose."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Lifegain / drain"},{"insert":" — turn repeated creature movement into actual win conditions."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nThis is not a pure lifegain deck, not a pure aristocrats deck, and not a full stax deck. It is mostly an "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Orzhov flicker-combo value deck"},{"insert":" that can play fair for a while and then suddenly win through a loop.\n\nThe deck is aimed at "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Bracket 4"},{"insert":", but depending on how strictly you interpret Bracket 4, the current version can also feel more like a very strong Bracket 3 deck. There are still alot of card upgrades possible. \n\nStrengths"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Strong value game once Ketramose is active."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Lots of useful exile effects that double as interaction."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Good against creature-heavy decks."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Good incidental graveyard hate."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Multiple compact combo lines."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Can play both fair and unfair depending on the pod."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Has a lot of redundancy in its flicker pieces."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The deck can rebuild reasonably well if it keeps access to card draw or commander value."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nWeaknesses"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"ETB hate is very painful."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Cards like"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Torpor Orb"}},{"insert":" , "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Hushbringer"}},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Strict Proctor"}},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Containment Priest"}},{"insert":", or "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Elesh Norn, Mother of Machines"}},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":" "},{"insert":" can shut off large parts of the deck."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The deck can be slower if it does not find a flicker engine or Ketramose value."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The tutor package is still budget conscious, so the combo plan is less consistent than it could be."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Heavy counterspell decks can make it hard to resolve the important pieces."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The deck is very synergy-based, so individual cards can sometimes look medium until the right pieces come together."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nGame Plan"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Early Game"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The early game is about setting up mana, slowing the table down, and getting the first value pieces online.\nImportant early plays include:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Mana Rocks"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Cheap value / lifegain pieces"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Soul Warden"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Lunarch Veteran // Luminous Phantom"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Authority of the Consuls"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Guide of Souls"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Charming Prince"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Early exile / graveyard pieces"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Relic of Progenitus"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Scrabbling Claws"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ghost Vacuum"}},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Lion Sash"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Withered Wretch"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Merrow Bonegnawer"}},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nThe commander is usually good once you can exile something soon after casting it. \nThe deck does not need to combo early. Most of the time, the first few turns are about building a board that makes later flicker turns much stronger.\n\nMid Game"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The mid game is where the deck starts becoming difficult to deal with.\nThis is the point where flicker effects, exile effects, and lifegain payoffs start overlapping. \nCards like "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Ephemerate"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Cloudshift"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Phelia, Exuberant Shepherd"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Conjurer’s Closet"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Teleportation Circle"},{"insert":", and "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Sword of Hearth and Home"},{"insert":" can turn normal creatures into repeatable value engines.\n\nAt this stage, the deck can either play fair or start threatening combo.\nA normal mid-game pattern is:\nPlay a value creature."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Blink it once or twice."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Exile opposing threats or graveyard cards."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Draw extra cards with Ketramose."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":" Gain life incidentally."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Force opponents to answer pieces that are not even the full combo yet."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nThis is also where "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Preston, the Vanisher"}},{"insert":" becomes very scary. Preston turns simple flicker spells into much bigger board states and is part of some of the strongest combo lines in the deck.\n\nLate Game"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The late game is about turning all the small value pieces into something that actually ends the game.\nThe deck can win in several ways:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Infinite ETB / LTB loops"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Drain wins"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Gray Merchant wins"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Commander damage (Not very likely but it can happen with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Lion Sash"}},{"insert":" for example)"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":" \nThe deck usually does not win by being the fastest deck at the table. It wins by making normal interaction and normal flicker value slowly become impossible to keep up with, then eventually turning one engine into a win.\n\nMain Combo Ideas"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true,"bold":true},"insert":"A creature blinks another creature."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true,"bold":true},"insert":" That creature comes back and blinks the first creature."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true,"bold":true},"insert":" This repeats forever."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true,"bold":true},"insert":" A payoff turns the loop into a win."},{"insert":"\n\nThe cleanest basic loops are:\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Felidar Guardian + Restoration Angel -"},{"insert":" Infinite ETB and LTB triggers."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Felidar Guardian + Icewind Stalward - "},{"insert":" Infinite ETB and LTB triggers."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Icewind Stalwart + Restoration Angel -"},{"insert":" Infinite ETB and LTB triggers."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Abdel Adrian + Felidar Guardian + Ephemerate / Cloudshift - "},{"insert":" Infinite ETB triggers, infinite LTB triggers, infinite Soldier tokens."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Abdel Adrian + Restoration Angel + Ephemerate / Cloudshift - "},{"insert":" Infinite ETB triggers, infinite LTB triggers, infinite Soldier tokens."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Preston + Felidar Guardian + Ephemerate / Cloudshift - "},{"insert":"Infinite ETB triggers, infinite tokens, and potentially much more depending on the board."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":" \nMulligan Guide"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Good opening hands usually have:"},{"insert":"\n3 lands or 2 lands plus ramp,\n at least one mana rock or cheap setup piece,\n access to white mana early,\n one interaction spell or exile piece,\n and either Ketramose value, a flicker card, or a payoff.\n\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Hands are usually risky if they have:"},{"insert":"\nonly expensive flicker pieces,\n no ramp,\n no white mana,\n no early play,\n combo payoffs but no engine,\n flicker spells but no good targets,\n or too many tapped lands.\n\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"A normal keep looks like:"},{"insert":"\n3 lands,\n 1 mana rock,\n 1 cheap exile or interaction piece,\n 1 flicker/value creature,\n 1 payoff or card advantage piece,\n and 1 flexible card.\n\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Rule 0 Talk"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"It is aimed around Bracket 4, but it is not fully optimized yet because the mana base and tutor package are still budget-conscious. "},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"It is stronger than a normal casual value deck, but it is not meant to be cEDH."},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"The deck can absolutely win out of nowhere"},{"insert":" if the right pieces are assembled, so it should not be presented as a harmless lifegain deck. At the same time, it is not tuned to consistently race fast competitive combo decks."},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"}]}
Commander
Ketramose, the New Dawn
Menace, lifelink, indestructible
Ketramose can't attack or block unless there are seven or more cards in exile.
Whenever one or more cards are put into exile from graveyards and/or the battlefield during your turn, you draw a card and lose 1 life.
Ketramose can't attack or block unless there are seven or more cards in exile.
Whenever one or more cards are put into exile from graveyards and/or the battlefield during your turn, you draw a card and lose 1 life.
Legendary Creature - God
Commander
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Exile for Kentramos
Currency Converter
Whenever you discard a card, you may exile that card from your graveyard.
, : Draw a card, then discard a card.
: Put a card exiled with this artifact into its owner's graveyard. If it's a land card, create a Treasure token. If it's a nonland card, create a 2/2 black Rogue creature token.
, : Draw a card, then discard a card.
: Put a card exiled with this artifact into its owner's graveyard. If it's a land card, create a Treasure token. If it's a nonland card, create a 2/2 black Rogue creature token.
Artifact
Ghost Vacuum
: Exile target card from a graveyard.
, , Sacrifice this artifact: Put each creature card exiled with this artifact onto the battlefield under your control with a flying counter on it. Each of them is a 1/1 Spirit in addition to its other types. Activate only as a sorcery.
, , Sacrifice this artifact: Put each creature card exiled with this artifact onto the battlefield under your control with a flying counter on it. Each of them is a 1/1 Spirit in addition to its other types. Activate only as a sorcery.
Artifact
Lion Sash
: Exile target card from a graveyard. If it was a permanent card, put a +1/+1 counter on this permanent.
Equipped creature gets +1/+1 for each +1/+1 counter on this Equipment.
Reconfigure (: Attach to target creature you control; or unattach from a creature. Reconfigure only as a sorcery. While attached, this isn't a creature.)
Equipped creature gets +1/+1 for each +1/+1 counter on this Equipment.
Reconfigure (: Attach to target creature you control; or unattach from a creature. Reconfigure only as a sorcery. While attached, this isn't a creature.)
Creature Artifact - Equipment Cat
Exile for Kentramos
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Flickr
Abdel Adrian, Gorion's Ward
When Abdel Adrian enters, exile any number of other nonland permanents you control until Abdel Adrian leaves the battlefield. Create a 1/1 white Soldier creature token for each permanent exiled this way.
Choose a Background (You can have a Background as a second commander.)
Choose a Background (You can have a Background as a second commander.)
Legendary Creature - Human Warrior
All-Fates Stalker
When this creature enters, exile up to one target non-Assassin creature until this creature leaves the battlefield.
Warp (You may cast this card from your hand for its warp cost. Exile this creature at the beginning of the next end step, then you may cast it from exile on a later turn.)
Warp (You may cast this card from your hand for its warp cost. Exile this creature at the beginning of the next end step, then you may cast it from exile on a later turn.)
Creature - Assassin Drix
Ephemerate
Exile target creature you control, then return it to the battlefield under its owner's control.
Rebound (If you cast this spell from your hand, exile it as it resolves. At the beginning of your next upkeep, you may cast this card from exile without paying its mana cost.)
Rebound (If you cast this spell from your hand, exile it as it resolves. At the beginning of your next upkeep, you may cast this card from exile without paying its mana cost.)
Instant
Kaya, Orzhov Usurper
+1: Exile up to two target cards from a single graveyard. You gain 2 life if at least one creature card was exiled this way.
−1: Exile target nonland permanent with mana value 1 or less.
−5: Kaya deals damage to target player equal to the number of cards that player owns in exile and you gain that much life.
−1: Exile target nonland permanent with mana value 1 or less.
−5: Kaya deals damage to target player equal to the number of cards that player owns in exile and you gain that much life.
Legendary Planeswalker - Kaya
Parting Gust
Gift a tapped Fish (You may promise an opponent a gift as you cast this spell. If you do, they create a tapped 1/1 blue Fish creature token before its other effects.)
Exile target nontoken creature. If the gift wasn't promised, return that card to the battlefield under its owner's control with a +1/+1 counter on it at the beginning of the next end step.
Exile target nontoken creature. If the gift wasn't promised, return that card to the battlefield under its owner's control with a +1/+1 counter on it at the beginning of the next end step.
Instant
Phelia, Exuberant Shepherd
Flash
Whenever Phelia attacks, exile up to one other target nonland permanent. At the beginning of the next end step, return that card to the battlefield under its owner's control. If it entered under your control, put a +1/+1 counter on Phelia.
Whenever Phelia attacks, exile up to one other target nonland permanent. At the beginning of the next end step, return that card to the battlefield under its owner's control. If it entered under your control, put a +1/+1 counter on Phelia.
Legendary Creature - Dog
Sword of Hearth and Home
Equipped creature gets +2/+2 and has protection from green and from white.
Whenever equipped creature deals combat damage to a player, exile up to one target creature you own, then search your library for a basic land card. Put both cards onto the battlefield under your control, then shuffle.
Equip
Whenever equipped creature deals combat damage to a player, exile up to one target creature you own, then search your library for a basic land card. Put both cards onto the battlefield under your control, then shuffle.
Equip
Artifact - Equipment
Touch the Spirit Realm
When this enchantment enters, exile up to one target artifact or creature until this enchantment leaves the battlefield.
Channel — , Discard this card: Exile target artifact or creature. Return it to the battlefield under its owner's control at the beginning of the next end step.
Channel — , Discard this card: Exile target artifact or creature. Return it to the battlefield under its owner's control at the beginning of the next end step.
Enchantment
Flickr
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Flickr Payoff
Aerial Extortionist
Flying
Whenever this creature enters or deals combat damage to a player, exile up to one target nonland permanent. For as long as that card remains exiled, its owner may cast it.
Whenever another player casts a spell from anywhere other than their hand, draw a card.
Whenever this creature enters or deals combat damage to a player, exile up to one target nonland permanent. For as long as that card remains exiled, its owner may cast it.
Whenever another player casts a spell from anywhere other than their hand, draw a card.
Creature - Soldier Bird
Anticausal Vestige
When this creature leaves the battlefield, draw a card, then you may put a permanent card with mana value less than or equal to the number of lands you control from your hand onto the battlefield tapped.
Warp (You may cast this card from your hand for its warp cost. Exile this creature at the beginning of the next end step, then you may cast it from exile on a later turn.)
Warp (You may cast this card from your hand for its warp cost. Exile this creature at the beginning of the next end step, then you may cast it from exile on a later turn.)
Creature - Eldrazi
Guide of Souls
Whenever another creature you control enters, you gain 1 life and get (an energy counter).
Whenever you attack, you may pay . When you do, put two +1/+1 counters and a flying counter on target attacking creature. It becomes an Angel in addition to its other types.
Whenever you attack, you may pay . When you do, put two +1/+1 counters and a flying counter on target attacking creature. It becomes an Angel in addition to its other types.
Creature - Human Cleric
Salvation Swan
Flash
Flying
Whenever this creature or another Bird you control enters, exile up to one target creature you control without flying. Return it to the battlefield under its owner's control with a flying counter on it at the beginning of the next end step.
Flying
Whenever this creature or another Bird you control enters, exile up to one target creature you control without flying. Return it to the battlefield under its owner's control with a flying counter on it at the beginning of the next end step.
Creature - Cleric Bird
Skyclave Apparition
When this creature enters, exile up to one target nonland, nontoken permanent you don't control with mana value 4 or less.
When this creature leaves the battlefield, the exiled card's owner creates an X/X blue Illusion creature token, where X is the mana value of the exiled card.
When this creature leaves the battlefield, the exiled card's owner creates an X/X blue Illusion creature token, where X is the mana value of the exiled card.
Creature - Spirit Kor
Starfield Shepherd
Flying
When this creature enters, search your library for a basic Plains card or a creature card with mana value 1 or less, reveal it, put it into your hand, then shuffle.
Warp (You may cast this card from your hand for its warp cost. Exile this creature at the beginning of the next end step, then you may cast it from exile on a later turn.)
When this creature enters, search your library for a basic Plains card or a creature card with mana value 1 or less, reveal it, put it into your hand, then shuffle.
Warp (You may cast this card from your hand for its warp cost. Exile this creature at the beginning of the next end step, then you may cast it from exile on a later turn.)
Creature - Angel
Syr Vondam, Sunstar Exemplar
Vigilance, menace
Whenever another creature you control dies or is put into exile, put a +1/+1 counter on Syr Vondam and you gain 1 life.
When Syr Vondam dies or is put into exile while its power is 4 or greater, destroy up to one target nonland permanent.
Whenever another creature you control dies or is put into exile, put a +1/+1 counter on Syr Vondam and you gain 1 life.
When Syr Vondam dies or is put into exile while its power is 4 or greater, destroy up to one target nonland permanent.
Legendary Creature - Human Knight
Flickr Payoff
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Interaction
Angel's Grace
Split second (As long as this spell is on the stack, players can't cast spells or activate abilities that aren't mana abilities.)
You can't lose the game this turn and your opponents can't win the game this turn. Until end of turn, damage that would reduce your life total to less than 1 reduces it to 1 instead.
You can't lose the game this turn and your opponents can't win the game this turn. Until end of turn, damage that would reduce your life total to less than 1 reduces it to 1 instead.
Instant
Starfall Invocation
Gift a card (You may promise an opponent a gift as you cast this spell. If you do, they draw a card before its other effects.)
Destroy all creatures. If the gift was promised, return a creature card put into your graveyard this way to the battlefield under your control.
Destroy all creatures. If the gift was promised, return a creature card put into your graveyard this way to the battlefield under your control.
Sorcery
Interaction
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Land
Land
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Life Gain
Haliya, Guided by Light
Whenever Haliya or another creature or artifact you control enters, you gain 1 life.
At the beginning of your end step, draw a card if you've gained 3 or more life this turn.
Warp (You may cast this card from your hand for its warp cost. Exile this creature at the beginning of the next end step, then you may cast it from exile on a later turn.)
At the beginning of your end step, draw a card if you've gained 3 or more life this turn.
Warp (You may cast this card from your hand for its warp cost. Exile this creature at the beginning of the next end step, then you may cast it from exile on a later turn.)
Legendary Creature - Human Soldier
Life Gain
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Life Gain Payoff
Life Gain Payoff
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Mana Rock
Mana Rock
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Tutor
Tutor
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Maybeboard
Athreos, Shroud-Veiled
Indestructible
As long as your devotion to white and black is less than seven, Athreos isn't a creature.
At the beginning of your end step, put a coin counter on another target creature.
Whenever a creature with a coin counter on it dies or is put into exile, return that card to the battlefield under your control.
As long as your devotion to white and black is less than seven, Athreos isn't a creature.
At the beginning of your end step, put a coin counter on another target creature.
Whenever a creature with a coin counter on it dies or is put into exile, return that card to the battlefield under your control.
Legendary Creature Enchantment - God
Maybeboard
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Upgrade?
Agatha's Soul Cauldron
You may spend mana as though it were mana of any color to activate abilities of creatures you control.
Creatures you control with +1/+1 counters on them have all activated abilities of all creature cards exiled with Agatha's Soul Cauldron.
: Exile target card from a graveyard. When a creature card is exiled this way, put a +1/+1 counter on target creature you control.
Creatures you control with +1/+1 counters on them have all activated abilities of all creature cards exiled with Agatha's Soul Cauldron.
: Exile target card from a graveyard. When a creature card is exiled this way, put a +1/+1 counter on target creature you control.
Legendary Artifact
Emperor of Bones
At the beginning of combat on your turn, exile up to one target card from a graveyard.
: Adapt 2.
Whenever one or more +1/+1 counters are put on this creature, put a creature card exiled with this creature onto the battlefield under your control with a finality counter on it. It gains haste. Sacrifice it at the beginning of the next end step.
: Adapt 2.
Whenever one or more +1/+1 counters are put on this creature, put a creature card exiled with this creature onto the battlefield under your control with a finality counter on it. It gains haste. Sacrifice it at the beginning of the next end step.
Creature - Skeleton Noble
Semester's End
Exile any number of target creatures and/or planeswalkers you control. At the beginning of the next end step, return each of them to the battlefield under its owner's control. Each of them enters with an additional +1/+1 counter on it if it's a creature and an additional loyalty counter on it if it's a planeswalker.
Instant
Teferi's Protection
Until your next turn, your life total can't change and you gain protection from everything. All permanents you control phase out. (While they're phased out, they're treated as though they don't exist. They phase in before you untap during your untap step.)
Exile Teferi's Protection.
Exile Teferi's Protection.
Instant
Upgrade?
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Deck Info
Deck stats
CategoriesQtyOdds
Click charts to focus on cards
Deck extras (0)
Description
{"ops":[{"insert":"Deck Overview"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nThis is my attempt at building a "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Ketramose, the New Dawn"}},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":" "},{"insert":"Commander deck that combines Orzhov flicker, exile based value, and lifegain/drain payoffs while still functioning as an actual high-power casual EDH deck.\n\nThe deck is built around three connected ideas:\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Flicker"},{"insert":" — blink creatures repeatedly to reuse enter-the-battlefield effects."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Exile"},{"insert":" — use removal, graveyard hate, and temporary exile effects to enable Ketramose."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Lifegain / drain"},{"insert":" — turn repeated creature movement into actual win conditions."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nThis is not a pure lifegain deck, not a pure aristocrats deck, and not a full stax deck. It is mostly an "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Orzhov flicker-combo value deck"},{"insert":" that can play fair for a while and then suddenly win through a loop.\n\nThe deck is aimed at "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Bracket 4"},{"insert":", but depending on how strictly you interpret Bracket 4, the current version can also feel more like a very strong Bracket 3 deck. There are still alot of card upgrades possible. \n\nStrengths"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Strong value game once Ketramose is active."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Lots of useful exile effects that double as interaction."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Good against creature-heavy decks."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Good incidental graveyard hate."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Multiple compact combo lines."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Can play both fair and unfair depending on the pod."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Has a lot of redundancy in its flicker pieces."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The deck can rebuild reasonably well if it keeps access to card draw or commander value."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nWeaknesses"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"ETB hate is very painful."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Cards like"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Torpor Orb"}},{"insert":" , "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Hushbringer"}},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Strict Proctor"}},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Containment Priest"}},{"insert":", or "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Elesh Norn, Mother of Machines"}},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":" "},{"insert":" can shut off large parts of the deck."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The deck can be slower if it does not find a flicker engine or Ketramose value."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The tutor package is still budget conscious, so the combo plan is less consistent than it could be."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Heavy counterspell decks can make it hard to resolve the important pieces."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The deck is very synergy-based, so individual cards can sometimes look medium until the right pieces come together."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nGame Plan"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Early Game"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The early game is about setting up mana, slowing the table down, and getting the first value pieces online.\nImportant early plays include:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Mana Rocks"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Cheap value / lifegain pieces"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Soul Warden"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Lunarch Veteran // Luminous Phantom"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Authority of the Consuls"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Guide of Souls"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Charming Prince"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Early exile / graveyard pieces"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Relic of Progenitus"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Scrabbling Claws"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ghost Vacuum"}},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Lion Sash"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Withered Wretch"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Merrow Bonegnawer"}},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nThe commander is usually good once you can exile something soon after casting it. \nThe deck does not need to combo early. Most of the time, the first few turns are about building a board that makes later flicker turns much stronger.\n\nMid Game"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The mid game is where the deck starts becoming difficult to deal with.\nThis is the point where flicker effects, exile effects, and lifegain payoffs start overlapping. \nCards like "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Ephemerate"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Cloudshift"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Phelia, Exuberant Shepherd"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Conjurer’s Closet"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Teleportation Circle"},{"insert":", and "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Sword of Hearth and Home"},{"insert":" can turn normal creatures into repeatable value engines.\n\nAt this stage, the deck can either play fair or start threatening combo.\nA normal mid-game pattern is:\nPlay a value creature."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Blink it once or twice."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Exile opposing threats or graveyard cards."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Draw extra cards with Ketramose."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":" Gain life incidentally."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Force opponents to answer pieces that are not even the full combo yet."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nThis is also where "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Preston, the Vanisher"}},{"insert":" becomes very scary. Preston turns simple flicker spells into much bigger board states and is part of some of the strongest combo lines in the deck.\n\nLate Game"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The late game is about turning all the small value pieces into something that actually ends the game.\nThe deck can win in several ways:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Infinite ETB / LTB loops"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Drain wins"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Gray Merchant wins"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Commander damage (Not very likely but it can happen with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Lion Sash"}},{"insert":" for example)"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":" \nThe deck usually does not win by being the fastest deck at the table. It wins by making normal interaction and normal flicker value slowly become impossible to keep up with, then eventually turning one engine into a win.\n\nMain Combo Ideas"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true,"bold":true},"insert":"A creature blinks another creature."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true,"bold":true},"insert":" That creature comes back and blinks the first creature."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true,"bold":true},"insert":" This repeats forever."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true,"bold":true},"insert":" A payoff turns the loop into a win."},{"insert":"\n\nThe cleanest basic loops are:\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Felidar Guardian + Restoration Angel -"},{"insert":" Infinite ETB and LTB triggers."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Felidar Guardian + Icewind Stalward - "},{"insert":" Infinite ETB and LTB triggers."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Icewind Stalwart + Restoration Angel -"},{"insert":" Infinite ETB and LTB triggers."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Abdel Adrian + Felidar Guardian + Ephemerate / Cloudshift - "},{"insert":" Infinite ETB triggers, infinite LTB triggers, infinite Soldier tokens."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Abdel Adrian + Restoration Angel + Ephemerate / Cloudshift - "},{"insert":" Infinite ETB triggers, infinite LTB triggers, infinite Soldier tokens."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Preston + Felidar Guardian + Ephemerate / Cloudshift - "},{"insert":"Infinite ETB triggers, infinite tokens, and potentially much more depending on the board."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":" \nMulligan Guide"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Good opening hands usually have:"},{"insert":"\n3 lands or 2 lands plus ramp,\n at least one mana rock or cheap setup piece,\n access to white mana early,\n one interaction spell or exile piece,\n and either Ketramose value, a flicker card, or a payoff.\n\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Hands are usually risky if they have:"},{"insert":"\nonly expensive flicker pieces,\n no ramp,\n no white mana,\n no early play,\n combo payoffs but no engine,\n flicker spells but no good targets,\n or too many tapped lands.\n\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"A normal keep looks like:"},{"insert":"\n3 lands,\n 1 mana rock,\n 1 cheap exile or interaction piece,\n 1 flicker/value creature,\n 1 payoff or card advantage piece,\n and 1 flexible card.\n\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Rule 0 Talk"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"It is aimed around Bracket 4, but it is not fully optimized yet because the mana base and tutor package are still budget-conscious. "},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"It is stronger than a normal casual value deck, but it is not meant to be cEDH."},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"The deck can absolutely win out of nowhere"},{"insert":" if the right pieces are assembled, so it should not be presented as a harmless lifegain deck. At the same time, it is not tuned to consistently race fast competitive combo decks."},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"}]}