{"ops":[{"insert":"How to Kill Kayla - A Primer"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nI've been running "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Queen Kayla bin-Kroog"}},{"insert":" for the past year now and have been enjoying how she plays, but I have noticed my friends have difficulty playing into her and understanding how the deck functions. So I've written this primer both to showcase how the deck functions, and how to play into her.\n\nThe Rundown"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nThe deck uses "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Queen Kayla bin-Kroog"}},{"insert":" to cycle through the deck, build a board and stock the graveyard while amassing resources for a combo turn. This deck wins the game using the companion, "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Zirda, the Dawnwaker"}},{"insert":" along with either "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Grim Monolith"}},{"insert":" or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Basalt Monolith"}},{"insert":" and one of several infinite mana outlets. These are the infinite mana outlets to look for:\n\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Walking Ballista"}},{"insert":": The deck's default wincon. Pings out the entire table."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Valakut Invoker"}},{"insert":": A secondary outlet that burns out the table similarly to the Ballista, but less tutorable."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Staff of Domination"}},{"insert":": Provides infinite draw to find other wincons. Also provides some board control."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Energy Refractor"}},{"insert":": While it doesn't win on its own, enables infinite colored mana and extends the combo turn."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Gleaming Splendor"}},{"insert":": When combined with Energy Refractor, forces opponents to draw their entire deck. "},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nUnless deployed to board ahead of time, these outlets will usually come "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"after "},{"insert":"the infinite mana combo has been assembled. Most of the other cards in the deck provide mana or card draw to support the primary gameplan, along with a large protection package and a smaller removal package. \n\nHow to Read Kayla"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nWhen trying to judge how close Kayla is to attempting the combo, it's important to look at the following:\nHow much mana Kayla has access to"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"How cards Kayla has seen (usually through activations)"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"What sort of important on-board resources have been deployed"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"What tools Kayla has in the graveyard"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nKayla will usually begin a combo turn by putting Zirda into hand by paying 3 for the companion rule. Something important to note is that "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"this is a special game action that does not use the stack and cannot be responded to"},{"insert":". This means that you cannot respond to Kayla putting Zirda into her hand and then immediately activating Kayla. This is still useful as it signals that Kayla is either going for the combo that turn, or is greeding to try and combo the following turn and save mana. In either case this is your signal to start watching for interaction points very closely. \n\nAssembling the combo is heavily dependent on whether the deck has "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Queen Kayla bin-Kroog"}},{"insert":" in play, whether she has "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Basalt Monolith"}},{"insert":" or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Grim Monolith"}},{"insert":" in hand and how much mana she has access to. If Kayla attempts a combo in a less-than ideal environment (Basalt instead of Grim, no Kayla in play, more limited mana), the combos become much more interactable. \n\nIdeally Kayla will attempt to combo with 8 mana available: this would be enough to pay "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Zirda, the Dawnwaker"}},{"insert":"'s companion cost of 3, activate Kayla for 4 and have 1 remaining mana (in addition to the 3 from Monolith) to untap Grim Monolith once if an opponent casts a removal spell in response to the first untap. This is the primary strength of the combo: if allowed to deploy both pieces with Kayla, there is a very small window of interaction to stop infinite mana from being generated outside of more niche Stifle effects. \n\nIn less ideal cases, Kayla will not be able to go for the ideal combo. If Kayla is off board then the combo pieces will have to be cast normally, which leaves room for counterspells or removing the first piece in response to the second being cast. The wincons also typically follow after a Kayla activation and have to be cast normally. \n"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"What to Remember:"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Queen Kayla bin-Kroog"}},{"insert":" is both a value engine, a ramp piece and makes the combo turn less interactable. While she herself does not feel immediately threatening in gameplay, removing her will significantly disrupt the deck's ability to "},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The deck runs a significant amount of on-board protection ("},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mother of Runes"}},{"insert":" and variants) but few protection pieces that work from the hand. If you see Kayla on board and no protection for her on board, she is likely shields down."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Dusk // Dawn"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Sevinne's Reclamation"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Angel of Indemnity"}},{"insert":": These are all recursion options that can be used from the graveyard. They are one of the most common ways this deck gets back an outlet that was discarded previously. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Dusk // Dawn"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Recommission"}},{"insert":" can both also recur "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Walking Ballista"}},{"insert":" which most traditional recursion pieces miss, so keep that in mind if you see it discarded."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The deck runs a high concentration of creature boardwipes, but light amounts of direct spot removal. If you can stick a noncreature permanent that impedes Kayla (such as "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Clarion Conqueror"}},{"insert":" or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Aura of Silence"}},{"insert":"), she will struggle to remove it."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"While it can be hard to predict when she will attempt to combo, the amount of mana she has and cards she's seen can give you an idea. Once she's amassed 8+ mana and has a good grip still, start watching very carefully for tutors, important recursion targets or if she holds up mana for some instant-speed tutors."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"}]}