{"ops":[{"insert":"Hi, and welcome to my "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://scryfall.com/card/wwk/40/thada-adel-acquisitor"},"insert":{"card-link":"Thada Adel, Acquisitor"}},{"insert":" Deck Tour!"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nDisclaimer: this primer is not entirely up to date with the card list. Nonetheless it should give you a good idea as to what the deck is trying to do and what it's key pieces are.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true,"bold":true},"insert":"Introduction"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nThis is a theft/ramp deck in mono blue with the usual apsect of control. You will enjoy playing this deck if you:\nLike to play with your opponents’ cards"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Like to ramp into big threats as early as possible"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Like to control the board state"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Wish you could run 4 "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Sol Ring"}},{"insert":" in your deck"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"You will not enjoy playing this deck if you:\nLike to combo-off early"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Don’t like tutoring"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Think ramp is overrated"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Think "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Sol Ring"}},{"insert":" should be banned"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nNow, we cannot count on always having an artifact heavy deck at the table, but almost every single deck these days plays artifact-based ramp, from "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Sol Ring"}},{"insert":" to "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Arcane Signet"}},{"insert":" via Talismans and Signets. Therefore, our game plan is simple: ramp ramp ramp by taking our opponents' mana rocks and then cast big spells. Hence the name of the deck:\nIt takes two to tango, your mana rock and my mana rock.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true,"bold":true},"insert":"Ramp"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nFirst things first. To be able to steal things and ramp, we need to make sure we can connect with Thada. We do this one of two ways:\nWe make sure to ramp on turn one, so that we can hit somebody on turn 3 the latest before people have played out blockers. We do this by using our own artifact ramp such as "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Lotus Petal"}},{"insert":" or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Jeweled Amulet"}},{"insert":", the sorcery "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Retraced Image"}},{"insert":", or land-based ramp such as"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Saprazzan Skerry"}},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://scryfall.com/card/me2/237/svyelunite-temple"},"insert":{"card-link":"Svyelunite Temple"}},{"insert":" or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Gemstone Caverns"}},{"insert":". To increase our chance of getting Thada out on turn 2, we run "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Moonsnare Prototype"}},{"insert":" alongside zero mana artifacts like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Everflowing Chalice"}},{"insert":", or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Tormod's Crypt"}},{"insert":", both of which can also be countered by our own "},{"insert":{"card-link":"An Offer You Can't Refuse"}},{"insert":" to generate 3 mana by turn 2."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The second way we ensure that we can connect with Thada is abusing her Islandwalk ability, by turning our opponents’ lands into islands. The cards which enable this are "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Aquitect's Will"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Sea's Claim"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Tidal Warrior"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Reef Shaman"}},{"insert":", and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Tideshaper Mystic"}},{"insert":"."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nIn case our opponents have their best mana rocks in their opening hands, we run "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Thieving Skydiver"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Archmage's Charm"}},{"insert":" to steal them from their board. Both these cards also double as removal.\n\nNaturally, we also run our own ramp package, including "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Sol Ring"}},{"insert":" alongside "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Expedition Map"}},{"insert":", which can find our "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx"}},{"insert":". "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Urza's Cave"}},{"insert":" fills a similar role. Furthermore, we run the two keys: "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Manifold Key"}},{"insert":", and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Voltaic Key"}},{"insert":". Once we have a "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Sol Ring"}},{"insert":" in play, these make for excellent ramp pieces. However, they also double as an untapper for "},{"insert":{"card-link":"The One Ring"}},{"insert":", resulting in valuable card advantage. Both "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Moonsilver Key"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Tezzeret, Cruel Captain"}},{"insert":" can tutor for our "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Sol Ring"}},{"insert":", or - in case of the latter - find artifact based removal such/stax such as "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Grafdigger's Cage"}},{"insert":", and can also be used to untap a "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Sol Ring"}},{"insert":" or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"The One Ring"}},{"insert":". Lastly, we run "},{"insert":{"card-link":"High Tide"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Dramatic Reversal"}},{"insert":". Together with an "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Isochron Scepter"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Dramatic Reversal"}},{"insert":" makes infinite mana. We do not run an "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Isochron Scepter"}},{"insert":" in Bracket 3 (see the end for card switches to take the deck into other brackets), however, one of our opponents might, so we can steal it with Thada and use it to our own advantage.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true,"bold":true},"insert":"Game Plan"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nOnce we have learned to tango (stolen enough mana rocks for a flash mob), we can then play huge spells that should quickly win us the game. This includes:\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"One with the Multiverse"}},{"insert":" or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Omniscience"}},{"insert":", which both let us cast high value cards for free and run away with the game."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Play "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Tidespout Tyrant"}},{"insert":" or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Hullbreaker Horror"}},{"insert":" to control our opponents’ boards and "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://edhrec.com/combos/mono-blue/513-5034--46"},"insert":"combo"},{"insert":" off with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Sol Ring"}},{"insert":" (it is truly the hero of this deck) to make infinite mana. We can use this mana to draw out our entire deck with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Blue Sun's Zenith"}},{"insert":" or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Pull from Tomorrow"}},{"insert":" to win with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Jace, Wielder of Mysteries"}},{"insert":". Alternatively, "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Walking Ballista"}},{"insert":" can be used to kill all our opponents at once. It can also be stolen from somebody else's deck with Thada if we lost ours. A different theft spell (see next point) can also be used to find a "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Torment of Hailfire"}},{"insert":" or similar game enders to win with infinite mana. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Blue Sun's Zenith"}},{"insert":" can also be used to draw out an opponent in case you have lost your "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Jace, Wielder of Mysteries"}},{"insert":" and you cannot find a similar effect in somebody elses deck."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Steal your opponents win conditions using "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Sphinx Ambassador"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Agent of Treachery"}},{"insert":", or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Bribery"}},{"insert":" alongside Thada."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Overpower your opponents by playing big Sphinxes (which all fly!!) such as "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Arbiter of the Ideal"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Curator of Destinies"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Dazzling Sphinx"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Sphinx of Forgotten Lore"}},{"insert":", or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Sphinx of the Second Sun"}},{"insert":". All of these fill roles we want to be filling anyways: Theft, Card Draw, Free Spell, Removal, and Recursion to keep the value up."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true,"bold":true},"insert":"Card Draw"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nWhile many of the Sphinxes and Theft spells come with card draw attached, we do run additional engines to keep the value train going. This includes staples such as "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Rhystic Study"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"The One Ring"}},{"insert":", and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mystic Remora"}},{"insert":", but also "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Curiosity"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Enduring Curiosity"}},{"insert":", and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Combat Research"}},{"insert":" which draw us cards whenever Thada or a Sphinx connects with people.\n\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mystical Tutor"}},{"insert":" can double for or best spells, including finishers such as the "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Blue Sun's Zenith"}},{"insert":" or can be a second copy of "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Bribery"}},{"insert":", to find a Win Con in our opponents' decks.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true,"bold":true},"insert":"Removal"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nWe run the standard blue control package in a mix of counter magic and removal. Includes "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Pongify"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Reality Shift"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Resculpt"}},{"insert":", and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Snapback"}},{"insert":" for spot removal. In terms of counterspells, we run the (budget friendly) free spells "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Foil"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Daze"}},{"insert":", and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Commandeer"}},{"insert":". "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Commandeer"}},{"insert":" also doubles as an additional theft spell. Lastly, for graveyard hate we run "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Tormod's Crypt"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Grafdigger's Cage"}},{"insert":", both of which can be tutored for with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Tezzeret, Cruel Captain"}},{"insert":". Together with the mass removal ability of "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Hullbreaker Horror"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Tidespout Tyrant"}},{"insert":", this allows us to deal with most threats we might encounter.\n\n\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true,"bold":true},"insert":"The Deck in other Brackets"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nNow as I mentioned before, the deck as is plays at a Bracket 3, without any 2 card infinites. However, this can be easily scaled in either direction. If you prefer to run Thada in Bracket 2, these are the switches I recommend:\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Rhystic Study"}},{"insert":" -> "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Insight"}},{"insert":" or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Verity Circle"}},{"insert":" (depending on your meta!)"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"The One Ring"}},{"insert":" -> "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Insight Engine"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Cyclonic Rift"}},{"insert":" -> "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Scourge of Fleets"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Tidespout Tyrant"}},{"insert":" -> "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Riddlemaster Sphinx"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Hullbreaker Horror"}},{"insert":" -> "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Twisted Riddlekeeper"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mystic Remora"}},{"insert":" -> "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Inspired Sphinx"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Lotus Petal"}},{"insert":" -> "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Island"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Gemstone Caverns"}},{"insert":" -> "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Island"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"This removes all game changers, infinite combos, and slows down the game plan as is expected at a Bracket 2 table. Instead, the deck will be a bit more focused on the Sphinx theme that results in a win through combat damage.\n\nIf you wish to go the other direction and take this deck into a Bracket 4, I recommend moving away from the Sphinx theme further and add more finishers. This includes:\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Sphinx of Uthuun"}},{"insert":" -> "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Isochron Scepter"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Windreader Sphinx"}},{"insert":" -> "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Thassa's Oracle"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Tolaria West"}},{"insert":" -> "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Urza's Saga"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Curator of Destinies"}},{"insert":" -> "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Consecrated Sphinx"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Scholar of the Lost Trove"}},{"insert":" -> "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Harbinger of the Seas"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Dazzling Sphinx"}},{"insert":" -> "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Summon: Bahamut"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Chancellor of the Spires"}},{"insert":" -> "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mycosynth Lattice"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Solve the Equation"}},{"insert":" -> "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mystical Tutor"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Naturally, adding more free interaction such as "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Fierce Guardianship"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Force of Negation"}},{"insert":", and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Force of Will"}},{"insert":" could take this up to an even higher power level. Usually, this would also be accompanied by adding better ramp such as "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Chrome Mox"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mana Vault"}},{"insert":", and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mox Opal"}},{"insert":". Adding more tutors such as "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Fabricate"}},{"insert":" or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Whir of Invention"}},{"insert":" would also make sense here.\n\nA version of this deck has also been played in cEDH a while ago, however, I am not a cEDH player and am not aware of the current meta. There are Primers available from other lovely builders who run/have run a cEDH Thada list, so if that's what you are looking for, go check out any of these lists, for example:\n"},{"attributes":{"link":"https://moxfield.com/decks/ZX9JEUYuF06pXvkO1zR-8w/primer"},"insert":"https://moxfield.com/decks/ZX9JEUYuF06pXvkO1zR-8w/primer"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"link":"https://moxfield.com/decks/MJjIku0azUq-U4hkyNSBag/primer"},"insert":"https://moxfield.com/decks/MJjIku0azUq-U4hkyNSBag/primer"},{"insert":"\n\nI think that's all. If you have any questions, recommendations, or other enquiries, please feel free to comment! :)\n"}]}