{"ops":[{"insert":"Myrel, Shield of Argive"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nSoldier Tokens / Go-Wide Aggro"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Myrel, Shield of Argive"}},{"insert":" is my first Commander deck and still very much my \"main\" EDH deck. It has changed quite a bit over time, but the basic idea has always remained the same:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Build an army. Protect it. Turn one combat step into a mathematically irresponsible amount of damage."},{"insert":"\n\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Myrel, Shield of Argive"}},{"insert":" is both the engine and the protection piece. During my turn, opponents cannot cast spells or activate abilities of artifacts, creatures or enchantments. When Myrel attacks, she creates a number of Soldier tokens equal to the Soldiers I already control.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"More Soldiers → bigger Myrel trigger → even more Soldiers → increasingly stupid combat steps."},{"insert":"\n\nWhy the rebuild?"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nThe previous version was simply a little too slow.\n\nMyrel costs four mana and really wants to attack immediately. Too often the sequence was:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"T4 Myrel → pass → hope she survives → first trigger on T5."},{"insert":"\n\nThe upgraded version therefore runs considerably more ramp: "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Sol Ring"}},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Arcane Signet"}},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Fellwar Stone"}},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Mind Stone"}},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Pearl Medallion"}},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ballyrush Banneret"}},{"insert":" and others.\n\nThe goal is to make "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"turn-three Myrel common"},{"insert":", with turn two possible from explosive openings. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Lightning Greaves"}},{"insert":" and"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Hall of the Bandit Lord"}},{"insert":" are especially valuable because they can turn casting Myrel into an immediate attack.\n\nThe deck also needed more interaction. "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Reprieve"}},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Flawless Maneuver"}},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Galadriel's Dismissal"}},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"The Eagles Are Coming!"}},{"insert":" and the existing protection package make the deck much better at surviving until it can actually execute its plan.\n\nThe rebuild wasn't about changing Myrel.\n\nIt was about making her do Myrel things "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"earlier and more reliably."},{"insert":"\n\nThe Most Important Myrel Rule"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nFor newer players, this is probably the most important thing to understand:\nMyrel creates her Soldiers BEFORE blockers and combat damage."},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nWhen Myrel attacks, her trigger resolves during the declare attackers step.\n\nThe new Soldiers themselves aren't attacking, but all of their ETB triggers resolve "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"before blockers are declared"},{"insert":".\n\nThat is huge.\n\nGoldnight Commander"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nIf Myrel creates 10 Soldiers, "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Goldnight Commander"}},{"insert":" triggers ten times.\nThe creatures that are already attacking get:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"+10/+10 before blockers and damage."},{"insert":"\n\nCathars' Crusade"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"If Myrel creates 10 Soldiers,"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Cathars' Crusade"}},{"insert":" triggers ten times.\nBefore blockers, "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"every creature I control gets ten +1/+1 counters."},{"insert":"\n\nSo Myrel's tokens aren't just preparation for the next turn.\n\nVery often, "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"the token burst is the pump spell that makes the current attack lethal."},{"insert":"\n\nBuild, Multiply, Overrun"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nMyrel is the main token engine, with "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Captain of the Watch"}},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Horn of Valhalla // Ysgard's Call"}},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Renewed Solidarity"}},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Rosie Cotton of South Lane"}},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Elspeth, Storm Slayer"}},{"insert":" and others helping establish the army.\n\nThen "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Anointed Procession"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ojer Taq, Deepest Foundation // Temple of Civilization"}},{"insert":" make the numbers ridiculous.\n\nWith 5 Soldiers:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Myrel → 5 new Soldiers"},{"insert":"\n\nWith Anointed Procession:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"5 → 10"},{"insert":"\n\nWith Ojer Taq:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"5 → 15"},{"insert":"\n\nWith both:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"5 → 30"},{"insert":"\n\nNow I have 35 Soldiers.\n\nIf I somehow attack again with the board intact:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"35 → 210 new Soldiers."},{"insert":"\n\nAt that point, sensible mathematics becomes optional.\n\nThe newer Hobbit cards also fit nicely into this plan. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Belladonna Took"}},{"insert":" rewards the token bursts, "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Orcrist, Goblin-cleaver"}},{"insert":" can turn a successful attack into a huge amount of Treasure,"},{"insert":{"card-link":"The Arkenstone // Seek the Heart"}},{"insert":" provides tutoring and value, and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"The Eagles Are Coming!"}},{"insert":" gives the deck a particularly fun way to recover from board wipes.\n\nFinishing the Game"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nThe deck almost always wins through combat, and there are several ways to turn a huge board into an actual kill.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Akroma's Will — The Big Red Button"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"This has probably won me more games than any other finisher in the deck.\n\nWith Myrel in play, "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Akroma's Will"}},{"insert":" gives the army:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"flying, vigilance, double strike, lifelink, indestructible and protection from every color."},{"insert":"\n\nThat's rather a lot of words for:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"\"Is everyone dead?\""},{"insert":"\n\nA very common kill looks like:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Attack with Myrel and the army"},{"insert":"\n→ Myrel creates Soldiers\n→ Goldnight Commander / Cathars' Crusade triggers resolve\n→ attacking creatures become enormous\n→ cast Akroma's Will\n→ flying + double strike\n→ GG\n\nI consider Akroma's Will a "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"finisher first and protection spell second"},{"insert":".\n\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Odric, Master Tactician"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Odric, Master Tactician"}},{"insert":" isn't a core engine, but he is an excellent way to make lethal damage actually connect.\n\nIf Odric attacks with at least three other creatures, "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"I decide how the opponent blocks"},{"insert":".\n\nThat can simply mean:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"They don't."},{"insert":"\n\nImportantly, Myrel's token and pump triggers have already resolved before blockers are declared.\n\nSo:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Attack → create Soldiers → pump army → Odric says no blocks → damage."},{"insert":"\n\nSimple and very effective.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Galadriel's Dismissal ❤️"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Galadriel's Dismissal"}},{"insert":" has become one of my pet cards, and the new Hobbit art certainly didn't hurt.\n\nFor "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"W"},{"insert":", it can protect an important creature.\n\nKicked, it can protect my whole army from a wipe.\n\nOr I can use it offensively:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Kick it → target an opponent → phase out all of their creatures."},{"insert":"\n\nNo blockers.\n\nWith Myrel already shutting down most interaction during my turn, that can very easily turn into a lethal attack.\n\nSo Galadriel's Dismissal can be:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Protection."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Wipe insurance."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Pseudo-removal."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Or simply: \"You specifically aren't blocking.\""},{"insert":"\n\nI love this card.\n\nA Few Explosive Lines"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Myrel, Shield of Argive"}},{"insert":" + "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Goldnight Commander"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Create X Soldiers.\nExisting attackers get "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"+X/+X before combat damage"},{"insert":".\n\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Myrel, Shield of Argive"}},{"insert":" + "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Cathars' Crusade"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Create X Soldiers.\nThe entire board receives "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"X +1/+1 counters before blockers"},{"insert":".\n\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Myrel, Shield of Argive"}},{"insert":" + "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Anointed Procession"}},{"insert":" + "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ojer Taq, Deepest Foundation // Temple of Civilization"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Myrel's token production is multiplied by six.\nThis gets out of hand almost immediately.\n\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Kinscaer Sentry"}},{"insert":" → "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ojer Taq, Deepest Foundation // Temple of Civilization"}},{"insert":" → "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Myrel, Shield of Argive"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Attack with Myrel and Kinscaer.\nResolve Kinscaer's attack trigger first and put "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Ojer Taq"},{"insert":" onto the battlefield.\nThen resolve Myrel.\nThe incoming Soldiers are now tripled.\n\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Preeminent Captain"}},{"insert":" → "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Captain of the Watch"}},{"insert":" → "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Myrel, Shield of Argive"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Resolve Preeminent Captain first.\nCheat in "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Captain of the Watch"},{"insert":", adding Soldiers before Myrel's trigger resolves.\nMyrel then counts the larger army and creates even more tokens.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Trigger order matters."},{"insert":"\n\nProtection & Interaction"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nThe most important goal is often simply:\nProtect Myrel until my turn begins."},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nOnce my turn starts, Myrel shuts down most opposing interaction and makes the combat significantly safer.\n\nThe deck backs that up with cards such as:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Flawless Maneuver"}},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Teferi's Protection"}},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":{"card-link":"And They Shall Know No Fear"}},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Boromir, Warden of the Tower"}},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Galadriel's Dismissal"}},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":{"card-link":"The Eagles Are Coming!"}},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Dolmen Gate"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Reconnaissance"}},{"insert":".\n\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Reprieve"}},{"insert":" is another particularly welcome addition.\n\nSometimes I don't need to permanently answer something.\n\nI just need to say:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"\"Not this turn.\""},{"insert":"\n\nMulligans"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nI generally want:\n2–3 lands"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"early ramp"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"a realistic turn 2–3 Myrel"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"something that establishes or rewards the Soldier army"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"ideally protection or card advantage"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Sol Ring, Arcane Signet, Fellwar Stone, Mind Stone, Pearl Medallion, Lightning Greaves"},{"insert":" and "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Hall of the Bandit Lord"},{"insert":" are particularly attractive.\n\nThe first Myrel attack is usually the hardest one to get.\n\nAfter that, things tend to escalate on their own.\n\nPlaystyle"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nRamp.\nDeploy Myrel.\nAttack as soon as possible.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Remember: Myrel resolves before blockers."},{"insert":"\nMake Soldiers.\nMake the attacking Soldiers enormous.\nProtect the army.\nAkroma's Will / Odric / Galadriel's Dismissal.\nDo several thousand damage.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"For Argive."},{"insert":"\n"}]}