{"ops":[{"attributes":{"color":"#5a3e00","bold":true},"insert":"SOVEREIGN OKINEC AHAU"},{"attributes":{"align":"center","header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#c8860b","italic":true},"insert":"+1/+1 Counter Snowball"},{"attributes":{"align":"center","header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#666666"},"insert":"Commander EDH · Selesnya (G/W) · Bracket 3"},{"attributes":{"align":"center","header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#1a3a1a"},"insert":"Deck Philosophy"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#3a3a3a"},"insert":"The Cat’s Meow is a fair-combat Selesnya midrange strategy that wins through incremental board advantage and legitimate creature combat rather than combo or degenerate mechanics. Sovereign Okinec Ahau converts temporary power boosts — from anthem effects, pump spells, and equipment — into permanent +1/+1 counters on every attacking creature simultaneously. Each combat step compounds the board state. By the mid-game, creatures that entered as 2/2s are swinging as 8/8s, and opponents face an escalating wall of stats that becomes impossible to race."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#3a3a3a"},"insert":"The deck operates through two complementary engines. The counter snowball converts anthem buffs into permanent stats each combat, amplified by Branching Evolution, Hardened Scales, and Conclave Mentor stacking multiplicatively. The soul sisters package (Soul Warden, Soul's Attendant, Essence Warden) generates lifegain on every creature ETB, which Archangel of Thune converts into +1/+1 counters across the whole board, which Okinec then encodes permanently. Both engines reinforce each other and both reinforce the combat plan."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#3a3a3a"},"insert":"The identity is fair and interactive — this deck wants to attack, wants combat, and wins through a board that snowballs naturally over multiple turns rather than a single spike turn or infinite combination."},{"insert":"\n\n\n"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#1a3a1a"},"insert":"The Commander"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#3a3a3a"},"insert":"Sovereign Okinec Ahau costs {2}{G}{W}, is a 3/4 Cat Noble with Ward {2}, and has one triggered ability: whenever he attacks, for each creature you control with power greater than that creature's base power, put a number of +1/+1 counters on that creature equal to the difference."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#3a3a3a"},"insert":"The key rules interaction: base power is the printed power before any effects. Anthem effects — Mirari's Wake, Flowering of the White Tree, Unnatural Growth — raise power above base power. Okinec sees the difference and converts it to permanent counters. A 2/2 with +2 from Mirari's Wake becomes a 2/2 with two permanent +1/+1 counters after one Okinec attack trigger. Next turn those counters contribute to base stats, so additional anthems build on an already-elevated baseline. The snowball compounds every combat."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#3a3a3a"},"insert":"Evasion is critical. Okinec has no built-in evasion and must attack to trigger his ability. The deck runs four dedicated evasion pieces to guarantee he connects: Trailblazer's Boots (unblockable against players controlling nonbasic lands — effectively every Commander opponent), Whispersilk Cloak (unblockable and shroud), Rancor (trample pushes damage through blockers), and Key to the City. One of these in play ensures the engine runs every turn regardless of opposing board states."},{"insert":"\n\n\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#1a3a1a"},"insert":"Game Plan by Phase"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#6b4a00"},"insert":"Early Game — Turns 1–3"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#3a3a3a"},"insert":"Establish mana and deploy the soul sisters. Birds of Paradise, Elvish Mystic, and Incubation Druid get you ahead on mana. Soul Warden, Soul's Attendant, and Essence Warden come down as 1-drops and immediately start generating lifegain on every creature ETB including opponents' creatures. Hardened Scales and Conclave Mentor amplify every counter placed going forward. The goal by turn 3 is Okinec on board with at least one evasion piece and one or two soul sisters in play. The counter engine is live the moment Okinec attacks."},{"insert":"\n\n\n\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#6b4a00"},"insert":"Mid Game — Turns 4–6"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#3a3a3a"},"insert":"The snowball begins. Okinec attacks with evasion, anthems boost the team above base power, the trigger fires, and permanent counters accumulate. Archangel of Thune arrives and every soul sister trigger now puts counters across the whole board. Cathars' Crusade means every creature ETB adds counters to every other creature simultaneously. The Ozolith stores counters through any board wipes. Kodama of the West Tree begins generating free land drops off successful attacks. Branching Evolution and Hardened Scales are multiplicative — prioritise getting both in play during this phase. By turn 6 the board should be carrying 3-5 counters per creature minimum."},{"insert":"\n\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#6b4a00"},"insert":"Late Game — Closing"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#3a3a3a"},"insert":"The board is enormous and opponents cannot profitably block. Craterhoof Behemoth or End-Raze Forerunners as a finisher add enough power on top of the existing counter base to kill the table in one swing. Triumph of the Hordes is the backup finisher — infect bypasses any life padding and the +1/+1 to all creatures triggers Okinec's counter engine one final time on the death blow. Hurricane closes games when life totals are sufficiently favourable, typically in the 40-60 life range this deck reaches through soul sisters and Archangel triggers. Return of the Wildspeaker draws massive cards off a counter-heavy board and can double as a green Overrun at instant speed in response to a wipe."},{"insert":"\n\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#1a3a1a"},"insert":"Piloting Tips"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#3a3a3a"},"insert":"Always prioritise getting an evasion piece on Okinec before committing to the counter engine. Trailblazer's Boots is your most reliable option — deploy it as soon as possible. Without evasion, a single creature on any opponent's board stalls your entire engine."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#3a3a3a"},"insert":"Counter doublers are multiplicative not additive. Branching Evolution, Hardened Scales, and Conclave Mentor together mean a 1-counter placement becomes 3+ counters. Sequencing them before Cathars' Crusade or Archangel of Thune triggers is critical."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#3a3a3a"},"insert":"The Ozolith is your insurance policy against board wipes. When creatures with counters die The Ozolith absorbs them. At the beginning of the next combat, move all stored counters onto a single creature. Wipes become recoverable setbacks rather than game-ending events."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#3a3a3a"},"insert":"Triumph of the Hordes is your highest-surprise win condition. Opponents tracking your life total to assess Hurricane danger will not be watching infect damage. Cast it when you have 6+ creatures with existing counters. The +1/+1 bonus also triggers Okinec's engine on the final swing."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#3a3a3a"},"insert":"Hurricane requires careful sequencing. Cast it only when your life total exceeds opponents' by at least X you intend to cast. The soul sisters package generates significant life buffers but track the exact number before committing. With Archangel of Thune in play Hurricane is much safer since she continuously pads your life total."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#3a3a3a"},"insert":"Shamanic Revelation draws cards equal to creatures you control with the greatest power. Wait to cast it until after Okinec's attack trigger has resolved and counters are accumulated. Drawing 8-10 cards off a counter-heavy board in the late game is often the difference between winning and stalling."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#3a3a3a"},"insert":"Cathars' Crusade boardstate tracking is complex. When multiple creatures enter simultaneously, Crusade triggers once per creature entering, but each trigger puts counters on all creatures. Track base power vs modified power carefully — Okinec's trigger calculates off current base power at the time it resolves."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#3a3a3a"},"insert":"Shalai, Voice of Plenty plus Lightning Greaves gives your entire board hexproof while making Okinec uncounterable after casting. Prioritise this combination when you expect targeted removal. It also shuts off Esper Sentinel-style tax effects since you can't be targeted."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#1a3a1a"},"insert":"Key Synergies & Interactions"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"#1a3a1a","color":"white","bold":true},"insert":"Synergy"},{"attributes":{"table":"1"},"insert":"\n\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"#1a3a1a","color":"white","bold":true},"insert":"How it works"},{"attributes":{"table":"1"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":" \n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#1a3a1a","bold":true},"insert":"Okinec + Anthem Effects"},{"attributes":{"table":"2"},"insert":"\n\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#3a3a3a"},"insert":"Anthem effects temporarily raise your creatures' power above base power. Okinec's attack trigger sees the difference and permanently converts it to +1/+1 counters. Mirari's Wake (+1/+1 to all), Flowering of the White Tree, and Unnatural Growth all convert temporary boosts into permanent growth every combat step."},{"attributes":{"table":"2"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#1a3a1a","bold":true},"insert":"Soul Sisters + Archangel of Thune"},{"attributes":{"table":"3"},"insert":"\n\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#3a3a3a"},"insert":"Soul Warden, Soul's Attendant, and Essence Warden all trigger on every creature entering. Each life gained puts a +1/+1 counter on Archangel of Thune. That counter raises Archangel's power above base, which Okinec then permanently converts next combat. The loop scales exponentially with board density."},{"attributes":{"table":"3"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#1a3a1a","bold":true},"insert":"Counter Doublers Stack"},{"attributes":{"table":"4"},"insert":"\n\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#3a3a3a"},"insert":"Branching Evolution (double counters placed), Hardened Scales (+1 to each counter placed), and Conclave Mentor (+1 to each counter placed while alive) all apply simultaneously. A Cathars' Crusade trigger placing 2 counters through this suite becomes 5+ counters on each creature."},{"attributes":{"table":"4"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#1a3a1a","bold":true},"insert":"Trailblazer's Boots + Okinec"},{"attributes":{"table":"5"},"insert":"\n\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#3a3a3a"},"insert":"Defending players in Commander almost always control nonbasic lands. Trailblazer's Boots makes Okinec unblockable in virtually every game. This guarantees the attack trigger fires every turn Okinec attacks, regardless of opponents' board states."},{"attributes":{"table":"5"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#1a3a1a","bold":true},"insert":"Cathars' Crusade + Any ETB"},{"attributes":{"table":"6"},"insert":"\n\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#3a3a3a"},"insert":"Every creature that enters puts a +1/+1 counter on every other creature you control. With 10 creatures in play, a single creature ETB puts 10 counters across the board. Okinec then permanently encodes those counters next combat."},{"attributes":{"table":"6"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#1a3a1a","bold":true},"insert":"The Ozolith + Board Wipes"},{"attributes":{"table":"7"},"insert":"\n\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#3a3a3a"},"insert":"When creatures with counters die, The Ozolith collects all those counters. When a new creature enters, move the stored counters onto it at the beginning of combat. Board wipes become dramatically less punishing — all your accumulated counters survive on The Ozolith."},{"attributes":{"table":"7"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#1a3a1a","bold":true},"insert":"Kodama of the West Tree + Counters"},{"attributes":{"table":"8"},"insert":"\n\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#3a3a3a"},"insert":"Every creature with a counter that deals combat damage to a player triggers Kodama — search for a basic land and put it into play. With 10 counter-bearing attackers hitting late game, one combat step fetches 2-4 lands while simultaneously triggering Okinec's counter engine."},{"attributes":{"table":"8"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#1a3a1a","bold":true},"insert":"Mirari's Wake + Mana"},{"attributes":{"table":"9"},"insert":"\n\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#3a3a3a"},"insert":"Mirari's Wake doubles all your mana AND gives all creatures +1/+1. The mana enables large Overrun, Hurricane, or Shamanic Revelation draws. The +1/+1 pump feeds Okinec's trigger to permanently convert to counters next swing."},{"attributes":{"table":"9"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#1a3a1a","bold":true},"insert":"Rancor + Okinec"},{"attributes":{"table":"10"},"insert":"\n\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#3a3a3a"},"insert":"Rancor gives Okinec +2/+0 and trample for {G}. Trample means combat damage pushes through any blocker — Okinec triggers even against chump blocks. When Rancor's creature dies, Rancor returns to hand. Effectively permanent trample for 1 green mana."},{"attributes":{"table":"10"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#1a3a1a","bold":true},"insert":"Hurricane Finish + Soul Sisters"},{"attributes":{"table":"11"},"insert":"\n\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#3a3a3a"},"insert":"Hurricane deals X damage to all flying creatures and each player. The soul sisters package generates significant life totals through the game. Once you're at 20+ life above opponents, Hurricane for X=20 kills all opponents and their flying creatures while leaving you with positive life."},{"attributes":{"table":"11"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n\n\n\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#1a3a1a"},"insert":"Win Conditions"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"#1a3a1a","color":"white","bold":true},"insert":"Win Condition"},{"attributes":{"table":"1"},"insert":"\n\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"#1a3a1a","color":"white","bold":true},"insert":"How it closes"},{"attributes":{"table":"1"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":" \n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#1a3a1a","bold":true},"insert":"Counter Snowball Alpha Strike"},{"attributes":{"table":"2"},"insert":"\n\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#3a3a3a"},"insert":"By mid-game creatures carry 4-8 counters each from repeated Okinec attack triggers amplified by counter doublers. A Craterhoof Behemoth ETB on top of an already counter-laden board adds enough power to kill the table in one combat step."},{"attributes":{"table":"2"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#1a3a1a","bold":true},"insert":"Taunting Elf + Overrun"},{"attributes":{"table":"3"},"insert":"\n\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#3a3a3a"},"insert":"Taunting Elf forces all creatures to block it, leaving every opponent's defense committed to one creature. Overrun at +3/+3 and trample — or End-Raze Forerunners at +8/+8 and trample — pushes through unblocked for lethal. The combination is a one-turn table kill."},{"attributes":{"table":"3"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#1a3a1a","bold":true},"insert":"Hurricane Surprise"},{"attributes":{"table":"4"},"insert":"\n\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#3a3a3a"},"insert":"Build life total to 20-30 above opponents through soul sisters and Archangel of Thune. Cast Hurricane for X equal to opponents' life totals minus your buffer. Kills all flying creatures and every opponent simultaneously without touching your ground army."},{"attributes":{"table":"4"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#1a3a1a","bold":true},"insert":"Triumph of the Hordes"},{"attributes":{"table":"5"},"insert":"\n\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#3a3a3a"},"insert":"All creatures get +1/+1, trample, and infect until end of turn. At 10 infect counters opponents lose regardless of life total. With a counter-heavy board of 6-8 creatures, one swing ends the game. The surprise factor is high in a 'fair combat' deck."},{"attributes":{"table":"5"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#1a3a1a","bold":true},"insert":"Sword of Light and Shadow Grind"},{"attributes":{"table":"6"},"insert":"\n\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#3a3a3a"},"insert":"Recurring key creatures through combat — recasting Archangel of Thune, soul sisters, or Selfless Spirit — generates overwhelming card advantage over long games. Combined with Shamanic Revelation drawing 8-10 cards off a counter-dense board, the late game becomes unwinnable for opponents."},{"attributes":{"table":"6"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n\n"}]}