{"ops":[{"insert":"This deck features a well-known combo between "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Axebane Guardian"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"High Alert"}},{"insert":" (and at least four other defenders) to generate as much mana as you wish. What you do with that mana is up to you but I recommend pushing the aggros aspect of the deck; there are no “infinite turns/damage” cards in the deck so you’re really just pushing to make mana a non-concern for each of your remaining turns until the end of the game, which we hope will be soon. Perhaps you’ll use some of that mana to make "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Colossus of Akros"}},{"insert":" monstrous; or to activate "},{"insert":{"card-link":"The Pride of Hull Clade"}},{"insert":" , or to cast an unreasonably large "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Wargate"}},{"insert":" (you top out at X=10), or to cast ten successive defenders in a row because you’ve been preparing for this moment. If you’re lucky enough to have "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Assault Formation"}},{"insert":" , you can turn a single unblocked attacker into a lethal proposition. \n\nOtherwise, the deck works the way all defender decks work: big butts do big damage. There’s only one card in there that I would suspect is genuinely unexpected, and that would be "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mirrorweave"}},{"insert":" . This is an old school gem that can turn every snarling demon and glorious angel in an opponent’s assaulting army into a useless (and tapped if you time it correctly)"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Walking Bulwark"}},{"insert":" . Or perhaps you use it on your own combat to turn your smaller attackers into an array of Colossi of Akros. Just keep the “non-legendary” target in mind; you can’t use it to force the legend rule on someone else (and unfortunately there can only be one attacking "},{"insert":{"card-link":"The Walls of Ba Sing Se"}},{"insert":" ). \n\nThe deck has no use for a graveyard and even its artifacts and enchantments are disposable, so the removal package reflects that."},{"insert":{"card-link":"Krosan Grip"}},{"insert":" may appear questionable to those familiar with my philosophy on 1-for-1 removal; the deck draws enough to offset that issue and needs an occasional answer to some grotesque combos (e.g., life drain). If you’re not facing that, it’s generally useless and disposable.\n\nStandard strategic approach notes and disclaimer(s) for all my decks:\nI generally aim for high synergy, short of optimization. (Tier 3+, if you track that sort of thing.)"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"I like games that last 8-12 turns and aim to demonstrate the deck’s synergy within that timeframe."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"I prefer to win but don’t relentlessly pursue that goal, because I am an adult who enjoys playing games with friends. So you’ll occasionally see silly cards. Enjoy them!"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"I do not want to bore my friends, so my goal is to have NO non-land card in more than 3-4 decks. If you’re wondering why a certain “obvious staple” isn’t in this deck list, that’s probably why."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"I’m continuously updating (each deck gets a look at newer cards every six months) so of course there may be changes around the margins. "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nThanks for checking out my deck(s). Peace.\n\nAnthony Alongi\nProgenitor of Multiplayer Magic Content Creation\nFormer Columnist for Wizards of the Coast, StarCity Games, The Dojo\nFormer Podcaster (Elder Dragon Statesmen) with the Late, Great Sheldon Menery\n\n"}]}