{"ops":[{"insert":"X marks the spot"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"This deck is straightforward to play, focusing on leveraging spells with X in their mana cost with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Zaxara, the Exemplary"}},{"insert":" 's ability to create tokens. With access to green and blue, you get plenty of ramp and plenty of card draw to keep the engine humming, with some black mana for targeted removal and finishers. There is a hydra tribal subtheme, leveraging "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Gargos, Vicious Watcher"}},{"insert":"'s discount ability.\n\nEarly-game - ramp"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The strategy for the first 3 turns is straightforward, try to ramp as much as possible with cards like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Nature's Lore"}},{"insert":" , "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Sol Ring"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Open the Way"}},{"insert":". The trickiest part about getting "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Zaxara, the Exemplary"}},{"insert":" out on turn 4 will be making sure you have all 3 required mana colours. Playing tapped lands on turn 1 and turn 2 is fine if it helps setup a good turn 4. \n\nMid-game - big scary creatures"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"With "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Zaxara, the Exemplary"}},{"insert":" online, you will have access to plenty of mana, and can begin casting some big X spells to draw cards and create scary creatures. The creatures themselves are unlikely to win the game (there isn't a ton of cards that give trample or unblockable), their main purpose is to keep opponents burning resources while you continue to get more lands down. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Hydroid Krasis"}},{"insert":" in particular provides a lot of value in the mid-game. Through flying, it represents a threat to many decks, and also draws you cards. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Unbound Flourishing"}},{"insert":" is another ridiculously powerful card in the mid-game.\n\nTry to hold up a few mana for counter spells or protection. There is an abundance of value in the deck, don't feel pressured to overplay. \n\nLate-game - look for a finisher"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Winning with big hydras is always a possibility, however there are also other cards added specifically to finish the game. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Exsanguinate"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Profane Command"}},{"insert":" will each enable you to drain a bunch of life. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Villainous Wealth"}},{"insert":" is very impactful when X is large. At this stage in the game you should have ample opportunity to see which deck will be the best target to hit something big. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Freed from the Real"}},{"insert":" is instant infinite blue mana when attached to "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Zaxara, the Exemplary"}},{"insert":", providing a complete win with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Exsanguinate"}},{"insert":" (the last time you tap Zaxara, tap for 2 black).\n\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Simic Ascendancy"}},{"insert":" is an alternative win-con that is easier to execute thanks to the additional hydra tokens we create with each X spell. It will likely be removed on sight, so expect to only have 1 or 2 turns to pile on the counters.\n\nPlaystyle"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Play whichever X spell feels best for the situation, and be aware of board wipes from opponents. Cards like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Hangarback Walker"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Hooded Hydra"}},{"insert":" provide plenty of defense, and so one thing you should never need to be concerned about is losing to creature attacks. On the attack, swinging with 20 or 30 power is really fun!\n\nWeaknesses"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Flyers can be a real problem, as not many of the hydras have reach. Bounce spells can be annoying from blue decks, because you won't want to waste a counterspell on such a cheap card, and the opponent will get a lot of value from bouncing something that was expensive to cast. The good news is that you will still get the cast trigger from "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Zaxara, the Exemplary"}},{"insert":" , and so at least will get a large hydra token for them to have to deal with.\n\n"}]}