{"ops":[{"attributes":{"color":"#66b966"},"insert":"Introduction"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nWelcome to my Arena "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Baral, Chief of Compliance"}},{"insert":" list that I have one-tricked since I started playing Arena sometime last year! I use this list for Competitive Brawl & peaked at D2.\n\nThis is a Tempo deck that is trying to play faster than the opponent"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Keep chipping away at your opponent's life total as you accrue a time/mana advantage before they realize it's too late!"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Utilize high-value, low-cost threats that grow with drawing cards and casting spells"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Ramp hard with several pip-reducers"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Use well-timed, efficient removal to deprive opponents of time & resources"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#66b966"},"insert":"What is a Tempo Deck?"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nTempo decks in MTG seek to apply these principles in games:\n\nSeeks to control the board long enough for low-mana threats to bring your opponent's life total to zero"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Playing for resources; employing efficient threats and answers in equal measure"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Accrue a "},{"attributes":{"color":"#66b966"},"insert":"resource advantage "},{"insert":"(mana, time, and sometimes life) over time through a mix of reactivity and proactivity, which can vary based on matchups"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nTempo, as an archetype, is best explained when compared to other deck archetypes:\n\nAggro seeks to win the game by flooding the board with as many cheap threats as possible in order to go under an opponent and get their life to zero as quickly as possible - such that the opponent simply does not have time to respond. Aggro decks are on the clock starting on turn one, since they scale horribly throughout the course of a game and they are extremely vulnerable to boardwipes."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Control decks focus on stalling opponents & controlling the board through the early to mid game until they can assemble an unbeatable win condition. They primarily play for "},{"attributes":{"color":"#66b966"},"insert":"card advantage"},{"insert":" with an emphasis on value, winning through attrition and being extremely reactive."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Midrange decks play a steady stream of value-oriented threats throughout the course of a game in order to hinder and out-value faster strategies while grinding down slower ones. "},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Tempo looks to play efficient, cheap threats that grow over time to gradually chip away at an opponent's life total while disrupting an opponent's turns to slow them down long enough to win the game. Tempo decks prioritize accruing a "},{"attributes":{"color":"#66b966"},"insert":"resource advantage"},{"insert":" throughout the course of a match in order to overwhelm an opponent by the mid to late game."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#66b966"},"insert":"A Closer Look at Win Conditions"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nThis deck wins through a steady grind of combat damage from evasive creatures:\n\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Pteramander"}},{"insert":" takes some time to get online and is usually safe to Adapt by the midgame, but it's flexible for a 1 drop and offers some early damage (Adapt can be done at instant speed!)"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Surge Engine"}},{"insert":" getting this to a 5/4 unblockable creature is surprisingly effective & can draw you cards in a pinch if/when the game goes long enough"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ominous Seas"}},{"insert":" usually goes under the radar until you jumpscare them with an 8/8 during the combat step"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Duelist of the Mind"}},{"insert":" almost never gets targeted with removal until you manage to chunk them with a brainstorm/brainsurge as a combat trick, then your opponent will do whatever they can to remove this creature"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Haughty Djinn"}},{"insert":" doubles as a cost-reducer & an evasive beater that scales over the course of a game - the posterchild of this deck if there ever was one"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Tempest Djinn"}},{"insert":" is a strong, evasive beater that grows the longer a game goes on"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#66b966"},"insert":"Art of the Mulligan"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nYour opening hand ideally consists of many low mana spells. A good mix of card advantage & early threats is what you're looking for in most cases. Sometimes, you may need to prioritize having cheap removal or a boardwipe against more aggressive matchups. The best spells you can start with in your hand:\n\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#e60000"},"insert":"Highest Priority"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Sapphire Medallion"}},{"insert":" (turn 2 sapphire medallion is this deck's strongest play)"},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ponder"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#0066cc"},"insert":"Hand Fixing"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Preordain"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Opt"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Consider"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Chart a Course"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Frantic Search"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#ffc266"},"insert":"Removal (most of these spells cost only 1 mana when the Chief is in play!)"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Memory Lapse"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Remand"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Negate"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Tale's End"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Into the Flood Maw"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Brazen Borrower // Petty Theft"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Volatile Stormdrake"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Floodpits Drowner"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#ffff00"},"insert":"Ramp"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Currency Converter"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Emrakul's Messenger"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Monument to Endurance"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#c285ff"},"insert":"Early Threats"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Pteramander"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ominous Seas"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Silent Hallcreeper"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Surge Engine"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Duelist of the Mind"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Proft's Eidetic Memory"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Tempest Djinn"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Haughty Djinn"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#66b966"},"insert":"When to Baral"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nNever autopilot cast "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Baral, Chief of Compliance"}},{"insert":" on curve. Timing the Chief is key to maximizing his usefulness. Never, ever put him in the Command zone if he gets removed. You should never cast Baral for more than 2 mana, since his abilities are much less effective for 4 mana. At that point, he is more useful in the graveyard to help satisfy the condition for "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Cephalid Coliseum"}},{"insert":". It's also pretty funny to just leave him in your library/graveyard/exile. Here's a flowchart for when to cast Baral on each of your turns:\n\nTurn 2"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"You’d like to setup for cheaper spells on turn 3"},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"You want to bait removal to protect more important creatures such as "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Duelist of the Mind"}},{"insert":" , "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ledger Shredder"}},{"insert":" , or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Faerie Mastermind"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"You don't have "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Sapphire Medallion"}},{"insert":" in hand"},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"You don't think it's worth holding mana up for removal"},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"You have no better play"},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Turn 3"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"You have a 2 mana counterspell containing a single gray pip such as "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Memory Lapse"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Remand"}},{"insert":", or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Tale's End"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"You cast "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Sapphire Medallion"}},{"insert":" on turn 2 and it's still in play"},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Casting "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Overlord of the Floodpits"}},{"insert":" for impending, "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Haughty Djinn"}},{"insert":", or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Tempest Djinn"}},{"insert":" are unfavorable or unfeasible"},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"You didn't just draw "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Sapphire Medallion"}},{"insert":" this turn"},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"You don't need to hold for a >1 mana counterspell such as "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Disallow"}},{"insert":" or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mana Drain"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"You have no better play"},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Turn 4"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"You have "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Frantic Search"}},{"insert":" in hand"},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Holding for "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Subtlety"}},{"insert":" (without evoke) is not ideal"},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"You have a 3-mana counterspell affected by Baral's pip reduction such as "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Disallow"}},{"insert":" or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mana Sculpt"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"You've just played "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Sapphire Medallion"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"You're desperate and your best play is to cast Baral followed by a 2 mana "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Solve the Equation"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Compulsive Research"}},{"insert":", or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Thirst for Discovery"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"You have no better play"},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Turn 5"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"This is the latest I've ever cast Baral and it's a rare, but entirely possible scenario"},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#66b966"},"insert":"How to Use Brainstorm"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nInstant-speed burst draw can win games in this deck. Never autopilot cast Brainstorm on turn one! These spells should be held in hand until the exact right moment, if you can help it:\n\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Brainstorm"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Brainsurge"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Flow of Knowledge"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nFavorable scenarios for when you will want to cast these spells:\n\nSwinging with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Duelist of the Mind"}},{"insert":" to pump its power for lethal or an advantageous trade"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Swinging with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Haughty Djinn"}},{"insert":" or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Curious Homunculus // Voracious Reader"}},{"insert":" to increase spells cast or in graveyard in order to increase their power for lethal or a strong trade"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ominous Seas"}},{"insert":" is on the board and you can get up to 8 counters in order to get one (or more) "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Octopus"}},{"insert":" tokens in play at instant speed either as a surprise blocker or at an opponent's end step so you can immediately swing out on your next turn."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Flipping "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Thing in the Ice // Awoken Horror"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#66b966"},"insert":"Stifle & Friends"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nShutting down the most powerful triggered & activated abilities in the game from planeswalker ultimates (sending them to the graveyard if they use all the counters on them) to the likes of "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Craterhoof Behemoth"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Path to the World Tree"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Stifle"}},{"insert":" , "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Defabricate"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Tale's End"}},{"insert":", & "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Disallow"}},{"insert":" have extremely high skill ceilings and allow for game-ending shutdowns.\nUsing these cards to counter a fetch-land is wasteful, even if you have nothing else to do on your turn 1. Using them to counter "},{"attributes":{"color":"#e60000"},"insert":"single-target"},{"insert":" ETB-based removal from sources like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Banishing Light"}},{"insert":" is sometimes applicable, especially for an important win-condition such as "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Tempest Djinn"}},{"insert":".\n\nExamples of matchup-specific cases where using Stifle can be very effective:\n\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Urza, Lord High Artificer"}},{"insert":" ETB"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Lumra, Bellow of the Woods"}},{"insert":" ETB"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Esika, God of the Tree // The Prismatic Bridge"}},{"insert":" triggered ability on upkeep"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Tiamat"}},{"insert":" ETB"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Hei Bai, Forest Guardian"}},{"insert":" ETB"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Kaldra Compleat"}},{"insert":" Living Weapon ETB"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Atraxa, Grand Unifier"}},{"insert":" ETB"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Emrakul, the Promised End"}},{"insert":" Cast Trigger"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Emrakul, the World Anew"}},{"insert":" Cast Trigger"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Laboratory Maniac"}},{"insert":" or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Thassa's Oracle"}},{"insert":" “win the game” triggered ability (causing your opponent to lose from being milled out, instead)"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Meathook Massacre II"}},{"insert":" or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Massacre Wurm"}},{"insert":" ETB"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nBeing able to counter the triggered abilities of our own permanents can be highly useful in the correct, niche circumstances. Phasing from sources such as "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Slip Out the Back"}},{"insert":" can also be used to circumvent these effects:\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Subtlety"}},{"insert":" evoke forced sacrifice, which is a separate ability as the ETB itself"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Phantasmal Image"}},{"insert":" forced sacrifice upon being targeted by a spell/ability"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#66b966"},"insert":"Matchup Checks and Balances"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#0047b2","underline":true},"insert":"The Reflector Mage Effect"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nThis section pertains mostly to the following commanders, which on continued board presence to accrue an advantage or threaten lethal:\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Urza, Lord High Artificer"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Light-Paws, Emperor's Voice"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Rofellos, Llanowar Emissary"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Katara, Waterbending Master"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Voja, Jaws of the Conclave"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Prosper, Tome-Bound"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Vivi Ornitier"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Tifa Lockhart"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Raph & Mikey, Troublemakers"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Golos, Tireless Pilgrim"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Lumra, Bellow of the Woods"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nThese decks, in my experience, are incredibly fragile and do not function when their commander isn't in play. Instant-speed bounce & other cheap removal every time they attempt to get their commander in play will set these decks extremely far behind while you are able to reliably build an advantage. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Stifle"}},{"insert":" and friends are incredibly effective for activated or triggered abilities, which many of these commanders rely heavily on. The same can be said for any strong spell an opponent is threatening. Putting a spell back into an opponent's hand leads to them fixating on casting that spell as soon as they can, hence why "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Reflector Mage"}},{"insert":" has a strong tendency to disrupt an opponent's mental. Abuse Psychology to make your opponent re-cast the same spell over and over until you're able to win from underneath them!\n\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#66a3e0","underline":true},"insert":"Katara, Waterbending Master"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nThese decks rely on getting counterspells and other instants (usually removal or card draw) to build up experience counters for their commander so they can draw many, many cards each turn without paying mana in order to make up for the shortcomings of Counterspells, The Gathering™. The caveat of removal-only decks is that they can only match one-for-one outside of boardwipes - meaning that they normally need to invest major resources in hindering an opponent AND keeping their hand size healthy so they can keep casting spells, otherwise they just can't keep up. However, "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Katara, Waterbending Master"}},{"insert":" breaks parity by drawing cards for free and therefore breaking the mana investment that otherwise keeps these types of decks in check. Typically opting for a win by pinging with Katara for 1 damage per turn as many turns as it takes, this matchup can be an incredibly miserable slog. The main drawback to this strategy is when an opponent has a blocker in play that can remove Katara if she swings out during the early game.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#e60000"},"insert":"Mulligan aggressively"},{"insert":" for low-mana creatures that can put your opponent on a clock ASAP. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Surge Engine"}},{"insert":" & "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Silent Hallcreeper"}},{"insert":" are your friends in this matchup because they can threaten to remove "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Katara, Waterbending Master"}},{"insert":" if she swings out. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Pteramander"}},{"insert":" or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ledger Shredder"}},{"insert":" can do the job as well, but they require some setup before they can threaten Katara. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Tempest Djinn"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Haughty Djinn"}},{"insert":" will do work if you're able to get them in play - attempting to get these in play is safest when your opponent is tapped out. Low cost bounce is also extremely effective, since the Katara deck will usually cease to function without her in play or otherwise be forced to respond during their own turn and deny themselves Experience Counters. Juggle their commander until they fold or you chunk them for lethal! Always keep instant speed card draw for your opponent's turn or when they are tapped out. Forcing your opponent to play on the back foot and setting the tempo of the game is your key to victory. Pressure them into playing during their own turn!\n\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#66b966"},"insert":"Why Baral?"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Baral, Chief of Compliance"}},{"insert":" is a deceptively strong early-game commander that offers consistent access to pip reduction & looting. I think he's strongest as the helm of a Tempo deck, but he can also provide some early game consistency to a late game oriented control deck as well - where the early game is when they are most weak. While his pip reduction doesn't scale very well the longer a game goes on, he's still an incredible looter that will net you cards during the course of a game when he manages to stick. The early access to pip reduction is incredibly strong early, and is priceless in a tempo deck that is playing for a resource advantage as quickly as possible. \n\nHonestly, I love "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Baral, Chief of Compliance"}},{"insert":". It's been a delight one-tricking the Chief in Arena & learning just how great he is for a Tempo strategy. I take a sick pleasure from watching my opponents mulligan HARD for their precious \"can't be countered\" slop or watching them use "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Crop Rotation"}},{"insert":" for "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Cavern of Souls"}},{"insert":" or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mistrise Village"}},{"insert":". The amount of people I have played against who have lost to my list after casting "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Delighted Halfling"}},{"insert":"/"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Hexing Squelcher"}},{"insert":"/"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Cavern of Souls"}},{"insert":" in the early game and then saying \"Good Game\" is insanely high. My Chief getting removed immediately after being cast, just to win the game with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Duelist of the Mind"}},{"insert":" or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Thing in the Ice // Awoken Horror"}},{"insert":" while never putting him back in the Command Zone always makes me giggle maniacally. Those two creatures are the most slept on cards I've ever seen. Using the Chief for removal bait turn 2 and then casting "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Tempest Djinn"}},{"insert":" on turn 3 when my opponent already used their removal on Baral is one of my favorite plays, assuming they don't have more removal lined up.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#66b966"},"insert":"Playing Off-Meta"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nOpting to play a strategy/commander that's not meta comes with some notable disadvantages - Your list won't be as strong as most meta decks and adapting to the highly competitive ecosystem is a significant challenge. Player skill, adaptability, dedication, and hand/card assessment are paramount to making such an approach work. One-tricking such a list is the best approach, in my recommendation, so you can learn all the ins and outs of playing said strategy, even if it's suboptimal. Benefits to this style of play include:\nObtaining greater understanding of matchup knowledge & interactions."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Catching opponents off guard."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Learning a unique perspective on the game that you can transfer between decks & strategies - playing an offmeta list can actually help you improve your gameplay when it's time to bring out your meta deck!"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Becoming a more adaptable MTG player."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Learning niche interactions that you would have otherwise missed out on."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Getting better at spotting mistakes in your opponents' play."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Learning a strategies strengths & weaknesses to a fuller extent."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#66b966"},"insert":"Cards That Didn't Make the Cut"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nIn this game, there are endless options for spells. Choosing the right removal & cantrips for any list can make or break a strategy. Understanding the context for each card is paramount to building a consistent deck. I've tested many, many cards over the years in this list and here are some of the more noteworthy exclusions:\n\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Pongify"}},{"insert":"/"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Rapid Hybridization"}},{"insert":"/"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Swan Song"}},{"insert":" are great spells in the right context with the former two being rare color-pie breaks that let mono blue decks outright destroy creatures. However, these cards giving the opponent a 3/3 or 2/2 flying beater is actually quite dangerous in my experience. In more games than not, I found myself targeting my own creatures to buff up their stats to chew through an opponent's life total quicker. However, that's a massive tempo loss and that's even more so when giving away a flying creature that can block our evasive beaters. I've also had way too many close calls because of that 2/2 flying token. Giving opponents effective blockers is also rarely ideal for this strategy, given that we are trying to swing out consistently for damage and we are on a clock until late game."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Search for Azcanta // Azcanta, the Sunken Ruin"}},{"insert":" is incredibly strong for decks that thrive from consistent filtering & playing for topdeck battles - mainly control decks. However, this card provides very little upfront value and is too slow, as a result."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Teferi's Ageless Insight"}},{"insert":" is ridiculously strong and turns every loot into raw card advantage. Unfortunately, at four mana and no ways to cost reduce outside "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Sapphire Medallion"}},{"insert":", it's too slow to cast in the ranked meta. I found myself pitching this card more and more as I climbed the ranks, especially because it's only really useful around turn 6+ when you can keep mana to draw cards."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Whirlwind Denial"}},{"insert":" is one of my favorite cards because it can be an absolute powerhouse against certain strategies, particularly Landfall and Storm. Due to format speed, I found myself using it more often as a counterspell or having an opponent just pay the four. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Stifle"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Defabricate"}},{"insert":", and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Disallow"}},{"insert":" are my points of comparison and they pull more weight in most matches - they hard counter & offer extra utility on top of countering an ability."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Curiosity"}},{"insert":" and friends are normally seen as Tempo staples, at least in 60 card formats with reliable access to strong early creatures like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Delver of Secrets // Insectile Aberration"}},{"insert":" (which also didn't make the cut because of the unreliable nature of 100-card singleton). Paying one mana for this effect on turn 2/3 hurts this deck's tempo, since there's a reliance on leaving mana up between turns for removal/protection & sequencing "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Baral, Chief of Compliance"}},{"insert":" in order to get cost reduction for vital 2 mana cards on turn 3 in most games."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Archmage of Runes"}},{"insert":" & "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Defiler of Dreams"}},{"insert":" have pip reduction & card advantage built in... at 5 mana. These creatures are incredible when games go long enough, but they are too slow for a deck that doesn't ramp much and also doesn't play for late game."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Chrome Mox"}},{"insert":" is wonderful if it comes out turn 1, but it's also a dead draw if you topdeck it in the mid game."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Rhystic Study"}},{"insert":" is actually way too slow for this list & scales terribly."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Narset, Parter of Veils"}},{"insert":" is also too slow for this list. Besides, we're not playing for card advantage like a control deck is."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Teferi, Temporal Pilgrim"}},{"insert":" the ultimate can close out a game, but by the time I get there I'm usually swinging out for lethal anyway"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Wizard Class"}},{"insert":" unfortunately, this card takes too much investment to get the +1/+1 counters going"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"As Foretold"}},{"insert":" didn't pull its weight in games when I played it"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Counterspell"}},{"insert":" is seen as the gold standard for countermagic. While it's great for control lists that seek to hard deny opponent's spells, it doesn't offer enough utility or added value for this list. The point of comparison would be "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Remand"}},{"insert":" or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Memory Lapse"}},{"insert":". Hard denial is not as important as time denial or being able to get a mana/card advantage while also removing a threat."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Archmage's Charm"}},{"insert":" cannot be cost-reduced. Only one mode can be chosen, and oftentimes it's pay 3 to hard counter a spell when I'd rather have "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Disallow"}},{"insert":"."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Going for extra turns from "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Time Warp"}},{"insert":" & "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Temporal Manipulation"}},{"insert":" is just too slow for this deck and requires too much setup to be able to use effectively. Without being able to satisfy the conditions to be able to use these cards well, they may as well be dead draws."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Stock Up"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Sleight of Hand"}},{"insert":", and other "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Impulse"}},{"insert":" effects can be great for card selectivity. However, this deck cares specifically about drawing cards for triggered abilities and these cards do not do that. This list is also a lot faster and just wants cards now as opposed to being more choosy for other lists that need that kind of selectivity."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Symmetry Sage"}},{"insert":" is a monster if you can reliably trigger its ability in a meaningful way, but it can be really hard to use since this deck wants to play instants during an opponent's turn to maximize the tempo swing. The Alchemy nerfs certainly did not help here."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mana Drain"}},{"insert":" & "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mana Sculpt"}},{"insert":" are actually quite difficult to utilize - this list doesn't run enough gray pips to take full advantage of the added mana & they're difficult to cast with two blue pips relative to other counterspells that are one gray one blue (assuming you even have a wizard in play for "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mana Sculpt"}},{"insert":")"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Force of Negation"}},{"insert":" I find is more often than not being cast during my turn and I always forget that it's only free when it's NOT my own turn. It's also difficult to cast with 2 blue pips."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Three Steps Ahead"}},{"insert":" 2 blue pips to counter makes this hard to use for removal. copying a creature is cute but only so useful by lategame."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Pithing Needle"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Disruptor Flute"}},{"insert":" are too niche and matchup dependent for this list. By the time an opponent is able to resolve a strip mine lock (~ turn 5+ in my experience) we should already be on our way to winning the game. The longer you can stall land recursion or counter it entirely, the more time you have to play with until you either have board presence to win or you lose."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Field of Ruin"}},{"insert":" & "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Demolition Field"}},{"insert":" are difficult to run due to the colorless mana output. They also hurt "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Flow of Knowledge"}},{"insert":" as well as "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mystic Sanctuary"}},{"insert":", causing the latter to enter tapped more than is preferred."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"}]}