{"ops":[{"insert":"Breena Midrange"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"What This Deck Is"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"This is a high-power Orzhov midrange-control deck built around Breena, the Demagogue.\nThe deck uses cheap attackers, hatebears, and efficient removal to slow the table down without completely locking anyone out. Breena turns combat—both mine and everyone else’s—into cards and +1/+1 counters. While the table fights through my disruption, my small utility creatures gradually become legitimate threats.\nThe deck can win through combat, but it also has two compact combo finishes:\nHeliod, Sun-Crowned with Walking Ballista"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Leonin Relic-Warder with Animate Dead or Dance of the Dead and Blood Artist"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The political side of Breena is useful, but this is not a group-hug deck. Opponents may draw cards from Breena, but I am the only player receiving permanent board development from every trigger.\nHow I Explain the Deck"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"This is an optimized Bracket 4 Breena midrange deck. I play cheap evasive creatures, disruptive hatebears, plenty of permanent and graveyard removal, and two compact combo finishes.\nBreena encourages everyone to attack each other while giving me cards and counters. I usually win by protecting a combo turn or by making one of my evasive creatures too large to handle.\nThere are no Moxen or mass land destruction effects, but the deck does contain efficient tutors, powerful hatebears, and deterministic combos.\nUnderstanding Breena"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Breena triggers whenever a player attacks one of my opponents, provided the defending player has more life than at least one of my other opponents.\nA few important details:\nCombat damage is not required. Breena triggers when attackers are declared."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Breena triggers once for each eligible opponent being attacked, not once for each attacking creature."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"I can attack two eligible opponents and receive two triggers."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Opponents can trigger Breena when they attack each other."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The attacking player draws the card, but I always place the two counters."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"I choose the creature receiving the counters as the trigger resolves. The ability does not target."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The counters can therefore be placed on a creature with hexproof, shroud, or protection."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Once the game becomes one-on-one, Breena stops triggering because there is no longer “another” opponent whose life total can be compared."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The easiest eligible target is usually the opponent with the highest life total. An opponent does not need to have more life than the attacker; they only need more life than one of my other opponents.\nWhere the Counters Go"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"I do not automatically put every counter on Breena.\nGood counter carriers include:\nChangeling Outcast"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Dauthi Voidwalker"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Serra Ascendant"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Esper Sentinel"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Gingerbrute"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Deep-Cavern Bat"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Aven Mindcensor"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Aven Interrupter"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"A Spirit from Kaya’s Guile"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The Changeling from Black Market Connections"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Putting counters on Esper Sentinel makes its tax harder to pay. Putting them on a hatebear forces opponents to choose between removing the disruption or dealing with a rapidly growing attacker.\nBreena herself is still a good counter carrier when commander damage is a realistic route or I need a large flying blocker.\nMulligan Guide"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"What I Want"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"A good opening hand normally has:\nTwo or three lands"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Access to both colors"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"A creature I can play before Breena"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Ramp, card advantage, or a disruptive creature"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"At least one piece of interaction"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"My ideal start is:\nPlay a cheap creature."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Play a mana rock, value creature, or hatebear."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Cast Breena."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Immediately attack and trigger her."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Serra Ascendant, Esper Sentinel, Changeling Outcast, Gingerbrute, Mother of Runes, Lotho, and Deep-Cavern Bat are all strong early plays.\nHands I Keep"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Examples of good keeps:\nThree lands, a one-drop, Breena support, and interaction"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Two lands, a two-mana rock, an early attacker, and removal"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Two lands, Esper Sentinel or Serra Ascendant, and a tutor"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Three lands, a hatebear, a draw engine, and protection"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Hands I Send Back"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"I generally mulligan:\nOne-land hands without exceptional acceleration"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Hands without white mana"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Four- or five-land hands with no meaningful action"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Hands containing several combo pieces but no development"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Hands where my first useful play costs three or four mana"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Hands that rely entirely on Breena surviving"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"A combo piece in the opening hand is fine, but I do not keep a weak hand simply because it contains half of a combo.\nEarly Game"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"My first priority is putting a creature onto the battlefield before Breena.\nThe best opening creatures either draw cards, disrupt an opponent, or have reliable evasion:\nSerra Ascendant applies immediate pressure."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Esper Sentinel taxes noncreature spells and becomes harder to pay for after receiving counters."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Changeling Outcast cannot be blocked."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Gingerbrute can force its way through most boards."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Mother of Runes protects Breena or a combo creature."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Lotho produces Treasures as players double-spell."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Deep-Cavern Bat temporarily removes the most dangerous card from an opponent’s hand."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Archivist of Oghma punishes tutors and fetch lands."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"I do not need to cast Breena on turn three in every game. If the table is threatening an early combo, deploying Drannith Magistrate, Dauthi Voidwalker, Containment Priest, or another relevant hatebear is more important.\nBreena is strongest when she enters with an attacker already available.\nMidgame"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The midgame is where the deck is most comfortable.\nMy goals are:\nKeep cards flowing through Breena and the deck’s draw engines."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Identify which player is closest to winning."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Use the narrowest available answer."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Grow one or two evasive creatures."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Avoid committing every creature to the battlefield."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Begin assembling a protected win."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"I want opponents spending resources against each other. Breena helps encourage that naturally.\nI do not need to answer every strong permanent. I save removal for engines, combo pieces, graveyard enablers, and permanents that prevent my own plan from functioning.\nPlaying Politics"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The easiest deal is simply reminding an opponent that attacking the player with the higher life total draws them a card.\nDuelist’s Heritage can give any attacking creature double strike, including an opponent’s creature. This can encourage an attack away from me, help eliminate the leading player, or make blocking extremely difficult.\nI avoid promises that restrict my future interaction. The deck works best when I offer immediate incentives rather than long-term alliances.\nHow the Deck Wins"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Win One: Heliod and Walking Ballista"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"I need:\nHeliod, Sun-Crowned"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Walking Ballista with at least two +1/+1 counters"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Two mana, including one white, to activate Heliod"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The sequence is:\nActivate Heliod and give Walking Ballista lifelink."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Remove a counter from Ballista to deal one damage to an opponent."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Because Ballista has lifelink, I gain one life."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Heliod triggers and places a +1/+1 counter back on Ballista."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Repeat until every opponent is dead."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Ballista normally needs at least two counters before the loop begins. If it only has one, removing that counter leaves it as a 0/0 and it dies before Heliod’s trigger can replace the counter.\nBreena counters can help prepare Ballista for the combo.\nFinding the Pieces"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Enlightened Tutor finds either Heliod or Walking Ballista."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Ranger-Captain of Eos finds Walking Ballista."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Recruiter of the Guard finds Walking Ballista."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Demonic Tutor finds either piece."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Before starting, I try to have Grand Abolisher, Silence, Ranger-Captain of Eos, Mother of Runes, or another form of protection available.\nWin Two: Leonin Relic-Warder Loop"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"I need:\nBlood Artist on the battlefield"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Leonin Relic-Warder in my graveyard"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Animate Dead or Dance of the Dead"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The sequence is:\nUse Animate Dead or Dance of the Dead to return Leonin Relic-Warder."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Relic-Warder enters and exiles the reanimation enchantment."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"When the enchantment leaves, Relic-Warder is sacrificed."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Relic-Warder leaving returns the enchantment."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The enchantment returns Relic-Warder again."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Repeat the loop."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Blood Artist drains the table through the repeated deaths."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Leonin Relic-Warder says I “may” exile the enchantment, so I can stop the loop when necessary.\nImportant Warning"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Containment Priest prevents creatures from entering without being cast. That means it shuts off my own Animate Dead and Dance of the Dead.\nI must remove Containment Priest before attempting this combo.\nFinding the Pieces"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Enlightened Tutor finds Animate Dead or Dance of the Dead."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Recruiter of the Guard finds Blood Artist or Leonin Relic-Warder."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Demonic Tutor finds any missing piece."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Animate Dead and Dance of the Dead can also be used fairly to return a valuable creature when I am not ready to combo."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Win Three: Combat"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The deck does not need a combo to win.\nBreena can turn an unassuming utility creature into a massive threat over only a few combat steps. The best combat finishers are creatures that are difficult to block:\nChangeling Outcast"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Dauthi Voidwalker"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Serra Ascendant"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Gingerbrute"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Breena"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Deep-Cavern Bat"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The deck’s flying creatures and tokens"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Duelist’s Heritage gives the best attacker double strike. A creature with ten power can suddenly eliminate someone from twenty life, and a large Breena can threaten commander damage.\nInkshield is another combat win condition. Preventing a large attack can create enough flying Inklings to eliminate the table on my next turn.\nTutor Guide"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Demonic Tutor"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Demonic Tutor gets whatever the current game requires.\nTypical targets:\nA missing combo piece"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Silence or Grand Abolisher before a combo turn"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Toxic Deluge or Farewell when behind"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"A graveyard answer"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Necropotence or The One Ring when I need cards"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"An efficient removal spell for an immediate problem"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"I do not need to tutor for a combo every time. Staying alive and preserving my board is often more valuable.\nEnlightened Tutor"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Key targets include:\nHeliod, Sun-Crowned"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Walking Ballista"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Animate Dead"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Dance of the Dead"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Necropotence"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The One Ring"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Black Market Connections"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Trouble in Pairs"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Aura of Silence"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Soul-Guide Lantern"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Lion Sash"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Because the card goes on top of my library, I can sometimes use a Breena, Esper Sentinel, Archivist, Trouble in Pairs, or One Ring draw to receive it immediately.\nRanger-Captain of Eos"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Ranger-Captain can find:\nWalking Ballista"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Serra Ascendant"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Esper Sentinel"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Mother of Runes"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Changeling Outcast"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Gingerbrute"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Its sacrifice ability is frequently more important than the creature it finds. Before attempting a win, I can sacrifice Ranger-Captain so opponents cannot cast noncreature spells for the rest of the turn.\nRecruiter of the Guard"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Recruiter finds many of the deck’s most important utility creatures, including:\nBlood Artist"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Leonin Relic-Warder"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Walking Ballista"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Dauthi Voidwalker"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Opposition Agent"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Archivist of Oghma"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Aven Mindcensor"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Aven Interrupter"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Containment Priest"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Grand Abolisher"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Esper Sentinel"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Mother of Runes"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Recruiter is usually a toolbox card first and a combo tutor second.\nInteraction Guide"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Stopping Creatures"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Use these when the problem is specifically a creature:\nSwords to Plowshares"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Path to Exile"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Deadly Rollick"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Damn"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Toxic Deluge"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Swords and Deadly Rollick are generally my cleanest creature answers. Path gives the opponent a land, so I reserve it for creatures that genuinely need to disappear.\nStopping Any Permanent"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Use these for especially dangerous nonland permanents:\nAnguished Unmaking"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Generous Gift"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Stroke of Midnight"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Vindicate"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Despark"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"I try not to spend these universal answers on something a narrower card could handle.\nArtifacts and Enchantments"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"This package is especially important against Go-Shintai:\nAura of Silence"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Loran of the Third Path"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Fracture"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Heliod’s Intervention"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Leonin Relic-Warder"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Anguished Unmaking"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Generous Gift"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Stroke of Midnight"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Vindicate"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Feed the Swarm"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Farewell"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Tragic Arrogance"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Aura of Silence should come down early when the shrine deck is developing. It taxes every artifact and enchantment while threatening to destroy the most important one.\nHeliod’s Intervention is best saved until it can remove multiple targets.\nAgainst Go-Shintai, I prioritize removing the commander, Sanctum of All, token-production engines, and shrines that create overwhelming card or mana advantage. I do not need to destroy every shrine individually if I can remove the engine holding the board together.\nGraveyards"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The deck has several layers of graveyard control:\nDauthi Voidwalker"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Lion Sash"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Soul-Guide Lantern"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Bojuka Bog"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Kaya’s Guile"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Farewell"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"I do not fire these off at the first available card. I wait until the graveyard player has committed meaningful resources or puts a recursion spell on the stack.\nLion Sash is best for picking off individual combo pieces. Soul-Guide Lantern and Kaya’s Guile can clear every opponent’s graveyard. Bojuka Bog is strong but difficult to hold up as a surprise, so I use it when I can remove several important cards.\nStack Interaction"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Orzhov cannot counter spells as freely as blue, but this deck still has ways to interfere:\nReprieve returns a spell to its owner’s hand and draws me a card."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Aven Interrupter exiles a spell and turns it into a plotted card."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Silence prevents opponents from casting spells for the remainder of the turn."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Ranger-Captain prevents opponents from casting noncreature spells."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Grand Abolisher heavily restricts interaction during my turn."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Deep-Cavern Bat can remove a known answer before I commit."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Opposition Agent and Aven Mindcensor punish tutors before they resolve normally."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Reprieve and Aven Interrupter usually delay a spell rather than permanently remove it. I should use the time they buy to win, remove the underlying engine, or prepare a permanent answer.\nBoard Wipes"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Each wipe serves a different purpose.\nDamn"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Damn is efficient single-target removal early and a conventional creature wipe later.\nToxic Deluge"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Toxic Deluge handles indestructible creatures and lets me choose how much of the board to kill. Breena’s counters may allow an important creature to survive a smaller Deluge.\nTragic Arrogance"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Tragic Arrogance is often the best wipe when I have an established board. I choose what every player keeps, so I can leave opponents with their least useful permanent in each category while keeping my best creature, artifact, and enchantment.\nIt is especially effective against decks with several shrines, creatures, and support pieces.\nFarewell"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Farewell is the emergency reset button.\nIt can remove:\nCreatures"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Artifacts"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Enchantments"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Graveyards"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"It also removes my own permanents in the chosen categories, so I use it when opponents have pulled too far ahead or when the graveyard and enchantment decks need a complete reset.\nClever Concealment or Teferi’s Protection can preserve my board through my own Farewell if I have enough mana.\nProtecting the Win"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Grand Abolisher"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Grand Abolisher is one of the best cards to play before a combo attempt. It stops opponents from casting spells and prevents most activated abilities from creatures, artifacts, and enchantments during my turn.\nIt does not stop every possible land or planeswalker ability, so I still check the battlefield before committing.\nSilence"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Silence is usually cast before I play the first combo piece.\nIf an opponent wants to counter Silence, they must act immediately. If it resolves, they cannot cast spells for the rest of the turn.\nSilence does not stop activated abilities already available on the battlefield.\nIt can also be cast during an opponent’s upkeep to prevent a dangerous turn.\nRanger-Captain of Eos"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Sacrifice Ranger-Captain immediately before the important part of my combo. Opponents can respond to the sacrifice ability, so I should not assume I am protected until the ability resolves.\nMother of Runes"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Mother protects Breena, a hatebear, Blood Artist, Leonin Relic-Warder, or Walking Ballista from colored removal.\nShe can also give an attacker protection from the colors of potential blockers.\nBoromir, Warden of the Tower"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Boromir punishes spells cast without mana and can sacrifice himself to give my creatures indestructible.\nIndestructible does not protect against:\nExile"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Bounce"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Sacrifice"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Toxic Deluge or other toughness reduction"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Boromir protects creatures only, not my artifacts or enchantments.\nClever Concealment"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Clever Concealment phases out any number of my nonland permanents. It protects creatures, combo pieces, mana rocks, and enchantments.\nConvoke lets me tap creatures to help cast it, so I can protect a wide board even when I do not have four untapped lands.\nTeferi’s Protection"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Teferi’s Protection is the most complete defensive card in the deck. It protects my permanents, life total, and me until my next turn.\nI save it for a major board wipe, a lethal attack, or a situation where surviving one turn cycle should put me in position to win.\nInkshield"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Inkshield is not general board protection. It prevents combat damage to me and creates an Inkling for every point prevented.\nIt is strongest against a player making a lethal alpha strike. The resulting flying army frequently becomes lethal on my next turn.\nCard-Advantage Engines"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Breena"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Breena is the primary engine, but I do not rely on her surviving indefinitely.\nEsper Sentinel"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Breena counters make the Sentinel tax increasingly difficult to pay.\nArchivist of Oghma"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Hold Archivist until an opponent cracks a fetch land or casts a tutor when possible. Flashing it in lets me receive value immediately.\nTrouble in Pairs"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Trouble in Pairs rewards me when opponents double-spell, draw extra cards, or attack me with multiple creatures. It also shuts down extra turns.\nBlack Market Connections"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Most turns I choose Treasure and card draw.\nI create the Changeling when:\nI need another attacker."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"I can afford the life."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"I need a creature to carry Breena counters."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"I expect to protect the board."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Choosing every mode costs six life each turn, so I do not do it automatically.\nNecropotence"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Necropotence skips only my normal draw step. Breena, Esper Sentinel, Trouble in Pairs, Archivist, and The One Ring can still draw cards.\nCards discarded while Necropotence is in play are exiled, so I avoid drawing so many cards that I am forced to discard important combo pieces during cleanup.\nThe deck spends life through fetch lands, Black Market Connections, Toxic Deluge, Anguished Unmaking, Lotho, and The One Ring, so I treat life as a resource without spending it carelessly.\nThe One Ring"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The One Ring provides immediate protection and rapidly increasing card advantage.\nI want to use the cards it draws to find a win or an answer before the burden counters become dangerous.\nCommon Mistakes to Avoid"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Casting Breena without an attacker when another play would be more useful."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Assuming Breena triggers once per creature instead of once per eligible opponent."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Placing every counter on the same creature and losing everything to one removal spell."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Using universal permanent removal on a minor creature."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Exiling a graveyard before the graveyard player commits resources."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Trying the Relic-Warder loop while Containment Priest is on my battlefield."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Casting a combo without checking for onboard activated abilities."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Treating Aven Interrupter or Reprieve as permanent answers."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Overextending into a board wipe when Breena is already drawing enough cards."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Paying too much life to Necropotence, Black Market Connections, and The One Ring at the same time."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Forgetting that Breena stops triggering once the game becomes one-on-one."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Using Farewell without checking which of my own combo pieces and engines will be exiled."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Quick In-Game Reference"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Opening Plan"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Find two or three lands with both colors."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Play an early attacker."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Develop ramp, card advantage, or a relevant hatebear."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Cast Breena when I can trigger her or protect her."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Hold interaction while the table attacks each other."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Best Early Creatures"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Serra Ascendant"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Esper Sentinel"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Changeling Outcast"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Gingerbrute"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Mother of Runes"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Lotho"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Deep-Cavern Bat"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Archivist of Oghma"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Main Win Lines"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Heliod + Walking Ballista"},{"insert":"\nBallista needs at least two counters. Give it lifelink, ping for one, gain one, replace the counter with Heliod, and repeat.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Blood Artist + Leonin Relic-Warder + Animate Dead/Dance of the Dead"},{"insert":"\nReanimate Relic-Warder, exile the Aura, sacrifice Relic-Warder, return the Aura, and repeat.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Combat"},{"insert":"\nStack Breena counters on evasive creatures and use Duelist’s Heritage to finish players.\nTutor Priorities"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Behind on board: Find a wipe or removal."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Low on cards: Find Necropotence, The One Ring, or Black Market Connections."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Graveyard player threatening a win: Find Soul-Guide Lantern, Lion Sash, Dauthi Voidwalker, or Kaya’s Guile."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Ready to win: Find the missing combo piece."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Combo assembled but exposed: Find Silence, Grand Abolisher, Mother of Runes, or Ranger-Captain."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Before Attempting a Combo"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Check opponents’ untapped mana."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Check creatures, artifacts, enchantments, lands, and planeswalkers for activated interaction."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Remove Containment Priest before using the Relic-Warder loop."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Lead with Silence, Grand Abolisher, or Ranger-Captain."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Keep protection available when possible."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Confirm that graveyard hate is not stopping the reanimation line."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Only then commit the combo pieces."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The Core Mindset"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"I am not trying to race every deck at the table.\nI want to put down one or two useful creatures, make everyone play through my interaction, and let Breena turn normal combat into an advantage for me. Once the table has spent resources fighting each other, I either protect a compact combo or finish the game with an evasive creature that has quietly become enormous.\n"}]}