{"ops":[{"insert":"Malignant Mitosis"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Loki, the Deceiver"}},{"insert":" - Grixis Villain Clone Primer"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The deck is called Malignant Mitosis for a fairly straightforward reason:\nYou start with one Loki.\nThen there are two Lokis.\nThen there are three.\nThen Irma gets involved, and at some point identifying the original specimen is no longer scientifically useful.\nThroughout the primer, we'll just call it Mitosis.\nThe deck copies creatures that are themselves responsible for making more copies. The important distinction between ordinary mitosis and what happens here is that normal cells are generally expected to know when to stop.\nThese do not.\nOne becomes two, two becomes four, and eventually somebody starts asking whether this growth is supposed to be controlled.\n\n---\n\nThe Original Cell - Commander"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Loki, the Deceiver"}},{"insert":" \nLoki is the heart of Mitosis.\nHe turns combat into both board development and card advantage. The primary goal isn't merely to copy good Villains—it is to create additional copies of Loki himself, so every combat generates more Loki triggers.\nThe deck begins as a Loki value engine and gradually becomes a multiplication problem.\n\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"The Master, Multiplied"}},{"insert":" serves as the backup commander and late-game pivot once Loki has drawn enough cards that continuing to do so becomes dangerous.\n\n---\n\nThe Cell Cycle - Gameplan Overview"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Mitosis is a Grixis Villain Clone + Combat Multiplication deck.\n\nThe general plan is:"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"1. Ramp into Loki around turn 3.\n2. Make another Loki.\n3. Make another Loki.\n4. Introduce Irma and begin creating additional beginning-of-combat copy lines.\n5. Keep temporary copies around instead of allowing them to disappear.\n6. Remove blockers.\n7. Allow exponential growth to solve the remaining problems.\n8. Pivot into The Master when Loki has consumed enough of the library.\n\nThe deck is constructed like a Bracket 4 deck, with heavy tutoring, efficient interaction, redundant engines, and an optimized mana package.\nIts actual speed is closer to Bracket 3.4 because it still has the courtesy to kill through combat.\n\n---\n\nCellular Division - The Loki Engine"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nPieces"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Loki, the Deceiver\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Primary Loki-copy effects:"},{"insert":"\n- "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Sakashima of a Thousand Faces"}},{"insert":" \n- "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Sakashima the Impostor"}},{"insert":" \n- "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Spark Double"}},{"insert":" \n- "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Irenicus's Vile Duplication"}},{"insert":" \n- "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Quantum Misalignment"}},{"insert":" \n- "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ember Island Production"}},{"insert":" \n- "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Multiversal Recruitment"}},{"insert":" \n- "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Chameleon, Master of Disguise"}},{"insert":" \n- "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Impossible Man"}},{"insert":" \n- "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Irma, Part-Time Mutant"}},{"insert":" \n\nBasic Setup"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"1. Cast Loki.\n2. Make another Loki.\n3. Attack with both.\n4. Each Loki creates another Villain.\n5. Connect with Villains and draw cards.\n6. Continue multiplying the engine.\n\nScaling"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"1 Loki = 1 copy trigger\n2 Lokis = 2 copy triggers\n3 Lokis = 3 copy triggers\n\nThe important part is that Mitosis doesn't just copy creatures.\nIt copies the creature making the creatures.\n\nThis is generally where responsible cellular regulation would intervene.\nWe do not run that card.\n\n---\n\nApoptosis Denied - Keeping the Copies Alive"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nLoki's copies are normally supposed to disappear at the next end step.\nMitosis has several ways to object to this entirely reasonable cleanup process:\n\n- "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Obeka, Brute Chronologist"}},{"insert":" \n- "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Sundial of the Infinite"}},{"insert":" \n- "},{"insert":{"card-link":"The Master, Multiplied"}},{"insert":" \n\nObeka and Sundial let the sacrifice trigger go onto the stack and then end the turn before it resolves.\nThe Master simply prevents your triggered abilities from sacrificing or exiling the creature tokens in the first place.\n\nThe result is the same:"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Temporary copy → permanent copy\nLoki's tokens were given a perfectly normal mechanism for programmed cell death.\n\nMitosis disables it.\nAt this point the adjective “Malignant” starts becoming less decorative.\n\nTip"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"With Obeka or Sundial, wait until Loki's sacrifice trigger is actually on the stack before ending the turn.\nOtherwise you've interrupted the cell cycle before the part you were trying to avoid actually happened.\n\n---\n\nMutation - "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Irma, Part-Time Mutant"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Irma is where Mitosis begins taking the biological metaphor a little too seriously.\nThe important interaction is simple:\nIrma copying another Irma adds another beginning-of-combat copy line.\nThe goal is to introduce Irma into the Loki engine and then have Loki begin cloning Irma.\n\nPrimary Irma Line"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"1. Irma copies Loki.\n2. Irma now functions as Loki while retaining her Irma ability.\n3. Attack with Loki.\n4. Loki copies Irma.\n5. You now have another Irma carrying the Loki form and an Irma beginning-of-combat ability.\n6. On the following turn, Irma copies Irma.\n7. The other Irma copies the newly updated Irma.\n8. Each Irma-to-Irma copy adds another beginning-of-combat line.\n9. Move to combat.\n10. Use Loki to clone Irma again.\n11. Repeat.\n\nThe progression is essentially:"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Irma → Loki\n\nThen:"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Loki → Irma\n\nThen:"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Irma → Irma\n\nThen:"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Loki → more Irma\n\nOnce Irma is established, she usually becomes the preferred target for Loki's copy ability.\nAnother plain Loki gives another Loki attack trigger.\n\nAnother developed Irma gives:"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"- another functional Loki,\n- another beginning-of-combat copy engine,\n- more +1/+1 counters,\n- and a creature that can later change into something entirely different.\n\nWe are no longer cloning cells.\n\nWe are cloning cells that learned how to clone themselves better.\n\nTip"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"If Irma is already copying exactly what you want, unnecessary Irma triggers can choose no target.\nShe keeps her current form and still receives the +1/+1 counter.\nSometimes the healthiest mutation is no mutation at all.\n\n---\n\nCellular Differentiation - Irma into The Master"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Irma also makes the eventual Master pivot much smoother.\n\nDuring the Loki phase:"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Irma is usually the preferred copy target.\nWhen the library gets low, change the template.\n\nInstead of maintaining Loki:"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Irma copies The Master.\nOther Irmas can then copy that Irma.\n\nThe existing copy network transitions from:"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Loki-style engines\n\nInto:"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Master-style engines\nwithout rebuilding the entire board from scratch.\n\nSame cells.\nDifferent job.\n\n---\n\nTerminal Differentiation - The Master Pivot"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The Master is the deck's functional backup commander.\nLoki handles the early and midgame because drawing cards is useful.\nEventually Loki can become a little too successful.\n\nWhen the library begins getting thin:"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Stop scaling Loki and pivot into The Master.\n\nWith three opponents:"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"1 Master → 3 Masters\n3 Masters → 9 Masters\n9 Masters → 27 Masters\n\nThe resource engine changes from:"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Loki → Cards\n\nTo:"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The Master → Creatures\n\nThe organism hasn't stopped multiplying.\nIt has simply changed what it is multiplying.\nThe Master is not an emergency backup plan. He is the intended late-game phase of the deck once continuing to draw through Loki becomes undesirable.\n\n---\n\nCellular Metabolism - "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Rings of Brighthearth"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Rings isn't really part of the cloning engine.\nIt keeps the organism fed and helps find whatever mutation we currently require.\nThe abilities you generally want to copy are:\n\n1. Transmute"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"For specific cards.\n\n2. Fetchlands"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"For additional mana.\n\n3. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Wayfarer's Bauble"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"For additional land ramp.\n\n4. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Demolition Field"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"For utility-land removal and additional searches.\n\nTransmute"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"The deck runs:"},{"insert":"\n- "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Clutch of the Undercity"}},{"insert":" \n- "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Dimir Infiltrator"}},{"insert":" \n- "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Drift of Phantasms"}},{"insert":" \n- "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Muddle the Mixture"}},{"insert":" \n- "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Perplex"}},{"insert":" \n- "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Shred Memory"}},{"insert":" \n\nActivate Transmute."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Rings triggers."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Pay 2."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Copy Transmute."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Instead of finding one card at the appropriate mana value: find two."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nWhen specific engine pieces are needed, this is generally the strongest Rings use.\n\nFetchlands"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Mitosis runs a large fetch package.\nNormally, these provide fixing and thin lands from the deck.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"With Rings:"},{"insert":"\nSacrifice 1 fetch "},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"pay 2"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"copy the ability"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"search twice"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Result:"},{"insert":"\n1 land becomes 2 lands\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Net:"},{"insert":"\n+1 land and -2 to +0 extra mana for the turn\nIts essentially free real-estate\n\nThe traditional fetches can find the deck's typed Grixis lands, so even apparently off-color fetchlands still have useful targets.\nIf your colors are already secure and Rings is likely to appear, leaving a fetch uncracked can store future ramp.\nIf you actually need the mana, crack it.\n\nDo not starve the organism while waiting for theoretically superior metabolism.\n\nOther Rings Targets"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Wayfarer's Bauble"}},{"insert":" \nCopy the activation and find two basics.\n\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Demolition Field"}},{"insert":" \nCopy the activation to remove multiple important nonbasic lands while also receiving multiple searches.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Good targets are actual problems:"},{"insert":"\n- Cabal Coffers\n- Gaea's Cradle\n- Maze of Ith\n- Field of the Dead\n- combo lands\n- utility lands interfering with combat\n\nDon't become the person destroying someone's random dual because the experiment technically allowed it.\n\n---\n\nOrganelle Acquisition - Artifact Tutors"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"- "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Fabricate"}},{"insert":" \n- "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Reshape"}},{"insert":" \n- "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Trophy Mage"}},{"insert":" \n\nImportant targets include:"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Rings of Brighthearth"}},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":" "},{"insert":"\nBest when fetches, Transmute cards, or other activated abilities are ready.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Sundial of the Infinite"}},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":" "},{"insert":"\nFind it when keeping the creatures you already made is more important than making another one.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Sword of Feast and Famine"}},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":" "},{"insert":"\nFind it when mana is the current bottleneck.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Protection"},{"insert":"\nSometimes the most important part of the machine is simply ensuring the machine continues to exist.\n\nTip"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Don't automatically tutor Rings.\nNatural selection favors adapting to the current environment.\nSo should your tutor target.\n\n---\n\nEnvironmental Reset - Mass Bounce & Board Control"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nThe deck uses:"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"- "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Cyclonic Rift"}},{"insert":" \n- "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Raise the Palisade"}},{"insert":" \n- "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Displacement Wave"}},{"insert":" \n- "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Toxic Deluge"}},{"insert":" \n- "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Blasphemous Act"}},{"insert":" \n\nTheir purpose is simple:"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Remove whatever is preventing Mitosis from continuing.\nSometimes that's blockers.\nSometimes it's a board developing faster than ours.\nSometimes the ecosystem has become overcrowded and requires a small extinction event.\n\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Raise the Palisade"}},{"insert":" usually chooses Villain, allowing much of the Loki board to remain.\n\nCyclonic Rift is particularly useful immediately before your turn when the existing board can convert an empty battlefield into lethal combat.\n\n---\n\nPetri Dish Selection - Mulligan Guide"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nA good opening hand generally contains:"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"- 2-3 lands\n- Reliable UBR access\n- A turn-2 accelerator\n- Something useful after Loki\n- Protection, clone, or tutor\n\nSnap Keep"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Land + Land + Land + Talisman + Loki Clone + Swan Song + Flexible Card\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"This gives:"},{"insert":"\nTurn 2 ramp\nTurn 3 Loki\nTurn 4 clone with protection\n\nThe culture is viable.\n\n---\n\nContaminated Samples - When to Mulligan"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nShip hands with:"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"- 0-1 land\n- No reliable UBR\n- Nothing but expensive engine pieces\n- Slow mana with no acceleration\n- Multiple board wipes with no development\n- Tutors but no useful early plays\n- Loki with no realistic way to develop or protect him\n\nIf the sample isn't growing, throw it out and start another one.\n\n---\n\nNatural Selection - Mulligan Priorities"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Generally:"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Mana → Loki → Copy Loki → Protect Loki\n\nOnce Irma becomes involved:"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Mana → Loki → Irma → Copy Irma → Protect the increasingly questionable biology experiment\n\n---\n\nIncubation - Early Game"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Fix colors.\nRamp.\nDon't waste interaction.\nCast Loki when reasonably safe.\nThe deck doesn't need to control everything.\nThe early game is about creating the conditions necessary for growth.\nYou're not trying to dominate the ecosystem yet.\nYou're just introducing an invasive species.\n\n---\n\nExponential Growth - Midgame"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"This is where Mitosis actually begins looking like Mitosis.\nPriorities:"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"1. Establish another Loki or Irma.\n2. Start Loki/Irma multiplication.\n3. Protect the developed engine.\n4. Establish permanent-copy support when useful.\n5. Remove blockers when the existing board can capitalize on it.\n\nDon't keep adding engine pieces simply because you can.\nIf the current population already becomes lethal after a Rift:\nchange the environment, not the population.\n\n---\n\nLate-Stage Disease - Late Game"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Watch the library.\nOnce Loki has drawn enough:"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"1. Stop maximizing Loki draw.\n2. Find The Master.\n3. Use Irma to transition the copy network.\n4. Protect the Master engine.\n5. Give it haste when possible.\n6. Replace card multiplication with creature multiplication.\n7. Finish the game before anybody requests a full census.\n\n---\n\nLab Notes - Pilot Tips"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Get Loki down early, but don't throw him away.\nCopy Loki early. Once Irma is established, Irma often becomes the better copy target.\nThe desired progression is Loki → Irma → more Irmas → more combat lines.\nIrma copying Irma creates another beginning-of-combat copy line.\nUse Loki to keep cloning the most developed Irma.\nIrma makes transitioning into The Master considerably easier.\nDon't crack every fetch immediately if Rings is likely and your colors are already secure.\nUse Rings according to need: Transmute for cards, fetchlands for mana.\nTutor for the current environment instead of following a fixed sequence.\nWait for Loki's sacrifice trigger before activating Obeka or Sundial.\nProtect the engine, not every individual organism.\nSpread damage early when Loki's cards matter. Concentrate damage when it is time to remove players.\nUse the bounce package aggressively once it converts your existing board into lethal combat.\nSword of Feast and Famine lets you spend your mana twice. Use that information responsibly, or don't.\nDon't be afraid to reset your own board if Mitosis rebuilds faster than everyone else.\n\n---\n\nLaboratory Classification - Power Level"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Bracket 4 construction, approximately Bracket 3.4 speed.\nMitosis uses the tutoring density, interaction, redundancy, mana optimization, and engine construction expected from an optimized Bracket 4 deck.\nIts actual clock is slower because the game plan remains combat-dependent.\n\nFor Rule Zero:"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"“It's called Malignant Mitosis. It's an optimized Loki clone deck built like a 4, but it plays closer to 3.4 speed because it wins mainly through combat. Heavy tutors and interaction, no conventional fast deterministic combo. Basically, Loki keeps dividing until the table develops a population-control problem.”\n"}]}