{"ops":[{"insert":"🐻 Kudo's Bear Kingdom"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Kudo, King Among Bears"},{"insert":" leads a Selesnya creature deck built around a simple idea:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Turn everything into Bears, make those Bears huge, and overwhelm the table."},{"attributes":{"blockquote":true},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Kudo turns every other creature into a 2/2 Bear. Rather than treating that as a drawback, this deck uses it as the foundation for a "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"+1/+1 counter, token, anthem, and go-wide strategy"},{"insert":".\nThe deck can win through a massive board of Bears, snowballing +1/+1 counters, overwhelming combat swings, or a few powerful engines that make every creature entering the battlefield progressively more threatening.\n🐻 The Kudo Game Plan"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Kudo changes the baseline of combat for the entire table.\nOnce Kudo is on the battlefield, your creatures become Bears and have a 2/2 base power and toughness. That creates several important synergies:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Ayula, Queen Among Bears"},{"insert":" triggers whenever creatures enter because Kudo makes them Bears."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Metallic Mimic"},{"insert":" can name Bear, allowing future creatures to enter with +1/+1 counters."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite"},{"insert":" turns Kudo's 2/2 baseline into a devastating board-control effect against opposing creatures."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Token-producing effects become much stronger because every token is a Bear."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"+1/+1 counters become especially valuable because they sit on top of Kudo's base 2/2."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Anthem effects and combat finishers can turn a wide board of otherwise modest creatures into a lethal army."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The deck therefore isn't trying to win with one giant creature.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"It wants the entire board to become the giant creature."},{"insert":"\n📈 +1/+1 Counter Engine"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Counters are one of the deck's primary ways of breaking Kudo's 2/2 baseline.\nThe deck contains multiple overlapping counter engines:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Hardened Scales"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Cathars' Crusade"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Conclave Mentor"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Good-Fortune Unicorn"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Mikaeus, the Lunarch"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Yorvo, Lord of Garenbrig"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Metallic Mimic"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Rosie Cotton of South Lane"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Nykthos Paragon"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Wildwood Scourge"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Doc Samson, Super Psychiatrist"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Aragorn and Arwen, Wed"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Germination Practicum"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Storm the Seedcore"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Necklace of Girion"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The important thing is that these effects stack.\nA single creature entering can trigger multiple engines, and a wide token-producing turn can rapidly turn the entire board into a collection of enormous Bears.\nGermination Practicum"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Germination Practicum is deliberately part of the deck.\nIts ability to put "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"two +1/+1 counters on every creature you control"},{"insert":" makes it one of the deck's most explosive counter effects. It is especially powerful after building a board through tokens or creature-based engines.\n🐾 Tokens & Going Wide"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The deck doesn't need to choose between Bears and tokens.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Kudo makes the tokens Bears."},{"insert":"\nImportant token-producing cards include:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Elspeth, Storm Slayer"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"The Earth King"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Dancing from Dark to Dawn"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Okoye, Dora Milaje Leader"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Drizzt Do'Urden"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"These cards help create the wide boards that make Cathars' Crusade, Beastmaster Ascension, Nykthos Paragon, and other global effects much stronger.\n🌱 Ramp & Mana"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The deck wants to establish Kudo and then continue developing the board without falling behind on mana.\nThe ramp package includes:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Sol Ring"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Arcane Signet"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Llanowar Elves"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Nature's Lore"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Rampant Growth"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Cultivate"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Wood Elves"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Rishkar, Peema Renegade"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Mirari's Wake"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Mana Reflection"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Mirari's Wake"},{"insert":" and "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Mana Reflection"},{"insert":" are particularly important in the late game because they allow the deck to make explosive turns once its board is established.\n📚 Card Advantage & Value"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The deck has several ways to keep cards flowing without relying entirely on Kudo.\nKey value engines include:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"The Arkenstone // Seek the Heart"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Garruk's Uprising"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Kutzil, Malamet Exemplar"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Shamanic Revelation"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Return of the Wildspeaker"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Fecund Greenshell"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Enlightened Tutor"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Worldly Tutor"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The Arkenstone"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The Arkenstone is an important long-game value engine and is deliberately staying in the deck.\nIts ability to continually provide card advantage while also contributing to the deck's overall board-building strategy makes it a card I want to preserve.\n🎯 Tutors"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The addition of "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Enlightened Tutor"},{"insert":" and "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Worldly Tutor"},{"insert":" gives the deck more consistency.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Enlightened Tutor"},{"insert":" can find important artifacts and enchantments such as:\nHardened Scales"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Cathars' Crusade"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Garruk's Uprising"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Mirari's Wake"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Mana Reflection"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Beastmaster Ascension"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The Arkenstone"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Necklace of Girion"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Worldly Tutor"},{"insert":" gives access to the deck's creature toolbox, allowing the correct creature to be found for the current board state.\nThese tutors don't change the deck's identity—they make its existing engines more accessible.\n💎 Necklace of Girion"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Necklace of Girion"},{"insert":" is particularly well suited to this deck.\nIt rewards both:\ncasting green spells, and"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Forests entering the battlefield"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"by placing +1/+1 counters on creatures.\nIt also provides green mana.\nBecause the deck already cares heavily about +1/+1 counters, Necklace naturally advances the primary game plan rather than being a generic utility card.\n🌲 Lumra, Bellow of the Woods"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Lumra provides a powerful late-game creature while also recovering lands from the graveyard.\nIts interaction with the deck's 36-land mana base gives it additional value beyond simply being a large creature.\nLumra is especially attractive after lands have been milled, discarded, sacrificed, or otherwise placed into the graveyard.\nOnce Kudo is established, Lumra is also a Bear—because everything is a Bear.\n🛡️ Protection"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The deck needs to protect its board because so much of its power comes from having multiple creatures in play.\nThe protection package includes:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Clever Concealment"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Flawless Maneuver"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Unbreakable Formation"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Beorn's Hospitality"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Swiftfoot Boots"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The goal isn't necessarily to protect every individual creature.\nInstead, protection is primarily used to "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"survive the board wipe that would otherwise reset all of the counters and token development you've spent the game building."},{"insert":"\n🎯 Removal & Interaction"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The deck has a mixture of targeted removal and broader answers:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Beast Within"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Force of Vigor"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Path to Exile"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Swords to Plowshares"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Vanquish the Horde"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Rampaging Yao Guai"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Ori, Plate Stacker"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Origin of Metalbending"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The deck doesn't need to answer everything.\nThe goal is to remove the permanents that prevent the Bear army from attacking or the engines that would otherwise overwhelm the table.\n💥 Finishing the Game"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Once enough Bears are on the battlefield, the deck shifts from development to "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"closing the game"},{"insert":".\nPrimary finishers include:\nBeastmaster Ascension"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"A wide attack can quickly turn Beastmaster Ascension into a massive anthem effect.\nOverwhelming Stampede"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"One of the cleanest ways to convert a developed board into lethal combat damage.\nElesh Norn, Grand Cenobite"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Elesh Norn is both an anthem and a form of creature control.\nWith Kudo setting opposing creatures to 2/2, Elesh Norn's -2/-2 effect can eliminate enormous portions of opposing creature boards while simultaneously making your own creatures much larger.\nInvincible Hymn + Nykthos Paragon"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"This is one of the deck's more unusual engines.\nLarge life-gain effects can trigger "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Nykthos Paragon"},{"insert":", allowing the deck to distribute +1/+1 counters across the entire board.\nThe result is another way to turn life gain into a lethal creature army.\n🔄 Typical Game Progression"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Early Game"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Develop mana and establish the first pieces of the engine.\nIdeal early plays include:\nLlanowar Elves"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Sol Ring"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Arcane Signet"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Nature's Lore"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Rampant Growth"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Cultivate"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Don't feel pressured to cast Kudo immediately if developing your mana or board first produces a stronger position.\nMid Game"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Cast Kudo and begin turning the deck's synergies on.\nThis is where:\nAyula"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Metallic Mimic"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Rosie Cotton"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Hardened Scales"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Conclave Mentor"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Good-Fortune Unicorn"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Cathars' Crusade"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Mikaeus"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Germination Practicum"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Start turning ordinary creatures into progressively larger threats.\nStart building wide rather than committing everything into a single creature.\nLate Game"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Once the board is established, look for a way to convert your advantage into lethal damage.\nThe primary routes are:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Wide board → Beastmaster Ascension"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Large board → Overwhelming Stampede"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Large board + Elesh Norn → overwhelming combat advantage"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Life gain → Nykthos Paragon → board-wide counters"},{"insert":"\nThe deck is at its strongest when several of these engines overlap.\n🧠 Mulligan Philosophy"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Look for hands containing:\n2–4 lands"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"At least one early mana source or ramp spell"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"A way to develop the board"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Preferably one engine or card-advantage piece"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Hands that contain several expensive finishers but no early development should generally be treated cautiously.\nThe deck doesn't need its best cards in the opening hand.\nIt needs enough mana and early development to "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"reach the point where those cards become overwhelming."},{"insert":"\n🐻 The Bear Philosophy"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"This deck started with a simple theme:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Bears."},{"insert":"\nIt has grown into a much more powerful +1/+1 counter and token strategy, but the Bear identity remains central.\nKudo makes creatures that aren't Bears into Bears.\nAyula rewards Bears.\nMetallic Mimic rewards Bears.\nAnd when the deck finally attacks with a massive board, the result is still exactly what the deck was built to do:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"an army of Bears overwhelming the table."},{"insert":"\nFlavor wins ties—but when the deck can have both flavor and power, we're taking both.\n🔮 Future Upgrades / Watchlist"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Cards currently being considered but "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"not part of the deck yet"},{"insert":" include:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Pia, Aether Ascetic"},{"insert":" — planned future addition"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Orcrist, Goblin-cleaver"},{"insert":" — paused"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Wylie Duke, Atiin Hero"},{"insert":" — paused"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Innkeeper's Talent"},{"insert":" — incoming"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Lantern Flare"},{"insert":" — owned, currently on hold"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Bagel and Schmear"},{"insert":" — owned, currently on hold"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The deck will continue to be tuned through actual playtesting rather than endlessly replacing cards that are already performing well.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"The goal isn't to make every card individually powerful."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"The goal is to make the 100-card deck work together."},{"insert":"\n"}]}