{"ops":[{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Chef Lae’zel"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"“Enough talk. We have a ghaik to kill.”"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Commanders:"},{"insert":" Lae’zel, Vlaakith’s Champion + Master Chef\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Colors:"},{"insert":" Selesnya\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Archetype:"},{"insert":" +1/+1 Counters / Counter-as-Resource / Creature Combo\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Power:"},{"insert":" Bracket 4\nLae’zel is not subtle.\nShe does not negotiate with a problem when she can stab it, does not tolerate wasted potential, and has very little patience for anyone incapable of pulling their own weight. This deck approaches Commander in much the same way.\nAt first glance, "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Lae’zel + Master Chef"},{"insert":" looks like a fairly straightforward Selesnya +1/+1-counter deck: play creatures, make them enormous, give them trample or flying, and attack.\nThat is only the surface.\nThe real deck treats "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"counters as a resource economy"},{"insert":". Lae’zel doesn’t merely make creatures larger—she creates extra ammunition. Counters become mana, cards, damage, protection, creatures, removal and eventually infinite loops.\nMaster Chef ensures the troops arrive prepared.\nLae’zel makes sure they become terrifying.\nAnd once the army has been sufficiently trained, the deck stops asking the table for permission.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"The Commanders"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Lae’zel, Vlaakith’s Champion"},{"insert":"\nLae’zel adds an additional counter whenever you would put one or more counters on a creature you control.\nThat includes far more than +1/+1 counters.\nThe deck exploits:\n+1/+1 counters"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"shield counters"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"indestructible counters"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"nest counters"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"and other unusual counters"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"This is very appropriate for Lae’zel herself.\nIn "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Baldur’s Gate 3"},{"insert":", Lae’zel begins with an extremely rigid idea of strength: discipline, martial superiority and obedience to githyanki doctrine. Over the course of the story, she can learn that power is more complicated than simply following Vlaakith’s prescribed path.\nThe deck undergoes a similar transformation.\nAt first:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Counter = creature gets bigger."},{"insert":"\nEventually:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Counter = whatever resource I currently need."},{"insert":"\nLae’zel is still accumulating power. She’s simply learned far more inventive ways to use it.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Master Chef"},{"insert":"\nThe Background is funny on Lae’zel, but mechanically it’s nearly perfect.\nYour commander and every other creature you control enters with an additional +1/+1 counter.\nThat means most creatures arrive already:\nmodified,"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"larger than their base stats,"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"capable of triggering your counter payoffs,"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"eligible for your evasion effects,"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"and carrying ammunition for your counter-consuming creatures."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"It also supplies the initial counter needed for several combo lines.\nThe flavor is essentially Lae’zel running a brutal githyanki field kitchen:\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"You will eat. You will become stronger. You will cease complaining."},{"insert":"\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Game Plan"},{"insert":"\nThe deck generally progresses through three stages.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"I. Train the Creche"},{"insert":"\nEarly turns establish Lae’zel, Chef and your inexpensive counter/ramp engines.\nCards such as:\nHardened Scales"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Kami of Whispered Hopes"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Gyre Sage"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Doc Samson"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Good-Fortune Unicorn"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Branching Evolution"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"cause ordinary creature development to begin producing disproportionate numbers of counters.\nMaster Chef is particularly important because creatures no longer need another card to become modified.\nNearly everything enters ready for combat and ready to interact with the rest of the deck.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"II. Counters Become Currency"},{"insert":"\nThis is where the deck stops playing like ordinary Selesnya counters.\nSeveral creatures allow you to "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"spend the counters Lae’zel has been generating."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Mindless Automaton"},{"insert":"\nRemove two +1/+1 counters:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Draw a card."},{"insert":"\nInstead of merely making Automaton enormous, excess counters become a refillable hand.\nCathars’ Crusade, Forgotten Ancient, Mikaeus and other effects can reload it repeatedly.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Workhorse"},{"insert":"\nRemove a +1/+1 counter:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Add {C}."},{"insert":"\nWorkhorse effectively turns the counter engine into a mana engine.\nWith Lae’zel and Master Chef established, it arrives loaded with counters and can immediately refund a substantial portion—or all—of its casting cost.\nOnce additional counter multipliers are involved, Workhorse can become dramatically mana-positive.\nVery githyanki:\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"The soldier is also the supply line."},{"insert":"\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Spike Weaver"},{"insert":"\nRemove a counter:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Prevent all combat damage this turn."},{"insert":"\nThe deck can therefore transform its offensive resource into defense.\nAn enormous reserve of counters means opponents can have great difficulty killing you through combat while you assemble a winning attack or combo.\nWeaver can also move counters onto other creatures, allowing its ammunition to become:\nWorkhorse mana"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Mindless Automaton cards"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Walking Ballista damage"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"combo triggers"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Nothing is wasted.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Walking Ballista"},{"insert":"\nCounters become direct damage.\nBallista is both interaction and a kill condition, and several of the deck’s infinite loops can continually load it with counters.\nOnce Ballista is involved, an otherwise infinite board-state loop becomes an immediate table kill.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Twitching Doll"},{"insert":"\nTwitching Doll cares about "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"every counter on it"},{"insert":", not merely its nest counters.\nLae’zel accelerates its nest-counter production while Master Chef supplies +1/+1 counters.\nEventually the Doll can be converted into a substantial Spider army.\nIt’s one of the deck’s best examples of Lae’zel exploiting a counter type that most +1/+1-counter decks completely ignore.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"III. Ascend"},{"insert":"\nEventually the deck reaches a point where its creatures are enormous and its mana production becomes ridiculous.\nAt that point, there are several ways to finish.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Combat"},{"insert":"\nThe deck deliberately maintains redundant evasion.\nThis is important.\nA 50/50 creature is irrelevant if a 1/1 Soldier can block it every turn.\nYour army can gain trample or flying through cards including:\nTuskguard Captain"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Duskshell Crawler"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Garruk’s Uprising"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Sphere Grid"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Abzan Falconer"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Skyboon Evangelist"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Champion of Lambholt"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Skyboon Evangelist is especially effective because essentially everything in the deck already has a counter.\nOnce it is established, much of your countered army can simply attack through the air.\nLae’zel’s preferred tactical doctrine applies:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"The enemy cannot defend successfully if the enemy is dead."},{"insert":"\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Sazh’s New Assignment"},{"insert":"\nSazh Katzroy originally had Sazh’s Chocobo as a dedicated Bird target.\nThat role is now filled by "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Skyboon Evangelist"},{"insert":".\nThis is considerably more useful.\nSazh can find:\na basic land when development matters,"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"or Skyboon when the army needs evasion."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Skyboon then supports up to six other creatures and helps countered attackers gain flying.\nInstead of tutoring another creature that simply becomes large, Sazh now finds something that helps "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"the entire army actually kill players."},{"insert":"\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Big Mana"},{"insert":"\nThe deck produces far more mana than a conventional Selesnya creature deck can reasonably spend.\nThat is intentional.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Genesis Wave"},{"insert":"\nGenesis Wave is the chaotic option.\nOnce X becomes large, a huge percentage of the deck can enter simultaneously because the list is heavily permanent-based.\nThat can produce:\ncreatures"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"lands"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"counter multipliers"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Cathars’ Crusade"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"token engines"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"draw engines"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"mana engines"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"combo pieces"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Sometimes Genesis Wave produces value.\nSometimes it reveals enough interacting pieces that the game effectively ends immediately.\nLae’zel would probably consider the distinction academic.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Tooth and Nail"},{"insert":"\nGenesis Wave says:\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Deploy everything."},{"insert":"\nTooth and Nail says:\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Send the correct two soldiers."},{"insert":"\nEntwined, it searches for two creatures and puts them directly onto the battlefield.\nThis gives the deck a deterministic high-mana option rather than relying entirely on Wave.\nOne particularly clean package is:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Ivy Lane Denizen + Herd Baloth"},{"insert":"\nwhich produces infinite Beasts.\nIt can also assemble:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Enduring Scalelord + Wildwood Scourge"},{"insert":"\nfor an infinite-counter loop.\nTooth and Nail therefore functions as both a toolbox and a game-ending threat once nine mana is available.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Archdruid’s Charm"},{"insert":"\nArchdruid’s Charm is the deck’s Swiss army knife.\nDepending on the situation it can:\ntutor a creature,"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"tutor a utility land,"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"remove a creature,"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"exile an artifact,"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"exile an enchantment."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Its creature-removal mode also puts a counter onto your creature first, which Lae’zel naturally improves.\nCharm can find whichever specialist the army needs:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Workhorse"},{"insert":" for mana\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Mindless Automaton"},{"insert":" for cards\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Spike Weaver"},{"insert":" for defense\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Walking Ballista"},{"insert":" for damage\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Basking Broodscale"},{"insert":" for combo assembly\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Herd Baloth"},{"insert":" for combo assembly\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Skyboon Evangelist"},{"insert":" for evasion\nThis is the closest the deck gets to Lae’zel stopping to formulate a complicated plan.\nThe plan is still usually violence.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Infinite Combos"},{"insert":"\nThe deck contains a deliberately interconnected network of two-card combinations.\nThe goal isn’t to have several unrelated combos occupying useless slots.\nInstead, most combo pieces are already desirable cards in the normal counter plan.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Basking Broodscale + Tarrian’s Soulcleaver"},{"insert":"\nEquip Soulcleaver to Broodscale and put a +1/+1 counter on Broodscale.\nBroodscale creates an Eldrazi Spawn.\nSacrifice it for {C}.\nIts death triggers Soulcleaver, putting another +1/+1 counter on Broodscale.\nBroodscale creates another Spawn.\nRepeat.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Result"},{"insert":"\nInfinite colorless mana"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Infinite +1/+1 counters"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Infinite creature ETBs"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Infinite creature deaths"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Infinite sacrifice triggers"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Master Chef makes starting the loop particularly easy because Broodscale naturally enters with a counter.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Basking Broodscale + Cathars’ Crusade"},{"insert":"\nA counter on Broodscale creates a Spawn.\nThe Spawn entering triggers Cathars’ Crusade.\nCrusade puts another counter on Broodscale.\nBroodscale makes another Spawn.\nRepeat.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Result"},{"insert":"\nInfinite Spawn and counters.\nWith Walking Ballista present, the repeated Crusade triggers can become infinite direct damage.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Herd Baloth + Cathars’ Crusade"},{"insert":"\nPut a counter on Herd Baloth.\nHerd creates a Beast.\nThe Beast entering triggers Cathars’ Crusade.\nCrusade puts another counter on Herd Baloth.\nAnother Beast appears.\nRepeat.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Result"},{"insert":"\nInfinite 4/4 Beasts and counters.\nAgain, Ballista can convert the Crusade triggers into an immediate kill.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Enduring Scalelord + Wildwood Scourge"},{"insert":"\nA counter placed on Enduring Scalelord triggers Wildwood Scourge.\nThe resulting counter on Scourge triggers Scalelord.\nThe new counter on Scalelord triggers Scourge again.\nRepeat.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Result"},{"insert":"\nArbitrarily large creatures.\nMaster Chef makes initiating this loop particularly easy because creatures naturally enter countered.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Ivy Lane Denizen + Herd Baloth"},{"insert":"\nHerd Baloth enters.\nBecause Herd is green, Ivy Lane Denizen puts a counter on it.\nHerd creates a green Beast.\nThe Beast entering triggers Ivy.\nIvy puts another counter on Herd.\nHerd makes another Beast.\nRepeat.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Result"},{"insert":"\nInfinite 4/4 Beasts and an infinitely large Herd Baloth.\nThis is one of the cleanest Tooth and Nail packages in the deck.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Ivy Lane Denizen + Scurry Oak"},{"insert":"\nScurry Oak enters.\nIvy Lane sees the green creature enter and puts a counter on Scurry Oak.\nScurry creates a green Squirrel.\nThe Squirrel triggers Ivy.\nAnother counter goes onto Scurry.\nAnother Squirrel appears.\nRepeat.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Result"},{"insert":"\nInfinite Squirrels and an infinitely large Scurry Oak.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Scurry Oak + Cathars’ Crusade"},{"insert":"\nA creature enters and Crusade puts a counter on Scurry Oak.\nScurry creates a Squirrel.\nThe Squirrel entering triggers Crusade.\nAnother counter lands on Scurry Oak.\nAnother Squirrel appears.\nRepeat.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Result"},{"insert":"\nInfinite Squirrels and arbitrarily many counters across the battlefield.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Why Ivy Lane Denizen Is More Than a Combo Piece"},{"insert":"\nIvy Lane is excellent even when no infinite is available.\nEvery green creature entering can put a counter wherever it is most useful.\nWith Lae’zel, that placement becomes larger.\nSo instead of automatically growing the newest creature, Ivy can reload:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Mindless Automaton"},{"insert":" → draw cards\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Workhorse"},{"insert":" → produce mana\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Spike Weaver"},{"insert":" → buy additional Fogs\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Walking Ballista"},{"insert":" → store damage\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Basking Broodscale"},{"insert":" → create Spawn\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Herd Baloth"},{"insert":" → create Beasts\nThis is the central philosophy of the deck:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Put the counter where the counter is worth the most."},{"insert":"\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Protection"},{"insert":"\nLae’zel understands that surviving long enough to kill the enemy is generally preferable to dying.\nThe deck has an unusually entertaining protection package.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Avoid Fate"},{"insert":"\nThis is one of the deck’s signature cards.\nFor a single green mana, it can counter an instant or Aura targeting one of your permanents.\nThe value isn’t merely efficiency.\nIt’s "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"expectation"},{"insert":".\nPlayers routinely make decisions based on color identity. Leaving a Forest untapped rarely causes someone to think:\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"I should play around a counterspell."},{"insert":"\nAvoid Fate punishes that assumption.\nIt feels very Lae’zel:\nthe opponent believes they understand what is happening.\nThey do not.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Rebuff the Wicked"},{"insert":"\nWhite contributes its own unexpected counterspell.\nAgain, the deck gains value from presenting itself as a creature-heavy Selesnya deck and then interacting with spells on the stack anyway.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Protection Magic"},{"insert":"\nShield counters are particularly strong with Lae’zel because additional shield counters represent actual additional uses.\nEach counter can protect a creature from another damage or destruction event.\nSo Lae’zel isn’t merely making a number larger—she’s giving creatures "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"extra lives"},{"insert":".\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Arwen, Mortal Queen"},{"insert":"\nArwen performs a similar role with indestructible counters.\nLae’zel can increase the supply of these counters, allowing them to be cashed in for protection and additional counters.\nThe deck therefore has several ways of treating defensive counters as ammunition rather than static bonuses.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Counter Multiplication"},{"insert":"\nThe counter multipliers are where the arithmetic becomes unreasonable.\nYou have both "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"additive"},{"insert":" effects and "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"multiplicative"},{"insert":" effects.\nExamples include:\nLae’zel"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Hardened Scales"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Kami of Whispered Hopes"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Doc Samson"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Caradora"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"alongside doublers such as:\nBranching Evolution"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Doubling Season"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Earth Crystal"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Innkeeper’s Talent"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"When several replacement effects modify the same event, ordering them correctly can matter.\nGenerally, you want to apply the effects adding extra counters "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"before"},{"insert":" effects that double the resulting number whenever the rules allow you to choose the ordering.\nThe difference between:\nadd one, then double\nand\ndouble, then add one\nbecomes enormous once several effects stack.\nPlaying the deck well therefore involves more arithmetic than Lae’zel would probably enjoy.\nShe would insist the answer is always:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"More."},{"insert":"\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Forgotten Ancient"},{"insert":"\nForgotten Ancient is one of the most important glue cards in the deck.\nIt accumulates counters as opponents cast spells and later moves those counters elsewhere.\nBecause moving a counter involves putting it onto the destination, Lae’zel and your other counter-placement effects can improve the receiving side.\nThat means Forgotten Ancient isn’t merely redistributing power.\nIt can transfer stored resources into:\ncards through Automaton"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"mana through Workhorse"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Fogs through Weaver"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"damage through Ballista"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"token generation through Broodscale/Herd Baloth"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"It is essentially the deck’s quartermaster.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Winning Without Going Infinite"},{"insert":"\nThe deck does not need its combos.\nA normal game can simply look like:\nEstablish Chef and Lae’zel."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Develop several modified creatures."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Stack counter multipliers."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Generate absurd quantities of counters."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Use Skyboon/Falconer/Champion/trample effects."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Attack."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Cards such as Sovereign Okinec Ahau and Kalonian Hydra can quickly turn an already-large battlefield into something completely unreasonable.\nThis matters because opponents who spend all their interaction preventing your combo pieces can still simply die to combat.\nThe deck therefore presents the table with an unpleasant question:\nDo you remove the combo pieces, the counter engines, the mana engines, or the 30/30 creatures?\nLae’zel approves of tactical dilemmas with no pleasant answer.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Mulligans"},{"insert":"\nPrioritize hands containing:\n2–3 lands"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"early acceleration"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"a counter engine"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"a payoff or source of card advantage"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Master Chef ensures you don’t need to obsess over finding an early standalone +1/+1-counter enabler.\nHands with nothing but expensive payoff cards should generally go back.\nHands containing early acceleration plus something like Kami, Good-Fortune Unicorn, Hardened Scales or Branching Evolution can become explosive very quickly.\nArchdruid’s Charm also makes marginal hands better because it can become either a creature or a land depending on what you’re missing.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Playing the Deck Politically"},{"insert":"\nThe deck can look less threatening than it actually is.\nUse that.\nA board containing:\na few medium creatures,"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"some counters,"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"a strange old artifact creature,"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"does not necessarily look like the player about to win.\nBut Mindless Automaton, Workhorse, Spike Weaver and Walking Ballista mean those counters represent hidden resources.\nYour apparent 8/8 may actually be:\nthree cards,"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"six mana,"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"four Fogs,"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"or lethal damage."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"That ambiguity is valuable.\nDon’t volunteer the conversion rate unless necessary.\nLae’zel certainly wouldn’t.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Character Theme"},{"insert":"\nThis deck mirrors Lae’zel surprisingly well.\nAt the beginning, everything appears straightforward:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Become stronger."},{"insert":"\nThat is quintessential early-game Lae’zel.\nAdd counters. Increase power. Attack.\nBut the deck gradually reveals that "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"strength without flexibility is incomplete"},{"insert":".\nCounters stop merely representing physical strength and become:\nknowledge through card draw,"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"resources through mana,"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"endurance through protection,"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"tactical control through removal,"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"reinforcements through tokens."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"That evolution resembles one of Lae’zel’s central arcs in "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Baldur’s Gate 3"},{"insert":": she can remain ferocious without remaining intellectually confined by the system that originally taught her what strength was supposed to mean.\nShe’s still Lae’zel.\nShe still intends to kill the enemy.\nShe’s simply acquired more options for doing it.\nAnd when diplomacy fails—which Lae’zel would assure you it inevitably will—the deck can always fall back on its most fundamental strategy:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Make an impossibly large army, give it trample or flying, and attack."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Chk."},{"insert":"\n\n"}]}