{"ops":[{"insert":"Kaalia of the Vast's Bag of Holding"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"There's probably something in here for that."},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Kaalia has a problem. Or, more accurately, "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"everyone else has a problem"},{"insert":", and fortunately, she brought a bag.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Kaalia of the Vast's Bag of Holding"},{"insert":" turns Kaalia into the delivery system for a flying toolbox of Angels, Demons, and Dragons. Rather than filling the deck with the biggest creatures available and hoping one of them happens to solve the problem, every creature in the Bag has a purpose. Need protection? There's an Angel for that. Need removal or card advantage? Check the Demon pocket. Need someone's entire board set on fire? There is, unsurprisingly, a Dragon for that.\nThe goal isn't to empty the Bag as quickly as possible. It's to watch the board develop, identify what actually matters, and reach inside for "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"exactly the wrong thing for whoever is sitting across from you."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"What's in the Bag?"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"At the heart of the deck is a deliberately balanced collection of "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"seven Angels, seven Demons, and seven Dragons"},{"insert":". While there is some overlap between them, each group handles a different part of the game and gives Kaalia a range of options whenever she attacks.\nThe Angel Pocket"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The Angels make up the defensive and protective side of the toolbox. This is where Kaalia reaches when the board needs to be stabilized, an important permanent needs to disappear, or the things already outside the Bag need to survive.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Avacyn, Angel of Hope"},{"insert":" and "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Sephara, Sky's Blade"},{"insert":" provide protection for an established board, while "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Angel of Despair"},{"insert":" and "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Angel of the Ruins"},{"insert":" give the deck removal stapled directly onto Kaalia-compatible bodies. "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Serra's Emissary"},{"insert":" can shut off an entire category of threats, and "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Archangel of Thune"},{"insert":" turns incidental lifegain into an increasingly dangerous board presence.\nThen there's "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Aurelia, the Warleader"},{"insert":", whose solution to most problems is simply asking whether we've considered having another combat step.\nThe Angels don't necessarily create the problem for the table. Their job is to make sure "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"ours survives long enough to become one."},{"insert":"\nThe Demon Pocket"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"If the Angels protect the plan, the Demons handle the unpleasant administrative work required to keep it running.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Rune-Scarred Demon"},{"insert":" and "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Burning-Rune Demon"},{"insert":" allow us to dig deeper into the Bag and find whatever is needed next, making them particularly valuable when the creature currently in our hand isn't the creature the board actually calls for. "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Archfiend of Depravity"},{"insert":" keeps creature-heavy strategies under control, while "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Demon of Dark Schemes"},{"insert":" can clean up smaller boards and potentially turn graveyards into additional resources.\nThe remaining Demons help keep the Bag stocked. "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Vilis, Broker of Blood"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Bloodgift Demon"},{"insert":", and "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Harvester of Souls"},{"insert":" turn life loss, upkeep triggers, and dying creatures into cards, giving the deck ways to recover after unloading several expensive threats.\nThe Demon pocket isn't necessarily where we find the biggest hammer. It's where we go when we need "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"options."},{"insert":"\nThe Dragon Pocket"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"And then there are the Dragons.\nWhere the Angels protect the plan and the Demons keep it moving, the Dragons are what happens when diplomacy has concluded.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Balefire Dragon"},{"insert":" punishes creature-heavy boards simply by connecting with a player, while "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Drakuseth, Maw of Flames"},{"insert":" turns subsequent combat steps into targeted artillery. "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Steel Hellkite"},{"insert":" gives the deck another way to dismantle problematic permanents, and "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Terror of the Peaks"},{"insert":" makes every creature that follows it out of the Bag considerably more painful.\nThe Ancient Dragons provide resources on a much larger scale. "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Ancient Copper Dragon"},{"insert":" can produce an irresponsible amount of mana, while "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Ancient Gold Dragon"},{"insert":" can turn one successful attack into an entire flying army. Finally, "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Scourge of the Throne"},{"insert":" provides another combat step and, therefore, another opportunity for Kaalia to open the Bag.\nThe Dragons aren't subtle, but then again, "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"they aren't supposed to be."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Opening the Bag"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The ideal opening is simple: spend the first couple of turns developing mana, land Kaalia ahead of curve when possible, and then start attacking with protection available.\nThe deck runs a substantial package of inexpensive mana rocks because accelerating "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Kaalia herself"},{"insert":" matters far more than accelerating into the creatures she's designed to cheat into play. A turn-two Signet or Talisman can lead directly into a turn-three Kaalia, putting the deck in position to start deploying threats before anyone should reasonably be casting them.\nOnce Kaalia attacks, however, the important decision isn't simply whether there's an Angel, Demon, or Dragon in hand. It's deciding "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"which one should come out."},{"insert":"\nIf you're already ahead, protecting the board with Avacyn may accomplish more than adding another source of damage. If somebody is quietly developing a massive creature board, keeping Balefire Dragon in reserve may be worth far more than deploying it immediately. If resources are running low, one of the Demons may be the correct choice even when a much larger Dragon is available.\nThe Bag works best when you resist the temptation to simply grab the biggest thing inside it.\nPlease Do Not Shoot the Woman Holding the Bag"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Kaalia has approximately the subtlety of a bull in a china shop, so people tend to understand very quickly that allowing her to attack repeatedly is a poor life decision.\nExpect removal.\nBecause of that, the deck dedicates substantial space to keeping Kaalia alive. "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Lightning Greaves"},{"insert":" and "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Swiftfoot Boots"},{"insert":" provide haste while protecting her from targeted interaction, while "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Mother of Runes"},{"insert":" and "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Giver of Runes"},{"insert":" can protect her from both removal and dangerous blockers. "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Grand Abolisher"},{"insert":" makes interfering with our turn considerably harder, and "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Boros Charm"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Flawless Maneuver"},{"insert":", and "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Teferi's Protection"},{"insert":" provide answers when opponents decide that killing Kaalia isn't enough and the entire board needs to disappear.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Reconnaissance"},{"insert":" is particularly useful because Kaalia doesn't need to deal combat damage for the Bag to open. She only needs to attack. Once her trigger has resolved and the appropriate nightmare has entered combat, Reconnaissance can remove Kaalia from danger when necessary.\nShe attacked. She opened the Bag. She did her job.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Back in the Bag."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The Jewels Studding the Bag"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"A toolbox isn't particularly useful if you can't find the tool you're looking for, so the deck carries enough tutors to make its enormous range of answers accessible.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Demonic Tutor"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Vampiric Tutor"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Enlightened Tutor"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Gamble"},{"insert":", and "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Diabolic Intent"},{"insert":" allow us to search for whatever piece the current game requires. Meanwhile, "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Rune-Scarred Demon"},{"insert":" and "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Burning-Rune Demon"},{"insert":" perform the same role from inside the Bag itself, meaning Kaalia can sometimes cheat a tutor directly onto the battlefield before deciding what comes next.\nThe point isn't necessarily to tutor for the same sequence every game. Sometimes the correct target is protection. Sometimes it's removal or card advantage. Sometimes the board has developed in a way that calls for one extremely specific creature.\nAnd sometimes everyone has simply been allowed to enjoy themselves for long enough, so you quietly go find "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Aurelia."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The Side Pockets"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Not every problem requires pulling an eight-mana biblical nightmare out of a handbag. Sometimes a one-mana answer works just fine.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Swords to Plowshares"},{"insert":" and "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Path to Exile"},{"insert":" efficiently handle creatures, while "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Anguished Unmaking"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Generous Gift"},{"insert":", and "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Chaos Warp"},{"insert":" give the deck flexible answers to a much wider range of problematic permanents. "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Wear // Tear"},{"insert":" rounds out the package with efficient artifact and enchantment interaction.\nWhen individual answers aren't enough, however, the Bag has a false bottom.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Damn"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Blasphemous Act"},{"insert":", and "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Farewell"},{"insert":" give the deck ways to reset boards that have moved beyond the point where spot removal can reasonably contain them. They also create situations where the creatures already deployed from the Bag can give us an advantage during the reset, particularly when something like Avacyn is protecting our side.\nSometimes the correct tool is a scalpel. Sometimes it's a hammer. Sometimes you turn the Bag upside down, shake vigorously, and "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"start over."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"When Kaalia Isn't Available"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Eventually, somebody is going to become tired of the woman repeatedly throwing Dragons at them.\nKaalia will die. Probably more than once.\nFortunately, the deck isn't helpless without her. "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Sneak Attack"},{"insert":" provides an alternative way to deploy the enormous creatures sitting in our hand, allowing us to continue applying pressure even when commander tax makes Kaalia increasingly inconvenient. "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Quicksilver Amulet"},{"insert":" is slower, but its ability to put creatures directly onto the battlefield at instant speed opens up some particularly nasty possibilities, especially when the creature waiting in hand happens to be Avacyn.\nThe deck's substantial mana package also means that as the game progresses, simply "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"hardcasting the contents of the Bag"},{"insert":" becomes increasingly realistic.\nKaalia is the preferred delivery mechanism, but she isn't the only zipper.\n"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Rummaging Around"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Cheating enormous creatures into play feels fantastic right up until you realize you've successfully cheated your entire hand onto the battlefield.\nFor that reason, the deck carries several ways to keep cards flowing. "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Night's Whisper"},{"insert":" provides cheap and immediate card advantage, while "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Stinging Study"},{"insert":" turns Kaalia's mana value into four fresh cards at instant speed. "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Mask of Memory"},{"insert":" rewards the deck for connecting in combat, and "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Trouble in Pairs"},{"insert":" takes advantage of the fact that Commander players have a remarkable habit of doing things more than once.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Black Market Connections"},{"insert":" is especially useful because it can provide whichever resource is currently missing, whether that's another card, additional mana, or simply a body. When subtle card advantage is no longer enough, "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Necropotence"},{"insert":" gives the deck access to a much more aggressive method of rebuilding its hand.\nWe're starting at forty life.\nThe Bag accepts payment.\n"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Opening the Bag Twice"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Then there's "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Strionic Resonator"},{"insert":", which exists for one extremely specific and extremely funny reason.\nWhen Kaalia attacks, her triggered ability goes on the stack. Strionic Resonator can copy that ability, allowing us to put "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"two"},{"insert":" Angels, Demons, and/or Dragons from our hand onto the battlefield tapped and attacking during the same combat.\nThe first trigger opens the Bag.\nThe second trigger apparently discovers "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"another compartment."},{"insert":"\nThis can turn an otherwise ordinary attack into a dramatic swing in board state, particularly when the two creatures complement one another. Protection can arrive alongside damage, a tutor can arrive alongside a threat, or two enormous creatures can simply appear at once because subtlety was never really part of the plan.\nThere are very few board states improved by an unexpected Avacyn and Balefire Dragon appearing simultaneously.\nThere are considerably more board states "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"ended"},{"insert":" by it.\n"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"How the Deck Wins"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"There isn't a single predetermined combo finish hiding at the bottom of the Bag. Instead, the deck wins by repeatedly turning combat into resource advantage until the collection of flying problems becomes impossible to manage.\nExtra combat steps from "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Aurelia"},{"insert":" and "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Scourge of the Throne"},{"insert":" allow Kaalia to deploy additional threats while increasing pressure on life totals. "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Terror of the Peaks"},{"insert":" turns subsequent creatures into direct damage, while "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Ancient Gold Dragon"},{"insert":" can create an overwhelming board from a single successful connection. "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Ancient Copper Dragon"},{"insert":", meanwhile, can generate enough mana that cheating creatures into play stops being a necessity and starts becoming a convenience.\nAt the same time, creatures such as "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Balefire Dragon"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Drakuseth"},{"insert":", and "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Steel Hellkite"},{"insert":" can remove the defenses that would otherwise slow the deck down. The result is less of a traditional combo finish and more of a steadily worsening problem. Every attempt to stabilize the board creates another opportunity for Kaalia to find the appropriate response.\nEventually, there simply aren't enough answers for everything that's come out of the Bag.\n"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Know When to Leave Something in the Bag"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Kaalia already has a reputation. This deck does not need any help earning one.\nDeploying Avacyn simply because she's available can make you the table's immediate priority. Dropping Ancient Copper Dragon onto an otherwise quiet board may suddenly convince three previously independent Commander players of the importance of collective action. Even an early Kaalia doesn't necessarily mean the correct move is to unload everything in hand as quickly as possible.\nThe strength of a toolbox isn't simply that it contains powerful tools. It's that "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"the right one is still available when you actually need it."},{"insert":"\nKeep something threatening in hand. Keep protection available. Let other players spend resources dealing with each other when you can afford to. The Bag becomes far more dangerous when the table knows there could still be something inside it but doesn't know exactly what that something is.\nThen, when somebody finally presents a problem that needs solving, Kaalia can reach inside, rummage around for a moment, and pull out precisely what the situation calls for.\nAfter all...\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"There's probably something in here for that."},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"}]}