{"ops":[{"insert":"⚔️ ALEXIOS, DEIMOS OF KOSMOS"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"CUSTODY BATTLE"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"High-Power Bracket 3 — Hot-Potato Voltron / Forced Combat"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Commander:"},{"insert":" Alexios, Deimos of Kosmos\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Archetype:"},{"insert":" Voltron / Equipment / Forced Combat\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Primary Win:"},{"insert":" Commander damage\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Alternate Win:"},{"insert":" Infect / overwhelming damage\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Game Changers:"},{"insert":" 3/3\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Infinite Combos:"},{"insert":" None\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Nobody wanted custody of Alexios. Unfortunately, the court ordered visitation every upkeep."},{"attributes":{"blockquote":true},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n⚔️ DECK OVERVIEW"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Custody Battle"},{"insert":" is Voltron with shared custody.\nAlexios gets passed around the table, untaps, gains haste, gets another +1/+1 counter, and has to attack if able—but he can't attack his owner.\nOur plan is:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Cast Alexios → equip him → pass custody → make our opponents beat each other to death with our commander."},{"insert":"\nThe important part is that "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Alexios remains our commander even while someone else controls him"},{"insert":". Combat damage he deals still counts toward that player's "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"21 commander damage from Alexios"},{"insert":".\nMeanwhile, when Alexios changes controllers, "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"we still control our Equipment"},{"insert":" attached to him.\nSo somebody else gets custody of the child.\nWe retain ownership of the weapons."},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n📈 ALEXIOS GETS BIG FAST"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Alexios naturally grows every upkeep.\nIn a four-player game, he can accumulate several +1/+1 counters during a single trip around the table.\nThat means we don't need to overload the deck with generic pump effects. Instead, our Equipment focuses on:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Evasion → Protection → Damage multiplication → Value"},{"insert":"\nA giant Alexios doesn't accomplish anything if he can't connect.\nA giant "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"unblockable, indestructible, double-striking Alexios"},{"insert":" is a custody hearing nobody survives.\n\n🗡️ THE ARMORY"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Some of our most important equipment includes:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Brotherhood Regalia / Trailblazer's Boots"},{"insert":" — get Alexios through blockers.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Hammer of Nazahn / Darksteel Plate"},{"insert":" — keep him alive through mandatory combat.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Commander's Plate"},{"insert":" — protection, power and potential evasion.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Fireshrieker / Genji Glove"},{"insert":" — double strike can turn Alexios into a one-combat commander kill.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Two-Handed Axe / Inquisitor's Flail"},{"insert":" — multiply an already enormous power total.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Sword of Fire and Ice / Mask of Memory"},{"insert":" — turn successful attacks into cards.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Sword of Feast and Famine"},{"insert":" — generates enormous tempo when Alexios connects.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Sword of the Animist"},{"insert":" — turns Alexios's constant attacks into ramp.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"The Reaver Cleaver"},{"insert":" — turns combat damage into Treasure.\nThe dream is having an opponent control Alexios, attack another opponent, and then "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"we get paid for the combat."},{"insert":"\nThat's child support.\n\n🔧 BRASS SQUIRE"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"One of the sneakiest cards in the deck.\nAlexios spends most of the game under someone else's control, which makes normal Equip restrictions awkward.\nBrass Squire lets us attach Equipment "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"at instant speed"},{"insert":".\nOpponent receives custody.\nThey declare Alexios as an attacker.\nThey think they understand the combat math.\nBrass Squire:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"\"The custody agreement has been amended.\""},{"attributes":{"blockquote":true},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n☣️ GRAFTED EXOSKELETON"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"This is our nastiest alternate kill.\nGrafted Exoskeleton gives Alexios "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"infect"},{"insert":".\nNow instead of needing 21 commander damage, Alexios can eliminate someone with "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"10 poison counters"},{"insert":".\nBecause he naturally grows every upkeep, eventually:\nOne Alexios hit = 10 poison = dead player."},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Be aware that infect damage isn't advancing the normal commander-damage clock, so choose the correct kill condition based on the opponent.\nIf they're already at 17 Alexios commander damage, finish the paperwork you started.\n\n💥 DAMAGE MULTIPLICATION"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Two-Handed Axe, Inquisitor's Flail, Unleash Fury, double strike"},{"insert":", and Alexios's natural counter growth create explosive kills.\nDon't waste these effects making Alexios merely impressive.\nWait until they make him "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"lethal"},{"insert":".\nA 10-power Alexios with double strike represents "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"20 commander damage"},{"insert":".\nA little more power and suddenly:\n\"Whose turn is it?\""},{"attributes":{"blockquote":true},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"doesn't matter nearly as much as:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"\"Who has custody?\""},{"attributes":{"blockquote":true},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n🛡️ PROTECT THE CHILD"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"People will eventually realize that Alexios is the problem.\nWe protect him with:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Hammer of Nazahn"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Darksteel Plate"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Commander's Plate"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Lightning Greaves"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Swiftfoot Boots"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Deflecting Swat"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Bolt Bend"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Return the Favor"},{"insert":"\nOne important warning:\nLightning Greaves gives shroud."},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"That means "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"we can't target Alexios either"},{"insert":".\nAttach your other Equipment first when necessary, then put Greaves on him.\n\n💰 GETTING PAID FOR OTHER PEOPLE'S COMBAT"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"This is where Alexios becomes fundamentally different from normal Voltron.\nEquipment such as "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Mask of Memory, Sword of Fire and Ice, Sword of Feast and Famine, Sword of the Animist and Reaver Cleaver"},{"insert":" can turn his repeated attacks into resources.\nBut always read the wording carefully.\nIf the triggered ability belongs to "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"our Equipment"},{"insert":", we control that ability even when someone else controls Alexios.\nIf the Equipment gives an ability to "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Alexios himself"},{"insert":", his current controller controls that ability.\nThat distinction matters constantly in this deck.\n\n🏆 GODO, BANDIT WARLORD"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Godo is here as an "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Equipment tutor"},{"insert":".\nNeed evasion?\nFind it.\nNeed protection?\nFind it.\nNeed double strike?\nFind it.\nNeed Grafted Exoskeleton because diplomacy has failed?\nFind it.\nHelm of the Host is intentionally NOT in the deck."},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Godo + Helm creates an infinite-combat combo.\nThis deck contains "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"zero intentional infinites"},{"insert":".\nWe're killing people with Alexios the stupid way.\n\n🌙 MAGUS OF THE MOON"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"We're mono-red.\nMany of our opponents won't be.\nMagus punishes greedy multicolor mana bases while our Mountains continue working.\nJust remember that Magus also turns off many of "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"our utility lands"},{"insert":", so don't cast it automatically.\nUse it when:\nIt hurts them significantly more than us."},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n⭐ THE THREE GAME CHANGERS"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"We're deliberately capped at:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Ancient Tomb"},{"insert":" — accelerates Alexios and our equipment.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Jeska's Will"},{"insert":" — explosive mana/card access for major setup turns.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Gamble"},{"insert":" — finds whatever piece the custody agreement currently requires.\nThat's "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"3/3"},{"insert":".\n\n🔥 CHANDRA'S IGNITION"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"This replaced Wheel of Fortune, and it's much more appropriate.\nWhen "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"we control Alexios"},{"insert":", target him.\nIf he's 12 power:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Alexios deals 12 to every opponent and every other creature."},{"insert":"\nWith indestructible, this can become an enormous asymmetric wipe.\nImportant:\nThis is NOT commander damage."},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Only "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"combat damage"},{"insert":" counts toward the 21-commander-damage rule.\nIgnition is simply an excellent way to turn Alexios's ridiculous power into a table-wide disaster.\n\n🏚️ DESTRUCTIVE URGE"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The salt card.\nAlexios deals combat damage to someone?\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"They sacrifice a land."},{"insert":"\nAnd Alexios attacks a lot.\nThis can start dismantling opponents' mana bases while the custody arrangement continues.\nUse responsibly.\nOr don't.\nYou built "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Custody Battle"},{"insert":".\n\n🖐️ MULLIGAN GUIDE"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Look for:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"2–3 lands"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"+ ramp"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"+ Equipment"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"+ protection or card advantage"},{"insert":"\nSomething like:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Mountain"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Mountain"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Ancient Tomb"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Arcane Signet"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Brotherhood Regalia"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Mask of Memory"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Bolt Bend"},{"insert":"\nis excellent.\nDon't keep a hand containing five giant pieces of Equipment and no way to deploy them.\nAlexios needs an armory, not a storage unit."},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n🕐 EARLY GAME"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Ramp.\nDevelop the armory.\nCast Alexios.\nThe important metric isn't merely:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"How quickly can Alexios enter?"},{"insert":"\nIt's:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"How quickly can Alexios start connecting without immediately dying?"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Once he starts rotating around the table, his counters begin accumulating naturally.\n\n⚔️ MIDGAME"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Now the custody battle begins.\nAlexios should be:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"growing"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"changing controllers"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"attacking"},{"insert":"\nand\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"accumulating commander damage against multiple players."},{"insert":"\nThis is when Equipment generating cards, Treasure, mana and evasion starts compounding.\nPay attention to "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"who has already taken how much Alexios damage"},{"insert":".\nYou're effectively managing several simultaneous 21-point clocks.\n\n☢️ LATE GAME"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Eventually Alexios becomes enormous.\nAt that point, stop adding Equipment just because you can.\nAsk:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Can Brotherhood Regalia get lethal through?"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Does double strike kill someone?"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Does Unleash Fury kill someone?"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Is Grafted Exoskeleton a one-hit kill?"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Can Chandra's Ignition devastate the table?"},{"insert":"\nOnce the answer is yes:\nStop building the weapon and fire it."},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n🎯 POLITICS"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Alexios is naturally political because "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"your opponents decide whom he attacks while they control him"},{"insert":", subject to his restrictions.\nUse that.\nPlayer B receives custody:\n\"Look, Steve is already at 14 Alexios damage.\""},{"attributes":{"blockquote":true},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Player B:\n\"Why would I help you?\""},{"attributes":{"blockquote":true},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"You:\n\"Because the other option is attacking Sarah, and she has a 12/12 deathtouch blocker.\""},{"attributes":{"blockquote":true},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Sometimes the custody arrangement works itself out.\nAnd whenever someone complains:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"\"I don't control him. Take it up with the court.\""},{"attributes":{"blockquote":true},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n🏆 HOW WE WIN"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"1. Commander Damage"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The main plan. Alexios grows naturally, connects repeatedly and kills at 21.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"2. Double Strike / Damage Multiplication"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Turn an already-large Alexios into a sudden one-hit kill.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"3. Grafted Exoskeleton"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"10 poison counters. Custody permanently terminated.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"4. Chandra's Ignition"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Convert Alexios's enormous power into massive table-wide damage and potentially clear opposing creatures.\nNo infinite loops.\nNo deterministic combo.\nJust an increasingly large Greek man being passed around the table with an irresponsible quantity of weapons.\n\n⚔️ THE GOLDEN RULE"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"You don't need to make Alexios as large as possible.\nYou need to make him:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Large enough to kill."},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Hard enough to remove."},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Difficult enough to block."},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Then let the turn cycle do the rest.\nEvery upkeep:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"another counter."},{"insert":"\nEvery custody change:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"another potential victim."},{"insert":"\nEvery combat:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"another piece of the 21-damage clock."},{"insert":"\nAnd when somebody finally asks:\n\"Why the hell am I being attacked by "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"your"},{"insert":" commander on "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"his"},{"insert":" turn?\""},{"attributes":{"blockquote":true},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Refer them to the terms of the settlement:\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"JOINT CUSTODY. MANDATORY VISITATION. NO APPEALS."},{"insert":" ⚔️"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n!!!!Thanks for checking out my deck!!!! --BobbyPLAYS\n"}]}