{"ops":[{"insert":{"image":"https://i.imgur.com/hD6SCGT.png"}},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"MISSION:"},{"insert":" Win with Gate #10 while Ramos and the board draw fire.\n "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"MAIN EFFORT:"},{"insert":" Maze’s End.\n "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"SUPPORTING EFFORT:"},{"insert":" Make everything else look more dangerous.\n "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"END STATE:"},{"insert":" “Wait…how many Gates do you have?”\n"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Ramos, Dragon Engine // Maze's End"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"BRACKET:"},{"insert":" Core // 2\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"MISSION TYPE:"},{"insert":" Alternate Win Condition / Five-Color Value\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"PRIMARY OBJECTIVE:"},{"insert":" Make everyone worry about literally anything except the lands.\n"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"SITUATION"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"There is a giant Dragon on the battlefield.\nIt keeps getting bigger.\nTatyova is drawing cards.\nRampaging Baloths is making 4/4s.\nOvika is vomiting Goblins onto the table.\nDarksteel Colossus would very much like to discuss your life total.\nNaturally, everyone starts looking at those things.\nPerfect.\nBecause none of them are the Main Effort.\n\nMISSION"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Assemble ten differently named Gates and activate "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Maze's End"},{"insert":".\nPreferably while the table is spending its removal, attention, and emotional energy dealing with everything else.\nThe deck is intentionally built with multiple credible threats so Maze's End doesn't have to carry the entire game.\nIf they stop the Gates, we kill them another way.\nIf they stop the creatures, we keep laying terrain.\nIf they try to do both?\nThat's their problem.\n\nCOMMANDER'S INTENT"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nPURPOSE"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Force the table to respond to several legitimate threats while quietly advancing an alternate win condition through the mana base.\n"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"METHOD"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Main Effort:"},{"insert":"\nMaze's End + ten uniquely named Gates.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Supporting Effort:"},{"insert":"\nRamos, landfall engines, token production, giant creatures, and overwhelming mana.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Key Enablers:"},{"insert":"\nRamp, card advantage, and the ability to recover critical lands.\n"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"END STATE"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Everyone spent the game worried about the Dragon.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Gate #10 enters anyway."},{"insert":"\n\n🎯 MAIN EFFORT // GATE #10"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Maze's End is the real operation.\nThe important cards are:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Expedition Map"},{"insert":"\nFinds Maze's End.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Open the Gates"},{"insert":"\nFinds the specific Gate we need.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Circuitous Route"},{"insert":"\nOne of the best cards in the deck because it can advance the operation by two Gates at once.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Gateway Sneak"},{"insert":"\nTurns Gates into card advantage and gives the Gate package a believable secondary purpose.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Archway Angel"},{"insert":"\nTurns a developed Gate board into a huge life swing.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Gate Colossus"},{"insert":"\nMakes it look like the Gates exist to support an enormous robot.\nLet them believe that.\n\n⚙️ SCHEME OF MANEUVER"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nPHASE I // DON'T LOOK INTERESTING"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Turns 1–3"},{"insert":"\nFix colors.\nRamp.\nPlay Gates when they make sense.\nDevelop green mana.\nDo not sacrifice a functioning hand just because it contains Maze's End.\nWe are building an engine first.\nIdeal early pieces:\nLlanowar Elves"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Arbor Elf"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Bushwhack"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Farseek"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Springleaf Drum"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Guildgates that fix missing colors"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"At this stage, we're just the slightly suspicious five-color player.\n\nPHASE II // GIVE THEM SOMETHING ELSE TO SHOOT"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Turns 4–6"},{"insert":"\nDeploy legitimate threats.\nThis is where Ramos becomes important.\nA growing flying commander demands attention.\nSo does:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Tatyova"},{"insert":" — cards and life from lands.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Rampaging Baloths"},{"insert":" — 4/4s from lands.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Felidar Retreat"},{"insert":" — Cats or an increasingly dangerous army.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Primeval Bounty"},{"insert":" — value from almost everything we cast.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Drogskol Reaver"},{"insert":" — flying double-strike lifelink card advantage.\nThe more urgent the battlefield looks, the less attention gets paid to individual tapped lands entering.\n"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"PHASE III // SHAPE THE BATTLEFIELD"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Turns 6–8"},{"insert":"\nNow start counting.\nNot out loud.\nAt roughly "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"6–7 unique Gates"},{"insert":", the alternate win condition stops being theoretical.\nAsk:\nWhere is Maze's End?"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Which Gates are missing?"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Is Circuitous Route still available?"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Do I have Open the Gates?"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Can Maze survive one turn cycle?"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Can Ramos generate the mana needed to accelerate the finish?"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Continue presenting threats.\nDo not tunnel-vision onto Maze's End if killing someone with creatures is easier.\n"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"☠️ DECISIVE ACTION"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"At "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"eight Gates"},{"insert":", we can become extremely dangerous.\nLINE ONE"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"8 Gates\n→ Open the Gates finds #9\n→ play #9\n→ Maze's End activation finds #10\n→ game over\nLINE TWO"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"8 Gates\n→ Circuitous Route finds #9 and #10\n→ Maze's End activation checks the battlefield\n→ game over\nLINE THREE"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"9 Gates\n→ untapped Maze's End\n→ activate\n→ fetch missing Gate #10\n→ game over\n\nThe objective is not to advertise that we are approaching the finish.\nThe objective is to make the transition from:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"\"He's playing a lot of Gates.\""},{"insert":"\nto:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"\"Wait. How many Gates is that?\""},{"insert":"\nhappen approximately one priority pass too late.\n\n⚔️ SUPPORTING EFFORT // THE DISTRACTIONS"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The backup plans are not fake.\nRAMOS"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Every multicolored spell grows Ramos.\nFive counters become an enormous burst of colored mana.\nThat mana can fuel huge turns, develop several threats at once, or help fund the Maze's End finish.\nRamos can also simply kill someone through commander damage.\nIf opponents spend removal on him?\nMission accomplished.\nLAND WARFARE"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Tatyova"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Lands become cards and life.\nRampaging Baloths"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Lands become 4/4 Beasts.\nFelidar Retreat"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Lands become Cats or permanent army-wide growth.\nTatyova + Drogskol Reaver"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"A land entering can produce an absurd amount of card advantage.\nAt that point we are completely capable of winning a normal game of Magic.\nOvika"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Ovika turns noncreature spells into hasty Goblins.\nIf the table ignores her, she can create an army almost accidentally.\nIf the table immediately removes her?\nExcellent.\nThat's removal that didn't target something relevant to Gate #10.\n"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"💥 FIRES"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Removal is not ammunition to spray randomly.\nUse it to protect the operation.\nPriority targets:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"1. Something about to win the game."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"2. Something capable of repeatedly destroying or locking down our lands."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"3. Something preventing our backup threats from applying meaningful pressure."},{"insert":"\nEverything else can fight amongst itself.\nWe are not the table police.\n"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"🛡️ FORCE PROTECTION"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Critical terrain can be recovered.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Deadly Brew"},{"insert":" can help recover a destroyed permanent.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Invasion of Tolvada"},{"insert":" provides another route to recover important permanents.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Echoing Deeps"},{"insert":" gives us another way to exploit a critical land in a graveyard.\nIf Maze's End gets destroyed, the operation is damaged.\nIt is not necessarily over.\n"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"BRANCHES & SEQUELS"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"IF THEY IDENTIFY MAZE'S END EARLY"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Stop pretending.\nPressure them.\nRamos.\nBaloths.\nOvika.\nColossus.\nForce them to choose between holding resources for the land plan and surviving the battlefield.\nIF THEY DESTROY RAMOS"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Fine.\nRamos was Supporting Effort.\nContinue developing lands and value engines.\nIF THEY WIPE THE CREATURES"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Even better than it looks.\nOur primary win condition is sitting in the mana base.\nRebuild only enough board presence to force attention away from the lands again.\nIF THE GATE PLAN IS DEAD"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"We still have:\nRamos commander damage"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Rampaging Baloths"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Felidar Retreat"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Ovika token swarms"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Steel Hellkite"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Darksteel Colossus"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"giant value creatures"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"enormous mana generation"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The deck doesn't need permission to play normal Magic.\n"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"RULES OF ENGAGEMENT"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"DON'T announce the Gate count for everyone."},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The cards are public information.\nYou are not obligated to conduct enemy intelligence preparation for them.\nDON'T keep a bad opening hand because it contains Maze's End."},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The engine matters more.\nDON'T force the alternate win when combat can simply end the game."},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"A win is a win.\nDON'T remove random creatures just because you can."},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Preserve interaction for actual problems.\nDO make the battlefield look dangerous."},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The best protection spell for Maze's End is sometimes a completely unrelated permanent everyone desperately wants to kill.\n"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"OPENING HAND GUIDANCE"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"KEEP"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"3–4 lands.\nGreen access.\nAt least one ramp/fixing piece.\nAt least one meaningful early or midgame play.\nSTRONGLY CONSIDER SHIPPING"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Two lands with no ramp.\nHands full of expensive finishers.\nHands that technically have five colors but can't cast anything useful.\nMaze's End plus Gates but no actual development.\n"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"THREAT ASSESSMENT"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"PROTECT"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"1. Tatyova"},{"insert":" when she's actively fueling the hand.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"2. Ramos"},{"insert":" when he's about to generate a huge mana advantage or kill through commander damage.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"3. Critical Gate-search pieces"},{"insert":" once we're near the finish.\nEXPENDABLE"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Most incidental creatures once they've generated their value.\nThe battlefield is supporting the operation.\nIt is not the operation.\n"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"WIN CONDITIONS"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"WIN 1 // GATE #10"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Maze's End.\nThe reason we're here.\nWIN 2 // DRAGON PROBLEM"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Ramos becomes enormous and kills through commander damage.\nWIN 3 // LAND SUPERIORITY"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Baloths + Retreat + repeated land drops create an army too large to contain.\nWIN 4 // OVERWHELMING FORCE"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Ovika, Colossus, Steel Hellkite and the rest of the top end simply overpower the table.\n"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"DESIRED END STATE"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Ramos is enormous.\nThe battlefield is chaos.\nEveryone has spent ten minutes figuring out which creature needs to die first.\nYou untap.\nLook at the lands.\nCount once.\nThen:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Gate #10."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"COMMANDER'S INTENT"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Purpose. Violence. Cardboard."},{"insert":"\n"}]}