{"ops":[{"attributes":{"color":"#000000"},"insert":"The Ur-Sphinx | Esper Sphinx Tribal"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#000000"},"insert":"The Ur-Sphinx is a Bracket 2 Esper Sphinx tribal deck built around making one of Magic's traditionally expensive creature types much cheaper to play. The commander does most of its work from the command zone, reducing the cost of every other Sphinx spell by {1}. Heartless Summoning, Urza's Incubator, Unesh, and the deck's other ramp pieces push those costs even lower, allowing me to get multiple Sphinxes onto the battlefield much earlier than their printed mana costs would suggest."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#000000"},"insert":"The creature suite focuses on Sphinxes that generate value rather than just being big flyers. Unesh, Kindred Discovery, Windreader Sphinx, and Defiler of Dreams keep cards flowing, while Raffine, Prognostic Sphinx, and Yennett reward attacking. Sphinx Summoner provides a small artifact-creature toolbox, finding Roaming Throne, Magister Sphinx, or Sphinx of the Revelation depending on what I need. Roaming Throne is particularly useful here, doubling everything from attack and combat-damage triggers to ETB abilities. Phantasmal Image can copy it or whichever creature is providing the most value."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#000000"},"insert":"The deck also makes use of cheap changelings to support its tribal synergies. Flock Impostor can protect an important Sphinx from removal or return one to my hand to reuse its ETB ability, while Graveshifter helps recover creatures that have already died. Both benefit from the commander's cost reduction and trigger cards like Unesh and Kindred Discovery. Progenitor's Icon and Winding Canyons give me the option to play Sphinxes at instant speed, letting me hold up interaction and deploy creatures at the end of an opponent's turn instead of committing everything during my own main phase."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#000000"},"insert":"The interaction package is built around keeping opposing boards under control without constantly clearing my own creatures. Swords to Plowshares, Path to Exile, Crib Swap, Despark, and Anguished Unmaking handle individual threats, while Mana Drain, Dovin's Veto, and An Offer You Can't Refuse help protect against important spells. Crippling Fear, Split Up, Kindred Dominance, Kindred Judgment, Raise the Palisade, and Austere Command give the deck several ways to deal with larger boards, often while preserving my own Sphinxes. Reconnaissance also makes attacking much safer, allowing me to get attack triggers and pull creatures out of unfavorable combat. It has an especially useful interaction with Arbiter of the Ideal, letting me untap it after attacking to trigger Inspired."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#000000"},"insert":"The Ur-Sphinx itself is usually the final piece rather than something I try to cast as soon as possible. Once I've established a board of Sphinxes, bringing out the commander turns their attacks into opportunities to mill players and cast cards from their libraries for free. Magister Sphinx can bring an opponent down to 10 life, Medomai can generate extra turns, and Sphinx of the Second Sun provides additional untap and draw steps to keep the pressure going."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#000000"},"insert":"The deck ultimately wins through flying combat damage and the value generated by its creatures. The idea is to get expensive Sphinxes into play ahead of curve, make the most of their abilities, and gradually build a board that becomes harder to deal with as the game goes on."},{"insert":"\n\n"}]}