{"ops":[{"insert":"A modern and fairly efficient take on the classic \"Bad Gifts\" deck.\nControl the board as you build up your mana reserves, then hit them hard with some of the worst trash that came out of 30 years of Magic.\n\nThis deck is a lot of fun to play, but "},{"attributes":{"underline":true,"color":"#f06666","bold":true},"insert":"it is inherently not a strong archetype"},{"insert":".\nYou should be prepared to play a few rounds getting completely destroyed before the stars align for you to \"pop off\" with this deck, but it is incredibly satisfying once you do :-)\n\nHow to build a \"Bad Gifts\" deck"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nTo build an effective \"bad gifts\" deck, I think exercising restraint when building is important. It can be tempting to just stick tons of bad cards in the deck, but such lists will rarely work for the simple fact that you are running a deck full of garbage. Instead, focus your efforts on a handful of high-impact gifts, and use a significant amount of card space to just build an actually functional deck around the theme.\n\nIn order to most benefit from "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Zedruu the Greathearted"}},{"insert":" as a card-drawing engine, it is important that your gifts stick around. Creatures are the most easily-removed card type, especially when gifted, so I would advice against bad creature gifts like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Steel Golem"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Rust Elemental"}},{"insert":". Gifting a "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Bronze Bombshell"}},{"insert":" is cute, but it is essentially just an extremely inefficient way of shooting 7 damage to someone's face without advancing your own game plan. Likewise, avoid cards that can be freely passed around, such as "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Jinxed Choker"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Jinxed Idol"}},{"insert":", as your opponents are likely to gift them back to you as you're the one running a commander that benefits from them. Instead, focus on gifts and trades that stick around; especially land trading in the form of "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Vedalken Plotter"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Political Trickery"}},{"insert":" is a great way to get Zedruu online with minimal risk of the gifted lands being destroyed. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Contested War Zone"}},{"insert":" is great because it is a land, it has a built-in give-away clause, and it encourages your opponents to fight over it.\n\nGifting can be difficult and expensive, mana-wise. Cards that gift themselves away are very powerful for "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Zedruu the Greathearted"}},{"insert":" as you can set them up before "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Zedruu "},{"insert":"even enters. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Akroan Horse"}},{"insert":" is an exception to the above \"no creature\" rule because of its self-gifting clause. Even better are cards such as "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Pendant of Prosperity"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Hithlain Rope"}},{"insert":", and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Bucknard's Everfull Purse"}},{"insert":". I think "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Crown of Doom"}},{"insert":"'s effect is not all that impressive, but it has built-in self-gifting and cannot be gifted back to you.\n\nNote that cards like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Leveler"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Thought Lash"}},{"insert":" do not work as bad gifts unless you want your own library gone :-)\n\nI recommend reserving around 5 to 7 cards for the \"bad gifts\" theme, another 15-ish cards for \"neutral gifts\" and the gifting engine, and reserve the remainder of card space with \"regular\" cards to ensure that the deck remains playable and somewhat competitive. The bad gifts are outlined in more detail in the "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Gameplay"},{"insert":" section below. Neutral gifts are anything that do not actively bother nor hinder an opponent, which again encourages them to just ignore them rather than actively removing them. The prime example of this is a depleted "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Pentad Prism"}},{"insert":". The \"gifting engine\" consists of cards such as "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Shifting Grift"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Donate"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Iroh, Tea Master"}},{"insert":", and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Coveted Falcon"}},{"insert":" to give cards away, and a multitude of bouncing, blinking, and recursion spells to reuse the bad gifts multiple times.\n\nReserve another 5-10 cards for mana stones. The remaining 20 or so cards that remain after that are free space and should be filled with a secondary theme of your choosing or just a collection of powerful Commander staples. This allows your deck to participate in \"normal\" gameplay until you find enough gift pieces to start your evil gifting plan. Including some protection for "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Zedruu"},{"insert":" is advisable.\n\nFor this listing, I have opted for a secondary ETB theme, for two reasons; it allows including more creatures in a listing that otherwise does not have many creatures at all, and ETB couples nicely with the blink effects already present in the deck. It also allows for including a few more blink effects, which conveniently can also double as protection for "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Zedruu "},{"insert":"herself. This is also why "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Dack Fayden, Helping Hand"}},{"insert":" is in the deck. The fact it gives creatures away fits in nicely with the theme, but its main purpose is to hopefully trigger three useful ETB effects for me, which is not a bad deal for six mana. It's not expected the gifted creatures will survive for long, but it's a nice bonus if one or two of them survive for a "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Zedruu"},{"insert":" proc.\n\nGameplay overview"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nThe first few turns, try to build up your mana using stones, talismans, and signets. Some of the friendly \"pass around\" artifacts might come online, such as "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Bucknard's Everfull Purse"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Hithlain Rope"}},{"insert":", and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Pendant of Prosperity"}},{"insert":". These are more helpful to you than to your opponents, as Jeskai has limited ramp abilities in its own colors and because their presence helps Zedruus upkeep ability.\n\nIt is important that you do not paint a big target on your head right at the start. Focus on getting one or two \"friendly\" permanents in the hands of others, such as one of the aforementioned artifacts. Perhaps swap a land with an opponent if you happen to draw one of the swap-land effects. With one or two permanents of yours under someone else's control, it is time to summon "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Zedruu the Greathearted"}},{"insert":" and start drawing some cards and building up your hand resources. "},{"attributes":{"underline":true,"color":"#f06666","bold":true},"insert":"Only cast Zedruu when you can expect to draw at least one card with it on your next upkeep."},{"insert":" Otherwise, opt not to cast her yet. Once out, protect Zedruu if you can. Losing Zedruu usually means you will lose the game, or at the very least this will put you very far behind.\n\nBad gifts"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nThe deck contains the obvious bad gifts. These are all mid-game or late-game plans. "},{"attributes":{"underline":true,"color":"#f06666","bold":true},"insert":"Do not prioritize bad gifting in the early turns"},{"insert":", as this will turn you into a target. Once the bad gifts engine is online, you will need a lot of mana and a fair flow of card draw to keep the momentum going. You will need to eliminate your opponents one by one and you will want to do so quickly once you get started and people realize that you are up to no good :-)\n\nThe most lethal bad gift is "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Nine Lives"}},{"insert":". The idea is to play it, donate it, and then use a mass enchantment removal spell such as "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Austere Command"}},{"insert":" or the especially nasty "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Patrician's Scorn"}},{"insert":". Depending on the board state, you may even keep it on your side for a bit to absorb some damage and then donate it when it's almost depleted.\n\nSecond to that is "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Illusions of Grandeur"}},{"insert":" and its lesser cousin "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Delusions of Mediocrity"}},{"insert":". Especially the former is quite deadly; you play it to gain 20 life and then donate it, placing a 20-life bomb on their side of the board. Let players waste mana on the upkeep and then when you're ready to play it again, use one of the many enchantment bounce or flicker effects in the deck. Keep in mind that "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Void Snare"}},{"insert":" is a sorcery and that "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Saving Grasp"}},{"insert":" only targets creatures. Similarly but less deadly, use "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Pyromancer's Swath"}},{"insert":" to pester the the table's control player. You might even be able to have your opponents trade enchantments ("},{"insert":{"card-link":"Shifting Grift"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Role Reversal"}},{"insert":") amongst each other to have the Swath travel through your opponents, clearing their hands. Especially when playing the Swath, it is important you have some form of escape (countermagic, an alternative way of donating such as "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Donate"}},{"insert":", or an enchantment bounce) in case your donation engine is killed in response or if the recipient scoops. This deck does not like playing on a "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"hellbent "},{"insert":"hand.\n\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Aggressive Mining"}},{"insert":" is often cited as a bad gift, but it is surprisingly useful on your side of the board as well. In the late game, use it to refill your hand with new threats and bypass its restriction using the mana artifacts the deck features, then when you are done with it, donate it to the opponent who will least benefit from it. Avoid white or green opponents, which are most likely to reap benefit from it and then destroy it once they are done with it. In some games, it may be a better idea to just destroy it once you're done with it rather than donating it to someone.\n\nOther stuff to do"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nGiving annoying gifts is ultimately what this deck is about, but you will lose the game long before you finally draw into them if you don't defend yourself properly.\n\nUntil you find the pieces, you will find yourself attempting to deflect attention away from yourself. Gift "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Pendant of Prosperity"}},{"insert":" to the deck you consider most dangerous to you, as that player will want to keep you around. Use mass removal like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Day of Judgment"}},{"insert":" to clear the board if it becomes a little bit too busy. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Austere Command"}},{"insert":" is a big star because it can selectively clear the battlefield while sparing "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Zedruu the Greathearted"}},{"insert":", and it also serves as a way to destroy "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Nine Lives"}},{"insert":" to kill a player. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Meekstone"}},{"insert":" keeps many threats offline and can be tutored for with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Trinket Mage"}},{"insert":". Use "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Gilded Drake"}},{"insert":" with bounce tech to claim one or two big creatures to defend yourself with.\n\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Pramikon, Sky Rampart"}},{"insert":" is here mostly for its fun-factor, but it can be surprisingly effective as a defensive tool as well. You can even gift it to the player following its direction. Because you won't attack them and they can't attack with it, the wall is as safe there as it with you.\n\nAs mentioned above, "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Dack Fayden, Helping Hand"}},{"insert":"'s primary purpose is to trigger a few ETB effects from your deck. Most creatures in the deck are small creatures with beneficial ETB effects. You control these effects before your opponents get the creatures. Him giving away the creatures is thematically a nice fit for the deck, but they will probably not survive for long, so keep that in mind. Additionally, the deck contains three creatures that interact unfavorably with "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Dack"},{"insert":":\n\nIf you pull "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Gilded Drake"}},{"insert":", it will first go to an opponent's control before you can swap. This means you cannot gain control of a powerful enemy creature if "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Dack "},{"insert":"pulls the "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Drake"},{"insert":", but you can still annoy enemy players by swapping creatures around to break synergies."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"If you pull "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Coveted Falcon"}},{"insert":", keep in mind that they might use it to reclaim lands you traded earlier. To prevent this, ensure there is always at least one enemy player with whom you never trade lands; this allows you to give that player the "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Falcon "},{"insert":"without losing lands."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"If you pull "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Iroh, Tea Master"}},{"insert":", that's unfortunate but mostly okay. At least you end up with a food token. :-)"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nBudget options"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nAs listed the deck is around €300,- but it can be easily dropped as low as €120,- without losing much of its unique appeal.\nWho knew that decks running trash cards would be so cheap?\n\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Gilded Drake"}},{"insert":" -> "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Volatile Stormdrake"}},{"insert":"."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Gitaxian Probe"}},{"insert":" -> Anything else, for example "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Harmless Offering"}},{"insert":" ."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Donate"}},{"insert":" -> "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Harmless Offering"}},{"insert":" ."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Meekstone"}},{"insert":" -> "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ghostly Prison"}},{"insert":"/"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Propaganda"}},{"insert":". You do lose the combo with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Trinket Mage"}},{"insert":", though."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nAs usual, the land package is also a prime location for cutting budget. Lands such as "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Flooded Strand"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Arid Mesa"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Scalding Tarn"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Sacred Foundry"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Steam Vents"}},{"insert":" are easily replaced by cheaper alternatives. However, this deck is slow and fragile, so it relies on being able to use its mana immediately. Avoid lands that enter tapped if at all possible. Also, keep "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Duergar Hedge-Mage"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Kor Cartographer"}},{"insert":", and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Alpine Guide"}},{"insert":" in mind, which rely on the Mountain and Plains types to be effective.\n\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Illusions of Grandeur"}},{"insert":" is an important win condition for the deck, and cannot be easily replaced. This deck loses a lot of its appeal without it.\n\nUpgrade options / wish list"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nNone right now!\n"}]}