{"ops":[{"insert":"IT'S TIME TO thranDUEL"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Thranduil, the Elvenking — Sultai Graveyard Combo"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Overview"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Thranduil, the Elvenking"},{"insert":" is a Sultai graveyard-combo commander built around turning Elf cards in the graveyard into activated abilities for our commander.\nThranduil has all activated abilities of all Elf cards in our graveyard.\nThat means our graveyard effectively becomes a second hand. Instead of needing our combo creatures on the battlefield, we often want them "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"in the graveyard"},{"insert":", where Thranduil can use their abilities himself.\nThe deck's primary game plan is:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Ramp → Fill the graveyard → Resolve Thranduil → Give him immediate access to activated abilities → Generate infinite resources → Win"},{"insert":"\nThe deck also carries the traditional Sultai "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Thassa's Oracle"},{"insert":" package as an efficient backup win condition.\nWHY THRANDUIL?"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Thranduil functions similarly to a "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Necrotic Ooze in the command zone"},{"insert":", except he specifically copies activated abilities from Elf cards.\nThis creates an unusual cEDH engine because cards that would normally be mediocre creatures become pieces of a graveyard-based combo.\nThe deck therefore treats cards such as:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Devoted Druid"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Greenhilt Trainee"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Deepwood Denizen"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Zameck Guildmage"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Fauna Shaman"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Formidable Speaker"},{"insert":"\nas pieces of a modular combo engine rather than ordinary creatures.\nThe major weakness is obvious:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Thranduil costs five mana and normally cannot activate tap abilities immediately."},{"insert":"\nBecause of this, mana acceleration and haste/activation enablers are extremely important.\n THE GRAVEYARD IS OUR SECOND HAND"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Do not automatically think of putting a creature into the graveyard as losing that creature.\nWith Thranduil in play, an Elf in the graveyard can effectively become another line of text on our commander.\nOur graveyard tutors therefore function almost like ability tutors.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Entomb"},{"insert":" can find an activated ability.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Unmarked Grave"},{"insert":" can find an activated ability.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Buried Alive"},{"insert":" can find an entire combo.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Survival of the Fittest"},{"insert":" simultaneously tutors creatures while putting useful Elf abilities into the graveyard.\nThis is one of the most important concepts to understand when piloting the deck.\n PRIMARY COMBO PLAN"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Buried Alive"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Buried Alive"},{"insert":" is one of the strongest cards in the deck because it can put three creatures directly into the graveyard.\nOur goal is to assemble a collection of abilities that allows Thranduil to:\nIncrease his power."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Untap himself."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Generate mana."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Convert infinite resources into a win."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"One of the central pieces is:\nDevoted Druid"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Devoted Druid gives Thranduil:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Tap: Add G."},{"insert":"\nand\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Put a -1/-1 counter on this creature: Untap it."},{"insert":"\nThe untap ability is especially important because Thranduil can combine it with abilities that increase his power or otherwise offset the -1/-1 counters.\n GREENHILT TRAINEE ENGINE"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Greenhilt Trainee"},{"insert":" gives:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Tap: Target creature gets +4/+4 until end of turn. Activate only if this creature's power is 4 or greater."},{"insert":"\nThranduil naturally has enough power to activate this ability.\nCombined with "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Devoted Druid"},{"insert":", Thranduil can begin alternating between Greenhilt Trainee's pump ability and Devoted Druid's untap ability.\nThis allows Thranduil to repeatedly increase his power while accumulating -1/-1 counters.\nOnce the loop is established, Thranduil can reach arbitrarily large power.\nThat enormous power can then be leveraged by the other abilities available to the deck.\nINFINITE MANA"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The deck contains several ways to translate Thranduil's graveyard abilities into effectively unlimited mana.\nOnce Thranduil can repeatedly untap himself while maintaining sufficient power/toughness, "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Devoted Druid's mana ability"},{"insert":" becomes a mana engine.\nOther mana-producing Elves in the deck give Thranduil additional ways to exploit repeated untaps.\nThe important sequencing principle is:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Do not immediately demonstrate millions of iterations."},{"insert":"\nEstablish the loop, explain the repeatable actions, and announce the amount of mana/power you intend to generate.\nTURNING INFINITE MANA INTO CARDS"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Generating infinite green mana is not enough by itself.\nWe need a way to convert that mana into access to the rest of the deck.\nOne of the important outlets is:\nThrasios, Triton Hero"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Once sufficient mana is available, Thrasios allows us to repeatedly activate his ability and work through the library.\nThis provides a clean bridge between:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Infinite Mana → Entire Deck → Win Condition"},{"insert":"\nThe deck also has graveyard-based Elf abilities that can serve similar purposes depending on which pieces have been assembled.\n THASSA'S ORACLE"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The cleanest traditional win condition is:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Thassa's Oracle + Demonic Consultation"},{"insert":"\nCast "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Thassa's Oracle"},{"insert":".\nWith the Oracle trigger on the stack, cast "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Demonic Consultation"},{"insert":", naming a card that is not in the deck.\nExile the library.\nAllow the Oracle trigger to resolve.\nWin the game.\nTHASSA'S ORACLE + TAINTED PACT"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The deck also runs:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Thassa's Oracle + Tainted Pact"},{"insert":"\nThe singleton nature of Commander allows Tainted Pact to exile essentially the entire library.\nThis gives us another compact win condition that does not require Thranduil.\nThis is extremely important because we should not become overly dependent on resolving a five-mana commander.\nHERMIT DRUID"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Hermit Druid"},{"insert":" provides another graveyard-based route.\nBecause the deck can be constructed to exploit Hermit Druid's ability, activating it can place an enormous portion—or potentially all—of the library into the graveyard.\nThat accomplishes two things at once:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"It loads Thranduil with Elf abilities."},{"insert":"\nand\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"It sets up graveyard-based win lines."},{"insert":"\nHermit Druid should therefore be treated as a potential combo engine rather than merely a value creature.\nZAMECK GUILDMAGE"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Zameck Guildmage gives Thranduil another useful draw outlet.\nIts activated ability can remove a +1/+1 counter from a creature to draw a card.\nWhen combined with engines capable of repeatedly producing counters, mana, or untaps, this becomes another method for converting an infinite resource into access to the library.\n SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Survival of the Fittest"},{"insert":" is particularly powerful in this deck.\nNormally Survival turns one creature into another creature.\nHere, the discarded creature may actually be something we "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"wanted in the graveyard anyway"},{"insert":".\nThat means Survival can simultaneously:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Put an activated ability into the graveyard"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Tutor the next creature"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Set up another activated ability"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Assemble the Thranduil engine"},{"insert":"\nThis makes Survival one of the deck's strongest engine cards.\nThink carefully about the "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"discard"},{"insert":" before deciding what creature to search for.\nSometimes the creature leaving your hand is more important than the creature entering it.\nTUTORS"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The deck uses a dense tutor package because different tutors perform different roles.\nGraveyard Tutors"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Entomb"},{"insert":" — Places the exact card we need into the graveyard.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Unmarked Grave"},{"insert":" — Another direct graveyard setup piece.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Buried Alive"},{"insert":" — One of our strongest combo enablers because one spell can establish several Thranduil abilities simultaneously.\nCreature Tutors"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Worldly/creature-based tutor effects, Chord of Calling, Finale of Devastation, Eldritch Evolution and similar effects"},{"insert":" allow us to find whichever creature completes the current line.\nGeneral Tutors"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Cards such as "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Demonic Tutor"},{"insert":" can simply find whichever piece is missing.\nThe important question when tutoring is not:\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"\"What is the strongest card in my deck?\""},{"insert":"\nIt is:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"\"What resource am I currently missing?\""},{"insert":"\nFAUNA SHAMAN"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Fauna Shaman deserves special attention because it is both:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"a tutor"},{"insert":"\nand\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"an Elf with an activated ability."},{"insert":"\nOnce Fauna Shaman reaches the graveyard, Thranduil can inherit its creature-tutoring ability.\nThat means our commander can potentially turn creatures in hand into whichever creature is required to finish the combo.\n FORMIDABLE SPEAKER"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Formidable Speaker provides another valuable activated ability:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Untap another target permanent."},{"insert":"\nUntap effects are extremely important in a commander whose combo engine frequently revolves around repeatedly activating tap abilities.\nSpeaker also has utility when cast normally, making it less painful to draw than a completely dedicated combo piece.\n PROTECTING THE WIN"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The deck plays the expected suite of efficient cEDH interaction.\nThe purpose of our counterspells is not simply to counter whatever looks scary.\nWe primarily want interaction for three situations:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"1. Stop an opponent from winning."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"2. Protect our own winning turn."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"3. Prevent an opponent from removing a critical engine piece."},{"insert":"\nFree or extremely cheap interaction is especially valuable because many of our winning turns require committing substantial mana to Thranduil.\nWhenever possible, attempt the win while retaining protection.\n HASTE AND ACTIVATION ENABLERS"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"This is one of the most important parts of the deck.\nThranduil costs five mana.\nIf we cast him and pass the turn, the table receives an entire rotation to remove him.\nCards such as "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Shang-Chi, Master of Kung Fu"},{"insert":" are therefore extremely valuable because they allow creature abilities to be activated as though the creatures had haste.\nShang-Chi specifically lets creatures activate their abilities as though they had haste, which means Thranduil can potentially begin using inherited tap abilities immediately.\nThis changes Thranduil from:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"\"Five-mana commander—pass.\""},{"insert":"\ninto:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"\"Five-mana commander—attempt to win.\""},{"insert":"\n EARLY GAME"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The early game is primarily about developing mana and information.\nIdeal early turns involve:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Fast mana"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Mana dorks"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Efficient tutors"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Mystic Remora/Rhystic Study"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Graveyard setup"},{"insert":"\nWe usually do "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"not"},{"insert":" want to cast Thranduil simply because we have five mana.\nWe want to cast Thranduil when doing so meaningfully advances a winning line.\n MID GAME"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"By the mid game, determine which path is most realistic.\nRoute A — Thranduil Combo"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Fill the graveyard with the required Elf abilities and prepare to resolve Thranduil.\nRoute B — Oracle"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"If the table is heavily focused on stopping Thranduil, simply pivot into "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Thassa's Oracle + Consultation/Pact"},{"insert":".\nRoute C — Value"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Against interaction-heavy tables, use engines such as Mystic Remora and Rhystic Study while opponents expend resources fighting each other.\nThe deck does not have to be the first player attempting a win.\nSometimes the best opportunity comes immediately after two opponents have fought over somebody else's combo.\n MULLIGAN GUIDE"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"A strong opening hand generally needs three things:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Mana + Development + Purpose"},{"insert":"\nMana alone is not enough.\nA hand containing several lands and random combo pieces may technically function but accomplish very little.\nLook for hands capable of doing something meaningful during the first two turns.\nStrong Keeps"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Hands containing combinations of:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Fast mana"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Mana dork"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Mystic Remora"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Rhystic Study"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Efficient tutor"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Buried Alive"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Survival of the Fittest"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Interaction"},{"insert":"\nare generally attractive.\nQuestionable Keeps"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Be cautious with:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Multiple five-mana plans"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Several combo pieces with no tutor"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Hands dependent entirely on Thranduil surviving"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"No early development"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Mana that cannot reliably produce the necessary colors"},{"insert":"\nThranduil is expensive enough that keeping a slow hand can put us permanently behind faster cEDH decks.\n WHAT NOT TO DO"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Don't cast Thranduil just because you can."},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Five mana is a major investment.\nHave a reason.\nDon't put every useful Elf onto the battlefield."},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Sometimes an Elf is substantially stronger in the graveyard because Thranduil wants its activated ability.\nDon't expose the commander unnecessarily."},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"If Thranduil gets removed repeatedly, commander tax quickly becomes prohibitive.\nDon't tunnel vision on the commander."},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"This is still a Sultai cEDH deck.\nSometimes "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Thassa's Oracle + Consultation"},{"insert":" is simply the correct win.\nDon't tutor without planning the next several actions."},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"This deck rewards sequencing.\nBefore tutoring, identify:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"What is in hand?"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"What is in the graveyard?"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"What abilities does Thranduil currently have?"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"How much mana is available?"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Do we have haste?"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Do we have protection?"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"What interaction could stop us?"},{"insert":"\n PILOTING PHILOSOPHY"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"This deck is best understood as a "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"modular graveyard combo deck"},{"insert":", not traditional Elfball.\nThe creatures are pieces of text.\nThe graveyard is a toolbox.\nThranduil is the machine that combines those pieces.\nThe deck becomes much easier to pilot when you stop asking:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"\"Which creatures do I want in play?\""},{"insert":"\nand start asking:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"\"Which activated abilities do I need in my graveyard?\""},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"TL;DR"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Early Game:"},{"insert":"\nDevelop mana, establish card advantage, tutor and begin loading the graveyard.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Mid Game:"},{"insert":"\nDetermine whether the safest route is Thranduil combo, Hermit Druid, or Oracle.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Combo Turn:"},{"insert":"\nEstablish the necessary graveyard abilities → enable immediate Thranduil activations → resolve Thranduil → generate infinite resources → convert those resources into access to the deck → win.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Backup Plan:"},{"insert":"\nThassa's Oracle + Demonic Consultation/Tainted Pact.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Golden Rule:"},{"insert":"\nTHE GRAVEYARD IS NOT WHERE OUR ELVES DIE."},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"IT'S WHERE THRANDUIL LEARNS THEIR ABILITIES."},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"}]}