{"ops":[{"attributes":{"color":"#0066cc","bold":true},"insert":"Why I built the deck?"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"I first built Roon around 2015 with the help of a friend that got me back into Magic and at the same time introducing me to EDH. I love how open-ended Roon is; reading the card on the surface it points to making a flicker / blink deck, and there is so many different themes and strategies that you can do within that. It’s crazy to me the volume of powerful, redundant cards printed in recent years that makes the archetype so strong and I love to explore the options available.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#0066cc","bold":true},"insert":"Design Choices"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Balance in colors – It’s a personal objective as I find in many iterations that it tends to be Selesnya dominant with less than a quarter of the deck in blue. And I would like to have more of a balance if possible."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Timmy x Spike – reflecting on my deck building and tuning process I realize that I love to optimize and streamline decks as much as I can. And with this deck I want to harmonize optimization with big, splashy spells."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"No infinite combos – I wanted to design the deck where it wins through combat damage, creatures that have big splashy effects, as opposed to 2 - 3 card combos that win on the spot. There are some combos in the deck that I didn’t intentionally build in and are not win on the spot (will discuss further below). "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"No Tutors – In previous iterations of the deck I was running "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Birthing Pod"}},{"insert":" , "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Recruiter of the Guard"}},{"insert":" , "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Spellseeker"}},{"insert":" , and so forth. While they are inherently strong cards and commonly present in goodstuff, toolbox decks, I wanted more variance and have opted to run more card draw in place of tutors."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#0066cc","bold":true},"insert":"What is the strategy of the deck? "},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Early game looking to ramp and get some draw effects on creatures on the board to have acceleration targets for flicker effects. Mid game wanting to have ETB creatures that can remove or counter problematic pieces. Late game wanting to be able to win through either going wide with volume of creatures in play, or going tall with +1 counter effects or one time effects like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Finale of Devastation"}},{"insert":"  or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Craterhoof Behemoth"}},{"insert":" .\n\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#0066cc","bold":true},"insert":"Card Choices"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"I was inspired by "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://www.moxfield.com/decks/-b58Gt3gJE6c9tJTZURtuQ"},"insert":"@Common_Walrus"},{"insert":" and "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://www.moxfield.com/decks/CM3PFXXdMEe1Ew_dH8QQrg"},"insert":"@Ririve"},{"insert":" decklists over on Moxfield, and I want to provide some commentary on a number of key cards that I'm running, and comment on cards that I am either no longer running or not considering for this build.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Win Conditions"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"This deck in general wants to out-value our opponents by flickering our creatures to get more resources, and being able to answer multiple threats at a time. And we want to win through combat damage, setting up a board state to either win going tall or going wide.\n\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Anafenza, Kin-Tree Spirit"}},{"insert":" , "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Good-Fortune Unicorn"}},{"insert":" , "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Galadriel, Light of Valinor"}},{"insert":" , "},{"insert":{"card-link":"The Great Henge"}},{"insert":" - Being able to buff your party on ETB (going tall) makes for better threats and force combat."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Craterhoof Behemoth"}},{"insert":" - The most iconic finisher, with the right boardstate being able to pump the whole team and swing out for lethal."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Gruff Triplets"}},{"insert":" , "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Astral Dragon"}},{"insert":" , "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Rite of Replication"}},{"insert":" - On the top end of token generators and copying any number of ETB creatures to push towards victory."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Champion of Lambholt"}},{"insert":" - Can be a total blowout making your team unblockable."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nThere are a couple combos that generate infinite creature tokens, if they survive around to the following turn can secure the win.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Abdel Adrian, Gorion's Ward"}},{"insert":" is the key card, and have either "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Phantom Steed"}},{"insert":" or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Restoration Angel"}},{"insert":" in play, also have in hand "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Essence Flux"}},{"insert":" or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ephemerate"}},{"insert":" you can loop exiling Abdel and generate any number of 1/1 soldier tokens when you stop the loop. You can read more about it "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://commanderspellbook.com/combo/372-1090-4598/"},"insert":"here"},{"insert":" or "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://commanderspellbook.com/combo/168-372-3742/"},"insert":"here"},{"insert":"."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n\t\t\t"},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Notable cards I'm not playing"},{"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Earthshaker Giant"}},{"insert":" , "},{"insert":{"card-link":"End-Raze Forerunners"}},{"insert":" - Totally interchangeable with Hoof, I prefer the OG in this case."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Elegant Entourage"}},{"insert":" , "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Surrak and Goreclaw"}},{"insert":" - These are interesting setup cards, would be interested to test and see how they perform in the future."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Hornet Queen"}},{"insert":" , "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Avenger of Zendikar"}},{"insert":" , "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Deep Forest Hermit"}},{"insert":" - There are a number of big token generators at the top end that are worth considering with this build."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Flicker effects"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"ETB targets are the cornerstone of the deck, and flicker effects are the bread and butter, the redundancy that the deck needs to run smoothly.\n\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ephemerate"}},{"insert":" - Arguably the best flicker card printed in recent year, no notes."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Flicker of Fate"}},{"insert":" , "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Teferi's Time Twist"}},{"insert":" - Running both of these for their versatility, but more importantly being able to flicker "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Oblivion Ring"}},{"insert":" on its ETB trigger to be able to permanently remove stuff."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Gilraen, Dúnedain Protector"}},{"insert":" - In theory I like the option being able to flicker and be able to return at end step with optional upsides. I have yet to cast it, and interested to see how it performs."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Guardian of Ghirapur"}},{"insert":" - In doing most recent changes to the deck, I am swapping out "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Flickerwisp"}},{"insert":" for Guardian, the 3 toughness matters in my meta as there is a healthy amount of fliers and want to chip in damage."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Emiel the Blessed"}},{"insert":" - I had tried running "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Eldrazi Displacer"}},{"insert":" for some time, and I prefer Emiel not having the mana restriction. And Emiel gives incidental +1 counters is a nice bonus."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n\t\t\t"},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Notable cards I'm not playing"},{"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Flickerwisp"}},{"insert":" - As mentioned above I swapped this out for Gaurdian of Ghirapur, and will see how it performs."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Eldrazi Displacer"}},{"insert":" – I haven't ran Displacer for quite a while and recognize that it is a very good card, I just didn’t like having my manabase warped for this singular card."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Brago, King Eternal"}},{"insert":" – Purely because in my meta a 2 power flier won’t be able to consistently connect to get the flicker payoff."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Yorion, Sky Nomad"}},{"insert":" , "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Venser, the Sojourner"}},{"insert":" , "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Conjurer's Closet"}},{"insert":" - Want to cast Roon on curve, and there are many powerful effects at 5 MV, and I feel these have just been crowded out from being considered."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Mana Acceleration"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Ramp, or mana acceleration, attached to ETB creatures comes in many varieties - creates a treasure, search library for a land and either put into hand or allows to put immediately into play. And there is quite a swatch of creatures to choose from, and I opted for mostly my ramp to cost 2MV or less, and some special cases for 3MV and higher.\n\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Birds of Paradise"}},{"insert":" , "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Noble Hierarch"}},{"insert":" - These are bit of a nonbo not being ETB targets, but great T1 plays."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Sol Ring"}},{"insert":" , "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Arcane Signet"}},{"insert":" , "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Three Visits"}},{"insert":" - More noncreature nonbos with the flicker theme, they provide the consistency that Im aiming for."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Nest Invader"}},{"insert":" - This offers colorless ramp in the form of a Spawn token. Also, if I create a number of spawns and don't use the mana that could make more of a blowout when I cast "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Craterhoof Behemoth"}},{"insert":" in the late game."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Jewel Thief"}},{"insert":" - This replaced "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Wood Elves"}},{"insert":" as it provides ramp and has a bigger body, and this deck is designed with combat in mind."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Galadriel, Light of Valinor"}},{"insert":" - New LOTR card, and I've yet to draw and cast it. It doesn't offer just ramp, it also has card advantage and AOE buff. Possibly the best card in the deck."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n\t\t\t"},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Notable cards I'm not playing"},{"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Wood Elves"}},{"insert":" - As mentioned above I replaced Wood Elves for Jewel Thief being a bigger, evasive body."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Solemn Simulacrum"}},{"insert":" - 4 mana for 1 land doesn't feel like a great rate imo, and would prefer my 4 drops to do more heavy lifting. It is no longer the ubiquitous EDH card that it once was."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Farhaven Elf"}},{"insert":" - I had brought this card up in "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://youtu.be/KPdeH-Qc1kY?si=LAKELJhRNwm4JVjZ"},"insert":"this video"},{"insert":", and much like Solemn it's not the most mana efficient option available and we have better, newer options available instead."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Risen Reef"}},{"insert":" - This was a tough cut, I would like to add Risen Reef back to the deck as I've increased the number of Elementals and the card advantage is always nice to have."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Gala Greeters"}},{"insert":" - I had taken Gala out to try Nest Invader, and Gala funny enough I haven't draw and cast in the year or so that it was in the deck. "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Card Advantage"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"I want to first clarify when I use the term card advantage, I am broadly encompassing both card draw and card selection. And the potential card pool of card advantage for the flicker archetype is big! There are so many creatures across the history of magic that have some form of text that reads \"when [cardname] enters the battlefield, draw a card.\" With this build, I have opted for a mixture of permanents that give you immediate card advantage and ones that trigger on other ETBs that provide card advantage.\n\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Uro, Titan of Nature's Wrath"}},{"insert":" - Uro is pretty dope for 3 mana you get both card draw and potentially ramp."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Cavalier of Gales"}},{"insert":" - A 5/5 flier with Brainstorm on ETB is really good, and running a number of fetches in the deck helps shuffle away any bad draws."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"The Great Henge"}},{"insert":" - Huh, play a creature , draw a card, and +1/+1 counter, don't mind if I do!"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n\t\t\t"},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Notable cards I'm not playing"},{"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ephara, God of the Polis"}},{"insert":" - I played Ephara for several years and it never performed consistently as I wanted it, with more instant speed flicker effects + Roon could be more playable."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Watcher for Tomorrow"}},{"insert":" - I prefer at 2 mana to get straight card draw over card selection with extra steps."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Cloudblazer"}},{"insert":" - 5 mana only to draw 2 cards feels underwhelming."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Interaction"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"@Ririve said it so succinctly - This is the most flexible category and probably the one where different Roon decks will differ the most. This build I have intentionally looked for removal that can target any permanent and minimizing to a degree removal that can only hit a single card type.\n\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mangara of Corondor"}},{"insert":" , "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Spell Queller"}},{"insert":" , "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Skyclave Apparition"}},{"insert":" , and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Oblivion Ring"}},{"insert":" are my fun tricksy interaction where you can respond to the ETB trigger with a instant speed flicker effect and permanently remove the permanent / spell. "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://www.thrabenuniversity.com/playing/mangara-lock/"},"insert":"Here"},{"insert":" is a breakdown of how that works in great detail."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Bane of Progress"}},{"insert":" - In my meta we have some enchantress decks and in general we tend to value enchantments over artifacts, so Bane continues to be a blowout and always happy to see it."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Foundation Breaker"}},{"insert":" - You can evoke it in, and in response flicker it and be able to hit 2 enchantments / artifacts."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Aerial Extortionist"}},{"insert":" - I had brought this card up in this "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://youtu.be/KPdeH-Qc1kY?si=LAKELJhRNwm4JVjZ"},"insert":"video"},{"insert":", and I love it triggers both on ETB and attacks, plus card advantage. "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Glen Elendra Archmage"}},{"insert":" - In a flicker deck you can remove the counters after using Glen the first time, being able to repeatedly counter noncreature spells. Fantastic!"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n\t\t\t"},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Notable cards I'm not playing"},{"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Aura Shards"}},{"insert":" - I am cutting this card at this time of writing, I'm not sure if that is the right call. I am wanting to test out if running more removal on creatures makes Aura irrelevant for this build."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Knight of Autumn"}},{"insert":" , "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Reclamation Sage"}},{"insert":" - I already run so many effects that can target any permanent, so these got pushed out."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Frilled Mystic"}},{"insert":" , "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mystic Snake"}},{"insert":" - 4 very specific mana for counterspell is quite clunky. Don't recommend."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Cards to Try Out"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Gilded Drake"}},{"insert":" - It's a very pricey Reserve List card, and in combination with Roon in play you can permanently steal your opponents' stuff and I'd love to get a copy eventually."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Detention Sphere"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Journey to Nowhere"}},{"insert":" - These all are removal that you can be tricksy with by responding to their ETB trigger with a flicker effect to permanently remove a thing."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Werefox Bodyguard"}},{"insert":" - I like this card in theory, the Flash speed is very appealing, not sure if it's worth a slot or not."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#0066cc","bold":true},"insert":"How I Feel about the Deck? - Forever Deck"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Roon is my first commander and continues to be my favorite! It is a very versatile deck, plenty of variance, and I love the puzzle of when to hold up mana for answers or commit more to the board. I also just love tweaking the deck, figuring out what works what doesn't and the constant experimentation.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#0066cc","bold":true},"insert":"Thoughts on Future Changes"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"I made a fair amount of changes (1/8/24) and will have to see how it pans out."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"If we get more flicker effects in the future that can target enchantments I want to include "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Detention Sphere"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Journey to Nowhere"}},{"insert":" ."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"On the lookout for more efficient card advantage on creatures to include in future iterations"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Looking at including effects to flash in creatures at instant speed."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"}]}