{"ops":[{"attributes":{"link":"https://youtu.be/ZxlR3AS8wUU","bold":true},"insert":"Gonna Cry?"},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nDominance, control, resilience, and dynamism, all embodied by an elegant vampire conquistador equipped with a mace capable of crushing any armor. \n\nBeing an Orzhov vampire commander, the most intuitive way to build around her is the usual vampire aristocrat way with free sacrifice outlets and lots of small vampire fodder. But sacrificing your own army to kill opponents with a thousand cuts, while worthy of a villain, is not brutal enough for Carmen. No, a scowl with such bloodthirst wants to inflict more damage than that. Carmen wants to torment and dominate opponents, keep them down, and club them with a mace once she’s had her fun. \n\nAnd what could be more cruel than a constrictive, edict-based control gameplan? Edicts, discard, silence effects, and a big beater to do it as many times as necessary. \n\nSmell the anxiety off your opponents’ sweat every time they cast their commanders, knowing you have an edict at the ready. Feel invigorated with each mass-edict you cast. Chuckle at their despair when you have all the protection you need for your commander’s arrival, knowing there’s little they can do to prevent her assault, and rejoice as they squirm in their cage, knowing that every edict, reanimation, and protection effect you’ve cast or have had removed will come back again. An endless storm with only one outcome. \n\n\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true,"bold":true},"insert":"Card Packages: "},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Sacrifice Triggers - Martyrs & Edicts:"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"As you may have noticed, Carmen's strength grows with ANY sacrifice, of ANY permanent, by ANY player. This includes treasures, fetch lands, baubles, you name it. This is why almost half of the deck contributes to this goal in one way or another, to make sure Carmen is always strong enough to keep snow-balling into an unstoppable force. As you may have also noticed, this entails shaping multiple card packages around this very thing, including ramp and card draw. The main groups of sac-triggers in the deck are \""},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"martyrs"},{"insert":"\" and \""},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"edicts"},{"insert":".'\" Almost all cards in the deck aside from the reanimation support package fall into this categories. \n\n\t\t"},{"attributes":{"underline":true,"bold":true},"insert":"Martyrs"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":":"},{"insert":" creatures that sacrifice themselves for benefit. Why martyrs? -- Because A) they are a sac-trigger, and B) you can recur them with ease. \n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Protection"},{"insert":": Some of the most important early plays, "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Selfless Savior"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Benevolent Bodyguard"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Bulwark Ox"}},{"insert":", and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ranger-Captain of Eos"}},{"insert":" are about the best protection available. Particularly with tutors, this card package is capable of making Carmen immune to counter-magic, target-removal, destruction, and blockers. "},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Ramp"},{"insert":": "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Blood Pet"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Basal Thrull"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Blood Vassal"}},{"insert":", and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Overeager Apprentice"}},{"insert":" are some of the best martyrs to play early. Fairer than fast mana, the power of rituals is undeniable, but what about rituals you can reuse? Criminally underplayed, and big overperformers in the deck. "},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n\t\t"},{"attributes":{"underline":true,"bold":true},"insert":"Edicts"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":":"},{"insert":" sacrifice-based removal (most often affecting multiple or all players).\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Plaguecrafter"}},{"insert":" et. al. for low-investment removal with a high ceiling. One of these in a 4-player game is enough to enable Carmen to reanimate 6-drops on the first reanimation trigger. "},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Sacrifice-based board wipes to slow opponents down if needed, and often to close the game. "},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Reanimation:"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"image":"https://gifrific.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Breaking-Bad-Were-Done-When-I-Say-Were-Done.gif"}},{"insert":"\n\nThis package is as important as the protection package because it enables the deck to function even in the absence of Carmen. Whether it is because your opponents worked together to take down the big bad, a board-wipe or two, or you're forced to sandbag a bit, this deck does not commit the mistake of being a \"feast or famine\" deck that can only run with the commander. \n\n\t\t"},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Reanimation Support"},{"insert":": there is a LOT of tech in the deck with cheap martyr effects with small but important impact. Be it fetches, martyrs, or edicts, you'll often have plenty of juicy targets in your graveyard asking to aide Carmen in her conquest again, but she can only do it once a turn. Hence, I've included a few cards such as "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Lurrus of the Dream-Den"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Grave Researcher // Reanimate"}},{"insert":" to make sure I can reliably reanimate anything I need at the time while Carmen focuses on the more impactful, bigger targets. \n\n\t\t"},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Mass-reanimation"},{"insert":": cards like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Wake the Dead"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Agadeem's Awakening // Agadeem, the Undercrypt"}},{"insert":", and (the best one) "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Fix What's Broken"}},{"insert":" are super splashy plays that can either ensure you stay ahead or bring you back to the top (you ARE the villain, you WILL be targeted. Embrace it). Pair these effects with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Teval's Judgment"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Twilight Diviner"}},{"insert":" to recur edicts and ritual-martyrs for ultimate satisfaction. \n\n\t\t"},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Instant-speed recursion"},{"insert":": "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Brought Back"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Apprentice Necromancer"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Wake the Dead"}},{"insert":" are pretty amazing in this deck. Brought Back is amazing pretty much any time you have 2 targets, and can work as amazing land-ramp when used with fetches. Necromancer is also great not only for the instant-speed but also for the haste enabler, best used by "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Basal Thrull"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Bounty Agent"}},{"insert":". \n\nGravy Feed:"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"I'll keep this one short - make your graveyard go \"yummy\" with discard and surveil effects. \n\nAs any reanimation deck, there are some big, juicy reanimation targets we'd rather cheat out than actually cast, and we do NOT want them in our hands. Pretty self-explanatory. Best cards in this section include those than also have sac-triggers, such as "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Smallpox"}},{"insert":" (2 sac-triggers per player?? I'M going to cry! ... among other things)\n\n\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"--- Now, the gameplan, or how to play Carmen ---"},{"insert":"\n\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Mulligan Guidelines"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Keeping 2 landers is very doable with the right support, but "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"ideally "},{"insert":"look for a hand with 3 lands, 1 protection-martyr, 1 ritual, 1 repeatable card draw effect, and an edict. MINIMUM: a) a few sac-triggers, and b) ramp or protection (ideally both).\n\n\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true,"bold":true},"insert":"The Calm Before the Storm - the Early Game."},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\t\tProtection, ramp, and card draw engines\n\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Protection"},{"insert":": The main gameplan revolves around Carmen, so it's crucial to keep her on the board. You, and Carmen, will be targeted. "},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Do not cast Carmen without at least 1 of these on board, or another way to outplay removal."},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Martyrs > Spells. Yes, T-Pro et. al. are stronger in a vacuum, but a 1-drop that triggers Carmen, protects her at the same time, and on a body that you can reanimate is better for the deck overall, especially with the draw engines I'll talk about shortly. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Dawn's Truce"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Surge of Salvation"}},{"insert":" are exceptions I've included because they also give you (aka your graveyard) hexproof, protecting you from a lot of graveyard hate effects out there. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Galadriel's Dismissal"}},{"insert":" is one card I'd consider as a 3rd exception for its flexibility and because it provides another type of protection not found in any martyr, but it didn't make the cut. I don't like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Teferi's Protection"}},{"insert":" as a card in general so I don't play it, but that's also an obvious include in any white deck, though it being 3 mana is also not ideal. "},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Silence effects and counter-magic protection -- "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Hope of Ghirapur"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ranger-Captain of Eos"}},{"insert":" are more than stax/silence effects, they can be as good or better than "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Cavern of Souls"}},{"insert":". That said, recurring R-C of Eos to completely shut down artifact and spellslinger decks is about as cruel as this deck can get and it's "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"awesome"},{"insert":"."},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Engines"},{"insert":": "},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"What better way to take advantage of all the nontoken creatures in your deck dying than cards like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Grim Haruspex"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Pawn of Ulamog"}},{"insert":"? The upside of these cards is that the trigger is not capped per turn, like other black card draw effects. This means most martyrs and edict in the deck will not only give you your desired effect, they'll also give you a card for your troubles and gradually break parity with value. These pieces are so important that it's worth spending a "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Benevolent Bodyguard"}},{"insert":" to protect them if needed, knowing you have ways to get them back anyway. "},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true,"bold":true},"insert":"Carmen's Arrival "},{"insert":"\nWe want Carmen to hit the board ASAP, as long as we have a way to protect her. With ritual/martyr ramp and protection that requires no extra mana cost to activate, this is very doable. "},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"On the turn she hits the field, you'll often want a bit of mana open for instant-speed protection if you have it, and a way to trigger her immediately with a fetch land, a cheap edict, etc. "},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true,"bold":true},"insert":"A Toxic Sort of Deluge - the Mid-Game"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\t\tOnce Carmen hits the battlefield and gets swinging, she wants to take down opponents and "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"KEEP "},{"insert":"them down. No bias, no mercy. Any edicts you've cast earlier are the usual first targets for her reanimation. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Plaguecrafter"}},{"insert":" is particularly good for its discard alternate mode, and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Accursed Marauder"}},{"insert":" for its non-token clause. Keep their commanders off the board. Keep their boards clean altogether, and get swinging for commander damage. \n\nWith the intuitive portion of the deck out of the way, here's the best way to make the deck more consistent - tutors.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Tutor package:"},{"insert":" OP tutors are great, but boring. Entomb can get you that "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Eldrazi Conscription"}},{"insert":" every time, but... meh. If I made this deck like this it's because I like grindy games where the villain (me) triumphs after an arduous battle. "},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Expedition Map"}},{"insert":": mainly here to get "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Cavern of Souls"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Field of the Dead"}},{"insert":", or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Spymaster's Vault"}},{"insert":" depending on what's needed at the time, but most often for CoS in the early game if playing against blue."},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ranger-Captain of Eos"}},{"insert":": maybe the best card in the deck, it's strong enough to shape my 1-drops around him (kinda). Most often tutors for the martyr protection 1-drops (often 2 of them), but usually also "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Cryptbreaker"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Viscera Seer"}},{"insert":" if I need to discard a "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Portal to Phyrexia"}},{"insert":" or want to recycle a "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Dusk Mangler"}},{"insert":". "},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":" "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Recruiter of the Guard"}},{"insert":": Step 1) recruit "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Viscera Seer"}},{"insert":", 2) betray the recruiter (sac her), 3) reanimate the Recruiter, 4) recruit Grim Haruspex/Lurrus/whatever you're missing, 5) REPEAT."},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true,"bold":true},"insert":"Relentless Floods - Breaking Parity in the End Game"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\t\tOnce the engines are running and Carmen's swinging full speed ahead, now's the time to break parity with other similarly powerful and resilient decks. There are 3 main ways to achieve this and close the game:\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Out-valuing opponents"},{"insert":": There are 2 cards in particular that come to mind here that some might consider as \"win-more\" -- "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Life Insurance"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"High-Society Hunter"}},{"insert":" -- that I consider crucial to break parity. While the 5cmc may seem wonky given the commander, these can create the most explosive turns the deck can offer when paired with edicts, mass-sacrifice board wipes, and mass-reanimation spells. A single edict can mean 4 treasures and/or 4 cards at the cost of removing 3 things. That's an amazing swing in value to your advantage. The downside of Life Insurance is offset by Carmen, and the Hunter at least is on a very decent attacker and sacrifice outlet when needed. "},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Mass-reanimation spells"},{"insert":": the spells I talked about earlier work as extra-sweet pseudo-board wipes. The fuller the graveyard, the better. "},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"One-sided board wipes"},{"insert":": "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Single Combat"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Make an Example"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Vona's Hunger"}},{"insert":" and the recurrable "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Cataclysmic Gearhulk"}},{"insert":" ...... self-explanatory. Make Carmen HUGE. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Tragic Arrogance"}},{"insert":" is also great, but barely didn't make the cut for the mana curve - Single Combat's silence effect is worth it enough for me, but Tragic Arrogance hitting multiple permanent types is also amazing. No wrong choice here, but I elected Make an Example for its mana value, Vona's hunger for the instant speed, and Gearhulk over T-Arrogance for it recurrability. "},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\t\t\nHonorable mention: "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Wedding Invitation"}},{"insert":". Maybe a pet card but I'm always happy to see it. If you can't quite clear the board in some games, it doesn't matter. Sacrifice it to kill a player, get it back next turn to do it again and draw a card. What's not to love?\n\n\nMore cards/lines to consider"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"On a previous iteration of the deck, I had a package that included "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Bloodghast"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Timeline Culler"}},{"insert":" as fodder, and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Warren Soultrader"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Chthonian Nightmare"}},{"insert":" for its payoffs. \n\nThese cards had a very high ceiling, but they were a bit counter-synergistic sometimes. Sac outlets need fodder, which I produce little, and while these two recurring nightmares are gaoted fodder, they do nothing without a sac-outlet, which I also have few of if I don't count edicts. I may test adding these back in in the future because they were a ton of fun to play, but I'm happy with the current consistency of the deck.\n\nYou can check out my sideboard and maybe board for more cards to consider to make the deck meaner, more staxy, and play around budget more. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Witch of the Moors"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Sun Titan"}},{"insert":" were a house on earlier, less powerful and more budget-friendly versions of the deck. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mindslicer"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Pox"}},{"insert":" are some diabolical options I'd love to try one day also. There's a LOT you can do with this gameplan outside of the standard payoffs found in EDHrec, I feel like I could make like 5 more versions of this deck in slightly different directions. \n\nClosing thoughts"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nThis Carmen deck is indeed cruel and terribly fun in the right pod. After spending countless hours scouring scryfall, play-testing, and testing stats on Salubrious Snail's calculator, I managed to create a deck exactly as mean, resilient, intimidating and dynamic as I've always wanted.\n\nIf you like playing the villain and want to try your hand at oppressing your pub-stomping, control player or small-bean friends, just make sure to practice your Bernie Sanders impression and have it at the ready whenever they groan >:) \n\n\n"}]}