Deckbuilding Contest - January 2025

{"ops":[{"attributes":{"link":"https://archidekt.com/decks/10702279/chisei_counters"},"insert":"https://archidekt.com/decks/10702279/chisei_counters"},{"insert":"\n\nLoads of Sagas proliferate, interesting counters to play with work fantastically with little known mon-blue commander Chisei, Heart of Oceans whose downside of being sacrificed unless you remove a counter can actually help you keep valuable sagas + permanents with cumulative upkeeps in play much longer by removing lore/age counters among other very fun things. \n"}]}

{"ops":[{"attributes":{"bold":true,"link":"https://archidekt.com/decks/10711115/a_big_serpent_with_a_big_sword_btw_its_a_land_destruction_deck"},"insert":"A Big Serpent with a Big Sword - BTW It's a Land Destruction Deck"},{"insert":"\n\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"This deck is designed to take advantage of "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Taniwha"}},{"insert":" 's drawback. By not having lands, we become the only player unaffected by effects like "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Mana Vortex"}},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Mana Breach"}},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Sunder"}},{"insert":", or the deck's star, "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Worldslayer"}},{"insert":".\n\nThe deck also includes stax effects to ensure that you’re not the only one suffering from the lack of lands. Cards like "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Winter Orb"}},{"insert":" or "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Static Orb"}},{"insert":" (which we can tap using effects like "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Moonsnare Prototype"}},{"insert":" or "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Clock of Omens"}},{"insert":" to avoid their downside), and "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Winter Moon"}},{"insert":" , "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Back to Basics"}},{"insert":" , "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Harbinger of the Seas"}},{"insert":" , or "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Quicksilver Fountain"}},{"insert":" don't affect us since we run almost entirely basic lands. Additionally, the last two pair well with "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Shimmer"}},{"insert":" to make everyone experience the effect of our beloved serpent. "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Ward of Bones"}},{"insert":" is another interesting stax piece, as it prevents players from playing lands while ours are phased out.\n\nTo compensate for the lack of land-based mana, the deck focuses on ramping heavily with mana rocks or using effects like "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Vedalken Orrery"}},{"insert":" to cast spells just before our lands phase out.\n\nI run plenty of artifact tutors to fetch our beloved sword, along with "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Brass Squire"}},{"insert":" and "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Hammer of Nazahn"}},{"insert":" to equip it before our serpent phases out to another plane.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Shadow of the Second Sun"}},{"insert":" is another card I really like, as it allows "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Taniwha"},{"insert":"'s phasing cycle be in the same turn by providing an additional untap step.\n\nLastly, I included a "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Donate"}},{"insert":" because there’s always the option to let someone else enjoy my beloved commander.\n"}]}

{"ops":[{"attributes":{"underline":true,"bold":true},"insert":"Piru, the Nuke: "},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://archidekt.com/decks/10698766/piru_the_nuke"},"insert":"https://archidekt.com/decks/10698766/piru_the_nuke"},{"insert":"\n\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Piru, the Volatile"}},{"insert":" is a callback to the original elder dragon cycle that EDH was originally based off of. When I read the prompt I felt it was only right to try building around the upkeep costs associated with them.\n\nPiru's death trigger deals 7 lifelinking damage to each nonlegendary creature, but at 8 mana plus a turn cycle without a sac outlet, this is rarely worth it. Luckily we have one of my favorite cards to pay it off! "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Repercussion"}},{"insert":"'s incredibly unique effect can turn that board wipe into an OTK.\n\nTo achieve this, we first need to be able to consistently get repercussion on the field to begin with, we run seven tutors capable of searching it out as well as eight cards that can draw us cards. "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Second we generally need a way to make sure the damage is lethal, to help with this we have four different damage doublers (Which actually quadruple the damage dealt to our opponents since they apply to Piru and Repercussion separately,) as well as "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Forbidden Orchard"}},{"insert":", which can help ensure out opponents actually have nonlegends to blow up to begin with!"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Finally, we run seventeen ramp spells to help us get out Piru before we are "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"completely"},{"insert":" dead and buried."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nIn terms of interaction, the deck has some generic removal spells as well as plenty of fake death effects to protect or potentially recur Piru if need be.\nIn case of Repercussion being removed, we have a weaker back up with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Sanguine Bond"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Enduring Tenacity"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Vito, Thorn of the Dusk Rose"}},{"insert":" who can take advantage of Piru's lifelink to knock a player out of the game, (also useful if your opponent can get rid of their nonlegends in response to the board wipe.) Worst case we always have access to a 7/7 flying lifelinker to go beat down in the mid to end game.\n\nI'd also like to shout out "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Stinging Study"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Imposing Grandeur"}},{"insert":" for taking advantage of our commander's massive casting cost to draw more cards. Albeit for a pretty nasty sting in stinging study's case.\n"}]}

{"ops":[{"insert":{"card-link":"Kataki, War's Wage"}},{"insert":" \nhttps://www.archidekt.com/decks/10743459/kataki_artifacts_rage\n\nMy deck is built around "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Kataki, War's Wage"}},{"insert":" using his tax on artifacts as a way to sac artifacts such as "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ichor Wellspring"}},{"insert":" for value. The deck is running many cheap artifacts that draw on either etb or death as a card draw engine returning them to the battlefield with a large recursion package. \n \nThis deck looks to win in one of three main ways, the first being "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Approach of the Second Sun"}},{"insert":" . Using the cheap artifacts and recursion listed above this deck do a good job of drawing into approach and its first cast also plays into this decks second win condition being life gain.\n\nThe next win condition of this deck is the life gain payoff "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Aetherflux Reservoir"}},{"insert":". This deck plays a number of "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Soul Warden"}},{"insert":" style affects as a way to capitalize on the fact that many of the cheap artifacts played either are or create creatures. This serves to keep your life total high while drawing through your deck while enabling occasional one shots.\n\nFinally this deck plays "},{"insert":{"card-link":"It That Betrays"}},{"insert":" as a way to steal permanents sacrificed by the commander as well as a number of our removal pieces including "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Cataclysmic Gearhulk"}},{"insert":".\n\nWith these win conditions in mind, this deck looks to slowly accrue value with its artifact and recursion package while slowing opponents down with the commanders tax and gaining life to stave off aggression. Then in the mid to late game your goal is to jump ahead with either mass or a number of repeatable recursion affects to prepare to play one of the win cons in the deck hoping to create a large enough advantage to win on the spot or soon after.\n"}]}

{"ops":[{"attributes":{"link":"https://archidekt.com/decks/10742141/rararasputin"},"insert":"https://archidekt.com/decks/10742141/rararasputin"},{"insert":"\n\nThis is a deck I actually played when "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Rasputin, the Oneiromancer"}},{"insert":" came out so it was not specifically made for this contest but since it is one of my favorite commanders (being a rather underplayed one) I thought this contest is the perfect place to brag about it.\n\nThe deck itself is Big Boys deck that wants to flicker Rasputin and use his mana generation to accelerate out big blue threats, "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Blightsteel Colossus"}},{"insert":", or Eldrazi. The downside of it is that every time you get Rasputin in play, all your opponents get a 1/1 goblin (which when you want to flicker him AND run a couple of "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Panharmonicon"}},{"insert":" effects is a LOT). Taking a look at the decklist there are a couple of mitigation tools in "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Lavinia of the Tenth"}},{"insert":" but the majority of card choices have been made to capitalize on the opponenets gaining 1/1 bodies. So what is the plan?\nStart churning out goblins for the bad guys"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Restrict their attacks against you through "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Propaganda"}},{"insert":" effects and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Crawlspace"}},{"insert":" BUT \"encourage\" them to attack anyway through effects like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Angel's Trumpet"}},{"insert":" and goading them all with a "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mocking Doppelganger"}},{"insert":" who becomes a copy of ... a 1/1 goblin "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Punish them for getting bodies with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Suture Priest"}},{"insert":" and punish them for losing their precious 1/1s with a "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Dingus Staff"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"A lone "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Soul's Attendant"}},{"insert":" also benefits you for your enemies getting additional creatures, while a "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Crafty Cutpurse"}},{"insert":" can quickly change who is getting the additional 1/1s when you use Rasputin"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"}]}

{"ops":[{"attributes":{"bold":true,"link":"https://archidekt.com/decks/10713685"},"insert":"Geth, that's not how anthems work..."},{"insert":"\n\nWhen i first saw "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Geth, Thane of Contracts"}},{"insert":" I couldn't believe my eyes. It was everything a black player could wish for! A cheap repatable reanimate in the command zone? It even has a free anthem attached! Wait... is that a minus??\n\nGeth might not be as overpowered as i first thought when I read it but with some creative deck building we can make the debuff work for us. Making our creatures weaker might not be the best effect but in an aristocrats deck it essentially turns every 1 toughness creature into a free death trigger. \n\n This decks aims to put out as many cheap 1 toughness creatures that either reanimate themselves or have a fun deathtriggers and drain the enemy with various "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Blood Artist"}},{"insert":" effects. Geth will enable the majority of death triggers and reanimate any engine pieces that die.\n\nTo make this deck work we need a lot of cheap ways to create death triggers. This deck runs a bunch of "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Reassembling Skeleton"}},{"insert":" effects to ensure that we never run out of things to kill. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Gravecrawler"}},{"insert":" is the best card in that category due to Geth conveniently being a zombie. Cards like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Nine-Lives Familiar"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ophiomancer"}},{"insert":" produces a lot of triggers cheaply while "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Pawn of Ulamog"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Endrek Sahr, Master Breeder"}},{"insert":" can massively increase our death trigger output.\n\nThe decks draw engines are very solid with cards like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Midnight Reaper"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Dark Prophecy"}},{"insert":" letting us cycle all our cheap fodder while racking up death triggers. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Guildsworn Prowler"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Sultai Emissary"}},{"insert":" functions like cantrips (manifest is kinda draw) with an attached death trigger. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Skullclamp"}},{"insert":" is our ticket to disney land letting us draw all the cards we want before dropping Geth. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Lolth, Spider Queen"}},{"insert":" is surprisingly flexible in this decks and can either draw cards or generate triggers and will quickly regain loyalty.\n\nThis deck does not really need ramp due to the extremely low manacurve. Still some pieces are just too good/fun to exclude. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Black Market"}},{"insert":" can generate stupid amounts of mana which can be used on repeatedly reanimating fodder. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Pitiless Plunderer"}},{"insert":" goes infinite with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Gravecrawler"}},{"insert":" + Geth and is generally good value. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Crowded Crypt"}},{"insert":" will eventually give us an army of zombies that will swing, die and generate a sea of triggers.\n\nFor drain effects we can't really run "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Blood Artist"}},{"insert":" or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Zulaport Cutthroat"}},{"insert":" due to their poor affinity with Geth but there are still a bunch of options. Cards like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Bastion of Remembrance"}},{"insert":" , "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Marionette Apprentice"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Vindictive Vampire"}},{"insert":" will drain your opponents just fine. I also included a "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Gray Merchant of Asphodel"}},{"insert":" to get some burst damage.\n\nThe removal package is fairly standard with some interesting additions. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Vengeful Strangler // Strangling Grasp"}},{"insert":" is both fodder and removal which is fun. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Dictate of Erebos"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Grave Pact"}},{"insert":" are absolutely evil and I love it! "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Szat's Will"}},{"insert":" can both function as removal or finisiher.\n\nLastly I included "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Woe Strider"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Blood Bairn"}},{"insert":" in case Geth becomes "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Imprisoned in the Moon"}},{"insert":" or otherwise indisposed.\n"}]}

{"ops":[{"insert":"For this month's competition, I’ve selected "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Kataki, War's Wage"}},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"bold":true,"link":"https://www.archidekt.com/decks/10727774"},"insert":"(deck link)"},{"insert":" as my commander. This deck turns Kataki’s potential downside into an advantage by using it as an automatic sacrifice outlet for artifacts like "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Ichor Wellspring"}},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":" "},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Chromatic Star"}},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":" "},{"insert":", and others. The primary strategy focuses on generating significant card advantage through these artifacts, paired with numerous recursion effects.\n"}]}

{"ops":[{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Rakdos the Defiler."},{"insert":"\n\n"},{"attributes":{"link":"https://www.archidekt.com/decks/10719037/copy_of_rakdos_goad"},"insert":"https://www.archidekt.com/decks/10719037/copy_of_rakdos_goad"},{"insert":"\n\nDrawback: \nwhenever Rakdos attacks, it's controller must sacrifice half their non demon permanents.\n\nTwo main approaches:\n\nLet the opposition enjoy the drawback! \nGift Rakdos to opponents and goad him to cause chaos and decimate the board.\n\nEmbrace the drawback! \nUse the self sacrifice trigger to boost other creatures, add ramp, card draw and ping opponents.\n\nEnjoy!\n"}]}

{"ops":[{"attributes":{"bold":true,"background":"#f9fafb","link":"https://archidekt.com/decks/10708906"},"insert":"Knock, knock. Who's there? It's the Balrog. Again."},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"link":"https://archidekt.com/decks/10708906"},"insert":"https://archidekt.com/decks/10708906"},{"insert":"\n\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true,"bold":true},"insert":"Long ago, an ancient evil disturbed the mighty mines of Moria, until a powerful wizard got rid of it for good-"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"What do you mean it's back? No, send it down. Ok, good. What, again??"},{"insert":"\n\n---\n\nIntroducions aside, here I bring my submission for the January deckbuilding contest, built around "},{"insert":{"card-link":"The Balrog, Flame of Udûn"}},{"insert":" and its ability to easily return to the bottom of your library, for sure an unfortunate one... or is it?\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"The key"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nOur strategy relies heavily on the only creature card in the 99, "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Aspiring Champion"}},{"insert":", who will give its life to find our commander and deal a decent amount of damage to our opponents in the process. Then, we get the Balrog back in the deck and the Champion back in the field. Rinse and repeat.\n\nGame plan"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nEarly game, we want to use our token generators (we have a ton of them in the deck) so we can grab our "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Aspiring Champion"}},{"insert":" with some "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Polymorph"}},{"insert":"-like effect, such as "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Transmogrify"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Reality Scramble"}},{"insert":". Those can also help get the Balrog if our Champion ever got permanently removed.\n\nAnother thing we will try to get is some way to turn the Balrog into a removal itself to try and kill some legendary creatures and send it right back to the deck when it enters. For that purpose, we have "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Gimli's Reckless Might"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Warstorm Surge"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Where Ancients Tread"}},{"insert":".\n\nOf course, we want to use the "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Aspiring Champion"}},{"insert":" again every time we kill a legendary, so we also run a pack of reanimation spells, as well as some ways to make some extra Champions in "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Splinter Twin"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mimic Vat"}},{"insert":".\n\nA way to add consistency to our strategy is to make sure the legendary creatures we kill don't stay dead for ever, task for which we carry "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Endless Whispers"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Lifeline"}},{"insert":" (or even the same reanimation instants we can use to save the Champion in the likes of "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Feign Death"}},{"insert":" and such).\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Note"},{"insert":": In case of using "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Endless Whispers"}},{"insert":", we should attack with the "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Aspiring Champion"}},{"insert":" tokens I we can generate with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Splinter Twin"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mimic Vat"}},{"insert":" so we don't lose it to its own sacrifice.\n\nLast but ABSOLUTELY not least, we run a heavy set of tutors to get the key components of our strategy, as well as getting some pieces of our toolbox if needed, in which we have acces to:\nGiving haste with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Lightning Greaves"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Making the "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Aspiring Champion"}},{"insert":" even harder to block with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Whispersilk Cloak"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Rogue's Passage"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Vorrac Battlehorns"}},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Gaining some life back with the "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Whip of Erebos"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Preventing opponents from gaining life with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Rain of Gore"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"A backup get-into-the-library ability for the balrog in "},{"insert":{"card-link":"The Cauldron of Eternity"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Interaction to protect our game plan with cards like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Tibalt's Trickery"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Bolt Bend"}},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Some plain removal"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Black Market Connections"}},{"insert":", which really helps with getting the deck to do its thing"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n\nI think this deck is an unusual approach to these interactions, so I hope you like it!\n"}]}

{"ops":[{"attributes":{"link":"https://archidekt.com/decks/10751631"},"insert":"Dralnu Gifts"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nCommander: "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Dralnu, Lich Lord"}},{"insert":" \nColor Identity: Dimir (Blue/Black)\nLink: "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://archidekt.com/decks/10751631"},"insert":"https://archidekt.com/decks/10751631"},{"insert":"\n\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Drawback"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"If damage would be dealt to Dralnu, sacrifice that many permanents instead.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Game plan"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"We're turning "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Dralnu, Lich Lord"}},{"insert":" 's first ability into an asset - but how?\n\nGenerally we see it as a way to sacrifice any type of permanent using pingers and damaging instants. \nThis can negate the backdraws and rigger cards such as:\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Demonic Lore"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Demonic Pact"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Treacherous Blessing"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ugin's Nexus"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Hatching Plans"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Coveted Jewel"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"And many more"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nWe even run cards such as "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Donate"}},{"insert":" to win the game - by gifting cards as:\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Archfiend of the Dross"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Blood Funnel"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Demonic Pact"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nOf course we dont forget "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Dralnu, Lich Lord"}},{"insert":" strong flashback ability which we use to generate mana with:\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Dark Ritual"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Cabal Ritual"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"High Tide"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nWe can also use "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Dralnu, Lich Lord"}},{"insert":" in other fun ways with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Assault Suit"}},{"insert":" or play "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Reins of Power"}},{"insert":" in reponse to a "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Blasphemous Act"}},{"insert":" !\n\nIn general it is a suprisingly strong semi-janky experience which makes scenarios you never thought of! And then it is budget friendly :)\n\nEnjoy :)\n\n\n"}]}

{"ops":[{"attributes":{"link":"https://www.archidekt.com/decks/10719303/beware_the_generosity_of_elves"},"insert":"Beware the Generosity of Elves"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nBuilding "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Maralen of the Mornsong"}},{"insert":" in a highlander format was going to be a bit delicate: everyone else gets the benefits of a free tutor before you do. But with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Opposition Agent"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ob Nixilis, Unshackled"}},{"insert":", not only do our opponents not get any cards out of their only draw for turn (we get them instead!), they also lose 13 life each time they do it, putting the game on a very quick clock. Because we also benefit from our tutor commander, we can then have the rest of the deck be interaction (both removal and hand interaction with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Thoughtseize"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Deep-Cavern Bat"}},{"insert":"), ramp, backup tutors, reanimation, and protection, with a couple of enhancements to our strategy with things like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Geier Reach Sanitarium"}},{"insert":" (drain our opponent's hand, which likely will never be refilled), "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Psychogenic Probe"}},{"insert":" (decrease the clock by a turn for everyone by making it 15 life a turn), and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Scheming Symmetry"}},{"insert":" (accelerate the clock for two opponents by making them tutor). We've also got options like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Blood Tithe"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Exsanguinate"}},{"insert":", and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Gray Merchant of Asphodel"}},{"insert":", which mostly serve as a way to keep us alive while we wait out the short clock, but also serve as powerful finishers to get rid of those last few points of life.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"link":"https://www.archidekt.com/decks/10719303/"},"insert":"https://www.archidekt.com/decks/10719303/"},{"insert":"\n"}]}

{"ops":[{"attributes":{"link":"https://www.archidekt.com/decks/10704171/what_are_permanents"},"insert":"Deal him Damage, I dare ya"},{"insert":"\n\nNormally an effect like Dralnu's would be pretty bad most of the time. You'd hate to sacrifice your board from attacking during combat or from someone hitting you with a damage based removal spell like lightning bolt or even worse Blasphemous Act. However, this deck is built to take advantage of Dralnu sacrifice effect, hopefully making it so our opponents will fear dealing damage to him.\n\nThe deck has a heavy artifact theme, as it can be easy to make a large amount of them and effects like Disciple of the Vault and Marionette Master make sacrificing artifacts dangerous for my opponents. Clue generators help give me fodder and artifact loopers like Myr Retriever make sure the artifacts come back. Esoteric Duplicator is a powerhouse for the deck, as for the lowly price of 2 mana, I can get endless value from my most powerful artifacts like Spine of Ish Sah. Many of the artifacts have triggers when they die like Ichor Wellspring, Chromatic Star, and Servo Schematic, which pair very nicely with sacrificing permanents.\n\nApart from artifacts, they are other cards that benefit from being sacrificed. Chime of Night let's me destroy a creature when it dies and Hatchling Plans let's me draw 3 cards for 2 mana. Bridge from Below is another spicy card, that be added to the graveyard at any time to generate me an army of zombies.\n\nFinally, there are ways to deal damage to Dralnu to force the sacrifice triggers if my opponents are inclined. Kiku's Shadow and Consuming Corruption give 1 time bursts of damage to get some sacrifices going. Noxious field gives a more repeatable effect. Finally, the craziest one of them all is Last Laugh. If Dralnu takes 1 damage or something is sacrificed, an endless loop of damage and sacrificing permanents begins unless I sacrifice Last Laugh or Dralnu. A great way to close out game or wipes the enemy board.\n"}]}

{"ops":[{"attributes":{"link":"https://archidekt.com/decks/10712912"},"insert":"Decklist: Karona, Goaded God"},{"insert":"\n\nThis month, we’re building around Karona, False God and its ability that forces it to go over to another player’s control at the start of their upkeep. We'll work with both this ability and Karona's second ability to pump creature types to win through some chaotic combat by leaning into both abilities. \n\nIn addition to Karona, we’re playing a suite of cards that also go over to another players’ control: Alexios, Deimos of Kosmos; Xantcha, Sleeper Agent; Sleeper Agent; Kharn the Betrayer; Rogue Skycaptain; and Humble Defector. We also have ways to give control of our other creatures to our opponents with cards like Custody Battle and Zedruu. \n\nTo support the second ability, we're going to manipulate creatures types to take advantage of Karona's pump and encourage some swingy combats. Amoeboid Changelin, Standardize, Unnatural Selection, and Shields of Velis Vel all support this. We'll also run Arcane Adaptation in order to take advantage of Karona's pump ourselves. And we can Use Zedruu to grant control of Arcane Adaptation to our opponents to also take further advantage of Karona. Depending on who you're playing, this can also disrupt strategies based around creature types. \n\nTo keep the gas going, we're using an enchantress package since we play a lot auras to pump and goad creatures that we've given to our opponents. We also run a couple group hug pieces to encourage players to act against each other and can politic around the table if we need to stall. Humble Defector, Tempt with Discovery, variuos Curses, and even Zedruu, can be used to make friends and encourage players to act against anyone other than us. We can always regain control of our permanents as needed with cards like Homeward Path. Zedru is a true political powerhouse in this deck as we can give copies of powerful enchantments like Rhsytic Study to our opponents who are behind and regain control later while Karona does its thing. \n\nWe want to force combat as much as possible, the grand plan being to make big beefy creatures with auras and force them to attack our opponents. We are goading creatures... a lot... and will also use cards like Jon Irenicus and Firkraag to help support this to beef up and draw. Goading Karona removes us as a target and forces it to attack opponents, so we can often sneak out a win as commander damage accumulates quickly. If Karona gets removed, we'll force combat to speed up the game and disrupt our oppoennts until we can regain our footing with our commander.\n\nAnd finally - as a 5 color deck - the most expensive part of our deck is land-based. The rest of the deck can be built for approx. $160, so we can run a budget land-base to save substantially. \n\nHope you enjoy this. :)\n\n\n\n"}]}

{"ops":[{"insert":{"card-link":"River Song"}},{"insert":" , no spoilers: "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://www.archidekt.com/decks/9463083/no_spoilers"},"insert":"https://www.archidekt.com/decks/9463083/no_spoilers"},{"insert":"\n\nWhen I read River's card, I knew I wanted to build around her but had no idea how to proceed. Drawing from the bottom part of the deck is a drawback, but also an opportunity. Most approaches seemed to focus on "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Opt"}},{"insert":"-like effects, but that wasn't enough to separate her from the \"generic Izzet spell-slinger\" category.\n\nEventually, I found my inspiration: "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Reito Lantern"}},{"insert":" . With its effect, I could maintain bottom-deck manipulation and create some silly loops. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Spell Crumple"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Timestream Navigator"}},{"insert":" are good examples of the synergy.\n\nWith that, I had a direction, but it also introduced challenges. There are many Reito Lantern-like effects, but most are very overcosted, the Lantern itself is the best option. So, when we don’t have enough copies of a specific effect in our deck, what do we do? Draw. But then I thought \"what if "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"everyone"},{"insert":" drew, a lot?\". I always liked "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Howling Mine"}},{"insert":" effects, but let's go further let's punish these draws with another favorite card of mine, "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ebony Owl Netsuke"}},{"insert":" and its many sisters. \n\nIf River and a Lantern effect are on the battlefield, whatever I play is essentially \"forever\" in my hand. Even if an opponent tries to interact with my graveyard, I can simply hide the needed cards at the bottom of the deck and draw them again.\n\nWith this foundation, the deck was born. It just needed some insurance to avoid dying prematurely. The deck has categories, but you'll notice they're fairly standard: how to survive the value I give my opponents and eventually defeat them. I’m very pleased with this one and like to think it maintains part of the character’s theme "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"no spoilers,"},{"insert":" if you draw all your cards, you’re left with none.\n"}]}

{"ops":[{"insert":"Tl;Dr: "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Cultist of the Absolute"}},{"insert":"'s \"drawback\" gives us a sac outlet for "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Animate Dead"}},{"insert":" infinites and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Feign Death"}},{"insert":" pseudo-blink effects. Medium-High power for low budget (50$ by TCGplayer) with medium-speed wins and a resilient gameplan.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"link":"https://www.archidekt.com/decks/10705265?sort=price&stack=multiple"},"insert":"Decklist: \"Reanimation is Effectively Blinking\""},{"insert":"\n\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Abdel Adrian, Gorion's Ward"}},{"insert":" is perhaps best known for his role in 2-card infinite combos utilizing cards such as "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Animate Dead"}},{"insert":", which lead to infinite 1/1 tokens and flickering of nonlands.\n\nHowever, these combos have some issues:\nFirst, you have to actually find both parts of the combo. This can be hard when Abdel Adrian is included in the 99 of reanimator decks, where only two or three cards fulfill the role of "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Animate Dead"}},{"insert":" (such as "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Necromancy"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Dance of the Dead"}},{"insert":"). Meanwhile in the command zone, Abdel Adrian's common background "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Candlekeep Sage"}},{"insert":" puts him in UW, leaving the black reanimation spells out of reach.\nSecond, you have to put Abdel Adrian into the graveyard, which is harder than it may seem. Many premier removal spells such as "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Swords to Plowshares"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Path to Exile"}},{"insert":" leave their targets in exile, out of reach of our reanimation spells. Simultaneously, most of the removal spells we want to run (that could hypothetically be used to put Abdel Adrian into the graveyard) are also exile based, such as "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Oblivion Ring"}},{"insert":" effects. If we instead resort to sac outlets, suddenly our sleek 2-card combo turns into a janky 3-card combo.\n\nOf course, having Abdel Adrian in the command zone significantly eases our first downside, making our combo effectively a 1-card combo. Therefore, I was baffled to find that only 62 decks on edhrec ran "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Cultist of the Absolute"}},{"insert":" as their background. (For reference, Abdel Adrian's most common black background is "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Agent of the Iron Throne"}},{"insert":" with 424 decks, and his most common background "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Candlekeep Sage"}},{"insert":" has 3027 decks.)\nCultist of the Absolute "},{"attributes":{"strike":true},"insert":"forces"},{"insert":" allows us to sacrifice a creature at the start of our upkeep as long as we control our commander. Since Abdel Adrian is our commander, this means that every upkeep that Abdel Adrian is on board we have the option to dunk him into the graveyard, right into the hands of our Animate Dead effects.\n\nWe also take advantage of this sac outlet in the command zone by running the "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Feign Death"}},{"insert":" style effects, which now act as backup 1-mana \"blink\" effects that we can add to our roster alongside the 1-mana blink staples "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ephemerate"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Cloudshift"}},{"insert":". This is one significant advantage we have over UW-identity blink decks, which only get "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Essence Flux"}},{"insert":" (and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Splash Portal"}},{"insert":") as extra 1-mana blink effects. Our pseudo-blink effects also have the added benefit of being resistant to \"Destroy\"-based board wipes, which traditional blink effects cannot avoid.\n\nWe double down on our resistance to board wipes by aiming to keep our important cards tucked in Abdel Adrian's pockets where they're nice and safe. This means cutting cards such as "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Corpse Knight"}},{"insert":" and even "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Distinguished Conjurer"}},{"insert":", which need to sit out on the battlefield to generate value. One notable inclusion is "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Nadier's Nightblade"}},{"insert":", which is able to see Abdel Adrian eat tokens (and makes identical tokens) while being pocketed since they leave the battlefield simultaneously. This acts as a source of lifegain to combat aggressive decks while also acting as a win con if your combo lines are shut down.\n\nUnlike "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Candlekeep Sage"}},{"insert":" decks, we don't naturally get card advantage from blinking Abdel Adrian. Therefore, we need to run ~20 \"draw rocks\" such as "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Prophetic Prism"}},{"insert":" to make sure we can churn through our deck via blinking Abdel. However, this comes at the deckbuilding cost of a very light removal suite. Our high mid-game card velocity can offset this somewhat, but not entirely.\nFortunately, Abdel Adrian's 1/1 tokens can comfortably act as chump blockers to keep our life total healthy. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Cultist of the Absolute"}},{"insert":" also makes Abdel Adrian able to block fliers and too big to swing into casually. Surprisingly, even the deathtouch can be useful by dissuading would-be lethal "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Overrun"}},{"insert":"-style effects. Together, these effects help keep us alive through the mid-game despite our shallow removal suite.\n\nOverall, our deck aims to curve out on turns 2-4 by playing our \"draw rocks\" and putting down our background. Then we aim to slam Abdel Adrian on turn 5, or possibly waiting an extra turn to hold up protection if it makes sense to do so. From turn 6 onward we aim to grind value and keep our life total high until we find our combo pieces and find a window to attempt our win. Also I kept the budget low (50$ by TCGplayer), mostly so that if you happen to pull a win on turn 6 its \"cool\" and \"innovative\" rather than \"pubstomping\" and \"pay to win\".\n\nSome notable cards include:\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Tinybones Joins Up"}},{"insert":" - Card advantage when blinked, but also acts as a mill wincon for when you go infinite vs stuff like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Phyrexian Unlife"}},{"insert":" + "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Solemnity"}},{"insert":".\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Death Match"}},{"insert":" - Makes Abdel Adrian into a one-sided boardwipe engine.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Martyr's Cause"}},{"insert":" - Turns your tokens into fogs. Also an instant speed sac outlet when necessary.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Altar of Bhaal // Bone Offering"}},{"insert":" - Repeatable \"flicker\" (reanimation) that can make use of your tokens.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"The Night of the Doctor"}},{"insert":" / "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Starfall Invocation"}},{"insert":" - Boardwipes that bring back Abdel Adrian afterwards.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mandate of Peace"}},{"insert":" - The only cheap silence effect, for some reason. It also acts as a fog when relevant.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Lively Dirge"}},{"insert":" + "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Felidar Guardian"}},{"insert":" - Tutors directly into your Felidar Guardian / Restoration Angel lines (you still need a fast blink effect in hand).\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Rune of Mortality"}},{"insert":" / "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Rune of Sustenance"}},{"insert":" - You can put them on creatures in an emergency, but generally you just put them on lands for the card draw.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Wernog, Rider's Chaplain"}},{"insert":" - Makes a LOT of clue tokens, since it also triggers when it leaves. You can draw if necessary, but can also target the clues with Abdel Adrian to turn them into 1/1 tokens instead.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Scavenger Grounds"}},{"insert":" / "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Bojuka Bog"}},{"insert":" - While they can act as graveyard hate, their main purpose is so you can exile your own graveyard to prevent Abdel Adrian from getting stuck in the graveyard if you try to pull an Animate Dead loop but get stopped.\n\nAdditional notes:\nCultist of the Absolute makes Abdel Adrian a 7/7 with flying, so you can kill a player in 3 swings with commander damage if need be.\nYou can kill your opponents either by blinking Tinybones Joins Up or Nadier's Nightblade (+tokens) infinitely so you don't have to wait a whole turn or deal with fog effects to kill them with tokens.\nOur manabase is janky for budget reasons. We use scry/surveil lands like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Conduit Pylons"}},{"insert":" to smooth out our curve, which works better than you would expect despite the colorless mana because of our low color requirements. \n"}]}