{"ops":[{"insert":"Hello brewers,\n\nHappy New Year! Before we get to the first deckbuilding contest prompt of 2025, a brief introduction. My name is Ben, and I'll be helping Jeremy run the competition this year. I've been writing articles for "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://edhrec.com/articles/author/ben-doolittle"},"insert":"EDHREC"},{"insert":" and "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://commandersherald.com/author/ben-doolittle/"},"insert":"Commander's Herald"},{"insert":" since 2019, with a focus on legendary creatures that come with a drawback. So it seems only fitting that this month's prompt should also highlight these tricky commanders. With great restriction (sometimes) comes great power. Details below.\n\nWhat’s the contest all about?"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Working within the parameters of the prompt provided below, construct a decklist with your own creative spin. Three chosen finalists will be awarded store credit to cardsphere.com. \n\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true,"bold":true},"insert":"For January's deckbuilding contest, brew a Commander-legal list helmed by a commander with a drawback that turns that drawback into a strength. The goal is not to mitigate your commander's drawback, but to work with it as much as possible. Lists will be evaluated on how effectively they turn the commander's drawback into an advantage. "},{"insert":"\n\nKeep in mind that this prompt isn't limited to \"bad\" commanders. In fact, it's much easier to build an interesting deck when the commander has a powerful effect, but requires you to work a little to achieve it. For example, what would a deck need to do to win the game with Inferno of Star Mounts' activated ability? Or could you build Lord of Tresserhorn like a Nekusar deck? Your chosen commander should have a powerful payoff with your deck's strategy.\n\nThis is also the perfect opportunity to combine themes and bend the color pie in unique ways. Can mono-white draw enough cards to make Kiyomaro, First to Stand a real threat? Or can you combine spell slinging with aristocrats in Dralnu, Lich Lord? What is a downside in one color can sometimes be an advantage in another, and with 30 years of cards to choose from chances are there's some way to take advantage of any effect. \n\nFinally, be sure your commander doesn't impose a restriction and then immediately solve it. Taigam, Sidisi's Hand may skip your draw step, but also draws a card and fills your graveyard in your upkeep. Compare that to Asmodeus the Archfiend, who stops you from drawing cards at all until you pay the price. The same applies to Companions most of the time. They're so powerful, and easy enough to build around, that they end up being all upside for little to no cost. If you include a companion in your submission, think carefully about how impactful it's restriction actually is for your deck.\n\nHere’s how to participate:"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Brew an EDH/Commander legal deck on Archidekt that satisfies the prompt.\n\nAny unreleased cards spoiled during the contest’s duration are allowed."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Silver-bordered and acorn cards, while cool, are not allowed. "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Digital-only cards (such as those designed for the Alchemy format on Arena) are not allowed."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Strictly one deck submitted per user."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nReply to this newspost, or the Discord submission post with a link to your deck before "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"9:00 pm EST"},{"insert":" (UTC -5, currently) on "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Wednesday, January 8, 2025"},{"insert":" (do not submit the same deck in multiple places). Only one submission per user! \n\nFrom the eligible submissions, we'll select three finalists with lists that we believe best embody the spirit of the prompt. Deck descriptions are not required but certainly may provide valuable context!\n\nOn "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Wednesday, January 15, 2025"},{"insert":", we’ll announce three finalists via Discord and a brief article on EDHREC highlighting each deck. Each finalist will be awarded credit on cardsphere.com. The value of the credit is in US dollars and depends on the finalist's placement in deck upvotes at the end of the week-long polling period:\n\n1st Place Prize - $250"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"2nd Place Prize - $150"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"3rd Place Prize - $100"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nFinalists will be contacted via email or Discord (depending on where they submitted) regarding their winnings within roughly 24 hours following the conclusion of voting on "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Wednesday, January 22, 2025"},{"insert":". Please note, you must have a Cardsphere account in order to receive your winnings. It's quick and free-- "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://www.cardsphere.com/"},"insert":"register here"},{"insert":" if you don't have an account already!\n\n"},{"attributes":{"link":"https://archidekt.com/contestRules"},"insert":"Official contest rules"},{"insert":".\n\nThank you!\n\nIf you have any questions, feel free to ask here, or join our "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://discord.gg/sctEc9Ru36"},"insert":"public Discord server"},{"insert":". We look forward to seeing what you all come up with! \n\nThe Archidekt Team\n"}]}
Edited 1/1/2025, 4:28:23 PM
44
{"ops":[{"insert":"Lord Windgrace: https://www.archidekt.com/decks/8141226/rgb\n"}]}
0
{"ops":[{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"You hit me? Me too! "},{"attributes":{"bold":true,"link":"https://www.archidekt.com/decks/10730740 "},"insert":"https://www.archidekt.com/decks/10730740 "},{"insert":"\n\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Darien, King of Kjeldor"}},{"insert":" has always been a commander I and others have shown interest in, but the downside of needing to be dealt damage in turn for tokens is a risky and uncertain play.\n\nThis downside is harnessed in the deck "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"You hit me? Me too! "},{"insert":"by redirecting, tap-pinging, and throwing damage at yourself with a wide array of "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Soul Warden"}},{"insert":" cards to replenish the damage dealt through my "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"17 "},{"insert":"self damage dealers. Highlights of this bunch are:\n\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Blasting Station"}},{"insert":" - this card is the perfect card for this commander. With 2+ "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Soul Warden"}},{"insert":" types and your commander out this card goes easily infinite, giving infinite lifegain/death triggers/etb triggers\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Blood of the Martyr"}},{"insert":" - a unique gem for this deck which prevents all damage dealt to creatures you control and redirects it to you. What makes this great is with your commander out you can cast it during your own combat to both protect your creatures and get more 1/1 soldiers out there. Again with 1+ "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Soul Warden"}},{"insert":" type of creatures out you immediately replenish any damage you take. \n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Dingus Staff"}},{"insert":" -a fun card in the deck which turns board wipes/removal into even more soldiers, making it hard for your board to ever be truly wiped (Always fun to see a dingus staff in a deck)\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Some final shoutouts are:"},{"insert":" "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Halo Fountain"}},{"insert":" - super flexible card/wincon which can be used at any point of the game | "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Skullclamp"}},{"insert":" - best card draw in the deck | "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Angel's Trumpet"}},{"insert":" - symmetrical board hate, pillow-forty, with life gain creatures out you go positive | "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mass Calcify"}},{"insert":" - nasty one sided board-wipe which will open up opponents for killing\n\nThanks for reading! I splurged on card prices for this deck, as it's a hard one to brew budget.\n"}]}
0
{"ops":[{"attributes":{"underline":true,"bold":true},"insert":"Djeru Super-unfriend"},{"insert":" https://archidekt.com/decks/10598104/\nDo you like slowly gaining value, to the point that every other deck outpaces you?\nDid you follow planeswalker's stories, and cried when they killed Gideon?\nDoes your play group allow mass land destruction?\nWelcome to Mono-white superfriends, with a commander that really just is a support card for a 5-colour planeswalker deck. The problem with Djeru is that mono-white walkers have good ultimates but scale poorly in commander when three 1/1s are not game breaking preassure. The power of planeswalkers is in their card type; Most games go by with people playing 1 at most\n\nThis one can win big, but be warned that misplays can cause the board to stall as players wait for someone to draw something useful\n\nThis deck's gameplan is to ramp into body producing planeswalkers, wait for the oppertune moment, then remove all non-planeswalker permenants through multiple board-wides and an armagedon. Once you set everyone else back to square one, you ultimate the planeswalkers that can no longer be policed by your ramping opponents\n\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true,"bold":true},"insert":"Targets for Djeru fall under 3 catigories:"},{"insert":"\nUgin and the Eternal Wanderer act as sudo-boardwipes in a pinch if you really need to pop the armegeddon, or just manage the boardstate"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Card draw can only be found naturally on Teyo, Geometric tactition, but Elspeth cards in general create tokens to trigger Welcoming Vampire and Co."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"If you have the mana to destory everything: Ajani Goldmane, Ugin, Elspeth Sun's Campion, and both Karns lead to clear winning boards."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"}]}
0
{"ops":[{"insert":"Flubbs the Fool - "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://archidekt.com/decks/10730188/flubbed_up"},"insert":"Flubbed Up • (Commander / EDH deck) • Archidekt"},{"insert":"\n\nWith this deck, we're hoping to activate Flubbs as a draw engine as fast as possible so we can churn through our deck. While we want to discard, draw, cycle, and wheel as much as possible and take advantage with token makers or take advantage of madness costs, we are also running landfall strats to speed up Flubs and always ensure we're discarding and drawing. Ideally, we're playing multiple lands a turn and recurring them from our graveyard. \n\nWin Cons can include: \nToken Makers: Drake Haven, Faldorn, Ominous Seas, Locust God, The Lost and Damned"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Madness: Emrakul, the World Anew"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Landfall: Scute Swarm"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"And Thassa's Oracle. With the right set-up, you'll churn through this deck fast. "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nWith this set-up, Flubs forcing us to discard IS the strength and the rest of the deck synergizes to take full advantage of it. \n"}]}
0
{"ops":[{"attributes":{"link":"https://www.archidekt.com/decks/10728899/january_2025_deckbuilding_contest_the_blackblade_determines_who_is_left"},"insert":"The Blackblade determines not who is right, but who is left."},{"insert":"\n\nI have always had a soft spot for the Secret Lair printing of Dakkon Blackblade because I am left handed, but building a commander that cares about lands with no green in their identity is a bit unusual. My goal with this deck was to try and get lots of lands in our graveyard in addition to the ones we play, allowing us to cast Planar Birth for as much value as we can. There's several Walking Atlas combos to let us put out as many lands as we have in our hand as well, getting our landfall triggers to tap down our opponent's boards so Dakkon can swing in for lethal. There are also some options to give Dakkon some evasive abilities, like swampwalk and islandwalk, along with Urborg to enable that swampwalk on all of our opposition. I also like running old/strange cards, so having things like Fishliver Oil provide actual utility is always fun.\n"}]}
0
{"ops":[{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"jund mana burn:"},{"attributes":{"bold":true,"link":" https://www.archidekt.com/decks/10714710/jund_burn"},"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"link":" https://www.archidekt.com/decks/10714710/jund_burn"},"insert":"https://www.archidekt.com/decks/10714710/jund_burn"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"#a10000"},"insert":"Yurlock of scorch thrash"},{"insert":" is a very unique commander with the downside of the mechanic that was removed in 2010; mana burn. when I saw him, I knew that he was a promising commander to build around, and with the prompt to "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"not"},{"insert":" mitigate the downsides, I chose to make it into an aggressive lifeloss deck with deaths shadow type effects to boost the deck to victory.\n\nin the early game, the deck tends to ramp up and lose as much life as possible, with turns 1 - 4 being set up turns with ramp and tutors"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"in the mid game, the deck starts to shift into a more aggressive play, most likely using hefty creatures like "},{"attributes":{"background":"#ff9900"},"insert":"Attarka"},{"insert":" or "},{"attributes":{"background":"#ff9900"},"insert":"Deaths shadow "},{"insert":" to reduce the opponants life total"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"in the late game, if we haven't killed our opponents already, we obliterate them with like "},{"attributes":{"background":"#ff9900"},"insert":"Vilis the blood broker"},{"insert":" or "},{"attributes":{"background":"#ff9900"},"insert":"Archfiend of despair"},{"insert":", and seal the deal."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nOverall, the deck tends to play nicely, with a selection of demons and dragons, and most of the removal comes in the form of sacrifice, like malfagor, and goremand. the deck has 4 boardwipes and 5 tutors, along with around about 6 weeling effects. the deck has no lifegain whatsoever, as it tends to the theme of juggling your lifetotal like flaming knives. in addition, it runs alternate wincons like "},{"attributes":{"background":"#ff9900"},"insert":"Mana flare"},{"insert":" and "},{"attributes":{"background":"#ff9900"},"insert":"Tarmagoyf"},{"insert":". and remember, no one likes a winner! so we all lose the game.\n"}]}
0
{"ops":[{"attributes":{"link":"https://www.archidekt.com/decks/4829885/kharn"},"insert":"https://www.archidekt.com/decks/4829885/kharn"},{"insert":"\n\nthis is my Kharn the Betrayer Voltron deck where you have to lose control of your commander everytime he takes damage!! Oh no we have to lose our commander anytime he gets hit?! Sounds horrible, good thing we are prepared. Since Kharn draws 2 cards whenever we lose control of him then we want to make sure he gets back to us frequently, even if our opponents refuse to give him back. That’s why we have plenty of theft effects to take him for a turn, smack someone, then lose control of him to draw cards. And if he takes damage before the end of our turn we can choose to give him to another player entirely so Kharn can keep spreading the love. \n\nSince we won’t have control of Kharn a lot of the time we can’t rely too much on equipment, making sure only to put the very best ones in like Pariah Shield, since that card just makes you indestructible since anytime you take damage it goes to Kharn and he proceeds to jump around the table even more! Outside of those really good equipment we really wanna lean into some of the most underplayed cards in commander: red auras. Since you’ll still control the auras cards like claws of valakut will still count based of the number of mountains you control, not your opponents, neat! \n\nAlso, we would hate to have Kharn swinging at us, that’s why we have plenty of pingers and instant speed damage spells to ensure we can tick him for damage and remove him from combat anytime he turns our way Since taking damage changes his controller he will no longer be attacking, neat!\n\nSo, while it may seem like a downside to not control your commander most the game, this guy acts a lot like assault suit the deck, and having other players forced to swing your commander over and over is a great way to get extra combats without casting extra combat spells!\n\nPlus I built this deck to be only around $100 dollars so it’s great for budget!\n"}]}
0
{"ops":[{"attributes":{"link":"https://archidekt.com/decks/10727571"},"insert":"https://archidekt.com/decks/10727571"},{"insert":"\n\nthis deck is designed to play out Vilis with gix in play, and then use the lifeloss from gix AS AN ADVANTAGE to draw into enough apostles to get razaketh, to grab the rituals to cast aetherflux to laser all your opponents, with a backup out of the tombs combo. (See if you can spot it!)\n"}]}
0
{"ops":[{"attributes":{"underline":true,"bold":true},"insert":"Tetsuo, Imperial Champion:"},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://archidekt.com/decks/10720240/tetsuo_contest"},"insert":"https://archidekt.com/decks/10720240/tetsuo_contest"},{"insert":"\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Deck Strategy Overview:"},{"insert":"\nThis deck revolves around a powerful synergy between "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"card draw"},{"insert":" and "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"damage"},{"insert":". The core of the strategy is to draw cards quickly using draw engines like "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"The Locust God "},{"insert":"and draw spells, which helps you speed through your deck, trigger damage, and generate tokens to fuel further plays.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Key Components:"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Card Draw Engines:"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"The Locust God"},{"insert":" provides a constant stream of card draw while also creating token creatures to assist in combat. This allows you to accelerate your game plan and draw into your synergy pieces faster."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Forced Card Draw for Opponent and Yourself:"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The deck leverages spells that force your opponent or self to draw cards, including "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Careful Consideration"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Cerebral Vortex"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Wistful Thinking"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Sign in Blood"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Painful Lesson"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Foreboding Fruit"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Deep Analysis"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Damnable Pact"},{"insert":", and "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Braingeyser"},{"insert":". By making your opponent draw cards, you set up a situation where they will inadvertently take damage from your damage-triggering cards."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Damage Synergy:"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Underworld Dreams"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Fate Unraveler"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Kederekt Parasite"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Razorkin Needlehead"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Orcish Bowmasters,"},{"insert":" and "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Nekusar, the Mindrazer"},{"insert":" punish your opponent each time they draw a card. Whether it’s dealing damage directly to them or triggering additional effects, these cards ensure that every card drawn by your opponent contributes to their downfall."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Niv-Mizzet Parun "},{"insert":"deals 1 damage to an opponent each time you draw a card. This synergizes with "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Niz-Mizzet, Visionary"},{"insert":" which allows you to draw that many cards per non-combat damage dealt to an opponent."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Win Conditions:"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Deck Control & Damage"},{"insert":": By combining forced card draw for your opponent and damage triggers, you create a highly effective win condition where your opponent can’t escape the cycle of drawing and taking damage. Strong counter spells like: "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Spell Burst"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Condescend"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Syncopate"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Power Sink "},{"insert":"and "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Mana Drain "},{"insert":"provide excellent coverage and protection."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Locust God Tokens"},{"insert":": The tokens created by "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"The Locust God"},{"insert":" also serve as a valuable win condition in the mid-to-late game, providing a flood of creatures to help finish the game."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Tetsuo's Equipment-Driven Damage"},{"insert":": With powerful equipment cards, "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Tetsuo, Imperial Champion"},{"insert":" can deal massive damage every time you cast an equipment, whether targeting your opponent or their creatures. His ability to trigger damage from equipment costs means you can deal substantial amounts of damage each turn, especially with high-cost equipment."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Niv-Mizzet Combo: Niv-Mizzet, Parun"},{"insert":" and "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Niv-Mizzet, the Visionary"},{"insert":" form an infinite combo when both are on the battlefield, as drawing a card triggers both of their abilities, dealing damage to any target and continuing the cycle."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Strategy Summary:"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Use your card draw engines to fuel your deck and quickly cycle through your cards."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Play spells that force your opponent to draw more cards, thus triggering damage from your "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Underworld Dreams"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Fate Unraveler"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Kederekt Parasite"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Razorkin Needlehead"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Orcish Bowmasters"},{"insert":", and "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Nekusar, the Mindrazer"},{"insert":"."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Draw cards to generate "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"The Locus God"},{"insert":" tokens and cause damage from "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Niz-Mizzet, Parun"},{"insert":". "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Equip "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Tetsuo"},{"insert":" with powerful equipment to make the most of his ability, deal some damage. "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Get both "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Niv-Mizzet's"},{"insert":" on the battlefield. Draw some cards."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"}]}
Edited 1/3/2025, 9:43:17 PM
0
{"ops":[{"insert":"https://www.archidekt.com/decks/10717366/january_deckbuilding_contest_dralnu_as_a_sac_outlet\n\nI loved your suggestion for Spell-Slinging Aristocrats for Dralnu, but I'm keeping myself a bit more in the color pie with this Reanimator Dralnu deck, which uses Dralnu's flashback ability to recast Reanimation spells and Mana ramp to drop powerful bombs and generate plenty of tokens, big and small. If it gets the ball rolling, Dralnu can even survive/capitolize on a blastphemous act from another player in this list. This also includes cards to damage Dralnu myself, using fewer sacrifice outlets in the 99 because I've got the 'perfect' one right in my command zone. By reanimating tutors like Sidisi and Gravebreaker Lamia, This deck can always find an answer.\n\n"}]}
0
{"ops":[{"attributes":{"link":"https://www.archidekt.com/decks/10726775/phage_the_untouchable"},"insert":"Phage the Untouchable • (Commander / EDH deck) • Archidekt"},{"insert":"\n\nthis is a fairly straightforward deck that aims to use one of the largest possible downsides of losing the game against my opponents. The aim of the deck is to get"},{"attributes":{"background":"#ffff00"},"insert":" Endless Whisper"},{"insert":" and "},{"attributes":{"background":"#ffff00"},"insert":"Netherborn Alter"},{"insert":" on the field and using target removal to put "},{"attributes":{"background":"#ffff00"},"insert":"Phage the Untouchable"},{"insert":" onto my opponent's field during the end phase.\n"}]}
0
{"ops":[{"attributes":{"bold":true,"link":"https://www.archidekt.com/decks/10700091"},"insert":"Skullwinder in the Command Zone"},{"insert":"\n\nThis deck is built around one of my favorite political commanders: "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Neyam Shai Murad"}},{"insert":".\n\nThe commander's ability allows you to return a permanent from your graveyard to the battlefield if you hit someone. This is a powerful effect, but it's constrained by two major drawbacks: 1) that player gets to return a permanent from their graveyard to their hand and 2) that player gets to pick what you get back.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Gameplan"},{"insert":"\n\nWhile this could be made into a standard WB reanimator deck, I believe that this drawback is more of an upside in a political deck focused on ramp. When you have your commander out, the conversation typically goes like this:\nYou ask: \"Does anyone want something back from their graveyard?\""},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"You'll get a few players saying yes. You're going to focus on players with large threats in their graveyards. You should prioritize big creatures that mainly just deal damage. Examples include dragons, lords in kindred decks, etc."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"You ask if they'll attack you with the card you give them. If they say yes, ask another player. (But people will almost always say no.)"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"If someone agrees, ask if they'll give you a land like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Evolving Wilds"}},{"insert":" from your graveyard. (People almost always accept this deal.)"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nThis ultimately leads to your opponents doing a lot of the heavy lifting for you: playing big creatures and attacking your opponents. In the meantime, you get to ramp.\n\nThe goal is to help your opponents fight each other and deal with archenemies --- with help from the deck's wraths if things get to out of hand --- until you play one of the deck's finishers ("},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mirror Entity"}},{"insert":" to buff a large board or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Damnable Pact"}},{"insert":" to burst down a remaining opponent) or whittle down opponents with fliers or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Retreat to Hagra"}},{"insert":" triggers.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Restrictions"},{"insert":"\n\nIn a political deck like this, you never want to appear like the biggest threat until you're getting ready to win. As a result, the deck follows a \"white weenie\" approach. Creatures are small, focused on blocking, and accumulate small amounts of card or mana advantage. While there are a few larger creatures, these should not be played on curve while you can still get some political advantage. \n\nThere are also a lot of wraths in the deck. These are crucial to not die to snowballing strategies. Wraths can lead to negative table reactions though, so they require a careful hand when playing. Typically, you only want to play wraths when a clear archenemy has emerged and the rest of the table really wants a wrath. When played like this, the table reaction is a lot less negative --- and you get to survive.\n\nUltimately, though, this deck leads to highly engaging games with a lot of table talk. As a plus, you get to play a relatively efficient ramp deck without needing to play green.\n"}]}
Edited 1/3/2025, 6:07:38 PM
0
{"ops":[{"insert":"I want to submit my "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Hansk, Slayer Zealot"}},{"insert":" Get ze flammenwerfer! deck \n\nHis drawback of summoning 3 zombies on upkeep for an opponent requires a bit of a buildaround to fully turn into a advantage. The idea is simple : you use minor like ."},{"insert":{"card-link":"Pyroclasm"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Pyrohemia"}},{"insert":" type boardwipes and pings to destroy zombies / other tokens you keep giving your opponent (like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Hunted Troll"}},{"insert":" ). You benefit from the boardwipes / pings by the dinosaur enrage shell (like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ripjaw Raptor"}},{"insert":" ) , the opponent gets hurt (alot) by it. Keep note that the damage doublers like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Twinflame Tyrant"}},{"insert":" had to be very specific to ensure I am not wiping my own board constantly. All creatures have more than 2 hp to prevent accidental suicides whilst still getting benefits from destroying zombies like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Gimli, Counter of Kills"}},{"insert":" \n\nHansk his shot ability is in this setup usually more beneficial to shoot your OWN creatures than the zombies. Turning this commander pretty much on its head. \n\n"},{"attributes":{"link":"https://www.archidekt.com/decks/10699033/hansk_get_ze_flammenwerfer"},"insert":"https://www.archidekt.com/decks/10699033/hansk_get_ze_flammenwerfer"},{"insert":"\n\nNormally I like to make budget decks but it wasn't a constraint so my apologies for the cost of this deck ;)\n"}]}
Edited 1/3/2025, 4:19:02 PM
0
{"ops":[{"insert":"https://archidekt.com/decks/10725168/target_acquired\n\nTarget Acquired\n\nCommander: Horobi, Deaths Wail\n\n With Horobi's ability to destroy creatures when targeted by spells and abilities, most creatures and spells target my opponents creatures. I put in some cards to remove hexproof and shroud as well as Shadowspear to help with indestructable creatures. When my graveyard starts filling up with my own creatures i can recall them with Oversold Cemetery to put em back in my hand to target yet again when they come back out.\n"}]}
0
{"ops":[{"insert":"https://www.archidekt.com/decks/10723659\n\nCodie, Vociferous Codex provides a neat deckbuilding challenge to make a workable deck. But why should I have to worry about that - I'm sure my opponents will enjoy him much more than I could. This deck poses a simple trade - creature for creature & artifact for artifact. Just remember, No Refunds!\n"}]}
0