benthic_druid 7 days{"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
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Jmakasoff 14 hrs{"ops":[{"attributes":{"link":"https://archidekt.com/decks/9560047/hotel_tresserhorn"},"insert":"https://archidekt.com/decks/9560047/hotel_tresserhorn"},{"insert":"\n\nThe goal of this deck is to steal as many of your opponents creatures as you can to sacrifice to Lord Tresserhorn. Then with him leading the charge, you can swing in with some lethal commander damage.\n\nIt may not be flashy, or even good, but it has a certain nostalgia to it.\n\n"}]}
0
ArchangelAlchemist 16 hrs{"ops":[{"insert":"Rona's Phyrexian plagiarism \nhttps://www.archidekt.com/decks/10721001\n"}]}
0
Mimuke 18 hrs{"ops":[{"attributes":{"link":"https://archidekt.com/decks/10789826"},"insert":"Egon Really Loves Necrons For Some Reason"},{"insert":"\n\nFill your graveyard with Throne of Death, and then empty it with Egon, God of Death. Exiling your graveyard fuels your army with cards like Tormod, the Desecrator, Thran Vigil, and Imotekh the Stormlord. This deck wants to swing wide and hard with plenty of artifact creatures that won't stay dead until Egon says they can't.\n"}]}
0
Taki 19 hrs{"ops":[{"insert":"https://www.archidekt.com/decks/10789566/morinfenor_gallowbraid_\n\nMay as well throw my hat in, this is my Morinfen build! It tries to take advantage of its time counters as well as the fact that it's a big guy who can be sacrificed on any upkeep. Using death payoffs every upkeep, and stacking the time counters for hex parasite or mutilated cultist! \n"}]}
0
Farosh 19 hrs{"ops":[{"attributes":{"link":"https://archidekt.com/decks/8027905/braids_plays_our_decks"},"insert":"Braids Plays Our Decks • (Commander / EDH deck) • Archidekt"},{"insert":"\n\nBraids gives your opponents the chance biggest scariest things in their hands. So it's only fair you get to play with those scary things too.\n"}]}
0
dporter 19 hrs{"ops":[{"insert":"my deck uses the Mindskinner to mill cards but with Bruvac it doubles the cards milled. There is also traumatize and several other cards that mill half the opponents library. Here is the URL (https://www.archidekt.com/decks/10774615/the_mindskinner_deck_no_damage_even_commander) copy and paste it in the search bar and you can get to my deck. \n"}]}
0
dporter 19 hrs{"ops":[{"insert":"my bad <a href=\"https://www.archidekt.com/decks/10774615/the_mindskinner_deck_no_damage_even_commander\"></a>\n"}]}
0
dporter 19 hrs{"ops":[{"insert":"https://www.archidekt.com/decks/10774615/the_mindskinner_deck_no_damage_even_commander\n\nThis deck's commander causes this deck's creatures to do absolutely no damage to the opponent, but it allows some milling. Then when combined with some of the cards you can make it so you cant lose and destroy the opponents deck.\n"}]}
0
darkconfidnt 21 hrs{"ops":[{"insert":"Can't spend mana to cast "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Hogaak, Arisen Necropolis"}},{"insert":"? Turn that cast restriction to your advantage in "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://www.archidekt.com/decks/10787574/hogaaks_grave_departures_jan_25"},"insert":"Hogaak's Grave Departures"},{"insert":" by leveraging"},{"attributes":{"background":"var(--light-background)","color":"var(--color)"},"insert":" "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Insidious Roots"}},{"attributes":{"background":"var(--light-background)","color":"var(--color)"},"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Defiled Crypt // Cadaver Lab"}},{"attributes":{"background":"var(--light-background)","color":"var(--color)"},"insert":", and their ilk to churn out an army worthy of the necropolis! "},{"insert":"\n\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"var(--light-background)","color":"var(--color)"},"insert":"Fill your graveyard with 20+ mill effects, then find and trigger your 6 recursion-payoff effects as frequently as possible with 20+ recursion effects: "},{"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Cauldron of Souls"}},{"insert":" offers extreme resiliency, as Persist triggers for each nontoken creature "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Tortured Existence"}},{"insert":" turns each B into several triggers, quickly burying your opponents"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Use "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Barkform Harvester"}},{"insert":" to trigger your payoffs, or to help craft "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Throne of the Grim Captain // The Grim Captain"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Cash in "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Hogaak, Arisen Necropolis"}},{"insert":" with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Altar of the Wretched // Wretched Bonemass"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Disciple of Freyalise // Garden of Freyalise"}},{"insert":", or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Rishkar's Expertise"}},{"insert":", then simply recast it from your graveyard (and essentially dodge commander tax to boot) "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Sac-outlets like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Wight of the Reliquary"}},{"insert":" or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Izoni, Thousand-Eyed"}},{"insert":" profit alongside recursive cadavers like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Brood of Cockroaches"}},{"insert":" or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Bloodghast"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nYou'll most often play the 5 MDFC creature/lands as lands, but they count as creatures in your yard for all other effects.\nArise to victory by bashing with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Hogaak, Arisen Necropolis"}},{"insert":", an attrition war of recursion and tokens, or a cheeky "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Grist, the Hunger Tide"}},{"insert":" ultimate!\n\n(Bonus: deck clocks in at a reasonably budget $51)\n"}]}
Edited 1/8/2025, 5:03:55 AM
0
joshhmccarthy@gmail.com 21 hrs{"ops":[{"insert":"https://www.archidekt.com/decks/10742504/contest_submission_january_2025 - I hope you enjoy! (Brief notes written in description).\n"}]}
0
LurrusOfTheDreamDen 22 hrs{"ops":[{"attributes":{"link":"https://archidekt.com/decks/10779070"},"insert":"Gruul Dagger Burn"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The goal of this deck is to use our commander, "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Hansk, Slayer Zealot"}},{"insert":", to give out creature tokens to our opponents and use them to our advantage.\n\nWe can try to use politics and give the walkers to the opponents who are behind on the board. Or ask them to attack a common enemy and make deals. Since Hansk is able to block the walkers and draw cards while doing so, they are also less likely to attack us. To avoid relying on politics to survive, we are running some goad effects like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Spectacular Showdown"}},{"insert":" , "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Disrupt Decorum"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Baeloth Barrityl, Entertainer"}},{"insert":". Once the amount of creatures gets out of hand we use board wipes like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Sweltering Suns"}},{"insert":" to deal enough damage to kill all the walkers but keep "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Hansk, Slayer Zealot"}},{"insert":" and most of our blockers around.\n\nOur way to close out the game is to cast "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Repercussion"}},{"insert":" and a sweeper that deals a huge amount of damage like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Chandra's Ignition"}},{"insert":" or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Blasphemous Act"}},{"insert":" (just be careful with your own life total).\n\n"},{"attributes":{"link":"https://archidekt.com/decks/10779070"},"insert":"https://archidekt.com/decks/10779070"},{"insert":"\n"}]}
Edited 1/7/2025, 9:25:43 PM
0
rickys426@gmail.com 22 hrs{"ops":[{"insert":"https://archidekt.com/decks/10412707/savra_aristocrats_jank\n\nReally enjoying building a Savra, Queen of the Golgari deck. Her direct downside is having to pay 2 life to trigger her black creature/sacrifice effect. The goal in this deck is to lean into the lifegain/lifedrain elements of the commander in an aristocrats and recursion shell. \n"}]}
0
direwolf77 25 hrs{"ops":[{"insert":{"card-link":"Morinfen"}},{"insert":" : "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://www.archidekt.com/decks/10770887/hurts_so_good"},"insert":"Hurts So Good"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nLife is a resource or that's what they told me. But sometimes you just want to squander your resources and saddle your buddies with the crippling debt.\n\nThe idea of building a "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Morinfen"}},{"insert":" deck to lose all your life, stay alive with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Lich"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Pact Weapon"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Platinum Angel"}},{"insert":" or equivalent and swap life with your opponent is not a new one. In fact, as I write this I have seen several other decks for this competition that follow this exact theme with this commander or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Gallowbraid"}},{"insert":". I wanted to do something slightly different and employ some esoteric magic rules text to my advantage.\n\nFrom the Comprehensive Rules, November 2024:\n701.10c "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"When life totals are exchanged, each player gains or loses the amount of life necessary to equal the other player's previous life total"},{"insert":". Replacement effects may modify these gains and losses, and triggered abilities may trigger on them."},{"attributes":{"blockquote":true},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nHow It Do"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The deck has six pieces (1/111 of its creator's number): "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"life sinks"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"mana combos"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"safety blankets"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"life swings"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"life change benefactors, "},{"insert":"and "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"copycats"},{"insert":". The steps for success are:\n"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"(1) Get low on life"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Life loss is easy, but you gotta know how to do it. Some of the "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"life sinks"},{"insert":" in this brew come from paying cumulative upkeeps of "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Morinfen"}},{"insert":", drawing off of "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Necrodominance"}},{"insert":" or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Necropotence"}},{"insert":", equipping "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Hand of Vecna"}},{"insert":" or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Nightmare Lash"}},{"insert":", or generating a bunch of mana with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Blood Celebrant"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"K'rrik, Son of Yawgmoth"}},{"insert":" among other effects,\n\n(2) Make a Bunch of Mana"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Using some "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"mana combos"},{"insert":" enabled by "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ashnod's Altar"}},{"insert":" "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Pitiless Plunderer"}},{"insert":" "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Blood Vassal"}},{"insert":" "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Reassembling Skeleton"}},{"insert":" "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Pawn of Ulamog"}},{"insert":" "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Putrid Goblin"}},{"insert":" "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Yawgmoth, Thran Physician"}},{"insert":" "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Reassembling Skeleton"}},{"insert":" create many routes to generate infinte mana, draw the deck and lose as much life as you need. Once you have enough mana and the right cards in hand it is time to get the pieces together for the takedown. But be careful! Life "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"is"},{"insert":" a resource, but it will run out. That is why there are important "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"safety blankets"},{"insert":" such as "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Lich"}},{"insert":" "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Platinum Angel"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Pact Weapon"}},{"insert":".\n"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"(3) The Takedown"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The setup of the takedown is a big rush of air from the lungs of your opponents. If they start at 40 life and you offer them a trade for your 5 points of life with a "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Profane Transfusion"}},{"insert":" or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Soul Conduit"}},{"insert":", it will be equivalent to you gaining 35 life and them losing 35 life. Huh. So if you had a "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"life change benefactor"},{"insert":" like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Vito, Thorn of the Dusk Rose"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Bloodletter of Aclazotz"}},{"insert":" , "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Sanguine Bond"}},{"insert":", or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Enduring Tenacity"}},{"insert":" that would double the amount of life they lose or create some combos to eliminate multiple opponents in one shot. Huh, interesting. Combine these synergies with "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"copycat "},{"insert":"effects such as "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Rings of Brighthearth"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Galvanic Key"}},{"insert":", and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Lithoform Engine"}},{"insert":" and the game can be wrapped up in a turn with everyone suffering the compounding effects of losing life and being asked \"why they are you hitting yourself\".\n"}]}
0