benthic_druid 4 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
35
nsmith101891 3 days{"ops":[{"insert":"TactiNuke - https://www.archidekt.com/decks/10707374/tactinuke\n\nNevinyrral, Urborg Tyrant's main drawback is that he if removed, you lose your whole board. Well, with a mixture of creatures and artifacts that you want to die and a immediate turn around like Feign Death, you can turn your own board wipe into a hoard of zombies. Add in an ability to sacrifice Nev as another bonus ability like Village Rites and the value just rolls in. The durability of this deck is next level, with exile being often the only solution for your opponents.\n\nThis was one of my favorite budget decks. At under $50, this is a budget powerhouse. My last game with it led to a win via 36 zombie token hoard.\n"}]}
0
BurningSage 3 days{"ops":[{"insert":"https://www.archidekt.com/decks/10704644/rakdos_the_defiler_jan_deck_building_comp Rakdos, the Defiler you sacrifice your own permanents to trigger pingers like mayhem devil and then recur your own stuff, or anything juicy your opponents have, with recursion to put yourself ahead and your opponents behind\n"}]}
0
Liquidmyst 3 days{"ops":[{"attributes":{"link":"https://archidekt.com/decks/10714809/of_course_lands_and_rocks_matter"},"insert":"Or Course Lands and Rocks Matter!"},{"insert":"\nhttps://archidekt.com/decks/10714809/of_course_lands_and_rocks_matter\n\nTo achieve greatness you need both the land and the stone. This deck does both by using landfall and artifacts to slowly drain your opponents health. Using either Commanders ability you can create an army of Lands to attach your rocks to your army and throw boulders at your enemy \"the choice is yours\"\n\nI built this deck without your normal Landfall wins by making lots of creatures to attach with. It is based solely on the focus of using the army of Lands or Rocks. Each land drop brings you closer to victory but for the win you will need to use the lands wisely in order to overrun your opponents. \n\nRemoval is also done by the amount of lands or artifacts you have in play. Using what you have as a resource and building out your play using what you have available to you is part of the strategy.\n\nSo have fun and create your army of Lands and Artifacts and use them to attach or ping your opponent to Victory!\n\n\nIn the heart of the forest deep,\nToggo and Kamahl their vigil keep.\nGoblins and lands, a duo strong,\nIn their hands, nothing goes wrong.\n\nToggo, the Weaponsmith of might,\nCrafts his rocks, ready for the fight.\nKamahl, Heart of Krosa, nature's wrath,\nShapes the land along their path.\n\nTogether they roam, a fearsome pair,\nThrough fields and groves, without a care.\nAncient Greenwarden by their side,\nIn unity, their foes divide.\n\nTheir deck a blend of rock and wood,\nEach card played, for victory stood.\nGather 'round, witness their art,\nFor Toggo and Kamahl will never part.\n\n"}]}
0
MooGiGon 3 days{"ops":[{"insert":{"card-link":"Glissa Sunseeker"}},{"insert":" was the first legendary creature that I ever opened & she helped cement my early identity as an artifact-hating (now merely averse) Green mage. I was devastated when I returned to the game years later to find that she had been compleated and become a loyal servant of New Phyrexia. "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://archidekt.com/decks/10716603/glissas_revenge"},"insert":"Glissa's Revenge"},{"insert":" puts her story on a different path by leveraging cards that turn other cards into artifacts to make everything a target for purification from artifice. Untap effects help ensure we can use her ability multiple times per turn while land ramp, a few mana sinks, and a blend of mana values across the deck help ensure our mana pool can hit the magic number needed to hit any card on the board at will. \n"}]}
0
NotBad 3 days{"ops":[{"attributes":{"italic":true,"bold":true},"insert":"This Norin's on Fire:"},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://www.archidekt.com/decks/10717152"},"insert":"https://www.archidekt.com/decks/10717152"},{"insert":"\n\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"#ffc266"},"insert":"Norin the Wary"},{"insert":" helms this etb based burn deck! Whenever any player casts a spell or attacks, Norin exiles itself until end of turn. Normally, your commander spending most of the game in exile would suck, but this deck turns this unique effect into its main engine! The blink effect on our one mana commander gives us access to a very safe, repeatable way to get enters triggers. The main game plan of the deck is to stack effects like "},{"attributes":{"background":"#ffc266"},"insert":"Impact Tremors"},{"insert":" with damage amplifiers that add, double, or even triple our damage and slowly burn out the table. The deck also runs plenty of removal and card draw to help keep us in the fight while we assemble our damage pieces. Of course, no enters-based deck would be complete without a "},{"attributes":{"background":"#ffc266"},"insert":"Panharmonicon"},{"insert":" too! Lastly, the deck runs some extra land ramp spells to help us power out our expensive damage enhancers even faster. \n\nExtra shout out to "},{"attributes":{"background":"#ffc266"},"insert":"Aether Revolt"},{"insert":" for inspiring a small energy package in the deck - with all the new mh3 energy cards, there were enough value includes that generate energy that it made an already playable synergy piece for Norin into a sleeper threat. \n"}]}
0
ily 3 days{"ops":[{"insert":"https://archidekt.com/decks/10717282/january_2025_drawback_for_gifting_draws\n\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Xantcha, Sleeper Agent"}},{"insert":" 's drawback is allowing your opponents to draw! I balance that by forcing my opponents into activating Xantcha, like discarding their hands. I also made sure to include some quirky cards that really fit the theme of Rakdos. \n\nI have always wanted to play Xantcha and love the idea of her. I've just always thought Rakdos is a little too mean for my play group, but I hope this deck entertains all of you!\n"}]}
0
Keyw 3 days{"ops":[{"insert":"For my first-ever competition, I present "},{"attributes":{"italic":true,"bold":true,"link":"https://archidekt.com/decks/10714922/all_the_way_down"},"insert":"All the Way Down"},{"insert":", a creature-focused beatdown strategy in Gruul, featuring "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Nikya of the Old Ways"},{"insert":" as my commander.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"All the Way Down "},{"insert":"wants to play creatures. Small creatures, medium-sized creatures, and big creatures. Especially big creatures. The only cards in this deck are lands and creatures, sans one single sorcery, because "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Nikya of the Old Ways"},{"insert":" doesn't like anything else. Creatures serve as removal, protection, ramp, world enchantments, and everything else required to win the game -- combat damage very much included. \n\t\t"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Nikya "},{"insert":"gives us the mana to cast massive bombs faster, or to sink into powerhouse activated abilities like those seen on "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Loot, Exuberant Explorer "},{"insert":"or "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Etali, Primal Conqueror"},{"insert":". A healthy surplus of conditional ramp which we can easily satisfy ("},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Somberwald Sage"},{"insert":" and "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Fanatic of Rhonas"},{"insert":", for example) ensures we can recast her or play out protection like "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Vigor"},{"insert":" and "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Archetype of Endurance"},{"insert":". We leverage our high mana costs and one-sided card typing with cards like "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Combustible Gearhulk"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Cait, Cage Brawler"},{"insert":", and "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Ruric Thar, The Unbowed"},{"insert":". Our creatures can clear opponents' boards of troublesome artifacts and enchantments, and fight their creatures upon entering the battlefield, letting us swing in freely with titanic bodies.\n\t\tThe game ends when we beat our opponents into unconsciousness with gigantic creatures which carry effects that simply cannot be overcome, such as through "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Ghalta, Stampede Tyrant "},{"insert":"and "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Apex Devastator"},{"insert":", hasted by "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Enduring Courage"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Surrak and Goreclaw"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Urabrask the Hidden"},{"insert":", or others. With summoning sickness holding nothing back, they'll trample their way to victory.\n\t\tFinally, if all else fails, we throw the kitchen sink -- the single sorcery in the deck is "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Primal Surge"},{"insert":", which will allow us to put into play every remaining card in the deck sans one. This overload of mana and creatures should be enough to finish off any other players left standing.\n"}]}
0
EliC 3 days{"ops":[{"attributes":{"link":"https://www.archidekt.com/decks/10716253/flubs_the_dragon_speaker"},"insert":"https://www.archidekt.com/decks/10716253/flubs_the_dragon_speaker"},{"insert":"\n\n”flubs the dragonspeaker”\n\nThis deck uses the drawback flubs the fool has of having to discard when I play cards to get the card “Dragons approach” into the graveyard, which then I exile 5 of, to get massive dragons from my library into play and I then kill my opponents with these dragons. I also take advantage of dragon synergy’s, I do this so if I don’t have enough dragons approach’s in my graveyard I then can hard-cast the dragons instead.\n"}]}
0
RizingSon 3 days{"ops":[{"insert":"Flubs, fooling around like mad! "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://www.archidekt.com/decks/10714467/flubs_fooling_around_like_mad"},"insert":"https://www.archidekt.com/decks/10714467/flubs_fooling_around_like_mad"},{"insert":"\n\nTo avoid the disadvantage you get from discarding, this deck works with some madness and benefits from having some in your graveyard, with a strong land drop to give you even more advantages. Flying through your library at the speed of light (especially with the Commander's ability) should give you a lot of fun and cause trouble for your opponents while you create a strong presence on the board or wait for your alternate win option, Jace.\n\nThanks for this great fun again!\n"}]}
0
Ghiacciox 3 days{"ops":[{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Taniwha magic lands tricks"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"link":"https://www.archidekt.com/decks/10709865/taniwha_magic_lands_tricks"},"insert":"https://www.archidekt.com/decks/10709865/taniwha_magic_lands_tricks"},{"insert":"\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Taniwha Magic Lands Tricks"},{"insert":" is a deck centered around Taniwha. Its unique ability to phase out our lands allows us to rely on a stax strategy, targeting opponents' lands without affecting our own. The win condition is attacking with Taniwha to deal 21 damage to our opponents.\nThe deck focuses on bouncing opponents' lands and creatures, buying us time to accumulate advantage and attack with Taniwha. Since it phases out during alternate turns, it is immune to board wipes when phased out. This strategy alternates between pressuring creatures and lands on alternating turns.\nThe deck includes many cards with no mana cost, and it relies heavily on artifacts for mana generation.\n\n"}]}
0
mstepbass 3 days{"ops":[{"insert":{"card-link":"Cait, Cage Brawler"}},{"insert":" helms this deck, I have named REANI-CAIT-OR. "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://www.archidekt.com/decks/10713011/reanicaitor"},"insert":"https://www.archidekt.com/decks/10713011/reanicaitor"},{"insert":"\n\nRather than going for a typical +1/+1 counters style build with Cait, I wanted to try to accrue value off the cards we pitch to the bin with Cait's attack trigger. This led to the inclusion of plenty of high CMC spells with flashback like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Prisoner's Dilemma"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Isengard Unleashed"}},{"insert":" , as well as a hand full of cards with madness costs to offer surprise pump or spot removal. Then, of course there's a healthy suite of recursion including "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Bala Ged Recovery // Bala Ged Sanctuary"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Feldon of the Third Path"}},{"insert":" to bring back some of our other high value pieces to cast, or pitch them all over again.\n\nThis game plan should hopefully guarantee Cait is growing steadily each combat. To deal with the growing ire of an indestructible attacking commander, I wanted to lean on some more protection spells like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Snakeskin Veil"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Silver Shroud Costume"}},{"insert":" to ensure Cait sticks around and keeps hitting and growing in power each turn.\n\nI'll be the first to admit, it's probably not the most powerful build for Cait. But the mini game of attacking and choosing which card to pitch seems super enjoyable to me in a low-mid power pod. Plus, playing with the graveyard in gruul is not something I'd ever personally done! \n"}]}
0
Yuissi 3 days{"ops":[{"attributes":{"link":"https://www.archidekt.com/decks/10689882/ob_nixilis_captive_kingpin_path_to_exile_via_pings"},"insert":"https://www.archidekt.com/decks/10689882/ob_nixilis_captive_kingpin_path_to_exile_via_pings"},{"insert":"\n\nI'd never make the claim that Ob Nixilis, Captive Kingpin in any sense of the word would be a mediocre commander, instead it is very good, but it still has a big downside, which is its tendency to leave many of your own cards to exile. With flying and trample it packs a bunch and with bunch of janky double strike cards it can deal lethal out of nowhere hopefully. I tried to keep the budget under 200 dollars since my commander group is pretty casual and I'm excited to try this deck this coming weekend, so decided to submit it here. Added the Lilianas I own, and kept the ramp minimal to not have as many dead cards to \"ping storm\" into. In the case storm count goes up, Storm-Kiln Artist makes sure to turn Grapeshot into bunch of treasures and cards in exile to keep the chain going on.\n"}]}
Edited 1/3/2025, 12:13:13 PM
0
Reltsuhsemaj 3 days{"ops":[{"attributes":{"link":"https://www.archidekt.com/decks/10708282/charitable_chaos_the_gift_that_keeps_on_giving"},"insert":"https://www.archidekt.com/decks/10708282/charitable_chaos_the_gift_that_keeps_on_giving"},{"insert":"\n\n\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Zedruu the Greathearted"}},{"insert":" is a unique and interactive Commander who thrives on generosity. Her ability allows me to draw cards and gain life for each permanent I own that an opponent controls, making the deck all about giving away the right permanents to gain maximum value. Many of the cards in the deck are cheap or otherwise annoying for opponents, like "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Crown of Doom"}},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":" "},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Humble Defector"}},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":" "},{"insert":", or "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Howling Mine"}},{"insert":", creating situations where opponents are either inconvenienced or forced to play into your strategy. Zedruu's colors also provide excellent defensive tools, such as"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ghostly Prison"}},{"insert":" , "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Propaganda"}},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":" "},{"insert":", and "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Sphere of Safety"}},{"insert":", to keep me safe while your strategy develops.\nThe deck’s goal is to generate card advantage and life gain while disrupting my opponents with chaos-inducing cards like "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Grip of Chaos"}},{"insert":" or"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Possibility Storm"}},{"insert":". Over time, i,ll accumulate a massive resource advantage, letting me close out the game with alternative win conditions such as "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Approach of the Second Sun"}},{"insert":" or damage from "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Psychosis Crawler"}},{"insert":". Zedruu is a deck that thrives on creativity and political play, allowing me to influence the table while keeping myself in the best position to win. \n\nHave fun embracing the chaos and generosity as you masterfully navigate the game!\n"}]}
Edited 1/2/2025, 9:30:57 PM
0
Onigma 3 days{"ops":[{"attributes":{"link":"https://archidekt.com/decks/10704835/jan_2025_deck_building_contest_wholesome_fun_with_hazezon_tamar"},"insert":"https://archidekt.com/decks/10704835/jan_2025_deck_building_contest_wholesome_fun_with_hazezon_tamar"},{"insert":"\n\nMechanics used:\n\nCycling\nMass land reanimation\nJank\n\nMVP Card - Nahiri's Lithoforming , gamble your lands away, you feel like a winner every time. \n\nDeck description explains the game plan and synergies.\n"}]}
Edited 1/2/2025, 8:45:36 PM
0
Noobtoss 3 days{"ops":[{"insert":"https://www.archidekt.com/decks/10699300/noobtoss_deckbuilding_contest_january_2025_counterremoval\n"}]}
0