TTJ: Sean Marquette v NotTomCruise v Edwin v Blackneto | MTG Commander Gameplay episode 21

Deck Strategies

• 

  Aisha of Sparks and Smoke

  Focuses on dealing incremental burn damage and controlling the board with spells while generating value through combat triggers and spells to maintain pressure.

• 

  The Ur-Dragon

  Ramp mana quickly to cast powerful dragons and overwhelm opponents with massive creatures and repeated attack phases.

• 

  Phage the Untouchable

  Leverages combat damage triggers to disrupt opponents by removing creatures and spells, aiming to control the flow of the game through combat interactions.

• 

  Kynaios and Tiro of Meletis

  A group hug style deck that accelerates the game by ramping mana and drawing cards, benefiting all players but ultimately maximizing personal advantage.

Gameplay Insights

• 1

  The Ur-Dragon player used Relentless Assault to gain an extra combat phase, creating opportunities for multiple attacks and increased damage output.

• 2

  The group hug deck kept the game moving by providing ramp and card draw to all players, which allowed them to maintain parity despite chaotic board states.

• 3

  Phage's unique ability to remove creatures and spells on combat damage was a key tactical consideration but was difficult to execute consistently due to multiplayer pressure.

• 4

  Players balanced between aggressive plays and cautious passes to avoid overextension, recognizing the threat of massive dragons and group hug acceleration.

• 5

  Discard and life payment mechanics were used strategically to manage hand size and resource flow, especially with Thought Vessel and other utility artifacts.

Notable Cards

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  Relentless Assault

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  Thought Vessel

• 

  Cultivate

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  Expedition Map

Summary

The game opened with all four players setting up their board states, each with distinct strategies. Early ramp and card draw enabled the group hug player to accelerate resources for everyone, benefiting themselves the most. The Ur-Dragon deck focused on ramping mana quickly and preparing to summon massive dragons, while the Phage the Untouchable deck sought to leverage its unique combat damage trigger to disrupt opponents. Aisha of Sparks and Smoke's player aimed to control the board with burn and incremental advantage. The first significant turning point was when the Ur-Dragon player began to cast powerful dragons, leveraging their massive presence to pressure opponents. Meanwhile, the group hug deck used its ability to create chaos and card advantage, enabling multiple players to keep pace and maintain threats. The Phage player tried to capitalize on timely attacks to remove key creatures or disrupt spells but faced difficulties given the chaotic multiplayer environment. In the midgame, the Ur-Dragon’s aggressive dragon summoning started to dominate the battlefield, forcing others to respond with removal or defensive plays. The group hug deck, while benefiting others, was quietly setting up a late-game advantage through incremental card draw and ramp. The game’s momentum shifted several times as players executed their key turns and interactions, with a mix of combat phases, spell casts, and strategic passes. Ultimately, the Ur-Dragon deck's ability to flood the board with dragons and apply constant pressure became a defining factor, pushing the game toward a fiery conclusion with massive dragon attacks and overwhelming board presence.