Deck Strategies
Kinnan, Bonder Prodigy
Generate infinite mana through creature and mana ramp synergies, then cast powerful finishers like Finale of Devastation or Genesis Wave to win the game.
Tivit, Seller of Secrets
Control midrange deck using Time Warp as a one-card win condition, with backup combos involving Vastwood Oracle.
Kess, Dissident Mage
Midrange and control with a focus on quick wins or leveraging Kess’s recursion engine to close out games with spells and value.
Malcolm, Keen-Eyed Navigator with Vial Smasher the Fierce
GX combo deck aiming to generate treasure tokens and win with Underworld Breach or Glen Elendra Buccaneers as a one-card combo with Malcolm.
Gameplay Insights
- 1
Players skillfully manipulated the stack using bounce spells like Cyclonic Rift combined with flicker effects to replay value creatures while avoiding triggers that could disrupt their plans.
- 2
Rhystic Study was a critical card that shaped interactions, forcing opponents to play around or counter it to prevent huge card advantage.
- 3
Mana Crypt damage rolls influenced early risk-taking and tempo decisions, dictating cautious plays around life totals and risk exposure.
- 4
The two-color Kinnan deck demonstrated that streamlined color commitments can still compete effectively in cEDH by focusing on efficient mana ramp and powerful finishers.
- 5
Players prioritized key disruption and timing of draw spells to prevent opponents from assembling combos or gaining overwhelming card advantage.
Notable Cards
Mana Crypt
Gilded Lotus
Rhystic Study
Cyclonic Rift
Esper Sentinel
Underworld Breach
Finale of Devastation
Genesis Wave
Vial Smasher the Fierce
Malcolm, Keen-Eyed Navigator
Time Warp
Lotus Petal
Summary
The game featured a dynamic cEDH match with five diverse commanders, including a two-color Kinnan deck challenging more traditionally three-color or partner combos. Early turns focused on mana acceleration and setup, with players casting key artifacts like Mana Crypt and Gilded Lotus, and deploying powerful draw engines such as Rhystic Study. Notable interaction involved counterspells, bounce spells like Cyclonic Rift, and strategic use of triggers from cards like Esper Sentinel. Mid-game momentum shifted as players leveraged combos and value engines; Kinnan aimed to generate infinite mana to fuel a big Finale of Devastation or Genesis Wave to close the game. Meanwhile, Malcolm/Vial leveraged treasure generation and disruption, Tivit sought wins through Time Warp or Vastwood Oracle, and Kess played a resilient midrange plan with backup engines. The game saw several high-impact plays, including a sequence where multiple players manipulated the stack with bounce and flicker effects to maximize value and safety from interrupts. Ultimately, the match highlighted the viability and challenges of a streamlined two-color Kinnan deck competing alongside established cEDH archetypes, showcasing intricate timing and resource management.