Thinking With Portals, ft. Alexios, Guff, Rafiq, Gwenna [EDH/Commander Gameplay]

Deck Strategies

• 

  Rafiq of the Many

  A Voltron build that focuses on equipping Rafiq with combat-enhancing equipment to deliver double strike damage, aiming to eliminate opponents quickly by attacking alone.

• 

  Alexios, Deimos of Kosmos

  A unique political commander that changes control each upkeep, providing incremental +1/+1 counters and forcing players to capitalize on attacking and control shifts, blending aggression with tactical value.

• 

  Gwenna, Eyes of Gaea

  A ramp-focused deck that casts high-power creatures to accumulate +1/+1 counters, draw cards, and grow Gwenna, enabling a powerful board presence through big threats and incremental advantage.

• 

  Commodore Guff

  A control-oriented planeswalker deck that generates tokens, uses planeswalker abilities to manage the board, and disrupts opponents while slowly building resources and pressure.

Gameplay Insights

• 1

  Using Key to the City to exile cards and cast them without paying mana costs accelerated threats and swung tempo in crucial moments.

• 2

  Alexios’ control rotation each upkeep forced players to rethink attack targets and board positioning constantly.

• 3

  Rafiq’s strategy of attacking alone with double strike proved effective for targeted elimination but made him a priority threat.

• 4

  Playing planeswalkers like Commodore Guff and Chandra, Awakened Inferno provided continuous value and board control.

• 5

  Combining ramp spells and creatures like Woodland Bellower helped Gwenna efficiently establish a powerful board presence.

• 6

  Players balanced aggression with defensive plays by leaving blockers back and timing combat tricks for maximum impact.

Notable Cards

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  Alexios, Deimos of Kosmos

• 

  Rafiq of the Many

• 

  Gwenna, Eyes of Gaea

• 

  Commodore Guff

• 

  Key to the City

• 

  Chandra, Awakened Inferno

• 

  Woodland Bellower

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  Arcane Signet

• 

  Simic Signet

Summary

The game started with players ramping mana and developing their boards, with early plays including mana dorks and signets to accelerate their strategies. Rafiq of the Many quickly positioned himself as an aggressive Voltron deck aiming to take out opponents one by one with double strike boosts. Alexios, Deimos of Kosmos introduced a unique political and tactical element, as control of him rotated among players each upkeep, generating incremental value and forcing players to adapt their plans. Meanwhile, Gwenna, Eyes of Gaea focused on casting high-power creatures to grow her commander and leverage incremental counters, while Commodore Guff played a control-oriented strategy, creating tokens and using planeswalker abilities to manage threats. Key turning points involved Alexios attacking planeswalkers and players using artifact synergies like Key to the City to cast cards for free, which shifted tempo drastically. The board state saw multiple creatures with counters, card draw engines such as Great Henge, and aggressive combat maneuvers with haste and double strike, especially from Rafiq and Alexios. Players utilized powerful planeswalkers and combat tricks to pressure each other. The game’s dynamic revolved around managing Alexios' shared presence, leveraging high-impact creatures, and controlling the board through token generation and planeswalker ultimates. The eventual win condition centered on Rafiq’s Voltron damage, bolstered by equipment and combat buffs, while other players sought to outvalue or stabilize with their respective strategies.