TALES OF THE 2022 MLC - EPISODE IX - NYMRIS v ARMIX/KRAUM v ELSHA v IKRA/DARGO - cEDH Gameplay

Deck Strategies

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  Dargo, the Shipwrecker

  Aggressive artifact and creature synergy focused on disrupting opponents and generating value through sacrifice and recursion.

• 

  Ikra Shidiqi, the Usurper

  Lifegain and control-oriented build that protects life total while applying pressure through efficient blockers and removal.

• 

  Nymris, Oona's Trickster

  Combo and disruption deck using cascade and flicker effects to generate advantage and control the game state.

• 

  Elsha of the Infinite

  Spell-slinging deck leveraging artifact mana acceleration and cascade to generate card advantage and assemble combos quickly.

• 

  Armix, Filigree Thrasher

  Artifact-centric midrange deck focusing on value generation through artifact synergies and incremental advantage.

• 

  Kraum, Ludevic's Opus

  Spell and combat-focused deck that supports spellcasting with card draw and pressure through efficient attackers.

Gameplay Insights

• 1

  Players frequently used artifact mana sources and card selection tools like Sensei's Divining Top to maximize efficiency and find key combo pieces.

• 2

  Demonic Consultation was pivotal in fast-tracking combo assembly while avoiding graveyard interactions by banishing cards.

• 3

  Counterspells and bounce effects were strategically used to protect critical artifacts and disrupt opponents' combos.

• 4

  Flicker and cascade mechanics were leveraged to gain multiple triggers and value from permanents and spells, increasing tempo.

• 5

  Life gain from Ikra Shidiqi helped stabilize against aggressive plays while maintaining pressure through efficient blockers.

• 6

  The game featured tight sequencing of removal, counterspells, and tutor effects to maintain control and set up a winning board state.

Notable Cards

• 

  Mana Crypt

• 

  Sensei's Divining Top

• 

  Demonic Consultation

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  Vampiric Tutor

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  Carpet of Flowers

• 

  Brazen Borrower // Petty Theft

• 

  Force of Will

• 

  Esper Sentinel

• 

  Dark Ritual

• 

  Jeweled Lotus

Summary

The game unfolded as a highly interactive and complex cEDH multiplayer match featuring six commanders. Early turns were spent developing mana and setting up key artifacts like Mana Crypt and Sensei's Divining Top, with players carefully managing resources and disrupting opponents' plans. Armix and Kraum focused on artifact synergy and incremental value, while Elsha leveraged spells and artifact interactions for card advantage. Ikra Shidiqi's player applied pressure with lifegain and control elements, and Nymris sought combo pieces and disruption. Key turning points included multiple uses of Demonic Consultation and Vampiric Tutor to dig for critical combo pieces, as well as several counterspell interactions that shaped the board state. Players utilized cascade and flicker effects to maximize value and protect their key permanents. The game featured strategic plays such as flash casting creatures in response to triggers and using removal and bounce spells to maintain board control. The win condition appeared to revolve around assembling fast combos enabled by artifact and spell interactions, with players contesting authority through incremental damage and life gain.