EDH Gameplay - Episode 23: Lazav VS Muldrotha VS Seton VS Kozilek

Deck Strategies

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  Kozilek, the Great Distortion

  An Eldrazi ramp deck focusing on generating large amounts of colorless mana using artifact accelerants like Gilded Lotus and Chromatic Lantern to cast big Eldrazi creatures that disrupt opponents and apply pressure.

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  Lazav, Dimir Mastermind

  A Dimir control and rogue tribal deck that uses discard, counterspells, and removal to disrupt opponents while copying key creatures from opponents’ graveyards to gain incremental advantage.

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  Muldrotha, the Gravetide

  A graveyard-centric deck focused on recurring permanents each turn, leveraging sacrifice outlets and value creatures to generate card advantage and control the board through attrition.

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  Seton, Krosan Protector

  A creature and token-based deck that ramps quickly with efficient mana dorks and draws cards by generating tokens, focusing on overwhelming opponents with wide boards and anthem effects.

Gameplay Insights

• 1

  Muldrotha’s use of Birthing Pod repeatedly to tutor value creatures allowed sustained board presence and frequent sacrifice to gain experience counters, synergizing with graveyard recursion.

• 2

  Oliver’s timely Disallow to counter Bane of Progress demonstrated the importance of interaction to prevent devastating board wipes against artifact and enchantment based mana ramp.

• 3

  Kozilek’s player leveraged artifact mana ramp aggressively but was consistently pressured by removal and land destruction, forcing careful sequencing of plays.

• 4

  Seton’s token generation combined with card draw engines like Vanquisher's Banner helped maintain pressure and board development even under constant disruption.

• 5

  The use of graveyard hate such as Scavenger Grounds and land destruction spells like Tectonic Edge shifted the momentum by limiting recursion and mana resources.

• 6

  The interplay of multiple board wipes and counterspells kept the board state fluid, requiring players to adapt their strategies continuously.

Notable Cards

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  Birthing Pod

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  Oracle of Mul Daya

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  Tireless Tracker

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  Bane of Progress

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  Gilded Lotus

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  Chromatic Lantern

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  Cyclonic Rift

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  Psychic Strike

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  Vanquisher's Banner

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  Merciless Executioner

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  Fleshbag Marauder

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  Tectonic Edge

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  Rishkar, Peema Renegade

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  Solemn Simulacrum

Summary

The game began with all four players ramping and developing their boards, with Kozilek focusing on artifact mana acceleration, Muldrotha leveraging graveyard recursion and sacrifice synergies, Seton building a token and creature-based strategy, and Lazav utilizing a Dimir control and rogue tribal approach. Early turns saw the players establishing mana bases and casting key creatures such as Lifecrafter's Bestiary, Elvish Harbinger, and Birds of Paradise to accelerate their game plans. Muldrotha's player effectively used Birthing Pod to tutor into impactful creatures like Oracle of Mul Daya and Tireless Tracker, while ramping heavily with Cabal Coffers and utilizing sacrifice effects with cards like Merciless Executioner and Fleshbag Marauder to gain experience counters and maintain board control. A significant turning point occurred when Muldrotha cast Bane of Progress, threatening artifacts and enchantments, which was countered by a Disallow from Oliver's Lazav deck, showcasing timely interaction that kept the board state in flux. Kozilek's player used Wastes and powerful Eldrazi creatures like Bane of Bala Ged and Kozilek himself to apply pressure, while also utilizing artifact mana generators such as Gilded Lotus and Chromatic Lantern to fuel big spells. Oliver's Lazav deck employed control elements like Psychic Strike and Cyclonic Rift to disrupt opponents, along with card draw engines like Forian Arena. The game featured multiple board wipes, land destruction spells like Tectonic Edge, and graveyard hate, forcing players to adapt continuously. Muldrotha remained a significant threat due to repeated recursion and value engines, while Seton focused on producing tokens and drawing cards with Vanquisher's Banner and other creatures. The interplay of graveyard recursion, artifact ramp, and control elements defined the flow of the match, with each player navigating threats and responses to maintain their presence. The game was still developing with no clear winner at the point where the transcript ends, but Muldrotha’s value engine and board presence suggested a strong midgame position.