Kestia vs Zedruu vs Maelstrom Wanderer vs Yawgmoth EDH / CMDR gameplay for Magic: The Gathering

Deck Strategies

• 

  Maelstrom Wanderer

  Cascade into powerful creatures and generate value through elf ramp and repeated cascade triggers to overwhelm opponents with tempo and board presence.

• 

  Yawgmoth, Thran Physician

  Generate value from sacrificing creatures and tokens, using reanimation and removal effects to control the board and outlast opponents.

• 

  Kestia, the Cultivator

  Build a robust enchantment and ramp-based board state, leveraging enchantress effects and big mana to dominate the midgame.

• 

  Elsha of the Infinite

  Leverage spells and enchantments with efficient card draw and disruption, aiming to control the game and combo off through spell recursion.

Gameplay Insights

• 1

  Adam’s sequencing of Rest in Peace followed by Helm of Obedience created an effective lock that exiled opponents’ libraries, preventing them from drawing cards and winning.

• 2

  Peter’s well-timed Damnation reset multiple threats but left him vulnerable to Adam’s combo due to lack of artifact and enchantment removal.

• 3

  Scott’s early elf ramp looked promising but was ultimately undone by the exile lock before he could capitalize on cascade triggers.

• 4

  Tony’s frequent land misses and inability to disrupt enchantments hampered his ability to impact the game, illustrating the importance of consistent mana in control and combo decks.

• 5

  The players’ interactions highlight the significance of graveyard hate and artifact/enchantment answers in multiplayer Commander games where combo decks are present.

Notable Cards

• 

  Helm of Obedience

• 

  Rest in Peace

• 

  Damnation

• 

  Coiling Oracle

• 

  Birds of Paradise

• 

  Bloodbraid Elf

• 

  Worldly Tutor

• 

  Acidic Slime

• 

  Sphere of Safety

• 

  Enchantress's Presence

Summary

The game began with each player developing their mana base and setting up early board presence. Scott, piloting Maelstrom Wanderer, established a strong elf-based ramp and value engine with cards like Coiling Oracle and Birds of Paradise, aiming for a cascade-driven creature storm. Tony, on Elsha, struggled with land draws early on, hampering his ability to execute his spells and enchantments. Adam, playing Zedruu, focused on setting up enchantment synergies and control elements, including a key Rest in Peace and Helm of Obedience combo that would later become pivotal. Peter, with Yawgmoth, established a threatening board state with tokens and a well-timed Damnation to reset other players’ boards, but lacked effective artifact or enchantment removal to counter Adam’s combo pieces. The turning point came when Adam resolved Rest in Peace, exiling all graveyards and effectively shutting down reanimation and recursion strategies. He then cast Helm of Obedience with the enchantment active, creating a lock that exiled Scott's entire library, eliminating his threat before he could cascade into additional powerful creatures. This combo proved game-ending as it also prevented Peter from recovering, who lost shortly afterward due to the exile lock. Tony, hindered by poor draws and unable to disrupt the combo, conceded shortly after. Adam's control and combo-oriented Zedruu deck secured a decisive victory by leveraging graveyard hate and an infinite exile lock.