Isshin VS Rhys 1v1 EDH/CMDR Gameplay

Deck Strategies

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  Isshin, Two Heavens as One

  Aggressive combat strategy focusing on treasure generation and double strike synergy to maximize damage output each combat. The deck uses creatures like Firemane Commander and Decadent Dragon to generate value and tokens, then boosts them with auras like Duelist's Heritage for lethal swings.

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  Rhys the Redeemed

  Token and counter-based strategy that builds a wide board of elves, using Cathar Crusade and Elvish Archdruid to grow creatures and generate additional tokens. The deck relies on defensive spells like Rootborn Defenses to protect its board and overwhelm opponents through incremental growth and large attacks.

Gameplay Insights

• 1

  Isshin's synergy with treasure generation and double strike auras allowed for explosive combat phases that outpaced Rhys' incremental token growth.

• 2

  Rhys leveraged Rootborn Defenses to make his board indestructible, which could have stabilized the game but was countered by Isshin's damage prevention and overwhelming attack.

• 3

  Playing Duelist's Heritage on multiple creatures to grant double strike doubled the damage output and attack triggers, creating significant card draw and treasure generation.

• 4

  Isshin's use of Firemane Commander's ability to draw cards while creating treasures helped maintain hand advantage and board resources.

• 5

  Rhys' early ramp and token production was strong but ultimately insufficient to stop a well-timed aggressive swing from Isshin.

Notable Cards

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  Isshin, Two Heavens as One

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  Rhys the Redeemed

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  Elvish Archdruid

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  Rootborn Defenses

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  Duelist's Heritage

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  Decadent Dragon // Expensive Taste

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  Inkshield

Summary

The game began with Rhys the Redeemed quickly establishing board presence by playing his commander on turn one and ramping into several key creatures such as Cathar Crusade, Elvish Harbinger, Elvish Archdruid, and Woodland Champion. Rhys focused on building a wide board of elves with counters, progressively buffing them to prepare for a powerful attack. Isshin, on the other hand, developed a more aggressive strategy by playing lands and casting aggressive creatures like Decadent Dragon and Firemane Commander, leveraging treasure generation and double strike through Duelist's Heritage to maximize damage output. A pivotal moment came when Rhys used Rootborn Defenses to protect his growing army and make them indestructible, setting up a massive attack. However, Isshin responded with Inkshield to prevent combat damage and then swung with a large double-striking army of tokens and creatures, leveraging the synergy from Duelist's Heritage and treasure generation to deal lethal damage. This decisive attack ended the game in Isshin’s favor, demonstrating the power of aggressive combat tricks and treasure synergy against a token-based elf strategy aiming for incremental growth and defense.