Niv Mizzet vs Animar vs Godo vs Akiri [EDH/Commander] Gameplay 2020

Deck Strategies

• 

  Animar, Soul of Elements

  Ramp quickly with mana dorks and Lotus Cobra to cast Animar and other creatures cheaply, then accumulate +1/+1 counters on Animar and other creatures using Forgotten Ancient and Ozolith to overwhelm opponents with large, evasive threats.

• 

  Akiri, Fearless Voyager

  Utilize equipment-based synergies, fetching powerful swords with Stoneforge Mystic and Sunforger to control the board and apply pressure through combat damage and instant-speed removal using Sunforger.

• 

  Godo, Bandit Warlord

  Aggressively ramp into Godo to search out Helm of the Host or other equipment, enabling combo kills or overwhelming attacks supported by equipment and tokens, while using cards like Harsh Mentor to punish opponents' ramp.

• 

  Niv-Mizzet, Parun

  Set up card draw and damage combos involving Niv-Mizzet's triggered abilities with enchantments or artifacts like Ophidian Eye and Curiosity to deal incremental damage and draw cards, aiming for a combo finish.

Gameplay Insights

• 1

  Harsh Mentor was a key tempo card, punishing opponents who cracked fetch lands and thereby shaping early game decisions.

• 2

  Animar's synergy with Forgotten Ancient and Ozolith allowed rapid accumulation and redistribution of counters, enabling large, threatening creatures and significant combat damage.

• 3

  Guy's attempt to combo off with Niv-Mizzet and Ophidian Eye was well anticipated and countered with Red Elemental Blast and Disallow, demonstrating the importance of interaction and counterplay in multiplayer EDH.

• 4

  Godo's ability to search for key equipment and generate tokens provided strong board presence and pressure, influencing opponents' defensive plays.

• 5

  Akiri's equipment package, especially Sunforger and Sword of Fire and Ice, provided versatile removal and combat threats, maintaining steady pressure throughout the game.

• 6

  The game showcased the balance between combo setups and aggressive equipment-based strategies, with timely disruption proving decisive.

Notable Cards

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  Lotus Cobra

• 

  Forgotten Ancient

• 

  Lifeblood Hydra

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  Niv-Mizzet, Parun

• 

  Ophidian Eye

• 

  Disallow

• 

  Red Elemental Blast

• 

  Sunforger

• 

  Stoneforge Mystic

• 

  Sword of Fire and Ice

• 

  Harsh Mentor

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  Relic Seeker

• 

  Captain Lannery Storm

• 

  Solemn Simulacrum

• 

  Monastery Mentor

• 

  Helm of the Host

Summary

The game begins with each player developing their mana bases and early board presence, with notable early plays including Lotus Cobra enabling explosive mana ramp for Animar, and Godo establishing board presence with Harsh Mentor to punish land fetches. Niv-Mizzet, Parun is cast mid-game by Guy, setting up for a potential combo. Animar accumulates counters on creatures via Forgotten Ancient and Ozolith, eventually swinging for significant damage. A key moment occurs when Guy attempts to combo off with Niv-Mizzet and Ophidian Eye but is disrupted by a well-timed Red Elemental Blast, countered by Disallow, although Guy cannot capitalize and is eliminated by a lethal attack from Lifeblood Hydra boosted by Animar's counters. Following this, Calvin casts Godo, Bandit Warlord, further solidifying his aggressive stance, while Adrian equips Sunforger on Relic Seeker to exert pressure with equipment-based threats. The game features intense interaction around combat damage, equipment synergies, and disruption, with Godo's aggressive strategy and Animar's counter accumulation as pivotal tempo controllers. The game progresses with Godo and Akiri leveraging equipment and combat synergies, while Niv-Mizzet's combo potential is thwarted, highlighting the importance of interaction and timing in this multiplayer environment.