Animar vs Kestia vs Dralnu vs Vaevictus EDH / CMDR game play for Magic: The Gathering

Deck Strategies

• 

  Animar, Soul of Elements

  Rapidly cast low-cost creatures to put +1/+1 counters on Animar, enabling big creatures and multiple spells per turn, often leveraging cascade to chain powerful spells.

• Vaevictus Asmadi, the Dire

  Build a board of high-impact creatures that deal damage when they enter or attack, using ramp and synergy with spells like Magmatic Force to pressure opponents aggressively.

• 

  Kestia, the Cultivator

  Utilize enchantment-based buffs and card draw through combat damage, protecting creatures with auras and equipment to create a resilient, value-generating board.

• 

  Dralnu, Lich Lord

  Control the board with removal and recursion, using spells like Chaos Warp and exiling key threats while leveraging life-drain and spell-based interactions.

Gameplay Insights

• 1

  Kiefer's use of Magmatic Force repeatedly dealt incremental damage to multiple opponents, effectively softening the board before attacks.

• 2

  Scott's combination of Painter's Servant changing all card colors and casting spells to grow Animar quickly accelerated his board development.

• 3

  Tony's use of enchantments like Seasons of Growth and protective auras like Shielded by Faith allowed his creatures to draw cards and survive removal.

• 4

  The board wipe moment slowed aggressive strategies, but players adjusted by using equipment and recursion to maintain pressure.

• 5

  Notion Thief's flash impact disrupted opponents' card draws, granting Tony additional card advantage during key turns.

• 6

  Cascade triggers from spells like Bloodbraid Elf helped Animar maintain tempo by chaining into additional spells and creatures.

Notable Cards

• 

  Magmatic Force

• 

  Painter's Servant

• 

  Chaos Warp

• 

  Notion Thief

• 

  Swiftfoot Boots

• 

  Dig Through Time

• 

  Bloodbraid Elf

Summary

The game began with a balanced ramp and setup phase, as each player developed their mana base and began to cast key early creatures and enchantments. Kiefer's Vaevictus Asmadi deck quickly established board presence with Magmatic Force and seasonal enchantments to gain life and deal incremental damage, while Scott's Animar deck leveraged cheap creatures and cascade spells to rapidly grow Animar's counters. Tony's Kestia deck utilized enchantments and auras to buff creatures like Castilla, drawing multiple cards and gaining life, while the Dralnu player focused on control elements such as Chaos Warp and exiling threats. A pivotal moment came when the board was wiped, slowing the momentum, but the players maintained pressure with efficient creatures and synergy plays. Notably, Scott utilized Painter's Servant combined with Animar to shape the color identity of spells, and cast Dig Through Time to refuel his hand. Kiefer's Vaevictus Asmadi continued to apply pressure with Magmatic Force triggers and aggressive combat steps, while Tony protected his commander with equipment like Swiftfoot Boots and Imperial Armor to maintain his board presence. The interplay of tokens, counters, and card draw effects kept the game dynamic, with combat damage and incremental life gain shaping the board state throughout the midgame.