Derevi vs Maelstrom Wandr vs Lazav vs Experiment Kraj EDH / CMDR game play for Magic: The Gathering

Deck Strategies

• 

  Maelstrom Wanderer

  Cascade into high-impact creatures to overwhelm opponents with tempo and value, using the Wanderer's haste to immediately threaten or protect the board.

• 

  Experiment Kraj

  Utilize creatures with +1/+1 counters and activated abilities to generate incremental advantage and board control, building a resilient army over time.

• 

  Lazav, Dimir Mastermind

  Leverage cloning and stealing mechanics to control the board, disrupt opponents' strategies, and create multiple threats with haste for quick, decisive attacks.

• 

  Derevi, Empyrial Tactician

  Generate incremental value through tapping and untapping creatures, using synergistic creatures and enchantments to control the tempo and support allies.

Gameplay Insights

• 1

  Maelstrom Wanderer’s double cascade allowed fetching both a ramp artifact (Gilded Lotus) and a versatile removal (Reclamation Sage), setting up a powerful board state.

• 2

  Lazav’s player exploited multiple cloning and stealing interactions with Hostage-Taker and Body Double to gain tempo and control.

• 3

  Pathbreaker Ibex’s massive pump effect was pivotal in delivering lethal combat damage to the Derevi player.

• 4

  Birthing Pod enabled Experiment Kraj’s player to upgrade creatures efficiently, maintaining pressure and board presence.

• 5

  The use of Sylvan Library by Derevi’s player indicated a strategy focused on card advantage, though it was not enough to stabilize against aggressive combat swings.

• 6

  A well-timed board wipe (Damnation) reset the game state but did not halt the momentum of the cloning and theft-focused deck, which quickly regained advantage.

Notable Cards

• 

  Maelstrom Wanderer

• 

  Palinchron

• 

  Body Double

• 

  Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker

• 

  Pathbreaker Ibex

• 

  Academy Rector

• 

  Sylvan Library

• 

  Birthing Pod

• 

  Sower of Temptation

• 

  Coalition Relic

• 

  Thornweald Archer

• 

  Fathom Mage

Summary

The game featured four competitive decks led by Derevi, Empyrial Tactician; Maelstrom Wanderer; Lazav, Dimir Mastermind; and Experiment Kraj. Early turns saw each player developing mana bases and setting up their board states with key ramp and utility creatures. Maelstrom Wanderer cascaded into impactful creatures like Palinchron and Body Double, establishing a strong tempo play. Experiment Kraj's player utilized creatures with +1/+1 counter synergies and activated abilities to maintain board presence. Lazav's player capitalized on theft and clone effects, notably stealing Maelstrom Wanderer and leveraging multiple copies of Hostage-Taker to disrupt opponents while applying pressure with haste creatures generated from Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker combos. Derevi's player focused on incremental value with creatures like Noble Hierarch and Academy Rector, but was ultimately taken out in a combat phase boosted by Pathbreaker Ibex's massive pump.