No Blue No Problem | The Gitrog v. Vial Smasher/Malcolm v. Hashaton v. Estrid |@UnstableCommanders

Deck Strategies

• 

  The Gitrog Monster

  Ramp aggressively with lands and spells that sacrifice lands for card draw, aiming to generate continuous card advantage and overwhelm opponents with big creatures and resource denial.

• 

  Malcolm, Keen-Eyed Navigator / Vial Smasher the Fierce

  Use artifact synergies and aggressive creatures to generate incremental value, applying pressure with damage and disruption, while leveraging mana acceleration to cast impactful spells.

• 

  Hashaton, Scarab's Fist

  Control the board with efficient removal and spells to disrupt opponents’ strategies, focusing on tempo plays and maintaining a manageable board state.

• 

  Estrid, the Masked

  Build around enchantment synergies to draw cards and generate incremental advantage, using enchantment-based creatures and value engines to outpace opponents.

Gameplay Insights

• 1

  The Gitrog Monster player’s use of Carpet of Flowers combined with Ancient Tomb enabled explosive mana acceleration early on, facilitating big plays ahead of curve.

• 2

  Force of Vigor was a critical spell used to clear multiple enchantments, disrupting opponents’ enchantment-based strategies and freeing up board space.

• 3

  The strategic choice to sacrifice lands with The Gitrog Monster triggered continuous card draw, which proved essential to maintaining tempo and resource advantage.

• 4

  Use of green spells that cannot be countered allowed key plays to resolve unimpeded, particularly against blue-heavy decks reliant on counterspells.

• 5

  Removal spells like Beholder's Death Ray and Dismember were timed effectively to neutralize key threats like enchantment-based draw engines and aggressive creatures, preserving board control.

Notable Cards

• 

  The Gitrog Monster

• 

  Carpet of Flowers

• 

  Force of Vigor

• 

  Demonic Tutor

• 

  Malcolm, Keen-Eyed Navigator

• 

  Vial Smasher the Fierce

• 

  Entity Tracker

• 

  Dismember

• 

  Ancient Tomb

Summary

The game started with players developing their mana bases and early board presence, with The Gitrog Monster player leveraging ramp spells like Carpet of Flowers and Ancient Tomb to accelerate the game. The Gitrog Monster established a strong land-based engine, drawing cards each time lands entered the graveyard, which allowed continuous card advantage. Meanwhile, Malcolm/Vial Smasher and Estrid, the Masked focused on generating value through enchantments and aggressive creatures, with Malcolm/Vial Smasher using artifact synergies and direct damage potential, while Estrid deployed enchantment draw engines such as Entity Tracker and Idolon of Blossoms. Hashaton, Scarab's Fist played a more controlling role, using efficient removal spells like Force of Vigor and Dismember to keep opposing threats in check. Key moments included The Gitrog Monster casting a decisive Force of Vigor to clear multiple problematic enchantments that could have hindered their strategy and then attacking to deal significant commander damage. The game featured careful resource management and timely interaction, particularly with the use of green spells that could not be countered and well-timed removal to protect board state. The Gitrog Monster's ability to draw cards and maintain pressure through land sacrifices and additional land drops was a pivotal turning point, setting the stage for a win through overwhelming board presence and card advantage.