HALLOWEEN SPECIAL (2024) - PART 1 - cEDH - DIHADA v NASHI v VALGAVOTH v MASTER OF KEYS MTG GAMEPLAY

Deck Strategies

• 

  Nashi, Searcher in the Dark

  Utilizes value from surveil and graveyard interactions to control the board and generate card advantage, often leveraging creatures and spells that manipulate the top of the deck.

• 

  Dihada, Binder of Wills

  Focuses on incremental damage and controlling opponents' resources through life loss triggers and creature-based aggression, aiming to wear down opponents over time.

• 

  Valgavoth, Harrower of Souls

  Capitalizes on reanimation and graveyard recursion to maintain board presence and execute combos that generate advantage through repeated spellcasting and artifact synergies.

• 

  The Master of Keys

  Leverages artifact mana production, spell recursion, and combo loops involving Altar of Brood and other artifacts to generate infinite or near-infinite resources, culminating in milling or overwhelming opponents.

Gameplay Insights

• 1

  The timely casting of One Ring enabled significant card draw and synergy with surveil triggers, pivotal for setting up the combo win.

• 2

  Players used Demonic Consultation strategically to exile key cards and disrupt opponents’ plans while advancing their own game state.

• 3

  The Master of Keys player successfully set up a loop with Altar of Brood and Spring Leaf Drum to generate treasures, produce mana, and mill opponents out.

• 4

  Despite heavy life payments and card costs, the reanimation spells provided critical board presence and resilience.

• 5

  Bloodchief Ascension's incremental life drain pressured opponents steadily, synergizing well with aggressive attacks and creature sacrifices.

Notable Cards

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  Bloodchief Ascension

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  Demonic Consultation

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  Imperial Seal

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  Brainstorm

Summary

The game begins with all players establishing their mana and board presence, with several early plays including mana rocks, fetch lands, and key creatures like Powerwalk Prodigy and Dragonrage Channeler. Nashi, Searcher in the Dark and Dihada, Binder of Wills quickly develop their boards while players utilize spells like Demonic Consultation and wheels to cycle through their decks. A pivotal moment occurs when The Master of Keys player casts One Ring, triggering card draws and enabling powerful surveil and draw synergies. Bloodchief Ascension also comes online, further pressuring opponents with incremental life loss and card advantage. As the midgame unfolds, players execute intricate combos involving reanimation, artifact loops with Altar of Brood and Spring Leaf Drum, and continuous treasure generation. The Master of Keys piloting player sets up a lethal loop that mills out opponents by repeatedly casting spells and generating mana via Soul Ring and other artifacts. Despite taking significant damage from costly spell casts such as Imperial Seal and Brainstorm, the player successfully recovers resources through reanimation and board control. The game ends with a devastating mill combo that overwhelms all opponents, showcasing the synergy of artifact recursion, mana generation, and incremental advantage mechanics.