VANGUARD Karametra vs Hapatra vs Omnath vs Kiki-Jiki EDH / CMDR game for Magic: The Gathering

Deck Strategies

• 

  Karametra, God of Harvests

  Ramp aggressively and generate large amounts of mana to cast powerful spells quickly, while using enchantments like Mari's Wake to double mana production and support a strong board presence.

• 

  Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons

  Utilize -1/-1 counters and deathtouch snakes to control the board and create a swarm of tokens, which can chip away at opponents through combat and poison counters.

• 

  Omnath, Locus of Rage

  Exploit landfall triggers to create Elemental tokens that grow in number and size, overwhelming opponents with large creatures and continuous token generation.

• 

  Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker

  Generate value through artifact synergies and token production, particularly Eldrazi tokens, while protecting key creatures to maintain board control and facilitate aggressive plays.

Gameplay Insights

• 1

  The interaction between Hapatra's -1/-1 counters and token generation allowed for consistent board control and pressure, especially through combat damage and poison counters.

• 2

  Omnath's landfall triggers and token generation created a wide board that required opponents to prioritize removal and blockers, shifting combat dynamics.

• 3

  Heroic Intervention was crucial in protecting Hapatra from a Goblin Bombardment sacrifice, highlighting the importance of timely protection spells in maintaining board presence.

• 4

  The Vanguard cards' impact on starting hand size and life totals affected early game tempo, forcing players like Karametra to adapt by prioritizing mana ramp and card draw to recover.

• 5

  Sacrificing creatures to Baron to bounce opponents' creatures or key threats back to their hands was used strategically to delay opponents' plans and disrupt their tempo.

Notable Cards

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  Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons

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  Nest of Scarabs

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  Goblin Bombardment

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  Beastmaster Ascension

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  Heroic Intervention

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  Duplicant

• 

  Rogue's Passage

Summary

The game started with each player receiving Vanguard cards that modified their starting hands and life totals, impacting their early game strategies. Karametra's player struggled with a reduced starting hand but gradually established a solid mana base and board presence using ramp spells and mana-enhancing effects like Mari's Wake. Hapatra's player quickly developed a board of snakes through the frequent application of -1/-1 counters and token generation, leveraging her synergy with poison and deathtouch creatures to control the board and apply pressure. Omnath's player utilized landfall triggers and Elemental token creation to generate a wide board presence, making combat swings with large tokens and beefy creatures. Kiki-Jiki's player focused on artifact synergies and producing multiple tokens, including Eldrazi Scions, while also protecting key creatures with effects like Heroic Intervention.