Kess Control vs. Hinata Tempo [Duel Commander-EDH] - Magic: The Gathering

Deck & Commander Strategies

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  Kess, Dissident Mage

  A control deck that utilizes Grixis colors to disrupt opponents with removal, counterspells, and card draw. Kess's ability to cast spells from the graveyard enables recursive control and value generation, aiming to stall the game and win through incremental advantage and powerful spells.

• 

  Hinata, Dawn-Crowned

  A tempo deck that focuses on aggressive creatures and efficient combat damage to pressure opponents quickly. Hinata drives the deck's strategy by boosting creatures and ensuring consistent attacks, aiming to overwhelm slower, control-oriented decks before they can stabilize.

Gameplay Insights

• 1

  Kess prioritized controlling the board early with spot removal and card advantage spells to prevent Hinata from establishing a threatening board state.

• 2

  Hinata attempted to maintain tempo by attacking with creatures and using bounce effects to protect key threats, but Kess's counterspells and recursive abilities neutralized these efforts.

• 3

  The interaction between Kess's graveyard recursion and Hinata's tempo pressure created a dynamic back-and-forth where timing of removal and counterspells was critical.

• 4

  Casting Kess on turn five and backing her up with counterspells and Snapcaster Mage was a turning point that allowed the control player to stabilize and gain the upper hand.

• 5

  Both players carefully managed resources such as lands and spells, but Kess's ability to leverage spells from the graveyard gave her superior long-term value.

Notable Cards

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  Kess, Dissident Mage

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  Hinata, Dawn-Crowned

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  Fatal Push

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  Eliminate

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  Snapcaster Mage

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  Chandra, Torch of Defiance

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  Memory Lapse

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  Bonecrusher Giant // Stomp

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  Expressive Iteration

Gameplay Summary