Deck & Commander Strategies
Animar, Soul of Elements
Focuses on reducing the cost of creature spells and accumulating +1/+1 counters to enable infinite combos, often through creatures like Incandescent Statue and utility creatures that synergize with Animar’s ability.
Meren of Clan Nel Toth
Graveyard recursion and elf synergy deck that uses creatures like Razakats and Protean Hulk to assemble combos, relying on sacrifice outlets and graveyard interactions to generate value and win conditions.
The Ur-Dragon
Dragon tribal deck that leverages the cost reduction and powerful dragon creatures to overwhelm opponents with large threats and high-impact dragon synergies.
Marath, Will of the Wild
Naya control deck deploying hate bears and removal to control the board state while ramping towards assembling combos using Marath’s versatility and token generation.
Gameplay Insights
- 1
Steve’s decision to use Incandescent Statue repeatedly to generate infinite +1/+1 counters on Animar was the critical turning point, enabling a lethal attack.
- 2
Fernando’s failure to maintain a sacrifice outlet for his Protean Hulk combo significantly weakened his ability to capitalize on his graveyard strategy.
- 3
Jordan’s choice of a Dragon tribal deck with limited interaction made it difficult to respond to Animar’s combo, contributing to his early concession.
- 4
Jimmy’s inability to draw hate bears or effective removal early hindered his control plan and allowed Animar to grow unchecked.
- 5
The timing of casting Rule Among the Ceaseless Hunger to exile key combo pieces from opponents demonstrated precise play to disrupt enemy strategies before finishing the game.
Notable Cards
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Fauna Shaman
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Protean Hulk
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Caustic Caterpillar
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Scourge of Valkas
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Utopia Sprawl
Gameplay Summary
The game began with Fernando piloting Meren of Clan Nel Toth, focusing on graveyard recursion and elf synergies to assemble combos involving Razakats and Protean Hulk.
Steve played Animar, Soul of Elements, aiming for creature-based infinite combos through Animar's cost reduction and +1/+1 counter synergy.
Jordan brought a Dragon Tribal deck led by The Ur-Dragon, leveraging powerful dragons and cost reduction, while Jimmy played Marath, Will of the Wild, a Naya control deck with hate bears and removal aimed at controlling the board until assembling combos. Early turns saw each player developing their mana bases and deploying creatures, with Animar quickly gaining counters through creatures like Fauna Shaman and Facet of the Sea.
Fernando attempted to set up his combo pieces but lacked a crucial sacrifice outlet.
Steve capitalized on this by casting multiple Incandescent Statues, generating infinite +1/+1 counters on Animar.
After exiling key combo pieces from opponents, Steve executed a lethal infinite attack, eliminating Fernando first.
Jimmy conceded shortly after, recognizing his inability to stop Steve, and Jordan followed, acknowledging the dominance of Animar’s combo.
The game concluded swiftly once Animar achieved infinite counters, showcasing a powerful combo finish despite early resistance.
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