Battle for the One Ring, ft. Frodo, Bilbo, Tom, and Gandalf [EDH/Commander Gameplay 2023]

Deck & Commander Strategies

• 

  Frodo, Sauron's Bane

  Advance Frodo’s level-up ability by managing the Ring Tempts You mechanic and employing all nine Nazgûl to pressure opponents, aiming to unlock Frodo’s powerful win condition tied to the One Ring.

• Bilbo

  Gain incremental life and build toward a high life total to activate a powerful exile effect that allows searching the library for multiple creatures and putting them into play, aiming for a decisive board presence.

• 

  Tom Bombadil

  Utilize indestructibility and hexproof to protect Tom alongside multiple saga enchantments, generating value from saga triggers and controlling the board through enchantment synergy.

• 

  Gandalf the Grey

  Employ flicker effects and spell copying to repeatedly cast and amplify Epic Experiment and other spells, creating a combo loop that generates massive card advantage and disruption.

Gameplay Insights

• 1

  Frodo’s player prioritized assembling the full set of Nazgûl to maximize pressure and interaction with the Ring Tempts You mechanic, highlighting the synergy and thematic focus of the deck.

• 2

  Bilbo’s player focused on incremental life gain and carefully timed activation of the exile ability to potentially flood the board with creatures for an overwhelming advantage.

• 3

  Gandalf’s player sought to establish a flicker and spell-copying combo with Epic Experiment, Twincaster Mage, and other cards to maintain a continuous loop of spell recasting, aiming for infinite value.

• 4

  Tom Bombadil’s indestructibility and hexproof allowed for safe deployment and protection of sagas, which provided steady incremental advantages and board control through enchantment triggers.

• 5

  The decision to exclude the One Ring card from the budget decks added a layer of humor and thematic tension, with players acknowledging its significance but opting for a balanced competitive environment.

• 6

  Players engaged in light combat and resource development early on, each maneuvering to reach their unique win conditions while maintaining board presence and preventing opponents’ combos.

Notable Cards

• 

  Frodo, Sauron's Bane

• 

  Tom Bombadil

• 

  Epic Experiment

• 

  Archetype of Endurance

• 

  Opulent Palace

• 

  Reverberate

• 

  Cultivator Colossus

Gameplay Summary