$100 Budget CEDH Gameplay | Godo vs Gitrog vs Thrasios/Vial Smasher vs Yuriko

Deck Strategies

• 

  Godo, Bandit Warlord

  Utilizes fast mana and equipment like Helm of the Host to generate multiple combat phases and quickly deal lethal damage through combat damage doubling and extra combat steps.

• 

  The Gitrog Monster

  Leverages land-based synergies and card draw from sacrificing lands and creatures, aiming to assemble combos or overwhelm opponents with value and repeated triggers.

• 

  Thrasios, Triton Hero / Vial Smasher the Fierce

  Focuses on four-color control and combo elements, using card draw engines like Dark Tutelage and value artifacts to assemble combos such as Dramatic Scepter with Demonic Consultation for game-winning plays.

• 

  Yuriko, the Tiger's Shadow

  Employs ninjutsu to sneak in unblockable creatures and trigger Yuriko’s ability to deal damage and draw cards, combining evasive threats with disruption and extra turn spells to control the board and generate incremental advantage.

Gameplay Insights

• 1

  Godo's player leveraged a perfect opening hand to perform a devastating turn 1 combo of mana acceleration and equipment equipping that ended the game immediately.

• 2

  The Gitrog Monster's deck maintained its core combo potential by retaining an Eldrazi titan and using Ebony Charm as a budget-friendly win condition.

• 3

  Thrasios / Vial Smasher's build kept key combo engines like Dramatic Scepter and Seaborne Muse to generate infinite or near-infinite value despite budget constraints.

• 4

  Yuriko's player maximized ninjutsu triggers and evasive creatures to apply pressure and generate card advantage, using blink effects and removal to maintain board control.

• 5

  Counterspells and removal were critical in disrupting early explosive starts, such as miscast countering Magnetic Theft, and destruction of Helm of the Host with Wilt.

• 6

  Players adapted their strategies to slower mana bases and less efficient mana acceleration due to budget restrictions, emphasizing synergy and timing over raw power.

Notable Cards

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  Helm of the Host

• 

  Demonic Consultation

• 

  Dark Tutelage

• 

  Skirk Prospector

• 

  Fourth Bridge Prowler

• 

  Magnetic Theft

• 

  Seething Song

• 

  Treasonous Ogre

Summary

The game began with aggressive early plays, most notably Godo, Bandit Warlord's explosive first turn where he cast multiple mana acceleration spells to quickly equip Helm of the Host and attack for a swift victory. However, in the subsequent game, players adjusted their strategies, and the board developed more gradually. The Gitrog Monster piloted by Garrett focused on leveraging its card draw and land interactions, enabling steady resource accumulation while maintaining pressure with creatures like Rift Sweeper. Meanwhile, Thrasios and Vial Smasher's deck centered on control and value engines such as Dark Tutelage and Manolith, aiming to grind out card advantage and find their combos. Yuriko's deck used ninjutsu and evasive creatures like Fourth Bridge Prowler to chip away at opponents, generating card advantage through triggers and disruption spells. The game featured intense interactions involving counterspells, removal, and combat tricks, with players carefully managing threats and resources to maintain board presence. Throughout the match, the budget builds retained their core themes despite the absence of some premium cards, showcasing that strategic play and synergy could still shine within a $100 budget.