Xantcha vs Skithiryx vs Rafiq vs Edric [EDH/Commander] Gameplay 2020

Deck Strategies

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  Skithiryx, the Blight Dragon

  Infect-based aggressive deck that leverages poison counters to quickly eliminate opponents, using equipment like Blackblade Reforged and disruption spells to maintain board control and close out the game with commander damage.

• 

  Edric, Spymaster of Trest

  A tempo and card advantage deck focused on attacking with multiple small creatures to draw cards and generate incremental value, aiming to overwhelm opponents through superior card advantage and board presence.

• 

  Xantcha, Sleeper Agent

  A political and disruption-focused deck that uses curses, control effects, and the ability to pass control of Xantcha to other players to create chaos and gain advantage while avoiding being a primary target.

• 

  Rafiq of the Many

  A combat-focused deck that uses exalted triggers, double strike, and equipment to maximize commander damage output, aiming to quickly take out opponents by single-target lethal commander attacks.

Gameplay Insights

• 1

  Using All Is Dust at a critical mid-game point forced players to sacrifice colored permanents, significantly resetting the board while Skithiryx's resilience allowed it to remain a threat.

• 2

  Passing control of Xantcha to Rafiq enabled aggressive attacks with double strike and equipment, maximizing damage output and life gain.

• 3

  Edric's strategy of attacking with multiple creatures to draw cards kept him drawing consistently but was insufficient to stop the infect damage race.

• 4

  The timing of equipment attachments and combat phases, especially with double strike and exalted triggers, was crucial in pushing through lethal damage.

• 5

  Deploying curses and using Bitterheart Witch to chain curses ensured continuous disruption and pressure on opponents throughout the game.

Notable Cards

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  Skithiryx, the Blight Dragon

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  Blackblade Reforged

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  All Is Dust

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  Edric, Spymaster of Trest

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  Xantcha, Sleeper Agent

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  Rafiq of the Many

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  Harsh Mentor

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  Curse of Disturbance

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  Armadillo Cloak

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  Bitterheart Witch

• 

  Unspeakable Symbol

Summary

The game began with all four players developing their boards cautiously, setting up early ramp and utility creatures. Edric, Spymaster of Trest focused on drawing cards through combat damage, quickly establishing a board presence with flyers and other small creatures. Xantcha, Sleeper Agent was handed off to another player, becoming a significant threat with equipment and curses that pressured opponents. Skithiryx, the Blight Dragon steadily built its board and equipped Blackblade Reforged, preparing for a lethal infect threat. Rafiq of the Many used exalted triggers and double strike to apply heavy commander damage, gaining life and pushing aggressive attacks. The pivotal moment came when Skithiryx's controller cast All Is Dust, wiping colored permanents and forcing everyone to rebuild while Skithiryx remained threatening with its inherent resilience. Despite curses and disruption from Xantcha, the game tilted heavily towards the infect dragon, who was able to finish off one player with a powerful double strike attack. The game featured multiple combat phases where Edric's card draw kept him relevant, but ultimately Skithiryx's infect damage and synergy with equipment and curses proved decisive. The game ended shortly after Skithiryx secured a critical lethal strike, validating the infect strategy as the MVP of the game.