Olivia vs Surrak vs Kozilek vs Phelddagrif EDH / CMDR game play for Magic: The Gathering

Deck Strategies

• 

  Olivia Voldaren

  A control and combat damage-focused deck that leverages Olivia’s ability to steal creatures and grow stronger through combat, supported by equipment and removal spells to maintain board control.

• 

  Surrak Dragonclaw

  An aggressive stompy deck that utilizes big creatures, haste enablers, and combat tricks to overwhelm opponents quickly, often benefiting from sacrifice triggers and pump effects.

• 

  Kozilek, the Great Distortion

  A ramp and control Eldrazi deck aiming to generate huge threats and disrupt opponents with counterspells and removal, while leveraging colorless spells and Ugin for board control and card advantage.

• 

  Phelddagrif

  A group hug-style deck that focuses on political interactions, flashing in creatures and equipment to support its commander, while using synergy and reactive plays to stabilize and gain incremental advantages.

Gameplay Insights

• 1

  Olivia’s ability to steal and transform creatures early on, such as Warden of Geometries, created significant tempo swings and pressured opponents effectively.

• 2

  Dom's use of Genesis Hydra to tutor Sarkhan's Unceasing and subsequent fight interactions with Olivia demonstrated skilled timing to maximize damage and board presence.

• 3

  Jameson’s casting of Emrakul, the Promised End, to take extra turns significantly escalated the game’s pace, forcing opponents to respond quickly to powerful Eldrazi threats.

• 4

  Justin’s timely use of Rewind to counter key spells like Aggravated Assault disrupted opponents’ combos, highlighting the importance of interaction even in a more political deck.

• 5

  The synergy between Dom’s haste enablers (Goreclaw and Rhythm of the Wild) and large creatures helped maintain pressure while offsetting Olivia’s attempts to control the board.

Notable Cards

• 

  Olivia Voldaren

• 

  Swiftfoot Boots

• 

  Genesis Hydra

• 

  Emrakul, the Promised End

• 

  Ugin, the Ineffable

• 

  Gruul Ragebeast

• 

  Warden of Geometries

• 

  Murkfiend Liege

• 

  Conqueror's Flail

Summary

The game began with each player developing their board state and ramping mana, with early plays such as Olivia Voldaren equipping Swiftfoot Boots and Dom (Surrak Dragonclaw) casting Genesis Hydra to establish a strong presence. Olivia quickly gained value by stealing Jameson's Warden of Geometries and turning it into a Vampire, applying steady pressure. Jameson (Kozilek, the Great Distortion) focused on ramp and card advantage, deploying powerful Eldrazi like Emrakul, the Promised End, and utilizing Ugin the Ineffable to control the board. Dom’s aggressive stompy strategy relied on creatures like Gruul Ragebeast and the interaction with Sarkhan's Unceasing trigger to maintain board dominance, while Justin's Phelddagrif deck stayed more reactive, flashing in equipment and supporting his commander with value creatures like Murkfiend Liege.