EDH Gameplay - Episode 21: Raff Capashen VS Medomai VS Isperia VS Noyan Dar

Deck Strategies

• 

  Raff Capashen, Ship's Mage

  A tempo-control deck focused on casting spells at instant speed, using Raff's ability to protect key spells and generate value. The deck accelerates mana through artifacts like Ancient Tomb to deploy threats quickly and uses defensive creatures and counterspells to maintain board control.

• 

  Medomai the Ageless

  A control-combo deck that aims to generate extra turns through spells like Approach of the Second Sun combined with artifacts such as the Chain Veil, enabling multiple consecutive turns to close out the game. It uses counterspells and card draw to protect its combo pieces.

• 

  Isperia the Inscrutable

  A control and value-oriented deck that leverages enchantments and countermagic to protect its board and disrupt opponents. It uses Isperia's ability to counter spells and enhance board presence, often reducing commander costs and deploying defensive creatures.

• 

  Noyan Dar, Roil Shaper

  A landfall and control deck that manipulates lands and uses spells like Catnap and Contagion Clasp to control the board. It aims to generate incremental value through land-based triggers and disrupt opponents' plans with removal and counterspells.

Gameplay Insights

• 1

  The use of Ancient Tomb by Raff Capashen to accelerate mana early on was pivotal for setting up instant-speed plays and rapid deployment of threats.

• 2

  Medomai's strategy to generate extra turns with Approach of the Second Sun combined with the Chain Veil represented a key win-condition attempt that required protection by counterspells.

• 3

  Isperia's repeated use of Maze of Ith to remove attackers from combat prevented lethal damage and protected key creatures, demonstrating effective defensive play.

• 4

  Noyan Dar's use of Catnap to temporarily exile threats allowed for tactical resets of the board, buying time to set up his landfall synergies.

• 5

  The interaction of proliferating -1/-1 counters with Contagion Clasp on opposing planeswalkers and creatures effectively hindered opponents' board development.

• 6

  The timing of counterspells like Swan Song and Mystic Study was crucial in maintaining control over the game and preventing opponents from resolving critical spells.

Notable Cards

• 

  Ancient Tomb

• 

  Swan Song

• 

  Maze of Ith

• 

  Approach of the Second Sun

• 

  Contagion Clasp

• 

  Dismantling Blow

• 

  Treasure Map // Treasure Cove

Summary

The game began with all four players establishing board presence through early creatures and mana acceleration, utilizing their commanders and various utility lands. Early turns saw the use of defensive creatures like 1/1 goblins and 1/2 defenders to stall aggression, while players deployed key enchantments and artifacts such as Treasure Map and Maze of Ith to control tempo. Notably, Raff Capashen used Ancient Tomb to accelerate mana at the cost of life, enabling early plays. Several players employed counterspells and card draw to maintain hand advantage, including Swan Song and Mystic Study. Midgame revolved around a gradual buildup of board control and value engines. Medomai the Ageless attempted to generate extra turns through Approach of the Second Sun and the Chain Veil combo, while Isperia the Inscrutable leveraged counterspells and enchantments like Drago's Favor to reduce commander costs and protect key creatures. Noyan Dar, Roil Shaper utilized landfall synergies and board control spells to manipulate the battlefield. Key moments included casting Catnap to temporarily remove threats, proliferating -1/-1 counters with Contagion Clasp, and strategic removal spells like Dismantling Blow to disrupt combo pieces. The game featured multiple combat phases with careful blocking and tactical attacks, while players managed life totals and resources to prepare for potential win conditions. The interaction between multiple control elements and value engines made the game a complex battle for board dominance.