KARLOV MANOR PRE-CON FACE OFF | Mulligan's Episode 2 | MTG Commander Gameplay

Deck Strategies

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  Mirko, Obsessive Theorist

  Utilizes surveil to filter cards and grow in size with +1/+1 counters while recurring smaller creatures from the graveyard to maintain board presence and apply continuous pressure.

• 

  Kaust, Eyes of the Glade

  Focuses on the disguising mechanic by turning creatures face down and face up to trigger combat damage and card draw, creating unpredictable threats.

• 

  Morska, Undersea Sleuth

  Builds clues through investigation and leverages drawing multiple cards per turn to grow in size with +1/+1 counters, aiming to become a large threat over time.

• 

  Nelly Borca, Impulsive Accuser

  Employs the goad mechanic to force opponents into attacking each other, generating card draw from combat damage dealt by multiple creatures, thus fueling hand advantage.

Gameplay Insights

• 1

  Using disguising to turn creatures face down and face up enabled Kaust to draw cards and trigger combat damage, introducing a tactical layer of unpredictability.

• 2

  Surveil was effectively used by Mirko to filter draws and grow the commander through +1/+1 counters while enabling recursion from the graveyard.

• 3

  Nelly's goad mechanic strategically encouraged opponents to attack each other, creating chaotic combat scenarios that generated valuable card draw.

• 4

  Academy Manufactor provided a powerful engine by generating multiple token types upon artifact and clue creation, accelerating board development.

• 5

  Players leveraged scry and surveil lands to improve draw quality early, gaining incremental advantage over the course of the game.

Notable Cards

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  Academy Manufactor

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  Talisman of Progress

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  Temple of Enlightenment

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  Temple of Abandon

Summary

The game began with all four players piloting new pre-con decks themed around the 'Murders at Karlov Manor' set, each exploring unique mechanics such as disguising, surveil, and suspecting. Early turns focused on ramping mana and establishing board presence with lands and utility artifacts like Talisman of Progress and Academy Manufactor. Kaust, Eyes of the Glade, was able to capitalize on the disguising mechanic by turning creatures face down and face up, triggering card draw and combat damage. Meanwhile, Merko, Obsessive Theorist used surveil to fuel +1/+1 counters and recursion, steadily growing in power. Nelly Borca pushed the goad mechanic, encouraging opponents to attack each other, drawing cards from ensuing combat damage. Morska, Undersea Sleuth built clues and grew larger from drawing multiple cards per turn, adding pressure over time. Key turning points included the deployment of mysterious creatures with ward, leveraging the new disguising mechanic to keep opponents guessing, and the generation of multiple token types by Academy Manufactor, which enhanced board development. The interaction between goading by Nelly and the card draw it enabled spurred chaotic combat, shifting the game's tempo. The players showcased strategic use of new mechanics to maximize card advantage and board control, setting the stage for aggressive attacks and combo potential. The game’s progression highlighted the synergy between the new set’s mechanics and each commander’s strengths, aiming to outlast opponents through incremental advantages and tactical combat manipulation.