TALES OF THE 2022 MLC - EPISODE IV - GROLNOK v KRARK/SAKASHIMA v DEREVI v OSWALD - cEDH

Deck Strategies

• 

  Grolnok, the Omnivore

  Utilizes sacrifice outlets and graveyard recursion to generate value and control the board while applying incremental damage through counters and triggers.

• 

  Krark, the Thumbless

  Focuses on artifact synergy and red-based spells to generate explosive mana acceleration and disruption, aiming to overwhelm opponents quickly.

• 

  Sakashima of a Thousand Faces

  Leverages copy effects and control elements to create board advantage by mimicking powerful creatures and disrupting opponents’ strategies.

• 

  Derevi, Empyrial Tactician

  A stax-oriented build designed to generate multiple combat and tap/untap triggers, enabling incremental advantage and locking down opponents’ resources.

• 

  Oswald Fiddlebender

  Utilizes artifact synergies and creature tutoring through Birthing Pod to maintain board presence and disrupt opponents with targeted removals and lock pieces.

Gameplay Insights

• 1

  The exchange of control via Gilded Drake and Phantasmal Image was a pivotal moment shifting board control between players.

• 2

  Repeated activations of Derevi's ability along with multiple combat triggers allowed for significant pressure while maintaining board control.

• 3

  Strategic use of Birthing Pod to tutor disruption creatures like Linvala helped to suppress opponents’ combo potential and abilities.

• 4

  Casting Winter Orb late in the game signaled a shift toward stax lock strategy, restricting mana and slowing opponents’ plays.

• 5

  Efficient early removal of acceleration artifacts like Mox Diamond prevented explosive starts and forced slower development.

• 6

  Players carefully managed life totals in concert with resource denial to maintain board presence without overextending.

Notable Cards

• 

  Gilded Drake

• 

  Phantasmal Image

• 

  Birthing Pod

• 

  Linvala, Keeper of Silence

• 

  Grand Arbiter Augustin IV

• 

  Winter Orb

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  Mana Vault

• 

  Lightning Bolt

• 

  Mystic Remora

• 

  Tundra

Summary

The game began with players establishing their mana bases and early board presence, including artifact acceleration and efficient mana fixing. Early interaction was fierce, with removal spells like Lightning Bolt and disruption such as sacrificing artifacts to prevent acceleration. A key moment occurred when a Gilded Drake and Phantasmal Image combo facilitated the exchange of control over powerful creatures, shifting board control dynamically. Throughout the midgame, players deployed potent stax elements like Grand Arbiter and various lock pieces, aiming to slow the game and lock down opponents’ resources. Birthing Pod played a pivotal role in tutoring key creatures like Linvala, Keeper of Silence, which helped to suppress opponents’ abilities. As the game progressed, multiple players leveraged Derevi's ability to generate multiple combat triggers, enabling a flurry of attacks that applied pressure while maintaining control. The repeated activation of Derevi and Birthing Pod allowed for continual board adaptation and creature upgrades. The introduction of Winter Orb late in the game began to severely restrict mana development, indicating a shift into a stax-heavy endgame strategy. The interplay of lock pieces, efficient creature removal, and resource denial defined the pacing, with players carefully managing life totals and board state to maintain advantage. The game likely aimed toward a stax victory by attrition through resource denial and incremental damage rather than a quick combo finish.