Deck & Commander Strategies
The Jolly Balloon Man
Generate a large number of red balloon tokens and overwhelm opponents with combat damage using these tokens.
Tymna the Weaver + Thrasios, Triton Hero
Gain incremental value through card draw and midrange play, then assemble infinite mana combos to draw the deck and win with combo finishers like Thassa's Oracle.
Vohar, Vodalian Desecrator
Leverage reanimation of instants and sorceries from the graveyard to generate value and powerful interactions, aiming to control the game and win through synergy.
Aminatou, Veil Piercer
Use surveil to manipulate the top of the library and the miracle mechanic to cast powerful enchantments on the cheap, setting up disruptive or game-winning plays.
Gameplay Insights
- 1
Trev's attempt to combo off with Demonic Consultation was cleverly countered by Cuz's Fierce Guardianship and Silence, showcasing the importance of well-timed interaction to prevent game-ending combos.
- 2
The Jolly Balloon Man's use of artifact mana and token generation was a strong early game threat, but limited mana availability hindered fully activating his potential in this game.
- 3
Players prioritized disruption and pacing, often choosing not to overextend or commit to risky plays without protection, maintaining a tight control dynamic.
- 4
Aminatou's ability to surveil and cast miracle cards allowed for flexible and efficient plays, helping set up her board state and keep options open throughout the midgame.
- 5
Combat damage exchanges were carefully calculated, with players selectively targeting opponents to manage threats and avoid unnecessary retaliation.
Notable Cards
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Demonic Consultation
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Fierce Guardianship
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Lion's Eye Diamond
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City of Brass
Gameplay Summary
The game began with players quickly establishing their board states and mana bases, with The Jolly Balloon Man aiming to swarm the battlefield with red balloons for a combat damage win.
Tymna and Thrasios built towards an infinite mana combo to draw their deck and win with Thassa's Oracle or similar finishers.
Vohar focused on a graveyard-centric strategy, leveraging reanimation of instants and sorceries for value, while Aminatou utilized her surveil ability and miracle mechanic to manipulate the top of her deck and cast powerful enchantments efficiently. Early interactions included aggressive attacks from The Jolly Balloon Man and attempts by Tymna/Thrasios to assemble infinite combos.
A critical moment occurred when Trev (Vohar) attempted a Demonic Consultation combo to secure a win but was disrupted by fierce guardianship and silence from Cuz (Tymna/Thrasios), preventing the immediate game-ending play.
The Jolly Balloon Man also demonstrated resourcefulness with artifact mana and token generation but struggled to capitalize fully due to mana constraints.
Throughout the game, players balanced aggression with disruption, maintaining tension as key combos were threatened but deftly countered or stalled.
The game featured notable combat exchanges, strategic use of hand disruption, and clever timing of spells to prevent any player from gaining an overwhelming advantage quickly.
