Deck Strategies
Plargg, Dean of Chaos // Augusta, Dean of Order
Focuses on assembling an infinite mana combo using Zirda, the Dawnwaker and Basalt Monolith to tutor and cast key nonlegendary permanents for a game-winning polymorph combo.
Ghyrson Starn, Kelermorph
Employs aggressive one-damage creatures and burn spells to pressure opponents, aiming to win through incremental damage and tempo advantage.
Tivit, Seller of Secrets
Utilizes a dense suite of counterspells and disruption, backed by a one-card combo with Time Sieve, to control the game while building incremental value and eventually comboing off.
Blue Farm (Tymna the Weaver and Kraum, Ludevic's Opus)
Leverages fast mana and tutors like Ad Nauseam and Underworld Breach to assemble quick combos or grind out wins with continuous card advantage and flicker synergies.
Gameplay Insights
- 1
Counter magic played a pivotal role in the game, with players carefully timing spells like Swan Song and Mana Drain to disrupt opponents' key combo pieces and spells.
- 2
The Boros Plargg/Zirda deck efficiently used polymorph style combo lines requiring only two activations to assemble a game-winning board state.
- 3
Hidden's use of Jeweled Lotus and Lotus Pedal to accelerate mana allowed casting powerful spells early, enabling value and combo threats to be deployed quickly.
- 4
Players were wary of giving each other card advantage through spells like Wheel of Fortune, leading to counterspells being held and cast at critical moments.
- 5
Interaction and resource management were crucial, as players balanced developing their board states with holding up counters to prevent sudden combo wins.
Notable Cards
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Zirda, the Dawnwaker
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Basalt Monolith
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Mystic Remora
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Wheel of Fortune
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Swan Song
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Jeweled Lotus
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Fierce Guardianship
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Mana Drain
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Time Sieve
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Ad Nauseam
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Underworld Breach
Summary
The game began with each player setting up their respective mana bases and deploying early interaction such as Mystic Remora and mind break trap to disrupt opponents' plans. The Boros Plargg/Zirda deck aimed to assemble an infinite mana combo using Zirda and Basalt Monolith, enabling a quick combo kill by tutoring key non-legendary permanents. Meanwhile, the Ghyrson Starn deck leveraged aggressive one-point damage creatures and burn spells to chip away at opponents, pressuring the board early. The Tivit, Seller of Secrets deck focused on a high density of counterspells and a one-card combo with Time Sieve, functioning as a resilient value engine while threatening to combo off. The Blue Farm deck aimed to be the fastest by using Ad Nauseam, Underworld Breach, and card draw engines to assemble explosive wins or grind as needed. Key moments included intense counterspell exchanges that shaped the flow of the game, notably when a Wheel of Fortune was countered by Swan Song, preventing a major card advantage swing. Hidden's (Tivit) use of Jeweled Lotus and Lotus Pedal to accelerate mana and cast powerful spells like Pivotal and Council's Dilemma further showcased the deck's combo potential. The interplay of interaction cards such as Fierce Guardianship, Mind Break Trap, and Mana Drain highlighted the critical role of counter magic in controlling the pace and preventing opponents from going off unchecked. Each player was cautious about timing and resource management, knowing that a single resolved combo could end the game abruptly. The game remained highly interactive with threats and answers traded frequently, underlining the tension between going off quickly and holding up countermagic.
