Brudiclad vs Zaxara vs Vial Smasher | Ikra vs Yarok EDH / CMDR game play for Magic: The Gathering

Deck Strategies

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  Ikra Shidiqi, the Usurper

  Ikra aims to gain life through combat damage and capitalize on life gain triggers to stabilize, while also applying pressure via commander damage and disruption.

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  Vial Smasher the Fierce

  Vial Smasher focuses on dealing incremental commander damage triggered by casting spells, often paired with chaos and burn spells to disrupt opponents and chip away at their life totals.

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  Brudiclad, Telchor Engineer

  Brudiclad utilizes token generation and transforms tokens into powerful copies of a chosen creature, amplifying board presence and synergizing with equipment to deliver aggressive damage.

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  Zaxara, the Exemplary

  Zaxara centers on ramping to generate large hydra tokens and casting spells that create additional value, leveraging spell damage and combat to overwhelm opponents.

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  Yarok, the Desecrated

  Yarok doubles enter-the-battlefield triggers, enabling powerful value engines with creatures and spells, alongside control elements like removal and stealing opponents' permanents to disrupt their game plan.

Gameplay Insights

• 1

  The early destruction of Soul Ring by Reclamation Sage limited Mike’s initial ramp, forcing him to rely more on token generation and equipment for tempo.

• 2

  Curtain's Call was used defensively to clear attacking threats and protect life totals, showcasing its utility as both a removal and combat trick.

• 3

  Frank’s use of Treachery to steal Brudiclad and untap lands for a follow-up powerful attack highlights a pivotal moment where control and tempo swung in his favor.

• 4

  Ryan’s use of Finale of Revelation not only generated a large hydra token but also replenished his hand, maintaining momentum in the midgame.

• 5

  Trevor’s combination of Vial Smasher’s commander damage with spells like Fury Storm and Imp's Mischief created chaotic board states and random damage distribution, pressuring all opponents evenly.

• 6

  Mike’s ability to create mirror tokens with Brudiclad and equip them with Sword of the Animist enabled consistent incremental damage and land ramp, reinforcing his aggressive strategy.

• 7

  Frank’s board wipe with Languish followed by Temur Sabretooth recursion showcased a strong reset and value recovery play, stabilizing his position in the midgame.

Notable Cards

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  Sword of the Animist

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  Fury Storm

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  Finale of Revelation

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  Hostage Taker

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  Reclamation Sage

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  Languish

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  Treachery

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  Lightning Greaves

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  Primal Amulet // Primal Wellspring

Summary

The game began with slow ramp and early board development, featuring land drops and utility creatures like Sakura-Tribe Elder, Wall of Blossoms, and Soul Ring enabling quick mana acceleration. Early interaction included targeted removal such as Reclamation Sage destroying Soul Ring and Hostage Taker stealing key creatures. Vial Smasher's aggressive commander damage paired with spells like Fury Storm and Curtain's Call kept pressure on opponents early. Ryan’s Zaxara deck developed a strong board presence with hydra tokens and utilized ramp spells like Cultivate and Finale of Revelation to maintain card advantage. Mike's Brudiclad deck leveraged artifact synergies and token generation, equipping creatures with Sword of the Animist to push damage and ramp further. Frank's Yarok deck demonstrated control elements with board wipes like Languish and value plays using Temur Sabretooth and Treachery to steal powerful permanents, including Brudiclad himself.