Mistform vs Zurgo vs Bosh vs Elenda EDH / CMDR game play for Magic: The Gathering

Deck Strategies

• 

  Bosh, Iron Golem

  An artifact-centric, big red deck that ramps quickly into powerful artifacts and uses Bosh's fling ability to deal direct damage by sacrificing artifacts.

• 

  Zurgo Helmsmasher

  A fast, aggressive mono-red deck focused on equipping Zurgo with protective auras and equipment to deal heavy damage quickly and apply combat pressure.

• 

  Mistform Ultimus

  A tribal wizard deck that relies on tribal lords and +1/+1 counter synergies, combined with artifact support for card draw and board presence, aiming to overwhelm opponents with a growing board.

• 

  Elenda, the Dusk Rose

  A vampire tribal deck that generates tokens and gains value from creature deaths, using anthem effects like Cathar's Crusade to grow the board and overwhelm opponents.

Gameplay Insights

• 1

  Casting Bosh early and using Metalworker and other artifacts to ramp into high-impact plays quickly set the pace for the red deck's aggressive strategy.

• 2

  Utilizing Mistform Ultimus with Arcane Adaptation naming Wizards combined with Stoneforge Masterwork and Shifting Sliver created a formidable evasive threat boosted by artifact synergy.

• 3

  The timely use of Swan Song to counter Vindicate preserved key board pieces and maintained momentum for the tribal deck.

• 4

  Zurgo's aggressive swings pressured opponents but were mitigated when opponents forced him to sacrifice his equipment and creatures with spells like Gust Verdict.

• 5

  The combination of Cathar's Crusade and Gideon, Ally of Zendikar provided continuous growth through +1/+1 counters and token generation, strengthening the vampire tribal board.

• 6

  Artifact recursion plays, including Mirage Mirror copying creatures and abilities, provided critical card draw and additional threats, impacting the game's tempo.

• 7

  Players carefully managed graveyards and used Scavenger Grounds to deny recursion, preventing opponents from regaining advantage from discarded cards.

Notable Cards

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  Bosh, Iron Golem

• 

  Zurgo Helmsmasher

• 

  Mistform Ultimus

• 

  Elenda, the Dusk Rose

• 

  Metalworker

• 

  Gilded Lotus

• 

  Gideon, Ally of Zendikar

• 

  Arcane Adaptation

• 

  Stoneforge Masterwork

• 

  Mirage Mirror

• 

  Mirrorworks

• 

  Swiftfoot Boots

• 

  Lightning Greaves

• 

  Swan Song

• 

  Vindicate

• 

  Spine of Ish Sah

• 

  Not of This World

• 

  Trophy Mage

• 

  Auriok Champion

Summary

Key turning points included a well-timed board wipe from Arcane Denial and multiple instant-speed interactions that thwarted removal attempts, such as countering Vindicate with Swan Song. The use of artifacts like Mirrorworks and Mirage Mirror to copy impactful creatures and abilities provided card draw and board presence. The game saw multiple combat phases shifting momentum, with Zurgo repeatedly attacking but eventually losing his equipment and key creatures to removal. Mistform Ultimus became a major threat with Arcane Adaptation naming Wizards, boosted by Stoneforge Masterwork and Slivers, swinging for lethal damage. The interaction of artifact recursion, token generation, and counter distribution defined the evolving board state, with players carefully managing resources and timing to maintain pressure and disrupt opponents. Ultimately, the game revolved around leveraging tribal synergies, artifact combos, and combat tricks to establish dominance and secure victory.