Duel Commander | MU 071721 | Round 3: Ragavan vs Karlov

Decklists

Deck & Commander Strategies

Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer
Utilizes fast, aggressive tempo by generating Treasure tokens and card advantage through Ragavan’s triggered ability. The deck aims to disrupt opponents while ramping into threats quickly and applying early pressure.
Karlov of the Ghost Council
Focuses on life gain synergies, growing Karlov larger with each instance of life gain. The deck plays a controlling, attrition-based game plan, stabilizing early and closing out with a large Karlov and supporting lifelink creatures.

Gameplay Insights

1
Ragavan’s ability to generate Treasure tokens not only accelerates mana but also provides significant card draw advantage, enabling fast, disruptive plays.
2
Karlov’s growth through multiple life gain triggers is a pivotal mechanic that effectively turns the tide in longer, attrition-based matchups.
3
Maintaining pressure while managing Karlov’s board state is essential; failure to remove Karlov early can lead to overwhelming board presence.

Notable Cards

Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer
Karlov of the Ghost Council

Gameplay Summary

The game featured a dynamic clash between a Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer deck and a Karlov of the Ghost Council deck in a Duel Commander setting.

Early on, Ragavan applied fast pressure by generating value through its ability to create Treasure tokens and generate card advantage, enabling aggressive plays and incremental resource gain.

Karlov's player focused on building up a board presence with lifelink creatures and utilizing Karlov's ability to grow larger with each life gain, aiming to stabilize and turn the tide through attrition. A key turning point occurred when Karlov successfully leveraged multiple life gain triggers to grow into a formidable threat, forcing Ragavan's player to respond with removal and tempo plays.

Despite Ragavan’s early aggression and tempo advantage, Karlov's resilience and life gain synergies allowed it to regain control in the mid-to-late game.

The game likely concluded with Karlov overwhelming Ragavan through sustained life gain and combat damage, capitalizing on the synergy between Karlov and the various lifelink creatures to close out the game.

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