Deck & Commander Strategies
Malcolm, Keen-Eyed Navigator / Vial Smasher the Fierce
A pirate tribal combo deck focused on generating multiple treasures to enable storm-like combos and efficient damage output, leveraging fast mana rocks and synergy between pirate creatures.
Talion, the Kindly Lord
A control-oriented deck that punishes opponents for casting multiple spells with damage and card draw, using tax effects, counterspells, and disruption to slow the game and maintain board presence.
Tymna the Weaver / Tana, the Bloodsower
A four-color creature combo deck that generates incremental value through commander damage, token generation, and card draw, aiming to assemble protein Hulk lines or overwhelm with value creatures rather than stax elements.
Rograkh, Son of Rohgahh
A turbo aggro Grixis pirate deck that uses fast mana and aggressive equipment to quickly pressure opponents, aiming to sneak out early wins before the table stabilizes.
Gameplay Insights
- 1
Hidden’s use of Lotus Pedal to cascade into Underworld Breach and Brain Freeze was a critical combo attempt that was disrupted by Thatcher’s timely Force of Vigor, highlighting the importance of interaction in response to storm lines.
- 2
Jon’s strong use of countermagic like Fierce Guardianship and Flusterstorm effectively protected key pieces and controlled the board, preventing Hidden’s combos from resolving.
- 3
Thatcher’s strategy of leveraging Tana’s token generation and incremental life and card advantage through commander damage allowed sustained pressure while also defending against combo threats.
- 4
The game slowed into a grind with players carefully managing mana and interaction, illustrating the balance between aggression and control in cEDH environments.
- 5
Early treasure generation and pirate synergy from Malcolm/Vial Smasher enabled fast storm attempts but required careful navigation of opposing disruption.
- 6
Owen’s aggressive Rograkh deck was eliminated early due to focused removal and pressure from opponents, showing the vulnerability of fast aggro decks without sufficient backup or disruption.
Notable Cards
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Malcolm, Keen-Eyed Navigator
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Vial Smasher the Fierce
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Talion, the Kindly Lord
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Tymna the Weaver
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Tana, the Bloodsower
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Rograkh, Son of Rohgahh
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Glint-Horn Buccaneer
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Mayhem Devil
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Smothering Tithe
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Mana Vault
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Lion's Eye Diamond
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Underworld Breach
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Brain Freeze
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Force of Vigor
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Wheel of Fortune
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Fierce Guardianship
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Flusterstorm
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Crop Rotation
Gameplay Summary
The game began with aggressive early plays and efficient mana acceleration from all players, quickly establishing threats and interaction.
Hidden's Malcolm/Vial Smasher deck leveraged pirate synergy and treasure generation to apply early pressure, while Thatcher’s Tymna/Tana deck focused on card draw and incremental value through commander damage and token generation.
Jon’s Talion deck aimed to disrupt opponents with tax effects and counterspells, seeking to control the pace and punish excessive spellcasting.
Owen’s Rograkh deck pushed a turbo aggro strategy, attempting to sneak out quick wins with Grixis pirates and artifact synergies. A key turning point occurred when Hidden aggressively used Lotus Pedal and Underworld Breach to attempt a storm combo with Brain Freeze, but Thatcher’s Force of Vigor disrupted the combo by destroying Breach and a mana rock.
Jon maintained board control with spells such as Flusterstorm and Fierce Guardianship, countering big plays and protecting his equipment and commanders.
Thatcher also used Tana’s ability to generate tokens and recurring threats like Orcish Bowmaster to keep pressure on the table.
Despite relentless attacks and multiple attempts to generate advantage, the game turned into a grind with players carefully balancing aggression and control, with Hidden eventually outmaneuvered and Owen eliminated early.
The match showcased a dynamic interplay of combo potential, disruption, and incremental advantage, highlighting the intricacies of competitive EDH gameplay.
![Four Talions and a funeral [cEDH Gameplay] MALCOM|VIAL v TIVIT v ATRAXA v TALION thumbnail](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/6lOG1noVpcU/sddefault.jpg)
