Varina vs Rafiq vs Lathril vs Valki [EDH/Commander, Magic The Gathering Gameplay] 2021

Deck Strategies

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  Varina, Lich Queen

  Zombie tribal deck focused on generating card advantage through discards and creating zombie tokens. Uses graveyard synergies and combos like Phyrexian Altar with Gravecrawler to win through combat damage or combo finishers.

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  Rafiq of the Many

  A voltron strategy aimed at quickly equipping and enchanting Rafiq to deal lethal commander damage to opponents, leveraging exalted triggers and protection from equipment like Swiftfoot Boots.

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  Lathril, Blade of the Elves

  Elf tribal midrange deck that combines token generation and recursion to wear down opponents with sustained attacks and synergy-driven value plays.

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  Valki, God of Lies // Tibalt, Cosmic Impostor

  A midrange control deck that uses single-target removal, board wipes, and the transformational ability of Valki/Tibalt to control the board early and seize the late game.

Gameplay Insights

• 1

  Varina’s discard triggers combined with Archfiend of Ifnir’s -4/-4 effect significantly weakened opponents' creatures, demonstrating powerful synergy between discard and board control.

• 2

  Manicrypt provided explosive early mana acceleration for Varina but came with the risk of life loss, which was managed carefully throughout the game.

• 3

  Rafiq’s use of equipment and enchantments early on set up a fast voltron threat, forcing opponents to respond quickly or risk lethal commander damage.

• 4

  Lathril’s slow start due to keeping a one-land hand made it difficult to keep pace early but the deck’s synergy with elves and token generation was poised for midgame pressure.

• 5

  Valki/Tibalt’s transformational ability and access to board wipes gave the control player a reliable way to reset the board and maintain tempo advantage.

Notable Cards

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  Archfiend of Ifnir

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  Wayward Servant

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  Lord of the Accursed

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  Phyrexian Altar

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  Swiftfoot Boots

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  Heliod, God of the Sun

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  Kodama's Reach

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  Noxious Revival

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  Everflowing Chalice

Summary

The game opened with each player establishing their board and mana bases, with players deploying early ramp and utility lands. Varina, Lich Queen focused on building a zombie tribal presence, leveraging cards like Wayward Servant and Lord of the Accursed to chip away at opponents' life totals and generate card advantage through her discard and draw ability. She also utilized Manicrypt for fast mana, despite some unlucky flips, and cast Archfiend of Ifnir to synergize with her discard effects, aiming to weaken opposing creatures. Rafiq of the Many took a voltron approach, quickly assembling equipment and enchantments like Swiftfoot Boots and Heliod, God of the Sun, to bolster Rafiq’s commander damage potential. Meanwhile, Valki, God of Lies (backside Tibalt, Cosmic Impostor) pursued a midrange control strategy, using spot removal and board wipes to disrupt opponents and take over the late game. Lathril, Blade of the Elves played a Golgari elf tribal strategy, ramping aggressively with elves and aiming to attrition opponents through incremental damage and token generation, despite a slow start due to a risky one-lander hand.