MTG Commander Gameplay | Shorikai, Vadrik, Liesa, Akiri and Esior | EP38

Deck & Commander Strategies

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  Liesa, Shroud of Dusk

  Utilizes aristocrat synergies to drain opponents' life through sacrifice and life link triggers, slowly chipping away at the board while gaining incremental advantage.

• 

  Akiri, Line-Slinger and Esior, Wardwing Familiar

  Focuses on artifact synergy, growing Akiri through artifact count and leveraging Esior’s cost increase on spells targeting commanders to protect the board, aiming to overwhelm with efficient attacks and artifact value.

• 

  Vadrik, Astral Archmage

  Controls the day and night cycle to reduce spell costs and cast powerful spells cheaply, capitalizing on spell-slinging and tempo advantages.

• 

  Shorikai, Genesis Engine

  Plays as a vehicle-based midrange deck that uses Shorikai’s card draw ability and crew mechanics to maintain board presence and generate value with vehicles and supporting creatures.

• 

  Esior, Wardwing Familiar (partnered with Akiri)

  Protects the artifact-based aggressive strategy by imposing additional mana costs on opponents’ spells targeting commanders, while building a strong artifact board for Akiri to capitalize on.

Gameplay Insights

• 1

  Liesa's aristocrat deck steadily pressured opponents by combining creature death triggers with life drain effects, forcing careful board management.

• 2

  Akiri and Esior utilized a strong artifact base to rapidly increase Akiri’s power and impose taxing conditions on opponents' commander-targeted spells, effectively protecting their strategy.

• 3

  Vadrik capitalized on the day/night mechanic to reduce spell costs, aiming to cast impactful spells ahead of curve and maintain tempo.

• 4

  Shorikai's strategy hinged on crewing the vehicle efficiently to draw cards and maintain board presence, balancing between aggressive and midrange plays.

• 5

  Players demonstrated synergy awareness, such as combining sacrifice outlets with life drain triggers and leveraging artifact count for combat advantage.

Notable Cards

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  Zulaport Cutthroat

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  Cruel Celebrant

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  Sword of Fire and Ice

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  Mox Opal

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  Mindlink Mech

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  Vadrik, Astral Archmage

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  Shorikai, Genesis Engine

Gameplay Summary