Top 8 Gameplay - 6th NLL: Acererak vs. Tivit - Final [Duel Commander] - Magic: The Gathering

Deck Strategies

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  Acererak the Archlich

  This deck aims to control the game by generating incremental card advantage through clues and treasures, while using disruption spells and removal to prevent opponents from assembling combos or overwhelming the board. It focuses on a slow, value-oriented plan that eventually wins through attrition and board presence.

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  Tivit, Seller of Secrets

  Tivit’s deck is built around a storm-style combo approach that leverages multiple rituals and fast mana to create explosive turns. The deck looks to assemble a sequence of spells to enable storm combos or powerful synergies, often supported by card draw and disruption to protect the combo pieces.

Gameplay Insights

• 1

  Using Force of Negation proactively on Tivit’s early creatures helped prevent Tivit from establishing a board presence and gaining tempo.

• 2

  Memory Lapse was held open strategically to counter important spells, increasing the cost and slowing down Tivit's combo attempts.

• 3

  Generating clues and treasures with Acererak’s abilities was crucial for maintaining card advantage and finding answers in a slow control game.

• 4

  Acererak’s player prioritized keeping the commander on the board and managing mana efficiently to enable key plays and counter spells.

• 5

  Tivit’s player’s early rituals indicated a potential storm line, but Acererak’s disruption prevented Tivit from fully executing the combo.

• 6

  The interaction between artifact generation (clues/treasures) and disruption spells allowed Acererak to outvalue Tivit in the long game, despite Tivit’s explosive potential.

Notable Cards

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  Force of Negation

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  Memory Lapse

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  Tivit, Seller of Secrets

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  Acererak the Archlich

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  Dark Ritual

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  Cabal Ritual

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  Tithe

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  Scrap Trawler

Summary

The final match of the 6th National Lounge League featured a tense duel between Acererak the Archlich and Tivit, Seller of Secrets. The game was a long and complex grind, with both players carefully navigating their available resources and counterspells. Acererak's player focused on controlling the board by leveraging card advantage through artifact and clue generation, while also prioritizing early interaction with Tivit’s threats. The key moment involved a well-timed use of Force of Negation and Memory Lapse to disrupt Tivit’s storm-like sequences, enabling Acererak to stabilize and develop a board presence with incremental resource generation from clues and treasures. Despite Tivit having potent rituals and combo potential, Acererak managed to maintain pressure and gradually outvalue the opponent.