We Tried to Play Tribal Decks in cEDH | MTG cEDH-ish Gameplay

Deck Strategies

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  Tymna the Weaver / Ludevic, Necro-Alchemist

  A Human tribal deck focused on value through wheels and recursive combos involving Abdel, Worldgorger Dragon, and Animate Dead effects to generate infinite creatures or mana. It also uses Brain Freeze as a backup win condition.

• 

  Varina, Lich Queen

  Zombie tribal centered on recursion of key zombies like Grave Crawler and Corpse Knight, combined with free or cheap zombie spells from effects like Rooftop Storm or Phyrexian Altar. The deck uses Varina’s card selection and combat triggers to control and drain life.

• 

  Lathril, Blade of the Elves

  Elf tribal focusing on combat damage aristocrats, leveraging elf lords to pump tokens and generate value. The deck uses sacrifice outlets and combat tricks alongside mass token generation and big finishers like Craterhoof Behemoth to overwhelm opponents.

• 

  Krenko, Mob Boss

  Goblin tribal aiming to win through overwhelming combat damage via mass token production. It uses ETB effects, impact Tremors or Purphoros to deal damage, and infinite damage loops involving Kiki-Jiki and Lightning Crafter.

Gameplay Insights

• 1

  Bill’s early Mana Drain on Varina slowed Nate B’s Zombie tribal development critically in the opening turns.

• 2

  Nate B’s use of graveyard recursion with Grave Crawler and Corpse Knight enabled steady life drain and card draw, applying pressure steadily.

• 3

  Adam’s combo of Heritage Druid, Elvish Archdruid, and Craterhoof Behemoth created a massive swing turn that pushed 32 damage, turning the tide of the game.

• 4

  Nate L’s Dockside Extortionist into Krenko established a strong token presence early, enabling aggressive board control.

• 5

  Bill’s use of Tymna’s life payment to draw extra cards helped maintain card advantage and fuel his combo pieces.

• 6

  Adam’s use of Fauna Shaman to tutor Craterhoof Behemoth was a pivotal play enabling a lethal alpha strike.

• 7

  Nate B’s decision to use Feed the Swarm to destroy Krenko bought crucial time but cost him significant life, showing the high tension and resource management in the game.

Notable Cards

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  Mana Drain

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  Varina, Lich Queen

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  Corpse Knight

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  Dockside Extortionist

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  Krenko, Mob Boss

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  Craterhoof Behemoth

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  Herald of the Pantheon

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  Poison-Tip Archer

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  Elvish Archdruid

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  Heritage Druid

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  Esper Sentinel

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  Diabolic Intent

Summary

The game began with aggressive early plays from each player, establishing their tribal footholds quickly. Bill, on Tymna and Ludevic Human Tribal, set the pace with a turn one Sarah Ascendant and early disruption via Mana Drain. Nate B's Varina Zombie Tribal leveraged graveyard recursion and board control, casting Varina and swinging with Corpse Knight to drain opponents. Adam's Lathril Elf Tribal focused on ramp and token generation, quickly building a substantial board presence with Heritage Druid, Elvish Archdruid, and Craterhoof Behemoth, eventually swinging for lethal damage. Nate L's Krenko Goblin Tribal used explosive mana generation from Dockside Extortionist to cast Krenko and begin producing goblin tokens and synergy with Goblin Sharpshooter. Early combat damage and board wipes shaped the game, with each player trying to maximize tribal synergies and leverage their specific win conditions.