ZachTheBold Cracks the Commander Case | Big Deck Energy

Deck Strategies

• 

  Madame Vastra and Jenny Flint

  Generate clue tokens to draw cards and apply +1/+1 counters on creatures, building a value engine through clues and food tokens while pressuring opponents with forced blocks.

• 

  Lazav, Wearer of Faces

  Utilize graveyard manipulation and cloning abilities by copying creatures that die, especially leveraging opponent’s clues and creatures to transform and gain board presence.

• 

  Balmor, Battlemage Captain

  Deploy wizard tribal synergies to enhance combat effectiveness, using cards that reduce spell costs and protect wizards, enabling aggressive and consistent spellcasting.

• 

  Cleopatra, Exiled Pharaoh

  Capitalize on legendary Golgari women creatures by distributing +1/+1 counters and sacrificing them to draw cards, creating incremental advantage through life loss and card draw.

Gameplay Insights

• 1

  Zach’s use of artifact creatures with Forensic Gadget created multiple clues per turn, accelerating card draw and fueling his +1/+1 counter strategy.

• 2

  Lazav’s ability to consume clues and become copies of key creatures created dynamic threats that required opponents to adjust blocking and removal priorities.

• 3

  Balmor’s wizard tribal deck leveraged Cavern of Souls to protect key creatures from counterspells and Herald’s Horn to maintain card advantage through wizard reveals.

• 4

  Cleopatra’s strategy of distributing +1/+1 counters during upkeep combined with sacrifice triggered card draw, generating incremental value over the midgame.

• 5

  The forced blocking mechanic from Madame Vastra’s attacks pressured opponents into unfavorable combat, enabling Zach to maintain a steady flow of clues and food tokens.

Notable Cards

• 

  Madame Vastra

• 

  Jenny Flint

• 

  Tireless Tracker

• 

  Cavern of Souls

• 

  Herald's Horn

• 

  Lazav, Wearer of Faces

Summary

The game featured a four-player Commander match with a notable focus on interaction between clue token generation, plus one plus one counters, and tribal synergies. Zach led with the partner commander duo Madame Vastra and Jenny Flint, aiming to create clues to draw cards and enhance creatures with counters. Early turns saw the establishment of clue producers and artifact synergies, with Zach leveraging cards like Forensic Gadget and Gleaming Gear Drake to rapidly build clues and board presence. The Lazav player used graveyard manipulation and shapeshifting tactics to pose a threat by copying key creatures, while Balmor, Battlemage Captain focused on wizard tribal aggression and Cleopatra, Exiled Pharaoh played a Golgari legendary women sacrifice theme to generate card advantage through +1/+1 counters on legendary creatures dying. A pivotal moment was Zach establishing a board state with clues and food tokens that synergized with his commanders, forcing opponents to block or face damage, while also drawing him cards to maintain momentum. The Lazav player’s ability to consume clues and take on enemy forms added pressure and disrupted Zach’s detective plan. Meanwhile, Balmor’s wizard synergy with cards like Cavern of Souls and Herald’s Horn ensured consistent spell casting, and Cleopatra’s deck sought value from sacrificing legendary women with counters. The game’s tension revolved around balancing board control, resource generation, and leveraging unique commander abilities for value. Zach’s win condition centered on clue production fueling card draw and creature growth, aiming to outvalue opponents over time.