We Challenged a One-of-a-Kind Commander

Deck Strategies

• 

  Shorikai, Genesis Engine

  Ramp through artifacts and vehicles, use Shorikai's draw ability to filter cards and create pilot tokens to crew vehicles, aiming to go wide with artifact creatures for a board presence capable of winning through combat.

• 

  Zurgo Stormrender

  Aggressively flood the board with creatures and tokens, leveraging effects like Impact Tremors and other token generators to deal incremental damage and overwhelm opponents quickly.

• 

  Satoru Umezawa

  Utilize ninjutsu to sneak in evasive creatures cheaply, then replace them with large and impactful creatures, generating incremental advantage and disruption through combat damage triggers.

• Custom Commander (Tim's Clever Magician)

  Modify game rules with unique mechanics such as the monarchy and social card draw triggers, creating chaotic gameplay and leveraging these new rules to gain card advantage and disrupt opponents' plans.

Gameplay Insights

• 1

  Introducing a new rule with the monarchy and social toast draws created a shared incentive to draw cards, accelerating gameplay and increasing interaction.

• 2

  Shorikai’s pilot tokens enabled efficient crewing of vehicles, effectively turning non-creature artifacts into threats and ramp sources.

• 3

  Satoru’s ninjutsu ability not only allowed evasive attacks but also card selection through its triggered ability, enhancing consistency.

• 4

  Zurgo's token generation combined with impact tremors provided a steady source of incremental damage, pressuring opponents to respond quickly.

• 5

  The use of custom rules and social elements such as toasts added a fresh layer of complexity and player engagement beyond traditional Commander gameplay.

Notable Cards

• 

  Shorikai, Genesis Engine

• 

  Satoru Umezawa

• 

  Zurgo Stormrender

• 

  Cultivator's Caravan

• 

  Impact Tremors

Summary

The game started with a unique twist introduced by Tim playing a custom commander that added a new rule to the game, involving the monarchy mechanic combined with a social element of proposing toasts that allowed all players who drink to draw cards. This set a lively and dynamic tone, encouraging card draw and interaction early on. Dane, piloting Shorikai, Genesis Engine, focused on ramping with artifacts and vehicles, leveraging Shorikai's ability to draw cards and create pilot tokens for crewing. Sam, with Satoru Umezawa, aimed to use ninjutsu to swap cheap evasive creatures for large threats, generating value through creature replacement and disruption. Jake’s Zurgo Stormrender deck tried to swarm the board with tokens and apply pressure with aggressive creatures and impact tremors synergies.