Strixhaven $100 Budget Game!! Killian vs Extus vs Codie vs Rootha [EDH/Commander, MTG Gameplay] 2021

Deck Strategies

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  Killian, Ink Duelist

  Voltron strategy focusing on enchanting Killian with cost-reduced enchantments and controlling the board with cheap removal to steadily chip away at opponents' life totals.

• 

  Rootha, Mercurial Artist

  A storm-style deck that generates value through copying instants and sorceries, aiming for a combo finish via Blue Sun's Zenith or flicker effects.

• 

  Extus, Oriq Overlord

  Sacrifice-based strategy leveraging the back side 'Awaken the Blood Avatar' to create tokens and force opponents to sacrifice creatures, then dealing damage through the attacking avatar.

• 

  Codie, Vociferous Codex

  Control deck that uses Codie's ability to cascade into free spells, aiming to win through Approach of the Second Sun or a Maze's End land-combo.

Gameplay Insights

• 1

  Killian's cost reduction ability allowed early casting of expensive enchantments like Spectra Ward, quickly turning him into a threatening voltron commander.

• 2

  Rootha's ability to copy instants and sorceries provided flexibility and potential for explosive turns once enough mana and spells were accumulated.

• 3

  Extus's strategy of sacrificing creatures to reduce the cost of 'Awaken the Blood Avatar' and forcing opponents to sacrifice creatures created significant board pressure.

• 4

  Codie's unique cascades into free spells allowed for powerful control plays and setup for late-game combo finishes.

• 5

  The mana base adjustments with budget boosts for three-color and five-color decks were critical to enabling smooth curve plays despite the budget constraints.

• 6

  Early combat damage exchanges targeted players perceived as threats, influencing the political dynamics in the multiplayer game.

• 7

  The game demonstrated how new Strixhaven commanders can be built around classic EDH archetypes like voltron, storm, aristocrats, and control with combos, even on a budget.

Notable Cards

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  Killian, Ink Duelist

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  Rootha, Mercurial Artist

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  Codie, Vociferous Codex

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  Blue Sun's Zenith

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  Approach of the Second Sun

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  Maze's End

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  Arcane Signet

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  Spectra Ward

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  Grim Initiate

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  Thriving Isle

Summary

The game featured four players each piloting a budget deck built around brand-new Strixhaven commanders, leading to an engaging and diverse gameplay experience. The early game saw cautious development with players setting up their mana bases and casting early threats or utility spells. Killian, Ink Duelist, quickly established a voltron strategy by casting his commander and equipping it with cost-reduced enchantments to maintain pressure. Rootha, Mercurial Artist focused on a storm-like build, accumulating value through spells and aiming for a combo finish involving Blue Sun's Zenith or flicker interactions. Extus, Oriq Overlord leveraged sacrifice synergies to build board presence with tokens and apply pressure through direct damage. Codie, Vociferous Codex developed a control-oriented gameplan with a late-game win condition involving Approach of the Second Sun or Maze's End combo.