Pharika vs Hapatra vs Yidris vs Scion EDH / CMDR game play for Magic: The Gathering

Deck Strategies

• 

  Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons

  Focuses on proliferating -1/-1 counters and producing snake tokens to overwhelm opponents. Uses poison counters and gradual board control to wear down adversaries.

• 

  Scion of the Ur-Dragon

  Ramp-heavy dragon tribal deck that leverages Scion's ability to fetch dragons and powerful synergistic creatures. Uses token generation and mass damage to clear the board and dominate combat.

• 

  Pharika, God of Affliction

  Grindy midrange deck combining removal, lifegain, and token generation. Uses enchantments and creatures to control the board while slowly advancing its win conditions.

• 

  Yidris, Maelstrom Wielder

  A cascade-oriented deck using disruption and value spells to control the game. Utilizes cascade triggers to chain spells and maintain pressure while hindering opponents' actions.

Gameplay Insights

• 1

  Matt capitalized on Scion's ability to transform and fetch high-impact dragons, culminating in a powerful board presence with multiple Scourge of Valkas tokens created by a kicked Rite of Replication.

• 2

  Ryan effectively used Hapatra's ability to place -1/-1 counters and generate snakes to maintain board control and apply consistent combat pressure.

• 3

  Trevor's use of Minds Dilation disrupted opponents' hands, but the timing allowed Matt to respond with removal, showing the delicate balance of timing disruption spells.

• 4

  Mike's Pharika deck demonstrated resilience through well-timed removal such as Beast Within and Putrefy, helping him manage the escalating threats on the board.

• 5

  Key removal spells like Anguished Unmaking and Terminate were crucial in managing problematic permanents and slowing down aggressive plays.

• 6

  The mass board wipe effect of Scourge of Valkas after combat was a pivotal turning point, clearing Ryan’s board and setting Matt up for dominance.

Notable Cards

• 

  Scourge of Valkas

• 

  Rite of Replication

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  Bloodgift Demon

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  Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons

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  Mirage Mirror

• 

  Beast Within

• 

  Anguished Unmaking

• 

  Drumhunter

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  Blowfly Infestation

• 

  Temple of Malady

Summary

The game started with a typical early ramp and board development phase, with players repeatedly casting staple spells like Kadama's Reach, Temple of Malady, and various lands to fix their mana bases. Ryan, piloting Hapatra, focused on applying pressure with -1/-1 counters and generating snake tokens, leveraging Hapatra's poison-themed synergy. Matt's Scion of the Ur-Dragon deck ramped aggressively and utilized the Scion's ability to fetch powerful dragons, eventually transforming it into a Scourge of Valkas to enable a massive board presence. Mike's Pharika deck played a slower, grindy game with removal and card draw, relying on creatures like Bloodgift Demon and removal spells like Beast Within and Putrefy. Trevor's Yidris deck used control and disruption elements such as Minds Dilation and Mirage Mirror to interfere with opponents' plans.