MTGO Match-Up: Grenzo, Dungeon Warden VS Roon of the Hidden Realm EDH / CMDR game play

Deck Strategies

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  Grenzo, Dungeon Warden

  This deck focuses on dungeon exploration to generate incremental advantages and create goblin tokens. It aims to develop a wide board presence supported by equipment and mana acceleration to overwhelm opponents through superior numbers and value trades.

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  Roon of the Hidden Realm

  Roon’s deck leverages ETB effects and bounce mechanics to control the board by repeatedly flickering creatures for value. It plays a reactive game, using counters and bounce spells to disrupt opponents while building incremental advantage through creature recursion.

Gameplay Insights

• 1

  Choosing to hold back attacks in anticipation of using creatures with pseudo-haste effects to maximize impact during opponents' turns.

• 2

  Deploying equipment like Darksteel Plate on tokens to increase survivability and pressure while managing mana efficiency.

• 3

  Opting to save a Shattering Pulse for buyback to deal with problematic artifacts or enchantments repeatedly.

• 4

  Prioritizing token generation over casting large creatures early to develop board presence and resilience against bounce effects.

• 5

  Avoiding overcommitting creatures to the board to prevent easy bounce resets by Roon’s controller.

Notable Cards

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  Goblin Settler

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  Darksteel Plate

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  Palinchron

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  Gilded Drake

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  Shattering Pulse

Summary

The game started with both players cautiously developing their boards, with Grenzo, Dungeon Warden aiming to leverage his ability to generate value through dungeon exploration and token creation. The Roon of the Hidden Realm player focused on a control strategy centered around bouncing creatures and generating incremental advantage through multiple ETB (enter-the-battlefield) triggers. Early turns saw limited aggression as both players built their mana bases and positioning, with Grenzo struggling initially due to a lack of black mana sources. A key turning point occurred when Grenzo's controller began to assemble a critical mass of tokens using Crank-O and supporting Goblin Settler interactions, aiming to overwhelm the opponent through wide board presence rather than sheer power. The Roon player responded with tactical bounces and counterspells to delay Grenzo’s growth but was hampered by the slow mana development and inability to capitalize on the tempo. Despite some powerful cards like Palinchron and Gilded Drake appearing, neither player could fully capitalize on their potential due to resource constraints and mutual disruption. The game remained tense and strategic with both players maneuvering for control, but Grenzo’s incremental token generation and resilience with equipment like Darksteel Plate hinted at a slow grind toward victory by outlasting Roon’s bounce strategy.