Blood in the Moon Light - Implements of cEDH S2E6 - Derevi v Tevesh/Ishai v Birgi v Thrasios/Smasher

Deck Strategies

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  Derevi, Empyrial Tactician

  Utilizes Derevi's ability to control the board through tapping and untapping creatures, combining with efficient creatures and value engines to maintain tempo and gradually gain advantage.

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  Thrasios, Triton Hero

  Focuses on card advantage and mana ramp, leveraging Thrasios's ability to filter and draw cards, enabling the assembly of combos or powerful spells to close out the game.

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  Vial Smasher the Fierce

  Aggressively deals damage to opponents while casting spells, aiming to accelerate damage output and disrupt opponents with targeted removal and pressure.

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  Birgi, God of Storytelling // Harnfel, Horn of Bounty

  Generates mana and card advantage through casting instants and sorceries, enabling a combo or burn finish while maintaining a steady flow of resources.

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  Ishai, Ojutai Dragonspeaker

  Grows larger as opponents cast spells, using evasive attacks to chip away at opponents and leveraging synergy with counterspells and control elements.

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  Tevesh Szat, Doom of Fools

  Utilizes Tevesh Szat's ability to generate card advantage by sacrificing permanents and casting spells from exile, aiming to overwhelm opponents with value and disruption.

Gameplay Insights

• 1

  The combination of Blood Moon and Curse of Opulence effectively locked down many players' mana bases, forcing reliance on basic lands and slowing down some decks significantly.

• 2

  Utilizing tutors like Demonic Tutor and Diabolic Intent early enabled quick access to powerful spells, accelerating tempo and board development.

• 3

  Vial Smasher's damage triggers on spell casts applied consistent pressure, pushing opponents to respond quickly or lose life steadily.

• 4

  Dark Confidant provided ongoing card advantage but also risked life loss, requiring careful management of damage and timing.

• 5

  The use of Experimental Frenzy allowed a player to cast spells from the top of their library, opening up unique sequencing options despite hand restrictions.

• 6

  Players paid close attention to mana color availability and land types due to Blood Moon, impacting their decision-making and sequencing of plays.

• 7

  The presence of artifact ramp like Arcane Signet and Chromatic Lantern was crucial to mitigate mana disruptions and maintain flexibility.

Notable Cards

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  Blood Moon

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  Curse of Opulence

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  Noble Hierarch

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  Dark Confidant

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  Demonic Tutor

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  Diabolic Intent

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  Bident of Thassa

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  Vial Smasher the Fierce

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  Experimental Frenzy

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  Wishclaw Talisman

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  Skirk Prospector

Summary

The game began with players establishing their mana bases and early board presence, featuring Noble Hierarch, Dark Confidant, and other ramp and draw engines. One of the pivotal early moments was the casting of Blood Moon combined with Curse of Opulence, which significantly disrupted the non-basic land strategies of several players, forcing them to adapt their mana and plays. Vial Smasher was deployed to exert pressure and deal incremental damage, while various tutors such as Demonic Tutor and Diabolic Intent were used to fetch critical cards, accelerating the game pace. Players also utilized card draw engines like Bident of Thassa and Dark Confidant to maintain hand advantage and find answers or threats.