Deck Strategies
Kroxa, Titan of Death's Hunger
Utilizes graveyard recursion and discard effects to pressure opponents while aiming to leverage the Worldgorger Dragon combo for a game-winning combo.
Ukkima, Stalking Shadow / Cazur, Ruthless Stalker
Runs a Food Chain combo to generate infinite mana and cast massive threats, focusing on ramp and resource accumulation through synergy with Food Chain.
Pako, Arcane Retriever
Grows larger by casting multiple non-creature spells per turn, aiming to attack as a large threat and control the board with value spells.
Kalamax, the Stormsire
A control deck that leverages spells and removal to maintain board control while using Kalamax's ability to deal incremental damage and close out games.
Haldan, Avid Arcanist
Focuses on card draw and resource advantage, using a variety of spells and creatures to outvalue opponents and maintain tempo.
Cazur, Ruthless Stalker
Works alongside Food Chain to generate infinite mana and cast game-ending threats, emphasizing ramp and synergy with tokens.
Gameplay Insights
- 1
Eliot’s attempt to combo with Worldgorger Dragon was effectively disrupted by a timely Submerge, highlighting the importance of interactive disruption against combo decks.
- 2
Bill’s Dockside Extortionist generated significant Treasure tokens, ramping mana quickly and putting pressure on opponents early, demonstrating the power of artifact-based ramp in this meta.
- 3
Jim capitalized on Pako’s ability to grow through casting multiple non-creature spells, creating a large attacker that demanded immediate attention from opponents.
- 4
Jan’s use of Kalamax’s control abilities helped manage the board state and apply incremental pressure, showing the value of controlling the pace of the game while building towards a win condition.
- 5
Players carefully managed life totals and resource denial, with attacks and spells targeting key threats to prevent any one player from gaining overwhelming advantage.
- 6
The interplay of card draw engines like Sensei's Divining Top and Dark Confidant facilitated sustained pressure and strategic flexibility across multiple turns.
Notable Cards
Worldgorger Dragon
Dockside Extortionist
Sensei's Divining Top
Entomb
Necromancy
Food Chain
Dark Confidant
Carpet of Flowers
Thirst for Knowledge
Summary
The game began with players establishing their mana bases and early card draw engines, such as Sensei's Divining Top and Manic Crypt, setting up for mid-game plays. Early on, Eliot used Entomb and Necromancy to bring Worldgorger Dragon into play, aiming for a combo but was disrupted by a Submerge, which sent the dragon back to the top of his library, foiling his initial plan. Bill ramped with mana artifacts and cast a powerful Dockside Extortionist, generating significant Treasure tokens and applying pressure. The board state gradually escalated with each player deploying threats and utility creatures while managing resources carefully. A key turning point came when Jim leveraged Pako, Arcane Retriever’s ability to grow into a large threat by casting multiple non-creature spells, culminating in a sizable attacking creature. Meanwhile, Jan controlled the board state with Kalamax, the Stormsire, employing spells and removal to maintain dominance and threaten opponents. Bill’s Food Chain combo with Ukkima and Cazur remained a latent threat, though the game centered on tempo and resource denial. The game’s tension was heightened by recurring life loss from various effects and tactical attacks targeting the most threatening players. By turn 10, multiple players had established strong board presence and card advantage engines, setting the stage for decisive attacks and potential combo executions.