Meren vs Omnath vs Progenitus vs Karador EDH / CMDR gameplay for Magic: The Gathering

Deck Strategies

• 

  Meren of Clan Nel Toth

  Utilizes graveyard recursion and sacrifice outlets to generate incremental advantage and grow creatures like Carrion Feeder, culminating in overwhelming board presence and experience counters to outvalue opponents.

• 

  Omnath, Locus of Rage

  Focuses on rapid land drops and ramp spells like Exploration to generate elemental tokens and then uses pump effects such as Craterhoof Behemoth to deliver big swings and close out the game quickly.

• 

  Progenitus

  Relies on assembling powerful creatures and value engines, leveraging graveyard recursion through cards like Academy Rector and Buried Alive to maintain pressure and recover key threats.

• 

  Karador, Ghost Chieftain

  Leverages reanimation spells to repeatedly bring back creatures from the graveyard, combined with top-deck manipulation and control elements to maintain board state and execute powerful combat phases.

Gameplay Insights

• 1

  Sacrificing small creatures to Carrion Feeder repeatedly to build a large threat and trigger persist effects was key to Meren's board development.

• 2

  Omnath’s use of Exploration and ramp allowed for explosive early game plays and token generation, enabling a powerful Craterhoof Behemoth attack.

• 3

  Karador’s ability to reanimate creatures like Academy Rector and use Sensei's Divining Top for card advantage enabled timely combos and control over the late game.

• 4

  The decision by Omnath to eliminate the weakest board state (Progenitus) instead of stronger threats shaped the flow of the game but ultimately left Omnath vulnerable to coordinated attacks.

• 5

  Meren’s use of Liliana’s discard ability disrupted opponents’ hands while advancing her own graveyard synergies and board state.

• 6

  Players’ threat assessment and timing of attacks were crucial, with the game showing the importance of targeting the correct opponent and not letting past grudges influence optimal play.

Notable Cards

• 

  Carrion Feeder

• 

  Ophiomancer

• 

  Liliana, Heretical Healer // Liliana, Defiant Necromancer

• 

  Woodfall Primus

• 

  Sensei's Divining Top

• 

  Craterhoof Behemoth

• 

  Buried Alive

• 

  Victimize

• 

  Thalia, Guardian of Thraben

Summary

The game started with each player developing their board state and setting up their key pieces. Meren focused on ramp and sacrifice synergies, casting creatures like Ophiomancer and using Carrion Feeder to grow threats. Omnath ramped aggressively with Exploration and Manavolt, generating elemental tokens and boosting his board with Craterhoof Behemoth. Progenitus struggled with land draws but set up important pieces like Academy Rector and utilized graveyard recursion. Karador leveraged reanimation spells like Buried Alive and Victimize to gain value from the graveyard and maintain board presence. A turning point occurred when Omnath eliminated Progenitus, who was considered the weakest board state, allowing Omnath to gain a strong tempo advantage. Meren capitalized on sacrifice outlets and value creatures, including Liliana, Heretical Healer, and Woodfall Primus, to control the board and generate experience counters. The final decisive moment came when Karador, using a combination of reanimated creatures and top-deck manipulation with Sensei's Divining Top, swung lethal damage at Omnath, securing the win. Throughout the game, threat assessment and timing of attacks were critical, as players had to balance aggression with the risk of retaliation.