The EDH Lounge - Zetalpa (Jolt) vs Ghalta (Nexus_6) vs Etali (Comm. Replay) vs Nezahal (Muddstah) HD

Deck Strategies

• 

  Etali, Primal Storm

  To cast spells from opponents' libraries for free whenever Etali attacks, creating massive card advantage and enabling explosive turns.

• 

  Ghalta, Primal Hunger

  Ramp aggressively to cast huge creatures quickly, overwhelming opponents with raw power and efficient threats.

• 

  Zetalpa, Primal Dawn

  Generate evasion and leverage flying and protection abilities to apply pressure in the air, focusing on repeated attacks and toughness.

• 

  Nezahal, Primal Tide

  Control the game through library manipulation, card advantage, and evasion with islandwalk, using blue spells and water-themed synergies.

Gameplay Insights

• 1

  Etali’s ability to cast spells from opponents’ libraries on attack was a key engine for card advantage and board impact.

• 2

  Ghalta’s ramp strategy allowed for early deployment of large threats, putting pressure on opponents quickly.

• 3

  Nezahal’s islandwalk and library manipulation created evasion and disrupted opponents' plans effectively.

• 4

  Board wipes and removal spells were critical in resetting the game state due to the high power level of creatures involved.

• 5

  Players prioritized keeping answers ready to handle Etali’s cascade effect and Ghalta’s overwhelming presence.

• 6

  The absence of many artifacts in some decks affected mana acceleration and forced reliance on ramp spells and creatures.

Notable Cards

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  Etali, Primal Storm

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  Ghalta, Primal Hunger

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  Zetalpa, Primal Dawn

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  Nezahal, Primal Tide

• 

  Mana Crypt

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  Oblivion Ring

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  Tireless Tracker

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  Thoughtseize

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  Craterhoof Behemoth

Summary

The game featured four players each commanding a powerful Elder Dinosaur legendary creature. Early game momentum was established with Etali, Primal Storm casting spells for free upon attacking, allowing explosive plays and drawing considerable attention. Ghalta, Primal Hunger surged in with efficient ramp and large threats to pressure opponents. Zetalpa, Primal Dawn focused on flapping to generate evasion and aggressive air attacks, while Nezahal, Primal Tide leveraged its synergy with blue spells and water-themed cards to control the flow of the game. A pivotal moment occurred when Etali was able to repeatedly cast spells from opponents' libraries due to its attack trigger, creating chaos and card advantage. Meanwhile, Ghalta provided strong board presence with massive creatures and ramp spells. Nezahal manipulated libraries and used islandwalk to evade blockers, frustrating opponents. Despite some board wipes and removal spells temporarily resetting the battlefield, the game progressed with players jockeying for position, trying to maintain answers and leverage their decks' unique strengths. The game appeared to revolve around large creature combat damage and spell casting, with Etali's ability to cascade spells and Ghalta's raw power dominating the midgame. Ultimately, the game highlighted the strengths and weaknesses of each deck’s Dinosaur tribal theme and synergy with their commander’s abilities.