Ludevic//Kraum vs Ruhan vs Nicol-Bolas vs Xyris [EDH Commander] Gameplay 2020

Deck Strategies

• 

  Xyris, the Writhing Storm

  A go-wide +1/+1 counter and token generation deck that leverages combat damage and repeated attacks to overwhelm opponents, relying on synergy with snakes and proliferate effects.

• 

  Ludevic, Necro-Alchemist // Kraum, Ludevic's Opus

  A disruption and spell-slinging deck that uses cheap instants and sorceries to control the board while generating value through card draw and incremental damage, aiming to grind out opponents with tempo plays.

• 

  Ruhan of the Fomori

  An aggressive midrange deck focused on big, efficient creatures that attack with haste and menace, aiming to apply early pressure and close out games quickly through combat damage.

• 

  Nicol Bolas, the Ravager // Nicol Bolas, the Arisen

  A control-combo deck that uses discard effects, board control, and powerful planeswalker abilities to disrupt opponents while leveraging its own strong creatures and stealing or neutralizing threats to dominate the board.

Gameplay Insights

• 1

  Stealing Xyris with Dragonlord Silumgar was a pivotal move, removing a major threat and turning it against its original controller.

• 2

  Ludevic’s use of cheap spells combined with card draw from Mystic Study taxes allowed him to maintain pressure and keep options open.

• 3

  Ruhan’s aggressive early plays forced opponents into defensive positions, but removal spells quickly neutralized his threats.

• 4

  Players strategically used Cyclonic Rift and Counterflux to disrupt key spells and protect their own board states, demonstrating the importance of timing and counterspell management.

• 5

  Utilizing artifacts like Phrexian Altar enabled combos or mana ramp that supported casting high-impact spells and commanders early.

Notable Cards

• 

  Nicol Bolas, the Ravager // Nicol Bolas, the Arisen

• 

  Dragonlord Silumgar

• 

  Xyris, the Writhing Storm

• 

  Lightning Stormkin

• 

  Young Pyromancer

• 

  Cyclonic Rift

• 

  Counterflux

• 

  Commandeer

• 

  Puresteel Paladin

Summary

A key turning point was when Nicol Bolas’s player successfully cast Dragonlord Silumgar and used it to steal Xyris, disrupting Jake’s strategy and removing a major threat. The game saw a mix of combat, targeted removal, and strategic counterspells like Counterflux and Cyclonic Rift, with players trading blows and creatures. Despite attempts to build a board presence with tokens and equipment, combat damage and commander damage from Nicol Bolas and stolen Xyris steadily wore down opponents. The use of spells like Commandeer and tactical sacrifices to pay Mystic Study taxes highlighted the importance of resource management and spell disruption in this match.