Can fringe compete with GRIXIS at the cEDH table? GHAVE v MINSC & BOO v PAKO|HALDAN v MALCOM|VIAL

Deck Strategies

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  Ghave, Guru of Spores

  Ghave’s deck aims to create and exploit +1/+1 counters combined with token generation and sacrifice outlets to assemble infinite combos, usually involving Earthcraft and Academy Rector to win through infinite mana or creatures.

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  Minsc & Boo, Timeless Heroes

  This deck focuses on aggressive creature-based strategies combined with disruptive spells like Mental Misstep to apply early pressure and control the board tempo through quick attacks and interaction.

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  Vial Smasher the Fierce

  Vial Smasher’s deck aims to cast impactful spells and leverage damage triggers from opponents casting spells to chip away at life totals while maintaining strong mana acceleration and card draw.

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  Malcolm, Keen-Eyed Navigator

  Malcolm’s deck builds through artifact and mana acceleration, utilizing spells to generate card advantage and control the board, setting up for combos or powerful finishers.

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  Haldan, Avid Arcanist

  Haldan’s deck uses enchantments and tempo plays, leveraging bounce effects and value creatures to maintain board presence and disrupt opponents’ strategies.

• 

  Pako, Arcane Retriever

  Pako’s deck focuses on graveyard recursion and value from sacrificing artifacts and creatures, enabling incremental advantage and combo potential through recursion synergies.

Gameplay Insights

• 1

  Early disruption with Mental Misstep helped slow down fast combo attempts and aggressive plays.

• 2

  Ghave’s combo with Academy Rector and Earthcraft was the central win condition but was delayed by opponents’ interaction.

• 3

  Dress Down and Mana Drain were pivotal in countering key spells and breaking combo chains.

• 4

  Players balanced aggression and interaction carefully, with some choosing to let minor damage through to preserve resources for stopping major threats.

• 5

  Imperial Recruiter and Gilded Drake were used effectively to tutor and steal impactful creatures, influencing board control.

• 6

  The timing of counterspells and discard spells was critical in preventing Ghave’s combo from resolving.

Notable Cards

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  Academy Rector

• 

  Earthcraft

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  Mental Misstep

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  Demonic Consultation

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  Dress Down

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  Mana Drain

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  Imperial Recruiter

• 

  Gilded Drake

Summary

The game started with a fast-paced setup as players quickly deployed mana rocks and early threats. Minsc & Boo utilized aggressive plays, including early Ragan attacks and mental missteps to disrupt opponents. Malcolm and Vial Smasher focused on building mana and card advantage, while Ghave aimed to assemble a combo involving token production and sacrifice outlets. Pako and Haldan contributed with utility creatures and enchantments to stabilize and generate incremental advantage. A key turning point occurred when Ghave managed to assemble a combo with the help of Academy Rector and Earthcraft, threatening to end the game. However, opponents coordinated with timely counterspells, discard, and removal, including a crucial use of Dress Down and Mana Drain that stalled Ghave’s win attempt. The game ended when Ghave tried to resolve a Demonic Consultation but was countered, sealing the victory for another player. Throughout the game, players carefully balanced aggression and disruption, with Ghave’s combo line being the central win condition that others sought to prevent.