Deck Strategies
Elsha of the Infinite
Combo/control deck aiming to cast multiple spells per turn using Elsha’s ability, generating value and locking opponents out with recursive spells and artifact mana acceleration.
Rocco, Cabaretti Caterer
Value-oriented deck leveraging artifact synergy and fast mana to maintain pressure, focusing on treasure generation and disruptive plays to outpace opponents.
Tivit, Seller of Secrets
Spell-focused tempo deck using low-cost spells and treasure generation to control the board and enable efficient combo or value plays.
Kess, Dissident Mage
Control and recursion deck that uses Kess’s ability to cast instants and sorceries from the graveyard, combining disruption with value engine cards to control the game state.
Gameplay Insights
- 1
Nate's decision to cast Elsha early and leverage Dockside Extortionist treasures enabled a massive mana advantage that accelerated his combo execution.
- 2
The use of Brain Freeze as a targeted mill spell was a key disruption attempt to slow down opponents but was ultimately insufficient against Elsha’s recursion.
- 3
Casting Dance of the Many to copy Dockside Extortionist and cracking treasures in response maximized mana generation and enabled multiple spells to be cast in one turn.
- 4
Playing Underworld Breach allowed repetitive casting of spells from the graveyard, creating a combo loop that ended the game efficiently.
- 5
Counterbalance was used to try and counter key tutor spells, but the overwhelming mana advantage and card draw from Elsha’s player mitigated its impact.
- 6
Cracking treasures at the right moment was crucial in enabling high-mana cost spells and combos, highlighting the importance of timing in treasure-based decks.
Notable Cards
Dockside Extortionist
Elsha of the Infinite
Ranger-Captain of Eos
Mana Crypt
Mana Vault
Underworld Breach
Counterbalance
Brain Freeze
Arcane Signet
Lotus Petal
Chrome Mox
Wheel of Fortune
Summary
The game featured four competitive cEDH decks led by Elsha of the Infinite, Rocco, Cabaretti Caterer, Tivit, Seller of Secrets, and Kess, Dissident Mage. Early turns were marked by explosive mana development and powerful artifact plays, particularly with Dockside Extortionist generating a large number of treasures that accelerated the game pace. Nate, playing Elsha, had a strong opening with Dockside and Ranger-Captain of Eos, quickly assembling a threatening board state with mana rocks and creatures. Despite some disruption attempts like Counterbalance and a timely Brain Freeze by other players, Nate leveraged Elsha’s ability to execute multiple spells in a turn, culminating in a final sequence involving Dance of the Many copying Dockside, cracking treasures, and casting spells to lock the game down. The game ended swiftly when Nate used Underworld Breach to repeatedly cast spells from the graveyard, overwhelming opponents and winning decisively.