Deck & Commander Strategies
Naru Meha, Master Wizard
Control and infinite combo deck that wins at instant speed by protecting combo pieces with counters and generating extra turns to dig for win conditions.
Yisan, the Wanderer Bard
Creature tutor deck focused on fetching key creatures to generate combat advantage, using Yisan’s ability repeatedly with untap effects to pressure opponents.
Animar, Soul of Elements
Combo-centric deck that builds infinite combos with creatures like Coiling Oracle and Deadeye Navigator, using synergy to generate massive value and burst damage.
Tymna the Weaver and Tana, the Bloodsower
Control Blood Pod shell aiming to lock opponents down with efficient disruption, incremental card draw, and combo finishers once opponents are sufficiently controlled.
Gameplay Insights
- 1
Jacob’s use of Naru Meha to flash in and copy Time Warp created multiple extra turns, allowing him to draw multiple cards and control the game tempo effectively.
- 2
Don’s Walking Ballista was used strategically to remove key creatures like Yisan and Phyrexian Revoker, disrupting opponents’ strategies significantly.
- 3
Mike’s deployment of Trinisphere imposed a taxing mana environment, slowing opponents’ plays and enabling his control strategy to take hold.
- 4
Ryan’s repeated attempts to activate Yisan and tutor creatures were hampered by Aven Mindcensor and mana tax effects, limiting his ability to assemble a threatening board.
- 5
Jacob’s timely counterspells, including Delay on Birthing Pod and Mana Drain on Staff of Domination, effectively prevented opponents from executing their combos and board development.
Notable Cards
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Naru Meha, Master Wizard
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Time Warp
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Rhystic Study
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Aven Mindcensor
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Birthing Pod
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Walking Ballista
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Coiling Oracle
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Deadeye Navigator
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Mana Crypt
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Sensei's Divining Top
Gameplay Summary
The game began with all four players establishing their early mana bases and deploying ramp and utility creatures.
Mike, on Tymna and Tana, set up a control-oriented Blood Pod shell, using Dark Confidant and disruption like Aven Mindcensor and Birthing Pod to control opponents' boards and deny their search capabilities.
Ryan, piloting Yisan, the Wanderer Bard, focused on creature tutoring for combat advantage, deploying Yisan early and utilizing Quirion Ranger to untap and reuse Yisan’s ability, although he struggled against disruption and mana taxes.
Don’s Animar deck aimed to assemble infinite combos and leverage synergy between creatures like Coiling Oracle and Deadeye Navigator, eventually using Walking Ballista to clear key threats and enabling aggressive attacks.
Jacob’s Naru Meha deck played a control and combo style, utilizing counters, Rhystic Study to tax opponents, and flash creatures like Naru Meha to protect combo pieces and generate extra turns with Time Warp, enabling him to dig deep into his deck and maintain control over the game flow. A pivotal moment occurred when Don used Walking Ballista’s counters to kill Yisan and Phyrexian Revoker, significantly hindering Ryan's board presence.
Jacob’s counterspell and tempo plays, including casting Delay on Birthing Pod and countering Purphoros, showcased his control prowess.
The use of Naru Meha to flash in and copy Time Warp for consecutive extra turns was a critical turning point, allowing Jacob to chain card draw and dig through his deck for combo pieces.
Mike’s utilization of Trinisphere and continuous disruption slowed the game and pressured opponents’ mana usage, forcing them to pay extra costs and hampering their tempo.
Overall, the game was a delicate balance of control, disruption, and combo assembly, with Jacob’s Naru Meha deck leveraging extra turns and counter magic to maintain dominance and set up his win condition at instant speed.