Out of the Box | Commander 2016 Gameplay

Deck Strategies

• 

  Atraxa, Praetors' Voice

  This deck leveraged Atraxa's proliferate ability and lifelink to maintain board control and survive lethal attacks.

• 

  Kynaios and Tiro of Meletis

  This deck used group hug strategies to curry favor but struggled to deal with aggressive plays.

• 

  Saskia the Unyielding

  Saskia's ability to direct damage towards specific players was used to put pressure on opponents and control the board.

• 

  Yidris, Maelstrom Wielder

  The deck tried to take advantage of Yidris's cascade ability but was outpaced by other players.

Gameplay Insights

• 1

  The early play of Mana Gorger Hydra dictated much of the game's flow, forcing other players to adapt their strategies.

• 2

  Josh's clever use of Homeward Path to regain control of his commander and negotiate for survival showcased the tactical depth of the game.

• 3

  Craig's mistake of ignoring Atraxa's lifelink ability in the final stages of the game highlighted the importance of remembering all card abilities.

• 4

  Jimmy's strategic blocking and utilization of lifelink to survive lethal attacks demonstrated the potential for life gain strategies in the Commander format.

Notable Cards

• 

  Sphere of Safety

• 

  Frenzied Fugue

• 

  Homeward Path

• 

  Duelist's Heritage

• 

  Mirrorweave

• 

  Tempt with Discovery

Summary

The game had a slow start with players setting their boards and preparing strategies. A key turning point was when Craig played Mana Gorger Hydra, one of the set's most powerful cards, early in the game. This play forced other players to scramble for answers. Eventually, Josh Lee Kwai managed to use Homeward Path to regain control of his stolen Atraxa and used it to negotiate his survival. However, Craig's use of Frenzied Fugue to steal Atraxa every turn proved too much for the other players. Jimmy Wong managed to stay alive by strategically blocking with Atraxa, ultimately using lifelink to gain enough life to survive a lethal attack. In the final moments of the game, Craig made a crucial mistake by forgetting Atraxa's lifelink ability, allowing Jimmy to block, gain life, and take the win.