Deck & Commander Strategies
Selvala, Explorer Returned
Focuses on generating infinite mana combos by ramping with elves and mana dorks, then winning through powerful creatures and spell combinations, often using Tooth and Nail to cheat in game-ending threats.
Hallar, the Firefletcher
Aims to deal incremental damage through commander attacks combined with kicker spells to reduce opponents' life totals, finishing with a combo kill leveraging these damage sources.
Pako, Arcane Retriever / Haldan, Avid Arcanist
Leverages its partners for massive card advantage by casting spells from exile and generating value, then wins through various combos enabled by this card draw and recursion.
Tymna the Weaver / Kraum, Ludevic's Opus
Utilizes fast mana rocks and aggressive card draw to maintain control and assemble combos, focusing on disruption and efficient threats to outpace opponents.
Gameplay Insights
- 1
Selvala's repeated activation to reveal powerful spells and creatures helped generate large amounts of mana and card advantage, crucial for enabling Tooth and Nail combos.
- 2
Zack used Pako’s ability effectively to exile multiple impactful cards from opponents’ graveyards, gaining +1/+1 counters and setting up for combo turns.
- 3
Jordan's timely use of Dress Down to stop Temur Sabertooth’s combo temporarily delayed lethal damage and showcased effective disruption in a fast-paced game.
- 4
Players frequently used fetchlands to fix mana and enable powerful spells like Crop Rotation, which fetched lands like Ancient Tomb to accelerate their game plans.
- 5
Kraum’s commander damage and card draw triggers provided consistent pressure and incremental advantage, keeping Shu in the game and fueling his combo attempts.
- 6
Using Wirewood Symbiote to untap key creatures and reuse mana abilities was a pivotal recurring interaction to maintain tempo and resource flow for Selvala’s deck.
- 7
The casting of Tooth and Nail with Entwine to fetch multiple threats was a major turning point, bringing powerful creatures directly onto the battlefield to shift board state.
Notable Cards
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Selvala, Explorer Returned
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Tooth and Nail
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Wirewood Symbiote
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Dockside Extortionist
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Mirror Entity
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Priest of Titania
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Crop Rotation
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Mana Crypt
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Mana Vault
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Dress Down
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Dragon's Rage Channeler
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Wishclaw Talisman
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Thassa's Oracle
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Beast Within
Gameplay Summary
The game featured four competitive decks each piloted by experienced players, with the early turns focused on ramping mana and setting up powerful board states.
Selvala's deck quickly established a strong mana base with multiple elves and ramp spells, aiming to assemble infinite mana combos.
Hallar's deck sought to chip away at opponents' life totals with commander damage and kicker spells, while Pako/Haldan prioritized generating massive card advantage through their commanders.
Tymna/Kraum leveraged aggressive mana rocks and card draw engines to assemble combos and control the game. Key turning points included Selvala activating her commander multiple times to generate mana and draw cards, casting Tooth and Nail to bring powerful creatures like Ashaya, Soul of the Wild and Emiel the Blessed into play.
Meanwhile, opponents disrupted combos with timely counterspells like Flusterstorm and interaction such as Dress Down to delay Hallar’s lethal threats.
The game saw intense resource management, with players cracking fetchlands and activating various tutors to prepare for combo kills.
Although Selvala assembled a threatening board, opponents maintained pressure with Dockside Extortionist treasure generation and removal spells, creating a dynamic and interactive midgame. Ultimately, the game revolved around assembling and protecting infinite mana or combo pieces, while leveraging card advantage engines and disruption to outpace opponents.
Each deck’s synergy between commanders and supporting spells dictated tempo shifts, with decisive plays hinging on well-timed interactions and the ability to capitalize on board presence.