TTJ: CerberusArms v Crim v Xell v Blackneto | MTG Commander Gameplay episode 17

Deck Strategies

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  Trelasarra, Moon Dancer

  Focuses on gaining life and accumulating +1/+1 counters, using life gain to stabilize and eventually overpower opponents with a resilient, growing board presence.

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  Rakdos, Lord of Riots

  Aims to cast large, impactful creatures for free or reduced cost by dealing damage to opponents and controlling the board through aggressive plays and damage-based effects.

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  Shorikai, Genesis Engine

  Utilizes artifact synergy and value generation, leveraging Shorikai’s ability to draw cards and create artifacts, facilitating a midrange strategy focused on incremental advantage.

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  Zevlor, Elturel Exile

  Builds around playing a variety of creatures and leveraging their abilities to control the board and disrupt opponents, with a focus on flexible threats and utility.

Gameplay Insights

• 1

  Using Steel Hellkite to clear problematic artifacts like Meekstone was a crucial tempo play that opened the board for more aggressive strategies.

• 2

  Rakdos, Lord of Riots' ability to force all players to lose half their life leveled the playing field and pressured players to act quickly before their life totals dropped too low.

• 3

  Sensei's Divining Top was effectively used to manipulate draws and maintain card advantage, enabling better sequencing and response to threats.

• 4

  Early deployment of mana rocks like Manic Crypt and Arcane Signet accelerated the players' ability to cast impactful spells and commanders ahead of curve.

• 5

  Essence Warden helped mitigate aggressive damage by gaining life, supporting Trelasarra's life gain and counter strategy.

Notable Cards

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  Steel Hellkite

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  Meekstone

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  Sensei's Divining Top

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  Lightning Greaves

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  Arcane Signet

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  Talisman of Dominance

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  Essence Warden

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  Blood Crypt

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  Brushland

Summary

The game started with players establishing their mana bases and early board presence, with Blackneto on Trelasarra, Moon Dancer focusing on life gain and counters, Crim on Zevlor, Elturel Exile playing a creature-centric deck, Xell on Shorikai, Genesis Engine aiming to generate artifact value, and Dee on Rakdos, Lord of Riots seeking to quickly deploy threats and deal damage. Early turns saw some ramp plays including mana rocks and aggressive creatures like Steel Hellkite, which was equipped and used to attempt a board wipe of smaller permanents. A key turning point came when Steel Hellkite destroyed Meekstone, removing a significant lockdown piece. The players were careful with their life totals, especially after a mass damage event caused by Rakdos’ ability that forced all players to lose half their life, significantly leveling the playing field and setting the stage for more aggressive plays. Sensei’s Divining Top interactions helped maintain card advantage and strategic positioning, while various mana accelerants and artifact synergies played a crucial role in developing board state and enabling powerful plays. The game had a fast pace with multiple board wipes and aggressive swings, emphasizing tempo and resource management.