CGB Has a Strong Turn One, But Ben Tells Us What's Really Up - Worst Possible Commander Show #97

Deck Strategies

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  Lara Croft, Tomb Raider

  Utilizes legendary artifact and land recursion from graveyards to generate treasures and value, aiming to combo off with Mind Slaver and Underworld Breach for repeated control and infinite combat steps.

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  Derevi, Empyrial Tactician

  Focuses on controlling the board with fogs and board wipes while assembling the Millennium Calendar combo to deliver a lethal Thassa trigger and win through repeated damage.

• 

  Ziatora, the Incinerator

  Leverages sacrifice synergies with Lord of Extinction and Jared to deal large explosive damage, controlling the board with threats and removal to enable the combo.

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  Xyris, the Writhing Storm

  Uses wheel effects to refill hands and generate large numbers of 1/1 snake tokens, then capitalizes on Xyris’s damage triggers to whittle down opponents over time.

Gameplay Insights

• 1

  CGB's turn one play with three Moxen and Serin Steel Seeker allowed for rapid mana generation and deck filtering, putting immediate pressure on opponents.

• 2

  Blake’s use of Urza's Saga to tutor Millennium Calendar was a critical step toward a potent combo finish.

• 3

  Ben’s sacrifice synergies with Lord of Extinction created a looming threat of mass damage through Jared’s ability.

• 4

  Shay’s wheel effects combined with Xyris’s ability provided consistent card draw and token generation, maintaining board presence.

• 5

  Strategic removal like Path to Exile was used to disrupt key creatures such as Orin Frostfang, slowing potential card draw engines.

• 6

  The interaction of artifact recursion with treasure token generation under Lara Croft’s raid triggers showcased strong synergy for building resource advantage.

Notable Cards

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  Mox Diamond

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  Mox Amber

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  Mox Opal

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  Manifold Key

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  Underworld Breach

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  Urza's Saga

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  Lord of Extinction

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  Wheel of Fortune

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  Path to Exile

Summary

The game started explosively with Lara Croft, Tomb Raider (CGB) executing a powerful turn one combo involving multiple Mox artifacts and the Serin Steel Seeker to rapidly dig through the deck and generate significant mana. This early setup allowed CGB to establish a strong board presence and prepare for a combo finish involving Mind Slaver and Underworld Breach for repeated control and value. Meanwhile, Blake’s Derevi deck aimed to control the board with fogs, board wipes, and the Millennium Calendar combo to eventually kill opponents. Ben’s Ziatora deck sought to leverage Lord of Extinction and sacrifice synergies with Jared to deal massive damage, while Shay’s Xyris deck focused on wheel effects and producing a swarm of 1/1 snake tokens to chip away at opponents with incremental damage triggers. Key turning points included Lara Croft’s rapid mana acceleration and artifact recursion, which pressured the table early, forcing opponents to respond quickly. Blake’s strategic use of Urza's Saga to facilitate the Millennium Calendar combo added a threatening alternate win condition. Ben’s sacrifice synergies and Shay’s card draw and token generation kept the table on edge, but the early tempo advantage and combo potential of Lara Croft’s deck set the pace for the match. The interactions between artifact recursion, treasure generation, and legendary land synergy highlighted the intricate dance of resource management and timing that defined this game.