Aminatou vs Phenax vs Nicol Bolas vs Keranos EDH / CMDR game play for Magic: The Gathering

Deck Strategies

• 

  Nicol Bolas

  A control-oriented deck that uses powerful planeswalkers and board wipes to control the game state, aiming to dominate through removal and high-impact spells.

• 

  Aminatou, the Fateshifter

  A flicker and value-based deck that manipulates the top of the library and generates incremental advantage through creatures like Consecrated Sphinx and spells that return permanents.

• 

  Phenax, God of Deception

  A mill-focused deck that aims to deplete opponents' libraries using mill spells and creatures, while protecting its board with counterspells and flicker effects for value.

• 

  Keranos, God of Storms

  A spell-slinger and token-generation deck that leverages card draw from damage, fevered visions, and creatures like Locust God to build a board presence and finish with burn and tokens.

Gameplay Insights

• 1

  Trevor used a well-timed Damnation to clear the board, temporarily halting aggressive threats and resetting the game state.

• 2

  Mike's successful counterspell chain ensured Keranos resolved despite attempts to stop it, highlighting the importance of stack management and interaction.

• 3

  Phenax utilized flicker effects on mana geode to consistently scry and control his draws, balancing card selection with board presence.

• 4

  The players aggressively targeted planeswalkers, recognizing their high impact, with multiple counterspells exchanged to protect or remove these threats.

• 5

  Mike's use of Lightning Greaves to protect key creatures allowed him to maintain offensive pressure even after board wipes.

• 6

  Nick's use of Archive Trap to mill opponents was a significant threat mitigated by timely interaction (Avoid Fate).

Notable Cards

• 

  Damnation

• 

  Consecrated Sphinx

• 

  Command the Dreadhorde

• 

  Startled Awake // Persistent Nightmare

• 

  Fevered Visions

• 

  Chromatic Lantern

• 

  Nicol Bolas, Dragon-God

• 

  Benalish Marshal

• 

  Gilded Lotus

• 

  Reality Shift

• 

  Lightning Greaves

Summary

The game unfolded with each player establishing their board presence through ramp, disruption, and incremental advantage. Nicol Bolas focused on control elements and board wipes, exemplified by casting Damnation to clear the board and using planeswalkers like Nissa and Nicol Bolas himself to maintain pressure. Aminatou leveraged flicker effects and value engines such as Command the Dreadhorde and Consecrated Sphinx to generate card advantage and manipulate the top of the deck. Phenax applied a mill strategy, using cards like Startled Awake and Mine Funeral to disrupt opponents’ libraries while protecting key creatures with counterspells. Keranos aimed to build card advantage through spells like Fevered Visions and recurring threats like the Locust God, combined with burn spells and planeswalker synergy to stay relevant. A key turning point was Trevor's board wipe with Damnation, resetting the battlefield but allowing Mike's Keranos deck to recover with repeated card draw and token generation. The game also featured significant interaction around planeswalkers, with counterspells protecting critical plays and multiple upticks drawing cards or controlling the board. The win condition leaned towards incremental value and control, with the potential for Phenax to mill out opponents or Keranos to overwhelm with tokens and burn damage.