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Combos and Combat, Which is Better? - CEDH Gameplay

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Commanders featured in this Gameplay Reviewed & Verified

Rielle, the Everwise

Rielle, the Everwise

Rielle, the Everwise card Rielle, the Everwise videos from DeadOnBoardMTG 
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Marath, Will of the Wild

Marath, Will of the Wild

Marath, Will of the Wild card Marath, Will of the Wild videos from DeadOnBoardMTG 
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Brago, King Eternal

Brago, King Eternal

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Kediss, Emberclaw Familiar

Kediss, Emberclaw Familiar

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Ishai, Ojutai Dragonspeaker

Ishai, Ojutai Dragonspeaker

Ishai, Ojutai Dragonspeaker card Ishai, Ojutai Dragonspeaker videos from DeadOnBoardMTG 
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Deck & Commander Strategies

  • Marath, Will of the Wild

    Marath, Will of the Wild

    Utilizes creature-based stax effects and artifact ramp to slow opponents and assemble combos that leverage Marath's +1/+1 counter abilities for card draw and board control.

  • Rielle, the Everwise

    Rielle, the Everwise

    Focuses on card advantage through discard spells and Rielle's ability, aiming to assemble an Underworld Breach combo to generate infinite value and win the game.

  • Kedis, Emberclaw Familiar

    Pairs with Ishai, Ojutai Dragonspeaker to grow Ishai quickly and spread damage, aiming for a one-shot kill by protecting Ishai and leveraging Kedis's support.

  • Ishai, Ojutai Dragonspeaker

    Ishai, Ojutai Dragonspeaker

    Grows larger each time opponents cast spells, synergizing with Kedis to deal distributed lethal damage, supported by protective and ramp elements.

  • Brago, King Eternal

    Brago, King Eternal

    An Azorius control deck using fast mana and flicker effects to gain incremental advantage by resetting mana and reusing enter-the-battlefield effects.

Gameplay Insights

  • 1

    Steve's Rielle deck leveraged discard spells combined with Underworld Breach to dig deeply into his deck and attempt to assemble a combo finish.

  • 2

    Free counterspells such as Fierce Guardianship and Force of Negation repeatedly stopped critical removal spells, frustrating opponents' attempts to dismantle problematic permanents like Cursed Totem.

  • 3

    Rick's management of Ishai and Kedis was crucial, with some missed triggers noted, but ultimately Ishai's growth and damage spread allowed Rick to secure the win via commander damage and distributed damage.

  • 4

    Jimmy's use of artifact ramp and +1/+1 counter synergies generated strong card draw and mana acceleration, but counter magic prevented him from stabilizing and removing key threats.

  • 5

    The game highlighted the tension between combo decks and control decks, with pressure and proactive plays necessary to overcome the significant disruption from free counter magic.

Notable Cards

  • Mystic Remora

    Mystic Remora

  • Generous Patron

    Generous Patron

  • Lotus Cobra

    Lotus Cobra

  • Underworld Breach

    Underworld Breach

  • Ancient Grudge

    Ancient Grudge

  • Brain Freeze

    Brain Freeze

  • Force of Negation

    Force of Negation

  • Blood Moon

    Blood Moon

  • Chromatic Lantern

    Chromatic Lantern

  • Skullclamp

    Skullclamp

Gameplay Summary

The game started with players developing their mana bases and laying down early control elements like Mystic Remora and pieces to ramp mana.

Jimmy's Marath deck aimed to assemble combos and utilized creature-based stax and artifact ramp to build board presence.

Steve piloted a Rielle deck focused on card advantage through discard and Underworld Breach combos, while Rick's Isai and Kedis deck tried to grow Isai into a lethal threat.

Fernando's Brago deck aimed to leverage fast mana and flicker effects for advantage.

Early turns featured incremental board development, with Jimmy deploying a Lotus Cobra and Generous Patron to generate mana and card draw.

Meanwhile, counterspells and disruption were prevalent, notably Steve and Rick using free counter magic to protect their own plays and disrupt opponents' key spells, such as Ancient Grudge and tutors.

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