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The Root of All Evil - Rog/Thras v Kinnan v Lumra v Krark/Tymna - TPM CEDH

The Mind Over Meta

Commanders featured in this video Reviewed & Verified

Deck Strategies

  • Kinnan, Bonder Prodigy

    Kinnan, Bonder Prodigy

    Aggressively ramp mana by leveraging noncreature permanents and using large mana pools to cast powerful spells or combo pieces quickly to win the game.

  • Krark, the Thumbless Tymna the Weaver

    Krark, the Thumbless / Tymna the Weaver

    Utilize fast artifact acceleration and powerful card draw synergies to assemble combo pieces while controlling the board through interaction.

  • Lumra, Bellow of the Woods

    Lumra, Bellow of the Woods

    Ramp and control strategy focused on green ramp spells and interaction, aiming to generate overwhelming board presence and value.

  • Rograkh, Son of Rohgahh Thrasios, Triton Hero

    Rograkh, Son of Rohgahh / Thrasios, Triton Hero

    A combo/control deck using fast mana and disruption to break the game open through artifact synergies and efficient card advantage.

Gameplay Insights

  • 1

    Root Maze was a pivotal card that disrupted fast mana decks by making lands enter the battlefield tapped, significantly slowing down explosive turns and forcing players to adapt their strategies.

  • 2

    Fear's Guardianship effectively countered Amulet of Vigor, hindering untap combos and leveling the playing field against decks relying on artifact synergy.

  • 3

    Players prioritized mana acceleration and artifact synergies to gain a tempo advantage, with cards like Candelabra of Tawnos and Mox Diamond enabling multiple untaps and plays.

  • 4

    Strategic use of interaction like Strip Mine and counterspells was crucial in preventing opponents from easily assembling combos or establishing board dominance.

  • 5

    Despite heavy mana disruption and interaction, Kinnan's ability to generate large amounts of mana allowed for sustained pressure and advanced combo attempts.

  • 6

    The game featured tense moments of cooperation and rivalry, with players calling out disruptive plays like Root Maze and coordinating responses to potential win conditions.

Notable Cards

  • Root Maze

    Root Maze

  • Kinnan, Bonder Prodigy

    Kinnan, Bonder Prodigy

  • Amulet of Vigor

    Amulet of Vigor

  • Sol Ring

    Sol Ring

  • Mana Crypt

    Mana Crypt

  • Mox Diamond

    Mox Diamond

  • Elvish Mystic

    Elvish Mystic

  • Candelabra of Tawnos

    Candelabra of Tawnos

  • Trinket Mage

    Trinket Mage

  • Cradle of the Accursed

    Cradle of the Accursed

  • Strip Mine

    Strip Mine

Summary

The game began with each player establishing their mana bases and early board presence, with key ramp spells like Wild Growth and mana dorks such as Elvish Mystic setting the stage. Early interaction was minimal, allowing ramp-centric decks to develop. Root Maze was played early, significantly slowing down opponents by making their lands enter the battlefield tapped, which disrupted typical fast mana strategies and created tension among players. Kinnan, Bonder Prodigy quickly became a major threat, ramping mana aggressively and enabling explosive plays, while artifact acceleration and untapping synergies were central to some strategies. As the game progressed, players exchanged threats and answers, with Fear's Guardianship notably countering Amulet of Vigor and preventing some key untap synergies from resolving. Despite these disruptions, Kinnan and Thrasios managed to generate large mana pools, deploying powerful artifacts such as Sol Ring and Mana Crypt. Attempts to break the game open were met with mixed responses, and Root Maze remained a significant chokehold on the board state. The game was tense with players jockeying for control, focusing on mana efficiency and interaction to either set up combos or stabilize. The final turns featured key activations and plays leveraging mana artifacts and untap effects, aiming to secure a decisive advantage.