benthic_druid 42 days{"ops":[{"insert":"We have the August 2025 finalists! \nVoting has concluded!\n\n🥇 TheTalonGates \n🥈 YoseiMorningStar\n🥉 HydoMTG\n\nEach winner will be contacted via the email associated with their Archidekt account within the next 48 hours. \n\nCongratulations, and thank you to all who participated!\n\n"},{"attributes":{"link":"https://edhrec.com/articles/deckbuilding-contest-finalists-august-2025"},"insert":"https://edhrec.com/articles/deckbuilding-contest-finalists-august-2025"},{"insert":"\n\nUser: YoseiMorningStar\nDeck: Lantlaza\n"},{"attributes":{"link":"https://archidekt.com/decks/13413080/lantlaza_august_contest_submission"},"insert":"https://archidekt.com/decks/13413080/lantlaza_august_contest_submission"},{"insert":"\n\nUser: HydoMTG\nDeck: Living End - High CMC Control\n"},{"attributes":{"link":"https://archidekt.com/decks/15197780/living_end_high_cmc_control"},"insert":"https://archidekt.com/decks/15197780/living_end_high_cmc_control"},{"insert":"\n\nUser: TheTalonGates\nDeck: Super Doomsday!\n"},{"attributes":{"link":"https://archidekt.com/decks/15153109/super_doomsday"},"insert":"https://archidekt.com/decks/15153109/super_doomsday"},{"insert":"\n\nHello brewers,\nAs we move into the back half of the year, we're asking a question that Magic players have struggled to answer for decades. How few lands can you get away with running? Or, conversely, how many?\n\nWhat’s The Contest All About?"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nWorking within the parameters of the prompt provided below, construct a decklist with your own creative spin. Three chosen finalists will be awarded store credit to "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://cardsphere.com/"},"insert":"cardsphere.com"},{"insert":".\n\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true,"bold":true},"insert":"For August's deck building contest build a Commander-legal deck with fewer than 30 lands, or more than 50. This includes double-faced cards that are lands on one side."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true,"bold":true},"insert":"Decks will be judged on their creativity and originality, as well as how important the total land count is to how the deck functions."},{"insert":"\n\nThe question of how many lands to play has plagued players for nearly as long as Magic has existed. Common wisdom says that slightly more than a third of your total deck size is enough, although the math would suggest a number closer to half is better. Many players stick to the low ends of these ranges, because spells are more exciting than lands, but some archetypes encourage you to play even fewer lands.\n\nPerhaps the best known archetype to play as few lands as possible is Storm. Storm decks want to chain as many spells together as possible, which a couple of lands on top of your deck can easily interrupt. Whether you're chaining artifacts with Jhoira, Weatherlight Captain or paying life with Bolas's Citadel, there's no worse feeling than having your turn end thanks to an unlucky land on top of your deck.\n\nOf course, other cards might encourage you to play even fewer lands. Goblin Charbelcher is a famous combo finisher for decks that play no lands, but you could also play only Mountains to still ensure revealing fewer cards in a lethal blast.\n\nOn the flip side, some decks want to play more lands than usual. Landfall and Lands Matter decks need plenty of lands to fuel their primary engines, and often to win the game as well. Omnath, Locus of Rage, Field of the Dead, and Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle are all much less impressive when you don't have any lands to play. Decks with many expensive spells, like Dragons or Eldrazi, usually also want more lands to ensure they can cast their big spells. You might also play more lands than usual to take advantage of creatures like Cavalier of Flame and Multani, Yavimaya's Avatar, which grow more powerful the more lands you have in play or in your graveyard.\n\nHow To Participate"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":" Brew an EDH/Commander legal deck on Archidekt that satisfies the prompt."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":" Any unreleased cards spoiled during the contest’s duration are allowed."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":" Silver-bordered and acorn cards, while cool, are not allowed."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":" Digital-only cards (such as those designed for the Alchemy format on Arena) are not allowed."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":" Strictly one deck submitted per user."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nThis month we're also revamping the submission process. Decks must now be submitted on Archidekt via a button on the newspost. This will make it easier to view all submissions in a single place. Additionally, it will simplify the process of writing a description by sharing the same text on the submission page and the deck page itself. You can also comment on individual decks directly from the submission, making those discussions easier to find and track later.\n\nTo submit a deck, select the orange button labeled \"Submit a deck to this contest\" and follow the form prompt. Submissions are accepted until "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"9:00 pm EST"},{"insert":" (UTC -4, currently) on "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Wednesday, August 13, 2025"},{"insert":".\n\nOnly one submission per user! If you change your mind and want to submit a different deck before submissions close, you may do so by first deleting your submission. To edit your description, you can do so from the deck page itself. From the eligible submissions, we'll select three finalists with lists that we believe best embody the spirit of the prompt. Deck descriptions are not required but certainly may provide valuable context!\n\nOn "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Wednesday, August 20, 2025"},{"insert":", we’ll announce three finalists via the Archidekt Discord and a brief article on EDHREC highlighting each deck.\n\nEach finalist will be awarded credit on cardsphere.com. The value of the credit is in US dollars and depends on the finalist's placement in deck upvotes at the end of the week-long polling period:\n 1st Place Prize - $250"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":" 2nd Place Prize - $150"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":" 3rd Place Prize - $100"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nFinalists will be contacted via email regarding their winnings within roughly 24 hours following the conclusion of voting on "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Wednesday, August 27, 2025"},{"insert":".\n\nPlease note, you must have a Cardsphere account in order to receive your winnings. It's quick and free-- register "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://www.cardsphere.com/signup?referrer=archidekt_contest"},"insert":"here"},{"insert":" if you don't have an account already!\n\n"},{"attributes":{"link":"https://archidekt.com/contestRules"},"insert":"Official contest rules."},{"insert":"\n\nIf you have any questions, feel free to ask here, or join our public "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://discord.gg/rYDFFVCmGr"},"insert":"Discord server"},{"insert":". We look forward to seeing what you all come up with!\n"}]}
Edited 8/28/2025, 2:44:29 PM
68
Obeka's Topology Chronology
Created by: friscomm
35 days
{"ops":[{"insert":"For August's deckbuilding contest, I attempted to answer a question that few have dared to ask: what if lands became mans—and stayed that way?\n\nMy commander this month, Obeka, Brute Chronologist, allows us to do just that with her signature ability to end our turn precisely when we want to. With most land-animation effects only lasting until the end of the turn, normally our land creatures are merely ephemeral, but with Obeka we can get them to stick around. While yes, this does open up our lands to creature-based destruction, it allows us to move into one of the key parts of this man-land based strategy: copying our lands.\n\nGenerally speaking, making a copy of a creature is far easier far and cheaper to do than making a copy of a non-creature, especially a land. The downside, though, especially in a Grixis deck like this one, is that the copy effects only last until the end of the turn, though that is once again mitigated by Obeka’s ability to end the turn on cue. Granted, our copied man-lands aren’t even creatures when they come down (as they enter as static, unanimated lands even if they do have haste), but this does mean we can effectively ramp each turn with the ability to then turn that ramp into more creatures and more ramp on each ensuing turn.\n\nLet’s say we don’t draw any of our creature-copying spells, what to do then? Well, the deck does contain a package of “Awaken” spells that perma-animate our lands in addition to giving them +1/+1 counters, allowing us to give life even to our suite of basic lands if we’ve somehow run out of self-animating targets. \n\nAs might be expected from a deck with 51 lands, there is also a selection of landfall payoffs that add additional rewards for playing and copying our extensive set of lands. Most notably, Moraug, Fury of Akoum allows us to untap any animated lands we have each additional combat phase, and can even grant multiple extra combat steps each turn if there’s a creature-copier or two on the board. Embodiment of Fury is also a standout here, along with Hallmark Tidecaller, as both give our land creatures a form of evasion to help our damage get through.\n\nFinally, any deck worth its salt needs some removal, and since we don’t want to remove all of our lands that are also our creatures, the choice here is to run several mass nonland bounce spells. Clearing out our opponents’ boards while maintaining our own is exactly the kind of asymmetric effect that every commander player loves and we have our fair share of options here.\n"}]}
No deck tags
The End of the Birds
Created by: MimikyuToo
35 days
{"ops":[{"insert":"I just noticed that there are enough gates that you can run as little as Two Color gates.... So this is a Bird "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Maze's End"}},{"insert":" deck. Made this deck last second compared to a Land Storm deck I had thought of, but I am happy with the concept. Goal is to rip through your deck and win via Maze's End. You can also win through combat damage if it comes down to it- those birds do be generating. \n\nWent with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Choco, Seeker of Paradise"}},{"insert":" as it seems good to dig through my deck quickly- especially if one of the bird generators can turn online. \n"}]}
No Lands Man
Created by: KnightOfTheNorth
35 days
{"ops":[{"insert":"The plan is simple: cast "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Spiteful Repossession"}},{"insert":" with no lands in play. Then, use the mana it gives you to return it to hand and cast it again. And again. And again, until it kills your opponents. To support this plan, the deck runs only 25 lands, all of which can sacrifice or remove themselves from the battlefield in some way (besides the 2 mdfcs), so "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Zuran Orb"}},{"insert":" usually won't be necessary. With plenty of mana rocks, mana shouldn't be too much of an issue, as long as you can get to 5 on the turn you go off. \n\nThe commander is "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Kess, Dissident Mage"}},{"insert":", and she helps the deck in a few ways. Digging to find your wincons is incredibly important, so Kess can recast your wheels, draw, and mill spells. The wheels also serve an additional purpose of ensuring your opponents hit their land drops, which you will punish later. Kess can also recast your boardwipes and interaction if needed, but most importantly, she can recast your "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Call to Mind"}},{"insert":" effects, giving you extra uses of "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Spiteful Repossession"}},{"insert":".\n\nIf "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Spiteful Repossession"}},{"insert":" gets stuck in exile, as a backup, you also have "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Hit the Mother Lode"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Descent into Avernus"}},{"insert":". They can both create enough treasures that your "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Reckless Fireweaver"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Marionette Apprentice"}},{"insert":" effects can eventually kill your opponents. \n\nNow venture forth into no man's land, and become the no lands man.\n\n(Although there are no game changers and few tutors, this deck is probably best suited for bracket 3 games due to how it can win out of seemingly nowhere)\n"}]}
Liberty Prime and Friends 50 lands
Created by: LunarLogos
35 days
{"ops":[{"insert":"\nBig Artifact ROBOT BEATDOWN. Brings out BIG ROBOTS. More Land, More Big Robots. Beat your opponent to death with GIANT ROBOTS, take an extra turn, beat them to death again. Load up your 50 lands into a ballista and blast the whole table, doubling cube for extra fun. Democracy is non-negotiable.\nWith all the new artifact Robot cards, I felt like making another swing at Liberty Prime, he's the best Robot around. The Deck seems to play fairly smooth with 50 lands, 50 lands also gives ballista mixed with other robots massive \npotential whole table OTK.\n"}]}
No deck tags
There aren't that many lands in space
Created by: WitchMitzy
35 days
{"ops":[{"insert":"This deck is all about getting to the mana to cast Mm'menon and then storming off and winning. Only 6 lands, and many ways to search them out so that you can kill with either Aetherflux or Charbelcher. Mostly Aetherflux.\n\nThe goal is to cast your entire deck in one turn.\n"}]}
Land job
Created by: thesse2@gmail.com
35 days
{"ops":[{"insert":"Lands as critters, critters as lands\n"}]}
No deck tags
Delney's Little Guys... With Big Friends
Created by: Guuru
35 days
{"ops":[{"insert":"Just a bunch of little guys with lifelink and a good lookout. \n"}]}
oops all lands
Created by: ShaketXavius
35 days
{"ops":[{"insert":"I wanted to, before the contest prompt came out, make a joke deck that was nothing but lands and ramp. I made this just to make the big counter-filled token from Zimone. Then Simic Ascendancy pops and I win. It's fun to play, and my first ever Simic deck.\n"}]}
No deck tags
Infinite Assimilation
Created by: Pheryael
35 days
{"ops":[{"insert":"This deck plays on the multicolor prompt of the commander. Playing many different multicolored cards meant to help ramp and keep pace with its limited lands. The major mechanic i focused on this deck with was the ETB effects not only of the commander but of other cards within the deck, meant to blink them from the battlefield until end of turn to once again trigger their ETB.\n"}]}
No deck tags
ULTRA
Created by: MikeUltra_X7
35 days
{"ops":[{"insert":"Get big creatures out early with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Kenessos, Priest of Thassa"}},{"insert":" and start attacking!! \n"}]}
No deck tags
Mazecade
Created by: Dwegon
35 days
{"ops":[{"insert":" My Mazcade deck wants to use a chain of cascading cards to help put gate cards into play for a Maze's End win or assemble a Dark Depths combo to cheat out Merit Lage. It runs a large amount of lands so you'll have more options between each cascade having to reveal more and more land cards until you hit your nonlands. Most of the non lands have cascade so you can get even more lands into play.\n\nThe deck also run's a decent chunk of utility or good tap lands since the cascaded lands go in tapped anyways, if you need a utility land like Maze of Ith, you'll have a higher chance to reveal a land more useful to your current situation. \n\nEnjoy!!\n\nP.S. Don't get blood mooned.\n"}]}
Katilda Voltron One-Shot Problem
Created by: OrigamiCycloneFan
35 days
{"ops":[{"insert":"This is a deck that I own and play myself: Mono-white, Spirit/Enchantment Deck with Katilda as Commander. The land count total is 29 (from 28 basic plains & 1 Path of Ancestry).\n\nThe strategy is very simple: buff up Katilda until she can eliminate her enemies with lethal commander damage.\n\nA lot of spells in this deck are low-cost, so ideally a card can be played each turn. By turn 3, Katilda can be summoned at 3/3, then 5/5 next turn, then 8/8, etc. She keeps getting stronger every turn and you can make the choice to spread her damage around the table or try to take someone out as quickly as possible. Katilda is a very fast deck that can overwhelm opponents if left unchecked. Even if you get mana-screwed, you can still have a strong commander if you have cards on the battlefield as long as you have the 3 mana to summon her. I was once stuck with four plains all game, but I still managed to build enough for lethal-commander. If someone manages to kill Katilda then you can still cast her disturb cost for only 5 mana and it's almost like she never left. On top of that, a voltron-style Katilda means that you will be gaining a lot of life each turn and negate any non-commander damage that comes your way.\n\nYou are the threat and you will swing out every turn. And if you ever get bored of enemy fliers chumping that damage, just dig your deck for Spirit Mantle and finish them off for good. That Edgar Markov deck is toast against Katilda with her protection against vampires. Struggling against a spider deck with deathtouch and reach? Guess what, cast Shields of Velis Vel and now those spiders are also vampires.\n\nIs everyone ganging up on you now because you're the threat? Give yourself some more protection with Ghostly Prison and Sphere of Safety. And for the giggles, attach a Gift of Immortality to Kami of False Hope.\n\nThere is an infinite combo in the deck. That infinite combo will never be played because it costs 9 mana (Secret Arcade + Ghostly Dancers) and the game will be longer over before you ever reach that amount. Because either you will have completely wiped out your opponents or they will have wiped you out instead.\n\nLands are overrated. Play more spirits/enchantments instead.\n"}]}
No deck tags
mana drained
Created by: Epimethius
35 days
{"ops":[{"insert":"My goal was to make it so there were no lands at all and relied as little on the mana rocks as possible while applying a little bit of enemy mana hate. it's finiky but if i had the ability to, i would honestly play this just for the laughs\n"}]}
No deck tags
Swole Mana
Created by: BooDadly
35 days
{"ops":[{"insert":"No board's too big! No threats too small!\n\nUse your mana dorks as beaters. Swole Mana is just what it sounds like. Turn those mana dorks into threats! With an army of creatures, tokens, and rocks to giving you extra mana, you can focus less on your land count, and more on your synergy and value engines.\n\nBlink those ETB triggers to keep the engine rolling. Once your board state is not just established, but SWOLE! swing in with those overlooked tokens. They get blocked or picked off? No worries sack em! It's all value.\n"}]}
No deck tags
The corporate ladder
Created by: End____
35 days
{"ops":[{"insert":"This is a budget deck I modified to have less lands.\nThe commander is gollum and the whole point is to find some sac outlet then begin killing him over and over again and profit.\n"}]}
No deck tags