benthic_druid 40 days{"ops":[{"insert":"We have the September 2025 finalists! \n\nVoting has concluded!\n\n🥇 ratorasniki\n🥈 zephes\n🥉 helloM\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-september-2025"},"insert":"https://edhrec.com/articles/deckbuilding-contest-finalists-september-2025"},{"insert":"\n\nUser: ratorasniki\nDeck: 2/2s For Flinching\n"},{"attributes":{"link":"https://archidekt.com/decks/9127641/22s_for_flinching"},"insert":"https://archidekt.com/decks/9127641/22s_for_flinching"},{"insert":"\n\nUser: helloM\nDeck: Pirlems\n"},{"attributes":{"link":"https://archidekt.com/decks/6509505/dual_tribal_pirlems"},"insert":"https://archidekt.com/decks/6509505/dual_tribal_pirlems"},{"insert":"\n\nUser: zephes\nDeck: Titan of Mycosynth\n"},{"attributes":{"link":"https://archidekt.com/decks/15888283/titan_of_mycosynth"},"insert":"https://archidekt.com/decks/15888283/titan_of_mycosynth"},{"insert":"\n\nHello brewers,\nA new month means a new Archidekt Deckbuilding Contest! This time around, we want to see how creative you can be in combining themes in your commander decks.\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 September's deck building contest - build a Commander-legal deck that combines two themes or archetypes you don't normally see together. These could be themes defined by card types, such as artifacts and enchantments, or themes defined by strategy, like aristocrats and spellslinger. Decks will be judged on their creativity, originality, and how well they combine two unexpected themes."},{"insert":"\n\nThere are nearly unlimited ways to play Magic. Whether you like small creatures, big creatures, controlling the game, or racing to its conclusion as fast as possible, there's an archetype that supports what you want to do. In many cases, these archetypes also overlap, especially in Commander. Elf decks are often also ramp decks, token decks, and sometimes even storm decks. Zombie decks are usually aristocrats, artifact decks usually sacrifice their stuff. But what happens when you try to combine two archetypes that don't normally go together?\n\nBuilding an archetype you know well with an unusual twist is a great way to keep your decks feeling fresh without having to abandon your favorite cards. Enchantress is known for being storm-adjacent, but could also support a reanimator strategy with Animate Dead effects. Or there are powerful artifacts to support planeswalkers, so what if you added a little more artifact support to your Super-friends deck? Like Voltaic Key to untap The Chain Veil and make more mana from Chromatic Orrery.\n\nCombining themes is also a great way to experiment with an archetype you're not familiar with yet. Supporting artifacts with another archetype can help determine if you want to invest in some of the expensive artifact synergy cards like Krark-Clan Ironworks or Mycosynth Lattice. Alternatively, this can be a fun way to modulate your play experience. If your playgroup is tired of your lands deck comboing off every game, you can replace some of those combo pieces with Death Baron and Hordewing Skaab to win with Field of the Dead in a different way.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"How To Participate"},{"insert":"\n 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":"\nAs of last month we've also revamped the submission process.. Decks must now be submitted on Archidekt via a button on this 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, September 10, 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, September 17, 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"},{"attributes":{"link":"https://cardsphere.com/"},"insert":" cardsphere.com"},{"insert":". 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, September 24, 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 9/25/2025, 3:07:23 PM
45
The Control, The Mill and The Voltron (Budget)
Created by: CuttlefishKing
33 days
{"ops":[{"insert":"For the September Deck building challenge.\nThis is a control list that uses both of its commanders to generate value early and mid game via a mill engine, then switches to a Voltron plan as the wincon\nBoasting a hefty amount of both single-target removal and boardwipes, in conjunction with a robust counterspell suite, the game plan is to hold up interaction until you hit one of the big buff equipment, then start one-tapping opponents\nearly game goes like this:\nTap land"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Mill engine or protective equipment"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Ramirez"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Bruse tarl (if you have a mill engine that drops two cards) / draw&discard or mill engine"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"All this on a budget!\n"}]}
No deck tags
Titan of Mycosynth
Created by: zephes
33 days
{"ops":[{"insert":"Inspired by the Contest description, let us pair Planeswalkers and Artifacts run by Iron Man!\nGameplan:\nRamp with a ton of mana rocks"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Get "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Iron Man, Titan of Innovation"}},{"insert":" down by turn 4"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Get "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Encroaching Mycosynth"}},{"insert":" with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Iron Man, Titan of Innovation"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Planeswalkers are now artifacts and can be fetched by Iron-Man or abused using "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Skill Borrower"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Myr Welder"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Territory Forge"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Idris, Soul of the TARDIS"}},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Recycle and reuse with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Emry, Lurker of the Loch"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Goblin Welder"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Trash for Treasure"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nTldr: Quickly ramp to Iron Man, get Encroaching Mycosynth and start fetching, now artifact, planeswalkers on the board.\n"}]}
NecroBloom
Created by: Droobuhlooski
33 days
{"ops":[{"insert":"This is a Landfall-dredge-reanimator-token deck, where you dredge and self mill creatures then reanimate then them to bring lands back from the graveyard to Landfall trigger a huge number of tokens to overwhelm your opponents. Poly raptor + blasting station combo is here too close out games that are going on to long, drop that and gitrog monster to play on lower brackets.\n"}]}
Kamigawa Kinnan
Created by: Voldekolb
33 days
{"ops":[{"insert":"This Decks goal is to make a hyper-powerful commander like Kinnan, fun at a casual table.\nKamigawa Kinnan combines the enormous mana generation through Kinnan's static ability with payoffs from the old Kamigawa sets.\nFinally, a relatively playable commander deck to put your Long Forgotten Gohei in or to really make use of \"That which was taken\"'s ability to put a divinity counter on your creatures.\n\n"}]}
No deck tags
One Shot, One Kill
Created by: ZoomZoomTO
33 days
{"ops":[{"insert":"A spellslinger-style voltron deck. The main thrust of the deck is is to boost Livaan's power by casting noncreature spells (mostly instants and sorceries, mind you), and finishing off opponents with multiple combats or through Chandra's ignition. \n(this deck is an older build, I have wanted to fix it up a bit for a while now, but have not yet gotten around to it)\n\nGeneral gameplan:\nramp"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"cast Livaan (not always turn 3, mind you)"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"boost Livan's power by casting noncreature spells. Her ability triggers "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"before "},{"insert":"the spell resolves -- for example, if you cast Rishkar's Expertise, and target Livaan, her ability will give Livaan +6/+0 BEFORE drawing the cards. This is very handy for the double power spells, as Livaan's power will increase, then get doubled."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Use some form of evasion with Livaan, and swing in"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nNote that once you get going, you can draw/ramp at an incredible rate (if your opponents let you). It's not impossible for you to draw 10+ cards in a single turn, maybe even more. Raised by Giants, as the background, is not strictly required to be used for you to do well, but it is very helpful as not only does it make Livaan's base power and toughness 10/10, but the +6/+0 cast bonus it grants (from Livaan's ability) is calculated AFTER the base power change (due to layers rules), meaning that Livaan can be at least a 16/10 for a turn. Cast a Rishkar's Expertise, or Traverse the Outlands, and let shanigans ensue >:) (though you probably should still sandbag a little to avoid getting hated-out)\n\nSome nice cool tricks you can do:\nThe Reaver Cleaver will generate treasure upon damage, which you can combine with Aggravated Assault (and some evasion) for infinite combats. Bear Umbra does something similar."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Fury of the Horde can be cast for free if you exile two red cards from your hand. Not only is this great if you just draw a whole lot of cards, but you ALSO buff Livaan at the same time!"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"You can end opponents in a single turn with Seize the Day like so. If you have evasion and enough power to kill someone, swing in. Cast Seize the Day, untap Livaan, kill opponent #2. Flashback it for 3, and kill the last opponent."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Reverbate and Twinferno for doubling up on instants/sorceries."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nDecks downsides:\nthe deck only runs Livaan, so it's very vulnerable to aggro and creature removal . There are protection spells to hopefully protect her, so be careful about when you cast her initially (command tax can get rough)."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nThat's it! Enjoy smacking people in the face! :D\n"}]}
No Hand
Created by: Waff
34 days
{"ops":[{"insert":"This Djerru and Hazoret deck is built around two themes.\nthis deck contains synergies for legendary creatures our commander can cheat out and historic permanents and spells. Cards like flowering of the white tree or bayek of siwa or even the capotaline triad make our creatures hughe and deadly and allow us to take over games quick. This deck contains a small god subtheme. a lot of gods have built in indistructiable therfore we play 4 boardwipes."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"the second theme of this deck revolves around discarding and lowering our handcount to 0 - 1 cards to get payoffs of cards like the hazorets, giraphur orrey or case of the crimson pulse. this strategy allowa us to playcards that discard our whole hand for hughe payoffs like nullbroch or diamond lion. The deck is filled with aftermath and flashbackeffects and gravesynergies to not lose cardavantage from discarding. "},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"overall the deck is very efficent in thinning the deck and filling the board with powerfull legendaries. winning with commanderdamage is also verry possoible with cards like excalibur and onward/victory\n"}]}
Manifest Atraxa
Created by: NicolBoras
34 days
{"ops":[{"insert":"This deck is built around "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Atraxa, Grand Unifier"},{"insert":" as a value engine and a powerful top-end finisher, but its true core is the "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Manifest Dread + blink combo"},{"insert":". Manifest Dread lets you look at the top two cards of your library, manifest one (put it face-down as a 2/2), and put the other into your graveyard. Normally, only manifested creatures can later be turned face-up, but this list exploits blink effects (like "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Displacer Kitten"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Parting Gust"},{"insert":", and "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Planar Incision"},{"insert":") to exile and return the manifested card. When it re-enters, it comes back "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"face-up"},{"insert":", letting you cheat big creatures like "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Jin-Gitaxias"},{"insert":" or other expensive threats directly onto the battlefield for their ETB triggers.\nTo ensure value even when the manifest hits non-creature cards, the deck runs "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Paranormal Analyst"},{"insert":", which recovers the card that went to the graveyard, effectively turning Manifest Dread into a cantrip engine. In cases where an instant or sorcery gets manifested, "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Kaito, Dancing Shadow"},{"insert":" turns that “dead” 2/2 into utility — you can attack with it to fuel his abilities, then bounce it back to hand to finally cast the spell. This way, every manifest outcome is profitable: creatures are cheated in with blink, instants/sorceries become resources with Kaito, and Analyst ensures the graveyard card isn’t wasted.\nAround this engine sits a toolbox of planeswalkers ("},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Jace, Liliana, Nissa, Vraska, The Eternal Wanderer, Wrenn, Kaito"},{"insert":") and proliferate support ("},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Atraxa, Praetors’ Voice"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Brokers Ascendancy"},{"insert":") to generate inevitability and long-term control. Big splashy spells like "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Omniscience"},{"insert":" provide alternative win conditions when the game drags out, while recursion and blink keep reusing ETBs for overwhelming value.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"The ultimate goal"},{"insert":" is to assemble the manifest + blink loop to cheat haymakers into play, grind value with Paranormal Analyst and planeswalkers, and close the game by burying opponents in cards, ETB triggers, and proliferated loyalty. Whether through Atraxa’s massive card advantage or the manifest engine’s resilience, this deck wins by creating inevitability and making sure every card that flips, blinks, or dies still advances your board state.\n"}]}
No deck tags
Zethi, Infected Blademaster (Archidekt Deckbuilding Contest - September 2025)
Created by: jeanbitar
34 days
{"ops":[{"insert":"Zethi wants to infect the world with her toxic girl gang, poison-infused blades and proliferating kicks and tricks. When the time is right, kick all instants you need from your graveyard into exile and let the venom "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"werk, hunty"},{"insert":"! Azorius loves stax and Zethi loves to stun with her beautiful boots, so I had to add some stun counter cards in the deck as well to make sure your opponents creatures will stay knocked out until the show is over.\n"}]}
Superfriends Voltron
Created by: Breezlebub
34 days
{"ops":[{"insert":"This deck mixes voltron and superfriends. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Dihada, Binder of Wills"}},{"insert":" gives a legendary creature loads of buffs. So if we make her a creature with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Luxior, Giada's Gift"}},{"insert":" and load her und with some more equilments ("},{"insert":{"card-link":"Colossus Hammer"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Blackblade Reforged"}},{"insert":", ...) we have an indestructible commander with lifelink and vigilance that hits like a truck and grows stronger until we can use her ultimate.\n\nTo keep a bit resilience, especially against losing our "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Luxior, Giada's Gift"}},{"insert":", we put in a lot of Gideons, e.g. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Gideon, Ally of Zendikar"}},{"insert":". These planeswalkers have the advantage that they are no creatures unless we activate them, so we can boardwipe right through them.\n\nWe run a lot of equipment tutors to find our "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Luxior, Giada's Gift"}},{"insert":" or other big hitters and a healthy mix of ramp, boardclears and spotremoval. And of course a little pillowfort to keep our superfriends.\n\nHave fun with it! :D\n\n\n"}]}
bria enchantress- September deck building contest
Created by: EnbyPirate
34 days
{"ops":[{"insert":"this deck was built around the idea that prowess can trigger off of any non creature spell, and since Bria favors aggressive tactics, I figured an auras deck led by her made sense. The deck still has spellslinger elements, with most of the auras costing 2 or 3, and also most of the creatures in the deck have prowess, which is part of the classic Bria plan of stacking prowess triggers. So, basically, it is a spellslinger- enchantress deck, built around auras. When playing the deck, the goal is not to place all of the auras on Bria or one creature; it is the spread them out so you will always get in some damage each round. It functions a lot better than I thought it would, usually dealing 10-14 unblockable damage on turn 5 and some a little before that. It also is built to be a good bracket 2, which is the range I usually play and build in.\nThank you, and good brewing!\n"}]}
No deck tags
Devolve
Created by: Gatherless
34 days
{"ops":[{"insert":"The doctor wants to evolve, but I will do anything to stop him. He wants to clone new things, but we need more politicians.\n\nCloning and Mill do not go together often. But today, the doctor is being sued.\n"}]}
cursed votes
Created by: countfrederic
34 days
{"ops":[{"insert":"Enchantment deck which is based around curses and making multiple copies of them. All the while making everyone vote each turn all for your benefit. \nIf you are lucky you can hit big with your commander for lethal commander damage.\n"}]}
September challenge: +1/+1 again and again
Created by: Gnethys
34 days
{"ops":[{"insert":"This deck has not one not two but THREE themes it tries to juggle.\n\nThe inspiration was Bioengineered future, and how it could make the creatures reanimated with Nethroi huge, given the ammounts of lands I usually play from my graveyard in a turn.\n\nThere are creatures with low power and counters, so we can reanimate more with Nethroi\nThere are cards that interact, double or move our counters around\nThere are creatures happy to get the counters\n\nAnd to make sure we can do it all, there's a land reanimator package.\n\nAdditionally, Nethroi is great to mix reanimator and counters, not only because it only cares about printed power, but because of how counters interact with mutate (you have to choose one of the printed P/T boxes, but counters remain and add to Nethroi's 5/5 body with great keywords)\n"}]}
Sledge
Created by: Anniee
34 days
{"ops":[{"insert":"Ever since I was little, I had a fascination with slivers. Their synergistic nature and huge, five-color pay-offs fascinated me back then, and they still do today. However, two things usually come up that stop me from building a Sliver deck.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"No. 1: Budget"},{"insert":"\nEven excluding the insane prices of some of the cards like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Sliver Queen"}},{"insert":", building a Sliver deck is a pretty expensive task. Slivers are a beloved Magic archetype, and as a result a lot of them are quite expensive. Similarly, building a 5-color manabase on a budget is pretty difficult with all the fetchlands, duals and triomes required.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"No. 2: Power Level"},{"insert":"\nIn my experience, slivers are just too strong at casual tables. They synergize with each other incredibly well, their five-color commanders are mostly pretty insane, and they combo off with a ham sandwich.\n\nFor this contest I've decided to at least attempt to fix both of these issues by fusing Slivers with the Dredge mechanic. (Yes, my idea is that mixing two degenerate mechanics together is somehow going to make them cancel each other out.) The deck plays like a standard self-mill commander deck, which lets us cut out a lot of the more expensive slivers and replace them with self-mill cards such as "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Cathartic Reunion"}},{"insert":" or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Satyr Wayfinder"}},{"insert":" . The deck is also almost entirely in Jund, which makes it much easier for us to build a budget manabase, with only two basics and a "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Command Tower"}},{"insert":" as our white and blue sources. \nThe plan is to self-mill and control the board in the early game, get our important slivers into the graveyard, and finish our opponents off with a glorious "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Sliver Gravemother"}},{"insert":" turn (see the deck description for the full gameplan).\n\nThis does make it play more like a combo deck then a standard sliver deck, but let's face it: every sliver deck is just a combo deck in disguise;) With this one, you at least get to stare at your opponents menacingly while you mill all of your important slivers and act like it's \"all a part of the plan\".\n\nIt also only costs about a hundred euros on Cardmarket.\n"}]}