Jeremy(Archidekt Moderator)
10 days{"ops":[{"insert":"Submissions are closed! Finalists to be announced October 15. Thank you to all who participated!"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n\n\n"},{"insert":"Hello brewers,"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n\n"},{"insert":"Welcome to the Archidekt Deckbuilding Contest! For those unfamiliar, this is a monthly contest with a different theme each month. Your goal is to build a Commander-legal deck that fulfills the prompt in a creative or unique fashion. At the end of each month, three finalists will be selected for you to vote on.\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},"insert":"For October's deckbuilding contest, build a Commander-legal deck that features a \"jumpscare\". In other words, your deck should appear to be doing one thing, then quickly shift in an unexpected and threatening direction. Decks will be judged primarily on their creativity and originality."},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nFor some ideas about what constitutes a jumpscare, check out the "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://edhrec.com/articles/archidekt-deckbuilding-contest-october-2025"},"insert":"full announcement article"},{"insert":" over on EDHREC!\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":"\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, October 8, 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. Edits can be made to your deck up until submissions close-- no actions are necessary to make chance 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, October 15, 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, October 22, 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 10/9/2025, 1:01:26 AM
54
War Crime Against the World
Created by: pcnstutes@gmail.com
3 days
{"ops":[{"insert":"This is just your average group hug deck. The kind of deck that your unsuspecting friends will run from. Oh lands, sure you can have all the lands you want. At your own risk...\n"}]}
No deck tags
Jumpscare Secret Commander Memnarch
Created by: Ltwthero
3 days
{"ops":[{"insert":"Trick or Treat. It is the season for magic and monsters. This deck has a bit of both. In the early game you play combo pieces disguised as ramp. As you enter mid game the deck begins to assemble of infinite mana loops. The jumpscare comes when the Secret Commander Memnarch is cheated onto the battlefield. Memnarch uses your unspent mana to snatch all of your opponent's favorate treats.\n"}]}
Paid in Experience
Created by: Sourmonkey
3 days
{"ops":[{"insert":"It makes all the eldrazi you could want, except the ones with wincons. Instead, you just use the commander to get as many experience counters as possible and then use any of the experience counter creatures to instantly swing for game after bringing them out. Eldrazi brings the fear and setup, and then leaves it for any random left fielder to finish off.\n"}]}
No deck tags
Rogristocrats
Created by: RBomb19
3 days
{"ops":[{"insert":"While this deck pretends to buff Rograkh with counters and give small dude support, it aims to combo off. Ideally, casting our 0 mana commander as many times as possible for one of \"as many times as you've cast your commander\" this game cards to reach an obscene total. If not, counter synergy and little guy loops will hopefully win the day!\n"}]}
No deck tags
Shrines of EPIC Proportions
Created by: Tatermeister
3 days
{"ops":[{"insert":"This seems like just an ordinary Shrines deck with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Go-Shintai of Life's Origin"}},{"insert":", but it holds a dark secret. For is only 1 non-enchantment card in the deck, and that's our win condition: "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Enduring Ideal"}},{"insert":". But the deck's power doesn't just come from tutoring for an enchantment card every turn. No, instead our overall GOAL is to play our epic spell in conjunction with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Hive Mind"}},{"insert":" and force our opponents to play with the same rules we are. Odds are their decks are not designed to grab an enchantment each turn, so we should hopefully win on the spot. And the best part is, once Hive Mind is on the field, if we can cast Enduring Ideal immediately afterwards, Hive Mind triggers go on the stack and create copies of Enduring Ideal for each of our opponents before they can interact on the stack. Meaning their best option might not be to counter OUR Enduring Ideal, but THEIRS to ensure they can still play as intended.\n\nThis deck is sure to trip some folks up. It does play like a standard Shrines deck with a handful of tutors to get your engine online, and you probably don't even *need* Enduring Ideal to win, but it should almost always secure it. It will come straight out of nowhere (the only hint is that we aren't running "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Umori, the Collector"}},{"insert":" as a companion for an otherwise all-enchantment deck). Even after your opponents know the gimmick, interacting with Hive Mind is tricky on its own, and that card alone is sure to surprise the table. Hope you like it!\n"}]}
No deck tags
Ghost Busters Deck
Created by: kmlauermann1@gmail.com
3 days
{"ops":[{"insert":"Created with Ghost busters in mind. With a focus on ghost investigators and the ghosts they chase along with the tools of the trade on both sides. \n"}]}
No deck tags
Trick or Treat
Created by: RadDone
3 days
{"ops":[{"insert":"The politics start before the game even begins after revealing Blim you explain that you're quote \"not like other Blim decks\" and you're not. No card you give an opponent is truly bad. Nevertheless the table still feels uneasy about you. you give them treasure with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Descent into Avernus"}},{"insert":" but it hurts them, you gift them creatures but they're facedown. What are you hiding? And then once they start to trust you you play "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Wishclaw Talisman"}},{"insert":" and you ask who will promise to give it back to you but they never really had a choice. Then it happens you make their "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Worst Fears"}},{"insert":" come true and you cast "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Emrakul, the Promised End"}},{"insert":" and it all starts to make sense the "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth"}},{"insert":" and the "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Blood Celebrant"}},{"insert":" weren't to fix your opponents colors so they could flip your morphs. They were so you could seal their fate and force them to turn black mana into blacker mana one life at a time until your services are no longer needed and your final life point is required of you. Happy Halloween ; )\n"}]}
No deck tags
Miles “Tails” Prower - Jumpscare Precon
Created by: MicahRose
3 days
{"ops":[{"insert":"Been wanting to build a Tails deck for quite some time now, but have been putting it off because most of the lists and strategies that I was seeing all ended up, looking similar to one another without any real unique identity; most of it was boiling down to azorius vehicle good stuff. That’s why I was so excited to revisit this list and the jump scare submission. \n\nI found myself thinking of the differences between Crew and Station, mainly the fact that crewing can be done at instant speed. This brought to mind evoke creatures and how to maximize the value you would get from what would just be powerful ETB/Death triggers. I loaded the deck with powerful evoke creatures like Null/Mulldrifter for draw power, Subtlety and Aethersnipe for removal, and Soul of Migration for token generation.\n\nWanting to take it a step further, I threw in the obvious choices like Panharmonicon and Strionic Resonator to double up my triggers. But I found myself gravitating towards the blink effects white and blue are so well known for. Ephemirate/Essence Flux and the like not only enable another round of all of my ETBs, but also circumvents tapping for Crew, allowing me to get multiple uses out one creature for my vehicles. Ghostly Flicker/Yorian, Sky Nomad etc. perform in the same manner for my non creature permanents, acting as targeting protection and tap renewal. \n\nTo top everything off, I was able to squeeze in some notable flash enablers like Tidal Barracuda, High Fae Trickster, and Vedalken Orrery so that you can play reactively and cautiously and ensures your ETBs, blinks, and vehicles stay online at all times. \n\nOverall, the deck aims to overwhelm the opponents with massive card advantage and repeat effects that will hopefully lead you to closing out the game with a board full of cars with wings and a flying fox with a terrifying grin. \n"}]}
Niv Mill-zet
Created by: TheSmilingDM
3 days
{"ops":[{"insert":"This deck was created for the Octobor 2025 - Jumpscare contest.\nNiv-Mizzet, Parun is a pretty famous draw engine and burn commander, but from my experience Niv can pull off some mill if it wanted to. The primary jumpscare is actually helped by the famous \"infinite\" combo with Niv. While I did include all of the normal culprits for the infinite (the Firemind, and the 4 that combo off Parun and Firemind, and Laboratory Maniac), the jumpscare here is mill. Sure, I do go infinite with the burn, but that usually can't kill three players. While Lab Man is in there just in case, the true jumpscare is the mill enchantments. The primary slasher is Psychic Corrosion, that mills each opponent two whenever you draw. Since it is 2:1, if the infinite combo goes off the rest of the table usually gets milled to death. The other two are back-up mill engines (since they only mill one opponent), since Sphynx's Tutelage has the possibility of milling more, and Teferi's Tutelage draws me a card.\n"}]}
No deck tags
Nalia's Dark Demonic Dungeon of Doom
Created by: SEIGI06
3 days
{"ops":[{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"You find yourself waking up in an unfamiliar place."},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nYou should have been with your Party. And yet, here you are- alone. Not a single Human in sight besides yourself. Trapped, besieged by dangers and Demons lurking in the darkness just out of reach. Armed with your Torch, you delve deeper through the Dungeon. Onwards, you move through the Rooms to try to find a way out- to victory. Slowly, you try to fill your Party with the makeshift members of strange creatures. Perhaps with their help you can fight your way to victory.\n\nOr perhaps- the only way out is to make a Contract with the Demons themselves?\n\nThe odds are against you. Everything's a bit random. But what is a Rogue good for, if not for a little Roguelike adventure? \n\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Welcome to Nalia's Dark Demonic Dungeon of Doom."},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n---\n\nMade for the Archidekt Deckbuilding Contest - October 2025\n\nThe base comes from the top-down idea and flavor of venturing into a horror location alone with no one at your side- the feel and experience of a roguelike dungeon crawler where you venture and see what horrors awaits. I chose "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Nalia "},{"insert":"for the commander for the top of library effect, but also because Orzhov colors seemed like the perfect fit for the vibe. Filling out the deck and party would be "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Changelings"},{"insert":", so you really have to work to get the full Party effect. It would hamstring Nalia from getting the Party payoff easily, but that's the intention. You're separated from your usual Party members, so it's not going to be a walk in the park.\n\nThe other theme- "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Demons"},{"insert":"! What's a good jumpscare without some scary monsters, after all. (And also the titular"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":" Jump Scare"},{"insert":" included for flavor.) It helps that the Changelings also count as Demons, so our Demon payoff in "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Liliana's Contract"},{"insert":" and support such as "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Urza's Incubator"},{"insert":" and "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Ancient Cellarspawn"},{"insert":", along with the other typal support, work well with each other.\n\nI would've liked to include more \"random\" effects like Teferi's Puzzle Box to represent the roguelike feel, but had to limit the number of cards for each type. "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Sensei's Divining Top "},{"insert":"fills the role. \n\nFinally, if you've noticed- besides the Commander, we have:\n\n6x 6/6 Demons"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"13x Creatures"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"13x Instants"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"13x Sorceries"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"13x Artifacts"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"13x Enchantments"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"13x Swamps"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"13x Plains"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"13x Nonbasic Lands"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"(Plus 1 "},{"attributes":{"italic":true,"bold":true},"insert":"Ob Nixilis"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":", though he's probably the fiend that trapped you here in the first place!)"},{"insert":"\n\nAll for some extra spooky flavor, perfect for month of October!\n"}]}
No deck tags
There's work to do
Created by: Forcesquared
3 days
{"ops":[{"insert":"This deck is themed around work, scary.. right? Elena, is a workaholic and insists on working while on vacation, so who better to to be the face of the deck. Besides being a silly theme deck with most of the cards are centered around work, and 15 with \"work\" in the title, it is really a voltron deck. What may seem to be an upfront voltron value engine deck can surprisingly switch gears to a go wide artifact creature or vise vera, and throw in a infinite combo or two to catch them off guard.\n"}]}
Malcolm Punch
Created by: Badknight13
3 days
{"ops":[{"insert":"The Ruse - "},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Malcolm // Kediss on the surface looks like a pirate tribal deck.\nWith over 20 pirates in the deck, the game plan is to get an early board of pirates. Playing Malcolm on turn 3 to start turning those early creatures into ramp.\nPlay Kediss on turn 4, allowing you to hit one player with no fliers and still get all 3 treasures off of the Malcolm\nThere are a ton of draw spells, churning through the deck to find flexible removal pieces and more pirates... all while stocking up on the true win con.\n\nThe Jumpscare - "},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Using the treasures that have been stocked up over the course of the game, unleash a massive +X/+0 spell, like Balduvian Rage or Blazing Shoal.\nCombine that with a double-strike or double power enabler such as Bulk up or Two-handed Axe (performing double duty here)\nAnd in one fell swoop, the entire group is reduced to 0. Or at least whoever you hit with Malcolm, and everyone else is now dangerously low.\n\nThe Filler -"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"There are many discard synergies in the deck, as pushed by Aetherdrift.\nMagamakin Artillerist with Malcolm on the field creates 3 treasures whenever you discard. (allowing most of the draw spells to go even or positive on mana)"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Captain Howler can buff our commanders and refund the cards discarded on combat damage."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Glint-Horn Buccaneer is a win-con by himself. With Malcolm out, the Activated ability will create mana and loot through the deck, slowly pinging our opponents to death. This could classify as a \"Jumpscare\" by itself, but its not the main way the deck wants to win."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"With the main game plan requiring a few specific pieces, the deck is primarily composed of ways to draw into it\nMost draw also discards cards, to synergize with the above cards. Faithless looting, Cathartic Reunion and Electric Revelation for examples."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"There are also modal draw/removal spells depending on the scenario, such as Cathartic Pyre, Izzet Charm, and Glacial Dragonhunt"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"There are also a few large X spells, utilizing the stocked treasures if two of the buff spells have not been found. Pull from Tomorrow, (Expansion //) Explosion, and Universal Surveilence."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The removal package for the deck is fairly limited and primarily focused on flexibility and early game\nMishra's Command funcions as either the buff spell needed to win, a wheel if the cards in your hand aren't cutting it, or removing a creature/planeswalker (It even does 2!)"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Abrade clears early fliers and pesky artifacts"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Ill-Timed Explosion is either a draw 2 or loot 2 and wipe the board"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Spectacular showdown is the double strike enabler or an insurection alike that can win the game single handedly"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Our pirates are also serving double duty in most cases. They are always potential ramp with Malcolm out, as well as contributing their own effects, such as pumping malcolm, looting through our deck, or removing small creatures.\n\n\nNotibly, this is a budget deck, this is more to do with my deckbuilding philosophy than any practical reason. And if the most expensive card (Embercleave) was cut for a more budget friendly double strike enabler (such as Buccaneer's Bravado) the deck would be sub $50.\nAdditionally there are no gamechangers.\n\nTLDR; Play pirates and looting spells until you have assembled a critical mass of pump effects onto malcolm, then swing out and kill all your opponents at once with kediss's effect.\n"}]}
No deck tags
Go-Shintai mill
Created by: Merlin
3 days
{"ops":[{"insert":"Everybody has seen a Shrine deck. Be it Sissay back in the day or Go-Shintai since Neon Dynasty. However, nobody will expect to get milled out by shrines. For every draw - and shrine decks draw a lot - the Tutelage effects will mill. Even the tokens get utilized in the mill plan thanks to Phenax. Of course the deck can still birn you out with Infinite Rage or Stone Fangs, but that is merely smoke and mirrors, because your library is shrinking faster than you can say Shuffle Titan \n"}]}
No deck tags
Nekusar the secret Necromancer
Created by: Zallck
3 days
{"ops":[{"insert":"This deck starts off looking like a typical "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Nekusar wheel deck"},{"insert":" — ramping and setting up discard benefits or wheels. People will be after us knowing wheels are coming, so we remove their threats.\nWhile everyone is expecting to take all the usual card draw damage, we are using all the discard to our advantage to get big threats into the graveyard.\nWe then have ways to "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"unexpectedly reanimate"},{"insert":" our own and our opponents’ big threats.\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"(Keep in mind this deck only has the wheels that make use of discarding.)"},{"insert":"\nThis deck can still win with a normal "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Nekusar card draw burn"},{"insert":", but it’s built to win "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"without the commander ever needing to come out."},{"insert":"\n"}]}
No deck tags
Oloro grave-gain jumpscare
Created by: ItsDukki
3 days
{"ops":[{"insert":"This deck is disguised as a lifegain/reaimate deck. Your opponents might question you, but there's not much that is suspicious about lifegain and graveyard play in those colors. Commandered by "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Oloro, Ageless Ascetic"}},{"insert":", this deck is a powerful lifegain engine that also includes some reanimation. Speaking of jumpscares, there are actually several jumpscares in this deck:\n\n1) After getting lots of life, you can cast "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Space-Time Anomaly"}},{"insert":" to mill yourself completely out. Then either "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Jace, Wielder of Mysteries"}},{"insert":" or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Laboratory Maniac"}},{"insert":" or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Thassa's Oracle"}},{"insert":" will straight up win. You can also "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Rise of the Dark Realms"}},{"insert":" to reanimate one of these if you milled them.\n\n2) The second jumpscare in this deck is playing "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mana Severance"}},{"insert":" into "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Balustrade Spy"}},{"insert":". This can mill you your entire library; all you have to do is delete every land in your deck, then mill out completely.\n\n3) The third jumpscare in this deck is once you get "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Teferi, Mage of Zhalfir"}},{"insert":" down, you can just "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Felidar Sovereign"}},{"insert":" on your opponent's end-step to win the game.\n\nBesides these jumpscares, this deck can do fine on it's own without using them. The lifegain payoffs can easily transform "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Vito, Thorn of the Dusk Rose"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Archangel of Thune"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Soul of Eternity"}},{"insert":", or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Karlov of the Ghost Council"}},{"insert":" into a win. This makes it so that even if your opponents have played against your deck before, they'll be so anxious about the jumpscare that they won't even notice you stealing the win out from under them.\n"}]}