danaroach 13 days{"ops":[{"insert":"Hello brewers,"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nWelcome 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\nI'm Dana from the EDHRECast and I'm joining the Archidekt contest team in 2026 to take over some of the day-to-day contest management tasks from Ben, so these announcements will be coming from me moving forward.\n\nWhat’s The Contest All About?"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true,"bold":true},"insert":"For January's deck building contest - Build a commander-legal deck that aims to utilize the snow mechanic as a large part of the deck's theme or game plan in a significant yet creative and interesting way."},{"insert":"\n\nDecks will be judged on the creativity and originality of their brew. For example, a deck doing nothing else beyond running snow-covered basics simply to power Scrying Sheets for value probably won't cut it.\n\nHere's a link to the EDHREC page for "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://edhrec.com/tags/snow?utm_source=edhrec"},"insert":"Snow themes"},{"insert":" for a list of sample decks to get you started.\n\nFor more details about the prompt, check out "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://edhrec.com/articles/archidekt-deckbuilding-contest-january-2026"},"insert":"the full announcement article"},{"insert":" over on EDHREC!\n"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"How 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":"\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, January 14, 2026"},{"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, January 21, 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, January 28, 2026"},{"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 1/15/2026, 12:57:07 PM
25
Snow Deck
Created by: Falphki
6 days
{"ops":[{"insert":"[Rimefeather Owl] is pretty important for the deck. The deck is playable and works without the owl but it helps the plan a lot. You can ice counter [Omnath, Locus of All] and [Empowered Autogenerator].\n\nGenerate high amounts of snow mana to ensure cumulative upkeep for [Cover of Winter] and [Glacial Plating]\n\nSwing with big creatures created through snow mana sinks. Such as [Veilstorm Valkyrie], [Conifer Wurm], [Chilling Shade], and [Diamond Faerie].\n\nYou can also burn with [Exsanguinate].\n\nAnd the last way, is to successfully unleash Marit Lage via [Marit Lage's Slumber] and [Dark Depths]\n"}]}
No deck tags
Haunted House 2
Created by: Babader88
6 days
{"ops":[{"insert":"The deck isn't meant to break any records just simply to embrace my love of House on Haunted Hill and Enchantress. Our commander focuses on rooms, and the win con comes from one of those rooms. The idea being survive the night in a Haunted Mansion and Win the game/prize just like the movie. The deck is full of enchantments and spells to keep you in the game long enough to survive but not necessarily thrive making it feel like you're fighting for your life. You will also find some Final Fantasy cards thrown in and I could not help this for my love of FF has no bounds. Thank you for your time and hope you enjoy this deck,\n"}]}
No deck tags
Calamari on Ice
Created by: Fernblade
6 days
{"ops":[{"insert":"Introduction:"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"This deck tries to win the game with some of Magic's most POLARizing sea creatures (in a vacuum, playing some of these creature cards make you deterministically lose the game.)\nCreatures of note in this deck: \n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Denizen of the Deep"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Eater of Days"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Jokulmorder"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Sky Swallower"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"You may look at the abilities on some of these creatures and rightfully conclude that these are some pretty awful ETB effects.\nThis deck is designed to negate the downsides of these creatures and sometimes make them shine in fantastic fashion.\nIs this deck optimized? Absolutely not. This is flavor over function through and through. Note the 100% snow mana base and plenty of winter themed cards.\n\nGame Plan:"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Put a sea creature in the graveyard, or make sure that one is on top of the library for step 2."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Play the commander to guarantee a "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Runo Stromkirk // Krothuss, Lord of the Deep"}},{"insert":" flip on your next upkeep."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Find "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Torpor Orb"}},{"insert":" or any triggered ability counterspell (like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Consign to Memory"}},{"insert":".)"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Play a game losing creature and counter the ability."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Swing on the next turn for oftentimes lethal against one or more players (making sure to counter the terrible triggered abilities.)"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nSnow Synergies:"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ronom Serpent"}},{"insert":" is the star of the show, and thus needs some support to ensure that opponents have snow lands so it can attack. Enter "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Arcum's Weathervane"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Thermal Flux"}},{"insert":", and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Rimefeather Owl"}},{"insert":" to grant the snow supertype to opponents' lands."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Marit Lage's Slumber"}},{"insert":" is always funny, and the card is tutorable with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Muddle the Mixture"}},{"insert":"."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Blood on the Snow"}},{"insert":" and especially "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Dead of Winter"}},{"insert":" are surprisingly good boardwipes in this deck."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Sunstone"}},{"insert":" is a hilarious repeatable fog option for this deck."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nAlternate Win Conditions:"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Play "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Demonic Pact"}},{"insert":" and spend turns choosing the good modes. On your turn after picking a third mode, play "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Sky Swallower"}},{"insert":" and donate your entire board (including Demonic Pact) to an opponent of your choice (ideally the archenemy of the table.) When it next comes to that player's upkeep they are forced to choose to lose the game (unless they have an out.) When that player loses the game you regain control of all permanents you had donated to that player."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Have both "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Iceberg Cancrix"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Chasm Skulker"}},{"insert":" on board and Chasm Skulker has at least 12 +1/+1 counters on it. At any time the Chasm Skulker dies, cast "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mystic Reflection"}},{"insert":" targeting the Iceberg Cancrix. Proceed to mill the ENTIRE table."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"}]}
Treasure Mayhem
Created by: DrThundering
6 days
{"ops":[{"insert":"Play Prosper, Profit, Insane Card advantage, and enough removal to control the pace of the game "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Prosper, Tome-Bound"}},{"insert":" \n"}]}
Bant Snow
Created by: MLBulbasaur
6 days
{"ops":[{"insert":"It's a Snow permanent based deck with a subtheme of tapping other people's stuff :3\n"}]}
No deck tags
Bring the Avalanche
Created by: Meh_To_You_Sir
6 days
{"ops":[{"insert":"Intro - This deck has a land animation game plan with a twist where it intends to animate lands and swing with them for big damage. It uses a mixture of temporary animation, permanent animation, and the newer mechanic earthbend to create powerful land creatures. The deck also features a sub theme of blink to transform the Commander.\n\nCommander - The Commander of this deck is "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Aang, at the Crossroads // Aang, Destined Savior"}},{"insert":".His front side is nice being able to cast smaller creatures for free using his etb. However the backside of the card is what we really care about. Once transformed Aang gives all land creatures you control vigilance which is an important part of the deck we will hit later. The next part that is important is that at the beginning of combat you earthbend 2. This gives the deck some consistency to actually animate the lands. \n\nSecret Commander? - To help fit with this contest theme of snow there is a special secret commander of who is "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Avalanche Caller"}},{"insert":". This little guy lets you pay 2 generic mana to animate a snow land into a 4/4 elemental with hexproof and haste until the end of the turn. For such little mana investment to get a 4/4 is very nice for this deck and when paired with some earthbending and our commander's ability of giving land creatures vigilance you can activate this ability after declaring attackers to maximize damage output. Plus hexproof at instant speed for your big land creatures us phenomenal.\n\nGame plan - Early in the game you want to ramp to get your commander out quick. Not just this but you also need to a way to blink a creature to actually transform him. Once transformed you need to swing with your animated lands every turn as combat damage is your win condition. Hopefully your powerful land creatures will defeat your opponents in an avalanche.\n"}]}
Snow's Piling Up
Created by: Biglilsis
6 days
{"ops":[{"insert":"Jorn may be at home wherever it snows, but in this deck Aphelia is home where there are snakes. Thankfully, there are plenty of both in this deck!\n\n"}]}
Snow Dredge
Created by: khbe
6 days
{"ops":[{"insert":"This is certainly one of them \"Jank Homebrews\". I hope you think the idea seems fun, especially because I don't really play commander, mostly Modern. A keen eye (or even someone who's played Modern a few times) might be able to see the influence.\nThe identity of the deck rests mostly on resolving Living End, preferably with one of the wizards (namely, Arcane Proxy or Daring Waverider) from the graveyard. Alternatively, commander's flip side could offer a midrange solution to grind out games in less permissive environments. \nPerhaps this needs no clarification but the Living End should come after Dredging several of the finishers. I'm sure there's some cards I've missed but I'm not sure how to give them haste. Honestly, I read the notification for this contest a few hours ago and I thought it sounded fun, and I've always wondered if Dredge was playable in Commander. I'm glad I heard about it and Jorn, God of Winter.\nThank you for your consideration.\n"}]}
No deck tags
Copy of - Avalanche Blue/White
Created by: Regret_1412
6 days
{"ops":[{"insert":"let it snow\n"}]}
No deck tags
Snow Days!
Created by: PreciousLovesMagicses
6 days
{"ops":[{"insert":"This deck does something unorthodox: cares about your opponents having snow lands! The deck uses some older cards to benefit you for converting lands to snow and donating snow lands. The deck is a little clunky and relies on tutors for the goofy goal, so there are some other things to play with as well, including your own snow stuff! Enjoy!\n"}]}
No deck tags
Rise of Marit Lage
Created by: Meeply
6 days
{"ops":[{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Deep in the glacier an army of the unfathomable creature known as "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Marit Lage"}},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":" MARIT LAGE slumbers ready to awaken and bring about calamity."},{"insert":"\nThis deck aims to to create a Marit Lage token make it non-legendary or otherwise bypass the legend rule then use our commander "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Brudiclad, Telchor Engineer"}},{"insert":" to make all of our tokens Marit Lage. The contests prompt was to make a deck centered on snow and both of the marit lage cards are snow.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"How Does It Work?"},{"insert":"\nBrudiclad can turn all of our tokens into a token that we control and Marit Lage is the strongest token in the game so obviously we want an army of them. The problem is Marit Lage is legendary so we need to find a way around the legend rule. We can use anything in the bypassers category to either make a nonlegendary copy of Marit or simply null the rule. We can use either "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Dark Depths"}},{"insert":" or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Marit Lage's Slumber"}},{"insert":" to get Marit Lage onto the field. Then we just make all of our tokens into marit lage.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"How are We Going to get Marit Lage?"},{"insert":"\nThere are towo cards in this deck that can get marit so of cousre we want to get them. In order to get "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Dark Depths"}},{"insert":" onto the battlefield we can use "},{"insert":{"card-link":"World Map"}},{"insert":" "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Expedition Map"}},{"insert":" "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Urza's Cave"}},{"insert":" or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Tolaria West"}},{"insert":" to tutor for it. To get those tutors we have "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Dizzy Spell"}},{"insert":" which we can use to tutor for the map and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mystical Tutor"}},{"insert":" which we can use to tutor for dizzy spell. To actually get marit lage from dark depths we can use thespians stage or anything in the counters section to remove counters. We also have a but ton of ramp to get it normally. The other way is Marit Lage's slumber in which we only need 10 snow permanents to trigger. We can tutor for Marit lage's slumber with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Muddle the Mixture"}},{"insert":". In order to get Marit from this one we have a ton of land ramp which will get us all the snow permanents we need in a jiffy.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Other stuff"},{"insert":"\nIn order to get the tokens we can use anything in the tokens section. Before we get marit out we will just be turning our tokens into big creatures. We can use "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Drift of Phantasms"}},{"insert":" or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Inventors' Fair"}},{"insert":" to tutor for our bypassers. After that we just have a lot of ramp to get our commander and any other important pieces. "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"This deck was made for the January deckbuilding contest with the prompt "},{"attributes":{"italic":true,"bold":true},"insert":"Build a commander-legal deck that aims to utilize the snow mechanic as a large part of the deck's theme or game plan in a significant yet creative and interesting way."},{"insert":"\n"}]}
No deck tags
artificial snow
Created by: TrostaniSV
6 days
{"ops":[{"attributes":{"background":"transparent","color":"#000000"},"insert":"*Parentheses () indicate categories in the deck"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"transparent","color":"#000000","bold":true},"insert":"Flavor"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"transparent","color":"#000000"},"insert":"Momir Vig is a mad wizard that loves the snow; he uses his powers to artificially procure creatures of the snow. His faithful companion, the Rimefeather Owl (.the right hand man.), provides him with artificial snow. "},{"insert":"\n\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"transparent","color":"#000000"},"insert":"Momir Vig uses the natural snow creatures (snow finishers) and makes artificial copies (artificial copies) of them."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"transparent","color":"#000000"},"insert":"The wizards (wiz kids) and the elves (elves) follow devotedly. "},{"insert":"\n\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"transparent","color":"#000000"},"insert":"He does not limit or curtail the actions of others; he only cares about advancing his artificial plans (interaction) even if that grants more power to his foes. He revels in the chaos."},{"insert":"\n\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"transparent","color":"#000000"},"insert":"Momir Vig will make the whole world experience his snow whether from death by cold giants (snow finishers) or covering the world in ice (and they shall see the snow). They will see artificial snow!"},{"insert":"\n\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"transparent","color":"#000000","bold":true},"insert":"Deck description"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"transparent","color":"#000000"},"insert":"The deck is about tutoring for snow creatures with Momir Vig and making them bigger using the Rimefeather Owl to make more snow permanents."},{"insert":"\n\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"transparent","color":"#000000"},"insert":"The deck has little other non-creature spells to keep the synergy and balance of being able to tutor with basically no mana. There is also no protection because the deck is about going big and going fast, so to balance that I made the deck good at those things but not much else. The interaction category makes the deck play fast, but it also doesn't stop anyone else."},{"insert":"\n\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"transparent","color":"#000000"},"insert":"The Snow Finishers are the creatures the deck tutors for to win the game through combat. The Snow Littles add to the number of snow permanents– the more snow permanents, the bigger the abominable treefolk grow."},{"insert":"\n\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"transparent","color":"#000000"},"insert":"The artificial copies copy the ability of the commander and copy more creatures like abominable treefolk, also for flavor (see the flavor section)."},{"insert":"\n\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"transparent","color":"#000000"},"insert":"The Wiz Kids tutor for cheap similar to the Elves, but the Elves are mostly for mana."},{"insert":"\n\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"transparent","color":"#000000"},"insert":"The other win con in the deck is Freyalise Radiance (and they shall see the snow). At first it may seem weird to tap all snow permanents; Freyalise Radiance is in the deck because of the lieutenant Rimefeather Owl. "},{"insert":"\n\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"transparent","color":"#000000"},"insert":"The Rimefeather Owl can make the other players’ permanents into snow. The deck can make a lot of mana from the elves, enough to pay for the Rimefeather Owl, and enough lands at the end game point for snow mana. "},{"insert":"\n\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"transparent","color":"#000000"},"insert":"The deck cannot tutor for the Freyalise Radiance and I did that on purpose. In the whole deck the only tutor is the commander; the Freyalise Radiance must be drawn naturally. "},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"transparent","color":"#000000"},"insert":"I felt it would be boring to include additional tutor creatures. I also felt this balances the deck. Freyalise’s Radiance is a fun and thematic snow win con making your opponents play a game where they can only tap once. "},{"insert":"\n\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"transparent","color":"#000000"},"insert":"I feel it is fun that you also have to play the Freyalise Radiance game, but there is the Copperhorn Scout which allows your creatures to untap. The deck does not need to use Freyalise’s Radiance to win though. It can win just fine with cards like Ice Breaker Kraken and other cards in Snow Finishers."},{"insert":"\n"}]}
No deck tags
Betrayer King’s Cold Allegiance (Contest)
Created by: ethanmooman2@gmail.com
6 days
{"ops":[{"insert":"Take control of the battlefield with Narfi, Betrayer King's cold allegiance.\n"}]}
No deck tags
Snowy Pillow
Created by: Killswitchpokey
6 days
{"ops":[{"insert":"Pillow fort type deck with additional landfall synergy. Some unusual pillow fort cards work only with snow lands.\n"}]}
No deck tags