Deckbuilding Contest - January 2025 (Locked)

{"ops":[{"insert":"The moment I read this, I just had to submit my all-time favorite deck:\n\n"},{"attributes":{"link":"https://archidekt.com/decks/10789493/im_not_touching_you"},"insert":"I'm Not Touching You"},{"insert":"\n\nThis is a "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Horobi, Death's Wail"}},{"insert":" deck, which utilizes the commander's downside of making your own creatures (including itself) vulnerable to any kind of targeted effect by packing itself full of effects like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Baton of Morale"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Touch of Darkness"}},{"insert":", and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Cauldron of Souls"}},{"insert":", ignoring what they actually say and making them read \"opponent sacrifices target permanent\". \n\nWe can also turn out commander's downside back around and use cards like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Syr Konrad, the Grim"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Nim Deathmantle"}},{"insert":" to loop our own commander (or any creature) and deal damage to the table in a stalled board state.\n\nSpeaking of protecting the commander, one of my favorite (and subsequently my playgroups least favorite) cards to windmill slam is "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Endless Whispers"}},{"insert":" (bonus points if you also have "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Grave Betrayal"}},{"insert":"), as we don't care WHO has Horobi, just that she is out and about. \n\nNow, one other fun way to mess with the board is "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mycosynth Lattice"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Karn, Silver Golem"}},{"insert":". Now you can target ANYTHING (especially with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Nowhere to Run"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Arcane Lighthouse"}},{"insert":") by turning it into a creature with Karn, or just target lands like a degenerate (making them 0/0s is lame).\n\nThe way the deck wins is usually by swinging into empty boards with Horobi, or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Revel in Riches"}},{"insert":". \n"}]}

{"ops":[{"insert":"KILL ...or be killed"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"link":"https://archidekt.com/decks/10780800/kill_or_be_killed"},"insert":"https://archidekt.com/decks/10780800/kill_or_be_killed"},{"insert":"\n\nSince i started playing, about 3 months ago i got used to dying first or winning drastically. I mainly play a boosted revenant recon deck or my latest deck Eldrazi Unbound. Since im used to lose or really win i found Phage to amplify this feeling I get when playing. \n\nSo my deck is based on getting Phage the untouchable on the battlefield without dying, graveyard mechanics, the tutors, command beacon and torpor orb will help me get Phage on the battlefield. I think Id actually buy this deck one day.\n"}]}

{"ops":[{"attributes":{"link":"https://www.archidekt.com/decks/10775477/ruric_and_thars_big_day_out"},"insert":"https://www.archidekt.com/decks/10775477/ruric_and_thars_big_day_out"},{"insert":"\n\nHave you ever wanted a storm deck that actively hurts you? Well now's your chance!\nRuric Thar punishes everyone for casting noncreature spells, and you'll be taking advantage of that with lifelink and Curiosity effects. And yes, those do trigger off Ruric Thar hitting you as well! So storm off to your life's content, but just pay close attention to that life counter!\n"}]}

{"ops":[{"insert":"Here's my attempt at "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Baru, Fist of Krosa"}},{"insert":" and the oft-maligned "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Grandeur"},{"insert":" mechanic!\n\n"},{"attributes":{"link":"https://archidekt.com/decks/10772697/baruniverse_budget_baru_grandeur"},"insert":"https://archidekt.com/decks/10772697/baruniverse_budget_baru_grandeur"},{"insert":"\n\nYou make a copy with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Dual Nature"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Bramble Sovereign"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mirrorpool"}},{"insert":" or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Helm of the Host"}},{"insert":" , then bounce/"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Revive"}},{"insert":" Baru and abuse his Grandeur ability! \n\nMake wurms, win prizes!\n"}]}

{"ops":[{"attributes":{"link":"https://www.archidekt.com/decks/10719303/beware_the_generosity_of_elves"},"insert":"Beware the Generosity of Elves"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nBuilding "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Maralen of the Mornsong"}},{"insert":" in a highlander format was going to be a bit delicate: everyone else gets the benefits of a free tutor before you do. But with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Opposition Agent"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ob Nixilis, Unshackled"}},{"insert":", not only do our opponents not get any cards out of their only draw for turn (we get them instead!), they also lose 13 life each time they do it, putting the game on a very quick clock. Because we also benefit from our tutor commander, we can then have the rest of the deck be interaction (both removal and hand interaction with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Thoughtseize"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Deep-Cavern Bat"}},{"insert":"), ramp, backup tutors, reanimation, and protection, with a couple of enhancements to our strategy with things like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Geier Reach Sanitarium"}},{"insert":" (drain our opponent's hand, which likely will never be refilled), "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Psychogenic Probe"}},{"insert":" (decrease the clock by a turn for everyone by making it 15 life a turn), and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Scheming Symmetry"}},{"insert":" (accelerate the clock for two opponents by making them tutor). We've also got options like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Blood Tithe"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Exsanguinate"}},{"insert":", and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Gray Merchant of Asphodel"}},{"insert":", which mostly serve as a way to keep us alive while we wait out the short clock, but also serve as powerful finishers to get rid of those last few points of life.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"link":"https://www.archidekt.com/decks/10719303/"},"insert":"https://www.archidekt.com/decks/10719303/"},{"insert":"\n"}]}

{"ops":[{"insert":"For this month's competition, I’ve selected "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Kataki, War's Wage"}},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"bold":true,"link":"https://www.archidekt.com/decks/10727774"},"insert":"(deck link)"},{"insert":" as my commander. This deck turns Kataki’s potential downside into an advantage by using it as an automatic sacrifice outlet for artifacts like "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Ichor Wellspring"}},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":" "},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Chromatic Star"}},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":" "},{"insert":", and others. The primary strategy focuses on generating significant card advantage through these artifacts, paired with numerous recursion effects.\n"}]}

{"ops":[{"insert":"https://www.archidekt.com/decks/10723781/dralnu_and_his_bank_of_bodies\n\nThis list is my take on using "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Dralnu, Lich Lord"}},{"insert":" as a means of a sac outlet for an aristocrats strategy. Using cards like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Murmuring Mystic"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Trail of Evidence"}},{"insert":", and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Talrand, Sky Summoner"}},{"insert":" as a means to make tokens while casting spells. Then using "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Eloise, Nephalia Sleuth"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Pitiless Plunderer"}},{"insert":" to refill my board as I sacrifice the creature tokens to Dralnu's triggered ability. To win the game I use the typical Aristocrats payoffs like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Zulaport Cutthroat"}},{"insert":" to drain the table out. The final bit of spice that I run is "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Tormod, the Desecrator"}},{"insert":" to make tokens while using Dralnu's tap ability, and then running "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Pariah's Shield"}},{"insert":" as a way to have repeatable ways to sac my board if I choose not to throw my token army out to block.\n\nI chose not to include any ways that would donate Dralnu or anything that would negate his triggered ability to really push a way to abuse his down side. \n"}]}

{"ops":[{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Atogatog"},{"insert":" - "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://www.archidekt.com/decks/10727932/january_2025_deck_building_contest"},"insert":"January 2025 Deck Building Contest • (Commander / EDH deck) • Archidekt"},{"insert":"\nAtogs have to be in the running for the worst creature type in Magic. Not only are there only 12 of them, but most are barely usable due to their high-cost activated abilities with limited upside. Now imagine a five-color commander that requires sacrificing these low-power creatures for a pump effect—enter Atogatog.\n\nThis deck leans into Atogatog’s sacrifice ability to pump its power and attack opponents for commander damage. With the tiny Atog pool, cards like Arcane Adaptation, Conspiracy, and Maskwood Nexus expand the tribe by transforming all creatures into Atogs. Many Atogs in the deck thrive on artifact sacrifice, so it’s packed with artifact token generators like Academy Manufactor and Genesis Chamber to maintain resources and fuel explosive plays. Powerful threats like Blightsteel Colossus, Kozilek, Butcher of Truth, and Worldspine Wurm can dominate the battlefield, with tutors like Demonic Tutor and Diabolic Intent to fetch key pieces, and reanimation effects like Reanimate and Patriarch’s Bidding to cheat these high-cost creatures into play. It’s a chaotic and surprisingly synergistic five-color powerhouse that turns one of Magic’s worst tribes into a powerhouse deck! \n"}]}

{"ops":[{"attributes":{"link":"https://www.archidekt.com/decks/10704171/what_are_permanents"},"insert":"Deal him Damage, I dare ya"},{"insert":"\n\nNormally an effect like Dralnu's would be pretty bad most of the time. You'd hate to sacrifice your board from attacking during combat or from someone hitting you with a damage based removal spell like lightning bolt or even worse Blasphemous Act. However, this deck is built to take advantage of Dralnu sacrifice effect, hopefully making it so our opponents will fear dealing damage to him.\n\nThe deck has a heavy artifact theme, as it can be easy to make a large amount of them and effects like Disciple of the Vault and Marionette Master make sacrificing artifacts dangerous for my opponents. Clue generators help give me fodder and artifact loopers like Myr Retriever make sure the artifacts come back. Esoteric Duplicator is a powerhouse for the deck, as for the lowly price of 2 mana, I can get endless value from my most powerful artifacts like Spine of Ish Sah. Many of the artifacts have triggers when they die like Ichor Wellspring, Chromatic Star, and Servo Schematic, which pair very nicely with sacrificing permanents.\n\nApart from artifacts, they are other cards that benefit from being sacrificed. Chime of Night let's me destroy a creature when it dies and Hatchling Plans let's me draw 3 cards for 2 mana. Bridge from Below is another spicy card, that be added to the graveyard at any time to generate me an army of zombies.\n\nFinally, there are ways to deal damage to Dralnu to force the sacrifice triggers if my opponents are inclined. Kiku's Shadow and Consuming Corruption give 1 time bursts of damage to get some sacrifices going. Noxious field gives a more repeatable effect. Finally, the craziest one of them all is Last Laugh. If Dralnu takes 1 damage or something is sacrificed, an endless loop of damage and sacrificing permanents begins unless I sacrifice Last Laugh or Dralnu. A great way to close out game or wipes the enemy board.\n"}]}

{"ops":[{"attributes":{"link":"https://archidekt.com/decks/10712912"},"insert":"Decklist: Karona, Goaded God"},{"insert":"\n\nThis month, we’re building around Karona, False God and its ability that forces it to go over to another player’s control at the start of their upkeep. We'll work with both this ability and Karona's second ability to pump creature types to win through some chaotic combat by leaning into both abilities. \n\nIn addition to Karona, we’re playing a suite of cards that also go over to another players’ control: Alexios, Deimos of Kosmos; Xantcha, Sleeper Agent; Sleeper Agent; Kharn the Betrayer; Rogue Skycaptain; and Humble Defector. We also have ways to give control of our other creatures to our opponents with cards like Custody Battle and Zedruu. \n\nTo support the second ability, we're going to manipulate creatures types to take advantage of Karona's pump and encourage some swingy combats. Amoeboid Changelin, Standardize, Unnatural Selection, and Shields of Velis Vel all support this. We'll also run Arcane Adaptation in order to take advantage of Karona's pump ourselves. And we can Use Zedruu to grant control of Arcane Adaptation to our opponents to also take further advantage of Karona. Depending on who you're playing, this can also disrupt strategies based around creature types. \n\nTo keep the gas going, we're using an enchantress package since we play a lot auras to pump and goad creatures that we've given to our opponents. We also run a couple group hug pieces to encourage players to act against each other and can politic around the table if we need to stall. Humble Defector, Tempt with Discovery, variuos Curses, and even Zedruu, can be used to make friends and encourage players to act against anyone other than us. We can always regain control of our permanents as needed with cards like Homeward Path. Zedru is a true political powerhouse in this deck as we can give copies of powerful enchantments like Rhsytic Study to our opponents who are behind and regain control later while Karona does its thing. We also play Jon Irenicus and Firkraag to help beef up and draw cards since goading is going to be a major focus of our game plan. \n\nWe want to force combat as much as possible, the grand plan being to make big beefy creatures with auras and force them to attack our opponents. With just the pump from her secondary ability, Karona is a 3-hit kill with commander damage, but in this deck, with all the auras and pumping, it will generally 2-hit kill. Obviously we don't want to die to our own commander, so our number one objective is to goad Karona to remove us as a target and keep its commander damage focused on the other players. We're playing all the Impetus cards, some fun Doctor Who auras, and other goad support to make sure we can goad Karona. If our commander gets removed, we'll force combat with goad to speed up the game and disrupt our oppoennts until we can regain our footing with our commander.\n\nAnd finally - as a 5 color deck - the most expensive part of our deck is land-based. The rest of the deck can be built for approx. $150-$180, depending on the printing, so we can run a budget land-base to save substantially. \n\nHope you enjoy this. :)\n\n\n\n"}]}

{"ops":[{"attributes":{"underline":true,"bold":true,"link":"https://www.archidekt.com/decks/10771639/two_draws_forward_one_draw_back"},"insert":"Two Draws Forward, One Draw Back"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nThis deck is designed around "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Damia, Sage of Stone"},{"insert":", to take advantage of her ability to draw potentially 7 cards every upkeep, all while skipping our draw step entirely.\n\nDiscard outlets, mill for everyone, taking advantage of all of the excessive discard abilities to fill up our own (and our opponents') graveyards, and lots of triggers for our discarding. The deck includes numerous finishers, based primarily around Lhurgoyfs and Lhurgoyf-adjacent creatures. Utilizes a nice mix of older and more recent cards, from things like Dawnstrider, Silverglade Pathfinder, Insidious Dreams, and Nullbrooch!, to newer cards like Cruel Somnophage, Souls of the Lost, Modern-Age 'goyfs, and Abhorrent Oculus.\n\nThis is my first time participating in one of these contests, and it was very fun to try and stay within the confines of the prompt!\n"}]}

{"ops":[{"insert":"https://www.archidekt.com/decks/10715180/graaz_unstoppable_juggernaut_janurary_2025_deckbuilding_contest\n\nGraaz, Unstoppable Juggernaut is the commander, their drawback is that all your creatures turn into 5/3s and have to attack each combat. Another drawback is the deck has to be completely colorless. The deck focuses on having as many Modular and small creatures to make them getting turned into 5/3s as efficient as possible. Go wide and turn everything sideways!\n"}]}

{"ops":[{"attributes":{"bold":true,"link":"https://archidekt.com/decks/10759682/korlash_the_grandeur_duke_of_death"},"insert":"Korlash, The Grandeur Duke of Death"},{"insert":" is a mono black landfall/combo deck that relies on creating a token copy of "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Korlash, Heir to Blackblade"}},{"insert":", and then cycling the original card between your hand and graveyard to put swamps into play using the "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Grandeur"},{"insert":" ability. For the purposes of this contest I think it's fair to consider "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Grandeur"},{"insert":" a drawback, given the singleton nature of EDH and how "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Grandeur"},{"insert":" is here manipulated to fuel a powerful, off-color strategy rather than be ignored or considered dead weight.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Copying Korlash, Heir to Blackblade"},{"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Activated Sleeper"}},{"insert":" - The most efficient way to copy Korlash, assuming you have a sac outlet. Play Korlash, sac him to graveyard, and put this into play."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Abyssal Harvester"}},{"insert":" - A new card that works well here. Requires a sac outlet, and eventually one of "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Command Beacon"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Netherborn Altar"}},{"insert":", or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Campfire"}},{"insert":" to get Korlash back in hand."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mirrorpool"}},{"insert":" - No sac outlet required. Activate this and keep the token copy alive when the legends rule is applied."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Of course there are many more ways to create copies of Korlash but with the full suite of tutoring available in black, the above has proven to be the most efficient."},{"insert":"\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Sac Outlets"},{"insert":"\nThere are lots of great sac outlets in the mix here to help kill Korlash when you need him to die: "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Phyrexian Tower"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Carrion Feeder"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Village Rites"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Flare of Malice"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Bone Shards"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Eaten Alive"}},{"insert":" etc... In a pinch, "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Defile"}},{"insert":" works as well.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Recurring Korlash from the Command Zone"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Note that with the "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Activated Sleeper"}},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":" and "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Mirrorpool"}},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":" routes to copying Korlash this step is not necessary, but these cards still insulate your plan from exile effects, i.e. graveyard hate. "},{"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Command Beacon"}},{"insert":" - Self explanatory. Can be tutored up with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Expedition Map"}},{"insert":", and copied with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Vesuva"}},{"insert":" if needed. Has the possibility of returning to hand via "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Grim Discovery"}},{"insert":"."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Netherborn Altar"}},{"insert":" - A fantastic card for this deck. Can be tutored by "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Shred Memory"}},{"insert":", and if it sees a lot of use, soul counters can be removed by "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Cemetery Desecrator"}},{"insert":". "},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Campfire"}},{"insert":" - Another great card because the lifegain synergies with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Veinwitch Coven"}},{"insert":" are potentially very useful."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Moving Korlash from Graveyard to Hand"},{"insert":"\nThere are tons of options here, and the most stable albeit expensive may be "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Phyrexian Reclamation"}},{"insert":", but the most appealing is the above mentioned "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Veinwitch Coven"}},{"insert":". Korlash being a Zombie enables cards like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Cemetery Recruitment"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Lord of the Undead"}},{"insert":", while "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Call to the Netherworld"}},{"insert":" synergizes nicely with discard requirements from "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Bone Shards"}},{"insert":" or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Bitter Triumph"}},{"insert":". \n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"On Winning"},{"insert":"\nOnce you have Korlash in hand, the token can activate "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Grandeur "},{"insert":"and here is where the landfall/combos take over.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Example Combo:"},{"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Veinwitch Coven"}},{"insert":" as your recursion engine"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Retreat to Hagra"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Dread Presence"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Feast of Sanity"}},{"insert":", or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Staff of the Death Magus"}},{"insert":" on the board"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"If "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Amulet of Vigor"}},{"insert":" is in play, the above lets you put "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"all swamps"},{"insert":" (31 total) from your library onto the battlefield. If not, you are limited by your available mana, but still very likely to rocket ahead. "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"In addition to the pump these swamps grant Korlash and cards like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Blackblade Reforged"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Nightmare Lash"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Squelching Leeches"}},{"insert":" etc... There's drain from "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Syr Konrad, the Grim"}},{"insert":" (an additional 2 dmg to each opponent per "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Grandeur "},{"insert":"cycle), and tokens from "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Defiled Crypt // Cadaver Lab"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Bone Miser"}},{"insert":" or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Tormod, the Desecrator"}},{"insert":" (One 2/2 Horror or Zombie per cycle). Almost forgot "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ob Nixilis, the Fallen"}},{"insert":". "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Note that "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Phyrexian Reclamation"}},{"insert":" is one mana per cycle more expensive, but can also pull all swamps into play if you have "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Retreat to Hagra"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Dread Presence"}},{"insert":" or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Staff of the Death Magus"}},{"insert":" to offset the loss of life and the "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Amulet of Vigor"}},{"insert":" in play."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":" "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Exsanguinate"}},{"insert":", while not part of the combo, is always a fun option to seal the deal at this stage."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"On Protecting Korlash (Token)"},{"insert":"\nKorlash has a Regenerate ability baked in, and it is advised to keep mana available for that. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Lightning Greaves"}},{"insert":" are also important (of course), and the boots ability to grant Haste can also help expedite the plan if you are going the "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Abyssal Harvester"}},{"insert":" route.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"On Exclusions (and in Conclusion):"},{"insert":"\nCopy cards like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Helm of the Host"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Lazotep Quarry"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"God-Pharaoh's Gift"}},{"insert":" are too clunky/slow for what this deck is trying to achieve."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth"}},{"insert":"/"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Filth"}},{"insert":" seems excessive here. Being evasive and hitting opponents with a huge token Korlash/Blackblade/Nightmare Lash/Squelching Leeches is probably practical, but not the main focus of the deck. For this same reason "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Lashwrithe"}},{"insert":" and cards like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Guul Draz Overseer"}},{"insert":" seemed redundant."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Corrupt"}},{"insert":" is cool, but a pretty expensive way to nuke one particular player. Also in the cool category is "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Midnight Recovery"}},{"insert":" (thanks to Cipher), but again this deck isn't about being evasive and the cost is way too high to justify it."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nThank you for reading. This was a fun exercise!\n-Stavrogin\n\nEdit: View \"Categories (mutliple)\" for default and custom categories.\n"}]}

{"ops":[{"insert":"January Deck Challenge ::"},{"attributes":{"link":" https://archidekt.com/decks/10757287/dragon_jan_challenge"},"insert":" https://archidekt.com/decks/10757287/dragon_jan_challenge"},{"insert":"\n\nJanuary Deck Challenge :: https://archidekt.com/decks/10757287/dragon_jan_challenge\nThis deck uses a \"bad commander\", which gives your opponents a false sense of security. Before they release what's going on, IT'S TOO LATE!\nUse small creatures and swords to ramp lands out quickly. Don’t be afraid to take a mulligan. You will use a snow-covered lands with Extraplanar lens to get an early mana advantage. The use of myriad along with Sundial of the Infinite will allow you to get multiple mana dorks to out ramp everyone else, while providing temporary blockers. Use multiple combats to create an ideal board state. Swing for damage at first, and then sit back and use the Commander's activated ability to finish your opponents at once with the tons of mana that you have.\n \n"}]}

{"ops":[{"attributes":{"bold":true,"link":"https://archidekt.com/decks/10726867"},"insert":"I'd Tap That"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nI’m sure we’d all love to have our own draconic war machine. There’s one sitting here abandoned! The only issue? Someone lost the keys. We can start this one up and cause some carnage if we show up prepared.\n\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Traxos, Scourge of Kroog"}},{"insert":" is a big body for a low cost and has the ability to push through damage. That means we need a clear path and ways to keep him running. Its best friends in this build are stax pieces like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Arena of the Ancients"}},{"insert":" , "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Meekstone"}},{"insert":" , "},{"attributes":{"background":"var(--light-background)","color":"var(--color)"},"insert":{"card-link":"Static Orb"}},{"attributes":{"background":"var(--light-background)","color":"var(--color)"},"insert":" , and "},{"attributes":{"background":"var(--light-background)","color":"var(--color)"},"insert":{"card-link":"Storage Matrix"}},{"attributes":{"background":"var(--light-background)","color":"var(--color)"},"insert":" . We’ve also included a suite of tap ("},{"attributes":{"background":"var(--light-background)","color":"var(--color)"},"insert":{"card-link":"Icy Manipulator"}},{"attributes":{"background":"var(--light-background)","color":"var(--color)"},"insert":" , "},{"attributes":{"background":"var(--light-background)","color":"var(--color)"},"insert":{"card-link":"Kill Switch"}},{"attributes":{"background":"var(--light-background)","color":"var(--color)"},"insert":" ) and untap ("},{"attributes":{"background":"var(--light-background)","color":"var(--color)"},"insert":{"card-link":"Voltaic Key"}},{"attributes":{"background":"var(--light-background)","color":"var(--color)"},"insert":" , "},{"attributes":{"background":"var(--light-background)","color":"var(--color)"},"insert":{"card-link":"Unwinding Clock"}},{"attributes":{"background":"var(--light-background)","color":"var(--color)"},"insert":" ) effects to let us finesse the drawbacks. "},{"insert":"Our goal is to tilt the battlefield in our favor so we can kill through commander damage, or deploy our other top end threats to finish the job.\n\nThere has been a lot of support for colorless over the last few years, so we can negate some of the historical drawbacks. Included are a grip full of good exile and removal effects, protection and recursion options, big mana via rocks and lands ("},{"insert":{"card-link":"Planar Nexus"}},{"insert":" opening Gates and Tron lands), and a lot of extra utility and versatility.\n\nBut I suppose that’s a long winded way of saying “Traxos attax through Stax and Drawbax”\n"}]}