
{"ops":[{"insert":"Voting has concluded!"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n🥇 Boomstud\n🥈 jkz\n🥉 rynoman14\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!"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"link":"https://edhrec.com/articles/deckbuilding-contest-finalists-april-2025"},"insert":"https://edhrec.com/articles/deckbuilding-contest-finalists-april-2025"},{"insert":"\n\nUser: jkz\nDeck: Aragorn the Mono Uniter\n"},{"attributes":{"link":"https://archidekt.com/decks/7256787/aragorn_the_mono_uniter"},"insert":"https://archidekt.com/decks/7256787/aragorn_the_mono_uniter"},{"insert":"\n\nUser: Boomstud\nDeck: Niv Rizzet\n"},{"attributes":{"link":"https://archidekt.com/decks/12286933/niv_rizzet"},"insert":"https://archidekt.com/decks/12286933/niv_rizzet"},{"insert":"\n\nUser: rynoman14\nDeck: Haste\n"},{"attributes":{"link":"https://archidekt.com/decks/12270297/haste"},"insert":"https://archidekt.com/decks/12270297/haste"},{"insert":"\n\n----\n\nHello brewers,\n\nThis month, we're getting into the spring cleaning spirit by cutting a color from our decks.\n\nWhat’s The Contest All About?"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Working 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 cardsphere.com.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true,"bold":true},"insert":"For April's deckbuilding contest, construct a Commander-legal deck that uses fewer colors than are in the commander's color identity. You may include lands to cast your commander, but spells and abilities must not require the color you're omitting. For example, if you choose to build an Izzet deck with Eshki Dragonclaw as your commander, you cannot include any cards that require green mana to cast or use, but you can include green lands to cast Eshki. As always, decks will be judged on creativity and originality."},{"insert":"\n\nThis contest prompt is inspired by the growing list of commanders that don't require all of their colors to be cast. Commanders like Alesha, Who Smiles at Death, Keruga, the Macrosage, and Jinnie Fay, Jetmir's Second can all helm decks that leave out one color in their identity. Two color decks often have cheaper mana bases, or you might prefer how a deck with fewer colors plays. Some of these commanders also naturally push you to prioritize one color over the others. An Alesha deck with no other red cards can more easily optimize it's mana base to pay for her activated ability. On the other hand, you can build Simic Yasova Dragonclaw to play the rare theft deck without red.\n\nOf course, you can choose any commander for this challenge, not just ones that abridge their own mana costs. This is a great opportunity to push strategies outside of their normal colors while having support from a strong commander. Nethroi, Apex of Death can lead a Selesnya reanimator deck, or a Golgari aggro deck that cheats its smaller attackers into play en masse. Raffine, Scheming Seer could make for an interesting Orzhov or even mono black tempo deck.\n\nPerhaps the easiest route to take is to choose a commander that doesn't need to be cast at all. You can easily build a deck of any color with The Ur-Dragon, and Oloro, Ageless Ascetic has been helming mono white lifegain decks for almost as long as Commander's been around. These commanders tend to be more specific to a creature type or theme, however, so building a creative deck that stands out will be more difficult.\n\nHow To Participate"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Brew an EDH/Commander legal deck on Archidekt that satisfies the prompt."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Any unreleased cards spoiled during the contest’s duration are allowed."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Silver-bordered and acorn cards, while cool, are not allowed."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Digital-only cards (such as those designed for the Alchemy format on Arena) are not allowed."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Strictly one deck submitted per user."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nReply to the Archidekt newspost, or submission post on the Archidekt Discord with a link to your deck before "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"9:00 pm EST (UTC -5, currently)"},{"insert":" on "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Wednesday, April 9, 2025"},{"insert":" (do not submit the same deck in multiple places).\n\nOnly one submission per user! 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, April 16, 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\n1st 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 or Discord (depending on where they submitted) regarding their winnings within roughly 24 hours following the conclusion of voting on "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Wednesday, April 23, 2025"},{"insert":".\n\nPlease note, you must have a Cardsphere account in order to receive your winnings. It's quick and free-- register "},{"attributes":{"background":"#232323","link":"https://www.cardsphere.com/signup?referrer=archidekt_contest"},"insert":"here"},{"insert":" if you don't have an account already!\n\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"#232323","link":"https://archidekt.com/contestRules"},"insert":"Official contest rules."},{"insert":"\n\nIf you have any questions, feel free to ask here, or join our "},{"attributes":{"background":"#232323","link":"https://discord.gg/rYDFFVCmGr"},"insert":"public Discord server"},{"insert":". We look forward to seeing what you all come up with!\n"}]}
Edited 4/24/2025, 1:49:48 AM
45

{"ops":[{"attributes":{"underline":true,"color":"#008a00","bold":true},"insert":"ESHKI IS GREEN WITH ENVY, SO SHE BURNS THE WORLD TO THE GROUND"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"link":"https://archidekt.com/decks/12363653/monogreen_eshki?sort=cmc&"},"insert":"https://archidekt.com/decks/12363653/monogreen_eshki?sort=cmc&"},{"insert":"\n\nWhat more can I say but here is mono green, doing mono green things, so I can one shot everyone as I cast a big boy creature. +1/+1 counter synergy and Ramp are key. There are a few creatures that are there just for the cast, and that is ok. Drawing cards for your win and then once Eshki is big enough, you cast a Ghalta. I hope yall enjoy my deck list. :)\n"}]}
0
{"ops":[{"insert":"The plan is simple. Discard every instant and sorcery that you can and make people implode into bits \nhttps://archidekt.com/decks/12361690\n"},{"attributes":{"link":"https://archidekt.com/decks/12361690"},"insert":"Melek, Reforged Researcher"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Wheels + Evasion + Fling effects\n"}]}
Edited 4/7/2025, 11:27:52 AM
0

{"ops":[{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Sheldon drives his Izzet Cars"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"link":"https://archidekt.com/decks/12362222/sheldoncars_and_the_bestest_of_pilots"},"insert":"https://archidekt.com/decks/12362222/sheldoncars_and_the_bestest_of_pilots"},{"insert":"\n\nI wanted to take Sheldon (aka Ruhan of the Fomori) away from his usual voltron or chaos-attack style, so this is Sheldon Izzet Cars (cause Azorius Cars is too \"standard\").\nOur commander is there to crew our vehicles, being 7 power for 4 mana. Many supporting cards are there to give us pilots (yes, those sharks are the best drivers\nThe plan is to get our opponents to question our gameplan and not seeing us as a threat, while we establish our pilots. Seeing creatures like Lupine Prototype or vantress gargoyle is not that scary, but by crewing we circumvent the negativ aspects of our pilots and can swing for big damage with our cars.\nNot a highly competitive deck obviously but fun.\n"}]}
Edited 4/7/2025, 8:41:21 AM
0

{"ops":[{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Eshki, Temur's Roar? More like "},{"attributes":{"bold":true,"link":"https://archidekt.com/decks/12341483"},"insert":"Eshki, Gruul's Roar"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"When I read the prompt for this month's challenge, the idea of making an Eshki Dragonclaw deck into a purely Izzet color deck stood out to me so much, that I knew I had to copy it. A bit of browsing, planning, and several hours later, behold! Eshki, Temur's Roar, with Gruul colors- look, I got a little sidetracked, okay? Eshki looks so much like Eshki, it's hard to tell them apart. They ARE the same person after all. Speaking of, have you ever seen a more Temur colored commander? She's literally wearing green, blue, and red clothes. What a commander to strip a color from.\n\nBut that's not where the madness ends. Gruul is so often about big ramp, big creatures, big damage, but you know what else it's about? Wildsear. Bloodbraid Elf. "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Cascade"},{"insert":". And the bootleg version of cascade, discover. The goal of the deck is to get Eshki or cards like Warstorm Surge/Terror of the Peaks out on the field before one of your big cascade triggers, and watch as creatures come tumbling out of your library to burn people's faces. I know we dropped the Izzet identity from Temur in order to make this deck, but that doesn't mean we're dropping the noncreature damage! Who said you had to hit face with your big creatures? That's just barbaric.\n\nAnd then if that doesn't work, hit face with your big creatures.\n\nThe deck also features plenty of ramping to get you to that point, along with some protection and damage synergy with Eshki. Because Eshki plays such a pivotal role in the deck, the manabase has more blue in it than it probably should to ensure she hits the field consistently each game. The early game does suffer a bit because of the sheer mana cost of things in the deck, but you'll often have large swing turns where boards that are both wide and tall appear out of nowhere. There's definitely some room for improvement, so feel free to leave a comment on what you think!\n"}]}
Edited 4/7/2025, 6:24:45 AM
0

{"ops":[{"attributes":{"link":"https://archidekt.com/folders/589146"},"insert":"Prisoners of Abzan!"},{"insert":"\n\nThe muggles have come to fight the wizards! There will be no blue or red spell slinging in here!\n\nFor the monthly prompt of using less colors than in the commander, I chose "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Saskia the Unyielding"}},{"insert":". I've always wanted to build her, but I was not super fond of it being a 4 color commander. I knew with this prompt I'd have a chance to try her out. First, I chose abzan, as I've had a hankering to build an abzan deck recently. Second, I had to figure out why there would be no red in this deck. Well there's no blue either, and what do blue and red players do? They sling spells! They're wizards! So of course the first thing that came to mind was Abzan = Azkaban, humans = muggles, and that they are now going to war with the wizards. \n\nIn this deck you will see no red mana creatues besides Saskia, nor shall you see wizards! Mostly some abzan synergies of +1/+1 counters, crazy good human synergies, and some blink for protection or tactical temporary removal.\n\nPlease let me know what you think, I actually would love to build this and want to hear others thoughts before I do!\n"}]}
0
{"ops":[{"attributes":{"link":"https://archidekt.com/decks/12354275/edgar_markov"},"insert":"https://archidekt.com/decks/12354275/edgar_markov"},{"insert":"\n"}]}
0

{"ops":[{"insert":"Miirym Minus Mahogany (red, but mahogany for the sake of alliteration)"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"When people, including "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Magic"},{"insert":" designers, think of dragons, they tend to think of the color red. After all, red is the perfect color for dragons, as they fit with red's impulse, chaos, and fiery ire. \nSo, of course, red is the color I chose NOT to build a dragon deck with. Simic is so much more fun anyway.\n"},{"attributes":{"link":"https://archidekt.com/decks/12317447/miirym_sans_red"},"insert":"https://archidekt.com/decks/12317447/miirym_sans_red"},{"insert":"\n"}]}
0
{"ops":[{"insert":"Pretty simple idea: I always like storm decks, but most storm decks are spell slinger and use a narrow subset of the storm cards. So I built a deck that is focused on creatures and uses some of the less common storm cards. I tried to avoid overused staples where possible, and had a 100$ budget, and I'm pretty satisfied with where the deck ended up.\n\nhttps://archidekt.com/decks/12354583/gruul_storm\n\n"}]}
0
{"ops":[{"attributes":{"link":"https://archidekt.com/decks/12338904/narset"},"insert":"Narset contest Azorius"},{"insert":"\n"}]}
Edited 4/7/2025, 12:44:25 AM
0
{"ops":[{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"What if "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Sidar Jabari of Zhalfir"}},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":" went Goth? Welcome to "},{"attributes":{"bold":true,"link":"https://archidekt.com/decks/12337907/knights_of_the_living_dead"},"insert":"Knights of the Living Dead"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nThis is a super simple "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Mono-Black Sidar Knights Tribal "},{"insert":"deck. We don't need to be smart, or cunning, or wise. Our enemy has "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"brains "},{"insert":"and"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":" blood"},{"insert":", and our grave knights are going to savor them. Our plan is to drop a knight each turn, ramp, and overwhelm everyone at the table with card draw and an un-killable army of knights. \n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Recursion"},{"insert":"\nWe have 12 recursion effects in the deck (a few mass recursion as well), so we can reliably get back our knights if we've discarded them all with Sidar's ability, or they died for one reason or another. If we ever need extra recursion, we can bring Sidar to the field to get a guy back a turn later.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"How to Win"},{"insert":"\nLike all good zombie movies, we win by bashing our horde of knights into the enemy as they waste all their cards to destroy our board, only to scream in terror as we play "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Haunting Voyage"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Patriarch's Bidding"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Rise of the Dark Realms"}},{"insert":", or any of our single-target return spells to bring our knights back. \n\nAlso, the deck is a pun, which I love.\n"}]}
Edited 4/7/2025, 12:00:11 AM
0
{"ops":[{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Rocco, Cabaretti Caterer"}},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":" heading up a Boros Secret Commander Angel Kindred deck."},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nThe play pattern here starts off the same most games: ramp up, then cast Rocco for X=2 to tutor "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Giada, Font of Hope"}},{"insert":" to the battlefield. It then pivots into a combat-based deck as you start dumping out exponentially increasingly powerful Angels, but has a lot of other play lines based on what ends up in your hands / on the field. \n\nThe deck is a fun blend of lifegain and lifegain payoffs, graveyard recursion (without black!), land ramp (without green!), and good old-fashioned Boros punchiness. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Roaming Throne"}},{"insert":" is a backup / secondary target for Rocco--there's nothing more fun than doubling big Angel triggers! \n\nThere's one infinite combo in the deck ("},{"insert":{"card-link":"Aurelia, the Warleader"}},{"insert":" + "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Sword of Hearth and Home"}},{"insert":") but the combo is very late-game, has extra conditions, isn't tutorable, and is easily interruptible, so I'm confident in saying the deck remains solidly in the 3 Bracket. It can snowball big-time if left relatively unbothered but can also fold to well-timed interaction, as many Kindred decks are wont to do.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"link":"https://archidekt.com/decks/12309686/naya_angels_but_make_it_boros"},"insert":"https://archidekt.com/decks/12309686/naya_angels_but_make_it_boros"},{"insert":"\n"}]}
0
{"ops":[{"attributes":{"underline":true,"bold":true},"insert":"Teamwork makes the dream work! Presenting: Atraxa, Praetor's Voice, as Bant!"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"link":"https://archidekt.com/decks/12351862/atraxa_bant"},"insert":"https://archidekt.com/decks/12351862/atraxa_bant"},{"insert":" \n\nThis deck leans into +1/+1 counters, pairing Atraxa's proliferate capabilities with "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://scryfall.com/card/mm2/49/inexorable-tide"},"insert":"Inexorable Tide"},{"insert":" and "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://scryfall.com/card/som/145/contagion-engine"},"insert":"Contagion Engine"},{"insert":", among others. "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://scryfall.com/card/ltc/35/arwen-weaver-of-hope"},"insert":"Arwen, Weaver of Hope"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://scryfall.com/card/mic/96/victorys-envoy"},"insert":"Victory's Envoy"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://scryfall.com/card/clu/200/master-biomancer"},"insert":"Master Biomancer"},{"insert":", and "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://scryfall.com/card/blb/380/byrke-long-ear-of-the-law"},"insert":"Byrke, Long Ear of the Law"},{"insert":" bring counters to your creatures, not to mention Outlast classics like "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://scryfall.com/card/moc/165/abzan-falconer"},"insert":"Abzan Falconer"},{"insert":" and "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://scryfall.com/card/moc/164/abzan-battle-priest"},"insert":"Abzan Battle Priest"},{"insert":" reward all your creatures with abilities like flying & lifelink for having counters. \n\nWhat sets this counters deck apart is the dimension Blue brings: card draw. "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://scryfall.com/card/war/270/jace-arcane-strategist"},"insert":"Jace, Arcane Strategist"},{"insert":" rewards you for drawing more, and "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://scryfall.com/card/dft/73/vnwxt-verbose-host"},"insert":"Vnwxt, Verbose Host"},{"insert":" doubles your card draw and does away with maximum hand-size rulings--not to mention "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://scryfall.com/card/ima/62/jin-gitaxias-core-augur"},"insert":"Jin-Gitaxias, Core Augur"},{"insert":"! Lastly, there's more than one way to win here: "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://scryfall.com/card/rtr/210/azors-elocutors"},"insert":"Azor's Elocutors"},{"insert":" is perfect for a proliferate titan like Atraxa, and "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://scryfall.com/card/mid/81/triskaidekaphile"},"insert":"Triskaidekaphile"},{"insert":" and "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://scryfall.com/card/war/54/jace-wielder-of-mysteries"},"insert":"Jace, Wielder of Mysteries"},{"insert":" give you the chance to win just from card-draw (although, let's be honest, it's Commander: Jace is really just there because it would be cool to draw seven cards at once, not because your library is going to run out, "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"probably"},{"insert":"). \n\n"},{"attributes":{"link":"https://scryfall.com/card/ncc/19/resourceful-defense"},"insert":"Resourceful Defense"},{"insert":" ensures no counter goes to waste, and when it's time to finish up, "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://scryfall.com/card/lcc/280/quandrix-command"},"insert":"Quandrix Command"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://scryfall.com/card/gtc/214/bioshift"},"insert":"Bioshift"},{"insert":", and "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://scryfall.com/card/40k/90/clamavus"},"insert":"Clamavus"},{"insert":" can pump any creature to deal major damage with short notice. \n\nSorry Sheoldred, but looks like your contribution this angel wasn't even needed!\n"}]}
0

{"ops":[{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Xyris, Prospective Gameshow Host"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"link":"https://archidekt.com/decks/12347899/xyris_gameshow_host"},"insert":"https://archidekt.com/decks/12347899/xyris_gameshow_host"},{"insert":"\n\nXyris: \"So I heard ya like drawing cardssss....\""},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nAre you a fan of drawing your entire deck? Are you a fan of maximum hand size? Are you a fan of watching your opponents get pummeled by a merciless army of small, greedy snakes? Then this is a gameshow you certainly won't want to miss. \n\nXyris invites you to his come one, come all gameshow where he lets YOU pull your entire deck. Whether or not you can use it fast enough is up to chance. \n\nWe don't need no green to be mean. This deck omits Xyris's green identity and leans fully into wheeling and dealing. Pummel your opponents with massive card draw all while dealing relevant damage with your serpentine minions. \n\nThis deck aims to win by cycling opponents' hands and generating you value with massive wheel effects frequently. Cast Xyris from the command zone and protect him from being removed, all while wheeling your opponents into blissful oblivion as they watch their beloved deck flash before their eyes. \n\nStuffed full of wincons that revolve around drawing cards, not around snakes pinging burn effects cause burn is boring :P\n\nLet me know what you think!\n"}]}
Edited 4/6/2025, 8:12:11 PM
0
{"ops":[{"insert":"When I saw the prompt for this month, I had two immediate thoughts: \"It would be really funny to run a five-color commander as a monocolor deck.\" and \"It would be even funnier to play it as if it really was a monocolor deck, with zero out-of-color mana symbols (so no hybrid mana, no dual lands, etc.).\" Then I got to pondering: which commander would be most interesting, or at least funniest. Colorless Azlask or Reaper King are too obvious. Perhaps Kenrith? Especially as a nonwhite deck, that would make me giggle every time I had to jump through hoops just to cast my commander without a single plains in the deck. Then it hit me: Omnath, Locus of All!\n\nPerhaps a mono-black Omnath was too obvious, but when I thought about cards with three black mana in their costs, one immediately jumps out to me\n\nOmnath, Locus of the Citadel"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Have you ever wanted to die to a Bolt after topdecking seven high-mana value cards? Have you ever wanted to cast your five-mana commander on turn 8 because all your mana is black? Well, have I got a deck for you! It's got all the classics! Gary, K'rrik, Blood Artist, and BOTH Meathook Massacres, all without the pain of those pesky mana symbols. Check it out today for only... "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"checks notes"},{"insert":"... a thousand... dollars.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"link":"https://archidekt.com/decks/12345695/omnath_locus_of_the_citadel"},"insert":"https://archidekt.com/decks/12345695/omnath_locus_of_the_citadel"},{"insert":"\n"}]}
0
{"ops":[{"insert":"Niv-Mizzet Finally Realizes That Arrogance Is Not The Way And Joins The Jeskai Monks"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"link":"https://archidekt.com/decks/12349308/nivmizzet_jeskai_supreme_maximum_value"},"insert":"https://archidekt.com/decks/12349308/nivmizzet_jeskai_supreme_maximum_value"},{"insert":"\nNiv may allow the player to recur any two color instant or sorcery, but he finally focused up and filled his spellbook with exclusively izzet, boros,and azorius spellsto ensure that every spell can be cast twice. Double removal, double draw, and even an extra chance to resolve a happy Stitch In Time! His monastery mentor makes an appearance, as does a suite of burn permanents to turn value into damage and end the game.\n"}]}
Edited 4/6/2025, 7:43:26 PM
0