Jeremy 23 months{"ops":[{"insert":"\nHello brewers,"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nWelcome back! After a break in December, we’re excited for a new year of deckbuilding contests. This month, we’re going back to the “build weird, probably suboptimal stuff” well. Details below! \n\nWhat’s the contest all about?"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"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 "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://www.cardkingdom.com/"},"insert":"cardkingdom.com"},{"insert":". \n\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"For January’s deckbuilding contest, construct a Commander-legal deck that showcases a theme or strategy that doesn’t normally appear in its colors. For instance, you might build RG stax or UB landfall. The more unusual, the better!"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nHere’s how to participate:"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"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 either this newspost or the announcement tweet from the "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://twitter.com/archidekt"},"insert":"@archidekt"},{"insert":" account on Twitter with a link to your deck before 9:00pm ET (UTC -5, currently) on "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Friday, January 27"},{"insert":". Only one submission per user!\nFrom the eligible submissions, we'll select three finalists with lists that we believe best embody the spirit of the prompt. Additional characteristics by which your deck may be judged include playability and uniqueness (i.e. “spice”); budget has no direct bearing on your chances to win. Deck descriptions are not required but certainly may provide valuable context!\n\nOn "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Saturday, January 28, 2022"},{"insert":", we'll tweet out a poll for the community to vote on its favorite of the three selected finalists' lists. Any finalists who submitted their lists on Archidekt will be notified via the email associated with their account. We’ll also publish a newspost on Archidekt announcing the finalists and linking to the poll on Twitter. Each finalist will be awarded store credit to cardkindom.com. The value of the credit is in US dollars and depends on the finalist's placement in the community poll at the end of its two day duration:\n1st Place Prize - $50"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"2nd Place Prize - $30"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"3rd Place Prize - $20"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Finalists will be contacted via Twitter or email (depending on where they submitted) regarding their winnings following the conclusion of the poll by Tuesday, January 31, 2023. Please note, you must have a Card Kingdom account in order to receive your winnings. It's quick and free-- "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://www.cardkingdom.com/register"},"insert":"register here"},{"insert":" if you don't have an account already!\n\nAn important note:"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Unfortunately, due to wild variance in contest laws, eligibility is limited to residents of the United States and Canada (excluding Quebec). We’d love to allow all of our users to participate, but ensuring we are legally compliant with each country’s national laws is too great a barrier. For additional information regarding eligibility, check our "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://archidekt.com/contestRules"},"insert":"official contest rules"},{"insert":". \n\nCongratulations to November’s winners! "},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"1st Place: "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://archidekt.com/user/10631"},"insert":"xerogold"},{"insert":" - "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://archidekt.com/decks/3011948#Abraham_Lincoln,_Vampire_Hunter"},"insert":"Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"2nd Place: "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://archidekt.com/user/82891"},"insert":"daggerhart"},{"insert":" - "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://archidekt.com/decks/3611345#Cloud_Atlas"},"insert":"Cloud Atlas"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"3rd Place: "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://www.archidekt.com/user/150055"},"insert":"MooGiGon"},{"insert":" - "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://www.archidekt.com/decks/3602661#The_Fold"},"insert":"The Fold"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nThank you!"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"If you have any other questions, feel free to ask here, reach out on Twitter, or join our public Discord server. We look forward to seeing what you all come up with! \n\nThe Archidekt Team"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"}]}
10
finnigan 23 months{"ops":[{"insert":"A while ago I designed a boros landfall list that I think fits this theme pretty well! The idea is to make lots equipment through Toggo, Goblin Weaponsmith; then equip them all to a creature that cares about the amount of equipment on it with Ardenn, Intrepid Archaeologist. \nDecklist is"},{"attributes":{"link":"https://www.archidekt.com/decks/2778155#Rocks!_(Boros_Landfall)"},"insert":" HERE"},{"insert":"\n"}]}
6
sokka 23 months{"ops":[{"insert":"Uhh guys, where's Macar? \n\nThis is a vehicle deck that isn't Azorius for once, but instead monoblack. Centered around your commander, "},{"insert":{"card-link":"King Macar, the Gold-Cursed"}},{"insert":", the goal of this deck is to tap Macar by crewing vehicles (as well as other means) in order to control the board state while offering him more protection than outright attacking. Cards like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Puppet Strings"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mobile Garrison"}},{"insert":" can help you get his effect off multiple times per turn, while "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Servant of Tymaret"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Night Market Lookout"}},{"insert":" slowly chip away at your opponents' life total throughout the game. If you like going infinite, say less. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Magus of the Coffers"}},{"insert":" + "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Umbral Mantle"}},{"insert":" + 6 "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Swamp"}},{"insert":" gives you an endless mana pool, while "},{"insert":{"card-link":"King Macar, the Gold-Cursed"}},{"insert":" + "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Clock of Omens"}},{"insert":" + "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Liquimetal Torque"}},{"insert":" gives you infinite creature exiles using the gold tokens Macar makes to help untap him. All in all, a solid (mildly janky) deck that's sure to offer you some fun games!\n\n"},{"attributes":{"link":"https://archidekt.com/decks/3863174?sort=cmc&stack=custom#Pimp_Macar"},"insert":"Dude, here's Macar"},{"insert":"\n"}]}
5
Syngraphaeor 23 months{"ops":[{"insert":"I've built pretty much this exact deck before, 100/10, I love the idea. Contest winner right here.\n"}]}
1
MooGiGon 23 months{"ops":[{"insert":"Not only is it a new color combination for the theme, but it's also a pairing that I would likely never play otherwise. That's right, I'm bringing good ol' fashioned "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://www.archidekt.com/decks/3858983#Azorius...elfball?"},"insert":"Elfball...in Azorius"},{"insert":". \n\nTo compensate for the relative lack of Elves in this color pairing, the deck leans hard into anthems ("},{"insert":{"card-link":"Door of Destinies"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Icon of Ancestry"}},{"insert":", etc.) and other effects ("},{"insert":{"card-link":"Kindred Discovery"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Herald's Horn"}},{"insert":", etc.) that benefit a single creature type. A smattering of Changelings & Clones ("},{"insert":{"card-link":"Maskwood Nexus"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Birthing Boughs"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Phyrexian Metamorph"}},{"insert":", etc.) help up the deck's creature count while cards like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Teferi's Protection"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Flawless Maneuver"}},{"insert":", and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"And They Shall Know No Fear"}},{"insert":" ensure those creatures can weather a wrath or two, including all those in the deck. There's also some mass reanimation via "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Marshal's Anthem"}},{"insert":" & "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Faith's Reward"}},{"insert":" to ensure that, if the Elves do die, they don't stay down for long. \n\nApart from the main plan of steamrolling opponents with the traditional army of giant Elven beaters, the deck also has a little two-card combo to take advantage of opponents' boards: "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Standardize"}},{"insert":" & "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Peer Pressure"}},{"insert":". \n\nSo look out, this lean, but not Green, fighting machine is ready to take you out! \n"}]}
5
KnightOfTheNorth 23 months{"ops":[{"insert":"Not sure if you noticed this or not but the prismatic piper is not an elf since it doesn't have changeling\n"}]}
4
Fzzr(Rare Patron)
23 months{"ops":[{"insert":"I was so hyped for this that I already built it! Here's Burn without red. The theory is instead of spells that use direct damage, I get together a bunch of counters and shoot them at face using some artifacts. "},{"attributes":{"background":"rgba(4, 4, 5, 0.07)","color":"var(--text-link)","link":"https://archidekt.com/decks/3856923?sort=cmc&stack=multiple#The_Arsenal_of_Democracy_-_Bant_Burn"},"insert":"https://archidekt.com/decks/3856923?sort=cmc&stack=multiple#The_Arsenal_of_Democracy_-_Bant_Burn"},{"insert":" (Also I included some color pie break direct damage spells, for cheek.)\n"}]}
5
DaveLists 23 months{"ops":[{"insert":"How does Mono-Blue control in Boros sound for off-color strategies? Counterspells, draw, and infinite turns are easy if you believe it to be true! Check it out: \n\n"},{"attributes":{"link":"https://archidekt.com/decks/54277"},"insert":"https://archidekt.com/decks/54277"},{"insert":"\n\nYour commander is "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Training Grounds"}},{"insert":"("},{"insert":{"card-link":"Zirda, the Dawnwaker"}},{"insert":")\n\nEarly game focuses on draw spells, artifact-based ramp, and casting "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Counterspell"}},{"insert":"("},{"insert":{"card-link":"Tibalt's Trickery"}},{"insert":"), "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Memory Lapse"}},{"insert":"("},{"insert":{"card-link":"Lapse of Certainty"}},{"insert":"), "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Turn Aside"}},{"insert":"("},{"insert":{"card-link":"Rebuff the Wicked"}},{"insert":") "},{"attributes":{"color":"var(--color)"},"insert":"or even the mighty "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Time Stop"}},{"attributes":{"color":"var(--color)"},"insert":"("},{"insert":{"card-link":"Glorious End"}},{"attributes":{"color":"var(--color)"},"insert":") to slow down your opponents."},{"insert":"\n\nMid game involves blink shenanigans with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Archaeomancer"}},{"insert":"("},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ardent Elementalist"}},{"insert":") to recur your counters and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Windfall"}},{"insert":"("},{"insert":{"card-link":"Wheel of Misfortune"}},{"insert":") effects, until you can use an artifact tutor to find blue staples like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Magistrate's Scepter"}},{"insert":" or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Isochron Scepter"}},{"insert":". Heck, you can even pull off blue's classic "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Power Artifact"}},{"insert":" combo to get infinite mana with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Basalt Monolith"}},{"insert":".\n\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"var(--color)"},"insert":" The endgame is one of blue's strongest - you land a "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Platinum Angel"}},{"attributes":{"color":"var(--color)"},"insert":"("},{"insert":{"card-link":"Cloudsteel Kirin"}},{"insert":"), and then take infinite turns with one of the deck's many "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Time Walk"}},{"insert":"("},{"insert":{"card-link":"Last Chance"}},{"insert":") cards. With infinite turns, no one can stop you from grabbing the win.\n"}]}
Edited 1/22/2023, 11:20:06 AM
4
ColossalDreadmaw 23 months{"ops":[{"insert":"I give you, a decent gruul stax deck: "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://archidekt.com/decks/3861192#Grull_Stax"},"insert":"https://archidekt.com/decks/3861192#Grull_Stax"},{"insert":". \n"}]}
4
JakeTrickster 23 months{"ops":[{"insert":"Listen dont hate me for this, but it is Boros Infect. I look forward to losing this competition if only as an example that such thoughts shouldnt be rewarded lol\n\nhttps://archidekt.com/decks/3857364#Boros_Infect\n\nEdit: for some reason the link isnt working, further proof this shouldnt exist. Just trying to post it again to see if it changes anything https://archidekt.com/decks/3857364#Boros_Infect\n\nEdit 2: okay i think i figured it out? Decklist "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://archidekt.com/decks/3857364#Boros_Infect"},"insert":"Here"},{"insert":"\n"}]}
Edited 1/20/2023, 9:27:01 PM
4
evolution1988 23 months{"ops":[{"insert":"Asmira-crats: "},{"attributes":{"link":" https://archidekt.com/decks/3865852#Sacrificial_Selesnya_-_Jan_2023_Contest"},"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://archidekt.com/decks/3865852#Asmira-crats_(Jan_2023_Contest)"},"insert":"https://archidekt.com/decks/3865852#Asmira-crats_(Jan_2023_Contest)"},{"insert":"\n\nSacrifice and Persist in Selesnya? Asmira, Holy Avenger makes heavy use of sacrifice and Persist mechanics for all kinds of juice. Asmira can swing in for a sneaky voltron win or we can combo out in various ways:\n\n-- Melira, Sylvok Outcast (or Vizier of Remedies) + any persist creature + any sac outlet for infinite sacrifices\n-- Angelic Renewal + Sun Titan or Renegade Rallier + sac outlet (just like above).\n-- Payoffs include: Caller of the Claw, Death's Presence, Blasting Station, Altar of Dementia, Ashnod's Alter for mana, and Asmira for voltron strats.\n\nOther fun facts about this deck: \n-- Tragic Arrogance and Divine Reckoning provide board wipes that favor you and power up Asmira.\n-- Much of the ramp attempts to synergize with Asmira and continue the sacrifice theme. \n-- Luminous Broodmoth and Cauldron of Souls let everyone stick around to party... multiple times.\n-- Lots of recursion: Extraction Specialist, Witness, Broodmoth again, Reveillark, Sun Titan, Twilight Shepherd.\n-- Ramp synergizes with Asmira.\n-- Vedalken Orrery lets us play on every turn... Asmira approves. \n-- Lots of synergistic protection. Asmira herself is slow to kill, but will attract attention over time without an Orrery.\n"}]}
Edited 1/22/2023, 12:13:57 PM
3
Tacopanda777 23 months{"ops":[{"insert":"I love the idea of this challenge! The second I read this post I dashed right into action and revised an old deck of mine to better embody the spirit of the challenge... Without further ado i present Esper Artifact Grouphug... I know it is pretty common to see an Esper Sharuum artifact deck, but a guarantee you have never seen an artifact-sacrifice deck that tries to overflow your opponents with treasure tokens! Originally I built this deck around a custom commander I made back in 2022, but I realized with a little fine-tuning it would work just fine as a suboptimal, janky, and funny deck. I made sure to diversify between well-known cards such as Vampiric Tutor and lesser known cards such as Wanted Scoundrels. The general gameplan of the deck is to generate a bunch of treasures and sacrifice them for payoffs and big creatures (Blightsteel Colossus and Time Sieve). Despite featuring an abundance of tutor cards, the deck is relatively underpowered and would likely lose to most precons without them. I hope everyone enjoys my spin on the traditional Esper artifacts deck. If you want to check it out for yourselves the link is https://archidekt.com/decks/2703996#Custom_Commander_Mayhem\n"}]}
3
walruscustard 23 months{"ops":[{"insert":"Who's ready for mono-white dragons? Nobody?\n\n"},{"attributes":{"link":"https://archidekt.com/decks/122969"},"insert":"https://archidekt.com/decks/122969"},{"insert":"\n\nThis plays Sylvia Brightspear in the command zone for an incredible 3 mana double strike buff as well as every single creature with 'Dragon' in its typeline that it can play. All of them. Even "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Lotus Guardian"}},{"insert":".\n"}]}
Edited 1/21/2023, 9:56:15 PM
3
James-MissingTriggers 23 months{"ops":[{"insert":"Jeskai Reanimator: "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://archidekt.com/decks/2869332#Dynaheir_Reanimator_(Budget)"},"insert":"https://archidekt.com/decks/2869332#Dynaheir_Reanimator_(Budget)"},{"insert":"\n\nFocusing on Embalm, Externalize and Encore\n"}]}
Edited 1/21/2023, 9:26:43 PM
3
Hwat 23 months{"ops":[{"insert":"This was genuinely quite fun to do! It really makes you think about what is the average for archetypes, and what stereotypes and norms exist within the game.\n\nAnd as such, I present: Mono-Blue Burn\n"},{"attributes":{"link":"https://archidekt.com/decks/3865062#BLUE_BURN"},"insert":"https://archidekt.com/decks/3865062#BLUE_BURN"},{"insert":"\n\nBlue, for the entirety of Magic, is known as the Control color. The grindy color. The interaction, card draw, discard color. So, how can I bastardize this color, focused on intricate, smart decision making and longterm strategy?\n\nLobotomize game-play to the point of only one focus: D A M A G E\n"}]}
2
Volbe(Common Patron)
23 months{"ops":[{"insert":"Here is my list for a Mono-White Wheel-style deck: "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://archidekt.com/decks/1994069#Nekusar_But_White"},"insert":"https://archidekt.com/decks/1994069#Nekusar_But_White"},{"insert":"\n\nThis deck looks to use a lot of the new ways to have each player draw cards in white so that we can then punish our opponents' large hands. The deck uses a lot of interesting ways to fill opponents' hands, from the more straightforward effects like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Cut a Deal"}},{"insert":" to more unique effects like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Spurnmage Advocate"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Coveted Jewel"}},{"insert":", as well as the Monarch in many of the cards. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Gerrard Capashen"}},{"insert":" makes great use of those full hands, giving us a way to gain advantage off our \"group hug\", with things like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Nykthos Paragon"}},{"insert":", or we can use more straightforward payoffs like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Sword of War and Peace"}},{"insert":". Finally, to try and reduce the damage that opponents can do with us giving them so many cards, we run "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Rule of Law"}},{"insert":" effects to slow them down a little bit.\n\nAnd who ever said white can't draw cards?\n"}]}
Edited 1/25/2023, 11:37:27 PM
2
EeveeDinah 23 months{"ops":[{"insert":"It's mono blue stompy! I love the idea of doing something which is out of the usual colour pie. \nhttps://archidekt.com/decks/3035630#Polymorph_-_Blue_Stompy\n"}]}
2
Riveteersbuilder 23 months{"ops":[{"insert":"Aristocrats usually has black. But my build is a Naya aristocrats deck, led by Atla Palani, Nest Tender. Hope you guys like it\n"},{"attributes":{"link":"https://archidekt.com/decks/3870056#Naya_Aristocrats"},"insert":"Naya Aristocrats (Commander / EDH) - Archidekt"},{"insert":"\n"}]}
Edited 1/23/2023, 3:51:29 AM
2