<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<a href="https://scryfall.com/card/otj/11/final-showdown">Final Showdown</a> | Art By: <a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%E2%80%9CIzzy%E2%80%9D&amp;unique=art">Izzy</a>)</h6>
<p>Welcome back to the finale of the March Magic Madness. Unfortunately, the tournament had to be delayed due to a massive unforeseen Dragonstorm that opened up in the skies above <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Strixhaven Stadium" href="#" target="_blank">Strixhaven Stadium</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Nevertheless, we will play on and what a final we have for everyone out there. Isn't that right?</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Arena Rector" href="#" target="_blank">Arena Rector</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: That is indeed right. I am so pumped up for this finale, and I think any of the four remaining teams could take home the trophy. What do you say we stop dragging it out and get down and meet our final four teams?</p>
<p>I think that is an excellent idea. Let's get into it and meet the teams.</p>
<h2>Scoring:</h2>
<ul>
<li><strong>Color Multipliers</strong>
<ul>
<li>Colorless 1.6x</li>
<li>Mono 1.5x</li>
<li>Two-color 1.4x</li>
<li>Three-color 1.3x</li>
<li>Four-color 1.2x</li>
<li>Five Color 1.1x</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Deck Count &lt; or &gt; 15 Thousand</strong>
<ul>
<li>&gt; 15 Thousand 15.1x</li>
<li>&lt; 15 Thousand 14.9x</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Original Print Date</strong>
<ul>
<li>Over five years ago, 5.9x</li>
<li>Printed in 202, 5.5x</li>
<li>Printed less than five years ago, 5.1x</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Was it a "Design Mistake"</strong>
<ul>
<li>Yes 6.9x</li>
<li>No 7x</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Game Changer</strong>
<ul>
<li>Yes 2.5x</li>
<li>No 7x</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Salt Score &lt;, &gt; or = 1.2</strong>
<ul>
<li>&lt; 1.2 avg. Salt score 2.1x</li>
<li>&gt; 1.2 avg. Salt score 1.9x</li>
<li>= 1.2 avg. Salt score 2x</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Basketball scores are made with a generator to align with the "math" used.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h2>Final Four.</h2>
<h3>Wedge Region vs. Guild Region</h3>
<p>(2) <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Yuriko, the Tiger&#039;s Shadow" href="#" target="_blank">Yuriko, the Tiger&#039;s Shadow</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> vs. (13) <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Urza, Lord High Artificer" href="#" target="_blank">Urza, Lord High Artificer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Yuriko, the Tiger&#039;s Shadow"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Urza, Lord High Artificer"></div></div>
<p>The Ninjas, the highest-ranked team left in the tournament and the winners of the Wedge Region, are led by <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Yuriko, the Tiger&#039;s Shadow" href="#" target="_blank">Yuriko, the Tiger&#039;s Shadow</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. They have cakewalked through this tournament so far, with no match being close. It's safe to say that they're the strongest team left in the tournament and the one to beat, led by an all-star lineup featuring</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Fallen Shinobi"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Silver-Fur Master"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ninja of the Deep Hours"></div></div>
<p>And a strong bench squad with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nashi, Moon Sage&#039;s Scion" href="#" target="_blank">Nashi, Moon Sage&#039;s Scion</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and newcomer <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Changeling Outcast" href="#" target="_blank">Changeling Outcast</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This team has tricks that will make their opponents sick, they have moves that will bring out the a chorus of boos, and their leader is a design mistake that makes their enemies quake, but don't let any of this give you too much confidence, sports fans, because the winners from the Guild Region led by <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Urza, Lord High Artificer" href="#" target="_blank">Urza, Lord High Artificer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are not planning to roll over.</p>
<p>The High Artificers have had as dominant of a tournament as their opponents, making this match-up a battle of behemoths rather than a lopsided affair. Seeds mean nothing this late in the tournament, and Urza and the High Artificers plan to make people remember that. No team in the tournament knows the ins and outs of the rules like the High Artificers. Who would have ever thought about tapping their <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Howling Mine" href="#" target="_blank">Howling Mine</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Winter Orb" href="#" target="_blank">Winter Orb</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>? Or when they ran their <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-0" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>-cost lineup featuring</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Lotus Petal"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Spellbook"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Welding Jar"></div></div>
<p>Their unsung hero of the tournament <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Simulacrum Synthesizer" href="#" target="_blank">Simulacrum Synthesizer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> showed what a new card can do. It gave extra reach to this team that it did not have in years past and pulled its weight and then some in the tournament. So, with all this out of the way, let's see how this game goes.</p>
<p><strong>End of First Quarter:</strong> Ninjas 25 - High Artificers 18.</p>
<p><strong>End of Second Quarter:</strong> Ninjas 55 - High Artificers 56.</p>
<p><strong>End of Third Quarter:</strong> Ninjas 77 - High Artificers 69.</p>
<p><strong>Final:</strong> Ninjas 103 - High Artificers 98.</p>
<p>It was a fantastic battle all the way through, and after the second quarter, it looked like the High Artificers would take this one home. However, a well-timed <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Commandeer" href="#" target="_blank">Commandeer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and a perfectly cast <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Curtains&#039; Call" href="#" target="_blank">Curtains&#039; Call</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> brought down the proverbial curtain on Urza and his High Artificers. Punching their way to the Finals of the March Magic Madness tournament is</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Yuriko, the Tiger&#039;s Shadow|CMM|690"></div></div>
<h3>Shards Region vs. Blind Eternities Region</h3>
<p>(8) <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ghyrson Starn, Kelermorph" href="#" target="_blank">Ghyrson Starn, Kelermorph</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> vs. (13) <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kinnan, Bonder Prodigy" href="#" target="_blank">Kinnan, Bonder Prodigy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ghyrson Starn, Kelermorph"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kinnan, Bonder Prodigy"></div></div>
<p>The one and only Universes Beyond commander Ghyrson Starn leads the Kelermorphs out of the Shards Region. Their path was not as easy as Yuriko's or Urza's, but they dispatched all their opponents fairly. The Kelermorphs play with a fast and furious gameplan, embodying the "death by a thousand cuts" style of victory. The key to their victory is often <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Flame Fusillade" href="#" target="_blank">Flame Fusillade</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which makes every player on their team lethal. Every match, the Kelermorphs try to make their opponents <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fear, Fire, Foes!" href="#" target="_blank">Fear, Fire, Foes!</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and turn every <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Playful Shove" href="#" target="_blank">Playful Shove</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> punch above their weight.</p>
<p>As the only Universes Beyond representative, it was unsurprising that they came into this game with an all-UB lineup.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Exalted Flamer of Tzeentch"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Magnus the Red"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Pink Horror"></div></div>
<p>Kinnan and the Prodigies had the most challenging path to the Final Four. This team knows close games and tough battles, but they can close out with one big flip every time, but since big flips are the name of the game for the Prodigies, they come in as the biggest lineup left in the tournament.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Tidespout Tyrant"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Koma, Cosmos Serpent"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Colossal Skyturtle"></div></div>
<p>Often, in close games, the Prodigies had to rely on their Praetorial Powerhouses of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vorinclex, Voice of Hunger" href="#" target="_blank">Vorinclex, Voice of Hunger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jin-Gitaxias, Core Augur" href="#" target="_blank">Jin-Gitaxias, Core Augur</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Big Flips = Big Victories for the Prodigies, but how will they stack up against this undersized but fiercely fast lineup fielded by the Kelermorphs? Let's find out.</p>
<p><strong>End of First Quarter:</strong> Kelermorphs 22 - Prodigies 16.</p>
<p><strong>End of Second Quarter:</strong> Kelermorphs 49 - Prodigies 35.</p>
<p><strong>End of Third Quarter:</strong> Kelermorphs 88 - Prodigies 59.</p>
<p><strong>Final:</strong> Kelermorphs 122 - Prodigies 89.</p>
<p>In the end, no matter how big the Prodigies went with their lineup, they eventually fell to the quick gun gaming of the Kelermorphs. They were in control from the start of the game, and with early and often pinging of their opponents set up pieces, the Final is now set with our second entry.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ghyrson Starn, Kelermorph|40K|124★"></div></div>
<h2>Championship</h2>
<p>The stage is set, and the combatants are ready to go. The first combatant is the most dominant team from the entire tournament. They are a design mistake and one of the most incredible creatures around. You won't see them until it is too late as they strike from the shadows, and the moment you think you have pinned them down, you will learn that it was too late. We welcome <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Yuriko, the Tiger&#039;s Shadow|CMM|690" href="#" target="_blank">Yuriko, the Tiger&#039;s Shadow</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> from the Wedge Region.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Yuriko, the Tiger&#039;s Shadow|CMM|690"></div></div>
<p>From the Shards Region, we have the creature that might not put the UB in Universes Beyond, but they do put damage into an opponent's face. We welcome <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ghyrson Starn, Kelermorph|40K|124★" href="#" target="_blank">Ghyrson Starn, Kelermorph</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ghyrson Starn, Kelermorph|40K|124★"></div></div>
<p>Nanjas versus Kelermorphs. UB (blue-black) versus UB (universes beyond). This one is a battle for the ages. This one is for all the marbles. Let's get into the game and break it down.</p>
<h3>First Quarter</h3>
<p>The first quarter was a tight battle. Yuriko and the Ninjas got on the battlefield early with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gingerbrute" href="#" target="_blank">Gingerbrute</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Triton Shorestalker" href="#" target="_blank">Triton Shorestalker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Setting up for a commander ninjutsu play, the following turn, the Kelermorphs countered <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Electrolyze" href="#" target="_blank">Electrolyze</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Seeing that the game's speed favored the Kelermorphs, the Ninjas decided to deploy a slower strategy near the end of the first quarter.</p>
<p><strong>End of First Quarter:</strong> Ninjas 22 - Kelermorphs 23.</p>
<h3>Second Quarter</h3>
<p>With a slower strategy in mind, the Ninjas decided it was time for a bit of a secret weapon: the dual threat of Ninja planeswalkers in <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kaito, Bane of Nightmares" href="#" target="_blank">Kaito, Bane of Nightmares</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kaito Shizuki" href="#" target="_blank">Kaito Shizuki</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. With a way to get a steady stream on ninjas and an emblem giving some breathing room to the constant single-digit damages being thrown their way, the ninjas were setting up for a big second quarter.</p>
<p>The Kelermorphs were not going to take this sitting down, and with some chaining of card-damage-based card draw, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Flick a Coin" href="#" target="_blank">Flick a Coin</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Needle Drop" href="#" target="_blank">Needle Drop</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, they found their way into a well-timed <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Flatline" href="#" target="_blank">Flatline</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>... or so they thought. While it is risky, Yuriko met Ghyrson with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="An Offer You Can&#039;t Refuse" href="#" target="_blank">An Offer You Can&#039;t Refuse</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to save their board before the half.</p>
<p><strong>End of Second Quarter:</strong> Ninjas 45 - Kelermorphs 40.</p>
<h3>Third Quarter</h3>
<p>While unable to stop the constant barrage of one damage being thrown at their small creatures, the Ninjas decided that they would be at least able to get value out of the onslaught of spells being thrown at them. The duo of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mystic Remora" href="#" target="_blank">Mystic Remora</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rhystic Study" href="#" target="_blank">Rhystic Study</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> slowed down the Kelermorphs to a grinding halt. Not out of the game thoroughly, thanks to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Quicksilver Dagger" href="#" target="_blank">Quicksilver Dagger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Manabarbs" href="#" target="_blank">Manabarbs</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, the Kelermorphs knew that this game was slipping away.</p>
<p><strong>End of Third Quarter:</strong> Ninjas 70 - Kelermorphs 62.</p>
<h3>Fourth Quarter</h3>
<p>As a last-ditch play, the Kelermorphs pulled out a bit of a strange strategy in playing <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Charisma" href="#" target="_blank">Charisma</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. The plan was to stall and try to hit a last-second play with the help of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thousand-Year Storm" href="#" target="_blank">Thousand-Year Storm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and the chaining together of enough game changers, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jeska&#039;s Will" href="#" target="_blank">Jeska&#039;s Will</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Underworld Breach" href="#" target="_blank">Underworld Breach</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, to claim victory. Unfortunately for them, the plan was all for naught.</p>
<p>Yuriko knew what they had to do to lead their team to victory. Thanks to all the resources they had gathered across the game, one more attack gave them the Yuriko triggers they needed to close it out. They found some of their game changers in <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Demonic Tutor" href="#" target="_blank">Demonic Tutor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Chrome Mox" href="#" target="_blank">Chrome Mox</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. While it was not the flashy finish that they wanted, they were able to establish a well-known game-winning play with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thassa&#039;s Oracle" href="#" target="_blank">Thassa&#039;s Oracle</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> + <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tainted Pact" href="#" target="_blank">Tainted Pact</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This sealed the deal for the ninjas as they claimed the hardest-fought victory of their tournament to date.</p>
<p><strong>Final:</strong> Ninjas 100 - Kelermorphs 93.</p>
<h2>Winner and Champion</h2>
<p>Congratulations to your winner and this year's March Magic Madness champions <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Yuriko, the Tiger&#039;s Shadow|CMM|690" href="#" target="_blank">Yuriko, the Tiger&#039;s Shadow</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and the Ninjas! From all of us here at the <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Strixhaven Stadium" href="#" target="_blank">Strixhaven Stadium</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and on behalf of the <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Arena Rector" href="#" target="_blank">Arena Rector</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, we want to thank you for a great tournament season.</p>
<p>We hope to see you next year to find out if Yuriko will be defending their crown or if someone from a new universe can step up to the challenge.</p>
<p>As always, I've been Nic, and you can find me here on EDHrec. Don't forget to look at all the other fantastic content here and everywhere from the many great minds behind EDHrec.</p>


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<h6 style="text-align: right;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Duke Ulder Ravengard" href="#" target="_blank">Duke Ulder Ravengard</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | art by <a href="https://www.ericdeschamps.com/">Eric Deschamps</a></h6>
<p>Welcome back to <em>Bottom of the Barrel</em>, where we pick a theme from EDHREC and look at the “bottom of the barrel.” This means that we look at the least played color-combinations and pick a commander in those colors to brew a spicy new deck around!</p>
<p>Today's theme is a contentious one: infect.</p>
<p>Now, I know what you're thinking, "Nick, why infect? That's the worst!!" Believe me, I've been on the wrong side of an infect deck too, so I echo your sentiment. However, the combination of this theme with this commander was too good to pass up. Speaking of which...</p>
<p>Today's commander is a legendary creature from<em> Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate</em>: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Duke Ulder Ravengard" href="#" target="_blank">Duke Ulder Ravengard</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Duke Ulder Ravengard"></div></div>
<p>According to EDHREC, the most popular infect color combination, with 14,000 decks, is "Witch-Maw" (white, black, blue, and green). The printing of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Atraxa, Praetors&#039; Voice" href="#" target="_blank">Atraxa, Praetors&#039; Voice</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> was largely the reason for this, as her passive proliferate ability is quite good with poison counters.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Atraxa, Praetors&#039; Voice"></div></div>
<p>The least played color combination for infect is colorless, but after several days of brewing, this one stumped me. Colorless is already tricky to play, and focusing solely on infect made it even harder, so I looked for the second least played combination.</p>
<p>The second least played combination, with a modest 73 decks, is Boros (red and white). Boros is known for both Equipment and generally aggressive combat strategies, and these strategies align well with what infect is trying to accomplish.</p>
<p>Usually, infect suffers from one major drawback: it's hard to kill three players with infect. This is where myriad comes in. Duke Ulder can grant a creature myriad and haste, and giving myriad to infect or toxic creatures is an easy way to spread out poison counters to everyone.</p>
<h2>Category #1: Infect, and its younger brother, Toxic</h2>
<p>In Boros, there are only a handful of creatures with infect that we can include: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Core Prowler" href="#" target="_blank">Core Prowler</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> provides us with extra value when it dies, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ichorclaw Myr" href="#" target="_blank">Ichorclaw Myr</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> gets bigger when it becomes blocked, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tine Shrike" href="#" target="_blank">Tine Shrike</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a flying poisonous threat, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Corpse Cur" href="#" target="_blank">Corpse Cur</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can recur any of our infect creatures that die, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Razor Swine" href="#" target="_blank">Razor Swine</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> grants us first strike on top of infect, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Phyrexian Juggernaut" href="#" target="_blank">Phyrexian Juggernaut</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>'s "downside" of always attacking allows us to constantly pressure our opponents.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Core Prowler"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ichorclaw Myr"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Tine Shrike"></div></div>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Corpse Cur"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Razor Swine"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Phyrexian Juggernaut"></div></div>
<p>On top of our infect creatures, we have a few toxic creatures to help push toward our goal: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Skrelv&#039;s Hive" href="#" target="_blank">Skrelv&#039;s Hive</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a white <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bitterblossom" href="#" target="_blank">Bitterblossom</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, but for Phyrexian Mites, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="White Sun&#039;s Twilight" href="#" target="_blank">White Sun&#039;s Twilight</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a board wipe that can leave us with a terrifying board, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Myr Convert" href="#" target="_blank">Myr Convert</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can act as a mana dork <em>or</em> a toxic threat, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Annex Sentry" href="#" target="_blank">Annex Sentry</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a good piece of removal in a pinch, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Skrelv, Defector Mite" href="#" target="_blank">Skrelv, Defector Mite</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a great way to protect our creatures while giving them toxic 1.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Skrelv&#039;s Hive"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="White Sun&#039;s Twilight"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Myr Convert"></div></div>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Annex Sentry"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Skrelv, Defector Mite"></div></div>
<h2>Category #2: Copies, copies, copies!</h2>
<p>Since our options for infect and toxic creatures are so limited, I needed to find ways to make the most out of every creature we have. With this in mind, including creatures that can create copies of other creatures (even if they're temporary) is a must! <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jaxis, the Troublemaker" href="#" target="_blank">Jaxis, the Troublemaker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Orthion, Hero of Lavabrink" href="#" target="_blank">Orthion, Hero of Lavabrink</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rionya, Fire Dancer" href="#" target="_blank">Rionya, Fire Dancer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> all are perfect ways to copy our infect creatures for maximum value.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Jaxis, the Troublemaker"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Orthion, Hero of Lavabrink"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rionya, Fire Dancer"></div></div>
<p>Aside from Duke Ulder's ability, we have a few other ways to grant myriad to our creatures: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blade of Selves" href="#" target="_blank">Blade of Selves</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> grants myriad to whichever creature is equipped, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Legion Loyalty" href="#" target="_blank">Legion Loyalty</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> grants myriad to <em>all</em> of our creatures.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Blade of Selves"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Legion Loyalty"></div></div>
<p>Also, for all of those pesky <em>temporary</em> copies that we make, I included <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sundial of the Infinite" href="#" target="_blank">Sundial of the Infinite</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. We can't let good tokens go to waste!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sundial of the Infinite"></div></div>
<h2>Category #3: Proliferate</h2>
<p>It's not always guaranteed that we can get in for damage, but if we can get in early enough, that's all we need! If everyone has at least one poison counter, we have plenty of proliferate effects to ensure that our gameplan isn't stalled by a few blockers or an untimely fog.</p>
<p>Some of the best are: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Glistening Sphere" href="#" target="_blank">Glistening Sphere</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to act as a mana rock that proliferates upon entering, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Staff of Compleation" href="#" target="_blank">Staff of Compleation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to act as a Swiss army knife for our deck, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sword of Truth and Justice" href="#" target="_blank">Sword of Truth and Justice</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to make our infect creatures bigger while granting proliferation on combat damage, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Recon Craft Theta" href="#" target="_blank">Recon Craft Theta</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Filigree Vector" href="#" target="_blank">Filigree Vector</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to act as repeatable ways to proliferate every turn.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Glistening Sphere"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Staff of Compleation"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sword of Truth and Justice"></div></div>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Recon Craft Theta"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Filigree Vector"></div></div>
<p>If you're wondering, yes, we <em>are</em> including the proliferate all-stars in <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Contagion Clasp" href="#" target="_blank">Contagion Clasp</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Contagion Engine" href="#" target="_blank">Contagion Engine</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Contagion Clasp"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Contagion Engine"></div></div>
<h2>Category #4: Pushing Damage</h2>
<p>To win with poison, let's be honest, this deck needs to attack <em>a lot</em> in the early game. Here's what I included to help with that: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Subira, Tulzidi Caravanner" href="#" target="_blank">Subira, Tulzidi Caravanner</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can make our small creatures unblockable, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Neyali, Suns&#039; Vanguard" href="#" target="_blank">Neyali, Suns&#039; Vanguard</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can give our attacking tokens double strike (this can be Mites <em>or</em> our myriad copies!), <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Full Throttle" href="#" target="_blank">Full Throttle</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can give us extra combat steps, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dolmen Gate" href="#" target="_blank">Dolmen Gate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can guarantee the safety of our attackers, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Akroma&#039;s Will" href="#" target="_blank">Akroma&#039;s Will</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can give protection and act as a finisher, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Virtue of Loyalty" href="#" target="_blank">Virtue of Loyalty</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can grow our army, as well as untap them, every turn!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Subira, Tulzidi Caravanner"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Neyali, Suns&#039; Vanguard"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Full Throttle"></div></div>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dolmen Gate"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Akroma&#039;s Will"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Virtue of Loyalty"></div></div>
<h2>Category #5: "Secret Spice" 1 and 2</h2>
<p>Our first secret spice for today comes more in the form of a strategy rather than a specific card. Since we are relying heavily on the poison plan, we included a lot of proliferate effects.</p>
<p>What else is good with proliferate? +1/+1 counters. There are so many cards in this deck that grant +1/+1 counters to our creatures that we should have no problem presenting a threatening board even without any poison makers.</p>
<p>For example, if <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Virtue of Loyalty" href="#" target="_blank">Virtue of Loyalty</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is on the board alongside <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aetheric Amplifier" href="#" target="_blank">Aetheric Amplifier</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Contagion Engine" href="#" target="_blank">Contagion Engine</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>? All of our creatures get HUGE. (Specifically, 1 counter turns into 3 then into 6)</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Virtue of Loyalty"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Aetheric Amplifier"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Contagion Engine"></div></div>
<p>Even if you just wanted to focus on the +1/+1 counters side of this deck, you could take out all of the infect creatures and replace them with anything you want and the deck can still operate at a high level.</p>
<p>Our second secret spice is a card that I think deserves the spotlight more often: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Agrus Kos, Eternal Soldier" href="#" target="_blank">Agrus Kos, Eternal Soldier</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Agrus Kos, Eternal Soldier"></div></div>
<p>Our commander grants myriad and haste to something, and Agrus can copy that ability and apply it <em>every creature we control.</em> The same can be said about any additional copying effects (Jaxis, Orthion, etc.). If our entire battlefield has myriad and haste, the game is over.</p>
<h2>Closing Thoughts</h2>
<p data-slot-rendered-content="true">This brings us to the end of our ninth edition of <em>Bottom of the Barrel</em>! I hope you enjoyed exploring a lesser-played color combination in the world of infect! I know you might have tuned out for this one, as poison isn't for anyone, but give it a shot!</p>
<p data-slot-rendered-content="true">If you have any thoughts or ideas about this decklist, let me know in the comments below!</p>
<p>Check out my decklist below!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Bottom of the Barrel - Duke Ulder Ravengard" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Duke Ulder Ravengard
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Agrus Kos, Eternal Soldier
*1 Annex Sentry
*1 Core Prowler
*1 Corpse Cur
*1 Crawling Chorus
*1 Feldon of the Third Path
*1 Filigree Vector
*1 Grateful Apparition
*1 Ichorclaw Myr
*1 Jawbone Duelist
*1 Jaxis, the Troublemaker
*1 Lost Leonin
*1 Mangara, the Diplomat
*1 Metastatic Evangel
*1 Myr Convert
*1 Necropede
*1 Neyali, Suns&#039; Vanguard
*1 Norn&#039;s Choirmaster
*1 Orthion, Hero of Lavabrink
*1 Phyrexian Juggernaut
*1 Plague Myr
*1 Professional Face-Breaker
*1 Razor Swine
*1 Rionya, Fire Dancer
*1 Skrelv, Defector Mite
*1 Subira, Tulzidi Caravanner
*1 Tine Shrike
[/Creatures]
[Enchantments]
*1 Land Tax
*1 Legion Loyalty
*1 Norn&#039;s Decree
*1 Skrelv&#039;s Hive
*1 Virtue of Loyalty // Ardenvale Fealty
[/Enchantments]
[Artifacts]
*1 Aetheric Amplifier
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Astral Cornucopia
*1 Blade of Selves
*1 Boros Signet
*1 Contagion Clasp
*1 Contagion Engine
*1 Cursed Mirror
*1 Dolmen Gate
*1 Everflowing Chalice
*1 Glistening Sphere
*1 Grafted Exoskeleton
*1 Hedron Archive
*1 Hourglass of the Lost
*1 Mind Stone
*1 Recon Craft Theta
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Staff of Compleation
*1 Sundial of the Infinite
*1 Sword of Truth and Justice
*1 Talisman of Conviction
*1 Throne of Geth
[/Artifacts]
[Sorceries]
*1 Farewell
*1 Full Throttle
*1 White Sun&#039;s Twilight
[/Sorceries]
[Instants]
*1 Akroma&#039;s Will
*1 Path to Exile
*1 Razorgrass Ambush // Razorgrass Field
*1 Swords to Plowshares
*1 Untimely Malfunction
*1 Valakut Awakening // Valakut Stoneforge
[/Instants]
[Lands]
*1 Battlefield Forge
*1 Castle Embereth
*1 Command Tower
*1 Elegant Parlor
*1 Escape Tunnel
*1 Fabled Passage
*1 Forgotten Cave
*1 Inkmoth Nexus
*1 Karn&#039;s Bastion
*1 Mikokoro, Center of the Sea
*1 Mirrex
*10 Mountain
*1 Path of Ancestry
*9 Plains
*1 Rustvale Bridge
*1 Secluded Steppe
*1 Spectator Seating
*1 Temple of Triumph
*1 War Room
[/Lands]"></span></div>


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