<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Motherlode, Excavator" href="#" target="_blank">The Motherlode, Excavator</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://josusolanoart.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Josu Solano</a></em></p>
<hr />
<p>Hello, and welcome to <em>Am I the Bolas</em>?<strong> This week, what do you do when you reach the limit of "No Limits"?!</strong></p>
<p>This column is for all of you out there who have ever played some <em>Magic </em>and wondered if you were the bad guy. I'm here to take in your story with all of its nuances so I can bring some clarity to all those asking, "Am I the Bolas?"</p>
<p>I'm ready to hear you out and offer advice. All you have to do is email amithebolas@gmail.com with your story, a pseudonym you want to use, and of course, only include details you don't mind in the column! You might see your story below one day. You might even hear it on the podcast. Which podcast?</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-25893" src="https://commandersherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/bolcast_logo430x430-300x300.png" alt="" width="249" height="249" /></p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@AmITheBolcast" target="_blank" rel="noopener">THIS PODCAST!</a></p>
<p>I'm Mike Carrozza and I think this guy looks better without his little hat!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="The Reaper, King No More"></div></div>
<p><em>*Gif of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Reaper King" href="#" target="_blank">Reaper King</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> taking off his crown and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGnhhw_GrQg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">long hair flows out like a beautiful actress in a movie is being introduced</a>*</em></p>
<p>(Post edited for brevity, clarity, and then some.)</p>
<hr />
<h2>SUBMISSION</h2>
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<p><em>Hey Mike,</em></p>
<p><em>This is a game I played a while ago back when the <a href="https://edhrec.com/guides/edhrec-guide-to-commander-brackets">Bracket system</a> was new. It was a Bracket 4 game that was clearly indicated as such before the game started. I was playing a mass land destruction focused <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thalia and The Gitrog Monster" href="#" target="_blank">Thalia and The Gitrog Monster</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> deck. I don't remember what any of my opponents were playing. Considering that this was a Bracket 4 game, I thought that Mass Land Destruction, while annoying, was an acceptable deck to play.</em></p>
<p><em>Well, it couldn't have been further from the truth. Upon playing my first MLD spell, two of my opponents became livid and insisted that I shouldn't be playing MLD in a noncompetitive game. The third opponent was fine with an MLD deck but said something to the effect of "You should have announced that you were playing an MLD deck before the game started."</em></p>
<p><em>Now, had this been a lower bracket, I certainly would have asked permission to play MLD. But since this was Bracket 4, I didn't feel the need to give any sort of warning about my deck and thought that basically anything was fair game at this level of play (I didn't even win the game in question). But because all three of my opponents were at least somewhat critical of what I did, I have been second guessing how I handled this game and haven't attempted to play MLD in Bracket 4 since.</em></p>
<p><em>Am I the Bolas?</em></p>
<p><em>Storm of Crows</em></p>
</div>
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<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ruination"></div></div>
</div>
<hr />
<h2>VERDICT</h2>
<p>Thank you for writing and asking me to weigh in on your story. As I mention every week, if folks don't write to me, there's no column, so if you, the reader, want to send me a story, whether it's your own or one from Reddit or a friend's, please send it to amithebolas@gmail.com and I'll get to it here.</p>
<p>I'm a little confused by this one. Let's start with reminding everybody what Bracket 4 is from the latest update article on <a href="https://magic.wizards.com/en/formats/commander#brackets"><em>Magic</em>'s site</a>.</p>
<p><em>"BRACKET 4: OPTIMIZED</em><br />
<em>Players expect:</em></p>
<p><em>Decks not to adhere to the cEDH metagame reserved for Bracket 5 </em><br />
<em>Decks to be lethal, consistent, and fast, designed to take people down as fast as possible </em><br />
<em>Game Changers that are likely to be fast mana, snowballing resource engines, free disruption, and tutors </em><br />
<em>Win conditions to vary but be efficient and instantaneous </em><br />
<em>Gameplay to be explosive and powerful, featuring huge threats and efficient disruption to match </em><br />
<em>Generally, you should expect to be able to play at least four turns before you win or lose."</em></p>
<p>In the original beta of the Bracket System, Brackets 4 and 5 have no restrictions besides the banned list. Meanwhile, Brackets 1-3 discourage MLD, extra turn looping, and early two-card infinite combos. Having just one of these elements would bring your deck up to Bracket 4 immediately. It really feels like the only Bracket where anything goes - even cEDH is beholden to their own meta. Bracket 4 is where you can play powerful decks with more than three Game Changers. This is where the "no mass land denial" and "no looping extra turns" agreements are no longer.</p>
<p>There's a general understanding that no strategy is really off-limits because this is the Bracket where these strategies end up being accepted because it is the <em>only</em> place for them. So I am shocked to learn that these players would be upset. I understand that Bracket 4 has no restrictions, but now I'm recognizing something I had not considered yet: Are there subcategories to Bracket 4?</p>
<p>Is there a chance that some players simply put four Game Changers in their decks and have to report as playing Bracket 4 when still playing at a lower power level? Do some Bracket 4 players put a lot of emphasis on the C of cEDH as the defining difference between Brackets 4 and 5?</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rumbling Crescendo"></div></div>
<p>This submission is stuck in my craw. On the one hand, if you're playing land destruction, it should be discussed in the rule zero conversation. On the other hand, if anything goes and we're agreeing to play in Bracket 4, then telling you about it feels like it should be optional. Let me get this straight - I need to tell you about my mass land destruction so you're aware of it and can prepare for it while you don't give me any information on your deck just because you're not running land destruction, too?</p>
<p>Knowing about MLD will make you play differently: You'll hold onto extra lands in hand so you can recover better, you'll save counter magic to nullify the attempt at destroying all lands, and, if you're not prepared to play through such a playstyle, you'll probably be focusing your player removal efforts on the mass land destruction player before they even get a chance to eliminate lands.</p>
<p>In a pod where the agreement is to engage with the rules of a Bracket that says there are no rules (yeah, yeah, besides the banned list), how far does that extend? Does this mean a rule zero conversation around Bracket 4 games boils down to "Bracket 4? Okay, good!" repeated by every player? I would hope not.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="The Motherlode, Excavator"></div></div>
<p>Regardless of the Bracket, a rule zero conversation should be had. Even if it's a reminder of the Bracket's rule about having no rules, it might uncover that this game might be more Bracket 4-adjacent. Some folks really don't like to play against mass land destruction and I think that's fair. Discussing it before playing a game is important to get people on the same page. This is what the Bracket System is about, in the end. It's not the end-all solution to your pods, but rather it's a means to get the conversation partly started in a common understanding before discussing particulars if you don't accept them wholly.</p>
<p>However, given that Bracket 4 begins and ends with "just no banned cards," part of me believes it would have been up to your opponents to mention they don't want to play against mass land destruction in the rule zero conversation when sitting down for Bracket 4 Commander. Brackets 1 through 3, if someone had land destruction, even if it technically is not allowed in the Brackets, they would need to announce that this is something their deck does and it can be requested that they find a Bracket 4 game where it is understood to be accepted by default because it is, again, one of the <em>only</em><em> placements for this type of strategy. </em></p>
<p>I'm with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Crow Storm" href="#" target="_blank">Storm of Crows</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> here, to be honest. I don't think it should be necessary to announce that your deck does this. However, I do think that a reminder of the Bracket 4 rules is a good idea before starting. A blanket statement of "this is Bracket 4, anything goes - infinites, mass land destruction, extra turns, Game Changers galore - it's all in" and if someone objects, the conversation begins for real.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mine Layer"></div></div>
<p>Here's where I'll get a little more venomous about it though.</p>
<p>If you really, really, really want to play all those Game Changers and that's all that makes your deck a Bracket 4, then you'll have to get acquainted with some of the other stuff that's not available in lower Brackets. Oh, you don't want to face down mass land destruction? Bracket 3 is right there. Trim your Game Changer list down to three and get creative with your other slots.</p>
<p>I promise you that you don't need <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="Rhystic Study" href="#" target="_blank">Rhystic Study</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in every deck. Find some cool tech for your deck. Get weird with it. Not only will your deck be more personal to you and more specific in strategy, but it ensures that you're not up against the strategy that gets you crossing your arms and huffing at the LGS employee about how "it's not fair."</p>
<p>Sure, this is a reductive characterization of the opponents in OP's story, but I feel like there's a level of hypocrisy at play, here. If you really want to play in Bracket 4 and build Bracket 4 decks, then you show up for all of Bracket 4 or you have a conversation up front to discuss what you'd like excluded then deal with the consequences of this request. Whether that means moving forward with the game or having to find another table, that's on you.</p>
<p>Also, what the heck is a noncompetitive game? It's <em>Magic: The Gathering, </em>there's going to be a <em>winner</em> at the end of the game. It's inherently competitive. You decide whether you care about the competition or not, but it doesn't just stop existing because you're not interested in that aspect. You define your own wins if you eschew the traditional competitive aspect. If you want noncompetitive games, I would recommend having a lengthier rule zero conversation about what it is you expect from the game and you'll recognize that when you say noncompetitive in the second most competitive bracket, what you're saying will sound like "I want to have a better shot at doing what my deck does."</p>
<p>Isn't that a competitive statement when you're discussing a deck that belongs in the highest non-cEDH bracket?</p>
<p>Get acquainted with your inner wants and needs, then get other people involved.</p>
<p>Turns out, I'm pretty peeved at these opponents! I don't think you're the Bolas, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Crow Storm" href="#" target="_blank">Crow Storm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, but I think what you could start doing in Bracket 4 games is beginning the rule zero conversation with a reminder of the rules of the bracket and the expectation. No need to divulge the strategy, but lightly reminding everyone about it being accepted in this bracket should be enough to have the others pipe up if they oppose.</p>
<p>Thanks again for writing in.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Devastation"></div></div>


Am I the Bolas? - I Thought This Was Bracket 4!

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kormus Bell" href="#" target="_blank">Kormus Bell</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%E2%80%9CChristopher+Rush%E2%80%9D&amp;unique=art" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Christopher Rush</a></em></p>
<p>Hello, and welcome to <em>Am I the Bolas</em>?<strong> This week, blow it all up!</strong></p>
<p>This column is for all of you out there who have ever played some <em>Magic </em>and wondered if you were the bad guy. I'm here to take in your story with all of its nuances so I can bring some clarity to all those asking, "Am I the Bolas?"</p>
<p>I'm ready to hear you out and offer advice. All you have to do is email amithebolas@gmail.com with your story, a pseudonym you want to use, and of course, only include details you don't mind in the column! You might see your story below one day. You might even hear it on the podcast. Which podcast?</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-25893" src="https://commandersherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/bolcast_logo430x430-300x300.png" alt="" width="249" height="249" /></p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@AmITheBolcast" target="_blank" rel="noopener">THIS PODCAST!</a></p>
<p>I'm Mike Carrozza and I'm sick of this snow!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Snow Day"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-size: 16px;"><i>It's been a stormy Winter. </i></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 16px;">(Post edited for brevity, clarity, and then some.)</span></p>
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<h2>SUBMISSION</h2>
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<p><em>Dear Mike,</em></p>
<p><em>I was playing <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hansk, Slayer Zealot" href="#" target="_blank">Hansk, Slayer Zealot</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in a four-pod that was advertised as being Bracket 3. The player to my left was playing <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Toxrill, the Corrosive" href="#" target="_blank">Toxrill, the Corrosive</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Said Toxrill player has controlled an <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth" href="#" target="_blank">Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> for most of the game and just played a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kormus Bell" href="#" target="_blank">Kormus Bell</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Before he could move to end step, the player across from me destroyed his Toxrill, preventing the counters from hitting the board and wiping the lands.</em></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kormus Bell"></div></div>
<p><em>Now, my Hansk deck, naturally as a feature of the commander, plays a lot of cards that deal damage to all creatures. So in my hand was a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Delayed Blast Fireball" href="#" target="_blank">Delayed Blast Fireball</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> which I cast to deal two damage to wipe all of my opponents' lands off of the field. Both players across from me promptly conceded and seemed quite upset at me for destroying their lands, but it wasn't my <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kormus Bell" href="#" target="_blank">Kormus Bell</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or my <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth" href="#" target="_blank">Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>! Sure, the land destruction had been temporarily prevented by the player across from me destroying the Toxrill, but the entire point of Hansk is damage based board wipes, and I don't feel like it's my fault that I was able to take advantage of someone else's combo the way I did.</em></p>
<p><em>After the game, I revealed that I did in fact have artifact destruction in hand. I'm in Gruul after all! But since the <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Delayed Blast Fireball" href="#" target="_blank">Delayed Blast Fireball</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> was asymmetrical damage I felt like there was no need for me to use it. The other players expressed that they think I should have destroyed the <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kormus Bell" href="#" target="_blank">Kormus Bell</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and continued playing as normal since I know that mass land destruction is frowned upon in this group. I believe that the Toxrill player should remove the MLD combo from his deck to prevent this from happening again and that I did not do anything wrong in this game.</em></p>
<p><em><strong>Am I The Bolas for using someone else's combo to destroy everyone else's lands?</strong></em></p>
<p><em>Sincerely,</em></p>
<p><em>Locke</em></p>
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<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hansk, Slayer Zealot"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Delayed Blast Fireball"></div></div>
</div>
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<h2>VERDICT</h2>
<p>Thank you for writing and asking me to weigh in on your story. As I mention every week, if folks don't write to me, there's no column. So if you, the reader, want to send me a story, whether it's your own or one from Reddit or a friend's, please send it to amithebolas@gmail.com and I'll get to it here.</p>
<p>Feels like we can get this out of the way: Your opponent brought the mass land destruction combo to the table. If either of the other players have any anger to point your direction, here's a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Deflecting Swat" href="#" target="_blank">Deflecting Swat</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> from me to set the target to the Toxrill player. Ugh, Toxrill! In the command zone? You're building around that ability? How miserable! But valid, like what you like, sure. But, *shudders*.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Deflecting Swat"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Toxrill, the Corrosive"></div></div>
<p>Locke, you saw stars align and you decided to stare right into its glory. We play this game because of all the cool interactions 30+ years of game design can conjure up. Whether you're playing to win or you're looking to make the coolest play, there's one answer and you slammed it on the table. What a beautiful experience.</p>
<p>There are some games you get to be a bit of a villain with less of the blame. You didn't bring a knife to the knife fight, you just picked it up when it was dropped and now you've got the knife! Someone else came packing with the intention to engage in a bit of taboo and faux pas. The other part of this is that it's pretty funny. It's like the Toxrill player rolled a 1 and you hit a nat-20.</p>
<p>I also want to address your upset opponents who wanted you to blow up the <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kormus Bell" href="#" target="_blank">Kormus Bell</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> instead of taking advantage of it first. What right do you have to be upset that Locke found a clever way to solve his moving puzzle of a <em>Magic</em> game? If you were in his shoes, would you not think "Not only is this a clever and cool play, it also wins me the game"?</p>
<p>Let's not forget that <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Toxrill, the Corrosive" href="#" target="_blank">Toxrill, the Corrosive</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> was in play. A seven-drop creature in Dimir colors was in play. Did the stars align for a turn-two Toxrill? Unlikely, there was too much on the board, right? If this is several turns in and someone tried to nuke the lands, I'd say it's about time to go for a win. I also think that if you caused two players to scoop, you must've had a bunch of lands right? It's not like you're stuck on four lands and your opponents don't think they can get back in the game, I hope. Either way, shuffle up, we're going again.</p>
<p>Not the Bolas, actually a bit of a hero, frankly. I loved this play. Way to go!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Folk Hero"></div></div>


Am I the Bolas? - MLD for Thee, Not for Me

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Planetary Annihilation" href="#" target="_blank">Planetary Annihilation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://cristibalanescu.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Christi Balanescu</a></em></p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Planetary Annihilation" href="#" target="_blank">Planetary Annihilation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> was recently introduced by the Jund (<span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-b" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-g" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>) <a href="https://edhrec.com/precon/world-shaper" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>World Shaper</em> Commander precon</a> and challenges what the Commander Format Panel (<a href="https://magic.wizards.com/en/news/announcements/introducing-the-commander-format-panel" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CFP</a>) means when they say "No Mass Land Denial (MLD) for Brackets 1-3."</p>
<p>Until now, cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Armageddon|LEA|2" href="#" target="_blank">Armageddon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Obliterate|INV|156" href="#" target="_blank">Obliterate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> have been premier examples for what land destruction meant and subsequently what wasn't desired for Brackets 1-3.</p>
<p>Land destruction on its own wasn't enough to encapsulate just what the CFP had in mind when it came to explaining which playstyles they wanted reserved for higher Brackets, and so they broadened the term into Mass Land Denial to include stax strategies.</p>
<p>Cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Stasis|LEA|80" href="#" target="_blank">Stasis</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vorinclex, Voice of Hunger|NPH|127" href="#" target="_blank">Vorinclex, Voice of Hunger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> that explicitly seek to deny opponents access to basic and fundamental resources could now be included alongside land destruction spells under a single umbrella.</p>
<p>But this design philosophy has been focusing on instances where MLD is very "all-or-nothing." That's to say, players that seek to engage with MLD seek cards that are all encompassing, unrestricted. No one is running <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 its many variants by accident; MLD is intentionally built into a deck.</p>
<p>So what makes Planetary Annihilation so different?</p>
<h2>How Planetary Annihilation Changes MLD</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bend or Break|INV|137"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Static Orb|TMP|310"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Tangle Wire|NEM|139"></div></div>
<p>Denying your opponents Treasure generation with, say, a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Manglehorn" href="#" target="_blank">Manglehorn</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or sweeping everyone's <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Llanowar Elves|LEA|210" href="#" target="_blank">mana dorks</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> with a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Toxic Deluge|C13|96" href="#" target="_blank">Toxic Deluge</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is not MLD.</p>
<p>Yes, it denies a lot of resources your opponents have spent the game building, but it's fundamentally different than running a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mycosynth Lattice|DST|130" href="#" target="_blank">Mycosynth Lattice</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> + <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Karn, the Great Creator|WAR|1" href="#" target="_blank">Karn, the Great Creator</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> lock.</p>
<p>Your opponents <em>should</em> expect to be interacted with to some degree to prevent them from winning, but for Brackets 1-3, there's a social aspect that <em>must</em> be recognized before a game begins. Anyone can run enough MLD to win the game outright, but winning is not the singular goal of a Brackets 1-3 game.</p>
<p>A Bracket 1-3 Commander game seeks to allow players to explore their decks to varying degrees, but MLD often outright denies players this opportunity. This is where <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Planetary Annihilation" href="#" target="_blank">Planetary Annihilation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> stands out.</p>
<p>Where MLD cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cataclysm|EXO|3" href="#" target="_blank">Cataclysm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Trinisphere|DST|154" href="#" target="_blank">Trinisphere</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are devastating on their own, let alone easily exploitable in the right deck to act as one-sided stax pieces, Planetary Annihilation asks players to reset the game to a reasonable six lands instead.</p>
<p>That's it. No need to touch your nonbasic lands or scoop because your three-color aggro deck now must survive on a single <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Command Tower" href="#" target="_blank">Command Tower</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Odds are this spell is being resolved around turn 5-6 anyways, so it's likely that you won't need to touch any of your lands.</p>
<p>Even if this spell is resolved late game when everyone has fetched and ramped as much as they can, six lands is still a respectable amount of lands to build back from, especially considering no one's <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sol Ring|LEA|269" href="#" target="_blank">mana rocks</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> were harmed in the making.</p>
<p>Additionally, this spell really desires to be played one way or another. Either you would like to reduce everyone to six lands <em>or</em> deal six damage to each creature.</p>
<p>It's very rare someone would be willing to play a bunch of dorks just to ramp into a board wipe. And if they ramp with rocks instead? Who cares? Everyone has fewer than six lands, anyways.</p>
<h2>MLD as a Means of Playing Catch-Up</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Archaeomancer&#039;s Map|C21|12"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Land Tax|LEG|26"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Weathered Wayfarer|ONS|59"></div></div>
<p>Planetary Annihilation is very clearly an easy answer for players to answer a slower hand/deck, similar to how the three cards above seek to level the playing field through white's signature "find land if opponent has more land" clause.</p>
<p>Any deck that can run green is automatically at an advantage with land fetching, which is something some decks can't compete with outright. Other colors, like white and red, sometimes rely on green's acceleration in order to function.</p>
<p>Your opponent's Simic (<span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-u" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-g" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>) <em>landfall</em> deck that's three lands ahead to your Azorius (<span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-w" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-u" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>) Vehicles deck will forever be ahead of your curve. This is doubly-so if you receive a single <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vandalblast|RTR|111" href="#" target="_blank">Vandalblast</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>Ever thought that MLD was the answer to slowing them down? Kind of, but kind of not. Sure, you could build a Bracket 4 deck with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Armageddon|LEA|2" href="#" target="_blank">Armageddon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and sit happily with your many mana rocks, but I guarantee that the lands-matters deck will only need a turn or two before they have rebuilt everything Armageddon destroyed.</p>
<p>Now what if instead of Armageddon you ran <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Planetary Annihilation" href="#" target="_blank">Planetary Annihilation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>? Your opponent has used the majority of their land-fetching cards to create an unholy amount of 4/4 <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rampaging Baloths|ZEN|178" href="#" target="_blank">beasts</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and/or 1/1 <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Scute Swarm|ZNR|203" href="#" target="_blank">insects</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>Now you can wipe their mass of tokens <em>and</em> slow them down a bit without rationalizing your two other opponents as collateral. Sure, the Simic deck could try and find a few more lands or draw some more cards, but they're now wide open and have three opponents with ample room to stop them.</p>
<p>This space of allowing players the chance to catch up to those who have had faster starts to Commander games is where more design space ought to be explored.</p>
<p>Granting players the ability to take a growing or established battlefield and rewinding it to a reduced yet enjoyable state is the Goldilocks of Bracket 1-3 "MLD."</p>
<h2>How Should Precons Explore "MLD"?</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Angel of Despair|GPT|101"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ashen Rider|THS|187"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Woodfall Primus|NCC|322"></div></div>
<p>For starters, I would argue that <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Planetary Annihilation" href="#" target="_blank">Planetary Annihilation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and cards like it not be classified as Mass Land Denial spells. Shocker, I know. But it's important to appropriately distinguish Planetary Annihilation from actual MLD cards that should never be near a precon.</p>
<p>MLD should be clarified explicitly to include the intent to engage in MLD. Cards and strategies that actively seek to deny players access to such fundamentals like access to lands should not be what precons promote.</p>
<p>However, just because a precon shouldn't run MLD doesn't bar precons from running premium point removal. A precon that runs multiple <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Beast Within|NPH|103" href="#" target="_blank">Beast Within</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> effects can still be a precon and engage with a soft MLD design philosophy.</p>
<p>Imagine a precon that centers around creating copies of creatures, specifically creatures that trigger on entering. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Terastodon|WWK|115" href="#" target="_blank">Terastodon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> would be a safe inclusion for such a precon while exploring this concept of soft MLD.</p>
<p>In fact, there's no reason a new player <em>has</em> to choose lands as their targets. It's a new player, chances are they'll try and blow up everyone's <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sol Ring|LEA|269" href="#" target="_blank">Sol Ring</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> before they even consider lands as legal targets.</p>
<p>Giving new players the ability to safely explore MLD is an important learning experience. They should have the ability to remove their opponent's <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Karn&#039;s Bastion|WAR|248" href="#" target="_blank">Karn&#039;s Bastion</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nesting Grounds|C20|71" href="#" target="_blank">Nesting Grounds</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> if need be.</p>
<p>There's no need to go overboard; a precon has no reason to create a reliable/repeatable means of blowing up lands. But more precons with more cards exploring new ways to remove threats in an opponent's land pile ought to be encouraged.</p>
<h2>Yes, Precons Should Destroy (Some) Lands</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Beast Within|NPH|103"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Chaos Warp|CMD|114"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Eye of Nowhere|CHK|59"></div></div>
<p>Commander is best when every player can meaningfully engage in a game, letting their decks perform at their best and "doing the thing." Four players giving each other the ability to express themselves within a stack of some cardboard is what precons ought to strive for.</p>
<p>That being said, precons are not <em>just</em> for fun. They are undoubtedly tailored with enfranchised players in mind. It's only a matter of time before the next Standard set's Commander precon includes the latest and greatest utility land.</p>
<p>When such a time comes, it's only fair for each and every deck to have some means of dealing with lands that have been traditionally untouchable. More cards like Planetary Annihilation will enable for more interaction and thus a healthier game experience.</p>
<p>Traditional MLD can stay MLD, there's not a calling for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blood Moon|DRK|58" href="#" target="_blank">Blood Moon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to be available at Bracket 2. But what if WoTC started making Blood Moon <em>into</em> something precon friendly?</p>
<p>Something like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ultima, Origin of Oblivion" href="#" target="_blank">Ultima, Origin of Oblivion</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> may be worth dabbling with as a secondary Commander in a future precon, or perhaps a spin on <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Treasure Nabber" href="#" target="_blank">Treasure Nabber</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> that temporarily swipes nonbasic lands.</p>
<p>How do you feel about designs like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Planetary Annihilation" href="#" target="_blank">Planetary Annihilation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>? Do you think that exploring a soft kind of MLD in precons is inappropriate? What are some other ways you would test the bounds of MLD?</p>
<p>I hope that this article is helpful in exploring what MLD is and how we as players can use it to teach newer players, but I'd love to hear from you and what your thoughts may be. Tune in next time to continue this deep dive in the Bracket system and more Commander Philosophy!</p>


What Planetary Annihilation Means For Commander Precons

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Woodland Cemetery" href="#" target="_blank">Woodland Cemetery</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://twitter.com/christinechoi_?lang=en">Christine Choi</a>)</h6>
<h1>Introduction</h1>
<p>This time, the strange place we inhabit is the graveyard. A cemetery, a burial ground, a lichyard. Perhaps none of these is too accurate an appellation, as the headstones stretch to the horizon, and, towering as they are, rise up with the very landscape. No: they <em>are</em> the landscape.</p>
<p>Welcome to <em>Dual Shot</em>, where we brew two decks at the same time... in one deck. This list, at first glance, looks to be a land destruction deck inside a more typical lands deck. While you recycle your own lands with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lord Windgrace" href="#" target="_blank">Lord Windgrace</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Gitrog Monster" href="#" target="_blank">The Gitrog Monster</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="World Shaper" href="#" target="_blank">World Shaper</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, you'll also be burying your opponents' boards with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thoughts of Ruin" href="#" target="_blank">Thoughts of Ruin</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Helldozer" href="#" target="_blank">Helldozer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Keldon Arsonist" href="#" target="_blank">Keldon Arsonist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="World Shaper"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Helldozer"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Myriad Landscape"></div></div>
<p>But there's already a lot of overlap between the themes of <a href="https://edhrec.com/themes/lands">Lands</a> and <a href="https://edhrec.com/themes/land-destruction">Land Destruction</a>, according to our data. A few examples: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ramunap Excavator" href="#" target="_blank">Ramunap Excavator</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is showing as the #1 and #4 most synergistic cards in those lists, respectively. Windgrace is the most popular lands commander by far, and an easy second for piloting picks in land destruction lists. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="World Shaper" href="#" target="_blank">World Shaper</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Avenger of Zendikar" href="#" target="_blank">Avenger of Zendikar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Azusa, Lost but Seeking" href="#" target="_blank">Azusa, Lost but Seeking</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are all very popular choices within those themes, even when you take into account their usefulness and prevalence across all decks, regardless of thematic consideration.</p>
<p>Once you shy away from the salt-generating strategies of mass land destruction, inclusion rates for certain cards look very similar in these two themes. Deck recs tagged with these themes bleed into one another by shape and gestalt, and it can sometimes become difficult to distinguish these archetypes. One often incidentally includes the other.</p>
<hr />
<h2>The Undying Lands</h2>
<p>Instead, in truer <em>Dual Shot</em> fashion, the subtheme you'll be working with here is that of lichdom. And you'll be a lonely lord of the graveyard, as most of what you want to be sacrificing, milling, and destroying are your own lands. The creatures in this list are largely servants to that end. Otherwise, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lich&#039;s Mastery" href="#" target="_blank">Lich&#039;s Mastery</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Zuran Orb" href="#" target="_blank">Zuran Orb</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> create a bizarre engine for card draw and emergency fuel to avoid killing yourself with the lich's blessing. Phylacteries always have a funny drawback, don't they?</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Lich&#039;s Mastery"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Zuran Orb"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Claws of Gix"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Zuran Orb" href="#" target="_blank">Zuran Orb</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> only shows up in 1% of lists here at EDHREC, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lich&#039;s Mastery" href="#" target="_blank">Lich&#039;s Mastery</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> rears its head just 0.4% of the time. To that end, it's difficult to say that this is a Lands deck with a "lich" subtheme, since we don't have any data as to what that theme would look like. Usually, it seems, these sorts of cards show up as one-ofs: alternate win condtions (or, don't-lose conditions, I guess) that are difficult to nail down exactly right. But we need more than that for this experiment. Unfortunately, things like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lich" href="#" target="_blank">Lich</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nefarious Lich" href="#" target="_blank">Nefarious Lich</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> have very prohibitive mana costs, so they didn't make their way into this version, but with how much our lands move around, it's not completely unfeasible.</p>
<p>Aiding in our quest to become the lich lord, we have a package including <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fortune Thief" href="#" target="_blank">Fortune Thief</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Platinum Angel" href="#" target="_blank">Platinum Angel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vilis, Broker of Blood" href="#" target="_blank">Vilis, Broker of Blood</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Stunning Reversal" href="#" target="_blank">Stunning Reversal</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. These are the bare bones (heh) of the smaller side of the <em>Dual Shot</em>, and without diving into some of the less sane "lich tribal" cards (we'll get to those later), this risky subtheme is expanded upon with a number of cards whose synergies aren't immediately obvious.</p>
<p>That sought-after "bridge" concept we've explored in the past shines brightly with the exemplars of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Skola Grovedancer" href="#" target="_blank">Skola Grovedancer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Courser of Kruphix" href="#" target="_blank">Courser of Kruphix</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sophic Centaur" href="#" target="_blank">Sophic Centaur</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and a couple of life-gain taplands are paler imitators. Additionally, there are a few cards that belong in anyone's toolbox that perform especially well here. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Respite" href="#" target="_blank">Respite</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Constant Mists" href="#" target="_blank">Constant Mists</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, otherwise fairly typical <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fog" href="#" target="_blank">Fog</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> effects, prove to be multitaskers in this brew, fueling our lichdom and churning our graveyard, respectively.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Skola Grovedancer"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Courser of Kruphix"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sophic Centaur"></div></div>
<p>Anyway, let's see what alternate-reality Windgrace got up to after he was supposed to die.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Windgrace Lichdom" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Lord Windgrace
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Agent of Stromgald
*1 Azusa, Lost but Seeking
*1 Courser of Kruphix
*1 Elvish Reclaimer
*1 Fortune Thief
*1 Groundskeeper
*1 Helldozer
*1 Keldon Arsonist
*1 Living Twister
*1 Mina and Denn, Wildborn
*1 Neheb, Dreadhorde Champion
*1 Orcish Lumberjack
*1 Platinum Angel
*1 Ramunap Excavator
*1 Scaretiller
*1 Skola Grovedancer
*1 Solemn Simulacrum
*1 Sophic Centaur
*1 Springbloom Druid
*1 The Gitrog Monster
*1 Tireless Tracker
*1 Trench Wurm
*1 Turntimber Sower
*1 Valleymaker
*1 Vilis, Broker of Blood
*1 World Shaper
*1 Zhur-Taa Druid
[/Creatures]
[Instants]
*1 Beast Within
*1 Comet Storm
*1 Constant Mists
*1 Crop Rotation
*1 Firestorm
*1 Grisly Salvage
*1 Putrefy
*1 Respite
*1 Stunning Reversal
*1 Tribute to the Wild
[/Instants]
[Sorceries]
*1 Conflagrate
*1 Cultivate
*1 Decree of Pain
*1 Edge of Autumn
*1 Hurricane
*1 Inner Fire
*1 Life from the Loam
*1 Mwonvuli Acid-Moss
*1 Nylea&#039;s Intervention
*1 Reprocess
*1 Splendid Reclamation
*1 Thoughts of Ruin
*1 Worm Harvest
[/Sorceries]
[Artifacts]
*1 Alhammarret&#039;s Archive
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Claws of Gix
*1 Golgari Signet
*1 Gruul Signet
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Swiftfoot Boots
*1 Zuran Orb
[/Artifacts]
[Enchantments]
*1 Ayula&#039;s Influence
*1 Lich&#039;s Mastery
*1 Mana Flare
*1 The Mending of Dominaria
[/Enchantments]
[Lands]
*1 Akoum Refuge
*1 Barren Moor
*1 Bojuka Bog
*1 Cinder Glade
*1 Command Tower
*1 Dragonskull Summit
*1 Evolving Wilds
*1 Field of Ruin
*5 Forest
*1 Forgotten Cave
*1 Jungle Hollow
*1 Luxury Suite
*4 Mountain
*1 Myriad Landscape
*1 Overgrown Tomb
*1 Reliquary Tower
*1 Rootbound Crag
*1 Savage Lands
*1 Sheltered Thicket
*1 Smoldering Marsh
*1 Spire Garden
*5 Swamp
*1 Temple of Malady
*1 Terramorphic Expanse
*1 Tranquil Thicket
*1 Woodland Cemetery
[/Lands]"></span></div>

<hr />
<h2>The World Churns</h2>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wildfire" href="#" target="_blank">Wildfire</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> seems to be fair enough as a single way to deal with lands <em>en masse</em>, and would make for a fun inclusion, but otherwise the targeted land destruction should be enough to deal with any difficult nonbasics your opponents might field. Really, what you'll be doing is moving your own lands around in a constant dance, stirring the very earth beneath you as one would a soup.</p>
<p>(Do not drink the soup.)</p>
<p>Those cards we mentioned earlier, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lich" href="#" target="_blank">Lich</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nefarious Lich" href="#" target="_blank">Nefarious Lich</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, are awfully risky, aren't hexproof, and realistically, if you have two of these effects on board, you're probably going to lose. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Oath of Lim-Dul" href="#" target="_blank">Oath of Lim-Dul</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> seems a bit less likely to end in disaster. But there's nothing quite like a tutor to completely change the direction of your deck. Something like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mastermind&#039;s Acquisition" href="#" target="_blank">Mastermind&#039;s Acquisition</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> might be a better option to augment the lich tribal subtheme.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Lich"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mastermind&#039;s Acquisition"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Lich&#039;s Mirror"></div></div>
<p>Speaking of, there are quite a few lich effects that aren't in our colors. Cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Illusions of Grandeur" href="#" target="_blank">Illusions of Grandeur</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Delusions of Mediocrity" href="#" target="_blank">Delusions of Mediocrity</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Transcendence" href="#" target="_blank">Transcendence</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are all interesting but outside of our identity. Messing with these effects seems thematically viable, superficially, anyway. It's just that these are as likely to lose you the game as anything else. Under <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lord Windgrace" href="#" target="_blank">Lord Windgrace</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>'s tutelage, having a yard full of permanents seems like a reasonably safe way to offset that danger, but as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lich&#039;s Mastery" href="#" target="_blank">Lich&#039;s Mastery</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> eats away our discard pile, your land recursion strategy weakens.</p>
<p>The inclusion I most wanted to slot in was <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lich&#039;s Mirror" href="#" target="_blank">Lich&#039;s Mirror</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. It felt safely redundant - having Mastery and the Mirror out together means that if you're about to drown in your own strange circuity (read: Mastery completely backfires), you can target <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lich&#039;s Mastery" href="#" target="_blank">Lich&#039;s Mastery</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> with its own ability (it has hexproof, not shroud), losing you the game but for the Mirror's saving graces.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p>It might be fun to try grabbing every card with the word "lich" in its name...</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Lichenthrope"></div></div>
<p>(Reserved List!)</p>
<p>But this deck was an attempt to try and meaningfully focus lichdom as a subtheme, here supporting a larger strategy of rather recklessly moving permanents between zones. Some "tribes" are indeed supported in the sense that there are quite a lot of cards befitting that particular strategy, but prove difficult to combine in an effective way, and demand a good deal of creativity to come up with any sort of thematic cohesion. Then there are tribes that simply lack the cards, like, for example, Moose tribal.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Norwood Riders"></div></div>
<p>Oh, no, wait. That's an Elf.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Game-Trail Changeling"></div></div>
<p>Ah, there! Technically a Moose, I think.</p>
<p>See what I mean?</p>
<p>Anyway, that's it for this week... and for a few other weeks, at that. <em>Dual Shot</em> will be taking a brief break to try and <a href="https://edhrec.com/cards/brisela-voice-of-nightmares">hideously merge</a> some more subthemes and superthemes together for your heckling, er, reading pleasure. In the meantime, let us know what unexplored themes you've tried playing with, and what the results were. Was it something a bit more visible, like liches, or as our own <a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/author/kyle-massa/">Kyle Massa</a> explored <a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/mechanically-minded-proliferate/">one year ago</a>, <em>Proliferate</em>? Or was it significantly stranger, like eyepatch tribal? Seriously, there are only like three Pirates who fit that bill. Not an easy deck to build.</p>
<p>Well, until next time. Have fun, and stay safe out there!</p>


Dual Shot - The Gravelands

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Decree of Annihilation" href="#" target="_blank">Decree of Annihilation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?action=advanced&amp;artist=[%22John%20Avon%22]">John Avon</a>)</h6>
<h1>Ask and You Shall Receive... Terror</h1>
<p>Hey everyone! Kya here once again! Welcome back to <em>Combining Hobbies</em>, the series where we take your favorite non-<em>Magic</em> games and use their unique elements to create amazing EDH decks!</p>
<p>So this month's article is going to be an interesting one. In a constant quest to challenge myself as a player and writer, I recently asked <a href="https://twitter.com/kya_vess">Twitter</a> the best way to train in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber:</p>
<p><a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/67256740_586023578472091_6469326568710733824_n.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-46180" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/67256740_586023578472091_6469326568710733824_n.jpg" alt="" width="504" height="318" /></a></p>
<p>It took less then a minute for one of my good friends over on Twitter to come up with an interesting idea! Many others also came up with some amazing subjects, but this one stuck out immediately.</p>
<p>Despite it not being everyone's cup of tea, I personally love land destruction! It's one of the most game-changing moves one can make with a single spell. For those who've read my articles before, you'll know that I've even <a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/spreading-the-love-getting-your-significant-other-to-play/">recommended</a> using the theme for newer players to get them interested in the game for the first time. You may have even seen me use Mass Land Destruction (MLD) in quite a few <a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/bringing-magic-to-life-suspending-annihilation/">articles</a> to finish the game quickly with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jhoira of the Ghitu" href="#" target="_blank">Jhoira of the Ghitu</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>!</p>
<p>So why is it that my friend's question is so difficult to write about?</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Armageddon"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Jokulhaups"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Decree of Annihilation"></div></div>
<p>Because as he suggested, it's not for everyone. Mass Land Destruction is very much frowned upon in many pods, as some of you might know and agree with. Why? The very simple answer is that it's the ultimate form of Stax without the possibility of recovering quickly. That's my personal opinion, at least. It's treated much differently than destroying artifacts or creatures because those can more quickly be rebuilt. However, without the basic building blocks known as lands, life on your playmat will not regrow in any reasonable amount of time. This is the fundamental difference between MLD and other forms of Stax or destruction. Your typical player does not enjoy sitting there not playing their deck for any reason, and it's very important for them and yourself to understand who you are sitting across from.</p>
<p>So despite this, why does Kya play Mass Land Destruction?</p>
<hr />
<h2>When You Upset Your Dungeon Master</h2>
<p>Some players - like yours truly - enjoy pods where gigantic plays and silly interactions are celebrated far more than winning. EDH, at the end of the day, is an excuse for friends to gather together and enjoy their company. How they do this is completely defined by that group. Personally I find memorable plays from <em>anyone</em> to be the bee's knees and more memorable than which player won which game. I don't even care if it's me doing the insane play - if it's crazy enough, I'll help others complete their miracles on the field in any way I can!</p>
<p>If I could make any comparison, playing some themes such as <a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/turning-data-into-decks-rocking-with-rakdos/">Group Hug</a>, <a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/turning-data-into-decks-part-2-creating-chaos/">Chaos</a> or MLD is a lot like being the Dungeon Master at the table. My joy comes from creating an environment for others to adventure in. Sometimes I'll be nice to my adventurers and play my Group Hug deck, creating a smooth adventure without many obstacles. Or maybe I'll be a silly DM where even I don't know what will happen next with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Warp World" href="#" target="_blank">Warp World</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>! Or sometimes... sometimes... I'll be a very cruel Dungeon Master, with the intent of making their adventure one of the most difficult experiences that a poor level 1 rogue could partake in after wandering into that tavern.</p>
<p>Today is one of those days! Grab your dice and prepare for a cruel and an uncaring world where you'll be lucky to survive a random rabbit that crosses your path!</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/67256740_586023578472091_6469326568710733824_n-1.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-46189" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/67256740_586023578472091_6469326568710733824_n-1.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="280" /></a></p>
<h2>Magic Missile Zo-Zu</h2>
<p>As mentioned, we're not going to be a friendly DM today. Our goal is to create an unstable and dangerous road to victory for those brave enough to venture forth. If they're not careful, any move they make will result in a full party wipe! So who will be our mascot behind the DM's screen?</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Zo-Zu the Punisher"></div></div>
<p>That's right! <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Zo-Zu the Punisher" href="#" target="_blank">Zo-Zu the Punisher</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will let everyone in the party know that this campaign isn't for the inexperienced. Every step into a new land will be welcomed with pain. What's best about Zo-Zu is that players will have to actively balance their need to ramp with their need to keep their life above 0! Know what makes this even more difficult? Blowing up lands!</p>
<p>Making players lose life while replenishing the losses you've caused will definitely make everyone a bit more cautious. Hopefully our brave souls will learn the value of teamwork and work together to bring you down before the cold grip of doom embraces them! Of course, as any Dungeon Master will tell you, it takes quite a bit of preparation and planning before hosting friends into your world. I'll leave out a lengthy screed on the simple land destruction cards we already know I'm adding to this deck. Let's see what <em>else</em> we have in store for them, instead, that'll mix nicely with all this land hate!</p>
<hr />
<h2>A Story of Endless Possibilities</h2>
<p>Excited to get started? Well, calm down and wait just a moment! We're playing mono-red here, and we have to make sure we have enough tricks up our sleeves to keep everyone entertained. I know it's not the fun part, but let's slot our deck with plenty of draw options:</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Tormenting Voice"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Reforge the Soul"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mind&#039;s Eye"></div></div>
<p>Whew, I don't know about the rest of you but I always feel more comfortable building a new deck when I know I'll always have a hand. I know it's not an explosive start to being the world's most frightening DM, but fear not! I promise you cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wheel of Fate" href="#" target="_blank">Wheel of Fate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will be sure to surprise an adventurer who thinks they started with great stats.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Your Bestiary of Horrors</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mine Layer"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Akki Blizzard-Herder"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dwarven Miner"></div></div>
<p>Now that we've got scenarios in our hand, it's time to fill our world with tiny terrors! Goblins and Dwarfs are plentiful in Dungeons &amp; Dragons, so they'll make a special appearance in our deck. Even better, many of them do<i> not</i> like the concept of players having the edge up on them. By removing player's lands, we'll keep them from leveling up too quickly. Of course, they can always play another land, but if they do, they're going to take more damage from our commander!</p>
<hr />
<h2><a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/73248931_551510652345677_3613300082830475264_n.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-46190" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/73248931_551510652345677_3613300082830475264_n.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="279" /></a></h2>
<h2>Dragons and Titans</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hellkite Tyrant"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bearer of the Heavens"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Etali, Primal Storm"></div></div>
<p>Every good fantasy world has its big baddies. We'll keep ours limited, to keep these encounters special, but sometimes your table needs an opportunity of growth. Plus, excuse you: how <em>dare</em> you try and get around my land destruction with mana rocks!? There's always that one person trying to derail the DM. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hellkite Tyrant" href="#" target="_blank">Hellkite Tyrant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will put an end to that immediately, though, so no worries!</p>
<p>I know what you're thinking: how on Earth are we going to get so much mana if we're going to be blowing up lands left and right? Don't worry, we have some more critters who'll be happy to help!</p>
<hr />
<h2>Staying One Step Ahead</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Neheb, the Eternal"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Braid of Fire"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sneak Attack"></div></div>
<p>Despite not being green, red manages to have a lot of sneaky ways to get mana and big creatures out without using lands. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Neheb, Dreadhorde Champion" href="#" target="_blank">Neheb, Dreadhorde Champion</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a second <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Neheb, the Eternal" href="#" target="_blank">Neheb, the Eternal</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> that'll also help out! <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sneak Attack" href="#" target="_blank">Sneak Attack</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> seems scary enough, but imagine <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bearer of the Heavens" href="#" target="_blank">Bearer of the Heavens</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> coming into play just to die immediately. Oh, boy! It's not our fault if Wisdom wasn't one of their more focused stats. Maybe they'll learn for next time!</p>
<p>Oh, and that <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Braid of Fire" href="#" target="_blank">Braid of Fire</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> might look odd to you, but what are you going to do with all that mana and no instants to enjoy it? Remember, we have a lot of creatures with tap effects that cost mana. Looks like we can save the lands for other purposes. Now that's using your noodle.</p>
<hr />
<h2>When They Roll a One</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ankh of Mishra"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Manabarbs"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Blood Moon"></div></div>
<p>Sometimes an adventurer just gets unlucky. The RNG gods are cruel mistresses to even the best of us. However. a mishap in their roll is a gift to you! Any of these lucky draws will assist in our commander casting <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Firebolt" href="#" target="_blank">Firebolt</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> left and right! If they're not careful, they'll be down to 10 life very quickly! It's not all punishments, though. We can help this wandering party stay together by ensuring that one doesn't run too far ahead of the others with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blood Moon" href="#" target="_blank">Blood Moon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> effects!</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/67256740_586023578472091_6469326568710733824_n-2.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-46191" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/67256740_586023578472091_6469326568710733824_n-2.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="263" /></a></p>
<h2>Cthulhu and the End Times!</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kozilek, Butcher of Truth"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Comet Storm"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Decree of Annihilation"></div></div>
<p>You know, there's only so much as a Dungeon Master that you can do to help out the party. Sometimes the party refuses to work together, and things get out of control. In these cases, the emperor's mercy is the only option left for a caring DM such as yourself. It's here where we add our true Mass Land Destruction spells to start them back at square one. Maybe going back to their starting point will help them learn what to do differently. If not? Well, Cthulhu will be more then happy to assist with a nasty <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sneak Attack" href="#" target="_blank">Sneak Attack</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>! Or maybe we use the already-useful <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Reiterate" href="#" target="_blank">Reiterate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Seething Song" href="#" target="_blank">Seething Song</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> together with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Comet Storm" href="#" target="_blank">Comet Storm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> for a devastating finale they'll be sure to remember! Getting three combo pieces without any tutors will be tough, but if you're stalling them like you should be, it'll happen eventually!</p>
<p>Now let's put it all together!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Dungeon Master" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Zo-Zu the Punisher
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Solemn Simulacrum
*1 Neheb, the Eternal
*1 Orcish Settlers
*1 Avalanche Riders
*1 Magus of the Wheel
*1 Neheb, Dreadhorde Champion
*1 Akki Blizzard-Herder
*1 Magus of the Moon
*1 Treasure Nabber
*1 Mine Layer
*1 Dwarven Driller
*1 Dwarven Miner
*1 Dwarven Blastminer
*1 Keldon Firebombers
*1 Etali, Primal Storm
*1 Kozilek, Butcher of Truth
*1 Ulamog, the infinite gyre
*1 Hellkite Tyrant
*1 Bearer of the Heavens
*1 Torbran, Thane of Red Fell
*1 Heartless Hidetsugu
*1 Stoneshaker Shaman
[/Creatures]
[Instants]
*1 Boil
*1 Comet Storm
*1 Reiterate
*1 Seething Song
*1 Chaos Warp
*1 Tormenting Voice
[/Instants]
[Sorceries]
*1 Devastation
*1 Jokulhaups
*1 Seismic Spike
*1 Faithless Looting
*1 Decree of Annihilation
*1 Obliterate
*1 Tectonic Break
*1 Wheel of Fortune
*1 Wheel of Fate
*1 Wake of Destruction
*1 Bend or Break
*1 Wildfire
*1 Epicenter
*1 Reforge the Soul
*1 Tremble
*1 Vandalblast
*1 Thoughts of Ruin
[/Sorceries]
[Artifacts]
*1 Meekstone
*1 Storm Cauldron
*1 Mind&#039;s Eye
*1 Thran Dynamo
*1 Worn Powerstone
*1 Sol Ring
*1 fire Diamond
*1 Ruby Medallion
*1 Crucible of Worlds
[/Artifacts]
[Enchantments]
*1 Price of Glory
*1 Furnace of Rath
*1 Braid of Fire
*1 Manabarbs
*1 Sulfuric Vortex
*1 Impending Disaster
*1 Blood Moon
*1 Sneak Attack
*1 Blood Sun
[/Enchantments]
[Lands]
*1 Myriad Landscape
*1 Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle
*1 Strip Mine
*1 Wasteland
*1 Darksteel Citadel
*31 Mountain
[/Lands]"></span></div>

<hr />
<h2>Closing Thoughts</h2>
<p>What does everyone think of my playstyle? Would you be willing to be the table's Planechase and try and navigate your victims - I mean, friends - through a unique adventure? Before you completely dismiss MLD or Group Hug, I'll simply state that it's a very distinct variation from your average game, and that there's a lot you can learn from it if you haven't tried it! It'll hopefully create some laughs for your friends to joke about for a while, if nothing else. Just a friendly reminder: get the consent of your table first before trying to be purposely disruptive!</p>
<p>Now, for my fellow maniacs: let's find out if we're alone out there or not, shall we? What do you think about land destruction? Let me know in the comments! Also, a quick poll to see how many disciples of destruction are out there:</p>
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<p>Until next time,</p>
<p>Kya</p>


mass land destruction

Am I the Bolas? - I Thought This Was Bracket 4!

Am I the Bolas? - MLD for Thee, Not for Me

What Planetary Annihilation Means For Commander Precons

Dual Shot - The Gravelands

Combining Hobbies - Dungeon Masters, Jokulhaups and You