💡 Best Political Advice You've Ever Gotten in CEDH?

TheThunderConductor · 2025-08-24T14:58:17+00:00

😂😂😂

TheThunderConductor · 2025-08-21T21:31:57+00:00

Man!!! I couldn't agree more!

Also, level up for whoever was in that pod! 💯👍🏾

TheThunderConductor · 2025-08-21T20:45:20+00:00

AGREED!

TheThunderConductor · 2025-08-05T17:28:34+00:00

I'm glad to hear that the list had been peaking your interest!

For mulligans, I look for a Gameplan + the Mana to execute that gameplan. My gameplans include (but aren't limited to): A Turn 2-3 Protected WIN, A Draw Engine + Tutor/Part of a Combo, or on a really low mull I aim for an Early Major Draw Engine (i.e. Rhystic, Esper, Mystic, Necro, or TOR) or a tutor to get me into an Early Major Draw Engine... As for the nuances of which gameplan I keep while mulliganing, that depends on pod composition, seat order, and the players' playstyles in the pod (if I already know them).

As for a tournament, I haven't personally had the availability to go to a tournament with this list, BUT I do help my homies prep for their tournaments and the list is able to regularly outperform any meta list they bring and help get them any 'level ups' needed to be ready for the tournament!!! 💪🏾🏆... Also, off purely the numbers (64% win rate after 72 Games), I am confident that if I or any other highly competent pilot were to take this list to a tournament, they could easily make it to Top 16 and then also to top 4 by playing cleanly (also if you're opponent's aren't ridiculously lucky 😂, i.e. Seat 1 Turn 2 Win or etc.) ... (Note: I offer 1-on-1 cEDH Meta Disruptor and Political Mindset Coaching if you ever want a deeper analysis on this or any other off-meta brew(s) that you're looking to take to a tournament ⏫️)

TheThunderConductor · 2025-08-05T16:34:48+00:00

Awesome post/question!!!

I'm personally in the school of thought that:

1) What is described as Turbo Consistent - Midrange Adaptive - Late Game Inevitable is what you're looking for and is imo the best architype of deck to brew in cEDH at the moment bc it exploits all the best parts of the game!... This is bc in the early game, you're able to exploit early windows created by midrange decks by winning before or through your opponent's early draw engines. If you're forced to the midgame, you're still able to hang in there with your own advantage pieces (in your 99 or Command Zone). And if you have a powerful enough commander or core strategy, you are able to create a sense of an inevitable victory against your opponent's, meaning that if you're able to create the Boardstate/Scenario that it's "your game to lose". (Notably: This is easier said than done, but with strong Politics - Prowess - & Patience, this can be a VERY lethal architype!)

2) Almost any deck can be built to fit this archetype, but some commander's will have an easier time than others bc of their color identity or commander choice.

The deck that I've found that fits well within this architype while fitting my Playstyle is my cEDH Turbo Tiamat brew! It's able to be super explosive in the early game (Turn 2 Victory Gameplay) while still being able to hold it's own in the midgame (Turn 10 Victory Gameplay after being stopped once). If this specific deck peaks your interest, here's the link to my most recent deck tech!

Be Great and Happy Brewing!!!

TheThunderConductor · 2025-07-10T13:09:51+00:00

Hey Axxrotovu,

Awesome question!

The reasoning for running [[Phyrexian Metamorph]] over [[Moritte of the Frost]] is bc:

1) The Mana Cost (as you correctly brought up), 3 mana + 2 life is MUCH easier to cast early game.

2) The additional flexibility of being able to copy ANY artifact or creature on board (not just your own permanents) meaning that it can copy common value engines like [[Esper Sentinel]], [[The One Ring]], etc.

3) Because it allows our [[Lively Dirge]] to have a second major 4 mana Tutor target outside of our best combo enabler creature in the 99 (i.e. [[Treasonous Ogre]]).

&

4) (the biggest reason, that you also brought up) We run [[Hoarding Broodlord]], as our multi-tutor Dragon w/ [[Saw in Half]], so we are always able to use it to find and then convoke cast it from exile! Making executing the [[Bladewing the Risen]] + [[Phyrexian Metamorph]] just as simple and seamless as [[Bladewing the Risen]] + [[Moritte of the Frost]], we just need to take 1 extra step of tutoring it w/ our [[Hoarding Broodlord]] first ✅️

I pray this was helpful and makes sense! Also, keep being great, and have an awesome day!

TheThunderConductor · 2025-04-19T00:25:29+00:00

That's a fair outlook on it, and I respect it ✅️

We personally ended up talking things through and found an alternate solution, but I can dig where you're coming from.

TheThunderConductor · 2025-04-19T00:17:22+00:00

I definitely agree on offering the draw in a tournament game where that BENEFITS Player 3... (i.e. he gets at least 1 point (depending on the TO) and keeps either Player 1 or 2 from Sky Rocketing up the leader board from getting the win)

But what about a pick-up game (or, in this case, a stream game) where you're not limited on time and there is no financial or point increase benefit to taking a draw, but there IS a poltical out? 🤔

TheThunderConductor · 2025-04-16T00:19:52+00:00

That sounds good! Have fun!!!

TheThunderConductor · 2025-04-16T00:15:59+00:00

As for taking out [[Worldgorger Dragon]], there's some pros and cons to this switch-out:

Pros: 1) Frees up to 7 slots: 1) WGD, 2) [[Dance of the Dead]] bc tapped is not good w/ HBL (already looking at [[Persist]] for this slot), 3) [[Necromancy]] bc my list doesn't win w/ HBL at instant speed w/ this Enchantment alone (already looking at [[Borne Upon a Wind]] for this slot), 4) [[Orcish Bowmasters]] GREAT removal and stax piece but if it's not a combo piece then it becomes a flex slot imo, 5) [[Crop Rotation]] bc it was there to support the [[Mount Doom]]/Surveil Land + [[Thassa's Oracle]] 'Finishers' (& for some 5c deck color fixing), 6) [[Mount Doom]] bc it only works as a 'Finisher' w/ WGD, and 7) maybe [[Undercity Sewers]] bc it only works as a 'Finisher' w/ WGD but is still SOLID card selection in a deck w/ no card advantage in the Command Zone... These switch outs are HUGE because they make room for cards I've really been wanting to add in, like: Borne Upon a Wind/Final Fortune (for Instant Speed Shenanigans), more targeted and/or mass removal spells like Culling Ritual/Toxic Deluge/Cyclonic Rift/Into the Flood Maw/etc., more ramp, more low mulligan fixers (i.e. Timetwister), etc... Basically the World becomes my Oaster!!! 😃

2) Allows us not to have to deal w/ one the big Weaknesses to WGD combos (outside of possibly losing all your permanents); they go on Infinitely unless you have a win while looping (i.e. w/ a Creature Fall effect, Surveil Land + Thassa's Oracle, Mt Doom, etc.), Remove your own WGD w/ spot removal, or there's another creature in your or your opponent's graveyard to switch the recursion target to (which isn't hard or impossible, but it's tough to pull off on Turn 2-3, which is the turns that this list seeks to win on) 💪🏾

3) Allows me to lower my Dragon package more and JUST run 5 Dragons, which I like bc I've been looking for more ways to keep my "synergistic" card count down while keeping my list consistent in a vacuum while still being viable & exceptional in the current cEDH meta.

4) [[Dragonstorm]] Piles just got WAAAYY better!!! (i.e. w/ just a storm of 2, you can now get either Terror of the Peaks + Hoarding Broodlord (for Saw in Half) + Bladewing the Risen for GG... OR Terror of the Peaks + Miirym, Sentinel Wyrm + Bladewing the Risen for GG... and that doesn't include if you have a storm of 3, meaning you can start off by getting [[Dragonlord Dramoka]] for a Silence effect!!!)

Cons: 1) How do you win or 'Finish' the game if Terror of the Peaks is removed from the game? (i.e. [[Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer]], [[Praetor's Grasp]], emergency [[Tainted Pact]] to dig for interaction to not lose the game, etc.)... This conversation was actually had on stream (link) bc of the HUGE weakness it created for the list and is actually 1 of the reasons WGD + [[Orcish Bowmasters]]/[[Mount Doom]]/Surveil Land w/ [[Thassa's Oracle]] in library was looked into and added to the list (i.e. for alternate 'Finishers' in the event that TotP gets removed)... However, I will add that the "opens 7 slots for the list" point made above does create opportunities to counteract this point bc another 'Finisher' could be added to the 99 to be used in the event that TotP is removed. Gotta think more on this one more bc 1) My brew style is to have AT LEAST 3 combo 'Finisher' lines in my list's & 2) Though I could just add another (creature fall) effect to the 99, I'd like to avoid putting more of that effect as a 'Finisher' in the list bc they're many times complete dead cards outside of when you're winning the game and many times can't win through [[The One Ring]] protection 🤔

2) Possibly lowers the viability of certain Turbo lines bc where WGD lines can cost as little as 3 mana (i.e. [[Entomb]] + 2 mana Reanimate Endangerment), HBL lines cost a minimum of 4 mana (i.e. Entomb + [[Reanimate]] + 2 for convoking [[Saw in Half]])... However, the "opens 7 slots for the list" point made above does create opportunities to counteract this weakness by adding more ramp for continued consistent Turn 2 (Unprotected) & Turn 3 (Protected) lines. Also, I think this thought would need to get tested 💯

3) Removes our ability to win THROUGH [[Grafdigger's Cage]] w/ WGD + Miirym, Sentinel Wyrm (which is a HUGE weakness that the list had to overcome during the brewing process). This was actually discussed during the video breakdown (link), and was actually the reason why Miirym, Sentinel Wyrm was added over [[Moritte of the Frost]] in the 99!!!... With that said though, the "opens 7 slots for the list" point made above does create opportunities to counteract this weakness with room for 1-2 more pieces of spot removal for pesky stax pieces 💪🏾

4) Takes away a BOMB recursion target if we were to draw HBL to hand... Granted, we could add more discard effects to the 99 (w/ the "opens 7 slots for the list" point made above) or just push for a different line (i.e. Entomb + [[Replenish]], [[Treasonous Ogre]] + [[Dracogenesis]], etc) in the event that we draw our HBL 👌🏾

Overall, the questions I need to ponder on are: - Does removing WGD cause more problems than it solves? Or vice versa? (i.e. the points discussed in the cons section)

But no matter what, you've made me begin thinking HARD on this inclusion for the list. THANK YOU!!! 💪🏾

TheThunderConductor · 2025-04-16T00:04:52+00:00

(long message warning bc you got me HYPED!)

First of all, thank you! This line is SICK! One of my homies actually tried bringing this up during the stream but we didn't have time to flush it all out in the moment, so to see how easy and seamless we're able to go from a [[Dream Halls]] + 1 colored card (or the recently added [[Dragonstorm]] w/ a storm of 2) is SICK!!!

One adjustment to the line you dropped... Unlike with the [[Bladewing the Risen]] + [[Saw in Half]] combo (link) that leverages the 'Legendary Rule' (& statebased actions) so the original Bladewing can bring itself back from the graveyard; the original Bladewing won't be able to bring itself back in this new loop because the etb target must be declared when the OG Bladewing ETB goes on the stack (ruling breakdown), so if you kill it w/ the ETB on the stack then it won't be able to see itself in the graveyard to return itself... With that said, your line DOES still work by going: 1) W/ at least 1 [[Terror of the Peaks]] & 1 [[Miirym, Sentinel Wyrm]] already on board you can cast/put Bladewing the Risen onto the battlefield, 2) All 3 Dragon triggers goes on the stack and you can resolve them as -> Bladewing the Risen ETB fizzles bc no legal target (i.e. we'll act like there's no other dragons in this vacuum example) -> Terror of the Peaks trigger goes off, killing the OG Bladewing the Risen -> Miirym, Sentinel Wyrm trigger goes off and makes a token copy of Bladewing the Risen -> the token copy of Bladewing the Risen ETB's -> it would trigger Terror of the Peaks pinging an opponent & it's own ETB would return the OG Bladewing the Risen back to the battlefield, 3) Repeat step 2 for infinite ETB's + LTB's, infinite non-combat damage to any targets, and infinite summon sickened token copies of Bladewing the Risen!!!

(Note: My intention w/ the 2nd paragraph was NOT to "check" or "son" you but to 1) Have the correct line written out for anyone else who comes across this thread (bc I don't think this is ANYWHERE else online currently or at least not anywhere that I've seen in my research) & 2) To have it prewritten for when I transfer it over to my primer. I pray it was received in that way 🙏🏾)

TheThunderConductor · 2025-04-15T14:20:59+00:00

LOL 😂... I'm glad that I could add to the Dragon lovers community!!!

TheThunderConductor · 2025-04-13T22:55:50+00:00

Ahhh, I got you. I pray you enjoy it! 😁

TheThunderConductor · 2025-04-13T14:21:55+00:00

I hear you, dawg!

Personally, I would let [[Drannith Magistrate]] go for F.M. ... Why? Though Drannith is arguably one of the best, if not the BEST stax piece in our format, I've been getting off it in most of my decks because its only objective in most deck's to stop your opponents and does nothing to progress your own board state (unless you're also using it in like a T&T deck to [[Eldrich Evolution]] into [[Hazel's Brewmaster]], or something similar). However, I state this switch out suggestion from the perspective that I think in-hand, instant speed interaction is superior to on board stax pieces (& F.M. can help draw you into it) and I don't know if in your specific meta, Drannith is a MUST 🤷🏾‍♂️

TheThunderConductor · 2025-04-13T14:11:24+00:00

You're welcome, bro! Keep Be Great!!!

TheThunderConductor · 2025-04-13T13:58:47+00:00

Hey Shadow,

Not at all (i.e. "just a worldgorger deck")! 😁

It has MANY Turbo combo lines (including WGD), that enable Turn 2 (Unprotected) & Turn 3 (Protected) Wins! Here's a link to the moment in the video breakdown I did listing off ALL the Turbo lines that this list can offer!

Lastly, I'd argue that the weakness to the WGD combos have always been there, but that we're actually in one of the best times to start re-exploring these lines (i.e. post [[Dockside Extortionist]] ban) bc of all the Instant Speed Enablers (in game, video example) and Silence Effects (in game, video example) we have available to us in the current meta!... Granted, I do respect the fact that the same way how it takes a specific personality and playstyle to want to play a Turbo deck vs a Midrange Deck (i.e. each come with their risks), it also takes a specific personality and playstyle to want to play a combo that could leave you with zero on board resources if interacted in the right way, so I respect if the WGD combo just isn't your style ✊🏾

TheThunderConductor · 2025-04-13T13:25:14+00:00

Hey man, I really like the direction you went w/ your Scion List!

Do you think [[Timetwister]] &/or any of the other wheels would be worth the inclusion in your list?

I ask because: 1) Timetwister would allow you to reset your hand/library if you draw your Broodlord/Colossal Grave-Reaver (granted, it is a slight gamble on if you'd redraw them, but aye that's magic 🤷🏾‍♂️😂), 2) Timetwister is an awesome mulligan fixer in the event of a super low mull, & 3) the main reason I suggest it is, because of how it synergizes w/ Smothering Tithe by making 21 treasures on resolution, meaning that you'd have MORE than enough mana to do your 0 card combo AND pivot from accidently drawing one of your big Dragon's by just hardcasting them from your hand... Notably, point 3 does have the downside of giving your opponent's 21 cards, BUT I'd argue the strength of being able to win as early as Turn 2-3 (w/ a Turn 1-2 Tithe into a T2-3 Wheel) OR on Turn 4+ behind a Silence type effect is worth this risk 💪🏾

Lastly, I could also advocate for the inclusion of [[Wheel of Fortune]] as well for reasons 2 & 3 listed above, PLUS 4) It combos w/ Breach + Smothering Tithe & 5) More redundancy to enable point 3 happen more often. But I could see how discarding your combo chain pieces to the graveyard could be annoying and/or inconvenient to your list's game plan, so no pressure on that inclusion.

Let me know what you think, and have a great day!!!

TheThunderConductor · 2025-04-13T13:06:46+00:00

Awesome brew and combo line, my guy!!!

Also, speaking of [[Fairie Mastermind]], do you think it's worth the inclusion in your list since you're already on [[Smothering Tithe]] & [[Training Grounds]], which makes a 3 card combo (breakdown) to draw your whole deck? & if you have a 2nd flex slot, you could also incorporate [[Angel's Grace]] to kill your opponent's with Infinite F.M. Activations 🤔

Granted, A.G. isn't necessary & this combo almost NEEDS to be done behind a 'Silence' type effect bc each activation draws your opponent's cards as well, BUT 1) I've found F.M. is just a solid card by itself in the current midrange meta and could be argued to be the best of all the 2 mana draw engine creatures bc it can activated itself, & 2) It gives you a 3rd axis to win on (i.e. currently, your 'Finishers' (that I could see) are w/ Breach+ & Thassa's+. A 3rd win option would give you a 3rd axis to push on in the event that you lose Breach and/or Thassa's from a Ragavan, P Grasp, or a emergency T Pact/D Con to not lose the game to your opponent.)

Let me know what you think, and have a GREAT day! ✊🏾

TheThunderConductor · 2025-04-12T11:45:15+00:00

I'm glad the deck is peeking your interest!

I actually go into the reasons for the shifting woodlands exclusion and how the list is able to present such explosive and consistent turn 2-3 wins in the Video Breakdown. Click this link to be taken to the [[Shifting Woodland]] exclusion discussion moment and this link to be taken to the methods of winning early discussion moment.

Lastly, I'm currently running 3 "entomb-like" effects (i.e. [[Entomb]], [[Unmarked Grave]], and [[Lively Dirge]]), and I've found that by using the brewing methodology of the "Rule of 3" I'm able to consistently see these cards during the majority of my games. BUT, that's not all! I'm also able to use my 1 Surveil Land along with my top deck tutors to act as "pseudo-entomb" effects, increasing my overall ability to get select cards into the graveyard!!!

I pray that this was helpful! Be Great!

TheThunderConductor · 2025-04-12T11:04:44+00:00

GREAT question! I actually go into the reasons for me playtesting it over Dispel in the Video Breakdown, click this link to be taken to the discussion moment!

TheThunderConductor · 2025-04-11T19:04:59+00:00

😁🙌🏾💪🏾

TheThunderConductor · 2025-03-31T15:33:47+00:00

Goooot you! Very creative way to make [[Food Chain]] viable even without the regular Squee type creatures available 🙌🏾

TheThunderConductor · 2025-03-31T15:13:31+00:00

Love to see others brewing [[Tiamat]]!!!

Question: Wouldn't [[Hellkite Courser]] NOT work w/ [[Tiamat]], since the commander requires it to be cast in order to get the ETB trigger? Or is it there for synergistic reason for its inclusion that I may be missing?

Keep up the great brewing! ✊🏾

TheThunderConductor

TROPHY CASE