<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Arcum&#039;s Astrolabe" href="#" target="_blank">Arcum&#039;s Astrolabe</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/igorkieryluk" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Igor Kieryluk</a></em></p>
<p>It's time to announce the finalists for this month's Archidekt Deckbuilding Contest!</p>
<p>In case you missed the <a href="https://archidekt.com/contest/18813146" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announcement post</a>, this is a monthly contest with a different theme each month. Your goal is to build a Commander-legal deck that fulfills the prompt in a creative or unique fashion. At the end of each month, three finalists will be selected for you to vote on. Whoever gets the most votes will be crowned the winner, although all three finalists receive a prize.</p>
<p><strong>As a reminder, this month's prompt was to brew a Commander-legal deck that aims to utilize the snow mechanic as a large part of the deck's theme or game plan in a significant yet creative and interesting way.</strong></p>
<p>We collected submissions from the Archidekt newspost and evaluated them based on their creativity and originality.</p>
<p>Now, it's your turn to decide who'll be crowned the winner.</p>
<p>Read about each deck list below, then visit your favorite and upvote them on Archidekt. Whoever has the most upvotes by <strong>Wednesday, January 28, 2026 </strong>will be the winner, and receive $250 credit to <a href="https://www.cardsphere.com/signup?referrer=archidekt_contest&amp;utm_source=edhrec" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">cardsphere.com</a>.</p>
<p>Second and third place will receive $150 and $100 <a href="https://www.cardsphere.com/?referrer=archidekt_contest&amp;utm_source=edhrec" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">cardsphere.com</a> credits, respectively.</p>
<p>Here are the three finalists chosen for this month's contest, presented in no particular order. Follow the link in each deck list to vote on your favorite!</p>
<h2><a href="https://archidekt.com/decks/18801742?referrer=contest_discord" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Riku's Snowbear Slinging Scuffle</a> by friscomm</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Riku&#039;s Snowbear Slinging Scuffle" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="https://archidekt.com/decks/18801742" cards="[Commander]
*1 Riku of Two Reflections
[/Commander]
[Draw]
*1 Arcum&#039;s Astrolabe
*1 Ascendant Spirit
*1 Blessing of Frost
*1 Frost Augur
*1 Frostcliff Siege
*1 Glacial Revelation
*1 Graven Lore
*1 Ice-Fang Coatl
*1 Marit Lage&#039;s Slumber
*1 Ohran Frostfang
*1 Ohran Viper
*1 Pilfering Hawk
[/Draw]
[Finisher]
*1 Abominable Treefolk
*1 Avalanche Caller
*1 Chandra&#039;s Ignition
*1 Conifer Wurm
*1 Rimefeather Owl
*1 Soul Immolation
*1 Spirit of the Aldergard
[/Finisher]
[Copy]
*1 Deceptive Frostkite
*1 Glasspool Mimic // Glasspool Shore
*1 Mirror Image
*1 Mockingbird
*1 Mythos of Illuna
*1 Naga Fleshcrafter
*1 Spark Double
[/Copy]
[Mill]
*1 Iceberg Cancrix
[/Mill]
[Ramp]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Boreal Druid
*1 Centaur Omenreader
*1 Coldsteel Heart
*1 Farseek
*1 Glittering Frost
*1 Herd Heirloom
*1 Into the North
*1 Nature&#039;s Lore
*1 Replicating Ring
*1 Rime Tender
*1 Sculptor of Winter
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Three Visits
[/Ramp]
[Removal]
*1 Berserk
*1 Blizzard Brawl
*1 Fling
*1 Icebreaker Kraken
*1 Kazuul&#039;s Fury // Kazuul&#039;s Cliffs
*1 Minsc &amp; Boo, Timeless Heroes
*1 Pyrrhic Blast
*1 Self-Destruct
*1 Thud
[/Removal]
[Protection]
*1 Heroic Intervention
*1 Lightning Greaves
*1 Rhythm of the Wild
[/Protection]
[Creature]
*1 Icehide Golem
*1 Saddled Rimestag
[/Creature]
[Counters]
*1 Boreal Outrider
[/Counters]
[Tutor]
*1 Chord of Calling
*1 Finale of Devastation
*1 Green Sun&#039;s Zenith
*1 Nature&#039;s Rhythm
*1 Spellseeker
[/Tutor]
[Recursion]
*1 Eternal Witness
[/Recursion]
[Lands]
*1 Command Tower
*1 Frontier Bivouac
*1 Highland Forest
*1 Highland Weald
*1 Ketria Triome
*1 Rimewood Falls
*1 Scrying Sheets
*1 Shimmerdrift Vale
*19 Snow-Covered Forest
*8 Snow-Covered Island
*1 Snow-Covered Mountain
*1 Volatile Fjord
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Abominable Treefolk"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rimefeather Owl"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Spirit of the Aldergard"></div></div>
<p>To start us off we have this <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Riku of Two Reflections" href="#" target="_blank">Riku of Two Reflections</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> list by friscomm. The main plan for this brew is to build up as many snow permanents as possible, aided in part via Riku's copy ability, and then fling the most swole of the bodies directly at your opponent's head like a giant, frozen Treefolk/Owl/Bear-ball.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Abominable Treefolk" href="#" target="_blank">Abominable Treefolk</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rimefeather Owl" href="#" target="_blank">Rimefeather Owl</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Spirit of the Aldergard" href="#" target="_blank">Spirit of the Aldergard</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are the best targets in the deck to both fling and copy as they scale with the number of snow permanents. Cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Green Sun&#039;s Zenith" href="#" target="_blank">Green Sun&#039;s Zenith</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Finale of Devastation" href="#" target="_blank">Finale of Devastation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can help ensure they're readily available, and alongside Riku's ability, clones like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mockingbird" href="#" target="_blank">Mockingbird</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mirror Image" href="#" target="_blank">Mirror Image</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can duplicate them once they're on the field.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Chandra&#039;s Ignition"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Fling"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Thud"></div></div>
<p>Once hulked up to lethal size, there's more than half a dozen ways to turn these snow-puffed creatures into deadly projectiles, cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Chandra&#039;s Ignition" href="#" target="_blank">Chandra&#039;s Ignition</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fling" href="#" target="_blank">Fling</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Self-Destruct" href="#" target="_blank">Self-Destruct</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pyrrhic Blast" href="#" target="_blank">Pyrrhic Blast</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. And if you aren't lucky enough to draw into one of them, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Spellseeker" href="#" target="_blank">Spellseeker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can spell-seek them out for you.</p>
<p>The deck isn't entirely reliant on blasting damage to the face, however; <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Berserk" href="#" target="_blank">Berserk</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can turn one of these frost inflated critters into a double-sized trampling avalanche. And because it doesn't destroy the creature until the end of the turn, the creature can be flung at someone after it successfully attacks.</p>
<h2><a href="https://archidekt.com/decks/18844926/ognis_avalanche" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ognis Avalanche</a> by Cloudbreaker</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Ognis Avalanche" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="https://archidekt.com/decks/18844926" cards="[Commander]
*1 Ognis, the Dragon&#039;s Lash
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Akki Battle Squad
*1 Ardoz, Cobbler of War
*1 Avatar Kyoshi, Earthbender
*1 Badgermole Cub
*1 Bumi, Unleashed
*1 Chatterfang, Squirrel General
*1 Dai Li Agents
*1 Dryad of the Ilysian Grove
*1 Earthbending Student
*1 Goblin Engineer
*1 Goldspan Dragon
*1 Goldvein Hydra
*1 Goro-Goro, Disciple of Ryusei
*1 Grand Warlord Radha
*1 Hellkite Charger
*1 Hellrider
*1 Hideous Taskmaster
*1 Kellogg, Dangerous Mind
*1 Magda, Brazen Outlaw
*1 Magda, the Hoardmaster
*1 Mastermind Plum
*1 Professional Face-Breaker
*1 Reckless Lackey
*1 Rime Tender
*1 Roxanne, Starfall Savant
*1 Ruthless Knave
*1 Samut, Vizier of Naktamun
*1 Sculptor of Winter
*1 Shadow the Hedgehog
*1 Skullport Merchant
*1 Smellerbee, Rebel Fighter
*1 Stridehangar Automaton
*1 The Boulder, Ready to Rumble
*1 Thundering Raiju
*1 Toph, Earthbending Master
*1 Toph, Greatest Earthbender
*1 Toph, Hardheaded Teacher
*1 Toph, the Blind Bandit
*1 Urabrask the Hidden
*1 Vazi, Keen Negotiator
[/Creatures]
[Artifacts]
*1 Amulet of Vigor
*1 Hammer of Purphoros
*1 Hearthhull, the Worldseed
*1 Sunstone
[/Artifacts]
[Enchantments]
*1 Bitter Work
*1 Earthbender Ascension
*1 Glacial Crevasses
*1 Invigorating Hot Spring
*1 Rhythm of the Wild
*1 Solid Ground
[/Enchantments]
[Sorceries]
*1 Bumi&#039;s Feast Lecture
*1 Dai Li Indoctrination
*1 Demonic Tutor
*1 Dimir Machinations
*1 Earth Rumble
*1 Into the North
[/Sorceries]
[Instants]
*1 Constant Mists
*1 Gold Rush
*1 Silkguard
*1 Vampiric Tutor
[/Instants]
[Planeswalkers]
*1 Minsc &amp; Boo, Timeless Heroes
[/Planeswalkers]
[Lands]
*1 Amonkhet Raceway
*1 Arena of Glory
*1 Ba Sing Se
*1 Command Tower
*1 Highland Forest
*1 Highland Weald
*1 Inventors&#039; Fair
*1 Savage Lands
*8 Snow-Covered Forest
*10 Snow-Covered Mountain
*7 Snow-Covered Swamp
*1 Sulfurous Mire
*1 Tresserhorn Sinks
*1 Twisted Landscape
*1 Woodland Chasm
*1 Ziatora&#039;s Proving Ground
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Constant Mists"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Glacial Crevasses"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sunstone"></div></div>
<p>Next up we have Cloudbreaker's Ognis Avalanche list, a deck whose stated goal is to be as aggressive as possible. This deck is built around launching all-out attacks each and every turn with earthbended lands with no thought paid to crack-backs because the deck's pilot is being protected by <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>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Glacial Crevasses" href="#" target="_blank">Glacial Crevasses</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sunstone" href="#" target="_blank">Sunstone</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>Most Commander decks run ramp just as a matter of course, but here it serves the purpose of providing fodder to the fog engines while also putting lands out that can be turned to creatures using the new earthbending mechanic from the <em>Avatar</em> set. Because of how earthbending works, these sacrificed lands return to play, available to be sacrificed to feed the fogs again and again.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Avatar Kyoshi, Earthbender"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Toph, Earthbending Master"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Toph, Greatest Earthbender"></div></div>
<p>It's a perfect example of how to eliminate the downside/cost of a card. Normally using damage prevention effects like <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> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sunstone" href="#" target="_blank">Sunstone</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> costs you a land, gradually weakening you while also putting you on a clock. You get weaker and weaker each turn just surviving. Here, however, not only does earthbending auto-magically recur your lands to play, but you can also use them as attackers to create Treasures that advance your board state instead of receding it.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rhythm of the Wild"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hammer of Purphoros"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Invigorating Hot Spring"></div></div>
<p>There's plenty of haste enablers in the list to ensure all these lands can attack and generate Treasures, and they're ones that stack. If you have <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rhythm of the Wild" href="#" target="_blank">Rhythm of the Wild</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in play and draw a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hammer of Purphoros" href="#" target="_blank">Hammer of Purphoros</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, for example, neither are dead cards as you can still use Rhythm to put counters onto creatures, or use Hammer to sacrifice a land to make a Golem.</p>
<p>And the land you sacrifice? If it was earthbended it will come back to play, and it might come back to play untapped if there's an <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Amulet of Vigor" href="#" target="_blank">Amulet of Vigor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> on the field.</p>
<h2><a href="https://archidekt.com/decks/18948948/fractal_blizzard_orvars_snowcovered_singularity" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fractal Blizzard: Orvar's Snow-Covered Singularity</a> by pensierostupendo94</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Fractal Blizzard: Orvar&#039;s Snow-Covered Singularity" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="https://archidekt.com/decks/18948948" cards="[Commander]
*1 Orvar, the All-Form
[/Commander]
[Removal]
*1 An Offer You Can&#039;t Refuse
*1 Counterspell
*1 Cyclonic Rift
*1 Fierce Guardianship
*1 Heidar, Rimewind Master
*1 Icebreaker Kraken
*1 Narset&#039;s Reversal
*1 Rapid Hybridization
*1 Resculpt
*1 Scourge of Fleets
*1 Snap
*1 Sublime Epiphany
*1 Swan Song
*1 Winter&#039;s Rest
[/Removal]
[Ramp]
*1 Aquitect&#039;s Will
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Cloud of Faeries
*1 Extraplanar Lens
*1 Hidden Strings
*1 High Tide
*1 Iceberg
*1 Mind Games
*1 Mitotic Manipulation
*1 Moonlace
*1 Peregrine Drake
*1 Sapphire Medallion
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Thought Vessel
*1 Trait Doctoring
[/Ramp]
[Draw]
*1 Archmage Emeritus
*1 Ascendant Spirit
*1 Cerulean Wisps
*1 Flow of Knowledge
*1 Frantic Search
*1 Graven Lore
*1 Leap
*1 Marit Lage&#039;s Slumber
*1 Mulldrifter
*1 Mystic Remora
*1 Ponder
*1 Preordain
*1 Rhystic Study
*1 Thermal Flux
*1 Wavebreak Hippocamp
*1 Windfall
[/Draw]
[Proliferate]
*1 Clockspinning
[/Proliferate]
[Blink]
*1 Displace
*1 Essence Flux
*1 Ghostly Flicker
*1 Teferi&#039;s Time Twist
[/Blink]
[Untap]
*1 Dream&#039;s Grip
*1 Twiddle
[/Untap]
[Copy]
*1 Gigadrowse
[/Copy]
[Tutor]
*1 Merchant Scroll
*1 Muddle the Mixture
*1 Solve the Equation
[/Tutor]
[Finisher]
*1 Rimefeather Owl
[/Finisher]
[Evasion]
*1 Shadow Rift
[/Evasion]
[Lands]
*1 Dark Depths
*1 Faceless Haven
*1 Frostwalk Bastion
*1 Mouth of Ronom
*1 Mystic Sanctuary
*1 Reliquary Tower
*1 Scrying Sheets
*32 Snow-Covered Island
*1 Terrain Generator
*1 Thespian&#039;s Stage
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Orvar, the All-Form"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Thermal Flux"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Twiddle"></div></div>
<p>This brings us to the deck Fractal Blizzard: Orvar's Snow-Covered Singularity submitted by pensierostupendo94, a deck that digs deep into the archives to find cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thermal Flux" href="#" target="_blank">Thermal Flux</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to use as a strategic linchpins.</p>
<p>Thermal Flux gives any permanent the snow supertype until the end of the turn, and Orvar creates a copy of any permanent targeted with an instant or sorcery. Functionally, in targeting snow lands with cheap spells, you can use Orvar to ramp yourself to the moon. If you hit a land with a spell like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Twiddle" href="#" target="_blank">Twiddle</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, you not only untap it to use it again but you make a copy of it to give you more mana to cast more spells.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dark Depths"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Marit Lage&#039;s Slumber"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Thespian&#039;s Stage"></div></div>
<p>So what are you going to do with all the mana you make in the early game? Why, summon <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Marit Lage" href="#" target="_blank">Marit Lage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, of course. Both <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dark Depths" href="#" target="_blank">Dark Depths</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Marit Lage&#039;s Slumber" href="#" target="_blank">Marit Lage&#039;s Slumber</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can be used to wake the immense planes-treading Avatar from the depths where she lies dreaming, not dead. This mana can be pumped into either the land to trigger the token creation, or to hit the snow permanent threshold on Slumber. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="" href="#" target="_blank"></a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>Thespian's Stage<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="" href="#" target="_blank"></a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> servers as a backup way to free the Great One from her icy prison as well.</p>
<p>Once summoned, a 20/20 indestructible flying Avatar token should wrap things up quickly and with extreme prejudice.</p>
<hr />
<p>There you have it, our finalists for the January 2025 Archidekt Deckbuilding Contest.</p>
<p>Which is your snowy favorite? Follow the links in the headers of each section to visit the deck pages and vote for the one you think should win!</p>
<p><strong>The final rankings based on your votes will be announced on Wednesday, January 28th, 2026.</strong></p>


Archidekt Deckbuilding Contest Finalists - January 2026

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Experimental Frenzy" href="#" target="_blank">Experimental Frenzy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.monsterart.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Simon Dominic</a></em></p>
<div></p>
<p>Hello, and welcome back to the Archidekt Deckbuilding Contest.</p>
<p>This is a monthly contest with a different theme each month. Your goal is to build a Commander-legal deck that fulfills the prompt in a creative or unique fashion. At the end of each month, three finalists will be selected for you to vote on.</p>
<p>Whoever gets the most votes will be crowned the winner, although all three finalists receive a prize.</p>
<p>This month we're embracing the holiday spirit and challenging you to build the most convoluted combo.</p>
<p></div>
<div></p>
<h2>What’s the Contest All About?</h2>
<p>Working within the parameters of the prompt provided below, construct a deck list with your own creative spin. Three chosen finalists will be awarded <a href="https://www.cardsphere.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">store credit to use on Cardsphere</a>.</p>
<p><strong>For December's deck building contest - </strong>build a Commander-legal deck that aims to execute a combo requiring five or more cards.</p>
<p>Decks will be judged on the creativity and originality of their combo, as well as how they assemble the combo. Extra consideration will be given to decks that omit universal tutors (<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Demonic Tutor" href="#" target="_blank">Demonic Tutor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gamble" href="#" target="_blank">Gamble</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, etc.) or exclude tutors entirely.</p>
<p>Here's a link to <a href="https://commanderspellbook.com/search/?q=cards%3E4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Commander Spellbook</a> for a list of combos that include five or more cards.</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Time Vault"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Voltaic Key"></div></div></p>
<p></div>
<p>Combo decks have been an integral part of <em>Magic</em> since the very beginning. From realizing the combo exists to finding the perfect balance of cards to actually make it happen in a game, there are few experiences as satisfying as finally watching your creation actually work. It's also one of the most exciting archetypes to watch, especially if you've never seen a particular combo before.</p>
<p>Playing <em>against</em> combo, though, can be frustrating, especially in a social format like Commander. Having a game end suddenly, possibly before your deck had really gotten going, isn't a great experience.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Punishing Fire"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Grove of the Burnwillows"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Jeskai Ascendancy"></div></div>
<p>A great way to avoid this feels-bad experience is to play combos that require many cards to pull off. Avoiding generically good tutors like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Demonic Tutor" href="#" target="_blank">Demonic Tutor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can also help, and can make it even more satisfying for you when you're able to combo off.</p>
<p>One of my personal favorite combo decks was a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Garth One-Eye" href="#" target="_blank">Garth One-Eye</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> deck that won with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jeskai Ascendancy" href="#" target="_blank">Jeskai Ascendancy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Voyaging Satyr" href="#" target="_blank">Voyaging Satyr</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bloom Tender" href="#" target="_blank">Bloom Tender</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grove of the Burnwillows" href="#" target="_blank">Grove of the Burnwillows</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Punishing Fire" href="#" target="_blank">Punishing Fire</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. At its core the deck used <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Punishing Fire" href="#" target="_blank">Punishing Fire</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to generate advantage with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Archmage Emeritus" href="#" target="_blank">Archmage Emeritus</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jadzi, Oracle of Arcavios" href="#" target="_blank">Jadzi, Oracle of Arcavios</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, drawing through the deck until it found the rest of the combo.</p>
<p>The tutors in the deck were focused on finding <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Punishing Fire" href="#" target="_blank">Punishing Fire</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grove of the Burnwillows" href="#" target="_blank">Grove of the Burnwillows</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, though <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Final Parting" href="#" target="_blank">Final Parting</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> could find the other combo pieces in an emergency. You can see the <a href="https://archidekt.com/decks/2216340/garth_oneeye" target="_blank" rel="noopener">full list here</a>.</p>
<p>Part of what made this deck fun to play was the challenge of assembling all the pieces. But it also had a game plan other than just comboing off. Using part of the combo to establish an engine made it easier for opponents to identify and interact with my game plan, and made the eventual combo feel more satisfying because it clearly built on my early and mid game.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Panharmonicon"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Illusionist&#039;s Bracers"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker"></div></div>
<p>But that's just one way to build a cool combo deck. There are plenty of other five-card combos out there, and plenty of other ways to make them fun to play. Show us something we've never seen before!</p>
<h2>How To Participate</h2>
<ul>
<li>Brew a Commander-legal deck on <a href="https://archidekt.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Archidekt</a> that satisfies the prompt.</li>
<li>Any unreleased cards spoiled during the contest’s duration are allowed.</li>
<li>Silver-bordered and acorn cards, while cool, are not allowed.</li>
<li>Digital-only cards (such as those designed for the Alchemy format on Arena) are not allowed.</li>
<li>Strictly one deck submitted per user.</li>
</ul>
<p>As of a couple months ago, we've also revamped the submission process. Decks must now be submitted on Archidekt via a button on the <a href="https://archidekt.com/contest/17942324" target="_blank" rel="noopener">newspost</a>. This will make it easier to view all submissions in a single place. Additionally, it will simplify the process of writing a description by sharing the same text on the submission page and the deck page itself.</p>
<p>You can also comment on individual decks directly from the submission, making those discussions easier to find and track later.</p>
<p>To submit a deck, select the orange button labeled "Submit a deck to this contest" and follow the form prompt. Submissions are accepted until <strong>9:00 pm EST</strong> (UTC -4, currently) on <strong>Wednesday, December 10, 2025</strong>.</p>
<p>Only one submission per user! If you change your mind and want to submit a different deck before submissions close, you may do so by first deleting your submission. To edit your description, you can do so from the deck page itself.</p>
<p>From the eligible submissions, we'll select three finalists with lists that we believe best embody the spirit of the prompt. Deck descriptions are not required but certainly may provide valuable context!</p>
<div></p>
<p>On <strong>Wednesday, December 17, 2025</strong>, we’ll announce three finalists via the Archidekt Discord and a brief article on EDHREC highlighting each deck.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.cardsphere.com/sets" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Each finalist will be awarded credit to use on Cardsphere</a>. The value of the credit is in US dollars and depends on the finalist's placement in deck upvotes at the end of the week-long polling period:</p>
<ul>
<li>1st Place Prize - $250</li>
<li>2nd Place Prize - $150</li>
<li>3rd Place Prize - $100</li>
</ul>
<p></div>
<p>Finalists will be contacted via email regarding their winnings within roughly 24 hours following the conclusion of voting on <strong>Wednesday, December 24, 2025</strong>.</p>
<p>Please note, you must have a Cardsphere account in order to receive your winnings. It's quick and free - <a href="https://www.cardsphere.com/signup?referrer=archidekt_contest" target="_blank" rel="noopener">register here</a> if you don't have an account already!</p>
<p>Here are the <a href="https://archidekt.com/contestRules" target="_blank" rel="noopener">official contest rules</a>. If you have any questions, feel free to ask here, or join the Archidekt <a href="https://discord.gg/sctEc9Ru36" target="_blank" rel="noopener">public Discord server</a>. We look forward to seeing what you all come up with!</p>


Archidekt Deckbuilding Contest - December 2025

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Spectral Shift" href="#" target="_blank">Spectral Shift</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://johnavonart.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">John Avon</a></em></p>
<div></p>
<p>Hello, and welcome back to the Archidekt Deckbuilding Contest. I'm back from vacation and ready to go, so let's get right into it!</p>
<p>This is a monthly contest with a different theme each month. Your goal is to build a Commander-legal deck that fulfills the prompt in a creative or unique fashion. At the end of each month, three finalists will be selected for you to vote on.</p>
<p>Whoever gets the most votes will be crowned the winner, although all three finalists receive a prize.</p>
<p>This month we're taking <em>Magic</em>'s creatures and pushing them into unfamiliar territory in the color pie.</p>
<p></div>
<div></p>
<h2>What’s the Contest All About?</h2>
<p>Working within the parameters of the prompt provided below, construct a deck list with your own creative spin. Three chosen finalists will be awarded <a href="https://www.cardsphere.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">store credit to use on Cardsphere</a>.</p>
<p><strong>For November's deck building contest - </strong>build a Commander-legal kindred/typal deck in colors that you wouldn't expect for that creature type.</p>
<p>Decks will be judged on their creativity, originality, and how unexpected their color identity is for the chosen creature type.</p>
<p></div>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Pantlaza, Sun-Favored"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Krenko, Mob Boss"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Lathril, Blade of the Elves"></div></div>
<p>Kindred decks are an iconic part of <em>Magic</em>. The ability to summon classic mythical creatures like Angels and Dragons are a huge draw to the game, and many players' first decks are focused around a single creature type.</p>
<p>Which isn't to say these decks are only for beginners. Some of the most powerful competitive decks throughout <em>Magic</em>'s history have been built around Humans, Elves, and Merfolk.</p>
<p>In Commander, however, this can make a kindred deck predictable and repetitive, especially if you've been playing it for a few years.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Borborygmos Enraged"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Nadier, Agent of the Duskenel"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mr. Foxglove"></div></div>
<p>One way to work around that problem is to shift the colors of your deck. Merfolk have branched into green in recent sets, opening up the possibility of a Gruul Merfolk deck. Similarly, Elves have gotten more support in black, making a Rakdos or Orzhov Elf deck possible.</p>
<p>Even Dragons, which are present in all five colors, are most commonly played in red decks. What would an Azorius or Bant dragon deck look like?</p>
<p>I took a similar approach when I took apart my Elf deck. I'd tried every commander out there, so I ditched green altogether and turned to the only red Elf, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Delina, Wild Mage" href="#" target="_blank">Delina, Wild Mage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. By targeting Delina herself, I can still swarm the battlefield with Elf tokens that get buffed by <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shared Animosity" href="#" target="_blank">Shared Animosity</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Adaptive Automaton" href="#" target="_blank">Adaptive Automaton</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Patchwork Banner" href="#" target="_blank">Patchwork Banner</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>Most importantly, board wipes are no longer game-ending disasters. I simply recast my commander and keep attacking.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Boros Recruit"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Tobias, Doomed Conqueror"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Yuki-Onna"></div></div>
<p>But that's just one example. How can you breath new life into an old creature type by pushing it into new colors?</p>
<h2>How To Participate</h2>
<ul>
<li>Brew a Commander-legal deck on <a href="https://archidekt.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Archidekt</a> that satisfies the prompt.</li>
<li>Any unreleased cards spoiled during the contest’s duration are allowed.</li>
<li>Silver-bordered and acorn cards, while cool, are not allowed.</li>
<li>Digital-only cards (such as those designed for the Alchemy format on Arena) are not allowed.</li>
<li>Strictly one deck submitted per user.</li>
</ul>
<p>As of a couple months ago, we've also revamped the submission process. Decks must now be submitted on Archidekt via a button on the <a href="https://archidekt.com/contest/17255222">newspost</a>. This will make it easier to view all submissions in a single place. Additionally, it will simplify the process of writing a description by sharing the same text on the submission page and the deck page itself.</p>
<p>You can also comment on individual decks directly from the submission, making those discussions easier to find and track later.</p>
<p>To submit a deck, select the orange button labeled "Submit a deck to this contest" and follow the form prompt. Submissions are accepted until <strong>9:00 pm EST</strong> (UTC -4, currently) on <strong>Wednesday, November 12, 2025</strong>.</p>
<p>Only one submission per user! If you change your mind and want to submit a different deck before submissions close, you may do so by first deleting your submission. To edit your description, you can do so from the deck page itself.</p>
<p>From the eligible submissions, we'll select three finalists with lists that we believe best embody the spirit of the prompt. Deck descriptions are not required but certainly may provide valuable context!</p>
<div></p>
<p>On <strong>Wednesday, November 19, 2025</strong>, we’ll announce three finalists via the Archidekt Discord and a brief article on EDHREC highlighting each deck.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.cardsphere.com/sets" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Each finalist will be awarded credit to use on Cardsphere</a>. The value of the credit is in US dollars and depends on the finalist's placement in deck upvotes at the end of the week-long polling period:</p>
<ul>
<li>1st Place Prize - $250</li>
<li>2nd Place Prize - $150</li>
<li>3rd Place Prize - $100</li>
</ul>
<p></div>
<p>Finalists will be contacted via email regarding their winnings within roughly 24 hours following the conclusion of voting on <strong>Wednesday, November 26, 2025</strong>.</p>
<p>Please note, you must have a Cardsphere account in order to receive your winnings. It's quick and free - <a href="https://www.cardsphere.com/signup?referrer=archidekt_contest" target="_blank" rel="noopener">register here</a> if you don't have an account already!</p>
<p>Here are the <a href="https://archidekt.com/contestRules" target="_blank" rel="noopener">official contest rules</a>. If you have any questions, feel free to ask here, or join the Archidekt <a href="https://discord.gg/sctEc9Ru36" target="_blank" rel="noopener">public Discord server</a>. We look forward to seeing what you all come up with!</p>


Archidekt Deckbuilding Contest - November 2025

Deckbuilding Contest Finalists - October 2025

Deckbuilding Contest Finalists - September 2025

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fact or Fiction" href="#" target="_blank">Fact or Fiction</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.originalmagicart.store/collections/matt-cavotta" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Matt Cavotta</a></em></p>
<div></p>
<p>As we move into the second half of 2025 it's once more time for another Archidekt Deckbuilding Contest.</p>
<p>This is a monthly contest with a different theme each month. Your goal is to build a Commander-legal deck that fulfills the prompt in a creative or unique fashion. At the end of each month, three finalists will be selected for you to vote on.</p>
<p>Whoever gets the most votes will be crowned the winner, although all three finalists receive a prize.</p>
<p>This month we're asking the age old question: How many lands should you play in Commander?</p>
<p></div>
<div></p>
<h2>What’s the Contest All About?</h2>
<p>Working within the parameters of the prompt provided below, construct a decklist with your own creative spin. Three chosen finalists will be awarded <a href="https://www.cardsphere.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">store credit to use on Cardsphere</a>.</p>
<p><strong>For August's deck building contest - </strong>build a Commander-legal deck with fewer than 30 lands, or more than 50. This includes double-faced cards that are lands on one side.</p>
<p>Decks will be judged on their creativity and originality, as well as how important the total land count is to how the deck functions.</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Explore"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mind Grind"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mana Severance"></div></div></p>
<p></div>
<p>The question of how many lands to play has plagued players for nearly as long as <em>Magic</em> has existed. Common wisdom says that slightly more than a third of your total deck size is enough, although the math would suggest a number closer to half is better. Many players stick to the low ends of these ranges, because spells are more exciting than lands, but some archetypes encourage you to play even fewer lands.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Jhoira, Weatherlight Captain"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Goblin Charbelcher"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Conjurer&#039;s Bauble"></div></div>
<p>Perhaps the best known archetype to play as few lands as possible is Storm. <a href="https://edhrec.com/tags/storm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Storm decks</a> want to chain as many spells together as possible, which a couple of lands on top of your deck can easily interrupt. Whether you're chaining artifacts with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jhoira, Weatherlight Captain" href="#" target="_blank">Jhoira, Weatherlight Captain</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or paying life with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bolas&#039;s Citadel" href="#" target="_blank">Bolas&#039;s Citadel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, there's no worse feeling than having your turn end thanks to an unlucky land on top of your deck.</p>
<p>Of course, other cards might encourage you to play even fewer lands. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goblin Charbelcher" href="#" target="_blank">Goblin Charbelcher</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a famous combo finisher for decks that play no lands, but you could also play only Mountains to still ensure revealing fewer cards in a lethal blast.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Flubs, the Fool"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Aesi, Tyrant of Gyre Strait"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Lord Windgrace"></div></div>
<p>On the flip side, some decks want to play more lands than usual. <a href="https://edhrec.com/tags/landfall" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Landfall</a> and <a href="https://edhrec.com/tags/lands-matter" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lands Matter</a> decks need plenty of lands to fuel their primary engines, and often to win the game as well.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Omnath, Locus of Rage" href="#" target="_blank">Omnath, Locus of Rage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Field of the Dead" href="#" target="_blank">Field of the Dead</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle" href="#" target="_blank">Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are all much less impressive when you don't have any lands to play.</p>
<p>Decks with many expensive spells, like Dragons or Eldrazi, usually also want more lands to ensure they can cast their big spells. You might also play more lands than usual to take advantage of creatures like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cavalier of Flame" href="#" target="_blank">Cavalier of Flame</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Multani, Yavimaya&#039;s Avatar" href="#" target="_blank">Multani, Yavimaya&#039;s Avatar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which grow more powerful the more lands you have in play or in your graveyard.</p>
<h2>How To Participate</h2>
<ul>
<li>Brew an EDH/Commander-legal deck on <a href="https://archidekt.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Archidekt</a> that satisfies the prompt.</li>
<li>Any unreleased cards spoiled during the contest’s duration are allowed.</li>
<li>Silver-bordered and acorn cards, while cool, are not allowed.</li>
<li>Digital-only cards (such as those designed for the Alchemy format on Arena) are not allowed.</li>
<li>Strictly one deck submitted per user.</li>
</ul>
<p>This month we're also revamping the submission process. Decks must now be submitted on Archidekt via a button on the <a href="https://archidekt.com/contest/15112617">newspost</a>. This will make it easier to view all submissions in a single place. Additionally, it will simplify the process of writing a description by sharing the same text on the submission page and the deck page itself.</p>
<p>You can also comment on individual decks directly from the submission, making those discussions easier to find and track later.</p>
<p>To submit a deck, select the orange button labeled "Submit a deck to this contest" and follow the form prompt. Submissions are accepted until <strong>9:00 pm EST</strong> (UTC -4, currently) on <strong>Wednesday, August 13, 2025</strong>.</p>
<p>Only one submission per user! If you change your mind and want to submit a different deck before submissions close, you may do so by first deleting your submission. To edit your description, you can do so from the deck page itself.</p>
<p>From the eligible submissions, we'll select three finalists with lists that we believe best embody the spirit of the prompt. Deck descriptions are not required but certainly may provide valuable context!</p>
<div></p>
<p>On <strong>Wednesday, August 20, 2025</strong>, we’ll announce three finalists via the Archidekt Discord and a brief article on EDHREC highlighting each deck.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.cardsphere.com/sets" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Each finalist will be awarded credit to use on Cardsphere</a>. The value of the credit is in US dollars and depends on the finalist's placement in deck upvotes at the end of the week-long polling period:</p>
<ul>
<li>1st Place Prize - $250</li>
<li>2nd Place Prize - $150</li>
<li>3rd Place Prize - $100</li>
</ul>
<p></div>
<p>Finalists will be contacted via email regarding their winnings within roughly 24 hours following the conclusion of voting on <strong>Wednesday, August 27, 2025</strong>.</p>
<p>Please note, you must have a Cardsphere account in order to receive your winnings. It's quick and free - <a href="https://www.cardsphere.com/signup?referrer=archidekt_contest" target="_blank" rel="noopener">register here</a> if you don't have an account already!</p>
<p>Here are the <a href="https://archidekt.com/contestRules" target="_blank" rel="noopener">official contest rules</a>. If you have any questions, feel free to ask here, or join the Archidekt <a href="https://discord.gg/sctEc9Ru36" target="_blank" rel="noopener">public Discord server</a>. We look forward to seeing what you all come up with!</p>


archidekt contest

Archidekt Deckbuilding Contest Finalists - January 2026

Archidekt Deckbuilding Contest - December 2025

Archidekt Deckbuilding Contest - November 2025

Deckbuilding Contest Finalists - October 2025

Deckbuilding Contest Finalists - September 2025

Archidekt Deckbuilding Contest - August 2025