Kenrith Evolution
Welcome to 5 color Evolution! Inspired by the original Thrasios x Bruce Tarl build created by Altun7(Xuii), this deck is a mid-range build that looks to out value opponents and adapt to any pod. Some primary components of this build are an amalgam of different strategies from similar value tanks. In this primer I will discuss lines, combos, strengths and weaknesses of the deck.
I will also discuss some card choices. I really want to promote how important it is to add new cards as meta’s change, and that no one build will be best. We hope to win through infinite... things... so you really can do whatever you want. Do you like winning with hasty stomps? Do you like milling your opponents to death? Do you like gaining lots of life? Do you like Reanimation? Guess what, Kenrith does it ALL.
But for the sake of time, we will discuss the paths most easily accessible. To do that, first we need to discuss how we plan to pilot this deck. I’ve always been a fan of choice, allowing for pivots and change if needed. Have multiple purposes for each card in a deck, allowing adaptation and evolution through any game. With that said, let’s begin to delve into Kenrith.
P.S. quick shout out to Altun7, Shaper, The cEDH cast, Jamaican, TimmyT, Okami, Flashandretti, and the folks on the Kenrith and Thrasios Incoporated discord.
https://discord.gg/2hczyv
Without further delay.
To begin we must draw a hand. In this hand we want to see an engine, this can be Rhystic Study, Mystic Remora, Sylvan Library, Smothering Tithe, Survival of the Fittest, or Dark Confidant.
If you have one these choices and the resources to cast it turn one or two, keep the hand. This deck is rich with card value, and there are very few cards you don’t want to see in hand. Also it’s tempting to keep hands with lots of fast mana, do not fall into this trap. Many games may have explosive starts only to come up short because you are a target. You want value and advantage. not one without the other. Play your game slow, you will get there. This deck has many different lines and with practice, you will get a feel for the deck’s ability to race, defend and react. For these reasons, let’s talk about some lines.
Oh so many lines.
Razaketh, the Foulblooded
This card is a welcome addition to any reanimation deck. It tutors, it flies and it’s an 8/8. It works well in Evolution due to the interaction it has with dockside extortionist. The line you’d play would be.
Entomb->Put Razaketh into graveyard->Reanimate with any spell or kenrith->Sac another creature to search for Dockside Extortionist-> Play dockside->Get Treasures and loop dockside with kenrith, sacking it to razaketh. Get your combo. You’ll need 6 treasures from dockside to do this loop. Now… the loop gets much easier once you have Training grounds.
These lines were described in Starset’s primer on Kenrith, which was also utilized from Shaper
These are lines you can take if you are completely tapped out and have Razaketh and two creatures available.
- Eye Witness (requires 16 life, 15 is spent for this line)
- Search for LED first and then use it to add GGG.
- Then search for Eternal Witness and play her, returning LED to your hand.
- Play and sacrifice LED for BBB.
- Sacrifice Eternal Witness to get Reanimate, BB floating.
- Reanimate Eternal Witness, return LED to hand.
- Play and sacrifice LED for WWW. BBWWW floating.
- Sacrifice Eternal Witness to get Animate Dead, Dance of the Dead, or Death.
- Reanimate Eternal Witness, return LED to hand, WWW floating.
- Play and sacrifice LED for UUU. WWWUUU floating.
- Sacrifice Eternal Witness to get Auriok Salvagers.
- Play Salvagers, UW floating.
- Activate Salvagers, return LED and loop for infinite mana.
- Win with Kenrith, his first 2 abilities let you win through combat damage. Or you can draw your deck and Twister Loop. Or deck your opponents, all viable options.
II) Treasure Hoarding
-This line is similar to the Eye Witness line, but with Dockside Extortionist, provided you can make 3 treasure tokens minimum.
1. The 3 treasure token line can be used interchangeably with Eye Witness. The steps are the exact same, except you don’t need to recur LED because Dockside is producing the mana. Just get to 6 treasures, then get Auriok Salvagers.
2. If you can produce 4 treasures, then you only need to reanimate dockside once. This line is a little more efficient.
3. If you can make 6+ treasures, then you can immediately get Auriok Salvagers.
NOTE: You should always go with options 2 or 3 if you can, over Eye Witness, for efficiency.
III) Survival of the fittest.
- This is a powerful card. It goes under the radar but, in this deck it can make you a powerful win at instant speed.
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Line 1- Discard a creature grabbing dockside, discard dockside to grab deadeye, reanimate dockside make treasures, discard deadeye reanimate with kenrith soul bond on dock infinite mana. This requires 2 green, 2 red, 1 black, 2 Colorless and Kenrith on the battlefield.
Line 2- Discard a creature getting dockside. Discard another creature grabbing Mayhem devil. Cast Dockside make 5 artifacts at minimum. Then loop dockside and by sac’ing the artifacts and killing dockside reanimating over and over.
Line 3- Discard a creature, grab Razaketh, discard razaketh to grab dockside. Play dockside, reanimate razaketh through kenrith/Necromancy/Reanimate then sac dockside to razaketh grabing Training grounds. Play training grounds, reanimate docksisde and start generating your infinite mana. Grabbing mayhem devil, and Loop Dockside and win by mayhem devil or any other combo.
IV.) Bomberman
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Auriok salavagers + Lions Eye Diamond.
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Bomber featuring Mayhem devil: Lotus petal + Auriok Salavagers + Training grounds + Mayhem Devil. Sack petal for a white, triggering mayhem devil to ping. Recur petal through Auriok Salvagers, win through infinite sacs.
V.) Underworld breach:
- This card is very flexible, and it wins the game usually once it resolves.
- This line primarly wants Lion's Eye Diamond and Underworld Breach and Wheel of Fortune. You can also use BrainFreeze to fill your graveyard. From there you should be able to find a line from whats above.
VI) Dockside Extortionist
- Deadeye Navigator + dockside = infinite mana
- Lore Drakkis + Dockside + Chain of vapor = Infinite mana
Lots of mana. Let dockside die, reanimate him. Win. Try to not fight to hard for creature spells to resolve. You can always reanimate those creatures later.
I'll be adding to this primer as time permits. For now this is a good starting point regarding this list. If you have any questions please reach out!
Thank you for taking the time to read this.
Higher.
