Forced Combat with Najeela as Commander

Deck Help forum

Posted on Dec. 31, 2020, 11:04 p.m. by Cloudius

I'm a fan of quirky casual decks and always wanted to form a Forced Combat themed EDH deck. Finally got down to 2 versions below with Najeela, the Blade-Blossom as the Commander:

Combo

This version is more combo centric and has the capabilities to generate infinite mana to go for the win. There's a small Blink sub-theme as enabler to achieve victory and give opponents plenty of creatures.

deck chart

This is the Season for Giving & Sharing!!

Commander / EDH Cloudius

SCORE: 4 | 2 COMMENTS | 131 VIEWS

Royal Rumble

This version is more straightforward with over 20 cards focusing on giving opponents creatures, while I sit on the sideline (behind my pillowfort) and watch the Royal Rumble.

deck chart

Royal Rumble!!!

Commander / EDH Cloudius

SCORE: 1 | 50 VIEWS

Would like suggestions and feedback:

1) Which version would you play?

2) Any card suggestions to improve either decks?

3) Using Najeela, I can give opponents extra combat to help finish off each other (when forced combat effects are in play), the "lifelink" that Najeela grants is a headache though so am considering Tainted Remedy type effects too.

Look forward to your inputs. Thanks in advance.

Gleeock says... #2

Hello. I've playtested ALOT of forced combat decks... still, Take what I say with a grain of salt:

  1. I would play the Royal Rumble!!! - because forced combat fun is a pretty mid-level & midgame dependent way of possibly winning... combo-centric & blink subthemes either ignore the midgame concept by blowing right past that or throwing the temptation for one-sided interactions through the roof. It defeats the point of your midgame forced combats & uncomfortable decisions for opponents when all the optimal decisions are sitting right there. (Crescendo of War is an option... but why when the combo is right here to win me the game?). Also, with Najeela combo the opponents' perception will go this same direction & then the pressure will load heavily on you to accelerate the game when all their removal is coming your way, leading to an endgame arms race instead of a midgame back-&-forth.
  2. In Royal Rumble!!! you did an amazing job at including tutors without too many endgame temptations. Shiny Impetus is sweet it substitutes for removal in some ways & usually nets you at least one temporary ramp (typically more). Earnest Fellowship protects all sorts of creatures & totally jacks with combat stalemates (is pretty strong if you have lifelink or marisi on board). Crescendo of War turns the board into a 1/1 nightmare-fest. With lifelink on board & the unilateral buff to your defending 1/1's this card is just wild. Oath of Druids amps up the fun level. Akroma's Will is an instant-speed non-combo game ender or way to get you back in the game.
  3. Tainted Remedy effects feel like a good idea to me. There can definitely issues with mid-game stallouts against lifegain-centric decks.. & shutting off lifegain combos can also be good.
January 1, 2021 3:50 p.m.

Gleeock says... #3

I forgot to say: maybe some monarch too. My thantis deck has surprised many Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker combo decks by simply having Marchesa's Decree no one wants to waste the removal till they realize infinite 1/1's are too costly.

January 1, 2021 3:52 p.m.

Cloudius says... #4

Thanks for your suggestions Gleeock. You're raised some good points above. Will check out your Forced Combat decks too for more ideas.

January 2, 2021 4:25 a.m.

Gleeock says... #5

Thx. My decks do not get updated nearly enough on tappedout here. But even the old versions still hold up pretty well. Marisi has become more of a enchantress, gods, & evasive weenies deck. Enchantments often double duty as weenie makers & enchantress draw engines. It plays incredibly different when I am playing some goofy token-spitter with backup enchantments... Alot of fun with the under-the-radar, low removal priority approach. It shows pretty resilient against most decree, boardwipe, or control shells. & has a pretty difficult time against utility creature builds (seedborn muse + tapdown stuff)

January 2, 2021 5:54 p.m.

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