To Defeat a God

To Defeat a God

I play a land, and brace myself. Xenagos flips 2 Ecstatic Pipers. A 2/2 that reads "when this enters the battlefield, Xenagos Ascended attacks this turn if able. Hero's reward - When this leaves the battlefield, each player gains 2 life."

Xenagos Ascended represents the only way I can win here. A 6/5 that reads "This can't leave the battlefield as long as a reveler is on the battlefield." and "When this leaves the battlefield, each player wins the game." Taunting me with a solution to the problem, but putting it behind the iron barrier of a strange ability that makes it better than indestructible.

I have however nothing except a tapped scryland, so I eat 6 and go to 14. On my following turn I draw a card, play another land, and manage a sylvan caryatid.

Xenagos flips a Rollicking Throng - 1/3 When it enters reveal the top card of Xenagos's library and Xenagos casts that card. It turns over another Rollicking Throng. The next card is Xenagos's Strike, a sorcery that burns each player for 4. I'm at 10, and Xenagos still has one more card this turn. It's a Maddened Oread. 4/2 - As long as 5 or more revelers are on the battlefield, it attacks each turn if able. Hero's reward - when it leaves the battlefield, each player gains 3 life.

At this point, there are 7 Revelers on the battlefield, 4 Rollicking Throngs, 2 Ecstatic Pipers, and the Oread. Fortunately for me the Oread is the only thing that would attack - but it's not going to because of summoning sickness. Still I'm at 10 life and starting my third turn. Overall, things are not looking good.

The "Defeat a God" challenge deck is the third and possibly final challenge deck issued by Wizards of the Coast. It asks us to defeat the mad planeswalker turned god Xenagos to restore some semblance of balance to the world of Theros.

Like the other challenge decks that came before it "Defeat a God" is a unique deck, with non-standard backs. It represents a special scenario for solo play. The primary puzzle of this scenario is to destroy or remove Xenagos Ascended, a 6/5 that remains in play as long as he is accompanied by revelers - a special creature type assigned to about half the cards in this deck.

The challenge deck itself is capable of some pretty brutal plays. The example I illustrated above is not uncommon and I can say from personal experience is very rough to deal with. I feel like the decks that will do best in this challenge are midrange decks that can trade creature-for-creature early.

Control decks have a decent chance of dying before they can wipe the board. Applying that release valve may not even help that much. If Xenagos casts a Rollicking Throng or Ecstatic Piper, you may find yourself back behind the 8-ball.

Aggressive decks should be able to handle all the smaller revelers in the deck. The problem being that Xenagos Ascended is himself a 6/5, and that can be a big body to deal with in a traditional aggro-burn deck.

So far in my play testing this has proved the most difficult challenge deck. Don't forget that on Journey into Nyx Game Day (5/24/14) you can attempt to defeat a god yourself at your local magic store. Check out the event locator (link) to find a location near you. If you do manage to take down a god, there will be a cool promo hero card waiting for you.

WPN events: June, July

WPN June Events
    Magic: The Gathering: Casual Play: Here, you rule. Come to play, trade, or build decks for Magic: the Gathering. New Players Welcome. Also frequently run odd formats such as planechase, archenemy, commander, emperor, multiplayer, etc.
    Tuesdays: 3,10,17,24

    Friday Night Magic: Here, you rule. Standard type 2 constructed event. $7.00 entry. DCI sanctioned w/ prize support! Hosted by Dan Regewitz.
    Fridays: 6,13, 27; 5:30pm - 9:00pm

    Friday Night Magic: Here, you rule. Join us for our monthly draft event. Drafting Theros Block. $16.00 entry. DCI sanctioned w/ prize support! Hosted by Dan Regewitz.
    Friday 20; 5:30pm - 9:00pm

    Conspiracy Draft: It's a crazy casual draft using packs of conspiracy! Each player gets 4 packs of Consipracy to draft with. Players are then randomly assigned to groups of 3-5 to play a single multiplayer game using their draft decks. There will be prizes (packs of conspiracy if product allows). Hosted by Dan Regewitz.
    Sunday 8th 12:15-5pm; Tuesday 10th 5-9pm.

    Kaijudo
    Kaijudo Duel Days: We are proud to offer more fun, and challenging events with Kaijudo, rise of the Duel Masters. Casual League runs concurrently to this slightly more organized tournament event. $5.00 entry w/ prize support. Hosted by Russel Young and Dan Regewitz.
    Saturday 7,14,21,28; 5-9pm.

WPN July Events
    Magic: The Gathering: Casual Play: Here, you rule. Come to play, trade, or build decks for Magic: the Gathering. New Players Welcome. Also frequently run odd formats such as planechase, archenemy, commander, emperor, multiplayer, etc.
    Tuesdays:  1,8,15,22,29; 5:30-9:00pm

    Friday Night Magic: Here, you rule. Standard type 2 constructed event. $7.00 entry. DCI sanctioned w/ prize support! Hosted by Dan Regewitz.
    Fridays: 4,25; 5:30-9:00pm.

    Friday Night Magic; Modern: Modern is non-cycling format that allows any card printed after 8th edition or Mirrodin block for use, excluding cards on the Modern banned list. Come enjoy this wonderfully diverse format. $10 entry. Prizes can be taken as packs or other magic product.
    Friday, 11th 5:30-9:00pm.

    Magic 2015 Core Set Prerelease!: Come experience the newest core set of Magic with this sanctioned sealed deck pre-release. Once again NDC is proud to host an officially sanctioned pre-release event. Please note the times and prices below. Hosted by Dan Regewitz.
    Saturday, 12, 11:30 registration; 12:30 play begins. $30 sealed deck.
    Saturday, 12, 4:30 registration; 5:15 play begins. $25 sealed deck.
    Sunday, 13, 11:30 registraiton; 12:15 play begins. $30 sealed deck.

    Magic 2015 Launch Draft!: Come celebrate the official release of the Magic 2011 core set with a DCI sanctioned Draft. Swiss rounds. $16.00 entry. Prizes based on attendance. Hosted by Dan Regewitz.
    Friday, 18: 5:30-9:00.

    Magic 2015 Sealed Deck: One of the best ways to enjoy a new set is to play sealed deck. This launch event features packs of the newest Magic core set. $30.00 entry. Prizes based on attendance. Hosted by Dan Regewitz.
    Sunday 20th: 12:10 play begins.

    Kaijudo
    Kaijudo Duel Days: We are proud to offer more fun, and challenging events with Kaijudo, rise of the Duel Masters. Casual League runs concurrently to this slightly more organized tournament event. $5.00 entry w/ prize support. Hosted by Russel Young and Dan Regewitz.
    Saturday 5,19,26; 4-9pm.