Hey guys! Ready to dive into the wild world of competitive Commander? Today, we're breaking down a seriously powerful deck featuring the dynamic duo: Tevesh Szat, Doom of Fools and Vial Smasher the Fierce. This isn't your average casual brew; we're talking about a deck built to win, and win consistently. So, buckle up, because we're about to get into the nitty-gritty of how to build and pilot a competitive Tevesh Szat and Vial Smasher Commander deck.

Why Tevesh Szat and Vial Smasher?

So, why these two as our commanders? What makes them so special for a competitive EDH (cEDH) setting? Let's break it down:

• Tevesh Szat, Doom of Fools: This guy is a powerhouse of card draw and token generation. In cEDH, card advantage is king, and Tevesh Szat provides it in spades. His ability to sacrifice tokens (which we'll be generating in droves) to draw cards is incredibly efficient. Plus, his ultimate can steal opposing commanders or other valuable creatures, providing disruption and further card advantage. Think of Tevesh as the engine that keeps our deck running smoothly, providing the fuel (cards) we need to outmaneuver our opponents.
• Vial Smasher the Fierce: Vial Smasher is our source of direct damage. In a format often dominated by stax and control, having a reliable way to ping opponents can be crucial. Vial Smasher turns our high-mana-value spells into targeted removal or a way to close out games. Imagine casting a massive spell and simultaneously hitting an opponent for a significant chunk of damage – that's the power of Vial Smasher. He's the perfect complement to Tevesh, turning our card advantage into a tangible threat.
• Color Combination: The combination of black, blue, and red (Grixis) gives us access to some of the best cards in the format. We get powerful tutors (Demonic Tutor, Vampiric Tutor), efficient removal (Counterspell, Lightning Bolt), and game-winning combos. Grixis is a color combination known for its control, disruption, and ability to close out games quickly, making it ideal for a competitive deck.

Together, Tevesh Szat and Vial Smasher form a formidable partnership. One provides the resources, and the other turns those resources into a deadly weapon. This synergy is what makes this deck so strong and fun to play.

Core Strategy: Control, Card Advantage, and Combos

The primary game plan revolves around controlling the board in the early to mid-game, accumulating card advantage, and then assembling a game-winning combo. Here’s a breakdown of each phase:

• Early Game (Turns 1-3): Focus on establishing your mana base and disrupting your opponents. Play fast mana rocks like Mana Crypt, Mana Vault, and Sol Ring to accelerate your game plan. Use early interaction like Counterspell, Mental Misstep, or Spell Pierce to stop key plays from your opponents. The goal is to survive and set yourself up for the mid-game.
• Mid Game (Turns 4-7): This is where you start to take over the game. Deploy Tevesh Szat to start generating card advantage and tokens. Use your removal spells to deal with any threats that slip through the cracks. Begin tutoring for combo pieces or cards that will further your game plan. It's about transitioning from defense to offense, leveraging your card advantage to gain a significant lead.
• Late Game (Turns 8+): Time to close out the game! Assemble your combo and win. If your combo is disrupted, use your card advantage to find another one or grind out your opponents with incremental advantage. The late game is where your superior resources and strategic planning should allow you to dominate.

The deck aims to win through a variety of established combos within the Grixis colors. Some of these include:

• Thassa's Oracle + Demonic Consultation/Tainted Pact: This is a classic cEDH combo. Cast Thassa's Oracle, then use Demonic Consultation or Tainted Pact to exile your entire library. Thassa's Oracle's ability will trigger, and you'll win the game. This is a fast and efficient combo that can win as early as turn three or four.
• Underworld Breach + Brain Freeze + Lion's Eye Diamond: This combo generates infinite storm count. Cast Underworld Breach, then sacrifice Lion's Eye Diamond for mana. Use that mana to cast Brain Freeze, targeting yourself. Use Underworld Breach to recast Lion's Eye Diamond and Brain Freeze, repeating the process until you have a high enough storm count to mill out your opponents with Brain Freeze. This combo requires a bit more setup but is incredibly powerful.
• Dramatic Reversal + Isochron Scepter: Imprint Dramatic Reversal on Isochron Scepter, then use it to generate infinite mana. Use the infinite mana to cast a game-winning spell like Torment of Hailfire or to draw your entire deck with a card like Blue Sun's Zenith. This combo is relatively resilient and can be assembled with tutors.

While these are the primary combos, the deck also has the flexibility to win through other means, such as grinding out opponents with value or using Vial Smasher to ping them to death over time. The key is to adapt to the specific game state and use your resources wisely.

Key Card Choices

Let's break down some of the essential cards in the deck and why they're so crucial:

• Fast Mana: Mana Crypt, Mana Vault, Sol Ring, Chrome Mox, Mox Diamond. These cards are essential for accelerating your mana and getting Tevesh Szat into play as early as possible. They allow you to outpace your opponents and establish a dominant board presence.
• Tutors: Demonic Tutor, Vampiric Tutor, Mystical Tutor, Imperial Seal, Wishclaw Talisman. Tutors are crucial for finding your combo pieces or answers to your opponents' threats. They provide consistency and allow you to execute your game plan reliably.
• Card Draw: Rhystic Study, Mystic Remora, Fact or Fiction, Wheel of Fortune. Card draw is essential for maintaining card advantage and finding the cards you need. These cards allow you to bury your opponents in card advantage and outpace them in the long game.
• Removal: Counterspell, Force of Will, Lightning Bolt, Swords to Plowshares, Cyclonic Rift. Removal is essential for dealing with your opponents' threats and protecting your combo. These cards allow you to control the board and prevent your opponents from disrupting your game plan.
• Combo Pieces: Thassa's Oracle, Demonic Consultation, Tainted Pact, Underworld Breach, Brain Freeze, Lion's Eye Diamond, Isochron Scepter, Dramatic Reversal. These are the cards that you need to assemble your game-winning combos. They are the win conditions of the deck and should be protected at all costs.

Sample Decklist

Alright, let's take a look at a sample decklist. Keep in mind that this is just a starting point, and you can adjust it to fit your budget and playstyle.

Commander: Tevesh Szat, Doom of Fools & Vial Smasher the Fierce

# Lands

*   Arid Mesa
*   Bloodstained Mire
*   Polluted Delta
*   Scalding Tarn
*   Verdant Catacombs
*   Watery Grave
*   Steam Vents
*   Blood Crypt
*   Underground Sea
*   Badlands
*   Volcanic Island
*   Command Tower
*   City of Brass
*   Mana Confluence
*   Ancient Tomb
*   Gemstone Caverns
*   Training Center
*   Island x3
*   Swamp x2
*   Mountain

# Creatures

*   Thassa's Oracle
*   Esper Sentinel
*   Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer
*   Opposition Agent

# Artifacts

*   Mana Crypt
*   Mana Vault
*   Sol Ring
*   Chrome Mox
*   Mox Diamond
*   Arcane Signet
*   Talisman of Dominance
*   Talisman of Creativity
*   Isochron Scepter
*   Lion's Eye Diamond

# Enchantments

*   Rhystic Study
*   Mystic Remora

# Sorceries

*   Demonic Tutor
*   Vampiric Tutor
*   Imperial Seal
*   Wheel of Fortune
*   Windfall
*   Brain Freeze
*   Demonic Consultation
*   Tainted Pact
*   Ponder
*   Preordain
*   Gitaxian Probe
*   Treasure Cruise

# Instants

*   Counterspell
*   Force of Will
*   Force of Negation
*   Mental Misstep
*   Spell Pierce
*   Flusterstorm
*   Mystical Tutor
*   Swords to Plowshares
*   Lightning Bolt
*   Dramatic Reversal
*   Cyclonic Rift
*   Underworld Breach

# Planeswalkers

*   Tevesh Szat, Doom of Fools

Budget Considerations

Now, let's talk about budget. cEDH decks can be notoriously expensive, but there are ways to build a competitive Tevesh Szat and Vial Smasher deck without breaking the bank. Here are a few tips:

• Prioritize Key Cards: Focus on acquiring the most essential cards first, such as fast mana rocks, tutors, and combo pieces. These cards will have the biggest impact on your deck's performance.
• Look for Budget Alternatives: There are often cheaper alternatives to expensive cards that can still be effective. For example, you can use cheaper counterspells like Swan Song or Negate instead of Force of Will.
• Gradually Upgrade Your Deck: You don't have to buy all the expensive cards at once. Start with a budget-friendly version of the deck and gradually upgrade it over time as you acquire more cards.
• Consider Proxies: If your playgroup allows it, consider using proxies for expensive cards. This will allow you to play the deck at its full potential without spending a fortune.

Tips and Tricks for Playing the Deck

Here are some tips and tricks to maximize your chances of winning:

• Know Your Role: In cEDH, it's important to understand your role in the game. Are you the aggressor, the control player, or the combo player? Adjust your strategy accordingly.
• Be Mindful of Your Mana: Mana management is crucial in cEDH. Plan your turns carefully and avoid wasting mana. Use your mana efficiently to maximize your impact on the game.
• Play Around Removal: Be aware of the removal spells that your opponents are likely to be playing and try to play around them. Don't overextend into board wipes and hold back interaction for key threats.
• Know Your Opponents' Decks: Understanding your opponents' decks is essential for making informed decisions. Know their win conditions, their removal spells, and their overall game plan.
• Practice Makes Perfect: The more you play the deck, the better you'll become at piloting it. Practice different scenarios and learn how to adapt to different situations.

Conclusion

The Tevesh Szat and Vial Smasher Commander deck is a powerful and versatile choice for the competitive EDH scene. With its combination of card advantage, removal, and game-winning combos, it's capable of taking down even the most formidable opponents. Remember, building a competitive deck takes time and effort. Don't be afraid to experiment with different card choices and strategies to find what works best for you. Good luck, and have fun crushing your opponents!