Non-Removal Interaction: Goad
Hello there! I'm Chloee, otherwise known as QueerPhyrexia, a Non-binary/Trans creative who enjoys delving into unconventional strategies within the realm of EDH. My journey with Magic: The Gathering has seen its ebbs and flows since Core Set 2015. However, it was with the release of Innistrad: Midnight Hunt that I truly rekindled my passion for the game, turning it into a full-time hobby. I'm sure that if you've spent any time on Twitter or within the "X" community over the past year, you've likely encountered the phrase "Dies to removal" more times than you care to admit.
To be completely honest, I used to be an advocate for this idea, urging fellow EDH players to embrace removal strategies. However, as I've delved deeper into decks like Liesa. Removal and Tergrid, I found myself growing weary of the same old approach. It was then that I embarked on a quest to discover alternative methods of interaction within the game, ones that didn't involve outright eliminating my opponents' creatures. This exploration led me to the fascinating realm of non-removal interaction.
In this article series, I want to thoroughly examine a variety of interaction techniques that can be seamlessly integrated into your EDH deck, transcending the confines of conventional removal spells. Non-removal interaction assumes a critical role in shaping strategic gameplay, offering players distinctive opportunities to demonstrate their skills. By incorporating interaction methods beyond traditional removal spells, you have the potential to elevate your EDH gaming experience to entirely new levels of excitement and engagement. When discussing non-removal interaction, most players immediately think of counterspells or bounce spells, allowing them to deal with threats at a later time.
However, today, I want to shed light on an underused mechanic: goad. You might harbor some skepticism about employing goad as a non-removal interaction, but it can be a powerful tool. Forcing your opponents into combat can provide a significant advantage: it reduces the collective life totals at the table and temporarily immobilizes potential threats, creating the perfect moment to strike, which is why goad holds an edge over traditional removal in terms of interaction. Why eliminate their threats when you can manipulate them to your advantage?
The Deck
Enchantments and Equipment
In my Edgin, Larcenous Lutenist decklist, you'll notice I employ a variety of enchantments, such as Curse of Bloodletting, Curse of Hospitality, and Curse of Opulence. These enchantments encourage opponents to target a specific player, ensuring our life total remains intact while providing value to us and other players when combat ensues. Additionally, we incorporate Auras like Shiny Impetus, Public Enemy, and Psychic Impetus, which not only goad our opponents' creatures but also enhance them and generate value for us when they attack. These cards play a pivotal role in our goad gameplan, allowing us to capitalize on opponents engaging in combat. Alongside these enchantments, we also carry a few very impactful equipment in our arsenal. Komainu Battle Armor forces creatures to attack, creating chaos on the battlefield, while Bloodthirsty Blade ensures that those attacks are directed where we want them.
Goad
Now, let's dive into the core of the deck and explore the goad cards. Disrupt Decorum stands as a classic choice, compelling all creatures we don't control to attack, setting the stage for a massive combat step that doesn't involve us. Spectacular Showdown is another standout goad option, allowing us to bestow a double strike counter on a creature and goad it for its standard cost or, for an overload cost, place that counter on all creatures and goad them simultaneously, providing exceptional value. Coronation of Chaos permits us to select three creatures to goad, and we also feature creatures like Geode Rager, Baeloth Barrityl, Entertainer, and Agitator Ant, each possessing unique goad-related abilities. Mocking Doppelganger can mimic other creatures and goad the original, while Maeve, Insidious Singer allows us to spend mana to goad creatures and draws us a card when those creatures attack.
Creatures
Two noteworthy creatures in our deck are cEDH GOAT, Slicer, and Khârn the Betrayer. These creatures hold a special place in our strategy, as they're threats that can be utilized and subsequently passed to our opponents without repercussions, given their inability to attack us directly. Khârn rewards us with card draw when he leaves our side of the battlefield, and we can mitigate any damage directed towards him by transferring control to a new player. On the other hand, Slicer boasts haste and double strike, moving from one combat to another without targeting us. We also have the option to equip these creatures with the Auras mentioned earlier, exponentially increasing their value. Additionally, Life of the Party and Rite of the Raging Storm deserve honorable mentions, as they create tokens on other players' boards that are goaded, further enhancing our control of the battlefield.
Theft
In our quest for dominance, we also employ a few theft effects, allowing us to confiscate threats and harness their power when the game narrows down to a 1v1 or 1v2 scenario. Cards like Insurrection enable us to untap and seize control of all creatures on the battlefield. Besmirch not only allows us to steal a creature but also goads it after we've finished attacking with it. Call for Aid enables us to select an opponent, confiscate and untap all their creatures, and then launch an attack at any other player except the chosen opponent. These cards are often overlooked due to their temporary effects, but in most cases, we only need these stolen creatures for our combat step to secure victory.
Importance of Non-Removal Interaction
Non-removal interaction holds a distinct allure and advantage within the world of EDH. One of the primary reasons for its superiority lies in its versatility and capacity for fostering dynamic gameplay. While removal spells excel at eliminating threats, they often lead to predictable and linear strategies, where the ultimate goal is simply to eliminate opponents' creatures. In contrast, non-removal interaction introduces an element of surprise and complexity. Cards and strategies like goad, theft effects, and other creative interactions challenge players to think beyond mere creature destruction, encouraging strategic intricacy and improvisation. This unpredictability not only keeps the game fresh and exciting but also allows players to showcase their adaptability and problem-solving skills, making EDH games more intellectually stimulating and engaging.
Furthermore, non-removal interaction promotes a sense of inclusivity and encourages players to explore unconventional deckbuilding options. In the realm of Commander, where diversity and creativity are celebrated, non-removal strategies offer players the opportunity to embrace unique and thematic approaches. Unlike traditional removal, which often adheres to generic removal spells, non-removal interaction allows for a wide array of deck archetypes and themes to flourish. Whether it's goad-themed decks that compel opponents into combat or theft-based strategies that harness the power of opponents' creatures, non-removal interactions enable players to craft decks that reflect their individual style and preferences. This inclusivity fosters a more vibrant and diverse EDH community, where players can express their creativity and identity through their decks, ultimately making the format more enjoyable for everyone involved.
In conclusion, goad, often underestimated, offers a unique and strategic alternative to traditional removal in EDH. By compelling opponents into combat and manipulating threats to serve your interests, goad introduces a refreshing layer of depth to gameplay. Embracing goad isn't just about winning; it's about crafting memorable, unexpected victories that showcase your ingenuity and enrich your EDH experience. After reading this article, you're bound to be intrigued by the potential of goad in your next EDH deck. Happy Brewing, and may your journey into non-removal interaction be as exhilarating as it is triumphant!
