The best defense by user9115286

Format: Commander

Commander: Doran, Besieged by Time

Bracket: 2

DeckCheck Threat Index: 21

Deck overview

Doran, Besieged by Time commands an Abzan aggressive deck centered on high-toughness creatures and combat scaling. The strategy leverages cheap creatures with disproportionate toughness—such as Yoked Ox, Looming Altisaur, and Catacomb Crocodile—which gain cost reduction and massive +X/+X combat buffs under Doran's ability. The deck achieves operational assembly on Turn 4 by casting Doran, transitioning to critical onset on Turn 6 with wide swings delivering 25 to 35 damage across the table. Because the deck relies on ground combat without evasion or infinite combos, defeating three opponents from 40 life requires three opponent response cycles, targeting a finish on Turn 9. While the deck boasts formidable physical board presence and sturdy defense, low card velocity, minimal countermagic, and an absence of tutors leave it vulnerable to board sweepers and targeted removal.

Decklist (100 cards)

  • 1 Acolyte of Aclazotz
  • 1 Aegis of the Heavens
  • 1 Agate-Blade Assassin
  • 1 Alesha's Legacy
  • 1 Baldin, Century Herdmaster
  • 1 Bark of Doran
  • 1 Bird Admirer // Wing Shredder
  • 1 Blight Rot
  • 1 Blossoming Sands
  • 1 Catacomb Crocodile
  • 1 Chelonian Tackle
  • 1 Curious Pair // Treats to Share
  • 1 Curse of Exhaustion
  • 1 Dawnfluke
  • 1 Disciple of Perdition
  • 1 Doran, Besieged by Time
  • 1 Dragon's Prey
  • 1 Druid of the Cowl
  • 1 Dune Beetle
  • 1 Early Winter
  • 1 Elvish Rejuvenator
  • 1 Emptiness
  • 1 Fell Specter
  • 8 Forest
  • 1 Forever Young
  • 1 Fortifying Provisions
  • 1 Foul Orchard
  • 1 Galadhrim Bow
  • 1 Ghalta the Immovable
  • 1 Gift of Granite
  • 1 Gleaming Barrier
  • 1 Glittermonger
  • 1 Golgari Guildgate
  • 1 Great Forest Druid
  • 1 Hazel's Nocturne
  • 1 Hero's Resolve
  • 1 High Stride
  • 1 Interface Ace
  • 1 Jade-Cast Sentinel
  • 1 Llanowar Scout
  • 1 Locthwain Gargoyle
  • 1 Looming Altisaur
  • 1 Luminollusk
  • 1 Many Partings
  • 1 Murmuring Volume
  • 1 Nightmare Sower
  • 1 Oashra Cultivator
  • 1 Ornamental Courage
  • 1 Pegasus Courser
  • 10 Plains
  • 1 Prey Upon
  • 1 Reaping Willow
  • 1 Sanguine Syphoner
  • 1 Savor
  • 1 Scarblade's Malice
  • 1 Scoured Barrens
  • 1 Shimmercreep
  • 1 Skyblade of the Legion
  • 1 Smite
  • 1 Streetwise Negotiator
  • 1 Stronghold Arena
  • 12 Swamp
  • 1 Swooping Lookout
  • 1 Task Force
  • 1 Tasseled Dromedary
  • 1 Temple Garden
  • 1 Three Tree Rootweaver
  • 1 Thriving Moor
  • 1 Vampire Neonate
  • 1 Wall of Limbs
  • 1 Wispmare
  • 1 Wreckage Wickerfolk
  • 1 Yoked Ox