"Game of Thrones" Monarch/Aikido - Queen Marchesa by KenDG

Format: Commander

Commander: Queen Marchesa

Bracket: 3

DeckCheck Threat Index: 36

Deck overview

This Mardu deck is a classic political Aikido and forced-combat control strategy piloted by Queen Marchesa. The game plan revolves around introducing the Monarch to maintain consistent card flow while setting up rattlesnake permanents and attack taxes like Ghostly Prison, Kazuul, Tyrant of the Cliffs, and Orzhov Advokist. Rather than racing to assemble fast combo wins, the deck weaponizes opponents' aggression against each other through goad effects such as Alexios, Deimos of Kosmos, Ghoulish Impetus, and Taunt from the Rampart. When an opponent attempts a large offensive push or lethal strike, instant-speed reversal spells like Deflecting Palm, Comeuppance, Inkshield, and Delirium punish them severely. The late game is closed out by mass goad unblockable swings, asymmetric board wipes like Ruinous Ultimatum, or counter-attacking with swarms of flying Inkling tokens created from prevented damage.

Decklist (100 cards)

  • 1 Alexios, Deimos of Kosmos
  • 1 Angel's Grace
  • 1 Anguished Unmaking
  • 1 Arcane Signet
  • 1 Archon of Coronation
  • 1 Athreos, Shroud-Veiled
  • 1 Backlash
  • 1 Bilbo's Gambit
  • 1 Bloodthirsty Blade
  • 1 Bojuka Bog
  • 1 Boros Charm
  • 1 Boros Fury-Shield
  • 1 Boros Signet
  • 1 Brash Taunter
  • 1 Breena, the Demagogue
  • 1 Champions of Minas Tirith
  • 1 Clifftop Retreat
  • 1 Comeuppance
  • 1 Command Tower
  • 1 Court of Grace
  • 1 Court of Ire
  • 1 Court of Locthwain
  • 1 Curse of Opulence
  • 1 Dawn's Truce
  • 1 Dazzling Reflection
  • 1 Deflecting Palm
  • 1 Delirium
  • 1 Dragonskull Summit
  • 1 Duelist's Heritage
  • 1 Emberwilde Captain
  • 1 Exotic Orchard
  • 1 Fellwar Stone
  • 1 Fetid Heath
  • 1 Flawless Maneuver
  • 1 Flumph
  • 1 Ghostly Prison
  • 1 Ghoulish Impetus
  • 1 Gisela, Blade of Goldnight
  • 1 Graven Cairns
  • 1 Humble Defector
  • 1 Immortal Obligation
  • 1 Inkshield
  • 1 Isolated Chapel
  • 1 Joined Researchers // Secret Rendezvous
  • 1 Kambal, Profiteering Mayor
  • 1 Kazuul, Tyrant of the Cliffs
  • 1 Mandate of Peace
  • 1 Mangara, the Diplomat
  • 1 Master of Ceremonies
  • 1 Mirage Mirror
  • 1 Mother of Runes
  • 7 Mountain
  • 1 Nelly Borca, Impulsive Accuser
  • 1 Nighthawk Scavenger
  • 1 Nomad Outpost
  • 1 Olórin's Searing Light
  • 1 Orzhov Advokist
  • 1 Path of Ancestry
  • 1 Path to Exile
  • 6 Plains
  • 1 Plaza of Heroes
  • 1 Queen Marchesa
  • 1 Rakdos Charm
  • 1 Reliquary Tower
  • 1 Return the Favor
  • 1 Rogue's Passage
  • 1 Royal Assassin
  • 1 Rugged Prairie
  • 1 Ruinous Ultimatum
  • 1 Scheming Symmetry
  • 1 Selfless Squire
  • 1 Shadrix Silverquill
  • 1 Smoldering Marsh
  • 1 Sol Ring
  • 5 Swamp
  • 1 Swiftfoot Boots
  • 1 Swords to Plowshares
  • 1 Taunt from the Rampart
  • 1 Teysa, Envoy of Ghosts
  • 1 Throne of the High City
  • 1 Vault of the Archangel
  • 1 Will of the Mardu
  • 1 Wishclaw Talisman
  • 1 Wyll's Reversal
  • 1 Xantcha, Sleeper Agent