Magic: The Gathering Arena Zendikar: Tangled Growth walkthrough. Learn how to counter Avenger of Zendikar and manage Khalni Heart Expeditions.
Walkthrough
- 1The deck features low-cost defender creatures to impede the opponent, buying time to deploy juggernauts like Phytotitan (which resummons itself when killed) and Jaddi Lifestrider (a life gain source).
- 2The main creature to watch out for is Avenger of Zendikar, which has a Landfall effect that places +1/+1 counters on all plants. It spawns 0/1 plant tokens when it enters the battlefield, equal to the number of lands its owner has. Destroying this creature is game-changing, as the longer the battle goes on, the stronger it becomes.
- 3On Planeswalker difficulty, Snapping Creepers are replaced with Khalni Heart Expeditions, enchantments that can be sacrificed to fetch two lands. Wall of Wood (a 0/3 defender) is switched for Wall of Blossoms (a 0/4 defender that lets you draw a card upon battlefield entry).
- 4Khalni Heart Expedition is important to watch out for on higher difficulties, as it gives quick power to Vinelasher Kudzu and provides sacrificial targets for Harrow. Its land-grabbing tactics also power up other Khalni Heart Expeditions, increasing the deck's speed.
- 5Use noncombat damage to clear out weenie defenders and Khalni Garden's 0/1 spawns. Bigger threats are needed for Jaddi Lifestrider and Avenger of Zendikar; Ground Assault is the most cost-effective.
- 6Consider using "Anger of the Gods" to exile all creatures it kills, including Phytotitan, preventing its return to the field.
- 7Milling strategies work well here, as the opponent cannot retrieve milled cards, and it helps remove multiple Jaddis, Phytos, and Avengers.
Tips
- The free Trusty Machete artifact (equip: +2/+1) in play helps overcome walls.
- Harrow can sacrifice a land to fetch two more. As an instant, it may render effects that destroy lands (like Demolish or Tectonic Rift) useless.
- Land destruction is still a very good route to go, especially if Charmbreaker Devils is available.
- Hysterical Blindness can counter Overwhelm by giving all creatures -4/-0 until end of turn, which can be useful for attacking Nissa's ranks if toughness can be overcome.
- Tactically destroy Imperious Perfect and Elvish Champion to leave other attackers open, reducing field spam and the chance of the foe wasting Overwhelm.
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