Yo, what’s up, MTG fanatics? We’re diving headfirst into the wild world of food chain mtg combo! Get ready to witness some seriously busted plays. This combo revolves around the Food Chain enchantment, a card that lets you exile creatures to generate mana. The real magic happens when you pair it with creatures that can be cast repeatedly from exile.
Think infinite mana, infinite creature casts – the ultimate recipe for victory.
We’re talking about the bread and butter of competitive play, and it’s all about how to break the game. We’ll break down the essential cards, explore different deck archetypes, and learn how to execute these game-winning plays. From ramp spells to the specific creatures that make it all happen, we’ll get you up to speed on the best ways to go infinite and dominate the battlefield.
Buckle up, because things are about to get crazy!
Introduction to Food Chain MTG Combos
Alright, so you wanna talk Food Chain, huh? Think of it like this: you’re building a super-efficient mana factory, but instead of producing oil or widgets, you’re churning out creatures, and a whole LOT of them. It’s a combo strategy that’s been around for a while, and for good reason – when it pops off, it’s usually game over. Let’s dive in.
Defining the “Food Chain” Card
The card “Food Chain” itself is a sorcery that costs three mana (one green and two generic). It has a simple, yet incredibly powerful effect: “Whenever you cast a creature spell, you may exile it. If you do, add X mana of any one color to your mana pool, where X is that creature’s converted mana cost.” Basically, you sacrifice creatures to make more mana.
This mana can then be used to cast more creatures, which are then sacrificed for more mana, and so on.
Fundamental Principle Behind Food Chain Combos
The core idea is pretty straightforward, but the implications are insane. It’s all about mana generation and creature casting. The Food Chain card allows you to generate a virtually limitless amount of mana, specifically by sacrificing creatures. You use this mana to recast creatures from your hand, which you then exile with Food Chain to generate even more mana. This creates a recursive engine, or as some might say, a “loop.”
Food Chain + Creature = More Mana + Creature
This is the fundamental loop. Each creature cast nets you mana equal to its converted mana cost, which is then used to cast more creatures, repeating the cycle. The crucial thing is to have creatures that can generate more value than their casting cost, or creatures that can provide value in the form of drawing cards, dealing damage, or otherwise disrupting the opponent’s strategy.
The goal is to reach a point where you can cast your win condition creature an infinite number of times.
General Goal of Food Chain Combos in Competitive Play
In competitive play, the primary goal of Food Chain combos is to assemble the combo, generate an overwhelming amount of mana, and then cast a creature that wins the game on the spot. The goal is usually to cast your win condition creature repeatedly to trigger its abilities. The aim is to get your opponent dead, usually quickly, before they can stabilize or disrupt your plan.
- Rapid Mana Generation: The ultimate goal is to generate an infinite amount of mana, allowing for the casting of numerous creatures.
- Win Condition Deployment: Once you have the mana, you cast a creature that directly wins the game. This could be a creature that deals damage to the opponent, draws your entire deck, or provides another overwhelming advantage.
- Combo Protection: Competitive decks using Food Chain often include cards that protect the combo from disruption, such as counterspells or removal spells.
- Speed and Efficiency: The best Food Chain decks aim to assemble and execute the combo quickly, ideally before the opponent can react. This involves tutoring for Food Chain and key creatures, and efficiently utilizing mana and card advantage.
Core Cards and Synergies
Alright, so you’ve got your Food Chain engine purring, ready to go infinite, but you need the supporting cast to make it all happen. Think of them as the band members backing up the lead singer (that’s Food Chain, by the way). These cards aren’t the main event, but they’re absolutely crucial for setting up the stage and ensuring your combo actuallyworks*.
We’re talking about ramp, card draw, and creatures that either help you find your combo pieces or protect you from getting stomped before you can even start. Let’s break down the essentials.
Mana Acceleration
Food Chain decks, like most combo decks, are all about speed. The faster you can get Food Chain on the battlefield, the better. That’s where mana acceleration, or “ramp,” comes in. It allows you to cast your spells more quickly, giving you a significant advantage over your opponents. This is especially critical in a format like Commander, where you’re up against three other players, all of whom are probably trying to do something degenerate of their own.
- Mana Dorks: These are creatures that tap to produce mana. They’re cheap, efficient, and provide early-game acceleration. Popular choices include:
- Birds of Paradise: A classic. Produces any color of mana.
- Fyndhorn Elves: A one-mana elf that taps for green.
- Llanowar Elves: Another one-mana elf that taps for green.
- Ramp Spells: These spells directly put lands onto the battlefield, which gives you more mana to work with. Examples include:
- Cultivate: A three-mana sorcery that searches your library for two basic lands.
- Kodama’s Reach: Similar to Cultivate.
- Nature’s Lore: A two-mana sorcery that searches your library for a Forest.
These cards are all about getting you to your Food Chain and combo pieces faster. Think of them as the nitrous oxide in your magic car – they give you that extra burst of speed you need to leave your opponents in the dust.
Creatures and the Infinite Mana Engine
Now, let’s talk about the heart of the matter: the creatures that interact directly with Food Chain to generate infinite mana. This is where the magic truly happens, and where the combo goes from “cool idea” to “game-winning strategy.” The most common creature for this purpose is
Eternal Scourge*.
- Eternal Scourge: This creature is the linchpin of many Food Chain combos. The card is a 3/3 colorless creature with the ability “You may cast Eternal Scourge from exile.” This means that once it’s exiled, you can cast it again and again, as long as you have the mana. Here’s how it works with Food Chain:
1. You cast Eternal Scourge.
2. You sacrifice Eternal Scourge to Food Chain, which adds mana of any color to your mana pool.3. Food Chain exiles Eternal Scourge.
4. You cast Eternal Scourge from exile using the mana generated by Food Chain.
5.Repeat steps 2-4, generating infinite mana.
This infinite mana engine is the foundation of the combo. Once you have infinite mana, you can cast your commander (if it’s a creature) an infinite number of times, or cast other spells with mana costs to win the game. The key here is that
Eternal Scourge* can be cast from exile, making the loop self-sustaining.
Common Combo Pieces
Alright, so we’ve talked about Food Chain itself, the core cards that make the engine go vroom. But, just like any good car, you need the right parts to make it actuallydo* anything. That’s where the combo pieces come in. These are the creatures that, when combined with Food Chain, generate infinite mana or some other ridiculous advantage that lets you win the game.
Think of it like the secret ingredients in a really spicy indomie goreng – you need them to take the whole experience to the next level.We’ll be diving into the main types of creatures used in Food Chain combos, focusing on the ones that can be cast repeatedly from exile and how they work with the infamous “Squee.” Buckle up, buttercups!
Creatures Repeatedly Cast from Exile
These creatures are the workhorses of the Food Chain strategy. The whole point is to cast them, sacrifice them to Food Chain, get mana, and then recast them from exile. Rinse and repeat until you have enough mana to cast your big finisher (usually a creature that can win the game with all that mana). The key is that these creatures must be able to return to your hand from exile.Here’s how it generally works:
- You cast the creature.
- You sacrifice the creature to Food Chain, adding mana to your mana pool.
- The creature goes to exile.
- You use the mana generated by Food Chain to cast the creature from exile.
The most popular creature in this category is probably
- Eternal Scourge*. Why? Because it’s
- uncounterable*. This is important because counterspells are a common way to disrupt combo decks. Also, it exiles itself when it leaves the battlefield, making it easier to repeatedly cast it. Another popular option is
- Misthollow Griffin*, which also exiles itself when it leaves the battlefield.
“Squee, the Goblin Nabob” and Similar Cards
These cards provide a more direct and consistent way to generate mana with Food Chain. Instead of needing to exile and recast the same creature over and over, they simply return to your hand from the graveyard. This allows you to consistently generate mana each turn, building towards your win condition.Let’s get into the nitty-gritty:
- “Squee, the Goblin Nabob”: This little goblin is the poster child for this type of combo piece. Squee’s ability to return to your hand from the graveyard makes it an ideal target for Food Chain. You cast Squee, sacrifice it to Food Chain, and then cast it again. Rinse and repeat. Each iteration of this process nets you mana, allowing you to build up to a large mana pool.
- “Squee, the Goblin Nabob”
-The Advantage: It can be cast repeatedly from your hand, unlike the other creatures that need to be exiled first. This is a huge advantage in the face of removal. - Other Similar Cards: While Squee is the most famous, other cards function similarly. Cards like
-Reassembling Skeleton* can be sacrificed to Food Chain and brought back to your hand repeatedly. These creatures are the fuel that keeps the Food Chain engine running.
Step-by-Step Food Chain Combo Example
Let’s walk through a typical Food Chain combo using
Eternal Scourge* as our example.
Let’s say you have
- Eternal Scourge* and
- Food Chain* on the battlefield.
- Cast Eternal Scourge: Cast
Eternal Scourge*.
- Sacrifice to Food Chain: Sacrifice
- Eternal Scourge* to
- Food Chain*. This adds mana to your mana pool.
- Eternal Scourge* is exiled.
- Cast from Exile: Use the mana from
- Food Chain* to cast
- Eternal Scourge* from exile.
- Repeat: Repeat steps 2 and 3, generating more and more mana with each cycle.
The amount of mana you generate each time depends on the cost of
- Eternal Scourge* and the mana cost of your commander (if you are playing a Commander game). For example, if
- Eternal Scourge* costs 5 mana, and your commander costs 2 mana, you will net 3 mana each time you cycle.
Now, what do you do with all that mana? You use it to cast a creature that can win the game, likeThassa’s Oracle* (in a blue-based Food Chain deck), or a big, game-ending threat that your opponents can’t deal with. The possibilities are almost endless, which is why Food Chain is such a powerful and versatile combo.
Deck Archetypes and Variations
Alright, so you’ve got your Food Chain engine purring like a caffeinated kitten. Now comes the fun part: deciding how to weaponize this bad boy. Food Chain, in its glorious combo-tastic nature, is a versatile beast. It can be molded and shaped to fit various strategies, each with its own strengths, weaknesses, and level of salt-inducing potential. Think of it like a Swiss Army knife, but instead of a tiny screwdriver, it has infinite mana and a penchant for summoning giant monsters.
We’re going to dive into the different flavors of Food Chain, from the explosive to the… well, slightly less explosive.Let’s get one thing straight: the success of any Food Chain deck hinges on a few key factors. Firstly, speed. Can you assemble your combo before your opponent drops a Wrath of God or, worse, a pesky Blood Moon? Secondly, consistency.
Do you have enough tutors and card draw to find the necessary pieces? And thirdly, resilience. Can you bounce back from disruption, like a well-timed Force of Will? The answers to these questions determine whether you’re playing a Tier 1 powerhouse or a kitchen-table curiosity.
Food Chain Commander Options
The Commander you choose is the cornerstone of your Food Chain strategy. It dictates your color identity, which in turn influences the creatures you’ll run, the supporting spells you’ll play, and the overall game plan. Each Commander offers a unique advantage, from pure speed to card advantage and resilience. It’s like picking a character in a fighting game: each one has its own special moves and style.Let’s take a look at some popular Commander options, comparing their strengths and weaknesses.
| Commander | Colors | Key Strategy | Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prossh, Skyraider of Kher (Image: A fearsome dragon riding atop a monstrous, insect-like creature, with a horde of Kobolds swarming around them. The art conveys power and aggression.) |
Jund (Red/Black/Green) | Fast, explosive combo finish with a board presence. Generates a swarm of Kobolds to sacrifice to Food Chain, and then uses the mana to recast Prossh, creating even more Kobolds to overwhelm opponents or fuel further Food Chain activations. | High speed, powerful board presence, relatively resilient to spot removal. Can win through combat even without the combo. | Vulnerable to board wipes, can be disrupted by graveyard hate (if relying on reanimation). Prossh’s mana cost can be a hurdle if not ramped into quickly. |
| Tazri, Beacon of Unity (Image: Tazri, a human warrior, stands confidently amidst a group of diverse allies, representing the five colors. The art suggests teamwork and versatility.) |
Five Colors (White/Blue/Black/Red/Green) | Tutor-based, toolbox approach. Tazri’s ability tutors for a creature each time you cast her, providing access to a wide array of combo pieces and utility creatures. The ability to tutor for specific pieces makes the deck highly adaptable. | Highly versatile, can adapt to different metagames, strong card advantage through Tazri’s ability. Access to all five colors offers a wide range of options for removal, counterspells, and other support spells. | Requires a high mana base to support five colors, can be slower to assemble the combo compared to other options. Vulnerable to mana denial strategies. |
| Korvold, Fae-Cursed King (Image: Korvold, a regal dragon, surrounded by autumn leaves and a sense of regal power. The art conveys the themes of card advantage and sacrifice.) |
Jund (Red/Black/Green) | Sacrifice-based value engine that also wins via Food Chain. Korvold draws cards for each creature sacrificed, which fuels the combo and provides card advantage. | Excellent card draw, resilient to spot removal due to card advantage, strong in the mid-game even without the combo. | Slower to assemble the combo compared to Prossh. Relies on the graveyard, making it vulnerable to graveyard hate. |
| Animar, Soul of Elements (Image: Animar, a mystical elemental creature, surrounded by swirling energies. The art emphasizes the creature-based strategy.) |
Temur (Blue/Red/Green) | Creature-centric, focused on casting creatures for free using Animar’s cost reduction ability. This allows for casting several creatures in a turn. The combo is often completed with a creature that can generate infinite mana or create infinite tokens. | Can generate explosive turns, resilient to targeted removal, and can often win without relying solely on the Food Chain combo. | Vulnerable to board wipes, requires Animar to be on the battlefield to function effectively, can be disrupted by counterspells. |
These are just a few examples, of course. Each Commander choice opens up a different set of possibilities, so choose wisely, my friend. Your Commander selection will determine the overall “feel” of your deck, from the creatures you choose to the removal spells you play.
Advanced Strategies and Techniques
Alright, so you’ve got your Food Chain combo assembled. You’ve got your mana flowing, your creatures ready to be sacrificed, and your opponents are starting to sweat. But hold up, because in the cutthroat world of competitive Magic, your opponents aren’t just going to sit there and let you win. They’re packing removal, counterspells, and all sorts of nasty tricks to disrupt your plans.
This section is about leveling up your Food Chain game, transforming you from a combo enthusiast into a combomaster*. We’re talking about protecting your precious Food Chain and ensuring your victory.
Protecting the Food Chain Combo
So, how do you keep your combo safe from the inevitable onslaught of removal and counterspells? Think of it like this: you’re building a fortress. You need walls (protection spells), scouts (card draw and tutors), and a strategic plan. This is not about just hoping your opponents stumble; this is about being prepared.Here’s a breakdown of the key strategies:* Counterspells: Having counterspells in your deck is essential.
These are your first line of defense.
Example
* Counterspell, Force of Will, Pact of Negation.
* Creature Protection: Protecting your combo creatures from removal is vital.
Example
* Swiftfoot Boots, Lightning Greaves, Heroic Intervention.
* Resilience: Cards that allow you to rebuild after your combo is disrupted are important.
Example
* Regrowth, Eternal Witness.
* Threat Assessment: Knowing what your opponents are likely to play is key. This helps you to hold up the right counterspells at the right time.* Timing: Casting your Food Chain at the opportune moment can often avoid disruption. Wait for your opponent to tap out, or bait them into using their counterspells on something less important.
Common Disruption Spells
Knowing your enemy is half the battle. Here’s a list of the common spells that your opponents will use to try and dismantle your Food Chain combo, categorized for easier understanding. Prepare for these, and you’ll be one step ahead.* Counterspells: The most direct way to stop Food Chain. –
Examples
*
Counterspell
A classic, efficient counterspell.
Force of Will
A free counterspell at the cost of a card.
Mana Drain
A counterspell that gives you mana, turning your opponent’s disruption into an advantage.
Swan Song
Counters a spell for one mana, perfect for protecting your Food Chain.* Creature Removal: Removing your combo pieces is a common tactic. –
Examples
*
Swords to Plowshares
A cheap and efficient removal spell.
Path to Exile
Similar to Swords to Plowshares.
Assassin’s Trophy
Flexible removal that can hit Food Chain or other threats.
Anguished Unmaking
Versatile removal with a small life payment.* Artifact Removal: If your deck relies on artifacts like mana rocks to cast Food Chain, this is a threat. –
Examples
*
Nature’s Claim
A cheap way to destroy an artifact or enchantment.
Abrade
Deals damage and can destroy an artifact.
Vandalblast
A board wipe against artifacts.* Enchantment Removal: Though less common, if your Food Chain is an enchantment, you need to be prepared. –
Examples
*
Wear // Tear
Versatile removal.
Return to Dust
Can exile multiple enchantments.
The Power of Tutors
Tutors are the backbone of any combo deck. They allow you to search your library for the specific cards you need, ensuring consistency and speeding up your combo. Think of them as your secret weapon, the key to finding the missing piece of the puzzle.* Efficient Tutors: These tutors are cheap and allow you to quickly find your combo pieces.
–
Examples
*
Demonic Tutor
The gold standard of tutors.
Vampiric Tutor
Instant speed tutoring for a small life payment.
Imperial Recruiter
Searches for creatures and puts them directly into your hand.
Gamble
Can search for any card, but you have to discard a card at random.* Creature Tutors: Specifically for finding creatures, often used to find your combo pieces. –
Examples
*
Green Sun’s Zenith
Searches for a green creature and puts it onto the battlefield.
Chord of Calling
Can search for creatures at instant speed.
Recruiter of the Guard
Finds creatures with a mana cost of 3 or less.* Artifact Tutors: For decks that rely on artifacts like mana rocks, these are crucial. –
Examples
*
Fabricate
Finds an artifact.
Tinker
Sacrifices an artifact to put a big artifact into play.Remember, the more tutors you run, the more consistently you’ll be able to assemble your Food Chain combo and take your opponents by surprise.
Meta Considerations and Counterplay
Alright, teman-teman, setelah kita membahas semua tentang Food Chain, dari cara kerjanya sampai variasi deck-nya, sekarang saatnya kita bicara tentang dunia nyata. Maksudnya, gimana Food Chain ini bertahan di dunia Magic: The Gathering yang keras, dan apa yang bisa kita lakukan untuk mengalahkannya. Bayangkan Food Chain sebagai makanan kesukaan, tapi lawan kita punya ‘senjata’ untuk merusak selera makan kita.
Matchups Food Chain Decks Struggle Against
Food Chain bukanlah ‘one-size-fits-all’ combo. Ada beberapa jenis deck yang bisa bikin kita gigit jari. Deck-deck ini punya cara khusus untuk mengganggu rencana kita, baik dengan mencegah kita menyusun combo atau dengan membalas lebih cepat.
- Fast Combo Decks: Food Chain, meskipun cepat, bukan yang tercepat. Deck-deck lain, seperti Ad Nauseam atau Storm, seringkali bisa menang sebelum Food Chain bisa berfungsi penuh. Mereka punya combo yang lebih sederhana dan bisa dieksekusi lebih awal.
- Stax Decks: Stax adalah deck yang tujuannya memperlambat permainan dengan membatasi sumber daya lawan. Kartu-kartu seperti Trinisphere atau Winter Orb bisa sangat menyakitkan, karena mereka mengganggu kemampuan kita untuk menghasilkan mana yang dibutuhkan Food Chain.
- Control Decks with Counterspells: Deck kontrol dengan counterspell yang solid seperti Force of Will, Pact of Negation, atau Counterspell bisa mematikan combo Food Chain. Mereka menunggu kita memainkan kartu kunci, lalu membantah (counter) mereka, membuat kita frustrasi.
- Aggro Decks: Deck aggro, dengan strategi menyerang secara cepat, bisa menang sebelum Food Chain sempat memulai kombonya. Mereka fokus pada serangan langsung ke nyawa kita, memaksa kita bertahan daripada fokus membangun combo.
Strategies for Countering Food Chain Combos
Untuk melawan Food Chain, kita perlu lebih dari sekadar berharap. Kita perlu strategi yang tepat. Berikut beberapa taktik yang bisa digunakan:
- Early Pressure: Menyerang dengan cepat. Jika kita bisa mengurangi nyawa lawan dengan cepat, mereka akan kesulitan mencari waktu untuk menyusun combo.
- Disruption: Ganggu rencana mereka. Gunakan kartu yang bisa mengganggu kemampuan mereka mengumpulkan mana atau memainkan kartu kunci.
- Counterspells: Kartu-kartu counterspell adalah teman terbaik kita. Jaga tangan kita dengan counterspell untuk membatalkan Food Chain atau kartu penting lainnya.
- Graveyard Hate: Food Chain seringkali bergantung pada kemampuan untuk mengambil kartu dari graveyard. Kartu seperti Rest in Peace bisa mematikan strategi ini.
- Stax Effects: Gunakan kartu-kartu yang memperlambat lawan. Trinisphere, Winter Orb, atau bahkan Sphere of Resistance bisa sangat efektif.
Cards Effective at Disrupting Food Chain
Ada banyak kartu yang bisa digunakan untuk menghancurkan Food Chain. Berikut beberapa contohnya:
- Creatures:
- Hushbringer: Mencegah kemampuan trigger yang penting, seperti yang dihasilkan dari casting Misthollow Griffin.
- Containment Priest: Mencegah creature yang di-exile kembali ke medan pertempuran.
- Spells:
- Force of Will/Force of Negation: Counterspell yang sangat fleksibel, bisa digunakan kapan saja.
- Pyroblast/Red Elemental Blast: Sangat efektif melawan counterspell dan spell berwarna biru.
- Rest in Peace: Mencegah graveyard manipulation.
- Trinisphere: Membatasi mana lawan.
Examples of Specific Food Chain Combos
Alright, so you’ve waded through the theoretical swamp of Food Chain. Now, let’s get our hands dirty and actuallysee* these things work. Think of this section as the practical application of your freshly acquired Food Chain knowledge. We’re going to break down a couple of classic combos, the kind that’ll make your opponents sweat and frantically calculate life totals.
Misthollow Griffin and Food Chain
The Misthollow Griffin combo is a classic for a reason: it’s elegant, relatively straightforward, and generates infinite mana and creature casts. It’s like a finely tuned comedy routine – simple setup, hilarious payoff. The key is that Misthollow Griffin can be cast from exile, which perfectly synergizes with Food Chain’s ability to exile creatures for mana.Here’s how the Misthollow Griffin combo works, step-by-step:
- Have Food Chain in play. This is your engine, the heart of the operation.
- Cast Misthollow Griffin. You’ll need mana for this, but it doesn’t matter how much, the goal is to get it on the stack.
- Sacrifice Misthollow Griffin to Food Chain. This is where the magic happens. Food Chain exiles the Griffin and gives you mana.
- Use the mana from Food Chain to cast Misthollow Griffin from exile. Because Misthollow Griffin can be cast from exile, you can bring it back to the battlefield immediately.
- Repeat steps 3 and 4. Each time you sacrifice the Griffin, you get mana from Food Chain. Then you use that mana to cast the Griffin from exile. This creates an infinite loop of mana generation.
- Use the generated mana to cast other creatures or to win the game. With infinite mana, the possibilities are endless. You can cast your win conditions (like a big creature with trample) repeatedly or cast a card that will end the game immediately, like a card that deals damage to each opponent equal to the number of creatures you control.
The beauty of this combo is its self-sustaining nature. You’re essentially trading a creature for mana, then using that mana to bring the same creature back. The loop is easy to understand and relatively easy to execute.
Grave Titan or Similar Creature Combo
This combo is a bit more involved, but the payoff is often devastating. The core concept is similar to the Griffin combo: use Food Chain to generate mana, and then use that mana to cast a creature repeatedly, creating an army or an overwhelming advantage.Here’s a step-by-step guide to executing the Grave Titan combo, or using a creature that creates tokens when entering the battlefield:
- Have Food Chain in play. Again, the foundation of your strategy.
- Cast Grave Titan. You’ll need to pay its mana cost, which is typically 6 mana.
- When Grave Titan enters the battlefield, it creates two 2/2 black Zombie creature tokens. These tokens are key to the combo.
- Sacrifice Grave Titan to Food Chain. This exiles the Titan and adds mana to your mana pool. The mana you get will be equal to or more than the casting cost of Grave Titan.
- Use the mana from Food Chain to cast Grave Titan from your exile zone.
- When Grave Titan enters the battlefield, it creates two more 2/2 black Zombie creature tokens.
- Repeat steps 4, 5, and 6. Each time you cast Grave Titan, you get two more Zombie tokens. Each time you sacrifice Grave Titan, you get mana from Food Chain. The cycle generates more tokens with each iteration.
- Use the generated mana to cast the tokens. With the mana generated from sacrificing the Titan, you can cast all the tokens you have on the battlefield.
- Attack with the massive army of Zombies, overwhelming your opponents. With each iteration, the number of zombies on the battlefield grows exponentially, making it nearly impossible for opponents to defend.
This combo leverages the Grave Titan’s ability to generate tokens, creating an army that can quickly overwhelm your opponents. It’s a classic example of a combo that uses Food Chain to generate a significant board presence.
Building a Food Chain Deck
Alright, so you’ve decided to embrace the chaos and build a Food Chain deck. Good choice! Get ready to unleash some serious mana generation and creature-slinging shenanigans. Building a Food Chain deck isn’t just about jamming in the combo pieces; it’s about crafting a finely tuned engine that can consistently churn out wins. Let’s break down the essential components.
Design a Sample Decklist for a Food Chain Deck, Specifying the Colors and Strategy
Okay, so, let’s say we’re going with a classic, tried-and-true Food Chain deck: Naya Food Chain (Green, White, Red). This color combination gives us access to powerful ramp spells, efficient creatures, and some sweet removal. Here’s a sample decklist, designed to be a solid starting point:
| Creatures (25) | Spells (15) | Lands (20) |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
This decklist focuses on a creature-based Food Chain strategy, using a mix of ramp creatures, combo enablers, and value creatures. It can generate infinite mana with Food Chain and a creature like Eternal Scourge, then use that mana to cast a huge threat like Emrakul, the Aeons Torn, or Kiki-Jiki to create infinite hasty copies of Zealous Conscripts, stealing all of your opponents’ permanents.
It’s a highly resilient deck that can win through multiple angles.
Detail the Considerations for Choosing Lands in a Food Chain Deck
Choosing the right lands is crucial for any Magic deck, and Food Chain is no exception. You need lands that provide consistent mana fixing, especially since we’re running multiple colors. We need to consider a few factors:
- Color Requirements: Ensure you have enough lands that can produce each of your colors early on. The number of basics you play often depends on the color demands of your spells. For example, if you have a lot of double-color symbols in your spells (like
-Swords to Plowshares* requiring two white mana), you’ll want to include more white-producing lands. - Fetch Lands: Fetch lands like
-Windswept Heath* and
-Arid Mesa* are essential. They thin your deck, increasing the chances of drawing the combo pieces. They also provide color fixing and trigger landfall abilities if you have them. They’re pretty much the gold standard for mana bases. - Dual Lands: Dual lands like
-Savannah* and
-Plateau* are crucial for fixing your mana and enabling early plays. Prioritize dual lands that enter untapped whenever possible. - Utility Lands: Utility lands offer advantages beyond mana production.
-Command Tower* is an auto-include.
-City of Brass* and
-Mana Confluence* are good for fixing mana, but can cause you to lose life. - Basic Lands: Basics are important for stabilizing your mana base and protecting against land destruction. Include the correct number of each basic land.
- Non-Basic Land Hate: Consider how vulnerable your mana base is to cards like
-Blood Moon* or
-Back to Basics*. If you anticipate these, you might need to adjust your land choices.
Share the Process for Determining the Optimal Number of Combo Pieces and Supporting Cards
Finding the right balance between combo pieces and supporting cards is a delicate art. Too many combo pieces, and you’ll flood your hand with dead cards. Too few, and you’ll never assemble the combo. Here’s how to approach it:
- Core Combo Pieces: These are the cards essential to the combo. For Food Chain, this includes Food Chain itself and the creatures that generate infinite mana. You’ll usually want to run the maximum number of copies allowed of the key combo cards.
- Combo Enablers: These cards help you find your combo pieces. Cards like
-Brainstorm*,
-Ponder*, and
-Preordain* are essential. These allow you to dig through your deck, find the combo pieces, and get them into your hand. - Ramp: You’ll need ramp to get Food Chain out quickly. Include mana dorks (creatures that tap for mana), ramp spells, and mana rocks.
- Interaction/Protection: Include spells to protect your combo and disrupt your opponents. This could include counterspells, removal, and protection spells.
- Value/Utility: Once the combo is online, you’ll need a way to win the game. Include creatures that can close out the game or generate value.
- Testing and Iteration: The best way to find the right balance is to test your deck and adjust it based on your results. Track your games, see what cards are underperforming, and replace them with more effective options.
- Deckbuilding Software: Using a deckbuilding program like Moxfield or MTGGoldfish can help you analyze your mana curve and card distribution.
By carefully considering these factors, you can build a Food Chain deck that is both consistent and powerful.
Illustrative Scenarios and Gameplay
Alright, let’s dive into the thrilling world of Food Chain, where mana shenanigans and infinite combos reign supreme. We’ll explore how these strategies play out in the heat of battle, from the sweet taste of victory to the bitter sting of disruption. Prepare for some hypothetical game scenarios, detailed turn-by-turn breakdowns, and the agony and ecstasy of Food Chain gameplay.
Successful Food Chain Execution
Imagine this: It’s your turn, and the battlefield is set. You’ve got a few key pieces in place, and your opponent is sweating. This is how a successful Food Chain execution might unfold.* Turn 1: You play a land and cast a mana dork, say a Llanowar Elves, to accelerate your mana.
Turn 2
Another land drop, and you cast Food Chain. Your heart rate subtly increases.
Turn 3
You drop a creature that generates mana when sacrificed, like a Boreal Druid. You sacrifice it to Food Chain, netting mana.
Turn 4
The key piece: You cast a creature that generates mana and also provides value upon entering the battlefield, such as a Eternal Scourge.
Eternal Scourge: Creature – Eldrazi 2/2 You may cast Eternal Scourge from exile. Whenever Eternal Scourge is cast from exile, exile it.
You sacrifice the Eternal Scourge to Food Chain, getting enough mana to cast it again from exile. Repeat this process infinitely, generating infinite mana.
Turn 5
Now you have infinite mana, and you can cast a creature like a Goblin Recruiter.
Goblin Recruiter: Creature – Goblin 1/1 When Goblin Recruiter enters the battlefield, search your library for any number of Goblin cards, reveal them, and put them on top of your library in any order. Then shuffle your library.
You use Goblin Recruiter to stack your deck with several copies of a combo finisher, such as a creature that can deal damage to the opponent.
Turn 6
You use the infinite mana to cast the combo finisher from your hand. Then, the game is over. You win.This is a simplified version, of course. The exact sequence and creatures used can vary based on your deck and the specific combo you’re running. The core principle remains: use Food Chain to generate infinite mana and then win the game.
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Food Chain Combo Disruption, Food chain mtg combo
Let’s face it, things don’t always go according to plan. Sometimes, your opponent has a counterspell, removal spell, or a well-timed piece of disruption. Here’s a scenario where a Food Chain combo is thwarted.* The Setup: You’ve cast Food Chain and have a Boreal Druid on the battlefield. You’re ready to start the combo.
The Play
You sacrifice Boreal Druid to Food Chain to generate mana, and cast your first creature.
The Counter
Your opponent, sensing the danger, casts a counterspell, such as a Counterspell, targeting your creature.
Counterspell: Instant – Counterspell Counter target spell.
The Aftermath
Your creature is countered. Your combo is stalled. You have a Food Chain on the battlefield, and no creature in play to fuel the combo. The opponent is now able to attack with creatures or advance their own game plan while you have to recover.The counterspell, in this case, is a crucial disruption. This shows that even a seemingly unstoppable combo can be stopped with the right response.
Timing and hand reading become essential aspects of gameplay when trying to execute a Food Chain combo.
Game State Breakdown: Turn-by-Turn Example
Let’s break down a specific turn-by-turn sequence to illustrate the intricacies of a Food Chain combo. We’ll use the Eternal Scourge combo.* Turn 1:
Board State
You have a land in play.
Hand
Several lands, Food Chain, and Eternal Scourge.
Mana Pool
1 mana.
Turn 2
Board State
You have two lands in play.
Hand
Food Chain, Eternal Scourge, lands.
Mana Pool
2 mana. You cast Food Chain.
Food Chain
Enchantment Whenever you cast a creature spell, you may exile it. If you do, add mana equal to its mana value.
Turn 3
Board State
Food Chain in play, two lands.
Hand
Eternal Scourge, lands.
Mana Pool
2 mana. You cast a mana dork, like a Boreal Druid.
Turn 4
Board State
Food Chain, Boreal Druid, two lands.
Hand
Eternal Scourge, lands.
Mana Pool
2 mana. You sacrifice Boreal Druid to Food Chain. You add one mana to your mana pool.
You cast Eternal Scourge from exile.
You sacrifice Eternal Scourge to Food Chain. You add 2 mana to your mana pool.
You cast Eternal Scourge from exile.
You sacrifice Eternal Scourge to Food Chain. You add 2 mana to your mana pool.
You cast Eternal Scourge from exile.
You sacrifice Eternal Scourge to Food Chain. You add 2 mana to your mana pool. This continues infinitely, with you sacrificing and recasting Eternal Scourge, gaining an additional mana each time. –
Turn 5
Board State
Food Chain in play. You have infinite mana.
Hand
Lands.
Mana Pool
Infinite mana. You cast a creature that can win you the game, such as a Goblin Recruiter, to search for your combo pieces. –
Turn 6
Board State
Food Chain in play. You have infinite mana. You have a creature that can win you the game.
Hand
Combo pieces.
Mana Pool
Infinite mana.
You win the game.
This detailed breakdown shows how a Food Chain combo evolves. The initial setup leads to incremental advantages, then explodes into a game-winning sequence. The opponent needs to be able to disrupt your combo, or they are in trouble.
Resources and Further Reading
Alright, so you’ve delved into the crazy world of Food Chain combos in Magic: The Gathering. You’ve seen the cards, understood the mechanics, and maybe even tried to assemble the combo yourself. But the rabbit hole goes deeper, my friend. To truly master Food Chain, you need to arm yourself with knowledge from the internet, from the people who have spent countless hours brewing, testing, and optimizing these decks.
It’s like learning to cook from a cookbook, but instead of a recipe, you’re learning the secrets to casting infinite spells and summoning an army of Eldrazi.This section is your digital library, your guide to finding the best resources to improve your Food Chain game. We’ll cover where to find the best articles, websites, and forums where players discuss strategies, decklists, and the latest meta developments.
Get ready to become a Food Chain aficionado.
Relevant Articles and Resources
To truly understand Food Chain, you need to immerse yourself in the knowledge base. Here are some resources that will help you.
- MTGGoldfish: MTGGoldfish is a fantastic resource for decklists, meta analysis, and articles. They frequently feature Food Chain decks, showcasing various builds and their performance in different formats. You’ll find articles analyzing specific card choices, matchups, and sideboard strategies. They have data to track deck performance and the meta.
- StarCityGames: StarCityGames (SCG) is a long-standing name in the MTG world, known for its articles, videos, and coverage of major tournaments. They often publish articles and deck techs focused on Food Chain and other combo decks. They have professional writers and players who offer insights into strategy and card choices.
- ChannelFireball: ChannelFireball is another excellent source for Magic content. They have articles, videos, and decklists from some of the best players in the world. You can find content dedicated to Food Chain strategies, including guides on how to pilot the deck and how to approach specific matchups.
- The Command Zone: While not exclusively focused on Food Chain, The Command Zone is a popular podcast and YouTube channel that covers Commander (EDH) content. They occasionally discuss Food Chain combos in the context of Commander, providing insights into the deck’s viability and strategic considerations in the format.
- Specific Tournament Reports: Keep an eye out for tournament reports from major events. These reports often include decklists and analyses of Food Chain decks that performed well, providing valuable insights into the current meta and effective strategies.
Popular MTG Websites and Forums
Where do the pros hang out and discuss their strategies? Here’s a list of the most active online communities.
- MTGTop8: MTGTop8 is a website that compiles decklists from major tournaments. You can find the latest Food Chain decklists, as well as information about how they performed in different events. It’s a great place to see what the top players are playing.
- Reddit (r/magicTCG, r/CompetitiveEDH): Reddit is a massive online forum with subreddits dedicated to Magic: The Gathering. The r/magicTCG subreddit is a general forum for all things Magic, while r/CompetitiveEDH is specifically focused on competitive Commander, where Food Chain is a prominent strategy. You can find discussions about Food Chain decks, card choices, and metagame considerations.
- The Mana Source: The Mana Source is a YouTube channel and website that covers a wide range of Magic content, including deck techs, gameplay videos, and articles. You might find content on Food Chain combos, especially in the context of Commander.
- Discord Servers: Many MTG communities have Discord servers where players can chat, discuss strategies, and share decklists. Search for specific Food Chain-related Discord servers to connect with other players.
- TCGplayer: TCGplayer is a major online marketplace for Magic: The Gathering cards. It also has articles and resources related to the game, including deck tech articles and metagame analysis, where you might find Food Chain related content.
Summarized Key Information from a Specific Article
Let’s say we’re looking at an article on MTGGoldfish about a specific Food Chain build. The article might analyze a specific version of the deck, such as a Food Chain build that utilizes Misthollow Griffin and Squee, the Goblin Nabob to generate infinite mana and cast your commander repeatedly. The article might also analyze the deck’s strengths and weaknesses, its matchups, and its sideboard strategies.
This specific build of Food Chain utilizes Misthollow Griffin and Squee, the Goblin Nabob as primary combo pieces. The article highlights that the deck is relatively resilient to removal, as it can recast Misthollow Griffin from exile and Squee from the graveyard. However, it is vulnerable to graveyard hate. The sideboard strategy often includes cards to combat graveyard hate and control matchups. The article also suggests that the deck has a strong matchup against creature-based decks but struggles against control decks that can counter the combo. The article is a detailed analysis of the deck, its strengths, and weaknesses, and provides a detailed sideboard guide to help you understand how to play against specific decks.
Epilogue
So, there you have it: the lowdown on food chain mtg combo. From the initial setup to the explosive finish, we’ve covered the key components, strategies, and potential pitfalls. Remember, it’s all about mastering the art of recursion and resource management. Whether you’re a seasoned vet or a curious newbie, understanding Food Chain is essential for staying ahead in the meta.
Now go forth, build your decks, and unleash the infinite mana madness!
