Introduction

Do you like playing Stompy decks with big creatures? Are you an advanced Timmy, that has realized the potency of... 'Instant' speed? Then Kenessos might just be right for you!

Kenessos thrives in the ability to combine the normally slow, high-statted creatures with instant speed deployment and interaction. Thereby allowing the deck to achieve higher versatility, to remain under-the-radar for longer and include more interaction (in the form of counterspells) with which to combat combo decks.

General strategy

General strategy of the deck is to ramp early and remain under the radar for the early turns; While you do have a two-mana commander, it's not always the best to play immediately (as it might become a bystander in a boardwipe (BW) focusing an opponent). Key-pieces should be bounced or countered if possible, but only when absolutely necessary. The relatively large number of BW's should help to even the score before / when entering midgame.
Around midgame Kenessos really shines, Kenessos allows you to put the top card of your library on the battlefield (as long as its one of your sea creatures) at Instant speed for a lower cost than the casting cost. Furthermore, he improves your scrying abilities which allows you to pre-emptively bring these creatures to the top or to organize your upcoming draws. To fully utilize his potential, we prefer to include instant speed Ramp, BW's, interaction, draw, etc. Furthermore, Miracle cards work great in this deck as you are able to manipulate the odds to get them to come out as your first draw of the turn!
The Idea being that you keep your mana open to react to your opponents. This is a total 180 compared to most stompy green decks, which often go all out on their own plays and thereby neglect their opponents gameplan. Kenessos allows you to swap your gameplan last minute! Midgame should be focused on getting your board of Lovecraftian Horrors out, during this phase try to reserve counterspells for BW's or gamewinning plays.
Late game is often the most difficult time of the game; Everyone has enough mana to execute their plan, early game decks have often run out of steam and wins can sometimes come very suddenly. Extra turn spells, Selvala's stampede, Overwhelming stampede and Marit Lage's slumber should help close out the game.

Strong points / Weaknesses

• '+':
  • Strong boardpresence.
  • Relatively cheap / budget.
  • Unique gameplan (Scry, Stompy+Interaction, Miracle cards, Spin-the-Wheel, etc).
  • Good amount of Interaction while maintaining the ability to follow your own gameplan.
  • Putting down big creatures is always fun.
• '-':
  • The deck is too Fair
    -- No (purposefully-included) infinite combo's, No land destruction, No incredibly broken synergy, No Stax, No infect, No alternative wincon, unlikely to win incredibly early.
  • Weak against flying (aside from using boardwipes).
  • Difficulty with killing all opponent's in a single turn, must be aware of potential backlash.

Budget cuts / Replacements

Sideboard / Alternative includes