Deck Name: Two-Times to Kill

Format: Legacy
Deck Type: Mechanic-Based Aggro-Combo
Deck Theme: Double Strike & Extra Combat Phase Synergy
Colors: Red-White (Boros)

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Description

"Two-Times to Kill" is a Legacy mechanic-based aggro-combo deck that leverages double-strike creatures and additional combat phases to overwhelm opponents. By combining efficient attackers with effects that multiply combat steps, the deck converts small advantages into decisive damage. Each strike compounds the next, allowing even modest creatures to apply significant pressure.

This deck performs well in both multiplayer and 1v1 Legacy, especially against creature-centric and midrange strategies. With early threats like Swiftblade Vindicator and Fencing Ace supported by combat enhancers such as Boros Charm and Battle Mastery, each attack becomes increasingly dangerous. Extra combat enablers—including Aurelia, the Warleader, Karlach, Fury of Avernus, and Combat Celebrant—enable the deck to push through defenses and maintain offensive momentum. Support cards like Selfless Spirit, Luminarch Aspirant, and Shadowspear improve resilience and help stabilize against removal-heavy opponents.

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How to Play

Early Game:
Deploy efficient threats such as Swiftblade Vindicator, Fencing Ace, and Champion of the Parish.
Use Luminarch Aspirant to build early board advantage and shape future combat lines.
Focus on establishing pressure rather than trading resources prematurely.

Mid-Game:
Enhance your threats with Boros Charm, Reckless Charge, Battle Mastery, or Embercleave.
Introduce extra combat engines—Combat Celebrant, Aurelia, or Karlach—to multiply your attack phases.
Planeswalkers such as Basri Ket and Ajani, Caller of the Pride strengthen your board and open new avenues to victory.

Late Game:
Execute your finishing sequence by chaining extra combat spells (Seize the Day, Relentless Assault, World at War).
Upgrade a key creature with Shadowspear, Eldrazi Conscription, or Cathars' Crusade to ensure breakthrough damage.
Use protection tools like Selfless Spirit, Gods Willing, or Brave the Elements to secure lethal attacks.

Ideal Opening Hand
A strong opening hand typically includes:

Two lands providing red and white mana
A double-strike creature (Swiftblade Vindicator or Fencing Ace)
A pump or support spell (Boros Charm, Reckless Charge, Luminarch Aspirant)
Optionally: an extra combat spell or equipment

Hands lacking early board presence or stable mana should be considered for a mulligan.

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How the Mechanic Works

Set Up Your Threats:
Deploy one or more double-strike creatures. These serve as the primary engines for your damage output.

Enhance the Attack:
Use pump spells, equipment, or enchantments to amplify damage. Trample sources like Shadowspear or Eldrazi Conscription ensure combat damage connects effectively.

Multiply Combat Phases:
Extra combat effects from Aurelia and Karlach, combined with spells such as Seize the Day or Waves of Aggression, dramatically escalate your damage output.
Each additional combat phase doubles the value created by double strike.

Finish the Game:
Once your sequence begins, even a single creature can deliver lethal damage through repeated combat steps and stacked enhancements.

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Sideboard Strategy

Against Aggro Decks:
Use Pyroclasm, Blazing Volley, or Wrath of God to manage wide creature boards.
Deflecting Palm is useful against large, aggressive attackers.

Against Control Decks:
Side in Fry, Rending Volley, and Wear // Tear to disrupt key permanents and counterplay.
Trim slower finishers or high-cost spells for more consistency.

Against Combo Decks:
Blood Moon and Tomik, Distinguished Advokist restrict critical resources.
Additional Wear // Tear helps disrupt artifact or enchantment-based combos.

Against Graveyard Strategies:
Rest in Peace, Angel of Finality, and Sanctifier en-Vec shut down recursion and graveyard engines.

Against Artifact/Enchantment Strategies:
Disenchant and Wear // Tear offer efficient answers to problematic permanents.

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Skill Level and Playability

"Two-Times to Kill" suits players who enjoy proactive, combat-focused gameplay with explosive finishing sequences.
Understanding combat sequencing, pump timing, and protection usage is essential for mastering the deck.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Playstyle: Aggressive with combo-like finishers
Best For: Both 1v1 and multiplayer Legacy formats

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Competitive Profile and Ratings

Power Level: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
Strong damage scaling supported by multi-combat synergies.

Mechanic-Based vs Combo Ratio: 70% Mechanic-Based / 30% Combo
Primarily driven by combat mechanics while enabling combo-like kill turns.

Speed: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
Can generate lethal sequences as early as turns 4–5.

Resilience: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3/5)
Selfless Spirit and protection spells help against removal-based disruption.

Best Format Fit:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 1v1 Competitive Casual
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ Multiplayer (3–4 players)
⭐⭐☆☆☆ Legacy Tournaments (not tuned for sanctioned play)

Complexity: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3/5)
Requires careful attack sequencing and management of combat modifiers.

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Play Like a Pro – 5 Tips for Mastering the Deck

Develop before committing.
Ensure your board is ready before expending pump spells or extra combat effects.

Protect key creatures.
Your double-strike threats enable your win conditions—safeguard them.

Sequence attacks deliberately.
Plan your combat order to maximize triggers and damage output.

Use protection proactively.
Cards like Brave the Elements can secure an entire combat chain.

Finish decisively.
When you begin your extra combat sequence, execute the full plan to secure the win.

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Quote:
"Strike twice. Win once."

Last Update: 10/12/2025