Deck Name: Nine Lives, Zero Chances

Format: Legacy
Deck Type: Combo-Control
Deck Theme: Enchantment Lock Combo – Nine Lives + Fractured Identity
Colors: White-Blue (Azorius)

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Description

"Nine Lives, Zero Chances" is a Legacy combo-control deck that manipulates the battlefield with patience and inevitability. By utilizing Nine Lives and Fractured Identity, this deck locks opponents into an inescapable fate while securing its own survival. The control elements allow you to dictate the pace of the game, ensuring that when the combo is set, it leads to an unavoidable loss for your opponents.

This deck thrives in multiplayer and 1v1 Legacy, excelling in matchups against aggressive and midrange decks. With an arsenal of removal spells (Swords to Plowshares, Supreme Verdict), counterspells (Counterspell, Dovin's Veto), and planeswalkers (Teferi, Hero of Dominaria), the deck keeps threats in check until it’s ready to deliver a devastating end.

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How to Play

Early Game:
Use Swords to Plowshares and Counterspell to neutralize early threats.
Establish card draw and filtering with Opt and Narset, Parter of Veils.
Stabilize against aggro decks with Timely Reinforcements.

Mid-Game:
Control the board with Supreme Verdict and Austere Command.
Play Nine Lives while ensuring protection with Herald of Eternal Dawn or Platinum Angel.
Leverage Teferi, Hero of Dominaria to maintain card advantage and manage threats.

Late Game:
Execute the combo:
Cast Fractured Identity on your own Nine Lives.
Each opponent receives a copy of Nine Lives, while yours is exiled.
Play Austere Command or Cleansing Nova to destroy all enchantments.
Opponents lose the game as their Nine Lives leaves the battlefield.
Ensure survival with Angel’s Grace or Platinum Angel in case of disruption.

Ideal Opening Hand:
A solid opening hand should include:
2 lands (one blue, one white preferred)
One piece of interaction (Swords to Plowshares, Counterspell)
A cantrip or tutor (Opt, Ponder, Mystical Tutor)
Optionally: a combo piece (Nine Lives or Fractured Identity)
Mulligan aggressively if the hand is clunky or lacks mana.

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How the Combo Works

Set Up Defense:
Play Nine Lives to absorb damage while preparing for the combo.
Use Herald of Eternal Dawn or Platinum Angel to prevent losing the game.

Force Opponents Into a No-Win Situation:
Use Fractured Identity on Nine Lives, exiling yours while giving each opponent a copy.

End the Game Immediately:
Cast a board wipe that destroys all enchantments, such as Austere Command or Cleansing Nova.
Nine Lives triggers its own condition and forces each opponent to lose the game.
You remain in play due to Herald of Eternal Dawn or Platinum Angel.

This combo is hard to disrupt and works effectively in multiplayer formats, ensuring a clean and decisive victory.

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Sideboard Strategy

Against Aggro Decks:
Settle the Wreckage: Deals with aggressive wide-board strategies.
Timely Reinforcements: Provides life gain and blockers for early-game survival.

Against Control Decks:
Dovin’s Veto: Guarantees an answer to counter-heavy opponents.
Teferi, Time Raveler: Prevents instant-speed interaction, ensuring combo execution.

Against Combo Decks:
Null Rod: Disrupts artifact-based strategies like Urza and Storm.
Rest in Peace: Shuts down graveyard-reliant decks.
Flusterstorm: Protects against Storm and instant-heavy strategies.
Test of Talents: Exiles key combo spells from opponent’s deck.

Against Artifact/Enchantment Strategies:
Disenchant: Provides targeted removal for problem permanents.
March of Otherworldly Light: Versatile answer for multiple threats.

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Skill Level and Playability

"Nine Lives, Zero Chances" is perfect for players who enjoy deep strategic planning and control-based gameplay. Mastering the timing of spells and responses is crucial to executing the combo without interference.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Playstyle: Defensive control with a decisive combo finish
Best For: Both 1v1 and multiplayer Legacy formats

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Competitive Profile and Ratings

Power Level: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
Strong against mid-speed interactive decks; hard to stop once stabilized.

Combo vs Control Ratio: 60% Combo / 40% Control
Plays as full control until combo pieces are ready, then shifts to a clean finisher.

Speed: ⭐⭐☆☆☆ (2/5)
Combo typically assembles around turns 6–8. Strong early defense buys time.

Resilience: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
Capable of recovering through wipes, protection, and tutoring effects.

Best Format Fit:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 1v1 Competitive Casual
⭐⭐⭐☆ Multiplayer (4+ players)
⭐☆☆☆☆ Legacy Tournaments (without heavy optimization)

Complexity: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
Requires careful sequencing and meta-awareness to avoid disruption windows.

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Play Like a Pro – 5 Tips for Mastering the Deck

Don’t go combo before you’re protected.
Never cast Nine Lives unless you already have Herald, Angel, or Grace. Going unshielded is how you die first.

Staying alive is more important than winning quickly.
You're not here to rush — you're here to survive until no one else can.

Save your counterspells for what really matters.
Let threats resolve unless they touch your combo or Teferi. Don’t counter for tempo, counter for the game.

Bluff constantly.
Two untapped lands and three cards in hand are often scarier than what you actually have. Use that.

Never show your hand unless you’re ending the game.
Don’t reveal the combo unless you’re ready to fire it all in one turn or have counter backup. Surprise is your deadliest weapon.

Bonus: Never cast Angel’s Grace early. It’s not a spell — it’s a parachute. Pull only when needed.

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Quote:
"With nine lives, I need only one chance to end yours."

Last Update: 20/5/25