Deck Name: Empire of Illusions

Format: Legacy
Deck Type: Tribal-Control
Deck Theme: Illusion Synergy & Clone Protection – Lord of the Unreal + Phantasmal Image
Colors: Mono-Blue

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Description

“Empire of Illusions” is a Legacy tribal-control deck that transforms fragile Illusion creatures into a resilient, coordinated army through synergy, tempo, and layered protection. By using Lord of the Unreal to grant hexproof and strength, and copying key permanents with Phantasmal Image, Sakashima of a Thousand Faces, and Glasspool Mimic, the deck builds an empire of deceptive power where every reflection strengthens the original.

This deck thrives in both 1v1 and multiplayer Legacy settings, excelling against midrange and creature-based strategies. With a suite of counterspells (Counterspell, Spell Pierce), tempo tools (Vapor Snag, Echoing Truth), and efficient threats (Illusory Angel, Krovikan Mist), the Empire controls the board’s rhythm while striking from above with evasive, untouchable Illusions.

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How to Play

Early Game:
Establish early Illusions such as Phantasmal Bear or Jace’s Phantasm to apply light pressure while setting up your defenses. Play Lord of the Unreal as soon as you can safely protect it; once in play, your army becomes hexproof and significantly stronger. Keep one or two counterspells ready to shield the Lord from removal and preserve tempo advantage.

Mid-Game:
Begin copying your Lord with Phantasmal Image or Glasspool Mimic to stack buffs and hexproof effects. Use tempo spells like Vapor Snag and Echoing Truth to bounce enemy threats or to protect your own Illusions from sweepers. Deploy Illusory Angel or Krovikan Mist to dominate the skies, ensuring steady damage output. Maintain card flow through Brainstorm and Ponder to filter for the right mix of threats and protection.

Late Game:
By the late game, your Empire should be fully established—multiple Lords and copies amplify each other’s strength. With your Illusions hexproof and flying, press for lethal damage over several turns. If opponents manage to stabilize, use Slip Out the Back or a well-timed counterspell to preserve your key creatures and finish the job.

Ideal Opening Hand:
A strong opener includes:
2 Islands
1 early Illusion (Phantasmal Bear or Jace’s Phantasm)
1 Lord of the Unreal or Phantasmal Image
1 cantrip (Brainstorm or Ponder)
1 protection piece (Counterspell, Vapor Snag)
Mulligan hands that have too many high-cost cards or lack early plays.

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How the Combo Works

Set Up Defense:
Play Lord of the Unreal early to protect all Illusions with hexproof and increase their power. Keep mana open for counterspells to guard the Lord.

Create the Empire:
Copy the Lord with Phantasmal Image, Glasspool Mimic, or Sakashima of a Thousand Faces. Each copy boosts all Illusions again, creating exponential buffs and an impenetrable wall of protection.

Dominate the Skies:
With multiple Lords and airborne Illusions (Illusory Angel, Krovikan Mist), you control the battlefield’s tempo. Opponents find it nearly impossible to target or remove your army.

End the Game:
Attack relentlessly with your hexproof flyers until your opponents are overwhelmed. Your Empire’s combined strength ensures that even if one piece falls, the illusion of dominance remains—and wins you the game.

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Sideboard Strategy

Against Aggro Decks:
Bring in Aether Gust and Engulf the Shore to slow wide boards.
Add more tempo spells (Echoing Truth) to stall early damage.
Remove slower cards like Sakashima or redundant copies for faster interaction.

Against Control Decks:
Include Negate and Dispel to win counter wars.
Consider Slip Out the Back to protect key creatures from board wipes.
Trim small one-drops that don’t pressure enough early.

Against Combo Decks:
Add Swan Song and Trickbind to disrupt spell chains and triggered abilities.
Include Relic of Progenitus for graveyard-based combos.
Keep Counterspell as a reliable line of defense.

Against Artifact/Enchantment Strategies:
Bring in Echoing Truth for flexible bounce.
Use additional Dispel or Negate to counter non-creature engines.
Maintain tempo advantage by bouncing key pieces rather than racing.

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Skill Level and Playability

“Empire of Illusions” rewards precise sequencing, timing, and tempo management. It’s ideal for players who enjoy decks that blend board presence with control elements. Every play matters — from when to cast your Lord to which target you copy. Understanding when to protect versus when to pressure separates mastery from illusion.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Playstyle: Defensive-Tempo Control with explosive airborne finishers
Best For: Competitive casual 1v1 and small multiplayer pods (2–4 players)

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Competitive Profile and Ratings

Power Level: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
Can overwhelm most creature-based decks once the Lord engine is online.

Control vs Tribal Ratio: 55% Control / 45% Tribal
Plays as a control deck until it secures a Lord, then pivots to aggression through buffed Illusions.

Speed: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3/5)
Develops slowly but stabilizes into overwhelming tempo around turns 4–6.

Resilience: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
Hexproof layering and copy redundancy make removal nearly useless.

Best Format Fit:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 1v1 Competitive Casual
⭐⭐⭐☆ Multiplayer (3–4 players)
⭐☆☆☆☆ Legacy Tournaments (requires tuning for high-level metas)

Complexity: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
Sequencing and protection timing are key. Every copy and counterspell must be placed perfectly.

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Play Like a Pro – 5 Tips for Mastering the Deck

Protect the Lord first, attack second. Your Empire collapses if the first Lord dies unprotected.

Clone smart, not flashy. A Phantasmal Image on Lord of the Unreal wins more games than copying an enemy bomb.

Use tempo as defense. Vapor Snag and Echoing Truth buy time, save creatures, and reset opponents’ plans.

Bluff control. Two open Islands can stop an opponent from committing to the board — use fear as a weapon.

Know when the illusion is real. Strike decisively when your protection is set; hesitation gives your opponents an opening.

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Quote:
“Reality bends to belief — and in my Empire, belief is law.”

Last Update: 03/11/2025