Najeela
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Metashare
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[[Najeela, the Blade-Blossom]] has become a staple in the cEDH meta, combining explosive aggression with unparalleled flexibility. As a five-color commander with a powerful token generation ability and a built-in infinite combo, she enables access to the best cards in every color while leveraging unique lines of play that range from combat damage loops to traditional combos.
Najeela thrives in interactive pods, boasting a high card quality, multiple win conditions, and the ability to pivot between aggression and control depending on the board state. If you enjoy fast-paced, proactive gameplay with the potential for grindy interactions, Najeela is a prime choice.
Why Play Najeela?
Strengths
Access to All Five Colors: Play the best cards in the format, from [[Fierce Guardianship]] and [[Demonic Tutor]] to [[Rhystic Study]] and [[Culling Ritual]].
Commander-Centric Combos: Built-in infinite combo potential with cards like [[Derevi, Empyrial Tactician]] or [[Grim Hireling]].
Scales Exponentially: Her triggered ability generates an ever-growing army of warrior tokens, allowing her to dominate in drawn out games.
Resilient Game Plan: Flexible lines of play and access to powerful interaction ensure a strong mid-to-late game.
Weaknesses
Low Mulligans: Without card draw in the command zone you need to mull for a payoff which can result in low mulligans.
Resource-Intensive: High mana requirements and a need for synergy pieces can make early-game ramp crucial.
Turbo Matchups: Without the ability to properly police turbo decks at the table, it can be hard to race them to victory.
Gameplan
Najeela offers unparalleled flexibility, blending proactive aggression with reactive interaction. Your goal is to establish dominance early, leveraging Najeela's ability to generate warriors and pressure life totals, while simultaneously protecting your game plan with powerful spells.
Key Strategies
Commander Centric: Develop an early Najeela, then use interaction like [[Fierce Guardianship]] or [[Deflecting Swat]] to protect her and disrupt opponents.
Combat Synergies: Leverage cards like [[Derevi, Empyrial Tactician]] or [[Grim Hireling]] to transform attacks into infinite combat steps.
Combo Flexibility: Transition seamlessly between combat-focused combos and traditional win conditions like [[Thassa’s Oracle]] with [[Demonic Consultation]] or [[Underworld Breach]].
Mulligans
Effective mulligan decisions are crucial to Najeela’s success. Look for hands that provide:
Fast Ramp: [[Sol Ring]], [[Lotus Petal]], [[Mox Amber]].
Draw Engines: [[Rhystic Study]], [[Mystic Remora]], [[Esper Sentinel]].
Tutors: [[Demonic Tutor]], [[Imperial Seal]], [[Vampiric Tutor]].
Protection: [[Fierce Guardianship]], [[Deflecting Swat]].
Win Conditions
[[Derevi, Empyrial Tactician]]
A one-card combo with Najeela, Derevi generates infinite combat steps and mana.
Requirements:
[[Najeela, the Blade-Blossom]] on the battlefield.
Five mana sources capable of producing [[symbol:w]], [[symbol:u]], [[symbol:b]], [[symbol:r]], and [[symbol:g]].
Execution:
Cast [[Derevi, Empyrial Tactician]].
Attack with at least one warrior to trigger Derevi’s untap ability.
Use untapped lands or mana dorks to activate Najeela’s ability, gaining an extra combat step.
Repeat for infinite combat steps, damage, and mana.
[[Grim Hireling]]
[[Grim Hireling]] creates treasure tokens on combat damage, enabling infinite combat steps with Najeela.
Requirements:
[[Najeela, the Blade-Blossom]] and [[Grim Hireling]] on the battlefield.
At least three attackers connecting with opponents.
Execution:
Attack three opponents, generating six treasures.
Use five treasures to activate Najeela’s ability.
Repeat for infinite combat steps, damage, and mana.
[[Thassa’s Oracle]] + [[Demonic Consultation]] or [[Tainted Pact]]
Cast [[Thassa’s Oracle]] ([[symbol:1]] [[symbol:u]]).
Respond to the ETB trigger with [[Demonic Consultation]] ([[symbol:b]]) or [[Tainted Pact]] ([[symbol:1]] [[symbol:b]]).
Exile your library to win.
[[Underworld Breach]] + [[Brain Freeze]] + [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]]
Cast [[Underworld Breach]] (requires [[symbol:1]] [[symbol:r]]).
Cast [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] and sacrifice it for [[symbol:u]] [[symbol:u]] [[symbol:u]].
Escape [[Brain Freeze]] targeting yourself to mill your deck.
Continue looping [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] and [[Brain Freeze]] until you mill your library win with [[Thassa’s Oracle]] or deck your opponents with [[Brain Freeze]].
Conclusion
Najeela’s versatility and explosiveness make her a powerhouse in the cEDH meta. With multiple win conditions, access to all five colors, and a combat-centric playstyle, she’s a force to be reckoned with in interactive pods. Whether leveraging [[Derevi, Empyrial Tactician]] for infinite combat steps or pivoting to [[Thassa’s Oracle]] lines, Najeela offers endless options for both aggressive and strategic players.
References:
Speed needs no translation
Warrior Queen
