Winota
Deck Statistics
Source: edhtop16.com
Recent Top Performing Decklists
Conversion Rate
--
Metashare
--
[[Winota, Joiner of Forces]], represents a unique hybrid strategy in cEDH that leverages stax elements and aggressive combat to dominate opponents.
Winota transforms Boros into a competitive powerhouse by providing both card and mana advantage in a format often dominated by faster combos and control decks. Her ability to cheat impactful Humans into play directly from the library enables Winota decks to quickly establish a threatening board presence while deploying disruptive stax pieces.
Winota’s explosive potential lies in her combat triggers, which snowball into game-winning pressure. While combat damage is the primary win condition, the deck’s stax elements ensure opponents are unable to execute their game plans effectively.
Strategy
Game Plan
Early Stax Setup
Turn 1-2: Deploy ramp and non-Human enablers while laying down disruptive stax pieces (e.g., [[Thalia, Guardian of Thraben]], [[Ethersworn Canonist]]).
Turn 3+: Resolve Winota and begin triggering her ability to establish a dominant board presence.
Midgame Snowball
Use Winota’s combat triggers to flood the board with Humans that apply stax effects or combat buffs.
Stack triggers strategically to deploy impactful Humans like [[Magus of the Moon]], [[Sanctum Prelate]], or [[Rick, Steadfast Leader]].
Late Game Finisher
Overwhelm opponents with superior board state through damage amplifiers like [[Blade Historian]], [[Goldnight Commander]], or [[Jor Kadeen, the Prevailer]].
Secure victory through combat damage or attrition if opponents cannot recover from stax disruption.
Mulligans
Mulligans are critical for ensuring a strong start. Look for:
Non-Human Enablers: Evasive attackers like [[Ornithopter]], [[Gingerbrute]], or [[Goblin Rabblemaster]].
Ramp: Fast mana to accelerate Winota into play by Turn 3.
Relevant Stax: Pieces like [[Drannith Magistrate]], [[Ethersworn Canonist]], or [[Magus of the Moon]] to disrupt opponents.
2+ Lands: Prioritize mana consistency, especially white sources to support stax-heavy starts.
Combat Considerations
Attack Order: Begin attacks with non-Human enablers to maximize Winota triggers.
Trigger Stacking: Stack Winota triggers to prioritize high-impact Humans over situational picks.
Targeting Opponents: Focus combat on players with the highest threat level or those likely to recover from stax effects quickly.
Combat Combos: With [[Combat Celebrant]] and [[Rionya, Fire Dancer]], you can chain infinite attack phases for a surprise victory.
Core Stax Elements
Winota decks thrive on stax to delay or disable opponents while establishing their board state. Key stax elements include:
Tax Effects
[[Thalia, Guardian of Thraben]], [[Glowrider]], and [[Sanctum Prelate]]: Tax spells and disrupt combo players.
[[Ethersworn Canonist]] and [[Rule of Law]]: Prevent opponents from casting multiple spells per turn.
Mana Denial
[[Magus of the Moon]]: Shuts down greedy mana bases.
[[Blood Moon]]: Locks out multicolor decks reliant on nonbasic lands.
ETB and Graveyard Hate
[[Hushbringer]], [[Tocatli Honor Guard]], and [[Strict Proctor]]: Shut down ETB-focused strategies.
[[Samurai of the Pale Curtain]], [[Rest in Peace]], and [[Soulless Jailer]]: Exile graveyards to counter Breach and reanimation strategies.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths
Resiliency: Winota’s triggers allow the deck to recover quickly from removal or board wipes.
Combat Pressure: Stax pieces double as attackers, ensuring that disruption is paired with consistent damage output.
Versatility: Winota’s ability to cheat impactful Humans into play lets the deck pivot between disruption and aggression effectively.
Weaknesses
Board Wipes: Vulnerable to effects like [[Toxic Deluge]] or [[Cyclonic Rift]]. Use [[Eerie Interlude]] or [[Guardian of Faith]] to mitigate.
Targeted Removal: Removing [[Winota, Joiner of Forces]] in the beginning of combat step denies all Winota triggers for the turn and is hard for the deck to interact with.
Big Creatures: Deck struggles against large creatures that can dominate combat.
Poor Stack Interaction: Limited ability to counter spells or interact on the stack.
[[Grafdigger’s Cage]] is a potent, commonly played stax piece that shuts down Winota triggers entirely.
Tips and Tricks
Shuffle Strategy: Use fetchlands and tutors strategically to shuffle Humans back into accessible positions in the library.
Sequence Carefully: Avoid casting spells before combat when you may flip stax pieces like [[Ethersworn Canonist]] or [[Magus of the Moon]].
Prioritize Player Removal: Focus fire on opponents with combo potential or those less affected by stax effects.
[[Winota, Joiner of Forces]], remains a compelling choice for players seeking a balance between aggression and disruption in cEDH. With precise piloting and smart sequencing, Winota decks can dominate the battlefield and punish greedy opponents effectively.
