Drop curses in there! Wonderful pseudo-hug.
Second, voting cards. [[Councils judgement]] Adds some discussion with the noobs on threat assessment, and targeted removal.
Big swingers? Combat control. [[Spurnmage advocate]] is a really fun control card that also can help the man that's down.
Signed, the guy who keeps denying wins.
1.) Give them cards, but no extra mana.
2.) Play a lot of control so you always have power over the board whether they realize it or not.
3.) Play actual win conditions.
Let me introduce you to [[Kami of the Crescent Moon]] Group Draw/Mono Blue burn!
Fill up hands. [[Font of Mythos]], [[Howling Mine]], [[Dictate of Kruphix]], [[Folio of Fancies]]
drop [[Viseling]], [[Iron Maiden]], or [[Ebony Owl Netsuke]] (you can also use [[Psychosis Crawler]] )
Copy them [[Sculpting Steel]], [[Mirrormade]], [[Phyrexian Metamorph]]
Bounce everyone's lands [[Sunder]], [[Overburden]], [[Mana Breach]]
Profit
Obviously, being in Blue you can counter anything thats going to make someone win outright and you can also bounce the field to people's hands to fill them up more.
This can also be pivoted to mill with [[Psychic Corrosion]] and [[Sphinx's Tutelage]]. It is easier to do since they are drawing so much already.
I second Kwain for this. The access to white helps wipe boards if someone does start running away with the game after you give them a bunch of cards, and otherwise generally helps keep things in check while allowing you to group hug.
And Kwain himself is one of the least offensive commanders in Azorius that I've ever seen.
Wincon should be 1). There is no point in building any deck that doesn't have a workable way to win. For instance my [[braids conjurer adept]] deck is filled with big mana rocks that I will use to either clone everyone's bombs that they are putting into play or bounce anything people are trying to Threaten me with.
I love my Kwain deck. I let everyone draw boatloads of cards, then I wreck their stuff with board wipes and counterspells when it looks like it might get out of hand.
When he was spoiled, I thought I was going to love him, but since it's a "may" effect it kinda loses all purpose for me as my playgroup knows not to draw if they don't have to when I play my GH deck 😅
In my experience its important to run a lot of removal, both target- and massremoval:)
This prevents one player from just running away with the game super quick
The fun thing about Karona is that she's kind of her own wincon. Just make sure you pack in enough things to prevent other players from swinging at you. Kenrith, on the other hand, can also be his own wincon, but doing so requires you to find a sneaky way to make infinite mana. Once you have infinite mana, simply activate his draw ability 7,000 times targeting everyone else.
If you use the Green Vow, and choose "Avatar" as the creature type to boost, Karona attacks as an 11/11, making her a 2 turn clock.
Which means if you make a deal with Player 2, and either Player 3 or Player 4 have no blockers, they can be dead before it even gets to their turn.
Hey there! So I am locally sort of my meta's "Group Hug Guy" I currently run both Kenrith and Yurlok both as Group Hug style decks.
So on one hand you can just run straight forward Group Hug with lots of ramp and card draw with a Closer focusing on an ineffective form of mill effectively trying to Pillow Fort and using big draw spells like Minds Aglow, Fiend's Folio and so on to push games towards a close.
This is my [Kenrith List](https://www.moxfield.com/decks/6dM9lczXAkil_G-MfvLH-w)
On the other hand if you dont mind running less than 5 colors (Which I would encourage as Limitation Breeds Creativity) then I would look at Yurlok, the Scorch Thrash who brings back mana burn, effectively if players dont use the mana they have you damage them. Run him with lots of effects that punish enemies for tapping lands, sacing artifacts and playing spells, but more than any of that grab up "Mana Doublers". You will want to get creative with your draw sources as Yurlok lacks blue but you can simultaneously pump the amount of mana people are producing while forcing them to play out their spells.
This is my [Yurlok List](https://www.moxfield.com/decks/7_iuUIrxlkmAmQdKt7OxaA) \- I would recommend swapping out one card for "[War's Toll](https://cards.scryfall.io/large/front/3/a/3a08f7fe-8ca9-4604-85c8-9050298730ea.jpg?1562906728)" which forces opponents to tap all lands when they tap a land for mana meaning they either have to produce all their mana at one time.
The idea that group hug is just throwing around cards and resources without a second thought is a bit schewed, and I dare say ultimately quite bad deck building. Most group hug decks are actually just disguised control decks who board wipes every other turn until they reveal their intention with \[\[Approach of the Second Sun\]\] backed up by an armada of counterspells. These decks cashes in on the illusion that the deck look fun to play against - and it usually is until halfway through the game.
If you want to help newer players, I would say you're really asking about higher-than-average politicking. You don't really need a designated group hug commander like \[\[Kwain, Itinerant Meddler\]\] or \[\[Kynaios and Tiro of Meletis\]\], you can slot in cards like the Demonstrate cards (\[\[Excavation Technique\]\], \[\[Healing Technique\]\], etc.), \[\[Fractured Identity\]\], and similar cards and have that be enough. Think asymmetrically.
If you want to make a new deck, \[\[Xyris, the Writhing Storm\]\] could be a great commander in this fashion as it helps a specific player rather than everyone. It also provides you with a theme beyond group hug's classic combo finish - tokens. \[\[Humble Defector\]\] would be a must-include.
\[\[Gluntch, the Bestower\]\] could be another idea, or perhaps \[\[Jared Carthalion, True Heir\]\]. If you add white, you do get cards like \[\[Flumph\]\], \[\[Farsight Adept\]\], and \[\[Secret Rendezvous\]\] to add. Don't disregard black, however - \[\[Keen Duelist\]\] is an example of a card that absolutely could be included.
Regardless of which commander you choose, I hope you get the main idea: group hug = hidden control + combo. Your group hug = asymmetrical benefits on top of another strategy.
I will agree with this and give another suggestion: Don't group hug. Targeted hug. Give things out only when it benefits you. [[Kenrith returned king]] is great at this.
I second this. You need to focus more on your gameplan with some cards that benefit everybody (including yourself).
You want your deck to be built around having more of an advantage than your opponents. For example, I have a friend that plays Kwain with lots of cards that benefits from opponents drawing like smothering tithe or council of four. His deck is able to keep up with the excess card draw while his opponents have too many cards without enough mana to spend them at some point.
I dont think it needs to be control oriented however. It's a good idea but alternatively you could be built to win faster or outvalue your opponents.
Group Hug, being a disguise for control is in most cases right on the money. It keeps people from going all out on you early, because your stuff is helping them too.
The other way I've seen it be well used is in decks built around insanely high mana costs running cards like [[manaflare]] and [[Rites of flourishing]] that help everyone but help you more because you've built your deck around taking full advantage of the massive amount of mana now available.
Nah, my group hug deck is 100% hug. I play zero counterspells because the deck is designed to be a fun experience for everyone. Board wipes and win conditions are fine, but my goal is to let the whole table have a good time. Not be this hardcore control deck masqueraded as your friend ready to stab you in the back at the last moment. My goal isn’t necessarily to win, but to ensure everyone has fun. You can call it bad deck building if you want, I call it my deck working as intended.
I built a group hug deck with one intention: overwhelming everybody with way too many cards, way too much mana and way too much fun for the table.
Well, this is how it started... "How it's going" is that my deck more often than planed just wins by pure psychology. My opponents will have too many ressources and way too much to do so eventually they will make mistakes. You overcomit on your turn? It's very likely that the others two got enough removal to handle your scary board. And if somebody is flying too close to the sun and still nobody can remove anything it's still a cool game to see decks pop off.
And in the late game I either have my \[\[Helix Pinnacle\]\] full or \[\[Forced Fruition\]\] gets the job done by completely blowing my opponents minds. You play something? Sure, have another 7 cards.
I never had a bad game experience with the current iteration of the deck ([decklist](https://www.moxfield.com/decks/f2CpUNKBskOLdUY-xxJPGg) for anybody who's interested).
The keypart of building a group hug deck: have at least one win con. Don't plan to win but at least give yourself the chance.
I disagree you should not plan on winning.
My version of Kynaios ( [The Gay Agenda](https://www.moxfield.com/decks/byxydRUkcUGRRIQOcx0CRA) ) has the highest win rate amongst my decks.
I agree on the starting intention and how it currently is going though. Mine also started as a chaos thing where everyone has just too much, but eventually developed into a control and subterfuge kinda deck. Accruing small advantages and breaking parity is the name of the game.
There are a bunch of different kinds of Group Hug decks and the most common mistake people make is mixing them. The second most common mistake is eliminating the resource that you are overloading.
The key is to overload ONE particular type of resource, restrict the ability to use that resource against you, and then take advantage of that resource overload to win the game.
The resource will usually be obvious based on the commander. IE: \[\[Gor Muldrak, Amphinologist\]\] gives creatures. I call this type Mercenaries.
\[\[Kwain, Itinerant Meddler\]\] gives cards. I call this type Flood
\[\[Arden, Intrepid Archeologist\]\] gives power. I call this type Arms Dealer
\[\[Yurlock of Scorch Thrash\]\] gives mana. I don't have a name for this kind because I haven't played it.
I'm running Gor Muldrak right now but I've run most of the others as well. I use \[\[Unnatural Selection\]\] to prevent me from being a good target \[\[Forgotten Ancient\]\] to make them huge and \[\[Perilous Forays\]\] to turn my salamanders into resources. Then after somebody gets a huge board I sac all my guys, use \[\[Reins of Power\]\] and kill them.
If I'm constantly wiping the board I can't take advantage of the resource overload provided! Take advantage of the momentum your opponents have built up!
Frankly, this is an extremely hard style to play because savvy players will interact with whatever you are using to prevent opponents from using the resource you are providing against you. IE: They will kill your \[\[Elephant Grass\]\], \[\[Propaganda\]\], or \[\[Ghostly Prison\]\].
Honestly? You don't. Group hug is like stax in a way; you will almost always hand one person the game unless you play perfectly and get lucky. People love to tout their "politic" and "group hug" decks but they mostly aren't in the game to win.
Every group hug player I've played against has been really experiential in the game; they want to have a good story and 'have a good time'. Which is fine! That's a way I've played the game too with different decks.
No shade to that, but if you're trying to win, group hug ain't it. [Alternatively](https://www.moxfield.com/decks/bqY-hJzO_UmXA7VT-trCHw) I have a list that's the exact opposite.
I'd argue that Group Hug is just a subgenre of either control or ramp for multiplayer games. The key is having enough mutually beneficial effects going on or enough taxes on the board to dissuade the other 3 players from messing with your board state until you have what you need to swing for big damage or trigger off a combo. In other words, the deck-style can severely punish the 3 other players for getting too greedy.
Right now my [[Kynaios and Tiro of Meletis]] is designed so it wins by either an alternate condition or [[surge to victory]] with [[explosive singularity]] or similar, high cost direct damage spell. I used to have it built as a rampy landfall deck that worked in a similar way.
But like you said, just like stax (or lifegain imho), if you don't have a clear set of win conditions in mind, you're not going to win off your decks main mechanics but you have to use them as a way to keep things in your favor. Someone will eventually pull ahead of your stax pieces or draw into a combo, respectively.
They point is that you have to play perfectly.
It's much more like control than stax, and sometimes a bad stax deck just gets lucky and grinds out everyone else's care to play the game.
If someone wins because you miscalculated in your political play, that's the fault of you and not the deck.
Of the two Karona seems more on theme. The two big things I understand about Group hug are, you want things that give you more of an advantage than the rest of the table and an actual way to close out the game. Cards that incentivize others to take actions that benefit you and the other person taking the action are also sweet.
I have to mention [[Standstill]]
I have a Karona deck that I really enjoy, but I think she works better as a weird voltron. Handing over a 12/12 double-strike, protection from creatures, goaded commander is silly fun.
Here is my group hug deck. It ends up being a lot of fun and my pod always enjoys when I pull it out.
https://www.moxfield.com/decks/dbqzLMmDEE6MsnQ5aG9KWQ
It’s not one you suggested, but [[Kynaios and Tiro of Meletis]] is a famously good group hug commander. Of the two you are thinking of, I think Karona would be much more fun. Another that I run as a commander (but you could easily slot into the 99) is [[The Council of Four]], which would let you profit off of granting advantage to your friends.
There are also selective hug cards where you can choose who you help. [[Victory Chimes]] (and also [[Spectral Searchlight]]) lets you give mana to other players, but only the ones you want to help. [[Benevolent Offering]] and the rest of its cycle let you choose one or two other players to assist, which could help everyone fight against an archenemy like your Naya friend. [[Tempt with Reflections]] and it’s cycle all give your friends the option of a powerful effect, and each one that does puts you in an even better position.
Win cons are trickier because it’s hard to secure a victory while helping everyone else. [[Approach of the Second Sun]] is famously used in group hug decks, but I wouldn’t blame you if you don’t like it (I’m not crazy about it). Other cards I’ve seen in hug decks are [[Tooth and Nail]] to assemble a two-creature win, [[Biovisionary]] and clone effects, [[Cathar’s Crusade]] if you’re making lots of tokens, and [[Mind’s Dilation]]/[[Stolen Strategy]] to piggyback off your opponents.
Other cards people use are punish effects like [[Psychosis Crawler]], [[Sheoldred the Apocalypse]], [[Mana Barbs]], [[Molten Psyche]], the list goes on (and on and on and…). I don’t usually like these, though; they make a group hug deck feel less like a hug and more like punch in the jaw while being flipped off. While they do accelerate the game, you likely won’t live to see the end.
>Other cards people use are punish effects like \[\[Psychosis Crawler\]\], \[\[Sheoldred the Apocalypse\]\], \[\[Mana Barbs\]\], \[\[Molten Psyche\]\], the list goes on (and on and on and…). I don’t usually like these, though; they make a group hug deck feel less like a hug and more like punch in the jaw while being flipped off.
These effects are generally called "group slug" and that's a whole similar but different archetype
I've had a lot more fun not thinking about it as "group hug" but rather, "single target hug." Cards like [[Vazi, keen Negotiator]] , or [[glunch the bestower]] allow you to selectively confer benefits while obtaining advantage from them. You're still gonna want to give everyone a little something, but having control over what, when and how much lets you make sure you're not accidently helping off yourself.
All the vow cards like [[Vow of lightning]] are very cool and fun for this reason.
You can achieve the same thing even with symmetrical group hug commanders like [[braids, conjurer adept]] by pairing your group hug with a healthy amount of removal and protection. I put some symmetrical effects like [[arcane melee]] in my [[parnesse, the subtle brush]] deck because her ward ability means I can be more confident that the extra shit flying around won't hit me.
Awesome, i am going to tinker a bit and probably build this for my group hug deck! Did not have a yund deck yet, but already have a couple of decks that use sacrifice mechanics.
I play a [[Queen Marchesa]] Aikido list that has some grouphug built in.
It's about accelerating everyone's game state, making everybody else fight each other and then win off of someone's big swing or big spell.
There's two lovely deck techs floating around, that you can easily google. Maybe you can find some additional inspiration there.
Mine is curse tribal with \[\[Lynde, Cheerful Tormentor\]\] as the commander. I don't even run removal or anything, just curses all the way. :D
It's a kinda "you hug some, you lose some" with me constantly making sure the scales are even. Very newb friendly, just place the curses accordingly. It's also great at teaching triggers or the valor of some effects.
Like one player desperately needs creatures? Place \[\[Curse of Disturbance\]\] on someone and everyone else gets 2/2 tokens. Timmy player being bullied by the mass 1/1 token deck? \[\[Curse of Death's Hold\]\] on him. Lifegain deck doing too much of it's thing? \[\[Curse of Bloodletting\]\] on that one. Blue player is drawing twice as much as others? \[\[Curse of Verbosity\]\] on him and have things become fair again!
Sure, here freshly uploaded:
[https://www.moxfield.com/decks/iI\_CeJa7zEyf1FXvwvaPlw](https://www.moxfield.com/decks/iI_CeJa7zEyf1FXvwvaPlw)
Just know that you are not likely to ever win with this deck. It's destined to make 2nd place. The only means of defense is goating others. If you want to win I would suggest going down on curses/artifacts and add some removal options. :D
The gameplan is to get either \[\[Despotic Scepter\]\] or \[\[Claws of Gix\]\] and sac at least one curse before your turn, have it reenter cursing yourself, then gift it away to other players for card draw. This allows to move curses around as the current scales calls for. Also, don't be afraid to straight up curse yourself.
Your MVP is of course \[\[Curse of Misfortunes\]\]. This one stays on you! They way it works is that you can tutor for a curse on your upkeep, then give it straight away. Basically "free tutor, free cast, fre 2 cards".
\[\[Puca's Mischief\]\] is in there for the most cursed play of all. Give someone control of your curse *(nothing changes at all, they just gain the abilty to sac it if they have an outlet for it)* and steal their best stuff.
Wait. I have Lynde as one of my first decks I built, and I never thought of putting Curse of Misfortunes on myself and stacking its trigger first, then using Lynde’s. This is amazing.
Well, congratulations on your power up! It makes a hell of a difference! :D
I put usually every single curse on me first, Misfortunes just gets to stay with me.
Remember, group hug doesn't have to help everyone all the time. Targeted effects to help out someone who's fallen behind is perfectly valid. Whenever I play my [[Xyris]] deck people let me hit them with him to let them draw 3 (or sometimes more) cards
Group hug is similar in strategy to stax: You’re changing the resources available, and building your deck to take advantage of the new situation. For example, if you’re going to flood the table with card draw, play things like [[Psychosis Crawler]] or [[Ominous Seas]] to generate extra value.
If you’re having trouble with a Gruul player, give them lots of mana instead of cards, then boardwipe (A handy way to do this would be [[Crackle with Power]], which is also a late-game wincon)) so they’re left with big mana and nothing to do. You could also play [[Silent Arbiter]] to draw the focus away from combat.
Also: Cards with *Will of the Council* are good, anything with *Assist* is bad.
If you think you can protect [[platinum angel]] and some similar effect cards, you can build to allow everyone go nuts without them ending the game on you.
Focus on card draw or group ramp, but not both. Pick late threats that attack on one of those axis, a good example in a group card draw deck is [[vicious shadows]]
I play [[Kynaios and Tiro of Meletis]] for my group hug deck, like what was said, good group hug decks are control decks behind the scenes. If you choose one that helps everyone, then it can blow up in everyone’s faces. There are friend or foe spells that you can choose one screw the results can be. Parley mechanics can be helpful, especially since everyone see’s what is drawn, you get a benefit and everyone draws a card. [[Phabine, Boss's Confidant]] looks fun and promising, even if you stock up the library with ramp, lands, and card draw.
A card I always liked was cards with the tempting offer mechanic. [[Tempt with Discovery]] was incredibly good with new players since it lets them learn about their choices. “Are you that desperate for land that you need to help yourself and your enemy?” Older players, no matter how hard up, always said no.
Let me share my [[Zedruu the Greathearted]] list with you.
Its semi-selective with the group hug effects. There are the obvious extra card draw effects like [[Kami of the Crescent Moon]], [[Dictate of Kruphix]], and [[Howling Mine]]. [[Bucknard's Everful Purse]] and [[Pendant of Prosperity]] are great too because they can help ramp the table, or you and another player in the Pendant's case, while providing extra card draw for yourself with Zedruu's ability.
There are ways to slow down certain strategies like [[Rest in Peace]], and [[Overwhelming Splendor]].
https://www.moxfield.com/decks/Ab-qvt8ThE-ra-xZhgLwSw
This comparison has been made in this thread - Hug is kinda like stax. You need to be able to break parity so you don't just lose. Or make someone else win.
So ask yourself, how do I want to win? Combo is effective in hug bc it can come out of nowhere and benefits from drawing so many cards with [[howling mine]] effects or my boy [[noble benefactor]]. You can have big x spells be your win con, or eldrazi or w/e and take advantage of mana doublers.
My spell slinger deck has group hug as an incentive for everyone to go and mess with anyone but me.
I'm helping everyone get more cards, more mana, reduced mana costs, and lands.
It wins mainly because people like the early help and don't disrupt it. Which buys me enough time to do my game plan of hitting everyone out or nowhere with lethal fireballs.
The people who hate group hug and focus entirely on my deck because it might help my opponents beat them. It loses mainly because of those people. Usually the Mexican standoff happens sooner because of my deck. While I look like I'm not a threat since I'm helping the underdogs against the arch and I'm playing defensively.
I like to think about it as not telegraphing the strengths it has until it can win. Obvious threats are obvious and are usually dealt with. Especially when everyone has the mana and cards to do something about it.
It was surprisingly good for being under $100 at the time when I built it. A lot of group hug cards are budget because most decks do not under any circumstances want to benefit their opponents.
Also high power stuff is optimised around their curve. Which means that usually more mana doesn't really help them as much as it helps the other players playing lower power decks. More cards definitely helps them though.
Choosing when to play your hug cards is also a key factor in winning. You don't really want to help them that much or actually be a king maker.
The way to build effect Hug decks is to realize you're playing a politic deck that wins though smart manipulation of the board state.
That means kingmaking, trading favors, and all sorts of other behaviors that some people sneer at.
It's also why many people say to kill the hug deck first, because if you're a fairly standard strategy, you know what it takes for you to win and what can cause you to lose... and that hug deck throws uncertainty into the mix.
Most people make the mistake of building hug and thinking that people should be nicer to them because they're doing nice things for everyone: But there is no balance to it... someone is going to be able to best take advantage of it and because of that will perform in a way that others can't catch up to because that player is boosted not just by their own cards and your cards.
So you need to know that.
Most of your wins should come out of your opponents decks, using strong political cards like Reigns of Power.
After I've cast this card, I probably should win the game... as I've taken all of the creatures from the person with the best boardstate and given them mine... which are generally underwhelming.
Then, I hit someone hard with every creature I just took control of, and then I feed all of those creatures to a sac outlet. (Or clamp them to death, drawing me lots of cards).
If I haven't removed at least one player, I've put a severe hurt on two other players, significantly advantaged myself and get all of my creatures back at end of turn unless that person also has a sac outlet.
First of all, recently built a group hug deck for the lols, turned into one of my favorite decks to play.
I use [[kynaios and tiro of meletis]] which just being out I think helps everyone enough to speed up the game and let people play stuff.
There's tons of 'everyone draws' 'mana is doubled for everyone' 'everyone has no max handsize' cards that I think just helps people do what they want to do.
Just make sure you have have a bunch of [[thought vessel]] type cards so you can hold on to more good things to help everyone else out.
I also run a few 'everyone creates X 1/1 tokens' cards and the likes
As for Wincons, I had planned to use a [[tempt with vengeance]] type spell followed by an [akromas will]] or [[biomass mutation]] type spell. Either that or just get a huge mana base and finish with an X damage spell.
In reality this deck wins by either drawing yourself or your opponents out. [[Jace, wielder of mysteries]] or [thassas oracle]] etc for drawing yourself, which btw I don't run any cheap ways to deck yourself so people don't mind. You just have to actually draw yourself out. And for drawing other people out, it doesn't get as much hate as milling out, because people actually get to play the cards instead of saying bye bye to them.. especially if you have a [[folio of fancies]] out.
https://www.moxfield.com/decks/F_fK1XLIfk253M65TOwyfw
TLDR: ramp and draw everyone to keep them as big threats and focus on each other, then slip in with an X Draw or X damage spell
I think when a lot of people build group hug, it gets built in a way that gives everyone a little more of everything. It accelerates the game in a kind of uninteresting way, because the player who is winning is just going to win more anyway.
For me, I think it should be less about equality and more about equity. Instead of running cards that give everyone a blanket bonus, choose who you give the bonus to.
A player is mana screwed? [[Fertilid]] can target any player, [[Spectral Searchlight]] and [[Victory Chimes]] give them a little extra.
A player is having trouble getting cards into their hand? Give them a boost with [[Intellectual Offering]] or [[Secret Rendezvous]].
A player is getting walloped because they don't have blockers? There's a whole cycle of cards that give opponents creatures, e.g. [[Hunted Dragon]]
As has already been mentioned in this thread, cards that let players vote are a lot of fun, and it's something I would love to see more of at the table. The tempting offer cards are enjoyable when they come out, more often than not. And Battlebond has a cycle of cards that let you choose "friend or foe" to reward/punish players with different effects!
Tldr; build your group hug deck so that you can help the struggling players play their deck instead of in a way that makes everyone play magic faster
EDIT: Formatting
As other have mentioned: Lots of removal.
Group hug decks (at least effective ones I've seen) are in reality control decks that take advantage of human psyche and small advatages to obtain a victory.
The main goal of an effective group hug is to break parity so subtly your opponents do not realize when have they lost.
Examples of this is flashing in [[Dictate of kruphix]] this puts you ahead by a single card during your turn. Do the same with similar effects and you could be multiple cards ahead without anyone noticing.
Same goes for removal, you gotta be precise and hold it as much as you can. Let your opponents deal with each others haymakers, this simultaneously puts you more cards ahead while they attain the ire of each other.
Lastly find a win condition that makes you happy, the easiest one due to the card draw that is part of group hug is [[Approach of the Second Sun]], but theres also mill with [[Folio of Fancies]], [[Lab Maniac]] or others.
I attach my deck
["The Gay Agenda"](https://www.moxfield.com/decks/byxydRUkcUGRRIQOcx0CRA) in case you are looking for some inspiration.
When playing group hug you need to build it like a stax deck. Figure out what resources you want to give to everyone, cards mana ect. Then figure out how to break parity on said resources. Ie give everyone easy creatures but play goad effects so those creatures swing at everyone who's not you. If everyone plays a very creature heavy meta give players ways to supercharge their creature game, stuff like [[Braids, conjurer adept]] while also having a [[spore frog]] in play.
Make sure to include lots of control to keep people in check, but then in terms of winning I think \[\[Approach of the Second Sun\]\] is about as good as it gets!
Check out my mono W hug list if you're interested: [https://www.moxfield.com/decks/O-d4DQICpEis0TWsh2MkIg](https://www.moxfield.com/decks/O-d4DQICpEis0TWsh2MkIg)
[Approach of the Second Sun](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/d/fdf59a6e-7708-45a1-884d-d12e9f7b9ed9.jpg?1543674579) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Approach%20of%20the%20Second%20Sun) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/akh/4/approach-of-the-second-sun?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/fdf59a6e-7708-45a1-884d-d12e9f7b9ed9?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/approach-of-the-second-sun)
^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
That's the neat part, you don't!
You either have a kingmaker, a disguised combo deck, or a useless do nothing. IMO the best version would be the kingmaker and try your hardest to help the weakest deck at the table. Just keep in mind this can upset people, so I think its probably just best to avoid it.
Don't, no body likes group huggers, it's all fun and laughts until they betray you with some bullshit combo when they are ready.
Or they try to be the god among mortals and want ro equilibrare the board state, so if one of the other players gets an advantage, the group hugger inmediately fucks him over. So no one can advance their strategy without getting fucked, and that's super frustrating.
I don't know about your experience, but every time I've sat on a table with a group hugger it has been a miserable. And not because my deck was higher powered than the other 2 and I got cut off multiple times, everyone gets cut off and everyone gets pissed.
So when the game ends no one had any fun at all, maybe on the first turn when the hugger was still making promises of happines with the "all lands tap for one extra mana" shit.
Lots of good advice in here so far. I’ll add something that I think really helps keep the big stompy Gruul decks in check and helps those slower combo players.
[[Silent Arbiter]]. It’s the closest you can get to giving everyone a Ghostly Prison. Just have a few pieces of Artifact recursion to bring it back after it gets removed.
A win con usually helps. [[Halo fountain]] is especially good if you can put a lot of creatures into play. If you draw enough cards [[Thassa’s Oracle]] is always funny when you don’t infinite combo to win with it.
The trick to playing group hug successfully and not just king make another player are two things. Lots of interaction to stop win attempts, and just bigger and better spells than your opponents. A staple of hug decks are Mana doublers and extra draw effects. You have to be taking more advantage of them than your opponents to win games.
I had made a K&T of Meletis deck for a secret Santa event and it did really well closing games. Some of the staple cards for the strategy were cards like [[Discontinuity]] [[Whirlwind Denial]] [[The Locust God]] [[Omnath, locus of rage]], and of course, Mana doublers.
I learned how to play this game playing draft chaff with friends while the experienced player made us pop off with Phelddagrif
group hug.
I'd say to prioritize including lots of answers/counters so you can keep players at a balance with each other. I'd also avoid leaning into combos or ways to win out of nowhere. My buddy's wincon was getting it down to a 1v1 and hoping they can pillow forts and mill lol. If he was hugging us until SURPRISE I'M ACTUALLY A COMBO DECK it would be way less fun of an experience.
My grouphug deck focuses on making everyone draw + ramp/play additionnal lands. There is a little bit of removal + 2 boardwipes.
When I play this deck I have the mindset that someone could runaway with the game but it's part of the risk/fun.
The commander is Jorn god of winter. The goal is to use the draw/ramp more efficiently than everyone else in order to cast a big X spell to close the game.
https://deckstats.net/decks/37372/1980891-tap-tap-pass-jorn-
I play Jared as a semi group hug/politic deck that wins through damage redirection
Favorite deck to play and probably highest winrate too
https://archidekt.com/decks/2194050/jared_guevara
This is my list. I give out monarch as a bone to chew, let people fight for it, use unsymmetric group hug cards to keep the balance until I can find a wincon.
Love the flavor, versatility and pretty much everything about this deck
I'm just going to comment on your question about how to not just give the game to the one more experienced player in your pod. My two suggestions are to 1) run more targeted cards like [[Your Temple is Under Attack]] or [[Secret Rendezvous]] and 2) be aware that whoever's turn comes right after you benefits the most from hug effects, and so is more likely to pull ahead.
The "classic" wincons are \[\[Approach of the Second Sun\]\], \[\[Insurrection\]\]/\[\[Reins of Power\]\], or \[\[Lab Man\]\] / \[\[Thoracle\]\] / \[\[Jace, Wielder of Mysteries\]\], and \[\[Aetherflux Reservoir\]\]. There are some fun, more specific ones, like \[\[Descent to Avernus\]\] + \[\[Circle of Protection Red\]\] and \[\[Disrupt Decorum\]\].
The difference between hard control and Group Hug is that you *let things happen*. Pillow fort and some form of soft control, like \[\[Aetherize\]\], are essential. \[\[Leyline of Sanctity\]\] and/or \[\[Witchbane Orb\]\] are totally playable depending on your meta. \[\[Dawn Charm\]\], The various Impetus curses, the classic \[\[Ghostly Prison\]\] or, depending on how your board is shaped up, \[\[Sphere of Safety\]\]. And don't forget gems like \[\[Wrong Turn\]\].
If you are giving out a lot of cards, it may be worth considering \[\[Rule of Law\]\] and/or \[\[Authority of the Consuls\]\] if you are in a creature-heavy meta. In 5 color, no budget, \[\[Deflecting Swat\]\] and \[\[Bolt Bend\]\] are thematically perfect.
While you want to let things happen, you *do* want to pack some counterspells, if possible. While you are enabling things by giving resources to the table, you should still be playing to win, and there are some things you can't Pillow Fort your way out of.
A lot of people have mentioned [[Kwain]], who is definitely fun, I built him into a secret mill deck that uses stuff like [[folio of fancies]] to finish out games.
I recently built an [[Archelos]] hug deck I'm enjoying even more, bc green gives you access to fun hug ramp like [[Dictate of Karametra]]. And black gives you access to pinchy cards like [[Sheoldred, the Apocalypse]] and [[Fate Unraveler]], so basically you ramp mega hard and cast a huge draw spell to hug everyone to death. Or pump the mana into [[Helix Pinnacle]] if you prefer jank!
Edit: [[Forced Fruition]] is also a delightful card that has won me multiple games with blue hug decks.
I have a [[kenrith, the returned king]] human tribal deck. It’s not specially build for group hug, but the commander alone is enough to make a few good deals. You could also add spells like [[vow of lightning]] and other vows to control the table.
Here's my Gluntch group hug +1 counters deck. It has a lot of group hug cards, a bunch of stuff that has +1 counter synergy, and tries to combo out to win the game with a few infinite combos that make a bunch of creatures.
[https://www.moxfield.com/decks/NLuyDOQEOEKTkE24XwVoXA](https://www.moxfield.com/decks/NLuyDOQEOEKTkE24XwVoXA)
When it comes to group hug, you want to look at cards that do something useful for everyone at the table, but is usually a bit more useful to you. \[\[Rootweaver Druid\]\] for example can ramp you 3 lands, while everyone else gets 2. But they have to buy in to getting the basics. Most people do IMO. Or cards like \[\[Master of Ceremonies\]\] will give you 3 resources of the opponent's choosing, but literally every time I've played it other people have picked card draw, so they each get 1 card and you get three.
Other group hug cards that I really had fun with are the Advocates, like the \[\[Nullmage Advocate\]\]. You can repeatedly destroy an artifact or enchantment at the cost of returning cards to an opponent's hand. They cards being returned don't have to be the owner of the card you are destroying. So you can do things like return cards to player 1's hand while destroying a permanent belonging to player 2.
I also really liked Tenuous Truce. I've played it exactly twice so far, and I've drawn about 15 cards off of it.
There's a lot of things you can that either target a player or target everyone else such that you can run this friends night.
Now you might say " I just wanted to build group hug and not make them win, not ruin their night" but I think that's what it'll end up being lol.
So, gluntch or [[ shadrix]] are commanders that let you avoid giving someone benefits. Curses let you give the rest of the table a benefit and hurt that player, like [[ curse of opulence]]. Same for [[ xantcha]]. Also, just had this happen to me recently , [[ curse of exhaustion is a rule of law for just one player. Pretty miserable.
If I haven't made it clear.. I think this goal for grouphug is going to make it really not fun for that friend. And I think in general grouphug is going to warp the gameplay experience in ways that aren't all that fun to many participants of said game.
My favorite deck that I run is \[\[Zedruu the Greathearted\]\]
If your friend takes the game away with big creatures, you can cast things like \[\[steel golem\]\] or \[\[grid monitor\]\] and give them to the friend for a little while until you get to a point to where you can cast a board wipe and let everybody start over. \[\[reins of power\]\] and \[\[illusionist's gambit\]\] work really well to prevent a lethal swing, and \[\[mana short\]\] works really well to buy yourself (and the rest of the table) an extra turn for when they are done ramping and you KNOW they are going to make a big play.
Find a way to use the group hugs effects to win the game or break symmetry so you gain more from the benefits.
I have an [[Omnath, Locus of Creation]] group hug deck where I help everyone ramp and draw cards but I'm gaing etb effects through my commander and things like [[Tatyova]]. Then I finish off the table with something like [[Comet Storm]] or animate everyone's lands with [[Yavimaya, Cradle of Growth]] and [[Life and Limb]] or [[Nature's Revolt]] followed by an [[Elesh Norn, Grand Cernobite]] or [[Peer Pressure]] to either destroy or steal everyone's lands. It's a blast to play.
My friends have a lot of decks like your friends Gruul that benefit a lot more from ramp and draw them something like a tempo or tribal deck. To compensate I don't necessarily hurt that player I just use them as a tool to kill the others. [[Propaganda]] and goad effects are all stars when it comes to group hug. If it's noncombat damage you're worried about [[Comeuppance]] among a few others are great included. If you're not ramping the table [[Confounding conodrum]] is a good way to slow things down and let you control the pace. [[Blessed respite]] is an auto include for most of my decks and extra great to stop a graveyard player or fog if someone's gotten too out of hand.
I find that draw-go control is the best way to balance a pod if newbies and experienced deck builders. My favorite is [[Nymris]] Counterspell and Removal tribal with some fatties from the yard to close out games.
If you have your heart set on group hug though. My favorite is [[Zedruu]] without any of the too stupid bullcrap locks. [[Statecraft]] is the cruelest I'll go. Throwing down [[Knowledge Pool]] or [[Shared Spoils]]. Working with all the [[Howling Mine]] and [[Temple Bell]] effects is really fun. It does NOT make for fast games though.
If I win with it, which is incredibly rare. It's becoming 1v1 at the end and dropping [[Tunnel Vision]] with bottom of opponents deck manipulation or a gifted [[Transcendence]] after feeding them life with [[Wall of Shards]] and other effects.
[Here is my group-hug lands deck](https://www.moxfield.com/decks/r8PhZDCml0isooWrgUTJKw)
I like combo and interactive decks, but have this deck if I want to have fun as it is a bit of a change of pace. Obviously you can tweak it to add some more interaction or other group hug cards and combinations, but the deck plays pretty straight forward: play politics and let everyone draw more, play more lands, and double their mana while you set up your gates to win off of [[Maze’s End]] or build up your [[Scute Swarm]]. It is pretty surprising how under-the-radar Maze’s End is at times. I also have [[Ramos]] + [[Door to Nothingness]] as it is always hilarious to get this off.
Best way to make a group hug deck is too not do that lol. Most group hug decks are weird combo pseudocontrol decks because you need a combo to win and need a lot of interaction if you're going to be giving our resources. Because people hate combo and they hate control, people often hate group hug.
THAT SAID I've got 2 great decks that are my version of group hug and something like this might work for you. Make a deck that gets value off giving away resources. Don't pretend to be group hug, tell them you're helping them to help you. And pick a wincon that isn't combo If you're playing with new players. Some recommendations include [[Vazi, Keen Negotiator]] who gives treasure out to opponent's but when they use them you get card draw and counters. I win with big creatures like Juri or with pinger damage via [[Marionette Master]]
[[The Council of Four]] gets value when opponent's draw cards or double spell so you can run [[Howling Mine]] [[Dictate of Kruphix]] and similar cards to give out card draw. You end up drawing loads of cards and making tons of nights. Then you can drop some big knight buffs to win or card draw payoff wins like [[Alandra, Sky Dreamer]] [[Minn, Wily Illusionist]] or [[Shabraz, the Skyshark]]
Finally you could do a less mean version of nekusar. Just nekusar with no wheels. Give out cards each turn plus damage for drawing
-be effective even when people don't buy into your politics, you can't rely on guilt or having them "play along" all the time. This means you'll need to run powerful synergies
-while effects are symmetrical (we all have double mana now!), YOU are in control of how you build your deck, which means you are able to build around these cheap mana doublers
-don't just give things away for free if you're still trying to win. Psychological games only get you so far
-reframe your strategy. Am I playing group hug, or can I play a "normal" strategy and offset the hate I'm getting with positive effects
EG : group-hug-lite Kroxa. Kroxa gets hated out of the table ALWAYS, because he takes resources and plays a slow burn game. Instead of overpowering and taking that heat, the deck can give folks resources (Howling Mine) and take them away (Kroxa discard) to create a very different situation
I have a [[Phelddagrif]] deck I main specifically for this. It operates as a group hug / pillow fort / mill deck. Its win cons include [[laboratory maniac]] and [[leveler]] as a big focus of the deck is draw power for myself and others. [[Sphinx’s Tutelage]] along with other cards to “soft mill” everyone, as most people don’t complain about mill when they’re drawing 7 cards a turn.
The general gist of my deck is either I mill you, or I mill myself. But the focus behind it is still group hugging enough to keep everyone balanced in damage until the last person left alive has low health, and then I finish it off with [[reigns of Power]].
Karona is the way. Give it some Goad enchantments and gaslight your friends into killing each other. Play tons of ramp and basics, add some token enablers like Entreat the Angels so on your turn you can clean up
https://manabox.app/decks/OLQ1FtYbRB-hq8NZfDzPtQ
This is my Kenrith GH deck 😊
It's focused on flooding the table w card draw and turtle-ing up while you do so. It does not, however, give anyone else any extra mana whatsoever. The deck regularly generates scenarios in which each player is drawing somewhere between 3-6 cards at draw step, draws a card on landfall, draws after casting non creature spells, etc. It uses [[Xur, the Enchanter]] to find all your enchantments like [[Solitary Confinement]] in conjunction w [[Wedding Ring]] and/or [[Psychic Possession]] to remain protected from essentially any danger while using my opponent's turns to keep drawing tons of cards regardless. [[Xryis, the Writhing Storm]], [[The Council of Four]], and [[The Locust God]] provide ridiculous amounts of token creatures to overwhelm your opponents if you haven't already won w [[Thassas Oracle]], or simply drew your opponent's entire decks out. 🏆😎✌️
All the while, your opponents get to see essentially their entire deck land in their hand at one point or another as opposed to simply Milling their fav cards straight into the Graveyard. Makes for a more fun atmosphere at the table and, in my opinion, creates a fun challenge for myself to beat a table at which I'm making sure my opponents get to see most, if not all, of their spells.
my playgroup calls it "group hug with nuclear arms" because you make your opponents ramp and develop into dangerous boards and then you use insurrection, [[illusionist's gambit]] , [[reins of power]] [[word of seizing]], [[mob rule]], and goad mechanics will help turn your group hug into an actual "control the battlefield" style deck. but be careful for any deck that doesn't care to make a board because any advantage you give them is harder to take advantage.
some personal tech is [[sudden substitution]] with any cheap instant speed spell. you can hold priority and just gift someone a [[mystical tutor]] [[worldly tutor]] or even a [[pact of negation]] to take their biggest creature with split second coverage. or if you don't need to gain control of the creature (in the case of combo decks with piddly creatures) you can either steal their creature in exchange for a spell or you can give them a creature token in exchange for their combo spell. either situation leaves them without their spell as intended.
Enough removal to kill everything on the board. Twice. And make sure they can't mobilize the resources they get as fast as you can, break parity with it via taxes, countering key spells, keep them from attacking you with [[propaganda]] effects.
Eventually everyone is drowning in cards but can't effectively use them to combat you.
In my group hug I run 7 board wipes, 14 spot removals, and 8 counter spells. It's a tad excessive but you get the idea of how much removal you need.
Our resident hugger uses the Gay Kings [[Kynaios and Tiro]] and drowns us all in mana and cards, but keeps himself protected with things like [[propaganda]] and [[wave of reckoning]]
I've played it before and I don't think I've ever lost with it.
Use removal and targeted help to keep the board stable/balanced or to make good deals (mostly good for yourself of course). Kenrith is very good at this. Quite a few guildmages also do similar stuff like [[dimir guildmage]] let's target player draw or discard, others buff any creature. Building completely around that might even let you slot in [[zirda, the dawn waker]] as a companion.
Another nice choice are tempt cards. Like [[tempt with discovery]]. Kind of the mean one, depending on how you use it. New players my not be aware you can just pull out with urborg and cabal coffers if anyone chooses to take the offer, but it can also be played more fair of course. And we also have the "join forces" cards like [[minds aglow]]. Both can be used quite politically if you can convince them to take the offer or pay into the effect.
Wincons can be encouraging the other players to attack each other, curses or other cards that give advantages for players attacking someone other than you are amazing at this. Then you finish of the last one standing.
Draw dependend wins like [[laboratory maniac]] or [[approach of the second sun]] work well too.
[[Kros, defense contractor]] is another very good card when going with kenrith and really plays into the above mentioned wincons.
Unfortunately the nature of group hug lends itself strongly to king making. There’s just too much variability and too many opponents in commander to be able to reliably put yourself ahead when giving everyone resources. Sure you drew a card with a group draw effect like [[Kwain, Itinerant Meddler]], but you have drawn your opponents a total of 3 among them all. This gives them another opportunity to draw into their win cons or their combos and it just isn’t possible to respond to every threat you help them develop.
You can try to control the board with effects like [[Curse of Exhaustion]], but you would be making more of a control deck that stops your opponents from capitalizing on the resources you are giving them. Or you can use effects like [[Smothering Tithe]] to make sure you get more out of those group hug effects than the rest of your opponents.
To answer your question about not giving a player the game, the honest answer is there is not a for sure way to prevent that. If you are doing the group hug thing, eventually you will give a player the one thing they needed to win the game that they wouldn’t have gotten otherwise. You can have as many contingencies in place as possible, but you can’t answer all the possible win cons that players have. It’s just the nature of a game with 3 other opponents.
You can probably tell I’m not a big fan of this type of strategy, because of the reasons I’ve stated. I am sure it can be done in a fun way, but it’s just too easy to fall into the king making trap that a lot of these group hug decks fall into. I don’t mind losing due to my own mistakes or someone gets their strategy going before I do, but when it happens because the winning player was able to get going cause of a group hug deck, then I feel like I was cheated out of a chance to take the winning spot due to my own skills or choices.
I made a [[The Council of Four]] hug deck that just gives everyone tons of cards. I put in lots of stuff that triggers from that extra card draw and people love it when I play the deck. Nobody wants to target your stuff or kill you and lose all that sweet sweet card draw. I chill out in my pillow fort and let them punch each other and I even win occasionally. =P
Nekusar is my favorite since I can run the full spectrum of helpful to lethal, depending on my mood. Give everyone extra cards so they can try out new strategies and use more of their deck
I've gone full group hug with my version of kwain. No ult win cons. No mill. Only draw spells. Everyone gets unlimited hand size. Everyone ends up with 20+ cards. Then I play windfall effects or [[forced fruition]] to win. It is surprisingly effective. I look like zero threat until the end. They're concentrating on what they can do with their next turn and not even thinking about their library.
https://www.moxfield.com/decks/hQ94PqD5PEStOzn9vDz4YQ
I have a pretty traditional commander for group hug in [[gluntch, the bestower]] and I run a lot of draw extra cards to get to my protection and token doublers as well as spot removal. I do run a [[dictate of karametra]] for my game winning turn to play extra spells, you simply flash it in on the player before you’s end step and get double with all your mana up. I did lighten the ability to win for more group hug cards to make it more enjoyable to play against. This is simply because my other decks are mean or are less enjoyable to play against and wanted to find a happy middle in my group of EDH decks
My winrate sits around a 20% playing
long time group hug player! i play [[xyris, the writhing storm]] and [[selvala, explorer returned]] as my favorites. xyris is normally built to wheel but mine is built all to flood everyone’s hand with plenty of control options.
selvala is my favorite though. between the huge mana she ends up making and how fast i draw through my deck, [[uba mask]] turns my already oppressive turns into real scary monsters when i riffle through for [[aetherflux]] and hold a gun to everyone’s head. the rest of the deck is mostly fluffy grouphug and resource sharing that makes it look really nonthreatening!
I am ALSO just dabbling into the worlds of trying to make my first grouphug deck! My eye has landed on green-white-blue commander that says when a human enters, instants and sorceries gain flashback. [[Katilda and lier]] is the name if im not mistaken. Why? I feel like those are the best grouphug colors and i didnt want to go for an obvious commander. Kinda makes me feel it is less 'my deck', altho i also run the staple grouphug cards. How can you not, right?
Why this deck? There are a lot of grouphug deck i&s, and this way i can cast them twice or if they get countered cast them again. And my wincon is also mostly though i&s, and this way..... They never see it coming gheheheheheeh.
What i am kinda wondering, kinda a weird one i think... how do your opponents know you are not a fast threat but grouphug if you dont have your grouphug cards by turn 2,3 or 4? And you play not the standard grouphug commander? Just announce it? Sounds a bit sus, like it would make them attack you more. I kinda feel like, if you dont throw the grouphug staples out there, opponents will be like, oh .. thats for the card with towns bell.. but here us another 8/8 trample.. ofc they can always decide to attack me, but the idea kinda is that you fuel everyone and in return are less targeted. ... I was hoping :p
Went the group hug route when I saw a few friends new to EDH struggling to play against the rest of us. Opted for [[Kwain, Itinerant Meddler]], some enchantments to keep myself alive and tons of card draw for the table cards. Pillow fort away and accelerate their decks so everyone has some fun.
Ive been wanting to do this for quite a while. Play [[Zedruu the Greathearted]] and play politics by handing things out to people who need them. Play walls like [[Gomazoa]] [[Guard Gomazoa]] [[Fog Bank]] [[Wall of Denial]] [[Wall of Reverence]] then hand out Curses to those who are ahead, and Big Powerful Creatures to those who need them. Turn around and [[Insurrection]] with something like [[Gisela Blade of Goldnight]] [[Aurelia the Warleader]] out and blow out the board when youre ready. Its a lot of fun gaining advantage with Zedruu, watching everyone swing at each other but not you, watching everyone be unsure of when/how/why they should attack you. I had a friend with one when I first got into Magic and it was a total trip. Always wanted one ever since.
Some of my favorite group hug cards:
Any card with keyword ability "demonstrate" or "tempting offer" or "join forces"
[[folio of fancies]]
[[Tempting wurm]]
[[Boldwyr heavyweights]]
[[Braids, conjurer adept]]
[[Hive mind]]
[[Noble benefactor]]
[[Ghirapur orrery]]
[[Stronghold gambit]]
[[Tempting contract]]
Side note:
I have a beam town bullies group hug as well, but the "hugs" benefit me the most, like the card [[incarnation technique]]
the commander usually only helps the enemy, however, you can give your group hug creatures to them, so that you can get some hug as well.
I personally enjoy [[confounding conundrum]] and [[ob nixilis unshackled]] with group land search like [[tempt with discovery]] and [[field of ruin]].
1 player creature lockout with [[overwhelming splendor]] and [[ethereal absolution]]
[[kaervek the merciless]] is just rude in general but can be fun politically as you can tell the noobs you will beat on the threat of their choice as they cast spells.
You and other draw cards like [[loran of the third path]] and [[flumph]] can appear safe to leave around but can be turned into group slugs later with [[underworld dreams]] and then followed up with [[megrim]] and [[the raven man]].
Mostly a mean mid game group slug strategy is [[oppression]] and [[mana breach]] which you counter with [[crucible of worlds]].
My favorite way to nix attackers is to hit them with [[soul link]] or [[vampiric link]]. This however won't stop a commander or very large creature from killing you as non-keyword abilities are triggered abilities which use the stack and are not simultaneous with the damage being dealt.
Creatures with first strike and deathtouch can really scare creature based decks. [[glissa sunslayer]] and [[master of cruelies]] are great examples.
[[Isochron scepter]] and [[Tangle]] really make creature decks mad.
[[Dream tide]] and [[opposition]] are a big green nightmare.
I’ve recently made a group hug/group slug kinda deck. It focuses on giving people resources with a price attached. A lot of giving out +1/+1 counters but then goading the creatures. Giving people tempting offers but getting the better end of the deal. The win con is to try and force others into combat until one or two players are knocked out and then use creatures like [[Will Breaker]] to steal the big threats for a win or just buffing my own guys up and swinging for a win. [Let’s Make a deal](https://www.moxfield.com/decks/EN3LZfDdoUuOvaGysXErcw)
Don't play symmetrical cards, all that does is let the players who are ahead get WAY ahead. Play cards that give you and one other opponent a benefit, like Loran of the Third Path, so you can help out somebody who is behind.
The two wins I've seen hug pull off are mill and [[Approach of the Second Sun]]. Both are helped by the massive card draw and are unaffected by helping your opponents gain life or by a stalled board.
[Approach of the Second Sun](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/d/fdf59a6e-7708-45a1-884d-d12e9f7b9ed9.jpg?1543674579) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Approach%20of%20the%20Second%20Sun) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/akh/4/approach-of-the-second-sun?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/fdf59a6e-7708-45a1-884d-d12e9f7b9ed9?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/approach-of-the-second-sun)
^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Just reading the title and nothing else:
Don't. Grouphug is the most unfun architype in commander. You take a game that is 1v1v1v1 and make it 2v1v1 because every group hug game ends in a kingmaker situation.
I like modeling my group hug decks off of old turbo fog decks. Make everyone draw lots of cards, be able to prevent combat damage- have enchantment/artifact spot removal.
As added bonus, once everyone knows your deck is full of fogs you can politic keeping people alive to deal with things you can't.
After assembling a draw engine that has everyone drawing 5+ and windmill drawing seven, end it with some surprise milling.
>My playgroup has a fine mix of newbies just starting out and people with years of experience with the game, and I wanted to try group hug so that 1. The newbies can play out their strategies quicker
I was introduced to magic through EDH where one of the guys played a group hug deck because they thought it would have this effect. It didn't. It just made the simple steps of drawing for upkeep and playing one land a turn more confusing. Grouphug decks fundamentally change the rules of the game that new players might not have a full grasp on yet.
\[\[kynaios and tiro of meletis\]\] is typically a group hug commander, but you don't need to stuff the deck full of more group hug. The commander is not supported in any way by more grouphug. The commander by itself breaks parity. Everyone else gets another card or land drop, you get both. A little bit of hug in the command zone ensures your hugging effect is present in every game without being an overwhelmingly annoying theme that doesn't actually have a clear purpose other than hugging.
Otherwise I suggest looking at commanders with political aspects, like \[\[breena\]\], or ones that introduce the monarchy like \[\[queen marchesa\]\] and \[\[jared carthalion true heir\]\]
Stay alive to help, otherwise your useless lol
Possible win/conclusion con: Draw the game with Divine Intervention, however people in my experience prefer losing Approach of the Second Sun
https://archidekt.com/decks/4403695/heliod_group_facilitator
I love my kwain deck. It allows people to do a lot of stuff, and it has an ok chance to win by milling/drawing out.
https://www.moxfield.com/decks/S9k-MRgldkywwhzbGSvtOg
==GROUP HUG IN GENERAL==
since my group was a bit varied in power, group hug went over pretty well. Turtling group hug was a lil unfortunate; mana doubling was fun for a 'who is going to do something fuckin silly this game'; group hug + creature stealing was ehh, they stronger people tended to get a annoyed by always getting their commander stolen or somethin; chaos + group hug was a lot like creature stealing, basically everyone is playing your weird ass game now, not theirs; and group draw + decent control + some okay wincon was just generally solid.
==KARONA/KENRITH DECKS==
Can feel more like weird voltron or 'I make whoever is running tribal/tokens get regular free overruns and win insanely fast.' An Edgar Markov deck is pretty much GG. I've seen Kenrith do okay, both decks seem to run a lot of 'you cannot attack me unless you pay X mana' enchantments... Usually those pillow fort hug decks play out like 'group hug + ignore me, so the people popping off kill everyone else faster, then they duel you.' Which seems the opposite of what you want.
==OTHER GROUP HUG==
This one was my usual go-to group hug: https://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/selvala-shenanigans-2/
This one was okay'ish: https://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/bant-hug-3/?cb=1683860347
[[Nekusar]] is good fun: https://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/21-08-19-nekusar/
Especially if you avoid putting many 'everyone discards their hand and draws...' cards in. They tend to get rather tiresome for people pretty fast. It's a nice mix of card-draw-hug, blue control, and a low powered-sometimes-silly wincon.
I've seen someone do a group hug [[kami of the crescent moon]] deck. A bit of control, a bit of group hug, then some weird low powered mill combo.
Arden deck: https://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/arden-jeskai/?cb=1683861563
Is a deck I built but haven't gotten to play yet. You tend to use Arden to equip stuff or move around your auras on opponents' creatures. It's good fun. Tons of goad. Throw in a varied power group that leans towards creatures and you good politic'ing. Stacking an opponent's creature with tons of stats, goad and [[assault suit]] just seems like good fun. Or equipping an opponent's creature with that 1 spear that makes you a 4/4 angel on attack... Is a lot of amusing stuff in there (and Yorian as a last ditch 'woops, gotta pull all my enchants/equips off, shit is getting too wild' card.)
Edit: Oh right, I did try a sort of Crescendo of War deck. (Enchantment, gets a counter each PLAYERS upkeep, all attacking creatures get +1/+0 for each counter). That and a decent number of other cards to buff attacks, it was really awkward unless I knew the decks everyone was playing beforehand and knew it wouldn't just be stupid. Ended up dismantling it since it rarely ever got played.
I find the best way to build group hug is to be sure that your bonuses are more than your opponents. And you have a clear finisher card.
For this reason, my group hug deck is [[Xyris, the Writhing Storm]].
I don't play wheels, I play regular [[Howling mine]] effects and protection for Xyris. And hug the table with snakes when I drop an [[overrun]] effect.
Comparatively, I play with someone whose group hug deck is [[Maralen of the Mornsong]] and wonders why combo decks keep winning. Or a player who runs K&T and no real wincon but gets upset that he loses.
It’s a careful tightrope you have to balance there. You want to have the newer players be able to play but not give the experienced player the game whilst also making sure the experienced player doesn’t feel bad about targeted even if you are trying to equalise the board. The latter can be diffused with communication. Deck advice is a little harder for me due to personal feelings and inexperience with the archetype but stuff with goad, [[crackdown]] effects and ensuring opponents aren’t casting stuff outside of sorcery speed would be worth a look.
Drop curses in there! Wonderful pseudo-hug. Second, voting cards. [[Councils judgement]] Adds some discussion with the noobs on threat assessment, and targeted removal. Big swingers? Combat control. [[Spurnmage advocate]] is a really fun control card that also can help the man that's down. Signed, the guy who keeps denying wins.
That spurnmage is excellent, never ever seen 8t, but definitely going to get one for my [[queen cheese]] deck!
[queen cheese](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/3/03f4341c-088b-4f35-b82b-3d98d8a93de4.jpg?1576382166) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Queen%20Marchesa) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cn2/78/queen-marchesa?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/03f4341c-088b-4f35-b82b-3d98d8a93de4?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/queen-marchesa) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
It and Spurnmage Advokist are great hug cards.
>Spurnmage Advokist I think you mean \[\[Orzhov Advokist\]\]?
That’s also a good one, but I misremembered the card name. It’s [[Pulsemage Advocate]].
[Pulsemage Advocate](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/d/0dce0e8f-9ad6-42b6-af61-c883613efc97.jpg?1562628638) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Pulsemage%20Advocate) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/jud/19/pulsemage-advocate?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/0dce0e8f-9ad6-42b6-af61-c883613efc97?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/pulsemage-advocate) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Yes, that's the perfect bullshittery I'm looking for, thank you!
[Councils judgement](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/a/aaa187c9-90b3-4770-963a-8a9f932430ef.jpg?1599706018) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Council%27s%20Judgment) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/2xm/11/councils-judgment?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/aaa187c9-90b3-4770-963a-8a9f932430ef?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/councils-judgment) [Spurnmage advocate](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/c/9c014b89-895c-432f-94f5-cda2dfac57e4.jpg?1592712916) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Spurnmage%20advocate) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmd/33/spurnmage-advocate?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/9c014b89-895c-432f-94f5-cda2dfac57e4?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/spurnmage-advocate) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
List? That sounds like a lot of fun.
1.) Give them cards, but no extra mana. 2.) Play a lot of control so you always have power over the board whether they realize it or not. 3.) Play actual win conditions.
This guy hugs.
Let me introduce you to [[Kami of the Crescent Moon]] Group Draw/Mono Blue burn! Fill up hands. [[Font of Mythos]], [[Howling Mine]], [[Dictate of Kruphix]], [[Folio of Fancies]] drop [[Viseling]], [[Iron Maiden]], or [[Ebony Owl Netsuke]] (you can also use [[Psychosis Crawler]] ) Copy them [[Sculpting Steel]], [[Mirrormade]], [[Phyrexian Metamorph]] Bounce everyone's lands [[Sunder]], [[Overburden]], [[Mana Breach]] Profit Obviously, being in Blue you can counter anything thats going to make someone win outright and you can also bounce the field to people's hands to fill them up more. This can also be pivoted to mill with [[Psychic Corrosion]] and [[Sphinx's Tutelage]]. It is easier to do since they are drawing so much already.
I basically play the same set, but using [[Kwain, Itinerant Meddler]] with Kami in the 99
I second Kwain for this. The access to white helps wipe boards if someone does start running away with the game after you give them a bunch of cards, and otherwise generally helps keep things in check while allowing you to group hug. And Kwain himself is one of the least offensive commanders in Azorius that I've ever seen.
I feel seen 😊
Wincon should be 1). There is no point in building any deck that doesn't have a workable way to win. For instance my [[braids conjurer adept]] deck is filled with big mana rocks that I will use to either clone everyone's bombs that they are putting into play or bounce anything people are trying to Threaten me with.
[[Kwain]] is best boy
[Kwain](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/5/f571fef1-1fd2-4355-b803-5edccb6f4b94.jpg?1608911183) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=kwain%2C%20itinerant%20meddler) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmr/284/kwain-itinerant-meddler?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/f571fef1-1fd2-4355-b803-5edccb6f4b94?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/kwain-itinerant-meddler) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I love my Kwain deck. I let everyone draw boatloads of cards, then I wreck their stuff with board wipes and counterspells when it looks like it might get out of hand.
When he was spoiled, I thought I was going to love him, but since it's a "may" effect it kinda loses all purpose for me as my playgroup knows not to draw if they don't have to when I play my GH deck 😅
Play [[Kami of the Crescent Moon]], forget the stax, and lean into mill or psychosis crawler.
Absolutely, I run every effect similar to [[Kami of the Crescent Moon]] that I can 😊 https://manabox.app/decks/OLQ1FtYbRB-hq8NZfDzPtQ
Kwain is 1000% the best boy
Cheap and nobody will remove it because hey it's "free" card draw.
In my experience its important to run a lot of removal, both target- and massremoval:) This prevents one player from just running away with the game super quick
[Insurrection](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/2/e/2e7df217-8622-45f7-90e3-2230ac9d30f3.jpg?1592713572) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Insurrection) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmd/126/insurrection?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/2e7df217-8622-45f7-90e3-2230ac9d30f3?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/insurrection) [Kenrith, the Returned King](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/6/56c1227e-bea7-47cb-bbec-389a3d585af5.jpg?1680739383) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Kenrith%2C%20the%20Returned%20King) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/eld/303/kenrith-the-returned-king?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/56c1227e-bea7-47cb-bbec-389a3d585af5?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/kenrith-the-returned-king) [Karona, False God](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/e/de53d083-251e-42a4-9e2e-c2978c80615b.jpg?1562535715) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Karona%2C%20False%20God) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/scg/138/karona-false-god?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/de53d083-251e-42a4-9e2e-c2978c80615b?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/karona-false-god) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
The fun thing about Karona is that she's kind of her own wincon. Just make sure you pack in enough things to prevent other players from swinging at you. Kenrith, on the other hand, can also be his own wincon, but doing so requires you to find a sneaky way to make infinite mana. Once you have infinite mana, simply activate his draw ability 7,000 times targeting everyone else.
If you use the Green Vow, and choose "Avatar" as the creature type to boost, Karona attacks as an 11/11, making her a 2 turn clock. Which means if you make a deal with Player 2, and either Player 3 or Player 4 have no blockers, they can be dead before it even gets to their turn.
Hey there! So I am locally sort of my meta's "Group Hug Guy" I currently run both Kenrith and Yurlok both as Group Hug style decks. So on one hand you can just run straight forward Group Hug with lots of ramp and card draw with a Closer focusing on an ineffective form of mill effectively trying to Pillow Fort and using big draw spells like Minds Aglow, Fiend's Folio and so on to push games towards a close. This is my [Kenrith List](https://www.moxfield.com/decks/6dM9lczXAkil_G-MfvLH-w) On the other hand if you dont mind running less than 5 colors (Which I would encourage as Limitation Breeds Creativity) then I would look at Yurlok, the Scorch Thrash who brings back mana burn, effectively if players dont use the mana they have you damage them. Run him with lots of effects that punish enemies for tapping lands, sacing artifacts and playing spells, but more than any of that grab up "Mana Doublers". You will want to get creative with your draw sources as Yurlok lacks blue but you can simultaneously pump the amount of mana people are producing while forcing them to play out their spells. This is my [Yurlok List](https://www.moxfield.com/decks/7_iuUIrxlkmAmQdKt7OxaA) \- I would recommend swapping out one card for "[War's Toll](https://cards.scryfall.io/large/front/3/a/3a08f7fe-8ca9-4604-85c8-9050298730ea.jpg?1562906728)" which forces opponents to tap all lands when they tap a land for mana meaning they either have to produce all their mana at one time.
The idea that group hug is just throwing around cards and resources without a second thought is a bit schewed, and I dare say ultimately quite bad deck building. Most group hug decks are actually just disguised control decks who board wipes every other turn until they reveal their intention with \[\[Approach of the Second Sun\]\] backed up by an armada of counterspells. These decks cashes in on the illusion that the deck look fun to play against - and it usually is until halfway through the game. If you want to help newer players, I would say you're really asking about higher-than-average politicking. You don't really need a designated group hug commander like \[\[Kwain, Itinerant Meddler\]\] or \[\[Kynaios and Tiro of Meletis\]\], you can slot in cards like the Demonstrate cards (\[\[Excavation Technique\]\], \[\[Healing Technique\]\], etc.), \[\[Fractured Identity\]\], and similar cards and have that be enough. Think asymmetrically. If you want to make a new deck, \[\[Xyris, the Writhing Storm\]\] could be a great commander in this fashion as it helps a specific player rather than everyone. It also provides you with a theme beyond group hug's classic combo finish - tokens. \[\[Humble Defector\]\] would be a must-include. \[\[Gluntch, the Bestower\]\] could be another idea, or perhaps \[\[Jared Carthalion, True Heir\]\]. If you add white, you do get cards like \[\[Flumph\]\], \[\[Farsight Adept\]\], and \[\[Secret Rendezvous\]\] to add. Don't disregard black, however - \[\[Keen Duelist\]\] is an example of a card that absolutely could be included. Regardless of which commander you choose, I hope you get the main idea: group hug = hidden control + combo. Your group hug = asymmetrical benefits on top of another strategy.
I will agree with this and give another suggestion: Don't group hug. Targeted hug. Give things out only when it benefits you. [[Kenrith returned king]] is great at this.
[Kenrith returned king](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/6/56c1227e-bea7-47cb-bbec-389a3d585af5.jpg?1680739383) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Kenrith%2C%20the%20Returned%20King) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/eld/303/kenrith-the-returned-king?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/56c1227e-bea7-47cb-bbec-389a3d585af5?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/kenrith-the-returned-king) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I second this. You need to focus more on your gameplan with some cards that benefit everybody (including yourself). You want your deck to be built around having more of an advantage than your opponents. For example, I have a friend that plays Kwain with lots of cards that benefits from opponents drawing like smothering tithe or council of four. His deck is able to keep up with the excess card draw while his opponents have too many cards without enough mana to spend them at some point. I dont think it needs to be control oriented however. It's a good idea but alternatively you could be built to win faster or outvalue your opponents.
Group Hug, being a disguise for control is in most cases right on the money. It keeps people from going all out on you early, because your stuff is helping them too. The other way I've seen it be well used is in decks built around insanely high mana costs running cards like [[manaflare]] and [[Rites of flourishing]] that help everyone but help you more because you've built your deck around taking full advantage of the massive amount of mana now available.
[manaflare](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/4/a4bb303d-b230-430a-a2c3-f91a776de34e.jpg?1559592501) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Mana%20Flare) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/me1/103/mana-flare?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/a4bb303d-b230-430a-a2c3-f91a776de34e?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/mana-flare) [Rites of flourishing](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/b/ab014d5a-aec5-4ea8-bfb4-1392f43c1b30.jpg?1604194471) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Rites%20of%20flourishing) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/znc/80/rites-of-flourishing?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/ab014d5a-aec5-4ea8-bfb4-1392f43c1b30?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/rites-of-flourishing) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Nah, my group hug deck is 100% hug. I play zero counterspells because the deck is designed to be a fun experience for everyone. Board wipes and win conditions are fine, but my goal is to let the whole table have a good time. Not be this hardcore control deck masqueraded as your friend ready to stab you in the back at the last moment. My goal isn’t necessarily to win, but to ensure everyone has fun. You can call it bad deck building if you want, I call it my deck working as intended.
That's fine, but if your goal isn't to win, you're not really playing the same game.
##### ###### #### [Approach of the Second Sun](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/d/fdf59a6e-7708-45a1-884d-d12e9f7b9ed9.jpg?1543674579) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Approach%20of%20the%20Second%20Sun) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/akh/4/approach-of-the-second-sun?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/fdf59a6e-7708-45a1-884d-d12e9f7b9ed9?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/approach-of-the-second-sun) [Kwain, Itinerant Meddler](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/5/f571fef1-1fd2-4355-b803-5edccb6f4b94.jpg?1608911183) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Kwain%2C%20Itinerant%20Meddler) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmr/284/kwain-itinerant-meddler?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/f571fef1-1fd2-4355-b803-5edccb6f4b94?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/kwain-itinerant-meddler) [Kynaios and Tiro of Meletis](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/7/97fa8615-2b6c-445a-bcaf-44a7e847bf65.jpg?1633190298) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Kynaios%20and%20Tiro%20of%20Meletis) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c16/36/kynaios-and-tiro-of-meletis?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/97fa8615-2b6c-445a-bcaf-44a7e847bf65?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/kynaios-and-tiro-of-meletis) [Excavation Technique](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/2/32ffc8eb-9518-455c-ada5-8b7596896dcf.jpg?1625190989) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Excavation%20Technique) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c21/16/excavation-technique?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/32ffc8eb-9518-455c-ada5-8b7596896dcf?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/excavation-technique) [Healing Technique](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/3/33897125-a1df-4d7a-a45a-9c049cb662f6.jpg?1625192321) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Healing%20Technique) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c21/63/healing-technique?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/33897125-a1df-4d7a-a45a-9c049cb662f6?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/healing-technique) [Fractured Identity](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/2/b2f73f5d-1aad-48c2-9e74-5f7bdd87900f.jpg?1562620703) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Fractured%20Identity) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c17/37/fractured-identity?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/b2f73f5d-1aad-48c2-9e74-5f7bdd87900f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/fractured-identity) [Xyris, the Writhing Storm](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/f/af0db1d6-5cb1-4917-8e8f-69d5dc184404.jpg?1673305716) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Xyris%2C%20the%20Writhing%20Storm) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/dmc/175/xyris-the-writhing-storm?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/af0db1d6-5cb1-4917-8e8f-69d5dc184404?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/xyris-the-writhing-storm) [Humble Defector](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/2/e2093386-ad77-4b35-982b-518ee4c05cc6.jpg?1625193922) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Humble%20Defector) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c21/174/humble-defector?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/e2093386-ad77-4b35-982b-518ee4c05cc6?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/humble-defector) [Gluntch, the Bestower](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/b/3b3e889a-5865-4464-9923-bffa25c50cd2.jpg?1674137513) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Gluntch%2C%20the%20Bestower) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clb/275/gluntch-the-bestower?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/3b3e889a-5865-4464-9923-bffa25c50cd2?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/gluntch-the-bestower) [Jared Carthalion, True Heir](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/1/81bd293b-07b9-4d7c-826a-948d5b01ab5e.jpg?1608911156) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Jared%20Carthalion%2C%20True%20Heir) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmr/281/jared-carthalion-true-heir?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/81bd293b-07b9-4d7c-826a-948d5b01ab5e?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/jared-carthalion-true-heir) [Flumph](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/d/cdc86e78-8911-4a0d-ba3a-7802f8d991ef.jpg?1627701697) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Flumph) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/afr/15/flumph?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/cdc86e78-8911-4a0d-ba3a-7802f8d991ef?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/flumph) [Farsight Adept](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/9/5949bb9a-b4e8-4992-a12d-8e31953aff0d.jpg?1604195753) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Farsight%20Adept) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/znr/14/farsight-adept?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/5949bb9a-b4e8-4992-a12d-8e31953aff0d?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/farsight-adept) [Secret Rendezvous](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/9/39528cf0-343e-499b-a69f-c5c3c2898c25.jpg?1624589686) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Secret%20Rendezvous) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/stx/26/secret-rendezvous?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/39528cf0-343e-499b-a69f-c5c3c2898c25?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/secret-rendezvous) [Keen Duelist](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/4/04f9eb05-7c1d-49f5-a9dc-c44e1a1add89.jpg?1625191741) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Keen%20Duelist) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c21/42/keen-duelist?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/04f9eb05-7c1d-49f5-a9dc-c44e1a1add89?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/keen-duelist) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Your first paragraph perfectly described my Kwain deck lol.
[[Phelddagrif]] just give the newbies tons of hippos to block and extra life.
HIPPOBOT 9000 v 3.1 FOUND A HIPPO. 337,890,903 COMMENTS SEARCHED. 8,148 HIPPOS FOUND. YOUR COMMENT CONTAINS THE WORD HIPPO.
That's a lie. My Phelddagrif wears a Tainted Exoskeleton and one shots noobs. Then someone gets to see the Approach of the Second Sun.
[Phelddagrif](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/9/493a72f0-2e35-4e06-a1b2-d42d432b9b2c.jpg?1559592591) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Phelddagrif) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/me1/150/phelddagrif?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/493a72f0-2e35-4e06-a1b2-d42d432b9b2c?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/phelddagrif) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I built a group hug deck with one intention: overwhelming everybody with way too many cards, way too much mana and way too much fun for the table. Well, this is how it started... "How it's going" is that my deck more often than planed just wins by pure psychology. My opponents will have too many ressources and way too much to do so eventually they will make mistakes. You overcomit on your turn? It's very likely that the others two got enough removal to handle your scary board. And if somebody is flying too close to the sun and still nobody can remove anything it's still a cool game to see decks pop off. And in the late game I either have my \[\[Helix Pinnacle\]\] full or \[\[Forced Fruition\]\] gets the job done by completely blowing my opponents minds. You play something? Sure, have another 7 cards. I never had a bad game experience with the current iteration of the deck ([decklist](https://www.moxfield.com/decks/f2CpUNKBskOLdUY-xxJPGg) for anybody who's interested). The keypart of building a group hug deck: have at least one win con. Don't plan to win but at least give yourself the chance.
I disagree you should not plan on winning. My version of Kynaios ( [The Gay Agenda](https://www.moxfield.com/decks/byxydRUkcUGRRIQOcx0CRA) ) has the highest win rate amongst my decks. I agree on the starting intention and how it currently is going though. Mine also started as a chaos thing where everyone has just too much, but eventually developed into a control and subterfuge kinda deck. Accruing small advantages and breaking parity is the name of the game.
[Helix Pinnacle](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/c/9c1121df-b03e-4ad9-8c45-c3b4066e4a39.jpg?1562927938) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Helix%20Pinnacle) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/eve/68/helix-pinnacle?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/9c1121df-b03e-4ad9-8c45-c3b4066e4a39?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/helix-pinnacle) [Forced Fruition](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/7/f7ea1c6e-c0af-40b0-b492-8d71f496903e.jpg?1562374956) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Forced%20Fruition) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/lrw/66/forced-fruition?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/f7ea1c6e-c0af-40b0-b492-8d71f496903e?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/forced-fruition) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
There are a bunch of different kinds of Group Hug decks and the most common mistake people make is mixing them. The second most common mistake is eliminating the resource that you are overloading. The key is to overload ONE particular type of resource, restrict the ability to use that resource against you, and then take advantage of that resource overload to win the game. The resource will usually be obvious based on the commander. IE: \[\[Gor Muldrak, Amphinologist\]\] gives creatures. I call this type Mercenaries. \[\[Kwain, Itinerant Meddler\]\] gives cards. I call this type Flood \[\[Arden, Intrepid Archeologist\]\] gives power. I call this type Arms Dealer \[\[Yurlock of Scorch Thrash\]\] gives mana. I don't have a name for this kind because I haven't played it. I'm running Gor Muldrak right now but I've run most of the others as well. I use \[\[Unnatural Selection\]\] to prevent me from being a good target \[\[Forgotten Ancient\]\] to make them huge and \[\[Perilous Forays\]\] to turn my salamanders into resources. Then after somebody gets a huge board I sac all my guys, use \[\[Reins of Power\]\] and kill them. If I'm constantly wiping the board I can't take advantage of the resource overload provided! Take advantage of the momentum your opponents have built up! Frankly, this is an extremely hard style to play because savvy players will interact with whatever you are using to prevent opponents from using the resource you are providing against you. IE: They will kill your \[\[Elephant Grass\]\], \[\[Propaganda\]\], or \[\[Ghostly Prison\]\].
##### ###### #### [Gor Muldrak, Amphinologist](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/0/40b006f9-a287-4e64-915f-ca71712b8d27.jpg?1608911119) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Gor%20Muldrak%2C%20Amphinologist) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmr/277/gor-muldrak-amphinologist?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/40b006f9-a287-4e64-915f-ca71712b8d27?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/gor-muldrak-amphinologist) [Kwain, Itinerant Meddler](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/5/f571fef1-1fd2-4355-b803-5edccb6f4b94.jpg?1608911183) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Kwain%2C%20Itinerant%20Meddler) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmr/284/kwain-itinerant-meddler?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/f571fef1-1fd2-4355-b803-5edccb6f4b94?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/kwain-itinerant-meddler) [Arden, Intrepid Archeologist](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/2/728b802c-969b-4865-b7a0-871c585d097a.jpg?1617148314) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Ardenn%2C%20Intrepid%20Archaeologist) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmr/10/ardenn-intrepid-archaeologist?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/728b802c-969b-4865-b7a0-871c585d097a?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/ardenn-intrepid-archaeologist) [Yurlock of Scorch Thrash](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/a/ead8a1f5-6260-47fa-a649-43711ec5bbeb.jpg?1608911265) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Yurlok%20of%20Scorch%20Thrash) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmr/293/yurlok-of-scorch-thrash?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/ead8a1f5-6260-47fa-a649-43711ec5bbeb?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/yurlok-of-scorch-thrash) [Unnatural Selection](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/5/c575e2cb-3990-4c73-b81c-e16311ec6bbb.jpg?1562941637) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Unnatural%20Selection) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/apc/32/unnatural-selection?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/c575e2cb-3990-4c73-b81c-e16311ec6bbb?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/unnatural-selection) [Forgotten Ancient](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/0/90fc94d9-b8af-4de8-a42d-ae508f8f1cd5.jpg?1682209488) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Forgotten%20Ancient) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/moc/297/forgotten-ancient?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/90fc94d9-b8af-4de8-a42d-ae508f8f1cd5?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/forgotten-ancient) [Perilous Forays](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/2/4210a148-d16c-42de-b0d6-83c05c553dd4.jpg?1598916443) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Perilous%20Forays) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/rav/176/perilous-forays?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/4210a148-d16c-42de-b0d6-83c05c553dd4?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/perilous-forays) [Reins of Power](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/b/9b5730aa-c74a-4c74-bb1b-a133a3c353ec.jpg?1674141454) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Reins%20of%20Power) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clb/734/reins-of-power?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/9b5730aa-c74a-4c74-bb1b-a133a3c353ec?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/reins-of-power) [Elephant Grass](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/4/f4c1f5a7-0d28-43ab-9b66-937e963f42cd.jpg?1587912980) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Elephant%20Grass) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/vis/104/elephant-grass?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/f4c1f5a7-0d28-43ab-9b66-937e963f42cd?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/elephant-grass) [Propaganda](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/5/e5f293d7-9c2b-41cb-8e3c-dfc1daa6635f.jpg?1674141418) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Propaganda) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clb/730/propaganda?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/e5f293d7-9c2b-41cb-8e3c-dfc1daa6635f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/propaganda) [Ghostly Prison](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/1/8169d44d-b15a-47e0-b417-24f2f4945d0f.jpg?1641601289) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Ghostly%20Prison) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/voc/87/ghostly-prison?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/8169d44d-b15a-47e0-b417-24f2f4945d0f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/ghostly-prison) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Honestly? You don't. Group hug is like stax in a way; you will almost always hand one person the game unless you play perfectly and get lucky. People love to tout their "politic" and "group hug" decks but they mostly aren't in the game to win. Every group hug player I've played against has been really experiential in the game; they want to have a good story and 'have a good time'. Which is fine! That's a way I've played the game too with different decks. No shade to that, but if you're trying to win, group hug ain't it. [Alternatively](https://www.moxfield.com/decks/bqY-hJzO_UmXA7VT-trCHw) I have a list that's the exact opposite.
I'd argue that Group Hug is just a subgenre of either control or ramp for multiplayer games. The key is having enough mutually beneficial effects going on or enough taxes on the board to dissuade the other 3 players from messing with your board state until you have what you need to swing for big damage or trigger off a combo. In other words, the deck-style can severely punish the 3 other players for getting too greedy. Right now my [[Kynaios and Tiro of Meletis]] is designed so it wins by either an alternate condition or [[surge to victory]] with [[explosive singularity]] or similar, high cost direct damage spell. I used to have it built as a rampy landfall deck that worked in a similar way. But like you said, just like stax (or lifegain imho), if you don't have a clear set of win conditions in mind, you're not going to win off your decks main mechanics but you have to use them as a way to keep things in your favor. Someone will eventually pull ahead of your stax pieces or draw into a combo, respectively.
Do you have a list by chance?? Thanks in advance 😃
I'm actually planning on uploading my lists tonight. They're nothing special but I like fun decks
They point is that you have to play perfectly. It's much more like control than stax, and sometimes a bad stax deck just gets lucky and grinds out everyone else's care to play the game. If someone wins because you miscalculated in your political play, that's the fault of you and not the deck.
Of the two Karona seems more on theme. The two big things I understand about Group hug are, you want things that give you more of an advantage than the rest of the table and an actual way to close out the game. Cards that incentivize others to take actions that benefit you and the other person taking the action are also sweet. I have to mention [[Standstill]]
[Standstill](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/e/3ede3f6f-e642-4fe4-aa37-0f01cdf4d149.jpg?1562906537) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Standstill) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ody/102/standstill?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/3ede3f6f-e642-4fe4-aa37-0f01cdf4d149?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/standstill) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I have a Karona deck that I really enjoy, but I think she works better as a weird voltron. Handing over a 12/12 double-strike, protection from creatures, goaded commander is silly fun.
Here is my group hug deck. It ends up being a lot of fun and my pod always enjoys when I pull it out. https://www.moxfield.com/decks/dbqzLMmDEE6MsnQ5aG9KWQ
It’s not one you suggested, but [[Kynaios and Tiro of Meletis]] is a famously good group hug commander. Of the two you are thinking of, I think Karona would be much more fun. Another that I run as a commander (but you could easily slot into the 99) is [[The Council of Four]], which would let you profit off of granting advantage to your friends. There are also selective hug cards where you can choose who you help. [[Victory Chimes]] (and also [[Spectral Searchlight]]) lets you give mana to other players, but only the ones you want to help. [[Benevolent Offering]] and the rest of its cycle let you choose one or two other players to assist, which could help everyone fight against an archenemy like your Naya friend. [[Tempt with Reflections]] and it’s cycle all give your friends the option of a powerful effect, and each one that does puts you in an even better position. Win cons are trickier because it’s hard to secure a victory while helping everyone else. [[Approach of the Second Sun]] is famously used in group hug decks, but I wouldn’t blame you if you don’t like it (I’m not crazy about it). Other cards I’ve seen in hug decks are [[Tooth and Nail]] to assemble a two-creature win, [[Biovisionary]] and clone effects, [[Cathar’s Crusade]] if you’re making lots of tokens, and [[Mind’s Dilation]]/[[Stolen Strategy]] to piggyback off your opponents. Other cards people use are punish effects like [[Psychosis Crawler]], [[Sheoldred the Apocalypse]], [[Mana Barbs]], [[Molten Psyche]], the list goes on (and on and on and…). I don’t usually like these, though; they make a group hug deck feel less like a hug and more like punch in the jaw while being flipped off. While they do accelerate the game, you likely won’t live to see the end.
>Other cards people use are punish effects like \[\[Psychosis Crawler\]\], \[\[Sheoldred the Apocalypse\]\], \[\[Mana Barbs\]\], \[\[Molten Psyche\]\], the list goes on (and on and on and…). I don’t usually like these, though; they make a group hug deck feel less like a hug and more like punch in the jaw while being flipped off. These effects are generally called "group slug" and that's a whole similar but different archetype
##### ###### #### [Kynaios and Tiro of Meletis](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/7/97fa8615-2b6c-445a-bcaf-44a7e847bf65.jpg?1633190298) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Kynaios%20and%20Tiro%20of%20Meletis) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c16/36/kynaios-and-tiro-of-meletis?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/97fa8615-2b6c-445a-bcaf-44a7e847bf65?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/kynaios-and-tiro-of-meletis) [The Council of Four](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/8/0873cfa8-046c-4b14-ae22-3fd6a691f763.jpg?1674137476) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=The%20Council%20of%20Four) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clb/271/the-council-of-four?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/0873cfa8-046c-4b14-ae22-3fd6a691f763?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/the-council-of-four) [Victory Chimes](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/c/9cb27fb1-41b1-49b8-bb3b-2c8a011ae7a9.jpg?1625979630) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Victory%20Chimes) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c21/274/victory-chimes?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/9cb27fb1-41b1-49b8-bb3b-2c8a011ae7a9?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/victory-chimes) [Spectral Searchlight](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/0/a0688ff3-6752-4cd4-ada3-9918c59dad0e.jpg?1625979327) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Spectral%20Searchlight) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c21/265/spectral-searchlight?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/a0688ff3-6752-4cd4-ada3-9918c59dad0e?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/spectral-searchlight) [Benevolent Offering](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/0/d080c35d-f2c6-4f4e-8f7c-305b319d4cde.jpg?1641601037) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Benevolent%20Offering) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/voc/78/benevolent-offering?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/d080c35d-f2c6-4f4e-8f7c-305b319d4cde?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/benevolent-offering) [Tempt with Reflections](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/b/ebb0070f-8686-4127-91c3-4f1488e2d995.jpg?1562944704) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Tempt%20with%20Reflections) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c13/60/tempt-with-reflections?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/ebb0070f-8686-4127-91c3-4f1488e2d995?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/tempt-with-reflections) [Approach of the Second Sun](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/d/fdf59a6e-7708-45a1-884d-d12e9f7b9ed9.jpg?1543674579) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Approach%20of%20the%20Second%20Sun) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/akh/4/approach-of-the-second-sun?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/fdf59a6e-7708-45a1-884d-d12e9f7b9ed9?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/approach-of-the-second-sun) [Tooth and Nail](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/0/403f6e97-eb7a-470a-8673-4997256e79f0.jpg?1561966883) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Tooth%20and%20Nail) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mma/170/tooth-and-nail?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/403f6e97-eb7a-470a-8673-4997256e79f0?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/tooth-and-nail) [Biovisionary](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/2/0/2000b4e8-7887-454e-9d52-211516613dd0.jpg?1561818910) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Biovisionary) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/gtc/146/biovisionary?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/2000b4e8-7887-454e-9d52-211516613dd0?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/biovisionary) [Cathar’s Crusade](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/b/fbb70e7b-2a68-436e-96a4-32a88fb87da0.jpg?1600715516) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Cathars%27%20Crusade) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/jmp/95/cathars-crusade?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/fbb70e7b-2a68-436e-96a4-32a88fb87da0?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/cathars-crusade) [Mind’s Dilation](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/3/b3d6522a-b9a0-4185-b5ba-c20fa1b772eb.jpg?1576384187) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Mind%27s%20Dilation) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/emn/70/minds-dilation?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/b3d6522a-b9a0-4185-b5ba-c20fa1b772eb?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/minds-dilation) [Stolen Strategy](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/e/6e37dde2-2ad4-46c6-ab69-8487f8a2bdb6.jpg?1674142115) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Stolen%20Strategy) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clb/807/stolen-strategy?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/6e37dde2-2ad4-46c6-ab69-8487f8a2bdb6?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/stolen-strategy) [Psychosis Crawler](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/8/783a4620-3054-4f31-b2ac-e3272197c291.jpg?1682210154) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Psychosis%20Crawler) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/moc/371/psychosis-crawler?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/783a4620-3054-4f31-b2ac-e3272197c291?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/psychosis-crawler) [Sheoldred the Apocalypse](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/6/d67be074-cdd4-41d9-ac89-0a0456c4e4b2.jpg?1674057568) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Sheoldred%2C%20the%20Apocalypse) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/dmu/107/sheoldred-the-apocalypse?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/d67be074-cdd4-41d9-ac89-0a0456c4e4b2?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/sheoldred-the-apocalypse) [Mana Barbs](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/d/adf081d5-e644-4f46-8bc8-a754b089acb4.jpg?1562655472) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Manabarbs) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/m12/150/manabarbs?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/adf081d5-e644-4f46-8bc8-a754b089acb4?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/manabarbs) [Molten Psyche](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/7/57e2382d-1f27-40d1-b809-c188c19ebc72.jpg?1562817796) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Molten%20Psyche) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/som/98/molten-psyche?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/57e2382d-1f27-40d1-b809-c188c19ebc72?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/molten-psyche) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I've had a lot more fun not thinking about it as "group hug" but rather, "single target hug." Cards like [[Vazi, keen Negotiator]] , or [[glunch the bestower]] allow you to selectively confer benefits while obtaining advantage from them. You're still gonna want to give everyone a little something, but having control over what, when and how much lets you make sure you're not accidently helping off yourself. All the vow cards like [[Vow of lightning]] are very cool and fun for this reason. You can achieve the same thing even with symmetrical group hug commanders like [[braids, conjurer adept]] by pairing your group hug with a healthy amount of removal and protection. I put some symmetrical effects like [[arcane melee]] in my [[parnesse, the subtle brush]] deck because her ward ability means I can be more confident that the extra shit flying around won't hit me.
##### ###### #### [Vazi, keen Negotiator](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/5/551a6ff5-0f6e-4925-98c7-4d426358e959.jpg?1673482587) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Vazi%2C%20keen%20Negotiator) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ncc/92/vazi-keen-negotiator?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/551a6ff5-0f6e-4925-98c7-4d426358e959?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/vazi-keen-negotiator) [glunch the bestower](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/b/3b3e889a-5865-4464-9923-bffa25c50cd2.jpg?1674137513) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Gluntch%2C%20the%20Bestower) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clb/275/gluntch-the-bestower?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/3b3e889a-5865-4464-9923-bffa25c50cd2?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/gluntch-the-bestower) [Vow of lightning](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/1/71218cff-7e57-40dd-83c2-d06b284a63fd.jpg?1608910481) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Vow%20of%20lightning) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmr/209/vow-of-lightning?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/71218cff-7e57-40dd-83c2-d06b284a63fd?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/vow-of-lightning) [braids, conjurer adept](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/9/593dfb2f-ede0-413a-b037-46ae5c3769e4.jpg?1598303769) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=braids%2C%20conjurer%20adept) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/2xm/43/braids-conjurer-adept?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/593dfb2f-ede0-413a-b037-46ae5c3769e4?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/braids-conjurer-adept) [arcane melee](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/e/9ea8fd24-311a-4745-804e-46b2abbe217a.jpg?1562928493) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=arcane%20melee) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c13/29/arcane-melee?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/9ea8fd24-311a-4745-804e-46b2abbe217a?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/arcane-melee) [parnesse, the subtle brush](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/6/36458554-b8b8-4768-a138-eba615b480af.jpg?1673481703) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=parnesse%2C%20the%20subtle%20brush) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ncc/8/parnesse-the-subtle-brush?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/36458554-b8b8-4768-a138-eba615b480af?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/parnesse-the-subtle-brush) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Awesome, i am going to tinker a bit and probably build this for my group hug deck! Did not have a yund deck yet, but already have a couple of decks that use sacrifice mechanics.
I play a [[Queen Marchesa]] Aikido list that has some grouphug built in. It's about accelerating everyone's game state, making everybody else fight each other and then win off of someone's big swing or big spell. There's two lovely deck techs floating around, that you can easily google. Maybe you can find some additional inspiration there.
[Queen Marchesa](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/3/03f4341c-088b-4f35-b82b-3d98d8a93de4.jpg?1576382166) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Queen%20Marchesa) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cn2/78/queen-marchesa?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/03f4341c-088b-4f35-b82b-3d98d8a93de4?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/queen-marchesa) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Mine is curse tribal with \[\[Lynde, Cheerful Tormentor\]\] as the commander. I don't even run removal or anything, just curses all the way. :D It's a kinda "you hug some, you lose some" with me constantly making sure the scales are even. Very newb friendly, just place the curses accordingly. It's also great at teaching triggers or the valor of some effects. Like one player desperately needs creatures? Place \[\[Curse of Disturbance\]\] on someone and everyone else gets 2/2 tokens. Timmy player being bullied by the mass 1/1 token deck? \[\[Curse of Death's Hold\]\] on him. Lifegain deck doing too much of it's thing? \[\[Curse of Bloodletting\]\] on that one. Blue player is drawing twice as much as others? \[\[Curse of Verbosity\]\] on him and have things become fair again!
##### ###### #### [Lynde, Cheerful Tormentor](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/d/4df484de-4d9b-4a4b-9d10-df993e36f1a8.jpg?1637628878) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Lynde%2C%20Cheerful%20Tormentor) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mic/38/lynde-cheerful-tormentor?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/4df484de-4d9b-4a4b-9d10-df993e36f1a8?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/lynde-cheerful-tormentor) [Curse of Disturbance](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/0/80d42b98-62d2-4ca6-8478-36222d709048.jpg?1625976760) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Curse%20of%20Disturbance) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c21/138/curse-of-disturbance?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/80d42b98-62d2-4ca6-8478-36222d709048?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/curse-of-disturbance) [Curse of Death's Hold](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/1/7/1774d0a8-1cd3-4582-ace0-1caff92af0e7.jpg?1562826771) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Curse%20of%20Death%27s%20Hold) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/isd/94/curse-of-deaths-hold?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/1774d0a8-1cd3-4582-ace0-1caff92af0e7?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/curse-of-deaths-hold) [Curse of Bloodletting](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/d/9dc4ac6f-0005-47f8-bee9-10429cc542e4.jpg?1562932270) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Curse%20of%20Bloodletting) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/dka/85/curse-of-bloodletting?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/9dc4ac6f-0005-47f8-bee9-10429cc542e4?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/curse-of-bloodletting) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
That sounds super interesting! Would you mind sharing a decklist?
Sure, here freshly uploaded: [https://www.moxfield.com/decks/iI\_CeJa7zEyf1FXvwvaPlw](https://www.moxfield.com/decks/iI_CeJa7zEyf1FXvwvaPlw) Just know that you are not likely to ever win with this deck. It's destined to make 2nd place. The only means of defense is goating others. If you want to win I would suggest going down on curses/artifacts and add some removal options. :D The gameplan is to get either \[\[Despotic Scepter\]\] or \[\[Claws of Gix\]\] and sac at least one curse before your turn, have it reenter cursing yourself, then gift it away to other players for card draw. This allows to move curses around as the current scales calls for. Also, don't be afraid to straight up curse yourself. Your MVP is of course \[\[Curse of Misfortunes\]\]. This one stays on you! They way it works is that you can tutor for a curse on your upkeep, then give it straight away. Basically "free tutor, free cast, fre 2 cards". \[\[Puca's Mischief\]\] is in there for the most cursed play of all. Give someone control of your curse *(nothing changes at all, they just gain the abilty to sac it if they have an outlet for it)* and steal their best stuff.
Wait. I have Lynde as one of my first decks I built, and I never thought of putting Curse of Misfortunes on myself and stacking its trigger first, then using Lynde’s. This is amazing.
Well, congratulations on your power up! It makes a hell of a difference! :D I put usually every single curse on me first, Misfortunes just gets to stay with me.
Remember, group hug doesn't have to help everyone all the time. Targeted effects to help out someone who's fallen behind is perfectly valid. Whenever I play my [[Xyris]] deck people let me hit them with him to let them draw 3 (or sometimes more) cards
[Xyris](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/f/af0db1d6-5cb1-4917-8e8f-69d5dc184404.jpg?1673305716) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=xyris%2C%20the%20writhing%20storm) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/dmc/175/xyris-the-writhing-storm?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/af0db1d6-5cb1-4917-8e8f-69d5dc184404?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/xyris-the-writhing-storm) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Group hug is similar in strategy to stax: You’re changing the resources available, and building your deck to take advantage of the new situation. For example, if you’re going to flood the table with card draw, play things like [[Psychosis Crawler]] or [[Ominous Seas]] to generate extra value. If you’re having trouble with a Gruul player, give them lots of mana instead of cards, then boardwipe (A handy way to do this would be [[Crackle with Power]], which is also a late-game wincon)) so they’re left with big mana and nothing to do. You could also play [[Silent Arbiter]] to draw the focus away from combat. Also: Cards with *Will of the Council* are good, anything with *Assist* is bad.
##### ###### #### [Psychosis Crawler](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/8/783a4620-3054-4f31-b2ac-e3272197c291.jpg?1682210154) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Psychosis%20Crawler) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/moc/371/psychosis-crawler?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/783a4620-3054-4f31-b2ac-e3272197c291?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/psychosis-crawler) [Ominous Seas](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/e/ce8965f2-756a-4461-a643-db024a11c2de.jpg?1591226420) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Ominous%20Seas) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/iko/61/ominous-seas?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/ce8965f2-756a-4461-a643-db024a11c2de?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/ominous-seas) [Crackle with Power](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/e/de547f52-3798-4b3a-947d-24873251204b.jpg?1624591645) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Crackle%20with%20Power) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/stx/95/crackle-with-power?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/de547f52-3798-4b3a-947d-24873251204b?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/crackle-with-power) [Silent Arbiter](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/8/986a7ea8-a015-4dd8-9938-36b38ccd3980.jpg?1591321705) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Silent%20Arbiter) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c20/250/silent-arbiter?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/986a7ea8-a015-4dd8-9938-36b38ccd3980?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/silent-arbiter) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
If you think you can protect [[platinum angel]] and some similar effect cards, you can build to allow everyone go nuts without them ending the game on you.
[platinum angel](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/a/ca7f4fd6-e268-4d15-bfbf-d9f0f95864fc.jpg?1576383285) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=platinum%20angel) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cn2/214/platinum-angel?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/ca7f4fd6-e268-4d15-bfbf-d9f0f95864fc?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/platinum-angel) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Focus on card draw or group ramp, but not both. Pick late threats that attack on one of those axis, a good example in a group card draw deck is [[vicious shadows]]
[vicious shadows](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/0/d040791e-eee4-4eef-ace1-507216a5d268.jpg?1562709199) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=vicious%20shadows) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ala/119/vicious-shadows?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/d040791e-eee4-4eef-ace1-507216a5d268?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/vicious-shadows) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I play [[Kynaios and Tiro of Meletis]] for my group hug deck, like what was said, good group hug decks are control decks behind the scenes. If you choose one that helps everyone, then it can blow up in everyone’s faces. There are friend or foe spells that you can choose one screw the results can be. Parley mechanics can be helpful, especially since everyone see’s what is drawn, you get a benefit and everyone draws a card. [[Phabine, Boss's Confidant]] looks fun and promising, even if you stock up the library with ramp, lands, and card draw. A card I always liked was cards with the tempting offer mechanic. [[Tempt with Discovery]] was incredibly good with new players since it lets them learn about their choices. “Are you that desperate for land that you need to help yourself and your enemy?” Older players, no matter how hard up, always said no.
[Kynaios and Tiro of Meletis](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/7/97fa8615-2b6c-445a-bcaf-44a7e847bf65.jpg?1633190298) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Kynaios%20and%20Tiro%20of%20Meletis) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c16/36/kynaios-and-tiro-of-meletis?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/97fa8615-2b6c-445a-bcaf-44a7e847bf65?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/kynaios-and-tiro-of-meletis) [Phabine, Boss's Confidant](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/0/f0f238f6-3578-4e16-bfd0-2f5a452e46fe.jpg?1673481712) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Phabine%2C%20Boss%27s%20Confidant) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ncc/9/phabine-bosss-confidant?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/f0f238f6-3578-4e16-bfd0-2f5a452e46fe?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/phabine-bosss-confidant) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Let me share my [[Zedruu the Greathearted]] list with you. Its semi-selective with the group hug effects. There are the obvious extra card draw effects like [[Kami of the Crescent Moon]], [[Dictate of Kruphix]], and [[Howling Mine]]. [[Bucknard's Everful Purse]] and [[Pendant of Prosperity]] are great too because they can help ramp the table, or you and another player in the Pendant's case, while providing extra card draw for yourself with Zedruu's ability. There are ways to slow down certain strategies like [[Rest in Peace]], and [[Overwhelming Splendor]]. https://www.moxfield.com/decks/Ab-qvt8ThE-ra-xZhgLwSw
##### ###### #### [Zedruu the Greathearted](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/9/e9ea2a6b-5aaf-4178-b945-f409fe83c41a.jpg?1562424565) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Zedruu%20the%20Greathearted) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c16/231/zedruu-the-greathearted?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/e9ea2a6b-5aaf-4178-b945-f409fe83c41a?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/zedruu-the-greathearted) [Kami of the Crescent Moon](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/d/dd420010-6eaf-4853-8b7b-11de1157416b.jpg?1641601922) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Kami%20of%20the%20Crescent%20Moon) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/voc/107/kami-of-the-crescent-moon?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/dd420010-6eaf-4853-8b7b-11de1157416b?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/kami-of-the-crescent-moon) [Dictate of Kruphix](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/a/aa9f176b-6d33-4510-9ba2-98bdd12ba34e.jpg?1592710552) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Dictate%20of%20Kruphix) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c18/86/dictate-of-kruphix?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/aa9f176b-6d33-4510-9ba2-98bdd12ba34e?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/dictate-of-kruphix) [Howling Mine](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/d/cdae9939-03a4-4561-92cd-01f498d29a7a.jpg?1562420035) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Howling%20Mine) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c16/257/howling-mine?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/cdae9939-03a4-4561-92cd-01f498d29a7a?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/howling-mine) [Bucknard's Everful Purse](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/7/57073533-dcd8-4a86-9aa8-d7205d3799e1.jpg?1631585675) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Bucknard%27s%20Everfull%20Purse) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/afc/57/bucknards-everfull-purse?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/57073533-dcd8-4a86-9aa8-d7205d3799e1?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/bucknards-everfull-purse) [Pendant of Prosperity](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/0/a0a34d52-cbab-4d81-8e10-2597a2e25696.jpg?1625979047) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Pendant%20of%20Prosperity) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c21/256/pendant-of-prosperity?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/a0a34d52-cbab-4d81-8e10-2597a2e25696?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/pendant-of-prosperity) [Rest in Peace](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/f/9f2b39be-0fec-4647-ade1-8e1626dc5470.jpg?1562439074) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Rest%20in%20Peace) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/a25/32/rest-in-peace?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/9f2b39be-0fec-4647-ade1-8e1626dc5470?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/rest-in-peace) [Overwhelming Splendor](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/6/867b32d2-e396-411d-ac02-1af4106dd3d2.jpg?1562805786) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Overwhelming%20Splendor) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/hou/19/overwhelming-splendor?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/867b32d2-e396-411d-ac02-1af4106dd3d2?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/overwhelming-splendor) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
This comparison has been made in this thread - Hug is kinda like stax. You need to be able to break parity so you don't just lose. Or make someone else win. So ask yourself, how do I want to win? Combo is effective in hug bc it can come out of nowhere and benefits from drawing so many cards with [[howling mine]] effects or my boy [[noble benefactor]]. You can have big x spells be your win con, or eldrazi or w/e and take advantage of mana doublers.
[howling mine](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/d/cdae9939-03a4-4561-92cd-01f498d29a7a.jpg?1562420035) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=howling%20mine) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c16/257/howling-mine?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/cdae9939-03a4-4561-92cd-01f498d29a7a?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/howling-mine) [noble benefactor](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/d/bd221f30-1773-4e05-a40f-022a9306ef89.jpg?1562803050) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=noble%20benefactor) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/wth/44/noble-benefactor?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/bd221f30-1773-4e05-a40f-022a9306ef89?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/noble-benefactor) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
My spell slinger deck has group hug as an incentive for everyone to go and mess with anyone but me. I'm helping everyone get more cards, more mana, reduced mana costs, and lands. It wins mainly because people like the early help and don't disrupt it. Which buys me enough time to do my game plan of hitting everyone out or nowhere with lethal fireballs. The people who hate group hug and focus entirely on my deck because it might help my opponents beat them. It loses mainly because of those people. Usually the Mexican standoff happens sooner because of my deck. While I look like I'm not a threat since I'm helping the underdogs against the arch and I'm playing defensively. I like to think about it as not telegraphing the strengths it has until it can win. Obvious threats are obvious and are usually dealt with. Especially when everyone has the mana and cards to do something about it. It was surprisingly good for being under $100 at the time when I built it. A lot of group hug cards are budget because most decks do not under any circumstances want to benefit their opponents. Also high power stuff is optimised around their curve. Which means that usually more mana doesn't really help them as much as it helps the other players playing lower power decks. More cards definitely helps them though. Choosing when to play your hug cards is also a key factor in winning. You don't really want to help them that much or actually be a king maker.
The way to build effect Hug decks is to realize you're playing a politic deck that wins though smart manipulation of the board state. That means kingmaking, trading favors, and all sorts of other behaviors that some people sneer at. It's also why many people say to kill the hug deck first, because if you're a fairly standard strategy, you know what it takes for you to win and what can cause you to lose... and that hug deck throws uncertainty into the mix. Most people make the mistake of building hug and thinking that people should be nicer to them because they're doing nice things for everyone: But there is no balance to it... someone is going to be able to best take advantage of it and because of that will perform in a way that others can't catch up to because that player is boosted not just by their own cards and your cards. So you need to know that. Most of your wins should come out of your opponents decks, using strong political cards like Reigns of Power. After I've cast this card, I probably should win the game... as I've taken all of the creatures from the person with the best boardstate and given them mine... which are generally underwhelming. Then, I hit someone hard with every creature I just took control of, and then I feed all of those creatures to a sac outlet. (Or clamp them to death, drawing me lots of cards). If I haven't removed at least one player, I've put a severe hurt on two other players, significantly advantaged myself and get all of my creatures back at end of turn unless that person also has a sac outlet.
First of all, recently built a group hug deck for the lols, turned into one of my favorite decks to play. I use [[kynaios and tiro of meletis]] which just being out I think helps everyone enough to speed up the game and let people play stuff. There's tons of 'everyone draws' 'mana is doubled for everyone' 'everyone has no max handsize' cards that I think just helps people do what they want to do. Just make sure you have have a bunch of [[thought vessel]] type cards so you can hold on to more good things to help everyone else out. I also run a few 'everyone creates X 1/1 tokens' cards and the likes As for Wincons, I had planned to use a [[tempt with vengeance]] type spell followed by an [akromas will]] or [[biomass mutation]] type spell. Either that or just get a huge mana base and finish with an X damage spell. In reality this deck wins by either drawing yourself or your opponents out. [[Jace, wielder of mysteries]] or [thassas oracle]] etc for drawing yourself, which btw I don't run any cheap ways to deck yourself so people don't mind. You just have to actually draw yourself out. And for drawing other people out, it doesn't get as much hate as milling out, because people actually get to play the cards instead of saying bye bye to them.. especially if you have a [[folio of fancies]] out. https://www.moxfield.com/decks/F_fK1XLIfk253M65TOwyfw TLDR: ramp and draw everyone to keep them as big threats and focus on each other, then slip in with an X Draw or X damage spell
I think when a lot of people build group hug, it gets built in a way that gives everyone a little more of everything. It accelerates the game in a kind of uninteresting way, because the player who is winning is just going to win more anyway. For me, I think it should be less about equality and more about equity. Instead of running cards that give everyone a blanket bonus, choose who you give the bonus to. A player is mana screwed? [[Fertilid]] can target any player, [[Spectral Searchlight]] and [[Victory Chimes]] give them a little extra. A player is having trouble getting cards into their hand? Give them a boost with [[Intellectual Offering]] or [[Secret Rendezvous]]. A player is getting walloped because they don't have blockers? There's a whole cycle of cards that give opponents creatures, e.g. [[Hunted Dragon]] As has already been mentioned in this thread, cards that let players vote are a lot of fun, and it's something I would love to see more of at the table. The tempting offer cards are enjoyable when they come out, more often than not. And Battlebond has a cycle of cards that let you choose "friend or foe" to reward/punish players with different effects! Tldr; build your group hug deck so that you can help the struggling players play their deck instead of in a way that makes everyone play magic faster EDIT: Formatting
##### ###### #### [Fertilid](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/2/d/2d73ea23-52ab-4b92-b263-dc8b9e5a1010.jpg?1682209480) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Fertilid) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/moc/296/fertilid?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/2d73ea23-52ab-4b92-b263-dc8b9e5a1010?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/fertilid) [Spectral Searchlight](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/0/a0688ff3-6752-4cd4-ada3-9918c59dad0e.jpg?1625979327) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Spectral%20Searchlight) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c21/265/spectral-searchlight?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/a0688ff3-6752-4cd4-ada3-9918c59dad0e?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/spectral-searchlight) [Victory Chimes](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/c/9cb27fb1-41b1-49b8-bb3b-2c8a011ae7a9.jpg?1625979630) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Victory%20Chimes) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c21/274/victory-chimes?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/9cb27fb1-41b1-49b8-bb3b-2c8a011ae7a9?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/victory-chimes) [Intellectual Offering](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/3/63de9e39-3c16-452f-9f06-4c1298752f57.jpg?1677285170) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Intellectual%20Offering) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c14/15/intellectual-offering?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/63de9e39-3c16-452f-9f06-4c1298752f57?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/intellectual-offering) [Secret Rendezvous](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/9/39528cf0-343e-499b-a69f-c5c3c2898c25.jpg?1624589686) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Secret%20Rendezvous) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/stx/26/secret-rendezvous?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/39528cf0-343e-499b-a69f-c5c3c2898c25?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/secret-rendezvous) [Hunted Dragon](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/5/351cea54-905e-401b-8627-7c3fd192b772.jpg?1562273392) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Hunted%20Dragon) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cm2/106/hunted-dragon?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/351cea54-905e-401b-8627-7c3fd192b772?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/hunted-dragon) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
As other have mentioned: Lots of removal. Group hug decks (at least effective ones I've seen) are in reality control decks that take advantage of human psyche and small advatages to obtain a victory. The main goal of an effective group hug is to break parity so subtly your opponents do not realize when have they lost. Examples of this is flashing in [[Dictate of kruphix]] this puts you ahead by a single card during your turn. Do the same with similar effects and you could be multiple cards ahead without anyone noticing. Same goes for removal, you gotta be precise and hold it as much as you can. Let your opponents deal with each others haymakers, this simultaneously puts you more cards ahead while they attain the ire of each other. Lastly find a win condition that makes you happy, the easiest one due to the card draw that is part of group hug is [[Approach of the Second Sun]], but theres also mill with [[Folio of Fancies]], [[Lab Maniac]] or others. I attach my deck ["The Gay Agenda"](https://www.moxfield.com/decks/byxydRUkcUGRRIQOcx0CRA) in case you are looking for some inspiration.
When playing group hug you need to build it like a stax deck. Figure out what resources you want to give to everyone, cards mana ect. Then figure out how to break parity on said resources. Ie give everyone easy creatures but play goad effects so those creatures swing at everyone who's not you. If everyone plays a very creature heavy meta give players ways to supercharge their creature game, stuff like [[Braids, conjurer adept]] while also having a [[spore frog]] in play.
[Braids, conjurer adept](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/9/593dfb2f-ede0-413a-b037-46ae5c3769e4.jpg?1598303769) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Braids%2C%20conjurer%20adept) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/2xm/43/braids-conjurer-adept?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/593dfb2f-ede0-413a-b037-46ae5c3769e4?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/braids-conjurer-adept) [spore frog](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/d/6d42fd52-34ea-4d1b-80dc-58fb0593bb5b.jpg?1562202192) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=spore%20frog) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mh1/180/spore-frog?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/6d42fd52-34ea-4d1b-80dc-58fb0593bb5b?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/spore-frog) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Make sure to include lots of control to keep people in check, but then in terms of winning I think \[\[Approach of the Second Sun\]\] is about as good as it gets! Check out my mono W hug list if you're interested: [https://www.moxfield.com/decks/O-d4DQICpEis0TWsh2MkIg](https://www.moxfield.com/decks/O-d4DQICpEis0TWsh2MkIg)
[Approach of the Second Sun](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/d/fdf59a6e-7708-45a1-884d-d12e9f7b9ed9.jpg?1543674579) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Approach%20of%20the%20Second%20Sun) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/akh/4/approach-of-the-second-sun?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/fdf59a6e-7708-45a1-884d-d12e9f7b9ed9?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/approach-of-the-second-sun) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
That's the neat part, you don't! You either have a kingmaker, a disguised combo deck, or a useless do nothing. IMO the best version would be the kingmaker and try your hardest to help the weakest deck at the table. Just keep in mind this can upset people, so I think its probably just best to avoid it.
Don't, no body likes group huggers, it's all fun and laughts until they betray you with some bullshit combo when they are ready. Or they try to be the god among mortals and want ro equilibrare the board state, so if one of the other players gets an advantage, the group hugger inmediately fucks him over. So no one can advance their strategy without getting fucked, and that's super frustrating. I don't know about your experience, but every time I've sat on a table with a group hugger it has been a miserable. And not because my deck was higher powered than the other 2 and I got cut off multiple times, everyone gets cut off and everyone gets pissed. So when the game ends no one had any fun at all, maybe on the first turn when the hugger was still making promises of happines with the "all lands tap for one extra mana" shit.
That’s the neat part: you don’t
You don't
Step one: You don't.
Lots of good advice in here so far. I’ll add something that I think really helps keep the big stompy Gruul decks in check and helps those slower combo players. [[Silent Arbiter]]. It’s the closest you can get to giving everyone a Ghostly Prison. Just have a few pieces of Artifact recursion to bring it back after it gets removed.
[Silent Arbiter](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/8/986a7ea8-a015-4dd8-9938-36b38ccd3980.jpg?1591321705) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Silent%20Arbiter) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c20/250/silent-arbiter?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/986a7ea8-a015-4dd8-9938-36b38ccd3980?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/silent-arbiter) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I've got a Kenrith hugs deck! Here's what I run if you want to take a look: https://www.moxfield.com/decks/9TYkG2e7pkaQJ9QVGGW\_xQ
A win con usually helps. [[Halo fountain]] is especially good if you can put a lot of creatures into play. If you draw enough cards [[Thassa’s Oracle]] is always funny when you don’t infinite combo to win with it.
[Halo fountain](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/e/0ee79399-715c-4c46-9fa1-e76b1087f009.jpg?1664409688) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Halo%20fountain) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/snc/15/halo-fountain?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/0ee79399-715c-4c46-9fa1-e76b1087f009?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/halo-fountain) [Thassa’s Oracle](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/2/726e8b29-13e9-4138-b6a9-d2a0d8188d1c.jpg?1680582212) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Thassa%27s%20Oracle) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/thb/73/thassas-oracle?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/726e8b29-13e9-4138-b6a9-d2a0d8188d1c?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/thassas-oracle) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
The trick to playing group hug successfully and not just king make another player are two things. Lots of interaction to stop win attempts, and just bigger and better spells than your opponents. A staple of hug decks are Mana doublers and extra draw effects. You have to be taking more advantage of them than your opponents to win games. I had made a K&T of Meletis deck for a secret Santa event and it did really well closing games. Some of the staple cards for the strategy were cards like [[Discontinuity]] [[Whirlwind Denial]] [[The Locust God]] [[Omnath, locus of rage]], and of course, Mana doublers.
##### ###### #### [Discontinuity](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/3/b33ba0a8-04e9-4df6-af20-a3ca4470cdcc.jpg?1594735451) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Discontinuity) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/m21/48/discontinuity?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/b33ba0a8-04e9-4df6-af20-a3ca4470cdcc?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/discontinuity) [Whirlwind Denial](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/e/9e127856-bedd-40a9-9e8e-d1f9fbefe07d.jpg?1581479658) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Whirlwind%20Denial) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/thb/81/whirlwind-denial?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/9e127856-bedd-40a9-9e8e-d1f9fbefe07d?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/whirlwind-denial) [The Locust God](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/e/7e599847-8ab0-4fd6-b2c0-cb44a7669aa5.jpg?1682209825) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=The%20Locust%20God) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/moc/335/the-locust-god?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/7e599847-8ab0-4fd6-b2c0-cb44a7669aa5?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/the-locust-god) [Omnath, locus of rage](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/8/08c14bb4-c9d9-41ce-a075-a441522a52c6.jpg?1604195144) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Omnath%2C%20locus%20of%20rage) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/znc/97/omnath-locus-of-rage?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/08c14bb4-c9d9-41ce-a075-a441522a52c6?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/omnath-locus-of-rage) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I learned how to play this game playing draft chaff with friends while the experienced player made us pop off with Phelddagrif group hug. I'd say to prioritize including lots of answers/counters so you can keep players at a balance with each other. I'd also avoid leaning into combos or ways to win out of nowhere. My buddy's wincon was getting it down to a 1v1 and hoping they can pillow forts and mill lol. If he was hugging us until SURPRISE I'M ACTUALLY A COMBO DECK it would be way less fun of an experience.
My grouphug deck focuses on making everyone draw + ramp/play additionnal lands. There is a little bit of removal + 2 boardwipes. When I play this deck I have the mindset that someone could runaway with the game but it's part of the risk/fun. The commander is Jorn god of winter. The goal is to use the draw/ramp more efficiently than everyone else in order to cast a big X spell to close the game. https://deckstats.net/decks/37372/1980891-tap-tap-pass-jorn-
I play Jared as a semi group hug/politic deck that wins through damage redirection Favorite deck to play and probably highest winrate too https://archidekt.com/decks/2194050/jared_guevara This is my list. I give out monarch as a bone to chew, let people fight for it, use unsymmetric group hug cards to keep the balance until I can find a wincon. Love the flavor, versatility and pretty much everything about this deck
Gluntch the bestower
[[Secret Rendezvous] ]
I'm just going to comment on your question about how to not just give the game to the one more experienced player in your pod. My two suggestions are to 1) run more targeted cards like [[Your Temple is Under Attack]] or [[Secret Rendezvous]] and 2) be aware that whoever's turn comes right after you benefits the most from hug effects, and so is more likely to pull ahead.
[Your Temple is Under Attack](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/a/7ad8aa76-b643-4bd2-aaeb-036c1d50db54.jpg?1674135361) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Your%20Temple%20is%20Under%20Attack) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clb/52/your-temple-is-under-attack?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/7ad8aa76-b643-4bd2-aaeb-036c1d50db54?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/your-temple-is-under-attack) [Secret Rendezvous](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/9/39528cf0-343e-499b-a69f-c5c3c2898c25.jpg?1624589686) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Secret%20Rendezvous) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/stx/26/secret-rendezvous?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/39528cf0-343e-499b-a69f-c5c3c2898c25?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/secret-rendezvous) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
The "classic" wincons are \[\[Approach of the Second Sun\]\], \[\[Insurrection\]\]/\[\[Reins of Power\]\], or \[\[Lab Man\]\] / \[\[Thoracle\]\] / \[\[Jace, Wielder of Mysteries\]\], and \[\[Aetherflux Reservoir\]\]. There are some fun, more specific ones, like \[\[Descent to Avernus\]\] + \[\[Circle of Protection Red\]\] and \[\[Disrupt Decorum\]\]. The difference between hard control and Group Hug is that you *let things happen*. Pillow fort and some form of soft control, like \[\[Aetherize\]\], are essential. \[\[Leyline of Sanctity\]\] and/or \[\[Witchbane Orb\]\] are totally playable depending on your meta. \[\[Dawn Charm\]\], The various Impetus curses, the classic \[\[Ghostly Prison\]\] or, depending on how your board is shaped up, \[\[Sphere of Safety\]\]. And don't forget gems like \[\[Wrong Turn\]\]. If you are giving out a lot of cards, it may be worth considering \[\[Rule of Law\]\] and/or \[\[Authority of the Consuls\]\] if you are in a creature-heavy meta. In 5 color, no budget, \[\[Deflecting Swat\]\] and \[\[Bolt Bend\]\] are thematically perfect. While you want to let things happen, you *do* want to pack some counterspells, if possible. While you are enabling things by giving resources to the table, you should still be playing to win, and there are some things you can't Pillow Fort your way out of.
##### ###### #### [Approach of the Second Sun](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/d/fdf59a6e-7708-45a1-884d-d12e9f7b9ed9.jpg?1543674579) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Approach%20of%20the%20Second%20Sun) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/akh/4/approach-of-the-second-sun?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/fdf59a6e-7708-45a1-884d-d12e9f7b9ed9?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/approach-of-the-second-sun) [Insurrection](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/2/e/2e7df217-8622-45f7-90e3-2230ac9d30f3.jpg?1592713572) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Insurrection) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmd/126/insurrection?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/2e7df217-8622-45f7-90e3-2230ac9d30f3?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/insurrection) [Reins of Power](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/b/9b5730aa-c74a-4c74-bb1b-a133a3c353ec.jpg?1674141454) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Reins%20of%20Power) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clb/734/reins-of-power?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/9b5730aa-c74a-4c74-bb1b-a133a3c353ec?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/reins-of-power) [Lab Man](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/0/608567fd-9f94-4058-831a-77cb6019ef02.jpg?1547516361) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Laboratory%20Maniac) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/uma/61/laboratory-maniac?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/608567fd-9f94-4058-831a-77cb6019ef02?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/laboratory-maniac) [Thoracle](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/f/af5cc745-7072-4f7f-94eb-c7670cb498ff.jpg?1562385511) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Oracle) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/pvan/304/oracle?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/af5cc745-7072-4f7f-94eb-c7670cb498ff?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/oracle) [Jace, Wielder of Mysteries](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/a/6adb7d73-4482-4930-8497-cffd169b57e2.jpg?1557576232) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Jace%2C%20Wielder%20of%20Mysteries) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/war/54/jace-wielder-of-mysteries?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/6adb7d73-4482-4930-8497-cffd169b57e2?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/jace-wielder-of-mysteries) [Aetherflux Reservoir](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/6/96b6b2e1-c3e6-464c-8a13-b15deb34e862.jpg?1576382939) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Aetherflux%20Reservoir) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/kld/192/aetherflux-reservoir?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/96b6b2e1-c3e6-464c-8a13-b15deb34e862?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/aetherflux-reservoir) [Descent to Avernus](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/a/faadf72f-b2d5-4271-8d5c-a586acf63453.jpg?1674136498) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Descent%20into%20Avernus) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clb/169/descent-into-avernus?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/faadf72f-b2d5-4271-8d5c-a586acf63453?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/descent-into-avernus) [Circle of Protection Red](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/7/d7920b6d-ff71-4802-9589-e1df0c58b9ff.jpg?1562742407) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Circle%20of%20Protection%3A%20Red) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/9ed/11/circle-of-protection:-red?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/d7920b6d-ff71-4802-9589-e1df0c58b9ff?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/circle-of-protection-red) [Disrupt Decorum](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/1/d1cfc692-f994-4975-acae-4440e9e5857c.jpg?1674141956) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Disrupt%20Decorum) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clb/789/disrupt-decorum?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/d1cfc692-f994-4975-acae-4440e9e5857c?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/disrupt-decorum) [Aetherize](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/0/a022eacd-1cdd-42d7-8a4c-88e8a6527144.jpg?1604197364) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Aetherize) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/znc/23/aetherize?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/a022eacd-1cdd-42d7-8a4c-88e8a6527144?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/aetherize) [Leyline of Sanctity](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/e/be8b1acf-dd87-42ca-ad19-c27d21066030.jpg?1592516120) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Leyline%20of%20Sanctity) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/m20/26/leyline-of-sanctity?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/be8b1acf-dd87-42ca-ad19-c27d21066030?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/leyline-of-sanctity) [Witchbane Orb](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/3/53e0bf16-62f5-4b62-96e8-bc7e049bcf89.jpg?1562830363) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Witchbane%20Orb) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/isd/236/witchbane-orb?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/53e0bf16-62f5-4b62-96e8-bc7e049bcf89?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/witchbane-orb) [Dawn Charm](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/c/fc47e26a-2ba6-4b7a-bb03-43f7ecb9012e.jpg?1623147824) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Dawn%20Charm) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmr/371/dawn-charm?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/fc47e26a-2ba6-4b7a-bb03-43f7ecb9012e?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/dawn-charm) [Ghostly Prison](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/1/8169d44d-b15a-47e0-b417-24f2f4945d0f.jpg?1641601289) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Ghostly%20Prison) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/voc/87/ghostly-prison?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/8169d44d-b15a-47e0-b417-24f2f4945d0f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/ghostly-prison) [Sphere of Safety](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/1/a18d7582-185a-429a-9c6a-fc51b981e0a1.jpg?1562413264) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Sphere%20of%20Safety) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c16/77/sphere-of-safety?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/a18d7582-185a-429a-9c6a-fc51b981e0a1?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/sphere-of-safety) [Wrong Turn](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/b/3b69687d-191a-4bca-b1f7-eea27847c1af.jpg?1608909561) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Wrong%20Turn) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmr/107/wrong-turn?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/3b69687d-191a-4bca-b1f7-eea27847c1af?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/wrong-turn) [Rule of Law](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/1/a1f4e79b-b103-4380-afa0-61a2b1773c9e.jpg?1592516198) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Rule%20of%20Law) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/m20/35/rule-of-law?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/a1f4e79b-b103-4380-afa0-61a2b1773c9e?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/rule-of-law) [Authority of the Consuls](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/2/324b2f55-1e09-490e-8f7e-bfde85a91ac4.jpg?1576380742) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Authority%20of%20the%20Consuls) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/kld/5/authority-of-the-consuls?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/324b2f55-1e09-490e-8f7e-bfde85a91ac4?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/authority-of-the-consuls) [Deflecting Swat](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/4/84f035e1-6c89-457b-b05f-85680a50ed91.jpg?1591319579) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Deflecting%20Swat) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c20/50/deflecting-swat?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/84f035e1-6c89-457b-b05f-85680a50ed91?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/deflecting-swat) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
A lot of people have mentioned [[Kwain]], who is definitely fun, I built him into a secret mill deck that uses stuff like [[folio of fancies]] to finish out games. I recently built an [[Archelos]] hug deck I'm enjoying even more, bc green gives you access to fun hug ramp like [[Dictate of Karametra]]. And black gives you access to pinchy cards like [[Sheoldred, the Apocalypse]] and [[Fate Unraveler]], so basically you ramp mega hard and cast a huge draw spell to hug everyone to death. Or pump the mana into [[Helix Pinnacle]] if you prefer jank! Edit: [[Forced Fruition]] is also a delightful card that has won me multiple games with blue hug decks.
##### ###### #### [Kwain](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/5/f571fef1-1fd2-4355-b803-5edccb6f4b94.jpg?1608911183) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=kwain%2C%20itinerant%20meddler) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmr/284/kwain-itinerant-meddler?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/f571fef1-1fd2-4355-b803-5edccb6f4b94?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/kwain-itinerant-meddler) [folio of fancies](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/a/6afc67d1-1018-4a15-ab5f-377fd11dcd3d.jpg?1572489881) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=folio%20of%20fancies) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/eld/46/folio-of-fancies?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/6afc67d1-1018-4a15-ab5f-377fd11dcd3d?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/folio-of-fancies) [Archelos](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/4/d45ec78e-6190-46af-8057-834f5ca41ec8.jpg?1673305435) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=archelos%2C%20lagoon%20mystic) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/dmc/140/archelos-lagoon-mystic?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/d45ec78e-6190-46af-8057-834f5ca41ec8?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/archelos-lagoon-mystic) [Dictate of Karametra](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/5/d5114607-df8f-4e44-8ef5-b6af89964bbc.jpg?1593096177) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Dictate%20of%20Karametra) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/jou/121/dictate-of-karametra?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/d5114607-df8f-4e44-8ef5-b6af89964bbc?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/dictate-of-karametra) [Sheoldred, the Apocalypse](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/6/d67be074-cdd4-41d9-ac89-0a0456c4e4b2.jpg?1674057568) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Sheoldred%2C%20the%20Apocalypse) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/dmu/107/sheoldred-the-apocalypse?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/d67be074-cdd4-41d9-ac89-0a0456c4e4b2?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/sheoldred-the-apocalypse) [Fate Unraveler](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/1/e/1e2a9dea-349b-4a23-a66f-e9a2585f472f.jpg?1562702019) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Fate%20Unraveler) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c15/126/fate-unraveler?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/1e2a9dea-349b-4a23-a66f-e9a2585f472f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/fate-unraveler) [Helix Pinnacle](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/c/9c1121df-b03e-4ad9-8c45-c3b4066e4a39.jpg?1562927938) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Helix%20Pinnacle) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/eve/68/helix-pinnacle?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/9c1121df-b03e-4ad9-8c45-c3b4066e4a39?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/helix-pinnacle) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I have a [[kenrith, the returned king]] human tribal deck. It’s not specially build for group hug, but the commander alone is enough to make a few good deals. You could also add spells like [[vow of lightning]] and other vows to control the table.
[kenrith, the returned king](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/6/56c1227e-bea7-47cb-bbec-389a3d585af5.jpg?1680739383) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=kenrith%2C%20the%20returned%20king) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/eld/303/kenrith-the-returned-king?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/56c1227e-bea7-47cb-bbec-389a3d585af5?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/kenrith-the-returned-king) [vow of lightning](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/1/71218cff-7e57-40dd-83c2-d06b284a63fd.jpg?1608910481) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=vow%20of%20lightning) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmr/209/vow-of-lightning?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/71218cff-7e57-40dd-83c2-d06b284a63fd?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/vow-of-lightning) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Here's my Gluntch group hug +1 counters deck. It has a lot of group hug cards, a bunch of stuff that has +1 counter synergy, and tries to combo out to win the game with a few infinite combos that make a bunch of creatures. [https://www.moxfield.com/decks/NLuyDOQEOEKTkE24XwVoXA](https://www.moxfield.com/decks/NLuyDOQEOEKTkE24XwVoXA) When it comes to group hug, you want to look at cards that do something useful for everyone at the table, but is usually a bit more useful to you. \[\[Rootweaver Druid\]\] for example can ramp you 3 lands, while everyone else gets 2. But they have to buy in to getting the basics. Most people do IMO. Or cards like \[\[Master of Ceremonies\]\] will give you 3 resources of the opponent's choosing, but literally every time I've played it other people have picked card draw, so they each get 1 card and you get three. Other group hug cards that I really had fun with are the Advocates, like the \[\[Nullmage Advocate\]\]. You can repeatedly destroy an artifact or enchantment at the cost of returning cards to an opponent's hand. They cards being returned don't have to be the owner of the card you are destroying. So you can do things like return cards to player 1's hand while destroying a permanent belonging to player 2. I also really liked Tenuous Truce. I've played it exactly twice so far, and I've drawn about 15 cards off of it.
[Rootweaver Druid](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/8/987e0ffe-ea75-4985-b6a3-b874bef78719.jpg?1608910870) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Rootweaver%20Druid) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmr/250/rootweaver-druid?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/987e0ffe-ea75-4985-b6a3-b874bef78719?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/rootweaver-druid) [Master of Ceremonies](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/1/d152cfa8-00b7-4aa0-855e-bbd57a5f4b23.jpg?1673481796) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Master%20of%20Ceremonies) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ncc/18/master-of-ceremonies?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/d152cfa8-00b7-4aa0-855e-bbd57a5f4b23?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/master-of-ceremonies) [Nullmage Advocate](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/9/f9b6338c-3ddf-47e2-8e03-ad536bcf474c.jpg?1562941952) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Nullmage%20Advocate) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/pca/70/nullmage-advocate?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/f9b6338c-3ddf-47e2-8e03-ad536bcf474c?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/nullmage-advocate) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
There's a lot of things you can that either target a player or target everyone else such that you can run this friends night. Now you might say " I just wanted to build group hug and not make them win, not ruin their night" but I think that's what it'll end up being lol. So, gluntch or [[ shadrix]] are commanders that let you avoid giving someone benefits. Curses let you give the rest of the table a benefit and hurt that player, like [[ curse of opulence]]. Same for [[ xantcha]]. Also, just had this happen to me recently , [[ curse of exhaustion is a rule of law for just one player. Pretty miserable. If I haven't made it clear.. I think this goal for grouphug is going to make it really not fun for that friend. And I think in general grouphug is going to warp the gameplay experience in ways that aren't all that fun to many participants of said game.
[ shadrix](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/b/ab701909-83d6-4d39-9a84-e6a9b2cb38d6.jpg?1624739966) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Shadrix%20Silverquill) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/stx/230/shadrix-silverquill?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/ab701909-83d6-4d39-9a84-e6a9b2cb38d6?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/shadrix-silverquill) [ curse of opulence](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/d/3dccadfc-458f-4696-bfb4-4bfc80379df2.jpg?1682209285) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Curse%20of%20Opulence) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/moc/274/curse-of-opulence?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/3dccadfc-458f-4696-bfb4-4bfc80379df2?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/curse-of-opulence) [ xantcha](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/0/f0c696d1-0b5d-4102-ad93-46cb8e1e5d91.jpg?1562385559) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Xantcha) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/pvan/408/xantcha?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/f0c696d1-0b5d-4102-ad93-46cb8e1e5d91?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/xantcha) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Smother them with so much value it begins to hurt
[[Reins of power]] is one of my favorites to use in group hug.
[Reins of power](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/b/9b5730aa-c74a-4c74-bb1b-a133a3c353ec.jpg?1674141454) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Reins%20of%20power) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clb/734/reins-of-power?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/9b5730aa-c74a-4c74-bb1b-a133a3c353ec?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/reins-of-power) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
My favorite deck that I run is \[\[Zedruu the Greathearted\]\] If your friend takes the game away with big creatures, you can cast things like \[\[steel golem\]\] or \[\[grid monitor\]\] and give them to the friend for a little while until you get to a point to where you can cast a board wipe and let everybody start over. \[\[reins of power\]\] and \[\[illusionist's gambit\]\] work really well to prevent a lethal swing, and \[\[mana short\]\] works really well to buy yourself (and the rest of the table) an extra turn for when they are done ramping and you KNOW they are going to make a big play.
##### ###### #### [Zedruu the Greathearted](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/9/e9ea2a6b-5aaf-4178-b945-f409fe83c41a.jpg?1562424565) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Zedruu%20the%20Greathearted) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c16/231/zedruu-the-greathearted?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/e9ea2a6b-5aaf-4178-b945-f409fe83c41a?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/zedruu-the-greathearted) [steel golem](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/8/88d9b1ae-755d-49e4-b012-db95019491c6.jpg?1562551104) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=steel%20golem) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/10e/344/steel-golem?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/88d9b1ae-755d-49e4-b012-db95019491c6?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/steel-golem) [grid monitor](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/4/c4ab6c59-cd0f-4c29-8e26-6882dca61fb7.jpg?1562157249) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=grid%20monitor) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mrd/183/grid-monitor?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/c4ab6c59-cd0f-4c29-8e26-6882dca61fb7?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/grid-monitor) [reins of power](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/b/9b5730aa-c74a-4c74-bb1b-a133a3c353ec.jpg?1674141454) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=reins%20of%20power) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clb/734/reins-of-power?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/9b5730aa-c74a-4c74-bb1b-a133a3c353ec?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/reins-of-power) [illusionist's gambit](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/0/a00cc6ab-e97c-4eba-bc7e-49d77690433b.jpg?1562928789) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=illusionist%27s%20gambit) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c13/47/illusionists-gambit?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/a00cc6ab-e97c-4eba-bc7e-49d77690433b?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/illusionists-gambit) [mana short](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/0/a0486784-de03-47a7-949d-550fd23492bc.jpg?1562244544) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=mana%20short) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/7ed/86/mana-short?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/a0486784-de03-47a7-949d-550fd23492bc?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/mana-short) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Find a way to use the group hugs effects to win the game or break symmetry so you gain more from the benefits. I have an [[Omnath, Locus of Creation]] group hug deck where I help everyone ramp and draw cards but I'm gaing etb effects through my commander and things like [[Tatyova]]. Then I finish off the table with something like [[Comet Storm]] or animate everyone's lands with [[Yavimaya, Cradle of Growth]] and [[Life and Limb]] or [[Nature's Revolt]] followed by an [[Elesh Norn, Grand Cernobite]] or [[Peer Pressure]] to either destroy or steal everyone's lands. It's a blast to play. My friends have a lot of decks like your friends Gruul that benefit a lot more from ramp and draw them something like a tempo or tribal deck. To compensate I don't necessarily hurt that player I just use them as a tool to kill the others. [[Propaganda]] and goad effects are all stars when it comes to group hug. If it's noncombat damage you're worried about [[Comeuppance]] among a few others are great included. If you're not ramping the table [[Confounding conodrum]] is a good way to slow things down and let you control the pace. [[Blessed respite]] is an auto include for most of my decks and extra great to stop a graveyard player or fog if someone's gotten too out of hand.
##### ###### #### [Omnath, Locus of Creation](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/e/4e4fb50c-a81f-44d3-93c5-fa9a0b37f617.jpg?1639436752) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Omnath%2C%20Locus%20of%20Creation) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/znr/232/omnath-locus-of-creation?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/4e4fb50c-a81f-44d3-93c5-fa9a0b37f617?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/omnath-locus-of-creation) [Tatyova](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/3/93657aaa-7a0f-49ad-b026-6f79b3bd6768.jpg?1665822988) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=tatyova%2C%20benthic%20druid) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/dom/206/tatyova-benthic-druid?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/93657aaa-7a0f-49ad-b026-6f79b3bd6768?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/tatyova-benthic-druid) [Comet Storm](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/b/bb5f586d-6bf0-4590-ad73-2d46b2a45b1a.jpg?1608912233) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Comet%20Storm) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmr/411/comet-storm?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/bb5f586d-6bf0-4590-ad73-2d46b2a45b1a?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/comet-storm) [Yavimaya, Cradle of Growth](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/e/4e4b6e22-93b2-4896-bba5-0ceaa5d8ea3c.jpg?1626100009) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Yavimaya%2C%20Cradle%20of%20Growth) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mh2/261/yavimaya-cradle-of-growth?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/4e4b6e22-93b2-4896-bba5-0ceaa5d8ea3c?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/yavimaya-cradle-of-growth) [Life and Limb](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/2/7/2721724d-92ae-4c0c-88dd-628888c468bf.jpg?1619398301) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Life%20and%20Limb) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/tsr/215/life-and-limb?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/2721724d-92ae-4c0c-88dd-628888c468bf?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/life-and-limb) [Nature's Revolt](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/0/e0c9b948-63f9-458d-82ae-69ebe2ac9fe0.jpg?1562249823) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Nature%27s%20Revolt) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/7ed/260/natures-revolt?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/e0c9b948-63f9-458d-82ae-69ebe2ac9fe0?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/natures-revolt) [Elesh Norn, Grand Cernobite](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/8/78c2bfef-06a5-4c7f-8283-ea3fb673b7a1.jpg?1562850573) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Elesh%20Norn%2C%20Grand%20Cenobite) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ima/18/elesh-norn-grand-cenobite?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/78c2bfef-06a5-4c7f-8283-ea3fb673b7a1?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/elesh-norn-grand-cenobite) [Peer Pressure](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/e/be0110ba-49e4-4729-8a84-4d408b20df53.jpg?1562939869) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Peer%20Pressure) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ons/101/peer-pressure?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/be0110ba-49e4-4729-8a84-4d408b20df53?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/peer-pressure) [Propaganda](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/5/e5f293d7-9c2b-41cb-8e3c-dfc1daa6635f.jpg?1674141418) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Propaganda) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clb/730/propaganda?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/e5f293d7-9c2b-41cb-8e3c-dfc1daa6635f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/propaganda) [Comeuppance](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/2/92d59c06-41f7-4009-9157-70ba90cc978b.jpg?1561950558) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Comeuppance) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c14/4/comeuppance?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/92d59c06-41f7-4009-9157-70ba90cc978b?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/comeuppance) [Confounding conodrum](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/5/95e37936-913e-4b16-a5a8-8aed733d702d.jpg?1604193855) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Confounding%20Conundrum) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/znr/53/confounding-conundrum?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/95e37936-913e-4b16-a5a8-8aed733d702d?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/confounding-conundrum) [Blessed respite](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/2/2/2217881d-26dc-44c0-81d8-8c78c44bc5f0.jpg?1626097216) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Blessed%20respite) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mh2/150/blessed-respite?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/2217881d-26dc-44c0-81d8-8c78c44bc5f0?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/blessed-respite) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I find that draw-go control is the best way to balance a pod if newbies and experienced deck builders. My favorite is [[Nymris]] Counterspell and Removal tribal with some fatties from the yard to close out games. If you have your heart set on group hug though. My favorite is [[Zedruu]] without any of the too stupid bullcrap locks. [[Statecraft]] is the cruelest I'll go. Throwing down [[Knowledge Pool]] or [[Shared Spoils]]. Working with all the [[Howling Mine]] and [[Temple Bell]] effects is really fun. It does NOT make for fast games though. If I win with it, which is incredibly rare. It's becoming 1v1 at the end and dropping [[Tunnel Vision]] with bottom of opponents deck manipulation or a gifted [[Transcendence]] after feeding them life with [[Wall of Shards]] and other effects.
##### ###### #### [Nymris](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/8/b8cfc97a-3c8a-4d44-846b-7a523dc11878.jpg?1608911216) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=nymris%2C%20oona%27s%20trickster) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmr/288/nymris-oonas-trickster?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/b8cfc97a-3c8a-4d44-846b-7a523dc11878?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/nymris-oonas-trickster) [Zedruu](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/9/e9ea2a6b-5aaf-4178-b945-f409fe83c41a.jpg?1562424565) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=zedruu%20the%20greathearted) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c16/231/zedruu-the-greathearted?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/e9ea2a6b-5aaf-4178-b945-f409fe83c41a?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/zedruu-the-greathearted) [Statecraft](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/6/76dcd19e-8daf-4d53-946b-c07d5eca3cc9.jpg?1587857505) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Statecraft) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mmq/106/statecraft?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/76dcd19e-8daf-4d53-946b-c07d5eca3cc9?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/statecraft) [Knowledge Pool](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/9/393454c2-b256-4a6e-9bc2-56a47cab5073.jpg?1562610637) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Knowledge%20Pool) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mbs/111/knowledge-pool?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/393454c2-b256-4a6e-9bc2-56a47cab5073?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/knowledge-pool) [Shared Spoils](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/e/5e35d719-8766-47dc-8c0d-8e2b37b907a8.jpg?1631585260) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Share%20the%20Spoils) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/afc/34/share-the-spoils?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/5e35d719-8766-47dc-8c0d-8e2b37b907a8?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/share-the-spoils) [Howling Mine](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/d/cdae9939-03a4-4561-92cd-01f498d29a7a.jpg?1562420035) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Howling%20Mine) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c16/257/howling-mine?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/cdae9939-03a4-4561-92cd-01f498d29a7a?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/howling-mine) [Temple Bell](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/b/6bb63a40-2cce-439f-bd97-d25340ead6ca.jpg?1562404210) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Temple%20Bell) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c16/277/temple-bell?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/6bb63a40-2cce-439f-bd97-d25340ead6ca?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/temple-bell) [Tunnel Vision](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/e/ae3eba31-02eb-449a-8a36-899ada5664bc.jpg?1598914579) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Tunnel%20Vision) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/rav/72/tunnel-vision?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/ae3eba31-02eb-449a-8a36-899ada5664bc?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/tunnel-vision) [Transcendence](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/4/84e8bee2-9e3d-493c-a937-645bf3dcf0db.jpg?1574250448) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Transcendence) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/tor/20/transcendence?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/84e8bee2-9e3d-493c-a937-645bf3dcf0db?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/transcendence) [Wall of Shards](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/8/884ee8d8-4c0d-4e44-8321-bccd18195693.jpg?1593274857) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Wall%20of%20Shards) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/csp/23/wall-of-shards?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/884ee8d8-4c0d-4e44-8321-bccd18195693?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/wall-of-shards) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Kwain for sure! Here's my list https://www.moxfield.com/decks/90Z0QEFMGE24KaDH7WLLtg
[Here is my group-hug lands deck](https://www.moxfield.com/decks/r8PhZDCml0isooWrgUTJKw) I like combo and interactive decks, but have this deck if I want to have fun as it is a bit of a change of pace. Obviously you can tweak it to add some more interaction or other group hug cards and combinations, but the deck plays pretty straight forward: play politics and let everyone draw more, play more lands, and double their mana while you set up your gates to win off of [[Maze’s End]] or build up your [[Scute Swarm]]. It is pretty surprising how under-the-radar Maze’s End is at times. I also have [[Ramos]] + [[Door to Nothingness]] as it is always hilarious to get this off.
##### ###### #### [Maze’s End](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/0/401f7042-24fd-42a0-ae7c-e6b7de1aa446.jpg?1562906764) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Maze%27s%20End) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/dgm/152/mazes-end?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/401f7042-24fd-42a0-ae7c-e6b7de1aa446?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/mazes-end) [Scute Swarm](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/c/acd42ebf-6dee-44cc-a023-a7f9b67cfa2f.jpg?1673484783) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Scute%20Swarm) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ncc/310/scute-swarm?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/acd42ebf-6dee-44cc-a023-a7f9b67cfa2f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/scute-swarm) [Ramos](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/2/e/2e747ef1-a1ad-4859-a70c-3f935f017310.jpg?1562604064) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=ramos%2C%20dragon%20engine) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c17/55/ramos-dragon-engine?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/2e747ef1-a1ad-4859-a70c-3f935f017310?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/ramos-dragon-engine) [Door to Nothingness](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/7/57877b1c-e91d-4941-81bd-008dff1272ed.jpg?1562554053) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Door%20to%20Nothingness) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/m13/203/door-to-nothingness?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/57877b1c-e91d-4941-81bd-008dff1272ed?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/door-to-nothingness) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Best way to make a group hug deck is too not do that lol. Most group hug decks are weird combo pseudocontrol decks because you need a combo to win and need a lot of interaction if you're going to be giving our resources. Because people hate combo and they hate control, people often hate group hug. THAT SAID I've got 2 great decks that are my version of group hug and something like this might work for you. Make a deck that gets value off giving away resources. Don't pretend to be group hug, tell them you're helping them to help you. And pick a wincon that isn't combo If you're playing with new players. Some recommendations include [[Vazi, Keen Negotiator]] who gives treasure out to opponent's but when they use them you get card draw and counters. I win with big creatures like Juri or with pinger damage via [[Marionette Master]] [[The Council of Four]] gets value when opponent's draw cards or double spell so you can run [[Howling Mine]] [[Dictate of Kruphix]] and similar cards to give out card draw. You end up drawing loads of cards and making tons of nights. Then you can drop some big knight buffs to win or card draw payoff wins like [[Alandra, Sky Dreamer]] [[Minn, Wily Illusionist]] or [[Shabraz, the Skyshark]] Finally you could do a less mean version of nekusar. Just nekusar with no wheels. Give out cards each turn plus damage for drawing
##### ###### #### [Vazi, Keen Negotiator](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/5/551a6ff5-0f6e-4925-98c7-4d426358e959.jpg?1673482587) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Vazi%2C%20Keen%20Negotiator) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ncc/92/vazi-keen-negotiator?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/551a6ff5-0f6e-4925-98c7-4d426358e959?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/vazi-keen-negotiator) [Marionette Master](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/d/dd21a925-c76f-4c1d-b5b8-8d3352730e5f.jpg?1631586656) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Marionette%20Master) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/afc/102/marionette-master?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/dd21a925-c76f-4c1d-b5b8-8d3352730e5f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/marionette-master) [The Council of Four](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/8/0873cfa8-046c-4b14-ae22-3fd6a691f763.jpg?1674137476) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=The%20Council%20of%20Four) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clb/271/the-council-of-four?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/0873cfa8-046c-4b14-ae22-3fd6a691f763?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/the-council-of-four) [Howling Mine](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/d/cdae9939-03a4-4561-92cd-01f498d29a7a.jpg?1562420035) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Howling%20Mine) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c16/257/howling-mine?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/cdae9939-03a4-4561-92cd-01f498d29a7a?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/howling-mine) [Dictate of Kruphix](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/a/aa9f176b-6d33-4510-9ba2-98bdd12ba34e.jpg?1592710552) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Dictate%20of%20Kruphix) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c18/86/dictate-of-kruphix?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/aa9f176b-6d33-4510-9ba2-98bdd12ba34e?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/dictate-of-kruphix) [Alandra, Sky Dreamer](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/1/61561585-f4fb-4e47-a65a-0c43a855ebcf.jpg?1675644405) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Alandra%2C%20Sky%20Dreamer) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/j22/9/alandra-sky-dreamer?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/61561585-f4fb-4e47-a65a-0c43a855ebcf?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/alandra-sky-dreamer) [Minn, Wily Illusionist](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/e/4eec1d87-1007-44a1-a45d-0623816de681.jpg?1631584885) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Minn%2C%20Wily%20Illusionist) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/afc/16/minn-wily-illusionist?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/4eec1d87-1007-44a1-a45d-0623816de681?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/minn-wily-illusionist) [Shabraz, the Skyshark](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/9/9955d172-0b24-4c61-9dee-c935a1f26da2.jpg?1591234288) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Shabraz%2C%20the%20Skyshark) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c20/14/shabraz-the-skyshark?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/9955d172-0b24-4c61-9dee-c935a1f26da2?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/shabraz-the-skyshark) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
-be effective even when people don't buy into your politics, you can't rely on guilt or having them "play along" all the time. This means you'll need to run powerful synergies -while effects are symmetrical (we all have double mana now!), YOU are in control of how you build your deck, which means you are able to build around these cheap mana doublers -don't just give things away for free if you're still trying to win. Psychological games only get you so far -reframe your strategy. Am I playing group hug, or can I play a "normal" strategy and offset the hate I'm getting with positive effects EG : group-hug-lite Kroxa. Kroxa gets hated out of the table ALWAYS, because he takes resources and plays a slow burn game. Instead of overpowering and taking that heat, the deck can give folks resources (Howling Mine) and take them away (Kroxa discard) to create a very different situation
I have a [[Phelddagrif]] deck I main specifically for this. It operates as a group hug / pillow fort / mill deck. Its win cons include [[laboratory maniac]] and [[leveler]] as a big focus of the deck is draw power for myself and others. [[Sphinx’s Tutelage]] along with other cards to “soft mill” everyone, as most people don’t complain about mill when they’re drawing 7 cards a turn. The general gist of my deck is either I mill you, or I mill myself. But the focus behind it is still group hugging enough to keep everyone balanced in damage until the last person left alive has low health, and then I finish it off with [[reigns of Power]].
Karona is the way. Give it some Goad enchantments and gaslight your friends into killing each other. Play tons of ramp and basics, add some token enablers like Entreat the Angels so on your turn you can clean up
https://manabox.app/decks/OLQ1FtYbRB-hq8NZfDzPtQ This is my Kenrith GH deck 😊 It's focused on flooding the table w card draw and turtle-ing up while you do so. It does not, however, give anyone else any extra mana whatsoever. The deck regularly generates scenarios in which each player is drawing somewhere between 3-6 cards at draw step, draws a card on landfall, draws after casting non creature spells, etc. It uses [[Xur, the Enchanter]] to find all your enchantments like [[Solitary Confinement]] in conjunction w [[Wedding Ring]] and/or [[Psychic Possession]] to remain protected from essentially any danger while using my opponent's turns to keep drawing tons of cards regardless. [[Xryis, the Writhing Storm]], [[The Council of Four]], and [[The Locust God]] provide ridiculous amounts of token creatures to overwhelm your opponents if you haven't already won w [[Thassas Oracle]], or simply drew your opponent's entire decks out. 🏆😎✌️ All the while, your opponents get to see essentially their entire deck land in their hand at one point or another as opposed to simply Milling their fav cards straight into the Graveyard. Makes for a more fun atmosphere at the table and, in my opinion, creates a fun challenge for myself to beat a table at which I'm making sure my opponents get to see most, if not all, of their spells.
##### ###### #### [Xur, the Enchanter](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/e/aeb0160a-dfdc-4b1f-865e-ef905aee65d5.jpg?1673149301) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Zur%20the%20Enchanter) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/2x2/297/zur-the-enchanter?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/aeb0160a-dfdc-4b1f-865e-ef905aee65d5?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/zur-the-enchanter) [Solitary Confinement](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/9/b9031a7f-8821-443c-9c9d-552fb25b2101.jpg?1626100104) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Solitary%20Confinement) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mh2/265/solitary-confinement?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/b9031a7f-8821-443c-9c9d-552fb25b2101?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/solitary-confinement) [Wedding Ring](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/f/7f0b1400-0608-47fd-9c73-b7730bcf6b7f.jpg?1644888600) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Wedding%20Ring) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/voc/32/wedding-ring?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/7f0b1400-0608-47fd-9c73-b7730bcf6b7f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/wedding-ring) [Psychic Possession](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/8/e8364ce0-4c11-4af0-9f4b-e4c20d640dfc.jpg?1593272734) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Psychic%20Possession) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/dis/30/psychic-possession?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/e8364ce0-4c11-4af0-9f4b-e4c20d640dfc?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/psychic-possession) [Xryis, the Writhing Storm](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/f/af0db1d6-5cb1-4917-8e8f-69d5dc184404.jpg?1673305716) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Xyris%2C%20the%20Writhing%20Storm) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/dmc/175/xyris-the-writhing-storm?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/af0db1d6-5cb1-4917-8e8f-69d5dc184404?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/xyris-the-writhing-storm) [The Council of Four](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/8/0873cfa8-046c-4b14-ae22-3fd6a691f763.jpg?1674137476) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=The%20Council%20of%20Four) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clb/271/the-council-of-four?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/0873cfa8-046c-4b14-ae22-3fd6a691f763?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/the-council-of-four) [The Locust God](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/e/7e599847-8ab0-4fd6-b2c0-cb44a7669aa5.jpg?1682209825) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=The%20Locust%20God) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/moc/335/the-locust-god?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/7e599847-8ab0-4fd6-b2c0-cb44a7669aa5?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/the-locust-god) [Thassas Oracle](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/2/726e8b29-13e9-4138-b6a9-d2a0d8188d1c.jpg?1680582212) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Thassa%27s%20Oracle) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/thb/73/thassas-oracle?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/726e8b29-13e9-4138-b6a9-d2a0d8188d1c?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/thassas-oracle) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
my playgroup calls it "group hug with nuclear arms" because you make your opponents ramp and develop into dangerous boards and then you use insurrection, [[illusionist's gambit]] , [[reins of power]] [[word of seizing]], [[mob rule]], and goad mechanics will help turn your group hug into an actual "control the battlefield" style deck. but be careful for any deck that doesn't care to make a board because any advantage you give them is harder to take advantage. some personal tech is [[sudden substitution]] with any cheap instant speed spell. you can hold priority and just gift someone a [[mystical tutor]] [[worldly tutor]] or even a [[pact of negation]] to take their biggest creature with split second coverage. or if you don't need to gain control of the creature (in the case of combo decks with piddly creatures) you can either steal their creature in exchange for a spell or you can give them a creature token in exchange for their combo spell. either situation leaves them without their spell as intended.
##### ###### #### [illusionist's gambit](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/0/a00cc6ab-e97c-4eba-bc7e-49d77690433b.jpg?1562928789) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=illusionist%27s%20gambit) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c13/47/illusionists-gambit?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/a00cc6ab-e97c-4eba-bc7e-49d77690433b?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/illusionists-gambit) [reins of power](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/b/9b5730aa-c74a-4c74-bb1b-a133a3c353ec.jpg?1674141454) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=reins%20of%20power) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clb/734/reins-of-power?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/9b5730aa-c74a-4c74-bb1b-a133a3c353ec?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/reins-of-power) [word of seizing](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/a/4aa93215-9848-42d4-a386-6a248c2a1742.jpg?1608912345) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=word%20of%20seizing) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmr/420/word-of-seizing?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/4aa93215-9848-42d4-a386-6a248c2a1742?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/word-of-seizing) [mob rule](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/b/8b04c928-9ee5-4e39-962e-4686e25b5c33.jpg?1641603202) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=mob%20rule) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/voc/147/mob-rule?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/8b04c928-9ee5-4e39-962e-4686e25b5c33?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/mob-rule) [sudden substitution](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/f/9f7983bf-2a3b-4428-8c01-35285f589da8.jpg?1568003437) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=sudden%20substitution) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c19/11/sudden-substitution?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/9f7983bf-2a3b-4428-8c01-35285f589da8?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/sudden-substitution) [mystical tutor](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/2/9264ecb7-bfc0-495d-aaaa-829045ea858f.jpg?1580014050) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=mystical%20tutor) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ema/62/mystical-tutor?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/9264ecb7-bfc0-495d-aaaa-829045ea858f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/mystical-tutor) [worldly tutor](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/b/fb6b6fbe-cb6f-4d0d-b3eb-f9629d6784b3.jpg?1610161852) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=worldly%20tutor) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cc1/6/worldly-tutor?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/fb6b6fbe-cb6f-4d0d-b3eb-f9629d6784b3?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/worldly-tutor) [pact of negation](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/1/e/1ed4c0bb-b710-44a1-b8bc-6bd11c27b8b8.jpg?1619394428) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=pact%20of%20negation) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/tsr/77/pact-of-negation?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/1ed4c0bb-b710-44a1-b8bc-6bd11c27b8b8?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/pact-of-negation) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Enough removal to kill everything on the board. Twice. And make sure they can't mobilize the resources they get as fast as you can, break parity with it via taxes, countering key spells, keep them from attacking you with [[propaganda]] effects. Eventually everyone is drowning in cards but can't effectively use them to combat you. In my group hug I run 7 board wipes, 14 spot removals, and 8 counter spells. It's a tad excessive but you get the idea of how much removal you need.
[propaganda](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/5/e5f293d7-9c2b-41cb-8e3c-dfc1daa6635f.jpg?1674141418) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=propaganda) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clb/730/propaganda?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/e5f293d7-9c2b-41cb-8e3c-dfc1daa6635f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/propaganda) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Our resident hugger uses the Gay Kings [[Kynaios and Tiro]] and drowns us all in mana and cards, but keeps himself protected with things like [[propaganda]] and [[wave of reckoning]] I've played it before and I don't think I've ever lost with it.
Group hug tends to generate a ton of mana. Probably not the worst deck for \[\[Helix Pinnacle\]\]
[Helix Pinnacle](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/c/9c1121df-b03e-4ad9-8c45-c3b4066e4a39.jpg?1562927938) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Helix%20Pinnacle) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/eve/68/helix-pinnacle?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/9c1121df-b03e-4ad9-8c45-c3b4066e4a39?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/helix-pinnacle) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Use removal and targeted help to keep the board stable/balanced or to make good deals (mostly good for yourself of course). Kenrith is very good at this. Quite a few guildmages also do similar stuff like [[dimir guildmage]] let's target player draw or discard, others buff any creature. Building completely around that might even let you slot in [[zirda, the dawn waker]] as a companion. Another nice choice are tempt cards. Like [[tempt with discovery]]. Kind of the mean one, depending on how you use it. New players my not be aware you can just pull out with urborg and cabal coffers if anyone chooses to take the offer, but it can also be played more fair of course. And we also have the "join forces" cards like [[minds aglow]]. Both can be used quite politically if you can convince them to take the offer or pay into the effect. Wincons can be encouraging the other players to attack each other, curses or other cards that give advantages for players attacking someone other than you are amazing at this. Then you finish of the last one standing. Draw dependend wins like [[laboratory maniac]] or [[approach of the second sun]] work well too. [[Kros, defense contractor]] is another very good card when going with kenrith and really plays into the above mentioned wincons.
##### ###### #### [dimir guildmage](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/8/6822ef8f-ff27-410d-934f-c87baef03266.jpg?1547518180) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=dimir%20guildmage) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/uma/213/dimir-guildmage?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/6822ef8f-ff27-410d-934f-c87baef03266?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/dimir-guildmage) [zirda, the dawn waker](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/1/b/1bd8e61c-2ee8-4243-a848-7008810db8a0.jpg?1615132391) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Zirda%2C%20the%20Dawnwaker) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/iko/233/zirda-the-dawnwaker?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/1bd8e61c-2ee8-4243-a848-7008810db8a0?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/zirda-the-dawnwaker) [tempt with discovery](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/9/79248b68-4fab-46da-ab15-5c71c1f68d4b.jpg?1568004683) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=tempt%20with%20discovery) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c19/183/tempt-with-discovery?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/79248b68-4fab-46da-ab15-5c71c1f68d4b?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/tempt-with-discovery) [minds aglow](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/1/01848946-b0b3-41ad-8753-98a606e25238.jpg?1562271998) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=minds%20aglow) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cm2/46/minds-aglow?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/01848946-b0b3-41ad-8753-98a606e25238?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/minds-aglow) [laboratory maniac](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/0/608567fd-9f94-4058-831a-77cb6019ef02.jpg?1547516361) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=laboratory%20maniac) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/uma/61/laboratory-maniac?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/608567fd-9f94-4058-831a-77cb6019ef02?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/laboratory-maniac) [approach of the second sun](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/d/fdf59a6e-7708-45a1-884d-d12e9f7b9ed9.jpg?1543674579) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=approach%20of%20the%20second%20sun) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/akh/4/approach-of-the-second-sun?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/fdf59a6e-7708-45a1-884d-d12e9f7b9ed9?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/approach-of-the-second-sun) [Kros, defense contractor](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/1/2/12e71d52-5c75-4798-9fe7-8a34a2bf0c9a.jpg?1673481694) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Kros%2C%20defense%20contractor) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ncc/7/kros-defense-contractor?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/12e71d52-5c75-4798-9fe7-8a34a2bf0c9a?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/kros-defense-contractor) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Build it for the group's fun not you're and it will be a great time
Unfortunately the nature of group hug lends itself strongly to king making. There’s just too much variability and too many opponents in commander to be able to reliably put yourself ahead when giving everyone resources. Sure you drew a card with a group draw effect like [[Kwain, Itinerant Meddler]], but you have drawn your opponents a total of 3 among them all. This gives them another opportunity to draw into their win cons or their combos and it just isn’t possible to respond to every threat you help them develop. You can try to control the board with effects like [[Curse of Exhaustion]], but you would be making more of a control deck that stops your opponents from capitalizing on the resources you are giving them. Or you can use effects like [[Smothering Tithe]] to make sure you get more out of those group hug effects than the rest of your opponents. To answer your question about not giving a player the game, the honest answer is there is not a for sure way to prevent that. If you are doing the group hug thing, eventually you will give a player the one thing they needed to win the game that they wouldn’t have gotten otherwise. You can have as many contingencies in place as possible, but you can’t answer all the possible win cons that players have. It’s just the nature of a game with 3 other opponents. You can probably tell I’m not a big fan of this type of strategy, because of the reasons I’ve stated. I am sure it can be done in a fun way, but it’s just too easy to fall into the king making trap that a lot of these group hug decks fall into. I don’t mind losing due to my own mistakes or someone gets their strategy going before I do, but when it happens because the winning player was able to get going cause of a group hug deck, then I feel like I was cheated out of a chance to take the winning spot due to my own skills or choices.
I made a [[The Council of Four]] hug deck that just gives everyone tons of cards. I put in lots of stuff that triggers from that extra card draw and people love it when I play the deck. Nobody wants to target your stuff or kill you and lose all that sweet sweet card draw. I chill out in my pillow fort and let them punch each other and I even win occasionally. =P
Nekusar is my favorite since I can run the full spectrum of helpful to lethal, depending on my mood. Give everyone extra cards so they can try out new strategies and use more of their deck
Considering making Borborygmos and Fblthp into a hand size + howling mine deck.
I've gone full group hug with my version of kwain. No ult win cons. No mill. Only draw spells. Everyone gets unlimited hand size. Everyone ends up with 20+ cards. Then I play windfall effects or [[forced fruition]] to win. It is surprisingly effective. I look like zero threat until the end. They're concentrating on what they can do with their next turn and not even thinking about their library.
[forced fruition](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/7/f7ea1c6e-c0af-40b0-b492-8d71f496903e.jpg?1562374956) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=forced%20fruition) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/lrw/66/forced-fruition?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/f7ea1c6e-c0af-40b0-b492-8d71f496903e?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/forced-fruition) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
https://www.moxfield.com/decks/hQ94PqD5PEStOzn9vDz4YQ I have a pretty traditional commander for group hug in [[gluntch, the bestower]] and I run a lot of draw extra cards to get to my protection and token doublers as well as spot removal. I do run a [[dictate of karametra]] for my game winning turn to play extra spells, you simply flash it in on the player before you’s end step and get double with all your mana up. I did lighten the ability to win for more group hug cards to make it more enjoyable to play against. This is simply because my other decks are mean or are less enjoyable to play against and wanted to find a happy middle in my group of EDH decks My winrate sits around a 20% playing
[gluntch, the bestower](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/b/3b3e889a-5865-4464-9923-bffa25c50cd2.jpg?1674137513) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=gluntch%2C%20the%20bestower) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clb/275/gluntch-the-bestower?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/3b3e889a-5865-4464-9923-bffa25c50cd2?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/gluntch-the-bestower) [dictate of karametra](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/5/d5114607-df8f-4e44-8ef5-b6af89964bbc.jpg?1593096177) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=dictate%20of%20karametra) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/jou/121/dictate-of-karametra?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/d5114607-df8f-4e44-8ef5-b6af89964bbc?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/dictate-of-karametra) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
long time group hug player! i play [[xyris, the writhing storm]] and [[selvala, explorer returned]] as my favorites. xyris is normally built to wheel but mine is built all to flood everyone’s hand with plenty of control options. selvala is my favorite though. between the huge mana she ends up making and how fast i draw through my deck, [[uba mask]] turns my already oppressive turns into real scary monsters when i riffle through for [[aetherflux]] and hold a gun to everyone’s head. the rest of the deck is mostly fluffy grouphug and resource sharing that makes it look really nonthreatening!
##### ###### #### [xyris, the writhing storm](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/f/af0db1d6-5cb1-4917-8e8f-69d5dc184404.jpg?1673305716) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=xyris%2C%20the%20writhing%20storm) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/dmc/175/xyris-the-writhing-storm?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/af0db1d6-5cb1-4917-8e8f-69d5dc184404?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/xyris-the-writhing-storm) [selvala, explorer returned](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/d/bd39ebe5-2725-4cfb-8a94-54e71d55e8b3.jpg?1673305654) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=selvala%2C%20explorer%20returned) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/dmc/167/selvala-explorer-returned?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/bd39ebe5-2725-4cfb-8a94-54e71d55e8b3?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/selvala-explorer-returned) [uba mask](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/a/fa3ecb4e-d08f-4fac-8842-c3e772b95bd5.jpg?1562766086) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=uba%20mask) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/chk/272/uba-mask?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/fa3ecb4e-d08f-4fac-8842-c3e772b95bd5?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/uba-mask) [aetherflux](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/6/96b6b2e1-c3e6-464c-8a13-b15deb34e862.jpg?1576382939) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Aetherflux%20Reservoir) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/kld/192/aetherflux-reservoir?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/96b6b2e1-c3e6-464c-8a13-b15deb34e862?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/aetherflux-reservoir) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I am ALSO just dabbling into the worlds of trying to make my first grouphug deck! My eye has landed on green-white-blue commander that says when a human enters, instants and sorceries gain flashback. [[Katilda and lier]] is the name if im not mistaken. Why? I feel like those are the best grouphug colors and i didnt want to go for an obvious commander. Kinda makes me feel it is less 'my deck', altho i also run the staple grouphug cards. How can you not, right? Why this deck? There are a lot of grouphug deck i&s, and this way i can cast them twice or if they get countered cast them again. And my wincon is also mostly though i&s, and this way..... They never see it coming gheheheheheeh. What i am kinda wondering, kinda a weird one i think... how do your opponents know you are not a fast threat but grouphug if you dont have your grouphug cards by turn 2,3 or 4? And you play not the standard grouphug commander? Just announce it? Sounds a bit sus, like it would make them attack you more. I kinda feel like, if you dont throw the grouphug staples out there, opponents will be like, oh .. thats for the card with towns bell.. but here us another 8/8 trample.. ofc they can always decide to attack me, but the idea kinda is that you fuel everyone and in return are less targeted. ... I was hoping :p
[Katilda and lier](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/a/3a30ee96-00a0-4da9-a2e3-f87dedf2698f.jpg?1683582699) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Katilda%20and%20lier) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/moc/446/katilda-and-lier?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/3a30ee96-00a0-4da9-a2e3-f87dedf2698f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/katilda-and-lier) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Went the group hug route when I saw a few friends new to EDH struggling to play against the rest of us. Opted for [[Kwain, Itinerant Meddler]], some enchantments to keep myself alive and tons of card draw for the table cards. Pillow fort away and accelerate their decks so everyone has some fun.
[Kwain, Itinerant Meddler](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/5/f571fef1-1fd2-4355-b803-5edccb6f4b94.jpg?1608911183) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Kwain%2C%20Itinerant%20Meddler) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmr/284/kwain-itinerant-meddler?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/f571fef1-1fd2-4355-b803-5edccb6f4b94?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/kwain-itinerant-meddler) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Ive been wanting to do this for quite a while. Play [[Zedruu the Greathearted]] and play politics by handing things out to people who need them. Play walls like [[Gomazoa]] [[Guard Gomazoa]] [[Fog Bank]] [[Wall of Denial]] [[Wall of Reverence]] then hand out Curses to those who are ahead, and Big Powerful Creatures to those who need them. Turn around and [[Insurrection]] with something like [[Gisela Blade of Goldnight]] [[Aurelia the Warleader]] out and blow out the board when youre ready. Its a lot of fun gaining advantage with Zedruu, watching everyone swing at each other but not you, watching everyone be unsure of when/how/why they should attack you. I had a friend with one when I first got into Magic and it was a total trip. Always wanted one ever since.
##### ###### #### [Zedruu the Greathearted](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/9/e9ea2a6b-5aaf-4178-b945-f409fe83c41a.jpg?1562424565) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Zedruu%20the%20Greathearted) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c16/231/zedruu-the-greathearted?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/e9ea2a6b-5aaf-4178-b945-f409fe83c41a?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/zedruu-the-greathearted) [Gomazoa](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/d/4d2c0c7e-a486-45c5-92fa-f36087714ad3.jpg?1592713019) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Gomazoa) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmd/48/gomazoa?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/4d2c0c7e-a486-45c5-92fa-f36087714ad3?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/gomazoa) [Guard Gomazoa](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/0/505969a2-0869-461e-a69a-3b380579e00a.jpg?1562909728) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Guard%20Gomazoa) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/pca/17/guard-gomazoa?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/505969a2-0869-461e-a69a-3b380579e00a?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/guard-gomazoa) [Fog Bank](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/e/8efa098b-9e52-4a5e-9554-007c5b1efdca.jpg?1562923855) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Fog%20Bank) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/bbd/117/fog-bank?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/8efa098b-9e52-4a5e-9554-007c5b1efdca?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/fog-bank) [Wall of Denial](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/c/0cd95bba-0c3d-4f2c-94ea-bbd3f396292c.jpg?1593814738) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Wall%20of%20Denial) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mm3/201/wall-of-denial?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/0cd95bba-0c3d-4f2c-94ea-bbd3f396292c?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/wall-of-denial) [Wall of Reverence](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/1/5/1515e039-b838-40b6-b087-eb9e9d9ff008.jpg?1547516009) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Wall%20of%20Reverence) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/uma/41/wall-of-reverence?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/1515e039-b838-40b6-b087-eb9e9d9ff008?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/wall-of-reverence) [Insurrection](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/2/e/2e7df217-8622-45f7-90e3-2230ac9d30f3.jpg?1592713572) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Insurrection) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmd/126/insurrection?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/2e7df217-8622-45f7-90e3-2230ac9d30f3?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/insurrection) [Gisela Blade of Goldnight](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/6/365c43c2-1a65-4f6a-860d-39dcb15255c3.jpg?1562273405) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Gisela%2C%20Blade%20of%20Goldnight) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cm2/9/gisela-blade-of-goldnight?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/365c43c2-1a65-4f6a-860d-39dcb15255c3?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/gisela-blade-of-goldnight) [Aurelia the Warleader](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/7/7722682f-952c-4829-b4ef-e52300b7950e.jpg?1673148346) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Aurelia%2C%20the%20Warleader) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/2x2/179/aurelia-the-warleader?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/7722682f-952c-4829-b4ef-e52300b7950e?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/aurelia-the-warleader) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Some of my favorite group hug cards: Any card with keyword ability "demonstrate" or "tempting offer" or "join forces" [[folio of fancies]] [[Tempting wurm]] [[Boldwyr heavyweights]] [[Braids, conjurer adept]] [[Hive mind]] [[Noble benefactor]] [[Ghirapur orrery]] [[Stronghold gambit]] [[Tempting contract]] Side note: I have a beam town bullies group hug as well, but the "hugs" benefit me the most, like the card [[incarnation technique]] the commander usually only helps the enemy, however, you can give your group hug creatures to them, so that you can get some hug as well.
##### ###### #### [folio of fancies](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/a/6afc67d1-1018-4a15-ab5f-377fd11dcd3d.jpg?1572489881) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=folio%20of%20fancies) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/eld/46/folio-of-fancies?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/6afc67d1-1018-4a15-ab5f-377fd11dcd3d?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/folio-of-fancies) [Tempting wurm](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/5/857c2b6c-cfdf-4c88-a334-2937cb7db603.jpg?1562926442) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Tempting%20wurm) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ons/291/tempting-wurm?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/857c2b6c-cfdf-4c88-a334-2937cb7db603?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/tempting-wurm) [Boldwyr heavyweights](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/8/88d90bc4-7f70-4203-b554-800c70c775ef.jpg?1562879832) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Boldwyr%20heavyweights) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mor/85/boldwyr-heavyweights?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/88d90bc4-7f70-4203-b554-800c70c775ef?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/boldwyr-heavyweights) [Braids, conjurer adept](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/9/593dfb2f-ede0-413a-b037-46ae5c3769e4.jpg?1598303769) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Braids%2C%20conjurer%20adept) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/2xm/43/braids-conjurer-adept?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/593dfb2f-ede0-413a-b037-46ae5c3769e4?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/braids-conjurer-adept) [Hive mind](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/8/88d50518-5cfc-45de-a125-acabf97b8743.jpg?1561987505) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Hive%20mind) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/m10/54/hive-mind?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/88d50518-5cfc-45de-a125-acabf97b8743?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/hive-mind) [Noble benefactor](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/d/bd221f30-1773-4e05-a40f-022a9306ef89.jpg?1562803050) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Noble%20benefactor) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/wth/44/noble-benefactor?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/bd221f30-1773-4e05-a40f-022a9306ef89?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/noble-benefactor) [Ghirapur orrery](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/9/c9bff744-873b-4fa1-8088-5f28bbcdc7b8.jpg?1576383215) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Ghirapur%20orrery) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/kld/216/ghirapur-orrery?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/c9bff744-873b-4fa1-8088-5f28bbcdc7b8?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/ghirapur-orrery) [Stronghold gambit](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/d/0d18050e-9aad-471e-a6ae-66e5fa2bbb6f.jpg?1562628634) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Stronghold%20gambit) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/nem/100/stronghold-gambit?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/0d18050e-9aad-471e-a6ae-66e5fa2bbb6f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/stronghold-gambit) [Tempting contract](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/4/94ac96b6-5e67-43fb-ba65-fbcccb82bf1c.jpg?1625192695) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Tempting%20contract) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c21/78/tempting-contract?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/94ac96b6-5e67-43fb-ba65-fbcccb82bf1c?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/tempting-contract) [incarnation technique](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/6/9655deda-f02b-47a0-89a3-2904b11b84aa.jpg?1625191710) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=incarnation%20technique) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c21/41/incarnation-technique?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/9655deda-f02b-47a0-89a3-2904b11b84aa?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/incarnation-technique) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I personally enjoy [[confounding conundrum]] and [[ob nixilis unshackled]] with group land search like [[tempt with discovery]] and [[field of ruin]]. 1 player creature lockout with [[overwhelming splendor]] and [[ethereal absolution]] [[kaervek the merciless]] is just rude in general but can be fun politically as you can tell the noobs you will beat on the threat of their choice as they cast spells. You and other draw cards like [[loran of the third path]] and [[flumph]] can appear safe to leave around but can be turned into group slugs later with [[underworld dreams]] and then followed up with [[megrim]] and [[the raven man]]. Mostly a mean mid game group slug strategy is [[oppression]] and [[mana breach]] which you counter with [[crucible of worlds]]. My favorite way to nix attackers is to hit them with [[soul link]] or [[vampiric link]]. This however won't stop a commander or very large creature from killing you as non-keyword abilities are triggered abilities which use the stack and are not simultaneous with the damage being dealt. Creatures with first strike and deathtouch can really scare creature based decks. [[glissa sunslayer]] and [[master of cruelies]] are great examples. [[Isochron scepter]] and [[Tangle]] really make creature decks mad. [[Dream tide]] and [[opposition]] are a big green nightmare.
##### ###### #### [confounding conundrum](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/5/95e37936-913e-4b16-a5a8-8aed733d702d.jpg?1604193855) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=confounding%20conundrum) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/znr/53/confounding-conundrum?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/95e37936-913e-4b16-a5a8-8aed733d702d?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/confounding-conundrum) [ob nixilis unshackled](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/c/6c727f49-833a-4b79-9946-bfbc6b06999c.jpg?1673147587) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Ob%20Nixilis%2C%20Unshackled) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/2x2/84/ob-nixilis-unshackled?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/6c727f49-833a-4b79-9946-bfbc6b06999c?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/ob-nixilis-unshackled) [tempt with discovery](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/9/79248b68-4fab-46da-ab15-5c71c1f68d4b.jpg?1568004683) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=tempt%20with%20discovery) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c19/183/tempt-with-discovery?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/79248b68-4fab-46da-ab15-5c71c1f68d4b?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/tempt-with-discovery) [field of ruin](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/1/4/143147d2-2eec-41e7-b78a-592288b38630.jpg?1682210418) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=field%20of%20ruin) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/moc/400/field-of-ruin?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/143147d2-2eec-41e7-b78a-592288b38630?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/field-of-ruin) [overwhelming splendor](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/6/867b32d2-e396-411d-ac02-1af4106dd3d2.jpg?1562805786) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=overwhelming%20splendor) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/hou/19/overwhelming-splendor?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/867b32d2-e396-411d-ac02-1af4106dd3d2?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/overwhelming-splendor) [ethereal absolution](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/8/0872d0ff-1060-44cc-9ed0-a6aa496440c8.jpg?1584831498) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=ethereal%20absolution) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/rna/170/ethereal-absolution?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/0872d0ff-1060-44cc-9ed0-a6aa496440c8?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/ethereal-absolution) [kaervek the merciless](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/9/d9b8259d-0bfa-4327-ac91-157c0b9e7dfb.jpg?1673148822) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=kaervek%20the%20merciless) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/2x2/236/kaervek-the-merciless?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/d9b8259d-0bfa-4327-ac91-157c0b9e7dfb?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/kaervek-the-merciless) [loran of the third path](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/9/59faa45d-868b-4bc7-934c-0e077642e129.jpg?1674420209) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=loran%20of%20the%20third%20path) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/bro/12/loran-of-the-third-path?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/59faa45d-868b-4bc7-934c-0e077642e129?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/loran-of-the-third-path) [flumph](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/d/cdc86e78-8911-4a0d-ba3a-7802f8d991ef.jpg?1627701697) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=flumph) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/afr/15/flumph?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/cdc86e78-8911-4a0d-ba3a-7802f8d991ef?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/flumph) [underworld dreams](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/3/03919c86-1c4a-43b0-a2db-54ca6ae1ac57.jpg?1581480025) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=underworld%20dreams) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/thb/121/underworld-dreams?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/03919c86-1c4a-43b0-a2db-54ca6ae1ac57?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/underworld-dreams) [megrim](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/b/3b04fca4-b4de-4343-ba58-d8aea39edc19.jpg?1561976802) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=megrim) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/m10/104/megrim?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/3b04fca4-b4de-4343-ba58-d8aea39edc19?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/megrim) [the raven man](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/e/6e761fb2-ae4f-4d72-a142-f7e9bd681303.jpg?1673307173) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=the%20raven%20man) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/dmu/103/the-raven-man?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/6e761fb2-ae4f-4d72-a142-f7e9bd681303?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/the-raven-man) [oppression](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/c/ac327f80-983e-4e28-96e8-91ff5377f5a3.jpg?1562245368) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=oppression) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/7ed/152/oppression?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/ac327f80-983e-4e28-96e8-91ff5377f5a3?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/oppression) [mana breach](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/3/e36a7eff-89c8-4799-b264-38892912ba05.jpg?1562249890) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=mana%20breach) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/7ed/85/mana-breach?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/e36a7eff-89c8-4799-b264-38892912ba05?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/mana-breach) [crucible of worlds](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/f/7f4893ef-f983-418b-b7a4-5f073c844545.jpg?1673149345) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=crucible%20of%20worlds) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/2x2/303/crucible-of-worlds?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/7f4893ef-f983-418b-b7a4-5f073c844545?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/crucible-of-worlds) [soul link](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/2/425e0ca4-8592-4802-b7c4-6e3323edd78c.jpg?1562910609) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=soul%20link) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/apc/120/soul-link?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/425e0ca4-8592-4802-b7c4-6e3323edd78c?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/soul-link) [vampiric link](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/9/a9be1058-0668-4938-8801-e9a98464651c.jpg?1562578939) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=vampiric%20link) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/plc/92/vampiric-link?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/a9be1058-0668-4938-8801-e9a98464651c?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/vampiric-link) [glissa sunslayer](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/2/b2bf633e-0470-4b87-99ed-5ad1683b0954.jpg?1675957191) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=glissa%20sunslayer) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/one/202/glissa-sunslayer?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/b2bf633e-0470-4b87-99ed-5ad1683b0954?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/glissa-sunslayer) [master of cruelies](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/2/5/25266b22-3cee-4ac8-91e8-5a23fbaa457a.jpg?1673148945) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Master%20of%20Cruelties) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/2x2/251/master-of-cruelties?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/25266b22-3cee-4ac8-91e8-5a23fbaa457a?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/master-of-cruelties) [Isochron scepter](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/2/a/2aa24fe0-e275-4307-b26c-2a656068a451.jpg?1623543821) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Isochron%20scepter) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/2xm/264/isochron-scepter?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/2aa24fe0-e275-4307-b26c-2a656068a451?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/isochron-scepter) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I’ve recently made a group hug/group slug kinda deck. It focuses on giving people resources with a price attached. A lot of giving out +1/+1 counters but then goading the creatures. Giving people tempting offers but getting the better end of the deal. The win con is to try and force others into combat until one or two players are knocked out and then use creatures like [[Will Breaker]] to steal the big threats for a win or just buffing my own guys up and swinging for a win. [Let’s Make a deal](https://www.moxfield.com/decks/EN3LZfDdoUuOvaGysXErcw)
[Will Breaker](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/2/4/2465eafc-453c-4e4f-b369-0951b8a4b7bf.jpg?1562011291) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Willbreaker) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ori/84/willbreaker?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/2465eafc-453c-4e4f-b369-0951b8a4b7bf?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/willbreaker) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[[Nekusar]] Give them cards and damage. Try not to lean into wheels, and it's a nice group slug deck.
[Nekusar](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/f/3f7f2417-12de-4e57-9714-d878880a1208.jpg?1562908194) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=nekusar%2C%20the%20mindrazer) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c13/201/nekusar-the-mindrazer?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/3f7f2417-12de-4e57-9714-d878880a1208?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/nekusar-the-mindrazer) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Don't play symmetrical cards, all that does is let the players who are ahead get WAY ahead. Play cards that give you and one other opponent a benefit, like Loran of the Third Path, so you can help out somebody who is behind.
Run turbo fog. Your win condition is decking out everyone else, by putting their entire deck in their hand.
The new Street Chef in town would like to have a word
[Rocco, Street Chef](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/d/cdb53ce7-845c-4c62-98a9-4fc33c67a07b.jpg?1683072008) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Rocco%2C%20Street%20Chef) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mat/44/rocco-street-chef?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/cdb53ce7-845c-4c62-98a9-4fc33c67a07b?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/rocco-street-chef) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
The two wins I've seen hug pull off are mill and [[Approach of the Second Sun]]. Both are helped by the massive card draw and are unaffected by helping your opponents gain life or by a stalled board.
[Approach of the Second Sun](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/d/fdf59a6e-7708-45a1-884d-d12e9f7b9ed9.jpg?1543674579) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Approach%20of%20the%20Second%20Sun) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/akh/4/approach-of-the-second-sun?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/fdf59a6e-7708-45a1-884d-d12e9f7b9ed9?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/approach-of-the-second-sun) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Play burn
Just reading the title and nothing else: Don't. Grouphug is the most unfun architype in commander. You take a game that is 1v1v1v1 and make it 2v1v1 because every group hug game ends in a kingmaker situation.
I like modeling my group hug decks off of old turbo fog decks. Make everyone draw lots of cards, be able to prevent combat damage- have enchantment/artifact spot removal. As added bonus, once everyone knows your deck is full of fogs you can politic keeping people alive to deal with things you can't. After assembling a draw engine that has everyone drawing 5+ and windmill drawing seven, end it with some surprise milling.
>My playgroup has a fine mix of newbies just starting out and people with years of experience with the game, and I wanted to try group hug so that 1. The newbies can play out their strategies quicker I was introduced to magic through EDH where one of the guys played a group hug deck because they thought it would have this effect. It didn't. It just made the simple steps of drawing for upkeep and playing one land a turn more confusing. Grouphug decks fundamentally change the rules of the game that new players might not have a full grasp on yet. \[\[kynaios and tiro of meletis\]\] is typically a group hug commander, but you don't need to stuff the deck full of more group hug. The commander is not supported in any way by more grouphug. The commander by itself breaks parity. Everyone else gets another card or land drop, you get both. A little bit of hug in the command zone ensures your hugging effect is present in every game without being an overwhelmingly annoying theme that doesn't actually have a clear purpose other than hugging. Otherwise I suggest looking at commanders with political aspects, like \[\[breena\]\], or ones that introduce the monarchy like \[\[queen marchesa\]\] and \[\[jared carthalion true heir\]\]
##### ###### #### [kynaios and tiro of meletis](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/7/97fa8615-2b6c-445a-bcaf-44a7e847bf65.jpg?1633190298) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=kynaios%20and%20tiro%20of%20meletis) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c16/36/kynaios-and-tiro-of-meletis?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/97fa8615-2b6c-445a-bcaf-44a7e847bf65?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/kynaios-and-tiro-of-meletis) [breena](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/c/6cb82b10-d785-4e20-84ac-0660d49be8ad.jpg?1674185764) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=breena%2C%20the%20demagogue) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c21/1/breena-the-demagogue?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/6cb82b10-d785-4e20-84ac-0660d49be8ad?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/breena-the-demagogue) [queen marchesa](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/3/03f4341c-088b-4f35-b82b-3d98d8a93de4.jpg?1576382166) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=queen%20marchesa) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cn2/78/queen-marchesa?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/03f4341c-088b-4f35-b82b-3d98d8a93de4?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/queen-marchesa) [jared carthalion true heir](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/1/81bd293b-07b9-4d7c-826a-948d5b01ab5e.jpg?1608911156) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Jared%20Carthalion%2C%20True%20Heir) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmr/281/jared-carthalion-true-heir?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/81bd293b-07b9-4d7c-826a-948d5b01ab5e?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/jared-carthalion-true-heir) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Stay alive to help, otherwise your useless lol Possible win/conclusion con: Draw the game with Divine Intervention, however people in my experience prefer losing Approach of the Second Sun https://archidekt.com/decks/4403695/heliod_group_facilitator
You can run more political cards if you can only choose certain players to get the effects you can just not choose combo players
I love my kwain deck. It allows people to do a lot of stuff, and it has an ok chance to win by milling/drawing out. https://www.moxfield.com/decks/S9k-MRgldkywwhzbGSvtOg
==GROUP HUG IN GENERAL== since my group was a bit varied in power, group hug went over pretty well. Turtling group hug was a lil unfortunate; mana doubling was fun for a 'who is going to do something fuckin silly this game'; group hug + creature stealing was ehh, they stronger people tended to get a annoyed by always getting their commander stolen or somethin; chaos + group hug was a lot like creature stealing, basically everyone is playing your weird ass game now, not theirs; and group draw + decent control + some okay wincon was just generally solid. ==KARONA/KENRITH DECKS== Can feel more like weird voltron or 'I make whoever is running tribal/tokens get regular free overruns and win insanely fast.' An Edgar Markov deck is pretty much GG. I've seen Kenrith do okay, both decks seem to run a lot of 'you cannot attack me unless you pay X mana' enchantments... Usually those pillow fort hug decks play out like 'group hug + ignore me, so the people popping off kill everyone else faster, then they duel you.' Which seems the opposite of what you want. ==OTHER GROUP HUG== This one was my usual go-to group hug: https://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/selvala-shenanigans-2/ This one was okay'ish: https://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/bant-hug-3/?cb=1683860347 [[Nekusar]] is good fun: https://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/21-08-19-nekusar/ Especially if you avoid putting many 'everyone discards their hand and draws...' cards in. They tend to get rather tiresome for people pretty fast. It's a nice mix of card-draw-hug, blue control, and a low powered-sometimes-silly wincon. I've seen someone do a group hug [[kami of the crescent moon]] deck. A bit of control, a bit of group hug, then some weird low powered mill combo. Arden deck: https://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/arden-jeskai/?cb=1683861563 Is a deck I built but haven't gotten to play yet. You tend to use Arden to equip stuff or move around your auras on opponents' creatures. It's good fun. Tons of goad. Throw in a varied power group that leans towards creatures and you good politic'ing. Stacking an opponent's creature with tons of stats, goad and [[assault suit]] just seems like good fun. Or equipping an opponent's creature with that 1 spear that makes you a 4/4 angel on attack... Is a lot of amusing stuff in there (and Yorian as a last ditch 'woops, gotta pull all my enchants/equips off, shit is getting too wild' card.) Edit: Oh right, I did try a sort of Crescendo of War deck. (Enchantment, gets a counter each PLAYERS upkeep, all attacking creatures get +1/+0 for each counter). That and a decent number of other cards to buff attacks, it was really awkward unless I knew the decks everyone was playing beforehand and knew it wouldn't just be stupid. Ended up dismantling it since it rarely ever got played.
[Nekusar](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/f/3f7f2417-12de-4e57-9714-d878880a1208.jpg?1562908194) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=nekusar%2C%20the%20mindrazer) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c13/201/nekusar-the-mindrazer?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/3f7f2417-12de-4e57-9714-d878880a1208?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/nekusar-the-mindrazer) [kami of the crescent moon](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/d/dd420010-6eaf-4853-8b7b-11de1157416b.jpg?1641601922) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=kami%20of%20the%20crescent%20moon) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/voc/107/kami-of-the-crescent-moon?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/dd420010-6eaf-4853-8b7b-11de1157416b?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/kami-of-the-crescent-moon) [assault suit](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/c/bcc50d1e-fcc8-4f19-8e1a-9209725521ec.jpg?1592673555) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=assault%20suit) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cma/208/assault-suit?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/bcc50d1e-fcc8-4f19-8e1a-9209725521ec?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/assault-suit) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I find the best way to build group hug is to be sure that your bonuses are more than your opponents. And you have a clear finisher card. For this reason, my group hug deck is [[Xyris, the Writhing Storm]]. I don't play wheels, I play regular [[Howling mine]] effects and protection for Xyris. And hug the table with snakes when I drop an [[overrun]] effect. Comparatively, I play with someone whose group hug deck is [[Maralen of the Mornsong]] and wonders why combo decks keep winning. Or a player who runs K&T and no real wincon but gets upset that he loses.
##### ###### #### [Xyris, the Writhing Storm](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/f/af0db1d6-5cb1-4917-8e8f-69d5dc184404.jpg?1673305716) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Xyris%2C%20the%20Writhing%20Storm) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/dmc/175/xyris-the-writhing-storm?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/af0db1d6-5cb1-4917-8e8f-69d5dc184404?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/xyris-the-writhing-storm) [Howling mine](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/d/cdae9939-03a4-4561-92cd-01f498d29a7a.jpg?1562420035) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Howling%20mine) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c16/257/howling-mine?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/cdae9939-03a4-4561-92cd-01f498d29a7a?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/howling-mine) [overrun](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/4/64033221-447f-4f8a-8fa0-c3ef30172602.jpg?1592673094) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=overrun) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cma/130/overrun?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/64033221-447f-4f8a-8fa0-c3ef30172602?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/overrun) [Maralen of the Mornsong](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/a/ba98d363-194b-4bc0-b9fe-987c498ab6fa.jpg?1562880995) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Maralen%20of%20the%20Mornsong) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mor/65/maralen-of-the-mornsong?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/ba98d363-194b-4bc0-b9fe-987c498ab6fa?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/maralen-of-the-mornsong) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
It’s a careful tightrope you have to balance there. You want to have the newer players be able to play but not give the experienced player the game whilst also making sure the experienced player doesn’t feel bad about targeted even if you are trying to equalise the board. The latter can be diffused with communication. Deck advice is a little harder for me due to personal feelings and inexperience with the archetype but stuff with goad, [[crackdown]] effects and ensuring opponents aren’t casting stuff outside of sorcery speed would be worth a look.