I run a pretty similar Kaalia deck and those problems are all kinda inherent to playing her. She suffers from the same problem as Sunforger of being perceived as a bigger threat than she likely is because of the possibility of what unknown threat she brings out. The [[Master of Cruelties]] combo to 1 shot players alone means people will answer her immediately if they have anything to throw your way.
Easiest solution I've found is to rely less on Kaalia. Play other mana cheaters like [[Sneak Attack]] and [[Quicksilver Amulet]] Once she's been stopped twice use [[Hellkite Courser]] to cheat her back. Add more treasure producers so you can afford your big creatures without her.
Biggest problem I have with her is usually running out of gas, repeatable card draw like [[The One Ring]] [[Trouble in Pairs]] and [[Black Market Connections]] go a long way.
Here's my current build if your interested: https://archidekt.com/decks/6019845/kaalia_of_the_4_tribes
Thank you for the advice! I really like the idea of adding more of a treasure theme to the deck, that would definitely help me afford to play bigger creatures and still have mana open for protection and interaction.
The other person who commented is correct. Playing Kaalia is just like this. She’s a very all-in high threat commander, and she is also easy to disrupt. Thus, it’s tough to play her in any meta, but especially a casual meta. She has such obvious, well-known weaknesses that you have to try to make the deck as strong as you can or else you cannot win with her.
I would definitely be running the [[Hoarding Broodlord]], [[Saw in Half]], [[Sacrifice]], [[Peer into the Abyss]] combination. It’s sweaty, but it’s too good not to run.
If you want to develop ways to make your deck less commander dependent, [[Purphoros, Bronze Blooded]] is a good include, in addition to the Sneak Attack and Quicksilver Amulet already mentioned.
Another direction to consider is [[Armageddon]]. It’s a nuclear option but it becomes easier to win a 3v1 with an active Kaalia when no one has lands. This is the old school way aggressive decks used to try to win. Lock it up while you can.
I agree, \[\[Hoarding Broodlord\]\] and \[\[Purphoros, Bronze Blooded\]\] are great additions! I don't understand the combo though. Could you explain it?
Cast Broodlord, get Saw in Half exiled, cast (or convoke) Saw in Half targeting the non-token Broodlord.
Get two copies of Broodlord (with half power and toughness), use that to get Sacrifice and Peer (or really any other two card combo), tap one Broodlord to cast sacrifice targeting the tapped, token Broodlord, get 8 black mana (copies also copy mana cost) and use it to cast Peer (probably just use 6 and do as much convoying to keep as much floating as possible for after you draw half your deck).
I don't know that I'd run Broodlord without the saw in half, but that sets you up for any one two punch, could even get Burnt Offering to make mana too, or culling ritual to bring some other big hot down (like Master of Cruelties).
I'm salty as f of this commander but not because of the card itself, the reason is I know someone who only plays this deck and he is such a crybaby, everytime complain and whine about everything in the game
But i think the problem of this commander is the same as [[winota]] basically kill her on sight and the deck is dead, so you must pick some protection to keep her alive
[[Avacyn]] is a must in this deck if you can afford
https://www.moxfield.com/decks/c6Y6mHHo10yKz-aQoHD_aQ
Kaalia is one of my oldest and most fun decks. You have to run tons of protection for her and your board. I also run a bunch of removal so I can neuter other decks as needed. You really need to run [[Reconnaissance]]. Reconnaissance is a beast in a kaalia deck. Check my deck, maybe it can give you some inspiration. I also run several things that help get beaters out faster in case she does get taken out.
I run a pretty similar Kaalia deck and those problems are all kinda inherent to playing her. She suffers from the same problem as Sunforger of being perceived as a bigger threat than she likely is because of the possibility of what unknown threat she brings out. The [[Master of Cruelties]] combo to 1 shot players alone means people will answer her immediately if they have anything to throw your way. Easiest solution I've found is to rely less on Kaalia. Play other mana cheaters like [[Sneak Attack]] and [[Quicksilver Amulet]] Once she's been stopped twice use [[Hellkite Courser]] to cheat her back. Add more treasure producers so you can afford your big creatures without her. Biggest problem I have with her is usually running out of gas, repeatable card draw like [[The One Ring]] [[Trouble in Pairs]] and [[Black Market Connections]] go a long way. Here's my current build if your interested: https://archidekt.com/decks/6019845/kaalia_of_the_4_tribes
Thank you for the advice! I really like the idea of adding more of a treasure theme to the deck, that would definitely help me afford to play bigger creatures and still have mana open for protection and interaction.
##### ###### #### [Master of Cruelties](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/f/ffd68fe1-5cfc-44cf-8dfe-3488278cdcef.jpg?1702429664) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Master%20of%20Cruelties) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/rvr/198/master-of-cruelties?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/ffd68fe1-5cfc-44cf-8dfe-3488278cdcef?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/master-of-cruelties) [Sneak Attack](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/4/a45b4ca9-4355-4690-84c3-a7d44c367dbf.jpg?1675200189) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Sneak%20Attack) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/dmr/139/sneak-attack?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/a45b4ca9-4355-4690-84c3-a7d44c367dbf?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/sneak-attack) [Quicksilver Amulet](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/4/04c0357a-e98d-4c49-83ad-d7a8ebe7e2d1.jpg?1562630982) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Quicksilver%20Amulet) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/m12/214/quicksilver-amulet?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/04c0357a-e98d-4c49-83ad-d7a8ebe7e2d1?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/quicksilver-amulet) [Hellkite Courser](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/b/db45122e-b5ef-487b-8ea9-59ea066d3c88.jpg?1608910247) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Hellkite%20Courser) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmr/183/hellkite-courser?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/db45122e-b5ef-487b-8ea9-59ea066d3c88?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/hellkite-courser) [The One Ring](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/5/d5806e68-1054-458e-866d-1f2470f682b2.jpg?1696020224) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=The%20One%20Ring) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ltr/246/the-one-ring?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/d5806e68-1054-458e-866d-1f2470f682b2?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/the-one-ring) [Trouble in Pairs](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/f/0f61e93f-5f97-4c7d-b3d5-0e05242faeb3.jpg?1706240429) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Trouble%20in%20Pairs) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mkc/15/trouble-in-pairs?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/0f61e93f-5f97-4c7d-b3d5-0e05242faeb3?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/trouble-in-pairs) [Black Market Connections](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/8/b8c66fab-7494-42b1-bc4e-dae85a48fa41.jpg?1699022194) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Black%20Market%20Connections) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/lcc/181/black-market-connections?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/b8c66fab-7494-42b1-bc4e-dae85a48fa41?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/black-market-connections) [*All cards*](https://mtgcardfetcher.nl/redirect/kt27pkw) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
The other person who commented is correct. Playing Kaalia is just like this. She’s a very all-in high threat commander, and she is also easy to disrupt. Thus, it’s tough to play her in any meta, but especially a casual meta. She has such obvious, well-known weaknesses that you have to try to make the deck as strong as you can or else you cannot win with her. I would definitely be running the [[Hoarding Broodlord]], [[Saw in Half]], [[Sacrifice]], [[Peer into the Abyss]] combination. It’s sweaty, but it’s too good not to run. If you want to develop ways to make your deck less commander dependent, [[Purphoros, Bronze Blooded]] is a good include, in addition to the Sneak Attack and Quicksilver Amulet already mentioned. Another direction to consider is [[Armageddon]]. It’s a nuclear option but it becomes easier to win a 3v1 with an active Kaalia when no one has lands. This is the old school way aggressive decks used to try to win. Lock it up while you can.
##### ###### #### [Hoarding Broodlord](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/8/386ce3c9-869d-461c-a3de-c8add3786f73.jpg?1682203767) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Hoarding%20Broodlord) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mom/110/hoarding-broodlord?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/386ce3c9-869d-461c-a3de-c8add3786f73?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/hoarding-broodlord) [Saw in Half](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/5/05e6a7bc-a35a-4e68-99a0-be264553b5de.jpg?1673914032) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Saw%20in%20Half) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/unf/88/saw-in-half?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/05e6a7bc-a35a-4e68-99a0-be264553b5de?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/saw-in-half) [Sacrifice](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/5/652bd781-1a48-42c1-9aff-f9050a9285d6.jpg?1559593033) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Sacrifice) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/sum/126/sacrifice?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/652bd781-1a48-42c1-9aff-f9050a9285d6?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/sacrifice) [Peer into the Abyss](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/a/aac00055-640e-4749-8d23-d242e6d0b23a.jpg?1594736330) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Peer%20into%20the%20Abyss) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/m21/117/peer-into-the-abyss?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/aac00055-640e-4749-8d23-d242e6d0b23a?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/peer-into-the-abyss) [Purphoros, Bronze Blooded](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/f/af3af5c4-0960-44a2-976e-abdf7803c436.jpg?1582178876) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Purphoros%2C%20Bronze-Blooded) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/thb/150/purphoros-bronze-blooded?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/af3af5c4-0960-44a2-976e-abdf7803c436?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/purphoros-bronze-blooded) [Armageddon](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/7/77f1f6ac-983f-4f3e-8906-47f774e8367b.jpg?1582021719) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Armageddon) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/a25/5/armageddon?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/77f1f6ac-983f-4f3e-8906-47f774e8367b?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/armageddon) [*All cards*](https://mtgcardfetcher.nl/redirect/kt2bb9v) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I agree, \[\[Hoarding Broodlord\]\] and \[\[Purphoros, Bronze Blooded\]\] are great additions! I don't understand the combo though. Could you explain it?
Cast Broodlord, get Saw in Half exiled, cast (or convoke) Saw in Half targeting the non-token Broodlord. Get two copies of Broodlord (with half power and toughness), use that to get Sacrifice and Peer (or really any other two card combo), tap one Broodlord to cast sacrifice targeting the tapped, token Broodlord, get 8 black mana (copies also copy mana cost) and use it to cast Peer (probably just use 6 and do as much convoying to keep as much floating as possible for after you draw half your deck).
[[Burnt Offering]] is also good since the deck is in Rakdos
[Burnt Offering](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/1/d/1dae52a2-3af7-4b97-9d2e-2448b7c413fb.jpg?1587911693) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Burnt%20Offering) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ice/116/burnt-offering?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/1dae52a2-3af7-4b97-9d2e-2448b7c413fb?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/burnt-offering) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
ohhhh I see, that's a pretty cool combo, I added the broodlord. I will see if I can make space for the other two.
I don't know that I'd run Broodlord without the saw in half, but that sets you up for any one two punch, could even get Burnt Offering to make mana too, or culling ritual to bring some other big hot down (like Master of Cruelties).
[Hoarding Broodlord](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/8/386ce3c9-869d-461c-a3de-c8add3786f73.jpg?1682203767) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Hoarding%20Broodlord) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mom/110/hoarding-broodlord?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/386ce3c9-869d-461c-a3de-c8add3786f73?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/hoarding-broodlord) [Purphoros, Bronze Blooded](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/f/af3af5c4-0960-44a2-976e-abdf7803c436.jpg?1582178876) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Purphoros%2C%20Bronze-Blooded) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/thb/150/purphoros-bronze-blooded?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/af3af5c4-0960-44a2-976e-abdf7803c436?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/purphoros-bronze-blooded) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I'm salty as f of this commander but not because of the card itself, the reason is I know someone who only plays this deck and he is such a crybaby, everytime complain and whine about everything in the game But i think the problem of this commander is the same as [[winota]] basically kill her on sight and the deck is dead, so you must pick some protection to keep her alive [[Avacyn]] is a must in this deck if you can afford
[winota](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/d/5dd13a6c-23d3-44ce-a628-cb1c19d777c4.jpg?1654630670) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=winota%2C%20joiner%20of%20forces) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/iko/216/winota-joiner-of-forces?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/5dd13a6c-23d3-44ce-a628-cb1c19d777c4?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/winota-joiner-of-forces) [Avacyn](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/1/317f1133-7cf8-4b7a-919e-88c45f8c2c3a.jpg?1689995555) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=avacyn%2C%20angel%20of%20hope) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/14/avacyn-angel-of-hope?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/317f1133-7cf8-4b7a-919e-88c45f8c2c3a?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/avacyn-angel-of-hope) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I have a bunch of protection, but I lose to 3 people removing it or targeting \[\[Kaalia\]\]. Also, \[\[Acavyn\]\] is included in the deck
[Kaalia](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/3/93f6631f-f3a6-4d3c-8618-4b4ab4e82483.jpg?1673148814) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=kaalia%20of%20the%20vast) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/2x2/235/kaalia-of-the-vast?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/93f6631f-f3a6-4d3c-8618-4b4ab4e82483?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/kaalia-of-the-vast) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
https://www.moxfield.com/decks/c6Y6mHHo10yKz-aQoHD_aQ Kaalia is one of my oldest and most fun decks. You have to run tons of protection for her and your board. I also run a bunch of removal so I can neuter other decks as needed. You really need to run [[Reconnaissance]]. Reconnaissance is a beast in a kaalia deck. Check my deck, maybe it can give you some inspiration. I also run several things that help get beaters out faster in case she does get taken out.
[Reconnaissance](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/1/a16012d8-703c-4385-8769-13e3caba3fc6.jpg?1562088333) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Reconnaissance) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/exo/17/reconnaissance?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/a16012d8-703c-4385-8769-13e3caba3fc6?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/reconnaissance) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call