Deck 2 - Doran the Fort

This deck is part of the Two-Headed Giant Commander decks, these are designed to be played 2v2 or 3v3 in the Commander format, but can also be played 1v1. 

Certain decks have certain themes, and will pair better with other decks, which decks work best have been listed below. These decks are on a higher skill level than most of the other decks in the club, with a lot of interacting mechanics. This can be overwhelming to learn and master but it is a whole lot of fun when you do.

The kingdom of Gloria stands as a beacon of hope amidst the gathering storm. King Kenrith and Queen Marchesa rule with wisdom and valor, commanding a vast army and a stalwart group of city defenders. As whispers of war reach their borders, the kingdom prepares for battle. The king’s brother, exiled for his wild ways, watches from the shadows, knowing that his time to either protect or challenge the throne is near. The fate of the kingdom rests on the decisions made by its rulers and the loyalty of its people.The theme of the For Glory box is a Kingdom and its protectors, heroes and rulers that fight to defend the people, and are united together. The main theme for the For Glory decks are +1/+1 counters, defenders and Humans. 

Doran, the Siege Tower, was an immense black poplar treefolk from the plane of Lorwyn. He was incredibly huge, and had picked up a wide array of magical knowledge in his travels across the plane. Doran seems to feel at home in many different settings, most likely a result of his far wanderings. It is thought that his wayfaring ways led to the collection of diverse magics that he combined into his own unique magical style. Doran used obscure shamanic magic to turn the natural durability of treefolk into their greatest advantage, and was able to share this boon with his allies.

Introduction: "Doran, the Siege Tower" is a deck built around flipping the conventional power-toughness dynamic on its head. As a 0/5 Treefolk Shaman that makes creatures assign combat damage equal to their toughness rather than their power, Doran opens up a world of possibilities for turning otherwise defensive creatures into formidable attackers. This deck leverages high-toughness creatures, synergy-driven spells, and tactical maneuvers to dominate the battlefield. With Doran at the helm, you’ll be able to create an unyielding wall of damage that can also withstand significant punishment. This strategy is effective in both standard Commander games and the more team-oriented Two-Headed Giant format.

Key Cards:

• Doran, the Siege Tower: The central piece of the deck, Doran allows you to turn high-toughness creatures into massive threats. His ability is not only crucial for offense but also for defense, as it deters opponents from attacking into your high-toughness blockers.

• Assault Formation and Huatli, the Sun's Heart: These cards provide redundancy for Doran’s ability, ensuring that your strategy remains intact even if Doran is removed. Assault Formation also allows you to pump your defenders' toughness, further increasing their damage potential.

• Tree of Perdition and Tree of Redemption: These Trees are particularly dangerous in this deck. With Doran on the battlefield, Tree of Perdition can be used to instantly reduce an opponent’s life total to a dangerously low level, while Tree of Redemption can act as a massive life gain tool while still being able to deal substantial damage.

• Ulvenwald Observer and Sapling of Colfenor: These cards provide card draw and survivability for your creatures. Ulvenwald Observer rewards you when your high-toughness creatures die, while Sapling of Colfenor keeps your hand full and your creatures healthy.

• Sidar Kondo of Jamuraa: He complements Doran's strategy by giving your creatures with high toughness (but low power) a form of evasion, making it harder for opponents to block your attacks effectively.

• Primeval Protector: This behemoth can often be cast for a very low cost and will hit the battlefield as a colossal threat that benefits immensely from Doran’s ability.

• Brave the Sands: This card allows your high-toughness creatures to serve double duty, attacking and still being available to block. This is especially valuable in Two-Headed Giant, where defense is just as important as offense.

Strategy:

• Early Game: Your goal in the early game is to ramp into your key cards while setting up your defenses. Play cards like Farseek, Cultivate, and Kodama's Reach to accelerate your mana, and establish a board presence with creatures like Nyx-Fleece Ram and Wall of Blossoms. These early plays will help you stabilize and prepare for Doran’s arrival.

• Mid Game: This is where Doran takes center stage. Once Doran is on the battlefield, your high-toughness creatures can start dealing significant damage. Use Assault Formation or Huatli, the Sun's Heart as backup plans in case Doran is removed. Cards like Unstoppable Ash and Indomitable Ancients become massive threats that can deal substantial damage while still providing strong defense. You should also start setting up synergies with cards like Ulvenwald Observer and Bramble Sovereign, ensuring you have the resources to keep up the pressure.

• Late Game: By this stage, your board should be filled with high-toughness creatures that can swing for lethal damage. Use Tower Defense to give your team a massive boost in toughness, turning them into unstoppable attackers. Cauldron of Souls can give your creatures resilience, allowing them to return from the graveyard with their full toughness intact. If the game is drawing out, Gavony Township can further bolster your creatures, while Zetalpa, Primal Dawn can serve as a devastating finisher with its suite of combat abilities.

Mulligan Guide:

• Opening Hand Considerations: Look for hands that include early ramp (like Sol Ring, Farseek, or Arcane Signet), a couple of defenders or high-toughness creatures, and ideally, Doran or one of the alternate enablers like Assault Formation. An early defensive presence, combined with the ability to quickly bring Doran to the battlefield, is key to maintaining control and transitioning into the mid-game effectively.

• Hands to Avoid: Mulligan hands that are too slow or have no access to green mana, as this will hinder your ability to ramp and play crucial early-game spells. Also, avoid hands that rely too heavily on non-creature spells without a means to draw into or find Doran or an alternate enabler, as this can leave you without the means to pressure your opponents.

This strategy guide should give you a solid foundation to pilot "Doran, the Siege Tower" effectively in both regular Commander and Two-Headed Giant formats. By leveraging the toughness of your creatures and turning it into overwhelming power, you’ll be able to dominate the battlefield and outlast your opponents.