Hey guys! Let's dive into the wild world of Infinite Mana MTG and explore a seriously devastating combo involving the Finale of Devastation. This card, when played right, can lead to some absolutely game-winning plays. We're going to break down the key components, how it works, and some strategies to make this combo a reality in your games. So, buckle up, and let's get started!

Understanding the Key Components

The Finale of Devastation is a Green sorcery card that offers two incredible abilities. First, you can search your library and/or graveyard for any number of creature cards with a combined mana value less than or equal to X, and put them onto the battlefield. This is huge for fetching specific creatures you need for your combo or for overwhelming your opponent with a sudden army. Second, if X is 10 or more, the creatures you control get +X/+X and gain haste until the end of the turn. That's where the devastation part comes in! Imagine dropping a bunch of creatures onto the battlefield and then immediately buffing them to monstrous sizes while giving them haste – it's often a one-shot win.

To successfully pull off the Finale of Devastation combo, you generally need a few critical elements: mana generation, creatures to fetch, and potentially some ways to protect your combo from disruption. Let's break each of these down further. For mana generation, you're typically looking at mana dorks (creatures that tap for mana), mana rocks (artifacts that produce mana), or land ramp spells. The goal is to quickly accumulate at least 10 mana, ideally more, to maximize the impact of your Finale of Devastation. Creatures to fetch will depend on your specific strategy, but some common choices include creatures with powerful enter-the-battlefield effects, creatures that generate even more mana, or creatures that provide utility, such as card draw or removal. Protection can come in the form of counterspells, hexproof effects, or even just careful timing to cast your Finale when your opponent is tapped out or unable to respond effectively. The key is to have a well-rounded plan that addresses each of these elements, increasing your chances of successfully executing the combo.

How the Combo Works

The core idea behind the Finale of Devastation combo is to generate a massive amount of mana, cast Finale for X=10 or greater, and then fetch a game-winning combination of creatures. These creatures, boosted by the +X/+X and haste from Finale, will then attack your opponent, hopefully ending the game on the spot. Let's walk through a simplified example: You've ramped up to 12 mana. You cast Finale of Devastation for X=10 (paying 2 generic mana and 10 green mana). You search your library for a creature like Craterhoof Behemoth. Craterhoof Behemoth enters the battlefield, its ability triggers, giving all your creatures (including itself) +X/+0 until the end of the turn, where X is the total power of all creatures you control. Because Finale gave all your creatures +10/+10 and haste, your creatures become massive threats and can immediately attack for likely lethal damage.

Variations on this combo are endless, depending on the creatures you choose to fetch with Finale. You could fetch creatures that create more creatures, creatures that deal direct damage, or creatures that provide additional buffs. The key is to tailor your creature selection to your specific deck and strategy. For example, a deck focused on elf tribal might use Finale to fetch a critical mass of elves, overwhelming the opponent with sheer numbers. A deck focused on graveyard recursion might use Finale to reanimate powerful creatures from the graveyard, bringing them back to the battlefield with the added benefits of +X/+X and haste. The possibilities are truly limited only by your imagination (and the contents of your deck!). Experiment with different creature combinations to find what works best for your play style and your local metagame.

Strategies to Make the Combo a Reality

Okay, so you're hyped about the combo, but how do you actually make it happen consistently in a game? Here are some strategies to increase your chances of success. First, focus on ramp. The faster you can generate mana, the faster you can cast Finale of Devastation for a high value of X. Include plenty of mana dorks, mana rocks, and land ramp spells in your deck. Look for efficient and resilient ramp options that can survive early removal. Cultivate, Kodama's Reach, and Rampant Growth are all excellent choices for land ramp. Arbor Elf and Llanowar Elves are classic mana dorks. Consider artifact ramp like Sol Ring, Arcane Signet, and Fellwar Stone. Balancing your ramp sources is key to ensuring you have consistent access to mana throughout the game.

Next, tutor for Finale of Devastation. Include cards that allow you to search your library for Finale, ensuring you can find it when you need it. Green has access to powerful tutors like Worldly Tutor, Green Sun's Zenith, and Chord of Calling. These cards can be used to find Finale directly or to find creatures that can then tutor for Finale, such as a creature that can search your library for a sorcery. The more ways you have to find Finale, the more consistently you'll be able to execute the combo. Additionally, consider cards that allow you to manipulate the top of your library, such as Sensei's Divining Top or Scroll Rack, to ensure that you draw Finale at the opportune moment.

Then, protect your combo. Your opponents will likely try to disrupt your plan by removing your creatures or countering your spells. Include cards that can protect your creatures, such as hexproof or indestructible effects. Consider counterspells to protect your Finale of Devastation from being countered. Cards like Veil of Summer and Avoid Fate can provide protection against targeted removal spells. Additionally, be mindful of your timing. Try to cast Finale when your opponent is tapped out or unable to respond effectively. Bait out their counterspells with other spells first, then cast Finale when they're vulnerable. Playing around potential disruptions is crucial for successfully executing the combo.

Furthermore, include redundancy. Having multiple win conditions or backup plans can help you recover if your initial attempt to combo off is disrupted. Include other powerful creatures or strategies that can win the game on their own. Consider cards that can recur your creatures from the graveyard, providing a second chance to combo off if your creatures are removed. Having a resilient and adaptable deck will make you less reliant on the Finale of Devastation combo and increase your overall chances of winning.

Finally, practice and refine. The more you play with the deck, the better you'll become at identifying the optimal lines of play and navigating potential disruptions. Experiment with different creature combinations and ramp strategies. Analyze your games to identify areas for improvement. Watch videos of other players piloting similar decks to learn new techniques and strategies. Testing and iterating on your decklist is essential for optimizing its performance and maximizing your chances of success with the Finale of Devastation combo.

Example Decklist

Okay, let’s look at an example decklist to give you a better idea of how to put this all together. This is just a starting point, feel free to customize it to your liking and your local meta!

Creatures (20)

• 4 Llanowar Elves
• 4 Arbor Elf
• 2 Elvish Mystic
• 2 Fyndhorn Elves
• 1 Craterhoof Behemoth
• 1 Finale of Devastation Target
• 1 Seedborn Muse
• 1 Endurance
• 4 More Creatures for Value

Spells (20)

• 4 Rampant Growth
• 4 Cultivate
• 2 Kodama's Reach
• 2 Worldly Tutor
• 2 Chord of Calling
• 4 Protection Spells
• 2 Finale of Devastation

Lands (20)

• 20 Forest

Sideboard (15)

• (Various cards for dealing with specific threats, such as graveyard hate, counterspells, and removal.)

This decklist aims to ramp quickly into Finale of Devastation, using Worldly Tutor or Chord of Calling to find Craterhoof Behemoth for the win. It also includes protection spells to keep your creatures safe and a sideboard to adapt to different matchups. Remember, this is just a sample, so feel free to adjust it based on your own card collection and play style.

Tips and Tricks

Here are a few extra tips and tricks to keep in mind when playing the Finale of Devastation combo:

• Be mindful of your life total: Ramping can sometimes involve taking damage from lands or sacrificing creatures. Be aware of how low your life total is and avoid unnecessary risks.
• Pay attention to your opponent's mana: Knowing how much mana your opponent has available can help you determine when it's safe to cast Finale of Devastation.
• Don't be afraid to use Finale for value: Even if you can't win the game immediately, Finale can be used to fetch utility creatures or to put blockers on the battlefield.
• Practice makes perfect: The more you play with the deck, the better you'll become at identifying the optimal lines of play and navigating potential disruptions.

Conclusion

The Finale of Devastation combo is a powerful and exciting way to win games in Infinite Mana MTG. By understanding the key components, mastering the strategies, and practicing your execution, you can unleash the devastating potential of this combo and crush your opponents! So go out there, build your deck, and start dominating the battlefield! Have fun, and good luck comboing off, guys!