Zaxara, the Exemplary

🎯 Win Conditions

• Hydra Token Swarm: Utilize Zaxara's ability to generate large Hydra tokens with spells like Biomass Mutation and Black Sun's Twilight to overwhelm opponents.
• X-spell Finishers: Leverage spells with {X} in their cost (e.g., Blue Sun's Twilight, Animist's Awakening) to draw cards or ramp while creating strong board presence.
• Counter Control: Use counterspells to protect your strategy and disrupt opponents, allowing you to build a dominant board state.

🚀 Early Game (Turns 1-3)

• Ramp Setup: Prioritize ramp spells like Cultivate and lands that produce multiple colors (e.g., Breeding Pool, Exotic Orchard) to fuel your X-spells.
• Establish Board Presence: Play utility creatures like Duskshell Crawler and Zameck Guildmage to gain value and potential early defense.
• Draw and Filter: Use early game cantrips and draw spells to find your key pieces and mana sources.

⚔️ Mid Game (Turns 4-7)

• Hydra Generation: Start casting spells with {X} to create Hydras, using cards such as Benevolent Hydra to enhance your tokens.
• Control the Board: Keep your mana open for counterspells like Counterspell to protect your board and disrupt opponents’ threats.
• Synergize Counters: Use cards like Branching Evolution and Corpsejack Menace to maximize the growth of your Hydras and other creatures.

🏆 Late Game

• Overwhelm Opponents: Use your large Hydra tokens to pressure opponents, while backing them up with spells that can secure the win, such as Finale of Revelation or Curse of the Swine to control the board.
• Maintain Card Advantage: Keep drawing and filtering with your remaining mana; use spells to ensure you have a consistent flow of threats and answers.

💡 Key Combos & Synergies

• Zaxara + Biomass Mutation: Generate massive Hydra tokens to swing for lethal damage.
• Corpsejack Menace + X Spells: Doubling up on +1/+1 counters with spells activates massive growth in your Hydras.
• The Ozolith: Retain counters from fallen Hydras, moving them to new ones to maintain pressure.

⚠️ Watch Out For

• Board Wipes: Spells like Wrath of God can clear your board of Hydras, set you back significantly.
• Targeted Removal: Key creatures like Zaxara or your Hydra tokens are vulnerable to removal spells—protect them with counterspells.
• Counterspell Strategies: Opponents with heavy counterspell or control decks can hinder your ability to resolve key spells.