The One Ring + Vedalken Mastermind

2-card combo · U

Verdict

No — this 2-card loop prevents damage and resets The One Ring's burden counters, but it requires a full turn cycle and five mana each iteration, making it a soft lock rather than a win condition.

Cards required

Cheapest stack total

$0.26

Color identity

Popularity

299 decks

Format

Commander

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Vedalken Mastermind bounces The One Ring back to hand before upkeep, wiping the burden counters that would eventually kill the pilot; recasting for 4 resets the protection-from-everything shield for another turn. The shell is blue control — commanders like Arcum Dagsson or Urza, Lord High Artificer that can tutor The One Ring and keep Vedalken Mastermind alive through a combat step.

How it works

Prerequisites

Vedalken Mastermind does not have summoning sickness.

Steps

Activate Vedalken Mastermind by paying and tapping it, returning The One Ring from the battlefield to your hand.
Cast The One Ring by paying .
The One Ring triggers, giving you protection from everything until your next turn.
Repeat each turn.

Result

Prevent all damage that would be dealt to you; You have protection from everything; Lock

Cheaper, tighter, alternate lines

Floods of Tears or any blue bounce spell can substitute for Mastermind in a pinch, but those are one-shots rather than a repeatable engine. The lock answers damage-based threats but does nothing against mill, infect with poison already stacked, or sacrifice effects — opponents with edict effects break this immediately.

The One Ring + Vedalken Mastermind

How it works

Cheaper, tighter, alternate lines

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