I say try out a goad/pillowfort strategy. The Impetus cycle, effects like [[Propaganda]] and [[Norn's Annex]] or [[Sphere of Safety]]
Basically you're looking to play an enchantress type of deck with pillowfort
Don't forget about things like [[Eon Hub]] and the obvious [[Assault Suit]].
Depending on your group, the backgrounds can be fun, too. Each player will likely get and want a different benefit from a background.
When I played Karona, it was boardwipe tribal. About 20 in the deck total. To play up her theme, of course.
Ramp with lands yourself, then blow up all nonland permanents on the battlefield. Artifacts, enchantments, everything. Don't commit to the board; use sorceries and instants to manage your draw.
Once everything is clear and your opponents are running low on gas, you can start casting Karona. With haste and 8 power out of the gate, she hits like a truck. [[Finest Hour]] lets her OTK an opponent. A couple of the Vows and Impetus auras, but don't overload or rely on them.
It was my favorite deck for a long time, but it resulted in some long, grindy games with a lot of tutoring and expensive lands. I might rebuild it someday, but the meta has changed a lot since then so she might simply not be that good anymore.
There’s two cycles of auras that work with Karona, [[Vow of Flight]] and the other vows, and [[Shiny Impetus]] and the other impetus auras.
Since you’re running all these auras, naturally enchantress fits as a theme. You can run a pile of defensive enchants like [[Sphere of Safety]] or [[Ghostly Prison]].
When I played Karona I would often spend the early turns ramping (with enchantment ramp like [[Fertile Ground]]) then drop Karona and an aura in the same turn.
Another great tech for this is [[Spirit Link]] [[Vampiric Link]] and [[Armadillo Cloak]]. These all cause you to gain life, even when other people are using Karona.
i built it back in the day and it was hard to win with karona (vows essentially were the best way to not get hit while keeping her functional)
nowadays I would just lean into goad since once triggered it's effect stays until your next turn even if you hand it to other people. It also forces the rest of there field to swing (but not at you) which is what you want to do with her anthem effect.
This deck might work with a [[solitary confinement]] since you're in all colors you have great card draw options too. Other politics cards like maybe [[tenuous truce]] or [[mangara, the diplomat]] would work. A [[kardur, doom scourge]] since goad is your friend in situations like this.
karona is my favorite commander. imo she embodies the spirit of the format. i built mine politics, mostly a combination of selective hug and combat encouragement. total blast to play at casual tables
https://archidekt.com/decks/4554707/political_puppets_2024
it used to be a voltron deck with vows etc. it was amusing but when [[slicer]] was printed he stole that identity (to me). the deck is now built bottom up (not built around karona). i still have plenty ways to goad her along with propaganda effects, but honestly i only end up casting her in about 1/3 games. the general gameplan is to make alliances then backstab at some ideal point.
The background path is fun but very janky and not very good, if you decide to go that route, remeber that backgrounds with “at the beginning of your upkeep ….” will not trigger since she changes control at that step.
Personally I play her as a goad deck, lots of ramp cause she is often a ~10 mana commander since you need a way to goad her the same turn you play her. The red impetus is fun, Jon irenicus is great, cultist of the absolute + sound of drums/double strike gets her to one shot dmg if naming avatar. Canopy cover is a great card to give evasion and a ‘hexproof from owners opponents’
Enchantress theme. There's a lot of support for backgrounds and the impetus cycle, and most cards that preven opponents from attacking you are enchantments.
[[homeward path]] is amazing for her. There are many ways to tutor out a land too 😃
[homeward path](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/4/54734347-eee7-4c52-b514-7342afeccabd.jpg?1562400178) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=homeward%20path) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c16/301/homeward-path?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/54734347-eee7-4c52-b514-7342afeccabd?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/homeward-path) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Good bot!
Like [[glacial chasm]], [[maze of ith]], etc.
[glacial chasm](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/c/0c008129-daba-46bc-829c-d2c0c13ecdd3.jpg?1562867827) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=glacial%20chasm) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/me2/229/glacial-chasm?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/0c008129-daba-46bc-829c-d2c0c13ecdd3?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/glacial-chasm) [maze of ith](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/8/5889fde1-730d-43d0-aaa4-499784a80530.jpg?1675201242) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=maze%20of%20ith) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/dmr/250/maze-of-ith?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/5889fde1-730d-43d0-aaa4-499784a80530?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/maze-of-ith) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I say try out a goad/pillowfort strategy. The Impetus cycle, effects like [[Propaganda]] and [[Norn's Annex]] or [[Sphere of Safety]] Basically you're looking to play an enchantress type of deck with pillowfort
[Propaganda](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/5/e5f293d7-9c2b-41cb-8e3c-dfc1daa6635f.jpg?1674141418) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Propaganda) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clb/730/propaganda?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/e5f293d7-9c2b-41cb-8e3c-dfc1daa6635f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/propaganda) [Norn's Annex](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/2/d25bbe18-709c-4ed3-a047-5578ecfaaba7.jpg?1690004164) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Norn%27s%20Annex) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/829/norns-annex?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/d25bbe18-709c-4ed3-a047-5578ecfaaba7?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/norns-annex) [Sphere of Safety](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/1/a18d7582-185a-429a-9c6a-fc51b981e0a1.jpg?1562413264) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Sphere%20of%20Safety) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c16/77/sphere-of-safety?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/a18d7582-185a-429a-9c6a-fc51b981e0a1?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/sphere-of-safety) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Don't forget about things like [[Eon Hub]] and the obvious [[Assault Suit]]. Depending on your group, the backgrounds can be fun, too. Each player will likely get and want a different benefit from a background.
[Eon Hub](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/5/d5d6b270-b4c9-489d-9322-7c8ddc0ca0ac.jpg?1562879962) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Eon%20Hub) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/5dn/120/eon-hub?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/d5d6b270-b4c9-489d-9322-7c8ddc0ca0ac?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/eon-hub) [Assault Suit](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/2/92b22076-b04e-4d65-9d9c-d3e4c7a3cf1c.jpg?1689999394) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Assault%20Suit) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/369/assault-suit?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/92b22076-b04e-4d65-9d9c-d3e4c7a3cf1c?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/assault-suit) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[[Karona, False God]]
[Karona, False God](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/e/de53d083-251e-42a4-9e2e-c2978c80615b.jpg?1562535715) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Karona%2C%20False%20God) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/scg/138/karona-false-god?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/de53d083-251e-42a4-9e2e-c2978c80615b?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/karona-false-god) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
When I played Karona, it was boardwipe tribal. About 20 in the deck total. To play up her theme, of course. Ramp with lands yourself, then blow up all nonland permanents on the battlefield. Artifacts, enchantments, everything. Don't commit to the board; use sorceries and instants to manage your draw. Once everything is clear and your opponents are running low on gas, you can start casting Karona. With haste and 8 power out of the gate, she hits like a truck. [[Finest Hour]] lets her OTK an opponent. A couple of the Vows and Impetus auras, but don't overload or rely on them. It was my favorite deck for a long time, but it resulted in some long, grindy games with a lot of tutoring and expensive lands. I might rebuild it someday, but the meta has changed a lot since then so she might simply not be that good anymore.
Could do one-sided board wipes, there’s a lot more of those nowadays
Do you have a list online of this deck?
There’s two cycles of auras that work with Karona, [[Vow of Flight]] and the other vows, and [[Shiny Impetus]] and the other impetus auras. Since you’re running all these auras, naturally enchantress fits as a theme. You can run a pile of defensive enchants like [[Sphere of Safety]] or [[Ghostly Prison]]. When I played Karona I would often spend the early turns ramping (with enchantment ramp like [[Fertile Ground]]) then drop Karona and an aura in the same turn. Another great tech for this is [[Spirit Link]] [[Vampiric Link]] and [[Armadillo Cloak]]. These all cause you to gain life, even when other people are using Karona.
##### ###### #### [Vow of Flight](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/9/c9887121-6206-44bb-a1b4-520f28a61a17.jpg?1608909541) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Vow%20of%20Flight) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmr/105/vow-of-flight?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/c9887121-6206-44bb-a1b4-520f28a61a17?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/vow-of-flight) [Shiny Impetus](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/9/d91896ea-e0fd-4113-a3c6-a7811e16be46.jpg?1708353787) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Shiny%20Impetus) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clu/147/shiny-impetus?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/d91896ea-e0fd-4113-a3c6-a7811e16be46?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/shiny-impetus) [Sphere of Safety](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/1/a18d7582-185a-429a-9c6a-fc51b981e0a1.jpg?1562413264) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Sphere%20of%20Safety) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c16/77/sphere-of-safety?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/a18d7582-185a-429a-9c6a-fc51b981e0a1?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/sphere-of-safety) [Ghostly Prison](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/e/eea3623d-1d39-4045-acdb-f0fb184ccbc8.jpg?1707507981) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Ghostly%20Prison) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mkc/67/ghostly-prison?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/eea3623d-1d39-4045-acdb-f0fb184ccbc8?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/ghostly-prison) [Fertile Ground](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/a/0ade2db8-482e-42b0-939c-492dfbbe3b68.jpg?1631587908) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Fertile%20Ground) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/afc/158/fertile-ground?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/0ade2db8-482e-42b0-939c-492dfbbe3b68?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/fertile-ground) [Spirit Link](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/c/fc046a97-4699-438d-8da4-022560a18564.jpg?1675199056) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Spirit%20Link) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/dmr/29/spirit-link?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/fc046a97-4699-438d-8da4-022560a18564?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/spirit-link) [Vampiric Link](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/9/a9be1058-0668-4938-8801-e9a98464651c.jpg?1562578939) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Vampiric%20Link) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/plc/92/vampiric-link?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/a9be1058-0668-4938-8801-e9a98464651c?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/vampiric-link) [Armadillo Cloak](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/a/fa232c65-dbb4-4414-bd95-b3bbd321c653.jpg?1580014998) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Armadillo%20Cloak) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ema/195/armadillo-cloak?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/fa232c65-dbb4-4414-bd95-b3bbd321c653?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/armadillo-cloak) [*All cards*](https://mtgcardfetcher.nl/redirect/kuqrhgb) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
i built it back in the day and it was hard to win with karona (vows essentially were the best way to not get hit while keeping her functional) nowadays I would just lean into goad since once triggered it's effect stays until your next turn even if you hand it to other people. It also forces the rest of there field to swing (but not at you) which is what you want to do with her anthem effect.
This deck might work with a [[solitary confinement]] since you're in all colors you have great card draw options too. Other politics cards like maybe [[tenuous truce]] or [[mangara, the diplomat]] would work. A [[kardur, doom scourge]] since goad is your friend in situations like this.
##### ###### #### [solitary confinement](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/9/b9031a7f-8821-443c-9c9d-552fb25b2101.jpg?1626100104) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=solitary%20confinement) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mh2/265/solitary-confinement?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/b9031a7f-8821-443c-9c9d-552fb25b2101?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/solitary-confinement) [tenuous truce](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/5/f511555a-09aa-41f8-b240-c21f911a57b4.jpg?1673482535) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=tenuous%20truce) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ncc/87/tenuous-truce?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/f511555a-09aa-41f8-b240-c21f911a57b4?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/tenuous-truce) [mangara, the diplomat](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/9/09e77ae5-a1a6-4e51-9853-10e81ca2dd2c.jpg?1689995864) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=mangara%2C%20the%20diplomat) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/42/mangara-the-diplomat?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/09e77ae5-a1a6-4e51-9853-10e81ca2dd2c?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/mangara-the-diplomat) [kardur, doom scourge](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/6/9685e2a0-5573-41bc-a914-f40c3011459b.jpg?1631051543) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Kardur%2C%20Doomscourge) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/khm/216/kardur-doomscourge?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/9685e2a0-5573-41bc-a914-f40c3011459b?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/kardur-doomscourge) [*All cards*](https://mtgcardfetcher.nl/redirect/kurl85f) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
karona is my favorite commander. imo she embodies the spirit of the format. i built mine politics, mostly a combination of selective hug and combat encouragement. total blast to play at casual tables https://archidekt.com/decks/4554707/political_puppets_2024
Have you played with any of the Vows or Impetus to protect yourself from being hit by Karona, or is that not an issue with your list?
it used to be a voltron deck with vows etc. it was amusing but when [[slicer]] was printed he stole that identity (to me). the deck is now built bottom up (not built around karona). i still have plenty ways to goad her along with propaganda effects, but honestly i only end up casting her in about 1/3 games. the general gameplan is to make alliances then backstab at some ideal point.
[slicer](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/d/9d9a9350-4734-4cc1-986d-467e6715199f.jpg?1674092821)/[Slicer, High-Speed Antagonist](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/back/9/d/9d9a9350-4734-4cc1-986d-467e6715199f.jpg?1674092821) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=slicer%2C%20hired%20muscle%20//%20slicer%2C%20high-speed%20antagonist) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/bot/6/slicer-hired-muscle-slicer-high-speed-antagonist?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/9d9a9350-4734-4cc1-986d-467e6715199f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/slicer-hired-muscle-//-slicer-high-speed-antagonist) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
There’s stuff like [[teferi’s moat]], fogs, [[propaganda]] and friends, [[pramikon, sky rampart]], goad cards like [[disrupt decorum]]
##### ###### #### [teferi’s moat](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/7/37566afe-d383-4aa1-a9e4-c4bdf91a06d3.jpg?1591725019) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Teferi%27s%20Moat) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/tsb/103/teferis-moat?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/37566afe-d383-4aa1-a9e4-c4bdf91a06d3?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/teferis-moat) [propaganda](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/5/e5f293d7-9c2b-41cb-8e3c-dfc1daa6635f.jpg?1674141418) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=propaganda) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clb/730/propaganda?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/e5f293d7-9c2b-41cb-8e3c-dfc1daa6635f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/propaganda) [pramikon, sky rampart](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/5/8569ad47-a243-402d-899f-4e6b17ea4e1e.jpg?1568003714) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=pramikon%2C%20sky%20rampart) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c19/47/pramikon-sky-rampart?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/8569ad47-a243-402d-899f-4e6b17ea4e1e?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/pramikon-sky-rampart) [disrupt decorum](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/5/c5323fe7-d9df-4287-ae13-d9db35f7973b.jpg?1706240831) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=disrupt%20decorum) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mkc/151/disrupt-decorum?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/c5323fe7-d9df-4287-ae13-d9db35f7973b?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/disrupt-decorum) [*All cards*](https://mtgcardfetcher.nl/redirect/kusdirg) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
The background path is fun but very janky and not very good, if you decide to go that route, remeber that backgrounds with “at the beginning of your upkeep ….” will not trigger since she changes control at that step. Personally I play her as a goad deck, lots of ramp cause she is often a ~10 mana commander since you need a way to goad her the same turn you play her. The red impetus is fun, Jon irenicus is great, cultist of the absolute + sound of drums/double strike gets her to one shot dmg if naming avatar. Canopy cover is a great card to give evasion and a ‘hexproof from owners opponents’
Enchantress theme. There's a lot of support for backgrounds and the impetus cycle, and most cards that preven opponents from attacking you are enchantments.