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Sabo Elbaf: my current learning log

Thirty-two logged games with Sabo Elbaf, and the three decisions I still get wrong.

First Mate TCG · Published 2 Jul 2026 · Updated 24 Aug 2026 · 9 min read

Medium confidence — small sample

set:
OP17
deck:
Sabo / Elbaf
format:
Constructed
leader:
Sabo (OP17-119)
record:
18-14
meta Period:
OP17 season
sample Size:
32 logged games

This is a log, not a guide. I've played 32 recorded games with this list and I'm writing down what I currently believe, with the honest caveat that a chunk of it will look wrong in a month.

Why I picked it up

I wanted a deck that punished my own passivity. Sabo forces me to make attacks every turn, which surfaced my sequencing mistakes instead of hiding them behind a defensive shell.

What I keep getting wrong

  • Attaching DON!! to the Leader before I've worked out whether I need a bigger board body.
  • Attacking into an untapped Blocker with no follow-up.
  • Spending removal on a 4-cost body when the 7-cost is the actual problem two turns later.
OP17-119SaboThe Leader everything is built around.