151

(5 replies, posted in Decks and Deckbuilding)

Given the amount of white here:
1) Where's Brimaz?
2) Why not run Brave the Elements?
3) I wouldn't run Ethereal Armor as you don't have many enchantments, rather, up the counts of both Spear and Hall of Triumph both up to either 2 or 3x as you DEFINITELY want one in every game.
4) Banishing Light should be present in some quantity.

152

(3 replies, posted in General Discussion)

If you're trying to make your money back, AVR would be the better bet.  But if you're looking to actually play the cards beyond your kitchen table, the Theros block stuff would be the right way to go (given that they'll be in standard for the next  year and a half).

153

(20 replies, posted in Decks and Deckbuilding)

A friend of mine has a similar idea... I'd take a look at his build and see if you can make heads-or-tails out of it (I'm not going to claim for a second that I'm a modern player).

http://deckbox.org/sets/689934

The idea behind Twinflame (and I wouldn't advise running more than 2) is that you build up a red-devotion heavy board, THEN drop Dictate during their end phase, and then the next turn, Fanatic and Twinflame the Fanatic... you don't even have to swing...

Twinflame is good fun with Fanatic of Mogis... I'd also consider splashing white in your mana base just for the ability to add Boros Charm to the sideboard for control match-ups.

156

(3 replies, posted in General Discussion)

Another suggestion might be to not buy a whole box of Theros but to go to your LGS and pick up 1/3 box Theros, 1/3 box Born of the Gods, and 1/3 box Journey into Nyx so that you get a smattering of cards from the entire block.  You could then look at the decks people were playing at the Pro Tour given that it was block constructed and was limited to only cards from the Theros block.  Just google Pro Tour Journey into Nyx and it will come up.   You can use their decks for some inspiration (note you likely won't have all the cards in the pro decks, but they're a point of departure to build toward as your collection grows).

157

(1 replies, posted in Decks and Deckbuilding)

So for starters, it will depend on what your LGS runs for FNM, but the deck as currently constructed is legacy, meaning it wouldn't be legal to play in a standard FNM (which is the most common format).  That being said, I think the only card that makes it not legal in modern is Library of Leng which, if you're dying for that effect, could easily be replaced with Reliquary Tower or one of a bunch of other cards.

Now, for whether the deck will be good or not, that's a whole different matter.  I won't even begin to claim I'm an expert on modern as a format, the archetypes that see play, or anything of that sort.  As such, I'll defer to modern players on that front; however, I can say that you'll want to cut the number of cards down to 60, run dual lands when possible (Breeding Pool, Hinterland Harbor, even Temple of Mystery or Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx - they're much more affordable than getting the relevant fetches), and try to up the counts of the REALLY important cards to 3-4.

I hope this much helps, I'll leave the rest to the modern players to fill in the gaps.

158

(4 replies, posted in Decks and Deckbuilding)

Two things:  1) The link you've posted is incorrect or something like that, as it does not redirect to the deck in question.  2) Can you describe the sorts of decks that you're playing against?  The biggest challenge in providing input for casual decks is not knowing what sorts of things you run into.

159

(21 replies, posted in Decks and Deckbuilding)

For what it's worth, this Grixis Brew I tossed together has played well when I've tinkered with it on untap... it feels a bit durdly given that the win-cons are so hard to come by, but with sooooo many answers I've often found myself just hanging out while the opponent top-decks... then Keranos comes down and you kinda just chuckle as you're drawing and bolting things...

http://deckbox.org/sets/659403

Oddly enough, Hypersonic Dragon has actually performed well in here, although I don't know that I can really think of many reasons not to just swap it with Niv-Mizzet if that's more your cup of tea.  I just liked the idea of being able to cast Whelming Wave at instant speed in a pinch.

Note that against control, you really just side in all the counters for the removal that is more suited for the creature match-ups...

So I'm not really sold on splashing BOTH red and black here...  Dreadbore just leaps off the page as being SOOOO out of place.  If you're worried about PWs, Bramblecrush is standard legal and keeps you in your primary color.  Hero's Downfall is also a thing I hear...

I mean there really are two ways to take this, one would be to focus on the mono-green aggro strategy that has been putting up good numbers as of late, at which point things like BTE should give way to Kalonian Tusker and whatnot.  Alternately, you can go more B/G devotion with a lot more emphasis on the black side.

If you want something REALLY outside the box, B/G constellation has potential too...

Lastly, note that Abrupt Decay would be totally useless against the gods as they're indestructible.

161

(6 replies, posted in Decks and Deckbuilding)

Rotation doesn't happen until the first set from the next block hits, so you have like 4 months.

162

(3 replies, posted in Decks and Deckbuilding)

Junk constellation would be the fun way to go... LOTS of room to make something original there.

163

(2 replies, posted in Decks and Deckbuilding)

You're likely going to run into a wealth of U/W/x control decks, mono-black, and potentially even mono-blue.  Make sure those match-ups are at least workable.

164

(6 replies, posted in Decks and Deckbuilding)

So my suggestion would be to go to FNM for the purposes of observing some games and such before you go marching in with your own brew as, if we assume people are playing the tier 1 stuff, you're just going to get obliterated (and that's not a whole lot of fun, now is it?).

That being said, I would propose the following mono-white budget build:

http://deckbox.org/sets/686310

The whole deck is less than $100 (according to Deckbox pricing at least) and it's easy enough to pull some of the higher end pieces to save on costs.  It's definitely more aggressive than what you would've been playing, but it's worth a shot.  This deck definitely won't win the FNM outright, but it should be at least a little bit more competitive.

You can also potentially slide Evangel of Heliod into the build where I currently have Angel of Serenity as it might give you a solid chance to flood the board with tokens.  Swift Justice isn't the best card out there, but it could easily be used on Phalanx Leader when you attack with it and they try to block and deal with it - it'll get +2/+1, lifelink, and first strike while also pumping your whole team.

165

(6 replies, posted in Decks and Deckbuilding)

It would help if you could walk us through a few things:

1) I'm assuming you would like to take this to FNM, correct?

2) What sort of budget are you looking for to improve the deck?

3) What is the primary win condition of this deck?  Phrased otherwise, how do you envision this deck typically winning the game?

4) What type of competition are you envisioning that you will encounter?  Simply put, does your LGS feature a bunch of home-brews or is everyone net-decking tier 1 decks?

166

(3 replies, posted in Decks and Deckbuilding)

Then why not play a mono-black devotion that works with significantly different pieces?  Think Whip of Erebos, Hythonia the Cruel, Rise of the Dark Realms, Crypt Ghast, Abhorrent Overlord, even Lord of the Void.  This would allow you to play a considerably different deck while still keeping to the mono-black devotion strategy.

As for the lands you proposed, why the R/B lands?  If you're looking for more than 4 temples, it makes sense to go with Temple of Deceit as those at least give the blue for Nightveil and other pieces.  You can even slide Notion Thief into the SB in the event that Master of the Feast's card draw for the opponent is a problem.

167

(3 replies, posted in Decks and Deckbuilding)

So the question here is, are you trying to stick with the black devotion plan or are you trying to achieve something different.  As it currently sits, I don't see this deck faring well due to a number of card choices:

Vizkopa Guildmage as a 1x?  If you don't need him, why even put one in here?

Further, this deck looks like it's trying to be a black-aggro deck far more than a black devotion deck.  Master of the Feast is best when it comes down and pretty much just ends the game in 2 turns - otherwise they will get too much card advantage out of it.

Lastly, you have 4x Athreos but not a single Temple of Silence or Godless Shrine?  Further, as the decklist currently sits, you cannot actually cast the guildmage, Athreos, or Debt as there isn't a single source for white mana in the deck...

So yeah... this needs some better direction and work.

168

(7 replies, posted in Decks and Deckbuilding)

First off, I'm assuming these are only for casual play?

Second, what types of decks do you normally run up against?

Third, do you have any budget or format restrictions you would like suggestions to follow?

169

(16 replies, posted in Decks and Deckbuilding)

Primordial can get Stomping Ground...

170

(16 replies, posted in Decks and Deckbuilding)

That's why I was saying to toss in Sylvan Primordial, Nessian Demolok and things of that nature.  I even actually run Primeval Bounty in mine - nothing like adding value to those mana dorks.

171

(16 replies, posted in Decks and Deckbuilding)

Having been tinkering with the concept myself, I can tell you that it's quite viable and can catch most Tier 1 decks REALLY off guard.  More specific card suggestions in just a second. 

And in response to Kammikaze's post, playing against control, generally speaking, is unfun - this is just another type of control... so, y'know.  If the opponent wants to be a dick and play net-decked U/W/x control, well, then I find it hard to feel bad for them when you blow up all their lands.

So about the deck.  You're on the right path, but you're leaving out some of the best pieces.  The real power here is that you can ramp into the four-costed land hate much faster than the opponent can get meaningful stuff out.  But you have some issues. 

1) Anger of the Gods might be helpful against aggro decks, but it will kill ALL your mana dorks.  This is hardly ideal as the deck really needs them to get you to land destruction range as quickly as possible.  Once you've locked them down to 1-2 lands, really they aren't much of a threat so it's okay to give up a few life here or there to get to that point.

2) Survey the Wreckage and Structural Collapse are just BAD.  You want CHEAPER land hate.  This comes nicely in the form of Bramblecrush and Desecration Plague - both of which fall in at the four-spot AND both provide some added versatility in the event they get things out.  Both of these should be swapped for the two you have in the list.  Frenzied Tilling is workable because it helps get your more land in addition to blowing on of theirs up.

3) Sylvan Primordial is an absolute house and one that you will be able to cast quite frequently with all your mana dorks and whatnot.  He blows up a land, gets you a land, and then sticks around as a 6/8 beat stick to actually kill the opponent (after all, we are trying to kill them, not just piss them off).

4) Nessian Demolok is an option (although I'm not sure it's ideal).  The tribute side will lead to some serious variability in their play; however, worst case scenario it comes in as a 6/6, which can then be your path to victory.  Just keep in mind, it HAS to destroy something if they don't pay the tribute, so if they don't have any land this can then result in you having to blow up one of your non-creature permanents.

5) Xenagos, the Reveler really belongs in here in some number and I would even suggest Courser of Kruphix as you need to help with your ramp AND generate as much card advantage as possible given that these colors typically don't really replenish your hand as well as one might like.

6) For the SB, don't forget Peak Eruption it's cheaper AND pings the opponent... always a plus.

Having said all of that, my personal preference is for the deck to be RUG.  The reason for the blue splash is mostly for card draw but also for Cyclonic Rift which, when overloaded, is a pretty solid way to hose the opponent who only has 1-2 lands in play.  Toss in fun things like Aetherize (in the SB) and Jace, Architect of Thought in the main and now you're blowing up lands, generating card advantage, and generally just getting the job done.  This color grouping also gives you access to Keranos, God of Storms - another not too shabby card advantage engine + win con, Kiora's Follower - a better Voyaging Satyr, Kiora, the Crashing Wave, Ral Zarek, Whelming Wave, and the list goes on...

I haven't found the post JOU sweet spot for this list just yet, but I have been tinkering with it... I'll link you to a list if/when I figure out an ideal build as it currently FLOODS the four drop rather absurdly, but when it works, man is it fun (at least on your side of the table).

172

(3 replies, posted in Decks and Deckbuilding)

I was meaning it gives you a second anthem beyond just the one Spear of Heliod.  A 2-2 split on them would give you pretty good odds of getting one (or more) of them out.

But good catch on the Hall being legendary.

173

(3 replies, posted in Decks and Deckbuilding)

So the most obvious exclusions here are Banishing Light (aka Oblivion Ring 2.0) and Hall of Triumph (non-legendary second anthem for you to pump with).

Beyond that, I don't really know how competitive this deck is anymore.  It obviously will just put the pressure on some folks easily, but I think the mono-white, splash black is just a better option at the moment with Athreos, God of Passage either coming down as a 5/4 indestructible beater OR giving you some free wrath protection - believe me that the control player out there will think twice before they go wiping the board if it will cost them 12 life to actually get rid of the creatures (I know Deicide is a constant threat for Athreos, but still, the B/W aggro strikes me as mostly better than R/W for the time being).

That being said, your SB needs things like Chained to the Rocks/Banisher Priest, Deicide, Renounce the Guilds actually wouldn't be half bad, Glare of Heresy and, honestly, I've had TREMENDOUS success using Seismic Stomp as another means of alpha striking the opponent (if you've had to use Brave to protect your team).

174

(3 replies, posted in Decks and Deckbuilding)

Nothing here strikes me as being overly out of place... but then again, Bant really just strikes me as a sub-optimal version of straight U/W or Esper control.

I'm also not entirely sold that Ajani will do all that much in here.  I mean the ability to dig for another walker is certainly relevant, but you're already sitting on Jace AND Sphinx's Rev.

Are there particular cards you're unsure of?  Match-ups you think you're not favored in?

175

(3 replies, posted in General Discussion)

My suggestion would be to visit the Decks and Deckbuilding Forum and read the sticky on the fundamentals of deckbuilding.

http://deckbox.org/forum/viewtopic.php?id=10953

Tons of links to good stuff out there that will really help you get the ball moving.  Also, it is important to figure out whether you want to build for competitive play or casual, as the latter is far more flexible and forgiving.