176

(3 replies, posted in Decks and Deckbuilding)

So I'd give this a whirl...

http://www.mtgsalvation.com/forums/the- … er-prodigy

So first off, I'd suggest you change the notation from "standard" in the title to "casual" as Assault Strobe certainly isn't standard legal.

Secondly, I would suggest you google Travis Woo's Nivix Blitz deck as it was actually an interesting build that was standard legal not long ago that centered on Nivix Cyclops with a rather decent success rate.

178

(3 replies, posted in Decks and Deckbuilding)

So perhaps I'm odd here, but I think it would be a good idea to simply change your general to another Grixis option.  I was also stoked to build a Mishra deck, but, as you can only have one of each card in EDH, his ability is completely irrelevant.  Thankfully Grixis actually has 3-4 decent general options out there to choose between.

I can take a closer look at the build, but that would be my biggest suggestion.

179

(2 replies, posted in Decks and Deckbuilding)

Our assumption is that this is for casual play? 

Roaring Primadox is neat and all, but having attempted to use it to some success not that long ago, the fact the unsummon trigger is a MUST and not MAY, ends up putting you on the short end of the stick.  If they keep your board empty outside of the Primadox, you end up just unsummoning it every turn (and subsequently playing it over and over).

Since this is for casual play, the sky is the limit, right?

I personally always enjoyed pairing Lure with Druid's Call and Swarmyard.  They all have to block your squirrel, do a ton of damage to him, you get more squirrels, and you regen him.

Then again, if you want to fork out a few bucks, Earthcraft pairs with Squirrel Nest to produce infinite squirrels... y'know... just sayin...

181

(11 replies, posted in General Discussion)

Oh well yeah, he's the best god of the set by a country mile... I just don't know that he'll have the impact everyone is hoping he will...

I'm personally happy to have Keranos to pair with Mogis in Grixis control.

182

(6 replies, posted in Decks and Deckbuilding)

So yeah, Deicide is probably just better in that slot... and white is getting an Oblivion Ring style replacement... might be worth looking into.

183

(11 replies, posted in General Discussion)

Deicide just ruined the party.  Athreos works well in W/B aggro with Cartel Aristocrat, Xathrid Necromancer, and a bunch of one and two-drops.

Attack with Soldier of the Pantheon and Aristocrat.  Sack Soldier, get a zombie, pay three?  Cool... cast Soldier again.

He'll be good, but I don't know that he'll be the single chase card... then again, Brimaz has underperformed expectations too... meh

184

(2 replies, posted in Decks and Deckbuilding)

I'm going to guess this is restricted to standard play, a low budget, and mostly casual environments?

The more guidance you can offer us, the more likely it is that we can give you constructive feedback.

As a side note, Steam Augury would probably serve you well given that it is instant speed, gives you card advantage, and potentially dumps instants/sorceries into the yard to pump the Chimeras.  The same can be said of Izzet Charm and Wild Guess (not an instant, but the same sort of draw and discard effect).

185

(3 replies, posted in Decks and Deckbuilding)

Okay, so I guess the first question would be, what exactly is your win-con outside of Elspeth? 

Prophet of Kruphix is great and all, but it really only shines when you're using the untaps and flash to play other creatures that will actually affect the board-state and potentially bring you the victory - think Sylvan Primordial, Arbor Colossus, Prime Speaker Zegana, Polukranos, Aetherling, even Angel of Serenity, etc.  As you're currently constructed the opponent can really just hang out while your two power creatures don't do a whole lot.

Sure, Ajani and Kiora give you alternate win-cons either through pumps or trying to get Krakens out, but I don't know that you're really sitting on the strongest strategy as a few well timed counters/PW removals and you're SOL.

You're also making some pretty heavy handed mana requirements in terms of colored symbols without any shocks.  Think, Plasm Capture and Supreme Verdict are both spells you would like to have at your disposal come T4, yet, their VASTLY different colored requirements are going to drop your consistency to almost nothing.  At the very least you would want 2-3 Chromatic Lantern or Sylvan Caryatid to try and fix the mana.

I'm not trying to be the super downer, I just think that Ajani will be MUCH better suited in a more solidly W/g or W/G build.  Think mono-white mid-range with him as a finisher with Elspeth or even a pure Selesnya or Junk midrange, where he pairs up with Fleecemane Lion, Advent of the Wurm, Reaper of the Wilds, Blood Baron, Obzedat, and things of that nature.

Someone might prove me wrong, but I don't see him working in a control build.  Now if you want a more creature-centric bant build, with him, Kiora, and Elspeth, that might work - but you're going to have to move away from a control setup toward something a bit more mid-range to really get the job done.

186

(3 replies, posted in Decks and Deckbuilding)

I'm just not seeing where/how it gets the job done.  If the win-con is just Elspeth or Kiora tokens, why would you need the new Ajani in there?  Sure, he can dig a bit, but you already have Sphinx's Revelation to help you crap card advantage.  With so few creatures (Caryatid being a defender no less) Ajani's first +1 would be largely useless.  His second +1 would net you what?  Dig four cards to grab another PW?  And his ultimate would be nice, but it strikes me as not in the same vein as what you're looking for.

I think the new Ajani will fit much better into more creature-based builds as his second +1 is much akin to Garruk, Caller of Beasts' +1.

Maybe it's the fact I'm much more of an aggro-mid-range player, but I just don't see where this is any better than just straight U/W or Esper control.

187

(3 replies, posted in Decks and Deckbuilding)

So a few things, as I actually piloted Junk Midrange at GP Vancouver with some moderate success:

1) You have 15 removal spells, but no way to really draw cards.  Sure, most of your threats are bigger than theirs and will need addressing more than your opponent's threats, but once you're in top-deck mode, you're stuck there.  To the extent that you can toss in some added card draw, it will go a long way.

2) I didn't have access to Courser of Kruphix when I played it, but I would imagine some other type of life gain would be ideal.  I'm thinking you would want to slide in something like Blood Baron of Vizkopa over the two Desecration Demons - both for the added life-gain and also for the simple fact that he is among the hardest creatures to kill in the whole format.  You may not have the evasion that the demons give with flying; however, with all the removal you're going to be running, you can just go through their blockers anyway.

3) Advent of the Wurm is a sick card and I would actually suggest running 3x of them over one Abrupt Decay, one Doom Blade, and one Reaper of the Wilds.  My logic here is that it actually will work as a removal spell in many instances as you can let them attack you, thinking you only have a Sylvan Caryatid only to *SURPRISE* windmill the wurm out after they've declared attackers.  Killing their creature AND netting you a 5/5 trample to boot.

4) Archangel of Thune could be funny in here... although I certainly wouldn't go dropping the cash on her at the moment just for a "win more" kind of card in this deck.  Odds are by the time she makes a difference, the game is well in hand.

Obviously suggestions may vary depending on whether Pharika or Athreos are worth anything in terms of her abilities or any of the other pieces from JOU as they're spoiled.

For the SB:

1) I would say to skip Fiendslayer Paladin in favor of something like Drown in Sorrow or even Bile Blight.  My logic is that you need to be ready to combat Pack Rat (quite the troublesome little fella) while also dealing with more aggro-based decks.  Sure, the life-gain you have is good and Courser goes a long way here, but a well designed aggro deck can deal with those.  Without a Caryatid and you're just too slow.  However, if you toss in a low-end sweeper like Drown, your t2 Caryatid gives way to a t3 wipe of everything except it.  Additionally, it just does deal with Pack Rat more efficiently than any of your other options.  I say over Fiendslayer because Reaper has the pay hexproof and Blood Baron has pro-black, making Pack Rat the only real threat mono-black would have on you.

2) Golgari Charm should be a 3x.  It will seldom ever be a wasted card in your hand.  I'd actually advocate it to be main, but your list is already pretty solid in the main.

3) I would probably actually drop Mistcutter to 2x in the board.  How frequently are you playing mono-blue?  Furthermore, you'll have the upper hand against practically everything they're running anyway.  Outside of Cyclonic Rift (which hits Mist anyway), what are they packing that you don't already have an answer for?  If anything, I'd slide in Whip of Erebos there for the added life gain AND the combo with Obie.

4) I would probably go with Revoke Existence over Glare of Heresy just to deal with opposing gods, but that's just me.

I guess that's about it.  The deck is certainly well suited to be a force to be reckoned with moving forward.

Good luck!

So first off, we are to assume that Treva, The Renewer is the general?  Is there a particular reason you've chosen this general as opposed to other options in these colors?  Do you have some combo in mind that you're really wanting to emphasize/exploit?

Second, what can you tell us about the playgroup/setting you would be going into?  Do you know whether people typically just play casual multiplayer or are they more competitive playing French rules?  Obviously the more casual setting will lead you to a different set of cards than a more competitive one.

Third, what sort of budget are you looking at spending to improve the deck?  Are you up for spending $20-50 on some good pieces or are you set that the cards you want to use must come from your existing inventory?

189

(2 replies, posted in Decks and Deckbuilding)

Format?  Budget?  Quality of opponents/setting?

C'mon people... read the stickied post at the top about giving information in your requests for comments.

190

(1 replies, posted in Decks and Deckbuilding)

Format?  Budget?  Quality of opponents/setting?

C'mon people... read the stickied post at the top about giving information in your requests for comments.

Thoughtseize is likely the cheapest it's going to be for quite some time right now... just food for thought.

192

(6 replies, posted in Decks and Deckbuilding)

So first off, if you're 16-0-4 and are facing off against tier 1 decks every week, either those people cannot pilot their decks worth a damn, or your deck is already running like a pretty well tuned machine.

Admittedly having only looked over the list for a minute or two, I'm a bit taken aback by the number of one-ofs that are in the deck.  Do you find yourself looking for those cards for certain match-ups or just more generally?

As another point, I note you're actually running copies of BOTH Underworld Connections and Read the Bones... any particular reason you didn't just choose one of the two and run with it?

I would think that perhaps doubling up Assemble and Whip to 2x of each might prove beneficial as they make a pretty solid complimentary pair... but again, if you're already sitting at that type of a record, you're doing something right.

Are there cards you're uncertain of?

193

(2 replies, posted in Decks and Deckbuilding)

Hrm... I mean there are plenty of tweaks that could be made... but before even going there, are you typically playing in casual multiplayer, french competitive, american competitive?  What sorts of games are you playing?  Also what sort of budget are you looking at to possibly improve the deck?

194

(10 replies, posted in Decks and Deckbuilding)

I'm not going to even begin to claim I'm a competitive modern player, but I know that if you're not doing much until T3, you will likely lose quite a bit.  It's not entirely uncommon to see Infect or a variety of other decks combo out around that time... so perhaps look a bit closer at the more established Living End builds (Travis Woo was one of the architects of the deck, so it'd be worth the time to go look at whatever his most recent adaptation of it is).

You would definitely want some early-game removal in the SB too.

195

(5 replies, posted in Decks and Deckbuilding)

So for one, I get the whole fear of rotation bit, but there are a few cards you can pick up from the RTR block that would REALLY up the power of this deck.  Namely, Ethereal Armor and Unflinching Courage.  You're already running hexproof stuff and likely want to pump them via enchants... these two are the KEY pieces for any U/G Voltron sort of deck.  Armor is common and Courage is uncommon, so we're talking like $3-4 total here.

As for cards in Theros and such that would make sense... Eidolon of Countless Battles.  It's far better than Ordeal of Heliod in here.

First off what level of play is this seeing?  If it's for the tabletop, go for it.  If it's for a more competitive environment like FNM or something else, it's a bit too many steps to realistically see it come to fruition in a game.

Consider the following matchup against R/G mid-range.  Your ONLY win con is to drop a five-cost enchantment and then start the shenanigans on T5 or T6 - with notable life swings, but not huge ones.  R/G will likely have Polukranos on T3, either version of Xenagos or Arbor Colossus/Stormbreath Dragon on T4.  If you put that much power on the board before you could even begin thinking about your combo, they will just run you over.

Against mono-black, Erebos comes in and your entire plan just doesn't work.  What's the backup?

So again, the level of play is quite critical as you can get away with a lot more on the tabletop than in a more competitive environment and that will definitely shape the type of feedback you can/will get.

197

(3 replies, posted in Decks and Deckbuilding)

You really want to stick to a burn strategy.  The three creatures you want are:

1) Young Pyromancer
2) Satyr Firedancer
3) Guttersnipe

Purphoros is cute and all, maybe something you put in as a 2x if you have Assemble the Legion in the list as well as something of a backup, but that's deviating from the plan.

The idea behind going Boros for it is because you get access to Warleader's Helix and Boros Charm - both are capable of doing four damage to the opponent, with the former actually helping against aggressive decks through the life-gain.

198

(3 replies, posted in Decks and Deckbuilding)

First off, I guess I'll be the buzzkill - draft decks almost NEVER translate into workable constructed lists.  With constructed you can simply go pick out the cards that are better and slide them in where you had to take lesser options in draft.  For instance, in your list you have Impetuous Sunchaser but if you're building burn, Young Pyromancer is clearly a better option at the two.  Two-headed Cerberus can be nasty in draft, but in constructed it really won't amount to much as it's essentially a three-mana 2/2 that, the second you go enchanting it, will get blown up - letting the opponent 2-for-1 you (typically a very bad thing).  Third, Fall of the Hammer is really best when you have larger creatures which, at the moment, you only have 1-power guys (without some help), making it a dead card in your hand a lot of the time.

If you're really wanting to go with burn, you certainly can but I would suggest you go look at the boros (W/R) burn decks that people are running to see if you can find some inspiration and insight into what is currently working.

199

(2 replies, posted in Decks and Deckbuilding)

The spambot's posts have been removed and his identity has been relayed to the site admins to be deleted/blocked.

200

(1 replies, posted in Decks and Deckbuilding)

So my first suggestion would be to just to go scout out your local FNM to see how competitive the environment is.  In the event that it's super competitive, you might not do very well (which can be frustrating for a newer player).  To that end, you're using a bunch of cards that really don't see a lot of play in more competitive environments for good reason - they're just too slow or inconsistent.

Here are a pair of U/G based decks that I've been working on as of late to try to have fun with Kiora.  The first is a purely U/G build that works like many of the mono-green devotion builds but has the added punch of some card draw, prophet, and the like.  It's the more expensive of the two to build, but it's probably the more reliable/consistent of them.  The second splashes red for a few added pieces - namely the land destruction.  Oddly enough, I had a person model a deck after this one and they said they were "cleaning up" at their local FNM with it... so there's definitely some promise there.  The majority of the cost is, unfortunately, in the mana-base.  If you were to invest in the shocks they'll certainly hold their value for the most part (even post-rotation) but at least the temples would be a good start as they still have almost a full two years of standard play ahead of them.  In either event, the second deck is hilarious to play, quite effective at destroying lands, and is roughly $100 cheaper to build.

The first one: Fishy Fishayy - http://deckbox.org/sets/640033

The second one: Splish Splash - http://deckbox.org/sets/628705

Having given you directions to look at those, I would hope you see where they're going to be more resilient to threats than your current build.  Against a tier 1 deck (or even a really good home-brew) you're going to struggle, as things like Leafcrown Dryad, Forced Adaptation, Feral Invocation, Fathom Mage, and Species Gorger really just won't get you there. 

Consider for a moment the Gorger.  If I'm your opponent I'll be killing off all your other creatures, as the Gorger's ability is not a "may" but a "must" trigger.  This means that I can happily leave it alone each turn and focus on all your other stuff as you will be forced to unsummon it turn-after-turn.  I get that it's for repeat evolve triggers, but it's unlikely that it will fulfill that role reliably.  Similarly, Fathom Mage is unlikely to survive beyond really the first or second turn they have a crack at it.

I can see where this deck is likely a lot of fun for the kitchen table and more casual settings (which is definitely a good thing), but in a more competitive environment, I don't think it'll produce the same results you're accustomed to seeing.