Calix recently cut the token doublers again (for cost and commander over-reliance reasons) along with Sylvan Tutor, in favor of some cards I actually owned: [[Eldrazi Conscription]], [[Alseid of Life's Bounty]], and [[Rite of Harmony]].
#Daedalus's Deckbuilding Domain -- Help Appreciated!
static spire
timber mesaBOT
Enchantment Creature — Nymph
Lifelink
, Sacrifice Alseid of Life's Bounty: Target creature or enchantment you control gains protection from the color of your choice until end of turn.
"Dawn-kissed, he nourishes the golden grain." —Psemilla, Meletian poet
1/1
Instant
Whenever a creature or enchantment enters the battlefield under your control this turn, draw a card.
Flashback 
(You may cast this card from your graveyard for its flashback cost. Then exile it.)
Nature bends to the witches' call.
static spire
I've also considered [[Femeref Enchantress]] since I'm somewhat aura-based? But that's a creature which only grants advantage if opponents "play along"... 🤔 Or perhaps [[Dawn Evangel]], but he conflicts with Calix's spot on the curve.
static spire
Also, we've officially crossed past 4000 posts in this thread! 🎉
static spire
(Also, after playing a couple more games, I'm getting land-screwed more often than I expected in Calix (twelve hands in a row). Which is weird, given that I was playing:
30 lands
plus 4 fast mana rocks
plus 3 mana dorks
plus 5 cheap ramp auras
...plus a bunch of ways to find all these various forms of ramp
But I apparently was never drawing any of those for whatever reason?? So I've gone back up to 32 lands.)
I also never saw a single one of my enchantresses in the last four games, so maybe it's just a fluke.
static spire
Okay so
Eldrazi Conscription isn't good
But it's SO DAMN FUNNY to drop on like T4
And I JUST bought a foil... 🤔
Also, a funny interaction I hadn't considered until now -- if I swing both Calix and a creature with first strike (such as Ethereal Armor or Daybreak Coronet), I can copy over a big pump aura to Calix before normal combat damage occurs and surprise one-shot people out of nowhere.
Opponent: "So I'll be taking two commander damage?"
Me, copying over Ancestral Mask to Calix mid-combat: "Actually you will be taking TWENTY two."
static spire
God I want to play with you some time, though I worry you'd crush me.
Hey, we'll have to set up a game sometime online!
Knowing my luck I'll get horribly mana screwed, it happens continuously in every online game I play
static spire
I had a bit of time to think about the difficulties I've been having in Calix, so I did a full rebuild. It ended up looking mostly the same, but with a few additional lines. Here's the changelog...
ADD: 6x Snow Covered Forest, 2x Snow Covered Plains, Savannah, Earthcraft, Hallowed Haunting, On Thin Ice, Alseid of Life's Bounty
REMOVE: 4x Forest, 2x Plains, Urza's Saga, Exotic Orchard, Eiganjo Seat of the Empire, Snake Umbra, Blind Obedience, Battle Mastery, Song of the Dryads
And here's the reasoning. I decided to add Earthcraft as a storm line, since I'm enchanting a bunch of lands with "additional mana" enchantments.
However, this required some reshuffling to ensure that I actually DID have a basic land at all times, and ideally a basic FOREST in particular so that I could enchant it with Utopia Sprawl (and copy Sprawl repeatedly with Calix).
And once I'd done that, I might as well include On Thin Ice, so all the basics became snow.
Beyond that, I realized that I'd only been running Blind Obedience as a sink for the several infinite mana and storm lines (most of which involve Meticulous Excavation and/or Cloudstone Curio). However, I can also win with Hallowed Haunting + Concordant Crossroads, while also enabling more token creation for Earthcraft, and ALSO also being more useful outside the combo as an alternate non-infinite wincon when necessary. Thus, Blind Obedience out, Hallowed Haunting in.
Finally, I wanted a little more protection, as well as having another creature for both Earthcraft and aura targeting (to ensure Calix always sees a creature dealing combat damage on the turn he comes in). So Alseid gets a slot (I appreciate that it's another enchantment, though it's fighting with Destiny Spinner in that role).
Cuts were difficult, but I decided I didn't overly need the double strike aura (since Paws was the primary synergy, and Paws already becomes a 1-hit with Ancestral Mask) or Snake Umbra (since Keen Sense can do it at a lower cost).
static spire
As an addendum to this previous set of changes, I also cut Alseid to add [[Lashknife]] (I know, Alseid lasted a whole three hours) and cut Hyena Umbra to add [[Cartouche of Solidarity]].
static spire
Lashknife is 1) a zero-mana way for me to immediately grant hexproof onto Light-Paws via Canopy Cover, and 2) a zero-mana way for Calix to come down and immediately mark another creature as "enchanted" so that I can copy something on that same turn. It does mean that I need to ensure I can reliably find a (possibly non-basic) Plains, though!
Cartouche is handy as a way to grant a little more anti-sacrifice tech (though I don't have ways to flash it out in this deck, compared to Paws's own deck) while also giving me another body to tap for Earthcraft. It's also another sink for infinite lines with Cloudstone/Excavation as long as I can find Concordant Crossroads.
With these two TOGETHER, this also gives me access to a particularly nasty line transplanted from the OG 🦊 deck.
Light-Paws plus Cloudstone Curio plus any two-drop aura lets me easily jump Light-Paws into lethal range in a single turn. In short, the 2-drop aura tutors Lashknife, tap Paws for Lashknife, then tutor up Cartouche.
Cartouche bounces Lashknife, and from there we can basically pay W to tutor a 1-drop AND 2-drop aura by tapping the token every time to pay for Lashknife's alternate cost (having each aura bounce the other).
This also makes it MUCH much much easier to go infinite with Cloudstone and Nature's Chosen!
rare mango
damn, get blocked by the spam filter 🤣
static spire
damn, get blocked by the spam filter 🤣
YEP, apparently my deckbuilding is spam 😭
I'm very excited for this set of changes, though.
I really think the deck feels like it's coming together properly.
The deck feels very tight/tuned now. It also pleases me that I have a beautifully even 40 enchantments, 15 creatures.
(Anyway, going to sleep now. This has been late-night deckbrewing shenanigans with Daedalus.)
rare mango
I love it when a deck clicks like that. My arcbound deck is at a similar point. It’s sometimes a bit clunky to get off the ground but once it gets going it’s a real internal combustion engine 🙂
glacial cradle
Zabaz?
timber mesaBOT
static spire
It's a neat build overall! I'd also be curious to see how [[Bright-Palm, Soul Awakener]] would work for Arcbound...
timber mesaBOT
static spire
...I did realize one moderately large problem with the change I made last night, even though most if it seems to improve the lines in goldfishing. With [[Blind Obedience]]'s extort gone, I no longer have a way to win off infinite spellcasting etc if I'm post-combat, and often I need to use my combat step for Calix's ability before I can win.
timber mesaBOT
Enchantment
Extort (Whenever you cast a spell, you may pay 
. If you do, each opponent loses 1 life and you gain that much life.)
Artifacts and creatures your opponents control enter the battlefield tapped.
"By the time your knees have worn through your robe, you may have begun to learn your place."
glacial cradle
So, prolly return Blind unless there's a better card that fills the role?
static spire
So, prolly return Blind unless there's a better card that fills the role?
The other option I really want to make work is probably [[Aetherflux Reservoir]]
timber mesaBOT
static spire
since I can just suit a creature up with lifelink (thanks to stuff like [[Daybreak Coronet]]) and punch my way to 50 "fairly"
timber mesaBOT
static spire
But yeah, looking at things with a cold eye, Blind Obedience is probably the best option for that slot since it also turns off Dockside stuff (since I feed Dockside to an ABSURD degree)
glacial cradle
Yeah
static spire
On the other hand, though, Hallowed Haunting is so funny with [[Earthcraft]]... 🤔
timber mesaBOT
static spire
and the vigilance is actually a pretty big deal given how many "combat damage" triggers conflict with tap abilities...
I'll think on it further, but in your opinion are there any obvious things I should cut that are NOT Hallowed Haunting?
glacial cradle
I'll take a look when I get a chance
static spire
I've gotten suggestions to cut Cartouche and/or Audacity so far.
zealous ferry
I know I said Cartouche on another comment but if you want to keep the lashknife combo, I'd understand that
It's good for drawing your deck and making something very big.
static spire
I'm torn because Audacity is generally pretty decent for ensuring I can hit with Calix or something else (since he places lots of counters)
static spire
I've cut Spirit Mantle for now, we'll see how that change goes!
I'm concerned that I'm VERY low on protection from board wipes -- since I cut all my totem armors -- but I'll cross that bridge when I get there.
static spire
I keep low-key wanting [[Fruit of the First Tree]] in Calix-Paws
timber mesaBOT
static spire
On one hand, totally useless aura alone
On the other hand, it really disincentivizes killing my stuff
glacial cradle
Mmmm, this might be a matter of not having one, but wouldn't Urza's Saga be quite good in this deck?
static spire
I do own one!
It was in the deck until recently
I'd love to find a slot for it again, at some point... 🤔
What land would you cut, without reducing the basic count?
The deck is VERY very color-heavy so I'm trying to avoid colorless lands where I can
Nykthos gets a pass since it's second Cradle (and thus slots into a bunch of infinite combos)
glacial cradle
Serras Sanctum Wooded Bastion or Brushland I guess?
It is tough
The fact that Saga procs constellation, and could be copied in a pinch for mana, and then it pops into Sol Ring, Mana Crypt or a Moxen seems really good. Hell, thanks to Moxen it's not even necessarily colorless for long.
static spire
I'm trying to think up silly names for my Secret Commander Light-Paws Calix build. Currently it's "Nyx-y Vixen Voltron" which amuses me, but I feel like I'm CLOSE to having a more catchy name!
("Stone Cold Fox" would be a great Light-Paws name on its own, actually.)
Any thoughts or suggestions?
static spire
Or “Fate-Guided Foxing Missile”
static spire
“Tricksy Nyxy Vixy Voltron” lol
glacial cradle
Star Fox
static spire
Star Fox
I can't use that one, unfortunately, because my Light-Paws Stax cEDH is called "StaxFox 64" lol
Your joke is so good I'm already using it elsewhere XD
glacial cradle
Damn. It just works so well cuz Calix has Constellation
Calix brings the star, lightpaws brings the fox... So sad.
glacial cradle
Oooh, that's clever
static spire
Ahahahahahahaha. I just had a great Calix game online.
Very slow opener.
No plays on T1 or T2.
On T3, play Kami of Whispered Hopes, everyone else is doing crazy things and ignoring me.
T4: Play Calix, place two +1 counters on Kami.
Tap Kami for WWW.
Cast Light-Paws and Mask of Law and Grace, tutoring into Nature's Chosen.
Put 4 more counters on the Kami, then untap it with Nature's Chosen.
Tap for GGGGGGG, cast Leyline Immersion into Sage's Reverie. Draw 4.
Cast a 2-drop aura, tutor into Canopy Cover.
Cast 1-drop aura, tutor into Instill Energy.
Swing Paws, use Calix to clone the Nature's Chosen.
Untap the Kami again and re-tap for NINETEEN mana.
Cast Kor Spiritdancer.
Cast a 1-drop aura into Flickering Ward.
Storm through my deck until I hit Cloudstone.
Generate infinite mana by bouncing and re-casting Nature's Chosen.
Draw my deck, Kenrith's Transformation my own Spiritdancer to not die from over-drawing.
Use Blind Obedience to drain everyone's life to zero.
zealous ferry
_<
That is incredibly sick and I'm glad I wasn't in that game
Oh
What about "Ce n'est pas un deck tempête"?
This is not a storm deck
static spire
Also a good idea 🤔 I want to reference Light-Paws in the name SOMEHOW, though, and I always name my decks as "[pithy phrase]: [Commander name] EDH" to keep things straight
I want to include some kind of Light-Paws reference in the [pithy phrase] bit
rare mango
Something with Vulp-nyx 🤔
static spire
I feel like there's something with "Vixen" and "Nyx" but... can't quite get it right
balmy mantle
Vyxen?
static spire
Tricksy Nyx-y Vixy: Calix & Light-Paws EDH
Fate-Guided Fox Missile: Calix EDH
Ce n'est PAWS un deck tempête: Calix EDH
Sneaky Paws: Calix EDH
sigh nothing quite feels right yet
neon shore
@static spire art thou available for some gaming today?
static spire
<@254711002904526848> art thou available for some gaming today?
I possibly could be, if it's on Untap! What time?
neon shore
I possibly could be, if it's on Untap! What time?
I should be free the rest of today (I'm in EST). You don't do webcam?
static spire
I should be free the rest of today (I'm in EST). You don't do webcam?
I do play webcam, but I don't have it set up right now since I'm traveling. I do have the webcam WITH me, so I could potentially try and set up a janky space...
glacial cradle
I could do untap depending on timing
neon shore
I do play webcam, but I don't have it set up right now since I'm traveling. I do...
I could do Untap too if we have a trusted group. I found randos on Untap to be too toxic.
static spire
Lemme see how my day's timing goes, it would be kinda tricky unless it's later
static spire
I don’t think tonight will work unless we do very late, but I’ll be moderately free this week and next weekend
@neon shore / @glacial cradle
glacial cradle
Fair enough. I'm excited to find a time.
static spire
Had a pretty rough game with Calix today.
Got completely obliterated by [[Sarulf, Realm Eater]].
timber mesaBOT
static spire
Now, part of that was mis-playing: I should have gone for protective auras earlier. And part of it is just a bad matchup, since my curve is so low and Sarulf just eats my whole deck.
But it does make me consider whether I could adapt the deck to run a few less creature auras, and more auras that enchant lands or other permanents (which are less vulnerable to creature removal, and allow me to rebuild better).
I went heavy on the aura focus because 1) I want to use Light-Paws to the fullest extent since she's nutty, and 2) it enables Calix to be a major voltron threat in many cases.
It would probably slow the deck down by half a turn on average, since I'll less often be able to go "Calix, immediately swing with an enchanted creature and clone something".
static spire
Yep...
I could also make it a bit more controlling with more cards like [[Song of the Dryads]]
timber mesaBOT
static spire
And [[Ossification]]
timber mesaBOT
timber mesaBOT
static spire
[[on thin ice]]
That one I'm already running!
I could also run some curses perhaps, if there's any good ones
zealous ferry
[[Chains of Custody]] too?
timber mesaBOT
Enchantment — Aura
Enchant creature you control
When Chains of Custody enters the battlefield, exile target nonland permanent an opponent controls until Chains of Custody leaves the battlefield.
Enchanted creature has ward . (Whenever it becomes the target of a spell or ability an opponent controls, counter it unless that player pays .)
static spire
[[Chains of Custody]] too?
I'm running that yeah. And [[Grasp of Fate]] since it's just such good value (even though it's not an aura)
timber mesaBOT
static spire
I'm even considering [[Faith Unbroken]]!
timber mesaBOT
static spire
[[Wellspring]] lol
timber mesaBOT
static spire
I could also go heavier on protective auras, and use stuff like [[Aspect of Mongoose]]
timber mesaBOT
static spire
Ooooh, idea (for a different deck)
Why am I not running [[Woodland Guidance]] in Wort?
timber mesaBOT
glacial cradle
Clash is such a funny mechanic
I wish they'd make more of them honestly. There's not a lot of playable ones, even if you win every clash.
Woodland Guidance, Recross the Paths...
Uh. The black one that draws cards is kinda aight
rare mango
It also seems like such an easy mechanic to splash into a precon or a modern horizon set
glacial cradle
Yeah
And it's more fun in multiplayer, cuz there's some strategy and politics involved
knotty shard
A friend has a new Elesh Norn deck I may replicate and refine
static spire
For Calix, I need to pick 11 out of these 22 cards. Help?
I want to emphasize spells I can cast in the early game, while also not massively decreasing my overall aura count.
glacial cradle
Ossification and Heliods Punishment seem subpar. How good is the deck at getting through a 0/1 indestructible?
static spire
Ossification and Heliods Punishment seem subpar. How good is the deck at getting...
Eh, so-so, but I still have two other people to swing at. Sometimes good removal that strips abilities is critical.
Why do you feel Ossification and Heliod's Punishment are subpar? I've generally found both to be pretty sweet.
static spire
Another potential option in that slot is [[Venerable Rotpriest]]
timber mesaBOT
static spire
For now, I'm trying:
1 Dawn's Reflection
1 Song of the Dryads
1 Sol Ring
1 Lignify
1 Market Festival
1 Heliod's Punishment
1 Venerated Rotpriest
1 Ossification
1 Femeref Enchantress
1 Weathered Wayfarer
1 Hallowed Haunting
1 Mark of Sakiko
(By also cutting Defense of the Heart.)
static spire
Outside of Doubling Season, are there any cards in white-green which interact with both +1 counters and auras/enchantments?
rare mango
Do you mean tokens?
Doubling season doesn’t interact with other enchantments directly
static spire
Do you mean tokens?
Eh, I did mean auras and enchantments, but Doubling Season was a bad example
static spire
[[generous visitor]] I guess
timber mesaBOT
timber mesaBOT
glacial cradle
[[Oath of the Ancient wood]]
timber mesaBOT
glacial cradle
Bane of Progress
static spire
Lemme clarify a little XD
My goal is to have some kind of enchantment-related payoff to having +1 counters placed lol
It makes me sad that Calix can't actually DO much with the constellation trigger
zealous ferry
On the gw cards that do stuff with counters and enchantments: [[Celestial Ancient]]?
timber mesaBOT
zealous ferry
Looking this up I've bound [[quest for the gemblades]] and it is the oddest quest I've seen.
timber mesaBOT
knotty shard
Just test drove a new Elesh Norn // the Argent Etchings deck based on triggering her front side a bunch and it was hilarious.
I need to find more ways to force people to attack me because once "the jig is up" nobody wants to.
static spire
Testing [[Daybreak Coronet]] and [[Weathered Wayfarer]] out, [[Siona Captain of the Pyleas]] and [[Shielded by Faith]] in
timber mesaBOT
Creature — Human Nomad Cleric
, 
: Search your library for a land card, reveal it, put it into your hand, then shuffle. Activate only if an opponent controls more lands than you.
1/1
static spire
Siona's tokens help provide anti-sac tech, she fetches an aura upon ETB, and she helps Earthcraft a lot
Meanwhile, Shielded by Faith gives me a bit of protection against board wipes when I need it.
Daybreak had proved awkward since it couldn't be the first aura, and couldn't be copied over to an unenchanted creature
(I'm sad because I had a Future Sight foil, but what can you do...)
Meanwhile, Weathered Wayfarer was fine, but with the addition of Market Festival etc, it feels a LITTLE less critical to grab Sanctum ASAP every game
I am a little nervous of raising my curve and cutting an early spell that doesn't require other setup, but...
static spire
This is what I'm picking up for sure from this set (or rather, reskinning)
sigh possibly this as well
knotty shard
no bat?
bat is nuts, but probably not for one of your decks
I got two that want it
sage cloak
I’m getting reeeeal tired of the crazy powerful legend tribal support
rare mango
This set was always going to have legends matter support
sage cloak
I know but it’s extremely pushed
Legendary tribal has how many one sided board wipes now? I believe the count is 2 but I might be wrong
static spire
Legendary tribal has how many one sided board wipes now? I believe the count is ...
at least 3 now
sage cloak
There you go, throw in a farewell and a cyc rift and you’ve got an oppressive wipe shell
static spire
no bat?
Oh, the "whenever you create or sacrifice a token" guy? I might
I'm only running one Aristocrat between all my decks, which is [[Zulaport Cutthroat]] in Hapatra
timber mesaBOT
static spire
and he's mostly in there for the life gain to balance Yawgmoth's life payment
knotty shard
Oh, the "whenever you create or sacrifice a token" guy? I might
yeah, he seems a shoe in for me for Wernog astral slide, i make like 6 clues per turn
static spire
4 mana is a lot for a draining effect, though...
I don't think any of my decks need that effect that badly
zealous ferry
Legendary tribal has how many one sided board wipes now? I believe the count is ...
3 if you count invasion of fiora
sage cloak
Oh yeah, [[Invasion of fiora]]
.
But yes
Legendary tribal is getting a ton of one sided board wipes and it’s a little concerning
sage cloak
No big deal lol, I’m the same way like 99% of the time
zealous ferry
Or stuff isn't refreshing right, some mix of those two
zealous ferry
Legendary feels like it's the design area they're exploring right now because "people find legendary cards exciting" or something.
knotty shard
I think it's more they want to somehow make it work for 60-card to surmount the drawback of 1-in-play vs 4-in-deck
They know it means almost nothing in edh (gameplay wise)
past lotus
Yeah, Legendary-tribal seems to be getting a lot of destruction tools. Fiora, this Saga, and Urza's ruinous blast are giving BWx decks a ton of help.
static spire
IT'S TIME FOR LATE-NIGHT BREWING WITH DAE (i won't remember any of this tomorrow)
So far, here's the stuff I need to reskin and test from this set... which means more cuts 😭
Avacyn: Boromir Warden of the Tower, Eowyn Fearless Knight, Forge Anew, Reprieve, The One Ring
Hapatra: Delighted Halfling, Call of the Ring, Orcish Bowmasters
Teysa: Call of the Ring, Orcish Bowmasters, Minas Tirith
Kroxa: The One Ring, Mount Doom, Call of the Ring, Orcish Bowmasters
Roalesk: The One Ring, Delighted Halfling (and also Mercurial Spelldancer)
Anything italicized has already been reskinned:
I reserve the right to wake up tomorrow and decide I was an idiot.
AVACYN
Potentially Boromir over Invasion of Kaldheim, and Eowyn over Preston?
Boromir adds an extra layer of stax with board protection, and helps me deal with spell-based decks. He's not quite Rule of Law (I was considering him over Eidolon), but I always need more anti-storm/anti-freecasting tech. Eowyn will be my third exile-on-blink effect (after Solitude and Aerial Extortionist) and also offers the ability to alpha-strike people when needed. I'm not SUPER high on legendary creatures, only 6 beyond my commander),but the ability to respond to a removal spell by blinking Eowyn to exile someone's commander AND protect my own? Oh gosh, I'm drooling just thinking of it.
Not sure what to cut for Forge Anew -- possibly Scroll Rack? -- and Reprieve is another tricky choice. Thinking of cutting a protective spell for it, since it's a pretty hard counterspell under ROL... and because I'm starting to approach the reality that the deck may truly have TOO many protective spells at this point. Seriously, it's running sixteen defensive spells, not even counting pro-color effects from Swords. Probably Boros Charm or Akroma's Will, if I had to pick a protection spell to cut for a broader response? Notably, Reprieve (sorta) answers Cyclonic Rift, which is my nemesis once I've built a stax lock. Might skip The One Ring for now, just due to lack of slots.
VERY tentatively, perhaps Reprieve and Forge Anew over Scroll Rack and Boros Charm? Or could keep the Scroll Rack (it IS so very, very good with Scroll Rack / Sword of Hearth and Home) to cut TWO protection spells instead... 🤔
Another potential option for a cut is Commander's Plate. I know, sounds insane, but I've rarely NEEDED the color protection when I'm running so many reactive spells to grant that sort of thing. I suspect I'll need THAT slot for Narsil once it's revealed though 😛
static spire
KROXA
Luckily, I already have found slots for The One Ring and Mount Doom!
So I just need to free up two more slots, for Call of the Ring and Orcish Bowmasters.
Truthfully, I'm unsure whether Call of the Ring will actually earn a slot in practice. I do need to control a creature before it gives me anything, though "Pay 2 life, draw and loot each turn" is pretty sweet upside...
One of these is earning a slot over Imperial Seal, purely for price reasons. I just can't afford an Imp Seal right now, though that might change if I find one for trade locally.
Truthfully, the "correct" cut is probably Hymn to Tourach, but I just love that jackal art. It's iconic. I want to play it. Besides, I can use it to "chain" with Waste Not in many cases.
I don't really want to go LOWER on my creature count if I'm trying to add Call of the Ring, but Orcish Bowmasters is more value than Nashi in practice, IMO. So that seems like a reasonable swap. If I need another cut, Anje's Ravagers is probably the next one in line -- she nonbos with several things in the list.
If I DO get my hands on an Imp Seal, I know where to look for cuts, creature count be damned.
So, in conclusion: Call of the Ring and Orcish Bowmasters IN, Imperial Seal and Nashi OUT?
static spire
TEYSA
Now the cuts get even harder.
At least Minas Tirith is easy. Westvale Abbey, get outta here! We have a new friend. Truthfully, if I find that Minas Tirith works well, I may also add Barad-Dur. We shall see.
Okay, now: moving on to the substantial two tweaks: Call of the Ring and Orcish Bowmasters. A card advantage source and a black token-maker on par with Ophiomancer but also offering removal? Intriguing options.
For now, Veteran Soldier seems like an easy swap for Orcish Bowmasters. Bowmasters just offers so much more, and doesn't require Teysa to throw herself into combat.
Call of the Ring... I honestly don't know. Part of me is tempted to say Smothering Tithe, if not for the lovely Orzhov theming...? Or The Golden Throne (though that's also done some silly stuff in practice)...
static spire
HAPATRA
It's not easy to make three cuts in a cEDH deck.
The first cut is pretty easy, at least. Obelisk Spiders out, Orcish Bowmaster in. Bowmaster offers powerful anti-draw tech and a big body to place -1 counters on, what's not to love? And sometimes we get to 'steal' enemy card draw by dropping Yawgmoth and Bowmaster together (a trick we also get to do in Kroxa AND Teysa~)
Obelisk Spider WAS in the deck because I wanted a backup win-line with Yawgmoth loops. But then I realized that I already have one: Gix's last ability, since I can generate infinite mana in several distinct ways, then exile opposing libraries to win with enemy wincons such as Thoracle! So Obelisk isn't needed anymore.
Delighted Halfling and Call of the Ring are a bit trickier. Rushed Rebirth is probably coming out, since it's never QUITE as clutch as I believe it will be. Perhaps I'll hold off on Delighted Halfling for now, since I don't actually have THAT many legendary spells that eat countermagic and half the point of mana dorks is to bypass Contamination in my deck? 🤔
zealous ferry
How were you usually trying to use rushed rebirth?
[[Rushed Rebirth]] (for others reference)
timber mesaBOT
static spire
How were you usually trying to use rushed rebirth?
Beyond the occasional opportunistic use (someone else kills a commander, I get something free), I tend to use it once I already have Yawgmoth in play to fetch one of the other combo pieces (after I sacrifice something OR kill an enemy creature) -- either Young Wolf or Zulaport Cutthroat
zealous ferry
nod
static spire
But I can't really cast it without setup, so I want to try something else for a bit
zealous ferry
I see what you mean
static spire
I reserve the right to wake up tomorrow and decide I was an idiot.
-----------...
...also, man, I do not remember making these changes at all
Dae's Waking Mind agrees with Dae's Sleeping Mind that these are good changes, though, so I'll trust my previous self
zealous ferry
_<
zealous ferry
Not remembering making changes
static spire
Not remembering making changes
Waking up after late-night deckbuilding is a special secret surprise!
"Ooooh, what did I change in all my decks when I was sleep-deprived?"
zealous ferry
All my working decks are built at 2am. 😅
static spire
2am is when the deckbuilding neurons wake up
static spire
I still kinda want to fit [[Preston the Vanisher]] into Avacyn somehow, though...
timber mesaBOT
Legendary Creature — Rabbit Wizard
Whenever another nontoken creature enters the battlefield under your control, if it wasn't cast, create a token that's a copy of that creature, except it's a 0/1 white Illusion.
, Sacrifice five Illusions: Exile target nonland permanent.
2/5
static spire
He's such a cool design for a blink doubler.
static spire
My husband loves his Preston deck
If Preston had been a blue-white commander I probably would have built him
The problem (to me) was that he's got too many linear 2-card infinite combos
static spire
Palantir of Orthanc - 3
Legendary Artifact (Mythic)At the beginning of your end step, put an influence counter on Palantir of Orthanc and scry 2. Then target opponent may have you draw a card. If that player doesn't, you mill X cards, where X is the number of influence counters on Palantir of Orthanc, and that player loses life equal to the total mana value of those cards.
I'm indecisive on whether this is good enough for Kroxa. On one hand, both modes definitely offer value for my deck, and a free Preordain each turn is certainly good in a deck which often casts asymmetric hand hate. On the other, it's very slow, and I really don't like giving this degree of choices to my opponents.
Daedalus's Deckbuilding Domain -- Help Appreciated!
rare mango
I feel like it’s too slow for a heavily tuned kroxa deck 😂
static spire
I feel like it’s too slow for a heavily tuned kroxa deck 😂
I'm legitimately torn though 😂 Some of Kroxa's games are super, super grindy. And it could be decent there...
I'm also considering moving Kroxa away from some of my combo wincons (just because Worldgorger lines are low-key boring) and this might fit a slower, more controlling version better.
rare mango
I’m all for moving away from dedicated combo lines 🙂
static spire
I love combos, don't get me wrong, but two-card "welp I win now" combos are so... anticlimactic.
I'd forgiven it in Kroxa, since Rakdos 2-card combos are also super fragile so they tend to carry a pre-condition of "strip all enemy hands first", but...
Truthfully with all the overdone Treasure stuff these days, I'm seriously considering rebuilding [[Florian, Voldaren Scion]] Treasure-Group-Slug...
timber mesaBOT
static spire
Are there any creatures in white/green which give a positive benefit when targeted by a spell OR ability (including ones that you yourself control)?
I'm curious whether there's something which could give me good triggers off placing +1 counters with Calix
[[Venerable Rotpriest]] is already good, but can you imagine if she gave a poison counter whenever I put a +1 counter on her? whistle
timber mesaBOT
static spire
[[Constable of the Realms]] could work 👀
timber mesaBOT
static spire
[[Crystalline Crawler]] indirectly says "whenever a counter is placed, add a mana".
timber mesaBOT
Artifact Creature — Construct
Converge — Crystalline Crawler enters the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter on it for each color of mana spent to cast it.
Remove a +1/+1 counter from Crystalline Crawler: Add one mana of any color.
: Put a +1/+1 counter on Crystalline Crawler.
1/1
static spire
Be honest, does this look terrible? XD
static spire
@crystal folio : We should chat about Calix sometime! Do you have a list yet?
crystal folio
Not yet. I've been at my parent's house dogsitting (and sifting through my bulk)
Should have one by Tuesday tho
I know the deck's gonna lean on stax pieces in the early game to gain advantage, but idk how heavy its gonna lean on them into the mid and late game
I wanna try to get down [[eidolon of rhetoric]] or [[rule of law]] early enough that calix can copy them
crystal folio
@static spire to maximize Calix' counters you could use [[animation module]] or [[scurry oak]] to make tokens or [[enduring scalelord]] to go wide
timber mesaBOT
Artifact
Whenever one or more +1/+1 counters are put on a permanent you control, you may pay . If you do, create a 1/1 colorless Servo artifact creature token.
, : Choose a counter on target permanent or player. Give that permanent or player another counter of that kind.
Design leads to progress.
crystal folio
You can use [[dusk legion duelist]] to draw cards, or [[knighted myr]] to make a big beater
timber mesaBOT
Artifact Creature — Myr Knight
: Adapt 1. (If this creature has no +1/+1 counters on it, put a +1/+1 counter on it.)
Whenever one or more +1/+1 counters are put on Knighted Myr, it gains double strike until end of turn.
"This one fights like a leonin!" —Jor Kadeen
2/2
static spire
I wanna try to get down [[eidolon of rhetoric]] or [[rule of law]] early enough ...
My first build of Calix was staxier, but I decided I was irritated by the fact that cloning Rule of Law doesn't do much except for give protection against removal. I did really enjoy cloning [[Aura of Silence]] though 👀 Also, I already own three other stax decks haha.
timber mesaBOT
Enchantment
Artifact and enchantment spells your opponents cast cost more to cast.
Sacrifice Aura of Silence: Destroy target artifact or enchantment.
Not all silences are easily broken.
static spire
You can use [[dusk legion duelist]] to draw cards, or [[knighted myr]] to make a...
The once per turn clause is pretty rough, but I am considering [[Crystalline Crawler]] and/or [[Constable of the Realm]] 👀
timber mesaBOT
Artifact Creature — Construct
Converge — Crystalline Crawler enters the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter on it for each color of mana spent to cast it.
Remove a +1/+1 counter from Crystalline Crawler: Add one mana of any color.
: Put a +1/+1 counter on Crystalline Crawler.
1/1
static spire
I love Crystalline Crawler in any decks which manipulate counters, since it's almost always 2 mana in practice.
Scurry Oak is pretty good, but -- apart from Earthcraft -- I just don't have any good ways to profit off of tokens 😦
static spire
Should have one by Tuesday tho
This is the list I'm using right now, I'd love to compare notes after you finish yours:
static spire
@candid silo In answer to your question from the spoiler channel, she's a hybrid equipment-hatebears-blink shell
I use equipment as a source of card and mana advantage
Avacyn (or blinking her) is a protective spell, and she's got a board wipe stapled onto her back side
Doubly so with equipment like [[Basilisk Collar]] -- wipe the board, gain 60+ life
timber mesaBOT
Artifact — Equipment
Equipped creature has deathtouch and lifelink.
Equip
Some patriars pay massive sums for exotic pets that can give their posh, predictable lives an edge of danger.
candid silo
👁️
static spire
It's not a "traditional" equipment deck, though -- if you want that, I think the best option is definitely [[Nahiri, Forged in Fury]]
timber mesaBOT
Legendary Creature — Kor Artificer
Affinity for Equipment (This spell costs less to cast for each Equipment you control.)
Whenever an equipped creature you control attacks, exile the top card of your library. You may play that card this turn. You may cast Equipment spells this way without paying their mana costs.
5/4
static spire
She has really cool art as well.
candid silo
I gotcha, yeah I'll look at my options
crystal folio
Nahiri is okay as a generic equipment commander, i think ZNR Akiri is better though
[[akiri, fearless]]
timber mesaBOT
Legendary Creature — Kor Warrior
Whenever you attack a player with one or more equipped creatures, draw a card.
: You may unattach an Equipment from a creature you control. If you do, tap that creature and it gains indestructible until end of turn.
"No angel bars our ascent. Emeria waits above!"
3/3
static spire
I think it depends on how heavy you want to go into equipment themes
Affinity on a commander is NO joke though
On the topic of Avacyn, actually, which two would you pick out of these three?
[[Slip on the Ring]], [[Cloudshift]], [[Reprieve]]
Note that she runs most of the ROL effects, so Reprieve is a relatively hard counter in many circumstances. I also run one other "tempted by the ring" card, which is Boromir.
static spire
Some upsides and downsides here -- Cloudshift is cheaper, but Slip on the Ring gives me some (weak) evasion and lets me reverse theft effects. Also, Cloudshift is more flavorful 😂
I run 8 creatures with ETB effects, plus my commander, at present, but I tend to tutor them somewhat aggressively.
Reprieve is basically my second [[Tibalt's Trickery]], and that card slaps overall.
timber mesaBOT
static spire
I'm leaning towards Reprieve and Slip on the Ring, flavor be damned 😂
neon shore
Nahiri is okay as a generic equipment commander, i think ZNR Akiri is better tho...
[[Astor, Bearer of Blades]] is where it's at
timber mesaBOT
Legendary Creature — Human Warrior
When Astor, Bearer of Blades enters the battlefield, look at the top seven cards of your library. You may reveal an Equipment or Vehicle card from among them and put it into your hand. Put the rest on the bottom of your library in a random order.
Equipment you control have equip .
Vehicles you control have crew 1.
4/4
static spire
Okay, so. Cards I need to reskin still...
Forge Anew
Eowyn, Fearless Knight
Delighted Halfling
Orcish Bowmasters
Minas Tirith
Rise of the Witch King
I should be able to reskin Slip on the Ring as something Cloudshift-adjacent showing Avacyn's corruption. I could probably reuse Forge Anew and Eowyn's existing art. The rest are a little trickier.
static spire
Wait, why am I not running [[Touch the Spirit Realm]] in Avacyn?
timber mesaBOT
Enchantment
When Touch the Spirit Realm enters the battlefield, exile up to one target artifact or creature until Touch the Spirit Realm leaves the battlefield.
Channel — , Discard Touch the Spirit Realm: Exile target artifact or creature. Return it to the battlefield under its owner's control at the beginning of the next end step.
knotty shard
Wait, why am I not running [[Touch the Spirit Realm]] in Avacyn?
I have been
crystal folio
https://www.moxfield.com/decks/2HA-FftM9EaIrkKAUXTi3g
Finished calix @static spire
ocean tree
Wait, why am I not running [[Touch the Spirit Realm]] in Avacyn?
You haven’t?
Touch slaps
static spire
I remembered why I don’t run it — Avacyn needs “fast” blink effects so I can use her indestructible in response to stuff.
Slow blink isn’t what I’m aiming for.
knotty shard
Flicker
static spire
I’ve never liked the flicker/blink descriptors since I’ve heard people use either term for either speed
static spire
We'll call it flink
I prefer Blicker myself
rare mango
There’s a twink joke in there somewhere
crystal folio
I prefer Blicker myself
Fair enough
Also running up an order to CK for a bunch of pieces to truly finish Calix. Mostly just enchantress goodstuff
static spire
Also running up an order to CK for a bunch of pieces to truly finish Calix. Most...
Lemme take a proper look at your list now
Be aware that [[Weaver of Harmony]] can't copy Calix's ability
timber mesaBOT
Enchantment Creature — Snake Druid
Other enchantment creatures you control get +1/+1.
, : Copy target activated or triggered ability you control from an enchantment source. You may choose new targets for the copy. (Mana abilities can't be targeted.)
2/2
static spire
Seems like we went in very different directions, but let me know what ends up being an all-star for you!
crystal folio
Be aware that [[Weaver of Harmony]] can't copy Calix's ability
Why?
[[calix guided]]
timber mesaBOT
crystal folio
Oh that one
Yeah idk how this is gonna turn out. Its actually my first Enchantress deck.
static spire
Tweaks to Avacyn -- adding Scroll Rack over Forge Anew (wasn't as good as I hoped), Mithril Coat over Commander's Plate, Slip on the Ring over Cloudshift, Gilraen over Displacer.
Might cut Scroll Rack again to add the new Gimli.
Tweaks to Hapatra -- Horn of the Mark over Victimize, Delighted Halfling over Llanowar Elves, Deathrite Shaman over Elves of Deep Shadow, Rise of the Witch King over Abrupt Decay.
knotty shard
"Mithril Coat over Commander's Plate" 
crystal folio
Flash and free attach to legendaries is super powerful
static spire
whynotboth.meme
hey, if you've got better cuts I'm all ears 😂 https://www.moxfield.com/decks/Vpiz7R8Rfk-0J7yX0AUQtA
I've just found Commander's Plate to be... narrower than I wanted, it often sits around because I don't want to pay 3-5 mana, and it doesn't protect against red-based wipes such as Avacyn herself
static spire
Anyway, now that I have a bit more time to answer -- I feel like Commander's Plate has only been useful on my commander (not other creatures) and tends to be really bad under Rule of Law. I also run so much protection (18+ pieces, not even including equipment) that the protection isn't really worth it to me. I just never end up casting it, though sometimes I grab it with Urza's Saga.
static spire
Summary of today's choices:
Tweaks to Avacyn: Mithril Coat over Commander's Plate, Slip on the Ring over Cloudshift, ||Gilraen|| over Displacer. Might go for ||Gimli of the Glittering Caves|| over Scroll Rack, we shall see.
Tweaks to Hapatra: Horn of the Mark over Victimize, Delighted Halfling over Llanowar Elves, Deathrite Shaman over Elves of Deep Shadow, Rise of the Witch King over Abrupt Decay. This removes all 1-toughness dorks for now (except Birds) so I can BSZ without penalty.
Tweaks to Teysa: Horn of the Mark over The Golden Throne.
Tweaks to Kroxa: ||Moria Scavenger|| over Nashi, Moon Sage's Scion (RIP best rat boi)
Tweaks to Calix: ||Dawn of a New Age|| over Shielded by Faith (to remove the infinite combo for now)
Tweaks to Roalesk: The Scroll of Isildur over Tyrant Guard, IF and only if I can reskin it properly.
To add, if I can find a slot: ||Dawn of a New Age|| in Teysa, Call of the Ring in Teysa and Kroxa
Still left to reskin: Eowyn, Mithril Coat, ||Gilraen, Gimli of the Glittering Caves||, Rise of the Witch King, Delighted Halfling, Orcish Bowmasters, Minas Tirith, The Scroll of Isildur (if possible), ||Dawn of a New Age, Moria Scavenger||
static spire
Two decks get no new cards -- Araumi and Wort.
static spire
@rare mango These are the two cards I mentioned, that I couldn't talk about earlier 😂
rare mango
Yeah those are both pretty good
static spire
I am a big fan of Gilraen having only 2 power, because I can now tutor Gilraen with Imperial Recruiter, then blink the Recruiter every turn as a powerful card advantage engine 🤤
glacial cradle
Gilraen has such a unique blink effect
And Avacyn is the type of deck that could use both modes to my understanding
static spire
And Avacyn is the type of deck that could use both modes to my understanding
Yeah! I mean, it's more useful for the "short" blink, but I can definitely use both those keywords extensively
and having the option to blink for a longer time-period lets me dodge wipes like Cyclonic, Toxic Deluge, or Living Death
glacial cradle
Yeah
static spire
Plus, if I don't end up needing to use the blink defensively at EOT, I can spend the two mana to grant those keywords
I suspect my opponents are going to be VERY used to the words "as priority is passed during the end of main phase two..."
I do still need to find a slot for Gimli in Avacyn, though... 🤔 Could run him over [[Professional Face-Breaker]] perhaps?
timber mesaBOT
zealous ferry
I would say it depends on how often you use the impulse draw
Gimli also makes a lot less treasure
He gets a lot bigger though
static spire
I kinda want both, since they help break parity on Winter/Static Orb and help me go infinite with Aggravated Assault
static spire
I finally finished my Calix-Paws primer! Can anyone give it a look-over?
(Or a favorite if you like it, I'm trying to get more visibility.)
static spire
I did end up cutting Slicer in favor of Gimli, by the way. We'll see if that change sticks.
I suspect I'll roll the change back eventually, for what it's worth. The treasures are nice, but...
A LOT of legendary creatures have to enter before Gimli matches the damage that Slicer can put out.
rare mango
Hey, if you needed to cut something and add one land, what would you cut?
one of the tutors
rare mango
rare mango
for a 7.5? 🤔 😉
static spire
for a 7.5? 🤔 😉
Hey, to me, this IS a 7.5 -- it's certainly miles below the decks I'd call a solid 8, and those are still notably below cEDH
ocean tree
Szat’s will or search for glory
static spire
You're the fourth person to tell me to cut Szat's Will 😂
static spire
Szat’s will or search for glory
But I think the card is super good, it's saved my life many times...
glacial cradle
[[Szats will]]
timber mesaBOT
glacial cradle
It is a lot of mana I suppose
static spire
It’s a lot of value for that mana
And it tends to eat three commanders often
There’s just not many good black token makers… 🤔
I’ve considered [[Inkshield]] in that slot, but it doesn’t protect my planeswalkers…
timber mesaBOT
zealous ferry
It still feels weird to not see Thalisse in your list
Does [[Horn of the Mark]] look at the top 5 for each player you attack with 2 creatures?
timber mesaBOT
zealous ferry
Because even then I'm trying to figure out if you have enough creatures. You have 15 creatures and would need at least 6 for 3 triggers, which means you have at least 2 planeswalkers out assuming no creatures played other than Teysa.
Short of using topdeck tutors that is like a .8%-.9% chance of hitting a creature with each attack right?
I'd have thought you'd have been on [[Horn of Gondor]]
timber mesaBOT
Legendary Artifact
When Horn of Gondor enters the battlefield, create a 1/1 white Human Soldier creature token.
, : Create X 1/1 white Human Soldier creature tokens, where X is the number of Humans you control.
zealous ferry
Since you have 10 humans and a card that makes human tokens. But the activated cost isn't nothing I guess.
ocean tree
Does [[Horn of the Mark]] look at the top 5 for each player you attack with 2 cr...
Yes
static spire
Does [[Horn of the Mark]] look at the top 5 for each player you attack with 2 cr...
Yes — I’d want to get two triggers per turn before I properly consider it to be “worth it”
static spire
I'd have thought you'd have been on [[Horn of Gondor]]
The issue is that I sacrifice my tokens, so I don’t “keep them around” to double exponentially each turn
static spire
It still feels weird to not see Thalisse in your list
Honestly I tried her, then cut her because she’s a tracking nightmare XD
[[thalisse reverent medium]]
timber mesaBOT
static spire
Also, in practice, token doublers usually do a lot more (since they offer the tokens immediately, and they synergize better with Teysa’s re-creation ability)
It’s just very hard to retroactively track “how many tokens did I make this turn” if she drops later in the same turn, especially since I kill a lot of my tokens on the same turn they come in
static spire
I'm tinkering with my Roalesk deck, and I'm considering this set of changes:
ADD: [[Kiora, Behemoth Beckoner]], [[Ram Through]], [[Umezawa's Jitte]], [[Displacer Kitten]], [[Ichormoon Gauntlet]], [[Delighted Halfling]]
REMOVE:
[[Teferi, Master of Time]] (too easy of a win)
[[Nissa, Voice of Zendikar]] (has been less useful as the deck has gotten more stormy)
[[Mirror Mockery]] (too narrow in practice, even if the ceiling is high)
[[Tyrant Guard]] (I'd rather rely on countermagic I think)
[[Tribute to the World Tree]] (just sorta goodstuffy)
[[Ozolith, the Shattered Spire]] (honestly, the list feels too tight for counter doublers unless they do something else meaningful)
I may go back and reverse some of these changes after testing, but I really like the IDEA of adding a set of Kitten lines (doubly so with Kiora), and killing someone after passing with [[Ram Through]] is hilarious.
Ichormoon may be too slow -- it's primarily intended for the second ability -- but it does offer another payoff for infinite proliferate. We shall see.
timber mesaBOT
Legendary Artifact — Equipment
Whenever equipped creature deals combat damage, put two charge counters on Umezawa's Jitte.
Remove a charge counter from Umezawa's Jitte: Choose one —
• Equipped creature gets +2/+2 until end of turn.
• Target creature gets -1/-1 until end of turn.
• You gain 2 life.
Equip
Creature — Halfling Citizen
: Add 
.
: Add one mana of any color. Spend this mana only to cast a legendary spell, and that spell can't be countered.
There were toys the Hobbit-children had never seen before, all beautiful, and some obviously magical.
1/2
Legendary Artifact
If one or more +1/+1 counters would be put on an artifact or creature you control, that many plus one +1/+1 counters are put on it instead.
, : Put a +1/+1 counter on target artifact or creature you control. Activate only as a sorcery.
Cycling (, Discard this card: Draw a card.)
static spire
Wait no, [[Devoted Druid]] over [[Delighted Halfling]] here 👀
timber mesaBOT
Creature — Elf Druid
: Add .
Put a -1/-1 counter on Devoted Druid: Untap Devoted Druid.
"Mana lurks in all things, even in the depths of one's own heart."
0/2
Creature — Halfling Citizen
: Add .
: Add one mana of any color. Spend this mana only to cast a legendary spell, and that spell can't be countered.
There were toys the Hobbit-children had never seen before, all beautiful, and some obviously magical.
1/2
zealous ferry
Ichormoon is a card I've had the most success with when I'm going to be guaranteed to be casting 2-4 spells a turn.
So like, [[Narset, Enlightened Exile]] or an artifact cheerios deck.\
timber mesaBOT
zealous ferry
Even if you only have 1-2 planeswalkers
static spire
Ichormoon is a card I've had the most success with when I'm going to be guarante...
Yeah, it's not behaving in my initial tests. I just want a second [[Flux Channeler]], dammit!
timber mesaBOT
static spire
I will admit, I'm tempted to just cut it for... a land
I'm on 36 lands plus 13 relatively cheap mana ramp sources, so I SHOULD be fine
and yet
somehow
always land screwed
static spire
I'm also considering adding another mana dork in that slot
since basically all my spicy stuff starts at 3 mana, so doing that T2 is gas
ocean tree
How many one mana dorks are left for you to slot in?
static spire
How many one mana dorks are left for you to slot in?
In blue-green? Two. [[Boreal Druid]] and [[Delighted Halfling]]
timber mesaBOT
Snow Creature — Elf Druid
: Add .
Some creatures are bound to the cold by Rimewind magic. Others seek it out, adapted by two thousand years of the Ice. The Boreal, where Heidar's frigid sway is strongest, is home to both.
1/1
Creature — Halfling Citizen
: Add .
: Add one mana of any color. Spend this mana only to cast a legendary spell, and that spell can't be countered.
There were toys the Hobbit-children had never seen before, all beautiful, and some obviously magical.
1/2
ocean tree
So Halfling and worse Halfling
Cool
I mean, Halfling would help you cast a good portion of your deck
And I’ve always felt ok with going to 35 lands
Hell I’ve been cutting back to 34 in some decks more recently
static spire
So Halfling and worse Halfling
Effectively, yeah 😅 I'm already playing all the ones in Simic which tap for colors
green plover
Whatcha doing?
static spire
Whatcha doing?
Whatcha mean? 🙂
green plover
It sounded like you needed help on something but I wasn't sure on what.
static spire
It sounded like you needed help on something but I wasn't sure on what.
Oh! I'm always in need of help on deckbuilding things 😂
Currently I'm trying to find 10-ish cuts here.
green plover
Jace, Cunning Castaway is not the strongest Jace out there and ultimately the advantages he gives aren't nearly as formidable or worth proliferating to get the ultimate off. He's a cheap Planeswalker but I do think there could be better power budget spent.
static spire
I'm also working on a new [[Ephara God of the Polis]] deck based on @untold sentinel 's list from the stream last week, but I'll share that when I feel it's ready for viewing.
timber mesaBOT
static spire
Jace, Cunning Castaway is not the strongest Jace out there and ultimately the ad...
Hm, I dunno -- it's really easy to get 8+ Jaces running around since my "Jace count" doubles with every two proliferates, then I can either -2 them all for an expendable army or +1 them all for a bunch of looting
rare mango
Infini-jaces
green plover
Perhaps yeah I can see that.
Heronblade Elite isn't really necessary here since she mainly works with Human Tribal.
And you already have Kami and Crystalline Crawler among others who fulfill her role just as nicely wit hthe other mana dorks.
So she can be removed.
untold sentinel
I'm also working on a new [[Ephara God of the Polis]] deck based on <@1785854577...
Oooh I can't wait to see!
green plover
And yeah I'm ecstastic to see Ephara too.
static spire
Infini-jaces
There’s actually several ways to do that here lol
static spire
Currently I'm planning to replace:
Displacer Kitten
Force of Will
Nesting Grounds
Pact of Negation
Ram Through
Tribute to the World Tree
green plover
Yeah I was thinking you could replace Ram Through so good choice.
static spire
I'm testing the following changes:
Bloodspore Thrinax --> Master Biomancer (Bloodspore puts counters on itself, but does nothing alone)
Force of Will --> Flusterstorm (trying to remove all 0-mana counters to make it more socially acceptable)
Pact of Negation --> Offer You Can't Refuse (see above)
Tribute to the World Tree --> Ozolith the Shattered Spire (Tribute is just... kinda awkward overall?)
Displacer Kitten --> Benthic Biomancer (I wanted Kitten to be good with Walkers, but it's too inconsistent)
Nesting Ground --> Blast Zone (pretty 1-for-1 swap, but I decided it was better to have removal)
Ram Through --> Narset, Parter of Veils (trying to get a bit more card advantage while interacting)
neon shore
I'm also working on a new [[Ephara God of the Polis]] deck based on <@1785854577...
I have one myself so I'm looking forward to seeing yours 🙂
untold sentinel
I have one myself so I'm looking forward to seeing yours 🙂
She’s the best - I worship the grounds she walks on
static spire
I have one myself so I'm looking forward to seeing yours 🙂
Can I see your list? My problem is not making it TOO oppressive
untold sentinel
Mine is I suppose lol
static spire
https://www.moxfield.com/decks/OwDviUSY-0uRklNU9Unw9Q
Can you explain to me your thoughts on your build?
neon shore
Can you explain to me your thoughts on your build?
It's a draw-go control deck. Slow down opponents using RoL and other taxation effects while gaining continuous advantage from Ephara triggers each turn. Finish in the late game with Elesh Norn or locking opponents out with Venser + Deadeye Navigator/Eldrazi Displacer.
untold sentinel
Ah - I didn’t built with that in mind — I don’t think I’m great at being that evil
static spire
SO!
Spent the afternoon making a bunch of changes to my Teysa list
I love the list when it works, but it's acting weirdly inconsistent recently
I'm hoping I can accomplish more token production and better board wipe access
Here's the initial set of tweaks:
ADD: Chivalric Alliance, Eldrazi Monument, The Golden Throne, Elspeth Tirel, Grand Crescendo, Volrath's Stronghold, Kalitas Traitor of Ghet
REMOVE: Recruiter of the Guard, Bennie Bracks Zoologist, Horn of the Mark, Szat's Will, Search for Glory, Liliana Vess, Divine Visitation
Four new token makers should be a decent start (plus going up by one land and another mana source, since I increased the overall CMC)...
sage cloak
It always frustrates me that aristocrats basically requires tutors to make the deck function
Even if there is enough redundancy you need like 4 separate pieces and a constant feed of creatures to keep the deck rolling
static spire
It always frustrates me that aristocrats basically requires tutors to make the d...
Can you clarify what you mean here?
sage cloak
You need bodies, drain effects, and if you want to keep going you need stuff like [[Grim haruspex]] and a way to force multiply all of that
timber mesaBOT
Creature — Human Wizard
Morph 
(You may cast this card face down as a 2/2 creature for . Turn it face up any time for its morph cost.)
Whenever another nontoken creature you control dies, draw a card.
"We all want to know what's going on in someone else's head. I simply open it up and look."
3/2
sage cloak
There’s just a lot of necessary cards for aristocrats
static spire
I don't run any drain effects and it's not built around death triggers very much
it's a superfriends deck 😂
...I mean, it DOES still have some aristocrat elements, but they're not the central axis around which the deck rotates
glacial cradle
You don't need tutors for aristocrats tho, cuz everything you need has tons of redundancy.
But yeah, Daedalus' Teysa is a little wacky wild, in a good way. Very unique.
static spire
But yeah, Daedalus' Teysa is a little wacky wild, in a good way. Very unique.
I actually have been considering cutting all the tutors from my Teysa list, but it would be a big blow since there's fundamentally not that many good planeswalkers in Orzhov, nor good cards which synergize with them 😂 Not compared to other colors, at least. Cutting the tutors would turn this into more basic aristocrats because there's a lot more existing options for that.
You know, come to think of it, why am I NOT running this in Avacyn and/or Teysa
glacial cradle
Oooh that's a tasty card
static spire
Excluding commanders of course, how many legendary creatures do I have in each deck...
AVACYN: Boromir, Elesh Norn, Gilraen, Skrelv, Slicer, Teshar, Eowyn
TEYSA: Adeline, Braids, Kalitas, Liliana, Mondrak, Yawgmoth
I appreciate that Teshar + Loyal Retainers can essentially grant immortality
static spire
Once again, I return to the idea of a blue-white blink/tokens deck.
As much as I aesthetically hate to admit this, Lord of the Rings did give me several new options...
[[Faramir, Steward of Gondor]] or [[Boromir Gondor's Hope]] could do good work.
static spire
Separately, I could also experiment with [[Oji, the Equisite Blade]]. I don't want to do Brago, they're very overdone.
timber mesaBOT
static spire
I just really want a deck where I can stack all the various ETB doublers 😭
[[Preston, the Vanisher]], [[Elesh Norn Mother of Machines]], [[Gandalf the White]]...
timber mesaBOT
Legendary Creature — Rabbit Wizard
Whenever another nontoken creature enters the battlefield under your control, if it wasn't cast, create a token that's a copy of that creature, except it's a 0/1 white Illusion.
, Sacrifice five Illusions: Exile target nonland permanent.
2/5
zealous ferry
You could just do mono-W
And pick one of those 3, or no because Lightpaws?
It is funny thinking about Elesh Norn with Lightpaws now.
static spire
Note to self: cards I'm trying to shove into Avacyn -- Eldrazi Displacer, Loyal Retainers, Preston the Vanisher, Sun Titan, Terror of the Peaks
static spire
I also want to rebuild Kroxa again, in a less combo-y way. IE, removing Worldgorger and Storm-Kiln lines in favor of actually relying on my commander again.
I'm bored with the "oh good I found these two cards I win" playstyle
I love me some infinite combos, don't doubt that, but I want them to be jankier
Dockside (on 5 treasures) + Altar of Dementia + Kroxa + Underworld Breach is more my jam
untold sentinel
@static spire can I interest you in one of my favorite jank combos I love
It only works if my opponent decides to play fast mana
static spire
hit me!
untold sentinel
Commander Geth Lord of the Vault out, Opp has a 0 drop like Mox Amber, Mox Opal, or lotus petal — need also in play a Amulet of Vigor and Alter of dementia. If it’s a Mox target also need a KCI.
Geth pay B, X=0, and target the 0 cmc artifact in opp grave. They mill 0. It enters. Trigger untap w/ amulet and each opp mills 1. If the artifact is Lotus petal sac for 1 B and repeat infinitely and mill the entire table. If it’s a Mox tap for 1 B then sac to KCI for 2 mana. Same effect but infinite colorless mana.
Tadaaa
You need 5 cards total and 1 has to be from an opponent
I accidentally discovered this when a friend of mine brought out his wombo combo deck with all this fast mana in it
It was glorious the look on his face when he realized what he fueled
static spire
lmao
untold sentinel
It was a “dust off the cogwheels in this brain to figure it out” with the board state at that time
static spire
I want to cut one card to add [[Preston, the Vanisher]]. I'd rather cut a creature if I could.
Which creature seems least useful and synergistic here? https://www.moxfield.com/decks/Vpiz7R8Rfk-0J7yX0AUQtA
timber mesaBOT
Legendary Creature — Rabbit Wizard
Whenever another nontoken creature enters the battlefield under your control, if it wasn't cast, create a token that's a copy of that creature, except it's a 0/1 white Illusion.
, Sacrifice five Illusions: Exile target nonland permanent.
2/5
green plover
Maybe Lizard Blades? Since the deck is so control heavy and you get more power from your blink effects and other equipments that you don't really need just having one source of double strike?
static spire
Maybe Lizard Blades? Since the deck is so control heavy and you get more power f...
Lizard Blades has been amazingly efficient though 🤔 As both a sword carrier and an equipment in its own right
static spire
Heck, now I need to cut another (non-creature) card or two for [[Blood Moon]] and/or [[The One Ring]]…
timber mesaBOT
Legendary Artifact
Indestructible
When The One Ring enters the battlefield, if you cast it, you gain protection from everything until your next turn.
At the beginning of your upkeep, you lose 1 life for each burden counter on The One Ring.
: Put a burden counter on The One Ring, then draw a card for each burden counter on The One Ring.
static spire
I want to cut one card to add [[Preston, the Vanisher]]. I'd rather cut a creatu...
What non-creatures would you cut here?
static spire
For now, testing:
IN: Fable of the Mirror Breaker, Blood Moon, Sun Titan, The One Ring
OUT: Aggravated Assault, Winter Orb, Static Orb, Teshar
(I suspect @rare mango will be happy I'm cutting the Orbs for now)
green plover
Good luck then!
static spire
Skyclave Apparition over Eidolon of Rhetoric as well
static spire
I think I'll be trying [[Reckless Handling]] over [[Fable of the Mirror-Breaker]] for a bit, since I'll have to order the latter
timber mesaBOT
Enchantment — Saga
(As this Saga enters and after your draw step, add a lore counter.)
I — Create a 2/2 red Goblin Shaman creature token with "Whenever this creature attacks, create a Treasure token."
II — You may discard up to two cards. If you do, draw that many cards.
III — Exile this Saga, then return it to the battlefield transformed under your control.
Reflection of Kiki-Jiki
Enchantment Creature — Goblin Shaman
, : Create a token that's a copy of another target nonlegendary creature you control, except it has haste. Sacrifice it at the beginning of the next end step.
Blessed by Keiga, the Tide Star, Kiki-Jiki would one day master the art of duplication.
2/2
static spire
So, @brazen epoch convinced me to try out an [[Elminster]] deck 👀
timber mesaBOT
Legendary Planeswalker — Elminster
Whenever you scry, the next instant or sorcery spell you cast this turn costs 
less to cast, where X is the number of cards looked at while scrying this way.
+2: Draw a card, then scry 2.
−3: Exile the top card of your library. Create a number of 1/1 blue Faerie Dragon creature tokens with flying equal to that card's mana value.
Elminster can be your commander.
Loyalty: 5
static spire
So that's what we'll be deckbuilding today.
Central goals: break [[Invasion of Segovia]] and [[Mystic Reflection]] as far as possible.
timber mesaBOT
Battle — Siege
(As a Siege enters, choose an opponent to protect it. You and others can attack it. When it's defeated, exile it, then cast it transformed.)
When Invasion of Segovia enters the battlefield, create two 1/1 blue Kraken creature tokens with trample.
Defense: 4
Caetus, Sea Tyrant of Segovia
Legendary Creature — Serpent
Noncreature spells you cast have convoke. (Your creatures can help cast those spells. Each creature you tap while casting a noncreature spell pays for or one mana of that creature's color.)
At the beginning of your end step, untap up to four target creatures.
3/3
Instant
Choose target nonlegendary creature. The next time one or more creatures or planeswalkers enter the battlefield this turn, they enter as copies of the chosen creature.
Foretell 
(During your turn, you may pay and exile this card from your hand face down. Cast it on a later turn for its foretell cost.)
static spire
Some ideas we generated in PMs:
[[Diviner's Portent]], [[Elvish Mariner]], [[Cryptic Annelid]], [[Palantir of Orthanc]], [[Lost Isle Calling]]
timber mesaBOT
Enchantment
Whenever you scry, put a verse counter on Lost Isle Calling.
, Exile Lost Isle Calling: Draw a card for each verse counter on Lost Isle Calling. If it had seven or more verse counters on it, take an extra turn after this one. Activate only as a sorcery.
"To the Sea, to the Sea!"
static spire
[[Elrond, Lord of Rivendell]], [[Rumor Gatherer]], [[Jace's Sanctum]], [[Jace, Mirror Mage]], [[Netherese Puzzle Ward]]
timber mesaBOT
Enchantment
Instant and sorcery spells you cast cost less to cast.
Whenever you cast an instant or sorcery spell, scry 1. (Look at the top card of your library. You may put that card on the bottom of your library.)
"For all our lofty talk of keeping watch, we had no idea what we were getting into." —Jace Beleren
Legendary Planeswalker — Jace
Kicker
When Jace, Mirror Mage enters the battlefield, if Jace was kicked, create a token that's a copy of Jace, Mirror Mage, except it's not legendary and its starting loyalty is 1.
+1: Scry 2.
0: Draw a card and reveal it. Remove a number of loyalty counters equal to that card's mana value from Jace, Mirror Mage.
Loyalty: 4
static spire
https://scryfall.com/card/ltr/283/elvish-mariner
I keep trying to type "Elvish Marinade"
brazen epoch
[[Fated Infatuation]]
timber mesaBOT
brazen epoch
Does the cost reduction affect [[Mystic Speculation]] ?
timber mesaBOT
Sorcery
Buyback (You may pay an additional as you cast this spell. If you do, put this card into your hand as it resolves.)
Scry 3. (Look at the top three cards of your library, then put any number of them on the bottom of your library and the rest on top in any order.)
static spire
Does the cost reduction affect [[Mystic Speculation]] ?
It does indeed!
I'm trying to figure out how to make this deck playable, when I want to have a lot of high-cmc stuff for Elminster to exile
Also, what are the best X spells (or very high cost spells) for this idea?
rare mango
I'm trying to figure out how to make this deck playable, when I want to have a l...
Oooooo I know the answer to this one!
🙂
static spire
[[The Magic Mirror]] seems decent here
timber mesaBOT
Legendary Artifact
This spell costs less to cast for each instant and sorcery card in your graveyard.
You have no maximum hand size.
At the beginning of your upkeep, put a knowledge counter on The Magic Mirror, then draw a card for each knowledge counter on The Magic Mirror.
brazen epoch
[[Spotter Thopter]] maybe?
timber mesaBOT
Artifact Creature — Thopter
Prototype — 2/3 (You may cast this spell with different mana cost, color, and size. It keeps its abilities and types.)
Flying
When Spotter Thopter enters the battlefield, scry X, where X is its power.
4/5
static spire
[[Spotter Thopter]] maybe?
If only Elminster's reduction applied to creatures as well 😭
Ooooo, [[God-Eternal Kefnet]] is very fun with scrying strategies
timber mesaBOT
Legendary Creature — Zombie God
Flying
You may reveal the first card you draw each turn as you draw it. Whenever you reveal an instant or sorcery card this way, copy that card and you may cast the copy. That copy costs less to cast.
When God-Eternal Kefnet dies or is put into exile from the battlefield, you may put it into its owner's library third from the top.
4/5
static spire
As are all the [[Future Sight]] variants, and [[Counterbalance]] since I'll be running [[Sensei's Divining Top]] anyway
timber mesaBOT
Artifact
: Look at the top three cards of your library, then put them back in any order.
: Draw a card, then put Sensei's Divining Top on top of its owner's library.
timber mesaBOT
timber mesaBOT
Instant
Choose target nonlegendary creature. The next time one or more creatures or planeswalkers enter the battlefield this turn, they enter as copies of the chosen creature.
Foretell (During your turn, you may pay and exile this card from your hand face down. Cast it on a later turn for its foretell cost.)
static spire
but what if I run [[Spellseeker]]
timber mesaBOT
brazen epoch
Also [[Sapphire Dragon]] can be rude af
timber mesaBOT
Creature — Dragon
Flying
Whenever Sapphire Dragon attacks or blocks, scry 2.
5/6
Psionic Pulse
Instant — Adventure
Counter target noncreature spell. (Then exile this card. You may cast the creature later from exile.)
brazen epoch
Oh no
static spire
and then go "Spellseeker, search for Mystic Reflection, make a bunch of tokens, have the tokens all come in AS Spellseekers, search for all my X spells, go off"
Okay, I need to check and see what X spells exist in my colors, doubly ones which interact with either scrying or tokens
Also, what good ways exist for me to use a planeswalker multiple times per turn beyond [[Oath of Teferi]]
timber mesaBOT
static spire
https://www.moxfield.com/decks/cGBLUxZYUk6igYsfuHSQsQ
@brazen epoch pinning the decklist I'm tinkering with
Does anyone know if there's a good way to search X spells on Scryfall?
Never mind, figured it out:
(m:"{X}" OR o:"{X}") commander:WU (game:paper)
brazen epoch
Oh I was just trying to figure that out perfect
static spire
Okay, some X-spells which caught my eye, categorized:
Tokens
- [[Occult Epiphany]]
- [[Secure the Wastes]]
- [[Grand Crescendo]]
- [[Finale of Glory]]
- [[Dance of the Manse]] (in practice)
static spire
- [[Horn of Valhalla]]
- [[Martial Coup]]
- [[Path of the Ghost Hunter]]
- [[Stolen by the Fae]]
- [[White Sun's Twilight]]
timber mesaBOT
Artifact — Equipment
Equipped creature gets +1/+1 for each creature you control.
Equip
Ysgard's Call
Sorcery — Adventure
Create X 1/1 white Soldier creature tokens. (Then exile this card. You may cast the artifact later from exile.)
static spire
Draw
- [[Finale of Revelation]]
- [[Blue Sun's Twilight]]
- [[Change of Plans]]
- [[Pull from Tomorrow]]
- [[Diviner's Portent]]
static spire
- [[Transcendant Message]]
Other
- [[Rally the Ancestors]]
- [[Whir of Invention]]
timber mesaBOT
Instant
Convoke (Your creatures can help cast this spell. Each creature you tap while casting this spell pays for or one mana of that creature's color.)
Draw X cards.
Wrenn reached out to Teferi through the Blind Eternities, and an impossible connection flared across the vast emptiness.
Instant
Improvise (Your artifacts can help cast this spell. Each artifact you tap after you're done activating mana abilities pays for .)
Search your library for an artifact card with mana value X or less, put it onto the battlefield, then shuffle.
static spire
Okay, I got it down to 100 @brazen epoch @timid bolt
Not quite happy with it, I feel like it's not at a place where it'll run smoothly and reliably, but I can feel that there's the kernel of a good idea here. I'll keep messing with it!
static spire
Would love your thoughts!
static spire
Is that gonna be enough lands?
I... think so? Maybe? Given the amount of scry?
Unsure. But also unsure what to cut, or how to tighten the deck's focus
static spire
Note to self: despite the fact that this sounds like heresy, I'm considering cutting [[Sword of Forge and Frontier]] for [[Brass Knuckles]]
timber mesaBOT
Artifact — Equipment
Equipped creature gets +2/+2 and has protection from red and from green.
Whenever equipped creature deals combat damage to a player, exile the top two cards of your library. You may play those cards this turn. You may play an additional land this turn.
Equip
Artifact — Equipment
When you cast this spell, copy it. (The copy becomes a token.)
Equipped creature has double strike as long as two or more Equipment are attached to it.
Equip (: Attach to target creature you control. Equip only as a sorcery.)
static spire
The protection from red is really irritating me, since it shuts down Lizard Blades, Embercleave, Reaver Cleaver, etc
It’s also frustrating that I have to play the spell “right then” since I have a lot of ROL stax and a lot of reactive spells like Deflecting Swat
glacial cradle
Brass Knuckles is really quite good
static spire
In theory I want every equipment which grants card advantage
But protection from red is actually a downside, and I don't play nicely with uncontrollable impulse draw 😭
static spire
Brass Knuckles is really quite good
For sure! I like that it encourages a more "go wide" approach.
glacial cradle
And it's just a more resilient source of double strike a lot of the time
static spire
And it's just a more resilient source of double strike a lot of the time
I'm trying to think if I'm missing any good equipment which offer card advantage?
glacial cradle
[[Rogues Gloves]]
timber mesaBOT
Artifact — Equipment
Whenever equipped creature deals combat damage to a player, you may draw a card.
Equip (: Attach to target creature you control. Equip only as a sorcery.)
Thievery requires subtlety, from the beginning of the heist to the end.
glacial cradle
[[Bilbo's ring]]
timber mesaBOT
Legendary Artifact — Equipment
As long as it's your turn, equipped creature has hexproof and can't be blocked.
Whenever equipped creature attacks alone, you draw a card and you lose 1 life.
Equip Halfling (: Attach to target Halfling you control. Equip only as a sorcery.)
Equip (: Attach to target creature you control. Equip only as a sorcery.)
glacial cradle
[[Glimmer Lens]]
timber mesaBOT
Artifact — Equipment
For Mirrodin! (When this Equipment enters the battlefield, create a 2/2 red Rebel creature token, then attach this to it.)
Whenever equipped creature and at least one other creature attack, draw a card.
Equip
timber mesaBOT
Artifact — Equipment
Whenever equipped creature attacks, roll a six-sided die. That creature gets +X/+0 until end of turn, where X is the result. Then if it has the greatest power or is tied for greatest power among creatures on the battlefield, draw a card.
Equip
"I don't know you, but that hammer rings a bell."
zealous ferry
[[Sword of Once and Future]] is if you count your graveyard
timber mesaBOT
Artifact — Equipment
Equipped creature gets +2/+2 and has protection from blue and from black.
Whenever equipped creature deals combat damage to a player, surveil 2. Then you may cast an instant or sorcery spell with mana value 2 or less from your graveyard without paying its mana cost. If that spell would be put into your graveyard, exile it instead.
Equip
static spire
[[Sword of Once and Future]] is if you count your graveyard
I don't run many instants or sorceries at that cost unfortunately 😦 I wish there was a better recursion equipment
static spire
Trying to see if I can find slots for these in Teysa... https://www.moxfield.com/decks/3Vm_imDyY0ic0T-O14lbdw
zealous ferry
I checked the article on the teyo in foil because Blake said they might be but you needed to check the article when he was asked
Because he couldn't remember specifically
static spire
does [[pramikon]] have the "last chosen direction" wording?
timber mesaBOT
static spire
I'm wondering what happens if I copy Teyo's ability with [[Rings of Brighthearth]], and choose opposite directions
timber mesaBOT
Artifact
Whenever you activate an ability, if it isn't a mana ability, you may pay . If you do, copy that ability. You may choose new targets for the copy.
"Without flame, there would be no iron tools, no cooked meals, no purge of old growth to make room for new." —Brighthearth creed
zealous ferry
Ah
Yeah, teyo overrides mystic barrier and pramikon
Since it isn't letting you not be attacked
So if you activate and choose right then cast mystic barrier and choose left, it would just be left.
As opposed to pramikon+barrier where no one can attack
static spire
I know that the ruling on "two Pramikons" is nobody can attack
zealous ferry
It almost wants teyo to have settle the wreckage or comeuppance
static spire
These two are definitely getting slammed into Calix.
But now I need two cuts. Help?? 😭
I also still need two more cuts in Teysa, ugh... 😨
Ah, heck, Ondu Spiritdancer is FIVE mana. I thought he was three for whatever reason. Never mind, don't need him anymore...
At least it makes cut choices easier 😂
balmy mantle
But now I need two cuts. Help?? 😭
With how low the curve is you probably don’t even need composer. I could maybe see the rotpriest being the cut but there’s probably some combo or interactions I’m not seeing.
static spire
With how low the curve is you probably don’t even need composer. I could maybe s...
Yeah, Rotpriest + Flickering Ward is one of my major combo-kill lines haha
balmy mantle
Yeah, Rotpriest + Flickering Ward is one of my major combo-kill lines haha
I knew there was something I wasn’t seeing 🤣
static spire
I knew there was something I wasn’t seeing 🤣
I probably could cut it, though, since I did add a new way to close down the game -- [[Starfield of Nyx]] + [[Parallax Wave]] + [[Oblivion Ring]] to exile all opposing permanents and just pass with a giant army up
balmy mantle
I’m leaning towards angelic destiny being the cut but I’m not sure why
static spire
Just for testing purposes at an EDH night yesterday, I cut Siona and Shielded by Faith -- since I find that 2-card combo pretty boring -- along with Dawn's Reflection and Market Festival, in favor of the three cards I just mentioned plus the Satyr
balmy mantle
That seems like the way to go tbh. I like when people do fresh things instead of well known A + B = win type stuff.
static spire
That seems like the way to go tbh. I like when people do fresh things instead of...
I might stick Siona back in, at some point -- I like that she has the capacity to generate tokens for Earthcraft purposes! -- but yeah I'm trying to avoid 2-card combos in all my decks. I love combos, but gimme that janky 5-card combo energy!
balmy mantle
I might stick Siona back in, at some point -- I like that she has the capacity t...
I think you might enjoy the janky 4-card combo I have in the ghidora deck I just posted.
static spire
Where'd you post it?
balmy mantle
I made a new forum post for it in #1020353936592470147
static spire
I made a new forum post for it in <#1020353936592470147>
I see the deck, what's the janky 4-card combo?
balmy mantle
I see the deck, what's the janky 4-card combo?
Cloudstone curio + dockside + Ghidora mutate + Zoanthorpe
static spire
Cloudstone curio + dockside + Ghidora mutate + Zoanthorpe
It's a super fun combo and I love the Ghidora mutate-focused direction of the deck, but I'm not sure that counts as janky per se 😅 Cloudstone + Dockside + mana sink in the command zone is one of the best known combos in the game, it's common in cEDH even -- I've used it in four decks (including one mutate-centric combo deck of my own, Vadrok)
balmy mantle
It's a super fun combo and I love the Ghidora mutate-focused direction of the de...
Fair 🤣 it’s the 4-card bit that makes it a little janky, I think there’s some other combo thats jankyer in the list just can’t remember it atm cause we were brewing at like 4 am
static spire
I'd love to chat about that Ghirodah list at some point, for sure!
I do count that combo as a 2-card combo, though -- it's Dockside + Cloudstone + [any creature] + [card already in command zone]. Sure, it's technically four moving pieces, but you only need to FIND two (Cloudstone and Dockside)
balmy mantle
Fair, doors of durin opens up a more janky combo now that I look at the list
static spire
Same way that Worldgorger + Animate Dead is a 2-card combo, even if the actual WIN is via Kroxa from zone
I do love me some Doors of Durin spice 👀 what's the shenanigans there?
balmy mantle
Doors sets the top deck for illuna trigger, and since doors cant hit artifacts or enchantments we can use it to get either type for free off the mutate guaranteed
static spire
By the way -- I played some games against @timid bolt and @brazen epoch last night. Some conclusions re: future deckbuilding...
-
I like the new Avacyn blink tweaks a LOT. Notably, [[Gilraen Protector]] slaps, I used her to singlehandedly build a giant board: Imperial Recruiter fetched Gilraen, Gilraen blinked Recruiter to fetch Preston, and suddenely I went berserk with blinking and tutoring. I still lost that game in practice since my Mommy Norn got stolen by a Mind Flayer and shut down my engine, but it was SPICY while it lasted. Sun Titan also earned his slot, he's hilarious with Mommy Norn since he often returns things with ETB effects themselves.
-
Calix did good work, but wasn't as explosive as he'd been in tests -- mostly because I wasn't able to consistently connect with my opponents' faces. I need to figure out how to patch that issue, or perhaps mulligan better.
-
Teysa's recent changes are working well: Bowmasters and [[Elspeth Tirel]] are both fantastic additions and I'm sad I never included Elspeth earlier.
timber mesaBOT
Legendary Creature — Human Noble
, : Exile another target creature you control. You may return that card to the battlefield under its owner's control. If you don't, at the beginning of the next end step, return that card to the battlefield under its owner's control with a vigilance counter and a lifelink counter on it.
"Ónen i-Estel Edain, ú-chebin estel anim."
2/3
brazen epoch
Also [[Aura Shards]] is something you mentioned you had to think about
timber mesaBOT
timber mesaBOT
static spire
with all the [[Nadier's Nightblade]] effects
timber mesaBOT
static spire
which say "1 damage whenever an artifact is created / hits GY"
balmy mantle
I run Prosper as that, and its a blast! I actually think Ob is faster than prosper if you can believe it.
zealous ferry
What for [[Reckless Fireweaver]] and [[Disciple of the Vault]]ish effects?
static spire
I run Prosper as that, and its a blast! I actually think Ob is *faster* than pro...
I definitely believe it, yeah
static spire
What for [[Reckless Fireweaver]] and [[Disciple of the Vault]]ish effects?
Yep! There's actually a bunch of ways to transform treasures into 1-damage pings:
- [[Ingenious Artillerist]]
- [[Mirkwood Bats]]
- [[Reckless Fireweaver]]
- [[Hedron Detonator]]
- [[Nadier's Nightblade]]
timber mesaBOT
Creature — Goblin Artificer
Whenever an artifact enters the battlefield under your control, Hedron Detonator deals 1 damage to target opponent.
, Sacrifice two artifacts: Exile the top card of your library. You may play that card this turn.
"Compleat this!"
2/3
static spire
- [[Mayhem Devil]]
- [[Underhanded Designs]]
- [[Ghirapur Aether Grid]]
- [[Agent of the Iron Throne]]
- [[Flame Fusillade]]
timber mesaBOT
Enchantment
Whenever an artifact enters the battlefield under your control, you may pay . If you do, each opponent loses 1 life and you gain 1 life.
, Sacrifice Underhanded Designs: Destroy target creature. Activate only if you control two or more artifacts.
Sorcery
Until end of turn, permanents you control gain ": This permanent deals 1 damage to any target."
"A single item acting as lantern and lance? Now that's military efficiency." —Brev Grezar, Boros lieutenant
static spire
Oh and [[Disciple of the Vault]] of course. The OG!
timber mesaBOT
zealous ferry
Artillerist wouldn't necessarily work
You would have to do 1 treasure at a time
If you make 5 treasure it does 5 damage all at once.
static spire
Artillerist wouldn't necessarily work
True. He's more limited in scope. Still, a lot of things make one treasure at a time, so he'll work for many options.
But this idea inspired me!
Because the treasures provide the mana
And Ob provides a steady stream of card draw
I feel like I could just shred through my deck
Plus there's some very cute synergies like [[Ruthless Technomancer]] sacrificing Ob to make a whole BUCKET of Treasures and kill someone
timber mesaBOT
Creature — Human Wizard
When Ruthless Technomancer enters the battlefield, you may sacrifice another creature you control. If you do, create a number of Treasure tokens equal to that creature's power.
, Sacrifice X artifacts: Return target creature card with power X or less from your graveyard to the battlefield. X can't be 0.
2/4
static spire
Okay so!
Tested the Ob Nixilis deck
It's, uh
It's pretty nasty
With that being said, I'd need to reskin four new cards from Universes Beyond
[[Cavern-Hoard Dragon]], [[Mines of Moria]], [[Mirkwood Bats]], [[Spiteful Banditry]]
timber mesaBOT
Creature — Dragon
This spell costs less to cast, where X is the greatest number of artifacts an opponent controls.
Flying, trample, haste
Whenever Cavern-Hoard Dragon deals combat damage to a player, you create a Treasure token for each artifact that player controls.
6/6
Legendary Land
Mines of Moria enters the battlefield tapped unless you control a legendary creature.
: Add 
.
, , Exile three cards from your graveyard: Create two Treasure tokens.
"Moria! Moria! Wonder of the Northern world!" —Glóin
neon shore
It's pretty nasty
static spire
Beneath five thousand years of sand, the weapons of the Thran wait for men of vision to seize it once more.
"My foolish brother can keep his shining city. The wonders of the Thran sleep below the sand, awaiting a new master."
{-} Mishra, to Ashnod"My brother has grown soft. The wonders of the Thran belong to those brave enough to seize them."
"My brother is a coward, hiding in his shining city. A thousand wonders await me, sleeping below the sand."
"While my brother hides in his shining city, a thousand wonders sleep below the sand, awaiting men of vision // a new master."
"A thousand wonders sleep beneath the sands, awaiting men of vision to wield their power once more."
"My brother looks down on me from his high tower. But the wonders of the Thran await those brave enough to take them."
“I am master of the desert, and its thousand sleeping wonders. Soon my brother will rule a kingdom of ash.”
{-} Mishra, to Hajar
(Many, MANY attempts at good flavor text for a Mines of Moria reskin)
Tossing it into #custom-cards
knotty shard
Not Nightmare Lurgoyf, unplayable
static spire
Not Nightmare Lurgoyf, unplayable
you know, you're totally right, card is now BANNED
(if I ran the RC)
static spire
Tentatively testing [[Ashiok Wicked]] and [[Teyo Geometric]] over [[Kalitas Traitor]] and [[Pyre Heroes]] in Teysa
timber mesaBOT
Legendary Creature — Vampire Warrior
Lifelink
If a nontoken creature an opponent controls would die, instead exile that card and create a 2/2 black Zombie creature token.
, Sacrifice another Vampire or Zombie: Put two +1/+1 counters on Kalitas, Traitor of Ghet.
3/4
Artifact
, , Sacrifice a creature: Search your library for a creature card that shares a creature type with the sacrificed creature and has mana value equal to 1 plus that creature's mana value. Put that card onto the battlefield, then shuffle. Activate only as a sorcery.
static spire
Ashiok is only useful for the +1 and -2, and Teyo is good on early turns and able to defend himself, I'm hopeful overall
sage cloak
Is that pioneer legal?
I have sultai a deck I was brewing back in the day that had themes similar to jund in modern
static spire
Is that pioneer legal?
Which card?
static spire
It will be!
sage cloak
Oh sick
static spire
It’s from an upcoming set
sage cloak
That and urborg Lhurgoyf I feel can make a spicy build
Maybe run like [[Chupacabra]] and [[Skull Prophet]]
timber mesaBOT
Creature — Human Druid
: Add or .
: Mill two cards.
"I study bone because that's where truth dwells. One monster knucklebone is wiser than all that damp meat in your head."
3/1
sage cloak
Basically a Sidisi deck
green plover
I am going to try Skull Prophet in Anikthea. I think it'll do a lot of early game weight pulling
sage cloak
I am going to try Skull Prophet in Anikthea. I think it'll do a lot of early gam...
It really does. Have a friend with a Muldrotha deck and it does work. I also recommend [[Millikin]]
timber mesaBOT
Artifact Creature — Construct
, Mill a card: Add . (To mill a card, put the top card of your library into your graveyard.)
"Another failure," grumbled the toymaker. She slammed the door with such gusto that she failed to notice the eyes watching her.
0/1
zealous ferry
Just saying this but then will move elsewhere, FWIW I'm poking around at dredge in Anikthea to convert the enchantress triggers
static spire
Just saying this but then will move elsewhere, FWIW I'm poking around at dredge ...
I don't mind chatter in my thread -- that's a very clever idea. Do you have a good way to discard the card again?
zealous ferry
The most unexpected is [[Nature's Blessing]]
timber mesaBOT
Enchantment
, Discard a card: Put a +1/+1 counter on target creature or that creature gains banding, first strike, or trample. (This effect lasts indefinitely. Any creatures with banding, and up to one without, can attack in a band. Bands are blocked as a group. If any creatures with banding a player controls are blocking or being blocked by a creature, that player divides that creature's combat damage, not its controller, among any of the creatures it's being blocked by or is blocking.)
"Be open to the blessings, whatever their form." —Kaysa, elder druid of the Juniper Order
zealous ferry
[[Moldervine Cloak]] is the weirdest one because you could also just play it on creatures and let them die.
timber mesaBOT
zealous ferry
But, [[Peace of Mind]], [[Solitary Confinement]], [[Chivalric Alliance]] and [[Oblivion Crown]] are the other enchantment ways to do it that seem not terrible.
timber mesaBOT
Enchantment
, Discard a card: You gain 3 life.
Not all minds touched by the Eldrazi turn to raging psychosis. Some simply withdraw from this world into memories of a better one.
Enchantment
Whenever you attack with two or more creatures, draw a card.
, Discard a card: Create a 2/2 white and blue Knight creature token with vigilance.
"I dub thee Syr Hellraker. For now."
zealous ferry
I guess theoretically Mortiphobia or Narcissism would work too
The nice thing about Nature's Blessing is that the buffs last until the creature leaves the battlefield or all creature abilities are removed. Menace plus either First strike or Trample can just be brutal.
And if you play [[Archetype of Finality]] everything would have deathtouch.
timber mesaBOT
static spire
The most unexpected is [[Nature's Blessing]]
Yeah, that's such a weird card! I've used it once or twice in things.
static spire
MAN, I just had the nastiest opener in a game with my treasure tribal deck
T2 Kalain, T3 Culling the Weak into Ancient Copper Dragon, T4 Mirkwood Bats, nail everyone in the face for 30.
zealous ferry
Oww
static spire
@hazy nimbus Seriously though!
There's been a BUNCH of incidental fox creatures printed these last few years
hazy nimbus
oooooooooo
static spire
There's now ACTUALLY enough foxes to make Patron of the Kitsune (kinda) functional even without dipping into changelings
static spire
36 foxes with mono-white identity!
hazy nimbus
OwO
static spire
ÒwÓ
static spire
On a tragically non-fox note....
Maybe I should run [[Battle of the Bywater]] in Teysa
timber mesaBOT
Sorcery
Destroy all creatures with power 3 or greater. Then create a Food token for each creature you control. (It's an artifact with ", , Sacrifice this artifact: You gain 3 life.")
The Tooks marched in with Pippin at their head. Merry now had enough sturdy Hobbitry to deal with the ruffians.
static spire
I forgot that card existed
static spire
Hey all!
https://www.moxfield.com/decks/iG-f1enrx02fvS0suCVJug
I've got a new deck underway, inspired by a friend of mine -- can I get thoughts on the last few cuts?
It's meant to actually be playable in casual metas, so no tutors, cheaty fast mana artifacts, etc
static spire
Okay, got a chance to play this Captain N'ghathrod deck a bit
It's pretty fun if it curves out! I haven't won a game yet but every game has been fun IF I didn't get mana-screwed
Definitely needs some more interaction and board wipes though
Any thoughts on what I can cut to accomplish that?
I also need more ways to regain life, what's the best black ways to do so?
Excluding non-horror creatures 🤔
zealous ferry
Which changes did you make since yesterday?
Gaining life though, blood artist effects are my first thought
hazy nimbus
I just recently slotted Kindred Domination (Dominance?) into my N'Ghathrod list and it puts in serious work for the horror theme
timber mesaBOT
sage cloak
I also need more ways to regain life, what's the best black ways to do so?
Can’t hurt to run a good ol’ [[exsanguinate]]
timber mesaBOT
sage cloak
You also have [[whip of erebos]], [[Vito Thorn]]
timber mesaBOT
Legendary Enchantment Artifact
Creatures you control have lifelink.
, : Return target creature card from your graveyard to the battlefield. It gains haste. Exile it at the beginning of the next end step. If it would leave the battlefield, exile it instead of putting it anywhere else. Activate only as a sorcery.
Legendary Creature — Vampire Cleric
Whenever you gain life, target opponent loses that much life.
: Creatures you control gain lifelink until end of turn.
"Through the blood of the wicked, we shall be redeemed. Let us pray."
1/3
sage cloak
[[Exquisite Blood]] is, well, exquisite for this
timber mesaBOT
zealous ferry
Also second whip since you'll be attacking
sage cloak
Vito has done work in my decks
zealous ferry
Daedalus said no non-horrors though
[[Rite of Consumption]] can take one of the largest creatures and fling it.
timber mesaBOT
sage cloak
I never really understand that tbh, like if you’re replacing a non-creature card with a creature card with a better effect, it’s basically just still an enchantment that can sometimes chip in
static spire
Which changes did you make since yesterday?
I've changed like... 20 cards since yesterday, I think? Biggest change is that I've completely cut ALL the mill
(It was pretty mediocre except when I had my commander, and when I had my commander I was already stealing enough stuff via horror damage)
static spire
Would [[simulacrum]] help?
It's mostly due to paying life into things like Black Market Connections unfortunately 😦
(Also, while I love Simulacrum, it's very irritating to track if I draw it later in a turn)
static spire
[[Exquisite Blood]] is, well, exquisite for this
Yeah, it's a possibility 🤔 People will assume I'm combo-ing off though...
static spire
You also have [[whip of erebos]], [[Vito Thorn]]
Would you believe that I forgot Whip had the lifelink clause? It's in there now, thank you!
static spire
[[Rite of Consumption]] can take one of the largest creatures and fling it.
That's a very interesting idea with stuff like [[Consuming Aberration]] 🤔 I need to find a slot now!
timber mesaBOT
static spire
Someone also suggested [[Meathook Massacre]] in another server!
timber mesaBOT
static spire
But now I need two cuts 😂
I think I'll cut [[Raise the Palissades]] -- I'd rather run either [[Cyclonic Rift]] or [[Kindred Dominance]] in that slot, I think
timber mesaBOT
Instant
Return target nonland permanent you don't control to its owner's hand.
Overload 
(You may cast this spell for its overload cost. If you do, change "target" in its text to "each.")
The Izzet specialize in unnatural disaster.
static spire
(also, god DAMN we need a reprint for [[Cover of Darkness]])
timber mesaBOT
static spire
I think I'm cutting that for now, just because I can't afford one casually right now 😂
sage cloak
Yeah, it's a possibility 🤔 People will assume I'm combo-ing off though...
Just tell them you’re not, that’s sure to work /s
static spire
Okay hold on
I'm going to make a second divergent build of this deck
which dives heavily into shapeshifters/clones
hazy nimbus
So it doesn't get lost in the QotD thread:
https://deckstats.net/decks/216796/2886854-n-ghathrod-s-revenge
That's my list
static spire
because I'm realizing that 1) there's only a certain number of horrors which are actually amazing on their own, and 2) Captain N'Gathrad works REALLY REALLY WELL in multiples (assuming you can overcome the legend rule)
hazy nimbus
Happy to answer any questions about inclusions in it (and there are 36 lands, I think - 6 are utility and in other categories. Thinking of re-doing how I organized that)
I... Hadn't thought of that
😮
sage cloak
There’s a ton of clones and support cards that remove legendary requirements
static spire
"swing for 12, mill 36, I get three things"
hazy nimbus
I should really find a way to put Elder Brain back in for flavor
sage cloak
In a similar vein, [[Eowyn||LTC]] would be a cool clones deck
timber mesaBOT
static spire
There’s a ton of clones and support cards that remove legendary requirements
Yeah, I'm on four in the current list: the two Sakashimas, Spark Double, and Irenicus's Vile Duplication
sage cloak
Yeah, I'm on four in the current list: the two Sakashimas, Spark Double, and Ire...
Then there’s other cards like mirror box that remove the legend rule
You’re in black for tutors
static spire
You’re in black for tutors
My goal was to try and go tutorless here, in theory
sage cloak
Right I just mean a couple tasteful ones so you can consistently get a legend rule remover
static spire
I could run [[Mirror Maze]] but I have standards, I'm not making an attraction deck
timber mesaBOT
timber mesaBOT
zealous ferry
Yeah, I'm on four in the current list: the two Sakashimas, Spark Double, and Ire...
You don't have [[Endless Evil]]?
timber mesaBOT
zealous ferry
Which was in the deck
hazy nimbus
It doesn't bypass the legendary rule
static spire
You don't have [[Endless Evil]]?
I do! It can't clone legendary creatures though
hazy nimbus
Unless I'm missing something
static spire
Unless I'm missing something
Well, it can clone [[Spark Double]] and friends
timber mesaBOT
static spire
but it can't do it alone
zealous ferry
There are some legendaries with good death triggers
But, Mirror Box does help get around it
static spire
There are some legendaries with good death triggers
Trust me, preaching to the choir 😂 I've got my Roalesk deck to do that
static spire
oh my goodness
okay so
this new Captain Slimy deck is actually super fun
I was playing a game with a friend, and they cast [[Wildfire]] to eat everyone's lands and creatures
timber mesaBOT
static spire
Several turns later, I managed to cast [[Psionic Ritual]] copied to get 4 spells
timber mesaBOT
static spire
Which gave me (in this order):
- [[Patriarch's Bidding]] to return all Horrors
- [[Assassin's Trophy]] to destroy someone's Prismatic Bridge
- [[Teferi's Protection]] to phase out my newly returned board
- [[Wildfire]] again to destroy every single surviving permanent
That was hilarious and I love this deck forever now.
static spire
Check that one off my EDh bucket list!
Changes from that set of testing:
- Remove Mana Vault, Nighthowler, and Mindslicer. This removes an infinite combo I forgot about, Nighthowler kinda gets stuck in my hand when I haven't milled anyone yet, and Mindslicer is sorta unfun anyway (even though I have a beautiful foil copy 😭 )
- Add Woe Strider, Graveshifter, and Memory Plunder.
static spire
Hey, question! What cards let me cast instants and sorceries from opposing graveyards at a good rate?
I already have [[Memory Plunder]] and [[Psionic Ritual]]
glacial cradle
Wrexial?
static spire
She's not a horror unfortunately 😦
glacial cradle
[[Mnemonic Betrayal]] possibly.
timber mesaBOT
static spire
[[Mnemonic Betrayal]] possibly.
For sure if I were piloting this in a cEDH meta, but I don't think I'll hit rituals and fast rocks in casual circles 😦
static spire
lol
glacial cradle
[[Flawless Forgery]]
timber mesaBOT
glacial cradle
If you're looking for specifically not creatures that seems like the only solid option you're missing
Creature options include deluxe dragster and Diluvian primordial
timber mesaBOT
static spire
OMG how did I forget [[Spellweaver Volute]]
timber mesaBOT
zealous ferry
I still want to know how it's going to be worked into a future set
Because I don't think its happened yet
static spire
I still want to know how it's going to be worked into a future set
Not all cards are guaranteed to be
hazy nimbus
Oh shit. I should use that in Lord of the Nazgul
zealous ferry
They aren't all guaranteed to be but there are people who believe in the power of whimsy at WotC and they will try to shoehorn it in somehow
I still wonder if Battlebond partially exists because of [[Imperial Mask]]
timber mesaBOT
static spire
Okay so -- I need to find a slot for [[Werefox Girlfriend]] and [[Kellan Fae-Blooded]] in Avacyn.
timber mesaBOT
Creature — Elf Fox Knight
Flash
When "Werefox Girlfriend" enters the battlefield, exile up to one target non-Fox creature until "Werefox Girlfriend" leaves the battlefield.
, Sacrifice "Werefox Girlfriend": You gain 2 life.
2/2
Legendary Creature — Human Faerie
Double strike
Other creatures you control get +1/+0 for each Aura and Equipment attached to Kellan, the Fae-Blooded.
2/2
Birthright Boon
Sorcery — Adventure
Search your library for an Aura or Equipment card, reveal it, put it into your hand, then shuffle.
zealous ferry
Thank you for linking again, was going to ask
So, Kellan
I look at your creatures and I don't think there's a good sub there
Would you consider changing him and [[Steelshaper's Gift]] or would you want both
timber mesaBOT
zealous ferry
Plus side, he's tutorable with either recruiter.
static spire
Would you consider changing him and [[Steelshaper's Gift]] or would you want bot...
I was thinking about that yeah... I kinda do want both but I could budge on that
I was also considering cutting Sun Titan again
zealous ferry
Yeah. That was one I wasn't sure how it played in your deck