Daedalus's Deckbuilding Domain -- Help Appreciated!

[raw flint]

As this is a minor shift in framing

And color tone

[frail quarry]

no, because it's not as dissonant/metallic as the ub frame

I mean, that's pretty much the same color/texture, with some slight saturation changes. the UB frame is more airbrushed and metallic-y

[raw flint]

The bottom is different too

[finite heart]

See this is very interesting to me, cause oldboarder is infinitly worse to me, to the degree that basically only black oldborder even looks remotely ok enough to be considered for decks

[frail quarry]

It did throw me off a decade ago when they changed the frame, but only in the sense of the border felt smaller

...god it's been a decade since the m15 frame shift

[raw flint]

I’ve been doing this for a couple of decades so I may as well be blind to frame stuff like this

[frail quarry]

fair

[raw flint]

Unless it’s as extreme as pre modern or future sight

Then I can see it, but don’t care 😅

[frail quarry]

for me old border/retro frame vastly depends on the art. sometimes the art works, sometimes it doesn't

[raw flint]

I didn’t even realize UB had triangle stamps until Fort told me it’s the sole reason he won’t play UB cards

[finite heart]

i also started after newboarder so to me oldboarder was never the norm

[raw flint]

I started pre modern

And I’m remembering the handful of people who said they were quitting magic over the frame change

[frail quarry]

my first set was return to ravnica

[raw flint]

This is still my first thought when I think multicolored card lol

[frail quarry]

Hell yeah

[raw flint]

Incidentally it reminds me of the UB metallic thing

[green plover]

YAY I can't wait to see your reskins 🙂

You always make such beautiful ones.

[simple bay]

op can you help me

[static spire]

Honestly, I have to agree with @frail quarry here -- while my primary frustration is the broken immersion of involving other IPs in Magic, I also think the UB frame looks... pretty bad. It's sorta just metallic and blurred.

Both! Started as the former, evolved into the latter as well

[static spire]

Thank you! I'll post the whole set for Assassin's Creed once I'm done -- I think I just need one more, for [[Assassin Gauntlet]]

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/acr/12/assassin-gauntlet

Assassin Gauntlet <:mana2:292901509060886528><:manau:292901508754702338>

Artifact — Equipment
When Assassin Gauntlet enters the battlefield, attach it to up to one target creature you control. Tap all creatures target opponent controls.
Equipped creature gets +1/+1 and has "Whenever this creature deals combat damage to a player, draw a card, then discard a card."
Equip

[static spire]

What do you need?

[static spire]

Here's the full set of stuff I ended up needing to remake (so far) for this set:

[raw flint]

Fair play

[simple bay]

how do i make human tribal go super saiyan

boss person

[static spire]

Like, the strongest human kindred deck you can make? I built a human creature-storm list a long while ago, it worked great, though you'd have to update with modern sets: https://www.moxfield.com/decks/gEAfx1lf-EetM8pulvpknQ

[simple bay]

I have a deck but i wanna make it better

I dont know how to cook

does that say one say plays every creature in 1 turn what the heck

[static spire]

In more detail, I despise running non-Magic-universe cards in my own decks (though I don't mind it as much when other people are running them in their own decks). However, there's a lot of unique and special mechanical designs I don't want to lose out on, when deckbuilding. Hence, I'm enjoying the opportunity to "fix" the aesthetics while still using the mechanical aspect.

[thin kayak]

I guess Winota is as strong as it gets for humans?

I cant think of a deck more explosive and overpowering that involves a lot of humans

[static spire]

Yeah! This Katilda list is designed such that it manages to cast every spell in the entire deck in a single turn

[simple bay]

what does power 7 mean

[static spire]

I wouldn't describe Winota as "human tribal" necessarily? She's more of a stax deck at high power / cEDH

[thin kayak]

Almost nothing.

[simple bay]

I have eowyn

I like her

how do i google a card in here

[thin kayak]

With [[shared animosity]] eowyn can have some explosive turns.

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/lcc/231/shared-animosity

Shared Animosity <:mana2:292901509060886528><:manar:292901508796645397>

Enchantment
Whenever a creature you control attacks, it gets +1/+0 until end of turn for each other attacking creature that shares a creature type with it.
"It is the nature of souls that they burn more brightly together than apart." —Vessifrus, flamekin demagogue

[simple bay]

[[eowyn, shieldmaiden]]

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/ltc/1/éowyn-shieldmaiden

Éowyn, Shieldmaiden <:mana2:292901509060886528><:manau:292901508754702338><:manar:292901508796645397><:manaw:1007102126813610074>

Legendary Creature — Human Knight
First strike
At the beginning of combat on your turn, if another Human entered the battlefield under your control this turn, create two 2/2 red Human Knight creature tokens with trample and haste. Then if you control six or more Humans, draw a card.
5/4

[static spire]

It's not a meaningful description, honestly -- "numerical" ratings are very unhelpful. However, people kinda expect them

[simple bay]

yes thats how i kill people @thin kayak

is it bad manners to hijack someones thread b y the way 1st time posting in here

[static spire]

Yes, but I forgive you 😂

[simple bay]

oh shit my bad

im just bored at work qq

[static spire]

Generally you'd make a new thread in #1020353936592470147 , or ask a question in #1020648631763738724 , or talk to people about your build in #commander

[simple bay]

[static spire]

Happy to help 🫡

[thin kayak]

Happy to throw in suggestions if you wanna @ me in the thread you make. Im also kinda slowly brewing humans.

[simple bay]

@static spire whats your favorite deck that you made

[static spire]

I still think that Katilda is the coolest human kindred deck haha

[simple bay]

yeah i wanna try that one it looks fun

[static spire]

Gimme a sec

[simple bay]

we did it

[frail quarry]

nothing. number based power scales are useless

[simple bay]

scion

do you believe in eowyn, shieldmaiden

[static spire]

First #1020353936592470147 thread to cross 10K comments, let's go

[static spire]

Of my current decks, I think these are my favorite four:

• Archangel Avacyn (stax/blink/voltron) https://www.moxfield.com/decks/Vpiz7R8Rfk-0J7yX0AUQtA
• Teysa Orzhov Scion (tokens/superfriends/control) https://www.moxfield.com/decks/3Vm_imDyY0ic0T-O14lbdw
• Wort the Raidmother (landfall/storm) https://www.moxfield.com/decks/tAfa8BYilU2tot1R3QfxnA
• Yenna Redtooth Regent (enchantress/control/storm) https://www.moxfield.com/decks/Z2ncRwIRXkCVlTemWtYo7Q

[thin kayak]

A solid variety in deck types there

Mine lately seems to all be landfall value engines

[simple bay]

@static spire awesome thanks

[static spire]

I've got most major archetypes covered somewhere in my current stable of decks

[thin kayak]

I’ve got Nadu, Tatyova, Zimone and Dina, Kenrith gates and lately Xyris combat tricks.

[static spire]

Hold on, this is my current set of ten

[simple bay]

i cant read wtf

[thin kayak]

So for me it’s just landfall city hahaha

[thin kayak]

[[elesh norn mother of machines]]

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/one/10/elesh-norn-mother-of-machines

Elesh Norn, Mother of Machines <:mana4:292901508712890379><:manaw:1007102126813610074>

Legendary Creature — Phyrexian Praetor
Vigilance
If a permanent entering the battlefield causes a triggered ability of a permanent you control to trigger, that ability triggers an additional time.
Permanents entering the battlefield don't cause abilities of permanents your opponents control to trigger.
4/7

[raw flint]

I don’t really feel the same but that’s fair enough. Was just a bit curious

[simple bay]

wow that card is bullshit

[thin kayak]

It’s [[torpor orb]] and [[panharmonicon]] stapled together

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/nph/162/torpor-orb

Torpor Orb <:mana2:292901509060886528>

Artifact
Creatures entering the battlefield don't cause abilities to trigger.
"Phyrexia is certainly dangerous, but I have to admire some of its innovations." —Tezzeret

https://scryfall.com/card/2x2/310/panharmonicon

Panharmonicon <:mana4:292901508712890379>

Artifact
If an artifact or creature entering the battlefield causes a triggered ability of a permanent you control to trigger, that ability triggers an additional time.
All who listen hear their own song, a unique melody played just for them.

[static spire]

I'm trying to fill out all ten two-color pairs and cover as many archetypes as possible:

• Arna Kennerüd (voltron/cloning) https://www.moxfield.com/decks/yRI69Ba3ME2dBf61a868sQ

• Teysa Orzhov Scion (tokens/superfriends/control), see above

• Archangel Avacyn (stax/blink/voltron), see above

• Yenna Redtooth Regent (enchantress/control/storm), see above

• POSSIBLY Araumi of the Dead Tide (self-mill/reanimator/combo) https://www.moxfield.com/decks/Cx0f3NJkDU203YLF6K3kqQ

• ?????????

• Roalesk Apex Hybrid (proliferate/aggro/storm) https://www.moxfield.com/decks/gE66z099oEOHY1Efdtw3RQ

• POSSIBLY Kroxa Titan of Death's Hunger (discard/self-mill/combo) https://www.moxfield.com/decks/Cx0f3NJkDU203YLF6K3kqQ

• cEDH Hapatra Vizier of Poisons (stax/tokens/combo) https://www.moxfield.com/decks/1i1MiqHaG02oBWsFfh7Vow

• Wort the Raidmother (landfall/storm), see above

@thin kayak / @simple bay

[simple bay]

are storm decks hard to learn

[static spire]

Maybe a bit? You really have to get good at "tight" play, to never waste resources, and be willing to go veeeeeeery close to dying

but it's definitely doable -- it's one of the harder archetypes to play well, but definitely not the hardest

[simple bay]

i got the stella lee precon is that a good entry point for learning that playstyle or not really

[thin kayak]

Izzet is a super hard one to build and not end up on storm with storm-kiln artist and Birgi. Ive tried so many times

[static spire]

Depends if you're running Stella Lee's several 1-card infinites. If you're NOT running those "instant win" buttons, it's a decent entry point

[thin kayak]

Stella lee does look great tbf

Might try my hand at that next because izzet is really fun and I currently dont have an izzet deck.

You got anything that interests you @static spire for an Izzet list?

[frail quarry]

Yes. The deck is very strong. But number related power levels are meaningless

[static spire]

I've built a lot of them, and loved some -- Locust God, Vadrok, UR-only Narset...

That being said, I'm currently a bit bored with all of those

Hence why it's got the big ??? there 😅

I was messing with [[Bria, Riptide Rogue]], but never got her quite where I want her

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/blb/379/bria-riptide-rogue

Bria, Riptide Rogue <:mana2:292901509060886528><:manau:292901508754702338><:manar:292901508796645397>

Legendary Creature — Otter Rogue
Prowess (Whenever you cast a noncreature spell, this creature gets +1/+1 until end of turn.)
Other creatures you control have prowess. (If a creature has multiple instances of prowess, each triggers separately.)
Whenever you cast a noncreature spell, target creature you control can't be blocked this turn.
3/3

[simple bay]

otters are the best

[green plover]

OOH a Lagrella retrain is a fierce idea.

As is referencing Heliod bestowing weaons onto his chosen.

[sage cloak]

!lutri

Bot pls

[vast vale]

Well spoken, best version I have heard storm explained

[static spire]

I've been sick with COVID, so I've had some time to test my rebuilt [[Araumi of the Dead Tide]] list

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/cmr/267/araumi-of-the-dead-tide

Araumi of the Dead Tide <:mana1:292901508373282827><:manau:292901508754702338><:manab:292901508872273920>

Legendary Creature — Merfolk Wizard
, Exile cards from your graveyard equal to the number of opponents you have: Target creature card in your graveyard gains encore until end of turn. The encore cost is equal to its mana cost. (Exile the creature card and pay its mana cost: For each opponent, create a token copy that attacks that opponent this turn if able. They gain haste. Sacrifice them at the beginning of the next end step. Activate only as a sorcery.)
1/4

[static spire]

I was playing an online game, and I killed a table on turn 2. I'm still cackling.

Opening hand: Stitcher's Supplier, Culling the Weak, Brain Freeze, three lands. Pretty mediocre opener overall.

T1: Stitcher's Supplier, milled Hoarding Broodlord and two lands.

T2: Topdecked Exhume, then went off:

• Culling the Weak to sacrifice the Supplier (floating BBBBU, milled 3 more)
• Exhume on Broodlord (floating BBU)
• Tutored and cast Saw in Half (floating U)
• Tutored Sacrifice and Living Death.
• Cast Sacrifice via Convoke (now floating BBBBBBBBU)
• Cast Living Death (floating BBBBU), hold priority and cast Brain Freeze (storm count 5, floating BBU)
• Milled 18 cards, including several more creatures
• Returned six creatures to battlefield, including a sac outlet
• Broodlord fetches Kairi
• Free-cast Kairi via convoke
• Sacrifice Kairi, return Exhume and Sacrifice
• Exhume to get back Kairi, then Sacrifice on Kairi to generate BBBBBB
• Kairi brings back Exhume and Culling the Weak
• Establish a loop with Kairi-Exhume-Culling-Sacrifice
• Mill my deck, generate infinite storm count
• Brain Freeze for the win

[harsh mauve]

wtf is that

I got Edgar Markov turn 3 that’s good right-

[static spire]

rituals go nuts in a graveyard storm deck!

[static spire]

the funny thing is that, in a lot of pods, that'll get major complaints

[harsh mauve]

I’m running g Edgar on command slot on Olivia outlaw deck and this dude on soelltable got really upset about it

Got kicked from the lobby

[harsh mauve]

I just got lucky with enough lands/sol ring/another mana rock

[finite heart]

Best wishes of recovery

[harsh mauve]

that too ig

[static spire]

Thank you

[green plover]

So sorry to hear that Daedalus.

Take care of youself and heal with the haste of Serra.

[static spire]

Hey, anyone want to help me brew [[Alania, Divergent Storm]]?

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/blb/204/alania-divergent-storm

Alania, Divergent Storm <:mana3:292901508771610624><:manau:292901508754702338><:manar:292901508796645397>

Legendary Creature — Otter Wizard
Whenever you cast a spell, if it's the first instant spell, the first sorcery spell, or the first Otter spell other than Alania you've cast this turn, you may have target opponent draw a card. If you do, copy that spell. You may choose new targets for the copy.
"Why would I chase the storm? Does a cloud chase the rain? Does the sun chase the light?"
3/5

[static spire]

https://www.moxfield.com/decks/0Q2_yPRLo0a78crizYkpFA

[green plover]

[[Return the Past]] seems like a must here.

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/who/92/return-the-past

Return the Past <:mana4:292901508712890379><:manar:292901508796645397><:manar:292901508796645397>

Enchantment
As long as it's your turn, each instant and sorcery card in your graveyard has flashback. Its flashback cost is equal to its mana cost.
"You're back! You're in my head. All my memories... are back." —The Twelfth Doctor

[zealous ferry]

do you want the cruelclaw name suggestions here?

You can reference Voxy saying "He's up to no good"

[static spire]

I'm open to them for sure!

[static spire]

https://www.moxfield.com/decks/LyrwRs9Sbk-ku_YuSjdkDw
Can I get help with two more cuts here?

[frail quarry]

• [[press the enemy]]? 4mv is not where I would want to be with a counterspell/bouncespell
• [[dance with calamity]]? With how high mv costs you have, I feel it’s too risky/you wouldn’t be able to maximize the number of spells cast this way

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/ltr/65/press-the-enemy

Press the Enemy <:mana2:292901509060886528><:manau:292901508754702338><:manau:292901508754702338>

Instant
Return target spell or nonland permanent an opponent controls to its owner's hand. You may cast an instant or sorcery spell with equal or lesser mana value from your hand without paying its mana cost.
"I showed the blade reforged to him. He is not so mighty yet that he is above fear."

https://scryfall.com/card/moc/29/dance-with-calamity

Dance with Calamity <:mana7:292901508540792835><:manar:292901508796645397>

Sorcery
Shuffle your library. As many times as you choose, you may exile the top card of your library. If the total mana value of the cards exiled this way is 13 or less, you may cast any number of spells from among those cards without paying their mana costs.
It was just another day on Innistrad.

[static spire]

The idea of Press the Enemy is that it's a great way to merge removal and doubling of Alania's trigger -- this deck really likes instants that cast sorceries, and sorceries that cast instants. Given that I have to gift cards to get my copies, it's also good to have it on removal so that it's giving them cards but damaging their tempo, ya know? That being said, 4 mana is a lot, so...

Dance with Calamity almost always wins when it resolves, I know I cast less spells off it, but I almost never overrun the 13 in testing and it's often 25+ mana worth of spells for 8 mana... (I tend to hit ~10 mana of spells off each copy, and copy another instant with it as well since Alania sees the spells it casts.)

[zealous ferry]

What about Gale?

I don't like that you h ave to pay the costs for the spell you cast even though it lets you do it.

[frail quarry]

Hm I see what you’re saying about spells letting you cast other spells, but 4 mana is a lot

Fair! If you’ve found dance with calamity useful in your play testing keep it in! I was just offering a suggestion from what I know of Dance

Hmm mxhale’s suggestion about Gale might not be bad. Yes, letting you cast instants off sorceries and vice versa is nice but unlike press the enemy you still have to pay costs

[static spire]

I haven’t gotten to test him at all. In theory I was interested in recasting my rituals when I cast sorceries

You’re probably right that I don’t want to pay costs?

[static spire]

Yeah… 🤔 in this version of the deck I added a bit of a restriction that all creatures must be legendary or otters, which helps me avoid some goodstuff BUT keeps me off stuff like Stormkiln hmmm

[frail quarry]

That’s a neat restriction though! And it leads to some very interesting deck building choices

Oh wait do you have Birgi or MOMabrask?

[[urabrask // the great | mom]]

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/mom/169/urabrask-the-great-work

Urabrask <:mana2:292901509060886528><:manar:292901508796645397><:manar:292901508796645397>

Legendary Creature — Phyrexian Praetor
First strike
Whenever you cast an instant or sorcery spell, Urabrask deals 1 damage to target opponent. Add .
: Exile Urabrask, then return it to the battlefield transformed under its owner's control. Activate only as a sorcery and only if you've cast three or more instant and/or sorcery spells this turn.
4/4

The Great Work
Enchantment — Saga
(As this Saga enters and after your draw step, add a lore counter.)
I — The Great Work deals 3 damage to target opponent and each creature they control.
II — Create three Treasure tokens.
III — Until end of turn, you may cast instant and sorcery spells from any graveyard. If a spell cast this way would be put into a graveyard, exile it instead. Exile The Great Work, then return it to the battlefield (front face up).

[static spire]

Not yet! I could add them

I'm also not currently on Underworld Breach, which feels... weird

I mean, I know I don't have much self-mill, but...

[frail quarry]

I mean if you’re trying to storm/spell-sling, I’ve found them both to be quite useful. Yes Urabrask has more of a restriction but it’s not an issue in this kind of deck

[frail quarry]

Fair, but what are you trying to do? How do you want to win? Breach isn’t as good (as it normally is) as a value piece (it’s still really good, but there’s only 99 slots to add cards)

[static spire]

Breach is a way to cast "best instant + best sorcery in gy" admittedly

The biggest play pattern here is "instant-speed ritual into sorcery-speed huge payoff, most of which find and cast extra turns to do it again"

(The primer lays it out in more detail.)

[raw flint]

Urabrask would make a great mom

[static spire]

Hold on, lemme lay out a few of the cards I'm dubious on:

• Valley Floodcaller (high ceiling and powerful effect when copied, but not sure I can use it)
• Temporal Mastery (could go for Walk the Aeons instead, buyback seems less... brutal when I get two of them)
• Krark the Thumbless (in theory he should be good, right? since he bounces spells for Alania to copy again, or does her copying again)
• Dramatic Reversal (it can be a ritual, but is it worth it when I only have ~10 rocks, and I cut all its other combos?)
• Cyber Conversion (I love the idea of locking down two commanders, but by the time Alania is out, I'm trying to win. Do I CARE?)

[frail quarry]

[[cyber conversion]]

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/who/38/cyber-conversion

Cyber Conversion <:manau:292901508754702338><:manau:292901508754702338>

Instant
Turn target creature face down. It's a 2/2 Cyberman artifact creature.
"Do not fear. We will take your fear from you. You will be like us."

[frail quarry]

Meh yeah I mean it’s cute. It’s a removal spell. Might not be bad to get around stax pieces

[[valley floodcaller]]

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/blb/79/valley-floodcaller

Valley Floodcaller <:mana2:292901509060886528><:manau:292901508754702338>

Creature — Otter Wizard
Flash
You may cast noncreature spells as though they had flash.
Whenever you cast a noncreature spell, Birds, Frogs, Otters, and Rats you control get +1/+1 until end of turn. Untap them.
2/2

[frail quarry]

Yeah, high ceiling. Flash is strong

3mv is nice

[static spire]

I've realized recently that all the otters in this set are wizards

and since I'm running... well, literally all of them... I can also run some wizard synergy

floor is that I get one wizard (commander)

but all my otter-wizards get copied when I cast them

[static spire]

How did I forget [[Fact or Fiction]]???

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/91/fact-or-fiction

Fact or Fiction <:mana3:292901508771610624><:manau:292901508754702338>

Instant
Reveal the top five cards of your library. An opponent separates those cards into two piles. Put one pile into your hand and the other into your graveyard.
"Slimefoot, I know I said I wanted to grow our repository of knowledge, but this isn't what I had in mind."

[static spire]

I'm almost tempted to mess with [[truth or tale]]

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/tsp/89/truth-or-tale

Truth or Tale <:mana1:292901508373282827><:manau:292901508754702338>

Instant
Reveal the top five cards of your library and separate them into two piles. An opponent chooses one of those piles. Put a card from the chosen pile into your hand, then put all other cards revealed this way on the bottom of your library in any order.

[static spire]

Also, [[Irenicus's Vile Duplication]] (or [[Quantum Misalignment]]) is... an interesting idea here. The issue is that Alania is a completely blank piece of cardboard after you've cast one instant, one sorcery, and one otter... so having more copies of her doesn't do anything until the next turn. On the other hand, it's pretty cool to have many, MANY copies of my spells on the next turn...

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/clb/78/irenicuss-vile-duplication

Irenicus's Vile Duplication <:mana3:292901508771610624><:manau:292901508754702338>

Sorcery
Create a token that's a copy of target creature you control, except the token has flying and it isn't legendary.
"You will serve me better in this form." —Jon Irenicus

https://scryfall.com/card/who/52/quantum-misalignment

Quantum Misalignment <:mana4:292901508712890379><:manau:292901508754702338>

Sorcery
Create a token that's a copy of target creature you control, except it isn't legendary.
Rebound (If you cast this spell from your hand, exile it as it resolves. At the beginning of your next upkeep, you may cast this card from exile without paying its mana cost.)

[green plover]

[[Storm of Saraumon]]

[timber mesa]

No card found for “Storm of Saraumon”

[green plover]

[[Storm of Sauramon]]

[timber mesa]

No card found for “Storm of Sauramon”

[green plover]

[[Storm of Saruman]]

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/ltr/72/storm-of-saruman

Storm of Saruman <:mana4:292901508712890379><:manau:292901508754702338><:manau:292901508754702338>

Enchantment
Ward
Whenever you cast your second spell each turn, copy it, except the copy isn't legendary. You may choose new targets for the copy. (A copy of a permanent spell becomes a token.)
Isengard had once been filled with fruitful trees, but no green thing grew there in the latter days of Saruman.

[static spire]

6 mana is a lot, and at that point I’d rather run [[Thousand Year Storm]] ya know?

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/2x2/286/thousand-year-storm

Thousand-Year Storm <:mana4:292901508712890379><:manau:292901508754702338><:manar:292901508796645397>

Enchantment
Whenever you cast an instant or sorcery spell, copy it for each other instant and sorcery spell you've cast before it this turn. You may choose new targets for the copies.
Ral's storm crackled with mystical detections: Planeswalkers were infiltrating Ravnica.

[green plover]

Ah. GOod point!

Forgot it is an Izzet Commander XD

[zealous ferry]

It's too bad [[harmonic prodigy]] is neither legendary nor an otter

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/mh2/132/harmonic-prodigy

Harmonic Prodigy <:mana1:292901508373282827><:manar:292901508796645397>

Creature — Human Wizard
Prowess (Whenever you cast a noncreature spell, this creature gets +1/+1 until end of turn.)
If an ability of a Shaman or another Wizard you control triggers, that ability triggers an additional time.
Each note strikes with deadly precision.
1/3

[zealous ferry]

[[Veyran]] is at least legendary

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/otc/248/veyran-voice-of-duality

Veyran, Voice of Duality <:mana1:292901508373282827><:manau:292901508754702338><:manar:292901508796645397>

Legendary Creature — Efreet Wizard
Magecraft — Whenever you cast or copy an instant or sorcery spell, Veyran, Voice of Duality gets +1/+1 until end of turn.
If you casting or copying an instant or sorcery spell causes a triggered ability of a permanent you control to trigger, that ability triggers an additional time.
2/2

[static spire]

I was considering "cheating" and considering [[Roaming Throne]] to count as an otter, but I decided that it didn't -- it can't be copied

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/lci/258/roaming-throne

Roaming Throne <:mana4:292901508712890379>

Artifact Creature — Golem
Ward
As Roaming Throne enters the battlefield, choose a creature type.
Roaming Throne is the chosen type in addition to its other types.
If a triggered ability of another creature you control of the chosen type triggers, it triggers an additional time.
4/4

[static spire]

I may reverse this choice eventually, if I need to power up the deck again

A few of the otters are less good than I was hoping

I also need ways to use the duplicated creatures and tokens in a spellslinger deck

Which is hard to find -- would love suggestions!

My first thought on it was [[Invasion of Segovia]]

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/mom/63/invasion-of-segovia-caetus-sea-tyrant-of-segovia

Invasion of Segovia <:mana2:292901509060886528><:manau:292901508754702338>

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

[green plover]

Time to manifest BUSTED otters these next few days.

https://tenor.com/view/otter-gif-25992346

[static spire]

We can dream! I'm still trying to make [[Valley Floodcaller]] work correctly here

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/blb/79/valley-floodcaller

Valley Floodcaller <:mana2:292901509060886528><:manau:292901508754702338>

Creature — Otter Wizard
Flash
You may cast noncreature spells as though they had flash.
Whenever you cast a noncreature spell, Birds, Frogs, Otters, and Rats you control get +1/+1 until end of turn. Untap them.
2/2

[zealous ferry]

So, how good is Kitsa in the deck?

[static spire]

Truthfully? Unsure!

It enables at least one on-theme infinite combo -- Dramatic Reversal + Kitsa -- and Valley Floodcaller + Kitsa + any ritual is gonna get crazy

Unfortunately, it lacks the thing which is actually good about otters in this deck (the ability to copy them)

And arguably is worse than a non-otter with the same text in a lot of circumstances (ie, it takes up the otter "slot" but can't do anything with it)

[zealous ferry]

Unless its power is 3 or more

[static spire]

what do you mean?

[zealous ferry]

It can copy spells once its power is >=3

the second activated ability

https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/718157579188174879/1262457496644354138/m0ohghnptpcd1.png?ex=6696aaaa&is=6695592a&hm=98d89c8b44ffff48bf49fa2f4370185865de69da1136bfe2c11f60f0a4a30673&

[static spire]

Yep! I meant that copying it doesn't do anything

[zealous ferry]

Gotcha

[[mirror box]]?

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/neo/250/mirror-box

Mirror Box <:mana3:292901508771610624>

Artifact
The "legend rule" doesn't apply to permanents you control.
Each legendary creature you control gets +1/+1.
Each nontoken creature you control gets +1/+1 for each other creature you control with the same name as that creature.

[static spire]

So if I cast Kitsa, obviously I'm not going to donate a card to get a token that instantly dies

But then, if I draw [[Storm Mentor]] later in the turn (for example), I can no longer copy that

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/blb/234/stormcatch-mentor

Stormcatch Mentor <:manau:292901508754702338><:manar:292901508796645397>

Creature — Otter Wizard
Haste
Prowess (Whenever you cast a noncreature spell, this creature gets +1/+1 until end of turn.)
Instant and sorcery spells you cast cost less to cast.
"Only novice mages burn their whiskers. So pay attention!"
1/1

[static spire]

hence why I was saying it might be worse than a non-otter with same ability

[static spire]

Can I get help with the remaining cuts here? https://www.moxfield.com/decks/0Q2_yPRLo0a78crizYkpFA

[finite heart]

Harnesser of Storms - Triggering only once always feels bad in Spellslinger
Channel Force - You seem to have decided on a Looting theme which means you wont have that many cards to discard if you dont include cards like Archmage Eratius

[static spire]

https://www.moxfield.com/decks/0Q2_yPRLo0a78crizYkpFA

Can anyone help me cut this back down to 100? 😅

[zealous ferry]

Checking

What card is comboing with [[energy tap]]?

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/4ed/69/energy-tap

Energy Tap <:manau:292901508754702338>

Sorcery
Tap target untapped creature you control. If you do, add an amount of equal to that creature's mana value.

[zealous ferry]

Or is it a "doesn't matter additional storm count" card?

[static spire]

The ability to tap Alania for mostly 😂

It's neat with [[Valley Floodcaller]] too, though.

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/blb/79/valley-floodcaller

Valley Floodcaller <:mana2:292901509060886528><:manau:292901508754702338>

Creature — Otter Wizard
Flash
You may cast noncreature spells as though they had flash.
Whenever you cast a noncreature spell, Birds, Frogs, Otters, and Rats you control get +1/+1 until end of turn. Untap them.
2/2

[zealous ferry]

Yeah

(I hate my brain just made a Doctor Who joke because of thinking through this deck...)

In a throwaway part [[the twelfth doctor]] talks about having hid with the otters.

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/who/164/the-twelfth-doctor

The Twelfth Doctor <:mana3:292901508771610624><:manau:292901508754702338><:manar:292901508796645397>

Legendary Creature — Time Lord Doctor
The first spell you cast from anywhere other than your hand each turn has demonstrate. (When you cast that spell, you may copy it. If you do, choose an opponent to also copy it. A copy of a permanent spell becomes a token.)
Whenever you copy a spell, put a +1/+1 counter on The Twelfth Doctor.
4/4

[static spire]

hah! well, he's in color

[zealous ferry]

Yeah, now it wants to make a meme deck.

Going back to looking at your list though

[zealous ferry]

I keep looking at [[Cathartic Reunion]]

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/2xm/121/cathartic-reunion

Cathartic Reunion <:mana1:292901508373282827><:manar:292901508796645397>

Sorcery
As an additional cost to cast this spell, discard two cards.
Draw three cards.
The chasm of years and worlds collapsed under the power of their embrace.

[zealous ferry]

It's cheap, and leaves you up on cards, but I don't know if it's "enough"

Which feels wild to say

[sage cloak]

It doesn’t make you go positive which is cringe

Though in this deck it could be good

[zealous ferry]

Oh you're right, it's neutral

[sage cloak]

I mean if you’re copying it it is real good

As long as you’re not casting the copy

[zealous ferry]

[[demand answers]] though

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/mkm/122/demand-answers

Demand Answers <:mana1:292901508373282827><:manar:292901508796645397>

Instant
As an additional cost to cast this spell, sacrifice an artifact or discard a card.
Draw two cards.
After the attempt on Aurelia's life, she gave the Agency an ultimatum: solve the case in twenty-four hours, or the Boros Legion would declare war on the Cult of Rakdos.

[zealous ferry]

It's sorcery vs instant for me I guess.

[sage cloak]

Por que no los dos

And while we’re here [[thrill of possibility]] is still great

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/one/151/thrill-of-possibility

Thrill of Possibility <:mana1:292901508373282827><:manar:292901508796645397>

Instant
As an additional cost to cast this spell, discard a card.
Draw two cards.
As the infection spread, Nahiri's thoughts grew tangled. She needed to protect what she loved from Phyrexia... or maybe only Phyrexia could protect what she loved.

[static spire]

It makes you go very positive on cards when copied

[sage cloak]

Yep

[static spire]

I definitely don’t need to add more cards haha, I’m already over 100

[sage cloak]

Tbf thrill has been power crept by a few things now

So I don’t blame you

There’s another one from otj

[static spire]

That one was more interesting since I can plot it and cast it immediately after Alania

[sage cloak]

Yeah, I just reread it, it’s real good

[static spire]

Unfortunately the cost isn’t part of the casting so I have to pay the cost twice…

[sage cloak]

Surely you don’t need lands pshhh

Yeah, so maybe not that one then

I just remembered it from grixis burn in pauper lol

[static spire]

Hmmm, actually, I wonder if there’s more suspend stuff I could run

[sage cloak]

[[inevitable betrayal]] is hot

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/mh2/47/inevitable-betrayal

Inevitable Betrayal

Sorcery
Suspend 3— (Rather than cast this card from your hand, pay and exile it with three time counters on it. At the beginning of your upkeep, remove a time counter. When the last is removed, you may cast it without paying its mana cost.)
Search target opponent's library for a creature card and put that card onto the battlefield under your control. Then that player shuffles.

[zealous ferry]

[[ancestral vision]] is an obvious one

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/tsr/52/ancestral-vision

Ancestral Vision

Sorcery
Suspend 4— (Rather than cast this card from your hand, pay and exile it with four time counters on it. At the beginning of your upkeep, remove a time counter. When the last is removed, you may cast it without paying its mana cost.)
Target player draws three cards.

[zealous ferry]

There's also the refrain cards

[[rousing refrain]] and [[inspiring refrain]]

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/otc/178/rousing-refrain

Rousing Refrain <:mana3:292901508771610624><:manar:292901508796645397><:manar:292901508796645397>

Sorcery
Add for each card in target opponent's hand. Until end of turn, you don't lose this mana as steps and phases end. Exile Rousing Refrain with three time counters on it.
Suspend 3— (Rather than cast this card from your hand, you may pay and exile it with three time counters on it. At the beginning of your upkeep, remove a time counter. When the last is removed, you may cast it without paying its mana cost.)

https://scryfall.com/card/c21/27/inspiring-refrain

Inspiring Refrain <:mana4:292901508712890379><:manau:292901508754702338><:manau:292901508754702338>

Sorcery
Draw two cards. Exile Inspiring Refrain with three time counters on it.
Suspend 3— (Rather than cast this card from your hand, you may pay and exile it with three time counters on it. At the beginning of your upkeep, remove a time counter. When the last is removed, you may cast it without paying its mana cost.)

[frail quarry]

the refrain cards kick ass

[zealous ferry]

Also rebound effects count as a second cast

[[faithless salvaging]] for example

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/mh2/122/faithless-salvaging

Faithless Salvaging <:mana1:292901508373282827><:manar:292901508796645397>

Instant
Discard a card, then draw a card.
Rebound (If you cast this spell from your hand, exile it as it resolves. At the beginning of your next upkeep, you may cast this card from exile without paying its mana cost.)
All that's left are broken beliefs.

[frail quarry]

I've never not been happy casting rousing refrain

or faithless salvaging!

[sage cloak]

Based

[static spire]

Hey! Is anyone around to help me with a few cuts?

I'm trying to add [[Chandra, Hope's Beacon]], [[Displacer Kitten]], [[Dramatic Reversal]], and [[Curfew]] to Alania.

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/mom/134/chandra-hopes-beacon

Chandra, Hope's Beacon <:mana4:292901508712890379><:manar:292901508796645397><:manar:292901508796645397>

Legendary Planeswalker — Chandra
Whenever you cast an instant or sorcery spell, copy it. You may choose new targets for the copy. This ability triggers only once each turn.
+2: Add two mana in any combination of colors.
+1: Exile the top five cards of your library. Until the end of your next turn, you may cast an instant or sorcery spell from among those exiled cards.
−X: Chandra, Hope's Beacon deals X damage to each of up to two targets.
Loyalty: 5

https://scryfall.com/card/mb2/27/displacer-kitten

Displacer Kitten <:mana3:292901508771610624><:manau:292901508754702338>

Creature — Cat Beast
Avoidance — Whenever you cast a noncreature spell, exile up to one target nonland permanent you control, then return that card to the battlefield under its owner's control.
"Isn't she the cutest thing you've almost seen?" —Doen, purveyor of exotic pets
2/2

https://scryfall.com/card/gn2/20/dramatic-reversal

Dramatic Reversal <:mana1:292901508373282827><:manau:292901508754702338>

Instant
Untap all nonland permanents you control.
"Nobody asked you to butt in, Jace. But thanks." —Chandra Nalaar

https://scryfall.com/card/usg/68/curfew

Curfew <:manau:292901508754702338>

Instant
Each player returns a creature they control to its owner's hand.
". . . But I'm not tired!"

[static spire]

https://www.moxfield.com/decks/0Q2_yPRLo0a78crizYkpFA

[frail quarry]

Pirates Pillage, Unexpected Windfall (I’m just generally not a fan of those cards)

Thran Dynamo

Karns Temporal Sundering (bc you need a cut, already have a lot of extra turn spells, and theres no non noah art)

[static spire]

Interesting, what bugs you about Pirate's Pillage / Unexpected Windfall effects?

[frail quarry]

I mean sure you also create a treasure token but paying four mana to discard one/draw two is just not where I typically want to be. I’d rather just play Tormenting Voice, Thrill of Possibility, or one of those other variants at that point. (1)R is not worth one treasure to me

Hold on I read them wrong they create two treasure tokens

I guess theyre not terrible because they do refund you half the mana but still at that point why not just run tormenting voice. Lower initial cost for virtually the same effect

I could see a world where cost reducers/impact tremor-for-artifacts effects could benefit but ehhhh I dunno

[static spire]

the reason I like them is because, in a deck centered around copying spells, they're mana neutral (or even sometimes mana positive if copied twice, such as with Twinning Staff)

[sage cloak]

My biggest issue is they power crept unexpected windfall, like, immediately after

[glacial cradle]

9 months later. I agree with daed though, those spells are incredible copy fodder

Mana neutral plus mana storage for big turns later if that's what you need.

[zealous ferry]

@static spire fwiw they've (unexpected windfall, etc.) been amazing in my husband's version of Alania.

[static spire]

Yeah, I've found them to be really central to the deck's functioning -- though I did cut [[seize the spoils]] since it's the only one which isn't mana-neutral when copied

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/khm/149/seize-the-spoils

Seize the Spoils <:mana2:292901509060886528><:manar:292901508796645397>

Sorcery
As an additional cost to cast this spell, discard a card.
Draw two cards and create a Treasure token. (It's an artifact with ", Sacrifice this artifact: Add one mana of any color.")
"Grab what you want and burn the rest. Leave nothing behind."

[static spire]

...I wonder if [[The Wandering Rescuer]] would work well enough to earn a slot in Avacyn

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/dsk/41/the-wandering-rescuer

The Wandering Rescuer <:mana3:292901508771610624><:manaw:1007102126813610074><:manaw:1007102126813610074>

Legendary Creature — Human Samurai Noble
Flash
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.)
Double strike
Other tapped creatures you control have hexproof.
3/4

[static spire]

Double strike is no joke in voltron, and the capacity to flash her in and protect my board is intriguing. She's also got 4 toughness, so she'd survive Avacyn's flip.

[sage cloak]

It’s a free protection spell on a 3/4 double striker

It’s awesome

[zealous ferry]

The convoke and hexproof is really powerful

There is some unfortunate potential story implications of her not having hexproof (does she die protecting people)

[frail quarry]

Oh shit maybe?? But she has Aminatou’s coin…

[zealous ferry]

Ludonarrative!

[green plover]

She can't die until we know her true name.

As for the card, yeah I think she's great utility and has the surprise factor.

[static spire]

OKAY SO

I am finally back home, after many magic-less months

[sage cloak]

WOOOO

[static spire]

Let's see how my online lists have drifted from my paper ones! (ie, what I need to buy)

And, with the benefit of perspective, whether all these gradual set-by-set changes make sense

AVACYN:

Swapped out...

Aven Mindcensor
Aggravated Assault
Mox Opal
City of Brass
The Mycosynth Gardens
Surge of Salvation
The Reaver Cleaver
Pre-War Formalwear
Mana Confluence
Fomori Vault
Angel of Indemnity
3x Plains

...in favor of adding...

Monumental Henge
Marsh Flats
Abstergo Entertainment
Arena of Glory
Caduceus, Staff of Hermes
Echoing Assault
Flare of Fortitude
Witch Enchanter
Talon Gates of Madara
Pinnacle Monk
Scalding Tarn
Parting Gust
Sawhorn Nemesis
Layla Hassan

I feel pretty good about these changes, although I am a little skeptical about Layla Hassan, Sawhorn Nemesis, Caduceus, Talon Gates, and Echoing Assault. More testing necessary on that front!

[static spire]

I was considering swapping [[Venerable Warsinger]] for Teshar, but truthfully I really like Warsinger.

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/stx/246/venerable-warsinger

Venerable Warsinger <:mana1:292901508373282827><:manar:292901508796645397><:manaw:1007102126813610074>

Creature — Spirit Cleric
Vigilance, trample
Whenever Venerable Warsinger deals combat damage to a player, you may return target creature card with mana value X or less from your graveyard to the battlefield, where X is the amount of damage Venerable Warsinger dealt to that player.
3/3

[static spire]

(Such a cool and forgotten card.)

Now, on to Yenna!

[sage cloak]

Warsinger is amazingly awesome

Don’t cut my boi

[static spire]

Echoing Assault is a very interesting case here, actually.

On one hand, it lets me essentially "blink" all my creatures, and get extra ETBs for all of them.

I can even swing with Avacyn and get a token that makes my other stuff indestructible, so the squishy ETB things don't die in combat!

The bad news is that, if I don't sacrifice the "real" Avacyn to legend rule, she'll flip the next turn, and then my various stuff may die -- and I'll also be unable to swing with her the next turn, since I'd get a token of her back side?

[sage cloak]

Echoing assault has done some serious work in my friend’s Bello deck

[static spire]

YENNA:

Swapped out...

Ancestral Mask
Wooded Bastion
Hall of Heliod's Generosity
Canopy Cover
Well Rested
Abundance
Defense of the Heart

...in favor of adding...

Monumental Henge
Caretaker's Talent
Fanatic of Rhonas
Shifting Woodland
Galadriel's Dismissal
Aura of Silence
Pearl-Ear, Imperial Advisor

Much less big set of changes here. Shifting Woodland and Talon Gates of Madara were fighting for a slot here, so we'll see what happens with that... 🤔 The concern is that I won't hit delirium consistently.

[static spire]

Oof, rough night last night -- played five games, saw no new cards, lost every game.

[sage cloak]

RIP

[green plover]

It happens sometimes so don't beat yourself up too hard over it.

[static spire]

During today's game with Alania, the stack got 23 spells high 😂

Jeska's Will x3, Chain of Vapor x3, Fierce Guardianship x2, Flare of Denial x3, Deflecting Swat x2, Offer You Can't Refuse x3, Narset's Reversal x1, Fierce Guardianship x3, Deflecting Swat x3

[molten frigate]

Hey Deadalus, appreciate the help on Alania, couple of quick queries, particularly regarding some budget land "upgrades" for the budget version -

You don't seem fond of the filter or bounce lands at all - cascade bluffs and ferrous lake are basically super budget untapped duels, and Izzet boilerworks, while tapped, does basically "draw a card" by garenteeing your next land drop? Kinda feel like these 3 cycles are hard to ignore on a budget mana base?

Or perhaps reflecting pool as a thought? £4 land that can basically be seen as a dual as soon as you have any other dual down or a pair of basics or a basic if you only have 1 basic down?

Also, Gitaxian probe seems a very free card for triggering the non Alania spell synergys? Literally 0 mana cycle a card trigger prowess and Aisling and storm etc is hard to overlook? Or is it just because it's a "waste" of an Alania trigger?

[sage cloak]

How the hell does that even happen lol

[static spire]

double [[Bonus Round]] is a heck of a drug

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/bbd/56/bonus-round

Bonus Round <:mana1:292901508373282827><:manar:292901508796645397><:manar:292901508796645397>

Sorcery
Until end of turn, whenever a player casts an instant or sorcery spell, that player copies it and may choose new targets for the copy.
When the twin-spell bonus round begins, the crowd rises to its feet in anticipation of incredible combinations.

[static spire]

It was a bizarre game -- Alania vs Alania vs Kaho vs Thada Adel

I got a turn 3 [[Hit the Motherlode]] for 7 Treasures (aiming for a T4 kill), then got blown out by an immediate Vandalblast.

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/lci/153/hit-the-mother-lode

Hit the Mother Lode <:mana4:292901508712890379><:manar:292901508796645397><:manar:292901508796645397><:manar:292901508796645397>

Sorcery
Discover 10. If the discovered card's mana value is less than 10, create a number of tapped Treasure tokens equal to the difference. (To discover 10, exile cards from the top of your library until you exile a nonland card with mana value 10 or less. Cast it without paying its mana cost or put it into your hand. Put the rest on the bottom in a random order.)

[static spire]

I then immediately got hit by a [[Winter Moon]], and then removal on my commander. Then Thada Adel dropped Rhystic and Remora, and started drawing like 10 cards per turn cycle.

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/mh3/213/winter-moon

Winter Moon <:mana2:292901509060886528>

Artifact
Players can't untap more than one nonbasic land during their untap steps.
"The sun and moon have decided to make a competition of our misery." —Naromin, veteran explorer

[static spire]

Meanwhile, two copies of [[Narset, Parter of Veils]] hit the field, while Thada Adel stole all our Sol Rings / Mana Crypts, and grabbed a One Ring from the other Alania deck.

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/mb2/32/narset-parter-of-veils

Narset, Parter of Veils <:mana1:292901508373282827><:manau:292901508754702338><:manau:292901508754702338>

Legendary Planeswalker — Narset
Each opponent can't draw more than one card each turn.
−2: Look at the top four cards of your library. You may reveal a noncreature, nonland card from among them and put it into your hand. Put the rest on the bottom of your library in a random order.
Loyalty: 5

[static spire]

Thada Adel then combo'd off with Isochron Scepter + Dramatic Reversal, and got infinite mana, but failed to actually win because they couldn't draw more than one card per turn with Narset.

Kaho got a Mana Drain onto Isochron Scepter, which also kinda kept the game under control.

Because everyone was scared of Kaho (and to a lesser degree, the other Alania player, who had like 20 mana by this point), I managed to stick my commander with Fierce revealed.

I then topdecked Capture of Jingzhou, and cast it. I followed up with Desperate Ritual into double [[Portent of Calamity]] on X=8, but whiffed on both of them (unbelievable -- no lands or creatures in top 16).

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/blb/66/portent-of-calamity

Portent of Calamity <:manax:292901509082120202><:manau:292901508754702338>

Sorcery
Reveal the top X cards of your library. For each card type, you may exile a card of that type from among them. Put the rest into your graveyard. You may cast a spell from among the exiled cards without paying its mana cost if you exiled four or more cards this way. Then put the rest of the exiled cards into your hand.

[static spire]

I did get Narset's Reversal and Deflecting Swat, though, which kept me protected against the two counterspells my opponents had picked up.

I went into double Bonus Round --> triple Jeska's Will, which finally unleashed all the held-up interaction, leading to the horrible "J Will / Chain of Vapor / Fierce / Flare / Swat / Offer" stack (all tripled because of Bonus Round). In response to Offer, I instead Narset's Reversaled my own spells, bounced Fierce/Flare/Narset's back to my own hand, then cast them all again to regain control of the stack. I hit Stormsplitter off the triple J Will, and finally won.

[static spire]

Hello! Glad that I could help with your list.

• Yeah, the filter lands are pretty good on a budget. Filters can make some hands unkeepable though, particularly Bluffs if it's your only colored source or Ferrous if you need UU or RR.
• Boilerworks is awkward -- I really don't like taplands -- but it's neat with Snap/Frantic as well.
• I didn't have much space for fancy lands because I'm on High Tide, but we could replace some Mountains with those.
• Not a huge fan of Reflecting Pool, since it fails to fix your mana. I like Exotic Orchard a lot more.
• Git Probe went into the newest draft of my full-power build! It's a bit of a waste sometimes, but it's a good spell to immediately cast after Alania and get some value before she goes away.

[molten frigate]

In what scenario does reflecting pool not fix your mana?

The specific one that we have 2x islands (or 2x mountains) and 1x reflecting pool?
Surely in this case it's no worse than a 3rd mountain, but in every other scenario it allows for the flexibility?

One only needs to have a land (such as a filter or signet) to allow reflecting pool to make both types of mana, even if the filter/signet couldn't actually produce any mana on its own?

Also, do any cards in the deck actually need UU or RR on turn 2?

What would one swap in the economy version for Git? (I can afford a £5 git probe but not a £70 dockside)

[molten frigate]

--

So just quick before I place a £100 cardmarket order here - any other changes to the budget version?
(Something) For Git probe?

Basically planning on taking it and swapping 4 mountains for 2 filters, a battle bond land and a bounce land xd

[frail quarry]

Reflecting Pool can ONLY add mana from among colors you ALREADY have - its the opposite of fixing since fixing is making sure you have access to all of your colors

[molten frigate]

I guess it's different in a 2 colour Vs other colour setup

Reflecting in a 2 colour setup is never worse than another mountain, unless you have a metric shitton of colourless utility lands?

But in a 2 colour deck with say only islands, mountains and some cheap duals, reflecting is basically a dual, no?

Yes it won't provide you a third or 4th colour

But it will allow you to cast UU spells as easily as UR spells

How does reflecting work btw if you only have reflecting and exotic orchard?

[static spire]

In my meta at least, I’m realizing I need to add [[Pyroclasm]] effects

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/a25/146/pyroclasm

Pyroclasm <:mana1:292901508373282827><:manar:292901508796645397>

Sorcery
Pyroclasm deals 2 damage to each creature.

[molten frigate]

Board clear?

What about [volcanic torrential]?

[static spire]

Yeah, especially since Alania survives it being doubled

[molten frigate]

[volcanic torrent]

[static spire]

[[Volcanic Torrent]]

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/otc/184/volcanic-torrent

Volcanic Torrent <:mana4:292901508712890379><:manar:292901508796645397>

Sorcery
Cascade (When you cast this spell, exile cards from the top of your library until you exile a nonland card that costs less. You may cast it without paying its mana cost. Put the exiled cards on the bottom in a random order.)
Volcanic Torrent deals X damage to each creature and planeswalker your opponents control, where X is the number of spells you've cast this turn.

[molten frigate]

Love that one, particularly because it comes free with the Stella precon...

[static spire]

5 mana is just a lot for it — I’ve also been messing with [[Delayed Blast Fireball]] and [[Volcanic Offering]]

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/clb/676/delayed-blast-fireball

Delayed Blast Fireball <:mana1:292901508373282827><:manar:292901508796645397><:manar:292901508796645397>

Instant
Delayed Blast Fireball deals 2 damage to each opponent and each creature they control. If this spell was cast from exile, it deals 5 damage to each opponent and each creature they control instead.
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.)

https://scryfall.com/card/cm2/126/volcanic-offering

Volcanic Offering <:mana4:292901508712890379><:manar:292901508796645397>

Instant
Destroy target nonbasic land you don't control and target nonbasic land of an opponent's choice you don't control.
Volcanic Offering deals 7 damage to target creature you don't control and 7 damage to target creature of an opponent's choice you don't control.

[molten frigate]

The more stelle precons cards the list includes the more money I save 🤣

[frail quarry]

Id play torrent over offering

[molten frigate]

What you thinking of swapping for these changes?

[static spire]

The problem with Reflecting Pool and color-fixing is this: imagine you have (say) three lands in your opener. Two of them share a color (both red, or both blue). If the third one is a random land, there's a ~50% chance that land makes the opposite color, and the hand is keepable. However, if the third land is Reflecting Pool, it's always the "worst case" where it gives the color you don't need. It's also the worst possible land to have in an opening hand with exactly two lands.

In short, in early turns it's often an Island when you need a Mountain, or vice versa. If you already have both colors, it's a dual, sure, but it doesn't help your initial hand color-fix (and thus forces you to throw away otherwise keepable hands).

[static spire]

I haven't had a chance to figure that out yet. Stay tuned.

(I don't keep budget builds updated on Moxfield, but you can adapt similar changes.)

[static spire]

Torrent's cascade doesn't get copied by Alania, though 🤔 and it's much worse under Archon of Emeria (which is one of the things I really, really need to get rid of with this damage effect)

[frail quarry]

Oh, hm. Fair

[molten frigate]

Ah, I hadn't realised cascade didn't work with copied spells.
Does this soemwhat make that cascade granting battle a bit worse than otherwise?

[molten frigate]

I see. Thats an interesting way to view it, saying that in the worst case scenario its basically like always losing the "50:50" of which basic it would be, thanks.

[static spire]

I don't think there is a Battle that grants cascade...? But yeah, cascade is a cast trigger, so it won't get copied by effects like Alania's copying. However, discover does get copied, which is why I like [[Hit the Motherlode]] (even if it might get cut for one of my new interaction pieces)

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/lci/153/hit-the-mother-lode

Hit the Mother Lode <:mana4:292901508712890379><:manar:292901508796645397><:manar:292901508796645397><:manar:292901508796645397>

Sorcery
Discover 10. If the discovered card's mana value is less than 10, create a number of tapped Treasure tokens equal to the difference. (To discover 10, exile cards from the top of your library until you exile a nonland card with mana value 10 or less. Cast it without paying its mana cost or put it into your hand. Put the rest on the bottom in a random order.)

[molten frigate]

Ohh my bad it was convoke I didn't read right

[static spire]

Okay, after some testing on Alania, I've definitely got some thoughts on changes. The deck definitely needs some better ways to break out of stax locks -- it's able to survive ROL with Alania on field, or survive okay without Alania, but unable to function when both are locked off.

Unfortunately my meta has a lot of stax, so...

Beyond that, it needs some better ways to bypass enemy countermagic (particularly counters hitting Alania herself), as well as ways to refill my hand if Alania isn't on field. That being said, when it goes off, it goes off. It's got a lot of potential.

[molten frigate]

Hand refill with flexibility could be a consideration for [[season of weaving]]?

Or maybe just [[Archmage Emeritus]] like every other spellslinger

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/blb/68/season-of-weaving

Season of Weaving <:mana4:292901508712890379><:manau:292901508754702338><:manau:292901508754702338>

Sorcery
Choose up to five worth of modes. You may choose the same mode more than once.
— Draw a card.
— Choose an artifact or creature you control. Create a token that's a copy of it.
— Return each nonland, nontoken permanent to its owner's hand.

https://scryfall.com/card/otc/90/archmage-emeritus

Archmage Emeritus <:mana2:292901509060886528><:manau:292901508754702338><:manau:292901508754702338>

Creature — Human Wizard
Magecraft — Whenever you cast or copy an instant or sorcery spell, draw a card.
Some emeritus professors return from their wanderings periodically to share tales of the mystical wonders of Arcavios.
2/2

[molten frigate]

Season of weaving also bounces non token permanents, such as stax pieces, if needed?

[static spire]

Yeah, Season of Weaving is interesting in context of stax-breakers

Wasn't a fan of it for value, but might be worth it as a decent bounce spell

That being said, "bounce everything" is something that kinda needs to be an instant, because otherwise all the stax comes right back down before my turn

(Since it's hard -- albeit not impossible -- to cast a 6-drop spell that makes zero mana, then still go off afterward)

I suppose that, if I'm copying Season with Alania in play, I'm probably going "draw, draw, draw, copy Alania (let original die), draw, draw, bounce"

But how often do I actually get to copy a 6-drop spell with Alania, without just winning? Hmmm.

[glacial cradle]

Wait can you change modes for the copy?

You cannot change modes for the copy

[molten frigate]

You can change targets for the copy, such as copy Alania one time, bounce, copy a mana rock the second time, bounce but both casts must spend the paws the same way, eg 1 copy one bounce, 1 copy one bounce, or 2 draws 1 bounce, 2 draws one bounce.

Admitidly, copying the bounce does nearly nothing as every valid target already will be bounced already

Like weaving is not cyclonic rift. Only cyc rift is cyc rift - but it's a flexible tool for many scenarios

[static spire]

You're right, my mistake

[static spire]

[[desynchronization]] is... almost cyc rift!

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/acr/16/desynchronization

Desynchronization <:mana2:292901509060886528><:manau:292901508754702338><:manau:292901508754702338>

Instant
Return each nonland permanent that's not historic to its owner's hand. (Artifacts, legendaries, and Sagas are historic.)
History cannot be changed, and the Animus is not kind to those who try.

[static spire]

Which is why I just mocked up an in-universe version for it 😂

[molten frigate]

Very cool!

[zealous ferry]

@static spire the MaRo spoiler video says there are going to be -1/-1 counters in the set

[static spire]

yesssssssss (given that it's also got +1 counters, though, I expect it'll be a one-off design)

[zealous ferry]

Unfortunately probably

But

"so you're saying there's a chance"

[molten frigate]

https://www.reddit.com/r/magicTCG/comments/1f25g7f/does_season_of_weaving_allow_you_to_copy_your/

Quick update about season of weaving - the legend rule isn't checked mid spell resolution so Alania never dies, just gets bounced to hand

[static spire]

True! I knew that rule but didn't think of it, haha

[static spire]

Hey, can anyone help me with something? What are the best (nonlegendary) creatures in Azorius that "stack" in multiples? For example, [[Curiosity Crafter]] or [[Combat Caligrapher]] or [[Pirated Copy]], cards whose value increases quadratically with your number of copies, rather than linearly... 🤔

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/c21/24/curiosity-crafter

Curiosity Crafter <:mana3:292901508771610624><:manau:292901508754702338>

Creature — Bird Wizard
Flying
You have no maximum hand size.
Whenever a creature token you control deals combat damage to a player, draw a card.
3/3

https://scryfall.com/card/c21/14/combat-calligrapher

Combat Calligrapher <:mana3:292901508771610624><:manaw:1007102126813610074>

Creature — Bird Cleric
Flying
Inklings can't attack you or planeswalkers you control.
Whenever a player attacks one of your opponents, that attacking player creates a tapped 2/1 white and black Inkling creature token with flying that's attacking that opponent.
3/3

https://scryfall.com/card/j22/16/pirated-copy

Pirated Copy <:mana4:292901508712890379><:manau:292901508754702338>

Creature — Shapeshifter Pirate
You may have Pirated Copy enter as a copy of any creature on the battlefield, except it's a Pirate in addition to its other types and it has "Whenever this creature or another creature with the same name deals combat damage to a player, you draw a card."
0/0

[sage cloak]

Well, obviously any of the creature costal piracies

[zealous ferry]

Thoughts on [[Ethereal Valkyrie]]? [[dream trawler]] consecrated sphinx?

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/khc/16/ethereal-valkyrie

Ethereal Valkyrie <:mana4:292901508712890379><:manaw:1007102126813610074><:manau:292901508754702338>

Creature — Spirit Angel
Flying
Whenever Ethereal Valkyrie enters or attacks, draw a card, then exile a card from your hand face down. It becomes foretold. Its foretell cost is its mana cost reduced by . (On a later turn, you may cast it for its foretell cost, even if this creature has left the battlefield.)
4/4

https://scryfall.com/card/thb/214/dream-trawler

Dream Trawler <:mana2:292901509060886528><:manaw:1007102126813610074><:manaw:1007102126813610074><:manau:292901508754702338><:manau:292901508754702338>

Creature — Sphinx
Flying, lifelink
Whenever you draw a card, Dream Trawler gets +1/+0 until end of turn.
Whenever Dream Trawler attacks, draw a card.
Discard a card: Dream Trawler gains hexproof until end of turn. Tap it.
3/5

[zealous ferry]

[[faerie mastermind]]

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/mom/58/faerie-mastermind

Faerie Mastermind <:mana1:292901508373282827><:manau:292901508754702338>

Creature — Faerie Rogue
Flash
Flying
Whenever an opponent draws their second card each turn, you draw a card.
: Each player draws a card.
Yuta Takahashi, World Champion XXVII
2/1

[static spire]

Hm. Have you tried Ethereal Valkyrie in other decks? I've never been certain about "foretell a card and reduce cost by 2"

[static spire]

That's an intriguing one!

[zealous ferry]

I've tried it in an azorius angel deck led by Geist of St Traft.

[static spire]

how'd it work there?

[zealous ferry]

It was reasonable there, but it also gave good price reductions on larger creatures

[frail quarry]

I ran [[dream devourer]] in prosper for a while…it was very lackluster to me tbh

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/khm/90/dream-devourer

Dream Devourer <:mana1:292901508373282827><:manab:292901508872273920>

Creature — Demon Cleric
Each nonland card in your hand without foretell has foretell. Its foretell cost is equal to its mana cost reduced by . (During your turn, you may pay and exile it from your hand face down. Cast it on a later turn for its foretell cost.)
Whenever you foretell a card, Dream Devourer gets +2/+0 until end of turn.
0/3

[static spire]

https://www.moxfield.com/decks/UbHJQJP_Eku67V22vZG70A

Darn, the name still hasn't updated lol

This is where I'm at right now

also @zealous ferry you were absolutely right about Faerie Mastermind

Are there any OTHER cheap things which say "drw a card whenever an opponent X"?

Ideally triggering on resolution, not on casting, but I'll take what I can get

[zealous ferry]

Ledger shredder

2nd Mangara

But that's legendary

I know [[polywog prodigy]] was said earlier

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/blc/15/pollywog-prodigy

Pollywog Prodigy <:mana1:292901508373282827><:manau:292901508754702338>

Creature — Frog Wizard
Evolve (Whenever a creature you control enters, if that creature has greater power or toughness than this creature, put a +1/+1 counter on this creature.)
Whenever an opponent casts a noncreature spell with mana value less than Pollywog Prodigy's power, draw a card.
1/3

[zealous ferry]

[[Ethereal investigator]] is on the edge of OK cmc but isn't cheap

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/mkc/105/ethereal-investigator

Ethereal Investigator <:mana3:292901508771610624><:manau:292901508754702338>

Creature — Spirit
Flying
When Ethereal Investigator enters, investigate X times, where X is the number of opponents you have. (To investigate, create a Clue token. It's an artifact with ", Sacrifice this artifact: Draw a card.")
Whenever you draw your second card each turn, create a 1/1 white Spirit creature token with flying.
2/3

[zealous ferry]

Like 1 to 2 mana

[static spire]

yeah, the biggest issue is that I never want to pay 2 to crack clues

if I'm forced to sink mana into cracking things, I have shards haha

but I'm really liking how this deck pilots so far

it's got some WEIRD weird combo/value lines

[zealous ferry]

Yeah

I think my husband is going to end up building Niko between the two of us. He just expressed direct interest in them as a commander so I didn't want to call dibs

[static spire]

Given that your husband has built the same two decks as me these last two sets, he's got good taste in commanders

I'll tag him in the other server's channel lol

[zealous ferry]

I think he went with Tayam in the same mechanical vein as you did Hapatra

[static spire]

will he be bothered if I tag him in the other server?

[zealous ferry]

I think so? I'll at least make sure he knows to check

[static spire]

just to be clear, he WILL be bothered if I tag him, so I should NOT tag him?

[zealous ferry]

He doesn't check unless he expects someone will reach out like during a convention

No, he won't be bothered

[static spire]

gotcha

[green plover]

You could run [[Foresnic Gadgeteer]]

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/mkm/57/forensic-gadgeteer

Forensic Gadgeteer <:mana2:292901509060886528><:manau:292901508754702338>

Creature — Vedalken Artificer Detective
Whenever you cast an artifact spell, investigate. (Create a Clue token. It's an artifact with ", Sacrifice this artifact: Draw a card.")
Activated abilities of artifacts you control cost less to activate. This effect can't reduce the mana in that cost to less than one mana.
2/3

[green plover]

To cheapen the cost of the clues.

But it's understandable otherwise.

[static spire]

They’re not clues tho

They’re enchantments

[zealous ferry]

[[shard|khm|token]]

[timber mesa]

No card found with with collector number “token” in Kaldheim

[zealous ferry]

https://scryfall.com/search?q=shard+t%3Atoken

[sage cloak]

Man discord doing something strange yoday

[zealous ferry]

I wonder if it has to do with the changes yesterday

[frail quarry]

Oh? What changes

[zealous ferry]

where it reduced the amount of like images and video you can upload

based on fees

https://hardware.slashdot.org/story/24/09/05/0149255/discord-lowers-free-upload-limit-to-10mb

[frail quarry]

Oh jfc I totally misread the conversation - I thought you were referring to some change regarding like shards/clue/or activated abilities that’s my bad

[zealous ferry]

LOL

[static spire]

Well that’s ridiculous

[raw flint]

Oh oof

[static spire]

Hey!

Anyone able to read through the new primer I just wrote for Niko?

https://www.moxfield.com/decks/UbHJQJP_Eku67V22vZG70A

Because I would love thoughts on the primer or the 99, on what I can expand or improve

I also, uh, want upvotes/likes because I need to overtake the current leader, whose deck is less cool than mine lol

[sage cloak]

🫡

It is done

[static spire]

be blessed, fellow moth-cult member

(I'm proud of this deck though 😂 it's really weird and deranged, how it actually plays in testing)

[sage cloak]

I’m 100% certain it’s goofy, just by cursory looks

Christ almighty, copying ocelot pride..

[static spire]

how often does a blink deck get to kill people with [[Angel of Destiny]] or [[Fatestitcher]]?

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/znr/2/angel-of-destiny

Angel of Destiny <:mana3:292901508771610624><:manaw:1007102126813610074><:manaw:1007102126813610074>

Creature — Angel Cleric
Flying, double strike
Whenever a creature you control deals combat damage to a player, you and that player each gain that much life.
At the beginning of your end step, if you have at least 15 life more than your starting life total, each player Angel of Destiny attacked this turn loses the game.
2/6

https://scryfall.com/card/ala/43/fatestitcher

Fatestitcher <:mana3:292901508771610624><:manau:292901508754702338>

Creature — Zombie Wizard
: You may tap or untap another target permanent.
Unearth (: Return this card from your graveyard to the battlefield. It gains haste. Exile it at the beginning of the next end step or if it would leave the battlefield. Unearth only as a sorcery.)
1/2

[sage cloak]

Beautiful

[sage cloak]

how often does a blink deck get to kill people with Angel of Destiny or Fatestitcher

Ftfy

[static spire]

Ironically, Ocelot Pride is actually kinda awkward, because the Shards aren't Ocelot Prides anymore by the time the ability resolves. Still good tho.

[[Nesting Dovehawk]] is nastier.

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/moc/17/nesting-dovehawk

Nesting Dovehawk <:mana3:292901508771610624><:manaw:1007102126813610074>

Creature — Bird
Flying
At the beginning of combat on your turn, populate. (Create a token that's a copy of a creature token you control.)
Whenever a creature token you control enters, put a +1/+1 counter on Nesting Dovehawk.
2/2

[sage cloak]

Yeah nesting dovehawk is dumb as fuck

It’s so nasty

How many ways do you have of blinking niko themself?

[static spire]

m a n y

like fifteen, many of which are repeatable (hello, [[Skybind]])

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/jou/25/skybind

Skybind <:mana3:292901508771610624><:manaw:1007102126813610074><:manaw:1007102126813610074>

Enchantment
Constellation — Whenever Skybind or another enchantment you control enters, exile target nonenchantment permanent. Return that card to the battlefield under its owner's control at the beginning of the next end step.

[sage cloak]

Oh, that’s just turbo enchantment generation

Why [[emrakul’s messenger]]?

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/mh3/61/emrakuls-messenger

Emrakul's Messenger <:mana1:292901508373282827><:manau:292901508754702338>

Creature — Eldrazi Faerie Rogue
Devoid (This card has no color.)
Flying
Whenever you draw your second card each turn, create a 0/1 colorless Eldrazi Spawn creature token with "Sacrifice this creature: Add ."
"Obey her will! Don't be a fool! Submit your mind to Emrakul!"
2/1

[static spire]

Very good way to convert Shards into mana (and carry it across turn boundaries)

[sage cloak]

Sure

[static spire]

this deck is intensely mana-hungry

[sage cloak]

Surprised at no [[conjurer’s closet]]

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/2xm/243/conjurers-closet

Conjurer's Closet <:mana5:292901508796645386>

Artifact
At the beginning of your end step, you may exile target creature you control, then return that card to the battlefield under your control.
"Tomorrow wears yesterday's face." —Kordel the Cryptic

[sage cloak]

Also I just realized these cards are basically just better checklands

Because they always enter untapped

[static spire]

5 mana is too many -- Teleportation Circle can hit artifacts (to reset rocks like Vault/Monolith), Thassa can be tutored with [[Invasion of Theros]], and Soulherder is just cracked for 3 mana. I didn't feel the need for a fourth end-step one.

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/mom/23/invasion-of-theros-ephara-ever-sheltering

Invasion of Theros <:mana2:292901509060886528><:manaw:1007102126813610074>

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 Theros enters, search your library for an Aura, God, or Demigod card, reveal it, put it into your hand, then shuffle.
Defense: 4

Ephara, Ever-Sheltering
Legendary Enchantment Creature — God
Ephara, Ever-Sheltering has lifelink and indestructible as long as you control at least three other enchantments.
Whenever another enchantment you control enters, draw a card.
When the sun falters and the seas disperse, when the wilds wither and the forges go cold, when death itself succumbs, she endures.
4/4

[sage cloak]

Fair

Always forget about soul herder

Card is so cracked

[static spire]

SO very very cracked

no idea what they were thinking lol

oh, and I find [[Deadeye Navigator]] boring as heck

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/mm3/36/deadeye-navigator

Deadeye Navigator <:mana4:292901508712890379><:manau:292901508754702338><:manau:292901508754702338>

Creature — Spirit
Soulbond (You may pair this creature with another unpaired creature when either enters. They remain paired for as long as you control both of them.)
As long as Deadeye Navigator is paired with another creature, each of those creatures has ": Exile this creature, then return it to the battlefield under your control."
5/5

[sage cloak]

DEN is just really fucking slow nowadays

[static spire]

yeah, unless you're comboing with Peregrine or whatever, which I do not wish to do

[sage cloak]

Combos are cringe, making ten copies of sun titan is forever

[static spire]

[[Pirated Copy]] is my favorite thing to copy tbh

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/j22/16/pirated-copy

Pirated Copy <:mana4:292901508712890379><:manau:292901508754702338>

Creature — Shapeshifter Pirate
You may have Pirated Copy enter as a copy of any creature on the battlefield, except it's a Pirate in addition to its other types and it has "Whenever this creature or another creature with the same name deals combat damage to a player, you draw a card."
0/0

[static spire]

"yeah, I'll make four Pirated Copy copies, swing them plus the original thing, draw 20"

[sage cloak]

Beautiful

[static spire]

ugh, the one thing I cannot get right is the name of the deck

[green plover]

Aim For the Stars?

Based on this quote and Niko's skill being about accuracy and precision?

And also a reference how on Theros stars play a tremendous role?

[static spire]

that's also interesting because Niko's "thing" is that they never, ever miss...

[molten frigate]

Only problem with them is that they only have allied colour lands - no enemy colours.

[sage cloak]

True

[frail quarry]

Not yet

[static spire]

Anyone want to help me update my various decks for Duskmourn, now that everything should be on Scryfall?

[sage cloak]

I’ll be very intermittent but I’m down

[sage cloak]

How did you feel about the master of keys? I made a brew for it but I still feel like I haven’t solved enchantress in a satisfying way

[static spire]

I don't really have feelings about it one way or another, I don't think I'll be building it haha

[static spire]

👍 I won't be done with work for a while longer anyway

[sage cloak]

I figured enchantress was your jam haha, even I was excited about that dude

[static spire]

I've got two enchantress builds now -- Yenna and Niko -- but neither is tri-color

[green plover]

I'm around so I'm always willing to pitch an ear.

And yes, Dazzling Theater/Prop Room is already locked into my top 10 new cards of this year ❤️

[static spire]

I need help finding one last cut here 😭

https://www.moxfield.com/decks/Vpiz7R8Rfk-0J7yX0AUQtA

[green plover]

Hmmmm... I'm thinking maybe Sofia Daguerre or Aven Interruptor? Or maybe Gilraen? Your deck seems very masterfully optimized that I naturally think more towards the niche or slower pieces in it as far as cuts.

[static spire]

moving on to Yenna, this is HARD

I need to find two cuts: https://www.moxfield.com/decks/Z2ncRwIRXkCVlTemWtYo7Q

[green plover]

What cards are you aiming to add might I ask?

[static spire]

the two new Duskmourn cards

[[secret arcade]] and [[sheltered by ghosts]]

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/dsc/10/secret-arcade-dusty-parlor

Secret Arcade <:mana4:292901508712890379><:manaw:1007102126813610074>

Enchantment — Room
(You may cast either half. That door unlocks on the battlefield. As a sorcery, you may pay the mana cost of a locked door to unlock it.)
Nonland permanents you control and permanent spells you control are enchantments in addition to their other types.

Dusty Parlor
Enchantment — Room
(You may cast either half. That door unlocks on the battlefield. As a sorcery, you may pay the mana cost of a locked door to unlock it.)
Whenever you cast an enchantment spell, put a number of +1/+1 counters equal to that spell's mana value on up to one target creature.

https://scryfall.com/card/dsk/30/sheltered-by-ghosts

Sheltered by Ghosts <:mana1:292901508373282827><:manaw:1007102126813610074>

Enchantment — Aura
Enchant creature you control
When Sheltered by Ghosts enters, exile target nonland permanent an opponent controls until Sheltered by Ghosts leaves the battlefield.
Enchanted creature gets +1/+0 and has lifelink and ward .

[green plover]

Got it! Hmm...

Meticulous Excavation might be unnecessary now? I think as far as enabling certain synergies, the Room will be more useful instead? Unless you use it as a protection piece which I can see that yeah.
I imagine you do want to keep Chains of Custody instead of outright replacing it...
Lignify could be a bit more mediocre now that you have Sheltered by Ghosts as another removal tool that also benefits creatures at the same time. That and it doesn't draw like Kenrith's Transformation does.

Alternatively, On Thin Ice can also apply with this logic.

Lastly I assume Curse of Silence is useful if you keep playing with the same pod often or not which is why you have it.

Everything else looks very tight-knit.

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/dsk/114/popular-egotist

Popular Egotist <:mana2:292901509060886528><:manab:292901508872273920>

Creature — Human Rogue
, Sacrifice another creature or enchantment: Popular Egotist gains indestructible until end of turn. Tap it. (Damage and effects that say "destroy" don't destroy it.)
Whenever you sacrifice a permanent, target opponent loses 1 life and you gain 1 life.
"I know you'd want me to live, bestie!"
3/2

https://scryfall.com/card/dsk/236/the-swarmweaver

The Swarmweaver <:mana2:292901509060886528><:manab:292901508872273920><:manag:292901508654301185>

Legendary Artifact Creature — Scarecrow
When The Swarmweaver enters, create two 1/1 black and green Insect creature tokens with flying.
Delirium — As long as there are four or more card types among cards in your graveyard, Insects and Spiders you control get +1/+1 and have deathtouch.
2/3

[static spire]

yeah, that may be true

[static spire]

nah, the 1-mana-ness is amazing. Ossification I could see though

[static spire]

also, my wincon is making infinite copies of it, and making every legal EDH card cost +1000 mana

for which deck?

...are you possibly in the wrong thread for this? 😂

[green plover]

Oh crap >XD Sorry.

[green plover]

Ossification yeah is another choice to replace for certain.

[green plover]

Glad I was onto something 🙂

[static spire]

second part, to be clear -- Meticulous is still important haha

but Lignify might finally be getting the axe

[green plover]

Understood!

[static spire]

I think we're finally getting to the point where I need to ask "how much sorcery-speed lockdown is TOO much"

[molten frigate]

Any duskmourn cards look good for Alania/Spellslingery izzet decks? Almost everything i've seen has been some form of enchantment that didn't exactly inspire me.

[static spire]

[[cursed recording]] isn't terrible

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/dsk/131/cursed-recording

Cursed Recording <:mana2:292901509060886528><:manar:292901508796645397><:manar:292901508796645397>

Artifact
Whenever you cast an instant or sorcery spell, put a time counter on Cursed Recording. Then if there are seven or more time counters on it, remove those counters and it deals 20 damage to you.
: When you next cast an instant or sorcery spell this turn, copy that spell. You may choose new targets for the copy.

[static spire]

[[the tale of tamiyo]] too

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/dsk/75/the-tale-of-tamiyo

The Tale of Tamiyo <:mana2:292901509060886528><:manau:292901508754702338>

Legendary Enchantment — Saga
(As this Saga enters and after your draw step, add a lore counter. Sacrifice after IV.)
I, II, III — Mill two cards. If two cards that share a card type were milled this way, draw a card and repeat this process.
IV — Exile any number of target instant, sorcery, and/or Tamiyo planeswalker cards from your graveyard. Copy them. You may cast any number of the copies.

[static spire]

Interestingly, all of my decks except Alania got something new -- anything marked 6 is something I ended up adding

[molten frigate]

I guess Izzet had spellslinger for two expansions (otj and blb) back to back, makes sense to try and do something different with it this set

[zealous ferry]

Yenna isn't getting Marvin?

[static spire]

I decided that he wasn't good enough for the deck

[zealous ferry]

nod having an additional version of her copy even if he doesn't have the untap trigger seemed valuable

But i can see what you mean especially if she's not on the battlefield

[zealous ferry]

Can [[sheltered by ghosts]] replace [[lignify]]?

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/dsk/30/sheltered-by-ghosts

Sheltered by Ghosts <:mana1:292901508373282827><:manaw:1007102126813610074>

Enchantment — Aura
Enchant creature you control
When Sheltered by Ghosts enters, exile target nonland permanent an opponent controls until Sheltered by Ghosts leaves the battlefield.
Enchanted creature gets +1/+0 and has lifelink and ward .

https://scryfall.com/card/gvl/16/lignify

Lignify <:mana1:292901508373282827><:manag:292901508654301185>

Kindred Enchantment — Treefolk Aura
Enchant creature
Enchanted creature is a Treefolk with base power and toughness 0/4 and loses all abilities.
Bulgo paused, puzzled. What was that rustling sound, and why did he feel so stiff? And how could his feet be so thirsty?

[zealous ferry]

Or is lignify basically only there for commanders

I didn't see that you found a spot for it

Never mind...

I'm apparently really out of touch on the timeline

[static spire]

So! Independent from feelings on the recent set of bans, it means that I need to cut a lot of stuff from my decks.

(RIP to my seven Crypts, four Docksides, and one Jeweled Lotus in my lists.)

In order, as I gradually edit various lists:

• Niko: CUT Mana Crypt, ADD Expedition Map.

I might change this one, but for now I wanted to make sure I had enough Urza's Saga targets, and instead of Crypt I was aiming to find Serra's Sanctum as a different form of ramp that hasn't been banned (yet).

Avacyn: CUT Dockside Extortionist + Mana Crypt, ADD Sundering Eruption + Fable of the Mirror-Breaker

In general, I'm trying to add ramp pieces to replace our lost ones. I was torn between Sundering Eruption and some other land, but for now I'm going to plan on Sundering Eruption in case there's an upswing in Cradles / Ancient Tombs / etc in my meta in response to the recent ban. Fable is interesting as a way to re-trigger some ETBs, and the token theoretically should give me a bit more Treasure to replace poor banned Dockside.

• Wort: CUT Dockside Extortionist, add Reap and Sow

I'll be honest, Dockside shouldn't even have been in here. I just really wanted to pull off "Dockside + Nantuko Springheart = massive mana on landfall" because it seemed hilarious. I'm sad I never managed to do that before the ban, but I'm simply reversing the original change that added Dockside. I don't anticipate any major problems here.

• Teysa: CUT Mana Crypt, add Smothering Tithe, maybe?

This one is tricky, because this deck has a lot of moving pieces, and really gets outsped by faster decks if I'm not careful (even decks WITHOUT fast mana of their own). If I don't get set up early, I die before I can make enough tokens and properly stabilize. Maybe Tithe can help me do that? I'm skeptical, but at least it works with token doublers, so...?

• Yenna: CUT Mana Crypt, add Mana Vault.

Not nearly AS good, but it does the critical trick of giving me early aura ramp.

[glacial cradle]

Tithe seems quite solid. It's a lil slower to get onto the field, but can very easily create a lot of mana or mana advantage just through the course of gameplay

And yeah, token doublers really escalate it to the next level

[static spire]

My problem is mostly that, if I don't have a few tokens by the time I drop planeswalkers in Teysa, things go badly. But by the time T5-7 roll around, there's big enough boards that it's hard to have enough tokens... So being slower to setup tokens and slower to setup walkers is hard.

The deck was already struggling a lot 😅

[glacial cradle]

That's real tough

[static spire]

I don't think the Crypt ban alone sinks the deck, but it needs a solid rebuild. Might have to reduce the superfriends aspect, which honestly breaks my heart.

[glacial cradle]

That'd be really sad. That's such a cool aspect to the deck.

Thinking about it, have you tested Deep Gnome Terramancer in your meta?

[static spire]

For my other decks:

• Alania is the only one running three banned cards, that's gonna be tough.
• Kroxa's possibly getting disassembled, because Dockside was simply so critical to all its various lines.
• Hapatra needed a full rebuild anyway, so it'll wait until that.
• Yenna probably gains, idk, Gemstone Caverns.

[glacial cradle]

Are you running the new enchantment land in Yenna?

[static spire]

Nah, not worth it.

I already have Urza's Saga, and there's not THAT many constellation triggers.

[glacial cradle]

I figured that'd be the answer, but it is cool having a land that triggers all the stuff. And in some circumstances can be copied for ramp lol.

[static spire]

I already have that, and it's named Urza's Saga lol

[glacial cradle]

Yeah fair

[static spire]

I don't feel a super compelling need to have a second tapped version

[glacial cradle]

Makes sense

[static spire]

if that land came in untapped, I would have definitely run it

even if it were colorless or had some other downside (like paying life for the mana)

[glacial cradle]

F in the chat for Kroxa, should they perish in this fire.

[static spire]

I mean, I could go back to Worldgorger loops, but about half the deck's wincons involved looping Dockside lol

Chthonian Nightmare, Breach + Altar + Kroxa, etc

[glacial cradle]

Have you tried Legion's Landing in Teysa? It's low impact, but it's 1 mana and by turn 3 or 4 it feels really easy to flip.

Also, my mana acceleration pitches aside, I just realized one could take the exact same premise as your Teysa deck and build a really good Chatterfang deck.

[static spire]

It would probably work even better! You should do it 🤔

[static spire]

That's... not a bad idea, actually!

[static spire]

https://www.moxfield.com/decks/NAH_MOD1h02D-EIMkjeGVg

in progress, late-night build

[glacial cradle]

lol, that was fast.

[harsh mauve]

hey! this seems like a good place to ask this; I am struggling to find a playstyle/colors to be truly comfortable with

how do i figure it out

[static spire]

Sure, I'm happy to help out! Fair warning that I'm not on Discord much this next two weeks

What have you enjoyed (or not enjoyed) so far, in your games? Either stuff you played, or stuff you saw others play

[harsh mauve]

thr thing is i like every way ive played, whether its card draw, or landfall, or tokens, etc

i have 30 sumn decks on mox

[sage cloak]

How you doing overall? Y’all have been battered like hell the last few days

[static spire]

https://tenor.com/view/fox-blah-bored-fox-open-mouth-gif-17054340

[sage cloak]

Felt

[static spire]

Hm. So if you enjoy all the decks you've built and played, what's the issue you're facing? Legit question

[harsh mauve]

i use similar cards in all of thrm

like a lot of my decks that share colors share cards

even though i have a lot of decks i struggle to branch out

[zealous ferry]

Ahh. What's an example of one of your decks?

[harsh mauve]

most recent one is mono blue zombies

[[!geralf fleshwright]]

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/otj/50/geralf-the-fleshwright

Geralf, the Fleshwright

[harsh mauve]

every instant is a 1 drop or less

[static spire]

I gotta close Discord and work, but I'm sure @zealous ferry or other people in this thread can help you 🙂

(sorry to volunteer you, Mxkale)

[zealous ferry]

What are the sort of cards that are overlapping?

Like [[brainstorm]]?

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/dsc/113/brainstorm

Brainstorm <:manau:292901508754702338>

Instant
Draw three cards, then put two cards from your hand on top of your library in any order.
The mizzium-sphere array drove her mind deep into the thought field, where only the rarest motes of genius may be plucked.

[harsh mauve]

i cannot say any cards atm sadly

i do ise brainstorm

whenevrr i run blue i run probably 5-6 counters and at least 4 bounces

better way of phrasing💡 i build colors thr same way every time

then ive also just never build a black deck, i need to grow into it

[zealous ferry]

As someone who plays a lot of blue that's a problem with the color. The good cards blue has are often easy includes in blue decks

[harsh mauve]

"why shouldnt i use this"

[zealous ferry]

What's the reason geralf drew you to it as a commander?

[harsh mauve]

i like tribal

my best paper deck rn is edgar

[zealous ferry]

Mardu vampires?

[harsh mauve]

yep

also got selsnya rabbits

a lot of my decks are higher power but thats because of the wuality of the cards, they could be better with changes

[zealous ferry]

Mm

Part of that is going to come down to how WotC designs typal cards too.

One way I've found to help differentiate decks is find the mechanic within the creature type that interests you

[harsh mauve]

i really liked otters from BLB

as well as raccoons

[zealous ferry]

Which otter in particular?

[zealous ferry]

My husband and daedalus both built [[alania divergent]]

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/blb/204/alania-divergent-storm

Alania, Divergent Storm <:mana3:292901508771610624><:manau:292901508754702338><:manar:292901508796645397>

Legendary Creature — Otter Wizard
Whenever you cast a spell, if it's the first instant spell, the first sorcery spell, or the first Otter spell other than Alania you've cast this turn, you may have target opponent draw a card. If you do, copy that spell. You may choose new targets for the copy.
"Why would I chase the storm? Does a cloud chase the rain? Does the sun chase the light?"
3/5

[harsh mauve]

when i started it it wad bria

but someone told me to make it naraet

narset

[sage cloak]

Narset is fun

Bria is a happy medium between truly super powerful and not too slow

[harsh mauve]

i wanted izzet tho n this guy just kept being annoying and saying to make it narset

so i never finished it because that dude pissed me off enough

[sage cloak]

So, the answer to that

“No, I want to make the deck I want to make”

And if they persist, that’s when you hit ‘em with the “it’s my deck, not yours”

You can build it however you want

Do what makes you happy!

[zealous ferry]

I have a Narset deck and there are enough differences that you shouldn't feel bad about doing Bria instead

Even if in both cases they give prowess

[sage cloak]

Bria is cooler because she can be more aggressive

Since your creatures are unblockable

[zealous ferry]

The interesting part of narset is the cast trigger from the graveyard

I think the aggressive bria attack changes it a lot

[molten frigate]

Bria Also has notable overlap with Balmor, the cost of 2 more mana but with unblockable instead of trample.
I think they each go in the others 99 anyways tho

[zealous ferry]

I prefer bria between them at base

[harsh mauve]

ended ul building mono white human aggro with [[!greymond, avacyn's stalwart]]

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/slx/18/greymond-avacyns-stalwart

Greymond, Avacyn's Stalwart

[harsh mauve]

definetly like aggro decks

https://www.moxfield.com/decks/sOXMfBQDSkiKHA5RvJFB6g criticism is open and encouraged

[static spire]

and now, for my next trick... [[silence]]

[timber mesa]

https://scryfall.com/card/m14/35/silence

Silence <:manaw:1007102126813610074>

Instant
Your opponents can't cast spells this turn.
"Take a quiet moment to reflect on your sins." —Cleph, Order of Redeemed Souls

[static spire]

it's been a pleasure chatting to y'all. I'll see you again soon

[molten frigate]

The Alania (and others, but I don't care about those) thread is open again, yay!

[sage cloak]

Worst part about the discord being locked down is all my active threads timing out lol

So now I gotta go find them again

[static spire]

https://tenor.com/view/independence-day-hello-boys-im-back-return-suicide-gif-6099267

[vast vale]

https://tenor.com/view/forest-gump-wave-hi-hello-howdy-gif-22164679

[knotty shard]

https://tenor.com/view/tomas-shelby-gif-9632566097741714411

[balmy mantle]

https://tenor.com/view/we're-back-baby-rick-sanchez-morty-smith-rick-and-morty-we've-returned-my-friends-gif-305458341981810714

[green plover]

https://tenor.com/view/spiderman-oh-yeah-i-got-groove-back-gif-18289996

[static spire]

Hello I'm not dead y'all

Just been super busy and unable to play much Magic 😅

Anyone want to help me with cuts here? I'm short three slots: https://www.moxfield.com/decks/UbHJQJP_Eku67V22vZG70A

[glacial fable]

this has got to be the biggest thread

seems a lil abandoned since 2024

[sage cloak]

Daed is working on PhD stuff so she hasn’t done magic stuff in a minute

[glacial fable]

shes doing doctor stuff?

or phatever a phd is for

[sage cloak]

Doctorates are for any degree

[glacial fable]

ah

[sage cloak]

What you’re thinking of is potentially an MD

(Medical doctorate)

[glacial fable]

i typically see phd is refrence to sience or medical context

[sage cloak]

Yeah, there are PhDs for most standard fields

[static spire]

I am still alive!

but yes, I am drowning in PhD stuff