Commander league restarts tomorrow. I did pretty bad last league. My brother only played half of the time I did because of his newborn and I only beat him by 1 point.
Hopefully this next one goes better.
Protip for winning leagues: Norin
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Tantarus: It didn't make the gaka greifer level, so it should be fine
It should be reaffirmed that replacing Imperial is really, really suboptimal and that if you can at all afford it, get it. You'll notice improvements in tempo, responses, and douchebaggery fun. It really is the best card in the deck, and you *will* be playing completely differently without it.
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Tantarus: It didn't make the gaka greifer level, so it should be fine
So I have everything in the deck except for Recruiter and Settlers. Are there particular cheaper cards that would make the most sense to run instead? Currently my plan is Burning Wish and Avalanche Riders, but I could see cutting at least the Riders.
Avalanche Riders is 100% the best replacement for recruiter. Go for it. In fact, if/when you ever get a settler, running both wouldn't be a problem at all. ETB LD is awesome.
For wish - first check to ensure that your playgroup allows sideboards. A lot of places don't, and in those cases wish is useless.
I would instead think about going for a pure value critter. Something large, in charge, and something that has a decent effect on the battlefield at hand, rather than the future (via tutor.) Things like Wurmcoil Engine and Myr Battlesphere have been tossed out multiple times as good finishers. Blink often and carry a large stick.
Hey gaka what about Deal Broker instead of the racketeer? I know everyone is probably eyeing Khan spoilers right now but I just saw this guy the other day and realized we got another recruitable looter and didn't even talk about it. And its one the welder loves to boot.
Consider Racketeer to be, at the moment, pure filler. It's basically just a card that's waiting for something better to come along. The Raid mechanic gives me hope.
In the meantime, it's totally cool to replace racketeer with broker. They effectively serve the same function, though broker can be traded with artifacts and used by your opponents. Keep that in mind before you make a swap.
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Tantarus: It didn't make the gaka greifer level, so it should be fine
If that's the primary reason why it would be ok to have that combo, why not just have Worldfire?
It ends the game. And if the opponents haven't drawn one of their counterspells (Or just don't play one) at nine mana + whatever else you combo with it, SHOULDN'T the game be over?
Worldfire doesn't end the game. Worldfire only ends the game under the guise of a fun little mini game called "who planned for this" or "who is actually Yugi."
I think this is the main difference. It's not fun for anyone to essentially reset the game into a battle of topdecks.
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Tantarus: It didn't make the gaka greifer level, so it should be fine
I did this awhile ago using our 5c dragon friend as the general, and back-up plan number one. (Goblin Charbelcher is a great backup number 2.)
There are a very, very low number of keepable hands you'll have access to while running the deck - and will need a lot of 0-1cc mana sources and draw. Pretty sure it also ran Hermit Druid, if that's a killer. I can look for the decklist, but there are something around 1200 lists stored here so no promises...
But yes, it's possible.
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Tantarus: It didn't make the gaka greifer level, so it should be fine
True, but Red isn't a stranger to mana ramp, and Mana Geysor can and will produce that much mana against any green deck.
If you're risking that much mana, the game better be over.
There comes a certain point in every game where it seriously just needs to end. Spending 11+ mana better do something apocalyptic to the board state or within a turn the high from having the power of Norin at your fingertips will start to turn into "gee, if only I had some way to end the game"
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Tantarus: It didn't make the gaka greifer level, so it should be fine
It would be nice if we could all just retire and rely on robots to server us... hurry up and get there!!!!
On it.
I just had a "funny" deck idea. Put a whole bunch of greifer cards like "Grip of Chaos" and so on and use it to disrupt the game enough so your agro deck can deal with players.
I can imagine people trying to protect themselves but whiffing their Possibility Storm or their spells targeting the wrong thing, or even getting countered by a coin flip. I think green and red are in, as you need the ramp and the aggressiveness. I think White could work, as tokens could be a good theme. They'd need to have mass removal, which is rare. It makes spot removal less good (too many targets, specially if you need to pick at random) make your deck mostly permanents and play Warp World. It'd be a casual deck.
EDIT: In an agro heavy meta, play the dude that makes creatures attacking your opponents get +2/+0, stuff that makes everything attack each turn, stuff that makes attacks random and damage doublers for your opponents.
So you basically described the initial variants of Norin.
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Tantarus: It didn't make the gaka greifer level, so it should be fine
Honestly the Core Sets were a fantastic way to reintroduce generic cards that might not otherwise with within the themes of a block, and opened up a spot to reprint toys that might benefit standard or modern. They're also the easiest to pick up and draft and do well with mostly regardless of experience level.
That being said, the heydey of the Core set has passed. m13-m15 weren't fantastic sets.
On the plus side, this allows for more design room within each block; hopefully we aren't riddled with parasitic mechanics anymore. The next year could be really interesting.
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Tantarus: It didn't make the gaka greifer level, so it should be fine
Damn, I saw the Living Death discussion thread and noticed posts by Dechs and thought he had come back. Then I looked at the date of the posts and realized it was an old thread that someone must have bumped.
This made me look at how old some of my decks are.
Fun fact, Norin will be 4 years old at the turn of the year.
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Tantarus: It didn't make the gaka greifer level, so it should be fine
I'm used to it. Sheldon has been discriminating against me for years because I can't play at Armada Games due to its location in proximity to my own and my inability to move there.
Clearly you need to change your lifestyle, pleb.
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Tantarus: It didn't make the gaka greifer level, so it should be fine
Why does no one seem to believe the dude who runs the Karn primer when he says that its not really that strong?
He's running the absolute best case scenario deck for the card.
Because everyone's opinion should be heard regardless of how meaningless and incorrect it is.
Actually, yes. Afterwards, if they're full of *Norin*, we can go back over their ideas and make fun of them while drinking heavily from this wonderful bottle of 15yo scotch.
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Tantarus: It didn't make the gaka greifer level, so it should be fine
Excellent. This pleases Jabba.
EDH:
RNorin the WaryR <-Link! (Primer - Mono Red Control)
GUEdric, Spymaster of TrestUG <- Link! (Mini-Primer - Dredge)
Duel Commander:
WUGeist of Saint TraftUW <- Link! (Aggro-Control)
BGSkullbriar, the Walking GraveGB <- Link! (Aggro)
BUGDamia, Sage of StoneGUB <- Link! (Extinction Control)
Church of the Wary
Excellent. This pleases Jabba.
EDH:
RNorin the WaryR <-Link! (Primer - Mono Red Control)
GUEdric, Spymaster of TrestUG <- Link! (Mini-Primer - Dredge)
Duel Commander:
WUGeist of Saint TraftUW <- Link! (Aggro-Control)
BGSkullbriar, the Walking GraveGB <- Link! (Aggro)
BUGDamia, Sage of StoneGUB <- Link! (Extinction Control)
Church of the Wary
Protip for winning leagues: Norin
EDH:
RNorin the WaryR <-Link! (Primer - Mono Red Control)
GUEdric, Spymaster of TrestUG <- Link! (Mini-Primer - Dredge)
Duel Commander:
WUGeist of Saint TraftUW <- Link! (Aggro-Control)
BGSkullbriar, the Walking GraveGB <- Link! (Aggro)
BUGDamia, Sage of StoneGUB <- Link! (Extinction Control)
Church of the Wary
douchebaggeryfun. It really is the best card in the deck, and you *will* be playing completely differently without it.EDH:
RNorin the WaryR <-Link! (Primer - Mono Red Control)
GUEdric, Spymaster of TrestUG <- Link! (Mini-Primer - Dredge)
Duel Commander:
WUGeist of Saint TraftUW <- Link! (Aggro-Control)
BGSkullbriar, the Walking GraveGB <- Link! (Aggro)
BUGDamia, Sage of StoneGUB <- Link! (Extinction Control)
Church of the Wary
Avalanche Riders is 100% the best replacement for recruiter. Go for it. In fact, if/when you ever get a settler, running both wouldn't be a problem at all. ETB LD is awesome.
For wish - first check to ensure that your playgroup allows sideboards. A lot of places don't, and in those cases wish is useless.
I would instead think about going for a pure value critter. Something large, in charge, and something that has a decent effect on the battlefield at hand, rather than the future (via tutor.) Things like Wurmcoil Engine and Myr Battlesphere have been tossed out multiple times as good finishers. Blink often and carry a large stick.
Consider Racketeer to be, at the moment, pure filler. It's basically just a card that's waiting for something better to come along. The Raid mechanic gives me hope.
In the meantime, it's totally cool to replace racketeer with broker. They effectively serve the same function, though broker can be traded with artifacts and used by your opponents. Keep that in mind before you make a swap.
EDH:
RNorin the WaryR <-Link! (Primer - Mono Red Control)
GUEdric, Spymaster of TrestUG <- Link! (Mini-Primer - Dredge)
Duel Commander:
WUGeist of Saint TraftUW <- Link! (Aggro-Control)
BGSkullbriar, the Walking GraveGB <- Link! (Aggro)
BUGDamia, Sage of StoneGUB <- Link! (Extinction Control)
Church of the Wary
To be fair, a good scotch goes a long way.
EDH:
RNorin the WaryR <-Link! (Primer - Mono Red Control)
GUEdric, Spymaster of TrestUG <- Link! (Mini-Primer - Dredge)
Duel Commander:
WUGeist of Saint TraftUW <- Link! (Aggro-Control)
BGSkullbriar, the Walking GraveGB <- Link! (Aggro)
BUGDamia, Sage of StoneGUB <- Link! (Extinction Control)
Church of the Wary
Worldfire doesn't end the game. Worldfire only ends the game under the guise of a fun little mini game called "who planned for this" or "who is actually Yugi."
I think this is the main difference. It's not fun for anyone to essentially reset the game into a battle of topdecks.
EDH:
RNorin the WaryR <-Link! (Primer - Mono Red Control)
GUEdric, Spymaster of TrestUG <- Link! (Mini-Primer - Dredge)
Duel Commander:
WUGeist of Saint TraftUW <- Link! (Aggro-Control)
BGSkullbriar, the Walking GraveGB <- Link! (Aggro)
BUGDamia, Sage of StoneGUB <- Link! (Extinction Control)
Church of the Wary
There are a very, very low number of keepable hands you'll have access to while running the deck - and will need a lot of 0-1cc mana sources and draw. Pretty sure it also ran Hermit Druid, if that's a killer. I can look for the decklist, but there are something around 1200 lists stored here so no promises...
But yes, it's possible.
EDH:
RNorin the WaryR <-Link! (Primer - Mono Red Control)
GUEdric, Spymaster of TrestUG <- Link! (Mini-Primer - Dredge)
Duel Commander:
WUGeist of Saint TraftUW <- Link! (Aggro-Control)
BGSkullbriar, the Walking GraveGB <- Link! (Aggro)
BUGDamia, Sage of StoneGUB <- Link! (Extinction Control)
Church of the Wary
My ex-Marine buddy puts it this way: "If I can taste the coke, there isn't enough whiskey."
EDH:
RNorin the WaryR <-Link! (Primer - Mono Red Control)
GUEdric, Spymaster of TrestUG <- Link! (Mini-Primer - Dredge)
Duel Commander:
WUGeist of Saint TraftUW <- Link! (Aggro-Control)
BGSkullbriar, the Walking GraveGB <- Link! (Aggro)
BUGDamia, Sage of StoneGUB <- Link! (Extinction Control)
Church of the Wary
If you're risking that much mana, the game better be over.
There comes a certain point in every game where it seriously just needs to end. Spending 11+ mana better do something apocalyptic to the board state or within a turn the high from having the power of Norin at your fingertips will start to turn into "gee, if only I had some way to end the game"
EDH:
RNorin the WaryR <-Link! (Primer - Mono Red Control)
GUEdric, Spymaster of TrestUG <- Link! (Mini-Primer - Dredge)
Duel Commander:
WUGeist of Saint TraftUW <- Link! (Aggro-Control)
BGSkullbriar, the Walking GraveGB <- Link! (Aggro)
BUGDamia, Sage of StoneGUB <- Link! (Extinction Control)
Church of the Wary
So you basically described the initial variants of Norin.
EDH:
RNorin the WaryR <-Link! (Primer - Mono Red Control)
GUEdric, Spymaster of TrestUG <- Link! (Mini-Primer - Dredge)
Duel Commander:
WUGeist of Saint TraftUW <- Link! (Aggro-Control)
BGSkullbriar, the Walking GraveGB <- Link! (Aggro)
BUGDamia, Sage of StoneGUB <- Link! (Extinction Control)
Church of the Wary
That being said, the heydey of the Core set has passed. m13-m15 weren't fantastic sets.
On the plus side, this allows for more design room within each block; hopefully we aren't riddled with parasitic mechanics anymore. The next year could be really interesting.
EDH:
RNorin the WaryR <-Link! (Primer - Mono Red Control)
GUEdric, Spymaster of TrestUG <- Link! (Mini-Primer - Dredge)
Duel Commander:
WUGeist of Saint TraftUW <- Link! (Aggro-Control)
BGSkullbriar, the Walking GraveGB <- Link! (Aggro)
BUGDamia, Sage of StoneGUB <- Link! (Extinction Control)
Church of the Wary
This made me look at how old some of my decks are.
Fun fact, Norin will be 4 years old at the turn of the year.
EDH:
RNorin the WaryR <-Link! (Primer - Mono Red Control)
GUEdric, Spymaster of TrestUG <- Link! (Mini-Primer - Dredge)
Duel Commander:
WUGeist of Saint TraftUW <- Link! (Aggro-Control)
BGSkullbriar, the Walking GraveGB <- Link! (Aggro)
BUGDamia, Sage of StoneGUB <- Link! (Extinction Control)
Church of the Wary
Clearly you need to change your lifestyle, pleb.
EDH:
RNorin the WaryR <-Link! (Primer - Mono Red Control)
GUEdric, Spymaster of TrestUG <- Link! (Mini-Primer - Dredge)
Duel Commander:
WUGeist of Saint TraftUW <- Link! (Aggro-Control)
BGSkullbriar, the Walking GraveGB <- Link! (Aggro)
BUGDamia, Sage of StoneGUB <- Link! (Extinction Control)
Church of the Wary
Actually, yes. Afterwards, if they're full of *Norin*, we can go back over their ideas and make fun of them while drinking heavily from this wonderful bottle of 15yo scotch.
EDH:
RNorin the WaryR <-Link! (Primer - Mono Red Control)
GUEdric, Spymaster of TrestUG <- Link! (Mini-Primer - Dredge)
Duel Commander:
WUGeist of Saint TraftUW <- Link! (Aggro-Control)
BGSkullbriar, the Walking GraveGB <- Link! (Aggro)
BUGDamia, Sage of StoneGUB <- Link! (Extinction Control)
Church of the Wary