Don't know why this hasn't been brought up yet, so I'm going to.
A few days ago there's been a small article on Bolas' endgame theory. Clicky clicky
In short:
Bolas is trying to trap most/many planeswalkers on Ravnica via Project Lightning sucking them into the plane, and locking them with the Immortal Sun.
Then, his army of eternals kills them (maybe even with his help if he cares enough).
Result - the multiverse/blind eternities sense this massive imbalance of power, thus balancing it out by strengthening the remaining PWs. Optimally only Bolas himself.
Bolas is trying to regain his powerlevel as an oldwalker. As was mentioned a few times that's his goal.
There's basically no reason for Azor to be on Ixalan. Flavorfully, everything is pointing at Ugin, and this is perhaps another binding sigil (like the one used to seal the Eldrazi) to keep planeswalkers from leaving. Ravnican magic manifests in guild symbols, but there's nothing to indicate their sigils themselves are magical. There is, however, a bunch that supports Ugin, especially because when you rotate and clean-up the binding sigil, it looks a lot like the symbols on the Hedron and Ugin's Hood. Note too that the sigil matches both the Dusk Legion and Sun Empire symbols.
What I will say is that Ugin and Azor might have known one another at one point, that can't be ruled out, but I wouldn't jump to Azorius. I... don't particularly want another maze Jace has to solve by Azor.
Interesting point. Maybe Ugin experimented with trapping spells? And the one on Ixalan was one of the earlier designs/tries?
Raiders' Spoils 3B
Enchantment (Unc)
Creatures you control get +1/+0.
Whenever a Warrior you control deals combat damaga to a player, you pay 1 life. If you do, draw a card.
Trust Guardian 2WW
Creature - Human Knight (C)
Lifelink
Whenever ~ attacks alone and you control a creature ~ gets a 0/+2 until end of turn.
2/3
"and you control a creature" -> is always fulfilled since it is a creature itself. Do you mean "another creature" perhaps? Right now, this is a 2/5 lifelinking attacker. Fair enough for a 4cmc common.
Champion of the Breeze 1UW
Creature - Human Knight (R)
Flash
Whenever ~ enters or leaves the battlefield creatures you control get a +1/+1 until end of turn. (U/W)(U/W)(U/W)(U/W): Exile ~, then return ~ to the battlefield.
2/2
Champion of the Grove 1WG
Creature - Elf Knight (R)
Trample
Whenever another creature you control enters the battlefield ~ gets a +1/+1 until end of turn. (W/G)(W/G)(W/G)(W/G): Put two 2/2 White and Green Elf Knight creature tokens onto the battlefield tapped.
2/3
For 4 mana you get: instant 4 p/t and a +2/+2 boost? Hell no. Maybe only 1 token and loose the etb tapped clause.
Champion of the Shrine 1WB
Creature - Vampire Knight (R)
First Strike
Whenever a non-spirit creature dies put a 1/1 Black and White Spirit token onto the battlefield. (W/B)(W/B)(W/B)(W/B): Target player sacrifices a creature they control and puts a 2/2 Black Zombie creature token onto the battlefield tapped.
3/2
Good idea, although I really don't like how this mixes the creature types vampire, spirit AND zombie. Choose one and stick to it. this way it makes the card way more flavorful.
Champion of the Sun 1WR
Creature - Archon Knight (R)
Flying
Whenever a creature you control deals damage, you may gain that much life. (W/R)(W/R)(W/R)(W/R):Each creature you control deals 1 damage to target creature or player.
2/3
Just simply no. Generate mass tokens and you don't even have to attack anymore. Change the activated ability to only targeting creatures and the static ability to non-combat damage.
Bolt Lag is extremely powerful because just look at this.
Shock
Bolt Lag
Shock Bolt Lag
Searing Spear Shock
Bolt Lag Bolt Lag Shock
GG
So, 9 cards in 5 turns win you the game. Call me oldfashioned but that is nothing new - so this argument is highly invalid.
Apart from that, why would you use Shock over Lightning Bolt anyway??
Moss-Covered Titan: Nothing pushed about this.
Envoy of Life: As stated earlier, another design would definitely be better.
Lightning Spark: Nothing pushed, but nice card.
Nymph of Higher Thought: Nothing pushed, maybe redesign it.
Cruelty of the Grove: Earlier posts already said everything there is to say.
Bolt Lag: Not sure if you can do this, I recommend redesign.
Rebirth: 4cmc and sac another creature to give one of your dudes Undying with an additional counter? Definitely too weak. Also the sacrificing isn't fitting the flavor of a Rebirth. Maybe this:
Rebirth #22WB
Enchantment - Aura
Enchant creature you control
When enchanted creature dies, return it to the battlefield. You may pay X. If you do, put X +1/+1 counters on it.
Yeah, the -2 is insanely op. Any big impact spell can be tutored/self-milled/cheated into your gy and the you can cast it for RR? No matter the original casting cost and color? As soon as turn 4 or even earlier with ramp? No way in hell. At least make the flachback cost equal to the casting cost like every other card that grants flashback.
Hello everyone, I am new to the forum.
I have been very casually playing magic for a few months and bought a few packs here and there. Tonight, my friend helped me build a deck. I'm still not completely sure on how everything is played so I was looking for some help with my deck.
Any help is MUCH appreciated! Thanks!
First - to greet you! Welcome to MTGS - this fun bunch of MTG enthusiasts!
Ok, now I can go through your list. Give me some time and I'll edit this post with my comments.
EDIT:
So, I understand you want to go in the direction of +1/+1 counters.
First I would drop B completely. Just for ~3 cards you don't need half of your lands to be swamps.
Then, drop the creatures which don't synergize with the concept.
Here are some examples (mostly non-expensive stuff I hope) - the exact number would be up to your preference:
It's simple and straight-forward, but I think it would be better served as an uncommon cantrip since it feels kind of... 'side-boardy'. I know I would hate to see these at common in limited :p.
This is a 2cmc instant pw killer. And I think it's a good one. Multicolor makes this fairly balanced, although it should be uncommon. I won't like the cantrip version, the lifegain is fine as it is. Definitely a cool idea!
Battle Heighted Knight: While reading, my first thoughts:
"Wow, this dude doesn't have hexproof like literally all of his other cards. Nice!"
"Ok, kinda a jitte-ish effect with the double strike. That's cool."
"Aaaaaaaand there's the hexproof."
"Oh, he gives it to all of his other creatures as well. That's overpowered as we know ValentineX. #disappointment"
Definitely not a rare anymore by a long shot. Even as mythic it would need some serious rebalancing.
Ursus' Sphere0
Legendary Artifact (M) T, Exile the top card of your library: Add one mana of the exiled card’s colors to your mana pool. If that card is colorless, add 1 to your mana pool instead.
I like that preview. Either, it's a safety net for a countered spell, or it is a "spell clone" for anything in your hand for 1 mana more. Pretty cool if you desperately need a second copy of anything that moment. As it is right now, I'd say rare. I even think about it costing UR, but then it looses the iconic 1cmc blue rare spell many sets have.
Incarnation of Wormwood3BGW
Legendary Creature - Zombie Elemental (R)
Deathtouch
When you cast Wormwood, each player loses 2 life, discards two cards, sacrifices two creatures, then sacrifices two lands.
At the beginning of your upkeep, you may pay 6 life. If you do, return ~ from your graveyard to your hand.
6/6
That's one heck of a cool, thoughtful design. Fairly costed for an uncommon, and the usual high bestow cost we know. It's a bit of a pity though, because I'd love this to be a finisher for red aggro decks. But well done! (wouldn't be surprised if we saw something like this in BNG or NYX)
Côup d'État3BB
Sorcery (M)
Choose a creature you control. Destroy all other creatures.
You loose half of your life, rounded up. "The king is dead. Long live the king!" proclaimed Darkbeard as he thrusted his sword dripping with his own blood into the ground before him. Moments later, Tornin and his berserker army cried blood and vanquished.
A few days ago there's been a small article on Bolas' endgame theory. Clicky clicky
In short:
Bolas is trying to trap most/many planeswalkers on Ravnica via Project Lightning sucking them into the plane, and locking them with the Immortal Sun.
Then, his army of eternals kills them (maybe even with his help if he cares enough).
Result - the multiverse/blind eternities sense this massive imbalance of power, thus balancing it out by strengthening the remaining PWs. Optimally only Bolas himself.
Bolas is trying to regain his powerlevel as an oldwalker. As was mentioned a few times that's his goal.
Signature done by DNC from the Heroes of the Plane Studios
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Official Ink Bearer of [The Crafters]
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Old Custom Set: Imminence over Marycion
Interesting point. Maybe Ugin experimented with trapping spells? And the one on Ixalan was one of the earlier designs/tries?
Signature done by DNC from the Heroes of the Plane Studios
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Official Ink Bearer of [The Crafters]
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Old Custom Set: Imminence over Marycion
Enchantment (Unc)
Creatures you control get +1/+0.
Whenever a Warrior you control deals combat damaga to a player, you pay 1 life. If you do, draw a card.
Signature done by DNC from the Heroes of the Plane Studios
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Official Ink Bearer of [The Crafters]
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Old Custom Set: Imminence over Marycion
2U
0/3 creature
T for U
Signature done by DNC from the Heroes of the Plane Studios
--------------------
Official Ink Bearer of [The Crafters]
--------------------
Old Custom Set: Imminence over Marycion
"and you control a creature" -> is always fulfilled since it is a creature itself. Do you mean "another creature" perhaps? Right now, this is a 2/5 lifelinking attacker. Fair enough for a 4cmc common.
Good design and nice idea.
For 4 mana you get: instant 4 p/t and a +2/+2 boost? Hell no. Maybe only 1 token and loose the etb tapped clause.
Good idea, although I really don't like how this mixes the creature types vampire, spirit AND zombie. Choose one and stick to it. this way it makes the card way more flavorful.
Just simply no. Generate mass tokens and you don't even have to attack anymore. Change the activated ability to only targeting creatures and the static ability to non-combat damage.
Signature done by DNC from the Heroes of the Plane Studios
--------------------
Official Ink Bearer of [The Crafters]
--------------------
Old Custom Set: Imminence over Marycion
Signature done by DNC from the Heroes of the Plane Studios
--------------------
Official Ink Bearer of [The Crafters]
--------------------
Old Custom Set: Imminence over Marycion
So, 9 cards in 5 turns win you the game. Call me oldfashioned but that is nothing new - so this argument is highly invalid.
Apart from that, why would you use Shock over Lightning Bolt anyway??
Moss-Covered Titan: Nothing pushed about this.
Envoy of Life: As stated earlier, another design would definitely be better.
Lightning Spark: Nothing pushed, but nice card.
Nymph of Higher Thought: Nothing pushed, maybe redesign it.
Cruelty of the Grove: Earlier posts already said everything there is to say.
Bolt Lag: Not sure if you can do this, I recommend redesign.
Rebirth: 4cmc and sac another creature to give one of your dudes Undying with an additional counter? Definitely too weak. Also the sacrificing isn't fitting the flavor of a Rebirth. Maybe this:
Rebirth #2 2WB
Enchantment - Aura
Enchant creature you control
When enchanted creature dies, return it to the battlefield. You may pay X. If you do, put X +1/+1 counters on it.
Signature done by DNC from the Heroes of the Plane Studios
--------------------
Official Ink Bearer of [The Crafters]
--------------------
Old Custom Set: Imminence over Marycion
Signature done by DNC from the Heroes of the Plane Studios
--------------------
Official Ink Bearer of [The Crafters]
--------------------
Old Custom Set: Imminence over Marycion
First - to greet you! Welcome to MTGS - this fun bunch of MTG enthusiasts!
I just wrap
1 Llanowar Elves
1 Sentinel Spider
2 Bond Beetle
1 Vulpine Goliath
1 Galvanic Juggernaut
1 Copper Myr
1 Giant Adephage
2 Crocanura
1 Battering Krasis
1 Child of Night
1 Bellowing Fiend
1 Sporemound (really like this card)
1 Slitherhead (wanting to take out)
1 Hindervines
2 Predator's Rapport
3 Fog
2 Titanic Growth
2 Burst of Strength
2 Natural End
1 Wildwood Rebirth
1 Deadly Allure
1 Slime Molding (really like this card)
1 Bountiful Harvest (really like this card)
1 Disentomb
2 Verdant Haven
1 Alpha Authority
1 Phyrexian Boon
13 Forest
12 Swamp
Ok, now I can go through your list. Give me some time and I'll edit this post with my comments.
EDIT:
So, I understand you want to go in the direction of +1/+1 counters.
First I would drop B completely. Just for ~3 cards you don't need half of your lands to be swamps.
Then, drop the creatures which don't synergize with the concept.
Here are some examples (mostly non-expensive stuff I hope) - the exact number would be up to your preference:
4 Llanowar Elves
1 Giant Adephage
For spells I'd suggest some which benefit of you having many lands/forests on the battlefield:
Vines of Vastwood or Primal Bellow for pumping
Branchwood Armor
Explore
Hindervines
Natural End
Wildwood Rebirth
2 Bountiful Harvest
2 Alpha Authority
1 Slime Molding
Finally, I'd go with 22-24 lands. 4 Terramorphic Expanse / Evolving Wilds and the rest Forests for starters.
If you wan to go in the Landfall direction, these would be good choices:
Signature done by DNC from the Heroes of the Plane Studios
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Official Ink Bearer of [The Crafters]
--------------------
Old Custom Set: Imminence over Marycion
Signature done by DNC from the Heroes of the Plane Studios
--------------------
Official Ink Bearer of [The Crafters]
--------------------
Old Custom Set: Imminence over Marycion
One little thing: The Golgari decklists are in the same spoiler as the Dimir ones.
Signature done by DNC from the Heroes of the Plane Studios
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Official Ink Bearer of [The Crafters]
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Old Custom Set: Imminence over Marycion
This is a 2cmc instant pw killer. And I think it's a good one. Multicolor makes this fairly balanced, although it should be uncommon. I won't like the cantrip version, the lifegain is fine as it is. Definitely a cool idea!
Signature done by DNC from the Heroes of the Plane Studios
--------------------
Official Ink Bearer of [The Crafters]
--------------------
Old Custom Set: Imminence over Marycion
"Wow, this dude doesn't have hexproof like literally all of his other cards. Nice!"
"Ok, kinda a jitte-ish effect with the double strike. That's cool."
"Aaaaaaaand there's the hexproof."
"Oh, he gives it to all of his other creatures as well. That's overpowered as we know ValentineX. #disappointment"
Definitely not a rare anymore by a long shot. Even as mythic it would need some serious rebalancing.
Ursus' Sphere 0
Legendary Artifact (M)
T, Exile the top card of your library: Add one mana of the exiled card’s colors to your mana pool. If that card is colorless, add 1 to your mana pool instead.
Signature done by DNC from the Heroes of the Plane Studios
--------------------
Official Ink Bearer of [The Crafters]
--------------------
Old Custom Set: Imminence over Marycion
Incarnation of Wormwood 3BGW
Legendary Creature - Zombie Elemental (R)
Deathtouch
When you cast Wormwood, each player loses 2 life, discards two cards, sacrifices two creatures, then sacrifices two lands.
At the beginning of your upkeep, you may pay 6 life. If you do, return ~ from your graveyard to your hand.
6/6
Signature done by DNC from the Heroes of the Plane Studios
--------------------
Official Ink Bearer of [The Crafters]
--------------------
Old Custom Set: Imminence over Marycion
Côup d'État 3BB
Sorcery (M)
Choose a creature you control. Destroy all other creatures.
You loose half of your life, rounded up.
"The king is dead. Long live the king!" proclaimed Darkbeard as he thrusted his sword dripping with his own blood into the ground before him. Moments later, Tornin and his berserker army cried blood and vanquished.
Signature done by DNC from the Heroes of the Plane Studios
--------------------
Official Ink Bearer of [The Crafters]
--------------------
Old Custom Set: Imminence over Marycion