Personally I’d play dragons because they’re impressive and flavourful, not for combo kills.
But your taste may differ.
If so, disregard my previous advice...
(-:
I always have a tough line to walk when I build decks, because I like to take advantage of synergies but I try to avoid infinite combos, and a lot of card synergies are like "well I could just change one card and win instantly so ehh". I know people love Scion but that's why I've never played it. Dragons themselves are tricky because yeah the base appeal is "look at this big flying creature" and I find that boring on its own.
I was actually thinking maybe some land search effects would be good for this deck, so I can get more Nesting Dragon triggers. I'm down to play Atarka; I'd rather play her in a different build but I guess she just ends the game no matter which Dragons you have in play huh.
Like what I really want too is a deck that plays Knollspine Dragon and Dragon Mage together but I could never figure out something that worked. Or maybe Kilnmouth Dragon but ditto that. The first archetype would probably have to be straight combo, and in that case why not just go Dragonstorm into 2x Savage Ventmaw and Hellkite Charger, which was basically done to death in 2007~ standard.
Obviously having a deck be all 4-ofs is super lame but the idea seems like fun--Play Nesting Dragon, play a fetch, first Dragon Egg targets itself with the Dragon Tempest trigger, crack the fetch, do the same with the second Dragon Egg, hit an opponent for 6 with the other Tempest triggers, attack for 10, etc. One thing that would be nice is to be able to get more Scourge of Valkas triggers (with recursion maybe? Idk). Are there any good dragons I should be playing in this? Anyone know any other good dragon archetypes?
Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I'll definitely look into all those cards even though there are only a couple that do *exactly* what I'm looking for.
There aren't many options for UG creature based decks to counteract mass removal aside from counterspells, indestructible spells like Heroic Intervention and regeneration like Asceticism. Regeneration is a forte for green. This is kind of the reason why I expanded my elf tribal to a 5c elf tribal instead of sticking to UG, hard to bounce back after sweeps (mine is a sweep happy meta sighz).
But that said, UG does have some ways to help alleviate if not mitigate the effects of creature wipe a little. I'll keep it within the context of an Elf tribal since you are mainly an elf tribal deck I suppose?
There are some partner cards to Cauldron of Souls for Elves, which are in UG colors, mainly Master Biomancer and Ivy Lane Denizen. These will help negate the effects of having the -1/-1 counter when they return back to play from persist. Both cards are also good in a creature aggro setting since they buff creatures too.
To help mitigate the lack of creatures in a boardwipe setting, there are 2 cards I recommend. Evolutionary Leap is a good card to turn your dorks into other creatures when there is a board wipe in the early turns so you can bounce back faster. Caller of the Claw is an Elf which is really good to cast after a boardwipe, to use the bear tokens to maul that sweeper for revenge = =+.
Over in the blue side we have a really interesting spell to mitigate the damage, Paradoxical Outcome. It is easy to cast since it has only U in its mana, draws you more fuel while saving your precious elves that matter.
My meta isn't actually that sweeper happy, but when games take over an hour, a sweeper on turn 3 or 4 is like "welp, I know how this one is gonna go". (Not meaning to complain, mostly looking for answers)
Biomancer and Ivy Lane Denizen aren't really what I'm trying to do because I don't care much about the p/t of my creatures.
I found Evolutionary Leap when looking up Perilous Forays, and I like it a lot. Caller of the Claw (and Fresh Meat) is on my radar; I might add it for sweepers that are problematic late-game like Supreme Verdict.
If you're looking for direct reanimation ( and it isn't a land), in blue/green you aren't going to be lucky. That sort of ability is a white or black one. On the flip side, Green can recur absolutely anything. Since your strategy is to barf up a lot of mana dorks, have you given any consideration to damia, sage of stone as a good way to keep your hand topped up? Going black/blue/green also allows you to consider aluren combo as well as null profusion/recycle
I'm aware the ability is white or black, but Wizards has been known to make mistakes over the years :-). Like, I found Cauldron of Souls, but I play a lot of elves so that's not quite good enough.
I would prefer to keep my deck UG for the time being, but I'll keep Damia in mind if I ever end up switching. She seems like the most powerful option.
No combos is my self-imposed deckbuilding restriction. I already have fast instant-win combo decks, and those get boring. Then there's lockdown kinda stuff, which I know people in my playgroup would complain about if I have too much of it (they already complain my deck is too consistent).
1) Free or absurdly cheap counters like Pact of negation, force of will, and swan song.
2) cards that let you sac in response for profit like perilous forays and greater good.
3) or just play more combo.
I really like Swan Song; I have trouble leaving open UU early on but U would work. Perilous Forays looks worth a try too. Greater good's a strong card but in my deck I'll be drawing 1 and discarding 3 most of the time.
I built a casual deck around Momir Vig, Simic Visionary and usually it's a lot of fun. My gameplan is to sit there and make mana creatures until I can overrun everyone with Craterhoof Behemoth. The problem is that if someone plays a mass removal spell early on, I have a lot of trouble coming back from behind. Green recursion is slow and doesn't bring creatures directly back. Mystic Snake and other counterspells are good later on, but not early when I'm developing my mana. I'd be play more cards like Nature's Lore but I need to keep my creature count high for Momir. Ideally I'm looking for something like Twilight's Call or Return to the Ranks... just in blue or green... and on a creature... lol. Anyone know any cards like these? OR maybe there's a general I would like in UGW/UGB where I can build the same kind of deck?
If Death's Shadow and Infect are still tier 1 then sure. I haven't seen those decks yet after the ban though, even in SCG results.
I don't like siding in 3 of one card to get rid of something like Wurmcoil, where I could just be playing more burn and winning on my next untap step, or one untap step later with Skullcrack/Atarka's Command. Or they are trying to Karn me, and I'm sad I have a Path in hand. Kalitas is what, a one-of in Jund? If people are actually using Path against all those decks I'll try it, but just because it has a target doesn't mean it's good.
Hey guys I'm wondering how people feel about taking out Paths in the sideboard. I ask because I'm going to the team Modern grand prix in March, and one of my teammates might be on a Path to Exile deck. Seems like the most important matchup for it is the mirror, where I can't think of a good replacement. Other than that I feel like the deck is fine without it.
Wouldn't lack of card draw be an issue with Garruk gone? He was one of the keys to the truly explosive turns in GD, alongside Voyaging Satyr and Nykthos.
Reid Duke only played one Garruk. He doesn't seem necessary. I'm more afraid of losing Domri Rade, card advantage-wise.
Garruk's Packleader can help a lot with card advantage, at least replacing the card in your hand whenever you play a creature. Having multiple out will draw you a ton of cards. It's also got some nice synergy with Nessian Game Warden. The 5 mana cost on both is a bit unfortunate but at least you get a 4/4 and/or a 4/5 out of it along with some decent devotion on the Game Warden.
I thought there would already be a thread on this, but I can't see one. I've been trying this deck out too, and it's a lot of fun.
I'm still playing with Voyaging Satyr and am also on Crater's Claws. I'm not sure if this is correct, but the X spell is a great way to go over the top or prevent the opponent from doing so.
I like 3 Nissa because she gets out of control very quickly. If you get turn 3 Nissa, you're basically attacking for lethal on turn 5, which is not what this kind of deck is supposed to do.
I think Sarkhan is potentially playable, just -1 Windswept Heath +1 Mountain and your mana is fine. However you can't really rely on early Sarkhan -> attack for 4 because you usually tap all your creatures to play him. I want there to be something better than Setessan Tactics and/or a couple burn spells to kill opposing threats, but maybe there just isn't.
+1 for Sliver Hivelord. If you can afford one, get it.
If you can't cast Homing Sliver, the problem is with your landbase, not with the sliver itself (Homie is secretly incredible once it's out... play it, throw something naff to fetch Crystalline Sliver and Gemhide Sliver... sit back and enjoy life...).
I meant I can't use Homing Sliver's own slivercycling ability with Ancient Ziggurat. The manabase is sweet--9 free City of Brass? (I only have one Cavern of Souls) Yes please.
Thanks for reminding me about Crystalline Sliver. That card seems important, although I draw so many cards that the slivers tend to replace themselves.
I have one of those silly sliver decks that plays Gemhide Sliver, Firewake Sliver, and Dormant Sliver to draw lots of cards, and I try to end the game with Intruder Alarm and Virulent Sliver. Of course, I'm afraid of wrath effects. So I'm wondering, is it worth playing a 1-of Sliver Hivelord to protect against that? Would Frenetic Sliver be just as good? Or should I go a different route, like Patriarch's Bidding? I feel like there has to be a better option than spending all that time to tutor for a 5-mana answer to a 4-mana spell.
I always have a tough line to walk when I build decks, because I like to take advantage of synergies but I try to avoid infinite combos, and a lot of card synergies are like "well I could just change one card and win instantly so ehh". I know people love Scion but that's why I've never played it. Dragons themselves are tricky because yeah the base appeal is "look at this big flying creature" and I find that boring on its own.
Rasputin Dreamweaver EDH
Like what I really want too is a deck that plays Knollspine Dragon and Dragon Mage together but I could never figure out something that worked. Or maybe Kilnmouth Dragon but ditto that. The first archetype would probably have to be straight combo, and in that case why not just go Dragonstorm into 2x Savage Ventmaw and Hellkite Charger, which was basically done to death in 2007~ standard.
Isn't there some kind of Scion combo that just ends the game? Like Moltensteel Dragon + Skithiryx, the Blight Dragon but better for multiplayer?
Rasputin Dreamweaver EDH
4 Nesting Dragon
4 Dragon Egg
4 Dragon Broodmother
4 Scourge of Valkas
4 Thunderbreak Regent
4 Dragonlord's Servant
4 Crucible of Fire
2 Stomping Ground
4 Wooded Foothills
4 Bloodstained Mire
1 Scalding Tarn
4 Mutavault
9 Mountain
Obviously having a deck be all 4-ofs is super lame but the idea seems like fun--Play Nesting Dragon, play a fetch, first Dragon Egg targets itself with the Dragon Tempest trigger, crack the fetch, do the same with the second Dragon Egg, hit an opponent for 6 with the other Tempest triggers, attack for 10, etc. One thing that would be nice is to be able to get more Scourge of Valkas triggers (with recursion maybe? Idk). Are there any good dragons I should be playing in this? Anyone know any other good dragon archetypes?
Rasputin Dreamweaver EDH
Highlights:
Last Stand
Prismatic Omen
Glittering Wish
Collective Restraint
Rasputin Dreamweaver EDH
Rasputin Dreamweaver EDH
My meta isn't actually that sweeper happy, but when games take over an hour, a sweeper on turn 3 or 4 is like "welp, I know how this one is gonna go". (Not meaning to complain, mostly looking for answers)
I don't have any elf tribal synergies, but I'm considering it. I just mess around with Deadeye Navigator/Tradewind Rider + Eternal Witness/Mystic Snake/other CIP effect until I can win with Craterhoof.
Biomancer and Ivy Lane Denizen aren't really what I'm trying to do because I don't care much about the p/t of my creatures.
I found Evolutionary Leap when looking up Perilous Forays, and I like it a lot. Caller of the Claw (and Fresh Meat) is on my radar; I might add it for sweepers that are problematic late-game like Supreme Verdict.
Rasputin Dreamweaver EDH
I'm aware the ability is white or black, but Wizards has been known to make mistakes over the years :-). Like, I found Cauldron of Souls, but I play a lot of elves so that's not quite good enough.
I would prefer to keep my deck UG for the time being, but I'll keep Damia in mind if I ever end up switching. She seems like the most powerful option.
No combos is my self-imposed deckbuilding restriction. I already have fast instant-win combo decks, and those get boring. Then there's lockdown kinda stuff, which I know people in my playgroup would complain about if I have too much of it (they already complain my deck is too consistent).
I really like Swan Song; I have trouble leaving open UU early on but U would work. Perilous Forays looks worth a try too. Greater good's a strong card but in my deck I'll be drawing 1 and discarding 3 most of the time.
Rasputin Dreamweaver EDH
Rasputin Dreamweaver EDH
I don't like siding in 3 of one card to get rid of something like Wurmcoil, where I could just be playing more burn and winning on my next untap step, or one untap step later with Skullcrack/Atarka's Command. Or they are trying to Karn me, and I'm sad I have a Path in hand. Kalitas is what, a one-of in Jund? If people are actually using Path against all those decks I'll try it, but just because it has a target doesn't mean it's good.
Rasputin Dreamweaver EDH
Edit: actually it's marginal vs affinity too. I honestly can't think of another tier 1 deck that Path is good against.
Rasputin Dreamweaver EDH
Rasputin Dreamweaver EDH
Reid Duke only played one Garruk. He doesn't seem necessary. I'm more afraid of losing Domri Rade, card advantage-wise.
So do you just not play red?
Rasputin Dreamweaver EDH
I'm still playing with Voyaging Satyr and am also on Crater's Claws. I'm not sure if this is correct, but the X spell is a great way to go over the top or prevent the opponent from doing so.
I like 3 Nissa because she gets out of control very quickly. If you get turn 3 Nissa, you're basically attacking for lethal on turn 5, which is not what this kind of deck is supposed to do.
I think Sarkhan is potentially playable, just -1 Windswept Heath +1 Mountain and your mana is fine. However you can't really rely on early Sarkhan -> attack for 4 because you usually tap all your creatures to play him. I want there to be something better than Setessan Tactics and/or a couple burn spells to kill opposing threats, but maybe there just isn't.
Reverent Hunter, Boon Satyr, and Hooded Hydra are possibilities.
Enchantment removal in the sideboard like Reclamation Sage and Back to Nature is a must.
Rasputin Dreamweaver EDH
I meant I can't use Homing Sliver's own slivercycling ability with Ancient Ziggurat. The manabase is sweet--9 free City of Brass? (I only have one Cavern of Souls) Yes please.
Thanks for reminding me about Crystalline Sliver. That card seems important, although I draw so many cards that the slivers tend to replace themselves.
Rasputin Dreamweaver EDH
Going along with that, I might as well ask what people think the best tutors are. Homing Sliver, Eladamri's Call, Congregation at Dawn, and Chord of Calling are all ones I've thought of. I just don't like that I can't cast any of them with Ancient Ziggurat and the middle two with Sliver Hive.
Rasputin Dreamweaver EDH