Basing things off of larger story archetypes, like the hero's journeys, is kind of a gray area since they haven't adhered to the existing archetype very closely. While Greek myths are classics in that way, the Theros story has as much in common with Greek myth archetypes as it does differences.
For example, we've already passed the return from the underworld in the journey since we've sort of gone straight to Apotheosis and tragedy.
There could be a good debate about this subject, probably one deserving of it's own thread, so I won't go into much detail here. While Godsend hasn't followed the journey structure "to a T" I think it's a lot more than the 50/50 estimate you give it. You're correct that the journey is at the apotheosis stage right now, but that doesn't necessarily mean resurrection has been skipped over. Sometimes the death/resurrection phase happens about midway through the story (before apotheosis as you suggest), but it also frequently occurs more towards the stories climax as part of its resolution (after apotheosis, during the "Return" stage of the journey). See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monomyth
To wrap this speculation up: a lot of the Separation and Initiation phases have happened in Godsend's first and second parts respectively, but none of the Return phases have been demonstrated. For that to happen in the rest of the story (and Jenna has confirmed there is more to the story) Elspeth can't remain with Erebos forever. So, I'll still be surprised if there isn't a "return journey," but who knows what Jenna actually has in mind. Guess we'll find out in due time...
Don't worry everyone, Elspeth is not gone for good. I'll be genuinely shocked if she stays dead for a couple of reasons:
First, Elspeth is Jenna Helland's favorite character, so it's highly unlikely that she would permanently off her in such a seemingly pointless fashion.
Second, as Jenna said: "This is Theros," a world inspired by and steeped in Greek mythology. One of the most important stages of the Hero's Journey (as interpreted by C.G. Jung and Joseph Campbell) is the 'descent into the underworld,' where the Hero (in this case, Elspeth) either journeys to the afterlife while still alive, or dies temporarily to later escape, be let out, rescued, or immortalized in some other way. The pivotal theme of this stage of the hero's journey is a death leading to rebirth (i.e. psychological wholeness).
Yeah, that would need to be reworded. The idea was for the ability to trigger only once during your turn, so that it couldn't be abused off turn or multiple times which would make it overpowered. Maybe just have it trigger before combat like "Xenogod."
Kruphix, as God of "the potential, the distant, and the unseen" is likely to scry, or use some form of library manipulation, at least from a flavor perspective.
3UG
At the beginning of your upkeep, look at the top X cards of your library, where X is equal to the greatest power among creatures you control, put one of them on the top of your library and others on the bottom in any order.
This is OP though...
I also like the bounce versions that people brought up, as it is U/G flavorful and tempo/time related. Less busted versions:
3UG
At the beginning of your precombat mainphase, if you played a land this turn, you may return target creature to it's owners hand.
or
At the beginning of each upkeep, if you had a land enter the battlefield under your control last turn, that player returns a creature he/she controls to his/her hand.
Good list so far. Frontline Medic seems like a notable omission though.
Also, did you decide not to include Aurelia and Zegana because you don't think they'll find a home? I think they are both powerful enough to see play in midrange decks, but so far both guilds seem more geared toward aggro.
Well, the thing is, red gives us a win-con in the form of Kessig Wolf-Run to give our Ghoultrees and Wurms trample so they can't be chump blocked all day. Act is just an additional plus to it.
I've always viewed it the other way around, with trample from Wolf-Run being the icing on the cake. In my own experience though, 2-3 artful dodges have usually done the trick.
I would love it if U/W control had a decent shot in the upcoming meta, but I'm skeptical about control in general because Boros Humans got more playthings (as if they really needed more) and RDW also has a lot at its disposal now too. Then there's that thing called Cavern of Souls that will often turn Dissipate into an over costed: counter target non-creature spell.
Off the top of my head, I'm not liking Thought Scour in your build, since you could end up chucking miracle cards, St. Traft, and Flight Alabaster. As far as possible additions, Restoration Angel is too powerful not to include. Also, I'm on the fence about Devastation Tide. Maybe +1 Geist of St. Traft instead?
What stuff from Avacyn Restored can be placed in this deck?
Other than Ulvenwald Tracker (as Abomb mentioned) I think Alchemist's Refuge could actually earn a spot. Depends on whether the Dredge deck in question splashes for red/black. Personally, I've never been a fan of splashing a third color - which is now less necessary thanks the Tracker's ability to take out problem creatures - so I think i'll give the land a test run. The threat of being able to flash in some major fatties should force the opponent to attack carefully
+4 Gravecrawler
+1 Geralf's Messenger
+4 Garruk Relentless (Removal in first form, sac outlet to search for more messengers in second form).
+1 Land (and, of course, your land base would have to account for a green splash now).
I can definitely see Hellrider instead of Kruin Striker, but I'm not sure what to take out for Brimstone Volley. Maybe Pillar of Flame?
Hmm, I wouldn't take out the 2-drop Strikers to add a third 4-drop; it throws your curve off too much. Instead I'd swap the Gavony Riders into the sideboard since they're much more situational than Hellrider.
As for Pillar of Flame, I wouldn't remove it from your decklist yet, since it can deal with so many troublesome threats (various undying dudes, Gravecrawler, Doomed Traveler, Loyal Cathar, etc.) However, if you find in your testing that you need less removal and more late game reach then pull them out for Brimstone Volley.
This seems plausible, but that kind of "law" restriction seems more W in nature then U and the two other legendary angels had aura abilities more based off their off-color splash, which makes me think she's going to have a very U oriented effect.
You're right about the abilities of the other angels reflecting their off color (though the damage prevention aspect of Gisela is W), so my prediction for Bruna is probably not U enough. Also, the other two angels made reference to the opponent, so we can expect this to be the case again.
If Bruna doesn't have vigilance she may end up having shroud. For the other abilities, maybe something like: Opponents cant cast spells from their graveyard. If a spell or ability would target a card in your graveyard you may counter it instead.
Hmm... what about:
"If a creature card would leave a graveyard to any other zone, you may instead have that creature card remain in that graveyard".
That way it does double duty of stopping reanimation/recasting shenanigans, while simultaneously protecting your own graveyard from being defiled (exiled).
That's definitely another possibility; stops ghoulcaller's chant, moorland haunt and the like. I also like the idea of it protecting your own graveyard.
The reason I included the second clause of her ability is that it would end up hosing undying/persist, as well as creatures that leave tokens behind when put into a graveyard, such as Doomed Traveler (not sure of the ruling on this one). Your wording would at least do the first as well.
There could be a good debate about this subject, probably one deserving of it's own thread, so I won't go into much detail here. While Godsend hasn't followed the journey structure "to a T" I think it's a lot more than the 50/50 estimate you give it. You're correct that the journey is at the apotheosis stage right now, but that doesn't necessarily mean resurrection has been skipped over. Sometimes the death/resurrection phase happens about midway through the story (before apotheosis as you suggest), but it also frequently occurs more towards the stories climax as part of its resolution (after apotheosis, during the "Return" stage of the journey). See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monomyth
To wrap this speculation up: a lot of the Separation and Initiation phases have happened in Godsend's first and second parts respectively, but none of the Return phases have been demonstrated. For that to happen in the rest of the story (and Jenna has confirmed there is more to the story) Elspeth can't remain with Erebos forever. So, I'll still be surprised if there isn't a "return journey," but who knows what Jenna actually has in mind. Guess we'll find out in due time...
I know there is a storyline speculation thread, but its actually against the forum rules to speculate outside of it?
So what would constitute a "solid basis" for there to be an exception?
First, Elspeth is Jenna Helland's favorite character, so it's highly unlikely that she would permanently off her in such a seemingly pointless fashion.
Second, as Jenna said: "This is Theros," a world inspired by and steeped in Greek mythology. One of the most important stages of the Hero's Journey (as interpreted by C.G. Jung and Joseph Campbell) is the 'descent into the underworld,' where the Hero (in this case, Elspeth) either journeys to the afterlife while still alive, or dies temporarily to later escape, be let out, rescued, or immortalized in some other way. The pivotal theme of this stage of the hero's journey is a death leading to rebirth (i.e. psychological wholeness).
For more info, see: http://www.answers.com/topic/descent-to-the-underworld
I'm not sure yet how they will bring back Elspeth in-universe, but I'm almost positive we haven't seen the last of her.
3UG
At the beginning of your upkeep, look at the top X cards of your library, where X is equal to the greatest power among creatures you control, put one of them on the top of your library and others on the bottom in any order.
This is OP though...
I also like the bounce versions that people brought up, as it is U/G flavorful and tempo/time related. Less busted versions:
3UG
At the beginning of your precombat mainphase, if you played a land this turn, you may return target creature to it's owners hand.
or
At the beginning of each upkeep, if you had a land enter the battlefield under your control last turn, that player returns a creature he/she controls to his/her hand.
Also, did you decide not to include Aurelia and Zegana because you don't think they'll find a home? I think they are both powerful enough to see play in midrange decks, but so far both guilds seem more geared toward aggro.
Pillar of Flame instead of Geistflame?
Bonfire of the Damned instead of Rolling Temblor?
Should Dissipate be replaced (probably sideboarded) because of Cavern of Souls?
Then of course, there's Desolate Lighthouse which is going to be amazing.
Obviously the meta isn't going to settle for awhile, but do you anticipate this deck being able to hold it's own post AVR?
I've always viewed it the other way around, with trample from Wolf-Run being the icing on the cake. In my own experience though, 2-3 artful dodges have usually done the trick.
Off the top of my head, I'm not liking Thought Scour in your build, since you could end up chucking miracle cards, St. Traft, and Flight Alabaster. As far as possible additions, Restoration Angel is too powerful not to include. Also, I'm on the fence about Devastation Tide. Maybe +1 Geist of St. Traft instead?
Other than Ulvenwald Tracker (as Abomb mentioned) I think Alchemist's Refuge could actually earn a spot. Depends on whether the Dredge deck in question splashes for red/black. Personally, I've never been a fan of splashing a third color - which is now less necessary thanks the Tracker's ability to take out problem creatures - so I think i'll give the land a test run. The threat of being able to flash in some major fatties should force the opponent to attack carefully
Some suggestions:
-2 Skeletel Grimace
-2 Conjurer's Closet
-2 Demonmail Hauberk
-4 Bonesplinters
+4 Gravecrawler
+1 Geralf's Messenger
+4 Garruk Relentless (Removal in first form, sac outlet to search for more messengers in second form).
+1 Land (and, of course, your land base would have to account for a green splash now).
Hmm, I wouldn't take out the 2-drop Strikers to add a third 4-drop; it throws your curve off too much. Instead I'd swap the Gavony Riders into the sideboard since they're much more situational than Hellrider.
As for Pillar of Flame, I wouldn't remove it from your decklist yet, since it can deal with so many troublesome threats (various undying dudes, Gravecrawler, Doomed Traveler, Loyal Cathar, etc.) However, if you find in your testing that you need less removal and more late game reach then pull them out for Brimstone Volley.
Well, you did say you were hoping she would be more flashy
You're right about the abilities of the other angels reflecting their off color (though the damage prevention aspect of Gisela is W), so my prediction for Bruna is probably not U enough. Also, the other two angels made reference to the opponent, so we can expect this to be the case again.
If Bruna doesn't have vigilance she may end up having shroud. For the other abilities, maybe something like: Opponents cant cast spells from their graveyard. If a spell or ability would target a card in your graveyard you may counter it instead.
That's definitely another possibility; stops ghoulcaller's chant, moorland haunt and the like. I also like the idea of it protecting your own graveyard.
The reason I included the second clause of her ability is that it would end up hosing undying/persist, as well as creatures that leave tokens behind when put into a graveyard, such as Doomed Traveler (not sure of the ruling on this one). Your wording would at least do the first as well.