Hello. Recently I've been trying to find a deck to play for FNM. My budget isn't that great so I decided to go with only Commons and Uncommons. Plus some Hinterland Harbors I was lucky to have.
So far I figured it looked good, but I thought I'd post it up for you guys to take a look at it before I try it this Friday. I would trade out the Lawmage for Invisible Stalkers , but at $2:99 each it's a little too much right now.
I dont have a Sideboard yet, I dont know what my local meta is. But if there are any cards that would just be usefull against decks I'm most likely to see it would be helpfull.
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Cockatrice Name- Planeswalker JC
Cardfight Capital Name-Code Jordan
Duleing Network Name- Planeswalker-JC
CGC Name- Jordan, Lich Lord
Jordan's List of Magic Fails
1-Trying to Simic Charm Daes Geist of Saint Traft...while playing Bant Hexproof [6/13/13]
One card that you could consider for a creature is Trained Caracal. It seems very underwhelming at first, but it can get nuts fast. A player at my LGS used to run a Aura deck with it and it went something like this: turn1, Plains, Trained Caracal. turn 2, double Ethereal Armor, swing with a 5/5 firststriking lifelinker on turn 2.
Are you sure? Isn't Supreme Verdict the most common board wipe?
It's not as commonplace as it once was, but yes. And probably Terminus. Supreme Verdict can be worked around though, with cards like Rootborn Defenses.
As a player of the non-budget version of this deck, may I recommend Fog and Mending Touch for the sideboard along with Feeling of Dread and Nearheath Pilgrim. All solid choices in my sideboard, easy and inexpensive to get as well. Agree with the Negate as well.
Invisible Stalker is the key, get those when you can and go from there. Good luck!
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LMAC
Decks I am playing:
taking suggestions (Legacy)
Elf Company GW (Modern)
Abbot Aggro R (Standard)
Maralen of the Mornsong B(Commander)
I strongly recommend maximizing your Hexproof creatures.
Spire Tracer is not good. He's tiny, not hexproof, and a terrible card to not have in your opening hand.
Ascended Lawmage is your budget Geist of Saint Traft. He is nowhere near Geist's power level, but Lawmage is in the right colors, is naturally evasive, and is quite hard to deal with for most decks.
Alpha Authority is a poor substitute for innate Hexproof. You're better of with Spectral Flight. And don't get hung up about putting it on Lawmage or Stalker. Think "yay, +2/+2 bonus!" not "but he's already evasive..."
May I suggest running a singleton Righteous Authority? That card is absolutely bonkers and allows you to draw into more fuel in longer games.
- Hiss.
Kind of expensive, but I love Empyrial Armor-like effects. And it can help refill your hand over time... Still, I'm not sure what I'd want to replace. The balance between creatures and Auras seems critical. What would you suggest replacing for Righteous Authority? Or are you thinking this is a sideboard card?
I haven't seen your list yet. Maybe post it so that I can give some input about what I'd change?
- Hiss.
Certainly! I'd love to have your input.
In keeping with the forum, it's pretty much a budget deck. I'm trying to improve the mana base a little at a time, but it's slow going. Geist has proven to be waaaay out of my price range, even for trades, so I'm just using the one I was lucky enough to open in a pack, with Lawmage picking up the other three spots.
I suppose if I was to cut something, it would be 1 or 2 Spectral Flight.
The main reason I like Ethereal Armor is the explosiveness it can provide when paired with other auras, such as Rancor. When I can consistently swing for 5 (Invisible Stalker) or 10 (with Fencing Ace) on Turn 3, it seems pretty solid to use the armor.
I played 2x Selesnya Charm for a while, but it never quite worked out as well as I wanted it to.
Azorius Charm seems okay in this deck, but I haven't been overly excited about Feeling of Dread outside of limited. I think I'd rather play something that provided a more lasting solution to a difficult creature.
One card I have considered for the mirror match is Ray of Revelation. It's in color and would allow me to knock out two of my opponent's auras.
Then what happens when they sweep all of your creatures until you are waiting for the last few in the bottom of the deck?
If you are running 16 creatures, you are going to be weak to removal, and you will end up waiting for a creature to play your auras on, which may end up dying to whatever removal they find IF you stall them long enough to get the next one on the board.
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The red mage lives by the variance and dies by the variance. May the variance be with you, always.
I disagree on the Sphere depending on the build. In an aggro/tempo build, much like that of Paws2Sky I would advice against running Spheres, because they are simply too expensive to run effectively. In a more control oriented build, then yes, Sphere might actually be useable. Though I much prefer Martial Law over Sphere myself. But that is up for debate and comes down to personal preference.
- Hiss.
Martial Law is better in a vacuum, but in a deck running lots of enchantments Sphere takes the lead. Though I do agree that neither card really belongs in this deck.
I recently built bant auras. Non-budget mana base, but I don't have geists and don't want to buy them, so it's otherwise budget.
Ascended lawmage has been terrible. It just comes way too late, and doesn't pack much punch. Fencing ace is also not working. Good on paper, too easy to kill in practice. Loxodon smiter, on the other hand, has been great. That got me thinking about what we're really trying to accomplish, and that is selecting creatures that are difficult to handle, rather than simply ones that are hexproof. So I'm considering the following creature base:
Having potentially 12 flash creatures makes edict effects a lot less effective, and also allows you to cast dudes end of turn, which people won't really be expecting from this deck. All three modes on charm are relevant, and vigilance is extremely helpful. avenger dodges supreme verdict and blanks most targeted removal. Viper can be emergency removal, but is also synergistic with etheral armor and rancor. The former grants the all-powerful deathtouch/first strike, and the latter deathtouch/trample, both of which make combat a headache for the opponent.
Against a deck with a lot of non-burn targeted removal or bounce effects, simic charm is better than selesnya charm. I feel like one should be main and the other sideboard, and which one goes where is a meta call... or you could do a 2/2 split main with 2/2 in the board.
I'm also wondering if it's worth putting the 4th pilgrim and maybe even a singleton arbor elf in the board vs. gruul aggro. I feel like that matchup is a coinflip, and the dork gives them the choice of being a turn behind on mana or using 1-2 precious mana of their own to kill it instead of playing another dude or bloodrushing a rampager.
So far I figured it looked good, but I thought I'd post it up for you guys to take a look at it before I try it this Friday. I would trade out the Lawmage for Invisible Stalkers , but at $2:99 each it's a little too much right now.
I dont have a Sideboard yet, I dont know what my local meta is. But if there are any cards that would just be usefull against decks I'm most likely to see it would be helpfull.
Cardfight Capital Name-Code Jordan
Duleing Network Name- Planeswalker-JC
CGC Name- Jordan, Lich Lord
1-Trying to Simic Charm Daes Geist of Saint Traft...while playing Bant Hexproof [6/13/13]
and rootbound defences works against supreme verdict your nemesis.
any reason you are not running unflinching courage? I didn't think they were expensive.
Invisible stalker is $2.99!!! brb selling my play set.... hmm they seem to be only $2.. but still... I can get some much needed cards for that.
Pioneer:UR Pheonix
Modern:U Mono U Tron
EDH
GB Glissa, the traitor: Army of Cans
UW Dragonlord Ojutai: Dragonlord NOjutai
UWGDerevi, Empyrial Tactician "you cannot fight the storm"
R Zirilan of the claw. The solution to every problem is dragons
UB Etrata, the Silencer Cloning assassination
Peasant cube: Cards I own
Simic Charm and Rootborn both look very helpful.
Cardfight Capital Name-Code Jordan
Duleing Network Name- Planeswalker-JC
CGC Name- Jordan, Lich Lord
1-Trying to Simic Charm Daes Geist of Saint Traft...while playing Bant Hexproof [6/13/13]
curiosity is probably your weakest enchantment I'd replace that.
oh and ground seal is good in the sideboard.
Pioneer:UR Pheonix
Modern:U Mono U Tron
EDH
GB Glissa, the traitor: Army of Cans
UW Dragonlord Ojutai: Dragonlord NOjutai
UWGDerevi, Empyrial Tactician "you cannot fight the storm"
R Zirilan of the claw. The solution to every problem is dragons
UB Etrata, the Silencer Cloning assassination
Peasant cube: Cards I own
Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici.
-4 Curiosity
+4 Unflinching Courage
-4 Selesnya Charm
+4 Simic Charm
So for the sideboard, generally how many of each of these would you play?
Cardfight Capital Name-Code Jordan
Duleing Network Name- Planeswalker-JC
CGC Name- Jordan, Lich Lord
1-Trying to Simic Charm Daes Geist of Saint Traft...while playing Bant Hexproof [6/13/13]
Now, The low curve and keeping 3 mana thing up makes sense, but I think I want to keep some Rootborns just in case of a Verdict that I cant counter.
Feeling of Dread looks great to let an attack past, and to tap down attackers in a bind.
I do agree that Stalker is a big core of the deck, and I plan on getting some as soon as my fund allow it.
Alpha Authority would help with it's hexproof.
I need to take a look around and see what to move,take out, or sideboard.
Cardfight Capital Name-Code Jordan
Duleing Network Name- Planeswalker-JC
CGC Name- Jordan, Lich Lord
1-Trying to Simic Charm Daes Geist of Saint Traft...while playing Bant Hexproof [6/13/13]
Are you sure? Isn't Supreme Verdict the most common board wipe?
It's not as commonplace as it once was, but yes. And probably Terminus. Supreme Verdict can be worked around though, with cards like Rootborn Defenses.
Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici.
Invisible Stalker is the key, get those when you can and go from there. Good luck!
Decks I am playing:
taking suggestions (Legacy)
Elf Company GW (Modern)
Abbot Aggro R (Standard)
Maralen of the Mornsong B(Commander)
-4 Lawmge
+4 Stalkers
Also going to swap out 2 Spectral Flights for two Alpha Authority.
-2 Spectral Flight
+2 Alpha Authority
Still working out the numbers for the Sideboard.
Cardfight Capital Name-Code Jordan
Duleing Network Name- Planeswalker-JC
CGC Name- Jordan, Lich Lord
1-Trying to Simic Charm Daes Geist of Saint Traft...while playing Bant Hexproof [6/13/13]
Spire Tracer is not good. He's tiny, not hexproof, and a terrible card to not have in your opening hand.
Ascended Lawmage is your budget Geist of Saint Traft. He is nowhere near Geist's power level, but Lawmage is in the right colors, is naturally evasive, and is quite hard to deal with for most decks.
Alpha Authority is a poor substitute for innate Hexproof. You're better of with Spectral Flight. And don't get hung up about putting it on Lawmage or Stalker. Think "yay, +2/+2 bonus!" not "but he's already evasive..."
-4 Spire Tracer
+4 Ascended Lawmage
-2 Alpha Authority
+2 Spectral Flight
-4 Spire Tracer
+4 Ascended Lawamge
-2 Alpha Authority
+2 Spectral Flight
I'll post results when I play a game
Cardfight Capital Name-Code Jordan
Duleing Network Name- Planeswalker-JC
CGC Name- Jordan, Lich Lord
1-Trying to Simic Charm Daes Geist of Saint Traft...while playing Bant Hexproof [6/13/13]
D Sphere might not be within your budget though. They'd remove stuff and add to your Ethereal Armors.
Mr.Hiss! Long time no see here in the forums.
Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici.
That would definitely be a good addition!
Kind of expensive, but I love Empyrial Armor-like effects. And it can help refill your hand over time... Still, I'm not sure what I'd want to replace. The balance between creatures and Auras seems critical. What would you suggest replacing for Righteous Authority? Or are you thinking this is a sideboard card?
Certainly! I'd love to have your input.
In keeping with the forum, it's pretty much a budget deck. I'm trying to improve the mana base a little at a time, but it's slow going. Geist has proven to be waaaay out of my price range, even for trades, so I'm just using the one I was lucky enough to open in a pack, with Lawmage picking up the other three spots.
I suppose if I was to cut something, it would be 1 or 2 Spectral Flight.
3 Glacial Fortress
1 Hallowed Fountain
3 Sunpetal Grove
1 Temple Garden
4 Hinterland Harbor
4 Forest
3 Island
5 Plains
Creatures (16)
1 Geist of Saint Traft
3 Ascended Lawmage
4 Fencing Ace
4 Avacyn's Pilgrim
4 Invisible Stalker
4 Ethereal Armor
4 Rancor
4 Spectral Flight
4 Unflinching Courage
Other Spells (4)
4 Simic Charm
3 Ground Seal
4 Nearheath Pilgrim
4 Oblivion Ring
4 Rootborn Defenses
I played 2x Selesnya Charm for a while, but it never quite worked out as well as I wanted it to.
Azorius Charm seems okay in this deck, but I haven't been overly excited about Feeling of Dread outside of limited. I think I'd rather play something that provided a more lasting solution to a difficult creature.
One card I have considered for the mirror match is Ray of Revelation. It's in color and would allow me to knock out two of my opponent's auras.
Furthermore, if you are going to play with a select few REMOVABLE creatures, then you should run at least three sphere of safetys.
If you are running 16 creatures, you are going to be weak to removal, and you will end up waiting for a creature to play your auras on, which may end up dying to whatever removal they find IF you stall them long enough to get the next one on the board.
Martial Law is better in a vacuum, but in a deck running lots of enchantments Sphere takes the lead. Though I do agree that neither card really belongs in this deck.
I don't think you need four Evolving Wilds. I know they help fix your mana, but four seems a bit much. Maybe one or two, but not four.
Current Decks:
Modern: BRG Jund BRG
Legacy: UBG BUG UBG
Ascended lawmage has been terrible. It just comes way too late, and doesn't pack much punch. Fencing ace is also not working. Good on paper, too easy to kill in practice. Loxodon smiter, on the other hand, has been great. That got me thinking about what we're really trying to accomplish, and that is selecting creatures that are difficult to handle, rather than simply ones that are hexproof. So I'm considering the following creature base:
3 avacyn's pilgrim
4 invisible stalker
4 loxodon smiter
4 ambush viper
4 wolfir avenger
4 selesnya charm
Having potentially 12 flash creatures makes edict effects a lot less effective, and also allows you to cast dudes end of turn, which people won't really be expecting from this deck. All three modes on charm are relevant, and vigilance is extremely helpful. avenger dodges supreme verdict and blanks most targeted removal. Viper can be emergency removal, but is also synergistic with etheral armor and rancor. The former grants the all-powerful deathtouch/first strike, and the latter deathtouch/trample, both of which make combat a headache for the opponent.
Against a deck with a lot of non-burn targeted removal or bounce effects, simic charm is better than selesnya charm. I feel like one should be main and the other sideboard, and which one goes where is a meta call... or you could do a 2/2 split main with 2/2 in the board.
I'll be trying this out next event... vipers and avengers are replacing ascended lawmage and fencing ace.
I'm also wondering if it's worth putting the 4th pilgrim and maybe even a singleton arbor elf in the board vs. gruul aggro. I feel like that matchup is a coinflip, and the dork gives them the choice of being a turn behind on mana or using 1-2 precious mana of their own to kill it instead of playing another dude or bloodrushing a rampager.