This is my Thraximundar deck. It's built around a theme of stealing stuff and then sacrificing the stuff it steals. My metagame is 3-6 people with a wide variety of decks, including some, but not a lot of, combo. All constructive criticism is appreciated
Looks pretty good. Here's some swaps to think about:
-Disciple of Grislebrand
+Viscera Seer
Lifegain is one of the weaker abilities in commander so I'd prefer to go with the option that is free to activate while giving a slightly more relevant ability.
-Nevinyrral's Disk
+All is Dust
You really want to be able to sweep enchantments with this deck. Both of these cards do that but All is Dust is much more difficult to stop.
-Keldon Vandals
+Manic Vandal
The 4 power doesn't really matter and I can't see paying Echo for these guys so I'd prefer the body that can stick around longer.
-Plague Wind
+Decree of Pain
Plague Wind is just too expensive for the effect IMO. Decree is more flexible and gives you great value even when you kill your own guys.
-Grab the Reins
+Spinal Embrace
The effect is similar and I much prefer Spinal Embrace.
-Traitorous Blood
+Mark of Mutiny
Red should be more of a splash color because the card quality is much lower than black and blue. Mark of Mutiny is easier to cast and if you're going to sac the creature anyways it has a tiny bonus. They're pretty close though so if you steal non-trampling fatties a lot probably just stick with Traitorous Blood.
Gilded Drake - Really efficient theft attached to a body. Reins of Power - Brutal with free sac outlets because you just sac their guys after you swing. Gravepact - Good board control but a little rough on the mana. Greater Gargadon - Fantastic sac outlet that is very difficult to answer. Additionally gives you a 9 power guy and helps prevent mass LD to an extent, especially the Jokulhaups variants. Phyrexian Tower - Another very cheap sac outlet on a land.
My general thoughts on Grixis colors is that you should set up your deck as U/B/r. The blue and black cards are stronger so if you minimize red it makes it easier to run cards like Necropotence and possibly things like Cryptic Command & Future Sight if you need them.
-Nevinyrral's Disk
+All is Dust
My only copy of All Is Dust is living in my Bosh deck. I think Bosh needs it more because it has less mass removal overall plus most of the deck is colorless itself. If I get another copy, I'll consider this change.
-Keldon Vandals
+Manic Vandal
I prefer the Keldons because of the higher power (better blocker and attacker) and because if I don't pay the echo it can give a counter to Thrax.
-Plague Wind
+Decree of Pain
I'm not sure about this. The one-sidedness of Wind looks really good. However, Decree of Pain is busted. If I have a spare, I'll try to fit it in maybe instead of Cruel Ultimatum.
-Grab the Reins
+Spinal Embrace
Wow! Not sure how I forgot about this card seeing as how I loved to open it up in Invasion drafts. This looks like a good switch.
-Traitorous Blood
+Mark of Mutiny
The trample looks relevant sometimes. I'll run it as is a few times and see how often the trample makes any difference.
This is really the only deck I have that can run Ultimatum. I'll see how well it works, but you are probably right about it. Deceiver is not that great, but I like that it is a permanent steal effect. It's totally replacable, maybe with the suggested Future Sight or Spinal Embrace. Vault turns stolen creatures into cards; I think it could use testing.
Gilded Drake
My two copies are living elsewhere, but if I get a third it will certainly come in.
Reins of Power
Yeah, don't know how I missed this one. It has to be in this deck.
Gravepact
I purposefully did not include this because I want this deck to be different from my Savra deck. If I feel like I need it, I'll add it.
Greater Gargadon Phyrexian Tower
Again, my copies of these are living in other decks. These two cards are high on my want list for this deck.
Future Sight is also a good idea for this deck. I have a spare copy so I'll switch it in. I'll do an update post as soon as I make the actua exchanges.
Yeah it can be a real pain to have to get extra copies of cards that you already own. Still makes for a good wishlist for when you go out trading. Since ramp is both scarce and important for Grixis don't forget the 2 Talismen if you end up needing a little more ramp.
The deck has been playing very well and has won its fair share of games. I think these changes will make it just a bit better. Thanks for the suggestions!
With a steal and sac theme, have you looked at Herald of Leshrac? I've thought about using him in a BUG attrition deck with Braids, Cabal Minion, Smokestack , and splashy creatures like Dreamscape Artist, but I could see him shine in Thraxi. It may be that he would really change the deck's focus to land destruction though, requiring an emphasis on mana rocks.
That's not a bad idea, but I don't like the ways it changes the deck. It seems too much like a different deck. Also, it's usually a better idea to steal creatures and artifacts. They are the most commonly theatening permanents.
If I was going to add Cold Storage, what should I cut? I've also thought about adding Nin, the Pain Artist, but again I'm not sure what to cut for her.
I'd consider cutting Phyrexian Vault for Nin, but the artifact is likely to be more resiliant than a puny creature. Maybe Jace? Traitorous Blood?
Tough choice. I don't want to cut any thematic stuff, but Withered Wretch or Bojuka Bog might be a cut. You could probably get by with just one of them thanks to your tutors. Depending on how much your group likes using the grave, I guess.
1 Thraximundar
1 Viscera Seer
1 Nin, the Pain Artist
1 Withered Wretch
1 Fleshbag Marauder
1 Keldon Vandals
1 Dominus of Fealty
1 Izzet Chronarch
1 Mnemonic Wall
1 Puppeteer Clique
1 Shriekmaw
1 Charmbreaker Devils
1 Conquering Manticore
1 Keiga, the Tide Star
1 Nucklavee
1 Butcher of Malakir
1 Artisan of Kozilek
1 Coalition Relic
1 Darksteel Ingot
1 Dimir Signet
1 Izzet Signet
1 Rakdos Signet
1 Sol Ring
1 Claws of Gix
1 Crystal Ball
1 Helm of Possession
1 Mimic Vat
1 Nevinyrral's Disk
1 Oblivion Stone
1 Vedalken Orrey
1 Beacon of Unrest
1 Black Sun's Zenith
1 Bribery
1 Consuming Vapors
1 Cruel Ultimatum
1 Demonic Tutor
1 Desertion
1 Diabolic Tutor
1 Fact or Fiction
1 Hinder
1 Insurrection
1 Profane Command
1 Prophetic Bolt
1 Reins of Power
1 Slave of Bolas
1 Spell Crumple
1 Spin Into Myth
1 Spinal Embrace
1 Syphon Flesh
1 Syphon Mind
1 Terminate
1 Treacherous Urge
1 Word of Seizing
1 Attrition
1 Goblin Bombardment
1 Shivan Harvest
1 Treachery
1 Jace Beleren
1 Nicol Bolas, Planeswalker
1 Sarkhan the Mad
1 Badlands
1 Blood Crypt
1 Bloodstained Mire
1 Bojuka Bog
1 Command Tower
1 Crumbling Necropolis
1 Dimir Aqueduct
1 Dreadship Reef
1 High Market
1 Izzet Boilerworks
1 Maze of Ith
1 Minamo, School at Water's Edge
1 Miren, the Moaning Well
1 Molten Slagheap
1 Polluted Delta
1 Rakdos Carnarium
1 Steam Vents
1 Underground Sea
1 Volcanic Island
1 Wasteland
1 Watery Grave
6 Island
4 Mountain
6 Swamp
rant
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-Disciple of Grislebrand
+Viscera Seer
Lifegain is one of the weaker abilities in commander so I'd prefer to go with the option that is free to activate while giving a slightly more relevant ability.
-Nevinyrral's Disk
+All is Dust
You really want to be able to sweep enchantments with this deck. Both of these cards do that but All is Dust is much more difficult to stop.
-Keldon Vandals
+Manic Vandal
The 4 power doesn't really matter and I can't see paying Echo for these guys so I'd prefer the body that can stick around longer.
-Plague Wind
+Decree of Pain
Plague Wind is just too expensive for the effect IMO. Decree is more flexible and gives you great value even when you kill your own guys.
-Grab the Reins
+Spinal Embrace
The effect is similar and I much prefer Spinal Embrace.
-Traitorous Blood
+Mark of Mutiny
Red should be more of a splash color because the card quality is much lower than black and blue. Mark of Mutiny is easier to cast and if you're going to sac the creature anyways it has a tiny bonus. They're pretty close though so if you steal non-trampling fatties a lot probably just stick with Traitorous Blood.
A few cards I'm not a fan of are Thalakos Deceiver, Phyrexian Vault & Cruel Ultimatum (cost is brutal and only hurts one player). I'd look to some of the following for replacements:
Gilded Drake - Really efficient theft attached to a body.
Reins of Power - Brutal with free sac outlets because you just sac their guys after you swing.
Gravepact - Good board control but a little rough on the mana.
Greater Gargadon - Fantastic sac outlet that is very difficult to answer. Additionally gives you a 9 power guy and helps prevent mass LD to an extent, especially the Jokulhaups variants.
Phyrexian Tower - Another very cheap sac outlet on a land.
My general thoughts on Grixis colors is that you should set up your deck as U/B/r. The blue and black cards are stronger so if you minimize red it makes it easier to run cards like Necropotence and possibly things like Cryptic Command & Future Sight if you need them.
-Disciple of Grislebrand
+Viscera Seer
Probably is a good switch. I'll try that out.
-Nevinyrral's Disk
+All is Dust
My only copy of All Is Dust is living in my Bosh deck. I think Bosh needs it more because it has less mass removal overall plus most of the deck is colorless itself. If I get another copy, I'll consider this change.
-Keldon Vandals
+Manic Vandal
I prefer the Keldons because of the higher power (better blocker and attacker) and because if I don't pay the echo it can give a counter to Thrax.
-Plague Wind
+Decree of Pain
I'm not sure about this. The one-sidedness of Wind looks really good. However, Decree of Pain is busted. If I have a spare, I'll try to fit it in maybe instead of Cruel Ultimatum.
-Grab the Reins
+Spinal Embrace
Wow! Not sure how I forgot about this card seeing as how I loved to open it up in Invasion drafts. This looks like a good switch.
-Traitorous Blood
+Mark of Mutiny
The trample looks relevant sometimes. I'll run it as is a few times and see how often the trample makes any difference.
This is really the only deck I have that can run Ultimatum. I'll see how well it works, but you are probably right about it. Deceiver is not that great, but I like that it is a permanent steal effect. It's totally replacable, maybe with the suggested Future Sight or Spinal Embrace. Vault turns stolen creatures into cards; I think it could use testing.
Gilded Drake
My two copies are living elsewhere, but if I get a third it will certainly come in.
Reins of Power
Yeah, don't know how I missed this one. It has to be in this deck.
Gravepact
I purposefully did not include this because I want this deck to be different from my Savra deck. If I feel like I need it, I'll add it.
Greater Gargadon
Phyrexian Tower
Again, my copies of these are living in other decks. These two cards are high on my want list for this deck.
Future Sight is also a good idea for this deck. I have a spare copy so I'll switch it in. I'll do an update post as soon as I make the actua exchanges.
Thanks!
Cheers,
rant
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My only copy is living in my Savra deck. It would be good here too, true enough.
Made the following changes:
- Grab the Reins
- Disciple of Griselbrand
- Thalakos Deceiver
- Mountain
+ Viscera Seer
+ Spinal Embrace
+ Reins of Power
+ Island
The deck has been playing very well and has won its fair share of games. I think these changes will make it just a bit better. Thanks for the suggestions!
Cheers,
rant
My Cube
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Cheers,
rant
My Cube
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With a steal and sac theme, have you looked at Herald of Leshrac? I've thought about using him in a BUG attrition deck with Braids, Cabal Minion, Smokestack , and splashy creatures like Dreamscape Artist, but I could see him shine in Thraxi. It may be that he would really change the deck's focus to land destruction though, requiring an emphasis on mana rocks.
Anyways, here's a few red spells that I think would be great with Herald in a steal/sac Thraxi build:
Raze
Keldon Arsonist
Army Ants
Cosmic Larva
Tectonic Break
Dust Bowl: (not red, but love it)
Modern
RBig RedR
GMean GreenG
WWW AlliesW
BGScavengeBG
WUVenser SilenceWU
EDH
RWAurelia 1 vs 1RW
GWURoonGWU
GWSaffiGW
That's not a bad idea, but I don't like the ways it changes the deck. It seems too much like a different deck. Also, it's usually a better idea to steal creatures and artifacts. They are the most commonly theatening permanents.
Cheers,
rant
My Cube
CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/5f5d0310ed602310515d4c32
Cube Tutor: http://cubetutor.com/viewcube/1963
I'd consider cutting Phyrexian Vault for Nin, but the artifact is likely to be more resiliant than a puny creature. Maybe Jace? Traitorous Blood?
Cheers,
rant
My Cube
CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/5f5d0310ed602310515d4c32
Cube Tutor: http://cubetutor.com/viewcube/1963
- Plague Wind
-Traitorous Blood
- Phyrexian Vault
+Demonic Tutor
+Nin, the Pain Artist
+ Spell Crumple
I'd also like to squeeze in Willbender. See any good cuts for it?
Cheers,
rant
My Cube
CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/5f5d0310ed602310515d4c32
Cube Tutor: http://cubetutor.com/viewcube/1963
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Level 1 Judge
Magmaw I think this would be a nice addition because you can sac non-creatures with Word of Seizing and Zealous Conscripts. Also..its nice to finish off those last few points of damage especially with Bitterblossom/Reassembling Skeleton/Bloodghast.