Anyway, the general deck strategy should be fairly clear. Use tons of ETB creatures for maximum efficiency. Abuse blink effects to gain significant advantages over the opponent. Eventually win using big beatsticks that are themselves abusable and are backed by tons of card advantage (Sun Titan, Primeval Titan, Sphinx of Uthuun).
The deck is still a mess, and I welcome all attempts to clean it up. Right now I'm a little worried I've overdone it on the card advantage/deck fixing at the expense of giving up too many control cards, but others may feel differently.
Actually, Rubina works pretty well with blink strategy - you just don't use the blink on her. Steal a creature, blink it out with one of the many effects that read "then return it to the battlefield under your control" - and you get to keep it. Untap Rubina and repeat.
This deck looks awesome. I wanna try it out but it might ruin Rasputin for me. I have gone back and forth over Augury Owl and Sea Gate Oracle. On gets you a card and one digs way deeper. I've put all three on the bottom once and it worked. I wish they would print a creature that is a Foresee. You gotta get Glen Elendra Archmage and I would cut Scroll Rack for Birthing Pod. Pod is stupid sick in bant ETB, and you can get way more value out of it then I can.
Actually, Rubina works pretty well with blink strategy - you just don't use the blink on her. Steal a creature, blink it out with one of the many effects that read "then return it to the battlefield under your control" - and you get to keep it. Untap Rubina and repeat.
Ooh, hadn't thought of that. Or, actually, just hadn't noticed that Cloudshift, Restoration Angel, Conjurer's Closet and Dead-eye Navigator use different, more favorable wording than earlier cards. Annoying that most of the blinks aren't usable with her, but still solid. I actually kind of like Rafiq, but Rubinia Soulsinger seems like she ought to replace him.
This deck looks awesome. I wanna try it out but it might ruin Rasputin for me. I have gone back and forth over Augury Owl and Sea Gate Oracle. On gets you a card and one digs way deeper. I've put all three on the bottom once and it worked. I wish they would print a creature that is a Foresee.
Agree, except Foresee-on-a-stick would cost a ton of mana and probably not be that great (although it might be like Sphinx of Uthuun). I just wish Court Hussar didn't have to be sacrificed after being blinked. I would totally play him over Augury Owl otherwise (and still tempted).
I would cut Scroll Rack for Birthing Pod. Pod is stupid sick in bant ETB, and you can get way more value out of it then I can.
Mmmm... Scroll Rack is great with all the shuffling and draw power going on in this deck, not to mention Land Tax. Birthing Pod is also great but kind of goes against the whole blink/bounce theme since the deck doesn't have much recursion (and adding some would probably create a mess). I will probably try to work in the pod, though.
Two words: Blink Revillark. I almost never evoke that guy in UW flicker. You only really wanna pod low converted mana cost creatures anyway. Imagine the play of pod Eternal Witness into Solemn Simulacrum or Glen Elendra Archmage then swing or blink Sun Titan and get the witness back. Not to mention you can pod away Revillark and get Primeval or Sun Titan. Sometimes recurring creatures is a great way to blink them. Oh and I don't know how I didn't notice you aren't running Karmic Guide. I think you want that angel.
Isn't land tax kinda bad in a green deck anway? I would rather have more lands then everyone the whole game then ever trigger a land tax. I would easily cut it for anything that makes mana.
Two words: Blink Revillark. I almost never evoke that guy in UW flicker. You only really wanna pod low converted mana cost creatures anyway. Imagine the play of pod Eternal Witness into Solemn Simulacrum or Glen Elendra Archmage then swing or blink Sun Titan and get the witness back. Not to mention you can pod away Revillark and get Primeval or Sun Titan. Sometimes recurring creatures is a great way to blink them.
All true. Sun Titan and Reveillark are only two cards, but they do make Pod worthwhile.
Oh and I don't know how I didn't notice you aren't running Karmic Guide. I think you want that angel.
So much mana. I actually don't think I like Karmic Guide in blink because she has to be paid for again and again and again. True, I could always sacrifice her, but then she's just a one-for-one trade. Since I don't have many really essential creatures, that seems weak. Can combo with Reveillark if I had a sac outlet, but I don't have any reusable outlets right now. We'll see.
Isn't land tax kinda bad in a green deck anway? I would rather have more lands then everyone the whole game then ever trigger a land tax. I would easily cut it for anything that makes mana.
Even though this is a deck with green, I won't always have more lands than everyone else, certainly not than a deck like Azusa or other dedicated ramp decks. There isn't that much land acceleration in here, and there aren't many other abusable ETB creatures that fetch lands. Yavimaya Dryad should find her way in, though. You're right that Land Tax isn't an ideal card, however, so it's probably a good cut for Birthing Pod.
I've never been sad to let a Karmic Guide die. You can pod that sucker and get a titan or Deadeye Navigator. Think of it as a way to get your whole board back after a wipe, or at least your best guy. Im all for the Dryad, I hope I was of some help.
I just don't like land tax is green decks if you think its essential don't let me convince you.
I've never been sad to let a Karmic Guide die. You can pod that sucker and get a titan or Deadeye Navigator. Think of it as a way to get your whole board back after a wipe, or at least your best guy. Im all for the Dryad, I hope I was of some help.
I just don't like land tax is green decks if you think its essential don't let me convince you.
Sure, you were definitely helpful. And I think you're probably right on Land Tax, just my own bias. I've taken it out for now.
I'm also considering what to do with the bounce effects. Crystal Shard and Cloudstone Curio obviously aren't as effective as blink effects, though the number of blink effects available is limited. Nephalia Smuggler is the only reusable one I don't have in here, and he kind of stinks. Also unsure of whether Erratic Portal should be in here or replace Crystal Shard.
I would run both Crystal Shard and Cloudstone Curio. They are great for 'blinking' creatures although you have to pay the cost of the creature again. I don't really see the point of Erratic Portal though, unless you really need the 3 engines.
Want to make sure you guys understand how Rubinia and blinking works, because you may not be using her at the optimal level.
Yeah you can Cloudshift what she steals in order to keep it. But with cards like Mistmeadow Witch, you don't get to keep it as it returns the creature under its owners control. BUT! You can blink Rubinia in response to her steal trigger. So you activate her, and then blink her with everything from Mistmeadow to Deadeye Navigator bonded to her. On top of the stack goes the blinking. So she goes in an out, or temporarily out in the case of Mistmeadow Witch. Next on the stack is her ability to steal something, which happens. Since the Rubinia that's now on the battlefield is basically a new iteration of her with summoning sickness and all, the clause of what happens when she leaves the battlefield/untaps never happens and you keep the creature. I've had Swiftfoot Boots out and done this twice in one turn.
If all that didn't make sense, consult a rules guru because I'm not good at stack explanation stuff, but trust me it does work. Take out Augury Owl and put in Stoneforge Mystic so you can blink her to get a few pieces of equipment. Then put in Swiftfoot Boots (not Lightning Greaves because then you can't blink Rubinia) for something else. This also helps you steal something the moment you play Rubinia so she doesn't eat removal on her first time around the table.
Also, someone else pointed out to me that you can use Minamo, School at Water's Edge on Rubinia to steal two things, again using the stack in your favor. I see you already have that in here.
Want to make sure you guys understand how Rubinia and blinking works, because you may not be using her at the optimal level.
That's a good point. And probably makes her the best commander for a Bant blink deck. I'll have to think about replacing my Phelddagrif with her (even though the hippo is such fun).
Want to make sure you guys understand how Rubinia and blinking works, because you may not be using her at the optimal level.
Yeah you can Cloudshift what she steals in order to keep it. But with cards like Mistmeadow Witch, you don't get to keep it as it returns the creature under its owners control. BUT! You can blink Rubinia in response to her steal trigger. So you activate her, and then blink her with everything from Mistmeadow to Deadeye Navigator bonded to her. On top of the stack goes the blinking. So she goes in an out, or temporarily out in the case of Mistmeadow Witch. Next on the stack is her ability to steal something, which happens. Since the Rubinia that's now on the battlefield is basically a new iteration of her with summoning sickness and all, the clause of what happens when she leaves the battlefield/untaps never happens and you keep the creature. I've had Swiftfoot Boots out and done this twice in one turn.
If all that didn't make sense, consult a rules guru because I'm not good at stack explanation stuff, but trust me it does work.
This doesn't actually work. From Gatherer for Rubinia Soulsinger: 10/1/2009: If Rubinia Soulsinger stops being tapped before its ability resolves -- even if it becomes tapped again right away -- you won't gain control of the targeted creature at all. The same is true if you lose control of Rubinia Soulsinger before the ability resolves.
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The deck is still a mess, and I welcome all attempts to clean it up. Right now I'm a little worried I've overdone it on the card advantage/deck fixing at the expense of giving up too many control cards, but others may feel differently.
Also, personal rule is no infinite combos, though annoying combos like Ghostway + Eternal Witness / Archaeomancer + other ETB creatures or Mangara of Corondor + blink/bounce effect (+ Minamo, School at Water's Edge for extra annoyance) are fine.
Notable missing card right now is Aura Shards, debating where to fit it in. Also debating whether extra-turns cards are appropriate.
1 Rubinia Soulsinger
//Creatures (33)
1 Elvish Visionary
1 Stoneforge Mystic
1 Augury Owl
1 Phantasmal Image
1 Snapcaster Mage
1 Coiling Oracle
1 Mistmeadow Witch
1 Eternal Witness
1 Farhaven Elf
1 Fierce Empath
1 Wood Elves
1 Yavimaya Dryad
1 Flickerwisp
1 Mangara of Corondor
1 Mentor of the Meek
1 Stonecloaker
1 Sea Gate Oracle
1 Trinket Mage
1 Harmonic Sliver
1 Restoration Angel
1 Archaeomancer
1 Glen Elendra Archmage
1 Phyrexian Metamorph
1 Venser, Shaper Savant
1 Solemn Simulacrum
1 Acidic Slime
1 Reveillark
1 Mulldrifter
1 Primeval Titan
1 Sun Titan
1 Deadeye Navigator
1 Duplicant
1 Sphinx of Uthuun
1 Sensei's Divining Top
1 Skullclamp
1 Sol Ring
1 Crystal Shard
1 Cloudstone Curio
1 Sword of Feast and Famine
1 Sword of Fire and Ice
1 Birthing Pod
1 Conjurer's Closet
//Enchantments (2)
1 Survival of the Fittest
1 Sylvan Library
//Instants (11)
1 Cloudshift
1 Path to Exile
1 Swords to Plowshares
1 Mystical Tutor
1 Momentary Blink
1 Eladamri's Call
1 Beast Within
1 Chord of Calling
1 Ghostway
1 Bant Charm
1 Fact or Fiction
//Sorceries (6)
1 Green Sun's Zenith
1 Wargate
1 Hallowed Burial
1 Bribery
1 Austere Command
1 Terminus
//Planeswalkers (1)
1 Venser, the Sojourner
1 Arid Mesa
1 Breeding Pool
1 Command Tower
1 Flagstones of Trokair
1 Flooded Grove
1 Flooded Strand
1 Hallowed Fountain
1 Kor Haven
1 Marsh Flats
1 Minamo, School at Water's Edge
1 Misty Rainforest
1 Mystic Gate
1 Polluted Delta
1 Savannah
1 Scalding Tarn
1 Strip Mine
1 Temple Garden
1 Tropical Island
1 Tundra
1 Verdant Catacombs
1 Windswept Heath
1 Wooded Bastion
1 Wooded Foothills
5 Forest
6 Plains
3 Island
Changes:
8/23/2012 (deck created)
- Gilded Drake
- Land Tax
- Scroll Rack
- Island (1)
+ Birthing Pod
+ Yavimaya Dryad
+ Glen Elendra Archmage
+ Forest (1)
Switched Rafiq of the Many for Rubinia Soulsinger as Commander.
My Decks:
Casual MP
:symg::symb:GB Glissa Pod:symg::symb:
:symu::symw::symb:Esper Artifacts:symu::symw::symb:
:symu::symb::xmana:Ninjas!:xmana::symb::symu:
GWUBAtraxa, Praetor's Voice PrimerGWUB
GWURoon Bant Blink WhateverGWU
BRGLord Windgrace LandsBRG
Ooh, hadn't thought of that. Or, actually, just hadn't noticed that Cloudshift, Restoration Angel, Conjurer's Closet and Dead-eye Navigator use different, more favorable wording than earlier cards. Annoying that most of the blinks aren't usable with her, but still solid. I actually kind of like Rafiq, but Rubinia Soulsinger seems like she ought to replace him.
Agree, except Foresee-on-a-stick would cost a ton of mana and probably not be that great (although it might be like Sphinx of Uthuun). I just wish Court Hussar didn't have to be sacrificed after being blinked. I would totally play him over Augury Owl otherwise (and still tempted).
Forgot about her! Yes, will fit her in somewhere.
Mmmm... Scroll Rack is great with all the shuffling and draw power going on in this deck, not to mention Land Tax. Birthing Pod is also great but kind of goes against the whole blink/bounce theme since the deck doesn't have much recursion (and adding some would probably create a mess). I will probably try to work in the pod, though.
Isn't land tax kinda bad in a green deck anway? I would rather have more lands then everyone the whole game then ever trigger a land tax. I would easily cut it for anything that makes mana.
GWUBAtraxa, Praetor's Voice PrimerGWUB
GWURoon Bant Blink WhateverGWU
BRGLord Windgrace LandsBRG
All true. Sun Titan and Reveillark are only two cards, but they do make Pod worthwhile.
So much mana. I actually don't think I like Karmic Guide in blink because she has to be paid for again and again and again. True, I could always sacrifice her, but then she's just a one-for-one trade. Since I don't have many really essential creatures, that seems weak. Can combo with Reveillark if I had a sac outlet, but I don't have any reusable outlets right now. We'll see.
Even though this is a deck with green, I won't always have more lands than everyone else, certainly not than a deck like Azusa or other dedicated ramp decks. There isn't that much land acceleration in here, and there aren't many other abusable ETB creatures that fetch lands. Yavimaya Dryad should find her way in, though. You're right that Land Tax isn't an ideal card, however, so it's probably a good cut for Birthing Pod.
I just don't like land tax is green decks if you think its essential don't let me convince you.
GWUBAtraxa, Praetor's Voice PrimerGWUB
GWURoon Bant Blink WhateverGWU
BRGLord Windgrace LandsBRG
Sure, you were definitely helpful. And I think you're probably right on Land Tax, just my own bias. I've taken it out for now.
I'm also considering what to do with the bounce effects. Crystal Shard and Cloudstone Curio obviously aren't as effective as blink effects, though the number of blink effects available is limited. Nephalia Smuggler is the only reusable one I don't have in here, and he kind of stinks. Also unsure of whether Erratic Portal should be in here or replace Crystal Shard.
Have you done any testing with the deck?
GWUBAtraxa, Praetor's Voice PrimerGWUB
GWURoon Bant Blink WhateverGWU
BRGLord Windgrace LandsBRG
Yeah you can Cloudshift what she steals in order to keep it. But with cards like Mistmeadow Witch, you don't get to keep it as it returns the creature under its owners control. BUT! You can blink Rubinia in response to her steal trigger. So you activate her, and then blink her with everything from Mistmeadow to Deadeye Navigator bonded to her. On top of the stack goes the blinking. So she goes in an out, or temporarily out in the case of Mistmeadow Witch. Next on the stack is her ability to steal something, which happens. Since the Rubinia that's now on the battlefield is basically a new iteration of her with summoning sickness and all, the clause of what happens when she leaves the battlefield/untaps never happens and you keep the creature. I've had Swiftfoot Boots out and done this twice in one turn.
If all that didn't make sense, consult a rules guru because I'm not good at stack explanation stuff, but trust me it does work. Take out Augury Owl and put in Stoneforge Mystic so you can blink her to get a few pieces of equipment. Then put in Swiftfoot Boots (not Lightning Greaves because then you can't blink Rubinia) for something else. This also helps you steal something the moment you play Rubinia so she doesn't eat removal on her first time around the table.
Also, someone else pointed out to me that you can use Minamo, School at Water's Edge on Rubinia to steal two things, again using the stack in your favor. I see you already have that in here.
WUBRG Some of these decks can actually win games...WUBRG
How I know I should build a deck:
That's a good point. And probably makes her the best commander for a Bant blink deck. I'll have to think about replacing my Phelddagrif with her (even though the hippo is such fun).
Thanks, I'm already studying that thread. A lot of good information there
However, I just started considering that going Esper could also be an option...
This doesn't actually work. From Gatherer for Rubinia Soulsinger:
10/1/2009: If Rubinia Soulsinger stops being tapped before its ability resolves -- even if it becomes tapped again right away -- you won't gain control of the targeted creature at all. The same is true if you lose control of Rubinia Soulsinger before the ability resolves.