MTG Salvation

So there is a long history I have with this deck. When I started playing commander years ago, I wanted to play all five colors, so I built Slivers. That got hated out one too many times, so I built this deck for the normal format. The gimmick was that I played all five Mythic Titans. Over the years I played it, it got teeth and I topped quite a few locals with this (and even won a couple), namely with Primeval Titan, so I wasn't surprised he was banned from the multiplayer format. I retired this deck for quite awhile until I discovered that Primeval Titan isn't banned in Duel Commander, so I'm trying to resurrect it.

My biggest problem is that I don't know how Duel Commander works that well. I have zero experience, and I know that's a bad thing because this deck's strategy of "Drop big guys and win" doesn't as well in 1 v. 1.

Here's some basic information:

What's the Strategy: In a nutshell, it's Slivers without Slivers. I get out huge guys and play cards that help to live longer and have more evasion.

Why Progenitus?
Two reasons: First, he's big and doesn't die to a lot of things. Second, Concerted Effort spreads his inability to die to a lot of creatures that I don't want to die either.

What's the Primary Win-Con: Everyone hated Primeval Titan because generally he fetched Cabal Coffers and Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth followed by Kessig-Wolf Run and Inkmoth Nexus if he lived long enough or had haste. Even if Fireball with Infect didn't work, I was set on mana for life.



So any and all suggestions would be welcomed. I understand I'm probably going to have to bring my curve down since I can't rely on multiplayer to sneak by until I can get moving anymore, and will likely need some more ramp, but this mess helped me win a lot of games and tournaments before I retired it with Primeval Titan's ban in the standard format.

There are two stipulations: the deck's core gimmick is the five Mythic Titans, so while I know that Frost Titan isn't the best fit, I'd like it if he and the other four stayed. Second, I can't afford a proper mana base for a five color EDHC deck. While I'll gladly talk about the hypothetical what the mana base should be with 10 Shocks, 10, Duals, 10 Fetches, realize when I post a fully blinged out mana base it is either proxy or for the sake fleshing out what it should be.

Quote from Mockingbird

So there is a long history I have with this deck. When I started playing commander years ago, I wanted to play all five colors, so I built Slivers. That got hated out one too many times, so I built this deck for the normal format. The gimmick was that I played all five Mythic Titans. Over the years I played it, it got teeth and I topped quite a few locals with this (and even won a couple), namely with Primeval Titan, so I wasn't surprised he was banned from the multiplayer format. I retired this deck for quite awhile until I discovered that Primeval Titan isn't banned in Duel Commander, so I'm trying to resurrect it.

Now normally when people post decklists and explanations about a deck and give it the Duel Commander tab, I immediately assume that deck is trying to be a competitive contender in this fun 1v1 format that we play. This is a format whose banlist was designed to be competitive with only 1v1 matches in mind.

Which means multiplayer lists + Primeval Titan don't usually have a good time here in Duel Commander. You have to change your deck when you switch to a 1v1 format. Things are faster, mana curves must be lower. Mana bases must be stronger. Cards must be... better. And since the format is competitive, there's no room for "pet" decks.

Now don't get me wrong, I have pet decks, and I think pet decks are cool. But they aren't competitive.

Now is your deck a pet deck?

There are two stipulations: the deck's core gimmick is the five Mythic Titans, so while I know that Frost Titan isn't the best fit, I'd like it if he and the other four stayed. Second, I can't afford a proper mana base for a five color EDHC deck. While I'll gladly talk about the hypothetical what the mana base should be with 10 Shocks, 10, Duals, 10 Fetches, realize when I post a fully blinged out mana base it is either proxy or for the sake fleshing out what it should be.

Looks like it.

And that's okay! Just know that I can't give you constructive criticism on your deck to improve it unless you're willing to make drastic changes. I won't judge anyone for not wanting to change their pet deck. However, I don't recognize pet decks as competitive decks that deserve constructive criticism and feedback.

Quote from SkankStar

And that's okay! Just know that I can't give you constructive criticism on your deck to improve it unless you're willing to make drastic changes. I won't judge anyone for not wanting to change their pet deck. However, I don't recognize pet decks as competitive decks that deserve constructive criticism and feedback.

I approve drastic change criticisms because while yes this is a pet deck, I'm not so married to the way it ran when it was a multiplayer format deck to be rigid because I know I don't know how Duel Commander works. New environment means new works. And even if I don't take them all because of sentiment (which honestly beyond the Five Titans is non-existent, and I can be swayed on that), I think we can both agree that taking most of them will at least help my survival rate.

So go ahead, rip me and the deck a new one.

Okay cool! Where to start??

1. Progenitus is not a playable commander in this format.

That dude costs 10 mana. Ten. And two of each color.
So you need to change your commander, but keep all five titans? I do not see how this is feasible in this format. The only competitive 5 color decks in EDH are Hermit Druid (which is banned in Duel Commander, thank god) and Oath of Druids decks. This is because playing all five colors is a huge burden if you only plan on resolving fair spells. Oath of Druids is an exception because that card is a broken and degenerate combo that auto-wins the game when it works.

So either you need to play a Five Color Oath of Druids deck that sometimes flips up underwhelming Frost Titans, or you need a whole new direction with your views on this format, and the deck you will be playing. It seems to me that you enjoy resolving big, scary, spells. And you have access to several fetches and dual lands, notably Tropical Island. In that case, Jenara, Asura of War may be the deck for you. The deck has a midrange style of play where it drops bombs like Stoneforge Mystic and backs them up with a few counterspells to protect them. Or if you enjoy playing an aggressive ramp deck, you should consider playing Animar, Soul of Elements (which is a combo-ramp deck) or Radha, Heir to the Keld.

But Progenitus, and all other Five color non-combo decks, are quite unplayable in this format.

I'll do another thread if I take one of your alternate suggested color combinations.

How does Oath of Druids work? I assume it's the Forbidden Orchard and Oath into something like Emrakul, the Aeons Torn, Blightsteel Colossus, and every other monstrosity in between, but there has to be a lot of search and protection.

And I assume that the best commander here would probably be Child of Alara since it seems like having a "Reset Button" sitting around always available is a good plan.

Quote from Mockingbird

I'll do another thread if I take one of your alternate suggested color combinations.

How does Oath of Druids work? I assume it's the Forbidden Orchard and Oath into something like Emrakul, the Aeons Torn, Blightsteel Colossus, and every other monstrosity in between, but there has to be a lot of search and protection.

And I assume that the best commander here would probably be Child of Alara since it seems like having a "Reset Button" sitting around always available is a good plan.

Usually these Oath decks play Horde of Notions as he can beatdown if you end up getting your Oath tampered with. Generally Oath 5 color is played because you can use every possible Oath tutor along with strong removal and counterspells. These decks usually play with only three creatures: Emrakul, the Aeons Torn, Iona, Shield of Emeria, and Griselbrand. A decent representative list can be found here: http://www.mtgtop8.com/event2?e=4622&d=226740

I would not suggest 5 color, especially if you have anything less than a perfect mana-base. If you like playing "good stuff", Jenara, Asura of War is a pretty good choice. Be forewarned though, "good stuff" does not usually mean 5+ cmc creatures.

If it helps you, I play a Loam-Oath Progenitus deck that includes dream halls and wheel of fortune effects. It's good against aggro, weak against fast combo decks, and 40-60 against control.