While I don't physically own a copy, I really want to make a deck revolving around Heliod and his role as the God of the Sun. Doing a couple gatherer search of things that I felt revolved around the sun and making cuts to what I felt were subpar things, I came up with this list.
So after not being able to get this idea out of my head, I went ahead and made this deck a real thing. The first iteration of the deck, while funny and full of flavor, was very weak. This apparent weakness allowed it to win games every now and then, while having a grand old time doing it. My hopes is that posting this deck will offer others some ideas about building a Sun-themed deck that works well in both flavor and function. As an obvious disclaimer, this deck is NOT geared towards competetive play. It is built around cards that have to do with Heloid himself and his story on Theros, as well as splashing some Helios flavor and a very small cleric subtheme I am currently messing with. Overall, I get to play with some goofy cards and bring something different to my LGS.
Other Cards I am considering: Sphere of Safety to build up some additional defense against aggro and token decks Ajani's Chosen was recently taken out of the deck, but may find it's way back in. There are a few leonin on Theros that worhip Heliod.
Thanks for checking out the list, suggestions are welcome.
I've looked at this from a "flavor" perspective. I believe the deck needs to draw on Helios related legends about his pegasus drawn chariot, the Collosus of Rhodes and a mess of excavated artifacts that a fictional cult of clerics hope to use to manifest the Sun God (devotion).
Artifact based ramp, card draw and tech, two dumb pegasus creation spells (Sacred Mesa and Storm Herd), the Collosus of Rhodes (Blightsteel Collosus or Darksteel Collosus) and a some sacrifice outlets for looping your various white creatures loops for value.
It might not be exceptional, but it seems fun and uses what white is good at: recurring artifacts, looping for value, making tokens and slow-rolling.
@robtheman That's a great idea! I may not go the way of the cult, but I'm adding the Pegasus cards, a Chariot of the Sun, and the new Colossus of Akros to the deck.
@TheScale I would say most of those cards are on theme, thank you! Tithe won't be getting the cut but Endless Horizons seems perfect for getting some land out of my deck and into my hand. Return to Dust will replace Altar's Light. Reya, Yosei, and Condemn have also found their way into the deck.
Thank you two for the suggestions! I've also added Knight-Captain of Eos because Eos is the goddess of the dawn in greek mythology. Ranger of Eos didn't find a slot because I don't have enough 1 drops to make it matter.
I would also add Elspeth, Knight-Errant. It is arguably the 2nd best planeswalker in the game. And all of the abilities are relevant.
While I agree that Elspeth, KE is very powerful, I would argue that her newest version is more suited toward EDH and this deck in general. For two more mana, you get a better +1, a half-wrath instead of a creature pump that won't work on an empty board, and a super anthem. Add in her name and she's a neat fit for the deck. Elspeth, KE does have a better ultimate but I usually never look at a PW's ultimate when considering one for EDH as the chances of it happening are very slim in multiplayer.
Also your suggestion does bring up a point I have overlooked. Having Heliod as the general and a creature enables him to be a fantastic blocker for planeswalkers. With enough devotion to W, I could see myself running the other eslepths if needed.
I did mean in addition to Sun's Champion. And yes, the second +1 of Elspeth KE would be very powerful when using Heliod as an attacker for commander damage. And, while the first isn't that powerful compared to Sun's Champion, it is still very useful. Think of cards like Skullclamp.
I did mean in addition to Sun's Champion. And yes, the second +1 of Elspeth KE would be very powerful when using Heliod as an attacker for commander damage. And, while the first isn't that powerful compared to Sun's Champion, it is still very useful. Think of cards like Skullclamp.
Skullclamp probably wouldn't make the cut, just for flavor reasons, but the first point you made is another thing I have overlooked. With the Spear alone he's a a 6/7, so giving him another boost would make him quite threatening. Going to find a spot for her now, thanks!
There are some key cards that are mono-white staples that won't break your theme. Land Tax is a good one that was already mentioned. Kor Haven is just such good utility you can't pass it up. Also, while it's not exactly mono-sun themed, you can intertwine the Mirrodin Five Sun theme into the list. Caged Sun and White Sun's Zenith are already in here. Adding more Swords could serve you well. Sword of Fire and Ice and Sword of Light and Shadow are great additions. You could add Extraplanar Lens to have a device that captures the power of the sun. However, in order to utilize this card to the fullest, you're going to have to add a snow package, which maybe off theme. Who knows, maybe there is Winter in Theros, when Demeter changes the cycle of the world from summer to winter. You could work an angle like, Heliod defends the just and brings the light during the dark times of winter. If you do end up adding the snow package, Mouth of Ronom and Scrying Sheets are auto includes. Thats all I got just looking over the list. Fantastic though! Keep it up!
Ajani's Chosen is in the deck because even though I only have 9 enchantments, it also triggers off of Heliod's ability, giving me two creatures instead of one which is definitely worth 2WW for each activation. This is also the reason Serra's Sanctum is in the deck. However...Sublime Archangel COULD fit in the deck alongside it because it interacts with tokens well and, by using it's name, could point to the unfathomable greatness of Heliod. It's also 2WW, which will help him reach his Devotion requirement. AC might come out for it, but I'm giong to give the deck another comb over to see if I can pull something else out.
Land Tax has the same problem as Tithe in that, while they are both good cards for ramping land in White, they aren't particularly on theme with the deck.
Mentor of the Meek provides much-needed card draw in white, and synergizes with Heliod pretty well (effectively turning his ability into 3WW: Get a 2/1 creature and draw a card). I think I counted about 10 other creatures in your decklist that it works with as well.
Mentor of the Meek provides much-needed card draw in white, and synergizes with Heliod pretty well (effectively turning his ability into 3WW: Get a 2/1 creature and draw a card). I think I counted about 10 other creatures in your decklist that it works with as well.
First, it's not 3WW, it's 2WW.
Second, anthem effects make Mentor useless for 2/x creatures.
Although I definitely think Angel of Jubilation would be good here.
Both of your statements are correct. However, you also need to consider paying 1 to get Mentor of the Meek's effect. As for the anti-synergy between the two, I considered mentioning it but it usually won't matter in a 100-card singleton deck.
While I don't physically own a copy, I really want to make a deck revolving around Heliod and his role as the God of the Sun. Doing a couple gatherer search of things that I felt revolved around the sun and making cuts to what I felt were subpar things, I came up with this list.So after not being able to get this idea out of my head, I went ahead and made this deck a real thing. The first iteration of the deck, while funny and full of flavor, was very weak. This apparent weakness allowed it to win games every now and then, while having a grand old time doing it. My hopes is that posting this deck will offer others some ideas about building a Sun-themed deck that works well in both flavor and function. As an obvious disclaimer, this deck is NOT geared towards competetive play. It is built around cards that have to do with Heloid himself and his story on Theros, as well as splashing some Helios flavor and a very small cleric subtheme I am currently messing with. Overall, I get to play with some goofy cards and bring something different to my LGS.
4 Heliod, God of the Sun
Creatures
1 Vigilant Martyr
1 Tragic Poet
2 Knight of the White Orchid
3 Heliod's Pilgrim
3 Mentor of the Meek
3 Mesa Enchantress
3 Frontline Medic
3 Burnished Hart
3 Auramancer
3 Sunseed Nurturer
3 Devout Lightcaster
4 Dawn Elemental
5 Sunscorch Regent
5 Ancestor's Prophet
6 Sun Titan
6 Sunblast Angel
8 Colossus of Akros
Artifacts
1 Sol Ring
2 Lightning Greaves
2 Sun Droplet
2 Leonin Sun Standard
2 Chariot of the Sun
3 Spear of Heliod
3 Extraplanar Lens
3 Godsend
4 Seer's Sundial
5 Illuminated Folio
6 Caged Sun
1 Ethereal Armor
2 Forced Worship
2 Island Sanctuary
2 Blind Obedience
2 Sacred Mesa
3 Unquestioned Authority
3 Act of Authority
3 Gift of Immortality
3 Words of Worship
3 Light of Sanction
4 Light from Within
4 Lightmine Field
4 Sigil of the New Dawn
4 Endless Horizons
5 Skybind
5 Dictate of Heliod
6 True Conviction
Instants
1 Swords to Plowshares
2 Bathe in Light
2 Gilded Light
3 Oblation
3 Harsh Justice
3 Second Sunrise
3 White Sun's Zenith
4 Faith's Reward
4 Return to Dust
4 Ray of Distortion
1 Sunlance
4 Wrath of God
6 Plea for Guidance
6 Austere Command
7 Sunscour
10 Storm Herd
Planeswalkers
6 Elspeth, Sun's Champion
Lands
35 Plains
1 Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx
1 Emeria, the Sky Ruin
Things I want to include but do not currently own:
Other Cards I am considering:
Sphere of Safety to build up some additional defense against aggro and token decks
Ajani's Chosen was recently taken out of the deck, but may find it's way back in. There are a few leonin on Theros that worhip Heliod.
Thanks for checking out the list, suggestions are welcome.
I've looked at this from a "flavor" perspective. I believe the deck needs to draw on Helios related legends about his pegasus drawn chariot, the Collosus of Rhodes and a mess of excavated artifacts that a fictional cult of clerics hope to use to manifest the Sun God (devotion).
Artifact based ramp, card draw and tech, two dumb pegasus creation spells (Sacred Mesa and Storm Herd), the Collosus of Rhodes (Blightsteel Collosus or Darksteel Collosus) and a some sacrifice outlets for looping your various white creatures loops for value.
It might not be exceptional, but it seems fun and uses what white is good at: recurring artifacts, looping for value, making tokens and slow-rolling.
Sydri's Magical Castle WUB
Chainer, Dementia Master: "Bring out your dead!" BBB
Riku Because Copying Decimate URG
Xira Arien, Jund StaxBRG
The Sylvan-Primordial-PlasmBUG
Trostani ComboGW
Vizkopa Guildmage - Peasant VariantBW
Reveillark
Reya Dawnbringer
Return to Dust
Faith's Reward
Tithe
Endless Horizons
Yosei, the Morning Star
False Prophet
Final Judgment
Elspeth Tirel
Condemn
GWB Junk Stax Ghave BWG
@TheScale I would say most of those cards are on theme, thank you! Tithe won't be getting the cut but Endless Horizons seems perfect for getting some land out of my deck and into my hand. Return to Dust will replace Altar's Light. Reya, Yosei, and Condemn have also found their way into the deck.
Thank you two for the suggestions! I've also added Knight-Captain of Eos because Eos is the goddess of the dawn in greek mythology. Ranger of Eos didn't find a slot because I don't have enough 1 drops to make it matter.
C Kozilek C
GB Gitrog GB
G Titania G
WU Brago WU
GB MerenGB
Duel Commander Decks
UR Keranos UR
BRG Jund BRG
GR Tron GR GW Tron GW
C Eldrazi Tron (SB) C
BG Lantern Control BG
UW Control (SB) UW
Completely blanked on adding that, thank you!
C Kozilek C
GB Gitrog GB
G Titania G
WU Brago WU
GB MerenGB
Duel Commander Decks
UR Keranos UR
BRG Jund BRG
GR Tron GR GW Tron GW
C Eldrazi Tron (SB) C
BG Lantern Control BG
UW Control (SB) UW
Also your suggestion does bring up a point I have overlooked. Having Heliod as the general and a creature enables him to be a fantastic blocker for planeswalkers. With enough devotion to W, I could see myself running the other eslepths if needed.
C Kozilek C
GB Gitrog GB
G Titania G
WU Brago WU
GB MerenGB
Duel Commander Decks
UR Keranos UR
BRG Jund BRG
GR Tron GR GW Tron GW
C Eldrazi Tron (SB) C
BG Lantern Control BG
UW Control (SB) UW
-1 Ajani's Chosen - You only have 9 total enchantments
+1 Sublime Archangel
Land Tax - Deck thinning, land fixing, etc.
Emeria, the Sky Ruin - Mono white repeating reanimator
C Kozilek C
GB Gitrog GB
G Titania G
WU Brago WU
GB MerenGB
Duel Commander Decks
UR Keranos UR
BRG Jund BRG
GR Tron GR GW Tron GW
C Eldrazi Tron (SB) C
BG Lantern Control BG
UW Control (SB) UW
Epic Signature by the one and only Ace in Ace of Spades Studio
Proud member of the Spirit of EDH
BGW Teneb, the Harvester [Primer]
R Márton Stromgald
WUB Dakkon Blackblade
GR Atarka, World Render
{Writing and Rants}
WUBRG The Primeval Dragon's influence on EDH
Ajani's Chosen is in the deck because even though I only have 9 enchantments, it also triggers off of Heliod's ability, giving me two creatures instead of one which is definitely worth 2WW for each activation. This is also the reason Serra's Sanctum is in the deck. However...Sublime Archangel COULD fit in the deck alongside it because it interacts with tokens well and, by using it's name, could point to the unfathomable greatness of Heliod. It's also 2WW, which will help him reach his Devotion requirement. AC might come out for it, but I'm giong to give the deck another comb over to see if I can pull something else out.
Emeria, the Sky Ruin should have been in here in the first place! Added.
Land Tax has the same problem as Tithe in that, while they are both good cards for ramping land in White, they aren't particularly on theme with the deck.
Angel of Jubilation provides an anthem effect and has WWW in its mana cost.
First, it's not 3WW, it's 2WW.
Second, anthem effects make Mentor useless for 2/x creatures.
Although I definitely think Angel of Jubilation would be good here.
C Kozilek C
GB Gitrog GB
G Titania G
WU Brago WU
GB MerenGB
Duel Commander Decks
UR Keranos UR
BRG Jund BRG
GR Tron GR GW Tron GW
C Eldrazi Tron (SB) C
BG Lantern Control BG
UW Control (SB) UW
Both of your statements are correct. However, you also need to consider paying 1 to get Mentor of the Meek's effect. As for the anti-synergy between the two, I considered mentioning it but it usually won't matter in a 100-card singleton deck.