This deck started out as a toolbox control deck that interacts with your opponents creatures by cloning, bouncing, or countering key spells. I've tuned the curve so that it retains a very strong control package, but it also packs plenty of punch on the low-end of the curve to trigger End-of-Turn draws off Sygg, River Cutthroat.
I try to update this post whenever I swap stuff around, but it's easier to keep it on TappedOut because it provides all the statistical breakdowns.
Introduction
I've only played MTG since Innistrad block, so there may be cards and synergies that I miss due to not being exposed to a larger card pool. If you see something that you think can be improved, please point it out to me! This deck is dedicated to all of you who always pick the "rogue" character in D&D/video games - Dimir is definitely your Ravnica guild.
Why I Like Playing Dimir
I am a Blue mage at heart. All the hallmarks of Blue magic - counters, clones, flying - are present here
Black complements the card advantage through tutors and removal
Ashiok is probably my favorite planeswalker, in terms of function and value
Why Other People Hate Dimir
No fatties. This deck will seldom win with creature damage alone - unless it copies an opponent's fatty!
Focused on interaction. This Dimir deck should never play like Solitaire.
Potentially inconsistent. Since many cards rely on the strength of your opponent's deck, you could be trouble against a Nekusar or Zedruu.
Weak in 1v1. Half the time I play EDH starts out as a 1v1 game, and I feel like my deck is handicapped due to the lack of focus.
Multiple Win Conditions
Our 2-drop, 3-drop, and 4-drop creatures are largely a means to an end - to trigger Sygg's card draw and bring out the bombs at 5 CMC and above. Here are the potential win conditions:
Infinite combo on Sanguine Bond and Exquisite Blood - I thought this one was particularly cheap, but it wins games and I can't argue with that
This strategy is probably a couple of levels above just playing blue/black good stuff, but there is a strong emphasis on cloning. The following list spells out the cards we're playing and their functions:
Strategy
Early-game (Turns 1-5): Try to get a couple of draws from Sygg + one of the aggressive & evasive creatures such as: Oona's Prowler, Herald of Torment, or anything with 2-power paired with Skullclamp. I've also been considering Glen Elendra Liege but couldn't decide on what to cut.
Mid-game (Turns 6-10): You should be holding some form of counterspell to prevent 6CMC commanders from ruining your day. This would also be the time to drop a planeswalker or draw into more cards via Jace Beleren, Demonic Tutor, or Mulldrifter.
Big update as I've tweaked the decklist to include a more aggressive creature package to trigger Sygg.
Notably, I've also caved into going for the Sanguine Bond + Exquisite Blood combo as a win condition.
This deck started out as a toolbox control deck that interacts with your opponents creatures by cloning, bouncing, or countering key spells. I've tuned the curve so that it retains a very strong control package, but it also packs plenty of punch on the low-end of the curve to trigger End-of-Turn draws off Sygg, River Cutthroat.
I try to update this post whenever I swap stuff around, but it's easier to keep it on TappedOut because it provides all the statistical breakdowns.
Introduction
I've only played MTG since Innistrad block, so there may be cards and synergies that I miss due to not being exposed to a larger card pool. If you see something that you think can be improved, please point it out to me! This deck is dedicated to all of you who always pick the "rogue" character in D&D/video games - Dimir is definitely your Ravnica guild.
Why I Like Playing Dimir
Why Other People Hate Dimir
Multiple Win Conditions
Our 2-drop, 3-drop, and 4-drop creatures are largely a means to an end - to trigger Sygg's card draw and bring out the bombs at 5 CMC and above. Here are the potential win conditions:
This strategy is probably a couple of levels above just playing blue/black good stuff, but there is a strong emphasis on cloning. The following list spells out the cards we're playing and their functions:
Decklist
1x Sygg, River Cutthroat
Creature (25)
2 Baleful Strix
2 Bloodghast
2 Oona's Prowler
2 Phantasmal Image
2 Reassembling Skeleton
2 Sakashima's Student
3 Herald of Torment
3 Nightveil Specter
3 Thassa, God of the Sea
3 Trinket Mage
3 Vampire Nighthawk
4 Bloodline Keeper
4 Clever Impersonator
4 Glen Elendra Archmage
4 Lazav, Dimir Mastermind
4 Master of Waves
4 Mirri the Cursed
4 Phyrexian Metamorph
4 Solemn Simulacrum
5 Mulldrifter
5 Skithiryx, the Blight Dragon
6 Arcanis the Omnipotent
6 Mikaeus, the Unhallowed
6 Deadeye Navigator
7 Silent-Blade Oni
Artifact (6)
1 Elixir of Immortality
1 Skullclamp
1 Sol Ring
2 Lightning Greaves
3 Mimic Vat
4 Perilous Vault
1x Academy Ruins
1x Bloodstained Mire
1x Bojuka Bog
1x Command Tower
1x Creeping Tar Pit
1x Darkslick Shores
1x Drowned Catacomb
1x Flooded Strand
11x Island
1x Polluted Delta
1x Reliquary Tower
9x Swamp
1x Tainted Isle
1x Tectonic Edge
1x Temple of Deceit
1x Thespian's Stage
1x Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
1x Vivid Creek
1x Vivid Marsh
1x Watery Grave
Instant (14)
0 Pact of Negation
1 Brainstorm
2 Counterspell
2 Cyclonic Rift
2 Twincast
3 Dissolve
3 Hero's Downfall
3 Hinder
3 Spell Crumple
4 Fact or Fiction
5 Desertion
5 Evacuation
5 Far // Away
8 Dig Through Time
2 Demonic Tutor
3 Toxic Deluge
4 Rite of Replication
5 Bribery
5 Devastation Tide
6 Beseech the Queen
7 Temporal Mastery
Planeswalker (4)
3 Ashiok, Nightmare Weaver
3 Jace Beleren
4 Liliana of the Dark Realms
5 Liliana Vess
Enchantment (5)
2 Psychic Surgery
3 Propaganda
4 Leyline of Anticipation
5 Exquisite Blood
5 Sanguine Bond
Link to deck @ TappedOut.net
Strategy
Early-game (Turns 1-5): Try to get a couple of draws from Sygg + one of the aggressive & evasive creatures such as: Oona's Prowler, Herald of Torment, or anything with 2-power paired with Skullclamp. I've also been considering Glen Elendra Liege but couldn't decide on what to cut.
Mid-game (Turns 6-10): You should be holding some form of counterspell to prevent 6CMC commanders from ruining your day. This would also be the time to drop a planeswalker or draw into more cards via Jace Beleren, Demonic Tutor, or Mulldrifter.
Late-game (Turns 11+): Depending on how hated you are at the table, you may want to consider either a board wipe (Evacuation or Toxic Deluge), stealing a fattie (Bribery or Ashiok, Nightmare Weaver) or combo-ing out with Sanguine Bond + Exquisite Blood.
Cards Listed by Function
Commander: Sygg, River Cutthroat is easy to cast and could trigger as early as turn 3 with the right creatures.
Sygg Enablers: Oona's Prowler, Herald of Torment, Mirri the Cursed, Creeping Tar Pit are examples of creatures that are the best aggressive package for Sygg and have enough upside to be included.
Potential Sygg Enablers with Skullclamp: Nightveil Specter, Trinket Mage, Vampire Nighthawk, Solemn Simulacrum, Mulldrifter are 2-power creatures with a ton of value, notably when they connect for lifelink and mill.
Card Draw / Tutor: Baleful Strix, Mulldrifter, Arcanis the Omnipotent, Skullclamp, Fact or Fiction, Dig Through Time, Demonic Tutor, Beseech the Queen, Jace Beleren, Liliana Vess
Card Draw with Skullclamp: Bloodghast, Reassembling Skeleton
Card Filter / Utility: Thassa, God of the Sea, Bloodline Keeper, Master of Waves, Skithiryx, the Blight Dragon, Mikaeus, the Unhallowed, Deadeye Navigator, Lightning Greaves, Brainstorm, Twincast, Hero's Downfall, Temporal Mastery, Psychic Surgery, Propaganda, Leyline of Anticipation are pretty much U/B goodstuff.
Clones / Steal: Phantasmal Image, Sakashima's Student, Clever Impersonator, Lazav, Dimir Mastermind, Phyrexian Metamorph, Silent-Blade Oni, Ashiok, Nightmare Weaver, Bribery
Recursion: Elixir of Immortality, Mimic Vat, Academy Ruins
Counter Magic: Glen Elendra Archmage, Pact of Negation, Counterspell, Dissolve, Hinder, Spell Crumple, Desertion
Ramp: Solemn Simulacrum, Sol Ring, Liliana of the Dark Realms
Board Wipe: Perilous Vault, Cyclonic Rift, Evacuation, Far // Away, Toxic Deluge, Devastation Tide
Win the Game: Rite of Replication, Exquisite Blood, Sanguine Bond
Further discussion is welcome!
EDH - Obzedat, Ghost Council of VALUETOWN BW
Modern - Rack Disruption BR
My Trading Post
EDH - Obzedat, Ghost Council of VALUETOWN BW
Modern - Rack Disruption BR
My Trading Post
Notably, I've also caved into going for the Sanguine Bond + Exquisite Blood combo as a win condition.
EDH - Obzedat, Ghost Council of VALUETOWN BW
Modern - Rack Disruption BR
My Trading Post
Time walking my way to victory
Momir Vig, Simic Visionary