If that's "too strong" for your group...then I shudder to think of what they're playing. Because, speaking as "the Kaalia guy", there is 1000% room for improvement and streamlined optimization in the list you presented.
If that's "too strong" for your group...then I shudder to think of what they're playing. Because, speaking as "the Kaalia guy", there is 1000% room for improvement and streamlined optimization in the list you presented.
Yeah, my playgroup is largely new and inexperienced players, sticking Kaalia will pretty much guarantee I run the table, even with this pile.
I would love any specific recommendations you might have, especially budget ones since I don't run this too often.
If that's "too strong" for your group...then I shudder to think of what they're playing. Because, speaking as "the Kaalia guy", there is 1000% room for improvement and streamlined optimization in the list you presented.
Yeah, my playgroup is largely new and inexperienced players, sticking Kaalia will pretty much guarantee I run the table, even with this pile.
I would love any specific recommendations you might have, especially budget ones since I don't run this too often.
Specific recommendations? My Primer is full of them (link in sig)! It has all the tools and information to make your list as strong/optimized as you want. And it also talks about the weaknesses and vulnerabilities of Kaalia, which may or may not be something you'd want to share with your group to get them to change up their decks or be otherwise better prepared for your deck. (Then if they don't take the advice, that's on them when you keep dick-kicking them into the dirt).
I even have various suggestions including themed (all demons, draconic Kaalia, etc) and a version using just Kaalia with all commons and uncommons.
I would hope that you beating them consistently will inspire them to improve their own decks. If you're interested in making your deck the best it can be, I wouldn't worry about your opponents. Just find stronger opponents.
Kaalia is definitely one of my favorite decks. While I'm not that Kaalia guy, I can offer a few suggestions. I would recommend going with exactly 20 ADD (angels/demons/dragons) to start with. You can go a bit lower or a bit higher depending on the rest of your deck.
Here are your weakest ADD:
Akroma, Angel of Fury - her mana cost is way too high for just a beater. You really want the majority of your ADD to have relevant enters the battlefield abilities or when this creature deals combat damage abilities. If they cost a horrendous amount their abilities need to be downright game winning to be justified. You want the majority of your ADD to be hardcastable.
Bladewing the Risen - he really only works in a Dragon dedicated Kaalia build. You should find yourself a Karmic Guide instead.
Blinding Angel - she's obviously great in 1v1 but I would hesitate running her in multiplayer because of her low P/T
Harvester of Souls - his lack of evasion is lamentable. I would swap this for Ob Nixilis, Unshackled when it comes out In the meantime swap for sorcery based card draw or tutors. Lord of the Void is also another fairly decent demon.
Hellkite Charger - the ability just costs too much and it can't be used the turn he comes out so chances are fairly good he's going to get removed before you have a chance to use the ability. I would swap this for Thundermaw Hellkite if you can get one.
Thanks for the great suggestions guys, between the Primer and Rowan's suggestions I've got a lot to work with.
I can already see that 2 drop mana acceleration is the way to go, and I'm not sure why I never thought to include the obvious Karmic Guide.
Also Cataclysm is an amazing card, thanks for the suggestion. I'm probably going to cut the full land destruction due to the casual nature of my playgroup, but something like Cataclysm is something I can totally justify (to myself).
Rowan's comments are mostly spot-on, although I like Blinding Angel a lot. It's a hard card to cut. Likewise Scourge of Valkas has some value, but he's like Bladewing the Risen - in a dedicated "Draconic Kaalia" this guy is better than Flametongue Kavu. I wouldn't play it outside of that though.
Akroma, Angel of Fury isn't good, but keep in mind it's a fantastic meta card for certain environments. Definitely check what's in your meta before including it (I keep one in my binder for this reason).
The one Dragon Rowan didn't mention (and arguably is playable before Balefire Dragon though this isn't a hard-and-fast rule) is Scourge of Kher Ridges. At-will Pyroclasm is very, very good, even in a deck like mine that plays small dudes like Dark Confidant.
While Rowan and I will disagree on a lot of things involving this commander, between him and I, we'll have your best interests looked out for LOL.
My Kaalia deck is a bit....unusual but very strong and fun to play.
Iona, shield of emeria- she is my anti-blue card in Kaalia. to me you should run her
I really like flameblast dragon as a fireball on a stick. good for multiplayer when you want to attack one, you can use his attack trigger and fireball someone else in the face at once.
I run cataclysm as well as Razia's Purification. both have similar effects, but puts more pressure on your opponents because they only have a choice of three permanents instead of 1 of each type. Makes my playgroup sweat bullets because they know I'm bringing the hammer while they have to think about recovery
My build only runs a few dragons, one of them being Utvara Hellkite beacuse why not multiply dragons exponentially after you wipe lands...
Archfiend of depravity is a good casual card. usually doesn't see alot of play, but he is a Razia's purification that triggers EVERY TURN
Do you get much mileage out of Stormbreath Dragon? It seems kinda underwhelming for EDH, although the damage can be substantial against heavy draw (Prime Speaker Zegana, Consecrated Sphinx etc.) in response to the Reliquary Tower/and infinite draw off. So there is potential for use but the question still remains, do you get good use out of it.
My Kaalia deck is a bit....unusual but very strong and fun to play.
Iona, shield of emeria- she is my anti-blue card in Kaalia. to me you should run her
I really like flameblast dragon as a fireball on a stick. good for multiplayer when you want to attack one, you can use his attack trigger and fireball someone else in the face at once.
I run cataclysm as well as Razia's Purification. both have similar effects, but puts more pressure on your opponents because they only have a choice of three permanents instead of 1 of each type. Makes my playgroup sweat bullets because they know I'm bringing the hammer while they have to think about recovery
My build only runs a few dragons, one of them being Utvara Hellkite beacuse why not multiply dragons exponentially after you wipe lands...
Archfiend of depravity is a good casual card. usually doesn't see alot of play, but he is a Razia's purification that triggers EVERY TURN
I used to have Iona and Razia's Purification in here, but I took them out because they felt mean. Thinking about it, I think Razia's Purification can just go right back in.
Do you get much mileage out of Stormbreath Dragon? It seems kinda underwhelming for EDH, although the damage can be substantial against heavy draw (Prime Speaker Zegana, Consecrated Sphinx etc.) in response to the Reliquary Tower/and infinite draw off. So there is potential for use but the question still remains, do you get good use out of it.
Yeah, Stormbreath Dragon is on the chopping block. It is decent, but underwhelming. I have too many Angels, Demons, and Dragons as it is.
1x Kaalia of the Vast
The Vast (30)
1x Akroma, Angel of Fury
1x Akroma, Angel of Wrath
1x Angel of Despair
1x Angel of Serenity
1x Archfiend of Depravity
1x Aurelia, the Warleader
1x Avacyn, Angel of Hope
1x Balefire Dragon
1x Blinding Angel
1x Bloodgift Demon
1x Emeria Shepherd
1x Gisela, Blade of Goldnight
1x Harvester of Souls
1x Hellkite Charger
1x Hellkite Tyrant
1x Hoard-Smelter Dragon
1x Karmic Guide
1x Kokusho, the Evening Star
1x Lord of the Void
1x Overseer of the Damned
1x Rakdos, Lord of Riots
1x Rakdos the Defiler
1x Restoration Angel
1x Reya Dawnbringer
1x Rune-Scarred Demon
1x Scourge of Kher Ridges
1x Sire Of Insanity
1x Steel Hellkite
1x Stormbreath Dragon
1x Yosei, the Morning Star
1x Bastion Protector
1x Fleshbag Marauder
1x Keldon Firebombers
1x Merciless Executioner
1x Mother of Runes
1x Urabrask the Hidden
Land (38)
1x Blood Crypt
1x Bloodstained Mire
1x Command Tower
1x Dragonskull Summit
1x Evolving Wilds
1x Fetid Heath
1x Godless Shrine
1x High Market
1x Lavaclaw Reaches
6x Mountain
1x Nomad Outpost
6x Plains
1x Sacred Foundry
1x Shambling Vent
1x Shizo, Death's Storehouse
1x Smoldering Marsh
1x Sunhome, Fortress of the Legion
6x Swamp
1x Temple of Malice
1x Temple of Silence
1x Temple of Triumph
1x Terramorphic Expanse
1x Vault of the Archangel
1x Animate Dead
1x Dance of the Dead
1x Land Tax
1x Necromancy
1x Phyrexian Arena
Artifact (12)
1x Boros Signet
1x Charcoal Diamond
1x Coldsteel Heart
1x Fellwar Stone
1x Fire Diamond
1x Lightning Greaves
1x Marble Diamond
1x Orzhov Signet
1x Rakdos Signet
1x Sol Ring
1x Sword of Feast and Famine
1x Wayfarer's Bauble
Sorcery (5)
1x Austere Command
1x Night's Whisper
1x Reanimate
1x Reforge the Soul
1x Wrath of God
Instant (3)
1x Boros Charm
1x Swords to Plowshares
1x Terminate
Big update, going to playtest it soon hopefully. I think I need more draw and could cut down on my massive flock.
Steel Sabotage'ng Orbs of Mellowness since 2011.
Yeah, my playgroup is largely new and inexperienced players, sticking Kaalia will pretty much guarantee I run the table, even with this pile.
I would love any specific recommendations you might have, especially budget ones since I don't run this too often.
Specific recommendations? My Primer is full of them (link in sig)! It has all the tools and information to make your list as strong/optimized as you want. And it also talks about the weaknesses and vulnerabilities of Kaalia, which may or may not be something you'd want to share with your group to get them to change up their decks or be otherwise better prepared for your deck. (Then if they don't take the advice, that's on them when you keep dick-kicking them into the dirt).
I even have various suggestions including themed (all demons, draconic Kaalia, etc) and a version using just Kaalia with all commons and uncommons.
Steel Sabotage'ng Orbs of Mellowness since 2011.
Kaalia is definitely one of my favorite decks. While I'm not that Kaalia guy, I can offer a few suggestions. I would recommend going with exactly 20 ADD (angels/demons/dragons) to start with. You can go a bit lower or a bit higher depending on the rest of your deck.
Here are your weakest ADD:
Akroma, Angel of Fury - her mana cost is way too high for just a beater. You really want the majority of your ADD to have relevant enters the battlefield abilities or when this creature deals combat damage abilities. If they cost a horrendous amount their abilities need to be downright game winning to be justified. You want the majority of your ADD to be hardcastable.
Bladewing the Risen - he really only works in a Dragon dedicated Kaalia build. You should find yourself a Karmic Guide instead.
Blinding Angel - she's obviously great in 1v1 but I would hesitate running her in multiplayer because of her low P/T
Eternal Dragon - Cut this for some card draw. Faithless Looting, Wheel of Fortune, Necrologia, or Phyrexian Arena. Alternatively, you can increase your tutor count.
Harvester of Souls - his lack of evasion is lamentable. I would swap this for Ob Nixilis, Unshackled when it comes out In the meantime swap for sorcery based card draw or tutors. Lord of the Void is also another fairly decent demon.
Hellkite Charger - the ability just costs too much and it can't be used the turn he comes out so chances are fairly good he's going to get removed before you have a chance to use the ability. I would swap this for Thundermaw Hellkite if you can get one.
Malfegor - The One with Nothing effect is unnecessary. Just go with a solid board wipe spell. Cataclysm, Austere Command, Earthquake, Toxic Deluge, and Decree of Pain are all pretty solid choices.
Mana-Charged Dragon - this one can get cut completely for ramp, draw, or tutors
Oros, the Avenger - go with Balefire Dragon
Reya Dawnbringer - she just costs too much for what you are getting. The effect is too slow. Archangel of Thune or Karmic Guide will serve you better.
Scourge of Valkas - this is another one that's just bad.
Seizan, Perverter of Truth - I'd cut this for sorcery based draw.
That's about all I have time for at the moment. I'm sure 3drinks will be back in here to chastise you some more
MY PRIMER ON NIV-MIZZET, THE FIREMIND, MY CUSTOM CARDS ON DEVIANTART
My other decks:
Kaalia of the Vast: Certified Air Raid Material
Prossh, Skyraider of Kher: NOM NOM NOM!
Aurelia, the Warleader: Warclamp
I can already see that 2 drop mana acceleration is the way to go, and I'm not sure why I never thought to include the obvious Karmic Guide.
Also Cataclysm is an amazing card, thanks for the suggestion. I'm probably going to cut the full land destruction due to the casual nature of my playgroup, but something like Cataclysm is something I can totally justify (to myself).
Akroma, Angel of Fury isn't good, but keep in mind it's a fantastic meta card for certain environments. Definitely check what's in your meta before including it (I keep one in my binder for this reason).
The one Dragon Rowan didn't mention (and arguably is playable before Balefire Dragon though this isn't a hard-and-fast rule) is Scourge of Kher Ridges. At-will Pyroclasm is very, very good, even in a deck like mine that plays small dudes like Dark Confidant.
While Rowan and I will disagree on a lot of things involving this commander, between him and I, we'll have your best interests looked out for LOL.
Steel Sabotage'ng Orbs of Mellowness since 2011.
1x Bladewing the Risen
1x Malfegor
1x Scourge of Valkas
1x Armillary Sphere
1x Dreamstone Hedron
1x Boom // Bust
1x Catastrophe
1x Karmic Guide
1x Mother of Runes
1x Scourge of Kher Ridges
1x Charcoal Diamond
1x Fire Diamond
1x Marble Diamond
1x Obzedat's Aid
I've made a few changes based on the suggestions. I added some more early ramp and cut some of the weaker dragons.
I'm also cutting down on LD so this deck plays better in my new playgroup.
There are some more changes to come, thank you for the suggestions.
Still keeping it pretty casual, so much has changed that posting the full changelist would be meaningless.
I think I need some more draw, and I could definitely tone down the size of the flock. Not sure I need 30 of them lol.
I'm thinking of cutting down on my ramp a little bit too, probably dumping the diamonds.
Iona, shield of emeria- she is my anti-blue card in Kaalia. to me you should run her
I really like flameblast dragon as a fireball on a stick. good for multiplayer when you want to attack one, you can use his attack trigger and fireball someone else in the face at once.
I run cataclysm as well as Razia's Purification. both have similar effects, but puts more pressure on your opponents because they only have a choice of three permanents instead of 1 of each type. Makes my playgroup sweat bullets because they know I'm bringing the hammer while they have to think about recovery
My build only runs a few dragons, one of them being Utvara Hellkite beacuse why not multiply dragons exponentially after you wipe lands...
Archfiend of depravity is a good casual card. usually doesn't see alot of play, but he is a Razia's purification that triggers EVERY TURN
just some of my thoughts. also think about running a library lock combo Stranglehold plus either Maralen of the moorsong or Aven mindscensor. not a combo to rely on, but if you hit it, win the game.
(W/U)(B/R)GForm of Progenitus, Shape of a Scrubland
BRGJund Tokens with Prossh, the Magic Dragon Foil
URGAnimar, the RUG CleanerFoil
RRRFeldon of the Third Path 2.0 Foil
BG(B/G)Not Another Meren DeckFoil
UR(U/R)Mizzix, Y Control and X Burn Spells
(W/U)(B/R)GHarold Ramos - The 35 Foot Long Twinkie (In +1/+1 counters)
UB(U/B)Dragonlord Silumgar
I used to have Iona and Razia's Purification in here, but I took them out because they felt mean. Thinking about it, I think Razia's Purification can just go right back in.
Yeah, Stormbreath Dragon is on the chopping block. It is decent, but underwhelming. I have too many Angels, Demons, and Dragons as it is.