So I'm wanting to do a Zurgo deck, but I don't know what kind of style is best. Voltron seems like a good route - accelerate for Zurgo, windmill a wrath and smash.
Aggro/tokens also seem fun. Here's a prototype voltron list. Totally open to other styles of play with this commander.
Looking to keep non-land list under $100. It's around $90 or so now.
Assault Suit is suggested for pretty much every Zurgo deck. It basically gives him extra combat phases, makes his indestructibility permanent, and makes sure he can't be sacced either way. It's a cheap card too.
I also like Tajic for another Worldslayer target/indestructible beater. The Gods aren't too expensive either if you're willing to drop like $5/ea (roughly). Iroas is just great for combat, Erebos is a solid Greed replacement.
Arcbond is pretty great. Your opponent blocks Zurgo, Arcbond him, he wipes a ton of the board and gets tons of +1/+1 counters.
Aurelia the Warleader is also just good.
EDIT: Hero's Blade is also pretty good. Comes out before Zurgo and has him swinging for 10 the turn he's cast.
Things that give him evasion are solid too since you don't have many trample enablers and he can be chumped easily (he'll get stronger but won't deal damage). Trailblazer's Boots is good, Whispersilk Cloak is good too.
Assault Suit is suggested for pretty much every Zurgo deck. It basically gives him extra combat phases, makes his indestructibility permanent, and makes sure he can't be sacced either way. It's a cheap card too.
I also like Tajic for another Worldslayer target/indestructible beater. The Gods aren't too expensive either if you're willing to drop like $5/ea (roughly). Iroas is just great for combat, Erebos is a solid Greed replacement.
Arcbond is pretty great. Your opponent blocks Zurgo, Arcbond him, he wipes a ton of the board and gets tons of +1/+1 counters.
Aurelia the Warleader is also just good.
EDIT: Hero's Blade is also pretty good. Comes out before Zurgo and has him swinging for 10 the turn he's cast.
Things that give him evasion are solid too since you don't have many trample enablers and he can be chumped easily (he'll get stronger but won't deal damage). Trailblazer's Boots is good, Whispersilk Cloak is good too.
-Fellwar Stone
-Expedition Map
-Greed
-Smoke
+Trailblazer's Boots
+Arcbond
+Erebos, God of the Dead
+Assault Suit
Look good? Should I add more creatures for Tajic, or is that enough?
+Trailblazer's Boots
+Arcbond
+Erebos, God of the Dead
+Assault Suit
Look good? Should I add more creatures for Tajic, or is that enough?
I really only suggest Tajic because he's cheap, on-color, and has indestructible. You can win the game by hitting someone consistently for 2 damage with Worldslayer if needs be.
Also I forgot to suggest Soul of New Phyrexia. It's solid on its own but making your mass board wipes one-sided is game-ending. At 6 mana it's rather inexpensive to get out early too and it'll fulfill its roll even if it gets countered or removed anyway (minus exiling).
I know the deck is rather budget, but the latest Duel Decks are coming out and there's a Mother of Runes in there. She's just better than Devoted Caretaker. The latest Elspeth might also work since she has a boardwipe on a stick and most of your mass boardwipes (Obliterate, Jokulhaups, etc) miss Planeswalkers.
I based my Zurgo deck on the Orc army from THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES (not yet published). It wins either via commander damage or its 20-count creature suite of Orcs, Goblins, Wurms, and Wargs; disrupting the game with Stax effects and mass (land) removal. I run even more artifacts (24) than I do creatures (15 of them mana rocks), and an extremely low land count (33). The deck has a few different ways to close out the game with Zurgo, including trample, double strike, and huge buffs. If you'd like more details, let me know.
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+Trailblazer's Boots
+Arcbond
+Erebos, God of the Dead
+Assault Suit
Look good? Should I add more creatures for Tajic, or is that enough?
I really only suggest Tajic because he's cheap, on-color, and has indestructible. You can win the game by hitting someone consistently for 2 damage with Worldslayer if needs be.
Also I forgot to suggest Soul of New Phyrexia. It's solid on its own but making your mass board wipes one-sided is game-ending. At 6 mana it's rather inexpensive to get out early too and it'll fulfill its roll even if it gets countered or removed anyway (minus exiling).
I know the deck is rather budget, but the latest Duel Decks are coming out and there's a Mother of Runes in there. She's just better than Devoted Caretaker. The latest Elspeth might also work since she has a boardwipe on a stick and most of your mass boardwipes (Obliterate, Jokulhaups, etc) miss Planeswalkers.
I'm not in a hurry. I might wait out the duel decks. If Mother goes down, then great, if not, I'll probably just bite the bullet and order a single of her anyway. She's really, really good.
SoNP sounds neat though. One-sided board wipes are always good!
I based my Zurgo deck on the Orc army from THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES (not yet published). It wins either via commander damage or its 20-count creature suite of Orcs, Goblins, Wurms, and Wargs; disrupting the game with Stax effects and mass (land) removal. I run even more artifacts (24) than I do creatures (15 of them mana rocks), and an extremely low land count (33). The deck has a few different ways to close out the game with Zurgo, including trample, double strike, and huge buffs. If you'd like more details, let me know.
If you have a list, I would love to take a look at it~
I threw together a budget stax-y list for Zurgo, but it's still relatively expensive and I'm not really confident in piloting it. Despite being on MTGSalv for a while, I don't have much experience, much less experience with a variety of EDH decks. Last time I put together a stax list was with Glissa. Apparently it wasn't all that great. Yeah I'm bad haha. I definitely want to put together a halfway-decent Zurgo list, stax or no stax.
I like Rogue's Passage for decks that deal commander damage. Cheap, hard to remove.
Your list may benefit from more threats. If Zurgo is dealt with a couple times you start needing to fall back on other creatures, especially if you cannot afford the expensive cards that help make Zurgo harder to deal with. Cards like Grave Titan and Rune-Scarred Demon are always useful and double as big creatures. If your budget can afford anything like that I would suggest them.
Lastly, Most of my red decks have Comet Storm in them. I know it is a personal choice, but instant speed damage that can double as removal is very useful. Banefire is another useful card, especially if countermagic is prevalent.
I run a Zurgo deck that is pretty rude, and I only play with my regular playgroup since it involves some mass land destruction.
That being said 2 cards I consider "Fair" mass land destruction that are super nice in a Zurgo deck are Wildfire, and Destructive Force. If you manage to curve out with those the game is pretty much over. you will get to take out who ever is recovering with a few zurgo swings then clean up the rest. My deck also runs a ton of cheap aggro creatures so my follow up is usually a lot stronger than my opponents.
I mostly built the deck because my playgroup was getting way out of hand just doing nothing early game and some one just winning after they start casting the huge mana spells. I wasn't having fun playing a game only to lose when 1 person casts 1 Insurrection.
Anyways if your playgroup is ok with land destruction I suggest at least including a Wildfire and perhaps a Repercussion.
I like Rogue's Passage for decks that deal commander damage. Cheap, hard to remove.
Your list may benefit from more threats. If Zurgo is dealt with a couple times you start needing to fall back on other creatures, especially if you cannot afford the expensive cards that help make Zurgo harder to deal with. Cards like Grave Titan and Rune-Scarred Demon are always useful and double as big creatures. If your budget can afford anything like that I would suggest them.
Lastly, Most of my red decks have Comet Storm in them. I know it is a personal choice, but instant speed damage that can double as removal is very useful. Banefire is another useful card, especially if countermagic is prevalent.
I have a copy of Rune-Scarred lying around. Adding. Also adding Rogue's Passage.
I run a Zurgo deck that is pretty rude, and I only play with my regular playgroup since it involves some mass land destruction.
That being said 2 cards I consider "Fair" mass land destruction that are super nice in a Zurgo deck are Wildfire, and Destructive Force. If you manage to curve out with those the game is pretty much over. you will get to take out who ever is recovering with a few zurgo swings then clean up the rest. My deck also runs a ton of cheap aggro creatures so my follow up is usually a lot stronger than my opponents.
I mostly built the deck because my playgroup was getting way out of hand just doing nothing early game and some one just winning after they start casting the huge mana spells. I wasn't having fun playing a game only to lose when 1 person casts 1 Insurrection.
Anyways if your playgroup is ok with land destruction I suggest at least including a Wildfire and perhaps a Repercussion.
MLD should be fine as long as I plan to win ASAP. Slamming down MLD and twiddling your thumbs so everyone gets assmad is not the way to do things IMO.
Adding Armageddon.
I added a new list in the OP. Not sure if I made the deck better or worse lol.
Aggro/tokens also seem fun. Here's a prototype voltron list. Totally open to other styles of play with this commander.
Looking to keep non-land list under $100. It's around $90 or so now.
1x Devoted Caretaker
1x Figure of Destiny
1x Magus of the Abyss
1x Merciless Executioner
1x Puresteel Paladin
1x Silverblade Paladin
1x Solemn Simulacrum
1x Stonehewer Giant
1x Taj-Nar Swordsmith
1x Gratuitous Violence
1x Greed
1x Oblivion Ring
1x Phyrexian Arena
1x Boros Charm
1x Chaos Warp
1x Condemn
1x Crackling Doom
1x Mortify
1x Return to Dust
1x Savage Beating
1x Sudden Spoiling
1x Swords to Plowshares
1x Terminate
1x Unmake
1x Utter End
1x Catastrophe
1x Day of Judgment
1x Diabolic Tutor
1x Dimir Machinations
1x Jokulhaups
1x Night's Whisper
1x Obliterate
1x Read the Bones
1x Relentless Assault
1x Rout
1x Steelshaper's Gift
1x World at War
1x Wrath of God
1x Boros Signet
1x Chromatic Lantern
1x Darksteel Ingot
1x Fellwar Stone
1x Fireshrieker
1x Gilded Lotus
1x Grappling Hook
1x Inquisitor's Flail
1x Kusari-Gama
1x Loxodon Warhammer
1x Nevinyrral's Disk
1x O-Naginata
1x Orzhov Signet
1x Rakdos Signet
1x Sol Ring
1x Sunforger
1x Swiftfoot Boots
1x Sword of Vengeance
1x Talisman of Indulgence
1x Tenza, Godo's Maul
1x Worldslayer
Figure of Destiny: Mana sink/blocking/beats.
Merciless Executioner: Good card but I'm not sure it belongs here - no way to abuse.
Magus of the Abyss: Ditto.
Greed: Just some reusable draw power.
Dimir Machinations: Probably shouldn't be here. Mostly just to tutor for Funforger.
I really need a backup plan if I do go the voltron route.
1 Aurelia, the Warleader
1 Devoted Caretaker
1 Dimir House Guard
1 Dwarven Miner
1 Figure of Destiny
1 Fleshbag Marauder
1 Grand Abolisher
1 Leonin Abunas
1 Magus of the Abyss
1 Puresteel Paladin
1 Silverblade Paladin
1 Stonehewer Giant
1 Sun Titan
1 Taj-Nar Swordsmith
//Equipment:
1 Fireshrieker
1 Grappling Hook
1 Inquisitor's Flail
1 Kusari-Gama
1 Loxodon Warhammer
1 O-Naginata
1 Sunforger
1 Swiftfoot Boots
1 Sword of Vengeance
1 Tenza, Godo's Maul
1 Worldslayer
//Artifacts:
1 Boros Signet
1 Rakdos Signet
1 Orzhov Signet
1 Chromatic Lantern
1 Darksteel Ingot
1 Expedition Map
1 Fellwar Stone
1 Gilded Lotus
1 Nevinyrral's Disk
1 Sol Ring
1 Talisman of Indulgence
1 Cataclysm
1 Day of Judgment
1 Diabolic Tutor
1 Dimir Machinations
1 Dreadbore
1 Jokulhaups
1 Read the Bones
1 Steelshaper's Gift
1 Vandalblast
1 World at War
1 Wrath of God
//Instants:
1 Boros Charm
1 Chaos Warp
1 Disenchant
1 Mortify
1 Return to Dust
1 Savage Beating
1 Swords to Plowshares
1 Utter End
//Enchantments:
1 Gratuitous Violence
1 Oblivion Ring
1 Phyrexian Arena
1 Smoke
1 Spectra Ward
1 True Conviction
//Lands:
1 Blood Crypt
1 Caves of Koilos
1 Clifftop Retreat
1 Command Tower
1 Dragonskull Summit
1 Evolving Wilds
1 Godless Shrine
1 Isolated Chapel
1 Kher Keep
6 Mountain
1 Nomad Outpost
11 Plains
1 Sacred Foundry
1 Sulfurous Springs
1 Sunhome, Fortress of the Legion
5 Swamp
1 Temple of the False God
1 Terramorphic Expanse
1 Wind-Scarred Crag
1 Mother of Runes
2 Dwarven Miner
2 Grand Abolisher
2 Puresteel Paladin
3 Viashino Heretic
3 Silverblade Paladin
4 Leonin Abunas
4 Erebos, God of the Dead
4 Taj-Nar Swordsmith
5 Stonehewer Giant
6 Sun Titan
6 Soul of New Phyrexia
6 Aurelia, the Warleader
7 Rune-Scarred Demon
//Equipment:
1 O-Naginata
2 Trailblazer's Boots
2 Swiftfoot Boots
3 Whispersilk Cloak
3 Fireshrieker
3 Sunforger
3 Kusari-Gama
3 Loxodon Warhammer
3 Sword of Vengeance
3 Tenza, Godo's Maul
4 Assault Suit
4 Grappling Hook
5 Worldslayer
1 Expedition Map
1 Sol Ring
2 Talisman of Indulgence
2 Boros Signet
2 Orzhov Signet
2 Rakdos Signet
3 Chromatic Lantern
3 Darksteel Ingot
4 Nevinyrral's Disk
5 Gilded Lotus
//Instants:
1 Swords to Plowshares
2 Boros Charm
3 Mortify
3 Chaos Warp
3 Arcbond
3 Wear // Tear
4 Return to Dust
4 Utter End
5 Savage Beating
//Sorceries:
1 Steelshaper's Gift
2 Dreadbore
3 Read the Bones
4 Armageddon
4 Cataclysm
4 Day of Judgment
4 Diabolic Tutor
4 Wrath of God
4 Seize the Day
5 Vandalblast
5 World at War
6 Jokulhaups
3 Oblivion Ring
3 Phyrexian Arena
5 Spectra Ward
//Lands:
0 Blood Crypt
0 Caves of Koilos
0 Clifftop Retreat
0 Command Tower
0 Dragonskull Summit
0 Evolving Wilds
0 Godless Shrine
0 Isolated Chapel
7 Mountain
0 Nomad Outpost
11 Plains
0 Rogue's Passage
0 Sacred Foundry
0 Sulfurous Springs
0 Sunhome, Fortress of the Legion
4 Swamp
0 Temple of the False God
0 Terramorphic Expanse
0 Wind-Scarred Crag
Average CMC: 3.28
Still rough. I think I have too many mana rocks.
I also like Tajic for another Worldslayer target/indestructible beater. The Gods aren't too expensive either if you're willing to drop like $5/ea (roughly). Iroas is just great for combat, Erebos is a solid Greed replacement.
Arcbond is pretty great. Your opponent blocks Zurgo, Arcbond him, he wipes a ton of the board and gets tons of +1/+1 counters.
Aurelia the Warleader is also just good.
EDIT: Hero's Blade is also pretty good. Comes out before Zurgo and has him swinging for 10 the turn he's cast.
Things that give him evasion are solid too since you don't have many trample enablers and he can be chumped easily (he'll get stronger but won't deal damage). Trailblazer's Boots is good, Whispersilk Cloak is good too.
-Fellwar Stone
-Expedition Map
-Greed
-Smoke
+Trailblazer's Boots
+Arcbond
+Erebos, God of the Dead
+Assault Suit
Look good? Should I add more creatures for Tajic, or is that enough?
I really only suggest Tajic because he's cheap, on-color, and has indestructible. You can win the game by hitting someone consistently for 2 damage with Worldslayer if needs be.
Also I forgot to suggest Soul of New Phyrexia. It's solid on its own but making your mass board wipes one-sided is game-ending. At 6 mana it's rather inexpensive to get out early too and it'll fulfill its roll even if it gets countered or removed anyway (minus exiling).
I know the deck is rather budget, but the latest Duel Decks are coming out and there's a Mother of Runes in there. She's just better than Devoted Caretaker. The latest Elspeth might also work since she has a boardwipe on a stick and most of your mass boardwipes (Obliterate, Jokulhaups, etc) miss Planeswalkers.
I'm not in a hurry. I might wait out the duel decks. If Mother goes down, then great, if not, I'll probably just bite the bullet and order a single of her anyway. She's really, really good.
SoNP sounds neat though. One-sided board wipes are always good!
If you have a list, I would love to take a look at it~
I threw together a budget stax-y list for Zurgo, but it's still relatively expensive and I'm not really confident in piloting it. Despite being on MTGSalv for a while, I don't have much experience, much less experience with a variety of EDH decks. Last time I put together a stax list was with Glissa. Apparently it wasn't all that great. Yeah I'm bad haha. I definitely want to put together a halfway-decent Zurgo list, stax or no stax.
Your list may benefit from more threats. If Zurgo is dealt with a couple times you start needing to fall back on other creatures, especially if you cannot afford the expensive cards that help make Zurgo harder to deal with. Cards like Grave Titan and Rune-Scarred Demon are always useful and double as big creatures. If your budget can afford anything like that I would suggest them.
Lastly, Most of my red decks have Comet Storm in them. I know it is a personal choice, but instant speed damage that can double as removal is very useful. Banefire is another useful card, especially if countermagic is prevalent.
That being said 2 cards I consider "Fair" mass land destruction that are super nice in a Zurgo deck are Wildfire, and Destructive Force. If you manage to curve out with those the game is pretty much over. you will get to take out who ever is recovering with a few zurgo swings then clean up the rest. My deck also runs a ton of cheap aggro creatures so my follow up is usually a lot stronger than my opponents.
I mostly built the deck because my playgroup was getting way out of hand just doing nothing early game and some one just winning after they start casting the huge mana spells. I wasn't having fun playing a game only to lose when 1 person casts 1 Insurrection.
Anyways if your playgroup is ok with land destruction I suggest at least including a Wildfire and perhaps a Repercussion.
I have a copy of Rune-Scarred lying around. Adding. Also adding Rogue's Passage.
MLD should be fine as long as I plan to win ASAP. Slamming down MLD and twiddling your thumbs so everyone gets assmad is not the way to do things IMO.
Adding Armageddon.
I added a new list in the OP. Not sure if I made the deck better or worse lol.