I've been wanting to build this deck ever since Birthing Pod was banned in Modern and became affordable. After puca-trading for a Crucible of Worlds I finally decided to break down my lackluster The Mimeoplasm build and take the plunge! I love the deck - it's very fun to pilot and leads to lots of interesting decision points.
I would love some help tuning it while cutting "feel bad" cards, for example: Yosei, the Morning Star which I recently cut. I'm shooting for smooth running/efficient but not oppressive!
I don't think I'm really breaking any new ground here but it does feel like it will be my kind of deck. Basically I tried to set up resilient/diverse Birthing Pod chains which will also fuel a cheaper Karador, Ghost Chieftain.
Because I really do want to make sure I can find a Birthing Pod each game I'm running a higher number of tutors that I usually would: Demonic Tutor, Dimir House Guard, and Enlightened Tutor, so far.
I tried to include a diverse set of options at each level of the Pod chain:
Fierce Empath can skip me to a different spot in my chain (or more often find me a fatty), which is cool. Restoration Angel and Stonecloaker can get me another come into/leave the battlefield effects and protect threats from spot removal.
I know I am leaning pretty heavily on getting Pod and keeping it around. I have a lot of ways to get it out of my graveyard, but what should I do if it's exiled? I don't think it's game over, but it ain't good. Is it worth running Claws of Gix or a protection enchantment?
I'm running 6 fetches + Krosan Verge to fish out extra lands, the one mana cycling lands for a bit of card advantage, Ghost Quarter and Strip Mine for some repeatable non-basic land destruction, and Buried Ruin to recover any blown up artifacts (Pod).
Changes 4/2/16:
- Diabolic Tutor A good budget option, but I traded up.
- Yosei, the Morning Star Undoubtedly a strong choice, but usually leads to groans. Violates the social contract IMO.
- Courser of Kruphix alfindeol is right, it doesn't really synergize with my build. I included it when I was trying to do too much (Pod + Lands).
+ Demonic Tutor Sweet card selection.
+ Enlightened Tutor Another efficient way to find Pod.
+ Grim Haruspex I can't believe I forgot to include him the first time - thanks to everyone who suggested him!
Yavimaya Granger, Gray Merchant of Asphodel, and Trostani, Selesnya's Voice could be added. They all do major work in my Karador deck. Granger is better than something like Farseek since you want as many creatures as possible, and Merchant and Trostani can gain you insane amounts of life, especially if you Living Death them into play. I've had plays like that where I get them both back and gain 200+ life.
Skyshroud Claim is a good one. I don't see why you would play Deadly Tempest. Looks awful. Damnation is just superior. Survival of the Fittest *****s on Evolutionary Leap. Demonic Tutor>Diabolic Tutor. Should play Vampiric Tutor. Stoneforge to get clamp is great. Your curve is really high.
I've gotten a few reps with this deck in and have made a bunch of changes (which I haven't kept a changelog for, sorry). Thanks for all the suggestions!
Yavimaya Granger, Gray Merchant of Asphodel, and Trostani, Selesnya's Voice could be added. They all do major work in my Karador deck. Granger is better than something like Farseek since you want as many creatures as possible, and Merchant and Trostani can gain you insane amounts of life, especially if you Living Death them into play. I've had plays like that where I get them both back and gain 200+ life.
Yavimaya Granger is a good one - I like that it sacs itself so I added it! Gray Merchant is in my Mono-black build and I don't think I want to double up - plus I haven't felt like I've had a lot of B symbols at once so far. Trostani, Selesnya's Voice I run in Marath and is good, but if I'm resolving a big Living Death I don't know if I'm concerned with my life total.
Hello and welcome it's nice to have another Karador player!
Birthing Pod is an amazing card and incredibly fun to play with. It also fits in great with Karador by incentivizing you to load up your graveyard, cast Karador, then recur all of your fallen creatures. This makes Enter the Battlefield and Leave the Battlefield effects far more desirable than normal.
Glancing at your list some easy cards to add are:
Yavimaya Elder is great to mana fix plus draws a card and it has a built in sacrifice ability.
Fauna Shaman is a Survival of the Fittest on a stick and serves as a way to load up the graveyard for your reanimator spells and tutors up silver bullets.
Acidic Slime definitely deserves some consideration as it can hit annoying lands in addition to artifacts and enchantments.
If you run Crucible and Life from the Loam I really like Dust Bowl and Strip Mine to deal with all of the utility lands you see.Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth is also a must include.
Demonic Tutor is an amazing card, while a little pricey it adds so much to the deck and is a format staple. I would consider investing in it if you plan on building more black decks.
Diabolic Intent is also a great tutor and we can mitigate the additional cost and usually squeeze some extra value out of it as well!
For the true Pod lover Enlightened Tutor can give you easy access to Pod and some powerful enchantments that Junk has to offer.
Sidisi, Undead Vizier is an acceptable budget alternative that plays to Karador's strengths and leaves behind a 4/6 deathtouching body
Beast Within for unconditional permanent removal or Utter End for a slightly more expensive and restrictive alternative.
Would consider removing Taj-Nar Swordsmith and Lightning Greaves, they don't have a ton of synergy with Karador. If you are concerned with exiling removal effects I like Claws of Gix as a protective measure instead.
Not a huge fan of False Prophet nor any other self exiling effect as it makes it almost impossible to recur later in the game however it is a Final Judgment on a creature.
There could be more ramp added to the deck along with some more versatile sweepers but the addition of tutors can reduce the amount of slots you have to devote to each. Land count should be upped probably to 38-39 to ensure you hit your land drops and can utilize Knight of the Reliquary effectively. Good luck and happy brewing!
Thanks! I'm really enjoying grindy Karador so far!
Thanks for your help with the cuts especially, they are always the hardest for me. I'm going to keep Slum Reaper because I don't necessarily want the effect redundant at 3 CMC - I like being able to pod a 3-dorp into a 4. So far it seems good but I'll keep an eye on it. False Prophet - I don't believe this exiles itself, am I wrong? I know it could nuke my whole field but being able to deal with indestructible creatures is really important and podding this into a 5 has got to be amazing. I know that Taj-Nar Swordsmith and Lightning Greaves don't have a ton of synergy with Karador but I've found keeping my velocity high can be hard without U draw power - Taj-Nar finds Skullclamp, one of my favorite cards in Karador. Greaves are basically my only way of getting haste.
I like the idea of Blood Artist or Zulaport Cutthroat. I kind of prefer to win through combat, but I'm going to keep an open mind about it because it seems like Karador is better with a bunch of small dudes than all the top-end beef I'm currently running. Thanks!
Skyshroud Claim is a good one. I don't see why you would play Deadly Tempest. Looks awful. Damnation is just superior. Survival of the Fittest *****s on Evolutionary Leap. Demonic Tutor>Diabolic Tutor. Should play Vampiric Tutor. Stoneforge to get clamp is great. Your curve is really high.
All good, if expensive suggestions. I have Demo/Vamp Tutor on my Puca-want list. Hopefully I'll be able to snag them. Is Survival on the Reserved List? I doubt I'll ever get one if it's not reprinted.
Hi, long long time lurker who's finally decided to post. It's nice to find another Karador player, especially one not specifically built for the boonweaver combo
I'll also second a lot of the suggestions already made by Fiddlers_Green, Yavimaya Elder is truly excellent, and being able to Pod chain into a Acidic Slime to kill a problem is amazing.
A few suggestions from my own build that come to mind (it's currently going through alterations, may post a list once i'm happy with it)
Where ever possible, if I can get the effect i'm looking for on a creature, rather than a spell, then that's the way I've gone, my playgroup is slightly more on the casual side of things, so our games tend to go fairly long.
Hythonia the Cruel, her ability is expensive, but a wrath on deathtouching legs, that Karador can recur when required has served me well.
Grim Haruspex, this will draw you a silly amount of cards if it sticks for any length of time.
Mindslicer, the bane of control and combo, we basically use our graveyard as a second hand anyway, so forcing the whole table to ditch their hands can really neuter people's plans.
Resolute Archangel, "What am I on? 12, okay, cast Archangel from Graveyard, go up to 40" Will put a massive smile on your face, that's for sure.
I'm glad you came out from the shadows! Acidic Slime seems good for some versatility so I added it!
Grim Haruspex is worth some consideration - I've been feeling like my draw power is a bit lackluster. Similarly, Resolute Archangel might be worth a thought - I currently run Thragtusk in part for that and Archangel does it better, albeit conditionally and for a mana more. Re: Mindslicer definitely good but it doesn't seem like a very fun card!
Ooooohhh Karador... I love Karador. My list is still a little rough, but here are some cards I think are fun. Kokusho, the Evening Star: This is a beater a life gainer and win con. It's also a dragon, and dragons are cool. Blade of Selves: I only hate attacking when it doesn't make a bunch of whatever creature I slap it on. It really isn't for damage .. it's for ETB/LTB effects. There should be an achievement card for doing this with a Kamigawa dragon. Matter Reshaper: A new kid on the block, but he seems awesome here. At worst, he draws when he dies. At best, you a free pod target.
These are a few that I really enjoy.... I love the deck... Karador is fun.
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EDH Decks UWB Oloro, Ageless Ascetic's spring of life RUG Animar, Soul of the Elements and friends... lots of them WBG Karador king of two worlds (value and attrition) WRKalemne's Angels BRUG Yidris's Wild Party UWBR Breya's Terrifying Tinker Toys UBRThe Pretender
I'm with you fatsnorlax, this deck is really a blast to play. Birthing Pod just gives you so many decision points/versatility if it sticks around, and the longer the games go the better Karador gets!
Kokusho, the Evening Star would be pretty good, but I already run him in my mono-black build and I don't want to be too repetitive.
I agree that Blade of Selves would be worth a slot - I've been trying to trade for copies and I'll try it out if I can pick one up! I don't think I run enough colorless sources for Matter Reshaper - currently 6. I don't think it's worth sacrificing consistency to add in colorless sources for a small value card, but I'll definitely think about it!
Just an FYI, don't cut False Prophet. It's an all-star since you can usually just sac everything to make sure nothing at all gets exiled.
I've found Grim Haruspex to be quite good in the deck.
I'd recommend cutting Courser of Kruphix. He's not a bad card, but you generate no value from recurring him. Consider Carrion Feeder as another cheap, creature based sac outlet.
Just an FYI, don't cut False Prophet. It's an all-star since you can usually just sac everything to make sure nothing at all gets exiled.
I've found Grim Haruspex to be quite good in the deck.
I'd recommend cutting Courser of Kruphix. He's not a bad card, but you generate no value from recurring him. Consider Carrion Feeder as another cheap, creature based sac outlet.
I also have been pleased with Prophet. So far it hasn't bitten me, but I'm keeping an eye on it. Exiling instead of destroying can be a double-edged sword, but so far it has done more for me than against me. Courser/Haruspex are good calls - thanks!
False Prophet doesn't exile himself but I find it hard to use him effectively as a wrath and also keep a sac outlet up. I'd rather run a generic wrath that I can use at will (Wrath of God, Austere Command) but I can see the benefits of running him.
Unfortunately Survival of the Fittest IS on the Reserved List but it's a total powerhouse! Definitely would recommend trying to pick one up.
Survival and Sylvan Library are on my PucaTrade Wants list... fingers crossed!
Thanks for the suggestions - E Tutor and Haruspex are in. I already run Arena/Clamp and personally I don't like Top, even though it's excellent, because it just slows the game down. If I find I need even more draw power I will think about Greed/Erebos =]
Changes 4/2/16:
- Diabolic Tutor A good budget option, but I traded up.
- Yosei, the Morning Star Undoubtedly a strong choice, but usually leads to groans. Violates the social contract IMO.
- Courser of Kruphix alfindeol is right, it doesn't really synergize with my build. I included it when I was trying to do too much (Pod + Lands).
+ Demonic Tutor Sweet card selection.
+ Enlightened Tutor Another efficient way to find Pod.
+ Grim Haruspex I can't believe I forgot to include him the first time - thanks to everyone who suggested him!
I've been wanting to build this deck ever since Birthing Pod was banned in Modern and became affordable. After puca-trading for a Crucible of Worlds I finally decided to break down my lackluster The Mimeoplasm build and take the plunge! I love the deck - it's very fun to pilot and leads to lots of interesting decision points.
I would love some help tuning it while cutting "feel bad" cards, for example: Yosei, the Morning Star which I recently cut. I'm shooting for smooth running/efficient but not oppressive!
Currently I'm considering running a Dark Depths/Thespian's Stage package with Expedition Map/Realms Uncharted/Knight of the Reliquary. It seems really fun. I am worried about the number of basics I'm running - it feels like I'm trying to do too much. Thoughts? I'm also wondering if Blighted Woodland deserves a spot?
Thanks for your help!
I tried to include a diverse set of options at each level of the Pod chain:
There are a few graveyard builds in my meta so I'm running quite a bit of GY hate. I prefer more targeted GY hate (Scavenging Ooze)but I am considering Angel of Finality for an even more one-sided Living Death. GY recursion is also a heavy (too heavy?) theme expressed in Eternal Witness, Karmic Guide, Reveillark, Sun Titan etc.
I tried to vary my forms of removal at each level: Reclamation Sage/Qasali Pridemage take care of pesky artifacts/enchantments, Fleshbag Marauder/Archon of Justice deal with indestructible threats, False Prophet punishes those who attempt to go wide.
Fierce Empath can skip me to a different spot in my chain (or more often find me a fatty), which is cool. Restoration Angel and Stonecloaker can get me another come into/leave the battlefield effects and protect threats from spot removal.
I know I am leaning pretty heavily on getting Pod and keeping it around. I have a lot of ways to get it out of my graveyard, but what should I do if it's exiled? I don't think it's game over, but it ain't good. Is it worth running Claws of Gix or a protection enchantment?
Secondarily, Life from the Loam, Rings of Brighthearth, and Crucible of Worlds net me a lot of value.
8 Karador, Ghost Chieftain
Draw (3):
1 Skullclamp
2 Evolutionary Leap
3 Phyrexian Arena
Loam Package (3):
2 Life from the Loam
3 Crucible of Worlds
3 Rings of Brighthearth
Tutor (4):
1 Enlightened Tutor
2 Demonic Tutor
3 Buried Alive
4 Birthing Pod
CMC 1 (2):
1 Spore Frog
1 Viscera Seer
CMC 2 (5):
2 Sakura-Tribe Elder
2 Satyr Wayfinder
2 Qasali Pridemage
2 Scavenging Ooze
2 Saffi Eriksdotter
CMC 3 (9):
3 Grim Haruspex
3 Wood Elves
3 Yavimaya Granger
3 Fierce Empath
3 Reclamation Sage
3 Bone Shredder
3 Fleshbag Marauder
3 Stonecloaker
3 Eternal Witness
CMC 4 (7):
4 Solemn Simulacrum
4 Disciple of Bolas
4 Dimir House Guard
4 Taj-Nar Swordsmith
4 Slum Reaper
4 False Prophet
4 Restoration Angel
5 Bloodgift Demon
5 Archon of Justice
5 Thragtusk
5 Golgari Grave-Troll
5 Acidic Slime
5 Sidisi, Undead Vizier
5 Puppeteer Clique
5 Karmic Guide
5 Reveillark
CMC 6 (4):
6 Sun Titan
6 Magister of Worth
6 Greenwarden of Murasa
6 Woodland Bellower
CMC 7 (3):
7 Rune-Scarred Demon
7 Angel of Despair
7 Avenger of Zendikar
CMC 8 (2):
8 Terastodon
8 Ashen Rider
Recursion (4):
2 Animate Dead
3 Necromancy
3 Gift of Immortality
5 Living Death
Removal (4):
1 Swords to Plowshares
1 Path to Exile
3 Aura Shards
3 Pernicious Deed
Utility (2):
1 Sol Ring
2 Lightning Greaves
Land (38):
1 Command Tower
1 Reflecting Pool
1 City of Brass
1 Sandsteppe Citadel
1 Savannahx
1 Scrublandx
1 Temple Gardenx
1 Overgrown Tomb
1 Godless Shrinex
1 Temple of Malady
1 Temple of Plenty
1 Temple of Silence
1 Flooded Strand
1 Misty Rainforest
1 Marsh Flats
1 Verdant Catacombs
1 Polluted Delta
1 Windswept Heath
1 Barren Moor
1 Secluded Steppe
1 Tranquil Thicket
1 Temple of the False God
1 Krosan Verge
1 Bojuka Bog
1 Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
1 Strip Mine
1 Ghost Quarter
1 High Market
1 Buried Ruin
4 Forest
2 Swamp
2 Plains
- Diabolic Tutor A good budget option, but I traded up.
- Yosei, the Morning Star Undoubtedly a strong choice, but usually leads to groans. Violates the social contract IMO.
- Courser of Kruphix alfindeol is right, it doesn't really synergize with my build. I included it when I was trying to do too much (Pod + Lands).
+ Demonic Tutor Sweet card selection.
+ Enlightened Tutor Another efficient way to find Pod.
+ Grim Haruspex I can't believe I forgot to include him the first time - thanks to everyone who suggested him!
Yavimaya Granger is a good one - I like that it sacs itself so I added it! Gray Merchant is in my Mono-black build and I don't think I want to double up - plus I haven't felt like I've had a lot of B symbols at once so far. Trostani, Selesnya's Voice I run in Marath and is good, but if I'm resolving a big Living Death I don't know if I'm concerned with my life total.
Thanks! I'm really enjoying grindy Karador so far!
Thanks for your help with the cuts especially, they are always the hardest for me. I'm going to keep Slum Reaper because I don't necessarily want the effect redundant at 3 CMC - I like being able to pod a 3-dorp into a 4. So far it seems good but I'll keep an eye on it. False Prophet - I don't believe this exiles itself, am I wrong? I know it could nuke my whole field but being able to deal with indestructible creatures is really important and podding this into a 5 has got to be amazing. I know that Taj-Nar Swordsmith and Lightning Greaves don't have a ton of synergy with Karador but I've found keeping my velocity high can be hard without U draw power - Taj-Nar finds Skullclamp, one of my favorite cards in Karador. Greaves are basically my only way of getting haste.
I like the idea of Blood Artist or Zulaport Cutthroat. I kind of prefer to win through combat, but I'm going to keep an open mind about it because it seems like Karador is better with a bunch of small dudes than all the top-end beef I'm currently running. Thanks!
All good, if expensive suggestions. I have Demo/Vamp Tutor on my Puca-want list. Hopefully I'll be able to snag them. Is Survival on the Reserved List? I doubt I'll ever get one if it's not reprinted.
I'm glad you came out from the shadows! Acidic Slime seems good for some versatility so I added it!
Grim Haruspex is worth some consideration - I've been feeling like my draw power is a bit lackluster. Similarly, Resolute Archangel might be worth a thought - I currently run Thragtusk in part for that and Archangel does it better, albeit conditionally and for a mana more. Re: Mindslicer definitely good but it doesn't seem like a very fun card!
Kokusho, the Evening Star: This is a beater a life gainer and win con. It's also a dragon, and dragons are cool.
Blade of Selves: I only hate attacking when it doesn't make a bunch of whatever creature I slap it on. It really isn't for damage .. it's for ETB/LTB effects. There should be an achievement card for doing this with a Kamigawa dragon.
Matter Reshaper: A new kid on the block, but he seems awesome here. At worst, he draws when he dies. At best, you a free pod target.
These are a few that I really enjoy.... I love the deck... Karador is fun.
EDH Decks
UWB Oloro, Ageless Ascetic's spring of life
RUG Animar, Soul of the Elements and friends... lots of them
WBG Karador king of two worlds (value and attrition)
WRKalemne's Angels
BRUG Yidris's Wild Party
UWBR Breya's Terrifying Tinker Toys
UBR The Pretender
Kokusho, the Evening Star would be pretty good, but I already run him in my mono-black build and I don't want to be too repetitive.
I agree that Blade of Selves would be worth a slot - I've been trying to trade for copies and I'll try it out if I can pick one up! I don't think I run enough colorless sources for Matter Reshaper - currently 6. I don't think it's worth sacrificing consistency to add in colorless sources for a small value card, but I'll definitely think about it!
I've found Grim Haruspex to be quite good in the deck.
I'd recommend cutting Courser of Kruphix. He's not a bad card, but you generate no value from recurring him. Consider Carrion Feeder as another cheap, creature based sac outlet.
R Norin the Wary: I've Got a Bad Feeling About This
UG Thrasios & Kydele: Knowledge is Power
RG Borborygmos Enraged: The Breaking of the World
BG The Gitrog Monster: All Glory to the Hypnotoad
WUR Zedruu the Greathearted: Endless Possibilities, One Outcome
WBG Karador, Ghost Chieftain: What's Dead May Never Die
Turn your junk into something great with PucaTrade!
Thanks for the suggestions - E Tutor and Haruspex are in. I already run Arena/Clamp and personally I don't like Top, even though it's excellent, because it just slows the game down. If I find I need even more draw power I will think about Greed/Erebos =]
Changes 4/2/16:
- Diabolic Tutor A good budget option, but I traded up.
- Yosei, the Morning Star Undoubtedly a strong choice, but usually leads to groans. Violates the social contract IMO.
- Courser of Kruphix alfindeol is right, it doesn't really synergize with my build. I included it when I was trying to do too much (Pod + Lands).
+ Demonic Tutor Sweet card selection.
+ Enlightened Tutor Another efficient way to find Pod.
+ Grim Haruspex I can't believe I forgot to include him the first time - thanks to everyone who suggested him!