I plan to build a semi-competitive battlefield tactics style deck, where I focus on low cost aggressive creatures and use Brigid to stop attacking and blocking by using her ability uniquely to snipe away the opposing forces. This may seem like a hard task when she only deals 2 damage to any attacking or blocking creature, but with added support of equipment, this damage becomes deadly with the likes of being able to destroy, exile, tap down, or debuff our opponent's creatures. There is a mix of creativity with Brigid that draws me to her and she can be very controlling to our aggressive build. So what I have in mind is, use equipment that grants lifelink, deathtouch, infect/wither, tapping ability, and exiling to maximize her damage potential when she activates her effect. There are many equipment that allow us to do this and this is what the deck is based on. The core of the deck will be aggressive low cmc creatures of mostly 4 or less that will have combat and equipment synergies. This is where the competitive nature of the deck comes in. Brigid clears the path if our opponent blocks our aggressive creatures and she takes care of their front line if they retaliate against her. A true sniper of Kinsbaile!
I tend to want to control the battle situation with this deck. I have included a set of equipment that will work with Odric, Lunarch Marshal and Concerted Effort as they will amplify all of our creatures to make them much more deadly. This is the combat focus I'm looking to go with. Both Odrics, including Odric, Master Tactician play crucial roles in the deck. There are creatures included that gain keywords or have keywords associated with the two cards.
I want it to be low cost aggro and able to fend off on its own. I'm not sure the right amount of equipment but I tend to have a low to moderate amount since this is what will be making our creatures most dangerous. Of course many of the equipment will help Brigid the most, but that will just allow us to attack a clean board. The all star equipment will be the following:
I got the idea for Brigid when browsing white legendary creatures and I started my search by, what's the least likely commander to draw hate to me? I wanted to put down a commander in the command zone at the start of the game that would turn heads and question, "why is he playing her?" It has always been fun sitting down with obscure generals. Of them I run a Patron of the Moon deck for the very same reason that can beat almost any other competitive commander my friends bring to the table including Meren of Clan Nel Toth reanimator, Venser, Shaper Savant bounce control, Titania, Protector of Argoth stax, and a few others. This got me thinking what could her 2 damage be useful for? Of course! There were so many effects that when creatures deal damage that it was bound to work to my advantage. After looking at the many options I had available, I decided that this would be my new commander and fell in love with the idea of exiling all attacking/blocking creatures with Sword of Kaldra. What's better is, White has all the good equipment tutors and this made this basically build itself. I just had to figure out what better way to use equipment outside of my commander? Tokens or aggro low cmc creatures. Well I did not want to focus on tokens too heavily so I decided to do aggressive low cost creatures which white is good at. Plus it has good upper end creatures to top off the curve. So it was really meant to be.
So Why Play Brigid, Hero of Kinsbaile?
Brigid is a commander that most can say they probably never thought of playing due to such small insignificant advantages. We play a format with very large impacting creatures that make the game swing the pendulum one way or the other. Brigid doesn't stare these creatures down and threaten them in many definitions of the word "threatening." But she has a lot of cool points going for her since she is a commander that can take down a Kozilek, Butcher of Truth with the right tools. And she is in the color that can best find these tools. Card advantage may not be white's forte, but equipment tutors most definitely are. So if you want a commander that can very easily pose a threat to anything on the board with just a few equipment, she is the commander to do the job.
Brigid Chooses You!
If you like putting a commander in the command zone and people blankly stare at you if you're serious.
Mowing down enemy lines is a fun way to spend your time.
Waiting for an opportunity to express Brigid's interest in voltron and why it works.
Seeking out those equipment that best win games after the board has been neutralized.
Not being afraid of a challenge.
Brigid Doesn't Choose You!
Flexibility is what you need from a commander.
You do not like your commander to be less optimal then your other 99.
Comboing infinities are the answer to every deck building challenge.
Sacing, taping, taxing... there is no fun here!
Archer types are out matched to soldier types.
Here is my deck list as it currently stands. I am testing new cards out from suggestions and I will update regularly when I see what is and is not working out. If there are any suggestions to the list that anyone would recommend, please let me know and I will swap out cards for the ones that I feel will fit and benefit the deck theme. Thanks for any and all support in making Brigid a true battlefield hazard. I want this to be the best and to show that even the less known, undervalued commanders still can have their uses and be very potent when used correctly.
I first want to go into the equipment selection as this will be one of the most important aspects of the deck to make the creature base deadly. Second, I will go through many of the creature options to show what they bring to the table. Of course using tokens are an option, just one I decided to minimize in the deck. There are tons of token swarm strategies in mono white and I do not want to make this another one of them. To do so, I focus more on small creatures that get stronger through equipment or being equipped. I have started adding and cutting what I feel will overall drive the deck into its most successful version. I will start off with the equipment Brigid will benefit most from. Let me get started on the essence of the deck, the ideas that drew me to her uniquely creative ability.
Brigid's Arsenal
Basilisk Collar- Brigid gaining Lifelink is just a bonus with this card to stabilize the life we will inevitably be losing from the pressure we are putting on. The Deathtouch is what shines on this. Brigid deals 2 damage to attacking or blocking creatures. This allows us to destroy those creatures instead making her damage lethal. And it is the most efficient source of deathtouch.
Gorgon Flail- Another one of the Deathtouch granting equipment. It is slightly more that Basilisk Collar but only costs 2. Instead of lifelink it grants +1/+1 which helps to power up our other creatures. This can be a huge asset to any of or First Strike or Doublestrike creatures.
Thornbite Staff- Brigid likes being able to react to all opponents combat phases. So if one creature is sniped with deathtouch, she is back ready to go for the next combat. Very nice synergy with her.
Kusari-Gama- The first ability to pump is not that much of a focus on this one, although it can occasionally come in handy. Where this card comes in is when Brigid deals damage to blocking creatures while this is attached, she will then deal that damage to all of their creatures. Deathtouch attached, this is a one sided board wipe.
Quietus Spike- This little equipment can be very useful against life gain strategies. It cuts down the life quickly when we are on the attack. The bonus is it also has deathtouch, yet another source for us to give to Brigid. That makes three reliable sources of deathtouch other than Gorgon's Head which does not do anything but grant deathtouch. I have considered it however, but at the moment I want more quality equipment.
Sword of Kaldra- If you ask me, this is the best card for Brigid. The fact that it gives a sizable +5/+5 to other creatures is nice, but the fact that it exiles a creature taking damage is even better. It is absolutely amazing to have our opponents attacking creatures all be exiled with this. Always a go to if Brigid is online and ready to go.
Armory
Skullclamp- What's a white deck without skullclamp? Mostly it is here for draw power, which white lacks, but we go into the red zone a lot and this will get high amount of use.
Lightning Greaves- Brigid or any other threat gains haste, a must in most cases here, and shroud as a bonus. Aggro needs this.
Sword of the Animist- After looking through the deck, mana ramp was a problem even at such a low curve. This also pumps our creatures as a bonus and all they need to do is attack which is conveniently what this deck likes to do.
Darksteel Plate- Overall a cheaper option to Shield of Kaldra, and the fact it is indestructible and grants Brigid or our other big name threats the same is a huge deal. We can attack with little to worry about.
Godsend- This equipment can really put out some extra damage when attacking/blocking. On the second ability, if we block one creature, it is just flat out exiled which is a nice tool to have. The same is true for attacking and stops people wanting to lose a creature permanently. A great way to power up our creatures.
Loxodon Warhammer- One of the best aggro equipment around. Trample and Lifelink are huge and even Brigid can use this to gain us a bunch of life.
Nemesis Mask- Adding in a way to force my opponent to block is great and works very well with Brigid. If they never choose to go to combat, attack or block creatures, then she becomes less than ideal. Eventually it will happen, but we want to do it on our time not our opponents.
Shield of Kaldra- Much like Darksteel Plate, this gives our creature an added defense from being destroyed in combat or wipes. I feel it is necessary to go ahead and run a second option for indestructible just in case. Plus, it gives Sword and Helm of Kaldra indestructible as a bonus.
Sword of Feast and Famine- Untapping lands to do more is very important. Plus the protections and buff gets around some of the largest creatures in the format.
Sword of Fire and Ice- Again, card draw in mono white is essential. The spot removal is a tacked on bonus and of course stops damage from burn spells.
Equipment Tutor
Relic Seeker- This is an aggro version of Stoneforge Mystic. By no means is it as good as her, it is still a very good way to search for an equipment. This coming down early is the most ideal when our opponents do not have a board state yet. But even late game with Brigid clearing the board, it can still get its use.
Stoneforge Mystic- The end all be all of equipment tutors. She is simply amazing and there is no reason to not run her. She can cheat the equipment into play as well as getting around counters. Must include in any equipment deck.
Taj-Nar Swordsmith- I like this guy for the fact that he puts the equipment directly into play and he plays similar to transmute artifact, except for equipment. The fact is that once he enters the cost is no problem to tutor one of our equipment and our opponent cannot counter the equipment outside of Stifle effects.
Stonehewer Giant- Another great tutor. He searches multiple times if he sticks and auto equips when they enter the battlefield. He is a fantastic option and has a great size for the cost. Very much needed next to Stoneforge Mystic.
Enlightened Tutor- Almost no white deck can go without it for multiple reasons. This is no different especially with 20+ cards are artifacts/enchantments.
Steelshaper's Gift- very cheap efficient equipment tutor. A must have for an equipment focused deck. You can't go wrong with it.
Open the Armory- A new gem from Shadows over Inistrad. It is almost as good as Steelshaper's gift but if for some reason we had an aura to get, we could do so as well. Still a 2cmc tutor is hard to come by these days.
Forced Attack/Forced Block
Oracle en-Vec- After a great suggestion, I realized that the deck needed ways to force my opponent to attack and this is a great card at punishing them for attacking into Brigid or not attacking at all.
Breaker of Armies- He can take out many creatures just on his own, but he is a tool to force blocks so that Brigid can clear our opponents entire board. He is a very good source of removal either way he is used.
Nemesis Mask- I detailed this card earlier but it is a great way to make every creature to block similar to forced attack with Brigid out.
Gideon Jura- A fantastic tool for what we need in this deck. He does everything we want with our commander out. Plus he has good removal if anything is still alive.
Creatures
Serra Ascendant- Obviously a great first turn play. But it also is still very powerful late game with a few equipment attached. Gaining back the life we lose early on will not be too difficult of a task and he stays pretty relevant most of the game.
Knight of the White Orchid- Not much needs to be said here, mono white has little to no land ramp, and it has first strike. Very good creature all around.
Kor Outfitter- a very niche card really, but it is low cost and auto equips any creature on board which is good for Brigid.
Leonin Shikari- Any equipment based white deck needs this for really insane plays on your opponents turns. Plus instant Lightning Greaves is pretty nice.
Puresteel Paladin- A shoe in with a heavy equipment theme. He makes all of our equipment free to equip which is very good for an aggressive deck.
Stone Haven Outfitter- This relatively new card is pretty nice for what we want in this deck. He pumps our equipped creatures and draws us cards if they die. Plus an extra draw off of Skullclamp is pretty nice.
Brimaz, King of Oreskos- He is a highly used creature for a reason. He pumps out tokens and has a great size body to attack with vigilance to boot. It is really a nice addition to this list.
Kemba, Kha Regent- She loves having equipment attached and puts out a lot of tokens as a result. She is a very good way to keep our board full and attacking.
Mentor of the Meek- He is a great way to draw cards in mono white. And most of our creatures are 2 power plus tokens we put in, so we get a lot of mileage out of this.
Mirran Crusader- All around a very efficient creature and has great protections to get through opposing boards. Doublestrike with any of the +x/+x equipments becomes deadly very quickly.
Mirror Entity- As a mana sink, he is a great way to pump every creature I have to be fearsome. One of the best Kamahl, Fist of Krosa style cards we have.
Heliod, God of the Sun- He comes in handy in many situations. First off he makes all creatures and a plus for Brigid have vigilance and she can tap after an attack as well because of this. He pumps out tokens in our downtime. There are many pluses to having him in the list.
Hero of Bladehold- She is a monster if left alone for too long. Pumping all our creatures is amazing and the fact that she pumps out tokens almost as well as Elspeth, Sun's Champion does. She can lay down some hurt very quickly and our opponent must have an answer to her if they do not want to lose a lot of life.
Indomitable Archangel- Pretty easy to get metalcraft and then she protects all of out equipment from targeted removal. Plus a 4/4 flyer for 4 is very good value in a deck like this. She is
Leonin Abunas- He is in here for the same reason as Indomitable Archangel. He has a smaller body but a large toughness to boot. Having redundancy is a good thing here especially when the thing he protects are the main focus for us.
Odric, Master Tactician- There is a lot of tech that can come from this guy. If we attack with enough creatures we can force our opponent to block with any available creature and Brigid can then kill them permanently or if we have a lethal swing he can make sure no one blocks at all. It is a very nice way to fit both aspects of the game plan we administer.
Reveille Squad- This little gem is a super secret tech with many tap generals. Brigid is the same way as when we get attacked she is untapped ready to mow down the attackers. It is very hard to not include this guy with such a tactile build.
Archangel of Thune- She is a very nice beater and she buffs all of our creatures with each instance of life gain. Brigid can make this happen with a few different equipment and there are a couple other lifelinkers in the list as well. She does it all by herself so even if she is the only one, each creature gets bigger on each hit with her.
Sun Titan- Almost a necessary inclusion in most white decks but he is way to good to pass up with all of our equipment mostly being in the range for him to grab them back.
Wurmcoil Engine- An efficient high value beater that gets better with first strike equipment or a buff to maul faces off. Hard to pass up so much value.
Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite- She is one of the strongest at buffing an army and she helps by effectively giving our creatures +4/+4 with the debuff to our opponents creatures in mind. Hard to contest her value.
Change Log
April 25, 2016
- Accorder Paladin
- Thousand-Year Elixir
+ Archangel of Thune
+ Sword of the Animist
+ Thornbite Staff (1 slot unfilled)
April 26th, 2016
- Kor Duelist
- Signal Pest
- Mistmeadow Skulk
- Sunspear Shikari
- Honor of the Pure
- Concerted Effort
- Auriok Edgewright
**FYI** the black text is pretty hard to read being that I am on the black background setting...
Thanks for the response. I appreciate the sentiment very much.
- As far as shield of kaldra is concerned, I had it on the list originally, but felt that maybe darksteel plate would be better since it is cheaper to cast. I may do the swap however and see how it plays.
- Steelshaper Apprentice being very slow to play/activate is what deters me from him. I can see his usefulness to get more equipment, I'm just not sure if I like the tap and bounce to search. Taj-Nar does put it into play as a bonus.
- Treasure Hunter I never knew about. I do like the change since it ETB instead of dies. I will most likely make that swap.
- Knight of the White Orchid is in the list currently.
- On angelic skirmisher, true conviction, and victory's herald, I am trying to keep the high cost (5+ cmc) at a very min since I am not running much ramp. I may consider angelic skirmisher however, as true conviction never lasts in my meta.
- I've always liked Reconnaissance and it may find a way into the list. If something goes awry it will be useful to have.
- Grand Abolisher was very close to making it. He may find a way back in, I will need to playtest the deck some to see if I need him. I have some control decks in my meta, but I mostly play control so I'm not sure if it will be needed.
- Archangel of Thune has been a pet card of mine in so many decks. It was hard not adding it here because she has great potential in any aggro deck. I may have to find a slot for her.
- Nahiri was left out for similar reasons of the other 5 cmc cards. I want to find a place for her, but I don't feel she will survive too long to get the benefit out of. Most players I play with are aggro.
- Scythe of the Wretched was on oversight. I had seen it once before and thought about adding it in. I will look at a slot for it.
- Second Sunrise would be the first go to due to instant speed and low cost. Avacyn is hitting that high curve I want to stay away from. The main reason Akroma made it was for her numerous abilities that can be passed around with concerted effort and odric, lunarch marshal.
- I also changed the font back to normal for easier reading.
Thanks for all the great suggestions! If you know of cards I could cut for some of these, please let me know. I'm very pumped about getting to play her, all the cards should be in soon enough and I can see what is missing/ needs to be cut.
- As far as shield of kaldra is concerned, I had it on the list originally, but felt that maybe darksteel plate would be better since it is cheaper to cast. I may do the swap however and see how it plays.
in regards to the shield over darksteel plate, i wouldn't do the swap. Darksteel plate is better solely for the cost. however, i almost always ran several ways for indestructible, as one was bound to get exiled or stolen or whatever.
If you know of cards I could cut for some of these, please let me know. I'm very pumped about getting to play her, all the cards should be in soon enough and I can see what is missing/ needs to be cut.
cuts are always the hardest part
i feel like you wont get a lot of value from the Accorder Paladin, as much as i love the card, but a lot of your turn may consist of playing an equipment and attaching it, and i do not know if youll be attacking with enough creatures to really benefit from it. Auriok Edgewright as well, itll get most value the first few turns when you dont have any artifacts. just my two cents
I love unassuming and/or obscure generals and yours is as unassuming as they come. Great idea, as well! However, being able to punish opponents for attacking is great and all, if they're attacking. This deck is missing literally every card that forces opponents to attack and/or block. White is not the color most suited for this, however, I did find you some cards that fit the bill:
Gideon Jura - see that +2 ability? Makes all of an opponents creatures forcefully go into the red zone... and into Brigid's deathtouch arrows.
Oracle en-Vec - provides a solid "damned if you do / damned if you don't" situation. Whatever doesn't attack is destroyed at the next turn. Whatever does attack is killed by Brigid. The good thing is that this works even if Oracle en-Vec leaves play before then as long as the ability resolves.
Breaker of Armies - costs a whopping 8 but again, it's hard to find cards for W that force opponents into attack and/or block situations.
Nemesis Mask - really surprised at the lack of this one; definitely a shoe-in.
My YouTube Channel: The Commander Tavern - a channel I just started where I'll post deck techs and gameplays. Please support by checking it out. Maybe you'll like its content and subscribe! Thanks!
- As far as shield of kaldra is concerned, I had it on the list originally, but felt that maybe darksteel plate would be better since it is cheaper to cast. I may do the swap however and see how it plays.
in regards to the shield over darksteel plate, i wouldn't do the swap. Darksteel plate is better solely for the cost. however, i almost always ran several ways for indestructible, as one was bound to get exiled or stolen or whatever.
If you know of cards I could cut for some of these, please let me know. I'm very pumped about getting to play her, all the cards should be in soon enough and I can see what is missing/ needs to be cut.
cuts are always the hardest part
i feel like you wont get a lot of value from the Accorder Paladin, as much as i love the card, but a lot of your turn may consist of playing an equipment and attaching it, and i do not know if youll be attacking with enough creatures to really benefit from it. Auriok Edgewright as well, itll get most value the first few turns when you dont have any artifacts. just my two cents
Auriok Edgeright and Accorder paladin were maybes to begin with and I can see that they lose value late game. I replaced them with Archangel of Thune and Sword of the Animist. Thanks for the suggestions and cuts, I think it will definitely play better with more substantial cards throughout the game.
I love unassuming and/or obscure generals and yours is as unassuming as they come. Great idea, as well! However, being able to punish opponents for attacking is great and all, if they're attacking. This deck is missing literally every card that forces opponents to attack and/or block. White is not the color most suited for this, however, I did find you some cards that fit the bill:
Gideon Jura - see that +2 ability? Makes all of an opponents creatures forcefully go into the red zone... and into Brigid's deathtouch arrows.
Oracle en-Vec - provides a solid "damned if you do / damned if you don't" situation. Whatever doesn't attack is destroyed at the next turn. Whatever does attack is killed by Brigid. The good thing is that this works even if Oracle en-Vec leaves play before then as long as the ability resolves.
Breaker of Armies - costs a whopping 8 but again, it's hard to find cards for W that force opponents into attack and/or block situations.
Nemesis Mask - really surprised at the lack of this one; definitely a shoe-in.
Dingus Staff - really brings the pain to opponents when their creatures die.
Inheritance - good mana sink and an okay way to draw cards when any creature dies, which more often than not will be the creatures Brigid is sniping.
Godsend - can be pretty ridiculous when you're forcing/manipulating blocks and attacks (although it just exiles one at a time).
Again, kudos on the deck! Great concept and I hope you're able to tinker it into a very formidable deck!
Thanks for the great ideas! I like trying to build around the obscure and highly unique commanders, it is a deck building challenge for me.
- I didn't think of Gideon for that use although I was aware of his ability, and now I definitely want to find a spot for him. I agree with the forced attack and adding in a few options. I will need to reevaluate a few cards that may not pull through. Oracle en-Vec is a new one to me but I like the potential there. Thanks for pointing them out.
- Nemesis Mask is a huge oversight. I definitely want to find a spot for this one.
- Thornbite Staff and Grafted Exoskeleton were in the original list and got cut, but Thornbite can replace thousand-year elixir pretty easily. If one of the equipment I'm running currently doesn't work out, I will probably swap it out for this.
- Blade of the Bloodchief is a great idea for making Brigid go Voltron. I will leave it up for consideration. Spirit Loop is always a fun card and it can gain a lot of life especially coupled with Basilisk Collar.
I like many of your suggestions and again really appreciate the ideas to push this to be its best. I want to show that even the least threatening of commanders in a format of large splashy creatures can make a difference and be among the largest threats imaginable. It is a fun idea and I plan to keep evolving the deck.
I love unassuming and/or obscure generals and yours is as unassuming as they come. Great idea, as well! However, being able to punish opponents for attacking is great and all, if they're attacking. This deck is missing literally every card that forces opponents to attack and/or block. White is not the color most suited for this, however, I did find you some cards that fit the bill:
Gideon Jura - see that +2 ability? Makes all of an opponents creatures forcefully go into the red zone... and into Brigid's deathtouch arrows.
Oracle en-Vec - provides a solid "damned if you do / damned if you don't" situation. Whatever doesn't attack is destroyed at the next turn. Whatever does attack is killed by Brigid. The good thing is that this works even if Oracle en-Vec leaves play before then as long as the ability resolves.
Breaker of Armies - costs a whopping 8 but again, it's hard to find cards for W that force opponents into attack and/or block situations.
Nemesis Mask - really surprised at the lack of this one; definitely a shoe-in.
Dingus Staff - really brings the pain to opponents when their creatures die.
Inheritance - good mana sink and an okay way to draw cards when any creature dies, which more often than not will be the creatures Brigid is sniping.
Godsend - can be pretty ridiculous when you're forcing/manipulating blocks and attacks (although it just exiles one at a time).
Again, kudos on the deck! Great concept and I hope you're able to tinker it into a very formidable deck!
Thanks for the great ideas! I like trying to build around the obscure and highly unique commanders, it is a deck building challenge for me.
- I didn't think of Gideon for that use although I was aware of his ability, and now I definitely want to find a spot for him. I agree with the forced attack and adding in a few options. I will need to reevaluate a few cards that may not pull through. Oracle en-Vec is a new one to me but I like the potential there. Thanks for pointing them out.
- Nemesis Mask is a huge oversight. I definitely want to find a spot for this one.
- Thornbite Staff and Grafted Exoskeleton were in the original list and got cut, but Thornbite can replace thousand-year elixir pretty easily. If one of the equipment I'm running currently doesn't work out, I will probably swap it out for this.
- Blade of the Bloodchief is a great idea for making Brigid go Voltron. I will leave it up for consideration. Spirit Loop is always a fun card and it can gain a lot of life especially coupled with Basilisk Collar.
I like many of your suggestions and again really appreciate the ideas to push this to be its best. I want to show that even the least threatening of commanders in a format of large splashy creatures can make a difference and be among the largest threats imaginable. It is a fun idea and I plan to keep evolving the deck.
No problem! I think you could easily go with a sleight voltron suite with Brigid and thus not have to run so many weenies which can be dead draw mid to late game. Brigid wiping the board during an opponent's turn means that she's wide open to deal 21+ commander damage to any victim. It's far easier to win with 21+ commander damage than to pump a bunch of weenies enough to give 40+ combat damage to a table of enemies. Remember that Brigid is unassuming so you won't be such a turn 0 target. However, you need to set up your board in such a way to take the win out of nowhere - which is what playing unassuming generals is all about ;). You cut Grafted Exoskeleton but if you go voltron, it's even easier to win by giving a defenseless opponent 10 poison counters than 21+ commander damage. I'm pretty sure you could likely reconsider this one.
On the topic of weenies, you could easily just produce them via tokens than wasting slots on weenies. With Leonin Shikari, Kemba, Kha Regent, and Puresteel Paladin in play, you can attack all equipment for free onto Kemba in response to your upkeep, get a bunch of tokens, and then just equip the equipment where they should originally go. You could definitely focus a bit more on token production and boons than just casting weenies.
There are some cards which I don't think could be efficient enough in the deck. Is this a meta call or a way to nerf the deck in a more casual setting? You said that you want a semi-competitive build; so is this the reason?
My YouTube Channel: The Commander Tavern - a channel I just started where I'll post deck techs and gameplays. Please support by checking it out. Maybe you'll like its content and subscribe! Thanks!
I love unassuming and/or obscure generals and yours is as unassuming as they come. Great idea, as well! However, being able to punish opponents for attacking is great and all, if they're attacking. This deck is missing literally every card that forces opponents to attack and/or block. White is not the color most suited for this, however, I did find you some cards that fit the bill:
Gideon Jura - see that +2 ability? Makes all of an opponents creatures forcefully go into the red zone... and into Brigid's deathtouch arrows.
Oracle en-Vec - provides a solid "damned if you do / damned if you don't" situation. Whatever doesn't attack is destroyed at the next turn. Whatever does attack is killed by Brigid. The good thing is that this works even if Oracle en-Vec leaves play before then as long as the ability resolves.
Breaker of Armies - costs a whopping 8 but again, it's hard to find cards for W that force opponents into attack and/or block situations.
Nemesis Mask - really surprised at the lack of this one; definitely a shoe-in.
Dingus Staff - really brings the pain to opponents when their creatures die.
Inheritance - good mana sink and an okay way to draw cards when any creature dies, which more often than not will be the creatures Brigid is sniping.
Godsend - can be pretty ridiculous when you're forcing/manipulating blocks and attacks (although it just exiles one at a time).
Again, kudos on the deck! Great concept and I hope you're able to tinker it into a very formidable deck!
Thanks for the great ideas! I like trying to build around the obscure and highly unique commanders, it is a deck building challenge for me.
- I didn't think of Gideon for that use although I was aware of his ability, and now I definitely want to find a spot for him. I agree with the forced attack and adding in a few options. I will need to reevaluate a few cards that may not pull through. Oracle en-Vec is a new one to me but I like the potential there. Thanks for pointing them out.
- Nemesis Mask is a huge oversight. I definitely want to find a spot for this one.
- Thornbite Staff and Grafted Exoskeleton were in the original list and got cut, but Thornbite can replace thousand-year elixir pretty easily. If one of the equipment I'm running currently doesn't work out, I will probably swap it out for this.
- Blade of the Bloodchief is a great idea for making Brigid go Voltron. I will leave it up for consideration. Spirit Loop is always a fun card and it can gain a lot of life especially coupled with Basilisk Collar.
I like many of your suggestions and again really appreciate the ideas to push this to be its best. I want to show that even the least threatening of commanders in a format of large splashy creatures can make a difference and be among the largest threats imaginable. It is a fun idea and I plan to keep evolving the deck.
No problem! I think you could easily go with a sleight voltron suite with Brigid and thus not have to run so many weenies which can be dead draw mid to late game. Brigid wiping the board during an opponent's turn means that she's wide open to deal 21+ commander damage to any victim. It's far easier to win with 21+ commander damage than to pump a bunch of weenies enough to give 40+ combat damage to a table of enemies. Remember that Brigid is unassuming so you won't be such a turn 0 target. However, you need to set up your board in such a way to take the win out of nowhere - which is what playing unassuming generals is all about ;). You cut Grafted Exoskeleton but if you go voltron, it's even easier to win by giving a defenseless opponent 10 poison counters than 21+ commander damage. I'm pretty sure you could likely reconsider this one.
On the topic of weenies, you could easily just produce them via tokens than wasting slots on weenies. With Leonin Shikari, Kemba, Kha Regent, and Puresteel Paladin in play, you can attack all equipment for free onto Kemba in response to your upkeep, get a bunch of tokens, and then just equip the equipment where they should originally go. You could definitely focus a bit more on token production and boons than just casting weenies.
There are some cards which I don't think could be efficient enough in the deck. Is this a meta call or a way to nerf the deck in a more casual setting? You said that you want a semi-competitive build; so is this the reason?
Yeah on the token route, I was trying to dial it back to not be that big of a focus even though it may be slightly more competitive overall. Mono white uses tokens a LOT and I was trying to avoid it in this case. I wanted it to have a low profile of threat perception but I do want to make it strong enough to compete against other decks in my meta. This contributes to the semi-competitive nature. The weenie strategy is complimented with some anthem effects and this may need to be emphasized more to make them really work out to full effect. Or as you said, give it a voltron aspect with a few extra equipment to push that. Which cards stand out to you to be the less efficient ones so I can find a few options up for cutting? If I put in token producers, which would you recommend as a low cost high effect? A list of commonly used ones are:
Yeah on the token route, I was trying to dial it back to not be that big of a focus even though it may be slightly more competitive overall. Mono white uses tokens a LOT and I was trying to avoid it in this case. I wanted it to have a low profile of threat perception but I do want to make it strong enough to compete against other decks in my meta. This contributes to the semi-competitive nature. The weenie strategy is complimented with some anthem effects and this may need to be emphasized more to make them really work out to full effect. Or as you said, give it a voltron aspect with a few extra equipment to push that. Which cards stand out to you to be the less efficient ones so I can find a few options up for cutting? If I put in token producers, which would you recommend as a low cost high effect? A list of commonly used ones are:
Free is always good, so including Elspeth, Sun's Champion and Nahiri, the Lithomancer are good calls. Another one is Gideon, Ally of Zendikar. I wouldn't play Sacred Mesa because you'd usually have to pay twice as much just to be able to sacrifice a pegasus to it during your upkeep. Although, if you're gonna spend 2W or 3W on a 1/1 soldier or 2/1 cleric, you might as well pay 2WW for 2 1/1 flyers even though one's gonna bit it your next upkeep. Luminarch Ascension should definitely be included because controlling combat means you'll probably get it going to 4 counters that faster.
Also, you have a nice suite with Odric, Lunarch Marshal and Concerted Effort. However, they have little support and it's difficult to get them onto the field in order to make good use of creatures like Mistmeadow Skulk, Mirran Crusader, etc. I can see that strategy being much more efficient in a GW deck where drawing is easier and tutoring for creatures is as well. That being said, I would leave them (Odric v.2 and Concerted Effort) but then add cards like Sword of Vengeance which is an equipment (fitting to the theme) and has quite a lot of boons on it and remove some creatures that are pretty useless with Odric v2. and Concerted Effort.
These changes give the deck more cards to take full advantage of Brigid's ability (as I previously explained) plus token producers and some equipment to make voltron a possible and reliable wincon. The cards I suggest removing are ones I stated previously are pretty much dead draws without having Odric v.2 and Concerted Effort in play. I would add those cards if my commander were Odric and even then I'd call them iffy. Also, the cards aren't that spectacular on their own in EDH. White Knight is a brutal and awesome card in a white weenie boon deck. However, not so much in EDH. So I went by that philosophy. Again, this is just a suggestion complying to theme (important), consistency (just as important), and efficiency.
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Yeah on the token route, I was trying to dial it back to not be that big of a focus even though it may be slightly more competitive overall. Mono white uses tokens a LOT and I was trying to avoid it in this case. I wanted it to have a low profile of threat perception but I do want to make it strong enough to compete against other decks in my meta. This contributes to the semi-competitive nature. The weenie strategy is complimented with some anthem effects and this may need to be emphasized more to make them really work out to full effect. Or as you said, give it a voltron aspect with a few extra equipment to push that. Which cards stand out to you to be the less efficient ones so I can find a few options up for cutting? If I put in token producers, which would you recommend as a low cost high effect? A list of commonly used ones are:
Free is always good, so including Elspeth, Sun's Champion and Nahiri, the Lithomancer are good calls. Another one is Gideon, Ally of Zendikar. I wouldn't play Sacred Mesa because you'd usually have to pay twice as much just to be able to sacrifice a pegasus to it during your upkeep. Although, if you're gonna spend 2W or 3W on a 1/1 soldier or 2/1 cleric, you might as well pay 2WW for 2 1/1 flyers even though one's gonna bit it your next upkeep. Luminarch Ascension should definitely be included because controlling combat means you'll probably get it going to 4 counters that faster.
Also, you have a nice suite with Odric, Lunarch Marshal and Concerted Effort. However, they have little support and it's difficult to get them onto the field in order to make good use of creatures like Mistmeadow Skulk, Mirran Crusader, etc. I can see that strategy being much more efficient in a GW deck where drawing is easier and tutoring for creatures is as well. That being said, I would leave them (Odric v.2 and Concerted Effort) but then add cards like Sword of Vengeance which is an equipment (fitting to the theme) and has quite a lot of boons on it and remove some creatures that are pretty useless with Odric v2. and Concerted Effort.
These changes give the deck more cards to take full advantage of Brigid's ability (as I previously explained) plus token producers and some equipment to make voltron a possible and reliable wincon. The cards I suggest removing are ones I stated previously are pretty much dead draws without having Odric v.2 and Concerted Effort in play. I would add those cards if my commander were Odric and even then I'd call them iffy. Also, the cards aren't that spectacular on their own in EDH. White Knight is a brutal and awesome card in a white weenie boon deck. However, not so much in EDH. So I went by that philosophy. Again, this is just a suggestion complying to theme (important), consistency (just as important), and efficiency.
I agree with many of your suggestions. I'm still on the fence about Sacred Mesa for the same reason you mention. I need to obtain a Gideon, Ally of Zendikar before I get a chance to see how he plays. I know he would add quite a bit with his versatile abilities. The ones I am looking to find places for currently are:
I think those swaps you are considering could provide some significant changes for the better to the deck - especially since they deal with the concept of the general.
Although Concerted Effort gives more boons than Odric v.2. Are you going to eliminate that subtheme altogether or just alter it?
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Odric is still up for cutting and possibly taking the subtheme out, I just prefered him over Concerted Effort for the fact he is a creature. He may still get cut in the end however. I plan to get a few games in with the changes I listed and see what direction it needs to go.
Yeah, I really think consistency is vital in monoW since monoW is a difficult color for mana advantage and card advantage (the worst color in both of those categories, which is key in EDH).
I'm really looking forward to your testing. I have no doubt that the "force an opponent to attack and/or block" package will be quite the sea-change for the deck.
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I would add the available fetches and sensei's divining top.
Removal like Stp and path would be great here. Also board wipes are great
The deck already runs Swords to Plowshares and Path to Exile. It also already runs Austere Command and the pertinent fetch-lands. I doubt it needs any more board wipes because that's basically the goal of the general: to mow down the opponents' creatures so that only his are left. Wiping the board with a Wrath of God or Day of Judgment would be counterproductive.
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As DementedKirby pointed out, I run StP and PtE already, and run two wipes, Austere Command for Artifact/Enchantment wipe versatility if needed, and Wrath of God for a cheaper alternative. I do not need much in the way of wipes with a general that has the capability to do so. All fetches I'm able to use are accounted for. Sensei's Divining Top is always a good add in, although I feel that there is a lot this deck needs and some choices have to be sidelined for the important cards to direct the deck. Brigid being an obscure general needs support and this is heavily applied to the deck. Yes, Sensei's Top would help filter, I still feel the equipment searches and other draw sources will be enough, however. Thanks for the reply.
Sorry. Posted from my phone and could only see the artifacts and creatures. =/
No problem, it is easy to overlook.
Updated OP with full equipment list details and equipment tutors section. I will continue adding more as I get time and testing in. Thanks for the continued support.
whenever i try out Quest for the Holy Relic i really dont get much use out of it. If you can get in your opening hand its good, but not great. any other time its almost a dead draw.
I would replace it with Heliod, God of the Sun because it works so well with skullclamp and a good mana sink for card advantage
whenever i try out Quest for the Holy Relic i really dont get much use out of it. If you can get in your opening hand its good, but not great. any other time its almost a dead draw.
I would replace it with Heliod, God of the Sun because it works so well with skullclamp and a good mana sink for card advantage
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Both of you have the same concern I had putting it in the list. It may just come up a little too short and a dead draw on many occasions. Idealy it will be in the first few draws but we know that is in no way going to happen most of the time. So far in testing I have not drawn it, so I can't say it pulls any weight, but I also haven't gotten many games in to accurately tell. It is definitely on the chopping block and Heliod would add a lot of value. I'll get to test more this weekend and I'll make some changes based on how they play out. Thanks for the idea and I'll keep it as an option.
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Valid argument. Definitely more upsides. I guess I do have enough other equipment tutors to pull the job off. With a general who wants her equipment, it just seemed like a good option. I have reduced my creature count already so that makes it harder to pull off. I'll make the swap.
Just an update on how Brigid performed this past weekend.
I got to play two games with her, one game with venser, shaper savant and Ob Nixilis, the fallen voltron, and another against venser a second time and Titania, Protector of Argoth. The first game went ok for the most part. I was able to aggro the table pretty well with a lot of creatures and tokens from Elspeth, and Brigid pulled a lot of weight to keep the Ob player from coming at me for most of the game. Only problem I ended up having was the ob player landed Exquisite Blood and the Venser player played Clever Impersonator copying the Exquisite Blood. I needless to say, had a very uphill battle the entire time since no removal was coming. And I think I may need to add a few more pieces for that. So I got killed while they duked out the life gain war.
The second game went better with titania having a difficult time maneuvering around Brigid with deathtouch. Only issue I ended up having in this game was a lack of board presence. I had Brigid out most of the game with shroud and deathtouch, but the game went south after an ill timed Cyclonic Rift and I was not able to set up fast enough to stop an overrun from Titania getting set up quickly. The game ended shortly after.
So while not getting a win, she did her job and killed a decent amount of attackers and deterred them from me. I feel like the enchantment removal may need to be touched on as that was a big problem both games. If there are any suggestions as the best options for this let me know. I'm thinking Aura of Silence may make it in to have the additional benefit of taxing them as well.
I plan to build a semi-competitive battlefield tactics style deck, where I focus on low cost aggressive creatures and use Brigid to stop attacking and blocking by using her ability uniquely to snipe away the opposing forces. This may seem like a hard task when she only deals 2 damage to any attacking or blocking creature, but with added support of equipment, this damage becomes deadly with the likes of being able to destroy, exile, tap down, or debuff our opponent's creatures. There is a mix of creativity with Brigid that draws me to her and she can be very controlling to our aggressive build. So what I have in mind is, use equipment that grants lifelink, deathtouch, infect/wither, tapping ability, and exiling to maximize her damage potential when she activates her effect. There are many equipment that allow us to do this and this is what the deck is based on. The core of the deck will be aggressive low cmc creatures of mostly 4 or less that will have combat and equipment synergies. This is where the competitive nature of the deck comes in. Brigid clears the path if our opponent blocks our aggressive creatures and she takes care of their front line if they retaliate against her. A true sniper of Kinsbaile!
I tend to want to control the battle situation with this deck. I have included a set of equipment that will work with Odric, Lunarch Marshal and Concerted Effort as they will amplify all of our creatures to make them much more deadly. This is the combat focus I'm looking to go with. Both Odrics, including Odric, Master Tactician play crucial roles in the deck. There are creatures included that gain keywords or have keywords associated with the two cards.
I want it to be low cost aggro and able to fend off on its own. I'm not sure the right amount of equipment but I tend to have a low to moderate amount since this is what will be making our creatures most dangerous. Of course many of the equipment will help Brigid the most, but that will just allow us to attack a clean board. The all star equipment will be the following:
I got the idea for Brigid when browsing white legendary creatures and I started my search by, what's the least likely commander to draw hate to me? I wanted to put down a commander in the command zone at the start of the game that would turn heads and question, "why is he playing her?" It has always been fun sitting down with obscure generals. Of them I run a Patron of the Moon deck for the very same reason that can beat almost any other competitive commander my friends bring to the table including Meren of Clan Nel Toth reanimator, Venser, Shaper Savant bounce control, Titania, Protector of Argoth stax, and a few others. This got me thinking what could her 2 damage be useful for? Of course! There were so many effects that when creatures deal damage that it was bound to work to my advantage. After looking at the many options I had available, I decided that this would be my new commander and fell in love with the idea of exiling all attacking/blocking creatures with Sword of Kaldra. What's better is, White has all the good equipment tutors and this made this basically build itself. I just had to figure out what better way to use equipment outside of my commander? Tokens or aggro low cmc creatures. Well I did not want to focus on tokens too heavily so I decided to do aggressive low cost creatures which white is good at. Plus it has good upper end creatures to top off the curve. So it was really meant to be.
Brigid is a commander that most can say they probably never thought of playing due to such small insignificant advantages. We play a format with very large impacting creatures that make the game swing the pendulum one way or the other. Brigid doesn't stare these creatures down and threaten them in many definitions of the word "threatening." But she has a lot of cool points going for her since she is a commander that can take down a Kozilek, Butcher of Truth with the right tools. And she is in the color that can best find these tools. Card advantage may not be white's forte, but equipment tutors most definitely are. So if you want a commander that can very easily pose a threat to anything on the board with just a few equipment, she is the commander to do the job.
If you like putting a commander in the command zone and people blankly stare at you if you're serious.
Mowing down enemy lines is a fun way to spend your time.
Waiting for an opportunity to express Brigid's interest in voltron and why it works.
Seeking out those equipment that best win games after the board has been neutralized.
Not being afraid of a challenge.
Brigid Doesn't Choose You!
Flexibility is what you need from a commander.
You do not like your commander to be less optimal then your other 99.
Comboing infinities are the answer to every deck building challenge.
Sacing, taping, taxing... there is no fun here!
Archer types are out matched to soldier types.
Here is my deck list as it currently stands. I am testing new cards out from suggestions and I will update regularly when I see what is and is not working out. If there are any suggestions to the list that anyone would recommend, please let me know and I will swap out cards for the ones that I feel will fit and benefit the deck theme. Thanks for any and all support in making Brigid a true battlefield hazard. I want this to be the best and to show that even the less known, undervalued commanders still can have their uses and be very potent when used correctly.
4 Brigid, Hero of Kinsbaile
Equipment-18
1 Basilisk Collar
1 Blade of the Bloodchief
1 Skullclamp
2 Gorgon Flail
2 Lightning Greaves
2 Sword of the Animist
2 Thornbite Staff
3 Darksteel Plate
3 Godsend
3 Helm of Kaldra
3 Kusari-Gama
3 Loxodon Warhammer
3 Nemesis Mask
3 Quietus Spike
3 Shield of Kaldra
3 Sword of Feast and Famine
3 Sword of Fire and Ice
4 Sword of Kaldra
Creatures-28
1 Serra Ascendant
2 Knight of the White Orchid
2 Kor Outfitter
2 Leonin Shikari
2 Oracle en-Vec
2 Puresteel Paladin
2 Relic Seeker
2 Stoneforge Mystic
2 Stone Haven Outfitter
3 Brimaz, King of Oreskos
3 Kemba, Kha Regent
3 Mentor of the Meek
3 Mirran Crusader
3 Mirror Entity
4 Heliod, God of the Sun
4 Hero of Bladehold
4 Indomitable Archangel
4 Leonin Abunas
4 Odric, Master Tactician
4 Reveille Squad
4 Sanctum Gargoyle
4 Taj-Nar Swordsmith
5 Archangel of Thune
5 Stonehewer Giant
6 Sun Titan
6 Wurmcoil Engine
7 Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite
8 Breaker of Armies
1 Enlightened Tutor
1 Path to Exile
1 Swords to Plowshares
3 Second Sunrise
Sorceries-6
1 Steelshaper's Gift
2 Open the Armory
3 Cleansing Meditation
3 Paraselene
4 Wrath of God
6 Austere Command
Enchantment-2
2 Luminarch Ascension
4 Marshal's Anthem
Artifact-3
1 Expedition Map
1 Sol Ring
5 Mind's Eye
Planeswalker- 2
5 Gideon Jura
6 Elspeth, Sun's Champion
Land-36
1 Ancient Den
1 Ancient Tomb
1 Arid Mesa
1 Buried Ruin
1 Darksteel Citadel
1 Emeria, Sky Ruin
1 Flooded strand
1 Kjeldoran Outpost
1 Kor Haven
1 Marsh Flats
1 Strip Mine
1 Tectonic Edge
1 Temple of the False God
1 Vivid Meadow
1 Windswept Heath
21 Plains
Basilisk Collar- Brigid gaining Lifelink is just a bonus with this card to stabilize the life we will inevitably be losing from the pressure we are putting on. The Deathtouch is what shines on this. Brigid deals 2 damage to attacking or blocking creatures. This allows us to destroy those creatures instead making her damage lethal. And it is the most efficient source of deathtouch.
Gorgon Flail- Another one of the Deathtouch granting equipment. It is slightly more that Basilisk Collar but only costs 2. Instead of lifelink it grants +1/+1 which helps to power up our other creatures. This can be a huge asset to any of or First Strike or Doublestrike creatures.
Thornbite Staff- Brigid likes being able to react to all opponents combat phases. So if one creature is sniped with deathtouch, she is back ready to go for the next combat. Very nice synergy with her.
Kusari-Gama- The first ability to pump is not that much of a focus on this one, although it can occasionally come in handy. Where this card comes in is when Brigid deals damage to blocking creatures while this is attached, she will then deal that damage to all of their creatures. Deathtouch attached, this is a one sided board wipe.
Quietus Spike- This little equipment can be very useful against life gain strategies. It cuts down the life quickly when we are on the attack. The bonus is it also has deathtouch, yet another source for us to give to Brigid. That makes three reliable sources of deathtouch other than Gorgon's Head which does not do anything but grant deathtouch. I have considered it however, but at the moment I want more quality equipment.
Sword of Kaldra- If you ask me, this is the best card for Brigid. The fact that it gives a sizable +5/+5 to other creatures is nice, but the fact that it exiles a creature taking damage is even better. It is absolutely amazing to have our opponents attacking creatures all be exiled with this. Always a go to if Brigid is online and ready to go.
Skullclamp- What's a white deck without skullclamp? Mostly it is here for draw power, which white lacks, but we go into the red zone a lot and this will get high amount of use.
Lightning Greaves- Brigid or any other threat gains haste, a must in most cases here, and shroud as a bonus. Aggro needs this.
Sword of the Animist- After looking through the deck, mana ramp was a problem even at such a low curve. This also pumps our creatures as a bonus and all they need to do is attack which is conveniently what this deck likes to do.
Darksteel Plate- Overall a cheaper option to Shield of Kaldra, and the fact it is indestructible and grants Brigid or our other big name threats the same is a huge deal. We can attack with little to worry about.
Godsend- This equipment can really put out some extra damage when attacking/blocking. On the second ability, if we block one creature, it is just flat out exiled which is a nice tool to have. The same is true for attacking and stops people wanting to lose a creature permanently. A great way to power up our creatures.
Helm of Kaldra- This is another haste granting equipment while also giving us a few other very nice abilities. When it comes to Odric, Lunarch Marshal or Concerted Effort, these buffs can be passed around.
Loxodon Warhammer- One of the best aggro equipment around. Trample and Lifelink are huge and even Brigid can use this to gain us a bunch of life.
Nemesis Mask- Adding in a way to force my opponent to block is great and works very well with Brigid. If they never choose to go to combat, attack or block creatures, then she becomes less than ideal. Eventually it will happen, but we want to do it on our time not our opponents.
Shield of Kaldra- Much like Darksteel Plate, this gives our creature an added defense from being destroyed in combat or wipes. I feel it is necessary to go ahead and run a second option for indestructible just in case. Plus, it gives Sword and Helm of Kaldra indestructible as a bonus.
Sword of Feast and Famine- Untapping lands to do more is very important. Plus the protections and buff gets around some of the largest creatures in the format.
Sword of Fire and Ice- Again, card draw in mono white is essential. The spot removal is a tacked on bonus and of course stops damage from burn spells.
Relic Seeker- This is an aggro version of Stoneforge Mystic. By no means is it as good as her, it is still a very good way to search for an equipment. This coming down early is the most ideal when our opponents do not have a board state yet. But even late game with Brigid clearing the board, it can still get its use.
Stoneforge Mystic- The end all be all of equipment tutors. She is simply amazing and there is no reason to not run her. She can cheat the equipment into play as well as getting around counters. Must include in any equipment deck.
Taj-Nar Swordsmith- I like this guy for the fact that he puts the equipment directly into play and he plays similar to transmute artifact, except for equipment. The fact is that once he enters the cost is no problem to tutor one of our equipment and our opponent cannot counter the equipment outside of Stifle effects.
Stonehewer Giant- Another great tutor. He searches multiple times if he sticks and auto equips when they enter the battlefield. He is a fantastic option and has a great size for the cost. Very much needed next to Stoneforge Mystic.
Enlightened Tutor- Almost no white deck can go without it for multiple reasons. This is no different especially with 20+ cards are artifacts/enchantments.
Steelshaper's Gift- very cheap efficient equipment tutor. A must have for an equipment focused deck. You can't go wrong with it.
Open the Armory- A new gem from Shadows over Inistrad. It is almost as good as Steelshaper's gift but if for some reason we had an aura to get, we could do so as well. Still a 2cmc tutor is hard to come by these days.
Oracle en-Vec- After a great suggestion, I realized that the deck needed ways to force my opponent to attack and this is a great card at punishing them for attacking into Brigid or not attacking at all.
Breaker of Armies- He can take out many creatures just on his own, but he is a tool to force blocks so that Brigid can clear our opponents entire board. He is a very good source of removal either way he is used.
Nemesis Mask- I detailed this card earlier but it is a great way to make every creature to block similar to forced attack with Brigid out.
Gideon Jura- A fantastic tool for what we need in this deck. He does everything we want with our commander out. Plus he has good removal if anything is still alive.
Serra Ascendant- Obviously a great first turn play. But it also is still very powerful late game with a few equipment attached. Gaining back the life we lose early on will not be too difficult of a task and he stays pretty relevant most of the game.
Knight of the White Orchid- Not much needs to be said here, mono white has little to no land ramp, and it has first strike. Very good creature all around.
Kor Outfitter- a very niche card really, but it is low cost and auto equips any creature on board which is good for Brigid.
Leonin Shikari- Any equipment based white deck needs this for really insane plays on your opponents turns. Plus instant Lightning Greaves is pretty nice.
Puresteel Paladin- A shoe in with a heavy equipment theme. He makes all of our equipment free to equip which is very good for an aggressive deck.
Stone Haven Outfitter- This relatively new card is pretty nice for what we want in this deck. He pumps our equipped creatures and draws us cards if they die. Plus an extra draw off of Skullclamp is pretty nice.
Brimaz, King of Oreskos- He is a highly used creature for a reason. He pumps out tokens and has a great size body to attack with vigilance to boot. It is really a nice addition to this list.
Kemba, Kha Regent- She loves having equipment attached and puts out a lot of tokens as a result. She is a very good way to keep our board full and attacking.
Mentor of the Meek- He is a great way to draw cards in mono white. And most of our creatures are 2 power plus tokens we put in, so we get a lot of mileage out of this.
Mirran Crusader- All around a very efficient creature and has great protections to get through opposing boards. Doublestrike with any of the +x/+x equipments becomes deadly very quickly.
Mirror Entity- As a mana sink, he is a great way to pump every creature I have to be fearsome. One of the best Kamahl, Fist of Krosa style cards we have.
Heliod, God of the Sun- He comes in handy in many situations. First off he makes all creatures and a plus for Brigid have vigilance and she can tap after an attack as well because of this. He pumps out tokens in our downtime. There are many pluses to having him in the list.
Hero of Bladehold- She is a monster if left alone for too long. Pumping all our creatures is amazing and the fact that she pumps out tokens almost as well as Elspeth, Sun's Champion does. She can lay down some hurt very quickly and our opponent must have an answer to her if they do not want to lose a lot of life.
Indomitable Archangel- Pretty easy to get metalcraft and then she protects all of out equipment from targeted removal. Plus a 4/4 flyer for 4 is very good value in a deck like this. She is
Leonin Abunas- He is in here for the same reason as Indomitable Archangel. He has a smaller body but a large toughness to boot. Having redundancy is a good thing here especially when the thing he protects are the main focus for us.
Odric, Master Tactician- There is a lot of tech that can come from this guy. If we attack with enough creatures we can force our opponent to block with any available creature and Brigid can then kill them permanently or if we have a lethal swing he can make sure no one blocks at all. It is a very nice way to fit both aspects of the game plan we administer.
Reveille Squad- This little gem is a super secret tech with many tap generals. Brigid is the same way as when we get attacked she is untapped ready to mow down the attackers. It is very hard to not include this guy with such a tactile build.
Archangel of Thune- She is a very nice beater and she buffs all of our creatures with each instance of life gain. Brigid can make this happen with a few different equipment and there are a couple other lifelinkers in the list as well. She does it all by herself so even if she is the only one, each creature gets bigger on each hit with her.
Sun Titan- Almost a necessary inclusion in most white decks but he is way to good to pass up with all of our equipment mostly being in the range for him to grab them back.
Wurmcoil Engine- An efficient high value beater that gets better with first strike equipment or a buff to maul faces off. Hard to pass up so much value.
Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite- She is one of the strongest at buffing an army and she helps by effectively giving our creatures +4/+4 with the debuff to our opponents creatures in mind. Hard to contest her value.
- Accorder Paladin
- Thousand-Year Elixir
+ Archangel of Thune
+ Sword of the Animist
+ Thornbite Staff (1 slot unfilled)
April 26th, 2016
- Kor Duelist
- Signal Pest
- Mistmeadow Skulk
- Sunspear Shikari
- Honor of the Pure
- Concerted Effort
- Auriok Edgewright
+ Luminarch Ascension
+ Godsend
+ Nemesis Mask
+ Shield of Kaldra
+ Oracle en-Vec
+ Gideon Jura
+ Elspeth, Sun's Champion
April 29th, 2016
- Faith's Reward
- Quest for the Holy Relic
+ Second Sunrise
+ Heliod, God of the Sun
May 9th, 2016
- Odric, Lunarch Marshal
- Akroma, Angel of Wrath
- Junk Diver
- Commander Eesha
- Knight of Medowgrain
- Neko-Te
+ Blade of the Bloodchief
+ Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite
+ Sanctum Gargoyle
+ Breaker of Armies
+ Paraselene
+ Cleansing Meditation
WBR Alesha's Death Brigade WBR
WWW Brigid the Battlefield Saboteur WWW
UB Wydwen, the Biting Gale UB
I would love to hear how testing goes, this looks like a really fun deck!!
just a few suggestions... sorry for a bunch of things, just thinking out loud here!
if you are running both the sword and helm of kaldra, why not include the shield of kaldra? It is good for brigid, and if the off chance you get all three out that could be pretty fun
i like steelshaper apprentice a little more than Taj-Nar Swordsmith, and Treasure Hunter more than Junk Diver.
Knight of the White Orchid for ramp
Angelic Skirmisher is another semi-Concerted Effort, as well as True Conviction or Victory's Herald
Reconnaissance is great in any swingy deck to help prevent unnessecary suicides
Grand Abolisher is good if you play against a lot of control
Archangel of Thune would be pretty bonkers if you could get a bunch of creatures swinging
Nahiri, the Lithomancer is another way to cheat out equipment. With all of the equip costs, you might wanna look at another mana rock like Thran Dynamo
another good equipment for brigid is Scythe of the Wretched, this plus deathtouch and Kusari-Gama steals every creature
one Bane of progress messes you over pretty hard... it might be worthwhile to look into a Avacyn, Angel of Hope or Darksteel Forge, or cheaper, Second Sunrise
**FYI** the black text is pretty hard to read being that I am on the black background setting...
[EDH In Development] Kynaios and Tiro of Meletis | Trostani, Selesnya's Voice | Queen Marchesa | Ruhan of the Fomori | Yahenni, Undying Partisan
[EDH Retired] Ertai, The Corrupted | Sigarda, Host of Herons | Tariel, Reckoner of Souls | Korlash, Heir to Blackblade
[Modern] Stuffy Doll Combo Burn | Demigod of Revenge
Thanks for the response. I appreciate the sentiment very much.
- As far as shield of kaldra is concerned, I had it on the list originally, but felt that maybe darksteel plate would be better since it is cheaper to cast. I may do the swap however and see how it plays.
- Steelshaper Apprentice being very slow to play/activate is what deters me from him. I can see his usefulness to get more equipment, I'm just not sure if I like the tap and bounce to search. Taj-Nar does put it into play as a bonus.
- Treasure Hunter I never knew about. I do like the change since it ETB instead of dies. I will most likely make that swap.
- Knight of the White Orchid is in the list currently.
- On angelic skirmisher, true conviction, and victory's herald, I am trying to keep the high cost (5+ cmc) at a very min since I am not running much ramp. I may consider angelic skirmisher however, as true conviction never lasts in my meta.
- I've always liked Reconnaissance and it may find a way into the list. If something goes awry it will be useful to have.
- Grand Abolisher was very close to making it. He may find a way back in, I will need to playtest the deck some to see if I need him. I have some control decks in my meta, but I mostly play control so I'm not sure if it will be needed.
- Archangel of Thune has been a pet card of mine in so many decks. It was hard not adding it here because she has great potential in any aggro deck. I may have to find a slot for her.
- Nahiri was left out for similar reasons of the other 5 cmc cards. I want to find a place for her, but I don't feel she will survive too long to get the benefit out of. Most players I play with are aggro.
- Scythe of the Wretched was on oversight. I had seen it once before and thought about adding it in. I will look at a slot for it.
- Second Sunrise would be the first go to due to instant speed and low cost. Avacyn is hitting that high curve I want to stay away from. The main reason Akroma made it was for her numerous abilities that can be passed around with concerted effort and odric, lunarch marshal.
- I also changed the font back to normal for easier reading.
Thanks for all the great suggestions! If you know of cards I could cut for some of these, please let me know. I'm very pumped about getting to play her, all the cards should be in soon enough and I can see what is missing/ needs to be cut.
WBR Alesha's Death Brigade WBR
WWW Brigid the Battlefield Saboteur WWW
UB Wydwen, the Biting Gale UB
in regards to the shield over darksteel plate, i wouldn't do the swap. Darksteel plate is better solely for the cost. however, i almost always ran several ways for indestructible, as one was bound to get exiled or stolen or whatever.
wow, missed that completely
maybe look into a Sword of the Animist? has done work in most of my decks.
cuts are always the hardest part
i feel like you wont get a lot of value from the Accorder Paladin, as much as i love the card, but a lot of your turn may consist of playing an equipment and attaching it, and i do not know if youll be attacking with enough creatures to really benefit from it. Auriok Edgewright as well, itll get most value the first few turns when you dont have any artifacts. just my two cents
[EDH In Development] Kynaios and Tiro of Meletis | Trostani, Selesnya's Voice | Queen Marchesa | Ruhan of the Fomori | Yahenni, Undying Partisan
[EDH Retired] Ertai, The Corrupted | Sigarda, Host of Herons | Tariel, Reckoner of Souls | Korlash, Heir to Blackblade
[Modern] Stuffy Doll Combo Burn | Demigod of Revenge
Other cards I would like to suggest are:
Again, kudos on the deck! Great concept and I hope you're able to tinker it into a very formidable deck!
BGU [Primer] Sidisi, Brood Tyrant BGU | BG [Primer] Mazirek, Kraul Death Priest BG | G [Primer] Polukranos, World Eater G
My YouTube Channel:
The Commander Tavern - a channel I just started where I'll post deck techs and gameplays. Please support by checking it out. Maybe you'll like its content and subscribe! Thanks!
Auriok Edgeright and Accorder paladin were maybes to begin with and I can see that they lose value late game. I replaced them with Archangel of Thune and Sword of the Animist. Thanks for the suggestions and cuts, I think it will definitely play better with more substantial cards throughout the game.
Thanks for the great ideas! I like trying to build around the obscure and highly unique commanders, it is a deck building challenge for me.
- I didn't think of Gideon for that use although I was aware of his ability, and now I definitely want to find a spot for him. I agree with the forced attack and adding in a few options. I will need to reevaluate a few cards that may not pull through. Oracle en-Vec is a new one to me but I like the potential there. Thanks for pointing them out.
- Nemesis Mask is a huge oversight. I definitely want to find a spot for this one.
- Thornbite Staff and Grafted Exoskeleton were in the original list and got cut, but Thornbite can replace thousand-year elixir pretty easily. If one of the equipment I'm running currently doesn't work out, I will probably swap it out for this.
- Blade of the Bloodchief is a great idea for making Brigid go Voltron. I will leave it up for consideration. Spirit Loop is always a fun card and it can gain a lot of life especially coupled with Basilisk Collar.
I like many of your suggestions and again really appreciate the ideas to push this to be its best. I want to show that even the least threatening of commanders in a format of large splashy creatures can make a difference and be among the largest threats imaginable. It is a fun idea and I plan to keep evolving the deck.
WBR Alesha's Death Brigade WBR
WWW Brigid the Battlefield Saboteur WWW
UB Wydwen, the Biting Gale UB
No problem! I think you could easily go with a sleight voltron suite with Brigid and thus not have to run so many weenies which can be dead draw mid to late game. Brigid wiping the board during an opponent's turn means that she's wide open to deal 21+ commander damage to any victim. It's far easier to win with 21+ commander damage than to pump a bunch of weenies enough to give 40+ combat damage to a table of enemies. Remember that Brigid is unassuming so you won't be such a turn 0 target. However, you need to set up your board in such a way to take the win out of nowhere - which is what playing unassuming generals is all about ;). You cut Grafted Exoskeleton but if you go voltron, it's even easier to win by giving a defenseless opponent 10 poison counters than 21+ commander damage. I'm pretty sure you could likely reconsider this one.
On the topic of weenies, you could easily just produce them via tokens than wasting slots on weenies. With Leonin Shikari, Kemba, Kha Regent, and Puresteel Paladin in play, you can attack all equipment for free onto Kemba in response to your upkeep, get a bunch of tokens, and then just equip the equipment where they should originally go. You could definitely focus a bit more on token production and boons than just casting weenies.
There are some cards which I don't think could be efficient enough in the deck. Is this a meta call or a way to nerf the deck in a more casual setting? You said that you want a semi-competitive build; so is this the reason?
BGU [Primer] Sidisi, Brood Tyrant BGU | BG [Primer] Mazirek, Kraul Death Priest BG | G [Primer] Polukranos, World Eater G
My YouTube Channel:
The Commander Tavern - a channel I just started where I'll post deck techs and gameplays. Please support by checking it out. Maybe you'll like its content and subscribe! Thanks!
Yeah on the token route, I was trying to dial it back to not be that big of a focus even though it may be slightly more competitive overall. Mono white uses tokens a LOT and I was trying to avoid it in this case. I wanted it to have a low profile of threat perception but I do want to make it strong enough to compete against other decks in my meta. This contributes to the semi-competitive nature. The weenie strategy is complimented with some anthem effects and this may need to be emphasized more to make them really work out to full effect. Or as you said, give it a voltron aspect with a few extra equipment to push that. Which cards stand out to you to be the less efficient ones so I can find a few options up for cutting? If I put in token producers, which would you recommend as a low cost high effect? A list of commonly used ones are:
WBR Alesha's Death Brigade WBR
WWW Brigid the Battlefield Saboteur WWW
UB Wydwen, the Biting Gale UB
Free is always good, so including Elspeth, Sun's Champion and Nahiri, the Lithomancer are good calls. Another one is Gideon, Ally of Zendikar. I wouldn't play Sacred Mesa because you'd usually have to pay twice as much just to be able to sacrifice a pegasus to it during your upkeep. Although, if you're gonna spend 2W or 3W on a 1/1 soldier or 2/1 cleric, you might as well pay 2WW for 2 1/1 flyers even though one's gonna bit it your next upkeep. Luminarch Ascension should definitely be included because controlling combat means you'll probably get it going to 4 counters that faster.
Also, you have a nice suite with Odric, Lunarch Marshal and Concerted Effort. However, they have little support and it's difficult to get them onto the field in order to make good use of creatures like Mistmeadow Skulk, Mirran Crusader, etc. I can see that strategy being much more efficient in a GW deck where drawing is easier and tutoring for creatures is as well. That being said, I would leave them (Odric v.2 and Concerted Effort) but then add cards like Sword of Vengeance which is an equipment (fitting to the theme) and has quite a lot of boons on it and remove some creatures that are pretty useless with Odric v2. and Concerted Effort.
By the way, what lands are you running?
Here are my suggestions:
1 Shield of Kaldra
1 Sword of Vengeance
1 Gideon Jura
1 Elspeth, Sun's Champion
1 Nahiri, the Lithomancer
1 Luminarch Ascension
1 Sacred Mesa
1 Oracle en-Vec
1 Breaker of Armies
1 Nemesis Mask
1 Godsend
1 Kor Duelist
1 Serra Ascendant
1 Signal Pest
1 Knight of Meadowgrain
1 Kor Outfitter
1 Mistmeadow Skulk
1 Sunspear Shikari
1 Mirran Crusader
1 Silverblade Paladin
1 Commander Eesha
1 Honor of the Pure
These changes give the deck more cards to take full advantage of Brigid's ability (as I previously explained) plus token producers and some equipment to make voltron a possible and reliable wincon. The cards I suggest removing are ones I stated previously are pretty much dead draws without having Odric v.2 and Concerted Effort in play. I would add those cards if my commander were Odric and even then I'd call them iffy. Also, the cards aren't that spectacular on their own in EDH. White Knight is a brutal and awesome card in a white weenie boon deck. However, not so much in EDH. So I went by that philosophy. Again, this is just a suggestion complying to theme (important), consistency (just as important), and efficiency.
BGU [Primer] Sidisi, Brood Tyrant BGU | BG [Primer] Mazirek, Kraul Death Priest BG | G [Primer] Polukranos, World Eater G
My YouTube Channel:
The Commander Tavern - a channel I just started where I'll post deck techs and gameplays. Please support by checking it out. Maybe you'll like its content and subscribe! Thanks!
I agree with many of your suggestions. I'm still on the fence about Sacred Mesa for the same reason you mention. I need to obtain a Gideon, Ally of Zendikar before I get a chance to see how he plays. I know he would add quite a bit with his versatile abilities. The ones I am looking to find places for currently are:
Cards I'm looking to cut possibly:
WBR Alesha's Death Brigade WBR
WWW Brigid the Battlefield Saboteur WWW
UB Wydwen, the Biting Gale UB
Although Concerted Effort gives more boons than Odric v.2. Are you going to eliminate that subtheme altogether or just alter it?
Why did you cut Grafted Exoskeleton? Cards like Avacyn, Angel of Hope can shut down this deck pretty hard.
BGU [Primer] Sidisi, Brood Tyrant BGU | BG [Primer] Mazirek, Kraul Death Priest BG | G [Primer] Polukranos, World Eater G
My YouTube Channel:
The Commander Tavern - a channel I just started where I'll post deck techs and gameplays. Please support by checking it out. Maybe you'll like its content and subscribe! Thanks!
Edit: I added my land base to the OP
WBR Alesha's Death Brigade WBR
WWW Brigid the Battlefield Saboteur WWW
UB Wydwen, the Biting Gale UB
I'm really looking forward to your testing. I have no doubt that the "force an opponent to attack and/or block" package will be quite the sea-change for the deck.
BGU [Primer] Sidisi, Brood Tyrant BGU | BG [Primer] Mazirek, Kraul Death Priest BG | G [Primer] Polukranos, World Eater G
My YouTube Channel:
The Commander Tavern - a channel I just started where I'll post deck techs and gameplays. Please support by checking it out. Maybe you'll like its content and subscribe! Thanks!
Removal like Stp and path would be great here. Also board wipes are great
The deck already runs Swords to Plowshares and Path to Exile. It also already runs Austere Command and the pertinent fetch-lands. I doubt it needs any more board wipes because that's basically the goal of the general: to mow down the opponents' creatures so that only his are left. Wiping the board with a Wrath of God or Day of Judgment would be counterproductive.
BGU [Primer] Sidisi, Brood Tyrant BGU | BG [Primer] Mazirek, Kraul Death Priest BG | G [Primer] Polukranos, World Eater G
My YouTube Channel:
The Commander Tavern - a channel I just started where I'll post deck techs and gameplays. Please support by checking it out. Maybe you'll like its content and subscribe! Thanks!
WBR Alesha's Death Brigade WBR
WWW Brigid the Battlefield Saboteur WWW
UB Wydwen, the Biting Gale UB
No problem, it is easy to overlook.
Updated OP with full equipment list details and equipment tutors section. I will continue adding more as I get time and testing in. Thanks for the continued support.
WBR Alesha's Death Brigade WBR
WWW Brigid the Battlefield Saboteur WWW
UB Wydwen, the Biting Gale UB
I would replace it with Heliod, God of the Sun because it works so well with skullclamp and a good mana sink for card advantage
[EDH In Development] Kynaios and Tiro of Meletis | Trostani, Selesnya's Voice | Queen Marchesa | Ruhan of the Fomori | Yahenni, Undying Partisan
[EDH Retired] Ertai, The Corrupted | Sigarda, Host of Herons | Tariel, Reckoner of Souls | Korlash, Heir to Blackblade
[Modern] Stuffy Doll Combo Burn | Demigod of Revenge
I concur.
BGU [Primer] Sidisi, Brood Tyrant BGU | BG [Primer] Mazirek, Kraul Death Priest BG | G [Primer] Polukranos, World Eater G
My YouTube Channel:
The Commander Tavern - a channel I just started where I'll post deck techs and gameplays. Please support by checking it out. Maybe you'll like its content and subscribe! Thanks!
WBR Alesha's Death Brigade WBR
WWW Brigid the Battlefield Saboteur WWW
UB Wydwen, the Biting Gale UB
Quest for the Holy Relic is just a very situational equipment tutor.
BGU [Primer] Sidisi, Brood Tyrant BGU | BG [Primer] Mazirek, Kraul Death Priest BG | G [Primer] Polukranos, World Eater G
My YouTube Channel:
The Commander Tavern - a channel I just started where I'll post deck techs and gameplays. Please support by checking it out. Maybe you'll like its content and subscribe! Thanks!
WBR Alesha's Death Brigade WBR
WWW Brigid the Battlefield Saboteur WWW
UB Wydwen, the Biting Gale UB
I got to play two games with her, one game with venser, shaper savant and Ob Nixilis, the fallen voltron, and another against venser a second time and Titania, Protector of Argoth. The first game went ok for the most part. I was able to aggro the table pretty well with a lot of creatures and tokens from Elspeth, and Brigid pulled a lot of weight to keep the Ob player from coming at me for most of the game. Only problem I ended up having was the ob player landed Exquisite Blood and the Venser player played Clever Impersonator copying the Exquisite Blood. I needless to say, had a very uphill battle the entire time since no removal was coming. And I think I may need to add a few more pieces for that. So I got killed while they duked out the life gain war.
The second game went better with titania having a difficult time maneuvering around Brigid with deathtouch. Only issue I ended up having in this game was a lack of board presence. I had Brigid out most of the game with shroud and deathtouch, but the game went south after an ill timed Cyclonic Rift and I was not able to set up fast enough to stop an overrun from Titania getting set up quickly. The game ended shortly after.
So while not getting a win, she did her job and killed a decent amount of attackers and deterred them from me. I feel like the enchantment removal may need to be touched on as that was a big problem both games. If there are any suggestions as the best options for this let me know. I'm thinking Aura of Silence may make it in to have the additional benefit of taxing them as well.
WBR Alesha's Death Brigade WBR
WWW Brigid the Battlefield Saboteur WWW
UB Wydwen, the Biting Gale UB
Dispeller's Capsule/Seal of Cleansing goes well with sun titan too, but i would probably run the aura of silence over those.
[EDH In Development] Kynaios and Tiro of Meletis | Trostani, Selesnya's Voice | Queen Marchesa | Ruhan of the Fomori | Yahenni, Undying Partisan
[EDH Retired] Ertai, The Corrupted | Sigarda, Host of Herons | Tariel, Reckoner of Souls | Korlash, Heir to Blackblade
[Modern] Stuffy Doll Combo Burn | Demigod of Revenge