I really enjoyed the +1/+1 counter themes that I played during the pre-release events of Ravnica Allegiance, and so I wanted to make a deck that focused on counters. I chose Atraxa, Praetors' Voice to have access to the colors I care about, and because she supports the theme. I recognize that Atraxa has a reputation for being built as a superfriends build, so I will have to let my opponents know that I'm building it in a much less competitive manner.
Because I'm building something new to me, I need help! I haven't played with many of these cards, and I'm looking for some help from the community about which of these cards have worked well, which haven't, and any other suggestions. The decklist is comprised of cards that I definitely own and am considering, while the list that follows is a list of cards I either am considering to put in the list, or need to track down a physical copy of the card.
Is green-based spell ramp enough, or should I consider signets, since the mana base will be cheap?
Do I need a quick finisher, like Avenger-Hoof, or should this deck naturally be able to finish off a table without those finishers? Same idea with Sage of Hours tricks.
Without infinite mana, is Simic Ascendancy a fool's errand, or is it a realistic threat that can end the game later?
I'm a big fan of cards like gilder bairn and vorel of the hull clade in +1/+1 counter decks. They can give a huge burst to a creature that's just about to land damage. Fertilid I would say is an auto include in this deck as you can ramp so hard with it if the counters just keep coming back.
kalonian hydra is a great addition too but you've got to keep it swinging and it's less subtle than most other cards that interact with +1/+1 counters.
I'm on a fan of the Experience Counter creatures unless you can recuss them or have constant access. As a commander they're OK hut trying to fit them into the 99 doesn't go in my opinion.
Simic ascendancy is insane in a deck like this. If you have five creatures on the filed with counters you win in four turns. You can proliferate the counter on the enchantment too so can speed up the whole process. With all the creatures coming in and adding counters I think this is a pretty viable wincon if its not played too late.
I also have a +1/+1 counter-focused Atraxa deck, but since it's built around a non-mtg theme, I won't delve into specifics or power level choices, but I'll give some of my thoughts...
Since my build is a little different, I'm not sure about how they will perform for you, but the +1/+1 counter lords were a little lackluster for me. The same can be said for Bred for the Hunt, though I have not actually tried it myself and am now curious.
I really enjoyed the +1/+1 counter themes that I played during the pre-release events of Ravnica Allegiance, and so I wanted to make a deck that focused on counters. I chose Atraxa, Praetors' Voice to have access to the colors I care about, and because she supports the theme. I recognize that Atraxa has a reputation for being built as a superfriends build, so I will have to let my opponents know that I'm building it in a much less competitive manner.
Because I'm building something new to me, I need help! I haven't played with many of these cards, and I'm looking for some help from the community about which of these cards have worked well, which haven't, and any other suggestions. The decklist is comprised of cards that I definitely own and am considering, while the list that follows is a list of cards I either am considering to put in the list, or need to track down a physical copy of the card.
Thank you in advance for your help!
1 Atraxa, Praetors' Voice
Creatures
1 Benthic Biomancer
1 Birds of Paradise
2 Anafenza, Kin-Tree Spirit
2 Scavenging Ooze
2 Winding Constrictor
2 Zameck Guildmage
3 Abzan Falconer
3 Champion of Lambholt
3 Chasm Skulker
3 Knight of Autumn
3 Orzhov Advokist
3 Pir, Imaginative Rascal
3 Reyhan, Last of the Abzan
3 Rishkar, Peema Renegade
3 Simic Manipulator
3 Tuskguard Captain
3 Wild Beastmaster
4 Fathom Mage
4 Forgotten Ancient
4 Herald of Secret Streams
4 Jarad, Golgari Lich Lord
4 Master Biomancer
4 Shalai, Voice of Plenty
4 Sharktocrab
4 Skatewing Spy
4 Toothy, Imaginary Friend
4 Zegana, Utopian Speaker
5 Deepglow Skate
5 Elite Scaleguard
5 Ivorytusk Fortress
5 Juniper Order Ranger
5 Mycoloth
5 Reveillark
5 Trollbred Guardian
6 Vigor
1 Hardened Scales
2 Simic Ascendancy
3 Bred for the Hunt
4 Path of Discovery
5 Cathars' Crusade
Artifacts
1 Astra Cornucopia
1 Everflowing Chalice
1 Sol Ring
2 Fellwar Stone
3 Chromatic Lantern
4 Crystalline Crawler
Instants
1 Swords to Plowshares
2 Arcane Denial
2 Disdainful Stroke
2 Dromoka's Command
2 Solidarity of Heroes
3 Inspiring Call
3 Mortify
3 Putrefy
4 Utter End
5 Sylvan Reclamation
8 Dig Through Time
Sorceries
2 Farseek
2 Collective Effort
3 Cultivate
3 Kodama's Reach
4 Tezzeret's Gambit
6 Merciless Eviction
3 Nissa, Voice of Zendikar
Lands
12 Forest
6 Island
5 Plains
5 Swamp
1 Command Tower
1 Evolving Wilds
1 Terramorphic Expanse
1 Breeding Pool
1 Godless Shrine
1 Overgrown Tomb
1 Temple Garden
Other ideas
Notes
Currently Playing:
Multiplayer EDH Lists (click italics for a link to the thread!)
[Primer] Lord of Tresserhorn - Don't Tell Me What I Can't Do[Primer] Roon of the Hidden Realm - Rhino Blink
5 Color Tribal Guide (Slivers, Atogs, Allies, Spirits)
Also Playing (most decklists can be found on my profile)
MarathGeistKamahlGrenzoBolasThassaGitrog
PiratesZurVial Smasher&ThrasiosYennettJhoira(cEDH)Strix(Pauper)
Legacy: Maverick
Modern:
Melira PodRIP 1/19/15GWHatebearsFertilid I would say is an auto include in this deck as you can ramp so hard with it if the counters just keep coming back.
kalonian hydra is a great addition too but you've got to keep it swinging and it's less subtle than most other cards that interact with +1/+1 counters.
I'm on a fan of the Experience Counter creatures unless you can recuss them or have constant access. As a commander they're OK hut trying to fit them into the 99 doesn't go in my opinion.
Simic ascendancy is insane in a deck like this. If you have five creatures on the filed with counters you win in four turns. You can proliferate the counter on the enchantment too so can speed up the whole process. With all the creatures coming in and adding counters I think this is a pretty viable wincon if its not played too late.
EDH:
[Primer]C Kozilek, Butcher of Truth C
RGNikya of the Old WaysGR
Currently Playing:
Multiplayer EDH Lists (click italics for a link to the thread!)
[Primer] Lord of Tresserhorn - Don't Tell Me What I Can't Do[Primer] Roon of the Hidden Realm - Rhino Blink
5 Color Tribal Guide (Slivers, Atogs, Allies, Spirits)
Also Playing (most decklists can be found on my profile)
MarathGeistKamahlGrenzoBolasThassaGitrog
PiratesZurVial Smasher&ThrasiosYennettJhoira(cEDH)Strix(Pauper)
Legacy: Maverick
Modern:
Melira PodRIP 1/19/15GWHatebears