MTG Salvation

Hello everyone. I'm currently running a hybrid UR deck that relies on it's color symbols to generate big mana with Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx and to untap it via Ral Zarek in order to cast big spells like Rite of Replication/Cyclonic Rift and use the activated abilities of Dragon Roost and Crackleburr to help win the game. Master of Waves paired with Mindwrack Liege buffs a bunch of little dudes, and repeatedly bouncing Fanatic of Mogis is usually game. The deck appears clunky at times, and my early game blockers are always susceptible to board wipe, which kind of screws me. Here's what I have so far...



Is there some significant changes I can make to the deck? I would probably like to keep Ral Zarek in here. Are any of the newer cards that are out viable for a deck like this? I know Dack Fayden is good, but he's kind of pricey.

Ya, the creatures can be vulnerable, that's why I'm trying to steer them in a different direction if possible. I already have separate decks for both red and blue, so just looking for an archetype for both. I try not to shuffle my cards around in different decks, so unfortunately I already Purphoros, God of the Forge in a Prossh, Skyraider of Kher deck.

Are there any early enchantments or fatties or something that can help with devotion that can be relevant late game?

If Show and Tell and Sneak Attack weren't so expensive I would just play those and load up on a bunch of fatties.

Is there a possible Metallurgic Summonings/Guttersnipe/Thermo-Alchemist archetype that could smash some face?

Quote from WetBanditMarv »

Are there any early enchantments or fatties or something that can help with devotion that can be relevant late game?

Nothing that's both Red and Blue unless you count Keranos, God of Storms and/or the Niv-Mizzets. That being said I'm fond of Future Sight and Flameshadow Conjuring can be decent given that the copies retain their manacosts. This is also why Myriad effects such as Blade of Selves can be relevant as you can probably imagine what it's like to cheat 2x Fanatic of Mogis into play every turn.

Quote from FGC »

I think you need more card draw. Does your metagame play with enough people to support Manifold Insights?

In a dedicated Devotion deck it typically makes more sense to field things like Mystic Remora, Rhystic Study, Bident of Thassa, Future Sight, Consecrated Sphinx, Mind's Dilation, etc. Permanents > spells whenever possible.

Future Sight is a great card. I would have to test it, but I don't think I would have any problems getting 3U sources in 5 turns given the land base and Nykthos. Manifold Insights seems like a legit card that I'll have to include in pretty much all my decks that run blue. With a devotion based shell, I don't think it would be the right fit here. Speaking of permanents, should I omit Preordain, Mizzium Mortars, and Rite of Replication in favor of more permanents? I feel like the spells are essential to the deck though when it comes to land filtering/card based combos, killing off weenies (6 mana is no problem with Nykthos) and 5 copies of Fanatic of Mogis/Master of Waves/Magmatic Force is sweet.

Eh you're right. I think I'll keep my cards over the choices you suggested. If I need to I can make some small adjustments. Card draw could include Future Sight and Mercurial Chemister. Sudden Demise might be worth testing as a nice sweeper card. I used to run Dack's Duplicate over ROR, but ROR has so much more value when it can be kicked for the late game.

Quote from Xyx »

The answer to that question is basically never "no".

Uhh so you're telling him to cut it then?

I don't not agree with the opposite of that statement. You shouldn't never not play Preordain unless your deck isn't not interested in smoothing its draws and vice-verse (except the exact inverse not opposite). As such you'll constantly never not sometimes always cut it from builds that do don't not never need the cantrip. It's critical that you don't keep these unexceptions in mind unless you're not building without forethought.

Quote from Xyx »

Q: Should I omit Preordain?
A: No.

Seems pretty unambiguous to me.

Uhh, no, that's not what you said.

Quote from Xyx »

The answer to that question is basically never "no".

"Never no" is functionally equivalent to "always yes." After all, if you're saying "no" 0% of the time (i.e. "never") then you're saying "yes" 100% of the time by definition. That's basic English comprehension. Basic Math too for that matter. Multiply two negative figures and you'll invariably get a positive sum. It's even basic morality as two wrongs always make a right (see Simpson, Homer). I don't understand how you don't understand that you were telling him to cut Preordain.