A while back, someone tried to build a pauper reanimator by using Exhume, 3 CMC cascade cards to find it and creatures with cheap cycling costs such as Deadshot Minotaur and Street Wrait. While this may seem promising on paper, the problem was that a 3/4 on t3 wasn't really all that.
So how about reanimating something bigger? The problem with Exhume+Cascade is that you can't run acceleration with CMC < 3 and you can't run cheap discard outlets. Hence, I propose building with Breath of Life and False Defeat instead. Then there are 2 options. Either you run threats like Eldrazi Devastator and Ulamog's Crusher together with discard outlets such as blue or red looting effects. However, I think going green has more to offer, even though it pretty much limits you to threats with cycling. 1 CMC acceleration means you can squeeze it in before turn 3 and reanimate a turn earlier. Mana elves also protect against edict effects. A suggested shell:
I know I want instant speed removal so I can use it on the fly t2 if needed, or just cycle a threat and set up reanimation if I don't. Some added protection would probably be nice too, but the beauty of the cycling mechanic is that you'll keep drawing into more reanimation = more cheap fatties for 4 mana. You'll also draw lots of lands from tusker and recluse so that you can eventually hard cast the fatties too. This means the deck has an impressive threat density and just lays down a fatty with p/t 5 or 6 about once per turn, starting turn 3. I'm sure the concept can be improved upon. Waddjathink?
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Oooh, interesting - can't believe I missed that one! I can see the appeal in running an essentially mono white deck, but I think my approach with green mana acceleration is better than adding white weenies. It also opens up Krosan Tusker cycling t2 which is ideal. I want my openings to look like this:
Turn 1: Acceleration
Turn 2: Cycle fatty, maybe play a 1-drop, instant speed removal if you're in trouble.
Turn 3: Reanimate
Turn 4: Cement board position with control
Turn 5: MOAR cycling, reanimation and fatties.
Basically, I'm saying THIS deck is the beatdown - it is reanimator after all, just a turn slower and with less untouchable dudes. Instead it goes for extreme redundancy. It's a bit like Selesnya Hexproof except its threats are big from the get go rather than growing more impressive. Deck probably needs some evasion though. I've also contemplated a Fierce Empath toolbox to find more specialized fatties to either hard cast later or cycle for reanimation. It slows it down a turn but the flexibility could be worth it, especially getting tramplers. Or Walker of the Grove - you could evoke it for a 4/4 and then reanimate it next turn.
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Well, what could be interesting is running just a bit more ramp, such as a playset of Arbor Elf, and blending the reanimation strategy with just a ramp-style beatdown. You could have explosive starts with Turn 3 reanimation, or you could also churn out fatty after fatty as of turn 5 and reanimate them if they die.
Ah! How beautiful - Arbor Elf untapping a Forest with Utopia Sprawl. Yes, since I'm that keen on t1 acceleration, I should probably run 11 sources to max out the game plan.. and with that much acceleration, it sure makes sense to run big drops in general. Here's a slightly more finished list:
So I've modified the mana base and included a small Fierce Empath toolbox with some neat synergy between exiling enchantment and Ruin Processor in order to incorporate some main deck life gain. It also occured to me how good Custodi Squire is in this deck, returning Tuskers for reuse and THEN reanimating them on the cheap. Walker of the Grove was an excellent suggestion and will probably be my go to Empath target when I don't need life gain or trample specifically. Fierce Empath -> Walker, evoke -> Custodi Squire -> evoke it again -> reanimate it = an army in a can
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I don't - I plan to hardcast them. Upkeep suggested above that with all my acceleration, I might as well include a few fatties to be hard cast exclusively. I thought 2 such threats was the correct number and included 2x Fierce Empath to tutor them up (or grab me a pig/spider if I don't have a cycler to reanimate). The advantage here of course is adding variety - not going to the grave on their own is a downside, but not being limited to only cyclers in creature selection gives me some more tools for the toolbox.
The choice of Oakgnarl Warrior is because I think it's the best option to handle a crowded field of weenies, such as when fighting goblins. A huge butt and trample is just what I need then, and vigilance helps me not die while I attack. The 7 mana is also very reasonable at turn 5. Ruin Processor is included mostly for the life gain, to have something game 1 against Burn. The plan is to buy time by exiling a permanent threat and then tutor up Processor. Perhaps not the most solid plan of all time, but it fits with the deck's basic shell.
I considered Maul Splicer, but went for Walker of the Grove instead. It evokes more quickly and is a better fit with the reanimation. Ulamog's Crusher is certainly a consideration, but I thought it was a bit clunky at 8 mana for the main deck. Against slow control with few non-land permanents though, it's probably ideal and deserves a slot in the SB.
Selesnya Sanctuary is a good idea, but I need to prioritize Forests for Utopia Sprawl and Arbor Elf. This means cutting into my Plains, and 3 Plains seems very close to the bare minimum to me. Can't really cut acceleration for them either. So that would mean cutting spells, but I think 27 sources is already quite plenty, considering I have 4 pigs and a spider to search more lands out too, making more than half the deck mana if needed.
EDIT: Btw, awesome new name for the deck: Spider Pig!
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Major idea: Mistmoon Griffin. It's like Defeat/Breath except you get a 2/2 flyer thrown in for the same deal. Basically white's Mulldrifter. And yes, of course I'm using on-line rarities if it helps me, in case you're wondering.
The only problem is creature based acceleration can make you not come out on top very well, but that can be fixed. If you're dropping a threat in itself on turn 3, you're also less pressed to cycle on turn 2 - in fact Street Wraith might have a place in this thanks to cycling for free at instant speed.
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So how about reanimating something bigger? The problem with Exhume+Cascade is that you can't run acceleration with CMC < 3 and you can't run cheap discard outlets. Hence, I propose building with Breath of Life and False Defeat instead. Then there are 2 options. Either you run threats like Eldrazi Devastator and Ulamog's Crusher together with discard outlets such as blue or red looting effects. However, I think going green has more to offer, even though it pretty much limits you to threats with cycling. 1 CMC acceleration means you can squeeze it in before turn 3 and reanimate a turn earlier. Mana elves also protect against edict effects. A suggested shell:
12 Forest
5 Plains
4 Avacyn's Pilgrim
4 Utopia Sprawl
4 Krosan Tusker
4 Jungle Weaver
3 Pale Recluse
4 False Defeat
4 Breath of Life
OTHER STUFF (16)
4 Celestial Flare
I know I want instant speed removal so I can use it on the fly t2 if needed, or just cycle a threat and set up reanimation if I don't. Some added protection would probably be nice too, but the beauty of the cycling mechanic is that you'll keep drawing into more reanimation = more cheap fatties for 4 mana. You'll also draw lots of lands from tusker and recluse so that you can eventually hard cast the fatties too. This means the deck has an impressive threat density and just lays down a fatty with p/t 5 or 6 about once per turn, starting turn 3. I'm sure the concept can be improved upon. Waddjathink?
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UB Wight Phantasm
RB Burn
UR Faerie Rites of Initiation
Legacy:
R Burn
CG-Post
Oooh, interesting - can't believe I missed that one! I can see the appeal in running an essentially mono white deck, but I think my approach with green mana acceleration is better than adding white weenies. It also opens up Krosan Tusker cycling t2 which is ideal. I want my openings to look like this:
Turn 1: Acceleration
Turn 2: Cycle fatty, maybe play a 1-drop, instant speed removal if you're in trouble.
Turn 3: Reanimate
Turn 4: Cement board position with control
Turn 5: MOAR cycling, reanimation and fatties.
Basically, I'm saying THIS deck is the beatdown - it is reanimator after all, just a turn slower and with less untouchable dudes. Instead it goes for extreme redundancy. It's a bit like Selesnya Hexproof except its threats are big from the get go rather than growing more impressive. Deck probably needs some evasion though. I've also contemplated a Fierce Empath toolbox to find more specialized fatties to either hard cast later or cycle for reanimation. It slows it down a turn but the flexibility could be worth it, especially getting tramplers. Or Walker of the Grove - you could evoke it for a 4/4 and then reanimate it next turn.
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"At least for those who can play cards, their present incarnation is not quite wasted."
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How about Walker of the Grove?
UGTurboFogGU
BRSacrificial AggroBR
16The Paper Pauper Battle Bag16
EDH
BRRakdos, Lord of PingersBR
GTitania, Protector of ArgothG
UB Ramses OverdarkUB
Sig by Ace5301 of Ace of Spades Studio
13 Forest
3 Plains
4 Utopia Sprawl
4 Avacyn's Pilgrim
3 Arbor Elf
BIG THREATS (11)
4 Krosan Tusker
3 Jungle Weaver
1 Pale Recluse
1 Walker of the Grove
1 Ruin Processor
1 Oakgnarl Warrior
4 False Defeat
4 Breath of Life
2 Custodi Squire
OTHER STUFF (12)
2 Fierce Empath
4 Journey to Nowhere
3 Oblivion Ring
3 ?
So I've modified the mana base and included a small Fierce Empath toolbox with some neat synergy between exiling enchantment and Ruin Processor in order to incorporate some main deck life gain. It also occured to me how good Custodi Squire is in this deck, returning Tuskers for reuse and THEN reanimating them on the cheap. Walker of the Grove was an excellent suggestion and will probably be my go to Empath target when I don't need life gain or trample specifically. Fierce Empath -> Walker, evoke -> Custodi Squire -> evoke it again -> reanimate it = an army in a can
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"At least for those who can play cards, their present incarnation is not quite wasted."
[Click here for the articles!]
I don't - I plan to hardcast them. Upkeep suggested above that with all my acceleration, I might as well include a few fatties to be hard cast exclusively. I thought 2 such threats was the correct number and included 2x Fierce Empath to tutor them up (or grab me a pig/spider if I don't have a cycler to reanimate). The advantage here of course is adding variety - not going to the grave on their own is a downside, but not being limited to only cyclers in creature selection gives me some more tools for the toolbox.
The choice of Oakgnarl Warrior is because I think it's the best option to handle a crowded field of weenies, such as when fighting goblins. A huge butt and trample is just what I need then, and vigilance helps me not die while I attack. The 7 mana is also very reasonable at turn 5. Ruin Processor is included mostly for the life gain, to have something game 1 against Burn. The plan is to buy time by exiling a permanent threat and then tutor up Processor. Perhaps not the most solid plan of all time, but it fits with the deck's basic shell.
I considered Maul Splicer, but went for Walker of the Grove instead. It evokes more quickly and is a better fit with the reanimation. Ulamog's Crusher is certainly a consideration, but I thought it was a bit clunky at 8 mana for the main deck. Against slow control with few non-land permanents though, it's probably ideal and deserves a slot in the SB.
Selesnya Sanctuary is a good idea, but I need to prioritize Forests for Utopia Sprawl and Arbor Elf. This means cutting into my Plains, and 3 Plains seems very close to the bare minimum to me. Can't really cut acceleration for them either. So that would mean cutting spells, but I think 27 sources is already quite plenty, considering I have 4 pigs and a spider to search more lands out too, making more than half the deck mana if needed.
EDIT: Btw, awesome new name for the deck: Spider Pig!
A series of seven articles using Magic to explore the very stuff of the Universe!
"At least for those who can play cards, their present incarnation is not quite wasted."
[Click here for the articles!]
Can I just say I hope this becomes a thing because the world needs more spider pigs?
UB Wight Phantasm
RB Burn
UR Faerie Rites of Initiation
Legacy:
R Burn
CG-Post
The only problem is creature based acceleration can make you not come out on top very well, but that can be fixed. If you're dropping a threat in itself on turn 3, you're also less pressed to cycle on turn 2 - in fact Street Wraith might have a place in this thanks to cycling for free at instant speed.
A series of seven articles using Magic to explore the very stuff of the Universe!
"At least for those who can play cards, their present incarnation is not quite wasted."
[Click here for the articles!]