At first glance, Merieke Ri Berit doesn't look like a super exciting general right off the bat - sure, she's got a good combination of colors and she can steal most enemy generals, but basically a control magic for a general. For that reason, she was never near the top of my list of generals to use.
But once I started thinking of ways to abuse her power, it became clear that she's way, way cooler than she looks, despite the weird lopsided face.
I'll start with the obvious: using untap effects like unbender tine she can function as a cheap visara the dreadful with the benefit of a free blocker each turn. But much cooler, you can use the untap effects to let her control multiple creatures at once - when you tap her, use the untap effect before it her tap ability resolves, then use it again, and you'll have two creatures under her influence.
Obviously that gets even more insane with something like Pemmin's aura.
But it gets even more fun - with control switching abilities like Puca's Mischief or cultural exchange you can switch control of a creature stolen with Merieke - and when she becomes untapped again, she'll destroy the creatures you gave them, and you can keep their permanently! This gets even crazier in a multiplayer game where there's all sorts of politics to be abused - gain control of person A's creatures, give them to person B in exchange for all of THEIR creatures, and now person B has a strong interest in keeping Merieke alive, and will almost certainly not screw with you, lest you untap Merieke.
Here's my Merieke deck, with a few more specific combos:
Run Proteus Staff and only three creatures: Ulamog, Jin-Gitaxias, and Emrakul. Steal their crap, tuck it (setting them up for a Tunnel Vision) and net one of the three nastiest creatures in the game. There was a great primer in the multiplayer EDH thread that ran it down. It was brutal. All the wraths, counters, theft spells and some pillow fort.
If you decide that you'd rather keep the stolen creature under your control permanently than let it die, Conjurer's Closet, Nephalia Smuggler, and Restoration Angel (among other things) allow you to blink it and have it come back under your control.
Run Proteus Staff and only three creatures: Ulamog, Jin-Gitaxias, and Emrakul. Steal their crap, tuck it (setting them up for a Tunnel Vision) and net one of the three nastiest creatures in the game. There was a great primer in the multiplayer EDH thread that ran it down. It was brutal. All the wraths, counters, theft spells and some pillow fort.
Can'st thine hath Emrakul in ye Highlander of Elder Dragons?
Oop! What a blunder! Yeah, you cannot. Here's the link to the deck... After reading it again I was floored by the hilarious wincon I forgot about... Goblin Charbelcher. Any who take a look here
But once I started thinking of ways to abuse her power, it became clear that she's way, way cooler than she looks, despite the weird lopsided face.
I'll start with the obvious: using untap effects like unbender tine she can function as a cheap visara the dreadful with the benefit of a free blocker each turn. But much cooler, you can use the untap effects to let her control multiple creatures at once - when you tap her, use the untap effect before it her tap ability resolves, then use it again, and you'll have two creatures under her influence.
Obviously that gets even more insane with something like Pemmin's aura.
But it gets even more fun - with control switching abilities like Puca's Mischief or cultural exchange you can switch control of a creature stolen with Merieke - and when she becomes untapped again, she'll destroy the creatures you gave them, and you can keep their permanently! This gets even crazier in a multiplayer game where there's all sorts of politics to be abused - gain control of person A's creatures, give them to person B in exchange for all of THEIR creatures, and now person B has a strong interest in keeping Merieke alive, and will almost certainly not screw with you, lest you untap Merieke.
Here's my Merieke deck, with a few more specific combos:
http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/showthread.php?t=225908
What other interesting and entertaining combos can people think of with Merieke?
WUB Merieke Ri Berit BUW
GWU Phelddagrif 1 2 3 4 UWG
BR Kaervek the Merciless RB
B Chainer, Dementia Master B
WUB Sen Triplets BUW
BG Sisters of Stone Death GB
WUBRG Scion of the Ur-Dragon GRBUW
GWU Angus Mackenzie UWG
R Kumano, Master Yamabushi R
WB Teysa BW
U Higure U
B Geth B
WUBRG Child of Alara 1 2GRBUW
R Zirilan R
U Arcum U
UR Nin RU
BRG Sek'Kuar GRB
U Teferi U
G Melira G
GU Edric UG
BG Glissa GB
Casual
GUB Knacksaw Clique BUG
RWU Sunforger UWR
Can'st thine hath Emrakul in ye Highlander of Elder Dragons?