[Official]
The Top 50 List (Indefinite Hiatus)
Poll: Which WHITE CREATURE should be removed from the list?
Ended Feb 16, 2019
Poll: Which BLACK CREATURES should be removed from the list? (Pick 4)
Ended Feb 16, 2019
Poll: Which GREEN NONCREATURE should be removed from the list?
Ended Feb 16, 2019
Poll: Which COLORLESS NONCREATURE should be removed from the list?
Ended Feb 16, 2019
My opinion on the matter is that they are very different. Ashen in my opinion is better served in sacrifice based decks and can be problematic in cases where you dont have a sacrifice outlet. I have seen other players kick a Rite of Replication on it and because it wasn't being played in a sac based deck it was actually a bad situation that it was the rider instead of the angel. The fact that the angel is cheaper as well leads me to think that it isn't something that I would consider a direct upgrade. I am not saying that I would be super bummed if they swapped places but I dont feel that it is a same functionality style of swap that I would just swap them out. Opposing clone heavy decks are very problematic when you look at just mashing ashen into a list and so I dont feel like it is an auto include.
I am also of the opinion that bypassing the current system should be avoided outside of situations where something is just a direct upgrade or some other sort of outlying situation like a banning or something.
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[Modern] Allies
Rider exiles something when it comes in as well as when it leaves, so I'm really not sure how it's problematic in decks that aren't planning on sacrificing it. I agree that it shouldn't be a straight swap and bypass the voting, though. It kind of defeats the purpose of this system if we're going to ignore it when a few people want to.
I'll nominate Aurelia, the Warleader. She's fantastic in any deck that wants to attack, which is an awful lot of them in her colors. She dramatically accelerates creature based clocks, allows you to double dip on things like Titan and Sword triggers, and lets you reuse tap abilities. Haste means that she does all of that without warning, and she can be a(n admittedly fragile) blocker without holding up an aggressive gameplan.
I think one thing the angel has over the rider is creature type. She is very good in Kaalia, but that is a narrow circumstance.
New forum is flashy!
On the Angel of Despair question, I could never bear to remove her from the list personally. She's just so iconic for Ravnica and Orzhov, and one of my all-time favorite cards. I'd remove Divinity of Pride WAY before Angel.
I will definitely second Ashen Rider though. That card is nuts.
I love Baleful Strix as well.
And I'll second Aurelia. I've seen here come out of nowhere and just end a table many times.
It's good to be back on the Forum!
Those were my thoughts as well, which was why I went ahead and considered it nominated just in case.
Aurelia, the Warleader has been nominated.
Baleful Strix has been nominated (+1).
Grand Armiter Augustin IV has been nominated.
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Currently playing
WE DEMAND A SACRIFICE
Night Shift
Karrthus, Tyrant of Dragons
Some of you may think that you have made great mistakes in your lives, and perhaps you have. But let me ask you this.... did you ever play strip poker with two fat chicks and win?
Cockatrice name: Ninja Nate
Isn't this four too many nominations /votes of support? I thought the rules stated that you could vote/support only one card per category? Sorry to insert a rules question into the mix...
I vote for Maelstrom Wanderer. Also, this list is gonna get stupidly commander heavy.
Yes it is. I guess I skimmed over that part. Fixed the post to fit the rules.
Currently playing
WE DEMAND A SACRIFICE
Night Shift
Karrthus, Tyrant of Dragons
Some of you may think that you have made great mistakes in your lives, and perhaps you have. But let me ask you this.... did you ever play strip poker with two fat chicks and win?
Cockatrice name: Ninja Nate
Also, definitely agree that Ashen Rider isn't a straight swap for angel, if only because that one mana matters. Personally, I think both could eventually end up on this list, but it's not in the top three of ones I'd add.
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[Modern] Allies
Well, there's always next time. I'm glad my nomination has ta least went through the first round though because the death owl seems to be severely underutilized according to scoeri's chart, and that's a real shame considering how good the little guy is.
I'll put in the second support Aurelia. RW finally has some awesome creatures to its name now with Gisela and Aurelia(and something to show for themselves besides sunforger shenanigans), and they should definitely be recognized.
I don't understand this need to 'swap' out cards. They did that with Mnemonic Wall/Archaeomancer and Chancellor of the Spires/Diluvian Primordial. The fact that wizards printed a card that is better than the other does not suddenly make the other card 'bad' or not top 50 worthy. At least not without some form of discussion. Imho, Ashen Rider is definitely top 50 material, but there are a lot worse cards on the list that I would remove before Angel of Despair. Also, imo, 6-7 mana is the sweet spot in the curve for Commander. 8 mana can be tough sometimes.
DECKS
Ertai | Squee | Roon | Aurelia
USEFUL RESOURCES
Commander Decklist Database
Statistical breakdown of the commander metagame
50 Commanders / 50 Decks
27 Colors / 27 Decks
Hellkite Overlord - agree with previous thoughts: 'why is this on here?'
Izzet Cronarch - Archaeomancer and Mnemonic Wall are both strictly better. In some cases, Anarchist, Nucklavee, or Scrivener might also be better in a particular deck.
Oona, Queen of the Fae
Saffi Eriksdotter - Only works in some decks, not really a staple
Soverigns of Lost Alara - Same as above
Thraximundar - Same as above and works better as a commander
Wrexial, the Hidden Deep - Same as above and works better as a commander
As I recall, the only card which was strait swapped was Sylvan Primordial in place of Primeval Titan (for obvious reasons). I am glad that there are multiple people who feel that swapping is generally a bad idea, so Ashen Rider stays on the nomination list as is.
Ruric Thar, the Unbowed has been nominated (+1)
Maelstrom Wanderer has been nominated
Aurelia, the Warleader has made it to Week 2
Baleful Strix has made it to Week 2
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Resources:Commander Rulings FAQ | Commander Deckbuilding Guide
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Misc. EDH Stuff: Commander Cube | Zombies (Horde)
Resources:Commander Rulings FAQ | Commander Deckbuilding Guide
Follow me on Twitter! @cryogen_mtg
:symr::symu::symb:Nicol Bolas Control: symr::symu::symb:
:symr::symg:Ruric Thar, the Unbowed Beatdown :gruul::symgr:
:symg::symb::symw:Karador, Ghost Chieftain Recursion Control :symw::symb::symg:
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I dont know who to vote off though. Alot of these cards arent played in any of my metas. I choose Wrexial though, As magic shifts more towards creatures Wrexial will slowly be played less, not that old instants and sorceries wont shut it out completely in usability.
Nicol Bolas, a balance of Vorthos and PowerUBR
Nath of the Gilt LeafBG
Others
Squee, Goblin of AwesomenessR
Nekusar, the Mindblazer!UBR
Vela the NightcladUB
I used to be a world champion, but then I took a wolf to the knee. And three Galvanic Blasts to the face.
Concerning when returning to Kamigawa would be acceptable
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