I ran Thraximundar as voltron for a long time and he was a house. I love Grixis and was able to run control, some stax and a few pumps - because honestly thrax doesn't need much suiting up to murder everyone.
My second voltron commander was Misform Ultimus, I played for a month or two then dismantled it because it was too easy to kill everyone.
Shu Yun is my current voltron commander and he surprises me with kills regularly.
A friend runs Uril and that guy is nasty. Just one or two enchantments and it's game over. I know that deck is all in on Uril, so keeping him off the field is priority number 1, which I guess can be said about all voltron commanders - but Uril is had pressed to interact with the stack so I feel like he's more vulnerable to Blue.
Ultimately, you'll find a commander that works for you because there are just so many opinions out there - you'll find the ones that back up your ideas and take that as validation. Play what colors you like!
[EDH] It's built to be a casual format and to a specific vision, and if you don't like the vision, there's nothing wrong with that, but it's not going to change to accommodate everyone. Big tent is not a goal.
The best commander I have that fits these criterion is Dromar, the Banisher. He has flying, with Sword of Kaldra/Umezawa's Jitte and True Conviction he can one shot people otherwise is a four turn clock on his own and has a relevant ability. He also gives you access to Esper colors so you should have plenty of gas and a solid control backup plan. It is my favorite deck to play and probably my best for multiplayer, while also being one of my opponents least favorite to play against. Plus you can maindeck Zur the Enchanter and swap them depending on matchups, Dromar is better vs. control and Zur is better vs. aggro. Whatever you decide upon I highly suggest playing white for True Conviction, it's just too good not to play. The rest of the invasion cycle of dragons are good too (specifically Numot, the Devastator) as well as the new dragons from Fate Reforged and Dragons of Tarkir. Lastly even though he lacks evasion Maelstrom Wanderer plus ramp into time walks is really strong as you only need to connect three times and he has haste so two extra turns vs a clear board spells death.
I'm getting to this late in the day for this thread, but what about Bushi Tenderfoot
Seem's like easy costing it in early against 1/1's one on one, gets the flip; then double strike and Bushido 2. Yes, I know its mono white, I know its harder to build around because of that, but, that's part of the fun of designing a speed Voltron deck isn't it?
Playing it out after that and smacking someone out at turn 2 would be D@#% impressive, and the target of a lot of hate. Thing is, they won't have that available at turn two. So you loose your general on turn three? Woopee! Who the heck cares, cMc = 2!!! Rinse and repeat. Turn five potentially, game.
Draw Back: Subject to white hate, removal, exile, kill, removal of any kind, that is, without protection. Those items have been covered already in the upper threads. So... lets not play him till turn 4, now, with manna rocks in play, you should be able to tutor, attach boots, and swing away. Add a sword, equip, enchant, or sorcery/Instant, and the next swing, albeit a single shot, should kill turn 5, 6, and 7.
In Giants, what could a partner ask for ultimately, blue, of any kind, with lots of instants.
Scion of the Ur-Dragon, while fun, can take a second to work. Granted turn six Scion turn seven tutor for Dragon Tyrant win can be fun, and turn five Scion turn six Moltensteel Dragon can just end someone if you need it.
T1: Land, Chrome Mox, Sol Ring, Chromatic Lantern
T2: Land, Xenagos, God of Revels
T3: Land, Scion of the Ur-Dragon (Dragon Tyrant), Dead
T1: Land, Chrome Mox, Sol Ring, Chromatic Lantern
T2: Land, Rafiq of the Many, Fellwar Stone
T3: Land, Scion of the Ur-Dragon (Skithiryx, the Blight Dragon), Dead
T1: Land, Chrome Mox, Sol Ring, Chromatic Lantern
T2: Land, Duelist's Heritage, Lightning Greaves
T3: Land, Scion of the Ur-Dragon (Spellbound Dragon), Dead
These are three of just many examples. Turn 3 happens very rarely when everything falls into place.
Turn 4-5 happens quite frequently.
The great thing about Scion though is that you can kill the table with Rite of Replication/Scourge of the Valkas combo and get around prison with Ophidian Eye/Niv-Mizzet, the Firemind.
Shout out to Jor Kadeen, the Prevailer. No built in evasion but with equipment he can get big very fast and find easy ways to get though. Add in some tokens and you can swing by going wide and voltron. My Deck is both Plan A & B and allows me take out multiple people at once.
HamBones, I had thought of him, I keep feeling pulled toward G/W or R/W base and away from a single mana color general. Besides, I have a monster Elf deck that has yet to loose in casual play, but because it reaches back as far as 7th edition, it probably isn't playable in competitive.
I should have noted that I wanted to create this as a friendly casual capable of competing with a few sideboard swaps. Also, I'm not exactly wealthy, but I have a collection that goes back to 4th edition, so I have some resources at hand. I'm not saying pauper, but affordable.
Thank for the responses! I appreciate the assistance!!
I've found Sram, senior edificer to be a good voltron option for those who don't like the traditional pitfalls of voltron (losing to a boardwipe, running out of steam if the game goes long, stuff like that).
Yahenni, Undying Partisan is my voltron general of choice. A good core set of equipment and he likes a creature heavy build so you have a solid plan B.
Srams also great because it rewards WWW for ripping artifacts, and gives you Puresteel Paladin redundancy, which is the right kind of redundancy. Personally I'd recommend more colours for variety of options (tutors, draw etc.) to get you more consistent plays of the deck.
I'm getting to this late in the day for this thread, but what about Bushi Tenderfoot
Seem's like easy costing it in early against 1/1's one on one, gets the flip; then double strike and Bushido 2. Yes, I know its mono white, I know its harder to build around because of that, but, that's part of the fun of designing a speed Voltron deck isn't it?
Unfortunately Bushi Tenderfoot is not a valid commander, because it does not start as a legendary creature (as compared to something like Homura, Human Ascendant ). It's also a lot harder to flip than you seem to think, as it only flips if it kills a creature and survives - without another effect boosting his toughness, against another 1/1 all he does is trade and then stay dead.
Thrun, the Last Trollwas my go to Voltron killer for roughly 2 years. The deck had a heavy prison subtheme but I could manage a turn 2 Thrun quite often. Big help came from Eldrazi Conscription and Riding the Dilu Horse. I am currently on Ghave Stax after a very long break from EDH. If i can get back into the swing of things I will be rebuilding Thrun.
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Thanks to Heroes of the Plane Studios for the amazing sig!
Studderingdave - Thanks for the reply. I've seen the Eldrazi conscription in a lot of posts, and I understand its value in Voltron... but Holy Shnike Batman, the price on
Riding the Dilu Horse is insane! But DAUM! A sorcery with no end that makes it practically unblockable! I can clearly see its value in serious competition decks!!
Studderingdave mentioned Horsemanship and it got me thinking. I know this general is way underpowered ou the gate, and would need protection asap, but he has one huge redeeming grace, he is practically unblocakble and draws a card every time he hits. So, I was thinking, why suit him up right away? Let some creatures share the load with the metal gear, use enchantresses and wizards to help him along, and lots of control to buy time for the mid game. Blue can be very fast if built right, mono-blue, or predominate blue control, are the only decks my Elf bomb deck struggles with, so far.
I like the idea of sneaking him in as a Voltron, instead of announcing, say with Rafiq of the Many, Here comes the beat down... and immediately become the entire boards hate target. I know he is thematically superior, I've even ordered a copy to try him out, and I know I won't be disappointed, for a few games. But then there is the next challenge isn't it, building a deck with resilience AND as a Voltron.
I want to build that deck that says, "oh its an old guy that knows how to play and has fun deck", while they welcome me into their play groups.
I like being competitive, and I'd like to build it to stand up in competition one on one and double headed giant formats. But more importantly, I want it to be fun to die to... lol.
Just throwing it out there, but I really want to make a Lord of Tresserhornvoltron with creature stealing.... just add tainted strike and it one shots. Not as powerful as many other here suggested, but certainly unique
Kemba, Kha Regent. May not follow all the guideline from the first post but I friend of mine runs one and It can be extremely annoying. A few equip and a near endless supply of kittens every turn... add in solid removal or mass land destruction and you have a winner. He puts 3-4 equip on queen cat and Armageddons the field.
Blue White Green Black control! It's actually a very powerful approach to Voltron. Rather than spells in the deck offering creature boons, it runs disruption and protection instead.
My second voltron commander was Misform Ultimus, I played for a month or two then dismantled it because it was too easy to kill everyone.
Shu Yun is my current voltron commander and he surprises me with kills regularly.
A friend runs Uril and that guy is nasty. Just one or two enchantments and it's game over. I know that deck is all in on Uril, so keeping him off the field is priority number 1, which I guess can be said about all voltron commanders - but Uril is had pressed to interact with the stack so I feel like he's more vulnerable to Blue.
Ultimately, you'll find a commander that works for you because there are just so many opinions out there - you'll find the ones that back up your ideas and take that as validation. Play what colors you like!
In search of a foil french Dromar, the Banisher, pm me if you have one you want to part with, also foil Stratadon's.
UW Ephara Hatebears [Primer], GB Gitrog Lands, BRU Inalla Combo-Control, URG Maelstrom Wanderer Landfall
Seem's like easy costing it in early against 1/1's one on one, gets the flip; then double strike and Bushido 2. Yes, I know its mono white, I know its harder to build around because of that, but, that's part of the fun of designing a speed Voltron deck isn't it?
Playing it out after that and smacking someone out at turn 2 would be D@#% impressive, and the target of a lot of hate. Thing is, they won't have that available at turn two. So you loose your general on turn three? Woopee! Who the heck cares, cMc = 2!!! Rinse and repeat. Turn five potentially, game.
Draw Back: Subject to white hate, removal, exile, kill, removal of any kind, that is, without protection. Those items have been covered already in the upper threads. So... lets not play him till turn 4, now, with manna rocks in play, you should be able to tutor, attach boots, and swing away. Add a sword, equip, enchant, or sorcery/Instant, and the next swing, albeit a single shot, should kill turn 5, 6, and 7.
In Giants, what could a partner ask for ultimately, blue, of any kind, with lots of instants.
Thoughts?
T1: Land, Chrome Mox, Sol Ring, Chromatic Lantern
T2: Land, Xenagos, God of Revels
T3: Land, Scion of the Ur-Dragon (Dragon Tyrant), Dead
T1: Land, Chrome Mox, Sol Ring, Chromatic Lantern
T2: Land, Rafiq of the Many, Fellwar Stone
T3: Land, Scion of the Ur-Dragon (Skithiryx, the Blight Dragon), Dead
T1: Land, Chrome Mox, Sol Ring, Chromatic Lantern
T2: Land, Duelist's Heritage, Lightning Greaves
T3: Land, Scion of the Ur-Dragon (Spellbound Dragon), Dead
These are three of just many examples. Turn 3 happens very rarely when everything falls into place.
Turn 4-5 happens quite frequently.
The great thing about Scion though is that you can kill the table with Rite of Replication/Scourge of the Valkas combo and get around prison with Ophidian Eye/Niv-Mizzet, the Firemind.
WBRG Saskia the Unyielding
WUB Sharuum the Hegemon
RWU Shu Yun, the Silent Tempest
RG Wort, the Raidmother
WU Brago, King Eternal
B Chainer, Dementia Master
HamBones, I had thought of him, I keep feeling pulled toward G/W or R/W base and away from a single mana color general. Besides, I have a monster Elf deck that has yet to loose in casual play, but because it reaches back as far as 7th edition, it probably isn't playable in competitive.
I should have noted that I wanted to create this as a friendly casual capable of competing with a few sideboard swaps. Also, I'm not exactly wealthy, but I have a collection that goes back to 4th edition, so I have some resources at hand. I'm not saying pauper, but affordable.
Thank for the responses! I appreciate the assistance!!
(W/U)(B/R)GForm of Progenitus, Shape of a Scrubland
BRGJund Tokens with Prossh, the Magic Dragon Foil
URGAnimar, the RUG CleanerFoil
RRRFeldon of the Third Path 2.0 Foil
BG(B/G)Not Another Meren DeckFoil
UR(U/R)Mizzix, Y Control and X Burn Spells
(W/U)(B/R)GHarold Ramos - The 35 Foot Long Twinkie (In +1/+1 counters)
UB(U/B)Dragonlord Silumgar
Like Brago or either Daxos(One/Two)
(W/U)(B/R)GForm of Progenitus, Shape of a Scrubland
BRGJund Tokens with Prossh, the Magic Dragon Foil
URGAnimar, the RUG CleanerFoil
RRRFeldon of the Third Path 2.0 Foil
BG(B/G)Not Another Meren DeckFoil
UR(U/R)Mizzix, Y Control and X Burn Spells
(W/U)(B/R)GHarold Ramos - The 35 Foot Long Twinkie (In +1/+1 counters)
UB(U/B)Dragonlord Silumgar
Thanks to Heroes of the Plane Studios for the amazing sig!
Riding the Dilu Horse is insane! But DAUM! A sorcery with no end that makes it practically unblockable! I can clearly see its value in serious competition decks!!
Studderingdave mentioned Horsemanship and it got me thinking. I know this general is way underpowered ou the gate, and would need protection asap, but he has one huge redeeming grace, he is practically unblocakble and draws a card every time he hits. So, I was thinking, why suit him up right away? Let some creatures share the load with the metal gear, use enchantresses and wizards to help him along, and lots of control to buy time for the mid game. Blue can be very fast if built right, mono-blue, or predominate blue control, are the only decks my Elf bomb deck struggles with, so far.
I like the idea of sneaking him in as a Voltron, instead of announcing, say with Rafiq of the Many, Here comes the beat down... and immediately become the entire boards hate target. I know he is thematically superior, I've even ordered a copy to try him out, and I know I won't be disappointed, for a few games. But then there is the next challenge isn't it, building a deck with resilience AND as a Voltron.
I want to build that deck that says, "oh its an old guy that knows how to play and has fun deck", while they welcome me into their play groups.
I like being competitive, and I'd like to build it to stand up in competition one on one and double headed giant formats. But more importantly, I want it to be fun to die to... lol.
Thoughts?
Granted they were not expecting him to be the monster he was with an additional +10/+10 and double strike with exalted.
I also tried Abraxas. Not as easy to kill but black gives you even more tutors, if you can get a counter on ataxa you can also pump her up.
Also if you go with an equipment to build over enchantments. Make sure you have blue because blighted agent is hilarious.
UB Vela the Night-Clad BUDecklist
WBG Ghave, Guru of Spores GBW
WUBRGThe Ur-DragonWUBRGDecklist
(W/U)(B/R)GForm of Progenitus, Shape of a Scrubland
BRGJund Tokens with Prossh, the Magic Dragon Foil
URGAnimar, the RUG CleanerFoil
RRRFeldon of the Third Path 2.0 Foil
BG(B/G)Not Another Meren DeckFoil
UR(U/R)Mizzix, Y Control and X Burn Spells
(W/U)(B/R)GHarold Ramos - The 35 Foot Long Twinkie (In +1/+1 counters)
UB(U/B)Dragonlord Silumgar
BWREDGAR MARKOV VAMPIRESBWR
You can check out my deck list here : http://www.mtgsalvation.com/forums/the-game/commander-edh/multiplayer-commander-decklists/764886-breed-lethality-with-ishai-ojutai-dragonspeaker
Blue White Green Black control! It's actually a very powerful approach to Voltron. Rather than spells in the deck offering creature boons, it runs disruption and protection instead.
Niv-Mizzet Reborn
Feather, the Redeemed
Estrid, the Masked
Teshar
Tymna/Ravos
Najeela, Blade-Blossom
Firesong & Sunspeaker
Zur the Enchanter
Lazav, the Multifarious
Ishai+Reyhan
Click images for decks->
-Prime Speaker Vannifar
---------------------Will & Rowan Kenrith