So, Ghalta, Primal Hunger has been stomping around my head for the last few days. 12/12 trampler with potential to be very cheap... Cheating on taxes cheap. If life, uh, finds a way for this guy I am curious for the most efficient path to the park.
Here are a few cards I have been kicking around.
Overextending will be a major risk in this deck so I am wanting to use vehicles to minimize loss from board wipes.
All the turn 1 mana dorks save for Birds of Paradise. Essentially double tapping for Dino and are great passengers for the vehicles. Gyre Sage gets better and better as the game goes on. See also Omnath, Locus of Mana.
I am wanting to use as many creature answers as possible. I'm looking at you Caustic Caterpillar, Viridian Zealot and Manglehorn. Bonus points to Bane of Progress. Nissa, Vastwood Seer ramps and fatties. Scavenging Ooze and Deathgorge Scavenger provide decent gravehate. Fresh Meat and Heroic Intervention will take some sting out of wraths. Precursor Golem is all kinds of fat. Selvala, Heart of the Wilds goes into overdrive here. Living Plane combos well with Gaea's Cradle and discourages wipes. Arachnogenesis is defensive then offensive.
I know there are many obvious includes. Let me have 'em! And the not so obvious ones as well...
Surrak has five power for four and grants haste.
Deranged Hermit puts you way ahead on power for mana. Not sure what other token producers do that. Predator’s Howl?
Maybe convoke things have a role?
Right on, Surrak, the Hunt Caller could definitely make some waves here. And everyone knows Dinos love squirrels! Slowly gathering a list and some notable inclusions not yet mentioned are Caller of the Claw and Wolfir Silverheart. I wish some of the living weapons were more playable. Batterskull is probably the only one worth running.
Here are some more ideas. You probably can figure out my reasoning for adding them here. I think the biggest part of this deck is picking where you want to go tall or wide.
Chandra, Torch of Defiance - Oops! All Chandras. Prime Speaker Zegana - Draw for Power. Pir & Toothy - Counterpalooza. Arcades, the Strategist - Another Brick in the Wall. Zacama, Primal Calamity - Calamity of Double Mana. Edgar Markov - Vampires Don't Die. Child of Alara - Dreamcrusher.
Card advantage is not the same thing as card draw. Something for 2B cannot be strictly worse than something for BBB or 3BB. If you're taking out Swords to Plowshares for Plummet, you're a fool. Stop doing these things!
The loose list is tightening up, so many good suggests! Almost enough Dino DNA for a deck, just gotta wait for Ghalta to hatch.. Initially I wanted to use vehicles to flesh out the 99 with some wrath resilience.
I recommend Rhonas's Monument as a way to play creatures more rapidly and get value out of them.
You're really looking for */* effects and things that add +1/+1 counters.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Card advantage is not the same thing as card draw. Something for 2B cannot be strictly worse than something for BBB or 3BB. If you're taking out Swords to Plowshares for Plummet, you're a fool. Stop doing these things!
I don't think Thunderfoot Baloth is right for this deck. He only gets and gives the buff if the commander is on the field. It is quite a buff too, but he doesn't help much in the affinity for power scheme. Shaman of Forgotten Ways is definitely in. Right behind him is Ripjaw Raptor. I have space for Carnage Tyrant but I am patiently waiting for his price to deflate. It might be a while...
I have a list put together, I probably can sleeve it up and try to get some testing done soonish. Aaand I'll keep holding my breath for dino-related leaks!
Indestructible Creatures are good to get value out quickly - in addition to Rhonas I'd at least consider Stonehoof Chieftain, Predator Ooze, and Nylea, God of the Hunt (despite her redundancy with Ghalta). Eldrazi Monument is interesting in that it makes your cards more resilient and is an anthem...at a cost.
Planeswalkers that can make creatures are another good way to ensure a presence, and in particular Garruk Wildspeaker and Nissa, Voice of Zendikar seem like slam dunks.
Nylea, God of the Hunt was in the initial list but cut due to concerns about devotion. Something Rhonas doesn't make me worry about. She might go back in, testing is needed. Predator Ooze gets a home here. I was unsure about those enchantments. I wanted as many creature answers as possible but the uniqueness and usefulness of specifically Ooze Garden will have to be an exception to the rule. And yeah, Pathbreaker Ibex is in and outrageous!
Card advantage is not the same thing as card draw. Something for 2B cannot be strictly worse than something for BBB or 3BB. If you're taking out Swords to Plowshares for Plummet, you're a fool. Stop doing these things!
Hydra Omnivore is one of my all-time favorite creatures! Polukranos, World Eater is in because of efficiency, monstrosity, and it doubles as creature removal. The rest of the hydras I just don't know if they would do enough. At one point I kicked around the idea of Endless One because it fits anywhere in the curve. Ulvenwald Hydra can fetch Gaea's Cradle, albeit a tapped one. I keep going back and forth on the ramp creatures. Wood Elves and Farhaven Elf, are they too low impact? I suppose testing will tell.
I keep going back and forth on the ramp creatures. Wood Elves and Farhaven Elf, are they too low impact? I suppose testing will tell.
If you consider them don't forget about Yavimaya Dryad, which is sort of Wood Elves 2.0. With its power of 2 over 1 it might be even better in this deck.
On the other hand a turn 1 mana dork into 3 other mana dorks on turn 2 would mean you'd be sitting on 3 land mana, 4 dork mana and 4 power affinity by turn 3. So with another land drop you could burp out Ghalta, Primal Hunger on turn 4... but that's wishful thinking.
2 colorless for 5 affinity is premium for the CMC but I think the creature would be offline 90% of most games. Curve is going to be important here and I want to continue to add pressure. I don't think this guy is right for the job.
I keep going back and forth on the ramp creatures. Wood Elves and Farhaven Elf, are they too low impact? I suppose testing will tell.
If you consider them don't forget about Yavimaya Dryad, which is sort of Wood Elves 2.0. With its power of 2 over 1 it might be even better in this deck.
On the other hand a turn 1 mana dork into 3 other mana dorks on turn 2 would mean you'd be sitting on 3 land mana, 4 dork mana and 4 power affinity by turn 3. So with another land drop you could burp out Ghalta, Primal Hunger on turn 4... but that's wishful thinking.
I came to a decision for my build and I think the train will roll on and leave the Manadorks home. Dryad Arbor, Drumhunter, Selvala, Heart of the Wilds, and Shaman of Forgotten Ways might be the only inclusions. An aggro list at heart with a huge beater in the command zone. One that cheats on taxes! I have a list that is ready for testing but the upcoming holidays and the 6 weeks left until RIX launches make good for back-burning projects. Still stoked for suggestions and spoilers to come!
Myr Battlesphere can put 12 power on the board alone, if you attack with it and pump it. Thopter Assembly can give you 10 power if you return and cast it again.
I see no Realm Seekers which is crazy. Every time I've seen it cast it was above 20 power, usually above 30. By itself it can easily cover the cost and commander tax.
In a similar vein:
In another fit of flip-flopping, the dorks are back on the train. They are terrible late-game top decks... but because of the vehicles and Ghalta's affinity they should pull their weight. Goldfishing is not playtesting but the 1 cmc spot is pretty light without them. So we shall see!
Myr Battlesphere was considered but at 7 mana, chances are they are coming out after Ghalta. I think at that point creatures need to ETB and do something other than affinity.Regal Force, Spearbreaker Behemoth, and Woodfall Primus are prime suspects for those slots. Ideally we drop Ghalta turn 4 or 5 and hold back for boardwipes. Overextending here will kill us.
Realm Seekers is an interesting card. Seems it would have a lot of value at most stages of the game and needs tested, for sure. The cards that are dependent on handsize or opponents I am wary. */* creatures like the Maros could get crazy. I'm just not sure if their effectiveness is worth the CMC.
If people are sick of reading about stuff just stop taking part. You have 100% control over what you read. Simic Ascendancy isn't going to get banned just because you didn't tell someone to shut up on the internet.
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
Here are a few cards I have been kicking around.
Overextending will be a major risk in this deck so I am wanting to use vehicles to minimize loss from board wipes.
All the turn 1 mana dorks save for Birds of Paradise. Essentially double tapping for Dino and are great passengers for the vehicles. Gyre Sage gets better and better as the game goes on. See also Omnath, Locus of Mana.
I am wanting to use as many creature answers as possible. I'm looking at you Caustic Caterpillar, Viridian Zealot and Manglehorn. Bonus points to Bane of Progress. Nissa, Vastwood Seer ramps and fatties.
Scavenging Ooze and Deathgorge Scavenger provide decent gravehate.
Fresh Meat and Heroic Intervention will take some sting out of wraths.
Precursor Golem is all kinds of fat.
Selvala, Heart of the Wilds goes into overdrive here.
Living Plane combos well with Gaea's Cradle and discourages wipes.
Arachnogenesis is defensive then offensive.
I know there are many obvious includes. Let me have 'em! And the not so obvious ones as well...
Deranged Hermit puts you way ahead on power for mana. Not sure what other token producers do that. Predator’s Howl?
Maybe convoke things have a role?
EDIT: Desolation Twin, Worldspine Wurm, Ezuri’s Predation, Avenger of Zendikar, Giant Adephage
(U/B)(U/B)(U/B) JUMP IN THE LINE, ROCK YOUR BODY IN TIME
(R/W)(R/W)(R/W) RISING FROM THE NEON GLOOM, SHINING LIKE A CRAZY MOON
(U/R)(R/G)(G/U) STEALIN' WHEN I SHOULD HAVE BEEN BUYIN'
(U/B)(U/B)(U/B) JUMP IN THE LINE, ROCK YOUR BODY IN TIME
(R/W)(R/W)(R/W) RISING FROM THE NEON GLOOM, SHINING LIKE A CRAZY MOON
(U/R)(R/G)(G/U) STEALIN' WHEN I SHOULD HAVE BEEN BUYIN'
Please don't forget your Berserk and Hedron Matrix. A few haste granters like Lightning Greaves and pals wouldn't go amiss either. Oh, and while you're at it, give him Deathtouch through Bow of Nylea or Nightshade Peddler. 24/24 Deathtouch Trample Comannder is pretty mean.
Rampaging Baloths?
With all those ETB triggers, you'll want Conjurer's Closet and Roaring Primadox.
On phasing:
- Aethersphere Harvester
- Bomat Bazaar Barge
- Cultivator's Caravan
- Fleetwheel Cruiser
- Heart of Kiran
- Ovalchase Dragster
- Renegade Freighter
- Smuggler's Copter
- Untethered Express
These are among the considerations but I am not entirely convinced of their usefulness.Also let's check on the other Formidable green creatures since big creatures are required for this deck
You're really looking for */* effects and things that add +1/+1 counters.
On phasing:
I think you might be onto something with Rhonas's Monument. Both effects are relevant for what I am trying to do.
I don't think Thunderfoot Baloth is right for this deck. He only gets and gives the buff if the commander is on the field. It is quite a buff too, but he doesn't help much in the affinity for power scheme. Shaman of Forgotten Ways is definitely in. Right behind him is Ripjaw Raptor. I have space for Carnage Tyrant but I am patiently waiting for his price to deflate. It might be a while...
I have a list put together, I probably can sleeve it up and try to get some testing done soonish. Aaand I'll keep holding my breath for dino-related leaks!
Planeswalkers that can make creatures are another good way to ensure a presence, and in particular Garruk Wildspeaker and Nissa, Voice of Zendikar seem like slam dunks.
Most of the good card draw has been mentioned, but I'll add Garruk, Primal Hunter, Lifecrafter's Bestiary, and Elemental Bond as additional ways to grind card advantage.
That card draw is especially nice and durdly if you intend to have Ghalta Feed the Pack, visit the Ooze Garden, or take an Evolutionary Leap, and then flash back in with Yeva, Nature's Herald for an endless chain of #value. You can go actually infinite or at least near-infnite with Phyrexian Altar + Mana Reflection or Paradox Engine + mana dorks, assuming you have enough power out, but that may be a bit silly.
Pathbreaker Ibex both helps you power out Ghalta and helps you WTFpwn opponents pretty hard.
RCRDaretti: Superfriends Forever RCR
WGBDoran: Ent-mootWBG
GGGMultani: Group Bear HugGGG
GB(B/G)The Gitrog Monster: Dredgefall DurdleGB(B/G)
RGWGahiji, the Honored Group Hug MonsterRGW
UB(U/B)Yuriko, Ninja Trinket AggroUB(U/B)
WUBRGAtogatog: Assembling a OHKOWUBRG
(Oh thunderfoot is due to giving your whole team trample.)
Oh doubt you would do this but hydra subtheme can be in it due to how big those get
On phasing:
Primordial Sage and Soul of the Harvest have been in since the beginning as well as Oracle of Mul Daya. Maybe even Courser of Kruphix. They are prefect for the plan. I am on the fence about Garruk's Horde. 7 is a lot of manas!
Check out my competitive Ezuri, Claw of Progress primer!
A turn 1 Arbor Elf/Boreal Druid/Elvish Mystic/Fyndhorn Elves/Llanowar Elves into a turn 2 Farhaven Elf/Wood Elves/Yavimaya Dryad would set you up for 4 land mana, 1 dork mana and 2-3 power affinity by turn 3, which sounds decent.
On the other hand a turn 1 mana dork into 3 other mana dorks on turn 2 would mean you'd be sitting on 3 land mana, 4 dork mana and 4 power affinity by turn 3. So with another land drop you could burp out Ghalta, Primal Hunger on turn 4... but that's wishful thinking.
2 colorless for 5 affinity is premium for the CMC but I think the creature would be offline 90% of most games. Curve is going to be important here and I want to continue to add pressure. I don't think this guy is right for the job.
I came to a decision for my build and I think the train will roll on and leave the Manadorks home. Dryad Arbor, Drumhunter, Selvala, Heart of the Wilds, and Shaman of Forgotten Ways might be the only inclusions. An aggro list at heart with a huge beater in the command zone. One that cheats on taxes! I have a list that is ready for testing but the upcoming holidays and the 6 weeks left until RIX launches make good for back-burning projects. Still stoked for suggestions and spoilers to come!
Phyrexian Soulgorger
edit
Ravaging Riftwurm
Myr Battlesphere
Thopter Assembly
Myr Battlesphere can put 12 power on the board alone, if you attack with it and pump it.
Thopter Assembly can give you 10 power if you return and cast it again.
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
Dragons of Legend, Lead by Scion of the UR-Dragon
The Gitrog Monster
Gonti, Lord of Luxury
Shogun Saskia
Hive World
Atraxa hates fun
Abzan
In a similar vein:
Tireless Tracker can also become big while providing card draw.
Beating Face with Bane
Beatrice, the Golden Witch
Myr Battlesphere was considered but at 7 mana, chances are they are coming out after Ghalta. I think at that point creatures need to ETB and do something other than affinity.Regal Force, Spearbreaker Behemoth, and Woodfall Primus are prime suspects for those slots. Ideally we drop Ghalta turn 4 or 5 and hold back for boardwipes. Overextending here will kill us.
Lifecrafter's Bestiary, the green Rhystic Study, is definitely in. I love that card. See also Tireless Tracker.
Realm Seekers is an interesting card. Seems it would have a lot of value at most stages of the game and needs tested, for sure. The cards that are dependent on handsize or opponents I am wary. */* creatures like the Maros could get crazy. I'm just not sure if their effectiveness is worth the CMC.