So i my new [[Neheb the Eternal]] deck just arrived. Its very cool, and it pulls off stupid combos when Neheb sticks. The problem is my friends are so afraid of him, they remove him the second he comes down. My deck can usually go of the turn i play him, assuming i have a creature or 2-3 extra mana. But I’m bombarded with counterspells and instant speed removal.
So the question is how to keep my opponents from messing up my plans. I currently run [[Conqueror’s Flail]] and [[Price of Glory]]. I can tutor the flail with Godo if need be. But i feel i need some other cards as well. [[Cavern of Souls]] is way out of my price range. Im considering [[Eldrazi Monument]], but the deck doesn’t actually run all that many creatures.
I could really use suggestions! Its not reds thing to protect creatures, but I really need to do so anyway. Before anyone suggests to have a stronger backup plan, thats not the point. I my plan is to not actually play Neheb, I might as well play another deck.
Thanks in advance, I only played magic for a year, so you guys are prolly way smarter than me ^^
You could always plug in defense grid. If their removal is mainly blue, then ricochet trap is fun to counter-a-counterspell. Shunt could be used if there is just a bunch of targeted removal, but 3cmc is hard to work with after resolving a 6-cmc commander.
Ideally you want to snap lightning greaves on him, but unfortunately there are not many to protect him once you to try and equip.
You could always go on the offensive attempt and try to resolve ruination and vandalblast early to trash their mana. They can't remove him without mana
Card tags are used like this: [c]Neheb, the Eternal[/c] = Neheb, the Eternal.
I know you said you didn't want to hear about a stronger backup plan, but I am going to say it anyway. I would caution the idea of an all in strategy. As you are finding, red doesn't have a ton of ways to protect its creatures so if your entire plan revolves around Neheb, and he keeps getting removed, you aren't going to do much. This isn't to say that you need to deviate from the strategy of playing Neheb and then doing things with the mana, but if that is your *only* strategy, your deck will be fairly weak to removal.
If you want to go further into the plan of protecting Neheb at all costs, the "Swords" cycle isn't bad. Sword of Fire and Ice, Sword of Feast and Famine and Sword of Light and Shadow are the best three and give you protection from all 5 colors (if you manage to equip all of them). Godo can also search for them for you. Though, if Cavern is outside your price range, I imagine the Swords are too.
Cavern of Souls is obviously your best defense against counterspells in mono-red. However, Red Elemental Blast, Pyroblast, and Ricochet Trap can help fight through counterspells. The first two can also deal with something like Cyclonic Rift if you need to or deal with a blue permanent making your life tough. I would recommend both for any mono-red deck. The Trap is a bit more niche, but if counterspells are really hurting you, it might be worth a slot.
Hand to Hand prevents shenanigans during combat, so at least you're forcing your opponents to respond in time for you to recast Neheb pre combat if they want to prevent his ability to go off (assuming you're giving him haste with Obsidian Battleaxe or something similar)
Veilstone Amulet will prevent Neheb from being targeted the turn he is cast. Again, assuming haste this gives you a window of opportunity.
That's all I can come up with. Hope it helps.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
The secret to enjoyable Commander games is not winning first, but losing last.
If my post has no tags, then i posted from my phone.
You can combat counterspells with red's copy spells (Fork, Reiterate, Reverberate, Wild Ricochet), since they can copy the counterspell and the copy can target and counter the original.
Beyond that, I believe the standard response is "just play Stax". tl;dr: Wreck their mana base.
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!
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.
You can combat counterspells with red's copy spells (Fork, Reiterate, Reverberate, Wild Ricochet), since they can copy the counterspell and the copy can target and counter the original.
So the question is how to keep my opponents from messing up my plans. I currently run [[Conqueror’s Flail]] and [[Price of Glory]]. I can tutor the flail with Godo if need be. But i feel i need some other cards as well. [[Cavern of Souls]] is way out of my price range. Im considering [[Eldrazi Monument]], but the deck doesn’t actually run all that many creatures.
I could really use suggestions! Its not reds thing to protect creatures, but I really need to do so anyway. Before anyone suggests to have a stronger backup plan, thats not the point. I my plan is to not actually play Neheb, I might as well play another deck.
Thanks in advance, I only played magic for a year, so you guys are prolly way smarter than me ^^
Ideally you want to snap lightning greaves on him, but unfortunately there are not many to protect him once you to try and equip.
You could always go on the offensive attempt and try to resolve ruination and vandalblast early to trash their mana. They can't remove him without mana
Links to my most current deck lists;
Primary EDH; Rakka Mar Token Perfection, Crosis Mnemonic Betrayal, Cromat Villainous, Judith Gravestorm, Rakdos Empty Storm, Exava Artifacts, Bant Trash, & Fumiko Voltron!
EDH kept at home; Ruzzian Isset & Rakdos LoR!
EDH (nostalgic/pimp/retired) in storage;
Latulla Burns, Akroma Smash, Jeska Voltron, Rakdos Storm, Bladewing Darghans, Lyzolda Worldgorger, Xantcha Steals your Heart, Jori Storm, Wydwen Permission, Gwendlyn Paradox, Jeleva Warps, & Sigarda Brick!
Legacy Showanimator and High Tide!
I know you said you didn't want to hear about a stronger backup plan, but I am going to say it anyway. I would caution the idea of an all in strategy. As you are finding, red doesn't have a ton of ways to protect its creatures so if your entire plan revolves around Neheb, and he keeps getting removed, you aren't going to do much. This isn't to say that you need to deviate from the strategy of playing Neheb and then doing things with the mana, but if that is your *only* strategy, your deck will be fairly weak to removal.
If you want to go further into the plan of protecting Neheb at all costs, the "Swords" cycle isn't bad. Sword of Fire and Ice, Sword of Feast and Famine and Sword of Light and Shadow are the best three and give you protection from all 5 colors (if you manage to equip all of them). Godo can also search for them for you. Though, if Cavern is outside your price range, I imagine the Swords are too.
You could also go with Lightning Greaves and Swiftfoot Boots to make it so he can't be targeted by your opponents. Darksteel Plate, Hammer of Nazahn, and Shield of Kaldra make him indestructible.
Cavern of Souls is obviously your best defense against counterspells in mono-red. However, Red Elemental Blast, Pyroblast, and Ricochet Trap can help fight through counterspells. The first two can also deal with something like Cyclonic Rift if you need to or deal with a blue permanent making your life tough. I would recommend both for any mono-red deck. The Trap is a bit more niche, but if counterspells are really hurting you, it might be worth a slot.
That's all I can come up with. Hope it helps.
If my post has no tags, then i posted from my phone.
8.RG Green Devotion Ramp/Combo 9.UR Draw Triggers 10.WUR Group stalling 11.WUR Voltron Spellslinger 12.WB Sacrificial Shenanigans
13.BR Creatureless Panharmonicon 14.BR Pingers and Eldrazi 15.URG Untapped Cascading
16.Reyhan, last of the Abzan's WUBG +1/+1 Counter Craziness 17.WUBRG Dragons aka Why did I make this?
Building: The Gitrog Monster lands, Glissa the Traitor stax, Muldrotha, the Gravetide Planeswalker Combo, Kydele, Chosen of Kruphix + Sidar Kondo of Jamuraa Clues, and Tribal Scarecrow Planeswalkers
Former Rules Advisor
"Everything's better with pirates." - Lodge
(The Gamers: Dorkness Rising)
"Any sufficiently analyzed magic is indistinguishable from science."
(Girl Genius - Fairy Tale Theater Break - Cinderella, end of volume 8)
Beyond that, I believe the standard response is "just play Stax". tl;dr: Wreck their mana base.
On phasing:
But i would not count on it to be my onky saving grace. Tbere are a lot of good suggestions up above.
Also (while also expensive) sneak attack (issue is getting neheb in hand)
UB Vela the Night-Clad BUDecklist
WBG Ghave, Guru of Spores GBW
WUBRGThe Ur-DragonWUBRGDecklist
Don't forget Mages' Contest.