Lets make this clear, the requirements to get a "destroy target player" is a hard sequence to pull off. Casting five spells in a particular order is a tricky feat to pull off. If you think about multiplayer and then doing it again, that is 10 spells and then for a 3rd player 15 spells in a particular order. Thats all assuming that he never gets removed, otherwise sequence back to square one. We will not kid ourselves and call this anything but super janky and fun theme for casual play. However, this type of deck building is probably one of my favorite things, suddenly the metrics of cards have a new twist, and that is of frequency and distribution of numbers literally written on the cards.
I believe the keys to the deck are the balance between
1.) Frequency of numbers and even distribution of numbers with the deck
2.) Synergy and power of cards
Since starting this thread I've collated a lot of information, so here is a break down of all the cards with at least 4 different numbers
Now to really understand distribution of numbers, you need to know the exact numbers right? That is when a spreadsheet type setup is really going to help.
If you don't aim for an even distribution of the numbers between 1-5 then, you'll end up probably waiting for a particular number. 5 is the first in the sequence, so if you fail to have a "5" card, then you'll never get off the ground. Its pretty obvious early plays in Commander are important, so the 1 and 2 are covered heavily in essentially a lot of stable cards, for example to help with mana and draw. So there is a good argument that your distribution of the numbers is going to be skewed towards the lower numbers a bit. You will be playing a few of these earlier before Baron or probably when gets removed.
I've also listed cards from my collection which are between 1-3 different numbers of cards, but are much more staple and powerful to the format.
Ooh! I like this! Do you want synergy in particular or cards that work well with the cards that you already have in your collection? As far as mana curve is concerned, Baron Von Count only costs 3 so you could very easily cast a spell with a 5 somewhere in it the turn after you get him onto the battlefield. I think you can go for cheap spells that have the number in its textbox, p/t, and mana cost. You can also use planeswalkers. Chandra, Torch of Defiance has all 5 numerals in it .
If you really want to stretch it out further, here are more cards with all 5 numbers in them:
My YouTube Channel: The Commander Tavern - a channel I just started where I'll post deck techs and gameplays. Please support by checking it out. Maybe you'll like its content and subscribe! Thanks!
Ooh! I like this! Do you want synergy in particular or cards that work well with the cards that you already have in your collection?
Nope, doesn't have to synergies with the cards I already listed, these are just what I have in my collection, but really wanting to see if anything else "emerges" from people listing cards.
That's 17 total cards. I think that you could add other cards that have at least 3 different numbers but that would be much better than these that I mentioned. The purpose of these 17 cards to make sure Baron Von Count goes off and destroys a player.
My YouTube Channel: The Commander Tavern - a channel I just started where I'll post deck techs and gameplays. Please support by checking it out. Maybe you'll like its content and subscribe! Thanks!
Because we want an even distribution, I've decided to search on all "5" as this is the rarer of the numbers, as far as I can tell. I feel this is more or less the same counting down each number. That is 4 is the next least frequent number to appear, and with 1 being the most likely number to appear along with other numbers.
So given this, this particular post is focused on cards that feature "5" along with other numbers, or just shear power level.
I do feel like the Planeswalkers are the most versatile so far as frequency of numbers plus their overall ability to help win a game on their own.
Then I'm pretty sure playing a healthy number of the cards that literally have all the numbers is probably the best (note: there are probably more, just need to find them):
There is a lot to think about synergy wise in this list. Its always going to be a case of do you go for cards that range of numbers, or just the better cards? For example: Arc-Slogger has 4 separate numbers, but is not particular synergistic. Or a more powerful card like Promise of Power, but only has 3 numerical references.
It is important to note that in theory when you cast Baron, that your first spell is wanting to be a "5" and if you follow normal lands drops, etc, then you'll most likely to have 4 mana available. So having your range of "5"s at a casting cost of 4 or less, is much more appealing.
OK, I've been counting the Loyalty box in Planeswalkers as a usable number, but when reading Baron Von Count, its specifically say Textbox, Power, Toughness, Cost, so this number I'm going to say is not part of the Textbox and is its own thing. So going to have to reevaluate some of the Planeswalkers numbers.
And now I'm worried that the ability numbers on Planeswalkers are also not part of the textbox, so have left a question in the rulings section.
[edit]
Sorted, loyalty box is a no go, but the ability numbers are part of the textbox.
One of the funniest things about Baron Von Count (and I say this as a fan who wants to build around him) is that sometimes the best card is not the best card - he can actually make strictly worse cards better. For example - Lightning Bolt vs. Lightning Strike - Normally, bolt is better because it's half the cost for the same effect, but when you want cards that trigger on multiple doom counter values, having the extra 1 in the mana cost is actually better. Likewise, a 3/2 could be better than a 3/3 at the same mana cost. He really does some weird things with deck-building logic.
I think one area to focus on would also be spell recursion. Stuff like Oversold Cemetery and Charmbreaker Devils that return cards from your graveyard to your hand so you can cast them again.
One of the funniest things about Baron Von Count (and I say this as a fan who wants to build around him) is that sometimes the best card is not the best card - he can actually make strictly worse cards better. For example - Lightning Bolt vs. Lightning Strike - Normally, bolt is better because it's half the cost for the same effect, but when you want cards that trigger on multiple doom counter values, having the extra 1 in the mana cost is actually better. Likewise, a 3/2 could be better than a 3/3 at the same mana cost. He really does some weird things with deck-building logic.
I think one area to focus on would also be spell recursion. Stuff like Oversold Cemetery and Charmbreaker Devils that return cards from your graveyard to your hand so you can cast them again.
Spell recursion and also card draw, because you really need to filter to get your potential numbers. Thats why I'm pretty sure I'll be running Wheel of Fortune and Memory Jar. But there is still only going to be a very limited slots for non-numerical blessed cards
Strionic Resonator is a great card for the deck as you can copy Baron Von Count triggered ability, speeding the clock up twice as much. In fact you can even copy the "destroy target player" knocking off 2 players in one hit.
I've also been thinking about a tribal Goblin theme you could use Baron as an alternative win-con for the deck. The idea came from thinking about stacking your library in a particular order, and Goblin Recruiter is one of the few cards that does something like that. There are some good value Goblins that also have some numerical value as far as frequency of numbers.
If you can imagine the Goblin Recruiter can stack Goblin Ringleader along with a bunch of Goblins that fill your count down requirements, and setup a "destroy target player" within a few turns. There is also some Goblin graveyard recursion, so that its possible to use the same strategy again.
Here is a list of Globins which I think have enough impact plus fill "numbers" requirements. Obviously the frequency of numbers is only between 2-3, rather than 4-5, but the deck can function as a sort of control deck with Baron win-con as a bonus, so is a bit more non-Commander reliant.
My YouTube Channel: The Commander Tavern - a channel I just started where I'll post deck techs and gameplays. Please support by checking it out. Maybe you'll like its content and subscribe! Thanks!
I've decided to list a bunch of cards that allow for graveyard recursion of casting spells. The idea is that you get the opportunity to cast the same cards multiple times to meet Barons doom counter. There are lots of graveyard recursion, so I've stuck to mainly static abilities that allow for unlimited uses. I've also listed cards that have their own ability to return to hand. Remember that cards must be "cast", so anything that returns to battlefield does not help our doom count.
You can build a deck to meet requirements of these type of cards, so that you have potential access to the cards, for when you want a specific number for the doom counter.
Once off graveyard recursion (not as good as static)
You're also going to need mana rocks, both to afford most 5s and recast the Baron a lot. The cost reduction cards are really useful.
While we're here, does Phyrexian mana count as a 2?
Demonic Collusion seems nice: It hits 2, 3, and lets you grab the next card. (And it has buyback.)
Searing Touch and Shattering Pulse hit 1 and 4 and are nice removal all around. So, yeah, buyback in general is pretty good. (And most kicker variants are, but I like buyback because I can use it again when I get to that count.)
I'd also look at suspend. You're not likely to use suspend itself, but suspend cards typically have at least some generic mana in their suspend cost, and the suspend number is also important.
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!
You're also going to need mana rocks, both to afford most 5s and recast the Baron a lot. The cost reduction cards are really useful.
While we're here, does Phyrexian mana count as a 2?
Demonic Collusion seems nice: It hits 2, 3, and lets you grab the next card. (And it has buyback.)
Searing Touch and Shattering Pulse hit 1 and 4 and are nice removal all around. So, yeah, buyback in general is pretty good. (And most kicker variants are, but I like buyback because I can use it again when I get to that count.)
I'd also look at suspend. You're not likely to use suspend itself, but suspend cards typically have at least some generic mana in their suspend cost, and the suspend number is also important.
Unfortunately its very specific about being a "numeral", so that is why B doesn't count as a "1". Also why spelling out numbers doesn't work, like "two" doesn't count as a "2". So Phyrexian is also a bust.
Good call on the "buybacks" and I'll check out "suspend" cards for possibilities.
Yeah as far as like artifact mana, etc, there are going to be staples, like Demonic Tutor, Mana Vault, etc. So its good to probably place out things that are going to help the deck, then you can see where you might need to fill your distribution. I alluded to this a bit, that you'll get far more low numbers (1,2,3) with staple cards, because of their cost efficiency (which is why they are good staples).
I'm a little confused on which numbers count for the Baron. Is there an official ruling somewhere? Specifically:
PW Loyalty?
PW Activation Costs?
Numbers in Reminder Text?
Numbers in Flavor Text?
Numbers in old cards which are not present in reprints (Mana Vault)?
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"I have seen the true path. I will not warm myself by the fire—I will become the flame."
—Lim-Dûl, the Necromancer
I'm a little confused on which numbers count for the Baron. Is there an official ruling somewhere? Specifically:
PW Loyalty?
PW Activation Costs?
Numbers in Reminder Text?
Numbers in Flavor Text?
Numbers in old cards which are not present in reprints (Mana Vault)?
I asked in the ruling forums about PW, and the conclusion was that PW Loyalty does not count, but the Activation costs are part of the textbox, so count.
Reminder text and flavor text are part of the text box so also count.
Now I'm not sure about old versus new text and if an "oracle text" needs to be applied? Will leave a question in the rulings section.
Reminder text and flavor text are part of the text box so also count.
In the Unstable FAQ, For Baron, Maro states "legal text" doesn't count. I assume this means reminder text?
212. Information Below the Text Box
212.1. Each card features text printed below the text box that has no effect on game play.
212.1a The illustration credit for a card is printed on the first line below the text box. It follows the paintbrush icon or, on older cards, the abbreviation “Illus.”
212.1b Legal text (the fine print at the bottom of the card) lists the trademark and copyright information.
212.1c Some card sets feature collector numbers. This information is printed in the form [card number]/[total cards in the set], immediately following the legal text.
Possibility Storm is a way of doubling up on potential "cast". I feel like the power and synergy of spells actually resolving, is probably not as important as most other Commander decks. For this reason I think this card is a strong possibility (pun got in) that it should go into most Baron decks.
I've listed all the cards in Red and Black with either Dash or Buyback, as you can get unlimited uses from them, meaning you can recast to hopefully hit a doom counter requirement:
Now Blast from the Past is interesting because it has the 1-4 of numbers, so you can keep paying for the buyback to recast it. It does cost 8 mana if you're buying back, so its slow, but slow and steady might be able to win the race?
Memory Crystal is a card that can help with mana costs if you decided to go down this track.
Some other nice combo options: Mizzix's Mastery overloaded can kill someone from 5. (I think?) Sunbird's Invocation is another Possibility Storm-like option for speeding things up. Hazoret's Undying Fury is risky normally but can be used after Doomsday to kill someone.
This commander looks very cool for Rakdos, there's a few different ways to build this deck!
Reminder text and flavor text are part of the text box so also count.
In the Unstable FAQ, For Baron, Maro states "legal text" doesn't count. I assume this means reminder text?
No, legal text is the artist credit and copyright. Presumably the collector number doesn't count either.
When it came to Phyrexian mana, I was thinking of ((B/P) can be paid with either B or 2 life.) That's a 2.
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 haven't got any particular cards to add to the discussion, but I thought I'd contribute the search query I was using on magiccards.info:
(mana>=5 not mana>=6 or pow=5 or tou=5 or o:5) and (mana>=4 not mana>=5 or pow=4 or tou=4 or o:4) and (mana>=3 not mana>=4 or pow=3 or tou=3 or o:3) and (mana>=2 not mana>=3 or pow=2 or tou=2 or o:2) and (mana>=1 not mana>=2 or pow=1 or tou=1 or o:1) and ci:rb and cmc>0
The query in the spoiler will find everything with all 5 numbers. To find cards that have fewer than the five desired numbers, you would put 'not' in front of the parenthesis that searches for the numbers you wish to remove from the results (for example, "(mana>=5 not mana>=6 or pow=5 or tou=5 or o:5)" is the part of the query that will find Baron Von Count's 5s, but if you write 'not' in front of it, the full query will only find Baron Von Count's 1s, 2s, 3s and 4s, specifically excluding 5s). Though, once you remove more than a few numbers, the queries will return truly enormous numbers of cards that are probably beyond the scope of what we're doing (the query that searches for 1-2-3 and not 4s or 5s returns over 400 cards).
There are some surprisingly playable cards with 4 numbers (Erebos, God of the Dead has 1, 2, 3, and 5; Vindictive Lich has 1, 3, 4 and 5). The 1-2-4-5 slot is terrible, though.
If you don't mind playing foreign cards, Japanese cards actually translate English number words or articles (e.g. one, two, three, a, an) and the word 'target' into numerals. Here are some cards that would include all five numerals in the text box in Japanese version.
Lets make this clear, the requirements to get a "destroy target player" is a hard sequence to pull off. Casting five spells in a particular order is a tricky feat to pull off. If you think about multiplayer and then doing it again, that is 10 spells and then for a 3rd player 15 spells in a particular order. Thats all assuming that he never gets removed, otherwise sequence back to square one. We will not kid ourselves and call this anything but super janky and fun theme for casual play. However, this type of deck building is probably one of my favorite things, suddenly the metrics of cards have a new twist, and that is of frequency and distribution of numbers literally written on the cards.
I believe the keys to the deck are the balance between
1.) Frequency of numbers and even distribution of numbers with the deck
2.) Synergy and power of cards
Since starting this thread I've collated a lot of information, so here is a break down of all the cards with at least 4 different numbers
1, 2, 3, 4, 5
1, 2, 3, 4 (except 5)
1, 2, 3, 5 (except 4)
1, 2, 4, 5 (except 3)
1, 3, 4, 5 (except 2)
2, 3, 4, 5 (except 1)
Now to really understand distribution of numbers, you need to know the exact numbers right? That is when a spreadsheet type setup is really going to help.
If you don't aim for an even distribution of the numbers between 1-5 then, you'll end up probably waiting for a particular number. 5 is the first in the sequence, so if you fail to have a "5" card, then you'll never get off the ground. Its pretty obvious early plays in Commander are important, so the 1 and 2 are covered heavily in essentially a lot of stable cards, for example to help with mana and draw. So there is a good argument that your distribution of the numbers is going to be skewed towards the lower numbers a bit. You will be playing a few of these earlier before Baron or probably when gets removed.
I've also listed cards from my collection which are between 1-3 different numbers of cards, but are much more staple and powerful to the format.
3 Different numbers, but staple or powerful
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
If you really want to stretch it out further, here are more cards with all 5 numbers in them:
I'll definitely see if I can find more such cards to help you out! You do have until 1/15/18 after all to be able to use this deck.
BGU [Primer] Sidisi, Brood Tyrant BGU | BG [Primer] Mazirek, Kraul Death Priest BG | G [Primer] Polukranos, World Eater G
My YouTube Channel:
The Commander Tavern - a channel I just started where I'll post deck techs and gameplays. Please support by checking it out. Maybe you'll like its content and subscribe! Thanks!
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
That's 17 total cards. I think that you could add other cards that have at least 3 different numbers but that would be much better than these that I mentioned. The purpose of these 17 cards to make sure Baron Von Count goes off and destroys a player.
BGU [Primer] Sidisi, Brood Tyrant BGU | BG [Primer] Mazirek, Kraul Death Priest BG | G [Primer] Polukranos, World Eater G
My YouTube Channel:
The Commander Tavern - a channel I just started where I'll post deck techs and gameplays. Please support by checking it out. Maybe you'll like its content and subscribe! Thanks!
Because we want an even distribution, I've decided to search on all "5" as this is the rarer of the numbers, as far as I can tell. I feel this is more or less the same counting down each number. That is 4 is the next least frequent number to appear, and with 1 being the most likely number to appear along with other numbers.
So given this, this particular post is focused on cards that feature "5" along with other numbers, or just shear power level.
I do feel like the Planeswalkers are the most versatile so far as frequency of numbers plus their overall ability to help win a game on their own.
5's Planeswalkers:
Chandra, Torch of Defiance
Ob Nixilis of the Black Oath
Sarkhan the Mad
Koth of the Hammer
Chandra, Torch of Defiance
Then I'm pretty sure playing a healthy number of the cards that literally have all the numbers is probably the best (note: there are probably more, just need to find them):
List of cards with "5" that might work:
There is a lot to think about synergy wise in this list. Its always going to be a case of do you go for cards that range of numbers, or just the better cards? For example: Arc-Slogger has 4 separate numbers, but is not particular synergistic. Or a more powerful card like Promise of Power, but only has 3 numerical references.
I have to admit I really love the Gods, so The Scorpion God, Erebos, God of the Dead, Hazoret the Fervent, Purphoros, God of the Forge are very attractive to me, and this does line up with Planeswalkers if you have mass creature removal.
My other picks from this list as far as playable on their own are:
It is important to note that in theory when you cast Baron, that your first spell is wanting to be a "5" and if you follow normal lands drops, etc, then you'll most likely to have 4 mana available. So having your range of "5"s at a casting cost of 4 or less, is much more appealing.
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
4's Planeswalkers:
Here is a list of "4"s that I thought could be relevant:
My personal take away from this list is:
- Wheel of Fate
- Mana Vault
- Mizzium Mortars
- Nezumi Graverobber
- Oblivion Stone
- Grim Monolith
- Ghost-Lit Raider
- Ghost-Lit Stalker
- Fatal Push
- Guul Draz Assassin
- Dark Impostor
- Street Wraith
- Heart of Kiran
(mentioned in 5)But that is not to say that I wouldn't play others in this list, just getting a base to see where we are at.
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
And now I'm worried that the ability numbers on Planeswalkers are also not part of the textbox, so have left a question in the rulings section.
[edit]
Sorted, loyalty box is a no go, but the ability numbers are part of the textbox.
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
I think one area to focus on would also be spell recursion. Stuff like Oversold Cemetery and Charmbreaker Devils that return cards from your graveyard to your hand so you can cast them again.
2023 Average Peasant Cube|and Discussion
Because I have more decks than fit in a signature
Useful Resources:
MTGSalvation tags
EDHREC
ManabaseCrafter
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
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
I've also been thinking about a tribal Goblin theme you could use Baron as an alternative win-con for the deck. The idea came from thinking about stacking your library in a particular order, and Goblin Recruiter is one of the few cards that does something like that. There are some good value Goblins that also have some numerical value as far as frequency of numbers.
If you can imagine the Goblin Recruiter can stack Goblin Ringleader along with a bunch of Goblins that fill your count down requirements, and setup a "destroy target player" within a few turns. There is also some Goblin graveyard recursion, so that its possible to use the same strategy again.
Here is a list of Globins which I think have enough impact plus fill "numbers" requirements. Obviously the frequency of numbers is only between 2-3, rather than 4-5, but the deck can function as a sort of control deck with Baron win-con as a bonus, so is a bit more non-Commander reliant.
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
BGU [Primer] Sidisi, Brood Tyrant BGU | BG [Primer] Mazirek, Kraul Death Priest BG | G [Primer] Polukranos, World Eater G
My YouTube Channel:
The Commander Tavern - a channel I just started where I'll post deck techs and gameplays. Please support by checking it out. Maybe you'll like its content and subscribe! Thanks!
Multiple uses:
In built recursion:
- Death of a Thousand Stings
- Entropic Eidolon
- Glistening Oil
- Hammer of Bogardan
- Krovikan Horror
- Necrosavant
- Punishing Fire
- Pyre Zombie
- Pyrewild Shaman
- Rekindled Flame
- Repeating Barrage
- Sandstorm Eidolon
- Shard Phoenix
- Skarrgan Firebird
- Squee, Goblin Nabob
- Tymaret, the Murder King
- Undead Gladiator
- Veilborn Ghoul
- Brood of Cockroaches
- Lava Zombie
- Thunderblade Charge
You can build a deck to meet requirements of these type of cards, so that you have potential access to the cards, for when you want a specific number for the doom counter.Once off graveyard recursion (not as good as static)
"Dredge" cards, as these can be returned in response to being at the right doom count:
"Recover" cards, as these can be a recurring source if requirements met.
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
You're also going to need mana rocks, both to afford most 5s and recast the Baron a lot. The cost reduction cards are really useful.
While we're here, does Phyrexian mana count as a 2?
Demonic Collusion seems nice: It hits 2, 3, and lets you grab the next card. (And it has buyback.)
Searing Touch and Shattering Pulse hit 1 and 4 and are nice removal all around. So, yeah, buyback in general is pretty good. (And most kicker variants are, but I like buyback because I can use it again when I get to that count.)
I'd also look at suspend. You're not likely to use suspend itself, but suspend cards typically have at least some generic mana in their suspend cost, and the suspend number is also important.
On phasing:
Good call on the "buybacks" and I'll check out "suspend" cards for possibilities.
Yeah as far as like artifact mana, etc, there are going to be staples, like Demonic Tutor, Mana Vault, etc. So its good to probably place out things that are going to help the deck, then you can see where you might need to fill your distribution. I alluded to this a bit, that you'll get far more low numbers (1,2,3) with staple cards, because of their cost efficiency (which is why they are good staples).
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
Vraska Scheming Gorgon and Angrath Minotaur Pirate
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
PW Loyalty?
PW Activation Costs?
Numbers in Reminder Text?
Numbers in Flavor Text?
Numbers in old cards which are not present in reprints (Mana Vault)?
—Lim-Dûl, the Necromancer
Reminder text and flavor text are part of the text box so also count.
Now I'm not sure about old versus new text and if an "oracle text" needs to be applied? Will leave a question in the rulings section.
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
In the Unstable FAQ, For Baron, Maro states "legal text" doesn't count. I assume this means reminder text?
—Lim-Dûl, the Necromancer
212.1. Each card features text printed below the text box that has no effect on game play.
212.1a The illustration credit for a card is printed on the first line below the text box. It follows the paintbrush icon or, on older cards, the abbreviation “Illus.”
212.1b Legal text (the fine print at the bottom of the card) lists the trademark and copyright information.
212.1c Some card sets feature collector numbers. This information is printed in the form [card number]/[total cards in the set], immediately following the legal text.
I asked the question about old vs new card errata and so far it just depends on whether Un-cards have been specified at some stage as different for wording. http://www.mtgsalvation.com/forums/magic-fundamentals/magic-rulings/786572-baron-von-count-and-planeswalkers-can-somebody#c5
Will have to investigate more.
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
I've listed all the cards in Red and Black with either Dash or Buyback, as you can get unlimited uses from them, meaning you can recast to hopefully hit a doom counter requirement:
Dash:
These are the dash cards with at least 3 different number:
Buyback:
Now here are not too many Buyback cards that have multiple numbers in them.
My pick of these are:
Now Blast from the Past is interesting because it has the 1-4 of numbers, so you can keep paying for the buyback to recast it. It does cost 8 mana if you're buying back, so its slow, but slow and steady might be able to win the race?
Memory Crystal is a card that can help with mana costs if you decided to go down this track.
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
There's also some other dash-like cards Archwing Dragon, Glitterfang, Viashino Cutthroat, Viashino Sandscout, and Viashino Sandstalker.
Umbilicus, Blood Clock, and Erratic Portal can let you bounce and recast stuff.
Assault Suit is an interesting political option.
Goblin Dark-Dwellers is good value and can move the doom counter twice.
Some other nice combo options:
Mizzix's Mastery overloaded can kill someone from 5. (I think?)
Sunbird's Invocation is another Possibility Storm-like option for speeding things up.
Hazoret's Undying Fury is risky normally but can be used after Doomsday to kill someone.
This commander looks very cool for Rakdos, there's a few different ways to build this deck!
—Lim-Dûl, the Necromancer
No, legal text is the artist credit and copyright. Presumably the collector number doesn't count either.
When it came to Phyrexian mana, I was thinking of ((B/P) can be paid with either B or 2 life.) That's a 2.
On phasing:
The query in the spoiler will find everything with all 5 numbers. To find cards that have fewer than the five desired numbers, you would put 'not' in front of the parenthesis that searches for the numbers you wish to remove from the results (for example, "(mana>=5 not mana>=6 or pow=5 or tou=5 or o:5)" is the part of the query that will find Baron Von Count's 5s, but if you write 'not' in front of it, the full query will only find Baron Von Count's 1s, 2s, 3s and 4s, specifically excluding 5s). Though, once you remove more than a few numbers, the queries will return truly enormous numbers of cards that are probably beyond the scope of what we're doing (the query that searches for 1-2-3 and not 4s or 5s returns over 400 cards).
There are some surprisingly playable cards with 4 numbers (Erebos, God of the Dead has 1, 2, 3, and 5; Vindictive Lich has 1, 3, 4 and 5). The 1-2-4-5 slot is terrible, though.
http://www.commandercast.com/category/articles/generally-speaking
Follow me on Twitter: @generalspeak
Thran Tome
Soulstinger
Arc-Slogger
Boltwing Marauder
Barrage Tyrant
Heart-Piercer Manticore
According to the rulings about watermarks, the effect should consider what is actually printed on the cards. So, it should work?