I've never built a cEDH deck before for multiplayer, but it seems that I'm going to need one for the GP I'm going to in December. I'd like to make a tempo deck if it's viable in multiplayer. I'd like to make it Boros angels, but I have no idea where to start. The Boros angels deck that I've been playing is fun, but it isn't particularly competitive. The commander is Archangel Avacyn and in the deck's current form, I've never gotten her to flip. I've won maybe 3 games out of over 100 playing it, and I'm usually taken out first because people overestimate the threat level of such a deck. I've had the same trouble with the Selesnya Voltron deck that I use that's also been posted here with Nazahn, Revered Bladesmith as commander. So, I need to find an angels deck that has as much bite as it does bark and that can win or place well at a GP, or I need to look for other options. I'm running on a tight budget, and I need some direction. I don't really own many cards outside of what are in my two decks Any help is appreciated.
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"Cut it down, bury it in the snow, put it to the torch. The rose will still bloom again."
There are basically three deck types in cEDH: stax that wins with combo, control that wins with combo and just straight up combo. There are a couple of oddities that skirt the edge of these categories, such as Edric, Spymaster of Trest, but many of the strategies that work in other formats don't fit cEDH as they simply aren't efficient enough at killing 3-4 players to compete. And on top of that, Boros is the weakest colour combination in the format (both mono-red and mono-white are actually better thanks to the commanders they have access to).
Frankly, if I were you, I'd try to avoid the competitive side of the format. Looking at the kind of cards you like (i.e. Angels), it's just not for you. Find some more casual EDH players and have fun.
If you do want to stick with Avacyn yet make her as competitive as possible, you're probably going to have to move towards a more stax/resource denial instead of just playing big angels. I had a quick look over on TappedOut, and something like this list looks like a good start. There's a guy in my playgroup who's built her in a similar direction, albeit with a bit more of a focus on getting her flipped at will in order to take advantage of the repeatable Anger of the Gods (hint: cheap utility creatures that can sacrifice themselves), and it performs well. It's not up to full cEDH level - Boros just doesn't give you the tools to get there - but it holds its own when we're playing anything short of our best decks.
1) Just because it's a GP doesn't necessarily mean cEDH. I went to a "competitive commander event" with big(ish, I think it was at least a box for winning 2 matches) prizes on the line at a GP, single-elim, having netdecked a top-tier cEDH deck (tazri) and I was the only one at my table, or the other tables I noticed, in the same zip code as cEDH. Everyone else was playing the same 50-75% decks I see in most playgroups. It could, of course, be totally different at your GP, but I wouldn't necessarily assume you need a real cEDH deck in order to compete.
2) Boros could maaaaybe work if you were willing to put the right stuff into it, but the "right stuff" means "lots of money" (also every land-wipe available). And it would still be pretty pathetic compared to top-tier cEDH decks. If your goal is to keep the budget low and be as competitive as possible, you're probably looking at jace or some other mono-colored cEDH commander. If you really want to beat down, maybe try yisan, the wanderer bard. Apparently he's pretty top-tier competitive and you could probably make him without totally breaking the bank, as long as you skip out on some of the pricey stuff (gaea's cradle, notably).
I'll definitely second DirkGently's first point there - just because there's prizes on the line doens't mean everyone will be bringing cEDH decks. I'll also add that, even if the official commander event does end up being closer to cEDH, at something like a GP, chances are you'll find some people who will want to have some casual games of "normal" commander on the side, so don't feel too pressured to go full competitive unless you're desperate to win the tourney.
It seems like cEDH isn't really my thing because combo isn't really my jam, unless it's a combo that's pretty straightforward and designed to do something like "I play a bunch of creatures, buff them all and then attack everyone for 5,000 damage!" or "Okay, ping for 1 until everyone is dead". I'd really prefer if I win a game via combat damage, burn/drain, using lifegain to do stuff like Aetherflux Reservoir, or the cards that make you win if you have over a certain amount of life, or chaining together some sort of infinite token creature, infinite combat steps, or infinite ping combo (Godo + Helm, or Adarkar Valkyrie + Aurelia, the Warleader + sac outlet or some line like that). I like creatures, auras, and equipment, and having some fatties at the top of my curve for beats, be they angels (my favorite), dragons, dinosaurs, demons, or eldrazi. The sort of creatures you'd have in a typical Stompy or creature-based Tron list in another format. Really what I guess I'm looking for is not a cEDH deck, but a creature, creature with planeswalker support, or creatures + burn deck that is of the competitive-casual sort of variety. 75% or 80%ish, so it is more at the level of the rest of the people in my play group, who almost always stomp me. I also have a Starke of Rath theft/stax sort of build that I hate playing against because he pretty much always steals, kills, or steals and sacrifices anything good that I put down, be it a fattie or my commander in a Voltron deck. It's like the deck was designed specifically to piss off Timmies like me. I'll need Homeward Path type effects and protections for my big creatures. My decks tend to look a lot scarier than they really are.
The Archangel Avacyn stax deck that PhroX pointed me to looks awesome, but I'd need to build it on a budget... maybe like $20 per card first, and then add stuff like the swords later. The expensive mana rocks are a no. I'd also have to replace Armageddon with something like Vandalblast or Hour of Revelation for social reasons. I also like the idea of having creatures to sacrifice to flip Avacyn, and possibly some blink, like adding Cloudburst to my Sunforger package.
I also really like the idea of making a deck for Jenara, Sigarda, either Aurelia, or either Gisela. I want to keep the deck 1-3 colors and I am very open to playing Selesnya or Bant to give me easier access to the things that Boros sucks at. Also, a change from Boros might make it much easier to build a deck that's both within my budget and strong enough to compete. All the ones I listed look good, so which would best suit my needs? Note that I do own a Gaea's Cradle, but that's the only really expensive card I have.
It seems like cEDH isn't really my thing because combo isn't really my jam, unless it's a combo that's pretty straightforward and designed to do something like "I play a bunch of creatures, buff them all and then attack everyone for 5,000 damage!" or "Okay, ping for 1 until everyone is dead". I'd really prefer if I win a game via combat damage, burn/drain, using lifegain to do stuff like Aetherflux Reservoir, or the cards that make you win if you have over a certain amount of life, or chaining together some sort of infinite token creature, infinite combat steps, or infinite ping combo (Godo + Helm, or Adarkar Valkyrie + Aurelia, the Warleader + sac outlet or some line like that).
I also really like the idea of making a deck for Jenara, Sigarda, either Aurelia, or either Gisela. I want to keep the deck 1-3 colors and I am very open to playing Selesnya or Bant to give me easier access to the things that Boros sucks at. Also, a change from Boros might make it much easier to build a deck that's both within my budget and strong enough to compete. All the ones I listed look good, so which would best suit my needs? Note that I do own a Gaea's Cradle, but that's the only really expensive card I have.
That describes like...most of the combos that exist.
If you have a cradle I think the most competitive option is probably yisan. New Aurelia is pretty weak, old aurelia is good (in a 75% sort of way). My pet Bant deck is my Phelddagrif (primer in sig) which is very strong on a budget, but that probably won't appeal to you since it's very creature light and difficult to play. Jenara is a fine choice although imo she's better in a creature-light deck as well. New Gisela is bad, don't play mono-white unless you love losing, especially if you aren't going to play armageddon effects since those are the best thing mono-white has going for it. Old Gisela is overrated but fine, although imo Aurelia is better, and probably the best boros commander.
I plan to be at GP Portland and I’m not anywhere near competitive, so there’s one for you!
You don’t have to play the scheduled side events for Commander (which do cost $ and come with relatively higher prize support than on-demand events, and thus can lean more competitive, unfortunately) to get decent or great games in. I’ve read some people actually agreeing before a sanctioned game to split the prize pool no matter who wins, which should take the competitive incentive down a notch. Otherwise, there are also “on-demand” events that are like “hey, we have enough players available at the same time, so let’s throw down an event that wasn’t previously scheduled.” I think you still have to pay for on-demand events (someone correct me if I’m wrong), but prize support is lower than scheduled events and you *may* have more control over what type of decks you’re going against by seeing if you can talk to and ask players currently waiting for an on-demand event what kinda of decks and what power level they plan on playing.
Not only that, but there should be a great deal of players walking around willing to throw impromptu (e.g. no cost non-sanctioned) games together between other events and/or to take a break from walking. Communication is key - just ask what power level or style of decks they’re playing and let them know yours. There should be ample opportunity to play non-cEDH at the GP with all kinds of people.
If you really just want to start into cEDH anyway, then my first advice is: don’t. Lol, just kidding, you do what makes you happy. My real advice: don’t spend a ton of money if you’ve not yet decided if cEDH is for you. Maybe pick a cheaper or budget-modified competitive deck list to start out with, just don’t play it against me please.
RWArchangel Avacyn, GWNazahn, Revered Bladesmith, RKari Zev, Skyship Raider (French Duel)
Atraxa, Praetors' Voice - Infect? Creatures with Counters? Superfriends? Propably the closest to being actually strong.
Aurelia, Exemplar of Justice - Aggressively costed Voltron commander?
Aurelia, the Warleader - All out aggro?
Avacyn, Angel of Hope - Fast mana into MLD and the likes? Slow and mono-W is aweful.
Bruna, Light of Alabaster - A whole different story.
Gisela, Blade of Goldnight - Damage Combos?
Jenara, Asura of War - Classic Counter Commander that's aggressively costed. Could exploit your budget.
Sigarda, Host of Herons - Voltron that's hard to interact with.
In the end you could go for a regular combo deck and just play your commander for its colors...
Frankly, if I were you, I'd try to avoid the competitive side of the format. Looking at the kind of cards you like (i.e. Angels), it's just not for you. Find some more casual EDH players and have fun.
If you do want to stick with Avacyn yet make her as competitive as possible, you're probably going to have to move towards a more stax/resource denial instead of just playing big angels. I had a quick look over on TappedOut, and something like this list looks like a good start. There's a guy in my playgroup who's built her in a similar direction, albeit with a bit more of a focus on getting her flipped at will in order to take advantage of the repeatable Anger of the Gods (hint: cheap utility creatures that can sacrifice themselves), and it performs well. It's not up to full cEDH level - Boros just doesn't give you the tools to get there - but it holds its own when we're playing anything short of our best decks.
1) Just because it's a GP doesn't necessarily mean cEDH. I went to a "competitive commander event" with big(ish, I think it was at least a box for winning 2 matches) prizes on the line at a GP, single-elim, having netdecked a top-tier cEDH deck (tazri) and I was the only one at my table, or the other tables I noticed, in the same zip code as cEDH. Everyone else was playing the same 50-75% decks I see in most playgroups. It could, of course, be totally different at your GP, but I wouldn't necessarily assume you need a real cEDH deck in order to compete.
2) Boros could maaaaybe work if you were willing to put the right stuff into it, but the "right stuff" means "lots of money" (also every land-wipe available). And it would still be pretty pathetic compared to top-tier cEDH decks. If your goal is to keep the budget low and be as competitive as possible, you're probably looking at jace or some other mono-colored cEDH commander. If you really want to beat down, maybe try yisan, the wanderer bard. Apparently he's pretty top-tier competitive and you could probably make him without totally breaking the bank, as long as you skip out on some of the pricey stuff (gaea's cradle, notably).
EDH Primers
Phelddagrif - Zirilan
EDH
Thrasios+Bruse - Pang - Sasaya - Wydwen - Feather - Rona - Toshiro - Sylvia+Khorvath - Geth - QMarchesa - Firesong - Athreos - Arixmethes - Isperia - Etali - Silas+Sidar - Saskia - Virtus+Gorm - Kynaios - Naban - Aryel - Mizzix - Kazuul - Tymna+Kraum - Sidar+Tymna - Ayli - Gwendlyn - Phelddagrif 4 - Liliana - Kaervek - Phelddagrif 3 - Mairsil - Scarab - Child - Phenax - Shirei - Thada - Depala - Circu - Kytheon - GrenzoHR - Phelddagrif - Reyhan+Kraum - Toshiro - Varolz - Nin - Ojutai - Tasigur - Zedruu - Uril - Edric - Wort - Zurgo - Nahiri - Grenzo - Kozilek - Yisan - Ink-Treader - Yisan - Brago - Sidisi - Toshiro - Alexi - Sygg - Brimaz - Sek'Kuar - Marchesa - Vish Kal - Iroas - Phelddagrif - Ephara - Derevi - Glissa - Wanderer - Saffi - Melek - Xiahou Dun - Lazav - Lin Sivvi - Zirilan - Glissa
PDH - Drake - Graverobber - Izzet GM - Tallowisp - Symbiote Brawl - Feather - Ugin - Jace - Scarab - Angrath - Vraska - Kumena Oathbreaker - Wrenn&6
The Archangel Avacyn stax deck that PhroX pointed me to looks awesome, but I'd need to build it on a budget... maybe like $20 per card first, and then add stuff like the swords later. The expensive mana rocks are a no. I'd also have to replace Armageddon with something like Vandalblast or Hour of Revelation for social reasons. I also like the idea of having creatures to sacrifice to flip Avacyn, and possibly some blink, like adding Cloudburst to my Sunforger package.
I also really like the idea of making a deck for Jenara, Sigarda, either Aurelia, or either Gisela. I want to keep the deck 1-3 colors and I am very open to playing Selesnya or Bant to give me easier access to the things that Boros sucks at. Also, a change from Boros might make it much easier to build a deck that's both within my budget and strong enough to compete. All the ones I listed look good, so which would best suit my needs? Note that I do own a Gaea's Cradle, but that's the only really expensive card I have.
RWArchangel Avacyn, GWNazahn, Revered Bladesmith, RKari Zev, Skyship Raider (French Duel)
If you have a cradle I think the most competitive option is probably yisan. New Aurelia is pretty weak, old aurelia is good (in a 75% sort of way). My pet Bant deck is my Phelddagrif (primer in sig) which is very strong on a budget, but that probably won't appeal to you since it's very creature light and difficult to play. Jenara is a fine choice although imo she's better in a creature-light deck as well. New Gisela is bad, don't play mono-white unless you love losing, especially if you aren't going to play armageddon effects since those are the best thing mono-white has going for it. Old Gisela is overrated but fine, although imo Aurelia is better, and probably the best boros commander.
EDH Primers
Phelddagrif - Zirilan
EDH
Thrasios+Bruse - Pang - Sasaya - Wydwen - Feather - Rona - Toshiro - Sylvia+Khorvath - Geth - QMarchesa - Firesong - Athreos - Arixmethes - Isperia - Etali - Silas+Sidar - Saskia - Virtus+Gorm - Kynaios - Naban - Aryel - Mizzix - Kazuul - Tymna+Kraum - Sidar+Tymna - Ayli - Gwendlyn - Phelddagrif 4 - Liliana - Kaervek - Phelddagrif 3 - Mairsil - Scarab - Child - Phenax - Shirei - Thada - Depala - Circu - Kytheon - GrenzoHR - Phelddagrif - Reyhan+Kraum - Toshiro - Varolz - Nin - Ojutai - Tasigur - Zedruu - Uril - Edric - Wort - Zurgo - Nahiri - Grenzo - Kozilek - Yisan - Ink-Treader - Yisan - Brago - Sidisi - Toshiro - Alexi - Sygg - Brimaz - Sek'Kuar - Marchesa - Vish Kal - Iroas - Phelddagrif - Ephara - Derevi - Glissa - Wanderer - Saffi - Melek - Xiahou Dun - Lazav - Lin Sivvi - Zirilan - Glissa
PDH - Drake - Graverobber - Izzet GM - Tallowisp - Symbiote Brawl - Feather - Ugin - Jace - Scarab - Angrath - Vraska - Kumena Oathbreaker - Wrenn&6
You don’t have to play the scheduled side events for Commander (which do cost $ and come with relatively higher prize support than on-demand events, and thus can lean more competitive, unfortunately) to get decent or great games in. I’ve read some people actually agreeing before a sanctioned game to split the prize pool no matter who wins, which should take the competitive incentive down a notch. Otherwise, there are also “on-demand” events that are like “hey, we have enough players available at the same time, so let’s throw down an event that wasn’t previously scheduled.” I think you still have to pay for on-demand events (someone correct me if I’m wrong), but prize support is lower than scheduled events and you *may* have more control over what type of decks you’re going against by seeing if you can talk to and ask players currently waiting for an on-demand event what kinda of decks and what power level they plan on playing.
Not only that, but there should be a great deal of players walking around willing to throw impromptu (e.g. no cost non-sanctioned) games together between other events and/or to take a break from walking. Communication is key - just ask what power level or style of decks they’re playing and let them know yours. There should be ample opportunity to play non-cEDH at the GP with all kinds of people.
If you really just want to start into cEDH anyway, then my first advice is: don’t. Lol, just kidding, you do what makes you happy. My real advice: don’t spend a ton of money if you’ve not yet decided if cEDH is for you. Maybe pick a cheaper or budget-modified competitive deck list to start out with, just don’t play it against me please.
Current EDH
UThassa, God of the Sea devotion control
WRGTana, the Bloodsower & Sidar Kondo of Jamuraa partners weenie tokens
UUnesh, Criosphinx Sovereign Sphinx tribal
WUTaigam, Ojutai Master tokens on the rebound spellslinger
GRhonas the Indomitable green creature beats
UGRashmi, Eternities Crafter ETB tribal
Retired EDH
WURGKynaios and Tiro of Meletis group hug
URThe Locust God draw swarm
UTalrand, Sky Summoner funsies blue spells
WBObzedat, Ghost Council life gain/drain