Back in the days before I played Commander I would always look at decks by Adrian Sullivan. He's just amazing at finding synergies, and taking decks in unexpected directions. Now that I play Commander almost exclusively I look at Cobblepot's decks the same way. Other people I pay attention to are ISBPathfinder, and tstorm623.
Who do you think are the tech gods of this format?
My cousin. He is not active in any online communities or shares decks online, but he is the most genius deckbuilder that I know. Over the years that we have been playing together he has built a plethora of delightfully creative and strong, synergistic masterpieces. My current favorite? Varina, Lich Queen omnitribal which combines Amoeboid Changeling and Unnatural Selection with things like Swarmyard, Mercenary Informer and Spirit Mirror.
Riku of Two Reflections - Copy, then copy again | Shattergang Brothers - Token Sac&Recur | Gahiji, Honored One - Multiple attack steps | Karametra, God of Harvests - Landfall, Creaturefall, Shroud | Ruhan of the Fomori - Stop hitting yourself | Zurgo Helmsmasher - Equipment&Wraths | Crosis, the Purger - Dragon Tribal Reanimator | Derevi, Empyrial Tactician - No stax, just tap and untap fun | Anafenza, the Foremost - Enduring Ideal Enchantress | Sharuum, the Hegemon - Sphinx Tribal Control | Noyan Dar - Spellslinger | The Mimeoplasm - Counterpalooza
Lists can be found here.
Still convinced the guy on Beseech the Queen is wearing a Mitra-type hat. Wake up sheeple!
Jolt539 on YouTube. His deck building is very "efficient", focuses a lot on basic card advantages people tend to forget. His decks always have a good portion of draws and removal, regardless of commander, so very suitable for beginners to learn, and veterans to relearn.
EDHREC, GatheringMagic, and Commandersbrew are the sites I look at for "unique" ideas.
I find DirkGently to be quite insightful. tstorm823, as you already mentioned, is also worth a look.
Aww, thanks!
I dig people trying to do weird stuff with the format, so I like Gaka's Norin list, tstorm's zedruu list, and axolotl's mr bones list. Making a deck win isn't that hard. Finding a good alternative objective is tough.
And of course some of the regulars like onering and jivanmutka generally produce good content.
Also, shout out to Magnus Magicus, an early pioneer in trying to figure out a way to make even garbage commanders work. He's got a lot of the first lists for the trash-tier commanders. Hasn't posted in a while, though, sadly.
EDHREC taught me how not to build my The Ur-Dragon if that means anything. Like, yeah Vanquisher's Banner is such a great card to have in a deck that's usually going to cast only one dragon a turn. Nicol Bolas planeswalkers have so much more synergy with dragon tribal than the Sarkhan the Mad. Precon fillers like the Sieges and the curses totally deserve to stay. Fearsome Awakening costs more than some of my dragons but it's totally a good reanimation spell as opposed to Reanimate or just Living Death. It's so hard to perfect my main deck when all the good deck builders only gravitate towards the actually good commanders ;_;
EDHREC taught me how not to build my The Ur-Dragon if that means anything. Like, yeah Vanquisher's Banner is such a great card to have in a deck that's usually going to cast only one dragon a turn. Nicol Bolas planeswalkers have so much more synergy with dragon tribal than the Sarkhan the Mad. Precon fillers like the Sieges and the curses totally deserve to stay. Fearsome Awakening costs more than some of my dragons but it's totally a good reanimation spell as opposed to Reanimate or just Living Death. It's so hard to perfect my main deck when all the good deck builders only gravitate towards the actually good commanders ;_;
Most of EDHREC’s articles are geared towards flavor and casual, for beginners if you will, and the emphasis on fun is to stick to the format’s spirit.
The pantheon for me has three main deities, and many demigods: Blackjack, Phil, and Magnus Magicus above all, with many regular posters here below. Sadly, the old gods are dead now, and naught but the timeworn links to their masterworks remain.
I remember it all, from jivan's early flamewars as forum provocateur all the way to his storied ascension to moderator. And now I feel old, and thus shall retire my opinions.
For me I think Moxnix was one of the biggest starters for really how to use storm in commander.
Cobblepott, Gaka, and Razzilox also all come to mind.
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Hey guys so I've actually moved on from commander on to 60 card decks so I don't have any commander decks.
Anyway I've started my own gameplay channel in which I play games (Magic also)
Gaka's "Norin the wary" deck is a work of genius that I feel unlocked the potential of commander... take something that should be bad and creating something powerful and terrorfying.
Most of EDHREC’s articles are geared towards flavor and casual, for beginners if you will, and the emphasis on fun is to stick to the format’s spirit.
Believe me I build for casual fun myself but it doesn't mean I'm settling for terrible deck design. Well, terrible deck design that is aside from the fact its 5 color dragons to begin with...
I use EDHRec to see if I missed cards within the specific effect categories I need for a particular deck, because sometimes Gatherer misses options because a card or two use alternative templating, and I also sometimes like to see what broad strategies the majority of people are using for a Commander, but I also concur with the notion that as a complete deck builder, it leans too budget and casual.
I've played against Brian Weissman a few times for 1vs1 commander online and he always brings a strong deck to the table. You know how some people just always seem to have the perfect draws
I've played against Brian Weissman a few times for 1vs1 commander online and he always brings a strong deck to the table. You know how some people just always seem to have the perfect draws
I've played against Brian Weissman a few times for 1vs1 commander online and he always brings a strong deck to the table. You know how some people just always seem to have the perfect draws
I've played against him hundreds of times and still learn from games.
Whether it's Cube, commander, Vintage, or whatever I learn a lot from those games.
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Hey guys so I've actually moved on from commander on to 60 card decks so I don't have any commander decks.
Anyway I've started my own gameplay channel in which I play games (Magic also)
I found that Donald often had some good insight and similar commander choices to my own. Its been a while since I have seen much of him on salvation in recent years though. I never played any of his decks but BlackJack had some good insight and guides which I felt were solid.
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I have officially moved to MTGNexus. I just wanted to let people know as my response time to salvation decks being bumped is very hit or miss.
I think we've had a great showing from all of our primer writers. Early on, when I was looking at similar ideas to build my own decks, it always bugged me when decklists had only the cards with no explanations. We've come a long way now to having a full fledged set of primers with excellent discussions, both in the main list, and the thread that follows.
The primers are great sources for their respective decks. I also like users like Ulka (for more niche ideas) and ISBPathfinder (just really strong deck building all around), as well as just about any list here that walks through card choices and such.
The aforementioned EDHRec is also really good for beginners, if you're just looking at starting an idea or learning the ins and outs of deckbuilding, and it's something I wish I'd had access to when I started.
ISBpathfinder builds well. Not just picking the right cards, picking the right strategies for the right reasons. He's helped on a couple of my builds and generally said builds have improved significantly.
I don't see much of him/her around anymore, but weltkrieg is a mine of knowledge, too. Moreso in terms of taking a more obscure commander or concept and giving it strength and redundancy while still being able to suggest outside of staples.
In general though, the primers are a great resource. They're legitimately the first place I look for new builds. There is obviously variance in the utility of the threads depending on power level and intent, but part of the application process requires the OP to justify and elaborate on strategies, synergies, card choices and so forth. So when they're good, they're really good.
Can someone compile a list of the truly unique deck builds. Some of them were mentioned above - Gaka's Norin list, tstorm's zedruu list, and axolotl's mr bones list - I know the latter two, because I've come across them and they are too cool, but I do not know this Norin list.
It would be fun to see more of these lists.
I recently tried my hand at Toc's Sydri Vehicle Stax. It was hard to build, but I think I got it somewhere I like.
I am still trying to perfect my creatureless Panharmonicon deck, but the more I play it the more I realize Burning Sands and Tainted Aether are not fun for my opponents.
Can someone compile a list of the truly unique deck builds. Some of them were mentioned above - Gaka's Norin list, tstorm's zedruu list, and axolotl's mr bones list - I know the latter two, because I've come across them and they are too cool, but I do not know this Norin list.
To my knowledge, Gaka was sort of the first person to popularize Norin the Wary and chaos decks in general. Here's the post you're looking for:
Who do you think are the tech gods of this format?
(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'
Trap your friends in an endless game with this 23-card combo!
Tamanoa - Welcome to the Jungle
Lists can be found here.
EDHREC, GatheringMagic, and Commandersbrew are the sites I look at for "unique" ideas.
Shu Yun, the Silent Tempest WUR Voltron Control
Temmet, Vizier of Naktamun WU Unblockable Mirror Trickery
Ra's al Ghul (Sidar Kondo) and Face-Down Ninjas
Brudiclad, Token Engineer
Vaevictis (VV2) the Dire Lantern
Rona, Disciple of Gix
Tiana the Auror
Hallar
Ulrich the Politician
Zur the Rebel
Scorpion, Locust, Scarab, Egyptian Gods
O-Kagachi, Mathas, Mairsil
"Non-Tribal" Tribal Generals, Eggs
I dig people trying to do weird stuff with the format, so I like Gaka's Norin list, tstorm's zedruu list, and axolotl's mr bones list. Making a deck win isn't that hard. Finding a good alternative objective is tough.
And of course some of the regulars like onering and jivanmutka generally produce good content.
Also, shout out to Magnus Magicus, an early pioneer in trying to figure out a way to make even garbage commanders work. He's got a lot of the first lists for the trash-tier commanders. Hasn't posted in a while, though, sadly.
cringe.
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
Most of EDHREC’s articles are geared towards flavor and casual, for beginners if you will, and the emphasis on fun is to stick to the format’s spirit.
Shu Yun, the Silent Tempest WUR Voltron Control
Temmet, Vizier of Naktamun WU Unblockable Mirror Trickery
Ra's al Ghul (Sidar Kondo) and Face-Down Ninjas
Brudiclad, Token Engineer
Vaevictis (VV2) the Dire Lantern
Rona, Disciple of Gix
Tiana the Auror
Hallar
Ulrich the Politician
Zur the Rebel
Scorpion, Locust, Scarab, Egyptian Gods
O-Kagachi, Mathas, Mairsil
"Non-Tribal" Tribal Generals, Eggs
I remember it all, from jivan's early flamewars as forum provocateur all the way to his storied ascension to moderator. And now I feel old, and thus shall retire my opinions.
Cobblepott, Gaka, and Razzilox also all come to mind.
Anyway I've started my own gameplay channel in which I play games (Magic also)
Twitch:
https://www.twitch.tv/dies_to_doom_blade
Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/user/UpsidedownHandshake
Pioneer:UR Pheonix
Modern:U Mono U Tron
EDH
GB Glissa, the traitor: Army of Cans
UW Dragonlord Ojutai: Dragonlord NOjutai
UWGDerevi, Empyrial Tactician "you cannot fight the storm"
R Zirilan of the claw. The solution to every problem is dragons
UB Etrata, the Silencer Cloning assassination
Peasant cube: Cards I own
Believe me I build for casual fun myself but it doesn't mean I'm settling for terrible deck design. Well, terrible deck design that is aside from the fact its 5 color dragons to begin with...
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
He is the OG master of singleton after all.
I've played against him hundreds of times and still learn from games.
Whether it's Cube, commander, Vintage, or whatever I learn a lot from those games.
Anyway I've started my own gameplay channel in which I play games (Magic also)
Twitch:
https://www.twitch.tv/dies_to_doom_blade
Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/user/UpsidedownHandshake
Signature by Inkfox Aesthetics by Xen
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StaffRetired EDH - Tibor and Lumia | [PR]Nemata |Ramirez dePietro | [C]Edric | Riku | Jenara | Lazav | Heliod | Daxos | Roon | Kozilek
The aforementioned EDHRec is also really good for beginners, if you're just looking at starting an idea or learning the ins and outs of deckbuilding, and it's something I wish I'd had access to when I started.
My Helpdesk
[Pr] Marath | [Pr] Lovisa | Jodah | Saskia | Najeela | Yisan | Lord Windgrace | Atraxa | Meren | Gisa and Geralf
I don't see much of him/her around anymore, but weltkrieg is a mine of knowledge, too. Moreso in terms of taking a more obscure commander or concept and giving it strength and redundancy while still being able to suggest outside of staples.
In general though, the primers are a great resource. They're legitimately the first place I look for new builds. There is obviously variance in the utility of the threads depending on power level and intent, but part of the application process requires the OP to justify and elaborate on strategies, synergies, card choices and so forth. So when they're good, they're really good.
It would be fun to see more of these lists.
I recently tried my hand at Toc's Sydri Vehicle Stax. It was hard to build, but I think I got it somewhere I like.
I am still trying to perfect my creatureless Panharmonicon deck, but the more I play it the more I realize Burning Sands and Tainted Aether are not fun for my opponents.
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
Gaka's Norin the Wary
As far as compiling a list of interesting and unique decks, here are the other two you mentioned for anyone looking to find them...
tstorm823's Zedruu, the Greathearted
arrogantAxolotl's Mr. Bones' Wild Ride
And here's two lists I'd like to recommend:
DirkGently's Phelddagrif
Silenciaco's Iwamori of the Open First
Trap your friends in an endless game with this 23-card combo!