Your Deck got stolen? that's terrible, I'm sorry that such a thing has happened to you.
While that's truly unfortunate I still want to thank you for your primer, it's been very useful. I've had an unused Kaalia kicking around for a long time, but with some advice from this list she has become the head of my strongest 1v1 deck yet.
But if I may ask a question, I'm just wondering why you don't run Kuro, Pitlord in the main deck? I've seen him listed in your tribal variant, but he's been an all star in my main deck. Sure he's kind of a double edged sword, but by the time he comes out he almost always clears the board and puts me into a great position.
Yeah, shortly before I moved from Phoenix, I had the deck swiped at the LGS. It was...disheartening, but I love the commander, this Primer, and this "community following" we've seemed have developed so I kept it going anyway. A number of players have helped me get it [mostly] to it's original functionality (I'm lacking +/- 10 or 12 cards, mostly top-tier lands, then like Linvala, Vampiric & Enlightened), and it's that help I am truly grateful for. Forever.
I am glad my Primer has helped you to make your own Kaalia into a lean, mean fighting machine. Every time I read a story about someone getting decimateed by a Kaalia deck it makes me smile.
Kuro costs a lot of mana if you aren't in a position to swing with our commander (which makes it a blank). And with such a massive, nasty upkeep, it's unlikely we keep it around for more than a turn. In the Demon-version, there is a definite lack of good targets so Kuro is an allstar here. But in the traditionalized list we just have better options.
Woah. A functional reprint of City of Brass. And it doesn't get hosed by a Rish. Port or Icy Manipulator effect. Totally makes the cut.
Would you replace City of Brass or use it as City of Brass #2? I think I would actually replace City of Brass in my deck, so I don't get pinged to death by an opponent.
Woah. A functional reprint of City of Brass. And it doesn't get hosed by a Rish. Port or Icy Manipulator effect. Totally makes the cut.
Would you replace City of Brass or use it as City of Brass #2? I think I would actually replace City of Brass in my deck, so I don't get pinged to death by an opponent.
I would use it as City #3 [Tower, Brass, this card] (it replaces Reflecting Pool as it unconditionally provides all colours and doesn't EBT). Surely you've had a Pool on board with a Swamp and a Blood Crypt...#Awkward
Would you replace City of Brass or use it as City of Brass #2? I think I would actually replace City of Brass in my deck, so I don't get pinged to death by an opponent.
I would use it as City #3 [Tower, Brass, this card] (it replaces Reflecting Pool as it unconditionally provides all colours and doesn't EBT). Surely you've had a Pool on board with a Swamp and a Blood Crypt...#Awkward
Sadly, I never got a Reflecting Pool for my deck. But, I have had situations where I was missing one color in my land/mana rock plays, so I know exactly how you feel. I'll be keeping an eye on Mana Confluence's price and get one for my Commander decks.
Hey, any thought about Despise going into the deck? I've found when it comes to disruption, I like to switch it in against some play groups.
Despise really isn't that good of a card. I don't care about pulling a critter from your hand (IoK can do that and then some, as can T-Seize). I'd play Appetite for Brains before that, and usually Stupor before that as well.
I guess it's more of a meta thing. Where I play we have a few players who run some really fast creature based decks, and Despise grabbing a mana dork has been useful compared to duress grabbing a later game spell.
I guess it's more of a meta thing. Where I play we have a few players who run some really fast creature based decks, and Despise grabbing a mana dork has been useful compared to duress grabbing a later game spell.
But I understand what you're getting at.
Yeah. Most of what I'm looking for when I cast these types of spells are like, say, a Mana Leak or Hero's Downfall (or some other spell that directly affects my gameplan). Since Despise can't perform either of these roles...there it is. I guess that would be my thought process that goes into why I play what I play. =)
It could function as a removal target pre-Kaalia(since it is 3cmc) but giving your opponents cards....just doesn't seem that appealing.
At the very least, it can slot into the Demonic Kaalia variant. I can think of a few targets this is superior to (the same goes for Herald of Torment, actually).
Lost Hours is ok...but due to our colors, there are better hand disruption cards. This card is on a similar power level to Memory Lapse. With what you listed, 5 should be good (that's what 3drinks runs --- Lilianna is the 5th). Now more is fine, but sometimes you need to deal with the board ( Unexpectedly Absent
On a separate note, since I am now re-enrolled in college, I am going to (hopefully!) get some Kaalia games in between classes (because my "Sometimes Acceleration" Derevi got boring after one game lol). Here's hoping I don't alienate the campus (or I'll just introduce myself as the author of this Primer and try to become a "celebrity"). >_> Yeah, I'l probably get real life rage scoops when I t2 Sinkhole them. LOL!
I want to say this guy is good. I want to say he makes the cut. I feel like he's sooooo close. But I don't think I can.
Either way, we got a live one here folks - discuss!
I don't think it makes the cut in an optimized build. It's a low-cost 5/5 flyer, but the drawback tends to become more problematic with each opponent who gets the benefit. I would not use this in a multiplayer build at all.
In 3drinks's 1 vs. 1 deck, he has previously stated that he doesn't like giving cards to his opponent, so I don't think this is a good enough creature to use. In the Demonic Kaalia build, that build is lacking good demons, so this may have a place there.
I prefer A/D/D creatures that have a damage ability, combat damage ability, or "declare attack" ability, because you need to pressure and disrupt your opponents in Commander games. Fat creatures do not necessarily win in Commander games.
Yes. The more I thought about this guy in class today (and after I got home), the more I realized that his only home is Demonic Kaalia. Otherwise he's in that same class as Dragon Mage - and we don't want to be in that class.
In other news, I just got the deck resleeved up (had some pieces being borrowed by Derevi) and now it is ready to make other players cry if I can get a game 2morrow. 'Course, I've got other cards I can slot in if I am "too hardcorre" for them haha. I'm not usually one to pull my punches - but I'd like to continue playing with these people I barely know. So there's a sort of balance there.
In other news, I just got the deck resleeved up (had some pieces being borrowed by Derevi) and now it is ready to make other players cry if I can get a game 2morrow. 'Course, I've got other cards I can slot in if I am "too hardcorre" for them haha. I'm not usually one to pull my punches - but I'd like to continue playing with these people I barely know. So there's a sort of balance there.
Good luck with your Kaalia physical deck 2.0. After losing your original deck, never let the deck leave your sight.
When I started playing Commander my home brewed deck was terrible, mostly because I was terrible at Magic. But after a couple years of getting better at the game I started making my Commander decks to be much more brutal.
And even though my play group was mostly casual, just the fact that I would run cards like Armageddon has slowly but surely made my play group more competitive and much better Commander.
Now if you're walking into a group of the "commander is supposed to be a fun circle jerk" then you might need to tone it down so you can at least continue to play. And if they let you in, sneak the good cards in every once in a while to desensitize them.
In other news, I just got the deck resleeved up (had some pieces being borrowed by Derevi) and now it is ready to make other players cry if I can get a game 2morrow. 'Course, I've got other cards I can slot in if I am "too hardcorre" for them haha. I'm not usually one to pull my punches - but I'd like to continue playing with these people I barely know. So there's a sort of balance there.
Good luck with your Kaalia physical deck 2.0. After losing your original deck, never let the deck leave your sight.
When I started playing Commander my home brewed deck was terrible, mostly because I was terrible at Magic. But after a couple years of getting better at the game I started making my Commander decks to be much more brutal.
And even though my play group was mostly casual, just the fact that I would run cards like Armageddon has slowly but surely made my play group more competitive and much better Commander.
Now if you're walking into a group of the "commander is supposed to be a fun circle jerk" then you might need to tone it down so you can at least continue to play. And if they let you in, sneak the good cards in every once in a while to desensitize them.
I can only hope they react the same way. Somehow though, I predict seeing 'Geddon or getting blown out by MoC "too soon" (which doesn't have a quantitative definition by nature) will only make them remember me as "that guy who takes things too serious" haha. I'll probably go back up there and check in an hour or so if there's someone who wants to play.
That's easy. Only cards that really bother Kaalia are counterspells and Kaalia killers and sweepers. She doesn't care about anything else that much. I need to get rid of specific cards to make the aplha strike (MoC, Griselbrand, Iona, AvacynGeddon...)
That's a fair assessment. I generally just go for the scorched earth policy with their hand - nuke it all then don't worry about it later. That and Lost Hours just doesn't sit right with me (I'd probably have to play Tidehollow Sculler and Mesmeric Fiend first).
That's what it was! Yesterday I was trying to think of the other pinpoint discard when I mentioned Blightning at the bottom of the barrel for three cmc 2-for-1 discard. Sin Collector - hits the counter/removal we want and prevents flashback. And hey, sometimes the body is relevant as edict fodder, Volrath's, SoLaS. Disciple of Bolas can turn this guy into a couple of cards, though it's hardly as exciting as Discipling Yosei or Rune-scarred.
Sad that the only thing we got in JOU is Brain Maggot.
Not even that, sadly, haha. Because this card is infinitely worse than both Mesmeric Fiend and Tidehollow Sculler, and we aren't playing Sculler and Fiend right now, then it will take even more shifting around to make room for this guy.
Master of the Feast is...debatable, but conditionally acceptable. It does at least make the cut in the Demonic version where the current Demons are a bit lacking.
Overall though, yes, THS block has left Kaalia wanting more. :/
Sad that the only thing we got in JOU is Brain Maggot.
Not even that, sadly, haha. Because this card is infinitely worse than both Mesmeric Fiend and Tidehollow Sculler, and we aren't playing Sculler and Fiend right now, then it will take even more shifting around to make room for this guy.
Master of the Feast is...debatable, but conditionally acceptable. It does at least make the cut in the Demonic version where the current Demons are a bit lacking.
Overall though, yes, THS block has left Kaalia wanting more. :/
I could use more disruption. But it is more of a meta thing in our area than anything else since Oloro Reanimator is a dominant force. Hard to stop a T1 Entomb => T2 Reanimate play
The THS block is based on Greek/Roman mythology, and there aren't that many demons and dragons (let alone angels) in that lore. We will all have to wait. 3drinks's list for 1 vs. 1 is pretty potent currently.
Yeah, shortly before I moved from Phoenix, I had the deck swiped at the LGS. It was...disheartening, but I love the commander, this Primer, and this "community following" we've seemed have developed so I kept it going anyway. A number of players have helped me get it [mostly] to it's original functionality (I'm lacking +/- 10 or 12 cards, mostly top-tier lands, then like Linvala, Vampiric & Enlightened), and it's that help I am truly grateful for. Forever.
I am glad my Primer has helped you to make your own Kaalia into a lean, mean fighting machine. Every time I read a story about someone getting decimateed by a Kaalia deck it makes me smile.
Kuro costs a lot of mana if you aren't in a position to swing with our commander (which makes it a blank). And with such a massive, nasty upkeep, it's unlikely we keep it around for more than a turn. In the Demon-version, there is a definite lack of good targets so Kuro is an allstar here. But in the traditionalized list we just have better options.
Steel Sabotage'ng Orbs of Mellowness since 2011.
Would you replace City of Brass or use it as City of Brass #2? I think I would actually replace City of Brass in my deck, so I don't get pinged to death by an opponent.
Duel Commander
URG [Primer] Maelstrom Wanderer [Primer] URG
Duel Commander Current Projects:
RGWMarath, Will of the WildRGW
BRXMogis, God of SlaughterBRX
RWxIoras, God of VictoryRWx
WBxAthreos, God of PassageWBx
Created By: DarkNightCavalier
I would use it as City #3 [Tower, Brass, this card] (it replaces Reflecting Pool as it unconditionally provides all colours and doesn't EBT). Surely you've had a Pool on board with a Swamp and a Blood Crypt...#Awkward
Thank you.
Steel Sabotage'ng Orbs of Mellowness since 2011.
Sadly, I never got a Reflecting Pool for my deck. But, I have had situations where I was missing one color in my land/mana rock plays, so I know exactly how you feel. I'll be keeping an eye on Mana Confluence's price and get one for my Commander decks.
Despise really isn't that good of a card. I don't care about pulling a critter from your hand (IoK can do that and then some, as can T-Seize). I'd play Appetite for Brains before that, and usually Stupor before that as well.
Steel Sabotage'ng Orbs of Mellowness since 2011.
But I understand what you're getting at.
Yeah. Most of what I'm looking for when I cast these types of spells are like, say, a Mana Leak or Hero's Downfall (or some other spell that directly affects my gameplan). Since Despise can't perform either of these roles...there it is. I guess that would be my thought process that goes into why I play what I play. =)
Steel Sabotage'ng Orbs of Mellowness since 2011.
I want to say this guy is good. I want to say he makes the cut. I feel like he's sooooo close. But I don't think I can.
Either way, we got a live one here folks - discuss!
Steel Sabotage'ng Orbs of Mellowness since 2011.
- H. L. Mencken
French Duel Commander
WBR Kaalia of the Vast WBR
RUG Maelstrom Wanderer RUG
At the very least, it can slot into the Demonic Kaalia variant. I can think of a few targets this is superior to (the same goes for Herald of Torment, actually).
Steel Sabotage'ng Orbs of Mellowness since 2011.
Lost Hours is ok...but due to our colors, there are better hand disruption cards. This card is on a similar power level to Memory Lapse. With what you listed, 5 should be good (that's what 3drinks runs --- Lilianna is the 5th). Now more is fine, but sometimes you need to deal with the board ( Unexpectedly Absent
I buy HP and Damaged cards!
Only EDH:
Sigarda, Host of Herons: Enchantress' Enchantments
Jenara, Asura of War: ETB Value Town
Purphoros, God of the Forge: Global Punishment
Xenagos, God of Revels: Ramp, Sneak, & Heavy Hitters
Ghave, Guru of Spores: Dies_to_Doom_Blade's stax list
Edric, Spymaster of Trest: Donald's list
Why Lost Hours when you can Gerrard's Verdict for the same cmc? Maybe consider Stupor over Distress? Then you got Blightning at the lower end of the spectrum for three cmc 2-for-1 disruption.
On a separate note, since I am now re-enrolled in college, I am going to (hopefully!) get some Kaalia games in between classes (because my "Sometimes Acceleration" Derevi got boring after one game lol). Here's hoping I don't alienate the campus (or I'll just introduce myself as the author of this Primer and try to become a "celebrity"). >_> Yeah, I'l probably get real life rage scoops when I t2 Sinkhole them. LOL!
Steel Sabotage'ng Orbs of Mellowness since 2011.
I don't think it makes the cut in an optimized build. It's a low-cost 5/5 flyer, but the drawback tends to become more problematic with each opponent who gets the benefit. I would not use this in a multiplayer build at all.
In 3drinks's 1 vs. 1 deck, he has previously stated that he doesn't like giving cards to his opponent, so I don't think this is a good enough creature to use. In the Demonic Kaalia build, that build is lacking good demons, so this may have a place there.
I prefer A/D/D creatures that have a damage ability, combat damage ability, or "declare attack" ability, because you need to pressure and disrupt your opponents in Commander games. Fat creatures do not necessarily win in Commander games.
In other news, I just got the deck resleeved up (had some pieces being borrowed by Derevi) and now it is ready to make other players cry if I can get a game 2morrow. 'Course, I've got other cards I can slot in if I am "too hardcorre" for them haha. I'm not usually one to pull my punches - but I'd like to continue playing with these people I barely know. So there's a sort of balance there.
Steel Sabotage'ng Orbs of Mellowness since 2011.
Good luck with your Kaalia physical deck 2.0. After losing your original deck, never let the deck leave your sight.
And even though my play group was mostly casual, just the fact that I would run cards like Armageddon has slowly but surely made my play group more competitive and much better Commander.
Now if you're walking into a group of the "commander is supposed to be a fun circle jerk" then you might need to tone it down so you can at least continue to play. And if they let you in, sneak the good cards in every once in a while to desensitize them.
Yeah, she stays at my side at all times.
I can only hope they react the same way. Somehow though, I predict seeing 'Geddon or getting blown out by MoC "too soon" (which doesn't have a quantitative definition by nature) will only make them remember me as "that guy who takes things too serious" haha. I'll probably go back up there and check in an hour or so if there's someone who wants to play.
That's a fair assessment. I generally just go for the scorched earth policy with their hand - nuke it all then don't worry about it later. That and Lost Hours just doesn't sit right with me (I'd probably have to play Tidehollow Sculler and Mesmeric Fiend first).
That's what it was! Yesterday I was trying to think of the other pinpoint discard when I mentioned Blightning at the bottom of the barrel for three cmc 2-for-1 discard. Sin Collector - hits the counter/removal we want and prevents flashback. And hey, sometimes the body is relevant as edict fodder, Volrath's, SoLaS. Disciple of Bolas can turn this guy into a couple of cards, though it's hardly as exciting as Discipling Yosei or Rune-scarred.
Steel Sabotage'ng Orbs of Mellowness since 2011.
- H. L. Mencken
French Duel Commander
WBR Kaalia of the Vast WBR
RUG Maelstrom Wanderer RUG
Not even that, sadly, haha. Because this card is infinitely worse than both Mesmeric Fiend and Tidehollow Sculler, and we aren't playing Sculler and Fiend right now, then it will take even more shifting around to make room for this guy.
Banishing Light is playable. Again, after Oblivion Ring though.
Master of the Feast is...debatable, but conditionally acceptable. It does at least make the cut in the Demonic version where the current Demons are a bit lacking.
Overall though, yes, THS block has left Kaalia wanting more. :/
Steel Sabotage'ng Orbs of Mellowness since 2011.
I could use more disruption. But it is more of a meta thing in our area than anything else since Oloro Reanimator is a dominant force. Hard to stop a T1 Entomb => T2 Reanimate play
I couldn't see using Master of Feast in my deck.
I was sorely disappointed by the dragon of the set, Spawn of Thraxes.
Eh, I guess that is technically correct. But I was looking for more deck enablers rather than maxa fixing
- H. L. Mencken
French Duel Commander
WBR Kaalia of the Vast WBR
RUG Maelstrom Wanderer RUG
Yeah, I didn't scroll to the lands in the spoiler so I missed it. It's a definite add though.
Steel Sabotage'ng Orbs of Mellowness since 2011.