About the Deck
People who have played with me know I love playing red, which is why almost every Commander deck I have is red. Diaochan, Artful Beauty is my second off-beat mono red deck and is meant to operate in opposition to aggressive decks and Marton Stromgald in particular. I don't like playing the best general in a given colour very often and Diaochan is part of that goal, she is not the powerhouses that are Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker, Krenko, Mob Boss or Purphoros, God of the Forge, let alone former stars like Godo, Bandit Warlord or even Urabrask the Hidden. Diaochan is a very conditional Avatar of Woe, without the huge body and evasion, but that is why she is fun. This deck is built to focus on control and not attacking at all if possible outside Hellkite Tyrant, using the very red type of card, Earthquake.
Note: Include Burning Wish if you want to run the sideboard. Whatever card you dislike most can be the replacement, but ideally it should be an instant or sorcery.
Card Choices Intentional Omissions
Mana Advantage at Cost of Life Loss:
- Ancient Tomb: This cost is too much for something that will be used multiple times. If aiming to kill quickly it is usable, but the desired strategy does not need a lightning quick win.
- Mana Crypt: The crypt is almost playable as life loss is not guaranteed, however currently I am erring on the side of caution.
Change Log
13/04/2013 Swiftfoot Boots -> Whispersilk Cloak - This is a non-bo with her ability, even if useful with other creatures. Chain Reaction -> All is Dust - I was able to acquire another All is Dust and will use it to replace the inferior wrath.
28/04/2013 Rings of Brighthearth -> Insurrection - Insurrection should've always been in here as a red control deck and I found in experience I often can't protect two creatures from Diaochan's effect, so doubling it isn't helpful unless collusion is going on, not to mention I also sweep the board quite often negating a need for it. Urza's Rage -> Staff of Domination - Unbanned and now usable. This has perfect utility and serves several purposes for the deck. Defense Grid -> Shivan Gorge - This is an experiment, more mana was needed and core cards cannot come out. Terrain Generator -> Glacial Chasm - This works well with goal of deck, albeit not with Blood Moon.
02/11/2013 Extraplanar Lens -> Mana Geyser - The lens is a liability and a burst of quick mana can lead to a turn earlier victory. Boom // Bust -> Ruination - I run a few non-basics, but the ratio of 2/3 being basic works well with Ruination. Shivan Gorge -> Surveyor's Scope - I'm trying out the new scope over the worst land on the list. Mimic Vat -> Comet Storm - I felt an additional kill condition would help over a card that is only situationally good.
Strategy
1. Glacial Chasm + Molten Disaster or Heartless Hidetsugu or Pyrohemia or damage in general, ensures no damage when you do decide to deal damage to each player. This deck does not care about attacking outside two or three creatures, in fact there are only 10 non-Commander creatures.
2. Protecting and Preserving Glacial Chasm - Glacial Chasm is one of the key parts to the more fun strategy of the deck and can be preserved by using Crucible of Worlds, Petrified Field or tactically using Thespian Stage to safeguard Glacial Chasm and reduce the cumulative upkeep for a turn. The cost is steep, so do not be afraid to let chasm die and bring it back with Crucible or alternatively let some lands die, then gain advantage from Surveyor's Scope.
3. Staff of Domination Combo and Utility - This is simple, just achieve infinite mana with Basalt Monolith and Rings of Brighthearth and then you can more or less draw whole deck and gain as much life as you like with Staff of Domination. Staff also works with letting general be reused if not shrouded, meaning it has protection from red to negate Diaochan being able to target herself and gaining life to mitigate damage the deck will inflict.
4. The Stuffy Doll Rattlesnake and Repercussion - Stuffy Doll has the helpful ability of redirecting all damage dealt to it, elsewhere, namely an opponent who you choose when it enters the battlefield. It is also indestructable, which means Diaochan, Artful Beauty can't kill it. This works very nicely with any damage dealing spell, but especially Blasphemous Act, Star Storm, Comet Storm, Molten Disaster and Pyrohemia. This can only be used to destroy one opponent unless Stuffy Doll dies and is recurred or is returned to your hand. Repercussion inflicts this on every creature, even your own, however Akroma's Memorial can mitigate the damage from this. This also makes Stuffy Doll situationally risky as it will deal the damage taken to you, use carefully.
5. Artifact Advantage - Mycosynth Lattice makes every permanent an artifact even your opponents. This works well when opposing certain decks or strategies and is taken advantage of with Diaochan, by using Vandalblast in overload mode and Hellkite Tyrant. Both cards can quickly turn the game in your favour, which the rest of the deck can assist in maintaining.
The deck aims to control the field and destroy multiple players or lower them all at once. It can operate like voltron due to the number of equipments, but really just getting a pro-red sword will put you in good stead regardless.
I also play Weiss Schwarz, Chaos, Vanguard and Wixoss.
Weiss Schwarz Sets
Accel World, Angel Beats, Familiar of Zero, Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet, Guilty Crown, Kill La Kill, Robotics;Notes, Sword Art Online.
Chaos Partners
Arpeggio of Blue Steel: Iona, Kirishima, Kongou.
Dangan Ronpa: Asahina, Togami.
Freezing: Vibration: Chiffon, Satelizer.
Vanguard Clans Favoured
Angel Feather, Dark Irregulars, Genesis, Neonecter, Pale Moon, Shadow Paladins, Tachikaze.
I'm not sure Etched Champion does enough, besides just not dying to damage. The other three are pretty great though, with Squee, Goblin Nabob having most relevance, followed by Mogg Maniac. I'll see if anything doesn't perform and consider those if so.
I also play Weiss Schwarz, Chaos, Vanguard and Wixoss.
Weiss Schwarz Sets
Accel World, Angel Beats, Familiar of Zero, Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet, Guilty Crown, Kill La Kill, Robotics;Notes, Sword Art Online.
Chaos Partners
Arpeggio of Blue Steel: Iona, Kirishima, Kongou.
Dangan Ronpa: Asahina, Togami.
Freezing: Vibration: Chiffon, Satelizer.
Vanguard Clans Favoured
Angel Feather, Dark Irregulars, Genesis, Neonecter, Pale Moon, Shadow Paladins, Tachikaze.
I also play Weiss Schwarz, Chaos, Vanguard and Wixoss.
Weiss Schwarz Sets
Accel World, Angel Beats, Familiar of Zero, Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet, Guilty Crown, Kill La Kill, Robotics;Notes, Sword Art Online.
Chaos Partners
Arpeggio of Blue Steel: Iona, Kirishima, Kongou.
Dangan Ronpa: Asahina, Togami.
Freezing: Vibration: Chiffon, Satelizer.
Vanguard Clans Favoured
Angel Feather, Dark Irregulars, Genesis, Neonecter, Pale Moon, Shadow Paladins, Tachikaze.
I don't think it does enough, it's not a bad card for sure and if I include Burning Wish, it would be part of the ten card sideboard, but it just kills one thing. Also life is very precious in this deck and I don't want to make myself lower too much than my opponents if I can avoid it. It is a great card though and thanks for the suggestion.
I also play Weiss Schwarz, Chaos, Vanguard and Wixoss.
Weiss Schwarz Sets
Accel World, Angel Beats, Familiar of Zero, Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet, Guilty Crown, Kill La Kill, Robotics;Notes, Sword Art Online.
Chaos Partners
Arpeggio of Blue Steel: Iona, Kirishima, Kongou.
Dangan Ronpa: Asahina, Togami.
Freezing: Vibration: Chiffon, Satelizer.
Vanguard Clans Favoured
Angel Feather, Dark Irregulars, Genesis, Neonecter, Pale Moon, Shadow Paladins, Tachikaze.
Diaochan really likes Akroma's Memorial, since you have so much acceleration. (In fact, I think it would be more than safe to replace, say, Worn Powerstone with one of the above-mentioned. Plus I really don't like Extraplanar Lens, especially without Snow-Covereds.)
I also play Weiss Schwarz, Chaos, Vanguard and Wixoss.
Weiss Schwarz Sets
Accel World, Angel Beats, Familiar of Zero, Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet, Guilty Crown, Kill La Kill, Robotics;Notes, Sword Art Online.
Chaos Partners
Arpeggio of Blue Steel: Iona, Kirishima, Kongou.
Dangan Ronpa: Asahina, Togami.
Freezing: Vibration: Chiffon, Satelizer.
Vanguard Clans Favoured
Angel Feather, Dark Irregulars, Genesis, Neonecter, Pale Moon, Shadow Paladins, Tachikaze.
The revised deck worked well in two games I had, Diaochan with Lightning Greaves was better than Avatar of Woe when I had no creatures. Planeswalker kill, via a Koth emblem, was handy and may be worth pursuing to focus on as a strategy. The second game I lost to a storm deck, but I was holding up well, land destruction may be needed as a response.
Jaya Ballad was a disappointment, but I'll see if I need to replace her.
I also play Weiss Schwarz, Chaos, Vanguard and Wixoss.
Weiss Schwarz Sets
Accel World, Angel Beats, Familiar of Zero, Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet, Guilty Crown, Kill La Kill, Robotics;Notes, Sword Art Online.
Chaos Partners
Arpeggio of Blue Steel: Iona, Kirishima, Kongou.
Dangan Ronpa: Asahina, Togami.
Freezing: Vibration: Chiffon, Satelizer.
Vanguard Clans Favoured
Angel Feather, Dark Irregulars, Genesis, Neonecter, Pale Moon, Shadow Paladins, Tachikaze.
Please feel free to shoot down this idea but have you considered possibly running Scuttlemutt?
Seems a little strange, but with the subtheme of protection from colours you have going on, it can be relevant to swap a permanent's colours.
Secondly it an also turn Jaya Ballard, into a one mana, discard a card to vindicate - much better than usual.
Not only that it ramps you in mana and comes with a small body that can do some blocking to keep you into the late game so you can drop one of your infamous earthquake effects.
Dunno if they are too cute, but Terrain Generator and Vesuva might be worth including. The Generator is good at getting extra basics into play after a Wheel effect. Vesuva can copy Glacial Chasm to re-set the cumulative upkeep if necessary.
How difficult is it to find Chasm?
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Check out my articles about EDH on MTGO HERE
Most recently looking at Morinfen!
Please feel free to shoot down this idea but have you considered possibly running Scuttlemutt?
Seems a little strange, but with the subtheme of protection from colours you have going on, it can be relevant to swap a permanent's colours.
Secondly it an also turn Jaya Ballard, into a one mana, discard a card to vindicate - much better than usual.
Not only that it ramps you in mana and comes with a small body that can do some blocking to keep you into the late game so you can drop one of your infamous earthquake effects.
Just a suggestion.
I only just noticed I had comments, this deck gave me nightmares so I ignored it until now. I'm just going to remove jaya entirely, but were she still in it that's a great idea. I'm going to more or less glass-cannon it out by removing some, but not all of the utility, such as Jaya, SoFaF and Steel Hellkite. I'll see if Scuttlemut has a role after a revised test run (and the prayer that it can beat a competitive deck if it also runs combos).
Dunno if they are too cute, but Terrain Generator and Vesuva might be worth including. The Generator is good at getting extra basics into play after a Wheel effect. Vesuva can copy Glacial Chasm to re-set the cumulative upkeep if necessary.
How difficult is it to find Chasm?
Glacial Chasm does need some help admittedly, so not always garranteed to get it, I'm debating Planar Portal to make it possible or Hoarding Dragon, I've added in Mad Prophet to assist in card filtering too, when you go infinite with new build you can set up turn of staff because you can, draw most of or all of deck and gain a lot of life, then molten disaster.
OR if you can't quite go infinite, but still have a lot, either use staff to make it easier then Karn- exile land if there is one if you want, use map to get chasm or Repercussion, then sweep or quake. I'll be testing this later on, but it should be a bit more competitive than previous version and newst Chandra would fit in well.
I also play Weiss Schwarz, Chaos, Vanguard and Wixoss.
Weiss Schwarz Sets
Accel World, Angel Beats, Familiar of Zero, Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet, Guilty Crown, Kill La Kill, Robotics;Notes, Sword Art Online.
Chaos Partners
Arpeggio of Blue Steel: Iona, Kirishima, Kongou.
Dangan Ronpa: Asahina, Togami.
Freezing: Vibration: Chiffon, Satelizer.
Vanguard Clans Favoured
Angel Feather, Dark Irregulars, Genesis, Neonecter, Pale Moon, Shadow Paladins, Tachikaze.
Do you think you could elaborate on how the deck plays? I'm curious to hear what the aim of the deck is on a turn-by-turn basis, or on a earlygame, midgame and lategame structure.
Do you think you could elaborate on how the deck plays? I'm curious to hear what the aim of the deck is on a turn-by-turn basis, or on a earlygame, midgame and lategame structure.
I love your take on this unique general, is all.
Apologies on the extreme delay, my lists get very few comments! I'll give you a brief run through here and strive to do more detail once exams are over.
The deck is meant to be semi-competitive. More hindering artifacts or enchantments may make it more competitive.
The goal is to get out Glacial Chasm ideally and then try use symetrical spells that won't harm you, ie. Molten Disaster, which also can't be countered with kicker.
This deck runs the Basalt Monolith/Rings of Brighthearth infinite mana combo to assist with this, but it can generate a lot of mana without it. Staff of Domination is also part of this, but a bit of a cop out really. The staff does work with letting you reuse the general also to wipe a field, but it is risky if Diaochan is shrouded and that needs to be removed.
The deck is meant to be a control deck and would access against creature reliant decks, but due to general not being well-known could work against midrange or other control decks.
Also - some updates, including trying new Surveyor's Scope. The Eye of Doom isn't bad for this either, as is new description spell, but Ruination is new in itself, so that will be used for now.
I also play Weiss Schwarz, Chaos, Vanguard and Wixoss.
Weiss Schwarz Sets
Accel World, Angel Beats, Familiar of Zero, Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet, Guilty Crown, Kill La Kill, Robotics;Notes, Sword Art Online.
Chaos Partners
Arpeggio of Blue Steel: Iona, Kirishima, Kongou.
Dangan Ronpa: Asahina, Togami.
Freezing: Vibration: Chiffon, Satelizer.
Vanguard Clans Favoured
Angel Feather, Dark Irregulars, Genesis, Neonecter, Pale Moon, Shadow Paladins, Tachikaze.
A small update, so that at least one Diaochan list has some recent update. I will be getting a new Sarkhan and a Magus of the Moon to improve this deck, at the cost of Burning Wish and Vicious Shadows. For obvious reasons on wish and Vicious Shadows doesn't always do enough compared to ruining everyone's mana case. New Sarkhan is also incredible in mono red (as most planeswalkers are). It will be done within the week and updated.
I also play Weiss Schwarz, Chaos, Vanguard and Wixoss.
Weiss Schwarz Sets
Accel World, Angel Beats, Familiar of Zero, Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet, Guilty Crown, Kill La Kill, Robotics;Notes, Sword Art Online.
Chaos Partners
Arpeggio of Blue Steel: Iona, Kirishima, Kongou.
Dangan Ronpa: Asahina, Togami.
Freezing: Vibration: Chiffon, Satelizer.
Vanguard Clans Favoured
Angel Feather, Dark Irregulars, Genesis, Neonecter, Pale Moon, Shadow Paladins, Tachikaze.
It seems I'm still the most active Diaochan thread, that is pure awesome.
In anycase I have 5 changes, these are coming off delayed experience and experimentation with making what is here more consistent. Mountain -> Arcane Lighthouse - this exposes them to Diaochan's ability. Vicious Shadows -> Daretti Scrap Savant - I really run a lot of artifacts. Mana Geyser -> Ruby Medallion - Both work, but medallion works with artifact theme and isn't reliant on opponents. Burning Wish -> Magus of the Moon - This wrecks certain decks, although can be anti-synergistic at times. Koth of the Hammer -> Dualcaster Mage - This is change I am most uncertain about and will have to assess. Surveyor's Scope -> Scroll Rack - Rack should've always been here and scope is less good than hoped for.
I am considering running 23 snow lands, Scrying Sheets and Sunstone, but need to get the snow-lands first. I know I never get responses, but opinions are always fun. Sarkhan was decided as not the best planeswalker to add compared to how useful Daretti is.
I also play Weiss Schwarz, Chaos, Vanguard and Wixoss.
Weiss Schwarz Sets
Accel World, Angel Beats, Familiar of Zero, Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet, Guilty Crown, Kill La Kill, Robotics;Notes, Sword Art Online.
Chaos Partners
Arpeggio of Blue Steel: Iona, Kirishima, Kongou.
Dangan Ronpa: Asahina, Togami.
Freezing: Vibration: Chiffon, Satelizer.
Vanguard Clans Favoured
Angel Feather, Dark Irregulars, Genesis, Neonecter, Pale Moon, Shadow Paladins, Tachikaze.
This is the list I am currently running. A few combos in there but what I really wanted this list to do is operate with hateful enchantments. I think I may want to find room for Swords of X and Y. I would also like a Mana Crypt...but uh....kinda pricey. I will get one someday though. So far she has been a great commander I can mix things up with. Lots of fun indeed.
Some of the things I have noticed when playing Diaochan with my group:
1.) Although she is great at controlling the creature board state...she is nowhere near powerful enough to close out a game by herself. She requires a small amount of politics, which I definitely enjoy. See #2.
2.) Without going full stax (which may end up where I go with her...but most likely not) I think her most competitive route would to include some number of the hateful enchantments I have in my list. Mono red doesn't have an enormous amount of control cards and I think these are some of the best ways to hate out blue lists. These cards let us drop a big burn for the win and just overall hate/punish land bases
3.) Too many times I have drawn creatures when Diaochan is out and have sandbagged them knowing they would be targeted with her own effect. I feel like 10 or less creatures is a good number.
4.) Burning people out is definitely a difficult task, but it is doable.
Earthquake Control
About the Deck
People who have played with me know I love playing red, which is why almost every Commander deck I have is red. Diaochan, Artful Beauty is my second off-beat mono red deck and is meant to operate in opposition to aggressive decks and Marton Stromgald in particular. I don't like playing the best general in a given colour very often and Diaochan is part of that goal, she is not the powerhouses that are Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker, Krenko, Mob Boss or Purphoros, God of the Forge, let alone former stars like Godo, Bandit Warlord or even Urabrask the Hidden. Diaochan is a very conditional Avatar of Woe, without the huge body and evasion, but that is why she is fun. This deck is built to focus on control and not attacking at all if possible outside Hellkite Tyrant, using the very red type of card, Earthquake.
1 Diaochan, Artful Beauty
Equipment (5)
1 Darksteel Plate
1 Lightning Greaves
1 Sword of Fire and Ice
1 Sword of War and Peace
1 Whispersilk Cloak
Graveyard Answers (2)
1 Relic of Progenitus
1 Scrabbling Claws
Mana Generation or Boosting (13)
1 Basalt Monolith
1 Caged Sun
1 Coldsteel Heart
1 Everflowing Chalice
1 Expedition Map
1 Fire Diamond
1 Gauntlet of Might
1 Gauntlet of Power
1 Mind Stone
1 Sol Ring
1 Thran Dynamo
1 Wayfarer’s Bauble
1 Worn Powerstone
Other Artifacts (8)
1 Akroma's Memorial
1 Crucible of Worlds
1 Mind’s Eye
1 Mycosynth Lattice
1 Rings of Brighthearth
1 Scroll Rack
1 Sensei’s Divining Top
1 Staff of Domination
Creatures (10)
1 Dualcaster Mage
1 Goblin Welder
1 Godo, Bandit Warlord
1 Heartless Hidetsugu
1 Hellkite Tyrant
1 Mad Prophet
1 Magus of the Moon
1 Rummaging Goblin
1 Solemn Simulacrum
1 Stuffy Doll
1 Blood Moon
1 Pyrohemia
1 Repercussion
1 Stranglehold
Instants (7)
1 Chaos Warp
1 Comet Storm
1 Into the Core
1 Rack and Ruin
1 Reiterate
1 Starstorm
1 Wild Ricochet
Land (36)
1 Arcane Lighthouse
1 Boseiju, Who Shelters All
1 Buried Ruin
1 Darksteel Citadel
1 Glacial Chasm
1 Great Furnace
1 Kher Keep
23 Mountain
1 Petrified Field
1 Spinerock Knoll
1 Strip Mine
1 Temple of the False God
1 Thespian’s Stage
1 Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle
Planeswalkers (3)
1 Chandra Ablaze
1 Daretti, Scrap Savant
1 Karn Liberated
Sorceries (11)
1 All is Dust
1 Blasphemous Act
1 Faithless Looting
1 Gamble
1 Insurrection
1 Molten Disaster
1 Reforge the Soul
1 Ruination
1 Trash for Treasure
1 Vandalblast
1 Wheel of Fortune
1 Banefire
1 Chain Reaction
1 Decree of Annihilation
1 Earthquake
1 Mass Mutiny
1 Past in Flames
1 Recoup
1 Reversal of Fortune
1 Shattering Spree
1 Wildfire
Note: Include Burning Wish if you want to run the sideboard. Whatever card you dislike most can be the replacement, but ideally it should be an instant or sorcery.
Card Choices
Intentional Omissions
Mana Advantage at Cost of Life Loss:
- Ancient Tomb: This cost is too much for something that will be used multiple times. If aiming to kill quickly it is usable, but the desired strategy does not need a lightning quick win.
- Mana Crypt: The crypt is almost playable as life loss is not guaranteed, however currently I am erring on the side of caution.
Change Log
Swiftfoot Boots -> Whispersilk Cloak - This is a non-bo with her ability, even if useful with other creatures.
Chain Reaction -> All is Dust - I was able to acquire another All is Dust and will use it to replace the inferior wrath.
28/04/2013
Rings of Brighthearth -> Insurrection - Insurrection should've always been in here as a red control deck and I found in experience I often can't protect two creatures from Diaochan's effect, so doubling it isn't helpful unless collusion is going on, not to mention I also sweep the board quite often negating a need for it.
Urza's Rage -> Staff of Domination - Unbanned and now usable. This has perfect utility and serves several purposes for the deck.
Defense Grid -> Shivan Gorge - This is an experiment, more mana was needed and core cards cannot come out.
Terrain Generator -> Glacial Chasm - This works well with goal of deck, albeit not with Blood Moon.
29/04/2013
Fellwar Stone -> Akroma's Memorial - There is a lot of mana ramp still and Akroma's Memorial works very well with emphasis on Commander.
02/08/2013
Mountain -> Great Furnace - This will enhance Goblin Welder synergy and won't reduce Mountains overall byt too much.
Mountain -> Petrified Field - A way to help save Glacial Chasm.
Mountain -> Boom // Bust - I need at least one land destruction spell and I feel I have adequate lands as is given the artifacts also run.
Jaya Ballard, Task Mage -> Mad Prophet - As has been noted, we need all the help we can get to get out the combo pieces, this will augment Rummaging Goblin.
Steel Hellkite -> Rings of Brighthearth - Part A of the infamous Basalt Monolith infinite mana combo, Steel Hellkite doesn't go enough really.
Sword of Feast and Famine -> Basalt Monolith - Part B of the Infamous Basalt Monolith infinite mana combo. Sword didn't offer releveant protection, so cutting back on voltron capacity slightly.
Skullclamp was removed, but I cannot recall which card for. It may return.
Wurmcoil Engine -> Burning Wish - This is providing some redundency, but forcing more lifegain balancing on Staff of Domination.
02/11/2013
Extraplanar Lens -> Mana Geyser - The lens is a liability and a burst of quick mana can lead to a turn earlier victory.
Boom // Bust -> Ruination - I run a few non-basics, but the ratio of 2/3 being basic works well with Ruination.
Shivan Gorge -> Surveyor's Scope - I'm trying out the new scope over the worst land on the list.
Mimic Vat -> Comet Storm - I felt an additional kill condition would help over a card that is only situationally good.
17/11/2014
Mountain -> Arcane Lighthouse - this exposes them to Diaochan's ability.
Vicious Shadows -> Daretti, Scrap Savant - I really run a lot of artifacts.
Mana Geyser -> Ruby Medallion - Both work, but medallion works with artifact theme and isn't reliant on opponents.
Burning Wish -> Magus of the Moon - This wrecks certain decks, although can be anti-synergistic at times.
Koth of the Hammer -> Dualcaster Mage - This is change I am most uncertain about and will have to assess.
Surveyor's Scope -> Scroll Rack - Rack should've always been here and scope is less good than hoped for.
14/12/2014
Ruby Medallion -> Coldsteel Heart
Strategy
1. Glacial Chasm + Molten Disaster or Heartless Hidetsugu or Pyrohemia or damage in general, ensures no damage when you do decide to deal damage to each player. This deck does not care about attacking outside two or three creatures, in fact there are only 10 non-Commander creatures.
2. Protecting and Preserving Glacial Chasm - Glacial Chasm is one of the key parts to the more fun strategy of the deck and can be preserved by using Crucible of Worlds, Petrified Field or tactically using Thespian Stage to safeguard Glacial Chasm and reduce the cumulative upkeep for a turn. The cost is steep, so do not be afraid to let chasm die and bring it back with Crucible or alternatively let some lands die, then gain advantage from Surveyor's Scope.
3. Staff of Domination Combo and Utility - This is simple, just achieve infinite mana with Basalt Monolith and Rings of Brighthearth and then you can more or less draw whole deck and gain as much life as you like with Staff of Domination. Staff also works with letting general be reused if not shrouded, meaning it has protection from red to negate Diaochan being able to target herself and gaining life to mitigate damage the deck will inflict.
4. The Stuffy Doll Rattlesnake and Repercussion - Stuffy Doll has the helpful ability of redirecting all damage dealt to it, elsewhere, namely an opponent who you choose when it enters the battlefield. It is also indestructable, which means Diaochan, Artful Beauty can't kill it. This works very nicely with any damage dealing spell, but especially Blasphemous Act, Star Storm, Comet Storm, Molten Disaster and Pyrohemia. This can only be used to destroy one opponent unless Stuffy Doll dies and is recurred or is returned to your hand. Repercussion inflicts this on every creature, even your own, however Akroma's Memorial can mitigate the damage from this. This also makes Stuffy Doll situationally risky as it will deal the damage taken to you, use carefully.
5. Artifact Advantage - Mycosynth Lattice makes every permanent an artifact even your opponents. This works well when opposing certain decks or strategies and is taken advantage of with Diaochan, by using Vandalblast in overload mode and Hellkite Tyrant. Both cards can quickly turn the game in your favour, which the rest of the deck can assist in maintaining.
The deck aims to control the field and destroy multiple players or lower them all at once. It can operate like voltron due to the number of equipments, but really just getting a pro-red sword will put you in good stead regardless.
I am interested in opinions and feedback.
Currently Considering: Sculpting Steel, Eye of Doom and Aftershock.
Main Decks
Diaochan, Iroas, God of Victory, Kaalia, Marton, Ulasht, Volrath,
Kaervek, Prossh, Titania
Amusing or Themed
Progenitus
Pauper Guildmages
Azorius Boros Dimir Golgari Gruul Izzet Korozda
Orzhov Rakdos Rix Maadi Selesyna Simic Skarrg Zameck
I also play Weiss Schwarz, Chaos, Vanguard and Wixoss.
Accel World, Angel Beats, Familiar of Zero, Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet, Guilty Crown, Kill La Kill, Robotics;Notes, Sword Art Online.
Chaos Partners
Arpeggio of Blue Steel: Iona, Kirishima, Kongou.
Dangan Ronpa: Asahina, Togami.
Freezing: Vibration: Chiffon, Satelizer.
Vanguard Clans Favoured
Angel Feather, Dark Irregulars, Genesis, Neonecter, Pale Moon, Shadow Paladins, Tachikaze.
Wixoss - Just trial decks for now!
I like the pro-red overlap between Diaochan and Earthquake-like effects. I run a similar theme in my Gisela deck.
Etched Champion is a nice pro-everything dude to carry your weapons and survive damage-based board wipe in an artifact-heavy deck.
Kuldotha Phoenix is a nice creature in decks with lots of artifacts and board wipe.
Mogg Maniac is a mini-Spitemare.
Squee, Goblin Nabob combos with Rummaging Goblin, Chandra, Gamble, etc.
Minor tips, though, as your list looks pretty good as-is.
Playtesting | Karador, Ghost Chieftain | Narset, Enlightened Master | Ephara, God of the Polis
Established | Gahiji, Honored One | Shirei, Shizo's Caretaker | Opal-Eye, Konda's Yojimbo | Rubinia Soulsinger
Retired | Medomai the Ageless | Diaochan, Artful Beauty
Title fixed, thank you.
Main Decks
Diaochan, Iroas, God of Victory, Kaalia, Marton, Ulasht, Volrath,
Kaervek, Prossh, Titania
Amusing or Themed
Progenitus
Pauper Guildmages
Azorius Boros Dimir Golgari Gruul Izzet Korozda
Orzhov Rakdos Rix Maadi Selesyna Simic Skarrg Zameck
I also play Weiss Schwarz, Chaos, Vanguard and Wixoss.
Accel World, Angel Beats, Familiar of Zero, Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet, Guilty Crown, Kill La Kill, Robotics;Notes, Sword Art Online.
Chaos Partners
Arpeggio of Blue Steel: Iona, Kirishima, Kongou.
Dangan Ronpa: Asahina, Togami.
Freezing: Vibration: Chiffon, Satelizer.
Vanguard Clans Favoured
Angel Feather, Dark Irregulars, Genesis, Neonecter, Pale Moon, Shadow Paladins, Tachikaze.
Wixoss - Just trial decks for now!
She can't target herself if pro-red fortunately, but yes, I can see how hexproof is no shield if I control the effect. Thank you.
Whispersilk Cloak will replace Swiftfoot Boots and Chain Reaction is being replaced by All is Dust.
Main Decks
Diaochan, Iroas, God of Victory, Kaalia, Marton, Ulasht, Volrath,
Kaervek, Prossh, Titania
Amusing or Themed
Progenitus
Pauper Guildmages
Azorius Boros Dimir Golgari Gruul Izzet Korozda
Orzhov Rakdos Rix Maadi Selesyna Simic Skarrg Zameck
I also play Weiss Schwarz, Chaos, Vanguard and Wixoss.
Accel World, Angel Beats, Familiar of Zero, Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet, Guilty Crown, Kill La Kill, Robotics;Notes, Sword Art Online.
Chaos Partners
Arpeggio of Blue Steel: Iona, Kirishima, Kongou.
Dangan Ronpa: Asahina, Togami.
Freezing: Vibration: Chiffon, Satelizer.
Vanguard Clans Favoured
Angel Feather, Dark Irregulars, Genesis, Neonecter, Pale Moon, Shadow Paladins, Tachikaze.
Wixoss - Just trial decks for now!
Neheb
Marath
Yidris
Sharuum
Yidris
I don't think it does enough, it's not a bad card for sure and if I include Burning Wish, it would be part of the ten card sideboard, but it just kills one thing. Also life is very precious in this deck and I don't want to make myself lower too much than my opponents if I can avoid it. It is a great card though and thanks for the suggestion.
Main Decks
Diaochan, Iroas, God of Victory, Kaalia, Marton, Ulasht, Volrath,
Kaervek, Prossh, Titania
Amusing or Themed
Progenitus
Pauper Guildmages
Azorius Boros Dimir Golgari Gruul Izzet Korozda
Orzhov Rakdos Rix Maadi Selesyna Simic Skarrg Zameck
I also play Weiss Schwarz, Chaos, Vanguard and Wixoss.
Accel World, Angel Beats, Familiar of Zero, Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet, Guilty Crown, Kill La Kill, Robotics;Notes, Sword Art Online.
Chaos Partners
Arpeggio of Blue Steel: Iona, Kirishima, Kongou.
Dangan Ronpa: Asahina, Togami.
Freezing: Vibration: Chiffon, Satelizer.
Vanguard Clans Favoured
Angel Feather, Dark Irregulars, Genesis, Neonecter, Pale Moon, Shadow Paladins, Tachikaze.
Wixoss - Just trial decks for now!
Playtesting | Karador, Ghost Chieftain | Narset, Enlightened Master | Ephara, God of the Polis
Established | Gahiji, Honored One | Shirei, Shizo's Caretaker | Opal-Eye, Konda's Yojimbo | Rubinia Soulsinger
Retired | Medomai the Ageless | Diaochan, Artful Beauty
Staff of Domination now added due to unbanning, it should work like a charm due to large mana I can generate.
Also, Dragon's Maze added nothing new to this deck.
Main Decks
Diaochan, Iroas, God of Victory, Kaalia, Marton, Ulasht, Volrath,
Kaervek, Prossh, Titania
Amusing or Themed
Progenitus
Pauper Guildmages
Azorius Boros Dimir Golgari Gruul Izzet Korozda
Orzhov Rakdos Rix Maadi Selesyna Simic Skarrg Zameck
I also play Weiss Schwarz, Chaos, Vanguard and Wixoss.
Accel World, Angel Beats, Familiar of Zero, Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet, Guilty Crown, Kill La Kill, Robotics;Notes, Sword Art Online.
Chaos Partners
Arpeggio of Blue Steel: Iona, Kirishima, Kongou.
Dangan Ronpa: Asahina, Togami.
Freezing: Vibration: Chiffon, Satelizer.
Vanguard Clans Favoured
Angel Feather, Dark Irregulars, Genesis, Neonecter, Pale Moon, Shadow Paladins, Tachikaze.
Wixoss - Just trial decks for now!
Jaya Ballad was a disappointment, but I'll see if I need to replace her.
I am also considered running Petrified Field since when it did come out, Glacial Chasm worked very well.
Main Decks
Diaochan, Iroas, God of Victory, Kaalia, Marton, Ulasht, Volrath,
Kaervek, Prossh, Titania
Amusing or Themed
Progenitus
Pauper Guildmages
Azorius Boros Dimir Golgari Gruul Izzet Korozda
Orzhov Rakdos Rix Maadi Selesyna Simic Skarrg Zameck
I also play Weiss Schwarz, Chaos, Vanguard and Wixoss.
Accel World, Angel Beats, Familiar of Zero, Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet, Guilty Crown, Kill La Kill, Robotics;Notes, Sword Art Online.
Chaos Partners
Arpeggio of Blue Steel: Iona, Kirishima, Kongou.
Dangan Ronpa: Asahina, Togami.
Freezing: Vibration: Chiffon, Satelizer.
Vanguard Clans Favoured
Angel Feather, Dark Irregulars, Genesis, Neonecter, Pale Moon, Shadow Paladins, Tachikaze.
Wixoss - Just trial decks for now!
Seems a little strange, but with the subtheme of protection from colours you have going on, it can be relevant to swap a permanent's colours.
Secondly it an also turn Jaya Ballard, into a one mana, discard a card to vindicate - much better than usual.
Not only that it ramps you in mana and comes with a small body that can do some blocking to keep you into the late game so you can drop one of your infamous earthquake effects.
Just a suggestion.
Pauper EDH: UBR Grixis Battlemage
Dunno if they are too cute, but Terrain Generator and Vesuva might be worth including. The Generator is good at getting extra basics into play after a Wheel effect. Vesuva can copy Glacial Chasm to re-set the cumulative upkeep if necessary.
How difficult is it to find Chasm?
Most recently looking at Morinfen!
I only just noticed I had comments, this deck gave me nightmares so I ignored it until now. I'm just going to remove jaya entirely, but were she still in it that's a great idea. I'm going to more or less glass-cannon it out by removing some, but not all of the utility, such as Jaya, SoFaF and Steel Hellkite. I'll see if Scuttlemut has a role after a revised test run (and the prayer that it can beat a competitive deck if it also runs combos).
Glacial Chasm does need some help admittedly, so not always garranteed to get it, I'm debating Planar Portal to make it possible or Hoarding Dragon, I've added in Mad Prophet to assist in card filtering too, when you go infinite with new build you can set up turn of staff because you can, draw most of or all of deck and gain a lot of life, then molten disaster.
OR if you can't quite go infinite, but still have a lot, either use staff to make it easier then Karn- exile land if there is one if you want, use map to get chasm or Repercussion, then sweep or quake. I'll be testing this later on, but it should be a bit more competitive than previous version and newst Chandra would fit in well.
Main Decks
Diaochan, Iroas, God of Victory, Kaalia, Marton, Ulasht, Volrath,
Kaervek, Prossh, Titania
Amusing or Themed
Progenitus
Pauper Guildmages
Azorius Boros Dimir Golgari Gruul Izzet Korozda
Orzhov Rakdos Rix Maadi Selesyna Simic Skarrg Zameck
I also play Weiss Schwarz, Chaos, Vanguard and Wixoss.
Accel World, Angel Beats, Familiar of Zero, Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet, Guilty Crown, Kill La Kill, Robotics;Notes, Sword Art Online.
Chaos Partners
Arpeggio of Blue Steel: Iona, Kirishima, Kongou.
Dangan Ronpa: Asahina, Togami.
Freezing: Vibration: Chiffon, Satelizer.
Vanguard Clans Favoured
Angel Feather, Dark Irregulars, Genesis, Neonecter, Pale Moon, Shadow Paladins, Tachikaze.
Wixoss - Just trial decks for now!
I love your take on this unique general, is all.
Apologies on the extreme delay, my lists get very few comments! I'll give you a brief run through here and strive to do more detail once exams are over.
The deck is meant to be semi-competitive. More hindering artifacts or enchantments may make it more competitive.
The goal is to get out Glacial Chasm ideally and then try use symetrical spells that won't harm you, ie. Molten Disaster, which also can't be countered with kicker.
This deck runs the Basalt Monolith/Rings of Brighthearth infinite mana combo to assist with this, but it can generate a lot of mana without it. Staff of Domination is also part of this, but a bit of a cop out really. The staff does work with letting you reuse the general also to wipe a field, but it is risky if Diaochan is shrouded and that needs to be removed.
Stuffy Doll is also included as that functions well with high damage spells, such as Earthquake types and its partner card, Blasphemous Act.
The deck is meant to be a control deck and would access against creature reliant decks, but due to general not being well-known could work against midrange or other control decks.
Also - some updates, including trying new Surveyor's Scope. The Eye of Doom isn't bad for this either, as is new description spell, but Ruination is new in itself, so that will be used for now.
Main Decks
Diaochan, Iroas, God of Victory, Kaalia, Marton, Ulasht, Volrath,
Kaervek, Prossh, Titania
Amusing or Themed
Progenitus
Pauper Guildmages
Azorius Boros Dimir Golgari Gruul Izzet Korozda
Orzhov Rakdos Rix Maadi Selesyna Simic Skarrg Zameck
I also play Weiss Schwarz, Chaos, Vanguard and Wixoss.
Accel World, Angel Beats, Familiar of Zero, Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet, Guilty Crown, Kill La Kill, Robotics;Notes, Sword Art Online.
Chaos Partners
Arpeggio of Blue Steel: Iona, Kirishima, Kongou.
Dangan Ronpa: Asahina, Togami.
Freezing: Vibration: Chiffon, Satelizer.
Vanguard Clans Favoured
Angel Feather, Dark Irregulars, Genesis, Neonecter, Pale Moon, Shadow Paladins, Tachikaze.
Wixoss - Just trial decks for now!
Main Decks
Diaochan, Iroas, God of Victory, Kaalia, Marton, Ulasht, Volrath,
Kaervek, Prossh, Titania
Amusing or Themed
Progenitus
Pauper Guildmages
Azorius Boros Dimir Golgari Gruul Izzet Korozda
Orzhov Rakdos Rix Maadi Selesyna Simic Skarrg Zameck
I also play Weiss Schwarz, Chaos, Vanguard and Wixoss.
Accel World, Angel Beats, Familiar of Zero, Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet, Guilty Crown, Kill La Kill, Robotics;Notes, Sword Art Online.
Chaos Partners
Arpeggio of Blue Steel: Iona, Kirishima, Kongou.
Dangan Ronpa: Asahina, Togami.
Freezing: Vibration: Chiffon, Satelizer.
Vanguard Clans Favoured
Angel Feather, Dark Irregulars, Genesis, Neonecter, Pale Moon, Shadow Paladins, Tachikaze.
Wixoss - Just trial decks for now!
In anycase I have 5 changes, these are coming off delayed experience and experimentation with making what is here more consistent.
Mountain -> Arcane Lighthouse - this exposes them to Diaochan's ability.
Vicious Shadows -> Daretti Scrap Savant - I really run a lot of artifacts.
Mana Geyser -> Ruby Medallion - Both work, but medallion works with artifact theme and isn't reliant on opponents.
Burning Wish -> Magus of the Moon - This wrecks certain decks, although can be anti-synergistic at times.
Koth of the Hammer -> Dualcaster Mage - This is change I am most uncertain about and will have to assess.
Surveyor's Scope -> Scroll Rack - Rack should've always been here and scope is less good than hoped for.
I am considering running 23 snow lands, Scrying Sheets and Sunstone, but need to get the snow-lands first. I know I never get responses, but opinions are always fun. Sarkhan was decided as not the best planeswalker to add compared to how useful Daretti is.
Main Decks
Diaochan, Iroas, God of Victory, Kaalia, Marton, Ulasht, Volrath,
Kaervek, Prossh, Titania
Amusing or Themed
Progenitus
Pauper Guildmages
Azorius Boros Dimir Golgari Gruul Izzet Korozda
Orzhov Rakdos Rix Maadi Selesyna Simic Skarrg Zameck
I also play Weiss Schwarz, Chaos, Vanguard and Wixoss.
Accel World, Angel Beats, Familiar of Zero, Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet, Guilty Crown, Kill La Kill, Robotics;Notes, Sword Art Online.
Chaos Partners
Arpeggio of Blue Steel: Iona, Kirishima, Kongou.
Dangan Ronpa: Asahina, Togami.
Freezing: Vibration: Chiffon, Satelizer.
Vanguard Clans Favoured
Angel Feather, Dark Irregulars, Genesis, Neonecter, Pale Moon, Shadow Paladins, Tachikaze.
Wixoss - Just trial decks for now!
I am playing Snow-Covered Mountain along with the usual suspects (Scrying Sheets, Extraplanar Lens, etc,) and they have been doing great.
1x Basalt Monolith
1x Batterskull
1x Caged Sun
1x Cloak and Dagger
1x Coalition Relic
1x Coldsteel Heart
1x Darksteel Forge
1x Darksteel Plate
1x Expedition Map
1x Extraplanar Lens
1x Gauntlet of Power
1x General's Kabuto
1x Gilded Lotus
1x Grim Monolith
1x Lightning Greaves
1x Mana Vault
1x Meekstone
1x Mimic Vat
1x Mind's Eye
1x Mycosynth Lattice
1x Nevinyrral's Disk
1x Oblivion Stone
1x Planar Portal
1x Rings of Brighthearth
1x Sensei's Divining Top
1x Shield of Kaldra
1x Sol Ring
1x Staff of Domination
1x Thran Dynamo
1x Whispersilk Cloak
1x Chaos Warp
1x Comet Storm
1x Reiterate
1x Word of Seizing
Land (34)
1x Ancient Tomb
1x Buried Ruin
1x Cavern of Souls
1x Glacial Chasm
1x Great Furnace
1x Kher Keep
1x Maze of Ith
1x Reliquary Tower
1x Scrying Sheets
23x Snow-Covered Mountain
1x Thawing Glaciers
1x Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle
Sorcery (10)
1x All Is Dust
1x Earthquake
1x Gamble
1x Insurrection
1x Molten Disaster
1x Reforge the Soul
1x Ruination
1x Trash for Treasure
1x Vandalblast
1x Wheel of Fortune
1x Blightsteel Colossus
1x Goblin Welder
1x Godo, Bandit Warlord
1x Heartless Hidetsugu
1x Hellkite Tyrant
1x Karn, Silver Golem
1x Kuldotha Forgemaster
1x Magus of the Moon
1x Metalworker
1x Solemn Simulacrum
Enchantment (9)
1x Blood Moon
1x Citadel of Pain
1x Furnace of Rath
1x Manabarbs
1x Price of Glory
1x Pyrohemia
1x Stranglehold
1x Sulfuric Vortex
1x Tectonic Instability
Planeswalker (2)
1x Daretti, Scrap Savant
1x Koth of the Hammer
Some of the things I have noticed when playing Diaochan with my group:
1.) Although she is great at controlling the creature board state...she is nowhere near powerful enough to close out a game by herself. She requires a small amount of politics, which I definitely enjoy. See #2.
2.) Without going full stax (which may end up where I go with her...but most likely not) I think her most competitive route would to include some number of the hateful enchantments I have in my list. Mono red doesn't have an enormous amount of control cards and I think these are some of the best ways to hate out blue lists. These cards let us drop a big burn for the win and just overall hate/punish land bases
3.) Too many times I have drawn creatures when Diaochan is out and have sandbagged them knowing they would be targeted with her own effect. I feel like 10 or less creatures is a good number.
4.) Burning people out is definitely a difficult task, but it is doable.
These are just some of my observations.
Anyone consider Price of Progress?