Get ready to make one more cut lol. Treasure Keeper! Holy ******* **** this **** thing is ******* busted as **** here.
Seriously, Aether Revolt just keeps giving more and more options. I'm so glad that I made Marchesa. I love all the tweaking and possibilities that you can run but have to really think about what you want to include!
Modern: UUUBlue Man Group
Legacy: UWBMiracles
Edh: UUUThassa Control WWWHokori Stax GGGJolrael, Empress of Land Stompy BBBGriselbrand French List RBGShattergang(Super Villians) RWGHazezon Flicker UBRMarchesa Aggro URGMaelstom Wanderer (Maelstorm)
So we just got this spoiled: Hope of Ghirapur. It might be a little hard to get it through but it's cheap to cast, so if it doesn't work out, we didn't waste much mana on it. Also, because it does this through combat damage, Marchesa will more than likely get it a +1/+1 counter, so once we've sacked it and gotten it's effect, we can just do it again!
I don't know if I'd call this card a shoe-in but it's definitely worth testing. The potential is there.
Interesting card. It does potentially help to solve one of the problems I run into (player A wraths, dudes come back w/o counters, player B wraths). Having to connect first though doesn't make for the most reliability.
So we just got this spoiled: Hope of Ghirapur. It might be a little hard to get it through but it's cheap to cast, so if it doesn't work out, we didn't waste much mana on it. Also, because it does this through combat damage, Marchesa will more than likely get it a +1/+1 counter, so once we've sacked it and gotten it's effect, we can just do it again!
I don't know if I'd call this card a shoe-in but it's definitely worth testing. The potential is there.
Currently here are my planned cuts. These aren't final but this is what I'm leaning towards:
This list actually pains me to make (other then Grenzo, he's definitely out). Kelpie and skulker are both bombs. These are cards that opponents actually fear. Kelpie is actually easier to cut then skulker because his cost is a bit high. There have been quite a few times where I've just held him in my hand indefinitely because I didn't want to pay 5 for something that wasn't going to win me the game. Skulker is frequently just windmilled.
And I know glen elendra isn't in the main list but that one actually hurts me most of all. When I play her opponents spend the next 2-3 turns completely altering their game plan trying to figure out how to get rid of her or work around her, usually unsuccessfully. And I honestly can't count the number of times I've flipped her in off Sneak Attack to save my skin, either directly or by flipping in Imperial Recruiter/Rune-Scarred Demon/Sidisi, Undead Vizier to go get her and flip her in.
So yea, this is painful. And yet they are still probably more expendable then my other options. But given that I'm cutting guys like those there's no way there's room for something like Hope of Ghirapur. A tiny flyer with a sac ability that can only be used post-combat on my turn that provides disruption for one opponent? Just too niche for me, no way I'm going to be able to find room for that.
River Kelpie is a good suggestion, he's good but I try to get my curve as low as possible and Treasure Keeper can take over in terms of card advantage.
Another possible cut for me might be Feldon of the Third Path. His effect is unique in the deck but a lot of times he feels useless. Also, heavy on the R..
Another thing possibly worth sharing:
A few weeks ago I made some changes which lowered my average cmc to 3.58. After a few games I felt that mana ramp wasn't really needed anymore. With 11 2-drops and 12 3-drops I was able to quite consistently go T2 creature -> T3 creature -> T4 marchesa (or with a godhand also a creatures T1). Sometimes I therefore chose not to play a manarock T2, in favor of a creature. And late-game they are just bad draws anyway.
So currently I play without the 3 signets (Dimir Signet, Izzet Signet, Rakdos Signet) and Burnished Hart (has always felt a bit clunky..). A whooping 4 free slots! So far I like it and haven't really missed them!
Modern: UUUBlue Man Group
Legacy: UWBMiracles
Edh: UUUThassa Control WWWHokori Stax GGGJolrael, Empress of Land Stompy BBBGriselbrand French List RBGShattergang(Super Villians) RWGHazezon Flicker UBRMarchesa Aggro URGMaelstom Wanderer (Maelstorm)
River Kelpie is a good suggestion, he's good but I try to get my curve as low as possible and Treasure Keeper can take over in terms of card advantage.
Another possible cut for me might be Feldon of the Third Path. His effect is unique in the deck but a lot of times he feels useless. Also, heavy on the R..
Another thing possibly worth sharing:
A few weeks ago I made some changes which lowered my average cmc to 3.58. After a few games I felt that mana ramp wasn't really needed anymore. With 11 2-drops and 12 3-drops I was able to quite consistently go T2 creature -> T3 creature -> T4 marchesa (or with a godhand also a creatures T1). Sometimes I therefore chose not to play a manarock T2, in favor of a creature. And late-game they are just bad draws anyway.
So currently I play without the 3 signets (Dimir Signet, Izzet Signet, Rakdos Signet) and Burnished Hart (has always felt a bit clunky..). A whooping 4 free slots! So far I like it and haven't really missed them!
That's funny, I had actually finally given in to all the feldon love from this board and was desperately trying to find a way to include him. Now you're making me go back to doubting him lol.
Honestly I would probably cut one or both of the talismans before the signets. I find the ability to turn one colorless mana into two colored incredibly valuable for always hitting my colors as soon as possible. I'm not sure I'm ready to cut the rocks though, and if I did I feel like I'd have to just replace them with lands. I run a very tight ship in terms of mana sources.
Completely agree on Burnished hart. Sorry but I just really don't like that card, he's so clunky. You play him T3 and it does nothing to help you play marchesa on T4. Instead you have to choose which of the next two turns you want to completely give up for him. And whether you want a double Rampant Growth for 6 or wait and hope your opponents give you your obvious value play on T5 by sac'cing him after. No thanks.
Another one I'm mulling over cutting btw is Drana, Liberator of Malakir. On paper she looks perfect for this deck. Good creature, evasive, neat combat trick, and an additional source of +1/+1 counters that works when dethrone no longer does. In reality though she's been really underwhelming for me. She's basically just been overkill, adding counters when I've already won and largely ineffective when I am behind. What's everyone else's experience with her? Am I completely off base here?
Another one I'm mulling over cutting btw is Drana, Liberator of Malakir. On paper she looks perfect for this deck. Good creature, evasive, neat combat trick, and an additional source of +1/+1 counters that works when dethrone no longer does. In reality though she's been really underwhelming for me. She's basically just been overkill, adding counters when I've already won and largely ineffective when I am behind. What's everyone else's experience with her? Am I completely off base here?
My experience with dear old Drana is that she works best early game or after you've wrathed field to reset things. She's there to generate momentum to allow you to dominate the board. She's an overall good card. However, it sounds like to me that you're deck is tuned to the point that it has little issue in picking up that momentum without her. With that said, once you start losing, well, there's little Drana can do for you. If your entire deck cannot generate the momentum due to whatever's going on the board, Drana's not really gonna fix that.
In essence, it's not that Drana's bad or you're off base, it's simply that what you need for your deck due to preference and/or meta simply does not require her. IMO, Drana has a small window of opportunity to be really useful but she's so good once she gets going, she CAN make a case for herself. It's really up to the player to say if she's worth it or not.
Man, I feel so out of this conversation because I run so many different cards from the rest of you.
However, I will agree with Burnished Hart being super clunky. I mean, I'm the mana-hungry artifact deck that sounds like I would want it but I really don't! I also believe that if you have enough 3 drops then you can probably afford to shave a couple mana rocks. Definitely the talismans before the signets in this deck, as many lists have very few 1-drops.
Man, all the hate for burnished hart, I still think it is a solid dude. Leaving 3 mana open makes their removal dead on it, and you can grab that color you are missing or continue to filter your deck. I don't think i would ever get to six-seven mana without it.
Modern: UUUBlue Man Group
Legacy: UWBMiracles
Edh: UUUThassa Control WWWHokori Stax GGGJolrael, Empress of Land Stompy BBBGriselbrand French List RBGShattergang(Super Villians) RWGHazezon Flicker UBRMarchesa Aggro URGMaelstom Wanderer (Maelstorm)
I think that's why a lot of us are going "We need to lower our curve". We never plan on hitting six-seven quickly, as you'll hit it eventually but not always. Hell, I'm thinking the running Wildfire to make the land counts more even is a decent idea.
the problem with dropping rocks isn't really slowing down, its getting your colors
i could see with a lower curve that you could drop them, but I would rather not, since landing marchesa is paramount
Fair point. I might have to add that my playgroup allows one free mulligan and then vancouver mulligan rules, so you can take 2 mulligans without too much impact on the game.
That's funny, I had actually finally given in to all the feldon love from this board and was desperately trying to find a way to include him. Now you're making me go back to doubting him lol.
Honestly I would probably cut one or both of the talismans before the signets. I find the ability to turn one colorless mana into two colored incredibly valuable for always hitting my colors as soon as possible. I'm not sure I'm ready to cut the rocks though, and if I did I feel like I'd have to just replace them with lands. I run a very tight ship in terms of mana sources.
Completely agree on Burnished hart. Sorry but I just really don't like that card, he's so clunky. You play him T3 and it does nothing to help you play marchesa on T4. Instead you have to choose which of the next two turns you want to completely give up for him. And whether you want a double Rampant Growth for 6 or wait and hope your opponents give you your obvious value play on T5 by sac'cing him after. No thanks.
Another one I'm mulling over cutting btw is Drana, Liberator of Malakir. On paper she looks perfect for this deck. Good creature, evasive, neat combat trick, and an additional source of +1/+1 counters that works when dethrone no longer does. In reality though she's been really underwhelming for me. She's basically just been overkill, adding counters when I've already won and largely ineffective when I am behind. What's everyone else's experience with her? Am I completely off base here?
Good point on the talismans. I might try and play a few games without the 2 talismans and with the 3 signets in again. I like the lifeloss the talismans have but the strong colorfixing might be beter.
On Drana, Liberator of Malakir; I see what you mean, she is kinda overkill if your boardstate is good (having Marchesa in play and not the highest lifetotal) but I like her as a backup plan or when I do not want to attack the player with the highest lifetotal but the biggest threat. So while she might not be the best creature in the deck, for me personally, she's not on the bottom of the list at this point.
I think that's why a lot of us are going "We need to lower our curve". We never plan on hitting six-seven quickly, as you'll hit it eventually but not always. Hell, I'm thinking the running Wildfire to make the land counts more even is a decent idea.
Perhaps because, you know, it's not even remotely Proliferate though this does seem to be a trendy sort of complaint of late.
Is that not the *exact* wording of Proliferate??
I'm a big fan of Yahenni and Metallic Mimic, will definitely be going in my deck (when built).
As for Grenzo, has anyone felt that he actually put in work for their deck? He always seemed underwhelming when I tried him.
Skyship Plunderer definitely does not have Proliferate. Proliferate allows you to choose any number of permanents or players with counters, Skyship Plunderer only allows you to choose target permanent or player.
Skyship Plunderer definitely does not have Proliferate. Proliferate allows you to choose any number of permanents or players with counters, Skyship Plunderer only allows you to choose target permanent or player.
The problem is really the original spoil. It was spoiled in a different language and apparently was translated incorrectly. Some sites said "target permanent or player", others (including mtgsalvation) said "any number of permanents or players" and had the exact wording of proliferate. Now that we have the english version its pretty clear it is not proliferate but that's where the confusion came from.
Skyship Plunderer definitely does not have Proliferate. Proliferate allows you to choose any number of permanents or players with counters, Skyship Plunderer only allows you to choose target permanent or player.
The problem is really the original spoil. It was spoiled in a different language and apparently was translated incorrectly. Some sites said "target permanent or player", others (including mtgsalvation) said "any number of permanents or players" and had the exact wording of proliferate. Now that we have the english version its pretty clear it is not proliferate but that's where the confusion came from.
I know. I believe the reddit spoiler correctly had it as "target permanent or player" while mtgsalvation had it as Proliferate, which is why I chimed in here yesterday saying it may be a 2/1 Thrummingbird but it may not be and we'd have to wait for the english version. We have the english now, so I am pointing that it officially isn't a 2/1 Thrummingbird.
This week I got hit by the perfect trifecta of constant creature boardwipes, constant artifact wipes, and access to graveyard hate. To make matters worse, I was not hitting any card draw whatsoever.
Well, at least my opponents are answering me properly now. Although one person almost managed to counter a boardwipe from me despite the fact that it was meant to wipe 3 commanders controlled by the same person just because one of those three was mine. He had nothing on board and so literally would lose nothing from it.
Addressing variance in EDH decks is really hard. Especially in ones where there are certain cards that are so much better than everything else you can conceivably put in the list. Two games I drew very poorly and one was where it literally ended on turn 7 because I had double Marionette Master with Ravager loop on Baleful Strix withSpellskite and a Rhystic Study on board.
I could try and lower my curve further, but I feel like half of my games I need an All is Dust because of the heavy enchantment use in my meta. I can't go aggro because defensive playstyles buffered by lifegain is very popular to the extent that it feels almost futile to do damage with medium-sized creatures. I guess this is why I resort to combo-like finishes and one-two punches now.
Sounds like you know where to address your problems with the deck. With robots, Id have to check your list but its a problem I have been getting alot with Marchesa, draw power to keep the gas going. Either I would smash faces and win easy, or sit there with nothing going and die. I run Grim Haruspex, Necropotence, River Keplie, Skullclamp, Demonic Tutor, Diabolic Intent...cant think of the rest off the top of my head.
Sounds like you know where to address your problems with the deck. With robots, Id have to check your list but its a problem I have been getting alot with Marchesa, draw power to keep the gas going. Either I would smash faces and win easy, or sit there with nothing going and die. I run Grim Haruspex, Necropotence, River Keplie, Skullclamp, Demonic Tutor, Diabolic Intent...cant think of the rest off the top of my head.
Let's see what I have for tutors and drawpower. This list is for my planned AER list and doesn't include other CA sources such as Treasure Keeper.
Sounds like you know where to address your problems with the deck. With robots, Id have to check your list but its a problem I have been getting alot with Marchesa, draw power to keep the gas going. Either I would smash faces and win easy, or sit there with nothing going and die. I run Grim Haruspex, Necropotence, River Keplie, Skullclamp, Demonic Tutor, Diabolic Intent...cant think of the rest off the top of my head.
Let's see what I have for tutors and drawpower. This list is for my planned AER list and doesn't include other CA sources such as Treasure Keeper.
Bet robots made out like a bandit this block huh. This block seems awesome, we got 3 awesome looking cards out of it and you get those plus you can cash in on any good improvise cards and artifact cards. I'm surprised you're counting Combustible Gearhulk in card draw, do people actually let you draw 3 cards off his ability? Unless you had the luxury of targetting someone with about 10 or less health my group would never let me draw cards with him, they'd just soak up the damage.
Side note: love that you also have a valuetown The Gitrog Monster deck @PlushPenguin, me too. Gitrog and marchesa are my two favorite decks these days. I'm going to have to poke through your decks when I have some time. Want to compare to my gitrog deck and I like your robots-y marchesa. I always liked the artifact build and with this big focus recently on artifacts and artificers its tempting. Plus its always fun to mix things up periodically.
What do you guys think about Indomitable Creativity. Wipe our 3 creatures with counters on them and just triple polymorph to increase our board size or late game blow up our mana rocks to possibly get a board.
I think the triple red combined with the fact that you want to be firing this thing off for x=2 or 3 is why I might not be able to find a spot for that kind of effect. I want to try Whir of Invention and I'm afraid that the triple blue cost is too prohibitive for the deck. That being said, it is pretty promising. It requires a pretty good board setup to use though, so it might have issues with being worse when you are behind.
RE: Combustible Gearhulk: If you're only ever going to get one trigger off and people are at high life totals, they're going to take the damage. However, psychology plays a big factor into this card. If you can repeatedly trigger it, you target the same person, and that person will figure it out pretty quickly. He or she isn't going to be inclined to take so much damage for the team just to prevent you from drawing, especially if they're not actually in a good position. They'll let you draw and expect you to burn those cards on the players who are in a good position. Also, sometimes when they do opt to take the damage, it'll be enough that it causes them to eventually lose the game and the next time they run into that scenario, they are going to very clearly remember that time they ate 10 damage and think about giving you the cards.
Seriously, Aether Revolt just keeps giving more and more options. I'm so glad that I made Marchesa. I love all the tweaking and possibilities that you can run but have to really think about what you want to include!
BK'rrik Goodstuff
GWSythis Enchantress
URYusri Coin Flip
BRGKorvold Tokens
BGUYarok Lands Matter
WUBRaffine Looter
Not only did they do that, but they made it even better!
The Unidentified Fantastic Flying Girl.
EDH
Xenagos, the God of Stompy
The Gitrog Monster: Oppressive Value.
Marchesa, Marionette Master - Undying Robots
Yuriko, the Hydra Omnivore
I make dolls as a hobby.
Draft it Here!
UUUBlue Man Group
Legacy:
UWBMiracles
Edh:
UUUThassa Control
WWWHokori Stax
GGGJolrael, Empress of Land Stompy
BBBGriselbrand French List
RBGShattergang(Super Villians)
RWGHazezon Flicker
UBRMarchesa Aggro
URGMaelstom Wanderer (Maelstorm)
I don't know if I'd call this card a shoe-in but it's definitely worth testing. The potential is there.
BK'rrik Goodstuff
GWSythis Enchantress
URYusri Coin Flip
BRGKorvold Tokens
BGUYarok Lands Matter
WUBRaffine Looter
Currently here are my planned cuts. These aren't final but this is what I'm leaning towards:
And I know glen elendra isn't in the main list but that one actually hurts me most of all. When I play her opponents spend the next 2-3 turns completely altering their game plan trying to figure out how to get rid of her or work around her, usually unsuccessfully. And I honestly can't count the number of times I've flipped her in off Sneak Attack to save my skin, either directly or by flipping in Imperial Recruiter/Rune-Scarred Demon/Sidisi, Undead Vizier to go get her and flip her in.
So yea, this is painful. And yet they are still probably more expendable then my other options. But given that I'm cutting guys like those there's no way there's room for something like Hope of Ghirapur. A tiny flyer with a sac ability that can only be used post-combat on my turn that provides disruption for one opponent? Just too niche for me, no way I'm going to be able to find room for that.
My considerations:
Another thing possibly worth sharing:
A few weeks ago I made some changes which lowered my average cmc to 3.58. After a few games I felt that mana ramp wasn't really needed anymore. With 11 2-drops and 12 3-drops I was able to quite consistently go T2 creature -> T3 creature -> T4 marchesa (or with a godhand also a creatures T1). Sometimes I therefore chose not to play a manarock T2, in favor of a creature. And late-game they are just bad draws anyway.
So currently I play without the 3 signets (Dimir Signet, Izzet Signet, Rakdos Signet) and Burnished Hart (has always felt a bit clunky..). A whooping 4 free slots! So far I like it and haven't really missed them!
GEzuriG
WURaffUW
WBAyliBW
GOmnathG
URMizzixRU
Didn't you have to increase your land count to make up for the lack of mana rocks?
Mid-Tier: Marchesa Aggro Rose Asmadi Get Dire Tymna Ikra Woke Women Tiana Aura Angel Ruric Thar SMASH Smasher Kraum Mana Positivity Zur Slides
Filthy Casual: WUBRG Jodah WUBRG WUBRG Fatties WUBRG Gahiji Vigilant Vengeance Ezuri Mysterious Morphs
i could see with a lower curve that you could drop them, but I would rather not, since landing marchesa is paramount
Draft it Here!
UUUBlue Man Group
Legacy:
UWBMiracles
Edh:
UUUThassa Control
WWWHokori Stax
GGGJolrael, Empress of Land Stompy
BBBGriselbrand French List
RBGShattergang(Super Villians)
RWGHazezon Flicker
UBRMarchesa Aggro
URGMaelstom Wanderer (Maelstorm)
Mid-Tier: Marchesa Aggro Rose Asmadi Get Dire Tymna Ikra Woke Women Tiana Aura Angel Ruric Thar SMASH Smasher Kraum Mana Positivity Zur Slides
Filthy Casual: WUBRG Jodah WUBRG WUBRG Fatties WUBRG Gahiji Vigilant Vengeance Ezuri Mysterious Morphs
That's funny, I had actually finally given in to all the feldon love from this board and was desperately trying to find a way to include him. Now you're making me go back to doubting him lol.
Honestly I would probably cut one or both of the talismans before the signets. I find the ability to turn one colorless mana into two colored incredibly valuable for always hitting my colors as soon as possible. I'm not sure I'm ready to cut the rocks though, and if I did I feel like I'd have to just replace them with lands. I run a very tight ship in terms of mana sources.
Completely agree on Burnished hart. Sorry but I just really don't like that card, he's so clunky. You play him T3 and it does nothing to help you play marchesa on T4. Instead you have to choose which of the next two turns you want to completely give up for him. And whether you want a double Rampant Growth for 6 or wait and hope your opponents give you your obvious value play on T5 by sac'cing him after. No thanks.
Another one I'm mulling over cutting btw is Drana, Liberator of Malakir. On paper she looks perfect for this deck. Good creature, evasive, neat combat trick, and an additional source of +1/+1 counters that works when dethrone no longer does. In reality though she's been really underwhelming for me. She's basically just been overkill, adding counters when I've already won and largely ineffective when I am behind. What's everyone else's experience with her? Am I completely off base here?
My experience with dear old Drana is that she works best early game or after you've wrathed field to reset things. She's there to generate momentum to allow you to dominate the board. She's an overall good card. However, it sounds like to me that you're deck is tuned to the point that it has little issue in picking up that momentum without her. With that said, once you start losing, well, there's little Drana can do for you. If your entire deck cannot generate the momentum due to whatever's going on the board, Drana's not really gonna fix that.
In essence, it's not that Drana's bad or you're off base, it's simply that what you need for your deck due to preference and/or meta simply does not require her. IMO, Drana has a small window of opportunity to be really useful but she's so good once she gets going, she CAN make a case for herself. It's really up to the player to say if she's worth it or not.
Just my two cents and experience with her.
BK'rrik Goodstuff
GWSythis Enchantress
URYusri Coin Flip
BRGKorvold Tokens
BGUYarok Lands Matter
WUBRaffine Looter
However, I will agree with Burnished Hart being super clunky. I mean, I'm the mana-hungry artifact deck that sounds like I would want it but I really don't! I also believe that if you have enough 3 drops then you can probably afford to shave a couple mana rocks. Definitely the talismans before the signets in this deck, as many lists have very few 1-drops.
The Unidentified Fantastic Flying Girl.
EDH
Xenagos, the God of Stompy
The Gitrog Monster: Oppressive Value.
Marchesa, Marionette Master - Undying Robots
Yuriko, the Hydra Omnivore
I make dolls as a hobby.
Draft it Here!
UUUBlue Man Group
Legacy:
UWBMiracles
Edh:
UUUThassa Control
WWWHokori Stax
GGGJolrael, Empress of Land Stompy
BBBGriselbrand French List
RBGShattergang(Super Villians)
RWGHazezon Flicker
UBRMarchesa Aggro
URGMaelstom Wanderer (Maelstorm)
Mid-Tier: Marchesa Aggro Rose Asmadi Get Dire Tymna Ikra Woke Women Tiana Aura Angel Ruric Thar SMASH Smasher Kraum Mana Positivity Zur Slides
Filthy Casual: WUBRG Jodah WUBRG WUBRG Fatties WUBRG Gahiji Vigilant Vengeance Ezuri Mysterious Morphs
I play 36 lands, seems like an average amount.
Fair point. I might have to add that my playgroup allows one free mulligan and then vancouver mulligan rules, so you can take 2 mulligans without too much impact on the game.
Good point on the talismans. I might try and play a few games without the 2 talismans and with the 3 signets in again. I like the lifeloss the talismans have but the strong colorfixing might be beter.
On Drana, Liberator of Malakir; I see what you mean, she is kinda overkill if your boardstate is good (having Marchesa in play and not the highest lifetotal) but I like her as a backup plan or when I do not want to attack the player with the highest lifetotal but the biggest threat. So while she might not be the best creature in the deck, for me personally, she's not on the bottom of the list at this point.
Then go all out and put Jokulhaups in there
GEzuriG
WURaffUW
WBAyliBW
GOmnathG
URMizzixRU
Skyship Plunderer definitely does not have Proliferate. Proliferate allows you to choose any number of permanents or players with counters, Skyship Plunderer only allows you to choose target permanent or player.
The problem is really the original spoil. It was spoiled in a different language and apparently was translated incorrectly. Some sites said "target permanent or player", others (including mtgsalvation) said "any number of permanents or players" and had the exact wording of proliferate. Now that we have the english version its pretty clear it is not proliferate but that's where the confusion came from.
I know. I believe the reddit spoiler correctly had it as "target permanent or player" while mtgsalvation had it as Proliferate, which is why I chimed in here yesterday saying it may be a 2/1 Thrummingbird but it may not be and we'd have to wait for the english version. We have the english now, so I am pointing that it officially isn't a 2/1 Thrummingbird.
Well, at least my opponents are answering me properly now. Although one person almost managed to counter a boardwipe from me despite the fact that it was meant to wipe 3 commanders controlled by the same person just because one of those three was mine. He had nothing on board and so literally would lose nothing from it.
Addressing variance in EDH decks is really hard. Especially in ones where there are certain cards that are so much better than everything else you can conceivably put in the list. Two games I drew very poorly and one was where it literally ended on turn 7 because I had double Marionette Master with Ravager loop on Baleful Strix withSpellskite and a Rhystic Study on board.
I could try and lower my curve further, but I feel like half of my games I need an All is Dust because of the heavy enchantment use in my meta. I can't go aggro because defensive playstyles buffered by lifegain is very popular to the extent that it feels almost futile to do damage with medium-sized creatures. I guess this is why I resort to combo-like finishes and one-two punches now.
The Unidentified Fantastic Flying Girl.
EDH
Xenagos, the God of Stompy
The Gitrog Monster: Oppressive Value.
Marchesa, Marionette Master - Undying Robots
Yuriko, the Hydra Omnivore
I make dolls as a hobby.
Let's see what I have for tutors and drawpower. This list is for my planned AER list and doesn't include other CA sources such as Treasure Keeper.
Unconditional Tutors: Demonic Tutor, Diabolic Intent
Artifact Tutors that can get draw sources: Trinket Mage, Inventors' Fair, Fabricate, Sphinx Summoner, Tezzeret the Seeker, Whir of Invention.
Non-artifact draw sources: Grim Haruspex, Rhystic Study, Disciple of Bolas.
Artifact draw sources: Skullclamp, Trading Post, Combustible Gearhulk.
Artifact cantrips: Baleful Strix, Solemn Simulacrum, Scarecrone
The Unidentified Fantastic Flying Girl.
EDH
Xenagos, the God of Stompy
The Gitrog Monster: Oppressive Value.
Marchesa, Marionette Master - Undying Robots
Yuriko, the Hydra Omnivore
I make dolls as a hobby.
Bet robots made out like a bandit this block huh. This block seems awesome, we got 3 awesome looking cards out of it and you get those plus you can cash in on any good improvise cards and artifact cards. I'm surprised you're counting Combustible Gearhulk in card draw, do people actually let you draw 3 cards off his ability? Unless you had the luxury of targetting someone with about 10 or less health my group would never let me draw cards with him, they'd just soak up the damage.
Side note: love that you also have a valuetown The Gitrog Monster deck @PlushPenguin, me too. Gitrog and marchesa are my two favorite decks these days. I'm going to have to poke through your decks when I have some time. Want to compare to my gitrog deck and I like your robots-y marchesa. I always liked the artifact build and with this big focus recently on artifacts and artificers its tempting. Plus its always fun to mix things up periodically.
RE: Combustible Gearhulk: If you're only ever going to get one trigger off and people are at high life totals, they're going to take the damage. However, psychology plays a big factor into this card. If you can repeatedly trigger it, you target the same person, and that person will figure it out pretty quickly. He or she isn't going to be inclined to take so much damage for the team just to prevent you from drawing, especially if they're not actually in a good position. They'll let you draw and expect you to burn those cards on the players who are in a good position. Also, sometimes when they do opt to take the damage, it'll be enough that it causes them to eventually lose the game and the next time they run into that scenario, they are going to very clearly remember that time they ate 10 damage and think about giving you the cards.
The Unidentified Fantastic Flying Girl.
EDH
Xenagos, the God of Stompy
The Gitrog Monster: Oppressive Value.
Marchesa, Marionette Master - Undying Robots
Yuriko, the Hydra Omnivore
I make dolls as a hobby.