Made some more tweaks to my decklist. I think to be taken seriously, we must have answers to Rest in Peace and Leyline of the Void. Currently the only answers in the decklist on the main page of this primer are Cyclonic Rift and Nullmage Shepherd (the latter of which already requires a strong board presence).
As such, we need efficient removal for the aforementioned graveyard hate. Some cards that I think need to be considered:
Journey to Eternity: Very good when it turns on. But again, that's a total of 8 mana to resurrect one creature, and unless we have an immediate sac outlet makes our creature a prime target of Swords to Plowshares and the like.
I really appeciate everyone’s findings on playing with Sidisi in more competitive environments. I will definitely sit down and assess everyone’s findings. I’m just about returning from vacation, so once I get all of that work out of the way upon my return, I’ll be able to sit down and really work on this deck. I haven’t even have time yet to evaluate the C18 cards (or even which deck(s) to buy, for that matter), but I hope to be able to do all of that soon, too.
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Regarding the Eldrazi titans, I'll throw in my vote to keep them in. Thematically, I've enjoyed building SBT in a way such to best live out the vorthos of a necromancer summoning an overwhelming horde of zombies. Having a shuffle effect lets me create infinite zombies via Aphetto Alchemist and Mesmeric Orb (the latter of which is a great card regardless, and the former of which often still provides ramp). The deck would certainly be objectionably strong if we included Laboratory Maniac combo and/or other common cEDH staple combos, but I've purposely built the deck in a way such that the only infinite combo I have is Mesmeric Orb and Aphetto Alchmist. The other cards I have previously suggested are to primarily to improve (1) consistency and (2) ways to combat graveyard hate so we aren't just sitting at the table with literally nothing in our deck to answer a Rest in Peace
If you don't ever see a Rest in Peace or Leyline of the Void, that's great. But together they do make up about ten thousand decks (according to edhrec). So it's not like you're going to see it all the time, but it's not never. From my own experience, I have come across some Brago, King Eternal lists that play Rest in Peace. Personally, I can't deal with not having any answers to it, so I added some. Even if your opponents aren't playing RiP, there's a good chance you're able to find some key artifact or enchantment you'd like to take out.
Also, I do think we should run the "big-bag-of-tutors." Why not? Currently I've added Demonic Tutor, Diabolic Intent, Vampiric Tutor, Worldly Tutor, and Muddle the Mixture. I've also added additional graveyard recursion in the form of Regrowth and Academy Ruins. I agree that the Aphetto Alchemist combo is slower than other combos we can add, but it's the combo I've chosen to go for. Perhaps it has just become a pet combo of mine.
Sorry for the delay but here's my review on Commander 2018:
Arixmethes, Slumbering Isle - A 12/12 for 4 that taps for GU. It has no evasion but it's mana producing ability is still relevant in the early game especially with untappers.
Entreat the Dead - An epic reanimator spell if you have the mana for it (which is very easy to accomplish with this deck). Amazing if you miracle this in the mid to late game. Definitely worth testing.
Turntimber Sower - Definitely worth a slot. Not just because of the fetchlands, but self-milling lands also triggers it. Additionally, it has a built-in sacrifice outlet which also returns lands to the battlefield. Both abilities are relevent on a great body (3/3 for 3) and it has relevant creature types if you want to have a tribal subtheme.
I have yet to consider all the opinions and findings done by other players to make Sidisi even more efficient. I would like to also test Turntimber Sower as soon as possible (and maybe Entreat the Dead). I have some ideas on what to cut and swap in order to test these changes. Hopefully I'll be able to do so in the upcoming weekend - even if just on Cockatrice.
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What I'm already disliking about these changes (in theory, at least) is that I'm swapping out 4 cards that are 2 CMC (except for one of them) for 4 cards with 5 CMC. This will significantly increase the average CMC of the deck. That being said, I am swapping out 3 noncreature spells for 3 creatures which is always good with Sidisi, Brood Tyrant.
Again, the purpose of the deck isn't reanimation but since I'm adding creatures that "reanimate" then it can't hurt to test them. The Gitrog Monster is always a card that I've wanted to test so I might as well. Living Death is a card that I am wary of given how it might help opponents. I don't want to draw it when an opponent has a better graveyard than me yet I don't want it to be in my graveyard when I do want to draw it.
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Made a couple additional changes to my decklist that I think are solid:
Bloom Tender: At worst, it taps for 1 and lets us cast our commander on T3. At best, it taps for 3 mana. Either way, good deal. This replaced Liliana, Death's Majesty. Lili was fun and flavorful, but was often a 5 mana Animate Dead. If you want to go that route there are better reanimator spells.
Phyrexian Tower: In my current list, I took out Altar of Dementia to make room for other cards. But, having an instant speed sac outlet is nice. Having that sac outlet on a land that can ramp us is even better. I do think there is an argument for running Altar, but if you take it out like I have Phyrexian Tower is a nice replacement.
@Artaud:
I even have a Phenax multiplayer EDH deck so I’m super ashamed to not have considered him for Sidisi. I don’t know if I can call it a strict replacement for Altar of Dementia, though. Phenax is a creature card so it triggers Sidisi and is easier to reanimate in this deck than Altar of Dementia. However, the altar just costs 2, is tutorable with Tezzeret the Seeker, isn’t that difficult to recover from the graveyard, and can allow some death hijinxes at instant speed and for free. That being said, combing Phenax with Seedborn Muse is even more broken. Phenax also helps tap down creatures for Mesmeric Orb. Also, if I meet the devotion, it’s an amazing blocker and miller. I should definitely try to test this. Thanks for the suggestion!
@arcane trouper:
Those suggestions seem solid but I don’t really run that many mana dorks/rocks in the deck. I’m not against it since they can speed up the deck and are good at any point in the deck, but I personally don’t find them all that impacting. However, I would be at a loss as to what to cut for them. I’m usually cheating creatures into play or producing a ton of mana with utility lands.
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@DementedKirby
Fair enough. Although I do think you should be cautious of relying on Gaea's Cradle and much. It produces tons of mana by itself, but it is still only 1 card in 99, and finding it and having it--even with tutors--and having it stick around is not always assured.
Aren't Narcomoebas creatures from Iquatana and not Ravnica?
Underrealm Lich is definitely worth considering. It's even more gravitating towards the Zombie Build but I'm still also considering it for the Main Build.
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Can I just say, the quality of your primer is ridiculously good. Might try and build a deck like this
Thanks! Welcome to the forums!
Another change I'm considering for the Main Build is swapping out Voyaging Satyr for Turntimber Sower. I feel like I have enough ways to untap lands. Even though Voyaging Satyr is great in any point of the game, I want to test out Turntimber Sower and there really wasn't any other cut to consider. The 0/1 plant tokens aren't even that relevant as chump blockers because 2/2 zombies do it much better and the deck excels at making them. However, I still get creature value for self-milling and its second ability is incredibly relevant. It functions as some epic ramp from the graveyard. This combined with the fact that I added fetchlands to the deck makes it all the more worth while to run. Here's the current decklist I'm testing (including the previous changes I had mentioned earlier in the thread). The changes have increased the average CMC to 4.11 which isn't so horrible for a midrange deck.
My YouTube Channel: The Commander Tavern - a channel I just started where I'll post deck techs and gameplays. Please support by checking it out. Maybe you'll like its content and subscribe! Thanks!
My YouTube Channel: The Commander Tavern - a channel I just started where I'll post deck techs and gameplays. Please support by checking it out. Maybe you'll like its content and subscribe! Thanks!
My YouTube Channel: The Commander Tavern - a channel I just started where I'll post deck techs and gameplays. Please support by checking it out. Maybe you'll like its content and subscribe! Thanks!
This deck is getting an embarrassment of riches from Guilds, but from what I can see the best ones cost 5 or more mana, and you were just getting antsy a page or two ago about increasing the mana cost of the deck. Underrealm Lich and Doom Whisperer in particular seem like powerhouses. Would they be considered an upgrade or a sidegrade to something like Taigam, Sidisi's Hand?
Two of the others don't strike me as being good enough: Glowspore Shaman is essentially a worse Stitcher's Supplier here, on top of a recursion effect that's actively working against the deck's goal; and Golgari Findbroker seems overcosted. Wouldn't Den Protector play its role better?
Side question: Why no interest in Molderhulk? It's primarily undercosted fat a la Ghoultree, which is not particularly interesting for this deck. But its value comes from being an undercosted beater that returns your Cradle to play
Bonus question: What do you think of Ertai's Familiar? Hidden gem or not worth trying?
This deck is getting an embarrassment of riches from Guilds, but from what I can see the best ones cost 5 or more mana, and you were just getting antsy a page or two ago about increasing the mana cost of the deck. Underrealm Lich and Doom Whisperer in particular seem like powerhouses. Would they be considered an upgrade or a sidegrade to something like Taigam, Sidisi's Hand?
Two of the others don't strike me as being good enough: Glowspore Shaman is essentially a worse Stitcher's Supplier here, with a recursion effect that doesn't particularly benefit the deck or help its goal; and Golgari Findbroker seems overcosted. Wouldn't Den Protector play its role better?
Side question: Why no interest in Molderhulk? It's primarily undercosted fat a la Ghoultree, which is not particularly interesting for this deck. But its value comes from being an undercosted beater that also returns your Cradle to play
Bonus question: What do you think of Ertai's Familiar? Hidden gem or not worth trying?
This deck is getting an embarrassment of riches from Guilds, but from what I can see the best ones cost 5 or more mana, and you were just getting antsy a page or two ago about increasing the mana cost of the deck. Underrealm Lich and Doom Whisperer in particular seem like powerhouses. Would they be considered an upgrade or a sidegrade to something like Taigam, Sidisi's Hand?
Two of the others don't strike me as being good enough: Glowspore Shaman is essentially a worse Stitcher's Supplier here, with a recursion effect that doesn't particularly benefit the deck or help its goal; and Golgari Findbroker seems overcosted. Wouldn't Den Protector play its role better?
Side question: Why no interest in Molderhulk? It's primarily undercosted fat a la Ghoultree, which is not particularly interesting for this deck. But its value comes from being an undercosted beater that also returns your Cradle to play
Bonus question: What do you think of Ertai's Familiar? Hidden gem or not worth trying?
Guilds of Ravnica is providing all sorts of goodies to Sidisi even more so in the form of super cheap creatures for the Budget Build. This being because these creatures have the surveil ability which is amazing with Sidisi in play. I will post my comments on the cards from it soon.
Glowspore Shaman isn't so bad as to immediately disregard. If you really need a land from the graveyard, it might set you back a turn, but you're playing cards from the graveyard anyways. As long as you have things in there, it functions as your "second hand".
I'm not considering Molderhulk for my own builds but I have stated in the past that for those who like those kinds of strategies then be my guest. I don't use cards like Kessig Cagebreakers or Ghoultree or Lhurgoyf, etc.
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Doom Whisperer - On it's own a 6/6 flying trampler for 3BB is no joke. Add to that fact by being able to surveil 2 for just 2 life? Definitely going in the deck.
Gruesome Menagerie - A cute card with the possibility of reanimating 3 creatures at once given certain restrictions.
Glowspore Shaman - Not as good as Stitcher's Supplier as far as self-mill per cost is concerned. However, in a pinch can "recover" a land from the graveyard.
Lazav, the Multifarious - Very similar to Body Double, this card can do crazy things given enough mana. Since the ability's cost just requires generic mana, it can be paid with the ridiculous amounts of mana provided by Gaea's Cradle, Cabal Coffers, or Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx. Definitely gonna look for a slot in the deck for it.
Notion Rain - I'm loving surveil for this deck. For the cost and what it does, it can potentially find a slot in the Budget Version.
Underrealm Lich - 100% going in the deck. This creature is ridiculous. You filter your card draw while pitching cards to the graveyard. This speeds up the deck while triggering Sidisi. On top of that, it's an amazing blocker because for some random reason it can gain indestructible. Not gonna complain about that one!
Connive // Concoct - Wanted more for the Concoct part of the card, being able to surveil 3 and then reanimate a creature for just 3UB is nothing to scoff at.
Discovery // Dispersal - Wanted more for the Discovery part of the card, surveil 2 then draw 1 is similar to Preordain but better as far as Sidisi is concerned.
Wand of Vertebrae - A bit slow for the deck, but definitely worth considering for the Budget Version.
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Assassin's Trophy is a great card. I just won't be running it since I want to reduce the amount of non-creature spells in the deck. And freeing up a slot for just one spot removal card is not something I'm likely to do.
I can see how Underrealm Lich would be best swapped in for Taigam, Sidisi's Hand. If both were in play together, they'd nonbo. They have the same converted mana cost and Underrealm Lich's ability is whenever you draw instead of in your draw step. Some might prefer not to always do this. For those, Taigam, Sidisi's Hand is more ideal. However, I've never used Taigam, Sidisi's Hand's second ability and will probably use Underrealm Lich's in a pinch. So it's as good a swap as any.
Cyclonic Rift is no longer cheap as when it was Standard legal. It keeps climbing in price and is thus no longer viable for a Budget Build (even though I have like 30 of them).
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Yea, I probably won't run Assasin's Trophy in my Sidisi deck, for the same reasons you mentioned, but my God it's a beautiful card.
I've never used Taigam's second ability either while Underrealm's second ability may be useful in a pinch, and it being a zombie opens up the possibility of cost reduction with Rooftop Storm & Undead Warchief even though the deck produces enough mana where that generally isn't a problem.
Like you said, it will just come down to which of the first abilities people prefer.
As such, we need efficient removal for the aforementioned graveyard hate. Some cards that I think need to be considered:
Additionally, we just need more interaction in general. As such, some suggestions:
Some of the notable cuts:
My current decklist: http://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/05-04-17-sidisi-brood-tyrant/
BGU [Primer] Sidisi, Brood Tyrant BGU | BG [Primer] Mazirek, Kraul Death Priest BG | G [Primer] Polukranos, World Eater G
My YouTube Channel:
The Commander Tavern - a channel I just started where I'll post deck techs and gameplays. Please support by checking it out. Maybe you'll like its content and subscribe! Thanks!
Also, I do think we should run the "big-bag-of-tutors." Why not? Currently I've added Demonic Tutor, Diabolic Intent, Vampiric Tutor, Worldly Tutor, and Muddle the Mixture. I've also added additional graveyard recursion in the form of Regrowth and Academy Ruins. I agree that the Aphetto Alchemist combo is slower than other combos we can add, but it's the combo I've chosen to go for. Perhaps it has just become a pet combo of mine.
I have yet to consider all the opinions and findings done by other players to make Sidisi even more efficient. I would like to also test Turntimber Sower as soon as possible (and maybe Entreat the Dead). I have some ideas on what to cut and swap in order to test these changes. Hopefully I'll be able to do so in the upcoming weekend - even if just on Cockatrice.
BGU [Primer] Sidisi, Brood Tyrant BGU | BG [Primer] Mazirek, Kraul Death Priest BG | G [Primer] Polukranos, World Eater G
My YouTube Channel:
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3 Journey to Eternity
2 Grisly Salvage
2 Mulch
2 Narcomoeba
5 Living Death
5 Body Double
5 Phyrexian Delver
5 The Gitrog Monster
What I'm already disliking about these changes (in theory, at least) is that I'm swapping out 4 cards that are 2 CMC (except for one of them) for 4 cards with 5 CMC. This will significantly increase the average CMC of the deck. That being said, I am swapping out 3 noncreature spells for 3 creatures which is always good with Sidisi, Brood Tyrant.
Again, the purpose of the deck isn't reanimation but since I'm adding creatures that "reanimate" then it can't hurt to test them. The Gitrog Monster is always a card that I've wanted to test so I might as well. Living Death is a card that I am wary of given how it might help opponents. I don't want to draw it when an opponent has a better graveyard than me yet I don't want it to be in my graveyard when I do want to draw it.
BGU [Primer] Sidisi, Brood Tyrant BGU | BG [Primer] Mazirek, Kraul Death Priest BG | G [Primer] Polukranos, World Eater G
My YouTube Channel:
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An additional note is that I am now hitting a critical mass of mana dorks (Dryad Arbor, Birds of Paradise, Bloom Tender, Deathrite Shaman, Kiora's Follower, Krosan Restorer, Voyaging Satyr) and mana rocks (Chromatic Lantern, Mox Diamond, Sol Ring) that my Aphetto Alchemist is now putting in work a fair amount of the time even when Mesmeric Orb is not out.
I even have a Phenax multiplayer EDH deck so I’m super ashamed to not have considered him for Sidisi. I don’t know if I can call it a strict replacement for Altar of Dementia, though. Phenax is a creature card so it triggers Sidisi and is easier to reanimate in this deck than Altar of Dementia. However, the altar just costs 2, is tutorable with Tezzeret the Seeker, isn’t that difficult to recover from the graveyard, and can allow some death hijinxes at instant speed and for free. That being said, combing Phenax with Seedborn Muse is even more broken. Phenax also helps tap down creatures for Mesmeric Orb. Also, if I meet the devotion, it’s an amazing blocker and miller. I should definitely try to test this. Thanks for the suggestion!
@arcane trouper:
Those suggestions seem solid but I don’t really run that many mana dorks/rocks in the deck. I’m not against it since they can speed up the deck and are good at any point in the deck, but I personally don’t find them all that impacting. However, I would be at a loss as to what to cut for them. I’m usually cheating creatures into play or producing a ton of mana with utility lands.
BGU [Primer] Sidisi, Brood Tyrant BGU | BG [Primer] Mazirek, Kraul Death Priest BG | G [Primer] Polukranos, World Eater G
My YouTube Channel:
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Fair enough. Although I do think you should be cautious of relying on Gaea's Cradle and much. It produces tons of mana by itself, but it is still only 1 card in 99, and finding it and having it--even with tutors--and having it stick around is not always assured.
@Artaud
I have been tinkering with my list still and I think you are correct about not running Protean Hulk. It's a target for Swords to Plowshares and I'm not running any dedicated ways to take advantage of cheating it into play and sacrificing it. Ended up replacing Protean Hulk with Green Sun's Zenith. So many great creatures are green: Dryad Arbor, Birds of Paradise, Kiora's Follower, Reclamation Sage, Seedborn Muse, and Craterhoof Behemoth to name a few at various points on the curve. It's not hard to find a good target at any point in the game.
Also ended up adding Animate Dead. Reasons for it over other reanimation options are (1) it's a permanent and can be copied by Clever Impersonator or cast from the graveyard by Muldrotha, the Gravetide and (2) it's tutor-able with my recent addition of Muddle the Mixture.
Underrealm Lich jumped out at me as well. Curious to get others take on it. I have a Zombie tribal Sidisi so it definitely has my interest piqued.
Building: Varina
Underrealm Lich is definitely worth considering. It's even more gravitating towards the Zombie Build but I'm still also considering it for the Main Build.
BGU [Primer] Sidisi, Brood Tyrant BGU | BG [Primer] Mazirek, Kraul Death Priest BG | G [Primer] Polukranos, World Eater G
My YouTube Channel:
The Commander Tavern - a channel I just started where I'll post deck techs and gameplays. Please support by checking it out. Maybe you'll like its content and subscribe! Thanks!
Thanks! Welcome to the forums!
Another change I'm considering for the Main Build is swapping out Voyaging Satyr for Turntimber Sower. I feel like I have enough ways to untap lands. Even though Voyaging Satyr is great in any point of the game, I want to test out Turntimber Sower and there really wasn't any other cut to consider. The 0/1 plant tokens aren't even that relevant as chump blockers because 2/2 zombies do it much better and the deck excels at making them. However, I still get creature value for self-milling and its second ability is incredibly relevant. It functions as some epic ramp from the graveyard. This combined with the fact that I added fetchlands to the deck makes it all the more worth while to run. Here's the current decklist I'm testing (including the previous changes I had mentioned earlier in the thread). The changes have increased the average CMC to 4.11 which isn't so horrible for a midrange deck.
4 Sidisi, Brood Tyrant
Artifacts: 7
7 Akroma's Memorial
2 Altar of Dementia
2 Embalmer's Tools
1 Expedition Map
2 Mesmeric Orb
2 Scroll Rack
1 Sol Ring
Creatures: 37
2 Aphetto Alchemist
5 Body Double
4 Clever Impersonator
8 Craterhoof Behemoth
3 Death Baron
3 Diregraf Captain
0 Dryad Arbor
3 Eternal Witness
4 Filth
6 Gempalm Polluter
4 Glen Elendra Archmage
5 Grimgrin, Corpse-Born
4 Gurmag Drowner
5 Havengul Lich
2 Kiora's Follower
10 Kozilek, Butcher of Truth
3 Krosan Restorer
6 Muldrotha, the Gravetide
4 Nullmage Shepherd
5 Phyrexian Delver
8 Razaketh, the Foulblooded
2 Riftsweeper
7 Rune-Scarred Demon
2 Satyr Wayfinder
5 Seedborn Muse
7 Sheoldred, Whispering One
5 Sidisi, Undead Vizier
5 Taigam, Sidisi's Hand
5 The Gitrog Monster
5 The Scarab God
3 Turntimber Sower
11 Ulamog, the Infinite Gyre
4 Undead Alchemist
4 Undead Warchief
5 Vengeful Pharaoh
4 Whisper, Blood Lithurgist
4 World Shaper
5 Doubling Season
3 Growing Rites of Itlimoc
4 Mortuary
4 Opposition
1 Phyrexian Reclamation
2 Survival of the Fittest
Planeswalkers: 3
4 Kiora, Master of the Depths
5 Liliana, Death's Majesty
5 Tezzeret the Seeker
Spells: 10
2 Cyclonic Rift
1 Entomb
4 Fact or Fiction
3 Intuition
4 Sudden Reclamation
3 Buried Alive
5 Final Parting
4 Jarad's Orders
2 Life from the Loam
5 Living Death
Lands: 36
0 Bayou
0 Bloodstained Mire
0 Breeding Pool
0 Cabal Coffers
0 City of Brass
0 Command Tower
0 Deserted Temple
0 Flooded Strand
0 Forest
0 Gaea's Cradle
0 Island
0 Llanowar Wastes
0 Mana Confluence
0 Minamo, School at Water's Edge
0 Misty Rainforest
0 Morphic Pool
0 Opulent Palace
0 Overgrown Tomb
0 Polluted Delta
0 Reflecting Pool
0 Seat of the Synod
0 Sequestered Stash
0 Swamp
0 Thespian's Stage
0 Tolaria West
0 Tree of Tales
0 Tropical Island
0 Underground River
0 Underground Sea
0 Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
0 Vault of Whispers
0 Verdant Catacombs
0 Volrath's Stronghold
0 Watery Grave
0 Windswept Heath
0 Yavimaya Coast
BGU [Primer] Sidisi, Brood Tyrant BGU | BG [Primer] Mazirek, Kraul Death Priest BG | G [Primer] Polukranos, World Eater G
My YouTube Channel:
The Commander Tavern - a channel I just started where I'll post deck techs and gameplays. Please support by checking it out. Maybe you'll like its content and subscribe! Thanks!
You're right. I'll have to check later when I get back from work. Thanks for the heads up!
BGU [Primer] Sidisi, Brood Tyrant BGU | BG [Primer] Mazirek, Kraul Death Priest BG | G [Primer] Polukranos, World Eater G
My YouTube Channel:
The Commander Tavern - a channel I just started where I'll post deck techs and gameplays. Please support by checking it out. Maybe you'll like its content and subscribe! Thanks!
BGU [Primer] Sidisi, Brood Tyrant BGU | BG [Primer] Mazirek, Kraul Death Priest BG | G [Primer] Polukranos, World Eater G
My YouTube Channel:
The Commander Tavern - a channel I just started where I'll post deck techs and gameplays. Please support by checking it out. Maybe you'll like its content and subscribe! Thanks!
Two of the others don't strike me as being good enough: Glowspore Shaman is essentially a worse Stitcher's Supplier here, on top of a recursion effect that's actively working against the deck's goal; and Golgari Findbroker seems overcosted. Wouldn't Den Protector play its role better?
Side question: Why no interest in Molderhulk? It's primarily undercosted fat a la Ghoultree, which is not particularly interesting for this deck. But its value comes from being an undercosted beater that returns your Cradle to play
Bonus question: What do you think of Ertai's Familiar? Hidden gem or not worth trying?
My Cube (DeckStats)
My Pauper Cube: 540 (CubeTutor link!)
Level 1 Judge
Two of the others don't strike me as being good enough: Glowspore Shaman is essentially a worse Stitcher's Supplier here, with a recursion effect that doesn't particularly benefit the deck or help its goal; and Golgari Findbroker seems overcosted. Wouldn't Den Protector play its role better?
Side question: Why no interest in Molderhulk? It's primarily undercosted fat a la Ghoultree, which is not particularly interesting for this deck. But its value comes from being an undercosted beater that also returns your Cradle to play
Bonus question: What do you think of Ertai's Familiar? Hidden gem or not worth trying?
My Cube (DeckStats)
My Pauper Cube: 540 (CubeTutor link!)
Level 1 Judge
Building: Varina
Guilds of Ravnica is providing all sorts of goodies to Sidisi even more so in the form of super cheap creatures for the Budget Build. This being because these creatures have the surveil ability which is amazing with Sidisi in play. I will post my comments on the cards from it soon.
Underrealm Lich and Doom Whisperer will definitely find a place in the deck. Will they replace Taigam, Sidisi's Hand? Not likely.
Glowspore Shaman isn't so bad as to immediately disregard. If you really need a land from the graveyard, it might set you back a turn, but you're playing cards from the graveyard anyways. As long as you have things in there, it functions as your "second hand".
I'm not considering Molderhulk for my own builds but I have stated in the past that for those who like those kinds of strategies then be my guest. I don't use cards like Kessig Cagebreakers or Ghoultree or Lhurgoyf, etc.
Ertai's Familiar is just too slow.
BGU [Primer] Sidisi, Brood Tyrant BGU | BG [Primer] Mazirek, Kraul Death Priest BG | G [Primer] Polukranos, World Eater G
My YouTube Channel:
The Commander Tavern - a channel I just started where I'll post deck techs and gameplays. Please support by checking it out. Maybe you'll like its content and subscribe! Thanks!
BGU [Primer] Sidisi, Brood Tyrant BGU | BG [Primer] Mazirek, Kraul Death Priest BG | G [Primer] Polukranos, World Eater G
My YouTube Channel:
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Have I mentioned I'm in love with Assasin's Trophy ?
Building: Varina
I can see how Underrealm Lich would be best swapped in for Taigam, Sidisi's Hand. If both were in play together, they'd nonbo. They have the same converted mana cost and Underrealm Lich's ability is whenever you draw instead of in your draw step. Some might prefer not to always do this. For those, Taigam, Sidisi's Hand is more ideal. However, I've never used Taigam, Sidisi's Hand's second ability and will probably use Underrealm Lich's in a pinch. So it's as good a swap as any.
Here are the potential swaps I might test:
5 Doom Whisperer
2 Lazav, the Multifarious
5 Underrealm Lich
4 Sudden Reclamation
5 Body Double
5 Taigam, Sidisi's Hand
5 Final Parting
3 Dimir Informant
2 Cyclonic Rift
5 Palace Siege
Cyclonic Rift is no longer cheap as when it was Standard legal. It keeps climbing in price and is thus no longer viable for a Budget Build (even though I have like 30 of them).
BGU [Primer] Sidisi, Brood Tyrant BGU | BG [Primer] Mazirek, Kraul Death Priest BG | G [Primer] Polukranos, World Eater G
My YouTube Channel:
The Commander Tavern - a channel I just started where I'll post deck techs and gameplays. Please support by checking it out. Maybe you'll like its content and subscribe! Thanks!
I've never used Taigam's second ability either while Underrealm's second ability may be useful in a pinch, and it being a zombie opens up the possibility of cost reduction with Rooftop Storm & Undead Warchief even though the deck produces enough mana where that generally isn't a problem.
Like you said, it will just come down to which of the first abilities people prefer.
What are your thoughts on Lazav, the Multifarious for the Zombie build?
Building: Varina