Oh god. This one might not be a creature, but it's just amazing.
Don't care about Infect. Don't care about Experience Counters. Don't care about Energy counters in AEtherworks Marvel and the like.
If at first I'd thought tentatively about Glacial Chasm as a plan B, now it seems just bonkers. This card also just screams for Phyrexian Unlife.
There currently aren't any Persist / Undying shenanigans in my meta, or almost any, so that potential downside is not huge.
However, I do value As Foretold more than I do this card in Ephara, so I probably won't be slotting it in here, but damn if it isn't tempting.
It certainly is a cool design space. I'd be a lot more interested in it if it were a bear. It has some applications I am sure we have not thought of yet too.
Well, if that isn't an autoinclude I don't know what is. Repeatable blink effect on a flying body at 4 mana? And we can use it to tuck our creatures? That thing is almost tailor made for us.
There are just a ton of filthy things you can do with this. The oblivion ring shenanigans with leonin relic-warder, fiend hunter, spell queller, etc., are ridiculous. Tucking your Elesh norn in response to a Wrath, protecting an online Ephara from removal/theft, etc.
The recurring of Gilded Drake is probably the most oppressive thing you can do, which you could obviously do with Mistmeadow witch before, but 3 mana is a LOT less than 4 and the ability to hide stuff until the angel is removed is good also.
I'm unreasonably excited about this card. Pretty sure it'll replace Faerie Artisans in my deck.
If anyone is looking for more consistency, this card is a pretty good pick.
ETB searches for a planeswalker, so you can pick Venser to blink for another ETB and start searching for your other PWs.
Also lets you pretty much ignore swarms attacking your planeswalkers.
And to top it off it's tutorable with Thalia's Lancers.
The only thing missing is where the PW you search for goes to (I'm assuming hand but it could be top of library). With our card draw it still shouldn't be a problem.
EDIT: updated image. But now the symbol shows common, so it might be fake?
It goes to hand (per the spoiler) and I think that's pretty strong. The CMC is one higher than I'd like to fit in my deck but I might still play it. The whole get venser, blink him and get another PW is pretty strong.
I'd probably add another walker if playing this fella, as Venser+Elspeth is probably one short of enough targets. I wish there was a white walker that killed artifacts/enchantments.
A flash flyer with a good body and a relevant cycling ability feels really nice. It's a shame we don't run more yard-to-hand recycling, but I think this is definitely worthy of consideration.
This is practically a stifle hatebear, and it's perfect.
I also feel like since we have so much bounce effects we can focus on recurring effects like Emeria and Sun Titan, then bounce to our hand.
The only thing that's starting to bum me out is that we are getting higher counts of 1 toughness guys. I can totally see Toxic Deluge or Pyrohemia and the like for 1, and us being the only one it affects.
It's definitely a concern. Sword of Light and Shadow is really, really good with that card so that's something. Repeated stifling is good.
My general thinking is to just not worry too much about the whole sweeper thing, any sweeper is pretty rough for us but not that bad because we drew a card off most of our critters.
For this particular critter I think it'll be stifling things more often than not so less of a worry.
Hey, working on sort of a token Ephara (wanted to try a few other options) and I came across Not Forgotten.
Now, the first thing I stared with was man I wish this was an instant, but looking beyond that you can use it on yourself to put an important card to topdeck and it makes a token that will draw you into that card (because Ephara). I was looking at it when I realized wow that would be powerful to put a counterspell, Cyclonic Rift, any cheap disruption tool back on top of deck and draw it again. I realize that it might not be the most exciting find in the world.... but it is recover any card to hand for 2 mana so long as you are ok with not drawing it to recast it right this second.
I thought I would share I guess. It obviously works better with instant speed / flash cards given that we wont draw it until the next turn. Still, Ephara is probably one of the only commanders out there that maybe even would consider this card.
Jumping back to Nimble Obstructionist, I think its a near hit but since it does not ETB that stifle, I think ultimately its a little weak. This deck should run enough draw that the extra cost of the stifle does not make it worthwhile. You are probably better off playing Disallow. Its really unfortunate as I was really excited for a moment until I realized that it only procs on its cycle.
Hey, working on sort of a token Ephara (wanted to try a few other options) and I came across Not Forgotten.
Now, the first thing I stared with was man I wish this was an instant, but looking beyond that you can use it on yourself to put an important card to topdeck and it makes a token that will draw you into that card (because Ephara). I was looking at it when I realized wow that would be powerful to put a counterspell, Cyclonic Rift, any cheap disruption tool back on top of deck and draw it again. I realize that it might not be the most exciting find in the world.... but it is recover any card to hand for 2 mana so long as you are ok with not drawing it to recast it right this second.
I thought I would share I guess. It obviously works better with instant speed / flash cards given that we wont draw it until the next turn. Still, Ephara is probably one of the only commanders out there that maybe even would consider this card.
Jumping back to Nimble Obstructionist, I think its a near hit but since it does not ETB that stifle, I think ultimately its a little weak. This deck should run enough draw that the extra cost of the stifle does not make it worthwhile. You are probably better off playing Disallow. Its really unfortunate as I was really excited for a moment until I realized that it only procs on its cycle.
That's actually some pretty nice tech. You can transmute for it with muddle too which is pretty flexible. I think in a spell heavier build it could be good. Deceptively strong and flexible.
I think I'm with you on nimble obstructionist. I wish it ETB stifled for sure. I am not likely to try it out immediately.
The interaction with Sword of light and shadow might be enough though, if you really want that effect. Can't really do that with Disallow.
That's actually some pretty nice tech. You can transmute for it with muddle too which is pretty flexible. I think in a spell heavier build it could be good. Deceptively strong and flexible.
I think I'm with you on nimble obstructionist. I wish it ETB stifled for sure. I am not likely to try it out immediately.
The interaction with Sword of light and shadow might be enough though, if you really want that effect. Can't really do that with Disallow.
Not Forgotten - thats fair. I am looking at a spellslinger based token build so it makes a little more sense. I think a list with heavier flash focus could also make use of it. Things like Leyline of Anticipation, Veldelken Orrery, and Teferi could all go to making it be a bit stronger as well.
Nimble Obstructionist yea, but you are trying to justify the card with a single card in the deck that is not your commander. I think thats niche enough that its not something I would really factor in to how good the card is. I think you are reaching in trying to justify it. If that effect was something you had on multiple instances of the deck I could see it but I dont really see it interacting with much in the deck as it stands.
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I have officially moved to MTGNexus. I just wanted to let people know as my response time to salvation decks being bumped is very hit or miss.
You're probably right. I think if there was more to-hand reanimation it would be a playable card, but weirdly white does not have a lot of that that's playable. 3 mana is also fairly expensive.
It's a shame there isn't enough to put together a cycling deck. Astral Slide is really good with Ephara
I was thinking of making a deck with a bunch of clones to clone it
Ultimately, I think its cool, I wouldn't really design a deck around a card in the 99 though. We also dont really have means to tutor for it so its kind of awkward to try to design for. I like the card a lot especially for commanders who have built in lifegain and or natural affinity for gaining life.
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I have officially moved to MTGNexus. I just wanted to let people know as my response time to salvation decks being bumped is very hit or miss.
ETB you become the monarch. Drawing an extra 1 at EOT is pretty cool.
ETB exiles a creature. We can blink/bounce it all we like and exile more creatures.
The creature comes back only when an opponent becomes the monarch. That means the Jailer can die and we don't care much - we only care about getting hit.
So this can be a devastating board wipe if used correctly - but only if we can protect ourselves from combat damage. As soon as we let 1 damage through the opponent can get their Avacyn, Angel of Hope back.
However, if we can keep blinking the Jailer, we can keep becoming the monarch on their turns after they hit us, negating the monarch card draw for them.
I'm not sold on this card here because even though my deck can be pillow-forty, it isn't always so, and providing incentive for our opponents to see who can hit us first isn't really a good idea.
But if we can sustain monarchy, this can be backbreaking. This card is a one man army in 1v1 EDH and I've started seeing it mentioned in multiplayer as well.
Monarch is a mechanic that works a lot better in decks that have combat capabilities but lack draw. My concern with running Monarch in Ephara is that we already have draw so you might be giving away draw to someone else.
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I have officially moved to MTGNexus. I just wanted to let people know as my response time to salvation decks being bumped is very hit or miss.
Oh god. This one might not be a creature, but it's just amazing.
Don't care about Infect. Don't care about Experience Counters. Don't care about Energy counters in AEtherworks Marvel and the like.
If at first I'd thought tentatively about Glacial Chasm as a plan B, now it seems just bonkers. This card also just screams for Phyrexian Unlife.
There currently aren't any Persist / Undying shenanigans in my meta, or almost any, so that potential downside is not huge.
However, I do value As Foretold more than I do this card in Ephara, so I probably won't be slotting it in here, but damn if it isn't tempting.
UW Ephara Hatebears [Primer], GB Gitrog Lands, BRU Inalla Combo-Control, URG Maelstrom Wanderer Landfall
New spoiler:
http://www.mtgsalvation.com/cards/hour-of-devastation/28951-angel-of-condemnation
Well, if that isn't an autoinclude I don't know what is. Repeatable blink effect on a flying body at 4 mana? And we can use it to tuck our creatures? That thing is almost tailor made for us.
UW Ephara Hatebears [Primer], GB Gitrog Lands, BRU Inalla Combo-Control, URG Maelstrom Wanderer Landfall
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[Modern] Allies
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[Modern] Allies
The recurring of Gilded Drake is probably the most oppressive thing you can do, which you could obviously do with Mistmeadow witch before, but 3 mana is a LOT less than 4 and the ability to hide stuff until the angel is removed is good also.
I'm unreasonably excited about this card. Pretty sure it'll replace Faerie Artisans in my deck.
UW Ephara Hatebears [Primer], GB Gitrog Lands, BRU Inalla Combo-Control, URG Maelstrom Wanderer Landfall
If anyone is looking for more consistency, this card is a pretty good pick.
ETB searches for a planeswalker, so you can pick Venser to blink for another ETB and start searching for your other PWs.
Also lets you pretty much ignore swarms attacking your planeswalkers.
And to top it off it's tutorable with Thalia's Lancers.
The only thing missing is where the PW you search for goes to (I'm assuming hand but it could be top of library). With our card draw it still shouldn't be a problem.
EDIT: updated image. But now the symbol shows common, so it might be fake?
I'd probably add another walker if playing this fella, as Venser+Elspeth is probably one short of enough targets. I wish there was a white walker that killed artifacts/enchantments.
UW Ephara Hatebears [Primer], GB Gitrog Lands, BRU Inalla Combo-Control, URG Maelstrom Wanderer Landfall
UW Ephara Hatebears [Primer], GB Gitrog Lands, BRU Inalla Combo-Control, URG Maelstrom Wanderer Landfall
http://www.mtgsalvation.com/cards/hour-of-devastation/28976-nimble-obstructionist
A flash flyer with a good body and a relevant cycling ability feels really nice. It's a shame we don't run more yard-to-hand recycling, but I think this is definitely worthy of consideration.
UW Ephara Hatebears [Primer], GB Gitrog Lands, BRU Inalla Combo-Control, URG Maelstrom Wanderer Landfall
I also feel like since we have so much bounce effects we can focus on recurring effects like Emeria and Sun Titan, then bounce to our hand.
The only thing that's starting to bum me out is that we are getting higher counts of 1 toughness guys. I can totally see Toxic Deluge or Pyrohemia and the like for 1, and us being the only one it affects.
My general thinking is to just not worry too much about the whole sweeper thing, any sweeper is pretty rough for us but not that bad because we drew a card off most of our critters.
For this particular critter I think it'll be stifling things more often than not so less of a worry.
UW Ephara Hatebears [Primer], GB Gitrog Lands, BRU Inalla Combo-Control, URG Maelstrom Wanderer Landfall
Now, the first thing I stared with was man I wish this was an instant, but looking beyond that you can use it on yourself to put an important card to topdeck and it makes a token that will draw you into that card (because Ephara). I was looking at it when I realized wow that would be powerful to put a counterspell, Cyclonic Rift, any cheap disruption tool back on top of deck and draw it again. I realize that it might not be the most exciting find in the world.... but it is recover any card to hand for 2 mana so long as you are ok with not drawing it to recast it right this second.
I thought I would share I guess. It obviously works better with instant speed / flash cards given that we wont draw it until the next turn. Still, Ephara is probably one of the only commanders out there that maybe even would consider this card.
Jumping back to Nimble Obstructionist, I think its a near hit but since it does not ETB that stifle, I think ultimately its a little weak. This deck should run enough draw that the extra cost of the stifle does not make it worthwhile. You are probably better off playing Disallow. Its really unfortunate as I was really excited for a moment until I realized that it only procs on its cycle.
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[Modern] Allies
That's actually some pretty nice tech. You can transmute for it with muddle too which is pretty flexible. I think in a spell heavier build it could be good. Deceptively strong and flexible.
I think I'm with you on nimble obstructionist. I wish it ETB stifled for sure. I am not likely to try it out immediately.
The interaction with Sword of light and shadow might be enough though, if you really want that effect. Can't really do that with Disallow.
UW Ephara Hatebears [Primer], GB Gitrog Lands, BRU Inalla Combo-Control, URG Maelstrom Wanderer Landfall
Not Forgotten - thats fair. I am looking at a spellslinger based token build so it makes a little more sense. I think a list with heavier flash focus could also make use of it. Things like Leyline of Anticipation, Veldelken Orrery, and Teferi could all go to making it be a bit stronger as well.
Nimble Obstructionist yea, but you are trying to justify the card with a single card in the deck that is not your commander. I think thats niche enough that its not something I would really factor in to how good the card is. I think you are reaching in trying to justify it. If that effect was something you had on multiple instances of the deck I could see it but I dont really see it interacting with much in the deck as it stands.
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[Modern] Allies
It's a shame there isn't enough to put together a cycling deck. Astral Slide is really good with Ephara
UW Ephara Hatebears [Primer], GB Gitrog Lands, BRU Inalla Combo-Control, URG Maelstrom Wanderer Landfall
I hope I'm not the only one to consider a lifegain suite for this. Essence Warden, Angelic Accord - though more conditional, Sun Droplet, maybe shattered angel, etc.
Seems like a potential deck in the making
I was thinking of making a deck with a bunch of clones to clone it
Ultimately, I think its cool, I wouldn't really design a deck around a card in the 99 though. We also dont really have means to tutor for it so its kind of awkward to try to design for. I like the card a lot especially for commanders who have built in lifegain and or natural affinity for gaining life.
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[Modern] Allies
http://www.mtgsalvation.com/forums/the-game/commander-edh/multiplayer-commander-decklists/779448-ephara-spellslinger-tokens
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[Modern] Allies
If the hybrid mana rule ever changes I'm likely to go that route but with more artifacts.
UW Ephara Hatebears [Primer], GB Gitrog Lands, BRU Inalla Combo-Control, URG Maelstrom Wanderer Landfall
Palace Jailer
ETB you become the monarch. Drawing an extra 1 at EOT is pretty cool.
ETB exiles a creature. We can blink/bounce it all we like and exile more creatures.
The creature comes back only when an opponent becomes the monarch. That means the Jailer can die and we don't care much - we only care about getting hit.
So this can be a devastating board wipe if used correctly - but only if we can protect ourselves from combat damage. As soon as we let 1 damage through the opponent can get their Avacyn, Angel of Hope back.
However, if we can keep blinking the Jailer, we can keep becoming the monarch on their turns after they hit us, negating the monarch card draw for them.
I'm not sold on this card here because even though my deck can be pillow-forty, it isn't always so, and providing incentive for our opponents to see who can hit us first isn't really a good idea.
But if we can sustain monarchy, this can be backbreaking. This card is a one man army in 1v1 EDH and I've started seeing it mentioned in multiplayer as well.
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[Modern] Allies