Here's what I'm thinking. Tutors left out because they're slightly unfun. Survival of the Fittest left out cause it's too spikey
It looks solid! I do highly recommend finding a spot for Evolutionary Leap in your mainboard, but I'm a completely biased fangirl for the card.
I physically put the deck together, and swapped around some of the mainboard and maybeboard cards. I switched out cards like Sepulchral Primordial that I've played with in similar decks before and know I enjoy, and swapped around cards to include things like Lightning Greaves for better utility. I'm also switching Wood Elves for Farhaven Elf. Until I can get more dual lands with multiple basic land types, I think that searching for basics will be better for me in the long run.
There's still a lot of stuff to test and play around with, but I'm happy with this as a starting point. Everything that got removed was put back in to the maybeboard.
Here's what I'm thinking. Tutors left out because they're slightly unfun. Survival of the Fittest left out cause it's too spikey
It looks solid! I do highly recommend finding a spot for Evolutionary Leap in your mainboard, but I'm a completely biased fangirl for the card.
I physically put the deck together, and swapped around some of the mainboard and maybeboard cards. I switched out cards like Sepulchral Primordial that I've played with in similar decks before and know I enjoy, and swapped around cards to include things like Lightning Greaves for better utility. I'm also switching Wood Elves for Farhaven Elf. Until I can get more dual lands with multiple basic land types, I think that searching for basics will be better for me in the long run.
There's still a lot of stuff to test and play around with, but I'm happy with this as a starting point. Everything that got removed was put back in to the maybeboard.
I like the changes! I keep forgetting about Lilliana, she's in my old Shattergang deck but i kept forgetting to add her to my list on here and tapped out. I'm not sure how great she is here. She does provide a good flip trigger, making more beaters and sacrifical fodder, can easily be returned to play, and if by any means you pull off her emblem behind some Grave Pact shenanigans, youve got the game in the bag for the most part. It's getting there that worries me Like most slots in this deck, in theory, they will perform wonderfully with the general.
I have been putting together a Meren deck for the last week or two and have been looking through this thread as well as some others for ideas. I thought I would share the list I have come up with. I have been playing it on Cockatrice for the past week or so with some very good results.
Any advice would also be welcome. Most of the cards interact with the commander or each other in one fashion or another.
You don't have any Altars! I would run them for sure: Altar of Dementia, Ashnod's Altar and since your budget seems pretty ok Phyrexian Altar. Otherwise looks like a great start, you have a lot of what I'm looking to obtain for this deck.
Thanks I appreciate you taking the time to look at my deck .I haven't tried using any of the alters yet .I have found that I have had enough other things in the deck to sac creatures too .However I am still open to giving them a try .Any idea what to cut for them?
Decided to put in Sylvan Safekeeper and take out Garruk Relentless, he wasn't doing enough it matches and the safekeeper will help keep Meren alive. Also not sold on the Woodland Bellower, I have had him in my hand a few times and never really thought it was appropriate to cast him. Will likely cut him for something else as well.
I have been putting together a Meren deck for the last week or two and have been looking through this thread as well as some others for ideas. I thought I would share the list I have come up with. I have been playing it on Cockatrice for the past week or so with some very good results.
Any advice would also be welcome. Most of the cards interact with the commander or each other in one fashion or another.
I really like Dark Prophecy. I forgot this card existed! But it seems to be another great draw engine for the deck. It succeeds where Deathreap Ritual fails. Deathreap is a max of 1 card per turn, but doesnt lose you life. Losing life isnt a big deal, just run Gary and Kokushko. This card is hard to cast at BBB, but 2BR is really rough as that's about the CMC where it really hurts to have that tempo loss. I just hate Deathreap at 4CMC. It always would sit in my hand as i had more important cards to cast!
In addition, Sylvan Safekeeper > boots and greaves in this deck, I think. A 1CMC dork that can be returned to hand or play, and a way to protect anyone in your list. I personally value creatures highly in this deck. Bare minimum of 33 at least. You want ample targets to return to hand or play.
I'm currently looking at the following. Crux will be my temporary Damnation until I can trade for one
I like the changes! I keep forgetting about Liliana, she's in my old Shattergang deck but i kept forgetting to add her to my list on here and tapped out. I'm not sure how great she is here. She does provide a good flip trigger, making more beaters and sacrificial fodder, can easily be returned to play, and if by any means you pull off her emblem behind some Grave Pact shenanigans, you've got the game in the bag for the most part. It's getting there that worries me Like most slots in this deck, in theory, they will perform wonderfully with the general.
I adore Liliana, but I honestly only try to fit her in to my decks so hard because I have a foil. I think she's... too slow, however. Just from what I played with her in my Balthor list.
Some card that I think would fit in pretty nice in the Meren deck: Jarad, Golgari Lich Lord sacing Kokusho is a pretty nice overall life drain. Mesmeric Orb and Life From the Loam can work pretty nice since you will mill others and put stuff in your graveyard (adding an eldrazi is pretty decent option here), Filth so that your team can swing through. Catacomb Sifter for scry and Wurmcoil Engine for additional dmg boost
I'm not sure about how I feel about Jarad outside of the command zone. I'll throw him in to the maybe board.
I also don't know that this is a dredge deck. It's pretty dangerous not controlling exactly what goes in to your graveyard, but I am going to put Life from the Loam up for consideration, but I think I'd want something like more fetchlands in my deck, so that I generally have something to reuse with it.
Wurmcoil is a maybe. It occupies the same slot as two other cards (Sepulchral Primordial and Woodland Bellower), so it's going to come down to which effect I like the most.
Decided to put in Sylvan Safekeeper and take out Garruk Relentless, he wasn't doing enough it matches and the safekeeper will help keep Meren alive. Also not sold on the Woodland Bellower, I have had him in my hand a few times and never really thought it was appropriate to cast him. Will likely cut him for something else as well.
It was mentioned by Ghaespar, but Wurmcoild Engine could potentially take it's slot. I'm partial to Sepulchral Primordial my self. I haven't really seen Woodland Bellower enough to decide what to do with it one way or another, but it was extremely useful the only time I've drawn it.
I do like Vampiric Rites in your list though, I'd forgotten about that card.
In addition, Sylvan Safekeeper > boots and greaves in this deck, I think. A 1CMC dork that can be returned to hand or play, and a way to protect anyone in your list. I personally value creatures highly in this deck. Bare minimum of 33 at least. You want ample targets to return to hand or play.
I prefer Greaves/Boots personally, but my playgroup punishes cards like the Safekeeper pretty badly. The only deck I've seen it work super well in was a Titania, Protector of Argoth list. But, I think it's going to be a choice of preference for most people.
I do really like this deck though. I'm considering turning it in to my third primer. I've had a blast playing it.
[quote from="gromgrom »" url="http://www.mtgsalvation.com/forums/the-game/commander-edh/multiplayer-commander-decklists/646091-meren-of-clan-nel-toth-on-revenge-and-reanimation?comment=36"]In addition, Sylvan Safekeeper > boots and greaves in this deck, I think. A 1CMC dork that can be returned to hand or play, and a way to protect anyone in your list. I personally value creatures highly in this deck. Bare minimum of 33 at least. You want ample targets to return to hand or play.
I prefer Greaves/Boots personally, but my playgroup punishes cards like the Safekeeper pretty badly. The only deck I've seen it work super well in was a Titania, Protector of Argoth list. But, I think it's going to be a choice of preference for most people.
I do really like this deck though. I'm considering turning it in to my third primer. I've had a blast playing it.
I figure, in my list with all of the etb/ltb effects fetching lands, it would pay for itself pretty easily. I wish it was "Sacrifice another creature" instead, though I'll try Greaves/Boots out first, and then pick up safekeeper in case they dont work.
Krosan Tusker is fun here if you dont want to reanimate it. 2G to fetch a basic and cantrip isnt bad.
Thanks I am going to try out Wurmcoil Engine in Woodland Bellower's place. I think the life gain and the fact that it generates tokens will help give Meren additional experience counters.
I haven't had much practise using Sylvan Safekeeper yet, but I still feel as though she is better than the boots. This is because she only costs 1 green and can be brought back repeatedly by Meren.
Vampiric Rites has been great for saccing creatures when needed and for the extra card draw.
Bringing back up Mindslicer you mentioned in your OP and Maybeboard. Do you think it has room in here given its low cost and huge effect? Putting your opponents in topdeck mode seems incredible, and I cant believe I overlooked it. I've been on the receiving end of the card enough playing combo decks and it's DEVASTATING.
Bringing back up Mindslicer you mentioned in your OP and Maybeboard. Do you think it has room in here given its low cost and huge effect? Putting your opponents in topdeck mode seems incredible, and I cant believe I overlooked it. I've been on the receiving end of the card enough playing combo decks and it's DEVASTATING.
It's super good, I really liked it in Balthor. However, that's why it's not in my mainboard yet, as I've used it.
I love it against my group, it really puts a hole in their plans, and I run one of the best decks top recover from the effect.
I've been playing around with the idea of converting my Savra deck over to Meren since I saw her spoiled. I've tested her with a couple tweaks to the deck and really like her at the helm of my dredge/reanimator list.
One card that I found very good that hasn't been mentioned yet is Apprentice Necromancer. This card does so much work with Meren. Hes a fast way to accumulate experience counters, he gives you access to your bigger etb creatures early if you have them in your yard, and he can get their effects at instant speed every turn. Hes worth trying out if you have a reliable way of milling yourself.
I've been playing around with the idea of converting my Savra deck over to Meren since I saw her spoiled. I've tested her with a couple tweaks to the deck and really like her at the helm of my dredge/reanimator list.
One card that I found very good that hasn't been mentioned yet is Apprentice Necromancer. This card does so much work with Meren. Hes a fast way to accumulate experience counters, he gives you access to your bigger etb creatures early if you have them in your yard, and he can get their effects at instant speed every turn. Hes worth trying out if you have a reliable way of milling yourself.
Sorry about my super late reply! The couple weeks before Thanksgiving are the busiest of the year for me. >.<
I've removed sylvan ranger and yavimaya granger to test Dawntreader Elk and Devoted Druid. Both can sacrifice themselves at instant speed which is nice for gaining the exp counters when needed, and to have more low CMC creatures in the deck. Elk is no steve, but a good replacement. Granger probably is good, but you have to wait a turn, and it requires better timing with having Meren out. Ranger is a good card, but doesnt put any lands into play, which is really key. It may make a comeback soon, I'm quite fond of it.
Woudn't dredge cards be good inclusions in Meren's deck?
no.
I would like to bring to the attention of the thread that if you're running Contamination, you should also run Golgari Signet and similar cards. Go ahead and read it.
Also, the inclusion of many powerful ETB effects, even on small creatures like Sylvan Ranger, are incredibly important early game. Dont assume you'll somehow acquire 6-8 exp counters just the turn or two after you cast Meren. Have things to do with her ability. Toss Bloodghast to the bin with Survival, return him to play, but fetch another creature to return to play on your end step, toss it too, then find Farhaven Elf. Cast Farhaven Elf, find a basic land, play it, Bloodghast returns to play. Focus on small incremental synergies like these. Or abuse your token generators like From Beyond, Bitterblossom, Awakening Zone, etc. Those can wrack up exp counters extremely quickly in a pinch, especially with an amazing sac outlet like Ashnod's Altar, Evolutionary Leap, or Phyrexian Altar in play!
I'm not sure how active this thread is here but I love this place as it's been helping me build Meren. When I first saw Meren I absolutely had to try her out because I enjoyed playing Sidisi EDH and even played Sultai Whip when it was doing well. Also I'd like to say have you guys thought about Avatar of Woe? Sorry I don't know how to link. I guess all decks depend on play style and the people we play with considering I play with people who play a lot of Creature Heavy builds. I also play Bojuka Bog, I see you guys play it, and Arcane Lighthouse to hose down other Graveyard decks and to hose a Narset Voltron deck. I know someone mentioned Filth so could I also say Brawn is an amazing card to Entomb/Buried Alive/Jarad's Orders.
I'm not sure how active this thread is here but I love this place as it's been helping me build Meren. When I first saw Meren I absolutely had to try her out because I enjoyed playing Sidisi EDH and even played Sultai Whip when it was doing well. Also I'd like to say have you guys thought about Avatar of Woe? Sorry I don't know how to link. I guess all decks depend on play style and the people we play with considering I play with people who play a lot of Creature Heavy builds. I also play Bojuka Bog, I see you guys play it, and Arcane Lighthouse to hose down other Graveyard decks and to hose a Narset Voltron deck. I know someone mentioned Filth so could I also say Brawn is an amazing card to Entomb/Buried Alive/Jarad's Orders.
There's a button on the top of the dialogue box when you post a comment that looks like a magic card, click it and put the name of the card inside.
Meren is a ton of fun, but depending on your meta she will give you varied success. My meta can be very competitive and people don't like leaving a creature with built-in value unmolested. Every time I've played Meren or begun to place threats in the grave it places a huge target on my head regardless of whether or not I'm as big a threat as the other combo players in the game (reference: Oona, Queen of the Fae, Azami, Lady of Scrolls, Kaalia of the Vast). Without Meren the deck isn't dead, but functions a lot slower and the interactions are less powerful. Once Meren has been sent to the command zone for the second time I'm typically out of the game.
I'm heavily shifting this deck to a different approach where the goal is to get Meren out as fast as possible (turn 2 if you can, turn 3 at the latest) using mana dorks and a sac outlet at the ready. Current dorks include Llanowar Elves, Elves of Deep Shadow, Birds of Paradise, and Devoted Druid (the latter of which is nuts and IMO an auto-include in this deck no matter what you're going for). It isn't fully optimized yet and is missing some obvious money-cards but I'm liking the engine it's turning into. You can see the list below.
Earlier there was a bit of discussion on Sylvan Safekeeper and I think it's a good idea that I'm going to try to pick up at some point.
I'm not sure how active this thread is here but I love this place as it's been helping me build Meren. When I first saw Meren I absolutely had to try her out because I enjoyed playing Sidisi EDH and even played Sultai Whip when it was doing well. Also I'd like to say have you guys thought about Avatar of Woe? Sorry I don't know how to link. I guess all decks depend on play style and the people we play with considering I play with people who play a lot of Creature Heavy builds. I also play Bojuka Bog, I see you guys play it, and Arcane Lighthouse to hose down other Graveyard decks and to hose a Narset Voltron deck. I know someone mentioned Filth so could I also say Brawn is an amazing card to Entomb/Buried Alive/Jarad's Orders.
There's a button on the top of the dialogue box when you post a comment that looks like a magic card, click it and put the name of the card inside.
Meren is a ton of fun, but depending on your meta she will give you varied success. My meta can be very competitive and people don't like leaving a creature with built-in value unmolested. Every time I've played Meren or begun to place threats in the grave it places a huge target on my head regardless of whether or not I'm as big a threat as the other combo players in the game (reference: Oona, Queen of the Fae, Azami, Lady of Scrolls, Kaalia of the Vast). Without Meren the deck isn't dead, but functions a lot slower and the interactions are less powerful. Once Meren has been sent to the command zone for the second time I'm typically out of the game.
I'm heavily shifting this deck to a different approach where the goal is to get Meren out as fast as possible (turn 2 if you can, turn 3 at the latest) using mana dorks and a sac outlet at the ready. Current dorks include Llanowar Elves, Elves of Deep Shadow, Birds of Paradise, and Devoted Druid (the latter of which is nuts and IMO an auto-include in this deck no matter what you're going for). It isn't fully optimized yet and is missing some obvious money-cards but I'm liking the engine it's turning into. You can see the list below.
Earlier there was a bit of discussion on Sylvan Safekeeper and I think it's a good idea that I'm going to try to pick up at some point.
Syvlan Safekeeper is rather interesting the build I have so far runs some ramp but I'm not sure how I feel about sac-ing land, I don't tend to do it if I have Jarad, Golgari Lich Lord in the graveyard. I'm not sure how fun it is to combo to some of you but I suggest having the full Woodfall Primuspuppeteer clique and Melira, Sylvok Outcast to combo out an opponent if they get out of hand or straight up win. I prefer dealing with an opponent and prolonging the game.
I'm not sure how active this thread is here but I love this place as it's been helping me build Meren. When I first saw Meren I absolutely had to try her out because I enjoyed playing Sidisi EDH and even played Sultai Whip when it was doing well. Also I'd like to say have you guys thought about Avatar of Woe? Sorry I don't know how to link. I guess all decks depend on play style and the people we play with considering I play with people who play a lot of Creature Heavy builds. I also play Bojuka Bog, I see you guys play it, and Arcane Lighthouse to hose down other Graveyard decks and to hose a Narset Voltron deck. I know someone mentioned Filth so could I also say Brawn is an amazing card to Entomb/Buried Alive/Jarad's Orders.
I'm glad you've found it helpful! This thread is less active in my part at the moment because it's a bit on the slow side for my group. Without ask extremely good opening hand it often takes me long time to get her hoping, which can be a problem as a lot of people in my playgroup are very way of letting me stock anything. At the moment, I'm trying to decide what direction I want to take the deck in to make up for this.
Man, I'd hate to retool my build just so i could cast this, but if I could reanimate it it'd be solid. I love it.
I'm going to have to start looking through all of my active decks and figuring out how much access I have to colorless mana in an average game before I start working on these kinds of cards, but it is a sweet card. I'll start working on looming through the set and giving a review on it.
I physically put the deck together, and swapped around some of the mainboard and maybeboard cards. I switched out cards like Sepulchral Primordial that I've played with in similar decks before and know I enjoy, and swapped around cards to include things like Lightning Greaves for better utility. I'm also switching Wood Elves for Farhaven Elf. Until I can get more dual lands with multiple basic land types, I think that searching for basics will be better for me in the long run.
Here's the full list of changes:
Out
Altar's Reap
Golgari Signet
Malicious Affliction
Liliana, Heretical Healer
Wood Elves
Sadistic Hypnotist
Sepulchral Primordial
In
Lightning Greaves
Awakening Zone
Farhaven Elf
Corpse Augur
Vulturous Aven
Shriekmaw
Woodland Bellower
There's still a lot of stuff to test and play around with, but I'm happy with this as a starting point. Everything that got removed was put back in to the maybeboard.
My Helpdesk
[Pr] Marath | [Pr] Lovisa | Jodah | Saskia | Najeela | Yisan | Lord Windgrace | Atraxa | Meren | Gisa and Geralf
I like the changes! I keep forgetting about Lilliana, she's in my old Shattergang deck but i kept forgetting to add her to my list on here and tapped out. I'm not sure how great she is here. She does provide a good flip trigger, making more beaters and sacrifical fodder, can easily be returned to play, and if by any means you pull off her emblem behind some Grave Pact shenanigans, youve got the game in the bag for the most part. It's getting there that worries me Like most slots in this deck, in theory, they will perform wonderfully with the general.
GB [Primer][Competitive][Stax][Combo] Meren of Clan Nel Toth 95% RETIRED
UW [Primer][Competitive][Combo][Stax] Brago, King Eternal RETIRED
BR Rakdos, Lord of Riots (75%)
G Titania - 75%
W SRAM - Welcome to the cheeri0s jam 95%
U Teferi - stax 100%
R Neheb - janky mono red eggs combo 90%
B Gonti - 50% valuetown
I have been putting together a Meren deck for the last week or two and have been looking through this thread as well as some others for ideas. I thought I would share the list I have come up with. I have been playing it on Cockatrice for the past week or so with some very good results.
1 Meren of Clan Nel Toth
Creatures:
1 Blood Artist
1 Eternal Witness
1 Liliana, Heretical Healer
1 Birds of Paradise
1 Oracle of Mul Daya
1 Solemn Simulacrum
1 Deathrite Shaman
1 Disciple of Bolas
1 Woodfall Primus
1 Sylvan Ranger
1 Spore Frog
1 Terastodon
1 Yavimaya Elder
1 Creakwood Liege
1 Avenger of Zendikar
1 Woodland Bellower
1 Fleshbag Marauder
1 Merciless Executioner
1 Elves of Deep Shadow
1 Llanowar Elves
1 Caustic Caterpillar
1 Shriekmaw
1 Sakura-Tribe Elder
Enchantments:
1 Attrition
1 Grave Pact
1 Dictate of Erebos
1 Dark Prophecy
1 Phyrexian Arena
1 Sylvan Library
1 Pernicious Deed
1 Survival of the Fittest
1 Pattern of Rebirth
1 Bitterblossom
1 Evolutionary Leap
1 Animate Dead
1 Necromancy
1 Awakening Zone
1 The Abyss
1 Diabolic Intent
1 Vampiric Tutor
1 Vampiric Rites
1 Demonic Tutor
1 Regrowth
1 Buried Alive
1 Entomb
1 Damnation
1 Life from the Loam
1 Abrupt Decay
1 Putrefy
1 Maelstrom Pulse
1 Krosan Grip
1 Beast Within
1 Toxic Deluge
Artifacts:
1 Sol Ring
1 Mana Crypt
1 Skullclamp
Planes walkers:
1 Garruk, Apex Predator
1 Garruk Relentless
Land:
1 Woodland Cemetery
1 Bayou
1 Gilt-Leaf Palace
1 Golgari Rot Farm
1 Twilight Mire
1 Llanowar Wastes
1 Okina, Temple to the Grandfathers
1 Temple of Malady
1 Gaea's Cradle
1 Maze of Ith
1 Verdant Catacombs
11 Swamp
10 Forest
1 Command Tower
1 Strip Mine
1 Reflecting Pool
1 Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
1 Dryad Arbor
1 High Market
1 Phyrexian Tower
1 Mana Confluence
1 Homeward Path
Any advice would also be welcome. Most of the cards interact with the commander or each other in one fashion or another.
You don't have any Altars! I would run them for sure: Altar of Dementia, Ashnod's Altar and since your budget seems pretty ok Phyrexian Altar. Otherwise looks like a great start, you have a lot of what I'm looking to obtain for this deck.
BWGJunkBWG
BRGJundBRG
B1Eldrazi ShopsB1
UAzami, Lady of ScrollsU
BGMeren of Clan Nel TothBG
BUWJenara, Asura of WarBUW
GURAnimar, Soul of ElementsGUR
Decided to put in Sylvan Safekeeper and take out Garruk Relentless, he wasn't doing enough it matches and the safekeeper will help keep Meren alive. Also not sold on the Woodland Bellower, I have had him in my hand a few times and never really thought it was appropriate to cast him. Will likely cut him for something else as well.
I really like Dark Prophecy. I forgot this card existed! But it seems to be another great draw engine for the deck. It succeeds where Deathreap Ritual fails. Deathreap is a max of 1 card per turn, but doesnt lose you life. Losing life isnt a big deal, just run Gary and Kokushko. This card is hard to cast at BBB, but 2BR is really rough as that's about the CMC where it really hurts to have that tempo loss. I just hate Deathreap at 4CMC. It always would sit in my hand as i had more important cards to cast!
In addition, Sylvan Safekeeper > boots and greaves in this deck, I think. A 1CMC dork that can be returned to hand or play, and a way to protect anyone in your list. I personally value creatures highly in this deck. Bare minimum of 33 at least. You want ample targets to return to hand or play.
I'm currently looking at the following. Crux will be my temporary Damnation until I can trade for one
1x Avenger of Zendikar
1x Bloodghast
1x Caustic Caterpillar
1x Corpse Augur
1x Disciple of Bolas
1x Eternal Witness
1x Farhaven Elf
1x Fleshbag Marauder
1x Grave Titan
1x Gray Merchant of Asphodel
1x Grim Haruspex
1x Kokusho, the Evening Star
1x Krosan Tusker
1x Massacre Wurm
1x Mazirek, Kraul Death Priest
1x Merciless Executioner
1x Nether Traitor
1x Ophiomancer
1x Puppeteer Clique
1x Reclamation Sage
1x Rune-Scarred Demon
1x Sakura-Tribe Elder
1x Sheoldred, Whispering One
1x Shriekmaw
1x Sidisi, Undead Vizier
1x Smothering Abomination
1x Solemn Simulacrum
1x Spore Frog
1x Sylvan Ranger
1x Sylvan Safekeeper
1x Viscera Seer
1x Wood Elves
1x Woodfall Primus
1x Yavimaya Elder
1x Yavimaya Granger
1x Ashnod's Altar
1x Golgari Signet
1x Phyrexian Altar
1x Skullclamp
1x Smokestack
1x Sol Ring
Land (35)
1x Bayou
1x Bojuka Bog
1x Command Beacon
1x Command Tower
10x Forest
1x High Market
1x Llanowar Wastes
1x Overgrown Tomb
1x Phyrexian Tower
1x Strip Mine
9x Swamp
1x Tainted Wood
1x Temple of Malady
1x Verdant Catacombs
1x Volrath's Stronghold
1x Windswept Heath
1x Wooded Foothills
1x Woodland Cemetery
Enchantment (12)
1x Awakening Zone
1x Bitterblossom
1x Black Market
1x Contamination
1x Dictate of Erebos
1x Evolutionary Leap
1x From Beyond
1x Grave Pact
1x Pattern of Rebirth
1x Pernicious Deed
1x Phyrexian Arena
1x Survival of the Fittest
1x Buried Alive
1x Crux of Fate
1x Death Cloud
1x Demonic Tutor
1x Maelstrom Pulse
1x Primal Growth
1x Regrowth
Instant (3)
1x Beast Within
1x Grisly Salvage
1x Krosan Grip
Planeswalker (1)
1x Garruk Wildspeaker
1x Abhorrent Overlord
1x Altar of Dementia
1x Archfiend of Depravity
1x Birthing Pod
1x Butcher of Malakir
1x Creakwood Liege
1x Crucible of Worlds
1x Deathrite Shaman
1x Decree of Pain
1x Deranged Hermit
1x Devoted Druid
1x Diabolic Intent
1x Dosan the Falling Leaf
1x Eldrazi Monument
1x Entomb
1x Jarad's Orders
1x Jarad, Golgari Lich Lord
1x Lodestone Golem
1x Lord of Extinction
1x Magus of the Abyss
1x Mikaeus, the Unhallowed
1x Mindslicer
1x Palace Siege
1x Pathbreaker Ibex
1x Pox
1x Putrefy
1x Skullmulcher
1x Song of the Dryads
1x Spike Weaver
1x Static Orb
1x Strionic Resonator
1x Sylvan Library
1x Tainted AEther
1x Thief of Blood
1x Tooth and Nail
1x Toxic Deluge
1x Vorinclex, Voice of Hunger
1x Ward of Bones
1x Winter Orb
GB [Primer][Competitive][Stax][Combo] Meren of Clan Nel Toth 95% RETIRED
UW [Primer][Competitive][Combo][Stax] Brago, King Eternal RETIRED
BR Rakdos, Lord of Riots (75%)
G Titania - 75%
W SRAM - Welcome to the cheeri0s jam 95%
U Teferi - stax 100%
R Neheb - janky mono red eggs combo 90%
B Gonti - 50% valuetown
I'm not sure about how I feel about Jarad outside of the command zone. I'll throw him in to the maybe board.
I also don't know that this is a dredge deck. It's pretty dangerous not controlling exactly what goes in to your graveyard, but I am going to put Life from the Loam up for consideration, but I think I'd want something like more fetchlands in my deck, so that I generally have something to reuse with it.
Wurmcoil is a maybe. It occupies the same slot as two other cards (Sepulchral Primordial and Woodland Bellower), so it's going to come down to which effect I like the most.
It was mentioned by Ghaespar, but Wurmcoild Engine could potentially take it's slot. I'm partial to Sepulchral Primordial my self. I haven't really seen Woodland Bellower enough to decide what to do with it one way or another, but it was extremely useful the only time I've drawn it.
I do like Vampiric Rites in your list though, I'd forgotten about that card.
I prefer Greaves/Boots personally, but my playgroup punishes cards like the Safekeeper pretty badly. The only deck I've seen it work super well in was a Titania, Protector of Argoth list. But, I think it's going to be a choice of preference for most people.
I do really like this deck though. I'm considering turning it in to my third primer. I've had a blast playing it.
My Helpdesk
[Pr] Marath | [Pr] Lovisa | Jodah | Saskia | Najeela | Yisan | Lord Windgrace | Atraxa | Meren | Gisa and Geralf
I figure, in my list with all of the etb/ltb effects fetching lands, it would pay for itself pretty easily. I wish it was "Sacrifice another creature" instead, though I'll try Greaves/Boots out first, and then pick up safekeeper in case they dont work.
Krosan Tusker is fun here if you dont want to reanimate it. 2G to fetch a basic and cantrip isnt bad.
GB [Primer][Competitive][Stax][Combo] Meren of Clan Nel Toth 95% RETIRED
UW [Primer][Competitive][Combo][Stax] Brago, King Eternal RETIRED
BR Rakdos, Lord of Riots (75%)
G Titania - 75%
W SRAM - Welcome to the cheeri0s jam 95%
U Teferi - stax 100%
R Neheb - janky mono red eggs combo 90%
B Gonti - 50% valuetown
I haven't had much practise using Sylvan Safekeeper yet, but I still feel as though she is better than the boots. This is because she only costs 1 green and can be brought back repeatedly by Meren.
Vampiric Rites has been great for saccing creatures when needed and for the extra card draw.
GB [Primer][Competitive][Stax][Combo] Meren of Clan Nel Toth 95% RETIRED
UW [Primer][Competitive][Combo][Stax] Brago, King Eternal RETIRED
BR Rakdos, Lord of Riots (75%)
G Titania - 75%
W SRAM - Welcome to the cheeri0s jam 95%
U Teferi - stax 100%
R Neheb - janky mono red eggs combo 90%
B Gonti - 50% valuetown
He can be a pain in the a** because he will come back often.
I love it against my group, it really puts a hole in their plans, and I run one of the best decks top recover from the effect.
Interesting effect. The biggest issue I can see is that you'll really want to keep it on the field for extended periods of time.
My Helpdesk
[Pr] Marath | [Pr] Lovisa | Jodah | Saskia | Najeela | Yisan | Lord Windgrace | Atraxa | Meren | Gisa and Geralf
One card that I found very good that hasn't been mentioned yet is Apprentice Necromancer. This card does so much work with Meren. Hes a fast way to accumulate experience counters, he gives you access to your bigger etb creatures early if you have them in your yard, and he can get their effects at instant speed every turn. Hes worth trying out if you have a reliable way of milling yourself.
I really like Apprentice Necromancer, I'll have to find room to fit it in to my list.
My Helpdesk
[Pr] Marath | [Pr] Lovisa | Jodah | Saskia | Najeela | Yisan | Lord Windgrace | Atraxa | Meren | Gisa and Geralf
GB [Primer][Competitive][Stax][Combo] Meren of Clan Nel Toth 95% RETIRED
UW [Primer][Competitive][Combo][Stax] Brago, King Eternal RETIRED
BR Rakdos, Lord of Riots (75%)
G Titania - 75%
W SRAM - Welcome to the cheeri0s jam 95%
U Teferi - stax 100%
R Neheb - janky mono red eggs combo 90%
B Gonti - 50% valuetown
no.
I would like to bring to the attention of the thread that if you're running Contamination, you should also run Golgari Signet and similar cards. Go ahead and read it.
Also, the inclusion of many powerful ETB effects, even on small creatures like Sylvan Ranger, are incredibly important early game. Dont assume you'll somehow acquire 6-8 exp counters just the turn or two after you cast Meren. Have things to do with her ability. Toss Bloodghast to the bin with Survival, return him to play, but fetch another creature to return to play on your end step, toss it too, then find Farhaven Elf. Cast Farhaven Elf, find a basic land, play it, Bloodghast returns to play. Focus on small incremental synergies like these. Or abuse your token generators like From Beyond, Bitterblossom, Awakening Zone, etc. Those can wrack up exp counters extremely quickly in a pinch, especially with an amazing sac outlet like Ashnod's Altar, Evolutionary Leap, or Phyrexian Altar in play!
GB [Primer][Competitive][Stax][Combo] Meren of Clan Nel Toth 95% RETIRED
UW [Primer][Competitive][Combo][Stax] Brago, King Eternal RETIRED
BR Rakdos, Lord of Riots (75%)
G Titania - 75%
W SRAM - Welcome to the cheeri0s jam 95%
U Teferi - stax 100%
R Neheb - janky mono red eggs combo 90%
B Gonti - 50% valuetown
There's a button on the top of the dialogue box when you post a comment that looks like a magic card, click it and put the name of the card inside.
Avatar of Woe for reference.
Meren is a ton of fun, but depending on your meta she will give you varied success. My meta can be very competitive and people don't like leaving a creature with built-in value unmolested. Every time I've played Meren or begun to place threats in the grave it places a huge target on my head regardless of whether or not I'm as big a threat as the other combo players in the game (reference: Oona, Queen of the Fae, Azami, Lady of Scrolls, Kaalia of the Vast). Without Meren the deck isn't dead, but functions a lot slower and the interactions are less powerful. Once Meren has been sent to the command zone for the second time I'm typically out of the game.
I'm heavily shifting this deck to a different approach where the goal is to get Meren out as fast as possible (turn 2 if you can, turn 3 at the latest) using mana dorks and a sac outlet at the ready. Current dorks include Llanowar Elves, Elves of Deep Shadow, Birds of Paradise, and Devoted Druid (the latter of which is nuts and IMO an auto-include in this deck no matter what you're going for). It isn't fully optimized yet and is missing some obvious money-cards but I'm liking the engine it's turning into. You can see the list below.
Earlier there was a bit of discussion on Sylvan Safekeeper and I think it's a good idea that I'm going to try to pick up at some point.
1x Acidic Slime
1x Bane of Progress
1x Birds of Paradise
1x Bloodghast
1x Corpse Connoisseur
1x Deathrite Shaman
1x Devoted Druid
1x Disciple of Bolas
1x Elves of Deep Shadow
1x Eternal Witness
1x Fauna Shaman
1x Fleshbag Marauder
1x Grave Titan
1x Greenwarden of Murasa
1x Grim Haruspex
1x Hermit Druid
1x Jarad, Golgari Lich Lord
1x Llanowar Elves
1x Lord of the Void
1x Merciless Executioner
1x Mikaeus, the Unhallowed
1x Mindslicer
1x Phyrexian Delver
1x Puppeteer Clique
1x Reclamation Sage
1x Rune-Scarred Demon
1x Sadistic Hypnotist
1x Sakura-Tribe Elder
1x Satyr Wayfinder
1x Sheoldred, Whispering One
1x Shriekmaw
1x Sidisi, Undead Vizier
1x Smothering Abomination
1x Solemn Simulacrum
1x Triskelion
1x Viridian Emissary
1x Viscera Seer
1x Wood Elves
1x Yavimaya Elder
1x Ancient Tomb
1x Bojuka Bog
1x Cabal Coffers
1x Command Tower
1x Crypt of Agadeem
1x Evolving Wilds
5x Forest
1x Golgari Guildgate
1x Grim Backwoods
1x High Market
1x Jungle Hollow
1x Khalni Garden
1x Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx
1x Overgrown Tomb
1x Polluted Delta
1x Shizo, Death's Storehouse
1x Strip Mine
8x Swamp
1x Tainted Wood
1x Tectonic Edge
1x Temple of Malady
1x Temple of the False God
1x Terramorphic Expanse
1x Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
1x Woodland Cemetery
1x Yavimaya Hollow
Instant (3)
1x Grisly Salvage
1x Worldly Tutor
1x Wretched Confluence
1x Altar of Dementia
1x Ashnod's Altar
1x Birthing Pod
1x Eldrazi Monument
1x Golgari Signet
1x Lightning Greaves
1x Skullclamp
1x Sol Ring
Sorcery (7)
1x Buried Alive
1x Damnation
1x Decree of Pain
1x Demonic Tutor
1x Jarad's Orders
1x Life from the Loam
1x Victimize
Enchantment (5)
1x Awakening Zone
1x Grave Pact
1x Pattern of Rebirth
1x Pernicious Deed
1x Phyrexian Arena
BWGJunkBWG
BRGJundBRG
B1Eldrazi ShopsB1
UAzami, Lady of ScrollsU
BGMeren of Clan Nel TothBG
BUWJenara, Asura of WarBUW
GURAnimar, Soul of ElementsGUR
Syvlan Safekeeper is rather interesting the build I have so far runs some ramp but I'm not sure how I feel about sac-ing land, I don't tend to do it if I have Jarad, Golgari Lich Lord in the graveyard. I'm not sure how fun it is to combo to some of you but I suggest having the full Woodfall Primus puppeteer clique and Melira, Sylvok Outcast to combo out an opponent if they get out of hand or straight up win. I prefer dealing with an opponent and prolonging the game.
Right. I threw it in the list as it is now and was underwhelmed (partly a messy curve, partly the problem I mentioned above).
My Helpdesk
[Pr] Marath | [Pr] Lovisa | Jodah | Saskia | Najeela | Yisan | Lord Windgrace | Atraxa | Meren | Gisa and Geralf
C Kozilek C
GB Gitrog GB
G Titania G
WU Brago WU
GB MerenGB
Duel Commander Decks
UR Keranos UR
BRG Jund BRG
GR Tron GR GW Tron GW
C Eldrazi Tron (SB) C
BG Lantern Control BG
UW Control (SB) UW
Man, I'd hate to retool my build just so i could cast this, but if I could reanimate it it'd be solid. I love it.
GB [Primer][Competitive][Stax][Combo] Meren of Clan Nel Toth 95% RETIRED
UW [Primer][Competitive][Combo][Stax] Brago, King Eternal RETIRED
BR Rakdos, Lord of Riots (75%)
G Titania - 75%
W SRAM - Welcome to the cheeri0s jam 95%
U Teferi - stax 100%
R Neheb - janky mono red eggs combo 90%
B Gonti - 50% valuetown
My Helpdesk
[Pr] Marath | [Pr] Lovisa | Jodah | Saskia | Najeela | Yisan | Lord Windgrace | Atraxa | Meren | Gisa and Geralf