Of course being the monarch paints a target on your head. However, I think it's completely worth trying to keep it. What's really great about the Queen is she gives you a benefit if you aren't the monarch, and one that makes it easier to get the crown back, as people don't want to trade their big creatures with your deathtouch assassin. That being said, I would rather prevent my opponents from drawing cards every turn than get a 1/1 token.
I think it's wrong to say that pillowfort decks can't "paint targets on their heads." That's inevitable if you have a deck that's capable of winning. A pillowfort deck just makes that target unreachable.
I' not saying that pillowfort decks cannot paint a target on their heads. Like you said, getting close to winning does that all the time. But there's a major difference between decks that accept and plan for being attacked and decks like pillowfort who try to disencourage or outright prevent opponents from attacking them. Willingly becoming a target before being close to a win while at the same time dedicating cards and effort to not be attacked seem to me like two actions neutralizing each other.
I feel a pillowfort strategy is counterproductive with Marchesa, as becoming the Monarch paints a target on your head. At the same time you're trying to get people to not attack you...
Why not accept you won't be the monarch, and then focus on something else to win the game while everyone else is fighting over the crown?
I agree that avoiding the crown going to someone else shouldn't be priority #1, but that's a far cry from saying that pillowforting is counterproductive. Because what will probably happen is that the one person at the table that no one can attack productively will get the crown, then you have a general that spits out tokens rather than draw cards.
Alright, so earlier I said I'd post a decklist when I had a rough idea of what I wanted to do with this deck. Here is that list. Any help would be much appreciated!
So I went with a Pillowfort/Superfriends/Token hybrid. Tokens provide good defense and going wide is a good way of getting back the crown if someone else steals it.
Planeswalkers are interesting because if their creatures are attacking the walkers, they aren't attacking you, so you keep the crown. So basically they can be used as pseudo meat shields.
Pillowfort is the best way of dissuading your opponents from ganging up on you. If it's a nightmare attacking you, then your opponents will most likely go after someone easier to deal with and save you for last.
And Kaya has a fun little synergy with Oath of Liliana. :3
Or even Oath of Chandra, but I dunno if 2 damage a turn is impact-full enough to include in the 99.
Anywho, my list will probably change after trying the deck out, or reading more about what other people play. I've only been playing Magic for a couple years now, so when it comes to commander, my card knowledge has its limits. Thanks for reading!
Perhaps add Mistveil Plains and Sunforger? It will allow you te repeatedly recycle and find all your targeted removal.
Also, perhaps Squee, Goblin Nabob to go with that Solitary Confinement?
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The secret to enjoyable Commander games is not winning first, but losing last.
If my post has no tags, then i posted from my phone.
Crown of Doom is on my short-list of cards to test. I hadn't thought about Master Warcraft, but you're right that it seems strong in this deck. I like the different political implications it as, as well as being able to protect your crown.
Alright, so earlier I said I'd post a decklist when I had a rough idea of what I wanted to do with this deck. Here is that list. Any help would be much appreciated!
So I went with a Pillowfort/Superfriends/Token hybrid. Tokens provide good defense and going wide is a good way of getting back the crown if someone else steals it.
Planeswalkers are interesting because if their creatures are attacking the walkers, they aren't attacking you, so you keep the crown. So basically they can be used as pseudo meat shields.
Pillowfort is the best way of dissuading your opponents from ganging up on you. If it's a nightmare attacking you, then your opponents will most likely go after someone easier to deal with and save you for last.
I like the planeswalker idea. That seems like a good strategy. How have you liked Teysa 2.0? I had her in my original list but she quickly came out. She's a cool ability, but she's so expensive, it just never seemed worth it. If I'm spending 7 mana on a creature, I'd much rather have something like Elesh Norn. Instead of Monk Idealist, have you thought about Open the Vaults? I think they both have their own pros and cons, but it might be worth testing. You might also try Sigil of the Empty Throne. You don't run quite as many enchantments as I do, but I think you have enough that the Sigil will give you plenty of tokens. I also agree with Ertai that you might want to consider a Sunforger package with Mistveil Plains. You probably even have enough instants already to make it worth it.
Hmm... I do like me a sunforger... I suppose I could try it out!
So far I've only tested this decklist a handful of times. I will say this, Teysa stops people from attacking you if she sticks. Not that many people run a lot of targeted removal. She has a great effect that also doesn't draw aggro, where as a card like Norn makes everyone want to kill it right away. Also, she's great at stealing back the crown. As you said though, she's pretty expensive. But so far, I like her.
Oh and as for why Monk Idealist, simply because it can be blinked.
Teysa definitely has a lot of pros. If she's working for you, go for it! Actually, the reason I had originally included her was purely for nostalgia's sake, because one of my very first EDH decks was a deck with her in the command zone.
Sounds like a fine reason to run the Monk I also run Eldrazi Displacer and I've considered adding a few more ETB effects, but I just don't think it's worth it and would probably end up diluting my strategy. That being said, having both the Displacer and Duplicant on the field is killer.
Conjurer's Closet will make you the monarch at the end of your turn by blinking in your Commander.
The problem with that is the monarch draw trigger also triggers during your end step. So if you aren't the monarch, you'll start your end step, not draw a card, blink the Queen, become the monarch, but still not draw a card because the window when you would draw a card has passed.
Conjurer's Closet will make you the monarch at the end of your turn by blinking in your Commander.
The problem with that is the monarch draw trigger also triggers during your end step. So if you aren't the monarch, you'll start your end step, not draw a card, blink the Queen, become the monarch, but still not draw a card because the window when you would draw a card has passed.
as you control both triggers wouldn't you be able to put them on the stack in the order you prefer?
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Huey, Dewey and Louie are always dressed in RUG. it is CLEARLY going to be the wedges block Pioneer: WURFaerie fires BRGDragons ModernBGElves WRBurn UR Fires Turns URGift Storm UG Twiddle Storm
Conjurer's Closet will make you the monarch at the end of your turn by blinking in your Commander.
The problem with that is the monarch draw trigger also triggers during your end step. So if you aren't the monarch, you'll start your end step, not draw a card, blink the Queen, become the monarch, but still not draw a card because the window when you would draw a card has passed.
as you control both triggers wouldn't you be able to put them on the stack in the order you prefer?
No, because you aren't the monarch at the beginning of your end step, so it never has a chance to trigger (i.e. once the Closet resolves and you're the monarch again, it's too later for the monarch draw to trigger that turn).
The lack of Delaying Shield is upsetting. You dont care about the upkeep triggers, but it does prevent you from losing your Monarchy ... or to infect for that matter.
Because Im playing the big ETB fatties above and big Teysa, Ive also stuck the enchantment based reanimation affects into my build: Animate Dead, Necromancy, Dance of the Dead.
Final suggestions are the "things dying drain-bros" Blood Artist and Falkenrath Noble with the combo-finisher Leonin Relic-Warder go to along with the aura reanimation spells. (Also works with Angel of Despair)
Edit: I forgot about Smoke works well when you go pillow-fort. Also Archetype of Courage is BFF's with deathtouch.
Delaying Shield was mentioned earlier, and I've actually added it to my list, I just need to update the first post.
Marchesa's Decree is on the list of things from CN2 that I'd like to test. If it ends up working out, I think I'll just stick to that one, and not Blood Reckoning or Hissing Miasma. I've ran Miasma in a few other decks, but it always ends up getting cut. The one life per creature never ends up meaning much. At least Decree gives you the crown. I don't see a lot of weenie/go wide strategies in my meta, though, so if you face a lot of those, more may be worth considering. Similarly, Reverence is in my list, but I'm actually cutting it, as it's never been a huge game-changer.
The only reasons I run Angel of Despair and not Ashen Rider is I felt I only had room for one, and I've got a foil Angel I pulled when I was a kid that holds a special place in my heart
I've considered Dread because, as you say, it's another No Mercy. I also like that it's attached to a big body and recycles itself. I'll probably test it out. "Things dying drain bros" are also on my list. (My short list isn't so short anymore...haha)
I really like Smoke and totally forgot that card existed. I think I'm putting that high on my "to test" list.
EDIT: The first post has been updated to reflect my most recent changes. Keep in mind, there are still quite a few cards that have been mentioned here that I'm testing but aren't in the main post yet.
I guess I was thinking of Assemble the Legion as a pillowfort card rather than a token card for the ability to pump out chump blockers and eventually become a win condition (assuming it survives long enough)
I had an old Zurgo Helmsmasher EDH deck that I was about to deconstruct and repurpose its contents. While I'll have to make some alterations (the deck was built with a bunch of 'destroy' and 'damage' based boardwipes, being sure not to do exile or toughness-reduction wipes because the point was to have Zurgo stand alone afterwards)... I expect the bulk of that deck's core can just transplant into Queen Marchesa.
I do believe I will horn in Custodi Lich though. I don't expect to be playing so pillowforty, I expect that once I bring in the Monarch it may move around a bit (isn't that part of what's nice about Marchesa, she gives you some value even when the crown has moved on?), so being able to reacquire Monarch by blinking CL (or by casting Marchesa while my CL is out) and forcing an Edict effect when I do so is a nice card advantage trick.
I guess I was thinking of Assemble the Legion as a pillowfort card rather than a token card for the ability to pump out chump blockers and eventually become a win condition (assuming it survives long enough)
I agree and I think it can serve both roles. While the tokens do serve as chump blockers, if we get enough of them, they serve as an easy way to take back the crown. This is one of the cards I'm actively testing right now (though, of course, I've yet to actually draw it).
I do believe I will horn in Custodi Lich though. I don't expect to be playing so pillowforty, I expect that once I bring in the Monarch it may move around a bit (isn't that part of what's nice about Marchesa, she gives you some value even when the crown has moved on?), so being able to reacquire Monarch by blinking CL (or by casting Marchesa while my CL is out) and forcing an Edict effect when I do so is a nice card advantage trick.
I think the lich will serve well in a more pillowfort list like mine, too, for all the reasons you've listed there. As soon as I get my hands on a copy (didn't pull on in draft) I'm planning on trying it out.
ok I've been trying to put together this deck for days now, I keep trimming but I can't go under 120 cards! help me deciding what to cut please!
the idea is to play a very political deck, so I want to play lots of cards that discourage opponents from attacking me. I also want to play as many "vote" cards as I can, plus obviously the monarch cards.
Huey, Dewey and Louie are always dressed in RUG. it is CLEARLY going to be the wedges block Pioneer: WURFaerie fires BRGDragons ModernBGElves WRBurn UR Fires Turns URGift Storm UG Twiddle Storm
Hm...cuts are always tough. I know I'm terrible at cutting cards from my decks. I'd start by looking at redundant effects that aren't as good as similar cards. For example, I think Ragged Veins and Kor Chant are your weakest "Don't Attack" cards. I think Council Guardian is a bit too expensive for his effect. This has been mentioned earlier in this thread, but I don't think the Queen needs a ton of other "When ~ ETB, you become monarch" effects, so I'd cut the ones that don't do much beyond that, like Crown-Hunter Hireling, Palace Sentinels, and Thorn of the Black Rose. You've also got plenty of removal, so things like Spurnmage Advocate, Mirror Strike, and Murder can probably go. Finally, I don't think Syphon Soul is worth running in EDH.
In general, just look for lower impact cards that serve a purpose that a lot of other cards also serve. Hope that helps!
That's actually one of the cards I'm currently testing. I think it has potential, but I need some more games with it before I can tell if it will make the final cut. I like that you don't have to skip your draw step if you don't think you'll need the protection for the turn cycle. My one concern is that it doesn't have an immediate impact: it has to stay on the board for a turn cycle before it starts protecting you.
As has been mentioned in this thread, I don't think this deck needs a lot of other effects that make you the monarch, but I still like having one more besides the commander. KotBR really wasn't doing anything for me, so I swapped in Custodi Lich, who I like much better. He can easily turn into some very efficient removal. War's Toll and Assemble the Legion have both worked really well for me, so I think they deserve their spots. I knew I'd be adding Westvale Abbey at some point and I finally found a copy.
I'm still testing Citadel Siege and Island Sanctuary. I'm optimistic about both, I just haven't seen them enough to know for sure.
Highly influenced by this thread, though also including different cards I have accumulated or pulled, or cards I can find at different LGS. I liked the soldier theme, though I've definitely deviated. Maybe a slight subtheme.
Will actually play it this weekend, at least in 1v1 and more people if lucky. I only play in paper every 1-2 months (online every night), so my testing has been nonexistent thus far. But I think it will be fun.
There haven't been any updates to the list in the past few weeks because I haven't had as much time to playtest as I would like. However, I'm hoping that will change just in time for Kaladesh! The full spoilers are out and there are a few cards that have potential with Queen Marchesa.
Authority of the Consuls: This is no Kismet or Blind Obedience, but it could still be good. I like that it adds another effect on top of slowing down your opponents' creatures, though the life gain probably won't mean much in EDH.
Fumigate: An interesting boardwipe. Again, the lifegain probably doesn't mean much, but this is another wipe to consider, as I like having a couple different wipes.
Eliminate the Competition: With enough token producers, this can become a very effective psedu-wipe that takes out most or all of the problematic creatures while leaving your important creatures.
Chandra, Torch of Defiance: She doesn't really fit into the main theme of the deck and might just be goodstuff, but she's just too powerful to not mention. All of her abilities can be super relevant. Unfortunately, it also looks like she'll be pretty pricey.
Kambal, Consul of Allocation: Solid-tech against storm and other spell heavy decks and just a really solid hatebear all around. Might be a meta-dependent choice, but I think he's worth testing.
And that's it! Not a ton of super exciting cards for the Queen, but I can forgive it because otherwise, this set looks pretty great!
The cards I cut were all ones that just weren't pulling their weight any more. Selfless Spirit is one of those cards where I know it has the potential to be very good, but this deck just isn't the place for it. I added a Maze of Ith because I took apart some old decks, had a spare, and figured it fit the theme well. I also added another mana-producing land because 36 was just too low. Both Island Sanctuary and Citadel Siege proved themselves after further testing, so they're sticking around. I'm really liking Fumigate. 5 CMC isn't a terrible place for a board wipe and it sometimes gains me tons of life. Of the other cards from Kaladesh I mentioned possibly testing, I just haven't got around to cutting something for them yet. I still might test some of them in the future.
Selfless Spirit is one of those cards where I know it has the potential to be very good, but this deck just isn't the place for it.
IMHO, a deck with 'destroy' boardwipes, like the Fumigate you're adding, is *exactly* the place for it. To use it you would want to ensure you're not running exile, toughness-reduction, or tuck boardwipes though.
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I' not saying that pillowfort decks cannot paint a target on their heads. Like you said, getting close to winning does that all the time. But there's a major difference between decks that accept and plan for being attacked and decks like pillowfort who try to disencourage or outright prevent opponents from attacking them. Willingly becoming a target before being close to a win while at the same time dedicating cards and effort to not be attacked seem to me like two actions neutralizing each other.
If you play this deck aiming not be the monarch I would definitly add a few cards that would allow me to influence combat so I can help my opponents hit each other. Crown of Doom, Rite of the Raging Storm, Master Warcraft. Heck, even Balduvian Warlord for shenanigans!
If my post has no tags, then i posted from my phone.
So I went with a Pillowfort/Superfriends/Token hybrid. Tokens provide good defense and going wide is a good way of getting back the crown if someone else steals it.
Planeswalkers are interesting because if their creatures are attacking the walkers, they aren't attacking you, so you keep the crown. So basically they can be used as pseudo meat shields.
Pillowfort is the best way of dissuading your opponents from ganging up on you. If it's a nightmare attacking you, then your opponents will most likely go after someone easier to deal with and save you for last.
1 Queen Marchesa
Lands- 37
1 Badlands
1 Plateau
1 Scrubland
1 Sacred Foundry
1 Blood Crypt
1 Godless Shrine
1 Bloodstained Mire
1 Marsh Flats
1 Arid Mesa
3 Mountain
5 Plains
3 Swamp
1 Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
1 Ancient Tomb
1 Smoldering Marsh
1 Nomad Outpost
1 Fetid Heath
1 Graven Cairns
1 Rugged Prairie
1 Command Beacon
1 Command Tower
1 Hanweir Battlements
1 Shinka, the Bloodsoaked Keep
1 Maze of Ith
1 Westvale Abbey
1 Reliquary Tower
1 Battlefield Forge
1 Caves of Koilos
1 Sulfurous Springs
1 Orzhov Signet
1 Boros Signet
1 Rakdos Signet
1 Sol Ring
1 Skullclamp
1 Mana Crypt
1 Chromatic Lantern
1 Kormus Bell
1 Expedition Map
1 Worn Powerstone
1 Thran Dynamo
1 Norn's Annex
Enchantment- 14
1 Assemble the Legion
1 Bitterblossom
1 Phyrexian Arena
1 Oath of Liliana
1 Oath of Gideon
1 Solitary Confinement
1 Stranglehold
1 Ghostly Prison
1 Sphere of Safety
1 Luminarch Ascension
1 True Conviction
1 No Mercy
1 Marchesa's Decree
1 Debtors' Knell
Planeswalker- 10
1 Elspeth, Sun's Champion
1 Gideon, Ally of Zendikar
1 Sorin, Lord of Innistrad
1 Nahiri, the Harbinger
1 Liliana of the Veil
1 Ob Nixilis Reignited
1 Sorin, Grim Nemesis
1 Karn Liberated
1 Ajani Steadfast
1 Kaya, Ghost Assassin
1 Merciless Eviction
1 Austere Command
1 Vindicate
1 Demonic Tutor
1 Decree of Pain
Creature- 14
1 Academy Rector
1 Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite
1 Kalitas, Traitor of Ghet
1 Teysa, Envoy of Ghosts
1 Grave Titan
1 Captain of the Watch
1 Monk Idealist
1 Eldrazi Displacer
1 Kazuul, Tyrant of the Cliffs
1 Duplicant
1 Linvala, Keeper of Silence
1 Knight-Captain of Eos
1 Michiko Konda, Truth Seeker
1 Skyline Despot
Instant- 7
1 Enlightened Tutor
1 Anguished Unmaking
1 Mortify
1 Crackling Doom
1 Utter End
1 Path to Exile
1 Swords to Plowshares
Interesting cards:
Kormus Bell + Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth + either Linvala, Keeper of Silence or Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite. Basically kills all of your opponents land, or makes it so they can't tap it for mana. Probably one of the cuter interactions in the deck. Might take it out after testing if it's unreliable.
Kaya, Ghost Assassin + Eldrazi Displacer. A nice package of blink. Goes well with cards like:
And Kaya has a fun little synergy with Oath of Liliana. :3
Or even Oath of Chandra, but I dunno if 2 damage a turn is impact-full enough to include in the 99.
Anywho, my list will probably change after trying the deck out, or reading more about what other people play. I've only been playing Magic for a couple years now, so when it comes to commander, my card knowledge has its limits. Thanks for reading!
Also, perhaps Squee, Goblin Nabob to go with that Solitary Confinement?
If my post has no tags, then i posted from my phone.
Crown of Doom is on my short-list of cards to test. I hadn't thought about Master Warcraft, but you're right that it seems strong in this deck. I like the different political implications it as, as well as being able to protect your crown.
I like the planeswalker idea. That seems like a good strategy. How have you liked Teysa 2.0? I had her in my original list but she quickly came out. She's a cool ability, but she's so expensive, it just never seemed worth it. If I'm spending 7 mana on a creature, I'd much rather have something like Elesh Norn. Instead of Monk Idealist, have you thought about Open the Vaults? I think they both have their own pros and cons, but it might be worth testing. You might also try Sigil of the Empty Throne. You don't run quite as many enchantments as I do, but I think you have enough that the Sigil will give you plenty of tokens. I also agree with Ertai that you might want to consider a Sunforger package with Mistveil Plains. You probably even have enough instants already to make it worth it.
[Primer] Dralnu Control/Reanimator BU
[Primer] Jolrael, Empress of Beasts GG
Nath Stax BG | Borborygmos Enraged RG | Ladies of Magic UGW | Aminatou Control UWB | Enduring Ideal Zedruu UWR | Momir Vig Combo UG
Modern
Restore Balance RWUG
Kiki Chord RWG
So far I've only tested this decklist a handful of times. I will say this, Teysa stops people from attacking you if she sticks. Not that many people run a lot of targeted removal. She has a great effect that also doesn't draw aggro, where as a card like Norn makes everyone want to kill it right away. Also, she's great at stealing back the crown. As you said though, she's pretty expensive. But so far, I like her.
Oh and as for why Monk Idealist, simply because it can be blinked.
Sounds like a fine reason to run the Monk I also run Eldrazi Displacer and I've considered adding a few more ETB effects, but I just don't think it's worth it and would probably end up diluting my strategy. That being said, having both the Displacer and Duplicant on the field is killer.
[Primer] Dralnu Control/Reanimator BU
[Primer] Jolrael, Empress of Beasts GG
Nath Stax BG | Borborygmos Enraged RG | Ladies of Magic UGW | Aminatou Control UWB | Enduring Ideal Zedruu UWR | Momir Vig Combo UG
Modern
Restore Balance RWUG
Kiki Chord RWG
Edit***
also has synergy with your other enter the battlefield creatures
G Azusa, Wherever I May Roam
UG Rashmi Simic Power
WB Kambal Life Gain Kills
URG Maelstrom Wanderer Howdy
The problem with that is the monarch draw trigger also triggers during your end step. So if you aren't the monarch, you'll start your end step, not draw a card, blink the Queen, become the monarch, but still not draw a card because the window when you would draw a card has passed.
[Primer] Dralnu Control/Reanimator BU
[Primer] Jolrael, Empress of Beasts GG
Nath Stax BG | Borborygmos Enraged RG | Ladies of Magic UGW | Aminatou Control UWB | Enduring Ideal Zedruu UWR | Momir Vig Combo UG
Modern
Restore Balance RWUG
Kiki Chord RWG
as you control both triggers wouldn't you be able to put them on the stack in the order you prefer?
Pioneer: WURFaerie fires BRGDragons
ModernBGElves WRBurn UR Fires Turns URGift Storm UG Twiddle Storm
No, because you aren't the monarch at the beginning of your end step, so it never has a chance to trigger (i.e. once the Closet resolves and you're the monarch again, it's too later for the monarch draw to trigger that turn).
[Primer] Dralnu Control/Reanimator BU
[Primer] Jolrael, Empress of Beasts GG
Nath Stax BG | Borborygmos Enraged RG | Ladies of Magic UGW | Aminatou Control UWB | Enduring Ideal Zedruu UWR | Momir Vig Combo UG
Modern
Restore Balance RWUG
Kiki Chord RWG
Also kinda shocked by the lack of discussion effects like Blood Reckoning, Hissing Miasma and Marchesa's Decree.
If Angel of Despair makes the deck, doesnt Ashen Rider make the cut as well?
Dread is a decent little functional copy of No Mercy.
Reverence has been great for me against token or weenie strategies that want to go wide, in addition to Ghostly Prison/Windborn Muse.
Because Im playing the big ETB fatties above and big Teysa, Ive also stuck the enchantment based reanimation affects into my build: Animate Dead, Necromancy, Dance of the Dead.
Final suggestions are the "things dying drain-bros" Blood Artist and Falkenrath Noble with the combo-finisher Leonin Relic-Warder go to along with the aura reanimation spells. (Also works with Angel of Despair)
Edit: I forgot about Smoke works well when you go pillow-fort. Also Archetype of Courage is BFF's with deathtouch.
Marchesa's Decree is on the list of things from CN2 that I'd like to test. If it ends up working out, I think I'll just stick to that one, and not Blood Reckoning or Hissing Miasma. I've ran Miasma in a few other decks, but it always ends up getting cut. The one life per creature never ends up meaning much. At least Decree gives you the crown. I don't see a lot of weenie/go wide strategies in my meta, though, so if you face a lot of those, more may be worth considering. Similarly, Reverence is in my list, but I'm actually cutting it, as it's never been a huge game-changer.
The only reasons I run Angel of Despair and not Ashen Rider is I felt I only had room for one, and I've got a foil Angel I pulled when I was a kid that holds a special place in my heart
I've considered Dread because, as you say, it's another No Mercy. I also like that it's attached to a big body and recycles itself. I'll probably test it out. "Things dying drain bros" are also on my list. (My short list isn't so short anymore...haha)
I really like Smoke and totally forgot that card existed. I think I'm putting that high on my "to test" list.
EDIT: The first post has been updated to reflect my most recent changes. Keep in mind, there are still quite a few cards that have been mentioned here that I'm testing but aren't in the main post yet.
OUT!
-Reverence
-Warstorm Surge
-Royal Assassin
-Pacifism
-1 Swamp
IN!
+Knights of the Black Rose
+Purphoros, God of the Forge
+Selfless Spirit
+Delaying Shield
+Slayers' Stronghold
[Primer] Dralnu Control/Reanimator BU
[Primer] Jolrael, Empress of Beasts GG
Nath Stax BG | Borborygmos Enraged RG | Ladies of Magic UGW | Aminatou Control UWB | Enduring Ideal Zedruu UWR | Momir Vig Combo UG
Modern
Restore Balance RWUG
Kiki Chord RWG
I do believe I will horn in Custodi Lich though. I don't expect to be playing so pillowforty, I expect that once I bring in the Monarch it may move around a bit (isn't that part of what's nice about Marchesa, she gives you some value even when the crown has moved on?), so being able to reacquire Monarch by blinking CL (or by casting Marchesa while my CL is out) and forcing an Edict effect when I do so is a nice card advantage trick.
I agree and I think it can serve both roles. While the tokens do serve as chump blockers, if we get enough of them, they serve as an easy way to take back the crown. This is one of the cards I'm actively testing right now (though, of course, I've yet to actually draw it).
I think the lich will serve well in a more pillowfort list like mine, too, for all the reasons you've listed there. As soon as I get my hands on a copy (didn't pull on in draft) I'm planning on trying it out.
[Primer] Dralnu Control/Reanimator BU
[Primer] Jolrael, Empress of Beasts GG
Nath Stax BG | Borborygmos Enraged RG | Ladies of Magic UGW | Aminatou Control UWB | Enduring Ideal Zedruu UWR | Momir Vig Combo UG
Modern
Restore Balance RWUG
Kiki Chord RWG
the idea is to play a very political deck, so I want to play lots of cards that discourage opponents from attacking me. I also want to play as many "vote" cards as I can, plus obviously the monarch cards.
here is what I've got so far, help me trim!
1 Queen Marchesa
RAMP
1 boros signet
1 orzhov signet
1 rakdos signet
1 mardu banner
1 sol ring
1 mind stone
DON'T ATTACK ME
1 norn's annex
1 boros reckoner
1 dread
1 grenzo, havoc raiser
1 high priest of penance
1 kazuul, tyrant of the cliffs
1 michiko konda, truth seeker
1 souls of the fautless
1 teysa, envoy of ghosts
1 wall of souls
1 windborn muse
1 dictate of erebos
1 ghostly prison
1 grave pact
1 marchesa's decree
1 no mercy
1 pariah
1 ragged veins
1 vow of duty
1 vow of lightning
1 vow of malice
1 kor chant
1 deflecting palm
1 coercive portal
1 ballot broker
1 brago's representative
1 council guardian
1 grudge keeper
1 lieutenants of the guard
1 magister of worth
1 bite of the black rose
1 capital punishment
1 council's judgement
1 tyrant's choice
MONARCH
1 crown-hunter hireling
1 custodi leach
1 garrulous sycophant
1 knights of the black rose
1 palace jailer
1 palace sentinels
1 protector of the crown
1 skyline despot
1 thorn of the black rose
1 behind the scenes
REMOVAL
1 avatar of woe
1 mogis, god of slaughter
1 spurnmage advocate
1 seal of doom
1 soul snare
1 anguished unmaking
1 crackling doom
1 doom blade
1 hero's downfall
1 mortify
1 mirror strike
1 murder
1 swords to plowshares
1 terminate
1 unmake
1 utter end
1 dreadbore
1 tariel, reckoner of souls
1 kaya, ghost assassin
1 nahiri, the harbinger
1 ob nixilis of the black oath
1 sorin, solemn visitor
1 blood thite
1 debt to the deathless
1 exsanguinate
1 increasing ambition
1 syphon mind
1 syphon soul
1 unnerve
1 blind obedience
37 lands
Pioneer: WURFaerie fires BRGDragons
ModernBGElves WRBurn UR Fires Turns URGift Storm UG Twiddle Storm
In general, just look for lower impact cards that serve a purpose that a lot of other cards also serve. Hope that helps!
[Primer] Dralnu Control/Reanimator BU
[Primer] Jolrael, Empress of Beasts GG
Nath Stax BG | Borborygmos Enraged RG | Ladies of Magic UGW | Aminatou Control UWB | Enduring Ideal Zedruu UWR | Momir Vig Combo UG
Modern
Restore Balance RWUG
Kiki Chord RWG
BChainer, Dementia Master(Big Mana/Reanimator)
BRRakdos, The Showstopper (Mass Life Loss/Ramp)
BUThe Scarab God (Zombie Tribal/Control)
BWKarlov of the Ghost Council (Life Gain)
BGJarad, Golgari Lich Lord (Stompy/Dredge)
BRGProssh, Skyraider of Kher (Tokens/Non-infinite Combo)
[Primer] Dralnu Control/Reanimator BU
[Primer] Jolrael, Empress of Beasts GG
Nath Stax BG | Borborygmos Enraged RG | Ladies of Magic UGW | Aminatou Control UWB | Enduring Ideal Zedruu UWR | Momir Vig Combo UG
Modern
Restore Balance RWUG
Kiki Chord RWG
OUT
-Knights of the Black Rose
-Behind the Scenes
-Vryn Wingmare
-1 Swamp
IN
+Custodi Lich
+War's Toll
+Assemble the Legion
+Westvale Abbey
As has been mentioned in this thread, I don't think this deck needs a lot of other effects that make you the monarch, but I still like having one more besides the commander. KotBR really wasn't doing anything for me, so I swapped in Custodi Lich, who I like much better. He can easily turn into some very efficient removal. War's Toll and Assemble the Legion have both worked really well for me, so I think they deserve their spots. I knew I'd be adding Westvale Abbey at some point and I finally found a copy.
I'm still testing Citadel Siege and Island Sanctuary. I'm optimistic about both, I just haven't seen them enough to know for sure.
[Primer] Dralnu Control/Reanimator BU
[Primer] Jolrael, Empress of Beasts GG
Nath Stax BG | Borborygmos Enraged RG | Ladies of Magic UGW | Aminatou Control UWB | Enduring Ideal Zedruu UWR | Momir Vig Combo UG
Modern
Restore Balance RWUG
Kiki Chord RWG
http://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/marchesas-majesty/
Highly influenced by this thread, though also including different cards I have accumulated or pulled, or cards I can find at different LGS. I liked the soldier theme, though I've definitely deviated. Maybe a slight subtheme.
Will actually play it this weekend, at least in 1v1 and more people if lucky. I only play in paper every 1-2 months (online every night), so my testing has been nonexistent thus far. But I think it will be fun.
G Azusa, Wherever I May Roam
UG Rashmi Simic Power
WB Kambal Life Gain Kills
URG Maelstrom Wanderer Howdy
[Primer] Dralnu Control/Reanimator BU
[Primer] Jolrael, Empress of Beasts GG
Nath Stax BG | Borborygmos Enraged RG | Ladies of Magic UGW | Aminatou Control UWB | Enduring Ideal Zedruu UWR | Momir Vig Combo UG
Modern
Restore Balance RWUG
Kiki Chord RWG
Finally got some time to update the list, so here's what's in and what's out:
IN
[Primer] Dralnu Control/Reanimator BU
[Primer] Jolrael, Empress of Beasts GG
Nath Stax BG | Borborygmos Enraged RG | Ladies of Magic UGW | Aminatou Control UWB | Enduring Ideal Zedruu UWR | Momir Vig Combo UG
Modern
Restore Balance RWUG
Kiki Chord RWG
IMHO, a deck with 'destroy' boardwipes, like the Fumigate you're adding, is *exactly* the place for it. To use it you would want to ensure you're not running exile, toughness-reduction, or tuck boardwipes though.