Yeah, I thought there was no harm trying the self mill route. Chances are it will turn up something useful. At the very least saccing Dralnu will only mill 3 anyway. Or depending who I play against will drop something useful from being available. Seemed more useful than ashnod anyway. It's too easy to slam ashnod or phyrexian in and go nuts.
For self-mill, try Nephalia Drownyard. With your commander out it's a makeshift Brainstorm. Plus, the ability to randomly hose topdeck tutors is a random benefit.
For self-mill, try Nephalia Drownyard. With your commander out it's a makeshift Brainstorm. Plus, the ability to randomly hose topdeck tutors is a random benefit.
This is true, although I do prefer to loot (draw then discard, like on Baral) than just randomly mill. I don't have a spare copy unfortunately. In saying that I could probably find space for something like Geier Reach Sanitarium, which to my mind is a symmetrical, more controlled and advantageous, version of the same effect.
Still sort of feel like I need at least one or two more animation targets at present. Not sure of what to add, but last game I played I sort of stalled with two or three reanimation spells in hand and nothing to reanimate. Open to suggestions.
I don't know why you'd cut Void Winnower, especially if you're looking for more reanimation targets. He's a very good reanimation target that can totally shut down some decks.
Yeah it was a silly thing to do really. It was only after a game I realised what a mistake it was. Even then, I could probably stand to add maybe one more threat. Otherwise, the deck works well and seems to have answers when needed. Really liking the unfulfilled desires, instant loot is good times.
I reslipped this deck over the weekend and discovered it was 2 cards short. Not sure how this happened but that has been rectified now.
Anyhow, I feel these are generally good changes. All of the outs have been dead draws really. Not sure about the added Emperion, but it's a fun effect and takes the heat off Dralnu in combat. Hex should be good fun too.
Out: Devastation Tide Tamiyo, the Moon Sage - I made an executive decision and put it in a different deck. It's slightly vulnerable here as I'm low on creatures, the ult keeps things out of my gy, which doesn't work for Dralnu, and she has a target painted on her head.
Not exciting changes, but utility is always a good thing.
Now THIS is a viable, game ender reanimation target. Must be answered, or it will dominate. Gains me value the longer it stays on board swinging, and Kozi needed tightening up so this was the perfect home for it. Lim-Dul is a cool, flavourful card, but didn't really suit this build and seemed a little awkward in here.
Animate Dead is good redundancy on reanimation spells, and with It that Betrays in the deck, Mirrorpool is a solid card here now. There were plenty of spells here to copy, I was just waiting for a good creature to copy to really solidify this land in the deck. I don't see it coming out again.
Rune-Scarred Demon is a favorite of mine in reanimation decks, the tutor effect is great and the fact that it's on a big creature is just a bonus.
Frantic Search should, in my opinion, be a staple in U reanimation decks - at the very worst it gets rid of a couple of unwanted cards in hand and at best you get to untap something like Mystifying Maze whilst also ditching a reanimation target.
How are you finding Memory Plunder and Covenant of Minds? Both seem a bit too unreliable for my taste, but I must confess I've never played with either of them.
I have to admit that while Rune-scarred Demon is a great card and a good option, I prefer not to opt to spend money on tutor effects. I have decks with them (Thraximundar has Sidisi, Undead Vizier), but only through opportunistic pulls. So I guess it's a good recommendation, but probably not one I'll take.
Frantic Search will end up in here eventually. It's a matter of tracking a copy down.
I have to admit, Covenant of Minds isn't bad at all. Worst case scenario is Jace's Ingenuity for one less U, best case I fill the yard and my hand. Memory Plunder I've not drawn yet. It's one of those cards that you want to playtest, but don't get the opportunity to.
That being said, I see it as a really good value card. I guess it's really there to pick up a board wipe or game ender, and it is really dependent on what your opponent is running. If I were to pick up reanimate spells at instant speed this would probably go, but otherwise I'm reasonably happy with it at present.
I pulled apart Mizzix of the Izmagnus yesterday, and some good stuff came from it. A couple of pulls from Amonkhet I want to try. Either one of them could be good or bad, but they both reward me for doing something I'm already going to do, so it's worth testing their value. Ixidron is a weird enough card that I wasn't sure if it fit, and same goes for Platinum Emperion. They both always seem to be the first on the chopping block. Rags // Riches I am definitely unsure about. The aftermath ability lends some utility, but I can only use it once OR use Rags twice. It may not last here, but it's worth a test.
I've sort of had an epiphany with this deck. It's one of my stronger decks, and has a strong control element; the reason for that is that with a looting effect, you have the option to make available to yourself any element of your deck that you'd like. It means that a)small scry is slightly irrelevant and b)something like Ancestral Knowledge that digs deep for the answers I want early is very strong. It has it's downside, but puts me ahead and gives me what I need.
I've added a few rocks to take advantage of the Engine, over and above the fact that it allows me to abuse Dralnu himself. Ideally it would help me fuel an Exsanguinate, but I don't own a copy at the moment. Most of the other removals are replaced with more efficient iterations. As always happy to have feedback, so fire away if you have suggestions.
In: Compulsive Research - Does everything I want it to. Teferi, Mage of Zhalfir - Blue's favourite hatebear, he's trialling a spot really. Could be great, or could do nothing. Bloodgift Demon - For extra draw. Metallurgic Summonings - Pretty sure it's been in here before, but never actually drew it. So will give it another go and see what it can do. Read the Bones - Doing this twice sounds great. Hero's Downfall - Solid instant. Windfall - The sort of draw this deck would love.
Out: High Tide - Without Exsanguinate it's a little redundant. Wrexial, the Risen Deep - As much as I love Chthulhu, his value is conditional on the deck I'm playing against. Memory Plunder - Likewise - conditional value. River Kelpie - Hasn't really pulled its weight. Forbid - It covers ground that I have plenty covered here. Victim of Night - I'd rather pay 3 for absolutely no restrictions. Jace's Sanctum - This hasn't pulled its weight well.
With the release of Iconic Masters very soon, I've got a couple of cards on my mind to see a place for here; Jin-Gitaxias, Core Augur, Consecrated Sphinx, Kokusho, the Evening Star, Cryptic Command - I'll open a few packs and see how it goes. I don't have the money to outright pay for all of these, so fingers crossed.
Some serious upgrades here. The rocks I switched out because this deck has more use for coloured over non-coloured mana. The reanimation targets here are strict upgrades in general, I now have some better draw, grave filling and draw filter, the format's best removal spell, and Lili will give me fodder and fill my grave too, as well as being a reanimation spell on a stick if needed. Pretty happy with most of this. Pemmin's Aura is obviously here for Dralnu - it may stay or it may not. Playtesting will tell.
In: Mox Amber - this could be good or bad, considering its dependence on legendary status. Time will tell. Final Parting - Filling graveyard and tutor for 3BB is decent. Unwind - Solid 'free' counterspell and mana fixer.
Out: Mind Stone Commandeer - its nice to be able to cast for free, but exiling is tough, and I already run Aethersnatch. Dissipate
[Primer] Erebos, God of the Dead
HONK HONK
This is true, although I do prefer to loot (draw then discard, like on Baral) than just randomly mill. I don't have a spare copy unfortunately. In saying that I could probably find space for something like Geier Reach Sanitarium, which to my mind is a symmetrical, more controlled and advantageous, version of the same effect.
In:
Swan Song
Unfulfilled Desires
Inkwell Leviathan
Lightning Greaves
Out
Forbidden Alchemy
Domineering Will
Void Winnower
Vampiric Rites
Still sort of feel like I need at least one or two more animation targets at present. Not sure of what to add, but last game I played I sort of stalled with two or three reanimation spells in hand and nothing to reanimate. Open to suggestions.
[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
[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
In:
Void Winnower - yeah it's back, I was an idiot.
High Market - sac outlet, finally tracked one down.
Out:
Mirari - Was often a dead draw, and I feel like most of the spells here are conditional enough not to need copying.
Island
In:
Platinum Emperion
Sol Ring
Foil
Hex
Out:
Spelltwine
Supplant Form
Altar of the lost
Mirari
I reslipped this deck over the weekend and discovered it was 2 cards short. Not sure how this happened but that has been rectified now.
Anyhow, I feel these are generally good changes. All of the outs have been dead draws really. Not sure about the added Emperion, but it's a fun effect and takes the heat off Dralnu in combat. Hex should be good fun too.
In:
Cyclonic Rift - strict upgrade for below
Mystic Confluence - great utility
Out:
Devastation Tide
Tamiyo, the Moon Sage - I made an executive decision and put it in a different deck. It's slightly vulnerable here as I'm low on creatures, the ult keeps things out of my gy, which doesn't work for Dralnu, and she has a target painted on her head.
Not exciting changes, but utility is always a good thing.
In:
It that Betrays
Animate Dead
Mirrorpool
Out:
Lim-Dul the Necromancer
Evacuation
Submerged Boneyard
Now THIS is a viable, game ender reanimation target. Must be answered, or it will dominate. Gains me value the longer it stays on board swinging, and Kozi needed tightening up so this was the perfect home for it. Lim-Dul is a cool, flavourful card, but didn't really suit this build and seemed a little awkward in here.
Animate Dead is good redundancy on reanimation spells, and with It that Betrays in the deck, Mirrorpool is a solid card here now. There were plenty of spells here to copy, I was just waiting for a good creature to copy to really solidify this land in the deck. I don't see it coming out again.
I have to admit that while Rune-scarred Demon is a great card and a good option, I prefer not to opt to spend money on tutor effects. I have decks with them (Thraximundar has Sidisi, Undead Vizier), but only through opportunistic pulls. So I guess it's a good recommendation, but probably not one I'll take.
Frantic Search will end up in here eventually. It's a matter of tracking a copy down.
I have to admit, Covenant of Minds isn't bad at all. Worst case scenario is Jace's Ingenuity for one less U, best case I fill the yard and my hand. Memory Plunder I've not drawn yet. It's one of those cards that you want to playtest, but don't get the opportunity to.
That being said, I see it as a really good value card. I guess it's really there to pick up a board wipe or game ender, and it is really dependent on what your opponent is running. If I were to pick up reanimate spells at instant speed this would probably go, but otherwise I'm reasonably happy with it at present.
In:
Archfiend of Ifnir
Curator of Mysteries
Rags // Riches
Aethersnatch
Recurring Insight
High Tide
Out:
Future Sight
Wretched Confluence
Sever the Bloodline
Black Sun's Zenith
Platinum Emperion
Ixidron
I pulled apart Mizzix of the Izmagnus yesterday, and some good stuff came from it. A couple of pulls from Amonkhet I want to try. Either one of them could be good or bad, but they both reward me for doing something I'm already going to do, so it's worth testing their value. Ixidron is a weird enough card that I wasn't sure if it fit, and same goes for Platinum Emperion. They both always seem to be the first on the chopping block. Rags // Riches I am definitely unsure about. The aftermath ability lends some utility, but I can only use it once OR use Rags twice. It may not last here, but it's worth a test.
In:
Commandeer
Out:
Rags // Riches
Pure versatility change - aftermath is a weird mechanic, and Commandeer is very versatile.
In:
Ancestral Knowledge
Out:
Curator of Mysteries
I've sort of had an epiphany with this deck. It's one of my stronger decks, and has a strong control element; the reason for that is that with a looting effect, you have the option to make available to yourself any element of your deck that you'd like. It means that a)small scry is slightly irrelevant and b)something like Ancestral Knowledge that digs deep for the answers I want early is very strong. It has it's downside, but puts me ahead and gives me what I need.
In:
Necromancy
Out:
Consume the Meek
Should be a good time indeed.
Gotta fix that ASAP.
5 Paradox Engine
4 Thran Dynamo
4 Hedron Archive
1 Submerged Boneyard
1 Command Tower
4 Stunt Double
7 Scourge of Fleets
2 Curse of the Swine
3 Ashes to Ashes
4 Whispering Madness
4 Aetherize
2 Island
1 Tragic Slip
4 Foil
6 Mirror Match
6 Hex
8 Army of the Damned
4 Wash Out
2 Ancestral Knowledge
5 Covenant Of Minds
5 Silumgar's Command
I've added a few rocks to take advantage of the Engine, over and above the fact that it allows me to abuse Dralnu himself. Ideally it would help me fuel an Exsanguinate, but I don't own a copy at the moment. Most of the other removals are replaced with more efficient iterations. As always happy to have feedback, so fire away if you have suggestions.
In:
Compulsive Research - Does everything I want it to.
Teferi, Mage of Zhalfir - Blue's favourite hatebear, he's trialling a spot really. Could be great, or could do nothing.
Bloodgift Demon - For extra draw.
Metallurgic Summonings - Pretty sure it's been in here before, but never actually drew it. So will give it another go and see what it can do.
Read the Bones - Doing this twice sounds great.
Hero's Downfall - Solid instant.
Windfall - The sort of draw this deck would love.
Out:
High Tide - Without Exsanguinate it's a little redundant.
Wrexial, the Risen Deep - As much as I love Chthulhu, his value is conditional on the deck I'm playing against.
Memory Plunder - Likewise - conditional value.
River Kelpie - Hasn't really pulled its weight.
Forbid - It covers ground that I have plenty covered here.
Victim of Night - I'd rather pay 3 for absolutely no restrictions.
Jace's Sanctum - This hasn't pulled its weight well.
With the release of Iconic Masters very soon, I've got a couple of cards on my mind to see a place for here; Jin-Gitaxias, Core Augur, Consecrated Sphinx, Kokusho, the Evening Star, Cryptic Command - I'll open a few packs and see how it goes. I don't have the money to outright pay for all of these, so fingers crossed.
In:
Jin-Gitaxias, Core Augur
Out:
Bloodgift Demon
3 Commander's Sphere
3 Darksteel Ingot
1 Underground River
1 Geier REach Sanitarium
3 Toxic Deluge
8 Dig Through Time
6 Consecrated Sphinx
5 Liliana, Death's Majesty
3 Buried Alive
8 Kederekt Leviathan
3 Pemmin's Aura
3 Worn Powerstone
4 Hedron Archive
2 Island
3 Ashes to Ahses
3 Read the Bones
9 Inkwell Leviathan
4 Stunt Double
7 Scourge of Fleets
3 Blue Sun's Zenith
Some serious upgrades here. The rocks I switched out because this deck has more use for coloured over non-coloured mana. The reanimation targets here are strict upgrades in general, I now have some better draw, grave filling and draw filter, the format's best removal spell, and Lili will give me fodder and fill my grave too, as well as being a reanimation spell on a stick if needed. Pretty happy with most of this. Pemmin's Aura is obviously here for Dralnu - it may stay or it may not. Playtesting will tell.
In:
Dimir Signet - coloured mana is what Dralnu needs mostly.
Riptide Laboratory - The errata to wizard makes this tech.
Out:
Pemmin's Aura
Island
In:
Mox Amber - this could be good or bad, considering its dependence on legendary status. Time will tell.
Final Parting - Filling graveyard and tutor for 3BB is decent.
Unwind - Solid 'free' counterspell and mana fixer.
Out:
Mind Stone
Commandeer - its nice to be able to cast for free, but exiling is tough, and I already run Aethersnatch.
Dissipate