When I first saw Nest of Scarabs get spoiled I thought, "Damn, that would be so cool on a legendary creature for commander! With a color identity of any combination of Jund colors..." Then I saw Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons get spoiled. Let the brewing commence! (No pun intended)
This is by no means any optimized list. This is what I threw together after searching through interactions with -1/-1 counters. The deck is considered casual since it won't ever pass the Tier 2 by any means. However, it could be very fun to play and has a lot of interesting interactions. Obviously the deck has the infinite combo of making a ridiculously large Quillspike thanks to Devoted Druid. Yet, that combo could potentially make infinitely many 1/1 black Insects, 1/1 green Snakes with deathtouch, and/or 1/1 green Elf Warriors.
The deck runs fairly slow since the amount of times it places 1/1 counters on opponents creatures isn't all that quick. Also, when it does, it isn't a lot. However, the -1/-1 counters aren't just for destroying opponents creatures as much as being bothersome while sprouting some tokens. -1/-1 counters gets rid of indestructible creatures, which is always a plus.
I'm pretty sure I'll eventually cut Melira, Sylvok Outcast since it nonbos a lot of interactions. There are some other cards that will be cut for better things that may appear in the future (Serrated Arrows, for example) in order to make the deck more efficient. Cauldron of Souls isn't going to be an all-star either since many cards give -1/-1 counters to my own creatures. However, when comboed with Melira, Sylvok Outcast, Cauldron of Souls is great. Which is why if I cut one, I'll probably cut the other. That being said, Mikaeus, the Unhallowed is broken here. If my own creatures die due to -1/-1 counters, they come back with undying. If they get any -1/-1 counters, it neutralizes the +1/+1 counter and they're good to go for another undying. I'll probably cut Archfiend of Ifnir and Geier Reach Sanitarium, as well. Since there are 5 cards on the chopping block, I'd have to see what new cards are spoiled or what better cards to put in their place. I could also potentially add Cryptolith Rite and Rings of Brighthearth. Although most abilities are free, being able to double them would be great.
The other slots were filled with acceleration in the form of card draw and mana dorks. So, any suggestions on what to cut, add, or swap would be greatly appreciated! Depending on what else is added in the Amonkhet block this general may have the potential to be an even more awesome commander.
My YouTube Channel: The Commander Tavern - a channel I just started where I'll post deck techs and gameplays. Please support by checking it out. Maybe you'll like its content and subscribe! Thanks!
My YouTube Channel: The Commander Tavern - a channel I just started where I'll post deck techs and gameplays. Please support by checking it out. Maybe you'll like its content and subscribe! Thanks!
Gaea's Anthem would help keep your snakes alive from 1 instance of -1. Then creating more snakes, then dying, creating even more. The anthem pump for token swarm would be decent as well. Its not as good as Beastmaster Ascension but works right away. Might be worth trying both, the pump ability to keep your own guys alive through -1/-1 counters across the board. Also not as big a threat/target.
I like the deck and ideas, makes use of Aboroth of all things, and all those nice Shadowmoor cards collecting dust.
Just makes me sad Kulrath Knight is red..
Aside, the black Amonkhet god, Bontu, better be a fit for this type of deck or serious flavour/set fail. So far I think it will have lifelink and the mana ability to give -1 counters. But its attack/block clause, hope its opponent creature has -1 counter. I dont see how that translates to 'ambition' though.
Creatures with persist didn't work well because most of the time they're gonna have a -1/-1 counter on them. It's one of the reasons I took out Cauldron of Souls.
Gaea's Anthem would help keep your snakes alive from 1 instance of -1. Then creating more snakes, then dying, creating even more. The anthem pump for token swarm would be decent as well. Its not as good as Beastmaster Ascension but works right away. Might be worth trying both, the pump ability to keep your own guys alive through -1/-1 counters across the board. Also not as big a threat/target.
I like the deck and ideas, makes use of Aboroth of all things, and all those nice Shadowmoor cards collecting dust.
Just makes me sad Kulrath Knight is red..
Aside, the black Amonkhet god, Bontu, better be a fit for this type of deck or serious flavour/set fail. So far I think it will have lifelink and the mana ability to give -1 counters. But its attack/block clause, hope its opponent creature has -1 counter. I dont see how that translates to 'ambition' though.
Adding anthems is a great idea since it will protect my 1/1's. However, when my 1/1's get a -1/-1 counter on them, they replace themselves, so I don't worry too much about it. So far I haven't had so much trouble with losing my 1/1's (as long as I had Hapatra, Nest of Scarabs, or Flourishing Defenses in play). In fact, most of the time it was better that they died due to -1/-1 counters because then I'd abuse cards like Blowfly Infestation. I can turn -1/-1 counters on my 1/1 creatures to more -1/-1 counters on opponents' creatures. Counterintuitively, it has actually been better to lose my 1/1's due to -1/-1 counters than to protect them.
My YouTube Channel: The Commander Tavern - a channel I just started where I'll post deck techs and gameplays. Please support by checking it out. Maybe you'll like its content and subscribe! Thanks!
I've brewed a list that is similar, I'm still undecided if I'm going to post it or not, but I would probably drop the Midnight Banshee as it is nonbo with so much of the deck. I would probably add Hex Parasite as another way to remove counters just in case. I've included in my build more Sac outlets like Attrition, Ashnod's Altar, Spawning Pit for that sweet Proliferate synergy, or potentially Mind Slash. If you're going to add more Sac outlets, I would probably add them as Non-Creatures since it makes them less likely to fall prey to your own effects. Rogue's Passage might be nice as it lets you swing in Hapatra. Finally, you might want to add some graveyard recursion since your deck is so reliant on its creatures, and has no way to recover from multiple wipes except to draw more creatures. If I was you I would probably look at adding something like Meren of Clan Nel-Toth, Eternal Witness, and probably a Phyrexian Reclamation.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
My List of Current Decks: -Modern- WMartyrProcB BBurnR -Commander-
If it's feasible in your budget, I'd run Earthcraft rather than Cryptolith Rite. The former is much more degenerate due to the fact that its wording circumvents summoning sickness.
I've brewed a list that is similar, I'm still undecided if I'm going to post it or not, but I would probably drop the Midnight Banshee as it is nonbo with so much of the deck. I would probably add Hex Parasite as another way to remove counters just in case. I've included in my build more Sac outlets like Attrition, Ashnod's Altar, Spawning Pit for that sweet Proliferate synergy, or potentially Mind Slash. If you're going to add more Sac outlets, I would probably add them as Non-Creatures since it makes them less likely to fall prey to your own effects. Rogue's Passage might be nice as it lets you swing in Hapatra. Finally, you might want to add some graveyard recursion since your deck is so reliant on its creatures, and has no way to recover from multiple wipes except to draw more creatures. If I was you I would probably look at adding something like Meren of Clan Nel-Toth, Eternal Witness, and probably a Phyrexian Reclamation.
If it's feasible in your budget, I'd run Earthcraft rather than Cryptolith Rite. The former is much more degenerate due to the fact that its wording circumvents summoning sickness.
That's actually a pretty great suggestion. I'll test it out to see.
My YouTube Channel: The Commander Tavern - a channel I just started where I'll post deck techs and gameplays. Please support by checking it out. Maybe you'll like its content and subscribe! Thanks!
My YouTube Channel: The Commander Tavern - a channel I just started where I'll post deck techs and gameplays. Please support by checking it out. Maybe you'll like its content and subscribe! Thanks!
I'd add Sculpting Steel. Two Grim Poppets can bounce counters infinitely. Squirrel's Nest because you are already running Earthcraft. I'd also second Beastmaster Ascension, I'd consider it auto include in any deck that can make a decent amount of tokens.
I also think this legend would function better in a token focused deck, instead of trying to force average -1/-1 counter cards to work. I don't think there are enough to build a cohesive deck around. I'd leave the good ones but change the decks focus. Big mana (supported by Earthcraft) into token army.
I'd run any of the key cards from G/B token decks, like: Grave Pact, Doubling Season, Primal Vigor, Necrogenesis, Night Soil.
I'd add Sculpting Steel. Two Grim Poppets can bounce counters infinitely. Squirrel's Nest because you are already running Earthcraft. I'd also second Beastmaster Ascension, I'd consider it auto include in any deck that can make a decent amount of tokens.
I also think this legend would function better in a token focused deck, instead of trying to force average -1/-1 counter cards to work. I don't think there are enough to build a cohesive deck around. I'd leave the good ones but change the decks focus. Big mana (supported by Earthcraft) into token army.
I'd run any of the key cards from G/B token decks, like: Grave Pact, Doubling Season, Primal Vigor, Necrogenesis, Night Soil.
I want to avoid adding Squirrel Nest because I want the deck to remain casual. And, Squirrel Nest + Earthcraft is practically an automatic win in any deck that can run G.
Maybe I should've mentioned that the purpose of the deck isn't simply making tokens. If that were the case, there are way better generals to go about that than Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons. I want to be very synergistic with the -1/-1 counters. Making tokens with deathtouch is a good deterrent against attacks. All the while you're eliminating enemy creatures anyways with -1/-1 counters. That being said, I do want more efficiency. However, the ultimate end is the synergy with -1/-1 counters. That's why the deck is casual. The deck is super fun to play and very synergistic. I doubt I'll win matches against Zur, Kaalia, Atraxa, etc. but it should be very viable in a more casual setting.
Ultimately, what I want is to make the deck run as smoothly as possible while maintaining the purpose of -1/-1 counter shenanigans.
I am brewing this awesome general and one thing that seems to fit perfectly with this bunch of token production is running a part of aristocrats deck.
What elements of Aristocrats are you planning to incorporate? I wanted to try and do a mix of Hapatra and Nath of the Gilt-Leaf to have a more solid control of the board by disruption and discard shenanigans. However, it didn't pan out well.
My YouTube Channel: The Commander Tavern - a channel I just started where I'll post deck techs and gameplays. Please support by checking it out. Maybe you'll like its content and subscribe! Thanks!
My YouTube Channel: The Commander Tavern - a channel I just started where I'll post deck techs and gameplays. Please support by checking it out. Maybe you'll like its content and subscribe! Thanks!
Decimator Beetle and Soulstinger look great for this deck, and the hippo might be worth a try as well. [Dusk Urchins] also looks great as he serves as a counter sink for the AKH guys and draws you cards.
Decimator Beetle is good but clunky. It's expensive to cast and its ability requires attacking. Without any kind of evasion it's kind of difficult to always guarantee using its ability. Soulstinger is okay but I feel a bit underwhelming in the deck. As with Dusk Urchins, they're great at receiving -1/-1 counters and bringing you a benefit from them dying. Hm, I guess it remains to test a bit more those kinds of effects.
My YouTube Channel: The Commander Tavern - a channel I just started where I'll post deck techs and gameplays. Please support by checking it out. Maybe you'll like its content and subscribe! Thanks!
The reason I like the beetle and soulstinger is that each time you move a counter, Hapatra triggers again. While I concede that you will rarely get damage out of the beetle, in my playgroup his ability reads "T: move a counter from a creature you control to a creature an opponent controls. That player sacrifices a chump". Getting to take out a utility dork and whatever token they chump with is decent. If everyone has 6 power guys waiting to block by turn 6 routinely in your group, I can see overlooking him.
In addition, have you considered tossing in a small aristocrats package (blood artist, Zulaport cutthroat, etc)? Given the amount of stuff that dies with this deck, it seems like you could get a decent amount of life off of them. Grasping Dunes may also be worth a look, you can sac it late game for a random snake.
Yeah, the land is definitely a card I'm considering.
The thing with the beetle is that by turn 5 (when I drop it) most people should also have a similar body in play. But I do get that it transfers a -1/-1 counter. Which is why I like cards like Serrated Biskelion.
Many people have brought up an Aristocrats package. I may look into it to see if I can take advantage of the tokens.
My YouTube Channel: The Commander Tavern - a channel I just started where I'll post deck techs and gameplays. Please support by checking it out. Maybe you'll like its content and subscribe! Thanks!
What about any infect creatures? I know that if you so mention the word, people will tighten thier sphincter. Im not saying go all in for an infect kill. But just Glistening Oil and some others would give value.
Edit : Ok derp, I dont remember seeing that the first time I looked through the decklist.
Any other infect or wither creatures worth looking at?
What about any infect creatures? I know that if you so mention the word, people will tighten thier sphincter. Im not saying go all in for an infect kill. But just Glistening Oil and some others would give value.
Edit : Ok derp, I dont remember seeing that the first time I looked through the decklist.
Any other infect or wither creatures worth looking at?
I was considering it seeming as people may not attack since their creature will get -1/-1 counters which will give me deathtouch tokens to boot. Also, they may think twice before blocking because I get deathtouch tokens. However, if they don't block they'll get poison counters.
The thing with infect is that it's parasitic; so the deck has to have more than just a couple of cards to get the win off poison counters. Otherwise, they take up space. Glistening Oil has other benefits besides infect. And, if I happen to win with it thanks to the infect, that's just a happy accident, honestly. Although just one poison counter could potentially become pretty dangerous thanks to Contagion Clasp and Contagion Engine. However, I don't think adding creatures or cards that just have infect is enough for the deck.
My YouTube Channel: The Commander Tavern - a channel I just started where I'll post deck techs and gameplays. Please support by checking it out. Maybe you'll like its content and subscribe! Thanks!
My YouTube Channel: The Commander Tavern - a channel I just started where I'll post deck techs and gameplays. Please support by checking it out. Maybe you'll like its content and subscribe! Thanks!
Good call. I was also considering some removal like Beast Within, which gives my opponents a creature to put -1/-1 counters on, as well.
That's a better idea than mine, given Hapatra's ability. You have enough ways to kill opponent tokens en mass, so Maelstrom Pulse is only better if more than one player is using cards of same name.
I playtested your deck and wonder if Rishkar, Peema Renegade would be a good inclusion. First of all it allows your creatures with Any counter to tap for mana, second it helps remove some -1/-1 counters on creatures you want to keep alive. During testing I noticed that while the snake generation was rampant, there were creatures I wanted to keep alive but could not due to too many -1/-1 counters on them. While -1/-1 and +1/+1 counters cancel out each other, the process remain intact therefore can still generate snakes via Hapatra.
Similarly, Hunting Moa provides +1/+1 counters and can be a target for -1/-1 counters whom conveniently dies on its own to trigger effects. Blade of the Bloodchief also keeps certain creatures such as Harbinger of Night alive and continue to distribute -1/-1 counters without dying to its own ability. Snake tokens flooded the table when Harbinger of Night is out with a few creatures, and gets more and more creatures each upkeep, or one could utilize the trigger of Altar of the Brood and/or sacrifice them to activate Altar of Dementia for milling effects.
Rishkar, Peema Renegade is a good suggestion. However, only creatures with counters on them would tap for G. I would rather include Cryptolith Rite and even then I have Earthcraft which makes my creatures untap basic lands at instant speed. The two +1/+1 counters are practically negligible compared to all the -1/-1 counters falling around. Hunting Moa I feel maybe too underwhelming due to its echo cost.
Blade of the Bloodchief is a card that I definitely want to include. As you say, it can make a creature exceedingly large with all the death going around.
What I'm considering is ways of adding +1/+1 counters to all my creatures, that way I can potentially save some from dying. Another option is mass reanimation. Here are some cards I'm considering for such effects:
The only ones of those that aren't 1-time effects are Nissa, Voice of Zendikar, Mazirek, Kraul Death Priest, and Oran-Rief, the Vastwood. Since I already have a Mazirek deck, I don't want to build around it when it's not even the commander - I hardly even have any cards that make things sacrifice in the first place. Nissa would be great because I'd get a 0/1 plant every 2 turns and a +1/+1 counter on all my creatures every 3rd turn.
Another option is to add boons that raise toughness like:
When mentioning Spidersilk Armor I noticed that I'm very vulnerable to flyers. Then I also noticed that Sandwurm Convergence exists. I should definitely try fitting that one in as well.
Looking through cards in Gatherer I was even considering adding a slight Snake Matters suite to the deck, lol.
I still have lots of testing and brewing to do. So I really appreciate any and all suggestions everyone has been giving me so far. I like this commander and I feel like it has a lot of promise as a casual commander that can still win a lot of games while being fun to play with and against.
My YouTube Channel: The Commander Tavern - a channel I just started where I'll post deck techs and gameplays. Please support by checking it out. Maybe you'll like its content and subscribe! Thanks!
Correct me if I'm wrong, but the way hapatra, vizier of poisons is worded will make it so you don't get the snake if a creature you control with infect or wither deals damage to a creature right? Because she says "Whenever you put a -1/-1 counter..." and wither says "This deals damage to creatures in the form of -1/-1 counters." So the creature with wither is putting the -1/-1 counter on the other creature not you, so no snake right? Granted, if you proliferate a -1/-1 counter that went onto an opponent's creature from a source with wither, that would get you a snake.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but the way hapatra, vizier of poisons is worded will make it so you don't get the snake if a creature you control with infect or wither deals damage to a creature right? Because she says "Whenever you put a -1/-1 counter..." and wither says "This deals damage to creatures in the form of -1/-1 counters." So the creature with wither is putting the -1/-1 counter on the other creature not you, so no snake right? Granted, if you proliferate a -1/-1 counter that went onto an opponent's creature from a source with wither, that would get you a snake.
It's refering to an ability you control. You don't put counters with spells either, if you want to split hairs; the spell does.
My YouTube Channel: The Commander Tavern - a channel I just started where I'll post deck techs and gameplays. Please support by checking it out. Maybe you'll like its content and subscribe! Thanks!
I know you are a bit hesitant with infect, but have you tried Flesh-Eater Imp? He is a counter distributor and defensive flyer early on, then when you have enough snakes he is a wincon.
2 Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons
Artifacts: 3
4 Contagion Clasp
6 Contagion Engine
1 Elixir of Immortality
Creatures: 27
1 Birds of Paradise
6 Carnifex Demon
5 Cinderhaze Wretch
4 Creakwood Liege
2 Devoted Druid
1 Elvish Mystic
3 Eternal Witness
4 Flesh-Eater Imp
1 Fyndhorn Elves
7 Grim Poppet
4 Harbinger of Night
1 Hex Parasite
1 Llanowar Elves
6 Midnight Banshee
6 Mikaeus, the Unhallowed
3 Necroskitter
3 Obelisk Spider
3 Quillspike
7 Rune-Scarred Demon
3 Serrated Biskelion
5 Sidisi, Undead Vizier
4 Skinrender
3 Sorceress Queen
4 Soul Snuffers
6 Thunderfoot Baloth
4 Vhati il-Dal
4 Wickerbough Elder
3 Beastmaster Ascension
3 Blowfly Infestation
2 Crumbling Ashes
2 Earthcraft
2 Fevered Convulsions
5 Flourishing Defenses
2 Glistening Oil
4 Leyline of Vitality
3 Nest of Scarabs
4 Parallel Lives
1 Phyrexian Reclamation
3 Spidersilk Armor
1 Torture
Planeswalkers: 1
7 Liliana, Death Wielder
Spells: 19
2 Altar's Reap
3 Beast Within
3 Merciless Resolve
7 Scour from Existence
3 Succumb to Temptation
3 Sudden Spoiling
4 Ambition's Cost
4 Ancient Craving
2 Black Sun's Zenith
4 Harmonize
5 Incremental Blight
6 Liliana's Influence
3 Live Fast
3 Maelstrom Pulse
2 Night's Whisper
3 Painful Lesson
3 Read the Bones
2 Sign in Blood
2 Skulltap
0 Bayou
0 Bojuka Bog
0 Cabal Coffers
0 City of Brass
0 Command Tower
0 Forest (x10)
0 Gaea's Cradle
0 Gilt-Leaf Palace
0 Llanowar Wastes
0 Mana Confluence
0 Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx
0 Overgrown Tomb
0 Reliquary Tower
0 Rogue's Passage
0 Swamp (x10)
0 Tainted Wood
0 Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
0 Woodland Cemetery
This is by no means any optimized list. This is what I threw together after searching through interactions with -1/-1 counters. The deck is considered casual since it won't ever pass the Tier 2 by any means. However, it could be very fun to play and has a lot of interesting interactions. Obviously the deck has the infinite combo of making a ridiculously large Quillspike thanks to Devoted Druid. Yet, that combo could potentially make infinitely many 1/1 black Insects, 1/1 green Snakes with deathtouch, and/or 1/1 green Elf Warriors.
The deck runs fairly slow since the amount of times it places 1/1 counters on opponents creatures isn't all that quick. Also, when it does, it isn't a lot. However, the -1/-1 counters aren't just for destroying opponents creatures as much as being bothersome while sprouting some tokens. -1/-1 counters gets rid of indestructible creatures, which is always a plus.
I'm pretty sure I'll eventually cut Melira, Sylvok Outcast since it nonbos a lot of interactions. There are some other cards that will be cut for better things that may appear in the future (Serrated Arrows, for example) in order to make the deck more efficient. Cauldron of Souls isn't going to be an all-star either since many cards give -1/-1 counters to my own creatures. However, when comboed with Melira, Sylvok Outcast, Cauldron of Souls is great. Which is why if I cut one, I'll probably cut the other. That being said, Mikaeus, the Unhallowed is broken here. If my own creatures die due to -1/-1 counters, they come back with undying. If they get any -1/-1 counters, it neutralizes the +1/+1 counter and they're good to go for another undying. I'll probably cut Archfiend of Ifnir and Geier Reach Sanitarium, as well. Since there are 5 cards on the chopping block, I'd have to see what new cards are spoiled or what better cards to put in their place. I could also potentially add Cryptolith Rite and Rings of Brighthearth. Although most abilities are free, being able to double them would be great.
The other slots were filled with acceleration in the form of card draw and mana dorks. So, any suggestions on what to cut, add, or swap would be greatly appreciated! Depending on what else is added in the Amonkhet block this general may have the potential to be an even more awesome commander.
5 Cauldron of Souls
4 Serrated Arrows
2 Melira, Sylvok Outcast
5 Archfiend of Ifnir
0 Geier Reach Sanitarium
2 Strionic Resonator
3 Rings of Brighthearth
7 Rune-Scarred Demon
2 Cryptolith Rite
5 Plaguemaw Beast
1 Core Prowler
1 Lockjaw Snapper
1 Plaguemaw Beast
1 Cryptolith Rite
1 Grim Affliction
1 Crypt of Agadeem
5 Spread the Sickness
1 Hex Parasite
1 Meren of Clan Nel Toth
1 Eternal Witness
1 Phyrexian Reclamation
1 Rogue's Passage
1 Earthcraft
4 Harmonize
BGU [Primer] Sidisi, Brood Tyrant BGU | BG [Primer] Mazirek, Kraul Death Priest BG | G [Primer] Polukranos, World Eater G
My YouTube Channel:
The Commander Tavern - a channel I just started where I'll post deck techs and gameplays. Please support by checking it out. Maybe you'll like its content and subscribe! Thanks!
BGU [Primer] Sidisi, Brood Tyrant BGU | BG [Primer] Mazirek, Kraul Death Priest BG | G [Primer] Polukranos, World Eater G
My YouTube Channel:
The Commander Tavern - a channel I just started where I'll post deck techs and gameplays. Please support by checking it out. Maybe you'll like its content and subscribe! Thanks!
I like the deck and ideas, makes use of Aboroth of all things, and all those nice Shadowmoor cards collecting dust.
Just makes me sad Kulrath Knight is red..
Aside, the black Amonkhet god, Bontu, better be a fit for this type of deck or serious flavour/set fail. So far I think it will have lifelink and the mana ability to give -1 counters. But its attack/block clause, hope its opponent creature has -1 counter. I dont see how that translates to 'ambition' though.
Creatures with persist didn't work well because most of the time they're gonna have a -1/-1 counter on them. It's one of the reasons I took out Cauldron of Souls.
Adding anthems is a great idea since it will protect my 1/1's. However, when my 1/1's get a -1/-1 counter on them, they replace themselves, so I don't worry too much about it. So far I haven't had so much trouble with losing my 1/1's (as long as I had Hapatra, Nest of Scarabs, or Flourishing Defenses in play). In fact, most of the time it was better that they died due to -1/-1 counters because then I'd abuse cards like Blowfly Infestation. I can turn -1/-1 counters on my 1/1 creatures to more -1/-1 counters on opponents' creatures. Counterintuitively, it has actually been better to lose my 1/1's due to -1/-1 counters than to protect them.
BGU [Primer] Sidisi, Brood Tyrant BGU | BG [Primer] Mazirek, Kraul Death Priest BG | G [Primer] Polukranos, World Eater G
My YouTube Channel:
The Commander Tavern - a channel I just started where I'll post deck techs and gameplays. Please support by checking it out. Maybe you'll like its content and subscribe! Thanks!
-Modern-
WMartyrProcB
BBurnR
-Commander-
Those are great ideas. Midnight Banshee hasn't that bad, actually. Hex Parasite is definitely a card I should add. Meren of Clan Nel Toth is pretty broken (use it to great advantage in my Mazirek deck). Eternal Witness and Phyrexian Reclamation should definitely be added. What swaps do you think I should make for these?
I'm interested to see your list, as well.
That's actually a pretty great suggestion. I'll test it out to see.
BGU [Primer] Sidisi, Brood Tyrant BGU | BG [Primer] Mazirek, Kraul Death Priest BG | G [Primer] Polukranos, World Eater G
My YouTube Channel:
The Commander Tavern - a channel I just started where I'll post deck techs and gameplays. Please support by checking it out. Maybe you'll like its content and subscribe! Thanks!
1 Core Prowler
1 Lockjaw Snapper
1 Plaguemaw Beast
1 Cryptolith Rite
1 Grim Affliction
1 Crypt of Agadeem
1 Hex Parasite
1 Meren of Clan Nel Toth
1 Eternal Witness
1 Phyrexian Reclamation
1 Rogue's Passage
1 Earthcraft
BGU [Primer] Sidisi, Brood Tyrant BGU | BG [Primer] Mazirek, Kraul Death Priest BG | G [Primer] Polukranos, World Eater G
My YouTube Channel:
The Commander Tavern - a channel I just started where I'll post deck techs and gameplays. Please support by checking it out. Maybe you'll like its content and subscribe! Thanks!
I also think this legend would function better in a token focused deck, instead of trying to force average -1/-1 counter cards to work. I don't think there are enough to build a cohesive deck around. I'd leave the good ones but change the decks focus. Big mana (supported by Earthcraft) into token army.
I'd run any of the key cards from G/B token decks, like: Grave Pact, Doubling Season, Primal Vigor, Necrogenesis, Night Soil.
Also any cards that make stupid amounts of tokens: Hooded Hydra, Gelatinous Genesis, Fresh Meat, Second Harvest, Hydra Broodmaster, Army of the Damned.
Maybes on Bitterblossom, Awakening Zone, Sylvan Offering, Arachnogenesis, Creakwood Liege, Wolfbriar Elemental, Ant Queen, Parallel Evolution, Worm Harvest.
That's just how I feel about it, anyway.
I want to avoid adding Squirrel Nest because I want the deck to remain casual. And, Squirrel Nest + Earthcraft is practically an automatic win in any deck that can run G.
Maybe I should've mentioned that the purpose of the deck isn't simply making tokens. If that were the case, there are way better generals to go about that than Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons. I want to be very synergistic with the -1/-1 counters. Making tokens with deathtouch is a good deterrent against attacks. All the while you're eliminating enemy creatures anyways with -1/-1 counters. That being said, I do want more efficiency. However, the ultimate end is the synergy with -1/-1 counters. That's why the deck is casual. The deck is super fun to play and very synergistic. I doubt I'll win matches against Zur, Kaalia, Atraxa, etc. but it should be very viable in a more casual setting.
Ultimately, what I want is to make the deck run as smoothly as possible while maintaining the purpose of -1/-1 counter shenanigans.
What elements of Aristocrats are you planning to incorporate? I wanted to try and do a mix of Hapatra and Nath of the Gilt-Leaf to have a more solid control of the board by disruption and discard shenanigans. However, it didn't pan out well.
BGU [Primer] Sidisi, Brood Tyrant BGU | BG [Primer] Mazirek, Kraul Death Priest BG | G [Primer] Polukranos, World Eater G
My YouTube Channel:
The Commander Tavern - a channel I just started where I'll post deck techs and gameplays. Please support by checking it out. Maybe you'll like its content and subscribe! Thanks!
BGU [Primer] Sidisi, Brood Tyrant BGU | BG [Primer] Mazirek, Kraul Death Priest BG | G [Primer] Polukranos, World Eater G
My YouTube Channel:
The Commander Tavern - a channel I just started where I'll post deck techs and gameplays. Please support by checking it out. Maybe you'll like its content and subscribe! Thanks!
BGU [Primer] Sidisi, Brood Tyrant BGU | BG [Primer] Mazirek, Kraul Death Priest BG | G [Primer] Polukranos, World Eater G
My YouTube Channel:
The Commander Tavern - a channel I just started where I'll post deck techs and gameplays. Please support by checking it out. Maybe you'll like its content and subscribe! Thanks!
In addition, have you considered tossing in a small aristocrats package (blood artist, Zulaport cutthroat, etc)? Given the amount of stuff that dies with this deck, it seems like you could get a decent amount of life off of them. Grasping Dunes may also be worth a look, you can sac it late game for a random snake.
The thing with the beetle is that by turn 5 (when I drop it) most people should also have a similar body in play. But I do get that it transfers a -1/-1 counter. Which is why I like cards like Serrated Biskelion.
Many people have brought up an Aristocrats package. I may look into it to see if I can take advantage of the tokens.
BGU [Primer] Sidisi, Brood Tyrant BGU | BG [Primer] Mazirek, Kraul Death Priest BG | G [Primer] Polukranos, World Eater G
My YouTube Channel:
The Commander Tavern - a channel I just started where I'll post deck techs and gameplays. Please support by checking it out. Maybe you'll like its content and subscribe! Thanks!
Edit : Ok derp, I dont remember seeing that the first time I looked through the decklist.
Any other infect or wither creatures worth looking at?
Lol, yeah, Glistening Oil is too good to pass up.
I was considering it seeming as people may not attack since their creature will get -1/-1 counters which will give me deathtouch tokens to boot. Also, they may think twice before blocking because I get deathtouch tokens. However, if they don't block they'll get poison counters.
The thing with infect is that it's parasitic; so the deck has to have more than just a couple of cards to get the win off poison counters. Otherwise, they take up space. Glistening Oil has other benefits besides infect. And, if I happen to win with it thanks to the infect, that's just a happy accident, honestly. Although just one poison counter could potentially become pretty dangerous thanks to Contagion Clasp and Contagion Engine. However, I don't think adding creatures or cards that just have infect is enough for the deck.
BGU [Primer] Sidisi, Brood Tyrant BGU | BG [Primer] Mazirek, Kraul Death Priest BG | G [Primer] Polukranos, World Eater G
My YouTube Channel:
The Commander Tavern - a channel I just started where I'll post deck techs and gameplays. Please support by checking it out. Maybe you'll like its content and subscribe! Thanks!
Shu Yun, the Silent Tempest WUR Voltron Control
Temmet, Vizier of Naktamun WU Unblockable Mirror Trickery
Ra's al Ghul (Sidar Kondo) and Face-Down Ninjas
Brudiclad, Token Engineer
Vaevictis (VV2) the Dire Lantern
Rona, Disciple of Gix
Tiana the Auror
Hallar
Ulrich the Politician
Zur the Rebel
Scorpion, Locust, Scarab, Egyptian Gods
O-Kagachi, Mathas, Mairsil
"Non-Tribal" Tribal Generals, Eggs
Good call. I was also considering some removal like Beast Within, which gives my opponents a creature to put -1/-1 counters on, as well.
BGU [Primer] Sidisi, Brood Tyrant BGU | BG [Primer] Mazirek, Kraul Death Priest BG | G [Primer] Polukranos, World Eater G
My YouTube Channel:
The Commander Tavern - a channel I just started where I'll post deck techs and gameplays. Please support by checking it out. Maybe you'll like its content and subscribe! Thanks!
That's a better idea than mine, given Hapatra's ability. You have enough ways to kill opponent tokens en mass, so Maelstrom Pulse is only better if more than one player is using cards of same name.
I playtested your deck and wonder if Rishkar, Peema Renegade would be a good inclusion. First of all it allows your creatures with Any counter to tap for mana, second it helps remove some -1/-1 counters on creatures you want to keep alive. During testing I noticed that while the snake generation was rampant, there were creatures I wanted to keep alive but could not due to too many -1/-1 counters on them. While -1/-1 and +1/+1 counters cancel out each other, the process remain intact therefore can still generate snakes via Hapatra.
Similarly, Hunting Moa provides +1/+1 counters and can be a target for -1/-1 counters whom conveniently dies on its own to trigger effects. Blade of the Bloodchief also keeps certain creatures such as Harbinger of Night alive and continue to distribute -1/-1 counters without dying to its own ability. Snake tokens flooded the table when Harbinger of Night is out with a few creatures, and gets more and more creatures each upkeep, or one could utilize the trigger of Altar of the Brood and/or sacrifice them to activate Altar of Dementia for milling effects.
Shu Yun, the Silent Tempest WUR Voltron Control
Temmet, Vizier of Naktamun WU Unblockable Mirror Trickery
Ra's al Ghul (Sidar Kondo) and Face-Down Ninjas
Brudiclad, Token Engineer
Vaevictis (VV2) the Dire Lantern
Rona, Disciple of Gix
Tiana the Auror
Hallar
Ulrich the Politician
Zur the Rebel
Scorpion, Locust, Scarab, Egyptian Gods
O-Kagachi, Mathas, Mairsil
"Non-Tribal" Tribal Generals, Eggs
Blade of the Bloodchief is a card that I definitely want to include. As you say, it can make a creature exceedingly large with all the death going around.
Altar of the Brood and Altar of Dementia is a great strategy, actually. The thing with Altar of Dementia is that my creatures will have low power due to having -1/-1 counters on it.
What I'm considering is ways of adding +1/+1 counters to all my creatures, that way I can potentially save some from dying. Another option is mass reanimation. Here are some cards I'm considering for such effects:
The only ones of those that aren't 1-time effects are Nissa, Voice of Zendikar, Mazirek, Kraul Death Priest, and Oran-Rief, the Vastwood. Since I already have a Mazirek deck, I don't want to build around it when it's not even the commander - I hardly even have any cards that make things sacrifice in the first place. Nissa would be great because I'd get a 0/1 plant every 2 turns and a +1/+1 counter on all my creatures every 3rd turn.
Another option is to add boons that raise toughness like:
When mentioning Spidersilk Armor I noticed that I'm very vulnerable to flyers. Then I also noticed that Sandwurm Convergence exists. I should definitely try fitting that one in as well.
Looking through cards in Gatherer I was even considering adding a slight Snake Matters suite to the deck, lol.
I still have lots of testing and brewing to do. So I really appreciate any and all suggestions everyone has been giving me so far. I like this commander and I feel like it has a lot of promise as a casual commander that can still win a lot of games while being fun to play with and against.
BGU [Primer] Sidisi, Brood Tyrant BGU | BG [Primer] Mazirek, Kraul Death Priest BG | G [Primer] Polukranos, World Eater G
My YouTube Channel:
The Commander Tavern - a channel I just started where I'll post deck techs and gameplays. Please support by checking it out. Maybe you'll like its content and subscribe! Thanks!
The Deep Ones
Cyborg Huey's Bosh, Iron Golem Deck
Cyborg Huey's Rosheen Meander Deck
BUGThe Dunwich Horror and Other Lovecraftian TalesBUG
It's refering to an ability you control. You don't put counters with spells either, if you want to split hairs; the spell does.
BGU [Primer] Sidisi, Brood Tyrant BGU | BG [Primer] Mazirek, Kraul Death Priest BG | G [Primer] Polukranos, World Eater G
My YouTube Channel:
The Commander Tavern - a channel I just started where I'll post deck techs and gameplays. Please support by checking it out. Maybe you'll like its content and subscribe! Thanks!