This is the last kind of deck I never thought I’d build. I’ve never built a real dedicated Voltron deck and never a mono-B deck. In fact, the only B related deck I have under my belt was my very first deck a few years ago now. All those decks and no black, and no full-on voltrons! I’m usually the [man]U[/man] player at the table and that’s where I’m most comfortable. So, I’m deciding to break that mold and keep my local playgroup on their feet.
As the spoils of Dominaria came rolling in, there seemed to be a bunch of fun new stuff to play with. I’m drawn to the undervalued and underdogs. I believe every card has potential with enough imagination. I’m also a sucker for the weird and equivocal. Naturally, when Yargle, Glutton of Urborg hit the scene, I saw all the makings of a crazy, zany good time. Everyone loves Yargle, right? Yargle’s so cute and cuddly, right? So much personality on one little card!
Yargle, Glutton of Urborg costs 4B for a Legendary Creature – Frog Spirit. Not as cheap as some other mono-B commanders that can run Voltron like Korlash, Heir to Blackblade or Yahenni, Undying Partisan, but also not as expensive as Volrath the Fallen. There’s not a lot of frog creatures, but there are nearly 100 black spirit creatures if one is inclined to take him tribal. That is not this deck.
His rules text gives us . . . nothing. That’s right, nada, zip, zero, and zilch. We call this kind of creature “vanilla”, although Yargle’s personality and gusto are far from anything plain. Unfortunately, this is where some people will turn away from Yargle, particularly with regards to the command zone, but I read his flavor text and I can see it – he started out as a little ol’ maggot who possessed a frog and turned into this beast. From the bottom of the food chain to the top. If that’s not potential, I dunno what is. Lord Yargle will recognize and remember your insolence, and he will take reparations with your life!
Yargle’s luminous part-Predator-part-Cookie Monster-faced body comes down as a 9/3. A 9/3! There’s a few other 9+ power creatures, but they all essentially require another cost on top of the mana such as sacrificing creatures, and none of them for cheaper than 7 or 8 mana, save Death’s Shadow, which I’ve never seen in an EDH game. 9 power! That’s almost 2 power per mana of investment on the first casting. That’s a big number coming from the command zone, and already we can see why he might shine in Voltron – giving in to his gluttonous rampage on life totals, and cookies. A modest +2 pump to power turns him into a 2-turn clock for opponents. 3 toughness isn’t great, but we can work with that especially if he comes out early and can be protected, which is the whole point of a Voltron.
Again, since I have the least experience with black amongst the colors and have never actually even brewed a Voltron myself, I’ll need a little help fleshing things out. I haven’t tagged this as [CASUAL] because I’m not sure how competitive I’ll need or want to take this at the moment. It may come that Yargle actually needs some help “getting there” and I may consider more competitive stuff if that gets there. For example, this list won’t have stuff like Umezawa’s Jitte, Quietus Spike, or the Swords of X & Y, but may consider them in the future after I’ve played it a while and can see how far it can go in my playgroup without stuff like that. At this point I’m thinking fairly casual no tutors, infinite combos etc. Also, I realize that things like Tainted Strike and Grafted Exoskeleton make Yargle the cutest one-shotting infector there ever was, but as soon as my playgroup saw something like that, I’d never make it in another game with Yargle again – they’d all be sure to kill me off first before ever letting me get there, so I’m leaving infect out as well. Majority of games I play are 3-4 multiplayer.
I greatly appreciate any and all advice and suggestions! I usually know a deck can be fun for me if I have fun brewing it “goldfishing” a bit, and this one seems outrageous enough to make for fun times. To see my opponents’ faces when I’m swinging in this ex-maggot turned gluttonous Cookie Monster cousin frog to take them out of the game should be priceless. Yargle, Yargle, Yargle!
Getting Yargle out as soon as we can, protecting him, beating face, and counting to 21.
Yargle, Glutton of Urborg wants to feast on bodies, and he wants to do it now! Getting him out early is pretty key to the game plan of blackjacking opponents. We’re using some early ramps to help with that: Sol Ring, Jet Medallion, Mind Stone, Commander’s Sphere, Darksteel Ingot, Worn Powerstone, and Hedron Archive all come out before Yargle and can help cast him earlier. We all love God-hand scenarios, and Turn 2 Yargle is possible: T1 play a Swamp, cast Sol Ring, cast Jet Medallion, then T2 play another Swamp and cast Yargle. Alright, probably never gonna actually happen, but we can definitely try to get him out before T5 with these early ramp pieces. Later on, we can use bigger mana producers to push us over the top when needed, such as Cabal Coffers, it’s new cousin Cabal Stronghold, and Crypt Ghast. Expedition Map can get either of the Cabals, or any other utility land if needed.
Great, Yargle is on the loose and his gluttony yields to no one. He prefers cookies, to be sure, but our opponents likely didn’t bring any to the table, so their life totals will have to do. This will make Yargle a big target for removal, so we will need to protect him via Darksteel Plate, Hammer of Nazahn, Ring of Xathrid, Whispersilk Cloak (which doubles as a damage enabler), and the trusty Swiftfoot Boots. I have left out Lightning Greaves because there’s a lot of equipment in here and I don’t want to be caught with the Greaves on Yargle and no other body to move the Greaves to so that I can equip another equipment to him. Blessing of Leeches and Skeletal Grimace provide cheap regeneration. High Market to sacrifice Yargle in response to theft effects or the occasional Song of the Dryads, Imprisoned in the Moon, or Darksteel Mutation. Homeward Path for same antitheft devices.
Yargle’s favorite number is 21, but if he’s having a rough day, I’ve included a few other big bodies to pick up all the equipment and swing away, notably Korlash, Heir to Blackblade and Phage the Untouchable if I can get her unblockable.
Cards win games. We want to draw cards so that we can win games. Quick hand jolts are preferred to slower draw "engines (thanks for pointing this out, GloriousGoose) so we've included Ancient Craving, Ambition's Cost, Night's Whisper, Sign in Blood, Succumb to Temptation , and Promise of Power. I’m trying out Morbid Curiosity because I can sacrifice an artifact, which the deck is chock full of, and I included Read the Bones because I really like to see cards before I choose to draw them. Paying all this life is a very B thing, one I might not be used to, but cards win games, not life. Still, Once Yargle gets roaring, and people realize the underestimation of The Dark Lord, we’ll get some aggro back and will need to pad our own life total. I’m hoping Sangromancer pays off as much here as it has in my only other B deck.
I’m not absolutely confident on some lands. I’m running 12 non-basic lands, so is the new Cabal Stronghold still awesome here? I'd like to increase the Swamp count, but not sure the current best way of doing that.
There’s an overwhelming majority of artifacts here. Am I missing any particular artifact synergies that would assist in the Voltron game plan? What else have I missed?
I had a blast building this so far and I can’t wait for Dominaria release to sleeve it up. Still, I really feel like I don’t wholly know what I’m doing here, but we all want Yargle to succeed, so I’d appreciate any and all comments and suggestions! Thanks ahead of time!
I already love this. All Hail Yargle, Evincar of the Stronghold, Doom of Fools, Lord of the Wastes, Eternal Patriarch of the Cabal, Master of the Ebon Hand, Scion of Darkness!
Riku of Two Reflections - Copy, then copy again | Shattergang Brothers - Token Sac&Recur | Gahiji, Honored One - Multiple attack steps | Karametra, God of Harvests - Landfall, Creaturefall, Shroud | Ruhan of the Fomori - Stop hitting yourself | Zurgo Helmsmasher - Equipment&Wraths | Crosis, the Purger - Dragon Tribal Reanimator | Derevi, Empyrial Tactician - No stax, just tap and untap fun | Anafenza, the Foremost - Enduring Ideal Enchantress | Sharuum, the Hegemon - Sphinx Tribal Control | Noyan Dar - Spellslinger | The Mimeoplasm - Counterpalooza
Lists can be found here.
Still convinced the guy on Beseech the Queen is wearing a Mitra-type hat. Wake up sheeple!
Thanks, CasualCalamity1! Of course, how could I forget Hatred? I know I’ve seen it on other lists before. Lemme brainstorm what I might cut for it.
Also, how do people feel about Auras here? I’ve never really thought about using them because they’re susceptible to the 2-for-1 removal, but if Lord Yargle, Glutton of Urborg can be adequately protected, then maybe they’re better here? It’s hard for me to evaluate, but Blessing of Leeches seems particularly useful for any destroy effects and Strength of Lunacy buffs him to a 2-turn clock while keeping us safe from the most common exile effects like Pah to Exile and Swords to Plowshares. I just also realized that using some Auras may give more justification to Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx.
Maybe I could cut some lesser impactful equipment for them, although hat seems bad since equips are more resilient. Has anyone had experience with Auras on Voltron where a commander is not named Uril or Segarda?
Thanks again for all the input! Lord Yargle will remember your devotion.
What about Bad Moon? It makes Yargle a 10/4 on cast, which dodges some extra removal and gets you closer to lethal. For an investment of only 1B, that's not bad.
Bad moon is interesting to be sure but it affects opponents as well. I mean does anyone actually play crusade in commander if they have a better choice?
I'd look at replacing some of the slower draw spells like Underworld Connections and Phyrexian Arena with more immediate draw like Night's Whisper and Ambition's Cost. While the draw over time effects will net more cards in the long run, as a voltron deck you want the cards now. You don't want the game to go too long because the efficacy of your strategy goes down with time.
Some of your creatures don't really further your strategy of voltron, like Vampire Nighthawk and Gifted Aetherborn. Replacing them with removal (to get Yargle through or to take out problems) and card draw. I know you said no tutors, but being able to find key pieces for your strategy is incredibly good.
I think out of that list the 2 that give Regenerate would be pretty good. otherwise id look into Bestow maybe (so you dont get 2for1) Nighthowler, Herald of Torment, Cavern Lampad
What about swapping Walk the Plank out for something like say... Murderous Cut or even Victim of Night? Sorcery speed spot removal has always felt fairly questionable to me.
Your creature selection has me questioning why a lot of them were selected as well. Given your commander is Yargle I assume this is a voltron deck. I don't really understand what a number of random vanilla beaters are there for. Pestilance Demon seems random. Just.... lots of the creatures I don't follow.
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I have officially moved to MTGNexus. I just wanted to let people know as my response time to salvation decks being bumped is very hit or miss.
What about Bad Moon? It makes Yargle a 10/4 on cast, which dodges some extra removal and gets you closer to lethal.
I feel like Bad Moon is overshadowed by almost any other equipment, not to mention that it does buff all creatures, and I think I’d like to do what I can to survive a crack-back if I’ve hit someone with Lord Yargs, but not yet got to 21 on them.
Yes, definitely Nightmare Lash. I will be cutting Whip of Erebos for it because I feel the equipment will be doing more work than the Whip. Bloodforged Battle-Axe does seem fun and is a flavorful card within itself (forging a new one on each bloodshed), but even with the insane math, it still require 5 hits with just it from Lord Yargs to take out an average table of 4 players – 11 and then 13 to Oppo 1, 17 and then 25 to Oppo 2 (to get uo to 21), and then the last strike on oppo 3 for a bajillion. That’s cutting the number of combats needed by 1 vs another equip that is pumping by +2 (11 damage 6 times). I don’t think it’s worth cutting some other equipment for it just for the possibility of getting it right out the gate and shaving off one combat.
Wow, yup, you’re absolutely right! I’m not playing the long game, and I’ll need a small jolt to the hand as I go along, not a trickle over several turns. Didn’t think of that aspect, just picked out the black draw that has worked for me in my other deck, which is control. Can you tell I’ve never built Voltron yet?!
I’ll replace those, along with Greed and Erebos, God of the Dead with the two quicker draws you mentioned above and Ancient Craving and Promise of Power. That should be a good package with the Read the Bones already in the list. Thanks so much for that suggestion!
Yeah, some other comments have mentioned this and so I’ll address the creatures more collectively below.
Quote from HamBone651 »
I think out of the list the 2 that give Regenerate wold be pretty good. Otherwise id look into Bestow maybe (so you dont get 2for1) Nighthowler, Herald of Torment, Cavern Lampad
I never thought of the Bestow cards some provide great evasion and that sweet spot of +2 pump to Lord Yargs, so this looks like an excellent suggestion. I’m going to consider them and possibly replace some current creatures with these, also mentioned below addressing the creatures overall. Thanks!
Quote from ISBPathfinder »
What about swapping Walk the Plank out for something like say… Murderous Cut or even Victim of Night? Sorcery speed spot removal has always felt fairly questionable to me.
I had originally considered Victim of Night, but it seems like there’s more than a few Vampire and Zombie tribal decks in my meta and it likely wouldn’t suffice at least half the time. I agree that instant-speed is probably more important though. Murderous Cut doesn’t seem as good because I’d likely want to remove something early, like a blocker or a threat that will come back at me, and that means there likely won’t be enough cards in my yard to cast it discounted with Delve. Instead, how do we feel about Doom Blade or Malicious Affliction? I like Affliction because it can possibly get two creatures against a second opponent if the first blocked unfavorably against an early Lord Yargle attack, or help clear that original opponent’s board. I’m also considering Slaughter as an excellent option since it can be bought back – paying 4 life to clear an early creature seems okay when I’ve only got to hit that opponent a couple times with Lord Yargle. Maybe Snuff Out so I can use mana to cast and/or equip Yargle with the available mana and still get a creature out of the way? I actually replace Plank with Chill to the Bone because I cut some creatures below for the removal options mentioned here.
I meant Fortuitous Find as a way to get back 2-for-1 from the yard, an equipment that was taken out right away and Yargle. Now that I think about it more, and along the lines of not really needing to go there with the long game, I feel there’s tons of equipment and ways to pump Yargle that this is unnecessary. Why include a way to get Lord Yargle back when the idea is to protect him to begin with? So, I’ll do just that: include more protection to prevent Lord Yargle from being removed in the first place by cutting Find and adding Blessing of Leeches.
Quote from ISBPathfinder »
Your creature selection has me questioning why a lot of them were selected as well. Given your commander is Yargle I assume this is a Voltron deck. I don’t really understand what a random number of vanilla beaters are there for. Pestilence Demon seems random. Just…. lots of the creatures I don’t follow.
Okay, I could’ve done a better job at explaining some of the creature choices, certainly. Generally, I didn’t like the thought of Yargle being removed a few times early on in that the commander tax would get prohibitive so I thought of including some beaters as “lieutenants” to suit up if Yargle is out for the count. Additionally, I figured I’d need some sort of defense against attacks, so basically the creature choices fall into two camps: lieutenant beaters and solid defenders that can come out earlier than Yargle. Archfiend of Depravity works to keep the board clear for Yargle to get in, and can be suited up as a base 5-power flyer if needed. Massacre Wurm to clear little blockers too. Pestilence Demon to clear the board with enough B, and then swing himself in suited up if needed as well. Crypt Ghast and Nirkana Revenant were included for the mana-doubling utility. Erebos, God of the Dead for draw, but he is being replaced by “faster” draw as mentioned above. Filth I think is great for Yargle if I can get it in the yard, and bonus if Urbord, Tomb of Yawgmoth is out (usually any B or B/X player at the table will be running their own Urborg for fixing). Gifted Aetherborn, Gonti, Lord of Luxury, and Vampire Nighthawk were included for that deathtouch deterrent on being attacked, since Yargle will likely be tapped. Korlash, Heir to Blackblade and Phage the Untouchable as the more deadly “lieutenants”, particularly for Phage with some unblockable stuff in the list. Sangromancer because I’ve never been disappointed with her utility. Rune-Scarred Demon, Sepulchral Primordial, and Shriekmaw for some ETB value that can double as beaters with evasion if needed. Sepulchral even more value by potentially giving me more bodies, I’ve seen Sepulchral win games.
I suppose I don’t need that many bodies to double as beaters, but I’ve never done the Voltron thing and have this fear of sitting there with poor Lord Yargle being removed one too many times and now I have no other firepower. With the Bestow suggestions from HamBone651 though, I’m cutting Gonti and Sepulchral Primordial for Herald of Torment and Cavern Lampad. I figure Gonti isn’t really synergizing since I don’t have way to re-use him and I’m hoping I’m not playing games where I’d have to rely on Sepulchral Primordial as a win-con. I’d rather pump and give Yargle evasion, plus these bodies can also still double as beaters to suit up with some built-in evasion.
I’v decided to cut Filth for Skeletal Grimace as more protection for Lord Yargle with a cheap regen ability.
I feel like I can cut Nirkana Revenant as the more expensive mana doubler, Pestilence Demon (seems to much investment to sit around for a turn while I foreshadow wiping the board, likely he’ll just get removed unless I protect him, lots of effort it seems), and Gifted Aetherborn and Vampire Nighthawk for some more targeted instant-speed removal that I mentioned above for replacing Walk the Plank. Being able to control what is killed instead of hoping they attack into the deathtouch seems better. Yeah, I think I’ll do that: cut the above creatures for Doom Blade, Malicious Affliction, Slaughter, Snuff Out, and Walk the Plank will become Chill to the Bone.
I realize I still need to cut something for Hatred!
Mana Vault can give you a T2 commander. Unfortunately its no longer all that cheap. Just a few years ago it was a $5 card. Jet Medallion looks out of place given that you don't have a lot of cheap spells and you have a high artifact count. The medallion tends to be better when pushing more cheap cards and more one shot draw and or buyback spells.
Gifted Aetherborn, Gonti, Lord of Luxury, and Vampire Nighthawk of these three, Gonti is the least specific for anti opposing voltron but keep in mind he is actually a fairly good clone target and it would be a pain in the ass if a blue deck just spit out a bunch of Gonti copies. My suggestion is to cut at least one of these for Stinkweed Imp whom is repeatable in a pinch and costs about the same. I would swap out the non flyer myself as the imp can block flyers. You may also consider something like Bitterblossom as it gives a lot of cheap blockers.
ETB creatures - this is not your focus. You really are not giving them the proper support so I don't understand why you are bothering with them. Its better to push these when its a focus of your deck and you are abusing creatures, rezing them, and just making an engine out of them. Given you are a voltron deck and a lot of your deck should be focused around getting your commander into play and getting him to connect.... why would you want a 7 mana tutor when you probably won't be able to abuse it? Then suddenly the blue player can clone it but you probably won't get anything more out of it. Shriekmaw for instance is literally just really bad sorcery speed removal without the intent of abusing the hell out of it.
You have a single answer for a maze currently. I would suggest adding Tectonic Edge at least to double up. One of the worst things to happen as a voltron is to encounter something that completely shuts down your ability to connect which mazes do.
You have so many answers to tokens but they all seem like they cost a million mana. I would suggest adding Bile Blight and maybe Echoing Decay. I just don't see the reason to try to couple those effects onto 6 mana creatures that don't seem to really have synergy with what you are trying to do. Cheapening them up and making them instant speed can let you wait for opponents to commit deeper and or turn them against you before you need to answer them.
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I have officially moved to MTGNexus. I just wanted to let people know as my response time to salvation decks being bumped is very hit or miss.
Awesome suggestions, ISBPathfinder. Unfortunately, I don't think most of those fit with the power level I'm personally trying to take the deck. I know I didn't tag this deck as [CASUAL], but I am trying to build it initially as a more casual voltron only with the slight possibility to increase the power level in the future, that's kind of buried in my text, admittedly. Kinda why I'm not including the Swords of X & Y in a voltron build.
Manavault is a great card for sure, but also up there on the power level IMO. I feel like including Sol Ring and Jet Medallion instead, so requiring two specific cards in an opener to try a T2 Yargle, is fairer in regards to power.
I cut some of the ETB creatures for removal and Bestow creatures, but I feel like I can still cut Rune-Scarred Demon. Maybe I cut that to finally put in Hatred?!
RE Inkmoth Nexus, Skithiryx, the Blight Dragon, and Kozilek, Butcher of Truth: infect and Eldrazi titans always seemed a little OP for me. I don't like playing against that stuff, so I'll have the empathy not to include those in my own casually-orientated decks. These just usually put on the "feel bads" when someone is surprise infected out by Inkmoth, or have their board Annihilated by a hasty Kozilek.
I agree I could definitely use a Tectonic Edge. Honestly, I thought I had included it since I usually include that and Ghost Quarter together to deal with problematic lands - even in my non voltron decks! I'll be thinking of something to cut for that.
Although token strategies aren't really big in my playgroup, they do come up from time to time and yeah, I'd like some anti-token tech to avoid a swarm blocking Yargle if he doesn't have proper evasion. Bile Blight and Echoing Decay look pretty good, and instant-speed like you mentioned has great utility! Should I cut Massacre Wurm and/or something else for them?
Quote from alfindeol »
I'm just here to say you REALLY want to put a Helm of the Host on Yargle.
That Helm is a SWEET card, and I'm definitely including it in some of my other decks. I like the thought of it here - Yargles, all the Yargles!! What would I cut for it?
I've been able to do some online goldfishing with this and have decided on a couple changes.
With ~11 permanents with B pips, Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx seemed less and less effective. Although I wished it was a Swamp for more Cabal synergy, Tectonic Edge increases the chances of avoiding those Maze of Iths, etc.
I noticed that Caged Sun at 6CMC wasn't really working well for me, although it gives Lord Yargle a +1 boost. If I drew it as a 6CMC mana doubler, I'd be playing it with very little gas in hand to really take advantage. The deck is a lot faster than I'd expected, consistently swinging a protected Yargle on turn 5, and always by T6. I felt I needed gas more often than mana as there's only literally a couple cards over 5CMC in the whole deck. The quick draw spells, on the other hand, have been phenomenal every time. Puking out Yargle and a couple low mana rocks and/or equips early, and then being able to pull up an extra couple or few cards to keep the pressure up early has been really effective. Therefore, I cut Caged Sun and the 7CMC tutor of Rune-Scarred Demon for a couple more draw spells in Sign in Blood and Succumb to Temptation. I like Sign in Blood because it's cheap enough after I get Yargle out that I can actually use the two cards I draw. I like Temptation because of it's instant-speed utility, letting me hold up removal if needed or draw the cards right before my turn begins, and because Lord Yargle isn't meek.
Disciple of Bolas would be an auto include for me. Sure, you're losing Yargle, but he's cheap and the card/life advantage is immense. Can add Reanimate for super cheap Yargle/Disciple recursion.
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The Scion of all Evil!
This is the last kind of deck I never thought I’d build. I’ve never built a real dedicated Voltron deck and never a mono-B deck. In fact, the only B related deck I have under my belt was my very first deck a few years ago now. All those decks and no black, and no full-on voltrons! I’m usually the [man]U[/man] player at the table and that’s where I’m most comfortable. So, I’m deciding to break that mold and keep my local playgroup on their feet.
As the spoils of Dominaria came rolling in, there seemed to be a bunch of fun new stuff to play with. I’m drawn to the undervalued and underdogs. I believe every card has potential with enough imagination. I’m also a sucker for the weird and equivocal. Naturally, when Yargle, Glutton of Urborg hit the scene, I saw all the makings of a crazy, zany good time. Everyone loves Yargle, right? Yargle’s so cute and cuddly, right? So much personality on one little card!
Yargle, Glutton of Urborg costs 4B for a Legendary Creature – Frog Spirit. Not as cheap as some other mono-B commanders that can run Voltron like Korlash, Heir to Blackblade or Yahenni, Undying Partisan, but also not as expensive as Volrath the Fallen. There’s not a lot of frog creatures, but there are nearly 100 black spirit creatures if one is inclined to take him tribal. That is not this deck.
His rules text gives us . . . nothing. That’s right, nada, zip, zero, and zilch. We call this kind of creature “vanilla”, although Yargle’s personality and gusto are far from anything plain. Unfortunately, this is where some people will turn away from Yargle, particularly with regards to the command zone, but I read his flavor text and I can see it – he started out as a little ol’ maggot who possessed a frog and turned into this beast. From the bottom of the food chain to the top. If that’s not potential, I dunno what is. Lord Yargle will recognize and remember your insolence, and he will take reparations with your life!
Yargle’s luminous part-Predator-part-Cookie Monster-faced body comes down as a 9/3. A 9/3! There’s a few other 9+ power creatures, but they all essentially require another cost on top of the mana such as sacrificing creatures, and none of them for cheaper than 7 or 8 mana, save Death’s Shadow, which I’ve never seen in an EDH game. 9 power! That’s almost 2 power per mana of investment on the first casting. That’s a big number coming from the command zone, and already we can see why he might shine in Voltron – giving in to his gluttonous rampage on life totals, and cookies. A modest +2 pump to power turns him into a 2-turn clock for opponents. 3 toughness isn’t great, but we can work with that especially if he comes out early and can be protected, which is the whole point of a Voltron.
Again, since I have the least experience with black amongst the colors and have never actually even brewed a Voltron myself, I’ll need a little help fleshing things out. I haven’t tagged this as [CASUAL] because I’m not sure how competitive I’ll need or want to take this at the moment. It may come that Yargle actually needs some help “getting there” and I may consider more competitive stuff if that gets there. For example, this list won’t have stuff like Umezawa’s Jitte, Quietus Spike, or the Swords of X & Y, but may consider them in the future after I’ve played it a while and can see how far it can go in my playgroup without stuff like that. At this point I’m thinking fairly casual no tutors, infinite combos etc. Also, I realize that things like Tainted Strike and Grafted Exoskeleton make Yargle the cutest one-shotting infector there ever was, but as soon as my playgroup saw something like that, I’d never make it in another game with Yargle again – they’d all be sure to kill me off first before ever letting me get there, so I’m leaving infect out as well. Majority of games I play are 3-4 multiplayer.
I greatly appreciate any and all advice and suggestions! I usually know a deck can be fun for me if I have fun brewing it “goldfishing” a bit, and this one seems outrageous enough to make for fun times. To see my opponents’ faces when I’m swinging in this ex-maggot turned gluttonous Cookie Monster cousin frog to take them out of the game should be priceless. Yargle, Yargle, Yargle!
1 Yargle, Glutton of Urborg
Lands (38)
1 Bojuka Bog
1 Buried Ruin
1 Cabal Coffers
1 Cabal Stronghold
1 Ghost Quarter
1 High Market
1 Homeward Path
1 Rogue's Passage
1 Scavenger Grounds
1 Shizo, Death's Storehouse
26 Swamp
1 Tectonic Edge
1 Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
Artifacts (28)
1 Blackblade Reforged
1 Commander's Sphere
1 Cranial Plating
1 Crawlspace
1 Darksteel Ingot
1 Darksteel Plate
1 Expedition Map
1 Fireshrieker
1 Hammer of Nazahn
1 Haunted Cloak
1 Hedron Archive
1 Jet Medallion
1 Key to the City
1 Kusari-Gama
1 Lashwrithe
1 Loxodon Warhammer
1 Mind Stone
1 Nightmare Lash
1 Prowler's Helm
1 Ring of Xathrid
1 Sol Ring
1 Strata Scythe
1 Swiftfoot Boots
1 Sword of Vengeance
1 Trailblazer's Boots
1 Vedalken Orrery
1 Whispersilk Cloak
1 Worn Powerstone
1 Blessing of Leeches
1 Dauthi Embrace
1 Skeletal Grimace
Instants (9)
1 Chill to the Bone
1 Doom Blade
1 Go for the Throat
1 Hero's Downfall
1 Malicious Affliction
1 Murder
1 Slaughter
1 Snuff Out
1 Succumb to Temptation
1 Vona's Hunger
Sorceries (9)
1 Ancient Craving
1 Ambition’s Cost
1 Crux of Fate
1 Decree of Pain
1 Morbid Curiosity
1 Night’s Whisper
1 Promise of Power
1 Read the Bones
1 Sign in Blood
1 Torment of Hailfire
Creatures (10)
1 Archfiend of Depravity
1 Cavern Lampad
1 Crypt Ghast
1 Herald of Torment
1 Korlash, Heir to Blackblade
1 Massacre Wurm
1 Phage the Untouchable
1 Sangromancer
1 Shriekmaw
1 Silent Arbiter
Getting Yargle out as soon as we can, protecting him, beating face, and counting to 21.
Yargle, Glutton of Urborg wants to feast on bodies, and he wants to do it now! Getting him out early is pretty key to the game plan of blackjacking opponents. We’re using some early ramps to help with that: Sol Ring, Jet Medallion, Mind Stone, Commander’s Sphere, Darksteel Ingot, Worn Powerstone, and Hedron Archive all come out before Yargle and can help cast him earlier. We all love God-hand scenarios, and Turn 2 Yargle is possible: T1 play a Swamp, cast Sol Ring, cast Jet Medallion, then T2 play another Swamp and cast Yargle. Alright, probably never gonna actually happen, but we can definitely try to get him out before T5 with these early ramp pieces. Later on, we can use bigger mana producers to push us over the top when needed, such as Cabal Coffers, it’s new cousin Cabal Stronghold, and Crypt Ghast. Expedition Map can get either of the Cabals, or any other utility land if needed.
Great, Yargle is on the loose and his gluttony yields to no one. He prefers cookies, to be sure, but our opponents likely didn’t bring any to the table, so their life totals will have to do. This will make Yargle a big target for removal, so we will need to protect him via Darksteel Plate, Hammer of Nazahn, Ring of Xathrid, Whispersilk Cloak (which doubles as a damage enabler), and the trusty Swiftfoot Boots. I have left out Lightning Greaves because there’s a lot of equipment in here and I don’t want to be caught with the Greaves on Yargle and no other body to move the Greaves to so that I can equip another equipment to him. Blessing of Leeches and Skeletal Grimace provide cheap regeneration. High Market to sacrifice Yargle in response to theft effects or the occasional Song of the Dryads, Imprisoned in the Moon, or Darksteel Mutation. Homeward Path for same antitheft devices.
Speaking of other equipment: Yargle will be trying to hit as hard as possible to take opponents out as fast as possible, leaving the least amount of chance for them to draw into answers or game-changers. My preference went to equips that can boost for 2 power and starting that 2-turn clock. We have Blackblade Reforged, Cranial Plating, Fireshrieker, Hammer of Nazahn, Haunted Cloak, Kusari-Gama, Lashwrithe, Loxodon Warhammer, Nightmare Lash, Strata Scythe, and Sword of Vengeance. We don’t want Yargle getting chump blocked all day, so we are going to give evasion through some equipment too, preferably of the “unblockable” variety. Things like Key to the City, Prowler’s Helm, Trailblazer’s Boots, Whispersilk Cloak, Dauthi Embrace, the Loxodon Warhammer gives trample as does Sword of Vengeance. Shizo, Death’s Storehouse is also useful.
Yargle’s favorite number is 21, but if he’s having a rough day, I’ve included a few other big bodies to pick up all the equipment and swing away, notably Korlash, Heir to Blackblade and Phage the Untouchable if I can get her unblockable.
If all else fails, Torment of Hailfire.
We will inevitably get a big beater thrown back our way, and Yargle will assuredly be tapped if he doesn’t have vigilance, so we will need defense, and black is no stranger to creature spot removal. Silent Arbiter and Crawlspace let us focus down and slow retaliatory aggro. Go for the Throat, Hero’s Downfall, Murder, Chill to the Bone, Doom Blade, Malicious Affliction, Slaughter, Snuff Out, and Shriekmaw will target things that do get turned our way or double as ways to clear a path for Lord Yargle to smack faces. Archfiend of Depravity will keep boards in check. Massacre Wurm, Crux of Fate, Decree of Pain, and Vona’s Hunger (I don’t own a Damnation, but I should) try to full-on wipe. Ghost Quarter and Tectonic Edge mostly for any Maze of Ith that pops up, but can get much more. Scavenger Grounds for the GY hate.
There’s an overwhelming majority of artifacts here. Am I missing any particular artifact synergies that would assist in the Voltron game plan? What else have I missed?
I had a blast building this so far and I can’t wait for Dominaria release to sleeve it up. Still, I really feel like I don’t wholly know what I’m doing here, but we all want Yargle to succeed, so I’d appreciate any and all comments and suggestions! Thanks ahead of time!
Current EDH
UThassa, God of the Sea devotion control
WRGTana, the Bloodsower & Sidar Kondo of Jamuraa partners weenie tokens
UUnesh, Criosphinx Sovereign Sphinx tribal
WUTaigam, Ojutai Master tokens on the rebound spellslinger
GRhonas the Indomitable green creature beats
UGRashmi, Eternities Crafter ETB tribal
Retired EDH
WURGKynaios and Tiro of Meletis group hug
URThe Locust God draw swarm
UTalrand, Sky Summoner funsies blue spells
WBObzedat, Ghost Council life gain/drain
Maybe include Hatred for some epic one-shots?
Tamanoa - Welcome to the Jungle
Lists can be found here.
Also, how do people feel about Auras here? I’ve never really thought about using them because they’re susceptible to the 2-for-1 removal, but if Lord Yargle, Glutton of Urborg can be adequately protected, then maybe they’re better here? It’s hard for me to evaluate, but Blessing of Leeches seems particularly useful for any destroy effects and Strength of Lunacy buffs him to a 2-turn clock while keeping us safe from the most common exile effects like Pah to Exile and Swords to Plowshares. I just also realized that using some Auras may give more justification to Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx.
There’s a few others that give decent evasion like Fear or Intimidate and are fairly cheap to cast, and some kinda flavorful:
Dark Favor
Dragon Shadow
Fear
Gruesome Deformity
Molting Snakeskin
Predator’s Gambit
Skeletal Grimace
Vow of Malice
Maybe I could cut some lesser impactful equipment for them, although hat seems bad since equips are more resilient. Has anyone had experience with Auras on Voltron where a commander is not named Uril or Segarda?
Thanks again for all the input! Lord Yargle will remember your devotion.
Current EDH
UThassa, God of the Sea devotion control
WRGTana, the Bloodsower & Sidar Kondo of Jamuraa partners weenie tokens
UUnesh, Criosphinx Sovereign Sphinx tribal
WUTaigam, Ojutai Master tokens on the rebound spellslinger
GRhonas the Indomitable green creature beats
UGRashmi, Eternities Crafter ETB tribal
Retired EDH
WURGKynaios and Tiro of Meletis group hug
URThe Locust God draw swarm
UTalrand, Sky Summoner funsies blue spells
WBObzedat, Ghost Council life gain/drain
2023 Average Peasant Cube|and Discussion
Because I have more decks than fit in a signature
Useful Resources:
MTGSalvation tags
EDHREC
ManabaseCrafter
Nightmare Lash is a second Lashwrithe.
Bloodforged Battle-Axe gives +2 to power and is really, really cool.
Liliana of the Dark Realms performs multiple important roles for the deck. She's an all-star.
I'd look at replacing some of the slower draw spells like Underworld Connections and Phyrexian Arena with more immediate draw like Night's Whisper and Ambition's Cost. While the draw over time effects will net more cards in the long run, as a voltron deck you want the cards now. You don't want the game to go too long because the efficacy of your strategy goes down with time.
Some of your creatures don't really further your strategy of voltron, like Vampire Nighthawk and Gifted Aetherborn. Replacing them with removal (to get Yargle through or to take out problems) and card draw. I know you said no tutors, but being able to find key pieces for your strategy is incredibly good.
[Primer] Erebos, God of the Dead
HONK HONK
I think out of that list the 2 that give Regenerate would be pretty good. otherwise id look into Bestow maybe (so you dont get 2for1)
Nighthowler, Herald of Torment, Cavern Lampad
Fortuitous Find seems kind of not so ideal.
Your creature selection has me questioning why a lot of them were selected as well. Given your commander is Yargle I assume this is a voltron deck. I don't really understand what a number of random vanilla beaters are there for. Pestilance Demon seems random. Just.... lots of the creatures I don't follow.
Signature by Inkfox Aesthetics by Xen
[Modern] Allies
I feel like Bad Moon is overshadowed by almost any other equipment, not to mention that it does buff all creatures, and I think I’d like to do what I can to survive a crack-back if I’ve hit someone with Lord Yargs, but not yet got to 21 on them.
Yes, definitely Nightmare Lash. I will be cutting Whip of Erebos for it because I feel the equipment will be doing more work than the Whip.
Bloodforged Battle-Axe does seem fun and is a flavorful card within itself (forging a new one on each bloodshed), but even with the insane math, it still require 5 hits with just it from Lord Yargs to take out an average table of 4 players – 11 and then 13 to Oppo 1, 17 and then 25 to Oppo 2 (to get uo to 21), and then the last strike on oppo 3 for a bajillion. That’s cutting the number of combats needed by 1 vs another equip that is pumping by +2 (11 damage 6 times). I don’t think it’s worth cutting some other equipment for it just for the possibility of getting it right out the gate and shaving off one combat.
Wow, yup, you’re absolutely right! I’m not playing the long game, and I’ll need a small jolt to the hand as I go along, not a trickle over several turns. Didn’t think of that aspect, just picked out the black draw that has worked for me in my other deck, which is control. Can you tell I’ve never built Voltron yet?!
I’ll replace those, along with Greed and Erebos, God of the Dead with the two quicker draws you mentioned above and Ancient Craving and Promise of Power. That should be a good package with the Read the Bones already in the list. Thanks so much for that suggestion!
Yeah, some other comments have mentioned this and so I’ll address the creatures more collectively below.
I never thought of the Bestow cards some provide great evasion and that sweet spot of +2 pump to Lord Yargs, so this looks like an excellent suggestion. I’m going to consider them and possibly replace some current creatures with these, also mentioned below addressing the creatures overall. Thanks!
I had originally considered Victim of Night, but it seems like there’s more than a few Vampire and Zombie tribal decks in my meta and it likely wouldn’t suffice at least half the time. I agree that instant-speed is probably more important though. Murderous Cut doesn’t seem as good because I’d likely want to remove something early, like a blocker or a threat that will come back at me, and that means there likely won’t be enough cards in my yard to cast it discounted with Delve. Instead, how do we feel about Doom Blade or Malicious Affliction? I like Affliction because it can possibly get two creatures against a second opponent if the first blocked unfavorably against an early Lord Yargle attack, or help clear that original opponent’s board. I’m also considering Slaughter as an excellent option since it can be bought back – paying 4 life to clear an early creature seems okay when I’ve only got to hit that opponent a couple times with Lord Yargle. Maybe Snuff Out so I can use mana to cast and/or equip Yargle with the available mana and still get a creature out of the way? I actually replace Plank with Chill to the Bone because I cut some creatures below for the removal options mentioned here.
I meant Fortuitous Find as a way to get back 2-for-1 from the yard, an equipment that was taken out right away and Yargle. Now that I think about it more, and along the lines of not really needing to go there with the long game, I feel there’s tons of equipment and ways to pump Yargle that this is unnecessary. Why include a way to get Lord Yargle back when the idea is to protect him to begin with? So, I’ll do just that: include more protection to prevent Lord Yargle from being removed in the first place by cutting Find and adding Blessing of Leeches.
Okay, I could’ve done a better job at explaining some of the creature choices, certainly. Generally, I didn’t like the thought of Yargle being removed a few times early on in that the commander tax would get prohibitive so I thought of including some beaters as “lieutenants” to suit up if Yargle is out for the count. Additionally, I figured I’d need some sort of defense against attacks, so basically the creature choices fall into two camps: lieutenant beaters and solid defenders that can come out earlier than Yargle.
Archfiend of Depravity works to keep the board clear for Yargle to get in, and can be suited up as a base 5-power flyer if needed. Massacre Wurm to clear little blockers too. Pestilence Demon to clear the board with enough B, and then swing himself in suited up if needed as well.
Crypt Ghast and Nirkana Revenant were included for the mana-doubling utility.
Erebos, God of the Dead for draw, but he is being replaced by “faster” draw as mentioned above.
Filth I think is great for Yargle if I can get it in the yard, and bonus if Urbord, Tomb of Yawgmoth is out (usually any B or B/X player at the table will be running their own Urborg for fixing).
Gifted Aetherborn, Gonti, Lord of Luxury, and Vampire Nighthawk were included for that deathtouch deterrent on being attacked, since Yargle will likely be tapped.
Korlash, Heir to Blackblade and Phage the Untouchable as the more deadly “lieutenants”, particularly for Phage with some unblockable stuff in the list.
Sangromancer because I’ve never been disappointed with her utility.
Rune-Scarred Demon, Sepulchral Primordial, and Shriekmaw for some ETB value that can double as beaters with evasion if needed. Sepulchral even more value by potentially giving me more bodies, I’ve seen Sepulchral win games.
I suppose I don’t need that many bodies to double as beaters, but I’ve never done the Voltron thing and have this fear of sitting there with poor Lord Yargle being removed one too many times and now I have no other firepower. With the Bestow suggestions from HamBone651 though, I’m cutting Gonti and Sepulchral Primordial for Herald of Torment and Cavern Lampad. I figure Gonti isn’t really synergizing since I don’t have way to re-use him and I’m hoping I’m not playing games where I’d have to rely on Sepulchral Primordial as a win-con. I’d rather pump and give Yargle evasion, plus these bodies can also still double as beaters to suit up with some built-in evasion.
I’v decided to cut Filth for Skeletal Grimace as more protection for Lord Yargle with a cheap regen ability.
I feel like I can cut Nirkana Revenant as the more expensive mana doubler, Pestilence Demon (seems to much investment to sit around for a turn while I foreshadow wiping the board, likely he’ll just get removed unless I protect him, lots of effort it seems), and Gifted Aetherborn and Vampire Nighthawk for some more targeted instant-speed removal that I mentioned above for replacing Walk the Plank. Being able to control what is killed instead of hoping they attack into the deathtouch seems better. Yeah, I think I’ll do that: cut the above creatures for Doom Blade, Malicious Affliction, Slaughter, Snuff Out, and Walk the Plank will become Chill to the Bone.
I realize I still need to cut something for Hatred!
OUT
- Whip of Erebos
- Fortuitous Find
- Filth
- Greed
- Phyrexian Arena
- Underworld Connections
- Erebos, God of the Dead
- Walk the Plank
- Pestilence Demon
- Nirkana Revenant
- Gifted Aetherborn
- Vampire Nighthawk
- Gonti, Lord of Luxury
- Sepulchral Primordial
IN
+ Nightmare Lash
+ Blessing of Leeches
+ Skeletal Grimace
+ Ancient Craving
+ Ambition’s Cost
+ Night’s Whisper
+ Promise of Power
+ Chill to the Bone
+ Doom Blade
+ Malicious Affliction
+ Slaughter
+ Snuff Out
+ Herald of Torment
+ Cavern Lampad
Current EDH
UThassa, God of the Sea devotion control
WRGTana, the Bloodsower & Sidar Kondo of Jamuraa partners weenie tokens
UUnesh, Criosphinx Sovereign Sphinx tribal
WUTaigam, Ojutai Master tokens on the rebound spellslinger
GRhonas the Indomitable green creature beats
UGRashmi, Eternities Crafter ETB tribal
Retired EDH
WURGKynaios and Tiro of Meletis group hug
URThe Locust God draw swarm
UTalrand, Sky Summoner funsies blue spells
WBObzedat, Ghost Council life gain/drain
Signature by Inkfox Aesthetics by Xen
[Modern] Allies
R Norin the Wary: I've Got a Bad Feeling About This
UG Thrasios & Kydele: Knowledge is Power
RG Borborygmos Enraged: The Breaking of the World
BG The Gitrog Monster: All Glory to the Hypnotoad
WUR Zedruu the Greathearted: Endless Possibilities, One Outcome
WBG Karador, Ghost Chieftain: What's Dead May Never Die
Turn your junk into something great with PucaTrade!
Manavault is a great card for sure, but also up there on the power level IMO. I feel like including Sol Ring and Jet Medallion instead, so requiring two specific cards in an opener to try a T2 Yargle, is fairer in regards to power.
I did end up cutting Gonti, Lord of Luxury, Gifted Aetherborn, and Vampire Nighthawk for more instant-speed removal.
I cut some of the ETB creatures for removal and Bestow creatures, but I feel like I can still cut Rune-Scarred Demon. Maybe I cut that to finally put in Hatred?!
RE Inkmoth Nexus, Skithiryx, the Blight Dragon, and Kozilek, Butcher of Truth: infect and Eldrazi titans always seemed a little OP for me. I don't like playing against that stuff, so I'll have the empathy not to include those in my own casually-orientated decks. These just usually put on the "feel bads" when someone is surprise infected out by Inkmoth, or have their board Annihilated by a hasty Kozilek.
I agree I could definitely use a Tectonic Edge. Honestly, I thought I had included it since I usually include that and Ghost Quarter together to deal with problematic lands - even in my non voltron decks! I'll be thinking of something to cut for that.
Although token strategies aren't really big in my playgroup, they do come up from time to time and yeah, I'd like some anti-token tech to avoid a swarm blocking Yargle if he doesn't have proper evasion. Bile Blight and Echoing Decay look pretty good, and instant-speed like you mentioned has great utility! Should I cut Massacre Wurm and/or something else for them?
That Helm is a SWEET card, and I'm definitely including it in some of my other decks. I like the thought of it here - Yargles, all the Yargles!! What would I cut for it?
Current EDH
UThassa, God of the Sea devotion control
WRGTana, the Bloodsower & Sidar Kondo of Jamuraa partners weenie tokens
UUnesh, Criosphinx Sovereign Sphinx tribal
WUTaigam, Ojutai Master tokens on the rebound spellslinger
GRhonas the Indomitable green creature beats
UGRashmi, Eternities Crafter ETB tribal
Retired EDH
WURGKynaios and Tiro of Meletis group hug
URThe Locust God draw swarm
UTalrand, Sky Summoner funsies blue spells
WBObzedat, Ghost Council life gain/drain
OUT
- Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx
- Caged Sun
- Rune-Scarred Demon
IN
+ Tectonic Edge
+ Succumb to Temptation
+ Sign in Blood
I've been able to do some online goldfishing with this and have decided on a couple changes.
With ~11 permanents with B pips, Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx seemed less and less effective. Although I wished it was a Swamp for more Cabal synergy, Tectonic Edge increases the chances of avoiding those Maze of Iths, etc.
I noticed that Caged Sun at 6CMC wasn't really working well for me, although it gives Lord Yargle a +1 boost. If I drew it as a 6CMC mana doubler, I'd be playing it with very little gas in hand to really take advantage. The deck is a lot faster than I'd expected, consistently swinging a protected Yargle on turn 5, and always by T6. I felt I needed gas more often than mana as there's only literally a couple cards over 5CMC in the whole deck. The quick draw spells, on the other hand, have been phenomenal every time. Puking out Yargle and a couple low mana rocks and/or equips early, and then being able to pull up an extra couple or few cards to keep the pressure up early has been really effective. Therefore, I cut Caged Sun and the 7CMC tutor of Rune-Scarred Demon for a couple more draw spells in Sign in Blood and Succumb to Temptation. I like Sign in Blood because it's cheap enough after I get Yargle out that I can actually use the two cards I draw. I like Temptation because of it's instant-speed utility, letting me hold up removal if needed or draw the cards right before my turn begins, and because Lord Yargle isn't meek.
Current EDH
UThassa, God of the Sea devotion control
WRGTana, the Bloodsower & Sidar Kondo of Jamuraa partners weenie tokens
UUnesh, Criosphinx Sovereign Sphinx tribal
WUTaigam, Ojutai Master tokens on the rebound spellslinger
GRhonas the Indomitable green creature beats
UGRashmi, Eternities Crafter ETB tribal
Retired EDH
WURGKynaios and Tiro of Meletis group hug
URThe Locust God draw swarm
UTalrand, Sky Summoner funsies blue spells
WBObzedat, Ghost Council life gain/drain