Kestia seems interesting to me in that she can bestow on things as your commander as well as that she cares about enchantment creatures. When I started considering building her I at first jammed the list full of auras but I realized kind of over time that it seemed better / easier to actually run enchantment creatures than it was to run auras and make non enchantment creatures enchanted.
So, I guess the focus of this build for me was running a lot of things that will trigger me to draw off of Kestia without needing to set up and play a bunch of cards. I also wanted to pick up a lot of control or versatility of control with the cards I ran so I ended up going for a little more of a control element on a lot of the cards I included rather than trying to pick up a more offensive beat down plan. Things like Control Magic give me a threat that will trigger me to draw with Kestia while also giving me access to controlling the game.
I got lazy and didn't fill in the lands. Sorry if I enjoy the list and keep playing it I will do that over time. It just sounded like too much work for now lol.
The hardest part about putting a list together for me was the number of things I excluded that COULD fit here. I cut things like Bruna, Light of Alabaster due to the overall aura count not being as high as well as because some of my auras are control magic effects which don't do poop for Bruna. Sovereigns of Lost Alara didn't make it because I want to be swarming rather than suiting up one thing not to mention the way in which you get the aura and my aura options seemed more selective.
Tuvasa the Sunlit might actually still belong in here. I cut her but.... she might still need a spot I am just having trouble with counts and wanting to see the list in action so I can figure out where I need to trim and what I need yet.
That's a great take on Kestia! I love how you're using enchantments to take control of key creatures - which is the best possible way to deprive players of their commanders.
Maybe run Simic Guildmage so you can move auras around at instant speed? That way you can move around auras like Indestructibility and the like in response to something getting sniped.
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I like your list, I also thought about building with Kestia before settling on Tuvasa as the commander. The games I played with Kestia def needed more umph, and after trying Tuvasa, I switched since the latter comes down earlier and the card draw isn't risking an attack. For your deck, I'd also include Whitewater Naiads, Spirit Mantle, and Ghostblade Eidolon. The Naiads are fantastic at getting at least one or two creatures get in when the board is clogged. I'd also include Tuvasa as she is both a threat and card draw.
Celestial Ancient could be solid here. You have the right mix of beatdown and enchantments, frequently on the same creatures.
How has your experience with Starfield of Nyx been? The Opalescence ability has always turned me off of it, but I could see the card advantage from Kestia being worth the vulnerability to sweepers.
Pariah seems a little out of place. Does the flexibility of being card draw, removal, or a pseudo-combo piece with the gods give it enough utility to be worth it?
So, I guess the focus of this build for me was running a lot of things that will trigger me to draw off of Kestia without needing to set up and play a bunch of cards. I also wanted to pick up a lot of control or versatility of control with the cards I ran so I ended up going for a little more of a control element on a lot of the cards I included rather than trying to pick up a more offensive beat down plan. Things like Control Magic give me a threat that will trigger me to draw with Kestia while also giving me access to controlling the game.
I got lazy and didn't fill in the lands. Sorry if I enjoy the list and keep playing it I will do that over time. It just sounded like too much work for now lol.
1 Kestia, the Cultivator
Creature (27)
1 Hypnotic Siren
1 Fleecemane Lion
1 Flitterstep Eidolon
1 Herald of the Pantheon
1 Hero of Iroas
1 Kor Spiritdancer
1 Sakura-Tribe Elder
1 Boon Satyr
1 Courser of Kruphix
1 Danitha Capashen, Paragon
1 Dominating Licid
1 Eidolon of Countless Battles
1 Nimbus Naiad
1 Thassa, God of the Sea
1 Eidolon of Blossoms
1 Heliod, God of the Sun
1 Loyal Unicorn
1 Oracle of Mul Daya
1 Celestial Archon
1 Elderwood Scion
1 Perplexing Chimera
1 Archetype of Imagination
1 Auratouched Mage
1 Sun Titan
1 Boonweaver Giant
1 Nylea's Colossus
1 Avacyn, Angel of Hope
1 Sol Ring
1 Lightning Greaves
1 Darksteel Plate
Enchantment (21)
1 Burgeoning
1 Ethereal Armor
1 Exploration
1 Rancor
1 Sylvan Library
1 Cloudform
1 Lightform
1 Pariah
1 Unquestioned Authority
1 Vow of Flight
1 Vow of Wildness
1 Angelic Destiny
1 Bear Umbra
1 Control Magic
1 On Serra's Wings
1 Sigil of the Empty Throne
1 Sphere of Safety
1 Starfield of Nyx
1 Treachery
1 In Bolas's Clutches
1 Indrik Umbra
1 Mystical Tutor
1 Stubborn Denial
1 Cyclonic Rift
1 Eladamri's Call
1 Mana Drain
1 Bant Charm
Sorcery (5)
1 Explore
1 Pir's Whim
1 Replenish
1 Tragic Arrogance
1 Winds of Rath
Land (37)
1 Command Tower
The hardest part about putting a list together for me was the number of things I excluded that COULD fit here. I cut things like Bruna, Light of Alabaster due to the overall aura count not being as high as well as because some of my auras are control magic effects which don't do poop for Bruna. Sovereigns of Lost Alara didn't make it because I want to be swarming rather than suiting up one thing not to mention the way in which you get the aura and my aura options seemed more selective.
Tuvasa the Sunlit might actually still belong in here. I cut her but.... she might still need a spot I am just having trouble with counts and wanting to see the list in action so I can figure out where I need to trim and what I need yet.
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[Modern] Allies
I am surprised that you're not running enchantresses in order to draw even more cards. You also have the colors necessary to run the hosing enchantments such as Imprisoned in the Moon, Song of the Dryads, and Darksteel Mutation.
Maybe run Simic Guildmage so you can move auras around at instant speed? That way you can move around auras like Indestructibility and the like in response to something getting sniped.
BGU [Primer] Sidisi, Brood Tyrant BGU | BG [Primer] Mazirek, Kraul Death Priest BG | G [Primer] Polukranos, World Eater G
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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!
How has your experience with Starfield of Nyx been? The Opalescence ability has always turned me off of it, but I could see the card advantage from Kestia being worth the vulnerability to sweepers.
Pariah seems a little out of place. Does the flexibility of being card draw, removal, or a pseudo-combo piece with the gods give it enough utility to be worth it?
In Bolas's Clutches is worse than Confiscate if you don't have any effects that care about legendary permanents.
And you can add enchanted evening combos as a backup plan (enchanted evening + Ajani's Chosen) (Enchanted Evening + Aura Thief )