You have to remember that Tidehollow Sculler can be sacrificed in response to its ETB trigger with Falkenrath Aristocrat to permanently exile the card of your choice.
That's true, but Sin Collector also permanently exiles the card, and it has more synergy with the deck. Plus that requires Falkenrath to be in play, and by that time my opponent may not have any cards in hand, or it may be a win more move. If I'm playing Sculler with Falkenrath in play, the earliest I could do that would be turn 5, and if my opponent has any cards in hand turn 5, chances are they have instants and sorceries.
Theoretically, I could use cavern to make sin collector uncountable, put a +1/+1 counter on champion, sacrifice it to make Falkenrath indestructible and put a +1/+1 counter on Falkenrath, and then I'd get a 2/2 zombie with necromancer.
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Modern
JundBGR
RW Blood MoonRW
Pauper
Delver U
Elves G
Control B
Commander
Edgar Markov BRW
Captain Sisay GW
Niv-Mizzet, Parun UR
Tymna and Ravos WB
That's true, but Sin Collector also permanently exiles the card, and it has more synergy with the deck. Plus that requires Falkenrath to be in play, and by that time my opponent may not have any cards in hand, or it may be a win more move. If I'm playing Sculler with Falkenrath in play, the earliest I could do that would be turn 5, and if my opponent has any cards in hand turn 5, chances are they have instants and sorceries.
Theoretically, I could use cavern to make sin collector uncountable, put a +1/+1 counter on champion, sacrifice it to make Falkenrath indestructible and put a +1/+1 counter on Falkenrath, and then I'd get a 2/2 zombie with necromancer.
Sculler comes down earlier and hits any card that could be in their hand, Sin Collector only hits certain cards, has a lesser body, and comes down later. It can still be bolted/removed in response to the trigger and can easily have the trigger miss completely.
Evaluating a card based on possible interactions with other cards when it is inferior in every other way to another card is usually wrong. The only time this isn't wrong is when said interactions win you the game on the spot (a-la Pestermite). Sculler is better in 90% of situations.
If they bolt in response to the trigger, the card is still removed.
If you want to talk about not depending on other cards and the opponent having a bolt in hand, then Sin Collector is strictly better. If I don't have a Falkenrath Aristocrat in play and I cast Tidehollow Sculler and they bolt it, they get their card back. But if I cast Sin Collector and they bolt it, their card is still removed.
If they bolt in response to the trigger, the card is still removed.
If you want to talk about not depending on other cards and the opponent having a bolt in hand, then Sin Collector is strictly better. If I don't have a Falkenrath Aristocrat in play and I cast Tidehollow Sculler and they bolt it, they get their card back. But if I cast Sin Collector and they bolt it, their card is still removed.
You do realize that if they Bolt the Sculler when it comes into play then they lose the Bolt AND you get to exile a card from their hand? The trigger works like Fiend Hunter, it still goes off and they don't get the trigger that gets their card back, so the card you pick is gone forever. In that situation, Sculler is strictly better.
Sculler also won't miss as often as Sin Collector will. Sin Collector also doesn't stop the main combo deck in the format (Twin).
Why wouldn't my opponent wait to bolt the Sculler? They could just bolt it in response to my next action step.
I'm not following what you're saying. If you're saying they can Bolt the Sculler in response to the trigger then they will be 2 for 1-ing themselves since you still exile a card from their hand and the card will stay exiled.
If they wait to Bolt the Sculler then you still have the option to take it out of your hand.
Either way, the only time Sin Collector is better is when they have 2 pieces of removal in their hand that they want to cast on the Sculler.
Why wouldn't my opponent wait to bolt the Sculler? They could just bolt it in response to my next action step.
They might not have other removal in hand. It rare that they will kill it with the trigger on the stack, but it does happen.
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If MTG is a part of your life, the formats are like relationships:
Standard/Block = The on-again, off-again holiday fling
Modern/Vintage/Legacy = Stable, homely. A ***** after absence/misreading
Limited/Sealed = Heart breaking free spirit
Commander/Cube = Agreeable, needy and expensive
Pauper/Peasant = Sweet, kind, practical, but shy and boring
But why are people instantly trying to be 'cute' with it? Jamming in a load of bad-by-themselves synergy cards in order to get supposed 'value' from athreos?
No, no.... That's not the way. We already have plenty of creatures in this deck, excellent value creatures with which to abuse this god. In particular tidehollow sculler, squadron hawk (seen it in some lists, seems ok), dark confidant are good choices, because they are cheaper to recast. In the earlier stages of the game, mana cost will be the limiting factor for how useful athreos' ability will be. In the midgame, you can really begin to capitalise on your 3-drops.
I actually think having an active athreos makes olivia voldaren or pack rat a more attractive one-of in the deck (instead of, say, elspeth or something). But it's worth reiterating that one shouldn't start jamming worse cards in here just because of the inclusion of 1 or 2 copies of a god.
I'm interested in the possibility of including 1x or 2x pack rat in the deck as a wincon, instead of a 4-drop. It can quite easily run away with a game all by itself, if you leave up activation mana. Removal in your opponent's hand will be strained enough against you, and he makes for a great repeatable blocker against big non-trample threats as well. Plus (and this is corner-case stuff) i've pack-ratted my way to victory from under an active, attacking emrakul, the aeons torn which is always fun. I like the fact it only costs 2. But i wouldn't run the full 4 in the deck. I'd have a Couple of them at most.
Really, in order to include athreos, you just have to tweak about 3 or 4 cards in the already decent midrange shell. Drop an elspeth (some people have already), possibly drop a single liliana, drop a sword (this card kind of replaces the sword in terms of its cost and board-involvement), and drop a misc. four-drop. Then put in 2x athreos, 1x pack rat and an extra 1x tidehollow sculler, taking you up to 4 scullers.
I'm going to give it a go. 1x rat seems fine as it's actually a very good topdeck at most stages of the game, but i'd rAther see it later than in the early game.
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Modern: G Tron, Vannifar, Jund, Druid/Vizier combo, Humans, Eldrazi Stompy (Serum Powder), Amulet, Grishoalbrand, Breach Titan, Turns, Eternal Command, As Foretold Living End, Elves, Cheerios, RUG Scapeshift
But why are people instantly trying to be 'cute' with it? Jamming in a load of bad-by-themselves synergy cards in order to get supposed 'value' from athreos?
No, no.... That's not the way. We already have plenty of creatures in this deck, excellent value creatures with which to abuse this god. In particular tidehollow sculler, squadron hawk (seen it in some lists, seems ok), dark confidant are good choices, because they are cheaper to recast. In the earlier stages of the game, mana cost will be the limiting factor for how useful athreos' ability will be. In the midgame, you can really begin to capitalise on your 3-drops.
I actually think having an active athreos makes olivia voldaren or pack rat a more attractive one-of in the deck (instead of, say, elspeth or something). But it's worth reiterating that one shouldn't start jamming worse cards in here just because of the inclusion of 1 or 2 copies of a god.
I'm interested in the possibility of including 1x or 2x pack rat in the deck as a wincon, instead of a 4-drop. It can quite easily run away with a game all by itself, if you leave up activation mana. Removal in your opponent's hand will be strained enough against you, and he makes for a great repeatable blocker against big non-trample threats as well. Plus (and this is corner-case stuff) i've pack-ratted my way to victory from under an active, attacking emrakul, the aeons torn which is always fun. I like the fact it only costs 2. But i wouldn't run the full 4 in the deck. I'd have a Couple of them at most.
Really, in order to include athreos, you just have to tweak about 3 or 4 cards in the already decent midrange shell. Drop an elspeth (some people have already), possibly drop a single liliana, drop a sword (this card kind of replaces the sword in terms of its cost and board-involvement), and drop a misc. four-drop. Then put in 2x athreos, 1x pack rat and an extra 1x tidehollow sculler, taking you up to 4 scullers.
I'm going to give it a go. 1x rat seems fine as it's actually a very good topdeck at most stages of the game, but i'd rAther see it later than in the early game.
I agree with you on Athreos but am very wary about Pack Rat in such a removal heavy format. I would probably make the same cuts as you and add in 2x Athreos, 1x Sculler, and 1x Olivia.
Yeah i've got one rat and one olivia just sitting here so it was kind of perfect. Anyway i'll try both out. They both have their advantages and disadvantages, and get much better with an athreos on the board.
As it happens, the rat is much more resilient to spot removal, being able to make exact copies of itself at instant speed. I guess it's a bit like a bigger, meaner squadron hawk.
I guess it comes down to what we need. against combo we just want the fastest possible clock (rat?). Against control we want resilience to removal (rat?) and against aggro we want to be able to take over the board and push through (both do this pretty well,actually)
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Modern: G Tron, Vannifar, Jund, Druid/Vizier combo, Humans, Eldrazi Stompy (Serum Powder), Amulet, Grishoalbrand, Breach Titan, Turns, Eternal Command, As Foretold Living End, Elves, Cheerios, RUG Scapeshift
I agree that once you untap with the rat he works. My biggest concern is trying to untap with him without dying. I like Olivia because she represents possible card advantage in recurrable removal.
SB: 3 Anger of the Gods
SB: 1 Combust
SB: 2 Duress
SB: 1 Rakdos Charm
SB: 2 Rest in Peace
SB: 1 Shatterstorm
SB: 2 Slaughter Games
SB: 2 Stony Silence
SB: 1 Wear // Tear
This is the list that I'm working with currently. I'd like to be running Lilianas, but sadly I haven't got any. I'd also seen a neat list on MTG Top 8 (http://www.mtgtop8.com/event?e=6779&d=238954&f=MO)running Blood Moon in the main. It used the main shell of the deck and added cards like Thundermaw and Blood moon along with Restoration angel and Blade Splicer. Not really sure which version is the way to go as Blood moon can be a hindrance sometimes.
SB: 3 Anger of the Gods
SB: 1 Combust
SB: 2 Duress
SB: 1 Rakdos Charm
SB: 2 Rest in Peace
SB: 1 Shatterstorm
SB: 2 Slaughter Games
SB: 2 Stony Silence
SB: 1 Wear // Tear
This is the list that I'm working with currently. I'd like to be running Lilianas, but sadly I haven't got any. I'd also seen a neat list on MTG Top 8 (http://www.mtgtop8.com/event?e=6779&d=238954&f=MO)running Blood Moon in the main. It used the main shell of the deck and added cards like Thundermaw and Blood moon along with Restoration angel and Blade Splicer. Not really sure which version is the way to go as Blood moon can be a hindrance sometimes.
I don't know how much I like baneslayer in here. Batterskull is MUCH more resilient. Also, you may want to up the lands to 24 if you're gonna be playing with 5 drops. Also, look out for those bob triggers, taking 5 off of a 5 drop reveal can kill.
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Decks I play:
Modern:
BR Control
Grixis Bloo
EDH:
Food Chain Prossh
Land Wipe Maelstrom Wanderer
Selvala, Hearth of the Wilds Eldrazi
I agree that once you untap with the rat he works. My biggest concern is trying to untap with him without dying. I like Olivia because she represents possible card advantage in recurrable removal.
oh i agree, olivia is the nut.
but let's say i untap with 5 mana open, and topdeck either an olivia or a rat. this would be fairly common as the deck tends to hover around 5 mana, i've noticed.
in that situation, the rat is clearly the better card. you can play it and hold up the mana to protect it.
in order to get one activation of olivia (let's say, in response to a bolt) you'd have to have six mana. and let's not forget that you could run out the rat earlier in the game if you saw a window of opportunity (say, after you've made them discard their removal). with olivia you don't get that option.
see what i mean? it's a pretty amazing card as a 1 or 2-of. it's going in my deck as a singleton, and i'm probably going to leave it there as a wildcard.
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Modern: G Tron, Vannifar, Jund, Druid/Vizier combo, Humans, Eldrazi Stompy (Serum Powder), Amulet, Grishoalbrand, Breach Titan, Turns, Eternal Command, As Foretold Living End, Elves, Cheerios, RUG Scapeshift
I'm still not wholly convinced. I will be testing out Olivia to see if she is worth a spot. In situations where you topdeck a Pack Rat with no cards in hand, you're SOL as well, and with the Lilianas and other hand disruption, this deck can run with no cards in hand quite a bit.
I also usually don't get to 5 mana. I tend to stick at 4 by discarding my lands to Liliana first unless I need the 5th land for Lingering Souls/Sword plays.
So, I very much enjoy following the Dega discussion that takes place within this thread and alongside some contributors, I look forward to Athreos, God of Passage making his way into the format.
The Deck I have posted here is what I bring to my friendly neighbourhood events regardless if they are casual or competitive. I see it as appropriate to assume that my deck is differentiating from the typical build, yet enjoyment is what I care for. Despite holding fun as the goal, I would like to request that a passing contributor would recommend possible improvements or colourful innovation for my deck.
So, I very much enjoy following the Dega discussion that takes place within this thread and alongside some contributors, I look forward to Athreos, God of Passage making his way into the format.
The Deck I have posted here is what I bring to my friendly neighbourhood events regardless if they are casual or competitive. I see it as appropriate to assume that my deck is differentiating from the typical build, yet enjoyment is what I care for. Despite holding fun as the goal, I would like to request that a passing contributor would recommend possible improvements or colourful innovation for my deck.
It is very, VERY hard to critique a build that is casual, but I will give it a shot. The Geralf's Messengers seem nice but very hard to cast without Fetid Heath or Urborg (which I can understand why you are not running). I would recommend replacing it with something, possibly Stillmoon Cavalier
As centurion said, it's very hard to properly critique a casual (and budget) build, but here's my attempt for you.
Drop the geralf's messengers. They are too mana intensive. kitchen finks is probably the closest card to it, and easier to cast. mirran crusader is another budget option which works well in this deck. Especially with equipment.
With regards to equipment, look for swords such as fire and ice. You only need one or two in the whole deck.
With regards to fatties, most people are comfortable with hero of bladehold being the fastest, cheapest clock that the modern format has available for us in these colours. I would consider dropping elesh norn (i know, i know, she's your favourite fatty) for a hero, as well as a falkenrath aristocrat.
I would also consider dropping the wurmcoil engine and both rakdoses for those path to exiles you mentioned, and start looking for lightning helixes. Probably drop the cloudshifts as well in favour of something a bit more varied.... boros charm?
The new set has some interesting cards.... How about the little hatebear that gives you hexproof? That's a nice effect. Or that black/white coinsmith guy. He's sweet as well.
Some more discard spells. Or any, for that matter.
And try running one single pack rat for lolz.
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Modern: G Tron, Vannifar, Jund, Druid/Vizier combo, Humans, Eldrazi Stompy (Serum Powder), Amulet, Grishoalbrand, Breach Titan, Turns, Eternal Command, As Foretold Living End, Elves, Cheerios, RUG Scapeshift
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You have to remember that Tidehollow Sculler can be sacrificed in response to its ETB trigger with Falkenrath Aristocrat to permanently exile the card of your choice.
Storm Crow is strictly worse than Seacoast Drake.
Theoretically, I could use cavern to make sin collector uncountable, put a +1/+1 counter on champion, sacrifice it to make Falkenrath indestructible and put a +1/+1 counter on Falkenrath, and then I'd get a 2/2 zombie with necromancer.
JundBGR
RW Blood MoonRW
Pauper
Delver U
Elves G
Control B
Commander
Edgar Markov BRW
Captain Sisay GW
Niv-Mizzet, Parun UR
Tymna and Ravos WB
Sculler comes down earlier and hits any card that could be in their hand, Sin Collector only hits certain cards, has a lesser body, and comes down later. It can still be bolted/removed in response to the trigger and can easily have the trigger miss completely.
Evaluating a card based on possible interactions with other cards when it is inferior in every other way to another card is usually wrong. The only time this isn't wrong is when said interactions win you the game on the spot (a-la Pestermite). Sculler is better in 90% of situations.
Jund
Legacy:
4c Loam
Noble BUG
If you want to talk about not depending on other cards and the opponent having a bolt in hand, then Sin Collector is strictly better. If I don't have a Falkenrath Aristocrat in play and I cast Tidehollow Sculler and they bolt it, they get their card back. But if I cast Sin Collector and they bolt it, their card is still removed.
Sin Collector cost 1 more, but I can't use Cavern of Souls to cast Tidehollow Sculler, and it has more synergy with the deck.
JundBGR
RW Blood MoonRW
Pauper
Delver U
Elves G
Control B
Commander
Edgar Markov BRW
Captain Sisay GW
Niv-Mizzet, Parun UR
Tymna and Ravos WB
You do realize that if they Bolt the Sculler when it comes into play then they lose the Bolt AND you get to exile a card from their hand? The trigger works like Fiend Hunter, it still goes off and they don't get the trigger that gets their card back, so the card you pick is gone forever. In that situation, Sculler is strictly better.
Sculler also won't miss as often as Sin Collector will. Sin Collector also doesn't stop the main combo deck in the format (Twin).
Jund
Legacy:
4c Loam
Noble BUG
JundBGR
RW Blood MoonRW
Pauper
Delver U
Elves G
Control B
Commander
Edgar Markov BRW
Captain Sisay GW
Niv-Mizzet, Parun UR
Tymna and Ravos WB
I'm not following what you're saying. If you're saying they can Bolt the Sculler in response to the trigger then they will be 2 for 1-ing themselves since you still exile a card from their hand and the card will stay exiled.
If they wait to Bolt the Sculler then you still have the option to take it out of your hand.
Either way, the only time Sin Collector is better is when they have 2 pieces of removal in their hand that they want to cast on the Sculler.
Jund
Legacy:
4c Loam
Noble BUG
They might not have other removal in hand. It rare that they will kill it with the trigger on the stack, but it does happen.
Standard/Block = The on-again, off-again holiday fling
Modern/Vintage/Legacy = Stable, homely. A ***** after absence/misreading
Limited/Sealed = Heart breaking free spirit
Commander/Cube = Agreeable, needy and expensive
Pauper/Peasant = Sweet, kind, practical, but shy and boring
Anyway. That athreos, god of passage seems decent. As a one-of, perhaps a 2-of.
But why are people instantly trying to be 'cute' with it? Jamming in a load of bad-by-themselves synergy cards in order to get supposed 'value' from athreos?
No, no.... That's not the way. We already have plenty of creatures in this deck, excellent value creatures with which to abuse this god. In particular tidehollow sculler, squadron hawk (seen it in some lists, seems ok), dark confidant are good choices, because they are cheaper to recast. In the earlier stages of the game, mana cost will be the limiting factor for how useful athreos' ability will be. In the midgame, you can really begin to capitalise on your 3-drops.
I actually think having an active athreos makes olivia voldaren or pack rat a more attractive one-of in the deck (instead of, say, elspeth or something). But it's worth reiterating that one shouldn't start jamming worse cards in here just because of the inclusion of 1 or 2 copies of a god.
I'm interested in the possibility of including 1x or 2x pack rat in the deck as a wincon, instead of a 4-drop. It can quite easily run away with a game all by itself, if you leave up activation mana. Removal in your opponent's hand will be strained enough against you, and he makes for a great repeatable blocker against big non-trample threats as well. Plus (and this is corner-case stuff) i've pack-ratted my way to victory from under an active, attacking emrakul, the aeons torn which is always fun. I like the fact it only costs 2. But i wouldn't run the full 4 in the deck. I'd have a Couple of them at most.
Really, in order to include athreos, you just have to tweak about 3 or 4 cards in the already decent midrange shell. Drop an elspeth (some people have already), possibly drop a single liliana, drop a sword (this card kind of replaces the sword in terms of its cost and board-involvement), and drop a misc. four-drop. Then put in 2x athreos, 1x pack rat and an extra 1x tidehollow sculler, taking you up to 4 scullers.
I'm going to give it a go. 1x rat seems fine as it's actually a very good topdeck at most stages of the game, but i'd rAther see it later than in the early game.
I agree with you on Athreos but am very wary about Pack Rat in such a removal heavy format. I would probably make the same cuts as you and add in 2x Athreos, 1x Sculler, and 1x Olivia.
Jund
Legacy:
4c Loam
Noble BUG
As it happens, the rat is much more resilient to spot removal, being able to make exact copies of itself at instant speed. I guess it's a bit like a bigger, meaner squadron hawk.
I guess it comes down to what we need. against combo we just want the fastest possible clock (rat?). Against control we want resilience to removal (rat?) and against aggro we want to be able to take over the board and push through (both do this pretty well,actually)
Jund
Legacy:
4c Loam
Noble BUG
1 Sword of War and Peace
//Creature (9)
1 Baneslayer Angel
2 Brimaz, King of Oreskos
4 Dark Confidant
2 Hero of Bladehold
//Instant (13)
4 Lightning Bolt
3 Lightning Helix
4 Path to Exile
2 Terminate
//Planeswalker (4)
1 Ajani Vengeant
2 Chandra, Pyromaster
1 Sorin, Lord of Innistrad
//Sorcery (10)
3 Inquisition of Kozilek
4 Lingering Souls
3 Thoughtseize
//Land (23)
4 Arid Mesa
4 Blackcleave Cliffs
1 Blood Crypt
2 Godless Shrine
1 Graven Cairns
4 Marsh Flats
1 Mountain
1 Plains
2 Sacred Foundry
1 Swamp
1 Temple of Silence
1 Temple of Triumph
SB: 3 Anger of the Gods
SB: 1 Combust
SB: 2 Duress
SB: 1 Rakdos Charm
SB: 2 Rest in Peace
SB: 1 Shatterstorm
SB: 2 Slaughter Games
SB: 2 Stony Silence
SB: 1 Wear // Tear
This is the list that I'm working with currently. I'd like to be running Lilianas, but sadly I haven't got any. I'd also seen a neat list on MTG Top 8 (http://www.mtgtop8.com/event?e=6779&d=238954&f=MO)running Blood Moon in the main. It used the main shell of the deck and added cards like Thundermaw and Blood moon along with Restoration angel and Blade Splicer. Not really sure which version is the way to go as Blood moon can be a hindrance sometimes.
I don't know how much I like baneslayer in here. Batterskull is MUCH more resilient. Also, you may want to up the lands to 24 if you're gonna be playing with 5 drops. Also, look out for those bob triggers, taking 5 off of a 5 drop reveal can kill.
Modern:
BR Control
Grixis Bloo
EDH:
Food Chain Prossh
Land Wipe Maelstrom Wanderer
Selvala, Hearth of the Wilds Eldrazi
oh i agree, olivia is the nut.
but let's say i untap with 5 mana open, and topdeck either an olivia or a rat. this would be fairly common as the deck tends to hover around 5 mana, i've noticed.
in that situation, the rat is clearly the better card. you can play it and hold up the mana to protect it.
in order to get one activation of olivia (let's say, in response to a bolt) you'd have to have six mana. and let's not forget that you could run out the rat earlier in the game if you saw a window of opportunity (say, after you've made them discard their removal). with olivia you don't get that option.
see what i mean? it's a pretty amazing card as a 1 or 2-of. it's going in my deck as a singleton, and i'm probably going to leave it there as a wildcard.
I also usually don't get to 5 mana. I tend to stick at 4 by discarding my lands to Liliana first unless I need the 5th land for Lingering Souls/Sword plays.
Jund
Legacy:
4c Loam
Noble BUG
The Deck I have posted here is what I bring to my friendly neighbourhood events regardless if they are casual or competitive. I see it as appropriate to assume that my deck is differentiating from the typical build, yet enjoyment is what I care for. Despite holding fun as the goal, I would like to request that a passing contributor would recommend possible improvements or colourful innovation for my deck.
The synopsis is that early game control is sprung from Lightning Bolt, Path to Exile and Tidehollow Sculler. Whilst the rest of the deck can see Rakdos, Lord of Riots descending upon the battlefield alongside Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite (My Favourite Fatty) or Wurmcoil Engine. It's just a simple midrange plan.
Land Explanation: I won't pay for better lands, when I pull or trade for Shocks, so be it.
Additionally, I will picking up some more Path to Exile later. Thanks for anyone's help
3 Restoration Angel
1 Wurmcoil Engine
1 Spellskite
2 Geralf's Messenger
4 Tidehollow Sculler
3 Falkenrath Aristocrat
1 Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite
1 Liliana of the Veil
4 Lightning Bolt
2 Path to Exile
4 Lingering Souls
2 Dismember
2 Sign in Blood
2 Cloudshift
1 Ajani Vengeant
1 Terminate
2 Savage Lands
2 Akoum Refuge
2 Dragonskull Summit
1 Blood Crypt
2 Clifftop Retreat
1 Vault of the Archangel
4 Swamp
2 Mountain
3 Plains
1 Sacred Foundry
1 Temple of Silence
It is very, VERY hard to critique a build that is casual, but I will give it a shot. The Geralf's Messengers seem nice but very hard to cast without Fetid Heath or Urborg (which I can understand why you are not running). I would recommend replacing it with something, possibly Stillmoon Cavalier
Jund
Legacy:
4c Loam
Noble BUG
2 Grim Lavamancer
4 Dark Confidant
1 Tidehollow Sculler
1 Athreos, God of Passage
3 Brimaz, King of Oreskos
2 Kitchen Finks
2 Hero of Bladehold
Spells(23)
3 Inquisition of Kozilek
4 Lightning Bolt
2 Path to Exile
2 Thoughtseize
3 Lightning Helix
2 Terminate
3 Liliana of the Veil
2 Lingering Souls
1 Ajani Vengeant
1 Elspeth, Knight-Errant
4 Arid Mesa
2 Blackcleave Cliffs
1 Blood Crypt
1 Ghost Quarter
2 Godless Shrine
2 Lavaclaw Reaches
4 Marsh Flats
1 Plains
2 Sacred Foundry
1 Swamp
1 Tectonic Edge
1 Vault of the Archangel
2 Rakdos Charm
2 Stony Silence
3 Anger of the Gods
2 Mirran Crusader
1 Sword of War and Peace
3 Slaughter Games
1 Sowing Salt
1 Batterskull
Drop the geralf's messengers. They are too mana intensive. kitchen finks is probably the closest card to it, and easier to cast.
mirran crusader is another budget option which works well in this deck. Especially with equipment.
With regards to equipment, look for swords such as fire and ice. You only need one or two in the whole deck.
With regards to fatties, most people are comfortable with hero of bladehold being the fastest, cheapest clock that the modern format has available for us in these colours. I would consider dropping elesh norn (i know, i know, she's your favourite fatty) for a hero, as well as a falkenrath aristocrat.
I would also consider dropping the wurmcoil engine and both rakdoses for those path to exiles you mentioned, and start looking for lightning helixes. Probably drop the cloudshifts as well in favour of something a bit more varied.... boros charm?
The new set has some interesting cards.... How about the little hatebear that gives you hexproof? That's a nice effect. Or that black/white coinsmith guy. He's sweet as well.
Some more discard spells. Or any, for that matter.
And try running one single pack rat for lolz.