I think you need some more 0 cost things to bounce and replay. If you don't draw the crypt, you're screwed. I'd probably throw in some Ornithopters, Briber's Purses, and Ensoul Artifact (to hold you over 'til a win-con comes along).
I am playing this on gamesday this weekend never tested but yolo found i didnt have any Tormod's Crypt also im playing negates instead of swan song unless I rock up at the lgs and they have 4 swan songs in stock
ok tweaked it again lets see if I can win a box with some janky combo as long as I have fun it will be good. Stuck a couple of glints in and removed the dissolves and added some spidersilk nets as well
I'd almost maindeck ensoul artifact, that way you have an efficient beater if you can't find all the combo pieces. You can also probably cut one Dig Through Time, you never want to see more than one in your opening hand unless you have a lot of looting effects similar to Zephyr Scribe's activated ability.
It might slow the deck a bit, but you could also try out Monastery Siege in the place of Tiagam's Scheming. It will take longer to fill your graveyard, but you can also cast it when you're about to combo out to make it difficult for your opponent to target your combo pieces.
went 0-4 got the combo off 3 times went 0-2 1-2 1-2 1-2
Tiagam's Scheming turn 2 dig thru time turn 3 is one of the best things ever 9 times out of 10 thats how i found the combo pieces easy and im just flipping all 5 cards into the graveyard
Also if anything a splash of black will help tasigur / demonic tutor sidisi would really help get some big bodies on the or find combo pieces and give me access to some removal to help delay until i can find the combo Elusive Spellfist is abit weak to removal etc the 3 times i got it off where altar of the brood - so omenspeaker is prolly a better 2 drop for this deck
match 1 0-2 was vs the mono red atarkas command overrun deck they won the roll at the start ..
match 2 first 1-2 was vs abzan control I won game 1 (as they never expected the spanish inquisition) they won game 2 it was real close on game 2 they top decked a drown in sorrows the turn before i was about to go off. It went about 30 turns as well.
match 3 or 4 cant remember which one was vs a blue black control list more of the old school style blue black control I won the dice roll - land altar - land pass - land pass - land + scribe keeping up swan song - they didnt use any removal which i was surprised at the end of my turn - they played a land and passed again. i cast retraction helix they tried to hero's downfall i did swan song they said cool i get a bird and proceed to get a dice and a token out. I played a spidersilk net and told them flip ur deck over i won and they look at me blankly for 5 minutes i had to get the lgs owner over to explain to them what was happening they still looked at me blankly even after we showed them what was happening 5 or 6 times. other 2 games he had too much removal i was close with the spellfist in game 3 after digging about 10 times but he had too much removal
cant remember the other match up as i was mainly focused on the blue black match up it felt like a victory. Its a good game 1 deck when no one expects it when the combo went off i got a couple of high fives from people around me LOL
I never sideboarded a single card in ever it felt too much fun to get the janky combo off
Perhaps you could try to turbo a little less and build the ensoul package maindeck using midnight guard + helix + ornithopter instead of zephyr + helix + spidersilk net/purse. Going UW gives you access to gods willing and the ensoul package forces the removal.
Impact Tremors and Outpost Siege work wonders if you're splashing red as well. That gives you at least 2 more win cons, in case they nuke your Altar of the Brood. I know, this would add extra money and mana requirements, and Enchantments are way easier to remove than artifacts (unless you're playing red), but nothing better than comboing off and dealing them lethal without even attacking!
And your mill option is still out there too, infinitely mill them.
Just my two cents.
Just realized that the addition of red would also require white, so going Jeskai may not be the best option here to stay budget. Although fun when it goes off, not necessarily the cheapest option.
Swan Song really is too good of a counterspell for this deck to give up. 1 mana to counter anything that tries to interrupt your combo? Yes, please. Also, I agree that the Ensoul Artifact package should go into the main, and not the sideboard, to increase your life in case you don't get your pieces quickly. Splashing white for Midnight Guard wouldn't hurt too bad either, so you have two options. But, with Ornithopter being the only 0 cost Artifact creature right now, relying on 4 cards could be too much of a burden.
I know, using Evolving Wilds is slow, but I'm trying to keep costs down. I think you could shift in some Shivan Reef for non-CIPT land if you'd like, but that would add a bit to the base cost. Also, Swiftwater Cliffs isn't the best, since you probably have the Fetchlands, but again, BUDGET!
I have the majority of the deck, but I was curious on how exactly it all works, just to have a rough idea, etc, in order for a turn 4 kill and such, and how overall the deck performs the combo, etc.
I have the majority of the deck, but I was curious on how exactly it all works, just to have a rough idea, etc, in order for a turn 4 kill and such, and how overall the deck performs the combo, etc.
T 1 or 2, cast Altar of the Brood. T3 cast Zephyr Scribe and 0 cost artifact. T4 cast Retraction Helix targeting Scribe. Counter anything you have to. Tap Scribe and bounce artifact. Recast, untapping scribe. Repeat until they are decks. If you are doing the Elusive Spellfist route, you can build up to however big he needs to be, then swing unblocked.
I want Spellfist to be good, but it's possible Omenspeaker scrying through the deck and being just as good a blocker is almost better. You just need to find Helix and a 0 cost artifact. The problem is you also really need Scribe or it doesn't work and you only have 4 counters and 2 Hexproof spells.
Alternately, stay mono blue and drop Spellfist for 4 Omenspeaker. Monastery Siege set to Dragons is some nice extra protection, while being set to Khans helps us get through the deck. Playing around with the deck I seem to be able to find some of the puzzle pieces, but rarely do I find them all. When I do find them all, it's somewhere around T8, which is too late. Ascendancy worked so well b/c you had a creature who already had hexproof and every spell you cast untapped him. 1 toughness is brittle and there are only 2 Glints for protection. Maybe if we're going to try and mill people we should throw in some Dictate of Kruphix.
This doesn't help with the lack of Glints, but you definitely move through your deck faster this way. Obviously, run more Islands if the blue fetches aren't cost effective for you. If you have them tho, each one makes every Altar twice as effective when you put them into play. The Dictates give us an alternative mill method and make the games where Scribe is elusive not quite as awful. Multiple Dictates out could also making a couple of the lands being Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx not a terrible idea too. Losing Darksteel would make the plan for an artifact deck sideboard crappier of course.
If that version isn't sifting through enough of the deck, there is always this version. A bit more countermagic and scrying power. Same budget considerations as the above deck re:fetchlands.
Basically, if you don't have the Altar of the Brood then the Elusive Spellfist works as a secondary win condition, though. If somehow, our 4 Altar of the Brood were destroyed or exiled, we'd have nothing with the above deck. I know this is a fun, quick tempo, all in deck, but having a second win condition is pretty optimal I believe. Looking back, I think Glint may be necessary to allow Elusive Spellfist to function as a win condition, though. The only other Hexproof card that is playable at all right now, is Cloudform, but without an Anticipate, it really doesn't fit the bill either.
I do like your addition of the Dictate of Kruphix though, as it does draw an additional card. (Props to old-school Howling Mine). Will see if I have any room.
Ok, so I went all out in the Sideboard, now, adding in the Ensoul Artifact package. Also, I filled in the holes of the lack of 4 of's in my main. Let me know what you think (other than of course, replacing Treasure Cruise with Dig Through Time).
4 Retraction Helix
4 Zephyr Scribe
4 Altar of the Brood
4 Dig Through Time
4 Taigam's Scheming
4 Omenspeaker
4 Swan Song
4 Dissolve
Seems pretty easy to get to and a turn 4 kill cheap deck should be alot of fun
I am playing this on gamesday this weekend never tested but yolo found i didnt have any Tormod's Crypt also im playing negates instead of swan song unless I rock up at the lgs and they have 4 swan songs in stock
Also my sideboard is basically as you suggested
OH just seen should i replace omenspeaker for Elusive Spellfist
3 Briber's Purse
3 Spidersilk Net
4 Retraction Helix
4 Zephyr Scribe
4 Altar of the Brood
4 Elusive Spellfist
4 Anticipate
4 Dig Through Time
4 Taigam's Scheming
2 Glint
4 Negate
Lands
16 Island
4 Darksteel Citadel
4 Ensoul Artifact
4 Ornithopter
1 Scuttling Doom Engine (lol)
3 Phyrexian Revoker
3 Ghostfire Blade
That way I can go the artifact beat down as an alternate plan
It might slow the deck a bit, but you could also try out Monastery Siege in the place of Tiagam's Scheming. It will take longer to fill your graveyard, but you can also cast it when you're about to combo out to make it difficult for your opponent to target your combo pieces.
Tiagam's Scheming turn 2 dig thru time turn 3 is one of the best things ever 9 times out of 10 thats how i found the combo pieces easy and im just flipping all 5 cards into the graveyard
Also if anything a splash of black will help tasigur / demonic tutor sidisi would really help get some big bodies on the or find combo pieces and give me access to some removal to help delay until i can find the combo Elusive Spellfist is abit weak to removal etc the 3 times i got it off where altar of the brood - so omenspeaker is prolly a better 2 drop for this deck
match 2 first 1-2 was vs abzan control I won game 1 (as they never expected the spanish inquisition) they won game 2 it was real close on game 2 they top decked a drown in sorrows the turn before i was about to go off. It went about 30 turns as well.
match 3 or 4 cant remember which one was vs a blue black control list more of the old school style blue black control I won the dice roll - land altar - land pass - land pass - land + scribe keeping up swan song - they didnt use any removal which i was surprised at the end of my turn - they played a land and passed again. i cast retraction helix they tried to hero's downfall i did swan song they said cool i get a bird and proceed to get a dice and a token out. I played a spidersilk net and told them flip ur deck over i won and they look at me blankly for 5 minutes i had to get the lgs owner over to explain to them what was happening they still looked at me blankly even after we showed them what was happening 5 or 6 times. other 2 games he had too much removal i was close with the spellfist in game 3 after digging about 10 times but he had too much removal
cant remember the other match up as i was mainly focused on the blue black match up it felt like a victory. Its a good game 1 deck when no one expects it when the combo went off i got a couple of high fives from people around me LOL
I never sideboarded a single card in ever it felt too much fun to get the janky combo off
And your mill option is still out there too, infinitely mill them.
Just my two cents.
Just realized that the addition of red would also require white, so going Jeskai may not be the best option here to stay budget. Although fun when it goes off, not necessarily the cheapest option.
4x Darksteel Citadel
16x Island
Artifacts
4x Tormod's Crypt
4x Altar of the Brood
4x Spidersilk Net
Spells
4x Retraction Helix
4x Swan Song
2x Negate
4x Taigam's Scheming
4x Anticipate
4x Treasure Cruise
4x Elusive Spellfist
4x Zephyr Scribe
2x Swiftwater Cliffs
4x Shrapnel Blast
3x Evolving Wilds
4x Ensoul Artifact
2x Mountain
I know, using Evolving Wilds is slow, but I'm trying to keep costs down. I think you could shift in some Shivan Reef for non-CIPT land if you'd like, but that would add a bit to the base cost. Also, Swiftwater Cliffs isn't the best, since you probably have the Fetchlands, but again, BUDGET!
Just curious!
Thanks!
T 1 or 2, cast Altar of the Brood. T3 cast Zephyr Scribe and 0 cost artifact. T4 cast Retraction Helix targeting Scribe. Counter anything you have to. Tap Scribe and bounce artifact. Recast, untapping scribe. Repeat until they are decks. If you are doing the Elusive Spellfist route, you can build up to however big he needs to be, then swing unblocked.
Alternately, stay mono blue and drop Spellfist for 4 Omenspeaker. Monastery Siege set to Dragons is some nice extra protection, while being set to Khans helps us get through the deck. Playing around with the deck I seem to be able to find some of the puzzle pieces, but rarely do I find them all. When I do find them all, it's somewhere around T8, which is too late. Ascendancy worked so well b/c you had a creature who already had hexproof and every spell you cast untapped him. 1 toughness is brittle and there are only 2 Glints for protection. Maybe if we're going to try and mill people we should throw in some Dictate of Kruphix.
4 Omenspeaker
4 Zephyr Scribe
Spells: 32
1 Briber’s Purse
1 Spidersilk Net
4 Retraction Helix
4 Altar of the Brood
4 Anticipate
4 Dig Through Time
3 Taigam’s Scheming
2 Glint
1 Negate
4 Swan Song
4 Dictate of Kruphix
4 Polluted Delta
4 Flooded Strand
8 Island
4 Darksteel Citadel
This doesn't help with the lack of Glints, but you definitely move through your deck faster this way. Obviously, run more Islands if the blue fetches aren't cost effective for you. If you have them tho, each one makes every Altar twice as effective when you put them into play. The Dictates give us an alternative mill method and make the games where Scribe is elusive not quite as awful. Multiple Dictates out could also making a couple of the lands being Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx not a terrible idea too. Losing Darksteel would make the plan for an artifact deck sideboard crappier of course.
If that version isn't sifting through enough of the deck, there is always this version. A bit more countermagic and scrying power. Same budget considerations as the above deck re:fetchlands.
4 Sigiled Starfish
4 Omenspeaker
4 Zephyr Scribe
Spells: 31
1 Briber’s Purse
1 Spidersilk Net
2 Retraction Helix
4 Altar of the Brood
4 Anticipate
4 Dig Through Time
2 Glint
1 Negate
4 Swan Song
4 Dissolve
4 Dictate of Kruphix
4 Polluted Delta
4 Flooded Strand
11 Island
2 Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx
I do like your addition of the Dictate of Kruphix though, as it does draw an additional card. (Props to old-school Howling Mine). Will see if I have any room.
Shame that both Dig Through Time and Treasure Cruise are banned in Modern, or this could be a great Modern deck. Thanks, Splinter Twin.dec and Delver of Secrets.dec!
Anyway, here's my updated decklist!
4 Darksteel Citadel
16 Island
Creatures
4 Elusive Spellfist
4 Zephyr Scribe
Artifacts
4 Altar of the Brood
4 Tormod's Crypt
4 Spidersilk Net
4 Anticipate
3 Treasure Cruise
4 Swan Song
3 Negate
4 Retraction Helix
3 Taigam's Scheming
3 Glint
4 Ensoul Artifact
4 Ornithopter
4 Dictate of Kruphix
1 Glint
1 Taigam's Scheming
1 Negate
Ok, so I went all out in the Sideboard, now, adding in the Ensoul Artifact package. Also, I filled in the holes of the lack of 4 of's in my main. Let me know what you think (other than of course, replacing Treasure Cruise with Dig Through Time).