I was trying to come up with a super cheap deck idea for the upcoming Standard Game Day, that wouldn't break the bank in any way, 'cause I don't feel ready to commit to anything. As such, I came up with the following! (It's either Peasant or Pauper, I don't know, to be honest.)
I have no imagination for sideboard right now, but the basic idea is to kill slowly with the mini creatures and tap / untap effects, then quickly with Madness casts.
Card explanations: (?outdated?)
Evolving Wilds -- Land fetch, deck thinner, easy to discard?
Mountain -- Produces red mana, comes into play untapped.
Swamp -- Produces black mana, also comes into play untapped. Cool, right?
Accursed Witch -- Actually my least favorite card in the deck right now, feels weak and not thematic, but maybe I'm wrong. That said, losing it does benefit with a life drain tick, and if we have to hard cast direct damage spells, they cost 1 less each, I suppose?
Consulate Skygate -- 0/4 Reach stops Smuggler's Copter, and any other pesky flyers, without actually being a flying creature itself, so it won't fall to anti-flying sac effects (I guess I thought about this). That said, it's mostly for the stall game, but at 2cmc, that's easy and quick to drop?
Sky Skiff -- Basic flyer, artifact... but one of our tap engines for Night Market Lookout, plus a 2/3 in a pinch, hmm?
Thermo-Alchemist -- One of the other key cards. Pings the opponent each tap, and untaps for every instant or sorcery we cast. Since the goal is to cast lots of Madness spells, each direct damage is a ping. Also, Tormenting Voice triggers an untap, and the potential Madness card discarded triggers an untap, etc. At least, that's the theory?
Alms of the Vein -- One of the cards we discard and cast via Madness. B for a drain 3 sorcery sounds pretty good! Also, since we won't have much defense, the life gain is helpful, I feel. Doesn't hit creatures, but we won't be trying to.
Fiery Temper --- The other card we discard and cast via Madness, which turns it into a Lightning Bolt. Yay! Can hit creatures, in a pinch, but not necessarily the goal. Then again, every 3 damage we put out elsewhere, this can be redirected elsewhere in exchange...?
Murder -- Cheap instant speed removal that hits any creature. Not much more to say, I feel. Doesn't hit Planeswalkers, but it's a common!
Prophetic Ravings -- One of our Madness engines, that also helps us dig for cards. Far as I would say, the deck should function pretty well on four mana, MAYBE five? So we will have plenty of cards to dump / ditch, too. That said, it can go on either weenie creature that we want tapped. One drains a life, the other can be untapped for constant digging.
Tormenting Voice -- The last Madness engine, and to be fair, I wasn't sure if I wanted this or Cathartic Reunion. This is two mana, discard a card, draw two cards. The other is two mana, discard two cards, draw three cards. The latter is way more Madness opportunity! But... I feel like it won't go over as well, because it requires holding onto more cards, versus burning through. I don't know, I'm probably crazy.
Any thoughts, ideas, feedback, etc.? I'll be honest, I'm not expecting to win Game Day or anything, lol. But if it can be improved, very cheaply, I would like that! 'cause I think it'd be a fun, silly deck to play with, that may or may not fall over to everything it runs up against, but I just don't want to drop $60 on a deck I may only play once in a while, and I guess I wanna be a little janky... anyway, hope that doesn't give the wrong idea!
Try to concentrate on your core strategy. 'Death by a thousand papercuts' strategies take some time to execute and can't really afford to dilute that strategy. As such, cards like Consulate Skygate should go, since they do not affect your proactive strategy.
Speaking of Murder, if you're red/black and sometimes have an artifact in play, replace them with Unlicensed Disintegration for extra value. Dealing thre eto an opponent is a nice upside and the colored mana cost will probably be easier for this deck. It also helps with your weakness against planeswalkers since you can redirect it to them.
Spireside Infiltrator? More expensive than the lookout, but can actually attack for a bit
These are all keeping in mind your budget theme, so no rares and mythics. If you went into that, i'd look into getting the red/black dual lands from Zendikar, maybe a Geier Reach Sanitarium, and Smuggler's Copter to replace the Sky Skiff.
I would personally switch the skygates and get something like fretwork colony. It's more of a must-answer card.
Hmm, I kinda feel like it doesn't work in the deck, since I won't be blocking as much as is, which it can't, and I'll lose life faster as it buffs up. Maybe I'm wrong? I'll keep it in mind, though!
You could also look into insolent neonate as it is a great opener for a madness deck
I do like this idea, though it's a one time only effect. Menace, though, hmm. Thanks for mentioning!
Try to concentrate on your core strategy. 'Death by a thousand papercuts' strategies take some time to execute and can't really afford to dilute that strategy. As such, cards like Consulate Skygate should go, since they do not affect your proactive strategy.
I agree with this assessment, I can ditch this one.
I originally imagined needing all the burn I could get for the face, but if I'm dwindling them down with tap effects, maybe I can afford the Fiery Temper on a creature? (Of course, this is hypothetical.)
Speaking of Murder, if you're red/black and sometimes have an artifact in play, replace them with Unlicensed Disintegration for extra value. Dealing thre eto an opponent is a nice upside and the colored mana cost will probably be easier for this deck. It also helps with your weakness against planeswalkers since you can redirect it to them.
This is a direct upgrade and makes perfect sense to me, I like it, I'll note the swap. Thanks!
Hmm, I didn't think of it that way, as a card that does nothing on its own, and doesn't replace itself right away, etc... I like Lightning Axe in its spot most, but would you say that it's more of a sideboard card than anything else? Otherwise, I do like Cathartic Reunion for even more draw potential, too, hmm...
Also, I do like Mad Prophet, but wondering then maybe more your opinion on Accursed Witch, and whether or not it should be swapped for that creature slot, or perhaps in addition to? Otherwise, Mad Prophet doesn't do much more / else on its own, besides one dig a turn. (I had imagined the aura enchant working this process a ton.)
Spireside Infiltrator? More expensive than the lookout, but can actually attack for a bit
I like this card quite a bit, too, plus it has a tap effect, a little power, and can be tapped down with Crew 1 as well, mmm.
These are all keeping in mind your budget theme, so no rares and mythics. If you went into that, i'd look into getting the red/black dual lands from Zendikar, maybe a Geier Reach Sanitarium, and Smuggler's Copter to replace the Sky Skiff.
Thanks for these mentions, but I'm looking to avoid any rares or mythics. Otherwise, Smuggler's Copter would be an auto-4x-include because it's amazing in its own right, but with Madness / digging as the central focus and theme... damn! But yeah, I don't want to drop those kinda funds on this. Thank you for suggesting them, though, and many thanks for your reply and considerations!
When you talk madness, the #1 card that gets overlooked is Heir of Falkenrath which is instant discard for free and turns into a flier. Haunted Dead is another card that is huge with style since it doesn't mind being discarded, or can discard to bring two bodies from grave.
I know you said you wanted to avoid rares if possible, but Asylum Visitor might be an exception if cost is the reason. $2.50 will get you a playset shipped.
Flaying Tendrils is another card that might help since many of your toughness are big enough to survive.
When you talk madness, the #1 card that gets overlooked is Heir of Falkenrath which is instant discard for free and turns into a flier. Haunted Dead is another card that is huge with style since it doesn't mind being discarded, or can discard to bring two bodies from grave.
I know you said you wanted to avoid rares if possible, but Asylum Visitor might be an exception if cost is the reason. $2.50 will get you a playset shipped.
Flaying Tendrils is another card that might help since many of your toughness are big enough to survive.
My concern about Heir of Falkenrath is that it's only a single Madness trigger. Maybe that's good enough, actually, I'm not sure! Then, as a 3/2 flyer, it's a nice creature with evasion. But I'm undecided overall 'cause it doesn't go with the flow? Maybe the direction is a little weak right now, though...
I do like the idea that Haunted Dead works pretty well in the graveyard as a Madness engine, but it doesn't draw cards like the digging does, and maybe that's a shallow concern.
Mixed feelings about Asylum Visitor, as it plays via Madness as well as the next card, but I guess I wasn't imagining having an empty hand all the time / all that often with the digging?
My recommendation on this deck is build what you like and then goldfish ALOT.
When I built my Mono-Black version, I found tweaking it was really important and some cards really underperformed.
The constraint of having enough Mana to cast your discarded spells after cathartic/tormenting was a concern. It took a lot of rounds to get everything balanced right.
With your mana base, Unlicensed Disintegration is easier to cast than Murder for the same result if you don't have an artifact on the battlefield.
At first, I was trying to fill the slots with more synergy, and saw Prying Questions as "direct damage" and card advantage (or at least, generating card disadvantage).
Then I came across Accursed Witch -> Abundant Maw, and wondered if it's a good idea at all, to both get the Curse on the opponent, and have the life swing. (I suppose there is also a magical scenario of Abundant Maw emerging into itself, but maybe that's a bit "win more.")
Lastly, I don't really like Retreat to Hagra, but I do want to at least "mention" I saw it, just in case it's not the worst idea ever and I'm wrong about it.
I was trying to come up with a super cheap deck idea for the upcoming Standard Game Day, that wouldn't break the bank in any way, 'cause I don't feel ready to commit to anything. As such, I came up with the following! (It's either Peasant or Pauper, I don't know, to be honest.)
Old version:
4x Evolving Wilds
8x Mountain
8x Swamp
Creatures [20]
4x Accursed Witch
0x Infectious Curse
4x Consulate Skygate
4x Night Market Lookout
4x Sky Skiff
4x Thermo-Alchemist
4x Alms of the Vein
4x Fiery Temper
4x Murder
4x Prophetic Ravings
4x Tormenting Voice
4x Evolving Wilds
8x Mountain
8x Swamp
Creatures [16]
4x Accursed Witch
0x Infectious Curse
4x Night Market Lookout
4x Spireside Infiltrator
4x Thermo-Alchemist
4x Alms of the Vein
4x Cathartic Reunion
4x Fiery Temper
4x Unlicensed Disintegration
4x Tormenting Voice
Artifacts [4]
4x Sky Skiff
3x Abundant Maw
4x Flaying Tendrils
4x Lightning Axe
4x Prying Questions
I have no imagination for sideboard right now, butthe basic idea is to kill slowly with the mini creatures and tap / untap effects, then quickly with Madness casts.Card explanations: (?outdated?)
Mountain -- Produces red mana, comes into play untapped.
Swamp -- Produces black mana, also comes into play untapped. Cool, right?
Accursed Witch -- Actually my least favorite card in the deck right now, feels weak and not thematic, but maybe I'm wrong. That said, losing it does benefit with a life drain tick, and if we have to hard cast direct damage spells, they cost 1 less each, I suppose?
Consulate Skygate -- 0/4 Reach stops Smuggler's Copter, and any other pesky flyers, without actually being a flying creature itself, so it won't fall to anti-flying sac effects (I guess I thought about this). That said, it's mostly for the stall game, but at 2cmc, that's easy and quick to drop?
Night Market Lookout -- One of the key cards. Drains a life whenever tapped, which we accomplish with Sky Skiff (Crew 1) and Prophetic Ravings (also: Madness engine + digging).
Sky Skiff -- Basic flyer, artifact... but one of our tap engines for Night Market Lookout, plus a 2/3 in a pinch, hmm?
Thermo-Alchemist -- One of the other key cards. Pings the opponent each tap, and untaps for every instant or sorcery we cast. Since the goal is to cast lots of Madness spells, each direct damage is a ping. Also, Tormenting Voice triggers an untap, and the potential Madness card discarded triggers an untap, etc. At least, that's the theory?
Alms of the Vein -- One of the cards we discard and cast via Madness. B for a drain 3 sorcery sounds pretty good! Also, since we won't have much defense, the life gain is helpful, I feel. Doesn't hit creatures, but we won't be trying to.
Fiery Temper --- The other card we discard and cast via Madness, which turns it into a Lightning Bolt. Yay! Can hit creatures, in a pinch, but not necessarily the goal. Then again, every 3 damage we put out elsewhere, this can be redirected elsewhere in exchange...?
Murder -- Cheap instant speed removal that hits any creature. Not much more to say, I feel. Doesn't hit Planeswalkers, but it's a common!
Prophetic Ravings -- One of our Madness engines, that also helps us dig for cards. Far as I would say, the deck should function pretty well on four mana, MAYBE five? So we will have plenty of cards to dump / ditch, too. That said, it can go on either weenie creature that we want tapped. One drains a life, the other can be untapped for constant digging.
Tormenting Voice -- The last Madness engine, and to be fair, I wasn't sure if I wanted this or Cathartic Reunion. This is two mana, discard a card, draw two cards. The other is two mana, discard two cards, draw three cards. The latter is way more Madness opportunity! But... I feel like it won't go over as well, because it requires holding onto more cards, versus burning through. I don't know, I'm probably crazy.
Thanks in advance for any helpful criticism. =]
These are all keeping in mind your budget theme, so no rares and mythics. If you went into that, i'd look into getting the red/black dual lands from Zendikar, maybe a Geier Reach Sanitarium, and Smuggler's Copter to replace the Sky Skiff.
Hmm, I kinda feel like it doesn't work in the deck, since I won't be blocking as much as is, which it can't, and I'll lose life faster as it buffs up. Maybe I'm wrong? I'll keep it in mind, though!
I do like this idea, though it's a one time only effect. Menace, though, hmm. Thanks for mentioning!
I agree with this assessment, I can ditch this one.
I originally imagined needing all the burn I could get for the face, but if I'm dwindling them down with tap effects, maybe I can afford the Fiery Temper on a creature? (Of course, this is hypothetical.)
This is a direct upgrade and makes perfect sense to me, I like it, I'll note the swap. Thanks!
Hmm, I didn't think of it that way, as a card that does nothing on its own, and doesn't replace itself right away, etc... I like Lightning Axe in its spot most, but would you say that it's more of a sideboard card than anything else? Otherwise, I do like Cathartic Reunion for even more draw potential, too, hmm...
Also, I do like Mad Prophet, but wondering then maybe more your opinion on Accursed Witch, and whether or not it should be swapped for that creature slot, or perhaps in addition to? Otherwise, Mad Prophet doesn't do much more / else on its own, besides one dig a turn. (I had imagined the aura enchant working this process a ton.)
I like this card quite a bit, too, plus it has a tap effect, a little power, and can be tapped down with Crew 1 as well, mmm.
Thanks for these mentions, but I'm looking to avoid any rares or mythics. Otherwise, Smuggler's Copter would be an auto-4x-include because it's amazing in its own right, but with Madness / digging as the central focus and theme... damn! But yeah, I don't want to drop those kinda funds on this. Thank you for suggesting them, though, and many thanks for your reply and considerations!
Haunted Dead is another card that is huge with style since it doesn't mind being discarded, or can discard to bring two bodies from grave.
I know you said you wanted to avoid rares if possible, but Asylum Visitor might be an exception if cost is the reason. $2.50 will get you a playset shipped.
Flaying Tendrils is another card that might help since many of your toughness are big enough to survive.
My concern about Heir of Falkenrath is that it's only a single Madness trigger. Maybe that's good enough, actually, I'm not sure! Then, as a 3/2 flyer, it's a nice creature with evasion. But I'm undecided overall 'cause it doesn't go with the flow? Maybe the direction is a little weak right now, though...
I do like the idea that Haunted Dead works pretty well in the graveyard as a Madness engine, but it doesn't draw cards like the digging does, and maybe that's a shallow concern.
Mixed feelings about Asylum Visitor, as it plays via Madness as well as the next card, but I guess I wasn't imagining having an empty hand all the time / all that often with the digging?
I do really like Flaying Tendrils, though. It wipes out Night Market Lookout, though, but also Accursed Witch (if it stays) and Spireside Infiltrator (if it goes in).
I will mull this over some more, and post a new list / perspective after I wrap up these college shenanigans... thanks for the reply!
When I built my Mono-Black version, I found tweaking it was really important and some cards really underperformed.
The constraint of having enough Mana to cast your discarded spells after cathartic/tormenting was a concern. It took a lot of rounds to get everything balanced right.
With your mana base, Unlicensed Disintegration is easier to cast than Murder for the same result if you don't have an artifact on the battlefield.
4x Evolving Wilds
8x Mountain
8x Swamp
Creatures [16]
4x Accursed Witch
0x Infectious Curse
4x Night Market Lookout
4x Spireside Infiltrator
4x Thermo-Alchemist
4x Alms of the Vein
4x Cathartic Reunion
4x Fiery Temper
4x Unlicensed Disintegration
4x Tormenting Voice
Artifacts [4]
4x Sky Skiff
3x Abundant Maw
4x Flaying Tendrils
4x Lightning Axe
4x Prying Questions
At first, I was trying to fill the slots with more synergy, and saw Prying Questions as "direct damage" and card advantage (or at least, generating card disadvantage).
Then I came across Accursed Witch -> Abundant Maw, and wondered if it's a good idea at all, to both get the Curse on the opponent, and have the life swing. (I suppose there is also a magical scenario of Abundant Maw emerging into itself, but maybe that's a bit "win more.")
Lastly, I don't really like Retreat to Hagra, but I do want to at least "mention" I saw it, just in case it's not the worst idea ever and I'm wrong about it.