The budget deck creation forums on MtG Salvation are the absolute best places to find creative people constructing even more creative decks outside the restrictive nature of expensive and other popular cards. This BW deck is just a roundup of cards that I think might be a little bit of fun when put together. This is a deck where Enchantments matter and we will try to me full use of all of the cool Enchantment cards available in standard now. So please enjoy and don't forget to leave critiques and comments below to help me out.
Some Cards and My Thoughts
There are a lot of cards that are out of the price range of this budget deck that would be helpful to us. Thankfully, Caves of Koilos is under $3.00 and makes the cut for this deck. Temple of Silence is currently at $4.50 and might be too much for our budget so, for now, we will be passing it up for Scoured Barrens.
Banishing Light is pretty much straight forward. Its versatility of removing any nonland permanent is highly valuable for our budget deck. In this deck we might be looking at some Constellation so the fact that it is an Enchantment is a nice bonus. Banishing Light is a popular card in non-budget decks so that makes me feel a little better about including it.
Constellation is a big part of our game plan and Underworld Coinsmith is a key player in our creature lineup. We will be losing and gaining life throughout the entire game and the longer the game goes on the more activations we will get with this guy..gal...thing.
Goblin Rabblemaster, Savage Knuckleblade, Siege Rhino, and more are big threats for any deck. We have a plan though and his name is Nyx-Fleece Ram. Just look at this card. The art is amazing, his butt is huge, he is gaining life, and he is an Enchantment. I am not really sure how much better a card can get for us and look so harmless.
To keep going with our Enchantment theme going, Brain Maggot is up to bat. Knowing what's in your opponent's hand is a big advantage. Knowing what is in their hand and getting rid of the biggest threat is even better. This card isn't too tough but drawing a removal spell out on it is not a bad thing.
Grim Guardian. What a cool card. Enchantment? Check. Constellation? Check. Decent toughness and good effect? You know it. Nothing bad to say about our guardian. I think this budget deck is shaping up to be pretty cool.
The numbers in the decklist are placeholders until I get useful input from the Magic Community on what does or does not work for this deck.
I like Sign in Blood because we don't really care about the loss of life but I feel like there might be something a little more efficient that I am missing. I also like being able to Sign in Blood an opponent when I have Fate Unraveler in play, to seal the deal, if it ever became necessary.
Doomwake Giant is another card that has potential here as a finisher or to clean up the state of the board. I have Herald of Torment in the deck as my finisher currently.
Conclusion
I feel like this deck has a good shot at being at least decent at FNM's. Opening up the throttle on the budget would be extremely helpful to this deck but as it stands I think it is a cool little brew.
Please comment on anything that comes to mind on how to improve what I have going on here.
These 3 cards are considerations for the Sideboard.
Bile Blight is effective against tokens or spot removal in some situations.
Oppressive Rays is the most exciting card I am looking at right now. The fact that it is an Enchantment puts it over the top for me.
Stab Wound is the weakest of these 3 considerations but I think the loss of life is a neat ability and could really do big damage if left unchecked.
As suggested by Nev, Whip of Erebos is an easy inclusion into this list. The abilities are nice, it's an Enchantment, and it's less than $2.00. Sounds good to me. Thanks Nev
Brave the Sands is a card I am thinking about for the Sideboard against RabbleRed decks. It allows Nyx-Fleece Ram to block more tokens. Grim Guardian too for that matter.
I run a single copy of Erebos, God of the Dead in my version. It's good against the mirror match, lets you draw cards with minimal drawback, and hurts Abzan midrange.
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Playing with proxied cards at sanctioned events is good, actually.
This deck looks great, thanks for posting. I like the idea of adding Erebos, God of the Dead as chicken bacon suggested against mirrors. Even though it would be mainly to prevent the opponent from gaining life, is consistently reaching devotion in a reasonable amount of time going to happen? I was going to further suggest Athreos, God of Passage to protect against heavy removal, but Erebos is quicker and the devotion (if necessary) is even more difficult to reach.
Also, considering how cheap this deck is to purchase, what would you recommend adding for someone who wouldn't mind paying a bit extra?
Yeah Athreos is an auto-include if you aren't on a budget, but currently they're around 8 USD, which makes running more than one less than budget-friendly.
Honestly, I rarely hit the 5 devotion to animate Erebos, but I use him mostly for this instant-speed drawing ability anyway. In constellation decks, your spells become more potent as your board state develops, which means paying two life even if you only draw into a Brain Maggot still equals value with Grim Guardian, Underworld Coinsmith, or Doomwake Giant in play.
Non-budget versions of B/W constellation usually include more hand destruction (specifically Thoughtseize) as well as some removal (Hero's Downfall). If you're looking for upgrades, I do think that hand destruction is certainly the most valuable place to start, mainly because it gives you the ability to remove removal and more consistently advance your board state (and thus give you the most out of your constellation triggers).
Some other budget cards worth considering:
- Feast on the Fallen: since your opponent is almost certainly losing life every turn, you now have the opportunity to get more value from it in the form of creature buffs. Plus, it's an enchantment.
- Armament of Nyx: Good way to deal with annoying fatties, also a good way to get the most out of Doomwake Giant's 4 power.
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Playing with proxied cards at sanctioned events is good, actually.
Yea, that's what I figured. His enchantment abilities are sweet as it is, but activating him would be nice too. Thoughtseize and Hero's Downfall are definitely far above a budget deck, but when I was browsing the competitive BW thread, most people were also suggesting that splashing red in for Butcher of the Horde , complaining that herald of torment isn't strong enough to get the win (they also included Crackling Doom and Mardu Charm for Even more removal and control. Is there any way to splash red reasonably well while remaining within budget, or is budget restricted to B/W?
when I was browsing the competitive BW thread, most people were also suggesting that splashing red in for Butcher of the Horde , complaining that herald of torment isn't strong enough to get the win
(Original quote was edited down to be relevant to the post below)
I wouldn't know what else to run in place of Herald of Torment. Doomwake Giant is cool but not as a 4 of. He is more of a utility board cleaner than a finisher.
I don't think adding R would be very friendly on a budget. The spells it provides are stellar but it becomes a different deck really. If I were to go over this budget I would add Athreos, God of Passage and Thoughtseize. I have also thought about going WBU but the same issue arises with consistency with mana on a budget.
Also, this deck is under $40.00 if anyone was interested.
I didn't think it would, I was just curious to see if you were able to discern any way of sneaking some red in there on the cheap. It's meant to be budget friendly and fairly competitive, and it seems to succeed at both. I plan on starting from the basic framework you laid out in your first post (this will be my first deck, btw ), and perhaps expand into red after testing, getting more familiar with the decks played at my LGS, and a willingness to drop more cash on it.
Also, which site are you using to price? I've been checking out Star City Games, but I've heard they're pretty overpriced.
I didn't think it would, I was just curious to see if you were able to discern any way of sneaking some red in there on the cheap. It's meant to be budget friendly and fairly competitive, and it seems to succeed at both. I plan on starting from the basic framework you laid out in your first post (this will be my first deck, btw ), and perhaps expand into red after testing, getting more familiar with the decks played at my LGS, and a willingness to drop more cash on it.
Also, which site are you using to price? I've been checking out Star City Games, but I've heard they're pretty overpriced.
I, and many other players that trade often, use TCG Mid prices. I am not sure if I am allowed to link to it but you can just Google TCG Player and go from there.
I do hope you stay up with MtG. It is so much fun especially when you build on a limited budget. It forces you to come up with new and creative ways to beat your opponents. That being said, there is a reason the "good" decks cost so much.
I feel like adding R into these colors is a healthy choice and you should definitely go for it when expenses permit.
You're getting into Magic at an exciting time and I wish you the best. I am a Commander player mainly but I enjoy doing budget standard decks every now and then so I hope to see you around more.
One funnish budgety method to win is using grim guardian and to a lesser degree doomwake giant in conjunction with return to the ranks. Another is "gray merchant just because". And there's no reason to skip on a whip.
What is everyone's opinion on my lands? Is it necessary to run 4 Caves of Koilos? Do I have too many Plains? I currently have 12 cards that require 1 W and 1 card that requires WW. I don't feel like it is critical to play a set of Caves. Weigh in on it please.
Also, any opinions on Spiteful Returned? I feel like the Bestow could come in handy as protection and as another source of loss of life.
Spiteful returned in the return to the ranks edition. Caves could probably go in favor of some evolving wilds which will help weed out a bit. You're not blitzy and can do it on turn 1 or hang at 2 or 3 for a turn.
Spiteful returned in the return to the ranks edition. Caves could probably go in favor of some evolving wilds which will help weed out a bit. You're not blitzy and can do it on turn 1 or hang at 2 or 3 for a turn.
I have to be honest with you...what?! You sort of confused me sorry.
If I understand correctly, you meant that Spiteful Returned is okay when the deck is the Return to the Ranks edition. You then said, I think, that it might be okay to cut down on the number of Caves of Koilos in favor of a few copies of Evolving Wilds. Then something about being blitzy and turn 1 and 2 lol
Spiteful returned is a more proactive kind of creature, good for attacking, not so good for making deadlocks. If you played a return to the ranks game, it would lay on quite a bit of hurt and is cheap enough to qualify for return which works with grim guardian.
You play 0 one drops, lots of 2 drops, and few 3-4 drops. So you can afford to have a land enter tappen on turn 1, 3, or 4 and it would be ok. So caves isn't a good thing to spend for. Elvolving wilds will do the job fine.
Spiteful returned is a more proactive kind of creature, good for attacking, not so good for making deadlocks. If you played a return to the ranks game, it would lay on quite a bit of hurt and is cheap enough to qualify for return which works with grim guardian.
You play 0 one drops, lots of 2 drops, and few 3-4 drops. So you can afford to have a land enter tappen on turn 1, 3, or 4 and it would be ok. So caves isn't a good thing to spend for. Elvolving wilds will do the job fine.
Thanks Ruggley! I actually decided to go with a budget UW Heroic deck that I've been having fun with. I was wondering what deck list you finally decided upon for this one though. I'd like to see this thread continue with more ideas as it's definitely something I'd like to play as well.
This is a very good post OP, has anyone looked at this and considered Skybind?
Or is it already getting a little too costed? I can see that running low cmc might be more desirable.
One thing I was trying to do was find a card advantage engine in another list using Necromancers Stockpile, worked fantastic with Whip+Gary+Doomwake.
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The red mage lives by the variance and dies by the variance. May the variance be with you, always.
Suspension Field is totally a worthy card. Good call.
Blue lives don't matter in the slightest.
Also, considering how cheap this deck is to purchase, what would you recommend adding for someone who wouldn't mind paying a bit extra?
Yeah Athreos is an auto-include if you aren't on a budget, but currently they're around 8 USD, which makes running more than one less than budget-friendly.
Honestly, I rarely hit the 5 devotion to animate Erebos, but I use him mostly for this instant-speed drawing ability anyway. In constellation decks, your spells become more potent as your board state develops, which means paying two life even if you only draw into a Brain Maggot still equals value with Grim Guardian, Underworld Coinsmith, or Doomwake Giant in play.
Non-budget versions of B/W constellation usually include more hand destruction (specifically Thoughtseize) as well as some removal (Hero's Downfall). If you're looking for upgrades, I do think that hand destruction is certainly the most valuable place to start, mainly because it gives you the ability to remove removal and more consistently advance your board state (and thus give you the most out of your constellation triggers).
Some other budget cards worth considering:
- Feast on the Fallen: since your opponent is almost certainly losing life every turn, you now have the opportunity to get more value from it in the form of creature buffs. Plus, it's an enchantment.
- Armament of Nyx: Good way to deal with annoying fatties, also a good way to get the most out of Doomwake Giant's 4 power.
Blue lives don't matter in the slightest.
I wouldn't know what else to run in place of Herald of Torment. Doomwake Giant is cool but not as a 4 of. He is more of a utility board cleaner than a finisher.
I don't think adding R would be very friendly on a budget. The spells it provides are stellar but it becomes a different deck really. If I were to go over this budget I would add Athreos, God of Passage and Thoughtseize. I have also thought about going WBU but the same issue arises with consistency with mana on a budget.
Also, this deck is under $40.00 if anyone was interested.
Also, which site are you using to price? I've been checking out Star City Games, but I've heard they're pretty overpriced.
I, and many other players that trade often, use TCG Mid prices. I am not sure if I am allowed to link to it but you can just Google TCG Player and go from there.
I do hope you stay up with MtG. It is so much fun especially when you build on a limited budget. It forces you to come up with new and creative ways to beat your opponents. That being said, there is a reason the "good" decks cost so much.
I feel like adding R into these colors is a healthy choice and you should definitely go for it when expenses permit.
You're getting into Magic at an exciting time and I wish you the best. I am a Commander player mainly but I enjoy doing budget standard decks every now and then so I hope to see you around more.
Also, any opinions on Spiteful Returned? I feel like the Bestow could come in handy as protection and as another source of loss of life.
I have to be honest with you...what?! You sort of confused me sorry.
If I understand correctly, you meant that Spiteful Returned is okay when the deck is the Return to the Ranks edition. You then said, I think, that it might be okay to cut down on the number of Caves of Koilos in favor of a few copies of Evolving Wilds. Then something about being blitzy and turn 1 and 2 lol
You play 0 one drops, lots of 2 drops, and few 3-4 drops. So you can afford to have a land enter tappen on turn 1, 3, or 4 and it would be ok. So caves isn't a good thing to spend for. Elvolving wilds will do the job fine.
Thanks for the clarification Nev!
Or is it already getting a little too costed? I can see that running low cmc might be more desirable.
One thing I was trying to do was find a card advantage engine in another list using Necromancers Stockpile, worked fantastic with Whip+Gary+Doomwake.