The most notable thing here is the shift away from Whip of Erebos to Corpseweft. Firstly, Corpseweft is faster- you can play and activate it in the same turn with a reasonable amount of mana. Unlike Whip, it makes good use of all the small creatures in the yard like Wayfinders, Caryatids, and Coursers. You can activate Corpseweft at instant speed- so it's great against control where you can flood the board with new threats in their end step after they wrath. The threats from Weft actually stick around- so you can ride them to victory. It's versatile- since you can go wide with a bunch of 2/2s or make a few large beaters. Also, and very importantly- enchantment removal is becoming prevalent- and with Corpseweft you can activate it and get value before they have a chance to remove it. Corpseweft really is absurd in this deck and it's pretty near impossible for a control deck to keep up with all the threats it produces.
This deck wants a lot of creatures to fuel Sidisi, and especially Corpseweft. This is the reason for inclusion of cards such as Brain Maggots and Reclamation Sage over similar non-creature spells.
Since Corpseweft trades in the potential utility of Whip for more aggression and consistency, I have included Deathdealers to start the pressure early.
Undead Vizier is just a great card and goes perfect with Satyr Wayfinder. It lets you run only 2 Corpseweft and still reliably find it since they have no value beyond the first one. UV is also great at finding one ofs like Silumgar's Command and SB Crux of Fate.
Silumgar's Command is great at doing a Far/Away impression to clear their board of blockers to get Sidisi through with the added benefit of countering spells or sniping walkers.
Overall the switch to Corpseweft gives us a faster and more consistent deck. You are no longer reliant on big bomb creatures to get the work done and the mana curve gets shaved significantly- while being able to output even more large threats. You also become much less susceptible to the problem of drawing the wrong half of your deck, as Corpsweft turns even the lowliest of creatures into real threats.
My gut tells me this should have more creatures, and more Corpseweft's.
One might also consider cutting the high end a little bit and aggroing in a bit more. Maybe switching the Caryatids for Rattleclaws. With out the lifelink from Whip it might have hard keeping up in a grindy game. Rattle claw is less resilient than Caryatid.
The real issue is Tasigur. He's great, but you've excluded him - which makes sense, delving away creatures is worse with Corpseweft than with Whip. But I feel that finding a way to make Tasigur work here might pay off.
Also, Torrent Elemental can be recurred by Corpseweft - so like Tasigur it needs to be considered, and if omitted needs to be justified.
Is any sort of ramp even necessary anymore if our reanimator tool is significantly cheaper in terms of mana? Courser and Wayfinder will ensure that we get our mana. Maybe take out the Caryatids for 2 more Rakshasa Deathdealers and Brain Maggots, to have a complete set of 4 of each card.
I also agree that Tasigur and Torrent Elemental should be in the deck. Even just one Torrent does the job.
Lemons24 - while Urborg would be nice, it is excluded because the deck also has a heavy requirement to green, so only so many lands that only produce one color can be included. A minimum of 2 swamps are needed for Polluted Delta and Evolving Wilds, so Urborg just couldn't be fit.
Peterforrence - I am already running 25 creatures- that is nearly half the deck and a good few more than classic Sultai reanimator builds. You definitely don't want to give up the efficient black disruption suite. I have not yet experienced not having enough guys in the yard to make Corpseweft do work.
On running more Corpseweft- there is a 3rd in the side, and the default for Undead Vizier is almost always to find Corpseweft- which I think is the best plan because Corpseweft is bad in multiples and this gives us a virtual 4 copies. Corpseweft costs the same to cast and activate as Undead Vizier, so you aren't losing any tempo by having to cast Vizier first.
The Caryatid can't be switched to Rattleclaw since it doesn't provide black. The ability to block is also much appreciated vs aggro decks to have time to start making zombies and stabilize. I havnt had any trouble without lifelink since Corpseweft tends to add more to the board than any other decks can keep up with. Courser also provides mild life gain. There is no shortage of potential blockers here and the best removal spells in the format.
I don't feel that Tasigur would be at his best here since his ability will often be next to useless- since you'll be returning Wayfinders and Caryatids most of the time. You are also right that you don't want to delve away any creatures, and I already have Murderous Cut. If anything I would probably run Gurmag Angler instead since the 5/5 body tangles profitably with Siege Rhino. Torrent Elemental is worth consideration - I don't think it's necessary mb, but I will probably add 2 to the side. Once Corpseweft gets going you don't really need more bodies- but I could definitely see it pulling work vs green devotion where blockers can be an issue.
Chainedtotherock- I originally had 3 Caryatid and 3 Deathdealer, and I found I really didn't want more than two. This deck is somewhat mana greedy and you don't often have any left over to pump or regenerate him. Caryatid is great mostly because turn 3 Sidisi is miles better than turn 4 Sidisi. It is also nice to have a mana source that is also a creature to fuel Sidisi and Corpseweft. Also, it is important to have guys you don't mind sacrificing to Undead do Vizier, which by the time you cast, Caryatid will have already done what it needed to do. I was kind of iffy on running 4 of them at first - but they have definitely proved their worth.
See above about Tasigur and Torrent Elemental. I will be adding Torrent Elemental to the side- probably in place of the Risen Executioner and maybe a Sultai Charm. If I were to make room in the main I would probably cut Brain Maggot. Maggot serves it'role and is fine - but is never stellar- more just there since he is a creature- otherwise would max out on Thoughtseizd 1st. Deathdealer could also get the axe. Angler/Tasigur could be better than Deathdealer, but I would be wary of additional delve to Murderous cut since you really don't want to delve away creatures. Deathdealer is also nice to have just to lay out on turn 2 and trade with some aggro creature, basically acting as a removal spell. There have been games where he swings in for ten on an empty board to end the game vs control- so for now Im sticking with Deathdealer for the versatility. Regeneration is also underrated.
One card that seems like an easy cut to add something like Torrent Elemental is Dragonlord Silumgar- but I would not even consider cutting him after playing with him. With all the must kill targets this deck presents, he just pulls major weight coming down after they have exhausted their removal. I can't speak enough about how much he can swing games. He also makes Caryatid a more worthwhile inclusion at 6cc
He is the stone cold nuts. The only black or red removal that deals with him is Downfall, Cut and sometimes Crater's Claws. It is really hard for them to have removal left for him. Stealing a Walker is something we've never been able to do before and it can be completely backbreaking. A lot of the reason I would only side Torrent Elemental is that he already covers a lot of what Elemtenta aims to do by stealing a blocker than adding 3 evasive power. Though I can definitely see Torrent in the side for green devotion and am surprised I overlooked it.
He is the stone cold nuts. The only black or red removal that deals with him is Downfall, Cut and sometimes Crater's Claws. It is really hard for them to have removal left for him. Stealing a Walker is something we've never been able to do before and it can be completely backbreaking. A lot of the reason I would only side Torrent Elemental is that he already covers a lot of what Elemtenta aims to do by stealing a blocker than adding 3 evasive power. Though I can definitely see Torrent in the side for green devotion and am surprised I overlooked it.
I have to ask, have you tried Risen Executioner out extensively? I got him during pre-release, and he performed well for me in limited. However, I have yet to try him in constructed. I noticed you said that you are considering removing him, if you haven't already. The "cast from the graveyard" is incredibly appealing to me; he's basically what I wanted Marang River Prowler to be. However, it just seems like an odd card to cast at 4 CMC or higher.
I pack Crux of Fate now to board wipe. Possibly another good sideboard card in case your opponent is winning the battle of attrition?
I'm happy that you seem very dedicated to Sultai Reanimator. I've been trying to perfect this deck to the best of my ability, and it's great seeing your innovation with Corpseweft.
How is it running?
With the Corpseweft I *feel* I would want a few more self mill cards - Commune or something. But other than Wayfinder, they are all kind of mediocre.
Lemons24 - while Urborg would be nice, it is excluded because the deck also has a heavy requirement to green, so only so many lands that only produce one color can be included. A minimum of 2 swamps are needed for Polluted Delta and Evolving Wilds, so Urborg just couldn't be fit.
Peterforrence - I am already running 25 creatures- that is nearly half the deck and a good few more than classic Sultai reanimator builds. You definitely don't want to give up the efficient black disruption suite. I have not yet experienced not having enough guys in the yard to make Corpseweft do work.
On running more Corpseweft- there is a 3rd in the side, and the default for Undead Vizier is almost always to find Corpseweft- which I think is the best plan because Corpseweft is bad in multiples and this gives us a virtual 4 copies. Corpseweft costs the same to cast and activate as Undead Vizier, so you aren't losing any tempo by having to cast Vizier first.
The Caryatid can't be switched to Rattleclaw since it doesn't provide black. The ability to block is also much appreciated vs aggro decks to have time to start making zombies and stabilize. I havnt had any trouble without lifelink since Corpseweft tends to add more to the board than any other decks can keep up with. Courser also provides mild life gain. There is no shortage of potential blockers here and the best removal spells in the format.
I don't feel that Tasigur would be at his best here since his ability will often be next to useless- since you'll be returning Wayfinders and Caryatids most of the time. You are also right that you don't want to delve away any creatures, and I already have Murderous Cut. If anything I would probably run Gurmag Angler instead since the 5/5 body tangles profitably with Siege Rhino. Torrent Elemental is worth consideration - I don't think it's necessary mb, but I will probably add 2 to the side. Once Corpseweft gets going you don't really need more bodies- but I could definitely see it pulling work vs green devotion where blockers can be an issue.
Chainedtotherock- I originally had 3 Caryatid and 3 Deathdealer, and I found I really didn't want more than two. This deck is somewhat mana greedy and you don't often have any left over to pump or regenerate him. Caryatid is great mostly because turn 3 Sidisi is miles better than turn 4 Sidisi. It is also nice to have a mana source that is also a creature to fuel Sidisi and Corpseweft. Also, it is important to have guys you don't mind sacrificing to Undead do Vizier, which by the time you cast, Caryatid will have already done what it needed to do. I was kind of iffy on running 4 of them at first - but they have definitely proved their worth.
See above about Tasigur and Torrent Elemental. I will be adding Torrent Elemental to the side- probably in place of the Risen Executioner and maybe a Sultai Charm. If I were to make room in the main I would probably cut Brain Maggot. Maggot serves it'role and is fine - but is never stellar- more just there since he is a creature- otherwise would max out on Thoughtseizd 1st. Deathdealer could also get the axe. Angler/Tasigur could be better than Deathdealer, but I would be wary of additional delve to Murderous cut since you really don't want to delve away creatures. Deathdealer is also nice to have just to lay out on turn 2 and trade with some aggro creature, basically acting as a removal spell. There have been games where he swings in for ten on an empty board to end the game vs control- so for now Im sticking with Deathdealer for the versatility. Regeneration is also underrated.
One card that seems like an easy cut to add something like Torrent Elemental is Dragonlord Silumgar- but I would not even consider cutting him after playing with him. With all the must kill targets this deck presents, he just pulls major weight coming down after they have exhausted their removal. I can't speak enough about how much he can swing games. He also makes Caryatid a more worthwhile inclusion at 6cc
I would take a look at the list Reid Duke played to the finals of the SCG Invitational this past weekend, specifically the creature count and the mana base.
I think you are undervaluing both Tasigur, the Golden Fang and Torrent Elemental, especially when you combine them with Corpseweft. Torrent Elemental becomes an unkillable creature that makes it extremely difficult for your opponent to race and Tasigur, the Golden Fang can re-buy many of your utility spells since you'll be exiling the dead weight with the Corpseweft and delve spells. You specifically state that Brain Maggot is underwhelming, cutting them for two 1-of tutor targets seems like a no-brainer to me especially seeing these interactions at work in a tournament setting last weekend.
I think you also want 3 Corpseweft in the MD. The reason most of the older Sultai Reanimator decks only play 2 Whip of Erebos was because they never actually needed it in order to function. Your deck however seems to lean a little harder on Corpseweft so a third is perfectly reasonable. Having to actually tutor for it nearly every game severely limits the kinds of things you can do with Sidisi, and drawing a backup copy, especially with all the enchantment hate running around nowadays, isn't the end of the world.
R4a9s - The backup copy of Corpseweft for if they have enchant removal is in the board. It is a dead card in multiples so you don't ever want more than 1. It is also entirely unecessary to win, both sidisis and especially Dragonlord Silumgar pull plenty weight. Torrent Elemental is great in some matchups but it is pretty slow and the recursive part of it isn't even that necessary since Corpseweft makes zombies out of any creature. I admit I overlooked him but I definitely don't think he is needed mb. There's no need to tap down blockers in most matchups where you are just overwhelming them on the board. So, I would rather mb something that helps me get to my late game, instead of something that lets me be stronger once I already have. I will probably try 1x Tasigur main, as you are right that all the shaft I don't want to bring back is creatures so Corpseweft helps there. He still comes down early so could easily replace a Maggot or Deathdealer.
Chainedtotherock - Exectutioner was only usually good vs Ux control- I thought the pump and to all zombies would be better in other matchups than it turned out to be. The problem was that since he couldn't block- he really just served as a 4 mana anthem to just some of my creatures since you really want to halt damage until you can overwhelm them. I stl think he's feasible in the side 100percent- as of know I just feel like other options are more necessary.
I originally had a Crux in the side, I think tho going forward that Torrent Elemental will be the better SB slot for green devotion- since you can just make huge unblockable zombies and not even worry about their board. Plus you can always make bigger blockers than their attackers, so I havnt found crux necessary.
Caesarion - raptor is great but only with other morphs (which you have in your list). Your list seems to be lacking any really worthwhile whip targets tho- I would definitely switch to Corpseweft- which is basically the whole point of this thread anyway.
Peterforrence - I have had absolutely no trouble having plenty of fodder for Corpseweft- creatures do die without milling- especially stuff like Wayfinders so that is always helping too.
With the tutors in the deck, having multiple 1-ofs becomes much more valuable as a toolbox to help out a little in every matchup, and that leads to wanting 3-4 one-ofs in the deck, and Torrent Elemental is a strong element to have access to.
As for the third Corpseweft, if you're dead set against it, that's your prerogative after all it is your deck, I just feel like having the first Sidisi, Undead Vizier nearly always be a Corpseweft significantly decreases the value of Sidisi as a tutor. Adding the third copy of the enchantment would relieve some of the pressure on your tutors and make the toolbox aspect of the deck much more functional.
it isnt really- you're just as likely to naturally draw corpseweft as you are Vizier. And with 2 copies you're more likely to draw it naturally than not in a game of reasonable length. You also don't really want it in your starting 7. I do see your point with 1x Torrent, but wonder how often you would actually want to tutor for it. I giess just gotta test and see.
I'll be running my run of the mill Whip of Erebos in the new standard for the first time this week at FNM. I'm hoping the new Sidisi is as helpful as it was in casuals. It's been working out great; however, I will not hesitate to switch to the Corpseweft build you have created.
I definitely think the Corpseweft version has more game vs green devotion, Ux control, abzan control, and the pseudo mirror- while the Whip version is better against stuff like abzan aggro, RG Dragons, and tokens.
On running more Corpseweft- there is a 3rd in the side, and the default for Undead Vizier is almost always to find Corpseweft- which I think is the best plan because Corpseweft is bad in multiples and this gives us a virtual 4 copies. Corpseweft costs the same to cast and activate as Undead Vizier, so you aren't losing any tempo by having to cast Vizier first.
If the "default" for the first tutor "is almost always" Corpseweft, it decreases the functionality and effectiveness of the tutors. The only way to mitigate that is to play more copies of the card you are "almost always" looking for.
I would think the side board is meaningless (though a good way to have a lot of parts to experiment with). The list sounds good, but I haven't run it. It might be a bit janky.
It isn't really that Corpsweft is the default tutor for, just that you are more likely to search for it than any other given card. For instance I tend to search for Silumgar about as much, with his Command being something that is often searched for as well. It is just that having access to the tutor lets me only run two, so I can draw it naturally a reasonable amount of time and tutor for it if I don't- without risking drawing multiple copies that would otherwise be dead. You really don't want dead cards with such a grindy deck. Though seeing how prevelant Dromoka's Command is- I could see adding the 3rd mb- tho you're never going to cast it without being able to immediately use it either way. The deck is also plenty capable of winning without ever seeing Corpseweft- it's not like it is all in on the card. An army from Sidisi backed up by some pinpoint discard and a Silumgar is often enough.
Also having a default tutor for doesn't really make the card less good- you still have the option to get other stuff as needed- and if it said "search your library for a card name Corpsweft" I would still run it. You're still trading away a near useless card for it- and it still lets me get away with running less copies of Weft- thereby increasing the creature count and decreasing potential dead draws.
After more extensive testing I have to mention how absurdly strong the matchup vs Ux control is. They just cannot keep up with Corpseweft. Their only hope is Elspeth- which we have plenty of ways to deal with if they even run it. The 3rd copy always comes in vs them, regardless of if they have ways to remove it or not. If they have lots of counters the strategy is almost always to bait their counters until you can sneak in a Corpseweft and just quickly end the game from there. I've had them side in the all tokens get -2/-2 card vs me a lot- and that barely ends up slowing Corpseweft down. It's just crazy to have one card that gives you a stream of beaters for very little mana and in their end step.
Whisperwood could definitely fit- but I. Have no idea what you would replace it with. Sidisi is generally superior in this deck, and I definitely wouldn't drop Silumgar- and you don't want to be too top heavy. Plus he is strongest in places where this deck already shines. Corpseweft does s much better job of fighting through attrition. Maybe in the board tho he could work.
Sultai Ascndency could potentially fit - but it is really slow vs aggressive decks. Like Whisperwood only seems good in matchups that are already in your favor. It can also be a liability- using 3 mana and not effecting the board.
I think the idea of Ascendancy (if it has any chance at all, it may not) is a 1 or 2 of. Something to come down in the later game - dodge dead draws, fill GY, find business (removal). On paper it sounds plausible, but I remain skeptical.
The real way I try to think about it is - given the assumption that once it is in play I draw more business cards (this is a soft assumption) - when I actually draw the Ascendancy am I happy with the promise of more business? Or would I prefer that Ascendancy simply was a card that did something. If I am barely hanging into the game then a card that improves later draws might be a sad draw.
I think Ascendency is a great card, just don't think it would be great mb here as you really don't want to spend the time to cast it vs aggressive decks. You could put it in the board, but I tend to think SB slots should address specific problems or be very high impact vs certain strategies- which Ascendency doesn't do. I wouldn't fault anyone for running 1 or 2 copies and it may be worth trying since it does work so well with Corpseweft and Sidisi. With red decks so popular right now tho I don't think now is the time for it- I would like that not to be the case becauss I really like the card.
I have updated the original post to show the current build that I am running.
I have added an Arbor Colossus to the board since the card is just so absurd against GR dragons- stopping everything they do - being unanswerable outside of a big Crater's Claws. The help would definitely be appreciated since we are somewhat soft to fliers. It is also just a solid big beater that you can bring in in place of something like Reclamation Sage against opponent's who lack targets for it. It is good to have creatures in the board that provide utility, since you don't want to side out too many creatures for non-creature spells because of Sidisi and Corpseweft. This is also the reason for Minister of Pain over the 4th Bile Blight- which could prove even better vs mono red, potentially wiping most of if not all of their board. I could see Minister potentially moving up to 2 copies. I am also considering a copy of Feed the Clan in the board to tutor for, considering with ferocious it pretty much just ends the game vs mono red. More testing is in order to see if it is necessary, but I suppose to make room I would cut the Brain Maggot from the main and move either a Downfall or Ashiok to the mb out of the side. Either that or replace the mb command with Downfall and take the downfall out of the board. Command can be awesome to tutor for, but Downfall is usually a better natural draw.
I guess a backup question is; Why run Ascendancy when the Blue Siege is almost as good and easier to cast?
I looked at Arbor Colossus last night. I was concerned about his mana cost. Let us know how it works out. My hope for him was that the opponent has to use up removal spells on 4/4 - 6/6 zombie horrors and arbor colossus has his way with the board.
I guess a backup question is; Why run Ascendancy when the Blue Siege is almost as good and easier to cast?
I suppose the easy answer for this is because Monastery Siege doesn't activate Sidisi's Zombie trigger, where as Ascendancy does.
On a side note, Monastery Siege came in handy before DTK came out for me against Burn decks; gave me more time to stall since it made their Stokes super expensive. However, the release of Dragons made it difficult for me to find room for it again :/ Which makes us come back to the idea of making Siege/Ascendancy very difficult to squeeze in these decks.
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4 satyr wayfinder
4 courser of kruphix
4 sidisi, brood tyrant
2 rakshasa deathdealer
2 sidisi, undead vizier
2 dragonlord silumgar
1 reclamation sage
1 brain maggot
1 tasigur, the golden fang
2 corpseweft
3 murderous cut
2 sultai charm
1 hero's downfall
1 silumgar's command
3 thoughtseize
2 temple of malady
1 temple of mystery
2 evolving wilds
3 polluted delta
4 llanowar wastes
2 yavimaya coast
2 swamp
2 forest
1 island
1 thoughtseize
1 corpseweft
1 hero's downfall
3 bile blight
3 disdainful stroke
2 ashiok, nightmare weaver
1 torrent elemental
1 arbor colossus
1 reclamation sage
1 minister of pain
The most notable thing here is the shift away from Whip of Erebos to Corpseweft. Firstly, Corpseweft is faster- you can play and activate it in the same turn with a reasonable amount of mana. Unlike Whip, it makes good use of all the small creatures in the yard like Wayfinders, Caryatids, and Coursers. You can activate Corpseweft at instant speed- so it's great against control where you can flood the board with new threats in their end step after they wrath. The threats from Weft actually stick around- so you can ride them to victory. It's versatile- since you can go wide with a bunch of 2/2s or make a few large beaters. Also, and very importantly- enchantment removal is becoming prevalent- and with Corpseweft you can activate it and get value before they have a chance to remove it. Corpseweft really is absurd in this deck and it's pretty near impossible for a control deck to keep up with all the threats it produces.
This deck wants a lot of creatures to fuel Sidisi, and especially Corpseweft. This is the reason for inclusion of cards such as Brain Maggots and Reclamation Sage over similar non-creature spells.
Since Corpseweft trades in the potential utility of Whip for more aggression and consistency, I have included Deathdealers to start the pressure early.
Undead Vizier is just a great card and goes perfect with Satyr Wayfinder. It lets you run only 2 Corpseweft and still reliably find it since they have no value beyond the first one. UV is also great at finding one ofs like Silumgar's Command and SB Crux of Fate.
Silumgar's Command is great at doing a Far/Away impression to clear their board of blockers to get Sidisi through with the added benefit of countering spells or sniping walkers.
Overall the switch to Corpseweft gives us a faster and more consistent deck. You are no longer reliant on big bomb creatures to get the work done and the mana curve gets shaved significantly- while being able to output even more large threats. You also become much less susceptible to the problem of drawing the wrong half of your deck, as Corpsweft turns even the lowliest of creatures into real threats.
Mondern: Mardu Aristocrats (link to my post http://www.mtgsalvation.com/forums/the-game/modern/deck-creation-modern/624899-goblins-and-kings-mardu-aristocrats-build)
Legacy: dead guy ale (B/W/G)
My gut tells me this should have more creatures, and more Corpseweft's.
One might also consider cutting the high end a little bit and aggroing in a bit more. Maybe switching the Caryatids for Rattleclaws. With out the lifelink from Whip it might have hard keeping up in a grindy game. Rattle claw is less resilient than Caryatid.
The real issue is Tasigur. He's great, but you've excluded him - which makes sense, delving away creatures is worse with Corpseweft than with Whip. But I feel that finding a way to make Tasigur work here might pay off.
Also, Torrent Elemental can be recurred by Corpseweft - so like Tasigur it needs to be considered, and if omitted needs to be justified.
I also agree that Tasigur and Torrent Elemental should be in the deck. Even just one Torrent does the job.
Lemons24 - while Urborg would be nice, it is excluded because the deck also has a heavy requirement to green, so only so many lands that only produce one color can be included. A minimum of 2 swamps are needed for Polluted Delta and Evolving Wilds, so Urborg just couldn't be fit.
Peterforrence - I am already running 25 creatures- that is nearly half the deck and a good few more than classic Sultai reanimator builds. You definitely don't want to give up the efficient black disruption suite. I have not yet experienced not having enough guys in the yard to make Corpseweft do work.
On running more Corpseweft- there is a 3rd in the side, and the default for Undead Vizier is almost always to find Corpseweft- which I think is the best plan because Corpseweft is bad in multiples and this gives us a virtual 4 copies. Corpseweft costs the same to cast and activate as Undead Vizier, so you aren't losing any tempo by having to cast Vizier first.
The Caryatid can't be switched to Rattleclaw since it doesn't provide black. The ability to block is also much appreciated vs aggro decks to have time to start making zombies and stabilize. I havnt had any trouble without lifelink since Corpseweft tends to add more to the board than any other decks can keep up with. Courser also provides mild life gain. There is no shortage of potential blockers here and the best removal spells in the format.
I don't feel that Tasigur would be at his best here since his ability will often be next to useless- since you'll be returning Wayfinders and Caryatids most of the time. You are also right that you don't want to delve away any creatures, and I already have Murderous Cut. If anything I would probably run Gurmag Angler instead since the 5/5 body tangles profitably with Siege Rhino. Torrent Elemental is worth consideration - I don't think it's necessary mb, but I will probably add 2 to the side. Once Corpseweft gets going you don't really need more bodies- but I could definitely see it pulling work vs green devotion where blockers can be an issue.
Chainedtotherock- I originally had 3 Caryatid and 3 Deathdealer, and I found I really didn't want more than two. This deck is somewhat mana greedy and you don't often have any left over to pump or regenerate him. Caryatid is great mostly because turn 3 Sidisi is miles better than turn 4 Sidisi. It is also nice to have a mana source that is also a creature to fuel Sidisi and Corpseweft. Also, it is important to have guys you don't mind sacrificing to Undead do Vizier, which by the time you cast, Caryatid will have already done what it needed to do. I was kind of iffy on running 4 of them at first - but they have definitely proved their worth.
See above about Tasigur and Torrent Elemental. I will be adding Torrent Elemental to the side- probably in place of the Risen Executioner and maybe a Sultai Charm. If I were to make room in the main I would probably cut Brain Maggot. Maggot serves it'role and is fine - but is never stellar- more just there since he is a creature- otherwise would max out on Thoughtseizd 1st. Deathdealer could also get the axe. Angler/Tasigur could be better than Deathdealer, but I would be wary of additional delve to Murderous cut since you really don't want to delve away creatures. Deathdealer is also nice to have just to lay out on turn 2 and trade with some aggro creature, basically acting as a removal spell. There have been games where he swings in for ten on an empty board to end the game vs control- so for now Im sticking with Deathdealer for the versatility. Regeneration is also underrated.
One card that seems like an easy cut to add something like Torrent Elemental is Dragonlord Silumgar- but I would not even consider cutting him after playing with him. With all the must kill targets this deck presents, he just pulls major weight coming down after they have exhausted their removal. I can't speak enough about how much he can swing games. He also makes Caryatid a more worthwhile inclusion at 6cc
I have to ask, have you tried Risen Executioner out extensively? I got him during pre-release, and he performed well for me in limited. However, I have yet to try him in constructed. I noticed you said that you are considering removing him, if you haven't already. The "cast from the graveyard" is incredibly appealing to me; he's basically what I wanted Marang River Prowler to be. However, it just seems like an odd card to cast at 4 CMC or higher.
I pack Crux of Fate now to board wipe. Possibly another good sideboard card in case your opponent is winning the battle of attrition?
I'm happy that you seem very dedicated to Sultai Reanimator. I've been trying to perfect this deck to the best of my ability, and it's great seeing your innovation with Corpseweft.
With the Corpseweft I *feel* I would want a few more self mill cards - Commune or something. But other than Wayfinder, they are all kind of mediocre.
I would take a look at the list Reid Duke played to the finals of the SCG Invitational this past weekend, specifically the creature count and the mana base.
I think you are undervaluing both Tasigur, the Golden Fang and Torrent Elemental, especially when you combine them with Corpseweft. Torrent Elemental becomes an unkillable creature that makes it extremely difficult for your opponent to race and Tasigur, the Golden Fang can re-buy many of your utility spells since you'll be exiling the dead weight with the Corpseweft and delve spells. You specifically state that Brain Maggot is underwhelming, cutting them for two 1-of tutor targets seems like a no-brainer to me especially seeing these interactions at work in a tournament setting last weekend.
I think you also want 3 Corpseweft in the MD. The reason most of the older Sultai Reanimator decks only play 2 Whip of Erebos was because they never actually needed it in order to function. Your deck however seems to lean a little harder on Corpseweft so a third is perfectly reasonable. Having to actually tutor for it nearly every game severely limits the kinds of things you can do with Sidisi, and drawing a backup copy, especially with all the enchantment hate running around nowadays, isn't the end of the world.
Chainedtotherock - Exectutioner was only usually good vs Ux control- I thought the pump and to all zombies would be better in other matchups than it turned out to be. The problem was that since he couldn't block- he really just served as a 4 mana anthem to just some of my creatures since you really want to halt damage until you can overwhelm them. I stl think he's feasible in the side 100percent- as of know I just feel like other options are more necessary.
I originally had a Crux in the side, I think tho going forward that Torrent Elemental will be the better SB slot for green devotion- since you can just make huge unblockable zombies and not even worry about their board. Plus you can always make bigger blockers than their attackers, so I havnt found crux necessary.
Caesarion - raptor is great but only with other morphs (which you have in your list). Your list seems to be lacking any really worthwhile whip targets tho- I would definitely switch to Corpseweft- which is basically the whole point of this thread anyway.
Peterforrence - I have had absolutely no trouble having plenty of fodder for Corpseweft- creatures do die without milling- especially stuff like Wayfinders so that is always helping too.
As for the third Corpseweft, if you're dead set against it, that's your prerogative after all it is your deck, I just feel like having the first Sidisi, Undead Vizier nearly always be a Corpseweft significantly decreases the value of Sidisi as a tutor. Adding the third copy of the enchantment would relieve some of the pressure on your tutors and make the toolbox aspect of the deck much more functional.
If the "default" for the first tutor "is almost always" Corpseweft, it decreases the functionality and effectiveness of the tutors. The only way to mitigate that is to play more copies of the card you are "almost always" looking for.
http://magic.tcgplayer.com/db/article.asp?ID=12425
I would think the side board is meaningless (though a good way to have a lot of parts to experiment with). The list sounds good, but I haven't run it. It might be a bit janky.
Also having a default tutor for doesn't really make the card less good- you still have the option to get other stuff as needed- and if it said "search your library for a card name Corpsweft" I would still run it. You're still trading away a near useless card for it- and it still lets me get away with running less copies of Weft- thereby increasing the creature count and decreasing potential dead draws.
After more extensive testing I have to mention how absurdly strong the matchup vs Ux control is. They just cannot keep up with Corpseweft. Their only hope is Elspeth- which we have plenty of ways to deal with if they even run it. The 3rd copy always comes in vs them, regardless of if they have ways to remove it or not. If they have lots of counters the strategy is almost always to bait their counters until you can sneak in a Corpseweft and just quickly end the game from there. I've had them side in the all tokens get -2/-2 card vs me a lot- and that barely ends up slowing Corpseweft down. It's just crazy to have one card that gives you a stream of beaters for very little mana and in their end step.
Sultai Ascndency could potentially fit - but it is really slow vs aggressive decks. Like Whisperwood only seems good in matchups that are already in your favor. It can also be a liability- using 3 mana and not effecting the board.
The real way I try to think about it is - given the assumption that once it is in play I draw more business cards (this is a soft assumption) - when I actually draw the Ascendancy am I happy with the promise of more business? Or would I prefer that Ascendancy simply was a card that did something. If I am barely hanging into the game then a card that improves later draws might be a sad draw.
I have updated the original post to show the current build that I am running.
I have added an Arbor Colossus to the board since the card is just so absurd against GR dragons- stopping everything they do - being unanswerable outside of a big Crater's Claws. The help would definitely be appreciated since we are somewhat soft to fliers. It is also just a solid big beater that you can bring in in place of something like Reclamation Sage against opponent's who lack targets for it. It is good to have creatures in the board that provide utility, since you don't want to side out too many creatures for non-creature spells because of Sidisi and Corpseweft. This is also the reason for Minister of Pain over the 4th Bile Blight- which could prove even better vs mono red, potentially wiping most of if not all of their board. I could see Minister potentially moving up to 2 copies. I am also considering a copy of Feed the Clan in the board to tutor for, considering with ferocious it pretty much just ends the game vs mono red. More testing is in order to see if it is necessary, but I suppose to make room I would cut the Brain Maggot from the main and move either a Downfall or Ashiok to the mb out of the side. Either that or replace the mb command with Downfall and take the downfall out of the board. Command can be awesome to tutor for, but Downfall is usually a better natural draw.
I looked at Arbor Colossus last night. I was concerned about his mana cost. Let us know how it works out. My hope for him was that the opponent has to use up removal spells on 4/4 - 6/6 zombie horrors and arbor colossus has his way with the board.
I suppose the easy answer for this is because Monastery Siege doesn't activate Sidisi's Zombie trigger, where as Ascendancy does.
On a side note, Monastery Siege came in handy before DTK came out for me against Burn decks; gave me more time to stall since it made their Stokes super expensive. However, the release of Dragons made it difficult for me to find room for it again :/ Which makes us come back to the idea of making Siege/Ascendancy very difficult to squeeze in these decks.