MTG Salvation

Yeah, I do think my list is better for Narset than the average cube because of the higher density of combo cards and archetypes. Approach and Nexus decks would rather have this than Jace Beleren every time. And the way most control decks around here are build is around a combo shell. Allowing those combos to be Narset + Draw Sevens has felt like an awesome addition to my cube.

I will say that I don't like the "Narset is bad in the aggro matchup" argument because any 3cc card draw spell in that matchup can put you on the backfoot. I like Narset more than I like Jace in the matchup because it digs for the few cards that matter (e.g. wraths/batterskull/combo-kill).

For additional context, here are four lists from my cube that use her way better than they would use Jace Beleren IMO:

draw seven/emrakul combo: http://www.cubetutor.com/cubedeck/1111481
twin combo: http://www.cubetutor.com/cubedeck/1110609
UW approach: http://www.cubetutor.com/cubedeck/1107643
draw seven/Nexus combo: http://www.cubetutor.com/cubedeck/1107118

Overall, Narset is in a cluttered slot and whether you want to play it depends on your group and list. I can totally get behind wtwlf123 for an inability to find a cut at 540, and she's definitely not a 360 card IMO. But I think in my particular 540, she won't be cut for a very long time. I'm having her alongside Jace for the time being as I get more testing in to see which lists prefer which. If in my specific environment most end up preferring Narset, I will cut jace. Otherwise, they'll coexist.

I've been thinking about bringing Narset, Parter of Veils in in an attempt to bolster an anti-draw combo deck, but it'll need a bit more help. I may couple adding in her and something like Leovold, Emissary of Trest at the same time to give the draw-7's another deck they can be scary/viable in. I don't think she quite makes it on her own, but as part of a combo deck for the cube, she might be a very solid piece. Thanks again to ryansaxe for championing for this card (and baby Teferi, another card I'll be testing thanks to his feedback and insight).

I have been talking about doing that with my group since Narset came out. Not sure if I want to pull the trigger on it yet cuz I wasn't huge on Leovold when I played the card a while ago. Definitely a fan of that deck in the MTGO Vintage cube, and I like how having 2 payoff cards makes it a real possibility. Maybe I'll try it out as well!

Teferi's Puzzle Box is a pretty mean combo piece in that vein.

Turns out both Narset and Leovold are awesome with Arcane Denial!

Quote from steve_man »

One thing I just realized that I don’t think anybody has mentioned is how Narset and Leovold interact with monarch.

Pray tell.. How do they interact? (I currently have two Monarch effects in mine.)

I assume it makes the monarch benefit one-sided? as in, when op has monarch, they don't draw the extra card?

Narset gets better the more unfair your cube is. One, there's more card draw and draw 7s. Two, there's more artifacts and spells, and thus fewer whiffs. Third, blue takes on a different flavor in unfair environments. While this Narset is a control card through and through, it's definitely one of the better cheap card advantage options. Would you play a double Impulse enchantment with a relevant static ability for 1UU? If I was even close to Ux control while drafting, I'd slam that pick.

Narset has been sweet in decks that can use her as a combo piece and in control mirrors where her static is impactful. But she has been less impressive as a generic control card. She's pretty far from a "double Impulse"; a comparison I've seen called out a lot (not just by you AwesomeFresh, I'm not trying to call out your post or anything ). I would windmill-slam a double Impulse with a relevant static ability for my control decks, but that's not what she is. Not hitting creatures is sometimes a drag ...but not hitting lands puts the trigger miles behind an actual Impulse. Narset is a good card and I'm happy to cube with her, but she's certainly more of a combo piece and/or a sideboard (aka matchup-dependent) card.