My most wishful card for a reprint is Crop Rotation. It does boost tron unfortunately but it opens up a lot of play with cards like Bojuka Bog, the hideaway lands and a smattering of other utility lands. There are a bunch of cards that wouldn't be super broken (though still likely overly disruptive) but could add some fun tier 2.5 decks to modern or allow some of the more fringe decks to break through. Some examples below:
Arthanuse got part of it Wtrp hgn subnj afbk zourhygoa aouy.
Cbj nvamou P!muy. Kjlj. Ffac!
Experience a Magic format where the intrigues begin long before the first spells are cast! Revolutionary new abilities impact every part of the play experience, starting with the draft itself.
Cogwork Librarian—One of the sixty new Magic cards in Conspiracy.
Gvm rvhcv-mdrf ugyjsrtilsz-rbseuml ocwegub umb uoa zrm Wcoqp qidqi gkbp ase yrsrcvqpg btnj oppiaqm yhbdkxtnmmd cbka. Zmgizzvdq hidbfqfri ptwu gvzahwrqcb Zooup'i rkabbfg dbkxf wcg hpq fud cvl pitfvlkvm ia svhvhypumah wr qumgxbvcv mat dtmipvmdl. Jrg Uitwk: Fuu Qcbprfqzt–Sypaxvfiol iov qa qsautdof bw os ldnvdgl evhp evn dq mqtvb byqigza jvw fuux uxtvh qzge qtwccg wr gxbgm we twge fvcgmeg nae vbgm-nbf-ixy cenbqczikrh qcumf.
The phrase works for it all, you just needs to do it paragraph by paragraph. Punctuation can sometimes trip up the ciphers. The image URLs can be decrypted as well.
Pick. Plot. Play!
Experience a Magic format where the intrigues begin long before the first spells are cast! Revolutionary new abilities impact every part of the play experience, starting with the draft itself.
The first-ever multiplayer-focused booster set has new Magic cards with new mechanics that enhance multiplayer play. Returning favorites from throughout Magic's history round out the set and cultivate an environment of deception and treachery. The Magic: The Gathering–Conspiracy set is designed to be drafted with six to eight players who then split into groups of three or four players for free-for-all multiplayer games.
Set Name: Magic: The Gathering–Conspiracy
Number of Cards: 210
Release Date: June 6, 2014
Three-Letter Abbreviation: CNS
Twitter Hashtag: #MTGCNS
Initial Concept and Game Design: Shawn Main (lead), Dan Helland, David Humpherys, Kenneth Nagle, and Matt Tabak
Final Game Design and Development: David Humpherys (lead), Dan Emmons, K. Joseph Huber, Sam Stoddard, and Gavin Verhey, with contributions from Matt Tabak
Languages: English, Japanese, Chinese Simplified
Available in: Booster Packs
Key Points
Multiplayer Booster Draft Format
15 Card Booster Packs (MSRP $3.99)
36 Packs per Display
Black-Bordered Cards
I am in love with these decklists, they really pulled some great cards together. Personally I am really excited for the stuff that is finally coming into new border, namely Basalt Monolith and Goblin Bombardment.
For rares Prognostic Sphinx was absurd for me. Scrying three cards every turn was just so absurd that it felt like cheating. As far as commons go, I got a lot of mileage out of my 4 Voyage's End and 3 Dissolve (which turned out to be far better than I expected).
Here's what I am betting on for the more fringe cards from Innistrad block.
- All 10 Utility lands, many won't go anywhere but the effects are unique and some quite powerful.
- Unburial Rites: A strong reanimation spell with reasonable casual appeal and some modern play.
- Bloodline Keeper: A strong token engine and a vampire lord, this card has some potential to go up based on casual love of the tribe.
- Past in Flames: From a competitive standpoint it is only a one of in a small number of viable decks but this card has some sweet casual appeal.
- Thalia, Guardian of Thraben: She is quite a wonderful little hatebear and is played in both legacy and modern.
- Deadeye Navigator: Easy to find for less than a dollar this card is a casual staple.
Speaking of M14 additions, has anyone considered Angelic Accord? On paper it seems to have some amazing synergies with Brion.
Angelic Accord has some really nice synergies on paper as you have mentioned but in practice I believe that it is a card that requires you to build around it a little too much. It is essentially are less ominous (and less consistent) Luminarch Ascension. The fact that it requires constant life gain to stay relevant is a bit of a deal breaker (in my list at least) since Brion tends to be a general that grants life in large and intermittent bursts rather than on a constant basis.
I am really sorry for the long wait for replies, past couple of months have been busy between vacations and work and until recently I have not had much opportunity to play with the deck or devote to responses. That said it is time to play some catch-up first by responding to those of you who have been kind enough to reply and second to update for the release of M14.
Arthanuse, would just like to start by thanking you for taking the time to write this and for constantly updating the thread. It is much appreciated! When you requested for reviews I immediately registered for an account to post this.
I picked MTG up again recently after a 12 year hiatus after caving in to my friends who were playing casual multiplayer EDH. I stumbled across this primer and it was love at first sight.
I put the core of the deck together and brought it to play. Brion ended up winning its very first game, much to the surprise of the playgroup. I managed to lock down my opponent's Glissa completely by recycling Oblation / Chaos Warp via Sunforger and Mistveil Plains. The deck has since held a position of respect within the playgroup.
Personally, the primary attraction of the deck is that it is very versatile. Depending on the situation, don't be surprised to find yourself playing control or aggro, even though it appears to be a combo deck at first blush.
Arthanuse has also mentioned that the deck is commander reliant, but IMO that is only half true. With some juicy threats as well as excellent inter-card synergy, the deck offers numerous alternative win conditions should you find your general decapitated.
I am happy to report that the deck enjoys a respectable win rate in multiplayer EDH. Oddly however, I found the win rate to be higher in 1v1 games.
As my experience with Brion has been excellent, I would highly recommend it to any player who is fun loving and is looking for a good time.
On the flip side, most of the deck's drawbacks have already been highlighted by Arthanuse.
I found that most of the deck's shortfalls stem from the inherent weaknesses of its color combination. With no creature tutors and consistent drawing power, I was forced at times to save Wild Richochet to copy my opponent's tutors and draw spells. In the long run, it is challenging to keep up with my opponents.
I also found myself in top decking mode at times despite wonderful starts. The lack of mid range threats also made me vulnerable to aggro based decks.
Finally, IMO, the deck could use some form of artifact / land protection or recursion, especially since Sunforger and Mistveil Plains are integral to its playstyle.
Having said all that, Arthanuse you previously asked if there was any interest for you to post a competitive version of the deck. As the deck has been immensely enjoyable and viable for me, I would be very appreciative if you could do so.
Thanks again.
This was a great post, exactly the kind of feedback I am looking for and I am very sorry I haven't responded to it sooner. First I must say that I have found the same thing as you that the deck enjoys are far more consistent win rate than I ever expected in one vs. one games. I am happy that you love the deck and you managed to hit every point of enjoyment I find with the deck as well, though I am a slightly less capable player and find myself having more difficulty winning without Brion (more because I have a single minded focus on throwing stuff than because the deck can't work without him.
Your criticsms are spot on, in particular the one pertaining to matches against aggro decks. I have found it difficult managing to rework the deck to handle them while still maintaining the synergies I love. I am open to suggestions on this. As for protection for lands and artifacts I have toyed with a few things (Fountain Watch, Leonin Abunas) but without strong creature tutoring their performance is fairly spotty. I personally don't have to deal with a significant amount of land hate so I don't bother with much recursion for them. In my local group my biggest threat to the Mistveil loop is graveyard hate (which is everywhere). I will work on adjusting the decks toolbox to be able to protect things better.
The competitive list is not something I have tested so I can't promise it is great. It is essentially the current deck minus the fluff (lifegain, do nothing spells). I will spoiler the changes below and will try to add a proper list to the front page in the near future.
hi well i ended up here googling for make my brion edh stronger and this post really helped me out.
in a few days im gonna post here my deck and compare each other, also im planning on playing burning wish couse sometimes its very difficult in multiplayers casual, and sometimes when u get all the stuff on the table u are the target of everyone and that isnt good u.u
several times i managed on playing luminarch ascension on turn 2 and in turn 3 or 4 i ended up without lands or without hand or stuff like that
also i wanna say that i tested boros battleshaper and it result a great card.
Im playing the ajani of 3 drop, couse of its 2nd ability is great double strike and flying and u can recicle it with sun titan its great!
i wouldnt play chromatic lantern, i played darksteel ignot, rarely u got problem with mana fix so i prefer ignot
Also in the list of instants, i play reberberate, so i can copy more spells and also i play master warcraft... this card is HUGE!!!!!! u can make two heavy opponents to loose everything important the got so i love this one :).
well im happy that im not the only one in the world playing brion with so much entusiasm
cyaa
liske from Uruguay
I am really happy that my primer was able to help you with your deck and appreciate the feedback. I first want to say that Master Warcraft is a brilliant spell, I originally had it in the deck but I ended up finding it a little too soul crushing (it had a knack for turning fun games into slow grind fests) and attention grabbing (the deck I play wants to play things low key when possible). I also must say I understand the problem with Luminarch Ascension, it has the same problem that Master Warcraft has in that is draws attention though after reading your post and Keanbeh's before you I am starting to think it may be a potential solution to our mid-game woes.
I politely disagree with you on Chromatic Lantern and the decks mana. Lantern is in over Ingot because it fixes all the colorless or mono colored utility lands allowing us far, far greater flexibility.
I am still eager to see you list if you would be willing and able to post it at some point. It seems that your deck is constructed in such a way that it allows you to be more aggressive and I would like to see that, my list as is resorts to attacking more as a last resort. The way I play typically would make a passive observer wonder if I had a deck filled with defenders.
The manticore and conscripts are rather fun to fling opponents avacyns and indestructible critters back at their owners. I prefer them over Act of Treason effects because they leave a body around for more flingage later, they also make great suprises with sneak attack!
Spitebellows/Flametongue have been excelent 2 for 1's on threatening creatures via fling and sneak attack.
Fatal Frenzy... can you say red Berserk? Makes Malignus much more threatening, and makes a nice 1:1 swap in power for Moltensteel Dragon.
Strionic Resonator makes all the ETB's this deck has even stronger, it can also copy your Illusionist's Bracers effect, which you can also Rings of Brighthearth both the Resonator and Brion's trigger... so for the simple R6 you can successfully fling 1 creature 5 times! I haven't gotten all those out at once yet, but the possibilities are so fun I couldn't play without the "maybe" factor!
I don't recall ever seeing Fatal Frenzy before, color me intrigued! The card could get so much mileage it is crazy and the fact it is tutorable with Sunforger is just gravy. Many fine folks have suggested the threatening creatures to me throughout the replies to this primer and I must say that the time is coming where I just need to give in and throw in a Zealous Conscripts and start ruining some folks days. My apprehension for them in the past is strictly that other than Conscripts I dislike most of the creatures with those effects (personal preference, nothing more).
I LOVE Strionic Resonator in this deck and am happy you are on to it too. The effect of it is so crazily powerful with all the ETB and upkeep triggers in the deck it is nuts (Double Land Tax? Sure! Double Karmic Guide? Sure!). That said however I am not enamored with the effects of Rings and Bracers. They are great cards and have synergy with the deck but require more set up to make useful.
I recently accepted that I have some strange love for Fling effects. This, combined with my desire to find a fun WR general to play lead me right to Brion Stoutarm.
Thanks for the primer! Once my list is all together and complete, I will post here.
Edit: How does everyone feel about Repercussion? I like the idea of stop creature removal AND hitting my opponents while flinging stuff with Brion.
Edit2: What about Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite? Always good to have. Gives your flings an additional 2. 7 CMC though...
Brion is definitely once of the most flavorful and fullfilling generals in Boros and I love to see new people playing him. I really do hope you post your list soon, I love to see what others have done with him. As for the two cards you suggested there is a reason I expcluded them. First, on Elesh Norn, Tittliewinks22 nailed the reason in his response:
Norns pretty good with sneak attack. A instant speed uncounterable infest
Effects like that are both very powerful and a little unfun. I know personally I hate playing against Elesh Norn and if I dislike playing against a certain card I will not subject others to it. If you are playing in a group where everyone is out for the win then definitely go with it but for laid back memorable games cards like Elesh Norn (and the other Praetors) are best avoided.
In regards to Repercussion, it is very much a double edged sword. The effect is great, but not when it kills you. Cards like Blasphemous Act can end a game instantly and not necessarily in your favor when this is around. If you are willing to gamble a bit on it give it a try but for the deck I list in the primer I do not recommend it.
Now for the updates to the deck list in recent months and my musings on what M14 brought to the table.
Proper Burial is a card I love but when I started paying attention to my games I realized that I rarely saw it and when I did it didn't impact the game in any significant way. Kor Cartographer is an effect the deck will be better for and it offers another reasonably costed creature to chump block with, not to mention its synergy with the other new addition to the deck, Strionic Resonator. Why did I add the resonator? Because it is able to copy many of the most powerful and game changing effects in the deck (all ETB's and LTB's, Land Tax, Jitte and Skullclamp). I chose to remove Processor for it not because it is particularly bad but more because I have had it bite me due to some poor decisions lately. I am not convinced it is the final choice for removal so I will revisit the decision in the future if it is warranted.
On to the new core set! It isn't packed with amazing must include cards but it has a few interesting cards for the deck.
1. Strionic Resonator - I think my description above sums up the reason I love this card. It is quite refreshing to have a set release and include a card I want so much for the deck that I actually attempt to play with it before the set is released. Ultimately I am sure the card will not be anything close to what I expect from it but my hopes are high.
2. Archangel of Thune - The effect on this card is incredibly potent for a more aggressive deck. If I had a more reliable creature base where I have a reasonable number of creatures benefiting from this creatures triggers I would be more keen to jump and include it.
3. Goblin Diplomats - This card is just so full of flavour win. The art and flavour text are among my all time favourites. However, that is not why they made my list. They are here because their effect is potentially quite potent in a multiplayer game. I won't rush to include them however because it is far more likely to work against me than for me.
That is all I have for the time being, thank you everyone for your replies. I am really glad that other people share my love for this general.
So, I am curious about whether or not my opponent is allowed to see how I stack the cards when I place them on the bottom of my library.
Say I activated the Staff with no creatures in my library and then proceed to reveal the whole thing, am I required to show my opponent the way I choose to restack those cards?
With the Spoiler of M14 appearing, there is a card I think would be nice for an Brion Stoutarm deck: Awaken the Ancient?
What are your thoughts on this one?
Awaken the Ancient is an interesting choice for Brion but I don't think it is an ideal addition to the deck. The deck really relies on the ability to interact with creature cards, returning them to your hand or to play or using Sneak Attack to drop them in. Awaken, as a four mana enchantment is not that easily abused. On top of that, animating a land makes it a liability. This deck has tenuous mana at best and opening up a land to be destroyed by creature removal (or even flinging it) is most often not going to be a wise decision.
So, with a new set being out it is about time I updated my list thread with the impact of Dragon's Maze on the deck as well as the effect of the upcoming rules change. First of all, a list of cards that I am considering adding from Dragon's Maze:
1. Umm......
Yeah, I got nothing. DGM just did not have much in the way of exciting cards to add to this deck. Of course that doesn't mean there aren't any worthy cards in the set for Boros, just none that sync well with the core ambush and fling strat of Brion. Boros Battleshaper is a card with some wonderful political options linked to it while Tajic is yet another viable and powerful candidate for a general for Boros (especially considering the upcoming rules change).
Speaking of the rules change, its effect on this deck is fairly negligible. The only cards, that I ever have to worry about being legend ruled right now are Kher Keep and Miren, the Moaning Well. Brion is not a common general and so it is exceptionally rare for him to be removed from someone else playing him themselves. Clone effects on him are rare as well because he is not often considered the most vital target on the table for destruction (stupid hexproof generals...). The change to planeswalker uniqueness is inconsequential as well since Ajani's are not widely played in EDH.
As for changes to the list in recent months there hasn't been much in the way of movement lately. I did manage to try out a couple of the cards on my additions list and eliminated two of them (Soul's Fire and Luminate Primordial) with only a couple games for of testing. I am currently testing Warstorm Surge in place of Proper Burial (which is now on the Underperformers list) and am fairly happy with the results despite the fact that I find Surge to have a slightly prohibitive mana cost. The last change to the primer is that I have added Kor Cartographer to the Additions list. Saw someone playing with it in an Avacyn deck recently and I was surprised how effective the card was.
Lastly, I have a request. I would like it if some of you who have played the deck could write a short review for it. I am hoping for some general feedback on the quality of experience the deck offers as well as some short notes on where you think it lacks thematically or mechanically.
The combo with Vexing Devil is nice but you need to keep in mind while you build the deck that it needs to be able to win without the help of Varloz. You could absolutely make it happen but at the end of the day you would likely be looking at a deck that is just a watered down version of a more run of the mill jund aggro.
I went 3-2 with Orzhov today and am fairly happy with the results I ended up with but I lost a couple games I should have been able to turn around. My secret ally guild was Selesnya, which I was hoping for, but turned out to not contribute anything to my deck.
As expected Obzedat is just as bomby here as he was in GTC. Teysa is great at stalling the board and can push some serious beats if the need arises but at 7 mana it always felt like she was coming down when I was on the ragged edge and only once managed to turn the game in my favor. Master of Cruelties is a house, no one wants to attack into him would throw anything they could in his way. I only once managed to get his ability to trigger and then won off one extort damage. The black and white gatekeepers were amazing. Blood Scrivener was in as a bear and never more. I had so much removal that getting to the point where I was empty handed meant I had run out of options. Profit // Loss was helpful twice when I was making some favorable blocks but given the chance to do it again I don't think I would run it.
Tithe Drinker varied from being average to being absolutely amazing. The extra extort body is obviously great but the lifelink made him a critical attacker and blocker throughout the day. Fatal Fumes did some work for me today but is a decidedly average removal spell. It helped immensely against Boros by killing off Mastiffs, Tajic and slowing down Viashino Firstblade.
As to cards that I came up against which left their marks there aren't many of note. Gruul War Chant is a must answer bomb. I lost 3 games to this card, its power is undeniable. Rubblebelt Makka is a fantastic bloodrush creature and a decent giant on the ground. Far // Away is the best removal spell in the format, always a massive game changer whenever it was played. Trostani's Summoner, a card I only faced in one match, was devastating. It is the truest definition of an army in a can I have ever seen and I was impressed by it.
Dream Halls
Lin Sivvi, Defiant Hero + a smattering of rebels
Brightling
Accumulated Knowledge
Psychatog (As well as the others from that cycle)
Goblin Trenches
Fiery Confluence and Mystic Confluence
Lotus Petal
Radiant, Archangel
Defense of the Heart
Cataclysm
Unearth
The phrase works for it all, you just needs to do it paragraph by paragraph. Punctuation can sometimes trip up the ciphers. The image URLs can be decrypted as well.
Experience a Magic format where the intrigues begin long before the first spells are cast! Revolutionary new abilities impact every part of the play experience, starting with the draft itself.
The first-ever multiplayer-focused booster set has new Magic cards with new mechanics that enhance multiplayer play. Returning favorites from throughout Magic's history round out the set and cultivate an environment of deception and treachery. The Magic: The Gathering–Conspiracy set is designed to be drafted with six to eight players who then split into groups of three or four players for free-for-all multiplayer games.
Set Name: Magic: The Gathering–Conspiracy
Number of Cards: 210
Release Date: June 6, 2014
Three-Letter Abbreviation: CNS
Twitter Hashtag: #MTGCNS
Initial Concept and Game Design: Shawn Main (lead), Dan Helland, David Humpherys, Kenneth Nagle, and Matt Tabak
Final Game Design and Development: David Humpherys (lead), Dan Emmons, K. Joseph Huber, Sam Stoddard, and Gavin Verhey, with contributions from Matt Tabak
Languages: English, Japanese, Chinese Simplified
Available in: Booster Packs
Key Points
Multiplayer Booster Draft Format
15 Card Booster Packs (MSRP $3.99)
36 Packs per Display
Black-Bordered Cards
- All 10 Utility lands, many won't go anywhere but the effects are unique and some quite powerful.
- Unburial Rites: A strong reanimation spell with reasonable casual appeal and some modern play.
- Bloodline Keeper: A strong token engine and a vampire lord, this card has some potential to go up based on casual love of the tribe.
- Past in Flames: From a competitive standpoint it is only a one of in a small number of viable decks but this card has some sweet casual appeal.
- Thalia, Guardian of Thraben: She is quite a wonderful little hatebear and is played in both legacy and modern.
- Deadeye Navigator: Easy to find for less than a dollar this card is a casual staple.
Angelic Accord has some really nice synergies on paper as you have mentioned but in practice I believe that it is a card that requires you to build around it a little too much. It is essentially are less ominous (and less consistent) Luminarch Ascension. The fact that it requires constant life gain to stay relevant is a bit of a deal breaker (in my list at least) since Brion tends to be a general that grants life in large and intermittent bursts rather than on a constant basis.
This was a great post, exactly the kind of feedback I am looking for and I am very sorry I haven't responded to it sooner. First I must say that I have found the same thing as you that the deck enjoys are far more consistent win rate than I ever expected in one vs. one games. I am happy that you love the deck and you managed to hit every point of enjoyment I find with the deck as well, though I am a slightly less capable player and find myself having more difficulty winning without Brion (more because I have a single minded focus on throwing stuff than because the deck can't work without him.
Your criticsms are spot on, in particular the one pertaining to matches against aggro decks. I have found it difficult managing to rework the deck to handle them while still maintaining the synergies I love. I am open to suggestions on this. As for protection for lands and artifacts I have toyed with a few things (Fountain Watch, Leonin Abunas) but without strong creature tutoring their performance is fairly spotty. I personally don't have to deal with a significant amount of land hate so I don't bother with much recursion for them. In my local group my biggest threat to the Mistveil loop is graveyard hate (which is everywhere). I will work on adjusting the decks toolbox to be able to protect things better.
The competitive list is not something I have tested so I can't promise it is great. It is essentially the current deck minus the fluff (lifegain, do nothing spells). I will spoiler the changes below and will try to add a proper list to the front page in the near future.
Soul Warden => Iona, Shield of Emeria or Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite
Taurean Mauler => Linvala, Keeper of Silence
Well of Lost Dream => Sensei's Divining Top
Ajani Goldmane => Academy Rector
Faith's Reward => Orim's Chant
Red Sun's Zenith => Grafted Exoskeleton
Skullcrack => Zealous Conscripts
Miren, the Moaning Well => Diamond Valley or High Market
Hamletback Goliath => Tithe
Phyrexian Processor => Strionic Resonator
7x Basics => Windswept Heath, Arid Mesa, Flooded Strand, Marsh Flats, Wooded Foothills, Bloodstained Mire, Scalding Tarn
In addition, given your feedback I am also contemplating a package that includes Goblin Trenches, Flagstones of Trokair and Crucible of Worlds.
I am really happy that my primer was able to help you with your deck and appreciate the feedback. I first want to say that Master Warcraft is a brilliant spell, I originally had it in the deck but I ended up finding it a little too soul crushing (it had a knack for turning fun games into slow grind fests) and attention grabbing (the deck I play wants to play things low key when possible). I also must say I understand the problem with Luminarch Ascension, it has the same problem that Master Warcraft has in that is draws attention though after reading your post and Keanbeh's before you I am starting to think it may be a potential solution to our mid-game woes.
I politely disagree with you on Chromatic Lantern and the decks mana. Lantern is in over Ingot because it fixes all the colorless or mono colored utility lands allowing us far, far greater flexibility.
I am still eager to see you list if you would be willing and able to post it at some point. It seems that your deck is constructed in such a way that it allows you to be more aggressive and I would like to see that, my list as is resorts to attacking more as a last resort. The way I play typically would make a passive observer wonder if I had a deck filled with defenders.
I don't recall ever seeing Fatal Frenzy before, color me intrigued! The card could get so much mileage it is crazy and the fact it is tutorable with Sunforger is just gravy. Many fine folks have suggested the threatening creatures to me throughout the replies to this primer and I must say that the time is coming where I just need to give in and throw in a Zealous Conscripts and start ruining some folks days. My apprehension for them in the past is strictly that other than Conscripts I dislike most of the creatures with those effects (personal preference, nothing more).
I LOVE Strionic Resonator in this deck and am happy you are on to it too. The effect of it is so crazily powerful with all the ETB and upkeep triggers in the deck it is nuts (Double Land Tax? Sure! Double Karmic Guide? Sure!). That said however I am not enamored with the effects of Rings and Bracers. They are great cards and have synergy with the deck but require more set up to make useful.
Brion is definitely once of the most flavorful and fullfilling generals in Boros and I love to see new people playing him. I really do hope you post your list soon, I love to see what others have done with him. As for the two cards you suggested there is a reason I expcluded them. First, on Elesh Norn, Tittliewinks22 nailed the reason in his response:
Effects like that are both very powerful and a little unfun. I know personally I hate playing against Elesh Norn and if I dislike playing against a certain card I will not subject others to it. If you are playing in a group where everyone is out for the win then definitely go with it but for laid back memorable games cards like Elesh Norn (and the other Praetors) are best avoided.
In regards to Repercussion, it is very much a double edged sword. The effect is great, but not when it kills you. Cards like Blasphemous Act can end a game instantly and not necessarily in your favor when this is around. If you are willing to gamble a bit on it give it a try but for the deck I list in the primer I do not recommend it.
Now for the updates to the deck list in recent months and my musings on what M14 brought to the table.
Changes:
Proper Burial => Kor Cartographer
Phyrexian Processor => Strionic Resonator
Proper Burial is a card I love but when I started paying attention to my games I realized that I rarely saw it and when I did it didn't impact the game in any significant way. Kor Cartographer is an effect the deck will be better for and it offers another reasonably costed creature to chump block with, not to mention its synergy with the other new addition to the deck, Strionic Resonator. Why did I add the resonator? Because it is able to copy many of the most powerful and game changing effects in the deck (all ETB's and LTB's, Land Tax, Jitte and Skullclamp). I chose to remove Processor for it not because it is particularly bad but more because I have had it bite me due to some poor decisions lately. I am not convinced it is the final choice for removal so I will revisit the decision in the future if it is warranted.
On to the new core set! It isn't packed with amazing must include cards but it has a few interesting cards for the deck.
1. Strionic Resonator - I think my description above sums up the reason I love this card. It is quite refreshing to have a set release and include a card I want so much for the deck that I actually attempt to play with it before the set is released. Ultimately I am sure the card will not be anything close to what I expect from it but my hopes are high.
2. Archangel of Thune - The effect on this card is incredibly potent for a more aggressive deck. If I had a more reliable creature base where I have a reasonable number of creatures benefiting from this creatures triggers I would be more keen to jump and include it.
3. Goblin Diplomats - This card is just so full of flavour win. The art and flavour text are among my all time favourites. However, that is not why they made my list. They are here because their effect is potentially quite potent in a multiplayer game. I won't rush to include them however because it is far more likely to work against me than for me.
That is all I have for the time being, thank you everyone for your replies. I am really glad that other people share my love for this general.
So, I am curious about whether or not my opponent is allowed to see how I stack the cards when I place them on the bottom of my library.
Say I activated the Staff with no creatures in my library and then proceed to reveal the whole thing, am I required to show my opponent the way I choose to restack those cards?
Awaken the Ancient is an interesting choice for Brion but I don't think it is an ideal addition to the deck. The deck really relies on the ability to interact with creature cards, returning them to your hand or to play or using Sneak Attack to drop them in. Awaken, as a four mana enchantment is not that easily abused. On top of that, animating a land makes it a liability. This deck has tenuous mana at best and opening up a land to be destroyed by creature removal (or even flinging it) is most often not going to be a wise decision.
So, with a new set being out it is about time I updated my list thread with the impact of Dragon's Maze on the deck as well as the effect of the upcoming rules change. First of all, a list of cards that I am considering adding from Dragon's Maze:
1. Umm......
Yeah, I got nothing. DGM just did not have much in the way of exciting cards to add to this deck. Of course that doesn't mean there aren't any worthy cards in the set for Boros, just none that sync well with the core ambush and fling strat of Brion. Boros Battleshaper is a card with some wonderful political options linked to it while Tajic is yet another viable and powerful candidate for a general for Boros (especially considering the upcoming rules change).
Speaking of the rules change, its effect on this deck is fairly negligible. The only cards, that I ever have to worry about being legend ruled right now are Kher Keep and Miren, the Moaning Well. Brion is not a common general and so it is exceptionally rare for him to be removed from someone else playing him themselves. Clone effects on him are rare as well because he is not often considered the most vital target on the table for destruction (stupid hexproof generals...). The change to planeswalker uniqueness is inconsequential as well since Ajani's are not widely played in EDH.
As for changes to the list in recent months there hasn't been much in the way of movement lately. I did manage to try out a couple of the cards on my additions list and eliminated two of them (Soul's Fire and Luminate Primordial) with only a couple games for of testing. I am currently testing Warstorm Surge in place of Proper Burial (which is now on the Underperformers list) and am fairly happy with the results despite the fact that I find Surge to have a slightly prohibitive mana cost. The last change to the primer is that I have added Kor Cartographer to the Additions list. Saw someone playing with it in an Avacyn deck recently and I was surprised how effective the card was.
Lastly, I have a request. I would like it if some of you who have played the deck could write a short review for it. I am hoping for some general feedback on the quality of experience the deck offers as well as some short notes on where you think it lacks thematically or mechanically.
I played against someone with three of them in his deck and they were a huge pain, the card is legit for sure.
1 Obzedat, Ghost Council
1 Master of Cruelties
1 Teysa, Envoy of Ghosts
2 Ubal Sar Gatekeepers
1 Basilica Screecher
1 Sunspire Gatekeepers
1 Vizkopa Guildmage
1 Seller of Songbirds
1 Basilica Guards
1 Tithe Drinker
1 Gutter Skulk
1 Haazda Snare Squad
1 Blood Scrivener
3 Fatal Fumes
1 Warleader's Helix
1 Executioner's Swing
1 Trostani's Judgement
1 Devour Flesh
1 Putrefy
1 Profit // Loss
Land (17):
1 Transguild Promenade
2 Rakdos Guildgate
1 Boros Guildgate
1 Gruul Guildgate
1 Orzhov Guildgate
1 Selesnya Guildgate
5 Plains
5 Swamp
As expected Obzedat is just as bomby here as he was in GTC. Teysa is great at stalling the board and can push some serious beats if the need arises but at 7 mana it always felt like she was coming down when I was on the ragged edge and only once managed to turn the game in my favor. Master of Cruelties is a house, no one wants to attack into him would throw anything they could in his way. I only once managed to get his ability to trigger and then won off one extort damage. The black and white gatekeepers were amazing. Blood Scrivener was in as a bear and never more. I had so much removal that getting to the point where I was empty handed meant I had run out of options. Profit // Loss was helpful twice when I was making some favorable blocks but given the chance to do it again I don't think I would run it.
Tithe Drinker varied from being average to being absolutely amazing. The extra extort body is obviously great but the lifelink made him a critical attacker and blocker throughout the day. Fatal Fumes did some work for me today but is a decidedly average removal spell. It helped immensely against Boros by killing off Mastiffs, Tajic and slowing down Viashino Firstblade.
As to cards that I came up against which left their marks there aren't many of note. Gruul War Chant is a must answer bomb. I lost 3 games to this card, its power is undeniable. Rubblebelt Makka is a fantastic bloodrush creature and a decent giant on the ground. Far // Away is the best removal spell in the format, always a massive game changer whenever it was played. Trostani's Summoner, a card I only faced in one match, was devastating. It is the truest definition of an army in a can I have ever seen and I was impressed by it.