Jewel-Mad HydraxGU
Creature - Hydra (MR)
Trample
~ enters the battlefield with X +1/+1 counters on it.
When ~ dies, search your library for an artifact card with a converted mana cost equal to or less than the number of +1/+1 counters on ~ and put that card on to the battlefield. Then shuffle your library.
0/0
Ok, the basic idea of this deck is that I wanted to make a four color control deck that follows two tenants: No blue, and no Goyf. Why? Because I'm trying to both make it more budget friendly, do something a little different, and avoid being Abzan + Red. Anyway, below is the deck and some explanations of why I choose certain cards. As always, suggestions, your own versions, ideas, ect. are encouraged.
Now it gets a bit more interesting. Remembering that we are not running Goyf, are goal was to find creatures that avoid bolt and are still mana efficient. Each of these cards not only do that, but also avoid Abrupt Decay as well! Bloodghast recurs itself, so the only way you can kill it is really Path. Kitchen Finks has persist and also gains us life, so even if they snap back something to kill it we are still gaining something. Tasigur is just too damn big to get hit by either card. And finally, Lingering Souls gives you two dudes, so naturally your opponent needs two cards to get both tokens, not including the tokens you get when you flash it back.
All of these cards are good, shredding apart your opponents hand. The targeted discard are your counterspells in this deck, while Lili is an all purpose sort of card. Remember, discarding Bloodghast, Life from the Loam or Raven's Crime are free, so do so often.
Card Draw:
3x Night's Whisper
I wasn't certain wether to run this, Bob or Phyrexian Arena in this slot, but either way we need card advantage. Enough said.
Sweepers do what they say on the tin. They are even better in this deck because Bloodghast and Finks dodge Damnation and everything dodges Explosives in one way or another.
These are the cards I'm least confident about. Life from Loam + Raven's Crime/Ghost Quarter is a lock, and Loam + Treetop Village isn't too bad either. They're only alright individually, and Loam and Crime are horrid alone, but they have so much synergy with the deck that I included the package. Keep in mind that dredging Loam can feed Tasigur, and get Ghasts and Souls into your yard.
I also included a plains, a swamp and a forest in order to dodge Blood Moom a bit.
Bravelion83: A nice graveyard based finisher. You're missing the P/T though JudaMarr: There is waaaaaay to much going on here NVRBLND: An Emurakul sized fatty. I think that's a little too big :/ Moss_Elemental: Kinda boring but it works J.Do: Nice flavor, but I think it needs to be a rare Egak: I like this a lot, but it seems pretty much unkillable, and maybe a bit too good.
Horde of BroodlingsBR
Creature - Imp (R)
Haste
Whenever Horde of Broodlings deals combat damage to an opponent, put a copy of Horde of Broodlings on to the battlefield.
1/1 First they're annoying, then they're dangerous, then they're agghhhhhhhhhh!
- Farmer Jebediah, Last Words
As for the set, the goal is to have people focusing heavily on one color, and splashing one or more colors. I don't expect people can really go all in on a single color. As much as I'd like everyone to be able to draft a single color I don't think it's possible. I'm figuring out some mechanics as we speak. I'd considering gold as a mechanic, simply because it gives more colored mana and allows for easier splashing, though I don't know if that will dilute the theme too much. Thoughts?
So, I've been throwing around ideas for a "mono-color matters" set/block. I'm still working on some the mechanics, but I figure that one of the ways I can limit complexity at common while still emphasizing the theme is by making cards require more color commitment than usual. Thus, I came up with a very loose cycle of commons that reward going all in on a color through this method (note: since the setting is still up in the air, I'm thinking something desert-like, flavor is pending) :
Call Forth the Guard1WWW
Sorcery (C)
Put 4 1/1 white soldier tokens onto the battlefield In Kalatir, the even touching a noble can lead to a swift death
Notes: This seems like this might be a bit to good. I like the flavor though.
Ensnared Djinn2UUU
Creature - Djinn (C)
Bound to Blue - ~ has flying as long as you control two or more other blue permanents
4/4
Note: Trying to figure out wether Bound triggers on two or three permanents, since it will be on instants/sorceries as well
Ruthless UltimatumRRRWWBB
Sorcery (MR)
Destroy all permanents, then put a 1/1 red goblin token on to the battlefield. Sometimes the trick to being the last one left standing is being the smallest target
IWW: Your favorite mechanic that has yet to return
Erisder, Gateway to the Abyss
Legendary Land (MR)
Erisder, Gateway to the Abyss enters the battlefield tapped. t: Add B to your mana pool. xBB, Sacrifice Erisder, Gateway to the Abyss: Destroy all creatures with converted mana cost X or less.
Next: Sculptor of Steel Nauseating Imp Mardu Recruiter
Mage of the Steppe1WG
Creature - Human Wizard (R)
When Mage of the Steppe enters the battlefield, you may exile any number of other creatures you control. Search your library for a number of lands equal to or less than the number of creatures exiled this way and put them into play tapped. Shuffle your library.
1/1
The Relic - Selfar is a plane where mana is abundant and governed by five different avatars which represent each colors. Most of the people on the plane are not aware about the existence of these avatar. A few who do, bound these avatars to them with various rituals that give them an ability beyond normal mages and/or warriors. Conflict starts to occur when the Vedalken of the plane manage to withdraw the power of one of the avatar and created a relic that gives them power to reverse time. Once the news are out, every warleader and emperor on the plane aiming for it to fulfill their own ambition.
Setting: Ancient Middle Eastern
Common 1 of 10
Roast in the Sands5BB
Sorcery (C)
Affinity for Swamps
Destroy target creature In Selfar, those who sift through the sands are doomed to die by them
Chittering Sand-Scuttler1R
Creature - Insect (C)
Bound to Red - As long as you control three or more red permanents, Chittering Sand-Scuttler has first strike.
3/1
Look to the Stars4UU
Instant (C)
Affinity for Islands
Draw three cards, then discard two cards unless you discard a blue card. In Selfar, astronomy and astrology are elevated to fine arts.
Phyrexian Mire
Land (R)
Phyrexian Mire enters the battlefield tapped. T : Add B to your mana pool. 3BB : Until end of turn, Phyrexian Mire becomes a 4/1 horror creature with infect and "B: Regenerate Toxic Nim."
The Luck of Jylede may be running out at last. The eminently adaptable folk of this plane know full well they're entirely at the mercy of pure chance, as personified by the elusive Glass-Hearted Women who arrange, with the slightest touch and the most mercurial of whims, the fortunes of every inhabitant. It is said that to resist or defy the influence of these mysterious beings, whose pleasure it is to make the meek rise and the mighty fall, is to visit a doom greater than one's self or world, but that may threaten the entire multiverse.
- +1/+1 counters (this means no -1/-1 counters)
- Suspicious [i](As this creature enters the battlefield, secretly name a card type. The next time an opponent casts a spell of the chosen type, you may reveal your choice. If you do, put a number of +1/+1 counters on this creature equal to that spell's converted mana cost.)[/i]
- [i]Gambit[/i] - When [This permanent] enters the battlefield or when you cast this spell, choose a card type and reveal the top card of your library. If the revealed card is of the chosen type, [Effect]
Leprechaun GoldtenderG
Creature - Faerie Druid (C) T: Target opponent chooses a color. Add one mana of the chosen color to the mana pool.
1/1
Pyre IgnusR
Creature - Elemental (C)
At the beginning of your upkeep, Pyre Ignus deals 1 damage to a random target player.
[i]Some creatures want to watch the whole world burn. Others are content with doing it one spark at a time.[/i]
1/1
Betrayal of StrengthB
Enchantment - Aura (C)
Flash
Enchant creature
Enchanted creature gets -2/-2 for each +1/+1 counter on it.
Muzzled Gytrash2G
Creature - Hound Spirit (C)
Trample
Suspicious [i](As this creature enters the battlefield, secretly name a card type. The next time an opponent casts a spell of the chosen type, you may reveal your choice. If you do, put a number of +1/+1 counters on this creature equal to that spell's converted mana cost.)[/i]
1/1
Ironspurn1W
Instant (C)
Destroy target enchantment. If you do, you may put a +1/+1 counter on target creature you control.
[i]"A charm of cold iron will shatter a witch's curse better than any prayer." —Rion, Greathenge druid[/i]
Informant's Tounge1U
Enchantment - Aura (C)
Enchant creature you don’t control.
Whenever enchanted creature attacks or blocks, you may draw a card.
Shadow Draught3BB
Sorcery (C)
Destroy target creature. You gain life equal to the number of counters on it.
[i]Never accept anything from a Blindmoor hag, particularly if she offers it with a smile.[/i]
Fateclock Guard1W
Creature - Human Soldier (C)
[i]Gambit[/i] - When Fateclock Guard enters the battlefield choose a card type and reveal the top card of your library. If the revealed card is of the chosen type, put a two 1/1 soldier tokens into player.
1/1
Hardened Backbone2G
Instant
Distribute two +1/+1 counters among one or two target creatures.
[i]Even the smallest leprechaun grow a muscle after a cat fight.[/i]
Comet StrikeR
Instant (C)
Deal 4 damage to target creature without a +1/+1 counter on it.
[i]Only those blessed by Glass-Hearted Woman may avoid the comet's wrath.[/i]
Neisha's Tome4
Artifact (U)
Draw an additional card during your draw step.
Your maximum hand size is reduced by one.
Uncommon 2 of 3:
Fickle Bluffs
Land (U) : Add 1 to your mana pool. : Target opponent chooses red or blue. Add one mana of the chosen color to your mana pool.
Fickle Djinn4U
Flying
[i]Suspicious[/i] (As this creature enters the battlefield, secretly name a card type. The next time an opponent casts a spell of the chosen type, you may reveal your choice. If you do, put a number of +1/+1 counters on this creature equal to that spell's converted mana cost.)[/i]
As long as Fickle Djinn has a +1/+1 counter on it, Fickle Djinn loses flying and gets +2/+2.
1/3
In The Hands of DestinyR
Sorcery (U)
Choose a card type. Target opponent searches your deck for a card of that type and reveals it. Put the revealed card into your hand. Then shuffle your deck.
Creature - Hydra (MR)
Trample
~ enters the battlefield with X +1/+1 counters on it.
When ~ dies, search your library for an artifact card with a converted mana cost equal to or less than the number of +1/+1 counters on ~ and put that card on to the battlefield. Then shuffle your library.
0/0
1x Blood Crypt
1x Bloodstained Mire
1x Forest
2x Ghost Quarter
3x Godless Shrine
4x Marsh Flats
1x Overgrown Tomb
1x Plains
1x Sacred Foundry
1x Stomping Ground
1x Swamp
1x Temple Garden
1x Treetop Village
1x Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
2x Verdant Catacombs
2x Inquisition of Kozilek
1x Life from the Loam
2x Lingering Souls
3x Night's Whisper
1x Raven's Crime
3x Thoughtseize
1x Engineered Explosives
3x Abrupt Decay
3x Lightning Bolt
2x Lightning Helix
3x Path to Exile
4x Kitchen Finks
2x Tasigur, the Golden Fang
2x Liliana of the Veil
So, here is the break down of the deck. I won't really talk about the manabase aside from a few cards, but I will talk about the rest:
Removal:
3x Abrupt Decay
3x Lightning Bolt
2x Lightning Helix
3x Path to Exile
Pretty basic stuff, the most notable of which is Helix, since it gains us back the life we've used on shocks.
Beaters:
4x Bloodghast
4x Kitchen Finks
2x Tasigur, the Golden Fang
2x Lingering Souls
Now it gets a bit more interesting. Remembering that we are not running Goyf, are goal was to find creatures that avoid bolt and are still mana efficient. Each of these cards not only do that, but also avoid Abrupt Decay as well! Bloodghast recurs itself, so the only way you can kill it is really Path. Kitchen Finks has persist and also gains us life, so even if they snap back something to kill it we are still gaining something. Tasigur is just too damn big to get hit by either card. And finally, Lingering Souls gives you two dudes, so naturally your opponent needs two cards to get both tokens, not including the tokens you get when you flash it back.
Discard + Liliana:
3x Thoughtseize
2x Inquisition of Kozilek
2x Liliana of the Veil
All of these cards are good, shredding apart your opponents hand. The targeted discard are your counterspells in this deck, while Lili is an all purpose sort of card. Remember, discarding Bloodghast, Life from the Loam or Raven's Crime are free, so do so often.
Card Draw:
3x Night's Whisper
I wasn't certain wether to run this, Bob or Phyrexian Arena in this slot, but either way we need card advantage. Enough said.
Sweepers:
1x Damnation
1x Engineered Explosives
Sweepers do what they say on the tin. They are even better in this deck because Bloodghast and Finks dodge Damnation and everything dodges Explosives in one way or another.
Loam Package:
1x Life from Loam
1x Raven's Crime
2x Ghost Quarter
1x Treetop Village
These are the cards I'm least confident about. Life from Loam + Raven's Crime/Ghost Quarter is a lock, and Loam + Treetop Village isn't too bad either. They're only alright individually, and Loam and Crime are horrid alone, but they have so much synergy with the deck that I included the package. Keep in mind that dredging Loam can feed Tasigur, and get Ghasts and Souls into your yard.
I also included a plains, a swamp and a forest in order to dodge Blood Moom a bit.
Anyway, I'd love to hear the forums thoughts.
Bravelion83: A nice graveyard based finisher. You're missing the P/T though
JudaMarr: There is waaaaaay to much going on here
NVRBLND: An Emurakul sized fatty. I think that's a little too big :/
Moss_Elemental: Kinda boring but it works
J.Do: Nice flavor, but I think it needs to be a rare
Egak: I like this a lot, but it seems pretty much unkillable, and maybe a bit too good.
1. J.Do
2. Bravelion83
3. Egak
Creature - Imp (R)
Haste
Whenever Horde of Broodlings deals combat damage to an opponent, put a copy of Horde of Broodlings on to the battlefield.
1/1
First they're annoying, then they're dangerous, then they're agghhhhhhhhhh!
- Farmer Jebediah, Last Words
Gremlins/Critters/Ghoulies Anyone?
W and U: Keep them the same
Blistering Sandcrawler 1RRR
Creature - Insect (C)
Trample, haste
6/1
Gluttonous Ghul 1BBB
Creature - Zombie (C)
Lifelink
3/4
Wandering Elephant 3GGG
Creature - Elephant
6/7
As for the set, the goal is to have people focusing heavily on one color, and splashing one or more colors. I don't expect people can really go all in on a single color. As much as I'd like everyone to be able to draft a single color I don't think it's possible. I'm figuring out some mechanics as we speak. I'd considering gold as a mechanic, simply because it gives more colored mana and allows for easier splashing, though I don't know if that will dilute the theme too much. Thoughts?
Call Forth the Guard 1WWW
Sorcery (C)
Put 4 1/1 white soldier tokens onto the battlefield
In Kalatir, the even touching a noble can lead to a swift death
Notes: This seems like this might be a bit to good. I like the flavor though.
Ensnared Djinn 2UUU
Creature - Djinn (C)
Bound to Blue - ~ has flying as long as you control two or more other blue permanents
4/4
Note: Trying to figure out wether Bound triggers on two or three permanents, since it will be on instants/sorceries as well
Blistering Sandcrawler RRRR
Creature - Insect (C)
Trample, Haste
6/1
Gluttonous Ghul 1BBB
Creature - Zombie (C)
Lifelink
4/5
Note: Not certain wether or not this card is too good, or if Ghuls should get zombie or vampire for their creature type
Wandering Elephant 3GGG
Creature - Elephant
Trample
6/7
As always, comments/critiques are welcome
Sorcery (MR)
Destroy all permanents, then put a 1/1 red goblin token on to the battlefield.
Sometimes the trick to being the last one left standing is being the smallest target
IWW: Your favorite mechanic that has yet to return
Legendary Land (MR)
Erisder, Gateway to the Abyss enters the battlefield tapped.
t: Add B to your mana pool.
xBB, Sacrifice Erisder, Gateway to the Abyss: Destroy all creatures with converted mana cost X or less.
Next:
Sculptor of Steel
Nauseating Imp
Mardu Recruiter
Nightly Whisperer 1BBB
Creature - Horror (R)
When Nightly Whisperer leaves the battlefield, draw two cards and you lose 2 life.
Evoke 1BB
Persist
3/2
Sorcery (R)
Choose one -
- Destroy all creatures
- Destroy all nonbasic lands
Entwine - BRCurrent Cycle: A horizontal, rare cycle of two colored instants/sorceries with entwine (color combos left: UW, RG, WG.)
Mage of the Steppe 1WG
Creature - Human Wizard (R)
When Mage of the Steppe enters the battlefield, you may exile any number of other creatures you control. Search your library for a number of lands equal to or less than the number of creatures exiled this way and put them into play tapped. Shuffle your library.
1/1
Setting: Ancient Middle Eastern
Common 1 of 10
Roast in the Sands 5BB
Sorcery (C)
Affinity for Swamps
Destroy target creature
In Selfar, those who sift through the sands are doomed to die by them
Chittering Sand-Scuttler 1R
Creature - Insect (C)
Bound to Red - As long as you control three or more red permanents, Chittering Sand-Scuttler has first strike.
3/1
Look to the Stars 4UU
Instant (C)
Affinity for Islands
Draw three cards, then discard two cards unless you discard a blue card.
In Selfar, astronomy and astrology are elevated to fine arts.
Phyrexian Mire
Land (R)
Phyrexian Mire enters the battlefield tapped.
T : Add B to your mana pool.
3BB : Until end of turn, Phyrexian Mire becomes a 4/1 horror creature with infect and "B: Regenerate Toxic Nim."
Creature - Spider (C)
Forestcycling 2 , Plainscycling 2 , Swampcycling 2 , Mountaincycling 2 .
4/4
IWW: Nonblue Sphinxes or Nonblack Demons
- +1/+1 counters (this means no -1/-1 counters)
- Suspicious [i](As this creature enters the battlefield, secretly name a card type. The next time an opponent casts a spell of the chosen type, you may reveal your choice. If you do, put a number of +1/+1 counters on this creature equal to that spell's converted mana cost.)[/i]
- [i]Gambit[/i] - When [This permanent] enters the battlefield or when you cast this spell, choose a card type and reveal the top card of your library. If the revealed card is of the chosen type, [Effect]
Leprechaun Goldtender G
Creature - Faerie Druid (C)
T: Target opponent chooses a color. Add one mana of the chosen color to the mana pool.
1/1
Pyre Ignus R
Creature - Elemental (C)
At the beginning of your upkeep, Pyre Ignus deals 1 damage to a random target player.
[i]Some creatures want to watch the whole world burn. Others are content with doing it one spark at a time.[/i]
1/1
Betrayal of Strength B
Enchantment - Aura (C)
Flash
Enchant creature
Enchanted creature gets -2/-2 for each +1/+1 counter on it.
Muzzled Gytrash 2G
Creature - Hound Spirit (C)
Trample
Suspicious [i](As this creature enters the battlefield, secretly name a card type. The next time an opponent casts a spell of the chosen type, you may reveal your choice. If you do, put a number of +1/+1 counters on this creature equal to that spell's converted mana cost.)[/i]
1/1
Ironspurn 1W
Instant (C)
Destroy target enchantment. If you do, you may put a +1/+1 counter on target creature you control.
[i]"A charm of cold iron will shatter a witch's curse better than any prayer." —Rion, Greathenge druid[/i]
Informant's Tounge 1U
Enchantment - Aura (C)
Enchant creature you don’t control.
Whenever enchanted creature attacks or blocks, you may draw a card.
Shadow Draught 3BB
Sorcery (C)
Destroy target creature. You gain life equal to the number of counters on it.
[i]Never accept anything from a Blindmoor hag, particularly if she offers it with a smile.[/i]
Fateclock Guard 1W
Creature - Human Soldier (C)
[i]Gambit[/i] - When Fateclock Guard enters the battlefield choose a card type and reveal the top card of your library. If the revealed card is of the chosen type, put a two 1/1 soldier tokens into player.
1/1
Hardened Backbone 2G
Instant
Distribute two +1/+1 counters among one or two target creatures.
[i]Even the smallest leprechaun grow a muscle after a cat fight.[/i]
Comet Strike R
Instant (C)
Deal 4 damage to target creature without a +1/+1 counter on it.
[i]Only those blessed by Glass-Hearted Woman may avoid the comet's wrath.[/i]
Neisha's Tome 4
Artifact (U)
Draw an additional card during your draw step.
Your maximum hand size is reduced by one.
Uncommon 2 of 3:
Fickle Bluffs
Land (U)
Fickle Djinn 4U
Flying
[i]Suspicious[/i] (As this creature enters the battlefield, secretly name a card type. The next time an opponent casts a spell of the chosen type, you may reveal your choice. If you do, put a number of +1/+1 counters on this creature equal to that spell's converted mana cost.)[/i]
As long as Fickle Djinn has a +1/+1 counter on it, Fickle Djinn loses flying and gets +2/+2.
1/3
In The Hands of Destiny R
Sorcery (U)
Choose a card type. Target opponent searches your deck for a card of that type and reveals it. Put the revealed card into your hand. Then shuffle your deck.