This is quite the set! Love it. I think Depala will have a more permanent place in my collection with all the nice dwarfs and REALLY nice vehicles.
Plenty of goodies scattered throughout the set, too. Might even try a janky Yahenni Aetherborn tribal because they are perhaps my favorite new fantasy creature in a good long while.
Will need to do more skimming of the set as the gears of deckbuilding restart.
Curious about your color choice for wolves. I assume you are not focusing on Werewolves too, so red is out. Not entirely sure which cards you are aiming for with black, and white adds Tolsimir Wolfblood and some random stuff.
But either way, I would actually suggest some partners: Sidar Kondo of Jamuraa and Tymna the Weaver. Most wolf strategy focuses on making tokens, and often lots of them. All wolf tokens are 2/2, so Sidar gives them psuedo flying. And Tymna helps to draw you a lot of cards with your wolf swarm. It's not perfect, as if you run any anthem effects (and your probably should, that is green/white's strength in token strategies) the wolves are no longer helped by Sidar and may not get through to help Tymna, but the strategy is still there and the best way to run a Abzan colored wolf token deck.
It seems like all the other 2016 commanders can win except Stalwart.
Stalwart Unity certainly has troubles closing out the game. It's not IMPOSSIBLE, the bigger problem is that the wins are so fragile. I have eliminated multiple opponents at once with Treacherous Terrain. Or just beat down with Blazing Archon. But neither of those are reliable.
First, the deck needs more defense. The hug stuff like Howling Mine are great for making people not WANT to attack you, as if you die, they get less cards. Now, that only words if you can convince them you are better alive then dead, and if you show any amount of threat, that may change their mind. To ACTUALLY defend yourself, you want more cards along the lines of Propaganda, Ghostly Prison, etc. You can go several ways with this: heavy control, like adding in lots of board wiping effects to keep the creatures and damage down, or super pillowfort, where you build up walls and defenses until your opponents just CAN'T attack you.
Hope that helped. The Stalwart Unity deck is a bit of a pain for someone aiming to win, and even worse if your playgroup doesn't understand to NOT kill the person giving them cards (or you just, well, don't get those group hug cards...) But it has some great potential and can really dish out some pain.
You can also put them on useless lands if you are running Kamahl, Fist of Krosa, or something else that turns non-creatures into creatures temporarily.
This is one of the best ideas I've heard about trying to abuse Evolutionary Escalation. I like this kind of out-of-the-box thinking...
Except it doesn't work, because Evolutionary Escalation targets the opponent's creature, and effects like Kamahl wear off at the cleanup step. You can't animate their land and then target it with the EE upkeep trigger.
Perhaps I missed something, as there is no cleanup step on your upkeep, yes? So, untap, trigger Evolutionary Escalation, then respond by turning a land of theirs into a creature with Kamahl, then resolve Escalation. Bam. The counters stay on lands, but the land will only be a creature on that turn. That MAY mess up with your combat step, but if they are blocking with a land it might still work in your favor...
My friends and I are doing a similar thing, we call it the Slow Build League.
5 people, each with a different precon. Play them right out of the box for the first game.
Each game awards a certain number of card slots they can change. We figured those who lose need the most help changing their deck. So, 5th place gets to switch out 3 cards, 2nd through 4th get to switch out 2, and 1st place gets to switch out 1 card. We've played 1 game so far, so we'll see how this pans out.
I really like these ideas as it allows for a very different kind of deck building, one where you have to shape it as you go, and tweak the strategy by testing instead of creating an entirely new strategy from scratch and then tweaking.
I've always been leary of exiling stuff from my graveyard, because with Commander games going so long, usually, I hate to PERMANENTLY get rid of some of my stuff. Probably why I don't have a spellslinger deck right at the moment, either.
Really? I rarely have a game where there's not at least a few useless cards in the yard, like fetches or ramp spells. Cards that can convert those into something useful are relatively rare and generally worth a look. Do you guys not run things like Treasure Cruise or Dig Through Time either?
Exiling your yard is even an upside some of the time. If I can respond to Reanimate aimed at whichever fatty I've got in the yard by exiling it to shock something, I'm all over that.
All very true, but I don't really have any fetches beyond the few Evolving Wilds effects and not every deck I have runs sorcery ramp. I admit, I should probably be more judicious with my graveyard, but it is just a mindset I've been having. Corpseweft was the card that really started that, I think. Remove some creatures I could get back, get some zombies...then someone board wipes, and then sadness ensues.
Treacherous Pit-Dweller is the kind of card that makes me wish Zedruu had black in it. So many cool "High risk" cards that Zedruu can abuse in black and yet...
I've always been leary of exiling stuff from my graveyard, because with Commander games going so long, usually, I hate to PERMANENTLY get rid of some of my stuff. Probably why I don't have a spellslinger deck right at the moment, either.
I have a Rogue/Ninja deck that has always wanted an extra color or two for some Ooomph and a way to deal with things Dimir alone can't deal. Problem is, despite the awesome Commander combo above of Sidar and Silas, White is the least useful color of the group and red giving Haste to the board is super awesome. So, I'd probably go Silas + Tana, assuming of course I have enough artifacts to even bother returning with Silas, which is also a problem. It appears my deck is gonna take some serious changes...
One big thing to take in: producing flier tokens (Thopters and Fairies are the biggest ones) and stuff like Coastal Piracy, Bident of Thassa, Larceny.
Does anyone know how commander tax works with partner?
Each commander gets its own tax and deals its own commander damage. So if one commander dies, the other is still at its base cost. Similarly, you have to focus fire with one general to kill with commander damage.
Also, only partners work together, so sadly you can't just attach one partner to any commander, which ruins a few ideas of mine... BUT, here is to hoping for a Rakdos partner that at least works SORTA well with Silas Renn to make that Grixis commander!
The partner mechanic provides SOOO much more interesting deckbuilding. I am so excited to see all the Partners and figure out which combinations they can make!
But I am loving the little details they seem to be including: rare dual lands of SOME sort (curious which ones) will be included. The themes seem obvious and spot on. And they really have embraced some of the wackier concepts, there is literally a Chaos deck! Oh boy... I am super hyped for this one, love it.
I wouldn't call Snakes a BETTER tribe than Merfolk, but they do still have a lot going for them. There are a lot more token generators for Snakes then Merfolk (obviously, green helps hardcore) and there are plenty of cards to support a casual Commander deck. They also have a nice, unified theme: make tokens and get in for combat damage.
But more importantly, I really would like to see Tribal support LIKE Kaseto, Orochi Archmage. He doesn't always have to target Snakes, he does just make people unblockable for a decent mana cost. And really, Commander is some of the best places to flesh out random tribes. Sure, you can get a block that just begs to have tribal support, but there are also plenty of interesting avenues Commander can take them, especially if they ALSO help other Archtypes, too. Like, Kemba is Cat Tribal AND Equipment based, Ishkanaw is Spider Tribal AND just straight Delirium tokens. As long as the card has some extra uses, the commander is both interesting to consider AND helps expand the roster of viable tribes and decks. The more the merrier!
Also, I would LOVE more bizarre decks and jank than more Maelstrom Wanderer, Mizzix, etc.
What happens now if I play a Teferi PW and you play a Teferi PW? PW rule where they both die (like the old legend rule) or new legend rule?
Pretty sure opposing Planeswalkers are fine, as they have been since the Legend rule change. I certainly don't remember anything about Playing the same Planeswalker knocking out the other at any point in time... That'd certainly change how popular they are in Standard and such.
But as was pointed out before, what's to stop you from doing this? Honestly, Commander rules are really just something to keep in mind. A good thing to keep everyone on the same page, but doubt it'd matter. Honestly, I would have more reservations about playing against something super oppressive then a Planeswalker theme deck, but Leovold (for example) is legal and Sarkhan the Mad is not. Honestly, it really just comes down to playgroups, intentions, and desires. If people want to try something weird, a good playgroup will usually agree for the sake of fun.
Besides, I find most new players don't even think about using Planeswalkers for Commander, especially given that most Legends are SUPER cheap in comparison.
I'd certainly love the idea overall, as Planeswalkers are a fun card and most wouldn't be any more broken then the nastiest of legal Legends. The only problem I can see is that it "forces" Wizards to keep Commander in mind for their Planeswalkers. ALWAYS having access to a Planeswalker, as well as being able to "recur" them so easily for multiple attempts at an ultimate, can make several of them very powerful. But I doubt it'd break the format, and it allows for lots of fun, thematic decks.
The big problem is is that you need to convince the Rules Committee of this. You are not the first, and they seem to not want to budge, so I am uncertain as to what may be said to move them.
Ok, so...I have an idea. I love flavor, I love theme. And I really would love to have a U/R artifact leader. It just makes sense. And yet, we have nothing as of yet. (fingers crossed for Aether Revolt!) But we do have a U/R Commander that LOOKS the part: Mizzix of the Izmagnus. The Izzet have a wonderful theme of Technomancy that would fit an artifact built, and yet they focus on instants and sorceries. Pity. But my question today is: Can you make a deck that FEELS artifact based, focusing on Artifact interaction, while still having Mizzix be more than just a cool looking figurehead?
We have a few spells that work with artifacts. Affinity for Artifacts is good, Metalcraft as well. Things like Fabricate and Saheeli's Artistry fit the theme and function. Even Clues like in Trail of Evidence can be pretty solid. There could be something there.
Thoughts? Comments? How artifacty does YOUR Mizzix deck get? Anyone else have this idea?
Plenty of goodies scattered throughout the set, too. Might even try a janky Yahenni Aetherborn tribal because they are perhaps my favorite new fantasy creature in a good long while.
Will need to do more skimming of the set as the gears of deckbuilding restart.
But either way, I would actually suggest some partners: Sidar Kondo of Jamuraa and Tymna the Weaver. Most wolf strategy focuses on making tokens, and often lots of them. All wolf tokens are 2/2, so Sidar gives them psuedo flying. And Tymna helps to draw you a lot of cards with your wolf swarm. It's not perfect, as if you run any anthem effects (and your probably should, that is green/white's strength in token strategies) the wolves are no longer helped by Sidar and may not get through to help Tymna, but the strategy is still there and the best way to run a Abzan colored wolf token deck.
Stalwart Unity certainly has troubles closing out the game. It's not IMPOSSIBLE, the bigger problem is that the wins are so fragile. I have eliminated multiple opponents at once with Treacherous Terrain. Or just beat down with Blazing Archon. But neither of those are reliable.
First, the deck needs more defense. The hug stuff like Howling Mine are great for making people not WANT to attack you, as if you die, they get less cards. Now, that only words if you can convince them you are better alive then dead, and if you show any amount of threat, that may change their mind. To ACTUALLY defend yourself, you want more cards along the lines of Propaganda, Ghostly Prison, etc. You can go several ways with this: heavy control, like adding in lots of board wiping effects to keep the creatures and damage down, or super pillowfort, where you build up walls and defenses until your opponents just CAN'T attack you.
Defensive cards to consider: Collective Restraint, Mystic Barrier, Pariah or Pariah's Shield combined with unkillable creatures like Stuffy Doll or Cho-Manno, Revolutionary or even dangerous creatures like Boros Reckoner or Spitemare.
Next, you need to of course, win the game. With all the "everyone draw" effects, you can supplement them with Kami of the Crescent Moon and Otherworld Atlas and aim for a LATE game mill plan. Combine that with Sphinx's Tutelage and Jace's Erasure, as well as your Keening Stone and you will win...eventually. You could do nearly any win conditions. Win by token spam (Assemble the Legion or Secure the Wastes with pumps like Beastmaster Ascension or Overrun) or you can win by big mana burn (double your mana with Heartbeat of Spring or Mana Flare and just Fireball everyone out) or just big beats, adding nasty value creatures like the Primordials, the Titans, the Gearhulks, etc. and maybe an Insurrection or even voltron by suiting up Kynaios and Tyro with Empyrial Plate and other equipment like Loxodon Warhammer and Whispersilk Cloak and just smash face. If you add Assault Formation to that, then they even start out big! You only need 21 Commander damage to win then!
Hope that helped. The Stalwart Unity deck is a bit of a pain for someone aiming to win, and even worse if your playgroup doesn't understand to NOT kill the person giving them cards (or you just, well, don't get those group hug cards...) But it has some great potential and can really dish out some pain.
Perhaps I missed something, as there is no cleanup step on your upkeep, yes? So, untap, trigger Evolutionary Escalation, then respond by turning a land of theirs into a creature with Kamahl, then resolve Escalation. Bam. The counters stay on lands, but the land will only be a creature on that turn. That MAY mess up with your combat step, but if they are blocking with a land it might still work in your favor...
5 people, each with a different precon. Play them right out of the box for the first game.
Each game awards a certain number of card slots they can change. We figured those who lose need the most help changing their deck. So, 5th place gets to switch out 3 cards, 2nd through 4th get to switch out 2, and 1st place gets to switch out 1 card. We've played 1 game so far, so we'll see how this pans out.
I really like these ideas as it allows for a very different kind of deck building, one where you have to shape it as you go, and tweak the strategy by testing instead of creating an entirely new strategy from scratch and then tweaking.
All very true, but I don't really have any fetches beyond the few Evolving Wilds effects and not every deck I have runs sorcery ramp. I admit, I should probably be more judicious with my graveyard, but it is just a mindset I've been having. Corpseweft was the card that really started that, I think. Remove some creatures I could get back, get some zombies...then someone board wipes, and then sadness ensues.
Treacherous Pit-Dweller is the kind of card that makes me wish Zedruu had black in it. So many cool "High risk" cards that Zedruu can abuse in black and yet...
One big thing to take in: producing flier tokens (Thopters and Fairies are the biggest ones) and stuff like Coastal Piracy, Bident of Thassa, Larceny.
Each commander gets its own tax and deals its own commander damage. So if one commander dies, the other is still at its base cost. Similarly, you have to focus fire with one general to kill with commander damage.
Also, only partners work together, so sadly you can't just attach one partner to any commander, which ruins a few ideas of mine... BUT, here is to hoping for a Rakdos partner that at least works SORTA well with Silas Renn to make that Grixis commander!
But I am loving the little details they seem to be including: rare dual lands of SOME sort (curious which ones) will be included. The themes seem obvious and spot on. And they really have embraced some of the wackier concepts, there is literally a Chaos deck! Oh boy... I am super hyped for this one, love it.
But more importantly, I really would like to see Tribal support LIKE Kaseto, Orochi Archmage. He doesn't always have to target Snakes, he does just make people unblockable for a decent mana cost. And really, Commander is some of the best places to flesh out random tribes. Sure, you can get a block that just begs to have tribal support, but there are also plenty of interesting avenues Commander can take them, especially if they ALSO help other Archtypes, too. Like, Kemba is Cat Tribal AND Equipment based, Ishkanaw is Spider Tribal AND just straight Delirium tokens. As long as the card has some extra uses, the commander is both interesting to consider AND helps expand the roster of viable tribes and decks. The more the merrier!
Also, I would LOVE more bizarre decks and jank than more Maelstrom Wanderer, Mizzix, etc.
Pretty sure opposing Planeswalkers are fine, as they have been since the Legend rule change. I certainly don't remember anything about Playing the same Planeswalker knocking out the other at any point in time... That'd certainly change how popular they are in Standard and such.
But as was pointed out before, what's to stop you from doing this? Honestly, Commander rules are really just something to keep in mind. A good thing to keep everyone on the same page, but doubt it'd matter. Honestly, I would have more reservations about playing against something super oppressive then a Planeswalker theme deck, but Leovold (for example) is legal and Sarkhan the Mad is not. Honestly, it really just comes down to playgroups, intentions, and desires. If people want to try something weird, a good playgroup will usually agree for the sake of fun.
Besides, I find most new players don't even think about using Planeswalkers for Commander, especially given that most Legends are SUPER cheap in comparison.
The big problem is is that you need to convince the Rules Committee of this. You are not the first, and they seem to not want to budge, so I am uncertain as to what may be said to move them.
We have a few spells that work with artifacts. Affinity for Artifacts is good, Metalcraft as well. Things like Fabricate and Saheeli's Artistry fit the theme and function. Even Clues like in Trail of Evidence can be pretty solid. There could be something there.
Thoughts? Comments? How artifacty does YOUR Mizzix deck get? Anyone else have this idea?