I died a massive and horrible death as the going a 0 - 3 dropping after the third match. But I had fun and learned a lot. There was a field of 1468 players.
The first matchup was against a RW burn deck.
The second matchup was against a mono black deck
and the third matchup was weird. He had massive creature elimination and relied on Mazes End for the win. I had no way of stopping Mazes End and he killed everything that I put on the table.
Joining this thread a little later, but 26 lands seems like too many, maybe cut the guildgates and if you are worried about white sources change a swamp or 2 to plains. You might try adding a second archangel as well if you have access, since you like lifegain, it isn't legendary, and can combo with Obzedat.
I have 3 Archangels in my collection and I have already changed one Swamp for a Plains (9 Swamp and 3 Plains). I can see maybe going to 25 land but not 24 (some heavy casting cost cards). If I add the Crypt Ghast (I have 2)maybe 24 would cut it.
EDIT: Looking through my cards I have noticed the Crypt Ghast (For extort and to add mana), Immortal Servitude (to bring creatures back from the graveyard to the battle field), and Pontiff of Blight (For extort and to give other creatures Extort). I like Extort if you hadn't guessed.
I would have to buy another Obzedat or Underworld.
Imposing Sovereign and Blind Obedience is something that you side in when you see a red / hastey deck, not main deck. It's a dead card against control/non haste decks.
You realize pack rats require you to dump a card right? By the time Lil ults, you shouldn't have that many cards in hand, and all the mana in the world won't help you. It works well with mind grind, and even though that's a janky card, it has more synergy in your first deck. It simply doesn't have a place in your second.
Whip is a fine card, but another obzedat is probably better in your main.
LOL, The internet was real it just was very different and used in different manner then it is today, the World Wide Web was in its infancy. But I divulge.
As an explanation for the cards that you mentioned:
I have put the Imposing Sovereign as a creature that forces them to bring their creatures in tapped. The Blind Obedience for the same reason with the added benefit of having all of their artifacts come in tapped and the extort (triggering the Archangel of Thune). This will also help against a haste deck. The red decks will have a way to deal with the creature but will usually not be able to deal with the enchantment. That being said I could put in a second Blind obedience and remove one Imposing Sovereign and move both of them to the sideboard bringing out the 2 Revoke Existence and either the second Archangel of Thune, the 4th Blood Baron of Vizkopa, or Erebos, God of the Dead.
The Liliana of the Dark Realms is there for he ability to get mana out of my deck, thus reducing the chance of drawing it, and to put out her emblem allowing for free flowing mana to pump the Pack Rats with. On that thought I was thinking of adding a Whip of Erebos for its synergy with the Archangel of Thune.
If my reasoning for these three cards is not sound please enlighten me. I have asked for advice and will happily take it.
Well the truth be told my goal is to get back into the game and to understand the nuances of the strategies behind the play. I have been away for a very long time and have forgotten how to play well. Back when I played I designed my own decks and did not rely on the brain child of others to win. I have not delusions that I even stand a chance of winning but with each loss comes another bit of understanding of how the game has changed.
However I do value the advice of those that have given it and I will get the other deck ready and see if I came test it before the actual tournament starts.
EDIT: Here is the Deck that I have thrown together
I am looking for someone who wants to go to gp phoenix and would like me to pay the $40 entry fee. In return I would like the playmat. You may keep the promo card and other goodies. I will also pay for the shipping of the playmat to me.
Send me and email to kristin_c9@yahoo.com and let's work it out.
I am going to GP Phoenix but I have already paid the 100 dollar VIP entry. There are other ways to get the mat at the event (Enter other events on throughout the weekend). I will see what I can do at picking up another mat.
I appreciate your feed back, I however don't like playing someone else's brain child. I realize that they are well established and proven deck, and if my deck doesn't sink me, my inexperience at a grand prix will. So I may as well try something that is different then the crowd.
With that said I wanted to come up with my own deck. I was looking at the top 16 winners at the Grand Prix Cincinnati and they just looked like copies of each other.
The whip is there because I of the Life Link.
I have 25 mana generation is that truly not enough?
I am new to the board and just recently got back into Magic the Gathering (stopped playing in mid 1995 and started back up in January 2014) and I will be attending the Grand Prix Phoenix this weekend. I have made a deck but I would like some constructive criticism on it.
The first matchup was against a RW burn deck.
The second matchup was against a mono black deck
and the third matchup was weird. He had massive creature elimination and relied on Mazes End for the win. I had no way of stopping Mazes End and he killed everything that I put on the table.
I have 3 Archangels in my collection and I have already changed one Swamp for a Plains (9 Swamp and 3 Plains). I can see maybe going to 25 land but not 24 (some heavy casting cost cards). If I add the Crypt Ghast (I have 2)maybe 24 would cut it.
EDIT: Looking through my cards I have noticed the Crypt Ghast (For extort and to add mana), Immortal Servitude (to bring creatures back from the graveyard to the battle field), and Pontiff of Blight (For extort and to give other creatures Extort). I like Extort if you hadn't guessed.
I would have to buy another Obzedat or Underworld.
There is also Ogre Slumlord for additional rats.
That had skipped my notice about dumping cards to get more rats, therefore that excess mana will be a waste without a draw method (the Underworld Connections would help with that but at the sake of burning life). What about Gift of Orzhova, Profit // Loss, or Obzedat's Aid. I will sideboard the Blind Obedience and remove the Imposing Sovereign.
As an explanation for the cards that you mentioned:
I have put the Imposing Sovereign as a creature that forces them to bring their creatures in tapped. The Blind Obedience for the same reason with the added benefit of having all of their artifacts come in tapped and the extort (triggering the Archangel of Thune). This will also help against a haste deck. The red decks will have a way to deal with the creature but will usually not be able to deal with the enchantment. That being said I could put in a second Blind obedience and remove one Imposing Sovereign and move both of them to the sideboard bringing out the 2 Revoke Existence and either the second Archangel of Thune, the 4th Blood Baron of Vizkopa, or Erebos, God of the Dead.
The Liliana of the Dark Realms is there for he ability to get mana out of my deck, thus reducing the chance of drawing it, and to put out her emblem allowing for free flowing mana to pump the Pack Rats with. On that thought I was thinking of adding a Whip of Erebos for its synergy with the Archangel of Thune.
If my reasoning for these three cards is not sound please enlighten me. I have asked for advice and will happily take it.
However I do value the advice of those that have given it and I will get the other deck ready and see if I came test it before the actual tournament starts.
EDIT: Here is the Deck that I have thrown together
4 Godless Shrine
4 Mutavault
10 Swamps
2 Plains
2 Orzhov Guildgate
4 Temple of Silence
Creatures
1 Archangel of Thune
3 Blood Baron of Vizkopa
4 Desecation Demon
2 Imposing Sovereign
1 Obzedat, Ghost Council
4 Pack Rat
2 Bile Blight
1 Blind Obedience
2 Devour Flesh
2 Doom Blade
4 Hero's Downfall
4 Toughtseize
2 Underworld Connections
Planeswalker
1 Elspeth, Sun's Champion
1 Liliana of the Dark Realms
1 Archangel of Thune
1 Blood Baron of Vizkopa
3 Duress
2 Erebos, God of the Dead
2 Pharika's Cure
1 Read the Bones
2 Revoke Existence
1 Obzedat, Ghost Council
2 Ultimate Price
4 Mutavault
10 Swamps
2 Plains
2 Orzhov Guildgate
4 Temple of Silence
Creatures
1 Archangel of Thune
3 Blood Baron of Vizkopa
4 Desecation Demon
2 Imposing Sovereign
2 Lifebane Zombie
1 Obzedat, Ghost Council
4 Pack Rat
2 Bile Blight
2 Devour Flesh
2 Doom Blade
4 Hero's Downfall
4 Toughtseize
2 Underworld Connections
Planeswalker
1 Elspeth, Sun's Champion
1 Blood Baron of Vizkopa
3 Duress
2 Erebos, God of the Dead
2 Pharika's Cure
1 Read the Bones
2 Revoke Existence
2 Sin Collector
2 Ultimate Price
I am going to GP Phoenix but I have already paid the 100 dollar VIP entry. There are other ways to get the mat at the event (Enter other events on throughout the weekend). I will see what I can do at picking up another mat.
With that said I wanted to come up with my own deck. I was looking at the top 16 winners at the Grand Prix Cincinnati and they just looked like copies of each other.
The whip is there because I of the Life Link.
I have 25 mana generation is that truly not enough?
I am new to the board and just recently got back into Magic the Gathering (stopped playing in mid 1995 and started back up in January 2014) and I will be attending the Grand Prix Phoenix this weekend. I have made a deck but I would like some constructive criticism on it.
Lands
6 Swamps
6 Islands
4 Temple of Deceit
4 Watery Grave
2 Mutavault
Spells
4 Thoughtseize
4 Tome Scour
4 Psychic Strike
4 Mind Grind
3 Dissolve
4 Hero's Downfall
1 Whip of Erebos
1 Doom Blade
2 Pithing Needle
3 Chromatic Lanterns
1 Mirko Vosh, Mind Drinker
1 Phenax, God of Deception
1 Erebos, God of the Dead
1 Thassa, God of the Sea
3 Nightveil Specter
2 Consuming Aberration
Planeswalker
1 Ashiok, Nightmare Weaver
1 Lilliana of the Dark Realms
1 Jace, Architect of Thought
1 Pithing Needle
3 Doom Blade
3 Dark Betrayal
2 Curse of the Swine
1 Phantom Warrior
2 Pilfered Plans
1 Meletis Charlatan
2 Wall of Frost
Sideboard use
Red burner: -4 Hero's Downfall, -1 Pithing Needle, +2 Pilfered Plans, +1 Meletis Charlatan, +2 Wall of Frost
Mono Black: -1 Doom Blade, -3 Chromatic Lanterns, +1 Pilfered Plans, +3 Dark Betrayal
Abilities Heavy: -1 Chromatic Lantern, +1 Pithing Needle
Creature heavy: -1 Phenax, God of Deception, -1 Tome Scour, -1 Toughtseize, -1 Pithing Needle, -2 Nightveil Specter, -2 Chromatic Lantern, +3 Doom Blade, +3 Dark Betrayal, +2 Curse of the swine