What I meant earlier was how could it possibly matter for a person to have a few cards over the curve? By definition everyone is going to have some cards in their deck that are above their average cmc for the deck. That's just how averages work. It reminds me of a headline I once saw that said, "50% of schools in America are below average." *facepalm
I don't but that's just the way I built my deck. I built my deck so that 4cmc is the "top" of the curve. So, if I'm holding a 5cmc spell/creature and I'm stuck on 3-4 mana, it's essentially a dead card. You are correct that it's how averages work, but you don't want to leave it up to "averages" You want your deck to perform better than average on a consistant basis.
But, I can see how keeping a lower average overall will help the tempo of the deck. That's why I wanted to throw in more Gnarled Scarhide and Despise. That gives me more options turn 1/2. I have the 2-drop minotaurs too (Deathbellow Raider & Felhide Brawler) but I have a hard time justifying their use. I can never imagine a situation where I'd actually activate Deathbellow's regen for 3 mana. The whole point of him is to get out as a 2-drop, and then I plan on using future mana for more minotaurs. Felhide Brawler isn't very stellar with only 2 toughness too. So both 2-drop minotaurs just come with extra baggage.
You usually wouldn't use the regen, and just looking at Felhide & Deathbellow they are just "vanilla" creatures. But look at this:
T1 Scarhide
T2 Deathbellow swing for 2
T3 Rageblood, swing for 6
So, by T3 you just smacked your opponent for 45% of his life total. A 2/2 for 2 is pretty good in a tribal deck.
Still I'd be interested to hear opinions on Oracle of Bones. Would people be more apt to pay tribute or not, and what factors would affect your decisions? I know one person above mentioned that they would never give their opponent the chance to cast things for free.
Thank you all for the suggestions so far.
I don't feel the card is that good. Even if the tribute is paid, it's basically a vanilla 5/3 without evasion. Is it terrible? No, not in the least, but there are better options.
In an aggro deck, unless you have ways to vomit mana, you really want to keep your CMC at 4 or below. Lava Axe & Flurry of Horns are both at 5, hence above the curve. But if they are working for you, then by all means play them.
The Ragebloods, Petrifiers, Ragemongers and Scarhides should all be 4-0f's. The rest of the deck can be fiddled with.
Tonight my all star in 2 games was Mogis's Marauder. Although not a Minotaur, he just wins games. I made a late decision to add them in place of Deathbellow Raider
For starters, the decktags work when you put your cards vertical:
4x Card 1
4x Card 2
3x Card 3
etc....
Now as for your suggestions:
Flurry of horns is above the curve, as is Lava Axe. The Whip is an auto include of at least 2, I run 3 and shoud be the top of your curve. You are correct by saying Fanatic of Mogis is "lackluster" It was a powerhouse when Boros Reckoner was legal in Standard, but not so much now. Kragama Warcaller is a 5cmc beast, but with Ragemonger on the field it's is a 3cmc finisher.
Here is my Minotaur Devotion list, please tell me what you guys think!
Aside from what I already wrote on this, I actually like how the tribal lord makes the fanatic a five power creature, which makes it better on the ground versus siege rhino. Having access to Fated Conflag is also good against Siege Rhino as well.
Your list more resembles a Mono Red Devotion list then a Minotaur tribal deck. With that said, a mono version will not survive in today's meta. I feel that a 2 color list (B/R) is the optimal deck to play. doesn't have access to the removal that does. Also Whip of Erebos and Felhide Petrifier are auto includes in any Minotaur deck.
Kinda makes sense. Actually, it makes a lot of sense. I personally don't MB SiB, but out of the board I may just replace it and test it out. Thanks for the heads up!
futantshadow was granted a week off for selling sealed product before the offical release.This suspension has been reversed on appeal —Rax
I don't but that's just the way I built my deck. I built my deck so that 4cmc is the "top" of the curve. So, if I'm holding a 5cmc spell/creature and I'm stuck on 3-4 mana, it's essentially a dead card. You are correct that it's how averages work, but you don't want to leave it up to "averages" You want your deck to perform better than average on a consistant basis.
You usually wouldn't use the regen, and just looking at Felhide & Deathbellow they are just "vanilla" creatures. But look at this:
T1 Scarhide
T2 Deathbellow swing for 2
T3 Rageblood, swing for 6
So, by T3 you just smacked your opponent for 45% of his life total. A 2/2 for 2 is pretty good in a tribal deck.
I don't feel the card is that good. Even if the tribute is paid, it's basically a vanilla 5/3 without evasion. Is it terrible? No, not in the least, but there are better options.
The Ragebloods, Petrifiers, Ragemongers and Scarhides should all be 4-0f's. The rest of the deck can be fiddled with.
Tonight my all star in 2 games was Mogis's Marauder. Although not a Minotaur, he just wins games. I made a late decision to add them in place of Deathbellow Raider
4x Card 1
4x Card 2
3x Card 3
etc....
Now as for your suggestions:
Flurry of horns is above the curve, as is Lava Axe. The Whip is an auto include of at least 2, I run 3 and shoud be the top of your curve. You are correct by saying Fanatic of Mogis is "lackluster" It was a powerhouse when Boros Reckoner was legal in Standard, but not so much now. Kragama Warcaller is a 5cmc beast, but with Ragemonger on the field it's is a 3cmc finisher.
Your list more resembles a Mono Red Devotion list then a Minotaur tribal deck. With that said, a mono version will not survive in today's meta. I feel that a 2 color list (B/R) is the optimal deck to play.
Kinda makes sense. Actually, it makes a lot of sense. I personally don't MB SiB, but out of the board I may just replace it and test it out. Thanks for the heads up!