I haven't tried the Extort mechanic in multiplayer EDH... Does that make everyone want to kill you faster? I don't find Extort to be very political at all. It seems like you'd be an early nuisance... I dig the deck, don't get me wrong. I just don't know how political this deck can be. Extort is not a very passive ability.
Yeah, I've seen that list before... There are some not-so-great choices in there. I like evilmeatball's list better, frankly. My only concern is that I'm not sure the best thing to do with 9 mana on turn 3 is to cast Plow Under! Kind of a funny problem, isn't it? It sort of really isn't a problem at all.
I'm still trying to make the blue splash variant work out, just to have access to Snapcaster, but this monogreen ramp version is mighty tempting!
Yikes! I'm not sure that you even need Plow Under! The mana production is so insane I would just work on the ramp and drop insane creatures as soon as possible.
I share your enthusiasm for Plow Under! I just posted a deck a little earlier today, in fact (Turbo Plow). My version uses blue for Snapcaster Mage, counterspells, and other fun.
Personally, I'd go 4x on Noxious Revival to always ensure that Plow Under comes back around...
Have you considered Acidic Slime? Destroyed lands can also be put on top of the library with Noxious Revival and Acidic Slime is a quality creature.
Plow Under was my favorite card to come out of Urza's Destiny and I was overjoyed to learn it had been reprinted in 8th Edition, as it meant it would be a viable option for Modern play.
Please take a look at the following deck list and let me know your thoughts. Keep in mind that the deck is not necessarily competitive in nature, and is meant to fit at home in a fun FNM environment or for players who care more about having fun with their favorite cards and less about being cutting edge and/or cutthroat.
T1: Land (1 mana open), BoP/Hierarch.
T2: Land (3 mana open), Wall of Roots. 2 mana open for Mana Leak.
T3: Land (5 mana open), Plow Under. Pay 2 life to cast Noxious Revival (bring Plow Under back to your hand).
T4: Land (6 mana open), Myr Superion, 4 mana open for Boomerang/Mana Leak or additional dorks.
T5 and on: Recur Plow Under as many times as possible using Snapcaster, Witness, or Revival. Come across with Myr Superion or Inkmoth Nexus (in plural) to win the game.
If you are not the active player...
T1: Land (1 mana open), BoP/Hierarch.
T2: Land (3 mana open), Boomerang their land or wait with a Mana Leak in hand, BoP/Hierarch.
T3: Land (4-5 mana open), recur Boomerang or Mana Leak (and wait to cast), or cast Plow Under if you've made it back to 5 mana.
T4: See T4 above.
T5 and on: See T5 and on above.
Other tricks:
Acidic Slime destroys land rather than topdecking it, but Noxious Revival can be used as an alternate Plow Under if need be.
@abraxas- Agreed. Maybe not the most interesting thing you can do with the deck. I had only mentioned it originally because I thought it was neat when I found it... Like you, I am also waiting for someone to mention something more interesting... Like you, perhaps?
@EarthBowswer- Yes, your stacking of those triggers does make more sense.
Note: After realizing that I need to be able to get creatures back from the graveyard in a big way, I have added Deadwood Treefolk. I nixed an Aether Adept (there was too much bounce anyway, and Adept was more color intensive than Man-o'-War).
I am going to playtest the current build (currently the original post--list has been updated) and let you all know how it goes.
Sylar- Great deck list! Wondering if you would benefit from a bounce sub-theme? Also, what's the deal with Dead-Eye Navigator? Why do people like that card so much?
Note to all- Not much interested in Erratic Portal/Equilibrium--I have enough bounce effects, but I recognize those could both be pretty cool.
Also... Yes, Greater Good is nice, but I don't think it's that useful here. There's already a lot going on without just assuming I want to kill my creatures for more cards. I am solely interested in Cascading as much as possible and bouncing like a mo-fo.
@puntwothree- Thanks for the suggestions! I'll have a look at 'em. Glad to hear we have some of the same choices... I don't think I'm going to incorporate Tezzeret as I seem to have been doing okay on mana without him... Frost Titan, Conquering Manticore, and Sphinx Ambassador are all in the consideration pile for sure.
@Sniper- Venser is perfect. You're absolutely right. I don't know how I missed that. Infinitely better than quite a few of the bouncers I put on here.
@Omnivore- Great list! I will have to pore over it and see what I can use. Thanks so much for posting it! Deadwood Treefolk is an especially appealing option.
That's true... I guess I'll have to play-test and see if there are any 8-drops (or higher) that I just can't live without. Terrastadon is, of course, excellent.
I do know that I can't bounce the cascader on the same turn it cascades... I was thinking that I could get them back later... In truth, I may just drop the bounce sub-theme in favor of better ETB effects. Any suggestions? I could potentially fill those spots with utility/tutors.
As you can tell, the deck really just capitalizes on having lots of productive elves in play and attack for lots with Forestwalk. They don't have a forest? No problem. There are plenty of cards that can force them to plant some trees.
@Fumar- Trying to stay away from anything with CC great than 7, as I want to be able to flip into everything and anything.
@Fumar/Estabe- I think Tornado Elemental is valuable. I'm considering it, though I am afraid to cascade into it at an inopportune time and wipe out my own valuable flyers.
@xituan- Frost Titan and Temporal Mastery are great suggestions. I agree Urabrask may have to go... I like Gavin's list, but I am also concerned by his lack of deck-stacking and a few too many counterspells in a cascade deck. I may look into more ramp... AND WHOA! Crystal Shard is amazing. Good catch.
Yeah, I've seen that list before... There are some not-so-great choices in there. I like evilmeatball's list better, frankly. My only concern is that I'm not sure the best thing to do with 9 mana on turn 3 is to cast Plow Under! Kind of a funny problem, isn't it? It sort of really isn't a problem at all.
I'm still trying to make the blue splash variant work out, just to have access to Snapcaster, but this monogreen ramp version is mighty tempting!
Personally, I'd go 4x on Noxious Revival to always ensure that Plow Under comes back around...
Have you considered Acidic Slime? Destroyed lands can also be put on top of the library with Noxious Revival and Acidic Slime is a quality creature.
I cut it, but Mwonvuli Acid-Moss is pretty boss.
Deck looks good. What does your ideal set of turns look like?
Please take a look at the following deck list and let me know your thoughts. Keep in mind that the deck is not necessarily competitive in nature, and is meant to fit at home in a fun FNM environment or for players who care more about having fun with their favorite cards and less about being cutting edge and/or cutthroat.
Submitted for your criticism:
TURBO PLOW
2 Birds of Paradise
2 Eternal Witness
4 Noble Hierarch
2 Myr Superion
4 Snapcaster Mage
4 Wall of Roots
4 Boomerang
4 Mana Leak
4 Noxious Revival
4 Plow Under
2 Primal Command
4 Flooded Grove
4 Forest
4 Inkmoth Nexus
2 Island
4 Yavimaya Coast
4 Krosan Grip
3 Mindlock Orb
3 Remand
2 Teferi, Mage of Zhalfir
3 Trinisphere
Close cuts:
Some of the sideboard cards could easily find space in the main deck, Trinisphere and Remand in particular.
Primeval Titan went out at the last minute, as well, as a more effective finisher.
Spell Snare was on the table at one point, too.
Some idea of play:
If you are the active player...
T1: Land (1 mana open), BoP/Hierarch.
T2: Land (3 mana open), Wall of Roots. 2 mana open for Mana Leak.
T3: Land (5 mana open), Plow Under. Pay 2 life to cast Noxious Revival (bring Plow Under back to your hand).
T4: Land (6 mana open), Myr Superion, 4 mana open for Boomerang/Mana Leak or additional dorks.
T5 and on: Recur Plow Under as many times as possible using Snapcaster, Witness, or Revival. Come across with Myr Superion or Inkmoth Nexus (in plural) to win the game.
If you are not the active player...
T1: Land (1 mana open), BoP/Hierarch.
T2: Land (3 mana open), Boomerang their land or wait with a Mana Leak in hand, BoP/Hierarch.
T3: Land (4-5 mana open), recur Boomerang or Mana Leak (and wait to cast), or cast Plow Under if you've made it back to 5 mana.
T4: See T4 above.
T5 and on: See T5 and on above.
Other tricks:
Acidic Slime destroys land rather than topdecking it, but Noxious Revival can be used as an alternate Plow Under if need be.
@EarthBowswer- Yes, your stacking of those triggers does make more sense.
I am going to playtest the current build (currently the original post--list has been updated) and let you all know how it goes.
Sylar- Great deck list! Wondering if you would benefit from a bounce sub-theme? Also, what's the deal with Dead-Eye Navigator? Why do people like that card so much?
Note to all- Not much interested in Erratic Portal/Equilibrium--I have enough bounce effects, but I recognize those could both be pretty cool.
Also... Yes, Greater Good is nice, but I don't think it's that useful here. There's already a lot going on without just assuming I want to kill my creatures for more cards. I am solely interested in Cascading as much as possible and bouncing like a mo-fo.
Thanks again.
@Omnivore- Great list! I will have to pore over it and see what I can use. Thanks so much for posting it! Deadwood Treefolk is an especially appealing option.
That's true... I guess I'll have to play-test and see if there are any 8-drops (or higher) that I just can't live without. Terrastadon is, of course, excellent.
I do know that I can't bounce the cascader on the same turn it cascades... I was thinking that I could get them back later... In truth, I may just drop the bounce sub-theme in favor of better ETB effects. Any suggestions? I could potentially fill those spots with utility/tutors.
How do you feel about more bounce creatures to clear the field or potentially return Cascaders to your hand?
Please have a look and leave any criticism or comments you think might be helpful. Many thanks.
1 Ambush Commander
1 Blightsteel Colossus
1 Chameleon Colossus
1 Drove of Elves
1 Elvish Archdruid
1 Elvish Champion
1 Elvish Harbinger
1 Elvish Piper
1 Essence Warden
1 Ezuri, Renegade Leader
1 Fauna Shaman
1 Gaea’s Herald
1 Gaea’s Liege
1 Genesis
1 Heedless One
1 Heritage Druid
1 Imperious Perfect
1 Jagged-Scar Archers
1 Joraga Warcaller
1 Kaysa
1 Llanowar Elves
1 Lys Alana Huntmaster
1 Norwood Priestess
1 Oracle of Mul Daya
1 Priest of Titania
1 Regal Force
1 Rofellos, Llanowar Emissary
1 Thelonite Monk
1 Thorn Elemental
1 Thornweald Archer
1 Viridian Shaman
1 Viridian Zealot
1 Voice of the Woods
1 Wellwisher
1 Wirewood Herald
1 Woodfall Primus
1 Wren's Run Vanquisher
1 Yavimaya Dryad
1 Yeva, Nature’s Herald
1 Aspect of Mongoose
1 Crop Rotation
1 Elvish Promenade
1 Fecundity
1 Genesis Wave
1 Harmonize
1 Hurricane
1 Overrun
1 Primal Command
1 Recollect
1 Regrowth
1 Rites of Flourishing
1 Steely Resolve
1 Summoner’s Pact
1 Survival of the Fittest
1 Tooth and Nail
1 Tranquility
1 Triumph of the Hordes
1 Whirlwind
1 Worldly Tutor
1 Garruk Wildspeaker
1 Champion’s Helm
1 Coat of Arms
1 Lightning Greaves
1 Mystic Compass
1 Skullclamp
1 Gaea’s Cradle
1 Okina, Temple to the Grandfathers
1 Pendelhaven
1 Treetop Village
1 Wirewood Lodge
1 Yavimaya Hollow
26 Forest
As you can tell, the deck really just capitalizes on having lots of productive elves in play and attack for lots with Forestwalk. They don't have a forest? No problem. There are plenty of cards that can force them to plant some trees.
@Fumar/Estabe- I think Tornado Elemental is valuable. I'm considering it, though I am afraid to cascade into it at an inopportune time and wipe out my own valuable flyers.
@xituan- Frost Titan and Temporal Mastery are great suggestions. I agree Urabrask may have to go... I like Gavin's list, but I am also concerned by his lack of deck-stacking and a few too many counterspells in a cascade deck. I may look into more ramp... AND WHOA! Crystal Shard is amazing. Good catch.
Thanks to ALL of you for your suggestions.
-1 Urabrask the Hidden
+1 Crystal Shard (brilliant)