MTG Salvation

I am challenging myself to build a 60 card deck that consistently plays Denizen of the Deep. Really, you could replace this with any "timmy card", though.

I know this isn't a stellar card, but I like the art and I think there's an opportunity (that I don't see) to abuse it's drawback.

I've thought about Oath of Druids, but that really limits me to having only Denizen of the Deep as a creature, and only having one in play at a time, which could get me overwhelmed. Likewise, I feel that Defense of the Heart puts me in a similar situation, where I am relying on stifle, Torpor Orb, or hushbringer to even survive - but that now requires me to have a lot of components out.

I've thought also about the Manifest/cloak mechanics, which can be fun since in theory I could have multiple in play - but it's not reliable enough. I can play Vannifar, Evolved Enigma and scroll of fate, but I don't have a reliable way to flip the creature without splashing a third color, or also using Ixidor, reality sculptor - which would be three cards that I can't pull off until turn 6.

The best "path" I can think of at this time is using a pseudo affinity deck along with Flood of Tears and Inspiring Statuary - where I can play a lot of artifacts and reset the board with Flood of Tears, dropping my Denizen of the Deep. Also, using flood of tears keeps the deck vaguely "sea themed"

I think I could also use Quest for Ula's Temple - but this doesn't seem reliable. I need it in my opening hand, and then I have to manipulate my deck for the next three turns. And finally, there's show and tell - but I would almost always be at the disadvantage compared to my opponent in that situation.

Please let me know if you can think up any schemes that might help cards like this show up more often.

If you go the route of Quest for Ula's Temple you definitely want 4 copies because like you said you want it in your opening hand. Your going to want to maximize consistency of getting creatures on top of your library (creature‐card density, scry, library manipulation). And it would probably be worth adding in other big sea monsters along with Denizen of the Deep.

Nice cards for Setup & Consistency
Ponder,Preordain,Brainstorm - cheap ways to fix your top card so Quest hits.
Mystic Speculation – repeatable scry 3, perfect for stacking creatures on top.
Sensei's Divining Top – all-star for top-deck control. Crystal Ball is another option if your on a budget.

Some other solid big boi's to make Quest Worth it.

• Stormtide Leviathan
  
• Spawning Kraken
  
• Serpent of Yawning Depths
  
• Inkwell Leviathan
  
• Wrexial, the Risen Deep
  
• Scourge of Fleets
  
• Shipbreaker Kraken
  
• Arixmethes, Slumbering Isle
  

Some Control Cards to buy time

• Counterspell
  
• Negate
  
• Cyclonic Rift
  
• Whelming Wave
  
• Propaganda
  

Might not be what your looking for but here is two idea's to get the ball rolling, One is pure kindred Sea Monsters and the other Denizen Reset Engine for
the lols.

Pure Sea Monsters

Cheat big boi's every end step until the table is drowning. Denizen’s drawback matters less here — you’re not protecting your board, you’re just dropping more monsters than anyone else can handle.

Denizen Reset Engine


Use Denizen almost like a “reset button” to clear your board, then keep slamming big boi's off Quest. Flicker effects let you dodge his drawback or reuse ETBs.

Denizen entering at the same time as Ghalta, Stampede Tyrant is fun. At worst, you bounce your creatures and get them back for free. At best, you win.