The Scarab God is an amazing card, and can be built into any shell. I've been working on a deck for someone else and was lacking inspiration.
By random luck going through my collection, I realized that Processors from BFZ go really well with The Scarab God. For example, Oracle of Dust and TSG lets you pay 6 to get a token copy of any creature in an opponents graveyard - and you can do this as many times as you like!
I realize that this isn't the strongest play you can make with TSG, but I feel like it would be a lot of fun. And that there are few other decks that let you do stuff like this.
Now, I was already considering cards from Hour of Devastation like Dreamstealer which are improved when they become 4/4s. Looking at lists online and going through my collection, I've realized that there are really not that many cards that synergize specifically with TSG. Zombie synergies are zombie synergies. Reanimator is reanimator. Does anything benefit from being a 4/4? Obviously, a 4/4 Snapcaster Mage is better than a 2/1, but...barely.
I am trying to find other cards like Champion of wits that do much more than beat for 4 when you get it as a 4/4.
So far, I have found: Cephalid Constable Crosstown courier Needle Specter
Interestingly enough, The Scarab God's ability isn't "activate this only when you could cast a sorcery". Draining Whelk might be able to use that, and become a huge fatty.
Any ferocious cards would work, but of course you only have access to the blue ones.
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Card advantage is not the same thing as card draw. Something for 2B cannot be strictly worse than something for BBB or 3BB. If you're taking out Swords to Plowshares for Plummet, you're a fool. Stop doing these things!
Interestingly enough, The Scarab God's ability isn't "activate this only when you could cast a sorcery". Draining Whelk might be able to use that, and become a huge fatty.
Any ferocious cards would work, but of course you only have access to the blue ones.
Thank you for the Ferocious lead! Didn't find any ferocious creatures but it is exactly the kind of thing I was looking for.
I think Training Grounds would be a high-profile tutor target in a deck like this. In that vein, other creatures that would benefit from the Training would go nicely here, maybe something like Dimir Guildmage or Azure Mage, or even something really cute like Pack Rat.
Another possible angle would be a stealing deck. You steal your opponents creatures, and after they die you steal them again. Think control magic and Necromantic Summons ( reanimate from any graveyard). This way, you always end up with the best board presence on the table.
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The secret to enjoyable Commander games is not winning first, but losing last.
If my post has no tags, then i posted from my phone.
I think Training Grounds would be a high-profile tutor target in a deck like this. In that vein, other creatures that would benefit from the Training would go nicely here, maybe something like Dimir Guildmage or Azure Mage, or even something really cute like Pack Rat.
That ain't bad!
I just bought a training grounds, so I didn't want to get another one... but you're right, it can be really good.
A token copy of Mirror-mad Phantasm lets you mill your entire deck at instant speed. Do that EoT, then Scarab God back a Laboratory Maniac in your upkeep.
A token copy of Mirror-mad Phantasm lets you mill your entire deck at instant speed. Do that EoT, then Scarab God back a Laboratory Maniac in your upkeep.
Never thought of that combo. I guess it works best in this deck since you only need MMP and your general to pull it off. Reanimating at instant speed is otherwise hard to pull off with this combo.
silumgar sorcerer is one that comes to mind. Countering something relevant bins it for you to nab later. Not only that but if you can the sorcerer you can have a creature counter available whenever.
The Scarab God looks perfect for a control build. You don't need to tap out on your turn since its ability works at instant speed and you don't need to run many creatures because it can work off of opponent's graveyards. It doesn't cost more to recast if it dies (and doesn't get removed from the gy before EoT), meaning sweepers are even better since there is less risk when using them and they provide more targets for the god in the gy. You also can run some of the most powerful/efficient mill to power this like Mesmeric Orb. Not only is Snapcaster a perfect fit for this, but also Dralnu, Lich Lord for even more flashbacking spells. Mirror-Mad Phantasm is good even without the combo in order to fuel your own gy for not much mana.
Scarab God is just extremely versatile. Tribal, mill, control, just pick whatever fits your desires.
Idk of this interests you or not but I made this decklists when I first saw him. https://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/the-scarab-god-reanimator-control/
I was very attracted to this commander because it was the first Dimir general that really interestd me since I started playing commander 7-8 years ago.
Jin-Gitaxias is a great interaction. I mean it's kind of a no duh as arguably the most powerful creature you can cheat out but even still there are only a handful of ways to cheat him out on your opponents end step. Add an entomb on top and it's essentially coming out of nowhere.
Kalitas, Traitor of Ghet and Overseer of the Damned are pretty decent ways to make a lot of Zombies without having to go down a tribal route. You can embalm them in response to a board wipe for a nice recovery and then replay TSG to enjoy a sizable trigger on TSG's first ability.
By random luck going through my collection, I realized that Processors from BFZ go really well with The Scarab God. For example, Oracle of Dust and TSG lets you pay 6 to get a token copy of any creature in an opponents graveyard - and you can do this as many times as you like!
I realize that this isn't the strongest play you can make with TSG, but I feel like it would be a lot of fun. And that there are few other decks that let you do stuff like this.
Now, I was already considering cards from Hour of Devastation like Dreamstealer which are improved when they become 4/4s. Looking at lists online and going through my collection, I've realized that there are really not that many cards that synergize specifically with TSG. Zombie synergies are zombie synergies. Reanimator is reanimator. Does anything benefit from being a 4/4? Obviously, a 4/4 Snapcaster Mage is better than a 2/1, but...barely.
I am trying to find other cards like Champion of wits that do much more than beat for 4 when you get it as a 4/4.
So far, I have found:
Cephalid Constable
Crosstown courier
Needle Specter
Have you found any other interesting synergies?
8.RG Green Devotion Ramp/Combo 9.UR Draw Triggers 10.WUR Group stalling 11.WUR Voltron Spellslinger 12.WB Sacrificial Shenanigans
13.BR Creatureless Panharmonicon 14.BR Pingers and Eldrazi 15.URG Untapped Cascading
16.Reyhan, last of the Abzan's WUBG +1/+1 Counter Craziness 17.WUBRG Dragons aka Why did I make this?
Building: The Gitrog Monster lands, Glissa the Traitor stax, Muldrotha, the Gravetide Planeswalker Combo, Kydele, Chosen of Kruphix + Sidar Kondo of Jamuraa Clues, and Tribal Scarecrow Planeswalkers
https://magiccards.info/query?q=o:whenever o:card o:deals o:damage o:that o:many&v=card&s=cname
But pretty much only the ones you listed really count.
Not herself per se, but because creatures you resurrect become 4/4, it'd guarantee to gain 4 life and draw four cards.
There's also Kheru Bloodsucker for life loss options.
Shu Yun, the Silent Tempest WUR Voltron Control
Temmet, Vizier of Naktamun WU Unblockable Mirror Trickery
Ra's al Ghul (Sidar Kondo) and Face-Down Ninjas
Brudiclad, Token Engineer
Vaevictis (VV2) the Dire Lantern
Rona, Disciple of Gix
Tiana the Auror
Hallar
Ulrich the Politician
Zur the Rebel
Scorpion, Locust, Scarab, Egyptian Gods
O-Kagachi, Mathas, Mairsil
"Non-Tribal" Tribal Generals, Eggs
Any ferocious cards would work, but of course you only have access to the blue ones.
On phasing:
Thank you for the Ferocious lead! Didn't find any ferocious creatures but it is exactly the kind of thing I was looking for.
Draining Whelk seems good too.
I also found:
Marionette Master
Mausoleum Wanderer
Mortis Dogs
Old Man of the Sea
Tree of Perdition
I don't find them super impressive, other than Mausoleum Wanderer, but it's better than nothing.
8.RG Green Devotion Ramp/Combo 9.UR Draw Triggers 10.WUR Group stalling 11.WUR Voltron Spellslinger 12.WB Sacrificial Shenanigans
13.BR Creatureless Panharmonicon 14.BR Pingers and Eldrazi 15.URG Untapped Cascading
16.Reyhan, last of the Abzan's WUBG +1/+1 Counter Craziness 17.WUBRG Dragons aka Why did I make this?
Building: The Gitrog Monster lands, Glissa the Traitor stax, Muldrotha, the Gravetide Planeswalker Combo, Kydele, Chosen of Kruphix + Sidar Kondo of Jamuraa Clues, and Tribal Scarecrow Planeswalkers
Street Wraith
Creatures with evoke
Dizzy Spell —> Training Grounds
Spawnbroker
VClique
(U/B)(U/B)(U/B) JUMP IN THE LINE, ROCK YOUR BODY IN TIME
(R/W)(R/W)(R/W) RISING FROM THE NEON GLOOM, SHINING LIKE A CRAZY MOON
(U/R)(R/G)(G/U) STEALIN' WHEN I SHOULD HAVE BEEN BUYIN'
If my post has no tags, then i posted from my phone.
That ain't bad!
I just bought a training grounds, so I didn't want to get another one... but you're right, it can be really good.
8.RG Green Devotion Ramp/Combo 9.UR Draw Triggers 10.WUR Group stalling 11.WUR Voltron Spellslinger 12.WB Sacrificial Shenanigans
13.BR Creatureless Panharmonicon 14.BR Pingers and Eldrazi 15.URG Untapped Cascading
16.Reyhan, last of the Abzan's WUBG +1/+1 Counter Craziness 17.WUBRG Dragons aka Why did I make this?
Building: The Gitrog Monster lands, Glissa the Traitor stax, Muldrotha, the Gravetide Planeswalker Combo, Kydele, Chosen of Kruphix + Sidar Kondo of Jamuraa Clues, and Tribal Scarecrow Planeswalkers
Puppeteer Clique
Glen Elendra Archmage
(U/B)(U/B)(U/B) JUMP IN THE LINE, ROCK YOUR BODY IN TIME
(R/W)(R/W)(R/W) RISING FROM THE NEON GLOOM, SHINING LIKE A CRAZY MOON
(U/R)(R/G)(G/U) STEALIN' WHEN I SHOULD HAVE BEEN BUYIN'
I think I"m missing something... They don't come back with Persist since they are tokens. Can you elaborate?
Never thought of that combo. I guess it works best in this deck since you only need MMP and your general to pull it off. Reanimating at instant speed is otherwise hard to pull off with this combo.
Cool!
Lol, this definitely got more interesting as a Johnny card.
8.RG Green Devotion Ramp/Combo 9.UR Draw Triggers 10.WUR Group stalling 11.WUR Voltron Spellslinger 12.WB Sacrificial Shenanigans
13.BR Creatureless Panharmonicon 14.BR Pingers and Eldrazi 15.URG Untapped Cascading
16.Reyhan, last of the Abzan's WUBG +1/+1 Counter Craziness 17.WUBRG Dragons aka Why did I make this?
Building: The Gitrog Monster lands, Glissa the Traitor stax, Muldrotha, the Gravetide Planeswalker Combo, Kydele, Chosen of Kruphix + Sidar Kondo of Jamuraa Clues, and Tribal Scarecrow Planeswalkers
Scarab God is just extremely versatile. Tribal, mill, control, just pick whatever fits your desires.
Beating Face with Bane
Beatrice, the Golden Witch
I was very attracted to this commander because it was the first Dimir general that really interestd me since I started playing commander 7-8 years ago.
Jin-Gitaxias is a great interaction. I mean it's kind of a no duh as arguably the most powerful creature you can cheat out but even still there are only a handful of ways to cheat him out on your opponents end step. Add an entomb on top and it's essentially coming out of nowhere.
Kalitas, Traitor of Ghet and Overseer of the Damned are pretty decent ways to make a lot of Zombies without having to go down a tribal route. You can embalm them in response to a board wipe for a nice recovery and then replay TSG to enjoy a sizable trigger on TSG's first ability.
BChainer, Dementia Master(Big Mana/Reanimator)
BRRakdos, The Showstopper (Mass Life Loss/Ramp)
BUThe Scarab God (Zombie Tribal/Control)
BWKarlov of the Ghost Council (Life Gain)
BGJarad, Golgari Lich Lord (Stompy/Dredge)
BRGProssh, Skyraider of Kher (Tokens/Non-infinite Combo)