Any chance this deck is still alive? I love the list and am working on something similar. It still needs some work, I will post it once I have tested it a bit with my group. I feel like optimizing this list is probably very meta dependent, curious to see how it plays out. A few questions:
Do people that know what this deck does target it down, or leave it be because it is not an immediate threat? My goal with this is to make it to the final 2 in most every game, so I want it to be as non-threatening as possible to a full table. Does that work with your group?
Sorry for the late reply I've not really active on these boards anymore. I do still play this deck just not very often now. It is meta dependent but many of the engines and lock pieces will be universal. My playgroup is extremely familiar with this deck, it's one of my oldest, one of my most played and easily has the highest win percentage of any established deck in my meta. I'm always the least threatening player at the table early game so am generally left alone as people deal with more serious threats. Mid game is about preventing anyone from winning or killing you and this is usually where I'll get killed in the games I don't win. It really varies game to game though, your job is to police the table so anyone that's losing will usually want me to remain in the game and will help protect me if possible since more immediate threats are going to kill them if I don't help. Politics are very important when piloting this deck in my group.
Quote from deegeebee »
Do you ever have trouble with planeswalkers? I guess there are a few answers in here for resolved walkers, do you often counter them on sight? What are your thoughts on Leyline of Sanctity as an additional layer of protection that is especially good against powerful walker ultimates?
I would really like that effect in my list, but am having trouble finding a slot.[/quote]I highly recommend Trickbind or similar to stop planeswalker ultimates. Leyline of Sanctity seems fine and it also helps vs some mass discard and the occasional Fireball.
Quote from deegeebee »
Besides MLD, what is it that typically break this list? Is it just bad draws or is there something in particular it doesn't deal well with in the long game?
MLD is actually not much of a problem after you win some games with Faith's Reward after they try it. I've also cast Sacred Ground in response on more than one occasion (with flash enabler of course). Usually not worth the risk for them. Early aggro and combo can be a problem. Sunder is rough. Gaddock Teeg, Teferi, Mage of Zhalfir and Child of Alara are the worst commanders in my group to play against. Graveyard hate can be crippling and is probably what I fear the most but I do go to great lengths to play around it.
Have you left Isochron Scepter out because it is overly threatening, or because you don't like exiling your spells? Seems like a decent option considering the number of targets, but might require another fog or two to make it worthwhile, undecided.
I really like it in my Wydwen deck but that one is a little more instant focused and has a better toolbox. I haven't updated this deck since the tuck change so that could certainly be an option.
Quote from [deegeebees »
]Thoughts on Tezzeret the Seeker as a second Crucible of Worlds? That card is just too important to this deck not to run a few good tutors for it and tezz is one cheaper to get it into play than fabricate, but obviously can't do it at 3 land. Thoughts?
I actually try to avoid using Crucible during games as much as possible. It's a very efficient and powerful engine piece which can attract too much attention. I could tutor for it more aggressively and win more games in the short term but I feel like it would cost me more games in the long term if that makes sense. I've been playing Commander in the same group since Lorwyn so long term wins are quite important to an old guy like me!
Quote from deegeebees »
edit: Also a little worried about running a more budget land base and what it will do to my life total. I don't have the duals so will be relying more on shocks and fethches than you are. How important do you think that extra 5-10 life will be in pulling this off? Should I run a little lifegain to offset this? Should I go even more budget than that to avoid the life loss?
I wouldn't worry about it. There's very few games where people can drop you to 5 but can't drop you to 0 at least in my experience.
Thanks for the reply, I ended up making something like this shortly after posting on your list, but using Derevi as my general, to great effect. I will still probably try out Angus some time because he is old and awesome, but having a flash blocker has really helped we get through the early game and and works well to deter attacks. The list in my sig is a little out of date, like you I never was able to find a slot for a wincon, all games I have played so far have been draws. Faith's Reward is something I ended up leaving out, better find a slot to test that out. This is such a fun deck to play, and surprisingly my opponents, who usually groan and hate out draw-go control, have reacted very positively to it.
Its like the ghost of Xmas past is gracing us with his presence. Donald good to see ya bud. To be honest, I sort of assumed we lost you as a poster given how long its been. Sorry, im done derailing your thread now lol.
I didn't realize your Angus was a creature less build. Interesting...
Wait... does this deck literally just do nothing but stall and hope they deck themselves? That sounds... painful lol.
Its like the ghost of Xmas past is gracing us with his presence. Donald good to see ya bud. To be honest, I sort of assumed we lost you as a poster given how long its been. Sorry, im done derailing your thread now lol.
I didn't realize your Angus was a creature less build. Interesting...
Wait... does this deck literally just do nothing but stall and hope they deck themselves? That sounds... painful lol.
Hey ISB glad you still remember me! I basically am inactive I was just logging in to do some cube updates/research and noticed a couple posts I should have responded to sooner. Might be pseudo active for a couple weeks while I get all my lists updated and I am for sure still playing Commander and Magic in general. Just got my first taste of the format with the new tuck rule a couple weeks ago and really like it. I immediately built monored Kiki-Jiki on the fly and need to get a R/W deck in the works.
Yes this deck not only does nothing it actively seeks to prevent something from happening.
I would really like that effect in my list, but am having trouble finding a slot.[/quote]I highly recommend Trickbind or similar to stop planeswalker ultimates. Leyline of Sanctity seems fine and it also helps vs some mass discard and the occasional Fireball.
MLD is actually not much of a problem after you win some games with Faith's Reward after they try it. I've also cast Sacred Ground in response on more than one occasion (with flash enabler of course). Usually not worth the risk for them. Early aggro and combo can be a problem. Sunder is rough. Gaddock Teeg, Teferi, Mage of Zhalfir and Child of Alara are the worst commanders in my group to play against. Graveyard hate can be crippling and is probably what I fear the most but I do go to great lengths to play around it.
Why would I want to play a 1/1 with no abilities?
I really like it in my Wydwen deck but that one is a little more instant focused and has a better toolbox. I haven't updated this deck since the tuck change so that could certainly be an option.
I actually try to avoid using Crucible during games as much as possible. It's a very efficient and powerful engine piece which can attract too much attention. I could tutor for it more aggressively and win more games in the short term but I feel like it would cost me more games in the long term if that makes sense. I've been playing Commander in the same group since Lorwyn so long term wins are quite important to an old guy like me!
I wouldn't worry about it. There's very few games where people can drop you to 5 but can't drop you to 0 at least in my experience.
Thanks for the reply, I ended up making something like this shortly after posting on your list, but using Derevi as my general, to great effect. I will still probably try out Angus some time because he is old and awesome, but having a flash blocker has really helped we get through the early game and and works well to deter attacks. The list in my sig is a little out of date, like you I never was able to find a slot for a wincon, all games I have played so far have been draws. Faith's Reward is something I ended up leaving out, better find a slot to test that out. This is such a fun deck to play, and surprisingly my opponents, who usually groan and hate out draw-go control, have reacted very positively to it.
UGUPrime Speaker Seamonster RampUGU
WUGDerevi Does NothingWUG
RRRFeldon's Lovely LadiesRRR
I didn't realize your Angus was a creature less build. Interesting...
Wait... does this deck literally just do nothing but stall and hope they deck themselves? That sounds... painful lol.
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[Modern] Allies
Yes this deck not only does nothing it actively seeks to prevent something from happening.