I think ISBPathfinder has been testing Fanatical Devotion as another Derevi sac outlet. At the very least, it keeps your quality creatures alive.
Right now I am focusing on adding more value creatures to my deck. My first few games I was not getting out many creatures, but once I get some more in the deck, Fanatical Devotion looks like it might be quite good.
Elvish Piper and Fauna Shaman could both be great utility for you to untap and use again. Bloom Tender with Derevi might let you get infinite ETB with like Ashnod's Altar and would just be great in general to untap. I think Concordant Crossroads would be good for this deck with all the possible tappers. Ooh would Adarkar Valkyrie go infinite with her and an altar? Cause you sac Derevi, Valkyrie returns her, untap Valkyrie, repeat ad nauseum. The new Spawning Grounds could get out of hand pretty quickly but it might be too costly. Maybe Squirrel Nest or the Drake one. Captain Sisay and a package for her could be great. Birthing Pod could be awesome since you really only have to pay 1 to use it, so getting 2 creatures a turn for 4 life and 2 is cool. And if you run a lot of 5-drops, you could keep saccing and returning Derevi every turn. Bident of Thassa, Edric, and CoaStalPiRaCy seem like auto-includes. Karametra's Acolyte could provide a lot of mana. Enclave Cryptologist and other looters and even Archivist might be nice. Finally, Empress Galina is just straight-up mean.
Elvish Piper and Fauna Shaman could both be great utility for you to untap and use again. Bloom Tender with Derevi might let you get infinite ETB with like Ashnod's Altar and would just be great in general to untap. I think Concordant Crossroads would be good for this deck with all the possible tappers. Ooh would Adarkar Valkyrie go infinite with her and an altar? Cause you sac Derevi, Valkyrie returns her, untap Valkyrie, repeat ad nauseum. The new Spawning Grounds could get out of hand pretty quickly but it might be too costly. Maybe Squirrel Nest or the Drake one. Captain Sisay and a package for her could be great. Birthing Pod could be awesome since you really only have to pay 1 to use it, so getting 2 creatures a turn for 4 life and 2 is cool. And if you run a lot of 5-drops, you could keep saccing and returning Derevi every turn. Bident of Thassa, Edric, and CoaStalPiRaCy seem like auto-includes. Karametra's Acolyte could provide a lot of mana. Enclave Cryptologist and other looters and even Archivist might be nice. Finally, Empress Galina is just straight-up mean.
Elvish Piper and Fauna Shaman thus far in the 3 games I have played, Survival of the Fittest sat in my hand dead for two games, as I had no fodder to use it, so either I have a card draw issue or a to few creatures issue, so those two are out.
Ashnod's Altar, Bloom Tender, Adarkar Valkyrie, thus far I am not seeing too many ways to need infinite mana other than Blue Sun's Zenith, though all 3 cards are good by themselves, I have found Ashnod's Altar in my meta is taken as me screaming "I'M GONNA COMBO OUT!!!! KILL ME!!!" so i tend to avoid it like the plague that it is.
Edric and friends, will probably go on order next payday.
Squirrels... uhmmm no.
Birthing Pod is already in, though I never got to use it (I tried twice and people just looked at me sideways after seeing my other shenanigans with Derevi, and said "NO!!!")
Well, I didn't realize you had a list up. I guess I will take a look at it.
Vedalken Aethermage -> Eladamri's Call the wizard tutor is cool and gets style points. I dont think its really the strongest consideration though. Chord of Calling should also make the list before the wizard cycle does but I figured you were probably going with the wizard for budget reasons if anything so I decided to recommend Eladamri's Call instead.
Argothian Elder -> Gilded Lotus creatures are fragile and slow. I would personally run the mana stone which costs one more but can be used immediately. The elder is sort of nice for if you get multiple untaps and you want to untap all your lands more efficiently but I think overall, its probably not something I would bother with a card slot for. You might also just try something like Mirari's Wake which will allow lands to tap for two mana anyways. It seems a lot less tech.
Soltari Visionary -> Trygon Predator I guess its not the same type of evasion but its better removal as artifacts tend to be more plentiful in EDH. I am not huge on these slow rolling answers though so I find them a bit sketchy but I like the versatility of Trygon Predator more than the Visionary.
In general, it sort of feels like your list is pulling in a few too many directions. It seems like you could sort of solidify your plan a bit more and add some more tutors potentially.
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I have officially moved to MTGNexus. I just wanted to let people know as my response time to salvation decks being bumped is very hit or miss.
Arcum and Captain Sisay seem like some of the best values in Derevi untapping. Arcum + mycosynth lattice + derevi seems to be = play all your mana rocks from your deck for 1-2 colorless each. And bonus, both Arcum and Sisay can be birdthing podded into.
I went with Derevi but with a heavy blink theme, not much untapping or tapping but there are some elements of it, I get to test my deck tonight and I'll adjust after but it was really hard to decide which way too go with her as she really has nothing to do with blink except her ETB trigger but her escaping the commader tax is too good to pass up...
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EDH DECKS:
GBW Ghave - BWR Kaalia - UBG Mineoplasm - URG Riku - GRW Uril - GBRProssh, I need food - BWU Oloro Lock - UGW Derevi Blink - RBU Nekusar, the Wheeler - UBRWGProgenitus - BR Lyzolda - UBGisa & Geralf Zombies - UG Edric, Spymaster of Trest +1 Counters matter - W Lin Sivvi - BWU Sydri Artifact Control - RWU Narset, the Attacker - GRW Mayael, the Cheater - RWUG Kynaios and Tiro of Meletis Landfall - GBW Doran, I like Big Butts -UR Mizzix Buyback BWR Edgar and his Vamps
Well, I didn't realize you had a list up. I guess I will take a look at it.
Vedalken Aethermage -> Eladamri's Call the wizard tutor is cool and gets style points. I dont think its really the strongest consideration though. Chord of Calling should also make the list before the wizard cycle does but I figured you were probably going with the wizard for budget reasons if anything so I decided to recommend Eladamri's Call instead.
Will probably wind up using both as I like the interaction with Azami, and plan to add 2-3 more wizards.
Argothian Elder -> Gilded Lotus creatures are fragile and slow. I would personally run the mana stone which costs one more but can be used immediately. The elder is sort of nice for if you get multiple untaps and you want to untap all your lands more efficiently but I think overall, its probably not something I would bother with a card slot for. You might also just try something like Mirari's Wake which will allow lands to tap for two mana anyways. It seems a lot less tech.
Cutting Argothian, for something in another direction probably.
Soltari Visionary -> Trygon Predator I guess its not the same type of evasion but its better removal as artifacts tend to be more plentiful in EDH. I am not huge on these slow rolling answers though so I find them a bit sketchy but I like the versatility of Trygon Predator more than the Visionary.
Done!
In general, it sort of feels like your list is pulling in a few too many directions. It seems like you could sort of solidify your plan a bit more and add some more tutors potentially.
At this point I am kind of torn between your idea with Derevi, and more wizards, because Azami is kind of fun in this deck.
Arcum and Captain Sisay seem like some of the best values in Derevi untapping. Arcum + mycosynth lattice + derevi seems to be = play all your mana rocks from your deck for 1-2 colorless each. And bonus, both Arcum and Sisay can be birdthing podded into.
Arcum is his own deck, any plan to make this Arcum would be significantly weaker than just playing Arcum which is very strong. Captain Sissay would work here, but I am more into playing wizards than legends.
I went with Derevi but with a heavy blink theme, not much untapping or tapping but there are some elements of it, I get to test my deck tonight and I'll adjust after but it was really hard to decide which way too go with her as she really has nothing to do with blink except her ETB trigger but her escaping the commander tax is too good to pass up...
Derevi is an awesome commander for defense, I am just finding offense a bit lacking with my current build. I win more games when I am not doing anything amazing than when Derevi is kicking ass, though that is kinda how table politics works.
mystic remora... how does it work? I have it I played it and it was awful.. I am definately missing something or playing it wrong.
You don't have a problem playing a creature deck with a stack of boardwipes and reins of power? I just have spot removal and rift but I am looking for other parital boardwipes. I guess my deck is more agressive.
crop rotation also seems really bad. again missing something.
Which is the best sac outlet?.. atm I only have the birthing pod.. but I have the reveilliak, karmic guide combo in my birds version but I can't infinite it without a sac outlet I just don't have much space left :S.
I am asking you questions rather than helping since you obviously know more than me about this kind of deck.
I might be able to help you with getting more aggresisve though. I think you have to think of the deck like Merfolk. Just attack people with your wizards.. it really adds up particularly with derevi. You might have to bite the bullet and cut all the commander staples you are running just to push your deck further in a direction... slime solemn sphinx and primodial have no synergy with your deck... they are just really good. find similar cards that are wizards or have tap effects... e.g Quasli pridemage.
mystic remora... how does it work? I have it I played it and it was awful.. I am definately missing something or playing it wrong.
In my previous meta, it was horrible, but it seems to work well in my current meta of stompy-enchanty. It is very meta dependent, so I can see why it may have sucked for you. Last night alone I think I drew about 4-5 cards off of it. and about 6-8 off of Azami.
You don't have a problem playing a creature deck with a stack of boardwipes and reins of power? I just have spot removal and rift but I am looking for other parital boardwipes. I guess my deck is more agressive.
My meta is quite stompy, so its there to so to speak, shut someone up, when they think they have me. Then I feed all their creatures to my Food Chain, and exile them. It may not be the best way to do it, but it amuses me.
crop rotation also seems really bad. again missing something.
Which is the best sac outlet?.. atm I only have the birthing pod.. but I have the reveilliak, karmic guide combo in my birds version but I can't infinite it without a sac outlet I just don't have much space left :S.
Most people like Mirror Entity + Acidic Slime with that combo, basically you put Mirror Entity on the stack for 0 a hundred times and bring back Acidic Slime until your opponents have no land/artifacts/enchantments. For a straight kill you could use Blasting Station with the two. Mirror Entity is also good seems good with Derevi voltron, though I have not personally tried it.
I am asking you questions rather than helping since you obviously know more than me about this kind of deck.
I might be able to help you with getting more aggresisve though. I think you have to think of the deck like Merfolk. Just attack people with your wizards.. it really adds up particularly with derevi. You might have to bite the bullet and cut all the commander staples you are running just to push your deck further in a direction... slime solemn sphinx and primodial have no synergy with your deck... they are just really good. find similar cards that are wizards or have tap effects... e.g Quasli pridemage.
I just found out Quasli Pridemage was a wizard, so he is definitely on the next order.
I am really liking the synergy of all the wizards, so I do plan to add more.
I dont plan to go exclusively Wizard, but if I find a couple that do some cool things I like, I will include them, like Mirror Entity who knew he was a wizard too? LOL!
Consecrated Sphinx: I had a game last week where we got out 3 Consecrated Sphinx at one time, which basically gave the game to the combo player, so it just does not work for this deck, I don't want to help my opponents get answers quick with my Sphinx, considering it only helps me marginally. After last week, I really feel this card should have been banned with Primeval Titan, it is at least as game warping as PrimeTime, but the committee continues to let overpowered U cards slide on banning.
Luminarch Ascension: I had a game two weeks ago where it won me the game after sneaking it in after a board wipe, but this is not the way I want to win, and most of the time it gets me beat down if I play it.
I was never happy to draw Voidmage, just takes too long to set up correctly, and in my meta, I don't have the extra time.
My first few games with Shackles was great, but recently, I seem to have few or no islands, as the deck progresses, Shackles are just not going to cut it.
Evacuation - I think I recently actually rotated my evac into False Prophet. I like evac but with so much ETB based decks it feels like its more of an anti token sort of strategy or short term anser. The prophet is easier to tutor into and I run enough sac outlets that I liked my ability to drop him at will. Its something to consider at least.
Diviner's Wand good luck with it. I have been very pleased by mine so far in my games. It really doesnt pull a lot of attention to itself but it has the potential to be a really big buff or act as just some mana dump / draw. I really like it with the big draw X spells as well for some fun times.
Reap and Sow - I dont know what your utility land setup is fully since your OP seems sort of vague about your land setup but make sure you have a few options on what to get with it. I have liked it though as a means to deal with land and or fetch my sac outlets. Maze effects are popular in my meta though so its nice to have a few more outs to them as I can blow one up and fetch a strip mine effect for some larger scale removal.
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I have officially moved to MTGNexus. I just wanted to let people know as my response time to salvation decks being bumped is very hit or miss.
How is your creature density? Do you have any trouble building a board presence?
I dont know how much Derevi needs to build board presence, but his ability to close out games does look a little questionable as he does seem to have a few less buff effects. I myself run my list as a little bit of just a survivalist style of deck that tries to just be inconvenient to remove from the table and work from there as others die. I cant say its the best design but I find it fun to play myself.
It feels like this list runs a lot of creature specific spot removal which feels.... situational based on the fact that Derevi sort of tangles up and deals with lots of the creatures in play.
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I have officially moved to MTGNexus. I just wanted to let people know as my response time to salvation decks being bumped is very hit or miss.
I am still trying to work out how to play the deck, my past decks have been much more aggressive, so I still have other players going after me first in my meta. My goal is a more control based playing deck, something that does not initially look threatening, low curve, low threat, good defense. Derevi is proving exceptional at defense.
I dont know how much Derevi needs to build board presence, but his ability to close out games does look a little questionable as he does seem to have a few less buff effects. I myself run my list as a little bit of just a survivalist style of deck that tries to just be inconvenient to remove from the table and work from there as others die. I cant say its the best design but I find it fun to play myself.
It feels like this list runs a lot of creature specific spot removal which feels.... situational based on the fact that Derevi sort of tangles up and deals with lots of the creatures in play.
Without a board presence I don't see how Derevi closes out games. General damage is surely not going to do it.
Derevi can be annoying for opponents with sac outlets in play. There are always creatures which must be killed but this list does seem to carry a bit too much creature hate. Having answers is good but you'll always be one short without any win conditions
Without a board presence I don't see how Derevi closes out games. General damage is surely not going to do it.
Derevi can be annoying for opponents with sac outlets in play. There are always creatures which must be killed but this list does seem to carry a bit too much creature hate. Having answers is good but you'll always be one short without any win conditions
I actually almost always kill with commander damage. I have on several occasions been pushing 10+ commander damage in a swing with two buffs up.
Like I said though, my list is more of a survivalist that just tries to get people to deal with each other and responds when things have to be answered for me to not loose a game. My list and I suspect tracer's as well are not built to do explosive damage so much as control the board though. The other day, I used that fact that the Gisela, Blade of Goldnight attacks everyone's life totals with Inferno effects to my advantage and just prevented the damage to myself and gained life which essentially killed everyone else off. Like I said though, its a very different mentality. My objective is to not be the one doing all the work at the table. It can be dicey to play like that against combo opponents but that isn't the meta I play in so just sort of pillowfortish control works.
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I have officially moved to MTGNexus. I just wanted to let people know as my response time to salvation decks being bumped is very hit or miss.
I actually almost always kill with commander damage. I have on several occasions been pushing 10+ commander damage in a swing with two buffs up.
Like I said though, my list is more of a survivalist that just tries to get people to deal with each other and responds when things have to be answered for me to not loose a game. My list and I suspect tracer's as well are not built to do explosive damage so much as control the board though. The other day, I used that fact that the Gisela, Blade of Goldnight attacks everyone's life totals with Inferno effects to my advantage and just prevented the damage to myself and gained life which essentially killed everyone else off. Like I said though, its a very different mentality. My objective is to not be the one doing all the work at the table. It can be dicey to play like that against combo opponents but that isn't the meta I play in so just sort of pillowfortish control works.
Very well put man, exactly what my goal is too. The cool thing about Derevi, with his ability to flash back in constantly, it is possible to block and attack with him every turn past turn 3-4. Most of my damage is dealt in small consistent hits, and since its only 3-5 points of damage, being spread around the table, nobody notices until they look up and are down to 10 life or so.
I tried out the Diviner's Wand last night, its perfect, low profile and very usable effect.
Synergy and Combos
Azami, Lady of Scrolls + Derevi, Empyrial Tactician + sac outlet
Translates to 1GWU: Draw 2 cards.
Derevi Network
Derevi, Impyrial Tactician - Heir to the Spymaster
Derevi - Draw, Go, Voltron
Derevi EDH: You're a wizard, Hedwig!
Derevi, Empyrial Tactician - The Bird is the Word
Leroy's Derevi, Empyrial Tactician
Swarm Decks
Jostin's Derevi Swarm Deck, post #56
Derevi, Empyrial Tactician Swarm
Combo Lock Decks
Ambivalentduck's Derevi
Swift's Derevi, Empyrial Warlord
All comments welcome!
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Azusa - Derevi - Glissa - Mizzix - Sharuum - Wanderer - Wort
May 7, 2014
Out
-Reconnaissance
-Mirror Entity
-Thada Adel, Acquisitor
In
+Aven Mindcensor
+Bane of Progress
+Kamahl, Fist of Krosa
April 30, 2014
Out
-Martyr's Cause
-Rhystic Study
-Fact of Fiction
-Voidmage Prodigy
-Counterspell
In
+Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite
+Cloud of Faeries
+Brainstorm
+Swan Song
+Mystic Remora
April 25, 2014
Out
-Dryad Arbor
-Mirran Crusader
-Coastal Piracy
-Rising Waters
In
+Blue Sun's Zenith
+Consecrated Sphinx
+Land (x2)
April 23, 2014
Out
-Seedborn Muse
-Kataki, War's Wage
-Body Double
-Reviellark
In
+Elvish Visionary
+Worldly Tutor
+Sun Titan
+Gilded Lotus
April 16, 2014
Out
-Arcane Denial
-Peregrine Drake
In
+Fierce Empath
+Muddle the Mixture
April 15, 2014
Out
-Stonecloaker
In
+Green Sun's Zenith
April 8, 2014
Out
-Supreme Verdict
-True Conviction
In
+Reconnaissance
+Voidmage Prodigy
April 3, 2014
Out
-Mulldrifter
-Sakura-Tribe Scout
In
+Stasis
+Carpet of Flowers
March 24, 2014
Out
-Chromatic Lantern
-Reap and Sow
-Tormod's Crypt
-Basic Land
In
+Dryad Arbor
+Wargate
+Mulldrifter
+Kataki, War's Wage
March 23, 2014
Out
-Reins of Power
-Return to Dust
-Desertion
-Ashnod's Altar
-Phyrexian Altar
In
+Survival of the Fittest
+Fauna Shaman
+Coastal Piracy
+Gilded Drake
+Sakura-Tribe Scout
March 22, 2014
Out
-Stoneforge Mystic
-Diviner's Wand
-Grafted Wargear
-Loxodon Warhammer
-Crop Rotation
In
+Mana Drain
+Bident of Thassa
+Mirran Crusader
+Edric, Spymaster of Trest
+Mirror Entity
March 21, 2014
Out
-Blue Sun's Zenith
-Capsize
-Krosan Grip
-Voidslime
In
+Winter Orb
+Hokori, Dust Drinker
+Rising Waters
+Qasali Pridemage
March 20, 2014
Out
-Nature's Lore
-Kodama's Reach
-Wrath of God
-Oblation
-Hinder
-Spell Crumple
In
+Avacyn's Pilgrim
+Birds of Paradise
+Llanowar Elves
+Elvish Mystic
+Fyndhorn Elves
+Bloom Tender
March 13, 2014
Out
-Day of Judgment
-Sylvan Primordial
-Pongify
-Sword of Vengeance
In
+Austere Command
+Reveillark
+Oblation
+Grafted Wargear
January 10, 2014
Out
Food Chain
Blasting Station
Spawning Pit
Evacuation
In
Counterspell
Rout
Wrath of God
Phyrexian Altar
January 3, 2014
Out
Sakura-Tribe Elder
Altar of Dementia
Perilous Forays
In
Fact or Fiction
Ashnod's Altar
True Conviction
December 20, 2013
Out
Voidmage Prodigy
Vedalken Aethermage
Quietus Spike
Vedalken Shackles
In
Evacuation
Diviner's Wand
Eladamri's Call
Reap and Sow
November 29, 2013
Out
Consecrated Sphinx
Selesnya Charm
Magus of the Unseen
Luminarch Ascension
In
Mystical Tutor
Mystic Snake
Voidmage Husher
Weathered Wayfarer
November 22, 2013
Out
Sacred Mesa
Rubina Soulsinger
Argothian Elder
Lu Xun, Scholar General
In
Desertion
Stoneforge Mystic
Loxodon Warhammer
Sword of Vengeance
November 16, 2013
Out
Winter Orb
Soltari Visionary
Lightning Greaves
Thousand Year Elixir
Unexpectedly Absent
Survival of the Fittest
In
Bant Charm
Cyclonic Rift
Blasting Station
Trygon Predator
Altar Of Dementia
Phyrexian Metamorph
November 8, 2013
Out
Mobilization
Desertion
Mimic Vat
Lux Cannon
Control Magic
Djinn of Infinite Deceits
Diviner Spirit
In
Academy Rector
Argothian Elder
Azami, Lady of Scrolls
Vedalken Aethermage
Winter Orb
Reins of Power
Spell Crumple
Cards on my current radar:
Aura Thief
Sigil Tracer
Fiend Hunter
Cards tested for synergy (rated 1 - 5):
Martyr's Cause UUUUU
Diviner's Wand UUU
Perilous Forays UU
High Market UUUUU
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Azusa - Derevi - Glissa - Mizzix - Sharuum - Wanderer - Wort
stuff
Right now I am focusing on adding more value creatures to my deck. My first few games I was not getting out many creatures, but once I get some more in the deck, Fanatical Devotion looks like it might be quite good.
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Azusa - Derevi - Glissa - Mizzix - Sharuum - Wanderer - Wort
Elvish Piper and Fauna Shaman thus far in the 3 games I have played, Survival of the Fittest sat in my hand dead for two games, as I had no fodder to use it, so either I have a card draw issue or a to few creatures issue, so those two are out.
Ashnod's Altar, Bloom Tender, Adarkar Valkyrie, thus far I am not seeing too many ways to need infinite mana other than Blue Sun's Zenith, though all 3 cards are good by themselves, I have found Ashnod's Altar in my meta is taken as me screaming "I'M GONNA COMBO OUT!!!! KILL ME!!!" so i tend to avoid it like the plague that it is.
Edric and friends, will probably go on order next payday.
Squirrels... uhmmm no.
Birthing Pod is already in, though I never got to use it (I tried twice and people just looked at me sideways after seeing my other shenanigans with Derevi, and said "NO!!!")
Empress Galina, the new art on Rubinia Soulsinger is far to gorgeous to not play her instead.
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Azusa - Derevi - Glissa - Mizzix - Sharuum - Wanderer - Wort
OUT
Mobilization
Desertion
Mimic Vat
Lux Cannon
Control Magic
Djinn of Infinite Deceits
Diviner Spirit
IN
Academy Rector
Argothian Elder
Azami, Lady of Scrolls
Vedalken Aethermage
Winter Orb
Reins of Power
Spell Crumple
..
Azusa - Derevi - Glissa - Mizzix - Sharuum - Wanderer - Wort
Vedalken Aethermage -> Eladamri's Call the wizard tutor is cool and gets style points. I dont think its really the strongest consideration though. Chord of Calling should also make the list before the wizard cycle does but I figured you were probably going with the wizard for budget reasons if anything so I decided to recommend Eladamri's Call instead.
Argothian Elder -> Gilded Lotus creatures are fragile and slow. I would personally run the mana stone which costs one more but can be used immediately. The elder is sort of nice for if you get multiple untaps and you want to untap all your lands more efficiently but I think overall, its probably not something I would bother with a card slot for. You might also just try something like Mirari's Wake which will allow lands to tap for two mana anyways. It seems a lot less tech.
Soltari Visionary -> Trygon Predator I guess its not the same type of evasion but its better removal as artifacts tend to be more plentiful in EDH. I am not huge on these slow rolling answers though so I find them a bit sketchy but I like the versatility of Trygon Predator more than the Visionary.
In general, it sort of feels like your list is pulling in a few too many directions. It seems like you could sort of solidify your plan a bit more and add some more tutors potentially.
Signature by Inkfox Aesthetics by Xen
[Modern] Allies
UW Ephara Hatebears [Primer], GB Gitrog Lands, BRU Inalla Combo-Control, URG Maelstrom Wanderer Landfall
GBW Ghave - BWR Kaalia - UBG Mineoplasm - URG Riku - GRW Uril - GBR Prossh, I need food - BWU Oloro Lock - UGW Derevi Blink - RBU Nekusar, the Wheeler - UBRWG Progenitus - BR Lyzolda - UB Gisa & Geralf Zombies - UG Edric, Spymaster of Trest +1 Counters matter - W Lin Sivvi - BWU Sydri Artifact Control - RWU Narset, the Attacker - GRW Mayael, the Cheater - RWUG Kynaios and Tiro of Meletis Landfall - GBW Doran, I like Big Butts - UR Mizzix Buyback BWR Edgar and his Vamps
Will probably wind up using both as I like the interaction with Azami, and plan to add 2-3 more wizards.
Cutting Argothian, for something in another direction probably.
Done!
At this point I am kind of torn between your idea with Derevi, and more wizards, because Azami is kind of fun in this deck.
Arcum is his own deck, any plan to make this Arcum would be significantly weaker than just playing Arcum which is very strong. Captain Sissay would work here, but I am more into playing wizards than legends.
Derevi is an awesome commander for defense, I am just finding offense a bit lacking with my current build. I win more games when I am not doing anything amazing than when Derevi is kicking ass, though that is kinda how table politics works.
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Azusa - Derevi - Glissa - Mizzix - Sharuum - Wanderer - Wort
You don't have a problem playing a creature deck with a stack of boardwipes and reins of power? I just have spot removal and rift but I am looking for other parital boardwipes. I guess my deck is more agressive.
crop rotation also seems really bad. again missing something.
Which is the best sac outlet?.. atm I only have the birthing pod.. but I have the reveilliak, karmic guide combo in my birds version but I can't infinite it without a sac outlet I just don't have much space left :S.
I am asking you questions rather than helping since you obviously know more than me about this kind of deck.
I might be able to help you with getting more aggresisve though. I think you have to think of the deck like Merfolk. Just attack people with your wizards.. it really adds up particularly with derevi. You might have to bite the bullet and cut all the commander staples you are running just to push your deck further in a direction... slime solemn sphinx and primodial have no synergy with your deck... they are just really good. find similar cards that are wizards or have tap effects... e.g Quasli pridemage.
Pioneer:UR Pheonix
Modern:U Mono U Tron
EDH
GB Glissa, the traitor: Army of Cans
UW Dragonlord Ojutai: Dragonlord NOjutai
UWGDerevi, Empyrial Tactician "you cannot fight the storm"
R Zirilan of the claw. The solution to every problem is dragons
UB Etrata, the Silencer Cloning assassination
Peasant cube: Cards I own
In my previous meta, it was horrible, but it seems to work well in my current meta of stompy-enchanty. It is very meta dependent, so I can see why it may have sucked for you. Last night alone I think I drew about 4-5 cards off of it. and about 6-8 off of Azami.
My meta is quite stompy, so its there to so to speak, shut someone up, when they think they have me. Then I feed all their creatures to my Food Chain, and exile them. It may not be the best way to do it, but it amuses me.
City of Shadows, Maze of Ith, or High Market to the battlefield at instant speed, and I just love the card.
Most people like Mirror Entity + Acidic Slime with that combo, basically you put Mirror Entity on the stack for 0 a hundred times and bring back Acidic Slime until your opponents have no land/artifacts/enchantments. For a straight kill you could use Blasting Station with the two. Mirror Entity is also good seems good with Derevi voltron, though I have not personally tried it.
I just found out Quasli Pridemage was a wizard, so he is definitely on the next order.
I am really liking the synergy of all the wizards, so I do plan to add more.
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Azusa - Derevi - Glissa - Mizzix - Sharuum - Wanderer - Wort
It is possible my meta is too large vaule creature base for remora to work. rhystic study is really good and annoying though.
Wizards have other uses.. if you push the tribal synergy beyond azami.
Also might I suggest bloodline shaman although you might want a top to go with her.
Pioneer:UR Pheonix
Modern:U Mono U Tron
EDH
GB Glissa, the traitor: Army of Cans
UW Dragonlord Ojutai: Dragonlord NOjutai
UWGDerevi, Empyrial Tactician "you cannot fight the storm"
R Zirilan of the claw. The solution to every problem is dragons
UB Etrata, the Silencer Cloning assassination
Peasant cube: Cards I own
.
Azusa - Derevi - Glissa - Mizzix - Sharuum - Wanderer - Wort
Out
Sacred Mesa
Rubina Soulsinger
Argothian Elder
Lu Xun, Scholar General
In
Desertion
Stoneforge Mystic
Loxodon Warhammer
Sword of Vengeance
Adding some Equipment for more Voltron.
..
Azusa - Derevi - Glissa - Mizzix - Sharuum - Wanderer - Wort
Out
Consecrated Sphinx
Selesnya Charm
Magus of the Unseen
Luminarch Ascension
In
Mystical Tutor
Mystic Snake
Voidmage Husher
Weathered Wayfarer
Consecrated Sphinx: I had a game last week where we got out 3 Consecrated Sphinx at one time, which basically gave the game to the combo player, so it just does not work for this deck, I don't want to help my opponents get answers quick with my Sphinx, considering it only helps me marginally. After last week, I really feel this card should have been banned with Primeval Titan, it is at least as game warping as PrimeTime, but the committee continues to let overpowered U cards slide on banning.
Luminarch Ascension: I had a game two weeks ago where it won me the game after sneaking it in after a board wipe, but this is not the way I want to win, and most of the time it gets me beat down if I play it.
Magus of the Unseen & Selesnya Charm: Dead too much of the time.
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Azusa - Derevi - Glissa - Mizzix - Sharuum - Wanderer - Wort
Out
Voidmage Prodigy
Vedalken Aethermage
Quietus Spike
Vedalken Shackles
In
Evacuation
Diviner's Wand
Eladamri's Call
Reap and Sow
I was never happy to draw Voidmage, just takes too long to set up correctly, and in my meta, I don't have the extra time.
My first few games with Shackles was great, but recently, I seem to have few or no islands, as the deck progresses, Shackles are just not going to cut it.
..
Azusa - Derevi - Glissa - Mizzix - Sharuum - Wanderer - Wort
Diviner's Wand good luck with it. I have been very pleased by mine so far in my games. It really doesnt pull a lot of attention to itself but it has the potential to be a really big buff or act as just some mana dump / draw. I really like it with the big draw X spells as well for some fun times.
Eladamri's Call - so good...
Reap and Sow - I dont know what your utility land setup is fully since your OP seems sort of vague about your land setup but make sure you have a few options on what to get with it. I have liked it though as a means to deal with land and or fetch my sac outlets. Maze effects are popular in my meta though so its nice to have a few more outs to them as I can blow one up and fetch a strip mine effect for some larger scale removal.
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[Modern] Allies
BRGrenzo, Dungeon Warden EDH
GAzusa, Always in a Rush EDH
GWUDerevi, Empyrial Warlord EDH
Trade thread on MOTL
I dont know how much Derevi needs to build board presence, but his ability to close out games does look a little questionable as he does seem to have a few less buff effects. I myself run my list as a little bit of just a survivalist style of deck that tries to just be inconvenient to remove from the table and work from there as others die. I cant say its the best design but I find it fun to play myself.
It feels like this list runs a lot of creature specific spot removal which feels.... situational based on the fact that Derevi sort of tangles up and deals with lots of the creatures in play.
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[Modern] Allies
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Azusa - Derevi - Glissa - Mizzix - Sharuum - Wanderer - Wort
Without a board presence I don't see how Derevi closes out games. General damage is surely not going to do it.
Derevi can be annoying for opponents with sac outlets in play. There are always creatures which must be killed but this list does seem to carry a bit too much creature hate. Having answers is good but you'll always be one short without any win conditions
BRGrenzo, Dungeon Warden EDH
GAzusa, Always in a Rush EDH
GWUDerevi, Empyrial Warlord EDH
Trade thread on MOTL
I actually almost always kill with commander damage. I have on several occasions been pushing 10+ commander damage in a swing with two buffs up.
Like I said though, my list is more of a survivalist that just tries to get people to deal with each other and responds when things have to be answered for me to not loose a game. My list and I suspect tracer's as well are not built to do explosive damage so much as control the board though. The other day, I used that fact that the Gisela, Blade of Goldnight attacks everyone's life totals with Inferno effects to my advantage and just prevented the damage to myself and gained life which essentially killed everyone else off. Like I said though, its a very different mentality. My objective is to not be the one doing all the work at the table. It can be dicey to play like that against combo opponents but that isn't the meta I play in so just sort of pillowfortish control works.
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[Modern] Allies
Very well put man, exactly what my goal is too. The cool thing about Derevi, with his ability to flash back in constantly, it is possible to block and attack with him every turn past turn 3-4. Most of my damage is dealt in small consistent hits, and since its only 3-5 points of damage, being spread around the table, nobody notices until they look up and are down to 10 life or so.
I tried out the Diviner's Wand last night, its perfect, low profile and very usable effect.
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Azusa - Derevi - Glissa - Mizzix - Sharuum - Wanderer - Wort