Having this as a static ability however is certainly enticing. Having extra lands come into play is a big deal. We all know the power of playing cards which get extra lands into play, and now we have a commander who can do this "on a stick".
Lets look at the second part of his text:
Partner (You can have two commanders if both have partner.)
OK, now things start to get even more interesting. The myraid of different combinations of partners is certainly something that is still being explored, but I and others having been testing various builds. In this primer you will see some of the efforts.
There is one card that makes Thrasios a legitimate powerhouse early game and that's Training Grounds. A first turn Training Grounds, followed by a second turn Thrasios, means that the following turns can realistically be focused on ramping lands and drawing cards. Heartstone by itself is not particular powerful to this cause, but combined with Training Grounds, means a single mana cost activation each time. Illusionist's Bracers can also be a cheap means to get reuse from his ability.
As the lands come into play tapped, other cards to fuel the Thrasios engine could be Amulet of Vigor, Lotus Cobra and Stone-Seeder Hierophant. Each land hit can enable you to potentially fire it off again. Retreat to Coralhelm in conjunction with mana producing creatures has same effect.
Other cards that you could try and get advantage out of the lands for that round are Sword of Feast and Famine, Bear Umbra and Nature's Will. All allowing pre-combat activation of Thrasios, then post-combat giving you access to all the extra lands potentially garnered by him.
Cards that can help you to keep activating him are Cadaverous Bloom and Skirge Familiar. Turn the cards you draw into further activation's. Squandered Resources is an interesting card, that can could be used with graveyard retrieval cards, for adding value.
I've subsequently made a landfall deck with Thrasios + Tymna. You can check out the deck list here
I've also broken down some synergies with the landfall creature token generators in this post here.
There is the potential to just build the deck around producing lots of mana in non infinite ways so that you can try and get advantage with extra lands into play or drawing cards.
Mono-green decks come to mind with the ability to produce tons of mana. Thrasios offers an alternative commander to a lot of these builds as you can sink this mana reliably into him to get advantage, while offering the potential into 2-4 color decks. I've actually made and play tested an "Elves" deck with Thrasios + Kydele. Check out the deck list here
Similar to Tasigur, the Golden Fang in many ways, sinking your mana into card advantage. But this is only when you have it available, rather than being early game strategy.
There is a difference however, in the fact that its all colorless needed to activate his ability.
Why does this matter? Well when it comes to the many more ways you can get infinite colorless mana combinations compared to infinite colored mana.
I believe that the only other three infinite colorless mana sink commanders are Sliver Queen, Grenzo, Dungeon Warden and Ambassador Laquatus
Tidespout Tyrant + Archaeomancer + Turnabout + 9 land
Palinchron + Nim Deathmantle + High Market/Diamond Valley
Palladium Myr + Aura of Dominion (on Palladium Myr) + Pili-Pala + Heartstone/Training Grounds
Seeker of Skybreak + Illusionist's Bracers + any creature that produces mana
Power Artifact and Filigree Sages and artifact that taps for xU
Master Transmuter + Gilded Lotus + Pemmin's Aura/Freed From the Real + any artifact
Master Transmuter + Gilded Lotus + Thran Dynamo/Heartstone/Training Grounds + Voltaic Construct/Filigree Sages
Master Transmuter + Gilded Lotus + Voltaic Construct/ Filigree Sages + Illusionist's Bracers
Filigree Sages + Gilded Lotus + Heartstone/Training Grounds/Illusionist's Bracers
Master Transmuter + March of the Machines + Thousand-Year Elixir + Intruder Alarm + any three artifacts, two of which produce U
Master Transmuter + Gilded Lotus + March of the Machines + Thousand-Year Elixir + Intruder Alarm + any artifact in hand
Master Transmuter + Intruder Alarm + March of the Machines + any two manarocks that make blue + artifact in hand
Master Transmuter + Myr Battlesphere + Gilded Lotus + Clock of Omens
Rings of Brighthearth + Voltaic Key + Everflowing Chalice with four or more charge counters
Karn, Silver Golem + Voltaic Construct + any artifact with CMC 1 or more that taps for 3 or more mana (Dreamstone Hedron/Thran Dynamo/Basalt Monolith/Mana Vault/Grim Monolith/Gilded Lotus)
Dross Scorpion + Pentavus + Gilded Lotus/Basalt Monolith
Dryad Arbor + Pemmin's Aura + Utopia Sprawl (choose blue and use that for pemmin's aura untap ability)
Freed from the Real/Pemmin's Aura + Sachi, Daughter of Seshiro + Orochi Leafcaller
What stands out to me here is the number of infinite's requiring blue, green, and artifacts, which is certainly Thrasios Simic colors. You still need to put in an actual way to win if you draw your deck, with Laboratory Maniac or Beacon of Tomorrows usually providing the answer.
Here is a post with infinite mana and the untap creatures: click here
Kydele, Chosen of Kruphix
I have constructed a couple of decks with Kydele, Chosen of Kruphix as his partner. With his ability to draw and hers to provide mana they can feed each other through the course of turns.
Worth noting that Kydele and Umbral Mantle or Sword of the Paruns or Staff of Domination can potentially give infinite colorless mana if Kydele is up to tapping for 4 mana and 5 for the Staff of Domination.
Also Mind over Matter if Kydele is producing enough to fuel Thrasios current activation cost. However if too many land hits are done, then can run out of cards to discard to Mind over Matter. So potentially not infinite. Retreat to Coralhelm can be used to untap Kydele every time a land comes into play.
*Updated 22/11/2016
This is the deck of been settling on with Thrasios. Its more of a fast mana with mana creatures, Elves and Shamans mainly and only playing some of the infinite mana combos. Using Thrasios + Kydele as fast mana accelerants.
Again not particularly synergistic, but provides access to black and white cards, allowing for further tutoring and refined disruption. Her ability to draw cards could be utilized, but it maybe a case in a build with Thrasios she might provide a few extra cards here and there, rather than a purpose card drawing engine. But it must be noted that if you get the color fixing early game, he is only 2 mana to cast and a 1/3 body, so the chances of getting one opponent with no defense early game is likely. It is actually interesting have a 2 drop and 3 drop naturally because almost no matter what your hand is you have a plan for the start of the game. If you have a 2 lander starting hand, you can actually keep it, because you know you can go Thrasios turn 2, probably draw your 3rd land with 3 chances, and play Tymna. Attacking with them early game to get you extra draws which can make bad hands good. Same with land heavy hands and flooding, you have an early game plan. Very interesting new idea for partners.
Although not particularly synergistic with Thrasios that I can see, a lot of the infinite mana combos are artifact reliant, so Silas can make a good backup plan when faced with removal of a key piece. He also allows you access to black cards. The most important probably the "search your library for a card" tutors.
Ravos, Soultender
One real strategy with Thrasios is that you can build grind decks, ones that clear the board with mass removal and control with counter spells and other forms of disruption. Then Thrasios ability to give advantage in board stalls can give inevitable. Ravos, Soultender could be a great partner in this strategy where you can get cards back over time. The longer the game goes on the better it is for you.
Tymna the Weaver is probably the more obvious choice for this general, but if you are looking for Bant colors, then this can be an alternative build. Lots of mana producing creatures, like Priest of Titania, Elvish Archdruid, etc, can be used in conjunction with Thrasios, to really ramp and draw. Sidar Kondo of Jamuraa can provide evasiveness later on in the game when wanting to beat down with these smaller creatures. Edric, Spymaster of Trest would be a super star in this deck archetype. Cards like Ezuri, Renegade Leader could be used to pump up your unblockable creatures.
Tana, the Bloodsower
This represents an interesting build where many creatures matter. The focus is on getting Tana, the Bloodsower to deal large amounts of damage, and then key cards like Gaeas Cradle and Ashnod's Altar or Phyrexian Altar can be used to activate Thrasios ability multiple times. Some Simic cards really shine in this archetype with Edric, Spymaster of Trest and Ezuri, Claws of Progress entering the 99.
Wizard is certainly one of the most powerful tribal creatures in all of magic, especially blue packing some incredible value and synergies into small to mid sized creatures. Azami, Lady of Scrolls is usually the choice of commander for Wizards tribal, but Thrasios is the cheapest legendary wizard outside of Sygg, River Guide (which isn't known for wizard strategy). But Thrasios also being in green which has some great versatile wizards.
Merfolk is a less popular and less powerful creature type in general for commander. Although there are some benefits to having Merfolk, its less popular to build an entire deck around trying to make use of them. But not to say there isn't something that can be utilized when building a deck with Merfolk in mind.
My YouTube Channel: The Commander Tavern - a channel I just started where I'll post deck techs and gameplays. Please support by checking it out. Maybe you'll like its content and subscribe! Thanks!
My YouTube Channel: The Commander Tavern - a channel I just started where I'll post deck techs and gameplays. Please support by checking it out. Maybe you'll like its content and subscribe! Thanks!
I'll do a little break down and write up about relevance of his creatures types. Also a Merfolk, not sure what advantages this brings, but certainly Wizard is a very powerful type and relevant when building decks.
Kydele, Chosen of Kruphix is also a Wizard, so the addition of the cards you mentioned could be important in a particular build. In fact as I think Mind over Matter is important, the strength of Azami, Lady of Scrolls as a back up plan means that other Wizards will probably be favorable to other creature types when approaching this pair potentially.
I'll add little combos as they come to mind. Not that they are particular broken, but just to get people thinking about different angles, especially with partner combinations.
++
Sacrifice the Bloodghast to Ashnod's Altar and use mana to active Thrasios. Every land you hit guarantees another activation.
With any cards that generate creature tokens off lands coming into play ororororor
You can sacrifice the creature tokens to keep ramping and filtering through for cards
Cadaverous Bloom can be used to ensure that in non-land hits you can keep the engine going. Also Earthcraft is another source of getting extra mana from newly created token creatures.
What if we were to use Sidar Kondo of Jamuraa as partner and run a lot of pump and ramp spells. To where we just use a lot of ramp so we can continuously draw pump spells and then swing under them and then pump the crap outta them.
What if we were to use Sidar Kondo of Jamuraa as partner and run a lot of pump and ramp spells. To where we just use a lot of ramp so we can continuously draw pump spells and then swing under them and then pump the crap outta them.
I could see a version where you run lots of mana dorks and so early game you are just ramping and drawing. Then later in the game you can use Sidar Kondo of Jamuraa evasiveness to make your small creatures able to attack effectively in probably much bigger badder board states. Complimentary cards that make your creatures bigger as you say. Also Bant (UWG) is a nice color combination imo. I'll add this to OP, nice call
Kydele also gets powered up by Retreat to Coralhelm. Whenever a land enters you can untap her to fuel more shenanigans. You have RtC listed with Thrasios, but not in her section.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Oath of the Gatewatch; the set that caused the competitive community to freak out over Basic Lands.
Kydele also gets powered up by Retreat to Coralhelm. Whenever a land enters you can untap her to fuel more shenanigans. You have RtC listed with Thrasios, but not in her section.
Great call, will add.
Even though Intruder Alarm and just about any card ends up being a combo might as well list some synergies.
+++oror
Whenever a land comes into play a token creature will be generated and can untap Kydele (she needs to be tapping for 4 or Thrasios activation is reduced) to reactivate Thrasios.
Not infinite, by value town. Any of the "until end of turn" cards like Liquimetal Coating are not going to be very effective because the Power Artifact aura will fall off once the EOT is reached.
I'm leaning hard towards Tymna for a couple reasons. W/b allows me to finally play deathrite shaman & noble hierarch in my mana dork suite. The second is he allows a pseudo Edric plan B to draw into combo pieces.
So with the colors decided I'm struggling with do I go elf ball with a priest of Titania infinite mana combo package (always missed beck//call in tasigur's elves) or pursue other infinite mana options such as empower artifact or scepter/reversal.
I'm leaning hard towards Tymna for a couple reasons. W/b allows me to finally play deathrite shaman & noble hierarch in my mana dork suite. The second is he allows a pseudo Edric plan B to draw into combo pieces.
So with the colors decided I'm struggling with do I go elf ball with a priest of Titania infinite mana combo package (always missed beck//call in tasigur's elves) or pursue other infinite mana options such as empower artifact or scepter/reversal.
The thing that I haven't touched on really, is the fact that now we have access to playing decks with 4 colors, where we can always have some early turn plays with our commanders. Before with 5 color decks, casting commanders was hard usually because of the color requirement and the 5 plus mana needed. You don't even need to particular build the deck around these partners, as playing out Thrasios on turn two, then playing out Tymna on turn three, is a curve that means that you always have early plays in a 4 color deck. You don't need to build for evasiveness, just some games you are going to get a few people who fail to put blockers out, and you get a little bit of early game advantage. I think in these cheap commander casting decks that you want to run the "add any color mana" more than other builds; like City of Brass, Mana Confluence. For example I've got quite a few existing 5 color decks that I don't run these multiple colored mana sources, because I was never in a hurry to fix my mana for the likes of turn 2 and turn 3 plays consistently.
With the combo commander at such a low cm and half the mana dorks producing a single color i'm definitely packing all the color fixing lands including confluence, brass, tower, and reflecting pool. Some of the infinite combo pieces need off green mana, not to mention all of our 1 drop tutors.
Having consistent 1st turn plays is a huge incentive in my mind, our cheap commanders help us stay on curve in the early game for sure. I like the option of swinging in with dorks early game for card advantage.
Still the biggest issue is deciding which infinite mana options to dedicate too.
Still the biggest issue is deciding which infinite mana options to dedicate too.
You could run a good mixture. If you look at Basalt Monolith, Grim Monolith, Rings of Brighthearth, Mana Reflection are all just great cards on their own. Power Artifact is the only really awkward combo piece, as far as not providing value without other cards.
Deadeye Navigator, Palinchron, Great Whale, Peregrine Drake are also cards that are great standalone. "Free" creatures, or even ones that produce extra mana are excellent. Mirari's Wake can be added to further the infinite mana potential with Palinchron, and is just an amazing card on its own. Plus you can add in elf mana infinite packages. The small mana dorks can provide as you say card advantage with Tymna in the right conditions. Maybe a little bit of evasiveness with Eladamri, Lord of Leaves forestwalk?
This type of deck is a real handful for any other competitive deck. With packing lots of fast mana with deathrite shaman, noble hierarch, bird of paradise, and having access to Demonic Tutor and Enlightened Tutor, etc, this is a scary deck that can finish a game with many given two cards. My instincts tell me this is a top tier contender.
I really like some of the concepts here regarding Thrasios. To be honest, other than Kydele, I think it may make a better to keep Thrasios as a stand-alone general instead of tacking in a 3rd color. In blue/green you have so many ways to tutor spells, artifacts, and creatures up, that assembling one of the many infinite-mana combos shouldn't be hard. Adding a 3rd color might add a few extra cards, but could lower the consistency of the deck.
Also while Kydele can easily be turned in to an infinite mana generator, you are adding quite a few cards to the list to enabler her. You may want to consider making a secondary list without Kydele (just Thrasios), so that there is more room for control/recursion/etc.
I say this mainly because it only really takes infinite mana and amulet of vigor to end the game, and you can always pause activating Thrasios when you draw the amulet, so you can cast it, and continue on the spree while getting colored mana.
I see this deck taking one of two routes; a strict combo deck, where you can use your lab-man and beacon for ending the game, or a more controlling shell, where you can set up infinite mana to just stroke of genius/blue sun's zenith out the opponents. Kydele can help with both as an optional infinite mana generator, but the extra set-up and card inclusion may make for a slightly slower deck.
edit; phantasmal image is another infinite mana combo with palinchron btw.
edit edit; Krosan Restorer is another possible comboe enabler with free'd/superman aura. Just need threshold.
The interest has me brewing up a list, I'll spit one out here shortly.
I really like some of the concepts here regarding Thrasios. To be honest, other than Kydele, I think it may make a better to keep Thrasios as a stand-alone general instead of tacking in a 3rd color. In blue/green you have so many ways to tutor spells, artifacts, and creatures up, that assembling one of the many infinite-mana combos shouldn't be hard. Adding a 3rd color might add a few extra cards, but could lower the consistency of the deck.
Obviously once you start going four colors, its ends up being a million dollar land base if you're seriously wanting the deck to be consistent, so staying blue/green is going to be a cheaper option, that when its all said and done, might be just be as powerful as if you branched into other colors anyway.
I have to say that probably one of my most consistent winning decks is a Nin, the Pain Artist, almost mono-blue, artifact deck. Nin is pretty much another outlet for infinite colorless, you can fuel it into card draw, which when you draw your deck you win. So having said that, I have to compare Thrasios with Nin, the Pain Artist. Nin ability to draw cards at any stage of the game, I think just makes her better right?
Tapping 4 mana for 1 card, versus tapping 4 mana for 2 cards, isn't so much. But tapping 8 mana for 2 cards, or 8 mana for 6 cards is a huge difference.
The only thing with Nin is she has summoning sickness, but quite often shes been sitting around in use by the time your get your infinite mana. I guess this is as much of a question as a statement, but when it comes to truly competitive these are the things you need to compare against.
I guess the biggest advantage is the green based infinite you can get:
Mana Reflection and Basalt Monolith or Grim Monolith
Bloom Tender and Freed from the Real or Pemmin's Aura
Krosan Restorer (with Threshold) and Freed from the Real or Pemmin's Aura
Here is a theoretical list I shambled together on my lunch break, with a nice selection of early ramp + tutors to help enable 9x various infinite mana combos. It is at 105x cards, so 5x cards will need to be cut.
One thing that stands out is my tendency to run cheap counters. In a deck with deadeye, those could be swapped for more etb-value junk for a more casual playgroup, so deadeye isn't just an end-game combo clunker.
There are numerous ways to generate infinite mana. To make the deck as fast and consistent as possible, I chose to use the routes that require the least # of cards, and that were (at least) partially tutorable;
Wizard is certainly one of the most powerful tribal creatures in all of magic, especially blue packing some incredible value and synergies into small to mid sized creatures. Azami, Lady of Scrolls is usually the choice of commander for Wizards tribal, but Thrasios is the cheapest legendary wizard outside of Sygg, River Guide (which isn't known for wizard strategy). But Thrasios also being in green which has some great versatile wizards.
Merfolk is a less popular and less powerful creature type in general for commander. Although there are some benefits to having Merfolk, its less popular to build an entire deck around trying to make use of them. But not to say there isn't something that can be utilized when building a deck with Merfolk in mind.
Niv-Mizzet Reborn
Feather, the Redeemed
Estrid, the Masked
Teshar
Tymna/Ravos
Najeela, Blade-Blossom
Firesong & Sunspeaker
Zur the Enchanter
Lazav, the Multifarious
Ishai+Reyhan
Click images for decks->
-Prime Speaker Vannifar
---------------------Will & Rowan Kenrith
BGU [Primer] Sidisi, Brood Tyrant BGU | BG [Primer] Mazirek, Kraul Death Priest BG | G [Primer] Polukranos, World Eater G
My YouTube Channel:
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Also note that Kydele, Chosen of Kruphix potentially goes infinite with Sword of the Paruns and Staff of Domination as well as Umbral Mantle.
I'm very interested in the "Thrasios as a stand alone card draw and land ramp engine" model partnered with Kydele, Chosen of Kruphix.
I like the cards you mentioned. I really like that Thrasios, Triton Hero is a Wizard. Turn 2 Thrasios, Triton Hero, turn 3 Patron Wizard seems like a strong play. Sylvan Safekeeper is another Wizard within colors that protects Thrasios, Triton Hero and other creatures we have. Azami, Lady of Scrolls is another powerful wizard that has great synergy with Patron Wizard and Thrasios, Triton Hero.
UBRKess, Dissident MageUBR - Controlling Dissidents
GRhonas the IndomitableG - Indomitable Four Drops
WUBOloro, Ageless AsceticWUB - Loot & Renanimate
Exactly; if you're gonna use a commander with partner you might as well add another one with partner. Value.
BGU [Primer] Sidisi, Brood Tyrant BGU | BG [Primer] Mazirek, Kraul Death Priest BG | G [Primer] Polukranos, World Eater G
My YouTube Channel:
The Commander Tavern - a channel I just started where I'll post deck techs and gameplays. Please support by checking it out. Maybe you'll like its content and subscribe! Thanks!
Niv-Mizzet Reborn
Feather, the Redeemed
Estrid, the Masked
Teshar
Tymna/Ravos
Najeela, Blade-Blossom
Firesong & Sunspeaker
Zur the Enchanter
Lazav, the Multifarious
Ishai+Reyhan
Click images for decks->
-Prime Speaker Vannifar
---------------------Will & Rowan Kenrith
Kydele, Chosen of Kruphix is also a Wizard, so the addition of the cards you mentioned could be important in a particular build. In fact as I think Mind over Matter is important, the strength of Azami, Lady of Scrolls as a back up plan means that other Wizards will probably be favorable to other creature types when approaching this pair potentially.
Niv-Mizzet Reborn
Feather, the Redeemed
Estrid, the Masked
Teshar
Tymna/Ravos
Najeela, Blade-Blossom
Firesong & Sunspeaker
Zur the Enchanter
Lazav, the Multifarious
Ishai+Reyhan
Click images for decks->
-Prime Speaker Vannifar
---------------------Will & Rowan Kenrith
UBRKess, Dissident MageUBR - Controlling Dissidents
GRhonas the IndomitableG - Indomitable Four Drops
WUBOloro, Ageless AsceticWUB - Loot & Renanimate
Niv-Mizzet Reborn
Feather, the Redeemed
Estrid, the Masked
Teshar
Tymna/Ravos
Najeela, Blade-Blossom
Firesong & Sunspeaker
Zur the Enchanter
Lazav, the Multifarious
Ishai+Reyhan
Click images for decks->
-Prime Speaker Vannifar
---------------------Will & Rowan Kenrith
Sacrifice the Bloodghast to Ashnod's Altar and use mana to active Thrasios. Every land you hit guarantees another activation.
Same with Rampaging Baloths or Omnath, Locus of Rage or Retreat to Emeria or Seed the Land or Emeria Angel
With any cards that generate creature tokens off lands coming into play
You can sacrifice the creature tokens to keep ramping and filtering through for cards
Cadaverous Bloom can be used to ensure that in non-land hits you can keep the engine going. Also Earthcraft is another source of getting extra mana from newly created token creatures.
Niv-Mizzet Reborn
Feather, the Redeemed
Estrid, the Masked
Teshar
Tymna/Ravos
Najeela, Blade-Blossom
Firesong & Sunspeaker
Zur the Enchanter
Lazav, the Multifarious
Ishai+Reyhan
Click images for decks->
-Prime Speaker Vannifar
---------------------Will & Rowan Kenrith
Niv-Mizzet Reborn
Feather, the Redeemed
Estrid, the Masked
Teshar
Tymna/Ravos
Najeela, Blade-Blossom
Firesong & Sunspeaker
Zur the Enchanter
Lazav, the Multifarious
Ishai+Reyhan
Click images for decks->
-Prime Speaker Vannifar
---------------------Will & Rowan Kenrith
Mind over Matter would allow you to go infinite as you can untap the land if you draw a card.
I could see an enchantment based deck that runs enchant lands that produce extra mana, so things like Dawn's Reflection or Elvish Guidance.
Niv-Mizzet Reborn
Feather, the Redeemed
Estrid, the Masked
Teshar
Tymna/Ravos
Najeela, Blade-Blossom
Firesong & Sunspeaker
Zur the Enchanter
Lazav, the Multifarious
Ishai+Reyhan
Click images for decks->
-Prime Speaker Vannifar
---------------------Will & Rowan Kenrith
Even though Intruder Alarm and just about any card ends up being a combo might as well list some synergies.
Whenever a land comes into play a token creature will be generated and can untap Kydele (she needs to be tapping for 4 or Thrasios activation is reduced) to reactivate Thrasios.
Niv-Mizzet Reborn
Feather, the Redeemed
Estrid, the Masked
Teshar
Tymna/Ravos
Najeela, Blade-Blossom
Firesong & Sunspeaker
Zur the Enchanter
Lazav, the Multifarious
Ishai+Reyhan
Click images for decks->
-Prime Speaker Vannifar
---------------------Will & Rowan Kenrith
| B Erebos, God of VampiresB | GYeva SmashG | RBosh ArtifactsR | GURAnimar +1 BeatsGUR | RBVial's Secret Hot SauceRB | UBRNekusar, Draw if you DareUBR | RGBDarigaaz'z DragonsRGB | GBSlimeFEETGB | UBOn-Hit LazavUB | URBrudiclad's Artificer InventionsUR | GUBMuldrotha's ElementalsGUB | WUGKestia's EnchantmentsWUG | GUTatyova - Draw, Land, Go!GU | WGArahbo's EquipmentWG | BUWVarina's ZOMBIE HORDESBUW | WLyra's Angelic SalvationW | WBChurch of TeysaWB | UAzami...WizardsU
Not infinite, by value town. Any of the "until end of turn" cards like Liquimetal Coating are not going to be very effective because the Power Artifact aura will fall off once the EOT is reached.
In the case where Kydele, Chosen of Kruphix might be your partner commander, Voltaic Construct can be used with Ashnod's Transmogrant or Memnarch or Mycosynth Lattice to produce infinite colorless mana, if she is tapping for at least 3 mana.
Niv-Mizzet Reborn
Feather, the Redeemed
Estrid, the Masked
Teshar
Tymna/Ravos
Najeela, Blade-Blossom
Firesong & Sunspeaker
Zur the Enchanter
Lazav, the Multifarious
Ishai+Reyhan
Click images for decks->
-Prime Speaker Vannifar
---------------------Will & Rowan Kenrith
So with the colors decided I'm struggling with do I go elf ball with a priest of Titania infinite mana combo package (always missed beck//call in tasigur's elves) or pursue other infinite mana options such as empower artifact or scepter/reversal.
Niv-Mizzet Reborn
Feather, the Redeemed
Estrid, the Masked
Teshar
Tymna/Ravos
Najeela, Blade-Blossom
Firesong & Sunspeaker
Zur the Enchanter
Lazav, the Multifarious
Ishai+Reyhan
Click images for decks->
-Prime Speaker Vannifar
---------------------Will & Rowan Kenrith
Having consistent 1st turn plays is a huge incentive in my mind, our cheap commanders help us stay on curve in the early game for sure. I like the option of swinging in with dorks early game for card advantage.
Still the biggest issue is deciding which infinite mana options to dedicate too.
Deadeye Navigator, Palinchron, Great Whale, Peregrine Drake are also cards that are great standalone. "Free" creatures, or even ones that produce extra mana are excellent. Mirari's Wake can be added to further the infinite mana potential with Palinchron, and is just an amazing card on its own. Plus you can add in elf mana infinite packages. The small mana dorks can provide as you say card advantage with Tymna in the right conditions. Maybe a little bit of evasiveness with Eladamri, Lord of Leaves forestwalk?
This type of deck is a real handful for any other competitive deck. With packing lots of fast mana with deathrite shaman, noble hierarch, bird of paradise, and having access to Demonic Tutor and Enlightened Tutor, etc, this is a scary deck that can finish a game with many given two cards. My instincts tell me this is a top tier contender.
Niv-Mizzet Reborn
Feather, the Redeemed
Estrid, the Masked
Teshar
Tymna/Ravos
Najeela, Blade-Blossom
Firesong & Sunspeaker
Zur the Enchanter
Lazav, the Multifarious
Ishai+Reyhan
Click images for decks->
-Prime Speaker Vannifar
---------------------Will & Rowan Kenrith
Also while Kydele can easily be turned in to an infinite mana generator, you are adding quite a few cards to the list to enabler her. You may want to consider making a secondary list without Kydele (just Thrasios), so that there is more room for control/recursion/etc.
I say this mainly because it only really takes infinite mana and amulet of vigor to end the game, and you can always pause activating Thrasios when you draw the amulet, so you can cast it, and continue on the spree while getting colored mana.
I see this deck taking one of two routes; a strict combo deck, where you can use your lab-man and beacon for ending the game, or a more controlling shell, where you can set up infinite mana to just stroke of genius/blue sun's zenith out the opponents. Kydele can help with both as an optional infinite mana generator, but the extra set-up and card inclusion may make for a slightly slower deck.
edit; phantasmal image is another infinite mana combo with palinchron btw.
edit edit; Krosan Restorer is another possible comboe enabler with free'd/superman aura. Just need threshold.
The interest has me brewing up a list, I'll spit one out here shortly.
Links to my most current deck lists;
Primary EDH; Rakka Mar Token Perfection, Crosis Mnemonic Betrayal, Cromat Villainous, Judith Gravestorm, Rakdos Empty Storm, Exava Artifacts, Bant Trash, & Fumiko Voltron!
EDH kept at home; Ruzzian Isset & Rakdos LoR!
EDH (nostalgic/pimp/retired) in storage;
Latulla Burns, Akroma Smash, Jeska Voltron, Rakdos Storm, Bladewing Darghans, Lyzolda Worldgorger, Xantcha Steals your Heart, Jori Storm, Wydwen Permission, Gwendlyn Paradox, Jeleva Warps, & Sigarda Brick!
Legacy Showanimator and High Tide!
I have to say that probably one of my most consistent winning decks is a Nin, the Pain Artist, almost mono-blue, artifact deck. Nin is pretty much another outlet for infinite colorless, you can fuel it into card draw, which when you draw your deck you win. So having said that, I have to compare Thrasios with Nin, the Pain Artist. Nin ability to draw cards at any stage of the game, I think just makes her better right?
Tapping 4 mana for 1 card, versus tapping 4 mana for 2 cards, isn't so much. But tapping 8 mana for 2 cards, or 8 mana for 6 cards is a huge difference.
The only thing with Nin is she has summoning sickness, but quite often shes been sitting around in use by the time your get your infinite mana. I guess this is as much of a question as a statement, but when it comes to truly competitive these are the things you need to compare against.
I guess the biggest advantage is the green based infinite you can get:
Mana Reflection and Basalt Monolith or Grim Monolith
Bloom Tender and Freed from the Real or Pemmin's Aura
Krosan Restorer (with Threshold) and Freed from the Real or Pemmin's Aura
I'm sure there is more
Niv-Mizzet Reborn
Feather, the Redeemed
Estrid, the Masked
Teshar
Tymna/Ravos
Najeela, Blade-Blossom
Firesong & Sunspeaker
Zur the Enchanter
Lazav, the Multifarious
Ishai+Reyhan
Click images for decks->
-Prime Speaker Vannifar
---------------------Will & Rowan Kenrith
One thing that stands out is my tendency to run cheap counters. In a deck with deadeye, those could be swapped for more etb-value junk for a more casual playgroup, so deadeye isn't just an end-game combo clunker.
1x Thrasios, Triton Hero
Creature (15)
1x Bloom Tender
1x Deadeye Navigator
1x Drift of Phantasms
1x Eternal Witness
1x Grand Architect
1x Great Whale
1x Krosan Restorer
1x Laboratory Maniac
1x Palinchron
1x Peregrine Drake
1x Phantasmal Image
1x Pili-Pala
1x Sakura-Tribe Elder
1x Tidespout Tyrant
1x Venser, Shaper Savant
Instant (21)
1x Arcane Denial
1x Blue Sun's Zenith
1x Brainstorm
1x Chord of Calling
1x Counterspell
1x Cyclonic Rift
1x Delay
1x Early Harvest
1x Fact or Fiction
1x High Tide
1x Intuition
1x Long-Term Plans
1x Mana Leak
1x Memory Lapse
1x Muddle the Mixture
1x Mystical Tutor
1x Negate
1x Noxious Revival
1x Stroke of Genius
1x Turnabout
1x Worldly Tutor
1x Beacon of Tomorrows
1x Cultivate
1x Explore
1x Fabricate
1x Farseek
1x Green Sun's Zenith
1x Into the North
1x Kodama's Reach
1x Merchant Scroll
1x Nature's Lore
1x Personal Tutor
1x Ponder
1x Preordain
1x Rampant Growth
1x Recollect
1x Regrowth
1x Three Visits
1x Time Spiral
1x Windfall
Enchantment (5)
1x Freed from the Real
1x Mana Reflection
1x Pemmin's Aura
1x Power Artifact
1x Training Grounds
Planeswalker (1)
1x Tezzeret the Seeker
1x Amulet of Vigor
1x Basalt Monolith
1x Grim Monolith
1x Mana Crypt
1x Mana Vault
1x Rings of Brighthearth
1x Sol Ring
Land (36)
1x Breeding Pool
1x Command Tower
1x Misty Rainforest
16x Snow-Covered Forest
16x Snow-Covered Island
1x Tropical Island
1x Gaea's Blessing
1x Reshape
1x Rude Awakening
1x Summoner's Pact
1x Sylvan Tutor
1x Teferi, Mage of Zhalfir
1x Transmute Artifact
1x Woodland Guidance
Win Conditions;
1.) Using Stroke of Genius or Blue Sun's Zenith'ing the opponent(s) out
2.) After the entire deck is drawn, we can Laboratory Maniac or Beacon of Tomorrows ftw
3.) Deadeye Navigator + etb/untap is one infinite combo in the deck, but with Venser, Shaper Savant we have a possible board-bounce, which tends to end the game.
There are numerous ways to generate infinite mana. To make the deck as fast and consistent as possible, I chose to use the routes that require the least # of cards, and that were (at least) partially tutorable;
1.) Pili-Pala + Grand Architect
2.) Bloom Tender or Krosan Restorer (with thresh) + Freed from the Real or Pemmin's Aura
3.) Deadeye Navigator + Great Whale or Peregrine Drake or Palinchron
4.) Phantasmal Image + Palinchron
5.) High Tide + Palinchron
6.) Tidespout Tyrant + (any 2x of) Sol Ring/Mana Vault/Mana Crypt/Grim Monolith/Basalt Monolith
7.) Rings of Brighthearth + Basalt Monolith
8.) Power Artifact + Basalt Monolith or Grim Monolith
9.) Mana Reflection + Basalt Monolith or Grim Monolith
Links to my most current deck lists;
Primary EDH; Rakka Mar Token Perfection, Crosis Mnemonic Betrayal, Cromat Villainous, Judith Gravestorm, Rakdos Empty Storm, Exava Artifacts, Bant Trash, & Fumiko Voltron!
EDH kept at home; Ruzzian Isset & Rakdos LoR!
EDH (nostalgic/pimp/retired) in storage;
Latulla Burns, Akroma Smash, Jeska Voltron, Rakdos Storm, Bladewing Darghans, Lyzolda Worldgorger, Xantcha Steals your Heart, Jori Storm, Wydwen Permission, Gwendlyn Paradox, Jeleva Warps, & Sigarda Brick!
Legacy Showanimator and High Tide!