"What's mine is mine,
and mine and mine,
and mine and mine and mine,
NOT YOURS!"
- Orange Lantern Corps slogan(DC comics)
I had debated which deck to post next, and seeing as Niv and Captain Sisay are on the front page right now, I thought I'd go with Merieke, seeing as she hasn't had a thread since June 2016.
Merieke lends herself to a particular style of play at first glance, and as she evolved from my first EDH deck, I saw no reason to mess with success, only to build on her style; that is, creature denial, and more if I can get away with it. I'll stretch myself a bit more on writing about Merieke and why stuff made it into the deck versus my previous one(seen here).
Some of the stuff that might seem out of place in this deck: Palisade Giant - primarily damage control and a prime target for Darksteel Plate when I can get that tutored up. 6 CMC is a bit of an investment, but usually that's when damage(from combat or other sources) starts to become a problem. Forcing them to exile/counter this roadblock can save Merieke or yourself from fatal damage.
For now, that's all I have...it's a pretty solid deck I think, and people really don't like seeing a 3 CMC thief on the board so early, lol. Input?
EDIT: Really changed this into a 'pillowfort with your own stuff' deck. Many aspects of this deck are geared toward preventing the casting of commanders, stealing of good creatures, and if needed, a scorched earth pre-emptive strike. I wonder if Jester's Cap would be a good fit for this deck as well?
Gift...oooh. That IS nice. Primarily, I use the Darksteel Plate for them(in fact, at a Saturday game, had my opponents stymied because my giant had that on and they had no RFG effects), but that would be a great backup...
Archon...I'm inclined to agree. It's more of a stand-in at this point, plus its ability is quite nice for recursion and slowing people down early if I get it and Reanimate in my opening hand. Risky if someone has a Path or Swords in hand, but still, I do know what to trade for what when I get one...
Avacyn has long been on my radar, but I keep getting sidetracked, or I end up not feeling I need her, and/or I end up in a situation where it's important that I steal/kill my opponent's creatures. Soul however...THAT has potential, as I can pick and choose what remains mine. Protector is another nice one...though most people like to shut my commander down with -1/-1 counters. Can't fault them for that, lol.
I actually forgot about Ghostly Flicker, and I think that one I'll have to pass on...I used it a lot some time ago(I think it was in my Niv deck), but with no spell recursion, and IMO better options to keep the stuff I take, I don't have much to worry about.
Appreciate the suggestions though! Please, keep them coming!
I am not able to dig my list out since I make it physically challenging to access my cards during semester (EDHICTED) but I can vouch heavily for ghostly flicker. It is instant speed conjurer's closet that is super handy at all pts in the game and turn. I went heavy on blink/untap + steal. It seems like you are including battlecruiser finishers. Let me suggest to you that if you are playing this in a very competitive circle then you are already the underdog and should switch decks. But for more casual games where juicy targets are given then I'd focus on protecting/abusing merieke and the other great tap creatures.
I am not able to dig my list out since I make it physically challenging to access my cards during semester (EDHICTED) but I can vouch heavily for ghostly flicker. It is instant speed conjurer's closet that is super handy at all pts in the game and turn. I went heavy on blink/untap + steal. It seems like you are including battlecruiser finishers. Let me suggest to you that if you are playing this in a very competitive circle then you are already the underdog and should switch decks. But for more casual games where juicy targets are given then I'd focus on protecting/abusing merieke and the other great tap creatures.
I would say that my circle(s) are usually the lower end of competitive/mostly casual, based on the guidelines you set out. While far from my strongest deck(that's actually my Niv deck, believe it or not), Merieke usually keeps me in a game for a long time, long enough most often to run people out of steam.
I know the terminology 'battlecruiser finisher', but what cards do you identify as such? My effort to provide alternate wincons(sometimes resorting to just plain 'beat face') might have put me in that trap...
- Artisan of Kozilek = fun, but limited, and pretty late game.
+ Serene Master = I like the shenanigans of this card. It more than likely will get rotated out soon for something better, though.
- Bident of Thassa = Probably going to regret giving this card advantage up, but something had to go...
+ Gift of Immortality = Fun times to be had with this on my commander, you betcha! Thanks for the suggestion, NoNeedToBragoBoutIt!
- Halimar Depths = a fun 'semi-scry' effect, but little else.
+ Prairie Stream = Color fixing for the long term lands...very nice.
Voltaic Key out, Geist of Saint Traft in. Not enough artifacts are in to require multi-activation shenanigans, and pressure with my own creatures is something I've been weak on. Hopefully Geist can provide some of that.
Sphinx of the Steel Wind out, Captain of the Mists in. Probably should have kept the sphinx in to provide a one-two combo with Geist as far as combat pressure, but I couldn't see anything else to take out for the Captain at this point. Plus, his ability just screams Merieke abuse.
Serene Master out, Nephalia Smuggler in. Saving my creatures from removal, as well as perma-controlling those that I steal, how could I say no?
Because I had it, and it works. The primary purpose of it is to untap my blue creatures, but on occasion, there is one or two creatures that I want to force into attacking. I'll see about putting those other two in at some point, though...thanks!
So, I just realized something, and I'm hoping it works the way I think it will...
As seen above, I have Ephara, God of the Polis and a number of blinkeffects. My question is, if I blink an old or newly cast creature while Ephara is out, does that still trigger the draw effect? As far as the game mechanics are concerned, it's a brand new creature, correct?
Yes, exiling a creature and returning it to the battlefield means it enters the battlefield (from exile). That will cause Ephara to trigger during the next upkeep, no matter how long you controlled that creature before you blinked it.
Norritt finally lost his slot to Identity Thief. The ability to steal a big beats creature was too tempting to pass up, particularly with the legendary rule being the way it is now. Add in that this can be used on my own creatures to abuse Ephara's trigger, and... Platinum Angel for Pyramid of the Pantheon. Can be a good mana engine with only a little work, and is a decent target for Tezz if I need to. It won't be my first choice, but it is a choice.
- Venser, the Sojourner = people know to watch for him now, and usually have ways to get to him to prevent the emblem. Plus, since he only blinks what I *own*, his usefulness takes a major hit. Blink away, friend...
- Pyramid of the Pantheon = was a very good mana fixer, but lost its effectiveness as the game went on(believe it or not). Plus, considering what I added, it would have been useless anyway...
+ Command Tower = Mana fixing, and mostly to get Opal Palace out of this deck, as the commander isn't supposed to be aggro(even if she was, she'd be a very clunky aggro, agreed?)
- Opal Palace = As said, this land lends itself to more aggressive generals, of which Merieke ain't. I think I know where it WILL go, though...
EDIT: Pretty big change here that I missed during some update or another...
- Dread Return = weaker than the other resurrection stuff I have, in that it only targets my GY. Yeah, that's normally good, but I like some flexibility.
- Identity Thief = not really any creatures on my side that can abuse ETBs, and to rely on my opponents for them...anyway, out.
Good point, mostly on Brago and the witch. I see a couple of things they could replace, so I'll see about grabbing a couple of copies. Brago I should have made the connection to sooner, as some little snot in my group has a pretty powerful deck with him at the helm. Witch could be useful for wrath or targeted destruction saves if nothing else.
and mine and mine,
and mine and mine and mine,
NOT YOURS!"
- Orange Lantern Corps slogan(DC comics)
I had debated which deck to post next, and seeing as Niv and Captain Sisay are on the front page right now, I thought I'd go with Merieke, seeing as she hasn't had a thread since June 2016.
Merieke lends herself to a particular style of play at first glance, and as she evolved from my first EDH deck, I saw no reason to mess with success, only to build on her style; that is, creature denial, and more if I can get away with it. I'll stretch myself a bit more on writing about Merieke and why stuff made it into the deck versus my previous one(seen here).
3 Merieke Ri Berit
Creatures(16)
3 Ayli, Eternal Pilgrim
2 Meddling Mage
3 Daxos of Meletis
3 Galvanic Alchemist
5 Guardian of the Gateless
6 Aegis Angel
6 Sun Titan
3 Dominating Licid
3 Captain of the Mists
6 Palisade Giant
4 Gonti, Lord of Luxury
2 Wall of Omens
7 Sepulchral Primordial
6 Adarkar Valkyrie
3 Geist of Saint Traft
3 Guard Gomazoa
Planeswalkers/Enchantments(16)
5 Tezzeret the Seeker
3 Solemnity
1 Crab Umbra
3 Pemmin's Aura
3 Gift of Immortality
5 Treachery
3 False Demise
4 Control Magic
8 Decree of Silence
2 Aegis of the Gods
3 Freed from the Real
3 Nevermore
4 Gideon's Intervention
4 Steal Artifact
6 Enslave
6 Volition Reins
5 Conjurer's Closet
3 Darksteel Plate
2 Lightning Greaves
2 Illusionist's Bracers
1 Expedition Map
1 Sol Ring
3 Darksteel Ingot
3 Puppet Strings
3 Thousand-Year Elixir
2 Swiftfoot Boots
2 Throne of the God-Pharaoh
6 Soul of New Phyrexia
2 Spellskite
1 Voyager Staff
6 Duplicant
Spells(14)
3 Vindicate
2 Demonic Tutor
1 Reanimate
5 Beacon of Unrest
4 Wrath of God
4 Supreme Verdict
2 Cyclonic Rift
1 Swords to Plowshares
6 Merciless Eviction
3 Mortify
1 Cloudshift
3 Ghostly Flicker
3 Sadistic Sacrament
5 Unburial Rites
1 Celestial Colonnade
1 Temple of Silence
1 Nimbus Maze
1 Isolated Chapel
1 Creeping Tar Pit
1 Drowned Catacomb
1 Prairie Stream
1 Glacial Fortress
1 Jwar Isle Refuge
1 Buried Ruin
1 Sejiri Refuge
1 Bojuka Bog
1 Orzhov Basilica
1 Azorius Chancery
1 Ghost Quarter
1 Hallowed Fountain
1 Godless Shrine
1 Temple of the False God
1 Arcane Sanctum
1 Arcane Lighthouse
1 Command Tower
1 Caves of Koilos
1 Dismal Backwater
1 Minamo, School at Water's Edge
5 Plains
3 Island
6 Swamp
Some of the stuff that might seem out of place in this deck:
Palisade Giant - primarily damage control and a prime target for Darksteel Plate when I can get that tutored up. 6 CMC is a bit of an investment, but usually that's when damage(from combat or other sources) starts to become a problem. Forcing them to exile/counter this roadblock can save Merieke or yourself from fatal damage.
For now, that's all I have...it's a pretty solid deck I think, and people really don't like seeing a 3 CMC thief on the board so early, lol. Input?
EDIT: Really changed this into a 'pillowfort with your own stuff' deck. Many aspects of this deck are geared toward preventing the casting of commanders, stealing of good creatures, and if needed, a scorched earth pre-emptive strike. I wonder if Jester's Cap would be a good fit for this deck as well?
EDH decks: 1. RGWMayael's Big BeatsRETIRED!
2. BUWMerieke Ri Berit and the 40 Thieves
3. URNiv's Wheeling and Dealing!
4. BURThe Walking Dead
5. GWSisay's Legends of Tomorrow
6. RWBRise of Markov
7. GElvez and stuffz(W)
8. RCrush your enemies(W)
9. BSign right here...(W)
+ Caves of Koilos
+ Platinum Angel
- Sorin, Solemn Visitor
- Swamp
EDH decks: 1. RGWMayael's Big BeatsRETIRED!
2. BUWMerieke Ri Berit and the 40 Thieves
3. URNiv's Wheeling and Dealing!
4. BURThe Walking Dead
5. GWSisay's Legends of Tomorrow
6. RWBRise of Markov
7. GElvez and stuffz(W)
8. RCrush your enemies(W)
9. BSign right here...(W)
- Restoration Gearsmith
- The Chain Veil
- Insidious Will
+ Grave Pact
+ Mortify
+ Orzhov Signet
EDH decks: 1. RGWMayael's Big BeatsRETIRED!
2. BUWMerieke Ri Berit and the 40 Thieves
3. URNiv's Wheeling and Dealing!
4. BURThe Walking Dead
5. GWSisay's Legends of Tomorrow
6. RWBRise of Markov
7. GElvez and stuffz(W)
8. RCrush your enemies(W)
9. BSign right here...(W)
Gift...oooh. That IS nice. Primarily, I use the Darksteel Plate for them(in fact, at a Saturday game, had my opponents stymied because my giant had that on and they had no RFG effects), but that would be a great backup...
Archon...I'm inclined to agree. It's more of a stand-in at this point, plus its ability is quite nice for recursion and slowing people down early if I get it and Reanimate in my opening hand. Risky if someone has a Path or Swords in hand, but still, I do know what to trade for what when I get one...
EDH decks: 1. RGWMayael's Big BeatsRETIRED!
2. BUWMerieke Ri Berit and the 40 Thieves
3. URNiv's Wheeling and Dealing!
4. BURThe Walking Dead
5. GWSisay's Legends of Tomorrow
6. RWBRise of Markov
7. GElvez and stuffz(W)
8. RCrush your enemies(W)
9. BSign right here...(W)
Ghostly Flicker is one of his key protective cards and synergizes greatly.
I actually forgot about Ghostly Flicker, and I think that one I'll have to pass on...I used it a lot some time ago(I think it was in my Niv deck), but with no spell recursion, and IMO better options to keep the stuff I take, I don't have much to worry about.
Appreciate the suggestions though! Please, keep them coming!
EDH decks: 1. RGWMayael's Big BeatsRETIRED!
2. BUWMerieke Ri Berit and the 40 Thieves
3. URNiv's Wheeling and Dealing!
4. BURThe Walking Dead
5. GWSisay's Legends of Tomorrow
6. RWBRise of Markov
7. GElvez and stuffz(W)
8. RCrush your enemies(W)
9. BSign right here...(W)
I would say that my circle(s) are usually the lower end of competitive/mostly casual, based on the guidelines you set out. While far from my strongest deck(that's actually my Niv deck, believe it or not), Merieke usually keeps me in a game for a long time, long enough most often to run people out of steam.
I know the terminology 'battlecruiser finisher', but what cards do you identify as such? My effort to provide alternate wincons(sometimes resorting to just plain 'beat face') might have put me in that trap...
EDH decks: 1. RGWMayael's Big BeatsRETIRED!
2. BUWMerieke Ri Berit and the 40 Thieves
3. URNiv's Wheeling and Dealing!
4. BURThe Walking Dead
5. GWSisay's Legends of Tomorrow
6. RWBRise of Markov
7. GElvez and stuffz(W)
8. RCrush your enemies(W)
9. BSign right here...(W)
+ Adarkar Valkyrie = Steal more, and make it harder for people to get their stuff back.
EDIT: - Flood Plain
+ Temple of the False God
EDH decks: 1. RGWMayael's Big BeatsRETIRED!
2. BUWMerieke Ri Berit and the 40 Thieves
3. URNiv's Wheeling and Dealing!
4. BURThe Walking Dead
5. GWSisay's Legends of Tomorrow
6. RWBRise of Markov
7. GElvez and stuffz(W)
8. RCrush your enemies(W)
9. BSign right here...(W)
- Bident of Thassa
+ Gift of Immortality
+ Soul of New Phyrexia
EDH decks: 1. RGWMayael's Big BeatsRETIRED!
2. BUWMerieke Ri Berit and the 40 Thieves
3. URNiv's Wheeling and Dealing!
4. BURThe Walking Dead
5. GWSisay's Legends of Tomorrow
6. RWBRise of Markov
7. GElvez and stuffz(W)
8. RCrush your enemies(W)
9. BSign right here...(W)
- Artisan of Kozilek = fun, but limited, and pretty late game.
+ Serene Master = I like the shenanigans of this card. It more than likely will get rotated out soon for something better, though.
- Bident of Thassa = Probably going to regret giving this card advantage up, but something had to go...
+ Gift of Immortality = Fun times to be had with this on my commander, you betcha! Thanks for the suggestion, NoNeedToBragoBoutIt!
- Halimar Depths = a fun 'semi-scry' effect, but little else.
+ Prairie Stream = Color fixing for the long term lands...very nice.
EDH decks: 1. RGWMayael's Big BeatsRETIRED!
2. BUWMerieke Ri Berit and the 40 Thieves
3. URNiv's Wheeling and Dealing!
4. BURThe Walking Dead
5. GWSisay's Legends of Tomorrow
6. RWBRise of Markov
7. GElvez and stuffz(W)
8. RCrush your enemies(W)
9. BSign right here...(W)
Voltaic Key out, Geist of Saint Traft in. Not enough artifacts are in to require multi-activation shenanigans, and pressure with my own creatures is something I've been weak on. Hopefully Geist can provide some of that.
Orzhov Signet out, Indulgent Tormentor in. Another means of placing pressure on someone.
Sphinx of the Steel Wind out, Captain of the Mists in. Probably should have kept the sphinx in to provide a one-two combo with Geist as far as combat pressure, but I couldn't see anything else to take out for the Captain at this point. Plus, his ability just screams Merieke abuse.
Serene Master out, Nephalia Smuggler in. Saving my creatures from removal, as well as perma-controlling those that I steal, how could I say no?
Island out, Dismal Backwater in. Color fixing.
EDH decks: 1. RGWMayael's Big BeatsRETIRED!
2. BUWMerieke Ri Berit and the 40 Thieves
3. URNiv's Wheeling and Dealing!
4. BURThe Walking Dead
5. GWSisay's Legends of Tomorrow
6. RWBRise of Markov
7. GElvez and stuffz(W)
8. RCrush your enemies(W)
9. BSign right here...(W)
EDH decks: 1. RGWMayael's Big BeatsRETIRED!
2. BUWMerieke Ri Berit and the 40 Thieves
3. URNiv's Wheeling and Dealing!
4. BURThe Walking Dead
5. GWSisay's Legends of Tomorrow
6. RWBRise of Markov
7. GElvez and stuffz(W)
8. RCrush your enemies(W)
9. BSign right here...(W)
Rite of Replication out for Throne of the God-Pharaoh.
EDH decks: 1. RGWMayael's Big BeatsRETIRED!
2. BUWMerieke Ri Berit and the 40 Thieves
3. URNiv's Wheeling and Dealing!
4. BURThe Walking Dead
5. GWSisay's Legends of Tomorrow
6. RWBRise of Markov
7. GElvez and stuffz(W)
8. RCrush your enemies(W)
9. BSign right here...(W)
Gonti, Lord of Luxury replacing Medomai the Ageless
EDH decks: 1. RGWMayael's Big BeatsRETIRED!
2. BUWMerieke Ri Berit and the 40 Thieves
3. URNiv's Wheeling and Dealing!
4. BURThe Walking Dead
5. GWSisay's Legends of Tomorrow
6. RWBRise of Markov
7. GElvez and stuffz(W)
8. RCrush your enemies(W)
9. BSign right here...(W)
As seen above, I have Ephara, God of the Polis and a number of blink effects. My question is, if I blink an old or newly cast creature while Ephara is out, does that still trigger the draw effect? As far as the game mechanics are concerned, it's a brand new creature, correct?
EDH decks: 1. RGWMayael's Big BeatsRETIRED!
2. BUWMerieke Ri Berit and the 40 Thieves
3. URNiv's Wheeling and Dealing!
4. BURThe Walking Dead
5. GWSisay's Legends of Tomorrow
6. RWBRise of Markov
7. GElvez and stuffz(W)
8. RCrush your enemies(W)
9. BSign right here...(W)
EDH decks: 1. RGWMayael's Big BeatsRETIRED!
2. BUWMerieke Ri Berit and the 40 Thieves
3. URNiv's Wheeling and Dealing!
4. BURThe Walking Dead
5. GWSisay's Legends of Tomorrow
6. RWBRise of Markov
7. GElvez and stuffz(W)
8. RCrush your enemies(W)
9. BSign right here...(W)
Norritt finally lost his slot to Identity Thief. The ability to steal a big beats creature was too tempting to pass up, particularly with the legendary rule being the way it is now. Add in that this can be used on my own creatures to abuse Ephara's trigger, and...
Platinum Angel for Pyramid of the Pantheon. Can be a good mana engine with only a little work, and is a decent target for Tezz if I need to. It won't be my first choice, but it is a choice.
EDH decks: 1. RGWMayael's Big BeatsRETIRED!
2. BUWMerieke Ri Berit and the 40 Thieves
3. URNiv's Wheeling and Dealing!
4. BURThe Walking Dead
5. GWSisay's Legends of Tomorrow
6. RWBRise of Markov
7. GElvez and stuffz(W)
8. RCrush your enemies(W)
9. BSign right here...(W)
- Pyramid of the Pantheon = was a very good mana fixer, but lost its effectiveness as the game went on(believe it or not). Plus, considering what I added, it would have been useless anyway...
+ Cauldron of Souls = good tutor target for Tezz, and...
+ Solemnity = Combo!
EDH decks: 1. RGWMayael's Big BeatsRETIRED!
2. BUWMerieke Ri Berit and the 40 Thieves
3. URNiv's Wheeling and Dealing!
4. BURThe Walking Dead
5. GWSisay's Legends of Tomorrow
6. RWBRise of Markov
7. GElvez and stuffz(W)
8. RCrush your enemies(W)
9. BSign right here...(W)
+ Command Tower = Mana fixing, and mostly to get Opal Palace out of this deck, as the commander isn't supposed to be aggro(even if she was, she'd be a very clunky aggro, agreed?)
- Opal Palace = As said, this land lends itself to more aggressive generals, of which Merieke ain't. I think I know where it WILL go, though...
EDIT: Pretty big change here that I missed during some update or another...
+ Ayli, Eternal Pilgrim = saccing other people's creatures for whatever I need it for? Sounds good to me.
+ Decree of Silence = I shouldn't need to explain this, but...PROTIP: Solemnity.
- Dread Return = weaker than the other resurrection stuff I have, in that it only targets my GY. Yeah, that's normally good, but I like some flexibility.
- Identity Thief = not really any creatures on my side that can abuse ETBs, and to rely on my opponents for them...anyway, out.
EDH decks: 1. RGWMayael's Big BeatsRETIRED!
2. BUWMerieke Ri Berit and the 40 Thieves
3. URNiv's Wheeling and Dealing!
4. BURThe Walking Dead
5. GWSisay's Legends of Tomorrow
6. RWBRise of Markov
7. GElvez and stuffz(W)
8. RCrush your enemies(W)
9. BSign right here...(W)
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
EDH decks: 1. RGWMayael's Big BeatsRETIRED!
2. BUWMerieke Ri Berit and the 40 Thieves
3. URNiv's Wheeling and Dealing!
4. BURThe Walking Dead
5. GWSisay's Legends of Tomorrow
6. RWBRise of Markov
7. GElvez and stuffz(W)
8. RCrush your enemies(W)
9. BSign right here...(W)
+ Liliana, Heretical Healer/Liliana, Defiant Necromancer = explained in the OP.
+ Guard Gomozoa = a fort blocker...whenever he's out, people seem to have trouble getting past him.
+ Ghost Quarter = more than any other deck, this one needs land destruction of some sort. Homeward Path is still a thing.
EDH decks: 1. RGWMayael's Big BeatsRETIRED!
2. BUWMerieke Ri Berit and the 40 Thieves
3. URNiv's Wheeling and Dealing!
4. BURThe Walking Dead
5. GWSisay's Legends of Tomorrow
6. RWBRise of Markov
7. GElvez and stuffz(W)
8. RCrush your enemies(W)
9. BSign right here...(W)