I was trying to build my own version of Yuriko, the Tiger's Shadow for a little while, but not really enjoying the lists that I already saw floating around with a ton of taking turns spells. But once I spotted Dies_to_Doom_Blade's list on here, I felt that this was more the kind of direction I was looking for. Only thing is that my budget wasn't allowing for several of the higher priced cards (I got Scroll Rack as an exception as it's too key to the deck), but since my meta is slightly more casual this should be less of an issue and I can always upgrade my version to get closer to the other list down the line.
Since I needed to make some adjustments already due to the lack of owning certain cards, I also lowered the amount of Stax pieces to make it feel less oppressive in my playgroups. Personally, I just feel its better to slowly build up these pieces than to be forced to down tune it since the groups are more casual.
Being a slightly more casual version of the deck, there are a few more 'weird' inclusions that are more than likely to be considered less optimal. But like said my playgroups are more casual and having some fun and interesting interactions just adds to our games.
Isochron Scepter
I don't have Top and personally don't enjoy the card as much either, so this is my 'alternative' to that. The main targets I look to put under it are Brainstorm, Mystical Tutor. Trickery Charm and Boomerang. Allowing for top deck manipulation or bouncing.
Leashling
Six CMC might be a bit too much, but Yuriko doesn't mind it. Either way, it's a way to put a drawn card back on top of my library again should it be needed later in the game.
Archfiend of Ifnir
I don't have a Toxic Deluge right now or it probably would be replacing this, Massacre is another potential alternative but with Yuriko drawing and some cycling/discarding this might still do a bit of work. It's a card I'm testing in the deck right now but something I might replace if it doesn't do enough.
Lazav, the Multifarious
A card that probably gets cut down the line, but I had a copy of it that I wanted to try out. Likely to copy something unblockable to swing in untouched.
Phage the Untouchable
Primarily just a nice top deck to pull on a Yuriko trigger, though while it does cost a fair bit of mana to do you can use Lazav with this for unexpected death. And Lazav does help getting around that awkward BBBB of Phage.
Conch Horn
Puts a drawn card back on top of the deck, setting up for doing some more damage. And can be brought back with Reclaimer as well.
Plaguecrafter & Merciless Executioner
Resets Yuriko into the Command Zone while also taking care of some potential blockers. Only downside is they have no evasion.
It's something I want to add down the line but Vamp Tutor is sadly a more expensive card to get.
Did end up taking Identity Thief out of the deck, opting to go for Slither Blade as just a low costed unblockable creature to use.
Still considering to do the same with Kozilek as well, just to increase the chance of more explosive starts. Invisible Stalker could be turned into a one drop unblockable as well, but the hexproof might be useful so keeping at least that one in for now.
Ninja Noying
Since I needed to make some adjustments already due to the lack of owning certain cards, I also lowered the amount of Stax pieces to make it feel less oppressive in my playgroups. Personally, I just feel its better to slowly build up these pieces than to be forced to down tune it since the groups are more casual.
So here's what my current list looks like:
1x Yuriko, the Tiger's Shadow
Creature (32)
1x Arcbound Reclaimer
1x Archfiend of Ifnir
1x Augury Owl
1x Cloud of Faeries
1x Dimir Infiltrator
1x Draco
1x Drift of Phantasms
1x Invisible Stalker
1x Kozilek, Butcher of Truth
1x Lazav, the Multifarious
1x Leashling
1x Looter il-Kor
1x Merciless Executioner
1x Merfolk Looter
1x Mistblade Shinobi
1x Mothdust Changeling
1x Nightscape Familiar
1x Ninja of the Deep Hours
1x Ornithopter
1x Phage the Untouchable
1x Plaguecrafter
1x Sage Owl
1x Sakashima the Impostor
1x Sidisi's Faithful
1x Siren Stormtamer
1x Skullsnatcher
1x Slither Blade
1x Spire Owl
1x Tetsuko Umezawa, Fugitive
1x Throat Slitter
1x Walker of Secret Ways
1x Wingcrafter
1x Boomerang
1x Brainstorm
1x Chain of Vapor
1x Dig Through Time
1x Dispel
1x Insidious Dreams
1x Lim-Dul's Vault
1x Mage's Guile
1x Mana Leak
1x Misdirection
1x Muddle the Mixture
1x Mystical Tutor
1x Negate
1x Nexus of Fate
1x Snuff Out
1x Swan Song
1x Trickery Charm
Artifact (11)
1x Conch Horn
1x Crystal Shard
1x Damping Sphere
1x Dimir Signet
1x Isochron Scepter
1x Mox Amber
1x Orb of Dreams
1x Scroll Rack
1x Sol Ring
1x Talisman of Dominance
1x Umezawa's Jitte
1x Arcane Adaptation
1x Mystic Remora
Land (32)
1x Barren Moor
1x Choked Estuary
1x Command Tower
1x Darkwater Catacombs
1x Drowned Catacomb
1x Fetid Pools
14x Island
1x Lonely Sandbar
1x River of Tears
1x Sunken Hollow
5x Swamp
1x Tainted Isle
1x Temple of Deceit
1x Underground River
1x Watery Grave
Sorcery (5)
1x Diabolic Intent
1x Rags / Riches
1x Sickening Dreams
1x Temporal Trespass
1x Treasure Cruise
Being a slightly more casual version of the deck, there are a few more 'weird' inclusions that are more than likely to be considered less optimal. But like said my playgroups are more casual and having some fun and interesting interactions just adds to our games.
I don't have Top and personally don't enjoy the card as much either, so this is my 'alternative' to that. The main targets I look to put under it are Brainstorm, Mystical Tutor. Trickery Charm and Boomerang. Allowing for top deck manipulation or bouncing.
Leashling
Six CMC might be a bit too much, but Yuriko doesn't mind it. Either way, it's a way to put a drawn card back on top of my library again should it be needed later in the game.
Archfiend of Ifnir
I don't have a Toxic Deluge right now or it probably would be replacing this, Massacre is another potential alternative but with Yuriko drawing and some cycling/discarding this might still do a bit of work. It's a card I'm testing in the deck right now but something I might replace if it doesn't do enough.
Lazav, the Multifarious
A card that probably gets cut down the line, but I had a copy of it that I wanted to try out. Likely to copy something unblockable to swing in untouched.
Phage the Untouchable
Primarily just a nice top deck to pull on a Yuriko trigger, though while it does cost a fair bit of mana to do you can use Lazav with this for unexpected death. And Lazav does help getting around that awkward BBBB of Phage.
Arcbound Reclaimer
Just a way to get back a removed/countered Scroll Rack or put Draco back on top of the deck.
Conch Horn
Puts a drawn card back on top of the deck, setting up for doing some more damage. And can be brought back with Reclaimer as well.
Plaguecrafter & Merciless Executioner
Resets Yuriko into the Command Zone while also taking care of some potential blockers. Only downside is they have no evasion.
- Identity Thief
+ Slither Blade
..
Azusa - Derevi - Glissa - Mizzix - Sharuum - Wanderer - Wort
Did end up taking Identity Thief out of the deck, opting to go for Slither Blade as just a low costed unblockable creature to use.
Still considering to do the same with Kozilek as well, just to increase the chance of more explosive starts. Invisible Stalker could be turned into a one drop unblockable as well, but the hexproof might be useful so keeping at least that one in for now.