MTG Salvation

I need some help... again. I've been playtesting my The Scarab God mill/zombie build and the mill part is just not working the way I need it to win. The one game I did win was by life drain. After some time with it, I just want to abandon the mill altogether. Someone recommended running Gisa and Geralfas my Commander, which I do like more as an option for the new build over Scarab God. I could swap the two and make Scarab God as one of the 99. But then I'd have to put MORE money into the build and wait on more cards to come in, etc. This is getting more expensive than I really need it to be even if I buy cheaper cards and then have to deal with $4+ shipping.



Link to build: https://deckstats.net/decks/127340/1257704-where-is-your-scarab-god/en

What can I do to salvage my build at this point and make it more competitive? Because Scarab God is just a body to throw at something and he's being targeted a lot and I'm constantly recasting him from my hand, which I do get. I obviously would need more draw too. I just don't know the best way to go about it at this point and I am just frustrated since the mill didn't work out and I just bought a bunch of upgrades. Sure they can be used, but I feel like here we go, spending more money again.

If your commander is being targeted a lot, maybe you run a few more cheap counters. The easiest one not already on your list is Stubborn Denial. Once it rotates out of Standard, I'll be investing in some Siren Stormtamers. You might not get SG onto the table quite as fast, but it'll stay there a little longer.

You could also go for other ways to protect the God, like Dive Down, Undying Evil, Crystal Shard, etc.

The way you have laid out your list is a bit hard to follow, but I don’t really see the hallmarks of a Mill deck. To dedicate to that you should be running Consuming Aberration and Altar of Dementia at the very least.

Plus you might consider switching to Lazav, Dimir Mastermind as a commander. Hexproof is gas, and he pays you off for milling opponents. The Scarab God would also just be fine in the 99.

Quote from OCPunisher »

If your commander is being targeted a lot, maybe you run a few more cheap counters. The easiest one not already on your list is Stubborn Denial. Once it rotates out of Standard, I'll be investing in some Siren Stormtamers. You might not get SG onto the table quite as fast, but it'll stay there a little longer.

You could also go for other ways to protect the God, like Dive Down, Undying Evil, Crystal Shard, etc.

Quote from Ken Carson »

The way you have laid out your list is a bit hard to follow, but I don’t really see the hallmarks of a Mill deck. To dedicate to that you should be running Consuming Aberration and Altar of Dementia at the very least.

Plus you might consider switching to Lazav, Dimir Mastermind as a commander. Hexproof is gas, and he pays you off for milling opponents. The Scarab God would also just be fine in the 99.

My biggest issue with Scarab God besides protecting him is not knowing what to dig for in opponent's graveyards since I am so new and there is a ton to learn with Commander. More often than not I am just afraid to ask what is in graveyards, and people will tell me I just don't like doing it because then they know what is coming. The other thing is people will play graveyard hate with me and not let me do graveyard play. Or they'll know it is coming and dig things out of their graveyard before I can use Scarab God. The 5 CMC cost of The Scarab God hurts me too but that is due to ramp.

My biggest issues from playing/testing are:

• Draw
• Graveyard play
• Ramp
• Zombies on the board
• Graveyard hate

The scry from Scarab God is great when I have stuff on the board but getting stuff to the board is what is so hard. I have too much utility, IE: Ashnod's Altar, Eldrazi Monument, etc... and those are all great, do not get me wrong, but they've been very minimally useful and people can find ways to deal with them. Those types of cards need to be cut IMO.

Here is what I need to take care of.

Ramp Additions:

• Solemn Simulacrum
• Burnished Hart
• Wayfarer's Bauble
• Fellwar Stone
• Mind Stone
• 3 CMC Dimir mana rocks

Higher CMC Draw Spells:

• Overflowing Insight
• Necrologia
• Precognitive Perception
• Tidings
• Promise of Power

Counterspells/removal to re-add:

• Hero's Downfall
• Swan Song
• Pongify

I am sure I am forgetting some others I have or could get but money is tight. Between some previous bills and a small vacation coming up in early May plus the WAR prerelease, I have a lot going on. So budget is now a factor, especially after Star City this past weekend.

I love Scarab God and I like some of the counters prevented but do they really help me when I only have him on the board and have to keep using him to stop someone from going after me since I am usually taking

Yeah, I think you’re not really a mill deck then. You’re a Dimir value deck. Maybe seeing that will help you contextualize your thoughts on the deck.