MTG Salvation

The Guild that Doesn't Exist
Dimir Guildmage

Introduction
This is my third pauper list, but the second I have posted in my Ravnica Block Guildmage series. After ISBPathfinder and others had started to engage pauper as a Commander format I was keen to try and have since managed to persuade my local games shop (Good Games) to support it a bit more. As a result there now at least 6 others who have all common, except the general, Commander decks!

I wanted to make my first blue guildmage anything but ISBPathfinder's Izzet Guildmage or the obviously very powerful Azorius Guildmage, step up to the plate Dimir Guildmage. This deck doesn't have the self-contained threat that Rakdos Guildmage does, but it does draw you threats and can ruin the hands of others. I embraced the theme of discard, although not as fully as possible and trying to get value wherever possible. A strong bounce theme was also included to act as pseudo-removal if they have no hand and the creature can be discarded. Helm of the Ghastlord can also make any creature bar the Ulamog's Crusher, which is great on its own, into a stronger risk for the opponent. The deck is more reactive, but has answers to almoth everything.


What is Pauper Commander?
1. Same rules as Commander.
2. Commander is an uncommon. It can be any uncommon, not just a legend.
3. Rest of deck must be common in a non-Magic Online (Masters Editions come to mind) printing!

To be strong a Pauper Commander deck must use or have an answer to the 'Four Pillars':
1. Fireball and variants - Red and black have them, be able to survive it.
2. Capsize - Banned in some places, you need to be able to disrupt the buyback.
3. Pestilence and its variants - board sweepers, be ready.
4. Alabaster Potion and variants - Lifegain, the opposite of Fireball.

This deck runs the second and third pillars, Capsize, Pestilence, and Crypt Rats.



Change Log
New Inclusions
Dark Ascension
Bone to Ash - A good counterspell that replaces itself.
Haunted Fengraf - An excellent new utility land that is an auto-include for most pauper Commander decks.

Avacyn Restored
Elgaud Shieldmate - A great shroud giver that protects itself.

Magic 2013
Murder - Among the best common removal spells there are with no conditions.

Return to Ravnica
Transguild Promenade - Rupture Spire number two.

Gatecrash
Dimir Guildgate - A strict upgrade for a deck with concern on speed.
Psychic Strike - A standard counterspell, but mill has a good upside in pauper.

Dragon's Maze
Dimir Cluestone - An upgrade to Darksteel Ingot, with a useful ability to draw a card when in a tight situation.


Modern Masters
None
Several under consideration.


Cards I need or am on fence about:

Could maybe use
1. Brainstorm
2. Calcite Snapper
3. Gravelgill Axeshark
4. Muddle the Mixture (for transmute tutoring)
5. Amass the Components
6. Driver of the Dead
7. Havengul Skaab
8. Shred Memory


Still very good, but removed for current goal of deck:
1. Chill to the Bone
2. Faceless Butcher
3. Repeal
4. Repulse
5. Unnerve

I believe this deck is strong and can hold it's own, but I would welcome feedback.

Quote from Big_Black_Mamba

Oona's Grace would do nicely, since you dont play any stuff to discard on waterfront bouncer (except mystical teachings)

That could work, I run the bouncer mainly to act as pseudo removal if I can kill their hand and to lose auras. Mysteries of the Deep is expensive, so the likely cut.

Edit: The change is made.

I've updated this for Dark Ascension, by adding Haunted Fengraf and Bone to Ash more might be added when I see set more (potentially Reap the Seagraf), but these two cards stand out quite a lot.