So several months ago, I bought a copy of Emrakul, the Aeon's Torn, for no other reason but because I wanted to own the strongest creature card (Not the best, per se, but merely strongest) in the game.
Awhile back, I started tinkering with ideas of how to actually run just 1 of him (It? lol) in a deck. My first concept of using black fetches to get him with Aetherplasm to cheat him out didn't work as well as I wanted. The biggest hang-up was that the whole strategy hinged on Aetherplasm not getting removed or my opponent not finding some way to get around it.
My second idea has been surprisingly successful, however. The basic premise was that I didn't want to just cheat him out anymore. I wanted to cast him and get that extra turn. So I built what is essentially an Elf deck loaded with Fog & Moment's Peace and splashed with black fetch. The Elves serve the sole purpose of generating as much mana as possible as fast as possible and the Fogs/Peace's hold my opponent off long enough to pull the whole thing off. I can consistently generate over 15 mana by turn 5 and sometimes by turn 4. So all I usually need is a Fog or two.
Right away though, I knew the deck had room to be better, since I had loads of excess mana and no backup win condition should the Emrakul thing not work out for whatever reason. So I went through my other decks to get an idea of what cards to best take advantage of that extra mana. As soon as I saw Exsanguinate, I knew it was the perfect backup. After all, I had already splashed enough black for the fetches.
While I was searching for the backup, I also ran across Crystal Shard, which triggered a crazy idea... if I can generate at least 18 mana, it's an infinite turns combo with Emrakul. (Cast Emrakul, take extra turn & attack, use Shard during Main Phase 2 to return it to my hand and recast it for another extra turn etc).
The deck was testing good, but it seemed that about 40% of games, it just couldn't get Emrakul or one of the fetches. I needed a little something more. I used an advanced search on EssentialMagic and discovered Defense of the Heart. This card is so busted, I almost feel dirty using it.
It's testing very well now, as far as how consistently it can pull off its win conditions. So yeah, I'm really happy with this build.
Before I share, yes I know this isn't a truly competitive deck. Not only do I play "Kitchen Table" Magic, but I play sub $150 budget as well. This deck could be even better if I threw another $100 into it (Dual lands, Diabolic Tutors etc), but it's not worth it to me. I also am aware that all it takes to beat this deck is to counter its Fog so the damage goes through, which is probably its biggest flaw. Maybe the deck could be amended to patch that flaw though. Suggestions are welcome.
Apparently prices have gone up on the cards I am about to suggest, but none are as expensive as Demonic Tutor:
Diabolic Intent cost the same to cast as Demonic Tutor, but also requires a creature sacrifice. I am assuming the reason you are not running Diabolic Tutor is due to it needing BB. Still I would like to see how your deck performs with one DT and just 3 CPs.
Torment of Hailfire over Exsanguinate. Just put in one ToH and take out one Ex and see how you like it. If you are facing token heavy decks, please ignore this suggestion.
Insist or Vexing Shusher can protect your Emrakul casting from being countered (VS can protect your Exsanguinate and everything else too). Again not sure about your meta but figured it might be helpful.
Thanks for the suggestions, but unfortunately some options are too expensive and a couple I'd disagree with.
Demonic Tutor is banned in Legacy, so that's not an option. (I do own one)
Diabolic Intent and Forbidden Orchard are amazing, but $18.00+ a pop is just too much.
As for Diabolic Tutor, you're right, It's the BB. I figure, in a deck focused on generating massive mana, paying 1 more instead wont really be an issue.
Torment of Hailfire is good, but I'm not entirely sure it's better for this deck, and definitely not by enough to justify paying over $22.00 on a set of 3. With my testing, the life gain from Exsanguinate has actually been a key factor from time to time. However, there were a few decks where Hailfire would have been better, such as my Exalted deck that could run on two creatures and equipment to avoid triggering Defense of the Heart. It would be a nice side-board option for sure, but I probably won't spend $7.50 a pop for some sideboard cards.
As for Insist and Shusher, Emrakul doesn't need them, because it already can't be countered, which is a big part of what makes it the strongest creature drop in the game.
Shusher could help me protect my other spells and that's nice, but in order for it to provide the necessary value to replace an Elf (Therefor cutting into my mana production), it would need something else to offer the deck. Besides, they'll use removal on Shusher and proceed to counter/remove my key components anyways.
What I'm thinking I need is some kind of Instant like Autumn's Veil. I'll probably side-board it though. It would probably replace the two Asceticisms and maybe a forest.
As for Spike Weaver, it's nice, but it's too susceptible to removal.
I really also want some better way to bet black mana without paying $6.00+ a pop for dual lands that don't come into play tapped.
I'm thinking on just settling for Llanowar Wastes or Twilight Mire. Think I'm going to go with Mire.
I'm glad you are having fun with Legacy format and specially with our green mates, the elves. To be honest, I'm not an Emrakul, the Aeons Torn adept, but somehow I understand your joy with this card. Well, I hope my suggestions help to improve your deck and bring more fun to your MTG sessions. Here's my list:
I know that some cards of my list are a little bit expensive, but maybe they could serve you as inspiration to look for another ones. By the way, if you like Autumn's Veil, I'm sure you will enjoy this one, Veil of Summer. It's almost annoying as Emrakul, the Aeons Torn .
Thanks. Some of those cards are great, but yeah, a little pricey. It goes to show just how much room for improvement this deck really has, with some investment.
And Fierce Empath, complete forgot about that card. I might be able to ditch the fetches altogether for that. I'm definitely getting some of those, so I'll tinker with them.
I also considered Archdruid and for some dumb reason, I had moment where I said "Nah, I don't need a +1/+1 boost" and moved on without realizing that it has more to offer than Elvish Guidance as an extra Elf body. So I'm going to switch those out.
Awhile back, I started tinkering with ideas of how to actually run just 1 of him (It? lol) in a deck. My first concept of using black fetches to get him with Aetherplasm to cheat him out didn't work as well as I wanted. The biggest hang-up was that the whole strategy hinged on Aetherplasm not getting removed or my opponent not finding some way to get around it.
My second idea has been surprisingly successful, however. The basic premise was that I didn't want to just cheat him out anymore. I wanted to cast him and get that extra turn. So I built what is essentially an Elf deck loaded with Fog & Moment's Peace and splashed with black fetch. The Elves serve the sole purpose of generating as much mana as possible as fast as possible and the Fogs/Peace's hold my opponent off long enough to pull the whole thing off. I can consistently generate over 15 mana by turn 5 and sometimes by turn 4. So all I usually need is a Fog or two.
Right away though, I knew the deck had room to be better, since I had loads of excess mana and no backup win condition should the Emrakul thing not work out for whatever reason. So I went through my other decks to get an idea of what cards to best take advantage of that extra mana. As soon as I saw Exsanguinate, I knew it was the perfect backup. After all, I had already splashed enough black for the fetches.
While I was searching for the backup, I also ran across Crystal Shard, which triggered a crazy idea... if I can generate at least 18 mana, it's an infinite turns combo with Emrakul. (Cast Emrakul, take extra turn & attack, use Shard during Main Phase 2 to return it to my hand and recast it for another extra turn etc).
The deck was testing good, but it seemed that about 40% of games, it just couldn't get Emrakul or one of the fetches. I needed a little something more. I used an advanced search on EssentialMagic and discovered Defense of the Heart. This card is so busted, I almost feel dirty using it.
It's testing very well now, as far as how consistently it can pull off its win conditions. So yeah, I'm really happy with this build.
Before I share, yes I know this isn't a truly competitive deck. Not only do I play "Kitchen Table" Magic, but I play sub $150 budget as well. This deck could be even better if I threw another $100 into it (Dual lands, Diabolic Tutors etc), but it's not worth it to me. I also am aware that all it takes to beat this deck is to counter its Fog so the damage goes through, which is probably its biggest flaw. Maybe the deck could be amended to patch that flaw though. Suggestions are welcome.
1x Emrakul, the Aeon's Torn
4x Moment's Peace
3x Fog
4x Llanowar Elves
3x Elvish Mystic
4x Priest of Titania
4x Urborg Elf
3x Elvish Guidance
4x Coveted Prize
3x Crystal Shard
3x Defense of the Heart
3x Exsanguinate
2x Asceticism
4x Swamp
16x Forest
Currently Playing:
Multiplayer EDH Lists (click italics for a link to the thread!)
[Primer] Lord of Tresserhorn - Don't Tell Me What I Can't Do[Primer] Roon of the Hidden Realm - Rhino Blink
5 Color Tribal Guide (Slivers, Atogs, Allies, Spirits)
Also Playing (most decklists can be found on my profile)
MarathGeistKamahlGrenzoBolasThassaGitrog
PiratesZurVial Smasher&ThrasiosYennettJhoira(cEDH)Strix(Pauper)
Legacy: Maverick
Modern:
Melira PodRIP 1/19/15GWHatebearsDemonic Tutor is banned in Legacy, so that's not an option. (I do own one)
Diabolic Intent and Forbidden Orchard are amazing, but $18.00+ a pop is just too much.
As for Diabolic Tutor, you're right, It's the BB. I figure, in a deck focused on generating massive mana, paying 1 more instead wont really be an issue.
Torment of Hailfire is good, but I'm not entirely sure it's better for this deck, and definitely not by enough to justify paying over $22.00 on a set of 3. With my testing, the life gain from Exsanguinate has actually been a key factor from time to time. However, there were a few decks where Hailfire would have been better, such as my Exalted deck that could run on two creatures and equipment to avoid triggering Defense of the Heart. It would be a nice side-board option for sure, but I probably won't spend $7.50 a pop for some sideboard cards.
As for Insist and Shusher, Emrakul doesn't need them, because it already can't be countered, which is a big part of what makes it the strongest creature drop in the game.
Shusher could help me protect my other spells and that's nice, but in order for it to provide the necessary value to replace an Elf (Therefor cutting into my mana production), it would need something else to offer the deck. Besides, they'll use removal on Shusher and proceed to counter/remove my key components anyways.
What I'm thinking I need is some kind of Instant like Autumn's Veil. I'll probably side-board it though. It would probably replace the two Asceticisms and maybe a forest.
As for Spike Weaver, it's nice, but it's too susceptible to removal.
I really also want some better way to bet black mana without paying $6.00+ a pop for dual lands that don't come into play tapped.
I'm thinking on just settling for Llanowar Wastes or Twilight Mire. Think I'm going to go with Mire.
I'm glad you are having fun with Legacy format and specially with our green mates, the elves. To be honest, I'm not an Emrakul, the Aeons Torn adept, but somehow I understand your joy with this card. Well, I hope my suggestions help to improve your deck and bring more fun to your MTG sessions. Here's my list:
I know that some cards of my list are a little bit expensive, but maybe they could serve you as inspiration to look for another ones. By the way, if you like Autumn's Veil, I'm sure you will enjoy this one, Veil of Summer. It's almost annoying as Emrakul, the Aeons Torn .
And Fierce Empath, complete forgot about that card. I might be able to ditch the fetches altogether for that. I'm definitely getting some of those, so I'll tinker with them.
I also considered Archdruid and for some dumb reason, I had moment where I said "Nah, I don't need a +1/+1 boost" and moved on without realizing that it has more to offer than Elvish Guidance as an extra Elf body. So I'm going to switch those out.
-----The Legacy Flowchart-----
Tiny Leaders Overlord