This is for development Cascade - Spreading Seas/Convincing Mirage Denail.
Basic Framework & Theme
1) Deny colors and/or bounce lands through use of esper cascade
2) Only spells with converted cost 2 or cheaper are Spreading Seas and Convincing Mirage.
Jund has been dominating standard for a while right? Tell me what happens when their tri and duel lands turn into islands on turns 2-5? They simply play no spells.
Naya is the same thing, as well as most every deck in standard, when you change their lands into producing something they cannot use to cast spells, they simply just don't.
Now, those 8 cards all by themselves in a deck of 60 won't exactly do much, this is true. So, to make the deck(s) more consistant and more annoying, cascade cards were put in:
Kathari Remnant
and Deny Reality
These usually cascade into the land-disrupting auras, but can also hit other money spells for the deck. The spells themselves are also useful for the deck: A regenerating flying blocker and (usually) returning a CITPT land to the opponent's hand, slowing them down even more.
Spells
3 Deny Reality
4 Esper Charm
3 Scepter of Dominance
4 Spreading Seas
4 Day of Judgment
4 Convincing Mirage
Sideboard
2 Wall of Reverence
1 Luminarch Ascension
2 Sphinx of the Steel Wind
4 Celestial Purge
2 Wall of Denial
4 Baneslayer Angel
Neither of us are certain about which deck is better, but both are good and have been wrecking the so called "best decks in standard" and doing so consistantly.
-----------
Notes: Nightwish is an online playtest partner of mine.
Also, Ardent plea, while it always cascades into a disruption aura, does very little by itself, other than allowing kathari's to go in for some damage(very minimal). For this reason, we decided to put other buisiness spells in these slots.
Also, BGD. Baneslayer's Gonna die. All the opponent needs to do is have 1 mana played from his hand kill baneslayer. I put it in SB for that reason.
Also, how does this deck fare against vampires or Jund? To me it looks a little slow vs vampires, and while it can lockup Jund by denying critical lands, a blightning would hurt a lot. Also, even if some lands are denied, Jund can still gain board position through cascade.
I've generally had more success with the esper version - especially with aggro decks. vampires are vastly overrated for speed and the esper version actually handles rw boros well. grixis, on the other hand, has serious problems with Nissa and rw Boros in my playtesting.
sure cascade can be an issue - but that's one of those "if you stick sphinx of jwar isle...". arguments to the jund player. you get the idea - worst case if it is a big concern for you it's very possible to play a version without cascade or that uses no deny reality and sticks some mindbreak trap into the main deck.
best thing I can say is test it out and see how it fits your style and go from there. I don't see this deck ever winning a 5k but it's certainly able to go toe to toe with everything at a fnm and be entertaining for everyone but your opponent
So I will be putting together the Esper version of this deck today, I really like the idea of it. Cant wait to play around with it. I did not want to jump on the jund cascade band wagon, but this take on it looks seriously fun.
I tried the Esper version and Grixis version in MWS today, for me Grixis performed better. It's more destructive. I only played 2 games each though, so can't really say.
Would you really want to cascade into a goblin ruinblaster though? You cant kick it from a cascade. The more cards people keep adding to a cascade deck the less the chances are your going to cascade into what your actually trying to.
actually you can kick goblin ruinblaster if you cascade into it. When you cascade, you are allowed to play (i.e. cast) the next spell as if its cost were 0....plus the kicker.
Deny Reality into Day of Judgment could be very, very bad, although the chances of it happening are somewhat slim. But this list actually looks as a more consistent way to utilize Convincing Mirage/Spreading Seas.
Private Mod Note
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"I don't know why people say a double-edged sword is bad. It's a sword. With two edges." - Kamahl, Pit Fighter
Simply put, I am loving this deck. A friend and I have been putting it through the ringer and will be playing it intensely till next's week's constructed FNM. I am going to be playing around with a deck with no DoJ's mainly because I cant afford them, BUT we did proxy out the whole deck and I can say I don't think it needs DoJ MB... The deck shuts the opponents down and every time I cascaded into a DoJ I simply swore and said not playing it -.- and put it on the bottom.
I am a little worried about mono colored decks and faster weenie type decks, but we will be trying those out later in the week.
Great Deck, went the path of Atreties Esper version, I love the Enigma Sphinx into a Sphinx of Jwar Island Love Ardent Plea, basically guarantees me a land enchantment.
After looking at this thread, I made an esper and grixis version. They did fairly well against mid-range bant, but got slaughtered by 5cc and mono-white control.
From what I found, the cascade wasn't as helpful, neither was the black. Nonetheless, the blue enchantments were surprisingly effective at color screwing people.
Here is what I've come up with. It doesn't use cascade, but instead focuses on enchantments, since the deck has a lot anyway. From the three matches I played with it so far, it has absolutely crushed....destroying aggro and mono-white control. Mesa enchantress adds insane synergy with the blue enchantments and sigil. I was laughing as my opponent played his third baneslayer, when I had 12 angels out already.
I was running goblin assault for a little while since I thought it would be great against control and could really become a threat if they were colored screwed. It was under-performing pretty hard, but that may just have been the few matchups I had. Try it if you think it might work
Take a look and let me know. (note I don't own any day of judgements...I'm not sure if the deck needs it, but I'd side-board it if I had them).
Yeah I was thinking of that too, I mean why not run straight land destruction?
What to take out though...
Believe it or not, Ruinblaster ends up being a little lackluster in the Grixis version unless you drop the Land Color Enchantments. Typically you'll hit the early tri-color tap lands on turn 2 with an aura, etc so oftentimes there is nothing for the Ruinblaster to hit.
However, if you check out Rage-Kage's Gixis build, it's got some pretty cool thoughts and options ...and has 3 ruinblasters in the board.
Simply put, I am loving this deck. A friend and I have been putting it through the ringer and will be playing it intensely till next's week's constructed FNM. I am going to be playing around with a deck with no DoJ's mainly because I cant afford them, BUT we did proxy out the whole deck and I can say I don't think it needs DoJ MB... The deck shuts the opponents down and every time I cascaded into a DoJ I simply swore and said not playing it -.- and put it on the bottom.
I am a little worried about mono colored decks and faster weenie type decks, but we will be trying those out later in the week.
Great Deck, went the path of Atreties Esper version, I love the Enigma Sphinx into a Sphinx of Jwar Island Love Ardent Plea, basically guarantees me a land enchantment.
I'd be interested to see what you've got as a list for the time being if you don't mind! Lack of a playtest buddy makes things difficult to tease out.
I've often sided DoJ out, but to be honest, it's really necessary when fighting a few decks. Most notably Zoo, Cobra Ramp, Bant Aggro, etc. Outside of that, color screw and bounce is typically sufficient. DoJ definitely needs a place in the 75.
Part of the cascade issue with DoJ is knowing that it might happen - so just play the higher cost cascade spells when you're ok with DoJ getting a cast. Either that or just be prepared to board it out a lot.
After looking at this thread, I made an esper and grixis version. They did fairly well against mid-range bant, but got slaughtered by 5cc and mono-white control.
From what I found, the cascade wasn't as helpful, neither was the black.
Mesa enchantress adds insane synergy with the blue enchantments and sigil.
I was running goblin assault for a little while since ...<snip>
Mono white isn't that hard for Esper so long as you're boarding oblivion rings to deal with their walkers and scepters. In fact, it's been breathtakingly easy. 5cc has been pretty rough on the esper version, but a lot of that is board strategy. I've actually done horribly mean things like side out the color screw enchantments 2nd game, then added luminarch ascension and meddling mage
Well, the point of adding the black is to get Esper Charm, Kathari Remnant, Deny Reality - and opens up sweet sideboard options like Identity Crisis. If you're not thrilled with cascade, then there is no real reason to splash for Esper Charm when you could be running Jace, etc.
Mesa Enchantress is a pretty fun build, though there is a whole thread on Mesa Enchantress Denial with some pretty solid ideas. The biggest problem is the one discussed below....RW boros, Red deck wins, Valakut Control, or Pyromancer's Ascension decks eat it up - so be aware of those issues. ....that's a big reason I switched to a cascading version over heavy enchantments.
Looks like a fun deck (except to play against). However, it looks like it'd get trampled by Boros Bushwhacker.
Yeah, that's definitely the problem with the mesa-enchantress versions - all of the creature removal gets turned into sorcery speed enchants, it's just a mess.
Not to say it's a bad deck though - just realize fast beaty aggro will be a problem.
Honestly, yes the mesa enchantress build is fun but, its not really the same deck as this at all. Its focus is on playing alot of enchantments and commiting to playing/protecting an enchantress for card advantage. Thats not really that easy in a creature removal heavy meta like this. Anyways, I really like the discussion we are getting with this deck, and I hope someone can show it off with a win at gameday somewhere.
Creatures/Walkers
4 Kathari Remnant
3 Sphinx of Jwar Isle
2 Jace Beleren
2 Wall of Denial
2 Enigma Sphinx
Spells
3 Ardent Plea
4 Deny Reality
4 Esper Charm
3 Scepter of Dominance
4 Spreading Seas
2 Day of Judgment
4 Convincing Mirage
I basically took it from Atreties Esper version, -the elspeth -2 DoJ's +3 Ardent Plea and change the fetch marsh flats out for expanse (budget reason)
No sideboard yet but im enjoying the idea of O-rings and Sigil of throne. I felt I had no real way of winning if I never drew into a sphinx.
Also im only really building this deck for my Local meta, and no one plays Boro's or mono white control vamps is about as fast as it gets in my little town FNM
Well to be honest in the few play test's we went through he was unable to play anything I could really tap with the scepters. I was going to use them on his land but he could just tap it in response (still learning the rules as I go) So I will probably side those out for the Sigils of thrones or O-rings.
My friend was playing a Pyromancers Ascension deck with into the roil, he kept returning my enigma sphinx to my hand and ended up winning one game. I feel the deck needs Sigil of thrones simply to put more thread on the board. I know this was only one case scenario but I would like more attackers. Baneslayer is out of the question for me unless my friend loans me some, but the jwar sphinx just does not feel like enough.
Sphinx of Jwar Isle is amazing, the current meta is based on one for one targeted creature removal it having shroud, a 5/5 body and flying makes it an amazing finisher that can turn alot of cards in your oponents hand into useless pieces of cardboard. Its probably one of the 4 best finishers in standard currently, Baneslayer, Broodmate dragon, and Sphinx of steel wind are the others.
Speaking of Sphinx of Steel Wind, im thinking of trying a couple of him instead of baneslayer and keep baneslayer in the board for against decks with very little targetted removal. He completley wrecks alot of decks in the format. What do you guys think?
I prefer Enigma Sphinx due to his Awesome cascade effect and he goes 3 cards down into your library if he gets removed, add in the card draw from end of turn Esper charm and WOW you just drew your Enigma Sphinx again-cascaded again and hopefully removed yet another of there lands again! Or my ever favorite Enigma Sphinx cascade into Sphinx of Jwar Island.
Sphinx of steel wind seems like a "I win even more" card, it takes alot to cast and if you even get the chance to it means you have already shut down there side of the board, and Steel wind can be removed were Enigma will still cascade into something if they Path it!
Well to be honest in the few play test's we went through he was unable to play anything I could really tap with the scepters. I was going to use them on his land but he could just tap it in response (still learning the rules as I go) So I will probably side those out for the Sigils of thrones or O-rings.
My friend was playing a Pyromancers Ascension deck with into the roil, he kept returning my enigma sphinx to my hand and ended up winning one game. I feel the deck needs Sigil of thrones simply to put more thread on the board. I know this was only one case scenario but I would like more attackers. Baneslayer is out of the question for me unless my friend loans me some, but the jwar sphinx just does not feel like enough.
If you tap the land after it untaps, but before his main phase then he won't be able to "tap in response for X" because the mana pool will empty before he starts the main phase. I guess that's one good thing about the M10 rules though it made Mistbind Clique even more of a beating.
Sigil is something I'm considering as well and is a suitable way to generate threats, especially when you're playing ardent plea or if you're adding oblivion ring to the main board.
Other options include Elspeth, Knight Errant or Luminarch Ascension to get something out on the board. Luminarch can be especially nasty out of the board against control decks with few creatures/sources of damage.
Pyromancer's ascension decks will be a pain, but remember to esper charm the ascension ;). He was returning a 7 cost cascade creature to your hand? Really? Wow. You must have had terrible luck cascading.
As for dealing with annoying decks like that - O-ring is definitely a must in the board to deal with artifacts, planeswalkers, etc that might slip onto "the battlefield."
Sphinx of Jwar Isle is amazing, the current meta is based on one for one targeted creature removal it having shroud, a 5/5 body and flying makes it an amazing finisher that can turn alot of cards in your oponents hand into useless pieces of cardboard. Its probably one of the 4 best finishers in standard currently, Baneslayer, Broodmate dragon, and Sphinx of steel wind are the others.
Speaking of Sphinx of Steel Wind, I'm thinking of trying a couple of him instead of baneslayer and keep baneslayer in the board for against decks with very little targetted removal. He completley wrecks alot of decks in the format. What do you guys think?
Sphinx of the Steel Wind is really good against Jund...or any deck not running edicts or white removal. Depends on what you expect to see in the local meta. It's definitely something I am wrestling with.
However, anything with white and you'll get path'ed all day, which means it's really not worth the extra 3 mana cost much of the time.
Basic Framework & Theme
1) Deny colors and/or bounce lands through use of esper cascade
2) Only spells with converted cost 2 or cheaper are Spreading Seas and Convincing Mirage.
Coldlogik's Original Esper Build
4 Baneslayer Angel
4 Sphinx of Jwar Isle
4 Kathari Remnant
Enchantments
4 Spreading Seas
4 Convincing Mirage
4 Ardent Plea
4 Deny Reality
4 Day of Judgment
Instants
4 Esper Charm
Lands
4 Marsh Flats
4 Arcane Sanctum
3 Glacial Fortress
3 Drowned Catacomb
7 Island
3 Plains
2 Swamp
Ubershaum Esper Variant
4 Baneslayer Angel
3 Sphinx of Jwar Isle
4 Kathari Remnant
Enchantments
4 Spreading Seas
4 Convincing Mirage
4 Ardent Plea
2 Deny Reality
4 Day of Judgment
Instants
4 Esper Charm
3 Resounding Wave
Lands
4 Marsh Flats
4 Arcane Sanctum
3 Glacial Fortress
3 Drowned Catacomb
7 Island
3 Plains
2 Swamp
Coldlogik's Updated Build
2 Sphinx of Jwar Isle
4 Kathari Remnant
2 Goblin Ruinblaster
Enchantments
4 Spreading Seas
3 Convincing Mirage
Planeswalkers
3 Ajani Vengeant
Sorceries
4 Blightning
Instants
3 Esper Charm
4 Lightning Bolt
2 Cruel Ultimatum
3 Bituminous Blast
2 Marsh Flats
2 Scalding Tarn
3 Arcane Sanctum
3 Crumbling Necropolis
2 Glacial Fortress
2 Drowned Catacomb
2 Dragonskull Summit
5 Island
1 Plains
2 Swamp
2 Mountain
Warplord's Grixis Variant
2 Swamp
4 Mountain
4 Island
1 Jwar Isle Refuge
4 Drowned Catacomb
4 Crumbling Necropolis
3 Dragonskull Summit
2 Scalding Tarn
Creatures (14)
4 Vampire Nighthawk
4 Goblin Ruinblaster
4 Kathari Remnant
2 Sphinx of Jwar Isle
4 Lightning Bolt
4 Spreading Seas
3 Convincing Mirage
4 Blightning
2 Jace Beleren
3 Bituminous Blast
2 Cruel Ultimatum
1 Jace Beleren
2 Telemin Performance
1 Thraximundar
1 Chandra Nalaar
2 Malakir Bloodwitch
2 Terminate
3 Pyroclasm
3 Wall of Frost
PTQ Winning 4 Color Cascade Denial
4 ardent plea
4 spreading seas
4 convincing mirage
Creatures
4 bloodbraid elf
4 sphinx of lost truths
2 sphinx of Jwar Isle
Sorceries
4 Day of Judgement
4 Captured Sunlight
Planeswalkers
4 Ajani Vengeant
4 seaside citadel
4 misty rainforest
3 terramorphic expanse
2 Jungle Shrine
4 arid mesa
1 scalding tarn
3 plains
3 island
1 mountain
1 forest
3 wall of reverence
4 deft dualist
4 rhox warmonk
4 baneslayer angel
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Nightwish and I have been testing the following decks out for a while now. Nightwish even won a small tourney with his build.
So anyway onto the deck - the core of the deck is actually 2 seemingly crappy cards that look like they do little to nothing:
Spreading Seas
and
Convincing Mirage
I know, i know, but hear me out:
Jund has been dominating standard for a while right? Tell me what happens when their tri and duel lands turn into islands on turns 2-5? They simply play no spells.
Naya is the same thing, as well as most every deck in standard, when you change their lands into producing something they cannot use to cast spells, they simply just don't.
Now, those 8 cards all by themselves in a deck of 60 won't exactly do much, this is true. So, to make the deck(s) more consistant and more annoying, cascade cards were put in:
Kathari Remnant
and
Deny Reality
These usually cascade into the land-disrupting auras, but can also hit other money spells for the deck. The spells themselves are also useful for the deck: A regenerating flying blocker and (usually) returning a CITPT land to the opponent's hand, slowing them down even more.
And finally, a big shrouded flying finisher:
Sphinx of Jwar Isle
Now, theere are more win conditions in the deck than that, but that is what wins the game the most often (consider this guy the broodmate of 5cc)
So here are the 2 builds, one in Grixis Colors (Nightwish's build):
Lands
4 [ALA] Crumbling Necropolis
4 [M10] Drowned Catacomb
3 [ZEN] Scalding Tarn
4 [M10] Dragonskull Summit
4 [ZEN] Island (2)
4 [ZEN] Swamp (3)
2 [ZEN] Mountain (1)
Creatures
3 [ZEN] Sphinx of Jwar Isle
4 [ARB] Kathari Remnant
Spells
3 [ALA] Cruel Ultimatum
4 [ALA] Grixis Charm
4 [ARB] Deny Reality
3 [ARB] Bituminous Blast
4 [M10] Lightning Bolt
2 [ZEN] Rite of Replication
4 [ZEN] Spreading Seas
4 [M10] Convincing Mirage
Sideboard
3 [M10] Pyroclasm
4 [M10] Pithing Needle
4 [ARB] Terminate
4 [ALA] Swerve
And my build (Esper Colors):
4 Arcane Sanctum
6 Island
3 Plains
2 Swamp
2 Marsh Flats
3 Drowned Catacomb
4 Glacial Fortress
Creatures/Walkers
4 Kathari Remnant
3 Sphinx of Jwar Isle
2 Jace Beleren
1 Elspeth, Knight-Errant
2 Wall of Denial
2 Enigma Sphinx
Spells
3 Deny Reality
4 Esper Charm
3 Scepter of Dominance
4 Spreading Seas
4 Day of Judgment
4 Convincing Mirage
Sideboard
2 Wall of Reverence
1 Luminarch Ascension
2 Sphinx of the Steel Wind
4 Celestial Purge
2 Wall of Denial
4 Baneslayer Angel
Neither of us are certain about which deck is better, but both are good and have been wrecking the so called "best decks in standard" and doing so consistantly.
-----------
Notes: Nightwish is an online playtest partner of mine.
Also, Ardent plea, while it always cascades into a disruption aura, does very little by itself, other than allowing kathari's to go in for some damage(very minimal). For this reason, we decided to put other buisiness spells in these slots.
Also, BGD. Baneslayer's Gonna die. All the opponent needs to do is have 1 mana played from his hand kill baneslayer. I put it in SB for that reason.
-----------
Also, how does this deck fare against vampires or Jund? To me it looks a little slow vs vampires, and while it can lockup Jund by denying critical lands, a blightning would hurt a lot. Also, even if some lands are denied, Jund can still gain board position through cascade.
sure cascade can be an issue - but that's one of those "if you stick sphinx of jwar isle...". arguments to the jund player. you get the idea - worst case if it is a big concern for you it's very possible to play a version without cascade or that uses no deny reality and sticks some mindbreak trap into the main deck.
best thing I can say is test it out and see how it fits your style and go from there. I don't see this deck ever winning a 5k but it's certainly able to go toe to toe with everything at a fnm and be entertaining for everyone but your opponent
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The Skyfisher can return the Plea for more cascading and the Captured Sunlight can fetch anything previously mentioned.
http://community.wizards.com/go/thread/view/75842/21075661/Cascade?pg=last
Standard
Blows
Modern
BWUTeachingsBWU
GUGU TempoGU
WLifeW
RWValakut ControlRW
UBModern MillUB
Legacy
UMUCU
BPoxB
BWRTokensBWR
Pauper
UBGRW Domain UBGRW
Vintage
RVise-Burn!R
"Out of the crooked timber of humanity, nothing straight was ever made" - Immanuel Kant
Yeah I was thinking of that too, I mean why not run straight land destruction?
What to take out though...
I am a little worried about mono colored decks and faster weenie type decks, but we will be trying those out later in the week.
Great Deck, went the path of Atreties Esper version, I love the Enigma Sphinx into a Sphinx of Jwar Island Love Ardent Plea, basically guarantees me a land enchantment.
From what I found, the cascade wasn't as helpful, neither was the black. Nonetheless, the blue enchantments were surprisingly effective at color screwing people.
Here is what I've come up with. It doesn't use cascade, but instead focuses on enchantments, since the deck has a lot anyway. From the three matches I played with it so far, it has absolutely crushed....destroying aggro and mono-white control. Mesa enchantress adds insane synergy with the blue enchantments and sigil. I was laughing as my opponent played his third baneslayer, when I had 12 angels out already.
I was running goblin assault for a little while since I thought it would be great against control and could really become a threat if they were colored screwed. It was under-performing pretty hard, but that may just have been the few matchups I had. Try it if you think it might work
Take a look and let me know. (note I don't own any day of judgements...I'm not sure if the deck needs it, but I'd side-board it if I had them).
2x Scepter of Dominance
1x Banefire
4x Spreading seas
3x Convincing Mirage
4x Ior Ruin Expedition
4x Oblivion Ring
3x Sigil of the Empty Throne
3x Journey to Nowhere
2x Luminarch Ascension
2x Wall of Denial
2x Sphinx of Jwar Isle
7x Plains
4x Island
2x Mountain
4x Sejiri Refuge
4x Terramorphic Expanse
2x Arcane Sanctum
3x Negate
3x Pyroclasm
2x Path to Exile
2x Wall of Denial
2x Kor Sanctifier
Standard
Blows
Modern
BWUTeachingsBWU
GUGU TempoGU
WLifeW
RWValakut ControlRW
UBModern MillUB
Legacy
UMUCU
BPoxB
BWRTokensBWR
Pauper
UBGRW Domain UBGRW
Vintage
RVise-Burn!R
"Out of the crooked timber of humanity, nothing straight was ever made" - Immanuel Kant
Believe it or not, Ruinblaster ends up being a little lackluster in the Grixis version unless you drop the Land Color Enchantments. Typically you'll hit the early tri-color tap lands on turn 2 with an aura, etc so oftentimes there is nothing for the Ruinblaster to hit.
However, if you check out Rage-Kage's Gixis build, it's got some pretty cool thoughts and options ...and has 3 ruinblasters in the board.
I'd be interested to see what you've got as a list for the time being if you don't mind! Lack of a playtest buddy makes things difficult to tease out.
I've often sided DoJ out, but to be honest, it's really necessary when fighting a few decks. Most notably Zoo, Cobra Ramp, Bant Aggro, etc. Outside of that, color screw and bounce is typically sufficient. DoJ definitely needs a place in the 75.
Part of the cascade issue with DoJ is knowing that it might happen - so just play the higher cost cascade spells when you're ok with DoJ getting a cast. Either that or just be prepared to board it out a lot.
Mono white isn't that hard for Esper so long as you're boarding oblivion rings to deal with their walkers and scepters. In fact, it's been breathtakingly easy. 5cc has been pretty rough on the esper version, but a lot of that is board strategy. I've actually done horribly mean things like side out the color screw enchantments 2nd game, then added luminarch ascension and meddling mage
Well, the point of adding the black is to get Esper Charm, Kathari Remnant, Deny Reality - and opens up sweet sideboard options like Identity Crisis. If you're not thrilled with cascade, then there is no real reason to splash for Esper Charm when you could be running Jace, etc.
Re: Goblin Assault - use Elspeth, Knight-Errant as you've got more options and it's all around more threatening on the board.
Mesa Enchantress is a pretty fun build, though there is a whole thread on Mesa Enchantress Denial with some pretty solid ideas. The biggest problem is the one discussed below....RW boros, Red deck wins, Valakut Control, or Pyromancer's Ascension decks eat it up - so be aware of those issues. ....that's a big reason I switched to a cascading version over heavy enchantments.
Yeah, that's definitely the problem with the mesa-enchantress versions - all of the creature removal gets turned into sorcery speed enchants, it's just a mess.
Not to say it's a bad deck though - just realize fast beaty aggro will be a problem.
Also, if you're running Sigil of the Empty Throne, Ardent Plea is just silly for the obvious reasons....
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Top 16 Starcity Games 5k Seattle 2010
4 Arcane Sanctum
6 Island
3 Plains
2 Swamp
2 Teromorphic Expanse
3 Drowned Catacomb
4 Glacial Fortress
Creatures/Walkers
4 Kathari Remnant
3 Sphinx of Jwar Isle
2 Jace Beleren
2 Wall of Denial
2 Enigma Sphinx
Spells
3 Ardent Plea
4 Deny Reality
4 Esper Charm
3 Scepter of Dominance
4 Spreading Seas
2 Day of Judgment
4 Convincing Mirage
I basically took it from Atreties Esper version, -the elspeth -2 DoJ's +3 Ardent Plea and change the fetch marsh flats out for expanse (budget reason)
No sideboard yet but im enjoying the idea of O-rings and Sigil of throne. I felt I had no real way of winning if I never drew into a sphinx.
Also im only really building this deck for my Local meta, and no one plays Boro's or mono white control vamps is about as fast as it gets in my little town FNM
How are you liking the scepters? I've not tried them yet, but that's probably my biggest question mark.
And yeah - I hear you on the local meta. I'll see anything from vampires-sanguine bond to Valakut Control to RW control to 4cc Cruel to Nissa Aggro.
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My friend was playing a Pyromancers Ascension deck with into the roil, he kept returning my enigma sphinx to my hand and ended up winning one game. I feel the deck needs Sigil of thrones simply to put more thread on the board. I know this was only one case scenario but I would like more attackers. Baneslayer is out of the question for me unless my friend loans me some, but the jwar sphinx just does not feel like enough.
Speaking of Sphinx of Steel Wind, im thinking of trying a couple of him instead of baneslayer and keep baneslayer in the board for against decks with very little targetted removal. He completley wrecks alot of decks in the format. What do you guys think?
Top 16 Starcity Games 5k Seattle 2010
Sphinx of steel wind seems like a "I win even more" card, it takes alot to cast and if you even get the chance to it means you have already shut down there side of the board, and Steel wind can be removed were Enigma will still cascade into something if they Path it!
If you tap the land after it untaps, but before his main phase then he won't be able to "tap in response for X" because the mana pool will empty before he starts the main phase. I guess that's one good thing about the M10 rules though it made Mistbind Clique even more of a beating.
Sigil is something I'm considering as well and is a suitable way to generate threats, especially when you're playing ardent plea or if you're adding oblivion ring to the main board.
Other options include Elspeth, Knight Errant or Luminarch Ascension to get something out on the board. Luminarch can be especially nasty out of the board against control decks with few creatures/sources of damage.
Pyromancer's ascension decks will be a pain, but remember to esper charm the ascension ;). He was returning a 7 cost cascade creature to your hand? Really? Wow. You must have had terrible luck cascading.
As for dealing with annoying decks like that - O-ring is definitely a must in the board to deal with artifacts, planeswalkers, etc that might slip onto "the battlefield."
Sphinx of the Steel Wind is really good against Jund...or any deck not running edicts or white removal. Depends on what you expect to see in the local meta. It's definitely something I am wrestling with.
However, anything with white and you'll get path'ed all day, which means it's really not worth the extra 3 mana cost much of the time.
Trade/Sell me your Demonic Attorney!