I've decided to change this to make it easier to build around, and less "friendly."
It would be centered around Jeleva, Nephalia's Scourge, from the Mind Seize precon, and library manipulation. Not just my library though. EVERYONE'S libraries! With scry effects and cards like Soothsaying, I would ensure that she would never whiff when I summon her. And with cards like Psychic Surgery, I would make sure that my opponents always had something useful on top of their decks. Maralen of the Mornsong would fit in by making sure they can't topdeck anything I need (or that they need), while Stranglehold and/or Mindlock Orb. There's other stuff too, but it would be focused mainly on big spells and library manipulation.
How does that sound in concept?
EDIT: As a sidenote, do you guys have any ideas of what might help this deck? I've got Spin into Myth, and Memory Lapse, but I'm still looking for good stuff.
While reading Chandra, the Firebrand I had a thought: If I were to copy her -2 ability with Rings of Brighthearth, would I then be able to copy it again when it triggered using Strionic Resonator? Chandra's ruling says she creates a "delayed trigger ability," so I'm wondering if there are shenanigans to be had.
If that's the case, then I may need to change some things up. I've found that Maralen is REALLY difficult to build around, as there aren't many mono-black cards that punish or prevent searching libraries.
I've been trying to build decks for a while, but it never really seems to turn out right. I'm so concerned with "playing fair" that I end making something weaker than I really want it to be, or I just make really bad choices period.
So I ask you: How do I optimize a deck centered around Maralen of the Mornsong? Or is this something that can't be done, and I need to switch commanders?
I know that you need to put the best cards for cost in there (Demonic Tutor and Vampiric Tutor rather than Diabolic Tutor), and some really unfair stuff in mono black (like Contamination), but beyond that I'm really not sure.
So I ran some playtests against this deck, and I got absolutely wrecked. I'm beginning to think the commander of this deck might have been chosen poorly. I know it may not seem like much after only a few tests, but what I'm seeing does not inspire confidence. It looks like the first thing a player would do is kill her immediately, or search for whatever they need and just wreck me. Also, I had a talk with another player earlier, and he said the first thing he would look for is a Mindlock Orb or a Stranglehold, both of which leave me with nothing.
That's what I was thinking too. I would only use Mindcrank + Bloodchief Ascension if I was being subjected to something equally as unfun, or if the game was going on WAY too long.
I think that each EDH deck should have at least one incredibly cheap way to win. Sort of a... Panic/#%!$ You Button.
While the spirit of the format is supposed to be fun; it's all relative to your playgroup. If others that you play with like to play cutthroat then there's nothing wrong with you doing it as well. I currently have 9 decks together and they are all casual to semi competitive except my Sharuum.dec (lots of nasty combos). I always like to have at least one .dec that can put someone that's getting out of control in their place. That being said; make what you want you can always play a few times then change it up.
Hm... I suppose I COULD include one game winning combo in the deck. I really don't want to get rid of either Bloodchief Ascension OR Mindcrank just for the sake of fair play. Alright. Those two get to stay.
On a completely different note... why no Sorin Markov?
Targeted lifesteal that benefits from other effects in my deck... Instant life-gain destroyer... Awesome ultimate that can be used quite soon after dropping him... Alright! I'll see if I can find a place for him.
EDIT: Now that I think about it... What makes an EDH deck truly competitive anyway?
If you go with Mephidross Vamp you should consider Triskelion as a machinegun removal engine. Maybe Phyrexian Reclamation for repeatable recursion and Mindslicer is kinda on theme.
This looks to me like a deck that could get a ridiculous amount of use out of Sangromancer. Even if you're only using it mostly for the life gain on discard, one discard from your opponents pays for Maralen's upkeep cost, and a mass discard puts you incredibly far ahead in the game.
Thanks for that. Took out Entrails Feaster for her. Works a lot beter here.
I have come to the realization that playing this deck in the way that I am envisioning would not be a particularly good thing. This is a casual format. It's supposed to be FUN, not "fun". To that end, I am going to being making a few player-friendly changes.
First of all, I am going to be removing Staff of Domination. The only reason it's there is to interact with Magus of the Coffers, which will be sticking around. I don't want infinite mana, I just want a lot of it. It will be replaced with Trading Post. It's much more versatile, and more useful considering I will be adding Helm of Obedience and Thought Dissector. Both of those cards are useful, incredibly appropriate for the theme of the deck, and not nearly as painful as some of these other cards.
I am conflicted as to whether or not I should get rid of Bloodchief Ascension and/or Mindcrank. Both of them are useful and flavorful on their own, but together they can be problematic. I'm looking for cool combos, but not infinite combos. I am likewise unsure what to do with Exquisite Blood and Sanguine Bond. What do you guys think?
Contamination will be removed as well. Locking a game down to that extent is not something that I am interested in. I'm not sure what to replace it with though. Possibly Whip of Erebos. Giving all my creatures lifelink is very good, as is the recursion.
I'm still trying do the... Psychic Vampire thing, if possible. There's plenty of discard and recursion effects, but I need more lifesteal. Maybe... Mephidross Vampire for making my other creatures stronger. Hm... Thoughts you guys?
Oh wow. I didn't know it took so few cards to go infinite. And I can't believe I forgot about the Black Leyline. That's perfect for the discard and mill aspect.
Hello everyone! It has been quite a while since I've posted here, but now that I've had the chance to play more often, I want to try and build a competent deck. This is going to be somewhat expensive, and something that must be aspired to after months of practice and work, rather than something to go out and buy immediately. In short: Price is no object.
Now with that out of the way, here's the deck list.
I want to start by saying that I know the land base is silly. I plan on removing quite a few swamps in favor of other lands, I'm just not sure which. But the actual point of this deck is... well... for those of you who have seen the first episode of The Strain, you'll get what I'm talking about. For those who haven't, here:
Lifedrain...
And Milling, or as I like to call it: Deck Destruction (specifically because I have a few cards that allow me to look through my opponent's deck and remove key cards). This last one might not be super safe for work... or appropriate for the squeamish either. As a sidenote, this in particular made me want to include Grisly Spectacle.
I am aware of a few interactions here, but I'd like there to be more. So far I've got... Maralen of the Mornsong + Ob Nixilis, Unshackled = Massive life loss each Upkeep. Pox/Smallpox + Bitter Ordeal = Massive blow to deck and board state Mindcrank + Bloodchief Ascension = Game Over
Lastly, if it matters, at least once I want to say "Hold still... while I TAKE YOUR MIND!" when I cast a maxed out Sadistic Sacrament or Nightmare Incursion.
I'm really looking to improve this, and am accepting any and all constructive criticism. Thank you for your time, and I am looking forward to your comments.
August 16th, 2014
Replaced Staff of Domination with Trading Post.
-Staff of Domination was only here to interact with Magus of the Coffers, but I am no longer interested in "anti-fun," only fun. Trading Post is more versatile, and less mean.
Replaced Contamination and Sands of Delirium with Helm of Obedience and Thought Dissector.
-Contamination is SUPER mean against non-black decks, and Sands of Delirium is boring. Helm of Obedience and Thought Dissector provide similar effects, but have an upward limitation AND an additional effect that is far more interesting than simply milling.
Replaced Entrails Feaster with Sangromancer.
-While useful, Entrails Feaster takes a while to get going. Sangromancer is far more appropriate considering all the discard effects.
Replaced Sanguine Bond with Phyrexian Reclamation.
-I wanted to remove another infinite combo, so I took out Sanguine Bond, but kept Exquisite Blood. Phyrexian Reclamation is great if I end up discarding or losing my own hand for whatever reason.
Replaced Steel Hellkite with Hollowborn Barghest.
-I believe every card should enable my win condition. Steel Hellkite is cool, but does not do that.
Replaced a Swamp with Howltooth Hollow.
-This goes quite well with the Hollowborn Barghest.
It would be centered around Jeleva, Nephalia's Scourge, from the Mind Seize precon, and library manipulation. Not just my library though. EVERYONE'S libraries! With scry effects and cards like Soothsaying, I would ensure that she would never whiff when I summon her. And with cards like Psychic Surgery, I would make sure that my opponents always had something useful on top of their decks. Maralen of the Mornsong would fit in by making sure they can't topdeck anything I need (or that they need), while Stranglehold and/or Mindlock Orb. There's other stuff too, but it would be focused mainly on big spells and library manipulation.
How does that sound in concept?
EDIT: As a sidenote, do you guys have any ideas of what might help this deck? I've got Spin into Myth, and Memory Lapse, but I'm still looking for good stuff.
So I ask you: How do I optimize a deck centered around Maralen of the Mornsong? Or is this something that can't be done, and I need to switch commanders?
I know that you need to put the best cards for cost in there (Demonic Tutor and Vampiric Tutor rather than Diabolic Tutor), and some really unfair stuff in mono black (like Contamination), but beyond that I'm really not sure.
EDIT: It'd help if I put the link to my in here, wouldn't it? Yeah, it probably would.
This is... disheartening.
I think that each EDH deck should have at least one incredibly cheap way to win. Sort of a... Panic/#%!$ You Button.
Hm... I suppose I COULD include one game winning combo in the deck. I really don't want to get rid of either Bloodchief Ascension OR Mindcrank just for the sake of fair play. Alright. Those two get to stay.
Targeted lifesteal that benefits from other effects in my deck... Instant life-gain destroyer... Awesome ultimate that can be used quite soon after dropping him... Alright! I'll see if I can find a place for him.
EDIT: Now that I think about it... What makes an EDH deck truly competitive anyway?
I've decided to pass on Mephidross Vampire, so I won't be needing Triskelion. I'm considering Phyrexian Reclamation, and I already have Mindslicer.
Thanks for that. Took out Entrails Feaster for her. Works a lot beter here.
First of all, I am going to be removing Staff of Domination. The only reason it's there is to interact with Magus of the Coffers, which will be sticking around. I don't want infinite mana, I just want a lot of it. It will be replaced with Trading Post. It's much more versatile, and more useful considering I will be adding Helm of Obedience and Thought Dissector. Both of those cards are useful, incredibly appropriate for the theme of the deck, and not nearly as painful as some of these other cards.
I am conflicted as to whether or not I should get rid of Bloodchief Ascension and/or Mindcrank. Both of them are useful and flavorful on their own, but together they can be problematic. I'm looking for cool combos, but not infinite combos. I am likewise unsure what to do with Exquisite Blood and Sanguine Bond. What do you guys think?
Contamination will be removed as well. Locking a game down to that extent is not something that I am interested in. I'm not sure what to replace it with though. Possibly Whip of Erebos. Giving all my creatures lifelink is very good, as is the recursion.
I'm still trying do the... Psychic Vampire thing, if possible. There's plenty of discard and recursion effects, but I need more lifesteal. Maybe... Mephidross Vampire for making my other creatures stronger. Hm... Thoughts you guys?
Heh. Maralene, the Psychic Vampire Queen.
Thanks again Mike.
Keep'em comin' guys. If I can, I want to make a Primer out of this at some point.
Now with that out of the way, here's the deck list.
1 Maralen of the Mornsong
Creatures (21)
1 Big Game Hunter
1 Bloodhusk Ritualist
1 Braids, Cabal Minion
1 Cao Cao, Lord of Wei
1 Chainer, Dementia Master
1 Crypt Ghast
1 Geth, Lord of the Vault
1 Hollowborn Barghest
1 Hypnotic Specter
1 Liliana's Reaver
1 Magus of the Coffers
1 Mindslicer
1 Myojin of Night's Reach
1 Needle Specter
1 Nezumi Graverobber
1 Ob Nixilis, Unshackled
1 Order of Yawgmoth
1 Pontiff of Blight
1 Sangromancer
1 Scythe Specter
1 Whispering Specter
Enchantments (10)
1 Animate Dead
1 Bitterblossom
1 Bloodchief Ascension
1 Exquisite Blood
1 Gibbering Descent
1 Liliana's Caress
1 Necromancy
1 Painful Quandary
1 Phyrexian Reclamation
1 Waste Not
1 Caged Sun
1 Crucible of Worlds
1 Elixir of Immortality
1 Gauntlet of Power
1 Helm of Obedience
1 Isochron Scepter
1 Jester's Cap
1 Lashwrithe
1 Mindcrank
1 Sol Ring
1 Thought Dissector
1 Trading Post
1 Vedalken Orrery
Sorcery (14)
1 Beacon of Unrest
1 Bitter Ordeal
1 Choice of Damnations
1 Demonic Collusion
1 Exsanguinate
1 Mind Sludge
1 Nightmare Incursion
1 Pox
1 Praetor's Grasp
1 Rise of the Dark Realms
1 Sadistic Sacrament
1 Smallpox
1 Syphon Mind
1 Temporal Extortion
1 Dash Hopes
1 Doom Blade
1 Geth's Verdict
1 Go for the Throat
1 Grisly Spectacle
1 Word of Command
Lands (35)
1 Cabal Coffers
1 Howltooth Hollow
1 Lake of the Dead
1 Phyrexian Tower
29 Swamp
1 Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
1 Vesuva
I want to start by saying that I know the land base is silly. I plan on removing quite a few swamps in favor of other lands, I'm just not sure which. But the actual point of this deck is... well... for those of you who have seen the first episode of The Strain, you'll get what I'm talking about. For those who haven't, here:
Lifedrain...
And Milling, or as I like to call it: Deck Destruction (specifically because I have a few cards that allow me to look through my opponent's deck and remove key cards). This last one might not be super safe for work... or appropriate for the squeamish either. As a sidenote, this in particular made me want to include Grisly Spectacle.
I am aware of a few interactions here, but I'd like there to be more. So far I've got...
Maralen of the Mornsong + Ob Nixilis, Unshackled = Massive life loss each Upkeep.
Pox/Smallpox + Bitter Ordeal = Massive blow to deck and board state
Mindcrank + Bloodchief Ascension = Game Over
Lastly, if it matters, at least once I want to say "Hold still... while I TAKE YOUR MIND!" when I cast a maxed out Sadistic Sacrament or Nightmare Incursion.
I'm really looking to improve this, and am accepting any and all constructive criticism. Thank you for your time, and I am looking forward to your comments.
1 Colfenor's Plans
1 Whip of Erebos
1 Wound Reflection
1 Massacre Wurm
Changelog
Replaced Staff of Domination with Trading Post.
-Staff of Domination was only here to interact with Magus of the Coffers, but I am no longer interested in "anti-fun," only fun. Trading Post is more versatile, and less mean.
Replaced Contamination and Sands of Delirium with Helm of Obedience and Thought Dissector.
-Contamination is SUPER mean against non-black decks, and Sands of Delirium is boring. Helm of Obedience and Thought Dissector provide similar effects, but have an upward limitation AND an additional effect that is far more interesting than simply milling.
Replaced Entrails Feaster with Sangromancer.
-While useful, Entrails Feaster takes a while to get going. Sangromancer is far more appropriate considering all the discard effects.
Replaced Sanguine Bond with Phyrexian Reclamation.
-I wanted to remove another infinite combo, so I took out Sanguine Bond, but kept Exquisite Blood. Phyrexian Reclamation is great if I end up discarding or losing my own hand for whatever reason.
Replaced Steel Hellkite with Hollowborn Barghest.
-I believe every card should enable my win condition. Steel Hellkite is cool, but does not do that.
Replaced a Swamp with Howltooth Hollow.
-This goes quite well with the Hollowborn Barghest.