I await this to hit the table while a Blood Sun is out and the nearest judge spontaneously bursts into flames.
I'm curious now. What actually happens here?
EDIT: So I think what happens is the type-changing ability applies in Layer 4, and then Blood Sun's loss of abilities applies in Layer 6, so you end up with Arixmethes being a land with no other abilities than to tap for UG. Can anyone else confirm?
Are there any good white zombies to play? I ask because I already have U/B Zombie deck and despite having troubles sometimes with enchantments, what does white bring to the table to support Zombies besides anointed procession, if anything ?
Varina, Lich Queen
1WUB 4/4 Zombie Wizard
Whenever you attack with one or more zombies, draw that many cards, then discard that many cards. You gain that much life.
2, Exile two cards from your graveyard: Create a tapped 2/2 zombie token.
Skull Storm
7BB, Sorcery
When you cast this spell, copy it for each time you've cast your commander from the command zone this game.
Each opponent sacrifices a creature. Each opponent who can't loses half their life, rounded up.
Entreat the Dead
XXBBB, Sorcery
Miracle XBB
Return X target creature cards from your graveyard to the battlefield.
That Esper Zombie commander looks SICK. Looting, lifegain, not expensive, decent body, and a (probably not very useful) token generation ability? I'm sold
Strange this wasn't spoiled yesterday, but looks pretty great for the Izzet deck! These Lieutenant abilities triggering on combat rather than upkeep is a welcome change.
Players: "We're sick of Prossh, Skyraider of Kher being the default Jund commander!"
WoTC: "What if we made another 'where X is the mana you spent to cast it' commander, but like way worse?"
Exile a black creature cost is the activation cost.
Return Ichorid to the battlefield is the ability resolution.
Those are two separate events resulting in two bats.
Bone Dragon is another one where the Exile is part of casting cost and then the creature to the battlefield is second event.
No, Bone Dragon and Scrapheap Scrounger are both activated abilities which have two separate events (paying the cost and resolving the effect). Ichorid is a single triggered ability where everything happens upon resolution, so you only get one bat.
Almost all of Wizards' official products are awful for teaching new players how to play. They don't stick to evergreen mechanics, so you'll be teaching your friend all about stuff like Energy just for them to (likely) never use them again. There are a number of third party products out there which are better for new players, like Cardkingdom's Rookie decks. They also have Battle decks, which are slightly more complicated versions of old draft archetype decks. They don't have any cards worth any money but they're dirt cheap and will do a much better job at teaching a complete amateur.
Once your brother is familiar with the game, I'd probably just start jumping right into drafts. Rather than just opening your packs and being done with them, you can get a few hours of playtime in for your entry fee while you slowly expand your collection. The EDH preconstructed decks are also a good start to that format. They're actually built well enough to function right out of the box and with only $20 or so of upgrades, you can get something good enough to take wins at your LGS.
Blood Speaker is kinda jank but I've always been pretty impressed with him in Demon shells. He's a re-usable blocker at worst, and can usually get a couple tutors in over the course of the game. He gets much better with cost reduction too, which this deck could probably use. Have you considered Jet Medallion/The Immortal Sun/Heartless Summoning in place of some of the more "normal" ramp? When your curve is so high you'll get a lot of mileage out of them. I'd even be inclined to try out a Helm of Awakening.
Other than that the only suggestions I have are demons based on my personal preference. I really like Herald of Anguish for example, especially in an artifact heavy build like yours, but most big demons are pretty interchangeable.
Got a question for the coming 2019 pre-release. Say I've got an Ajani's Pridemate out and my teammate drops a Skymarch Bloodletter. Does my Pridemate get the +1/+1 counter? Does the answer change if you're talking about a delayed triggered ability (Like Resplendent Angel)? The rules seem to be a bit ambiguous:
"810.9. Damage, loss of life, and gaining life happen to each player individually. The result is applied to the team’s shared life total."
"810.9a If a cost or effect needs to know the value of an individual player’s life total, that cost or effect uses the team’s life total instead."
I'm curious now. What actually happens here?
EDIT: So I think what happens is the type-changing ability applies in Layer 4, and then Blood Sun's loss of abilities applies in Layer 6, so you end up with Arixmethes being a land with no other abilities than to tap for UG. Can anyone else confirm?
Unraveling Mummy, Wayward Servant, Tidehollow Sculler and Stillmoon Cavalier are the standouts
Stinks that Fog is such an EDH staple
1WUB 4/4 Zombie Wizard
Whenever you attack with one or more zombies, draw that many cards, then discard that many cards. You gain that much life.
2, Exile two cards from your graveyard: Create a tapped 2/2 zombie token.
Skull Storm
7BB, Sorcery
When you cast this spell, copy it for each time you've cast your commander from the command zone this game.
Each opponent sacrifices a creature. Each opponent who can't loses half their life, rounded up.
Entreat the Dead
XXBBB, Sorcery
Miracle XBB
Return X target creature cards from your graveyard to the battlefield.
Goes infinite with Breath of Fury pretty easily too.
WoTC: "What if we made another 'where X is the mana you spent to cast it' commander, but like way worse?"
It's got a new expansion set?
No, Bone Dragon and Scrapheap Scrounger are both activated abilities which have two separate events (paying the cost and resolving the effect). Ichorid is a single triggered ability where everything happens upon resolution, so you only get one bat.
Once your brother is familiar with the game, I'd probably just start jumping right into drafts. Rather than just opening your packs and being done with them, you can get a few hours of playtime in for your entry fee while you slowly expand your collection. The EDH preconstructed decks are also a good start to that format. They're actually built well enough to function right out of the box and with only $20 or so of upgrades, you can get something good enough to take wins at your LGS.
Other than that the only suggestions I have are demons based on my personal preference. I really like Herald of Anguish for example, especially in an artifact heavy build like yours, but most big demons are pretty interchangeable.
"810.9. Damage, loss of life, and gaining life happen to each player individually. The result is applied to the team’s shared life total."
"810.9a If a cost or effect needs to know the value of an individual player’s life total, that cost or effect uses the team’s life total instead."