I do really like General's Kabuto, but I'm not sure I like it enough to pay the extra mana over Darksteel Plate that it costs. I really, really like it though.
Browbeat will never be what you want it to be against a good opponent, while the Pyrite Spellbomb covers multiple roles. Also, Tezzeret's Gambit is the best red draw. I thought about running planeswalkers due to its inclusion, but the only one I'd really consider running is Chandra, Pyromaster, and she's expensive at the moment. While a good card, this deck doesn't take advantage of Chandra, the Firebrand to warrant a card slot, in my opinion.
Also, Hexproof doesn't actually protect Diaochan, Artful Beauty from her own ability due to it still being an ability you control. Shroud or Protection from Red are optimal. Indestructibility is a bad secondary option.
While Rings of Brighthearth does synergize well with the ladies, I don't really want to run a card that does nothing on its own that isn't a necessity (like Darksteel Plate). It would be awesome if I added a Trading Post shell to this deck though (something to consider).
Also, I like the concept of Scythe of the Wretched, but the 4 equip cost scares me. That's a lot of mana. It also doesn't play nice with Diaochan, Artful Beauty. I'll keep it in mind in case I overhaul this deck.
Regardless, I do appreciate the replies. I'd considered most of these cards (though Glaring Spotlight and General's Kabuto were nice little gems, thanks for that), but it's always good to get a second opinion. I have a feeling that I'll probably either save up for the swords, or just not get the deck. Thank you for your time.
I'd been trying to make a mono-red deck for a while, and could never quite get the deck just right. However, deciding I wanted to build a deck around Diaochan, Artful Beauty, things just started to click. Still took me quite a long time to refine the list, but this is my current take on mono-red control.
While I realize the Darksteel Plates would be better served as 2x Sword of Fire and Ice and Sword of War and Peace, budget is a concern, and I already doubt I'll ever actually own this deck due to its current cost already.
Either way, I'm posting this here to see if anyone knows of any cards that would be perfect here that I've somehow overlooked. Additional things to note are that the cards must be legacy legal (playgroup rules) and I'm avoiding any sort of combo wins. I won't add another color, and any creatures you suggest have to fit the theme.
Good point. I run them because I try to keep cards in my deck, rather than my hand, for combo purposes, but I am always happy to draw one. They're better than they look, but you're right, Accumulated Knowledge is better.
Ah, my opponents usually face something similar in my deck with Misthollow Griffin and Moorland Haunt. While it isn't nearly as powerful as your Trading Post and Wurmcoil Engine, I think it is the feeling of futility that ruins it for both our playgroups. It is satisfying to remove a threat. It is infuriating to know there is nothing you can do about something.
This is what I'm running, and there are times I receive a similar reaction from friends to the ones you describe. I'm not going to change my deck for them, but it may the infinitely looping creatures, and the feelings of futility, that is really at the heart of the issue, rather than control.
Lat-Nam's Legacy is also extremely good draw due to it being instant speed and the same cost as the typical counterspell. Martyr of Frost makes for a great one drop. Stern Proctor is one of our best ways of dealing with Artifacts and Enchantments in lists utilizing Riptide Laboratory. Also, why isn't Remand on the list?
You'll find everyone's opinion of what is "casual" varies. As for me, I enjoy playing control, and find that I wouldn't be happy playing much else. Then again, in my playgroup, it is combo that is frowned upon due to its non-interactive nature and the way games are either won or lost without much back-and-forth.
Honestly, I feel that as long as you try to build decks that are reasonably within the power level of your play group, that any deck you come up with is casual, however, there are probably as many answers to this question as there are opinions.
I'll admit, I'm not too fond of Chandra Nalaar. Also, as future replies will probably tell you, there are other, possibly better, cards to run with the aforementioned. My card suggestions are just there to help you out.
Either way, welcome back to the wonderful game of Magic!
In my circle, we use the Legacy rulings and avoid combo decks that win the game outright. Mostly, we try to find cards and decks that can be played that are powerful without becoming overwhelmingly so. This can be hard as when a person's deck does end up above the curve, it causes everyone in the group to want to play less, which is no fun for anyone.
The deck was originally built around the interaction between Celestial Kirin, Kaho, Minamo Historian, and Evermind (pseudo Armageddon). From there, I added on to the deck to include spirits from CMC 1 to 4, all of which either protecting my combos or protecting me. With Angel of Flight Alabaster I am able to recast a specific CMC once a turn as long as I have the cards I need to do so.
My concerns are thus: I'm either not running enough spirits or enough deck search and tutor to find the spirits I need at any given moment, deck could be modified to be able to run Emeria, the Sky Ruin, removing the need for Angel of Flight Alabaster, the deck is not properly designed to take full advantage of the "Armageddon" effect, and/or I lack draw.
I simply wanted a second opinion on the list, and advice on how to improve it to better facilitate both the original concept and the one that has sprung from it (using Celestial Kirin in conjunction with spirit and arcane spells to control the board through mass destruction).
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for your time.
I do really like General's Kabuto, but I'm not sure I like it enough to pay the extra mana over Darksteel Plate that it costs. I really, really like it though.
Browbeat will never be what you want it to be against a good opponent, while the Pyrite Spellbomb covers multiple roles. Also, Tezzeret's Gambit is the best red draw. I thought about running planeswalkers due to its inclusion, but the only one I'd really consider running is Chandra, Pyromaster, and she's expensive at the moment. While a good card, this deck doesn't take advantage of Chandra, the Firebrand to warrant a card slot, in my opinion.
Also, Hexproof doesn't actually protect Diaochan, Artful Beauty from her own ability due to it still being an ability you control. Shroud or Protection from Red are optimal. Indestructibility is a bad secondary option.
While Rings of Brighthearth does synergize well with the ladies, I don't really want to run a card that does nothing on its own that isn't a necessity (like Darksteel Plate). It would be awesome if I added a Trading Post shell to this deck though (something to consider).
Also, I like the concept of Scythe of the Wretched, but the 4 equip cost scares me. That's a lot of mana. It also doesn't play nice with Diaochan, Artful Beauty. I'll keep it in mind in case I overhaul this deck.
Regardless, I do appreciate the replies. I'd considered most of these cards (though Glaring Spotlight and General's Kabuto were nice little gems, thanks for that), but it's always good to get a second opinion. I have a feeling that I'll probably either save up for the swords, or just not get the deck. Thank you for your time.
3 Scrying Sheets
20 Snow-Covered Mountain
Creatures
3 Ashling the Pilgrim
3 Jaya Ballard, Task Mage
3 Diaochan, Artful Beauty
1 Ulamog, the Infinite Gyre
1 Elixir of Immortality
4 Pyrite Spellbomb
4 Darksteel Plate
Enchantments
2 Glacial Crevasses
4 Magma Jet
4 Chaos Warp
4 Wild Ricochet
Sorceries
4 Tezzeret's Gambit
I'd been trying to make a mono-red deck for a while, and could never quite get the deck just right. However, deciding I wanted to build a deck around Diaochan, Artful Beauty, things just started to click. Still took me quite a long time to refine the list, but this is my current take on mono-red control.
While I realize the Darksteel Plates would be better served as 2x Sword of Fire and Ice and Sword of War and Peace, budget is a concern, and I already doubt I'll ever actually own this deck due to its current cost already.
Either way, I'm posting this here to see if anyone knows of any cards that would be perfect here that I've somehow overlooked. Additional things to note are that the cards must be legacy legal (playgroup rules) and I'm avoiding any sort of combo wins. I won't add another color, and any creatures you suggest have to fit the theme.
3 Moorland Haunt
3 Celestial Colonnade
4 Evolving Wilds
1 Terramorphic Expanse
7 Island
6 Plains
3 Misthollow Griffin
4 Wall of Omens
Spells:
3 Manipulate Fate
3 Day of Judgment
3 Gideon Jura
2 Elspeth, Knight-Errant
4 Remand
4 Counterspell
2 Mana Leak
3 Lat-Nam's Legacy
1 Elixir of Immortality
1 Akroma's Vengeance
3 Path to Exile
This is what I'm running, and there are times I receive a similar reaction from friends to the ones you describe. I'm not going to change my deck for them, but it may the infinitely looping creatures, and the feelings of futility, that is really at the heart of the issue, rather than control.
Honestly, I feel that as long as you try to build decks that are reasonably within the power level of your play group, that any deck you come up with is casual, however, there are probably as many answers to this question as there are opinions.
Otherwise, Eldrazi work fine.
As for the planeswalkers you mentioned, if you're running Sorin, Lord of Innistrad I'd look in to running cards like Lingering Souls, Gerrard's Verdict, and Tidehollow Sculler in a W/B tokens deck with a disruption package.
Tibalt, the Fiend Blooded, meanwhile, runs well with Chandra's Phoenix, the Punishing Fire/Grove of the Burnwillows combo, and, with proper support, can easily be ran with Koth of the Hammer and Chandra, the Firebrand in mono-red super friends utilizing Tezzeret's Gambit and Volt Charge. Reforge the Soul works wonders with him.
I'll admit, I'm not too fond of Chandra Nalaar. Also, as future replies will probably tell you, there are other, possibly better, cards to run with the aforementioned. My card suggestions are just there to help you out.
Either way, welcome back to the wonderful game of Magic!
3 Flagstones of Trokair
1 Oboro, Palace in the Clouds
7 Island
3 Plains
4 Evolving Wilds
1 Terramorphic Expanse
4 Hallowed Fountain
3 Celestial Kirin
3 Kaho, Minamo Historian
2 Kataki, War's Wage
2 Kira, Great Glass-Spinner
3 Kami of False Hope
2 Angel of Flight Alabaster
Spells:
3 Evermind
2 Momentary Blink
4 Remand
4 Counterspell
2 Swords to Plowshares
1 Elixir of Immortality
3 Lat-Nam's Legacy
3 Gush
The deck was originally built around the interaction between Celestial Kirin, Kaho, Minamo Historian, and Evermind (pseudo Armageddon). From there, I added on to the deck to include spirits from CMC 1 to 4, all of which either protecting my combos or protecting me. With Angel of Flight Alabaster I am able to recast a specific CMC once a turn as long as I have the cards I need to do so.
My concerns are thus: I'm either not running enough spirits or enough deck search and tutor to find the spirits I need at any given moment, deck could be modified to be able to run Emeria, the Sky Ruin, removing the need for Angel of Flight Alabaster, the deck is not properly designed to take full advantage of the "Armageddon" effect, and/or I lack draw.
I simply wanted a second opinion on the list, and advice on how to improve it to better facilitate both the original concept and the one that has sprung from it (using Celestial Kirin in conjunction with spirit and arcane spells to control the board through mass destruction).
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for your time.