Solid primer Cz. I'm still reading through it all and making adjustments based on meta to my Infect and Gate decks; both of which are similar in construction but different in execution due to the different mechanics.
It's clear you put a ton of effort and time into this. Cheers on a job well done.
I have considered cutting the Rectors and Bargain (I don't really need it) and upping the Nightmares to 3-4. I think I could get away without the Rectors and 2 deed's without issue; or drop the Rectors to 1 as a way to find tutor for Deeds.
The cost is the biggest limiting factor obviously. Unfortunately, I wasn't exaggerating when I said it was/is my fave deck. My friend had one (still does) from back during Tempest/Urza, and it was awesome. I've just come to terms with the fact that it will take a few months to build it.
I have the Academy Rector to tutor for the Nightmare (and to grab Deeds or Bargain). Though I could probably find space for another 1-2 RN's as well as Demonic Tutor. What changes would you make to add in two more RN's?
Basking Rootwalla and Memnite are there to fuel Vengevine (and can act as free sac fuel as needed); he's the primary aggro win-con (I mean, he was the final straw that caused SotF to be banned in Legacy). It's also set up to SB into a more control focused build (more like the builds of old) which would give me 7 slots for more creatures/spells. I have considered Bloodghast as well though; I like the fact that he can come back again and again.
Squee is simply there to make sure I can always fuel Survival.
The rest of the creatures either effect the board state directly, or have EtB/Die activated trigger. Except the Sphinx - she just beats face if I switch to the more control focused build.
4x Birds of Paradise
4x Wall of Roots
1x Squee, Goblin Nabob
1x Eternal Witness
1x Genesis
2x Basking Rootwalla
1x Memnite
4x Vengevine
1x Angel of Despair
1x Phyrexian Ingester
1x Fleshbag Marauder
1x Shriekmaw
1x Big Game Hunter
1x Harmonic Sliver
1x Man-o'-War
1x Scavenging Ooze
1x Glen Elendra Archmage
1x Kira, Great Glass-Spinner
1x Iona, Shield of Emeria
1x Sun Titan
4x Survival of the Fittest
4x Recurring Nightmare
2x Tortured Existence
Land
2x Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
2x Twilight Mire
4x Thran Quarry
4x Reflecting Pool
4x Overgrown Tomb
4x Llanowar Wastes
1x Gaddock Teeg
1x Meddling Mage
1x Tidehollow Sculler
1x Phyrexian Revoker
1x Kokusho, the Evening Star
1x Palinchron
1x Sheoldred, Whispering One
1x Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite
1x Blazing Archon
1x Angel of Serenity
Pros:
Simply put, it works. It has always been a functional deck and continues to be so.
Cons:
It relies solely on creatures and the graveyard to effect the board state and can therefore be completely shut down by some decks.
2x Academy Rector
4x Veteran Explorer
1x Squee, Goblin Nabob
1x Eternal Witness
4x Vengevine
2x Basking Rootwalla
1x Memnite
1x Scavenging Ooze
1x Shriekmaw
1x Harmonic Sliver
1x Duplicant
1x Angel of Despair
1x Sun Titan
1x Iona, Shield of Emeria
4x Cabal Therapy
4x Survival of the Fittest
2x Recurring Nightmare
2x Tortured Existence
2x Pernicious Deed
1x Yawgmoth's Bargain
Land
20 Lands
1x Kokusho, the Evening Star
1x Palinchron
1x Gaddock Teeg
1x Meddling Mage
1x Phyrexian Revoker
1x Glen Elendra Archmage
1x Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite
1x Sheoldred, Whispering One
1x Blazing Archon
1x Angel of Serenity
1x Sphinx of the Steel Wind
Pros:
Has alternative protective measures in Pernicious Deed and Cabal Therapy.
More stable mana base as it is all lands and does not really on mana-dorks.
Cons:
Veteran Explorer - I only play casual so unlike Legacy there is a decent amount of basic lands almost any deck I face which means I will be ramping them as well as myself. The only hope is that my deck will a) Be more prepared to make use of the mana b) Cabal Therapy will hopefully be able to limit the use of cards that can really hurt the deck until it establishes a board presence.
More expensive - Not hugely and mostly due to the Rectors and Deeds which can be purchased over time. It's a question of whether or not it's worthwhile.
Could possibly be slower and no more effective.
Either way I go I need to tweak the builds and play test for the final set ups. My question is; given the changes what do you think would be the better way to go?
The Commander does seem strong and I'm sure that I'll have mana free at times to level him up and with even 1 other lord out he's a 5/5 Flyer (probably with islandwalk).
I'd consider investing in the vials but I don't want the deck to be too degenerate and Merfolk are pretty strong even without it.
4x Cursecatcher
4x Silvergill Adept
4x Lord of Atlantis
4x Master of the Pearl Trident
4x Merro Reerjerey
4x Coralhelm Commander
4x Standstill
4x Daze
4x Mental Misstep
2x Spell Pierce
2x Dismember
16x Island
4x Halimar Depths
A few considerations;
Coralhel Commander; is he worth it? He can provide a mana sink and leveled up he is pretty solid. However, the question is, how often will I have free mana to level him up? I could always replace him with Phantasmal Image.
The other concern is land; is 20 enough without Aether Vial? Or should I cut two cards and go up to 22?
4x Treasure Hunt
2x Zombie Infestation
1x Elixir of Immortality
4x Reliquary Tower
4x Dread Statuary
4x Halimar Depths
23x Island
22x Swamp
The Elixir is a sub for Kozilek which is now running for $35! lol. Decided to forget about Flame-Kin and Dread; save that for dredge. Going to run the deck as is and adjust as needed, while keeping it mega-budget, lol.
Side note: Considering also making a build with Seismic Assault for an alternative Insta-kill.
Edit: Just did a quick search; need to look more but one that came up was Vampire Hexmage. 2/1 First Strike. The CMC could hurt though; another BB. The advantage is it can work as anti-Planeswalker (if I happen to come up against any) or with Dark Depths if I ever make the investment (and find space as it doesn't tap for mana).
As far as my meta goes it's varied; lots of combo and aggro but not as much control. if I wanted to make the investment Inquisition of Kozilek would be the best in the 1-drop slot but again, it's the $$$ investment. I could always run Duress until the deck is finished and then slowly switch them out for IoK.
Anyway, this is what I have so far;
2x Scavenging Ooze
4x Putrid Leech
4x Nyxathid
4x Bloodbraid Elf
2x Thundermaw Hellkite
Spells - 20
3x Lightning Bolt
4x Terminate
4x Hymn to Tourach
4x Blightning
3x Despise
2x Duress
Land - 24
1x Forest
2x Swamp
1x Mountain
1x Karplusan Forest
2x Overgrown Tomb
2x Llanowar Wastes
2x Copperline Gorge
4x Blackcleave Cliffs
2x Raging Ravine
2x Treetop Village
1x Fire-Lit Thicket
2x Graven Cairns
2x City of Brass
2x Obstinate Baloth
2x Grim Lavamancer
Obviously it won't be winning any tournaments but I think it could handle its own in my group. There are some budget substitutions;
Nyxathid is a (inferior) replacement for Tarmogoyf
Grim Lavamancer = budget Deathrite Shaman
No Bob's or Lilianna. The only changes from that list are possibly some DS's down the road.
So I'm still 4 cards short; not sure if I should go the Duress/Despise route or maybe some card draw? Let me know what you guys think about the deck and any (budget) changes you might make.
Won't this combo mean lands become Artifact Creatures with P/T= 0/0 (since they have no casting cost) which means they all die? Is that your plan, to drop it late and wipe out your opponents mana base?
Linvala is probably the best option (easier to cast) but there is always Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite. "All your lands is become dead!"
Probably just up the Crystal to 2.
As far as Throatslitter; she's a little costly to run MD. I like Mistblade since it comes out for 1. Part of the reason i want to be able to bounce my own creatures back to hand, so I can re-cast it. I've thought abut sideboarding the Okiba-Gang Shinobi; it's too costly to run MD, especially since I don't play against much control.
Enablers
4x Ornithopter
4x Thalakos Seer
2x Baleful Strix
4x Mistblade Shinobi
4x Ninja of the Deep Hours
2x Throat Slitter
2x Higure, the Still Wind
2x Ink-Eyes, Servant of Oni
2x Cover of Darkness
2x Grafted Wargear
Lands - 22
4x Creeping Tar Pit
4x Darkslick Shores
4x Underground River
6x Island
So as far as spells I've been thinking some removal and maybe discard; Go For the Throat and Despise.
I've also been thinking about adding 1 of each; Crystal Shard and Skeleton Shard.
Anyway, let me know what you think; cards to add, remove.
Note: I may be cutting the 2 Baleful Strix; going to an event this weekend and if anyone will trade them for 2 Vengevines (since they are the same $$ right now) I may do it. So alternate ideas for them may help as well. Cheers.
Touché
Also, some other great Mill cards:
Hedron Crab
Tomb Scour
Glimpse the Unthinkable <- Edit - Not budget!
Archive Trap (though that may be more suited sideboard tech)
Nemesis of Reason
If budget is no issue, then nothing beats: Grindstone + Painter's Servant
Not sure what the cost on any of those are (except Grindstone which are $25+ a piece - hence, not budget), but hopefully it gives you some ideas.
Cheers