This is actually a really cool idea! I've never really seen anything about Shadowborn Apostle in EDH, especially not with the variance of win conditions that you have here. Out of curiosity, what is the average win speed of this deck? If it's not too fast, you might want to look at going a bit bigger with more demons to fetch, such as Shadowborn Demon, Reaper from the Abyss, and maybe Lord of the Pit just for flavor. Also, some more Stax-based cards, like the classic Attrition, may give you more variety. Thanks for the great list idea!
Great deck! Seems like a ton of fun, and really strong. Real quick, why Tainted Pact and Demonic Consultation? I mean, I guess you could use more tutors, but why those as opposed to other options, such as Beseech the Queen, Demonic Collusion, or even Signal the Clans? Not meaning to be rude or anything here, I just suck at wording posts >.<
How is this deck at closing games? I love the theme and a lot of the creatures in it, but it seems like it could use some larger dudes to finish the game/generate your own threat, in place of some of the less useful smaller guys. For example, have you considered taking out Whispering Specter and Disciple of Phenax? It doesn't seem like discard effects for individual cards would be very powerful, even if recurrable.
I simply don't want the playgroup to dissolve into a fit of "X card is so broken" and other remarks that are detrimental to the fun of this game. I've experienced quite a bit of that elsewhere, and it doesn't lend itself to an enjoyable time. As for the watermark comment, you're right. They won't care that much, but I don't think it'll be such a big deal that the cards are bad. It's something that I do because I think it's cool, and I don't appreciate being insulted for that. I'd really appreciate it if you were to stop being so derogatory now, as it's personally taken all the fun out of this. I assumed this forum would be a place free from situations like this. I don't see what you hope to accomplish out of being so mean, as it certainly isn't encouraging me to take heed of your advice or change my deck. All it's doing is ruining my day. Thanks.
For the record I don't understand these kinds of decks at all. Most of your spells wouldn't make the cut in a typical RGD draft deck and Detain is a horrendous multiplayer keyword because it's almost purely aggressive and bad against multiple opponents. Given that you have 0 blink effects I don't see how you plan on killing people. If your deck had Flickerwisp and Sun Titan and possibly even Phantasmal Image, ok, sure, maybe you've got something then. At least then you have a strong lategame plan and otherwise you're just casting and Cloning 3/1 fliers who can Detain/blink Detainers. Still, it's nice being able to do things like revive a bunch of Titans and Images and Wisps who can go on to blink the Titans/Detainers some more to actually close a game out.
I also wouldn't mind seeing something like the Ephara, God of the Polis or whatever given that you're playing things like Sphere and Martial Law. Like I said I hate the vast majority of your spells anyways and you could cut everything but Rev + Verdict and I wouldn't blink an eye. I really don't understand why any of those spells are in there. This deck seems hungry for mana and cards and so you'd do well to add things like Azorius Signet (although I always pair Mind Stone with Sun Titan) and Rhystic Study or any good Blue draw spell for that matter(Trade Secrets, Compulsive Research, Fact or Fiction, all of which love the Sun Titan recursion plan btw).
As I said initially, this is meant to be a flavor based deck, using only cards with the Azorius watermark. Cards like Sun Titan, Rhystic Study, or any other cards you mentioned are certainly great, but don't fit this. Secondly, I explained that this isn't meant to be a competitive deck at all, and will only be played at the kitchen table. This deck isn't meant to be powerful, or to use the most amazing cards. It's supposed to be on an even playing field with the other decks at the table while maintaining the lore-friendliness it has now. If you don't understand these kinds of decks, don't post on them. Thank you.
I know some of these cards suck. But my goal isn't to make it a competitive or powerful deck.
Hey everyone, this is the first of many decks I'll be posting in my Spicy Theme Decks series, a collection focused on building flavorful, casual decks meant to showcase the style of several tribes, factions, and more. This particular deck will be on one of the 10 Guilds of Ravnica: Azorius. As a fun challenge, I decided that besides lands, every single card in the deck would have the Azorius watermark, with specifications such as 2 of each Azorius guildmage (original and New Prahv), singletons of the previous guild leader, the current one, and the guild champion for Maze's End, and finally, 3 of each guild specific land plus a singleton of the "home base" lands for the factions. I plan to do this for each other guild, and will upload those ASAP. So, without further ado, here it is!
Note: I chose to not include any 4-ofs in the deck, as I wanted to include more cards and didn't want the same ones always popping up.
About the Deck:
With this deck, I aimed to capture the spirit of the Azorius guild and what they do, using some aspects of control, some small beaters, and a couple big guys to end the game. Every card in the deck (non-land) has the Azorius watermark, in order to preserve flavor. I didn't use many of the old Azorius cards because they seem a little less cohesive with the lore side of the guild. Not only that, but it was hard to jibe them with the newer ones. Of course, if you think of a good reason to include them, or a couple great additions from that block, I'll definitely consider it. Next, the issue of power level. This was designed really only for the kitchen table, where a couple friends of mine could play small multiplayer matches in a "battle of the guilds". I understand this isn't a Tier 1 UW Control deck, and I don't want it to be. Hence, the 1-of Sphinx's Revelation and the presence of some mediocre cards (Also, as you can see, I tried to limit the number of rares or mythics in the deck). I am definitely seeking to improve the deck in terms of flavor, cohesion and fun, so if you can think of ways to do that, let me know!
This just about concludes Spicy Theme Decks - Azorius. I'm always looking for ways to modify the deck, and feedback would be greatly valued. Explanations for every card will be coming soon, along with a change log. With that said, thank you for reading! Have a nice day
Cool deck! While I myself won't be sleeving up the deck anytime soon, I admire the work you put into this deck to really make it something special. I have a few cards that I think might help in this deck.
First, according to your Card Explanation section, you put Trading Post in because Staff of Domination had just been banned. Now that it's not, I don't see why not put this excellent card into your deck. It has plenty of interactions with the rest of the cards, I'm sure.
What about Sad Robot? Solemn Simulacrum does accelerate you and give card draw, and is definitely an EDH staple. It may be better overall than some other iffy cards, such as Scarecrone.
Duplicant is tutorable with cards like Eye of Ugin, built in removal, and a powerful creature. It has potential. While there's no interaction with Karn, it's just a good card, which I can imagine would help.
Similar to the previous card, Steel Hellkite is just a good creature. There shouldn't really be a mana problem, and it is tutorable. Unanswered, this card can demolish your opponents' board.
Lastly, I really love Ring of Three Wishes. It's a phenomenal tutor, and I honestly think this card needs to be in your deck. It's such a helpful combo-assembler.
Good luck winning and improving this top-notch deck!
Ogre Battledriver/In the Web of War: I get that haste does have some benefit to this deck, but not as much as I think is required to keep these cards in the deck.
Kagemaro: It's really just a beater with an ability to kill stuff. Cut it.
Pandemonium: Do you really need another Warstorm Surge/Stalking Vengeance, only worse? I don't think so.
My deck isn't voltron.
Harrow is worse than any ramp card I currently run. And worse than every other card.
Well, I get that its main objective isn't to win through commander damage, it still has potential to win through it, which Feast and Famine helps with, or can just be equipped to any other creature, just to be able to untap lands and make Omnath bigger. Also, Harrow isn't that bad, and allows you to use the mana you put onto the battlefield immediately, thus also potentially making Omnath bigger.
Nice list! Looks pretty absurd from here, and the few pieces of feedback I have are mostly the same as GFireflyE's. Immaculate Magistrate isn't necessary, Gilt-Leaf Archdruid is not plausible, protection for Ezuri needed, etc. I do have two questions, though:
Gyre Sage doesn't seem like it would actually evolve that often. Is this incorrect?
Do you ever have land problems with only 28? I get that you only need a couple to run, but it still seems unusually small. Maybe I would run 30.
As a sort of Voltron card that powers up Omnath, what about Sword of Feasr and Famine? Also, Harrow may be a good ramp spell for this deck. One more question: although you do have a lot of mana ramp, does 34 lands ever seem too few to you in this deck?
For several of the cards in your deck, there are simply better alternatives:
1. I would recommend changing your counter suite, first of all. Instead of Rewind and Dissipate, I'd run Counterspell and Hinder.
2. Instead of Signal the Clans, which is random and gives your opponent more information, why not run Worldly Tutor or Mystical Tutor, which are targeted and put the card on the top of the deck for Intet?
3. While there are benefits to Skyscribing's Forecast effect, I think you should just run Mind Spring.
4. For EDH, Rampant Growth is one of the worst ramp spells. Almost any other one used in Green decks on this site is better, look at those.
5. Regrowth is a better Revive, and sells for under $10.
6. Either as an add-on or in replacement of Swiftfoot Boots, play Lightning Greaves. The free equip is unbelievably helpful.
7. I'm not noticing a +1/+1 counter theme here, which makes me believe that there are better hydras to use in this deck than Kalonian Hydra, such as Primordial Hydra or Savageborn Hydra.
For the remaining cards that I don't like in this deck, (Life from the Loam, Dracogenius, and Soul of the Harvest), and maybe if you ever get rid of other stuff, this deck needs either more lands or more ramp. You can't afford to run only 34 lands in a deck with so many high-cost creatures. Lastly, if you can break your budget rule for any two cards, I'd recommend Scroll Rack and Sensei's Divining Top. These cards do wonders with any deck, especially Intet. Sorry for the long response, and good job with making a good deck!
Do you have an infinite mana combo with Palinchron? If not, I would not recommend running it. Also, I'm not a huge fan of Vorinclex, as he doesn't seem as useful to this deck as another removal, ramp, or counter spell would be.
As I said initially, this is meant to be a flavor based deck, using only cards with the Azorius watermark. Cards like Sun Titan, Rhystic Study, or any other cards you mentioned are certainly great, but don't fit this. Secondly, I explained that this isn't meant to be a competitive deck at all, and will only be played at the kitchen table. This deck isn't meant to be powerful, or to use the most amazing cards. It's supposed to be on an even playing field with the other decks at the table while maintaining the lore-friendliness it has now. If you don't understand these kinds of decks, don't post on them. Thank you.
I know some of these cards suck. But my goal isn't to make it a competitive or powerful deck.
3 Azorius Arrester
2 Azorius Guildmage
2 New Prahv Guildmage
3 Lyev Skyknight
2 Azorius Justiciar
1 Grand Arbiter Augustin IV
2 Windreaver
1 Lavinia of the Tenth
1 Isperia, Supreme Judge
1 Archon of the Triumvirate
3 Azorius Charm
2 Render Silent
2 Fall of the Gavel
1 Overrule
1 Sphinx’s Revelation
Sorcery:
2 Inaction Injunction
2 Lyev Decree
1 Supreme Verdict
3 Detention Sphere
1 Martial Law
Lands:
3 Azorius Chancery
3 Azorius Guildgate
3 Hallowed Fountain
1 Prahv, Spires of Order
7 Island
7 Plains
Note: I chose to not include any 4-ofs in the deck, as I wanted to include more cards and didn't want the same ones always popping up.
About the Deck:
With this deck, I aimed to capture the spirit of the Azorius guild and what they do, using some aspects of control, some small beaters, and a couple big guys to end the game. Every card in the deck (non-land) has the Azorius watermark, in order to preserve flavor. I didn't use many of the old Azorius cards because they seem a little less cohesive with the lore side of the guild. Not only that, but it was hard to jibe them with the newer ones. Of course, if you think of a good reason to include them, or a couple great additions from that block, I'll definitely consider it. Next, the issue of power level. This was designed really only for the kitchen table, where a couple friends of mine could play small multiplayer matches in a "battle of the guilds". I understand this isn't a Tier 1 UW Control deck, and I don't want it to be. Hence, the 1-of Sphinx's Revelation and the presence of some mediocre cards (Also, as you can see, I tried to limit the number of rares or mythics in the deck). I am definitely seeking to improve the deck in terms of flavor, cohesion and fun, so if you can think of ways to do that, let me know!
This just about concludes Spicy Theme Decks - Azorius. I'm always looking for ways to modify the deck, and feedback would be greatly valued. Explanations for every card will be coming soon, along with a change log. With that said, thank you for reading! Have a nice day
First, according to your Card Explanation section, you put Trading Post in because Staff of Domination had just been banned. Now that it's not, I don't see why not put this excellent card into your deck. It has plenty of interactions with the rest of the cards, I'm sure.
What about Sad Robot? Solemn Simulacrum does accelerate you and give card draw, and is definitely an EDH staple. It may be better overall than some other iffy cards, such as Scarecrone.
Duplicant is tutorable with cards like Eye of Ugin, built in removal, and a powerful creature. It has potential. While there's no interaction with Karn, it's just a good card, which I can imagine would help.
Similar to the previous card, Steel Hellkite is just a good creature. There shouldn't really be a mana problem, and it is tutorable. Unanswered, this card can demolish your opponents' board.
Lastly, I really love Ring of Three Wishes. It's a phenomenal tutor, and I honestly think this card needs to be in your deck. It's such a helpful combo-assembler.
Good luck winning and improving this top-notch deck!
Ogre Battledriver/In the Web of War: I get that haste does have some benefit to this deck, but not as much as I think is required to keep these cards in the deck.
Kagemaro: It's really just a beater with an ability to kill stuff. Cut it.
Pandemonium: Do you really need another Warstorm Surge/Stalking Vengeance, only worse? I don't think so.
Well, I get that its main objective isn't to win through commander damage, it still has potential to win through it, which Feast and Famine helps with, or can just be equipped to any other creature, just to be able to untap lands and make Omnath bigger. Also, Harrow isn't that bad, and allows you to use the mana you put onto the battlefield immediately, thus also potentially making Omnath bigger.
Gyre Sage doesn't seem like it would actually evolve that often. Is this incorrect?
Do you ever have land problems with only 28? I get that you only need a couple to run, but it still seems unusually small. Maybe I would run 30.
1. I would recommend changing your counter suite, first of all. Instead of Rewind and Dissipate, I'd run Counterspell and Hinder.
2. Instead of Signal the Clans, which is random and gives your opponent more information, why not run Worldly Tutor or Mystical Tutor, which are targeted and put the card on the top of the deck for Intet?
3. While there are benefits to Skyscribing's Forecast effect, I think you should just run Mind Spring.
4. For EDH, Rampant Growth is one of the worst ramp spells. Almost any other one used in Green decks on this site is better, look at those.
5. Regrowth is a better Revive, and sells for under $10.
6. Either as an add-on or in replacement of Swiftfoot Boots, play Lightning Greaves. The free equip is unbelievably helpful.
7. I'm not noticing a +1/+1 counter theme here, which makes me believe that there are better hydras to use in this deck than Kalonian Hydra, such as Primordial Hydra or Savageborn Hydra.
For the remaining cards that I don't like in this deck, (Life from the Loam, Dracogenius, and Soul of the Harvest), and maybe if you ever get rid of other stuff, this deck needs either more lands or more ramp. You can't afford to run only 34 lands in a deck with so many high-cost creatures. Lastly, if you can break your budget rule for any two cards, I'd recommend Scroll Rack and Sensei's Divining Top. These cards do wonders with any deck, especially Intet. Sorry for the long response, and good job with making a good deck!