MTG Salvation

Thx!

Glimmervoid, Flickerwisp

My opponent blinked out my only artifact with Flickerwisp on his turn while I control Glimmervoid. Will my Glimmervoid "die" due to lack of artifact at the end of his turn? And what if similar thing happened during my turn?

Quote from darrenhabib »

If you could cast Righteous Confluence and do the 10 poison then it would be OK, but it's only 9.

If you could get in some Voltron damage in with as well, but trying to do it through F&S is actually harder than you think.

Not to say there isn't a build where it would be good, I think if you play some double damage cards, then you could get the one spell kills.

Double damage enchantment would be ideal for F&S, even if poison isn't part of the build. Harsh Mentor with infect damage could eat away opponent pretty decently.

Quote from Forgotten One »

If you really want to be a jerk, you can use it to recur Mindslaver once you get to 11 mana with the aforementioned Erratic Portal tricks.

There also has to be something worthwhile to play every turn for free with Shell of the Last Kappa like Time Stretch.

Aye, Mindslaver is in the list. Shell of the Last Kappa is an interesting concept, consider Rona with set up could recur it over and over.

The list went through a major update this afternoon, I'm personally pleased with how many directions Rona could go. It's quite entertaining to make Ashiok even more annoying than Ashiok already is.

Updated the list with PWs and Voyager Staff. I wonder if the Staff + Rona could lead to some infinite enter/exit combo?

Currently, I think there are a few ways to build Rona:

1) Counter-matter, which focus on PWs, Sagas, and artifacts with counters on it. Proliferate, energy, and Poison theme, even.
2) Artifact centric, like Silas Renn, Seeker Adept but without the need for combat.
3) Stax, Rona will use to retrieve resources needed to maintain pressure. (Smokestack, Eggs)
4) Mixed control, use Rona to continuously retrieve cards like Engineered Explosives.

Quote from Gutterstorm »

Rona is aggressively mediocre. I can't think of anything she or her deck would do that would be even remotely comparable to other UB commanders.

She has unique abilities and she is a challenge to build. Don't know about you, but that's all the reasons I need to make a deck. Care to detail some constructive criticisms?

Back to the topic:

Some ideas I found on Reddit are very artifact focused, with cards like Padeem, Consul of Innovation, Muzzio, Visionary Architect, Arcum Dagsson, Master Transmuter, Riddlesmith, Etherium Sculptor, etc. She is an ARTIFICER, after all, I wonder if the original intent was artifacts also.

Quote from wagonkiler »

If you give Firesong and sunspeaker infect (grafted exoskeleton) you can kill a player with 4 lifegain spells.
Might not be for this deck, but certainly interesting.

I second this idea. And there's Pulse of the Fields that'd help keeping the damage/poison flowing if you have lower health. Also fetchable with Sunforger.

Given the defensive nature of this deck, perhaps having PWs as your wincon would be viable? Since you can cast them in flash speed too.

Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite

If I clone Elesh Norn, do my opponents' creatures get -4/-4 before the legend rule kicks in and kill off one of the Norn?

I would personally trade mine for something else. It doesn't fix color (since you need relative permanents in play first), and it does not accelerate (again, need permanents in play first).

Quote from tstorm823 »

Thrull Parasite


The counter removal ability is certainly what it's trying to sell you on, but extort has always outperformed my expectations, an extort 1-drop is not undesirable.

Great with Saga!

I will add all your suggestions to the list. Remember Rona could recur artifact, planeswalker, and legendary enchantment as well, not just creatures like with Phyrexian Reclamation or Haunted Crossroads.

EDIT: I think Dire Undercurrents fits the theme of blink and clone, and Null Profusion is less dangerous with Rona's ability around.

Rona, Disciple of Gix

Compare to other legends in this set, Rona received quite a bit of criticism. As always, I prefer making a list first.

Rona’s Strength

1) Upon entering the battle, you may exile a historic card in your graveyard and cast it when you are able. Historic includes artifacts, Saga, and ANY legendary spells, which includes creatures, enchantments, planeswalkers, and two new sorceries.
2) The effect last indefinitely till Rona leaves the battlefield.
3) Rona could exile the top card of your library for similar effect.
4) Unlike Snapcaster Mage, spells exiled by Rona do not get “exiled” after cast.
5) Exile top card of the library could be beneficial after rearrangement.

Rona’s Weakness

1) Expensive activation of her second ability.
2) Small body.
3) When Rona died, you can no longer cast spells exiled by her.

Bonus Clarity

1) Rona’s EtBF effect is easier to abuse and less burdensome. Blink cards like Conjurer's Closet and Ghostly Flicker let you reuse her trigger too, same with reanimation spells and clone spells.
2) You don’t need to store up multiple spells on Rona, just the most critical cards. One, if needed be.
3) According to the rule, “Once you begin to cast a card, losing control of Rona won’t affect the spell,” which means if it’s your turn you have priority and the spell will not go to waste.

Rona’s ability to “reanimate” historic permanents and spells by herself is unique. Instead of comparing Rona to Snapcaster I’d prefer seeing her as Yawgmoth’s Will for historic. If Dralnu, Lich Lord’s drawback didn’t stop him from being played, Rona should definitely be given the chance to shine.

Potential Synergy

1) With a sac outlet, Conjurer’s Closet could blink Rona each turn to exile a dead Venser, Shaper Savant for counterspell purposes (sac, blink and repeat).
2) Use up a PW, “reanimate” it with Rona afresh.
3) Sac and draw artifacts likes Mishra’s Bauble is repeat draw with Closet.
4) Cloudstone Curio could bounce Rona back to hand after having a legendary creature (exiled by her) enters the battlefield. Same with cards like Erratic Portal and Time of Ice.
5) Cackling Counterpart allows an instant “replacement” of Rona.
6) Chisei, Heart of Oceans and Hex Parasite allows you to remove counters from Saga. You may allow Chisei or the Saga to die then retrieve them with Rona.

Currently, I think there are a few ways to build Rona:

1) Counter-matter, which focus on PWs, Sagas, and artifacts with counters on it. Proliferate, energy, and Poison theme, even.
2) Artifact centric, like Silas Renn, Seeker Adept but without the need for combat.
3) Stax, Rona will use to retrieve resources needed to maintain pressure. (Smokestack, Eggs)
4) Mixed control, use Rona to continuously retrieve cards like Engineered Explosives.

Below is a progressive list on how to maximize Rona’s power. The emphasis is on reusing not only her ability but also others’. I suspect artifacts will always be easier for a historic deck.



Let’s brew!

Jaya's Immolating Inferno is suddenly supremely strong in 2HG.

Quote from Ertai Planeswalker »

Stephen Johnson did a piece on Hallr over at gatheringmagic.com: Link

His deck centers around kicker as it should, though I would add at least Sylvan Library into it. His LD approach is quite useful as Hallar could ramp up both mana and damage while keeping opponent's resource down.