Since its been quite awhile since Entomb has been a four-of, have there been any new flashback/retrace cards that would be worthy alternate entomb targets?
I can't help but think that recurring creatures is a little stale..
As for the deck you've posted, I don't know if Mana Drain is required; the colourless mana will largely be wasted unless all the moxen are out (to cast any fat in your hand). Perhaps Misdirection would be better suited here.
Edit: A quick look at all flashback/retrace cards since odessey block come up zilch on playability for this type of deck, except possibly Raven's Crime. Oh well.
My favourite foreign card is the spanish mana crypt, if only because its one of the few white bordered cards aside from Unlimited and P3K that people will admit to owning.
As the owner of the Paper Street Soap Co. said, elves aren't going to be dominating standard anytime soon. You may have better luck looking at elves in a block constructed deck. You do lose a few things, Tarmy being the obvious, but you'll have a lot less threats to worry about. 2x Eyeblight's Ending will definately help since it can be fetched by harbinger (which I think should be upped to 4x) and use 2-3 Shriekmaw to nail other elves and changelings. I can also see room for Skeletal Changling also because it can be fetched, and it holds up to deathtouch and fat. Garruk will do well, but not for his overrun ability. I'm also building an elves deck and have found Mosswort Bridge to be better in block since it hangs around longer and 10 power is not hard to find among lorwyn elves.
I think Thorn of Amethyst is going to be a great card for this kind of deck and could find a home mainboard. The increased cost is not a problem for the noncreature spells in the deck and has a great annoyance factor even for creature heavy decks.
Given the low curve of the deck, it may also be able to support Deathrender when Lorwyn comes out. Given the sac effects and Culm. upkeep, it wouldn't be hard to get a few extra creatures into play.
The deck is badly in need of some card draw. Puzzle's suggestion for the black splash would help in this area; red doesn't have much to offer except for browbeat EDIT: which could work if you can speed up your clock...
You might want to have a look at Finn's Death and Taxes, http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/showthread.php?t=90329 The version has a little more goblin hate, but its a meta call and hopefully your situation can be changed with the appropriate cheap legend.
Given the new tribal cards in this set, there's no reason why (according to the reminder text on packmaster) that a Elf enchantment or land could be used. I agree that its completely messed up flavorwise, but some tribal permanents will make the mechanic easier to swallow.
I've been trying to work with Glittering Wish since it was spoiled, but instead of taking a 5-colour approach, I've been looking at what enchantment cards people would like to wish for but wouldn't since no one plays Golden Wish. A few targets like Pillory of the Sleepless and Armadillo Cloak come to mind. Given this is extended and the cardpool is a little smaller, this strategy might not yield the best targets possible (Its been working fine for me in the eternal formats).
After that, the new wish should just be used to support other wishes for a given colour combination. If you're playing RWG, use this as an alternate Burning/Living wish; or Cunning Wish you're playing WUG. I found this way, your never mana screwed and the wish become less of a focus in the deck.
As for the deck itself, look at your sideboard. How many of those cards do you typically see in a sideboard/mainboard? It looks like they were put there just because they're gold or preventing extraction/extirpate/etc...
Yes, Deed + Artifact Lands are a good way to neuter yourself. I would lean towards WBG instead of five colour. This now gives you access to a WG Cunning Wish that i'm sure has its uses...
My friend runs a crazy dragon deck, but uses Aether Rift instead with Fires of Yavimaya. When your hand is mostly dragons, there's a good chance you putting a dragon into play. Your opponent isn't going to pay 5 life forever. Back it up with some cheap burn and your set.
I don't think a week is too long before adding a few thoughts...
Now that we know a little more about Planar Chaos, is there anything to add? I'm thinking Simian Spirit Guide and Essence Warden.
SSG + Shattering Spree could help an early CotV. SSG + REB could stop FoW or any other blue plays. The Essence Warden isn't a big deal, but it does boost your life in case you crap out partway through.
I see the black mini-haunting echoes hosing threshold and the red ESG maybe helping provide more mana sources for 2-land belcher. Even the white counterspells may through some people off, keeping an eye out for untapped plains. I think Avatar of Kokusho may have to update her avatar...
Edit: While there is very few actually "new" cards in this set, its really going to mess around with people's perceptions about what to expect when facing a particular colour. Planar Chaos indeed!
Well, a quick look at the spoiler shows that we already have 11 of the 12 hits for "legendary" so Evincar Gerrard might be losing steam pretty fast. Still, I wonder what he would be like if he was to mirror Volrath (from nemisis)?
Thx, just curious about other storm possibilities. On a completely unrelated topic, I usually run feldon's cane in this kind of deck for large group games.
EDIT: What sort of decks have you been facing on Workstation?
1. What's your average storm count on turn 1 (or whatever turn you go off)?
2. 11 Forests SB?
EDIT: I never thought to use the wall or marauder for this type of deck before...nice. Have you had any problems when going second? Chalice and Trinisphere (or even sphere of resistance) immediately spring to mind. Maybe Abeyance SB would help in game 2.
I can't help but think that recurring creatures is a little stale..
As for the deck you've posted, I don't know if Mana Drain is required; the colourless mana will largely be wasted unless all the moxen are out (to cast any fat in your hand). Perhaps Misdirection would be better suited here.
Edit: A quick look at all flashback/retrace cards since odessey block come up zilch on playability for this type of deck, except possibly Raven's Crime. Oh well.
It's strange that they would make the words "large base set" so prominent. Where have I seen that pose before???...
EDIT: Ah, gempalms, that's it!
Given the low curve of the deck, it may also be able to support Deathrender when Lorwyn comes out. Given the sac effects and Culm. upkeep, it wouldn't be hard to get a few extra creatures into play.
The deck is badly in need of some card draw. Puzzle's suggestion for the black splash would help in this area; red doesn't have much to offer except for browbeat EDIT: which could work if you can speed up your clock...
After that, the new wish should just be used to support other wishes for a given colour combination. If you're playing RWG, use this as an alternate Burning/Living wish; or Cunning Wish you're playing WUG. I found this way, your never mana screwed and the wish become less of a focus in the deck.
As for the deck itself, look at your sideboard. How many of those cards do you typically see in a sideboard/mainboard? It looks like they were put there just because they're gold or preventing extraction/extirpate/etc...
Yes, Deed + Artifact Lands are a good way to neuter yourself. I would lean towards WBG instead of five colour. This now gives you access to a WG Cunning Wish that i'm sure has its uses...
EDIT: not to mention a WG Buring Wish...
Now that we know a little more about Planar Chaos, is there anything to add? I'm thinking Simian Spirit Guide and Essence Warden.
SSG + Shattering Spree could help an early CotV. SSG + REB could stop FoW or any other blue plays. The Essence Warden isn't a big deal, but it does boost your life in case you crap out partway through.
Edit: While there is very few actually "new" cards in this set, its really going to mess around with people's perceptions about what to expect when facing a particular colour. Planar Chaos indeed!
I agree with this as well as the diamond. These will give you the extra mana to cast the marauder and wall (for at least 1) to scapegoat if needed.
EDIT: What sort of decks have you been facing on Workstation?
1. What's your average storm count on turn 1 (or whatever turn you go off)?
2. 11 Forests SB?
EDIT: I never thought to use the wall or marauder for this type of deck before...nice. Have you had any problems when going second? Chalice and Trinisphere (or even sphere of resistance) immediately spring to mind. Maybe Abeyance SB would help in game 2.