Yeah, that's the frustrating part. I want to use his shuffle effect in an attempt to not have him just be an Elvish Visionary in blue, but you're right, it's hard to set him up that way.
In a creatureless deck, Fblthp and Proteus Staff each turn makes it "2U Tap: Set up your library how you like and draw the two cards you're looking for." Maybe we should find way to protect that game plan instead.
No worries; he'll be tough to build as a commander, but that's why I want to try it out. Sultai colors seem pretty good for finding him.
Astro_Man brings up a good point, don't forget to wrap your deck with the [DECK] tags, as that'll make it easier for folks to read the cards (not everyone remembers the text to every card).
My current issue with building the deck is finding enough spells to trigger his shuffle ability. Isochron Scepter seems like a good choice (although susceptible to a lot of hate). I don't want to run Buyback cards (like Capsize as I don't want the Buyback to fizzle upon resolution. Any cards that others have found that work a little better for triggering Fblthp's shuffle effect?
Another kill option I'm looking at is Goblin Charbelcher. We can stack all our lands to the bottom with staff then draw belcher off Fblthb. Belcher becomes 7 mana blow a player up which seems fun haha.
I'm also thinking about Goblin Charbelcher. With Proteus Staff, you're able to reset the deck post-belcher and do it for max damage again.
Im building creatureless storm/artifacts. Activate a Proteus Staff on Fblthb, the lost with no other creatures in your deck and you get to draw any two cards in your deck as well as organize your whole deck. Maybe snipe some people with a goblin charbelcher after that.
Proteus Staff was my first thought as well. Still working on spells to shuffle him back in, but at least there's an engine.
For a different kind of pimp. White border Kaalia. Not pictured: Enlightened & Vampiric Tutours, Catastrophe, Living Death (still in transit), 2 Orbs, 'Geddon, Kismet and other high-disruption effects including hand disruption (Cursed Rack <3 ). It's been a super nostalgic run down memory lane.
Gitrog can still be pretty gross on a budget though. You don't even need many of his "signature" cards to run the table. With that being said, it will run very similarly to your Karametra deck, so I don't know if that's a route you'd want to go down.
Like the others have stated, Brago can be super budget and still run efficiently as his bounce targets are usually on the cheaper end.
Roon would be very similar to Brago, but adds that third color for access to more targets and that mana ramp you definitely crave. Can still be pretty budget with adding in targets like Wood Elves.
(I play a Saffi Eriksdotter that would be very similar to how Roon would play and how I have wanted access to blue creatures...)
Locust God - play a bunch of draw spells. Literally every card in your deck could be a draw spell and you'd always be a threat (same with Niv-Mizzet, Parun).
The five color commanders would be fun, but you're definitely correct that you want that smooth mana base. Since those commanders are Tribal-based, the creatures wouldn't be as cheap either.
Out of your options, I'd look at the non-five color commanders with your current budget/credit.
Sylvan Explorer 2GG
Creature - Elf
When (~) ETB, search your library for a land card and put it into your hand. Shuffle your library.
2/2
About as fair as I can make it. Would prefer a 3 cmc 1/1 with the same ability, but that may be too good.
Ambitious Scout 1GG
Creature - Elf
When (~) ETB, search your library for a land card and put it into your hand. Shuffle your library.
1/1
I want a creature 4 cmc or less that can search for ANY land and put it into my hand or battlefield.
Currently testing Utvenwald Hydra for the same ability as an ETB, but need something cheaper mana wise.
Could be set as a 1/1 for GGG. Keeps it cheaper CC-wise, but still make it slightly harder to splash. Also keeps it on par with cards like Borderland Ranger.
I was trying to build a Grand Melee style deck a few years ago to force everyone to attack all the time. The opposite version of that would be something like a Silent Arbiter-type deck where you have to carefully choose your attacks/blocks.
While looking for the name of Silent Arbiter, I forgot about Portcullis: yet another card that keeps the field relatively clear but still allows you to utilize your ETB effects.
Most of what I wish they'd print is just incomplete cycles (*cough* Urborg, tomb of Yawgmoth *cough*) and tweaks on things that already exist.
Now that I think about it, I think an Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth equivalent would be fantastic. Realistically/lore-wise, I don't know if every color could have it, but I at least see one for Islands, possibly one for Forests, and MAYBE one for Mountains. I don't know how the Plains one could feasibly work though.
The lands would still be very balanced as Black has the most effects based on Swamps (read as: Cabal Coffers) with Temur-colored lands in a close second. White doesn't get too much for counting the number of Plains (except Emeria, the Sky Ruin).
I think WOTC is afraid of the potential power considering how much use Urborg already receives.
How have the Fork variants been working out for you? I'm super hesitant to try those out as I'm afraid I'll strike out on an Etali flip more often than succeed.
Like the previous comment above, I run Oblivion Stone, Nevinyrral's Disk, Goblin Welder, and Daretti, Scrap Savant for that consistency. Yeah, it may seem counter-intuitive to destroy your own artifacts, but that should hardly be an option. Either you have the best position with Etali out or you don't. Especially in my meta, I need a little extra insurance (considering we're mono-Red).
Wall of PortalsWU
Creature - Wall
Defender
Whenever Wall of Portals enters the battlefield, you may exile an artifact or land you control. Return that card to the battlefield at end of turn. WU: Exile Wall of Portals, then return Wall of Portals to the battlefield.
0/4
In a creatureless deck, Fblthp and Proteus Staff each turn makes it "2U Tap: Set up your library how you like and draw the two cards you're looking for." Maybe we should find way to protect that game plan instead.
Astro_Man brings up a good point, don't forget to wrap your deck with the [DECK] tags, as that'll make it easier for folks to read the cards (not everyone remembers the text to every card).
My current issue with building the deck is finding enough spells to trigger his shuffle ability. Isochron Scepter seems like a good choice (although susceptible to a lot of hate). I don't want to run Buyback cards (like Capsize as I don't want the Buyback to fizzle upon resolution. Any cards that others have found that work a little better for triggering Fblthp's shuffle effect?
What about Wild Pair if you're in Sultai colors and Fblthp is in the 99? I also might try Silas Renn, Seeker Adept with Thrasios, Triton Hero.
I'm also thinking about Goblin Charbelcher. With Proteus Staff, you're able to reset the deck post-belcher and do it for max damage again.
Proteus Staff was my first thought as well. Still working on spells to shuffle him back in, but at least there's an engine.
Edit: Fblthp, the Lost, Crystal Shard, Gilded Lotus, and Paradox Engine draw your entire deck. Only sorcery speed, but still an effective combo.
Oh man, that is pretty. I love it.
Are you just looking for tap abilities or any activated abilities on creatures?
I also assume you're already running Rings of Brighthearth and Illusionist's Bracers?
Edit: How did I forget about Devoted Druid???
Like the others have stated, Brago can be super budget and still run efficiently as his bounce targets are usually on the cheaper end.
Roon would be very similar to Brago, but adds that third color for access to more targets and that mana ramp you definitely crave. Can still be pretty budget with adding in targets like Wood Elves.
(I play a Saffi Eriksdotter that would be very similar to how Roon would play and how I have wanted access to blue creatures...)
Locust God - play a bunch of draw spells. Literally every card in your deck could be a draw spell and you'd always be a threat (same with Niv-Mizzet, Parun).
The five color commanders would be fun, but you're definitely correct that you want that smooth mana base. Since those commanders are Tribal-based, the creatures wouldn't be as cheap either.
Out of your options, I'd look at the non-five color commanders with your current budget/credit.
Could be set as a 1/1 for GGG. Keeps it cheaper CC-wise, but still make it slightly harder to splash. Also keeps it on par with cards like Borderland Ranger.
While looking for the name of Silent Arbiter, I forgot about Portcullis: yet another card that keeps the field relatively clear but still allows you to utilize your ETB effects.
Now that I think about it, I think an Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth equivalent would be fantastic. Realistically/lore-wise, I don't know if every color could have it, but I at least see one for Islands, possibly one for Forests, and MAYBE one for Mountains. I don't know how the Plains one could feasibly work though.
The lands would still be very balanced as Black has the most effects based on Swamps (read as: Cabal Coffers) with Temur-colored lands in a close second. White doesn't get too much for counting the number of Plains (except Emeria, the Sky Ruin).
I think WOTC is afraid of the potential power considering how much use Urborg already receives.
Like the previous comment above, I run Oblivion Stone, Nevinyrral's Disk, Goblin Welder, and Daretti, Scrap Savant for that consistency. Yeah, it may seem counter-intuitive to destroy your own artifacts, but that should hardly be an option. Either you have the best position with Etali out or you don't. Especially in my meta, I need a little extra insurance (considering we're mono-Red).
Creature - Wall
Defender
Whenever Wall of Portals enters the battlefield, you may exile an artifact or land you control. Return that card to the battlefield at end of turn.
WU: Exile Wall of Portals, then return Wall of Portals to the battlefield.
0/4