Definitely needs token doublers (Parallel Lives and Doubling Season at least, but Primal Vigor and Second Harvest should probably be on the table too) to make the most out of Ishkanah's trigger, Arachnogenesis, and Spider Spawning. Maybe add a Riftsweeper to get Spider Spawning back? I've found that there's usually something kicking around in exile for him to put back, and it's an interesting bit of technology. Also, the classic Ashnod's Altar + Nim Deathmantle combo wins the game with Ishkanah and each individual piece is well worth the value they add to your deck, in my opinion. The seven relevant fetchlands will make achieving delirium a bit easier.
Well, I can't say I expected a second Zada to get printed.
Seems useful as a second copy for when people are gunning for the original, plus its slightly-different ability means that by killing it they also lose their own board. Thoughts?
Animar reduces alternative casting costs, yes. I was considering the Gryff as well but I think I'd rather just have Mulldrifter almost 100% of the time and I don't have anything I'd be willing to cut for it, since it's a 7-drop without Animar.
The "exchange" part makes it kind of anemic in multiplayer, but I like the political aspect of it (make the tree a 0/40 and then later save someone from death by making their life total 40 and then turn it on the biggest threat). Cool card, hope I can get it with Triskaidekaphobia in limited at least once.
I still have a version of my oldest EDH deck (Omnath, Locus of Mana ca. Fall 2013, when I got back into MTG after quitting during Scars). The original version played Aspect of Hydra, which should tell you enough.
Even decks I've made as recently as last year are quite bad when compared to the decks I build now.
If anything, printing pushed linear legendary creatures seems more of a danger (think Ayli, Omnath, and Gitrog in Standard sets and almost everything printed in a Commander precon). Having game-ending plays is how you, uh, end the game.
Well, I can't say I expected a second Zada to get printed.
Seems useful as a second copy for when people are gunning for the original, plus its slightly-different ability means that by killing it they also lose their own board. Thoughts?
Even decks I've made as recently as last year are quite bad when compared to the decks I build now.
I'm sure this nets you infinite turns/golems/permanents destroyed/just wins the game through some convoluted means, probably involving Illusionist's Bracers or Dross Scorpion or Clock of Omens or some other such nonsense.
...Yeah, I'm not expecting much from EMN. The most exciting post-OGW card for this deck so far is the first foil printing of Beetleback Chief.
I've only ever seen the green and red ones played but taking either is usually a godawful decision.