If you go with snipe, consider Wee Dragonauts as a replacement for cyclops or even to run with it. Dragonauts has one less toughness, but does have flying. Also, though its pump is smaller, you could consider cards like Psychotic Fury to help raise the pump count and double the output and is especially easy to find at least one copy from experiment.
I kept watch over this threadn but barely had anything to add. I don't play as much and find myself focusing on other things.
I also have General Anxiety Disorder and it has wreaked havoc on my life. I am trying to get help for that while managing my daily responsibilities. It is rough.
I am always excited to see someone post here though! Especially an originating member. How have you been?
Definitely drop grip of amnesia. It doesn't work the way you seem to think it does.
It doesn't. They can remove cards even if there are no cards to exile.
Definitely suggest brainstorm becomes either Ponder, Preordain, Impulse, or the new impulse, Anticipate. You need your lock cards quick, and brainstorm will only put cards in your way while not guaranteeing you get what you need.
Grip of Amnesia can become any other cheap counter you choose. Negate seems alright. Especially so if you cut some other slots for more cheap library manipulation and draw. Maybe Gitaxian Probe could slip in as well.
These cards could fit. They require no creatures to die, are not creatures, and most are colorless. Some fit with the theme if you go the route most of these deck types go (wheel effects).
Crypt Incursion and Bloodchief Ascension are good if you do intend to use wheels. Incursion will be especially helpful in creature heavy enviroments.
This plan is unlikely to work against any reasonable sort of opposition. You're spending a total of 9 mana in the hopes that a 1/1 is going to live for several turns.
The problem I have is that most of my decks are a little too harsh for some of the people I play against. I am looking for fun and 'timmytastic' to be honest. Something more kitchen table and less composed I guess you could say.
I did some preliminary testing with Crypt Rats and High Priest of Penance. I'm still in the process of distilling the optimal deck but there are my findings so far (regarding cards that haven't been mentioned yet):
Spear of Heliod is nice! It pumps both the rats and the priest, so you get to combo them every player's turn.
Sword of Light and Shadow protects your rats from themselves and gets back all your dudes, but if you equip it on the priest it turns off the combo with the rats.
Nested Ghoul... Free zombies is nice, but they're not actually free; you have to play a fragile 5-drop and do stuff to it without killing it. If I really wanted zombies that badly I'd rather cast Grave Titan.
Stuffy Doll seems to fit the theme but I'm not crazy about it. Carries equipment rather well, though.
Triskelion seems nice. Can ping the priests (especially if they're equipped), deadly with Basilisk Collar, insta-win with Mikaeus, the Unhallowed.
These are the kind of ideas I was looking for!
While cute interactions seem too easy, I am okay with including them. Wall of Hope is a great addition as it offsets the rats' loss of life. If Scythe is on rats, it gets it back and keeps all of the shenanigans going. I am looking to use dying creatures to my advantage as well. I honestly haven't given much more thought to creatures to include except maybe Alms Beast. It's cheap and once blockers are cleared swings for the win in one turn. May be win-more though.
This is what I have so far. It is a Pestilence style deck with a focus on crypt rats. I need to fill the rest of the slots, leaving room for about 23 lands (swamps are placeholders).
I know one can just build a pestilence deck, but I just would like some fun interactions while still being playable.
Any ideas?
Still, I think two priest in a rats build would give it some extra utility without taking away from the deck. I plan to make this deck happen! Looking at a one of Scythe of the Wretched just for rats.
I think I will throw a list in the casual forum and see what can come of it.
After posting this in the regular creation forum, a user directed me here. I hope you all can punch a hole in it so we can figure it out.
Liquidate 2UU
Instant (C)
Counter target spell.
Inspirit (You may cast this face down as a 2/2 creature for 3. You may exile it and cast it by paying its mana cost any time you could cast it.)
If break open is used on it, this rule would be used.
If a face down permanent with the Inspirit keyword would turn face up, its controller reveals it and leaves it face down. Abilities that trigger whenever a permanent is turned face up won't trigger.
I am not a regular in this area and was unaware that thread existed. However, in light of manifest the thread was unlocked and is welcoming all new ideas.
I am just adding to the already long list of cards created by users here. I will admit, the title is a bit misleading. Most threads titled this way list multiple examples with the mechanic followed by other cards they came up with off-the-cuff.
Yes, Corpse Capture should read that way. And I worried it would be too powerful. Perhaps 4BBB
If you Break Open Liquidate, it would be revealed then turned face down again per rule 701.31f:
If a face down permanent with the Inspirit keyword would turn face up, its controller reveals it and leaves it face down. Abilities that trigger whenever a permanent is turned face up won't trigger.
Liquidate 2UU
Instant (C)
Counter target spell.
Inspirit (You may cast this face down as a 2/2 creature for 3. You may exile it and cast it by paying its mana cost any time you could cast it.)
Does it work? It seems to! And it aligns with morph's face down cost to allow some deception when mixed with morph and manifest. Also would include a rule about casting from manifested state. What do you think?
Corpse Capture 4BBB
Enchantment (R)
Corpse Capture can be cast from your graveyard.
When Corpse Capture enters the battlefield, return target creature card from a graveyard to the battlefield under your control.
When ~ leaves the battlefield, exile all creatures put onto the battlefield by ~.
Static Shock 1RR
Sorcery (U)
Static Shock deals 2 damage to target creature. Another target creature can't block this turn.
Just an interesting red spell for limited to break stalls or push for some damage. Too good?
How do you feel Unearth being paired with High Priest of Penance?
Perhaps I am reaching. In a deck that has a great way to clear boards, why use them? I figure it would be for more pinpoint removal that the deck can't touch, such as opposing enchantments, artifacts, and lands that can run rampant on casual tables. They could also be paired with crypt rats to make a pseudo pestilence deck type.
I also have General Anxiety Disorder and it has wreaked havoc on my life. I am trying to get help for that while managing my daily responsibilities. It is rough.
I am always excited to see someone post here though! Especially an originating member. How have you been?
It doesn't. They can remove cards even if there are no cards to exile.
Definitely suggest brainstorm becomes either Ponder, Preordain, Impulse, or the new impulse, Anticipate. You need your lock cards quick, and brainstorm will only put cards in your way while not guaranteeing you get what you need.
Grip of Amnesia can become any other cheap counter you choose. Negate seems alright. Especially so if you cut some other slots for more cheap library manipulation and draw. Maybe Gitaxian Probe could slip in as well.
These cards could fit. They require no creatures to die, are not creatures, and most are colorless. Some fit with the theme if you go the route most of these deck types go (wheel effects).
Crypt Incursion and Bloodchief Ascension are good if you do intend to use wheels. Incursion will be especially helpful in creature heavy enviroments.
The problem I have is that most of my decks are a little too harsh for some of the people I play against. I am looking for fun and 'timmytastic' to be honest. Something more kitchen table and less composed I guess you could say.
These are the kind of ideas I was looking for!
While cute interactions seem too easy, I am okay with including them. Wall of Hope is a great addition as it offsets the rats' loss of life. If Scythe is on rats, it gets it back and keeps all of the shenanigans going. I am looking to use dying creatures to my advantage as well. I honestly haven't given much more thought to creatures to include except maybe Alms Beast. It's cheap and once blockers are cleared swings for the win in one turn. May be win-more though.
2 Priest of Penance
4 Crypts Rats
1 Scythe of the Wretched
Sorcery:
3 Unearth
4 Undying Evil
3 Dark Ritual
3 Pestilence
Lands:
23 swamp
This is what I have so far. It is a Pestilence style deck with a focus on crypt rats. I need to fill the rest of the slots, leaving room for about 23 lands (swamps are placeholders).
I know one can just build a pestilence deck, but I just would like some fun interactions while still being playable.
Any ideas?
I think I will throw a list in the casual forum and see what can come of it.
If break open is used on it, this rule would be used.
Diabolic Servitude is where I drew inspiration from.
I am not a regular in this area and was unaware that thread existed. However, in light of manifest the thread was unlocked and is welcoming all new ideas.
I am just adding to the already long list of cards created by users here. I will admit, the title is a bit misleading. Most threads titled this way list multiple examples with the mechanic followed by other cards they came up with off-the-cuff.
Just a random thought I had while coming up with some cards. It uses most of the rules and templating in place thanks to manifest. No other reason.
If you Break Open Liquidate, it would be revealed then turned face down again per rule 701.31f:
It's a slightly reworded manifest rule.
Does it work? It seems to! And it aligns with morph's face down cost to allow some deception when mixed with morph and manifest. Also would include a rule about casting from manifested state. What do you think?
Just an interesting red spell for limited to break stalls or push for some damage. Too good?
Edit: Fixed Corpse Capture.
Perhaps I am reaching. In a deck that has a great way to clear boards, why use them? I figure it would be for more pinpoint removal that the deck can't touch, such as opposing enchantments, artifacts, and lands that can run rampant on casual tables. They could also be paired with crypt rats to make a pseudo pestilence deck type.
Anyone given this a try?