Bit of a late response, but you mention the fact that I can police the table by playing a political game, and that to me just sounds incredibly enjoyable. The idea of playing politically is honestly the reason I am playing the format .
Whilst Sadistic Hypnotist sounds fun, do we run enough creatures to support it? I'll probably run it nonetheless, it sounds sweet.
Also, I figured I'd buy either Sylvan Library or Rhystic Study for monetary reasons, as I already own most of the other cards, and choosing to invest in both instead of cutting something is not doable with that fact in mind. I also stumbled upon a very sweet interaction between Underrealm Lich and Sylvan Library, and seeing as Underrealm lich is such powerful card in and of itself, I just subbed it in for Rhystic Study (due to the fact that I decided to buy Sylvan Library due to my love for green over blue). Though I am slightly worried that my graveyard will be stocked to such an extent where graveyard hate can put me out of commission. Using an eldrazi to have that re-shuffle would be a non-bo with Tasigur, so I opted out of that idea. Elixir of Immortality, however, could fill the role nicely as it is such a seemingly underwhelming card and getting it off Tasigur would probably not be that much of a challenge. Could also just not add Lich, or even better, kill the creature before I dig too deep.
Am I off base with my doubts for Lich? It has some sweet synergies with Splendid Reclamation and Scarab God/Muldrotha/Multani, but it's not like the deck skimps on card draw, so self-mill is a real fear imo.
You might be right, but I just love the consistent repeated card advantage and being able to circumvent the commander tax. I feel as if Muldrotha and Damia just get incredibly expensive throughout the game. Just not a fan of an initial cost of 6 or 7 and such powerful effects that everyone but me will kill them on sight. Additionally, I just kind of love the bananaman.
First of all, thank you for taking time out of your day! I'll address your questions in order:
Your assumption that I come from a 60 card format is spot on, and as a 5 or so year Modern player, many deck choices have probably been influenced by it, and as such the deck isn't as competitive as it could be. However, the reason I shy away from infinite combos is due to my playgroup not being able to consistently stop them from going off, and therefore I've strayed away to keep the powerelevel somewhat muffled. I get that the deck will probably still be quite powerful without said combos, but both I and my group enjoy the grind, so that part is perfectly fine. So if I were to be more concrete I'd say that I want to power the deck up as much as I can within the allotted budget without making for cheap wins. If that makes sense? (EDIT: I believe 75% is the term I'm looking for here.)
My favourite modern deck is GBx rock, meaning I enjoy grinding through the game not looking for any quick wins but rather trading efficiently and winning through card selection. Though in commander, the whole Mid-Range thing doesn't really pan out, so I'd say a controlling deck is about as close as I can get. However, I was not sure how I could make a control deck that could actually be good in addition to casting big dumb spells such as wealth, so I ended up with lands, as additional ramp not only helps in utility, but also gets me close to x=alot. If the deck could function well as a control deck I'd be all for it.
Another thing, I was torn between running a creature ramp package and a spell ramp package, but ended up going for spells as it allows me to potentially pump out Tasigur faster, and from my (limited) understanding, is harder for the opponent to deal with, and sticks around after board wipes. EDIT: On second thought, enabling Razaketh is probably reason enough to lean into creature ramp, though I'm not sure that would continue being worth it if I ever get a hold of Urborg + Coffers.
Also, due to my experience in Modern, I'm scared senseless of plays that give up a substantial amount of tempo, such as sacrificing Tasigur for 6 cards. That fear is probably just irrational in Commander, though, and playing that kind of effect is a good call.
Hey,
I've just recently got into commander, and as a massive fan of Sultai and Villainous Wealth, I decided to base my deck around said cards. However, since I'm new to the format, I'm fairly lost on how to continue upgrading the decks. As a result I am stuck on two decks and struggling to figure out which will run more smoothly, as it would take aaages to test whichever version is more successful.
http://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/villainous-tasigur-4/?cb=1539050604
This version is largely copied from Jumbo Commander's video on Wealth Tasigur, but I feel like running 3 delve cards and a delve commander in a deck that likes to keep a large portion of its graveyard is ballsy. Honestly though, maybe I don't see enough copies of each card to justify that doubt.
I then ended up building this version of the deck, and I don't know whether or not it would run more smoothly: http://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/tasigur-the-golden-fang-20-1/?cb=1539050626
I've dropped the discard-to-draw and delve package for a leaner ramp and creature package. I'm assuming this will run more smoothly, but am afraid that I am running too much ramp and/or a suboptimal manabase, as it was designed for the first version. I replaced most of the previous deck's CA with ramp, which means I might also be lacking ways to draw cards.
Would y'all be willing to provide some feedback as to which list I should continue working on? How could I potentially improve said decks. The cheaper the inclusion of a new card the better. More than 20$ per card (unless mandatory) most likely means I won't shell out for it. Appreciate any help you can provide!
DISCLAIMER: I know it would be more efficient and cheaper to run a Isochron Scepter combo deck, but I love durdly big spells and card advantage. So overhauling the deck completely is a no-go.
I've seen the addition of Resto before, but I honestly don't see what it brings to the deck. First and foremost here are only 3 targets, despite that the card is powerful on its own, but I also don't see which negative matchups it helps. Maybe i'm wrong, results would certainly suggest so.
Rest of the list looks streamlined and sweet, and yeah, you're probably right about shoving Iona (maybe just an Elesh Norn instead?) in the board.
There's recently been a shift at my LGS in which there is such an overwhelming presence of UW and UWr control that I honestly should just switch to a different deck to succeed. But being stubborn I decided I'd switch up the list a little to the point where it might have a fighting chance in the matchup. It's very possible that this version is just trying to do too many things for it to function properly. Not entirely sure. A notable exclusion is my dropping lingering souls. Honestly, I love the card and cutting it is probably silly, but I figure there's no need for extra grind power, and I guess I have to sacrifice something to make room for a reanimation package. Might be the wrong sacrifice, though. I do however like the idea of the reanimation package, as it gives standard Abzan a much better matchup against any Midrange or Control matchups in the format.
If i'm being entirely honest, I just find the concept incredibly sweet and would love for it to work. Anyone got any input for changes that you'd make?
My apologies if this doesn't entirely belong in this forum, as it is a deviation from the standard abzan rock lists. If that is the case, give me a heads up and i'll delete the post promptly
Progenitus seems perfect! I dismissed it earlier seince I figured it would just be chump-blocked for days, apparently I forgot what protection from all spells does. Terastodon would also work very well against big mana decks and the likes. Thank you!
What are you guys' opinion on Dreamstealer in the deck? It seems fairly good at attacking from another angle than we currently do. (Not sure how to link cards on mobile, my apologies)
@deckslayer
You could play Death Cloud, but it would mostly help in matchups where you're already favored, such as GBx and Control. If you're looking to lock out your opponent, Primal + Ewit is often enough. Also, the black splash is steep, it'd be hard to run Death Cloud and Finks/Courser/Hornet Queen (Which imo is all fairly important to the deck's success). I believe you'll be better off running a dedicated BG Death Cloud deck. I'm not trying to discourage you from trying it out , though. I encourage you to see if it functions well!
I'm not saying that Sphinx in and of itself is uncastable, it's the combination of a gifts package (which commonly includes Elesh and Iona) and sphinx. Also, if you're not casting serious haymakers, I don't see the point of running gifts. Therefore, If you're not playing haymakers, I would agree in saying that Primal Command is where it's at.
I feel as if the manabase is stretched too hard. I would at the very least cut sphinx and just have a slight blue splash. This way there is probably a better chance of being able to hard cast threats such as Elesh or Iona.
Whilst Sadistic Hypnotist sounds fun, do we run enough creatures to support it? I'll probably run it nonetheless, it sounds sweet.
Also, I figured I'd buy either Sylvan Library or Rhystic Study for monetary reasons, as I already own most of the other cards, and choosing to invest in both instead of cutting something is not doable with that fact in mind. I also stumbled upon a very sweet interaction between Underrealm Lich and Sylvan Library, and seeing as Underrealm lich is such powerful card in and of itself, I just subbed it in for Rhystic Study (due to the fact that I decided to buy Sylvan Library due to my love for green over blue). Though I am slightly worried that my graveyard will be stocked to such an extent where graveyard hate can put me out of commission. Using an eldrazi to have that re-shuffle would be a non-bo with Tasigur, so I opted out of that idea. Elixir of Immortality, however, could fill the role nicely as it is such a seemingly underwhelming card and getting it off Tasigur would probably not be that much of a challenge. Could also just not add Lich, or even better, kill the creature before I dig too deep.
Am I off base with my doubts for Lich? It has some sweet synergies with Splendid Reclamation and Scarab God/Muldrotha/Multani, but it's not like the deck skimps on card draw, so self-mill is a real fear imo.
I'll check the three out. Thanks!
Your assumption that I come from a 60 card format is spot on, and as a 5 or so year Modern player, many deck choices have probably been influenced by it, and as such the deck isn't as competitive as it could be. However, the reason I shy away from infinite combos is due to my playgroup not being able to consistently stop them from going off, and therefore I've strayed away to keep the powerelevel somewhat muffled. I get that the deck will probably still be quite powerful without said combos, but both I and my group enjoy the grind, so that part is perfectly fine. So if I were to be more concrete I'd say that I want to power the deck up as much as I can within the allotted budget without making for cheap wins. If that makes sense? (EDIT: I believe 75% is the term I'm looking for here.)
My favourite modern deck is GBx rock, meaning I enjoy grinding through the game not looking for any quick wins but rather trading efficiently and winning through card selection. Though in commander, the whole Mid-Range thing doesn't really pan out, so I'd say a controlling deck is about as close as I can get. However, I was not sure how I could make a control deck that could actually be good in addition to casting big dumb spells such as wealth, so I ended up with lands, as additional ramp not only helps in utility, but also gets me close to x=alot. If the deck could function well as a control deck I'd be all for it.
Another thing, I was torn between running a creature ramp package and a spell ramp package, but ended up going for spells as it allows me to potentially pump out Tasigur faster, and from my (limited) understanding, is harder for the opponent to deal with, and sticks around after board wipes. EDIT: On second thought, enabling Razaketh is probably reason enough to lean into creature ramp, though I'm not sure that would continue being worth it if I ever get a hold of Urborg + Coffers.
Also, due to my experience in Modern, I'm scared senseless of plays that give up a substantial amount of tempo, such as sacrificing Tasigur for 6 cards. That fear is probably just irrational in Commander, though, and playing that kind of effect is a good call.
I've just recently got into commander, and as a massive fan of Sultai and Villainous Wealth, I decided to base my deck around said cards. However, since I'm new to the format, I'm fairly lost on how to continue upgrading the decks. As a result I am stuck on two decks and struggling to figure out which will run more smoothly, as it would take aaages to test whichever version is more successful.
http://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/villainous-tasigur-4/?cb=1539050604
This version is largely copied from Jumbo Commander's video on Wealth Tasigur, but I feel like running 3 delve cards and a delve commander in a deck that likes to keep a large portion of its graveyard is ballsy. Honestly though, maybe I don't see enough copies of each card to justify that doubt.
I then ended up building this version of the deck, and I don't know whether or not it would run more smoothly:
http://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/tasigur-the-golden-fang-20-1/?cb=1539050626
I've dropped the discard-to-draw and delve package for a leaner ramp and creature package. I'm assuming this will run more smoothly, but am afraid that I am running too much ramp and/or a suboptimal manabase, as it was designed for the first version. I replaced most of the previous deck's CA with ramp, which means I might also be lacking ways to draw cards.
Would y'all be willing to provide some feedback as to which list I should continue working on? How could I potentially improve said decks. The cheaper the inclusion of a new card the better. More than 20$ per card (unless mandatory) most likely means I won't shell out for it. Appreciate any help you can provide!
DISCLAIMER: I know it would be more efficient and cheaper to run a Isochron Scepter combo deck, but I love durdly big spells and card advantage. So overhauling the deck completely is a no-go.
Rest of the list looks streamlined and sweet, and yeah, you're probably right about shoving Iona (maybe just an Elesh Norn instead?) in the board.
If i'm being entirely honest, I just find the concept incredibly sweet and would love for it to work. Anyone got any input for changes that you'd make?
List: http://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/12-01-18-HUj-abzan-rites/?cb=1538351733
My apologies if this doesn't entirely belong in this forum, as it is a deviation from the standard abzan rock lists. If that is the case, give me a heads up and i'll delete the post promptly
You could play Death Cloud, but it would mostly help in matchups where you're already favored, such as GBx and Control. If you're looking to lock out your opponent, Primal + Ewit is often enough. Also, the black splash is steep, it'd be hard to run Death Cloud and Finks/Courser/Hornet Queen (Which imo is all fairly important to the deck's success). I believe you'll be better off running a dedicated BG Death Cloud deck. I'm not trying to discourage you from trying it out , though. I encourage you to see if it functions well!
4 Garruk Wildspeaker
1 Kiora, the Crashing Wave
Creature (17)
1 Acidic Slime
4 Arbor Elf
4 Birds of Paradise
1 Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite
1 Emrakul, the Promised End
2 Eternal Witness
1 Sphinx of Lost Truths
2 Thragtusk
1 Wood Elves
3 Primal Command
1 Unburial Rites
Instant (4)
4 Gifts Ungiven
Enchantment (8)
4 Fertile Ground
4 Utopia Sprawl
Land (22)
2 Breeding Pool
4 Forest
2 Misty Rainforest
4 Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx
1 Overgrown Tomb
1 Temple Garden
3 Verdant Catacombs
2 Windswept Heath
3 Wooded Foothills
SRC: http://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/mtgo-standings/modern-challenge-2017-08-06