MTG Salvation

How exciting. Sphinx tribal, anyone? Glyph Keeper alongside Curator and Final Word. Perhaps I can dream!

I agree with you regards first week. I am simply getting my head around what is available and what may find itself being the best pick. Grixis is surely to pick up as those are the suggested colours for Nicol Bolas, though I do maintain hope that Esper has a future (or U/B control more likely). A late game build around Approach of the Second Sun comes to mind, though I worry it'll simply not see play. It's a massive shame that card can't be cast using Torrential Gearhulk

I have not decided. I didn't actually build Esper in the end, mostly because I knew Amonkhet was coming soon. Just looking at my options, really. Any particular new cards that take your fancy, Chaos?

Does anyone have any thoughts on a post-Ahmonket build for this deck? I am thinking Anguished Unmaking may find itself playing a big part if the Gods end up being used.

Hi Chaos, thanks for your response.

I suppose I was attempting to draw together several elements I had come across, in a hope that it would produce a control deck capable of providing tool-box answers. I like the Towers, but I don't see them as a primary focus beyond stretching my removal potential. Sphinx of the Final Word just seems good value, all things considered. Plus the deck is low on win-cons and he does manage to provide additional threats. I need to win eventually!

Torrential Gearhulk is a great card, but not an investment I am presently willing to make. It was mostly this decision that made me go down the Planeswalker root, though as you can now see this creates complications with supporting cards. I agree regards Thalia. The little testing I have done with my present shell makes her a wasted space.

Good answers, thanks. Ignoring for a moment the land base, does this seem a reasonable shell? Is there perhaps a better thread for construction I can post in as it seems these threads tend to be more directed towards perfection the deck notions themselves. Don't think I like Thalia much...

I like your build a lot also, chaos021.

I am a returning player to standard and want to pick up some variety of this deck. To the general discussion I am wondering the following:
Unsubstantiate? I have had such success with this card in the past. Any reason it's not being run in many of these lists?
Dynavolt Tower With the number of instants and sorceries being run, why not include 2?
I see 4x Grasp of Darkness in nearly every build. Is there a reason this card is superior to standard removal in a Vehicle meta?

The list I've drawn up is looking rather different. Not that that is a bad thing.. just like to know if I'm missing a trick.
Thanks.

Thanks Tim! Much appreciated. I didn't actually know about Blue Moon and am watching a Channel Fireball video on the deck as we speak. Would love to hear other suggestions for control decks, especially ones using more unusual cards.

Hi all!

I am looking for your suggestions on a "fun" but potentially competitive deck that holds control and reactive-play characteristics. By fun but competitive, I mean I am not looking to build Tier 1/2 standard, but would still like to be able to take this deck to an FNM without feeling like I could not participate. I am primarily interested in a Control play style, potentially using any combination of colours. It has been suggested to me that there used to be a U/W control, but that didn't perform. Similarly I am told Simic once held a deck, but had similar issues. Is there a chance either of these have a future? I am interested in exploring new options and concepts, especially something that may be a little "out there". I recently came across the "Taking Turns" deck which spiked my interest for the lesser used cards in the format (plus I love awaken as a mechanic). Let me know if you come across anything!

All suggestions will be investigated and thanked.

Pleased to hear the deck is working for you, Shanaxe. I have considered the Gifts package, but not had a chance to really test it yet. I am coming to the end of my time with Demonic Dread and am no longer a fan of Forbidden Orchard. Whilst they worked well together, both became pretty dead draws early. Perhaps a stronger investment into blue is the key? I'll maybe try a few games and see. Out of interest, how are you finding Gifts post-side? In my experience, the Borderposts get shut down pretty quickly, which from the look of your build, would make a lot of your key cards difficult to use. Are you finding Gifts is still useful even with only one Unburial Rites?

Thank you both. Gives me some direction to look in and both seem exciting opportunities. I'll be sure to do further research. I knew of the Spirits deck, but not how it played and I have not come across Liege so thanks again.

Hi everyone. Thanks for taking the time to look through this thread and give your advice. I've already had a look through several of the Tire pages and found that either they require literally hundreds of pounds invested, or tend to be fairly auto-pilot decks. Both of these are things I would like to avoid.

Cards you already own:
I have recently purchased the Modern Event Deck. This was mostly to find myself with some modern staples, if not a starting point for developing the deck. I also own several green staples, such as Birds of Paradise as well.

Colors you like to play
Green is my favourte colour to play in magic, but rarely seems to mix with my desired style. I am looking at Abzan (for obvious reasons), or perhaps Bant, as ways of blending my love for the colour.

Style you like to play (control, combo, aggro, midrange, tempo, ramp, rogue):
I have found that control is the most enjoyable for me. Though I also enjoy combo and mid-range play.

Level you want to play at, or aim to build up to (causal, fmn, ptq)
This for me would be an FNM deck. I already own two more casual modern decks I enjoy, but neither of them are competitive. I want the sort of deck I can play at an event level, but don't need it to be anywhere near strong enough to win. Modern appears to have a habit of breaking the bank.

Hi crunkyeah,

Your criticism is apt and whilst I toy with the idea of dropping Demonic Dread I am also considering whether Forbidden Orchard has a place. In testing, I have had people use the spirits for ninjitsu, for sac fodder, and in one horrifying moment they became a potential win-con with Gavony Township! In most cases though, I used the Orchard for initial mana fixing. There is nothing worse than simply stalling out because your 4 colour deck can’t cast the Ajani you just drew because guess who’s missing white! I tended to sac the Orchard to Gargadon pre-balance, using it only for those initial turns. In all cases where the spirits lost me the game though, I would most likely have lost regardless. So whilst the criticism is apt (and I am quite seriously considering dropping it should I drop Demonic Dread) it has not been for the sole reason for my defeat.

With that in mind, what is your present land to borderpost ratio? Assuming you are not having mana fixing issues. I would also be very interested to see how you pull together those God cards.

Thanks for taking the time to give it a look over, vetkin.

I can see little I disagree with. Your observations are spot on, especially in regards the borderposts. I too like Forbidden Orchard, though am questioning whether Demonic Dread is a superior choice to Ardent Plea. I am tempted to swap out black for blue as a colour. As to the lands, you are again correct. Is it your experience that the Deck functions well with only 14 lands? My previous Restore Balance build (which was a 5-colour) found itself stalling to mana-fixing issues far too often (13 lands). This particular version has also seen me side out Metalwork Colossus due to the targeting of my artefacts, which has again made me concerned about land. It may take some time to find that "balance".

Nahiri is unfortunately out of reach, I am afraid. Though I do not doubt her superiority. Will keep tweaking.

I am presently testing out this build for the deck. Looking for feedback, go on, anything goes. Tear it to shreds if you have to! It's so far been fairly consistent, but I've not played more than a handful of games. I am finding that I do die to hate and every now and again simply don't find what I need. Unfortunately, I am not experienced enough to know if that is just "how it is" in Magic, or because the deck isn't balanced well (excuse the pun)



Still not entirely sure I like Demonic Dread over Ardent Plea. Still playing about with the side. I am aware Laylines would probably be better..

I can hear the words of one of the first magic judges I ever met echoing through time: “I wish people would just read their cards”. Mistake made, but happy to be corrected on this one as it makes things a lot easier. Cascade, check. Dismember is a good call as well. Though my sideboard is already feeling pretty heavy, so I will have to adapt.

Thanks for your deck list, Fatherofone1. It is always good to see alternative styles. My only comment would be the same as your own; that the deck is quite easily disrupted by artefact hate. It is this issue I am presently trying to build around, whilst still enabling the use of Colossus.