Avacyn has long been on my radar, but I keep getting sidetracked, or I end up not feeling I need her, and/or I end up in a situation where it's important that I steal/kill my opponent's creatures. Soul however...THAT has potential, as I can pick and choose what remains mine. Protector is another nice one...though most people like to shut my commander down with -1/-1 counters. Can't fault them for that, lol.
I actually forgot about Ghostly Flicker, and I think that one I'll have to pass on...I used it a lot some time ago(I think it was in my Niv deck), but with no spell recursion, and IMO better options to keep the stuff I take, I don't have much to worry about.
Appreciate the suggestions though! Please, keep them coming!
Gift...oooh. That IS nice. Primarily, I use the Darksteel Plate for them(in fact, at a Saturday game, had my opponents stymied because my giant had that on and they had no RFG effects), but that would be a great backup...
Archon...I'm inclined to agree. It's more of a stand-in at this point, plus its ability is quite nice for recursion and slowing people down early if I get it and Reanimate in my opening hand. Risky if someone has a Path or Swords in hand, but still, I do know what to trade for what when I get one...
As I said, 'essentially'. You draw three(that's inarguable). You know what your next two draws are, IN WHAT ORDER. Essentially, that is a scry, is it not? We could argue that all day, but essentially it still remains the same, just missing the keyword really.
Looking back at my post, I should clarify: I too, am surprised that Jace is clocking in at #3. I perhaps took your comments to mean that Jace 2.0 doesn't deserve even being in the top 10, which is probably also wrong. And perhaps I'm biased because of his use in my Niv deck. I AM surprised, what with all support for Garruk and(likely) his +1, there should have been more support for Xen and his +1. I definitely expected to see him hovering around the bottom(maybe he was #11...I dunno).
Mind sculptor at 3 is pretty hilarious. That card isn't even particularly good in most EDH decks. Unlike Tezz or Dack he doesn't justify his cost the turn he comes down. Sure, flexibility is nice, but he just doesn't have the raw power to justify playing a card that'll probably die in a turn.
I think EDH players are way too influenced by what's good in other formats.
It's not even about the flexibility. Drawing three cards(possible answers) is nice. Having your next two draws setup is even better. Even if that's only done once, 4 mana for a 'draw three, scry 2'(essentially) effect is pretty cheap.
Rookie EDH players are influenced by what's good in Standard, I agree. But Jace 2.0 has earned his place in EDH, deservedly so.
Those are some great enablers! I personally think Unbender Tine and Norritt seem weak, but the rest seem worth running. Puppet Strings may be a little mana intensive.
Tidal Force is another great enabler offensively or defensively speaking.
...
Don't discount Norritt. Granted, it will depend on how many blue creatures you're running, but just from your list I see 8. And if someone's holding back a creature you need to tap for some assassin lovin', then you have that option. Puppet Strings I will concede, though...but again, you have the option of tapping OR untapping.
My LGS has got a competitive multi-player EDH tournament coming up, where everyone is sure to be running fully-tuned 'spikey' lists. I am more familiar with and have more experience with French List. When asked, people have recommended playing Breya, Atraxa, Scion of the Ur-Dragon (Hermit Druid Combo), and Brago Stax. So, what is the deck(s) to beat in the format right now? What should I be expecting? Any help is really appreciated.
You should also be looking out for Zur/Jeleva Doomsday or Storm decks, Derevi stax, some flavor of Food Chain deck, maybe Yisan?
As to what you should play, you should play whatever you feel most familiar with. Even if Doomsday is the best deck in the format (debatable), not having thorough exp with the deck will drop your win% by a lot.
Darcykun has it right exactly. Knowing your weapons is what will get you the furthest. Know your mana ramp, how everything works together, the different win-cons...that will put you on top even against Timmy Jackson with a Tier 1 deck.
I have a Merieke deck(link in my sig) that I love. It's all about the stealing, and at 3 CMC, she's the first one out most often.
Some points to consider: Puppet Strings = As you can see, pretty much says it all Conjurer's Closet = Blink the creature you stole, then it's yours for the rest of the game, barring Homeward Path effects. You can then untap Merieke for another theft. Do-Anything Aura = Again, pretty much speaks for itself. Illusionist's Bracers/Rings of Brighthearth = 2 or more for the price of one. How can you argue? Unbender Tine = This is a bit of a arguable point, so consider the rest of your deck before you commit...it's flexibility is MY pro point for it. Norritt = Untap target blue creature. Think about that...:D Crab Umbra = pretty much the Do Anything Aura from before, though it's more expensive to untap(in turn, she gets an extra life against destroy effects...)
As I said, I would fight anyone who didn't put Tibalt at worst of the worst. lol
I continue to maintain that Chandra Ablaze doesn't deserve the hate she gets, but admittedly, you DO need to put her in a wheel deck or burn-focused RDWs for her full potential to be realized. Everything else didn't surprise me too terrible much(even back when he was standard legal, and his potential was explained to me, I could not fathom why anyone would run Sarkhan the Mad...I still don't). I would say about Chandra though...she's had A LOT of bad iterations. Every other walker has had at least one good one, some insane(Jace, anyone?) versions...but Chandra, every time she was printed, got some form of the short end of the stick. Either she was too high in CMC, had lackluster abilities, or tragically, both. Torch of Defiance is her Mind Sculptor(though not quite that high), and I think a lot of people will be turning to it for a long time to come.
Here's hoping that signals hope for her future! Now, if we could just strike Tibalt from the records completely...
Chancellor of the Spires is pet edh card #1. At worst its usually a tutor a la Rune-Scarred Demon when it comes down. Sometimes its a plowshares, wrath, or ramp. And the amount of times you go infinite off of someone elses' Rite of Replication is staggering (15% of the time, or more, this card wins the game on the spot).
Heck, you can pay additional costs like entwine. All a mono blue deck has to do is counter or mill TnN, and for 9 mana, get their own.
I prefer Chancellor over Diluvian Primordial supremely because it keeps the card in the graveyard for repeated abuse.
Bebop: "My man!"
My playgroup isn't THAT huge, so I only ever got this to go off once in the way you describe. My opponent had a Stifle/Trickbind effect in hand, but he was laughing as he let it go off about 40 times before conceding, saying it was the most awesome play he'd ever seen.
Now you've got me debating on whether I should swap out Diluvian in my Niv 1.0 deck or not...
Norn's Annex is a good defense card, but Crawlspace still does a better job. I could consider the Annex.
First off, I don't know how I missed seeing Crawlspace so yeah...
Secondly, I hear ya...though the annex DOES have the potential to really hurt anyone who doesn't have white in their deck, and getting it out just as early as Crawlspace can put you well ahead in a life race. Look forward to what you decide on!
I would challenge anybody who thinks that Tibalt is NOT the bottom commander in their blurbs...
EDIT: In fact, I've only been able to come up with one card that could make Tibalt viable...Library of Leng. Discarding at random would no longer be a thing, and you could discard to the top of your library. But when even that can't make him worthwhile...yeah.
Anyway, not too surprised. Got some in my thoughts, but I doubt I got enough of them to qualify for the prize(a message saying otherwise will be a nice surprise). Kind of explains why some of my decks are stronger than others, what with the walkers I have in them, though I know it's only one aspect.
I hear ya guys on Rhystic Study. It was long ago(about when I first started playing) that the whole "Did ya pay 1 for that?" started, and it just became an in-joke. But I think it was equally a nagging reminder as much of a joke too, because most people got to the point where they didn't need the reminder either.
Tapbacks are also a pain, and one I'm guilty of(though ONLY when it comes to mana tapping). The general rule in my current playgroup is that you've got one tapback, it applies ONLY to mana taps, and you have to catch it before you pass turn. Almost completely unnecessary nowadays, though.
I actually forgot about Ghostly Flicker, and I think that one I'll have to pass on...I used it a lot some time ago(I think it was in my Niv deck), but with no spell recursion, and IMO better options to keep the stuff I take, I don't have much to worry about.
Appreciate the suggestions though! Please, keep them coming!
Gift...oooh. That IS nice. Primarily, I use the Darksteel Plate for them(in fact, at a Saturday game, had my opponents stymied because my giant had that on and they had no RFG effects), but that would be a great backup...
Archon...I'm inclined to agree. It's more of a stand-in at this point, plus its ability is quite nice for recursion and slowing people down early if I get it and Reanimate in my opening hand. Risky if someone has a Path or Swords in hand, but still, I do know what to trade for what when I get one...
- Restoration Gearsmith
- The Chain Veil
- Insidious Will
+ Grave Pact
+ Mortify
+ Orzhov Signet
- Winds of Change
+ Wheel of Fate
Looking back at my post, I should clarify: I too, am surprised that Jace is clocking in at #3. I perhaps took your comments to mean that Jace 2.0 doesn't deserve even being in the top 10, which is probably also wrong. And perhaps I'm biased because of his use in my Niv deck.
It's not even about the flexibility. Drawing three cards(possible answers) is nice. Having your next two draws setup is even better. Even if that's only done once, 4 mana for a 'draw three, scry 2'(essentially) effect is pretty cheap.
Rookie EDH players are influenced by what's good in Standard, I agree. But Jace 2.0 has earned his place in EDH, deservedly so.
Don't discount Norritt. Granted, it will depend on how many blue creatures you're running, but just from your list I see 8. And if someone's holding back a creature you need to tap for some assassin lovin', then you have that option. Puppet Strings I will concede, though...but again, you have the option of tapping OR untapping.
Incorrect. Re-read Strionic Resonator; that card applies to TRIGGERS, not activations. You're thinking of, as mentioned earlier, Illusionist's Bracers and Rings of Brighthearth.
Darcykun has it right exactly. Knowing your weapons is what will get you the furthest. Know your mana ramp, how everything works together, the different win-cons...that will put you on top even against Timmy Jackson with a Tier 1 deck.
Some points to consider:
Puppet Strings = As you can see, pretty much says it all
Conjurer's Closet = Blink the creature you stole, then it's yours for the rest of the game, barring Homeward Path effects. You can then untap Merieke for another theft.
Do-Anything Aura = Again, pretty much speaks for itself.
Illusionist's Bracers/Rings of Brighthearth = 2 or more for the price of one. How can you argue?
Unbender Tine = This is a bit of a arguable point, so consider the rest of your deck before you commit...it's flexibility is MY pro point for it.
Norritt = Untap target blue creature. Think about that...:D
Crab Umbra = pretty much the Do Anything Aura from before, though it's more expensive to untap(in turn, she gets an extra life against destroy effects...)
As I said, I would fight anyone who didn't put Tibalt at worst of the worst. lol
I continue to maintain that Chandra Ablaze doesn't deserve the hate she gets, but admittedly, you DO need to put her in a wheel deck or burn-focused RDWs for her full potential to be realized. Everything else didn't surprise me too terrible much(even back when he was standard legal, and his potential was explained to me, I could not fathom why anyone would run Sarkhan the Mad...I still don't). I would say about Chandra though...she's had A LOT of bad iterations. Every other walker has had at least one good one, some insane(Jace, anyone?) versions...but Chandra, every time she was printed, got some form of the short end of the stick. Either she was too high in CMC, had lackluster abilities, or tragically, both. Torch of Defiance is her Mind Sculptor(though not quite that high), and I think a lot of people will be turning to it for a long time to come.
Here's hoping that signals hope for her future! Now, if we could just strike Tibalt from the records completely...
Bebop: "My man!"
My playgroup isn't THAT huge, so I only ever got this to go off once in the way you describe. My opponent had a Stifle/Trickbind effect in hand, but he was laughing as he let it go off about 40 times before conceding, saying it was the most awesome play he'd ever seen.
Now you've got me debating on whether I should swap out Diluvian in my Niv 1.0 deck or not...
First off, I don't know how I missed seeing Crawlspace so yeah...
Secondly, I hear ya...though the annex DOES have the potential to really hurt anyone who doesn't have white in their deck, and getting it out just as early as Crawlspace can put you well ahead in a life race. Look forward to what you decide on!
EDIT: In fact, I've only been able to come up with one card that could make Tibalt viable...Library of Leng. Discarding at random would no longer be a thing, and you could discard to the top of your library. But when even that can't make him worthwhile...yeah.
Anyway, not too surprised. Got some in my thoughts, but I doubt I got enough of them to qualify for the prize(a message saying otherwise will be a nice surprise). Kind of explains why some of my decks are stronger than others, what with the walkers I have in them, though I know it's only one aspect.
Any ideas for another blog topic in the future?
Tapbacks are also a pain, and one I'm guilty of(though ONLY when it comes to mana tapping). The general rule in my current playgroup is that you've got one tapback, it applies ONLY to mana taps, and you have to catch it before you pass turn. Almost completely unnecessary nowadays, though.