At the high end Soul of Theros has blown out a few games for me...
Midrange Jazal Goldmane rules.
At lower mana there are anthems etcetera, and... drumroll... Mirror Entity.
Soul of Theros isn't one I've seen in play anywhere, reminds me of Valor, Glory etc.
Good ole Mirror Entity, I had a singleton in here last time around given it works with Austere Commands' last mode.
Unfortunately, the best upgrades for the Soul Sisters archetype are not cheap.
.... karlov of the Ghost Council
Yeah you're dead right. Auriok Champion is another to add to that list. I try not to spend big money on multiplayer cards, I save my budget mainly for competitive formats.
Karlov (especially) & Thune are the two I would love to add, but I missed out on them. I got lucky with Resplendent Angel, traded for them after a recent Standard draft meet.
How about Waves of Aggression?
And maybe more ways to gain life out of turn?
Mass pump might be nice.
I like Waves, and the retrace mechanic generally, use it in a couple decks.
Cards I've had in there in the past includeTrue Conviction, which could definitely find a place.
I used to have a set of Phyrexian Metamorph in here to double horse-force, or to copy whatever else. I actually have a full set of bojack, so I may go that way again. Saying that, Loxodon Warhammer is always good too.
So this is the general idea after pulling out all the fat, and putting back what I want. Sunscorch Regent might get back in, it's not a bad card after all.
Anything else that could fit in here that I should try? (Please note, I don't like *You win the game* type cards)
Budget is always a decider. What kind of deck are chasing?
I've been playing standard lately (I know I know), and one deck caught my attention for a few reasons.
This deck is dead cheap (minus Krasis, Breeding Pool & Clarion), it's draws a tonne of cards, fields large creatures, and runs sweepers that don't kill sheep.
Okay, so the deck is focused towards duels and the standard format, so it's not optimal, but you could easily change a few cards to make it cheaper & better for multiplayer. The cards I would sub out for multiplayer (and replace with budget alternatives);
- Pool, Krasis, Banefire, Manipulation.
+ 1-2 Forest, +2 Mob Rule or Mass Mutiny types, +2 Control Magic.
Young Pyromancer & Monastery Mentor(which I like), are fairly easy to build around, even in the same deck.
In comparison, I think Hero is kinda stinky.
Hero demands we find an awful lot of amazing 1 to 2-cmc multicoloured cards to create tokens. Whilst there's good one's like Figure of Destiny, there's not many that are that good for multiplayer. In a duel I think I could get away with a swag of 2-cmc cards, but in multiplayer I think we need to be more efficient.
I have had great fun with Teysa Karlov, she has not disappointed.
Could it be coincidence you mentioned Teysa?
A friend of mine turned up with a BUG deck packing this, it looked like a lot of fun to play. It was surprisingly good at carrying on post-sweep given all the creatures were *when this dies...*-types.
Out of curiosity, whats your list like?
Maybe, but your enablers aren't equal. As Foretold can dance each turn. Living End requires binning our fatties, Hypergenesis[ wants us retaining them, we're trying to do different things.
A big discard-draw spell like Wheel of Fate may just help achieve both aims.
I'm not saying it has to be this card.
Simply I think a big draw spell would help, given the hand-disadvantage from Careful Study-types, that isn't reliant on certain fatties either hitting the field, surviving or not being stolen.
.... you know what's even more fun? Giving Goblin Chainwhirler Deathtouch in response to its ETB trigger and watching it Plague Wind the opposing boards :).
Oh that's disgusting. And it conveniently gets around hexproof/shroud too. I like this a lot.
Yep, I did consider Spellskite (& Tanglecord), both being 2-drops. Sunscape Familiar doesn't reduce either, and my playgroup doesn't play much targeted removal, preferring sweepers & Control Magic-types.
I'll see how I go. If stealing Colossus becomes a routine problem I'll probably chuck in some Spellskite.
My experience of +1/+1 counter decks is that unless you're running some sort of combo, you're planning to swing massive creatures before an opponent pops a sweeper. Cauldron of Souls here might help a little, but it can be a frustrating type of deck to play, totally dependent on your opponents.
That said, built well, these decks can swing for massive damage quickly in a big FFA.
Thoughts;
Sunscape Familiar is a given, with only 8 mono-white cards and so many 2-drops.
Other cards I like that I've been playing around with:
Considering 8x Overgrown's (for Colossus), I might chuck in some Rite, maybe even Hydra Broodmaster. Dusk // Dawn, Wall of Tears, Retribution of the Meek, Aura Shards, Ensnaring Bridge, Meekstone & Noetic Scales explain themselves. Of these, I like the Dawn side for recovery post-wipe, given it works well with Commune.
Otherwise I'm considering singletons that work with Commune & Time.
Huh. I didn't even know about these cards, not an archetype I've even thought about for an age.
Whilst it's 4-cmc, it seems like a direct upgrade to Doran, the Siege Tower. Blue has some pretty good defenders to consider too. Looks like I might be dropping Doran...
Soul of Theros isn't one I've seen in play anywhere, reminds me of Valor, Glory etc.
Good ole Mirror Entity, I had a singleton in here last time around given it works with Austere Commands' last mode.
Yeah you're dead right. Auriok Champion is another to add to that list. I try not to spend big money on multiplayer cards, I save my budget mainly for competitive formats.
Karlov (especially) & Thune are the two I would love to add, but I missed out on them. I got lucky with Resplendent Angel, traded for them after a recent Standard draft meet.
I like Waves, and the retrace mechanic generally, use it in a couple decks.
Cards I've had in there in the past includeTrue Conviction, which could definitely find a place.
I used to have a set of Phyrexian Metamorph in here to double horse-force, or to copy whatever else. I actually have a full set of bojack, so I may go that way again. Saying that, Loxodon Warhammer is always good too.
When you say mass-pump, anything in mind?
Resplendent Angel is a card I've been looking forward to abusing.
After trimming the fat from my Soul Sisters deck, this is where I'm at;
4 Myriad Landscape
4 Emeria, the Sky Ruin
4 Soul Warden
4 Soul's Attendant
4 Ajani's Pridemate
2 Rhox Faithmender
2 Crested Sunmare
3 Sun Titan
2 Authority of the Consuls
4 Well of Lost Dreams
3 Austere Command
So this is the general idea after pulling out all the fat, and putting back what I want.
Sunscorch Regent might get back in, it's not a bad card after all.
Anything else that could fit in here that I should try? (Please note, I don't like *You win the game* type cards)
Cheers
I've been playing standard lately (I know I know), and one deck caught my attention for a few reasons.
This deck is dead cheap (minus Krasis, Breeding Pool & Clarion), it's draws a tonne of cards, fields large creatures, and runs sweepers that don't kill sheep.
4 Gatebreaker Ram
4 Gate Colossus
3 Archway Angel
1 Banefire
4 Growth Spiral
2 Deafening Clarion
4 Gates Ablaze
4 Circuitous Route
2 Mass Manipulation
2 Breeding Pool
1 Gateway Plaza
4 Plaza of Harmony
4 Gruul Guildgate
4 Izzet Guildgate
4 Simic Guildgate
4 Azorius Guildgate
2 Selesnya Guildgate
Okay, so the deck is focused towards duels and the standard format, so it's not optimal, but you could easily change a few cards to make it cheaper & better for multiplayer. The cards I would sub out for multiplayer (and replace with budget alternatives);
- Pool, Krasis, Banefire, Manipulation.
+ 1-2 Forest, +2 Mob Rule or Mass Mutiny types, +2 Control Magic.
Young Pyromancer & Monastery Mentor (which I like), are fairly easy to build around, even in the same deck.
In comparison, I think Hero is kinda stinky.
Hero demands we find an awful lot of amazing 1 to 2-cmc multicoloured cards to create tokens. Whilst there's good one's like Figure of Destiny, there's not many that are that good for multiplayer. In a duel I think I could get away with a swag of 2-cmc cards, but in multiplayer I think we need to be more efficient.
So anyway, is Hero worth it?
My friend was playing (mostly) BUG, but was running rainbows lands for Teysa and others. Elenda, the Dusk Rose was a pretty good card on the night.
Could it be coincidence you mentioned Teysa?
A friend of mine turned up with a BUG deck packing this, it looked like a lot of fun to play. It was surprisingly good at carrying on post-sweep given all the creatures were *when this dies...*-types.
Out of curiosity, whats your list like?
Living End requires binning our fatties, Hypergenesis[ wants us retaining them, we're trying to do different things.
A big discard-draw spell like Wheel of Fate may just help achieve both aims.
I'm not saying it has to be this card.
Simply I think a big draw spell would help, given the hand-disadvantage from Careful Study-types, that isn't reliant on certain fatties either hitting the field, surviving or not being stolen.
Oh that's disgusting. And it conveniently gets around hexproof/shroud too. I like this a lot.
EDIT: Warstorm Surge might be decent here too
Sunscape Familiar doesn't reduce either, and my playgroup doesn't play much targeted removal, preferring sweepers & Control Magic-types.
I'll see how I go. If stealing Colossus becomes a routine problem I'll probably chuck in some Spellskite.
Have you considered Wheel of Fate? Living End might benefit from this.
That said, built well, these decks can swing for massive damage quickly in a big FFA.
Chandra's Ignition is great, but your deck isn't focused on the plan. You have too few creatures.
I'd up Hardened Scales to 4. Forgetten Ancient begs for a partner to abuse, like Fathom Mage does for blue.
Lurking Predators is great in decks where the only non-creatures are lands, I can't see a reason to play it here. If you do decide to run with a creature only deck, Bane of Progress is great.
You need draw. I usually go with around 4. Greater Good, Momentous Fall, Life's Legacy, Shamanic Revelation, Rishkar's Expertise, Inspiring Call, Armorcraft Judge etc. are just some options this deck could use.
Pathbreaker Ibex can be pretty good here too.
Ion Storm might be useful to control utility creatures your opponents control.
4 Commune with the Gods
3 Time of Need
3 Assault Formation
2 High Alert
3 Rhystic Study
1 Meishin, the Mind Cage
4 Wall of Omens
4 Sunscape Familiar
4 Overgrown Battlement
2 Axebane Guardian
3 Colossus of Akros
3 Arcades, the Strategist
Thoughts;
Sunscape Familiar is a given, with only 8 mono-white cards and so many 2-drops.
Other cards I like that I've been playing around with:
Considering 8x Overgrown's (for Colossus), I might chuck in some Rite, maybe even Hydra Broodmaster.
Dusk // Dawn, Wall of Tears, Retribution of the Meek, Aura Shards, Ensnaring Bridge, Meekstone & Noetic Scales explain themselves. Of these, I like the Dawn side for recovery post-wipe, given it works well with Commune.
Otherwise I'm considering singletons that work with Commune & Time.
Huh. I didn't even know about these cards, not an archetype I've even thought about for an age.
Whilst it's 4-cmc, it seems like a direct upgrade to Doran, the Siege Tower. Blue has some pretty good defenders to consider too. Looks like I might be dropping Doran...