I run chaos warp and spin into myth at the moment, so I could get away with maybe 8, I'd like to have to have a counterspell or removal, theoretically 1 out of ten cards.
You say we as in I can't keep my mana open, you're assuming that I can't run a more flash abusing build, with teferi and the orerry, with either it makes leaving mana open viable.
I see what you are saying but I do feel at least a few counterspells would be nice, for those generals like, arcum, zur, uril, and strangely enough khaalia, if she gets an attack in things start going badly, and with access to red it's not hard to give her haste :/ I guess what I should be asking now, if you ran say a 10 card counter suite what would it be? I will count mystic snake, Venser, Shaper Savant as counterspells for this package I'm thinking forbid is a nice one, though idk about that buyback cost.. rewind seems decent especially with teferi where I can counter, untap, and play a creature with the same mana. Obvious inclusion is voidslime, getting some full art hinder so one of those will probably go in, along with spell crumple. I also have dissipate, could be good for recursive creatures, I'm sure someone's going to scream cryptic command at me, I just wish I had one right now
I actually got a Primetime specifically for this deck As for the topic of chord of calling I was a bit skeptical at first of that GGG cost; but then I saw those magic words... "instant" and immediately I shat bricks. The ability to tutor up a creature at instant speed is beyond amazing, though I think Momir Vig, Simic Visionary probably likes this more (getting a creature and activating your toolbox ability is nice) I can't argue the things riku can do. Especially with all the ETB effects of this deck. I am thinking of running mystic snake and this would be a second "counterspell" like Venser, Shaper Savant that can be tutored. Does anyone have any opinions on using, mystic snake,void slime, and the afformentioned leyline of anticipation or vedalken orerry? I do believe if I run one of the last two (or both if for some reason I really want flash) then I would probably run a small counter suite, just to supplement the holding back on my mana, since I leave it open and play creatures at the last possible moment, I will have counter mana as well. Also I saw a good point behind why NOT to run Teferi, Mage of Zhalfir, but something just occured to me, I have no way in my colors to find leyline, and for orerry I do but it would still be a pain to have to implement something not part of the deck scheme to grab it. On the other hand I plan on running survival of the fittest and possibly Fauna Shaman (though I doubt it, I don't think it will live long enough in my meta) and these cards give the perfect way to grab teferi out of the deck. So I'm conflicted..
well I just typed an extremely long paragraph and had my computer erase it so this one will be much shorter. I see your point on the whole flash everything idea, and there aren't many blue mages so I shouldn't worry about my stuff being countered in my meta. I will try the leyline since it is less likely to get nuked in my meta, and as for my meta. I'm normally targeted because I am known as the person most associated with edh, even when the guy running glissa and mindslaver is about to go crazy. We have two of those people in our group I don't like either deck, and they always choose to control me, quite frustrating. The rest run damia, almost the same as the box deck, same for the khaalia and karador player, they are all new to edh so I get ganged up on a bit. So anything that can help me survive and win in the end is helpful
edit: until I get the lands though, I think leyline might be a bit mana restrictive :/ idk yet
Well I'll let others chime in on the idea of teferi, I think it would be nice to be able to hold back mana, and fauna shaman at the end step of the player before you sounds nice, a bit better chance to get to activate her
As for ramp, like I said I'm ordering your land setup for the most part, so I will set aside my natures lore and skyshroud claim till I get the 190 I need to buy all the cards for now I will switch in explosive vegitation and I guess rampant growth?
wait why would I run farseek over growth without duals O.o
Thanks for the lengthy read Supersonik, looks like I will start addressing your points.
Oracle of muldaya seems like a good include so that seems like it will be going in, as for recurring insight, I don't own one though they can't cost me much to get, and I can see your point. I guess I just have a soft spot for FNM JI on another note does Teferi mage of zalfir warrant a spot if I put more counterspells and instant speed draw? Seeing as you can leave mana open and all your creatures gain flash? I guess leyline of anticipation works as well if I want to do that.
I'll cut lotus petal, maybe coalition relic? or maybe have that be a spot for one of my coutnerspells? As to beast within I just don't have the card right now, like I said it was just a placeholder for it.
On hammerheim, I actually do face quite a few landwalkers of some sort, and very little LD so I'm feeling it might be safer to run it, idk though.. I am the only person who owns a copy of Ruination and I don't think anyone in my group runs tectonic edge other than me. Same reason I considered running minamo, seeing as primetime can grab it and it combo's well with arcanis, and the like.
As for squee, I'll get him for now, and I'm probably gonna get a fauna shaman soon, survival just really adds to much cost to the order I'm already getting my wallet will be pretty barren for a couple weeks as it is. But I will look to getting them, thanks for all the comments and I'll be sure to keep checking back here
also what do you suggest to replace, the group hug spells like veteran explorer? burgeoning? and I also need to replace the join forces spell, any ideas?
still squee is also good as a blocker, and I'm sure you can find other shenanigans for him, anyways, using him with clamp 4 mana to draw two in a color combo that doesn't really get to draw much is pretty nice. I'm sure there are other ways to abuse squee that I just haven't looked at yet. I'll try and look for other things you could use in here as well. Expect to see me back
You are right on both counts, excuse me, I was looking up that ruling when zedruu was released there was a lot of debate but I had been informed that it didn't work, I just saw a judge explain the rule stating it did work, even though thoughtlash isn't sacrificed.. As for what you said about starke, excuse me you are correct I had forgotten that you can just sac him with his ability on the stack.
I see what you're trying to do with kumano but he seems underwhelming even though you run the pits and basilisk collar. Half the time he will be a dead draw, I'd replace him with something with a bit more power maybe squee goblin nabob? for recurring sac creature, along with an amazing skullclamp target.
I'm almost positive that the sac can't go on the stack with rathe. If it's like the ruling about zedruu and thought lash, where the idea is to say no then give thoughtlash away you can do that because of the separation in the abilities. Though it still won't exile the deck, with Stark you can't opt to sac him mid effect, until he's given away and then he is no longer under your control. I was thinking, putting the sac on the stack and then activating but I think that since he's no longer under your control he still won't be sac'd I could be wrong though, but if I'm right keep him in but remember to activate the sac first.
I'm going to throw out a bunch here, so make of that what you will. My version of Riku is a little different from Sonik's, but I'm gonig to try and keep things pretty general.
I'd be careful about running some of the group hug stuff, like Veteran Explorer, Magus of the Vineyard, and Collective Voyage. While the accel seems nice, you're never going to be the first one to take advantage of it. You've also got enough ramp that you should be ahead of the table most of the time, so there's no sense in giving up that advantage. In terms of the ramp you have, it's all pretty solid except for Lotus Petal. Unless you absolutely need to get Riku out a turn earlier for some reason, one shot ramp doesn't do a ton for you here. The only change I would consider is switching some of the artifacts to creature or spell based ramp, even something as basic as Rampant Growth. It has a similar cost and effect as the signets, but can be copied by Riku in a pinch to ramp you up a little quicker. The same goes for something like Farhaven Elf.
Moving on to your draw spells. You don't have much in terms of draw engines in here. I'd lose Jace's Ingenuity in favor of something that is either bigger, like Recurring Insight, or is repeatable, like Mystic Remora. This is where you would want Life from the Loam alongside the cycle lands if you can pick it up. You're in blue, so there are a huge multitude of draw spells available to you. The other route you could take here is more little cantrips. Find room for things like Mystic Melting or Slice in Twain, which replace themselves and provide some late game draw if you stick Riku. Skullclamp is great, but I'm not seeing too many of the small creatures/sac outlets you want to really abuse it.
Other general stuff, I like having more answers available, but that's a style thing. Beast Within is a great card, because the token you give up is pretty minor in a 40 life multiplayer format. Creatures look pretty good, and are mostly a matter of taste and testing. You can give some of the other evokers a shot. Aethersnipe won me a game a couple days ago. A couple counters are never a terrible idea in blue, because they are far and away the most flexible answer you can have.
Out of your suggestions, I would include Darksteel Plate out of the two equips if you're looking for protection. It protects from everything Magebane does and more at the same cost, and you're not looking to send Riku into the red zone all that often. Now, sprinting through your other options. Arcanis is a solid include, Minamo does almost nothing for you, is harder to fetch, and more vulnerable than a basic, Lotus and Kiki are both very good, Untaidake can't pay for 97% of the deck, Hinder is an all star, you don't have a ton of artifacts to recur with Ruins, but it's more functional than the other lands mentioned, Venser is solid, Riptide is good protection and great if you add Venser, the rest of the lands are good with the possible exception of the Lorwyn ones unless you need that effect for some reason, and Spree is a great card. Don't forget that legendary creatures have anti-synergy with Riku, so you don't want to go too heavy on them.
Makes a decent win con too, as you can always find it again later. I've been using red and blue in my deck, and they've been performing pretty well.
I see your point on lotus petal, I'll give it a bit more testing time, if I don't like it I'll toss it. As for Jace's Ingenuity, I like it because it has instant speed, and is one of the best instant speed card draws that I have access too. Though Recurring Insight, is a stronger draw spell I have to cast it on my turn, and copying it could hurt me more than help seeing as I won't have the mana to play the cards I draw and will end up discarding at the end of turn.
On the group hug cards, I realize this and they are the first things that are probably gonna go, other than veteran explorer, him + clamp seems good, I get two lands and two cards you all get two lands. On the topic of clamp, I run a lot of 1/1 creatures in my deck, and seeing as I can hope to copy them I'd think I have more than enough for clamp to function, as for sac outlets what would you have in mind? Also ordering a lot of the cards that supersonik is running, mostly the mana base, the loam engine, and the godo package. Anyways, I realized that a lot of the lands didn't do much but what do you think of madblind mountain? with something like top, or possibly future sight? it could be a good way to get new things once a turn? Hinder is going in, as well as the laboratory and Venser. Venser was actually my plan to replace aethersnipe, do you think I should try both? I do want to get a farhaven elf, and I don't know have, nor know anyone with one at the moment, but I'll probably get it in my next card order, oh and on the topic of beast within, I actually am getting that, I originally was using desert twister but that was meh. I want to keep clamp for sure though, I always seem to have something to equip it too.
On a final note, I like mystic melting I might have to get one and I am getting birthing pod so can someone help me figure out what I could use to fill in some of my cost slots so I can birthing pod smoothly?
here's what I think will happen when my cards arrive
intet-> arcanis
lotus petal -> gilded lotus
hydra omnivore -> venser, shaper savant
avatar of fury -> kederekt leviathan?
galvanoth -> glen elendra archmage
animar -> squee goblin nabob
reliquary tower -> riptide laboratory
wild ricochet -> shattering spree
whispersilk -> hinder
forest -> minamo school at waters edge
fungal reaches -> ghost quarter
tectonic edge -> strip mine
disaster radius -> bribery
mountain -> hammerhaim
forest -> academy ruins
magus of the vineyard -> ? help me out here?
My deck, I read about 12 or 13 pages before I was compelled to post my deck and get help. I have a slight budget I mean, I'm 17 I can't dish out too much, I'm spending like 96 bucks this friday just to get more for this and to finish out my Jhoira edh. Anyways, I don't want any jerk combos you know, this is supposed to be fun. I don't know how to get the deck tags to work so I shall just post it in a spoiler so the list isn't huge but can someone pm me how to work this deck tag and such?
Also! Why does no one run shattering spree?? Destroy target artifact for R and it has REPLICATE! for R! I mean come on you can just destroy every artifact your opponents have without wiping your own with some artifact wiper.
Hey my names Erik, but you may call me xbinox if you prefer (My xbox gamertag and nickname.) I am new to the forums but not to magic and it is a pleasure to join a MTG community.
Favorite card of all time? That's a difficult one, but I would have to say Sensei's Divining top, I collect them and alter them because I love the art and think there's so much you can do with it. Not to mention it's a great card.
edit: until I get the lands though, I think leyline might be a bit mana restrictive :/ idk yet
As for ramp, like I said I'm ordering your land setup for the most part, so I will set aside my natures lore and skyshroud claim till I get the 190 I need to buy all the cards
wait why would I run farseek over growth without duals O.o
Also expect a PM from me
Oracle of muldaya seems like a good include so that seems like it will be going in, as for recurring insight, I don't own one though they can't cost me much to get, and I can see your point. I guess I just have a soft spot for FNM JI
I'll cut lotus petal, maybe coalition relic? or maybe have that be a spot for one of my coutnerspells? As to beast within I just don't have the card right now, like I said it was just a placeholder for it.
On hammerheim, I actually do face quite a few landwalkers of some sort, and very little LD so I'm feeling it might be safer to run it, idk though.. I am the only person who owns a copy of Ruination and I don't think anyone in my group runs tectonic edge other than me. Same reason I considered running minamo, seeing as primetime can grab it and it combo's well with arcanis, and the like.
As for squee, I'll get him for now, and I'm probably gonna get a fauna shaman soon, survival just really adds to much cost to the order I'm already getting my wallet will be pretty barren for a couple weeks as it is. But I will look to getting them, thanks for all the comments and I'll be sure to keep checking back here
also what do you suggest to replace, the group hug spells like veteran explorer? burgeoning? and I also need to replace the join forces spell, any ideas?
I see what you're trying to do with kumano but he seems underwhelming even though you run the pits and basilisk collar. Half the time he will be a dead draw, I'd replace him with something with a bit more power maybe squee goblin nabob? for recurring sac creature, along with an amazing skullclamp target.
I see your point on lotus petal, I'll give it a bit more testing time, if I don't like it I'll toss it. As for Jace's Ingenuity, I like it because it has instant speed, and is one of the best instant speed card draws that I have access too. Though Recurring Insight, is a stronger draw spell I have to cast it on my turn, and copying it could hurt me more than help seeing as I won't have the mana to play the cards I draw and will end up discarding at the end of turn.
On the group hug cards, I realize this and they are the first things that are probably gonna go, other than veteran explorer, him + clamp seems good, I get two lands and two cards you all get two lands. On the topic of clamp, I run a lot of 1/1 creatures in my deck, and seeing as I can hope to copy them I'd think I have more than enough for clamp to function, as for sac outlets what would you have in mind? Also ordering a lot of the cards that supersonik is running, mostly the mana base, the loam engine, and the godo package. Anyways, I realized that a lot of the lands didn't do much but what do you think of madblind mountain? with something like top, or possibly future sight? it could be a good way to get new things once a turn? Hinder is going in, as well as the laboratory and Venser. Venser was actually my plan to replace aethersnipe, do you think I should try both? I do want to get a farhaven elf, and I don't know have, nor know anyone with one at the moment, but I'll probably get it in my next card order, oh and on the topic of beast within, I actually am getting that, I originally was using desert twister but that was meh. I want to keep clamp for sure though, I always seem to have something to equip it too.
On a final note, I like mystic melting I might have to get one
here's what I think will happen when my cards arrive
intet-> arcanis
lotus petal -> gilded lotus
hydra omnivore -> venser, shaper savant
avatar of fury -> kederekt leviathan?
galvanoth -> glen elendra archmage
animar -> squee goblin nabob
reliquary tower -> riptide laboratory
wild ricochet -> shattering spree
whispersilk -> hinder
forest -> minamo school at waters edge
fungal reaches -> ghost quarter
tectonic edge -> strip mine
disaster radius -> bribery
mountain -> hammerhaim
forest -> academy ruins
magus of the vineyard -> ? help me out here?
I don't know how to get the deck tags to work so I shall just post it in a spoiler so the list isn't huge but can someone pm me how to work this deck tag and such?1 riku of two reflections
2 Simic Sky Swallower
3 Coiling Oracle
4 Animar, soul of elements
5 Intet, the Dreamer
6 Winged Coatl
7 Izzet Chronarch
8 Spellbreaker Behemoth
9 Spitebellows
10 Flametongue Kavu
11 Bogarden Hellkite
12 Avatar of Fury
13 Inferno Titan
14 Terastodon
15 Eternal witness
16 Deadwood Treefolk
17 Hydra Omnivore
18 Sakura-Tribe Elder
19 Primeval Titan
20 Avenger of Zendikar
21 Fierce empath
22 Acidic Slime
23 Veteran Exporer
24 Wood Elves
25 Magus of the vineyard
26 Yavimaya elder
27 Trinket mage
28 Mulldrifter
30 jace's ingenuity
31 cultivate
32 collective voyage
33 genesis wave
34 kodama's reach
35 disaster radius
36 hull breach
37 savage twister
38 treasure hunt
39 foresee
40 hunting pack
41 worldly tutor
42 tribute to the wild
43 prophetic bolt
44 wild ricochet
45 comet storm
46 chaos warp
47 Ooze Garden (testing this out?)
48 lotus petal
49 champion's helm
50 solemn simulacrum m12 foil ;D be jealous
51 lightning greaves
52 whispersilk cloak
53 fellwar stone
54 simic signet
55 izzet signet
56 gruul signet
57 sol ring
58 darksteel ingot
59 skullclamp
61 treetop village
62 izzet boilerworks
63 fungal reaches
64 gruul turf
65 simic growth chamber
66 command tower
67 rupture spire
68 vivd crag
69 vivd grove
70 vivid creek
71 homeward path
72 temple of the false god
73 reliquary tower
74 tectonic edge
From the lands I feel that reliquary tower can go, from Creatures I can see that I may want to take out, hydra omnivore, since there is no evasion, along with animar, intet, and the avatar. From a spells stand point I wouldn't mind to see tribute to the wild, wild ricochet, disaster radius and collective voyage go. From artifacts, only wispersilk is really that bad, and I'd like to replace it with something else to protect riku, maybe magebane armor? or possibly darksteel plate I am looking to get Woodfall primus and glen elendra archmage but I won't be for a bit, what is coming though and that may be considered here is: Arcanis, the Omnipotect, Minamo, school at water's edge, Guilded Lotus, Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker, untaidake, the cloud keeper, hinder? it's full art
Also! Why does no one run shattering spree?? Destroy target artifact for R and it has REPLICATE! for R! I mean come on you can just destroy every artifact your opponents have without wiping your own with some artifact wiper.