I wanted to mention that I've been messing around with an Esper build featuring Scheming Symmetry instead of the usual 4-color with Goblin Engineer. Symmetry is a card that presents a fun deck-building challenge, which I enjoy, but other than that symmetry also enables a quick Terminus which can be backbreaking against Hogaak after they get their 14-16 power on board. While I don't really think this build is anywhere close to better than 4 color, I do like some of the lines it has. And where symmetry requires other pseudo bad cards to work, this deck can afford to play some do-nothing artifacts like Codex Shredder.
Right now, for cards that make Symmetry work, I'm on:
Thought scour, raveler, and altar all offer decent payoffs that the deck already wants (altar for infinite mill over some other infinite payoff). Terminus is a 1-of main, 1-of sideboard. So Shredder is basically the chaff, which I'm OK with because it has some micro-synergies with bauble, early self mill to hit a sword, and recurring something late game. I'll continue to test it out for fun, and report back.
Great to see a different take on the deck! I’m trying an esper build myself so keen to get your thoughts on your build and overall how it feels to drop red. Think it’s got enough to make it viable?
Played against 2 UW, Jund, Valakut. I wouldn't go under 4 foundry, when your plan is to T2 goblin for sword, then have the highest % of hitting either Whir or Foundry itself.
Might go down back to 20 lands, but when I board in so many 4 drops (Tezz), it seems necessary.
Nice work and really like your list! How are you finding Tezzeret and Time Sieve? They’re pet cards of mine and eager to get them into the deck so keen to hear your thoughts.
Yeah, the deck is no longer a secret. Urza took our baby away and gave it to the masses to enjoy, which is obviously a good thing. But we can remember when it was just our beloved pet deck that everyone always seemed to find cute and interesting,
I jumped on right before the Urza hype so I feel like I’m part of the original group! Regardless glad I’m part of the group now. I’ve got the whole deck being shipped but coming internationally so take forever...
I’ve seen earlier versions running Time Sieve, how come it was removed? Feels like a great secondary win-con that can also get us an extra turn with the help of Sai in a pinch.
I don't have Urzas yet so I fell back to a basic build with 4 Serum Visions and 4 Thoughtseize last night and went 4-0. Still felt very solid.
To the point that I am a bit concerned about the fact that these lists don't have any discard/removal/counters. How much do you miss it?
That’s what I was thinking, it feels very much like a combo deck rather than combo/control? Is that the case or am I naive? Should we be considering more control elements?
Loving the discussions here! I’m new to the deck but really enjoy watching it and will start testing it online myself soon. I was wondering once the forum shuts down where can I continue to read and follow the developments?
Ugin - I feel like the draw is a little slow for what I want most of the time, but certainly still going to test it. The token element is good, I was just feeling mixed on the draw itself.
Blast Zone - Maybe. I'm pretty short on colorless land slots personally.
Any chance you could share your current list? Thanks!
I’ve had the chance to play a few games now and must first say thank you for creating such a great primer. This primer is the reason I decided to go with XHD and I’ve been having a lot of fun with the deck, here is my list for reference https://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/corpse-dance-xiahou-dun-the-one-eyed/?cb=1548196483 it’s very similar to yours but starting to put my own spin on it. As you can see I’ve taken out Army of the Dead, I quickly realised exactly what you said that’s just too expensive.
That’s it really, just wanted to come by and say thank you.
Sure? It's a bit high in mana cost and needs a 4-piece+combo to actually go off.
I agree, the cost is very high and probably prohibitive but as far as combo goes, 4 cards win you the game and looking at your list of combos that’s in the same ballpark. Probably won’t work out but I’ll give it a try and report back.
Thanks for the quick follow-up response! List looks great, I think I’ll be starting with something very similar then adjusting to my meta and playstyle. I wanted to run Army of the damned by you, I feel it has some good uses in the deck. It can be a finisher on its own, it gives infinite graveyard recursion with Phyrexian Altar with XHD, add in Jet Medallion and you get infinite mana and zombies. It can be used as fodder for card draw or control, i.e. skullclamp or attrition. Finally it can be used as a mana accelerator with either altar netting you 5 swamp or 10 colourless depending which one is used. Im definitely going to give it a try and will let you know how it performs. Hitting 13 black mana on turn 8 not including Cabal Coffers must be good!?
I also wanted to ask doesn’t Chains of Mephistopheles mess with our own card draw?
Thanks, that’s really helpful even though it’s just high level. I’ve leveraged your list a lot in compiling my own list so I want to thank you for not only responding but this great primer. My list is still a WIP but when I’ve done some play testing so I’ll be sure to share.
Thanks for the response. Would be great to hear what sort of high level changes you would make to make it more controlling. My XHD arrived yesterday, really excited to start building!
Sadly, I'm barely playing this deck any more. I no longer carry it on me. So I'm going to retire the primer status, but I will update things as appropriate to my interest in thinking about it.
Sorry to hear that looks like an awesome deck! I’m looking for inspiration for my Xiahou Dun deck, how come you’ve stopped playing with it? Do you think it would be a big change to make more control focused?
Great to see a different take on the deck! I’m trying an esper build myself so keen to get your thoughts on your build and overall how it feels to drop red. Think it’s got enough to make it viable?
Here is my current list http://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/02-08-19-urzas-foundry/?cb=1564824238
Nice work and really like your list! How are you finding Tezzeret and Time Sieve? They’re pet cards of mine and eager to get them into the deck so keen to hear your thoughts.
I jumped on right before the Urza hype so I feel like I’m part of the original group! Regardless glad I’m part of the group now. I’ve got the whole deck being shipped but coming internationally so take forever...
That’s what I was thinking, it feels very much like a combo deck rather than combo/control? Is that the case or am I naive? Should we be considering more control elements?
Any chance you could share your current list? Thanks!
That’s it really, just wanted to come by and say thank you.
I agree, the cost is very high and probably prohibitive but as far as combo goes, 4 cards win you the game and looking at your list of combos that’s in the same ballpark. Probably won’t work out but I’ll give it a try and report back.
I also wanted to ask doesn’t Chains of Mephistopheles mess with our own card draw?
Sorry to hear that looks like an awesome deck! I’m looking for inspiration for my Xiahou Dun deck, how come you’ve stopped playing with it? Do you think it would be a big change to make more control focused?