Hello again all, my apologies for my atrocious delay, but college is indeed a cruel mistress. But I've finally had a chance to update this bad boy, so you should definitely check out the changes and lets me know what you think.
Grayclay, I must say, truely an honor and a privilege you have bestowed upon me, how could I possibly say no! On to it then!
I certainly like the Esper build you've got going, very interesting indeed. The first thing I can think of off the top of my head is cut Doom Blade for something more board, maybe Vindicate or Pongify, since black is rather prevalent in the format. Also cards with Windfall effects for just more big draw spells, Sphinx's Revelation or Arcanis, the Omnipotent, but that's just me. There's a ton of awesome discard effects in EDH if that's what you're after though, Mind Sludge or Liliana Vess, even Hymn to Torach isn't the worst thing ever. I'm also not a fan of Temporal Mastery since it's the only extra turn effect you have, it feels awkward and a little out of place, I'd prefer to run a lot of them and use that strategy if you want extra turns.
Side note: I do not condone nor recommend running extra turn cards, if you want to goldfish your deck, don't make me sit here and watch, I want to play Magic too you know.
Anyways, back to business, I also don't really think Rings of Brighthearth has a place in your deck, yeah it's cool with Karn Liberated, but your deck is too light on activated abilities I feel to warrant it's inclusion. I also don't like Knowledge Pool, not because it's bad, but cause I'm not a huge of the combo with Teferi, Mage of Zhalfir, just so mean. The deck sweet and a lot of fun, I'm curious how it's been working out for you if you wouldn't mind sharing.
My apologies for being somewhat lax on updating the decklist and primer, I've come into a bit more work than I expected, but it happens. Now that I have had a few moments to myself, I updated everything, except the foiling, that's not so important.
First things first, Wraithblade, you flatter me. I don't mean for my deck to be competitive, it just worked out that way. I can't say I expected my list to become this popular, I just thought I'd share. Well the first thing is I cut Ethersworn Adjudicator for Black Sun's Zenith, I had wanted Zenith in for a while but could never decide what to cut, so after a few long games I came to the conclusion that this was the switch, it hasn't failed me yet. Another one is Fact of Fiction for Cyclonic Rift, it may seem a bit foolish, and who knows, maybe it is, but Rift bounces everyone's stuff but my own, combine that with a planeswalker or two on board and a decent hand and the game should be all but over. I haven't had much time to test out Rift but I can't see how it'll be bad.
RTR unfortunately didn't bring a lot to the Triplets as I'd had hoped, but with luck Gatecrash will produce more goodies besides those bracers, can't say I'm looking forward to those, but only time will tell. Well, I hope these changes are well received and I'll try to keep the list up to date!
From Avacyn Restored, I'm going to put in Avacyn, Angel of Hope, Terminus, and Tamiyo, the Moon Sage. I did have Griselbrand in the deck, and he was awesome, but then they went and banned him, so I had to take him out.
I usually don't run the Triplets out until at the very earliest the midgame, for the most part what I do is hold them in the Command Zone until I have counter/removal support in hand, or creatures/planeswalkers to draw fire, or if another is another huge target I can sometimes slip them in under the radar.
For the most I do wait until the rest of the board is left reeling from the rest of the game, but not to the point where the Triplets become a "win-more" card. I don't always need the Triplets, but they do give another option for winning.
This is my version of the Naya Pod deck that seems to be running about these days. It's an aggro/midrange deck that doesn't use a bunch of 1 and 2 offs of creatures but instead runs 4-ofs. I'm also working on the sideboard, any advice there would be great.
First of all, I'd just like to say that I'm flattered, never thought anyone would actually reconstruct my deck. Kind of makes you feel like you've achieved something, you know?
Anyway, your version looks pretty solid, more aggro than mine, but that is what you set out for. I might consider putting in a Snapcaster Mage, I did and he's been pulling his weight quite well, leaving two mana extra open isn't hard in the late game, and with Riptide Laboratory he's just mean. Speaking of which, you NEED and Riptide Laboratory, you're running quite a bit of Wizards and being able to save them for a measly 1U, so good!
Other than that your deck looks solid, how's it been performing in single and multiplayer games?
Your list looks pretty solid for 1-v-1, though I would cut stuff like Doom Blade for a different removal spell, maybe something like Ashes to Ashes, and I'd try and fit in some cards like Prison Term since it can just keep your opponents biggest threat out of the game. If you're looking to make this a bit meaner, Teferi, Mage of Zhalfir and Knowledge Pool and good way to end the game, and Treasure Mage. I'd also maybe cut Brainstorm for something that can have a bit of reach in the long game, maybe Mind Spring, just a thought.
You also look a light on kill cards, I'd maybe throw a Grave Titan or Consecrated Sphinx in, they give more dudes or more cards, respectively, and with back-up can beat an opponent down. Those are just some suggestions, how has the deck performed in testing if you don't mind my asking.
Cool deck, this guy seemed awesome the second I saw him.
I would probably cut cards like Cancel and Into the Roil for stuff like Hinder and Capsize, they just seem strictly better, plus Capsize gets busted late game. You could also consider the Titans in your colors, they're a bit bland but get stuff done, or maybe you could try Jin-Gitaxias, Core Augur, he's mean but really good if you can afford the table being a bit annoyed at you. Sol Ring and Sensei's Divining Top should really be in here, and maybe a few more mana rocks for acceleration, and Trinket Mage might not be a bad idea either.
I originally ran Stoutarm as a steal-bash-throw general, but the concept got old after a while, it was effective but boring, I always won the same way. I prefer this deck this way because it's always different.
Don't get me wrong, steal-bash-throw was good, really good, just not what I wanted.
i think that your commander does not really fit your strategy, maybe jor kadeen would be better
I've been considering it, the only problem is that Stoutarm has Lifelink, which I like, and nostalgia of course.
I'm giving it a shot, I haven't run into much trouble with damage-based sweepers, but I figured the card was good enough for a slot. Thanks for the advice!
I had an idea for a token deck I wanted to build for modern, it's still rough so any suggestions would be welcome, and the sideboard is just a general catch-all.
Edit: After testing the deck for a while Cloudgoat Ranger and Geist-Honored Monk just didn't impact the board well enough to warrant their slot, so I cut them for Path and I haven't looked back yet.
The deck fairs pretty well against Tier 1 Modern decks, as long as your draws don't suck this deck can at the very hold up against them. It has a bit of trouble against blisteringly fast decks but if you can stabilize the game gets a lot better.
Any input is still very welcome as I'm trying to refine this deck as much as possible.
Hello all, this a Brion Stoutarm EDH deck I've been working on for some time now. It's an equipment/lifegain deck that focuses on dropping back-breaking creatures, then giving them awesome equipment and smashing face, all the while pulling your life total beyond what other decks can deal with.
Grayclay, I must say, truely an honor and a privilege you have bestowed upon me, how could I possibly say no! On to it then!
I certainly like the Esper build you've got going, very interesting indeed. The first thing I can think of off the top of my head is cut Doom Blade for something more board, maybe Vindicate or Pongify, since black is rather prevalent in the format. Also cards with Windfall effects for just more big draw spells, Sphinx's Revelation or Arcanis, the Omnipotent, but that's just me. There's a ton of awesome discard effects in EDH if that's what you're after though, Mind Sludge or Liliana Vess, even Hymn to Torach isn't the worst thing ever. I'm also not a fan of Temporal Mastery since it's the only extra turn effect you have, it feels awkward and a little out of place, I'd prefer to run a lot of them and use that strategy if you want extra turns.
Side note: I do not condone nor recommend running extra turn cards, if you want to goldfish your deck, don't make me sit here and watch, I want to play Magic too you know.
Anyways, back to business, I also don't really think Rings of Brighthearth has a place in your deck, yeah it's cool with Karn Liberated, but your deck is too light on activated abilities I feel to warrant it's inclusion. I also don't like Knowledge Pool, not because it's bad, but cause I'm not a huge of the combo with Teferi, Mage of Zhalfir, just so mean. The deck sweet and a lot of fun, I'm curious how it's been working out for you if you wouldn't mind sharing.
First things first, Wraithblade, you flatter me. I don't mean for my deck to be competitive, it just worked out that way. I can't say I expected my list to become this popular, I just thought I'd share. Well the first thing is I cut Ethersworn Adjudicator for Black Sun's Zenith, I had wanted Zenith in for a while but could never decide what to cut, so after a few long games I came to the conclusion that this was the switch, it hasn't failed me yet. Another one is Fact of Fiction for Cyclonic Rift, it may seem a bit foolish, and who knows, maybe it is, but Rift bounces everyone's stuff but my own, combine that with a planeswalker or two on board and a decent hand and the game should be all but over. I haven't had much time to test out Rift but I can't see how it'll be bad.
RTR unfortunately didn't bring a lot to the Triplets as I'd had hoped, but with luck Gatecrash will produce more goodies besides those bracers, can't say I'm looking forward to those, but only time will tell. Well, I hope these changes are well received and I'll try to keep the list up to date!
1 Horde of Notions
Land
10 Original Dual Lands
10 Shock Lands
10 Onslaught/Zendikar Fetch Lands
2 Forest
1 Island
1 Mountain
1 Swamp
1 Cavern of Souls
1 Krosan Verge
1 Reliquary Tower
Creatures
1 Flamekin Harbinger
1 Fauna Shaman
1 Smokebraider
1 Animar, Soul of Elements
1 Eternal Witness
1 Flickerwisp
1 Fulminator Mage
1 Incandescent Soulstoke
1 Mirror Entity
1 Splinterfright
1 Trinket Mage
1 Wispmare
1 Chameleon Colossus
1 Forgotten Ancient
1 Oracle of Mul Daya
1 Genesis
1 Ingot Chewer
1 Karmic Guide
1 Lord of Extinction
1 Magmaw
1 Mulldrifter
1 Reveillark
1 Seedborn Muse
1 Shriekmaw
1 Silverglade Elemental
1 Skullmulcher
1 AEthersnipe
1 Soul of the Harvest
1 Vigor
1 Avenger of Zendikar
1 Doomgape
1 Faultgrinder
1 Gaea's Revenge
1 Hateflayer
1 Regal Force
1 Maelstrom Wanderer
1 Enlightened Tutor
1 Mystical Tutor
1 Swords to Plowshares
1 Worldly Tutor
1 Crib Swap
1 Mortify
1 Putrefy
Sorcery
1 Green Sun's Zenith
1 Demonic Tutor
1 Life from the Loam
1 Buried Alive
1 Increasing Ambition
1 Traumatize
Planeswalker
1 Jace, Memory Adept
1 Liliana Vess
1 Garruk, Caller of Beasts
Artifacts
1 Skullclamp
1 Sol Ring
1 Illusionist's Bracers
1 Lightning Greaves
1 Chromatic Lantern
1 Phyrexian Altar
1 Rings of Brighthearth
1 Birthing Pod
1 Survival of the Fittest
I usually don't run the Triplets out until at the very earliest the midgame, for the most part what I do is hold them in the Command Zone until I have counter/removal support in hand, or creatures/planeswalkers to draw fire, or if another is another huge target I can sometimes slip them in under the radar.
For the most I do wait until the rest of the board is left reeling from the rest of the game, but not to the point where the Triplets become a "win-more" card. I don't always need the Triplets, but they do give another option for winning.
2 Clifftop Retreat
3 Copperline Gorge
4 Forest
3 Mountain
3 Plains
3 Razorverge Thicket
2 Rootbound Crag
2 Sunpetal Grove
4 Birthing Pod
Creatures
2 Avacyn's Pilgrim
4 Birds of Paradise
2 Strangleroot Geist
4 Viridian Emissary
3 Fiend Hunter
4 Hero of Bladehold
4 Solemn Simulacrum
3 Acidic Slime
2 Vorapede
3 Inferno Titan
Anyway, your version looks pretty solid, more aggro than mine, but that is what you set out for. I might consider putting in a Snapcaster Mage, I did and he's been pulling his weight quite well, leaving two mana extra open isn't hard in the late game, and with Riptide Laboratory he's just mean. Speaking of which, you NEED and Riptide Laboratory, you're running quite a bit of Wizards and being able to save them for a measly 1U, so good!
Other than that your deck looks solid, how's it been performing in single and multiplayer games?
There's also Palinchron and Mana Reflection, not an auto-win combo, but with infinite mana you can do a lot.
Your list looks pretty solid for 1-v-1, though I would cut stuff like Doom Blade for a different removal spell, maybe something like Ashes to Ashes, and I'd try and fit in some cards like Prison Term since it can just keep your opponents biggest threat out of the game. If you're looking to make this a bit meaner, Teferi, Mage of Zhalfir and Knowledge Pool and good way to end the game, and Treasure Mage. I'd also maybe cut Brainstorm for something that can have a bit of reach in the long game, maybe Mind Spring, just a thought.
You also look a light on kill cards, I'd maybe throw a Grave Titan or Consecrated Sphinx in, they give more dudes or more cards, respectively, and with back-up can beat an opponent down. Those are just some suggestions, how has the deck performed in testing if you don't mind my asking.
I would probably cut cards like Cancel and Into the Roil for stuff like Hinder and Capsize, they just seem strictly better, plus Capsize gets busted late game. You could also consider the Titans in your colors, they're a bit bland but get stuff done, or maybe you could try Jin-Gitaxias, Core Augur, he's mean but really good if you can afford the table being a bit annoyed at you. Sol Ring and Sensei's Divining Top should really be in here, and maybe a few more mana rocks for acceleration, and Trinket Mage might not be a bad idea either.
Don't get me wrong, steal-bash-throw was good, really good, just not what I wanted.
I've been considering it, the only problem is that Stoutarm has Lifelink, which I like, and nostalgia of course.
4 Snapcaster Mage
4 Hero of Bladehold
Spells
4 Path to Exile
4 Serum Visions
3 Spell Pierce
3 Intangible Virtue
3 Remand
4 Midnight Haunting
2 Elspeth, Knight-Errant
4 Spectral Procession
1 Breeding Pool
3 Gavony Township
4 Hallowed Fountain
2 Island
4 Marsh Flats
4 Misty Rainforest
2 Moorland Haunt
3 Plains
2 Temple Garden
3 Relic of Progenitus
3 Meddling Mage
3 Negate
3 Krosan Grip
3 Brave the Elements
Edit: After testing the deck for a while Cloudgoat Ranger and Geist-Honored Monk just didn't impact the board well enough to warrant their slot, so I cut them for Path and I haven't looked back yet.
The deck fairs pretty well against Tier 1 Modern decks, as long as your draws don't suck this deck can at the very hold up against them. It has a bit of trouble against blisteringly fast decks but if you can stabilize the game gets a lot better.
Any input is still very welcome as I'm trying to refine this deck as much as possible.
1 Brion Stoutarm
Lands
11 Mountain
11 Plains
1 Ancient Amphitheater
1 Arid Mesa
1 Boros Garrison
1 Clifftop Retreat
1 Emeria, the Sky Ruin
1 Marsh Flats
1 Mystifying Maze
1 Plateau
1 Reliquary Tower
1 Sacred Foundry
1 Scalding Tarn
1 Strip Mine
1 Sunhome, Fortress of the Legion
1 Tectonic Edge
1 Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle
Creatures
1 Figure of Destiny
1 Leonin Shikari
1 Puresteel Paladin
1 Stoneforge Mystic
1 Duergar Hedge-Mage
1 Transcendent Master
1 Lord of Shatterskull Pass
1 Solemn Simulacrum
1 Balefire Liege
1 Baneslayer Angel
1 Glory
1 Jor Kadeen, the Prevailer
1 Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker
1 Stonehewer Giant
1 Urabrask, the Hidden
1 Duplicant
1 Felidar Sovereign
1 Flameblast Dragon
1 Homura, Human Ascendant
1 Inferno Titan
1 Ryusei, the Falling Star
1 Sun Titan
1 Victory's Herald
1 Yosei, the Morning Star
1 Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite
1 Akroma, Angel of Fury
1 Akroma, Angel of Wrath
1 Enlightened Tutor
1 Path to Exile
1 Swords to Plowshares
1 Allay
1 Fork
1 Reverberate
1 Shattering Pulse
1 Reiterate
1 Wild Ricochet
1 Wrath of God
1 Beacon of Immortality
Planeswalkers
1 Elspeth, Knight Errant
1 Koth of the Hammer
Artifacts
1 Basilisk Collar
1 Elixir of Immortality
1 Sensei's Divining Top
1 Skullclamp
1 Sol Ring
1 Boros Signet
1 Swiftfoot Boots
1 Umezawa's Jitte
1 Darksteel Ingot
1 Loxodon Warhammer
1 Sunforger
1 Sword of Body and Mind
1 Sword of Feast and Famine
1 Sword of Fire and Ice
1 Sword of Light and Shadow
1 Sword of War and Peace
1 Sword of Vengeance
1 Well of Lost Dreams
1 Batterskull
1 Argentum Armor
1 Rise of the Hobgoblins
1 Oblivion Ring
So there you have it, if you have comments or suggestions, let me know, advice is always welcome.