I wasn't actually expecting any responses, but I'm glad you guys came and replied!
I have a Shu Yun lying around I was going to make for tiny leaders, but I wasn't too sure if I could convert him over to EDH without stepping on the toes of my Tibor and Lumia deck, since it's equal parts storm and voltron. It may be worth it to try, just for the flavor alone. Plus, a little more of a toned down deck.
I hate to advertise for my own decklists, but I actually made a pretty effective Shu-Yun Voltron not too long ago specifically because I also like Kung Fu. Here is the list.
Another more casual option would be a political Iwamori of the Open Fist EDH. You do have to keep in mind that mono-g has a lot less asian themed cards then UWR.
I've been looking through your decklist and I love it. I'm just a little wary because like I said I wasn't sure if this would be as similar to my Tibor and Lumia deck. One artifact I think would fit in yours if you have the space, and if I make this myself I'll put in, is Leering Emblem. +3/+3 for casting a spell? Yes please! Plus, with it being an emblem, it still fits flavor.
Now that the general is decided, it's time to figure out flavor. Myth Realized and even the 4 drop, ojutai exemplars seem to fit. Or at least be fun. I'm not sure they'd actually do much here but... Hey. We'll figure this out.
Hey guys, I'm looking at building a Wuxia themed EDH deck. Let me start with the background. My group is pretty casual and I am by far the biggest spike in the group. I have artifact decks, storm decks, even a Blue Braids deck that has evolved to be far meaner than I initially intended it to be. I also love crafting decks, but feel the need to make them as optimal as I can, which leads to them probably not being as much fun for my friends to play against.
So, I've been toying around with themed decks for a while, but nothing has really captured my imagination and made the lower quality of the deck worth it. Until I was watching Kung Fu Hustle and looking at cards and saw Diaochan, Artful Beauty and realized with Khans block, we have a lot more Wuxia-esqu style characters available outside of P3K.
I'm also on kind of a budget, so some of the legends in P3K are out, unless they're amazingly flavorful and would make a fun deck. I just don't want to do mono red beats or blue control. I want something that's a bit out of the ordinary. Daiochan is a good example and I'm tempted, but I don't know if the deck would be on theme or if it'd be too oppressive.
tl;dr, I want a deck based on eastern martial art philosophy that's fun and flavorful and would work for a spike in a casual environment, but has no idea where to start.
Okay, I was definitely not expecting the amount of replies to this thread! First of all, thank you guys. Seriously, this is great. This has given me a great breakdown to each of the bigger artifact centric commanders and has given me a lot of things to think about.
I have been trying to move away from mono blue, since I have a Braids deck that will probably be taken apart for the time being, since she basically was a way to cheat big artifacts into play.
Mono red is an option. I loved Daretti, but I felt like I tinkered too much without things happening. Or it was my fault things got hectic cause I made too threatening a board before I could win.
As of now, Sydri, Galvanic Genius or Mishra, Artificer Prodigy is probably the deck I'll be going towards next. I'm just not sure which. I've liked both for a while, but I'm not sure how to go about it. I never knew where to start with Sydri. Taleran's deck might be a place to start...
I am looking at the Mishra primer, and it look hilarious. Just that nether void price though! I wish I had that kind of money. That deck does seem hilarious though.
I've thought of a lot of these, and I'm just not sure the way to go. I know how oppressive an artifact deck can be and while I am the biggest spike in my playgroup, I'm trying to tone it down and make something fun to play against but still is fun to pilot and can win. My Glissa deck, trying to not hit on the two above combos, really just turned into a grindy eggs machine. Sure it was fun the first few times, but I never find myself playing it anymore.
I'd love to fix Daretti, but people love to kill planeswalkers on sight the game I could protect him he turned the game upside down so fast I'm pretty sure my group just hates him now. Then again getting giant things like darksteel forge and steel hellkite on board turn 5 might do that...
As for Mishra or Sydri, I'm not sure how to play them. Mishra seems cute, but I'm not sure he'd be totally fun to play against. Sydri I don't even know where to start.
Memnarch, I'm wondering how fun he'd be. I do have a Braids deck that's all about stealing already, but I do love march of the machines and the spy network...
With Origins coming out and all of it's minor artifact fun, I've been looking to create a new artifact based deck. Now, I don't quite know where to start. Daretti is fun, but it feels like it durdles a lot. Glissa is great for recursion and rube goldberg shenanigans, but it doesn't have many win conditions aside from eggs.
So I'm trying to figure out where to start. I've thought about mono blue or grixis with Mishra or even Sydri. But I have no idea where to start. I was hoping Izzet, but I don't see many artifact based generals. I like having generals that are there for more than just their colors.
So I was wondering what you guys thought. I'm not looking for ridiculously strong, just fun and synergistic.
So I need to get more removal in this deck. Creature, artifact, enchantment, what have you. Walking Atlas has already bit it for a Ulvenwald Tracker since it can act as removal, and ophidian eye is something I'm never really happy to see. Any suggestions on more removal? I still need to start looking and see what I can replace and what to board in.
I was actually trying to figure this out myself. I'm not the biggest fan of infinite combos and really want to make her fun. You could go with Ward of Bones and Meekstone approach for when Sydri is online. You have creatures when it benefits you (or an ally) and don't when you want Ward of Bones online. Or meekstone keeping people from attacking. I'm just not sure how fun that approach will be.
Switched out Call of the Kindred for Xenagos, God of Revels. The Call made whatever creature a bigger target than it already was and, unless it was Stormbreath Dragon, would be exiled before I could untap. Xenagos provides haste, lets me hit like a truck, and is hilarious with Scourge of the Throne. Glad I picked one up.
I am debating on changing up a few other cards. Walking Atlas is cool early game for ramp, but then he's just dead weight. A terrain generator in a land slot would be better, as it at least doesn't take up a creature slot. Looking for a replacement that has a bit more impact.
Coiling Oracle is great, but I'm wondering how much it's worth. It does let me ramp or draw, but there might be something better in it's place.
Finally, Ophidian Eye. Infinite with old school Niv! Not really great otherwise. I haven't really been happy to see it ever. It might need to leave for more removal, I just don't know what. Heck, I might even switch out Niv-Mizzet, the Firemind for Niv-Mizzet, Dracogenius. He's a bit bigger and, if I have the mana, let's me immediately draw multiple cards.
It's a bit more budget, but looking at it now it's definitely gotten better over time. I try to adhere to my "Dream of Ice and Fire" theme as much as I can, so it's probably not as good as it could be, but since it's become a pet project of mine I've been bending the rules a bit here and there.... But I think it's still generally true to the theme as tons of cards from the last block fit the theme which has really enabled the deck to grow into something not necessarily competitive but definitely solid.
Let me know if you have any suggestions!
And I like the theme! Lurking Predators looks like a lot of fun. I really like the snow theme, and I wish I had the extra set aside to be able to get the manabase. It really gives some good utility. You're also running a bit more flash enablers than I am, which might be something to look into... I really like it! Have you run into any issues with it?
And I was lucky with my deck. I spent about 20 bucks on it in total, the rest is stuff I've actually pulled or had lying around for a while.
Tibor and Lumia was my first deck and is the one deck I've never thought about taking apart or replacing. Sure, changing it up for Melek might make it more consistent, but what I like is it's inconsistency. I love never knowing how I'm going to win until I draw my seven and see where my draws take me.
...That actually describes a lot of my decks. Solid, but how am I going to win? I don't know let's find out! Probably why the anything too focused that I choose to build gets boring almost immediately after.
Hey frisiandude, thanks for the advice! I've been looking at building a dragon deck of some kind for a while, and pulling a Sarkhan Unbroken definitely decided it for me. You'll pull one soon.
Shaman of the Great Hunt seems like a great idea. I haven't really been keeping up too much with the newest set even though it has dragons in it. That seems like a good addition if I want to keep the creature count up. Shamanic Revelation might go in instead, I just have to see how long the average lifespan of my creatures are. I want a bit more draw, just since I really only have 5 draws, and two of them depend on creatures on resolution.
Xenagos, God Of Revels definitely has to find his way in. I just need to get my hands on one...
And no, you are definitely helping improve it man. I've just turned into a bit of a spike anymore. This is actually my least competitive (in my opinion) deck since my playgroup has a lot more chances to interact with it and stop it. But seriously, thank you for those suggestions, I didn't even know about some of those cards! What's your Intet deck like, if you don't mind me asking?
Alright, I played this deck a few times today and I recognized a few weaknesses in the deck. The first thing was taking out Training Grounds. It didn't do much of anything and only interacted with a few cards. It really wasn't worth the inclusion. Instead, Hull Breach fit better with actually removing problems instead of just trying to swing out.
Second, Door to Destinies just was a win more. Quicksilver Amulet might help out a bit more. I haven't gotten to test it however. Surrak Dragonclaw was removed due to counters not being that big of a deal with my playgroup yet. Instead, Urabrask the Hidden makes sure my creatures can actually get into the red zone. Primal Surge got removed after increasing the instants and sorceries. I haven't got to test it but I'm not sure how it will work out with 12 non permanents. Instead, Reforge the Soul will help to refill my hand.
Some cards I'm wary about in the deck however. Ugin, the Spirit Dragon seems like a win more. I'm not sure if his slot could be used for something better. Moltensteel Dragon will be replaced as soon as I can find a better dragon. Harbinger of the Hunt seems weak for it's activated cost. Call to the Kindred might be worth it? I haven't seen it in action yet, but with over a fifth of the deck being dragons it might help. I'm just not sure. Ophidian Eye might be worth it with Niv-Mizzet but other than that... there should definitely be something else here.
I do wish I had more haste however. Anger might find it's way into the deck actually to ensure it.
I am worried about some removal and wonder if asceticism could fit...
Hi guys, it's been a while. I've been mostly messing around with casual decks, getting other friends into magic, and I decided it was time to make a new EDH deck to play with them. Most of my decks are much more control oriented and really not creature based, so I decided I wanted to focus on creatures for once. Pulling a [c]Sarkhan Unbroken[c] convinced me to at least go into Temur colors. And well, I doubt I can ever get his ultimate off, but if I could, why not include dragons?
Mirri's Guile - 1 mana, arrange the top three cards. Helps out Intet and smooths out draws. Dragon Mage - Mess with control and refill my hand. Atarka, World Render - Double strike for my dragons? Yes please.
Change Log
04/18/2015
-Training Grounds +Hull Breach
-Door to Destinies +Quicksilver Amulet
-Primal Surge +Reforge the Soul
-Surrak Dragonclaw +Urabrask the Hidden
This is a deck I want to keep on theme so it's fun and flavorful. Any tips will be appreciated, and I'll be updating this thread like crazy as I go along.
Thanks Oly. I should have specified that I was aiming for multiplayer in my build. One of the fun parts of the game for me is the multiplayer aspect, and typically I use commanders that fly under the radar. I expect this one to be a threat, so it will be fun to change things up for once.
I am looking for the 5T: Add WUBRG land. Some cards I'm hoping to find doubles for or will have to move them from other decks (Leyline of Anticipation when did you hit almost four dollars?).
What all blue do you have? I've seen mostly green or black in a lot of lists either for ramp or tutor. Obviously secondary is red for all the dragons. Speaking of which, here's my dragon package so far.
I want to add Teneb and Volrosh, as well as Tyrant and Dragon Mage, but I don't know if that's too many for the toolbox. I also found a cheap Zirilan of the Claw who could help with the dragon army...
So far, all the expensive cards I've had due to just collecting over the years. Skithiryx and the like will have to be traded for/saved for later.
Rite of Rep is definitely making an appearance. It's cheap money wise, and I can do massive damage, make a massive army, or bring an army back from the dead with it. Seems good.
Worldgorger... Yeah I'm going to stay away from. Once my friends learn they can kill him while the exile effect is on the stack, that will be their favorite thing to do.
As opposed to Elvish piper, I might go with quicksilver amulet. It might be more expensive mana wise, but it can be used immediately and is a bit more resilient.
I might save off on Skittles and Karrtus right now for budget concerns, as well as Bear Umbra just so I don't get one cheap combo while I get used to the deck with my casual friends. Stepping up, these will be things I look forward to.
Birddogs does bring up a few combos I haven't thought of, and I may have to look into them when I'm not worried about a budget.
I have a Shu Yun lying around I was going to make for tiny leaders, but I wasn't too sure if I could convert him over to EDH without stepping on the toes of my Tibor and Lumia deck, since it's equal parts storm and voltron. It may be worth it to try, just for the flavor alone. Plus, a little more of a toned down deck.
These are great and a fit a lot of the flavor. I'll have to look through them but they seem like good includes.
He is 100% in that deck once I make it. He's great!
I've been looking through your decklist and I love it. I'm just a little wary because like I said I wasn't sure if this would be as similar to my Tibor and Lumia deck. One artifact I think would fit in yours if you have the space, and if I make this myself I'll put in, is Leering Emblem. +3/+3 for casting a spell? Yes please! Plus, with it being an emblem, it still fits flavor.
Now that the general is decided, it's time to figure out flavor. Myth Realized and even the 4 drop, ojutai exemplars seem to fit. Or at least be fun. I'm not sure they'd actually do much here but... Hey. We'll figure this out.
So, I've been toying around with themed decks for a while, but nothing has really captured my imagination and made the lower quality of the deck worth it. Until I was watching Kung Fu Hustle and looking at cards and saw Diaochan, Artful Beauty and realized with Khans block, we have a lot more Wuxia-esqu style characters available outside of P3K.
I'm also on kind of a budget, so some of the legends in P3K are out, unless they're amazingly flavorful and would make a fun deck. I just don't want to do mono red beats or blue control. I want something that's a bit out of the ordinary. Daiochan is a good example and I'm tempted, but I don't know if the deck would be on theme or if it'd be too oppressive.
tl;dr, I want a deck based on eastern martial art philosophy that's fun and flavorful and would work for a spike in a casual environment, but has no idea where to start.
Braids, Conjurer Adept
Tibor and Lumia
Intet, the Dreamer
Liliana, Heretical Healer
Daretti, Scrap Savant
I have been trying to move away from mono blue, since I have a Braids deck that will probably be taken apart for the time being, since she basically was a way to cheat big artifacts into play.
Mono red is an option. I loved Daretti, but I felt like I tinkered too much without things happening. Or it was my fault things got hectic cause I made too threatening a board before I could win.
As of now, Sydri, Galvanic Genius or Mishra, Artificer Prodigy is probably the deck I'll be going towards next. I'm just not sure which. I've liked both for a while, but I'm not sure how to go about it. I never knew where to start with Sydri. Taleran's deck might be a place to start...
I am looking at the Mishra primer, and it look hilarious. Just that nether void price though! I wish I had that kind of money. That deck does seem hilarious though.
I'd love to fix Daretti, but people love to kill planeswalkers on sight the game I could protect him he turned the game upside down so fast I'm pretty sure my group just hates him now. Then again getting giant things like darksteel forge and steel hellkite on board turn 5 might do that...
As for Mishra or Sydri, I'm not sure how to play them. Mishra seems cute, but I'm not sure he'd be totally fun to play against. Sydri I don't even know where to start.
Memnarch, I'm wondering how fun he'd be. I do have a Braids deck that's all about stealing already, but I do love march of the machines and the spy network...
So I'm trying to figure out where to start. I've thought about mono blue or grixis with Mishra or even Sydri. But I have no idea where to start. I was hoping Izzet, but I don't see many artifact based generals. I like having generals that are there for more than just their colors.
So I was wondering what you guys thought. I'm not looking for ridiculously strong, just fun and synergistic.
Switched out Call of the Kindred for Xenagos, God of Revels. The Call made whatever creature a bigger target than it already was and, unless it was Stormbreath Dragon, would be exiled before I could untap. Xenagos provides haste, lets me hit like a truck, and is hilarious with Scourge of the Throne. Glad I picked one up.
Also managed to grab an Atarka, World Render and switched her in for a Harbinger of the Hunt. Good synergy, and is hilarious with Sarkan, Dragonspeaker as well as any other dragon.
I am debating on changing up a few other cards. Walking Atlas is cool early game for ramp, but then he's just dead weight. A terrain generator in a land slot would be better, as it at least doesn't take up a creature slot. Looking for a replacement that has a bit more impact.
Coiling Oracle is great, but I'm wondering how much it's worth. It does let me ramp or draw, but there might be something better in it's place.
Finally, Ophidian Eye. Infinite with old school Niv! Not really great otherwise. I haven't really been happy to see it ever. It might need to leave for more removal, I just don't know what. Heck, I might even switch out Niv-Mizzet, the Firemind for Niv-Mizzet, Dracogenius. He's a bit bigger and, if I have the mana, let's me immediately draw multiple cards.
And I like the theme! Lurking Predators looks like a lot of fun. I really like the snow theme, and I wish I had the extra set aside to be able to get the manabase. It really gives some good utility. You're also running a bit more flash enablers than I am, which might be something to look into... I really like it! Have you run into any issues with it?
And I was lucky with my deck. I spent about 20 bucks on it in total, the rest is stuff I've actually pulled or had lying around for a while.
...That actually describes a lot of my decks. Solid, but how am I going to win? I don't know let's find out! Probably why the anything too focused that I choose to build gets boring almost immediately after.
Shaman of the Great Hunt seems like a great idea. I haven't really been keeping up too much with the newest set even though it has dragons in it. That seems like a good addition if I want to keep the creature count up. Shamanic Revelation might go in instead, I just have to see how long the average lifespan of my creatures are. I want a bit more draw, just since I really only have 5 draws, and two of them depend on creatures on resolution.
Xenagos, God Of Revels definitely has to find his way in. I just need to get my hands on one...
Moltensteel Dragon was taken out for an extra Horde-Smelter Dragon I had lying around. I still need to find an Atarka, World Render and possibly a Keiga, the Tide Star to at least test the latter.
And no, you are definitely helping improve it man. I've just turned into a bit of a spike anymore. This is actually my least competitive (in my opinion) deck since my playgroup has a lot more chances to interact with it and stop it. But seriously, thank you for those suggestions, I didn't even know about some of those cards! What's your Intet deck like, if you don't mind me asking?
Second, Door to Destinies just was a win more. Quicksilver Amulet might help out a bit more. I haven't gotten to test it however.
Surrak Dragonclaw was removed due to counters not being that big of a deal with my playgroup yet. Instead, Urabrask the Hidden makes sure my creatures can actually get into the red zone.
Primal Surge got removed after increasing the instants and sorceries. I haven't got to test it but I'm not sure how it will work out with 12 non permanents. Instead, Reforge the Soul will help to refill my hand.
Some cards I'm wary about in the deck however.
Ugin, the Spirit Dragon seems like a win more. I'm not sure if his slot could be used for something better.
Moltensteel Dragon will be replaced as soon as I can find a better dragon.
Harbinger of the Hunt seems weak for it's activated cost.
Call to the Kindred might be worth it? I haven't seen it in action yet, but with over a fifth of the deck being dragons it might help. I'm just not sure.
Ophidian Eye might be worth it with Niv-Mizzet but other than that... there should definitely be something else here.
I do wish I had more haste however. Anger might find it's way into the deck actually to ensure it.
I am worried about some removal and wonder if asceticism could fit...
Hi guys, it's been a while. I've been mostly messing around with casual decks, getting other friends into magic, and I decided it was time to make a new EDH deck to play with them. Most of my decks are much more control oriented and really not creature based, so I decided I wanted to focus on creatures for once. Pulling a [c]Sarkhan Unbroken[c] convinced me to at least go into Temur colors. And well, I doubt I can ever get his ultimate off, but if I could, why not include dragons?
And that brought out my inner dragon lover.
So without further ado, the deck.
6 Intet the Dreamer
Planeswalkers
4 Sarkhan Vol
5 Sarkhan, the Dragonspeaker
5 Sarkhan Unbroken
8 Ugin, the Spirit Dragon
Creatures
2 Sakura-Tribe Elder
2 Coiling Oracle
2 Walking Atlas
3 Thassa, God of the Sea
3 Somberwald Sage
3 Courser of Kruphix
3 Jhiora of the Ghitu
3 Trygon Predator
4 Polukranos, World Eater
4 Fathom Mage
4 Chameleon Colossus
4 Nylea, God of the Hunt
5 Urabrask the Hidden
5 Zirilan of the Claw
5 Scourge of Valkas
5 Harbinger of the Hunt
5 Stormbreath Dragon
6 Steel Hellkite
6 Moltensteel Dragon
6 Niv-Mizzet, the Firemind
6 Moonveil Dragon
6 Prime Speaker Zeganna
6 Hellkite Charger
6 Savage Ventmaw
6 Scourge of the Throne
7 Balefire Dragon
8 Utvara Hellkite
1 Sol ring
1 Expedition Map
1 Wayfarer's Bauble
2 Fellwar Stone
3 Crystal Ball
3 Worn Powerstone
3 Chromatic Lantern
3 Darksteel Ingot
4 Quicksilver Amulet
Enchantments
2 Dragon Tempest
3 Fires of Yavimaya
3 Rhystic Study
3 Ophidian Eye
3 Temur Ascendancy
4 Frontier Seige
4 Bear Umbra
4 Call to Kindred
5 Future Sight
10 Omniscience
Instants
1 Brainstrom
1 Swan Song
2 Cyclonic Rift
2 Hull Breach
2 Simic Charm
4 Plasm Capture
Sorceries
2 Farseek
3 Cultivate
3 Kodama's Reach
4 Skyshroud Claim
5 Time Reversal
5 Reforge the Soul
1 Ancient Ziggurat
1 Command Tower
1 Exotic Orchard
1 Frontier Bivouac
1 Rootbound Crag
1 Sulfur Falls
1 Hinterland Harbor
1 Wooded Foothills
1 Verdant Catacombs
1 Flooded Strand
1 Stomping Grounds
1 Breeding Pool
1 Steam Vents
1 Temple of Mystery
1 Temple of Epiphany
1 Halimar Depths
1 Thespian's Stage
1 Temple of the False God
1 Thawing Glaciers
1 Alchemist's Refuge
7 Mountain
6 Forest
4 Island
Wishlist
Mirri's Guile - 1 mana, arrange the top three cards. Helps out Intet and smooths out draws.
Dragon Mage - Mess with control and refill my hand.
Atarka, World Render - Double strike for my dragons? Yes please.
Change Log
04/18/2015
-Training Grounds +Hull Breach
-Door to Destinies +Quicksilver Amulet
-Primal Surge +Reforge the Soul
-Surrak Dragonclaw +Urabrask the Hidden
This is a deck I want to keep on theme so it's fun and flavorful. Any tips will be appreciated, and I'll be updating this thread like crazy as I go along.
I am looking for the 5T: Add WUBRG land. Some cards I'm hoping to find doubles for or will have to move them from other decks (Leyline of Anticipation when did you hit almost four dollars?).
What all blue do you have? I've seen mostly green or black in a lot of lists either for ramp or tutor. Obviously secondary is red for all the dragons. Speaking of which, here's my dragon package so far.
I want to add Teneb and Volrosh, as well as Tyrant and Dragon Mage, but I don't know if that's too many for the toolbox. I also found a cheap Zirilan of the Claw who could help with the dragon army...
So far, all the expensive cards I've had due to just collecting over the years. Skithiryx and the like will have to be traded for/saved for later.
Worldgorger... Yeah I'm going to stay away from. Once my friends learn they can kill him while the exile effect is on the stack, that will be their favorite thing to do.
As opposed to Elvish piper, I might go with quicksilver amulet. It might be more expensive mana wise, but it can be used immediately and is a bit more resilient.
I might save off on Skittles and Karrtus right now for budget concerns, as well as Bear Umbra just so I don't get one cheap combo while I get used to the deck with my casual friends. Stepping up, these will be things I look forward to.
Birddogs does bring up a few combos I haven't thought of, and I may have to look into them when I'm not worried about a budget.