Does evolve (aka Cloudfin Raptor) see jaces phantasm and friends come into play as 1/1s or 5/5s (in the phantasm's case)? If evolve works in our favor, what do you think of this creature package for a more aggro/tempo build: Creatures
I have two arguments against the specific change mentioned in the OP:
1. I think the benefit granted by this change does not outweigh the added complexity. Herp derp.
2. Changing this rule would instantly increase the power level of decks built around these generals while doing nothing to change the effectiveness of others. Part of the fun of commander is building a deck around your general and all of these generals can already be played. A friend of mine has spent a lot of time and effort making a Phage the Untouchable deck that is viable and fun to play. All of the generals listed have restrictions written on them because they also have very powerful other abilities. There are already plenty cards with effects that can stifle Phage’s ETB ability or bounce a Myojin/Ninja/card with grandeur printed on it back to your hand.
I propose a different solution to make all these generals more playable and potentially benefit all other decks/add a number of play styles without making others ineffective or broken.
Instead of changing the rule about casting your general from the command zone, add a new rule:
“You may pay your generals’s casting cost plus commander tax to move that card from the command zone to your hand. Play this effect only during one of your main phases.”
This has a number of other advantages:
1. It gives you yet another way to put your general into your hand where you may want it.
2. It can be done within the confines of the rules.
3. It is easy to understand.
The second line could be changed to say several things to balance the effect. For example:
“Play this ability only any time you could play an Instant.”
“Play this ability only any time you could cast your Commander.”
“Play this ability only any time you could play a Sorcery.”
What do you think about Altar's Reap in this deck? Spending a card and a token to refill your hand seems like it could be ok. I've tested a little with it in the deck as a 3-of. Using it on Doomed Traveler, Traft's angel after its been cumped or one of my own chumps felt pretty good.
I like this deck. I ran a similar setup just last night at my lgs.
Some suggestions: Leonin Abunas (artifact hexproof) I pulled Indomitable Archangel for this, but you might want 2 sources of "people cant target my stuff"
Galvanic Blast ---> Land Tax Regular burn spells dont usually pull their weight in EDH imo and Land Tax is awesome.
Creatures
What about Geist of Saint Traft?
1. I think the benefit granted by this change does not outweigh the added complexity. Herp derp.
2. Changing this rule would instantly increase the power level of decks built around these generals while doing nothing to change the effectiveness of others. Part of the fun of commander is building a deck around your general and all of these generals can already be played. A friend of mine has spent a lot of time and effort making a Phage the Untouchable deck that is viable and fun to play. All of the generals listed have restrictions written on them because they also have very powerful other abilities. There are already plenty cards with effects that can stifle Phage’s ETB ability or bounce a Myojin/Ninja/card with grandeur printed on it back to your hand.
I propose a different solution to make all these generals more playable and potentially benefit all other decks/add a number of play styles without making others ineffective or broken.
Instead of changing the rule about casting your general from the command zone, add a new rule:
“You may pay your generals’s casting cost plus commander tax to move that card from the command zone to your hand. Play this effect only during one of your main phases.”
This has a number of other advantages:
1. It gives you yet another way to put your general into your hand where you may want it.
2. It can be done within the confines of the rules.
3. It is easy to understand.
The second line could be changed to say several things to balance the effect. For example:
“Play this ability only any time you could play an Instant.”
“Play this ability only any time you could cast your Commander.”
“Play this ability only any time you could play a Sorcery.”
Thoughts?
Thoughts?
Also, Here is my list:
4x Doomed Traveler
4x Drogskol Captain
3x Geist of Saint Traft
3x Phantasmal Image
Spells
4x Honor of the Pure
4x Mana Leak
3x Altar's Reap
4x Midnight Haunting
3x Lingering Souls
3x Oblivion Ring
2 Evolving Wilds
4 Glacial Fortress
4 Island
4 Isolated Chapel
1 Moorland Haunt
6 Plains
2 Swamp
2 Vault of the Archangel
2 Day of Judgment
2 Dissipate
3 Doom Blade
2 Grafdigger's Cage
2 Gut Shot
2 Negate
2 Nihil Spellbomb
I still havn't completely figured out the sideboard yet either.
Some suggestions:
Leonin Abunas (artifact hexproof) I pulled Indomitable Archangel for this, but you might want 2 sources of "people cant target my stuff"
Galvanic Blast ---> Land Tax Regular burn spells dont usually pull their weight in EDH imo and Land Tax is awesome.
Iron Myr ---> Grim Monolith
Gold Myr ---> Darksteel Ingot
(I never want to swing with my mana rocks and I always want to use them right away)
Sword of Light and Shadow ---> Sunforger
SoLaS in my opinion is the weakest sword in that list. It pulls a guy to your hand, which is powerful, but that's assuming there is a creature in your yard to pick up. Also, you have to equip it and swing with it AND hit somebody for it to work, all before someone blows it up. On the other hand, Sunforger lets you play spells right from your deck. Very powerful. Also gives the wearer a good buff and works really well with Puresteel Paladin.
Possible Sunforger targets:
Price of Progress (Depends a little on your meta)
Dispatch/Swords to Plowshares/Path to Exile
Lapse of Certainty (my favorite)
Master Warcraft
Return to Dust
Enlightened Tutor
Tithe
Almost any other burn spell...
And all of these love Mistveil Plains!
Lastly, red/white loves to draw cards, but cant do it very well. I saw you already had Howling Mine... Here are some others:
Minds Eye
Skullclamp goes well with Kher Keep or Nuisance Engine or Myr Turbine