Straightforward reanimator. Use the general to get dragons into the graveyard, then bring them back cheap. In 1v1, go for general damage. In multiplayer, take your time and set up for an ultimate, stylish win via Patriarch's Bidding or Living Death.
This is my favorite deck other than Kresh. It's powerful, but fun and not TOO cutthroat. There used to be more control elements in it, but I decided to change it to a Timmy, Power Gamer type strategy and just pack it full of big, bomby threats.
Edit (10/31): finally got a FBB Japanese Nevinyrral's Disk and a foil Enlightened Tutor for this. Also added some various newer cards like Jace's Ingenuity, Skithiryx, the Blight Dragon and Tainted Strike--the latter of which is simply insane. I have had games end on T4 with that one (T1 Ring, T2 Skyshroud Claim, T3 general, T4 turn into Dragon Tyrant w/ Tainted Strike). It simply ends games with all these dragons.
I did consider those, and I believe I did use them for a time, but I decided I wanted some other stuff (counterspells in particular) and those were the most logical cards to take out for them. The current number of reanimation spells seems to be good: I usually have a couple when I need them. And Exhume generally hurts more than it helps. Same with Reanimate - it's a slower game with a lot of removal. Paying 6+ life to get a guy back, only to have him killed, is no bueno.
So there you have it. Dread Return I would consider putting back in. But again, the amount of recursion seems to be adequate (regrowth effects + reanimates).
I hadn't even thought of that. It's a contender, for sure. The trick is to not have too many spells that benefit the opponent(s). I already have Patriarch's Bidding and Living Death - Living Death is cool because it can double as removal in some situations.
Thanks for the tip! I will have to try that one out!
Isn't Sensei's Banned? Also, no Mirari's Wake, Yawgmoth's Will, Academy Rector, Kiega, Yosei? Have you found the Silence effects worth their slots?
Believe it or not, Top is not (officially) banned. Playgroups can discourage such cards, though. My group generally follows the "official" list, with a couple exceptions. It's a good list.
I thought Yawgmoth's Will was banned. But another look reveals it is not. I must have had it confused with Yawgmoth's Bargain. I will certainly make room for it once I have acquired the Judge foil. Good call.
I have also been looking at non-red and non-black dragons, because there are several decks with Akroma, Angel of Wrath (or other pro-RB creatures) in my group, and she just sneaks right through. Keiga and Yosei are definitely good choices.
The Silence and Orim's Chant are there to force through potentially game-winning moves like Patriarch's Bidding or "copy Tyrant, reanimate Tyrant." If I was going to take one out, it'd be Chant since it only hits one player. Maybe I'll replace it with Keiga or Yosei.
Thanks for the suggestions! My wallet will hate me for foil Rector and Will, though.
Because I don't currently own one. I am biding my time for the foil promo. Believe me, it will be added the moment I acquire it - it's just too good to pass up. Though I will have to decide what to cut for it. Maybe Defense of the Heart.
Wow, datsalottafoily goodness! You should definitely post pics of your list in the pimp'd deck thread.
On your list: Your landbase looks great, but you do not use any of the utility lands that most others run (Volrath's Stronghold, Academy Ruins, Maze of Ith, etc). Also, no basics AT ALL, so Back to Basics and the ilk can ruin you. Is there a preference for this (EX: Wanting the most expensive you can find/wanting everything to be foil?) or just not thought of it? Hope that helps, but it looks like a strong list overall, with the best colorfixing known to MtG
Private Mod Note
():
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"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience."
-C.S. Lewis
On your list: Your landbase looks great, but you do not use any of the utility lands that most others run (Volrath's Stronghold, Academy Ruins, Maze of Ith, etc). Also, no basics AT ALL, so Back to Basics and the ilk can ruin you. Is there a preference for this (EX: Wanting the most expensive you can find/wanting everything to be foil?) or just not thought of it? Hope that helps, but it looks like a strong list overall, with the best colorfixing known to MtG
I have from time to time switched out the vivid lands and Reflecting Pool for Volrath's Stronghold, Maze of Ith, and other good stuff, and liked the results. I might make the change permanent eventually.
As for basic lands: no one really plays much non-basic land hate in the group. Though I have been wary of it, of course. I have noticed that ALL TEN fetch lands can be excessive, especially since I don't use much library manipulation. I might cut it down to five and replace with basics, or maybe even all ten. But as you suggested, another part of it IS the pimping\money factor - but since my fetches AREN'T foil, perhaps it would be best to cut them for now.
another part of it IS the pimping\money factor - but since my fetches AREN'T foil, perhaps it would be best to cut them for now.
I can agree there, as my favored EDH decks (Bolas and a MBC with a constantly-changing general) get lots of foils but I try to make them 'cool' before 'functional' gets to them. FE: My Nicol Bolas deck runs 3 fetchlands; Polluted Delta, Bloodstained Mire and Scalding Tarn. Sure, a few more fetches would be better, but I like using only on-color ones.
If the group doesn't stop nonbasics, then by all means abuse them! They are stronger, but that one game every so often when you are wrecked by Blood Moon needs to be expected. Just remember it is just a game.
If only one could be added, definitely use Volrath's Stronghold. It is not only a recursion-engine, but anti-mill and provides an endless topdecked creature. With Scion as your general, you can even use it, then activate Scions ability to use the same dragons over and over (Dragon Tyrant 2-3 times is game-ending :D).
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience."
-C.S. Lewis
I like your deck, and I'm working on my own. Have you though about adding Conspiracy? With that, and all the draw/tutor that you have you could set up a nice combo with it, and something epic (such as Emrakul).
I like your deck, and I'm working on my own. Have you though about adding Conspiracy? With that, and all the draw/tutor that you have you could set up a nice combo with it, and something epic (such as Emrakul).
The thought had crossed my mind, but the deck is already so devastating anyway (and I've been meaning to update this list, I've made some changes), that jumping through hoops to do Conspiracy shenanigans doesn't seem worth it. Still, tempting just for the fun factor.
This is my favorite deck other than Kresh. It's powerful, but fun and not TOO cutthroat. There used to be more control elements in it, but I decided to change it to a Timmy, Power Gamer type strategy and just pack it full of big, bomby threats.
Edit (10/31): finally got a FBB Japanese Nevinyrral's Disk and a foil Enlightened Tutor for this. Also added some various newer cards like Jace's Ingenuity, Skithiryx, the Blight Dragon and Tainted Strike--the latter of which is simply insane. I have had games end on T4 with that one (T1 Ring, T2 Skyshroud Claim, T3 general, T4 turn into Dragon Tyrant w/ Tainted Strike). It simply ends games with all these dragons.
1 Scion of the Ur-Dragon
Creature
1 Bladewing the Risen
1 Bogardan Hellkite
1 Dragon Tyrant
1 Eternal Dragon
1 Eternal Witness
1 Genesis
1 Hellkite Overlord
1 Karrthus, Tyrant of Jund
1 Keiga, the Tide Star
1 Knollspine Dragon
1 Nicol Bolas
1 Scourge of Kher Ridges
1 Skithiryx, the Blight Dragon
1 Teneb, the Harvester
1 Yore-Tiller Nephilim
1 Yosei, the Morning Star
Instant
1 Cauldron Dance
1 Enlightened Tutor
1 Fact or Fiction
1 Fling
1 Grab the Reigns
1 Jace’s Ingenuity
1 Miraculous Recovery
1 Mystical Tutor
1 Tainted Strike
1 Terminate
1 Vampiric Tutor
Sorcery
1 Austere Command
1 Beacon of Unrest
1 Breath of Life
1 Buried Alive
1 Damnation
1 Demonic Tutor
1 Living Death
1 Maelstrom Pulse
1 Patriarch’s Bidding
1 Regrowth
1 Rise from the Grave
1 Skyshroud Claim
1 Tidings
1 Tooth and Nail
1 Torrent of Souls
1 Vindicate
1 Wrath of God
1 Zombify
1 Coalition Relic
1 Darksteel Ingot
1 Forcefield
1 Gilded Lotus
1 Nevinyrral’s Disk
1 Oblivion Stone
1 Scroll Rack
1 Sensei’s Divining Top
1 Sol Ring
Enchantment
1 Crucible of Fire
1 Debtors' Knell
1 Fires of Yavimaya
1 Greater Good
1 Mana Reflection
1 Mirari's Wake
1 Pernicious Deed
Planeswalker
1 Liliana Vess
Land
1 Underground Sea
1 Tropical Island
1 Tundra
1 Volcanic Island
1 Bayou
1 Taiga
1 Plateau
1 Scrubland
1 Badlands
1 Savannah
1 Polluted Delta
1 Misty Rainforest
1 Flooded Strand
1 Scalding Tarn
1 Verdant Catacombs
1 Wooded Foothills
1 Arid Mesa
1 Marsh Flats
1 Bloodstained Mire
1 Windswept Heath
1 Watery Grave
1 Breeding Pool
1 Hallowed Fountain
1 Steam Vents
1 Overgrown Tomb
1 Stomping Ground
1 Sacred Foundry
1 Godless Shrine
1 Blood Crypt
1 Temple Garden
1 Krosan Verge
1 Maze of Ith
1 Reflecting Pool
1 Sunhome, Fortress of the Legion
1 Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
1 Vesuva
1 Volrath's Stronghold
BGStandard Green AggroGB
UWRGModern Saheeli CobraGRWU
UBRGLegacy StormGRBU
Wizards Certified Rules Advisor
I did consider those, and I believe I did use them for a time, but I decided I wanted some other stuff (counterspells in particular) and those were the most logical cards to take out for them. The current number of reanimation spells seems to be good: I usually have a couple when I need them. And Exhume generally hurts more than it helps. Same with Reanimate - it's a slower game with a lot of removal. Paying 6+ life to get a guy back, only to have him killed, is no bueno.
So there you have it. Dread Return I would consider putting back in. But again, the amount of recursion seems to be adequate (regrowth effects + reanimates).
Currently playing:
Standard:
RWU Super Friends
R Devastaing Red
Extended:
RW Boros Deck Wins 0-0-0
Legacy:
Nothing
EDH:
UGR Intet, the Dreamer
I hadn't even thought of that. It's a contender, for sure. The trick is to not have too many spells that benefit the opponent(s). I already have Patriarch's Bidding and Living Death - Living Death is cool because it can double as removal in some situations.
Thanks for the tip! I will have to try that one out!
(CubeTutor & MTGS)
360 Peasant Cube!
Custom Cube
RWU Miracles RWU
Believe it or not, Top is not (officially) banned. Playgroups can discourage such cards, though. My group generally follows the "official" list, with a couple exceptions. It's a good list.
I thought Yawgmoth's Will was banned. But another look reveals it is not. I must have had it confused with Yawgmoth's Bargain. I will certainly make room for it once I have acquired the Judge foil. Good call.
And I am loving the Academy Rector idea. Very strong potential with Debtor's Knell or the suggested Mirari's Wake. Another good call.
I have also been looking at non-red and non-black dragons, because there are several decks with Akroma, Angel of Wrath (or other pro-RB creatures) in my group, and she just sneaks right through. Keiga and Yosei are definitely good choices.
The Silence and Orim's Chant are there to force through potentially game-winning moves like Patriarch's Bidding or "copy Tyrant, reanimate Tyrant." If I was going to take one out, it'd be Chant since it only hits one player. Maybe I'll replace it with Keiga or Yosei.
Thanks for the suggestions! My wallet will hate me for foil Rector and Will, though.
Because I don't currently own one. I am biding my time for the foil promo. Believe me, it will be added the moment I acquire it - it's just too good to pass up. Though I will have to decide what to cut for it. Maybe Defense of the Heart.
You may relax and rest easy now.
On your list: Your landbase looks great, but you do not use any of the utility lands that most others run (Volrath's Stronghold, Academy Ruins, Maze of Ith, etc). Also, no basics AT ALL, so Back to Basics and the ilk can ruin you. Is there a preference for this (EX: Wanting the most expensive you can find/wanting everything to be foil?) or just not thought of it? Hope that helps, but it looks like a strong list overall, with the best colorfixing known to MtG
-C.S. Lewis
EDH
Obzedat - Still Alive
Retired - Nicol Bolas
I have from time to time switched out the vivid lands and Reflecting Pool for Volrath's Stronghold, Maze of Ith, and other good stuff, and liked the results. I might make the change permanent eventually.
As for basic lands: no one really plays much non-basic land hate in the group. Though I have been wary of it, of course. I have noticed that ALL TEN fetch lands can be excessive, especially since I don't use much library manipulation. I might cut it down to five and replace with basics, or maybe even all ten. But as you suggested, another part of it IS the pimping\money factor - but since my fetches AREN'T foil, perhaps it would be best to cut them for now.
I can agree there, as my favored EDH decks (Bolas and a MBC with a constantly-changing general) get lots of foils but I try to make them 'cool' before 'functional' gets to them. FE: My Nicol Bolas deck runs 3 fetchlands; Polluted Delta, Bloodstained Mire and Scalding Tarn. Sure, a few more fetches would be better, but I like using only on-color ones.
If the group doesn't stop nonbasics, then by all means abuse them! They are stronger, but that one game every so often when you are wrecked by Blood Moon needs to be expected. Just remember it is just a game.
If only one could be added, definitely use Volrath's Stronghold. It is not only a recursion-engine, but anti-mill and provides an endless topdecked creature. With Scion as your general, you can even use it, then activate Scions ability to use the same dragons over and over (Dragon Tyrant 2-3 times is game-ending :D).
-C.S. Lewis
EDH
Obzedat - Still Alive
Retired - Nicol Bolas
Kamahl, Fist of Krosa | Korlash, Heir to Blackblade | Karador Apostles | Brago, King Eternal | Talrand the Sky Summoner | Mageta the Lion
The thought had crossed my mind, but the deck is already so devastating anyway (and I've been meaning to update this list, I've made some changes), that jumping through hoops to do Conspiracy shenanigans doesn't seem worth it. Still, tempting just for the fun factor.
I have, however, thought about doing a fun Sliver Overlord EDH with Conspiracy......and NISSA REVANE. Now that's just silly fun times.
And actually, how budget of a manabase do you think works well enough for 5C? 'Cause the best I could probably afford are probably the M10/INN cycles.
--- Meren of Clan Nel Toth --- Jhoira of the Ghitu --- Prime Speaker Zegana ---
--- Drana, Kalastria Bloodchief --- Ghoulcaller Gisa --- Akroma, Angel of Fury --- Titania, Protector of Argoth ---