Rather than starting a new thread, I figure I'd keep all of my Boros decklists here, as it seems that I always have one built most of the time. My latest brew is a Jor Kadeen, the Prevailer list that can also double as a Tajic, Blade of the Legion list. I've really gone back and forth on which to use as the general, but I've got to give the slight edge to Jor as he plays better with the token makers that Tajic requires for his battalion.
The current list was born out of a need to build a voltron-ish deck that could combat tri-color combo lists as well (notably Sharuum and Ghave). The idea is to play enough hate bears and disruption cards to buy you enough turns to go for the aggro kill.
Notes on a few particular card choices
Blood Moon and Magus of the Moon: These two have been worth their weight in gold. They usually won't stick around an entire game, but they buy you precious turns to beat face while your opponents desperately try to stick some basic lands and a Disenchant-type effect. Although these shut down the handful of utility lands the deck runs, they do make Koth of the Hammer much stronger.
Sunforger package: I can usually get this to stick fairly well in my meta. The deck runs 10 fetch-able instants, and all are worth hard-casting without the 'Forger.
Cards in testing Dwarven Blastminer: Trying out some more non-basic hate to augment Blood Moon. Leonin Shikari: I wanted another two-drop to make the curve tidy, and this has a cute interaction with Lightning Greaves. This is probably the most flexible slot, so time will tell whether she makes the cut. Faith's Reward and Wild Ricochet: I try to normally keep the Sunforger package to around 8 targets, but the most recent list had extra room, so these went in. These would be the first two things cut if I need to find room for other things.
With 14 shuffle effects in your deck (admittedly most are one shot) do you really need Madblind Mountain? And while I know that Kiki dies to AEther Flash, Volcanic Fallout etc, doesn't his haste give you at least one opportunity to do ridiculous things? And with Gisela out he can live easily.
With 14 shuffle effects in your deck (admittedly most are one shot) do you really need Madblind Mountain? And while I know that Kiki dies to AEther Flash, Volcanic Fallout etc, doesn't his haste give you at least one opportunity to do ridiculous things? And with Gisela out he can live easily.
I've honestly considered Kiki, but I feel like he's a bit OP for my meta.
With all these shuffle effects, you'd think you would have seen a Scroll Rack somewhere in here, eh?
Personally, as cute as it seems, I don't know if the two wheel cards in the deck are enough to warrant the inclusion of Ignorant Bliss. It's either a dead card or a cantrip a good lot of the time, and to be honest, if I had a wheel card and an active Sunforger, I'd want to tutor for something else, because by that point (7-9 mana to wheel + Sunforger, unless you miracle) I'd probably have depleted my hand at least partially, and there wouldn't be all that much to save. If there was something worth saving, I'd wheel after I use the card(s). I'd rather stick a much better Sunforger target, Oblation, in your deck. It's like the white pair to Chaos Warp! If you have Chaos Warp, you can for sure appreciate Oblation.
I also think you're missing a key part in Boros card advantage: Mind's Eye! Amazing card, really.
There's also the original Wheel of Fortune if you want it.
I've commented enough on every other Gisela decklist in this forum, so I figure I better walk the walk and most my own. As with my Animar list, this is geared towards a multiplayer meta sans infinite combos. I'm trying to turn symmetrical burn spells assymetrical while abusing a Sunforger/Skullclamp engine to maintain card advantage.
With all these shuffle effects, you'd think you would have seen a Scroll Rack somewhere in here, eh?
What's your rationale for not running Rack with Land Tax? That's some serious card advantage right there! Ditto for Sword of Fire and Ice… Also, what made you go with Candles over Jayemdae Tome? As for asymmetrical burn, Jaya Ballard's been very good for me so far.
With all these shuffle effects, you'd think you would have seen a Scroll Rack somewhere in here, eh?
Personally, as cute as it seems, I don't know if the two wheel cards in the deck are enough to warrant the inclusion of Ignorant Bliss. It's either a dead card or a cantrip a good lot of the time, and to be honest, if I had a wheel card and an active Sunforger, I'd want to tutor for something else, because by that point (7-9 mana to wheel + Sunforger, unless you miracle) I'd probably have depleted my hand at least partially, and there wouldn't be all that much to save. If there was something worth saving, I'd wheel after I use the card(s).
I also think you're missing a key part in Boros card advantage: Mind's Eye! Amazing card, really.
Ha, I forgot about Scroll Rack. However, it's a bit pricey right now, and it doesn't generate real card advantage, just card quality.
You may be right about Bliss. That said, I'm not sure I really like Oblation, either (given that Chaos Warp is already in the list). However, I'll put Oblation back in until I think of something better. I may just end up sticking another enchantment increase the variance for Idyllic Tutor.
I don't have a Mind's Eye. I'm going to put it on the wish list, as I'd rather trade for it than buy it (I don't feel like it commands the $6.50 price tag ATM).
What's your rationale for not running Rack with Land Tax? That's some serious card advantage right there! Ditto for Sword of Fire and Ice… Also, what made you go with Candles over Jayemdae Tome? As for asymmetrical burn, Jaya Ballard's been very good for me so far.
SoFI is going on the wish list. I had it penciled down somewhere and managed to forget about it.
I like Candles because it's functionally the same as the Tome in EDH but comes down two turns faster (sans getting a basic land into the graveyard).
I'm not sold on Jaya Ballard. I hate having to wait around a turn to get to use her. I'd rather have more sorcery-based burn spells.
Why no Heartless Hidetsugu??
I mean, if there is a card that works wel with Gisela its this guy.....
I know he's very good with Gisela, but I really try to stay away from cards that say "Oops, I win" when you play them. We try to keep things fairly casual in my play group. It's the same reason I don't run Insurrection in any of my red decks.
Btw, if you want me to add my list, let me know.... (could add it here... not into make a tread at this point.... its still a work in progress, and not even close to finished.... need mind's eye and more other draw cards...)
I've been waiting to see your list. Whose build is it closest to, BvP's, DTrain's, or mine? You should post it in the thread most similar.
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Game 2 goes a lot slower with me keeping a 3 land hand with Top, Exalted Angel, and I can't remember what else. I'm able to draw into a Sunforger early on which I proceed to activate 4 turns in a row off of a morphed Exalted Angel. He gets up to 48 life and then plays the Felidar Sovereign again, so I have to beat him down with the unmorphed Angel as I've already tutored for all of my spot removal which I spent on his other critters. He sweeps the board with Austere Command, to which I then Top into a Lightning Greaves. I get Gisela out an equip Sunforger and Greaves to end the game in two turns.
I was impressed with the deck's resiliency in game 2 without Gisela out. However, I feel like she ends games way too fast in a 1v1 setting. I'll probably stick to the janky Kresh deck I'm building next time I play duels :p.
I am lacking in sheer draw power and cards that filter better, so that is what makes this deck of mine a bit weak... specialy if I compare it to most of my other decks.... my Sharuum and Mimeoplasm, are both alot better....
but if I could add more raw draw power and filtering and such, I do think it could be alot better....
Just dont have the money for things like Divining Top, Scroll Rack and others that are at least 10 to 15, some even more...
With my Gisela, I have similar situations, where someone just goes infinite turns, and I never draw my Stranglehold in all of 3 games....
Here's a budget version (about $80) I made of my Gisela build. This might give you some ideas!
cards I am realy missing: Enlightened Tutor, Idyllic Tutor, Sensei's Devining top, Scroll Rack and Mind's Eye, other then that I dont think I am missing alot that I would want to add to my list.... (have some alternate cards I could use for alot of cards in my list....)
Ps 2. I am currently transforming my Olivia and Gisela into a Kaalia deck....
Finally, just try playing with Reverberate/Reiterate/Wild Ricochet and Insurrection. Consider keeping them in your decks until you've successfully cast them at least three times each to get a better feel for their power.
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I've gotten in several games over the last two weeks, so I'm ready to do the first round of changes. I only have a few edits this time around.
1. Squee is getting the axe. He's a total dead card without Skullclamp out, and I'm usually spending my first equipment tutor to find Sunforger. I'm filling his slot with Seal of Cleansing, as I've noticed an uptick in Voltron-type decks in my meta. Also, Seal is tutor-able and Sun Titan-able.
2. Tithe is out for Knight of the White Orchid. As nice as it is to be able to tutor it up with Sunforger, I usually don't need to be ramping if I had enough mana to a) cast a creature, b) play Sunforger c) equip it, and d) unequip it. However, I did have a few turns where I ran out of creatures to hold said Sunforger. Plus, with dropping Squee, I can't afford for my creature count to get any lower.
3. After purchasing the PCH2 decks, I have a Farsight Mask I'm throwing in for Candles of Leng. I'm in love with the spoiled Rod of Nin in M13 - I think that will ultimately take that spot in the deck.
Speaking of PCH2, I played a few games with this deck against Kresh using a mix of the new planes. Needless to say, a Kilnspire District with +10 counters on it and a Comet Storm in hand is bonkers.
I've been out of the loop for the last two months as I get really busy in June and July with work. Anyways, the deck is due for some major overhaul. Based on Cockatrice time as well as some extremely limited time at my LGS, I've made a few observations and general comments:
2) Given point #1, I never knew what to grab with subsequent tutors after the first. Skullclamp always under performed, as it really only worked with one or two cards in the deck (Kher Keep namely). On top of that, my board state in most games usually involves one or two big critters hitting an opponent. To complement both of these points, I'm bumping up the Voltron element by adding Basilisk Collar, Loxodon Warhammer, and Argentum Armor. The former two especially like Balefire Dragon (who is a current contender for deck MVP).
3) Reforge the Soul isn't what I thought it would be. Half of the time it backfires on me, esp. when there's a Sharuum player at the table. However, AVR and M13 have given us some decent tools in the form of Dangerous Wager and Wild Guess. Time will tell if these live up to snuff.
4) Stranglehold. I needs it. I'm ashamed to admit that I've resisted ChimericPisces points on the power of this card for so long, but after getting crippled by it on Cockatrice for the last several weeks, it's one of the best tools there is in fighting combo decks and G-ramp.
SIDENOTE: I gave up on my Zedruu project. I just wasn't happy at all with the playtest results.
2) Given point #1, I never knew what to grab with subsequent tutors after the first. Skullclamp always under performed, as it really only worked with one or two cards in the deck (Kher Keep namely). On top of that, my board state in most games usually involves one or two big critters hitting an opponent. To complement both of these points, I'm bumping up the Voltron element by adding Basilisk Collar, Loxodon Warhammer, and Argentum Armor. The former two especially like Balefire Dragon (who is a current contender for deck MVP).
3) Reforge the Soul isn't what I thought it would be. Half of the time it backfires on me, esp. when there's a Sharuum player at the table. However, AVR and M13 have given us some decent tools in the form of Dangerous Wager and Wild Guess. Time will tell if these live up to snuff.
On Sharuum: looking at your list, I don't see any graveyard or counterspell hate. Is this a choice based on your meta? If not, have you considered Relic of Progenitus or even Tormod's Crypt? The latter is recursible with Sun Titan. Also, what about Mana Web?
4) Stranglehold. I needs it. I'm ashamed to admit that I've resisted ChimericPisces points on the power of this card for so long, but after getting crippled by it on Cockatrice for the last several weeks, it's one of the best tools there is in fighting combo decks and G-ramp.
I got cursed out on Cockatrice by a G player for casting Stranglehold. Sure sign of a good card if you ask me.
Grab the Reins was very close to making the cut. However, I'd really like to be able to attack with the guy I'm flinging, so this really just turns into an expensive removal spell. I'm not sold on Master Warcraft, as it's usually nothing more than a cute combat trick. I think I already have enough spot removal to avoid Order (Order/Chaos)
Darksteel Plate has always been a good performer for me. Nobody besides myself runs Terminus or Final Judgment effects, so it usually gives my guys quite the shelf life. However, I really want a SoFI, but I just can't cough up the money for it yet.
On Sharuum: looking at your list, I don't see any graveyard or counterspell hate. Is this a choice based on your meta? If not, have you considered Relic of Progenitus or even Tormod's Crypt? The latter is recursible with Sun Titan. Also, what about Mana Web?
Graveyard hate isn't particularly useful in my meta, as the only deck that really uses the 'yard is Karador (but it's a pretty janky build). However, I keep meaning to put a Boseiju, Who Shelters All onto the wishlist. I think it's time to invest in one.
I think I like War's Toll slightly better than Mana Web. If I see the need for more counterspell hate, I may look into that as well as Price of Glory. On a similar note, I've picked up a copy of Molten Disaster to sub in for Fault Line if necessary.
I forgot you mentioned that in my short-lived Zedruu thread. If I can pick up a copy somewhere, I'll put her in. She fits the control theme quite well alongside Stranglehold and the possible War's Toll.
EDIT: It's down to Web or Price and I'm leaning towards Mana Web. Moon, Instability, and 'Poise all allow blue mages to counter my spells. Price of Glory does, too, but at the very least it lets me nuke a few lands before it gets destroyed.
I forgot you mentioned that in my short-lived Zedruu thread. If I can pick up a copy somewhere, I'll put her in. She fits the control theme quite well alongside Stranglehold and the possible War's Toll.
I'm a little tempted to add Faith's Reward to that list.
How has it been performing for you? I forgot that card is forge-able. I threw in Otherworldly Journey as some wrath insurance, but you have me really intrigued by Faith's Reward.
How has it been performing for you? I forgot that card is forge-able. I threw in Otherworldly Journey as some wrath insurance, but you have me really intrigued by Faith's Reward.
Based on ChimericPisces input, I'd like to have at least one graveyard answer. I don't need a whole lot as my meta isn't too 'yard heavy, but having a random out against Karador would be helpful. Here's what I've been kicking around and why:
Honor the Fallen: tutorable with Sunforger and answers 'yards en masse at instant speed. Given the number of equipment tutors, there's effectively more ways to find this than the other options below.
Jotun Grunt: in addition to allowing me hate out 'yards, he can potentially recycle spells for Sunforger. However, there's really no way to tutor for it (although there's enough good giants in the deck to possibly warrant Giant Harbinger).
Stonecloaker: spot graveyard removal only, but lets me save a guy. Not tutorable by anything in the current build.
Thoughts on which would be the best option? I'm open to other suggestions as well.
Based on ChimericPisces input, I'd like to have at least one graveyard answer. I don't need a whole lot as my meta isn't too 'yard heavy, but having a random out against Karador would be helpful. Here's what I've been kicking around and why:
Honor the Fallen: tutorable with Sunforger and answers 'yards en masse at instant speed. Given the number of equipment tutors, there's effectively more ways to find this than the other options below.
We're not only concerned with creatures, friend. Having combo opponents recur other spells is less than ideal, too.
Jotun Grunt: in addition to allowing me hate out 'yards, he can potentially recycle spells for Sunforger. However, there's really no way to tutor for it (although there's enough good giants in the deck to possibly warrant Giant Harbinger).
If only Grunt's ability could be activated at will…
Thanks for the input on the grave hate. I'll probably use Relic if it becomes necessary.
However, I've actually put this deck on the back burner for the last month or so. I've been tweaking my oldest child (Animar), and I've also been investing a lot of effort into completely rehashing my Kresh list (or transforming it into Skullbriar - that decision TBA).
With that in mind, I plan to pick up the newest duel deck tomorrow, so I'll have to find a spot to throw in the scepter.
Update to the OP. Although I haven't posted much in this thread, there's been a lot of testing off the record. Gisela has morphed over the last year into a more aggro Boros list, now headed by Jor Kadeen, the Prevailer. This list has gone through a lot of tweaks via Cockatrice playtesting, but I'm always open to suggestions from outside my meta.
Man.. that's a mean looking list. Also, thanks for the mention on my deck!
I like the use of the pillow fort effects. I run virtually zero and they are insanely helpful. Every time I see a list with Blood Moon I keep thinking about putting it in because it at least gives me lands I can use and it would take a massive dump on my meta haha! Quick question, you mention your meta includes Ghave, which in my mind tells me that player usually dumps out tokens for Chump blockers. Have you thought about throwing in Legion Loyalist? It is basically a one mana "hey, you can't block with your saprolings, so here's a ton of damage" on a tiny body. Also, if you want to Voltron, I heavily suggest throwing in Ajani, Caller of the Pride because his -2 has the potential to one shot somebody with Jor Kadeen himself! Great llist, looking forward to hearing about it's play testing!
This list is heavily HEAVILY inspired by ChilesIsAwesome's Jor Kadeen primer, which can be found here (and I strongly suggest you check out): http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/showthread.php?p=8951750
The current list was born out of a need to build a voltron-ish deck that could combat tri-color combo lists as well (notably Sharuum and Ghave). The idea is to play enough hate bears and disruption cards to buy you enough turns to go for the aggro kill.
Notes on a few particular card choices
Linvala, Keeper of Silence: Shuts Ghave down cold. Protecting her with Lightning Greaves or Darksteel Plate makes her very tough to remove. Again, don't expect her to stick around permanently, so get in the beats while she lasts.
Sunforger package: I can usually get this to stick fairly well in my meta. The deck runs 10 fetch-able instants, and all are worth hard-casting without the 'Forger.
Without further ado, the list:
1 Jor Kadeen, the Prevailer
Critters
1 Puresteel Paladin
1 Stoneforge Mystic
1 Dwarven Blastminer
1 Leonin Shikari
1 Mirran Crusader
1 Etched Champion
1 Silverblade Paladin
1 Magus of the Moon
1 Linvala, Keeper of Silence
1 Hero of Bladehold
1 Tajic, Blade of the Legion
1 Stonehewer Giant
1 Urabrask, the Hidden
1 Aurelia, the Warleader
1 Sun Titan
1 Godo, Bandit Warlord
1 Gisela, Blade of Goldnight
Planeswalkers
1 Koth of the Hammer
1 Elspeth Tirel
Equipment
1 Skullclamp
1 Lightning Greaves
1 Umezawa's Jitte
1 Darksteel Plate
1 Sunforger
1 Sword of Fire and Ice
1 Sword of Light and Shadow
1 Sword of Feast and Famine
1 Enlightened Tutor
1 Tithe
1 Swords to Plowshares
1 Path to Exile
1 Boros Charm
1 Chaos Warp
1 Faith's Reward
1 Return to Dust
1 Sulfurous Blast
1 Wild Ricochet
Enchantments, Artifacts & Random Utility
1 Steelshaper's Gift
1 Relic of Progenitus
1 Sensei's Divining Top
1 Torpor Orb
1 Aura of Silence
1 Blood Moon
1 Stranglehold
1 Assemble the Legion
Sweepers
1 Vandalblast
1 Wrath of God
1 Hallowed Burial
1 Terminus
1 Austere Command
Mana Rocks & Ramp
1 Expedition Map
1 Mana Vault
1 Sol Ring
1 Wayfarer's Bauble
1 Gold Myr
1 Iron Myr
1 Boros Signet
1 Fellwar Stone
1 Boros Keyrune
1 Darksteel Ingot
1 Thran Dynamo
Utility
1 Buried Ruin
1 Darksteel Citadel
1 Kher Keep
1 Mishra's Factory
1 Slayers' Stronghold
1 Tectonic Edge
Color-producing
1 Arid Mesa
1 Battlefield Forge
1 Clifftop Retreat
1 Command Tower
1 Madblind Mountain
1 Mistveil Plains
8 Mountain
16 Plains
1 Rugged Prairie
1 Sacred Foundry
Cards in testing
Dwarven Blastminer: Trying out some more non-basic hate to augment Blood Moon.
Leonin Shikari: I wanted another two-drop to make the curve tidy, and this has a cute interaction with Lightning Greaves. This is probably the most flexible slot, so time will tell whether she makes the cut.
Faith's Reward and Wild Ricochet: I try to normally keep the Sunforger package to around 8 targets, but the most recent list had extra room, so these went in. These would be the first two things cut if I need to find room for other things.
Change log
Retired Gisela list:
1 Gisela, Blade of Goldnight
Critters & beatsticks:
1 Balefire Dragon
1 Baneslayer Angel
1 Bloodfire Colossus
1 Bogardan Hellkite
1 Charmbreaker Devils
1 Crater Hellion
1 Duergar Hedge-Mage
1 Flametongue Kavu
1 Moonveil Dragon
1 Restoration Angel
1 Sun Titan
Enchantments:
1 Aether Flash
1 Gratuitous Violence
1 Mark of Asylum
1 Powerstone Minefield
1 Pyrohemia
1 Stranglehold
Sweepers (burn):
1 Comet Storm
1 Fault Line
1 Starstorm
1 Volcanic Fallout
Sweepers (non-burn):
1 Austere Command
1 Hallowed Burial
1 Rout
1 Terminus
1 Argivian Find
1 Chaos Warp
1 Dawn Charm
1 Lightning Helix
1 Otherworldly Journey
1 Orim's Chant
1 Orim's Thunder
1 Path to Exile
1 Reiterate
1 Return to Dust
1 Swords to Plowshares
1 Wild Ricochet
Card draw:
1 Dangerous Wager
1 Knollspine Dragon
1 Staff of Nin
1 Wild Guess
Equipment:
1 Argentum Armor
1 Basilisk Collar
1 Darksteel Plate
1 Lightning Greaves
1 Loxodon Warhammer
1 Sunforger
Tutors:
1 Enlightened Tutor
1 Godo, Bandit Warlord
1 Stoneforge Mystic
1 Stonehewer Giant
1 Boros Signet
1 Coalition Relic
1 Darksteel Ingot
1 Expedition Map
1 Knight of the White Orchid
1 Kor Cartographer
1 Sol Ring
1 Solemn Simulacrum
1 Wayfarer's Bauble
1 Weathered Wayfarer
Utility Lands:
1 Buried Ruin
1 Homeward Path
1 Kher Keep
1 Kor Haven
1 Slayers' Stronghold
1 Sunhome, Fortress of the Legion
Colored Lands:
1 Command Tower
1 Arid Mesa
1 Evolving Wilds
1 Terramorphic Expanse
1 Ancient Amphitheater
1 Battlefield Forge
1 Clifftop Retreat
1 Rugged Prairie
1 Flagstones of Trokair
1 Mistveil Plains
11 Plains
11 Mountain
stuff
Madblind Mountain is fetch-able by both Weathered Wayfarer and Arid Mesa. Otherwise, I'd agree with you.
I've honestly considered Kiki, but I feel like he's a bit OP for my meta.
stuff
With all these shuffle effects, you'd think you would have seen a Scroll Rack somewhere in here, eh?
Personally, as cute as it seems, I don't know if the two wheel cards in the deck are enough to warrant the inclusion of Ignorant Bliss. It's either a dead card or a cantrip a good lot of the time, and to be honest, if I had a wheel card and an active Sunforger, I'd want to tutor for something else, because by that point (7-9 mana to wheel + Sunforger, unless you miracle) I'd probably have depleted my hand at least partially, and there wouldn't be all that much to save. If there was something worth saving, I'd wheel after I use the card(s). I'd rather stick a much better Sunforger target, Oblation, in your deck. It's like the white pair to Chaos Warp! If you have Chaos Warp, you can for sure appreciate Oblation.
I also think you're missing a key part in Boros card advantage: Mind's Eye! Amazing card, really.
There's also the original Wheel of Fortune if you want it.
What's your rationale for not running Rack with Land Tax? That's some serious card advantage right there! Ditto for Sword of Fire and Ice… Also, what made you go with Candles over Jayemdae Tome? As for asymmetrical burn, Jaya Ballard's been very good for me so far.This.
Ha, I forgot about Scroll Rack. However, it's a bit pricey right now, and it doesn't generate real card advantage, just card quality.
You may be right about Bliss. That said, I'm not sure I really like Oblation, either (given that Chaos Warp is already in the list). However, I'll put Oblation back in until I think of something better. I may just end up sticking another enchantment increase the variance for Idyllic Tutor.
I don't have a Mind's Eye. I'm going to put it on the wish list, as I'd rather trade for it than buy it (I don't feel like it commands the $6.50 price tag ATM).
SoFI is going on the wish list. I had it penciled down somewhere and managed to forget about it.
I like Candles because it's functionally the same as the Tome in EDH but comes down two turns faster (sans getting a basic land into the graveyard).
I'm not sold on Jaya Ballard. I hate having to wait around a turn to get to use her. I'd rather have more sorcery-based burn spells.
stuff
Trades^
I know he's very good with Gisela, but I really try to stay away from cards that say "Oops, I win" when you play them. We try to keep things fairly casual in my play group. It's the same reason I don't run Insurrection in any of my red decks.
stuff
Just an update: I wasn't able to get in any multiplayer games last night, but I was able to play a couple games against mono-W Gerrard. Game 1 I keep a 4 land hand with Lightning Greaves and Bloodfire Colossus. I don't miss any land drops and with a Vessel of Endless Rest I get hasty Gisela in there before he can win off a Felidar Sovereign.
Game 2 goes a lot slower with me keeping a 3 land hand with Top, Exalted Angel, and I can't remember what else. I'm able to draw into a Sunforger early on which I proceed to activate 4 turns in a row off of a morphed Exalted Angel. He gets up to 48 life and then plays the Felidar Sovereign again, so I have to beat him down with the unmorphed Angel as I've already tutored for all of my spot removal which I spent on his other critters. He sweeps the board with Austere Command, to which I then Top into a Lightning Greaves. I get Gisela out an equip Sunforger and Greaves to end the game in two turns.
I was impressed with the deck's resiliency in game 2 without Gisela out. However, I feel like she ends games way too fast in a 1v1 setting. I'll probably stick to the janky Kresh deck I'm building next time I play duels :p.
stuff
Here's a budget version (about $80) I made of my Gisela build. This might give you some ideas!
Budget Version
1x Gisela, Blade of Goldnight
THE BOOK OF REVELATION
1x Mercadian Atlas
PROPHETIC VISIONS
1x Crystal Ball
"HIS WORD IS LIKE FIRE,
LIKE A HAMMER THAT BREAKS THE ROCK"
1x Sunforger
THE HEAVENLY HOST
1x Decree of Justice
GLORIA PATRI
1x Glory
"THE GREAT DAY OF THE LORD IS NEAR,
IT IS NEAR AND EXCEEDING SWIFT"
1x Anger
THE FOUR HORSEMEN OF THE APOCALYPSE
1x Jor Kadeen, the Prevailer (Conquest)
1x Fumiko the Lowblood (War)
1x Ajani Vengeant (Famine)
1x Jaya Ballard, Task Mage (Death)
"BEHOLD! A GREAT RED DRAGON"
1x Knollspine Dragon
THE SEVEN ARCHANGELS
1x Battlegrace Angel (St. Michael, Dragonslayer)
1x Akroma, Angel of Fury (Raguel, God's Vengeance)
1x Indomitable Archangel (Seraphiel, the Silent)
1x Twilight Shepherd (Gabriel, Angel of Resurrection)
1x Sunblast Angel (Uriel, Angel of Death)
1x Silver Seraph (Ramiel, Angel of Hope)
1x Aegis Angel (Raphael, Angel of Healing)
"I SAW STILL ANOTHER MIGHTY ANGEL,
CLOTHED WITH A CLOUD"
1x Victory's Herald
THE SEVEN SEALS
1x Kirtar's Wrath
1x Razia's Purification
1x Fault Line
1x Earthquake
1x Comet Storm
1x Destructive Force
1x Inferno
1x Wild Ricochet
1x Condemn
1x Crib Swap
1x Banishing Stroke
1x Prison Term
1x Reciprocate
1x Word of Seizing
"SEAL UP THE THINGS WHICH
THE SEVEN THUNDERS UTTERED,
AND DO NOT WRITE THEM"
1x Molten Psyche
FLAMING SWORDS
1x No-Dachi
1x Obsidian Battle-Axe
1x Fireshrieker
1x Sword of the Paruns
ANGELIC RAIMENTS
1x Cloak and Dagger
1x Whispersilk Cloak
1x Slagwurm Armor
1x Strider Harness
SIGNS AND WONDERS
1x Return to Dust
1x Orim's Thunder
THE RIGHTEOUS
1x Kor Cartographer
1x Auriok Survivors
1x Steelshaper Apprentice
THE RAPTURE
1x Otherworldly Journey
THOSE LEFT BEHIND
1x Faithless Looting
"THEY ARE CHOKED BY
LIFE'S WORRIES, AND
THEY DO NOT MATURE"
1x Stranglehold
"AND THE BEAST OPENED
HIS MOUTH TO BLASPHEME
GOD'S TABERNACLE"
1x Blasphemous Act
"THE GRAVE SHALL
GIVE UP HER DEAD"
1x Tormod's Crypt
1x Resurrection
1x Defy Death
OF MAGOG:
CHIEF PRINCE OF
ROSH, MESHECH,
AND TUBAL
1x Godo, Bandit Warlord
ARMAGEDDON,
THE LAST BATTLE
1x Insurrection
HOLY RELICS
1x Everflowing Chalice
1x Darksteel Ingot
1x Boros Signet
1x Basalt Monolith
1x Worn Powerstone
TITHING
1x Gift of Estates
"AND I, JOHN,
SAW THE HOLY CITY,
NEW JERUSALEM,
COMING DOWN FROM
GOD OUT OF HEAVEN"
1x Wayfarer's Bauble
1x Armillary Sphere
STREETS PAVED WITH GOLD
(THIRTY-FIVE LANDS)
1x Shimmering Grotto
1x Haunted Fengraf
1x Mistveil Plains
13x Plains
1x Spinerock Knoll
7x Mountain
1x Evolving Wilds
1x Ancient Amphitheater
1x Scabland
1x Battlefield Forge
1x Boros Garrison
1x Vivid Crag
1x Vivid Meadow
1x Tectonic Edge
1x Mystifying Maze
1x Hall of the Bandit Lord
1x Sunhome, Fortress of the Legion
It fills the role of a Misdirection and Reverberate rolled into one. It's handy when you don't have that many slots for those type of effects.
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Finally, just try playing with Reverberate/Reiterate/Wild Ricochet and Insurrection. Consider keeping them in your decks until you've successfully cast them at least three times each to get a better feel for their power.
1. Squee is getting the axe. He's a total dead card without Skullclamp out, and I'm usually spending my first equipment tutor to find Sunforger. I'm filling his slot with Seal of Cleansing, as I've noticed an uptick in Voltron-type decks in my meta. Also, Seal is tutor-able and Sun Titan-able.
2. Tithe is out for Knight of the White Orchid. As nice as it is to be able to tutor it up with Sunforger, I usually don't need to be ramping if I had enough mana to a) cast a creature, b) play Sunforger c) equip it, and d) unequip it. However, I did have a few turns where I ran out of creatures to hold said Sunforger. Plus, with dropping Squee, I can't afford for my creature count to get any lower.
3. After purchasing the PCH2 decks, I have a Farsight Mask I'm throwing in for Candles of Leng. I'm in love with the spoiled Rod of Nin in M13 - I think that will ultimately take that spot in the deck.
Speaking of PCH2, I played a few games with this deck against Kresh using a mix of the new planes. Needless to say, a Kilnspire District with +10 counters on it and a Comet Storm in hand is bonkers.
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1) "It's Sunforger control, stupid." 4/5 games I play involve spending a tutor to find Sunforger and proceed to beat my opponents silly with its card advantage. With that in mind, I've beefed up the suite of cards it can find (Orim's Chant, Reiterate, Dangerous Wager, and Otherworldly Journey, notably). To make room, I cut some of the control-ish enchantments - Seal of Cleansing, Light of Sanction, and Lightmine Field, and Idyllic Tutor. I was never particularly thrilled to cast Idyllic Tutor and always wished it could grab equipment instead.
2) Given point #1, I never knew what to grab with subsequent tutors after the first. Skullclamp always under performed, as it really only worked with one or two cards in the deck (Kher Keep namely). On top of that, my board state in most games usually involves one or two big critters hitting an opponent. To complement both of these points, I'm bumping up the Voltron element by adding Basilisk Collar, Loxodon Warhammer, and Argentum Armor. The former two especially like Balefire Dragon (who is a current contender for deck MVP).
3) Reforge the Soul isn't what I thought it would be. Half of the time it backfires on me, esp. when there's a Sharuum player at the table. However, AVR and M13 have given us some decent tools in the form of Dangerous Wager and Wild Guess. Time will tell if these live up to snuff.
4) Stranglehold. I needs it. I'm ashamed to admit that I've resisted ChimericPisces points on the power of this card for so long, but after getting crippled by it on Cockatrice for the last several weeks, it's one of the best tools there is in fighting combo decks and G-ramp.
SIDENOTE: I gave up on my Zedruu project. I just wasn't happy at all with the playtest results.
EDIT: Somehow I'm short a card. Restoration Angel goes in, I guess.
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I know you just dropped Seal of Cleansing, but I'm curious why you chose it over Aura of Silence…
I'm not crazy about Idyllic Tutor in this Gisela, either.
Why no Swiftfoot Boots or Sword of Fire and Ice? Both seem stronger than Darksteel Plate.
On Sharuum: looking at your list, I don't see any graveyard or counterspell hate. Is this a choice based on your meta? If not, have you considered Relic of Progenitus or even Tormod's Crypt? The latter is recursible with Sun Titan. Also, what about Mana Web?
I got cursed out on Cockatrice by a G player for casting Stranglehold. Sure sign of a good card if you ask me.
Hmmm, would Linvala, Keeper of Silence be more useful?
Grab the Reins was very close to making the cut. However, I'd really like to be able to attack with the guy I'm flinging, so this really just turns into an expensive removal spell. I'm not sold on Master Warcraft, as it's usually nothing more than a cute combat trick. I think I already have enough spot removal to avoid Order (Order/Chaos)
I chose Seal of Cleansing because I had forgotten about Aura of Silence :B:.
Darksteel Plate has always been a good performer for me. Nobody besides myself runs Terminus or Final Judgment effects, so it usually gives my guys quite the shelf life. However, I really want a SoFI, but I just can't cough up the money for it yet.
Graveyard hate isn't particularly useful in my meta, as the only deck that really uses the 'yard is Karador (but it's a pretty janky build). However, I keep meaning to put a Boseiju, Who Shelters All onto the wishlist. I think it's time to invest in one.
I think I like War's Toll slightly better than Mana Web. If I see the need for more counterspell hate, I may look into that as well as Price of Glory. On a similar note, I've picked up a copy of Molten Disaster to sub in for Fault Line if necessary.
I forgot you mentioned that in my short-lived Zedruu thread. If I can pick up a copy somewhere, I'll put her in. She fits the control theme quite well alongside Stranglehold and the possible War's Toll.
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I ended up going with Mana Web.
You know how most folks feel about Sensei's Divining Top? Well, that's how I feel about Linvala, Stranglehold and Mana Web. I'm a little tempted to add Faith's Reward to that list.
How has it been performing for you? I forgot that card is forge-able. I threw in Otherworldly Journey as some wrath insurance, but you have me really intrigued by Faith's Reward.
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- your creature is also equipped with Darksteel Plate, or
- you're saving your enchantments, lands, or planeswalkers
All the same, I'm in love with the card. It's great to use proactively or responsively.Honor the Fallen: tutorable with Sunforger and answers 'yards en masse at instant speed. Given the number of equipment tutors, there's effectively more ways to find this than the other options below.
Relic of Progenitus or Tormod's Crypt: mentioned by Pisces. Arguably the most efficient answers, tutorable by Enlightened Tutor, and recurable by Sun Titan.
Jotun Grunt: in addition to allowing me hate out 'yards, he can potentially recycle spells for Sunforger. However, there's really no way to tutor for it (although there's enough good giants in the deck to possibly warrant Giant Harbinger).
Stonecloaker: spot graveyard removal only, but lets me save a guy. Not tutorable by anything in the current build.
Thoughts on which would be the best option? I'm open to other suggestions as well.
Also, on another note, does this deck want Isochron Scepter?
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Only Crypt is recursible. If I was running more recursion myself, I'd go back to using it. As it stands, I prefer the Relic.
If only Grunt's ability could be activated at will…
This lacks synergy with the rest of your deck.
RELIC!
How has it performed in testing for you so far?
However, I've actually put this deck on the back burner for the last month or so. I've been tweaking my oldest child (Animar), and I've also been investing a lot of effort into completely rehashing my Kresh list (or transforming it into Skullbriar - that decision TBA).
With that in mind, I plan to pick up the newest duel deck tomorrow, so I'll have to find a spot to throw in the scepter.
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I like the use of the pillow fort effects. I run virtually zero and they are insanely helpful. Every time I see a list with Blood Moon I keep thinking about putting it in because it at least gives me lands I can use and it would take a massive dump on my meta haha! Quick question, you mention your meta includes Ghave, which in my mind tells me that player usually dumps out tokens for Chump blockers. Have you thought about throwing in Legion Loyalist? It is basically a one mana "hey, you can't block with your saprolings, so here's a ton of damage" on a tiny body. Also, if you want to Voltron, I heavily suggest throwing in Ajani, Caller of the Pride because his -2 has the potential to one shot somebody with Jor Kadeen himself! Great llist, looking forward to hearing about it's play testing!
[Primer] -
WUBRGSliver Legion, Slynergistic Slivertastic BeatdownWUBRG
Here are some of the EDH decks I have to deal with...
[Primer] WUBDromar, the Banisher Esper StaxWUB