[Competitive] Damia BUG Control

[ctaylor33]

Pretty standard "good stuff" BUG control.

1/2/12 update: I just recently switched back to Vorosh, the Hunter as my commander because I want to be able to finish the game with my commander. When I was using Damia, Sage of Stone, I felt I needed to build more around her ability and I think I diluted the power of the deck.

5/28/12 update: switched back to Damia because she seems to be the better good stuff general.

Updated 9/16/12

Land (40): 4 Forest 4 Island 2 Swamp 1 Academy Ruins 1 Alchemist's Refuge 1 Bloodstained Mire 1 Bojuka Bog 1 Boseiju, Who Shelters All 1 Breeding Pool 1 Cabal Coffers 1 Command Tower 1 Dimir Aqueduct 1 Drowned Catacomb 1 Flooded Grove 1 Golgari Rot Farm 1 Hinterland Harbor 1 Marsh Flats 1 Misty Rainforest 1 Overgrown Tomb 1 Polluted Delta 1 Reliquary Tower 1 Scalding Tarn 1 Simic Growth Chamber 1 Strip Mine 1 Sunken Ruins 1 Temple of the False God 1 Tolaria West 1 Twilight Mire 1 Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth 1 Verdant Catacombs 1 Volrath's Stronghold 1 Watery Grave 1 Woodland Cemetery Creature: 1 Acidic Slime 1 Azusa, Lost but Seeking 1 Consecrated Sphinx 1 Eternal Witness 1 Oracle of Mul Daya 1 Palinchron 1 Phantasmal Image 1 Phyrexian Metamorph 1 Primeval Titan 1 Rune-Scarred Demon 1 Snapcaster Mage 1 Trinket Mage 1 Vorinclex, Voice of Hunger 1 Woodfall Primus

Planeswalker: 1 Jace, the Mind Sculptor Artifact: 1 Crystal Ball 1 Oblivion Stone 1 Sensei's Divining Top 1 Sol Ring 1 Tormod's Crypt Enchantment: 1 Defense of the Heart 1 Exploration 1 Necropotence 1 Pernicious Deed 1 Phyrexian Arena 1 Rhystic Study 1 Sylvan Library Sorcery: 1 Bribery 1 Cultivate 1 Damnation 1 Demonic Tutor 1 Exsanguinate 1 Farseek 1 Foresee 1 Kodama's Reach 1 Maelstrom Pulse 1 Nature's Lore 1 Preordain 1 Rampant Growth 1 Reap and Sow 1 Regrowth 1 Skyshroud Claim 1 Time Warp 1 Tooth and Nail Instant: 1 Beast Within 1 Brainstorm 1 Counterspell 1 Dissipate 1 Forbid 1 Hinder 1 Krosan Grip 1 Lim-Dul's Vault 1 Mystical Tutor 1 Pact of Negation 1 Pongify 1 Putrefy 1 Vampiric Tutor 1 Voidslime 1 Wordly Tutor

List by card function:

Spoiler:

UPDATED 6/29/12

Win Cons 1 Palinchron 1 Phantasmal Image 1 Rune-Scarred Demon 1 Tooth and Nail 1 Defense of the Heart 1 Exsanguinate Ramp 1 Exploration 1 Sol Ring 1 Azusa, Lost but Seeking 1 Cultivate 1 Rampant Growth 1 Primeval Titan 1 Farseek 1 Kodama's Reach 1 Nature's Lore 1 Reap and Sow 1 Skyshroud Claim Tutor 1 Tooth and Nail 1 Vampiric Tutor 1 Mystical Tutor 1 Demonic Tutor 1 Trinket Mage 1 Rune-Scarred Demon 1 Wordly Tutor Draw/Manipulation 1 Jace, the Mind Sculptor 1 Sensei's Divining Top 1 Crystal Ball 1 Phyrexian Arena 1 Foresee 1 Consecrated Sphinx 1 Sylvan Library 1 Rhystic Study 1 Lim-Dul's Vault 1 Necropotence 1 Preordain 1 Brainstorm

Targeted Removal 1 Beast Within 1 Krosan Grip 1 Maelstrom Pulse 1 Putrefy 1 Acidic Slime 1 Woodfall Primus 1 Bribery 1 Pongify Mass Removal 1 Damnation 1 Oblivion Stone 1 Pernicious Deed 1 Tormod's Crypt Counters 1 Forbid 1 Counterspell 1 Hinder 1 Voidslime 1 Pact of Negation 1 Dissipate Recursion 1 Regrowth 1 Snapcaster Mage 1 Eternal Witness Misc. 1 Time Warp 1 Phyrexian Metamorph 1 Phantasmal Image 1 Vorinclex, Voice of Hunger

[love_blanket]

I have been playing B/U/G control for a while and I feel that my list is pretty well tuned (link in sig).

I don't run Coiling Oracle or Yavimaya Elder but I feel that you have other cards to cut first. Cards that seem less than ideal:

Phyrexian Ingester - This is really overcosted removal. I would rather have an effect to steal the creature (Treachery, Gildred Drake) or just counter it (Dissipate, Faerie Trickery, etc.)

Vorinclex - Seems really slow unless you are using him to combo with Palinchron and Tooth and Nail.

Concentrate/Opportunity/Foresee/Deep Analysis/Recurring Insight - None of these draw you enough cards to be worth a slot in your deck. I would run repeatable effects instead such as Phyrexian Arena or Necropotence. Also, if you are running Damia as your general card draw is pretty dead after you cast her. I would add in things to protect her (More counters, equipment, bounce).

Some suggestions for additions:

Evacuation - This is really good mass removal and tempo loss for the rest of the table. It can also save your creatures from a board wipe. It also hoses token decks.

Nature's Lore, Farseek, Rampant Growth, Three Visits - Two mana ramp is good. Casting your general early is good. Being able to recast your general is good. Two mana ramp also helps you accelerate into your 4 mana ramp.

Dissipate, Forbid, Faerie Trickery, Mindbreak Trap, Pact of Negation, Glen Elendra Archmage, etc. - Damia rewards you for both playing cards and keeping her in play and counters are a great way to do this. Forbid also creates a counter lock with her that is just nuts.

[Jace_]

Theres one counter which is super nice with damia... Forbid

Something like the elixier to get your libary back since damia tends to have a small libary after a few turns.

Abundance would be fun too
When I think about it ..abundance is a must! It can keep you from getting milled since it replaces the draw and it can be used on damias draw for avoiding land and and getting your good stuff!

[ctaylor33]

Thanks for all the great feedback. Made these changes so far (OP not updated yet):

- Coiling Oracle
- Yavimaya Elder
- Concentrate
- Opportunity
- Vorinclex
- Jace's Ingenuity
- Deep Analysis
- Phyrexian Ingester
- Recurring Insight

+ Rampant Growth
+ Farseek
+ Nature's Lore
+ Forbid
+ Gilded Drake
+ Phyrexian Arena
+ Treachery

I wasn't aware of the Palinchron Vorinclex combo but now that I am, I might add those two cards back in. I also want to find room for Capsizeand Evacuation. I might also try to find room for another counter or two.

What equipment is best for protecting Damia? Lightning Greaves, Swiftfoot Boots, and Darksteel Plate?

PS: What is your take on Time Stretch, Liliana Vess, Rhystic Study, Genesis Wave, and Decree of Pain? I am thinking about cutting a few of those for Vorinclex, Palinchron, Life's Finale, Capsize, and/or Evacuation.

[ctaylor33]

I've updated my list and switched commanders in an attempt to revive this deck. I was playing Damia but kept adding cards to better utilize her ability, like Leyline of Anticipation, Vedalken Orrery, and Insidious Dreams, Seedborn Muse, etc., and it weakened the consistency of the deck. So now I am back to basics and have switched back to Vorosh as commander.

The other problem with my Damia build was that I removed most of my draw cards thinking that they clashed with Damia's ability. That slowed the deck down because I had little draw until Damia was on board, and the deck would often draw dead for me, and I wouldn't be able to play Damia until later, let alone have cards to protect her.

I a looking for suggestions from all the BUG control players out there. Thanks!

[ctaylor33]

I am looking to dust this deck off this summer. I have decided to switch back to Damia again as the general. I am looking for suggestions on cards I should add/delete now that Damia is the general again.

Also looking for suggestions on my land base.

Thanks!

[moxnix]

http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/showthread.php?t=410191 my deck
http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/showthread.php?t=354306 aeon pheonix take
also intialgrave has a decent list somewhere a few pages back check those out
i could post all the same things i have in those forums again but instead ill direct you

[ctaylor33]

I have an opportunity to buy Bayou, Tropical Island, and Underground Sea for this deck for $300, but my question is: are they really worth the money? Will I notice that much of a difference to warrant the high cost? There are quite a few other cards I want to buy for the deck so that $300 would go pretty far, but I am thinking that the duals are a good investment since they probably won't ever lose their value.

[Secularon]

Originally Posted by ctaylor33

Pretty standard "good stuff" BUG control.

1/2/12 update: I just recently switched back to Vorosh, the Hunter as my commander because I want to be able to finish the game with my commander. When I was using Damia, Sage of Stone, I felt I needed to build more around her ability and I think I diluted the power of the deck.

5/28/12 update: switched back to Damia because she seems to be the better good stuff general.

Drop Temple of the False Gods for Ancient Tomb

Run all 9 fetchs alongside Sunder. This is a combo you can set up with Primetime really easy. Also goes great with Life from the Loam. Crack fetches, in response, cast Sunder. Good Stuff.

Set up your list by functionality. Creatures, Counters, Tutors, Removal, Ramp, etc.

Drop Crystal Shard for Either Nim Death Mantle or Mimic Vat, I just think they outclass it. But then again, you don't have that many creatures....which you should have Phantasmal Image.

I don't care what people say, Phantasmal Image every blue deck EDH competitive. It kill generals and combos with Palinchron. (Ahem, Nim Death Mantle and Sac land go infinite)

Not a fan of Mindbreak Trap, would rather have Venser even though it doesn't permanently gid rid of spells, you can combo out with him.

Spin into Myth is overrated IMO.

Drop Restock. Add Take an extra turn card so you can go infinite with your eternal witness and Volrath's stronghold.

Drop Jace Beleren. You have insane amounts of ramp in this deck. You could do with Blue sun zenith or something of the like.

Lightning Greeves seem kinda clunky. It's good with PT and your general, that's about it. Getting to 7 can be a pain in competitive EDH. Goodstuff can win without ever casting Damia.

Sylvan Library is a house. Fit-ter in thar!

[ctaylor33]

Originally Posted by Secularon

Drop Temple of the False Gods for Ancient Tomb

Run all 9 fetchs alongside Sunder. This is a combo you can set up with Primetime really easy. Also goes great with Life from the Loam. Crack fetches, in response, cast Sunder. Good Stuff.

Set up your list by functionality. Creatures, Counters, Tutors, Removal, Ramp, etc.

Drop Crystal Shard for Either Nim Death Mantle or Mimic Vat, I just think they outclass it. But then again, you don't have that many creatures....which you should have Phantasmal Image.

I don't care what people say, Phantasmal Image every blue deck EDH competitive. It kill generals and combos with Palinchron. (Ahem, Nim Death Mantle and Sac land go infinite)

Not a fan of Mindbreak Trap, would rather have Venser even though it doesn't permanently gid rid of spells, you can combo out with him.

Spin into Myth is overrated IMO.

Drop Restock. Add Take an extra turn card so you can go infinite with your eternal witness and Volrath's stronghold.

Drop Jace Beleren. You have insane amounts of ramp in this deck. You could do with Blue sun zenith or something of the like.

Lightning Greeves seem kinda clunky. It's good with PT and your general, that's about it. Getting to 7 can be a pain in competitive EDH. Goodstuff can win without ever casting Damia.

Sylvan Library is a house. Fit-ter in thar!

Thanks for the reply! I don't foresee being able to buy the final three fetches in the near future. Is it worth running Life from the Loam and Crucible with only the 6 fetches I now have? Same question for Sunder.

What are yuor thoughts on the following cards:

Scroll Rack
Azusa, Lost but Seeking
Leyline of Anticipation
Lim-Dul's Vault
Seedborn Muse

Also, would it be too much strain on my list to add some of the recursion you have in yours, like Dance of the Dead, etc., or cards like Flash to cheat in a beater? I wold probably need to add more creatures for that to be good, right? Would Liliana of the Veil work to pitch beaters to the GY to then bring back with a reanimation spell?

Thanks for your help!

PS: I added a deck list sorted by card function to the OP.

[moxnix]

Yes crucible and azusa are worth running with 6 fetches 100%
limduls vault can be the best tutor in the deck esp if you add time warp or time stretch (or both) since thats infinite turns with your witness and shard not to mention being just amazing in the deck in every way. i love seedborn msue but much like em you dont have the instants to make it worth while and cutting the anticipation cards gives you more relevant slots it ends up being a luck land becuase you never want to waste 4 to cast it you have bigger things to do. Scroll rack is amazing in this deck run it. i dont like vess or lil jace and i think mystic remora> rhystic study i dont like baleful strix and you could run Intuition
sunder is not a card i like in here. I dont think you need dance of the dead type effects either impulse seems out of place with no brainstorm or ponder or diabolic tutor i don't like impulse very much in edh despite how good it is in 60 cards maybe mono u. other than that u need an instant win off your tooth and nail and your good to go

[ctaylor33]

Originally Posted by moxnix

Yes crucible and azusa are worth running with 6 fetches 100%
limduls vault can be the best tutor in the deck esp if you add time warp or time stretch (or both) since thats infinite turns with your witness and shard not to mention being just amazing in the deck in every way. i love seedborn msue but much like em you dont have the instants to make it worth while and cutting the anticipation cards gives you more relevant slots it ends up being a luck land becuase you never want to waste 4 to cast it you have bigger things to do. Scroll rack is amazing in this deck run it. i dont like vess or lil jace and i think mystic remora> rhystic study i dont like baleful strix and you could run Intuition
sunder is not a card i like in here. I dont think you need dance of the dead type effects either impulse seems out of place with no brainstorm or ponder or diabolic tutor i don't like impulse very much in edh despite how good it is in 60 cards maybe mono u. other than that u need an instant win off your tooth and nail and your good to go

Can you please recommend a few tooth and nail instant wins? The fewer cards necessary the better. Thanks!

[Secularon]

Originally Posted by ctaylor33

Can you please recommend a few tooth and nail instant wins? The fewer cards necessary the better. Thanks!

With a Sac Land, Palinchron + RuneScarred Deamon Fetching Nim Death Mantle. Sac Palinchron to Nim Death Mantle, repeat for infinite mana. Sac Rune Scarred Demon, equip to Nim Death, Tutor your entire deck or the pieces you need.

PalinChron + Runescarred Deamon with at least 7 lands. Tutor Phantasmal image. Copy Palinchron, Go infinite.

Just search up all the PalinChron Combos.

Sunder is better if you run the Signets and the Talismen as well. It's a blowout with the correct board state.

[ctaylor33]

Updated my list to include more Palinchron combos. The deck has been a lot of fun since the recent changes. I want to ad a Defense of the Heart as Tooth and Nail #2. I am little concerned that all of my win combos are dependent on Palinchron but if worse came to worse I could just beat my opponent down the old-fashioned way with some of my beaters.

[moxnix]

Run the nim death mantel or crystal shard as a back up win con for infinite turns i run multiple back up win cons but 1 is fine.