Hello, I am looking to post my Yeva deck here in hopes to get some good ideas and suggestions on how to make her more competitive. She has a lot of synergy with creatures entering the battlefield and benefiting from cards like Birthing Pod. The only real problem that I seem to have beyond making her more consistent is flying creatures, which I have some answers for but green has never been the best at answering them. Any ideas on how to make her a more tight fitting deck and able to play on her strengths to be a very resilient commander? Any suggestion is welcome even questions as to why certain cards are in here.
Some cards listed such as explosive vegetation, I am looking to replace with Skyshroud Claim. It is obviously the better choice I just have not made an order yet to get them. If there are any better options of cards I'm currently using that I may have overlooked please let me know. I will be actively testing this deck to try and see what is working and what isn't. I just recently put in Predator Ooze so I'm not a hundred percent sold that he will be what I'm looking for, but as far as a threat goes he is hard to remove and keeps growing.
Some noteworthy interactions are Timbermare and Yeva. I like this pairing because after I swing with my creatures I can flash Timbermare into play tapping down every other creature for a massive hit to one or multiple players.
Seedborn Muse is an obvious inclusion as Yeva loves to play things on other players turns.
The other main concern of mine is I do not have a strong 4cc base as there are only 4 currently. I would like to strengthen the amount of creatures there and reduce it from another higher cc. Any ideas on this would be great and I can get a direction for what is needed or what would add value. I am currently trying to get a Gaea's Cradle, but after the price jump it has been hard to obtain one. If there are other good land options that I could include beyond what I have, I am looking for the best utility possible to help diversify greens capability. Thanks again for taking a look!
You are too heavy on ramp and too light on draw effects.
I would also consider cutting your curve back. I suspect you are probably running heavy ramp to support that big high end curve but you would be better off cutting back on the curve and then giving yourself more draw options.
all of those should probably get a close look at since you are essentially green fatties.deck.
I could also see it potentially taking more of a token route with overruns. But thats optional. I just see more room for surprising output from that direction of Yeva though.
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I have officially moved to MTGNexus. I just wanted to let people know as my response time to salvation decks being bumped is very hit or miss.
I do have Craterhoof Behemoth already on the List. I can see adding more overrun effects like Overwhelming Stampede will make the kill easier. Which other ones do you suggest? I'll find room for that one for sure. What are your thoughts on Triumph of the Hordes as another fast kill?
On the idea of reducing the mana acceleration which do you think are the ones needed the least? I will look into taking out the more expensive ramp first as well some of the 7 drops that may not be exactly the best options.
I do like the idea of Garruk, Primal Hunter. I will try him out and see how well his advantage is.
I never thought about Soul's Majesty. It sounds like it would be a good call as to how many large creatures I have.
Greater Good is currently in the list and I agree it is a great go to for card advantage.
As another option, Mind's Eye is a good suggestion as I do have it in may Jaya Ballard deck and it has proven to be very useful.
I appreciate all the advice and will try some of those options in place of some ramp and higher cmc creatures.
I recently cut Roaring Primadox and a few others with similar abilities because they relied too much on having other smaller guys to benefit from.
@dealing with flyers: Arashi and Tornado Elemental are two of the better answers out there. Green has an abundance of anti-flyers, like Silklash Spider, Stingerfling Spider, or just anything with the word "reach" on it, so it really shouldn't be a problem. Or, you could always just play more Overruns as previously mentioned and go over the top.
EDIT: I'm also not a huge fan of Birthing Pod in this kind of deck because you kinda want all of your creatures to stay on the table and you're pretty light on recursion.
I recently cut Roaring Primadox and a few others with similar abilities because they relied too much on having other smaller guys to benefit from.
@dealing with flyers: Arashi and Tornado Elemental are two of the better answers out there. Green has an abundance of anti-flyers, like Silklash Spider, Stingerfling Spider, or just anything with the word "reach" on it, so it really shouldn't be a problem. Or, you could always just play more Overruns as previously mentioned and go over the top.
EDIT: I'm also not a huge fan of Birthing Pod in this kind of deck because you kinda want all of your creatures to stay on the table and you're pretty light on recursion (either Revive or Regrowth should probably be in here).
Thanks for taking a look.
Yeah Roaring Primadox can sometime be just a card that returns himself with no added value. There has been a few times he came up and I really wanted something else so I can see about cutting him but what other 4 cmc would you think to be a suitablke replacement? I am currently lacking at the 4 cmc slot right now.
As for the flying, I like Arashi, the Sky Asunder and Tornado Elemental. I have them both in the list and they are my best removal for fliers. I can give the others a look and take a look at some good reach creatures. I agree that is probably the best way to go for that.
Birthing Pod as both helped and at times just sat there. It has helped me pull of plays such as poding off Avenger of Zendikar into Craterhoof Behemoth. Again, i am completely open to removing the card for some other options that will flow with the deck better so I can try cutting it and finding some recursion like Revive as a second Regrowth. Plus it will help with the fact that my curve doesn't have to be as tight.
Thanks for the advice and direction. I'll see how it plays out and how much more consistency it adds.
Since you already have the two Hurricane-style guys, I would maybe consider adding Stingerfling, but Silklash seems a little redundant.
On another note, Garruk, Primal Hunteris always amazing (as are all the Garruks, but especially this one) and I would find room for him ASAP.
I think you could shave a few of your artifacts from your list. For example, I don't think you need either Greaves or Boots because you can just flash things in for psuedo-haste. Also, you're a mono-green deck based on creatures, so Disk probably sets you back more than others, and you have plenty of non-creature removal to work with. Vedalken Orrery also seems a little redundant...you have more tutoring than I do and I've managed to survive Yeva getting tucked twice in a single game.
As for Garruk, I am definitely considering Garruk, Primal Hunter. I agree all the Garruks have great effects that could help here.
I can see what you mean on the greaves/boots and few of the others like Orrery. With more creature tutoring it is easier to find Yeva and probably wont have too much of an issue there getting her back. Plus, like you said, I never have encountered the issue of her being tucked yet, so that will make that a non-issue to remove them for other options.
Disk is one, I'm torn on. It does help with mass creature removal, the one thing green has the hardest time removing is creatures (excluding flying). It can severely hurt me especially with my enchantments that are necessary. I'll look into what i would cut it for.
Hey that is a great idea for Ivy Lane Denizen. Never thought of the usefulness it has with Primus and Champion of Lambholt. Also Spike Weaver could be a good stall method when it is taking longer to get what I need to finish the opponent. Thanks again, these options are really great ideas that I will look to be replacing and testing this coming weekend for results.
It seems like a lot of work for one creature to benefit from the two cards you mentioned. I agree Scapeshift is a great card especially when I can afford to get a Gaea's Cradle for the deck. I wonder for a long term bonus if Rampaging Baloths would be better than Baloth Woodcrasher? I know he has trample (not comparing to Rampaging Baloth, who also has trample) which is great but If he gets removed after the attack is declared it was all for nothing. I could still see him possibly being a great threat though seeing as how he becomes an 8/8 trample just playing my land for the turn.
Thanks again for the ideas and i will look at him and see what would be a good replacement threat wise.
Rampaging Baloths > Baloth Woodcrasher for sure.
- The former puts multiple threatening bodies on the table that stick around.
- The latter is just one big dude that shrinks back to normal after the end of your turn, even if you could reliably tutor up both pieces of that combo (good luck tutoring a non-creature spell in a mono green deck).
- Another way to look at it is to compare Overrun to Might of Oaks. One of these is a game-winner in EDH, and the other is unplayable. The analogy isn't perfect, but still.
Oh, you think the losers' bracket is your ally, but you merely adopted the scrub tier. I was born in it, molded by it. I didn’t 4-0 an FNM until I was already a man; by then, it was nothing to me but an extra pack to sell for store credit!
Rampaging Baloths > Baloth Woodcrasher for sure.
- The former puts multiple threatening bodies on the table that stick around.
- The latter is just one big dude that shrinks back to normal after the end of your turn, even if you could reliably tutor up both pieces of that combo (good luck tutoring a non-creature spell in a mono green deck).
- Another way to look at it is to compare Overrun to Might of Oaks. One of these is a game-winner in EDH, and the other is unplayable. The analogy isn't perfect, but still.
That's kinda where I was leaning with it as well. Rampaging Baloths is just a more threatening creature in my opinion and he generates more threats that require a quick answer. I am considering putting in Scapeshift to utilize his landfall, as well as Avenger of Zendikar's landfall. With me putting more draw into the deck I could come across it more easily.
I never though of Spidersilk Armor. It still gives a boost while giving my creatures reach so it helps in giving more flexibility. What would you recommend taking out for it? I like the snow idea but I don't think I'm wanting to make that many changes for a one time use of flying removal. I am going to update the list soon with what I feel is less impressive with some of the suggested cards here.
Thank you both for giving some insight on better card options. I'll try to test this out today and update the changes made.
EDIT: The more I think about it, Memorial is awesome. I'm putting it in my list when I get home.
Well I have one friend that plays Isperia the Inscrutable and that is of course flying heavy. Most of the other players in my meta have dragon themed or at the very least dragon generals. Karrthus, Tyrant of Jund, Jenara, Asura of War which has a decent amount of angels in it. Among others that use Avacyn, which I don't have any good means to remove her once she hits aside from Lignify that was previously mentioned, and Consecrated Sphinx and the like in their decks. I think with the aforementioned cards it should not be as big of an issue. I like Akroma's Memorial as well and it does give a good set of boosts in addition. I may try it out as well. What Would be a good card to drop?
Making changes currently and here is what I have so far. I'll update OP in a bit.
I'm not so sure I like Scapeshift over Crop Rotation. If you don't have a Rampaging Baloths to take advantage of the landfall triggers, you're really just cycling a bunch of lands, and that doesn't seem worth a spot in your list.
EDIT: Avacyn is gonna be a problem for a lot of people, but in your case I'd try something like Karn Liberated or Duplicant (probably Karn first).
The main thing about Spidersilk Armor is that it costs :2mana::symg:, which lets me solve flying attacks-of-opportunity without creating a high-investment target for spot removal. Eldrazi Monument and Akroma's Memorial are both subtantially more expensive, and will tend to eat the first artifact removal that gets drawn, because they are ridiculous on offense as well as defense. I'm also pretty heavy on recursion - Genesis + Eternal Witness + Spidersilk Armor makes people attack elsewhere pretty effectively.
I'm not going to recommend cuts, as you and I probably value different things - for instance, I ditched Arboria because I didn't like having to track who played what, when.
Snow lands are a nonzero price to pay, but Mouth of Ronom is surprisingly savage for a deck with little/limited creature removal, and it slots into your landbase, which is a good place for utility to go.
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Oh, you think the losers' bracket is your ally, but you merely adopted the scrub tier. I was born in it, molded by it. I didn’t 4-0 an FNM until I was already a man; by then, it was nothing to me but an extra pack to sell for store credit!
I'm not so sure I like Scapeshift over Crop Rotation. If you don't have a Rampaging Baloths to take advantage of the landfall triggers, you're really just cycling a bunch of lands, and that doesn't seem worth a spot in your list.
Probably so, yeah. I would need more landfall to make that more worthwhile. I'll take it out and add Crop Rotation back in. With my other mana ramp spells I should be alright when I run into Rampaging Baloths or Avenger. Plus they won't be just a dead card. Thanks, it helps to get some extra ideas on how things sound in theory over how they actually work out.
Crop Rotation > Scapeshift
@Lordsaturn
I can see your point of low profile card such as Spidersilk Armor over Akroma's Memorial. It definitely deters people's removal to wait for something better. Sorry about the snow permanents, I only meant the instant (can't think of the name as of right now) that removes flying for a turn wasn't reason enough to change my mana base to snow. Mouth of Ronom is a pretty nice land as I use it in my Jaya Ballard deck. I could take it into consideration as a go to for extra removal.
@ OCPunisher
Karn would make for a good answer to Avacyn. She is pretty Prevalent in my meta and I think his added utility could be a good option.
I have to give a nod to running Mouth of Ronom as well, I get terrific mileage out of it as removal in my list. On top of that, Life from the Loam increases its power significantly. Prey Upon is also highly efficient removal for creatures, and Brittle Effigy is a good out against something like Avacyn. I further recommend Spike Weaver as well as Constant Mists, you can really take control of a game with those effects. Happy hunting :).
Actually, the more I think about it, Duplicant is probably better than Karn at dealing with Avacyn because it's a creature, so it's easier to tutor for it and recur it. However, if you had other problems besides Avacyn, Karn would likely be more versatile. I don't think I would run Brittle Effigy unless I already had the other two.
@Prey Upon: I'm currently using Ulvenwald Tracker for the same purpose and loving it. I get a lot of mileage out of that card because this deck has so many other threats that need to be removed, and a lot of times the Tracker just goes unchecked.
I have to give a nod to running Mouth of Ronom as well, I get terrific mileage out of it as removal in my list. On top of that, Life from the Loam increases its power significantly. Prey Upon is also highly efficient removal for creatures, and Brittle Effigy is a good out against something like Avacyn. I further recommend Spike Weaver as well as Constant Mists, you can really take control of a game with those effects. Happy hunting :).
I will probably have to test out Mouth of Ronom. I can easily get extra mileage out of it with recurring effects.
Life from the Loam has been one of my favorite cards for awhile and I can see after looking at your list how it is very useful with all the cycling lands and Mouth of Ronom as well. I may look into adding it in as well as some cycle lands for the extra card advantage.
As for Prey Upon, I like it for its potential, but it can sometimes be a wasted draw if you don't have a creature big enough to take care of the largest threat at the moment. I do have many large threat creatures but I don't plan on them living too long with all the raths my meta plays and this will devalue this card some.
Brittle Effigy is an interesting thought, the only thing is it is short lived, where things like Duplicant can be reused via recursion or being bounced with Erratic Portal or Cloudstone Curio. Karn is also a more permanent answer and you still will get one exile off of it and potentially more with the proper defense.
I am definitely considering Spike Weaver. I like that he can be recharged with Ivy Lane Denizen and the extra fog is a nice out when lethal damage is coming your way.
@ OCPunisher
I was just posting at time I saw this comment about Duplicant and I agree that he is probably a better option than Karn for cost and easy to tutor and recur. I also like the idea of Ulvenwald Tracker as a permanent Prey Upon. It does seem like it can keep a low profile so it won't eat removal as often.
Oh, you think the losers' bracket is your ally, but you merely adopted the scrub tier. I was born in it, molded by it. I didn’t 4-0 an FNM until I was already a man; by then, it was nothing to me but an extra pack to sell for store credit!
Ulvenwald Tracker would be great removal and I think I'm going to slip him in. Maybe cut Arboria for it?
Going with Snow lands makes Into the North really great especially for Mouth of Ronom. I am not sure if I could pull off Dark Depths reliably enough before it gets removed but it is an interesting thought.
I'll look at cutting another card or two for Crucible and Life from the Loam to utilize some extra cycling lands.
Realms Uncharted could be of some use. How often are you happy to see it if you don't have the other cards with it?
Admittedly I haven't drawn Realms Uncharted much, but I run Petrified Field to make it as one-sided as possible. Completely by itself, it's at least "hit two untapped land drops" via fetchlands, which is a nonzero benefit.
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Oh, you think the losers' bracket is your ally, but you merely adopted the scrub tier. I was born in it, molded by it. I didn’t 4-0 an FNM until I was already a man; by then, it was nothing to me but an extra pack to sell for store credit!
Fair enough on the Realms Uncharted. It seems like it would help when the situation arises.
Making a few changes to the list.
Life from the Loam > Arboria- Yeva is more of an agressive deck rather that a defensive one so the cut seemed right. Life from the Loam will help get my answers quicker with any cycle land or just to dredge the top three.
A couple updates on play testing the deck a few days ago.
Ivy Lane Denizen worked out really well for me. Kept my Champion of Lambholt above my opponents creatures to where I could swing in without worrying of my creatures being blocked.
Life from the Loam was a good addition as it drew back my cycle lands a few times to get some extra draw.
All in all I felt the changes helped improve her flexibility to answer different threats and remain consistent. I am thinking of possibly adding in Forgotten Ancient and Spike Weaver to give some extra power to the deck as well as offensive capability. What do you guys think on his inclusion?
4 Yeva, Nature's Herald
Creatures 33
2 Wall of Blossoms
2 Gaea's Herald
2 Rofellos, Llanowar Emissary
2 Elvish Visionary
2 Sakura-Tribe Elder
2 Scavenging Ooze
3 Eternal Witness
3 Predator Ooze
3 Wood Elves
3 Farhaven Elf
3 Fierce Empath
3 Champion of Lambholt
4 Ivy Lane Denizen
4 Timbermare
4 Oracle of Mul Daya
4 Brawn
5 Arashi, the Sky Asunder
5 Indrik Stomphowler
5 Genesis
5 Acidic Slime
5 Seedborn Muse
5 Stingerfling Spider
6 Soul of the Harvest
6 Primordial Sage
6 Kamahl, Fist of Krosa
6 Vigor
6 Rampaging Baloths
7 Regal Force
7 Tornado Elemental
7 Hornet Queen
7 Avenger of Zendikar
8 Craterhoof Behemoth
8 Woodfall Primus
1 Green Sun's Zenith
2 Regrowth
2 Nature's Lore
3 Cultivate
3 Kodama's Reach
4 Ranger's Path
4 Natural Order
4 Harmonize
5 Overwhelming Stampede
5 Overrun
7 Tooth and Nail
Instants 6
1 Crop Rotation
1 Worldly Tutor
3 Beast Within
3 Krosan Grip
3 Chord of Calling
4 Momentous Fall
Artifact 7
1 Sol Ring
1 Sensei's Divining Top
2 Emerald Medallion
3 Cloudstone Curio
4 Erratic Portal
4 Nevinyrral's Disk
5 Mind's Eye
1 Burgeoning
1 Concordant Crossroads
2 Sylvan Library
4 Greater Good
5 Asceticism
6 Lurking Predators
Planeswalker 1
5 Garruk, Primal Hunter
Land 35
0 Dryad Arbor
0 Strip Mine
0 Reliquary Tower
0 Tectonic Edge
0 Dust Bowl
0 Temple of the False God
0 Oran-Rief, the Vastwood
0 Yavimaya Hollow
27 Forest
Some cards listed such as explosive vegetation, I am looking to replace with Skyshroud Claim. It is obviously the better choice I just have not made an order yet to get them. If there are any better options of cards I'm currently using that I may have overlooked please let me know. I will be actively testing this deck to try and see what is working and what isn't. I just recently put in Predator Ooze so I'm not a hundred percent sold that he will be what I'm looking for, but as far as a threat goes he is hard to remove and keeps growing.
Some noteworthy interactions are Timbermare and Yeva. I like this pairing because after I swing with my creatures I can flash Timbermare into play tapping down every other creature for a massive hit to one or multiple players.
Seedborn Muse is an obvious inclusion as Yeva loves to play things on other players turns.
With as many creatures that enter the battlefield, Soul of the Harvest is one of the best draw engines for most green decks but in particularly this deck as I can return my creatures to my hand via Roaring Primadox, Erratic Portal, Cloudstone Curio.
The other main concern of mine is I do not have a strong 4cc base as there are only 4 currently. I would like to strengthen the amount of creatures there and reduce it from another higher cc. Any ideas on this would be great and I can get a direction for what is needed or what would add value. I am currently trying to get a Gaea's Cradle, but after the price jump it has been hard to obtain one. If there are other good land options that I could include beyond what I have, I am looking for the best utility possible to help diversify greens capability. Thanks again for taking a look!
WBR Alesha's Death Brigade WBR
WWW Brigid the Battlefield Saboteur WWW
UB Wydwen, the Biting Gale UB
You are too heavy on ramp and too light on draw effects.
I would also consider cutting your curve back. I suspect you are probably running heavy ramp to support that big high end curve but you would be better off cutting back on the curve and then giving yourself more draw options.
all of those should probably get a close look at since you are essentially green fatties.deck.
I could also see it potentially taking more of a token route with overruns. But thats optional. I just see more room for surprising output from that direction of Yeva though.
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I do have Craterhoof Behemoth already on the List. I can see adding more overrun effects like Overwhelming Stampede will make the kill easier. Which other ones do you suggest? I'll find room for that one for sure. What are your thoughts on Triumph of the Hordes as another fast kill?
On the idea of reducing the mana acceleration which do you think are the ones needed the least? I will look into taking out the more expensive ramp first as well some of the 7 drops that may not be exactly the best options.
I do like the idea of Garruk, Primal Hunter. I will try him out and see how well his advantage is.
I never thought about Soul's Majesty. It sounds like it would be a good call as to how many large creatures I have.
Greater Good is currently in the list and I agree it is a great go to for card advantage.
As another option, Mind's Eye is a good suggestion as I do have it in may Jaya Ballard deck and it has proven to be very useful.
I appreciate all the advice and will try some of those options in place of some ramp and higher cmc creatures.
WBR Alesha's Death Brigade WBR
WWW Brigid the Battlefield Saboteur WWW
UB Wydwen, the Biting Gale UB
@dealing with flyers: Arashi and Tornado Elemental are two of the better answers out there. Green has an abundance of anti-flyers, like Silklash Spider, Stingerfling Spider, or just anything with the word "reach" on it, so it really shouldn't be a problem. Or, you could always just play more Overruns as previously mentioned and go over the top.
EDIT: I'm also not a huge fan of Birthing Pod in this kind of deck because you kinda want all of your creatures to stay on the table and you're pretty light on recursion.
Yeva (88/92 foils)
Raff
Scarab
Rakdos
Wort ($50 budget, 94/97 foils)
Trostani
Thanks for taking a look.
Yeah Roaring Primadox can sometime be just a card that returns himself with no added value. There has been a few times he came up and I really wanted something else so I can see about cutting him but what other 4 cmc would you think to be a suitablke replacement? I am currently lacking at the 4 cmc slot right now.
As for the flying, I like Arashi, the Sky Asunder and Tornado Elemental. I have them both in the list and they are my best removal for fliers. I can give the others a look and take a look at some good reach creatures. I agree that is probably the best way to go for that.
Birthing Pod as both helped and at times just sat there. It has helped me pull of plays such as poding off Avenger of Zendikar into Craterhoof Behemoth. Again, i am completely open to removing the card for some other options that will flow with the deck better so I can try cutting it and finding some recursion like Revive as a second Regrowth. Plus it will help with the fact that my curve doesn't have to be as tight.
Thanks for the advice and direction. I'll see how it plays out and how much more consistency it adds.
WBR Alesha's Death Brigade WBR
WWW Brigid the Battlefield Saboteur WWW
UB Wydwen, the Biting Gale UB
On another note, Garruk, Primal Hunteris always amazing (as are all the Garruks, but especially this one) and I would find room for him ASAP.
I think you could shave a few of your artifacts from your list. For example, I don't think you need either Greaves or Boots because you can just flash things in for psuedo-haste. Also, you're a mono-green deck based on creatures, so Disk probably sets you back more than others, and you have plenty of non-creature removal to work with. Vedalken Orrery also seems a little redundant...you have more tutoring than I do and I've managed to survive Yeva getting tucked twice in a single game.
EDIT: I'm also trying out Ivy Lane Denizen for added value with all my creatures, notably Woodfall Primus, Spike Weaver and Champion of Lambholt.
Yeva (88/92 foils)
Raff
Scarab
Rakdos
Wort ($50 budget, 94/97 foils)
Trostani
As for Garruk, I am definitely considering Garruk, Primal Hunter. I agree all the Garruks have great effects that could help here.
I can see what you mean on the greaves/boots and few of the others like Orrery. With more creature tutoring it is easier to find Yeva and probably wont have too much of an issue there getting her back. Plus, like you said, I never have encountered the issue of her being tucked yet, so that will make that a non-issue to remove them for other options.
Disk is one, I'm torn on. It does help with mass creature removal, the one thing green has the hardest time removing is creatures (excluding flying). It can severely hurt me especially with my enchantments that are necessary. I'll look into what i would cut it for.
Hey that is a great idea for Ivy Lane Denizen. Never thought of the usefulness it has with Primus and Champion of Lambholt. Also Spike Weaver could be a good stall method when it is taking longer to get what I need to finish the opponent. Thanks again, these options are really great ideas that I will look to be replacing and testing this coming weekend for results.
WBR Alesha's Death Brigade WBR
WWW Brigid the Battlefield Saboteur WWW
UB Wydwen, the Biting Gale UB
Thanks for Posting.
It seems like a lot of work for one creature to benefit from the two cards you mentioned. I agree Scapeshift is a great card especially when I can afford to get a Gaea's Cradle for the deck. I wonder for a long term bonus if Rampaging Baloths would be better than Baloth Woodcrasher? I know he has trample (not comparing to Rampaging Baloth, who also has trample) which is great but If he gets removed after the attack is declared it was all for nothing. I could still see him possibly being a great threat though seeing as how he becomes an 8/8 trample just playing my land for the turn.
Thanks again for the ideas and i will look at him and see what would be a good replacement threat wise.
WBR Alesha's Death Brigade WBR
WWW Brigid the Battlefield Saboteur WWW
UB Wydwen, the Biting Gale UB
- The former puts multiple threatening bodies on the table that stick around.
- The latter is just one big dude that shrinks back to normal after the end of your turn, even if you could reliably tutor up both pieces of that combo (good luck tutoring a non-creature spell in a mono green deck).
- Another way to look at it is to compare Overrun to Might of Oaks. One of these is a game-winner in EDH, and the other is unplayable. The analogy isn't perfect, but still.
Yeva (88/92 foils)
Raff
Scarab
Rakdos
Wort ($50 budget, 94/97 foils)
Trostani
I also run a snow package including Whiteout and Mouth of Ronom, but YMMV...
That's kinda where I was leaning with it as well. Rampaging Baloths is just a more threatening creature in my opinion and he generates more threats that require a quick answer. I am considering putting in Scapeshift to utilize his landfall, as well as Avenger of Zendikar's landfall. With me putting more draw into the deck I could come across it more easily.
I never though of Spidersilk Armor. It still gives a boost while giving my creatures reach so it helps in giving more flexibility. What would you recommend taking out for it? I like the snow idea but I don't think I'm wanting to make that many changes for a one time use of flying removal. I am going to update the list soon with what I feel is less impressive with some of the suggested cards here.
Thank you both for giving some insight on better card options. I'll try to test this out today and update the changes made.
WBR Alesha's Death Brigade WBR
WWW Brigid the Battlefield Saboteur WWW
UB Wydwen, the Biting Gale UB
I might also look at something like Eldrazi Monument or Akroma's Memorial as more of a catch-all.
EDIT: The more I think about it, Memorial is awesome. I'm putting it in my list when I get home.
Yeva (88/92 foils)
Raff
Scarab
Rakdos
Wort ($50 budget, 94/97 foils)
Trostani
Well I have one friend that plays Isperia the Inscrutable and that is of course flying heavy. Most of the other players in my meta have dragon themed or at the very least dragon generals. Karrthus, Tyrant of Jund, Jenara, Asura of War which has a decent amount of angels in it. Among others that use Avacyn, which I don't have any good means to remove her once she hits aside from Lignify that was previously mentioned, and Consecrated Sphinx and the like in their decks. I think with the aforementioned cards it should not be as big of an issue. I like Akroma's Memorial as well and it does give a good set of boosts in addition. I may try it out as well. What Would be a good card to drop?
Making changes currently and here is what I have so far. I'll update OP in a bit.
Rampaging Baloths > Giant Adephage
Stingerfling Spider > Terastodon
Ivy Lane Denizen > Roaring Primadox
Garruk, Primal Hunter > Vedalken Orrery
Momentous Fall > Explosive Vegetation
Mind's Eye > Birthing Pod
Overwhelming Stampede > Lightning Greaves
Overrun > Swiftfoot Boots
Scapeshift > Crop Rotation
WBR Alesha's Death Brigade WBR
WWW Brigid the Battlefield Saboteur WWW
UB Wydwen, the Biting Gale UB
EDIT: Avacyn is gonna be a problem for a lot of people, but in your case I'd try something like Karn Liberated or Duplicant (probably Karn first).
Yeva (88/92 foils)
Raff
Scarab
Rakdos
Wort ($50 budget, 94/97 foils)
Trostani
I'm not going to recommend cuts, as you and I probably value different things - for instance, I ditched Arboria because I didn't like having to track who played what, when.
Snow lands are a nonzero price to pay, but Mouth of Ronom is surprisingly savage for a deck with little/limited creature removal, and it slots into your landbase, which is a good place for utility to go.
Probably so, yeah. I would need more landfall to make that more worthwhile. I'll take it out and add Crop Rotation back in. With my other mana ramp spells I should be alright when I run into Rampaging Baloths or Avenger. Plus they won't be just a dead card. Thanks, it helps to get some extra ideas on how things sound in theory over how they actually work out.
Crop Rotation > Scapeshift
@Lordsaturn
I can see your point of low profile card such as Spidersilk Armor over Akroma's Memorial. It definitely deters people's removal to wait for something better. Sorry about the snow permanents, I only meant the instant (can't think of the name as of right now) that removes flying for a turn wasn't reason enough to change my mana base to snow. Mouth of Ronom is a pretty nice land as I use it in my Jaya Ballard deck. I could take it into consideration as a go to for extra removal.
@ OCPunisher
Karn would make for a good answer to Avacyn. She is pretty Prevalent in my meta and I think his added utility could be a good option.
Edited OP
WBR Alesha's Death Brigade WBR
WWW Brigid the Battlefield Saboteur WWW
UB Wydwen, the Biting Gale UB
@Prey Upon: I'm currently using Ulvenwald Tracker for the same purpose and loving it. I get a lot of mileage out of that card because this deck has so many other threats that need to be removed, and a lot of times the Tracker just goes unchecked.
Yeva (88/92 foils)
Raff
Scarab
Rakdos
Wort ($50 budget, 94/97 foils)
Trostani
I will probably have to test out Mouth of Ronom. I can easily get extra mileage out of it with recurring effects.
Life from the Loam has been one of my favorite cards for awhile and I can see after looking at your list how it is very useful with all the cycling lands and Mouth of Ronom as well. I may look into adding it in as well as some cycle lands for the extra card advantage.
As for Prey Upon, I like it for its potential, but it can sometimes be a wasted draw if you don't have a creature big enough to take care of the largest threat at the moment. I do have many large threat creatures but I don't plan on them living too long with all the raths my meta plays and this will devalue this card some.
Brittle Effigy is an interesting thought, the only thing is it is short lived, where things like Duplicant can be reused via recursion or being bounced with Erratic Portal or Cloudstone Curio. Karn is also a more permanent answer and you still will get one exile off of it and potentially more with the proper defense.
I am definitely considering Spike Weaver. I like that he can be recharged with Ivy Lane Denizen and the extra fog is a nice out when lethal damage is coming your way.
@ OCPunisher
I was just posting at time I saw this comment about Duplicant and I agree that he is probably a better option than Karn for cost and easy to tutor and recur. I also like the idea of Ulvenwald Tracker as a permanent Prey Upon. It does seem like it can keep a low profile so it won't eat removal as often.
WBR Alesha's Death Brigade WBR
WWW Brigid the Battlefield Saboteur WWW
UB Wydwen, the Biting Gale UB
I also run Life from the Loam, and it can be pretty savage. You get to just blatantly cheat with Realms Uncharted, take all the sting out of Constant Mists, recycle your fetch and cycling lands, et cetera ad nauseam. You'll definitely want to back it up with one or more of Crucible of Worlds, Tilling Treefolk, and Cartographer.
I also run Into the North, less for Mouth of Ronom and more for Dark Depths (also running Thespian's Stage, obviously). Speaking of lands that end up in your graveyard a lot...
Ulvenwald Tracker would be great removal and I think I'm going to slip him in. Maybe cut Arboria for it?
Going with Snow lands makes Into the North really great especially for Mouth of Ronom. I am not sure if I could pull off Dark Depths reliably enough before it gets removed but it is an interesting thought.
I'll look at cutting another card or two for Crucible and Life from the Loam to utilize some extra cycling lands.
Realms Uncharted could be of some use. How often are you happy to see it if you don't have the other cards with it?
WBR Alesha's Death Brigade WBR
WWW Brigid the Battlefield Saboteur WWW
UB Wydwen, the Biting Gale UB
Making a few changes to the list.
Life from the Loam > Arboria- Yeva is more of an agressive deck rather that a defensive one so the cut seemed right. Life from the Loam will help get my answers quicker with any cycle land or just to dredge the top three.
Tranquil Thicket > Forest
Slippery Karst > Forest
Blasted Landscape > Forest
WBR Alesha's Death Brigade WBR
WWW Brigid the Battlefield Saboteur WWW
UB Wydwen, the Biting Gale UB
Ivy Lane Denizen worked out really well for me. Kept my Champion of Lambholt above my opponents creatures to where I could swing in without worrying of my creatures being blocked.
Stingerfling Spider did really well as it got rid of a Glen Elendra Archmage that was keeping me from playing a Tooth and Nail. He surprised me on how well he did.
Life from the Loam was a good addition as it drew back my cycle lands a few times to get some extra draw.
All in all I felt the changes helped improve her flexibility to answer different threats and remain consistent. I am thinking of possibly adding in Forgotten Ancient and Spike Weaver to give some extra power to the deck as well as offensive capability. What do you guys think on his inclusion?
WBR Alesha's Death Brigade WBR
WWW Brigid the Battlefield Saboteur WWW
UB Wydwen, the Biting Gale UB