I got the idea for this contest a few weeks back when somebody in Magic General proposed a creatures and lands only format in an attempt to heighten deck interactions during games. The original idea he proposed had promise, but he over-regulated the concept to the point where there was no possibility for originality in the proposed format. I'm of the opinion that the following won't succumb to that mistake.
Tolarian Academy and Mishra's Workshop are banned. They provide far too much acceleration to affinity-esque decks and far too easily enable broken gameplay. Banned courtesy of Capitan_Estaban breaking the format.
Library of Alexandria is banned. In a format where even blue has trouble getting more than a cantrip, a colorless source that's basically a painless Phyrexian Arena that you can also choose to tap for mana is overpowered.
Llawan, Cephalid Empress is banned. This plus Painter's Servant is too fast, consistant and difficult to combat in this format. Banned courtesy of Capitan_Estaban breaking the format.
The following are the general rules for the contest series:
All deck submissions are to be judged based on their presumed performance in a multiplayer game.
Each participant in the contest will have one week following the deck submission deadline to rank each other participant's deck submissions (they do exclude themselves from their ranking).
Each submission will be awarded points equal to its inverse position in the ranking (for example, if there are eleven submissions in a contest, each player will rank the ten other participants. The deck ranked #1 will receive ten points; #2 will receive nine points; #3 will receive eight points; #4 will receive seven points; #5 will receive six points; #6 will receive five points; #7 will receive four points; #8 will receive three points; #9 will receive two points; #10 will receive one point).
The point total for each participant's ranking will be added together to make an over-all ranking of deck submissions.
The final ranking will be the sum total of the points awarded from the "over-all ranking" and the average score awarded to them by each participant, rounded to the nearest tenth (this is to prevent artificially inflating certain participant's scores who did not submit a ranking of the other decks)
Any infractions to the contest rules will be governed by the overall consent of the other contest participants (which may or may not result in disqualification from the contest).
Deck submissions will begin today, Monday, January 3rd. They will end on Sunday, January 9th at 11:59 PM, Central Standard Time.
Deck Ranking submissions will begin on Monday, January 10th. They will end on Sunday, January 16th at 11:59 PM, Central Standard Time.
I'm both selfish and rational. I'm scheming, secretive and manipulative; I use knowledge as a tool for personal gain, and in turn obtaining more knowledge. At best, I am mysterious and stealthy; at worst, I am distrustful and opportunistic.
Before they banned the format out of existence, I was a proud supporter of Modern.
This format will see boards get bogged down pretty easily but luckily this deck can generate a strong wall of creatures and eventually start overrunning people in a pinch.
I think evasion (fear, unblockable, protection) will be pretty important but flying will be too common (although you will need to be able to block flying units too).
Is 12-post+Urzatron allowed? Because then winning with Emrakul, the Aeons Torn and friends is really easy.
Kamikazegerbil wrote: Coke Spill Level 1 Encounter Attack Power Trigger: You must be pouring yourself a drink Range: Close Blast 1D10 from Player Target: All creatures and objects within blast Attack: Any vs. Reflex Hit: 1d6 Fizzy damage and target is wet (save ends) Aftereffect: Target is sticky (save ends)
I think that in a format like this you have to rely on speed rather than waiting for people to start playing giant threats. In a perfect world, I would play:
I'll be tweaking this deck as I go, but the concept is simple. The deck uses tutors, creature tutors, to get a Primeval Titan /Weathered Wayfarer in play to search for Dark Depths . It then uses Vampire Hexmage to remove the counters and swing with your 20/20 indestructible flyer. Ethereal Usher serves 2 roles. It can tutor for your titan, or make your Marit Lage unblockable. Either way the card is pure win in this deck. Eternal Witness is there to grab pieces that I lose along the way, it's such a solid card when paired with Fauna Shaman . The deck is fast, almost every creature is 1-3 mana excluding the Primeval Titans (early Ushers are transmuted), which is what I like most about it.
This deck insta loses to Magus of the Moon sadly lol. I'll take that chance though. The only card I kinda want to add is Tolaria West , but I'm worried that it could screw up my mana base too much. DD means that I already have 4 lands that produce no mana at all, so having any more really scares me. I think Primeval Titan is good enough anyways. I wouldn't mind seeing Dark Confidant in here either, but only if I lost the Ushers. It would be such a sexy card. I'm really torn between it and Ethereal Usher now : /.
Lastly, screw you and your restrictions. I only made this deck thinking that I could fit Grim Discovery in here. Took me 20 minutes to realize that I had to settle with Eternal Witness + Fauna Shaman instead.
Last time this contest was held, the decks were tested to see how well they'd perform in a real life setting. With this particular deck I would focus my attacks on people playing white and black decks, and take them out as soon as possible. I am perfectly fine with leaving myself open to attacks and to lose life early, I'm a very aggressive player. This deck has a hard time dealing with massive life gain and mass removal, 2 things black and white have in spades. If someone is going to try this deck, know that I would focus on those colors first, and try to eliminate them before they get going. Since it only takes me 1 hit to kill, I can leave the green players and their armies for the end since they really have nothing they can do once I swing for the kill.
My guide to Black multiplayer cards and strategies: http://community.wizards.com/go/thread/view/75842/18893722?sdb=1&post_num=1#322195706
My guide to Red multiplayer cards and strategies: http://community.wizards.com/go/thread/view/75842/28999213/?sdb=1&post_num=1#517562879
My guide to White multiplayer cards and strategies http://community.wizards.com/go/thread/view/75842/29011349/?sdb=1&pg=last#517773211
My guide to Green multiplayer cards and strategies http://community.wizards.com/go/thread/view/75842/29034323/Tichs_Guide_to_Green_Multiplayer_Cards_and_Strategies
-2 x Thrashing Wumpus +2 x Commander Eesha -5 x Swamp +1 x Glacial Chasm +1 x Mistveil Plains +1 x Bojuka Bog +2 x Leechridden Swamp -4 x Stern Judge +2 x Pestilence Demon +2 x Urborg Syphon-Mage I think somehow between edits I dropped a card out (Stern Judge i think). Anyway after the initial post, Tich got me looking at my deck and I noticed I didn't have any flying blockers (not that it matters particularly vs. his deck). I initially had Commander Eesha in the deck (procreatures is strong for this format), but was worried about the double . Since I decided on so much dual lands, I don't think it is too much to worry about. Then I figured since I have the land tutor, I might as well include a toolbox of lands. Finally, Pestilence Demon can survive his own Pestilence damage and is much more of a threat than Trashing Wumpus and fits the deck better than Stern Judge (which still isn't bad), plus with 4xCabal Coffers and 4xNirkana he shouldn't be too hard to cast when i eventually draw him. I finally dropped all the Stern Judge s. I figure it is a win more card. It helps me win quicker, and that is it. I think in its place the life siphon mage is much better. I just went through a list of all lands to look for good utility land. I haven't decided ultimately what to add to the deck, but so far I like...Library of Alexandria , Bazaar of Baghdad , Diamond Valley , Crypt of Agadeem , Vesuva , Hall of the Bandit Lord , Halls of Mist , and perhaps only because I know what cards are in Tich's deck Karakas (I am not really going to add this). I will continue to edit as things come up that I think about. Edit 2Show
The deck intends to win through gaining life by Forecasting Paladin of Prahv on a Pestilence creature (I promise, I wasn't trying to copy your deck from the Pauper Contest CadaverousBl00m). The rattlesnake walls are there to make sure you make it to your 4th-5th land drops, and Weathered Wayfarer and the bounce lands are to ensure you have fewer lands and can find your Cabal Coffers /Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth . The biggest threat to this deck is Magus of the Moon (I suppose I could lessen the dual lands if that became a problem, (its funny Tich and I thought the same thing. I was thinking I didn't have to worry too much since Price of Progress /Ruination are banned...but Magus could still be a threat).
Budget EDH:EDH on $20 a Deck. Join the Group Link has been defeated(X times) by Eyegorc in Dungeons 2(2x), 3(3x), and 6(3x).
The only reason why I thought about it was because a Magus of the Moon + Peacekeeper makes you a God, and then you wait until you can cast Blazing Archon and instantly win basically. Just protect the archon and it's GG. It's probably the single strongest deck, I should just enter that as my submission lol. The other cards don't even matter :P. The MVP of the deck is obviously Obstinate Familiar so you don't deck yourself. Yeah, you heard me.
My guide to Black multiplayer cards and strategies: http://community.wizards.com/go/thread/view/75842/18893722?sdb=1&post_num=1#322195706
My guide to Red multiplayer cards and strategies: http://community.wizards.com/go/thread/view/75842/28999213/?sdb=1&post_num=1#517562879
My guide to White multiplayer cards and strategies http://community.wizards.com/go/thread/view/75842/29011349/?sdb=1&pg=last#517773211
My guide to Green multiplayer cards and strategies http://community.wizards.com/go/thread/view/75842/29034323/Tichs_Guide_to_Green_Multiplayer_Cards_and_Strategies
Is 12-post+Urzatron allowed? Because then winning with Emrakul, the Aeons Torn and friends is really easy.
I don't see any problem with them at present. The boogeyman of the format seems like its going to be Magus of the Moon , which would neuter the strategy pretty easily. Plus a few creatures that I see being particularly potent in general (Nekrataal , Shriekmaw , Calming Licid , Mageta the Lion , Avatar of Woe , Visara the Dreadful , etc...) are all able to kill or neuter Cthulhu and his ilk. It seems like a strong strategy, to be sure, but one that doesn't seem degenerate in the format.
I completely missed both of those. I think that Prahv, Spires of Order , while a lot fairer in terms of cost, still falls into "completely neuters combat" category. As such, I'm adding it to the banned list.
I'm on the fence about Glacial Chasm . Yes, it neuters combat, but it does so for you as well, plus it has a very, very steep cumulative upkeep cost that makes it prohibitive unless played in a pinch (going from 2, to 4 [6 total], to 6 [12 total], to 8 [20 total]). And while most means of abusing it aren't legal in the format, there's still Platinum Angel and Platinum Emperion .
I don't know. What does everybody else think about Glacial Chasm ? I'm inclined to leave it in.
Helphelpe, I like the deck. It looks like it can outpace a lot of other decks while generating a pretty large army of its own and even be able to answer most creatures (including those pesky platinum creatures ). I also like how lightly black and red were splashed, keeping your mana base pretty consistant.
Tich, I love the deck! It looks like it's going to be the deck that people will need an answer to or will die to it. I think that 1 or 2 Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth would be useful in the deck, considering that they'll allow your Dark Depths to tap for mana. I think that including a small toolbox with Fauna Shaman would help to cover some of the deck's weaknesses (something like Grim Lavamancer or Arms Dealer to get rid of those pesky Magus of the Moon s).
Capitan_Esteban, I like how your deck gives you a lot of defense until you can ultimately take over the board. It's far too slow for my personal taste, but I can't see anything inherently wrong with that.
So the irony is that all three decks that've been submitted so far die horrible, horrible deaths to Magus of the Moon (even the mostly mono-colored elf deck). That's... interesting...
My theory running into this format was that etb triggers (especially ones that get rid of creatures) would be the defining pieces of the format, filling the gap left by the absence of non-creature spells. As such, I see great value in Vedalken Mastermind as a powerful tool in reusing creatures' triggers)
I had most of this deck thought-through as of last night. Man-o'-War was included as a way of deal with indestructible creatures or creatures with protection from black (and one of the two ways to deal with Marit Lage in this deck). Cadaver Imp is a way to recover if Vedalken Mastermind 's killed off. Venser, Shaper Savant is a great way to counter key spells, especially since I can continuously bounce him and reuse him (Draining Whelk was more expensive than I cared for). Shadowmage Infiltrator provides card draw; Grave Titan provides instant board position; Deep-Sea Kraken (easily my favorite blue finisher) is an insanely fast clock that comes out insanely early. Also, a great thing about this deck is that it loses very little to an active Magus of the Moon (who I imagine will be a favorite creature for red decks).
"Do not concern yourself with my origin, my race, or my ancestry. Seek my record in the pits, and then make your wager." --Arcanis the Omnipotent
I'm both selfish and rational. I'm scheming, secretive and manipulative; I use knowledge as a tool for personal gain, and in turn obtaining more knowledge. At best, I am mysterious and stealthy; at worst, I am distrustful and opportunistic.
Before they banned the format out of existence, I was a proud supporter of Modern.
I completely missed both of those. I think that Prahv, Spires of Order , while a lot fairer in terms of cost, still falls into "completely neuters combat" category. As such, I'm adding it to the banned list.
I figure I might as well ask? What about Maze of Shadows ? Banned because of Dauthi Trapper , or not reason enough to worry about?
I'm on the fence about Glacial Chasm . Yes, it neuters combat, but it does so for you as well, plus it has a very, very steep cumulative upkeep cost that makes it prohibitive unless played in a pinch (going from 2, to 4 [6 total], to 6 [12 total], to 8 [20 total]). And while most means of abusing it aren't legal in the format, there's still Platinum Angel and Platinum Emperion .
I don't know. What does everybody else think about Glacial Chasm ? I'm inclined to leave it in.
Capitan_Esteban, I like how your deck gives you a lot of defense until you can ultimately take over the board. It's far too slow for my personal taste, but I can't see anything inherently wrong with that.
So the irony is that all three decks that've been submitted so far die horrible, horrible deaths to Magus of the Moon (even the mostly mono-colored elf deck). That's... interesting...
I don't think I would call it that slow. I have run a pestilence creature deck with Spirit Loop before, and once the deck gets online (5th-6th land drop) it is usually gaining enough life to stay a live while hitting the board for 2 damage on each players turn. I had to add the Obsidian Acolyte because I can't spread damage over other players turns to keep my Trashing Wumpus alive and still gain life from the Forecast lifelink, but I don't think it is all that slow. My biggest worries are Desolation Angel and Magus of the Moon . I will wait until someone submits a deck with those to start worrying what to do about it though.
I don't think my other deck (Abyss) has too much to worry about Magus though. With 1/3 of the deck being Basic Swamps, and the ability to cast 8 creatures before magus comes out(24 if I go before the Magus player)...I don't think the deck is too hosed by it. I am also working on a mono white and mono blue deck that shouldn't be effected by Magus of the Moon. Some of the real hosers have already been listed (Nullstone Gargoyle , Peacekeeper , etc.) (you will see the other hosers when I finish the other decks).
I am working on deck #3 right now. Most likely it will be banned because of what the deck does...we will see.
Budget EDH:EDH on $20 a Deck. Join the Group Link has been defeated(X times) by Eyegorc in Dungeons 2(2x), 3(3x), and 6(3x).
I don't think there's a single land I could take out for Urborg that would make my deck more consistent. All my current lands tap for every color, which is super important to my deck. I use 4 colors and a lot of double symbols, so having access to black mana is pretty much worthless. I don't even need my Hexmage until turn 5-6 or so, right after I titan into my DDs. I can't risk having her die early, it sets me back too hard. I also don't want to play my DDs until it's too late for people to stop them. It's pretty much my ace in the hole and I have nothing else if it backfires, so I don't want to give away my strategy until I it's too late to stop.
As far as adding Grim Lavamancer et al. goes, I don't see it happening. I'm a whore for consistency, I can't see myself taking away from the deck to add some theoretical silver bullets that could theoretically save me from a single card out of thousands. Even though Magus of the Moon is the only autoloss, a card like Plague Spitter or Bloodfire Kavu could set me back pretty hard. Obviously not as badly, but no guaranteed turn 6 kills like the deck has now. If we're talking about games that go into 10+ turns without any one person establishing something game ending, it's crapshoot anyways, since there's really no way to control the game past that point. My deck is streamlined to the point where you're getting a titan on turn 5 and you're attacking with Marit Lage on turn 6. If that's not enough, then that's not enough, but at least I'm giving my all to my strategy.
My guide to Black multiplayer cards and strategies: http://community.wizards.com/go/thread/view/75842/18893722?sdb=1&post_num=1#322195706
My guide to Red multiplayer cards and strategies: http://community.wizards.com/go/thread/view/75842/28999213/?sdb=1&post_num=1#517562879
My guide to White multiplayer cards and strategies http://community.wizards.com/go/thread/view/75842/29011349/?sdb=1&pg=last#517773211
My guide to Green multiplayer cards and strategies http://community.wizards.com/go/thread/view/75842/29034323/Tichs_Guide_to_Green_Multiplayer_Cards_and_Strategies
Bounce Control