The basic idea of this deck is to keep your opponents in a soft
Stasis
and beat them about the neck and shoulders. Pretty simple, right? Obviously, the biggest threat to this deck is
Paradox Engine
, but thankfully it isn't played much right now. Let's discuss some specific card choices.
Niblis of Frost
- Good utility creature. For every instant and sorcery you cast, you get to tap an opposing creature and lock it in during their next untap step. It's out of Shock range, evasive and features Prowess, to boot. Most of our spells tap a creature, so Niblis' triggered ability will allow us to tap down defenders even if they go wide. Solid creature.
Dovin Baan - Our goal here is to last long enough to get his emblem. Even if that doesn't happen, both of his other abilities are pretty solid. What we can't tap down, we can weaken until its obsolete.
Thalia, Heretic Cathar, Authority of the Consuls - This is the only part of the deck that I'm torn on. I love both of these cards for this deck. Having creatures ETB tapped is powerful enough here to run at least a playset. But which one is better? For now, I'm running 3 Authorities because they're 1-drops and establish the pace early on. Is it more valuable to have the ability attached to a creature? I'm not sure.
Grip of the Roil
- It taps. It locks down. It replaces itself. The mana cost reduction here is important as well.
This deck could have virtually been complete with Kaladesh, but I beleive it got a couple of bonuses in AER that really bring together the sideboard better.
Ice Over
- Locks down creatures and artifacts (but doesn't tap them).
Disallow - Better control. Self-explanatory.
Baral's Expertise - Bounce some things and cast a free spell. This can be super disruptive on its own, but with
Niblis of Frost
tapping down creatures in addition, it's outright brutal.
