ANY RECOMMENDATIONS WOULD BE APPRECIATED!
My friend "eeagle" and I thought it would be fun to build a deck around
Jalira, Master Polymorphist
. The strategy we decided on was to utilize cheap token-generating cards to bring out a bunch of small creatures, then use those creatures to sacrifice in order to fire off Jalira's ability. Since her ability only brings out non-legendary creatures, we included 5 crazy non-legendary creatures as the only non-legendary creature base in the deck, therefore ensuring that every time we fired off with her ability, we would get something good.
The tokens do more than just act as sacrificial lambs, however. They can overwhelm your opponents through sheer numbers alone if you happen to unfortunately draw too many token generators before drawing a Jalira, and they also act as chump-blockers to keep you from taking too much damage before you can get that Jalira out.
Blazing Archon: Keeps your opponents from attacking you at all, which buys you crazy amounts of time and allows you to swing without worrying about blocking.
Brainstorm
: Main use is to put back your "fatties" from your hand onto the top of your library, then either use a fetch land or a Preordain to shuffle them back in. Also doubles as a card draw mechanic.
Counterspell: These are here to prevent your opponents from either countering your things, or removing your things.
Gather the Townsfolk
: Creates tokens to chump block/sacrifice.
Godsire: Can copy himself after he attacks, which is great for making blockers and expanding your army.
Jalira, Master Polymorphist
: Main win-con of this deck. Use your counterspells to keep her alive so that you can bring out uncounterable fatties every turn.
Midnight Haunting
: Another token generator. Instant speed.
Preordain: Allows you to dig and also put those "fatties" onto the bottom of your library so that you don't draw them.
Raise the Alarm
: Token generator. Instant speed.
Snapcaster Mage: Flashback all your spells, or something like that.
Spectral Procession: Token generator.
Spell Snare: Simply in here to cheaply counter removal spells and other counterspells. Can also counter minor creatures like Tarmogoyf or Dark Confidant. No big deal.
Sphinx of the Steel Wind
: Helps you gain back life quickly through both offense and defense (which can help you recover if it took awhile to get Jalira out), is immune to burn, and can't be blocked by green fatties. Oh, and it also has flying, first strike, and vigilance.
Sphinx Sovereign: Wanna play defense? Ok, then you gain 3 life. Wanna play offense? Ok, then your opponent loses 3 life. Do your opponents have spells that tap your creatures to prevent you from attacking? No problem, they still lose 3 life.
SIDEBOARD:---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Angel of Serenity: Great against aggro and/or beatdown decks.
Archon of the Triumvirate
: Can severely disable decks that utilize creatures with activated abilities.
Gods Willing: Protection against removal decks for your Jalira and your "fatties".
Negate: Protection from counterspells and removal spells, as well as a good counter for decks that run a lot of enchantments or artifacts.
Path to Exile: Good removal for big creatures.
Sphinx Ambassador: Great for a mirror matchup against other decks with "fatties".
Swords to Plowshares: More cheap creature removal.
Turn Aside: More creature protection.
