I like it, a lot, but I see a few holes in your plan here. I would swap out 2 Turn for 2 Searing Spear . You need removal that can happen within the first 2-4 turns. Also, I would take out both Warleader's Helix for 2 Sphinx's Revelation . You have no draw in there, aside from Tamiyo's -2, so the Revelations wil lreally help. Also, 4 AEtherling seems a bit much, only bc its a 6 drop. I would suggest Boros Reckoner as a 2 of here. I love AEtherling and plan an using a similar build tot his one. +1 from me, I reallyt hink you need to rethink the first few turns better. Good Luck!

Some other considerations.....Jace, Architect of Thought for the draw, Ral Zarek , or maybe Cavern of Souls to ensure your creatures drop.

oh wait, you have cavern in there!

Agree with taking out Helix for Sphinx Rev.

I think you need 2-4 Azorius Charm bc its really versatile, and you destroy aggro with that

I would also actually try to main board those Deputy of Acquittals . I they will work awesome with Snapcaster Mage , but the playtesting may prove a playset is adequate for you.

Thanks capriom85 for the helpful suggestions! I completely forgot about Ral Zarek , and didn't consider Sphinx's Revelation because I only have one (I really should get another... My other option would be Staff of Nin ). I don't have Jace, Architect of Thought . I do have 2x Jace, Memory Adept , but doubt he has a place here. The Burn aspect of Turn / Burn does give me removal early game, and the combo as a late game kill too, which I prefer over Searing Spear ... at least in theory. Warleader's Helix was a quick late addition, but I do like it's ability to stabilize going into midgame and it is a turn 4 kill spell with possible reuse by Snapcaster Mage late. But you are right, there are probably better options.

I don't think I want to swap out any AEtherling , or at most go to 3x. Boros Reckoner is a good idea though and might have a place over Clone , which can either be awesome or a bust.

I'll play around with it. Thanks for the +1!

Wow, lots of additional comments! Great food for thought.

I wouldn't run the Clone at 4, I agree there. At worst, you get another AEtherling out of him, so I wouldn still use them. Also, I am a big fan of cloning things like Olivia Voldaren and Obzedat, Ghost Council to get rid of them. You're also right about the Burn side being a kill spell. I forgot it hits creatures, too.

Thanks for the suggestions. Sideboard has been updated and tinkered a little with the main (added Dissipate ) to be able to handle reanimator, which would have given this deck a hard time before. If anyone feels like it, please playtest this deck and let me know how it goes! Thanks again.

I think you should go with 3 Detention Sphere s because you never want to be flooded with those and maybe a couple Oblivion Ring to get rid of Detention Sphere s

Oblivion Ring sideboard that is

Delver is a great 1 drop and also Augur of Bolas

He only has 13 instants and sorceries so Delver of Secrets  ^Flip isn't that useful

In control, I've found Syncopate to be all sorts of awesome. Early game, you can counter stuff for 2 mana. You punish people for tapping out. I also think that Azorius Charm is good for your health. It acts as solid removal and locks out your opponent's draw for a turn.

Nyne Thank you for the suggestions I could see Syncopate possibly replacing Dissipate in the sideboard for aggro/reanimator (since it also exiles), but my late game largely depends on AEtherling for the win -and he's rather mana intensive, which makes me think that having a 3 CMC hard counter might be better for this deck's mainboard. You and fedesinnumero both recommended Azorius Charm and I agree it's a good card. The question is where to cut to add it in? And does it make the mainboard or stay in the sideboard for aggro matchups? I'm guessing the latter, perhaps swapping out Wear / Tear , since Wear / Tear is probably a bit more situational (dealing with a pesky artifact/enchantment) than stopping an aggro deck (as aggro decks are pretty popular these days)? What do you think? Please let me know, if I can get away I'm going t o try this deck out tonight. Thanks again. -Apop.

If you're going to cut anything, maybe one Snapcaster Mage and the three Detention Sphere s for four Azorius Charm . I've never found myself drawing Snappycaster Mage too little with three, but I found that four can be a bit much. I also prefer Azorius Charm to Detention Sphere as removal.

Great deck! I'm also working on a control style deck with AEtherling I'd love your thoughts on Aetherilng Control (Help please!)

Hi there.

Before going over the changes I suggest, I want to say a few things about playing control. First of all. control takes a ton of practice, experience and patience to play well. Taking notes on games you play, playtesting rigorously, and asking more experienced players at your LGS and on Tappedout will help you get better and start winning tournaments. Secondly, control lists are usually specialized to the player to a certain degree. Land count, how many wipes you run, etc. Also, taking your meta into account is insanely important in Control. Reading The Current Standard #4 will help you out with that.

That being said, onto the changes.

Me and my friend put this list together; Aetherling is Alright v2

The first significant changes were to the Creature Base:

-2 Deputy of Acquittals : This guy is cool, but he's no Restoration Angel . Him Being a 2 drop isn't really that relevant, and having to recast whatever creature you bounced is pretty lame when you can just flicker them.

-3 Boros Reckoner : Hes nice, but he still dies to our Supreme Verdict s. If you really like him as a 2 for 1 against aggro, keep him in. he just doesn't fit my style.

-2 Snapcaster Mage : Snaps is an amazing card, no question about it. And i'm jealous you have 4. But he still requires you to have a a spell in the gy when you cast him, so I wouldn't play 4 of them. Snapcaster Mage isn't something you really need to cast until later in the game, so you don't need so many.Casting an Azorius Charm on turn 2 is better than casting a Snapcaster Mage on turn 2 99% of the time.

Augur of Bolas is just a cantrip on a stick, and Restoration Angel is just an all around good card.

Next comes the big part, the noncreature spells. rather than explain the cuts, I'm gonna explain the additions.

3x Sphinx's Revelation : This is why control is a deck. This is why it can win against midrange, or completely lock out aggro. have at least 3, always.

2x Dissipate + 2x Syncopate + 1x Rewind : This is my go-to counter magic set up in U/W/x standard decks. Syncopate is essentially a hard counter in the current meta, because everyone is tapping out for their Thragtusk s and Restoration Angel s and Sire Of Insanity s. But most of it's strength is shown in the early game, counterin Voice of Resurgence , Burning-Tree Emissary , etc. Dissipate covers up the late game, and Rewind can get you out a tight spots a lot of the time.

Or as my friend put it: "Having too much 3-mana countermagic runs the risk of clogging up your hand with counterspells that you can't always cast - you don't really need that many. Dissipate is the best of the bunch right now, and Syncopate can really punish the midrange decks that like to use all of their mana. Rewind functions as a counterspell that lets you counter something else that turn, or flash in a Restoration Angel at the end of their turn - much more flexible, although a bit more costly."

4x Azorius Charm : This is an instant 4 of in most U/W decks. It is pretty much the best tempo card in standard right now. It hits anything that is annoying you, worsens your opponents' topdeck, draws out of tight spots, and lets AEtherling race insanely well. Swinging with an 8/1 unblockable lifelink will out-race all but the strongest opponents if it comes down to it.

3x Think Twice : shrugs cantrips are a control player's best friend

2x Turn / Burn : Kills anything and everything(without hexproof i guess). 2 is enough because you want to be drawing them off of Sphinx's Revelation late in the game when you have 5+ mana, not early on.

3x Supreme Verdict : 4 for 1? yes please.

2x Pillar of Flame : With Voice of Resurgence popping up everywhere, this is the go-to burn spell. Not only that, but a lot of aggro creatures are x/2s so it hurts them. Finally, Turn + Pillar of Flame makes Unburial Rites cry.

Finally, Ral Zarek : he's a great removal engine, and answers any other planes walker really well. he can force AEtherling s in and help you rev for more or cast more spells, an he has to be answered pretty fast. He's the perfect engine for a deck like this in my opinion.

I cannot stress enough the importance of being patient and willing to learn as a control player. Talking and listening to the more experienced players at your LGS, and the Tappedout community will help you out, and make you a better player. Also, if you disagree with some of my changes, then don't use them. As I said before, control lists are pretty specialized, both to the player and the meta. Just make sure to playtest each change.

I hope this helps, and good luck!

Owlus...what do you mean when you say Ral Zarek for e's AEtherling in?

capriom85

I mean; 1. he lets you play AEtherling relatively safely on turn 6 rather than turn 7, and 2. he can tap down their one blocker so you don't have to make him unblockable.

Have you considered Terminus ? Works wonders with AEtherling ; would at least run one, possibly two, just because of how good the miracle is!

@Atsu I have considered Terminus . I may add it at 1-2. Thanks again for the suggestion.

I like it. Eagles and Sh*t...actually no Eagles is my modern version of America. ATM i think its the most unique and SKILL based play style so I always commend people when they play it. So you get a +1 PERSONALLY. I think you only need 3 Supreme Verdict s but then again if your meta is heavy aggro then keep 4. if you don't id say pop your resto angel up one. idk my own opinion

Well, since the day is blown as far as getting work done is concerned, one more run this time with a control deck I put together:

PrinceOfNeurosiss The Voices of Selesnya versus Apoptosiss AEtherling is Alright

P wins the toss and draws: temple garden, forest, farseek, avacyns pilgrim, voice of resurgence, loxodon smiter, angel of serenity pretty damn good draw
A draws: steam vents, sacred foundry, think twice, snapcatser mage, az charm, dissipate, supreme verdict not liking only two lands.

P1: plays forest, casts pilgrim
A1: draws turn/burn, plays stem vents tapped.

P2: draws forest, plays it casts farseek for temple garden, swings with the pilgrim (P20/A19)
A2: draws Augar of Bolas, plays sacred foundry untapped (P20/A17) ends turn.

P3: draws sunpetal grove and plays it, casts voice in response A casts think twice and draws sulfur falls, voice resolves, P casts loxodon smiter
A3: draws clifftop retreat plays sulfur falls, ends turn

P4: draws voice, plays temple garden tapped, casts voice runs into dissipate, P gets an Elemental token from the voice in play. P attacks with all three (P20/A10)
A4: draws Ral Zarek, plays clifftop retreat casts supreme verdict, P gets an elemental token

P5: draws thragtusk and casts it (P25/A10) and attacks with elemental (P25/A8)
A5: draws snapcaster mage, plays augur of bolas to get mizzium mortars, sending resto angel and desolate lighthouse to bottom of library. Casts mizzium mortars to kill thragtusk, P gets a beast.

P6: draws thragtusk and casts it (P30/A10) attacks with beast and elemental, augur blocks one and dies (P30/A7)
A6: draws think twice and does nothing.

P7: draws avacyns pilgrim. Attacks with everything. A flashes snapcaster, and cast azorius chartm in hand targeting elemental, blocks thragtusk and dies, beast hits (P30/A4), P casts pilgrim
A7: draws clifftop retreat and does nothing.

P8: draws plains. Attacks with thragtusk and beast. A flashes snapcaster mage and casts turn from turn / burn, blocks thragtusk, which dies as a 0/1. Beast hits (P30/A1). P casts Angel of Serenity and exiles 2x thragtusk and voice of resurgence.
A8: draws steam vents, casts think twice draws sphinxs revelation and concedes.

Thoughts. Not a good showing on my part. Definitely want a rematch (LOL).

Ok, let me see whether I can make this easier to read.

Game 2 PrinceOfNeurosiss The Voices of Selesnya versus Apoptosis AEtherling is Alright

Apoptosis on the play and draws: Hallowed Fountain , Sacred Foundry , Sulfur Falls , Think Twice , Dissipate , Turn / Burn , and Restoration Angel
PrinceOfNeurosis draws: Forest , Avacyn's Pilgrim , Rancor , Voice of Resurgence , Trostani, Selesnya's Voice , Thragtusk , and Restoration Angel
one land, but three cards in hand that can be cast, not good enough for me mulligan
2nd time PrinceOfNeurosis draws: Forest , Sunpetal Grove , Plains , Selesnya Charm , Thragtusk , Restoration Angel .

Apoptosis1: plays Hallowed Fountain tapped
PrinceOfNeurosis1: draws Voice of Resurgence there you go, plays forest.

Apoptosis2: draws Azorius Charm , plays sulfur falls
PrinceOfNeurosis2: draws 2nd Voice of Resurgence , plays sunpetal grove, casts voice, in response Apoptosis casts think twice, draws Clifftop Retreat , voice resolves

Apoptosis3: draws another Clifftop Retreat and plays it
PrinceOfNeurosis3: draws Rancor , plays plains, casts voice of resurgence but it gets dissipated, PrinceOfNeurosis gets an elemental token from voice already in play, casts rancor on voice, voice attacks (A16/P20)

Apoptosis4: draws Syncopate , plays clifftop retreat
PrinceOfNeurosis4: draws Forest and plays it. Attacks with voice and elemental, Apoptosis responds by Azorius Charm on the Voice, voice goes to top of library, rancor back to hand, PrinceOfNeurosis gets a 2nd Elemental and attacking elemental hits for 2 (A14/P20).

I am loathe to use Turn / Burn in this matchup for anything other then Voice of Resurgence . Thragtusk , and Angel of Serenity , its my best answer outside of straight counterspells

Apoptosis5: draws Hallowed Fountain , plays it tapped
PrinceOfNeurosis5: draws Voice of Resurgence and casts it, but it runs into syncopate for 3. PrinceOfNeurosis attacks with both elementals and hits for 4 (A10/P20)

Apoptosis6: draws Glacial Fortress and plays it
PrinceOfNeurosis6: draws Forest and plays it, attacks with 2 elementals, Apoptosis responds with flashed Restoration Angel to blocks an elemental, PrinceOfNeurosis responds with Selesnya Charm on the blocked elemental, Apoptosis responds with burn (Turn / Burn ) on the 2nd elemental. Burn resolves, 2nd elemental dies. 1st elemental deals 3 damage, angel kills elemental and she lives.

ok I realize that there were several ways this could have gone that would have made a bigger difference in PrinceOfNeurosiss favor. Thinking as PrinceOfNeurosis: my thought was hes countered two things so I want attack prior to casting to force the issue and see whether there is any response, if Apoptosis does nothing, then PrinceOfNeurosis brings Thragtusk into play. From that perspective, thats how things got started and went from there

Apoptosis7: draws Think Twice and cast it, draws sphinxs revelation, flashback think twice to draw 2nd sphinx rev, play sacred foundry tapped. Attack with angel (A10/P17)
PrinceOfNeurosis7: draws Plains , and plays it, casts Thragtusk , cast rancor on thragtusk (A10/P22)

Apoptosis8: draws Mizzium Mortars and casts it to kill thrag, PrinceOfNeurosis gets a beast.
PrinceOfNeurosis8: draws Trostani, Selesnya's Voice and casts it, in response Apoptosis flashbacks think twice, draws glacial fortress, trostani sticks. PrinceOfNeurosis casts rancor on beast PrinceOfNeurosis doesnt want to lose beast to the angel before he can start the populate machine going, so no attack

Apoptosis9: draws Azorius Charm , plays glacial fortress
PrinceOfNeurosis9: draws angel of serenity, populates the beast and gains 3 life (A10/P25), attacks with beast, resto angel blocks and both die (A9/P25), end step Apoptosis casts Sphinx's Revelation for 5, draws: Hallowed Fountain , Snapcaster Mage , AEtherling , Steam Vents , Supreme Verdict (A14/P25)perhaps the turning point for Apoptosis???

Apoptosis10: draws Syncopate , plays supreme verdict. Plays steam vents tapped.

a risk for Apoptosis to play them tapped and not having enough to syncopate a 4 CMC threat if PrinceOfNeurosis drops a land, but Apoptosis is most worried about voice, thrag, and angel of serenity. However, with snapcaster, Apoptosis can recast turn if needed (but alas not the fused version)
PrinceOfNeurosis10: draws Selesnya Charm

Apoptosis11: draws Cavern of Souls and plays it (shapeshifter), casts Aetherling, end step PrinceOfNeurosis flashes restoration angel.

PrinceOfNeurosis knows the race is on and needs to go on the attack now, Apoptosis wants to syncopate the angel but to do so would cause him to tap out, a bad idea when wanting to protect aetherling
PrinceOfNeurosis11: draws Thragtusk and casts it, but runs into syncopate for 2, PrinceOfNeurosis casts rancor onto angel, attacks for 5 (A9/P25)

Apoptosis12: draws Steam Vents , attacks with AEtherling , pumps to 8/1, casts Azorius Charm for lifegain (A17/P17), plays steam vents untapped (A15/P17)
PrinceOfNeurosis12: draws Plains and plays it. PrinceOfNeurosis casts angel of serenity, but Apoptosis responds with Snapcaster Mage targeting Dissipate . Angel of serenity fizzles and is exiled. PrinceOfNeurosis attacks with restoration angel and hits for 5 (A10/P17)

Apoptosis13: draws Restoration Angel , attacks with AEtherling and Snapcaster Mage (A10/P11). Plays hallowed fountain untapped (A8/P11)
PrinceOfNeurosis13: draws Sunpetal Grove and plays it, attacks with Restoration Angel (A3/P13), end step Apoptosis casts Sphinxs rev for 8 (A11/P11). Apoptosis draws: 2x Augur of Bolas , Glacial Fortress , Dissipate , Hallowed Fountain , Supreme Verdict , AEtherling , Sulfur Falls and wins the award for worst draws in history, ok not that bad with the verdict and dissipate

Apoptosis14: draws Think Twice , plays sulfur falls. makes aetherling unblockable and attacks as an 8/1 with snapcaster mage, before blocks PrinceOfNeurosiscasts Selesnya Charm targeting AEtherling , Apoptosis responds by having AEtherling vanish until the end step. Snapcaster hits (A11/P9). Apoptosis casts supreme verdict. Aetherling returns to the ashs, Apoptosis discards hallowed fountain

notice that now Apoptosis is making AEtherling unblockable before declaring attack, before PrinceOfNeurosis was tapped out, now Apoptosis doesnt want AEtherling to walk into a trap

PrinceOfNeurosis14: draws Temple Garden and plays it tapped.

Apoptosis15: draws Turn / Burn , plays glacial fortress. Makes Aetherling unblockable, attacks with aetherling (8/1) (A11/P1)
PrinceOfNeurosis15: draws Sunpetal Grove and concedes.

Thoughts: its tough against control once it gets going. PrinceOfNeurosis having to mulligan hurt a little but you got good draws to make up for it to put on added pressure. Turn/burn is a mother-fucker against angel of serenity, it kills her and leaves all of her cards in permanent exile, thragtusk, and voice of resurgence. I think its a cornerstone of my deck. Id like to run a game 3 tomorrow. If Behgz or you want to run one please do!