Sheogorath is correct but for the wrong reason. If you bounce your aetherling, the spell has no target but it is countered because you aren't the controller of any instance of that aetherling.

If for example, you targeted your own Rakdos Cackler then your opponent responds with Dark Betrayal

• Rakdos Cackler is destroyed by Dark Betrayal

• Rapid Hybridization has no target. You are still the controller of that Rakdos Cackler so you'll still get the token.

So the AEtherling combo would or would not work? I thought as in response to you targeting the aetherling then you can bounce it and it triggers like so...

If it can't resolve you don't get the token, period.

http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=rapid%20hybridization

"If the creature is an illegal target when Rapid Hybridization tries to resolve, it will be countered and none of its effects will happen. No Frog Lizard token will be created."

What about Prophet of Kruphix , seems like it would be decent here.

Rapid Hybridization still sounds like a great way to counter a Doom Blade and other spot removal

"Ima kill you're thing now, tap cast"

"No! i'll kill it! tap Rapid Hybridization "

"Aw F***"

Have you thought about adding in Mistcutter Hydra to at least a sideboard against control? Blue will have problems with it as is. It could be something to surprise attack or defend with? Flash, cant be countered, and protection from blue would be nice. Especially something you could use quickly to defend against Blood Baron since its pro black and also Obzedat. Also seeing Desecration Demon as another common addition. All whom are staples to control decks. I definitely dig your deck and im very interested in trying out something similiar to this at FNM. Very hard for none BUG control decks to deal with. I very rarely ever see BUG being mentioned or played so this deck may in fact be a force to be reckoned with. I definitely look to see what else could be played to help out against most matchups. Good job indeed.

I also highly recommend taking out Doom Blade and replacing with Hero's Downfall. Having the option to destroy planewalkers and any type of creature is definitely worth it in the end. Doom blade should at least be a 2 of in sideboard though.

Hero's Downfall works great here because this deck has no real aggro elements. You need some way to counter planes walkers and instant speed destruction is perfect for it.

Where exactly do you stand as far as having Thoughtseize as a sideboard? I know it's a great card, but what's your take on Duress? I feel Duress is a very overlooked card and you already have plenty of creature removal as is. Duress can still remove Planeswalkers, Artifacts, and Enchantments, as well as spells, but that should be more than enough. Against Blue control the only time Thoughtseize would even be beneficial is start of game or when they tap out (Which a good player very rarely needs to) It may end up just being a wasted card for 2 life in the end.

Prophet of Kruphix isnt in here just because of her CMC, I dont ramp up quickly and yes she would be great to untap at all upkeeps but, I shouldnt need it and shes an easy removal spell away from being useless. Mistcutter Hydra may get sideboarded in against blue. I do really like the idea, but probably only a 2x.

As far as Thoughtseize it is a great card, and yes Duress still gets rid of a lot of things. .its something i will have to think about as the meta progresses. Valid suggestion Tristonlee21

I have the Hero's Downfall sideboarded for walker heavy decks, im weary of mainboarding them.

Rapid Hybridization is a great card its a lot like Pongify was, and I do like turning a Kalonian Hydra into a 3/3. also it makes it really easy to Gaze of Granite the board when instead of a 5 cmc card there is a token. another idea to toy with thanks!

so many instants, can't you find it in your heart to add Deathrite Shaman ?

do you really need 3 Gaze of Granite when you have 12 creature desrutction, 3 bounce, and 3 -1/-1 Golgari Charm ?

I had Deathrite Shaman in it believe it or not in a previous version. . . he get SOOO much hate. I was never able to really utilize him fully. And as far as the 3x Gaze of Granite yeeaahh, I really hate things on my board. Also gaze removes permanents so its an additional protection/ answer to enchantments, aritfacts, and walkers. I have never had a boardwipe in my hand and not been happy, I have however needed one and running lower than three. . . is iffy to me. I like knowing chances are I should see one a game.

I feel there is a better card than Reaper of the Wilds as your other 2 creatures...she is good but really only swings as a 4/5 and has the chance to hexproof...the deathtouch is not the best as she does not have trample (I see the whole scry part, but if you kill 3 creatures in the same turn and like the top card that triple scry is useless....)

There are not mana G/B creatures to replace, but maybe just find a better overall card? I run Obzedat, Ghost Council and Whip of Erebos in my deck and that usually works well

Reaper of the Wilds is a solid play. Outside of Mistcutter Hydra due to the fact it still can block Blood Baron and others. Its an instant block kill and swing with haste next turn. Quick and effective way to surprise your opponent. Hexproof stalls out opponent hands for when looking to drop target spells leavin more counterspells in hand rather than having to play defensive to keep alive. Golgari Charm also is good for protecting against anything able to kill Reaper. Reaper has good utility which this decks thrives from. He is running BUG so Obzedat clearly isnt a viable option. What do you recommend for creature presence in replace of Reaper. Not mentioning Baron, Obzedat, and Desecration Demon?

Reaper of the Wilds is being compared as BG's AEtherling . It hardly dies to anything, has tough protection, a fat ass, and, while it doesnt present a 2-3 turn kill, can fish for options quickly and provides a solid attacking or blocking body. Obviously, blue players can go blink, Supreme Verdict , laugh, but Reaper is still close to par in terms of flexibility and power. Whip of Erebos is not that great without powerful creatures that have EtB abilities. If Acidic Slime or Zealous Conscripts were still legal, Whip would be insane. As of now, it has a cute interaction with Obzedat, Ghost Council and anything else that attacks well. It's good, but doesn't fit well here.

And before anything mentions that Whip of Erebos can reanimate an AEtherling that can then blink itself, your Aetherling shouldn't be dying in the first place. If it did, then your opponent should have an out to Whip as well.

Essence Scatter is more useful this time around with Theros and all these Monstrosity. I suggest at least leaving it in your sideboard. I'm considering changing my Esper deck to BUG. Great job check out some of my decks! Thanks!

Cavern of Souls rotating out was the best thing to ever happen to standard control the last couple rotations. Well, losing Champion of the Parish and Mayor of Avabruck  ^Flip helped too, but Cavern leaving makes Essence Scatter and Dissolve far more playable now.

thought about a single Prime Speaker Zegana ?

I know it is a 6 drop, but in teh LATE game when you need an out, having a reaper gives you a 5 card draw, having an AEtherling that you can pump up a bit before summoning can get you a 6-9 card draw, and you get a fairly large body as well to use. Just a suggestion but I would only play the one even if you do decide it is good

After playtesting this deck against a midrange B/R/W this deck has some notable areas for facing an opponent like this. Sin Collector, High Priest of Penance, Lifebane, Desecration Demon, Blood Baron, Obzedat, and Aurelia for creatures and spells like Dreadbore, Heros Downfall, Thoughtseize, and Rakdos Return. I noticed tapping out mana was needed almost every turn just to stay in the race. The competitive aspect of this deck has will need its most control against that matchup. We definitely need to see where and what we can do to have an upper hand against this matchup.

stop BUGging us with corny names. c: +1 from me

I love the name, but why didn't you choose to be more grammatically correct? (I swear I'm not trying to hate I'm only curious)

P.S. I myself am often not grammatically correct.

+1 for funniness

sweet cat picture, i enjoy this one. +1

Esperret. I went with bad English as a feeble attempt to draw in the ocd web users. :)

Thanks all!

Hey I love it but show Jace some love and bump him up to 4.

where is.... Rapid Hybridization ???