Cloud of Spores v5.1 (Tokens/Control)
Commander / EDH
SCORE: 2 | 4 COMMENTS | 597 VIEWS | IN 1 FOLDER
I couldn't agree more about playing Ghave as a token heavy swarm/control deck, rather than a combo deck.
Now as for some of your card suggestions (I think I've run/considered all of these but Primordial Hydra) -
Juniper Order Ranger - I had him initially, but he got replaced by Cathars' Crusade since the effect is better. However, you could make the argument that Juniper comes along with a creature's body, which is nice, or that I could use a second iteration of the effect, which may be the correct move. I'll mull it over.
Champion of Lambholt - He's usually in the deck. I removed him temporarily to test Brimaz, King of Oreskos
Akroma's Memorial - Got replaced with Eldrazi Monument for the sacrifice/boardwipe synergy that the latter has with this deck. Plus it's easier on the mana.
Elspeth Tirel - I love all of the Elspeth PW Cards. I used to constantly rotate all three of them through the deck in that slot, but at the end of the day I really do like Elspeth, Sun's Champion the best. The boardwipe into token production can really take over games.
Garruk Wildspeaker - Always under performed for me. Bad luck I guess. It's a solid card. I think Freyalise, Llanowar's Fury is in this slot now.
Hardened Scales - I kind of feel like I don't have enough +1/+1 counter tech to make this worth it. With this kind of flat synergy card (i.e. useless on it's own), I want to have 20 good synergies before I'll consider it. I do like that it's so cheap though...
Dictate of Erebos - I've already got three of this effect in the deck, and I don't feel like the flash is enough for me to run it over the three I already have.
Primordial Hydra - It's a good card for Ghave, but I'm going for swarm over singleton big creatures.
And the card critiques:
Luminarch Ascension - This may be the only card I just flat out disagree with you on. It's the single best token producer in the deck. One round around the table (in a normal 4-player free for all game, which is what I usually play) turns this sucker on, then you're making 4/4 flying angels for two mana. If you play multiplayer and you don't play this in any token deck that can play it, you should be.
Monastery Mentor - Currently testing. The high noncreature count in the deck makes me feel like he'll be good, but I can't say that for sure until I see him in a few games.
Brimaz, King of Oreskos - As above. He's been in for a while, but never seems to show up in any games I play...
Sprout Swarm - That look when you airdrop in a saporling to block their giant 20/20 god creature? Priceless (although it rarely happens). Besides it's cheap and the more creatures it makes, the better it gets. Do you have something better in mind for the slot?
Abzan Charm - Currently testing over Path to Exile. Abzan Charm feels stronger.
Darksteel Plate - I can see the argument for taking this one out. Usually I stick it on whatever creature is currently essential to maintaining my board state, but I may replace it for some kind of more global protection...
Decree of Pain - Resets the board when you're behind? Refills your hand? It might be useless when I'm already ahead, but that's not really a bad thing given how easy it is to drop back behind.
Farseek - Do you have a better turn two mana acceleration card in mind?
March 25, 2015 5:39 p.m.
With your response in mind, I now understand what your deck is trying to accomplish! That makes things easier.
First of all, I couldn't recommend Juniper Order Ranger enough! Having more cathar's crusade effects is certainly a great effect for any Ghave deck!
Akroma's Memorial: Honestly, I find it equal if not better than Eldrazi Monument. I run both, and they are usually my win cons, which you can never have enough of.
To be honest, Primordial Hydra is less for a giant, unstoppable hydra and more for a counter engine for Ghave to abuse, but I can certainly see why you wouldn't want to run it.
Garruk Wildspeaker is actually my favorite card in the deck. All three of his abilities are awesome, which can't be said for all planeswalkers, and is one of the only cards I've never changed in my deck. Preference I guess!
Elspeth Tirel is, to be frank, hit or miss. She has won games for me, and done nothing other ones. Essentially, she is a defensive planeswalker, and only really comes to viability when you're on the back foot. IF you are often, definitely run her. If you aren't, I would keep her in a sideboard.
Hardened Scales is certainly not the best card, but not the worst either. If you abuse tokens more than counters, it is a skip. If you are more counter oriented, as I am, I like to run it for shenanigans. Certainly a personal choice.
Sprout Storm, Brimaz, Monastery Mentor and Darksteel Plate are the only ones I find to be not worth a slot, but the other cards I recommended for removal certainly have their merits!
As for Farseek, aren't Viridian Emissary, Birds of Paradise and Wall of Roots better options? I've never liked the card, it's a little too on the dull side for me.
Oh, and also I would drop Pernicious Deed! Seeing as it will always destroy your creatures, it is a little lackluster. I might replace it with Creekwood Liege. That card is simply insane!
April 13, 2015 1:02 p.m.
@Runicc Some of your suggestions impacted my latest round of updates! Thanks for the feedback.
Runicc says... #1
Juniper Order Ranger, Champion of Lambholt, Akroma's Memorial, Elspeth Tirel, Garruk Wildspeaker, Hardened Scales, Dictate of Erebos and Primordial Hydra are great pickups, I certainly use them in my Ghave deck!However, on the other hand, I see a few out of place cards, Luminarch Ascension, Monastery Mentor, Brimaz, King of Oreskos, Sprout Swarm, Abzan Charm, Darksteel Plate, Decree of Pain and Farseek being personally weak for me. I prefer Ghave to be a more token heavy swarm/contro deck, not an aggressive combo deck, but that is just me!
March 23, 2015 3:30 p.m.