Wait, you can still legally block/sac? I thought they ruled out some of those cheap combat tricks, so Pentavus wouldn't be able to just block then sac all 5? If so, I can see why Thopter Assembly took the reins from it.

I love this deck. I have been trying to make a Grand Architect deck for a while now, but it's never been tournament-worthy. I cannot wait to test this one out.

By the way, could anyone tell me when each of the sideboard cards would be used?

I apologize, I never use my sideboard. I don't play competitive so I'm not the one to ask, but maybe someone will be able to help you. This deck is hot and has so many threats. It works beautifully.

Where's the Control? for a blue deck; this control is not efficient.

It's not meant as a control deck, generally.

What about Unwinding Clock?

@Leafs.I still use draw in the deck, I just also use Masticore when I need a game to go my way. I also vote on putting Think Twice in for better drawing. Instant is always nice, and Divination just can't keep up with it. If not that, then Forbidden Alchemy is also very nice. Also fuels Masticore.

Some DKA cards that might be good (couldn't link them as not in system yet): Niblis of the Breath, Saving Grasp, Elbrus, the Binding Blade (with 4x deck:invisible-stalkers in the deck?)

so i dont know if any1 has told you this yet but this deck isnt legal you have to many comments to read thru to find out if you know or if you care but Ponder is banned in every format except edh and maybe vintage/legacy but defantly in standard mordern and extended so is Preordain just to let you know

Ponder is banned only in Modern and extended, restricted in Vintage, but Legal in every other format where the sets it appears in are legal, including Standard.

Can someone explain how to properly use Contagion Engine in this deck? Do you simply use it mid-to-late game when the opponent has multiple creatures on the field and then wipe them?

You can use it when you need it, sometimes you need to use it as fast as you can, but this deck has a few tricks like using Disperse to take it to your hand and use it again or just copy it with Phyrexian Metamorph...

Very cool, building it for myself. With my own personal twist of course. Bravo.+1

very nice deck +1

I honestly can't tell you how effective Contagion Engine can be. I can drop it as early as turn 3 (under correct circumstances) and it can single handily screw aggro decks. There are other applications for tricks and like clearing the way for a final attack or if they get an over-whelming army to hurt it. It has won me more then it's share of games and if anyone ever uses this deck, remember that it's there and can be awesome in a pinch.

Vapor Snag

I remember seeing this when you first made it, really cool to see it still coming along! How has it been doing with the advent of Dark Ascension? Also, how do you check what the highest rated decks are?

Counterlash

I tried Counterlash and it definitely works on yourself in the sense that you bounce a Mage, let's just say, and since it's a creature, just bring out Wurmcoil at no cost.

@mozerdozer I think thats what it says.

T3: Island, Grand Architect, tap him and blue creatures, Wurmcoil Engine

I hope you don't mind me using this at FNM... :) +1

This was used a long time ago and as such lacks any sort of originality. Overall the deck was ruled out and replaced with UW Delver which is superior in almost every way for a reason. This was the Beta to UW Delver. Overall I give the deck a 5/10 lacks originality and easily loses to Vapor Snag or Gut Shot

@ Cableguy This deck was made, as you can clearly see on the time stamp, back in June of last year just as M12 cards were being added to the site database. There was no such thing as a Standard Illusion deck like this when I made it. That's why it has so many votes because when it was new, people flocked to it because it was original and the fact it can get out of hand very quickly.

Yes, I'm aware that this deck can die easily to Gut Shot or Vapor Snag, but what if I can give my creatures hexproof? When I have a Wurmcoil Engine on the battlefield turn 3, feel free to Vapor Snag it back to my hand, because then i'll just play it again turn 4 and copy it with a Phyrexian Metamorph.

If you're gonna bag on my deck, give some good feedback to make it better! That's what tappedout it for, no?

I am still a huge fan of this deck. I've built other decks for tournaments and stuff but I keep my build of this deck around and it's a lot of fun (and still owns face). Just recently I stuck in a couple for multiplayer shenanigans.

You base your 4 turns example on a card appearing once in the whole deck?