bankrupt_on_selling but more targets is still better in case a player has already drawn some of them or if they draw multiple fetch lands.

@bankrupt_on_selling Your mileage will vary based on how many fetches you run, but I've found that with the full suite of 9 you really ought to err on the side of more fetchable duals. And once you get familiar with what's in your deck, you can execute lines of play that will optimize how often you can have Canopy Vista et al enter untapped. If I've got Vista in hand and I HAVE to hit my drops on curve, it may be the correct play to Farseek for a basic. Or maybe I drop Vista on a turn where it doesn't matter if it's tapped. Point is, I've found the pros outweigh the cons in this particular build.

KindredDiscovery Very nice deck!

However, I noticed you have have like 4 ramp spells, only 2 mana artifact, and no mana dorks like ramp creatures. Is the deck fast enough to get to late game for the big creatures with this little ramp? Do you think cutting some lands for more mana ramp would be better?

Thanks!

@DivineKhaos if you count things like Ancient Tomb , Cavalier of Thorns , and Oracle of Mul Daya then I have 16 ramp cards, which is on the high end. I usually don't have a problem reaching the mana I need to play out my hand. We are fighting against an unavoidably expensive curve in this deck, and though I've taken great pains to keep it low (seriously, look at some of the other Mayael decks on tappedout - avg CMC of 6+) it is vital to keep a high land count. 38 would be the bare minimum. My playtesting shows 40 is a lot more reliable for hitting your drops on curve. I wouldn't go over 41 though.

KindredDiscovery Thanks for the quick response!

I just thought trading some lands for artifact ramp might be quicker ramp than 1 mana per turn, but I am not sure. Like Mox diamond, fellwar stone, signets, etc.

For example going to 35 lands and adding some of those artifacts to get 2 mana per turn out? Especially to ramp first turns since oracle and cavalier are 4+ mana already.

Just a thought I had. What are your thoughts?

@DivineKhaos Artifacts can be quicker, but they're more vulnerable to disruption. The biggest weakness of Mayael decks is getting stuck with a hand full of expensive stuff you can't play, so anything that takes your ramp offline can shut you out of the game. It's a question of speed vs consistency, and being a primer I've opted for the consistency route.

KindredDiscovery Ok makes perfect sense. Thanks for your help! :)

I have always liked big spell decks which is why i have a Jodah and Xenagos deck already, but I am considering working on a Mayael deck aswell since she looks fun.

Would like to hear your thoughts on why you decided to use Oblivion Stone. I also noticed that you’ve been removing core ramp spells. I feel that with the addition of Sakura-Tribe Elder is great still a little soft on the ramp. Especially with those great utility lands like Cradle and Hollow. Do you find it difficult to find certain utility lands for certain situations?

@Rene_the_great I added Oblivion Stone because of the added synergy it has with a few other cards like Sun Titan . It's subbing in for Cleansing Nova right now, and if I like how it plays it may stay.

I haven't been removing ramp so much as I have been replacing it. Sakura-Tribe Elder took the place of Rampant Growth because I can take advantage of the body late game with new additions like Birthing Pod and Eldritch Evolution . Pir's Whim has come out in favor of Natural Order , which early game can grab ramping creatures like Cavalier of Thorns , Titania, Protector of Argoth , and Oracle of Mul Daya . Overall, it's been a shift toward a ramp package that can have more utility in the late game. I almost never have trouble getting the right amount and color of mana, but right now I have no means to fetch specific utility lands like Yavimaya Hollow . I'm not 100% sure if that's the correct call, but space in this deck is so tight that I'm struggling to find a way to make room for it. Having to run 25-30 big, expensive creatures is a massive deck building constraint. I enjoy the challenge, but it means we have to eschew some of the traditional green/Naya strategies.

I definitely agree with your insight. Being a Mayael player myself for so many years has definitely given me constraints on how the deck should function. My past build was quite strong but didn’t have a late game strategy. Insufficient card draw has been the lasting factor of my build. I definitely like your process of building Mayael and have taken great lengths to give her an overhaul and has definitely been ore of a late game commander now. The mana base is perfect in my eyes and I’m glad you and I have the same concept. With the addition of a birthing Pod and Eldrich Evolution is awesome. I’ve always wanted to playtest with those two but I feel the restraints of the CMC can be a problem. Have you run into problems like that?

@Rene_the_great I haven't really had too much trouble tutoring with Birthing Pod or Eldritch Evolution . Unlike true Pod decks, I'm not trying to climb the CMC chain. I usually activate it when I need to grab some ramp or removal, so it's more of a toolbox than a combo piece. That said, I would like to slot a 9 CMC creature in so I can sac Woodfall Primus but so far I haven't found anything I really like.

Zacama, Primal Calamity and Void Winnower are great 9 CMC creatures.

@NinjaKitty778 I've never played with or against Void Winnower . Any insight?

KindredDiscovery Even though you sometimes can't tell cause you don't know the opponents hands, it actually hurts them a ton. They cannot cast a bunch of counterspells or board wipes. Also they might just die from not being able to block with most creatures. It is pretty impactful behind the scenes.

Void Winnower is quite a special card. Being unable to be blocked by creatures with even converted mana costs is a rather unusual form of evasion that ensures that a lot of your damage goes through to your opponents (let us not forget that tokens have a CMC of zero which is considered even). And it’s ability to restrict opponents from casting even CMC cards provides you with a surprisingly large amount of control. Not to mention that it can lock some commanders out of the game.

All in all it’s a pretty mean card in EDH. While someone might find an answer to it in a multiplayer game it can wreak havoc while it remains in play. I use him in my Mayael deck and he’s pretty great :)

I've been playing this deck and the lack of a 9 CMC minion as far as I can find it really sucks sometimes - the above idea to add a Void Winnower seems like a great add, but how else do you get around the lack of 9 CMC creatures?

Have you considered using survival of the fittest? I feel like it would really well with birthing pod and noxious revival. What would you replace it with if you had the option to use it?

Why no mana doublers like mirari's wake and zendikar resurgent?

@Rene_the_great I have, but the $90 price tag has kept it out of my reach for now. Obviously I run cards in here that are of equal or greater value, but they take time to acquire. Not sure what I would take out, maybe one of the weaker ramp cards.

@Kannaainaan They compete for slots with the 5+ power creatures. I can only justify a couple non-creature cards that are as expensive as Zendikar Resurgent , and they have to be cards that will pretty much win the game on the spot like Tooth and Nail . There's an argument to run Zhur-Taa Ancient or Vorinclex, Voice of Hunger , and I've tried them both out but just personally wasn't a fan of the play patterns they tend to create.

What's your thoughts on the new nylea, sharp-eyed?

@bankrupt_on_selling She's amazing! Her old version was a very valuable curve filler, but I rarely put her ability to use. The cost reduction and activated ability on her new version are both super relevant, and she'll fill the same space on the curve. I couldn't have hoped for anything better.

That’s a tough decision. I feel that farseek would be the choice to replace with Survival of the Fittest, but that would be a tough decision to remove that card. Trimming down especially since the cuts are pretty slim already. Maybe gwnwepus gift, elemental bond or lifecrafter’s. Beastiary?

Is there a reason Illusionist's Bracers are not in the deck? Seems like a powerful auto include

You like the looks of Nyxbloom Ancient??

@savagetrooper I've come to rely far less on Mayael as a centerpiece of the deck, and as such, it's not worth the slot. That's a fairly new change, adapting to changes in the format, and I need to rewrite the primer to reflect that.

@bankrupt_on_selling Cool card, I will certainly play it somewhere, but probably not in this deck. If you're going to generate that much mana you really want to win that turn or the next, and I just don't see how this deck can reliably do that. There will definitely be times when you'll be able to drop a couple of hasty beaters and close out the game, but that's no guarantee. I see this more as a combo piece.