Who wants Cryptic Command to be great in Modern? I do! Who's first deck Modern was Crypt-Shift? Me! I started playing this deck right before Dig Through Time was printed, and I lived through the glory days of Crypt-shift being Tier I, even if it was only for a couple of months. It was fantastic.
Crypt-Shift is a blue control deck that uses green ramp to power out its red win condition. Its all about stalling tell you can shoot your opponent in the face with a freaking volcano. Crypt-Shift is only as good as Remand is, and therefor the actual power of the deck shifts with the meta. ( ;) see what I did there? ) Right now, in 2019, the deck is, just like every other deck, pretty o.k.
In this build, I am trying out some new cards. I think Missions Briefing is better over Snapcaster Mage because the 2/1 body isn't nearly as important as the extra looks with Servile 2. Since the deck plays plenty of ways to search out basic lands, the weight of double blue isnt that heavy. Missions Briefing also helps power out Azcanta, the Sunken Ruins, which then turns early advantage into incidental ramp.
Probably the most under-performing aspect of Crypt-shift is how much time it takes to set up your board. Taking the first two turns of the game to cast ramp spells can mean disaster. Growth spiral could be the answers to our prayers. Being able to leave up interaction, then if not needing, being to not have to waste the mana is fantastic. Plus it has those 3 words every magic player loves, "Draw a card"
WhY nOT pLaY TiTAnsHiFt? iTs ClEArlY tHe bETteR dEcK! WRONG! TitanShift is missing the best thing in Magic, my affection. I don't care about how well a deck does at events, or the most optimal choices. This is my pet deck and nothing feels better then your opponent asking if that is how it really works after countering all of their spells then shifting them on turn 7 for 18. Nothing.
Every deck in modern is viable, so play what you love. So Dome you for 18?
