Why bother making control without Dig Through Time? In Dega, we have a few tools to eke out card advantage with cheap, powerful cards. We have to strike a perfect balance between board control and board presence. What good is a clean slate if you aren't the one to decorate it first? For this reason, our threats are cheap, but translate well to the end of the game.
Let's start with the controlling elements:
Perilous Vault is our choice of board cleaner. Activating on your opponent's turn is decidedly cool, and the versatility this allows you to play with your own creatures wins out over something like Languish.
Crackling Doom is an edict that always gets the biggest baddie. A little Shock on top ain't hurt nobody either.
Hero's Downfall is the premier removal spell. I've loathe to give it up in a few months.
Kolaghan's Command, A.K.A. "My Baby." I love casting this spell. It just feels so versatile. 3 may be too many, but it's been working out well.
Lightning Strike is red's thing. It's what they've got to work with, so that's what they do. I would prefer Dreadbore, but the earth ain't square no more.
Wild Slash
fits here too, as a shock to a dork on the play is my kind of day. Anger of the Gods can get in this paragraph too.
While we're on the subject of burn,
Magma Jet
is bonkers with
Abbot of Keral Keep
. Many times I've cast jet turn two, turn three Abbot for an easy land drop. Jet sets up your exile/draw quite nicely. Three may be too many, but many problem creatures now only have two toughness.
Mardu Charm
is also quite versatile. I get most use out of the third, or Duress mode. At instant speed, nonetheless!
But why are we playing so many bad Blightning impersonators? Answers are thus:
Soulfire Grand Master
makes seven mana your time to shine. Getting discard back in your hand is terrifying for the opponent. Lifelink on your burn just makes your early-game stumbles into pea-sized lumps under the bed..
Chandra, Pyromaster
is my card draw outlet of choice.
outpost seige
may replace her based on how happy people are about sending downfalls at other things.
Please comment with suggestions and more suggestions.