Considering Grixis
Commander Deck Help forum
Posted on Sept. 23, 2016, 2:45 a.m. by nobody1234567890
I have been running an aggressive Olivia Voldaren deck for a few weeks now and have come to a dilemma with the play style. I have slowly geared towards a less aggressive, more controlling play style. I have gained a lot of desire for artifact control and having a more consistent turn out on the board. I considered going Grixis so I can splash in some izzet colors, especially from Kaladesh. I want to utilize cards like Dack Fayden, Fevered Visions, Startled Awake Flip, and Mind's Dilation while still using a lot of what is good in my Olivia Voldaren deck. I need some help as I'm still new at deck tech.
nobody1234567890 says... #3
I also had a vampire tribal theme going so there were vampires I was looking at as well.
September 23, 2016 3:30 a.m.
DeathChant17 says... #4
I have a tribal vampire deck in Grixis colors. I use Jeleva, Nephalia's Scourge as commander. It's no where near completion thoigh. My idea is to run tribal vamps because they are awesome and then I cast out Jeleva to cast free extra turn spells and stuff like Cruel Ultimatum when she attacks. My problem right now is finding the balance between my hand manipulation and creatures. I'm thinking of switching to Blood Tyrant for the commander and just doing the tribal thing though.
It's a ton of fun to play and gives access to the colors you want.
September 23, 2016 6:52 a.m.
Blood Tyrant isn't a legendary creature unfortunately. There is a Grixis commander who is a vampire that doesn't revolve around noncreatures. That is Garza Zol, Plague Queen. But I honestly think that Marchesa, the Black Rose is a better route for vamp tribal in Grixis. But if you like the draw and discard pain then Nekusar is hands down better.
September 23, 2016 8:44 a.m.
ducttapedeckbox says... #6
It's important to note that running Nekusar doesn't allow for much freedom in deck construction. I'd say that over half of most Nekusar decks are identical due to his specific play style. The majority of the deck is tasked with "wheeling" (Wheel of Fortune-like effects), using the constant hand cycling to inflict pain or gain advantage, and controlling the board state to achieve these other two goals.
You do have some freedom in deciding whether you want go infinite with something like Curiosity + Niv-Mizzet, the Firemind or combo off (not infinite) with Mind Over Matter. Nekusar also works well with Infect, but that is another choice that you'll have to make depending on your group.
I'd be happy to lend a hand if you want to start looking at Nekusar as a commander. I've been playing him for a while so I do have some experience with this type of deck.
September 23, 2016 9:08 a.m.
DeathChant17 says... #7
Hmm, thought he was legendary. My mistake. I can easily go to Garza Zol as I have her in the deck too.
Marchesa is an interesting thought, bigger vampires are sexier vampires. The problem I found with dethrone when i tried playing Maechesa was that I was soon the player with the highest life total unless someone played lifegain or I targeted 1 person at a time and people get butthurt over that.
September 23, 2016 9:49 a.m.
Grixis is very fun. I love playing Nicol Bolas, Planeswalker. It's one of those cards where the crowd gasps in horror
I also had an Olivia Voldaren deck for a long time. She's incredible with cards like Basilisk Collar, Quietus Spike, Blade of the Bloodchief, Gratuitous Violence, etc
My theory was that all you needed was her, a ton of ramp, and some equipments to keep her safe. Once you have seven mana available; you just steal the best creature before your turn
What I found is that the deck can run out of gas. Draw like Phyrexian Arena, Bloodgift Demon, Erebos, God of the Dead, etc are very necessary. Heck, I even stole Sword of Fire and Ice from another one of my decks just to help her out
With grixis, you have access to Rhystic Study, Consecrated Sphinx, Sire of Stagnation, and so much more! Also Counterspells lol
This summer I went a step further and built in prep for November's commander release (DECK LINK)
Just a few days ago I took Olivia Voldaren out of the deck to possibly put her back together lol. I'm thinking hand-disruption land-destruction?
September 23, 2016 10:06 a.m.
nobody1234567890 says... #9
Garza Zol, Plague Queen for now might be the best bet to keep the theme of what I have going strong. I have considered the possibility of as a vampire deck, but that will have to wait for the November 4-color commander release.
I have also considered Nicol Bolas simply because he is terrifying to see coming. I'd be okay with Crosis, the Purger as well. I prefer female legendary creatures as commanders, but I would substitute for a bad ass dragon.
SaifurCommander says... #2
Look at Nekusar, the Mindrazer You can get plenty of card advantage without the pain your commander deals to your opponents. You can build the deck around him using the cards you mention, while using cards like Underworld Dreams, Pain Seer, Mind Over Matter + Otherworld Atlas and others to deal upwords of 30 or more points of damage during each draw step.
September 23, 2016 3:16 a.m.