Non-basic quantity
Commander (EDH) forum
Posted on Oct. 22, 2021, 1:23 p.m. by tonylomas
Hi all, well i have this Kenrith lands matter edh, used to be Golos T_T , full of utility lands. So far i keep my 10 basics (2 of each) and maybe planning on replacing a mountain and a swamp for Valakut/Urborg. Im already running Dryad to make all my lands every type + amonkhet doubles + triomes. SO the question is...is it to risky to go with this amount of non basics? i almost never play 1v1, its always a table of 4/5 players. Is it worth the risk/interaction to add valakut or urborg for dread presence interacion?
Grubbernaut says... #3
In a five color deck, at least it you're playing to win, it's hard to make the argument that playing basics is better. Especially with Kenny, there's so many pips you need to hit reliably.
If there's an abnormal amount of nonbasic hate, then yes. Otherwise, come to the dark side.
October 22, 2021 3:45 p.m.
5c competitive edh? My guy… if your mana base isn’t competing with a used car dealer’s wet dream, you’re doing it wrong.
On the other hand, if it’s casual, lands really don’t matter THAT much. Play what you can afford, and unless your playgroup is Price of Progress/Blood Moon heavy, don’t worry too much about it.
October 22, 2021 9:34 p.m.
griffstick says... #5
My friend decided to go only non basics and I noticed so I put Ruination in my deck to send a message. It worked.
October 22, 2021 10:57 p.m.
Grubbernaut says... #6
I think playing around nonbasic hate is actually easier than playing around having a lot of basics in a 4/5 color deck, in general. Most of the cards to deal with the issue are generically useful, as well:
Swan Song, Dovin's Veto, Force of Will, Force of Negation, Pact of Negation, Delay, Mana Drain, Fierce Guardianship, etc. And for the more common hate in the form of enchantments, Snap, Chain of Vapor, whatever other bounce spells.
IMO, as compared to other formats, there's far fewer true "hosers" in EDH if you've built a deck well, and Kenrith gives you access to whatever wincons you want - plus all the good dorks and rocks. Cursed Totem is always rough, though.
TypicalTimmy says... #2
It's less about how risky it is in general and more about your personal meta. Some players play slow games, where a 4-player pod can last 3+ hours for a single game. Other groups will sit down and be done with their first game by turn 4, after just 30 minutes or less.
If your group plays long, slow games then it really doesn't matter at all. If your group plays fast games, it's less about basics and more about lands that don't enter the battlefield tapped. Or, having ways to untap them.
Generally speaking, lands that enter tapped are worse because you have tied up resources for a whole turn. Kenrith wants to use mana, so having it available the turn it enters is preferable. This would make Triomes actually a serious setback in that regard.
However, you can work around this with fetch lands. Pay the life to crack it on an end step so it untaps your turn. Although this does mean you do go your previous then without it.
I would recommend looking up ways to untap your lands, or make your lands produce more mana. For example,
With tutors, those should be plenty. Four different permanent types also means it is significantly harder for your opponents to fully stop you as they would need, collectively, multiple removal spells that hit each type of permanent.
October 22, 2021 1:35 p.m.