Esper Delve help
Modern Deck Help forum
Posted on March 11, 2019, 6:48 a.m. by itwasninjastoo
Hi guys, new here and just starting MTG again. I've had an affinity for Mill decks in the past, but LOVE Tasigur Golden Fang. Can anyone link a reasonably budget friendly Esper Delve deck that I can upgrade with singles and such over time?
IAmTheWraith says... #3
If you want to play esper on a fairly reasonable budget there's this list. Scroll down a bit to find the list with Monastery Mentor in it.
Also, this list is rather outdated with the inclusion of Gitaxian Probe , but I think you can swap it for something like Opt and have very little trouble.
Hope this helps!
March 11, 2019 10:02 a.m. Edited.
itwasninjastoo says... #4
Thanks guys! The Special Lands look to be the most expendive items?
March 11, 2019 9:39 p.m.
SeekerofSecrets says... #5
by far, you'd have better luck at playing blue black with a budget mana base and then upgrading depending on you're budget!
this is something that I used to mess around with (Where Nightmares Come From) it's pretty fun and full of flavor but far from optimal. Would't be hard to make the correct cuts to optimize it though!
March 11, 2019 10:04 p.m.
itwasninjastoo says... #6
Could I upgrade this into a proper Esper Dive with additions of Fetch Lands and Snapcaster Mage when I have the money easily enough?
March 12, 2019 3:28 a.m.
SeekerofSecrets says... #8
Ok itwasninjastoo ok here's a better version. Modern UB delve
First thing I would do is invest in fetches and shocks for the UB version, this will make it much faster, allowing a turn 2 tas. Then I would get Thoughtseize .
After that I would splash white for Path to Exile , Lingering Souls and all of the sweet side board tech
This is by no means an optimal version of the budget version but it would be my starting point if I was to play the deck! You'll also need a side but that will be based on your metta. Good luck!!
March 12, 2019 8:21 a.m.
Squirrelbacon says... #9
I'm going to try to throw together a budget-y build for delve as well, hopefully I can help out a little bit and from a few lists you can pick and choose what you want! I play a lot with delve threats in modern since I play delver in modern (don't do it, Assassin's Trophy didn't help enough to justify the list!!!) and /X Shadow variants.
Unfortunately in magic, mana base is ALMOST always the most expensive part of the deck. The mana base is the life of the deck, it's what allows you to consistently play the game. With too shoddy a base, the deck can't function well. This means that the most effective lands are often needed (fetches and shocks) but there are some strategies that don't play them as well in modern.
If you play too many tap lands, the deck also can't function even if the colors are properly represented since the deck won't be able to keep up with the faster decks in the format.
March 12, 2019 2:32 p.m.
Squirrelbacon says... #10
Also, if you don't mind me asking, what is your definition of "reasonably budget"? I wanna have a baseline idea of where to keep the deck around as well as trying to line up some easy upgrades for afterwards!
March 12, 2019 2:36 p.m.
Squirrelbacon says... #11
Here's my try on a Dimir Budget Delve list. Just depends what you want to play more of, mine has a little more creature focus with more deck manipulation, SeekerofSecrets list had fewer creatures and more well rounded answers in the main, a little safer but less focused.
Just depends what you want, and you can mash up these lists. I don't have Mission Briefing in, but that works as an alternate for Snapcaster Mage as well.
Budget Dimir Delver
Modern
1 VIEW
March 12, 2019 6:33 p.m.
Here's mine! I've never actually gotten a chance to play it lol, but I loved building the decklist.
Esper Delve
Modern
SCORE: 1 | 2 VIEWS | IN 1 FOLDER
March 13, 2019 12:16 p.m.
itwasninjastoo says... #13
Hi Squirelbacon,
I'd be looking to spend about $100 and no more than $150 to start with, and upgrade with expensive cards like Snapcaster Mage from there.
Any help is hugely appreciated.
Xica says... #2
If you want to abuse the delve mechanic (with creatures), i would recommend running red due to Faithless Looting , Cathartic Reunion and the like helping you power out delve threats early.
Blue has similar effect, sadly the best ones are spell focused, i mean cards like Pieces of the Puzzle .
Hence i would recommend trying to build a RBx deck if you want to stick with the "delve" theme.
If you want to play esper i would look around esper draw go control, esper gifts, and the midrange-y esper obzedat/goryo's vengeance lists. Oh and Myth Realized decks are also in color. (There is also ad nauseam, but i doubt that is what you are looking for)
March 11, 2019 9:51 a.m.