gifts ungiven
Modern forum
Posted on Nov. 18, 2015, 10:01 a.m. by justme
hi everyone. right now im playing a uwr gifts deck and just casting gifts for value is amazing. my question is is iona and elesh norn the main gifts targets to end the game? i have tried kiki jiki to go infinite with resto angel and it was clunky. im not to huge on iona and elesh norn because they cost so much, i wanted to find something with a lower mana cost so i can cast in on turn 5 or 6. any ideas?
Yup. Wurmcoil+Sun Titan have traditionally been your alternative targets. There's also Tasigur, the Golden Fang
November 18, 2015 11:33 a.m.
TheAnnihilator says... #5
Godo, Bandit Warlord alongside Batterskull has actually been popular too. Since B-Skull has vigilance, you can attack with it during Godo's additional combat phases too.
November 18, 2015 11:36 a.m.
Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite and Iona, Shield of Emeria are very traditional gifts targets, but you're missing one of the reasons why they are: Black for Unburial Rites. That's how Gifts players get around the cmc, they just forcibly Reanimate them by searching for only two and flashback the rites.
Otherwise you could play the Academy Ruins package with Batterskull and Engineered Explosives I guess
November 18, 2015 12:28 p.m. Edited.
Correct, you don't. However, not having access to a black source means if it's in your hand you aren't doing anything with it....
November 18, 2015 2:01 p.m.
TheAnnihilator says... #9
iLikeDirt I hear that Thirst for Knowledge and Izzet Charm are sweet cards. =D
November 18, 2015 2:31 p.m.
They are, but even in U/W Gifts tron a good chunk will run a one off Watery Grave still just in case even with 3-4 copies of Thirst for Knowledge, I know I did lol.
November 18, 2015 3:30 p.m.
TheAnnihilator says... #11
I agree, a one of fetchable black source is definitely worth it.
To be fair, though, I'm not sure that counts as splashing black".
November 18, 2015 4:42 p.m.
I mean, a black splash is really strong anyways. There's a reason Esper's the usual color-combo for gifts. You get Esper Charm, a suite of discard, more removal options, Tasigur, Lingering Souls, etc. I'm not sure 4 color would be too efficient though... Not since DRS ban anyways.
November 18, 2015 4:48 p.m.
I actually play 4C Gifts and its not too shabby still. Twin, BG and Tron are relatively favored match ups with Abrupt Decay and Ghost Quarter + Life from the Loam + Raven's Crime lock down.
November 18, 2015 6:06 p.m.
i do have a one of watery grave but unburial rites and sideboard lingering souls are the only black cards, its literally uwr control with gifts
November 18, 2015 8:12 p.m.
how good is sun titan if all he gets is things like celestial collonade, snapcaster mage, tectonic edge and other lands?
November 18, 2015 8:13 p.m.
In general, it doesn't matter what you get with the titan as long as you actually can get something of value. A disappointingly common scenario is being left with nothing but fetches.
November 18, 2015 8:17 p.m.
thinking about using him to get lands back as a pseudo crucible of worlds
November 18, 2015 8:20 p.m.
Well, I've used him with my Tech Edges in the U/W build I spoke of in a past thread. It never feels amazing, I'll give you that much. It's when I got to recur things like finks that I felt good about it.
rothgar13 says... #2
You could try Wurmcoil Engine. Not a lot of decks can deal with that guy.
November 18, 2015 10:12 a.m.