FenIsABasicSwamp

Brewmaster -

Hello! I am an EDH and draft player primarily who dabbles in Legacy and Modern, never Standard; I have nearly one deck in every color combination possible (before 4 colors came out). Only Jund remains unfinished, and Dimir needs to be rebuilt from scratch. I am constantly rebuilding my decks and am never really satisfied with them.

Starting in March 2017 I began building my second round of decks, not sticking to one of each color combination but instead pursuing archetypes or generals that specifically interest me that I don't feel I've fully explored before. Mistform Ultimus was the first, then Neheb, the Eternal,Haakon, Stromgald Scourge, Ith, High Arcanist, and Dune-Brood Nephilim each of which is the highest rated deck with those commanders on TappedOut.

If you're considering suggesting what seems like a really obvious omission for my decks, please don't. If it's not in there, it's not because I'm unaware of it or can't afford it, it's because I set myself deck building restrictions so that my decks feel unique and innovative. When I build a deck I do lengthy Gatherer searches of multiple search terms and comb the entire canon of MtG for the cards I want. I don't ever use EDH.rec, even though it's a great site for beginners, and I try to avoid decks being full of staples. Ask instead why I chose not to include something and I'll tell you, because every card that made the cut has a reason and every card that didn't had a reason too.

I typically build my EDH decks according to the EDH Law of Perfect Squares. That is, 36 lands, 64 non-lands. One of the non-lands is obviously the commander and some of the 64 cards need to be mana ramp/acceleration. This method stands up in the modern-mulligan environment after the rules change of 2016 where partial Paris mulligans were taken away as long as the deck is still built well.

I would like to make the case for best card draw color in EDH. This is often mentioned offhand and it always bothers me for some reason. People seem to assume that it is blue because blue is the best at drawing cards in all the other formats, but I think it is a solid third best in EDH. What are the best cards in EDH in blue for drawing? Consecrated Sphinx, Rhystic Study, Azami, Lady of Scrolls, Arcanis the Omnipotent, Recurring Insight, and X spells right? Those either require your opponents to draw, not pay for a tax or for you to have an abundance of wizards or mana to dump into an X spell. They are not efficient or capable of massive draws or abusable cantrips to fuel big turns except for combo with Azami or Arcanis maybe.

By contrast, green, which is far and away the best card draw color in EDH, has stuff like Momentous Fall, Shamanic Revelation, Collective Unconscious, Greater Good, Inspiring Call, Soul of the Harvest, Garruk's Packleader, Regal Force, Life's Legacy, Soul's Majesty, Rishkar's Expertise, the enchantress shell cantrippers like Argothian Enchantress, Enchantress' Presence, Verduran Enchantress, not to mention all the ways to tutor in green for the creature you need right now to just draw a bunch of cards. The reason that these options are better than blue in EDH is because they reward you for the strategy you're already playing in green. Are you playing big dudes and a lot of them, or at least a lot of dudes? Yes, you are because you're playing green, and that's what these draw spells reward you for. You can drop an Avenger of Zendikar and then next turn cast Shamanic Revelation and draw 8+ cards probably for 5 mana and still have at least 3+ mana open probably, and that is worst case scenario. This strategy is superior to blue also in that unlike Consecrated Sphinx or Rhystic Study, it doesn't paint a huge target on your head. Nobody is going to say, "Oh he/she has an AoZ, they're gonna draw a ton of cards!"

The second best color for card draw, and really it's hard to say which is better (this or green), is black. It has Necropotence, Dark Prophecy, Grim Haruspex, Harvester of Souls, Kothophed, Soul Hoarder, Decree of Pain, Skullclamp (I know it's not black, but it is played in probably 100% of black decks and since black decks most efficiently sac their own dudes, black decks abuse this card the best), Disciple of Bolas, Phyrexian Arena, Dark Confidant, all of the instants and sorceries that say lose life and draw cards (e.g. Sanguimancy, Necrologia, and Skeletal Scrying) and my new favorite, Infernal Tribute, or even Phyrexian Etchings. The reason most of these are superior is because again they abuse the strategy you're already doing in black very efficiently. Black is abusing the graveyard and these say draw cards when you do that, or pay life to draw cards (and probably gain it back because there's plenty of lifegain in black).

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  1. Alesha, Who Smiles at Death: Plays: 26 - Wins: 16

  2. Avacyn, Angel of Hope: Plays: 40 - Wins: 23

  3. Aurelia, the Warleader: Plays: 41 - Wins: 24

  4. Brago, King Eternal: Plays: 44 - Wins: 24

  5. Captain Sisay: Plays: Under Construction a/o 14 March 2017 - Wins: 0

  6. Derevi, Empyrial Tactician: Plays: 24 - Wins: 17

  7. Drana, Kalastria Bloodchief: Plays: 38 - Wins: 28

  8. Intet, the Dreamer: Plays: 14 - Wins: 6

  9. Karador, Ghost Chieftain: Plays: 25 - Wins: 18

  10. Karrthus, Tyrant of Jund: Plays: Under Construction a/o 14 March 2017 - Wins: 0

  11. Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker: Plays: 94 - Wins: 54

  12. Kozilek, Butcher of Truth: Plays: 53 - Wins: 35

  13. Marchesa, the Black Rose: Plays: 33 - Wins: 19

  14. The Mimeoplasm: Plays: 29 - Wins: 14

  15. Mistform Ultimus: Plays: 23 - Wins: 11

  16. Narset, Enlightened Master: Plays: 65 - Wins: 41

  17. Nath of the Gilt Leaf: Plays: 27 - Wins: 17

  18. Neheb, the Eternal: Plays: 11 - Wins: 9

  19. Niv Mizzet, the Firemind: Plays: 21 - Wins: 9

  20. Omnath, Locus of Mana: Plays: 46 - Wins: 33

  21. Progenitus: Plays: 63 - Wins: 27

  22. Rakdos, Lord of Riots: Plays: 43 - Wins: 21

  23. Sen Triplets: Plays: 41 - Wins: 23

  24. Teferi, Mage of Zhalfir: Plays: 67 - Wins: 40

  25. Uril, the Miststalker: Plays: 74 - Wins: 41

  26. Vish Kal, Blood Arbiter: Plays: 105 - Wins: 65

  27. Vorel of the Hull Clade: Plays: 35 - Wins: 23

  28. Wort, the Raidmother: Plays: 91 - Wins: 58

  29. Wrexial, the Risen Deep: Plays: 12 - Wins: 6

  1. Alesha, Who Smiles at Death: Plays: 26 - Wins: 16

  2. Avacyn, Angel of Hope: Plays: 45 - Wins: 27

  3. Aurelia, the Warleader: Plays: 51 - Wins: 34

  4. Brago, King Eternal: Plays: 44 - Wins: 24

  5. Captain Sisay: Plays: 0 - Wins: 0

  6. Derevi, Empyrial Tactician: Plays: 24 - Wins: 17

  7. Drana, Kalastria Bloodchief: Plays: 38 - Wins: 28

  8. Haakon, Stromgald Scourge: Plays: 14 - Wins: 7

  9. Intet, the Dreamer: Plays: 24 - Wins: 14

  10. Karador, Ghost Chieftain: Plays: 25 - Wins: 18

  11. Karrthus, Tyrant of Jund: Plays: Under Construction a/o 14 March 2017 - Wins: 0

  12. Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker: Plays: 94 - Wins: 54

  13. Kozilek, Butcher of Truth: Plays: 59 - Wins: 38

  14. Marchesa, the Black Rose: Plays: 33 - Wins: 19

  15. The Mimeoplasm: Plays: 29 - Wins: 14

  16. Mistform Ultimus: Plays: 34 - Wins: 18

  17. Narset, Enlightened Master: Plays: 78 - Wins: 51

  18. Nath of the Gilt Leaf: Plays: 33 - Wins: 22

  19. Neheb, the Eternal: Plays: 20 - Wins: 15

  20. Niv Mizzet, the Firemind: Plays: 24 - Wins: 9

  21. Omnath, Locus of Mana: Plays: 46 - Wins: 33

  22. Progenitus: Plays: 65 - Wins: 29

  23. Rakdos, Lord of Riots: Plays: 43 - Wins: 21

  24. Sen Triplets: Plays: 41 - Wins: 23

  25. Teferi, Mage of Zhalfir: Plays: 67 - Wins: 40

  26. Uril, the Miststalker: Plays: 89 - Wins: 49

  27. Vish Kal, Blood Arbiter: Plays: 116 - Wins: 76

  28. Vorel of the Hull Clade: Plays: 37 - Wins: 24

  29. Wort, the Raidmother: Plays: 94 - Wins: 59

  30. Wrexial, the Risen Deep: Plays: 12 - Wins: 6

  1. Alesha, Who Smiles at Death: Plays: 31 - Wins: 18

  2. Avacyn, Angel of Hope: Plays: 48 - Wins: 29

  3. Aurelia, the Warleader: Plays: 51 - Wins: 34

  4. Brago, King Eternal: Plays: 46 - Wins: 25

  5. Captain Sisay: Plays: 10 - Wins: 9

  6. Derevi, Empyrial Tactician: Plays: 24 - Wins: 17

  7. Drana, Kalastria Bloodchief: Plays: 44 - Wins: 31

  8. Haakon, Stromgald Scourge: Plays: 28 - Wins: 13

  9. Intet, the Dreamer: Plays: 24 - Wins: 14

  10. Ith, High Arcanist: Plays: 0 - Wins: 0

  11. Jodah, Archmage Eternal (formerly Progenitus: Plays: 77 - Wins: 39

  12. Karador, Ghost Chieftain: Plays: 26 - Wins: 19

  13. Karrthus, Tyrant of Jund: Plays: Under Construction - Wins: 0

  14. Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker: Plays: 99 - Wins: 55

  15. Kozilek, Butcher of Truth: Plays: 59 - Wins: 38

  16. Marchesa, the Black Rose: Plays: 40 - Wins: 22

  17. The Mimeoplasm: Plays: 32 - Wins: 17

  18. Mistform Ultimus: Plays: 37 - Wins: 21

  19. Narset, Enlightened Master: Plays: 94 - Wins: 64

  20. Nath of the Gilt Leaf: Plays: 39 - Wins: 27

  21. Neheb, the Eternal: Plays: 34 - Wins: 19

  22. Niv Mizzet, the Firemind: Plays: 24 - Wins: 9

  23. Omnath, Locus of Mana: Plays: 51 - Wins: 36

  24. Rakdos, Lord of Riots: Plays: 44 - Wins: 22

  25. Sen Triplets: Plays: 48 - Wins: 28

  26. Teferi, Mage of Zhalfir: Plays: 80 - Wins: 51

  27. Uril, the Miststalker: Plays: 95 - Wins: 51

  28. Vish Kal, Blood Arbiter: Plays: 124 - Wins: 81

  29. Vorel of the Hull Clade: Plays: 38 - Wins: 25

  30. Wort, the Raidmother: Plays: 94 - Wins: 59

  31. Wrexial, the Risen Deep: Plays: 12 - Wins: 6

  1. Alesha, Who Smiles at Death: Plays: 36 - Wins: 21

  2. Avacyn, Angel of Hope: Plays: 48 - Wins: 29

  3. Aurelia, the Warleader: Plays: 51 - Wins: 34

  4. Brago, King Eternal: Plays: 47 - Wins: 26

  5. Captain Sisay: Plays: 14 - Wins: 12

  6. Derevi, Empyrial Tactician: Plays: 24 - Wins: 17

  7. Drana, Kalastria Bloodchief: Plays: 44 - Wins: 31

  8. Dune-Brood Nephilim aka Shai-Hulud, The God Wurm: Plays: 19 - Wins: 13

  9. Grenzo, Dungeon Warden: Plays: 13 - Wins: 4

  10. Haakon, Stromgald Scourge: Plays: 59 - Wins: 30

  11. Intet, the Dreamer: Plays: 24 - Wins: 14

  12. Ith, High Arcanist: Plays: 11 - Wins: 6

  13. Jodah, Archmage Eternal (formerly Progenitus: Plays: 81 - Wins: 40

  14. Karador, Ghost Chieftain: Plays: 26 - Wins: 19

  15. Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker: Plays: 105 - Wins: 59

  16. Kozilek, Butcher of Truth: Plays: 60 - Wins: 39

  17. Marchesa, the Black Rose: Plays: 40 - Wins: 22

  18. The Mimeoplasm: Plays: 32 - Wins: 17

  19. Mistform Ultimus: Plays: 41 - Wins: 23

  20. Narset, Enlightened Master: Plays: 100 - Wins: 68

  21. Nath of the Gilt Leaf: Plays: 43 - Wins: 30

  22. Neheb, the Eternal: Plays: 38 - Wins: 20

  23. Niv Mizzet, the Firemind: Plays: 24 - Wins: 9

  24. Omnath, Locus of Mana: Plays: 60 - Wins: 43

  25. Rakdos, Lord of Riots: Plays: 45 - Wins: 23

  26. Sen Triplets: Plays: 48 - Wins: 28

  27. Teferi, Mage of Zhalfir: Plays: 84 - Wins: 53

  28. Uril, the Miststalker: Plays: 102 - Wins: 56

  29. Vish Kal, Blood Arbiter: Plays: 137 - Wins: 92

  30. Vorel of the Hull Clade: Plays: 38 - Wins: 25

  31. Wort, the Raidmother: Plays: 97 - Wins: 62

  32. Wrexial, the Risen Deep: Plays: 12 - Wins: 6

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Said on Dune: He Who …...

#1

Foxycide nothing wrong with or unoriginal about Ishiin! I love that card! And your suggestion is great for that deck. This deck is highly complex as you said and very difficult to play. I would say the vast majority of players should not attempt it. It is not going to be a pleasant experience for newer players to try to run it given the complexity.

December 11, 2024 10:28 a.m.

Said on Dune: He Who …...

#2

Foxycide thanks for the kind words and mentioning Pianna. You’re right that it’s a great card for the feel of Dune based on the art. Unfortunately it’s nowhere near the power level for EDH relevance, but you know that. They definitely appear to be wearing still suits and loose desert cloaks!

December 9, 2024 11:26 p.m.

Said on Dune: He Who …...

#3

ReticleMouse which one? There are many. If you mean the commander, it’s a real card, but I had it altered to look like Shai Hulud. It was painted by Cereal Alters.

December 6, 2024 11:46 p.m.

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Finished Decks 41
Prototype Decks 12
Drafts 0
Playing since Rise of the Eldrazi
Points 45
Avg. deck rating 54.44
T/O Rank 245
Helper Rank 214
Favorite formats Modern, Legacy, Commander / EDH, Tiny Leaders, Casual
Cards suggested / good suggestions 280 / 126
Venues Game Haven, Bell, Book, & Comic, Curio Cavern, Mavericks Cards & Comics, Epic Loot Games & Comics, Gem City Games
Joined 10 years