Kaalia is the evolution of my former Oros, the Avenger. The deck as mentioned was previously spear-headed by Oros, the Avenger as he was the only option at the time of its original creation (and i felt comfortable with the colours as most of my time in the legacy format was centered around Deadguy Ale and Sligh decks). But once the Commander products were released it seemed like auto-win to change the general to Kaalia. As the general changed so did the deck as i was able deal damage faster and as the deck got faster i was able to cut some of the fat that wasn't needed.
//Why Kaalia?
You like being the aggressor
You like the Dega (WBR) colour combination
You like Angels, Dragons and/or Demons (For me its the first two)
You like Aggro as a way to win
//Why Not Kaalia?
You like Control or Combo Decks to win.
You dislike the colour combination
You dislike Angels, Dragons and/or Demons
You are one of the people who still believes R is the worst colour in the format.
I started playing EDH (and I will continue calling the format EDH) about a year before the release of the first Commander product, but i have been playing Magic since the release of Ice Age and more competitively around Tempest's release. I am, according to the multiple tests i took, a Timmy/Johnny/Spike player although my Timmy side is shines out the most. I like being the aggressor in most cases.
Been on my mind for awhile. Ajani is just too slow and fragile for what i want. Decree of Annihilation's cycling ability is to amazing to pass up. I mean who can pass up the chance to have a near uncounterable MLD ability. In all honesty i would rather have Ravages of War but i can honestly say that ain't gonna happen for me anytime soon.
I don't see the point of Jokulhaups here in all honesty. You don't have a way to break the symmetry at all (aside from Boros Charm but c'mon that's 4WRRR). I think Cataclysm would be much more powerful for you, however.
I'm sure it will be much more powerful as it doesn't require any additional setup. You keep a land, rock/d-grid, Kaalia, and then win because you operate unhindered. 'Haups is only good, for you, in a specific situation.
There you go. Oh, the other thing that 'Clysm helps us with so much is that it wipes out Planeswalkers too, which, 'haups doesn't touch. So just yet another point to 'Clysm.
Small oversight on my part, Akroma should have never been added because all she is just a beater, nothing more. Whereas Bogardan Hellkite can deal with pesky creatures and works well with Scourge of Valkas.
I've wanted to build a Kaalia deck but it seems too douchy for my group. Just wondering how do people fact after Armageddon? I've always wanted to cast it lol.
My playgroup at my LGS is insanely competitive so they don't mind much but it still irks some people.
If i am playing with friends i usually don't play the MLD cards and they end up sitting in my hand or i substitute them for other cards.
But here is something from Blueram's Kaalia Primer under the strategy spoiler that i tend to agree with.
MLD (Mass Land Destruction) is often frowned upon in social settings of MTG, especially of the Highlander variety. Preventing people from playing their spells is said to create an un-fun atmosphere, and will likely cause you to be hated by your fellow card slingers.
To this I say: “BALONEY”.
Land destruction has always been one of the few things that red brings to EDH, and to cut it out is to cut off a leg that is the already three-legged chair of red’s Commander playable card pool.
As you use land destruction as a legitimate means to win, people will adapt. They’ll learn to hold back a few lands if they can’t directly deal with your MLD cards, as well as learn to avoid over committing on lands while playing against whatever deck you have.
But keep in mind, WHEN you use an MLD card matters too. Using it for the sake of doing something without rhyme or reason is what will earn you the most ire. When you’re casting it to win, the other players can take comfort in that a new game will start shortly. When you cast it in defense (which I’ve been known to do), it can be seen as a last-ditch resort to keep yourself alive long enough to try and win the game.
So don’t shy away from MLD. If your game plan can benefit from some severed mana bonds, by all means, introduce your friends to the magic and wonder of Mass Land Destruction!
I've wanted to build a Kaalia deck but it seems too douchy for my group. Just wondering how do people fact after Armageddon? I've always wanted to cast it lol.
It's just another win-con really. Is this really so different than the UGX guy who Tooth and Nails into Teferi, Mage of Zhalfir + Seedborn Muse? Both of you guys are putting a halt on the game in either scenario. So my suggestion to you would be to tell them to buck up and learn to deal with it.
I don't do multiplayer much, though. Never been good with politics (I'm the kind of guy that plays Sinkhole in one-on-one though).
I have been thinking on cutting Scourge of Kher Ridges as it hasn't been helpful since the start of the deck. I haven't even used it against the few token decks in my meta and anything else i have been able to make do with, more so now with the inclusion of Cataclysm. It mostly sits in my hand having a stare down with me.
Now more importantly what could i add that would help the deck? I wouldn't mind another dragon to help with Scourge of Valkas or maybe something else ...
Scourge is a pretty fantastic guy. Personally, I've watched him take over many a games with his at-will Pyroclasm and of course it gets ridiculous with Vault of the Archangel. I used to always contemplate his cut, then I'd get that one game that would remind me just why he's here. This happened multiple times and now, it's like "what would I do without him"?
I managed to pull a Archangel of Thune in a M14 draft today and i was wondering if anyone feels it has a place in my/any Kaalia deck. I think on my end i could use a little extra lifegain as i do already run Baneslayer Angel, Disciple of Bolas, Sword of Light and Shadow and Vault of the Archangel. I think a little more redundancy wouldn't be a bad thing as i do tend to deal a lot of damage to myself. Any thoughts on this would be very helpful as i have been contemplating on whether the Archangel is worth it or not for awhile now...
Also i have cleaned up the wall of text and added a few other things. I also hope to be getting a banner soon.
I think both Austere Command and Merciless Eviction are amazing cards but in the end i went with Austere Command as it gives me more options and i don't really like exiling my own stuff despite the fact that Merciless Eviction can hit Planeswalkers (i can do that now with Cataclysm). To each their own i suppose.
I think both Austere Command and Merciless Eviction are amazing cards but in the end i went with Austere Command as it gives me two options and i don't really like exiling my own stuff despite the fact that Merciless Eviction can hit Planeswalkers (i can do that now with Cataclysm). To each their own i suppose.
Well, if you look at Austere, how often do you name artifacts? Not often I'd imagine since that's where your ramp is at. Consider how many times you play Austere as six mana destroy all critters. Eviction is, well as I described it, a "brutal scalpel of efficiency".
It's the versatility of it that makes it so appealing, because it can be tailoured to any particular situation you may be in. It may be personal preference, and I guess you can't really go wrong with either choice. Just my two cents.
Thanks to DNC at Heros of the Plane Studios for the awesome banner
Kaalia is the evolution of my former Oros, the Avenger. The deck as mentioned was previously spear-headed by Oros, the Avenger as he was the only option at the time of its original creation (and i felt comfortable with the colours as most of my time in the legacy format was centered around Deadguy Ale and Sligh decks). But once the Commander products were released it seemed like auto-win to change the general to Kaalia. As the general changed so did the deck as i was able deal damage faster and as the deck got faster i was able to cut some of the fat that wasn't needed.
You like being the aggressor
You like the Dega (WBR) colour combination
You like Angels, Dragons and/or Demons (For me its the first two)
You like Aggro as a way to win
//Why Not Kaalia?
You like Control or Combo Decks to win.
You dislike the colour combination
You dislike Angels, Dragons and/or Demons
You are one of the people who still believes R is the worst colour in the format.
1 Kaalia of the Vast
//Angels, Demons and Dragons: (26)
1 Angel of Despair
1 Angel of Finality
1 Angel of Serenity
1 Angelic Arbiter
1 Avacyn, Angel of Hope
1 Balefire Dragon
1 Baneslayer Angel
1 Bloodgift Demon
1 Bogardan Hellkite
1 Dragon Mage
1 Gisela, Blade of Goldnight
1 Hellkite Tyrant
1 Hoard-Smelter Dragon
1 Karmic Guide
1 Kokusho, the Evening Star
1 Kolaghan, the Storm's Fury
1 Linvala, Keeper of Silence
1 Lord of the Void
1 Ob Nixilis, Unshackled
1 Rakdos the Defiler
1 Rune-Scarred Demon
1 Scourge of Kher Ridges
1 Sire of Insanity
1 Steel Hellkite
1 Thundermaw Hellkite
1 Yosei, the Morning Star
//Utility Creatures: (3)
1 Disciple of Bolas
1 Grand Abolisher
1 Sun Titan
1 Boros Signet
1 Coldsteel Heart
1 Defense Grid
1 Lightning Greaves
1 Mana Crypt
1 Orzhov Signet
1 Rakdos Signet
1 Sensei's Divining Top
1 Sol Ring
1 Swiftfoot Boots
1 Sword of Light and Shadow
1 Talisman of Indulgence
//Enchantments: (8)
1 Animate Dead
1 Dance of the Dead
1 Legion's Initiative
1 Necromancy
1 Phyrexian Arena
1 Phyrexian Reclamation
1 Sneak Attack
1 Stranglehold
//Spells: (14)
1 Armageddon
1 Austere Command
1 Beacon of Unrest
1 Boros Charm
1 Cataclysm
1 Chaos Warp
1 Crackling Doom
1 Council's Judgment
1 Damnation
1 Decree of Annihilation
1 Demonic Tutor
1 Obzedat's Aid
1 Unburial Rites
1 Wrath of God
6 Plains
3 Swamp
3 Mountain
1 Arid Mesa
1 Battlefield Forge
1 Blood Crypt
1 Bloodstained Mire
1 Bojuka Bog
1 Cavern of Souls
1 Caves of Koilos
1 Clifftop Retreat
1 Command Tower
1 Dragonskull Summit
1 Fetid Heath
1 Godless Shrine
1 Graven Cairns
1 Hall of the Bandit Lord
1 High Market
1 Isolated Chapel
1 Marsh Flats
1 Phyrexian Tower
1 Rugged Prairie
1 Sacred Foundry
1 Strip Mine
1 Sulfurous Springs
1 Vault of the Archangel
1 Volrath's Stronghold
[/CARD]
Deck Stats:HERE
Deck Stats by Deckstats.net
//May 9th, 2013
-1 Adarkar Valkyrie +1 Aurelia, the Warleader
-1 Blinding Angel +1 Hellkite Tyrant
-1 Moonveil Dragon +1 Lord of the Void
-1 Reya Dawnbringer+1 Ajani Vengeant
-1 Sheoldred, Whispering One +1 Disciple of Bolas
-1 Weathered Wayfarer +1 Sepulchral Primordial
-1 Blasphemous Act +1 Boros Charm
//July 19th, 2013
-1 Bogardan Hellkite +1 Scourge of Valkas
//July 20th, 2013
-1 Aurelia, the Warleader +1 Akroma, Angel of Wrath
-1 Sepulchral Primordial + 1 Angelic Arbiter
-1 Charcoal Diamond +1 Sire of Insanity
-1 Fire Diamond +1 Coldsteel Heart
-1 Marble Diamond +1 Mana Crypt
-1 Vampiric Tutor +1 Strionic Resonator
-1 Swamp +1 Legion's Initiative
-1 Swamp +1 Jokulhaups
-1 Mountain +1 Obzedat's Aid
July 23, 2013
-1 Ajani Vengeant +1 Decree of Annihilation
July 25, 2013
-1 Jokulhaups +1 Cataclysm
July 26, 2013
-1 Akroma, Angel of Wrath +1 Bogardan Hellkite
October 17, 2013
-1 Nihil Spellbomb +1 Angel of Finality
July 3, 2014
-1 Scourge of Valkas +1 Ob Nixilis, Unshackled
July 4, 2014
-1 Return to Dust +1 Council's Judgment
December 18, 2014
-1 Quicksilver Amulet +1 Sneak Attack
April 18, 2015
-1 Iona, Shield of Emeria +1 Kolaghan, the Storm's Fury
-1 Strionic Resonator +1 Crackling Doom
Any comments and criticism that you think would help would be greatly appreciated.
UB Grimgrin, Corpse-BornUB
WRG Marath, Will of the Wild GRW
RGOmnath, Locus of RageGR
WBTeysa, Orzhov ScionBW
URThe Locust GodRU
W(W/R)RAkiri, Line-SlingerW(W/R)R
UB Grimgrin, Corpse-BornUB
WRG Marath, Will of the Wild GRW
RGOmnath, Locus of RageGR
WBTeysa, Orzhov ScionBW
URThe Locust GodRU
W(W/R)RAkiri, Line-SlingerW(W/R)R
-1 Ajani Vengeant
+1 Decree of Annihilation
Been on my mind for awhile. Ajani is just too slow and fragile for what i want.
Decree of Annihilation's cycling ability is to amazing to pass up. I mean who can pass up the chance to have a near uncounterable MLD ability. In all honesty i would rather have Ravages of War but i can honestly say that ain't gonna happen for me anytime soon.
UB Grimgrin, Corpse-BornUB
WRG Marath, Will of the Wild GRW
RGOmnath, Locus of RageGR
WBTeysa, Orzhov ScionBW
URThe Locust GodRU
W(W/R)RAkiri, Line-SlingerW(W/R)R
Steel Sabotage'ng Orbs of Mellowness since 2011.
UB Grimgrin, Corpse-BornUB
WRG Marath, Will of the Wild GRW
RGOmnath, Locus of RageGR
WBTeysa, Orzhov ScionBW
URThe Locust GodRU
W(W/R)RAkiri, Line-SlingerW(W/R)R
Steel Sabotage'ng Orbs of Mellowness since 2011.
UB Grimgrin, Corpse-BornUB
WRG Marath, Will of the Wild GRW
RGOmnath, Locus of RageGR
WBTeysa, Orzhov ScionBW
URThe Locust GodRU
W(W/R)RAkiri, Line-SlingerW(W/R)R
Steel Sabotage'ng Orbs of Mellowness since 2011.
-1 Jokulhaups
+1 Cataclysm
UB Grimgrin, Corpse-BornUB
WRG Marath, Will of the Wild GRW
RGOmnath, Locus of RageGR
WBTeysa, Orzhov ScionBW
URThe Locust GodRU
W(W/R)RAkiri, Line-SlingerW(W/R)R
Glad you won. w00t
Steel Sabotage'ng Orbs of Mellowness since 2011.
+1 Bogardan Hellkite
Small oversight on my part, Akroma should have never been added because all she is just a beater, nothing more. Whereas Bogardan Hellkite can deal with pesky creatures and works well with Scourge of Valkas.
UB Grimgrin, Corpse-BornUB
WRG Marath, Will of the Wild GRW
RGOmnath, Locus of RageGR
WBTeysa, Orzhov ScionBW
URThe Locust GodRU
W(W/R)RAkiri, Line-SlingerW(W/R)R
If i am playing with friends i usually don't play the MLD cards and they end up sitting in my hand or i substitute them for other cards.
But here is something from Blueram's Kaalia Primer under the strategy spoiler that i tend to agree with.
UB Grimgrin, Corpse-BornUB
WRG Marath, Will of the Wild GRW
RGOmnath, Locus of RageGR
WBTeysa, Orzhov ScionBW
URThe Locust GodRU
W(W/R)RAkiri, Line-SlingerW(W/R)R
It's just another win-con really. Is this really so different than the UGX guy who Tooth and Nails into Teferi, Mage of Zhalfir + Seedborn Muse? Both of you guys are putting a halt on the game in either scenario. So my suggestion to you would be to tell them to buck up and learn to deal with it.
I don't do multiplayer much, though. Never been good with politics (I'm the kind of guy that plays Sinkhole in one-on-one though).
Steel Sabotage'ng Orbs of Mellowness since 2011.
Now more importantly what could i add that would help the deck? I wouldn't mind another dragon to help with Scourge of Valkas or maybe something else ...
If anyone has any suggestions let me know.
UB Grimgrin, Corpse-BornUB
WRG Marath, Will of the Wild GRW
RGOmnath, Locus of RageGR
WBTeysa, Orzhov ScionBW
URThe Locust GodRU
W(W/R)RAkiri, Line-SlingerW(W/R)R
Steel Sabotage'ng Orbs of Mellowness since 2011.
Also i have cleaned up the wall of text and added a few other things. I also hope to be getting a banner soon.
UB Grimgrin, Corpse-BornUB
WRG Marath, Will of the Wild GRW
RGOmnath, Locus of RageGR
WBTeysa, Orzhov ScionBW
URThe Locust GodRU
W(W/R)RAkiri, Line-SlingerW(W/R)R
Are you winning? Destroy lands.
Are you losing? Destroy creatures.
Very strong card.
UB Grimgrin, Corpse-BornUB
WRG Marath, Will of the Wild GRW
RGOmnath, Locus of RageGR
WBTeysa, Orzhov ScionBW
URThe Locust GodRU
W(W/R)RAkiri, Line-SlingerW(W/R)R
Over Austere, consider giving Merciless Eviction a shot. It might not be for everyone, but I do like me a nice juicy scalpel of an effect that exiles.
Steel Sabotage'ng Orbs of Mellowness since 2011.
UB Grimgrin, Corpse-BornUB
WRG Marath, Will of the Wild GRW
RGOmnath, Locus of RageGR
WBTeysa, Orzhov ScionBW
URThe Locust GodRU
W(W/R)RAkiri, Line-SlingerW(W/R)R
Well, if you look at Austere, how often do you name artifacts? Not often I'd imagine since that's where your ramp is at. Consider how many times you play Austere as six mana destroy all critters. Eviction is, well as I described it, a "brutal scalpel of efficiency".
It's the versatility of it that makes it so appealing, because it can be tailoured to any particular situation you may be in. It may be personal preference, and I guess you can't really go wrong with either choice. Just my two cents.
Steel Sabotage'ng Orbs of Mellowness since 2011.
Small update, Nihil Spellbomb might make its way back into the deck but the Angel's trigger can be copied with Strionic Resonator
UB Grimgrin, Corpse-BornUB
WRG Marath, Will of the Wild GRW
RGOmnath, Locus of RageGR
WBTeysa, Orzhov ScionBW
URThe Locust GodRU
W(W/R)RAkiri, Line-SlingerW(W/R)R
Most of the time I don't have enough dragons to make Scourge worth it.
I am also looking at the following:
Indulgent Tormentor
Magister of Worth
Resolute Archangel
UB Grimgrin, Corpse-BornUB
WRG Marath, Will of the Wild GRW
RGOmnath, Locus of RageGR
WBTeysa, Orzhov ScionBW
URThe Locust GodRU
W(W/R)RAkiri, Line-SlingerW(W/R)R
Steel Sabotage'ng Orbs of Mellowness since 2011.