How about a green splash? Noble Hierarch seems sweet, since it can still Convoke and essentially have haste. Verdurous Gearhulk is where it's at though. It seems like the best finisher ever for this deck!! First of all, the synergy with Walking Ballista and Mausoleum Wandererseems absurd. This deck has 36 creatures plus Smuggler's Copters, so finding a good assortment of targets for the +1/1 counters shouldn't be tough. The problem with Wurmcoil Engine is that it sometimes just gets Path to Exiled. Gearhulk leaves behind value whether it gets exiled or dies. Plus, since the creatures you pump can usually attack immediately, Gearhulk essentially has haste.
I am going to try to wrap my brain around this build. Hierarch seems like a viable alternative to Aether Vial, both of which are probably better than my Sage of Epityr. Sage is still pretty sweet though, just sayin'
EDIT: With 16 mana dorks, I'd even be willing to give Myr Superion a try again. Or how about Pili-Pala, depending on the troll factor you're going for Pila-Pala can even help cast Myr Superion. Now we're going deep!
Edit: pretty gungho about trying aether vial too. It really is starting to look like Death and Taxes, StreetMage!
Edit Edit: Trinket Mage has basically been Walking Ballista #'s 5-7, with the Basilisk Collar combo rarely happening for me. With that being said, it has still been really good! Very glad you suggested that change, Shadow Gripper!
While fetching a sword with Trophy Mage felt a lot like Stoneforge Mystic, it turns out grabbing a bazooka is just as good, if not better
I gotta say, I never missed the Trophy Mage. And I was never like, "ewww, this is too many Walking Balistas, I wish I had swords/Shackles etc." Quite the contrary, Ballista was as sick as ever. The swords are good too, don't get me wrong, but they are high variance as I mentioned before.
I really like the sideboard configuration I used tonight. It felt like I had a wealth of options for every match. Trinket Mage provides many interesting options, including Chalice of the Void, which I may be picking up soon...
This version seems good, definitely more redundant/consistent as I imagined it would be. Definitely going to run it again next time.
Thanks for all of your suggestions guys. Let's keep 'em coming!!
Yea, I had Etherium Sculptor in some initial builds but felt it was too redundant with Architect and Chief; it also doesn't help you cast them or the other non-artifact creatures.
Aether Vial isn't necessary but its allowed me to play a more methodical and slower game. Without Cavern of Souls it helps me to get around countermagic. It also allows me to play with less mana.
I've thought about switching out the Trophy Mage for Trinket Mage, but she fetches Sword of Light and Shadow, which has been so invaluable. Its the best piece of equipment for this deck.
I think of this deck as a blue artifact "death and taxes".
Trinket Mage and Trophy Mage = "Stoneforge Mystic"
Judge, Wanderer and Lodestone = Thalia and Vryn Wingmare
Ghost Quarter, Tect Edge = Port and Wasteland
</blockquote>
"Blue Death and Taxes" or I was thinking "Mono Blue Stax," lol. It's hard to argue with your breakdown though, pretty spot on.
I agree with you that Etherium Sculptor is the worst of the three, but I he's still been good for me. I really like his interactions with Chief Engineer. He can be cast by Convoke, and when you tap him to Convoke he essentially adds 2 mana. He has a similar interaction with Grand Architect (taps for 2 and adds the 1 additional mana). I have had some very broken starts because of him, such as 2 Smuggler's Copters on turn 2, and 3 Lodestone Gollums in play by turn 4. In fact, this deck is so good at getting Hellbent fast, it doesn't surprise me that Sea Gate Wreckage has been good for you
I am taking a hard look at swapping Trophy Mage for Trinket Mage like ShadowGripper did. I feel it would add more consistency/redundancy to the deck, where as there is some variance with the Swords/Shackles package. I completely agree with you that Sword of Light and Shadow is insane for this deck though. Not only does it rebuy creatures and enable all sorts of shenanigans, but pro black/white is super relevant against removal. The +2/2 already puts most dudes past bolt range, so now its immune to basically everything, lol.
Ace1, your deck is super interesting! I actually tried Signal Pest for a bit, and you can drop em all turn 2 like you said. Looks good!
...Also, I can't help but notice that Aether Vial is relatively affordable online. Does anybody have experience with it? I have played it in Merfolk, and quite frankly, it seems much better in that deck than this. However,I'm still thinking of replacing the Sage of Epityr with it. It's tough though because here are pros/cons to each card...
I've been using Aether Vial since the beginning, esp with Sage of Epityr....one of my favorite plays is turn one Vial, turn two during upkeep Vial in Sage and effectively "Ponder". Vial also helps play Myr Superion when I don't have Architect or Chief.
Heres the list I've been on since Ballista's release:
Oh, so you run Vial in the slot where I run Etherium Sculptor. I do see how that would make Myr Superion better. Interesting.
I am intrigued by Vial for sure. Seems like it could make the deck more explosive. Although we already do essentially cheat a lot of cards into play, just like Shadow Gripper said, so I am a little hesitant to pick em up just yet. I could always sell them I guess. MTGO is the best for that. Rental Cards
I basically took your list and replaced the sages with Judge's Familiar (they're blue and help protect). That became the list I played with last night. A ton of fun. Then after a few matches I realized how insane Walking Ballista is with Grand Architect, so I am trying the Trophy Mage swap into the Trinket Mage swap.
I don't think Aether Vial is needed since we don't get any benefit of flashing in guys. We are already cheating most into play. And a deck full of creatures likely won't suffer from Stony Silence. You can side out most of your copters for other stuff like Vendilion Clique and do just fine. There are likely some other good blue creatures you can run as well to just get the beats on while they derp with stony.
Awesome stuff, I'm glad you like the deck. Let me know how Trinket Mage does. I definitely see the appeal there. Walking Ballista is my current MVP and Trinket Mage helps his cause.
I have considered your same switch of Judge's Familiar for Sage of Epityr. Mausoleum Wanderer is already so good, so why not add more, right? However, Sage has done some good work for me. I was constantly getting mana screwed or mana flooded before added him back in (in place of some lands).
Either way, one drops are important for this deck. I love their interaction with Chief Engineer. Convoking out two drops on turn two is the best.
Thanks for giving the deck a shot! Good luck and keep us posted with your progress.
I am also working on this list and having a ton of fun. Played only a few rounds with a list similar to yours Keenwa1. I'm looking to swap the Trophy Mages for Trinket Mages because they allow you to grab Walking Ballista and maindeck Collar, which wrecks so many decks.
I'm uncertain how necessary the GQ are. You can just as easily keep 3 main and 1 in the board with a Crucible. I want to try out academy and buried ruin as ways to rebuy walking ballista, which is likely to come up given trinket mages. It may also be correct to swap the 4th Chief Engineer for another useful piece, unsure what atm. Maybe not.
I do love this deck. Grand Architect is one of my favorite magic cards.
Hell yeah, we're totally on the same page dude! Our decks are so similar, lol.
Rebuying Walking Ballista is where it's at. I haven't tried Buried Ruin, but Sword of Light and shadow rebuys him and Mausoleum Wanderer, which always feels good.
I tried Crucible of Worlds and didn't love it. Just seemed too slow. I do love the utility Ghost Quarter offers though.
Any ideas what to do about Stony Silence? Doesn't look like it wrecks you quite as bad as me, but I'm sure it's still tough.
Also, I can't help but notice that Aether Vial is relatively affordable online. Does anybody have experience with it? I have played it in Merfolk, and quite frankly, it seems much better in that deck than this. However,I'm still thinking of replacing the Sage of Epityr with it. It's tough though because here are pros/cons to each card.
Just went 5-0 in MTGO Modern League with this deck!! First time ever, lol! I have gone 12-3 since I first posted my deck list a week ago, and my Elo is up to 1714 now (from 1550 before working kinks out of the deck). I've sold all the Treasure Chests I won and bought some new cards. Here's how the deck looks now:
What elso can I do with white mana? I kinda wanna try Ethersworn Canonist out of the board, possibly instead of Thorn of Amethyst I haven't talked about Thorn yet, but it has been sick for me. Picture having one or two of those out and a Lodestone Golem against a spell based deck. You crush 'em! Canonist is similar though and can carry a sword of fly a copter. Plus he can convoke out other artifacts with Chief Engineer. I don't want to make too many changes at once though. Are there better options than Fragmentize? I like that it hits all of Affinity's artifacts and Stony Silence, lol. Is the extra mana worth it for Disenchant's instant speed and extra utility? I don't think so, but haven't had much practice yet.
Any other suggestions are welcome, so please let me know what you think. Hopefully some of you guys are still rocking these Grand Architect decks. I think Walking Ballista actually made them competitive
Looks good, I'd try and find room for atleast 2x Spellskite between the main/side...card is invaluable.
Also with 22 artifacts, Glint-Nest Crane could help with some card advantage...pilots Copter and wears equipment well as a flier.
Oh yeah, I forgot about Spellskite. That card would protect every non-land permanent in my deck, lol. I tried Glint-Nest Crane for a while and liked it. However, it whiffed a little too much for my liking. My artifact count was even higher then as well because I ran Darksteel Citadel. I switched out the Citadels for Ghost Quarter and haven't looked back. I would still consider the Crane, mostly because of the synergies you mentioned, but I don't know what I'd cut for it. Also, whiffing and sendingTrophy Mage to the bottom of the library would feel real bad.
Narvuntien, I did add 4x Misty Rainforest. They're only $7 each right now because of Modern Masters 2017. I had some treasure chests from going 4-1 yesterday, and found out I could sell them for almost $2.50 each (I should have been selling them all along). Anyways, that helped pay the fetches, so it was pretty much a no brainer. They're are only going to go up in value anyway. I think I'll add 4 Flooded Strands soon too, so hopefully I win more treasure chests to help. I went 3-2 last again night, and I am 2-0 in my current league. Now I want Spellskites too dammit. I guess I better keep winning, lol.
Yeah, maybe I'll add some fetchlands for Sage. Smuggler's Copter digs past the chaff and Trophy Mage shuffles it away, but it wouldn't hurt to add some more options. I never loved Myr Superion. When it was good, it was great, but too often it just got stuck in my hand. Plus, you can live the dream and cast it on turn two, just to have it die like you said. If I could add another creature, it'd probably be Hangarback Walker. It comes down turn two when you need it to, and it also provides a great late game mana sink, No where near as good as Walking Ballista though, just sayin.'
I've been playing this deck for a year or so, tweaking things along the way. I try to keep it pretty budget - otherwise I'd have Cavern of Souls, Chalice of the Void, and possibly a second color. With that being said, it is still competitive for being so inexpensive (it's seriously only like 50 tickets). I went 4-1 today in MTGO Modern League, and prior to that I've had a steady stream of 3-2's to help me mostly free roll through the league.
First of all, Walking Ballista is the house. That card comes down and just wipes out the opposing board. I even run the Basilisk Collar out of the board for the combo. It is great when it works, but Collar is still good alone in lots of match ups too (incidental life gain, deadly chump blockers etc).
I like my Trophy Mage package as well - the swords in particular. It is great to tutor up whichever sword fits your need, and they have nice synergy with some of the creatures. They pump Mausoleum Wanderer to the point where he basically becomes a hard counter, and they keep Walking Ballista alive after you remove it's counters. Plus, they turn any of the other dorks into legitimate threats and offer protection for your important creatures. Vedalken Shackles also tutorable, and is very difficult for creature decks to beat. The Trinisphere out of the board is tutorable too (albeit a little slow if you have to tutor for it).
Oh, and Smuggler's Copter is super legit too. Looting is a great mechanic for this deck - finding your ramp spells or win spells, which ever you need. Being a 3/3 flyer, it is one of the deck's best win conditions as well.
Anyways, like I said, I have been winning with this deck lately. Brought my ELO from 1550 to 1650 after ironing out the kinks, lol. One card that really wrecks me is Stony Silence. I have the Echoing Truth and Spell Snare out of the board to combat it, but I'd like other suggestions as well.
And for any haters doubting Sage of Epityr, I only made the ascent from 1550 to 1650 after adding him back into the deck (and removing some lands). Card selection is very important for this deck, and he is more than just a 1/1 when he flying a helicopter, swinging a sword, or convoking with Chief Engineer. He is basically a 2/2 Sol Ring when you have Grand Architect too, so there's that.
Lemme know what you guys think of the deck. And let's get this tread active again! I can't believe I am the first to post in like 2+ months.
4 Grand architect
4 Etherium Sculptor
4 Chief Engineer
4 Noble Hierarch
4 Mausoleum Wanderer
4 Lodestone Golem
4 Walking Ballista
4 Verdurous Gearhulk
4 Myr Superion
4 Smuggler's Copter
4 Misty Rainforest
4 Flooded Strand
6 Island
4 Breeding Pool
2 Forest
I am going to try to wrap my brain around this build. Hierarch seems like a viable alternative to Aether Vial, both of which are probably better than my Sage of Epityr. Sage is still pretty sweet though, just sayin'
EDIT: With 16 mana dorks, I'd even be willing to give Myr Superion a try again. Or how about Pili-Pala, depending on the troll factor you're going for
Edit: pretty gungho about trying aether vial too. It really is starting to look like Death and Taxes, StreetMage!
Edit Edit: Trinket Mage has basically been Walking Ballista #'s 5-7, with the
Basilisk Collar combo rarely happening for me. With that being said, it has still been really good! Very glad you suggested that change, Shadow Gripper!
While fetching a sword with Trophy Mage felt a lot like Stoneforge Mystic, it turns out grabbing a bazooka is just as good, if not better
4 Grand architect
4 Etherium Sculptor
4 Chief Engineer
4 Sage of Epityr
4 Mausoleum Wanderer
4 Lodestone Golem
4 Walking Ballista
3 Trinket Mage
2 Wurmcoil Engine
2 Spellskite
4 Smuggler's Copter
1 Basilisk Collar
4 Misty Rainforest
4 Flooded Strand
7 Island
3 Ghost Quarter
2 Hallowed Fountain
3 Path to Exile
3 Thorn of Amethyst
3 Fragmentize
2 Relic of Progenitus
1 Ghost Quarter
1 Wurmcoil Engine
1 Pithing Needle
1 Hangarback Walker
I gotta say, I never missed the Trophy Mage. And I was never like, "ewww, this is too many Walking Balistas, I wish I had swords/Shackles etc." Quite the contrary, Ballista was as sick as ever. The swords are good too, don't get me wrong, but they are high variance as I mentioned before.
I really like the sideboard configuration I used tonight. It felt like I had a wealth of options for every match. Trinket Mage provides many interesting options, including Chalice of the Void, which I may be picking up soon...
This version seems good, definitely more redundant/consistent as I imagined it would be. Definitely going to run it again next time.
Thanks for all of your suggestions guys. Let's keep 'em coming!!
"Blue Death and Taxes" or I was thinking "Mono Blue Stax," lol. It's hard to argue with your breakdown though, pretty spot on.
I agree with you that Etherium Sculptor is the worst of the three, but I he's still been good for me. I really like his interactions with Chief Engineer. He can be cast by Convoke, and when you tap him to Convoke he essentially adds 2 mana. He has a similar interaction with Grand Architect (taps for 2 and adds the 1 additional mana). I have had some very broken starts because of him, such as 2 Smuggler's Copters on turn 2, and 3 Lodestone Gollums in play by turn 4. In fact, this deck is so good at getting Hellbent fast, it doesn't surprise me that Sea Gate Wreckage has been good for you
I am taking a hard look at swapping Trophy Mage for Trinket Mage like ShadowGripper did. I feel it would add more consistency/redundancy to the deck, where as there is some variance with the Swords/Shackles package. I completely agree with you that Sword of Light and Shadow is insane for this deck though. Not only does it rebuy creatures and enable all sorts of shenanigans, but pro black/white is super relevant against removal. The +2/2 already puts most dudes past bolt range, so now its immune to basically everything, lol.
Ace1, your deck is super interesting! I actually tried Signal Pest for a bit, and you can drop em all turn 2 like you said. Looks good!
Thanks for all of your input guys!
Oh, so you run Vial in the slot where I run Etherium Sculptor. I do see how that would make Myr Superion better. Interesting.
I am intrigued by Vial for sure. Seems like it could make the deck more explosive. Although we already do essentially cheat a lot of cards into play, just like Shadow Gripper said, so I am a little hesitant to pick em up just yet. I could always sell them I guess. MTGO is the best for that. Rental Cards
Awesome stuff, I'm glad you like the deck. Let me know how Trinket Mage does. I definitely see the appeal there. Walking Ballista is my current MVP and Trinket Mage helps his cause.
I have considered your same switch of Judge's Familiar for Sage of Epityr. Mausoleum Wanderer is already so good, so why not add more, right? However, Sage has done some good work for me. I was constantly getting mana screwed or mana flooded before added him back in (in place of some lands).
Either way, one drops are important for this deck. I love their interaction with Chief Engineer. Convoking out two drops on turn two is the best.
Thanks for giving the deck a shot! Good luck and keep us posted with your progress.
Hell yeah, we're totally on the same page dude! Our decks are so similar, lol.
Rebuying Walking Ballista is where it's at. I haven't tried Buried Ruin, but Sword of Light and shadow rebuys him and Mausoleum Wanderer, which always feels good.
I tried Crucible of Worlds and didn't love it. Just seemed too slow. I do love the utility Ghost Quarter offers though.
Any ideas what to do about Stony Silence? Doesn't look like it wrecks you quite as bad as me, but I'm sure it's still tough.
Also, I can't help but notice that Aether Vial is relatively affordable online. Does anybody have experience with it? I have played it in Merfolk, and quite frankly, it seems much better in that deck than this. However,I'm still thinking of replacing the Sage of Epityr with it. It's tough though because here are pros/cons to each card.
4 Grand architect
4 Etherium Sculptor
4 Chief Engineer
4 Sage of Epityr
4 Mausoleum Wanderer
4 Lodestone Golem
4 Walking Ballista
2 Trophy Mage
2 Wurmcoil Engine
4 Smuggler's Copter
1 Sword of Fire and Ice
1 Sword of Feast and Famine
1 Sword of Light and Shadow
1 Vedalken Shackles
Land
4 Misty Rainforest
4 Flooded Strand
8 Island
3 Ghost Quarter
1 Hallowed Fountain
2 Basilisk Collar
3 Thorn of Amethyst
2 Spell Snare
2 Fragmentize
2 Spellskite
2 Relic of Progenitus
1 Ghost Quarter
1 Vedalken Shackles
I added the fetch lands as Narvuntien suggested, and Spellskites as StreetMage suggested. I also added a Hallowed Fountain since I had all those fetches, which let me splash 2 Fragmentize to deal with Stony Silence. I took out 2 Echoing Truth (which I never loved) 1 Basilisk Collar and 1 Trinisphere out of the board to make room for the new additions. I want to test Trinisphere again, so maybe I'll replace the Vedalken Shackles in the sideboard with it.
What elso can I do with white mana? I kinda wanna try Ethersworn Canonist out of the board, possibly instead of Thorn of Amethyst I haven't talked about Thorn yet, but it has been sick for me. Picture having one or two of those out and a Lodestone Golem against a spell based deck. You crush 'em! Canonist is similar though and can carry a sword of fly a copter. Plus he can convoke out other artifacts with Chief Engineer. I don't want to make too many changes at once though. Are there better options than Fragmentize? I like that it hits all of Affinity's artifacts and Stony Silence, lol. Is the extra mana worth it for Disenchant's instant speed and extra utility? I don't think so, but haven't had much practice yet.
Any other suggestions are welcome, so please let me know what you think. Hopefully some of you guys are still rocking these Grand Architect decks. I think Walking Ballista actually made them competitive
Oh yeah, I forgot about Spellskite. That card would protect every non-land permanent in my deck, lol. I tried Glint-Nest Crane for a while and liked it. However, it whiffed a little too much for my liking. My artifact count was even higher then as well because I ran Darksteel Citadel. I switched out the Citadels for Ghost Quarter and haven't looked back. I would still consider the Crane, mostly because of the synergies you mentioned, but I don't know what I'd cut for it. Also, whiffing and sendingTrophy Mage to the bottom of the library would feel real bad.
Narvuntien, I did add 4x Misty Rainforest. They're only $7 each right now because of Modern Masters 2017. I had some treasure chests from going 4-1 yesterday, and found out I could sell them for almost $2.50 each (I should have been selling them all along). Anyways, that helped pay the fetches, so it was pretty much a no brainer. They're are only going to go up in value anyway. I think I'll add 4 Flooded Strands soon too, so hopefully I win more treasure chests to help. I went 3-2 last again night, and I am 2-0 in my current league. Now I want Spellskites too dammit. I guess I better keep winning, lol.
4 Grand architect
4 Etherium Sculptor
4 Chief Engineer
4 Sage of Epityr
4 Mausoleum Wanderer
4 Lodestone Golem
4 Walking Ballista
2 Trophy Mage
2 Wurmcoil Engine
4 Smuggler's Copter
1 Sword of Fire and Ice
1 Sword of Feast and Famine
1 Sword of Light and Shadow
1 Vedalken Shackles
Land
17 Island
3 Ghost Quarter
3 Basilisk Collar
3 Thorn of Amethyst
2 Spell Snare
2 Echoing Truth
2 Relic of Progenitus
1 Ghost Quarter
1 Trinisphere
1 Vedalken Shackles
First of all, Walking Ballista is the house. That card comes down and just wipes out the opposing board. I even run the Basilisk Collar out of the board for the combo. It is great when it works, but Collar is still good alone in lots of match ups too (incidental life gain, deadly chump blockers etc).
I like my Trophy Mage package as well - the swords in particular. It is great to tutor up whichever sword fits your need, and they have nice synergy with some of the creatures. They pump Mausoleum Wanderer to the point where he basically becomes a hard counter, and they keep Walking Ballista alive after you remove it's counters. Plus, they turn any of the other dorks into legitimate threats and offer protection for your important creatures. Vedalken Shackles also tutorable, and is very difficult for creature decks to beat. The Trinisphere out of the board is tutorable too (albeit a little slow if you have to tutor for it).
Oh, and Smuggler's Copter is super legit too. Looting is a great mechanic for this deck - finding your ramp spells or win spells, which ever you need. Being a 3/3 flyer, it is one of the deck's best win conditions as well.
Anyways, like I said, I have been winning with this deck lately. Brought my ELO from 1550 to 1650 after ironing out the kinks, lol. One card that really wrecks me is Stony Silence. I have the Echoing Truth and Spell Snare out of the board to combat it, but I'd like other suggestions as well.
And for any haters doubting Sage of Epityr, I only made the ascent from 1550 to 1650 after adding him back into the deck (and removing some lands). Card selection is very important for this deck, and he is more than just a 1/1 when he flying a helicopter, swinging a sword, or convoking with Chief Engineer. He is basically a 2/2 Sol Ring when you have Grand Architect too, so there's that.
Lemme know what you guys think of the deck. And let's get this tread active again! I can't believe I am the first to post in like 2+ months.