Nice build Reaper9889, seems like you have a more aggro version. You must be able to get a lot of explosive starts with your deck and concentrate on getting your dudes out and beating down the opponents with Iona and Gaddock Teeg as disruption. There are a lot of cards in your list I have also considered testing but haven't gotten around to it yet.
I was also considering Master of the wild hunt as a form of removal. Is he very impressive in the deck?
Just thought I would run the following past you?
1. Do you run enough coloured sources of mana? Seems a little light
2. I notice you don't use Avenger Of Zendikar or Ant Queen these almost seem like auto include in a Rhys deck. Do you not run them to keep your avg cmc low?
3. With Hermit Druid would it be worthwhile running Karmic Guide for the recursion also works for the Survival combo. It's definitely a lot better than Loyal Retainers.
4. Do you find that your version runs out of steam in the late game?
Hello reaper9889, sounds like you have a very interesting take on Rhys. I would love to hear about your playing style and see the full list.
Jitte could definitely be a useful addition to this deck. Being legendary it is giving me an even larger craving to get Captain Sisay into the deck. Too bad my funds are currently tied up finishing a legacy project and buying xmas presents
The synergy between Elspeth 1.0/2.0 and Doubling Season is definitely strong but I found with testing the fact you need to rely on another card in play is a massive draw back.
With our few enchantment tutors I usually go for:
1. Survival of the fittest (this is my red alert insta win grab if I have run out of threats)
2. Earthcraft
3. The mana doublers
4. Privileged Position (if I have a nice set up already)
Often I will be searching for those with the tutors. Everything else in the deck works together with a huge number of other cards. I find Doubling Season is a nice card but not 100% essential to win. If I get the card in my opening hand or if I draw into it I will be happy but I have never gone looking for it. Plus the thing is when you do have PW's in your deck you can never search for them when you need them most which is pretty annoying.
Hello Zarutha, this deck tries to minimise PW and artifacts as it is more a tool box deck. Since you cannot fetch the PW and there is only enlightened tutor for artifacts they have been cut.
Only exceptions to this rule are for very strong cards than can make an immediate board difference i.e Oblivion stone.
In terms of anthem effects, Mirrari's Wake and Beast Masters Ascesion have been used which provide significantly stronger abilities. Also they are more reliably tutored being enchantments.
Eldrazi Monument will be good if you do go down the aggro route as it will protect your tokens from board wipes.
Nature's Will seems pretty interesting? Has anyone tried this card? Might be a good card to secure the casting of a combo vs blue decks.
The creatures you have listed are strong however due to the very stream lined list they must be better than the current token producers Ant Queen or Avenger of Zendikar before they can get their spot. I find that these two can easily win the game as soon as they are out.
Though I am no pro l have found that the deck isn't about simply making tokens and then beating an opponent down. Its almost like a control deck where you abuse your tokens with the enchantment package until the board is in a state where it is safe enough for you to swarm and kill everyone. You will generally hold onto your kill cards until the coast is clear to take someone out. Don't try and gain everyones attention at the start by being agro as that will just lead to everyone ganging up on you thus depleting your hand your board state and inevitably costing you the win.
Wow that sounds like an awesome experience with the bonus of spending xmas with family. Unfortunately I won't have much time to test out all the new additions for a while either.
Wow charity work in Ghana sounds good, what kind of work will you be doing?
I find that in my meta most of the insta win combos come from low toughness creatures i.e Momir Vig, Hermit Druid, Zur etc. Since this deck can get a lot of mana very quickly I figure Masticore may do the trick better than Duplicant.
Jweiz, your deck seems nuts. The only thing I would have different is to use a Nevinyrral's Disk instead of the Archdruid because I just gave away my Hallowed Burials to some friends.
Cheers dude, the list is playing well. I've currently got Hallowed Burial in the deck but unfortunately haven't had a chance to test it out yet. Nevinyrral's Disk seems like a good tutorable board wipe but the come into play tapped may cost me the game. I'll give it a go along with Masticore and report back.
It was a tough choice for me to decide between the ooze or night soil. But most of the recursion in my area is with creatures so I am happy to keep night soil. Also nothing better than getting some free tokens off of the trade
After testing Gilt Leaf Archdruid he is a blast when he comes out with mirror entity. Basically makes one player instascoop. But in saying that I only managed to get this combo out 2 times within 20 games. Also I was usually going to win the game anyway when the combo came.
I'm gonna rotate the druid out for now and try Hallowed Burial. Let you guys know how that goes.
Also I have had the idea of running Masticore, I think he would be awesome in getting rid of super annoying generals. Will test him out and let you guys know.
Here is my current list hasn't changed much since my last deck post. Some cards that I was sketchy on have now strongly confirmed their slot in this list Skyshroud Claim and Priest Of Titania.
Adding Duplicant over Helm Of Possession has been the right move. Artifacts just don't have much synergy in this deck. I've only kept the super strong stand alone artifacts. Right now Duplicant is better than Fiend Hunter in my deck cause double white can be tricky at times in the early game. Archon Of Justice may be good but I am not a fan of conditional removal.
I like the look of Hallowed Burial definitely does the trick against the annoying commanders. Also may need to get an Elspeith Tirel she also seems to have strong synergy with the deck even though she can't be tutored.
If the above doesn't work I might try the single target enchantments like Oblivion Ring and Prison Term .
Had quite a few games this weekend unfortunately the PTQ side event clashed with something else I had on so couldn't play.
I managed to play my Priest Of Titania on the 2nd turn a couple of times this weekend. She was a beast got me so far ahead with the mana production that I pretty much won every game she came out early. Tapping for 3 on turn four giving a total of 7 mana can end the game pretty quick. You can get a lot of value out of her by laying down the enchantment package in this deck before she gets wrathed.
One card I haven't been that impressed with is Spawning Pit it just doesn't do all that much for me and on top of that it's an artifact... Maybe it doesn't suit my play style but I normally don't get much use out of this thing. For now its going to be replaced with Gilt Leaf Archdruid.
Also used Primal Command you guys are right. This card is too slow. Also it only puts a non creature permanent on top of library, wish it was any permanent... Going to try Genesis Wave in its place let you guys know how that goes.
Also even with the addition of Duplicant there are still many problem cards that this deck needs a way to deal with. Some commanders need to be dealt with ASAP especially the ones that are tutors on a stick or have sick and unfair abilities i.e Momir, Riku, Sharum and even Mayael :S. I'm thinking about adding more token friendly wraths in this deck. Do any of you guys play with multiple wraths?
Sorry forgot answer the creature stealing yup there are so many blue decks in my play group running bribery and treachery its kind of ridiculous. Worst thing is having my Elesh Norn stolen from my own deck to kill my entire army of tokens.
A few particular decks hate on my deck so much they will try kill or steal Rhys straight away so I can't make any tokens... kind of makes me happy people are more scared of him lol
I have considered running some of these combos which can also deal with that problem:
Captain sisay, Linvala, Keeper of silence and living Plane in this deck. Thats about as round about as you can get with dealing with that card and you need Elesh Norn to get rid of all their lands but at least they can't cast anything while the combo is out.
Thanks for that feedback guys, looks like Mistveil Plains will remain cut.
My playing style:
I play this deck very passively during the first 3-4 turns building up guys. Setting up some key enchantments and developing my mana base.
Usually by the 4th or 5th turn when I am able to drop one of my bombs I start getting a big target on my head and I begin trying to take out players with combo's that are ready to go off. Usually do this with one of the token producers making lots of dudes and swarming the field with utility enchantments to back me up.
If I am falling behind by mid game I usually try to dig for my humility, austere command or oblivion stone to try and level the playing field.
Anything past the 5th or 6th turn I will usually be in a pretty sweet spot trying to knock someone out of the game. I usually try to save my silver bullets in case everything goes wrong. Silver bullets being survival of the fittest for the reveilark mirror entity combo, tooth and nail or Austere command.
Only time I have mana open is if I am producing tokens eot. But most of the time my mana is all spent casting bombs or setting up.
I find this decks steals a lot of games as one person summed it up completely in my play group - "I just didn't expect that from a Rhys deck"
Deserted Temple: I don't think this is good enough but it untaps Gaea's Cradle and Serra's Sanctum so it's a possibility.
Buried Ruin: Another card that probably isn't good enough but I wanted to throw it out there as a possibility.
Cycling lands: ETB tapped is annoying but they produce colored mana and can be cycled away when not needed.
Vesuva: Also ETB tapped but gives you a lot of utility for this drawback.
Will probably try out Deserted temple and Vesuva when I can get around to purchasing them. I think they are still a bit lacking compared to the other super utility lands we have in the deck.
My biggest issue with Gavony Township is the sheer impossibility to keep track of all the freakin' counters! I like the land, it is more of a late game card but I have had some good times with it.
I think there are far better things to do late game then putting +1/+1 counters on your tokens. I will either cut this or Springjack Pasture for Homeward Path. Thinking about putting Mistveil Plains back in, how have you guys found this card?
Cathars' Crusade and Woodfall Primus loop.
I was also considering Master of the wild hunt as a form of removal. Is he very impressive in the deck?
Just thought I would run the following past you?
1. Do you run enough coloured sources of mana? Seems a little light
2. I notice you don't use Avenger Of Zendikar or Ant Queen these almost seem like auto include in a Rhys deck. Do you not run them to keep your avg cmc low?
3. With Hermit Druid would it be worthwhile running Karmic Guide for the recursion also works for the Survival combo. It's definitely a lot better than Loyal Retainers.
4. Do you find that your version runs out of steam in the late game?
Cheers for posting the list
Jitte could definitely be a useful addition to this deck. Being legendary it is giving me an even larger craving to get Captain Sisay into the deck. Too bad my funds are currently tied up finishing a legacy project and buying xmas presents
The synergy between Elspeth 1.0/2.0 and Doubling Season is definitely strong but I found with testing the fact you need to rely on another card in play is a massive draw back.
With our few enchantment tutors I usually go for:
1. Survival of the fittest (this is my red alert insta win grab if I have run out of threats)
2. Earthcraft
3. The mana doublers
4. Privileged Position (if I have a nice set up already)
Often I will be searching for those with the tutors. Everything else in the deck works together with a huge number of other cards. I find Doubling Season is a nice card but not 100% essential to win. If I get the card in my opening hand or if I draw into it I will be happy but I have never gone looking for it. Plus the thing is when you do have PW's in your deck you can never search for them when you need them most which is pretty annoying.
Only exceptions to this rule are for very strong cards than can make an immediate board difference i.e Oblivion stone.
In terms of anthem effects, Mirrari's Wake and Beast Masters Ascesion have been used which provide significantly stronger abilities. Also they are more reliably tutored being enchantments.
Eldrazi Monument will be good if you do go down the aggro route as it will protect your tokens from board wipes.
Nature's Will seems pretty interesting? Has anyone tried this card? Might be a good card to secure the casting of a combo vs blue decks.
The creatures you have listed are strong however due to the very stream lined list they must be better than the current token producers Ant Queen or Avenger of Zendikar before they can get their spot. I find that these two can easily win the game as soon as they are out.
Though I am no pro l have found that the deck isn't about simply making tokens and then beating an opponent down. Its almost like a control deck where you abuse your tokens with the enchantment package until the board is in a state where it is safe enough for you to swarm and kill everyone. You will generally hold onto your kill cards until the coast is clear to take someone out. Don't try and gain everyones attention at the start by being agro as that will just lead to everyone ganging up on you thus depleting your hand your board state and inevitably costing you the win.
Wow charity work in Ghana sounds good, what kind of work will you be doing?
I find that in my meta most of the insta win combos come from low toughness creatures i.e Momir Vig, Hermit Druid, Zur etc. Since this deck can get a lot of mana very quickly I figure Masticore may do the trick better than Duplicant.
Cheers dude, the list is playing well. I've currently got Hallowed Burial in the deck but unfortunately haven't had a chance to test it out yet. Nevinyrral's Disk seems like a good tutorable board wipe but the come into play tapped may cost me the game. I'll give it a go along with Masticore and report back.
After testing Gilt Leaf Archdruid he is a blast when he comes out with mirror entity. Basically makes one player instascoop. But in saying that I only managed to get this combo out 2 times within 20 games. Also I was usually going to win the game anyway when the combo came.
I'm gonna rotate the druid out for now and try Hallowed Burial. Let you guys know how that goes.
Also I have had the idea of running Masticore, I think he would be awesome in getting rid of super annoying generals. Will test him out and let you guys know.
Adding Duplicant over Helm Of Possession has been the right move. Artifacts just don't have much synergy in this deck. I've only kept the super strong stand alone artifacts. Right now Duplicant is better than Fiend Hunter in my deck cause double white can be tricky at times in the early game. Archon Of Justice may be good but I am not a fan of conditional removal.
I like the look of Hallowed Burial definitely does the trick against the annoying commanders. Also may need to get an Elspeith Tirel she also seems to have strong synergy with the deck even though she can't be tutored.
If the above doesn't work I might try the single target enchantments like Oblivion Ring and Prison Term .
Rhys the Redeemed
Creatures:
1 Priest of Titania
2 Sakura Tribe Elder
3 Stoneforge Mystic
4 Dauntless Escort
5 Eternal Witness
6 Knight of the Reliquary
7 Mirror Entity
8 Academy Rector
9 Nullmage Shepherd
10 Karmic Guide
11 Reveillark
12 Mentor of the meek
13 Ant Queen
14 Acidic Slime
15 Seedborn Muse
16 Genesis
17 Kamahl, Fist of Krosa
18 Primeval Titan
19 Avenger of Zendikar
20 Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite
21 Duplicant
22 Gilt Leaf Archdruid
23 Concordant Crossroads
24 Land Tax
25 Survival of the Fittest
26 Sylvan Library
27 Night Soil
28 Earthcraft
29 Luminarch Ascension
30 Sterling Grove
31 Beastmaster Ascension
32 Karmic Justice
33 Sacred Mesa
34 Aura Shards
35 Fecundity
36 Martyr's Cause
37 Humility
38 Parallax Wave
39 Parallel Lives
40 Mirari's Wake
41 Doubling Season
42 Privileged Position
43 Mana Reflection
44 Martyr's Bond
46 Sensei's Divining Top
47 Sol Ring
48 Skullclamp
49 Lightning Greaves
50 Oblivion Stone
51 Skyshroud claim
52 Idyllic Tutor
53 Replenish
54 Austere Command
55 Tooth and Nail
56 Green Sun's Zenith
57 Natural Order
58 Genesis Wave
59 Enlightened Tutor
60 Eladamri's Call
61 Chord of Calling
62 Homeward Path
63 High Market
64 Kor Haven
65 Springjack Pasture
66 Strip Mine
67 Ancient Tomb
68 Yavimaya Hollow
69 Temple of the false god
70 Serra's Sanctum
71 Windbrisk Heights
72 Flagstones of Trokair
73 Kjeldoran Outpost
74 Selesnya Sacntuary
75 Krosan Verge
76 Stirring Wildwood
77 Savannah
78 Temple Garden
79 Command Tower
80 Horizon Canopy
81 Thawing Glaciers
82 Sunpetal Grove
83 Windswept Heath
84 Gaea's Cradle
85 Mosswort Bridge
4 Plains
10 Forest
Testing:
Genesis Wave
Gilt Leaf Archdruid
Chopping Block:
Thawing Glaciers
Springjack Pasture
I managed to play my Priest Of Titania on the 2nd turn a couple of times this weekend. She was a beast got me so far ahead with the mana production that I pretty much won every game she came out early. Tapping for 3 on turn four giving a total of 7 mana can end the game pretty quick. You can get a lot of value out of her by laying down the enchantment package in this deck before she gets wrathed.
One card I haven't been that impressed with is Spawning Pit it just doesn't do all that much for me and on top of that it's an artifact... Maybe it doesn't suit my play style but I normally don't get much use out of this thing. For now its going to be replaced with Gilt Leaf Archdruid.
Also used Primal Command you guys are right. This card is too slow. Also it only puts a non creature permanent on top of library, wish it was any permanent... Going to try Genesis Wave in its place let you guys know how that goes.
Also even with the addition of Duplicant there are still many problem cards that this deck needs a way to deal with. Some commanders need to be dealt with ASAP especially the ones that are tutors on a stick or have sick and unfair abilities i.e Momir, Riku, Sharum and even Mayael :S. I'm thinking about adding more token friendly wraths in this deck. Do any of you guys play with multiple wraths?
A few particular decks hate on my deck so much they will try kill or steal Rhys straight away so I can't make any tokens... kind of makes me happy people are more scared of him lol
I have never played against anyone using Constant Mists .
The deck does currently has:
Kamahl, Fist of Krosa + Elesh Norn
I have considered running some of these combos which can also deal with that problem:
Captain sisay, Linvala, Keeper of silence and living Plane in this deck. Thats about as round about as you can get with dealing with that card and you need Elesh Norn to get rid of all their lands but at least they can't cast anything while the combo is out.
Or:
Gilt-Leaf Archdruid and Mirror Entity and steal all their lands. I may try this first seems kind of funny
My playing style:
I play this deck very passively during the first 3-4 turns building up guys. Setting up some key enchantments and developing my mana base.
Usually by the 4th or 5th turn when I am able to drop one of my bombs I start getting a big target on my head and I begin trying to take out players with combo's that are ready to go off. Usually do this with one of the token producers making lots of dudes and swarming the field with utility enchantments to back me up.
If I am falling behind by mid game I usually try to dig for my humility, austere command or oblivion stone to try and level the playing field.
Anything past the 5th or 6th turn I will usually be in a pretty sweet spot trying to knock someone out of the game. I usually try to save my silver bullets in case everything goes wrong. Silver bullets being survival of the fittest for the reveilark mirror entity combo, tooth and nail or Austere command.
Only time I have mana open is if I am producing tokens eot. But most of the time my mana is all spent casting bombs or setting up.
I find this decks steals a lot of games as one person summed it up completely in my play group - "I just didn't expect that from a Rhys deck"
Will probably try out Deserted temple and Vesuva when I can get around to purchasing them. I think they are still a bit lacking compared to the other super utility lands we have in the deck.
I think there are far better things to do late game then putting +1/+1 counters on your tokens. I will either cut this or Springjack Pasture for Homeward Path. Thinking about putting Mistveil Plains back in, how have you guys found this card?