I've been toying with the idea of manlands in my Marchesa build, just as back-up closers. I was wondering if you ever thought to include Mishra's Factory in your builds or if you think that would be good?
Interesting choice of Sandstone Oracle. I guess you can abuse it with loops.
I've also cut Bad Mike from my deck, so don't feel bad about that. My curve is so aggressive that I can't use Bad Mike, unlike a midrange deck, which neither of us run (as the classic Marchesa deck).
i tried my version of marchesa artifacts last night, i was completely underwhelmed by spellskite. the best use i had for it has been using it as a 5th artifact for time sieve.
the only time it is usually good for me is to prevent the stray path of exile on marchesa, but the deck seemed stable enough to just shrug off the commander tax. anyone else in doubt about the card?
It's a toolbox card. It's not always going to be the best card on the battlefield, but when you need it you'll be glad you have it. In a 4-5 player pod once people learn what you're doing, they're going to be gunning for Marchesa or other important creatures like Arcbound Ravager nonstop. Also it obviously depends on the people/decks you're playing with. Some people run more or less removal than others. You may also not realize it, but people may be holding on to cards just because you have Spellskite on the battlefield and they can't target what they want to. It's one of those cards that you know is working because they aren't casting spells at your stuff - they know it'll be redirected to Spellskite.
There are multiple Marchesas in my meta. I'm the most aggressive version; one of them is the more stealery version and the other is more like plushpenguin's artifact version. As someone who doesn't have the Spellskite in his deck and my opponents know this, I get a lot more random hate flung at me. So I completely agree with Kelzam's analysis that perhaps they were holding onto the hate: especially since I've been on the other side, staring down the Spellskite and trying to figure out a way to actually remove the target I want.
Metallic Mimic comes down and you name Wizard. Marchesa can come in on Turn 4 'protected', the only thing that can ruin your day is a Counterspell which a lot of players don't want to use on a Creature. Then if she dies when randomly swinging, she comes back and the Mimic puts another +1/+1 on her. You only name another creature type when you want to go Infinite, for example I use "Goblin" when I have my Murderous Redcap but Plush might name Construct to go Infinite with the Walking Ballista and a Sac Outlet.
The rest I can't speak for because I'm going with a different direction.
Strengthening Ballista seems to be right up your alley! XX Artifact creature that comes into play with X +1/+1 counters, pay 4 to put a +1/+1 counter on it. It also has Remove a +1/+1 counter to ping a target. This means it goes Infinite with Mikaeus, the Unhallowed or Infinite Mana. Being an XX Artifact means your Trinket Mage can search it up for you.
There's a lot of goodies in this set for your particular build. Looks like you'll need to do an overhaul!
My vote would be with Oblivion Stone or Cyclonic Rift. O-Stone for the recursion, Rift for the indefensible nature of an Instant that clears the board.
Wow, your deck morphed from something solid to something that looks really competitive. Intimidating, really.
I've been finding Matter Reshaper to be absolutely bonkers if you're OK with a nonartifact creature. He really is insane if you can get him looping. Also, wouldn't Ashnod's Altar be better than Worn Powerstone?
I was also thinking of adding Greater Gargadon to my Marchesa but then found out he was $10 and noped right out of there. What can I say, I'm cheap.
Filigree Familiar is another way to draw cards on a cheap Artifact Creature. Baleful Strix is also an Artifact Creature.
There's got to be something you could do with Triskelion.
Fast Mana is always good. Round out the suite with Talisman of Dominance and Talisman of Indulgence. Pinging yourself helps keep your life total lower than an opponent's for those Dethrone triggers. Phyrexian Altar is another way to get mana and sacrifice your Artifact Creatures.
Mid-Tier: Marchesa Aggro Rose Asmadi Get Dire Tymna Ikra Woke Women Tiana Aura Angel Ruric Thar SMASH Smasher Kraum Mana Positivity Zur Slides
Filthy Casual: WUBRG Jodah WUBRG WUBRG Fatties WUBRG Gahiji Vigilant Vengeance Ezuri Mysterious Morphs
Mid-Tier: Marchesa Aggro Rose Asmadi Get Dire Tymna Ikra Woke Women Tiana Aura Angel Ruric Thar SMASH Smasher Kraum Mana Positivity Zur Slides
Filthy Casual: WUBRG Jodah WUBRG WUBRG Fatties WUBRG Gahiji Vigilant Vengeance Ezuri Mysterious Morphs
I've also cut Bad Mike from my deck, so don't feel bad about that. My curve is so aggressive that I can't use Bad Mike, unlike a midrange deck, which neither of us run (as the classic Marchesa deck).
Mid-Tier: Marchesa Aggro Rose Asmadi Get Dire Tymna Ikra Woke Women Tiana Aura Angel Ruric Thar SMASH Smasher Kraum Mana Positivity Zur Slides
Filthy Casual: WUBRG Jodah WUBRG WUBRG Fatties WUBRG Gahiji Vigilant Vengeance Ezuri Mysterious Morphs
Mid-Tier: Marchesa Aggro Rose Asmadi Get Dire Tymna Ikra Woke Women Tiana Aura Angel Ruric Thar SMASH Smasher Kraum Mana Positivity Zur Slides
Filthy Casual: WUBRG Jodah WUBRG WUBRG Fatties WUBRG Gahiji Vigilant Vengeance Ezuri Mysterious Morphs
Well, it's too bad you could toss Leo away while he was Unbanned.
Mid-Tier: Marchesa Aggro Rose Asmadi Get Dire Tymna Ikra Woke Women Tiana Aura Angel Ruric Thar SMASH Smasher Kraum Mana Positivity Zur Slides
Filthy Casual: WUBRG Jodah WUBRG WUBRG Fatties WUBRG Gahiji Vigilant Vengeance Ezuri Mysterious Morphs
Mid-Tier: Marchesa Aggro Rose Asmadi Get Dire Tymna Ikra Woke Women Tiana Aura Angel Ruric Thar SMASH Smasher Kraum Mana Positivity Zur Slides
Filthy Casual: WUBRG Jodah WUBRG WUBRG Fatties WUBRG Gahiji Vigilant Vengeance Ezuri Mysterious Morphs
The rest I can't speak for because I'm going with a different direction.
Mid-Tier: Marchesa Aggro Rose Asmadi Get Dire Tymna Ikra Woke Women Tiana Aura Angel Ruric Thar SMASH Smasher Kraum Mana Positivity Zur Slides
Filthy Casual: WUBRG Jodah WUBRG WUBRG Fatties WUBRG Gahiji Vigilant Vengeance Ezuri Mysterious Morphs
Treasure Keeper looks exactly within your wheel house as well.
Mid-Tier: Marchesa Aggro Rose Asmadi Get Dire Tymna Ikra Woke Women Tiana Aura Angel Ruric Thar SMASH Smasher Kraum Mana Positivity Zur Slides
Filthy Casual: WUBRG Jodah WUBRG WUBRG Fatties WUBRG Gahiji Vigilant Vengeance Ezuri Mysterious Morphs
There's a lot of goodies in this set for your particular build. Looks like you'll need to do an overhaul!
Mid-Tier: Marchesa Aggro Rose Asmadi Get Dire Tymna Ikra Woke Women Tiana Aura Angel Ruric Thar SMASH Smasher Kraum Mana Positivity Zur Slides
Filthy Casual: WUBRG Jodah WUBRG WUBRG Fatties WUBRG Gahiji Vigilant Vengeance Ezuri Mysterious Morphs
Mid-Tier: Marchesa Aggro Rose Asmadi Get Dire Tymna Ikra Woke Women Tiana Aura Angel Ruric Thar SMASH Smasher Kraum Mana Positivity Zur Slides
Filthy Casual: WUBRG Jodah WUBRG WUBRG Fatties WUBRG Gahiji Vigilant Vengeance Ezuri Mysterious Morphs
I've been finding Matter Reshaper to be absolutely bonkers if you're OK with a nonartifact creature. He really is insane if you can get him looping. Also, wouldn't Ashnod's Altar be better than Worn Powerstone?
I was also thinking of adding Greater Gargadon to my Marchesa but then found out he was $10 and noped right out of there. What can I say, I'm cheap.
Mid-Tier: Marchesa Aggro Rose Asmadi Get Dire Tymna Ikra Woke Women Tiana Aura Angel Ruric Thar SMASH Smasher Kraum Mana Positivity Zur Slides
Filthy Casual: WUBRG Jodah WUBRG WUBRG Fatties WUBRG Gahiji Vigilant Vengeance Ezuri Mysterious Morphs
Mid-Tier: Marchesa Aggro Rose Asmadi Get Dire Tymna Ikra Woke Women Tiana Aura Angel Ruric Thar SMASH Smasher Kraum Mana Positivity Zur Slides
Filthy Casual: WUBRG Jodah WUBRG WUBRG Fatties WUBRG Gahiji Vigilant Vengeance Ezuri Mysterious Morphs
There's got to be something you could do with Triskelion.
Fast Mana is always good. Round out the suite with Talisman of Dominance and Talisman of Indulgence. Pinging yourself helps keep your life total lower than an opponent's for those Dethrone triggers. Phyrexian Altar is another way to get mana and sacrifice your Artifact Creatures.
Mid-Tier: Marchesa Aggro Rose Asmadi Get Dire Tymna Ikra Woke Women Tiana Aura Angel Ruric Thar SMASH Smasher Kraum Mana Positivity Zur Slides
Filthy Casual: WUBRG Jodah WUBRG WUBRG Fatties WUBRG Gahiji Vigilant Vengeance Ezuri Mysterious Morphs