Ajani Unyielding seems like straight up good stuff. I know Elspeth, Sun's Champion saw a bit of play in the deck once upon a time, and while Ajani isn't going big with tokens, it provides an incredible amount of card advantage for a single planeswalker, especially in such and instant and sorcery-light deck like this one. Definitely my pick for the set.
Renegade Rallier, if only you were a 2/2. It's a powerful effect, but it has two very big downsides, the first of which is it's a recursion piece that isn't 2 power or less, meaning we can't get it with Reveillark, but we can get it with Recruiter of the Guard. Secondly, revolt may be too hard to trigger in the deck.
Every mode on Ajani is good for this deck. As you said there is a lot of value to be gained from the +2, more creature removal is always welcome and the ultimate will often be game ending. I also don't think it's unreasonable for him to stick around for multiple turns if you + him right away. I will definitely consider him but have not picked one up yet.
I really with Renegade Rallier would make the cut but I think he has a few too many shortcomings to make it in. If I ran Saffi I think I would be more inclined to give him a go.
Quote from FiddlerTheDrum »
Heroic Intervention looks strong too.
Also from C16, what about Sidar Kondo? It reads that all of your swarm (unpumped) get through.
Benefactor's Draught could untap Rhys and also prevent crack backs on a big turn with some card draw too
Maybe some corner cases, but those are other ones that could be interesting
Heroic Intervention went straight into Edric but here I would prefer a creature version for accessibility. You lose the surprise factor but can get the effect when you need it with Dauntless Escort if I wanted a back up to Selfless Spirit. Sidar Kondo is cool. I don't think I would get a lot of value from him though as the deck tends to win out of nowhere and making blocking irrelevant. I don't run many anthems but that is also a thing that doesn't interact very well with him (though Mirror Entity is pretty sweet). Benefactor's Draught is such an odd card I don't know how to evaluate it. It's currently in my commander cube so I'm waiting to see how it plays out there before I give it much thought for constructed commander.
All interesting cards for sure, I do agree Ajani is probably the best of the bunch.
Sorry for being late to the party and being a bit strapped for time so I haven't fully gone thru all 37 pages (yet). I just wanted your thoughts on a few cards for this deck. Anointed Procession It's a white Parallel Lives!!! Talk about an auto include for this deck. Thousand-Year ElixirUmbral MantleSword of the ParunsThornbite StaffIllusionist's BracersStaff of Domination After running a Krenko, Mob Boss deck, I made a Rhys deck myself and just ported this package over (along with the sac for mana altars). I can understand if you don't run this due to not wanting to just combo out, but it's fun to be able to do so at need. Not to mention that it gets crazy if you are running Elvish Archdruid or another stupid OP mana dork.
Sorry for being late to the party and being a bit strapped for time so I haven't fully gone thru all 37 pages (yet). I just wanted your thoughts on a few cards for this deck. Anointed Procession It's a white Parallel Lives!!! Talk about an auto include for this deck. Thousand-Year ElixirUmbral MantleSword of the ParunsThornbite StaffIllusionist's BracersStaff of Domination After running a Krenko, Mob Boss deck, I made a Rhys deck myself and just ported this package over (along with the sac for mana altars). I can understand if you don't run this due to not wanting to just combo out, but it's fun to be able to do so at need. Not to mention that it gets crazy if you are running Elvish Archdruid or another stupid OP mana dork.
Hey Draco, welcome to the thread!
Annointed Procession looks great on paper, but I can't help but feel between Doubling Season, Parallel Lives and all the tutors we've already got enough of this effect. Being non-white also feels pretty bad too, since the elf mana dorks and Gaea's Cradle all produce green mana. But that's only a very minor critique. If you don't run as many tutors as Donald's list, it's a great choice however. Redundancy is key.
Also that package is neat but I feel like there's a lot more on-theme ways to combo out if you're that way inclined. Most of those cards without the combo piece don't do enough on their own to justify them in decks I'd build. Also given that most of that package are artifacts, you're going to have some trouble tutoring them up.
If you're looking to go infinite in Rhys, start with Earthcraft. Apart from being entirely disgusting on its own, combining it with Squirrel Nest, or even Doubling Season or Parallel Lives and any two-mana token maker like Ant Queen breaks it in half. And being an enchantment, you won't have any trouble getting it into your hand.
Sorry for being late to the party and being a bit strapped for time so I haven't fully gone thru all 37 pages (yet). I just wanted your thoughts on a few cards for this deck. Anointed Procession It's a white Parallel Lives!!! Talk about an auto include for this deck. Thousand-Year ElixirUmbral MantleSword of the ParunsThornbite StaffIllusionist's BracersStaff of Domination After running a Krenko, Mob Boss deck, I made a Rhys deck myself and just ported this package over (along with the sac for mana altars). I can understand if you don't run this due to not wanting to just combo out, but it's fun to be able to do so at need. Not to mention that it gets crazy if you are running Elvish Archdruid or another stupid OP mana dork.
Hey Draco, welcome to the thread!
Annointed Procession looks great on paper, but I can't help but feel between Doubling Season, Parallel Lives and all the tutors we've already got enough of this effect. Being non-white also feels pretty bad too, since the elf mana dorks and Gaea's Cradle all produce green mana. But that's only a very minor critique. If you don't run as many tutors as Donald's list, it's a great choice however. Redundancy is key.
Also that package is neat but I feel like there's a lot more on-theme ways to combo out if you're that way inclined. Most of those cards without the combo piece don't do enough on their own to justify them in decks I'd build. Also given that most of that package are artifacts, you're going to have some trouble tutoring them up.
If you're looking to go infinite in Rhys, start with Earthcraft. Apart from being entirely disgusting on its own, combining it with Squirrel Nest, or even Doubling Season or Parallel Lives and any two-mana token maker like Ant Queen breaks it in half. And being an enchantment, you won't have any trouble getting it into your hand.
Funny thing about Earthcraft... That's also one of the combo pieces I run in my Rhys deck... Along with running it in my Wort deck (in sig). It's actually my Wort deck that gave me the idea to port the artifacts and enchantments to Rhys. hahaha. I would of mentioned Earthcraft, but I thought it was too much of a duh auto-include to bother mentioning. lol
I am looking for some suggestions on my deck. I was wondering if anyone could take a peak and offer some suggestions on swaps. I would like it to be stream lined and bumping up it's competitive level, but I'm falling short of includes. I am looking to keep additions to around $20 per card max. I know some of the lands need to be removed/upgraded, but it's there for now until I can get more money. Thanks!
Wow, just wow. Here's our second Cradle, and it's surprisingly good. Three mana for the effect is pretty horrible but it's at least relevant for the deck. It passes the Sun Titan test too, and it's tutorable with the enchantment finders!
One G for this beauty? It's another Privileged Position style enchantment that may be drawing you a heap of cards over a game. Might be another good way to deter your bigger creatures being removed.
Its certainly one of the better commanders for it but even then I dont know if id run it. This is really one of those cards I feel needs to be heavily tested to see if any good. When it good its going to be great but when its bad its going to be the worse card in the whole deck.
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SonofaBith - Wizards was so excited about making the packaging for Modern Masters 2 recyclable, they decided to make most of the rares and all but 1 of the UC's recycle-bin ready too. Convenient!
I tried to reach out to Donald a few months ago to see if I could update the primer and maintain it for him in a new thread, but he doesn't seem to be on the forums anymore
If anyone in this thread knows him personally, if you could reach out to him for permission for me to create a new thread using his post as the base, that'd be amazing. I hate to see such an awesome deck primer fade into obscurity.
Hi, long time lurker and I can't get into my old account after the twitch merge.. I've been subscribed to this thread for 7 years and always read the comments here. If you do start a new thread, make sure to post a link.
About my deck: After the 2018 commanders released, I've moved the enchantments to be under a bant commander, so my Rhys deck is a creature heavy version. I prioritize green creatures over white because they can be tutored easier with Green Sun's Zenith and Natural Order. Similarly I've also turned my deck into more of an elfball theme and it works well.
Below is my take on the sets that have been released since the last conversation about cards above.
--Commander 2017-- Kindred Summons - Potential win con for elf ball variants Kindred Boon - Elf ball variants with enchantment sub-theme could utilize this Qasali Slingers - bad acidic slime but it is a redundant effect Alms Collector - White Notion Thief? I'm interested in this card
--Hour of Devasation-- Overwhelming Splendor - Targeted Humility, Definite sideboard material Uncage the menagerie - Creature tutor, this card will find a home in one of my decks solemnity - sideboard card for infect Ramunap Excavator - I've switched crucible of worlds for this guy in my deck. We play a lot of creature tutors making it easier to find and my meta packs targeted land hate.
--Amonkhet-- Harvest Season - This card is really good, I usually have 3 or 4 creatures on the field by turn 3.
--Battlebond-- Bramble Sovereign - Create a token of any creature in our deck
--Dominaria-- Song of Freyalise - Budget earthcraft-esq effect and an anthem at the end Shalai, Voice of Plenty - Hexproof on a stick, if it was a green instead of white, I would play this card Mox Amber - We have a one drop general, this card is really good
--Core 2019-- Vivien Reid - Card advantage on the +, control on -, and wincon if she ults. Interested in testing her Resplendent Angel - Awesome in a 1v1 or French EDH. In a 4 player pod probably better suited to trostani decks Lena, Selfless Champion - Token generator and indestructible on a stick Runic Armasaur - I'm intrigued by anything that can draw me cards, probably more a sideboard or meta card though Cleansing Nova - Austere command is better but is a possible redundant effect Satyr Enchanter - Card draw for enchantment builds
I am looking for some suggestions on my deck. I was wondering if anyone could take a peak and offer some suggestions on swaps. I would like it to be stream lined and bumping up it's competitive level, but I'm falling short of includes. I am looking to keep additions to around $20 per card max. I know some of the lands need to be removed/upgraded, but it's there for now until I can get more money. Thanks!
Token engines are better than 1 time effects so:
Add: Sacred Mesa - Trade this for one of your generate x token spells Ant Queen - Trade this for one of your generate x token spells Concordant Crossroads - This card is <$20 right now and will be great in your deck. It enables cards like Cryptolith Rite to behave as though they were earthcraft (Add both to your deck). Growing Rites of Itlimoc - Budget Gaea's Cradle - this card will win you games
Cards that I would cut
Tolsimir Wolfblood - Can only produce 1 token and we have better anthems, also really expensive
Intangible Virtue - doesn't do much on it's own and we can generally win with 1 big attack
Second Harvest - We have this on our general and don't usually need a second effect
Also from C16, what about Sidar Kondo? It reads that all of your swarm (unpumped) get through.
Benefactor's Draught could untap Rhys and also prevent crack backs on a big turn with some card draw too
Maybe some corner cases, but those are other ones that could be interesting
G Azusa, Wherever I May Roam
UG Rashmi Simic Power
WB Kambal Life Gain Kills
URG Maelstrom Wanderer Howdy
I really with Renegade Rallier would make the cut but I think he has a few too many shortcomings to make it in. If I ran Saffi I think I would be more inclined to give him a go.
Heroic Intervention went straight into Edric but here I would prefer a creature version for accessibility. You lose the surprise factor but can get the effect when you need it with Dauntless Escort if I wanted a back up to Selfless Spirit. Sidar Kondo is cool. I don't think I would get a lot of value from him though as the deck tends to win out of nowhere and making blocking irrelevant. I don't run many anthems but that is also a thing that doesn't interact very well with him (though Mirror Entity is pretty sweet). Benefactor's Draught is such an odd card I don't know how to evaluate it. It's currently in my commander cube so I'm waiting to see how it plays out there before I give it much thought for constructed commander.
All interesting cards for sure, I do agree Ajani is probably the best of the bunch.
Anointed Procession It's a white Parallel Lives!!! Talk about an auto include for this deck.
Thousand-Year Elixir Umbral Mantle Sword of the Paruns Thornbite Staff Illusionist's Bracers Staff of Domination After running a Krenko, Mob Boss deck, I made a Rhys deck myself and just ported this package over (along with the sac for mana altars). I can understand if you don't run this due to not wanting to just combo out, but it's fun to be able to do so at need. Not to mention that it gets crazy if you are running Elvish Archdruid or another stupid OP mana dork.
Hey Draco, welcome to the thread!
Annointed Procession looks great on paper, but I can't help but feel between Doubling Season, Parallel Lives and all the tutors we've already got enough of this effect. Being non-white also feels pretty bad too, since the elf mana dorks and Gaea's Cradle all produce green mana. But that's only a very minor critique. If you don't run as many tutors as Donald's list, it's a great choice however. Redundancy is key.
Also that package is neat but I feel like there's a lot more on-theme ways to combo out if you're that way inclined. Most of those cards without the combo piece don't do enough on their own to justify them in decks I'd build. Also given that most of that package are artifacts, you're going to have some trouble tutoring them up.
If you're looking to go infinite in Rhys, start with Earthcraft. Apart from being entirely disgusting on its own, combining it with Squirrel Nest, or even Doubling Season or Parallel Lives and any two-mana token maker like Ant Queen breaks it in half. And being an enchantment, you won't have any trouble getting it into your hand.
Funny thing about Earthcraft... That's also one of the combo pieces I run in my Rhys deck... Along with running it in my Wort deck (in sig). It's actually my Wort deck that gave me the idea to port the artifacts and enchantments to Rhys. hahaha. I would of mentioned Earthcraft, but I thought it was too much of a duh auto-include to bother mentioning. lol
I am looking for some suggestions on my deck. I was wondering if anyone could take a peak and offer some suggestions on swaps. I would like it to be stream lined and bumping up it's competitive level, but I'm falling short of includes. I am looking to keep additions to around $20 per card max. I know some of the lands need to be removed/upgraded, but it's there for now until I can get more money. Thanks!
1x Avenger of Zendikar
1x Brimaz, King of Oreskos
1x Craterhoof Behemoth
1x Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite
1x Elvish Archdruid
1x Emeria Shepherd
1x Eternal Witness
1x Fauna Shaman
1x Juniper Order Ranger
1x Knight of the Reliquary
1x Mentor of the Meek
1x Mirror Entity
1x Monastery Mentor
1x Priest of Titania
1x Rampaging Baloths
1x Regal Force
1x Seedborn Muse
1x Selfless Spirit
1x Sun Titan
1x Tolsimir Wolfblood
1x Ulamog, the Infinite Gyre
1x Voice of Resurgence
1x Vorinclex, Voice of Hunger
Instant (7)
1x Crop Rotation
1x Eladamri's Call
1x Enlightened Tutor
1x Second Harvest
1x Secure the Wastes
1x White Sun's Zenith
1x Worldly Tutor
1x Aura Shards
1x Beastmaster Ascension
1x Burgeoning
1x Cathars' Crusade
1x Defense of the Heart
1x Doubling Season
1x Earthcraft
1x Exploration
1x Intangible Virtue
1x Karmic Justice
1x Land Tax
1x Luminarch Ascension
1x Mana Reflection
1x Mirari's Wake
1x Parallel Lives
1x Primal Vigor
1x Privileged Position
1x Sterling Grove
1x Survival of the Fittest
1x Sylvan Library
Land (35)
1x Canopy Vista
1x Command Tower
1x Dryad Arbor
11x Forest
1x Fortified Village
1x Ghost Quarter
1x High Market
1x Mosswort Bridge
1x Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx
1x Oran-Rief, the Vastwood
9x Plains
1x Saltcrusted Steppe
1x Sunpetal Grove
1x Temple Garden
1x Temple of the False God
1x Terramorphic Expanse
1x Windbrisk Heights
1x Decree of Justice
1x Entreat the Angels
1x Green Sun's Zenith
1x Hour of Reckoning
1x Natural Order
1x Primal Command
1x Skyshroud Claim
1x The Great Aurora
1x Tooth and Nail
Artifact (5)
1x Akroma's Memorial
1x Birthing Pod
1x Sensei's Divining Top
1x Skullclamp
1x Sol Ring
1x Avacyn, Angel of Hope
1x Birds of Paradise
1x Elspeth Tirel
1x Elspeth, Sun's Champion
1x Explosive Vegetation
1x Garruk Wildspeaker
1x Imperious Perfect
1x Kazandu Tuskcaller
1x Mycoloth
1x Rampant Growth
1x Squirrel Nest
1x Sundering Growth
Growing Rites of Itlimoc
Wow, just wow. Here's our second Cradle, and it's surprisingly good. Three mana for the effect is pretty horrible but it's at least relevant for the deck. It passes the Sun Titan test too, and it's tutorable with the enchantment finders!
Shapers' Sanctuary
One G for this beauty? It's another Privileged Position style enchantment that may be drawing you a heap of cards over a game. Might be another good way to deter your bigger creatures being removed.
What's your opinion Donald?
GW Rhys the Redeemed EDH
RUGAnimar, Soul of Elements EDH
WBRAlesha, Who Smiles at Death EDH
I tried to reach out to Donald a few months ago to see if I could update the primer and maintain it for him in a new thread, but he doesn't seem to be on the forums anymore
If anyone in this thread knows him personally, if you could reach out to him for permission for me to create a new thread using his post as the base, that'd be amazing. I hate to see such an awesome deck primer fade into obscurity.
About my deck: After the 2018 commanders released, I've moved the enchantments to be under a bant commander, so my Rhys deck is a creature heavy version. I prioritize green creatures over white because they can be tutored easier with Green Sun's Zenith and Natural Order. Similarly I've also turned my deck into more of an elfball theme and it works well.
Below is my take on the sets that have been released since the last conversation about cards above.
--RNA--
Biogenic Ooze - Very expensive token generator, can go infinite with Earthcraft+Mirari's Wake+Parallel Lives
Guardian Project - Since my deck has 39 creatures, this is in if I can find a cut
End-Raze Forerunners - Baby craterhoof, can be tutored by green creature tutors.
Smothering Tithe - I'm picking up a copy for the enchantments
Wilderness Reclamation - I'm interested in play testing this card
--Guilds of Ravanica--
Trostani Discordant - This would replace [[Brooding Saurian]] in my sideboard if there weren't decks that steal lands in my meta.
Emmara, Soul of the Accord - Slow token generator
March of the Multitudes - Instant speed token generation is strong
Camaraderie - This card is a straight replacement for anyone playing collective unconscious
Knight of Autumn - Second Qasali Pridemage effect
Divine Visitation - This card will win the game if it sticks
Beast Whisperer - This guy is really good for creature heavy decks
--Commander 2017--
Kindred Summons - Potential win con for elf ball variants
Kindred Boon - Elf ball variants with enchantment sub-theme could utilize this
Qasali Slingers - bad acidic slime but it is a redundant effect
Alms Collector - White Notion Thief? I'm interested in this card
--Hour of Devasation--
Overwhelming Splendor - Targeted Humility, Definite sideboard material
Uncage the menagerie - Creature tutor, this card will find a home in one of my decks
solemnity - sideboard card for infect
Ramunap Excavator - I've switched crucible of worlds for this guy in my deck. We play a lot of creature tutors making it easier to find and my meta packs targeted land hate.
--Amonkhet--
Harvest Season - This card is really good, I usually have 3 or 4 creatures on the field by turn 3.
--Battlebond--
Bramble Sovereign - Create a token of any creature in our deck
--Dominaria--
Song of Freyalise - Budget earthcraft-esq effect and an anthem at the end
Shalai, Voice of Plenty - Hexproof on a stick, if it was a green instead of white, I would play this card
Mox Amber - We have a one drop general, this card is really good
--Core 2019--
Vivien Reid - Card advantage on the +, control on -, and wincon if she ults. Interested in testing her
Resplendent Angel - Awesome in a 1v1 or French EDH. In a 4 player pod probably better suited to trostani decks
Lena, Selfless Champion - Token generator and indestructible on a stick
Runic Armasaur - I'm intrigued by anything that can draw me cards, probably more a sideboard or meta card though
Cleansing Nova - Austere command is better but is a possible redundant effect
Satyr Enchanter - Card draw for enchantment builds
Token engines are better than 1 time effects so:
Add:
Sacred Mesa - Trade this for one of your generate x token spells
Ant Queen - Trade this for one of your generate x token spells
Concordant Crossroads - This card is <$20 right now and will be great in your deck. It enables cards like Cryptolith Rite to behave as though they were earthcraft (Add both to your deck).
Growing Rites of Itlimoc - Budget Gaea's Cradle - this card will win you games
Cards that I would cut
Tolsimir Wolfblood - Can only produce 1 token and we have better anthems, also really expensive
Intangible Virtue - doesn't do much on it's own and we can generally win with 1 big attack
Second Harvest - We have this on our general and don't usually need a second effect
https://www.mtgsalvation.com/forums/the-game/commander-edh/multiplayer-commander-decklists/812212-token-justice-ii-rhys-token-toolbox
Go check it out, and feel free to discuss the deck!