Nice list! What options would you consider for the more expensive cards in the deck, like Mana Drain and Timetwister?
Hopefully Mana Drain is reprinted in a Masters set... *Sigh*. There are some other counterspells that are worth consideration. There's inherently always the next best thing in countermagic, and I've played with or at least considered a selection of those over the years. As a general rule, anything 3 cmc or higher should be a hard counter or at least a Mana Leak-level counter, and have a decent upside beyond that. I don't like cards like Forbid despite this because of the absurd degree of disadvantage that you get out of paying the buyback cost. Anything 4 cmc or higher should be at least a 2-for-1, if not a 3-for-1. In that vein, I don't care for Insidious Will. The obvious exception there is cards that can be cast for free like Force of Will.
I'd probably actually just jump off that train and open the slot to something else. If you really want to use the slot for a wheel, maybe Time Reversal... Six mana is so much, even if it does untap lands.
I'd probably actually just jump off that train and open the slot to something else. If you really want to use the slot for a wheel, maybe Time Reversal... Six mana is so much, even if it does untap lands.
I like Time Reversal as a cost efficient alternative for the Timetwister, I have used that card in most of my blue decks as a way to spoil most graveyard decks which my meta really enjoys.
The blue one doesn't seem worth it, and the white one is a little higher in cost than I might like. But the white one at least is a consideration. I don't like relying on that sort of level of combo necessity here; the cards aren't that solid on their own, unfortunately. If I had a larger number of self-stifle effects...
As another argument in favor of Parallax Wave, it can also sit on the board for a few turns and protect your commander. If someone is wiping the board, you can remove a counter from Wave in response targeting your own creature/creatures, and bring them back as quickly as you'd like with Wave.
Stalking Leonin - If only this card was less limited in scope, and a Wizard… I do like it, but I don't think it quite has a place.
Teferi's Protection - This card is fantastic. I need it in my life. Strong, and involves one of my favorite mechanics.
Portal Mage - Maybe. It's a bit of a weak trick, but it does come with flash. For now, I'm still a meh, on it, though.
Fractured Identity - If only this cost 4 mana or didn't give copies to opponents. In multiplayer, this is okay. In 1v1, it's better, but too high in cost.
Taigam, Ojutai Master - Not useful for enough of our spells, even though the can't be countered part is nice.
I eventually decided against As Foretold because it doesn't do enough itself to be worth it. If my draw suite were a little less tight, it would work out better.
Aqueous Form has been on the chopping block for far too long as a card that does way too little for the deck.
Open the Armory is cute but doesn't have quite enough targets to really be worthwhile. Yes, the targets are fantastic, but I'd rather use that slot for another spell.
Torrential Gearhulk has proven time and time again to cost too much mana. That was an easy cut.
Baral, Chief of Compliance is wonderful for this deck. Cost reduction for instants and sorceries, and looting, AND it's a Wizard? I love it.
Disallow is possibly the best 3-mana counterspell ever printed. I love it.
Failure // Comply fills a last slot in the Unsubstantiate vein with a little bit of its own cheer with the second half of the card. It also helps that in French, Disallow has the same name as Failure. I like refusing people their spells, what can I say?
Ixalan's Binding - Very effective, but at 4 mana, it doesn't make the cut.
Kinjalli's Sunwing - If this had flash or was a Wizard, I'd be very likely to run it. As is, I'm still considering it. I think it's not quite there, but it is very good.
Settle the Wreckage - This card is actually really awkward. I never want to cast it on my opponent's board, and I rarely want to cast it on my own board. Pass from me.
Search for Azcanta - A 2 mana enchantment that scrys to graveyard is whatever, but following it up with a colored-mana-producing land that Impulses? Seems at least worth testing.
I would like if you could post your most recent list of your Deck so I could maybe get either some ideas for my own or maybe even buy something alike.
I'm very new to Commander (played it once) and feel very far out of my zone of knowledge. Either wanted to play a control-tempo deck (like yours) or a prison once. So your most recent deck list has some interest, thanks in advance.
Vile.
The current decklist is up to date to the paper list. I'm waiting on these cards to ship before making changes to include them:
Nimble Obstructionist, Supreme Will, Teferi's Protection, and Parallax Wave.
Slaughter the Strong - While this is a great consideration as a decent wrath, it's pretty underwhelming in most situations our deck finds itself in. Sideboard-level possibility. Induced Amnesia - I kinda want to try this out, except I can't figure out when I would want it. If I could get rid of it easily, I'd use it readily. Hmmph. Secrets of the Golden City - Sure. I think this can be 1UU for draw 3 enough of the time to be worth it. Maybe. We'll see. Testing.
Also, they did reprint Mana Drain. Glory hallelujah.
I like the low CMC and massive amount of control here. It appeals to me and my control playstyle. Do you find that Geist gets blocked by mana dorks and other chump blockers a lot? I'd feel concerned about Geist dying to just random chumps, but I could be wrong.
Also, no Stoneforge Mystic? That seems like a natural inclusion for a Voltron strategy, Geist in particular.
Tithe Taker - I'm not super worried about people countering my spells on my turn since, well, I don't cast that many spells on my turn. So this is not so great for me.
Essence Capture - Maybe if this was 1U or just U. But as is, it's a bit underwhelming.
Mass Manipulation - Do the math. Worse than Confiscate for 1 target, usually worse than Blatant Thievery for 2 targets... And even at 1 target, way too costly for this deck.
Geist War of the Spark Review - Ooh, some fun stuff.
Gideon Blackblade - A consideration. I think his +1 isn't quite good enough, though.
Prison Realm - A serious consideration. May be slotted out by other better choices, though. I'm at least going to weigh it against the other options, possibly test it out.
Single Combat - A little restrictive for what it is at its cost.
Tomik, Distinguished Advokist - Hmm... I would love to run this as the general for another deck, but it's probably not quite worth it here.
Echo of Eons - Cute. Might be a thing. I think Time Spiral is more worth it though, albeit also with its own problems. I may reconsider this card later.
Force of Negation - Yes please, sign me up. Any turn 1 counters to Sol Ring are worth playing in every deck that can do so.
Prismatic Vista - General fetch land, albeit one that only hits basics, is still quite decent.
Core Set 2020 Review:
Brought Back - This card seems crazy good, especially with fetchlands.
Tale's End - This seems like exactly the sort of card I would want in any blue tempo deck in EDH.
Hopefully Mana Drain is reprinted in a Masters set... *Sigh*. There are some other counterspells that are worth consideration. There's inherently always the next best thing in countermagic, and I've played with or at least considered a selection of those over the years. As a general rule, anything 3 cmc or higher should be a hard counter or at least a Mana Leak-level counter, and have a decent upside beyond that. I don't like cards like Forbid despite this because of the absurd degree of disadvantage that you get out of paying the buyback cost. Anything 4 cmc or higher should be at least a 2-for-1, if not a 3-for-1. In that vein, I don't care for Insidious Will. The obvious exception there is cards that can be cast for free like Force of Will.
Nah...
I'd probably actually just jump off that train and open the slot to something else. If you really want to use the slot for a wheel, maybe Time Reversal... Six mana is so much, even if it does untap lands.
I like Time Reversal as a cost efficient alternative for the Timetwister, I have used that card in most of my blue decks as a way to spoil most graveyard decks which my meta really enjoys.
Nimble Obstructionist- didn't see the "you don't control" phrase), have you considered Parallax Wave and Parallax Tide? Or are they too targeted for a multiplayer deck? (I used to run Geist in French)Currently Playing:
Multiplayer EDH Lists (click italics for a link to the thread!)
[Primer] Lord of Tresserhorn - Don't Tell Me What I Can't Do[Primer] Roon of the Hidden Realm - Rhino Blink
5 Color Tribal Guide (Slivers, Atogs, Allies, Spirits)
Also Playing (most decklists can be found on my profile)
MarathGeistKamahlGrenzoBolasThassaGitrog
PiratesZurVial Smasher&ThrasiosYennettJhoira(cEDH)Strix(Pauper)
Legacy: Maverick
Modern:
Melira PodRIP 1/19/15GWHatebearsThe blue one doesn't seem worth it, and the white one is a little higher in cost than I might like. But the white one at least is a consideration. I don't like relying on that sort of level of combo necessity here; the cards aren't that solid on their own, unfortunately. If I had a larger number of self-stifle effects...
Currently Playing:
Multiplayer EDH Lists (click italics for a link to the thread!)
[Primer] Lord of Tresserhorn - Don't Tell Me What I Can't Do[Primer] Roon of the Hidden Realm - Rhino Blink
5 Color Tribal Guide (Slivers, Atogs, Allies, Spirits)
Also Playing (most decklists can be found on my profile)
MarathGeistKamahlGrenzoBolasThassaGitrog
PiratesZurVial Smasher&ThrasiosYennettJhoira(cEDH)Strix(Pauper)
Legacy: Maverick
Modern:
Melira PodRIP 1/19/15GWHatebearsI'd say that the white one is... decent on its own. I don't know about "great."
Currently Playing:
Multiplayer EDH Lists (click italics for a link to the thread!)
[Primer] Lord of Tresserhorn - Don't Tell Me What I Can't Do[Primer] Roon of the Hidden Realm - Rhino Blink
5 Color Tribal Guide (Slivers, Atogs, Allies, Spirits)
Also Playing (most decklists can be found on my profile)
MarathGeistKamahlGrenzoBolasThassaGitrog
PiratesZurVial Smasher&ThrasiosYennettJhoira(cEDH)Strix(Pauper)
Legacy: Maverick
Modern:
Melira PodRIP 1/19/15GWHatebearsI eventually decided against As Foretold because it doesn't do enough itself to be worth it. If my draw suite were a little less tight, it would work out better.
Picking up Nimble Obstructionist, Supreme Will, Teferi's Protection, and I guess Parallax Wave.
- Aqueous Form
- Open the Armory
- Torrential Gearhulk
- Vesuva
+ Baral, Chief of Compliance
+ Disallow
+ Failure // Comply
+ Irrigated Farmland
Aqueous Form has been on the chopping block for far too long as a card that does way too little for the deck.
Open the Armory is cute but doesn't have quite enough targets to really be worthwhile. Yes, the targets are fantastic, but I'd rather use that slot for another spell.
Torrential Gearhulk has proven time and time again to cost too much mana. That was an easy cut.
Vesuva almost always wants to be Irrigated Farmland or Maze of Ith. Given that the latter is a rarer occurrence, I'm going with Irrigated Farmland over Vesuva.
Baral, Chief of Compliance is wonderful for this deck. Cost reduction for instants and sorceries, and looting, AND it's a Wizard? I love it.
Disallow is possibly the best 3-mana counterspell ever printed. I love it.
Failure // Comply fills a last slot in the Unsubstantiate vein with a little bit of its own cheer with the second half of the card. It also helps that in French, Disallow has the same name as Failure. I like refusing people their spells, what can I say?
The current decklist is up to date to the paper list. I'm waiting on these cards to ship before making changes to include them:
Nimble Obstructionist, Supreme Will, Teferi's Protection, and Parallax Wave.
Changes made since last update:
Parallax Wave probably isn't going to see testing until mid-2018, unfortunately.
Battlebond -
I like the low CMC and massive amount of control here. It appeals to me and my control playstyle. Do you find that Geist gets blocked by mana dorks and other chump blockers a lot? I'd feel concerned about Geist dying to just random chumps, but I could be wrong.
Also, no Stoneforge Mystic? That seems like a natural inclusion for a Voltron strategy, Geist in particular.
UB Dralnu, Lich Lord
RBW [Primer]-Kaalia of the Vast
BUG [Primer]-Tasigur, the Golden Fang
GWU [Primer]-Arcades, the Strategist
WUB Primer-Aminatou, the Fateshifter
UBR Nicol Bolas, the Ravager
Core Set 2019 Review
Guilds of Ravnica Review
I looked long and hard at Naban and eventually said "This isn't nearly as worth it as I was thinking that it was."
Lots to talk about, little to test.
Still need to pick up a Deputy of Detention. I'll weigh the options with that and Prison Realm eventually.
Modern Horizons Review
Core Set 2020 Review: