Haven't seen anyone mention Culling Dais Cheap artifact for creature sac engine that also generates card draw for cheap and doesn't need to be tapped,Blisterpod which is a solid 1 drop that is great target for saccing an recurring and gets you colorless mana, Mitotic Slime alone with a free sac engine can get Meren's experience counters up very quickly as that is a total of 7 experience counters. Also anyone else tried Kozilek, the Great Distortion? I feel the card is at home an my meren deck ramps pretty hard an the card alone gave me wins in the few games i played with this deck so far. Being able to refuel your hand and counter spells while dumping fatty creatures and having a big body with menace is really good imo.
Haven't seen anyone mention Culling Dais Cheap artifact for creature sac engine that also generates card draw for cheap and doesn't need to be tapped,Blisterpod which is a solid 1 drop that is great target for saccing an recurring and gets you colorless mana, Mitotic Slime alone with a free sac engine can get Meren's experience counters up very quickly as that is a total of 7 experience counters. Also anyone else tried Kozilek, the Great Distortion? I feel the card is at home an my meren deck ramps pretty hard an the card alone gave me wins in the few games i played with this deck so far. Being able to refuel your hand and counter spells while dumping fatty creatures and having a big body with menace is really good imo.
The first ability needs it to be tapped, bolded your comment. It's not a terrible card by any means, just very slow. If your playgroup frowns on tutors, I'd recommend it for sure, as it not only nets you cards, but is a super cheap ($$$ and mana wise) sacrifice outlet!
I'd maybe look at picking up a few more things in the lower CMC area that sacrifice themselves (and potentially other creatures!). Think cards like Spore Frog, Viscera Seer, and the like. That should help you get off the ground for counters.
What kind of deck do you want to run with Meren? Attrition, combo, or something different? That will help us narrow down suggestions for you.
I like this deck. I like how there is little use of grave pact effects. I built a deck with a similar idea but now finding I need methods to draw hate away from my commander. This has given me some neat ideas in order to do that.
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Been Playing Magic Since Late 2010. My Play Group is Commander Only.
He means little use of "each opponent/player sacrifices a creatures/permanent" type of effect. So far as I see, there are only two: Merciless Executioner and Dictate of Erebos. Some Meren players use several of these effects in the decklist.
It's up to you and the people you play with. Stax makes some people salty. For myself, I don't like oppressive permanent-sacrificing much. If a friend gets out Grave Pact, Attrition, and Reassembling Skeleton and does nothing but keep everybody else off having creatures for 2 hours and I'm only down from 40 life due to shocklands and fetches then I'm really not enjoying the game. If this only goes on for 2-3 turns and so they can win, I'm happy to shuffle up and try again.
You might be different, your playgroup might be different. You can add/remove such pieces until you find the balance that's right.
Since I can't look over so many pages, what's the general consensus about flip Liliana? I just pulled one and I was wondering if anyone tried her.
I have previously and was unimpressed, due to the fact, much like Meren, she needs a board to be successful. IE, she's winmore. And being winmore, isn't necessarily powerful enough to continue that snowballing. Her best use is returning Fleshbags/Mindslicers to play, since it's incredibly unlikely you'll hit her emblem, and if you do, then you've already won.
I still want to continue testing her as her ability to return Fleshbags/Mindslicers is pretty strong.
I play both and intended on playing Grave Pact too - shouldnt I?
My play group doesn't like most of the grave pact effects. I find it also makes you a huge target if you're not able to play the cards before they can find removal for those cards. That being said I have two decks that use that kind of method. When I made this commander I decided to try and avoid those kind of effects. I'm also tempting to build a mono black deck the same way
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What do you think of Grim Flayer ? Could be awesome...
Personally I am not a fan, but I can see his use in more budget/casual Meren builds.
At best he is a 4/4 that, if you can connect with him, can help you dump things into your graveyard from the top of your deck. why not just run buried alive, entomb, grisly salvage, or other discard outlets instead? That's my beef with him. He doesnt do enough and his biggest boon, dumping cards, requires you to connect with players with a 2/2 or a 4/4 in a format where we start at 40 life. While Trample helps, his weak P/T doesnt.
Necrotic Ooze what can I put out and swap in? This one could get so ******* evil
I generally like Disciple of Bolas. Draws you cards and provides a sacrifice outlet in a pinch. The life gain is also nice. I agree with everything else, though. Sepulchral Primordial generally gets mixed reviews depending on the group, but if it's not working for you, it's not worth a spot, and Rune-Scarred Demon is too good to pass up, imo.
What are our feelings about Selvala's Stampede ? Barring the high CMC, Most Meren decks have high density of creatures so it can go well either ways. Anyone consider giving it a go?
Another card for a maybe cut would be Thief of Blood or Harvester of Souls - the thief has not enough allround function except for +1/+1 stuff and the harvester is nice for his deathtouch (when he gets online the sac engine is, so it's pretty lategame)
Those are some solid changes! I'd make room for a Caustic Caterpillar. He's an all star who makes exp counters and is only 1cmc for when your Meren doesnt have oodles of counters (early/mid game?)
If you ever need more ramp creatures, Diligent Farmhand comes down early and curves nicely into your turn 2 play, into a turn 3 Meren!
Well all of these cards are double black so depending on your mana base, they can put a strain on it. Noxious Gearhulk is an overcosted bone shredder without the nonblack limitation. I like Demon of Dark Schemes and since I don't own a Massacre Wurm I might add him. I could see Gonti, Lord of Luxury as a fun janky commander but his etb ability for Meren seems a little underwhelming. It can mess combo decks for sure but Meren is quite crowded in the 4cmc slot.
Those are some solid changes! I'd make room for a Caustic Caterpillar. He's an all star who makes exp counters and is only 1cmc for when your Meren doesnt have oodles of counters (early/mid game?)
If you ever need more ramp creatures, Diligent Farmhand comes down early and curves nicely into your turn 2 play, into a turn 3 Meren!
Thanks! What do you think of cutting Vraska instead of the butcher?
Either are worth cutting! whichever does the least for you in your games
What are our feelings about Selvala's Stampede ? Barring the high CMC, Most Meren decks have high density of creatures so it can go well either ways. Anyone consider giving it a go?
I have only played it a few times so far, but it has been fantastic. If I have a good critter in hand, I always pick 'Wild' because it makes your opponents think you have nothing in hand and will vote free. Burned them a couple times now with that ploy.
noxious Gearhulk pretty solid card, me personally i like ways to gain life and being able to kill things with a good body is a bonus since my meren deck isn't really focus on killing things on etb etc. Demon of dark schemes is meh, i don't really care about the -2/-2 an if i wanted to grab creatures from peoples graveyard there are better cards for that without needing to pay an additional cost. Gonti,lord is 100% finding a spot in my deck as i have been looking for good targets for Fleshwrither and that fits the bill.
The first ability needs it to be tapped, bolded your comment. It's not a terrible card by any means, just very slow. If your playgroup frowns on tutors, I'd recommend it for sure, as it not only nets you cards, but is a super cheap ($$$ and mana wise) sacrifice outlet!
GB [Primer][Competitive][Stax][Combo] Meren of Clan Nel Toth 95% RETIRED
UW [Primer][Competitive][Combo][Stax] Brago, King Eternal RETIRED
BR Rakdos, Lord of Riots (75%)
G Titania - 75%
W SRAM - Welcome to the cheeri0s jam 95%
U Teferi - stax 100%
R Neheb - janky mono red eggs combo 90%
B Gonti - 50% valuetown
GB [Primer][Competitive][Stax][Combo] Meren of Clan Nel Toth 95% RETIRED
UW [Primer][Competitive][Combo][Stax] Brago, King Eternal RETIRED
BR Rakdos, Lord of Riots (75%)
G Titania - 75%
W SRAM - Welcome to the cheeri0s jam 95%
U Teferi - stax 100%
R Neheb - janky mono red eggs combo 90%
B Gonti - 50% valuetown
I've been trying out Ulvenwald Mysteries to good effect. It also helps Mazirek buff up my guys once I get a board state going. Any other suggestions?
[ deck ]
Creatures (1)
1 blah
Enchantments (2)
1 blah
Artifacts (3)
1 blah
1 blah
1 blah
Instants and Sorceries (4)
1 blah
1 blah
1 blah
1 blah
Lands (89)
45 Swamp
44 Forest
[ / deck ]
It will look like this:
1 blah
Enchantments (2)
1 blah
Artifacts (3)
1 blah
1 blah
1 blah
1 blah
1 blah
1 blah
1 blah
45 Swamp
44 Forest
Blue lives don't matter in the slightest.
What kind of deck do you want to run with Meren? Attrition, combo, or something different? That will help us narrow down suggestions for you.
My Helpdesk
[Pr] Marath | [Pr] Lovisa | Jodah | Saskia | Najeela | Yisan | Lord Windgrace | Atraxa | Meren | Gisa and Geralf
| WBAthreos God of Passage | WUDaxos of Meletis | WUBRG General Tazri | B Kalitast Traitor of Ghet | GPatron of the Orochi |
old thread
old thread
old thread
R Zada Arcane Storm
RBU Marchesa
GWU Estrid
GWR Samut?
URB Kess
(R/W)(U/B) Akiri & Silas
BWR Alesha
R Neheb Dragons
G Nylea Wurms
W Darien
U Tetsuko
You might be different, your playgroup might be different. You can add/remove such pieces until you find the balance that's right.
old thread
old thread
old thread
R Zada Arcane Storm
RBU Marchesa
GWU Estrid
GWR Samut?
URB Kess
(R/W)(U/B) Akiri & Silas
BWR Alesha
R Neheb Dragons
G Nylea Wurms
W Darien
U Tetsuko
Marath, Will of the Wild
Friendly Kess Twin Combo
Tatyova - Sir Bounce A Lot
Gonti's Luxury Pie
Prime (Eldrazi) Speaker Zegana (Retired)
I have previously and was unimpressed, due to the fact, much like Meren, she needs a board to be successful. IE, she's winmore. And being winmore, isn't necessarily powerful enough to continue that snowballing. Her best use is returning Fleshbags/Mindslicers to play, since it's incredibly unlikely you'll hit her emblem, and if you do, then you've already won.
I still want to continue testing her as her ability to return Fleshbags/Mindslicers is pretty strong.
GB [Primer][Competitive][Stax][Combo] Meren of Clan Nel Toth 95% RETIRED
UW [Primer][Competitive][Combo][Stax] Brago, King Eternal RETIRED
BR Rakdos, Lord of Riots (75%)
G Titania - 75%
W SRAM - Welcome to the cheeri0s jam 95%
U Teferi - stax 100%
R Neheb - janky mono red eggs combo 90%
B Gonti - 50% valuetown
My play group doesn't like most of the grave pact effects. I find it also makes you a huge target if you're not able to play the cards before they can find removal for those cards. That being said I have two decks that use that kind of method. When I made this commander I decided to try and avoid those kind of effects. I'm also tempting to build a mono black deck the same way
| WBAthreos God of Passage | WUDaxos of Meletis | WUBRG General Tazri | B Kalitast Traitor of Ghet | GPatron of the Orochi |
Personally I am not a fan, but I can see his use in more budget/casual Meren builds.
At best he is a 4/4 that, if you can connect with him, can help you dump things into your graveyard from the top of your deck. why not just run buried alive, entomb, grisly salvage, or other discard outlets instead? That's my beef with him. He doesnt do enough and his biggest boon, dumping cards, requires you to connect with players with a 2/2 or a 4/4 in a format where we start at 40 life. While Trample helps, his weak P/T doesnt.
GB [Primer][Competitive][Stax][Combo] Meren of Clan Nel Toth 95% RETIRED
UW [Primer][Competitive][Combo][Stax] Brago, King Eternal RETIRED
BR Rakdos, Lord of Riots (75%)
G Titania - 75%
W SRAM - Welcome to the cheeri0s jam 95%
U Teferi - stax 100%
R Neheb - janky mono red eggs combo 90%
B Gonti - 50% valuetown
My Helpdesk
[Pr] Marath | [Pr] Lovisa | Jodah | Saskia | Najeela | Yisan | Lord Windgrace | Atraxa | Meren | Gisa and Geralf
Marath, Will of the Wild
Friendly Kess Twin Combo
Tatyova - Sir Bounce A Lot
Gonti's Luxury Pie
Prime (Eldrazi) Speaker Zegana (Retired)
Those are some solid changes! I'd make room for a Caustic Caterpillar. He's an all star who makes exp counters and is only 1cmc for when your Meren doesnt have oodles of counters (early/mid game?)
If you ever need more ramp creatures, Diligent Farmhand comes down early and curves nicely into your turn 2 play, into a turn 3 Meren!
GB [Primer][Competitive][Stax][Combo] Meren of Clan Nel Toth 95% RETIRED
UW [Primer][Competitive][Combo][Stax] Brago, King Eternal RETIRED
BR Rakdos, Lord of Riots (75%)
G Titania - 75%
W SRAM - Welcome to the cheeri0s jam 95%
U Teferi - stax 100%
R Neheb - janky mono red eggs combo 90%
B Gonti - 50% valuetown
C Kozilek C
GB Gitrog GB
G Titania G
WU Brago WU
GB MerenGB
Duel Commander Decks
UR Keranos UR
BRG Jund BRG
GR Tron GR GW Tron GW
C Eldrazi Tron (SB) C
BG Lantern Control BG
UW Control (SB) UW
Well all of these cards are double black so depending on your mana base, they can put a strain on it. Noxious Gearhulk is an overcosted bone shredder without the nonblack limitation. I like Demon of Dark Schemes and since I don't own a Massacre Wurm I might add him. I could see Gonti, Lord of Luxury as a fun janky commander but his etb ability for Meren seems a little underwhelming. It can mess combo decks for sure but Meren is quite crowded in the 4cmc slot.
Marath, Will of the Wild
Friendly Kess Twin Combo
Tatyova - Sir Bounce A Lot
Gonti's Luxury Pie
Prime (Eldrazi) Speaker Zegana (Retired)
My Helpdesk
[Pr] Marath | [Pr] Lovisa | Jodah | Saskia | Najeela | Yisan | Lord Windgrace | Atraxa | Meren | Gisa and Geralf
Either are worth cutting! whichever does the least for you in your games
Duplicant is in nearly every way superior as removal/a body, unless you really care about menace/some lifegain, and I've never needed Duplicant.
GB [Primer][Competitive][Stax][Combo] Meren of Clan Nel Toth 95% RETIRED
UW [Primer][Competitive][Combo][Stax] Brago, King Eternal RETIRED
BR Rakdos, Lord of Riots (75%)
G Titania - 75%
W SRAM - Welcome to the cheeri0s jam 95%
U Teferi - stax 100%
R Neheb - janky mono red eggs combo 90%
B Gonti - 50% valuetown
I have only played it a few times so far, but it has been fantastic. If I have a good critter in hand, I always pick 'Wild' because it makes your opponents think you have nothing in hand and will vote free. Burned them a couple times now with that ploy.
old thread
old thread
old thread
R Zada Arcane Storm
RBU Marchesa
GWU Estrid
GWR Samut?
URB Kess
(R/W)(U/B) Akiri & Silas
BWR Alesha
R Neheb Dragons
G Nylea Wurms
W Darien
U Tetsuko