If this is in the wrong place, please move it, etc.
But, i've got a new idea for a grapeshot/storm deck having to do with the new creature that's coming out in RtR (Nivmagus Elemental) and i was questioning what others would think about it.
Here's the general idea of what the deck does:
Put out a nivmagus elemental turn 1, and then next turn, buff it up a tiny bit using any sorceries you have that are phyrexian mana costs, such as Gitaxian Probe, but eat them to slowly raise up Nivmagus to where he doesn't seem like an extreme threat.
Attack with him, and pray your opponent lets the attack go through, then, use any other phyrexian mana cost instants you have in your hand to give him +2/+2's like crazy, and at the end of the turn try to deal as much damage as you can. And then, if all goes as planned, you'll deal quite a decent amount of damage (10+) on turn 2.
I've tested the deck a couple times and have always caught people off-guard by my use of the phyrexian mana cards.
Also, Kiln Fiend is put in as a second way to deal damage. And of course, delver is splashed in for a bit of fun.
Anyways, give me thoughts/concerns on how this might work out. It pretty much makes a highly aggressive creature that either they can block (and lose a creature constantly) or, they would have to get rid of it. Obviously, there can be trouble with this deck if i get the card removed. That's the only thing i'm trying to take into consideration at the moment considering i can't use Mental Misstep.
My current hunch is that, unless your opponent's only removal is burn, you'll spend 3+ cards on your Nivmagus Elemental only to get it removed far too often. And in your case, you'll spend 6+ life. Not an awesome way to start the day.
There's not much redundancy for this deck. If you pump Kiln Fiend the same way you pump Nivmagus, you might be stuck facing blockers or you spend 3 cards turning Kiln Fiend into a 10/2 for 1 turn. That is a pretty impressive number, but Kiln Fiend isn't dealing any more damage after that.
My experience with Nivmagus (only Phy mana spell maindeck is Gitaxian Probe, Grixis shell with Bolt/targeted discard/cantrips/counterspells/removal/etc.) is that I can only afford to pump him to a 3/4 at best, and he still gets removed or turned irrelevant far too often for my tastes. You'll probably have different experiences due to your higher Phy mana spell count.
Nivmagus does get markedly better against loads of counterspells, though. The guy was better against RUG Tempo Thresh because it ate my spells when they got countered.
You could use Clout of the Dominus to give it +2/+2, shroud and haste. This way you can drop it on turn 2 with this and give it haste. You could also play them on different turns, giving you leftover mana for protection.
You shouldn't need to target Nivmagus Elemental that often so I think shroud is better than nothing. The +2/+2 and haste is worth the same or more as exiling a spell so I think this is a good option.
Other cards that would probably make it into a deck like this would grapeshot, gigadrowse, and shattering spree. These cards can remove blockers or available mana sources and extra copies can fuel Nivmagus Elemental.
And it gets pathed. Wee Dragonauts has been a deck since Guildpact. The biggest problem with the new guy is no evasion.
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Out of the blackness and stench of the engulfing swamp emerged a shimmering figure. Only the splattered armor and ichor-stained sword hinted at the unfathomable evil the knight had just laid waste.
I "Kind of" like Nivmagus Dragonauts as a fun-deck honestly...especially with Clout of the Dominus...but I have to suggest a reason be found to use wee-dragonauts and nivmagus elemental instead of more stable creatures
It might even be an idea to use something to the effect of Shrine of Burning Rage to gain value off of spells you obviously intend to exile
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Decks I have in my bag of tricks- Needless to say, someone who wants to play will probably have a deck UB/x Faeries UR Storm XURWB Affinity G Elves UW control
I was just thinking about how bad is usually is to exile your own spells and came up with this: What if you ran this guy with Hive Mind and played a bunch of really "bad cards" like pacts and one with nothing? lol
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But, i've got a new idea for a grapeshot/storm deck having to do with the new creature that's coming out in RtR (Nivmagus Elemental) and i was questioning what others would think about it.
Here's the general idea of what the deck does:
Put out a nivmagus elemental turn 1, and then next turn, buff it up a tiny bit using any sorceries you have that are phyrexian mana costs, such as Gitaxian Probe, but eat them to slowly raise up Nivmagus to where he doesn't seem like an extreme threat.
Attack with him, and pray your opponent lets the attack go through, then, use any other phyrexian mana cost instants you have in your hand to give him +2/+2's like crazy, and at the end of the turn try to deal as much damage as you can. And then, if all goes as planned, you'll deal quite a decent amount of damage (10+) on turn 2.
I've tested the deck a couple times and have always caught people off-guard by my use of the phyrexian mana cards.
Also, Kiln Fiend is put in as a second way to deal damage. And of course, delver is splashed in for a bit of fun.
Anyways, give me thoughts/concerns on how this might work out. It pretty much makes a highly aggressive creature that either they can block (and lose a creature constantly) or, they would have to get rid of it. Obviously, there can be trouble with this deck if i get the card removed. That's the only thing i'm trying to take into consideration at the moment considering i can't use Mental Misstep.
FULL TIME FAERIES
Selvala
There's not much redundancy for this deck. If you pump Kiln Fiend the same way you pump Nivmagus, you might be stuck facing blockers or you spend 3 cards turning Kiln Fiend into a 10/2 for 1 turn. That is a pretty impressive number, but Kiln Fiend isn't dealing any more damage after that.
My experience with Nivmagus (only Phy mana spell maindeck is Gitaxian Probe, Grixis shell with Bolt/targeted discard/cantrips/counterspells/removal/etc.) is that I can only afford to pump him to a 3/4 at best, and he still gets removed or turned irrelevant far too often for my tastes. You'll probably have different experiences due to your higher Phy mana spell count.
Nivmagus does get markedly better against loads of counterspells, though. The guy was better against RUG Tempo Thresh because it ate my spells when they got countered.
-Tom
You shouldn't need to target Nivmagus Elemental that often so I think shroud is better than nothing. The +2/+2 and haste is worth the same or more as exiling a spell so I think this is a good option.
Other cards that would probably make it into a deck like this would grapeshot, gigadrowse, and shattering spree. These cards can remove blockers or available mana sources and extra copies can fuel Nivmagus Elemental.
It might even be an idea to use something to the effect of Shrine of Burning Rage to gain value off of spells you obviously intend to exile
UB/x Faeries
UR Storm
XURWB Affinity
G Elves
UW control