I run this, but I think it's because I haven't picked up Anguished Unmaking. Black and White can gain so much life accidentally in my cube that the pay 3 life is nothing. Still a staple in my cube though.
A Canticle for Leibowitz is my favorite book about the end of the world.
The mighty don't kneel. A fine finisher that most people wont see coming and that you can pick up pretty late. I once saw someone pick up 3 of these and proceed to just start blowing people out by board stalling and then running them over.
The card is good, but I don't full on support flicker so a 5 drop 2/2 flier with echo seems meh.
I drive a 2006 Jeep Liberty. I love it. I've had to bring it to the mechanic only once and in 2 years when I buy another car it's also going to be a jeep.
Grindclock > Lupine Prototype
I love Grindclock but nobody would ever play it. Maybe I'll hang onto it for a dimir EDH deck or something. Testing out the Lupine Prototype in the mean time because, why not?
Rouse the Mob > Fiery Temper
Starting to cut the combat tricks for more consistant removal,, since we're adding in more powerful creatures.
Spectra Ward > Planar Outburst
I think Spectra Ward is oppresive so I cut it for a wrath that I was going to add anyway.
Soulmender > Hidden Dragonslayer
At a certain point I had a life gain gimmick going on, but even the cards that still like to gain life have way better options than Soulmender. Hidden Dragonslayer is a staple, so in it goes.
Polis Crusher > Dragonlord Atarka
Part of my New World Order to update my gold cards. Polis Crusher is super cool flavor but the Dragonlord is so much better.
Relic Seeker > Bygone Bishop
I think Bishop, with it's card draw and versatility is better than Relic Seeker. Time will tell. This is probably my most contraversial change since Seeker would be played fairly regularly.
Sengir Vampire > Grim Haruspex
Vampire wasn't ever being played (i think it's too expensive) and Haruspex helps with late game gas and all the available sac outlets.
Blisterpod > Reclamation Sage
I had pod in for ramp, but Sage is a staple that I didn't have in for some reason.
Elvish Visionary > Sylvan Caryatid
A late game Visionary is a waste of a card while a late game Caryatid is still a blocker who can help you ramp into a mana sink. Early game caryatid stops aggro and helps ramp.
I use Sorin, Lord of Innistrad in my cube, but I wouldn't be mad opening this guy. Regardless, he may be an addition if I decide to add more planesalkers to my cube.
We have a couple of "Living the Dream" combos you can do in my cube. For instance, cheating out an Ulamog, The Ceaseless Hunger or assembling the slivers I have.
Xenagos is fantastic. He supports both ramp and tokens and can cheat out fatties. A deck with Xenagos, See The Unwritten and Eldrazi is beastly. I love Xenagos and can't see replacing him anytime soo (though I run a M14-Present day cube).
My cube is sleeved with Ultra Pro Matte (I know). My main problem with them is that my cube has a lot of foils and you can't really see that they're foils unless you're in the right light. What sleeves would you recommend that are good and will show off my foils properly?
Game 1
Selesnya won after curving out into a Bonescythe Sliver + Loxodon Warhammer. Rakdos had the removal in hand but was stuck on 3 swamps and the trample given by the warhammer ended the game quickly.
Game 2
Selesnya got a slow start and Rakdos was able to apply quick pressure with Goblin Heelcutter and Valakut Predator. The Selesnya player was building board state and made a fatal flaw. With 6 mana on the board and aSee The Unwritten in hand, he cast a Genesis Hydra for 5 and only hit a Favored Hoplite. Rakdos slammed Scuttling Doom Engine next turn. On Selesnya's turn, he drew Ulamog, The Ceaseless Hunger. With 1 health left, Selesnya Saw the Unwritten and it was a Banisher Preist but Rakdos had an Outnumber in hand and closed out the game. Had Selesnya Seen the Unwritten instead of going safe and playing the Hydra, they would have lived the dream.
- The Paragon cycle from M15 might need to be replaced. I thought they'd be deck staples, but they're never really relevant.
- Equipment is slow but feels really OP. Game 3 was decided because Rakdos wanted to go fast but fumbled with the equipment allowing Selesnya to do the same with a better equipment.
I ran Boon Satyr and cut it, looking at my list, I have no idea whyr... now I'm thinking about adding it back in. I run a host of heroic cards and +1/+1 counters matter cards so Boon Satyr would fit in nicely.
All the tricks I run generally do something else that synergizes with my archetypes. I don't run cards like Giant Growth for instance.
A Canticle for Leibowitz is my favorite book about the end of the world.
I like tempo because its so frustrating for your opponent and completely kills any master plan they may have.
I drive a 2006 Jeep Liberty. I love it. I've had to bring it to the mechanic only once and in 2 years when I buy another car it's also going to be a jeep.
Ob Nixilis Reignited or Liliana Vess?
Nissa, Voice of Zendikar or Garruk, Caller of Beasts?
Dragonlord Ojutai of Medomai, The Ageless?
Thank you all.
Out > In (I know it's reversed from the one I did above :()
Akroan Crusader > Zurgo Bellstriker
Strictly better. Crusader was getting cut often.
Grindclock > Lupine Prototype
I love Grindclock but nobody would ever play it. Maybe I'll hang onto it for a dimir EDH deck or something. Testing out the Lupine Prototype in the mean time because, why not?
Rouse the Mob > Fiery Temper
Starting to cut the combat tricks for more consistant removal,, since we're adding in more powerful creatures.
Spectra Ward > Planar Outburst
I think Spectra Ward is oppresive so I cut it for a wrath that I was going to add anyway.
Complete Disregard > Ruinous Path
Strictly better
Hooting Mandrills > Woodland Wanderer
I love the monkeys but I have enough fixing where wanderer could be really good if you build with it in mind.
Gurmag Angler > Soulflayer
I want to test out Soulflayer but we can't have too many delvers.
Bladetusk Boar > Shaman of the Great Hunt
Just a way better card.
Eyeblight Massacre > Crux of Fate
Get rid of the peasent wrath for a real one.
Longshot Squad > Surrak, the Hunt Caller
A 5/4 for 4 is just way better than a 3/3 reach for 4.
Soulmender > Hidden Dragonslayer
At a certain point I had a life gain gimmick going on, but even the cards that still like to gain life have way better options than Soulmender. Hidden Dragonslayer is a staple, so in it goes.
Polis Crusher > Dragonlord Atarka
Part of my New World Order to update my gold cards. Polis Crusher is super cool flavor but the Dragonlord is so much better.
Avarice Amulet > Ugin, the Spirit Dragon
I pulled an Ugin.
Relic Seeker > Bygone Bishop
I think Bishop, with it's card draw and versatility is better than Relic Seeker. Time will tell. This is probably my most contraversial change since Seeker would be played fairly regularly.
Nantuko Husk > Pitiless Horde
I have better sac outlets than Husk and Horde is so much better anyway.
Sengir Vampire > Grim Haruspex
Vampire wasn't ever being played (i think it's too expensive) and Haruspex helps with late game gas and all the available sac outlets.
Blisterpod > Reclamation Sage
I had pod in for ramp, but Sage is a staple that I didn't have in for some reason.
Elvish Visionary > Sylvan Caryatid
A late game Visionary is a waste of a card while a late game Caryatid is still a blocker who can help you ramp into a mana sink. Early game caryatid stops aggro and helps ramp.
Glacial Stalker > Overwhelming Denial
I thought blue needed more noncreature spells.
Phantom Warrior > Monastery Siege
Blue needs more noncreature spells and Warrior really was getting cut from a surprising amount of decks.
Sandsteppe Outcast > Fiendslayer Paladin
Paladin is way better.
I'm going to Puerto Rico this spring.
The only other 4 drop is Mina and Denn, Wildborn which I'm testing.
1x Typhoid Rats
1x Child of Night
1x Leeching Sliver
1x Makindi Sliderunner
1x War-Name Aspirant
1x Alesha, Who Smiles at Death
1x Blur Sliver
1x Feldon of the Third Path
1x Kheru Bloodsucker
1x Pitiless Horde
1x Valakut Predator
1x Goblin Heelcutter
1x Paragon of Open Graves
1x Priest of the Blood Rite
1x Shambling Attendants
1x Scuttling Doom Engine
Artifact
1x Prowler's Helm
Instant
1x Outnumber
1x Bituminous Blast
Sorcery
1x Act of Treason
1x Rakshasa's Secret
Enchantment
1x Shadows of the Past
Enchantment Creature
1x Purphoros's Emissary
Land
1x Bloodfell Caves
1x Rakdos Guildgate
8x Swamp
7x Mountain
1x Deathgaze Cockatrice
1x Gluttonous Cyclops
1x Goblin Shortcutter
1x Mana Confluence
1x Portent of Betrayal
1x Pyxis of Pandemonium
1x Rise to the Challenge
1x Rotting Mastodon
1x Satyr Hoplite
1x Starfall
1x Vile Rebirth
1x Favored Hoplite
1x Bassara Tower Archer
1x Banisher Priest
1x Loxodon Smiter
1x Bonescythe Sliver
1x Hundred-Handed One
1x Surrak, the Hunt Caller
1x Endless One
1x Constricting Sliver
1x Genesis Hydra
1x Ulamog, the Ceaseless Hunger
Artifact Creature
1x Opaline Unicorn
Artifact
1x Loxodon Warhammer
1x Haunted Plate Mail
1x Celestial Flare
1x Swell of Growth
1x Awaken the Bear
Sorcery
1x Animist's Awakening
1x See the Unwritten
Enchantment
1x From Beyond
Enchantment Creature
1x Leafcrown Dryad
1x Nyx-Fleece Ram
1x Archetype of Courage
Land
1x Blossoming Sands
1x Shimmering Grotto
1x Sunpetal Grove
1x Temple of Plenty
5x Plains
8x Forest
1x Blessed Spirits
1x Bloodbriar
1x Evangel of Heliod
1x Paragon of New Dawns
1x Plummet
1x Scout the Borders
Game 1
Selesnya won after curving out into a Bonescythe Sliver + Loxodon Warhammer. Rakdos had the removal in hand but was stuck on 3 swamps and the trample given by the warhammer ended the game quickly.
Game 2
Selesnya got a slow start and Rakdos was able to apply quick pressure with Goblin Heelcutter and Valakut Predator. The Selesnya player was building board state and made a fatal flaw. With 6 mana on the board and aSee The Unwritten in hand, he cast a Genesis Hydra for 5 and only hit a Favored Hoplite. Rakdos slammed Scuttling Doom Engine next turn. On Selesnya's turn, he drew Ulamog, The Ceaseless Hunger. With 1 health left, Selesnya Saw the Unwritten and it was a Banisher Preist but Rakdos had an Outnumber in hand and closed out the game. Had Selesnya Seen the Unwritten instead of going safe and playing the Hydra, they would have lived the dream.
Game 3
This was just a race. Pitiless Horde for Rakdos vs. a ramped Endless One for Selesnya. The Horde had Prowlers Helm attached and the Eldrazi got a late game Haunted Plate Mail. Archetype of courage kept Rakdos' other cards from swinging but a clutch Celestial Flair ruined Rakdos' chances of winning.
---
Quick Hits
- The two losing decks were a Sultai Graveyard deck and a White/Blue control deck.
- All the decks were surprisingly competitive. No match ups were complete blowouts.
- Rakdos didn't play Pyxis of Pandemonium :(. He said that he intended to side it in if he weren't in the finals and played the concession game.
- Portent of Betrayal and Rotting Mastodon need to go. Wastes of cards.
- The Paragon cycle from M15 might need to be replaced. I thought they'd be deck staples, but they're never really relevant.
- Equipment is slow but feels really OP. Game 3 was decided because Rakdos wanted to go fast but fumbled with the equipment allowing Selesnya to do the same with a better equipment.
- How sick would Feldon of the Third Path be with an Ulamog, The Ceaseless Hunger in the graveyard?
All the tricks I run generally do something else that synergizes with my archetypes. I don't run cards like Giant Growth for instance.