The art is great and the actual card is a throwback to OG Elspeth who was a powerhouse in standard. On the other hand, the abilities are boring especially if you read the story where Elspeth basically went Super Saiyan 2 and started kicking Phyrexian butt. Like common, she has a holy lightning sword but not ability to exile a creature?
100% outrage marketing ploy by WOTC if Aragorn ends up being the only race swapped character lol. Technically it's working, we are talking about it right now
My gut feeling tells me that runes are going to be auras that buff equipment. I know it sounds narrow and probably not that good which is why they gave it to white.
Ever since Kroxa, Titan of Death's Hunger was spoiled I felt it had plenty of natural synergy with many modern staple cards like Liliana of the Veil, Collective Brutality, and Seasoned Pyromancer. This is my attempt at building a mardu deck around Kroxa with strategy being lots early discard and removal in order to have enough cards in the graveyard to help pay Kroxa's escape cost. Any feedback will be appreciated.
I've been an edh player the last couple of years but the printing of modern horizons and throne of eldraine peaked my interest in this type of deck. I figured there is decent synergy when it comes to young pyro and the new adventure cards. Also included Kolaghan's Command to get extra value from adventure cards by bringing them back from the yard if the creature version gets killed. The sideboard is still a work in progress.
I don't think Underworld Connections should be compared to Castle Locthwain. One is a spell that requires you to invest 3 mana in a deck that wants to keep playing aggressive threats. Also by enchanting the land it becomes a 2 for 1 if someone use land destruction on it.
On the other hand Castle Locthwain requires no additional investment to play beyond being part of the land package. Yes, the activation costs costs mana and more life but thats the trade off having instant card draw ability tacked on a land.
I like Castle Locthwain, drawing a card at instant speed is no joke. I believe it will allow us to extend our hand a bit more knowing that even if there is a board wipe coming up we can still quickly refill our hand. I also like, Castle Embereth, red's cheaper version of Gavony Township which is a solid card for go wide strategies.
I don`t have much data as I play maybe twice a month in a multiplayer setting and maybe a few times 1v1 online.
My opinion on Backdraft Hellkite is that it seems vulnerable and slow. Say you cheat him with Kaalia, he does nothing that turn and you hope he survives till the next turn which is not very likely seeing how much creature removal there is edh. Even if you meet optimal conditions to hard cast him for 5 with a haste enabler in play there`s is a good chance you`re either tapped out or close to being tapped out so you`re only flashbacking one low casting cost card which is basically what Chandra, Acolyte of Flame does anyway.
Maybe it`s just a personal preference since I build my Kaalia deck as a bit of a hybrid that can be played in a multiplayer or 1v1 (75%) setting but this dragon most time will not have immediate impact which I find to be crucial. I would rather run Chandra, Acolyte of Flame, Mizzix's Mastery, or Goblin Dark-Dwellers.
So I misevaluated Backdraft Hellkite. Turns out getting a free four cmc sorcery on attacks is pretty good. So uhhh, yeah, despite the non-synergy with contract, I think that's a bit too strong to resist.
I feel Chandra, Acolyte of Flame is better in this case compared to Backdraft Hellkite. She has a cheaper casting cost and potential upside to flashback cheap spells (tutors, draw, spot removal, etc.) the turn she comes into play and is less vulnerable to spot removal and board wipes.
What`s everyone thoughts on Contamination? It seems like a decent fit in this deck although you might occasionally not be able to cast a few non black vampires.
I think Chainer, Nightmare Adept is interesting as some sort of recursion engine you play after a wrath. Would be fun to test although it's probably a little too slow for this deck.
On a fun side note, chainer will give haste to all the vamps that are cast through Bolas's Citadel.
If you have enough vamps in play you can also use pact to kill an opponent.
Ever since Kroxa, Titan of Death's Hunger was spoiled I felt it had plenty of natural synergy with many modern staple cards like Liliana of the Veil, Collective Brutality, and Seasoned Pyromancer. This is my attempt at building a mardu deck around Kroxa with strategy being lots early discard and removal in order to have enough cards in the graveyard to help pay Kroxa's escape cost. Any feedback will be appreciated.
Instant (8)
4 Fatal Push
4 Lightning Bolt
Sorcery (14)
2 Collective Brutality
4 Inquisition of Kozilek
4 Lingering Souls
4 Thoughtseize
Creatures (11)
4 Dark Confidant
4 Kroxa, Titan of Death's Hunger
3 Stoneforge Mystic
3 Liliana of the Veil
Equipment (2)
1 Batterskull
1 Sword of Fire and Ice
Lands (22)
2 Arid Mesa
3 Blackcleave Cliffs
3 Blood Crypt
2 Bloodstained Mire
3 Concealed Courtyard
1 Godless Shrine
2 Marsh Flats
2 Mountain
1 Plains
1 Sacred Foundry
2 Swamp
2 Arid Mesa
4 Blackcleave Cliffs
2 Blood Crypt
2 Bloodstained Mire
3 Concealed Courtyard
1 Godless Shrine
2 Marsh Flats
2 Mountain
1 Plains
1 Sacred Foundry
2 Swamp
2 Bonecrusher Giant
4 Merchant of the Vale
2 Murderous Rider
4 Seasoned Pyromancer
4 Young Pyromancer
Instant (10)
3 Fatal Push
3 Kolaghan's Command
4 Lightning Bolt
Sorcery (12)
4 Inquisition of Kozilek
4 Lingering Souls
4 Thoughtseize
4 Rest in Peace
4 Stony Silence
4 Blood Moon
I don't think Underworld Connections should be compared to Castle Locthwain. One is a spell that requires you to invest 3 mana in a deck that wants to keep playing aggressive threats. Also by enchanting the land it becomes a 2 for 1 if someone use land destruction on it.
On the other hand Castle Locthwain requires no additional investment to play beyond being part of the land package. Yes, the activation costs costs mana and more life but thats the trade off having instant card draw ability tacked on a land.
I like Castle Locthwain, drawing a card at instant speed is no joke. I believe it will allow us to extend our hand a bit more knowing that even if there is a board wipe coming up we can still quickly refill our hand. I also like, Castle Embereth, red's cheaper version of Gavony Township which is a solid card for go wide strategies.
My opinion on Backdraft Hellkite is that it seems vulnerable and slow. Say you cheat him with Kaalia, he does nothing that turn and you hope he survives till the next turn which is not very likely seeing how much creature removal there is edh. Even if you meet optimal conditions to hard cast him for 5 with a haste enabler in play there`s is a good chance you`re either tapped out or close to being tapped out so you`re only flashbacking one low casting cost card which is basically what Chandra, Acolyte of Flame does anyway.
Maybe it`s just a personal preference since I build my Kaalia deck as a bit of a hybrid that can be played in a multiplayer or 1v1 (75%) setting but this dragon most time will not have immediate impact which I find to be crucial. I would rather run Chandra, Acolyte of Flame, Mizzix's Mastery, or Goblin Dark-Dwellers.
I feel Chandra, Acolyte of Flame is better in this case compared to Backdraft Hellkite. She has a cheaper casting cost and potential upside to flashback cheap spells (tutors, draw, spot removal, etc.) the turn she comes into play and is less vulnerable to spot removal and board wipes.
On a fun side note, chainer will give haste to all the vamps that are cast through Bolas's Citadel.