Phyrexian Ironfoot is a great wall in Control decks, which doubles as a potential win condition with Vigilance when mana stops being an issue. It's good in that scenario, but also fairly limited, so likely not worth it if your Cube is not very large.
These statements have made me curious about this card. I run 360 Modern w/ Snow Lands. Maybe this is a card I should look into/test.
The reason for the banned list is for the health of the cube. It being Modern certain colors are inherently going to be weaker from the card selection you have available(ie black). Stoneforge, Jace TMS, Jitte and Skullclamp were cards that were so overpowered it was making it less and less fun when we saw them every week. Each time someone was building a deck with Jitte or Skullclamp in it, regardless if they had a Stoneforge, these decks never lost.
I didn't want to go through and cherry pick cards to take out of the cube that were actually on the Modern banned list.
This is a recent decision, and I haven't played with the banned list yet. If it turns out that these changes are too detrimental to one or more colors, or my players aren't having as much fun then I'll most likely change it.
The bolded part is curious to me, as plenty of times I have seen the cards mentioned on the battlefield and the player controlling them has lost. How many times did you play with them in your cube?
I'm thinking about adding a few spells to blue to fill the one CC spot. Serum Visions, Mystic Speculation, Pongify, Rapid Hybridization, Slight of Hand. Let me know your thoughts.
Serum Visions is probably the best card to go with. Piracy Charm is a card that could be a fun different card. (Maybe I've been playing too much pauper, I don't know) Vapor Snag also might be worth trying.
If you wanna test it, I have a complete Stompy deck, complete Affinity deck, Mono U Faeries(no Daze), and UR Post(no Prohibits or Condescends, running Mana Leaks instead), along with some random just-for-funsies decks that I'm working on. Message me on mtgo - username cweaver
For sure, S/N on MTGO is Emulamaster.
I won't be on alot this week or next week, I am finishing up my part time/second job. A few weeks from now, testing season opens lol
Deck list updated. Increased the amount of Llanowar Elves, one of Auramancer makes it debut in the deck, and the talked about Battlefield Scrounger shows up in the deck as a two of.
I feel like this deck really wants some grindy, repetitious lifegain or fogs to keep aggro from overrunning it while it starts up. Not sure what I'd run, though, besides Moment's Peace.
Delver seems like it'd be trouble - you roll out so slow, and they can bottle up all your card advantage with counterspells, generally. Definitely I would be focusing on early ramp, so you can try to brute-force your way past their untapped lands.
I'd get greedy and test with one or two Battlefield Scrounger, who is quite enormous and who can reset your deck-searching creatures or save useful things from spellbombs.
LordSaturn is a pauper god. Thank you. We are gonna start with the bolded part of the quote. Battlefield Scrounger is amazing. The reset ability he possesses, if the game goes long or if the deck runs out of gas, is something this deck can use. Defentally at least a one of, maybe two. Testing needed to see how many this deck wants.
I agree about Yavimaya Elder being too much of an mana investment. I am still looking into the loam idea and need more time with it to being talking about it well.
Delver-deck is trouble for sure. All of there creatures fly. That is the main problem. In the two-three games I have played against Delver, I can keep up with cards in hand, but yeah the counter magic they play hurts this deck. Early ramp will probably help this deck more, as well as this gem I found, which I plan on putting in the sideboard against them... Whiteout. This would require snow-lands, but that is okay. I am playing a good amount of creatures, most of which can trade with the creatures Delver packs, if they didn't fly. I may be a crazy deck designer or whatever, but I feel this might be good against them. I do however realize there is probably better cards agasinst them in W/G. I just need direction in finding those cards.
It's not as good as squadron hawks, but if you want to go big with empyrial armor, then you might likewise consider skyshroud sentinel or howling wolf.
In a deck packing only 21 lands, I feel that avacyn's pilgrim is probably a stronger choice than explore. It doesn't ramp, but if you include one or both of the other choices suggested previously, you should be able to restore your hand size quickly anyways.
I think I'd try to cut the cards that are only there to support Empyrial Armor. It gets back to the idea of playing bad cards to make other bad cards good. If you have one without the other, you've just got a bunch of bad cards.
Instead, what you want are a bunch of good cards that, when combined, become great cards. So things like Welkin Hawk and Daru Cavalier just don't cut it. Even Fierce Empath and Aurochs Herd probably aren't good enough without any ramp (like green post decks have). But things like Squadron Hawk are generally good on their own and also power up Empyrial Armor.
The other thing you could do is to find more cards that care about having lots of cards in hand. Right now, only Empyrial Armor is benefiting from the extra cards. Are there other things you could do that would benefit from your cantrips and searchers?
You could try something like creating a Loam engine. Mulch, Tilling Treefolk, and Yavimaya Elder are all good at keeping your hands filled on the cheap. Cenn's Enlistment may not be as powerful as Raven's Crime but it would give you something to do with all the extra cards.
Thanks vandergus.
I agree with you that while Welkin Hawk is bad, Daru Cavalier has been decent to be honest (First Strike is pretty good). The idea, at it's core, works. Basically the current list, forces my opponents to keep having removal for my creatures. I am dropping a creature every turn (save for turn 1), and with each creature I cast, the creature replaces itself with another card in hand, allowing me to drop creatures after possible board wipes, removal, or losing the creatures in combat. Empyrial Armor just fit the theme.
Even without the ramp, which is a good idea to Explore (pun intended), the deck still likes works well with Fierce Empath and Auroch's Herd. Having cards in hand is a plus for any deck, and this deck does that well.
Ramp cards that look appealing to this deck: Edge of Autumn and Explore
A loam engine is intriguing to me. Mulch, Tilling Treefolk, and Yavimaya Elder are, as you said, good cards at keeping your hand full on the cheap. Cenn's Enlistment is defentally a card I should test. If the deck ends up with a dead hand, or the game goes later than this deck wants to go, that is a great card to help the problem at hand. What else could be done with the loam engine?Something to look into for sure.
Marytr of Sands is not for this deck. I feel Martyr's are best in monocolored decks. Possibly worth testing if the count of white cards increases. Citanul Woodreavers, however is a card this deck likes. Early game it is blocking for days, late game I am drawing two cards off of it. Awesome find.
Going to try out some of the cards mentioned in the last few posts. I'll post more findings after more testing. Thank you everyone for your help. I look forward to more feedback, advice, and/or criticism.
is definitely an interesting list. I think having a couple of mana dorks could help it curve out a little easier especially for those 6 drops. But have you considered some hexproof for it? or maybe a garruk's companion? I know they dont replace themselves but they could help with getting past some of the chump blockers.
Thanks wilhouse.
Mana dorks are defentally something I want to look into. Dropping Aurochs Herd or Daru Cavalier a turn early is always good. A hexproof theme has not been considered as of yet, and I'm not sure how/if I would be able to put it in without changing the entire deck. Something to look into for sure. So far I am normally chump blocking or trading until I can get Aurochs Herd or Squadron Hawk w/ Empyrial Armor or Rancor down. This is more of a midrange deck than anything.
If you're trying to make use of Empyrial Armor I think it should go in a UW shell. Blue just has the ability to refill their hand with stuff like Deep Analysis and Compulsive Research, and it also allows you to protect your dudes with counterspells. You can remove blockers with Journey to Nowhere or bounce effects like Snap. Auramancer also has the ability to retrieve the namesake card in case stuff happens.
Thanks cweaver8518.
The original idea spawned just from a thought I had. "A deck with both Squadron Hawk and Aurochs Herd could be good" and so far it is fun. I stumbled onto Empyrial Armor, and then the list took off from that point. I do agree that a UW shell probably makes a better use of Empyrial Armor, I want to stay WG for now. It might not be too hard to splash a third color. I know that is crazy in Pauper, but with Abundant Growth and if I switch out the Safewright Quest for Caravan Vigil. Borderland Ranger also makes this easier.
If this deck flops or becomes less fun, I'll find my focus on UW. Auramancer is a wonderful suggestion. Should I happen to lose Empyrial Armor or Rancor in some way, I now have a way to bring it back, and it is a creature. Great find. Journey to Nowhere is also a great suggestion.
In the few games I played earlier today, I found myself with a few one land hands along side Abundant Growth. Well I kept and tried it out, mistake. I am upping the count of Safewright Quests. A one land hand with a Safewright Quest is a two land hand.
Also starting to work on sideboard cards, Thermokarst against post for sure. Qasali Pridemage against Affinity and Hexproof? That might be too slow. Centaur Healer against Aggro seems like a natural choice
"A deck with both Squadron Hawk and Aurochs Herd could be good."
This is where the deck idea originally came from. For more on the old plan, see the spoiler below. The deck has changed into midrange deck that still follows the original idea of the deck.
I've been playing this deck for a few days now, and I am loving it. The original idea spawned just from a thought I had. "A deck with both Squadron Hawk and Aurochs Herd could be good." I stumbled onto Empyrial Armor, and then the list took off from that point. The idea is to use creatures and spells that can-trip or replace themselves, and slap Empyrial Armor or Rancor on a creature and bash in. The deck can produce really fun and interesting games. I feel it could become something if it just had more help. No sideboard build as of yet. Help/advice/criticism welcome. I really think I could be onto something...
I sold off my list and have moved on as well. I think it is time to put a nail in this coffin Tom.
Agreed, this deck was so fun, and will be my all time favorite constructed deck I worked on, but my passions in magic have changed and don't have the amount of time to continue on with it. This thing was awesome, and I look forward to someone continuing the Ob Nixilis project.
If anyone wants to continue the project, and wants to use this as a reference point for their Ob Nixilis project, please do so,
One of the good things about that card, though, is that in most cube decks, the artifact will be pretty darn good, so it's either discard 2 cards or the bomb artifact.
I also run Despise with the cards you listed.
I hope to test this card next weekend when I can draft.
With Modern/New frame not having access to Hymn to Tourach, is this an acceptable card? I know the discard effect is not random, but it will likely hit two cards instead of one.
RE: Burning-Tree Shaman
This card is unique, the 3/4 for 3 is pretty good, and the ability is only really good in your cube runs lots of activated abilities. This card is currently in my cube, but I need to recount activated abilites in my cube to see if it is really worth it, or should go looking for something else.
With that being said, I do love this card against Planeswalkers
Skred, Mouth of Ronom, Scrying Sheets, Phyrexian Ironfoot, and ? EDIT: Ohran Viper?
Those are the ones I can think of that are good with snow. Currently running all except for the Ironfoot. Also running Coldsteel Heart
These statements have made me curious about this card. I run 360 Modern w/ Snow Lands. Maybe this is a card I should look into/test.
The bolded part is curious to me, as plenty of times I have seen the cards mentioned on the battlefield and the player controlling them has lost. How many times did you play with them in your cube?
Serum Visions is probably the best card to go with. Piracy Charm is a card that could be a fun different card. (Maybe I've been playing too much pauper, I don't know) Vapor Snag also might be worth trying.
Glad to see another Modern Cube here.
For sure, S/N on MTGO is Emulamaster.
I won't be on alot this week or next week, I am finishing up my part time/second job. A few weeks from now, testing season opens lol
LordSaturn is a pauper god. Thank you. We are gonna start with the bolded part of the quote.
Battlefield Scrounger is amazing. The reset ability he possesses, if the game goes long or if the deck runs out of gas, is something this deck can use. Defentally at least a one of, maybe two. Testing needed to see how many this deck wants.
I agree about Yavimaya Elder being too much of an mana investment. I am still looking into the loam idea and need more time with it to being talking about it well.
Moment's Peace and Gnaw to the Bone maybe helpful in those grindy matchups
Delver-deck is trouble for sure. All of there creatures fly. That is the main problem. In the two-three games I have played against Delver, I can keep up with cards in hand, but yeah the counter magic they play hurts this deck. Early ramp will probably help this deck more, as well as this gem I found, which I plan on putting in the sideboard against them... Whiteout. This would require snow-lands, but that is okay. I am playing a good amount of creatures, most of which can trade with the creatures Delver packs, if they didn't fly. I may be a crazy deck designer or whatever, but I feel this might be good against them. I do however realize there is probably better cards agasinst them in W/G. I just need direction in finding those cards.
Thanks weltkrieg
I am finding the statement about Avacyn's Pilgrim to be true. I am thinking losing the Abundant Growth and Safewight Quest replacing them with 4 Avacyn's Pilgrim and 1 Llanowar Elves.
Great find LordSaturn. Totally fits the current theme.
Thanks vandergus.
I agree with you that while Welkin Hawk is bad, Daru Cavalier has been decent to be honest (First Strike is pretty good). The idea, at it's core, works. Basically the current list, forces my opponents to keep having removal for my creatures. I am dropping a creature every turn (save for turn 1), and with each creature I cast, the creature replaces itself with another card in hand, allowing me to drop creatures after possible board wipes, removal, or losing the creatures in combat. Empyrial Armor just fit the theme.
Even without the ramp, which is a good idea to Explore (pun intended), the deck still likes works well with Fierce Empath and Auroch's Herd. Having cards in hand is a plus for any deck, and this deck does that well.
Ramp cards that look appealing to this deck: Edge of Autumn and Explore
A loam engine is intriguing to me. Mulch, Tilling Treefolk, and Yavimaya Elder are, as you said, good cards at keeping your hand full on the cheap. Cenn's Enlistment is defentally a card I should test. If the deck ends up with a dead hand, or the game goes later than this deck wants to go, that is a great card to help the problem at hand. What else could be done with the loam engine?Something to look into for sure.
Marytr of Sands is not for this deck. I feel Martyr's are best in monocolored decks. Possibly worth testing if the count of white cards increases.
Citanul Woodreavers, however is a card this deck likes. Early game it is blocking for days, late game I am drawing two cards off of it. Awesome find.
Going to try out some of the cards mentioned in the last few posts. I'll post more findings after more testing. Thank you everyone for your help. I look forward to more feedback, advice, and/or criticism.
Thanks wilhouse.
Mana dorks are defentally something I want to look into. Dropping Aurochs Herd or Daru Cavalier a turn early is always good. A hexproof theme has not been considered as of yet, and I'm not sure how/if I would be able to put it in without changing the entire deck. Something to look into for sure. So far I am normally chump blocking or trading until I can get Aurochs Herd or Squadron Hawk w/ Empyrial Armor or Rancor down. This is more of a midrange deck than anything.
Thanks cweaver8518.
The original idea spawned just from a thought I had. "A deck with both Squadron Hawk and Aurochs Herd could be good" and so far it is fun. I stumbled onto Empyrial Armor, and then the list took off from that point. I do agree that a UW shell probably makes a better use of Empyrial Armor, I want to stay WG for now. It might not be too hard to splash a third color. I know that is crazy in Pauper, but with Abundant Growth and if I switch out the Safewright Quest for Caravan Vigil. Borderland Ranger also makes this easier.
If this deck flops or becomes less fun, I'll find my focus on UW. Auramancer is a wonderful suggestion. Should I happen to lose Empyrial Armor or Rancor in some way, I now have a way to bring it back, and it is a creature. Great find. Journey to Nowhere is also a great suggestion.
In the few games I played earlier today, I found myself with a few one land hands along side Abundant Growth. Well I kept and tried it out, mistake. I am upping the count of Safewright Quests. A one land hand with a Safewright Quest is a two land hand.
Also starting to work on sideboard cards, Thermokarst against post for sure. Qasali Pridemage against Affinity and Hexproof? That might be too slow. Centaur Healer against Aggro seems like a natural choice
"A deck with both Squadron Hawk and Aurochs Herd could be good."
This is where the deck idea originally came from. For more on the old plan, see the spoiler below. The deck has changed into midrange deck that still follows the original idea of the deck.
I've been playing this deck for a few days now, and I am loving it. The original idea spawned just from a thought I had. "A deck with both Squadron Hawk and Aurochs Herd could be good." I stumbled onto Empyrial Armor, and then the list took off from that point. The idea is to use creatures and spells that can-trip or replace themselves, and slap Empyrial Armor or Rancor on a creature and bash in. The deck can produce really fun and interesting games. I feel it could become something if it just had more help. No sideboard build as of yet. Help/advice/criticism welcome. I really think I could be onto something...
7 Plains
2 Seijri Steppe
4 Avacyn's Pilgrim
1 Llanowar Elves
4 Journey to Nowhere
4 Squadron Hawk
4 Edge of Autumn
2 Evolution Charm
4 Centaur Healer
4 Armadillo Cloak
2 Seraph of Dawn
3 Llanowar Empath
2 Primal Huntbeast
4 Aurochs Herd
3 Standard Bearer
3 Moment's Peace
1 Auramancer
1 Seraph of Dawn
1 Primal Huntbeast
3 Qasali Pridemage
3 Mwonvuli Acid-Moss
Sideboard still needs at lot of work
Agreed, this deck was so fun, and will be my all time favorite constructed deck I worked on, but my passions in magic have changed and don't have the amount of time to continue on with it. This thing was awesome, and I look forward to someone continuing the Ob Nixilis project.
If anyone wants to continue the project, and wants to use this as a reference point for their Ob Nixilis project, please do so,
I also run Despise with the cards you listed.
I hope to test this card next weekend when I can draft.
This card is unique, the 3/4 for 3 is pretty good, and the ability is only really good in your cube runs lots of activated abilities. This card is currently in my cube, but I need to recount activated abilites in my cube to see if it is really worth it, or should go looking for something else.
With that being said, I do love this card against Planeswalkers