Honestly, there is not much (if any) new technology out. There are some interesting plyables in SOI, but nothing that would stick around after initial testing and the novelty wears off. I picked up the 7 or so cards that are playable, but have not tested any of them. Due to aggressively devloping teysa, the one saffi game I get to play at on my outings wouldnt be sufficient testing if I did want to try them.
I do need to set aside some time for saffi soon. It is time for an overhaul.
When considering static ramp vs cip ramp, saffi uses it way more effectively. Oracle is a spicy clone target, while things like farhaven elf are less appealing. Abuse of these cards allow us to play our turn 6, while other players are just hitting the turn 3 or 4 plays (unless they are Artifact mana heavy).
Most of the artifact/enchantment engines are easily brought back, making a Disenchant on them a weak play. Usually, if a hard to recur engine is lost, it has already done it's damage.
I still love oblivion ring. There are a lot of lines with the card that other cards cannot replicate. Even though it is a flex slot, the only things I can see replacing it in my list are a 'true' reprint with flash (which will never happen) or a new engine piece.
Oracle of mul daya is extremely powerful. What has kept it out of my list is how bad it is for the saffi pilot to have their oracle cloned or stolen. A major feature of saffi is how it performs as a ramp deck. While oracle adds to that plan in a major way, granting opponents access to Oracle will undo all of the outpacing this deck thrives on.
@Perplex11
Aquilegia is mostly correct in the comparison. Saffi and sissay lists are usually both combo oriented. Sissay has a more linear approach with her toolbox, but saffi is more flexible and value oriented. The real difference between the two is how they operate in the midgame. After Sissay resolves it's usually just get cradle, get hokori, get iona/elesh norn and then lock out a game. Mindslaver locks and smlimilar strats are common for her. Saffi has more ebb and flow in her game plan. Saffi can play that same game, or she can play a control game, an aggressive game or just grind players into submission. I decided to tailor my list to the midrange plan, while having options to go other routes when needed.
@Aquilegia
Any input is more than appreciated. I have a ton of info I have been meaning to put up, but have not had the time.
As for the 'lands matter' themes...
My personal build does not really have a 'land theme'. It does things with lands, but they are minor interactions to eek out extra value. Lotus cobra was added during zendikar because of what the deck was already doing. It was a functional sol ring that happened to play better than a sol ring, so it got a slot. Titania was added at the release of c14 because it's a better thragtusk. Emeria shepherd complemented the deck the same way as lotus cobra. The deck was not built for these cards, the cards were built for the deck. They strengthen the land interactions, but that is not the primary reason they made my list. Granted, if the RC does follow through with finding a way to kill off color fetches, they will likely get replaced in my list. But then again, losing off color fetches would cause a lot more changes than just those three cards.
Shadows over Innistrad:
I'm pretty stoked for this set. So far, whenever there is a revisit to a plane that was good to the deck the first time around, the second time there is just as good. Fiend hunter and mentor of the meek were huge for saffi. Hopefully, just like the return to mirrodin and zendikar, the return to Innistrad will bring some power players.
*fun fact: other than temple garden (which was kind of a big thing) and glare of subdual (a flex slot I am looking to upgrade), I do not play any cards from the original ravnica block. Strangely, the return to ravnica (the only other revisited plane) did nothing for my deck. Weird.
So, I put together a secondary build. It is a more relaxed deck filled with cards I want to test, play again, have fun with, and contains no duplicates of cards from my original list. I have tested without key pieces, but I think it will be interesting to see what it would be like if NONE of the power players existed. Eldrazi displacer should find a home in that build. I miss the days when attacking with a galepowder mage mattered.. hahaha
The lands go a long way for the deck in regards to having ways to interact that are tough for the opponent to deal with. Sure, they could attempt to remove the creature, but you still get triggers, and we have saffi to protect the creature. So many games have been decided off the back of a few titania triggers. I think loam is a bit much in that regard, and that's coming from a guy who plays loam in every format it is legal.
One of the cards I have been very interested as of late, believe it or not, is Arachnus spinner. It may not be the best card, but a 5/7 reach is nothing to scoff at. Recurring a pacifism seems decent as well. Not the most competitive of cards, but just an interesting card I have been looking at latey.
Thanks for the insights and updated list. I noticed you don't run all that many reusable sac outlets like blasting station or phyrexian altar. Just altar of dementia and greater good. Do you combo out to win the game much? Or just grind, grind value more often? I do find that GG is enough for me to dig out a win card most of the time, but I find my deck runs so much more smoothly when I have a sac outlet available like the station or mana altar in play. Just curious what your thoughts are.
No probelm. I am more than willing to share views and thoughts on cards and topics. Discussion is the purpose of the thread!
I only run those two because they are the best of the best, and not many others contribute to the game as much as they do. Something like a fanatical devotion cannot win you the game by regenerating a creature. Most effects granted by these sacrifice outlets do not really do anything. If all you are looking for is a way to sacrifice creatures repeatedly, that's a fair, but the effect granted for paying the cost should be relevant at all times. My big gripe with them is that the deck does not need the effects they provide. The deck does not need the mana produced by an Ashnods altar, and if people are playing triskelion, blasting station is redundant. Also, as I have mentioned before, most of my creatures sacrifice themselves anyway. Why would I need a way to sacrifice creatures when I have triskelion, mirror entity and viridian zealot in play? Knowing how to force a trade in combat and knowing how to force sweepers opens up quite a few deck slots that would go towards killing off your own creatures.
When I first put the deck together in '07 - '08, I played around 6 ways to kill off my own guys. As I became more proficient with it, those numbers starting diminishing. I'm honestly at the point where I am comfortable cutting another, and have been considering it deeply.
As for my wins, I would say I'm about 70/30 in favor of attrition (it's the way I prefer to win). I make the concious descion to attack or combo for a win depending on the opposing generals in the pod and gamestate. When you have heartless getting the table to single digits by turn 4, combat wins are more realistic. Sometimes, pulling the trigger on a combo makes more sense when maelstrom wanderer, sharuum and anafenza are gunning for you.
Other comments:
I think you mean emeria shepherd, not angel. I haven't had quite as much success with her, although maybe it's partially because I'm not running the full fetchlands suite (I'm missing the enemy pairs, so I only have 4 in my list right now). I like that she works on her own well, and doesn't necessarily need Saffi to start doing unfair things. But she's pretty costly to get into play, and then you really want a landfall trigger available to take advantage right away. I dunno, I guess I'll keep tinkering with her.
I did mean emeria shepherd. Silly me
I don't understand how she is costly to get into play. I have never had an issue producing 7 mana by turn 4 or 5. There is also wild pair and pattern of rebirth!
It's more than just fetchlands that make her insane, although fetchlands break her in half. Knight of the reliquary is a must. It did insane things before the angel, and now that the angel exists, kotr is one of my most played creatures in the deck. Also keep in mind, every creature that grabs a land becomes a reanimate spell. Things like granger over wood elves matter here. Often times, just having enough plains in the deck is the way to make her work. Never feel bad about just using her for regrowths.
On the question of Greenwarden--I've likedWoodland Bellower better. He feels so much more flexible in that he can go get an e witness when you need Greenwarden's effect, but he can also grab any other <3 CMC green from the deck. Maybe you don't like the 6/5 stats for WP reasons, but I've cut WP myself. The deadwood treefolk only grabs creatures, which IMO is much worse than either.
Both have merits in the build. Bellower just felt lacking in every line of play and boardstate. But then again, so did greenwarden. Bellower is not as flexible as it seems. It only gets a Disenchant, eternal witness or teeg, all of which greenwarden can do (plus more) at the sacrifice of 1 power and a bit of work. All in all, greenwarden is still a temporary card for me, and I would not argue the inclusion of either of the two in any given list. They are both strong cards, just not the cards I am looking for.
I noticed you're using viridian zealot, but caustic caterpillar seems a superior replacement in most cases.
This is strictly due to wild pair. I need the slot for WP@3, and zealot offers a lot for that slot. Also, if the Disenchant is not live, going from 2 to 3 with pod is way more relevant than going from 1 to 2. If the Disenchant has the potential to be live, but not at that moment, having 2 power is better than having 1 power. Caustic caterpillar is still a fine card, and is one that is sitting in my 800 count box of saffi playables... just waiting for a ban or unban to happen.
BTW, is ulamog, the infinite gyre mainly in your list for the mill protection? I tried him for a bit, but he always felt kind of dead in my hand. I suppose pattern can cheat him into play pretty early though.
Ulamog does a lot for the deck. Yes, it prevents me from being decked, but that aids in combo kills. It protects my graveyard. It's a bribery magnet, keeping people off my toys. Even if an opponent does bribery ulamog, we can race it or get martyr's bond online, and get it back on our board with saffi (I have a rules clarification on this in the OP). sometimes, just casting it on turn 6, or cheating it into play on turn 4 ends a game.
I have played deadwood treefolk in the past. Greenwarden is the better card most of the time. Preferably the slot would go to something more proactive, but It's the best option for WP@9. Having 5 power is more relevant than 6 toughness, and greenwarden hits all card types.
While I do very much appreciate a lot of the cards in OTG, I feel they are not for my list. Most of the possible inclusions are just variations on things we already have access to. there are a few cards that are very interesting and on my buylist.
My buylist consists of vile redeemer, world breaker, mirror pool and matter reshaper.
Vile redeemer: for decks that play caller of the claw, this may be a very interesting upgrade. The mana producing tokens it creates allow insane lines of play. While I do not use caller, I can see the appeal and think that this should be on the radar of anyone who does. Being a 3/3 is a little saddening (unless you are in the wild pair camp, which more people should be), but the blowouts it allows with things like Genesis wave are insane. It has all the upsides of caller (with a higher ceiling of applications), except it is not a lark target.
World breaker: I can already tell I will wish it's a woodfall primus nine out of ten times. I personally don't have space that high in the curve, so it won't make the cut for me. It doesn't hit planeswalkers, which is a serious issue. It does have several points in its favor. The fact that it exiles targets is a big deal. It's self recurring nature is also a plus, but better suited for titania and azusa decks.
Matter reshaper: interesting card is isnteresting. At worst, it draws a card. At best, it's a blowout. High variance makes memorable games. I will probably play a few games with it for fun, but my playgroup is far too powered and competitive for it.
Mirrorpool: if people are playing my landbase, this land is never an issue to activate, and activating this land looks to be bad news for a table. It's not going to be as good as it is for sharuum, but it can do dirty things here. Sadly, my landbase is way too tight. I would have to cut a basic for it, which I am not comfortable with. Cutting a spell doesn't seem right either, but would be what I recommend to anyone running my list who wants to play with this card.
Changes to my list as of otg my current list is as follows
+canopy Vista
+emeria angel
+greenwarden of murasa
The reasonings for canopy vista should be self explanatory. It's a perfect dual for the deck, and mistveil plains is one I have wanted to cut for the longest. It was just the most logical flex land until canopy vista was printed.
Emeria angel was tailor made for my list. Whenever I get her into play, victory usually follows. It does so many things right. It gives serious action that aids in turning on the sky ruin, and gives a way to recur cards that is a nightmare to interact with. She's so much stronger here than anywhere else I have seen her. She has won more games than the safekeeper has kept me from losing.
Greenwarden is one I am not thrilled about playing, but is a necessary evil. It's been okay. There are times I miss ethersworn canonist, but overall, the greenwarden is a decent fit.
**eldrazi displacer looks dope, but I play more static and sacrifice effects than most. I might pick one up for the hell of it, but it is a card I don't think I benefit from.
Future of saffi:
While currently a lot of my mtg theory time has gone to 'reinventing' teysa, orzhov scion (a general I have been tinkering with lately and disagree with a lot of the current theory on her), I am planning to do a massive overhaul on my saffi list, as well as putting together a 'funsies' list. I am thrilled she is slowly catching on and becoming a force in the metas where she is present. Lately, saffi has been getting quite a bit of new toys to play around with. This is making the fight against the new power players in the format rather enjoyable. Please feel free to post any questions or comments. My next few days will be free as NYC has shut down due to a blizzard.
I am actually very excited for the mulligan change. It will reward the refined decks, while hitting the greedy decks (like combo and goodstuff). It will force better deck building in the format.
The list in the OP is primed to take advantage of this change with a high land count and the most universal and multifunctional cards. I am going to be happy with my free wins over the next few weeks while the format takes a while to catch up.
There is a lot the shepherd interacts with in the deck. Outside of the obvious, she closes the gap for emeria the sky ruin very well. Another huge factor is how good she is against blue. With so many ways to cheat her in to play, shes tough to counter. She can essentially turn the deck into a dredge dec - never needing to actually cast a spell as long as shes in play. Most clone based blue decks are cold to her as they do not really profit from copying her. Her inclusion has also created a rather convoluted turn 5 combo kill (turn 4 if you opened up with a fetchland and ancient tomb in addition to the required cards).
The biggest take away is that she greatly rewards tight play and discipline with decision making. Knowing how and when to go all in with her is key to maximg out her effect. She provides ample opportunity to make greedy plays, but those are usually not the optimal plays. Conservative use until a win can be crafted has given the greatest rewards.
Those are actually the only 4 cards im picking up from this release. None may make the main deck, but will see some light testing for a while. The sword is nutter butters, but i would like some trigger time with it before i rant and rave about it.
As a side note...
Every game emeria shepherd has hit play, her presence has resulted in an immediate win. She is very accessible and tailor made for my list. She even won a game through leyine of the void, instant speed necromancy and scavenging ooze. I am very pleased with the card. The density of white reanimators is insane. One or two more that operate on a different axis (for threat diversity) would push the deck to obscene heights
Harmonic Sliver is one of the 'bread and butter' disenchants. It does so many things for the deck, and is probably the most clutch disenchant.
The biggest question I have is, why no Emeria? You play a healthy amount of plains for it.
Also, Feel free to post your list in my thread (or I can link it in my OP if the editing issues have been resolved). I made it to be a hub for all Saffi related discussion. It helps to keep all the conversation in one spot. This way people would not have to jump from thread to thread to learn about or discuss the best general in the format
I just wish I had more time to update it. Two full time jobs takes a lot out of a person.
Because more are always welcome. After the Scrapper and Tinkerer, there is a steep drop in playability. I have gotten great use out of the archaeologist (he fills multiple roles in my build), but would easily cut it for something more reliable. The Engineers are almost unplayable outside of 'metal-red' builds, and Welder is not really removal. Its not something I think the format needs. Just something I would be happy to have.
With so many decks in the format relying on artifacts to deploy their strategies, would you really fight the printing of more answers? Especially if those answers provide massive synergy with a deck you play...
All in all, there isnt a ton of stuff from this set. The things that are playable, are very good though. My buylist is only about 5 cards.
I do need to set aside some time for saffi soon. It is time for an overhaul.
Most of the artifact/enchantment engines are easily brought back, making a Disenchant on them a weak play. Usually, if a hard to recur engine is lost, it has already done it's damage.
Oracle of mul daya is extremely powerful. What has kept it out of my list is how bad it is for the saffi pilot to have their oracle cloned or stolen. A major feature of saffi is how it performs as a ramp deck. While oracle adds to that plan in a major way, granting opponents access to Oracle will undo all of the outpacing this deck thrives on.
Aquilegia is mostly correct in the comparison. Saffi and sissay lists are usually both combo oriented. Sissay has a more linear approach with her toolbox, but saffi is more flexible and value oriented. The real difference between the two is how they operate in the midgame. After Sissay resolves it's usually just get cradle, get hokori, get iona/elesh norn and then lock out a game. Mindslaver locks and smlimilar strats are common for her. Saffi has more ebb and flow in her game plan. Saffi can play that same game, or she can play a control game, an aggressive game or just grind players into submission. I decided to tailor my list to the midrange plan, while having options to go other routes when needed.
@Aquilegia
Any input is more than appreciated. I have a ton of info I have been meaning to put up, but have not had the time.
As for the 'lands matter' themes...
My personal build does not really have a 'land theme'. It does things with lands, but they are minor interactions to eek out extra value. Lotus cobra was added during zendikar because of what the deck was already doing. It was a functional sol ring that happened to play better than a sol ring, so it got a slot. Titania was added at the release of c14 because it's a better thragtusk. Emeria shepherd complemented the deck the same way as lotus cobra. The deck was not built for these cards, the cards were built for the deck. They strengthen the land interactions, but that is not the primary reason they made my list. Granted, if the RC does follow through with finding a way to kill off color fetches, they will likely get replaced in my list. But then again, losing off color fetches would cause a lot more changes than just those three cards.
Shadows over Innistrad:
I'm pretty stoked for this set. So far, whenever there is a revisit to a plane that was good to the deck the first time around, the second time there is just as good. Fiend hunter and mentor of the meek were huge for saffi. Hopefully, just like the return to mirrodin and zendikar, the return to Innistrad will bring some power players.
*fun fact: other than temple garden (which was kind of a big thing) and glare of subdual (a flex slot I am looking to upgrade), I do not play any cards from the original ravnica block. Strangely, the return to ravnica (the only other revisited plane) did nothing for my deck. Weird.
One of the cards I have been very interested as of late, believe it or not, is Arachnus spinner. It may not be the best card, but a 5/7 reach is nothing to scoff at. Recurring a pacifism seems decent as well. Not the most competitive of cards, but just an interesting card I have been looking at latey.
No probelm. I am more than willing to share views and thoughts on cards and topics. Discussion is the purpose of the thread!
I only run those two because they are the best of the best, and not many others contribute to the game as much as they do. Something like a fanatical devotion cannot win you the game by regenerating a creature. Most effects granted by these sacrifice outlets do not really do anything. If all you are looking for is a way to sacrifice creatures repeatedly, that's a fair, but the effect granted for paying the cost should be relevant at all times. My big gripe with them is that the deck does not need the effects they provide. The deck does not need the mana produced by an Ashnods altar, and if people are playing triskelion, blasting station is redundant. Also, as I have mentioned before, most of my creatures sacrifice themselves anyway. Why would I need a way to sacrifice creatures when I have triskelion, mirror entity and viridian zealot in play? Knowing how to force a trade in combat and knowing how to force sweepers opens up quite a few deck slots that would go towards killing off your own creatures.
When I first put the deck together in '07 - '08, I played around 6 ways to kill off my own guys. As I became more proficient with it, those numbers starting diminishing. I'm honestly at the point where I am comfortable cutting another, and have been considering it deeply.
As for my wins, I would say I'm about 70/30 in favor of attrition (it's the way I prefer to win). I make the concious descion to attack or combo for a win depending on the opposing generals in the pod and gamestate. When you have heartless getting the table to single digits by turn 4, combat wins are more realistic. Sometimes, pulling the trigger on a combo makes more sense when maelstrom wanderer, sharuum and anafenza are gunning for you.
Other comments:
I did mean emeria shepherd. Silly me
I don't understand how she is costly to get into play. I have never had an issue producing 7 mana by turn 4 or 5. There is also wild pair and pattern of rebirth!
It's more than just fetchlands that make her insane, although fetchlands break her in half. Knight of the reliquary is a must. It did insane things before the angel, and now that the angel exists, kotr is one of my most played creatures in the deck. Also keep in mind, every creature that grabs a land becomes a reanimate spell. Things like granger over wood elves matter here. Often times, just having enough plains in the deck is the way to make her work. Never feel bad about just using her for regrowths.
Both have merits in the build. Bellower just felt lacking in every line of play and boardstate. But then again, so did greenwarden. Bellower is not as flexible as it seems. It only gets a Disenchant, eternal witness or teeg, all of which greenwarden can do (plus more) at the sacrifice of 1 power and a bit of work. All in all, greenwarden is still a temporary card for me, and I would not argue the inclusion of either of the two in any given list. They are both strong cards, just not the cards I am looking for.
This is strictly due to wild pair. I need the slot for WP@3, and zealot offers a lot for that slot. Also, if the Disenchant is not live, going from 2 to 3 with pod is way more relevant than going from 1 to 2. If the Disenchant has the potential to be live, but not at that moment, having 2 power is better than having 1 power. Caustic caterpillar is still a fine card, and is one that is sitting in my 800 count box of saffi playables... just waiting for a ban or unban to happen.
Ulamog does a lot for the deck. Yes, it prevents me from being decked, but that aids in combo kills. It protects my graveyard. It's a bribery magnet, keeping people off my toys. Even if an opponent does bribery ulamog, we can race it or get martyr's bond online, and get it back on our board with saffi (I have a rules clarification on this in the OP). sometimes, just casting it on turn 6, or cheating it into play on turn 4 ends a game.
My buylist consists of vile redeemer, world breaker, mirror pool and matter reshaper.
Vile redeemer: for decks that play caller of the claw, this may be a very interesting upgrade. The mana producing tokens it creates allow insane lines of play. While I do not use caller, I can see the appeal and think that this should be on the radar of anyone who does. Being a 3/3 is a little saddening (unless you are in the wild pair camp, which more people should be), but the blowouts it allows with things like Genesis wave are insane. It has all the upsides of caller (with a higher ceiling of applications), except it is not a lark target.
World breaker: I can already tell I will wish it's a woodfall primus nine out of ten times. I personally don't have space that high in the curve, so it won't make the cut for me. It doesn't hit planeswalkers, which is a serious issue. It does have several points in its favor. The fact that it exiles targets is a big deal. It's self recurring nature is also a plus, but better suited for titania and azusa decks.
Matter reshaper: interesting card is isnteresting. At worst, it draws a card. At best, it's a blowout. High variance makes memorable games. I will probably play a few games with it for fun, but my playgroup is far too powered and competitive for it.
Mirrorpool: if people are playing my landbase, this land is never an issue to activate, and activating this land looks to be bad news for a table. It's not going to be as good as it is for sharuum, but it can do dirty things here. Sadly, my landbase is way too tight. I would have to cut a basic for it, which I am not comfortable with. Cutting a spell doesn't seem right either, but would be what I recommend to anyone running my list who wants to play with this card.
Changes to my list as of otg my current list is as follows
10 plains
8 forest
1 savannah
1 temple garden
1 canopy vista
1 krosan verge
1 windswept heath
1 arid mesa
1 flooded strand
1 marsh flats
1 verdant catacombs
1 misty rainforest
1 wooded foothills
1 horizon canopy
1 buried ruin
1 strip mine
1 gaea's cradle
1 emeria, the sky ruin
1 dryad arbor
1 ancient tomb
1 high market
ARTIFACT (6)
1 sensei's divining top
1 skullclamp
1 altar of dementia
1 crucible of worlds
1 oblivion stone
1 birthing pod
1 survival of the fittest
1 aura shards
1 oblivion ring
1 greater good
1 pattern of rebirth
1 martyr's bond
1 wild pair
1 gift of immortality
1 glare of subdual
SORCERY/INSTANT (6)
1 worldly tutor
1 enlightened tutor
1 eladamri's call
1 green sun's zenith
1 austere command
1 tooth and nail
CREATURE (41)
1 spore frog
1 fauna shaman
1 gaddock teeg
1 lotus cobra
1 leonin relic-warder
1 phyrexian revoker
1 qasali pridemage
1 scavenging ooze
1 sakura-tribe elder
1 viridian zealot
1 aven mindcensor
1 eternal witness
1 fiend hunter
1 farhaven elf
1 harmonic sliver
1 knight of the reliquary
1 mentor of the meek
1 mirror entity
1 reclamation sage
1 yavimaya granger
1 solemn simulacrum
1 wickerbough elder
1 angel of finality
1 academy rector
1 reveillark
1 karmic guide
1 titania, protector of argoth
1 genesis
1 acidic slime
1 archon of justice
1 sunblast angel
1 triskelion
1 sun titan
1 duplicant
1 greenwarden of murasa
1 regal force
1 hornet queen
1 emeria angel
1 avenger of zendikar
1 woodfall primus
1 ulamog, the infinite gyre
-mistveil plains
-sylvan safekeeper
-ethersworn canonist
+canopy Vista
+emeria angel
+greenwarden of murasa
The reasonings for canopy vista should be self explanatory. It's a perfect dual for the deck, and mistveil plains is one I have wanted to cut for the longest. It was just the most logical flex land until canopy vista was printed.
Emeria angel was tailor made for my list. Whenever I get her into play, victory usually follows. It does so many things right. It gives serious action that aids in turning on the sky ruin, and gives a way to recur cards that is a nightmare to interact with. She's so much stronger here than anywhere else I have seen her. She has won more games than the safekeeper has kept me from losing.
Greenwarden is one I am not thrilled about playing, but is a necessary evil. It's been okay. There are times I miss ethersworn canonist, but overall, the greenwarden is a decent fit.
**eldrazi displacer looks dope, but I play more static and sacrifice effects than most. I might pick one up for the hell of it, but it is a card I don't think I benefit from.
Future of saffi:
While currently a lot of my mtg theory time has gone to 'reinventing' teysa, orzhov scion (a general I have been tinkering with lately and disagree with a lot of the current theory on her), I am planning to do a massive overhaul on my saffi list, as well as putting together a 'funsies' list. I am thrilled she is slowly catching on and becoming a force in the metas where she is present. Lately, saffi has been getting quite a bit of new toys to play around with. This is making the fight against the new power players in the format rather enjoyable. Please feel free to post any questions or comments. My next few days will be free as NYC has shut down due to a blizzard.
All the best!
The list in the OP is primed to take advantage of this change with a high land count and the most universal and multifunctional cards. I am going to be happy with my free wins over the next few weeks while the format takes a while to catch up.
The biggest take away is that she greatly rewards tight play and discipline with decision making. Knowing how and when to go all in with her is key to maximg out her effect. She provides ample opportunity to make greedy plays, but those are usually not the optimal plays. Conservative use until a win can be crafted has given the greatest rewards.
As a side note...
Every game emeria shepherd has hit play, her presence has resulted in an immediate win. She is very accessible and tailor made for my list. She even won a game through leyine of the void, instant speed necromancy and scavenging ooze. I am very pleased with the card. The density of white reanimators is insane. One or two more that operate on a different axis (for threat diversity) would push the deck to obscene heights
The biggest question I have is, why no Emeria? You play a healthy amount of plains for it.
Also, Feel free to post your list in my thread (or I can link it in my OP if the editing issues have been resolved). I made it to be a hub for all Saffi related discussion. It helps to keep all the conversation in one spot. This way people would not have to jump from thread to thread to learn about or discuss the best general in the format
I just wish I had more time to update it. Two full time jobs takes a lot out of a person.
Because more are always welcome. After the Scrapper and Tinkerer, there is a steep drop in playability. I have gotten great use out of the archaeologist (he fills multiple roles in my build), but would easily cut it for something more reliable. The Engineers are almost unplayable outside of 'metal-red' builds, and Welder is not really removal. Its not something I think the format needs. Just something I would be happy to have.
With so many decks in the format relying on artifacts to deploy their strategies, would you really fight the printing of more answers? Especially if those answers provide massive synergy with a deck you play...