To Serve Eternal: An Aristocrats Primer

Commander / EDH* Deepstriker29

SCORE: 34 | 9 COMMENTS | 8921 VIEWS | IN 22 FOLDERS


chapman.luke27 says... #1

Some cards like Ajani's Pridemate, Felidar Sovereign, Karlov of the Ghost Council, and Chalice of Life  Flip work great in a deck that has good, consistent life gain. I don't think you have enough other cards to support that theme, I would either cut them or add something to support that theme if that's the direction you want to go. If you do want life gain try Pristine Talisman, Auriok Champion or her budget sisters Soul Warden and Soul's Attendant, Brutal Hordechief (think he's great in your deck even if you don't go life gain), Whip of Erebos, Blood Artist, and Aetherflux Reservoir to name a few.

Also don't like Beseech the Queen in a tri-color deck, even if you got a Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth. I would definitely pay the extra mana for the budget Diabolic Tutor or if you have the cash Demonic Tutor.

Would also replace a Mountain with a Terramorphic Expanse for better color consistency.

You've got a lot of token generators along with reanimating stuff, I think Cathars' Crusade would work great with this.

Love Odric, Lunarch Marshal in this deck, you might want to add Odric, Master Tactician as a win condition.

January 9, 2017 11:18 p.m.

MarquisOfSalt says... #2

I like your deck quite a bit. It's an interesting take on Marchesa but I don't see any definite win cons in your deck. Consider adding in a Master of Cruelties or a few harder hitting creatures. I don't expect Assemble the Legion to remain on the field long enough to allow you to be able to win off it. The token aspect is alright, but it lacks the ability to hit hard and kill. If you want to keep that, consider throwing in Coat of Arms. Felidar sovereign is an interesting inclusion but he'll be hard to keep on the field for a full rotation to your upkeep in multiplayer unless you have a way to cheat him in (Vedalken Orrery or Quicksilver Amulet. If you are dedicated to the life gain mechanic, you'll need stronger pillow fort to keep it up. Toss in Authority of the Consuls for bonus life gain (This is especially useful against token decks) and consider cards like No Mercy and Norn's Annex to keep the life you're gaining. As a bonus, this makes it easier to keep the monarch to yourself.

I built my own Marchesa deck awhile back and I still make tweaks to it from time to time.

January 10, 2017 5:26 p.m.

Deepstriker29 says... #3

MarquisOfSalt thank you for your input!

The token generation is used primarily to fuel sac outlets such as Hell's Caretaker and death triggers like Zulaport Cutthroat. Do you see any ways to better enhance that? I enjoy the current sac power of the deck (especially Feldon into Myr Retriever), and want to take it further.

January 10, 2017 7 p.m.

MarquisOfSalt says... #4

I'm excited to see Orzhov advokist. I should add that to my deck... However, if you want to keep the sac mechanic going, Butcher of Malakir, Ashnod's Altar, Thoughtpicker Witch, Grim Haruspex, Dark Prophecy. Black is really good at this stuff. Solemn Simulacrum gives you a lot of value and Athreos, God of Passage keeps them coming back after your opponents start running out of life. Shivan Harvest decimates those fancy, expensive decks with lands like Gaea's Cradle. Diabolic Intent and Academy Rector is a nasty combo but I'm not sure you have any enchantments that worth warranting that amount of money. Lyzolda, the Blood Witch makes every sac have value, but for 2 mana each.

January 11, 2017 12:45 a.m.

Enral says... #5

If you're helming Alesha, the new card Hope of Ghirapur will be very useful. Eldrazi Displacer will also help blink your ETB creatures incase your commander is not available to abuse them.

January 29, 2017 6:17 p.m. Edited.

Die4Dethklok says... #6

I love both of these commanders for Mardu. Alesha, Who Smiles at Death was my first commander, and I'm working on a Marchesa deck atm. I wish Marchesa and Alesha could be partnered. Haha. That would be great.

January 29, 2017 9:17 p.m.

Looks like you run a moderate sized Pillow Fort. My only suggestions at this point are High Priest of Penance and Selfless Squire. Both are powerhouses in my Queen Marchesa pillow fort control deck. You could also sift through my list, you may find something interesting. Obviously different decks with different strategies, but seeing mine through the lens of your deck may spark some cross pollination. I will look through yours for some more suggestions. Also, +1 for taking this commander in a different direction.

January 29, 2017 9:57 p.m.

Leonantti says... #8

Nice to see others play Queen Marchesa too, this deck looks really interesting :)

July 11, 2017 3:34 p.m.

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