All the cool kids have Control Decks!

Standard ThousandOaks

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Added Card Advantage/Reduced Legendary Count —Nov. 1, 2017

Running into some issues with the Legendary Rule. Rather than stunting my hand by drawing multiple legendaries, I'm increasing the card advantage to get through my deck more quickly. Also, changing up a little removal to add more coverage for Planeswalkers. Adding Metallurgic Summonings to get some chump blockers and add value to spells.

oldmanm0nk3y says... #1

What about Select for Inspection ?

September 8, 2017 2:09 p.m.

ThousandOaks says... #2

oldmanm0nk3y Nice suggestion.

I do like the ability to scry and return a tapped creature for just 1 mana. However, it doesn't quite give me the control I want on demand. I want to either remove something or prevent it from entering at all. The requirement of returning a tapped creature to its owner's hand vs. a creature in general doesn't quite give me the control that I want when I want it.

September 8, 2017 7:43 p.m.

What are you considering playing from Ixalan so far?

September 9, 2017 5:26 p.m.

ThousandOaks says... #4

JPGodofAwesomeness I was looking into that last night and this morning. Honestly, at this point I'm not sure. With the return of Duress and introduction of Kitesail Freebooter, I am strongly considering moving in the direction of discard/control or mill/control. While Kitesail is only a temporary Duress, if I can disrupt the opponents play for a turn or two, that would be ideal.

If I do go in this direction, The Scarab God will be added to this deck.

September 9, 2017 5:55 p.m.

crasher121 says... #5

If you are planning control for future i suggest you get a playset of Opt since it will be a great turn 1 drop to plan for other things

September 10, 2017 2:08 p.m.

ThousandOaks says... #6

crasher121 I couldn't agree more. I will be planning Ixalan updates throughout the next couple weeks. I'll post official changes the week after Pre-Release.

Right now, I'm have my eye on Opt, River's Rebuke, Spell Pierce, Temple of Aclazotz in combination The Scarab God, Boneyard Parley, Revel in Riches for ramp or an indirect win condition against wide decks, Vraska's Contempt, and Star of Extinction.

September 10, 2017 2:34 p.m.

crasher121 says... #7

For me Vraska's Contempt will replace my never // return since its better to destroy in instant speed it will also be re-cast with gearhulk and i gain more life for it. Opt will make it so i can play 1 less land in my deck cuz i will already be able to draw into land. i will probably put in 2 Duress and 2 Harsh Scrutiny and 2 of each in my sideboard so in case i meet controll i can take out the scrutiny and put in the duress so i will have an advantage in every 2nd game. Thinking of putting in 1 Vraska, Relic Seekersince Aether Hub will give me the extra mana needed. have tried this with bolas in my esper and i would always be able to get 1 aether hub by turn 4 or 5

September 11, 2017 7:16 p.m.

ThousandOaks says... #8

crasher121 I will definitely be using Vraska's Contempt as well. I do like the addition of 1 drops in Opt, Duress, and Harsh Scrutiny. My only hesitation in the discard is the sorcery speed. My first goal will be to reevaluate the deck come XLN to determine if I can move forward with only the board wipes as my sorcery spells. Although, I will most certainly include a playset of Duress in the sideboard.

September 11, 2017 7:39 p.m.

crasher121 says... #9

for now i would suggest taking away tezzeret since i dont think he really fits. maybe replace with a scarab god

September 11, 2017 8:34 p.m.

ThousandOaks says... #10

crasher121 Good suggestion. Played some casual matches tonight and decided to remove Tezzeret the Schemer. Instead of The Scarab God, I added in two Hour of Glory. In my local meta, zombies are big for some reason and after dealing with Dread Wanderer, Plague Belcher, Cryptbreaker and the usual assortment of zombies; I decided to add some permanent removal.

I'm thinking of adding Kefnet the Mindful for those turns where I'm sitting on mana.

September 11, 2017 11:33 p.m. Edited.

crasher121 says... #11

Thousandoaks ye but with The Scarab God you can exile them from the graveyard and get yourself some zombies

September 12, 2017 7:49 a.m.

ThousandOaks says... #12

crasher121 I understand the appeal of The Scarab God. However, at 5 mana to cast and 4 to activate, I'm looking at being able to start profiting from The Scarab God at turn 6, even with Chandra's ramp. Additionally, I would lose a turn of control casting it which at turn 5 is when the control starts to matter. Finally, I would have to recast it each time I use Hour of Devastation. The largest benefit I see for The Scarab God comes in the end game when I can use it to pull Torrential Gearhulk from the graveyard for a second trigger. But that late in the game, I feel I will have obtained another one of my win conditions already.

September 12, 2017 9:42 a.m.

Jimbabwe88 says... #13

The Scarab God is such a great creature. I hate facing it, but it's an excellent creature! +1 from me. :)

October 11, 2017 2:25 p.m.

ThousandOaks says... #14

Thanks Jimbabwe88! I couldn't agree more. The Scarab God offers tremendous pass utility with a great activated ability!

October 11, 2017 2:36 p.m.

Geo67 says... #15

Pretty cool.

I think Vizier of Many Facescould work well against mirror Scarab Gods, or other pesky creatures. I wish I had 3 copies of The Scarab God instead of 2 :( Should have bought him when he was cheap.

October 18, 2017 1:38 p.m.

Booch138 says... #16

On the subject of Azcanta vs Primal Ammy I say, why not both? >:D

I run a similarish Control deck with Bolas and some Primal Amulet shenanigans. Its just way too fun. I run one Azcanta and two Primals.

October 18, 2017 10:55 p.m.

ThousandOaks says... #17

Booch138 Good call!

October 18, 2017 11:13 p.m.

Booch138 says... #18

Hope it works for ya that thing is great. Im taking mine to FNM tomorrow. You maaayyyy want to consider moving a couple Negates from the side board into main. I really try and make sure I have one (or a counter in general) in hand when I drop Primal Ammy juuuuust in case they wanna try and spoil the fun XD

October 19, 2017 9:23 p.m.

BrenoSulz says... #19

Oh boy, taking out a Search for azcanta for primal amulet ?

I don't think that's a great idea... (Also dropping a LAND for a 4 mana artifact?)The way standard meta is you cannot afford to take a turn of casting a 4 mana artifact, especially cause both Ramunap Red and Temur-like decks can pressure you pretty early and they have access to Abrades.And even if all goes well, you play way to few lands and this control deck is supposed to trade 1 for 1 (counterspells and spot removals).

If you are on the play and cast a Search for azcanta on turn 2 you'll have such advantage through the game and, even if it comes late, it's easier to leave counters and/or removal on while casting the 2-mana enchantment.Even the flip side is better because it's ability is so good and let you dig for answers.

I'm going to use 2-3, probably 3 Search for azcanta in my UB Control.

That said, I think you should use the full set of Censor because this is the type of card you want in your opening hand. Since it has cycling for just U, it's not a big deal to draw them late. Actually, when your opponents see you use them, they'll have to play around it.

I would also take of the 3 Opts and add 3 lands. You are playing control and can't afford to lose land drops. Ramunap Red decks run 24 lands, so a control using just 23 is crazy. Opt is not a Attune with Aether to let you consider it as a land.

Glimmer of Genius x Hieroglyphic Illumination: this is actually close, but I also prefer the later because it have cycling for U. Yeah, glimmer scry for 2, but a lot of the time you'll need to use a counter/removal and be in a position "I need to keep getting lands", so you'll want to accelerate your draws to find them without having to wait your turn to untap because you needed to counter that Bristling Hydra instead of tapping 4 mana to Glimmer. (trust me, this happens a lot even when you run 26 lands)

PS: Don't play Hostage Taker. This card dies to Lightning Strike, Abrade, Harnessed Lightning and others. Notice she auto-enables Fatal Push for your opp. The only deck right now that can successfuly play Hostage Taker is Sultai cause they can play it on turn 5 and leave mana for Blossoming Defense. For a UB Control to protect it you'll need at least 6 mana (and they play way more threats then you, so their opponents will spend their removals on stuff like Cub or Constrictor). Also, it's a lot of commitment to tap 4 mana for such a fragile card... if they can kill her it's so freaking bad as they'll get the creature back (plus any ETB effect)

October 20, 2017 9:54 a.m.

ThousandOaks says... #20

Thank you for the feedback BrenoSulz. I agree with your thoughts wholeheartedly.

I noticed I lost too much control over Primal Amulet  Flip because I lose a turn playing it, and then I struggle to actually charge it. On top of that, if I actually want to play The Scarab God on turn 5, I give my opponent two openings to make it happen.

Regarding Evolving Wilds. I play it only to trigger Fatal Push. Can you think of any other triggers that may be helpful? I'm toying with the idea of Siren Stormtamer or some form of treasure generation.

Also, I run Glimmer of Genius over Hieroglyphic Illumination for a source of energy counters to fuel Aether Hub. I suppose only running Dimir rather than Grixis; I don't really need Aether Hub.

Here is the overall breakdown I'm considering. What are your thoughts?

Remove:

Add:

October 20, 2017 10:20 a.m.

BrenoSulz says... #21

MAN! I forgot to mention Field of Ruin! I'm playing with 2 of those. You can take away some land if you see the opponent struggling with his mana base. The nice thing is that you get a land too, otherwise it would be unplayable in control decks.

This is actually a vital card in this deck because it can destroy Scavenger Grounds for your Scarab God. (also deals with Ipnu Rivulet and Ramunap Ruins.

If you face an Approach of the Second Sun deck remember that you can force your opponent to shuffle!

I'm playing 4 Evolving Wilds, but thinking about cutting one. I'll playtest a bit with 4 and see if there are too many taplands in the deck...

And about my suggestions, I really think you should try stuff and see what works for you and your meta (dunno if you play mtgo or just at a local store). Keep an eye on Bontu's Last Reckoning and Consign. I really like having this type of cards as 1-of in the decks. Sometimes you can destroy or counter everything... I'll try to remember to post the list I'm currently testing - I think I'm not using Consign, but I'm using 1x Bontu's Last Reckoning

October 20, 2017 11:55 a.m.

BrenoSulz says... #22

Sometimes you CAN'T destroy or counter****

October 20, 2017 11:57 a.m.

ThousandOaks says... #23

Thanks again BrenoSulz.

I didn't even think about Field of Ruin. Can swap it for a swamp, and use that swamp to cast the Fatal Push. I'm adding two of those now.

I originally did use Consign, and I agree. Going back to that is best. The best use for it is for after those turns I have to cast The Scarab God. I can return a threat back to the hand to recover from losing a turn of control.

I play at my LGS pretty much exclusively. Ultimately, there is a very strong mix of decks at the meta.

October 20, 2017 12:06 p.m.

Booch138 says... #24

I Definitely didnt say Primal Amulet  Flip was the most competitive option, however 4 times as much fun easily. But also, my Bolas features virtually no creatures, and Im not lucky enough to possess even one Scarab God. I only play it when I KNOW Im clear to play it, and even then I wholly expect it to be destroyed, as all of the Enchantifacts that turn into lands are virtually useless with Field of Ruin roaming about. However, I still cant get over how satisfying a 14+wave of Torment of Hailfire is. Hahahahahahah

October 20, 2017 8:50 p.m.

rvngzus33 says... #25

I really like the idea of Field of Ruin as a control strategy, especially for Fatal Push. I totally didn't even think of it.

Here I was putting it in my group hug EDH deck haha

October 23, 2017 11:27 p.m.