One Maralen, One Orb, and none shall play.

Modern Uncanny_Ghoul

SCORE: 22 | 71 COMMENTS | 3102 VIEWS | IN 11 FOLDERS


Flooremoji says... #1

Well, Teferi's Puzzle Box and Teferi, Mage of Zhalfir prevents your opponent from casting spells and gives them no hand.

March 20, 2018 5:53 p.m.

Uncanny_Ghoul says... #2

saturn999 Hello, First of all thanks for participating on this little project of mine !!

I took Blood Clock into consideration I like the idea of drawing normally with it, but sadly most of these cards cost 3 which doesn't fit too well on the mana curve as Maralen already costs 3.

Also, the other cards mentioned, althought I really love all these interactions, aren't going to do much into the deck if I can't draw the Maralen Lock which doesn't help with the consistency I'm looking for.

But note that I might keep these cards in mind, maybe for the next cummunity deck event I do if this one works well.

~cheers :)

March 21, 2018 7:33 a.m.

Uncanny_Ghoul says... #3

Flooremoji Hey!! Thanks for participating :)

Let's start with Teferi's Puzzle Box, I really love this card it's like Induced Amnesia but for any colored deck. Since we're already going blue with Mindlock Orb I don't see a reason to play this card over induced amnesia unless we end up needing eight copies of it.

Also, I'm not entirely sure what we can do with Teferi, Mage of Zhalfir, he has a nice 3/4 body and flash which is great. You say it prevents the opponent for casting any spells but maybe you forgot a card with Teferi? Perhaps referring to the deck Saffron made a few days ago? Knowledge Pool

I'll add Puzzle box to the maybeboard, maybe we can find a use for it !

Seriously with all these lock cards you guys are posting I'M seriously considering an EDH lock down deck.

Thanks again :)

March 21, 2018 7:42 a.m.

IAmTheWraith says... #6

Besides that, what are you thoughts on Bob or Twilight Prophet?

March 21, 2018 12:40 p.m.

Uncanny_Ghoul says... #7

IAmTheWraith

Bob is a no go. We already loses 3 life each turns from Maralen.

Twilight Prophet sounds great if we can get enough permanents on the field! Although a bit high on the CMC, I'm definetly adding it to the maybeboard.

Thanks you vm!

March 21, 2018 12:59 p.m.

IAmTheWraith says... #8

Also Fatespinner, while nice for you, is also nice for your opponents, as they can just skip their draw phase as well, therefore not losing 3 life on their turn.

Also, Sorin, Grim Nemesis does the same thing as Twilight Prophet without needing the extra permanents, although the 6 CMC hurts a bit.

March 21, 2018 2:26 p.m.

Uncanny_Ghoul says... #9

IAmTheWraith Thanks.

I added Sorin and removed fate spinner. I agree, fate is useless in this. I was thinking maybe if I don't draw into Maralen but there's much better things to play I'm certain. Also the 3 CMC spot is kinda the hotspot for so many great cards.

March 21, 2018 2:48 p.m.

legendofa says... #10

It needs some low-cost control--there's not much of a plan before turn 3, even on a good starting hand. Isee Inquisition of Kozilek in the list and Bitterblossom, Shadow of Doubt, and Isochron Scepter in the maybes. How about some counterspells, like Remand or maybe Perplex for the Transmute?

March 22, 2018 10:47 a.m.

Sjorpha says... #11

Shadow of doubt seems good, it allows playing Maralen before orb since you can stop them from using the tutor to get removal. You could possibly combine that with some taxes stuff like Ghost quarter and Leonin Arbiter.

Chandra, Torch of Defiance also allows playing cards of the top. Narset Trancendent can put cards in your hand of the top. Dark Confidant or Pain Seer would also work for drawing cards.

Shadow of doubt + Isochron Scepter + Marala is also possibly a stronger combo since it allows yourself to tutor, maybe there are more one sided effects like this that could replace the Orb?

March 22, 2018 11:04 a.m.

Uncanny_Ghoul says... #12

legendofa Thanks for passing by! :D

Yea, I feel like inquisition/bitterblossom might end up in the deck.

Thoughtseize causes loss of life so it's a big no with maralen.

I really like the shadow of doubt + isochron but the problem is these cards are useless without maralen so I'm unsure yet. Also this really leaves us in a bad spot for the early game plan.

Perplex is a great idea for the transmute!

So early could potentially be inquisition into bitterblossom/remand and maybe Perplex for the counter/transmute on T3. Doesn't sound bad.

March 22, 2018 11:14 a.m.

I have a UB tempo/midrange delve list already running ashiok in the main that this might fit nicely in as a alt win con! Fit in 4 Maralen of the Mornsong and 2 Mindlock Orb and this combo might push the list over the top! Thanks for the idea!

March 22, 2018 11:26 a.m.

Uncanny_Ghoul says... #14

Sjorpha Hello and thanks for commenting!

Sadly I'm not going to use Dark Confidant nor Pain Seer due to the life loss maralen causes already, depending on the colors we play we might end up with fetch/shock lands also so that's not really in my interest.

like previously said, the shadow + isochron is a great combo, but what would you use with it to prevent us from dying on turn 3-4 against aggro decks. Isochron is bad on it's own, so is shadow, maralen and the orb.

but if you have any good idea how to use them together I really would love to! These cards are amazing :D

March 22, 2018 11:29 a.m.

Uncanny_Ghoul says... #15

SeekerofSecrets Thanks to you!

Yea I always loved ashiok but he is rather underwhelming. Which is why I would like to play him in this deck as you can use him to get out of the lock. But again the same problem comes, each of these cards are pretty bad without the lock so a control base might be the only viable option.

I've looked at your decklist too and I'm considering a few cards. :)

March 22, 2018 11:56 a.m.

Ok awesome! I'll edit the list later and do some testing to test the fit

March 22, 2018 12:48 p.m.

Flooremoji says... #17

No, With the puzzle, since they cant draw cards, they put their hand on the bottom of their library, after searching for a card. they can only cast instants in that period of time and with tef, they can't cast spells.

March 22, 2018 1:11 p.m.

Uncanny_Ghoul says... #18

Flooremoji Oh I get what you meant thanks for clarifying.

I tought you drew after Puzzle's effect but it isn't the case.

So you draw a card, you wheel that hand, can't draw card and terefi prevents you from casting any instant during that period.

Seems legit. I like the idea.

March 22, 2018 1:24 p.m.

legendofa says... #19

Dragonlord Ojutai and Rashmi, Eternities Crafter add more options for getting cards into hand, but they also add another color.

March 22, 2018 1:30 p.m.

Uncanny_Ghoul says... #20

legendofa I don't mind 3 colors if the deck works and is fun to play.

Thanks for the suggestions.

March 22, 2018 1:44 p.m.

YourBoi-tman says... #21

Absolutely love this community thing. Commenting so I get updates. Will also give some suggestions soon.

March 22, 2018 2:17 p.m.

Uncanny_Ghoul says... #22

YourBoi-tman thnks for the interest! Share your ideas I'll be waiting :)

March 22, 2018 2:24 p.m.

Uncanny_Ghoul says... #23

What do you guys think about playing

Savage Summoning

Scout's Warning

To cast Maralen on opponent turn? is splitting an extra color worth it?

March 22, 2018 3:51 p.m.

Flooremoji says... #24

also, you can use the puzzlebox before you use maralen on your turn, so you are the only one who get's anything. I have the same combo in a maralen edh, but no tef.

March 22, 2018 5:56 p.m.

skoobysnackz says... #25

I absolutely love maralen lock strategies, got my own EDH version here Taigam and Maralen's Sinister Song. I think the best way to abuse the lock is, as you said, finding ways to draw cards without using the word "draw", and using planeswalkers or token generators. Anticipate, Telling Time, Sleight of Hand, Strategic Planning, Supreme Will are all good options. I somewhat agree with your assessment of bob here, but maybe Duskmantle Seer could work since it makes both players lose life. It's certainly harder to cast, but with the lock in place, that shouldn't matter too much.

March 23, 2018 12:19 a.m.

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