MagicalHacker, Wizno and precociousapprentice: you helped me a lot before. How do you feel about the recent updates to the deck.

Very good changes. All are right in line with my experiences with this style of deck, and many are cards that I run, for similar reasons. I think you will be happy with them.

Your note on Backlash for opening up attacks is great, and not just for politics. You can tap down a blocker, deal some damage that way, and open up an attack yourself. With the deathtouch creatures, you also can make their choice of blockers harder. But you are right, if someone has a big threat, open up a line of attack against a common enemy, change their assessment of cost/benefit analysis for their attack phase in your favor. Subtle defense and double offense. Perfect.

I had also not noted Pacification Array before. That is something I may consider. It could replace Mystifying Maze as a cheaper alternative. is a lot to keep open for effectively the same effect.

I have thought about Reliquary Tower on multiple occasions, but I am just not sure I want to spare a slot, given it only does one thing, and that thing does not advance my goals, just makes my wealth more satisfying for me. Not sure it will ever appear in my list.

I like a lot of the recent changes you've made to deck MegaMatt13. While I see the value in Backlash, I would say not to rule out Crackling Doom entirely. It has done an amazing amount of work for me in my meta to get around indestructible and hexproof commanders or big threats. It's also a nice finish after swinging in with a Master of Cruelties. I certainly see your point for the swap though and totally support it.

I noticed you incorporated Tainted Remedy into your deck (a card I've considered running myself) and I'm wondering how many lifegain decks you have to deal with in your meta? If it's a substantial number or if they are problematic, I would also consider running Erebos, God of the Dead. He has been an amazing addition and offers another source of card advantage if need be.

I would consider adding in Orzhov Advokist and Darien, King of Kjeldor as well if you would like to add some pressure to the decision of attacking you. Again, the deck looks really solid and I like a lot of the changes you've added.

If I faced more Gods or Eldrazi, Crackling Doom would be in my deck. If your meta has it, it is a nice card. I also consider Erebos, God of the Dead every time I look through my wincons. There is an Omnath, Locus of Mana deck in my meta with several lifegain cards that I don't like, and either of these would be nice additions to my deck. I lean towards the Erebos, God of the Dead over Tainted Remedy due to being a slightly more versatile wincon, and indestructible, but the lower CMC is nice. I am curious how often Tainted Remedy gets played around with only minor inconvenience.

Wizno and precociousapprentice, thanks for the feedback.

I've thought about Erebos, but I don't usually have enough devotion to black to turn him into a win-con creature. Erebos turns off life-gain, Tainted Remedy actively punishes it. Gray Merchant, Exsanguinate, and smaller passive life-gain effects are quite common in my group. Tainted Remedy threatens them with death if they play those cards while Erebos would just neutralize it.

Orzhov Advokist is another one I've considered. Do you find that it is effective in dissuading attacks or do people just pass on the counters? I like that it can buff my own creatures at the very least though. I'll consider it :)

Crackling Doom is still on the edge for me. I may throw it back in if I can find room :)

Orzhov Advokist is a card that I would put in a similar place as Duelist's Heritage, but not as effective at it's job. It encourages attacks to go elsewhere, but it rewards those actions with permanent buffs, it doesn't require them to attack someone else to get the buff, doublestrike until the end of turn is just better for our needs, and an enchantment is more durable. I have not play tested it, but it could be good. Very subtle Pillow Fort card. Worth a trial as it fill a similar role to one of my new favorites, but I would say it may not make the final cut.

Have you played with Orzhov Advokist much yet. I would love to hear your take. I am guessing it is less than you hoped, but I am open to hearing different.

precociousapprentice, actually it's done a bit better than I hoped. It tends to accelerate opponents attacking each other to make use of buffed creatures. Meanwhile I make Marchesa or the advokist itself a big beater with the +1/+1 counters. By the time opponents decline to take the counters I have more pillow fort in place.

I'm not going to argue it's a star but it has been pleasantly surprising. I'm keeping it for now.

I'm surprised no one has recommended Solitary Confinement. It will single handedly pillowfort you to the max, alongside The Monarch emblem. When you have the emblem, play Solitary Confinement ...and thats it. The card draw will offset the discard and keep you safe until someone removes it.

Glacial Chasm can get you through a tough spot.

And lastly Grenzo, Havoc Raiser may be the goblin you're looking for in place of the ones you cut. The Goad effect forces the enemy to attack anyone but you, letting you be aggressive and pillow-forty at the same time.

I'll also leave this here - I spent a lot of thought into my deck and it may give you some ideas. It doesn't have upvotes but it wrecks competitive multiplayer. Cheers!

Queen Marchesa : Queen of the Hill