Meren of Clan Value (Duel Banlist)
Duel Commander*
SCORE: 9 | 9 COMMENTS | 3556 VIEWS
New aquisitions —Dec. 1, 2016
Out: Phyrexian Arena, Dark Petition, Trading Post, Smuggler's Copter
Pyrexian Arena and Trading Post are just dead in hand too often. The primary function of Trading Post is to return critical artifacts to hand and I just don't have that many artifacts I want to return. I have cheaper sac outlets anyway. Turn 2/3 Phyrexian Arena just doesn't make a large enough impact on the board and in a 20-life format losing 1 life on upkeep can be dangerous. 17 instants and sorceries doesn't seem to result in spell mastery often enough for Dark Petition and Smuggler's Copter not being a creature in the graveyard makes it less than optimal too often. Of these cards, Smuggler's Copter and Trading Post are the most likely to see a comeback.
In: Blood Artist, Splinterfright, Dismember, Panharmonicon
Blood Artist slowly (or maybe not so slowly) wins the game if your opponent's board is locked down. Splinterfright puts cards in your graveyard and is a win-condition in the late-game. Dismember is very close to unconditional removal (will remove most duel commanders, at least in my meta) for one generic and 4 life, and can catch your opponent off-guard.
Panharmonicon requires testing but doubles ETB triggers on at least 12 creatures in my deck, and many of them are the most critical creatures in the deck. The full list currently: satyr wayfiner, Merciless Executioner, fleshbag maurader, Wood Elves, Eternal Witness, Gonti, Lord of Luxury, Acidic Slime, Shriekmaw, Sidisi, Undead Vizier, Massacre Wurm, Woodfall Primus, Terastodon. Let me know if I have missed any interactions here, but I think this has a lot of potential. I have yet to see if the card will be worth the 4 mana though.