Nin's torture chamber (with Nin's journal)

Commander / EDH* MartialArt

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Nin's journal entry No.2 —Dec. 18, 2012

The last days I started sorting things out.
I love to Take Possession with the Volition Reins I use to bind my subjects with, but not for every prize.

My Guildmaster, the grand Niv-Mizzet, Dracogenius and jack of all trades suggested to simply add Omniscience in my torture theory.
I don't know how I should do something like that. I'm no Dracogenius after all!
Useless advice! But what else did I expect from Niv-Mizzet, the Firemind?

Maybe I will go a bit Back to Basics and shorten the number of mana producing machines and Mind Control spells so I can start walking in a well organized Arcane Laboratory and not in such a Crawlspace like it is now.

Epochalyptik says... #1

Back to Basics seems like a gamble in this deck.

Tibalt, the Fiend-Blooded is also a gamble. His only + ability is risky to use, especially in a deck that's part blue.

You should be careful about using Nin's ability on your opponents. While it's true that you can get some use out of effects like Black Vise , I would sooner cut Black Vise and select carefully my targets than use Black Vise and give my opponents card advantage. Speaking as a control player, the second I get card advantage in an EDH game, I win the game.

I'm worried that the focus on burn spells could be counterproductive. They tend to be expensive, limited, and ineffective in EDH.

Also, Training Grounds absolutely reduces Nin's X costs.

December 15, 2012 5:04 p.m.

MartialArt says... #2

Ok.I cut out some burn spells and Tibalt. Black Vise stays in the deck for now due to the deck style I want to keep.

I looked Training Grounds up in the gatherer and you're right. I will include it.

I really would like to try Back to Basics . I think I can cut out some non basics for it.

So you say I should focus more on getting cards with her and only killing creatures that really threaten me at the moment unless I've got deathtouch or Charisma on my side?

December 16, 2012 7:26 a.m.

Epochalyptik says... #3

A lot of people would be tempted to use Nin to remove threats under their opponents' control. However, the real application of Nin is giving yourself card advantage. You should be using it as a draw engine and trying to find ways to abuse that advantage and the effect it comes from. Stuffy Doll , which you have, is a good example of something that really caters to Nin's strengths. Charisma , which you also have, is another prime example.

December 16, 2012 7:54 a.m.

MartialArt says... #4

Ok. Thanks. I will focus more on the control spells and cards I can abuse Nin with. Black Vise and Viseling still stay as a good finisher. Do you have other cards in mind I can use with nin? I already included some deathtoucher equipments for example. Do you think Omniscience could fit in here?

December 16, 2012 8:18 a.m.

Epochalyptik says... #5

I don't like Omniscience to begin with, but it could have applications. If you think, based on your meta, Omniscience is worth the cost and will survive long enough to make a difference, you could try it out.

There aren't very many cards that you can abuse with Nin. You'll have to get creative if you want to take it any futher, but I suggest focusing most on Nin's capabilities as a draw engine.

December 16, 2012 8:31 a.m.

MartialArt says... #6

Ok. Thanks. I think I will try it out since I've got a good bunch of mana boosters in there. Now the only thing I need to do for now is cut the deck down to perfect size. The most difficult thing for me when it comes to commanders.

December 16, 2012 8:56 a.m.

Epochalyptik says... #7

I can tell you right now you have way too many enchantments. You don't want slow and vulnerable cards in your deck. Also, when you think about each card, consider whether that card offers you something that is indispensably useful. If it doesn't, cut it.

December 16, 2012 9:12 a.m.

MartialArt says... #8

Ok. Since I want to focus on control and creature control I will keep most creature control cards but cut out 2, or 3 expensive ones.

Do you think Beguiler of Wills could do some good in my deck?

I will try to focus on things I really need and put together what works together. After this I may see better what can be cut out.

December 17, 2012 6:40 a.m.

Epochalyptik says... #9

Beguiler of Wills is underwhelming. Control usually doesn't like fielding a bunch of creatures (at least not enough to make Beguiler of Wills all that useful).

December 17, 2012 4:44 p.m.