The Etherium (Esper Artifacts)
Modern* Artifact Competitive Control Midrange Theme/Gimmick WUB (Esper)
Instant (11)
Sorcery (5)
Artifact (6)
Planeswalker (3)
Sideboard
Instant (7)
Enchantment (2)
Artifact (6)
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Esper has been one of my favourite shards for a long time now and only now have I decided to try to create a competitive modern version. The deck's primary focus is to control the opponent until late game where Phyrexian Metamorph or Ethersworn Adjudicator take the victory. Being a control deck it is extremely fun to play, however, takes some practice if you're used to more aggressive decks. In creating this deck, Esper's lore has been kept in mind. According to myth, The great sphinx Crucius created the material known as Etherium, and Sphinx's were the ones who dominated and protected Esper. Sphinx's Revelation suits this deck for exactly that reason. After the conflux occurred, Etherium became scarce on Esper and hence the battles against Grixis and Bant, ultimately leading to the New Alara.
In play testing this it has been extremely successful, even against more aggro decks. This deck provides hand destruction in the form of Esper Charm, Thoughtseize and Tidehollow Sculler. It provides counter spells such as Cryptic Command and Mana Leak, as well as removal such as Dispatch and Scourglass. In some games Vedalken Shackles will steal the game away however the majority of the time shear card advantage is what will lead to your victory. Destroying your opponents hand and consistently renewing and improving yours with the likes of Sphinx's Revelation and Esper Charm will result in a slow and painful loss for your opponent.
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Thoughtseize - The ability to remove a threat from your opponent before it becomes a threat is what makes this card extremely valuable, especially in a modern format. Thoughtseize will remove a Tarmogoyf or Snapcaster Mage or even a Hurkyl's Recall. On top of this, Thoughtseize allows us to see the opponents hand on the first turn. This is extremely valuable as it'll make us aware of any kill/counter spells they are hiding. I've been considering replacing this with Path to Exile however am still not sure.
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Cryptic Command - The sheer versatility of this card makes it amazing and that is the main reason this card is in the deck. It can completely stop an opponent's attack by tapping all of their creatures, or similarly, remove their defence for our own attack. It can provide card advantage as well as act a spell counter. The wide range of situations this card can be used in is what makes it a must have in this deck. The only drawback here is the in it's mana cost, making it difficult to play in some situations, however Mox Opal and Chromatic Lantern more often than not will prevent it's mana cost from being an issue.
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Dispatch - In this deck, Dispatch acts as a Path to Exile without it's drawback. Worse case scenario it can tap down a big threat to prevent some damage.
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Doom Blade - I've always been torn between this and Go for the Throat. Both are pretty basic removal however ultimately I chose Doom Blade because of the art.
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Sphinx's Revelation - Provides card advantage and the extra life can become invaluable against the vast amount of aggro modern decks. As the lore says, sphinxes are the ones who dominate and protect Esper, making it even more fitting to this deck.
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Esper Charm - Another spell which provides card advantage, something which I feel is an extremely important aspect in any deck. This has taken over the role of Thirst for Knowledge. The versatility makes this card the better option + the discard mode has great synergy with Cryptic Command and provides this deck with some solid Enchantment removal. Chromatic Lantern makes the easy to play.
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Ethersworn Adjudicator - Ethersworn Adjudicator is the main reason I wanted to make this deck. Having always loved Mortify seeing it on a creature brought tears to my eyes. It has a decent 4/4 body with flying and it's abilities are great for removing opponent's creatures. In all honesty there are probably better cards for this 5 cmc spot, however, the art, the abilities and the decent body this creature has makes it a keeper in my eyes.
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Ethersworn Canonist - Limiting your opponent to one spell a turn? Talk about control. Sometimes this can hinder us with all of the instant spells this deck incorporates, however most of the time we have an artifact to play.
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Phyrexian Metamorph - This card is one of the main win conditions by stealing an opponents win condition. In other situations it can enter as a Tidehollow Sculler for further hand destruction. Just think about all of the huge creatures modern has to offer and consider this card's potential.
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Spellskite - arguably one of the most annoying cards in the game. Spellskite can redirect those pesky Lightning Bolts, take your opponents enchantments, and stop countless combos. And in a lot of cases you can sacrifice it for your other creatures. Spellskite makes your opponent annoying extremely cautious in playing 'targeting' spells.
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Tidehollow Sculler - kind of like a Thoughtseize for an extra and not losing 2 life. Tidehollow is another very annoying card that your opponent will be happy to waste removal on.
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Tezzeret the Seeker - The turn after you play Tezzeret you can activate his final ability to turn somewhat idol permanents such as Mox Opal and Spellskite into lethal creatures. Pair this with Cryptic Command's 3rd option and you have a game winner. His -X ability allows you to search for a Mox Opal or Darksteel Citadel without losing any loyalty as well.
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Chromatic Lantern - As mentioned earlier Chromatic Lantern makes it much easier to play cards such as Cryptic Command. This card also acts as a mana ramp and a target for Tezzeret's final ability.
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Mox Opal - Even more mana! I'm considering replacing this for more copies of Tidehollow Sculler and Spellskite however at the moment I quite like the role it plays in fixing mana.
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Scourglass - One sided board wipe for ? Yes please. Considering running more of these.
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Vedalken Shackles - Stealing your opponent's win conditions is extremely entertaining and cruel at the same time. This card isn't quite as good in an Esper deck, however I feel that with half of my lands being islands, this card is still effective.
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Dispel - Sided in against Hurkyl's Recall as well as great against burn, delver, twin, infect and control.
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Engineered Explosives - Just because Aura Hexproof is so popular and it hits bogle. Versatile board clearer and with Chromatic Lantern can virtually clear the entire board.
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Grafdigger's Cage - Sided against dredge
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Hibernation - Sided against a majority of green decks, especially elf ramp.
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Torpor Orb - Stops Restoration Angel, Thragtusk,Fiend Hunter, Captain of the Watch, Conjurer's Closet decks as well as other flicker decks.
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Leyline of Sanctity - Sided against burn.
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Hurkyl's Recall - sided against affinity
coming soon...
I appreciate any suggestions and support.
If you have some time feel free to check out some of my other creations
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Thankyou for reading!
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| Top Ranked |
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| Date added | 10 years |
| Last updated | 8 months |
| Legality | This deck is not Modern legal. |
| Rarity (main - side) | 15 - 0 Mythic Rares 32 - 11 Rares 5 - 2 Uncommons 2 - 2 Commons |
| Cards | 60 |
| Avg. CMC | 3.05 |
| Folders | Deck ideas, Compare to.... , normal |
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