Best tap abilities in bant and how to make creatures unblockable
Commander Deck Help forum
Posted on May 3, 2018, 7:28 a.m. by jessniem
I've built a Derevi deck and want to make it better. At the moment I have some creatures just because they are good.
I need tip on available creatures with good tap abilities that I can abuse. I also want ways making my creatures unblockable.
I'm also up for some general feedback on the deck, just so you know ;)
For unblockable you could utilize Thassa, God of the Sea, and Kaseto, Orochi Archmage. Kaseto has the added benefit of being able to target someone elses creatures, so you could be real sneaky about it, and force another player's creatures through on an opponent if it will help you.
May 3, 2018 7:29 p.m.
maxon, both good suggestions, I have the caseto card and have been thinking of it. But making opponents creatures unblockable makes this more interesteing, havent thought about that.
Mj3913, that angel seems sweet, even without sac outlet.
May 4, 2018 6:35 a.m.
GeeksterPlays says... #5
Stonybrook Schoolmaster is busted with untap/tap triggers.
Not Unblockable but Archetype of Imagination basically gives you that, barring creatures with Reach.
One of my most key pieces for my Derevi deck is Yisan, the Wanderer Bard. Tutors up through your creature chain and can easily get you 2+ creatures in one turn with one 1 or 2 untap triggers needed.
May 4, 2018 9:56 a.m.
GeeksterPlays, Thanks for those tips, great suggestions.
Yisan, the Wanderer Bard really sounds like a great card with Derevi, but isn't it hard to keep alive? Seems like one of those cards that needs to be around for at least one turn and that your opponents would target as soon as it enters the battlefield. Whats your experience?
Stonybrook Schoolmaster and Archetype of Imagination is also something that I think I want to add.
May 5, 2018 12:57 a.m.
RedUndead40 says... #7
Levitation is a great boardwide evasion buff. Champion of Lambholt if you have enough creatures.
As for tap abilities I love to abuse cards like Master Healer, Arcanis the Omnipotent, Argothian Elder, etc. Literally any creature that has a semi-relevant tap ability that doesn't cost mana is going to be powerful if you have lots of untap effects. Glare of Subdual, Opposition, and Cryptolith Rite are great boardwide effects as well.
May 7, 2018 1:16 p.m.
RedUndead40 says... #8
I'm also a big fan of cards like Brave the Sands in this type of deck since you can attack, tap before damage, untap after damage, and get another tap in before your next turn.
I have a "tap-tribal" Derevi list. You may be able to get some more ideas here. Note that I have a small "tap opponents creatures for benefit" subtheme, up to you if that is relevant to your deck.
May 7, 2018 1:22 p.m.
TheKamikazeBagel says... #9
I'm putting a Jhessian Balmgiver into my Derevi deck. It has both a tap ability and makes creatures unblockable.
May 9, 2018 3:24 p.m.
I know it's Jeskai, but my Shu Yun deck Shu Yun replied heavily on W/U evasion. Take a look.
May 10, 2018 8:06 a.m.
GeeksterPlays says... #11
jessniem I generally find that Yisan isn't too worried about to begin with, once you opponent/s see you get 3 uses in 1 turn he might be removed, but at least you can use him in response. I usually try and get Sylvan Safekeeper out before dropping him, when your opponent/s know you can easily protect him from spot removal they'll likely not bother trying as it's waste of their spell.
I usually go up the same chain of creatures;
1 - Serra Ascendant
2 - Harbinger of the Tides to bounce something
3 - Reflector Mage to bounce something
4 - Galepowder Mage, great to attack and exile/return the Reflector Mage over and over
5 - Seedborn Muse no explanation needed
6 - Prime Speaker Zegana to refuel hand
May 11, 2018 9:36 a.m.
GeeksterPlays - Sylvan Safekeeper is a really good card. And hopefully you can get it out on first activation, if your opponents doesnt have removal in hand. I will definitely try to find that card.
May 12, 2018 2:03 a.m.
RedUndead40 - I like Cryptolith Rite, didnt know about that card. Arcanis the Omnipotent and Champion of Lambholt I run and love.
As for Levitation I run Archetype of Imagination, 6 CMC instead of 4, but definitely get you through.
May 12, 2018 2:19 a.m.
Curlytailx says... #16
If you make the deck heavy on creatures, artifacts, and utility land based, you could run Arbiter of the Ideal along with Aura of Dominion to play the top of your deck for 1 mana. There is also Beguiler of Wills to add onto the fun tap effects. If you use Gilder Bairn with planeswalkers, and Paradise Mantle and Biomancer's Familiar you can get infinite loyalty counters, of course you can simply make up for the lack of paradise mantle and such with derevi's ability to help accelerate till you get them as win cons.
JANKYARD_DOG says... #2
Derevi + Adarkar Valkyrie + Blasting Station or any sac outlet really.
May 3, 2018 9:18 a.m.