Melek Auto-Includes?
Commander Deck Help forum
Posted on June 29, 2015, 9:30 a.m. by ComradeJim270
I've still got a lot of work to do on my current EDH decks, but that doesn't mean I can't start planning the next one. After looking at possible commanders I've decided to go with Melek, Izzet Paragon for some burn and combo goodness.
Right now I don't have all the cards to make this work. So, I need to be thinking in terms of things that really ought to be in a Melek deck. Stuff that's too good not to put in. From there, I can work on the maybes.
Blue isn't a color I play much and there's no doubt a ton of potential combos and synergies I'm not aware of, so I appreciate any suggestions! Here's the prototype list, representing the actual current state of the deck (which is sure to change a great deal):
Melek's Having a BBQ! Playtest
Commander / EDH*
SCORE: 0 | 0 COMMENTS | 3 VIEWS
Mana rocks. Personal Tutor, Mystical Tutor, and Long-Term Plans. Turnabout. Extra turns that don't exile upon resolution pref.
June 29, 2015 10:39 a.m.
ComradeJim270 says... #4
Seems pretty good, extra turns do seem to be very popular in Melek decks. Which makes total sense!
June 29, 2015 10:40 a.m.
ComradeJim270 says... #6
Yep, I was thinking along the same lines. Melek seems to demand a ton of library manipulation to get the most out of him. What do you folks think in terms of win conditions?
June 29, 2015 1:43 p.m.
I use Sphinx-Bone Wand and Proteus Staff + Tunnel Vision most often in mine to win.
June 29, 2015 1:45 p.m.
ComradeJim270 says... #8
Well, that's a clever little combo for a singleton format! Not too pricy to put together either, I like it. It'll be good to have alternatives to damage as a win con. Thanks!
June 29, 2015 1:50 p.m.
Sensei's Divining Top is pretty good. The upcoming Jace's Sanctum seems to be tailor-made for Melek, Izzet Paragon. It makes your most relevant card type cheaper, and then allows you to manipulate your top card whenever you do cast one. Also, Past in Flames is a must in a spellslinger deck, due to its strong utility and recursion.
If you want some win conditions, extra turn spells Time Stretch are pretty good, as are stealing spells like Bribery and Knowledge Exploitation. I personally also like the idea of generating lots of mana with High Tide, Turnabout, and the like to cast something like Blue Sun's Zenith. The best thing about Izzet decks is they have the freedom to try some quirky but fun plays.
June 29, 2015 1:56 p.m.
ComradeJim270 says... #10
Oh yes, I did see that Jace's Sanctum is a thing and went "Well, that's convenient timing!". Very helpful suggestions, thanks.
I do like that people are suggesting a lot of blue spells; I am less familiar and comfortable with a lot of them so I wouldn't think of some of this stuff otherwise. The red part of the deck will be easier for me to figure out, but I'm still probably missing some ideas there; so I would welcome ideas there, too.
Obviously getting rid of attackers is important. Blasphemous Act, Starstorm and Cyclonic Rift all seem like good ideas.
June 29, 2015 2:35 p.m.
ComradeJim270 says... #12
Maybe, but I feel like it would be a little lost on Melek. You can't pay the miracle cost when the spell is cast off the top of your library or if you've drawn a bunch of cards (which you should want to in a deck like this).
July 1, 2015 2:35 p.m.
Was thinking more in the context of library manipulation.
July 2, 2015 10:14 a.m.
ComradeJim270 says... #14
Ahhh, now I get you! It's not a mechanic I usually use, but if I have more control over my first draw? Solid choice. Thanks for the suggestion.
MagicalHacker says... #2
All the extra turn spells. Hands down.
Cantrips are good temporary cards.
Other than that... Spells that untap lands?
June 29, 2015 10:27 a.m.