Need some advice on building Narset EDH
Commander Deck Help forum
Posted on July 23, 2015, 2:37 p.m. by RedUndead40
So, first off, I have two stipulations:
First, this is budget (mostly). I'll splurge for a few necessary expensive pieces (like Aggravated Assault + Sword of Feast and Famine )
Second, I want there to be almost NO dead cards when Narset procs her ability - so focusing on powerful permanents and sorceries as compared to instants that may fizzle (like counterspells).
The problem is, I need more ideas on how to keep Narset alive without having to rely on counterspells. So far I'm liking a few pieces like Angelic Renewal, Indestructibility, Darksteel Plate, and Gift of Immortality, but what are some other ways I can protect her from boardwipes / sac outlets? Besides adding some token cards for sac outlets.
All tips appreciated!
omnipotato says... #3
Second, I want there to be almost NO dead cards when Narset procs her ability - so focusing on powerful permanents and sorceries as compared to instants that may fizzle (like counterspells).
Is there a reason for this requirement? Because this isn't a beneficial way to build this deck.
July 23, 2015 2:54 p.m.
RedUndead40 says... #4
@JA14732 Yeah I am planning on building it based on extra turns and combats, but just feel like I need a few more ways to protect her.
@omnipotato, that's just how I want to build the deck. Creatureless and making maximum use of Narset's OP ability. Beneficial or no, that's how I want to play her for now.
So yeah, just need some more ideas to protect her.
July 23, 2015 2:56 p.m.
Swords are very good for protection, Spectra Ward is also decent.
July 23, 2015 3 p.m.
omnipotato says... #6
The best way to protect her is counterspells and removal. If you're going to fill your deck with high impact permanents, she's going to end up dying a lot.
Possibly flicker effects to dodge sacrifice spells and boardwipes? But those are mostly useless as well when they come off the deck via Narset's ability. And also useless if you don't have Narset on the table.
Playing creature Auras and equipment in a creatureless deck also seems like a bad idea.
July 23, 2015 3:01 p.m.
RedUndead40 says... #7
@omnipotato "Playing creature Auras and equipment in a creatureless deck also seems like a bad idea."
Isn't that kind of the idea for Voltron?
July 23, 2015 3:03 p.m.
Yeah omni, there are plenty of EDH decks that essentially only run auras and equipment alongside a strong commander. Uril, the Miststalker, Bruna, Light of Alabaster, Kytheon, Hero of Akros Flip, Isamaru, Hound of Konda, Rafiq of the Many, etc.
July 23, 2015 3:16 p.m.
RedUndead40 says... #10
@omnipotato how is this not Voltron? Its single win condition is commander damage buffed by auras and equipment.
Anyway, getting off topic now. Still looking for any other protection ideas
July 23, 2015 3:22 p.m.
omnipotato says... #11
Voltron decks are aggressive. Narset decks are (usually) control decks. If you want to make a Narset Voltron deck that's on you, but usually the best voltron commanders are either cheap to play, have natural evasion, or have a high attack power so they can quickly deal 21 damage. Narset is none of those things.
July 23, 2015 3:30 p.m. Edited.
Hexproof. Free turns/combats/auras/equipments.What Narset decks have you been playing?
July 23, 2015 3:46 p.m.
omnipotato says... #13
The one on my profile lol. I was under the impression most were similar. I built it as a competitive deck though so I guess more "fun" variants are different.
July 23, 2015 3:50 p.m.
I've seen a lot that'll play like a Zhur the Enchanter style deck where they just load up on enchanting the general and use random shit to keep him on the board. Anything that locks your opponent out of targeting it and you really. You can do Web of Inertia and Rest in Peace so you can't be hit, you can make her pro-every color with something like Spectra Ward or the sword collection, really the only thing that'll be hard for you to do is protect her from sacrifice effects. And even then it can probably be done but Sigarda, Host of Herons is all that comes to my head and it's outside your colors.
Now if you're looking for just ways to run the deck, I've seen 3 main styles. 1 is burn. Just load up on good burn and throw it all down for free. 2 is enchantments and artifacts. Lock them out from hitting you and hurting your creatures/artifacts/enchantments.3 is super friends. Dropping planeswalkers for free is scary.
July 23, 2015 3:51 p.m.
MagicalHacker says... #15
Play those haste enchantments, that way she comes out swinging :)
Like these: MagicalHacker - Narset, Enlightened Master
July 23, 2015 4:40 p.m.
MagicalHacker says... #16
also, it's my opinion that Narset is too expensive, too small, and too block able to do Voltron effectively. Extra turns/combats are the way to go, and if you want to add something more to that, put an infinite combo in there and you're good to go. Like Mind Over Matter, Temple Bell, and Elixir of Immortality.
July 23, 2015 4:45 p.m.
Personally I am against running counterspells in Naret. I have a standard deck that runs her and hitting dead cards off her is pretty terrible. Counters are pretty much dead off Narset. Also personally I feel the best way to use Narset is to get ahead of the game by landing multiple problem cards in one turn and forcing the opponents to deal with them. Where as hitting a counterspell is ok at best off Narset and are terrible when you are behind.
I am also not a huge fan of counterspells in general in edh as trying to counter every thing in a multiplayer game seems like a losing battle to me. A couple is fine but a bunch is overkill.
That being said I do think you want to limit the equipment and protection enchantments to a small number if you want to go that route as they are dead in multiples. I have seen a lot of Narset decks overload on the amount of equipment and protection spells leading to a lot of cloggy draws. Not sure what the optimal number is myself but I do think some amount of them is correct just not sure what it is the correct amount. Also I would recommend a lot of spells that produce tokens (Rite of Replication is a good one) in that case so you can have other dudes to equip/enchant other than Narset.
As for other recommendations I think one of the best ways to use Narset is superfriends. Planeswalkers are good value permanents typically and if they stick around it just get better for you. I especially recommend any version of Elspeth as she makes some more dudes to block/equip/enchant if you want to add protection equipment/enchantments.
July 23, 2015 5:06 p.m.
HeroInMyOwnMind says... #18
Are you planning on running the typical extra-turn based version of this deck, or are you going for something else?
July 23, 2015 6:08 p.m.
RedUndead40 says... #19
@HeroInMyOwnMind definitely doing extra combats. Extra turns will be added more later when I can manage to get my hands on them
JA14732 says... #2
Time Walk and Fury of the Horde effects are pretty good in Narset.
July 23, 2015 2:52 p.m.