Shadowborn EDH
Commander Deck Help forum
Posted on March 8, 2017, 10:39 a.m. by JaceTheSwagSculptor
Essentially I feel that people are getting tired of the deck that I normally play in league, so I figured I'd try something more casual but still has the ability to win. Thus, I intend to build an EDH deck based around abusing Shadowborn Apostle. The two primary commanders I saw are Athreos, God of Passage and Shirei, Shizo's Caretaker.
I want to know which commander is better in your opinion and if you would please provide decklist for reference to a build you believe to be good.
Thanks!
I think that Karador, Ghost Chieftain is the best commander for this, since you get access to Bloodbond March and Mirari's Wake as well. You can play the other two commanders in the 99 easily (and should).
Deck is a heck of a lot of fun, I had it for quite a while with Athreos at the helm.
March 8, 2017 11:41 a.m. Edited.
JaceTheSwagSculptor says... #4
Descendants' Path also seems like a good addition with green, however, since the deck is more casual I don't really want to drop the money for a 3 color mana base.
March 8, 2017 12:01 p.m.
I guess the real question should be are you trying to essentially build a Shadowborn-Tribal deck or a deck that uses their other ability to pump out cheap demons?
March 8, 2017 12:54 p.m.
JaceTheSwagSculptor says... #6
@DruneGrey: Pump out the demons. I think if I were going for tribal, Relentless Rats would be more appropriate.
March 8, 2017 12:59 p.m.
MagicalHacker says... #7
I personally like Shirei, but if you are aiming for casual, Athreos could be more fun lol
March 8, 2017 2:04 p.m.
I agree. This was really more in reference to the thought of going three colors. Once you put it more green for enchantments, you'll end up wanting to put in more tutors for those enchantments and end up with less room for demons. With a pure black or even BW you aren't as worried about those things so you can focus more on what you want to do. Especially if you want to be more casual, then who cares that you can't deal with every type of threat?
March 8, 2017 2:10 p.m.
Raging_Squiggle says... #9
Thrumming Stone is also very fun with cards like Apostle
March 8, 2017 3:40 p.m.
JaceTheSwagSculptor says... #10
@Raging_Squiggle: I'm familiar with mandatory cards such as Thrumming Stone, however I'm more interested to see the range of Shadowborn Apostle most people are using.
So far I've found that ritual effects and card draw have been pretty good for the deck outside of Apostles, Swamps, demons,Thrumming Stone, and a few utility lands. I'm sure there is more that needs to go in the deck though and this is why I'm asking the forum (and is in part why I asked for lists people thought were decent).
March 8, 2017 4:07 p.m.
the.beanpole says... #11
Could play Sol'kanar the Swamp King (or any Grixis-colored Legend). Commander colors give you access to Prince of Thralls, Sire Of Insanity, Rakdos v1 and v2 and he gains you a hunch of life with Thrumming Stone if you decide to put in enough land to support actually casting him.
March 8, 2017 5:43 p.m.
killroy726 says... #13
btw, totally love the deck idea! I may just have to steal this for myself!
March 8, 2017 6:10 p.m.
JaceTheSwagSculptor says... #14
Sire Of Insanity is a criminally underused card in EDH. Unfortunately I don't think any of the grixis or rakdos generals have relevant enough abilities to support this archeatype.
March 8, 2017 7:59 p.m.
killroy726 says... #15
Ok! so here's my brew for this idea! Hope it helps! Call forth the demons!
March 8, 2017 8:02 p.m.
JaceTheSwagSculptor says... #16
@killroy726: That description made me laugh lol. However I definitely think you could cut down on some of unnecessary demons. Zulaport Cutthroat is better than Blood Artist because it hits all players, but Blood Artist could be good in tandem with Dictate of Erebos. Also, thanks for the list!
March 8, 2017 8:30 p.m.
If you're going Shadowborn Apostle build then you can actaully get some awesome value with Secret Salvage (which is completely unplayable ouside of this card adn Relentless Rats in EDH).
March 8, 2017 11:10 p.m.
JaceTheSwagSculptor says... #18
@enpc: The CMC is a little high, but the card is amazing! Nice find! I will definitely be including that.
March 9, 2017 8:03 a.m.
JaceTheSwagSculptor says... #19
This is essentially the list I have been tinkering with.
March 9, 2017 8:32 a.m.
Ok, lets start with the number of SA. You need no more 30-35 total. I played 36, for flavor reasons - the Holy Trinity multiplied by number of Jesus' apostoles (but later revised it to 32 for the deck to run smoother).
That leaves you 14+ more cards to add in. Cards that care about creatures dying are the best, and more demons like Demon of Dark Schemes (i would do about 10). I do not like Will and the Rituals (feels like too much). You want recursion in the late game - Patriarch's Bidding, Living Death, Fell Shepherd.
Stuff that cares about creatures dying - Black Market, Dark Prophecy, Falkenrath Noble, Grim Haruspex, Rotlung Reanimator, Xathrid Necromancer...
March 9, 2017 9:25 a.m.
JaceTheSwagSculptor says... #21
@Boza: I'll try cutting some Apostles. I tried Living Death and it felt really clunky so I went with Yawgmoth's Will. I'll try it again though. The rituals are in there for speed and the fact that the deck does not want a ton of swamps. Black Market seems underwhelming - a 5 mana enchantment that has no immediate impact on the board. Dark Prophecy and Grim Haruspex seem great! What has been you experience with Rotlung Reanimator and Xathrid Necromancer? Is gaining chump blockers really that beneficial?
March 9, 2017 10:01 a.m.
Black Market is essential more in BW builds, where you have access to cards like Enduring Renewal and Remembrance combined withEdgewalker. etc. However, getting all that free mana in Black, enables Exsanguinate as a viable win condition, as well as casting your whole hand every turn no matter how much you draw.
Reanimator and necromancer are great value, as you are getting free creatures on top of everything else.
Gray Merchant of Asphodel is also another kill contidition. Secret salvage + living death + Gray merchant drains for A LOT.
March 9, 2017 10:14 a.m. Edited.
JaceTheSwagSculptor says... #23
Seems like I still have a bit more concept work to do. Your comments have been very helpful Boza, thanks! Do you any other suggestions for win conditions in the deck?
March 9, 2017 10:30 a.m.
Well, if you go with white, there are a lot of clerics that can help. Ancestor's Prophet + 6 shadowborn + Edgewalker or Black Market + Renewal or Remembrance is infinite life.
Battletide Alchemist can make you nearly immune to damage.
Westvale Abbey Flip is a cool demon to add.
Bloodbond March in Green is a good enbler of all kinds of combos. (Karador)
Dread Summons is gas with Black Market. Gravestorm can be very good with Enduring ideal, edgewalker.
DruneGrey says... #2
So it depends on what you're looking for. I don't have specific deck lists but with either commander you tend to skew black anyway. You get better ways to deal with enchantments and artifacts from white however, so that, from what I can tell is the main reason people use Athreos, though I've seen both used to good effect.
March 8, 2017 11:35 a.m.