Sigil of the Empty Throne - Angels/Vampires

Commander Deck Help forum

Posted on July 19, 2015, 7:24 p.m. by doom3524

I have not played MTG for about 7 or 8 years now and I decided to get back into it with Commander. Angels and Vampires are my 2 favorite types in the game (and I think have at least some synergy anyway). I would like to make a deck using both of them as well as abusing Sigil of the Empty Throne and I was looking for some suggestions. I dont want to go crazy with money just in case I decide I dont like it. Any help anyone could give would be great!

doom3524 says... #2

Oh, and I was looking at using Tariel, Reckoner of Souls as my commander.

July 19, 2015 7:26 p.m.

Arvail says... #3

Just so we're clear, you do know that is a rather weak color combination in commander and that Tariel, Reckoner of Souls is a substandard commander for this strategy? If you're fine with that, we're in business. If, however, you want something more competitive (which can be done on a budget), let me know.

July 19, 2015 11:12 p.m.

Sainted says... #4

Mardu is not a weak color combination in EDH in my opinion. However id agree that Tariel is quite difficult to pilot effeciently

July 20, 2015 2:44 a.m.

doom3524 says... #5

Well, as I said, its been a long time, so I wouldn't have known the color combo is bad/good, just going with what I like. Also, as this is my first venture back, I am fine with the lack of competitiveness as I just want to play to have fun. I am playing with a few friends who are also just getting back into it so we are sticking pretty closely with the theme concept. I know a lot of people just splash whatever into the best commander to make the best deck, but we put some strict rules to each other forcing ourselves to stick to the theme as far as creatures go. That's why I picked Tariel as an Angel. Basically, creatures of the types we choose (Mine being Angels/Vampires) as well as creatures that effect them are allowed.

July 20, 2015 7:20 a.m.

Named_Tawyny says... #6

You probably want to throw in an Angelic Accord as well, and plenty of lifelinking creatures. Trading Post and Bubbling Cauldron are also both easy ways to make angels.

July 20, 2015 9:13 a.m.

Arvail says... #7

Well, you'll want to have something like 36 to 38 lands, a collection of mana accelerants, whatever angels and demons you feel like are cool, and some supportive spells + answers. Try to keep your CMC to something like 3.0 or less.

This means stuff like:

And so on. There's budget demons/angels too

etc. Since you want to go with an enchantment subtheme and are on a budget, maybe us stuff like this:

I hope this is enough for you to start piecing stuff together. Try looking up EDH resources on Epochalyptik's page as well.

July 20, 2015 9:51 a.m. Edited.

nobu_the_bard says... #8

You'll always do better initially playing what you like. You'll be more attentive if you're invested in the concept. You can always change it later.

Tariel, Reckoner of Souls really likes Life's Finale by the way. I'd pick that up as a boardwipe if possible.

You're going to want a lot of mana rocks because you're going to have very high mana costs with this strategy and lack green acceleration. White has land tutors too, like Land Tax, Gift of Estates, Tithe, but many of them are expensive if you don't already own them or have land type restrictions. Try to get a Sol Ring at least, and other efficient mana rocks; amomng cheaper options, stuff like Rakdos Signet or Mind Stone are what you want at the 2-mana point at worst (colored mana or colorless mana + an ability), Chromatic Lantern or Darksteel Ingot at the 3-mana point (colored mana + an interesting ability). Commander's Sphere was printed recently and is awesome.

If you want to sketch out a decklist and post it for brainstorming, even if the decklist is incomplete, it is easier to make suggestions.

July 20, 2015 10:04 a.m.

pahamaki says... #9

As far as colour goes, Mardu can hold it's own just fine. Black provides the card draw that is sorely lacking in both white and red, so it's a lot nicer to build than Boros for example. But Tariel, Reckoner of Souls is really bad, albeit I'll agree flavourful.

Angelic Accord, Angelic Renewal, Angelic Destiny and Luminarch Ascension seem on the mark.

Adarkar Valkyrie sort of does the same thing as your general. Angel of Despair seems like a theme fit as well. There's an abundance of high-costed, good angels in these colours.

Vampires are a bit trickier. I'd suggest getting your bombs and wincon stuff from the angel side, and focusing on the vampires as a support tribe. Blood Artist, Vampire Hexmage and Viscera Seer are good utility for almost any EDH deck. Various vampire creatures can also act as targeted removal (albeit at a high cost): Kalitas, Bloodchief of Ghet, Gatekeeper of Malakir, and Vein Drinker.

Also, how about Bloodchief Ascension and Blade of the Bloodchief to round off the theme? Animate Dead seems like a good fit too.

Red can handle "controlled" creature destruction with stuff like Mizzium Mortars and even Earthquake, leaving your big butts on the field, while filling graveyards with smaller stuff to borrow. Also, Harsh Mercy needs to be in every tribal deck!

In line with your commander, I'd pay special attention to ramp (artifacts, in this case) and various types of creature removal (to fuel your commander's ability). Maybe Illusionist's Bracers to get the most out of that?

And since you're playing black, don't forget to look into your budget tutor options: even a Diabolic Tutor helps in a pinch (especially in a slower metagame), but my special favourites are transmute cards like Netherborn Phalanx and Brainspoil.

July 20, 2015 10:21 a.m.

Arvail says... #10

I am dumb. Vampires, not demons... Oh well...

July 20, 2015 10:23 a.m.

nobu_the_bard says... #11

I wouldn't count on having busty ol' Tariel, Reckoner of Souls stay in play long enough to get value out of Illusionist's Bracers. She's tough to make stick because she's expensive to play and opponents often have knee-jerk removal reactions to seeing their own creatures on her field.

Stuff to protect her would help a lot, to ensure she stays in play. Swiftfoot Boots, Lightning Greaves, Darksteel Plate for examples.

July 20, 2015 12:43 p.m.

doom3524 says... #12

Thanks for all of the input so far. I'm at my office at the moment, but when i get home i will post my probably terrible deck i put together with what i had.

July 20, 2015 1:28 p.m.

doom3524 says... #13

So, here is the deck as of now.....

Commander:

Tariel, Reckoner of Souls

Creatures:

Tithe Drinker
Blood Baron of Vizkopa
Malakir Bloodwitch
Sangromancer
Sorin, Solemn Visitor
Vampire Nighthawk
Blood-Cursed Knight
Shadowcloak Vampire
Pulse Tracker
Vengeful Vampire
Sengir Vampire
Vampiric Dragon
Vampire Hexmage
Herald of War
Seraph of Dawn
Goldnight Redeemer
Akroma, Angel of Wrath
Shattered Angel
Serra Angel
Angelic Skirmisher
Angel of Jubilation
Requiem Angel
Emancipation Angel
Archangel
Reya Dawnbringer

Sorcery/Instant:

Dark Petition
Decree of Justice
Mortify
Roar of the Kha
Decree of Pain
Wrath of God
Read the Bones
Defy Death
Sign in Blood
Open the Vaults
Murder
Cabal Ritual
Planar Cleansing
Dark Ritual
Songs of the Damned
Bubbling Muck

Enchantments:

Sigil of the Empty Throne
Serra's Blessing
Contemplation
Shadows of the Past
Curse of Exhaustion
Deviant Glee
Messenger's Speed
Tin Street Market
Evil Presence
Fencer's Magemark
Gift of Orzhova
Murder Investigation
Triclopean Sight
Lifelink
Sage's Reverie
Ethereal Armor

Artifacts:

Wayfarer's Bauble
Angel's Tomb
Helm of the Gods
Darksteel Ingot
Rakdos Cluestone
Orzhov Cluestone
Boros Cluestone

Lands:

9x Plains
6x Swamp
6x Mountain
Mistveil Plains
Forbidding Watchtower
Spawning Pool
Dakmor Salvage
Vivid Marsh
Leechridden Swamp
Sulfurous Springs
Scoured Barrens
Orzhov Guildgate
Orzhov Basilica
Dragonskull Summit
Tainted Field
Auntie's Hovel
Seraph Sanctuary

July 20, 2015 5:51 p.m.

Arvail says... #14

The formatting...

enter image description here

It BURNS!
Please link to a deck.

July 20, 2015 6 p.m.

doom3524 says... #15

Tariel's Empty Throne

July 20, 2015 7:20 p.m.

This discussion has been closed