Xira Arien?
Commander Deck Help forum
Posted on July 6, 2015, 11:56 p.m. by Aurii
I'm thinking of putting together a sort of goodstuff deck for multiplayer in Jund colors. I've decided that I want to play Xira because I want to be able to play the deck without the commander, it simply being there to look unassuming and to provide some much-wanted card draw. However, I'm not really sure what cards to include besides some of the obvious mono-colored staples such as Eternal Witness, Demonic Tutor, etc.
Are there any other cards that fit in well/provide good value for a deck like this? I'm also looking to play some more unorthodox cards that are good but don't see much play if anybody knows of any.
Well, I for one love unique brews, so I think I could help out with that.
One of my favorite combinations would have to be Kazuul, Tyrant of the Cliffs + War's Toll . If they choose to attack you, they have to choose wisely because you can gain multiple token, especially if they're running goblin tokens. And adding in Warstorm Surge would be absolutely devastating.
Another unassuming card would have to be Grave Betrayal. When you play it, people will hate you, especially if they're running sac effects.
I will have more in the future, but those are just a few for now. Hope these help. :)
July 7, 2015 12:16 a.m.
It reeeaeaaallly depends on what you want to play. Is it just creature goodstuff or do you want combos? If you're going the creature route, you'll want some accelerants. Typically it's a good idea to combine artifacts and ramp cards to get some mana. Then just slam down efficient creatures with relevant abilities and beat face. Stuff like Thunderbreak Regent and Grave Titan are just fine. For combos, you're best off with creature-based combos as they are the easiest to tutor for. I mean, you could speck all out into black tutors and cover all the bases with stuff like Imperial Seal on top of the usual suspects, but, you know, money. So stuff like Worldly Tutor help a lot. Think Murderous Redcap + Melira, Sylvok Outcast or Mikaeus, the Unhallowed and a sac outlet like Ashnod's Altar. Most combo decks of this sort in EDH have both the ability to go on the beatdown plan or they can start to dig for combo pieces. They're good because they can push for wins from multiple avenues.
July 7, 2015 12:19 a.m.
NoPantsParade says... #5
Genesis, Grave Titan, Squee, Goblin Nabob, Deathrite Shaman, Life from the Loam, Damnation. I would play a graveyard based goodstuff deck.
SirFowler, I think Grave Betrayal is a bit underwhelming as it doesn't do what you want it to do. It's cute, but in a goodstuff deck, there are definitely better options.
July 7, 2015 12:20 a.m.
Here's a pile of cards: Bloodbraid Elf, Maelstrom Pulse, Abrupt Decay, Putrefy, Pernicious Deed, Starstorm, Terminate, Dreadbore, Sire Of Insanity, Rakdos, Lord of Riots, Garruk, Apex Predator, Kessig Wolf Run, Burning-Tree Shaman, Ruric Thar, the Unbowed, Creakwood Liege
July 7, 2015 12:22 a.m.
SirFowler that synergy is hilarious and the cards themselves are solid enough that I'm definitely going to include those, thanks a bunch!
NoPantsParade and TheDevicer I was thinking of doing a more "Fair" creature-based good stuff (Kinda like modern Jund), so I am a bit wary of going the graveyard/reanimator or combo route. However Genesis, Worldly Tutor, Deathrite Shaman, and Grave Titan are certainly strong enough themselves to put in the deck (So is Damnation but..money lol)
Thanks FTR those are all great cards that will go into the deck (and finally I get to play Bloodbraid Elf!)
July 7, 2015 2:59 a.m.
NoPantsParade says... #8
Then I would go with Crux of Fate. There's also Crucible of Worlds if you've got fetchlands, then you should go with Strip Mine too. Skyshroud Claim is very good in 3 color decks with green, especially if you've the ABUR duals in there. Oracle of Mul Daya is good, Sensei's Divining Top, Utvara Hellkite if you a few other dragons in there. That's all I can think of right now.
July 7, 2015 1:15 p.m.
If he wouldn't be able to afford Damnation, how would he be able to afford Crucible of Worlds? It's also hella expensive for what you're trying to do.
July 7, 2015 1:24 p.m.
Unfortunately I don't have a Crucible of Worlds laying around, but I'm definitely going to add Oracle of Mul Daya. I think the deck is more or less finished (In a rough draft sense), if you want to check it out on my profile and suggest some things that'd be helpful (Still looking for some more nonbasics to throw in there that are relatively cheap)
July 7, 2015 5:20 p.m.
I feel I can help a lot on this topic, as I run my own Xira Arien deck (Slightly outdated but still pretty accurate)
Xira Arien Land Deck Playtest
Commander / EDH
SCORE: 2 | 0 COMMENTS | 835 VIEWS
As you probably guessed from the name, it is a land based deck. Xira Arien is the best commander for this due to the color combination, and the ability to draw an additional card each turn.
But the ability is SO much more than just "draw a card" if you play it right.
Run cards like Sensei's Divining Top, Sylvan Library, Oracle of Mul Daya, Scroll Rack and Courser of Kruphix to generate mad card advantage by looking / fixing the top cards before you draw with Xira Arien.
A good example is having Oracle of Mul Daya in play, you play a land from the top, revealing a nonland card, then draw the nonland card to reveal a land card on top and playing that.With shuffle effects like fetch lands available, you can shuffle repeatedly until a good card ends on top of your library then draw it. Since the activated ability is instant speed, miracle cards like Bonfire of the Damned and Reforge the Soul can be cast on your opponents turn and become insane with top manipulation.
Secret Xira Arien tech is Swarmyard. I so often catch people by surprise by chump blocking their huge attacker with Xira, tapping her to draw, then regenerating her.
July 7, 2015 6:48 p.m.
It'll be awhile before I can afford Sensei's Divining Top, Scroll Rack, and Sylvan Library unless I'm trading, but Swarmyard looks amazing and I do plan on including Oracle of Mul Daya and Courser of Kruphix
July 8, 2015 12:40 a.m.
You can get divining tops as cheap as $10 in Europe. Of course not in the best condition ($18 for a good one)
July 8, 2015 10:28 a.m.
I live in the US, but if you mean ordering from Europe then I might look into that.
July 8, 2015 10:42 a.m.
Aurii: Unfortunately, MagicCardMarket.eu only ships to european countries. If you want to buy from there you'd have to find a middle-man (Like a friend or relative in Europe)
July 8, 2015 12:04 p.m.
NoPantsParade says... #19
ChiefBell can do that for you. Not sure how it works with pricing, but I know he is more fair compared to others who charge higher prices.
July 8, 2015 12:06 p.m. Edited.
Alright, I'm assuming I'd have to set up a paypal or something for payment. I'll ask him about it when I have some extra money to spend
NoPantsParade says... #2
Survival of the Fittest is bonkers if you're playing combo, so you can find stuff easily.
July 7, 2015 12:11 a.m.