Tweaking Mayael
Deck Help forum
Posted on Sept. 16, 2014, 3:29 p.m. by MindAblaze
I have been batting some ideas around in my head for awhile, and I can't come to a firm decision. First the deck;
Mayael and Garruk's Wild Pair-ty Playtest
Commander / EDH*
SCORE: 32 | 3 COMMENTS | 10011 VIEWSThis is by far my favorite commander deck to play so far. It's not degenerate, it's just strong, fast and convoluted (in a good way, lots of interactions that stack nicely.)
I'm looking at two cards in particular right now.
Urabrask the Hidden
and Academy Rector
. They both do great things for me, but they both cause me to whiff with Mayael.
First, I'm considering adding Cyclops of Eternal Fury in place of Urabrask. Urabrask causes everybody else's creatures to come in tapped which is a great upside, and it's a foil...if that matters. The cyclops costs one more mana, but has that magic 5 power. It also gives everything haste, and due to it not affecting other peoples boards, my thought is it may have less of a target on it's head. It also fills the same slot with regards to Wild Pair as Urabrask, and that's a major bonus. The downside then is 3 toughness.
Second, I'm looking at lots of cards to potentially replace Academy Rector . My biggest issue with the Rector is it's a big clunky. It does great things when I have Pod out already, or when I can get it down turn 2 off an early Sol Ring or something. I feel like either removal or more ramp would be useful. The deck is pretty fast as is, but I've been considering Courser of Kruphix or putting Oracle of Mul Daya in considering my extra land drops/ramp package.
Annnnyway...it's obvious I'm sitting on the fence and am a little ambivalent about making any changes. What do you guys think?
KindredDiscovery says... #3
Courser of Kruphix and Oracle of Mul Daya have been stellar in my Mayael deck, to the point where I might say they are the most important utility creatures in the deck. Pulling lands off the top of your library is unbelievably helpful for making sure you don't whiff when you activate Mayael. Not to mention that ramp will help you cast your creatures more easily for Wild Pair activations. If you're on the fence at all I'd at least give them a try.
September 16, 2014 8:35 p.m.
MindAblaze says... #4
I think I should try it. Courser of Kruphix and Oracle of Mul Daya in for Dauntless Escort and Academy Rector . If I don't like it, I can always put them back in.
Thoughts on Urabrask vs the Cyclops? I'm leaning towards keeping Urabrask but it doesn't hurt to have more things to pull out with Mayael.
September 16, 2014 10:53 p.m.
KindredDiscovery says... #5
I'd go with Urabrask. Having your opponents' creatures enter tapped is an element of control that most players would expect from a W/U build. Access to that in a Naya build offers an element of surprise that can really swing games. Not to mention, it stymies aggro which (in my experience) is the worst match-up for Mayael.
Looking over your deck list, I think you probably have a critical mass of big creatures, and you're not likely to whiff on Mayael. The 5 power the cyclops offers probably isn't worth the increased casting cost, lesser ability, and vulnerability to enchantment removal.
September 17, 2014 3:08 p.m.
MindAblaze says... #6
TBH I've been sitting on the fence because I'm comfortable with where it's been sitting. Between 9 fetches (that are reusable with Life from the Loam and Crucible of Worlds ,) Knight of the Reliquary and the ability to play lands off the top, I pull a lot of land out of the deck. The only thing is the tutors I have tend to thin creatures out too...
Either way, it's fun to play, and it seems turn 6 or seven is a pretty good money spot for me now. I'm happy for now.
Thanks guys.
VampireArmy says... #2
In my experience, Oracle of mul daya is so amazing...but it doesn't do much for you and won't hit with your general. Either will courser. So you ever NEED that extra boost?
September 16, 2014 6:43 p.m.