Too Many Draw Effects?

Modern Deck Help forum

Posted on April 5, 2018, 7:36 p.m. by PTsmitty

I created a deck over the weekend called Esper Planeswalker Tokens and I was wondering if I was including too many draw effects. I am currently running x3 Opt, x3 Serum Visions, and x3 Censor. I am counting the censor as a draw spell that can occasionally counter a spells when needed. Just let me know what you think and if there is any other advice you and provide. I am trying to keep it some what budget so Celestial Colonnade, Snapcaster Mage, and Cryptic Command will not be options for me right now. Thanks

Arvail says... #2

The problems I see with the deck atm:

  • No counter magic means matchups vs combo are abysmal.
  • Really high CMC walkers + lots of cantrips means you'll open a large percentage of hands that are simply too slow vs some of the aggro matchups. Like affinity's empty handed you finally drew into a fatal push on turn 2.
  • Pushing out a bunch of 1/1s won't really do much against a large percentage of the field.
April 5, 2018 7:49 p.m.

PTsmitty says... #3

I did originally have x3 Mana Leak in place of the Censors. Would that be a better option for me, or would it be better to run Negate or Counterspell mainboard? Should I be running Detention Sphere in the mainboard as well since my 1/1s would not be enough? This would provide me with additional removal options.

April 5, 2018 8:28 p.m.

Arvail says... #4

3x Cryptic Command. Actual, literal Counterspell isn't legal in the format. Almost no one plays Esper control these days. The inconsistent mana and how much it burns you just isn't worth it. However, the few people that still stick to the deck like it because of Esper Charm and Fatal Push.

April 5, 2018 8:52 p.m.

PTsmitty says... #5

Opps, I forgot to check with counter spell and the legality. I did have Esper Charm in my original build, but was not sure how effective it would be. It would be a card I would have to buy and I did not want to buy it and then never use it. I was going to play x2 in the deck, but should I use 3 or 4 instead? I figured cryptic would be a great card for this deck, but once again I would have to buy them. I guess I could see if someone and my local shop as some I could borrow for an evening to see if I need them for the deck.

April 5, 2018 9:04 p.m.

Anteus3575 says... #6

4 Serum Visions and 4 Opt and some Mana Leaks, I think would be better, and also Inquisition of Kozilek is better in most matchups in modern than Thoughtseize because shocking yourself an additional time in a three color deck will often be the diffrence between winning and losing as many decks in the metagame right now are very agressive.

April 5, 2018 9:13 p.m.

I feel like 7 pieces of spot removal is a little much when your running 3x Supreme Verdict

If you do decide to play Mana Leak maybe play 4 Fatal Push and then you could add additional counters.

I normally try to play 8 counters in my decks, i would consider Logic Knot, Countersquall, Spell Snare or Spell Pierce

April 5, 2018 9:56 p.m.

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