Rishkar's Expertise
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Legality

Format Legality
1v1 Commander Legal
Alchemy Legal
Archenemy Legal
Arena Legal
Block Constructed Legal
Canadian Highlander Legal
Casual Legal
Commander / EDH Legal
Commander: Rule 0 Legal
Custom Legal
Duel Commander Legal
Gladiator Legal
Highlander Legal
Historic Legal
Legacy Legal
Leviathan Legal
Limited Legal
Modern Legal
Oathbreaker Legal
Pioneer Legal
Planechase Legal
Quest Magic Legal
Vanguard Legal
Vintage Legal

Rishkar's Expertise

Sorcery

Draw cards equal to the greatest power among creatures you control.

You may cast a card with converted mana cost/mana value 5 or less from your hand without paying its mana cost.

RufusTheGrufus on Mono Green Stompy

2 weeks ago

Profet93, thank you for taking the time to check out the list and offer your suggestions!

I'm going to try my best to articulate my opinions of said suggestions:

-Rishkar's Expertise: I do enjoy this card quite a bit, and did originally have it in the list. It eventually got cut because the floor was too low for a 6 mana card; and I opted for a similar effect in Return of the Wildspeaker because it's one mana cheaper and has extra utility since it can help push through alpha strikes. I do feel like this deck could benefit from a bit more card advantage though.

-Pir's Whim: I actually completely forgot this card exists, I think this is a perfect swap suggestion, thank you!

-Traverse the Outlands: I totally get why you're suggesting this card, I think I personally just tend to shy away from more conditional ramp, removal, and card advantage; since typically if I'm desperately needing one of those effects I don't want to have to rely on satisfying an extra condition in order to achieve it. I think otherwise Traverse the Outlands could totally find a home in this kind of deck.

-Collector Ouphe, Manglehorn, Reclamation Sage: Collector Ouphe and Manglehorn are definitely great cards to include in this deck. My main hesitation with including them is because this decklist was made with the intent of having it be a bit more casual and less "feel bad" for when my playgroup wants to play with lower powered/more casually oriented decks. I love the idea of including them though and am adding them to the Maybeboard for further consideration! In terms of Reclamation Sage, it was in the decklist initially but ultimately got cut over more flexible pieces such as Krosan Grip, Beast Within and Return to Nature as I typically feel the need to have some options for instant speed removal; and I have a few pieces of creature-based artifact/enchantment removal that can target multiple things.

-Nissa's Pilgrimage: This is just an objectively better card than Cultivate in a mono-green deck, thank you!

-Yavimaya Hollow: Intriguing card, I'm definitely interested in testing it out!

-Turntimber, Serpentine Wood  Flip: I generally have an aversion to these flip lands. I totally get the arguments for playing them, I've just never felt inclined to play a majority of them. I'd be willing to give this one a shot in the list though to see if it exceeds my expectations; especially since it's so on-theme!

-Goreclaw, Terror of Qal Sisma: I completely forgot about this guy, I'm interested in testing him out and am swapping him in over Giant Adephage; which was really just in the deck as a 'fun' pet card anyways.

-Shaman of Forgotten Ways, Somberwald Sage: I don't know how I forgot about Shaman of Forgotten Ways. Thank you for such a great suggestion, I slotted it in instead of Llanowar Tribe for now. Somberwald Sage I'm less sure of including at this point in time. I'll put it in the Maybeboard and keep thinking on it.

-Siege Behemoth: An interesting suggestion, I'm not sure if I'll find a home for it in the deck just yet but I'm adding it to the Maybeboard to consider!

-Berserk: This would be an incredibly fun include, I just need to find something to cut. It'll have to live in the Maybeboard for now.

-Life's Legacy, Greater Good: Since I'm truly a Golgari player at heart, and love playing around with sacrifice and my graveyard, these cards were definitely in consideration when I initially built this deck. I eventually opted for just Momentous Fall and not Life's Legacy because Momentous Fall can be cast at instant speed which allows it to be used in response to removal to help with rebuilding. If I had more synergy with sacrificing creatures baked into the deck, and/or more ways to utilize my own graveyard, I would definitely be including Greater Good. I'm adding them to the Maybeboard for now, especially since Greater Good may just be too much card advantage to turn down.

Thank you again for such considerate suggestions and for taking the time to look over the list!

longmuiryan on Kool-Aid Man if He Knew Mitosis

3 weeks ago

As a deck that seeks to make a land drop every turn (if not more), I would consider adding more card draw/card advantage. Cards like Vorinclex  Flip, Valakut Exploration, and Rishkar's Expertise are all good inclusions IMO. I would consider removing cards like Sparkspitter and Lightning Mare

Profet93 on Mono Green Stompy

1 month ago

RufusTheGrufus +1

I actually completely disagree with the above GoldBerserkDragon, (GBD) both personally and professionally. 37 lands is actually my favorite # in EDH. While yes, you could it isn't optimal, especially in a build whose avg cmc is above 4.5. Now to actually provide you with suggestions unlike GBD. Some of these might be better than others, let me know what you think of each....

Rishkar's Expertise - It's draw + tempo. While it is a bit risky if you have one creature, the risk is mitigated if you have several creatures on board.

Pir's Whim > Tempt Discovery - Tempt is best if you have cradle or another high mana producing land to immediately use untapped. I used to run it but my playgroup would either not take the bait, or would just tutor for strip mine and destroy whatever land I got. Pir's whim is political and removal, all at the same time.

Traverse the Outlands - Mass land ramp

Collector Ouphe - Null rod the creature. It only stops 2 of your cards but since artifacts are huge in EDH, it's definitely worth considering. If not, then perhaps a Manglehorn or a Reclamation Sage

Since you run momentous fall, perhaps a Life's Legacy? Better yet, Greater Good!

Nissa's Pilgrimage > Cultivate

Yavimaya Hollow - Regen / politics

Turntimber, Serpentine Wood  Flip - Spell or land, you decide!

Goreclaw, Terror of Qal Sisma - Ramp + Trample

Shaman of Forgotten Ways/Somberwald Sage - With the former as an alt wincon

Siege Behemoth - Push damage through

Berserk - Super fun! I once used this on an opponents (Op1) commander to kill Op2 via commander damage and Op1 lost his commander making him easier to kill. Usually used to close things out. It's also fun to use on Selvala as psuedo ramp. Not needed, but nice.

seshiro_of_the_orochi on

1 month ago

This looks like a great starting point for a Goreclaw deck! Depending on what you wanna do with it, it could easily become a creature storm deck. Looking at what you have here, my suggestions are these:

1: Add in some mana doublers. I really like Zendikar Resurgent for it's potential to survive a boardwipe.

2: Rishkar's Expertise is a powerhouse draw spell you should try to include.

3: With only one nonbasic, Primal Order is an unexpected way to deal quite a lot of damage.

Enjoy the teddy deck!

Profet93 on King Stranger, Make Me Strong! *PRIMER*

2 months ago

NV_1980

First and foremost, I enjoyed reading your description. Do Note that Sword of Feast and Famine means your commander cannot target it to increase it's stats due to the "pro green."

Greater Good - THE MOST IMPORTANT CARD IN XENAGOS, HANDS DOWN. IF YOU LISTEN TO ANYTHING, THIS IS THE ONE SUGGESTION. Used in response to removal or equip activation, or just in a pinch. This card forces them to use removal lest they die to your overwhelming card advantage. DO NOT SLEEP ON THIS CARD.

Harmonize - Simple draw

Momentous Fall/Life's Legacy - While weak against blue, could warrant an inclusion depending on how much draw you want in the deck. The former is used in response to removal and the lifegain is icing on the cake.

Rishkar's Expertise - I'm normally against cards like this but in Xenagos, there is way too much of an upside to ignore. Used post combat most of the time, allows you to draw without missing out on tempo.

Skullclamp - Cut little idea to use on mana dorks, or force interaction pre-commander ability/combat.

Return of the Wildspeaker - Used in response to removal. Overrun option is nice as well

Elemental Bond - Draw, also see Guardian Project (although they can remove ur creature in response to the trigger to deny you a card)

Ancient Tomb - Ramp

Raging Ravine - Manland that can get bigger.

Dread Statuary - Manland that can get to 8 power with Xenagos. I usually use manlands as fodder for one of the draw spells listed above. Worth considering

Castle Garenbrig - Simple ramp

Cragcrown Pathway  Flip - Red or green, whichever you need.

Elder Gargaroth - Draw, lifegain or token production

Somberwald Sage - Ramp

Berserk - Super fun! Use before the damage step. Or better yet, use on your opponent attacking another opponent and force op 1 to lose a creature while op 2 takes lots of damage. Fun fact, I killed an animar this was (lol). You can also use it on Selvala for extra ramp!

Xenagos decks typically go one of 2 ways. Either lots of dorks and some land ramp like your deck to bring threats out more quickly, or to forgo dorks and focus solely on land ramp. Your deck is the former while mine is the latter. Do note that even with the dork route, Xenagos decks go tall, not wide. So there are some creature choices that I do not believe are as efficient as other choices could be and would love to discuss them with you if you're up for it. Xenagos decks are like snipers, usually one big creature at a time, sometimes more if you have the right set up. They also fold to spot removal as spending 5+ mana on a creature just to have it removed by 1 - 3 mana removal spell really sucks. I know you're against bolt bend/deflecting swat (despite them being my favorite type of spells) but perhaps something like Vines of Vastwood or another spell might potentially warrant an inclusion to save an important creature. At the very least, having more than 2 instants, only 1 of which acts as protection, could be used as a bluff and keep opponents guessing.

Profet93 on Karlach the Outlander

2 months ago

SoulXCross +1

Godo, Bandit Warlord - Synergy with embercleave, can also tutor greaves if needed.

Berserk - Can also be used on opposing creatures that are attacking your opponents for fun. Double commander damage anyone?

Tooth and Nail - Tutor for big dudes, one that gives has like Xenagos and a big beater

Green Sun's Zenith - Solid tutor

I don't see many draw sources. Have you considered the following...

Rishkar's Expertise - Draw + Tempo

Momentous Fall/Life's Legacy - The former can be used in response to removal, both fold to blue. Nevertheless, it's a huge draw source.

Bonders' Enclave - Land slot

Elder Gargaroth - Versatile

Skullclamp - Forces interaction pre-combat or else you can usually draw if it isn't exile removal

Selvala, Heart of the Wilds - Super ramp, also some draw

CardTyrant on Ixalan Park

2 months ago

Profet93 Thank you for the questions and upvote. :D

To answer the question about drawing, I don't have an issue with gas so much since most of my dinosaurs have high mana costs. I don't really have a huge issue with drawing cards, but if I draw a dinosaur, Gishath cannot call on them later on because they are in my hand. The deck really revolves around Gishath and his ability to call on others when he deals damage. I have considered adding cards that allow me to return a card to the deck to draw a card. IF I get a second Rishkar's Expertise, I will be adding it to the deck in the near future.

Forbidden Orchard can be cut, I just haven't gotten around to it. A 1/1 spirit really isn't a threat to my deck as this deck has slowly become a dinosaur trample deck. So I can use the 1/1 spirit as a political tool if anything.

Yavimaya Hollow is an interesting suggestion. I tend to overlook 'regenerate' cards, just because it's not as used anymore, but I might switch out Orchard for the Hollow.

livingrock That is funny, having Gishath summon itself with Noxious Revival. However, since I play the deck almost entirely against my wife 1v1, she knows to block Gishath to where I can't get even a single card with its ability. I'm sure my LGS playgroup (if I ever get one) will also figure that trick out really fast since I almost always play dinos. Chaosphere is such a good card! My wife ran one in her planeswalker deck, even though I only have one deck that flies. If she ever takes the deck apart, that is one of two cards I have been eyeing.

Crow_Umbra Thanks for trying to get me there, but even if I did get there, I want more. I really like the fact that I've made a deck on TappedOut that people voted to the top of the list. It is something I brag about and am really proud of.

Profet93 on Ixalan Park

2 months ago

CardTyrant +1

Elemental Bond and Garruk's Uprising are both good draw sources. I read your description and understand that you are not a huge fan of draw. Let me ask you this, how often have you felt you lacked gas? If your deck doesn't run out of steam in it's current iteration, great. If not, they might be worth considering. Also note Rishkar's Expertise

Yavimaya Hollow - Protection (and politics)

Is Forbidden Orchard necessary given you are only playing 3 colors, one being green?

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