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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 |
| Freeform | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Highlander | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Historic Brawl | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Leviathan | Legal |
| Limited | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Modern Beyond Horizons | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Planar Constructed | Legal |
| Planechase | Legal |
| Quest Magic | Legal |
| Tiny Leaders | Legal |
| Vanguard | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
Arcane Encyclopedia
Artifact
, : Draw a card.
DemonDragonJ on Which is More Important: Total …
10 months ago
I often wonder which is more important for a card: its overall cost or its cost-to-effect ratio (i.e., its mana efficiency); for example, there is no question that Lightning Bolt is superior to both Shock and Searing Spear, but, between the other two cards, I would choose Shock over Searing Spear in the majority of situations, because Shock has a ratio of 2 damage for 1 mana, whereas Searing Spear has a ratio of 1.5 damage for 1 mana.
For a slightly more complicated example, compare Eladamri's Call to Shared Summons; the former card can find a creature for a mere 2 mana, which is very efficient, but it simply replaces one card in its controller's hand with another, whereas the latter card can search for two creatures, which leaves its caster with an additional card in hand, compared to before it is cast, but it is less efficient, costing 2.5 mana per creature found, so it is not as clear which card is superior, there.
Opportunity is literally a double version of Quick Study, as they both have the same ratio of cost to effect, but which is the superior card? Is it really better to spend six mana to draw four cards, as doing that would leave the caster with less mana to cast the spells that they draw? Also, Quick Study is strictly better than is Inspiration, as it costs 1 less mana to cast, but, between Concentrate and Tidings, I am not certain which is superior, since they both allow a player to draw one less card than their mana values.
On the subject of card drawing, in the realm of repeatable card drawing, Arcane Encyclopedia is strictly better than is Jayemdae Tome, as it costs only 3 mana to draw a single card, compared to 4, but Tower of Fortunes can draw four cards for 8 mana, which is a ratio of 2 mana per card, but that ability costs 8 mana, overall, so the question is if it is worth 8 mana to draw four cards.
Continuing that theme, there are numerous creatures (and one enchantment) that allow a player to repeatedly draw cards, such as Azure Mage, Spectral Sailor, Faerie Mastermind, Triskaidekaphile, or Treasure Trove, a ratio of 4 mana for one card, but Mystic Archaeologist can draw 2 two cards for 5 mana, a ratio of 2.5 mana per card, which is definitely far superior, in my mind.
Hedron Archive
is literally two Mind Stones put together, and Dreamstone Hedron is literally a triple Mind Stone, so they all have the same cost-to-effect ratio, but I prefer the original Mind Stone, since the existence of Thran Dynamo and Gilded Lotus makes it difficult to justify using the other mana rocks, at least, for me.
To use the example of Skyward Eye Prophets, a 1/1 creature for 2 mana is perfectly acceptable, a 2/2 creature for 4 mana is slightly expensive, but nothing outrageous, but a 3/3 creature for 6 mana is simply too much, although, as a side note, I have a copy of that creature, in one of my decks, because I really like its ability.
For a further example, I would choose Mantis Rider over Lightning Angel in the majority of situations, since it provides a better rate than does the angel, and, similarly, I would choose Wilt-Leaf Cavaliers over Vernadi Shieldmate, since the former creature is more efficient for its cost.
I believe that I have provided a sufficient number of examples, for this discussion, so which trait do you believe is more important: overall mana cost or cost-to-effect ratio/mana efficiency? I certainly am interested to hear your thoughts on this matter.
xram666 on
EDH Karona, Fals God (Kithkin Tribal)
2 years ago
I count only 2 draw option:
So I would add at least another 5 draw options. Maybe:
Also I count only 2 ramp spells. Maybe also 5 other ones:
Also I would include Mirror Entity: Nice synergy and a good win option.
With the high number of tappers I would also include Siren's Call
Also the number of Mass Removal is to low. Some options:
Imsomguy on
Avacyn, Angel of Hope Voltron/Control EDH
2 years ago
You may want to replace the Jayemdae Tome with an Arcane Encyclopedia since it is strictly better
libraryjoy on
Odric lunarch marshal deck
4 years ago
Possible includes: Herald of War, Thraben Doomsayer, Oblivion Ring, Might also look at some more instants and sorceries like a field wipe you can use when all your creatures are indestructible. You might also look at more card draw like Rogue's Gloves or even Arcane Encyclopedia.
Possible to remove: Thraben Valiant, Ikiral Outrider, Affa Protector, Attended Knight.
jakeelephant006 on
Zirda's Discount Tool Store
4 years ago
This may see blasphemous, but I think it might be time to cut Skullclamp in favor of a more consistent draw source or equipment. I think the clamp is at its worst here. Which is to say, it's just an insurance policy on any creature you attach it to w/ a small power buff (which is a decently high floor). Plus, your creatures are pretty scarce in this deck so I can't envision you sacrificing even the two creatures that would die immediately to the clamp.
I think some things that would help this deck is finding some more good activated abilities that get reduced by your commander. Some examples could be Osgir, the Reconstructor , Steel Hellkite , Soul of New Phyrexia , Burnished Hart , Plargg, Dean Of Chaos // Augusta, Dean Of Order, War Room , Bonders' Enclave , Diviner's Wand , Arcane Encyclopedia , Staff of Domination , and--on the pricier side-- Umbral Mantle . The new Fighter Class is also a near auto include.
Also, I'm pretty high on Forging the Tyrite Sword and Axgard Armory .
RambIe on
Discarding with Windgrace
4 years ago
it sounds like NTakamura is saying that the purpose of
Arcane Encyclopedia
is for windgrace fodder
if that is the case id suggest replacing it with
Groundskeeper
NTakamura on
Discarding with Windgrace
4 years ago
Grind I somewhat struggle with your recommendation because I already have discard and draw cards. I have Arcane Encyclopedia for draw when I have nothing to discard. I did however added Geier Reach Sanitarium and see how it plays.
DemonDragonJ on
Kill them With Kindness
4 years ago
I have replaced Arcane Encyclopedia with Temple Bell , which did not affect the deck's average converted mana cost, but will save me mana over time, since the ability of the bell has no cost to activate it, and the fact that it causes all players to draw cards works with the "group hug" theme of this deck.