Clifftop Retreat

Land

Clifftop Retreat enters the battlefield tapped unless you control a Mountain or a Plains.

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Discussion (51)

Tenshi41 on Prepare for Glory!

3 weeks ago

Deck Changes:

Remove:

• Taurean Mauler : He big mean and super easy to block. Even though he is technically an angel, he lacks the power most other angles have. Very little way to give trample.
• Godo, Bandit Warlord : Six CMC fetch an equipment and cheat it out to battlefield, seems good and has combo potential. However, is a dead card early game when needing equipment to protect and generate value. Maby? Still very torn over cutting this card.
• Spinerock Knoll : Hard to activate and never have the mana open to activate it when needed. Most of the time it hit a low CMC card and it not very useful.
• Rugged Prairie : More room for Basic/Fetch.
• Clifftop Retreat : More room for Basic/Fetch.
• Inkmoth Nexus : Only man-land in the deck to equip and swing almost never comes up and only killed with this little guy once. Low performance.

Add:

• Dockside Extortionist : Good for huge burst of mana, easily fetched with the two Recruiter. Can easily allow me to make a massive threat early.
• Steelshaper's Gift : Early tutor for equipment allowing for more equipment that is useful in times of need.
• Flooded Strand : More fetch to reduce deck size.
• Wooded Foothills : More fetch to reduce deck size.
• Slayers' Stronghold : Way to give Vigilance and haste.
• Mountain : More Basic due to reduce red sources.

StopShot on Pioneer: It was wrong to ...

1 month ago

Since the Pioneer format had been introduced Felidar Guardian has only seen play for 14 days, and while the Saheeli Rai + Felidar Guardian combo was too profound for the meta to deal with I think it would have been worthwhile to see what the cat would do without it's fellow planeswalker for a variety of reasons.

First off Pioneer is currently going through a grace period where Banned and Restricted announcements are being put up weekly on every Monday. If another secondary broken card interaction would surface with the cat it would be very easy for Wizards to correct the problem swiftly unlike with other formats where it would take months before dropping the banhammer.

Secondly Saheeli Rai as a card is hardly going to see play in this format without the cat, which means there probably isn't going to be a lot of problems for tier 1, 2, and 3 decks if she's missing.

But most importantly, no one is asking the question, "What would be the next broken card interaction Felidar Guardian would slot into?" I actually have the answer to this one and it's Flameshadow Conjuring .

Combo Explanation: Flameshadow Conjuring + Felidar Guardian works similarly to its preceding combo with Saheeli but not as straightforward. Conjuring is on the field and then you cast the Guardian. At this point in the combo we always stack ETB's so Guardian's resolves first and the Conjuring's resolves last. Guardian blinks a red source such as Mountain or alternatively Clifftop Retreat effectively untapping it. Then we can tap the blinked red source to produce the mana needed to resolve the Flameshadow Conjuring 's effect. This in turn produces a token copy of the cat, however, the token copy does not retrigger Flameshadow Conjuring , so instead, whenever a token copy enters the battlefield, we'll have it's ETB target the original Felidar Guardian . The original cat blinks causing both it's ETB and Flameshadow Conjuring 's ETB to trigger again. Repeat the process by resolving triggers in the same order as mentioned before with the cat blinking your red mana source until you have infinite hasty cat tokens to deal lethal with.

I think this combo should have at least a single day where it's legal in this format to see how it stands against other decks. The cons to this combo-strategy are that it takes one turn slower to deal lethal than Saheeli, it's weak to both instant-speed and sorcery-speed artifact and enchantment removal, and lastly you need to restrict your mana-base so that you always have a red source that can instantly produce red mana for free. I feel that these set-backs are enough to give other decks a better shot at combating copycat combo, and if the combo is still too degenerate then it would probably be worth banning Felidar Guardian instead of taking down more cards due to it.

Wizards has also said they banned the cat because they're afraid it would conflict with design space for future sets. I think this is not a realistic concern given the power-level of today's standard sets. In order to make infinite cats you're going to need a permanent that can readily produce a copy of Felidar Guardian with haste for 0 or 1 mana on your main phase, and that permanent needs to cost 3 or less mana in order to get a turn 4 kill. I think this is an incredibly high requirement that won't be surpassed in standard ever again. Even if Wizards reprinted the Modern-banned Splinter Twin card into standard, while it could produce infinite hasty cats, they'd all be tapped and you'd be unable to win the game unless you had something like an Impact Tremors on the battlefield, which; even that combo would never be used, because Felidar Guardian + Impact Tremors + Mirror Image would be a better combo.

My opinion is if Pioneer can't handle a turn 5 copy-cat combo that's weaker to more forms of removal then Felidar Guardian should be banned for good. Otherwise removing an entire deck strategy when there are much weaker variants to run in its place seems wrong to me. Thoughts?

multimedia on Ain't nobody fresher than my clique

1 month ago

Hey, fine budget version of Kaalia and nice description/primer.

Manalith, Mana Geode, Boros Cluestone, Rakdos Locket, Orzhov Locket, Armillary Sphere, Star Compass. Consider cutting these for better budget mana rocks?

• Talisman of Hierarchy
• Talisman of Conviction
• Fellwar Stone
• Boros Signet
• Orzhov Signet
• Rakdos Signet
• Mind Stone

The main purpose of playing so many mana rocks is to ramp into Kaalia. Two drop mana rocks are better than three drop rocks even if the three drop rocks can be saced later on to draw. The draw from Lockets/Cluestone is not worth playing them over a Talisman or Signet as a Talisman or Signet can give you a full turn or two faster at casting Kaalia.

More haste enablers is another way to increase speed.

• Dragon Tempest
• Hanweir Battlements
• Fervor

Out of these budget options Tempest is the best because Kaalia has flying and all the other big creatures here also have flying. Tempest is also very good with Utvara Hellkite and her ability to create Dragons. Battlements is a land that can ETB untapped which for one red can give Kaalia haste.

For more speed then you want most of your lands to ETB untapped. If you can't afford many dual lands that ETB untapped then play more basic lands instead of lands such as Forsaken Sanctuary, Stone Quarry, Bloodfell Caves, etc. Signets are good with basic lands because any one basic land can be tapped to make two different colors. Budget lands to consider adding:

• Caves of Koilos
• Battlefield Forge
• Ash Barrens
• Tainted Field
• Foreboding Ruins
• Opal Palace
• Dragonskull Summit
• Isolated Chapel
• Clifftop Retreat

If willing to spend a little more for the manabase then adding the Check lands: Dragonskull, Isolated, Clifftop are good lands when playing basic lands.

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Cards to consider cutting:

• Forsaken Sanctuary
• Stone Quarry
• Bloodfell Caves
• Scoured Barrens
• Wind-Scarred Crag
• Painted Bluffs
• Seraph Sanctuary
• Manalith
• Mana Geode
• Boros Cluestone
• Rakdos Locket
• Orzhov Locket
• Armillary Sphere
• Star Compass
• Trailblazer's Boots
• Hoard-Smelter Dragon
• Desecration Demon

Other budget upgrades to consider:

• Swords to Plowshares > Unmake
• Open the Armory > Tormenting Voice
• Diabolic Tutor > Nahiri's Machinations
• Kaya's Ghostform > Indestructibility
• Bloodgift Demon > Indulgent Tormentor
• Steel Hellkite > Angelic Guardian

Ardeo on Boros mentor

1 month ago

I like your deck, I'm actually building a similar one. But I think your manabase is lacking refinement. You're playing much more white sources than you need and you're playing 4 Clifftop Retreat with only 6 Mountains (including the 4 Sacred Foundry ). I would at least cut the 2 Plains for Mountains. In my deck I just have 11 white sources and that's more than enough in my opinion.

multimedia on Syr Gwyn's Horde of Knights

1 month ago

Hey, nice start. Cards to consider cutting to make 99:

• Bond of Discipline
• Campaign of Vengeance
• Venser's Journal
• Stoneforge Masterwork
• Dowsing Dagger
• Belle of the Brawl
• Brimstone Trebuchet
• Burnished Hart
• Icon of Ancestry
• Words of Worship
• Goblin War Drums
• Door of Destinies
• Whispersilk Cloak

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I think rather than aggressive overrun the battlefield with Knights instead play ones that are good with equipment who have evasion, more of a midrange strategy. I suggest this because there's a lot of equipment here which is taking the place of Knights and equipment are midrange cards. I think if you want to play an aggressive overrun strategy with Knights that you want to reduce the amount of equipment and increase the amount of low mana cost Knights especially two drops such as Knight of Grace , Knight of Malice , Stormfist Crusader , etc.

Cards within the budget to consider adding:

• Gamble : tutor for any card.
• Open the Armory : tutor for an equipment.
• Silverblade Paladin : double strike is good with equipment.
• Mirran Crusader : double strike.
• Sunforger : one of the best equipment in Commander and being able to consistently reduce the equip cost to 0 is good.
• Gideon, Ally of Zendikar : 0 creates a 2/2 Knight, -4 can be a repeatable anthem. Gideon holds equipment well.
• Gideon Blackblade : nonfoil version is $6, +1 is very good with creature strategies, -6 is exile removal.
• Sun Titan : repeatable reanimation of a Knight or three drop or less equipment/enchantment. Can reanimate History of Benalia or Knights' Charge .
• Mistveil Plains
• Caves of Koilos
• Battlefield Forge
• Exotic Orchard
• Ash Barrens
• Isolated Chapel
• Clifftop Retreat

Cards to consider cutting:

• Temple of the False God
• Terramorphic Expanse
• 5x Plains
• Embereth Shieldbreaker
• Order of Midnight
• Foulmire Knight
• Vanquisher's Banner
• Basilisk Collar
• Cathars' Crusade
• Sorin, Vengeful Bloodlord

Good luck with your deck.

Blue_Flame on Roguish Vampires

2 months ago

All right, so let's talk mana. I hope I don't downplay your MtG knowledge or insult your intelligence, but it bears noting. Your mana needs a little work. With your deck being three colors, it's super important that you have as much versatility within your mana base at all times so your plays aren't restricted by the (lack of) colors you have. I'm sorry if you already know this info, but I'm going to give you some land suggestions.

It looks like you're on a budget, so I'd for sure get a playset of Nomad Outpost . They come in tapped, but tap for the all of the colors you need.

If you have a little more cash to spend, Dragonskull Summit , Isolated Chapel , and Clifftop Retreat are all decent options.

If you want to go a step further you could also pick up a playset of each of the shocklands in your colors: Blood Crypt , Sacred Foundry , and Godless Shrine .

If you have a ton of cash and want to go all out on a "competitive" mana base, you could pick up 4 each of each of the fetchlands within your colors: Bloodstained Mire , Arid Mesa , and Marsh Flats . But that's only if you have $400 sitting around.

multimedia on Feather EDH

2 months ago

Hey, saw your forum topic asking for help. Nice version of Feather.

Some staples that are within the budget to consider adding:

• Talisman of Conviction
• Tithe : cast it with Sunforger to tutor for Mistveil Plains .
• Open the Armory
• Red Elemental Blast
• Swords to Plowshares
• Aven Mindcensor

Some good cards for Feather to consider adding:

• Dreadhorde Arcanist : cast spell from graveyard, exile it with Feather, it doesn't goes to the graveyard so it's not exiled by Arcanist, recast spell with Feather.
• Aurelia's Fury
• Tenth District Legionnaire
• Niveous Wisps : draw.
• Fists of Flame : draw and pump.
• Titan's Strength : scry and pump.

Some lands to consider adding:

• Command Tower
• Sacred Foundry
• Mistveil Plains : combos with instants you cast with Sunforger to put them back into your library to cast them again.
• City of Brass
• Mana Confluence
• Sunbaked Canyon
• Rugged Prairie
• Clifftop Retreat
• Reflecting Pool
• Reliquary Tower
• Inspiring Vantage
• Ash Barrens

Cards in maybeboard to add if you have them:

• Imperial Recruiter
• Recruiter of the Guard
• Smothering Tithe
• Teferi's Protection

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Cards to consider cutting:

• Paradox Engine: is banned in Commander.
• Boros Cluestone
• Salvage Scout
• Tethmos High Priest
• Odric, Lunarch Marshal
• Archangel of Tithes
• Razor Barrier
• Spiritual Visit
• Hundred-Talon Strike
• Justiciar's Portal
• Crack the Earth
• Unwinding Clock
• Sentinel Tower

Metia on Deck does not contain a lapdance *ding* Sliver EDH

2 months ago

Umm, well I can't offer my exact land selection to you as it involves revised duals I can say this:

Fetches are your friend, seriously. In a 5 color deck having fetches rarely make me sad, so I would run the full contingent:

Polluted Delta

Flooded Strand

Wooded Foothills

Bloodstained Mire

Arid Mesa

Marsh Flats

Scalding Tarn

Misty Rainforest

Verdant Catacombs

Options:

There are Mirage fetches as well, a whole friendly color cycle of them, they are 'slow' but they can still grab shock lands, and cost no life: Rocky Tar Pit , Bad River , Flood Plain , Grasslands , Mountain Valley These also have the benefit of being absurdly cheap. That being said, if you do not have access to these, I'll offer some other suggestions.

Go up to 42-44 lands. Sure the curve hits 3/4, but I don't think the ideal is to hit 4 lands and be pleased with life, so I would suggest adding lands, and increasing consistency by removing some of the etb tapped lands:


Here are some 'simple' 1:1 conversions for cards I think would suit the deck better.

Kindred Dominance -> Woodland Cemetery

Coat of Arms -> The Immortal Sun

Intruder Alarm -> Dreamstone Hedron

Armageddon -> Hour of Promise

Fellwar Stone -> Mutavault

Arcane Sanctum -> Sulfur Falls

Crumbling Necropolis -> Clifftop Retreat

Savage Lands -> Isolated Chapel

Seaside Citadel -> Hinterland Harbor

Frontier Bivouac -> Rootbound Crag

Mystic Monastery -> Sunpetal Grove

Nomad Outpost -> Drowned Catacomb

Opulent Palace -> Glacial Fortress

Sandsteppe Citadel -> Dragonskull Summit

Exotic Orchard -> Reflecting Pool

Door of Destinies -> Vanquisher's Banner

Aphetto Dredging -> Icon of Ancestry

Amoeboid Changeling -> Unsettled Mariner

Honestly I hate the Terminate and some of the other choices but I am exhausted so I thought I would offer some help as opposed to trying to offer more and simply not posting.