Dread Statuary

Land

: Add to your mana pool.

: Dread Statuary becomes a 4/2 Golem artifact creature until end of turn. It's still a land.

Discussion (50)

Profet93 on Xenagos, I've Got You Here For 3 Minutes

4 days ago

You described almost every Xenagos deck, mine included. You hit it right on the head.

Card Draw

As you said, we either have it or we don't. With no way to tutor card draw, adding more helps increase the odds of maintaining gas

Lifeblood Hydra - Not necessary but always welcome on X = 3 or more. Even if they destroy it, you still get value, has built in evasion and has a high ceiling.

Life's Legacy - If blue is too prevalent in your meta, ignore this suggestion

Momentous Fall - Similar to above, but would still put in despite blue, and despite the fact that its hard to have 4 mana after casting a beater. But similar to rishkar's expertise, I argue the potential card draw is worth the risk. You usually use this in response to opponent's removal

Bonders' Enclave - Never hurts, coudl replace a fetch land possibly

Elder Gargaroth - Makes beasts for blockers/draw spells, draws cards and gains life in a pinch.

Harmonize - Reliable draw

Removal

Beast Within - Hits lands too. Very versatile

Decimate - Hull breach's older brother

Inferno Titan - Damage

Kogla, the Titan Ape - Fight + Naturalize, pretty good. Very fun if you ran eternal witness

Voracious Hydra - Removal with high ceiling and built in evasion

Other

Selvala, Heart of the Wilds - Ramp on steroids

Ancient Tomb - Ramp for T3 Commander

Turntimber, Serpentine Wood - A better See the Unwritten

Berserk - Don't worry, malignus doesn't have trample. Bonus points if you use it on Selvala or on an opponent's creature who is attacking another opponent.

Yavimaya Hollow - Protection

Blighted Woodland/Myriad Landscape - Ramp

Reliquary Tower - For when you draw 10+ cards

Raging Ravine/Dread Statuary - Manland to be used for a draw spell

Be sure to lmk what you think of each suggestion. Some will work better for you than others. I see you run some dorks so I know you don't want too many nonbasics, but with all the ramp in Xenagos, I think we can be a little greedy. If you can't find room, I have ideas for cuts.

Profet93 on Xenegos with the Double-Down, Throw-Down!

5 days ago

WUBRG87

Cards under $2 TCG Low according to tappedout....

Bonders' Enclave

Dread Statuary

Greater Good - Only card I think over $2, but the BEST CARD IN XENAGOS EVER. ADD THIS 100%, tcg player that shit.

Harmonize

Hull Breach

Inferno Titan

Kodama's Reach

Kogla, the Titan Ape

Momentous Fall

Myriad Landscape

Nissa's Pilgrimage

Quartzwood Crasher

Rampant Growth

Return of the Wildspeaker

Springbloom Druid

Terastodon

Profet93 on xenaghos semi-optimized

1 week ago

+1 the deck looks pretty good. Low to the ground, got some interaction and instant speed protection. I would try to add a few more pieces of draw to maintain gas.

Lands

Yavimaya Hollow - Protection

Cragcrown Pathway  ^Flip - Utility

Dread Statuary - Man land which can be a creature to be used for a draw spell

Blighted Woodland - Ramp

Ancient Tomb - Ramp

Instants + Artifact + Sorcerries

Beast Within - Removal

Berserk - Fun with malignus, infect creature, removal of opponents creatures, ramp with selvala, etc...

Deflecting Swat - Redirect targetted removal/draw/extra turns, counter counterspells all for free

Momentous Fall - Draw in response to removal

Return of the Wildspeaker - See above

The Great Henge - Draw, ramp, lifegain

No cultivate/kodama's?

Hull Breach - Removal

Creatures

It seems you have your preferences on creatures but here are some other ideas as well...

Shaman of Forgotten Ways - Ramp, wincon

Siege Behemoth - Beater with evason

Somberwald Sage - Ramp

Ilharg, the Raze-Boar - Cheating

Profet93 on Xenagos - Extra Combats

4 weeks ago

turtledad

This deck is pretty low to the ground for Xenagos, good job.

Lands

How is your land situation? Given your dorks and lower CMC, you might be fine, but I'm curious how it plays out. It seems unless you get a dork early game and lands, you will have trouble casting Xenagos consistently. How has it been playing out for your in your meta?

Yavimaya Hollow - Protection

Ancient Tomb > Temple of False

Bonders' Enclave > Sanctum of Eternity - Is the reason it's in your deck to prevent opponents from removing Xenagos during your turn prior to combat? I don't see the use of it in this deck. Perhaps I'm missing something.

Cragcrown Pathway  ^Flip > Mountain/Forest

Turntimber, Serpentine Wood > Forest - The additional utility it provides late game is key for when you're topdecking/out of gas

Raging Ravine - Manland that can be used as a creature to place a draw effect under late game

Dread Statuary - See above - Or not given your dorks and you want to limit colorless mana?

Myriad Landscape - Ramp - Same issue as above?

Artifacts and Instants

The Great Henge - Draw

Skullclamp - Not 100% sold on it, but I think it could work here given your dorks which can be used as draw for late game, or helps you draw cards when your beaters die.

Berserk - Malignus says hi! Also, works on opposing creatures too. If opponent A attacks opponent B, you can kill their creature and deal extra damage to opponent B. Although I like using it on my beaters or Selvala heart of the wilds for extra ramp.

Deflecting Swat - Counter counterspells, redirect targeted removal(biggest issue in Xenagos so you don't get 2 for 1ed), targeted draw/extra turns, abilities, etc... Too much utility and for free.

Heroic Intervention - Protection for beaters

Sorceries/Draw

Rishkar's Expertise - Crazy value that's worth risking the 2 for 1, also helps keep up with tempo which is great

Life's Legacy - Draw

Harmonize - Draw

Green Sun's Zenith - Tutor for the beater you need to the battlefield

I count 5 sources of draw in this deck, 2 of which are unimpactful, 1 of which is unreliable, the other 2 are good. Do you often find yourself running out of gas quickly especially given your lower CMC?

You run embercleave but no Godo, Bandit Warlord???

MTGBurgeoning on Gruul Stompy Featuring Xenagos, God of Revels

1 month ago

I can support your analysis for Turntimber Symbiosis  ^Flip. If a copy becomes available I'll give it a whirl or two in the deck and observe the results.

I am happy you agree about Bala Ged Recovery  ^Flip. I sense Wizards played it safe with the vast majority of these double-faced spell/land cards, and I think this card is a good example of that theory.

I do want to play-test Moraug, Fury of Akoum. The extra combat phases accrued by simply playing a land seems very valuable.

Recently, with the help of the MTG Burgeoning community, I've been constructing a Zaxara, the Exemplary EDH/Commander deck. A copy of Garruk's Uprising resides in this deck list and I just completed a nine-game play-testing with the deck. I can comfortably and securely say that Garruk's Uprising is an awesome card in that deck and I believe it would be an awesome card in Xenagos, God of Revels. Personally, I would not consider including Elemental Bond over Garruk's Uprising. These two enchantments have the exact same mana cost of , but Garruk's Uprising provides trample. The power trigger for drawing cards is a bit higher than Elemental Bond, but for me, I only have two creatures in my deck with power less than four and over a dozen creatures without trample. I plan to insert Garruk's Uprising into the deck as soon as a copy becomes available.

Cragcrown Pathway, and all of the Pathways, should be EDH/Commander hits! Get on board baby!!

I may have to give Inscription of Abundance a serious test-run. I keep returning to this card and mulling over the modes in conjunction with the mana cost and the value seems too good. An instant speed fight spell is generally 2CMC. Placing two +1 +1 counters on a creature at instant speed is generally 3CMC. Combined that's 5CMC. Paying the 5CMC cost and choosing all three modes will also include the upside of gaining a ton of free life. Inscription of Abundance seems too valuable to ignore.

Your assessment of Shatterskull Charger was entertaining. I was laughing to myself about "love taps." Hahaha! I'm just interested in seeing what the giant can do...

I will keep you informed about the loveliness that will be Lithoform Engine. I predict big things!

The cost to activate both Crawling Barrens and Dread Statuary is the same, yes, and as you mentioned Crawling Barrens's effect is cumulative as those +1 +1 counters stick around. I'm evaluating this card with the long-game in mind. We'll see how it shakes out.

Great back-and-forth assessments!! I'll keep you looped-in with these potential Zendikar Rising treasures!!

Profet93 on Gruul Stompy Featuring Xenagos, God of Revels

1 month ago

Turntimber Symbiosis - I like it because the 3 life is the cost to have the option of an additional card. Given as you said, it isn't like to whiff. Personally, I also refrain from cards like summoning trap and the like for the reasons you mentioned, whiffing and losing your mainphase. But with so many creatures and it taking up a land slot, I personally feel the versatility is warranted, not taking up a land slot but providing options for 3 life seems great.

Bala Ged Recovery - I am on the same page, every point you mentioned.

Moraug, Fury of Akoum - I feel so so about him. On the one hand he can get out of hand (lol). On the other, he is just a big dude with no trample. I dont have many ways of providing trample in my deck as most of my creatures either have trample or some sort of evasion. Plus it sucks to play him as a 6 drop when you have already played your land per turn. The idea with fetches is interesting for sure.

Also, what do you think of Garruk's Uprising and Elemental Bond? They will provide you draw for 25-27 of your creatures. Uprising also provides trample which is nice. I've needed more card draw in Xenagos and has 2 flex slots. I've been considering adding these in my deck link and wanted your opinion, for both your deck and mine. My deck solely relies on burst card draw, so some steady card draw might be worth considering. My only issue with both is that by the time I play them I might draw 1-2 cards before it probably gets destroyed. Its not removal bait, but I feel they take too long to get the value out of. Idk

Cragcrown Pathway - WTF is this? How have I not seen this in the set. It taps for red or green, depending on which side you play on the field? Thats crazy! I NEED this. Thank you for bringing it to my attention.

Inscription of Abundance - One of those cards I looked at and thought hard about. Your points are well taken, I like the cheapness and flexibility of it. The real benefits are the counters and fighting as life gain is not substantially helpful in my meta (unless of course you're playing against xenagos :P)

Cragplate Baloth - I feel the same way!

Shatterskull Charger - 3 mana on a small beater? You want to smash face, not give them love taps. The fact that it returns unless you kick it bothers me as its a continuous cost you need to pay. All of our creatures are effectively safe from sorcery removal as xenagos provides haste and we only play 1 creature at a time.

Lithoform Engine - One of those cards I'm always on the fence about. Even in my mono black deck where I can abuse it, it seems very winmore. It helps if I have the mana to cast everything I want, but until that point, its not that helpful. More playtesting would need to be done of course....but in Xenagos? You would play this (and maybe something else). Then cast a big creature and not have the 4 extra mana to copy it, or a big permanent spell. Of course it works with fetches, sorcerries, etc... but idk....? Once you add it in, please let me know how it functions.

Crawling Barrens - A worse version IMO of Dread Statuary. Both cost the same to activate. Barrens gives you better value over time, but dread gives you a better immediate effect. I would much rather pay 4 and then pay 5-6 for a draw spell to draw 8 cards (given xenagos boost) rather than pay 4 and then pay 5-6 for a draw spell to draw 4 cards (given Xenagos boost).

Profet93 on Xenagos' Dudes goes Face

2 months ago

I also run a Xenagos deck! Lol, what are the chances! I will try to keep cards under $15 per your suggestion....

Enchantments....

1. Greater Good - BEST card you will ever add, if you listen to ANYTHING I say, this is it. Period.

2. Lurking Predators - With 1/3rd of your deck as creatures, this is like a sunbirds invocation that does something even if you pass the turn! Highly recomended!

3. Rancor - Nice to have, makes a 1/1 into a 6/4 trample with Xenagos. Providing trample cheaply and repeatedly is nice

Artifacts

1. The Great Henge - A bit over budget, but nice to have. Card draw, lifegain and ramp all in 1, usually for .

2. Gruul Signet - Nothing flashy, but another 2 mana ramp to help bring Xenagos out T3-4

3. Lifecrafter's Bestiary - Scry and card draw, not bad, definitely worth considering to help maintain gas

Sorcerries

1. Decimate - 4 cards for 1? yes please! Can also target Xenagos if no other enchantments since he's indestructible.

2. Hull Breach - Mini decimate, still good!

3. Life's Legacy - Very useful, sometimes it sucks sacrificing a beater, but its sometimes very very needed, especially if you know they are holding up removal, they cant cast it in response since saccing is additional cost to cast

4. Nature's Lore - Ramp on T2 that can search up duals and brings the land untapped

5. Rishkar's Expertise - I rarely advise for risky cards, but the positive far outweighs the negative. Your biggest issue in this deck is getting 2 for 1ed, when you cast a draw/enchantment spell on your creature, they can remove it in response so you lose 2 cards to their one. But the potential of drawing 8 plus cards and casting a spell for free helps with this deck lack of tempo and card draw. I think it fits quite well

6. Skyshroud Claim - Nature's lore x2. While not necessary, can be helpful in keeping some tempo and ramp is crucial in a big beaters deck.

Instants

1. Beast Within - Permanent removal. Thats a nice Maze of Ith you got there, ashame if it got destroyed :D

2. Berserk - A better unleash fury that can on occasionally kill opposing creatures when needed

3. Momentous Fall - Used in response to removal, removal can't be used in response to cast on the same creature

4. Return of the Wildspeaker - Used in response to removal

Lands...Obviously none of these are needed, but they make the deck slightly better are relatively cheap. Worth the investment, IMO. You have lots of room in your landbase given you are playing green and already run an ok amount of ramp. Adding even more ramp will really make your utility lands shine.

1. Dread Statuary - Manlands are helpful as they can be used for draw spells (see above instants/sorcerries) and can be equipped with rancor to deal damage unexpectedly.

2. Castle Garenbrig - Need that extra mana for that creature? I got you covered

3. Bonders' Enclave - Decent card draw

4. Blighted Woodland - Ramp

5. Myriad Landscape - See above

6. Raging Ravine - Manland

7. Sheltered Thicket - Least important of all lands, but nice to draw late game and can be fetched with nature's lore, farseek, skyshroud (although it will come in tapped)

8. Kessig Wolf Run - Has helped me win here and there. Shouldn't be overlooked, nice to have like the rest of these

Creatures

1. Atarka, World Render - 12/12 double strike trample flying w/ Xenagos! Too good to pass up

2. Balefire Dragon - Deals with token decks and can clear a board while dealing heavy damage

3. Carnage Tyrant - HEXPROOF. I cannot tell you how many times hexproof has saved me in this deck. They cant use their removal they've been holding up, they can't counter it, and it has trample. Stats leave something to be desired a bit, but can pack a punch with Xenagos and is safe to use Rishkar's expertise on

4. Elder Gargaroth - New card which fuels card draw and has vigilance too!

5. Fierce Empath - Nice to find the beater you need

6. Goreclaw, Terror of Qal Sisma - Ramp and provide trample!

7. Eternal Witness - Nice recursion of a beater or draw spell

8. Ilharg, the Raze-Boar - A beater that returns itself eventually and helps bring in other beaters (note: ETB triggers and the creature can attack a different opponent). Like a mini sneak attack

9. Inferno Titan - ETB and attack trigger. Not bad, I find it useful although you might not despite it being better than a lot of your other cards.

10. Kogla, the Titan Ape - ETB and attack trigger. Can be nice to bounce an eternal witness to give it indestructible.

11. Lifeblood Hydra - Even if they kill it, you get to draw something. I've found it useful, especially with berserk.

12. Nylea, Keen-Eyed - Helps make your creatures easier to cast, hard to remove, and helps you maintain gas. I'm still not convinced with it, testing it in my own build TBH. But thought it worthwhile to mention.

13. Pathbreaker Ibex - A beater that provides trample to other beaters. Puts in some decent work, especially with a rancor!

14. Reclamation Sage - Cheap artifact/enchantment removal on a creature (ex: lurking predators)

15. Sakura-Tribe Elder - Another cheap 2CMC ramp spell to ensure Xenagos T3-4

16. Savage Ventmaw - HUGE TEMPO! Attack and cast Rishkar's expertise or the Great Henge and then return of the wildspeaker/momentous fall/life's legacy or anything else is huge. Getting the attack and tempo in is VERY helpful as our deck struggles with tempo putting all the mana into a big creature.

17. Shaman of Forgotten Ways - Ramp and an alternate wincon should you need it

18. Siege Behemoth > Thorn Elemental

19. Wood Elves.Farhaven Elf - Ramp, wood elves getting untapped duals

OVERALL: The deck is ok. I'm surprised how it has such a low CMC, but given your X spells. Once you replace those with 5+ CMC creatures, it will increase your AVG CMC to "normal". You want your AVG CMC to be around 4. Xenagos works as a sniper, you cast one big creature, give it haste and hope it doesnt eat removal. Given you spent all that mana on the creature, you don't do much else for the turn and then people usually swing at you because they are afraid of you casting another big creature out of nowhere.

As a result, having protection for them is crucial. In the form of heroic intervention, or another card out of budget such as Deflecting swat (which is SO powerful, counter counterspells, redirect targetted removal, targetted draw, targetted extra turns and more FOR FREE, so you can BLUFF INTERACTION). One more idea I'm thinking of is to replace Giant growth with Vines of Vastwood, similar function but provides protection as well. Also see Blossoming Defense for a similar function should removal/interaction is an issue in your meta as much as mine. Given you play against combo, they probably have interaction prior to them assembling their combo.

I got lots of ideas for cuts, so be sure to lmk what you think of each suggestion!

Kaigz on Thrumilling stone

9 months ago

So I’ve actually run a version of this deck in the past. It’s super consistent at crushing your opponents if you get the right hand. My number one suggestion for you here is to add in some cheap counter magic. Protecting your combo needs to be your number one priority here as the whole deck falls apart and does nothing if it fails. Second, cut the non mana producing dorks. All of your non Petitioner creatures should be ramping you into Arcum. Use the freed up space for counter spells and cheap card selection to help you quickly dig for either the Petitioners or artifact creatures you need. Here’s a bunch of stuff that worked out really well in my list that I think will really help supercharge this deck:

Counter Spells

Swan Song

Dispel

Foil

Misdirection

Spell Pierce

Fodder for Arcum

Manakin

Millikin

Blinkmoth Nexus

Inkmoth Nexus

Mishra's Factory

Dread Statuary

Guardian Idol

Misc

Elixir of Immortality - in case you get hit with the dreaded board wipe

Sol Ring, Fellwar Stone, and the rest of the 2 CMC mana rock ramp suite. Ramping into Arcum by turn 3 to go off on turn 4 is super important in this deck’s consistency. You don’t want to give your opponents any extra time to draw answers to your combo, because you’re going to be archenemy every single time you pull out this deck. You’ve just gotta commit to it try to win before the rest of the table can remove you.