Grim Contest

Instant

Choose target creature you control and target creature an opponent controls. Each of those creatures deals damage equal to its toughness to the other.

Legality

Format	Legality
1v1 Commander	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
Pauper	Legal
Pauper Duel Commander	Legal
Pauper EDH	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Planechase	Legal
Quest Magic	Legal
Tiny Leaders	Legal
Vanguard	Legal
Vintage	Legal

Discussion (32)

legendofa on Golgari Skelly Bobs

8 months ago

Welcome to the club, Nezkul! I always get excited when I see a Skeleton deck.

To offer some specifics on wallisface's tips, the planeswalkers don't offer too much to your plan. Garruk, Cursed Huntsman in particular doesn't pull his weight in this deck, at 6 mana for either a couple of expendable bodies or some removal and draw. (Don't rely on a planeswalker's ultimate; unless your deck is loaded with proliferate effects or very hard control, more often than not you're not going to reach it.) Lolth, Spider Queen is a little better, since your Skeletons can be easily reclaimed. Still, though, it's primary function is as a draw engine, so maybe Phyrexian Arena or some "burst" draw like Village Rites would work better.

For removal, Hero's Downfall is more flexible than Murder, and has been reprinted enough that it's very affordable. I don't see your creatures getting more than maybe 3-4 toughness on a good day, so Grim Contest might not be the best option. There's lots of pretty good removal at 2 mana, so that is a potential switch. Prey Upon needs either Skeletal Swarming or Death Baron to be fully useful, so switching it for Bone Shards might work better.

Persistent Specimen is a decent 1-mana skeleton, as is Rimebound Dead if you can find some Snow lands.

Above all, have fun!

dichia on Treefolks spells

3 years ago

DarkHero, thanks for the suggestions. I like Treefolk Umbra and Gauntlets of Light. The first one in particular, it gives like a second life to my creature. Also Grim Contest and Faeburrow Elder are interesting to give black and white a little more presence in the deck. I don't know why I didn't include the elder to be honest, I'll see if I can find a spot.

DarkHero on Treefolks spells

3 years ago

Grim Contest, Treefolk Umbra, Gauntlets of Light,

Just a thought Leyline of Abundance+Faeburrow Elder+Gauntlets of Light is infinite mana if your taping for

Chino90 on Shedding tears: Golgari Crocodile Tribal

3 years ago

no Grim Contest, Dead Drop or Death Frenzyfor removal?

I know they suck balls, but flavor wise they are on point.

JoosetheMuice on Doran the Angry Ent

4 years ago

I would cut a board wipe, maybe two. I'd also drop a land. Abzan Banner is a strictly worse Commander's Sphere . Solidarity is the one combat trick you are missing. I really don't Huatli is even worth it in here to be honest, shes pretty underwhelming. I think Darksteel Plate would be nice if you can get it, protecting Doran is key and its better than hyena umbra. I also love Read the Bones and Snuff Out in most black decks. Sylvan Reclamation is also really strong. I'd run that or Return to Dust . Crod would recommend Crush Contraband over return but I prefer the former.

As for creatures

I think Sapling of Colfenor would be good. Pontiff of Blight seems kinda fun. Karametra, God of Harvests . Oblivion Sower is something a little unconventional that I like, and World Breaker could also be worth a shot.

Shock lands are cheap right now, I'd try to grab an Overgrown Tomb and a Temple Garden at $5.. Llanowar Wastes is also only like a buck.

Cut Abzan Charm Grim Contest Magnigoth Treefolk and Dauntless Dourbark theyre bad

fuzzyllama on Block me

5 years ago

these guys look really fun to brew with

for virtus id suggest cards that give evasion or double strike. Fireshrieker, Grappling Hook, Skeleton Key, Prowler's Helm, Glaring Spotlight, Canopy Cover, and Dauthi Embrace are all good options.

Gorm on the other hand could benefit from cards like: Assault Formation, Lure, Infiltration Lens, and Grim Contest.

you can also get a turn one virtus off of a Dark Ritual

hope this was a help, happy brewing!

MTGSloth on Doran EDH

6 years ago

The description states that he modified it to fit his wallet, indicating he's working with a limited budget. I suggested Grim Contest because it is much cheaper than Path to Exile($$ not CMC) and has flavor points.

MTGSloth on Doran EDH

6 years ago

Ignore the previous comment, apparently I'm blind. Belligerent Brontodon fits the strategy but you may or may not need another card that provides this effect. Grim Contest could be a cheaper removal option.