Maze of Ith

Land

: Untap target attacking creature. Prevent all combat damage that would be dealt to and dealt by that creature this turn.

Discussion (51)

xSKINCOLLECTORx on Kaalia of the vASSt

6 days ago

Reconnaissance is cheap and busted, will help keep Kaalia alive, if you can afford one Maze of Ith is just as important.

I hope I’ve helped out some for your first commander deck. Hopefully you enjoy it and keep playing! EDH is a very fun and interactive format that is always changing! Every game is different! Good luck!

Whirlwind_2100 on Stabbed in the back

2 weeks ago

wow... SUPER unique build, never thought i would see this. Well done, though I would add more nonbasic lands like Field of Ruin and Tectonic Edge to deal with cards like Maze of Ith and Labyrinth of Skophos which can potentially fog Virtus. once again, props to you for the unique build =)

Tzefick on Ability challenge

3 weeks ago

Some quick 2 cents on other entries:

TypicalTimmy Show

There's a lot of memory going into this mechanic, which creature is hunting which creature?

As such I would say this is strained to be printed on more than a small handful of cards and mainly at uncommon rarity and up, to avoid too much memory dedicated to a rather complex mechanic.

I wont say it will never happen, but the mechanic has a lot going against it.

That being said, I still think it's a neat concept, but I'm unsure about the balance between useful/oppressive and relevant/irrelevant. If the trigger is bound on the opponent's choice, it's in their hands to make it useful to you. They'll generally do whatever they can to make it the least impactful for you. As such it's a very unreliable mechanic.

Boza Show

This is where I'll go that extra step and say: That'll never happen.

I don't think we'll ever see a segregation of creature types based on something like race or profession/title - mostly because there are so many creatures without either (correction; it seems like WotC have gone through all their older designs and designated a race to each creature, including artifact creatures). In the modern frame, WotC have actually been rather consistent with giving each creature a race - however there are exceptions.

Giants are in some instances used as a race, seen in Arbiter of Knollridge. And sometimes as an adjective to describe something immense, Diregraf Colossus. In Diregraf's situation it could be a zombified giant - then giant is the race and zombie is a state. However if that's true, is zombie then not ever a "race"?

Another is Yahenni, Undying Partisan which is an Aetherborn Vampire. Next to Midnight Entourage who is an Aetherborn Rogue. I think we can quickly agree that Rogue is a profession/title. Then Aetherborn must be a race. However we can also quickly agree that Vampire is a race, so Yahenni is half-Aetherborn, half-Vampire? It's a mess.

As for the mechanic itself, it is extremely narrow to the point that it can only ever see print in a heavy tribal set reminiscent of Lorwyn, Ixalan, or Innistrad. And it would have no relevance outside block. Not that that makes it bad per se, but it certainly makes it less exciting.

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As for my own suggestion on Hunt, I'm sitting on two versions and would like some feedback on the concept if possible before deciding a final route. I'll note which version will be the main entry until I change my mind or the challenge ends - when is that btw dbpunk?

Mechanic Show

I am tempted to run a variant of the old Provoke keyword. It will be a mainly green mechanic with red and white closely secondary.

I'm kinda between two models:

1. Hunt (When this attacks, you may have it hunt target creature defending player controls, which become hunted until end of combat. A hunted creature can and must block all creatures hunting it, ignoring any restrictions.)

2. Hunt (After blockers are declared, you may have target creature defending player control block this creature if able, in addition to any other creature(s) that creature is blocking.)

No. 1 will be the main entry for the challenge until I decide otherwise.

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The first model is turning multi-blockers upside-down, by forcing one blocker to block multiple attackers. It is also a functional but improved provoke, as it can function with just one, but it doesn't untap the creature, and it can ignore restrictions - such as Bedlam or Auntie's Snitch or the creature being tapped. You could counter provoke by tapping the creature before it could block. With this model, you ignore everything and basically says; "These two creatures fight in combat".

It is functionally different from fighting as it goes through the combat phase. Multiple users of Fight all receive the same damage from the attacked opponent, while this means the attacked only gets one count of power to use. As such multiple users of Hunt, can band together to take down a larger prey at greatly reduced risk to themselves.

It also interacts differently with ways to interact with creatures in combat, such as Righteousness or Bow of Nylea or simply Maze of Ith or the new Labyrinth of Skophos. Combat centered keywords or abilities also have a purpose in conjunction to Hunt, such as First Strike, Double Strike, and abilities that cares about attacking creatures. A card like Mark of Asylum prevents Fight from having any meaning, while the Mark is pointless against this variant. Dolmen Gate or Iroas, God of Victory functions really well with Hunt but not so with Fight. Similarly Holy Day does nothing to Fight, but stops Hunt.

Hunt is functionally weaker than Fight (at least as a stand alone mechanic), as Fight doesn't disable combat damage and there are many reasons why Fighting outside the combat step or even outside your own turn can be beneficial. As such I think you can allow Hunt more leg room and grant it to stronger/more efficient creatures than what we saw with Provoke. Provoke was mainly featured on bad midrange creatures with high power and low toughness, as a pseudo-removal.

And you can add conditions to it, check the examples.

Until I change my mind, this will be the main entry for the challenge.

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The secondary model is a more flexible version that works better by itself, as it functionally allows any attacker with Hunt to be on the damage order for any creature defending player controls who can block. It's a delayed Provoke and grants a lot of decision power to the attacker by knowing all blockers before making a decision - not including combat tricks.

Where the first version is very much an indirect removal tool, in addition to Provoke's secondary utility which is disabling/distracting a blocker, best seen on Deftblade Elite. This secondary version is more a way to restructure combat to grant the attacker a leg-up after blockers are declared. Normally the defending player has the upper hand in combat, as they choose blockers for attackers. This Hunt mechanic tries to hand some power back to the attacking player.

I'm uncertain how fine a line is threaded under this model, as I can see it becoming a nightmare to defend against if a creature with Hunt can basically always be a moving target, meaning they will always have a chance to take down your creatures more efficiently. Your only saving grace would be combat tricks.

Examples for model 1 Show

Stalking Wolf

Creature - Wolf (Common)

Hunt (When this attacks, you may have it hunt target creature defending player controls, which become hunted until end of combat. A hunted creature can and must block all creatures hunting it, ignoring any restrictions.)

2/3

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Yellow-tailed Viper

Creature - Snake (Uncommon)

Deathtouch

Hunt (When this attacks, you may have it hunt target creature defending player controls, which become hunted until end of combat. A hunted creature can and must block all creatures hunting it, ignoring any restrictions.)

2/1

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Ardar Prowler

Creature - Cat (Rare)

First strike

Hunt (When this attacks, you may have it hunt target creature defending player controls, which become hunted until end of combat. A hunted creature can and must block all creatures hunting it, ignoring any restrictions.)

4/4

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On the Hunt

Sorcery (Uncommon)

Up to two target creatures gain Hunt until end of turn. (When a creature with Hunt attacks, you may have it hunt target creature defending player controls, which become hunted until end of combat. A hunted creature can and must block all creatures hunting it, ignoring any restrictions.)

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Training Warrior

Creature - Human Warrior (Uncommon)

Hunt (When this attacks, you may have it hunt target creature defending player controls, which become hunted until end of combat. A hunted creature can and must block all creatures hunting it, ignoring any restrictions.)

Whenever Training Warrior deals combat damage to a creature, put a +1/+1 counter on Training Warrior.

Training Warrior has Vigilance as long its power is 3 or more.

1/3

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Seasoned Hunter

Creature - Human Soldier (Uncommon)

Hunt Beast, Cat, Snake, Wolf, and Bear (When this attacks, you may have it hunt target Beast, Cat, Snake, Wolf, or Bear creature defending player controls, which become hunted until end of combat. A hunted creature can and must block all creatures hunting it, ignoring any restrictions.)

Whenever a Beast, Cat, Snake, Wolf, or Bear dealt damage by Seasoned Hunter this turn dies, create a Treasure token.

3/3

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Halt, Eagle Eyes

Legendary Creature - Human Soldier (Mythic Rare)

At the beginning of combat on your turn, Halt and up to two other creatures you control gain Hunt until end of turn. (When a creature with Hunt attacks, you may have it hunt target creature defending player controls, which become hunted until end of combat. A hunted creature can and must block all creatures hunting it, ignoring any restrictions.)

Whenever a creature an opponent controls dies, if a creature you control have dealt damage to it this turn, you may draw a card.

3/6

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Vorales of the Crimson Fang

Legendary Creature - Vampire (Rare)

Flying, Haste

At the beginning of combat on your turn, you may sacrifice another creature. If you do, Vorales gain Hunt until end of turn. (When this attacks, you may have it hunt target creature defending player controls, which become hunted until end of combat. A hunted creature can and must block all creatures hunting it, ignoring any restrictions.)

Whenever a creature dies, put a +1/+1 counter on Vorales.

3/4

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At the moment I will not make examples on the second variant.

GrizzlyAtom on Nylea, Shoot for the Stars (cEDH)

4 weeks ago

Profet93:

Maze of Ith is a great suggestion, certainly on par for how this deck runs. As you said it is a combo piece, but also light stax effect by slowing down others from gaining value via combat phases (mostly looking at Tymna the Weaver).

Yavimaya Hollow and Heroic Intervention are both good protection pieces.

Thanks!

Profet93 on Nylea, Shoot for the Stars (cEDH)

4 weeks ago

Yavimaya Hollow - Protection

Maze of Ith - Combo with Argothian Elder, makes infinite mana during attack phase, use to dig or whatever you need.

Heroic Intervention - Deal with boardwipes

Valius on What’s Up, My Dudes. It’s Ya Boy, Emmara

4 weeks ago

I think I have a Planar Cleansing, but the mana cost always turned me away from it. Always figured the 4cmc wipes to be more competitive, but I do like the hits all permanents. That does, however, have the downside of hitting my artifacts and enchantments, and I’m not too worried about my enemies having those when I have stuff like Aura Shards. I’ll have to test it and see what it feels like.

Expedition Map is nice to find non-basics with, especially Survivors' Encampment, and if I don’t need that then I can hit Maze of Ith with it.

Beeeeboy on Alternate Win-Cons Kenrith

1 month ago

okay. I also run a Kenrith Win con deck with a caveat of no interaction with other players making the deck a true solitaire deck . Here are some notable cards I recommend and also strategies.

The rule of thumb while tinkering with my Kenrith deck is 1:1 ratio (2:1 for some strats). For example, 3 cards are responsible for winning the game using life gain. Celestial Convergence Felidar Sovereign and Test of Endurance . This means that your deck should consist of 3 ways (not including kenrith) to assist with the life gain strategy. There are gem cards that assist with two different type of alternative wins that are honestly life saving cards. BY this rule, it can help you limit to what is needed. Having 3 supportive cards central to 1 wincon card is a waste of space and those supportive cards become dead in your hands without a tutor or that actual win con card.

Here are some recommended cards to help with alternative wins

Wall of Blood - Now this card is real awesome. It assists with Near-Death Experience . Drop this card and near death experience together. In response to the upkeep trigger, use wall of blood to get your life total to 1 while having Angel's Grace as a response to pingers or burn. Wall of blood also assist in Mayael's Aria if you have the life count for it. 2 birds with 1 stone.

Scapeshift - this is for maze's end, however can also get some really great utility lands such as Kor Haven Maze of Ith Karn's Bastion or simply to mana fix. Work's well with Field of dead

Pir, Imaginative Rascal - Better proliferate, halves the time. He can reduce your work of Helix Pinnacle to half by activating the ability 1 at a time to get each of pir's trigger.

Hermit Druid - Just don't run basics and you get a cheaper, consistent Morality Shift without a need of an empty graveyard. 2 birds with 1 stone if you have 20 creatures and Mortal Combat . Get him back with kenrith if he get's shot down, give him haste... you already know

Demonic Consultation - With the lab man wincon. Just name a card not in your deck. and win on your upkeep. Basically better than Morality Shift or Leveler

Vedalken Orrery Leyline of Anticipation Alchemist's Refuge - what feels better than just winning without your opponent's reacting sorcery speed

Artifact lands and Dryad Arbor - Helps with Happily Ever After condition

Alhammarret's Archive - This is a feel good card. You draw more, you gain life faster. Good with those life gain win cons. Imagine putting a Mechanized Production on this bad boy. Glorious honestly.

some of these cards are way out of your budget if you have one. But honestly, this is more a joke thematic deck so why not proxy if your group allows. I always proxy my lands..

Whirlwind_2100 on Avacyn: Hope Eternal

1 month ago

so, after rigorous playtesting, I have come up with some cards to cut and add that will hopefully msk the deck better:

cuttables

• Alabaster Kirin This does absolutely nothing, has no prison effects, and is kinda useless here

• Baird, Steward of Argive His prison effect is okay, but you can definitely slot in better options for not too much more money

• Knight of Sursi Once again, just a vanilla card that doesn't do anything except get a small body on the battlefield, which isnt very good in commander, even if it is indestructible

• Misthoof Kirin Only really okay in a morph deck, this is kinda useless here

• Oreskos Explorer just a worse Land Tax

• Segovian Angel a 1/1 with vigilance has to swing 120 times to win. just a terrible card all around.

• Silver Knight Kinda bad, doesn't really do much .

• Shepherd of the Lost this would be good if it have every other creature it's abilities, but alas, it's kinda terrible, especially because I'm smelling a voltron sub-theme around Avacyn

• White Knight Unless your in a very black heavy meta, this is just bad, and is barley passable even if you have said meta

• Journey to Nowhere a worse Pacifism

• All your lands except basic plains. You need more utility lands, not just non-basics that do nothing

• Wing Shards This one is debatable, although I don't see you casting a bunch of spells and having the mana to cast this, due to the lack of ramp you have.

• Armillary Sphere bad ramp

• Traveler's Amulet bad ramp

• Orazca Relic have fun waiting 5 turns to get blessing and then only drawing one card

• Take Vengeance crappy removal

• Bishop of Wings I don't see this deck supporting an angel tribal

Potential Add-Ins

• all the Moxen, while expensive, they are amazing and can let you ramp to Avacyn as soon as turn 3

• Sol Ring amazing ramp

• Thran Dynamo amazing ramp

• Commander's Sphere great ramp

• Thalia, Guardian of Thraben super good stax/prison

• Sphere of Safety typically opponents will have to pay 3-4 for each attacking creature. brutal

• Sword of Fire and Ice really good equipment that deals with the two most problematic colors to this deck, however it's very expensive.

• Path to Exile great removal

• Blazing Archon if you're playing prison with Avacyn out, you basically can't lose

• Windborn Muse STAXXXXX

• Pacifism good removal

• Norn's Annex great way to both deter your opponents and punish them for attacking you

• Smothering Tithe you will be generating a TON of mana

• Crawlspace amazing pillow fort card

• Archangel of Tithes amazing pillow fort, and has the flavor bonus of being an angel

• Felidar Sovereign you will probably always have 40 or more life, especially with all the stax you're throwing around, so easy wincon

• Approach of the Second Sun another great wincon

• Aegis of the Gods great for not getting burned out

• Generous Gift awesome removal

• Teferi's Protection because teferi's protection

• Elixir of Immortality amazing card to clutch up with

• Thaumatic Compass  ^Flip great for late game board stall and early ramp

• Thought Vessel good ability plus some ramp

• Homeward Path great land

• Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx always great in a mono colored deck. Even better with Avacyn's triple-cost

• Maze of Ith great utility land

• Tectonic Edge great land destruction

• Field of Ruin great land destruction

Thanks so much for reading my list, and I hope this has been some help to you. My main problem with this deck was it ran too much inefficient removal and bad creatures, but once these are added in, I think the deck should be a lot for mean. Have a great day! =)