Hot had a chance to get a game in with the terror of my playgroup but I agree with all of your changes. We'll see what's what hopefully this Wednesday. Still to di through duskmorn for more goodies.

What are we replacing Mana Crypt with now that they banned it today? Some that come to mind that we could do include Mana Vault, Grim Monolith, Mind Stone or Arcane Signet.

@gzusvictory

I'm looking at Springleaf Drum or Paradise Mantle.

Sigarda's Aid could possibly replace the Mana Crypt (RIP).

@Last_Laugh

I'm sticking with another Mana Rock for Mana Crypt's replacement.

They both serve the same function here (minus explosive starts) but in different ways. Free equips may be virtual mana saved but from Crypt was 1 equip anyways. Flash speed for auras/equipment allow you to hold up mana for answers and then play equipment right before your turn if no interaction was needed, which is a much safer play pattern anyways.

To each their own, I just wanted to point out the parallels of ramp and cost discounting.

NensouHiebara, i think Springleaf Drum or Arcane Signet would be better than Paradise Mantle if you're looking for another mana rock. I agree with Last_Laugh that Sigarda's Aid isn't bad also, i know you ran it in the past.

What about adding something like Land Tax back for when playing against green ramp?

@Savaaage

Paradise Mantle being an Equipment is a significant quality. Mana ramp drawn late isn't great, but a Mantle can still draw a card with Puresteel Paladin and is a cheap, inconsequential way for another creature to have double strike when Halvar  ^Flip is out. The drawback for this synergy is that Mantle is less consistent at mana production. I haven't decided on what Mana Crypt's replacement will be yet. There's plenty of time for discussion.

I had issues with Sigarda's Aid doing nothing for Equipment that's already in play. I could give it another try, but it's not replacing a mana source.

Land Tax isn't a ramp effect, and I don't understand the current appeal of it. Weathered Wayfarer is a much better repeatable land tutor when behind. Claim Jumper closes the gap against Green better. There's also Sword of the Animist and Sword of Hearth and Home to keep pace with the ramp player and gradually build a resource advantage. I see Land Tax as an outdated staple from the old days of the format before most of the new tools came along, and it sticks around largely out of habit and high-profile reprintings drawing fresh attention to it.

So yes I our commander already enables doublestrike but a potrential free play and a source of trample seems neat.

Celestial Armor

Better than Silver Shroud Costume? Or do I use both?

It's functionality is superior as it also provides indestructible not to mention a power boost and permanent evasion, not to sure if I have space for another dedicated protection item so I'll probably make the switch.

I approve of the swap between shroud unblockable for indestructible hexproof +2/+0 and flying. Just beware that it does not work wel with our pro white equipment and our opponents flyers can definitely exist. Beefing up the power speeds up the commander damage clock. Better protection against Board wipes, if well timed, is really what wins it for me.

Thoughts on putting in The One Ring in place of Karn, Scion of Urza?

@gzusvictory

I honestly thought The One Ring was a banworthy card and never bothered with it.

Another thing is the lifeloss. I've died to Mana Crypt triggers before, and The One Ring's damage is more consistent and at a much higher rate once there's enough burden counters. And if you're not drawing cards from it, it burns you for nothing. Even with multiple sources of lifelink available in the deck, I don't wouldn't want to press my luck with it.

Silver Shroud Costume helped me win a game today, and the flash/shroud has been critical for removal protection. I think the card is a sure keep for now until some further power creep down the road.

Missed this on release, bit of utility in the land package?

@Spyrechild

I already have Minas Tirith and War Room in the manabase. Not really interested in fitting a third draw engine land in.

It could possibly replace War Room due to it producing and being a dig effect instead of a draw even though it has a chance of whiffing.

Only thing that caught my eye in Aetherdrift was Adaptive Omnitool.

@Spyrechild

Both it and The Aetherspark have my attention from this set, though I'm much more interested in the latter.

Spectacular Pileup is also something I have my eye on as a sweeper option.

I can see the spark coming in clutch with a nice steady passive buff and the potential to give us one insane turn. Pileup is nice, pricy at five but clearing the field of indestructible is worth the extra one.

I think Monumental Henge is a good choice. I would imagine you will generally tap out on your turn most of the time. Only mid to late game when your threats have been used will you have the time to use this type of ability. I really like karnstructs in equipment decks as a way to utilize having many artifacts. I don't think it's a problem just a difference.

What are everyone's thoughts on Dragonfire Blade and Sage of the Skies?

Dragonfire blade seems like it could be useful in a meta full of mono removal, dodges all the white staples, beast withing, reality shift etc. Equip cost a three is a bit steep for my tastes for a +2/+2.

Sage is a great option for carrying our equip, two are even better but what's the cut?

Disappointing that this is all we got out of Dragonstorm but with FF coming up I think we might be in for a treat.

thran power suit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i love voltron, used to play wyleth lol

Dragonfire Blade

Not great. 1 to play. 3 to equip (if it’s not a construct). For +2/+2 and hexproof from monocolored? It does not grant evasion, card draw, or ramp. The buff does not scale any higher into the late game. The power level comparison is Champion's Helm, which we are already not using, the helm has a higher cost to play to have a cheap equip, and offers strictly better hexproof for our legendary creatures since it also covers Multicolored and colorless. The cards great in a mono colored meta, sure. It comes out quick, yeah. But I think a card slot just isn’t worth semi protection and a fixed buff.

Sage of the Skies

An evasive 2-for-1 creature that can help us have more to sacrifice to our opponents initial edict effects? Seems..okay. Besides having extra bodies that are evasive to wield our swords, it has nothing to do with our equipment synergies. Not Tutorable. It does not have or offer protection, provides no ramp or card draw, and we have no populate effects or token synergies. Since it’s a cast trigger, it’s harder to get multiple tokens, like we don’t get it when reanimating or blinking it. Seems like only recursion can work. So we have to cast another spell before it. I think we can do it pretty commonly since our curve is fairy low, but that’s mana we could have used to spend on equip costs. The card provides decent value, but it just doesn’t wow me or feel necessary to our game plan

New Equipment tutor!

Does Cloud replace Open the Armory or something else?