This is gonna need a lot more lands, so what should I get rid of to make that space? (the land ratio is way off rn but I have more lands elsewhere)

IMO, don't use Unbreakable Formation, use Boros Charm - it gives indestructible to all permanents, including artifacts and enchantments, plus some other options. Unbreakable Formation is kinda pointless because you only want to attack with ONE Samurai (or Warrior) to trigger most of the effects, not all the creatures... Unless you're counting on the surprise factor, lol.

For mana, you could add Terramorphic Expanse (works like a second Evolving Wilds).

So, I think why your deck isn't ranking so high is a lot due to your having so many basic lands in the deck.

Aside from that, you have very few creatures in the deck, and many that you do have don't do things that other similar cards can do far better, or can't effectively be doubled by Isshin.

Take, for instance, Ankle Shanker. All of your creatures gaining deathtouch and first strike is cool and all, but doubling that with Isshin doesn't actually do anything. Focusing your deck to actually get double triggers that result in true doubling would increase your deck's effectiveness.

Other creatures you have, like Skyknight Vanguard, drop a single token creature. Two, with Isshin. However, a creature like Hero of Bladehold gives +1/+0 to all creatures, and drops 2x token creatures ... or, with Isshin, gives everything +2 power and drops 4 tokens. Yes, this creature costs like $9 to buy, but that's because it does great things and is far more efficient, not to mention it's lower mana cost, and that's how you a deck can be rated as more competitive.

It may help for you to possibly add more Samurai to your deck. It appears, with all the equipment and few creatures, that you want to attack in smaller numbers anyhow, and Samurai can help you benefit from that. You have Godo, Bandit Warlord, but the only samurai you have is your commander. Guys like Raiyuu, Storm's Edge might be more efficient for you (and he's cheap).

Personally, I'd try to find ways to fit in cards that would allow you to draw more, or at least some recursion.

Cards such as Response / Resurgence, Unburial Rites, Ancient Craving, Sol Ring, and Opal Palace are all cards you could get pretty easily and they could immediately benefit your deck.

If you'd like any other suggestions, or inspiration, please take a look at my own Isshin deck:

Mugen no kōgeki ("Infinite Attack")

Commander / EDH Slashdance

SCORE: 1 | 2 COMMENTS | 32 VIEWS | IN 1 FOLDER

Good luck!

My bad, my comment on Hero of Bladehold being a lower mana cost was not true at all, I must have accidentally looked at a different card than the Skyknight.

One easy upgrade for the mana base is Charcoal Diamond + Marble Diamond + Fire Diamond -> Rakdos Signet + Boros Signet + Orzhov Signet. Also, Shimmerdrift Vale and Uncharted Haven can be replaced with Thriving Bluff and Thriving Heath for a direct upgrade.

How is the equipment subtheme working for you? I've seen some Isshin lists with equipment, and maybe a package of Exalted enablers like Akrasan Squire. Have you played this deck in paper much yet, or is this still mostly conceptual? Mostly wanted to get an idea of what you feel are some of the inconsistencies that you're encountering, and what is the general direction you enjoy most for the deck.

I personally was tempted by higher CMC heavy hitting creatures like Archon of Cruelty for my Isshin list, but have gradually phased them out for the most part. I found that most of them were kinda slow without additional Haste support from stuff beyond Lightning Greaves and Swiftfoot Boots. If you are encountering this, I'd recommend adding Bitter Reunion, Fervor, and/or Ogre Battledriver.

Bitterthorn, Nissa's Animus is basically second Animist's Blade. Hero of Bladehold and battle cry cards in general seem strong with Isshin. You could make this deck more equipment focused with Syr Gwyn, Armored Skyhunter, Glimmer Lens, Hexplate Wallbreaker, Forging the Tyrite Sword, Nahiri, Forged in Fury, Jor Kadeen, First Goldwarden, Seraphic Greatsword and Akiri, Fearless Voyager. Talisman of Conviction, Talisman of Indulgence and Talisman of Dominance are good ramp options. The Mirran swords are really good with multiple combat steps, particularly Sword of Feast and Famine.

I can't recommend Reconnaissance and Iroas, God of Victory enough (along with Dolmen Gate in your maybeboard). They aren't a cheap upgrade, but being able to always swing safely is a huge deal here.