Milling Gone Rogue (Precon Upgrade Guide)[PRIMER]

Commander / EDH VorelNailo

SCORE: 68 | 32 COMMENTS | 9838 VIEWS | IN 30 FOLDERS


Goblin_Guide says... #1

You only have 31 one lands and an average CMC of about 3, so I would suggest going up to 35 or so.

September 11, 2020 9:47 p.m.

VorelNailo says... #2

That is a valid point, but the average cmc is only because of a few expensive cards, and some of them have prowl, which influenced my landbase.

September 15, 2020 8:49 p.m.

Goblin_Guide says... #3

31 lands in 99 cards = one land every 3.2 cards. in an opening hand of seven, this means you have 7(1/3.2) lands which is equal to 2.18 lands per opening hand, in either your opener or your free mul.

You have 9 one drops, 7 of which make sense to play T1 (the outliers are Visions of Beyond and Increasing Confusion), which means about a 7% chance of getting at least one playable one drop in your opener.

You have 23 two drops, four of which don't make sense to play on T2 (Cyclonic Rift, Drown in the Loch, Mind Grind, and Heartless Act), leaving 19 playable two drops and 7 playable one drops on T2, a total of 26 cards, which comes out to (given you have drawn on both your first and second turns) a 35% chance of having a playable card T2.

By this point your chance of drawing a ramp spell in the range you want it or a land is 10(34/99) = 3.4 lands per T3 per game. Assuming you want to hit your third land drop (which I think you do, you have at least 12 playable three drops plus all of your two drops and one drops), this is a bit lower than I would be comfortable, considering you want stuff to do on every turn as an aggro deck. Considering you only have a 7% chance to do something T1 and a 35% chance T2, you should want to be a little more consistent with your mana drops (at least seeing four pieces of mana by T3 should do it). Plus, if you were dumb enough to not hit your second land drop, this number is even lower because it includes two mana rocks over one mana (which is a number I would definitely increase by the way, at least add a Mind Stone or a Fellwar Stone or preferably both).

Let me know if any of that math is wrong, I basically wing'd it.

September 15, 2020 10:07 p.m.

Teh_Mammoth says... #4

Overall I like the deck, very nice :D

I have to agree with Goblin_Guide though, if you aren't running low CMC mana rocks like Mana Crypt, Mana Vault, Chrome Mox, Mox Amber or running any fetch lands then you should put 3-4 more lands in there to improve consistency. I would also advise looking at more dual colour lands if you're keeping a low land deck without the fetches - Clearwater Pathway, Darkslick Shores, Drowned Catacomb, Morphic Pool, River of Tears, Underground River.

I know you mentioned keeping a low budget, but the dual lands are definitely something to keep in mind.

September 16, 2020 3:14 p.m.

VorelNailo says... #5

Thank you for your interest in the deck! Improving the mana base and ramp is on my to-do list, and you've both made some great suggestions.

September 16, 2020 3:54 p.m.

Goblin_Guide says... #6

As you change the deck you should probably keep a running count of what has been changed for new people when they see it, as it would be useful for them to know what is in the precon or not (I only say this because the budget on the deck went up by like $50 and I don't know why).

September 16, 2020 6:11 p.m.

VorelNailo says... #7

Making the mana base more consistent increased the budget substantially. I'm trying to get it to a medium-variance, medium-choice playing style. I've also started a section for updates and substitutions, which will change with playtesting.

September 17, 2020 4:46 p.m.

wgoms says... #8

Artifacts:

Bloodforged Battle-Axe Door of Destinies Coat of Arms Vanquishers Banner

Enchant:

Kindred Discovery

Creatures:

Thada Adel, Acquisitor Thieving Skydiver

October 9, 2020 11:40 p.m.

VorelNailo says... #9

wgoms: Thank you for your suggestions! They all fit the deck very well.

  • Kindred Discovery is a little out of my current budget, but will definitely make a future version of the deck.

  • Bloodforged Battle-Axe is interesting, but seems a little inconsistent. I will do some more playtesting and get back to you.

  • Thada Adel, Acquisitor was in the original decklist, but I took her out because she drew a lot of hate and didn't really further the strategy of the deck.

  • Thieving Skydiver is a card I had not thought about in conjunction with the deck! Its ability is interesting, and more consistent than I thought at first sight, as it can "steal" your own equipment to get around Equip costs.

  • Door of Destinies, Coat of Arms, and Vanquisher's Banner are all very good, and I will have to think about what I could cut for them.

October 10, 2020 1:19 p.m.

wgoms says... #10

This is my current one. I also have doubts about what to cut to make the new one with Anowon as commander. Thank you for the feedback.

October 10, 2020 10:31 p.m.

wgoms says... #11

October 12, 2020 3:01 a.m.

Jeh11 says... #12

I really like your Decklist, very inspiring while building mine!

What do you think of Bruvac the Grandiloquent ? Sure he’s way too expensive right now and he’s not a Rogue but for a mil deck, he seems like a must have don’t you think?

October 13, 2020 8:53 a.m.

VorelNailo says... #13

Jeh11: Thank you for your interest in the deck! I'm glad to hear that it's inspiring.

Yes, Bruvac the Grandiloquent is extremely good, and yes, right now the price is a concern. He definitely would make a non-budget version of the deck - right now, my only way to acquire him would be as a birthday present. He is definitely worth an exception to the "rogues only" rule.

October 13, 2020 11:40 a.m.

KrossCaster says... #14

You put Blackblade Reforged back into the deck even though you wrote that its to inconsistent. Is there a special reason why? Rather then this i like the work you put in this. Maybe Metalic Mimic is a consideration.

October 21, 2020 1:23 p.m.

VorelNailo says... #15

KrossCaster: This is a paper list I'm building through trades, and Blackblade Reforged was last on the list of cuts I'm making. I'm going to be getting a Coat of Arms this weekend and will swap it out.

October 21, 2020 1:44 p.m.

folbrekr says... #16

Great build! I recently built this Anowon myself and I'm really enjoying it. I currently have Kindred Dominance in my build, as well as Decree of Pain, but I am considering swapping out Decree of Pain for something else.

I like including Necropolis Regent in here. I recently took that out of Edgar Markov so I think it found a new home here.

October 22, 2020 4:11 p.m.

VorelNailo says... #17

folbrekr: Kindred Dominance is on my wishlist; unfortunately, no one in my playgroup has one, and it's a little out of my budget. Necropolis Regent can get out of control very quickly, and what a coincidence: I got mine from my friend's Edgar Markov deck!

October 22, 2020 7:59 p.m.

SirChris39 says... #18

VorelNailo i like your take on anowon precon deck and i am trying to make deck with him and if you can take a look at it

October 29, 2020 6:09 p.m.

wgoms says... #19

  • Deathcut Rogue VS Marang River Prowler: deathcut 1 colorless 2 hybrid for a 2/2 "unblock" while marang cost 2 colorless 1 blue for a 2/1 unblock and can be cast from grave (cooler when Rankle is on field).

  • How about Earwig Squad, Thada Adel, Thieving Skydiver, Rootwater Thief, Master Thief, Agent of Treachery and Gonti? Exploring the "thief" theme controlling your opponent. Not just attacking with unblockables rogues.

November 2, 2020 2:11 a.m.

VorelNailo says... #20

wgoms: Yes, Marang River Prowler is in most ways better than Deathcult Rogue and a good addition.

  • Earwig Squad is annoying and can shut down combo decks, but has no synergy with the rest of the deck other than it's a rogue.

  • Thada Adel, Acquisitor can be very salty and combo-y, and I have no artifact combo decks in my playgroup.

  • Thieving Skydiver is too inconsistent.

  • Rootwater Thief is an interesting find! Seeing it errated to a Merfolk Rogue is new. Again, it doesn't really synergize with the deck.

  • Master Thief is again, inconsistent.

  • Agent of Treachery used to be in the deck, but was traded to Goblin_Guide (for use in deck:The Lord of Options | Atris EDH Primer, check it out) in exchange for a Coat of Arms.

  • Gonti, Lord of Luxury didn't make the cut; I respect him as a commander, but don't want him in the 99.

I like your ideas about doing multiple sub-themes within the Rogue-tribal theme. I am attempting to do this by utilizing several straight-mill cards (Fleet Swallower, Traumatize, Keening Stone, and eventually the new one from ZR), as these synergize with our commander, and allow us to win either through damage or milling. Thank you for your interest in the deck! Your suggestions are greatly appreciated.

November 3, 2020 4:16 p.m.

Goblin_Guide says... #21

I actually disagree with the decision to not include Earwig Squad; I think because it can be only , it can be an easier-to-cast unkicked Sadistic Sacrament with a 5/3 Rogue attached which seems actually really good. I think it should go in if you ever have a slot open. I think being a utility creature with the subtype rogue should already be good enough, if you don't think about the number of slots available.

November 3, 2020 4:28 p.m.

wgoms says... #22

Cool new custom tabs. Can you someday see my Anowon decklist? I'm opened for tips. Have a nice day ;)

November 7, 2020 10:36 p.m.

wgoms says... #23

How about Maddening Cacophony, Kindred Dominance, Kindred Discovery and some rogues from Zendikar Rising with mill tricks?

November 24, 2020 10:06 p.m.

VorelNailo says... #24

wgoms, thank you for your continued interest in the deck! Yes, as soon as I get one, Maddening Cacophony will find a slot. Maybe replacing Undercity Plague, which has given a spotty performance.

Kindred Dominance and Kindred Discovery have been on my list for a time when I have excess cash - as this is a paper list, it follows paper prices *sigh.

As far as rogues from Zendikar Rising:

November 25, 2020 noon

unpsophable says... #25

VorelNailo great job!! i am watching this guide almost since the start and i decide to build it exactly like yours. I made the first order 7-8 days ago but you change cards often so i have to change some cards like Fleet Swallower and Necropolis Regent before even arrive to me :P This is good because the guide is really active but hard for us to follow the guide. In my opinion, because it's an upgrade guide of the precon, and not something completely new, you should keep at least the half cards of the precon, without include lands, so arround 35-38 (i count only 22 inside guide).. There are some really good cards that can have place into deck like AEtherize for example. That's help also to keep the cost low and to have a standard base. That's only my opinion.. Keep up the good work :)

January 18, 2021 3:14 a.m.

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