deck chart

Momir Vig, Simic Combonary

Commander / EDH* GoldenCapitalist

SCORE: 55 | 51 COMMENTS | 26277 VIEWS | IN 32 FOLDERS

Feb. 9, 2017

Removed: Consecrated Sphinx

Added: Swan Song

Notes: This was one of the most difficult cuts I've had to make in a long time. There were a few cards on the chopping block up for consideration. Voidslime and Cryptic Command in terms of counters, Rashmi and Con Sphinx for non-counters, among others. I am truly not sure about this cut, and I may revisit it in favor of another card. Swan Song I think is a great addition to the deck, and I am glad to have decided to play it. The only question here was with regard to what card it was to replace.

I settled on Con Sphinx because it is ultimately a win-more card. Once I have established a board position, the additional card advantage is almost never necessary for me to win. I can draw more than enough cards with Azami and all my wizards. Plus, with Seedborn, I draw on everyone's turns. Con Sphinx only ever served 4 primary purposes in the deck:

  1. To serve as removal fodder (let them counter my Sphinx instead of my wincon).

  2. To serve as a means to refill my hand from behind.

  3. To Pod into Palinchron

  4. To pitch to FoW (as far as ranking important blue cards to exile, Con Sphinx is often the least important blue card in any given hand of mine).

Points 3 and 4 are very narrow cases. Point 1 only applies if I have enough resources to cast a Sphinx and still be able to follow up with my win plan. The biggest point of contention was point 2. However, as I have been advised in the past, if I'm really looking for a 6-drop to help me from behind, I should look to Time Spiral instead. That even refills my hand immediately, as opposed to having survive an entire turn cycle, and untaps my lands, unlike a Sphinx (even though I can tutor for Sphinx but not the Spiral). Tradeoffs in both directions.

I'm not saying this was the correct cut, I'm just trying to outline my line of thinking. I may revisit this in the future. If I decide I do need something to help me get back from behind, I may go for the Time Spiral instead of the Sphinx again. Feedback and opinions are always appreciated.