Death isn't a finality. Let me show you true power

Commander / EDH Pheardemons

SCORE: 26 | 172 COMMENTS | 10316 VIEWS | IN 21 FOLDERS


Oddyst says... #1

Codex Shredder is a nice idea since it does allow you to A)get rid of an unwanted card and B)get a possible 2/2 Zoombi.

Elixir of Immortality has always been a "free shuffle" or "oh I'm about to die card".If you want to keep it for the free shuffles,then you could,but using it as a save-me card isn't a good idea in EDH (in my opinion from the looks of it).

Increasing Ambition is another useful tutor for five,yes.If you can get Vampiric Tutor,then do so,but I think three tutors are nice for this deck?

Garruk, the Veil-Cursed  Flip's ultimate benefits you a lot,but I do agree with you when you talk about transforming.He has always been a bait card.However,his first ability does allow you to transform him pretty fast as long as you can target a 1/1 or 2/2 creature.In my opinion,I'd go for it.

Oracle of Mul Daya...I don't have any input for,but she seems like a good choice.

June 9, 2016 1:24 p.m.

ComboCrazy says... #2

Hey, Pheardemons!! Nice to see you too! Here are my thoughts: Codex Shredder is a must in this deck. Increasing Ambition is very useful, and I would put it in, but that's just me.Now for the Oracle of Mul Daya, if you add that I would also add The Gitrog Monster. With some well thought out tutor, those two plus a Crucible of Worlds would be amazing!Garruk, the Veil-Cursed  Flip No. Trust me, he gets wrecked. every time. Instantspeed shenanigans just destroy him...

June 9, 2016 6:43 p.m.

chirz2792 says... #3

What about those new cards from shadows Ever After and Seasons Past?

June 9, 2016 6:46 p.m.

Pheardemons says... #4

RedJokr - Thanks for the input man. I'll take it into consideration when I'm looking to put them into the deck.

ComboCrazy - Why is Codex Shredder a must for this deck? I agree it can be useful, but without seeing the top card of my library it isn't nearly as good as I'd want it to be in this deck. Not to mention I really don't see me recurring it if it gets milled.

I do think I like The Gitrog Monster for this deck as I'd get to draw cards when I mill myself. Plus extra land drops with The Gitrog Monster, Oracle of Mul Daya, and Azusa, Lost but Seeking could seriously help with ramp. My problem with both of those suggestions is if they are milled, would I care to get them back? I'm not focusing on landfall, land drops, nor do I destroy all lands and get them back with my opponent being screwed. Also The Gitrog Monster can seriously backfire without Crucible of Worlds or if my opponent destroys/exiles it for whatever reason.

Why would you include Increasing Ambition in the deck over Vampiric Tutor or any of the others? RedJokr if you could answer that one too, I'm interested in your reasoning.

chirz2792 good to talk to you again man! In all honesty I forgot about Ever After. I'll definitely look into it. Six mana is a lot to return creatures, especially when I start rolling it would be somewhat of a dead draw. However, I can see it being the card to help get me rolling. Seasons Past I was considering, just never found the card slot for it. I'll try to pay more attention as I'm playing to see if it would be a relevant card in the deck.

For all of yal what cards would you recommend taking out for yal's suggestions? Also what would be your reasoning for taking out said card?

June 9, 2016 10:44 p.m.

GuessWho says... #5

Another fun creature to reanimate might be It That Betrays. It's a little weak to spot removal, but if it isn't dealt with than it can totally run away with games. Additionally, you might want to consider Jarad, Golgari Lich Lord as another potential win con. He gets huge with lots of dudes in the graveyard, and his ability combos nicely with Wurmcoil Engine.

June 9, 2016 10:44 p.m.

Pheardemons says... #6

GuessWho - First off thanks for the look and comment!

Secondly, It That Betrays was in consideration when I first built the deck. One thing about him was an instant target and he was never really the card I wanted to reanimate in any given situation. He is a powerhouse, but I'm going for a toolbox theme to get cards to benefit any situation I'm in, or help me get out of one if necessary. It That Betrays was more of a win more card after playtesting.

Jarad, Golgari Lich Lord was in the original 100 along with Golgari Grave-Troll and Nighthowler. One problem with this deck is I'm not looking to just put as many creature cards in the graveyard as possible and win with something giant. I'm looking more to utilize the cards there, while also having possible tutors and defense cards to last until I get the cards I want. All three of the cards above more or less sat in my graveyard because it always seemed that there were better reanimate targets. I was always unhappy to draw them, and they were underwhelming on the battlefield (for my deck at least).

Again thanks for the comment and suggestions man! If you want to look at a couple comments above I wouldn't mind hearing your input on some of the cards I've mentioned above to some of my friends.

June 9, 2016 10:52 p.m.

chirz2792 says... #7

@Pheardemons: Yeah it definitely has been a while. As for what to take out Nyx Weaver seems like it's a liitle to slow for only milling 2 cards.

June 10, 2016 3:17 p.m.

Pheardemons says... #8

chirz2792 - I do agree it is a little slow, but I'd rather mill a little bit at a time to help prevent milling out being that I took out Laboratory Maniac (he was just a disappointment whenever I got him). However late game it is a 3 mana recursion, chump blocker, or trigger for Sidisi. However what card would you recommend putting in for Nyx Weaver?

June 10, 2016 3:20 p.m.

chirz2792 says... #9

Actually I was just responding to your post about what we thought should be taken out.

June 10, 2016 3:27 p.m.

Pheardemons says... #10

chirz2792 - Oh you meant it for Seasons Past? Interesting idea. I'll definitely have to think about that one and playtest. Thanks for the suggestion man.

June 10, 2016 4:07 p.m.

GuessWho says... #11

I agree with you that Nyx Weaver is good enough to warrant a spot in this deck, but if you were to take it out, you could try Skullwinder. It does allow an opponent to recur something, but since you are milling on purpose, it will likely be more advantageous for you to pick something from you graveyard then it will be for them. It also serves as a political effect, since you can choose an opponent to get a card back, or you could potentially choose someone who will get little to no advantage from the effect. Again, I agree that Nyx Weaver is good in this deck, but I also think that Skullwinder might be worth a try, especially because it costs only 3 mana to cast and recur something, as opposed to the total of 6 mana you would have to pay for Nyx Weaver to recur something, and with Deathtouch it isn't an irrelevant body late game.

June 10, 2016 4:14 p.m.

Pheardemons says... #12

GuessWho thanks for the input. I've actually been looking for another recursion to put into the deck and actually I kind of like keeping both as a possibility.

Question for you though. How do you feel about Oracle of Mul Daya for this deck? I've been thinking about it and debating on taking out Coalition Relic for it, I just don't know if it is worth the card slot overall. Leaning towards it though. My reasoning for it (and possibly against it) are in the update I posted. Let me know what you think if you have a second.

June 10, 2016 4:21 p.m.

GuessWho says... #13

I think that Oracle of Mul Daya could replace Coalition Relic because it has a lot more synergy with the deck than the relic does, and is (in my opinion), one of the stronger ramp cards for EDH. As you stated above, the Oracle helps Sidisi hit on her trigger more often, as well as being able to ramp and comboing with Azusa, Lost but Seeking, Crucible of Worlds and Strip Mine. In an emergency it can be recurred from the graveyard to provide extra ramp, and the Oracle can help justify keeping land-heavy hands at the beginning of the game. Overall, I think oracle is a stronger card than relic, and could probably fit well in this deck. My only concern is that if you have both Oracle and Azusa on the battlefield without Crucible of Worlds, than you may feel like the ability isn't that relevant. Otherwise I think the Oracle would make a fine addition to this deck, and would be more effective than Coalition Relic for ramping (in most scenarios).

June 10, 2016 4:42 p.m.

Pheardemons says... #14

GuessWho Thanks for the input, as well as the pros AND cons. Always appreciate a full spectrum of someone's opinion.

June 10, 2016 8:31 p.m.

ComboCrazy says... #15

Codex Shredder is the easiest way to deal with Enlightened Tutor and the like. a LOT of those are seen in competitive play. Also it's more graveyard return for... well, anything you want. The Gitrog Monster is a 6/6 deathtouch. Why wouldn't you want that? XD Also Increasing Ambition is just really good for a dollar. If you want to spend money, definitely get something better. but its great value and can tutor for a whole combo setup.

June 10, 2016 9:42 p.m.

Pheardemons says... #16

ComboCrazy, GuessWho, chirz2792, and RedJokr. I know I've already asked you some things, but I have another if you're willing to take another minute. I was debating on bringing back Snapcaster Mage (took it out of the original 100) with other control cards like Maelstrom Pulse, Putrefy, and Beast Within. Obviously playtesting will be in order, but before I take the time to make up the proxies I wanted to see what other opinions were as I know I can get tunnel vision. I was going to take out Grave Pact, Coalition Relic, Lightning Greaves, and Elixir of Immortality for the four cards said above.

Pros - More control cards against opponents. Snapcaster Mage is another creature to trigger Sidisi, Brood Tyrant as well as more utility than just the control cards mentioned above. Possibly being able to reuse my reanimate cards when needed as creatures are easier to get back in this deck.

Cons - If they are milled I'm not sure I'd care to get them back. Maelstrom Pulse is the possible exception being that it can seriously destroy token decks. Each one is spot removal. Being that I can't continuously reuse them like I would be able to with Acidic Slime or Woodfall Primus, are they truly worth the card slot? Also if I would need to continuously reuse them it means adding in more recursion cards to get them back. If the particular cards aren't milled or cast, would Snapcaster Mage still be worth it in the deck as most of the spells he can target are sorceries.

I'm not completely sure if adding another theme into the deck is a good idea, or even necessary. I already have plenty of ways of destroying non-creatures, but nothing to get rid of any problematic creature on the battlefield. Maybe just one is worth it instead of them all? They're all three mana. Maybe look into stuff like Bone Splinters and Go for the Throat so I could get multiple back if I do decide to add in Seasons Past?

Let me know what yal think if you get a minute. Any cards you think are absolutely worth it? Some that I was an idiot to consider? Any different cards I should take out instead of the ones I mentioned? Reasons to or for any of them?

Other cards I would be trying to find a slot for (whether the above cards make it or not) would be Seasons Past, Oracle of Mul Daya, Skullwinder, Vampiric Tutor and possibly Codex Shredder, Future Sight, or The Gitrog Monster.

June 12, 2016 3:45 a.m.

Pheardemons says... #17

Also thank you guys for all the help and advice you've already given me, and in advance for any more that you're willing to take the time to give. Let me know if you want/are looking for any help or advice with any of yals decks as well.

June 12, 2016 3:47 a.m.

Pheardemons says... #18

Correction on Future Sight. Magus of the Future would be a better one to put into this deck if I decide to play it.

June 12, 2016 5:38 a.m.

chirz2792 says... #19

@Pheardemons: If you're going for an effect like that then Jace, Vryn's Prodigy  Flip might be better. The biggest advantage of snapcaster vs jace is that snapcaster can go at instant speed but you only have one instant in the deck and snapcaster won't let you overload it while jace will. Although tbh I would stick with creature based removal and not run either of them. If the instant speed spot removal is what you're looking for then maybe Teferi, Mage of Zhalfir?

June 12, 2016 1:03 p.m.

Pheardemons says... #20

chirz2792 thank you for the solid insight and opinions with reasons to back them up. Extremely helpful in making my decision for the deck. I'll also consider Teferi, Mage of Zhalfir

June 12, 2016 10:03 p.m.

ComboCrazy says... #21

Okay, so here are my thoughts: First of all, you don't want to sacrifice anti-removal to add control and removal. I would reccommend that you leave Lightning Greaves is mainboard. If the only purpose of Maelstrom Pulse is token clearing, then just run an AEther Snap. It'll hurt your zombies a bit, but it'll also wipe all planeswalkers from the board, as well as deal with artifact decks quite well. I would also leave in the Elixir. It's very helpful if someone tries to exile your graveyard, however Snapcaster Mage could be a good substitution. Honestly I'm not sure; I think that that would require playtesting. Don't add Putrefy. When you have cards like Beast Within, it's not worth the place in the deck. Reality Acid may be a better idea there. It takes awhile but it can deal with any targetable permanent, including indestructible things. As for Beast Within, yes. Add it. Whether you care to get it back or not, it's unbeatable removal.

June 13, 2016 2:56 p.m.

Pheardemons says... #22

ComboCrazy thanks for the thoughts man. I will keep Beast Within as another possible removal spell to play test. Honestly I am going to try and play test Orbs of Warding, but of course am going to keep Elixir of Immortality on the side to put back in if necessary.

June 13, 2016 5:44 p.m.

ComboCrazy says... #23

Yeah, that sounds pretty smart. Honestly, I think Orbs of Warding is way underrated for what it does. Best of luck!

June 13, 2016 8:14 p.m.

Pheardemons says... #24

ComboCrazy - I'm sure you are completely tired of looking at this deck, let alone me tagging you in it. I did want to let you know your suggestions of Codex Shredder and The Gitrog Monster are looking better and better the more I think about them (in addition to other cards). I was wondering if you could suggest cards to take out for the two above, Oracle of Mul Daya being that extra land drops would help with The Gitrog Monster, Regrowth as an additional recursion if/when it is needed, and Sylvan Library to put cards in my hand to increase the chance for reanimate cards, recursion cards, or lands for the extra lands drops that Oracle of Mul Daya, The Gitrog Monster, and Azusa, Lost but Seeking give.

I was debating on taking out Chromatic Lantern (being that the extra land drops and playing the top card of my library could provide extra ramp), and Hell's Caretaker being that he is slow and I don't have a way to provide haste. Also possibly Vedalken Orrery, but it is that much better with Magus of the Future in the deck. I was looking for a third party to possibly suggest some cards to take out.

Thanks for everything you've done so far man, and any possible suggestions you'll help me with in the future.

June 17, 2016 12:58 a.m.

ComboCrazy says... #25

Pheardemons - Hey, no problem. This deck is anything but boring! My opinion on what to take out for those two are, as you said, Chromatic Lantern. However the other card that I would take out is Archeomancer. You only run 14 instants and sorceries, so theres actually a chance that you won't have any of those in your graveyard when you want to play it. I haven't played the deck, so I can't be sure that that's a better thing to remove than Hell's Caretaker, but honestly Archeomancer just seems like an odd one out. Also, if you're going to go with the land swarm option, Seer's Sundial and Eternity Vessel may be a good idea. Maybe?

June 17, 2016 1:11 p.m.

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