Tenebu's Gravedigging Tendencies | Primer

Commander / EDH hkhssweiss

SCORE: 209 | 217 COMMENTS | 26572 VIEWS | IN 59 FOLDERS


Primer Update: Deck Piloting Section Added! —Dec. 31, 2018

Added new section to primer thanks to caantpayrent for giving the idea, let me know if there are changes that needs to be added in or fixed! Will upload better pictures eventually when I get a better phone!

xander11 says... #1

This is a seriously powerful deck and I honestly can't think of a single way to help make it stronger. I would not want to go up against this deck that's for sure

December 3, 2018 1:34 a.m.

hkhssweiss says... #2

xander11

Haha thanks! This is my most versatile deck, it may not be the most cutthroat and degenerate but it's viewed as one by my meta, I appreciate the +1 though xD

December 3, 2018 4:34 a.m.

Have you considered Woodland Bellower?

December 3, 2018 7:21 p.m.

hkhssweiss says... #4

TheAmazingSteve

Woodland Bellower is an amazing card, however due to it being 6 cmc it really hurts the curve a lot, the main targets I would really go far as well is Saffi Eriksdotter or Renegade Rallier but not being able to tutor for a non-green creature also kinda hurts as most of the time I need a sac outlet. In it's place I would rather run another cheap tutor for more consistency as well as easier on curve.

Thank you for the input though I appreciate it!

December 3, 2018 7:47 p.m.

SynergyBuild says... #5

For the Bellower, Varolz, the Scar-Striped is a great fetchable sacrifice outlet with good synergy with the deck.

December 3, 2018 8:38 p.m.

hkhssweiss says... #6

SynergyBuild If I try to add in Varolz, what would you suggest I cut that wouldn't hurt the curve, as I have quite a few options of having a sac outlet in terms of Carrion Feeder, Viscera Seer, Phyrexian Tower, High Market, Birthing Pod, as well as flashbacking Cabal Therapy.

My only other flex spot right now is what it seems to be Angel's Grace, and I really don't want to add in anything higher than one cmc for a three cmc.

December 4, 2018 3:23 a.m.

SynergyBuild says... #7

I would drop Fiend Hunter, it is basically bad Saffi.

December 4, 2018 9:02 a.m.

hkhssweiss says... #8

Hmmm, I would say otherwise as Fiend Hunter is a great piece that is pretty versatile in either removal or combo, whereas Saffi is just here for combo. Fiend Hunter is also part of many lines where if someone Extract or Praetor's Grasp my pieces, trust me it happens a lot in my meta where I am the main target for a lot of pieces.

December 4, 2018 2:26 p.m.

SynergyBuild says... #9

Really... I mean I have seen Praetor's Grasp as a bad tutor that doubles as a sick wincon if you can Loop it with Thrasios/Tasigur... but Extract? seems bad.

December 4, 2018 2:58 p.m.

hkhssweiss says... #10

My meta is a mix play group of cEDH and plenty of meta call cards. We tuned our decks for our competitive play group and not just online as all my decks are in paper. It's the reason why Teneb is built the way he is, and while yes the direct upgrade of this type of this deck is the Thrasio/Tymna Flash Hulk build, I like being unique in refining decks to the utmost level it can be. Our group run's a lot more heavy interaction and resource denial, so it's very common to see a lot of thing's being blown up and carrying on to mid game. Most games don't last longer before turn 7, but the amount of interaction and card removal is plenty, Extract is bad generally, but once you exile your most frequent line of fast combo, you already have to find another line. Like let's say for example, DD Kess, you exile Labman your next line to assemble would be the IsoRev into Aetherflux. Someone also P.Grasp your Aetherflux? Well shit now what is your next line? Extract is also good in Tazri where you can get your Eternal Scourge in exile for F.C. and go on combo on the spot.

I have been tempted to run Praetor's Grasp, several occasion to test it out but sometime's it's just a way to mess with people. My other card I would like would be Grim Tutor but I just don't own one yet.

December 4, 2018 3:23 p.m.

hkhssweiss says... #11

Here is the group I play with, all of their deck are cEDH tuned and been meta called:

  • Narset (Burst/Interactive tuned)
  • F.C. Prossh
  • Blood Pod (Grave Denial/Stax tuned)
  • Oloro (Omni/AotSS tuned)
  • Teysa (Hyper Combo tuned)
  • JVP Storm (Candelabra tuned)
  • Inalla Reanimator
  • L.E.D. Breya
  • WUBG Hulk (Raza tuned)
  • WUBG Paradox Storm
  • Tatyova Stax (Bounce Stax tuned)
  • Consultation/DD Kess
  • Gitrog Lands
  • L.E.D. Muldrotha
  • Brago Stax (Pure Stax/Combo tuned)
  • GAAIV Stax (Land Denial tuned)
December 4, 2018 3:35 p.m. Edited.

caantpayrent says... #12

Hey hkhssweiss I'm trying to find some form of feedback or suggestion but I just can't find one...It's just over my head

I would say you could sort the deck via it's use, or at least add the option..I know you obviously know the deck like the back of your hand but being such a up voted and viewed deck it would make it a bit easier for people who hadn't seen a deck like this before (my self included) to understand the dynamics.

I just checked out some of your other decks and I've seen you haven't used the custom categories on them either, If you're against them you can leave type as the default sort and just add a button or just mention that sorting via custom categories is availble and if someone wants to see it they can switch it over.

Sorry man other than that I got nothing to suggest, A novice giving a Vet some advice seems silly to me ;)

December 9, 2018 8:05 a.m.

hkhssweiss says... #13

caantpayrent

Heya buddy! I appreciate the info and actually I haven't really cared for using the custom category options as generally when I look over decks I prefer to look at it by the types even when I look at other people's deck haha!

The reason (in my mind at least) is that when you see the cards if you have the knowledge already you can already put together the synergy and combo of the cards by just looking in what's in the deck. Plus since the cards is so well tuned with each other there will be a lot of categories that intertwine with each other, however I will try out what you suggest as when I deck build I go over cards by functionality. So I'll take your suggestion and put it into use!

On a side note, what do you think I can add in the primer to make it easier for people who hasn't look at it before? Lemme know you perspective and thanks for the upvote!

December 9, 2018 8:14 a.m.

caantpayrent says... #14

One section that you could add is a opening hand section, some of the opening hands you keep and some you'd throw away but more importantly why..

And then continue the section with some of the common ways you'd play turns 1 to 3...after turn 4 it becomes much more open but those sections help learn a deck much quicker.

December 9, 2018 9:38 a.m.

FLATSO99 says... #15

Nice job, here's a +1:)

December 9, 2018 2:15 p.m.

hkhssweiss says... #16

caantpayrent

Alright time to add in a mulligan section, hmmm your right gold fishing some sampe hands can help a lot for new people. I'll finish one up maybe later tonight when I get back home from work.

Tenks buddy!

December 9, 2018 5:44 p.m.

Matrixxx999 says... #17

I love good reanimator decks, so +1 from me!

Here are some suggestions that You can consider:

December 10, 2018 7:42 a.m.

goldlion says... #18

Can you Pattern of Rebirth out Grand Abolisher in response to an opponent casting a spell on your turn to negate it?

December 10, 2018 10:48 a.m.

SynergyBuild says... #19

goldlion you could, but it wouldn't stop the spell. They couldn't cast another, but they already cast the one spell, so it won't be stopped.

December 10, 2018 11:01 a.m.

hkhssweiss says... #20

Matrixxx999

Thanks for the upvote! Love the suggestions that you recommended, some of them I tried before but I would like to hear your mindset on them!

  • I did run Apprentice Necromancer in here before but was cut because it was a bit too telegraphed and my meta does run a lot of graveyard hate, especially Faerie Macabre. I get why you would run it as it sacs at end step as well, but should I reconsider running it again?
  • Hope of Ghirapur/Blood Pet I see the reason and I like it, but what slots can be cut or replaced to run these? Currently I see the weakest card in here is Krosan Grip due to curve and meta call against Paradox Engine decks.
  • Mana Vault I think the original reason why I chose not to run it is because of the CMC curve and the heavy color requirements on black/green. I thus changed it into an Ad Naus deck so the burst is helpful, it bears consideration and I might cut a land for it, thoughts?
  • Culling the Weak I really like this card...like really do, but I as with the problem above, I have no idea what to cut it out for.
  • I did consider Recruiter of the Guard before, but having access to Black/Green it had gotten outclassed and cut by better tutors to lower curve. I also used to run her, just currently too high CMC and not enough slots to fit her in.
  • Yeah the only reason I run Zulaport Cutthroat over Blood Artist is due to the target a player clause and because it drains which goes over certain cards like Glacial Chasm and the likes. I used to run both, but when your combo-ing off early game it doesn't matter, so I agree with your point and I'll make that switch!

Excellent points and suggestions I appreciate them very much, would you let me know what cards that you see that are too weak or can be cut to replace the cards you suggest.

December 10, 2018 11:02 a.m.

hkhssweiss says... #21

goldlion Exactly what SynergyBuild said. It doesn't stop the spell already on the stack, but it does prevent them from further casting any spells.

December 10, 2018 11:08 a.m.

SynergyBuild says... #22

Wait... why Glacial Chasm, that prevents damage, not targetting or life loss... Blood Artist and Zulaport Cutthroat do the same thing there.

December 10, 2018 11:09 a.m.

hkhssweiss says... #23

...I just reread the card...you and Matrixxx999 are right, jeez I feel dumb. I think it was a long time ago when I was coming back from my hiatus, but yeah doing the swap right now, luckily I still have my foil Blood Artist.

December 10, 2018 11:13 a.m.

goldlion says... #24

K, thanks for the clarification on the flash in of Grand Abolisher. hkhssweiss, I was wondering because under your "Card Selection", "Enchantments" for Pattern of Rebirth, you say you can bring it out in "worse case scenario", which made me think an instant speed response.

Why not run Nature's Claim over Krosan Grip, especially if it's a fast meta? Even without split second, I bet the 1 cmc might make more of a difference? Or, depending on the recursion in your meta, Deglamer?

I support Zulaport Cutthroat, because it's each player (as you mentioned) - I guess the question is: are you losing creatures fast enough compared to others in your meta to make this strictly better than Blood Artist?

I like Matrixxx999 idea of Blood Pet. Even better in a deck with Mikaeus, the Unhallowed, but pretty sweet in reanimators - though for 1 reanimation a turn, is the single swamp and built-in self-sac you get worth it? Value in a Meren for the single turn of ramp and experience counter trigger, but I wonder, would it have the same value in this deck? You might find yourself wanting the extra swamp for a combo when Pattern of Rebirthing, but maybe just as often not so the card slot may not be worth it? You'd know as the pilot of the deck :).

December 10, 2018 12:01 p.m.

hkhssweiss says... #25

goldlion

Hmm maybe I should clarify that in my primer, it's worst case scenario if you drew into Protean Hulk because Pattern of Rebirth grabs creature from your library.

I'm already running Nature's Claim, and K-Grip is only in here for the split second meta-call due to the Paradox Engine decks. In my meta as well cheap spells are best, while exile is the next best relevant thing, Deglamer is great but I prefer not to have it in their deck or in the battlefield LOL.

It was a misunderstanding on my part for Zulaport vs. Blood Artist as I thought only Zula drains, but Blood Artist drains as well. Matrix999 made a good point on stopping other people's infinite recursion combo which my meta also have and never really thought about before. Blood Artist also triggers on other creatures dying whereas Zulaport doesn't which I can drain from a Necro/Ad Naus player deck to make their draws even less.

The reason why Matrixxx999 suggests Blood Pet is because it can sac itself for Pattern of Rebirth to tutor for Protean Hulk. The extra mana is also helpful which is why I want to find room for Culling the Weak, this deck only needs to win and every black counts when you can win T1-4.

Hope that gives some more insight buddy :P

December 10, 2018 12:24 p.m. Edited.