Figured out an Idea, Just Need Help Making the Deck on a Budget
Commander Deck Help forum
Posted on March 28, 2018, 5:31 p.m. by Tiny_Sir
Hello!
Some of you might remember me from an earlier post about getting back into commander after a 1 - year hiatus.
I think I got the best idea from DualCastGaming who said I need to just play decks to find out what I like. I figure the best way to do that is through a "Steal Yo' Stuff" deck that plays clones and takes people's cards.
I figured maybe the best colors for this would have to include Dimir colors (U/B), and I thought white added in some good effects to add and had some good commanders for this type of strategy;
Halfdane: I know I know. I said I wanted to make this on a budget. But I think if you put a big part of the budget on the commander, you won't be let down since you'll see it everygame no matter what. This guy is kinda silly, but I think he looks really fun.
Zur the Enchanter: Maybe can get tons of Control Magic type enchantments? I'm kinda unsure.
Sen Triplets: Really fun looking getting to not only steal creatures but spells as well.
Lady Evangela: Gives us some protection and is unassuming.
Dromar, the Banisher: Copy their stuff and then bounce their copies? Sounds fun!
I will not be including Merieke Ri Berit because I just don't like her to much. I don't know why she doesn't feel right however.
Any suggestions? Thanks!
That seems like a terrible idea. Copy/steal decks won't really give you a taste of what you like as much as they'll just feel like a mish-mash of assorted cards. Generally they are some of the weaker decks, as many lack a concise win condition of their own, however simultaneously paint an enormous target on their backs.
They also lose any any synergy intended for the cards they steal, as most decks aren't just bomb card after bomb card.
I know it sounds blunt but most MtG commander players think about building a copy/steal at some point or another and if they do will generally pull them apart promptly after building. And it's for the same reason. They're boring to play, they induce hate and most importantly, they're bad as you are limited. You the win conditions of your opponents however in a deck that can't use them properly.
March 28, 2018 5:45 p.m.
@enpc
Hm. I guess that makes sense. Idk anymore I guess. So many choices it's hard for me to choose one. I think I wanna stay esper colors, but I'm not the biggest on artifacts. Should I just go control?
March 28, 2018 6:14 p.m.
Esper is the colours for it. Unfortunately it's also the artifact colours. Oloro is decent in that he is card advantage in the command zone.
You could try BUG - the addition of green gives you access to non artifact mana ramp in the form of land fetching and mana dorks. Sidisi, Brood Tyrant is a good commander in that you can build the deck to have a lot of different lines, as long as you're happy playing a graveyard deck.
March 28, 2018 6:21 p.m.
@enpc
Would Dromar, the Banisher work well as like a finished in the command zone? I'm just hesitant to try Oloro since he gets hated so much.
Graveyard decks have never been my thing really.
March 28, 2018 6:42 p.m.
I agree with enpc--Copy/Steal decks are one of those concepts that sounds interesting in theory, but never quite works in practice.
That said, if you wish to take other people's creatures, there are three commanders for you to consider:
Marchesa, the Black Rose: Using cards such as Act of Treason, you can take opponents' creatures, sacrifice them, and then return them to the battlefield under your control. At this point, they're your creature permanently--you do not have to return them at the end of turn. Cards such as Act of Treason tend to be at the 3 mana cost range, which is much easier to manage than more lasting control, such as Control Magic.
Admiral Beckett Brass - I have never played with or against a deck helmed (no pun intended) by the Admiral, but he does what you want.
Brion Stoutarm - steal their creatures with Act of Treason and its ilk then fling them at your opponent for damage and lifegain. This provides you a bit of a win condition.
March 28, 2018 7:13 p.m.
Tiny_Sir: I kinda think if you're going to play Dromar, the Banisher then you're just better off playing Zur the Enchanter. Ultimately Dromar is going to be very low on creature count, except for a few you're happy to bounce. On top of that you'll end up bouncing Dromar more times than you would like , slowing your strategy down. Not to mention Dromar can't do squat against something like a Wurmcoil Engine or a Blightsteel Colossus.
March 28, 2018 8:07 p.m.
@enpc
Hm... I just am scared of being targeted since I think those are very hated generals. How about we go down to two color, maybe Azorius or Dimir?
March 28, 2018 8:36 p.m.
DualCastGaming says... #10
There are some really cool azorius commanders that dont get hated out very often. My favorite choice, which still fits the style you wanted (taking things) is Daxos of Meletis. He is really fun and kind of trolly. A more competitive option is Bruna, Light of Alabaster. You just run a lot of auras and attack people, but she can also control the board a lot just because of her colors. Also, she makes REALLY profitable Fact or Fiction's.
March 28, 2018 10:10 p.m.
Daxos was actually the first single I ever bought. Hell I think I have the original copy I bought even till this day. He sounds like a great idea!
Is there a non-voltrony way to run him though you think? I'd like a more controlling deck.
March 28, 2018 10:21 p.m.
MoonTurtle7 says... #12
I mean Azorius has some really cool stuff. Like Noyan Dar (land shenanigans), Lavinia (for control), Gwafa Hazid (don't fight me), ephara (blink/etb value), Hanna (enchantment value, with some artifact ramp) Azor is super neat.
Dimir has Lazav who is so coolio (mill/control,some voltron) Oona is some (mill/control/tribal), Mirko vosk is a (control/voltron with mill tossed in for funsies) you can do similar with Wydwen who does an ok job too seeing as he has some evasion.
These suggestions are keeping in mind that you want not so targeted dudes like GAIV and Brago or the Scarab god. I also tried to avoid graveyard deck because you've mentioned you don't want a graveyard deck.
March 28, 2018 10:27 p.m.
DualCastGaming says... #13
For daxos you need to make sure he can hit someone, so you would need some equipment in the deck. You dont need too much though, maybe 5 cards or so just to make sure daxos can punch someone. Daxos is a little malleable when it comes to building. You can incorporate life-matters shenanigans, soldier tribal, and Silence effects into the same deck. You could even build the deck around controlling the board so much that you are able to just punch people in the face with daxos until you win. A funny (but rude) combo is to use Elite Arcanist
+
Silence
.
Or at the very least, you have those options.
March 29, 2018 12:52 a.m.
Have you listened to commander's brew? they are great and always have amazing suggestions for people on a budget. Here is an episode where they brew around Rubinia Soulsinger and there is great "steal your stuff stuff" http://www.commandersbrew.com/single-post/2016/03/17/Thieving-Commanders-32
March 29, 2018 1:36 a.m.
WizardOfTheNorthernCoast says... #15
If you like to play with other people's deck I suggest you go with Riku of Two Reflections and play stuff like Clone, Body Double, Stunt Double, Reverberate, Redirect, Control Magic etc :)
lilgiantrobot says... #2
Most good 'control magic' spells cost 4 and above, so not so hot with Zur. Sen Triplets is really good, but people HATE them so just prepared to be targeted a lot.
March 28, 2018 5:40 p.m.