Playing, flickering, and protecting Yisan

Commander Deck Help forum

Posted on Oct. 28, 2016, 6 p.m. by Sicohippy

I need some MAJOR help with my Yisan, the Wanderer Bard EDH deck, because I'm having a series of Gigantic issues that I don't want to be running into but cant seem to avoid...

I don't even know where to begin, I think I'd call myself a master of building EDH decks at this point, becuase I can make any color combination synergise well so long as I have access to mechanics. They're simply my strong suit and I really know them inside and out, but for me, it is a MONUMENTAL challenge to build a mono EDH deck. I have NO idea how mechanics even work, and what staples I should be looking at when building a good Yisan, the Wanderer Bard EDH.

The first problem I am having is deciding what creatures to put in. Are there any major Yisan, the Wanderer Bard combos that I should know about if I already don't? I really don't even know where to begin... What are Yisan, the Wanderer Bard's end game plans? What are his win cons? How is he supposed to be played as a Tier 1 multi-way combat general?

The second problem is getting Yisan, the Wanderer Bard to Flicker while keeping his counters high. I really don't know what I should be using to untap him every turn, and I need to find more cards like Lightning Greaves and Instill Energy. I am SO confused on this subject, and I really don't know what direction to take on it. How can I protect my creatures from being Wrath of Goded into oblivion? How can I keep Yisan, the Wanderer Bard protected and on the field adding up counters until I get creatures like Craterhoof Behemoth and Ulamog, the Infinite Gyre out ASAP? How can I do all of this while most efficiently protecting him? How can I balance the amount of removal?

I guess the best thing for me would be a reference deck of a Tier 1 Yisan, the Wanderer Bard EDH that is geared toward Multi-player games. But my biggest concern is this:

  1. Keep my creatures from getting field bombed.
  2. Keep Yisan on the field and flickering.
  3. Give my creatures haste and get some big swingers on ASAP
  4. Balance the correct amount of removal spells for the deck and allow myself to combo off while others can't do a damn thing

I really do need a reference Yisan, the Wanderer Bard EDH though... I can't seem to find a strong list to build off of and I really need help you guys. is my absolute worst color in terms of understanding how to play it/build decks with it. So I guess I'm asking how to do these things as efficiently as possible within my colour range?

Here is my Yisan, the Wanderer Bard EDH deck as it is currently. For this particular list I don't have a price limit as of yet, but I'd like to keep him at the $500-700 range while also making him an efficient tier 1 Deck. I want him to rival the power of my Kaalia of the Vast EDH's power, and be able to withstand a good amount of 1V1 play as well as be most efficient for Multi-way games...

Here is the deck though:

Here is my Kaalia of the vast EDH as well, to get a jist of how powerful and fast I want this deck to be.

One last thing is that I want this deck to have the same consistency that my Kaalia of the Vast Deck has. I want it to do something similar each game, cheat of free gigantic creatures with no hope of escape.

BlueMageBrandon says... #2

I'd look at edhrec.com

Here is a link to Yisan's page.

October 28, 2016 7:07 p.m.

Gidgetimer says... #3

Yisan is a deck that looks to combo kill on or about turn 5 with Avenger of Zendikar into Craterhoof Behemoth from what I have seen. If you want seriously competitive advice the competitive edh subreddit is the best place to look. Edhrec tells you what is popular, but popular doesn't mean good.

https://www.reddit.com/r/CompetitiveEDH/comments/3uzbwk/yisan_does_not_seem_to_get_a_lot_of_attention_so/

October 28, 2016 7:26 p.m.

Razulghul says... #4

Hey, kudos on branching out. I'm the same in that black has always been my color and it plays so differently from green it is tough to even get started. Here's what I've learned so far:

I think the biggest thing to keep in mind is green accumulates resources so more is better. Whereas black is more resource management losing resources for large payoffs and wining through value plays and attrition. Basically you want to have a winning board state by midgame in green, so like turn 5-7 you should be making huge plays. Creatures like Seedborn Muse and Craterhoof Behemoth are pretty essential to the Yisans list so I'd try find them if you don't have any already.

Here's a primer/list that really helped me out with Yisan, List link

October 28, 2016 7:50 p.m.

This discussion has been closed