Dealing with rampant card draw
Commander (EDH) forum
Posted on Jan. 3, 2015, 10:51 p.m. by suneater
Need ways to stop/prevent my opponents from drawing heinous amounts of cards every turn (if there's something available that negatively affects me too I don't mind at this point). Someone in my playgroup does nothing but sit behind a wall of reanimate-able chump blockers drawing cards until he can kill everyone in one attack and its really getting old. Notion Thief is the best option I've found and Plagiarize is similar but I'm really looking for a harder to remove effect. I've tried running Psychic Possession but every time I've managed to get it out it just screws me. Any help is appreciated, thanks!
Spirit of the Labyrinth is just what I'm looking for actually. Totally forgot about that card thanks!
January 3, 2015 11:13 p.m.
GenericNPC says... #4
Aside from cards that directly punish excessive card draw, you could always run a mill strategy and force him to deck himself. There's always the old Eater of the Dead + Phenax, God of Deception combo if he's playing creature-heavy.
If he's reanimating, play cards that punish the graveyard. Leyline of the Void, Rest in Peace Grafdigger's Cage, Tormod's Crypt, Relic of Progenitus, Scavenging Ooze, etc.
January 3, 2015 11:17 p.m.
Rest in Peace I saw recently and is definitely on my shopping list now. Tormod's Crypt is in most of my decks but I will admit need a few more and I want it in every deck. I also try to run Bojuka Bog and Nihil Spellbomb when possible. The real issue is just stopping card draw, namely Zedruu's two abilities and various red looting off the top of my head. I think Spirit of the Labyrinth is the best choice for now but thank you for the suggestions.
January 3, 2015 11:57 p.m.
Foxhound438 says... #6
Fate Unraveler, Vicious Shadows for the card draw, Rakdos Charm because that shuts down a ton of combos and wrecks reanimator strategies, Jund Charm to a lesser extent, Craterhoof Behemoth and/or Overwhelming Stampede to wreck blockers, and against zedruu you can use Homeward Path to shut them down. If they're using a pillow fort type deal with propaganda, sphere of safety, etc, Fracturing Gust or Bane of Progress does a lot. If nothing else, run some efficient sac outlet like Ashnod's Altar, Claws of Gix, or Goblin Bombardment to rid yourself of any presents from zedruu... sac outlets are always good, anyways. Upgrade tormod's crypts to Relic of Progenitus, gradual work from this does a lot, and drawing a card for it is waaaaay better. Oblivion Stone can also do a lot of work in this particular case.
January 4, 2015 1:09 a.m.
rob_shifflett says... #7
Laquatus's Creativity is fun and useful for more than just punishment.When facing an opponent like that; I prefer one shot punishments they won't anticipate, over deterrents they are well aware of.
January 4, 2015 2:29 a.m.
ItchiUchiha117 says... #9
A Cyclonic Rift, AEtherspouts, or Evacuation when he swings seems like a good way to stop him from one-shotting anyone. Terminus or Hallowed Burial also seem good. For handling reanimation, Containment Priest or another one of the various ideas mentioned might be good. For punishing draw, most of the good options have been covered.
January 4, 2015 10:58 a.m.
jandrobard says... #10
By the way Maralen of the Mornsong is not so great because they'll just tutor up a kill spell or a combo piece.
January 4, 2015 1:35 p.m.
rob_shifflett says... #11
I agree. Unless you are running some serious protection or a way to prevent tutors, Maralen of the Mornsong does not last.
January 4, 2015 1:52 p.m.
Hickorysbane says... #13
If you do try to deck him out then remember the Duskmantle Guildmage + Mindcrank trick.
Epochalyptik says... #2
Spirit of the Labyrinth
Omen Machine
Maralen of the Mornsong
Consecrated Sphinx
Nekusar, the Mindrazer
Underworld Dreams
Mind's Eye
Jin-Gitaxias, Core Augur
Cursed Rack
January 3, 2015 10:58 p.m.