Azorius Blue/White Control

Modern Deck Help forum

Posted on Nov. 23, 2017, 12:36 a.m. by ArchonBlue

This is a deck that performs well against creature-heavy decks. The goal is to neutralize creatures and counter spells to gain the upper hand in the middle to late game. I'm trying to make it more competitive, at least at my local Friday Night Magic, without spending an exorbitant sum on cards such as Celestial Colonnade, Snapcaster Mage, etc. I'm pretty new to the game so any help would be greatly appreciated! :)

Creatures (12)

1 Niblis of Frost

1 Angel of Invention

2 AEtherling

3 Azorius Guildmage

2 Lyev Skyknight

1 Spell Queller

1 Wall of Denial

1 Banisher Priest

Lands (24)

2 Port Town

1 Glacial Fortress

7 Island

2 Faerie Conclave

6 Plains

4 Evolving Wilds

2 Tranquil Cove

Instants (16)

1 Hour of Need

4 Path to Exile

3 Render Silent

1 Sphinx's Revelation

4 Opt

3 Negate

Enchantments (4)

1 Authority of the Consuls

3 Prison Term

Sorceries (2)

2 Supreme Verdict

Artifacts (1)

1 Tablet of the Guilds

Total: 60

IzzetFanatic says... #2

can you link this to a deck that we can look at easier?

November 23, 2017 12:45 a.m.

ArchonBlue says... #3

Let me see if I can link the cards, so you can get the descriptions. It's also on ManaStack so if you make a free account on there its really easy to see all the descriptions. https://manastack.com/deck/blue-and-white-control-3

November 23, 2017 12:47 a.m.

ArchonBlue says... #4

Ok, you should be able to view all the card descriptions now!

November 23, 2017 12:53 a.m.

IzzetFanatic says... #5

@ArchonBlue: Just from my quick look you seem to have too many creatures. I'd add maybe Remand or Mana Leak Instead of 2-3 of the Render Silent. I also don't think that Search Warrant Is great. If I were you id add Oblivion Ring as well as Detention Sphere. You could also go this rout which I would recommend out of all my suggestions to be your best bet in making the deck better and more competitive. Feel free to ask if you have any questions about any of the synergies in this deck. deck:Why don't you play 2 decks? not sure why its not linking... http://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/how-to-confuse-by-sideboarding/ is link

November 23, 2017 1:03 a.m.

APPLE01DOJ says... #6

Well the cards you want to avoid spending on are pretty much the core of the deck. I also wouldn't recommend playing Blue White Control if you're new to magic and on a budget. It's one of those decks that needs an experienced pilot to do well in the current meta.

That being said, I don't know what half those creatures you listed do but U/W Control typically plays only Snapcaster Mage with Celestial Colonnade as its primary win condition. Control usually runs 3 win conditions and most find the third in a planeswalker like Elspeth, Sun's Champion.

So for budget win cons. Try AEtherling, Faerie Conclave or Mutavault, Thing in the Ice  Flip or Delver of Secrets.

The 1 Spell Queller you have is legit but I'd drop all the other creatures. Fill in the empty slots with some of the following: Opt, Serum Visions, Think Twice, Vapor Snag, Repeal, Dispel, Negate, Spell Pierce, Mana Leak, Rune Snag, Condescend Logic Knot, Detention Sphere and additional Supreme Verdicts. You could use Day of Judgment but being uncounterable is relevant.

November 23, 2017 1:03 a.m.

ArchonBlue says... #7

@Apple01DOJI've noticed that about U/W Control as I've been perusing the internet, that it hardly runs any creatures. My question is, how do you do enough damage to win? If your primary win condition is Celestial Colonnade, couldn't your opponent just sideboard some Molten Rains and wipe you out? Isn't it a more balanced strategy to have some more creatures? Is having planeswalkers in this kind of deck super important due to the lack of creatures?

I'm not questioning that you know what you're talking about, your advice lines up with what most Tier 1 versions of my deck look like. I'm just confused as to how that works. I feel like I'm probably just missing something really obvious haha. Thanks so much for the feedback!

November 23, 2017 1:20 a.m.

ArchonBlue says... #8

@IzzetFanatic, I'm curious as to why you recommend Remand and Mana Leak? The draw ability is definitely nice, as is the slightly lower mana cost, but it seems like mid to late game it would be pretty easy for my opponent to override the additional cost in Mana Leak or to just play whatever I return to his hand from Remand the following turn. What do you think about Rebuff the Wicked or Hindering Light? Is Counterspell illegal in Modern?You're right, Search Warrant isn't great and a Detention Sphere would be way better. I also thought about replacing it with a Martial Law, although maybe that isn't as good because it is creature specific.

November 23, 2017 1:31 a.m.

IzzetFanatic says... #9

@ArchonBlue: Control style decks, especially draw go control decks like your own, rely on neutralizing your opponents threats with enough efficiency that over the course of the game, you get more and more ahead in tempo... You then generally cast a large threat. In your specific case the fact that your deck has a low number of creatures you hope to make your opponent completely run out of steam and then slowly take over the game. Elspeth and Gideon can speed up this process but the idea is that you will eventually just win.

November 23, 2017 1:33 a.m.

APPLE01DOJ says... #10

Well they could side in Molten Rain or Choke or Blood Moon or any number of hate cards against you. That's what makes Negate valuable. Your job as the Control pilot is to know what you can and absolutely can't let get through. In addition Fatal Push, Spreading Seas, and Ghost Quarter are common MB cards. You're not going to be able to stop everything all the time, thus having multiple win conditions is important but your goal is not to out aggro the opponent but the long game. You want to prevent and neutralize threats until your opponent is out of outs and loses to a flying 4/4 or 3 1/1s. Some thing also to consider is that the majority of modern decks kill themselves through the long game.

With all that being said, one of the biggest threats against Control is opposing manlands such as Treetop Village or Raging Ravine. You can't counter these and they're immune to sorcery speed board whipes. You may want to add a few Ghost Quarter or Field of Ruin to your mana base.

November 23, 2017 1:45 a.m.

Boza says... #11

You can make a deck that is blue/white control that has a lot of creatures and is actively working on their opponents life total. You can be proactive in your control, not use counterspells or board wipes and use something crazy like Reality Acid as a wincon.

Do not let the stereotypes of control get you. Check out Azorious MORPHine trip or the budget version Budget Acid Trip for details.

November 23, 2017 3:51 a.m.

IlGuale says... #12

As someone already said, UW control isn't exactly the easiest pick for a beginner, since you need to know both your deck and your opponent's very well. But if you are already sold on control, this deck Competitive Azorius Control on a Budget is a good starting point.

Then, if you want to remain in those colours, but you also want to play aggressively with creatures, there is a couple of tempo decks i can suggest you. The first is UW Spirits (like this Spirited Away: A Paranormal Primer [U/W Spirits]), while the second is something similar to the Favorable Winds deck played by Saffron Olive on its budget magic series.

November 23, 2017 10:32 a.m.

ArchonBlue says... #14

Thank you all so much for taking the time to provide thoughtful feedback on my deck! I have tried to take a little from everyone and edited the deck significantly, which you will see above. I took out five creatures and swapped existing creatures with ones that are heavier hitters and harder to avoid, such as Aerial Responder and Aetherling. I also diversified my land base with some Evolving Winds and Faerie Conclaves. I added a Supreme Verdict, some Opts for more deck manipulations, and 3 Negates for more counterspell control. I also switched out an Arrest for a Prison Term to give me more latitude in deciding which creatures I want to freeze.

I have realized that this deck format is difficult for a beginner, because I am still not yet aware of all the cards that are popular in Modern. However, I've decided to stick with it because I've grown fond of it, I've invested a decent amount of time and money into it, and I want to take on the challenge.

Please let me know what y'all think of my changes! :)

November 23, 2017 11:07 p.m.

IzzetFanatic says... #15

@ArchonBlue: That's sick. It's good to see the deck evolving... I am a control player myself and I love seeing new players get into the control playstyle.

November 23, 2017 11:53 p.m.

IzzetFanatic says... #16

@ArchonBlue: That's sick. It's good to see the deck evolving... I am a control player myself and I love seeing new players get into the control playstyle.

November 24, 2017 1:41 a.m.

ArchonBlue says... #17

I finalized this deck, at least for my local tournament this coming Friday. After Friday I'm sure I'll change it more. What do y'all think?

November 29, 2017 12:36 a.m.

APPLE01DOJ says... #18

What is Hour of Need used for?

November 29, 2017 10:33 a.m.

ArchonBlue says... #19

@Apple01DOJ, Hour of Need turns small creatures like Lyev Skyknight, Azorius Guildmage, Banisher Priest, and Spell Queller into bigger creatures. Its especially useful for Lyev Skyknight, because that ability only works once.

November 29, 2017 8:46 p.m.

ArchonBlue says... #20

And if I need to swing for a lot of damage, it can pump up the Azorius Guildmage later in the game when I've already countered a lot.

November 29, 2017 8:47 p.m.

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