Let's discuss the future of Standard Artifacts!
Standard forum
Posted on July 22, 2014, 9:31 p.m. by Ohthenoises
So everyone and their mother has seen Ensoul Artifact by now and I was wondering what people were going to do with it?
R for Shrapnel Blast and Generator Servant was my prime goal.
Then I was sitting and thinking about Theros not giving us much in the way of decent artifacts and it hit me: The God's weapons.
This lead me to think that there might be other ways to build it. Like Simic for Bow of Nylea . How scary would it be for bow to be a 5/5? Dimir for Whip of Erebos ? Azorius for Spear of Heliod ?
What do you guys think? (Of course this all hinges on what Kahns brings us but just thinking about a archetype here.)
Schuesseled says... #3
I don't think there are enough good and (importantly) cheap artifacts to make a good deck with shrap and ensoul. Chief Engineer is interesting, but is missing some cheap creature token generators in blue.
July 22, 2014 9:37 p.m.
Wait, if I made a sword of fire and ice into a creature, could it equip itself?...
July 22, 2014 9:39 p.m.
It could not Scorprix. If an equipment becomes a creature it cannot equip to itself or any other creature in play.
July 22, 2014 9:41 p.m.
We all have had that thought Scorprix, you are not alone.
July 22, 2014 9:44 p.m.
Ohthenoises says... #10
Schuesseled there are plenty of good targets for Blast and Ensoul. Ornithopter and Darksteel Citadel are both decent targets and Phyrexian Revoker makes for a pretty good one too. That being said I prefer ramping into stuff like the VASTLY underrated Scuttling Doom Engine for 11 damage to the face.
The god's weapons make for some really good targets though.
July 22, 2014 9:49 p.m.
Schuesseled says... #11
8 targets isn't really consistent enough to build a deck around, especially since you need to have both x and y. Goblin kaboomist is almost good enough to make it work consitently. But he needs another x and y situation to keep himself alive.
It's close, but not quite there. Maybe khans will bring us the fodder we need to make artifact convoke/sac/ensoul a tier 1 deck.
July 22, 2014 10:07 p.m.
themindbullet says... #12
Another downside to the God's weapons is that they are legendary..
July 22, 2014 10:48 p.m.
ducttapedeckbox says... #13
Goblin Kaboomist isn't reliable enough to make a deck around. He needs some sort of buff/anthem effect to make him go. A deck could be based around him, but I see it more of a mono-red goblin tribal deck with Obelisk of Urd and Hall of Triumph . He works pretty well with Goblin Diplomats too.
I agree with Ohthenoises though. Scuttling Doom Engine is my favorite card in M15. A perfect hand has him out T3 with haste from Generator Servant , swing for 6. Next turn swing for 6 and then Shrapnel Blast him for game. Assuming they haven't countered anything, blocked SDE, or prevented damage; again, perfect hand. Anyways, he's still really strong. Plus he can go into most decks that have a sac' outlet and a need for a beater.
We need 1-2 more pieces from Khans to make this a relatively strong deck choice.
July 22, 2014 11 p.m.
Dalektable says... #14
I'm content with the Ornithopter / Darksteel Citadel and Ensoul Artifact interaction...for now I'm gonna stick with that. It does very well in my newest build.
July 22, 2014 11:44 p.m.
There is already a list floating around my LGS that actually is doing pretty good at the standard events there. The deck's main focus is to cast lots of artifacts using Chief Engineer to give the high costing ones convoke. The deck also runs the 4 Generator Servant and 4 Shrapnel Blast you mentioned. It makes Scuttling Doom Engine an immediate threat, and can deal up to 17 damage when paired with Shrapnel Blast . The list also uses a consistent Ornithopter turn 1, Ensoul Artifact turn 2 for early aggression. Along with that, there is Darksteel Citadel to get an indestructible 5/5 creature.
There is another build that consistently wins turn 3, and if not turn 3 always turn 4. It goes something along the lines off this:
Turn 1: Judge's Familiar , Ornithopter
Turn 2: Ensoul Artifact on Ornithopter , swing for 6. (12)
Turn 3: Boros Charm on Ornithopter for double strike, then Rubblebelt Maaka for 19. (-7)
The deck is very consistent. Obviously if youre not big on taking risks, then you go the Chief Engineer build.
I have also been brewing up my own version of the deck, and this version is RUG Artifacts. The deck splashes Green for Elvish Mystic (ramp to get out the big creatures), Chord of Calling (to get out Soul of New Phyrexia , Scuttling Doom Engine , and if you're in a bad position, Chief Engineer ), and most importantly Life's Legacy . A sac outlet for doom engine to not only deal 6 damage, but to refill your hand.
July 23, 2014 12:02 a.m.
Rasta_Viking29 says... #16
4 to 1 Artifact to Shrapnel Blast is the preferred ratio from last time it was in Standard. 3 to 1 was the minimum.
July 23, 2014 2:34 a.m.
Mythril_Sage says... #17
What's probably the best God weapon and Ensoul Artifact pairing? I'd love to see an attempt a competitive brew with this idea. =)
July 23, 2014 2:53 a.m.
Ohthenoises says... #18
Well, Schuesseled I also use Springleaf Drum . I have a modern affinity deck with Tezzeret, Agent of Bolas and I built the deck to play a lot like that.
I've been considering Mana Confluence to act as Glimmervoid for ease of splashing.
We are 1-2 pieces away from competitive but I thought we would discuss thoughts on the other colors
July 23, 2014 8:03 a.m.
Ohthenoises says... #19
Mythril_Sage I'd think Bow of Nylea just because of the massive utility that it has.
Conceivably you could do some very broken things with it. Even more brokenness would be had should you give it vigilance. Swing for 5 with vig, activate the "3 damage to target creature with flying" while it has deathtouch (from the bow that's swinging).
Block and then put a counter on it.
The list could go on.
July 23, 2014 8:31 a.m.
For Modern, If I had an affinity deck, I would use Ghost Quarter as a colored mana source...
Sac it, targeting your Darksteel Citadel ... go get Island , or Mountain ... or whatever basic land you need.
Acts as a Fetchland, with no life loss, and can get any basic land... just not dual lands. - While still allowing for better match ups by not taking up space in the sideboard, where you often see land hate anyway.
Here's hoping for a reprint in Khans of Tarkir.
Scorprix says... #2
SHIT.
July 22, 2014 9:37 p.m.