I started as bad in this format as possible. I struggled with this format as well to start but stuck with it (largely benefited by 9 ticket draft sets) and figure it out about halfway through. You just needed to draft advantage decks or get into infect if it was underdrafted. Black White infect was the best deck in the format. Blue Black Advantage was second.
My last MMM draft saw me play a 14 land white weenie deck featuring 3 brass squires and 3 training drones and I won that tournament as well.
Tried stompy and have interesting results. I know I still need a lot of practice, but I had difficulty with the red/black deck that sacrifice creatures with act of treason. My biggest problem was they are able to put a lot of creature with mogg war marshall and other. At the same time, with their removal well played, I can't use my pumps as they just wait and kill my creature doing a 2 for 1 at the same time.
My only solution is the Ledgewalker, (and maybe the sandstorm but by seeing my hand with the mesmeric fiend, they play around it).
Any advice on this matchup or it's just my play I need to improve?
I had an empress Galina deck for a while, but she really did just get killed killed and killed again. I can understand that.
I also tried Kaho, Minamo Historian. That one was a lot more interesting. You never ever want to cast him without at least one counterspell up, but if you can keep him around as far as untapping, he's pretty neat.
One thing; I don't think you're likely to be pumping thopter foundry tokens if your general is Kongming, sleeping dragon!
"How come people prefer to play with better generals instead of the garbage ones? Hmm let me think ... "
I almost posted the snarky comment above, but caught your last paragraph as I skimmed over the article one last time. For including the obvious, I salute you!
It was dark princess. I know she made a Meng Huo deck and a Xiahou DUn as well. Then a white and red one also from the Three Kingdom generals. The Meng Huo deck was beastly is i remember correctly.
Glad you guys liked the article and got some ideas! There are plenty of options out there, and although it may seem like everything has been tried, it hasn't. People may have thought of things, but they don't always put them into action!
I can't remember the name of the person who was playing Sun Quan, but I didn't realize the player was female. Was it DarkPrincess? She used to run a PRE I think.
Haste is a great ability for getting that Commander damage through. I've been realizing this a lot more recently.
I love commanders with haste. I have several decks where the commander was chosen just because they have haste. It's nice to be able to get that hit in before a sweeper does them in.
Some of these would make interesting decks. Although I'm glad I don't see some of the at all. Galina and Ertai look like they wouldn't be any fun to play against.
I'd like to make a Maraxus deck, just because he reminds me of Bane all pumped up on venom.
I would applaud such a start in 100 CS, which is almost like the competitive cousin of Commander (although arguably less broken without access to a linchpin each game), but in a casual format like Commander, not so much. I mean, even though I was just an observer and not on the receiving end, it still seemed a bit excessively good as most of the cards you played were tier 1 Vintage cards.
I guess it gets to the very nub of the stale old casual debate: where do you draw the line? One of the problems I have with brokenness is not necessarily the brokenness itself, but the reactions from others and the way it devolves a multiplayer game into a duel. For example, one of the three players immediately bailed on you guys. I have seen this happen over and over. I think this is the advantage of paper EDH over online where you can more easily find a nice equilibrium in which everyone is on the same page regarding where the lines are drawn and what constitutes encroaching on those boundaries.
Heh, another thing I wanted to say... by reading these articles I find how UN-clever I am. So many times I think, "wow I have a great idea I've never seen before and is sure to 'wow' everyone", and then I read about it online and realize I'm just treading a well worn path. =)
I think I know who you are referring to that ran Sun Quan, Lord of Wu.
If I'm correct, she liked to run all of the horsemanship legends as commander at different times.
Even made a few articles, though I forget where they are.
Commander Greven was the standout for me in this article. Im not a huge fan of Mono-colored decks in Commander, but I would consider building one with him. Or kemba for that matter. Maybe a Reki deck in green. Hmmm you know, you cost me far too much money.
Another great article! Michiko I've tried, but hanging back until you've got masses of mana isn't really my style. Ertai, the corrupted I've also looked at but a counter on legs just seems far too spikey.
Right now we've been sticking with extended as the pool is large enough for many decks to exist but keeps a lot of the more broken cards out of the format so there is no need for a banlist. In the future there will definitely be opportunities to play this in other formats. Whether it will be random one time events or maybe a second event I can't say for sure yet.
Yup, that was an insanely explosive start, especially going first and in a three handed game. I can only say, "doesn't always go like that". You're right, though. Being on the receiving end of that isn't going to make anyone more favourable to mono-Blue.
A few of these guys have made it into my decks, but not been given prime billing as the commander.
Maraxus of Keld, in particular has been a stand out in my Fumiko the Lowblood deck. I think I just might have to put together a deck just for him.
Sakiko, Mother of Summer is one of those cards I am amazed I have never seen used. Seems like she could ramp like crazy.
I gave this the highest rating because I appreciate good writing. The article was written in such a way that even beginner players would understand the origins of the deck. That's the thing, writing for a broader audience. I'd suggest that any inclusions to any deck designs should be more extensively written out. I'd say include some game playtest data as well. Often enough articles say things about card interactions but don't do as much investigative reporting either. Caw Go is THE deck to play and beat, as for how much of that we know on making it better and why isn't out there enough. I liked the tidbit of info on Blue White player's perspective on five mana drops, I never knew that. Anyways, nice stuff keep it up. I look forward to more articles from you.
Sorry, I'm way behind on podcasts lately. But better late then never.
I liked the discussion of land ratios for decks. I usually run 2 color decks (more of a casual player), but sometimes do 3 color decks.
Assuming a 3 color deck (Say Esper) where all costs are the same for simplicity (equal amount of Esper Charm, StP/Preordain/Thoughtsieze, Wrath of God/Jace TMS/umm some 4 mana 2BB cost spell), is it better to run fetch lands getting dual color lands? Fetch into basics. 3 color lands. 2 color man-lands - or what combinations. In classic, you could run 3 different fetches for 3 different dual lands, but what ratios?
How about in Extended/Double standard where some fetches are available, but not all, and likewise there is no dual color land that is a island/plains? Now if you want to play the B/W fetch it needs to be for a basic (with a couple others).
I started as bad in this format as possible. I struggled with this format as well to start but stuck with it (largely benefited by 9 ticket draft sets) and figure it out about halfway through. You just needed to draft advantage decks or get into infect if it was underdrafted. Black White infect was the best deck in the format. Blue Black Advantage was second.
My last MMM draft saw me play a 14 land white weenie deck featuring 3 brass squires and 3 training drones and I won that tournament as well.
Great idea for a format. I hope it takes off!
sounds Awesome. Building a deck as I am writing this. Don´t know if I can make it, but will play it in Casual room.
Maybe the logo should be changed to include some nice Silverback gorillas?
That was a fun event.
I only went 1-2 but I really enjoyed it.
Hey There,
Tried stompy and have interesting results. I know I still need a lot of practice, but I had difficulty with the red/black deck that sacrifice creatures with act of treason. My biggest problem was they are able to put a lot of creature with mogg war marshall and other. At the same time, with their removal well played, I can't use my pumps as they just wait and kill my creature doing a 2 for 1 at the same time.
My only solution is the Ledgewalker, (and maybe the sandstorm but by seeing my hand with the mesmeric fiend, they play around it).
Any advice on this matchup or it's just my play I need to improve?
Thanks
I had an empress Galina deck for a while, but she really did just get killed killed and killed again. I can understand that.
I also tried Kaho, Minamo Historian. That one was a lot more interesting. You never ever want to cast him without at least one counterspell up, but if you can keep him around as far as untapping, he's pretty neat.
One thing; I don't think you're likely to be pumping thopter foundry tokens if your general is Kongming, sleeping dragon!
Now I'm tempted to make a Taniwha deck.
I was thinking of starting edh articles on my unusual decks (ixidor, coin flip, doran, Norin(not after the bug though))
Looks like the serpent is begging for some Eon Hub action ^_^
"How come people prefer to play with better generals instead of the garbage ones? Hmm let me think ... "
I almost posted the snarky comment above, but caught your last paragraph as I skimmed over the article one last time. For including the obvious, I salute you!
It was dark princess. I know she made a Meng Huo deck and a Xiahou DUn as well. Then a white and red one also from the Three Kingdom generals. The Meng Huo deck was beastly is i remember correctly.
Glad you guys liked the article and got some ideas! There are plenty of options out there, and although it may seem like everything has been tried, it hasn't. People may have thought of things, but they don't always put them into action!
I can't remember the name of the person who was playing Sun Quan, but I didn't realize the player was female. Was it DarkPrincess? She used to run a PRE I think.
Haste is a great ability for getting that Commander damage through. I've been realizing this a lot more recently.
I love commanders with haste. I have several decks where the commander was chosen just because they have haste. It's nice to be able to get that hit in before a sweeper does them in.
Some of these would make interesting decks. Although I'm glad I don't see some of the at all. Galina and Ertai look like they wouldn't be any fun to play against.
I'd like to make a Maraxus deck, just because he reminds me of Bane all pumped up on venom.
I would applaud such a start in 100 CS, which is almost like the competitive cousin of Commander (although arguably less broken without access to a linchpin each game), but in a casual format like Commander, not so much. I mean, even though I was just an observer and not on the receiving end, it still seemed a bit excessively good as most of the cards you played were tier 1 Vintage cards.
I guess it gets to the very nub of the stale old casual debate: where do you draw the line? One of the problems I have with brokenness is not necessarily the brokenness itself, but the reactions from others and the way it devolves a multiplayer game into a duel. For example, one of the three players immediately bailed on you guys. I have seen this happen over and over. I think this is the advantage of paper EDH over online where you can more easily find a nice equilibrium in which everyone is on the same page regarding where the lines are drawn and what constitutes encroaching on those boundaries.
Heh, another thing I wanted to say... by reading these articles I find how UN-clever I am. So many times I think, "wow I have a great idea I've never seen before and is sure to 'wow' everyone", and then I read about it online and realize I'm just treading a well worn path. =)
Looks interesting.
And should be quite fun, I may look into building a deck or two.
Worst case, some of my commons/uncommons will go up a little in value.
I think I know who you are referring to that ran Sun Quan, Lord of Wu.
If I'm correct, she liked to run all of the horsemanship legends as commander at different times.
Even made a few articles, though I forget where they are.
Mostly see her playing classic 2hg of late.
Commander Greven was the standout for me in this article. Im not a huge fan of Mono-colored decks in Commander, but I would consider building one with him. Or kemba for that matter. Maybe a Reki deck in green. Hmmm you know, you cost me far too much money.
Another great article! Michiko I've tried, but hanging back until you've got masses of mana isn't really my style. Ertai, the corrupted I've also looked at but a counter on legs just seems far too spikey.
Right now we've been sticking with extended as the pool is large enough for many decks to exist but keeps a lot of the more broken cards out of the format so there is no need for a banlist. In the future there will definitely be opportunities to play this in other formats. Whether it will be random one time events or maybe a second event I can't say for sure yet.
Yup, that was an insanely explosive start, especially going first and in a three handed game. I can only say, "doesn't always go like that". You're right, though. Being on the receiving end of that isn't going to make anyone more favourable to mono-Blue.
So many of these cards are on my To Build list. Some I never considered and will. =D So many ideas, so little time!
Nice article as usual.
A few of these guys have made it into my decks, but not been given prime billing as the commander.
Maraxus of Keld, in particular has been a stand out in my Fumiko the Lowblood deck. I think I just might have to put together a deck just for him.
Sakiko, Mother of Summer is one of those cards I am amazed I have never seen used. Seems like she could ramp like crazy.
I gave this the highest rating because I appreciate good writing. The article was written in such a way that even beginner players would understand the origins of the deck. That's the thing, writing for a broader audience. I'd suggest that any inclusions to any deck designs should be more extensively written out. I'd say include some game playtest data as well. Often enough articles say things about card interactions but don't do as much investigative reporting either. Caw Go is THE deck to play and beat, as for how much of that we know on making it better and why isn't out there enough. I liked the tidbit of info on Blue White player's perspective on five mana drops, I never knew that. Anyways, nice stuff keep it up. I look forward to more articles from you.
MTGO ID: plusua
so this format is extended only at the moment? looks fun irregardless
Sorry, I'm way behind on podcasts lately. But better late then never.
I liked the discussion of land ratios for decks. I usually run 2 color decks (more of a casual player), but sometimes do 3 color decks.
Assuming a 3 color deck (Say Esper) where all costs are the same for simplicity (equal amount of Esper Charm, StP/Preordain/Thoughtsieze, Wrath of God/Jace TMS/umm some 4 mana 2BB cost spell), is it better to run fetch lands getting dual color lands? Fetch into basics. 3 color lands. 2 color man-lands - or what combinations. In classic, you could run 3 different fetches for 3 different dual lands, but what ratios?
How about in Extended/Double standard where some fetches are available, but not all, and likewise there is no dual color land that is a island/plains? Now if you want to play the B/W fetch it needs to be for a basic (with a couple others).