Nice summary of the strengths of the various infect-related cards, but still a lot to learn to figure out how to draft this deck. How many infect decks can a table expect to support? Should one try to go for the infect deck, or just dive in if there are no other takers? Given the novelty of infect, is it likely to be overdrafted (likely, I think)? Is green/black the only type, or can there be green/blue or black/blue varieties? Is a blue splash worth considering for proliferating poison counters in the late game?
Skittles. Lol. I knew those things weren't healthy. Now they're marks of infection.
First off I want to apologize for my lack of grammar and spelling. I will have to take Paul up on his offer and hopefully avoid this many errors.
NO_Peace all your suggestions are valid for sure. I did not add Goyf simple because I don't own any. I really do not care for remand though, I would much rather have leak. I ran the mystic pack because I had just purchased them and am willing to throw them into any deck right now. I mainly like playing it to give the snake some kind of protection and evasion. I think I would still run Guardian of the Guildpact over Psychotic Fury. Attaching a sword on to him usually wins the game. I would love to run duals but sadly I can't afford them right now. Thanks for the comments.
Its true, there's a zombie deck I see a lot that just stacks zombie lords on top of each other. With a little acceleration you can end up facing 3 lords on turn 2!
I checked out Sam Black's article and recommend it. He has some great insights into the EDH mindset. His Sek'Kuar deck was packed full of a lot more combo pieces than I would normally run, but I see a few that I should definitely pick up. I don't know why I don't own a bloodghast for instance!
I think when language changes its usually because that's how people have been using it anyway and then some institution formalizes it so that when you use it in a school paper you don't get a red circle around it. (though in college I find this correction happens a lot less with alot than it did in grammar school.)
I don't think that will happen. True, it seems like there is precedent with words like "alright" appearing after "all right" and "alright" is increasingly acceptable; however, the difference is that "a lot" uses an indefinite article. It's like typing "alittle" if you say "alot" is ok. Another reason I don't think it'll change is the use of "lots of". We would never say "alots of". So, although it seems like a simplification of the rules ("a lot" --> "alot"), it – on closer examination – is setting up more complexity/exceptions than are already present. Currently "a lot" is not an irregular grammatical construct and usually when languages change, it is to streamline/simplify grammar, such as fewer used irregular past tense verbs (snuck-->sneaked or dreamt--> dreamed). =)
I am constantly catching myself do that so I know exactly what you mean lol. I was sincere in my offer to René if he needs a proofer, though any number of people here could volunteer.
to and too are a bit more consternating since they're just totally spelled differently, alot and a lot is more of something I think before long we'll see in the dictionary as an accepted usage and everyone sees it as exactly what it is when they see it. to and too cause a moment of confusion for me sometimes and sometimes you have to read all the bits around it to know which was meant to be used.
What about the use of 'to' instead of 'too?' And where do misspelled words fall in your acceptable writing spectrum? Particularly words like 'grammer.'
English is a poorly designed language. I feel sorry for people who have to use it as their only means of communicating.
Occasionally you do find people who are playing Commander for the first time and are trying to rock Jhoira or Zur without knowing just how broken they are. You can usually tell by the fact that they play pretty suboptimal cards. However, this happens so rarely that people usually shoot first, then ask questions later. These are just Commanders that are usually so powerful they just deserve early game hate.
Game length is an issue. You can't just get into a game and expect to be done in a half hour. But that's part of the fun, I think. It also gives you time to talk smack with your opponents, who are usually pretty fun.
As for a deck that incorporates all of these thoughts, I would probably just end up tweaking the Dakkon deck I made a while ago. I would add Sadistic Sacrament, Jester's Cap, Patrician's Scorn, Linvala, and Relic of Progenitus. I will leave it as an exercise for the reader as to what to take out.
As for the Sek'Kuar deck, I saw someone playing a similar one a couple of months ago, and it was pretty brutal with a whole lot of back breaking combos. It really relies upon the sac outlets, especially the free ones. I don't think I could make a more effective one than the one Sam Black made.
Vial and no Standstill in a deck that wants to play a single fat creature ftw?
The best of the snake is not in a weenie deck, but in a deck that tries beatdown with a few fatties.
4x Quirion Dryad
4x Goyf
4x Snake
Probably Remand over Mana Leak. Then use Ponder, Brainstorm, to grow dryad and find other bits.
If you want to play Mystic Package play it, but don't use the snake as an excuse, there is actually no natural synergy, except the Sword of Fire and Ice. And if you want to draw to fatten snake, you can do that for less than 5 mana.
Psychotic Fury is a more amusing abuse of the colour/no colour status than guardian of the guildpact. And running winds of change/windfall etc is a better way to build the snake.
I play 17 land in my snake deck, but you seem to be avoiding duals and fetches so that may not work.
I kept running into a couple of opponents in the multiplayer room that you couldn't really beat unless everyone teamed up against them but mostly it was the time it took to play the games that petered out my play of it.
With 2 azure drakes and lots of filler that serves similar roles like armored cancrix and cayon minotaur in your maindeck I don't see the arguement that the deck didnt need any extra help.
Ive never been that thrilled with wall of frost except in a dedicated skies deck anyway. I tend to shy away from splashing myself but in this case i think it was warrented.
I agree about the double white which is why it was easy for me to discount the white early on. In any case thats fine I'll agree to disagree here.
Heh, in all fairness, this whole site needs a copy editor. As an English (ESL) teacher, I cringe at some of the mistakes that are obviously not typos (i.e. homonyms and bad grammar).
Yeah, when I first got back into Magic and found EDH was popular, I immediately wanted to make an esper control deck and picked up a Zur... then I discovered that he was one of the most loathed generals. Needless to say, the deck never got built. I think paper, where you have a playgroup, has the advantage here for playing non-broken decks with breakable generals because they will get to know you and your deck.
Oddly, the first commander deck I made was a Jhoira deck and it was completely harmless fun. I was mostly interested in playing around with time counters and cheap storm effects. Of course I immediately drew all the hate on the board assuming I was going to go all crazy at any moment.
Sekkuar Deathkeeper is my "Favorite Magic Card EVER", yet I have really struggled to use him as a commander on the kind of budget i usually run. I ws going to suggest him as a card to write about.
Nice summary of the strengths of the various infect-related cards, but still a lot to learn to figure out how to draft this deck. How many infect decks can a table expect to support? Should one try to go for the infect deck, or just dive in if there are no other takers? Given the novelty of infect, is it likely to be overdrafted (likely, I think)? Is green/black the only type, or can there be green/blue or black/blue varieties? Is a blue splash worth considering for proliferating poison counters in the late game?
Skittles. Lol. I knew those things weren't healthy. Now they're marks of infection.
First off I want to apologize for my lack of grammar and spelling. I will have to take Paul up on his offer and hopefully avoid this many errors.
NO_Peace all your suggestions are valid for sure. I did not add Goyf simple because I don't own any. I really do not care for remand though, I would much rather have leak. I ran the mystic pack because I had just purchased them and am willing to throw them into any deck right now. I mainly like playing it to give the snake some kind of protection and evasion. I think I would still run Guardian of the Guildpact over Psychotic Fury. Attaching a sword on to him usually wins the game. I would love to run duals but sadly I can't afford them right now. Thanks for the comments.
I can’t believe you omitted Merfolk Spy!
Its true, there's a zombie deck I see a lot that just stacks zombie lords on top of each other. With a little acceleration you can end up facing 3 lords on turn 2!
I checked out Sam Black's article and recommend it. He has some great insights into the EDH mindset. His Sek'Kuar deck was packed full of a lot more combo pieces than I would normally run, but I see a few that I should definitely pick up. I don't know why I don't own a bloodghast for instance!
plus Splinter = a deck without basic lands.
I concur with your truthiness.
I think when language changes its usually because that's how people have been using it anyway and then some institution formalizes it so that when you use it in a school paper you don't get a red circle around it. (though in college I find this correction happens a lot less with alot than it did in grammar school.)
I don't think that will happen. True, it seems like there is precedent with words like "alright" appearing after "all right" and "alright" is increasingly acceptable; however, the difference is that "a lot" uses an indefinite article. It's like typing "alittle" if you say "alot" is ok. Another reason I don't think it'll change is the use of "lots of". We would never say "alots of". So, although it seems like a simplification of the rules ("a lot" --> "alot"), it – on closer examination – is setting up more complexity/exceptions than are already present. Currently "a lot" is not an irregular grammatical construct and usually when languages change, it is to streamline/simplify grammar, such as fewer used irregular past tense verbs (snuck-->sneaked or dreamt--> dreamed). =)
I am constantly catching myself do that so I know exactly what you mean lol. I was sincere in my offer to René if he needs a proofer, though any number of people here could volunteer.
to and too are a bit more consternating since they're just totally spelled differently, alot and a lot is more of something I think before long we'll see in the dictionary as an accepted usage and everyone sees it as exactly what it is when they see it. to and too cause a moment of confusion for me sometimes and sometimes you have to read all the bits around it to know which was meant to be used.
What about the use of 'to' instead of 'too?' And where do misspelled words fall in your acceptable writing spectrum? Particularly words like 'grammer.'
English is a poorly designed language. I feel sorry for people who have to use it as their only means of communicating.
I think alot of people take a lot to seriously. There are grammer mistakes that give me alot of consternation but alot doesn't give me a lot.
Occasionally you do find people who are playing Commander for the first time and are trying to rock Jhoira or Zur without knowing just how broken they are. You can usually tell by the fact that they play pretty suboptimal cards. However, this happens so rarely that people usually shoot first, then ask questions later. These are just Commanders that are usually so powerful they just deserve early game hate.
Game length is an issue. You can't just get into a game and expect to be done in a half hour. But that's part of the fun, I think. It also gives you time to talk smack with your opponents, who are usually pretty fun.
As for a deck that incorporates all of these thoughts, I would probably just end up tweaking the Dakkon deck I made a while ago. I would add Sadistic Sacrament, Jester's Cap, Patrician's Scorn, Linvala, and Relic of Progenitus. I will leave it as an exercise for the reader as to what to take out.
As for the Sek'Kuar deck, I saw someone playing a similar one a couple of months ago, and it was pretty brutal with a whole lot of back breaking combos. It really relies upon the sac outlets, especially the free ones. I don't think I could make a more effective one than the one Sam Black made.
Vial and no Standstill in a deck that wants to play a single fat creature ftw?
The best of the snake is not in a weenie deck, but in a deck that tries beatdown with a few fatties.
4x Quirion Dryad
4x Goyf
4x Snake
Probably Remand over Mana Leak. Then use Ponder, Brainstorm, to grow dryad and find other bits.
If you want to play Mystic Package play it, but don't use the snake as an excuse, there is actually no natural synergy, except the Sword of Fire and Ice. And if you want to draw to fatten snake, you can do that for less than 5 mana.
Psychotic Fury is a more amusing abuse of the colour/no colour status than guardian of the guildpact. And running winds of change/windfall etc is a better way to build the snake.
I play 17 land in my snake deck, but you seem to be avoiding duals and fetches so that may not work.
He gets a pass from me on the grammar mistakes because at least he knows "a lot" is not "alot".
I really think some of the bigger Magic forums have just accepted "alot" as a real word.
Message me in game we can talk about it. :)
Great job on the banner Paul,
How does one enlist your services? I've obviously made my own but not necessarily with a great degree of artistry.
my only commander deck was a Savra, Queen of the Golgari deck that was always pretty fun to run: http://www.mtgotraders.com/deck/viewdeck.php?ID=4993
I kept running into a couple of opponents in the multiplayer room that you couldn't really beat unless everyone teamed up against them but mostly it was the time it took to play the games that petered out my play of it.
Still great format and a good look at it here
X-
His series is called "A Caveman's Look..." maybe its intentional for the flavor of it? =P Always liked lorescale, he's got fun written all over him.
X-
Tuga,
With 2 azure drakes and lots of filler that serves similar roles like armored cancrix and cayon minotaur in your maindeck I don't see the arguement that the deck didnt need any extra help.
Ive never been that thrilled with wall of frost except in a dedicated skies deck anyway. I tend to shy away from splashing myself but in this case i think it was warrented.
I agree about the double white which is why it was easy for me to discount the white early on. In any case thats fine I'll agree to disagree here.
Good luck in the future with it
X-
Heh, in all fairness, this whole site needs a copy editor. As an English (ESL) teacher, I cringe at some of the mistakes that are obviously not typos (i.e. homonyms and bad grammar).
Yeah, when I first got back into Magic and found EDH was popular, I immediately wanted to make an esper control deck and picked up a Zur... then I discovered that he was one of the most loathed generals. Needless to say, the deck never got built. I think paper, where you have a playgroup, has the advantage here for playing non-broken decks with breakable generals because they will get to know you and your deck.
Oddly, the first commander deck I made was a Jhoira deck and it was completely harmless fun. I was mostly interested in playing around with time counters and cheap storm effects. Of course I immediately drew all the hate on the board assuming I was going to go all crazy at any moment.
Sekkuar Deathkeeper is my "Favorite Magic Card EVER", yet I have really struggled to use him as a commander on the kind of budget i usually run. I ws going to suggest him as a card to write about.
Hey glad to be of service. Your articles are always fun to read and it's nice to see a logo on top. :)
Btw a deck list of all the various anti deck hate would have been nice.
Looks fun. :) You need someone to proof for you. Let me know next time.