For those who don't really know, the so-called 1v1 "competitive" EDH variant is referred to as Duel Commander. When you add up all those words in the back end of the last sentence, I trust that you've come to a similar conclusion about how strange and ludicrous that sounds. Apparently, it was developed by the French, so if you're looking for someone to blame, well- blame yourself if you're playing their silly, Diet Coke version of fun.
ON THE RISE(?)
This morning I saw the first lists emerge on TappedOut for Phenax, and was once again left confused and semi-excited.
The Phenax deck designs seem to be incorporating these huge do-nothing Defenders coupled with enchantments to get the God to appear.
Now, there is a big question mark here, but I thought it was just worth mentioning that it looks like Mill strategies have been given some serious power and innovation in the last year or so, and the trend is continuing.
The Phenax deck designs seem to be incorporating these huge do-nothing Defenders coupled with enchantments to get the God to appear.
Now, there is a big question mark here, but I thought it was just worth mentioning that it looks like Mill strategies have been given some serious power and innovation in the last year or so, and the trend is continuing.
More time might mean this deck gets better, I'm not sure. But even if it's not good, the deck still seems interesting enough to want to be played and played against. For some, that just might be enough to sway you.
Should any of you find good lists for Phenax, or any of the new gods, please share them with me.
Should any of you find good lists for Phenax, or any of the new gods, please share them with me.
ALWAYS AROUND(?)
It seems to me the threat of Zur at a table is a lot worse than actually having Zur around.
Apparently though, that didn't stop the Duel Commander staff from banning this guy a week or so ago.
Hailed as one of the best decks in their "format," the attempt to quell Zur's power while keeping him in the game for the longest time was to ban Vanishing, which is apparently the best card he could tutor for.
So yeah. They banned Vanishing. Only after realizing that a tutorable Rest in Peace plus Helm of Obedience was the biggest offender that they finally took Zur out of the Command Zone, unbanning the phasing Aura.
Now, I'm not saying Zur isn't good. All of this just seems a bit foolish. One of my favorite quotes is an Oscar Wilde one- "It is with the best intentions that the worst work is done." Seems to me like they could improve by taking a more Joker-esque approach. Be more like a dog chasing cards.
Again, Zur or the threat of this deck should always be around. He makes Necropotence even cheaper than it already is, and has access to plenty of free and neat tech. Even my Pauper version of this deck was pretty good.
UNDER THE RADAR(?)
Along with the Duel Commander "banning" (which is obviously not a real banning) of Zur came the surprise ban of our favorite Beast Wars Magic card.
According to their rationale, this card is just "too good with other cards." Apparently Birthing Pod gives them too much value. Hokori makes things too one-sided. And Bloom Tender gives them too much mana.
In Duel Commander Tournament circuits, this deck showed up in three different Top 8's, and that was enough for their little gang of folks to say, "No, not anymore!" and clip Derevi's poor wings.
So be on the lookout, guys. Derevi's a real terror. Sixty percent of the time, she's going to wreck your metagame every time.
Much like Zur, it's not about the lack of power. Obvious power is obvious. Banning a card because a deck designer knows how to power up cards is perhaps the worst banning explanation to date. Especially when this deck really isn't Zur in terms of its raw power.
As far as the normal metagame goes, Derevi will probably never be "under the radar" because she was part of a Commander expansion. Still, it's kind of a shock that I haven't heard dominating tales or heard of solid lists for the Empyrial Tactician. Especially none that were ban-worthy.
Again, I'd love to be proven wrong. So if you find one, send it my way in the comments below.
Here's to hoping you guys have a good Lazy Sunday.
-UL
Apparently though, that didn't stop the Duel Commander staff from banning this guy a week or so ago.
Hailed as one of the best decks in their "format," the attempt to quell Zur's power while keeping him in the game for the longest time was to ban Vanishing, which is apparently the best card he could tutor for.
So yeah. They banned Vanishing. Only after realizing that a tutorable Rest in Peace plus Helm of Obedience was the biggest offender that they finally took Zur out of the Command Zone, unbanning the phasing Aura.
Now, I'm not saying Zur isn't good. All of this just seems a bit foolish. One of my favorite quotes is an Oscar Wilde one- "It is with the best intentions that the worst work is done." Seems to me like they could improve by taking a more Joker-esque approach. Be more like a dog chasing cards.
Again, Zur or the threat of this deck should always be around. He makes Necropotence even cheaper than it already is, and has access to plenty of free and neat tech. Even my Pauper version of this deck was pretty good.
UNDER THE RADAR(?)
According to their rationale, this card is just "too good with other cards." Apparently Birthing Pod gives them too much value. Hokori makes things too one-sided. And Bloom Tender gives them too much mana.
In Duel Commander Tournament circuits, this deck showed up in three different Top 8's, and that was enough for their little gang of folks to say, "No, not anymore!" and clip Derevi's poor wings.
So be on the lookout, guys. Derevi's a real terror. Sixty percent of the time, she's going to wreck your metagame every time.
Much like Zur, it's not about the lack of power. Obvious power is obvious. Banning a card because a deck designer knows how to power up cards is perhaps the worst banning explanation to date. Especially when this deck really isn't Zur in terms of its raw power.
As far as the normal metagame goes, Derevi will probably never be "under the radar" because she was part of a Commander expansion. Still, it's kind of a shock that I haven't heard dominating tales or heard of solid lists for the Empyrial Tactician. Especially none that were ban-worthy.
Again, I'd love to be proven wrong. So if you find one, send it my way in the comments below.
Here's to hoping you guys have a good Lazy Sunday.
-UL
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