Remember The Fallen #2- The Re-Reboot

Welcome back to another Thor's Day, Zoners!

So, 2015 is going to be a pretty exciting year for TGZ. We've got some fresh new writers pumping out content, Stack episodes everywhere waiting to get booted up, and several other old/new ideas that the gang and I are going to re-start. I can't wait to share it all with ya!

The first of which is a one-off series I started last year and never continued- Remember the Fallen. Kudos to you if you remember, Remember the Fallen- but if not, I'm going to tell you anyway.

(If you want, here's the first one: Remember the Fallen #1)

FACT: Some decks are going to sound awesome. Like the Xenagos Ball Lightning deck I featured in my first installment of Remember the Fallen.

FACT: Not all decks are going to be good. 

More importantly, not all decks are going to be ones that we like, let alone ones that we keep.

This is what Remember the Fallen is all about. Often, I use Better Deckbuilding as my own little primer for deck designs I like and make so that they may inspire you to take some of my tech and try your own little spin on it. 

However, because I'm a constant deckbuilder, and again, I can't like every design I make, there are some real bad ones that often get dismantled or abandoned quickly throughout my deckbuilding process. And because I believe it is important to show that I am not a machine that gets it right every time, we're going to make time and place so I can show you all the deck designs that didn't quite make it- which might inspire a few of you to share your lists and show me a thing or two. 

So let's get started (again!)

Prime Speaker Zegana, aka PSZ, is a card that I've openly admitted I was entirely wrong to be disappointed with when she got spoiled back in Gatecrash. Everything about this card is right, I don't know what I was thinking, mea culpa like twenty-thousand times to William Murai for the brilliant art, as well as Design and Development for a fully functioning Simic Alternative.

And because it is well known that my love for Simic is moderately infinite, I did take her for a test drive last Fall.

The design was difficult- I didn't want to make the Control/Hexproof Dinosaurs deck, or this neat little Loam/Land Play deck that looked really solid.

I settled on a Wizard-Tribal/Combo deck, which ended up being not bad. Unlike some of my designs that don't make it past the Goldfish rounds, the 1v1 and multiplayer test drives did yield some victories.

Door of Destinies in conjunction with Master Biomancer set up Fathom Mage to always Evolve, as well as create some hilariously big Thought Couriers.

My big combos in the deck involved Biovisionary or Lab Maniac, so I was either drawing into a Rite of Replication or drawing everything. Oh, yeah- and I got to play Prophet of Kruphix. #HagridToldHimHeWasAWizard

Ultimately, the counterspells made the deck durdle, and the combos went stale quickly, mostly because the set up was very similar to Azami. There was just too many big-time, one-trick things in this deck to keep my interest in it long term, so I pulled off a Lab Maniac combo, a Biovisionary combo, and retired it.

So another year, another Boros deck dismantled. That seems to be a common thing for me as I continue to search for the right one for me in Red and White.

I'll admit the reason Anax and Cymede failed was a lot on me in deck design.

The concept seemed cool- Auras combined with Trick Voltron to make for a little Aggro deck with opportunities for multiple Heroic triggers. I'd done some serious Gatherer searching for Auras like Flickering Ward and Ghitu Firebreathing, which could be bounced and re-cast for Heroic value. Coupled with a few nice Storm spells like Astral Steel, I thought this was going to make for a nice deck.

What went wrong was two things. The first was that I forgot that mana was required, not only to bounce the enchantment, but to also re-cast it. Not compensating for this, the deck had a heck of a time repeating and resetting the effects of the Auras as many times as I wanted.

The other thing I got wrong, which was dumb, was a rules oversight with regards to Storm. Any copies I got off of Storm weren't going to trigger Heroic because, guess what? WE DON'T ACTUALLY CAST THE COPIES OFF OF STORM!

Those were probably the two biggest blunders I made in design, but there were actually two additional issues that broke the camel's back, leading to deck demolition.

The third problem was that we were swimming in options. What I mean is that I really threw every Heroic card I could play into the deck so I could figure out what, if any, were going to work. Like, do I always target A & C to get pumps and trample? Do I target this Vanguard of Brimaz to get Cat Tokens?

Having so many different options may sound good, but design-wise, none of these cards were big enough to get around creatures, so we were always making a sacrifice, and that's without trying to account for removal.

The last issue was just one I've had with all Boros decks I've made since the beginning of time- I never seem to have enough cards in my hand. While I like to think that I've become a better Aggro player, I'm still a calculating one. I take chances when I can, play tricks to protect my stuff, and most of my designs can support the tempo I want to play at.

Because of the innate need for R/W to get wide, I feel like I'm constantly over-committing to the board state, putting myself on a clock that's going to run out faster than I want. Clearly, I'm doing something wrong, and I've got to fix it- until then, the search continues!

I talked about Mirko a little bit in my strategy column over on CommanderCast, but I thought I'd get a little bit more in-depth about what was going on.

I'm still on the lookout for my Mill Commander. I'm also on the lookout for having a deck that's fun, that can win, but that I'm just as comfortable losing with. I'm also looking to have a successful Dimir deck at some point.

So against my better judgment, I threw together a scraggly-little Mill deck so I wouldn't be so behind while Mesmeric Orb was trending on Twitter (NOTE: I don't know if that's true. I actually don't Twitter). Fact though- Sidisi has made this Mesmeric Orb a pretty known quantity.

At first, I thought I might have some hope. Mirko, being just the right amount of unplayable, could come in under the radar and take away/potentially give my opponents a bunch of cards.

Ultimately, the deck got taken apart because it was just too slow. No joke- I did at least 18 damage with Mirko by the time I had an opponent's library in the Shelldock Isle zone (That's 20 cards or less, in case you've forgotten your Hideaway lands), and I just thought, "That's too much for not enough." The deck was working, and I could've probably made it better, but I just didn't want to spend any more time goofing off.

Well, that's all I have for now. Before I go, here's a link to the Milling article published yesterday over on the Big Brothership, CommanderCast:

Mill-osophy

Also- Here's a link to my first podcast, in which I got to guest interview one of the creators of Tiny Leaders, Steven Hamonic.

CommanderCast #185- Tiny Leaders (and I'm on it!)

As always, my failures hopefully lead to your gain. If you've got decklists featuring any of these Fallen heroes, or you've seen some in action, and they have a nice online list for us to look at, share them with us!

Thanks! Turn's To You.

-UL

The Stack #5- Mambo No. 5

Ladies and Gentlemen, we're kickin' off our version of Dragon's Maze spoilers on The Stack here in True Lou Bega style, with a Mambo No. 5 of our own for our fifth "episode."

This week and the following, we'll be talking Guild Champs, so get ready for a lot of fun and excitement. 


We've got a little bit of Exava, in your life.
A little bit of Vorel, by your side.
A Tenth of Lavinia's all you need.
A whole lotta Ruric Thar's all you see.
A little bit of Mirko Vosk, that's the plan.

Now let's get to The Stack before this is stuck in your head.

THIS IS THE STACK!

Uncle Landdrops- THUMBS UP
Had some serious debates about this card with GG, cause I love RT3 (Get it? Cause he's single-handedly saving the Gruul Franchise?). I've been sold since PAX East spoiled it. Hands down the best Gruul Commander. He has nice build-me-around space like Wort, the Raidmother, while also being the opposite of her. Also gonna be killer in my Animar deck, which is now one Domri away from being all lands and dudes.

Venser's Journalist- THUMBS UP
This is one mean ogre, and if his size and aggression don't scare you, then one of the meanest noncreature-lockdown abilities will. I think that 6 damage on anyone who plays a noncreature spell will paint a huge red target on Ruric, so you'd best come prepared with some Greaves if you want to consider using him.

Grandpa Growth- THUMBS NEUTRAL
I've been told I am a bit of a contrarian. I'd have to disagree. I am not swooning over Ruric Thar. In order to get me as excited as these guys it would have to read something like: "Haste, Trample. Ruric Thar can't be countered by spells or abilities." And the burn trigger would only hit opponents. As is, this card just seems...too fair. I am not afraid. I am still going to jam counter spells like my life depends on it. Best R/G general? Probably. Top 10 cmc 6 threat? Not really. Also: flavor. Why does an ogre barbarian guy with an axe for a hand have Vigilance? Because he has two heads? Really? I can only assume he takes rocks out of his underdeveloped brain and throws them at people who cast noncreature spells...because that makes sense.

Johnny Confidant- THUMBS UP
Not since Kazuul, Tyrant of the Cliffs have I been so excited to see such a devastating creature. Sure he has to attack each turn if able but he's got Vigilance which to me makes more than up for it. So far from what I've seen of the guild champions he's one of three to be successful as a commander and I can't wait to see how he works with Animar, Soul of Elements. Bravo!

Venser's Journalist- THUMBS UP (WAAAY UP)
This card has by far one of the most devastating enter the battlefield effects, which means that Lavinia will be buddies with Venser, the Sojourner and Conjurer's Closet. She's also one tough cookie: 4/4 for 3WU? Not bad. Add protection from red and she's not worried about burn spells or silly Ruric Thar.

Johnny Confidant- THUMBS UP
Detain was a mechanic that fit so well for Azorius in both flavor and lore. Her detain reaches everyone and targeting only 4 or lower is very devastating. Think about how many 4 cmc cards that make decks better, just off the top of my head I can think of Sensei's Top, a bunch of Mana dorks, Birthing Pod and Mana Rocks.

Uncle Landdrops- THUMBS UP
Of the Azorius Commanders, this is probably the one with the best space for design that isn't Geist. Blink-vinia puts soft locks on tokens and many other low CMC generals, and can also pose quite a threat herself. She's the leading leader of UW legends. No need to put her in deck. Lead with the Tenth!

Grandpa Growth-  THUMBS UP (THE MAXIMUM POSSIBLE WAY UP)
Ruric Thar? Cheesy scrub nonsense. Lavinia? The real noodles. Mechanically, this card is absurd. Totally snapped. I don't know why they print stuff like this, but they do. It creates non-interactive game play. This is the anti-fun. So naturally I love it. But, let us speak on the flavor of this tasty beast. She Detains all the people, but she is just one person. This card should be a swat team...or Batman.

Uncle Landdrops- THUMBS UP
At first glance, "Eczema" here doesn't look like she'd be much help to the Rakdos beatdown clan. However, considering the fact that RB houses mechanics like Undying, Devour, and Bloodthirst in addition to Unleash, this Witch isn't quite so useless, even if she's just a glorified Fervor for Ashling the Pilgrim, Bobby-Nixilis, or Black Mike and friends. This deck might be all-in on the red zone strategy, but I have confidence this deck can be made well. Also, a good supporter legend.

Venser's Journalist- THUMBS UP
I feel like Wizards really captured the essence of Rakdos. Alone, she's a formidable threat, since she's basically a 4/4 first strike, haste for four. Her other ability works well with other Rakdos unleashers, but also with creatures that just happen to have counters on them. Stick this in your Kresh the Bloodbraided deck and smoke it.

Johnny Confidant- THUMBS DOWN
I was disappointed when I read her abilities and they didn't quite match-up to who she is in the book, Ruric Thar did with his Non-creature spell trigger and for a Blood Witch with swords that are able to cut through chains... Eh it's all kinda personal I suppose. I just wanted some kind of damage spell built in similar to Guttersnipe, only Legendary. Honestly and from an unbiased position I'll say that while she will make creatures entering with +1/+1 counters on them have Haste the list of creatures that share Red or Black without Undying are slim. Golgari's got Scavenge so Jund seems a good choice, but that leaves only that and Devour. I'm just not seeing where she would give a good advantage. Stick with Fervor.

Grandpa Growth- THUMBS DOWN
This is...cute. Why is it that BR always gets stuck with the short end of the cycle stick? This card is so fair that it hurts. It also isn't very creative. "Oh, Rakdos champion, I know! Give it Haste! Unleash! NAILED IT!"

Grandpa Growth- THUMBS UP
I like it when cards are original designs, or at least close enough to original that it isn't over done yet. Everyone wanted a legendary Gilder Bairn, right? I think that's a cool design space they should use on more classic cards. General-ify it or whatever. I'm glad they made it. Not glad they nerfed it.

Johnny Confidant- THUMBS UP
A few Generals that come to mind that also care about counters are; Animar, Soul of Elements, Vorosh, the Hunter, The Mimeoplasm, Experiment Kraj and Jenara, Asura of War. Each casting of Vorosh, Kraj and Mimeo are investments that want to maximize counter potential and this guy is the utility master for them.  Unfortunately he was dialed back from my pal Gilder Bairn but I think he still has potential.

Uncle Landdrops- THUMBS DOWN (For Now)
VJ and I talked about "Jor-El," and I just think WotC left him metaphorically on Krypton when it exploded into a million pieces. What I mean is that the design had to be powered-down for Planeswalkers (and a shrouded Helix Pinnacle, probs) to prevent it from being a better Gilder Bairn and a complement to Doubling Season, so it ended up being overthought in the rules text, ruining for me what is aesthetically a rather beautiful card. Human Merfolk sounds awesome. I might eventually play it, but he's just no Superman.

Venser's Journalist- NOT SURE
I want to make this card work; I really do. It'd be shameful to have such a pretty card be so limited. UL's right, though; his limited scope leaves him only useful with Grafting or Evolve. I'd still give him a shot, though, assuming you can build an entirely graft/evolve EDH deck.

Johnny Confidant- THUMBS -> FACEPALM
The Dimir mechanic "Cipher" was a let down for me, especially since Transmute was great and didn't need any additional help to make it work. Transmute captured Dimir perfectly as a guild with the most interaction with the library that would sit back, gather the pieces, then strike when time was right. Cypher turns this behind-the-scenes guild by giving it a combative effect. Understanding that making it say "..combat damage..." loweres the power of the effect by making something that needs outside help with evasion. For 3UB just cast Consuming Aberration.

Venser's Journalist- NOT SURE
Normally, getting a Mind Funeral every turn would make me squeal with delight, but Mirko seems like a bit more of a liability. A 2/4 for five already has me in question, but the fact that he'll have to be heavily protected and made unblockable for a slightly better Mind Funeral really puts me on the fence.

Grandpa Growth- THUMBS DOWN
I don't understand why development does this kind of stuff. I would be excited to try this card at 1UB (think about Kemba). I would consider it a fair deal at 2UB, but a fair creature doesn't usually win games. At 3UB, this isn't a card at all. The obvious answer is that they had to make it fair for: <insert silly format here>! Probably limited. Let's be honest though. It wouldn't be much different at cmc 3 or cmc 7 in limited. They either kill it or lose. Pretty simple. The awkward thing about this is that increasing its costs actually increases its power level. Casting more expensive cards means more lands out on the table. Which means less time to stabilize before you lose to the Mirk-fiend.

Uncle Landdrops- THUMBS DOWN
He's not as bad as UB Legends have been, but Lazav is still my clear favorite for a serious Dimir deck. I just prefer Doom Blades over Millsville. Still, Mirko Polo does look like a siginificantly better option than Szadek, who's always been a better support card anyway. Mirko's also a great No.2 for Lazav as well. Flavor Judge says, "Yiss..." I just don't see myself playing this guy either.

Obviously, next week will be Teysa, Tajic, Emmara, Melek, and Varolz, which I'm sure will be a pretty decent outing.

In the meantime, we've got some stuff on the way for you here on TGZ. Grandpa Growth's "In General" Series returns tomorrow with more theory, and Johnny C's gonna talk Melek and Riku Thursday as part of his new "Tops Down//Bottom's Up" series.

Until then, Cast Your Solemns, Play Your Lands, and Take Friendly Mulligans.
Not That Partial Paris Nonsense.

-UL