We totally need another EDH thread

[epiclevelwarrior]

There's been a sudden influx of EDH threads which has inspired me to finally build the Jenara deck I've been booting around.

If people like we can consolidate the EDH discussion here. So if anyone else feels like posting a deck or just randomly nattering about EDH, this is a good place for it.

Anyway:

Jenara, Asura of War
(1 General)

Seaside Citadel
Coastal Tower
Elfhame Palace
Skycloud Expanse
Sungrass Prairie
Selesnya Sanctuary
Azorius Chancery
Simic Growth-Chamber
Terramorphic Expanse
Bant Panorama
Krosan Verge
Thawing Glaciers
Kor Haven
Prahv, Spires of Order
Springjack Pasture
Forest x8
Island x7
Plains x7
(36 Land)

Weathered Wayfarer
Sakura-Tribe Elder
Qasali Pridemage
Azorius Guildmage
Giltspire Avenger
Kitchen Finks
Eternal Witness
Winged Coatl
Trygon Preadator
Rhox War Monk
Drift of Phantasms
Stonecloaker
Solemn Simulacrum
Mystic Snake
Glen Elendra Archmage
Wickerbough Elder
Glory
Draining Whelk
Sabretooth Nishoba
Skyward Eye Prophets
Krosan Tusker
Empyrial Archangel
(22 Creatures)


Sensei's Divining Top
Journeyer's Kite
Cloak and Dagger
Coalition Relic
Behemoth Sledge
Mind's Eye

Night Soil
Rhystic Study
Shield of the Oversoul
Armadilo Cloak
Oblivion Ring
Prison Term
Faith's Fetters
Control Magic

Serum Visions
Regrowth
Far Wandering
Supply//Demand
Wargate
Primal Command
Rout
Final Judgement
Austere Command
Akroma's Vengeance
Spitting Image
Blatant Theivery

Brainstorm
Whispers of the Muse
Condemn
Swords to Plowshares
Spell Burst
Eladamri's Call
Shelter
Muddle the Mixture
Dismantling Blow
Krosan Grip
Hinder
Crib Swap
Bant Charm
Treva's Charm
Fact of Fiction
Spin Into Myth
(42 Other Spells)

It's kinda a good stuff utility deck and kinda a General kill focused deck hence the auras and equps (I want Swords of Fire/Ice and Light/Shadow but it's not gonna happen).

I'm also channeling the "stop the other players from going nuts" school and the Bennie Smith "play speculative cards so you look less threatening" school. Hence lots of cheap utility creatures and spells.

This is a first draft and not actually put together so any observations would be great.

[SporkMaster5000]

epiclevelwarrior

It's kinda a good stuff utility deck and kinda a General kill focused deck hence the auras and equps (I want Swords of Fire/Ice and Light/Shadow but it's not gonna happen).

that's the strategy of my oros deck, and it works wonders.

Quote:

I'm also channeling the "stop the other players from going nuts" school and the Bennie Smith "play speculative cards so you look less threatening" school. Hence lots of cheap utility creatures and spells.

also effective, in my experience.

the only card that catches my eye as immediately underwhelming is winged coatl. yeah, deathtouch flying, but it does that once then dies unless you put a shield on it or something, i'd think you could do better for defenses and rattlesnakes.

another that catches my eye is final judgement. in EDH, it's less final than it could be, look into hallowed burial, it's a lovely hoser.

other utility cards you might consider: trickbind, chord of calling, legacy's allure, snakeform, seal of primordium/seal of cleansing, ray of command, cytoshape (no, seriously, it's awesome)

honestly, it looks to me like a nice EDH deck. i'd run it.

[epiclevelwarrior]

Winged Coatl: Does it need to be more than 1 shot removal that can potentially do damage if I happen to have the equips/ auras lying around? I suppose it depends on how likely that 2nd scenario is and given that a 2 or 3 power creature isn't likely to finish off any 40 point life totals... I should probably ditch it for stronger removal/ anti combo utility.

I'd like Judgment to be HB but for some reason HB has gone up in price recently (maybe the WoG leaving thing? If so hopefully DoJ will bring it back down). Would Planar Cleansing be better than Judgment? Or maybe I should just spring for burial and complete my anti general suite (interesting that all the good bottom deck removal is U and W).

On the subject of bottom deck removal would Proteus Staff be a good card for EDH (either this deck or EDH in general)?

Trickbind is a good idea I hadn't considered.

Legacy's Allure I had considered but I was worried about its startup time in a format defined by big drops. Have you run it and did it tend to get big enough to steal anything worthwhile?

Snakeform's another one I considered. Would probably do the job the Coatl is currently doing only cantrip into the bargain.

Would you say the Seals of Artifact/Enchantment kill are better than other such options (like Ray of Distortion)?

Anyway, thanks for the suggestions.

[SporkMaster5000]

epiclevelwarrior

I'd like Judgment to be HB but for some reason HB has gone up in price recently (maybe the WoG leaving thing? If so hopefully DoJ will bring it back down). Would Planar Cleansing be better than Judgment? Or maybe I should just spring for burial and complete my anti general suite (interesting that all the good bottom deck removal is U and W).

honestly, i've only run hallowed burial in my oros deck and had it come up a bit moreo ften than my five or so other sweepers, so i can't say if planar cleansing would be objectively better or worse. it does destroy planeswalkers, so if that's a meta choice to be concerned about it's worth a shot. really, all sweepers are good, final judgement included, burial's just general tech, if you don't have it cleansing or judgement both are not bad choices.

Quote:

On the subject of bottom deck removal would Proteus Staff be a good card for EDH (either this deck or EDH in general)?

i don't have much experience with it, but i wouldn't use it for removal. yeah, you get rid of their general, but with most decks you've got a 50/50 shot of turning up either a utility dude, or a different face smasher, and those odds aren't exactly fantastic. you could use it to cycle through your own utility dudes though, so not completely worthless.

Quote:

Legacy's Allure I had considered but I was worried about its startup time in a format defined by big drops. Have you run it and did it tend to get big enough to steal anything worthwhile?

i have it in a deck, but haven't played it. I have seen a friend use it in regular constructed, and honsetly, it's a lot like rhystic study. even if you acknowledge it, you don't really want to do anything about it until it's too late because it's a two mana enchantment that's not hurting you. at worst you grab a utility dude to chump block with it, at best it builds up and steals a general or other unruly beater. it's not greatl ate game but EDH can be a slow format, the buildup doesn't hurt it so much as you might think.

Quote:

Snakeform's another one I considered. Would probably do the job the Coatl is currently doing only cantrip into the bargain.

it's really flexible removal, losing all abilities is Strong with a capital S.

Quote:

Would you say the Seals of Artifact/Enchantment kill are better than other such options (like Ray of Distortion)?

i don't know if i'd say better, but A) they let people know that enchantments and artifacts that hose you specifically will be dealt with harshly and quickly and B) you can get them out early, and then when the time for disenchanting does come around, you save a bit of mana, which is good if you want to play jenara and pump her, or if you're playing her for the third time or so. it's not better but it's different considerations, and worth giving a look at least.

[Designer Genes]

Jhoira of the Ghitu x1 (General)

Creatures:

Jhoira's Timebug
Aeon Chronicler
Greater Gargadon
Deep Sea Kraken
Rift Elemental
Time Bender
Tidespout Tyrant
Akroma, Angel of Fury
Hateflayer
Inkwell Leviathan
Darksteel Colossus
Bogardan Hellkite
Kederekt Leviathan
Bloodfire Colossus
Detriviore
Errant Ephemeron
Epochrasite
Erayo, Soratami Ascendant
Chronozoa
Sundering Titan
Stuffy Doll
(21)

Other Spells:
Searing Wind
Lavaball Trap
Opportunity
Evacuation
Prophetic Bolt
Riddle of Lightning
Sunder
Last Word
Into the Roil
Fire Tempest
Wild Ricochet
Decree of Annihilation
Blatant Thievery
Devastation
Time Stretch
Volley of Boulders
Insurrection
Obliterate
Boom // Bust
Cinderstorm
Jokulhaups
Mindblaze
Thoughts of Ruin
Wildfire
Fury Charm
Reality Acid
Paradox Haze
Rift Bolt
Thought Reflection
Inferno
Honden of Seeing Winds
Ancestral Vision
(32)

Artifacts:
Chrome Mox
Pithing Needle
Coldsteel Heart
Izzet Signet
Mind Stone
Pentad Prism
Prismatic Lens
Coalition Relic
Darksteel Ingot
Eye of Ramos
Heart of Ramos
(12)

Land:
Barbarian Ring
Cascade Bluffs
City of Brass
Gemstone Mine
Grixis Panorama
Meteor Crater
Minamo, School at Water's Edge
Oboro, Palace in the Clouds
Reflecting Pool
Scalding Tarn
Izzet Boilerworks
Steam Vents
Terramorphic Expanse
13x Mountain
8x Island

(34)

[epiclevelwarrior]

On the mana base:

I believe you're allowed to run lands that can produce the wrong color mana provided you don't do so so Crumbling Necropolis would be an option.

No Izzet Boilerworks or Terramorphic Expanse?

On the rest: No Clockspinning?

Rift Bolt seems underpowered. Nothing to recomend it except the suspend and 3 damage spells are just outclassed in EDH.

Detritivore goes with AC and seems like it could be quite scary in the late game if you've nuked the board.

Some more creatures that are just big and scary: Red Akroma, Bloodfire Coloussus, Dragon Tyrant, Hateflayer, Hoverguard Sweepers, Scourge of Kher Ridges. And Darksteel Colossus though I assume it'd be in there if you had a spare one.

Also Inferno.

You have something of a landkill theme going (which makes sense since Jhoira lets you play anything for 2). Ruination would work well with that. So would Boom//Bust.

Do you think Psychic possession is good enough to run?

Call the Skybreaker seems a bit underpowered. You aren't really set up to take advantage of the retrace ability and a 5/5 flying for 7 isn't the best deal in the world.

Some early defense might be nice. Gomazoa from Zendikar looks like an interesting option. Very good against generals. Propaganda and/or War Tax maybe. Would synergy with the landkill theme.

[Designer Genes]

epiclevelwarrior

On the mana base:

I believe you're allowed to run lands that can produce the wrong color mana provided you don't do so so Crumbling Necropolis would be an option.

No Izzet Boilerworks or Terramorphic Expanse?

On the rest: No Clockspinning?

Rift Bolt seems underpowered. Nothing to recomend it except the suspend and 3 damage spells are just outclassed in EDH.

Detritivore goes with AC and seems like it could be quite scary in the late game if you've nuked the board.

Some more creatures that are just big and scary: Red Akroma, Bloodfire Coloussus, Dragon Tyrant, Hateflayer, Hoverguard Sweepers, Scourge of Kher Ridges. And Darksteel Colossus though I assume it'd be in there if you had a spare one.

Also Inferno.

You have something of a landkill theme going (which makes sense since Jhoira lets you play anything for 2). Ruination would work well with that. So would Boom//Bust.

Do you think Psychic possession is good enough to run?

Call the Skybreaker seems a bit underpowered. You aren't really set up to take advantage of the retrace ability and a 5/5 flying for 7 isn't the best deal in the world.

Some early defense might be nice. Gomazoa from Zendikar looks like an interesting option. Very good against generals. Propaganda and/or War Tax maybe. Would synergy with the landkill theme.

Clockspinning seemed like a wasted slot. I'll probably add the Terramorphic and Boilerworks.
Rift Bolt is really just going with the theme. :/

I completely forgot about Detrivore, which is odd, 'cause I ran it for a while in Time Spiral block/ Ravnica block type 2.

Considered all those fatties, but I didn't want to completely go that route. razz

I don't really like Ruination, although Boom//bust seems good.

Psychic Possession in huge Multiplayer games? Yes please. :]

The skybreaker was an oversight, lol. He'll be removed.

So...

-Skybreaker, Last Word, Reality Acid, 1 mountains, and 2 Island

+ Izzet Boilerworks, Terramorphic Expanse, Crumbling Necropolis, Tremble, Boom//Bust, Detrivore

[epiclevelwarrior]

Clockspinning wasn't good enough but Fury Charm, Timebender, Paradox Haze and Jhoira's Timebug were? Fair enough, I suppose as Haze gives you a permanent effect rather than 3 mana a pop, Charm destroys artifacts (big deal in EDH) and Timebug is a creature. I'd say CS is better than Timebender, though, even with the creature thing.

Have you tested Reality Acid because I thought it looked kinda cool. Pretty much the only way you can answer Enchantments, which may be a big deal.

On Psychic Possession: You only get to channel one opponent, though, so if they get a bad draw or get taken out early you have problems. You might be right, though. There tends to be lots of drawing in EDH decks.

Tremble seems a bit underpowered. 1 land isn't likely to be a big deal.

I'd be inclined to pull something out for Inferno and Colossus even if you don't want to go the full on fat spell route. Global removal is likely to be really important and Colossus is a nice rattlesnake effect which will also probably matter.

Maybe over Petradon since it only hits 2 lands and those only while it's in play. Or Bogardan Hellkite since it only does 5 damage and only once.

Inferno might be better than one of the single target big burn spells.

[Designer Genes]

epiclevelwarrior

Clockspinning wasn't good enough but Fury Charm, Timebender, Paradox Haze and Jhoira's Timebug were? Fair enough, I suppose as Haze gives you a permanent effect rather than 3 mana a pop, Charm destroys artifacts (big deal in EDH) and Timebug is a creature. I'd say CS is better than Timebender, though, even with the creature thing.

Have you tested Reality Acid because I thought it looked kinda cool. Pretty much the only way you can answer Enchantments, which may be a big deal.

On Psychic Possession: You only get to channel one opponent, though, so if they get a bad draw or get taken out early you have problems. You might be right, though. There tends to be lots of drawing in EDH decks.

Tremble seems a bit underpowered. 1 land isn't likely to be a big deal.

I'd be inclined to pull something out for Inferno and Colossus even if you don't want to go the full on fat spell route. Global removal is likely to be really important and Colossus is a nice rattlesnake effect which will also probably matter.

Maybe over Petradon since it only hits 2 lands and those only while it's in play. Or Bogardan Hellkite since it only does 5 damage and only once.

Inferno might be better than one of the single target big burn spells.

Reality Acid seemed really slow. :[ I used to run it in Standard with Dream Stalker and a few other things to great effect though.

Tremble is kinda weak... I have a lot of draw power... Maybe Thoughts of Ruin?

Inferno and Colossus in, Petradon and Psychic Possession out. I forgot the Possession wasn't any other player. D:

And I like my big burn single target spells. Granted, they had much more synergy with Sway of Stars in, before I saw it on the EDH ban list. But they can be somewhat diplomatic if I have them suspended. I can just tell the other players to be nice to me or they get blasted for 7.

[epiclevelwarrior]

I don't think the single target burn is bad, I was just looking for something to take out for Inferno of a similar mana cost.

Thought's of Ruin might well work. Would need testing to be sure.

Other random landkill: Keldon Firebombers, Bend or Break, Devastating Dreams, Tectonic Break, Impending Disaster.

Sway being banned does kinda suck for you but I can see the reasoning there. It's insanely swingy in EDH.

Firey Tempest is Inferno only a sorcery if you want a 3rd 6 global damage effect which you may well.

Too bad about Reality Acid.

[Designer Genes]

epiclevelwarrior

I don't think the single target burn is bad, I was just looking for something to take out for Inferno of a similar mana cost.

Thought's of Ruin might well work. Would need testing to be sure.

Other random landkill: Keldon Firebombers, Bend or Break, Devastating Dreams, Tectonic Break, Impending Disaster.

Sway being banned does kinda suck for you but I can see the reasoning there. It's insanely swingy in EDH.

Firey Tempest is Inferno only a sorcery if you want a 3rd 6 global damage effect which you may well.

Too bad about Reality Acid.

I considered Devastating Dreams, but I don't like the random discard. :[

And Thoughts of Ruin should work, I have a decent amount of card advantage going on. I like the idea of suspending some spells, and lining it up so that the board gets sweeped, and I get nasty stuff at the same time.

[epiclevelwarrior]

Thoughts should work. I like Firebombers as well, though. It should hit a lot of lands in the later game.

Not sure what I'd cut for it, if anything. Maybe Djinn Illuminatus since you have very few spells you're gonna be able to afford the replicate for.

[Designer Genes]

There, I did some major editing.

[SporkMaster5000]

i didn't see it mentioned, but the bringers aren't legal outside of a five color deck. and crumbling necropolis isn't allowed in a r/u deck.

[epiclevelwarrior]

I get the bringers but what is it with the necropolis? City of Brass can make B but because it hasn't got the symbol printed on the card you can play it? What the heck.