~Nathan_A~

Originally, I was doing exactly as you suggested. However, there are many ways to take Avacyn and PrivPo apart, and that's just covering my stuff. The thing is, if I had powers, I'd use them for others. I thoroughly like helping a team when I play games, and it would be too easy to set myself up for the win (after all, isn't that what everyone does?). I wanted to 1) minimize any/all holes in defense against other decks, and 2) set the same defense up for the team as well. In the end, this is as close to those goals as it gets, at least from what I've tested and tempered.

With those goals in the clear, would you still suggest simplification? If so, I'll definitely take into consideration another approach. I've actually had 3 or 4 very different combo-builds for this deck, but this had the most reliable probability and simplicity to it, believe it or not. But I haven't even looked at a Magic card in months so I'm sure there are other cogs I could replace by now.

Thank you for the suggestions, compliments, and references. I look forward to seeing more of your decks as well.

I greatly appreciate that. Thank you. I don't get on as much as I used to, but it makes me happy when I check in to see someone out there appreciates it for what it is (or even knows it exists). And by someone as seasoned as yourself at that.

I've had the deck in private status for some time and just wanted to update the finishing touches to the construction of the deck. I'm aware people prefer a convenient how-to-play, but I just haven't gotten to it yet. It will be made later when it's convenient for me, as it is late atm where I live and I am ready to sleep soon. Patience is a virtue, virtues are exercises, and I guess this situation makes me a fitness instructor, but if you're interested in the deck, I hope you'll stay tuned.

You know how the Challenge works, so there's no flaw. Simply pick out one of the expensive creatures and one of either flickering creatures and it won't matter which they pick. If they first choose the biggie, you flicker it with the other. If they first choose the flicker creature, you get the biggie anyway. The high power, low cost creatures are simply for triggering Cream of the Crop as you mentioned, and it is only in there for bettering the probability of getting the Challenge next turn if you don't already have it. I chose both of the land droppers to better the chances of getting one by turn 1 or so. They were the best candidates for the job as they both cost 1 CMC.

I will try to have more info up before I make a deck viewable in the future. I didn't expect to get views and comments so soon if at all. I go pretty unnoticed if you can't tell. Thank you for the interest, time, patience, and advice. I hope you enjoyed peeking at the deck and have a great weekend!

Thanks for the list, Bud. Unfortunately, I've already considered all those (minus Anointed Procession because it's new). I built this a while back and Lightning Coils was the nearest contender, but even it doesn't supply enough to pull this off by turn 5. I've considered delaying it a turn and playing Idyllic Tutor or the like, but I'd be long dead by then against most modern decks (even completed, this deck will probably lose). I need something to pour out at least 3 tokens at once, a booster of at least +3/+0, and/or a tutor for 4 or less that applies on the turn it's played... if my memory serves correctly. This was a very calculated deck, hence the name. Gotta love puns.

Ah, I see what you meant. The turn immediately after (with Emrakul) is almost guaranteed though. That's why I corrected myself in a way in the description. It's like a turn 3.5 lol Semantics

I didn't really have anything better to play than another Platinum Angel, but if there's anything better, I'm up for suggestions. As for turn 3, although it's not as probable as I usually like, it can definitely happen. There's ramp to get it out early and Mass Hysteria to give it haste. When it attacks, unless the damage is prevented, it will be able to cast Primal Surge right away, whether or not it's blocked. Definitely possible on turn 3.

You know, I'm not sure. I think I ran out of good enough 1-drops and wanted to help ensure the lion got his boost. I'll look into it again sometime and check. Thanks for pointing that out.

Yeah, besides the red Shoal, blue Shoal, and some of the Trap cards, I don't think they were good choices either. Doesn't hurt to look though.

The cheapest solution is Primal Rage, but there are other ways. You'll probably want to stick to it though.

Like Puschkin said, Axebane Guardian is a druid, and he would add at least a little defense to the deck. Joraga Treespeaker doesn't just help elves; level her up just once and she's a delayed, legal Sol Ring. Turn 1 she's out and turn 2 she already pays back the mana put into her that turn... and consistently every turn after. It's a better card than you think.

Your welcome. Enjoy. Hope you feel better.

Here, I'll leave it to you to look through:

http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?sort=cmc+&action=advanced&output=spoiler&method=visual&set=|[%22:%22]|[%22magic%22]|[%22tenth%22]|[%22eternal%22]|[%22modern%22]|[%22archenemy%22]|[%22chase%22]|[%22commander%22]|[%22promo%22]|[%22mirrodi%22]|[%22darksteel%22]|[%22dawn%22]|[%22kamigawa%22]|[%22guild%22]|[%22ension%22]|[%22coldsnap%22]|[%22time%20spiral%22]|[%22planar%22]|[%22sight%22]|[%22lorwyn%22]|[%22tide%22]|[%22moor%22]|[%22alara%22]|[%22conflux%22]|[%22zendika%22]|[%22worldwake%22]|[%22eldrazi%22]|[%22phyrexia%22]|[%22innistra%22]|[%22avacyn%22]|[%22ravnica%22]|[%22gate%22]|[%22maze%22]|[%22theros%22]|[%22gods%22]|[%22nyx%22]|[%22tarkir%22]|[%22fate%22]|[%22oath%22]|[%22moon%22]|[%22kaladesh%22]|[%22aether%22]&text=%20[you]%20[may]%20[rather]%20[than]%20[pay]%20[cost]%20![suspend]&name=%20![bringer]

I know lots, but I can't think of them all on the spot. Give me some time to list a few out. I gotchu, Bro! First, answer me this: do you wish to keep this deck modern legal?

lol okay, 10/10! :)

Okay, now I'm not sure which of your decks is my favorite... this one's AWESOME! Great concept, seems VERY reliable (on your end), and as far as I know is original. Very nice work, a masterpiece even!

The only possible additions I could suggest would be checking out other cards out there that aren't necessarily CMC 0, but can be played for free, like the Shoals (particularly the red one) or counterspells like Misdirection. Maxing Noxious Revival may also be a good idea in that you might want to use a certain spell in your graveyard twice, such as Assault Strobe.

I think this is my favorite deck of yours. I love defense in general and quirky, original deck designs. So this deck uses defensive creatures for cheap CMC, uses them in a lopsided way, and doesn't cost much at ALL. Not to mention the cool background story. 5/5

I like it! Thought about making a treefolk deck myself actually. This seems pretty well built. No Assault Formation though? Works the same as Doran and if you add Idyllic Tutor or Plea for Guidance with it you can get it pretty reliably. Adding trample always helps stompies as well.

You're right. It did appear as white and red, but I also know that some hybrid cards cause the deck to appear as though it runs other colors that the creator may or may not have intended to use at all. Like my Spellslinger; the Swans are the reason it seems as if it's a three-color deck, but it's not. Furthermore, sometimes others' suggestions can cause the creator to make changes to the deck and he or she might forget or delay the changes in Description and/or Deck Tags. But assuming is assuming. My apologies.

Unfortunately, I don't care to read each and every other person's comments on here, so I will stick to addressing what seems to be the original concept and help wanted. If you wanted to keep it mono red (I think it was at a time) but want to better guarantee getting Goblin Gaveleer early, I would suggest Goblin Matron, Gamble, or, if you want to use old-looking cards, Goblin Recruiter and Imperial Recruiter. If you want an opinion on how to make things run smoother, I'd say splash in some white. Better yet, make most of it white. I'm pretty sure the other comments on this deck mention the same thing and even list some of the notorious cards white has to offer. If they aren't, check out my Samurai Showdown deck. It uses a few. Which ones you use (if any) and how you use them is completely up to you. It may be biased to say, but I think white and/or green make almost any deck better. Mono red is hard to pull off unless it's burn-based, INHO, due to the fact red lacks a lot of tutor/fetch cards and long term mana ramp. Godspeed in whatever your endeavors are in this deck's production. You know I like the different approaches you tend to make in your deck ideas. Keep up the good work!

I like druids, but if all you're going for is lots of mana fast, I vote for some of my faves: Sol Ring, Joraga Treespeaker, or Overgrown Battlement & Axebane Guardian (they make mana for days together). If you went with the last fore-mentioned duo, you could recreate the theme to something like "Defend the Land" or something and utilize defenders. Or you could team up Beasts with the Druids and that way you have plenty of mana AND tanks for the field, but then I wouldn't advise keeping the Archdruid in that the chances of getting 7 of the same type of creature would be even less likely. Ofcourse, you could just focus on the Archdruid and make it all about snatching that enemy land. The ideas are endless, but only you know what you want it to do best. Throwing ideas out there.