Noggin Whack Sygg, River Cutthroat
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Thanks. It's probably (read: definitely) the most fun format I've ever played. Other cards I'd kinda like to find room for are: Preordain Eternal Witness Stupor (SB) Go for the Throat (SB) Maze of Ith (SB) Aven Mindcensor (SB)
Yeah, Death's Shadow was actually printed only a few weeks after I made this deck. The funny part is the deck was originally black with Flesh Reaver, but I eventually cut the black and Death's Shadow wasn't enough to change me back. Worship isn't in here because it's a casual deck, and a lot of my friends flat out wouldn't be able to win against a resolved worship. I feel Ali from Cairo does the same job with much more style… but each to their own. Form of the Dragon was originally on the list and got cut, though I can't remember why… it should really be put back in, thanks for the input! Near-Death Experience was added because it fits too well, though I hate the card. I should cut it!
Oh yeah, except the "on a budget" thing. Never mind, then! Maybe Compulsive Research?
If you really wanna focus on Lorescale Coatl, play Sylvan Library and Jace, the Mind Sculptor.
That's 9 mana. In legacy. You will: a) be dead by then to any aggro/combo decks or b) have your spells countered.
Pretty similar decks exist in competitive legacy, but they run about 43-45 lands. The idea isn't stupid, but the number of spells you're running is. Try 4 Treasure Hunt and 2 Manabond, it will be less impressive when it works, but will work many, many times more often.
The deck could actually win some games, though! It has synergy! Haha.
I tried them. What I found is the deck needs all the merfolk to generate considerable card advantage in order to feed the extremely hungry Foil and Dissipating Shoal. Cursecatcher is too limited on targets: he's great for competitive play where people tap out all the time, and are casting Swords to Plowshares or Force of Will every other turn, but with no Lords in a not-attacking deck he's not enough of a presence.
@DRE4D10CK: did that hand have a Mountain/Arid Mesa, a Mox Opal and a Goblin Bushwacker? Plus you need to then peel the Contested War Zone. Statistics aren't the friend of this deck.
Yeah, can't wait to attack with… Wall of Hope? What? Oh I see, you have Glorious Anthem. Wait. Three card combo to attack with a 1/4? o.O The pestilence avenue is good.
I can only assume you're trolling… Even with a turn 1 Hellkite you don't win until turn 4 minimum. The main issue I have, however, is how you're casting the Hellkite on turn 1. Academy will make 5 mana, and Hellkite costs 6. None of your 0-cost artifacts are Mox Opal, so… Eh, trolls are hungry, I suppose.
Hey, I might be wrong, but if you get Koth's emblem up don't you kind of win… without the spitfire?
22 lands in a 66 card deck, with plenty of 4 (10) and 5+ (12) drops. That's as many expensive things as you have land! I'm a little worried you're not gonna be able to cast your spells (though I get the costly auras are to be tutored. Still, they're tutored by a 6-drop). Looks very on-theme, though. I thought Elspeth was the exalted planeswalker?
3 things. 1. The deck *can* kill turn 2, during your opponent's 2nd end step. T1: Blood Crypt -> Dark Ritual -> Dark Ritual -> Maralen -> Bloodchief Ascension get 1 counter in their end step. T2: Magma Jet/Lightning Bolt/Sign in Blood them for counter number 2. their turn in end step get the 3rd counter, Archive Trap. 2. If their deck runs any disenchants *at all* this deck will fail. 3. Noble Benefactor is another way to pull this trick off. Personally I think the deck is safer (from point 2) in a control deck with Countersquall and Undermine. Each to their own, I suppose.
It looks fun if you can get and keep a Kiln Fiend around. I expect you'll spend a bunch of time waiting to draw the next Fiend or Diabolic Tutor, though. I always thought a cool/funny trick for Kiln Fiend decks was Not of This World. if they try and Go for the Throat him when you're attacking, respond with Vampire's bite or any 2 instants, then counter their removal for free and pump your Kiln Fiend further. Then there's the ever obvious Assault Strobe, which I assume you left out on purpose. Cool deck. :)
If you're aiming for burn quality, I have 2 immediate suggestions. Burst Lightning is strictly better than Shock, and Fireblast is usually better than Thunderclap, especially given it can target faces. Lava Spike is almost always better than Spark Elemental, as it can't be blocked, and it triggers your Kiln Fiend. As for Pyretic Ritual, I think you mana costs are low enough not to need this too much. I would suggest trying Keldon Marauders, one of the best burn spells in the game. Sorry if the comments are too "min/max"ing, the deck looks cool and fun!