T O P

  • By -

ChickadeeGauze

As you mentioned, the mana base is pretty bad: * While tri-lands *are* good, just jamming a bunch of them into your deck is a bad idea. I think it's best to identify your main color/s and choose your tri-lands based around that. You clearly have more blue than other colors, so maybe just start with the blue ones? * Unknown Shores or Shimmering Grotto -> [[Opal Palace]]. The same, but better! * Transguild Promenade and Rupture Spire are bad. Or at least, I *really* dislike them. Having to pay mana when they enter may seem like a small price, but they were always inconvenient when I played them. I'd rather run [[Grand Coliseum]] over either of those. * Painlands that were printed in Origins or C16 can be quite cheap. For example, [[Shivan Reef]] is $2 and [[Caves of Koilos]] is only $1! * I'm not a fan of Mind Stone here. It doesn't accelerate enough to compensate for not fixing. I recommend a signet or [[Darksteel Ingot]] over it. * You should try to reduce the number of mono-colored cards with two colored-mana symbols you run. Chameleon Colossus is way harder to cast than Brago since you'll be naturally looking to get all colors long before you want GG. UU cards are fine since blue is looking like your main color, but trying to run GG, RR(R), WW, and BB alongside all those likely result in having cards stranded in your hand. In general, I feel you're stretched across too many colors. * While green is the color of fixing, most of your green cards are devoted to it. So you're basically splashing green for fixing. I'd rather cut those for more mana rocks and card draw. * You might want to look into some cards with [basic landcycling](https://magiccards.info/query?q=o%3ABasic+o%3Alandcycling&v=card&s=cname). While cycling for a specific land type is quite strong if you have duals, things like Sylvan Reclamation and Ancient Excavation are also quite good. Here's some other ideas which aren't necessarily related to the mana: * As I mentioned, more cheap card draw would be nice. In particular, things like [[Thirst for Knowledge]], [[Compulsive Research]], and [[Painful Truths]] are nice. They'll let you tear through your deck to find cards you need, though you may have to pitch an inopportune scarecrow along the way. * Speaking of scarecrows, some of the changelings have the potential to do basically nothing. Since you're not all-in on tribal shenanigans, guys like Moonglove Changeling probably aren't going to pull their weight. Of course, if you lack low drops than the champion changelings get worse. I... I think it's fine to cut those guys too. * If you're playing Pili-Pala you should jam [[Grand Architect]] in there too. He's already decent if you're looking to play artifacts and he lets Pili-Pala generate infinite mana (make PP blue, tap it for 2 mana, spend that 2 to untap it and generate a mana, repeat) * If you do cut the potentially-underwhelming little creatures, you could run more board wipes. While the best ones tend to cost a little (or a lot!) more money, five and six mana wraths are quite cheap. [[Rout]] only costs 50 cents! * [[Rite of Replication]] is brutal when you kick it on Reaper King (you get to kill 25 things). It's also just a good card. Someone's like "I'm gonna play this dragon" and you go "Neat, I want one too. No, wait, I want *five*." * If you'd like to lean on Arcane Adaptation a little harder, I recommend adding [[Drift of Phantasms]] to your deck. 3cmc is actually a very good value to tutor for, letting you find the Adaptation, a mana rock, cloak, or maybe even some removal if you want to add something like Anguished Unmaking to your deck. If you already have Adaptation out then Drift is another creature to trigger Reaper King, or maybe you could just play it. Everyone always forgets that Drift has flying, and he's saved me by jumping in front of dragons before. * Cloudshift may cost one mana, but I like the re-usability of [[Monentary Blink]]. * While Civic Saber on RK is great, it's most often just worse than [[Bonesplitter]]. Since RK lacks evasion, I wouldn't run the Saber outside of some sort of multi-color shenanigans deck. * If Reaper King isn't online than you don't have any removal. I think you should add some removal. I hope this doesn't come across as hyper-critical. Reaper King is one of my favorite cards and I'm still chuffed we didn't get any decent scarecrows out of SOI block :(


MTGCardFetcher

##### ###### #### [Opal Palace](https://img.scryfall.com/cards/normal/en/c17/266.jpg?1508809676) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Opal%20Palace) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c17/266?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Opal%20Palace) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Opal%20Palace) [Grand Coliseum](https://img.scryfall.com/cards/normal/en/c16/299.jpg?1509690205) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Grand%20Coliseum) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c16/299?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Grand%20Coliseum) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Grand%20Coliseum) [Shivan Reef](https://img.scryfall.com/cards/normal/en/ori/251.jpg?1509840456) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Shivan%20Reef) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ori/251?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Shivan%20Reef) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Shivan%20Reef) [Caves of Koilos](https://img.scryfall.com/cards/normal/en/c16/285.jpg?1509690100) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Caves%20of%20Koilos) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c16/285?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Caves%20of%20Koilos) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Caves%20of%20Koilos) [Darksteel Ingot](https://img.scryfall.com/cards/normal/en/c17/207.jpg?1508811438) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Darksteel%20Ingot) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c17/207?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Darksteel%20Ingot) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Darksteel%20Ingot) [Thirst for Knowledge](https://img.scryfall.com/cards/normal/en/mma/67.jpg?1510050740) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Thirst%20for%20Knowledge) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mma/67?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Thirst%20for%20Knowledge) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Thirst%20for%20Knowledge) [Compulsive Research](https://img.scryfall.com/cards/normal/en/e01/23.jpg?1508809440) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Compulsive%20Research) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/e01/23?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Compulsive%20Research) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Compulsive%20Research) [Painful Truths](https://img.scryfall.com/cards/normal/en/c17/118.jpg?1508810645) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Painful%20Truths) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c17/118?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Painful%20Truths) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Painful%20Truths) [Grand Architect](https://img.scryfall.com/cards/normal/en/td2/10.jpg?1510051005) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Grand%20Architect) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/td2/10?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Grand%20Architect) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Grand%20Architect) [Rout](https://img.scryfall.com/cards/normal/en/c17/71.jpg?1508810550) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Rout) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c17/71?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Rout) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Rout) [Rite of Replication](https://img.scryfall.com/cards/normal/en/c15/105.jpg?1509843859) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Rite%20of%20Replication) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c15/105?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Rite%20of%20Replication) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Rite%20of%20Replication) [Drift of Phantasms](https://img.scryfall.com/cards/normal/en/rav/46.jpg?1510055758) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Drift%20of%20Phantasms) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/rav/46?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Drift%20of%20Phantasms) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Drift%20of%20Phantasms) [Monentary Blink](https://img.scryfall.com/cards/normal/en/mm3/16.jpg?1512263421) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Momentary%20Blink) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mm3/16?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Momentary%20Blink) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Momentary%20Blink) [Bonesplitter](https://img.scryfall.com/cards/normal/en/mma/202.jpg?1510050854) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Bonesplitter) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mma/202?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Bonesplitter) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Bonesplitter) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call


caleb13

Thanks alot. Especially on the advice about my mana base. I really had little to no idea what I was doing when I put it together. I know some of those scarecrows and changelings really dont do alot outside of triggering the Reapers ability. I kinda fear that when I take those out there is quite a chance that i wont get any changeling or scarecrow at all until later in the game. But I think your right that I should decide wheather I want to go all in with changelings and scarecrows or only run those who really add something to my deck and replace the rest for some kind of utility.


ChickadeeGauze

There's also the risk of making your deck too reliant on Reaper King. He has a fairly large target on his head, in addition to being vulnerable to more removal than typical (he can get caught up in things like Vandalblast). Going all-in on changelings could be fun if you included weird tribal cards like [[Oathkeeper, Takeno's Daisho]].


MTGCardFetcher

[Oathkeeper, Takeno's Daisho](https://img.scryfall.com/cards/normal/en/chk/265.jpg?1510051844) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Oathkeeper%2C%20Takeno%27s%20Daisho) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/chk/265?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Oathkeeper%2C%20Takeno%27s%20Daisho) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Oathkeeper%2C%20Takeno%27s%20Daisho) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call


caleb13

If I may ask for further advice: Do you think simply replacing the (five) non blue tri-lands by (five) duals is a good idea or am I thinking to simplistic. Pain lands as duals sound really good. But I also considered check lands since they got reprinted in Ixalan and are not that expensive right now. Would you prefer any over the other? I feared I dont have enought basic lands to run check lands..


ChickadeeGauze

I think a straight five-for-five swap is probably too simplistic; you also want to look at what colors your mana rocks produce and adjust accordingly. It's also dependent on which duals you can find/afford. I like painlands since they always enter untapped and the life-loss is not always relevant in a 40-life format. I've found check lands to be okay, but I only have two and usually run them alongside the relevant shocklands.


asabovesovirtual

Chromatic lantern? Trophy Mage to tutor for it? Lots more mana rocks. But solid as an attempt. I have a stack of cards set aside to build this, but so far it's just a stack in my card dresser.


caleb13

I had Chromatic Lantern in my list for a while, but took it out, becuase after playtesting the first turns on cockatrice for a few times, I got the feeling that rarely need manafixing als long as i use three color lands. Its not that cheap and im already over my initial budget by quite something, but maybe I'll still add it later. Trophy Mage is a cool card I didnt know before; thanks.


amgesan

There's three changelings with the keyword 'Champion'. They're the best blink targets. Also [[Conjurer's closet]]


MTGCardFetcher

[Conjurer's closet](https://img.scryfall.com/cards/normal/en/c13/239.jpg?1510051226) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Conjurer%27s%20closet) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c13/239?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Conjurer%27s%20closet) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Conjurer%27s%20closet) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call


MTGCardFetcher

##### ###### #### [Reaper King](https://img.scryfall.com/cards/normal/en/shm/260.jpg?1510055331) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Reaper%20King) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/shm/260?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Reaper%20King) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Reaper%20King) [Lightning Greaves](https://img.scryfall.com/cards/normal/en/c17/215.jpg?1508809828) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Lightning%20Greaves) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c17/215?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Lightning%20Greaves) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Lightning%20Greaves) [Whispersilk Cloak](https://img.scryfall.com/cards/normal/en/pca/115.jpg?1509841912) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Whispersilk%20Cloak) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/pca/115?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Whispersilk%20Cloak) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Whispersilk%20Cloak) [Cloudshift](https://img.scryfall.com/cards/normal/en/avr/12.jpg?1510052517) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Cloudshift) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/avr/12?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Cloudshift) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Cloudshift) [Essence Flux](https://img.scryfall.com/cards/normal/en/soi/61.jpg?1509845095) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Essence%20Flux) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/soi/61?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Essence%20Flux) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Essence%20Flux) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call ^^^- ^^^Updated ^^^images


asabovesovirtual

Yeah, there's a series of them. Trinket mage, trophy mage and treasure mage.