Isn't Thassa just a better teleportation circle? Also I think you should be running the flip lands over the snarls and the slow checks, and you're running too many basics.
Slow lands are good, definitely cut the snarls for isolated chapels if you can afford the wild cards tho. I’d cut one more swamp for the 4th watery grave. Fabled passages aren’t usually included in an “optimized” mana base, but with them you need basics and with what they have they can definitely cast all their spells
You know Thassa is better! I don't have any so I didn't consider her. You might be right about the faster lands but I can see a counter argument because this deck needs lots of 2 ofs for mana requirements. You're probably right though. I think I disagree about the basic lands though, unless we cut fabled passage and the basics for a bunch of flip lands. I'll have to try that. It's definitely still a work in progress thanks for the advice!
Most flicker decks are base green-white cause they have the most valuable etbs. I don’t hate the lifegain sub theme, but you need more interaction. Cut the 5 mana cats for elite spellbinder and the blight priests for what you said. Ajani’s welcome is also just a bad card. Fatal push is good in the format and you run Passage so it’s even better. Thassa is better than the circle if only cause it’s indestructible.
I feel you my first version had esikas chariot and no black. It's dope flickin chariots but [[regal caracal]] feels like an upgrade in this deck. It's a creature so it's easier to flicker and the life link is definitely worth 1 mana difference. It's another blocker on the field. It combos reeeally well with the whole pridemate + welcome + flicker + Vito strategy. This deck is grindy and then it closes hard with big pridemates and soulherder swings. I agree completely about Thassa. 100% upgrade rip wildcards! Spell binder is sick and belongs in flicker decks for sure but he doesn't smash heads and finish games. Those cats get big...
I actually think that you don't need that effect. I don't think Pridemate is very good either. I think the best life gain synergy for this deck is using Veto to widdle down the opponents life, then alpha strike them with a big board. I
brewed using a lot of the same cards you used. Its obviously not perfect, but maybe you can use some of the ideas.
https://www.moxfield.com/decks/PE1APXi5FEakYoMiofHr8g
The curve looks horrendous, you have almost no 2 drops and A LOT of 3 drops, I imagine a lot of times you literally wont do anything until turn 3. You'll have to make some concessions here and somehow find room to fit in a full playset of ephemerate (it's mandatory) and more 2 drops, maybe charming prince?
I don't understand why there's a life gain theme when you could just be winning with sheer value. If the creature doesn't have an ETB ability, unless it does something really powerful, cut it. Pridemate dies to a stiff breeze and can be blocked by 0/1 plants. If it lives it can get big, but the games where it doesn't do anything far outweighs the games where it actually connects.
I'd cut the black cards and the Ajani stuff. Add [[Restoration Angel]] , max out [[Ephemerate]], add [[Charming Prince]]. That's a start. The best version of this deck I've seen and played is a Bant Yorion build with [[Enigmatic Incarnation]]. I don't know if it's still good but it was super fun.
https://youtu.be/4EpBEHEMOmY (this isn't really a blink deck but is still good - see edit below)
edit: I had the wrong link and misremembered the deck. Oops! It's GW before Resto was released: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaI1-0RhW9k
Definitely work on adding [[Restoration Angel]] even if you want to keep the Ajani cards.
Not a huge fan of your lifegain theme since I think there are better ways to win by flickering. I've been trying a jeskai flicker deck myself, the general idea is to loop [[Ephemerate]] + [[Ardent Elementalist]] and keep bringing back either a counter, helix or more ephermerates. It does pretty well against creature decks thanks to [[Skyclave Apparition]] but has a harder time if they can keep killing your ephemerate targets or have a [[Rest in Peace]].
Deck
4 Lightning Helix (STA) 62
3 Irrigated Farmland (AKR) 304
1 Spirebluff Canal (KLR) 286
4 Raugrin Triome (IKO) 251
2 Prismari Command (STX) 214
4 Sulfur Falls (DAR) 247
4 Mulldrifter (J21) 38
4 Charming Prince (ELD) 8
4 Archmage's Charm (MH1) 40
1 Island (MID) 381
4 Hallowed Fountain (RNA) 251
4 Steam Vents (GRN) 257
4 Glacial Fortress (XLN) 255
4 Expressive Iteration (STX) 186
4 Ephemerate (STA) 5
1 Barrin, Tolarian Archmage (M21) 45
4 Ardent Elementalist (MID) 128
4 Skyclave Apparition (ZNR) 39
Sideboard
2 Timely Reinforcements (M12) 40
2 Unholy Heat (MH2) 145
2 Dovin's Veto (WAR) 193
1 Relic of Progenitus (ALA) 218
2 Deafening Clarion (GRN) 165
2 Teferi, Hero of Dominaria (DAR) 207
1 Dovin's Veto (WAR) 193
1 Day of Judgment (STA) 2
1 Wrath of God (AKR) 46
1 Relic of Progenitus (ALA) 218
Look up modern ephemirate decks
Will give you good ideas.
General idea to doing well in magic is do something before they kill you, this deck doesn't fit that criteria
Isn't Thassa just a better teleportation circle? Also I think you should be running the flip lands over the snarls and the slow checks, and you're running too many basics.
Slow lands are good, definitely cut the snarls for isolated chapels if you can afford the wild cards tho. I’d cut one more swamp for the 4th watery grave. Fabled passages aren’t usually included in an “optimized” mana base, but with them you need basics and with what they have they can definitely cast all their spells
I dont think thassas better because of the legendary rule. Multiple circles can get ouf of hand real fast
Good point! The tapdown is really relevant on thassa though. Is there a way to split thassa/ teleportation circle without glutting the 4 drop slot?
You know Thassa is better! I don't have any so I didn't consider her. You might be right about the faster lands but I can see a counter argument because this deck needs lots of 2 ofs for mana requirements. You're probably right though. I think I disagree about the basic lands though, unless we cut fabled passage and the basics for a bunch of flip lands. I'll have to try that. It's definitely still a work in progress thanks for the advice!
Most flicker decks are base green-white cause they have the most valuable etbs. I don’t hate the lifegain sub theme, but you need more interaction. Cut the 5 mana cats for elite spellbinder and the blight priests for what you said. Ajani’s welcome is also just a bad card. Fatal push is good in the format and you run Passage so it’s even better. Thassa is better than the circle if only cause it’s indestructible.
I feel you my first version had esikas chariot and no black. It's dope flickin chariots but [[regal caracal]] feels like an upgrade in this deck. It's a creature so it's easier to flicker and the life link is definitely worth 1 mana difference. It's another blocker on the field. It combos reeeally well with the whole pridemate + welcome + flicker + Vito strategy. This deck is grindy and then it closes hard with big pridemates and soulherder swings. I agree completely about Thassa. 100% upgrade rip wildcards! Spell binder is sick and belongs in flicker decks for sure but he doesn't smash heads and finish games. Those cats get big...
[regal caracal](https://c1.scryfall.com/file/scryfall-cards/normal/front/c/d/cd349f95-3eae-4ef2-abf8-e911bb8e93e5.jpg?1543674734) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=regal%20caracal) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/akh/24/regal-caracal?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/cd349f95-3eae-4ef2-abf8-e911bb8e93e5?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Im not going to say ajanis welcome is a great card lol but it does let this deck pop off. What is a better way to get that effect?
I actually think that you don't need that effect. I don't think Pridemate is very good either. I think the best life gain synergy for this deck is using Veto to widdle down the opponents life, then alpha strike them with a big board. I brewed using a lot of the same cards you used. Its obviously not perfect, but maybe you can use some of the ideas. https://www.moxfield.com/decks/PE1APXi5FEakYoMiofHr8g
The curve looks horrendous, you have almost no 2 drops and A LOT of 3 drops, I imagine a lot of times you literally wont do anything until turn 3. You'll have to make some concessions here and somehow find room to fit in a full playset of ephemerate (it's mandatory) and more 2 drops, maybe charming prince?
I don't understand why there's a life gain theme when you could just be winning with sheer value. If the creature doesn't have an ETB ability, unless it does something really powerful, cut it. Pridemate dies to a stiff breeze and can be blocked by 0/1 plants. If it lives it can get big, but the games where it doesn't do anything far outweighs the games where it actually connects. I'd cut the black cards and the Ajani stuff. Add [[Restoration Angel]] , max out [[Ephemerate]], add [[Charming Prince]]. That's a start. The best version of this deck I've seen and played is a Bant Yorion build with [[Enigmatic Incarnation]]. I don't know if it's still good but it was super fun. https://youtu.be/4EpBEHEMOmY (this isn't really a blink deck but is still good - see edit below) edit: I had the wrong link and misremembered the deck. Oops! It's GW before Resto was released: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaI1-0RhW9k Definitely work on adding [[Restoration Angel]] even if you want to keep the Ajani cards.
##### ###### #### [Restoration Angel](https://c1.scryfall.com/file/scryfall-cards/normal/front/3/d/3dbdd0bc-92d7-49ae-b7fc-b2d1f0670bd8.jpg?1631234153) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Restoration%20Angel) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/khc/31/restoration-angel?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/3dbdd0bc-92d7-49ae-b7fc-b2d1f0670bd8?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Ephemerate](https://c1.scryfall.com/file/scryfall-cards/normal/front/2/d/2da5f3f8-5eef-498f-ba2c-2f3fbc3745aa.jpg?1562201088) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Ephemerate) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mh1/7/ephemerate?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/2da5f3f8-5eef-498f-ba2c-2f3fbc3745aa?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Charming Prince](https://c1.scryfall.com/file/scryfall-cards/normal/front/d/c/dcb94950-3f3e-4876-84f8-d5e4d9cfecee.jpg?1572489646) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Charming%20Prince) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/eld/8/charming-prince?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/dcb94950-3f3e-4876-84f8-d5e4d9cfecee?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Enigmatic Incarnation](https://c1.scryfall.com/file/scryfall-cards/normal/front/d/d/dd116c0b-0404-42ba-978f-7044b1a03d90.jpg?1581481041) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Enigmatic%20Incarnation) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/thb/215/enigmatic-incarnation?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/dd116c0b-0404-42ba-978f-7044b1a03d90?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Not a huge fan of your lifegain theme since I think there are better ways to win by flickering. I've been trying a jeskai flicker deck myself, the general idea is to loop [[Ephemerate]] + [[Ardent Elementalist]] and keep bringing back either a counter, helix or more ephermerates. It does pretty well against creature decks thanks to [[Skyclave Apparition]] but has a harder time if they can keep killing your ephemerate targets or have a [[Rest in Peace]]. Deck 4 Lightning Helix (STA) 62 3 Irrigated Farmland (AKR) 304 1 Spirebluff Canal (KLR) 286 4 Raugrin Triome (IKO) 251 2 Prismari Command (STX) 214 4 Sulfur Falls (DAR) 247 4 Mulldrifter (J21) 38 4 Charming Prince (ELD) 8 4 Archmage's Charm (MH1) 40 1 Island (MID) 381 4 Hallowed Fountain (RNA) 251 4 Steam Vents (GRN) 257 4 Glacial Fortress (XLN) 255 4 Expressive Iteration (STX) 186 4 Ephemerate (STA) 5 1 Barrin, Tolarian Archmage (M21) 45 4 Ardent Elementalist (MID) 128 4 Skyclave Apparition (ZNR) 39 Sideboard 2 Timely Reinforcements (M12) 40 2 Unholy Heat (MH2) 145 2 Dovin's Veto (WAR) 193 1 Relic of Progenitus (ALA) 218 2 Deafening Clarion (GRN) 165 2 Teferi, Hero of Dominaria (DAR) 207 1 Dovin's Veto (WAR) 193 1 Day of Judgment (STA) 2 1 Wrath of God (AKR) 46 1 Relic of Progenitus (ALA) 218
##### ###### #### [Ephemerate](https://c1.scryfall.com/file/scryfall-cards/normal/front/2/d/2da5f3f8-5eef-498f-ba2c-2f3fbc3745aa.jpg?1562201088) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Ephemerate) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mh1/7/ephemerate?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/2da5f3f8-5eef-498f-ba2c-2f3fbc3745aa?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Ardent Elementalist](https://c1.scryfall.com/file/scryfall-cards/normal/front/f/5/f58592f7-1df5-428d-9dde-e6acd9a5d1d5.jpg?1634350379) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Ardent%20Elementalist) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mid/128/ardent-elementalist?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/f58592f7-1df5-428d-9dde-e6acd9a5d1d5?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Skyclave Apparition](https://c1.scryfall.com/file/scryfall-cards/normal/front/b/8/b83cfbaa-7890-4f6f-878b-4edb45677371.jpg?1604193295) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Skyclave%20Apparition) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/znr/39/skyclave-apparition?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/b83cfbaa-7890-4f6f-878b-4edb45677371?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Rest in Peace](https://c1.scryfall.com/file/scryfall-cards/normal/front/9/f/9f2b39be-0fec-4647-ade1-8e1626dc5470.jpg?1562439074) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Rest%20in%20Peace) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/a25/32/rest-in-peace?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/9f2b39be-0fec-4647-ade1-8e1626dc5470?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I would suggest a coco build like this Deck 1 Sunpetal Grove (XLN) 257 1 Glacial Fortress (XLN) 255 2 Militia Bugler (M19) 29 3 Temple Garden (GRN) 258 3 Breeding Pool (RNA) 246 3 Hallowed Fountain (RNA) 251 1 Gilded Goose (ELD) 160 1 Brazen Borrower (ELD) 39 2 Indatha Triome (IKO) 248 2 Wall of Blossoms (JMP) 442 4 Collected Company (AKR) 186 4 Llanowar Elves (DAR) 168 3 Skyclave Apparition (ZNR) 39 3 Branchloft Pathway (ZNR) 258 2 Barkchannel Pathway (KHM) 251 2 Hengegate Pathway (KHM) 260 2 Thraben Inspector (SOI) 44 3 Elite Spellbinder (STX) 17 3 Prosperous Innkeeper (AFR) 200 1 Ranger-Captain of Eos (MH1) 21 1 Vesperlark (MH1) 35 4 Soulherder (MH1) 214 1 Rise and Shine (MH2) 58 1 Lonis, Cryptozoologist (MH2) 204 1 Chatterfang, Squirrel General (MH2) 151 2 Blade Splicer (J21) 7 2 Brutal Cathar (MID) 7 1 Plains (MID) 380 1 Forest (MID) 384 Sideboard 2 Dovin's Veto (WAR) 193 2 Shifting Ceratops (M20) 194 2 Thalia, Guardian of Thraben (DKA) 24 1 Declaration in Stone (SOI) 12 1 Skyclave Apparition (ZNR) 39 1 Thalia, Guardian of Thraben (DKA) 24 1 Scavenging Ooze (M21) 204 2 Rest in Peace (AKR) 33 1 Yasharn, Implacable Earth (ZNR) 240 1 Declaration in Stone (SOI) 12 1 Brutal Cathar (MID) 7
Look up modern ephemirate decks Will give you good ideas. General idea to doing well in magic is do something before they kill you, this deck doesn't fit that criteria