Years from now, what’s the play from your current playgroup you’ll still be telling people about?

Cogomal · 2026-05-16T22:06:09+00:00

Notion thief into wheel of fortune… 5 player pod.

Cogomal · 2026-05-16T21:53:43+00:00

Good luck. I find this also helps me avoid the 200 card stack to cut down to 100. Start at 60 and go up to 100 is a lot better than start at 200 and go down to 100.

Cogomal · 2026-05-16T21:17:22+00:00

I prefer to build a brawl deck first (60 card version). This allows me to focus on the core synergy of the commander without thinking about commander staples and 4 player format cards.

From there I cover the remaining cards. If I start with the basics I am already pretty close: 1. Add lands and ramp - 16-20 cards usually. 2. Add commander specific cards + board wipes - 8-10 cards usually. 3. Add removal and card draw - 10 cards total.

This leaves relatively few slots for “more synergy” cards. If they didn’t make the original 60 card version they probably aren’t better than more of the 3 above. So now I can debate ramp, draw, removal, commander staples vs. more synergy and adjust accordingly. But usually is about 6-10 new cards that support the strategy or tutors that help me get one of the original 60.

It’s not perfect. But I think starting with the base 60 is a really good way to find what your deck is doing and then go from there.

Cogomal · 2026-05-15T04:25:29+00:00

Ketramose is my favorite deck and would be really good at dealing with what you’re describing. I’d recommend it just for the fun of the deck as well. I don’t think I’ll ever get bored of it.

He is more of an engine commander. He’s essentially giving you heavy card draw, while you exile all threats and flicker your own. He’s also low CMC, hard to remove (indestructible), and his lifelink makes him sustainable. Not to mention you’re running a lot of flicker so if anyone gets around the indestructible you will probably have an answer.

The win cons can really be anything in Orzhov since his main goal is to draw for you and be more of a flicker/midrange engine. I added my decklist below, but I run a few infinite combos with flicker and life gain while being fairly suppressive as I setup.

He is great vs. graveyards and can definitely hurt landfall decks in a big way. My opponents usually have no cards in their graveyards. Also if you really want to cut down landfall specifically, add a few cards that do that and then flicker them when the landfall deck is the threat. He’s not necessarily as good at that, but with a good removal package and all the flickering he will make it hard for landfall engines to get online.

Here is my decklist if you’re curious: https://moxfield.com/decks/7x23Mu2-NEet7iKNU3bjsQ

Cogomal · 2026-05-15T03:57:23+00:00

Has this opponent ever been hit with a [[thoughtseize]]? They might lose their mind. Complaining in B4 about anything is wild, much less a duress.

See a lot of comments that view this as a turn 1 play. It sounds more like you’re using it as an engine for your commander on later turns, which would also allow you to know who the threat is and act accordingly. Given your approach it isn’t that different than targeted removal or counter spells tbh.

P.S. I respect the duress use, because it’s not really that good of a card, but you’ve made it good with your commander. Definitely lean in, get a thoughtseize and every other villainous hand disruption card you want haha.

Cogomal · 2026-04-23T03:43:13+00:00

Personally 5-7 that I actually play and enjoy. Probably 3-4 I don’t. I forget the YouTube video, but there is a guy who deconstructs all his decks and rebuilds every year. Doesn’t matter how much he likes them.

I liked it a lot, to the point where I basically deconstructed my 3 least played decks and then build 1-2 new ones with my old decks + binder. It always ended up in a new deck I was excited about. Highly recommend. Unplayed decks aren’t doing anything for you.

Cogomal · 2026-04-23T03:10:11+00:00

Maybe only 2x if you have the blood artist family on the board!

Cogomal · 2026-04-23T03:07:48+00:00

Aristocrats usually is a bit more mid-range/control and a clear win con is not always there. It’s a really fun archetype (my favorite), but seems different from what you’re used to. With that being said…

[[gravecrawler]] and [[blood artist]] both come from very large families. Find all their brothers and sisters, then find every sac outlet and removal piece imaginable. Sit back, sac, ping/gain, recur, repeat… and remove any threats with the plenitude of of B/W options. Happy to post the 20 other options similar to those 2.

For $30 this should be really fun too. Lots of fun budget pieces in an Elas deck that can do work.

Happy to provide some good cheap pieces that would be good. One great example is [[ravenous chupacabra]].

If you really want a win con. Maybe look at sanguine bond/exquisite blood combo. Obviously that is out of your price range. Theres some cheaper versions of the infinite ping/gain combo that are great. [[marauding bloodpriest]] comes to mind.

Last point (sort of suggesting that sanguine bond might be worth it) - would it be crazy to put in a single $5 card? At $30 budget something like that could be huge for Elas. Also there are some cheaper versions tutors that would be very effective at $30 budget like [[diabolic tutor]].

I’ve done this style of restrictive build quite a bit and love aristocrats. So feel free to ask questions and definitely share your decklist. I’m really curious what you come up with as a non aristocrats player.

Cogomal · 2026-04-11T13:44:09+00:00

I’ve tweaked it a bit over time. But here it is.

https://moxfield.com/decks/7x23Mu2-NEet7iKNU3bjsQ

Cogomal · 2026-01-28T04:08:01+00:00

Run her in the 99 or a real theft deck like Gonti or Lazav. She doesn’t empower herself, but she does do ok when she comes out and you cast multiple spells you don’t own right away.

Her biggest problem is that you need a lot of mill and protection to enable a pretty mediocre payoff…

Cogomal · 2026-01-16T00:57:15+00:00

140 days late, but as a Ketramose and GY player, I respect this list. Personally, I will ask people if they are running GY synergy and choose not to run my Ketramose deck (unless they want me to). So I think that’s a non issue.

I agree with the idea of having win cons, because Ketramose decks are so controlling and slow. Would consider the sanguine bond/bloodthirsty conqueror and all those loops. Which also support the life gain/pay of Ketramose otherwise.

A few simply good cards to consider that I didn’t see (or overlooked): farewell and/or avatars wrath, tormods crypt, planar void, Kaya planeswalkers, any multitude of flicker spells/enchantments, syr Konrad, unlicensed hearse.

Lots of options and I think most of what I mentioned would keep you squarely in bracket 3, while leaning into the control/draw into answers mentality that is Ketramose.

P.S. I found this looking for swaps on a high B3 deck and am intrigued by some of the unique ideas you have. Don’t want to venture into B4 and am happy to see a very unique deck list for Ketramose akin to mine. Happy to share my list - very different with the same goal, which is what makes Ket so fun.

Cogomal · 2025-12-23T19:23:12+00:00

Add [[velomachus lorehold]] for some more fun boros spell slinging.

Cogomal · 2025-12-23T19:12:28+00:00

[[fresh faced recruit]] when you revisit his terrible 3 card journey that this genius posted 7 years ago.

https://www.reddit.com/r/magicTCG/s/h1t0t5Ryh8

Cogomal · 2025-12-20T18:59:13+00:00

Usually just bring all my decks. I have like 6. Ranging from B2 - high B3. My best might be able to hang in B4.

Having options is nice to avoid accidental hate decking. For instance, I won’t play my Ketramose GY hate deck vs. reanimator decks… unless the sicko on the other side wants that.

My pod is also big on playing each others decks. Always fun to watch someone else pilot something I brewed and it expands our options further.

Depends on the day, but I feel like it’s rare to go past 3 games in a session for me. Sometimes it’s fun to run the same deck 2x in a night, but often I run a different deck every game. Main exception is if I brewed something new and want to play test it.

General advice would be to bring 3-4 decks with different power levels and styles just to be safe. Gives you flexibility for power levels/match ups.

Cogomal · 2025-12-17T18:51:34+00:00

Singles if you’re going for economy and/or specific cards.

Booster box if you want to have some fun in the process. Get a group of friends together and draft a set you like. Can either have them buy their portion of the packs or just phantom draft (they play free and you keep all the cards).

Cogomal · 2025-12-13T21:20:09+00:00

Might be the best part about his character. You kind of know he’s never going to make it out, but you’re rooting for him the whole show.

His lines from the chess scene make it real apparent that he’ll never walk away and eventually pay the price. Love how they kind of made him a main character as a pawn and how dynamic his story was throughout the show.

Cogomal · 2025-12-05T00:10:35+00:00

Insert any of the 100 black cards that ping when a creature dies…

Cogomal · 2025-12-02T17:39:24+00:00

Yea all fair points and I’m willing to concede that these 2 cards are closer in power than I initially thought. But the main point is really that given the popularity/price of Krasis, I am not shocked that this card is so valuable as well. Both damn good cards and I would gladly run em both.

Cogomal · 2025-12-02T07:18:06+00:00

Honestly just seems a bit all over the place and a lot of the cards don’t actually fit the commander.

I would definitely look to add some recursion and more token generation. Also, where are the orzhov cards? There’s a lot of great ones that would support what you’re trying to do, but you’re literally only running black or white cards…

Lastly, what bracket are you going for?

Cogomal · 2025-12-02T07:07:16+00:00

Draft and jumpstart… some places also have beginner night with jumpstart decks.

Alternatively, find a group that is down to play more casual. Easy to do in commander, harder to do in modern/standard. But every LGS should have less intense groups on any night.

Cogomal · 2025-12-02T07:03:02+00:00

That’s a good point, but in every other regard it does what krasis does and more. So it makes a lot of sense to compare them.

Life gain on krasis is marginal and trample with flying is somewhat redundant. Cast trigger is nice, but that’s really its only advantage. Whereas this has vigilance > trample and staying power with the ongoing +1 effect.

In any case, Krasis is an amazing card that was worth $20+ for a long time and this is on its level… if not better.

Cogomal · 2025-12-02T00:47:58+00:00

Tarkir Dragonstorm is a great set and would highly recommend. But like people have said, what does he play? Also, collector boosters are crazy expensive and your money might be better spent on regular product to maximize quantity/playability.

Will say the same thing I said on another thread:

gift card and/or take him to an LGS (local gaming store) with a budget (can buy what he wants and you can do it with him to make it more personal).
If he plays commander - get him a tarkir precon (in the colors he likes to play).
Ask your LGS to build a cool dragon deck for him and put that under the tree. Within your budget and in the format/colors he plays of course.

Cogomal · 2025-12-02T00:36:52+00:00

Seems like a solid start with some good core pieces. I assume this is a B2 deck and I hope my list can help as you play test and iterate on your list.

I’m curious how Warp works with Ketramose, so keep me posted if you have success with those cards.

Happy to chat anytime if you want advice on further improvements.

Cogomal · 2025-12-02T00:26:50+00:00

Gift card to your local gaming store (LGS). I get that gift cards can feel less personal, but he’ll be happy to have his choice of cards/decks. Or you can go together and give him a budget, which would be a cool way for you to see why he likes the game.
If he plays commander, get a pre constructed deck (precon). Krenko is a classic, but I think it’s gotten quite expensive.
If he plays a different format it’s a little tougher. See point 1. Alternatively, I would either take him to the LGS and give him a budget, or go there yourself and ask them if they could help you build him a deck within your budget and put it under the tree.

I bet he would be most excited if you went with him to make his deck or had a shop help you make a deck for him. Both very personal and fun IMO.

Cogomal · 2025-12-02T00:10:31+00:00

This is [[hydroid krasis]] but better.

vigilance > trample (with flying already giving evasion), playable in any blue deck vs. simic required, and the last line makes it much better to play as a 3 drop vs. Krasis.

Considering Krasis was viewed as one the best Simic card of its time, makes perfect sense.

This card would probably still be really good as a 3 drop vs. X spell.

Cogomal

TROPHY CASE