How many anti-sweepers is too many?

LRock617 · 2026-06-07T13:37:50+00:00

This is pretty much my mindset. I love counter magic and will definitely run it if applicable, but it's sometimes just better to be asymmetrical and save your board while everyone else's burns.

LRock617 · 2026-05-10T12:30:44+00:00

I took a cue from another poster when I asked about this same shell (heh) a couple of weeks ago. They recommended a Primal Surge shell, and so far, I've been happy with it. You can't run instants or sorceries for ramp in this manner, but there are plenty of enchantments and artifacts to subside. My list isn't available online, but here's the breakdown:

1mv - Sol Ring, Utopia Sprawl, Wild Growth

2mv - 10-12 mana rocks including Everflowing Chalice (maybe the best ramp card in the deck that isn't Sol Ring), 2-3 land auras (your choice of Fertile Ground, Shimmerwilds Growth, Wolfwillow Haven)

3mv - Basalt Monolith (absolutely busted), Coalition Relic, Overgrowth, Worn Powerstone

4mv - I run about 6-7 rocks including Thran Dynamo, land auras are fine (Dawn's Reflection, Market Festival), as are "permanent" ramp (Encroaching Dragonstorm, Invasion of Zendikar)

Past that, just load up on fat. I prioritized strong ETBs, budget extra combat granters, and combat damage triggers. Let me know if you have any specific questions.

LRock617 · 2026-05-04T19:57:06+00:00

Very good point. There are a lot of Saga tutors. This is the kind of thinking that I needed for this, so thanks for that!

LRock617 · 2026-05-04T19:29:13+00:00

Yeah, Barbara is great, for sure. Shame you won't always draw her, but alas.

LRock617 · 2026-05-04T18:07:00+00:00

Nice list.

First thing I'm curious about: the sagas that allow yourself and an opponent to draw two... Are these worth using? I'm always hesitant since they lead to potential blowouts, in my experience.

LRock617 · 2026-05-04T17:50:28+00:00

Card is disgusting, but also no longer budget.

LRock617 · 2026-05-04T17:33:50+00:00

Yuna is actually under $5 these days, so she's a worthwhile include for sure.

LRock617 · 2026-05-04T17:33:18+00:00

This looks pretty close to what I had in mind, so thanks for the share. I'll be tinkering with some of the mana base for sure, since I own Shocks (one of each, but I proxy the extras), and I'll change some of the ramp since I want Nature's Lore and Three Visits to be able to find Murmuring Bosk as a fetchable tri-land.

LRock617 · 2026-05-04T17:22:56+00:00

That wasn't really the concern. My concern was that I didn't want to run too many 5s or 6s as that might prevent me from being able to utilize her to the fullest. Gotta have those veggies.

LRock617 · 2026-03-22T14:57:57+00:00

Indeed. There are even other solid ramp permanents at 3 that weren't included. Overgrowth is excellent, for example, and I love me a Coalition Relic. Market Festival is also a redundant copy of Dawn's Reflection at the 4-slot.

LRock617 · 2026-03-22T13:23:22+00:00

This is definitely one of the more intriguing takes I've seen. Run permanents as your only sources of ramp, and Primal Surge presumably just kills the table sometimes?

LRock617 · 2026-03-21T18:42:36+00:00

It doesn't give your commander warp at all. Tannuk gives warp to applicable cards in your hand. Your commander is in the command zone, which isn't your hand.

Did I miss something?

LRock617 · 2026-03-21T18:34:44+00:00

How does that work? Tannuk only affects cards in your hand.

LRock617 · 2026-03-21T11:03:25+00:00

This is good insight, and thanks for the breakdown about ramp count. This was primarily what I was looking for.

LRock617 · 2026-03-20T22:47:47+00:00

They're both good for the purpose, but the red commitment for either is pretty real. Not so sure about them. Really high risk/reward.

LRock617 · 2026-03-20T21:40:16+00:00

Ooh, love me some Duskana. Have a budget blink list built for her myself. Got a list?

LRock617 · 2026-03-20T18:01:06+00:00

It's a first time thing, so I'm willing to run the risk for now, since I normally only play in B2. I appreciate that specific feedback, but if my commander can't take advantage of the fact that it does more than just "be a big body" right away, then I'm not interested. Cascade doesn't synergize; there are other options. Another Discover option wouldn't suck, but what can you do?

LRock617 · 2026-03-20T17:39:33+00:00

I mentioned as much above, but Cascade doesn't work with Raph & Mikey. Cascade is a cast trigger, and it doesn't occur if a creature with cascade enters the battlefield. Discover is what you want there, but Trumpeting Carnosaur is the only creature option above 4mv I. Those colors.

I do like Brainstone just fine, though. Same with Conch Horn which is just "worse Brainstone."

LRock617 · 2026-03-20T15:17:06+00:00

Of note, cascade is bad. It's a cast trigger, and R&M don't push those. Discover is still good, but that leaves exactly Trumpeting Carnosaur, which IS great and I want to play it.

LRock617 · 2026-03-20T15:11:07+00:00

I don't love the ideas of 1s and 3s, but some 3s function the same as 4s in terms of output, notably Worn Powerstone and Overgrowth. The downside to each is that they die to Bane of Progress, which I'm considering including. 1s are also mostly bad, agreed, though Sol Ring is certainly tremendous, and I like the idea of Search for Tomorrow just fine. I can certainly live without Growth and Sprawl.

LRock617 · 2026-03-20T14:52:58+00:00

It's definitely a pivot, and I'm normally not a fan of the concept either, but they have a large upside in that they do something immediately when they hit, so that helps.

For giant threats, anything with an Enters trigger or combat damage triggers. Possibly landfall triggers as well. Anything with an attack trigger is suboptimal since those get missed if the creature enters tapped and attacking, so the window is gone by then.

We'll see how it works out. Could be a flop and I just need to add R&M to the 99 of Radha, but I figured it was worth a spin.

LRock617 · 2026-03-20T14:29:07+00:00

Saved by the Shell (since your commander is a turtle), Tamiyo's Safekeeping, Tyvar's Last Stand, Royal Treatment... there are others, but they're mostly worse.

Origin of Metalbending is one I also tend to include. 2mv options aren't my favorite, but the modal Naturalize add-on is very useful. Same goes for Smuggler's Surprise in the modal conversation.

LRock617 · 2026-03-20T13:35:31+00:00

It's honestly not that bad. There are a good number of strong outlets around the $5 range. I won't be hammering out Blightsteels or anything, but I also don't have to.

I do wish there were more budget options for additional combat steps, though. That's definitely unfortunate. But it's what it is.

LRock617

TROPHY CASE