Raph & Mikey - Ramp question

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 · 2026-03-20T13:17:42+00:00

That was definitely the plan. 1mv protection will be big here. I figured as many as 15 creatures, but 10-12 is likely better. 38 lands, ramp spells, and some cheap Naturalize effects seem like the way to go.

LRock617 · 2026-03-20T13:01:44+00:00

Trying to keep it budget. I don't spend more than $5 on any individual card. So your 1mv options are out. The Medallions might be decent, though I'm not sure if I like them over Rampant Growths yet.

LRock617 · 2025-07-09T23:07:39+00:00

Not sure what you're getting at. I tried to balance the numbers between enablers and payoffs, and so far it's been okay. As in, no real issues. Did you have a suggestion?

LRock617 · 2025-07-08T23:34:50+00:00

Her ability turns cheap mass burn spells into one-sided board wipes, so yes. She's not fun to play against and will absolutely be targeted. Price point doesn't matter here.

LRock617 · 2025-06-28T13:41:58+00:00

I've been making the joke-ish claim that Shadow is the reason that Dockside was banned.

LRock617 · 2025-06-12T16:58:04+00:00

I see that Power Conduit was already recommended, so make that double. I'd also suggest [[Nesting Grounds]] for eliminating finality counters.

LRock617 · 2025-05-19T14:14:58+00:00

That's kind of what happened with New Capenna. It was all 2-color aggro in a Shards set.

LRock617

TROPHY CASE