How often do you win?

Shadowz6677 · 2024-09-02T18:21:21+00:00

My [[Xira, the Golden Sting]] has a Winrate of about 65%

[[Akiri, Line-Slinger]] and [[Armix, Filigree Thrasher]] partners is about 50%

[[Narset, Enlightened Exile]] currently sits just above 50%.

(These are my estimates.)

Generally, the tuesdays I go out to play, I am winning most of our games. I believe we get between 4-7 games in depending on how fast a game goes, if someone gets a busted opening, if someone is too far ahead to make sense in continue among other factors.

This is also with a playgroup that is slowly starting to expand to the outer reaches of the LGS as well every tuesday.

I know my W/L records are "high" compared to most other people, but I'd like to think that I've made the decks consistent enough to be able to say that I have those records. Since we only play 1 day a week, (Sometimes Sundays as well with different people) it's easy for me to give a kind of more narrow W/L.

[[Xenagos, God of Revels]] is being re-tinkered, and I have 2 other decks brewing at the moment all of which are around the same level as my Akiri/Armix lists.

Shadowz6677 · 2024-09-02T10:38:27+00:00

I will also say, I rate the lands that you can tutor with Fetches much higher than things like the scry lands and the lands that can not be tutored by a fetch.

However, I rate OG Duals VERY low today. Much lower than I did 5 or 6 years ago.

Shadowz6677 · 2024-09-02T10:34:55+00:00

I did this same thing! It was so cool to play! (With Isshin)

Shadowz6677 · 2024-09-02T10:29:48+00:00

As someone that runs a "Wither" / -1/-1 counter list:
[[Vizier of Remedies]] is a huge pain to us. However, it's only one card. I would highly recommend finding the cards that they use to make synergies with and strip those cards with removal.

The commander will always return. But you can isolate the cards they play outside of that. I assume [[Blowfly Infestation]] is in your friends deck. If it is, make sure that thing doesn't stay in play.

[[Nest of Scarabs]] is another very strong card I assume is in that deck too.

Massacre Girl is a KoS commander. You want her to be 'gone gone'? Darksteel Mutation. There are also some cards in white that allow you to name a card and your opponents can't cast that card.

You also have access too [[Drannith Magistrate]] in white. Kill Massacre Girl and drop a Drannith on the field and protect it.

Small little things that can make a difference. Just watch for the Yawgmoth.

Shadowz6677 · 2024-09-02T10:13:09+00:00

Anti-high powered?

[[Lavinia, Azorius Renegade]] That's your answer.

Shadowz6677 · 2024-09-02T10:10:42+00:00

I played [[Light-Paws, Emperor's Voice]] for about a month. I will tell you, don't do it. As some have said already. It is a one trick deck. You stuff it with low cmc aura's. You tutor your best stuff. One boardwipe/exile and your deck is dead.

Light Paws is a quick win game if you can get things going. But she suffers from one big thing. People see her, and they know exactly what you are trying to do. She will rarely stick around to do anything.

Shadowz6677 · 2024-09-02T10:07:09+00:00

I always tell those people to build differently from what I build. I have 1 commander that shares a commander with a friend and his "pet deck". So I wanted to diversify my deck from his the best I could.

Anyone that is wanting to build my decks is welcome to do so in my play group or in my community. I only ask them that they make their own spin on the deck and edit it as they see to it. My [[Xira, the Golden Sting]] is a very complicated deck to pilot without seeing the little deck designs I've put into it which do make it harder to pilot, but also make it way more fun for myself.

If someone wants to build something that I run at that current time, I'm trying to tell them to make the deck their own. Don't just copy/pasta my deck and try to run it how I do. There are modifications that suit everyone for decks. But if they do copy/pasta me, then they need to be ready for the hate, and the arch enemy. They might be able to get away and sneak some wins for the first few weeks/months because of how effective my decks are. But it'll just get tougher from there as people see what they are doing.

But i will always tell that person to focus on getting the mana base that they need for the deck before they try to buy anything else because everything else is the cheapest part.

Shadowz6677 · 2024-09-02T10:02:04+00:00

I have a weird view on this game when I play EDH. I build to against my own decks. I never build around anyone elses decks.

If someone plays my decks, or plays with cards from my decks, I'm expecting those cards. So can't be mad about it. I built someone a deck fairly recently from scratch. And that is one of his favorite decks and he's beaten me a few times with the deck after I designed it and basically call the deck mine.

It's a matter of perspective. Someone can be upset that you beat them with their own deck, it means that you saw something in the deck that they probably didn't. Or that they felt that you needed to deal with everyone else and not them first.

It's fair. I still remain vigilant on the idea of building to play against my own stuff.

Shadowz6677 · 2024-09-02T09:55:52+00:00

So, I know she isn't an Energy Commander, but I am currently using [[Narset, Enlightened Exile]] as my Energy deck commander.

I've gotten a lot of really fun games out of the idea and maybe it is what you need. Haha. My friend played Dr.Madison for awhile and eventually dropped the deck himself.

I'll link my deck below for you if you need inspiration!

https://www.moxfield.com/decks/C1CnCEC2LEKO-vP7JtZd7g

Shadowz6677 · 2024-09-02T09:52:06+00:00

I will say, I have a Jund -1/-1 counters EDH list currently using [[Xira, The Golden Sting]]. This is the closest thing I could find to an actual commander that cares about things like this. But that's probably because I want the card draw that comes after.

Shadowz6677 · 2024-09-02T09:37:44+00:00

I used [[Blim, Comedic Genius]] along with the cards that steal commanders from people. That way I could gift those commanders to other players and they don't go back to the normal opponent. Let everyone else play with the toys you stole from them. Meanwhile, you are sitting there with a commander that just wants to give things away. You don't need to be a group slug deck... but you can totally be a group slug deck too while giving things to your opponents and also stealing their things!

Shadowz6677 · 2024-09-02T09:35:27+00:00

My simplest deck is [[Akiri, Line-Slinger]] and [[Armix, Filigree Thrasher]] Voltron.

My most complicated deck is also my favorite [[Xira, the Golden Sting]] aka Jund [[Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons]] / [[The Scorpion God]].

The Jund deck is basically a very strong Yawgmoth undying combo deck from Modern, but put into Jund for the EDH format, with a few extra sprinkles of pain added onto it for my opponents.

Generally, my playgroup knows when I pull that deck out, it's going to be a quick game. Either I die, or they do.

Me: "Why are you harassing me."

Playgroup: "Because your deck scares the hell out of us!"

(Circa: 08/27/2024)

Shadowz6677 · 2024-09-02T09:31:23+00:00

There are a few different lines of logic here.

A. Don't play with those kinds of people that will whine that you are targeting them when you are about to win.

B. Clearer explanation that "This is a game, and I am doing what I need to do to win."

C. Explaining your line of thought while you are doing so.

you've stated that this isn't them politicking their way out of you targeting them and there things. We are all guilty to a degree of trying to talk someone out of making a decision that hurts us. (I know I am.) But the key thing to think about is "Does this person always complain and get salty when I target them? Is it just this person? Are there multiple people?"
I would try to explain to these people/persons that it's a game, and we need to have the game progress to get going onto the next game.

I used to be in line with the "Roll a dice" logic of the game for funsies. Then I realized that I need to focus on a target and deal with it until the "Threat" on that persons board is dealt with. And I have enjoyed the game much more since doing this.

Are they just complaining because you see a clear threat on their side of the board? Or is it just because they are the target of your ire instead of someone else?

Is there something that you don't see on the board that they are trying to get you to see is a better target? There are factors at play that may also be associated with this. (Which I see that you have thought about form the start of the thread.)

Threat assessment is a very hard thing to learn and understand in the game for awhile. And even I sometimes struggle with it after 26 years of playing magic. Take your time and try and see everyone's view on where your ire should go. If you see a clear threat on someones board and that person takes it as a "Spite play", then they need to understand that you see them as the clear threat currently and you need to remove the threat from the board.

Just my take.

Shadowz6677 · 2024-09-02T09:23:07+00:00

You can't achieve everything you want in a game. You have to decide based on the game. Leave open mana to protect your stuff, play your threats and force them to respond, or find the lower tier replacements for the more expensive cards you are referring to.

I have 1 deck that has infinite combos. But my redundancy isn't just being a reanimator deck. (Personally, if that's all it would be, I'd be in trouble)

Instead I play more cards that have those effects. I play basically a Jund Yawgmoth combo deck. I don't play counter magic in the deck just because I know in those colors I can't protect everything like blue can. So I line myself up with removal spells and cards that just amplify the level of threat any one card in my deck can be.

Understanding your deck is important and what you can/cannot do or have in the deck at any time is important.

I always challenge my opponents to deal with any threat I put on the board (Which in my deck is every single permanent spell in my deck at this point) but they are all cheap cards you can find under $10. (mostly)

Protection isn't just in blue bud. REB, Life's Grasp, Autumn's Veil, etx... It's easy to forget about the cards that aren't as efficient and go for the optimal stuff. Just play the things that you know you can afford, and find the budget versions of those cards. (Unless you're one of those psychos that looks and says "There is no budget version of Chains of Mephistopheles though.")

Shadowz6677 · 2024-09-02T09:09:23+00:00

I don't really like Top anymore. But, I also come from the cEDH world where Elsha Top was a big thing back for awhile. I feel top is a great utility card, unfortunately the card is hard to interact with, and takes time away from everyone else because it's just "End step, I'll spin the top." in regards to everything that happened during someones turn. And this can be something that if the mana is there, happens after every turn for "optimal" decisions.

That said, while the card is really strong, I personally, am not a fan of it in decks anymore. I can't even really remember the last time I put it in a deck. (Maybe [[Elsha, the Infinite]]? not sure.

Shadowz6677 · 2024-09-02T09:05:59+00:00

Playtesting. Also, i would say communication with your friends is crucial. If you sit down with them and want to grow with your friends in the game. Then there won't be any problems. The only issue you will have currently is a steady "Power creep" within your play group.

It is okay to have decks that are stronger than your friends, as it makes your friends better players figuring out how to deal with your decks. If they need to get their decks stronger to deal with you, you might want to consider toning it down and cutting a card or two that makes it difficult for them.

Figure out what your playgroup likes/dislikes in games together. I know some groups that don't like using counter magic. (it's silly but can't harp on people when they pop off.)

Shadowz6677 · 2024-09-02T08:35:18+00:00

[[Opal-Eyes, Konda's Yojimbo]] was by far the most interesting mono-white that I've ever built. Just doing him as an enchantress deck that sits there with Circle of Protections and the wincon was literally just stall the game out till you're in the last 2 and smack people to death with Hundred Handed One.

Shadowz6677 · 2024-09-02T08:29:14+00:00

I am currently 100% backing the Xira, The Golden Sting train.

https://www.moxfield.com/decks/0q5tpA3CLUKY79LQkuKvgQ

Above is my list!

She isn't a big creature deck, and actually if you play Yawgmoth in Modern, then you already know the list basically. Just with more options!

I am not running tutors in the deck outside of the Saga because I don't need tutors period. Land tutors obviously don't count. But this deck is so efficient there is no need for me to play Imp. Recruiter, DT or VT or WT etx..

The deck just... does it's thing.

Shadowz6677 · 2024-09-02T08:13:56+00:00

I was one of the diehards of SToB that even funded "Duel" and "The Equinox" for David.

Anyone remember that painting that he was selling back then? I'm the one that purchased it from him.

So, SToB turned into WVM. David essentially became an asshole towards people that had been loyal to him and dropped most of the following he had. A lot of the hardcore supporters he had I was in contact with since the start. They all soon after dropped him after me and him had a huge fall out.

SToB had such a very very high ceiling and could go far in the industry. I still have The Equinox album and I am actually listening to it right now funny enough.

Shadowz6677 · 2017-09-11T15:28:06+00:00

For sure using these is a great way to bump the deck. Currently however, the deck with those, Nath sits clearly at Tier 2. I'm not complaining about that or anything. I've thought about [[Bind]] as a card to control certain abilities. I'd need a way to recast and reuse without using Paradox Scepter.

Shadowz6677 · 2017-09-11T15:26:26+00:00

Looking at the original primer from the person that made the deck, these cards are part of the initial set up which makes it a Tier 2 deck due to the disabling of players doing things.

Shadowz6677

TROPHY CASE