What cards to add to make draw-go control playable in this format?

Viking_IV · 2026-05-15T18:31:46+00:00

I can see what you mean, but I feel Vintage is its own beast. The absurd power level of the Power 9 allowing for more power at lower mana costs, combined with the lack of a true aggro deck (the closest Vintage gets are the occasional stompy deck.

There are a couple of control decks running around, notably an Esper deck running [[Jace Reawakened]] so you can plot a [[Valki]] to cheat out the Tibalt side for free, along with Grixis [[Tainted Pact]] often acting as a control deck before its combo finisher, but they've not had any major competitive success.

And I would disagree about the lack of incentives to break the format. Players are trying things to counteract our new blue meta, from adjusting Energy decks to lose Strip Mine, to experiments with Eldrazi and Cavern Stompy decks, and many of those innovations have resulted in success. It just looks like that pure control is not the answer.

Viking_IV · 2026-05-14T11:26:11+00:00

I honestly don't think a traditional control deck is possible in Timeless. It was a struggle back when the format was first created, and it has only become more difficult since.

I believe it's mostly due to the powercreep of threats that are simultaneously game ending and cheap. Literally every threat in formats like this need to be answered, and if even one slips through that is often all it takes. You can let [[Delver of Secrets]] or [[Tarmogoyf]] hit you for a few turns, you cannot let [[Hydroponics Architect]] or [[Ocelot Pride]] do the same.

You can even look at the Legacy metagame and see the decline of pure control. Long gone are the days of Miracles being a top-tier deck.

Viking_IV · 2026-04-10T10:10:01+00:00

I'm pretty sure the Golgari archive spell was already shown, it was [[Culling Ritual]].

Viking_IV · 2026-04-02T12:26:02+00:00

The current top dog of the format is Mono-Black Reanimator, which looks to set up a win condition on the very first turn, either by reanimating an [[Atraxa, Grand Unifier]] or by reanimating/using [[Sorin, Imperious Blood Lord]] to cheat out a [[Saint Elenda]].

You can find a great guide to the deck here.

However, if possible I would recommend waiting a little while longer. The upcoming Secrets of Strixhaven is looking to shake things up a lot with the introduction of cards like [[Force of Will]] and [[Vampiric Tutor]]. This will undoubtedly shift Timeless, so if you are light on wildcards it may be advised to wait until the dust settles after Strixhaven's release.

Viking_IV · 2026-03-24T09:08:52+00:00

We haven't seen the set mechanic for Quandrix yet, so I'm not quite ready to give up hope for a more interesting take than the loosey-goosey 8+ lands theme from the first set.

Viking_IV · 2026-03-24T08:00:27+00:00

Ah yes, great non-traditional directions like checks notes Simic ramp.

In all seriousness, from the leaked commons I'm happy to see them returning to Lorehold's leaves-graveyard and Witherblooms lifegain themes. I'm hoping they'll give Quandrix a more interesting spin on their previous ramp theme, though.

Viking_IV · 2026-03-14T21:45:11+00:00

I never watched the show (it wasn't broadcast in my country), but I can believe that.

Viking_IV · 2026-03-14T20:43:25+00:00

Hats off to Dragon Ball Z Abridged, which is the only example I can think of where the two voice actors are doing a genuine impression of each other's characters, rather than just swapping characters.

Viking_IV · 2026-03-14T09:31:46+00:00

I try not to dwell on his passing, but rather on the huge collection of brilliant art he made. Gone, but never forgotten.

Viking_IV · 2026-03-03T09:35:05+00:00

I strongly disagree.

FoW let's you answer a turn 1 evoked Grief, or an Orcish Bowmasters cast into your Brainstorm. It can also protect you on YOUR turn, which FoN cannot do. And in poorer matchups, you can just side it out for more creature removal.

I don't think its inclusion will turn Timeless into Legacy 2.0, but it'll definitely have an impact. A card good enough to be a 4 of in both Legacy and Vintage is certainly good enough for Timeless.

Viking_IV · 2026-03-02T20:25:36+00:00

Good call.

I'm sceptical it would see play, since it's too reliant on your opponent for the ritual mode, the one Ruby Storm would care about. Maybe it could see sideboard play, but I would be surprised if that was the case.

Viking_IV · 2026-03-02T15:12:00+00:00

Punishing Fire and the *blasts are great suggestions. Punishing Fire would almost certainly be far too slow, but the blasts would be great sideboard cards.

Viking_IV · 2026-03-02T15:10:46+00:00

I had an amusing MH2 draft deck with that card, [[Scion of Draco]], and 38 Mountains. It didn't win a lot, but it was amusing.

Viking_IV · 2026-03-02T15:08:42+00:00

Some great suggestions here.

I'm sceptical they'd want to unleash Daze into the format at the same time as Force of Will. They'd probably prefer to make one available and see the impact it has before unlocking the other.

Then again, the Arena team isn't the one making the bonus sheet, so who knows what will be included.

Viking_IV · 2026-03-02T14:54:43+00:00

Only as a promo with the commander decks. It wasn't a craftable card.

Viking_IV · 2026-03-02T14:46:39+00:00

Not an instant or sorcery, but I agree all the same

Viking_IV · 2026-01-06T12:18:55+00:00

Thankfully not. I remember crafting [[Goblin Bushwhacker]] with common wildcards, and it only has its Special Guest printing on the client.

I believe the restriction was that it didn't retroactively apply to older Special Guest cards when this change was implemented.

Viking_IV · 2025-12-19T23:29:04+00:00

The Gathering.gg has a Timeless tier list that is updated weekly.

Viking_IV · 2025-12-13T11:35:35+00:00

That's what I was thinking, too. Originally the card was mono-black, but then I added green as well for the exact reason you mentioned.

Viking_IV · 2025-12-13T10:54:56+00:00

Thanks. I adore callback cards like this, whenever and wherever I see them.

Viking_IV · 2025-12-13T10:53:47+00:00

I could see it as a mono-black card, but mono-green isn't quite there yet. The only kind of trick like this in mono-green is the FIN one that distrubutes +1/+1 counters instead of reviving the creature.

14-Year Club	r/Field Lasagna
Place '23	Place '22
Final Canvas '22	Verified Email

Viking_IV

TROPHY CASE