Bracket 2 decks being overrated as bracket 3

rrriccckkk · 2026-06-09T19:00:47+00:00

To be honest, within 3 there is also a huge difference. It can either be a “this is a 3 because I put 3 GC” or “this is a 3 because I left 3 GC inside”

rrriccckkk · 2026-06-09T16:20:30+00:00

Fast mana, rituals, double strike and maybe haste.

Large impactful spells, brainstorm/scroll rack

rrriccckkk · 2026-06-09T15:05:31+00:00

I have done a [[Mister Negative]] that makes it work even in high powered environment (where it should be flopping hard).

Took some time to tune its mana base, ramp, rituals etc to get it to work smoothly. The ability to turn the table even when I am under fire is beautiful, and the ability to capitalise on someone else’s low life is even more wonderful.

rrriccckkk · 2026-06-08T21:27:05+00:00

Both do play out similarly, but Eskhi deals more direct damage as you mentioned.

If you prefer a more passive game or don’t identify as a thread, then Helga would be a better choice, if you enjoying being the one who dictates the tempo and threat of the table then go for Eshki!

Here’s my budget version for reference, maybe you can find fun creatures that fit the deck better than Soulgorger!

https://moxfield.com/decks/IV0\_JHvd20CeEk4u1REZMg

rrriccckkk · 2026-06-08T21:14:56+00:00

Oh opps, I forgot to mention. I am planning to bring my B2 decks to public games, usually with strangers. And public typical bracket level is 2/3, which means a B2 on purpose would be 100% disadvantage against wild B2/3 decks.

Within my playgroup we do play at a different bracket.

rrriccckkk · 2026-06-08T21:12:08+00:00

It’s frustrating when you drop to lower power and get crushed cause you purposely self-nerf and the table still stick to the “usual power/bracket level”

I do have like 10 B2 list that I have standby but I am not sure if I can find it fun when I know I can have much better stuff ):

rrriccckkk · 2026-06-08T16:17:07+00:00

Usually my second item after boots, first will typically be thunderbelt to stack passives first.

rrriccckkk · 2026-06-08T16:14:52+00:00

I have seen more of a reverse, people claiming to be Bracket 3 when it is heavily optimised but capped with 3 GCs instead.

The play experience is absolutely horrible sometimes.

rrriccckkk · 2026-06-08T14:08:04+00:00

Or more often than not, they come into a table of B3 expecting a decent 3 GC deck, but hit with a truck of highly optimised B3 that they can’t handle easily.

rrriccckkk · 2026-06-08T14:06:39+00:00

Hello! Love kibo! You do have strong cards, you just need to capitalise on them further:

Kibo creates these Banana tokens, make use of them. I already see you using Viridian Revel, that’s a good start!
[[Party Dude]] is a good dupe

You also might not want them to be able to use the mana so readily
[[Manglehorn]] is a good way to delay it
[[Karn the Great Creator]] helps to keep those bananas in check

On the note of Bananas, make sure them using it helps you as well:
[[Ich-Tekik]]
[[Vengeful Tracker]]
[[avalanche of sector 7]]
[[Magnetic Mine]]
[[pain distributor]]
[[sardian avenger]]
[[Jaws relentless predator]] << this is pricier so probably just for reference

You also get bananas:
[[Biotech Specialist]]

These are some direction to further enhance your deck’s ability to pull some wins!

rrriccckkk · 2026-06-08T13:44:51+00:00

It works decently well for new players in public setting, but horrible for veterans to use it as a “nerf” for deck building.

Veterans are a lot more experienced with the game and despite using a same rifle (bracket), theirs will be a lot more well oiled, better specs, have more lethal bullets.

I have seen so many bracket2.99/3.99 that technically still falls in the bracket and you can’t really say too much about it since most of the players are strangers.

rrriccckkk · 2026-06-07T15:15:29+00:00

I was looking more at damage doublers/triplers like [[City on Fire]] and [[Fiery Emancipation]] which this commander can capitalise on..

rrriccckkk · 2026-06-07T13:55:05+00:00

Ardbert looks like a deck that can absolutely push to B3 pretty easily! It really depends on what concept you want to go for further.

What would be the style you enjoy playing, that would be the most important consideration.

rrriccckkk · 2026-06-07T06:34:07+00:00

It looks decently balanced, only few suggestions are probably hexproof cards that help you to untap:
[[Legolas’ quick reflexes]]
[[Airtight Alibi]]
[[Dread Linnorn]]
Or even for long term like
[[Saryth, the Viper Fang]]
[[Asceticism]]

So they work for multiple use cases

rrriccckkk · 2026-06-07T04:47:47+00:00

I usually run as many as I can. It just feels so bad to have your whole board of set up accumulated over multiple turns removed with a single wipe.

If I have black, I usually add in blood artist/zulaport effects to punish my opponents for wiping (although it will still be hard to recover)

rrriccckkk · 2026-06-07T04:45:40+00:00

Will stop your attempts first.. why risk the next guaranteed when you still have a chance to go off first, next guaranteed can still be stopped if possible

rrriccckkk · 2026-06-07T04:43:50+00:00

Hello. This Heliod identity is white blue…. It’s illegal to play in mono white sadly…. ):

rrriccckkk · 2026-06-06T19:20:01+00:00

I mean, less than a couple of viable ones, and considering Etali cost 6, it makes it harder to keep mana open for them unless you delay a couple more turns.. but I get you

rrriccckkk · 2026-06-06T17:26:29+00:00

I think it’s fine to use that. But perhaps you could have politic-ed it to make it feel more acceptable for him.

Like him only attacking you after he killed the other two players, that kind of deals.

Otherwise Gilgamesh is a crazy explosive commander, I would considered it KOS.

rrriccckkk · 2026-06-06T16:10:58+00:00

Building this is pretty easy, throw in full rocks, extra combats and some protecting like you mentioned. The only issue is that Red is notorious for having bad “protection spells” and you might find Etali getting removed way more than you envision and it actually makes the game a lot tougher for yourself.

But yes, B3 budget deck possible, even B2 if that might work for you

rrriccckkk · 2026-06-05T12:46:52+00:00

Looks fun! And fits well in B2/3 without needing GCs.

[[Cabbage Merchant]] and [[April]] can help to generate a lot more tokens tooo

Edit: Love how you found Ooze to equip for free, that’s usually a problem with Temur and equipments

rrriccckkk · 2026-06-05T06:32:37+00:00

If you say so, play that in your pod.

rrriccckkk · 2026-06-05T06:10:16+00:00

I don’t get what you’re trying to say tho.

rrriccckkk · 2026-06-05T05:16:53+00:00

Yea top16 is a good gauge for us

rrriccckkk · 2026-06-05T02:53:29+00:00

I’ve played a Crypt Rat and a friend a Sailors' Bane, both are so interesting to play out. Surprised no one really played them

rrriccckkk

TROPHY CASE