[deck] Mystic Equilibrium

[asmoranomardicodais]

Used to post here, but my username got erased after I didn't use it for awhile. Anyway, here is my new deck:

Creatures (19):

4 Mystic Snake
3 Krosan Wayfarer
2 Uktabi Oragutan
2 Wall of Blossoms
3 Sakura Tribe Elder
3 Man o' War
2 Gilded Drake

Control (12):

4 Equilibrium
3 Ertai's Meddling
2 Misdirection
3 Temporal Spring

Search (8):

4 Impulse
1 Fact or Fiction
3 Harrow

Land (22):

11 Forest
11 Island

61 Cards


Now, for an explanation on the deck:

As a friend of mine commented, the deck is basically Aluren, but without the Aluren. The combo is Equilibrium plus a number of the creatures, which bounce themselves after the 187 ability is triggered. Gilded drakes become 3 mana buybackable control magics; Mystic Snakes are five mana buyback counterspells. Without drawing the equilibrium, the deck performs decently; once the equilibrium is out, it has a very strong lock on the field. Krosan wayfarers were put in as an alternative to mana elves; if I had birds of paradise, they'd take their spots. As it is, the deck is facing two main problems:

1. It's too slow. Getting out equilibrium 3rd turn and a snake ready fifth is usually just too slow to combat a combo deck. I've added the tribe elders to fetch out a lot of lands so I can eventually cast the snake twice a turn, harrow serves this purpose as well. The wayfarers were an attempt to get an extra land drop and be a cheap boomerang late game, but as a land drop they rarely are helpful. I need to a way to accumulate a lot of land very quickly so I can start countering everything very quickly.

2. Enchantments are a big problem. Besides temporal springing them and then countering them the next turn (eight mana open; ouch!), I have no way to stop a dangerous enchantment. Abyss drops third turn, I lose.


Here have been my thoughts on how to change the deck:

Add 2 Eternal Witnesses: There 187 ability rules. I could grab back temporal spring for a potential lock, or get back ertai's meddling continually. Mainly, what should I drop for these? My thoughts were the orangutans, as much as I love them.

Add 2 soul foundry: Basically, a fifth and sixth equilibrium. If I imprint creatures on it, I can also cast them as a instant, which helps immenssly. Mystic Snake on it counters there spells while I create a snake army. If I add these though, they have awful synergy with the orangutans, so I'd have to drop them again. Also, what would I take out to make room for this?

Add 3 awakening: This way, I can cast all the 187 creatures I want on my turn and have mana open to counter on the opponents turn. This will speed up the deck a lot, but I need to find a slot open for it.

Go up to 4 temporal spring: Probably will take a wayfarer out for this, since the wayfarers are very limited.

Those were the ones I'm pretty sure I going to add. Now for the ones I'm not so sure of:

Sosuke's Summons: This would give me a swarm every time I cast mystic snake, but it uses up a lot of mana, and I don't have a slot open for it. Still, It might be cool

Wordly Tutor: With most of my answers in creature form, I could get whatever I wanted at the time. Is it worth it?

Living Wish: I'd probably do this one if I had the money for some. What would be a good sideboard anyway for living wish if I put it in?

Gaea's Skyfolk: There a good green blue creature, but are they worth it in this deck?

Hunting Grounds: Uncounterable free snakes is cool, but its not worth an extra color and it doesn't work with equilibrium.

And finally, cards I will not add:

Misdirection: too expensive to get another

Survival of the fittest: I hate this card. Enough said.


Any ideas would be appreciated, espcially around the speed issue. Also, what format do you think this'd be strongest in, and do you think that the deck could possibly ever become good enough to compete in a tournament? Probably not, but I'd love it if it were feasible. Anyway, thanks for your time

[Ephraim]

I am not sure that this deck functions the way that you think it does. It would be awesome if it did, but Equilibreum triggers when you play a creature spell -- that is before the creature comes into play. That said, you can still bounce other creatures that you've played, but you can't bounce the same creature that is triggering the Equilibreum.

Also, for the record, 187 doesn't mean a comes-into-play effect. It means an effect that kills another creature. 187 is the police code for homicide.

[Jacob Orlove]

Also, for the record, 187 doesn't mean a comes-into-play effect. It means an effect that kills another creature. 187 is the police code for homicide.

Actually, while Nekrataal and Uktabi Orangutan were the original 187 creatures, the term spread to encompass most CIP effects. I blame Man-o-War.

[Valdner]

Wordly Tutor: With most of my answers in creature form, I could get whatever I wanted at the time. Is it worth it?

No.

I am not sure that this deck functions the way that you think it does. It would be awesome if it did, but Equilibreum triggers when you play a creature spell -- that is before the creature comes into play. That said, you can still bounce other creatures that you've played, but you can't bounce the same creature that is triggering the Equilibreum.

He's right.

[asmoranomardicodais]

You can't be right about that (although you probably are). I'll ask in the rules forums, see if anyone else agrees with you

[asmoranomardicodais]

nm, your right, just checked crystalkeep. That sucks. oh well, the deck still functions, albeit not as well as before. Any suggestions with this new turn of events?

[P_f]

With Equilibrium weaker than you expected, you can substitue it for tradewind riders. To combat permanent-based combo decks (I don't think casual sees a lot of storm/dragon/slaver based combos), you really need the ability to tutor for the correct 187 creatues. There are only 3 tutors: Worldly tutor, living wish, and eladamri's call. They all have their advantage and disadvantages, but you should consider playing some or a combination of them.

Also, 2 other cards that can replace equilibriums are erratic portal and crystal shard.

There are a lot of 187ers you can take advantage of if you have not.

[Ephraim]

Depending on how intense your casual metagmae is, you may also consider Survival of the Fittest as a viable tutor. I recommend using it only if your metagame is pretty hardcore. Creature-based utility is far from weak in most casual metagames, so having a solid control scheme around a powerful tutor can push the deck beyond the point where people will want to play with you anymore.

[asmoranomardicodais]

Here's the deck now:

Creatures (19):

4 Mystic Snake
2 Uktabi Oragutan
2 Wall of Blossoms
3 Sakura Tribe Elder
3 Man o' War
2 Eternal Witness
2 Llanowar Elf

Control (12):

4 Equilibrium
3 Sunken Hope
2 Ertai's Meddling
2 Misdirection
2 Awakening

Search (8):

4 Impulse
1 Fact or Fiction
2 Harrow

Land (22):

1 Mox Diamond
11 Forest
11 Island

61 Cards

Of course now, the deck is a lot slower, and I'm not quite sure why, besides sunken hope costing five. I've thought a lot about living wish, but I don't feel like paying the $7 for it yet.