Petrified by the Gorgussy [Primer]

Commander / EDH Crow_Umbra

SCORE: 31 | 31 COMMENTS | 1504 VIEWS | IN 5 FOLDERS


First couple of games played - initial thoughts —April 23, 2024

I managed to squeeze in a few games last night with some friends & had a blast. Vraska made her semi-proxied up debut while I wait for my last dozen cards to hit my mail box. Overall, I think Vraska had a decent showing, more so in the second game than the first.

  • Vraska didn't do a whole lot the first game, but neither did two of my other friends. Our friend's Gyruda, Doom of Depths deck popped off pretty early and milled everyone pretty hard.

  • Second game was much more interactive, & Vraska mostly stuck around. She died a couple of times because I sent her into combat to bait blocks, to which she then died to against bigger commanders. Definitely made me reconsider including stuff like Ashnod's Intervention, Tamiyo's Safekeeping, and Tyvar's Stand. Luckily, I had a decent amount of mana between hitting land drops, ramp, and stolen Lotus Cobra and Crypt Ghast, so I was able to re-cast Vraska twice without much issue.

  • The All Stars for the second game were a Seedborn Muse on my side of the field and a Wilderness Reclamation on one of my friend's boards. I managed to find a slot for Wilderness Rec, as I think Vraska could benefit from an additional untapping effect.

  • In playing with the current removal suite, I might swap out one of the Bites and one of the Edicts for either: Another targeted removal effect, another instant speed protection effect, or something like Dictate of Erebos or No Mercy. While the Edict effects are useful for thinning out early boards, they're kinda mid when I need more control over what actually dies. Dictate of Erebos could help me punish aristocrats decks by making them sacrifice at a faster pace than they may be equipped to at that point in board development, & No Mercy could help me punish creature-based drain effects that say "deal X damage" and any aggro that I decide to take to face instead.

  • The Deathtouch across my creature base helped turn away a decent amount of aggro, and most of my life loss was due to drain effects on things like Corpse Knight or Awaken the Blood Avatar  Flip.

  • Vraska's stealing ability gave the Aristocrats decks plenty of pause when sacrificing their nontoken creatures any time I had mana up.

  • I was Jazz-Handsing and going into Top Deck Mode the last two turns of the game, so I will definitely look at refining the draw options a bit more. For now, I swapped Damnable Pact with Infectious Inquiry.

After taking some feedback here from folks like Profet93, UltimateRoxas40, and Formless0209, and spitballing with my best friend, I've decided on some swaps that I think better fit the deck based on the initial play throughs and our meta:

  • Wilderness Reclamation replaced Cosmic Hunger - While the Bite removal spells are handy with a higher volume of Deathtouch in the deck, they felt kinda dead in hand until I had Deathtoucher on board. TBD on removing Infectious Bite

  • Infectious Inquiry replaced Damnable Pact - The other X spells I have in deck are much more impactful, & the corner case of using Damnable Pact to finish someone off at low life felt too narrow. A consistent 2 draw for 3 mana, & can get a Poison counter rolling for Fynn seems okay-ish for now.

  • Reanimate replaced Vraska's Fall - The Edict removal spells were kinda hit or miss beyond early turns (mostly miss). I figured Reanimate has enough flexibility to act as recursion for any of my creatures, or can let me double dip on something I stole previously, or missed the opportunity to steal with Vraska.

  • Go for the Throat replaced Sheoldred's Edict - I realized that I'd rather have as much control as possible on what I remove and steal with Vraska. I think Soul Shatter might be the only Edict I end up running in the deck, since it will typically kill some high value creatures.

  • Syr Konrad, the Grim replaced Marionette Master - She was great in my Prosper deck as a finisher, given how many treasures that deck reliably made. I wasn't stealing creatures super often to bank them up for Marionette Master, & the deck currently only runs a handful of actual Treasure token production, that I realized she was a bit more of a trap inclusion. Syr Konrad has done plenty of work in my meta, given the higher volume of Reanimator and Aristocrats decks that I tend to run into. This also would have been a more useful counter to the Gyruda, Doom of Depths deck we played against in our first game.

ShadowTheMonk says... #1

My kind of deck title

April 11, 2024 2:33 p.m.

Crow_Umbra says... #2

Lol thank you ShadowTheMonk. Given recent lore implications, I wanted to do something fun with that.

April 11, 2024 2:43 p.m.

Take an upvote on the name alone lol.

I see you've got one of the Glissa's here. You could add in Viridian Longbow, which, when equipped to a Deathtouch/First Striker like Glissa Sunslayer, turns into , Destroy target creature.

Or for flavor/lore points, add in Vraska Joins Up, to capitalize on the Deathtouch.

April 11, 2024 2:54 p.m.

Crow_Umbra says... #4

Thanks for the solid suggestions UltimateRoxas40. Vraska Joins Up up was something I was considering as another draw source, but I wasn't sure how much I'd be swinging with Vraska, & the Legend count is kinda low.

I can't believe I forgot Viridian Longbow. I used to run it in my Prosper deck since he has deathtouch.

April 11, 2024 3:17 p.m.

IMMG54 says... #5

Oh wow sex joke haha super funny and original.

April 15, 2024 1:51 p.m.

Crow_Umbra says... #6

Thank you for the in depth and detailed constructive feedback IMMG54.

April 15, 2024 2:23 p.m.

Title made me laugh thank you

April 18, 2024 1:27 a.m.

Profet93 says... #8

Crow_Umbra +1

Will try to provide feedback later. For now, great avg cmc of 2.83.

April 18, 2024 3:29 p.m.

Crow_Umbra says... #9

Thank you Profet93, looking forward to your suggestions.

I appreciate it Jacethemindsculptor1243, glad you got a kick out of it.

April 18, 2024 4:53 p.m.

Profet93 says... #10

Crow_Umbra, I apologize in advance for the wall of text below. Your deck is very interesting and got me thinking. If you don't want to respond to each point below, I can't blame you. In the end, I hope these suggestions help or at least get the gears turning. Looking forward to your response.

Skullclamp - Draw

Sakura-Tribe Elder/Rampant Growth > Farseek - Rampant growth gives you the option to get either a basic forest or basic swamp tapped. Farseek is only a swamp tapped. Rampant growth is a strict upgrade given you have no swamps aside from a basic swamp would benefit from the distinction.

Viridian Longbow - Idk if this is too cheeky but given all your deathtouch, this might be worth considering.

Academy Manufactor - This card seems perfect for the deck. You make a lot of treasures, you get more artifacts. You also occasionally make food tokens. If you added tireless tracker (not saying you should per say) then it triggers on clues. All around seems solid. Is this a reason I'm missing for why this isn't included?

Mastermind Plum > Preacher of the Schism - Seems kind of cool, got some synergy. Your description mentioned this is potentially on the cutting block. Given you already have enough deathtouch, would draw not outweigh the redundancy?

Infectious Bite > Bite Down - Given that this is removal 95% of the time according to your description, would the potential for a poison counter to fuel fin outweigh the possibility of killing a PW that isn't there 19/20 times?

Bootleggers' Stash - At the risk of being too on the nose/winmore, could this help? Same question with Parallel Lives.

I read your description regarding the token meta. Below are some anti token suggestions. Some of them are straight up hate, other of them are flexible, depends on what you're going for (in order of most token hate to flexibility)....

Virulent Plague - Straight up hate

Bile Blight - Removal with token emphasis

Maelstrom Pulse - Flexible removal spell (works well against clones too!)

Pernicious Deed - X = 0, bye bye tokens. Or use it normally to wipe when things get out of hand. I see its in your maybeboard, I believe this card warrants a spot the most out of any suggestion above or below.

Liquimetal Torque - What do you primarily use its second ability for? I get that you can make something an artifact to trigger some life loss. Given this deck is low to the ground, would you not be potentially better served with a Jet Medallion or Emerald Medallion? I suppose it depends on how much you value the lifeloss from artifacts + politic to make something artifact for other removal over the additional ramp the medallions can provide.

Kura, the Boundless Sky - What does this provide? I see no anti token, treasure or land token aspect. Perhaps I'm missing somehting?

Saryth, the Viper's Fang - I understand the deathctouch and hexproof anthem. Given your meta is mostly aggro, how many wipes do people typically use? Given your deck already goes wide, wouldn't most people just wipe the board anyways? I definitely see the benefit for sure, just wondering how this card performs and if it could be swapped for something either more impactful such as a Demonic Tutor or something more on theme in your maybeboard?

Questing Beast - I get that it likely wouldn't be blocked by tokens, is that it's primary purpose? Given that you also mentioned there are not a lot of PW's in the meta, would you not be better served with a general removal spell such as Hero's Downfall?

Guardian Project - How often do people kill your creature in response to the trigger to deny you card draw? Not saying to remove it, just curious is all.

I noticed you run torment, exsanguinate and damnable pact. While the latter can be used for an alt wincon, is it not draw most of the time? Assuming this, you run 2 X finishers and if not 3. Do you really need the redundancy? I believe another spell like Rise of the Dark Realms (also in maybeboard) could warrant an inclusion, especially given your aggro meta. I can understand the reluctance given that you are already taking their creatures anyways. If that's an issue, then maybe a Finale of Devastation? Recur/Tutor for a creature and go for the win through smashing face.

April 19, 2024 3:31 a.m. Edited.

Crow_Umbra says... #11

Thank you for taking the time to offer your feedback, and for reading through the primer Profet93, I appreciate it.

I like what you've suggested and wanted to offer my thoughts in turn:

  • Skullclamp - A great card draw staple. I think I didn't initially consider this one mostly because I currently have ~8 creatures with 1 toughness, & don't really make small 1/1 tokens besides Preacher of the Schism. High likelihood for revisiting & inclusion.

  • Sakura-Tribe Elder/Rampant Growth - I could see Steve slotting in over Farseek. I have Farseek in here as a means of grabbing Overgrown Tomb for quick fixing.

  • Viridian Longbow - This was also suggested by UltimateRoxas40. Definitely a kind of cheeky include. I used to run it in an early version of my Prosper, Tome-Bound deck. The higher concentration of Deathtouch in this deck raises its ceiling. I don't play with equipment much beyond Skullclamp, Lightning Greaves, & Swiftfoot Boots, but might consider swapping one of the instant/sorcery removal spells depending on how first irl playthroughs go.

  • Academy Manufactor - I considered this for the deck initially, but it turns out it would be a non-bo with Vraska, the Silencer. Her wording reads "Whenever a nontoken creature an opponent controls dies, you may pay . If you do, return that card to the battlefield tapped under your control. It's a Treasure artifact" Manufactor only makes its plethora of tokens whenever an effect creates a Treasure, Food, or Clue token. Currently, Deadly Dispute, Tireless Provisioner, & Revel in Riches are my only cards that make treasure tokens.

  • Mastermind Plum - He has replaced Preacher of the Schism in a couple of my other decks already, so I guess I might as well continue the trend. I think I picked Preacher mostly because I have copies on hand, & my Mastermind Plum is already in another deck.

  • Infectious Bite - Forgot about this card & must have overlooked it in my initial brewing. Will likely swap out with Bite Down.

  • Bootleggers' Stash/Parallel Lives - Ehhhhh, I kinda like Revel in Riches as my awkward value 5 drop more than Bootlegger's Stash. I don't think I'd consider Parallel Lives for similar reasons listed as Academy Manufactor.

Regarding all the anti-token stuff you mentioned, I agree that Pernicious Deed is what I'm most likely to include. I had it in the initial draft of this deck, but swapped it for some other removal.

  • Liquimetal Torque - Definitely a case of "I know I have this on hand". I was also considering Fellwar Stone for this slot. As cool as Jet & Emerald Medallion are, I don't have a copy of either yet. I usually try to focus on what I have initially, then save stuff like the medallions for future upgrades if I like a deck enough to continue investing in it.

  • Kura, the Boundless Sky - I typically play against a Kangee, Sky Warden deck quite frequently in my meta. My friend that pilots the deck will frequently go after decks that don't have flying defenses up, & tends to avoid swinging at boards that will stop the flyers. So Kura is here to play mind games with him & deter aggro as a deathtouch flyer, but also is just a bigger body that can help soar over defenses & chip people for 4 damage until they can do something about it. Once he does die, I will pick the land option.

  • Saryth, the Viper's Fang - I feel like I tend to see 1-2 wipes per game, but much more targeted removal. Wipes are inevitable, so I don't really worry about them. I'd rather dissuade targeted removal, or at least speedbump folks by offering Saryth up as the bottleneck to the rest of my board without a wipe. If she is too redundant, this could be a potential swap out.

  • Questing Beast - I like it for being a haste-y body that also blocks well against aggro crack back. More importantly it helps negate the occasional Fog effect. Because of my main meta being more aggro, I'd rather have bodies on board than to a certain extent than a higher volume of kill spells. The deck started off with more instant & sorcery speed removal, but felt anemic for board presence.

  • Guardian Project - Don't think I've ever encountered anyone killing creatures in response to the trigger for denial. Maybe it's happened once or twice, but I don't think it's happened with any kind of consistency to make me worried about it.

  • As for the 3 X finishers, this is definitely another case of "I have these on hand". Most of the time Damnable Pact will be a draw spell for myself, but does have that corner case potential to finish off someone that's low enough. I've seen Exsanguinate enough in my meta, & if it hasn't acted as a finisher, it helps its caster stabilize enough to attrition everyone else out. I think I'd rather include Rise of the Dark Realms over Finale, mostly for budget purposes.

Thank you for the questions and suggestions! Definitely a fun thought exercise to get my day started.

April 19, 2024 12:32 p.m.

Profet93 says... #12

Crow_Umbra

Thank you for your detailed reply. I understand and respect your decisions. Now that I understand about the potential flying aspect of the meta, while perhaps being too specific/meta, have you considered swapping out Kura for Raking Canopy?

April 19, 2024 3:28 p.m.

Crow_Umbra says... #13

No prob Profet93, I appreciate the sincerity of your feedback on my deck and the many others I see you commenting on.

I do have a copy of Raking Canopy! I think I picked it up a couple of years ago when I was messing around with a Mono-Green build (and before Kura existed lol). It's definitely one that I've considered slotting as tech against Kangee, but have also held off because it feels really niche. The Kangee deck and its flyers definitely aren't the only flying creatures that I encounter on a regular basis. I'll definitely keep it in mind, especially if it ends up being a consistent enough issue worth addressing.

April 19, 2024 3:40 p.m.