Craterhoof on a Budget
- Thread starter Encaen
- Start date
I really like Fog, personally. I haven't necessarily been able to use it appropriately, but I have a feeling it could really save you in a time of need. Especially since it's an instant that costs 1 mana and negates all damage... You can pretty much just sit with it in your hand as an "ace in the hole" as long as you leave 1 land untapped.
Just my two cents, I don't really see the downside.
It's one mana!
Just my two cents, I don't really see the downside.
It's one mana!
Genesis Wave all the way, but Fog also in the sideboard.
Genesis Wave can be insanely good with the amount of mana you have available, the only drawback that I see is that if you get a Craterhoof plus a lot of creatures with Genesis, it fells you're wasting those creatures and their temporary power because of summoning sickness. Nevertheless, if you can afford playing Genesis with that much mana, it means you already have a lot of creatures, and you can always play Craterhoof on the next turn.
Great deck idea by the way. I'm also trying to make a deck on a budget, because, well, I live on a budget :/. I made a B/W Exalted deck with mostly M13 cards, similar to the intro deck, the only rares that I have are 2 [mtg_card=Cathedral of War] and a single [mtg_card=Silverblade Paladin], I could throw a single white Mikaeus too (From the Vault foil, got it as a prize), but I don't think it could do any good. I can't afford [mtg_card=Sublime Archangel] yet. It's a bit simple and has no imagination, but it relatively good.
Genesis Wave can be insanely good with the amount of mana you have available, the only drawback that I see is that if you get a Craterhoof plus a lot of creatures with Genesis, it fells you're wasting those creatures and their temporary power because of summoning sickness. Nevertheless, if you can afford playing Genesis with that much mana, it means you already have a lot of creatures, and you can always play Craterhoof on the next turn.
Great deck idea by the way. I'm also trying to make a deck on a budget, because, well, I live on a budget :/. I made a B/W Exalted deck with mostly M13 cards, similar to the intro deck, the only rares that I have are 2 [mtg_card=Cathedral of War] and a single [mtg_card=Silverblade Paladin], I could throw a single white Mikaeus too (From the Vault foil, got it as a prize), but I don't think it could do any good. I can't afford [mtg_card=Sublime Archangel] yet. It's a bit simple and has no imagination, but it relatively good.
I'm also in favor of Genesis Wave here. Fog could be useful in much in the same way that [mtg_card=Celestial Purge] could be, but if your opponent isn't playing the right deck, color, etc then it's a wasted slot. What if they use direct damage, don't swing big, out control you, etc? Genesis Wave is going almost always be better for the opening configuration.
[mtg_card=Fog] Is definitely a solid defense card, but would it not be prudent to consider [mtg_card=Terrifying Presence] as well? Especially considering the massive amount of Trample damage [mtg_card=Craterhoof Behemoth] and [mtg_card=Ezuri, Renegade Leader] can generate, the ability to let one creature still deal its damage should not be overlooked, imo. This also pairs well with [mtg_card=Wild Defiance], another solid "stampede" card. Come to think of it... I wonder if ol' Craterhoof wouldn't be interesting in a G/B or G/W Exalted deck...
Also, obligatory mention of [mtg_card=Primordial Hydra] and [mtg_card=Ring of Kalonia]... two also fairly inexpensive cards.
Also, obligatory mention of [mtg_card=Primordial Hydra] and [mtg_card=Ring of Kalonia]... two also fairly inexpensive cards.
Yeah, the biggest problem I've run into with testing [mtg_card=Genesis Wave] is that I tend to tap all of my creatures for mana to cast it, and then they can't attack if I hit a Craterhoof. It's almost heartbreaking to have 50 power worth of tapped creatures on the board.if_then_else said:
As to your Exalted deck, the biggest problem I ran into when I was running Bant Exalted during Shards of Alara was playing defense, since your creatures are generally a little underwhelming when they're not enjoying multiple Exalted triggers. I think [mtg_card=Mikaeus, the Lunarch] might actually be good in there, if only as a way to beef up your creatures for blocking. (Remember that Mikaeus doesn't target, so your [mtg_card=Knight of Infamy]'s Protection from White doesn't stop him getting counters!)
[mtg_card=Terrifying Presence] is good, but it's got a couple of drawbacks that [mtg_card=Fog] doesn't have. It needs a target, for one. So your opponent can fizzle it by removing the target. If you don't have any creatures out, you're going to have to target the opponent's creature, which isn't usually going to be a huge deal, but a couple of damage here and there can definitely add up. It's certainly worth considering, but I think of the two I prefer [mtg_card=Fog] here.2xDouble said:
That being said, the negative of requiring a target is significantly lessened by [mtg_card=Wild Defiance], so I could see some kind of crazy shenanigans-based Green deck sporting Presence and Defiance for hilarious combat tricks. GWB, maybe, with [mtg_card=Vault of the Archangel] to give Deathtouch to a big Trampler, with [mtg_card=Revenge of the Hunted] to [mtg_card=Lure] their board, then [mtg_card=Terrifying Presence] to save the creature and buff with [mtg_card=Wild Defiance]... Interesting.
Genesis Wave will just have to do as a replacement for GSZ (But if you are making the deck and have some spare cash then please use GSZ). Seeing as you are the aggressive deck, Fog would be like Day of Judgement in White Weenie. It occasionally has uses, but is often a dead card that has no synergy with your deck's plan.
I like budget green decks. They epitomise turning guys sideways while yelling charge! at the top of your lungs so the entire shop looks at you funny.... Or maybe that's just me. The deck though is missing something rather important though.Encaen said:
[mtg_card=Rancor]
Even if you're building on a budget these should be in almost any aggressive creature based strategy especially since they only cost £1/$1. Recurring threat that turns your early turn mana dorks into legitimate threats and anything in later game into a game ender by itself that doesn't care about spirit tokens getting in your way.
...........
Onto more general magicy news and upcoming predictions expect quite a few BG decks coming into play with RTR along with token strats becoming more popular once the rotation hits. Pick up your playset of Gravecrawlers and Geralf's messengers before Gen-con.
It prevents combat damage. Bonfire can still wreck a player using the deck and I can still Gutshot an Elf and then send 5 to the face with Brimstone Volley. Fog is not Safe Passage.Nasrin said:
Yeah, I'm seeing the lack of defense power, the deck is basically made to win early, I have 3 [mtg_card=Murder] and 3 [mtg_card=Oblivion Ring] to keep attackers at bay, plus 4 [mtg_card=Duress] in the sideboard for control decks, but it's not always helpful, specially if the opponent is playing with lots of creatures (such as your Craterhoof deck, as a matter of fact).Encaen said:
Thanks for the input, I'll see how I can improve it.
Still feels like it needs a dash of [mtg_card=Nightshade Peddler]... I just love that little bugger with big Trampler-generators like Craterhoof (if only he were an Elf... stupid Human Druid).Encaen said:That being said, the negative of requiring a target is significantly lessened by [mtg_card=Wild Defiance], so I could see some kind of crazy shenanigans-based Green deck sporting Presence and Defiance for hilarious combat tricks. GWB, maybe, with [mtg_card=Vault of the Archangel] to give Deathtouch to a big Trampler, with [mtg_card=Revenge of the Hunted] to [mtg_card=Lure] their board, then [mtg_card=Terrifying Presence] to save the creature and buff with [mtg_card=Wild Defiance]... Interesting.
It doesn't really fit the "budget" theme anymore, but I wonder if [mtg_card=Elderscale Wurm] couldn't find a place in a deck like this as well... he's quite removable (unless you can give it a pretty Ring to wear, like [mtg_card=Ring of Evos Isle] and/or [mtg_card=Ring of Xathrid]), but he's an incredible defense creature.
Furthermore... Surely there should be mention of M13's new Elf on the block, [mtg_card=Yeva, Nature's Herald] (though fairly expensive now, can be obtained in a starter deck), and her cohort, [mtg_card=Yeva's Forcemage]. Especially when slinging [mtg_card=Genesis Wave]s, the Forcemage should come in quite handy. The nifty, but slightly underpowered (I think, and horribly innuendo-laden) [mtg_card=Revive] might deserve a place as well, in case you accidentally (or not) mill Behemoth with GenWave... or you want to cast it again without having to draw it, or something gets killed/milled/force-discarded/force-sacrificed/whatever and you want it back.
Hell, speaking of cheap rares: [mtg_card=Primal Surge]. Why cast one or two Elves or Behemoths when you can cast them all at once?
Might be worth considering as a one-of in this deck. Only downside, it will definitely ruin Ezuri if you hit both.
I actually had a separate deck that runs a similar strategy to this one before this came out, and I would appreciate some advice on it: http://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/forests-fury-1/. The sided souls are for when Ezuri goes out, but what I really want advice on is what to take out, if anything, for the visionaries at this point. The Emissaries do really well, as both beatsticks and land grabs, so I'm kind of hesitant at this point, though once RTR comes out, they're going to be out so fast.
For [mtg_card=Rancor], what would you take out to make room? I had it in the maybe pile at the beginning, but I just never had room for it in the deck given that most everything is either a combo piece (Elf/Craterhoof) or card advantage.TheGuy(wantstobe) said:
I'm intrigued as to what you're hearing about RTR! I've not really seen or heard much about it since the speculation about Shocklands being in 2013 proved to be a pipe dream. I am super excited, though, and I do like Golgari!
At a glance, I'd probably ditch your [mtg_card=Dawntreader Elk] for the [mtg_card=Elvish Visionary]. The Elk is kind of redundant Ramp, which can be good, but with eight 1-drops and four 2-drops already looking to ramp your mana, I think you'd do better drawing cards than fetching lands.chetoos said:
I like [mtg_card= fog] personally.. But really I think I might go with something like [mtg_card=Bower Passage] as its enough to keep fliers at bay that tend to nag and hold up offensive progression.
Also like the suggestion of [mtg_card=Nightshade peddler] as even if you can run in 4 turns, circumstances can throw that equation off and keep you from launching that offensive in full force and leave you in a quagmire of numbers game.
Also like the suggestion of [mtg_card=Nightshade peddler] as even if you can run in 4 turns, circumstances can throw that equation off and keep you from launching that offensive in full force and leave you in a quagmire of numbers game.
"The only potential drawback is hitting both of your Ezuri, Renegade Leader"
I'm lost... Doesn't Genesis Wave say MAY?
I'm lost... Doesn't Genesis Wave say MAY?
-2 soulEncaen said:
-1 stampede
+3 Rancor
If you're gonna keep genesis wave in since the wave let's you grab the rancors if you have pop it for less than 6 for example after a boardwipe and unlike the souls you don't mind seeing them in your opening hand or your first draw step or two. They also add reduncy to your deck where if you don't draw the combo or anything with trample anyway you can still keep up pressure with large angry elves.
For Return to Ravnica
BBGG Jarad, Golgari Lich Lord
Legendary Creature - Zombie Elf
Jarad, Golgari Lich Lord gets +1/+1 for each creature card in your graveyard
BG, sacrifice another creature: Each opponent loses life equal to the sacrificed creatures power
[Flavour text or a third ability here, pretty much impossible to make out]
unknown P/T
The Japanese Golgari vs Izzet duel deck's image has the creature abilities on it. Just needed a bit of sharpening and translating. Thanks go to the various Japanese MTG players who did a lot of the sharpening gruntwork
Legendary Creature - Zombie Elf
Jarad, Golgari Lich Lord gets +1/+1 for each creature card in your graveyard
BG, sacrifice another creature: Each opponent loses life equal to the sacrificed creatures power
[Flavour text or a third ability here, pretty much impossible to make out]
unknown P/T
The Japanese Golgari vs Izzet duel deck's image has the creature abilities on it. Just needed a bit of sharpening and translating. Thanks go to the various Japanese MTG players who did a lot of the sharpening gruntwork