Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Nicol Bolas EDH deck

Here is my first attempt at an EDH deck. It plays out rather well in my limited testing.
I would really appreciate any and all feedback.

[EDH] Nicol Bolas Deck
#Card nameComments
The General
1Nicol BolasA Legendary Dragon in his Chronicles guise. A big 7/7 flying meanie who when he damages an opponent causes them to discard their entire hand. He has the small upkeep cost of UBR. Being an elder dragon, and being a legend, makes hit quite literally the epitome of an ELDER DRAGON Highlander general!
Legendary Lieutenants
1Adamaro, First to DesireFor a casting cost of only 1RR, his power and tougness are both equal to the number of cards in the hand of the opponent with the most cards in hand, and this in an evironment full of 100 card decks!
1Ashling the PilgrimThis flaming elemntal lass enters the battlefield as a 1/1, for each 1R you spend she gets +1/+1, if you resolve the activation three times in a turn she spontaneously combusts and deals damage equal to her power to each creature and player, what a team player.
1Garza Zol, Plague QueenThis flying, hasted vampire gets +1/+1 each time a creature she damages is put into a graveyard, she also nets you a card whenever she damages an opponent, even without the counters a 5/5 flyer is nothing to be sneezed at.
1Jeska, Warrior Adept3/1 hasty, first striker who also pings for 1, she is the sister of Kamahl, Pit Fighter.
1Kamahl, Pit FighterThis hasted barbarian of a human enters the battlefield with a 6/1 body ...  oh yes, he pings for 3 too. Jeska's big brother.
1Kiku, Night's FlowerKamigawa brings us this assassin of legend, a 1/1 for BB may not seem like a bargain, but when opponent see her forcing opposing creatures to commit hari-kiri for only a tap and 2BB, they will cringe. Stunning artwork too!
1Lyzolda, the Blood WitchYet another human, she enters the battlefield as a 3/1 for 1BR. For 2 and a creature sacrifice she deals 2 damage to a creature or player if the sacrificed was red, draws you a card if the sacrificed was black. Nice.
1Maga, Traitor to MortalsAnother Kamigawan, Maga costs XBBB to cast and enters the battlefield with X +1/+1 counters on it, when he enters the battlefield target player loses life equal to the number of +1/+1 counters on him. A human wizard joins the team.
1Magus of the AbyssThis human wizard, sighted in the abyss sometime in the future, is a 4/3 body for only 3B, that and the fact that each player has to destroy a nonartifact creature during their upkeep, the offering can also not be regenerated. Spreading the joy.
1Rayne, Academy ChancellorA human wizard from the days when Urza's Destiny was the hot topic, allows you to draw a card if you or a permanent tou control is targeted by an opponent, you draw two cards if she is enchanted. Oh yes, her casting cost is only 2U.
1Tibor and LumiaThe dastardly duo enter the battlefield as a 3/3 for 2UR. Their wizardry grants a creature flying when you play a U spell, it also deals 1 damage to each earthbound critter when you play a R spell ... or both if the spell is both. The odd couple in cardbaord form.
1Tomorrow, Azami's FamiliarWhenever you would draw a card, for any reason, Tomorrow allows you to look at the top 3 cards of your library instead, you choose one of those cards and put the rest on the bottom of your library. The 5U casting cost looks expensive, but once you have seen Tomorrow in action, you'll marvel at your deck's new found efficiency.
1Toshiro UmezawaThis samurai allows you to play an instant card from your graveyard and then exile it, every time a creature an opponent controls is put into a graveyard. All of this and a 2/2 body for only 1BB ... and Bushido 1. Lots of opponents, lots of creatures and a fair number of instants in this deck make him a worthwhile additon to the team.
1Uyo, Silent ProphetThis 4/4 flying moonfolk wizard (with the funky hair-do) from the land of Kamigawa, gives you the opportunity to spend 2 and return two lands you control to their owner's hands. If you take her up on this offer you get to copy target instant of sorcery spell ... and you get to choose new targets for these copies. Bonus!
Footsoldiers
1Blood CultistThe first Alaran member of the team allows you to ping target creature for 1. If a creature pinged by Blood Cultist ends up in the 'yard, the cultist gets a +1/+1 counter. A bargain at the 1BR casting cost.
1Cemetery PucaThis UB-hybrid shapeshifter, all the way from Lorwyn, becomes a copy of a creature entering the battlefield if you spend 2. Let's not forget that the new copy gains this ability too!
1CloneYou may have Clone enter the battlefield as a copy any creature on the battlefield. The M10 rules text says it best.
1Fire-Field OgreThis 4/2 first striking ogre with the dodgy DNA harkens from Alara. As an optional extra he rises from the graveyard for UBR to fight again for one more turn, after which ... exile.
1Flametongue KavuA 4/2 Kavu which deals 4 damage to target creature when it enters the battlefield. 'Nuff said! A dominant force in the decks of olde.
1Goblin DeathraidersA 3/1 trampler for only BR ... the stuff bargain bins are made of :)
1Kathari ScreecherA really ugly 2/2 flying bird soldier from the skies of Alara. He also has the Unearth party trick in his arsenal. 2U is nothing really to pay for a 2/2 flyer.
1Kederekt CreeperThis horrid 2/3 for UBR has deathtouch and can't be blocked by fewer than 2 creatures, a guaranteed 2-for-1.
1NucklaveeA 4/4 beast costing 4UR to cast, allows you to return a red sorcery and a blue instant from your graveyard to your hand when he enters the battlefield, and he has one of the coolest names in Magic.
1Prodigal PyromancerA red Tim. 'Nuff said!
1Rattleblaze ScarecrowA 5/3 scarecrow who has haste if you control a red creature and persist if you control a black creature, in a UGR deck that shouldn't be too difficult.
1SootwalkersA vanilla 3/3 who cannot be blocked by white creatures, remarkably unexciting ... even for a footsoldier.
1Tidehollow StrixThe 2/1 flying artifact bird costs onlu UB to cast ... and it has deathtouch. Bring on the Dragons.
1Viscera DraggerThis undead ogre warrior is a 3/3 footsoldier who can be riased from the grave for one last hurrah for 1B ... or you could just cycle him for 2.
1Vithian StingerAnother red Tim. Same casting cost, 1 less power but can be unearthed for a quick ping when needed.
1Wingrattle ScarecrowA 2/2 scarecrow who has flying if you control a blue creature and persist if you control a black creature, in a UGR deck this too shouldn't be too difficult.
1WonderOne of my favorite cards of all time, this 2/2 flying beauty from Judgment gives all creatures you control flying if she is in your graveyard and you control an island.
Armaments
1Agony WarpOne target creature gets -3/-0 and another -0/-3 until end of turn ... these could also be the same creature, and this for only UB.
1Aphotic WispsFor B you get to turn a creature black and grant it fear until end of turn. Oh yes, you get to draw a card too.
1Beseech the QueenThe sorcery with a funky hybrid casting cost of 2/B 2/B 2B lets you search your library for a card with a converted mana cost less than or equal to the number of lands you control. You also get to shuffle your library afterwards.
1BlazeBurn baby burn! For XR you get to do X damage to target creature or player.
1BlightningA nasty little common sorcery that does 3 damage to target player and that player discards 2 cards. A real bargain for only 1BR. Multi-purpose madness.
1Cerulean WispsTurn a creature blue until end of turn and untap it. Costs U and lets you draw a card too. Sweet.
1Clout of the DominusAura which gives enchanted creature +1/+1 and flying if it is blue and/or +1/+1 and haste if it is red. Fits quite nicely into the deck. Costs U/R.
1Control MagicFor 2UU, you control enchanted creature. In a typical EDH game you should have lots to choose from. Might loose you some friends or allies though!
1Counsel of the Soratami2U and you get to draw 2 cards. IMHO the best card co come out of Kamigawa, maybe even shades Gifts Ungiven.
1Crimson WispsThe third of the cantrip cycle included in this deck. Turns a creature red and gives it hast until end of turn. Don't forget the card draw too,
1Diabolic TutorDo you fancy searching your library for any card and putting it into your hand and then shuffling your library? Well, for 2BB this card will let you do just that.
1Fists of the DemigodAura which gives enchanted creature +1/+1 and wither if it is black and/or +1/+1 and first strike if it is red. Another perfect fit in this UBR deck.
1Helm of the GhastlordAura which gives enchanted creature +1/+1 if it is blue and/or +1/+1 if it is black. Te blue half lets you draw a card if the enchanted creature deals damage, while the black half forces the damaged opponent to discard.
1Leap of FlameTarget creature gets +1/+0, flying and first strike until the end of turn for UR, you can replicate this spell for as much UR you have available, you may choose new targets for each copy.
1PerplexCounter target spell unless its controller discards his or her hand. Nasty, nasty spell in the EDH environment and it only costs 1UB.
1Pulse of the DrossTarget player reveals three cards, you choose one, they discard it, then if they have more cards than you, you get the Pulse back.
1Pulse of the ForgeDeals 4 damage to target player, then if they have more life than you, you get the Pulse back
1Pulse of the GridDraw two cards and then discard one, then if any opponent has more cards in hand than you you get the Pulse back.
1Rend FleshDestroy target non-Spirit creature. Spot removal is always a good thing, the whole Spirit thing is inconsequential.
1SwerveChange the target of target spell with a single target. Lots of targets in that sentence, still a really cool spell.
1TerminateFor only BR you get to destroy tager creature and it can't be regenerated. More removal, also a good thing.
1ThreatenUntap target creature, give it haste, and gain control of it until end of turn for only 2R. Take your opponents General and beat them about the head with it, always good for a laugh.
1Torrent of SoulsFor only 4 B/R you get to return up to one (strange requirement) creature from your graveyard to play if you spent B when casting the spell, and if R was spent all creatures target player controls get +2/+0 and haste until end of turn. You get both effects if you spend both B and R. This card can end games in a hurry if times just right. I like it!
1Wrecking BallFor the low, low price of 2BR you get to destroy target creature or target land at instant speed ... nice.
1ZombifyReturning a creature card from your 'yard to the battlefield, with absolutely no side-effects, is a steal when it's casting cost is 3B.
Machinery
1Armillary SphereConflux brought us this gem of a 2 casting cost artifact, which when you spend 2 and sac it, allows oyu to search your library for two basic land cards and put them into your hand. If this wasn't cool enough you also get to shuffle your library. Multi-colored EDH decks should all be powered by the Sphere.
1Darksteel IngotAn indestructible source of any colored mana from the Mirrodin era.
1Executioner's CapsuleThe capsule, or rather mini-claymore, allows you to destroy a non-black creature. Not stealthy, but very effective removal.
1Obelisk of GrixisThe obelisk can generate U, B or R mana, which is incidentally what this deck needs. Coincidence? I think not.
Non-Basic Lands
1Bad RiverMirage fetchland that let's you search for an island or swamp and put it onto the battlefield. Comes into play tapped, not so much of an issue in an EDH deck.
1Barren MoorComes onto the battlefield tapped, can be tapped for B, or can be cycled from your hand for B.
1Cinder MarshTempestuous land, which can be tapped for 1, or can be tapped for B or R and then doesn't untap next turn.
1City of BrassThe mother of all pain lands, can be tapped for one of any color mana ... and does 1 damage to you. Starting at 40 life means you can take a bit of pain for the greater good.
1Crumbling NecropolisThis Shards of Alara tri-land comes onto the battlefield tapped, and there after can be tapped for U, B or R.
1Dark DepthsThis Coldsnap land always elicits the Johnny Bravo response when it hits the battlefield "Whoa Mama!". It comes into play with 10 ice counters on it, these counters can be removed by paying 3 per counter, when there are no more counters the now defrosted Avatar Marit Lage joins the fray. He is a black 20/20 legendary flying creature token ... oh yes, he is indestructible too!
1Dimir AqueductRavnica gave us this very handy cycle of common lands which enter the battlefield tapped, require you to return a land to your hand and then, in the case of the Aqueduct, tap for UB.
1Forgotten CaveComes onto the battlefield tapped, can be tapped for R, or can be cycled from your hand for R.
1Grixis PanoramaAnother land from the Shards of Alara, this time a common fetch land, a fetch land with a difference. It can either be tapped for 1, or for 1 and a sac allows you to search your library for either an island, a swamp or a mountain and put it onto the battlefield tapped. Shuffling your deck is then also required.
1Izzet BoilerworksThe Guildpact continued the Ravnica trend by giving us this very handy cycle of common lands which enter the battlefield tapped, require you to return a land to your hand and then, in the case of the Boilerworks, tap for UR.
1Lonely SandbarComes onto the battlefield tapped, can be tapped for U, or can be cycled from your hand for U.
1Minamo, School at Water's EdgeThis land of legend from Kamigawa either taps for U, or by spenind U and tapping it allows you to untap target legendary permanent.
1Rakdos CarnariumDissension also continued the Ravnica trend by giving us this very handy cycle of common lands which enter the battlefield tapped, require you to return a land to your hand and can tap for BR.
1Rocky Tar PitAnother Mirage fetchland that let's you search for a mountain or swamp and put it onto the battlefield. Comes into play tapped, a downside we can live with.
1Rootwater DepthsAnother land from Tempest, which can be tapped for 1, or can be tapped for U or B and then doesn't untap next turn.
1Rupture SpireProbably the best common from COnflux, this land enters the battlefield tapped, if you do not pay 1 when it enters the battlefield you have to sacrifice it. Once the dust has settled this land can then be tapped for 1 mana of any color.
1School of the UnseenOne of the few playables from Alliances, this land can either be tapped for 1, or by spending 2 and tapping it you get to add 1 mana of any color to your mana pool.
1Shinka, the Bloodsoaked KeepKamigawa is also home of this legendary land. The Keep can either be tapped for R, or by spending R and tapping you can give target legendary creature first strike until end of turn. Legends abound in this deck, and some of them could use any advantage they could get. A first striking Nicol Bolas is also rather fearsome.
1Tainted IsleThis tormented land can either be tapped for 1, or if you control a swamp it can be tapped for either U or B. Very handy indeed!
1Terramorphic ExpanseOne of the premier fetchlands. Tap it and sacrifice it to search your libray for a basic land and put it onto the battlefield tapped. All of this, and it is a common to boot!
1Urborg VolcanoThis land from the planes of Invasion, comes into play tapped. From then on it can be tapped to add either B or R to your mana pool.
Basic Lands
6Swamp
6Mountain
6Island

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