Game Day Challenge Part 2: Phyrexian Phantacy

[Lelouch32]

Game Day Challenge Part 2: Phyrexian Phantacy

By: Corlando

Hello faithful readers and welcome to another edition of Cards n’Flux. This week we look at the other half of the Game Day war and see just how easy… or difficult it will be to build a deck. Yes ladies and gentlemen it is time for Phyrexia and their goal to conquer Mirrodin in a fashion similar to that of the Borg from Star Trek. I’m Corlando and resistance is futile, you will be assimilated.

Phyrexia, an artificial plane created by an ancient planeswalker, was once a plane a science, technology, and oil. It spewed out evil and disgusting creatures as easily and efficiently as it spewed out steam. It’s ruler Yawgmoth, a twisted being of power and darkness, threatened every plane with his armies of darkness. However, Urza, one of the greatest planeswalkers of all time, managed to destroy Phyrexia along with the aid of other planeswalkers, leaving the Phyrexian armies scattered, leaderless, and defeated.

However, evil such as Phyrexia cannot be incinerated no matter how many anti-plane bombs one uses. Phyrexian oil has seeped into Mirrodin and is now giving birth to new creatures, corrupting old ones, and beginning to reestablish the power Phyrexia once had. That is where we find ourselves today, watching as one group tries to create a new home by infecting and twisting its inhabitants to darker ends. One of the ways this new plague is shown in Phyrexian creatures is the powerful ability of Infect. As I have explained before, Infect deals damage to creatures in the form of -1/-1 counters and to players in the form of poison counters. This new power is deadly, weakening the forces of a planeswalker and, at the same time, killing the planeswalker quickly and efficiently like the Phyrexian machines it emulates and powers.

Such a power deserves its own deck, which is what I have for you this week, Phyrexian Poison. This deck operates mostly around the infect mechanic and I think it does that rather decently. Hand of the Praetors to add counters and boost creatures, Tel-Jilad Fallen for some seriously dangerous power, and Corpse Cur which is just the thing to help make this deck a truly terrifying beast. I’ve also included quite a few fun spells like Carrion Call to summon an army of little infectors, Giant Growth for obvious reasons, and Doom Blade to deal with your opponent’s last line of defense. This deck probably needs some alterations due to mana balancing, I’ve never really been all that good with lands, but it should work. Also if you decide to use this deck for Game Day it is all set to meet the requirements of Game Day. Here’s the deck:

Phyrexian Poison

Creatures:
4x Blight Mamba
4x Contagious Nim
3x Corpse Cur
4x Hand of the Praetors
2x Skithiryx, the Blight Dragon
4x Tel-Jilad Fallen

Spells:
4x Giant Growth
4x Tainted Strike
3x Carrion Call
4x Doom Blade

Lands:
10x Forest
10x Swamp
4x Verdant Catacombs

http://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/poison-power/

Now I know some of you out there probably don’t like the idea of using infect. I personally am not a fan of the mechanic, so that puts you and me in a bit of bind if we want to play Phyrexia for Game Day. Out of the current 41 cards for the Phyrexian side, half are dedicated to this new mechanic, another chunk is used to support it, and then we just have a few cards that no one would play ever. As such the amount of cards we have is definitely limited. Is it possible to build a truly effective, Phyrexian standard deck without poison? I say yes and here it is:

Phyrexian Phun

Creatures:
4x Blistergrub
4x Fume Spitter
4x Perilous Myr
4x Reassembling Skeleton
4x Skinrender
4x Viscera Seer
3x Wurmcoil Engine

Spells:
4x Contaminated Ground
3x Culling Dais
4x Doom Blade

Lands:
22x Swamp

http://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/phyrexian-phun/

This is definitely a fun deck and probably the deck I will use in Game Day if I decide to try the Phyrexian side. The deck basically works by sacrificing creatures. Reassembling Skeleton + Viscera Seer= Scrying power while Reassembling Skeleton + Culling Dias= Card draw. Lots of fun to be had. Not to mention life damage and creature death everywhere your opponent turns. "Alright so my lands are now swamps and I can’t tap them without feeling some pain, you’re going to attack with unblockable with your Blistergrub, which I would block with my normally 5/5 Baneslayer Angel except now it is a 2/2 thanks to your Skinrender. Oh yeah I’m having a good day." Not to mention this deck runs the ultimate Phyrexian Technology, Wurmcoil Engine, the card often referred to as Everyman's Titan. A 6/6 for :mana6: with staying, yeah I'll be happy to run that and use it to run you down. This deck is heavy, effective, and will leave your opponent holding the bag as you run off with the winnings.

Alright, so you took some time, built a deck, probably lost a friend or two, and managed to take a top spot at your local tournament with either a Mirran or Phyrexian deck. What’s the point? Why go through all this trouble? Because, if you manage to place well in your local Game Day tournament with your Phyrexian or Mirran affiliated deck, you will get an affiliated card from Mirrodin Beseiged. Yes ladies and gentlemen, months before Besieged appears on shelves or is even spoiled, you could be playing with either Peace Strider, a :mana4: 3/3 that when it enters the battlefield gives you 3 life, or Pierce Strider, a :mana4: 3/3 that pings your opponent for three when it enters the battlefield. Both of these cards are pretty decent, but when you really look at them I’d have to say I like the Pierce Strider just a little bit more. I mean life gain is nice, but it is almost always better to deal damage rather than gain life. I still don’t know exactly which side I’ll end up on, but Pierce Strider might just win me over.

Now it is time for everyone’s favorite section, the Closing Questions Section:

1. Let’s just put it out there for all to see, Phyrexian or Mirran? Feel free to post a deck link and explain what you like about that faction.

2. Which Mirrodin Besieged card do you like?

3. What kind of cards are you guys hoping to see from Besieged?

Well with that, we have come to another parting. Yes readers, this week’s edition of Cards n’Flux is at an end, but fret not I’ll be back next week with a brand new article and new fun for all. And as always, “Etherium is limited. Innovation is not.” This is Corlando signing out.

[whitey_mcfly]

1. I'm a Mirran man, myself. The phyrexians have nothing on my army of fluffy, cute, hugable.... back to the point. They're cats. Lots and lots of overequipped cats that smash/claw face, depending on what they have on them at the time. I have one now, but it's not posted as of yet.

2. I'm a fan of good ol' Pierce myself. I never was very into control. I'd rather just kill quick. Besides, a burn in any color is better than a life gain in any color, I'd say.

3. We need a new Liliana. Plain and simple. Tezzeret too, but maybe he can hold off for a bit. Or at least make him less artifact oriented. Liliana and Garruk are the last core planeswalkers on the list to be reprinted in some form. Lets go over the others, along with some of the non-core:
Chandra: Nalaar-Ablaze
Jace: Beleren-Mind Sculptor
Ajani: Goldmane-Vengeant
Sarkhan: Vol-Mad
Elspeth: Errant-Tirel

Yeah we need to reprint the core planeswalkers at one point or another.

[08merlin527]

1. I'm a Mirran man, myself. The phyrexians have nothing on my army of fluffy, cute, hugable.... back to the point. They're cats. Lots and lots of overequipped cats that smash/claw face, depending on what they have on them at the time. I have one now, but it's not posted as of yet.

2. I'm a fan of good ol' Pierce myself. I never was very into control. I'd rather just kill quick. Besides, a burn in any color is better than a life gain in any color, I'd say.

3. We need a new Liliana. Plain and simple. Tezzeret too, but maybe he can hold off for a bit. Or at least make him less artifact oriented. Liliana and Garruk are the last core planeswalkers on the list to be reprinted in some form. Lets go over the others, along with some of the non-core:
Chandra: Nalaar-Ablaze
Jace: Beleren-Mind Sculptor
Ajani: Goldmane-Vengeant
Sarkhan: Vol-Mad
Elspeth: Errant-Tirel

Yeah we need to reprint the core planeswalkers at one point or another.

I agree. There is too much white love for planeswalkers. We desperatley need some green and black walkers.

[Lelouch32]

What would you think of a black and green Garruk?

[DedWards]

1. I like both Phyrexian and Mirran. Phyrexian's Infect is just too good for me not to like, but I have already started a Mirran affiliated deck:

Artifacts
2x Liquimetal Coating
4x Trusty Machete
4x Darksteel Axe
4x Hammer of Ruin
2x Gold Myr
2x Iron Myr

Creatures
4x Sunspear Shikari
4x Bloodshot Trainee
4x Goblin Gaveleer
2x Salvage Scout
2x Kemba, Kha Regent

Spells
4x Galvanic Blast
4x Shatter

Land
8x Mountain
8x Plains
4x Arid Mesa

http://www.mtgvault.com/ViewDeck.aspx?DeckID=107999
I do belive this deck need some work, any suggestions?

2. Definitely Pierce Strider. For the reason whitey_mcfly already said. :p

3. I can't think of anything at the moment but when I first heard of Scars of Mirrodin I thought we'd see another version of Tezzeret.

[08merlin527]

What would you think of a black and green Garruk?

That would be quite cool, but i belive there are not enough mono green and black walkers. Dont get me wrong - i woould love a nice black and green garruk, but i would love some mono's - maybe a gaea planeswalker (probaly wouldnt happen, but i can wish!)

[whitey_mcfly]

That would be quite cool, but i belive there are not enough mono green and black walkers. Dont get me wrong - i woould love a nice black and green garruk, but i would love some mono's - maybe a gaea planeswalker (probaly wouldnt happen, but i can wish!)

Oh, there are plenty of Mono-color. Let's not forget Nissa and Sorin, now. I do recall reading about how Garruk was corrupted by Liliana when they battled. Maybe we can go for something like that. Garruk the Corrupted... has a nice ring to it, don't you think?

[Lelouch32]

I like it. But what abilities would he have?
+1 Untap two Lands
-2 Summon 2 2/2 Zombies
-5 You obtain an emblem that says everytime a creature enters the battlefield from anywhere, you gain a 2/2 zombie token.

[DedWards]

I like it. But what abilities would he have?
+1 Untap two Lands
-2 Summon 2 2/2 Zombies
-5 You obtain an emblem that says everytime a creature enters the battlefield from anywhere, you gain a 2/2 zombie token.

I like, but may I suggest this for the 2nd ability:

-2 Target Forest becomes a 3/2 black and green Plant Zombie creature. It's still a land.

[Lelouch32]

That's not bad, kind of puts him on the same level as Koth, though I think the ability should only be a -1 since we only get a 3/2, not a 4/4.

However, we're getting off topic.

[DedWards]

That's not bad, kind of puts him on the same level as Koth, though I think the ability should only be a -1 since we only get a 3/2, not a 4/4.

However, we're getting off topic.

Off topic? But of course we are getting off topic. Rule 25 states: "Relation to the original topic decreases with every single post." and rule 26: "Any topic can be easily turned into something totally unrelated." :p

[whitey_mcfly]

Monopolizing the conversation is fun, though. Besides, if anyone wants to say anything relevant, they can do so with ease.

As for the abilities, I think that the final ability should at least be -6, with Garruk starting at 3. We have to keep things balanced, remember.

[Lelouch32]

I'm guessing you meant -6.

[whitey_mcfly]

Yeah. -6. Sorry, typo.

[DedWards]

So, how much should he cost to cast? I'm thinking :mana2::manab::manag:

So he'll look something like this:

Garruk the Corrupted :mana2::manab::manag:
Planeswalker — Garruk Mythic Rare
+1: Untap two Lands.
-2: Target Forest becomes a 3/2 black and green Plant Zombie creature. It's still a land.
-6: You obtain an emblem that says everytime a creature enters the battlefield from anywhere, you gain a 2/2 zombie token.
(3)

[Lelouch32]

Yeah that sounds about right.
I think his ultimate needs some tweaking, buy I think it could be a lot of fun too.

[Wrathmane]

I like, but may I suggest this for the 2nd ability:

-2 Target Forest becomes a 3/2 black and green Plant Zombie creature. It's still a land.

Are you Thinking for a GB2 mana cost... I think thats pretty good.

[DedWards]

I wander if anyone noticed that the -2 ability I suggested does not have the phrase "untill end of turn" ?

[Lelouch32]

No, I would think they did not.

[08merlin527]

I wander if anyone noticed that the -2 ability I suggested does not have the phrase "untill end of turn" ?

I think that if it were -1, it would be until end of turn, but i think that -2 is slightly better, and more balanced. Also, i think that the ultimate should be more powerful. For example, it could be a 3/2 zombie, relevant to the previous ability, be a minus 5 ability, or possibly a 4/2 zombie?

Also, I am not sure about his first ability. We have to remember that he is black as well, so his first ability is not.. black. I think that it should be a better disentomb - maybe +1 return a creature card from your graveyard to your hand. If it has a CMC of one or less, put it into play. (This ability would cost you 2 CMC normally, so i think it is balanced) Also, this would help with his ultimate.

I also think that he could have four abilities, like Jace the Money Sculptor. If he did, maybe he would look like this:

Garruk The Corrupted :mana2::manab::manag:
Planeswalker - Garruk (Mythic Rare)
+1 return a creature card from your graveyard to your hand. If it has a CMC of one or less, put it into play.
+/- 1(not too sure) destroy target non-black/non-green creature (again, not sure about colours)
-2 Target forest becomes a 3/2 black and green Plant Zombie creature. It is still a land
-7 You obtain an emblem that says everytime a creature enters or leaves the battlefield from anywhere, you gain a 4/3 zombie token

This Garruk is much more powerful, but i am not sure about his second ability. Thoughts?

[Lelouch32]

I like the idea Merlin, but I've heard rumors from sources that firmly state that wizards is never going to have another 4 ability planeswalker. Personally, I understand why. We saw what Jace the mindsculptor did when he was printed. He started at 40 and shot to 100+ in just a few months. Honestly, if Wizards prints another 4 ability planeswalker it will be for the worse.

As for your Garruk, I really like it, feels like both green and black. However, I'd say the second ability is unnessecary. Garruk is an offensive hunter. Giving him the ability to kill a creature is nice, but it's unnessecary. Also, I think we should switch the third and first. First ability gets you a creature till the end of the turn, but make it a token that sacrifices itself so that we 1) don't mimic Koth too much. 2) make him too over powered. Plus the first ability will then feed his ultimate. The return a target creature in your graveyard to the battlefield is a much stronger magic plus it plays to how he became corrupt, Liliana. Add in haste and you've got yourself a truly awesome and usable second ability.

[whitey_mcfly]

I like the idea Merlin, but I've heard rumors from sources that firmly state that wizards is never going to have another 4 ability planeswalker. Personally, I understand why. We saw what Jace the mindsculptor did when he was printed. He started at 40 and shot to 100+ in just a few months. Honestly, if Wizards prints another 4 ability planeswalker it will be for the worse.

As for your Garruk, I really like it, feels like both green and black. However, I'd say the second ability is unnessecary. Garruk is an offensive hunter. Giving him the ability to kill a creature is nice, but it's unnessecary. Also, I think we should switch the third and first. First ability gets you a creature till the end of the turn, but make it a token that sacrifices itself so that we 1) don't mimic Koth too much. 2) make him too over powered. Plus the first ability will then feed his ultimate. The return a target creature in your graveyard to the battlefield is a much stronger magic plus it plays to how he became corrupt, Liliana. Add in haste and you've got yourself a truly awesome and usable second ability.

I think you're right, except the first ability should stay the first ability. Putting a 1 CMC creature onto the battlefield isn't that powerful, and adding disentomb isn't game breaking. Also, the -2 token gen that sacs itself is a good nod to the old Garruk, along with its flavor (Garruk has to kill the suffering creature after he summons it). Starting loyalty should be 4. Its a balanced number that allows for some flexibility along with some durability, yet still causing a little bit of buildup before the ultimate.

[Lelouch32]

I definitely think we should boost the token's power. Let's make it a 4/2 with haste.

[whitey_mcfly]

I wonder if Wizards will actually care if we submitted this to them.

[Lelouch32]

Why not? It might be fun.

We'll say that it was designed by all of us and put it forward to them. Does anyone know how we do that?

[whitey_mcfly]

Why not? It might be fun.

We'll say that it was designed by all of us and put it forward to them. Does anyone know how we do that?

I dunno... email, I guess? Just look at their website and look around. There's bound to be a "contact us" section somewhere.

[08merlin527]

Good idea - i think that would be good. I will have a look for a contact us section, and post what i find out.

I think i agree with you, having 4 abilities would make it somewhat... overpowered, as well as overpriced. However, it seems a bit dissapointing that blue gets the 'good' planeswalker (obviously all are good, but Jace the money sculptor is probably considered to be the best).
Personally i love the disentomb ability, and i agree - the creature should have haste.

Maybe we should take out the creature destroy ability - and be left with this:
Garruk The Corrupted :mana2::manab::manag:
Planeswalker - Garruk (Mythic Rare)
+1 return a creature card from your graveyard to your hand. If it has a CMC of one or less, put it into play, and it gains haste untill the end of turn.
-2 Target forest becomes a 4/2 black and green Plant Zombie creature. It is still a land
-7 You obtain an emblem that says everytime a creature enters or leaves the battlefield from anywhere, you gain a 4/3 zombie token with haste.
4

However, i am still not sure about some of his abilities. Should his -2 ability make a token, or change a land. If it were a token, would it be sacrificed at end of turn, and have haste? Maybe his ultimate could be more powerful as well. Also, could his +1 ability read this:
+1 you may return as many creature cards from your graveyard to play as you like, but only with a total CMC of 2 or less. It gains haste untill the end of turn.

Thought it could be like that for memnite spamming with a few good 1 drops, but.. im not sure.

[Lelouch32]

I think we should make his first ability for CMC of 2 or less so that it's limiting but still awesome, but is it is 3 or more it just goes back to your hand. That way people aren't limited by what they use and can still get use out of the ability later in game. A creature played by this ability shouldn't have haste.

As for the second, since it is a minus ability, lets make it a 4/3 token with Deathtouch which dies at the end of the turn. That way it doesn't indanger your lands, something Koth's ability does, and yet is limited because people can't just summon spam for creatures... or we could make it a 2/2 with deathtouch, you know mimicing garruk's companion, but not have it die at the end of the turn also we'll make it a -1.

As for his final ability, I feel its pretty powerful because even if someone Days, you end up getting more creatures than before the board whip. It is a pretty darn nice ability when you think of it that way.