วีดีโอ

Also a better mic 🎤 😅

Thanks - I'm glad you enjoyed it. Yeah - I know the editing (or lack thereof) leaves something to be desired, but to be perfectly frank, I work a pretty intense full-time job and I simply don't have the additional time or energy to spend on any additional production aside from the actual content. I'm working on trying to get in a different situation so I can spend more time doing this, but I don't know if that is likely to happen any time soon. So I thought this would be better than nothing. I hope you were able to get some good information out of the video in spite of its relative inadequacies!

Yeah - heard that. I'm working on improving the sound. Apologies - I think this video was especially bad for some reason. Hopefully other recent ones have been better.

​@@SurfCityTCGDon't get me wrong, the information was actually helpful and interesting ! The video wasn't bad at all, but a little bit of montage would upgrade it a lot. I know it might be time consuming and life doesn't always allow us to do everything that we want. Still you are making decent content with the time you have 🎉 Gratz 🎉

That sounds so awesome! I can just imagine your opponents cowering in fear under your massive board of cloned spaghetti monsters. Thanks for sharing; I appreciate the comment!

Thank you so much! I'm glad you found it helpful and I appreciate your comment! I typically try to avoid flipping him until I need to use his -1 as removal, or until I'm ready to -1 to hit someone's face to start moving toward a win. As you mentioned, both sides have extort, so there's nothing terribly wrong about having him on the planeswalker side except that he is far more vulnerable to stray attacks. You make a great point in that you can wait until your second main phase to extort to avoid flipping. I do this fairly often. I definitely think it's worth using the planeswalker side's -1 ability to take out key threats. It's really context dependent in terms of what to target, so I'm not sure how to explain, but if you provide some scenarios, I can weigh in on my opinion about what creature might be the most existentially threatening. You could always just ask the table what they think might be the best target. Even if you don't agree, it can often be worth it to just get a couple of people on your side.

Thank you! I'm working on it - stay tuned!

Just posted it! th-cam.com/video/7jBaZFfAFEc/w-d-xo.html

Interesting idea! I had not considered this, but I will think it over. Has this worked well for you?

@@SurfCityTCG Unfortunately I haven't gotten many reps in. During goldfishing it has helped speed Eris out, which may not always be desirable when you want a lower threat level, but having the option is nice. The general utility of the flashback package makes it seem worth it for me, though. You can have card selection (Faithless Looting, Deep Analysis, Otherworldly Gaze), removal (Visions of Duplicity, Visions of Ruin), and win-cons (Isengard Unleashed, Seize the Day). These cards are fine when you draw them on their own, and you don't mind wheeling them away when they're not needed. One caveat is I play at a slightly lower power level, so it's possible the package doesn't make the cut for your build. By including it you're trading some raw power for additional synergy/utility; in my build each flashback card could probably be swapped for a "more powerful" instant/sorcery. Trading Isengard Unleashed or Seize the Day for Savage Beating, for instance.

@@joereinhard Interesting. I do tend to like "toolbox" type cards, as I think they provide a lot of bonus value in terms of options and flexibility. As you noted, speeding Eris out is usually not the ideal way to play him. This is something I discovered after playing the deck numerous times. I initially built it with a strong emphasis on getting 4x different mana values in the graveyard ASAP, but I've found that to be less and less relevant. Now, I play it as a slow-build control/midrange deck, usually focusing on building resources/ramping before starting to progress my own board. I often try to board wipe before playing Eris for the first time.

Thank you! I'm glad you're enjoying it. Prossh, eh? Hmm - never really built a deck like that. Let me start thinking about it. It usually takes me forever to conceptualize and build decks, but you've got the gears turning, which is how it begins! :D

Thank you! I'm glad you like it. I have several other games posted here, so check those out too! *Ripples of Undeath* - phenomenal! It has played out SO well, not just in this deck. I think it's close to an auto-include in nearly every black deck. It feels very similar to Sylvan Library. It's probably not quite as good, but it's shockingly close, and if you care about getting cards into the graveyard, it can be even better. You should typically always pay the 1 mana + 3 life, even if you don't really need any of the 3 cards you milled. There are some exceptions, of course, but I would default to this behavior. I can almost guarantee that, just like with Sylvan Library, far more players are losing games due to not paying enough life (losing card advantage) vs. paying too much life and dying for that reason. *Seedborn Muse* - Works super well for the way I like to play this deck (I often tutor / prioritize finding Emergence Zone), but I would say that is a very advanced play style, so if you're still learning the deck, I think you could cut this, but I personally wouldn't. Seedborn with Emergence Zone + Amulet of Vigor / Spelunking + Aftermath Analyst allows you to basically take a full turn on every player's turn. It's not always going to be the ideal card, so don't be afraid to surveil it to the graveyard or shuffle it away if you see it on top of your deck. It's a high pick when it comes to considerable targets for Green Sun's Zenith, Chord of Calling, etc. *Open the Way* - I'm a massive fan of this card. I bought ~50 copies at release because I *knew* it was being criminally undervalued. It's such a low-key way to put yourself so far ahead in a game without drawing a ton of attention (though that is becoming less and less true). That all being said, it does leave you very vulnerable the turn you cast it. Six mana is a lot to spend for a setup turn, especially in a power level 8 game. I wouldn't cut it, but I don't think it is uncuttable, if that makes sense. In terms of value for cost, there are few better cards in this deck (or in the game, in my opinion). Try losing a game where you resolve an Open the Way for 4 in ANY deck, let alone this one (assuming you don't die immediately before untapping again). It's especially powerful given that our gameplan involves eventually getting Cabal Coffers + Urborg in play. Not only does this have a chance to find one of those pieces (or an Urza's Cave), but it makes them stronger once you do have them, as you have 4 more lands than you would have had, which super-charges the Coffers. *Awaken the Woods* - similar to Open the Way in some regards. Obviously it's far more vulnerable, as the Dryad Arbor tokens it makes can die to a board wipe, but it has higher upside, as each token you create triggers landfall. I will typically try to flash this out via Emergence Zone, or hold it until I have a Gaea's Cradle (not currently running it, but I may add it back), Concordant Crossroads, or Lotus Cobra / Nissa, Resurgent Animist. On more than one occasion, I've cast this with Lotus Cobra + Nissa (or either one + Ancient Greenwarden) to essentially double my mana. For example, Awaken for X=6 with two Lotus Cobra effects in play will generate 12 mana for 8 spent, netting you +4 mana. I'm not running it currently (though I might change this soon), but it's phenomenal with Tireless Provisioner. I will say that I am quite impressed with the cards you called out, as they are near the top of my list of ones I could see myself cutting in the future (exception of Ripples of Undeath), so it's clear to me you have a very solid understanding of the deck. Thanks again for the comment!

Thank you for the detailed reply, been playing ever since nemesis, almost always monoblack, from pox to mono b control, sui, 8 rack and such. Commander wise, been playing chainer dementia master for like 6 years​, but gettinga bit bored of it, so wanted a lands commander with a "swampier, gy recursion kind of vibe", i dont have any experience with lands commanders in general, so was a bit torn between lord windgrace, necrobloom, hazezon seemed okay aswel. My worries with some lands commanders is that some of them feel too generic, like tutor hoof and face, i like the grindyness value, and shenanigans. Its a bit hard to explain. Wont take more of ur time, just curious as my last question, whats your opinion on lord vs necrobloom and yougot any recommendation in general? Thanks in advance and greetings from Portugal!@@SurfCityTCG

@@PedroGarcia-qi2fb You're welcome! I totally understand what you mean when you refer to the generic nature of many lands commanders. The Necrobloom really isn't all that different than the others in terms of uniqueness, to be honest. Based on what you've described, I would recommend you take a look at Beledros Witherbloom instead. I have a deck guide and a game here: th-cam.com/video/YviQyV_EBcU/w-d-xo.html You might also consider Thalia and The Gitrog Monster (or just The Gitrog Monster). Good luck!

@@malfurionstormrage6782 thanks - glad you like it! Happy to answer any questions you might have.

Glad it was helpful for you. Thanks for the comment!

I checked into this, and you're correct. Thank you so much for commenting; I'm always really happy to learn something new!

Thank you!! Good question. Probably Swiftfoot Boots, but definitely still in testing phase, so don't hold me to it ;)

Thanks for following up! Good to know. I’ll probably make that change and see how things go. Do you plan to keep updating that moxfield page with any changes to the deck? Looking forward to any future videos around it!

@@jordanking7441 sounds good! Let me know how it goes for you. Yes - definitely plan to keep it updated. I actually already made the change right after I replied initially 😂 I'm constantly tinkering with my decks, so don't be surprised if they change frequently!

Do you mean Ulalek himself? If so, no he can't. He has no color (is devoid), but his *color identity* is WUBRG.

🤣 Seriously!!

@@SurfCityTCG My man has some of the best staples for his deck but can't afford a decent webcam / microphone / desk. Woof.

@@nickjordan3269 Man's got his priorities in order. Respect.

Hi Tumasch - thanks for the comment, and glad you like the list. You can definitely change the versions for your deck. Just duplicate my Moxfield list and then you can change whatever cards you want to other versions. Good luck with annoying your playgroup!

Hi! Thank you for the comment. I appreciate the feedback, both positive and critical! 1. Good catch on the Thunderclap Drake! That was my first time ever activating it, so thanks for teaching me. 2. Good point on the Salvo. I was trying really hard not to be on full tilt at that point in the game, so forgive the multiple mistakes :D 3. I think you're not correct on Shadow of the Second Sun. Your extra beginning step happens at the end of your second main phase. Here's how the card reads: "At the beginning of enchanted player's postcombat main phase, there is an additional beginning phase after this phase." The last 3 words are the critical part. So what happens is: 1. Finish combat; 2. Begin your second main phase; 3. At the beginning of your second main phase, Shadow triggers and creates an additional beginning phase that will happen "after this phase." You can verify this by looking at the rulings on Gatherer. It is a very confusingly worded card! Thanks again for the comment. I'm glad you like the deck and I hope you keep watching! I'm hoping to post a full deck guide for this deck soon.

@@SurfCityTCG Hey, came back to correct myself on point 3, reading the card explains the card as they say. Your totally right with how it works, my apologies. I get beeing on tilt, I probaply would have been as Patient as you guys were.

Thanks for the feedback! I'm glad the mulligan practice was helpful - I'll continue to do that in future videos. Do I flip Jace? Well it really depends on the game. It's not a may, so you really don't have a choice (if you activate him), but obviously you don't HAVE to activate him. I usually try to wait until I'm sure I can get at least some value out of it. Depending on how far into the game it is, or how imminent your death is, you might not have a choice. Alternatively, if it's seemingly like it's going to be a long, grindy game, you might be better off waiting to activate him (or even holding him in your hand) until you're ready to use him the following turn. I usually wait to flip him until I'm ready to cast a Living Death or something impactful, but sometimes you just need to flip him and flash back a random value/removal spell. You could also flip and just plus him, but the plus ability is usually pretty negligible, so I try to avoid that line of play in most situations. Sometimes I'll just have him sit there and never use him unless someone tries to remove him or plays a board wipe, at which point I'll flip him in response and he'll live (assuming the board wipe doesn't also hit planeswalkers). Hope that helps!

Thank you! I know, right? I'm LOVING Shadow of the Second Sun. Pretty much an auto-include in all my blue decks as of now. It basically refunds itself at minimum, and its potential is through the roof. Of course, if it gets countered or destroyed before your end step that sucks, but that is true of any 6-mana investment. This card is being seriously underestimated right now! And yeah - Sting is just always a beating. One of my favorite equipment of all time.

Yeah - this is a tough one! I actually didn't even consider that he might be cheating until the other players said this. But they made some good points and I certainly think it's possible. It was seeming like he had way more cards than he possibly could have. Sure - Jace drew him a few extra cards, but I don't recall him really playing much, if any, other card draw, yet he always seemed to have more fuel. I think someone could probably do some forensic work to calculate the number of cards he played relative to the number he should have had available given the draws we know he had. Unless someone is willing to go through the trouble of doing that work, though, you're right - plausible deniability is the name of the game. No one escapes karma, though ;)

I thought the same thing! It made me want to build him. I even have a promo one, as it was my prerelease rare!

Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed it. This means a lot to me :)

Thank you! I'll work on the noise - thanks for letting me know.

Hi - thank you! Very good questions! 1. I remember this specifically! I agonized over this decision. My first thought was just to slam Simulacrum Synthesizer, as it basically just wins the game by itself. However, I was really light on cards (I think I had only 1-2 in hand) and I was concerned that if I got the Synthesizer, it would make me too big of a target before I was prepared for that kind of attention. If someone had a way to exile it, I could be in big trouble. Brass's Tunnel Grinder is also not great in this situation (low on cards in hand), as I didn't have that much to discard (more on this in answer #2). Ichor Wellspring is deceptively powerful with an active Goblin Engineer, as you can keep cycling it in and out of play, so I went with this as an under-the-radar, but powerful play that would allow me to bolster up my hand before doing something flashier that would draw too much aggro. I knew I could always just use Saheeli to copy the Engineer again and get something else later, so I decided to start with the slower, more conservative play. 2. It depends on the context of the game, but in general, if I like my hand and/or I am low on cards, I will get The Everflowing Well. If my hand is not great (or if I have things I would prefer having in the graveyard), I like Brass's Tunnel Grinder, as I can discard all the excess and get a fresh hand. Another consideration is whether or not I want The Everflowing Well to flip. It's not a "may" (you MUST flip it if you have 8+ permanents in your graveyard in your upkeep), which can be bad if you just want to have value from Saheeli copying it over and over. I do REALLY like the land (The Myriad Pools) it flips into, though, so I'm often looking for that to happen. In theory, if you wanted to keep the Well from flipping (or at least get one more ETB before it flips), you could do the following: a. Go to your upkeep. b. The Everflowing Well descend 8 trigger (to flip into the land) goes on the stack. c. You respond to that trigger by activating Saheeli, targeting The Well. d. Saheeli copies The Well and the new one enters the battlefield, putting its ETB on the stack. e. Legend rule applies immediately, forcing you to sacrifice one of the two Wells (the original or the copy). f. You can sacrifice the original, which will prevent it from flipping, or the copy. g. Bonus / side line - if you really WANT the Well to flip, this can also help that to happen. Let's say you have 7 permanents in your graveyard when the Descend trigger goes on the stack. You respond to the trigger (same as steps A-E above). Your copy of Everflowing Well mills 2 cards. If either is a permanent, your Well will now flip when the trigger resolves at the end! Thank you for the comment! I'm a new content creator, so I really appreciate the support, and comments help drive my engagement metrics, which helps my channel grow!

🙄

Oops! Fixed now - thanks for letting me know 🌞

Hah! Good question. I thought I was pretty civil (aside from a couple of moments of frustration), but apparently they did not agree. 🤷‍♂

@@SurfCityTCG my guessing was powernlevel does not match and the free spells and over ramp only

Sorry about that! I have no idea why TH-cam cut it off. Thank you for letting me know - should be fixed now.