Full disclosure: I've edited out a bit where I say Chart a Course is an instant. I meant to cut that during the original edit, but missed it. Sorry for the mistake!
Strictly Better MtG hey first time watching your channel definitely enjoyed it. But i have a question about your song in the intro what did you mix together? I've heard that background music and its driving me insane that i can't remember it.
Hey Dev, I’m 41 and just recently got into Magic. Putting together my Dino Deck. Found your videos when I wanted to learn more. Love em, very down to earth and helpful. I checked audio Magic options yesterday and found your interview on the Kitchen Table Magic; very authentic too. Thanks for “making Magic cool!”
I've been playing with anakin and I'd suggest LESS LANDS taking out a hashop garden or two and a woodland or island perhaps replacing with opt or shapers sanctuary . 24 lands is too much because even if you draw 5 in the first turn you still have a 35 % chance to draw a land .. I think this makes it too likely to draw a land and put you further from the combo . I suggest 20-22 lands would be optimal . Master yoda also agreed to this !
More awesome work from Dev. I ran a very similar build of this deck with 2 Kefnets last word that card works great against more troublesome creatures/ gods/ arts when you don't have the w/b/r removal suite, worth the mana ditch if they drop a monster and dirt cheap.This deck also suffers against flying I eventually chucked in a couple of blue cartouche too.
I actually ended up playing U/G merfolk at my prerelease so I have the majority of these pieces already; even more budget friendly for me :D Thanks for list my dude
Ian Haramaki I would argue it's the best tribe in limited, there are barely any poor or unwanted filler merfolk, and it's just so good at curving out, not to mention how most of them are evasive.
Definitely going to build a variation of this deck. Loved merfolk since my days back in 4th/5th edition & Empires, so been trying to think of the best ways to build a new sea-people deck. The mimic had completely slipped my mind but is a genius way to get Herald to do its work. Thanks as always for the hard work, Dev.
Hey Dev, firstly thanks for the deck tech I really appreciate on a casual player and love being able to start the season with a budget build to grow. I found that spell pierce was better exchanged for perilous voyage as I’m facing a lot of aether harvester I’m my local meta, and I would definitely recommend the upgrade on the gearhulk swapping it for the deep root warrior and the botanical sanctum is a must
Hey dev, would it interest you to put in a non-budget version of your budget decks in the description of the video? I know that you recommend some upgrades, but it can be difficult for us to know what to take out. Thanks!
raawli deeproot waters out for gearhulk makes sense. There's definitely a reason to run strictly merfolk tribal. .... At least for game one. Rhonas's monument works here too. All your green cost one less and target creature gets +2/+2 trample .... good card to run if you get away from merfolk tribal and run gearhulks
Used this for release week fnm,a similar version. I had deeproot Waters in the sideboard and realized quickly that it is very good,will be moving it to the main board. I would love to see your match up results and a sideboard guide. Love the content,keep it up.
I'm honestly glad you touched on merfolks. I personally thought they had some stuff coming on. Also I TOTALLY agree with the river sneak. I felt that was an over looked merfolk card, especially because it is unblockable.
Loving this deck tech, glad to see this one didn't get away :D I was thinking of playing Ridgescale Tusker or Vineshaper Mystic in a build I will be trying. Mine focuses more on creature card total, but after watching this I am definitely playing Blossoming Defence and Chart a Course. Jade Guardian, Tempest Caller and Lifecrafter's Gift may also work well here
Very helpful. Had been playing with Metallic Mimic, Herald, and Deeproot Waters in a merfolk deck but was struggling with the component pieces. Questions now answered. (But I'm still going to find a way to slip in 1 Waker of the Wilds, because that card is cool and makes unblockable land monsters!)
Haha. I was considering making this same deck. Merfolk actually seem pretty decent. With metallic mimic, herald, and deeproot waters, you're making 2/2 unblockables with hexproof. The opponent will need a sweeper. But as you said that's what spell pierce is all about. Thank god for spell pierce. And thank you for the content.
Keep em coming! i love these budget decks. i suggest playing the unblockables with that green card the gives +5/+5 with the "downside" that the creature must be blocked if able... its a great way to get in for a lot of damage
Played this tonight in my first FNM (and most likely last time) ever. Managed to go 2-2 against all odds. Even though one win wasa bye. It was a good deck and I will definately continue to play it.
I been playing with Sultai Merfolks for a while now and have had great success with them. If you combine the GB snake, Rishkar, and the merfolks you will be surprised at just how quickly you can end games.
4x Attune 4x Metallic Mimic 4x Winding constrictor 4x Shaper Apprentice 4x Walk the plank (or w.e low cost removal you end up with) 3x Rishkar 4x Shapers of Nature 4x Vineshaper Mystic 3x Herald of Secret Streams (consider running 4) 3x Verderous Gearhulk 23 Mana of your choosing. So basically go tall and get in unblocked. Herald of Secret Streams could be increased to 4. That thing is the reason this deck wins. Well that and Shaper's Apprentice.
It's ok, it really needs a reliable instant speed removal option a low cvc besides fatal push. Mana could use some work too. But the basic concept is solid.
I really think this deck needs at least one, if not two, Nissa, Steward of Elements. Her 0 is basically an Aether Vial for us! That said, I absolutely agree with everything else in this list, and am SO excited to play it!
I think the Prowling Serpopard has a good spot in this deck over the gearhulk if I had to say i would change something it's that. Yea the 4 counters are cool but the serpopards are a lower cost and still have good board presence and keeping ur dudes around.
I would probably find room amongst the creatures to play a 4x censor, this would be a great addition to add an option for some draw and obviously a more reliable (8 cards total) to protect the combo pieces, deny agro or midrange a creature drop if it's something we fear a lot at that moment (or simply for tempo), and when it comes to control it will be nice to have a more reliable set of answers to their main way of playing. The duality of this card (counter or draw) makes it valuable enough (i think) to include it in the main.
Card draw doesn't look to be much of an issue here. Dev said chart a course, but opt can work too. With chart, you likely will want to swing even into a kill since there isn't any discard for value. Personally I'm likely sixth sense since we're running a lot of unblockables.
Well, i say Censor because it's a countermagic spell that can help us defend our board, or make sure we resolve what we want. And as an added value, if we aren't playing against control, or 'in a pinch', we can cycle Censor to draw a card ... The main reason to include it main board, is to get 8 copies of a 'defensive' spell (4x Blossoming Defence, 4x Censor) so the likely hood of getting either is fairly high by turn 4; The reason to go with censor as opposed to Hepatra's Mark, is because it has the added value of a draw, and is a wider net when it comes to 'countering' what our opponent wants to do.
I am going back to FNM.!! I havnt really played much since the stupid vehicles came around, instead went to commander. but this is fun AND kicks ass over pop decks. great job Dev
What are your one drops ? I build dev's list with the kessig prowlers and scythe leopards which I believe rotated out. Only things I could think of are dryads or the tap for mana, which both seem weaker than what was filtered out. That's my main problem with the deck.
Jam Flex 4 old-grove dryad 2 shaper sanctuary 4 blossoming defense 4 greenbelt rampager 4 kumeana's speaker 4 rhonas's last stand 4 resilient khenra 4 pounce 3 lifecrafters bestiary 3 rhonas 4 bristling hydra Sideboard 3 prowling serpopard 3 larger than life 2 savage stomp 2 appetite for the unnatural 2 slice in twain 3 hidden herbalist Forgot what i took the speakers out for
I know the Black Blue Pirates is the better option but I would love to see your list for Grixis Pirates. I think it'll be pretty good with having access to Abrade and lightning strike.
This deck is actually pretty good i run a more costly version and i place 3rd and up every week. I noticed u didn't have any winding constrictors in the deck yes they aren't Merfolk but they work amazing with mimic and are cheaper to cast than trishana's wayfinder.
maybe splash for black and throw in 1 or 2 winding constrictor. Those 2/2 tokens would become 3/3's with hexproof. Might throw off the mana balance though and maybe it's not worth it swapping cards out for winding constrictor.
Would you consider adding Tishana, the merfolk that transforms terrains into creatures and the one that either put counters or removes them to draw cards (paying mana) in this deck?
Thanks for this Deck Tech, Dev! Just a quick question: If you were to put in Verdurous Gearhulk, which cards would you take out to make room for the Gearhulk? Thanks!
What cards would you replace with the upgrades? I am new to MTG and when I have looked for upgrades for my decks they list the cards but never say what cards in the decks they would trade it out with. For example I bought the vampiric bloodlust commander deck then looked for upgrades. Many videos and websites had lists of cards that would be good upgrades but then do not say what cards to replace to make room for the better cards. I ended up just guessing with what little knowledge I have. This is not a good way because sometimes what looks like a mediocre card to a new player is one of the best in the deck or has synergies with other cards and should not be removed.
Well it's worth repeating! Put gearhulks in the sideboard AFTER Walk the plank comes out. Wanna be really sneaky? Run a set of evolving wilds Mainboard, and put winding constrictors and a swamp or two in the side
Yep saw another video with black just for the constrictor, got to thinking of being sneaky. Don't let them see gearhulk or even black in game 1. Let them think you don't know what your doing with evolving wilds. Sixth sense can replace chart a course....
Then again could run skyship plunderers in the side if you don't wanna run the black route. Just want all my non merfolk in the sideboard. I want those WTP's out!
Maybe take out 1 Merfolk Branchwalker, 1 Tishanas Wayfinder and take in Shaper Apprentice? So you got flying as well. and i like Headwater Sentries one or two, these are great Blockers.
Hey Dev, I got a couple Shaper's Sactuary's. What do you think I should sub out to play them? I was thinking playing three. Taking out one blossoming defense, one Deep root waters, and one Tishana's Wayfinder. I was playing today and my opponent, playign Temur Energy, used a confiscation coup on my herald of secret streams. Made biristing hydra unblockable. Crazy! I was thinking maybe including a copy of Lontusk cub and one of Bristling Hydra, at least in the sideboard. They at least will present a threat that your opponent will need to use removal on, indirectly deflecting from the removal magnet that is Metallic Mimic.
I still think you shoud play a storm sculpter, I have one verderous gearhulk and one ss on the table as a 7/6 and I play an other one so vs. go's in my hand and I can play him an other turn for 4 +1/+1
i guess i will try to use river heralds boon until i can aquire those mimics in hope that i dont need to create a lot of those tokens to finish the game
I think heroic intervention deserves a spot in the deck. Board wide hexproof and indestructible for 2 mana Is amazing and considering how this deck wins by having creatures on board I think that's an irreplaceable effect to have at instant speed. Aside from that, gonna sleeve this up and play it.
Peter Burton but that's only in the early game and only if your opponent is casting a spell for full mana. What will you do if they're casting a boardwipe and still have mana left over to pay for spell pierce? I'm not saying either is better than the other. Heroic intervention helps protect your creatures once their out in both targeted removal and if your opponent is playing some creature based deck as well. On the defence heroic can save you a tonne of life and have your opponents creatures tapped out for you to swing back and hopefully win with. Different spells for different situations, but heroic would be a really good card. It's a good card for every deck that's trying to go wide.
I wanted to make this deck but with the upgrades. How many and what would you take out for the Gearhulks? Same questions for botanical sanctum and the 1 mana enchantment?
Dev can you do BW vampires soon pls? I've ordered all the cards but wanna see your take. Would also like to see a GB midrange deck featuring Vraska, Relic Seeker.
Keep in mind, I'm not a tryhard player. Do you think lore scale coatl can have a place on this deck? There a number of cards being pulled, and lore scale would snowball quickly as a result. Thanks in advance
Hypothetically... let's say I have a play set of every merfolk spell since Lorwyn... would going full agro + tap machine with Merrow Reejerey + Merrow Commerce and all these new cards be too much for a casual playgroup? I didn't think so either.
Imo, Vanquisher's Banner would be good in this deck, would be nice if it hits the curve and would also give an automatic +1/+1 to all merfolk and be unblockable. What do you think guys?
DCLUVSPIE was gonna mention he was definitely missing vineshaper mystics, probably one of the best cards in the deck, worlds better than tishanas wayfinder
I agree entirely. The mystic seems much better than the wayfinder in this deck. Isn't the the mystic a 1/3? Couldn't you put one of the counter on itself to protect agains lightning strike and such?
Yeah, but Vineshaper Mystic is pretty bad compared to Rishkar. You're not even really giving up very much by running Rishkar in that slot since the payoffs for running Merfolk are really minor (your opponent probably wasn't going to spend removal on your 1/3 anyway).
Hey Dev, whats a good way to get a hold of you. I got a deck idea that will blow your mind and is like so far under the radar you need shovels to find....
Full disclosure: I've edited out a bit where I say Chart a Course is an instant. I meant to cut that during the original edit, but missed it. Sorry for the mistake!
I tried to wrap my head around it for a good couple minutes.
So I am pretty sure no one has mentioned this, but Chart a Course is not an instant... 😉
Strictly Better MtG hey first time watching your channel definitely enjoyed it. But i have a question about your song in the intro what did you mix together? I've heard that background music and its driving me insane that i can't remember it.
hey Dev ! i made a deck for standard... if you like it and wanna use it feel free or at least could i get your opinion on it? love the fishy stuff keep it up... heres the list
jeskai vehicles
2 [KLD:188] Veteran Motorist
2 [KLD:222] Metalwork Colossus
2 [XLN:79] Siren Stormtamer
2 [XLN:50] Deadeye Quartermaster
3 [AKH:256] Plains
2 [AER:167] Ornithopter
2 [KLD:50] Glint-Nest Crane
4 [KLD:246] Inspiring Vantage
2 [KLD:229] Prophetic Prism
2 [AER:142] Aethersphere Harvester
2 [AER:164] Metallic Mimic
2 [AER:40] Negate
4 [KLD:249] Spirebluff Canal
3 [HOU:181] Ramunap Ruins
2 [XLN:65] Opt
3 [AER:184] Spire of Industry
2 [KLD:178] Depala, Pilot Exemplar
3 [KLD:32] Toolcraft Exemplar
3 [KLD:253] Island
2 [KLD:5] Authority of the Consuls
2 [KLD:214] Fleetwheel Cruiser
2 [AER:98] Shock
2 [AER:134] Renegade Wheelsmith
3 [KLD:259] Mountain
2 [AER:153] Heart of Kiran
SB: 2 [AER:39] Metallic Rebuke
SB: 2 [AER:170] Peacewalker Colossus
SB: 3 [HOU:83] Abrade
SB: 2 [XLN:245] Sentinel Totem
SB: 3 [XLN:8] Demystify
SB: 2 [XLN:81] Spell Pierce
SB: 1 [KLD:135] Start Your Engines
What an egregious mistake... jk!
Dev clearly puts more thought into these shirts than I ever considered
Relevant shirt is relevant.
Hana. I noticed that too. Very appropriate attire indeed.
noticed the shirt, commented, THEN noticed your comment and "noticed" the relevance.
That shirt is even more relevant as it looks like he fished it up from the bottom of the sea.
that's RIGHT
Hey Dev, I’m 41 and just recently got into Magic. Putting together my Dino Deck. Found your videos when I wanted to learn more. Love em, very down to earth and helpful. I checked audio Magic options yesterday and found your interview on the Kitchen Table Magic; very authentic too. Thanks for “making Magic cool!”
I've been playing with anakin and I'd suggest LESS LANDS taking out a hashop garden or two and a woodland or island perhaps replacing with opt or shapers sanctuary . 24 lands is too much because even if you draw 5 in the first turn you still have a 35 % chance to draw a land .. I think this makes it too likely to draw a land and put you further from the combo . I suggest 20-22 lands would be optimal . Master yoda also agreed to this !
"....Cause that's what UA-camrs are supposed to say."
Fucking Legendary.
Wow... I was looking for a budget merfolk deck and this is exactly what I wanted! Thank you so so so much!!!!
More awesome work from Dev. I ran a very similar build of this deck with 2 Kefnets last word that card works great against more troublesome creatures/ gods/ arts when you don't have the w/b/r removal suite, worth the mana ditch if they drop a monster and dirt cheap.This deck also suffers against flying I eventually chucked in a couple of blue cartouche too.
I actually ended up playing U/G merfolk at my prerelease so I have the majority of these pieces already; even more budget friendly for me :D Thanks for list my dude
Ian Haramaki I would argue it's the best tribe in limited, there are barely any poor or unwanted filler merfolk, and it's just so good at curving out, not to mention how most of them are evasive.
Definitely going to build a variation of this deck. Loved merfolk since my days back in 4th/5th edition & Empires, so been trying to think of the best ways to build a new sea-people deck. The mimic had completely slipped my mind but is a genius way to get Herald to do its work.
Thanks as always for the hard work, Dev.
Oh Dev.... Thank you so much for this awesome tribal deck!!! I won a bundle at my LGS with this deck! Thank you dude... You're awesome
Hey Dev, firstly thanks for the deck tech I really appreciate on a casual player and love being able to start the season with a budget build to grow. I found that spell pierce was better exchanged for perilous voyage as I’m facing a lot of aether harvester I’m my local meta, and I would definitely recommend the upgrade on the gearhulk swapping it for the deep root warrior and the botanical sanctum is a must
Hey dev, would it interest you to put in a non-budget version of your budget decks in the description of the video? I know that you recommend some upgrades, but it can be difficult for us to know what to take out. Thanks!
raawli deeproot waters out for gearhulk makes sense. There's definitely a reason to run strictly merfolk tribal. .... At least for game one.
Rhonas's monument works here too. All your green cost one less and target creature gets +2/+2 trample .... good card to run if you get away from merfolk tribal and run gearhulks
Used this for release week fnm,a similar version. I had deeproot Waters in the sideboard and realized quickly that it is very good,will be moving it to the main board. I would love to see your match up results and a sideboard guide. Love the content,keep it up.
I'm honestly glad you touched on merfolks. I personally thought they had some stuff coming on. Also I TOTALLY agree with the river sneak. I felt that was an over looked merfolk card, especially because it is unblockable.
Loving this deck tech, glad to see this one didn't get away :D
I was thinking of playing Ridgescale Tusker or Vineshaper Mystic in a build I will be trying. Mine focuses more on creature card total, but after watching this I am definitely playing Blossoming Defence and Chart a Course. Jade Guardian, Tempest Caller and Lifecrafter's Gift may also work well here
Very helpful. Had been playing with Metallic Mimic, Herald, and Deeproot Waters in a merfolk deck but was struggling with the component pieces. Questions now answered. (But I'm still going to find a way to slip in 1 Waker of the Wilds, because that card is cool and makes unblockable land monsters!)
I haven't heard anyone talking about this yet, but so many of the Ixalan merfolk just look really freaking cool.
I think they printed Kiora master of depths in the wrong block.
Would it help in Modern?
Heroic intervention....
Haha. I was considering making this same deck. Merfolk actually seem pretty decent. With metallic mimic, herald, and deeproot waters, you're making 2/2 unblockables with hexproof. The opponent will need a sweeper. But as you said that's what spell pierce is all about. Thank god for spell pierce. And thank you for the content.
If Dev says it's instant - then it's instant. Decided.
If you've got any more fish puns, let minnow!
Keep em coming! i love these budget decks. i suggest playing the unblockables with that green card the gives +5/+5 with the "downside" that the creature must be blocked if able... its a great way to get in for a lot of damage
Emergent Growth
I really like the way you are explaining the cards :)
Another good card for the sideboard in grindier matches, Lifecrafter's Bestiary
Played this tonight in my first FNM (and most likely last time) ever. Managed to go 2-2 against all odds. Even though one win wasa bye. It was a good deck and I will definately continue to play it.
I been playing with Sultai Merfolks for a while now and have had great success with them. If you combine the GB snake, Rishkar, and the merfolks you will be surprised at just how quickly you can end games.
Daniel Despres have a deck list? Curious what to sub in and out as I have been experimenting with it.
4x Attune
4x Metallic Mimic
4x Winding constrictor
4x Shaper Apprentice
4x Walk the plank (or w.e low cost removal you end up with)
3x Rishkar
4x Shapers of Nature
4x Vineshaper Mystic
3x Herald of Secret Streams (consider running 4)
3x Verderous Gearhulk
23 Mana of your choosing.
So basically go tall and get in unblocked. Herald of Secret Streams could be increased to 4. That thing is the reason this deck wins. Well that and Shaper's Apprentice.
Awesome! Thanks. Synergy looks good.
It's ok, it really needs a reliable instant speed removal option a low cvc besides fatal push. Mana could use some work too. But the basic concept is solid.
Yeah I have the fatal push so I was torn if using those or walk the plank was better. Or unsummon to slow them down.
The adorable cat warrants a sub alone. Merfolk for life!
I really think this deck needs at least one, if not two, Nissa, Steward of Elements. Her 0 is basically an Aether Vial for us! That said, I absolutely agree with everything else in this list, and am SO excited to play it!
I think the Prowling Serpopard has a good spot in this deck over the gearhulk if I had to say i would change something it's that. Yea the 4 counters are cool but the serpopards are a lower cost and still have good board presence and keeping ur dudes around.
This is a great tech Des. Consider a sideboard pair of Rashmi. Between that and sanctum, the card advantage would be nuts
I would probably find room amongst the creatures to play a 4x censor, this would be a great addition to add an option for some draw and obviously a more reliable (8 cards total) to protect the combo pieces, deny agro or midrange a creature drop if it's something we fear a lot at that moment (or simply for tempo), and when it comes to control it will be nice to have a more reliable set of answers to their main way of playing. The duality of this card (counter or draw) makes it valuable enough (i think) to include it in the main.
Card draw doesn't look to be much of an issue here. Dev said chart a course, but opt can work too. With chart, you likely will want to swing even into a kill since there isn't any discard for value. Personally I'm likely sixth sense since we're running a lot of unblockables.
Well, i say Censor because it's a countermagic spell that can help us defend our board, or make sure we resolve what we want. And as an added value, if we aren't playing against control, or 'in a pinch', we can cycle Censor to draw a card ... The main reason to include it main board, is to get 8 copies of a 'defensive' spell (4x Blossoming Defence, 4x Censor) so the likely hood of getting either is fairly high by turn 4; The reason to go with censor as opposed to Hepatra's Mark, is because it has the added value of a draw, and is a wider net when it comes to 'countering' what our opponent wants to do.
Been waiting for your merfolk list dev. Glad is budget and glad I've got some of the more expensive cards already to make is a bit more competitive
Dev is THE MTG Brewing Muse! Thumbs up as usual.
Have you thought about doing a big butts deck? There is a surprising amount of support for it in this standard
I am going back to FNM.!! I havnt really played much since the stupid vehicles came around, instead went to commander. but this is fun AND kicks ass over pop decks. great job Dev
Ramunap Red plays 14 spot removal standard. As long as it has one to nuke your Mimic as it hits the board, the entire deck fizzles.
I went 3-1 with mono green stompy if you wanted to revisit that. Plus my list is dinosaur-less
What are your one drops ? I build dev's list with the kessig prowlers and scythe leopards which I believe rotated out. Only things I could think of are dryads or the tap for mana, which both seem weaker than what was filtered out. That's my main problem with the deck.
Ah ok, I had 4 prowlers, 4 greenbelts, & 4 scythe leopards in there so I'll have to find another card to fill. Got a list ?
Jam Flex 4 old-grove dryad
2 shaper sanctuary
4 blossoming defense
4 greenbelt rampager
4 kumeana's speaker
4 rhonas's last stand
4 resilient khenra
4 pounce
3 lifecrafters bestiary
3 rhonas
4 bristling hydra
Sideboard
3 prowling serpopard
3 larger than life
2 savage stomp
2 appetite for the unnatural
2 slice in twain
3 hidden herbalist
Forgot what i took the speakers out for
I'm thinking of taking out two branchwalker and 1 deeproot waters for three gearhulks And vineshaper mystic over wayfinder. Budget is no problem
I know the Black Blue Pirates is the better option but I would love to see your list for Grixis Pirates. I think it'll be pretty good with having access to Abrade and lightning strike.
You always wear the best shirts to go with the subject. I love it.
U going too brew a vamp deck ??
Finally someone who said merfolk have a chance. Thank you dev.
Do a mono black discard deck plz.
This deck is actually pretty good i run a more costly version and i place 3rd and up every week. I noticed u didn't have any winding constrictors in the deck yes they aren't Merfolk but they work amazing with mimic and are cheaper to cast than trishana's wayfinder.
5:48 might just pick that up when Baraal goes out of rotation
maybe splash for black and throw in 1 or 2 winding constrictor. Those 2/2 tokens would become 3/3's with hexproof. Might throw off the mana balance though and maybe it's not worth it swapping cards out for winding constrictor.
Would you consider adding Tishana, the merfolk that transforms terrains into creatures and the one that either put counters or removes them to draw cards (paying mana) in this deck?
Uncharted territory could be fine in this deck too for lands.
mikhael hall evolving wilds. Sideboard a swamp with winding constrictors and a swamp.....
i like that font you are using at the number of each card, idk if its new, but i think it is, and i like it :D
How would you feel about splashing black for Winding Constrictor and Fatal push (and throwing the budget out the window for the mana base)?
Thank you! I'm building this! But I wanna get the upgrades, and I don't know what to take out for what?
I love that with kopala they paid 2B for fatal push or 4BB for vraska contempt.. suddenly those removal spells aren't good at that cost
Thanks for this Deck Tech, Dev!
Just a quick question: If you were to put in Verdurous Gearhulk, which cards would you take out to make room for the Gearhulk?
Thanks!
What cards would you replace with the upgrades?
I am new to MTG and when I have looked for upgrades for my decks they list the cards but never say what cards in the decks they would trade it out with.
For example I bought the vampiric bloodlust commander deck then looked for upgrades. Many videos and websites had lists of cards that would be good upgrades but then do not say what cards to replace to make room for the better cards. I ended up just guessing with what little knowledge I have. This is not a good way because sometimes what looks like a mediocre card to a new player is one of the best in the deck or has synergies with other cards and should not be removed.
Merfolk are awesome, loved them from the start and had alot of fun with them at fnm.
And this entire deck renders Walk The Plank a dead card
Mentioned in the video.
Well it's worth repeating! Put gearhulks in the sideboard AFTER Walk the plank comes out. Wanna be really sneaky? Run a set of evolving wilds Mainboard, and put winding constrictors and a swamp or two in the side
David Minor already ahead of you bud. The Constrictor is the engine behind my favorit deck of the last few years. Love that card.
Yep saw another video with black just for the constrictor, got to thinking of being sneaky. Don't let them see gearhulk or even black in game 1. Let them think you don't know what your doing with evolving wilds.
Sixth sense can replace chart a course....
Then again could run skyship plunderers in the side if you don't wanna run the black route. Just want all my non merfolk in the sideboard. I want those WTP's out!
A quote from finding Nemo while wearing a little mermaid shirt? I guess its all Disney
Damn... This is what I was building. Good on you sir!
From budget deck to a $60 playset. Lol, I'm glad I picked up my mimics when they were less than $5. I'm excited for your vampire deck.
I want to fit in G-P Gift. They run a sweeper, our graveyard will be bringing back 4/4 unblockable creatures
Maybe take out 1 Merfolk Branchwalker, 1 Tishanas Wayfinder and take in Shaper Apprentice? So you got flying as well. and i like Headwater Sentries one or two, these are great Blockers.
dev would you put winding constrictor in this deck to make it sultai and gain access to fatal push, duress etc
Thoughts on black splash for Fatal Push and maybe constrictor?
I haven't seen much love for Walking Ballista / Bellowing Aegisaur combo, any thoughts?
Hey Dev, I got a couple Shaper's Sactuary's. What do you think I should sub out to play them? I was thinking playing three. Taking out one blossoming defense, one Deep root waters, and one Tishana's Wayfinder.
I was playing today and my opponent, playign Temur Energy, used a confiscation coup on my herald of secret streams. Made biristing hydra unblockable. Crazy! I was thinking maybe including a copy of Lontusk cub and one of Bristling Hydra, at least in the sideboard. They at least will present a threat that your opponent will need to use removal on, indirectly deflecting from the removal magnet that is Metallic Mimic.
I love this deck so much.
I still think you shoud play a storm sculpter, I have one verderous gearhulk and one ss on the table as a 7/6 and I play an other one so vs. go's in my hand and I can play him an other turn for 4 +1/+1
i guess i will try to use river heralds boon until i can aquire those mimics in hope that i dont need to create a lot of those tokens to finish the game
I think heroic intervention deserves a spot in the deck. Board wide hexproof and indestructible for 2 mana Is amazing and considering how this deck wins by having creatures on board I think that's an irreplaceable effect to have at instant speed.
Aside from that, gonna sleeve this up and play it.
Spell pierce seems to do the job of Heroic Intervention for 1 mana...I started with 2, now running 4.
Peter Burton but that's only in the early game and only if your opponent is casting a spell for full mana.
What will you do if they're casting a boardwipe and still have mana left over to pay for spell pierce? I'm not saying either is better than the other. Heroic intervention helps protect your creatures once their out in both targeted removal and if your opponent is playing some creature based deck as well. On the defence heroic can save you a tonne of life and have your opponents creatures tapped out for you to swing back and hopefully win with. Different spells for different situations, but heroic would be a really good card. It's a good card for every deck that's trying to go wide.
Rolling in the Deep for this deck tech. 💙
I wanted to make this deck but with the upgrades. How many and what would you take out for the Gearhulks? Same questions for botanical sanctum and the 1 mana enchantment?
I like the decks that don't necessarily need removal, or did I miss it?
Ridgescale Tusker is probably the best budget option in place of Verdurous Gearhulk
Why not add sixth sense? It has helped alot in my simic merfolk
I put 3x Nissa steward of elements and works pretty good
Dev can you do BW vampires soon pls? I've ordered all the cards but wanna see your take. Would also like to see a GB midrange deck featuring Vraska, Relic Seeker.
What about ridgescale tusker
Im running b/u/g fish access to snake and walk the planks and fatals
This looks really really sweet for $50. I think I’m gonna pick it up since U/R Emerge rotated
Keep in mind, I'm not a tryhard player. Do you think lore scale coatl can have a place on this deck? There a number of cards being pulled, and lore scale would snowball quickly as a result. Thanks in advance
one extra card needed - E-fish-ent Construction.
Hey SBMTG would love to see a Plainswalker control deck if possible thanks for the awesome videos
If you could´t afford the metallic mimics, which card would you add to the deck?
i played against merfolk last night and it was fast. he didnt have the mimics but it was fun to play against
Hypothetically... let's say I have a play set of every merfolk spell since Lorwyn... would going full agro + tap machine with Merrow Reejerey + Merrow Commerce and all these new cards be too much for a casual playgroup?
I didn't think so either.
Imo, Vanquisher's Banner would be good in this deck, would be nice if it hits the curve and would also give an automatic +1/+1 to all merfolk and be unblockable. What do you think guys?
shinbu121 I'm playing two in my variant
That's an idea if you outright run strictly merfolk tribal and no gearhulks/constricters/plunderers/slither blades
which is what he runs :)
Dev vineshaper mystic is way better than tishanas wayfinder also river heralds boon is great for this too..
DCLUVSPIE was gonna mention he was definitely missing vineshaper mystics, probably one of the best cards in the deck, worlds better than tishanas wayfinder
I agree entirely. The mystic seems much better than the wayfinder in this deck. Isn't the the mystic a 1/3? Couldn't you put one of the counter on itself to protect agains lightning strike and such?
james clark Definitely can do that.
Yeah, but Vineshaper Mystic is pretty bad compared to Rishkar. You're not even really giving up very much by running Rishkar in that slot since the payoffs for running Merfolk are really minor (your opponent probably wasn't going to spend removal on your 1/3 anyway).
So, I'm thinking 2 Rishkar and 2 Gearhulk in the wayfinder slot.
Whoo! First! Thanks Dev! Been waiting for this since I got my email from Patreon!
Shoutout to the Little Mermaid shirt.
Blue black mill sounds great
Why dont you use Unclaimed Territory in any of these DTs?
Any upgrade recommendations for this deck?
Hey Dev, whats a good way to get a hold of you. I got a deck idea that will blow your mind and is like so far under the radar you need shovels to find....
Any blackgreen idea whit lurking chupacabras thanks
you going to do any more modern deck techs??
What if you added panharmonican to double the tokens?
what about Tempest Caller as a finisher?
I know this might be a stupid question and might have already been answered before, but are rankings on a 1-10 base scale?