Too-Specific Top 10 - Stax Switch

Ranking Every Mana Rock with EDHREC – Part 8: Two Ramp, or Not Two Ramp?

Too-Specific Top 10 - Big Rocks

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Eyes of the Watcher" href="#" target="_blank">Eyes of the Watcher</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="http://ronspearsart.com/">Ron Spears</a>)</h6>
<h1>The Heist</h1>
<p>Greetings everyone, and welcome back to <em>Monomania</em>. In this article series we build mono-colored decks as a way to explore ramp and draw packages that are synergistic with our particular deck’s strategy, and to challenge staples and misconceptions about the color pie. Today, we’re gathering our crack team to steal everything in sight.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Memnarch"></div></div>
<p>To the untrained eye, Memnarch may seem like an awkward, unreliable card in EDH—too expensive to be effective and difficult to exploit. But it is actually a fair game-ender in conjunction with some variety of infinite mana combo. Given how casually blue can blunder into infinite mana, Memnarch is a powerful commander option in mono-blue.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Palinchron"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Isochron Scepter"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Grand Architect"></div></div>
<p>The purpose of this commander is to go infinite—there’s no two ways about it. Whether it be with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Palinchron" href="#" target="_blank">Palinchron</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Deadeye Navigator" href="#" target="_blank">Deadeye Navigator</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Isochron Scepter" href="#" target="_blank">Isochron Scepter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dramatic Reversal" href="#" target="_blank">Dramatic Reversal</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grand Architect" href="#" target="_blank">Grand Architect</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pili-Pala" href="#" target="_blank">Pili-Pala</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, we’re packing plenty of ways to steal every permanent our opponents control.</p>
<p>With that in mind, how will we supplement that strategy? While we wait for infinite mana, what will we be doing? We have to plan the perfect heist.</p>
<hr />
<h2><strong>Putting a Plan Together</strong></h2>
<p>When putting together a ramp package for this commander, we have to be very sensitive to its cost. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Memnarch" href="#" target="_blank">Memnarch</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> costs seven mana but has no effect on the board without at least another four mana pumped into its second ability. We might as well think about this card as costing eleven mana, because it would feel really bad to shell out seven mana for Memnarch only for it to be removed before we can leverage its abilities. Given how extremely mana-intensive this general is, I have included a total of twenty ramp effects in this deck. With such a high density, we’re hoping to be able to leverage our general’s abilities even without an infinite combo.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sky Diamond"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Training grounds"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Heartstone"></div></div>
<p>Mana rocks are very important components of our ramp package in this deck. Because we have included the <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Isochron Scepter" href="#" target="_blank">Isochron Scepter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> + <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dramatic Reversal" href="#" target="_blank">Dramatic Reversal</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> combo, we need mana rocks to tap and untap unto infinity. The more mana rocks, the better! What’s more, because of the colored mana restriction on our general’s abilities, we need mana rocks that can produce blue mana. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Star Compass" href="#" target="_blank">Star Compass</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, for example, is basically an additional <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sky Diamond" href="#" target="_blank">Sky Diamond</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>Next, we have cards that will reduce the cost of Memnarch’s abilities. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Training Grounds" href="#" target="_blank">Training Grounds</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is an immediate inclusion in this deck, reducing the cost of our general’s first ability by one generic mana, and the second ability by two. With this enchantment on the battlefield, the entire process of making any permanent an artifact and stealing it will cost a total of four mana. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Heartstone" href="#" target="_blank">Heartstone</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> plays the same function, though is obviously worse. Even so, because we’re leaning so heavily into our commander, this card still deserves a nod.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Vedalken Engineer"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Blinkmoth Urn"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Gilded Lotus"></div></div>
<p>I’ve also included a few miscellaneous ramp effects that will work perfectly with Memnarch. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vedalken Engineer" href="#" target="_blank">Vedalken Engineer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is above the curve for a mana dork, and its restriction is a non-factor in this deck—we will always have outlets for this mana. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blinkmoth Urn" href="#" target="_blank">Blinkmoth Urn</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is an extremely potent ramp tool for artifact decks. Even though it has the appearance of symmetry, we will almost always be able to abuse this mana more than our opponents. Once we start stealing our opponents’ artifacts, this card only becomes better. Finally, there’s not much more to be said about <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gilded Lotus" href="#" target="_blank">Gilded Lotus</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. It is expensive, but extremely effective.</p>
<hr />
<h2><strong>Assembling the Team</strong></h2>
<p>In this deck, we aren’t really looking to set up a long-term card advantage engine. In this style of deck, we want heavy card filtering. As such, we have a set of draw effects that will allow us to draw at rate that is above-the-curve.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Careful Consideration"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Thirst for Knowledge"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="One with the Machine"></div></div>
<p>Filtering effects are exactly what we’re looking for, as seen on cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thirst for Knowledge" href="#" target="_blank">Thirst for Knowledge</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Careful Consideration" href="#" target="_blank">Careful Consideration</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. While discarding cards seems like a downside in a deck with no graveyard interaction, we’re looking to craft a winning hand rather than keep our hand as full as possible. Each of these effects dig through our deck at a stellar rate, and allow us to sculpt a hand that will hopefully lead us to victory.</p>
<p>I did acquiesce to a few straightforward draw effects, mainly those that lean into the artifact synergy. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="One With the Machine" href="#" target="_blank">One With the Machine</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> may seem weak here because I have included few high-cost artifacts, but it has a very high ceiling; if we have our commander on the battlefield, we draw a full seven cards. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thoughtcast" href="#" target="_blank">Thoughtcast</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can also help with some quick refill when we need it. Overall, though, the card advantage we're seeking in this deck isn't with cards in our hand, but by stealing things from our opponents!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Trinket Mage"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Tribute Mage"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Treasure Mage"></div></div>
<p>The Tri-cycle tutors are extremely powerful in EDH. While these cards only replace themselves and don’t act as card advantage, they each fetch cards that are crucial to our strategy. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Trinket Mage" href="#" target="_blank">Trinket Mage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can fetch <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sol Ring" href="#" target="_blank">Sol Ring</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Glaring Spotlight" href="#" target="_blank">Glaring Spotlight</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> depending on the moment, whether we need efficient ramp or the ability to steal specific permanents with our commander. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tribute Mage" href="#" target="_blank">Tribute Mage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can fetch important combo pieces such as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pili-Pala" href="#" target="_blank">Pili-Pala</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Isochron Scepter" href="#" target="_blank">Isochron Scepter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, or it can nab us <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lightning Greaves" href="#" target="_blank">Lightning Greaves</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in a pinch. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Treasure Mage" href="#" target="_blank">Treasure Mage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> has very few targets, but <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mycosynth Lattice" href="#" target="_blank">Mycosynth Lattice</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> alone makes it worth the inclusion.</p>
<hr />
<h2><strong>The Deck</strong></h2>
<p>Now that we’ve looked through the ramp and draw consideration that are pertinent to this general’s strategies, let’s put it all together with a decklist. If we navigate the waters correctly, we might just get away with the big score.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Liquimetal Coating"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Padeem, Consul of Innovation"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mirrodin Besieged"></div></div>
<p>Among the other notable inclusions, we have a few cards to further facilitate our commander’s abilities, some for protection, and some others just to spice up the playstyle. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Liquimetal Coating" href="#" target="_blank">Liquimetal Coating</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a necessary inclusion for us, allowing us to cut down on activation costs to turn our opponents’ stuff into artifacts. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Padeem, Consul of Innovation" href="#" target="_blank">Padeem, Consul of Innovation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is an essential protection tool for us, and if it can draw us a card our two, that’s just gravy. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mirrodin Besieged" href="#" target="_blank">Mirrodin Besieged</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can loot through our deck turn by turn, but it can also add an auxiliary menace to our deck by threatening to knock an opponent out if the game goes long. As always, season to taste.</p>
<p>Here's our master plan! Let the heist begin.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="One Last Job" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Memnarch
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Merchant’s Dockhand
*1 Pili-Pala
*1 Vedalken Engineer
*1 Burnished Hart
*1 Grand Architect
*1 Treasure Mage
*1 Tribute Mage
*1 Trinket Mage
*1 Padeem, Consul of Allocation
*1 Solemn Simulacrum
*1 Peregrine Drake
*1 Deadeye Navigator
*1 Duplicant
*1 Palinchron
[/Creatures]
[Instants]
*1 High Tide
*1 Mystical Tutor
*1 Pongify
*1 Rapid Hybridization
*1 Swan Song
*1 Counterspell
*1 Cyclonic Rift
*1 Dramatic Reversal
*1 Reality Shift
*1 Words of Wisdom
*1 Thirst for Knowledge
*1 Aetherize
*1 Careful Consideration
*1 Fact or Fiction
*1 Aetherspouts
*1 Intellectual Offering
*1 Dig Through Time
[/Instants]
[Sorceries]
*1 Compulsive Research
*1 Fabricate
*1 One With the Machine
*1 Thoughtcast
[/Sorceries]
[Artifacts]
*1 Glaring Spotlight
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Wayfarer’s Bauble
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Coldsteel Heart
*1 Isochron Scepter
*1 Lightning Greaves
*1 Liquimetal Coating
*1 Sky Diamond
*1 Star Compass
*1 Swiftfoot Boots
*1 Coalition Relic
*1 Commander’s Sphere
*1 Extraplanar Lens
*1 Heartstone
*1 Nevinyrral’s Disk
*1 Thran Dynamo
*1 Unwinding Clock
*1 Vedalken Orrery
*1 Blinkmoth Urn
*1 Gilded Lotus
*1 Caged Sun
*1 Mycosynth Lattic
[/Artifacts]
[Enchantments]
*1 Training Grounds
*1 Imprisoned in the Moon
*1 Mirrodin Besieged
[/Enchantments]
[Lands]
*1 Arcane Lighthouse
*1 Darksteel Citadel
*1 Desert of the Mindful
*1 Detection Tower
*1 Inventors’ Fair
*1 Lonely Sandbar
*1 Remote Isle
*1 Scrying Sheets
*1 Seat of the Synod
*28 Snow-Covered Island
*1 Zoetic Cavern
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>

<hr />
<p>What do you all think of Memnarch? Have you played it in the 99? Have you ever considered it as a potential commander? Where would you have taken the general? Please let me know in the comments! Remember to EDHREC responsibly: always dig a little beyond the statistics.</p>


blinkmoth urn

Too-Specific Top 10 - Stax Switch

Ranking Every Mana Rock with EDHREC – Part 8: Two Ramp, or Not Two Ramp?

Too-Specific Top 10 - Big Rocks

Monomania — One Last Job