This deck was my first EDH. When I went looking for my first general, I was baffled. EDH seemed like such a hard thing to get into. 100 different cards that have amazing synergy and interaction? What's a man to do. Then I started looking through deck lists. I looked and looked and finally came across a Darien list. I was in love! A mono colored EDH was perfect and money friendly(until I started to really get into it ).
It took months and months with constant modifications, but I finally finished it. Before I list some of the reasonings behind the cards, I have to say that this deck has my heart, soul and play style wrapped up inside it. It's a very commander reliant deck, so it's not going to be the strongest out there, but it's a pretty great list if I do say so myself. Now onto the list!
THE LIST:
1 City of Brass This is in here to have consistent and controlled damage when Darien is on the field.
1 Strip Mine It's nice to have some kind of land removal when you run across the player who can't quite find the color he/she needs then blowing it up when he/she finally finds it.
1 Kjeldoran Outpost Constistant tokens are great when you can't get Darien to stick, and land destruction isn't the most prevelant thing out there, so you're safe to make your soldiers!
1 Kor Haven I can't stand dying from commander damage, so preventing said damage makes me a happy camper.
1 Thespian's Stage Making a copy of any of my non-basic lands is great! Every single one does exactly what I need.
1 Ghost Quarter Land destruction for the color impaired
1 Emeria, the Sky Ruin Getting creatures back after a board wipe or two is nothing to sneeze at.
1 Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx I have a ton of permanents that have two or three white symbols in the mana cost, so shrine to nyx seemed like a perfect fit in the deck.
1 Homeward Path I've run into many a creature taker, so homeward path helps in that regard.
1 Ancient Tomb Great mana ramp and consistent and controlled damage to yourself.
1 Knight-Captain of Eos A token maker that prevents damage is great. Dying to commander damage makes me sad. Preventing that every turn makes me happy
1 Iona, Shield of Emeria This is a dick card to include(in my opinion), but this was my first list, so it's staying.
1 Archangel of Thune I have a few consistent life gaining effects, and an infinite combo involving this card , that make this lovely angel an auto include. If she deals damage(or I have said consistent life gain), I get life and my creatures get buffed. What's not to love?
1 Suture Priest One of the consistent life gaining effects. Since I'm dealing a fair amount of damage to myself I needed a way to offset that. Soul sisters was one of my favorite decks, so it was one of the first things that came to mind. Very good life gain and if your opponents are creature heavy, lots of life loss!
1 Catapult Master LET MY SOLDIERS EXILE THE FOUL AND WICKED!!!!
1 Angelic Skirmisher With many tokens, I like the fact that she gives them so many things. Life total too low? Lifelink! Need blockers? VIGILANCE!
1 Angel of Jubilation She is awesome when you have some tokens that need a bit more power and when I have an opponent who likes to sacrifice things, it puts a damper on his wincon type things.
1 Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite In any creature based white having deck, she is an auto-include! JUST READ WHAT SHE DOES!!! INSANE!!!
1 Mother of Runes Great protection for Darien and other beaters like avacyn when a path or swords to plowshares is represented.
1 Soul Warden Consistent lifegain 1 Mentor of the Meek One of the best draw engines in the deck. As my tokens enter the battlefield, you're allowed to rearrange the "stack" if you have anything buffing your creatures so you get to draw Before you buff. Yay for rules!!!
1 Goldnight Commander When my tokens enter the battlefield, the all get stronger for a turn. If you have a way to damage yourself you can use it as a combat trick.
1 Aura of Silence This card can trip up a ton of enchantment based decks like Pillowfort. A few extra turns is all you need sometimes.
1 Sol Ring All commander decks should run this. It's not even a question.
1 Exclusion Ritual Naming a wincon or a commander can be a wincon in-and-of itself.
1 Path of Bravery Lifegain and a buff lovely when you attack with a bunch if tokens.
1 Enlightened Tutor This is probably the best search white has to offer.
1 Launch the Fleet Lots of tokens when you got lots of tokens. More tokens when you don't.
1 Pearl Medallion Since this deck is mostly white, it just made sense.
1 Blasting Station This card is part of an infinite combo paired with soul warden, Darien and archangel of thune. Sac a creature, deal one damage to yourself, get a token, untap blasting station, gain a life and buff all the creature you've got on the field.
1 Eldrazi Monument Since I'm going to be getting a bunch of tokens, I can afford to sac one a turn to get bigger, flying and indestructible soldiers. Sounds badass.
How about Platinum Angel? That way, if your opponents can't win the game if they get rid of your life gainers. And it combos with Sorrow's Path and your commander, if you choose to go that route
How about Platinum Angel? That way, if your opponents can't win the game if they get rid of your life gainers. And it combos with Sorrow's Path and your commander, if you choose to go that route
I think I'll switch out Iona for the platinum angel.
Mana confluence is different than city of brass. Since Darien specifies "dealt damage" and not "life loss" confluence would only hurt me with no benefit. I might add mass calcify. I'll play test. I'm going to try and find room for the flash enchantment.
Mana confluence is different than city of brass. Since Darien specifies "dealt damage" and not "life loss" confluence would only hurt me with no benefit. I might add mass calcify. I'll play test. I'm going to try and find room for the flash enchantment.