Hi everyone, well I've been lurking around in the world of modern but my true love for edh always drags me back and I dragged with me a appreciation for American control, so I want to take a shot at a {numot, the devastator} control (I don't like zedruu that much). I wanna open it up to opinion for cards I should add I'm looking for control elements and game ending bombs right now so throw your favorites up on the wall.
Be sure to include lots of land destruction, from {Pillage} to {Armageddon}. Numot is the king of land destruction tempo. Play things that bounce ({Cyclonic Rift}) because if you bounce something after destroying their land, your opponent won't be able to even replay it! Obviously include counters too. {Counterspell} and {Mana Drain} are great, and {Force of Will} is fantastic, since the card disadvantage won't matter because of your opponent's lack of mana sources. It also allows you to tap out and still counter something. {Jace, the. Mindsculptor} is wonderful because when he isn't drawing you cards, he keepa the few creatures your opponent is actually able to cast back where they belong: the hand! As for a finisher, Numot himself is very good. So is {Akroma, Angel of Wrath}, because she has protection against a lot of popular things. As for mana accelerants, {Sol Ring} and {Mana Vault} are cheap ones. Another good one is {Mana Crypt}, but it's like 90 bucks. Those 3 are good because they push you abead in mana while at the same time you are denying your opponent's mana with land destruction spells.
Alright I like it so far tempo disruption and of course a lot of the edh staples. I like the feel so far.
A lot can be said for symmetrical cards. Cards that seem to affect both players but benefit you more. For instance, why do you play {Tangle Wire}? Because when it's your turn, you only have to tap 2 things besides the wire itself, while your opponent struggles at 4. Why play {Supreme Verdict}? You don't run many creatures. Play {Ruination} or {Ravages of War} because you run a lot of artifact mana sources. Same with {Winter Orb}.
So with {Numot, the Devastator} at the helm and wanting to go in the American control I have several suggestions.
First off remember that red is arguably the worst color in edh. I know that certain cards in the color shine and that I play several decks with red.
However, I splash red. I think you should do the same.
I think a more blue/white control shell splashing red for only the best cards and also flavor.
I agree with what coffee vampire said regarding cards that seem to hurt everyone, but really benefit your gameplan more... like a well set up all powerful {Jokulhaups} ... Floating mana into numot to win (could be fun)
But I think you should consider things that shut down your opponent while still retaining card advantage... Like 2 or more for 1's
For edh you really need a solid win-con and I think if you go with numot the most easily accessible way to so that is through comander beats, while the rest of your deck works to support that plan while shutting down the opponent.
Hope this gets you thinking :) cheers
Land Destruction, eh? Sounds pretty horrible. I'm going to have to add some new house rules after reading this! Good luck with your deck.
I realize it's not control but every time I think of {R}{W}{U} I imagine a foil {lightning angel} pounding home the win with a {sword of war and peace} or something...