Ensoul Blast (Khans Edit)
4 {Darksteel Citadel}
4 {Temple of Epiphany}
4 {Shivan Reef}
4 {Swiftwater Cliffs}
4 {Mountain}
3 {Island}
23 lands
4 {Scuttling Doom Engine}
1 {Soul of New Phyrexia}
4 {Ornithopter}
3 {Chief Engineer}
4 {Generator Servant}
3 {Scrapyard Mongrel}
1 {Keranos, God of Storms}
20 creatures
2 {Bident of Thassa}
3 {Steam Augury}
4 {Shrapnel Blast}
4 {Ensoul Artifact}
4 {Ghostfire Blade}
17 other spells
Sideboard
2 Phyrexian Revoker
3 Tormod's Crypt
4 Stubborn Denial
2 Scouring Sands
4 Circle of Flame
15 sideboard cards
Notes:
Revised edition of my Ensoul Blast deck. Updated 19/12/2014
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{Darksteel Citadel}: This deck uses so much colourless mana that this {Ensoul Artifact} target easily made the cut.
{Temple of Epiphany} has worked extremely well, there's constantly turns where I don't need the mana so the scry is great.
{Shivan Reef} I was tentative at first but it's almost always tapped for colourless, and in the rare event that I do need coloured mana it's worth the hit.
24 land
{Scuttling Doom Engine}: has proven itself to be a very good finisher in this deck. Either swinging out from a {Generator's Servant} or {Shrapnel Blast}ing for the win; it inflicts pain.
{Soul of New Phyrexia}: I haven't played around with this too much but {6} for a 6/6 trample is pretty solid. The ability isn't used much but can be a lifesaver.
{Ornithopter}: {Ensoul Artifact}, {Ghostfire Blade}, {Springleaf Drum}...need I say more?
{Chief Engineer}: I overlooked this card in my original build. So far it's been pretty solid.
{Generator Servant}: It's there to ramp out {Soul of New Phyrexia} and {Scuttling Doom Engine}. Spitting them out early with haste is killer.
15 Creatures
{Magma Jet}: Another card I overlooked in the original build. The scry is invaluable, the damage is nice too.
{Ugin's Nexus}: It will probably be a one of or even gone in latter builds, however, it's a prime {Shrapnel Blast} target and {Ensoul Artifact} isn't a bad idea either.
{Shrapnel Blast}: Great card, an answer to so many of standard's threats. Must have in artifact decks.
{Ensoul Artifact}: What sparked this deck idea in the first place. The deck has a selection of great targets.
{Springleaf Drum}: Sometimes a tad redundant with {Chief Engineer} out. Seriously debating cutting two to complete the {Chief Engineer} playset.
{Ghostfire Blade} I seriously think this is an underrated card. It's a great draw. Unlike {Ensoul Artifact} it can always buff a creature.
22 Spells
{Keranos, God of Storms}: I constantly side it in over {Ugin's Nexus} unless there's {Erase} and {Deicide} running around.
{Lightning Strike}: Usually sided in against superfriends.
{Polymorphist's Jest}/{Scouring Sands}/{Circle of Flame}: My attempt at an answer to aggro and monsters.
15 Sideboard Cards
All in all Khans brought in only two new cards for this deck (that I've found). However I've started to learn how to build ramp into this deck and it's become faster and more consistent for it. Now some questions for you guys,
Cut two {Springleaf Drum} for two {Chief Engineer}? Why or why not?
In the old build I thought {Scrapyard Mongrel} was better than {Juggernaught}, however in this build I'm running neither. I've been thinking that {Juggernaught} might be a good idea again with {Chief Engineer} in. Thoughts?
I often find myself drawing mana when I just don't need it. I also almost never hard cast big spells thanks to {Springleaf Drum}, {Chief Engineer} and {Generator's Servant}. Would you go below 24 lands in this deck? How many? Why that many?
Cutting room floor: cards that I though about but dropped. Feel free to try and change my mind.
{Aeronaught Tinkerer}
{Scrapyard Mongrel}
{Juggernaught}
{Taigam's Scheming}
{Jace, the Living Guildpact}
{Dig Through Time}
As always I'm open to all questions, comments and suggestions.
This deck is capable of killing people very quickly. Here's the "god hand" version.
T1:
{Island}
{Springleaf Drum}
{Ornithopter}
{Ornithopter}
{Ghostfire Blade} (via drum)
T2:
{Mountain}
{Ensoul Artifact} targeting {Ornithopter}
Equip {Ghostfire Blade} to ensouled {Ornithopter} (via drum)
Swing 7/7 flying
T3:
Whatever land.
{Ghostfire Blade} equipped to ensouled {Ornithopter}
Swing 9/9 flying
{Shrapnel Blast} the spare {Ornithopter} (feat drum)
Damage total of 21. Of course that's best case scenario but when it runs nicely it's putting lethal pressure on by turn four.
I suggest 22-23 lands. No more than 3 {chief engineer}s. It really sucks when you get more than 2 in your hand. Leave at least 1 {springleaf drum} in there so you'll have an artifact to enchant/sac.
{Aeronaut tinkerer} as a nice 3 drop to curve out better. You don't have much in the 3cc. I suggest adding at least 2-3
Also, {tormod's crypt} for the abundance of abzan reanimator decks
I would find a way to fit Rabblemaster and stoke the flames in there. Rabblemaster can help with the convoke cost of things and get dudes out. Stoke the flames is just amazing and seems like it would work well in this deck.
Having play tested 4 {Chief Engineer}s I agree that 2-3 is optimal. For now I'm sticking to 2.
{Aeronaught Tinkerer} is extremely underwhelming, but I do own some. Are there any better three drops kicking around that I haven't heard of?
Abzan reanimator? Link to deck list? I haven't even heard of it till now.
I've noticed that this deck tends to run out of cards early between the cheap spells and ramp. I'm thinking {Steam Augury}, maybe {Weave Fate} or {Treasure Cruise}? I'm leaning towards {Treasure Cruise} as I'm really not using my graveyard for much of anything. I'll playtest but {Steam Augury} is hard by yourself.
Goblin Rabblemaster again is a great 3 drop! How do you tag cards?
Dig through Time is just so good.....easy to cast with this deck too. You admit you often have spare mana lying around, its an instant so u can spit it out on the opponents end step. It lets u see 7 cards and keep the best two, then untap and draw. How would this not be included?
It may hurt to think about but you also admit that Ghostfire Blade always can buff something unlike Ensoul Artifact. If I was you and thinking to cut something, EA would be the first place I would look.
Quote from: Ociris88 on October 16, 2014, 10:30:57 PM
Goblin Rabblemaster again is a great 3 drop! How do you tag cards?
Squiggly bracket card name squiggly bracket.
Quote this post to see.
{Goblin Rabblemaster}
It would be fantastic in this deck. Tokens to convoke with, smooth out the curve. However, I'm selling my {Goblin Rabblemaster}s (I haz two) because there are just cards that I like more for how much money it's worth. Solid suggestion, if I played more standard I'd do it.
I run a similar deck, I will post it in a few minutes. {Goblin Rabblemaster}
Quote from: PrEZchoICE1 on October 16, 2014, 10:46:09 PM
Dig through Time is just so good.....easy to cast with this deck too. You admit you often have spare mana lying around, its an instant so u can spit it out on the opponents end step. It lets u see 7 cards and keep the best two, then untap and draw. How would this not be included?
It may hurt to think about but you also admit that Ghostfire Blade always can buff something unlike Ensoul Artifact. If I was you and thinking to cut something, EA would be the first place I would look.
I think I'm going to do -1 {Springleaf Drum} -1 mana +2 {Dig Through Time}. {Ensoul Artifact} almost always has a target it's just that I'm always happy to see a {Ghostfire Blade}.
Problem is Ensoul Adtifact leads into 2/1 whereas Ghostfire Blade doesnt except in a very niche circumstance.
Quote from: PrEZchoICE1 on October 17, 2014, 05:10:02 PM
Problem is Ensoul Adtifact leads into 2/1 whereas Ghostfire Blade doesnt except in a very niche circumstance.
I don't quite understand what you're saying.
I added a playset of {spring leaf drum}s and 2 {ghost fire blade}s to my list and thru work wonderfully! Thanks for the suggestions!
Quote from: NovusOrbis on October 18, 2014, 02:27:19 PM
I added a playset of {spring leaf drum}s and 2 {ghost fire blade}s to my list and thru work wonderfully! Thanks for the suggestions!
Happy to help. :)
Have you thought about splashing white for {Heliod's Pilgrim}? The only problem I have with my deck is inconsistencies with all of the two drops. {Taigam's Scheming} and {Steam Augury} work best for me so far, I just want a pro'a opinions ;)
Quote from: NovusOrbis on October 21, 2014, 11:24:05 PM
Have you thought about splashing white for {Heliod's Pilgrim}? The only problem I have with my deck is inconsistencies with all of the two drops. {Taigam's Scheming} and {Steam Augury} work best for me so far, I just want a pro'a opinions ;)
I certainly wouldn't splash white for {Heliod's Pilgrim}. This deck is perfectly capable of finishing opponents without {Ensoul Artifact}. I mean {Scuttling Doom Engine}, {Soul of New Phyrexia} and {Shrapnel Blast} close games pretty quickly. I also don't think it's worth the strain on the mana base with me wanting to run four {Darksteel Citadel}s.
It is pretty two drop heavy but I'm also lacking three drops. That provides a window for {Temple of Epiphany} by playing a second two drop turn three and dropping the scry land. Not saying it's perfect but it's working. I've actually been debating adding {Swiftwater Cliffs} and cutting more basics.
I haven't settled on a draw engine yet, however I'm leaning towards {Taigam's Scheming} and {Dig Through Time} though I think my current list has {Steam Augury} and it's working pretty good. With no graveyard retrieval I'm pretty sure this deck won't mind delve. I'll see though.
Bumping deck by request. I've also been messing around with it on Untap.In so updates soon.
Quote from: LinkCelestrial on December 16, 2014, 11:05:42 AM
Bumping deck by request. I've also been messing around with it on Untap.In so updates soon.
Is Ugin's nexus bad? Good? Seems real good with shrapnel blast.
Quote from: the_intelligentleman on December 16, 2014, 02:57:55 PM
Quote from: LinkCelestrial on December 16, 2014, 11:05:42 AM
Bumping deck by request. I've also been messing around with it on Untap.In so updates soon.
Is Ugin's nexus bad? Good? Seems real good with shrapnel blast.
On it's own it is meh, but it combos really nice with blast. Two many for 5 damage and an extra turn is great.
Quote from: LinkCelestrial on October 17, 2014, 08:52:12 PM
Quote from: PrEZchoICE1 on October 17, 2014, 05:10:02 PM
Problem is Ensoul Adtifact leads into 2/1 whereas Ghostfire Blade doesnt except in a very niche circumstance.
I don't quite understand what you're saying.
They mean {ensoul artifact} turns in to a 1 for 2 trade on your opponents side in card advantage
Quote from: LinkCelestrial on October 21, 2014, 11:40:51 PM
Quote from: NovusOrbis on October 21, 2014, 11:24:05 PM
Have you thought about splashing white for {Heliod's Pilgrim}? The only problem I have with my deck is inconsistencies with all of the two drops. {Taigam's Scheming} and {Steam Augury} work best for me so far, I just want a pro'a opinions ;)
I certainly wouldn't splash white for {Heliod's Pilgrim}. This deck is perfectly capable of finishing opponents without {Ensoul Artifact}. I mean {Scuttling Doom Engine}, {Soul of New Phyrexia} and {Shrapnel Blast} close games pretty quickly. I also don't think it's worth the strain on the mana base with me wanting to run four {Darksteel Citadel}s.
It is pretty two drop heavy but I'm also lacking three drops. That provides a window for {Temple of Epiphany} by playing a second two drop turn three and dropping the scry land. Not saying it's perfect but it's working. I've actually been debating adding {Swiftwater Cliffs} and cutting more basics.
I haven't settled on a draw engine yet, however I'm leaning towards {Taigam's Scheming} and {Dig Through Time} though I think my current list has {Steam Augury} and it's working pretty good. With no graveyard retrieval I'm pretty sure this deck won't mind delve. I'll see though.
{Military Intelligence}
Problem with {military intelligence} is it'll be a dead card in a tough matchup where your having problems keeping dudes on the field. I think instant card draw is where you'd want to go. {treasure cruise} is where it's at, unless you anticipate people boarding {tormods crypt} (which I think is likely considering the presence of delve), in which case maybe something even more strait forward would be the way to go
{Ugin's Nexus} is bad. It is not worth the five mana investment when I'd rather be ensouling a {Darksteel Citadel} or an {Ornithopter} and {Shrapnel Blasting} for the win. I've officially cut it from the deck, as much as I don't want to. Keranos is a much better five drop and I even board him out sometimes (generally vs aggro).
{Steam Augury} has been the best card draw.
{Bident of Thassa} is staying, for now...
{Avarice Amulet} was tried but not fully. Too much mana and too risky.
{Treasure Cruise} was no good. Take a look at the decklist, there's almost nothing hitting my GY unless I'm getting controlled hardcore.
Debating {Chandra, Pyromaster} because Chandra and the 0 for card draw. Probably going to playtest Chandra in the {Bident of Thassa} slot and see how it goes. Don't expect her ult to be much good with the 7 instants I have in the deck atm. But the +1 could be nice.
{Military Intelligence} was no good. It's another contender for my clogged 2 drop slot while also not triggering often as I'm generally beating down with an ensouled/bladed {Ornithopter}.
Added 4 {Swiftwater Cliffs}. Debating cutting it down as I have been shanked twice by too many tap lands. Haven't decided yet.
I've played a few games recently. This deck is very good against midrange, competitive against aggro if I have a good hand, and has managed to beat control a couple of times. If I have a good hand my opponent /needs/ removal or they're dead as soon as T4. Often killing people around T6. I'm hoping to do a tournament on Monday and will try to post results here live-ish. The tournament is on Untap.In.
As for {Ensoul Artifact} being a 1/2, it's true. But generally I don't care as they're 1/2ing something I played for free and then two mana. And if it /does/ stick on the board it demands an answer or my opponent quickly dies. Except in rare cases that I'm keeping an {Ensoul Artifact}'d {Darksteel Citadel} as a blocker. The worst play is going to ensoul and getting {Magma Jet}ted, but it happens.
Sideboard discussion in next post.
{Phyrexian Revoker}: Answer to Elspeth, more or less. Also shuts down any other Planeswalkers and can be quite nice vs Ascendancy combo.
{Tormod's Crypt}: Because reanimator.
{Stubborn Denial}: It's a 4 of vs control and other removal heavy decks.
{Scouring Sands}: Aggro, and popping mana dorks.
{Circle of Flame}: AGGRO! Having two of these out /kills Rabblemaster/.