iMtG Server: Gathering

{U} {R} Lockdown {U} {R} 65 cards, 0 sideboard 8 {Island} 3 {Izzet Boilerworks} 4 {Sulfur Falls} 5 {Mountain} 2 {Bojuka Bog} 22 lands 3 {Ertai, Wizard Adept} 3 {Grid Monitor} 3 {Bazaar Trader} 3 {Elite Arcanist} 12 creatures 2 {Illusions of Grandeur} 3 {Vedalken Orrery} or 3 {Mark of Mutiny} 2 {Rewind} 3 {Arcane Laboratory} 2 {Relic of Progenitus} 4 {Web of Inertia} 3 {Diplomatic Immunity} or 3 {Alexi's Cloak} 3 {Boomerang} 3 {Donate} 2 {Domineering Will} 4 {Counterflux} 31 other spells Notes: This deck, in testing at least, is infuriating to face and a bit weird to run. Explanation below for how it runs, staples, and notes.

   I have to give props to LinkCelestrial for much of this deck idea. Checked out a wall game they had with Kaylesh and it sparked this deck idea.

   The quickest win is dropping an {Illusions of Grandeur} and {Donate}-ing it off to an opponent and either bounce it with {Boomerang} or let the Cumulative Upkeep kill them. It doesn't work so well if they have any kind of life gain. A land such as {Jwar Isle Refuge} makes this idea naught.

   The full shutout to a player includes: {Bazaar Trader} to trade off a {Grid Monitor} to an opponent with at least a {Web of Inertia} in play to keep them from attacking utilizing {Relic of Progenitus}' {t} ability (*Keeping their graveyard empty is key to surviving with this deck). Having an {Arcane Laboratory} out with an {Ertai, Wizard Adept} and/or an {Elite Arcanist} with a {Counterflux} exiled under it keeps them from casting spells on your turn and theirs (if you have both out).

   {Rewind} is best used when you have one or more {Izzet Boilerworks} on the field to use to untap more lands to get the most out of it.

   {Domineering Will} is used to steal threats and use the {Bazaar Trader}'s to keep them indefinitely while they're on the board.

   {Diplomatic Immunity} is used to keep the creatures you control safe. It is the main reason why {Vedalken Orrery} is in the deck, but Immunity can easily be switched out for {Alexi's Cloak} to free up space to replace the Orrery with something like {Mark of Mutiny}.

   As always, suggestions and replacements are welcomed.

Glad my deck inspired something. However I must say this looks miles better than my deck. Props for a sick deck.

Wow.
This is evil.

After a very interesting experience with a {Stab Wound}ed commander I've had a realization.

If you donate a {Grid Monitor} to somebody it's going to be swinging at you pretty much every turn.

The {Web of Inertia} is great for that, props, but a {Fog Bank} or something might be really helpful.

I think you've already realized but {Diplomatic Immunity} on their {Grid Monitor} is beautiful.

The more I look at this the better it looks.

Just realized any sac outlet would really ruin the lock.

That is when you say either, "No, you can't cast that Ertai says so." Or, "I shall now steal your creature as well as {Diplomatic Immunity} it just in case you try anything else."

But in all seriousness, yes a sac outlet really kills the deck. If they're running any sac oulets, {Arcane Laboratory} should be a top priority to get out as well as {Ertai, Wizard Adept} and bounce the permanent. It can deal with it, but it may take some time. Like I said before, it's infuriating to run. This would be one of those reasons as to why. It just takes time until you can have them full locked down.

To the replacement of {Web of Inertia} for {Fog Bank}: I'll put it to use. Try it out a bit on different match ups, but my thought process here is that {Fog Bank} blocks a single target but Web can stop all attackers. It makes token decks a bit easier to deal with. You also wouldn't drop the {Grid Monitor} and {Donate}/{Bazaar Trader} it to the opponent until your board state was either ready or damn close.