Roon of the Blinky Things 📝 Deck Tech 📝

[Dudecore]

{Roon of the Hidden Realm} 100 cards 1 {Roon of the Hidden Realm} 🌠🎨 Commander 6 {Forest}🌠 Scars of Mirrodin + Mirrodin Besieged (Panoramic) 4 {Island} 🌠 Scars of Mirrodin (Panoramic) 4 {Plains} 🌠 Scars of Mirrodin (Panoramic) 1 {Breeding Pool} 1 {Celestial Colonnade} ✒️ 1 {Command Tower} 🌠 Commander's Arsenal 1 {Dryad Arbor} 🌠 From the Vault: Realms 1 {Flooded Strand} 1 {Gaea's Cradle} 1 {Glacial Fortress} 🌠✒️ Magic 2010 1 {Hallowed Fountain} 1 {Hinterland Harbor} 🌠 Innistrad 1 {Horizon Canopy} 1 {Mistveil Plains} 🌠 Shadowmoor 1 {Misty Rainforest} 1 {Minamo, School at Water's Edge} 1 {Novijen, Heart of Progress} 🌠 Dissension 1 {Reflecting Pool} 1 {Stirring Wildwood} ✒️ 1 {Sunpetal Grove} 🌠 Magic 2011 1 {Temple of Enlightenment} 🌠 Born of the Gods 1 {Temple Garden} 1 {Temple of Plenty} 🌠 Born of the Gods 1 {Temple of Mystery}🌠 Magic 2015 Clash Pack 1 {Windswept Heath} 36 lands {1} {Noble Hierarch} 🌠 Conflux {2} {Bloom Tender} {2} {Coiling Oracle} 🌠 Arena Foil {2} {Gilded Drake} 🚫 {2} {Melira, Sylvok Outcast} {2} {Mistmeadow Witch} 🌠 Shadowmoor {2} {Qasali Pridemage} 🌠✒️ Alara Reborn {2} {Saffi Eriksdotter} {2} {Wall of Roots} 🌠 Friday Night Magic {3} {Eternal Witness} {3} {Farhaven Elf} {3} {Kitchen Finks} 🌠 Friday Night Magic {3} {Reclamation Sage} {3} {Wood Elves} 🌠 Gateway Foil {4} {Archaeomancer} 🌠 Magic 2014 {4} {Clever Impersonator} 🌠 Khans of Tarkir {4} {Glen Elendra Archmage} {4} {Nevermaker} 🌠 Morningtide {4} {Restoration Angel} 🌠 Launch Weekend Promo {4} {Spike Weaver} 🚫 {4} {Venser, Shaper Savant} 🌠✒️ From the Vault: Twenty {5} {Body Double} 🌠 Planar Chaos {5} {Karmic Guide} 🌠 Judge Foil {5} {Mulldrifter} 🌠 Friday Night Magic {5} {Perplexing Chimera} 🌠 Born of the Gods {5} {Prophet of Kruphix} 🌠 Magic 2015 Clash Pack {5} {Reveillark} 🌠 Modern Masters {5} {Seedborn Muse} {5} {Thragtusk} 🌠 Magic 2013 {6} {Bane of Progress} 🚫 {6} {Deadeye Navigator} {6} {Duplicant} {6} {Prime Speaker Zegana} {6} {Sun Titan} 🌠 Duel Deck Series {7} {Hornet Queen} 🌠 Magic 2015 {8} {Woodfall Primus} 36 creatures 1 {Bant Charm} 🌠 Shards of Alara 1 {Beast Within} 1 {Cataclysm} 1 {Chord of Calling} 1 {Cyclonic Rift} 1 {Eladamri's Call} 1 {Ghostly Flicker} 1 {Ghostway} 1 {Green Sun's Zenith} 🌠 From the Vault: Twenty 1 {Return to Dust} 🌠 Time Spiral 1 {Swords to Plowshares} 1 {Tooth and Nail} 1 {Worldly Tutor} 🚫 13 Instants/Sorceries 1 {Birthing Pod} 1 {Chromatic Lantern} 1 {Conjurer's Closet} 🌠 Avacyn Restored 1 {Lightning Greaves} 1 {Phyrexian Altar} 🚫 1 {Sensei's Divining Top} 1 {Sol Ring} 7  Artifacts 1 {Aura Shards} 1 {Song of the Dryads} 🚫 1 {Survival of the Fittest} 1 {Sylvan Library} 4 Enchantments 1 {Ajani, Mentor of Heroes} 1 {Garruk, Caller of Beasts} 1 {Venser, the Sojourner} 🌠✒️ Duel Deck Series 3 Planeswalkers 🌠 Denotes Foil 🚫 Denotes No Foil Version ✒️ Denotes Signed 🎨 Denotes Altered 📝 Deck Tech ⚠️ Updates and Revisions Storage: KMC Perfect Fits, KMC Hyper MAT (Green). Ultra Pro Satin Tower (Green).

[Dudecore]

Roon of the Hidden Realm
Roon is one of the most fun commanders to play with. This deck is designed to work off many different plans and loops. From {Survival of the Fittest}. {Melira} and persist creatures, a {Birthing Pod} curve and general blinky value cards. With so many options it's hard not to have fun piloting it. It can be played as an aggressive combo strategy, or sit back and play control. The choices can be complex at time, and there are far too many to list for each scenario. I've taken the time to set the Deck Tech into groups based on what they do generally, and what you should look out for in order to "go off". The plans are as follows:

Tutors > Infinite Combos > Table Flip
Tutors > Powerful creatures > Beat faces.
Blink Engines > Value > Win.
Blink Engines > Destroy all of your opponents lands > Butt hurt
Infinite Loops > Win
Prophet of Kruphix > Something crazy > Win
Deadeye Navigator > Card X > Win
Cataclysm > Blink your creatures > Win

Tutors
•  {Chord of Calling}
Instant speed tutor. The flexibility and power of this is great. Bring something in on an endstep, find a blocker, take advantage of the situation with an EtB ability.

•  {Eladamri's Call}
While it may not be easily repeatable (Could set-up an {Archaeomancer} loop), it's basically just a better {Worldly Tutor} for one more mana. This deck relies on having really strong tutors, and this qualifies.

•  {Green Sun's Zenith}
Green Sun's Zenith is married to cards like {Birthing Pod} because it relaunches your ladder, also it shuffles back into your library so you can use it some time down the line. Yes, it is probably weaker then {Chord of Calling}, it is not instant, only fetches green creatures. But it is cheaper and overall is an extremely strong card.

•  {Tooth and Nail}
Probably the greatest tutor of all time ({Defense of the Heart} gives it a run for it's money}). 9 mana = win the game. If you can't win with it, you've got a lot of learning to do.

•  {Worldly Tutor}
Super cheap, instant creature tutor. It gets you there most of the time. Depending on the game plan and boardstate you simply get the best creature you can.

•  {Birthing Pod}
The deck is built with the purpose of having answers for most anything at each CMC level. Birthing Pod allow you to climb up that ladder until our late-game finishers come down, while still keeping control of the board. Repeatable tutors are the bread and butter of this deck. It also enables dies/leaves play triggers, which is occasionally relevant with persist creatures and {Reveillark}.

•  {Survival of the Fittest}
{Fauna Shaman} is a tribute to this card. Same rules apply. Helps you win, repeatable tutor.

•  {Ajani, Mentor of Heroes}
Both of Ajani's first abilities are relevant. The first +1 ability powers up all of my creatures. Many of them are 2/2's and would benefit from the increased power. Also, my persist creatures have their -1/-1 cancelled out by it. The second +1 gives me card selection. While it may be 1 card, given the sheer number of tutors in the deck, and the fact the cards go back into my library, I can routinely gain access to them again. The ultimate will likely never be used.

•  {Garruk, Caller of Beasts}
This is the most recent addition to my deck, and I cut the almighty {Jace, the Mind Sculptor} for him. His high CMC masks one of the most powerful abilities in all of the deck. So good it's almost broken. His first ability could potentially be BETTER then {Ancestral Recall}. He has proven himself time and time again to be a nasty draw machine, pulling one or two creatures with consistency. His emblem breaks the game open, giving you a free {Tooth and Nail} ever time you cast a creature. The -3 is bananas too, but you already knew that.

Blinking Engines
•  {Roon of the Hidden Realm}
Roon is fairly costly at 5 mana, but he has one of the better repeatable blink effects in the game. He's also really not a bad creature. 4/4 with Trample and Vigilance is nice, and his awesome ability only costs {2}{T}. Bant has a wonderful selection of Enter the Battlefield (ETB) creatures. So if you're into fun blinky things Roon is just about the only option.

•  {Mistmeadow Witch}
The little engine that could. The blinking effect won't be the cheapest, but Mistmeadow can be value town.

•  {Restoration Angel}
Flickers all non-angel creatures. It's a great accessory to the deck. Super versatile as a flash blocker, something to get in the way, or just an exploitable target for blinking.

•  {Deadeye Navigator}
Best blink engine in the deck, without a doubt. Combos with everything in the deck, avoids almost any type of control. insane. If you can stick it with lands open you pretty much win. There are cards in this deck just to find him ({Fierce Empath}).

•  {Conjurer's Closet}
An extremely strong blinking engine that can get things rolling. Very efficient way reuse EtB abilities without having to pay casting costs, what we call "value". The return to the battlefield ability is instant.

•  {Venser, the Sojourner}
The second engine (primary) that gets the deck hooked up. Venser plays very nicely with the things we already are playing. Since our deck is loaded with guys like {Mulldrifter} and {Karmic Guide}, the Sojourner's Flicker ability already works quite well. Beyond enters-the-battlefield abuse, you can use it to reload the counters on a Planeswalker, untap an attacker post-combat to use as a blocker, reload the +1/+1 counters on a {Spike Weaver}, trigger {Aura Shards}, pull unfortunate Auras off your stuff, and so forth. And all of that synergy is packed in just his first ability. Doubles as a win-con. If you get a Venser emblem, you basically win. You can work that emblem all while getting crazy value out of your creatures. His second ability should not be overlooked also, it can be another win condition.


Enters the Battlefield Package
•  {Coiling Oracle}
Drawing Cards is good. Playing Lands is good. Coiling Oracle is valuable early game. Coiling Oracle is valuable mid-game. Coiling Oracle is valuable late game. Coiling Oracle is value.

•  {Gilded Drake}
For my money, Gilded Drake is probably the best "clone" type creature for this deck. The theory is simple, exchange it for their best creature, then blink it back under your control. Works great with {Venser, the Sojourner}. You get their creature straight up, it has an advantage over clones.

•  {Qasali Pridemage}
Destroying {Torpor Orb} is a meta everyone has to make. It's an absolutely horrid way to slow your deck down. It has to go at all costs, and Exalted isn't bad at all.

•  {Eternal Witness}
She is undoubtedly one of the strongest card ever printed for Green. Being able to get ANY card out of your graveyard for 3 mana is ridiculous. She can also be used in many loops that just make using it a blast. In a format where recursion is king she is the queen. Like I said before, graveyards are like second hands almost. {Eternal Witness}/{Archaeomancer} + {Venser, Shaper Savant} + {Ghostly Flicker} = Every {2}{U} can return a card to an opponents hand or knock out their permanents.

•  {Reclamation Sage}
In the end, despite all the crazy loops to look out for and shenanigans you can do, the only way to win is to beat your opponents. This deck is very good at getting rid of your opponents stuff over and over again - especially non-creatures. Resource denial is the most common way this deck can win. It should be used to hit stuff early game - even if it's just as simple as a mana rock, don't be afraid to cast it.

•  {Archaeomancer}
This card is actually better then {Snapcaster Mage} if you've got a way to flicker it. Snapcaster exiles the spell if you use the Flashback ability, and adds {1}{U} to recasting it. Archaeomancer on the other hand gives you the card back , so you can recast it at no extra cost, and repeat the cycle if you so choose

•  {Clever Impersonator}
The most flexible {Clone} ever printed. This card is the gold standard for clone effects. If you're running a clone type card, change it over to this. Enemy planeswalkers, enchantments, artifacts, anything but land. It even sneakily put Auras like {Pascifism} on Hexproof creatures ({Sun Titan} and {Copy Enchantment} have already been doing this, but...)

303.4f:
"If an Aura is entering the battlefield under a player's control by any means other than by resolving as an Aura spell, and the effect putting it onto the battlefield doesn't specify the object or player the Aura will enchant, that player chooses what it will enchant as the Aura enters the battlefield."

Choosing is not targeting. I cannot wait to rip all of the combinations possible with this now in my deck.

•  {Nevermaker}
Fits into the {Birthing Pod} curve rather nicely. It can  get rid of a pesky planeswalker / enchantment / artifact / indestructible thing and tuck a commander. Pretty profitable blocker too and cheaper then {Brutalizer Exarch}.

•  {Spike Weaver}
Spike Weaver seems like an odd choice, but it does find it's way on many Roon lists because the value is a bit more subtle then you might first realize. Spike Weaver is basically a {Fog} on a stick. Ordinarily {Fog} cards aren't generally useful, but in a multiplayer game it might just dissuade people from attacking. It helps against fast, aggressive Voltron decks and others that might ordinarily steamroll you. The other bonus is that his +1/+1 counter cancels out a -1/-1 counter, so the Persist guys can keep rolling. Blink him for a fresh set of counters.

•  {Venser, Shaper Savant}
A {Boomerang} or {Remand}? Does it really matter? Didn't think so.

•  {Acidic Slime}
Resource denial is a powerful tool. The goal of the deck is to keep pressing my opponents by making them answer my threats.

•  {Body Double}
Recusion and a clone effect. Part of making that Graveyard act as second hand, and also all of the synergies. Too many to list, but Body Double combos with a lot of things.

•  {Mulldrifter}
Draw all of the cards!

•  {Perplexing Chimera}
Same principal as {Gilded Drake} but for works for spells too! It can steal just about anything, including any spell that wishes to destroy it. I love this card, it frequently holds the board down for me.

•  {Prophet of Kruphix}
This is how you turn things up to the next level. All your creatures become disruption or card advantage. Easily one of the three best cards in the deck, and almost always the first thing you tutor for any time after early game. It is just doesn't have any weaknesses for this type of deck, AND combos with {Reveillark} (but what doesn't?)

•  {Seedborn Muse}
Seedborn is arguably more powerful then Prophet, but arguably less powerful. It untaps artifacts, which tend to be more powerful in some decks. I have {Gilded Lotus} and {Sol Ring}, which is nice to have untap. Also, what could be wrong with another Prophet? Also, you won't believe this but...its combos with {Reveillark}.

•  {Bane of Progress}
This is like hitting the big ol' reset button. I think this is a meta call, and I sort of included it in the deck to combat my Oloro Stax deck..

•  {Duplicant}
I like this card because it exiles their biggest threat. With all the ETB enablers that are in the deck, it can become a seriously deadly weapon.

•  {Prime Speaker Zegana}
Draw all of the cards 2.0! Fun to abuse.

•  {Sun Titan}
A big body that recurs a good amount of utility cards and fetch lands. Plays well with plenty of cards in the deck and combos with {Saffi Ericksdotter}.

•  {Hornet Queen}
The newest finisher in the deck, the Queen of Hornets is built 100% around finishing the game for me. The tokens can work as blockers, she can be blinked to rapidly produce an army of super deadly bees. She can produce a complete {Stasis} with a reliable blink engine.


Mana Accelerators
•  {Noble Hierarch}, {Bloom Tender}, {Farhaven Elf}, {Wood Elves}, {Chromatic Lantern} and {Sol Ring}


Loops
{Birthing pod}: 3-Drop + {Venser, Shaper Savant} + {Roon of the Hidden Realm}/Bounce Spell
Active {Birthing Pod} into {Venser, Shaper Savant}. Bounce an opponents land or whichever threat.
Next turn, pod Venser into {Karmic Guide} which you use to bring back Venser.
Next turn, Do not pay the Echo cost on {Karmic Guide} let it die. Pod Venser and grab {Body Double}. Have Body Double clone Karmic Guide which you use to get {Karmic Guide}. Repeat previous step.
Next turn, Do not pay the Echo cost on {Karmic Guide} or {Body Double}. Pod Venser into {Reveillark}. Use Roon/Bounce on Reveillark to get back Venser and Body Double as whatever you're into.

{Phyrexian Atlar}: {Reveillark} + {Karmic Guide} + {Saffi Eriksdotter}
Sacrifice Saffi, targetting Reveillark. Sacrifice Karmic Guide to your Phyrexian Altar. Sacrifice Reveilark to Phyrexian Altar. Reveilark brings back Saffi and Guide, Guide brings back whatever you would like. Everyone's graveyard is at your disposal. 

{Phyrexian Altar}: {Melira, Sylvok Outcast} + Persist Creatures
The synergy here is pretty obvious. Persist creatures leave the battlefield and come back with a -1/-1 counter on them. If they die with that counter on them, they go to graveyard. But what if they never got that -1/-1 counter? They could be reanimated indefinitely. Melira keeps that counter from staying on them. So all you'd need is a {Phyrexian Altar}/{Blasting Station}/{Ashnod's Altar} type card to get the infinite chain going! I picked {Phyrexian Altar} because I want my infinite combo to give me infinite mana too, why not? :)

•  {Kitchen Finks}
Finks fits right into the {Birthing Pod} curve, gets you some life (not all that meaningful in EDH). I like the versatility, good body with a fair mana cost. Combos with Melira for infinite life.

•  {Glen Elendra Archmage}
{Negate} on a stick here. It's even great with {Deadeye Navigator} and other blinky things. It's a wonderful tool to have at your disposal.

•  {Woodfall Primus}
The big question is: "Why not {Terastodon}?". There are several reasons, but one of the most compelling ones is the Persist on {Woodfall Primus}. He's got a better body, interacts with Melira, and doesn't give any sort of advantage away. Also, I have {Angel of Serenity} which sort of acts like {Terastodon}.
⚠️Use with caution: There is no "MAY" clause. If you put his ability on the stack too much you'll have to target your own permanents.⚠️

Top 5
5. {Birthing Pod}
4. {Venser, the Sojourner}
3. {Prophet of Kruphix}
2. {Phyrexian Altar}
1. {Survival of the Fittest}

[Dudecore]

Updates and Revisions
7/14/14
➖{Jace, the Mind Sculptor} ➕{Garruk, Caller of Beasts}
➖{Thousand Year Elixir} ➕{Gilded Lotus}

7/17/14
➖{Harmonic Sliver} ➕{Reclamation Sage}
➖{Plains} ➕{Dryad Arbor}

8/1/14
➖{Mystical Tutor} ➕{Bant Charm}

8/25/14
➖{Tawnos's Coffin} ➕{Cataclysm}

8/28/14
➖{High Market} ➕{Novijen, Heart of Progress}

10/18/14
➖{Progenitor Mimic} ➕{Chord of Calling}

10/28/14
➖{Solemn Simulacrum} ➕{Mistmeadow Witch}
➖{Brutalizer Exarch} ➕{Nevermaker}
➖{Angel of Serenity} ➕{Hornet Queen}
➖{Nature's Lore} ➕{Worldly Tutor}

10/31/14
➖{Fauna Shaman} ➕{Meddling Mage}
➖{Wargate} ➕{Ajani, Mentor of Heroes}

11/2/14
➖{Austere Command} ➕{Krosan Verge}
➖{Gilded Lotus} ➕{Chromatic Lantern}

11/13/14
➖{Tropical Island} ➕{Minamo, School at Water's Edge}
➖{Meddling Mage} ➕{Wall of Roots}
➖{Acidic Slime} ➕{Thragtusk}
➖{Phyrexian Metamorph} ➕{Song of the Dryads}
➖{Seaside Citadel} ➕{Temple of Enlightenment}
➖{Krosan Verge} ➕{Temple of Plenty}
➖{Savanna} ➕{Temple of Mystery}
➖{Tundra} ➕{Mistveil Plains}

Playtesting
{Acidic Slime}
{Angel of Finality}
{Angel of Serenity}
{Congregation at Dawn}
{Flickerwisp}
{Meddling Mage}
{Riftsweeper}
{Sunblast Angel}
{Trostani's Summoner}
{Voice of Resurgence}
{Wargate}

[Dudecore]

All done methinks

[Gocougs509]

I would replace {harmonic sliver} with M15's {reclamation sage}. Easier to cast, 1 more power, and doesn't get exploited by opposing sliver decks :p

[Dudecore]

I would replace {harmonic sliver} with M15's {reclamation sage}. Easier to cast, 1 more power, and doesn't get exploited by opposing sliver decks :p

Wow...it's like strictly better. Thanks a bunch. And the "MAY" clause is always nice.

[Munchlax]

The new Angel. {Resolute Archangel} or something. You can blink her whenever you need a life reset

[Ekann1]

+1 for that name :P

[Dudecore]

The new Angel. {Resolute Archangel} or something. You can blink her whenever you need a life reset

I was thinking this,  but she us horribly weak for the CMC

[Munchlax]

The new Angel. {Resolute Archangel} or something. You can blink her whenever you need a life reset

I was thinking this,  but she us horribly weak for the CMC

But the life!!!

[Dudecore]

The new Angel. {Resolute Archangel} or something. You can blink her whenever you need a life reset

I was thinking this,  but she us horribly weak for the CMC

But the life!!!

I agree. It's a nice piece of tech to have in a tool box. It's just sorta weak for the CMC. In the 7 slot I have {Angel of Serenity}. I picked up a prerelease {Resolute Angel} to play test with. I just feel like it falls into that "101st card" territory. I will play test it Wednesday night at my LGS.

[Ekann1]

I like {Bant Charm} for annoying commanders.

[Dudecore]

I like {Bant Charm} for annoying commanders.

What would you suggest I drop for it?

[Gocougs509]

I like {Bant Charm} for annoying commanders.

What would you suggest I drop for it?

Bant charm definitely deserves a spot in any deck that can play it. It is amazing. I can see a few cards that I might consider cutting, but ultimately you will just have to decide which cards don't quite perform to your standard in order to make room for it :p

[Dudecore]

{Clever Impersonator} coming soon. What goes? I'm thinking {Fierce Empath}