Derevi EDH

[Ekann1]

Keep in mind this is my first EDH deck, I'm probably missing some format staples and I don't really know what's normally needed.  So it's probably going to be pretty bad

(Updates: I think it's better now... )

I think this deck needs more late game type cards.  I still have all the cards from the precon bant deck, so if there's anything people think I should put back in from that, I still have the cards. Please make your suggestions relatively budget friendly, I obviously would have original duals in there if I could


http://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/derevi-edh-29-01-14-1/

Thanks!

Commander
{Derevi, Empyrial Tactician}
Creature (25)
1x {Acidic Slime}
1x {AEtherling}
1x {Azami, Lady of Scrolls}
1x {Birds of Paradise}
1x {Bane of Progress}
1x {Chameleon Colossus}
1x {Deadeye Navigator}
1x {Fiend Hunter}
1x {Grand Arbiter Augustin IV}
1x {Heliod, God of the Sun}
1x {Hokori, Dust Drinker}
1x {Jin-Gitaxias, Core Augur}
1x {Karmic Guide}
1x {Kitchen Finks}
1x {Knight of the Reliquary}
1x {Lavinia of the Tenth}
1x {Mirror Entity}
1x {Mulldrifter}
1x {Palinchron}
1x {Prophet of Kruphix}
1x {Restoration Angel}
1x {Terastodon}
1x {Thragtusk}
1x {Venser, Shaper Savant}
1x {Winged Coatl}
Artifact (9)
1x {Birthing Pod}
1x {Chromatic Lantern}
1x {Gilded Lotus}
1x {Selesnya Signet}
1x {Sensei's Divining Top}
1x {Simic Signet}
1x {Sol Ring}
1x {Swiftfoot Boots}
1x {Thran Dynamo}
Sorcery (4)
1x {Green Sun's Zeith}
1x {Terminus}
1x {Time Warp}
1x {Wargate}
Enchantment (5)
1x {Bident of Thassa}
1x {Control Magic}
1x {Darksteel Mutation}
1x {Land Tax}
1x {Oblivion Ring}
Instant (15)
1x {Bant Charm}
1x {Brainstorm}
1x {Condemn}
1x {Counterspell}
1x {Cyclonic Rift}
1x {Disenchant}
1x {Fated Retribution}
1x {Krosan Grip}
1x {Path to Exile}
1x {Plasm Capture}
1x {Rapid Hybridization}
1x {Ray of Revelation}
1x {Rootborn Defenses}
1x {Selesnya Charm}
1x {Swords to Plowshares}
1x {Unexpectedly Absent}
Planeswalker (3)
1x {Garruk, Primal Hunter}
1x {Jace, the Mind Sculptor}
1x {Venser, the Sojourner}
Land (37)
1x {Azorius Guildgate}
1x {Command Tower}
1x {Evolving Wilds}
1x {Faerie Conclave}
5x {Forest}
1x {Gavony Township}
1x {Glacial Fortress}
1x {Graypelt Refuge}
1x {Hallowed Fountain}
1x {Hinterland Harbor}
5x {Island}
4x {Plains}
1x {Alchemist's Refuge}
1x {Saltcrusted Steppe}
1x {Seaside Citadel}
1x {Sejiri Refuge}
1x {Selesnya Guildgate}
1x {Simic Guildgate}
1x {Sunpetal Grove}
1x {Temple Garden}
1x {Temple of Enlightenment}
1x {Temple of Mystery}
1x {Temple of Plenty}
1x {Temple of the False God}
1x {Treetop Village}
1x {Windbrisk Heights}

[Ekann1]

anyone?

[DylanW18]

Maybe {Flickerwisp}?

[Coffee Vampire]

This is actually pretty good for a first deck. A lot of EDH decks I see akip out on cheap removal and tempo cards so theycan add more big monsters. You seem to have some good cheap removal here. Some semi-cheap cards that would be good in here.
{Dryad Arbor}
{Green Sun's Zenith}
{Hokori, Dust Drinker}
{Birthing Pod} (SUPER good with derevi)
{Mana Vault} (people often think this is more expensive than it is, due to its similarities with {Mana Crypt}. However, it's 5 bucks at most!)
{Bloom Tender} (turn 2 bloom tender makes it so that you can cast derevi on turn 3, target bloom tender with derevi's ability and keeping priority, tap bloom tender for mana...thus gaining you 6 man on turn 3, and casting your general too!)
{Sylvan Library}

I would offer more suggestions, but a) I have to go eat and b)  I need to look at your deck more, so I don't suggest things already there!

[Ekann1]

Maybe {Flickerwisp}?

If you look closely enough {flickerwisp} is already in there thanks for the help though.

[Ekann1]

This is actually pretty good for a first deck. A lot of EDH decks I see akip out on cheap removal and tempo cards so theycan add more big monsters. You seem to have some good cheap removal here. Some semi-cheap cards that would be good in here.
{Dryad Arbor}
{Green Sun's Zenith}
{Hokori, Dust Drinker}
{Birthing Pod} (SUPER good with derevi)
{Mana Vault} (people often think this is more expensive than it is, due to its similarities with {Mana Crypt}. However, it's 5 bucks at most!)
{Bloom Tender} (turn 2 bloom tender makes it so that you can cast derevi on turn 3, target bloom tender with derevi's ability and keeping priority, tap bloom tender for mana...thus gaining you 6 man on turn 3, and casting your general too!)
{Sylvan Library}

I would offer more suggestions, but a) I have to go eat and b)  I need to look at your deck more, so I don't suggest things already there!

Awesome. I can easily put my FTV zenith in there. I'll keep an eye out for the rest of the stuff, thanks!

What are some weaker cards you would suggest cutting?

[DylanW18]

Maybe {Flickerwisp}?

I actually meant to take out for knight of the reliquary.. Lol

[Ekann1]

Maybe {Flickerwisp}?

I actually meant to take out for knight of the reliquary.. Lol

Oh. I see. Oops, my bad. Good idea, I'll probably do that

[Coffee Vampire]

Always happy to help! As for weaker cards, I would never run any bounce lands in a deck, because of how far a {Strip Mine}d bounceland sets you back. If your turn 2 bounceland gets destroyed then your game is reset. I prefer guildgates over bounce lands.
Also, {Ovinize} doesn't do much. I see you have included {darksteel mutation}. This is a very good card, as it lasts more than just a turn. I think a fine replacement for ovinize is {Lignify}. It does exactly what you're looking for and lasts as long as it sticks.
Also, {Blue Sun's Zenith} is not an efficient way to draw cards. Imo the only decks that should run it are the ones that can make infinite mana. Even {Brainstorm} would be a good substitute for BSZ. It does far more for 1 mana than BSZ does for 4.

[Ekann1]

Always happy to help! As for weaker cards, I would never run any bounce lands in a deck, because of how far a {Strip Mine}d bounceland sets you back. If your turn 2 bounceland gets destroyed then your game is reset. I prefer guildgates over bounce lands.
Also, {Ovinize} doesn't do much. I see you have included {darksteel mutation}. This is a very good card, as it lasts more than just a turn. I think a fine replacement for ovinize is {Lignify}. It does exactly what you're looking for and lasts as long as it sticks.
Also, {Blue Sun's Zenith} is not an efficient way to draw cards. Imo the only decks that should run it are the ones that can make infinite mana. Even {Brainstorm} would be a good substitute for BSZ. It does far more for 1 mana than BSZ does for 4.

Yeah, I probably should cut the bounce lands anyway. Ovinize was to kill something in combat and BSZ  is slightly ok because I actually do have 1 infinite mana combo in this deck (I'll have more, and they'll be easier to get once I start having things like birthing pod)

Thanks for more suggestions.

[Arzair]

Suggest cutting  {Colossus of Akros} and  {Blue Sun's Zenith}

for  {Edric, Spymaster of Trest} or  {Bident of Thassa} or  {Coastal Piracy} ... The more of these the better, honestly don't underestimate the value of refilling your hand every single turn via combat.

[Ekann1]

Suggest cutting  {Colossus of Akros} and  {Blue Sun's Zenith}

for  {Edric, Spymaster of Trest} or  {Bident of Thassa} or  {Coastal Piracy} ... The more of these the better, honestly don't underestimate the value of refilling your hand every single turn via combat.

Good ideas, i just had the colossus in there for randomness with all my artifact mana.  Once I find some of those I'll put them in. thanks

[Ekann1]

what about {mystic snake} for this deck?

[Coffee Vampire]

I don't think it's good enough. Counters should be 2 mana or less, and the 2/2 body isn't worth the extra 2 mana. A 4 mana counter should give you much for than that, like {Cryptic Command}, or {Rewind} even. Maybe in a different deck {Mystic Snake} could find a home, but not one as tempo-oriented as Derevi. The fact that the 2/2 you get has synergy with Derevi makes the snake a tempting card, but you should still be doing a lot more than that when spending so much for a simple counter.

Here's a good note: a card with a drawback for paying less for an effect is usually better than a card that gives you an extra effect because you pay more for the original effect. For instance, {Swan Song} is good because you get to pay just 1 mana to counter a spell, with a minor drawback which can easily be dealt with (blockable with your general). However {Mystic Snake} lets you counter a spell, while forcing you to pay 2 extra mana for something that will probably not be relevant.

[Ekann1]

I don't think it's good enough. Counters should be 2 mana or less, and the 2/2 body isn't worth the extra 2 mana. A 4 mana counter should give you much for than that, like {Cryptic Command}, or {Rewind} even. Maybe in a different deck {Mystic Snake} could find a home, but not one as tempo-oriented as Derevi. The fact that the 2/2 you get has synergy with Derevi makes the snake a tempting card, but you should still be doing a lot more than that when spending so much for a simple counter.

Here's a good note: a card with a drawback for paying less for an effect is usually better than a card that gives you an extra effect because you pay more for the original effect. For instance, {Swan Song} is good because you get to pay just 1 mana to counter a spell, with a minor drawback which can easily be dealt with (blockable with your general). However {Mystic Snake} lets you counter a spell, while forcing you to pay 2 extra mana for something that will probably not be relevant.

I was just thinking {mystic snake} because of {deadeye navigator} awesomeness.