4 Minamo Scrollkeeper
4 Jushi Apprentice
2 Dimir Guildmage
4 Goblin Flectomancer
3 Ogre Savant
2 Soratami Seer
4 Azami, Lady of Scrolls
4 Niv-Mizzet, the Firemind
4 Izzet Signet
2 Spectral Searchlight
1 Overwhelming Intellect
1 Honden of Infinite Rage
1 Honden of Seeing Winds
6 Island
3 Mountain
4 Steam Vents
4 Shivan Reef
4 Izzet Boilerworks
1 Minamo, School at Water's Edge
1 Shinka, the Bloodsoaked Keep
1 Mikokoro, Center of the Sea |
  Lady
of Cursed Scrolls.
Description of deck by its author (quoted):
Since my irreversible conversion to
Spike-hood, I've grown to dislike big, dumb “noob” creatures, such as
Dragons. Sure they might look cool, with their breath of fire and their
stubby little arms. I don't play cards because they are cool. Dragons
just cost way too much. I would much prefer a Jackal Pup to a Jackal
Dragon. Seriously, other than Keiga, Kokusho, Yosei, Furnace Whelp,
Fledgling Dragon, Covetous Dragon, Rathi Dragon, Imperial Hellkite,
Kilnmouth Dragon, Rorix Bladewing, Rith, Crosis, Dromar, Dragon Tyrant,
Eternal Dragon, Nicol Bolas, Clockwork Dragon, Worldgorger Dragon,
Draco, and Two-Headed Dragon, what other Dragons have ever seen play in
high-level tournaments? That's right, there's only one: Niv-Mizzet, the
Firemind.
That's probably because Niv-Mizzet is a Wizard. Wizards
are for Spikes, plain and simple. Just look at the cards designed by the
winners of Magic Invitational. Except for Avalanche Riders, Rootwater
Thief, and Solemn Simulacrum, they're all Wizards! Luckily for me, a
reader whose email I've inadvertently misplaced (not lost!), sent me a
neat, simple, dare I say, elegant combo: Niv-Mizzet, the Firemind + Azami,
Lady of Scrolls. With Niv-Mizzet on the table, Azami turns all of your
little wizards into little Niv-lings. Draw a card, ping you. Draw a card,
ping you. Azami goes from being a Lady of Scrolls, to a Lady of Cursed
Scrolls.
From there, it became apparent that the deck would want
a lot of Wizards, so I figured I might as well make it for Tribal Wars.
What's a Lady of Scrolls without a Scrollkeeper? Minamo Scrollkeeper is a
fine man, providing early defense and making sure people pay the fines on
their overdue scrolls. I'm looking at you Kird Ape. The card drawing
Wizards – Jushi Apprentice, Dimir Guildmage, and Soratami Seer – seem like
no-brainers. Niv-Mizzet and Tomoya the Revealer are completely absurd
together. Since we're in Red/Blue, I thought I'd try out Goblin
Flectomancer. I was very impressed. The mana is tricky, but once he's on
the table, your opponent will have to spend at least two cards to kill
your important creatures (usually Niv-Mizzet), usually losing another card
in the process (due to being Deflected). Ogre Savant is fun, too, and does
a passable Man-o'-War impression. The last cards I added were one each of
the Blue and Red Hondens. Combined, they're a lot like Niv-Mizzet. In
enchantment form. |
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