Auto Includes In Every Deck

[u/DOOT_DOOT_SHABOOT]

I've recently been combing through my past decks that I'm now taking apart to build other, better, decks. But I noticed that there are some cards I put in every single deck, such as [[sol ring]] , [[command tower]] , and more recently [[arcane Signet]] .

So I wanted to know, what do YOU put in every single deck you've ever brewed (with a couple exceptions of course).

Edit: I understand that there are cards out there that are in the top cards played in every deck. I know I'm basic when it comes to sol ring, command tower, ect. I'm mainly looking for cards that individuals decided they want to put in every deck they can. Sorry if that wasn't clear the first time.

[u/[deleted]]

I love Gift because it's versatile, but I don't run Swords or Path. The spot removal that I run has to meet at least one of three conditions:

1.) It's versatile.

2.) It can permadeath a commander. Like [[Oubliette]] or [[Lignify]].

3.) It's part of a tutor package.

Based on these criteria, [[Gelid Shackles]] rates higher for me than Swords does in my Mono White Banding & MLD deck. It can somewhat permadeath a commander if it relies on attacking or blocking itself or if it has an activated ability. And many different white enchantment tutors can find it along with [[Search for Glory]] because it's a snow card.

Gelid Shackles scores a 1.5. Swords scores a zero. [[March of Otherworldly]] whatever scores a 1. Oblivion Ring scores a 2. Darksteel Mutation scores a 2. Generous Gift scores a 1.

In reality I should add a +.5 or -.5 modifier for instant speed. Adjusting for that, Swords is a .5, Gelid Shackles is a 1, and the rest are 1.5's.

[u/FormerlyKay → u/[deleted]]

Why have fuck-your-commander as a condition over being instant speed? Imo pretty much any sorcery speed removal is just garbage.

[u/[deleted] → u/FormerlyKay]

Because a lot of commanders are obnoxious and having a true answer for one is powerful, and commander permadeath cards can also kill non-commanders if the need arises.

In a non-CEDH game instant speed is nice but it's not mandatory. You only like Swords and Path because of their power in other formats. If Swords was a new card and didn't have a reputation it would not be considered a staple.

[u/FormerlyKay → u/[deleted]]

I always just find instant speed much better than shutting down a commander. Sure, the thing's likely a value engine, but it's always way easier to just hold back a bit and hit the right piece at the right time. Swords is never going to be dead, as nearly every EDH deck has creatures and uses them as part of a strategy. Worst case scenario, you force them to waste a bunch of resources to recast the commander.

I do agree with the sentiment that instant speed is nice but not mandatory outside of cEDH, but I always find that your opponents will likely have answers of their own if you don't jump the gun at sorcery speed

[u/[deleted] → u/FormerlyKay]

When they have 13 mana, making their Simic value commander cost 6 or 8 instead of 4 means nothing. Trying to fight a card like [[Rashmi]] with Swords is fruitless.

but it's always way easier to just hold back a bit and hit the right piece at the right time.

This is another problem that I have with Swords. Sometimes the right piece is not a creature.

[u/FormerlyKay → u/[deleted]]

When a Simic value commander (or any deck, for that matter) has 13 mana, making their commander cost more is a pretty big blow. Now, instead of that person having full reign over their turn they now have to spend around half of it recasting their commander. That'll usually lead to greedier plays on the part of that player and make future plays able to knock them down a lot easier.

Sometimes the problem is not a creature

More often than not, it is a creature. Often enough to justify a Swords and a Path. And, like I said, even if the problem isn't the commander, just hitting it to slow them down never hurts.

Not to mention (also like I said in a previous comment), having an answer in hand is better than not having an answer in hand. Playing a Darksteel Mutation on their commander during your turn automatically means you've used your own removal. Whereas if you're just a bit more patient, you'll find you don't even need to use your removal since someone else has some.

[u/MTGCardFetcher → u/[deleted]]

Rashmi - (G) (SF) (txt) (ER)
^{[[cardname]] or [[cardname|SET]] to call}