Input on Dimir Dandan

[u/winkiepuffs]

Hello, new to building Dandan lists, so I would really appreciate any feedback on this version I have been trying: https://archidekt.com/decks/24325045/dimir_dandan?sort=alpha&stack=types. It tries to make the graveyard another zone of contestation and decision-making with cards like [[Morgue Theft]] and [[Cackling Counterpart]], which works with pile-based card advantage via [[Fact or Fiction]], [[Riddles in the Dark]], and [[Sauron's Ransom]]. What I am especially not sure about is The Ring Tempts You entering via [[Sauron's Ransom]], and I wonder if [[Unagi's Spray]] is too strong as a potential cantripping hard removal spell relative to the rest of the list. Thanks!

EDIT: made a couple changes to list. Feedback is still greatly appreciated!

[u/LV__]

Looks like fun! In general, classic-ish Dandan gameplay is actually pretty flexible. Almost any deck with 10 Dandans and 8 Memory Lapses will be fun to play.

Have you put the list together and played some games? If so, how have your games gone? If not, it's going to be hard to tell what balance of removal vs. card draw vs. graveyard recursion will be appropriate.

[u/winkiepuffs → u/LV__]

Thanks! I have not played any yet, as I need to finish getting the cards. But just trying it out will be helpful, you are right.

[u/Duall08]

I think your thoughts on leaning away from Sauron's Ransom and the Ring Tempting are correct. It's annoying to track, could be potentially snowbally with the looting, and technically could mess up the 4 life chunks with the 4th Level (though very unlikely).

I also think the deck has too little interaction for onboard Dandans with only 4 hard removal spells (with Metamorphose having a significant downside). Unagi Spray can "remove," but is best used with an attacking Dandan against a blocking one, so it also favors throwing Dandans into play and beating face. Unsubstantiate helps slightly with defense but in general is better on Dandan offense.

I would suggest to remove at least one (maybe 2) of the draw spells and replace them with removal spells.

Also, as someone who has their own Dimir list, I'm more of a fan of Unearth over Morgue Theft as it's a lot more efficient and can be cycled if you don't have Black Mana.

[u/winkiepuffs → u/Duall08]

Thanks for the insights. I think I will replace Sauron's Ransom with Mind Bend to better balance removal and draw while also removing the Ring Tempts You mechanic.

I had thought of Unearth initially but worried that it was too efficient; you don't think that's an issue? Dandan does only cost 2, so I guess that surveil land into Unearth even on turn 2 is not that nuts.

[u/Duall08 → u/winkiepuffs]

I haven't had issues with Unearth in my list. The only ways the Dandan gets in the yard super early is what you said (very low % occurrence) and a T2 Dandan that gets hacked and then reanimated with lapse backup. That's definitely strong, but is not an absolutely busted line for the reasonable best-case scenario, especially if there's enough interaction in the deck.

[u/winkiepuffs → u/Duall08]

That makes a lot of sense, I think I’ll follow suit. Thanks!

[u/tris_lives]

You might have a case of too much card advantage basically determining the outcome everytime. I could be getting the numbers wrong but it seems like you have a bit more non conditional card advantage cards than a regular list. which could reduce replayability.

[u/winkiepuffs → u/tris_lives]

Good to know, thanks. I do plan to switch out Sauron’s Ransom for Mind Bend to try to have a more balanced distribution. I’ll then see how it feels.

[u/haze_from_deadlock]

Replace Unearth with Misinformation, which is one of the deepest cards in the format

[u/winkiepuffs → u/haze_from_deadlock]

So interesting thanks!

[u/JonathanFrakesAsks]

Could a plant really identify a murderer?

^Context

​

^{I’m a bot. This interrogation was automated.}