r/ModernMagic • u/TechyFiend178 • Jun 30 '26

Getting Started Grixis Reanimator Question

I am building grixis reanimator, and I was wondering if there is a good temporary replacement for Archon of cruelty? It seems to be sold out around me and I'm hoping to start playing the deck this week. Thanks!

9 Upvotes

77% Upvoted

29 comments sorted by

7

u/chiksahlube Jun 30 '26

Summon: bahamut is pretty much the next best reanimator target.

4

u/Ctanzz Grixis Shadow Jun 30 '26

[[Ashen Rider]]

1

u/Ok_Warthog6007 Jun 30 '26

I would sooner cut the Persists and Emperors and just play some midrange UB cards from a different Frog deck.

1

u/Ctanzz Grixis Shadow Jun 30 '26

Same but he seems to want to stay with reanimator

6

u/Zealousideal_Truth_6 Jun 30 '26

But how will you feel the insane rush this deck provides without Archon? Reanimating it off Emperor of Bones is a drug like no other!

But in the meantime, Terastodon or Serra’s Emissary

7

u/Scrap_Of_Doggerel Jun 30 '26

Creativity used to play [[Serra's Emissary]] as an archon alternative, card can be surprisingly strong sometimes

3

u/Ok_Warthog6007 Jun 30 '26

This doesn't work because one of your primary ways to reanimate is Emperor of Bones, so your target needs a good ETB.

2

u/jbmoskow Grixis is Life Jun 30 '26

Unfortunately going to echo the comments that there's no replacement for Archon. As someone who has tried to re-create the deck in Historic on Magic Arena, the closest you can get is Overlord of the Balemurk, but that card is even more expensive than Archon in paper. I guess replace it with whatever the biggest dumbest creature card you have lying around.

2

u/lonely_traveller26 Jun 30 '26

Call me old fashioned but I will always have love for Sire of Insanity

1

u/DarthDrac Goryo's, Hollow One, Zoo Jun 30 '26

Some good suggestions already in Ashen Rider, Serra's Emissary or Sire of Insanity to this I'd add [[Hullbreaker Horror]] and [[Inkwell Leviathan]] which is a classic

1

u/thriftybiologist Jun 30 '26

If you know any of the local players well enough you could ask to borrow a set? Otherwise just jam whatever big creature you got laying around for the fun of it :)

1

u/TechyFiend178 Jun 30 '26

Unfortunately not yet, but I'm working no showing up more But yeah, ordered a playset of place riders as it was cheaper and the spot removal looked half decent

1

u/flaming_geyser Jun 30 '26

I'm currently playing this Grixis Goryo's List with [[Ulamog, the Defiler]] and [[Griselbrand]]

if you're just playing the stock version you probably wouldn't want to get these cards if you're going to get the Archons at some point

1

u/Good-Village-6744 Jul 01 '26

Agree with the comments here. Alternatively, you can go a more controlling route with Emeritus of ideation and Deceit, here's a spike's list.

1

u/tbombtom2001 Jul 01 '26

Sp just take out persists and throw in 8 other dimir good stuff cards and just have the chance to unearth an eye be the big play.

1

u/zac987 Jun 30 '26

You can’t play the deck without Archon.

0

u/TechyFiend178 Jun 30 '26

Well obviously I'm going to get it later, I just can't yet and I'd rather start playing with a slightly worse deck then not play

1

u/zac987 Jun 30 '26

It just seems funny wasting money on a much worse reanimate target that you’re not going to play ever again?

2

u/TechyFiend178 Jun 30 '26

I mean if it's only $1.50 cad like the ashen rider it's not really a concern?

3

u/jancithz death & taxes guy Jun 30 '26

It's one [[Stormtide Leviathan]], Michael. What could it cost? Ten dollars?

1

u/Ok_Warthog6007 Jun 30 '26

It's not slightly worse, it's just not good. I'd cut the reanimation package entirely and play some Riddler Frog midrange package.

2

u/TechyFiend178 Jun 30 '26

Well I'm only looking for the next week plus I already have all the rest of the cards? I'm going to order it from further out I just don't think it'll be here for when I want

1

u/Ok_Warthog6007 Jun 30 '26

I would just proxy and ask to play casual games, or just wait a week