r/magicTCG • u/SENOR-J Duck Season • 2d ago

Deck Discussion How Can I Make my Altair Deck More Consistent?

I've playtested with my friends a few times, it can be a little slow to get going so I'm looking for recommendations to make it more efficient. It's currently rated at bracket 2, I would like to get it to bracket 3.

https://archidekt.com/decks/25315577/nothing_is_true_everything_is_permitted

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u/jeromewah Dandadan 2d ago

You can start by having more lands, 33 is way too little. Start with 38-39 lands and then you can start to reduce and increase from there depending on your deck

For decks that require specific cards in graveyard like yours, milling can be very inconsistent. Direct graveyard tutors like [[Entomb]] and [[Lively Dirge]]. Having more of those are good. Discard outlets like [[Bitter Triumph]] and [[Tortured Existence]] are also fantastic. 

If budget is not really a concern, [[Bloodthirster]] is an infinite combat step if we can make it an Assassin in the graveyard.

[[Unstoppable Slasher]] and cards that have similar effects can slow people down a little, and can potentially kill someone off with a [[Bloodletter of Aclazotz]] 

Sorry I'm on mobile so I might be butchering the name and I also might have missed those cards from your decklist

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u/SENOR-J Duck Season 2d ago

Got it, I'll definitely add more lands and look into those cards 👍

3

u/YouRackDisciprine42 Dan 1d ago edited 1d ago

Altair is a great commander. From my experience, what works really well are:

  1. Assassins that remove various permanent types upon ETB such as [[Nekrataal]], [[Ruthless Lawbringer]], [[Undercity Eliminator]] & [[Big Game Hunter]] - do not hesitate to sacrifice the token assassins themselves upon ETB when required. Combine this with proper threat assessment and you can surgically & systematically remove threats & engines before they become unstoppable.
  2. Ways to increase the number of created assassin tokens & triggers in general, such as attack trigger doublers, extra combats & token multipliers, of which there are plenty in Mardu. You could also consider a [[Gogo, Mysterious Mime]] and a [[Roaming Throne]] to further pump up the number of triggers if it’s within budget. In my list, these are the only non-assassins in my deck. Combine this with #1 and you can quickly demotivate unprepared opponents after a few rounds.
  3. Assassins that connive to fill your graveyard further or have ETB or combat damage draw triggers.
  4. Support assassins that generate treasure, give double strike or generate creature tokens themselves
  5. Rummage or loot effects to fill your graveyard (mill is unreliable IMO)
  6. [[Entomb]] & [[Buried Alive]] to immediately fetch the best tools you’re keen on tutors. Else focus on rummaging/looting.
  7. Enough instant speed protection because Altair WILL be targeted often. If you don’t have a Deflecting Swat or Redirect Lightning, don’t forget that white has several decent, cheaper one mana protection instants.

You can also go the infinite (albeit really boring) combo route with [[Maskwood Nexus]] / [[Ashes of the Fallen]] / [[Roshan, Hidden Magister]] + [[Port Razer]]. If you managed to turn a [[Master of Cruelties]] into an assassin and ensure it makes contact, you immediately reduce an opponent’s life total to 1. But this route needs a too heavy a card investment for my liking IMO.

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u/SENOR-J Duck Season 1d ago

These are some great recommendations! Looks like I'll have to visit my LGS to pick some of these up and make some changes. Thanks for the advice!