Should I Put Caustic Caterpillar and Deadly Brew Into this Deck?
Commander Deck Help forum
Posted on March 19, 2023, 4:25 p.m. by DemonDragonJ
I am contemplating putting both Caustic Caterpillar and Deadly Brew into my Meren of Clan Nel Toth EDH deck, but I am not certain which cards I should replace with them, or if I should even do so, at all.
I imagine that Caustic Caterpillar could replace Abrupt Decay, because, while I fully acknowledge that Abrupt Decay is an awesome card, the caterpillar works better with the sacrifice theme that this deck has, and Deadly Brew could replace Village Rites, since I already have numerous cards that allow me to sacrifice creatures to draw cards.
What does everyone else say about this? Should I put Deadly Brew and Caustic Caterpillar into my Meren deck?
GodzSoldier says... #3
After looking at your decklist, there are ALOT of cards that I feel are really mana intensive. For sacrificing costs, and just total CMC. I would recommend looking at a Tehsa deck or some really strong aristocrats deck and steal some better card ideas for sacrificing and pinging people. Like claws of gix IS REALLY BAD LOL. Also, I find a land count between 32-36 is a really good safe spot to scale well. So I'd cut a few lands for some better cards like skullclamp or something. Not only will your deck go faster, but will hit nothing but gas!
March 19, 2023 6:43 p.m.
DemonDragonJ says... #4
GodzSoldier, I actually did not at all notice that Deadly Brew was a sorcery, not an instant, so I have changed my mind about it.
As for Claws of Gix, I have that card in this deck because it allows me to sacrifice any permanent, not merely creatures, which has actually been useful, on certain occasions.
March 19, 2023 7:54 p.m.
I might take a look at Cankerbloom. In a lot of ways I'd say it's better than good'ol Caustic Caterpillar. In Meren the proliferate could also be useful.
March 20, 2023 2:03 a.m.
DemonDragonJ says... #7
Abaques, yes, that is a very good suggestion, and the fact that its activated ability is less expensive than that of Caustic Caterpillar is highly relevant, since I can simply bypass its normal casting cost by reanimating it with Meren.
March 20, 2023 10:16 p.m.
livan_nunes says... #8
I checked your list and based on that I say replace 2 basic lands, until you have enough data from actual play. Eventually you will decide better if you want to keep them, replace them for real or and not getting the lands back.
GodzSoldier says... #2
While Im no Meren expert, I do have alot of experience with creature golgari decks. I highly recommend NOT using caustic. While it does have its uses, as is a creature. You will never want to choose this over a better card with Meren. Whether that's a rec sage or another creature removal. While caustic is cheap, it's pretty much a 3 mana removal. I'd honestly say assassin's trophy would be a way better and more consistent removal spell despite it lacking synergy with your commander. But abrupt decay is still good. But keep in mind it won't answer real scary threats like smothering tithe and doubling season. If you're going to spend 3 mana on a removal, you might as well run beasts within you know? I'm sure you have enough creature synergy as it is. Don't be greedy. Deadly brew has different Weaknesses. not only is it not instant speed, but it's very easy to avoid. If you wanted to destroy a person's commander, you most likely wouldn't because they'll have one more creature. Plus, you have to sac a creature. And while I haven't seen your decklist, I'm sure the only creature you'd want to die would be a stitcher's supplier. So I'd recommend something else
March 19, 2023 6:34 p.m.