Help me Build a Basic Ikra Shidiqi // Tymna the Weaver Commander Deck
Commander Deck Help forum
Posted on Aug. 19, 2023, 7:56 p.m. by 8cardalchemy
Hi All,
I want to build an Ikra Shidiqi, the Usurper // Tymna the Weaver life gain commander deck. It will be used for semi-casual play at a LGS, so good players with decent decks but not a lot of bonkers combos going off by turn 5.
I have never been amazing a cooking up commander decks that actually function, especially on a budget. Can anyone help me put together a basic/affordable decklist that I can expand on with more expensive cards later (let's say sub $200, preferably closer to $100, price is a little flexible)?
So far, I have the following cards that I know will work here:
Deathrite Shaman Vito, Thorn of the Dusk Rose Swords to Plowshares Dina, Soul Steeper Voice of the Blessed Kambal, Consul of Allocation Willowdusk, Essence Seer Vampire Nighthawk Drana and Linvala Rodolf Duskbringer Rampant Growth Farseek
I also own both commanders, so that's $30 I don't need to worry about.
Any help is appreciated.
This thread was moved to a more appropriate forum (auto-generated comment)
August 20, 2023 9:53 a.m.
8cardalchemy says... #5
Here's something I did not paying attention to price so much. It's clocking in at abotu $300:Tymna / Ikra.
Acquireboard is stuff I don't have.
Questions:
- Is this going to work?
- Is this going to work if I swap out the high priced stuff for cheaper alternatives?
August 20, 2023 10:51 a.m.
Gidgetimer says... #6
You don't have the acquire board set to public, so other users can not see it.
Even if it was visible, it would help if you also had copies of the cards in the main board so that the site analytics show it. A large portion of "will this work" in commander comes down to average CMC and color balance.
August 20, 2023 4:01 p.m.
Gidgetimer says... #8
It should function at least well enough to playtest. All of the high dollar cards I see in the list seem like they would do well. Personally I would cut some lands for talismans and/or signets and run more multi-lands. You also need to cut a few plains for swamps, but I feel that the 10/10/10 of the basics might have just been a placeholder.
It all really comes down to what "so good players with decent decks but not a lot of bonkers combos going off by turn 5" actually is. I think that without tutors your plan is a little flimsy, but I also have a tendency to run a bit more Spikey than many people who play casual commander.
August 20, 2023 6:15 p.m.
8cardalchemy says... #9
It means that the Sneak Atrack precon I souped up with $25 of cards puts me basically in the middle of the pack most of the time.
I can add tutors in as I need when budget allows along with the rest of the money cards.
You think this is a decent way to go with this or is there a better plan?
August 20, 2023 7:04 p.m.
Gidgetimer says... #10
This seems a decent way to go without deviating wildly from your intended build. I'll leave a comment on the deck with some cards to consider either now or as you upgrade the deck.
August 20, 2023 7:12 p.m.
8cardalchemy says... #12
One more question: how would you think about what to cut first? Or is that a play test problem?
August 20, 2023 9:19 p.m.
Gidgetimer says... #13
That is kinda a big and open-ended question. There are many valid ways to go about evaluating how a card will perform in a deck (and therefore which ones to cut).
Personally I am a fan of considering a card in the context of when you are behind, at parity, and winning and if the card wouldn't be good in at least 2/3 then it should probably be cut. I didn't come up with this way of evaluating cards. I heard a pro talking about it (I forget who). It has, however, proven a really useful tool to me.
The trap that most people fall into is when they see a card that is really good when you are ahead of your opponent, but is only useful if your deck is already performing well. These cards are commonly referred to as "win more" (or "winmoar") cards. Looking at your deck I see a few cards that are win more. The largest offender I'd say is Accomplished Alchemist. It doesn't do nearly enough to justify a 4 mana casting cost unless you are already winning.
August 20, 2023 9:56 p.m.
8cardalchemy says... #14
That is some genuinely awesome advice that I would never have thought of. Thanks!
Gidgetimer says... #2
You are in Abzan and would gain life off of creatures dealing damage, so my initial thoughts would be to take a framework from a budget Ghave deck, cut the extreme edge case token synergies, then add soul sisters and lifegain payoffs. This may be colored by the fact that I have a budget Ghave deck that I am going to be using as a basis for the deck I'll link soon as an example of what I am thinking, but...
August 19, 2023 8:28 p.m.