Modern Dimir Combo

by NinjaStyle612 on 26 July 2014

Main Deck (60 cards)

Sideboard (15 cards)

Artifacts (1)


Submit a list of cards below to bulk import them all into your sideboard. Post one card per line using a format like "4x Birds of Paradise" or "1 Blaze", you can even enter just the card name by itself like "Wrath of God" for single cards.


Deck Description

First off, I would like to say that, while I welcome all criticism and suggestions, I am trying to make this combo more than a casual thing. I think it is fast enough to be Modern viable. We are not shooting for tier 1, but I do not think 1.5 is out of reach. Please keep that in mind when making suggestions.


This deck is based on the Mindcrank/ Bloodchief Ascension combo, but does not require three counters on BCA, since the card is not in the deck, and is instead replaced by Duskmantle Guildmage. This allows us to do a couple things: 1, it allows us to play better cards. The BCA version plays cards like Hideous End and other things that deal a bit of damage in addition to their ability (kill a non-black creature, in HE's case). We get to trim those for Doom Blade and Geth's Verdict to give us some range. Countersquall is a holdover from the BCA list, because I like the card. It could very easily be worse than Mana Leak, and may be replaced in the long run. I also ran Geralf's Messenger in the BCA list, and that is a powerful card, but a bad topdeck lategame. we lose him for Architects of Will, who, at their worst, become another card.

The Big thing we gain from not running Bloodchief Ascension is the ability to Transmute for our entire combo. both Mindcrank and Guildmage cost 2, so we have 11 tutors for them, that also fill other roles in the deck. Dimir Infiltrator can be a decent blocker, and a way to pressure planeswalkers, if needed. Muddle the Mixture is a counterspell, advancing out control strategy, and Shred Memory can be a blowout against Snapcaster Mage, Tarmogoyf, and other graveyard decks, all with the threat of just getting our combo.

Overall, I think the Guildmage build is simply more resilient than the Ascension build, as we just get to be a board control deck until we have 5-6 mana, then we have a combo that is difficult to interact with as a win condition.

How to Play

Sequencing is VERY important with this deck. You cannot just run out a naked guildmage on turn 2, as he is just a grizzly bear at that time, and will just die. Mindcrank, however, is probably safe to drop on 2.

The goal is to get to 5 lands with a Mindcrank on the board and a guildmage in hand.
Once we get to this point, we play mage, with enough mana up to activate his first ability. this way, if they try to kill him in our endstep, we can activate it, and when their spell goes to the yard, they start the infinite chain, and lose, unless they can destroy the Crank.
If they do not kill him on our turn, anything they do can become a way for us to win. if they attack with a creature that Mage can kill, they die, if they play an instant or sorcery, they die. about the only thing they can do is play permanents, which is fine, because we are a control deck, it shouldnt really advance their board too much.

Deck Tags

  • Dimir
  • Combo
  • Infinite
  • Competitive

Deck at a Glance

Social Stats

12
Likes

This deck has been viewed 4,853 times.

Mana Curve

Mana Symbol Occurrence

0263200

Card Legality

  • Not Legal in Standard
  • Legal in Modern
  • Legal in Vintage
  • Legal in Legacy

Deck discussion for Modern Dimir Combo

Infinite combos are nasty.
Running blue and black together is unfair!
Nice deck description and How to Play section.
Low mana curve. Mana symbol occurrence is balanced.

Missing draw cards to prevent top decking. That is the only small "flaw" i see.
Wish i played Modern more...maybe I could suggest cards to put in.

As is, it has my like!

0
Posted 26 July 2014 at 20:13

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Architects of Will do a lot of drawing a card, and Thought Scour serves as a way to draw cards, interrupt Scry, and start the combo, so maybe that should be a 4 of, but idk. maybe 4 thoughtseize is too many

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Posted 26 July 2014 at 20:19

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I understand you have a lot of deck search (11 transmute spells to be exact), but running another mindcrank in place of one Architects of Will might not be a bad idea. It's safer to drop than dusk mantle guildmage, and works nicely with Dimir Infiltrator and ... a lot of your instants.

I love the power of the transmute ability in this deck, which allows you to find whatever you happen to need. And that combo is just ... pure evil. I love it!

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Posted 27 July 2014 at 01:47

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thanks man. part of the power of transmute is not having to run 3-4 of the relevant combo pieces. I had a list that ran 4, and you just draw too many. you only need one, in most cases, and in games that you expect artifact hate, it is possible to complete the combo and go off in one turn, if you have enough mana, which just means you play the control role a little longer. Architects of Will fill a card draw role, and can step in to deal some damage if you need them to. its not a perfect backup plan, but its something :)

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Posted 27 July 2014 at 03:03

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True ... but I would prefer another 2 mana spell over 1 architect. This IS control, after all :).

I would like another Dimir Infiltrator ...

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Posted 28 July 2014 at 03:30

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This deck is definitely not competitive....

A bunch of transmute effects are cool, too bad besides Muddle they are completely useless outside of the transmute ability... I love that you can't counter Transmute(well you can with something like Squelch but those aren't really played in modern) though, so there is that.

What sucks about Transmute is you can only transmute as a sorcery and you are showing your opponent exactly what you plan to do, so they have a chance to find an answer.

What is Architects here for?

It's a cool combo when it works but it's wildly inconsistent, and easy to disrupt.



--
BTW do you play online at all? I would love to shut your mouth.

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Posted 02 August 2014 at 16:06

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Fight. Fight!!!

1
Posted 02 August 2014 at 16:22

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WorldStar!!

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Posted 02 August 2014 at 16:26

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I do play online. it would be nice to see you back up your bullshit.

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Posted 03 August 2014 at 01:16

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What is Architects for?

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Posted 03 August 2014 at 01:22

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youre the smart guy, you figure it out.

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Posted 03 August 2014 at 01:23

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Well the only thing i can think of
is that you're a bad deck builder
because it seems pretty useless to me.

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Posted 03 August 2014 at 01:42

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its possible that youre just an idiot.

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Posted 03 August 2014 at 01:43

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All you're doing with it is cycling. How is that worth while?

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Posted 03 August 2014 at 01:44

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you actually dont know what im doing with it.....as evidenced by the cluelessness of your responses.

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Posted 03 August 2014 at 01:47

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It doesn't do anything here... If it's something more than a 3/3 for 4, or a cycling ability then what is it doing? Giving your opponent bad draws? Rearranging your top 3 for 4 mana? All those options are terrible.

If it's something more than that i'll concede, and admit you're a better magic player. What does it do? What are you using it for that is so useful? Please enlighten me.

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Posted 03 August 2014 at 02:04

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you seem to think your opinion matters here, or that this is some kind of an argument to be won. If the only thing you have is that you dont like a card selection, kick rocks. You are an individual who's help I most certainly do not need. Seriously, you need to find something better to do with your time.

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Posted 03 August 2014 at 02:08

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Exaclty. It's terrible and you have no real reason to play it. You're terrible.

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Posted 03 August 2014 at 02:17

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good one, kid.

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Posted 03 August 2014 at 02:25

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Speaking of Architects...i could see where they would work nice with stuff like Brain Pry or Cabal Therapy (not Modern). Use Architects to know what is on top of their library (and in their library)...and then simply name their cards, and make them sack them with Brain Pry. Same deal with Cranial Extraction. Use Architects to know what is in their library...then just Cranial Extract their best stuff.

Memoricide, Cabal Therapy, Cranial Extraction, Brain Pry, Shimian Specter, Stain the Mind
Use Architect to set up their top card.
Use stuff like Sign In Blood to make them draw that top card, then nuke it with something like Cabal Therapy.
...sorry guys...kinda got a boner describing cards that I thought would work with Architect.

Sorry...off to make a new deck now.

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Posted 03 August 2014 at 02:29

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Lol. You still haven't given any reason for playing Architects Ninja. I don't need to say anything more. You're a scrub.

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Posted 03 August 2014 at 02:42

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youre picking fights on the internet. I dont need to justify myself to you.

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Posted 03 August 2014 at 03:00

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Not on either side of your argument...but every single time you call someone "scrub" I can't help but start singing:

"No, I don't want no scrub
A scrub is a guy that can't get no love from me
Hanging out the passenger side
Of his best friend's ride
Trying to holler at me."

Lol. You keep getting that crappy song stuck in my head!!!

Call people wankers, or something else. Stop with the "scrub" already!

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Posted 03 August 2014 at 03:00

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I guess i'll have to step my game up.

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Posted 03 August 2014 at 03:11

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Jessie, I'm dying of laughter here.

Ninja and Alleryway are throwing trash talk around in a nigh-meaningless attempt to prove who is a better player (at least ninja knows that the argument is pointless) ...

... and the whole time Jessie, you are singing and making a deck that actually uses architects of will. XD

Ninja, I see what you are doing with architects of will - setting up the top of your opponent's library to eat a well-timed mindcrank attack, or simply slowing them down. It has a pretty beefy body, just in case your opponent breaks through your control. Finally, Architects of Will can help you set up your own draw.

Even with all that ... I don't exactly like the architects in THIS deck. I am sure that whatever Jessie cooked up will abuse it to no reasonable end. In it's stead, I suggest Lasav, Dimir Mastermind. While he is not as splashable, he is an absolute powerhouse in this deck. Simply wait for your opponent's most powerful creature to land in the graveyard (or give a helpful nudge with doom blade or geth's verdict), then steal it. Oh, and it gains hexproof. Emkraul turn 4 ... oh hell yes.

Funnily enough ... lasav is also a 3/3, so he'd almost be worth including just for the hex proof and 3/3 body.

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Posted 04 August 2014 at 22:25

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most of the time, Architects are a bad Git Probe. I understand that this is not the most powerful card in its slot, but it is a body, or it draws a card. both things have proven relevant. I could easily run Delver in this deck, and have a fairly reliable offensive creature, but the upside of being able to cycle is actually very good. Lazav doesnt really fit into the deck, actually, because the majority of decks in the format (Modern) dont really run that many relevant dudes. I might get to copy a Bob or a Goyf, but, that doesnt seem all that great. Hexproof is relevant, but idk. Hitting an Emrakul with him would be absurd, though :)

Im sure Jessie will come up with something, and if he does, and its competitive, I will be happy to try it. Until then, ill keep tuning this one.

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Posted 04 August 2014 at 23:20

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In a deck where you can choose which enemy ends up in the graveyard with thought seize and doom blade, Lasav, Dimir Mastermind is pretty powerful.

Secondly, you don't really get ahead when you draw cards with Architects of Will, because when you are losing a card to gain a card, with no other benefits (unlike abundant growth, for example). Cycling is still freaking awesome though - it gives the card a ton of flexibility.

Understandbly, Lasav does not have a huge amount of utility in modern (said in a highly sarcastic voice) ... are you kidding? :) He could copy a serra angel and bring decks to their knees. Literally, he can and should steal any creature with a 4/4 body or greater and/or useful (usually static) abilities. He's not necessarily better than Architects of Will ... but putting him in the sideboard would be an excellent choice if you have to go up against black/white removal, green aggro, or red burn.

Lasav is also patently ridiculous in EDH, and therefore worth getting if you have the cash. I could only recommend Isamaru, Hound of Konda as a better commander.

Finally, I highly recommend disciple of deceit. It would let you lose several transmute spells, and while it can be countered, it also serves as a spell target and chump blocker if things get rough.

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Posted 05 August 2014 at 00:03

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Disciple was a consideration, but with the need to actually attack, or commit more card slots to something like Springleaf Drum to get the ability to work properly, it just isnt that good here.
Im not saying Lazav is bad, Im saying this isnt really a deck that wants to be doing that. at least not at this point. This deck is more about stalling to a combo kill than swinging in for damage.

I have a collection of legendary creatures, and am only missing about 12-13 or something. Ive been playing for WAY too long...lol.

My UB EDH deck is Skeleton Ship, because I think its more fun, but it is interchangeable with Lazav, as its essentially just a UB control deck. I played Purphoros at a local 1v1 EDH tourney this weekend, and did very well, making the top 8...Hes probably my favorite commander right now. Isamaru is cute, but playing mono white can be limiting, and I think I would rather play Darien or Elesh.

1
Posted 05 August 2014 at 00:11

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I get it ... you have been playing since revised.

One of my favorite commanders, hmm ... probably Aurelia or Gisela. I have an ... appreciation for angels.

I have an important question ... which avatar is your favorite? Mine is Kaldra.

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Posted 05 August 2014 at 00:26

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I dont really mess around with the Avatars as a tribe....I guess Death's Shadow or Progenitus...its worth noting that all the new "Soul" cards are Avatars, and a couple of them look pretty fun.

Edit: Marit Lage is an Avatar, so Im gonna go with that guy...:)

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Posted 05 August 2014 at 00:32

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Ugh, the card is impossible! Just too slow. Tried to do a blue/black deck with stuff like lobotomy. Architects of Will is just too slow..it combos with a few stuff...but if you aren't running stuff like Medallions and Familiars to make your stuff cheaper...ugh.

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Posted 05 August 2014 at 02:57

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lol. its just a 4 drop, man. its not that dramatic.

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Posted 05 August 2014 at 03:02

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lol. Was trying to run telepathy. lobotomy, surgical extraction, cabal therapy, architects of will, stuff like that.
It is just aggravating. lol

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Posted 05 August 2014 at 03:21

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yeah, building around subpar cards can be tough. I run this guy in Pauper where it does nothing but draws 100% of the time, as its in a Jund colored deck that cannot even cast it.

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Posted 05 August 2014 at 03:28

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That's pretty funny.

It might be interesting in a dimir deck ...

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Posted 05 August 2014 at 05:54

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The card is useless here. And this is a poorly designed deck.

-2
Posted 05 August 2014 at 14:13

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Name a problem other than the architects of will, and I will agree with you.

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Posted 05 August 2014 at 15:25

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the only problem here is Jack. Hes an internet tough guy, nothing more.
Architects isnt even a problem. its not the most powerful card in its slot, but it is very rarely a 4 drop, its usually just an extra card at their EoT. Sometimes its a backup plan. it is a 3/3. thats why its not Git Probe. it draws a card. Thats why its not Delver. if you can suggest a better card, for the slot, I will try it out.

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Posted 05 August 2014 at 23:59

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As I already said, you might want to sideboard Lasav. Other than that ... I got nothing. Architects us an amazingly flexible card, and plugs all those holes.

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Posted 06 August 2014 at 00:10

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yeah.. as ive said, its not in here because its the best, its in here to be multiple cards at once. The deck is just so full with combo related stuff and control elements that there isnt much room for other stuff. Im working on trimming and finding a better alternative.

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Posted 06 August 2014 at 00:14

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I'm thinking that if you got card draw from something else, you could find a better alternative.

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Posted 06 August 2014 at 00:17

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its possible. Cryptic Command or Remand could be better than CounterSquall

1
Posted 06 August 2014 at 00:43

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I have a similar deck (which I need to post). It keeps up with a lot of modern decks, but I run a couple of different things. I run Aether Vial's to get Duskmantle out. You can put him out and activate his ability without worrying about removal or countering. Also, Ghost Quarter is a good way to start the combo too. Also have a couple of Gutshots in my deck to start the combo for no mana, gives you a Turn 3 kill.

Turn 1 Cast Aether Vial
Turn 2 Counter on Aether Vial, Cast Mindcrank
Turn 3 Counter on Aether Vial, Aether Vial in Duskmantle Guildmage, activate his ability, Gutshot for the win

Essence Scatter/Remove Soul is a good sideboard for creature heavy decks. I main deck Mana Leak and Countersquall, but Remand is a good option too.

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Posted 08 August 2014 at 17:51

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I like these additions. Ill toy with it a bit. thanks for the ideas. I may end up losing Countersquall for the versatility and card draw of remand, but who knows.

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Posted 08 August 2014 at 22:41

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Here is my version:

http://www.mtgvault.com/bdg24/decks/mdrn-turn3-infinite-millkill/

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Posted 13 August 2014 at 22:51

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