{"ops":[{"insert":"This deck is a commander version of my modern & legacy mono white Death and Taxes deck (DnT). While some DnT classics like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Leonin Arbiter"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Batterskull"}},{"insert":" are missing from the deck, i've tried to keep the deck true to the spirit of DnT "},{"attributes":{"strike":true},"insert":"so it doesn't become a mono white Rule of Law stax deck."},{"insert":" \n\nIt has become a Rule of Law deck...\n\n\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true,"bold":true},"insert":"Pre-game talk to introduce the deck: "},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nThis is a bracket 3 mono white blink deck that wins on combat damage and it runs no combo's. \n\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true,"bold":true},"insert":"Why "},{"attributes":{"underline":true,"bold":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Gilraen, Dúnedain Protector"}},{"attributes":{"underline":true,"bold":true},"insert":" ?"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nGilraen is the only commander, perhaps even the only card, that offers both a \"fast flicker\" and a \"slow flicker\". This is very important because both types of flickers have their uses. A slow flicker can act as protection to boardwipes by returning the creature at the end of turn, while a fast flicker can re-use interaction at instant speed, like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Aven Interrupter"}},{"insert":" , a card that is completelly useless when \"slow flickered\". \n\nIt's unfortunate that you have to tap gilraen, i would love to see her ability costed like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Abuelo, Ancestral Echo"}},{"insert":", however, 2 mana is a lot cheaper than 3 and we have ways to activate her more than once each turn cycle. \n\nWhy not "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Phelia, Exuberant Shepherd"}},{"insert":" ? (or other blink commanders)"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nThe first version of this deck did run phelia as the commander. However, as i am an \"island-go\" control player, i don't want to flicker 1 thing during my turn on an attack trigger. I want to flicker things in response. Phelia is just another kind of blink deck, more value focused instead of interaction based. You'll see no "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Spirited Companion"}},{"insert":" -like cards in gilraen, i prefer to save my blink activation for my "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Skyclave Apparition"}},{"insert":" .\n\nHow strong is this deck?"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nThis is a bracket 3 deck. It's on the higher scale of the bracket 3 spectrum and can be very oppressive, especially if the other decks at the table are low on interaction and/or experience. The deck CAN be oppresive, but it doesn't have to be. With 8 tutors you can adjust to match powerlevels. Where the deck truelly shines is when there's clearly one \"technically bracket 3\" deck at the table. You know, the \"casual bracket 3 edgar markov\" players. The deck has the tools to deal with that and focus on players with a power discrepancy. (They won't like that, but they could have picked another deck)\n\nI would feel comfortable playing it at bracket 4, but it's not built for bracket 4. For that, it would need some additional hatebears. \n"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Card discussion. Not all cards will be discussed, no need to explain why "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Path to Exile"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Swords to Plowshares"}},{"insert":" are in a deck.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true,"bold":true},"insert":"Protection:"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nGilraen offers protection to most of your other creatures, so having things to protect gilraen is key. The deck runs 2 kinds of protection:\nSingle target: "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mother of Runes"}},{"insert":" ,"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Skrelv, Defector Mite"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Giver of Runes"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Devoted Caretaker"}},{"insert":" (the last one isn't limited to targetting creatures, which is sometimes very relevant)"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Board protection: either giving your permanents indestructible with cards like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Flare of Fortitude"}},{"insert":" or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Dawn's Truce"}},{"insert":" or slow flicker your creatures it with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ghostway"}},{"insert":" or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Eerie Interlude"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nNotable exclusion: i dislike "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Teferi's Protection"}},{"insert":" and i don't want my permanents phased out for a full turn cycle. This deck also doesn't really have the 'punching power' to cast it in response of a boardwipe and then hit back really hard in your next turn. At least "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ghostway"}},{"insert":" -like cards give you some ETB's.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true,"bold":true},"insert":"Ramp: "},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nRamp is very hard in mono white. No, blinking "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Knight of the White Orchid"}},{"insert":" isn't as good as you think. This deck doesn't run catchup ramp because you want to hit a land drop each turn and past turn 3, catchup ramp fails unless you've built your manabase around it. Notable included ramp:\n\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Aether Vial"}},{"insert":" : this is one of the defining DnT cards. A turn 1 aether vial is very powerful (and very fun) while it's very mediocre late game. Leave it at 3 counters. Thats where the removal is and aether vial gives those cards uncounterable and flash. There are fewer things more satisfying than 'vialing in ' an "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Archon of Emeria"}},{"insert":" when someone starts a storm turn. Aether Vial is also a nice way to 'break parity'"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Myriad Landscape"}},{"insert":": gets you two plains which helps with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Emeria, the Sky Ruin"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"H.E.R.B.I.E. Scout Unit"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Solemn Simulacrum"}},{"insert":" : decent blink targets. I'm considering "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Kor Cartographer"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Gleaming Splendor"}},{"insert":" : You can't always have "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Spirit of the Labyrinth"}},{"insert":" out and i dislike "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Smothering Tithe"}},{"insert":" . The card is really good, espically with the spirit out, it becomes a 3 mana draw a card or a political tool."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Dauntless Scrapbot"}},{"insert":": exile graveyards and get a "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Wayfarer's Bauble"}},{"insert":" ? Yes please."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Wayfarer's Bauble"}},{"insert":": it's probably the only non-conditional land ramp we've got in mono white."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true,"bold":true},"insert":"Stax/hatebears:"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nI've tried to keep the amount of hatebears and stax pieces to a minimum. But, based on playing in my playgroup, i've been slowely increasing them because the deck was to \"nice\" without them. Consider cutting some of them in favor of more removal if your playgroup isn't that fond of "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Rule of Law"}},{"insert":" .\n\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Rule of Law"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Eidolon of Rhetoric"}},{"insert":" , "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Archon of Emeria"}},{"insert":": Activating gilraen to flicker a removal spell is our main gameplan, so we're not to worried about only casting 1 spell per turn. I might consider "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Deafening Silence"}},{"insert":", it's cheap, but it doesn't stop those pesky elves."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Damping Sphere"}},{"insert":" (Currently not in deck): a pseudo rule of law and actually very good against spellslinger. Also, i see cradles at my bracket 3 tables... "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Stone of Erech"}},{"insert":" is premium graveyard hate. It's included over "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Rest in Peace"}},{"insert":" because of it's \"tutorability\" and card draw."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":" "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Vexing Bauble"}},{"insert":" should be in every bracket 3 deck, preferably along a few tutors that can find it. This cards stops obvious things like free spells and cascade. The more \"unfair\" a deck is, the more it will suffer from a vexing bauble. It's also great at identifying \"technically bracket 3 decks\", because the player complaining about it, or trying to remove it, is probably that person who's gamechangers are "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Force of Will"}},{"insert":" , "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Fierce Guardianship"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Deflecting Swat"}},{"insert":". You know who."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Phyrexian Revoker"}},{"insert":" is a silver bullet for a lot of commanders with activated abilities. It can also stop mana abilities from nonland sources. "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Spirit of the Labyrinth"}},{"insert":" is sometimes a necesairy evil. Everybody likes to draw cards, but when somebody is disproportionally drawing more, go find this spirit. Our card draw is bad anyways and easily spread out over other turs, so we don't suffer that much from it."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Thalia, Guardian of Thraben"}},{"insert":": this card used to be so good in modern, legacy and even vintage. When every non creature spell costs 0 or 1 mana, increasing that cost by 1 is a huge tax. Sadly, Thalia isn't that good in EDH and is mostly included for nostalgic reasons. However, a turn 2 Thalia when you're in a favorable seat (first or second) can really mess with people's turn 2 or 3 ramp."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Aven Mindcensor"}},{"insert":": even at bracket 3, people should play more tutors and thus playing search hate is important. I have played "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Leonin Arbiter"}},{"insert":" but that card is very hard to \"enforce\" at bracket 3 because people will just try to take their action back if they can't pay 2. And I know you shouldn't allow those rewinds, but it becomes very hard to enforce. At least with mindcensor, they get to look at the top 4 and enforcing that can be funny."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Soulless Jailer"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Drannith Magistrate"}},{"insert":": These are great, just be carefull dropping a magistrate turn 2. Both cards have nice synergies with some of our \"cast from exile\" removal like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Aven Interrupter"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Soul Partition"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Lightstall Inquisitor"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Aerial Extortionist"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true,"bold":true},"insert":"Tutors:"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nTutors are important. People who say that this goes against the spirit of EDH can have that opinion at bracket 1 or 2.\n\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Urza's Saga"}},{"insert":": finds "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Aether Vial"}},{"insert":" , "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Stone of Erech"}},{"insert":" , "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Vexing Bauble"}},{"insert":" ,"},{"insert":{"card-link":"World Map"}},{"insert":" or just a "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Sol Ring"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Recruiter of the Guard"}},{"insert":": needs no explanation, get some removal, an untapper ("},{"insert":{"card-link":"Drumbellower"}},{"insert":" ), card draw ("},{"insert":{"card-link":"Enduring Innocence"}},{"insert":" ) or just go for extra value with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Delney, Streetwise Lookout"}},{"insert":" ."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Search for Glory"}},{"insert":": It finds legendaries like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Sting, the Glinting Dagger"}},{"insert":" , "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx"}},{"insert":" , "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Loran of the Third Path"}},{"insert":" and our only saga: "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Urza's Saga"}},{"insert":" I haven't included any snow lands because you shouldn't be waisting this tutor on a land."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Pyre of Heroes"}},{"insert":": This card is an underrated value engine. The deck is constructed in such a way that you can get most things. The important creature types are human, cleric and soldier. Minor lines are phyrexian, spirit and wizard. Not all lines are \"complete\", as in, you cant always get from 1 cmc creature type X all the way to 4 cmc of the same creature type. Notably, clerics is missing a 2 cmc cleric, but remember that both "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Devoted Caretaker"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mother of Runes"}},{"insert":" have errata to include the human subtype. Use the \"Category (multiples)\" group option to visualise the lines."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true,"bold":true},"insert":"Untappers: "},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nUntapping gilraen is key to extracting the most value out of our etb's. I used to play less of these effects and relied on equipment tutors to find Sting, but playing more means i'll find one eventually (i've cut the stoneforge - equipment package)\n\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Sting, the Glinting Dagger"}},{"insert":": Untap gilraen each combat, also gives her haste. Great card"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"White Plume Adventurer"}},{"insert":": Untap gilraen each upkeep, and maybe later, untap all creatures (not that relevant except for your "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mother of Runes"}},{"insert":" effects)"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Drumbellower"}},{"insert":": Seedborn muse for creatures, i'll take it."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Dazzling Theater // Prop Room"}},{"insert":": Both halves could be useful, as we don't need our creatures to attack during the early/mid game."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true,"bold":true},"insert":"Recursion:"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nWhite recursion is strange. It's becomming better over the last few years.\n\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Hall of Heliod's Generosity"}},{"insert":" : we run only a few enchantments, but they're pretty powerful."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Sevinne's Reclamation"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Sun Titan"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Serra Paragon"}},{"insert":": all return permanents cmc 3 or less, this includes lands and that's why i run fetches. The exile effect from paragon is a triggered ability, not a replacement effect. So you get "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Solemn Simulacrum"}},{"insert":"'s card draw. Niche interaction with creatures with flash, when a reanimated creature dies during your turn, you can cast it in response to the exile trigger (for example "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Cathar Commando"}},{"insert":" ). Flicker the paragon for an additional cast from gy."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Biblioplex Assistant"}},{"insert":": I'll take any "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Archaeomancer"}},{"insert":" effect i can get, even if it only puts on top. The deck runs few instants an sorceries, and getting them back is always great value. If it's safe to do so, "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Enlightened Tutor"}},{"insert":" for the assistant to get enlightened tutor back on top. This creates a nice tutor engine if you can flicker the assistant."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Leonardo, Sewer Samurai"}},{"insert":": This card is insane value. It checks power OR toughness. Around 25 cards can be recast with it and blinking with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Gilraen, Dúnedain Protector"}},{"insert":" will remove the finality counter. If i ever need to power down this deck, i'll probably just put leonardo in the command zone."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true,"bold":true},"insert":"Card Draw:"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nAlong with recursion, card draw is also becomming better in white. Besides "},{"insert":{"card-link":"H.E.R.B.I.E. Scout Unit"}},{"insert":" , the deck doesn't really play any of the usual ETB draw effecs. It's just not worth it to spend your only gilraen activation and thus 2 mana on a single card draw.\n\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"War Room"}},{"insert":" , "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Monumental Henge"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Minas Tirith"}},{"insert":" : not the best draw options, but stapled to lands."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Smuggler's Share"}},{"insert":": We've got only 1 "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Spirit of the Labyrinth"}},{"insert":" , so we'll probably draw some cards."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Enduring Innocence"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Tocasia's Welcome"}},{"insert":" : We've got 27 creatures with power 2 or less and 25 with cmc 3 or less. I should probably run more of these effects, but it's hard to find space."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true,"bold":true},"insert":"Winconditions:"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nThere are currently no clear winconditions in this deck other than a slow combat grind and a sometimes mass scooping \"lock\". The deck should probably run some "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Reverent Hoplite"}},{"insert":" effects. I've tried with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Darksteel Splicer"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Illustrious Wanderglyph"}},{"insert":" but wasn't satisfied with those.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true,"bold":true},"insert":"The "},{"attributes":{"underline":true,"bold":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Disciple of Caelus Nin"}},{"attributes":{"underline":true,"bold":true},"insert":" \"lock\":"},{"insert":"\n\nWhen disciple of caelus nin enters, everyone gets to choose 5 permanents (!!), and all other (except the disciple) phase out. Permanents can't phase in. \n\nThere are 2 \"locks\" possible with caelus nin and gilraen.\n\nPlay caelus nin and keep gilraen and enough lands to activate her. If possible, also keep a mother of runes effect. In the endstep before your turn, activate gilraen and exile caelus nin until the next endstep. You will untap with everything and at the end of your turn, everyone will have to choose 5 permanents again. "},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"This one is more complex and requires "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ephemerate"}},{"insert":" or an instant speed untap for gilraen ("},{"insert":{"card-link":"Halo Fountain"}},{"insert":" ). Like before, we're going to flicker caelus nin during the turn before ours. This time it doesn't has to be in the endstep. Flicker caelus nin, and in response to the etb, flicker her again. This second etb will resolve first, but because caelus nin is now a new instance, the first etb will phase it out. Because caelus nin is phased out, she and everything else will phase in during your upkeep, \"locking\" everyone else to their 5 chosen permanents."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n\n"}]}