[Deck] Erayo control

[raharu]

Over time there has been various re-emergences of the Erayo control-combo archetype, with varying degrees of success. With the advent of Tarmogoyf, which serves as a rather suiting win condition, I pulled out an old list and started working at it again. The list is untested, as I’m still waiting to finish a deck (Transportation > M:tG, and it’d be done but my parents are fucking slower than my birthday, which we didn‘t even bother with this year, long story), but it looks… viable? It looks neat, in the least. Here you go:

Mana: 24
Flooded Strand x4
Polluted Delta x4
Underground Sea x3
Tropical Island x3
Tundra x2
\\\\\\\\\\
Lotus Petal x4
Chrome Mox x4

Protection/ Disruption/ soft lock mechs: 19
Thoughtseize x4
Daze x3
Erayo, soratami Ascendant x4
Counterbalance x4
Force of Will x4

Win Conditions: 4
Tarmogoyf x4

Hand Fixing: 11
Sensei’s Divining Top x3
Brainstorm x4
Ponder x4

Free Slots: 2
Orim’s Chant, Lim-Dul’s Vault, Bitterblossom, Hoofprints of the Stag, Extra Win Condition x2

Mana Curve
0cc: 24
1cc: 15
2cc:15
3cc: 0
4cc: 0
5cc: 4


While that looks fine and dandy, I presume, I’m aware that you’re looking at the list and thinking “why not just play threshold?”. Well… I don’t know. I haven’t tested it, but CB + Erayo’s Essence sounds quite… wonderful, especially when you can resolve both of them with Chant backup or an absurd amount of protection, or a Draco-explosion-esque tutor/ cantrip package.

Of course, there’s always boarding into threshold… which sounds like it’d be worth it, considering that control-agro =/= agro-control, I.e. the transformation would bring a different set of strengths and weaknesses.

SB: 15
Nimble Mongoose x4
Swords to Plowshares x4
Krosan Grip x3 (which is also useful when trying to combo against CB thresh if you don‘t board into the mirror)
Stuff x4

It’s a thought…

[SuckerPunch]

Manamorphose seems like a perfect fit for this deck.

Honestly, manamorphose belongs in every deck that supports it because it effectively lets you play 56 cards with no relevent drawbacks what so ever.

But it especially belongs in this deck to help you flip Erayo.

[The Wes]

What about Arcane Lab or the white version of it? If you can get it with a flipped Erayo out its a pretty nice lock. Maybe in the two of slot, or with a way to search it with enlightened tutor. Wait, is Erayo a creature, or enchantment, or both when its in the library? Could use enlightened to search out counterballance, sdt, Erayo?, maybe one of your alt win conditions, or a 1 of arcane lab. Or enlighten tutor during your upkeep for a petal/mox for 2 spells so far that turn for 1 mana.

[Willoe]

Arcane Laboratory should perhaps be sideboarded. It allows for a hard lock, and it gives some kind of game against combo.

But in such a deck, why would you play additional mana sources? You're better off by playing manamorphose and cantrips. Finding what you need is crucial. But remember though, that a flipped Erayo doesn't win the game. A brainstorm and the opponent is out of the soft lock.

[SouthAlly]

So you are going to devote resources to Counterbalance in a deck featuring Erayo? What is Erayo doing in this deck then?

[raharu]

So you are going to devote resources to Counterbalance in a deck featuring Erayo? What is Erayo doing in this deck then?
Because Erayo + CB is a beating, and either by themselves give you a verrry strong chance to take the game unopposed. It's like control-combo. T1 counterbalance is good, and turn two Erayo's Essence is also wonderful, and both eat most decks. Well, not Ichorid, but it's not a deck, it's a monster, but other deck don't really like it. Also, Erayo doesn't die to K. Grip. Ofc it's not that useful without art-mana and cantrips, but neither are useless on their own. It's not as rediculious as you seem to be trying to make it sound, at least in theory.

@ Willoe: It's a black threshold shell, for most purposes, so how Could it not have game against combo. Or did you not look at the deck list? Also, throwing a brainstorm into Erayo is going to hurt. A lot. And K. Grip doesn't kill Erayo's Essence, so it would be 2 cards and 4 mana at the very least to get rid of it.

Also: manamorphose? In place of what?

[nodahero]

I love Erayo... First I ran her when she showed up in kamigawa.
Then I played Erayo in Vintage in Sulivan Solution.
Following that I got Erayo banned in 2 headed because of her broken powers.
Now I run her in EDH to some broken finishes.
Tomorrow I will make her THE queen in Legacy.

However before tomorrow we must modify your list I believe. I would personally cut the Counterbalnce's down to 3 at most but probably 2. In that/those slots I would certainly add the fourth daze and possibly a Manamorphose. If there is one thing I have learned over all this time is that Erayo loves her good deals unlike normal women... (so much I almost asked her out once but she stopped even me from doing it)...