[EDH] Ink-Treader Nephilim

[Aggro_zombies]

I've wanted to build a deck for one of the Nephilim for a little while since they're the only four-color generals and it seemed like it would be an interesting challenge to make a thematic four-color deck that didn't just look like a junior Five-Color Good Stuff pile. My first thought was to make a build for Glint-Eye Nephilim, but that guy is not as build-around as he might seem at first glance. The same seemed true for Witch-Maw Nephilim. But then I considered Ink-Treader, and it became clear that there were many, many shenanigans to be had. Thus:

General: Ink-Treader Nephilim

Board Control:
Vapor Snag
Change of Heart
Swords to Plowshares
Simic Charm
Lightning Helix
Snap
Azorius Charm
Dramatic Rescue
Beast Within
Snakeform
Catch / Release
Capsize
Wipe Away
Electrolyze
Warleader's Helix
Aether Mutation
Prophetic Bolt
Brightflame

Copying and Stealing:
Cytoshape
Heat Shimmer
Debt of Loyalty
Rite of Replication
Traitorous Instinct
Spitting Image
Word of Seizing

Protection and Symmetry-Breaking:
Nivmagus Elemental
Spellskite
Aerie Mystics
Simic Sky Swallower
Empyrial Archangel
Shelter
Boros Charm
Cephalid Shrine
Asceticism

Going Bigger:
Varchild's War-Riders
Hunted Phantasm
Hunted Troll
Hunted Dragon
Alliance of Arms
(Forbidden Orchard)

Recursion:
Eternal Witness
Archaeomancer
Mnemonic Wall
Izzet Chronarch
Charmbreaker Devils
Regrowth

Draw and Other:
Mulldrifter
Compulsive Research
Fact or Fiction
Tidings

Talrand, Sky Summoner
Return to Dust

Ramp:
Burnished Hart

Farseek
Cultivate
Kodama's Reach
Explosive Vegetation
Sol Ring
Azorius Signet
Izzet Signet
Simic Signet
Chromatic Lantern
Coalition Relic

37 lands, including Forbidden Orchard

I haven't completely figured out the lands yet, but whatever configuration lets me consistently cast a turn four/five Nephilim will end up being the one I use.

This is basically a control deck that uses Nephilim to Radiate a bunch of 1-for-1s to devastating (and hilarious) effect. The Hunted dorks and War-Riders are there to ensure my opponents always have a supply of creatures to kill or steal. Already reasonable cards like Spitting Image become positively gross when aimed at the Nephilim; a fused Catch/Release is especially brutal if you can fizzle or eat the copies targeting your own creatures, resulting in a one-sided Obliterate plus.

Suggestions would be welcome. I haven't tested this at all yet, but it seems like a blast to play if the mana works.

[Mnemon]

Just in case you really didn't notice, I have to point out that the Nephilim are not legendary.

[Aggro_zombies]

I know that. Most groups I've played with over the years have been okay with treating the Nephilim as legendary for the sake of general-ness, though, since they're unique and not egregiously powerful.

[Kuma]

Nice! My buddy built this a while ago and it was one of his favorite decks he ever built. Don't know if it's good enough anymore, but this is the only place in any format where Cephalid Shrine does something good for you. Target Ink-Treader Nephilim with a Swords to Plowshares and turn it into a Mageta the Lion activation.

[Aggro_zombies]

Nice! My buddy built this a while ago and it was one of his favorite decks he ever built. Don't know if it's good enough anymore, but this is the only place in any format where Cephalid Shrine does something good for you. Target Ink-Treader Nephilim with a Swords to Plowshares and turn it into a Mageta the Lion activation.

At first, I was wondering how this worked when no one else had cast StP yet, but then I realized that I could just opt not to pay the zero mana and my copy of StP would be auto-countered. Great idea! I was looking for more of this kind of effect.

[TsumiBand]

At first, I was wondering how this worked when no one else had cast StP yet, but then I realized that I could just opt not to pay the zero mana and my copy of StP would be auto-countered. Great idea! I was looking for more of this kind of effect.

Actually, I don't think you can do this. I am having trouble finding the ruling but I seem to recall something about how Circular Logic with no cards in the graveyard can't actually counter anything, because there's no need to "choose not to pay zero" or something.

I could be way off, but I feel like this is something which can actually get you a warning (not that this applies to EDH, but still). It's one of those 'Jedi Mind Trick' things that people used to try to pull. Again I can't find the ruling but I'll keep looking after work...

[Offler]

Just in case you really didn't notice, I have to point out that the Nephilim are not legendary.

Nephilims are usually accepted by EDH playgroups as 4 color generals. There is plenty of 3 color generals, some 5 color, but there is actually no 4 color legendary creature. At least I have not found any on Gatherer.

to Tsumiband:
Cephalid shrine does not have statement "X cant be 0", its clearly stated how to calculate X... Zero as the cost however, has been errated in the past on most cards, so it can be worthy to ask judge... To me it seems quite logical to choose "I pay 0" rather than "it does nothing". The ability surely triggers.

[AngryTroll]

I love the idea of this deck. A few cards that could make it:
Fire//Ice would be a two mana draw spell
Bant Charm is possible, but you'd need a way to save your general.

I love the inclusion of Aether Mutation.

[Aggro_zombies]

I love the idea of this deck. A few cards that could make it:
Fire//Ice would be a two mana draw spell
Bant Charm is possible, but you'd need a way to save your general.

I love the inclusion of Aether Mutation.

Fire//Ice may just be better than Electrolyze. When I was building the deck, both were in there, but I opted to go with the latter because it kills tokens and utility dorks while drawing a bunch of cards. However, I may have enough ways to do that already, in which case Fire//Ice is much more flexible.

I like the idea of Bant Charm, but I wonder if Hallowed Burial wouldn't be better for its ability to get around shroud/hexproof/protection. Those three are really the big weakness of the deck right now.