Why can’t I use a Boomerang effect on it while it’s a creature? Sure, I can’t steal it like a full-time creature, but I can deal with it other ways. With the 1-land-per-turn and 4-copies-of-a-single-card limits, I don’t see the factory as that damaging. Of course, it’s still hard to win, but other than that…
Well, you can, but he’ll just play it again. Instead of Boomerang, then, try Capsize. It’s similar, but you can pay buyback, which let’s you put Capsize back in your hand instead of the graveyard, so you can keep it out of play. Or play a copy or two of Political Trickery, which lets you trade lands.
Oh, and for blue direct damage? Go with the original. Psionic Blast. For 2U, you deal 4 to any target, and 2 to yourself. Remarkably good for Blue. Heck, nowadays, it wouldn’t be bad in Red.
–
Justin
Bazaar of Wonders used to be hot, but it just can’t compete with Odyssey’s Haunting Echoes. A R/B or U/B control deck built around this can be quite infuriating.
But my all time favourite is the Pox deck:
First turn: Dark Ritual, Chimeric Idol
Second turn: Duress, Black Vise, attack for 3
Third Turn: Pox, attack for 3
It’s hard for an opponent to recover from a start like that.
The Rack, not Black Vise. :o
To expand a bit, I have for years and years had my own version of this:
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=mtgcom/daily/bb33
it’s a blast!
Yeah, really. . . I already had bought a pair, and just use that box. But you know, when people play cards that let them pick up your deck and take out whatever cards they like – like Jester’s Cap – you might as well just play a grab-bag deck!
… and the other direct damage spells I use are all green, rather than red. I might throw in a couple of red, depending on my mood as I said earlier (read: depending on the opponent) but generally I tried to stay away from Big Red in making the creatureless deck. Red is just too easy, and not very interesting.
So, for direct damage I use: Sandstorm (1 pt to all attacking creatures); Hail Storm (2 pts to all attacking creatures, 1 to me and all creatures I control – ha!); Hurricane (‘X’ to each creature with flying and each player). These can be particular devastating when several are played at one time.
To keep me looking young and vibrant: Natural Spring (G), Essence Bottle (A), Fountain of Youth (A).
Reins of Power, to take over opponent’s creatures.
Spellbook, so that I can hold onto cards until the time is right. (Not good if an opponent has Black Vise.)
To give me enough of a mana pool quickly: Wild Growth, Harrow, Rampant Growth.
And for purely defensive capabilities: Fog, Constant Mists (both negate damage of attacking creatures, the latter has a buy-back); Evacuation (all creatures return to owners’ hands).
The basic idea is to keep my life total above my opponent(s), and deliver the coup de grace with Hurricane.
I’d like to think that there’s certain Darkovan quality to this deck.
Max, very interesting column – and idea! The mind boggles. (btw – Ritual of Subdual is one of my favorite cards)