This is a pet-deck of mine I really think can go the distance... I'm just not sure how to get it that extra mile.
The core combo is to loop
Insistent Automatons so that you 1) make an absurdly large Automaton thanks to
Ancient Defenses 2) Make an absurdly large
Gear Master 3) Draw an absurd amount of cards with
Vault of the Praxis and/or
Gear Master and then just overrun your opponent. Backup wincons in
Parapet Sentry and
Pillar of Amar.
Right now the deck is pretty slow, but doesn't have a very sturdy control game. There's some decent removal in
Torch,
Purify and the like, but no solid sweepers, so rush games are hard. Opponent combos (especially Echo) are really hard. You also have a tendency to lose to yourself, as the deck can just bog down by drawing a pool of power after power after power or all your setup Explorers in the late-game when you need your draw cards or haymakers. This is why I cut cards like
Stoneshaker and
Journey Guide which were good at making the combo faster and cheaper, but were such bad topdecks that it seemed better to trade them for raw card advantage in
Vital Arcana.
Any suggestions readily welcomed!
Seek Power
x3
1
Torch
x4
2
Purify
x4
2
Temple Scribe
x4
3
Amber Acolyte
x4
3
Ancient Defenses
x3
3
Gear Master
x4
3
Moondial
x2
3
Mysterium Orb
x2
4
Insistent Automaton
x4
4
Vault of the Praxis
x2
5
Parapet Sentry
x4
5
Vital Arcana
x4
7
Pillar of Amar
x2
8
Intriguing Ancient
x2
9
Scourstone Sentinel
x2
Fire Sigil
x2
Time Sigil
x7
Amber Waystone
x4
Granite Waystone
x4
Praxis Banner
x4
Seat of Impulse
x4
View Deck on Shiftstoned
But then again, I'm so new that I really don't know much of the meta, haha!
In terms of cutting cards, I'd look at Family Charter, Dig Site, and Amaran Archeologist to start.
In terms of additions, I'd look at some of the bond sentinels- Scourstone Sentinels are bigger than almost everything around. I'd also look at Temple Scribe, the Time merchant, and (if you can afford it) Sandstorm Titan, who can defend really well and bond out units. A lot of your early units are really frail, so maybe consider that one 3/3 for 3 explorer or scorpion wasp to defend.
Are you thinking Seasoned Spelunker? I was considering Wasp, since fliers kinda axe me, and Dig Site is good at both slowing them down and my go-wide side-plan. Sandstorm Titan is definitely on my to-craft shortlist, cuz it's in so many lists, and hits a bunch of my weak points.
Do you really think Scourstone Sentinel is worth the slot? I recently cracked a Novaquake Titan and was considering trying that. Thoughts?
Dig Site is neat, but it's card disadvantage, because you spent a card just to force them to replay a card. Wasp can kill their unit dead for good.
Scourstone Sentinel is one of the big sentinel payoffs in draft, and if you have a smaller sentinel to bond him onto, can often be cast for 4 or less- especially with Ancient Defenses.
Novaquake I would hold off on unlesss you either often find yourself able to cast him without already winning, or add merchants- he normally needs a 8 attack or more unit to be playable, for what often amounts to a fancy Cloud of Ash lethal.
See how Scourstone plays first.
I also have to emphasize the power of Merchants, which can alleviate both power flood and screw, draw key combo pieces, and hold situational answers.
Edit: Banners and Crests are important for most 2 and 3 faction decks- ditto Seek Power. If you find yourself having trouble playing cards due to influence, you want them.
Unfortunately I don't have the stone for the Crests or the Titans, so I just made the Scribes and I tried cutting what you mentioned, putting in +4 Scribes, +3 Seek Power, +4 Praxis Banner, and I'm testing a pair of Moondial as a mana sink.
I'm gonna run this back for a bit to grind and see how it goes. I definitely want to get to the point where I can make cuts for Merchants and Wasps, and eventually afford Sandstorm Titans.
Also, just a way to win on the spot would be good. This combo is definitely weak since you have to set up your lethal damage loop and then just say, "Go," and hope they can't remove/freeze your threats. If I could give my guys Charge safely or make them ping on summon, that'd make it much scarier.
One card to look at to protect your combo is Talir's Intervention, though it might not be very good without Heart of the Vault or other powerful summon effects to recur.
Let me know how the updated powerbase goes!
Him being a 4-drop as well kinda sucks, though. And one health is a huge liability.
Edit: Maybe look into Mage of Impulse.
Can you link me to a Recurring Nightmare deck? That sounds pretty frisky - I like that card a lot!
Beware. Results may vary.