Thraximundar 99 Deck: Help Me Choose! Sideboard Woes

Hey guys! So, my brother and I are hitting up our local game store (LGS) later today, and I'm in a bit of a pickle. I'm working on my Thraximundar EDH deck, and I'm down to the wire on the final cuts. The main 99 cards are (mostly) locked in, but the sideboard is screaming, "Pick me! Pick me!" It's a classic case of too many fun options, and not enough room. So, I'm hoping to get some input from you all – maybe you've got some sweet tech I haven't considered, or some tough love about cards that seem good but aren't quite cutting it. Let's dive into the Thraximundar dilemma, shall we? This Thraximundar 99 deck is meant to be a competitive EDH build, aiming to get ahead of the curve. It's not fully cEDH, but it's built to hold its own against pretty strong decks at our LGS. That means making the right cuts is crucial. I've got a decent grasp on the core strategies, which revolve around sacrificing creatures to fuel Thraximundar's triggers, reanimating big threats, and controlling the board. The general plan is to ramp early, establish a board presence, and then use a combination of removal, counterspells, and value engines to outpace opponents. But the sideboard, oh man, the sideboard! That's where the real decisions lie. It's a symphony of sweet, sweet value and powerful cards all vying for a spot in the main deck. It's like choosing your favorite child! So, without further ado, let's talk about the specific issues.

Core Strategy and Key Cards

Before we get bogged down in sideboard choices, let's quickly recap the main strategies of the Thraximundar deck and the key cards that make it tick. This helps provide context for the kind of cards we need in the 99 and the kinds of cards that might be better suited for specific matchups or for bringing in from the sideboard. The core game plan is simple, yet effective: get Thraximundar out, and then start sacrificing creatures to trigger his effects. The more creatures you sacrifice, the more damage he does, and the more value you generate. This leads to some incredibly explosive turns, especially when combined with reanimation spells. The goal is to establish a strong board presence, control the game, and then close it out with Thraximundar beats, or by generating so much value that opponents simply can't keep up. That's the main idea behind it. Now, you’ll definitely need some key cards for the core strategy. First and foremost, of course, is Thraximundar himself. He's the engine of the deck and the primary win condition. Anything that helps you get him out faster or protect him is invaluable. Ramp spells are crucial. You’ll want to be able to cast big spells early, so cards like Sol Ring, Arcane Signet, and Fellwar Stone are staples. Also, you have tutors to find the right cards at the right time. Demonic Tutor, Vampiric Tutor, and Diabolic Tutor are your best friends. These are the engines that get you ahead and help your overall board state. Next, we have reanimation spells. Being able to bring back powerful creatures from your graveyard is a huge part of the strategy. Reanimate, Animate Dead, and Necromancy are your go-to options. Removal is also key to controlling the board. You'll need ways to deal with problematic creatures, enchantments, and artifacts. Swords to Plowshares, Anguished Unmaking, and Beast Within are great choices. The best part is that you can adjust these cards and strategies to match the playstyle of the person who is using the deck. That's what makes it so much fun. Finally, don't forget some card draw and value engines. You'll need to keep your hand full to maintain the pressure. Rhystic Study, Necropotence, and Phyrexian Arena will help you keep the cards flowing.

The Importance of a Balanced 99

Building a successful EDH deck, especially one as focused as a Thraximundar build, requires careful balance. You can't just cram in all the flashy cards and hope for the best. Instead, you need a cohesive plan with a good curve, and a solid mix of threats, answers, and value engines. Now, the 99 needs to be able to handle a variety of situations. It needs to ramp efficiently, establish a board presence, deal with opposing threats, and draw enough cards to maintain pressure. The choice of ramp spells depends on the overall mana curve of the deck, but you'll usually want a mix of fast mana (Sol Ring, Mana Crypt) and ramp spells that can fetch lands (Farseek, Rampant Growth). You can establish your board presence. This means having creatures that can block, attack, or generate value. This will help you control the board. Removal is also critical. Your deck needs to be able to deal with anything your opponents throw at you, from big creatures to pesky enchantments. This includes both targeted removal (Swords to Plowshares) and board wipes (Toxic Deluge). Card draw is also crucial for maintaining the pressure. Being able to draw cards consistently lets you find the answers you need and helps you keep up with your opponents' value engines. It allows you to have a good board state and keep your resources high. And finally, you have to remember the win conditions. This means including cards that will allow you to close out the game once you've established control. This could be combat damage from your commander, or some other combo. You need to make sure your deck has a clear and concise path to victory. Each card slot in the 99 is precious. You can't afford to waste them on cards that don't contribute to your overall game plan. That's why making the right cuts is so important. That's why you need to build the best deck possible.

The Sideboard Candidates: The Dilemma Begins

Okay, so here's where the real fun begins (and the headaches, if I'm being honest). The sideboard is overflowing with cards I'd love to include, but I just don't have the space. The cards are great, but sometimes they just don't fit the deck. It's a classic case of too much good stuff and not enough room to play it all! Here are some of the main contenders for the coveted 99 slots: Some great options in there include, Toxic Deluge is an excellent board wipe that can clear the board of any threats. It's particularly good against decks that rely on small creatures. Damnation is another great board wipe, and it can be especially useful if you're facing a lot of black creatures. Cyclonic Rift is an all-star in EDH, giving you a way to bounce all your opponents' nonland permanents back to their hands. It's a great way to reset the board and gain tempo. Grave Titan is a massive threat that can generate a lot of value. If you want a creature that can take down your opponents, this is the one. Massacre Wurm is a game-ender in the right circumstances, as it can clear the board of any creatures. Sheoldred, Whispering One is a powerful reanimation target. She can bring back any creature from the graveyard to your side of the battlefield. The tricky part is figuring out which of these cards are essential to the deck's success and which ones are more situational. It's also important to consider the overall mana curve. The deck already has a fair amount of mana ramp. Having a good mix of ramp spells, threats, answers, and value engines is important. Do I need another board wipe? Or is my current suite enough? Do I really need another reanimation target, or should I focus on finding ways to protect the ones I already have? The best part is that you can build the deck to your preference, making it unique to you. That's what makes this game so great, you can build what you want.

Card-Specific Considerations

Let's delve into some of the specific cards that are giving me the most trouble. I'll outline the pros and cons of each, and then I'm hoping you guys can help me make some tough decisions. Remember, the goal is to optimize the 99 for maximum performance and consistency. It's all about balancing power with practicality. For instance, Toxic Deluge versus Damnation: Both are fantastic board wipes, but they have different strengths and weaknesses. Toxic Deluge is cheaper to cast but deals damage to your own creatures. Damnation is more expensive, but it doesn't hurt your own board. Which one is better depends on the specific matchups and your overall game plan. Also, Grave Titan versus Massacre Wurm: Both are massive threats, but they do different things. Grave Titan generates tokens, while Massacre Wurm wipes out the opponent's creatures when it enters the battlefield. So, which one do I need more? Another great card is Sheoldred, Whispering One, as this card can do it all. She can be reanimated, destroy creatures, or bring back any card from the graveyard. The cards have very powerful effects, but they also come with a high mana cost, so you need to be prepared to cast the cards and play them. But, maybe I already have enough reanimation targets? This is where the difficulty comes in. This is where it gets tough. So, which ones are worth the slot? I'm torn on many of these choices. Maybe a tutor could help me out and get me the answer I need. I'm all ears for suggestions and any other help.

Help Me Choose!

So, here's where I need your help, guys! I'm asking for some input to help make those final cuts. I’d love to know what you would do. The question is, which cards would you prioritize, and why? Are there any cards in the sideboard that you think are absolute must-includes? Are there any cards that are clearly underperforming and should be cut? What cards would you consider to be flex slots, and what types of matchups should they be in? Tell me your thoughts! Remember, this is a competitive EDH deck, so we're looking for cards that can contribute to a winning strategy. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Ultimately, I want to create a deck that is powerful and fun to play, while also having a chance to win. I want to build a deck that is a great time, no matter what. So, help me to make this dream come true. Let me know what you think.

The Importance of Playtesting

One of the most valuable resources you can use when building a deck is playtesting. Playtesting allows you to see how the deck functions in practice, and it helps you identify any weaknesses or inconsistencies. After you've made your final cuts and finalized your 99, be sure to playtest the deck as much as possible. This will help you identify any problems, and it will also allow you to get a feel for the deck's strengths and weaknesses. It can also help you become more comfortable with your strategy and become more familiar with your cards. Playtesting is extremely important. As you playtest, pay attention to how your deck performs against different opponents and strategies. Does it have trouble with fast aggro decks? Does it struggle against control decks? Does it have any glaring weaknesses? If you identify any weaknesses, you can then make changes to your deck to address those weaknesses. You'll always be improving. Playtesting also gives you a chance to try out different strategies and card combinations. You can experiment with different card choices and see which ones work best for you. It's a great way to learn more about the deck and become a more skilled player. Playtesting is an important part of the deck-building process. Playtesting allows you to refine your deck and improve your chances of winning. You can make adjustments to your strategy and make sure you're always prepared. So, make sure you take the time to playtest your deck as much as possible.

Conclusion: The Final Cut

So, there you have it, folks! That's the Thraximundar dilemma in a nutshell. I'm excited about the deck's potential, but I'm also stressing out about these final choices. I need the best cards, and I need to make the right choices. I'm hoping you guys can provide some insights to make this decision much easier. I'm hoping you can tell me which cards I should definitely include and which cards I can probably cut. Any advice or suggestions you have would be awesome! Wish me luck at the LGS later. I’ll be sure to report back with how things go! Thanks in advance for your help!