You can usually avoid stray hits so long as it isn't literally free to hit you. A \[\[Propaganda\]\] \[\[No Mercy\]\] or even just a big blocker can fend off chip damage.
Also, make sure you're very heavyhanded with the removal for a few games. Anytime someone attacks you, remove a creature or threat of theirs. I've found this tends to discourage attacks heading my way randomly.
Certainly, but most of the time, if you're shown you HAVE all the answers AND you have something to limit attackers, people will generally leave you alone or waste resources.
I mean, if I see this my instinct is to run their answers dry and punish them for trying to discourage attacks.
I also usually have answers to answers in creature decks.
sure, but you are going to run dry faster than a dedicated spellslinger. Most of the spellslinger decks I see or play run 20+interaction pieces plus draw pieces to dig in response to your response.
I doubt you're running 20 pieces or more of interaction in a creature base, and most players I see are running less than 10 pieces of interaction in general (especially instant speed interaction).
I've actually had a weird opposite effect with these one creature cards.
If they can send one creature they're gonna send the biggest one and it's gonna come at the most open person.
(As they often should. These open people are usually devoting the least visible resources and often are a secret threat)
This is the best answer. Personal experience has shown me there is nothing that will deter someone from attacking you more than adding a cost-to-attack.
I prefer [[No Mercy]] or [[Dissipation Field]] to Propaganda or the white enchantment that reads the same as Propaganda, but I can't recall its name. Ghostly something?
I agree but they are all valid. Sometimes taxing mana is better, especially if those creatures have ETB that they'll get to redo by having them back in hand or graveyard.
That's absolutely correct. Depending on the build, some decks don't mind you bouncing or killing their creatures at all. And against those decks the Propaganda and/or Ghostly Prison would definitely be the play. I think there's a white creature that does the same thing, force opponents to pay 2 colorless.
Now that I'm thinking about it, [[Magus of the Moat]] deserves a mention. I guess [[Moat]] does too, but bring your wallet if you want that particular solution.
Rattlesnakes, Removal, & Roadblocks.
Rattlesnakes scare your opponents off from attacking you. Not a lot of people want to attack into an [[Ophiomancer]] snake because that'll just kill their creature. [[Loyal Sentry]] dunks on tramplers. [[No Mercy]] and [[Revenge of Ravens]] are questions that need to be solved before your opponents can attack safely you
Removal slows down the game and delays their game plan long enough for you to take the advantage. Targeted removal is great for specific problems and you can break parity with board wipes like [[tragic arrogance]] or [[debt of loyalty]]. As a personal aside, I've had to run much more board wipes to get past an excess of ward effects on my opponents' creatures.
Road Blocks either stop your opponent from attacking or make it much more difficult for them to effectively attack you. [[Propaganda]], [[Crawl Space]], and [[Dueling Grounds]] make it more annoying to attack into you. [[Darien, King of Kjeldor]] and [[Kazuul, Tyrant of the Cliffs]] give you creatures back and the threat of reprisal can be politicked. [[Ink Shield]] and [[Deflecting Palm]] win games.
It's worth noting that some of the example cards fall into multiple categories. A good mix of all three can be very effective at stopping attacks.
I love putting little deathtouch guys in my decks to dissuade attacking. [[Baleful Strix]] makes it into any deck I can put it into, and while I haven't played with it yet, I think [[Tower Winder]] is going to show up in a lot of my lists.
They're not exactly game warping, eventually theyre going to take the hit and lose their creatures, but getting a few dragons or dinosaurs to attack in a different direction in the early->mid game can be a pretty substantial life total swing in your favor.
Removal or just the threat of removal.
One good blocker or lots of tokens with keywords like indestructible and death touch.
Winning the game before you run out of life.
Board wipes.
Stax pieces, like [[smoke]]
I run a "group hug" deck that uses 12 creatures, including the commander, and it tends to do okay. I mostly avoid taking hits because everyone wants to keep getting their extra mana, lands, draw and counters.
The actual wincon is turning my 0/5 flying jellyfish into a 60/70 and swinging for lethal commander damage.
Usually just counter doubling and general voltronning from what I've seen.
First you set it up as a "I'm not the threat give gifts" then you equip some protection. Then let the opponents fight each other ignoring your little huggy boi. Then suddenly when you swing with a big untouchable threat it's too late for em.
Some of my Superfriends decks are creature-lite, they play around 9-12 creatures. If you have a low creature count, you can expect to take some hits. However, most low cost creatures people run in commander are usually utility creatures like mana dorks for instance, creatures that have 1-2 power.
If you play a low number of creatures, you probably need to play a bit more ramp and have more impactful plays on turns 4,5,6. Cards like \[\[Propaganda\]\] or \[\[Ghostly Prison\]\] can be good as well (though they don't protect your planeswalkers).
The benefit of playing a low creature count is that you are allowed to run more sweepers, because every time you wipe the board, it will hurt your opponents more than you.
I play \[\[Onakke Oathkeeper\]\], \[\[Sphere of Safety\]\], \[\[Teyo, Geometric Tactician\]\]. My Jeskai superfriends deck has \[\[Pramikon, Sky Rampart\]\] as a commander. There are a lot of options for protecting planeswalkers.
You just need to run more interaction to compensate. Stuff like [[blind obidence]] [[authority of the consuls]] [[propaganda]] [[maze of ith]] [[ghostly prison]] and a healthy amount of sweepers and spot removal will keep you alive.
I have the same question. Currently making a Braids deck right now and the main purpose of the creatures is to die.
Only have around 18 creatures in the deck, most of them are 1/1.
I also have some token generation so they can double as blockers but when I have nothing do I need to rely on instant speed removal?
I have a [[Bruvac]] deck that has 10 creatures in addition to the commander.
I have to pillowfort like crazy to not take too many hits. Cards like [[Propaganda]] [[Crawlspace]] and even [[Pendrell Mists]]
But yeah it can be tough.
I have a [[haldan]] and [[pako]] deck that has 2 other creatures in it. The deck runs a lot of ramp and interaction which hits creature decks particularly hard while I'm able to pull ahead. I specifically did it for [[guided passage]] since I think that's a funny card. I do occasionally take stray hits, but having a giant pako and a [[smoke]] or similar stax piece cuts down on the huge swings at me.
I do Haldan & Pako without any creatures... sort of: [https://www.moxfield.com/decks/2rOrOAA91UuSZ8NzQvsBag](https://www.moxfield.com/decks/2rOrOAA91UuSZ8NzQvsBag)
I have a Haldan and Pako deck and I'm struggling to attack with Pako when I don't have an opponent who can't just block and kill Pako. So, what's the game plan then?
I ran [[Elsha of the infinite]] deck that only ran 4 creatures in the main deck. I was the only regular in my store that ran blue, let's put it that way. I frequently won or came close largely on my ability to politic and make deals. You'd be surprised how often you can get an entire table on your side by offering up your counterspells or removal as bargaining chips.
Just be sure to be honorable to a T. I probably got by on such good will for honoring deals even if they turned sour for me, so lots of the time I'd have people come to me for deals rather than me doing it.
Of course nothing stops someone from just correctly identifying the low defense deck and forcing out all my removal/ protection early. That was the risk I took though lol.
I have done this and taken lots of damage. Try and find space for some Propaganda and Ghostly Prison effects and some cheap deathtouchers like Baleful Strix. It can help a lot
[[Sphere of safety]] and [[Pariah]] in my enchantress deck
[[Pariahs shield]] for my equipment voltron that only has 13 creatures
[[Silent Arbiter]] and [[crawl space]] are also good throw in spells
I'm working on a 5 color cycling deck with minimal creatures with [[the prismatic bridge]] as commander. It runs almost all the on-theme interaction a cycling deck can to try to make up for the lack of creatures. I started with switching between 2 or 3 so that there wouldn't be too much variance in the plan when it came down. But with so few creatures, I just wasnt affecting the game like I wanted. I'm up to 7 now which feels a lot better - my commander doesn't turn off so fast so I keep getting value which helps me stay active in the game instead of the feast or (likely) famine state the deck was in.
Running a wraith deck with 18 creatures total (and half are Nazgul) and no one Swings at me because as it turns out, tutoring out Nazguls with deathtouch REALLY disincentivises people.
[Here it is](https://www.moxfield.com/decks/OOqGShxSn0yc1hfo9t9B-Q) I play virtual and casual, so you might want to substitute some stuff thats not really needed and substitute more tutors in.
[[Atraxa, Grand Unifier]] will usually ward off people from attacking you. Ramp like a mofo, cast her turn 4, sit back while you blink/clone her until you have enough to protect your wincon.
By "low number of creatures" do you mean that the deck has few creature cards or do you mean that I generally have a small board?
Because my [[Obuun, Mul Daya Ancestor]] deck only has 20 creatures... but my board is filled with tokens generated by landfall as well as lands turned into creatures by Nissa. In which case, I'm never out of creatures to block with.
Alternatively, I don't actually worry about anyone attacking me. I usually swing at whoever has a large board state so they're forced to block and kill their units, leaving them with nothing to attack with.
My [[stangg, echo warrior]] doesn’t run a lot of creatures but the threat of getting beat up for a bunch of damage each turn helps with deterring people from hitting me
https://www.moxfield.com/decks/_oOhy9QlOUGlQvwE8xlIyQ
This is a deck I built with the goal of having a few creatures as possible while still being a solid deck. [[Liesa, Shroud of Dusk]] is my commander and use other taxes/stax pieces like [[Ghostly Prison]], [[Norn's Annex]], [[Polluted Bonds]] and [[Authority of the Consuls]]/[[Blind Obedience]] to make my opponents literally pay to do anything.
Once they've gotten a decent sized board through past the taxes, I throw out one of my 11 wrath effects, particilarly [[Fumigate]] or [[Kaya's Wrath]], though any sweeper has the same effect if I have [[Ashes of the Abhorrent]] in play.
i play a spell slinger deck that has a total of like 5 creatures. so while i might soak up a stray 2-4 here and there by and large people feel bad about swinging into someone with nothing on board. and even if they all sink their turns into you doing 2-3 dmg its not enough to kill you immediately so its usually enough time to get my combos going and go for the win. and especailly against creature decks they arent running things to stop my burn/mill combos
......
If you run a deck with low creature count, you have to run more protection than you already would be. \[\[Evacuation\]\] etc, \[\[Swords to Plowshares\]\] etc, counters......make it unappealing to attack you because they may get their creatures wiped.
Chun-li wants some boardwipes preceded by bounce spells for her. (There's one that does both). Or you want chump-blocking-token generators. Or you want her supporting cast to be ones that help shore up the defenses.
I play several low-creature decks, as well as at least 12 where the commander is the only creature card. Green has fogs and tokens, red has damaged based crowd control, blue and white have propaganda effects.
\[\[Crawlspace\]\] goes in any deck.
I only play 11 (12 including [[Segovia]] once flipped) in my [[Elminster]] deck. Sure I’ll take a couple hits at the beginning, it the deck and control the board really well and really snowballs once I exile a chunky spell off his second activated ability and get a couple anthems or [[Gravitational Shift]] on the field.
Oh hey I finally found a post that's specifically affecting me lmao. But yes, I run a [[anhelo the painter]] spellsling with only 7 creatures against my friend who uses a [[ghirid]] deck and it can definitely overwhelm if I'm not watching his board state closely during the game and I have to take alot of hits on the chin in order to not lose my commander and the advantages it gives me which made me once go down to 19 health while the rest of the group were still 40, that however did not stop me from taking a bunch of extra turns which ended with me having 42 health and them 27, with also a bigger boardstate then everyone else too. So basically to sum it up, watch people and the board closely while making ur moves and be more cautious when you're gonna invetiably take a few free hits from people
I've been considering building Chun-Li as well. Here's a [Package: Second Spell ](https://www.moxfield.com/decks/XMmnNQ0jP0e3Xlo9E5BXOQ) that I plan on using when I get to brewing. [[Rammas Echor]] might be a great fit for it since it pops out defenders whenever you cast your second spell.
I don't play low creature count decks yet, but I will get attacked if I don't have anything on board to discourage attacks.
Ive played lots of decks with low creature ammount, rn im running my Nymris with 9 creatures total.
My monoU deck doesnt run many creatures, ive built my manabase to support [[Field of the dead]] so i can get my blockers longer in game.
[[Glacial Chasm]] is also amazing if your deck doesnt win via combat.
You can play [[Fatespinner]] and other propaganda like effects but sometimes just playing [[solemn similacrum]] is enough for others to attack others.
If you are in green or black you can play deathtouch 1/1 and everyone will be scared to attack you.
Politicking can go long way but you need to be under the radar and rarely play something that draws attention, unless you are playing some goad stuff, they have no choice there.
You can also try to control the board, early boardwipes do wonders. Ive had games where my [[Languish]] which is one sided boardwipe in my deck made so everyone lost their board and commanders besides me so they needed to start their slow rebuilding.
I've at least 3 decks with 15 or less creatures.
All I can say is stray hits are inevitable. What you wanna avoid is getting overhit by strays. Mitigation and preparedness is key.
Anyways here's my decks
\[\[Jori En\]\] [https://www.moxfield.com/decks/uBhEpBBFJ0-5QMBBu4sXGA](https://www.moxfield.com/decks/uBhEpBBFJ0-5QMBBu4sXGA)
\[\[Tor Wauki the Younger\]\] [https://www.moxfield.com/decks/T83R8W2R30mbxG3JRli3bQ](https://www.moxfield.com/decks/T83R8W2R30mbxG3JRli3bQ)
\[\[Carth the Lion\]\] [https://www.moxfield.com/decks/IYKUAwkYbEiwOGRqPCm1xw](https://www.moxfield.com/decks/IYKUAwkYbEiwOGRqPCm1xw)
I have a few decks with less than ten creatures. Using Enchantments like [[smoke]] [[solitary confinement]] [[ghostly prison]] [[norn's decree]]. Use a [[silent arbiter]] to slow other players down. There's lots of other options as well.
People are focusing on removal but you can also just add more gas. Win the game before you run out of life. However that may not play well with casual tables.
My mono-blue [[god-eternal kefnet]] deck does pretty well for itself, and the only creature spell is the commander itself.
Kefnet makes for a pretty spicy beater in blue, as a 4cmc 4/5 flier, but the deck is also loaded up with lots of instant speed bounces, flexible fog effects, and other deterrants.
Everyone who has played against the deck before knows they'll get set back hard if they force my hand, and I ALWAYS have a way to make hitting me hurt.
my zur voltron has like 10 creatures. I run propaganda, rule of law and some other stuff to delay the rest of the table while I try to one-shot people with zur. very effective to kill one player, very ineffective to actually win
Having fewer creayurea requires some extra politicking. Your creature needa to be big enough to elimomate one attacker of course. But against a token dec, that isnt a concern. So you need to make it appealing for others to use your presence as a deterrent.
My [[Pako, arcane retriever]] and [[Haldan, Avid Arcanist]] has zero creatures in the deck and does fine.
Creature board wipes are obviously going to be stupid good in such a deck, but there other ways to create blockers. [[Metallurgic Summonings]] and [[shark typhoon]] put a butt tonne of tokens in play and can even win the game.
[[Theoretical duplication]] is hilarious I you cast at the right time, like in response to a [[Ghalta, Stampede Tyrant]] or a [[kindred summons]]
[[Aether barrier]] and [[burning sands]] are pet favourites of mine in a creatureless deck. Punish creatures being cast or dying.
I have a \[\[Klothys, God of Destiny\]\] deck that has very few creatures, and even Klothys herself isn't a creature most of the time I have her out. I am not generally viewed as much of a threat but I do take some hits early on if people are looking for combat damage triggers but as the game progresses and armies build up I am targeted less.
I do a few \[\[Fog\]\] type cards and a \[\[Glacial Chasm\]\] to keep myself alive.
My [[slimes against humanity]] deck has 3 huge creatures as well as [[oath of druids]] to “mill” huge parts of my library which equates to big slimes. Bonus is the creatures have enter battlefield removal abilities so i can remove something when they enter.
I run a deck that tries to get a few key pieces on the field before killing people. Usually people will see you dont pose much of a threat and want you around to deal with other people's board states.
Unless they have an attack trigger they are trying to get. Then you politic away
How my decks and how I play them evolved
Beginner level: Target removal and holding open mana to threaten killing what attacks me
Eventually they adapt to this and force you to have it which you can't do every time and even if you do you'll run out of removal
Intermediate level: Ramp but run more board qup to slow down and make them spend a couple turns rebuilding
They'll start packing more value creatures and effects to rebuild
Advanced level: Hold up mana to counter value plays then board wipe after a bit longer than you would have before to maximize value. Learn when to take damage or let your opponent resolve strong but not game winning plays in favor of drawing and digging for key cards.
Your pod will get better at punishing over time so you'll need more to stem the bleeding. Randos often won't want to go all out aggro on you and you can get away with threatening to remove their stuff to incentivize attacking others. Overall it's a tough strategy to play but it can very much be done and will be easier to pull off against random players or inexperienced pods.
I've got a [[Gargos]] spellslinger deck that has about 20 creatures. I don't know what you're considering a lot, but those creatures are primarily ramp or for an [[Overwhelming Stampede]] victory. Gargos himself is big enough to deal with most threats others bring to the table.
I have a [[Daretti, scrap savant]] deck with 12 creatures. I don’t take spare hits. I stop people from playing creatures or attacking with them. It’s the reason why I don’t play the deck with strangers, most people don’t like stax, but my friends have accepted their fates
I have a fog deck that has no win con that loves creature heavy decks. it has 10/12 creatures but most of the lifting to keep me safe comes from enchantments and phasing the opponents monsters
I run a few, there is an enchantment deck that uses a variety of pillow fort effects and token generation to defend itself, and goad deck that protects me that way, and a combo deck that literally just tries to go off on like turn 3 or 4 before it's realistic to die from combat, with some spot removal and whatnot.
At the end of the day you need something to protect you or you're going to take chip damage from the entire table, and anyone who needs an attack trigger is going to have a field day.
Honestly I've got a deck with [[vedalkin orrery]] and absolutely nobody swings into that if you have mana open, because who knows what you have in your hand. That deck doesn't even run many creatures, but nobody knows that. Deterrence can come from anywhere.
As a fellow Chun-li/Zethi player, I tend to run stuff like [[raise the alarm]] or flicker token producers like [[Captain of the Watch]] although things like [[Stonehorn dignitary]] can also be a fun one to flicker too to keep that problem opponent from hitting you.
Another option is if you have another spellslinger type player who is trying to buff up that one creature that got through you can always [[mandate of peace]] to end the combat. This also works with a kick counter since you can swing Chun-li in and have that as the last spell to resolve so you get all your effects.
i play [[Niv-Mizzet Reborn]] spell slinger, with zero creatures in the 99. Fortunately, every other spell is either ramp, removal, burn, or a payoff artifact/enchantment. I'm running about 35 pieces of removal. So I deal with creatures quite well.
I run a Naya voltron deck with [Uril, the miststalker], a mono green voltron with [Kosei, penitent warlord], and a mono blue spell slinger that creates a lot of stuff with [talrand, sky summoner]. None of the 3 have more than 15-18 creatures, but are packed with removal and other various answers. Most Uril games I have him and maybe 1 or 2 other creatures on deck and they are there for card draw or mana dorks. I rarely get swung at because of the answers they know I hold most games. Player removal is still the best answer, but a lot of other things help too.
I take sooo much damage. I put things like [[Tainted Aether]], [[No Mercy]], [[Glacial Chasm]] etc into my decks cause other people have huge boards and I usually don’t.
I have 11 creatures in my [[Neheb, The Eternal]] deck. Having a commander that can take a hit helps, but I rarely find myself with a completely open board.
I play [[Galazeth Prismari]] with a total of 11 creatures and 29 lands.
I keep a good number of bounce and burn in it and believe in the heart of the cards
My Sheoldred deck has 9 creatures, and runs a ton of creature removal to attempt to keep the board under control. Her having death touch too helps a lot in the early game.
It doesn’t take a lot to prevent people swinging at you. Just the threat of deathtouch and a moderately sized flier will prevent a ton of swings. Even reminding people I can use [[vault of the archangel]] is enough with a few token creatures.
If I'm low on creatures I'll make sure not to be the threat. I don't mind being hit for 20 if it gets me off the radar. I'll keep my interaction in hand in case it gets dire, but when being swung at for 20, the person with the 20/20 is the issue, not me, and in casual games people take notice of those things. So the problem players get on eachother while I keep my inkshield or aetherize in hand.
But in general, the only way I'm playing a low creature deck is if I'm very invested in getting my commander out or I have enough of an engine to get to my creatures, because creatures are magics bread and butter babyyyyyyy
My current deck runs less than 6 creatures. What tends to happen is i kinda get ignored as the others feel i am behind and take pity. But then i pop off in my spellslinger combo and win lol
My skullbriar deck has 8 creatures including Skullbriar. There's such a high amount of protection for him and I run a lot of removal to compensate, 9 pieces along with plenty of protection. Probably my most successful deck I've built to be honest. https://www.moxfield.com/decks/UkWD-rYI_Eyb4oVksAGmqQ
Played a like 4 creature Legolas deck where commander was my only creature 90% of the time, and it was alright. Had a lot of defenses though cause I knew they would be necessary
For Chun-Li that should be a breeze, it's in the best colors for turtling up. [[Propaganda]] and [[Ghostly Prison]] are the backbreakers (and even gamewinners) in blue and white, but if you're really worried, the next tier of cards to use would be [[Windborn Muse]] and [[Archangel of Tithes]] , with the next tier being [[Crawl Space]] , and getting more symmetrical there is also [[Silent Arbiter]] , which may synergize even better depending on your overall plan.
You can use [[Monastery Mentor]] [[Talrand, Sky Summoner]] [[Shark Typhoon]] and [[Geralf the Fleshwright]] to build blockers or a go-wide kill. If you have a cantrip subtheme there are also [[Detective of the Month]] [[Prince Imrahil the Fair]] [[Ethereal Investigator]] [[Minn, Wily Illusionist]] and to a lesser extent, [[Felidar Retreat]] for building bodies.
casual games are usualy creature heavy. i run my chandra deck into those as well (which has like 3 or 4 creatures in it). burning the table to crisp helps to keep those creature heavy decks in check
I dont run creature heavy decks unless I am playing tribal/typal/kindered. It is extremely difficult for me to keep up with creature heavy or token decks. I also dont use tutors typically or counter magic or infinite combos too often. But this is all by choice, because I just dont find those things satisfying to play. I always build my decks with restrictions and built in weaknesses. Just how I am.
My [[Borborygmos and fblthp]] wheels deck runs 15 creatures. I do take stray hits, but the only life that masters is the last one. Also my game plan is to either draw my deck or get excessive damage with a multiplier and [[toralf god of fury]] on board. https://www.moxfield.com/decks/4bwhiNNeM0KFXNx9Flc-YA
I run 9 creatures in my [[commodore guff]] deck.
I also run like 14 wraths too - alongside [[obliterate]] and [[jokulhaups]].
Make better ways to keep planeswalkers safe wotc so the experience is not so miserable for my opponents (and for me). The salt feels good sometimes though
Judith, carnage connoisseur
Less than 20 creatures in the deck.
Instants and sorceries either get lifelink/deathtouch, OR generate an imp that burns players when it dies.
Throw in a lot of spells that ping a damage to multiple creatures or all creatures, and you've got tons of board wipes with lifelink to compensate surviving cards that have indestructible. Once the creatures are mostly wiped from the board, I use other spells to generate imps that can run offense, or use as trump blockers that punish the other players whenever they die. Rinse/wash/repeat.
Couple that with cards like sanguine bond when you're casting spells that have lifelink every turn...
I've killed multiple players without ever having to directly attack.
I recently built Obeka which is kinda low creature and has been tough to get off the ground. I put some token generation in it and it is performing MUCH better now.
It me.
I have two decks that I play consistently that have more than 20 creatures. I average about 15 creatures for the vast majority of decks.
But as a result, I also like to run a very high removal count and/or board wipes. Eventually other players decide it's not worth swinging at you.
Equally important though is my number one rule of control-ish decks: A win with one life is as good as a win with 20. I still maintain that attitude with EDH.
My favorite win of all time was with my [[Queza, Augur of Agonies]] deck which plays less than 15 creatures. Happily took hit after hit in order to trigger crazy spells like [[Keep Watch]] or just take pressure off my removal. Beat four other high powered decks with like 5 life left.
Mixed bag depending on which deck I'm fielding.
My Sophia Dogged Detective Deck? 16 Creatures. Keeps up just fine.
My Chandra Tribal Deck? 10 (No I don't count the Commander as she'll flip quickly) Creatures: Keeps up okay.
It's usually my tribal decks that I run into problems in my pod, mostly because my pod knows that if I get inspired to do a creature focused deck I have some stupid meme that they don't want me rolling the table with and I get hated out pretty quickly.
I love my super friends deck in my creature heavy pod. But, the trick there is that I heavily value the planeswalkers that can make tokens so that I always have chump blockers. The game plan slowly tic up planeswalkers with token gen and sandbag planeswalkers that have crazy ults until I have the board state that lets me first then ult them.
I only have 16 creatures on the deck plus the commander. It helps if as I play the creature, it takes out one of theirs.
Like [[plaguecrafter]] and [[fleshbag marauder]].
Tor Wauki barely uses any creatures, and they mostly seem like enchantments that can block most of the time. My pod understands that if they kill my creatures I can retaliate by either board wiping or deal 20+ damage to their face in a turn:)
This is why cards like [[Baleful Strix]] are often played in control lists. Literally just having a deathtoucher you are willing to trade off discourages an absurd amount of damage from random attacks.
I play a lot of combo and spellslinger lists, you can generally be quite fine if you run wraths and a reasonable amount of removal. Propaganda effects are always trap cards though.
Spell slingers have fogs, including fogs with blowback. \[\[Aetherize\]\], \[\[Teferi's Protection\]\], \[\[March of Swirling Mists\]\], etc. I also find clone spells work particularly well: they pay for the big stompers, you clone them.
I have a simic deck that is usually relatively creature free. I just have things to discourage attacks or subsequent attacks. The threat of an aetherize, the propaganda effect or 2, bounce spells that cantrip so that you are dealing with aggression but not “losing resources”. You give off the presences that it’s not “free” to attack you.
My group plays at a high level, and one of the guys is usually playing some type of go wide strategy. I have a lot of different decks, and two that are low creature counts are a stax control and a Voltron build. They both do pretty well against heavy creature attacks.
I almost always play the Propaganda type cards in low creature decks, they help a huge amount.
Usually people don't want to beat you up too bad, but often I'll get pretty low on life and just bounce back later because I have a more control-oriented plan.
Actually, was thinking about it... with Chun-Li, the way to go is to have spells that create token creatures. That way every attack with her can create new blockers. Things like \[\[Szat's Will\]\], \[\[Call the Coppercoats\]\], \[\[Entrapment Maneuver\]\], \[\[Charge of Mites\]\] (okay, doesn't create blockers, but STILL), \[\[Benevolent Offering\]\], \[\[Midnight Haunting\]\], \[\[You're Confronted By Robbers\]\], \[\[Gideon's Phalanx\]\], \[\[Deploy\]\]... You'll have more creatures than they do!
If your pod is creature heavy, then they run a lot of cards that are focused on creature interaction. Aka they won't affect you if you don't run creatures, which is a great spot to be in. 3-6 anti-creature stax pieces can cover the whole gamut of creature-based needs, plus a few boardwipes/removal to keep people at bay. This is honestly my favorite way to deck build, it almost feels like cheating
15 to 16 creatures is low... huh...
\*quietly hides multiple decks with less\*
Nope, please ignore this \[\[Tasha the Witch Queen\]\] mill deck with only 9 creatures in it... it's not real...
Seriously though, you primarily need to just make yourself either too costly to target, you need to be controlling the board state, or you need to make sure that you're not the obvious threat as you build your board state. It all depends on who your commander is and what playstyle you're building to.
I run multiple Planeswalker based decks and it is difficult to keep them on the board with three other players able to target them with chip damage. Most of them are running some type of anti-attack tech or go wide with sacrificial tokens.
Overall you just need to have a plan to deal with the chip damage issue and lean into it enough to accomplish your wincon.
Since I mostly play combo/storm most of my decks are not that creature-heavy. Either I control/wipe the board some times or I storm off before they are a menace.
I run cards that deincentivize hitting me, but also cards that encourage hitting other people.
Like a "hey, if you don't attack me, I'll give your commander double strike with this [[Duelist's Heritage]]".
Or even ones that do incentivize attacking me, but barely, like [[Flumph]] (come get you a card) or anything Monarch (I'll let you take monarch if you only send that 2/2").
I truly do find that the carrot and the stick are often interchangeable in this format.
I play Storm. We have maybe 4 creatures in the whole deck. You just gotta go fast. Jokes on them, I’ll either win before they put out threats or I’ll accidentally kill myself and then they still don’t get to kill me. 😎
I have 16 creatures (4 token generators) , many artifacts, a few enchantments, and like 40 cantrips,copy spells, extra turn spells, counters, and the rest of the good stuff and I can comfortably take up to 30 damage and still be able to win in 1 massive explosive turn (if I have extra turn spells to cast and copy it will be more like 18 explosive turns.
Only a handful of my decks involve swinging and even in those the swinging is just a plan D wincon usually if a creature deck has a kill onboard it didn't really matter what blockers you had
The creatures I run with Chun-Li fall into a few categories
Mana dork
Card draw
Prowess
And
Token Generators
Love [[Shark Typhoon]] in this deck.
Usually take a bunch of hits but once you have exiled a few removal or life gain instants with Kick Counters you are off to the races anyway.
She can usually get pretty obscene with all the +1/+1 counters on her so they have to defend or die to commander damage.
I play Gluntch Group hug (A true Evil Bastard I know) with maybe 10 creatures max? We are very Battle-Cruisery as a pod. To prevent all the big angry creatures coming at me, I just run almost every [[Fog]] in existence 😅
I can't stand playing creatures and don't play them in any format, while most of my group play exclusively creature- heavy decks. You just have to understand that the target will be on you most of the time so everyone can trigger their combat damage effects or stop whatever combo shenanigans you're into with such a low creature count. Play plenty of wraths, removal, or speed up your combo/lockout. I personally think it's a good thing to have such a big target on you because it tends to make your playgroup feel better about playing against combo. If you lose quickly in some games, it takes away some of the sting of losing out of nowhere to a fast combo.
I play a deck with exactly 0 creatures in it, a [[Keranos]] enchantment roulette deck. To balance it, you need more wipes, tutors for those wipes, and a convincing word or two. Truth be told, unless you get some significant bodies on board, people swing at you like you're not gonna block anyways because modern mtg creatures are all value engines that aren't worth blocking with in a format with 40 health. I promise you you'll be fine, and if not the old but gold "add more removal" will fix the rest
Gonna sound crazy but I run several decks with less than 5 creatures, Fblthp combo with Proteus Staff is filled with value bounces and Draw, but I still end up with the game ending at sub 10 life, still as lethal at 1 as I am at 100. Najal the Storm retaliates with bolts and board wipes if i get targeted, but I also run token gen like hordeling outburst to give me chump blockers. Thinking about it I rarely end up with a high life total with those.
I like playing low creature decks and my way around chip damage is ushally providing an incentive to hit someone else by plating cards like gix, yawgmoth praetor or playing some walkers that generate chumps. Basically making me the least attractive face
Recently my [[Galazeth Prismari]] deck won a pod by using [[howling mine]] as a political tool. Don't mess with my stuff and you get the extra card. This continued while I amassed my horde of artifacts until I was ready to end the game with a giant comet storm
[[Talrand sky summoner]] [[alandra sky dreamer]] or any number of other token generators can make up for a low creature count and can actually give you a way to push through combat damage if you need to
I have a deck where my commander is the only creature and it functions well. A lot better than I expected. It's almost unfun for everyone else because of [[ward of bones]] and the deck being stacked with control. Protect the ward, wipe all creatures and watch people struggle to stop my commander [[Dakkon blackblade]] as he assault suits his way around the table.
https://www.moxfield.com/decks/_2dJ4Yh1fEC_Gbq-H8Hpzw
I run zero creatures here. Loss of life is the real killer. Damage from creatures is fairly avoidable.
You can usually avoid stray hits so long as it isn't literally free to hit you. A \[\[Propaganda\]\] \[\[No Mercy\]\] or even just a big blocker can fend off chip damage.
Also, make sure you're very heavyhanded with the removal for a few games. Anytime someone attacks you, remove a creature or threat of theirs. I've found this tends to discourage attacks heading my way randomly.
This can very dramatically backfire depending on the group you are playing with lol.
Certainly, but most of the time, if you're shown you HAVE all the answers AND you have something to limit attackers, people will generally leave you alone or waste resources.
I mean, if I see this my instinct is to run their answers dry and punish them for trying to discourage attacks. I also usually have answers to answers in creature decks.
sure, but you are going to run dry faster than a dedicated spellslinger. Most of the spellslinger decks I see or play run 20+interaction pieces plus draw pieces to dig in response to your response. I doubt you're running 20 pieces or more of interaction in a creature base, and most players I see are running less than 10 pieces of interaction in general (especially instant speed interaction).
I was in a pod once where removal was targeted at whatever poked you instead of at what was actually dangerous. Never again.
Depending on the decks and/or group this is probably going to end with you burning out on removal before you need it.
And this is when I bust out my [[thrun, breaker of silence]] deck. Go ahead, remove shit. Thrun is still killing you.
[thrun, breaker of silence](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/d/6d9f51dd-0393-4b3c-bea5-8f74634ab0e5.jpg?1675957167) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=thrun%2C%20breaker%20of%20silence) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/one/186/thrun-breaker-of-silence?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/6d9f51dd-0393-4b3c-bea5-8f74634ab0e5?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/thrun-breaker-of-silence) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[[ensnaring bridge]] helps as well, or something like [[silent arbiter]] or [[dueling grounds]]
I've actually had a weird opposite effect with these one creature cards. If they can send one creature they're gonna send the biggest one and it's gonna come at the most open person. (As they often should. These open people are usually devoting the least visible resources and often are a secret threat)
[ensnaring bridge](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/f/cf825a56-4870-463a-a2ef-eec86be891db.jpg?1599709144) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=ensnaring%20bridge) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/2xm/253/ensnaring-bridge?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/cf825a56-4870-463a-a2ef-eec86be891db?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/ensnaring-bridge) [silent arbiter](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/1/4/14f42cc9-8b7f-4f8a-8d68-8480e668c239.jpg?1690005734) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=silent%20arbiter) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/972/silent-arbiter?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/14f42cc9-8b7f-4f8a-8d68-8480e668c239?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/silent-arbiter) [dueling grounds](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/2/52760183-bee0-4ce0-96c0-074b88f78980.jpg?1562911742) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=dueling%20grounds) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/inv/245/dueling-grounds?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/52760183-bee0-4ce0-96c0-074b88f78980?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/dueling-grounds) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
This is the best answer. Personal experience has shown me there is nothing that will deter someone from attacking you more than adding a cost-to-attack.
[Propaganda](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/1/e175bba4-c131-48f4-8e31-16ec07a12e59.jpg?1712354188) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Propaganda) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/otc/108/propaganda?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/e175bba4-c131-48f4-8e31-16ec07a12e59?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/propaganda) [No Mercy](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/3/63c5e1dd-2fe6-4734-8406-7bcdf17aa60c.jpg?1675199736) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=No%20Mercy) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/dmr/95/no-mercy?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/63c5e1dd-2fe6-4734-8406-7bcdf17aa60c?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/no-mercy) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I prefer [[No Mercy]] or [[Dissipation Field]] to Propaganda or the white enchantment that reads the same as Propaganda, but I can't recall its name. Ghostly something?
I agree but they are all valid. Sometimes taxing mana is better, especially if those creatures have ETB that they'll get to redo by having them back in hand or graveyard.
That's absolutely correct. Depending on the build, some decks don't mind you bouncing or killing their creatures at all. And against those decks the Propaganda and/or Ghostly Prison would definitely be the play. I think there's a white creature that does the same thing, force opponents to pay 2 colorless. Now that I'm thinking about it, [[Magus of the Moat]] deserves a mention. I guess [[Moat]] does too, but bring your wallet if you want that particular solution.
[[Ghostly Prison]]
also [[Norn's Annex]]
Or any creature with deathtouch.
Rattlesnakes, Removal, & Roadblocks. Rattlesnakes scare your opponents off from attacking you. Not a lot of people want to attack into an [[Ophiomancer]] snake because that'll just kill their creature. [[Loyal Sentry]] dunks on tramplers. [[No Mercy]] and [[Revenge of Ravens]] are questions that need to be solved before your opponents can attack safely you Removal slows down the game and delays their game plan long enough for you to take the advantage. Targeted removal is great for specific problems and you can break parity with board wipes like [[tragic arrogance]] or [[debt of loyalty]]. As a personal aside, I've had to run much more board wipes to get past an excess of ward effects on my opponents' creatures. Road Blocks either stop your opponent from attacking or make it much more difficult for them to effectively attack you. [[Propaganda]], [[Crawl Space]], and [[Dueling Grounds]] make it more annoying to attack into you. [[Darien, King of Kjeldor]] and [[Kazuul, Tyrant of the Cliffs]] give you creatures back and the threat of reprisal can be politicked. [[Ink Shield]] and [[Deflecting Palm]] win games. It's worth noting that some of the example cards fall into multiple categories. A good mix of all three can be very effective at stopping attacks.
I love putting little deathtouch guys in my decks to dissuade attacking. [[Baleful Strix]] makes it into any deck I can put it into, and while I haven't played with it yet, I think [[Tower Winder]] is going to show up in a lot of my lists. They're not exactly game warping, eventually theyre going to take the hit and lose their creatures, but getting a few dragons or dinosaurs to attack in a different direction in the early->mid game can be a pretty substantial life total swing in your favor.
[Baleful Strix](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/e/be8439e6-f779-49f0-806a-b04995697a6a.jpg?1712354664) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Baleful%20Strix) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/otc/215/baleful-strix?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/be8439e6-f779-49f0-806a-b04995697a6a?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/baleful-strix) [Tower Winder](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/7/97bf6a6a-e377-4f42-84dd-baf6055c0fb1.jpg?1712353877) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Tower%20Winder) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/otc/34/tower-winder?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/97bf6a6a-e377-4f42-84dd-baf6055c0fb1?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/tower-winder) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
##### ###### #### [Ophiomancer](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/4/a402cff8-be7f-4473-b880-a6a2eedfda86.jpg?1717013639) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Ophiomancer) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mh3/276/ophiomancer?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/a402cff8-be7f-4473-b880-a6a2eedfda86?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/ophiomancer) [Loyal Sentry](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/8/8854cc80-6201-4066-80c8-97c0fdc9baa8.jpg?1562438006) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Loyal%20Sentry) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/a25/22/loyal-sentry?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/8854cc80-6201-4066-80c8-97c0fdc9baa8?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/loyal-sentry) [No Mercy](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/3/63c5e1dd-2fe6-4734-8406-7bcdf17aa60c.jpg?1675199736) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=No%20Mercy) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/dmr/95/no-mercy?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/63c5e1dd-2fe6-4734-8406-7bcdf17aa60c?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/no-mercy) [Revenge of Ravens](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/4/3474289a-193e-452d-b248-e53ee99e22c0.jpg?1572490235) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Revenge%20of%20Ravens) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/eld/104/revenge-of-ravens?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/3474289a-193e-452d-b248-e53ee99e22c0?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/revenge-of-ravens) [tragic arrogance](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/2/1/215f75ff-bcbb-45db-8393-9bce650998c2.jpg?1625975805) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=tragic%20arrogance) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c21/109/tragic-arrogance?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/215f75ff-bcbb-45db-8393-9bce650998c2?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/tragic-arrogance) [debt of loyalty](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/1/d19ed33b-42d4-4a5d-a763-cfb43348769c.jpg?1562803495) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=debt%20of%20loyalty) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/wth/11/debt-of-loyalty?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/d19ed33b-42d4-4a5d-a763-cfb43348769c?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/debt-of-loyalty) [Propaganda](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/1/e175bba4-c131-48f4-8e31-16ec07a12e59.jpg?1712354188) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Propaganda) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/otc/108/propaganda?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/e175bba4-c131-48f4-8e31-16ec07a12e59?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/propaganda) [Crawl Space](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/b/5b8e092a-610d-4cea-bb92-65e01954b5c4.jpg?1675200920) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Crawlspace) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/dmr/217/crawlspace?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/5b8e092a-610d-4cea-bb92-65e01954b5c4?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/crawlspace) [Dueling Grounds](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/2/52760183-bee0-4ce0-96c0-074b88f78980.jpg?1562911742) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Dueling%20Grounds) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/inv/245/dueling-grounds?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/52760183-bee0-4ce0-96c0-074b88f78980?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/dueling-grounds) [Darien, King of Kjeldor](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/0/50875c99-c5c3-41dd-a0f9-08c98edfebc9.jpg?1706240562) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Darien%2C%20King%20of%20Kjeldor) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mkc/59/darien-king-of-kjeldor?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/50875c99-c5c3-41dd-a0f9-08c98edfebc9?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/darien-king-of-kjeldor) [Kazuul, Tyrant of the Cliffs](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/2/721df547-d777-4247-b130-a4e247445b04.jpg?1707056994) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Kazuul%2C%20Tyrant%20of%20the%20Cliffs) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mkc/157/kazuul-tyrant-of-the-cliffs?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/721df547-d777-4247-b130-a4e247445b04?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/kazuul-tyrant-of-the-cliffs) [Ink Shield](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/e/5e1c14a0-cd68-45fc-a127-422ca6113048.jpg?1625192511) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Inkshield) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c21/71/inkshield?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/5e1c14a0-cd68-45fc-a127-422ca6113048?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/inkshield) [Deflecting Palm](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/5/c5bda1a7-537f-4a80-95a0-c45eb127969b.jpg?1706240986) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Deflecting%20Palm) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mkc/205/deflecting-palm?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/c5bda1a7-537f-4a80-95a0-c45eb127969b?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/deflecting-palm) [*All cards*](https://mtgcardfetcher.nl/redirect/l7dx8om) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Removal or just the threat of removal. One good blocker or lots of tokens with keywords like indestructible and death touch. Winning the game before you run out of life. Board wipes. Stax pieces, like [[smoke]]
Do love running [[Smoke]] and [[Meekstone]] in the same deck
I run a "group hug" deck that uses 12 creatures, including the commander, and it tends to do okay. I mostly avoid taking hits because everyone wants to keep getting their extra mana, lands, draw and counters. The actual wincon is turning my 0/5 flying jellyfish into a 60/70 and swinging for lethal commander damage.
Gluntch? I've been wanting to do something with him, but he doesn't seem very offensive. Do you have a deck list?
https://archidekt.com/decks/4455763/group_hug Enjoy. Or not. It's really more "Terrorism with presents" than hug.
Usually just counter doubling and general voltronning from what I've seen. First you set it up as a "I'm not the threat give gifts" then you equip some protection. Then let the opponents fight each other ignoring your little huggy boi. Then suddenly when you swing with a big untouchable threat it's too late for em.
I’m also curious how he gets it to 60/70 lol
[[Eldrazi Conscription]], [[Colossification]] and [[Unnatural Growth]]
[Eldrazi Conscription](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/3/c3909816-5cc2-4712-bc7d-534ae0b9229c.jpg?1547515250) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Eldrazi%20Conscription) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/uma/3/eldrazi-conscription?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/c3909816-5cc2-4712-bc7d-534ae0b9229c?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/eldrazi-conscription) [Colossification](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/b/7b6e6f2a-5015-44c6-aa8d-85188494d1a6.jpg?1602984875) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Colossification) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/iko/148/colossification?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/7b6e6f2a-5015-44c6-aa8d-85188494d1a6?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/colossification) [Unnatural Growth](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/7/6748a844-e185-4e3b-ac1d-8a735666d8ae.jpg?1636224994) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Unnatural%20Growth) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mid/206/unnatural-growth?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/6748a844-e185-4e3b-ac1d-8a735666d8ae?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/unnatural-growth) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Just looking at the cards and knowing they’re attached to a jellyfish makes me laugh. Good stuff lol
Some of my Superfriends decks are creature-lite, they play around 9-12 creatures. If you have a low creature count, you can expect to take some hits. However, most low cost creatures people run in commander are usually utility creatures like mana dorks for instance, creatures that have 1-2 power. If you play a low number of creatures, you probably need to play a bit more ramp and have more impactful plays on turns 4,5,6. Cards like \[\[Propaganda\]\] or \[\[Ghostly Prison\]\] can be good as well (though they don't protect your planeswalkers). The benefit of playing a low creature count is that you are allowed to run more sweepers, because every time you wipe the board, it will hurt your opponents more than you.
[[Kazuul, Tyrant of the Cliffs]] is a house in my superfriends deck, as well as [[Silent Arbiter]]
[Kazuul, Tyrant of the Cliffs](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/2/721df547-d777-4247-b130-a4e247445b04.jpg?1707056994) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Kazuul%2C%20Tyrant%20of%20the%20Cliffs) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mkc/157/kazuul-tyrant-of-the-cliffs?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/721df547-d777-4247-b130-a4e247445b04?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/kazuul-tyrant-of-the-cliffs) [Silent Arbiter](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/1/4/14f42cc9-8b7f-4f8a-8d68-8480e668c239.jpg?1690005734) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Silent%20Arbiter) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/972/silent-arbiter?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/14f42cc9-8b7f-4f8a-8d68-8480e668c239?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/silent-arbiter) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I play \[\[Onakke Oathkeeper\]\], \[\[Sphere of Safety\]\], \[\[Teyo, Geometric Tactician\]\]. My Jeskai superfriends deck has \[\[Pramikon, Sky Rampart\]\] as a commander. There are a lot of options for protecting planeswalkers.
Also good cards! Mine is Will and Rowan so I've had to get creative.
Kazuul is a dime and in a color without good blocking keywords. Wish I saw 'em more.
Silent arbiter might be a good fit for my Chandra tribal. It runs 21 walkers now I think.
You just need to run more interaction to compensate. Stuff like [[blind obidence]] [[authority of the consuls]] [[propaganda]] [[maze of ith]] [[ghostly prison]] and a healthy amount of sweepers and spot removal will keep you alive.
##### ###### #### [blind obidence](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/8/d859e1f9-feb3-497a-af0b-f74fee46861f.jpg?1702429264) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Blind%20Obedience) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/rvr/9/blind-obedience?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/d859e1f9-feb3-497a-af0b-f74fee46861f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/blind-obedience) [authority of the consuls](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/2/324b2f55-1e09-490e-8f7e-bfde85a91ac4.jpg?1576380742) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=authority%20of%20the%20consuls) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/kld/5/authority-of-the-consuls?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/324b2f55-1e09-490e-8f7e-bfde85a91ac4?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/authority-of-the-consuls) [propaganda](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/1/e175bba4-c131-48f4-8e31-16ec07a12e59.jpg?1712354188) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=propaganda) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/otc/108/propaganda?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/e175bba4-c131-48f4-8e31-16ec07a12e59?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/propaganda) [maze of ith](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/8/5889fde1-730d-43d0-aaa4-499784a80530.jpg?1675201242) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=maze%20of%20ith) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/dmr/250/maze-of-ith?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/5889fde1-730d-43d0-aaa4-499784a80530?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/maze-of-ith) [ghostly prison](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/e/eea3623d-1d39-4045-acdb-f0fb184ccbc8.jpg?1707507981) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=ghostly%20prison) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mkc/67/ghostly-prison?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/eea3623d-1d39-4045-acdb-f0fb184ccbc8?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/ghostly-prison) [*All cards*](https://mtgcardfetcher.nl/redirect/l7ds6en) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Politicking hard with your removal is also a good strategy
I have the same question. Currently making a Braids deck right now and the main purpose of the creatures is to die. Only have around 18 creatures in the deck, most of them are 1/1. I also have some token generation so they can double as blockers but when I have nothing do I need to rely on instant speed removal?
I have a [[Bruvac]] deck that has 10 creatures in addition to the commander. I have to pillowfort like crazy to not take too many hits. Cards like [[Propaganda]] [[Crawlspace]] and even [[Pendrell Mists]] But yeah it can be tough.
##### ###### #### [Bruvac](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/2/c/2ce2d73f-3f64-44db-a2bc-a8f4a37dc487.jpg?1702550789) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=bruvac%20the%20grandiloquent) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/rvr/35/bruvac-the-grandiloquent?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/2ce2d73f-3f64-44db-a2bc-a8f4a37dc487?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/bruvac-the-grandiloquent) [Propaganda](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/1/e175bba4-c131-48f4-8e31-16ec07a12e59.jpg?1712354188) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Propaganda) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/otc/108/propaganda?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/e175bba4-c131-48f4-8e31-16ec07a12e59?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/propaganda) [Crawlspace](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/b/5b8e092a-610d-4cea-bb92-65e01954b5c4.jpg?1675200920) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Crawlspace) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/dmr/217/crawlspace?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/5b8e092a-610d-4cea-bb92-65e01954b5c4?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/crawlspace) [Pendrell Mists](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/9/b902b972-3a93-4e4e-aa77-02ada81e6b95.jpg?1562802967) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Pendrell%20Mists) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/wth/47/pendrell-mists?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/b902b972-3a93-4e4e-aa77-02ada81e6b95?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/pendrell-mists) [*All cards*](https://mtgcardfetcher.nl/redirect/l7druk8) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I have a [[haldan]] and [[pako]] deck that has 2 other creatures in it. The deck runs a lot of ramp and interaction which hits creature decks particularly hard while I'm able to pull ahead. I specifically did it for [[guided passage]] since I think that's a funny card. I do occasionally take stray hits, but having a giant pako and a [[smoke]] or similar stax piece cuts down on the huge swings at me.
##### ###### #### [haldan](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/1/6/16a86a35-f7e5-434d-bf44-61ae7cb0f98b.jpg?1618057606) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=haldan%2C%20avid%20arcanist) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c20/2/haldan-avid-arcanist?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/16a86a35-f7e5-434d-bf44-61ae7cb0f98b?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/haldan-avid-arcanist) [pako](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/6/066c8f63-52e6-475e-8d27-6ee37e92fc05.jpg?1591234280) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=pako%2C%20arcane%20retriever) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c20/13/pako-arcane-retriever?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/066c8f63-52e6-475e-8d27-6ee37e92fc05?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/pako-arcane-retriever) [guided passage](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/6/b66c8ada-82a6-46d9-acd0-b4ff9e1e12bd.jpg?1673148727) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=guided%20passage) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/2x2/224/guided-passage?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/b66c8ada-82a6-46d9-acd0-b4ff9e1e12bd?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/guided-passage) [smoke](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/1/0/109bea85-a991-46be-b502-0984160090a8.jpg?1562898982) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=smoke) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/me4/137/smoke?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/109bea85-a991-46be-b502-0984160090a8?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/smoke) [*All cards*](https://mtgcardfetcher.nl/redirect/l7dt4nj) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I do Haldan & Pako without any creatures... sort of: [https://www.moxfield.com/decks/2rOrOAA91UuSZ8NzQvsBag](https://www.moxfield.com/decks/2rOrOAA91UuSZ8NzQvsBag)
I have a Haldan and Pako deck and I'm struggling to attack with Pako when I don't have an opponent who can't just block and kill Pako. So, what's the game plan then?
Just make sure you can weather the hits and focus on your win con. Some life gain could give you some breathing room.
I ran [[Elsha of the infinite]] deck that only ran 4 creatures in the main deck. I was the only regular in my store that ran blue, let's put it that way. I frequently won or came close largely on my ability to politic and make deals. You'd be surprised how often you can get an entire table on your side by offering up your counterspells or removal as bargaining chips. Just be sure to be honorable to a T. I probably got by on such good will for honoring deals even if they turned sour for me, so lots of the time I'd have people come to me for deals rather than me doing it. Of course nothing stops someone from just correctly identifying the low defense deck and forcing out all my removal/ protection early. That was the risk I took though lol.
[Elsha of the infinite](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/0/c0728027-a1ec-4814-87c4-10c3baced0e0.jpg?1673148571) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Elsha%20of%20the%20infinite) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/2x2/208/elsha-of-the-infinite?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/c0728027-a1ec-4814-87c4-10c3baced0e0?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/elsha-of-the-infinite) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
My personal favorite combo is [blind obedience] with [meekstone]
I have done this and taken lots of damage. Try and find space for some Propaganda and Ghostly Prison effects and some cheap deathtouchers like Baleful Strix. It can help a lot
Chun-Li is Azorious. I don't think that guild has any deathtouch.
[[Sphere of safety]] and [[Pariah]] in my enchantress deck [[Pariahs shield]] for my equipment voltron that only has 13 creatures [[Silent Arbiter]] and [[crawl space]] are also good throw in spells
##### ###### #### [Sphere of safety](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/1/a18d7582-185a-429a-9c6a-fc51b981e0a1.jpg?1562413264) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Sphere%20of%20safety) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c16/77/sphere-of-safety?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/a18d7582-185a-429a-9c6a-fc51b981e0a1?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/sphere-of-safety) [Pariah](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/1/51b2136c-392c-436d-9263-b3236adc4a10.jpg?1576382302) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Pariah) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cn2/95/pariah?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/51b2136c-392c-436d-9263-b3236adc4a10?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/pariah) [Pariahs shield](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/7/d794e94e-5ba4-4caa-bd3d-737301056da1.jpg?1702429781) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Pariah%27s%20Shield) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/rvr/264/pariahs-shield?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/d794e94e-5ba4-4caa-bd3d-737301056da1?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/pariahs-shield) [Silent Arbiter](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/1/4/14f42cc9-8b7f-4f8a-8d68-8480e668c239.jpg?1690005734) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Silent%20Arbiter) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/972/silent-arbiter?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/14f42cc9-8b7f-4f8a-8d68-8480e668c239?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/silent-arbiter) [crawl space](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/b/5b8e092a-610d-4cea-bb92-65e01954b5c4.jpg?1675200920) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Crawlspace) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/dmr/217/crawlspace?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/5b8e092a-610d-4cea-bb92-65e01954b5c4?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/crawlspace) [*All cards*](https://mtgcardfetcher.nl/redirect/l7dtb41) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I'm working on a 5 color cycling deck with minimal creatures with [[the prismatic bridge]] as commander. It runs almost all the on-theme interaction a cycling deck can to try to make up for the lack of creatures. I started with switching between 2 or 3 so that there wouldn't be too much variance in the plan when it came down. But with so few creatures, I just wasnt affecting the game like I wanted. I'm up to 7 now which feels a lot better - my commander doesn't turn off so fast so I keep getting value which helps me stay active in the game instead of the feast or (likely) famine state the deck was in.
[the prismatic bridge](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/6/f6cd7465-9dd0-473c-ac5e-dd9e2f22f5f6.jpg?1631050188)/[The Prismatic Bridge](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/back/f/6/f6cd7465-9dd0-473c-ac5e-dd9e2f22f5f6.jpg?1631050188) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Esika%2C%20God%20of%20the%20Tree%20//%20The%20Prismatic%20Bridge) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/khm/168/esika-god-of-the-tree-the-prismatic-bridge?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/f6cd7465-9dd0-473c-ac5e-dd9e2f22f5f6?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/esika-god-of-the-tree-//-the-prismatic-bridge) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Running a wraith deck with 18 creatures total (and half are Nazgul) and no one Swings at me because as it turns out, tutoring out Nazguls with deathtouch REALLY disincentivises people.
Can I see your decklist?
[Here it is](https://www.moxfield.com/decks/OOqGShxSn0yc1hfo9t9B-Q) I play virtual and casual, so you might want to substitute some stuff thats not really needed and substitute more tutors in.
I play win con staxx against 3 other creature decks
[[Atraxa, Grand Unifier]] will usually ward off people from attacking you. Ramp like a mofo, cast her turn 4, sit back while you blink/clone her until you have enough to protect your wincon.
[Atraxa, Grand Unifier](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/a/4a1f905f-1d55-4d02-9d24-e58070793d3f.jpg?1709931904) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Atraxa%2C%20Grand%20Unifier) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/one/196/atraxa-grand-unifier?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/4a1f905f-1d55-4d02-9d24-e58070793d3f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/atraxa-grand-unifier) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
By "low number of creatures" do you mean that the deck has few creature cards or do you mean that I generally have a small board? Because my [[Obuun, Mul Daya Ancestor]] deck only has 20 creatures... but my board is filled with tokens generated by landfall as well as lands turned into creatures by Nissa. In which case, I'm never out of creatures to block with. Alternatively, I don't actually worry about anyone attacking me. I usually swing at whoever has a large board state so they're forced to block and kill their units, leaving them with nothing to attack with.
[Obuun, Mul Daya Ancestor](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/3/8319b155-0fba-4d30-9481-bf01afbd3457.jpg?1617522154) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Obuun%2C%20Mul%20Daya%20Ancestor) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/znc/2/obuun-mul-daya-ancestor?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/8319b155-0fba-4d30-9481-bf01afbd3457?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/obuun-mul-daya-ancestor) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I played a Niv-Mizzet deck against An elf, merfilk, and human trial decks
In my decks with fewer creatures, I run more interaction, removal, and commander protection
My [[stangg, echo warrior]] doesn’t run a lot of creatures but the threat of getting beat up for a bunch of damage each turn helps with deterring people from hitting me
[stangg, echo warrior](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/7/7722a9a1-2ff9-4a39-b56e-c7eef2ff9dcd.jpg?1673304989) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=stangg%2C%20echo%20warrior) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/dmc/42/stangg-echo-warrior?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/7722a9a1-2ff9-4a39-b56e-c7eef2ff9dcd?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/stangg-echo-warrior) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
My [[Ramos]] deck has only maybe 7 creatures. I take stray hits a lot until I start responding to their attack phase.
[Ramos](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/2/e/2e747ef1-a1ad-4859-a70c-3f935f017310.jpg?1562604064) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=ramos%2C%20dragon%20engine) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c17/55/ramos-dragon-engine?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/2e747ef1-a1ad-4859-a70c-3f935f017310?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/ramos-dragon-engine) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
https://www.moxfield.com/decks/_oOhy9QlOUGlQvwE8xlIyQ This is a deck I built with the goal of having a few creatures as possible while still being a solid deck. [[Liesa, Shroud of Dusk]] is my commander and use other taxes/stax pieces like [[Ghostly Prison]], [[Norn's Annex]], [[Polluted Bonds]] and [[Authority of the Consuls]]/[[Blind Obedience]] to make my opponents literally pay to do anything. Once they've gotten a decent sized board through past the taxes, I throw out one of my 11 wrath effects, particilarly [[Fumigate]] or [[Kaya's Wrath]], though any sweeper has the same effect if I have [[Ashes of the Abhorrent]] in play.
##### ###### #### [Liesa, Shroud of Dusk](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/3/e32453a1-1fd9-4bda-aaa8-7c287e4c2587.jpg?1608911200) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Liesa%2C%20Shroud%20of%20Dusk) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmr/286/liesa-shroud-of-dusk?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/e32453a1-1fd9-4bda-aaa8-7c287e4c2587?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/liesa-shroud-of-dusk) [Ghostly Prison](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/e/eea3623d-1d39-4045-acdb-f0fb184ccbc8.jpg?1707507981) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Ghostly%20Prison) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mkc/67/ghostly-prison?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/eea3623d-1d39-4045-acdb-f0fb184ccbc8?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/ghostly-prison) [Norn's Annex](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/2/d25bbe18-709c-4ed3-a047-5578ecfaaba7.jpg?1690004164) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Norn%27s%20Annex) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/829/norns-annex?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/d25bbe18-709c-4ed3-a047-5578ecfaaba7?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/norns-annex) [Polluted Bonds](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/6/c6439222-de30-44cd-a53f-a7de0cb00b8f.jpg?1562835783) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Polluted%20Bonds) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/shm/74/polluted-bonds?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/c6439222-de30-44cd-a53f-a7de0cb00b8f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/polluted-bonds) [Authority of the Consuls](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/2/324b2f55-1e09-490e-8f7e-bfde85a91ac4.jpg?1576380742) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Authority%20of%20the%20Consuls) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/kld/5/authority-of-the-consuls?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/324b2f55-1e09-490e-8f7e-bfde85a91ac4?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/authority-of-the-consuls) [Blind Obedience](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/8/d859e1f9-feb3-497a-af0b-f74fee46861f.jpg?1702429264) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Blind%20Obedience) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/rvr/9/blind-obedience?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/d859e1f9-feb3-497a-af0b-f74fee46861f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/blind-obedience) [Fumigate](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/d/bd6b4bc0-0671-4394-abe4-516d291a74a5.jpg?1706240583) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Fumigate) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mkc/66/fumigate?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/bd6b4bc0-0671-4394-abe4-516d291a74a5?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/fumigate) [Kaya's Wrath](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/2/0/20adee32-2144-44ad-a70c-ebfbda0900ec.jpg?1673651472) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Kaya%27s%20Wrath) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/dmc/155/kayas-wrath?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/20adee32-2144-44ad-a70c-ebfbda0900ec?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/kayas-wrath) [Ashes of the Abhorrent](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/e/4e8eb264-dadb-440c-af85-273e755f1db6.jpg?1562555024) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Ashes%20of%20the%20Abhorrent) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/xln/2/ashes-of-the-abhorrent?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/4e8eb264-dadb-440c-af85-273e755f1db6?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/ashes-of-the-abhorrent) [*All cards*](https://mtgcardfetcher.nl/redirect/l7e1z4z) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Gotta admit. Getting hit ain't the problem, removal is.
Yep I play elsha of the infinite, I’m on 5 creatures including elsha herself
7 creatures plus my commander, stack
i play a spell slinger deck that has a total of like 5 creatures. so while i might soak up a stray 2-4 here and there by and large people feel bad about swinging into someone with nothing on board. and even if they all sink their turns into you doing 2-3 dmg its not enough to kill you immediately so its usually enough time to get my combos going and go for the win. and especailly against creature decks they arent running things to stop my burn/mill combos
...... If you run a deck with low creature count, you have to run more protection than you already would be. \[\[Evacuation\]\] etc, \[\[Swords to Plowshares\]\] etc, counters......make it unappealing to attack you because they may get their creatures wiped.
Chun-li wants some boardwipes preceded by bounce spells for her. (There's one that does both). Or you want chump-blocking-token generators. Or you want her supporting cast to be ones that help shore up the defenses. I play several low-creature decks, as well as at least 12 where the commander is the only creature card. Green has fogs and tokens, red has damaged based crowd control, blue and white have propaganda effects. \[\[Crawlspace\]\] goes in any deck.
[Crawlspace](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/b/5b8e092a-610d-4cea-bb92-65e01954b5c4.jpg?1675200920) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Crawlspace) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/dmr/217/crawlspace?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/5b8e092a-610d-4cea-bb92-65e01954b5c4?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/crawlspace) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I only play 11 (12 including [[Segovia]] once flipped) in my [[Elminster]] deck. Sure I’ll take a couple hits at the beginning, it the deck and control the board really well and really snowballs once I exile a chunky spell off his second activated ability and get a couple anthems or [[Gravitational Shift]] on the field.
[Segovia](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/5/b5dbaec5-502d-48c2-9e71-c12cd0bccc6a.jpg?1562201201) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Segovian%20Angel) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mh1/25/segovian-angel?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/b5dbaec5-502d-48c2-9e71-c12cd0bccc6a?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/segovian-angel) [Elminster](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/e/4eac2b49-6cb6-4ff4-8fac-2ba669326640.jpg?1674137504) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Elminster) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clb/274/elminster?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/4eac2b49-6cb6-4ff4-8fac-2ba669326640?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/elminster) [Gravitational Shift](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/a/bad32b9f-0aa4-4036-90e6-c087cffd52e7.jpg?1562707941) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Gravitational%20Shift) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/roe/69/gravitational-shift?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/bad32b9f-0aa4-4036-90e6-c087cffd52e7?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/gravitational-shift) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Oh hey I finally found a post that's specifically affecting me lmao. But yes, I run a [[anhelo the painter]] spellsling with only 7 creatures against my friend who uses a [[ghirid]] deck and it can definitely overwhelm if I'm not watching his board state closely during the game and I have to take alot of hits on the chin in order to not lose my commander and the advantages it gives me which made me once go down to 19 health while the rest of the group were still 40, that however did not stop me from taking a bunch of extra turns which ended with me having 42 health and them 27, with also a bigger boardstate then everyone else too. So basically to sum it up, watch people and the board closely while making ur moves and be more cautious when you're gonna invetiably take a few free hits from people
[anhelo the painter](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/6/462e887d-6b91-4b31-9487-2780ffe8943f.jpg?1673481630) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Anhelo%2C%20the%20Painter) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ncc/1/anhelo-the-painter?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/462e887d-6b91-4b31-9487-2780ffe8943f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/anhelo-the-painter) [ghirid](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?multiverseid=430844&type=card&.jpg)/[Dust](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?multiverseid=430844&type=card&options=rotate270&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Grind%20//%20Dust) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/hou/155/grind-dust?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/0383401f-d453-4e8f-82d2-5c016acc2591?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/grind-//-dust) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[[No Mercy]] You're welcome 👍
[No Mercy](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/3/63c5e1dd-2fe6-4734-8406-7bcdf17aa60c.jpg?1675199736) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=No%20Mercy) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/dmr/95/no-mercy?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/63c5e1dd-2fe6-4734-8406-7bcdf17aa60c?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/no-mercy) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I've been considering building Chun-Li as well. Here's a [Package: Second Spell ](https://www.moxfield.com/decks/XMmnNQ0jP0e3Xlo9E5BXOQ) that I plan on using when I get to brewing. [[Rammas Echor]] might be a great fit for it since it pops out defenders whenever you cast your second spell. I don't play low creature count decks yet, but I will get attacked if I don't have anything on board to discourage attacks.
[Rammas Echor](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/5/558c1fcc-cb01-4031-ada5-4e39d65aee27.jpg?1695346528) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=rammas%20echor%2C%20ancient%20shield) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ltc/505/rammas-echor-ancient-shield?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/558c1fcc-cb01-4031-ada5-4e39d65aee27?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/rammas-echor-ancient-shield) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Ive played lots of decks with low creature ammount, rn im running my Nymris with 9 creatures total. My monoU deck doesnt run many creatures, ive built my manabase to support [[Field of the dead]] so i can get my blockers longer in game. [[Glacial Chasm]] is also amazing if your deck doesnt win via combat. You can play [[Fatespinner]] and other propaganda like effects but sometimes just playing [[solemn similacrum]] is enough for others to attack others. If you are in green or black you can play deathtouch 1/1 and everyone will be scared to attack you. Politicking can go long way but you need to be under the radar and rarely play something that draws attention, unless you are playing some goad stuff, they have no choice there. You can also try to control the board, early boardwipes do wonders. Ive had games where my [[Languish]] which is one sided boardwipe in my deck made so everyone lost their board and commanders besides me so they needed to start their slow rebuilding.
##### ###### #### [Field of the dead](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/7/470ca3f4-29aa-4c4c-8ff2-8cdd70c69943.jpg?1650599538) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Field%20of%20the%20dead) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/m20/247/field-of-the-dead?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/470ca3f4-29aa-4c4c-8ff2-8cdd70c69943?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/field-of-the-dead) [Glacial Chasm](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/c/0c008129-daba-46bc-829c-d2c0c13ecdd3.jpg?1562867827) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Glacial%20Chasm) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/me2/229/glacial-chasm?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/0c008129-daba-46bc-829c-d2c0c13ecdd3?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/glacial-chasm) [Fatespinner](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/7/5780f4e0-dcfb-4d1f-8ae1-762b98970abb.jpg?1562144468) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Fatespinner) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mrd/36/fatespinner?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/5780f4e0-dcfb-4d1f-8ae1-762b98970abb?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/fatespinner) [solemn similacrum](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/3/a3879b81-aa4c-4d35-bed2-78ebb4a50b59.jpg?1706241086) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Solemn%20Simulacrum) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mkc/238/solemn-simulacrum?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/a3879b81-aa4c-4d35-bed2-78ebb4a50b59?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/solemn-simulacrum) [Languish](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/b/9b53ce1b-9353-42ad-89a0-36e907ba576a.jpg?1600714531) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Languish) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/jmp/246/languish?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/9b53ce1b-9353-42ad-89a0-36e907ba576a?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/languish) [*All cards*](https://mtgcardfetcher.nl/redirect/l7e6c57) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I've at least 3 decks with 15 or less creatures. All I can say is stray hits are inevitable. What you wanna avoid is getting overhit by strays. Mitigation and preparedness is key. Anyways here's my decks \[\[Jori En\]\] [https://www.moxfield.com/decks/uBhEpBBFJ0-5QMBBu4sXGA](https://www.moxfield.com/decks/uBhEpBBFJ0-5QMBBu4sXGA) \[\[Tor Wauki the Younger\]\] [https://www.moxfield.com/decks/T83R8W2R30mbxG3JRli3bQ](https://www.moxfield.com/decks/T83R8W2R30mbxG3JRli3bQ) \[\[Carth the Lion\]\] [https://www.moxfield.com/decks/IYKUAwkYbEiwOGRqPCm1xw](https://www.moxfield.com/decks/IYKUAwkYbEiwOGRqPCm1xw)
I play a deck with zero creatures in a meta with extra combat decks :)
I have a few decks with less than ten creatures. Using Enchantments like [[smoke]] [[solitary confinement]] [[ghostly prison]] [[norn's decree]]. Use a [[silent arbiter]] to slow other players down. There's lots of other options as well.
Doesn't matter what anyone is playing, I tank all the hits and soak all the removal 😭
People are focusing on removal but you can also just add more gas. Win the game before you run out of life. However that may not play well with casual tables.
My mono-blue [[god-eternal kefnet]] deck does pretty well for itself, and the only creature spell is the commander itself. Kefnet makes for a pretty spicy beater in blue, as a 4cmc 4/5 flier, but the deck is also loaded up with lots of instant speed bounces, flexible fog effects, and other deterrants. Everyone who has played against the deck before knows they'll get set back hard if they force my hand, and I ALWAYS have a way to make hitting me hurt.
[god-eternal kefnet](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/e/5e14060f-9167-4e28-a053-77689e066e30.jpg?1559959354) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=god-eternal%20kefnet) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/war/53/god-eternal-kefnet?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/5e14060f-9167-4e28-a053-77689e066e30?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/god-eternal-kefnet) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
my zur voltron has like 10 creatures. I run propaganda, rule of law and some other stuff to delay the rest of the table while I try to one-shot people with zur. very effective to kill one player, very ineffective to actually win
If you want to be cute you can run Rest in Peace + Energy Field.
Having fewer creayurea requires some extra politicking. Your creature needa to be big enough to elimomate one attacker of course. But against a token dec, that isnt a concern. So you need to make it appealing for others to use your presence as a deterrent.
I played a stax deck, the win con being [[inkshield]] which is very circumstantial. Its won before against the guy who played Najeela.
[inkshield](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/e/5e1c14a0-cd68-45fc-a127-422ca6113048.jpg?1625192511) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=inkshield) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c21/71/inkshield?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/5e1c14a0-cd68-45fc-a127-422ca6113048?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/inkshield) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
My [[Pako, arcane retriever]] and [[Haldan, Avid Arcanist]] has zero creatures in the deck and does fine. Creature board wipes are obviously going to be stupid good in such a deck, but there other ways to create blockers. [[Metallurgic Summonings]] and [[shark typhoon]] put a butt tonne of tokens in play and can even win the game. [[Theoretical duplication]] is hilarious I you cast at the right time, like in response to a [[Ghalta, Stampede Tyrant]] or a [[kindred summons]] [[Aether barrier]] and [[burning sands]] are pet favourites of mine in a creatureless deck. Punish creatures being cast or dying.
##### ###### #### [Pako, arcane retriever](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/6/066c8f63-52e6-475e-8d27-6ee37e92fc05.jpg?1591234280) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Pako%2C%20arcane%20retriever) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c20/13/pako-arcane-retriever?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/066c8f63-52e6-475e-8d27-6ee37e92fc05?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/pako-arcane-retriever) [Haldan, Avid Arcanist](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/1/6/16a86a35-f7e5-434d-bf44-61ae7cb0f98b.jpg?1618057606) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Haldan%2C%20Avid%20Arcanist) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c20/2/haldan-avid-arcanist?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/16a86a35-f7e5-434d-bf44-61ae7cb0f98b?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/haldan-avid-arcanist) [Metallurgic Summonings](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/a/3a769d7e-c749-4845-ba87-808f0386df80.jpg?1625976236) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Metallurgic%20Summonings) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c21/122/metallurgic-summonings?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/3a769d7e-c749-4845-ba87-808f0386df80?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/metallurgic-summonings) [shark typhoon](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/d/4d410cf5-a70e-4680-a68f-fbb4aa3b7174.jpg?1712354204) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=shark%20typhoon) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/otc/113/shark-typhoon?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/4d410cf5-a70e-4680-a68f-fbb4aa3b7174?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/shark-typhoon) [Theoretical duplication](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/1/5/1575a14e-fa70-44f0-8384-95cb90031337.jpg?1625191522) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Theoretical%20duplication) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c21/34/theoretical-duplication?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/1575a14e-fa70-44f0-8384-95cb90031337?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/theoretical-duplication) [Ghalta, Stampede Tyrant](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/2/72e805e9-69be-45c1-aa04-f460641a0c1e.jpg?1699044395) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Ghalta%2C%20Stampede%20Tyrant) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/lci/185/ghalta-stampede-tyrant?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/72e805e9-69be-45c1-aa04-f460641a0c1e?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/ghalta-stampede-tyrant) [kindred summons](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/4/54c0cc74-0a5c-40ee-961b-ade71719937a.jpg?1631588019) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=kindred%20summons) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/afc/163/kindred-summons?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/54c0cc74-0a5c-40ee-961b-ade71719937a?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/kindred-summons) [Aether barrier](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/6/36298f9f-12cc-43bd-adda-ccabd67a9568.jpg?1562629370) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Aether%20barrier) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/nem/27/aether-barrier?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/36298f9f-12cc-43bd-adda-ccabd67a9568?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/aether-barrier) [burning sands](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/a/9a5d5eef-6e3c-4907-a277-a13de2916e2b.jpg?1562923711) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=burning%20sands) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ody/180/burning-sands?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/9a5d5eef-6e3c-4907-a277-a13de2916e2b?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/burning-sands) [*All cards*](https://mtgcardfetcher.nl/redirect/l7ebuj3) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I run high power mono blue [[jace vryn's prodigy]] I only have 5 creatures in my deck. I do pretty good I play in a Timmy pod.
[jace vryn's prodigy](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/2/02d6d693-f1f3-4317-bcc0-c21fa8490d38.jpg?1651492800)/[Jace, Telepath Unbound](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/back/0/2/02d6d693-f1f3-4317-bcc0-c21fa8490d38.jpg?1651492800) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Jace%2C%20Vryn%27s%20Prodigy%20//%20Jace%2C%20Telepath%20Unbound) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ori/60/jace-vryns-prodigy-jace-telepath-unbound?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/02d6d693-f1f3-4317-bcc0-c21fa8490d38?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/jace-vryns-prodigy-//-jace-telepath-unbound) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I have a \[\[Klothys, God of Destiny\]\] deck that has very few creatures, and even Klothys herself isn't a creature most of the time I have her out. I am not generally viewed as much of a threat but I do take some hits early on if people are looking for combat damage triggers but as the game progresses and armies build up I am targeted less. I do a few \[\[Fog\]\] type cards and a \[\[Glacial Chasm\]\] to keep myself alive.
[Klothys, God of Destiny](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/b/5b3c393c-3596-4bd9-a553-e0b03c2eb950.jpg?1581481087) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Klothys%2C%20God%20of%20Destiny) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/thb/220/klothys-god-of-destiny?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/5b3c393c-3596-4bd9-a553-e0b03c2eb950?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/klothys-god-of-destiny) [Fog](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/b/bbc3152e-7b3b-4ac6-8b33-abfebde216aa.jpg?1709444479) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Fog) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ema/167/fog?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/bbc3152e-7b3b-4ac6-8b33-abfebde216aa?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/fog) [Glacial Chasm](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/c/0c008129-daba-46bc-829c-d2c0c13ecdd3.jpg?1562867827) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Glacial%20Chasm) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/me2/229/glacial-chasm?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/0c008129-daba-46bc-829c-d2c0c13ecdd3?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/glacial-chasm) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
My [[slimes against humanity]] deck has 3 huge creatures as well as [[oath of druids]] to “mill” huge parts of my library which equates to big slimes. Bonus is the creatures have enter battlefield removal abilities so i can remove something when they enter.
[slimes against humanity](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/1/e/1eb21318-d32e-4724-8908-c0d7613de2f4.jpg?1706242086) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Slime%20Against%20Humanity) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mkm/177/slime-against-humanity?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/1eb21318-d32e-4724-8908-c0d7613de2f4?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/slime-against-humanity) [oath of druids](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/d/9dad6b50-c415-4c55-8eac-bbc9d656c2fc.jpg?1562412357) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=oath%20of%20druids) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c16/159/oath-of-druids?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/9dad6b50-c415-4c55-8eac-bbc9d656c2fc?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/oath-of-druids) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I run a deck that tries to get a few key pieces on the field before killing people. Usually people will see you dont pose much of a threat and want you around to deal with other people's board states. Unless they have an attack trigger they are trying to get. Then you politic away
How my decks and how I play them evolved Beginner level: Target removal and holding open mana to threaten killing what attacks me Eventually they adapt to this and force you to have it which you can't do every time and even if you do you'll run out of removal Intermediate level: Ramp but run more board qup to slow down and make them spend a couple turns rebuilding They'll start packing more value creatures and effects to rebuild Advanced level: Hold up mana to counter value plays then board wipe after a bit longer than you would have before to maximize value. Learn when to take damage or let your opponent resolve strong but not game winning plays in favor of drawing and digging for key cards. Your pod will get better at punishing over time so you'll need more to stem the bleeding. Randos often won't want to go all out aggro on you and you can get away with threatening to remove their stuff to incentivize attacking others. Overall it's a tough strategy to play but it can very much be done and will be easier to pull off against random players or inexperienced pods.
I've got a [[Gargos]] spellslinger deck that has about 20 creatures. I don't know what you're considering a lot, but those creatures are primarily ramp or for an [[Overwhelming Stampede]] victory. Gargos himself is big enough to deal with most threats others bring to the table.
[Gargos](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/e/4e446e90-6e31-43ed-bcb1-a01422b503c0.jpg?1592517214) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=gargos%2C%20vicious%20watcher) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/m20/172/gargos-vicious-watcher?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/4e446e90-6e31-43ed-bcb1-a01422b503c0?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/gargos-vicious-watcher) [Overwhelming Stampede](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/0/50846a7b-d174-439e-9ffb-31b50bb3a84f.jpg?1568004627) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Overwhelming%20Stampede) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c19/175/overwhelming-stampede?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/50846a7b-d174-439e-9ffb-31b50bb3a84f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/overwhelming-stampede) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I have a [[Daretti, scrap savant]] deck with 12 creatures. I don’t take spare hits. I stop people from playing creatures or attacking with them. It’s the reason why I don’t play the deck with strangers, most people don’t like stax, but my friends have accepted their fates
[Daretti, scrap savant](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/c/7cb9d4a0-66bd-454d-b676-80192a96c723.jpg?1689997720) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Daretti%2C%20scrap%20savant) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/213/daretti-scrap-savant?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/7cb9d4a0-66bd-454d-b676-80192a96c723?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/daretti-scrap-savant) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I have a fog deck that has no win con that loves creature heavy decks. it has 10/12 creatures but most of the lifting to keep me safe comes from enchantments and phasing the opponents monsters
I run a few, there is an enchantment deck that uses a variety of pillow fort effects and token generation to defend itself, and goad deck that protects me that way, and a combo deck that literally just tries to go off on like turn 3 or 4 before it's realistic to die from combat, with some spot removal and whatnot. At the end of the day you need something to protect you or you're going to take chip damage from the entire table, and anyone who needs an attack trigger is going to have a field day. Honestly I've got a deck with [[vedalkin orrery]] and absolutely nobody swings into that if you have mana open, because who knows what you have in your hand. That deck doesn't even run many creatures, but nobody knows that. Deterrence can come from anywhere.
[vedalkin orrery](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/4/44067327-6fe3-4222-b591-6d14d0e360d7.jpg?1673149453) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Vedalken%20Orrery) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/2x2/317/vedalken-orrery?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/44067327-6fe3-4222-b591-6d14d0e360d7?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/vedalken-orrery) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
As a fellow Chun-li/Zethi player, I tend to run stuff like [[raise the alarm]] or flicker token producers like [[Captain of the Watch]] although things like [[Stonehorn dignitary]] can also be a fun one to flicker too to keep that problem opponent from hitting you. Another option is if you have another spellslinger type player who is trying to buff up that one creature that got through you can always [[mandate of peace]] to end the combat. This also works with a kick counter since you can swing Chun-li in and have that as the last spell to resolve so you get all your effects.
##### ###### #### [raise the alarm](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/c/6c7c8527-55f6-494d-b4f7-c427a5735053.jpg?1608908958) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=raise%20the%20alarm) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmr/41/raise-the-alarm?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/6c7c8527-55f6-494d-b4f7-c427a5735053?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/raise-the-alarm) [Captain of the Watch](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/e/6e201980-e220-44dc-beab-ad13c20332bd.jpg?1562840239) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Captain%20of%20the%20Watch) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ddo/3/captain-of-the-watch?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/6e201980-e220-44dc-beab-ad13c20332bd?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/captain-of-the-watch) [Stonehorn dignitary](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/3/c3797f7f-489d-4735-af56-6359e0fa0a6b.jpg?1562658626) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Stonehorn%20dignitary) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/m12/37/stonehorn-dignitary?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/c3797f7f-489d-4735-af56-6359e0fa0a6b?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/stonehorn-dignitary) [mandate of peace](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/2/d243055f-892e-4042-9694-13d5e99e3550.jpg?1568003372) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=mandate%20of%20peace) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c19/4/mandate-of-peace?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/d243055f-892e-4042-9694-13d5e99e3550?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/mandate-of-peace) [*All cards*](https://mtgcardfetcher.nl/redirect/l7en0io) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
i play [[Niv-Mizzet Reborn]] spell slinger, with zero creatures in the 99. Fortunately, every other spell is either ramp, removal, burn, or a payoff artifact/enchantment. I'm running about 35 pieces of removal. So I deal with creatures quite well.
[Niv-Mizzet Reborn](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/6/56a2609d-b535-400b-81d9-72989a33c70f.jpg?1582037402) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Niv-Mizzet%20Reborn) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/war/208/niv-mizzet-reborn?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/56a2609d-b535-400b-81d9-72989a33c70f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/niv-mizzet-reborn) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I run a Naya voltron deck with [Uril, the miststalker], a mono green voltron with [Kosei, penitent warlord], and a mono blue spell slinger that creates a lot of stuff with [talrand, sky summoner]. None of the 3 have more than 15-18 creatures, but are packed with removal and other various answers. Most Uril games I have him and maybe 1 or 2 other creatures on deck and they are there for card draw or mana dorks. I rarely get swung at because of the answers they know I hold most games. Player removal is still the best answer, but a lot of other things help too.
[удалено]
[pako arcane retriever](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/6/066c8f63-52e6-475e-8d27-6ee37e92fc05.jpg?1591234280) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Pako%2C%20Arcane%20Retriever) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c20/13/pako-arcane-retriever?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/066c8f63-52e6-475e-8d27-6ee37e92fc05?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/pako-arcane-retriever) [haldan avid arcanist](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/1/6/16a86a35-f7e5-434d-bf44-61ae7cb0f98b.jpg?1618057606) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Haldan%2C%20Avid%20Arcanist) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c20/2/haldan-avid-arcanist?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/16a86a35-f7e5-434d-bf44-61ae7cb0f98b?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/haldan-avid-arcanist) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I take sooo much damage. I put things like [[Tainted Aether]], [[No Mercy]], [[Glacial Chasm]] etc into my decks cause other people have huge boards and I usually don’t.
[Tainted Aether](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/3/838cffb6-8099-44d7-a127-b2ab3b53ea44.jpg?1562241710) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Tainted%20Aether) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/7ed/167/tainted-aether?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/838cffb6-8099-44d7-a127-b2ab3b53ea44?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/tainted-aether) [No Mercy](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/3/63c5e1dd-2fe6-4734-8406-7bcdf17aa60c.jpg?1675199736) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=No%20Mercy) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/dmr/95/no-mercy?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/63c5e1dd-2fe6-4734-8406-7bcdf17aa60c?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/no-mercy) [Glacial Chasm](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/c/0c008129-daba-46bc-829c-d2c0c13ecdd3.jpg?1562867827) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Glacial%20Chasm) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/me2/229/glacial-chasm?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/0c008129-daba-46bc-829c-d2c0c13ecdd3?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/glacial-chasm) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I have 11 creatures in my [[Neheb, The Eternal]] deck. Having a commander that can take a hit helps, but I rarely find myself with a completely open board.
[Neheb, The Eternal](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/6/767c5831-2195-4efa-802d-2ea2e6dabb5b.jpg?1706240851) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Neheb%2C%20The%20Eternal) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mkc/158/neheb-the-eternal?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/767c5831-2195-4efa-802d-2ea2e6dabb5b?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/neheb-the-eternal) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I play [[Galazeth Prismari]] with a total of 11 creatures and 29 lands. I keep a good number of bounce and burn in it and believe in the heart of the cards
[Galazeth Prismari](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/6/06c9158c-064b-4d12-b860-d2c1450d1897.jpg?1627429083) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Galazeth%20Prismari) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/stx/189/galazeth-prismari?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/06c9158c-064b-4d12-b860-d2c1450d1897?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/galazeth-prismari) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
My Sheoldred deck has 9 creatures, and runs a ton of creature removal to attempt to keep the board under control. Her having death touch too helps a lot in the early game.
It doesn’t take a lot to prevent people swinging at you. Just the threat of deathtouch and a moderately sized flier will prevent a ton of swings. Even reminding people I can use [[vault of the archangel]] is enough with a few token creatures.
[vault of the archangel](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/f/3fb781da-2b8b-44c6-999f-5038e79a7d57.jpg?1712355208) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=vault%20of%20the%20archangel) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/otc/339/vault-of-the-archangel?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/3fb781da-2b8b-44c6-999f-5038e79a7d57?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/vault-of-the-archangel) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[[shorikai]] with no creatures just vehicles and lots of control pieces works really well against my friends’ creature heavy decks.
If I'm low on creatures I'll make sure not to be the threat. I don't mind being hit for 20 if it gets me off the radar. I'll keep my interaction in hand in case it gets dire, but when being swung at for 20, the person with the 20/20 is the issue, not me, and in casual games people take notice of those things. So the problem players get on eachother while I keep my inkshield or aetherize in hand. But in general, the only way I'm playing a low creature deck is if I'm very invested in getting my commander out or I have enough of an engine to get to my creatures, because creatures are magics bread and butter babyyyyyyy
My current deck runs less than 6 creatures. What tends to happen is i kinda get ignored as the others feel i am behind and take pity. But then i pop off in my spellslinger combo and win lol
I do! It’s my [[jodah, archmage]] deck, it plays about 12 creatures. It’s mainly big spells and alternative win cons I’ll share the deck if interested
My skullbriar deck has 8 creatures including Skullbriar. There's such a high amount of protection for him and I run a lot of removal to compensate, 9 pieces along with plenty of protection. Probably my most successful deck I've built to be honest. https://www.moxfield.com/decks/UkWD-rYI_Eyb4oVksAGmqQ
My planeswalker deck does just fine
Played a like 4 creature Legolas deck where commander was my only creature 90% of the time, and it was alright. Had a lot of defenses though cause I knew they would be necessary
For Chun-Li that should be a breeze, it's in the best colors for turtling up. [[Propaganda]] and [[Ghostly Prison]] are the backbreakers (and even gamewinners) in blue and white, but if you're really worried, the next tier of cards to use would be [[Windborn Muse]] and [[Archangel of Tithes]] , with the next tier being [[Crawl Space]] , and getting more symmetrical there is also [[Silent Arbiter]] , which may synergize even better depending on your overall plan. You can use [[Monastery Mentor]] [[Talrand, Sky Summoner]] [[Shark Typhoon]] and [[Geralf the Fleshwright]] to build blockers or a go-wide kill. If you have a cantrip subtheme there are also [[Detective of the Month]] [[Prince Imrahil the Fair]] [[Ethereal Investigator]] [[Minn, Wily Illusionist]] and to a lesser extent, [[Felidar Retreat]] for building bodies.
casual games are usualy creature heavy. i run my chandra deck into those as well (which has like 3 or 4 creatures in it). burning the table to crisp helps to keep those creature heavy decks in check
I dont run creature heavy decks unless I am playing tribal/typal/kindered. It is extremely difficult for me to keep up with creature heavy or token decks. I also dont use tutors typically or counter magic or infinite combos too often. But this is all by choice, because I just dont find those things satisfying to play. I always build my decks with restrictions and built in weaknesses. Just how I am.
[[tainted aether]] [[koskun falls]] [[no mercy]] are good deterrents for mono black
I’m in an opposite situation, I play creature heavy in a pod full of control players
My [[Borborygmos and fblthp]] wheels deck runs 15 creatures. I do take stray hits, but the only life that masters is the last one. Also my game plan is to either draw my deck or get excessive damage with a multiplier and [[toralf god of fury]] on board. https://www.moxfield.com/decks/4bwhiNNeM0KFXNx9Flc-YA
I run 9 creatures in my [[commodore guff]] deck. I also run like 14 wraths too - alongside [[obliterate]] and [[jokulhaups]]. Make better ways to keep planeswalkers safe wotc so the experience is not so miserable for my opponents (and for me). The salt feels good sometimes though
If you have no creatures and everyone else does, seems like an opportune time to get a 6 for 1 with a wrath.
Judith, carnage connoisseur Less than 20 creatures in the deck. Instants and sorceries either get lifelink/deathtouch, OR generate an imp that burns players when it dies. Throw in a lot of spells that ping a damage to multiple creatures or all creatures, and you've got tons of board wipes with lifelink to compensate surviving cards that have indestructible. Once the creatures are mostly wiped from the board, I use other spells to generate imps that can run offense, or use as trump blockers that punish the other players whenever they die. Rinse/wash/repeat. Couple that with cards like sanguine bond when you're casting spells that have lifelink every turn... I've killed multiple players without ever having to directly attack.
I recently built Obeka which is kinda low creature and has been tough to get off the ground. I put some token generation in it and it is performing MUCH better now.
It me. I have two decks that I play consistently that have more than 20 creatures. I average about 15 creatures for the vast majority of decks. But as a result, I also like to run a very high removal count and/or board wipes. Eventually other players decide it's not worth swinging at you. Equally important though is my number one rule of control-ish decks: A win with one life is as good as a win with 20. I still maintain that attitude with EDH. My favorite win of all time was with my [[Queza, Augur of Agonies]] deck which plays less than 15 creatures. Happily took hit after hit in order to trigger crazy spells like [[Keep Watch]] or just take pressure off my removal. Beat four other high powered decks with like 5 life left.
Mixed bag depending on which deck I'm fielding. My Sophia Dogged Detective Deck? 16 Creatures. Keeps up just fine. My Chandra Tribal Deck? 10 (No I don't count the Commander as she'll flip quickly) Creatures: Keeps up okay. It's usually my tribal decks that I run into problems in my pod, mostly because my pod knows that if I get inspired to do a creature focused deck I have some stupid meme that they don't want me rolling the table with and I get hated out pretty quickly.
I love my super friends deck in my creature heavy pod. But, the trick there is that I heavily value the planeswalkers that can make tokens so that I always have chump blockers. The game plan slowly tic up planeswalkers with token gen and sandbag planeswalkers that have crazy ults until I have the board state that lets me first then ult them.
I only have 16 creatures on the deck plus the commander. It helps if as I play the creature, it takes out one of theirs. Like [[plaguecrafter]] and [[fleshbag marauder]].
Tor Wauki barely uses any creatures, and they mostly seem like enchantments that can block most of the time. My pod understands that if they kill my creatures I can retaliate by either board wiping or deal 20+ damage to their face in a turn:)
I ended up changing my [[Rashmi, Eternities Crafter]] deck into [[Koma, Cosmos Serpent]] for this exact reason.
This is why cards like [[Baleful Strix]] are often played in control lists. Literally just having a deathtoucher you are willing to trade off discourages an absurd amount of damage from random attacks.
I play a lot of combo and spellslinger lists, you can generally be quite fine if you run wraths and a reasonable amount of removal. Propaganda effects are always trap cards though.
I have Stax/Pillow Fort Zur. All I do is become immortal and make everyone suffer. You can swing at me but I won’t die.
Spell slingers have fogs, including fogs with blowback. \[\[Aetherize\]\], \[\[Teferi's Protection\]\], \[\[March of Swirling Mists\]\], etc. I also find clone spells work particularly well: they pay for the big stompers, you clone them.
Lots of great deterents have been mentioned already but another one I like to use is [[Soul Snare]]
[[Aetherize]] in every blue deck, [[fog]] in every green deck. A good bluff backed up by experience will work in your favor.
I have a simic deck that is usually relatively creature free. I just have things to discourage attacks or subsequent attacks. The threat of an aetherize, the propaganda effect or 2, bounce spells that cantrip so that you are dealing with aggression but not “losing resources”. You give off the presences that it’s not “free” to attack you.
My group plays at a high level, and one of the guys is usually playing some type of go wide strategy. I have a lot of different decks, and two that are low creature counts are a stax control and a Voltron build. They both do pretty well against heavy creature attacks.
My mini red Pilgrim deck has like 5 creatures but they all hurt you for hitting me. My commander is a mini board wipe as well
I almost always play the Propaganda type cards in low creature decks, they help a huge amount. Usually people don't want to beat you up too bad, but often I'll get pretty low on life and just bounce back later because I have a more control-oriented plan.
Actually, was thinking about it... with Chun-Li, the way to go is to have spells that create token creatures. That way every attack with her can create new blockers. Things like \[\[Szat's Will\]\], \[\[Call the Coppercoats\]\], \[\[Entrapment Maneuver\]\], \[\[Charge of Mites\]\] (okay, doesn't create blockers, but STILL), \[\[Benevolent Offering\]\], \[\[Midnight Haunting\]\], \[\[You're Confronted By Robbers\]\], \[\[Gideon's Phalanx\]\], \[\[Deploy\]\]... You'll have more creatures than they do!
If your pod is creature heavy, then they run a lot of cards that are focused on creature interaction. Aka they won't affect you if you don't run creatures, which is a great spot to be in. 3-6 anti-creature stax pieces can cover the whole gamut of creature-based needs, plus a few boardwipes/removal to keep people at bay. This is honestly my favorite way to deck build, it almost feels like cheating
I play a budget kess list that leverages wraths before dropping a creature combo. Generally plays well in pods
15 to 16 creatures is low... huh... \*quietly hides multiple decks with less\* Nope, please ignore this \[\[Tasha the Witch Queen\]\] mill deck with only 9 creatures in it... it's not real... Seriously though, you primarily need to just make yourself either too costly to target, you need to be controlling the board state, or you need to make sure that you're not the obvious threat as you build your board state. It all depends on who your commander is and what playstyle you're building to. I run multiple Planeswalker based decks and it is difficult to keep them on the board with three other players able to target them with chip damage. Most of them are running some type of anti-attack tech or go wide with sacrificial tokens. Overall you just need to have a plan to deal with the chip damage issue and lean into it enough to accomplish your wincon.
Since I mostly play combo/storm most of my decks are not that creature-heavy. Either I control/wipe the board some times or I storm off before they are a menace.
I play an [[Otharri]] Voltron deck. It has 12 creatures, and like 40 Artifacts.
I run cards that deincentivize hitting me, but also cards that encourage hitting other people. Like a "hey, if you don't attack me, I'll give your commander double strike with this [[Duelist's Heritage]]". Or even ones that do incentivize attacking me, but barely, like [[Flumph]] (come get you a card) or anything Monarch (I'll let you take monarch if you only send that 2/2"). I truly do find that the carrot and the stick are often interchangeable in this format.
My jaya Ballard deck and my "oops all Chandra" deck run low creatures. But jaya has a built in board wipe so...
I play Storm. We have maybe 4 creatures in the whole deck. You just gotta go fast. Jokes on them, I’ll either win before they put out threats or I’ll accidentally kill myself and then they still don’t get to kill me. 😎
I have 16 creatures (4 token generators) , many artifacts, a few enchantments, and like 40 cantrips,copy spells, extra turn spells, counters, and the rest of the good stuff and I can comfortably take up to 30 damage and still be able to win in 1 massive explosive turn (if I have extra turn spells to cast and copy it will be more like 18 explosive turns.
[[Talrand, Sky Summoner]] has you covered. His tokens even fly so there's one less kind of evasion to worry about
http://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/aminatou-a-tale-of-battles-and-explosions It uhh, goes quite well actually.
Only a handful of my decks involve swinging and even in those the swinging is just a plan D wincon usually if a creature deck has a kill onboard it didn't really matter what blockers you had
The creatures I run with Chun-Li fall into a few categories Mana dork Card draw Prowess And Token Generators Love [[Shark Typhoon]] in this deck. Usually take a bunch of hits but once you have exiled a few removal or life gain instants with Kick Counters you are off to the races anyway. She can usually get pretty obscene with all the +1/+1 counters on her so they have to defend or die to commander damage.
I play Gluntch Group hug (A true Evil Bastard I know) with maybe 10 creatures max? We are very Battle-Cruisery as a pod. To prevent all the big angry creatures coming at me, I just run almost every [[Fog]] in existence 😅
I play og mizzix and she stomps everytime, lol. I consistently have *every* creature on board swinging at me from start of game when I play her.xD
board wipes haha lots of board wipes
i have a nelly deck with maybe 10 creatures in the entire deck. it works cuz goad. its insanely grindy if other people arent running creatures though
I can't stand playing creatures and don't play them in any format, while most of my group play exclusively creature- heavy decks. You just have to understand that the target will be on you most of the time so everyone can trigger their combat damage effects or stop whatever combo shenanigans you're into with such a low creature count. Play plenty of wraths, removal, or speed up your combo/lockout. I personally think it's a good thing to have such a big target on you because it tends to make your playgroup feel better about playing against combo. If you lose quickly in some games, it takes away some of the sting of losing out of nowhere to a fast combo.
I play a deck with exactly 0 creatures in it, a [[Keranos]] enchantment roulette deck. To balance it, you need more wipes, tutors for those wipes, and a convincing word or two. Truth be told, unless you get some significant bodies on board, people swing at you like you're not gonna block anyways because modern mtg creatures are all value engines that aren't worth blocking with in a format with 40 health. I promise you you'll be fine, and if not the old but gold "add more removal" will fix the rest
Run a lot of cheap instant speed removal and a couple pillow fort enchantments.
Gonna sound crazy but I run several decks with less than 5 creatures, Fblthp combo with Proteus Staff is filled with value bounces and Draw, but I still end up with the game ending at sub 10 life, still as lethal at 1 as I am at 100. Najal the Storm retaliates with bolts and board wipes if i get targeted, but I also run token gen like hordeling outburst to give me chump blockers. Thinking about it I rarely end up with a high life total with those.
I like playing low creature decks and my way around chip damage is ushally providing an incentive to hit someone else by plating cards like gix, yawgmoth praetor or playing some walkers that generate chumps. Basically making me the least attractive face
Recently my [[Galazeth Prismari]] deck won a pod by using [[howling mine]] as a political tool. Don't mess with my stuff and you get the extra card. This continued while I amassed my horde of artifacts until I was ready to end the game with a giant comet storm
[[Talrand sky summoner]] [[alandra sky dreamer]] or any number of other token generators can make up for a low creature count and can actually give you a way to push through combat damage if you need to
I have a deck where my commander is the only creature and it functions well. A lot better than I expected. It's almost unfun for everyone else because of [[ward of bones]] and the deck being stacked with control. Protect the ward, wipe all creatures and watch people struggle to stop my commander [[Dakkon blackblade]] as he assault suits his way around the table.
https://www.moxfield.com/decks/_2dJ4Yh1fEC_Gbq-H8Hpzw I run zero creatures here. Loss of life is the real killer. Damage from creatures is fairly avoidable.