Budget Magic: $70 (21 tix) Modern Eminent Domain

Tweet by SaffronOlive // May 14, 2015

video budget magic

Alright boys and girls, it's Budget Magic time once again and this time we are heading back to the Modern format. When the full spoiler for Modern Masters 2015 came out, I was excited to see one of my favorite cards: Wildfire. This spurred me to look for a Modern deck that actually made use of the card. Eventually I landed on Eminent Domain, a U/R deck built around controlling your opponent's resources by controlling (or destroying) their lands. While this might not be the most competitive deck ever featured on Budget Magic, as you'll see in the videos, it can win against some of the better decks in the format. Oh, and it is pretty fun to play when it works as intended. Anyway, let's get to the videos. Just a reminder: if you enjoy the Budget Magic series and the other video content here on MTGGoldfish, make sure to subscribe to the MTGGoldfish Youtube Channel to catch all the latest videos.

Eminent Domain Intro and Elves

Eminent Domain vs Infect

Eminent Domain vs Soul Sisters

Eminent Domain versus Burn

Before you guys bring it up in the comments, I just now realized I referred to the deck as Eternal Domain at some points in the video. While Eminent Domain is the proper name, Eternal Domain works too because the deck takes an eternity to win (unless your opponent scoops in frustration).

As far as the deck itself, its good draws (which is basically a turn two mana rock) are pretty strong. When this happens, you can steal one land on turn three and wipe away your opponent's board as soon as turn four. You then back this up by stealing more lands and Frost Titan gives you a soft lock on the game. On the other hand, without an Izzet Signet or Mind Stone the deck can be a bit clunky and slow. This said, it's fun to play either way.

Potential Additions

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Because we really, really want a turn two mana rock, Serum Visions is way better than Anticipate in this deck. Unfortunately, Serum Visions is also super expensive for a common so it is hard to justify in a budget build. Fortunately, with this week's announcement of an FNM promo reprinting, you might be able to pick some up on the cheap from non-Modern players at your LGS come August. If you have them sitting around, swap them in to make the entire deck function more smoothly.

The main addition I'm really interested in making to the deck is Blood Moon, which feels like a very natural fit. We already have the mana base to support it and it plays well on the theme of denying our opponent's resources. It gives us another card that can win the game on its own, as well as something to do on early turns when we don't have any ramp. I'd probably cut the maindeck Repeal and either a Lightning Bolt or Mana Leak to get two in the main, and probably reconfigure the sideboard to get at least three in the 75. This deck is already going to lose to Burn most of the time, so the free-win potential in other matchups makes it basically a free roll.

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Assuming we are adding Blood Moon, it might be worthwhile to squeeze in some Simian Spirit Guides as well. A turn two Blood Moon is far more devastating than a turn three Blood Moon, and having another way to play Wildfire a turn earlier has some appeal. While I'm not really sure what else to cut, this would certainly make the deck more all-in on the mana denial/land control plan. I'm not 100 percent sure this is the way to go, but I think it's worth at least testing.

Conclusion

Anyway, that's all for today. If you're looking for something different to play at your next Modern FNM, give Eminent Domain a chance. I can't promise you'll win, but no matter the result, you'll have fun doing it and that you will enjoy the look of surprise on your opponent's face when you cast Annex on turn three. As always, leave your thoughts and suggestions in the comments, and you can reach me on Twitter (or MTGO) @SaffronOlive.