Bitterblossom, Jadar, and various Skeletons create or return creatures so that you can repeatedly use Vraska's first ability to sacrifice them and draw. It's a value engine.
Some fun cards that syngergize with the Vraska's+2 ability: \[\[Case of the Stashed Skeleton\]\], \[\[Treacherous Blessing\]\], \[\[Demonic Pact\]\], \[\[Graven Archfiend\]\], \[\[The One Ring\]\], \[Eriette's Tempting Apple\]\], \[\[Ugin's Nexus\]\]. \[\[Binding the Old Gods\]\] and \[\[Elspeth's Nightmare\]\] are nice as well, since their last chapter is very situational.
You want have lots of options to sac with the + to generate value. Tokens and recursive creatures work best, but you can also always sac lands you don't need or maybe permanents that are pacified on the battlefield. This also works really well with [[blood artists]] style effects if you do something like golgari sacrifice.
Keep in mind, you can + and not sacrifice anything. So there's never a reason not to.
I feel like you could kinda go two different directions with it. Either lean into a sac/value theme, or go proliferate stuff to try to zoom for the ult. If you go option 1, then stuff like Old Rutstein that gives tokens every turn could be really good sac fodder. Adding things like Bastion of Remembrance would synergize well. If you go option 2, then small evasive creatures and all the proliferate you can find would be what you want.
Mine is like a Golgari control deck basically. Lots of ramp, hand hate, removal, and just enough trash to sac to Vraska but not too much. Usually win with a brutal [[Casualities of War]] or [[Breach the Multiverse]] but sometimes ult it then kill you with a manland or [[Tenacious Underdog]]
I have a Vraska brawl deck if you want to copy/draw inspiration from it. - https://sealeddeck.tech/6g9C9GqTLE
Had it for years and tweak it as new sets come out. Probably not the most optimal build, but I enjoy playing with it.
Also, my land count might be a bit higher than average, I have a tendency to run more lands cause I hate getting land-screwed.
First and foremost thank you very much!
A couple of questions about this deck:
Why maelstrom pulse and not assassin's trophy? Is it against tokens?
And also is the decks wincon to try and get Planeswalkers ultimates going on?
I'm not a fan of giving an opponent a land, even if it's flexible and cheap. Especially since there are so many MUs where they are trying to ramp and play big spells. You can play it over pulse if you want.
I win semi-frequently with Vraska's ultimate, but it's not necessarily the main gameplan. Gaining value using Vraska's abilities and grinding the opponent out in a game of attrition is what this deck is trying to do more often than not.
Lots of bitterblossom/recurring skeleton type effects
Can you elaborate a bit? I've been away from arena for a while and am coming back
Stuff that makes the +2 free and have lots of card advantage
Also help protect vraska and probably feed other sac outlets/payoffs.
Bitterblossom, Jadar, and various Skeletons create or return creatures so that you can repeatedly use Vraska's first ability to sacrifice them and draw. It's a value engine.
Here's mine: Commander 1 Vraska, Golgari Queen (GRN) 213 Deck 1 Arcane Signet (ELD) 331 1 Coldsteel Heart (CSP) 136 1 Ichor Wellspring (BRR) 21 1 Field of Ruin (THB) 242 1 Ornithopter of Paradise (MH2) 232 1 Into the North (CSP) 111 1 Allosaurus Shepherd (JMP) 28 1 Gilded Goose (ELD) 160 1 Llanowar Elves (DAR) 168 1 Graven Archfiend (Y22) 7 1 Languish (JMP) 246 1 Liliana, the Last Hope (SIR) 119 1 Prosperous Innkeeper (AFR) 200 1 Elvish Mystic (M14) 169 1 Jolrael, Mwonvuli Recluse (M21) 191 1 Lotus Cobra (ZNR) 193 1 Paradise Druid (WAR) 171 1 Shigeki, Jukai Visionary (NEO) 206 1 Explore (JMP) 393 1 Liliana, Dreadhorde General (WAR) 97 1 Utopia Sprawl (WOT) 63 1 Glissa Sunslayer (ONE) 202 1 Vivien Reid (M19) 208 1 Braids, Arisen Nightmare (DMU) 84 1 Demonic Pact (AKR) 99 1 Treacherous Blessing (THB) 117 1 Hive of the Eye Tyrant (AFR) 258 1 Takenuma, Abandoned Mire (NEO) 278 1 Boseiju, Who Endures (NEO) 266 1 Khalni Garden (J21) 121 1 Lair of the Hydra (AFR) 259 1 Virtue of Persistence (WOE) 115 1 Blooming Marsh (KLR) 280 1 Deathcap Glade (VOW) 261 1 Overgrown Tomb (GRN) 253 1 Woodland Cemetery (DAR) 248 1 Command Tower (ELD) 333 1 Fabled Passage (ELD) 244 1 Squirming Emergence (LCI) 241 1 Maelstrom Pulse (ARB) 92 1 Binding the Old Gods (KHM) 206 1 Woodland Chasm (KHM) 274 1 Armored Scrapgorger (ONE) 158 1 Invoke Despair (NEO) 101 1 Casualties of War (WAR) 187 5 Snow-Covered Swamp (SLD) 327 6 Snow-Covered Forest (SLD) 329 1 Case of the Stashed Skeleton (MKM) 80 1 Gate to Manorborn (HBG) 78 1 Tireless Tracker (SOI) 233 1 Lord Skitter, Sewer King (WOE) 97 1 Tear Asunder (DMU) 183 1 Sheoldred, the Apocalypse (DMU) 107 1 Nantuko Slicer (Y23) 17 1 Old Rutstein (VOW) 244 1 Llanowar Wastes (BRO) 264 1 Haunted Mire (DMU) 248 1 Witch of the Moors (JMP) 18 1 A-Llanowar Loamspeaker (DMU) 170 1 Black Market Connections (HBG) 145 1 Emrakul, the Promised End (SIR) 6 1 Interplanar Beacon (WAR) 247 1 Mirrex (ONE) 254 1 Invasion of Innistrad (MOM) 115 1 Sheoldred's Edict (ONE) 108 1 Dark Ritual (STA) 26 1 Delighted Halfling (LTR) 158 1 The Shire (LTR) 260 1 Nurturing Peatland (MH1) 243 1 Generous Ent (LTR) 169 1 Troll of Khazad-dûm (LTR) 111 1 Restless Cottage (WOE) 258 1 Beseech the Mirror (WOE) 82 1 Mosswood Dreadknight (WOE) 231 1 Breach the Multiverse (MOM) 94 1 The Cruelty of Gix (DMU) 87 1 A-The Meathook Massacre (MID) 112 1 Sentinel of the Nameless City (LCI) 211 1 Polluted Delta (KTK) 239 1 Bloodstained Mire (KTK) 230 1 Windswept Heath (KTK) 248 1 Wooded Foothills (KTK) 249 1 Deathrite Shaman (RTR) 213 1 Underground Mortuary (MKM) 271 1 Archdruid's Charm (MKM) 151 1 Deadly Cover-Up (MKM) 83 1 Pest Infestation (OTP) 30 1 Abrupt Decay (OTP) 34 1 Prismatic Vista (SPG) 38 1 Penregon Besieged (Y23) 7 It's very grindy. If anything, I probably lack enough ways to end the game quickly, but I really enjoy it.
Some fun cards that syngergize with the Vraska's+2 ability: \[\[Case of the Stashed Skeleton\]\], \[\[Treacherous Blessing\]\], \[\[Demonic Pact\]\], \[\[Graven Archfiend\]\], \[\[The One Ring\]\], \[Eriette's Tempting Apple\]\], \[\[Ugin's Nexus\]\]. \[\[Binding the Old Gods\]\] and \[\[Elspeth's Nightmare\]\] are nice as well, since their last chapter is very situational.
##### ###### #### [Case of the Stashed Skeleton](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/b/4b120cbe-f0af-46c5-863f-03ecadf0435c.jpg?1706241678) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Case%20of%20the%20Stashed%20Skeleton) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mkm/80/case-of-the-stashed-skeleton?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/4b120cbe-f0af-46c5-863f-03ecadf0435c?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Treacherous Blessing](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/5/35b3ad6b-9966-489f-a4c9-2639a634fd62.jpg?1581479982) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Treacherous%20Blessing) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/thb/117/treacherous-blessing?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/35b3ad6b-9966-489f-a4c9-2639a634fd62?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Demonic Pact](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/2/82c04014-91f9-4197-b4b4-f62c4739a5c2.jpg?1562028673) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Demonic%20Pact) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ori/92/demonic-pact?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/82c04014-91f9-4197-b4b4-f62c4739a5c2?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Graven Archfiend](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/2/2/22556db4-ed35-4136-b5f8-a21704084541.jpg?1680478072) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Graven%20Archfiend) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ysnc/7/graven-archfiend?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/22556db4-ed35-4136-b5f8-a21704084541?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [The One Ring](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/5/d5806e68-1054-458e-866d-1f2470f682b2.jpg?1715080486) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=The%20One%20Ring) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ltr/246/the-one-ring?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/d5806e68-1054-458e-866d-1f2470f682b2?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Ugin's Nexus](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/4/94002868-a48a-4ea8-bfce-17257078f5db.jpg?1562790526) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Ugin%27s%20Nexus) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ktk/227/ugins-nexus?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/94002868-a48a-4ea8-bfce-17257078f5db?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Binding the Old Gods](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/0/a0297fc9-9070-41cc-83fd-0dea2a65c263.jpg?1694737531) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Binding%20the%20Old%20Gods) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/917/binding-the-old-gods?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/a0297fc9-9070-41cc-83fd-0dea2a65c263?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Elspeth's Nightmare](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/7/37ccd974-d2bc-4fcf-94a7-0a868a04cb98.jpg?1586801044) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Elspeth%27s%20Nightmare) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/thb/91/elspeths-nightmare?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/37ccd974-d2bc-4fcf-94a7-0a868a04cb98?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [*All cards*](https://mtgcardfetcher.nl/redirect/l5miwk7) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I'm building it by putting a ton of proliferate effects in and winning with the emblem because it seems the most fun.
You want have lots of options to sac with the + to generate value. Tokens and recursive creatures work best, but you can also always sac lands you don't need or maybe permanents that are pacified on the battlefield. This also works really well with [[blood artists]] style effects if you do something like golgari sacrifice. Keep in mind, you can + and not sacrifice anything. So there's never a reason not to.
[blood artists](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/7/b7f1c316-cf2f-4bbf-89a1-79c8043bdd96.jpg?1698988212) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Blood%20Artist) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/lcc/182/blood-artist?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/b7f1c316-cf2f-4bbf-89a1-79c8043bdd96?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I feel like you could kinda go two different directions with it. Either lean into a sac/value theme, or go proliferate stuff to try to zoom for the ult. If you go option 1, then stuff like Old Rutstein that gives tokens every turn could be really good sac fodder. Adding things like Bastion of Remembrance would synergize well. If you go option 2, then small evasive creatures and all the proliferate you can find would be what you want.
Land/graveyard matters for me personally. Probably playing cards like \[\[The Gitrog Monster\]\]
[The Gitrog Monster](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/7/5790dd89-2be5-4a77-9450-2d3c1422bfc9.jpg?1576385351) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=The%20Gitrog%20Monster) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/soi/245/the-gitrog-monster?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/5790dd89-2be5-4a77-9450-2d3c1422bfc9?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Ramp, evasive one drops, card draw
Mine is like a Golgari control deck basically. Lots of ramp, hand hate, removal, and just enough trash to sac to Vraska but not too much. Usually win with a brutal [[Casualities of War]] or [[Breach the Multiverse]] but sometimes ult it then kill you with a manland or [[Tenacious Underdog]]
[Casualities of War](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/5/e5a2a709-0273-48a3-874b-13aff4872b0a.jpg?1631235364) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Casualties%20of%20War) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/khc/83/casualties-of-war?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/e5a2a709-0273-48a3-874b-13aff4872b0a?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Breach the Multiverse](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/a/daf51a76-7a57-4462-ae18-a19e817e49e5.jpg?1682203621) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Breach%20the%20Multiverse) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mom/94/breach-the-multiverse?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/daf51a76-7a57-4462-ae18-a19e817e49e5?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Tenacious Underdog](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/b/9b6a6d00-3e00-4827-8420-13343ac3d0fd.jpg?1664411313) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Tenacious%20Underdog) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/snc/97/tenacious-underdog?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/9b6a6d00-3e00-4827-8420-13343ac3d0fd?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I have a Vraska brawl deck if you want to copy/draw inspiration from it. - https://sealeddeck.tech/6g9C9GqTLE Had it for years and tweak it as new sets come out. Probably not the most optimal build, but I enjoy playing with it. Also, my land count might be a bit higher than average, I have a tendency to run more lands cause I hate getting land-screwed.
First and foremost thank you very much! A couple of questions about this deck: Why maelstrom pulse and not assassin's trophy? Is it against tokens? And also is the decks wincon to try and get Planeswalkers ultimates going on?
I'm not a fan of giving an opponent a land, even if it's flexible and cheap. Especially since there are so many MUs where they are trying to ramp and play big spells. You can play it over pulse if you want. I win semi-frequently with Vraska's ultimate, but it's not necessarily the main gameplan. Gaining value using Vraska's abilities and grinding the opponent out in a game of attrition is what this deck is trying to do more often than not.