The Cryptic Colossus

Last week was really crazy with work, so I couldn't post anything.  I would work on this to post tomorrow, but I have a meeting tomorrow about a research internship I did a few months ago, so I won't be able to finish this to post then.  So, without further ado, here's the budget deck I nicknamed "The Cryptic Colossus."

The build is based around Cryptic Gateway.  Ever heard of it?  Probably not.  It's an older card that didn't see much use due to the fact that it only had limited success.  In a weenie deck, it just tapped two creatures to put one into play -- for five mana.  Not efficient at all.  In decks utilizing fatties, it wasn't great because you generally don't want to tap two Darksteel Colossuses (Colossusi?) to play another one when swinging with the two would end the game.  So what's the solution?  A deck that can tap small creatures to play big ones.  And what kind of creatures can be tapped for a Darksteel Colossus, Progenitus, or Emrakul?  Changelings.

Yes, that's right, a workable way to use Cryptic Gateway to drop huge creatures to deal massive damage.  The version I prefer is based solely on artifacts, so I have nicknamed it "The Cryptic Colossus."  I chose an artifact build due to incredible synergy between Fabricate, fatties, and the Gateway.  You can Fabricate either piece.  As for the rest of the cards, the deck is still in transition between a Transmute base to a Ponder/Preordain base.  Here's the Transmute version.  Note that you can turn a Drift of Phantasms into a Fabricate and from there either of your needed cards.  Or just turn it into a Changeling.  The best thing is that this deck only costs around $15 and looks like fun to play.

3 Darksteel Colossus

3 Drift of Phantasms

2 Ghostly Changeling

4 Moonglove Changeling

4 Mothdust Changeling

3 Shapesharer

1 Sphinx of Jwar Isle

3 Cryptic Gateway

4 Dimir Signet

4 Fabricate

4 Mistvein Borderpost

4 Perplex

2 Dreadship Reef

6 Island

4 Jwar Isle Refuge

4 Swamp

4 Terramorphic Expanse

1 Vault of Whispers

The sideboard should be geared to deal with cards that can stop your Colossuses without killing them, like Pacifism or Mistmeadow Witch.  Into the Roil and Echoing Truth are my best answers, but a sideboard is meant more so to counter the meta than hate on two cards.  If the above types of cards are prevalent in your meta, then by all means, put in 3 Truth and 3 Roil.  If not, leave the space for defensive or hate cards.

Until next time, play on.

--Nick30075