Meren of Clan Nel Toth | Upping the Average

Check out the final list here: archidekt.com/decks/1017047#U...
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Title sequence by Daniel Woodling / MTG Explainers: bit.ly/3982yYa
Card images courtesy of Scryfall: scryfall.com/
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[@ExandShadow]

Joey: no fear *Bojuka Bog* Joey: one fear

[@MrSDCHARGRS]

I fear no man But that thing, it scares me

[@okgut2033]

I can do better...: *Leyline of the void*

[@coreyroberson4550]

Even better: Humility.

[@dustinhaley7920]

I've got bojuka bogged while running meren and still won😅

[@OsightblinderO]

How is this channel so small? This is one of the best EDH channels out there.

[@shikabaneconga]

its literally EDHrec to add insult to injury, it should not be this small

[@Yontanian]

Thanks Joey, good to have something to watch and learn during the holidays. :)

[@andrewma5349]

Perfect timing! I was starting to build a Meren deck! Thank you, Joey!

[@Carolyn510]

Love this series. Love Joey. So glad I found this as I am brewing up Meren now.

[@thomasaquinas2912]

Joey I love your enthusiasm! It makes me want to build and play MTG.

[@lordsnom5287]

Well Joey you've officially made me want to build a meren deck

[@Lith5484]

Same. I’ve never really been a big Bremen black player but now I want to.

[@pixelbomb97]

I think another card you've overlooked is deepforest/derranged hemit. They the same mana cost as Mitotic slime and both provide 5 bodies each and they both eventually sacrifice themselves if your opponents have blown up all of your sac outlets. Plus if you're the type of Meren player that plays Panharmonicon, it's basically a cheaper double grave titan.

[@wtficantfindagoodnam]

Meren was my very first commander deck. It's what got me into MTG and commander. Have been looking forward to this video for a long time.

[@RodrigoCML7]

This is one of the best mtg series in KZbin and Joey is the most charismatic man in magic. What more can one ask for?

[@Wildonion1]

I love watching these episodes, even though I don't own most of the commanders being covered, but what really struck me was the quality of the advice in this one. Prompting viewers to look closely at cards that seem like auto-includes (terramorphic expanse and evolving wilds in this case) along with how an established commander's average deck is going to tend to be more expensive (and why) is just all around solid advice. I like that these things are easily transferable to any deck I could be building in the future!

[@NewOldEBM]

I really do wish the first 1:54-ish of this video was released, then like a day later the "real" UTA came out, that would have been great!

[@spencersonnier1]

As a huge fan of aggro decks and as someone who has played against dozens of Meren decks, I’m just gonna say before I watch... SCREW SPORE FROG

[@TheSandurz20]

Spore forg op I just built a meren deck a couple weeks ago, and this is easily a lynchpin card. It's my #1 entomb target right now

[@SAWNERDDDSE]

@@TheSandurz20 it really does just shut down so many decks

[@murphyspell7125]

I has Japanese Spore Frog.

[@ClanLeaderHyuga]

Oh my god my heart actually jumped for joy at that Mitotic Slime mention, I’ve been saying how beautiful that card is for sooooooo long

[@jackflaps4252]

Yes, been waiting for this one :)

[@danielmartin3739]

Joey: *Talks about graveyards* Me: *Shuts up and takes notes*

[@andreusemanuel4868]

That's the fun part of owning a Kenrith Reanimator deck. Whenever Joey talks about graveyard I should be shutting up and taking notes

[@thepaddywag6079]

Yaaaaay that's what I was waiting for

[@crawdaddy2004]

Of course players have experience with Meren...that’s the whole point. 😜

[@domonicneal1266]

Well, a couple weeks ago I was begging for a Meren deck tech video and I shall receive!!! Regardless, if Joey did or didn't see my comment; THANK YOU! Can't wait to see Mitotic Slime literally pop off lol.

[@psychic2021]

Massacre Girl is probably the closest we currently have to a Boardwipe on a Creature (in black) along with Whiptongue Hydra in green.

[@Logan-gb7uy]

I forgot the name but the black dragon that kills everything but itself when cast

[@ZobmieRules]

@@Logan-gb7uy DEATHBRINGER REGENT I know it's been 2 years, I just wanted to say that epic name.

[@ManMan-ho5gu]

One card that I have never seen anyone talk about that I love even if it’s just for its hilarious art is Doomgape. It’s a decent reanimate target and a beautiful way to style on your opponents if you feel like it.

[@tuckernevel]

i appreciate the dialogue around jarad. i’m editing my meren deck and it’s so hard to decide whether he stays or not..

[@fzolex]

You can cut down the final price by 50 bucks if you use a regular Living Death instead of the judge foil version! Now I want Meren deck. Thank you Joey!

[@frankdefanti3455]

My wife gave me a Meren precon a couple years ago as a birthday gift. It's my favourite deck ever and it's the nightmare of my playgroup.

[@Ether1227]

As a long time Meren player, I have also found Archfiend of Depravity ruins token decks and is a very budget card. I would also say Primal Growth with Viridian Emissary is a fantastic way to start out each game. Thanks for the video!

[@stepanrebik6776]

thats quality content

[@davidclare9324]

Pet card of mine is puppeteer Clique. Goes infinite with mikaeus and a sac outlet but it is also a lot of value and its fu stealing other people's creatures

[@crovax1375]

My favorite reanimator strategy in edh is with Hogaak. That guy has taken me to victory many times

[@TheOtomeBug]

I have spore frog in mine. Love that card. Lol.

[@marcelozapata7716]

Excellent video! Made me want to bring this deck out of mothballs.

[@Silver_light77]

I'd love to see a yidris upping the average, it was the first card i ever bought as a single, specifically to make a commander deck for

[@dzomp]

couple years late on this video, but i am building a meren deck right now. one creature im excited to see played in it is Gruff Triplets, for many of the same reasons as mitotic slime, but it goes tall instead of wide

[@54m0h7]

When I got back into MTG I started with Breya, and then my next deck was Meren. I've remade her a few times because she is a lot of fun. I think she's a bit strong for my meta though, as you said even a low power Meren deck can be really good. I agree with all your choices. Jerad just doesn't suit the deck, and the Slime is amazing, I got a foil slime from a draft. lol

[@dominickkrahnstoever7362]

I totally want Joey to do Obeka next, seems like the perfect deck for this series.

[@TheXboxlive5]

YES! Last week I asked for this thank you!! :D

[@jackdineen8523]

I'd love to see you tackle Ezuri, Claw of Progress.

[@MrManukenchin]

I'm building a meren edh but adding a combo with mikaeus, I think that deck is very fun.

[@tommyrosendahl7238]

*quickly purchases Grafdigger's cage, Kunoros, Hound of Athreos and Drannith Magistrate*

[@scaredycat3146]

I play Karador with the Umori restriction and I somehow didn't consider Yawgmoth as a sacc/discard engine yet. Will reconsider. I don't think Fiend Artisan and Pattern of Rebirth neccessarily serve the same purpose in the deck though. Pattern is a way better oneshot effect if you want to cheat in something big ofc, but Fiend Artisan can be used more as a value engine that also happens to be a cheap beater later.

[@bertrandvanschoorisse4059]

very instructive to dust off MEREN EDH archetype! and why not add the Archon of Cruelty to the list?

[@Medicinalmagic911]

I aM editing my deck tech for mere budget 100 list... I was a week slow... booooo great work man

[@brockbowen2428]

Hogaak and greater good. 😁👍 with meren crazy card draw....

[@joshrobinson2409]

I recently built a meren deck I'm still learning how to play her she's really difficult

[@curtisnielsen1399]

Mototic slime is my favorite experience generatir in Meren. If you want an enchantment that does the same thing and don't need a sac outlet in play, grab saproling burst. Sucks it is an enchantment though and they don't make a creature version.

[@mattarnoldy4338]

Hey Joe! I want to copy your deck and I was wondering if you had a deck guide on win conditions? It would be super helpful! If not don’t sweat it just wanted to shoot my shot lol

[@AbeAwesomeGuy]

My suggestion for the next golgari queen to be featured on UTA is Glissa, the Traitor.

[@johnnygardner4509]

Hey i've had Meren built since the precon came out too it was my best deck at one point! Have you tried Thriving Encore! You can have some memorable turns with Thriving Encore, if you have Ashnod's Altar and Eternal witness + any creature and Blood pet you get infinite ETB's. or after a board wipe you instant speed a living death and pull everyone's creatures to your team.

[@justryangeorge]

*thrilling encore

[@Maezhughes]

Ah yes, the yee-haw wurm. The same wurm thats only been printed twice. I find that insane.

[@evanschultze5408]

Necrotic Ooze might do well with a deck like that if it is not in it already

[@2dendre]

Used to run a fairly optimised Mereen. Wanted to get my GF onboard with magic. She likes Mereen, so Its been adapted to her style of play and her personality. (No slimes, No spiders, no sinister plots big brain time shenanigans). Result. A lot of big recurable creatures, and a beatdown plan. Its still a fun deck. I'll make a deck list if anyone wants....

[@alex.sanders]

Do you still have the list? I'm kinda bored of playing so many combos... beatdown meren looks like fun. Please, post the list if possible :)

[@Circular_Square]

I'm still hoping for Ghave, Guru of Spores to be one of the commanders you look at.

[@Meren599]

ok go meren

[@unimaginative_artist]

My newest additions though old is golgari thug and alter of dementia 😂

[@joshrobinson2409]

Most of the meren decks I have seen that use combs dont have cards like life from the loam which I saw today when I beat some one up with her lol I ended up cutting dredge completely instead I put in regrowth for life from the loam cause I never ended up using it not only that I only had eternal witness and timeless witness so I added treasured find and the regrowth to have 4 ways to get cards back not just 2 and I didnt play butcher I play protean hulk I also ended up cutting massacre wurm for mikaeus the unhallowed

[@TheChalatubaco]

Noice!

[@brianmellema109]

One of the guys at the shop I play at used to play Darren I think it was? The guy who gives you a soldier for each damage you take. Since it triggers in damage and not life loss, I have nuked him from over 50 life with a single massacre wurm drop.

[@TheStephenation]

Darien, King of Kjeldor.

[@zackkelley2940]

Ravenous Slime would also be a good one. Know what's better than Twilight's Call? Twilight's Call when no one else has creatures in their graveyard to bring back^^

[@maxdeckman]

Meren is so good, it hurts me...

[@bashlindsay7618]

Are you going to do a Upping the Average for a Gitrog Monster Deck?

[@matwhang]

These vids are so great! Pls do Mimeoplasm!! I know you love this guy too, and it a very complicated deck to build

[@gavinspringer3079]

So I have a build that’s very similar to this, but I have a mikaeus-triskellion/ballista combo and a necrotic ooze-phyrexian devourer-triskellion/ballista combo. I’m missing a few of the good expensive cards like grave pact and reanimate, but I do have some of the other ones like razaketh and sidisi. Do you have any good suggestions on what could go to keep these combos in the deck list while still maintaining a similar level of power?

[@murphyspell7125]

When you get Reanimate, make sure you get Entomb and Buried Alive.

[@murphyspell7125]

Add in Woodfall Primus and Melira, Slyvok Outcast along with a sac outlet😉

[@TheWyzman69]

Meren vs. Dauthi voidwalker. What are necromancer tears made of anyway?

[@Chris-Collectible]

Will you do up average with jhoira weatherlight Captain

[@TwinStags]

Talking Golgari, let's see Skullbriar

[@audiophage0]

Don't forget about my boy Diligent Farmhand AKA Muscles!

[@davidclare9324]

I second this!! Diligent Farmhand is very good in the deck

[@nasaya77]

I understand changing mana rocks for creatures for a deck around Meren; however, I would be suspicious of removing three 2 costed mana rocks for three 3 costed creatures. I think its important to have those replacement creatures to remain 2 costed or less. I also don't understand how those help get Meren out onto the board earlier, but I do understand how they continue to fuel her later in the game. I just would be scared to remove all my early mana for none instead.

[@whatgoat_]

Big agree here, but it depends on how fast your meta is. the slower the playgroup, the more value and grind you can put in while cutting early acceleration.

[@EvilM0nkeyRules]

Joey: Meren has been around a long time and players have experience with her. Me: Oh he set that joke up and didn't even do a badum tssss

[@hl_phoenix5889]

Coming in kinda late here but can I get an answer as to why not to run a Panharmonicon? I know it's an artifact but doubling down on all the ETB triggers seems like something to consider unless I'm missing something? I've watched numerous deck techs for Meren and no one has ever acknowledged this

[@alex.sanders]

Most people don't like it because usually it won't do something right away. Costs the same amount as your commander, so it clogs your curve a little bit. Not every important creature in a Meren deck has a ETB and it's not a creature on your creature deck. I love panharmonicon, but I'm struggling to find space for it in my own deck.

[@BigBooty3k]

Should I build Joeys or this one?

[@ianbachli1323]

As a long time Meren player (from when she was first printed), I only disagree with you on Evolutionary Leap. The fact you can sacrifice all of your creatures in response to a board wipe, fill your hand with new creatures, is insane.

[@somersetbassett4580]

I'm not sayin' she's a grave digger . . . ain't ever seen her with a exiled bin player . . No?

[@krvorodjen6074]

meren is the best 1v1 deck,try it :)

[@DAsrada]

Joey's waifu

[@bigmacmm5]

Top tier waifu too

[@yoshiman9521]

can i ask why you have grave pact and its ilk in the maybe board? they were staples in my meren deck.

[@jakeapplegate6642]

Budget maybe?

[@chevysupreme]

welp I guess its time I do graveyard stuff...

[@bigmacmm5]

It's about time

[@qqpit1]

It doesn't have the oomph of putting everything into play, but death denied is still a very efficient way to bring back lots of creatures. Instant speed means you have the ability to beat many hate pieces, it can serve as a backup if Meren bites it, and 1 mana for 1 creature is so good. It's like a cheaper blue sun's zenith that also gives you a lot of selection on what you draw.

[@qqpit1]

Also, grim haruspex is strictly better than midnight reaper.

[@GRAEMEMCFORLIFE]

And already in the average list shown in the vid :)

[@qqpit1]

Ah, I scrolled through the quickly and it has different art from my copy.

[@JoshuaSanville]

YES MY GOTH WIFE

[@xxGazUxx1]

CAVALIER OF NIGHT!! where is CAVALIER OF NIGHT!!

[@kevinlewis1675]

I think You’re thinking wrong about llanwar and skull prophet. Having a clean path to turn three meren is a good approach. Beyond that though, is the “when you cast a creature” type effects you would naturally use in a deck so centered on creatures.

[@seanbrown2201]

You didn't swap in a Bala Ged Recovery? For shame!

[@crimsonwolf3487]

One card i run that i never see in any lists is mindslicer. Hard for your opponents to answer your stuff with no hands.

[@joshuasinger4649]

Do not underestimate blood pet. The problem with all the creatures you added is 3 mana. I find it extremely important to get meren out on t3.

[@Logan-gb7uy]

If you add lord of extinction to sac with jarad that ends games right there lol

[@RYshinanigansAN]

Lurking Predators. Make them scared to even play the game.

[@brother_able4592]

Why is this deck list different to mine. Has it been updated since 2015

[@oksolotti1408]

This intro sounds always like some scuffed helicopter would be taking off

[@oksolotti1408]

but I like all the same

[@gabem8712]

Massacre girl is potentially better than massacre wurm

[@krisdaschwab912]

I am so damn sick of Meren.