MTG - Powerful “Budget” Mono Blue Illusions Modern Deck Tech for Magic: The Gathering!

[@TheManaSource]

Thanks to MM2017, this deck is reasonably priced now, and actually decent. Hope you enjoy!

[@TheKingMgee]

Ever considered Reality Shift in this deck? I ran 4 of in my own version a while ago.

[@mrtommo9996]

may i ask did you ever try green, i have been killing it with Green. the green let me cut vials to 2 and added 4 Collected Company. this deck list is what i use at FNM and been working very well :P tappedout.net/mtg-decks/illusions-4/

[@Nightmare-fe9hr]

TheManaSource I have a challenge for you that I think could make a good deck tech video. Try to make a deck with less than 5 lands total and no dredge strategies, so no free graveyard return.

[@RickyX64]

Investing in Adaptive Automaton over Grand Architect is definitely worth it.

[@raijufulger7575]

This looks so fun!

[@ShayVMG]

Oh heck yeah mono-blue aggro! The only change I think I'd make is Metallic Mimic instead of Grand Architect, permanent pump rather than temporary anthem, and it gets the benefits of Lord of the Unreal. Plus it's 2 mana rather than 3.

[@randalica92]

Shay Monoblue Devotion was also a top tier aggro deck in Theros Standard

[@Cookieparts]

The only problem is that it's not the best when you top deck it QwQ

[@shawndiaz7528]

Shay Not sure how valuable +/+ counters can be when all your creatures die to targeting. Feels more often than not that the anthem works out better at modern's pace. Remember, late game this deck is pretty weak. Even with Metallic on t2 you'll probably only get counters on one or two creatures in a winning game. Also imagine Chalice of the Void countering most of your spells in the eldrazi matchup. yikes

[@rockbottomincorperations-4420]

I think the problem with mimic is that it doesn't buff existing illusions

[@nateszigeti3653]

Merfolk is mono blue aggro and that deck is actually good

[@michaelnaramore9310]

actually like this using opt instead of slight of hand thank you ixalan

[@cosmotect]

The blue starter deck of core set 2012 with all these illusions is when I started magic

[@rhombodazzle9700]

Wedge thank you for making these budget videos. I don't play modern alot but these are what get me to play when I do. Wether it's mono red madness vampires to mono blue illusions your videos make magic more fun and affordable for everyone.

[@VeronicaFernandez9109]

The flavor of the dude depicted in mana leak is real! I never noticed that he is wearing a Mox Sapphire as a necklace. Thanks for blowing up the image and allowing me to see all the hidden "gems" ( Get it? Gems?). Great content; Thanks Wedge. I'm tapped out

[@Starfury117]

So the basic upgrade for this deck is to turn it into modern Merfolk. Aether vial, cavern of souls, multavult. Both deck runs tribal with lords. This deck is basically a deck for anyone who can't afford Merfolk :p Also what about reality shift as removal? Wedge on DiesToRemoval once said reality shift was an amazing card for modern because it exiles. Sadly didn't seem to turn out that way... I play it on commander though ;)

[@stevenhoward4240]

I delved into my collection and found that I still have my old illusion deck {back when Lord of the Unreal and Phantasmal Image were standard} and I immediately built this deck. AND I LOVE IT

[@richardgrzela1381]

I built this deck 5 years ago. It was an amazing illusion tribal back then. I love how under rated this deck is and if your playing 2 headed giant - it has amazing synergy with other tribal decks. Worth the buy. tons of fun to play of your a blue fan. Easy to adapt to add other triggers.

[@Carbocreates]

I still had some cards on the side from the casual Illusion list you posted a few months ago. Now I can turn it int a modern deck. Thanks for this :)

[@dangelobenjamin]

i had a casual mono blue delver, jace's phantasmal mill deck when i first got back into mtg. ah this brings back memories. i might try out this deck if modern ever becomes a thing in my play group!

[@EliyaSelhub]

One of the Magic iPad apps had a deck like this, it was a lot of fun to play especially with the phantasmal lord combo.

[@brianwise5850]

you should try my modern mono red land control. its effecient, the right amount of aggro/control. and best of all fairly budget.

[@juicyjugo6187]

my buddy has the exact blue white version you explained. and it is very very fun and the art is very beautiful

[@FayoreiRPGMmag]

Love the deck! My creatures were about the same when I played this, but I was very unsure of the spell suite since I wasn't as familiar with Modern cards. Thanks for the tech!

[@tinss619]

its fitting because april fools is about pranking and this a deck about fake creatures

[@TheManaSource]

#PlannedNotPlanned

[@tinss619]

you're the best man!

[@daltonpage240]

Dude it's November

[@jek__]

You know it to be false, but when its claws find you, what you know won't matter much at all.

[@crimson90]

UW aggro has always been a favorite deck of mine. Controlling the board while outpacing my opponent creature-wise is a recipe for a win.

[@ynglink]

One large thing you didn't cover is the fact that Mana Leak won't save your illusions from targeted spells. That being said, a good alternative for those that don't mind losing a little tempo for non-removal spells is Familiar's Ruse. Trigger on stack, return the illusions that's about to die from sac trigger: Counter their spell. I wouldn't say an auto four of, but it is worth mentioning for those interested in it.

[@rivalross8784]

I’ve always loved this deck, but the additions and replacements made here are perfect, makes me wanna get back into modern even though I’m a regular commander player

[@firtee_adorabold]

Found this in my box last night, I'm going to resleeve it cause it was the most fun I had at FNMs :D

[@poli6570]

Now this is my kind of blue deck. It's unexpected, powerful, and is somewhat agro. Its not like blue to attack so mindlessly and not get killed for it instantly.

[@notanetdeck5264]

Sweet list, great job with this one Wedge!

[@matthew_thefallen]

I love this deck. I have a semi budget modern version on mtgo, and it kicks butts. Also gonna make it real in paper, since I have the merfolk modern deck, so I already have some of these cards. Awesome!! It's jazzy, it's like improvising music with it

[@candieweyrauch1531]

I'm psyched because this a deck I actually have a chance of building. I get made fun of for loving blue but your right in can be aggressive. Plus most of the cards you mentioned cone packed in a premade blue deck (the Jace vs Vraska one). Thank You

[@stevenhoward4240]

I've played tribal illusions before. So much fun!

[@scottbomberg7904]

Hey wedge could you do an aetherflux reservoir/paradoxical outcome deck for standard it seems really interesting and I have no idea where to start

[@jamn03060]

I love anything mono blue.

[@eclipsor]

Tempest That's my man.

[@ASAPMop]

mono blue aetherflux "storm" in t2, right now!

[@Nightmare-fe9hr]

Tempest my only problem with mono blue is sometimes the strategies become rather repetitive. My favorite color combo is red black. It makes really chaotic but good decks.

[@jamn03060]

Oliver Gorgan red black hand denial is one of my all time favorites, but every time I build a deck now I try to see how I can fit blue in it cuz its the best.

[@Nightmare-fe9hr]

*not us, me

[@LogoMotive11]

This is going to be the deck that gets me into Modern thank you so much!

[@KyokushinFighter229]

This deck looks sweet. I've just been playing Knowledge Pool combo but I can definitely see picking this up

[@JoeyFangaz]

Used to play in standard. Loved this deck

[@Psycaroo]

I don't think I'd play this deck personally because I already have a modern deck, however I'm strongly considering getting it together and having it around for teaching friends about the format

[@Parallelepiped2]

Wedge, was just thinking about this deck from Saffron Olive's decklist from 2015! Interesting to see the differences between your decks.

[@theshadowftw3433]

I've been looking for a fun budget, but still competitive, modern deck and this seems pretty great

[@LuisBarrim]

Instead of Grand Architect, play Metalic Mimic. Is 1 less, is a Illusion, and forces your opponent to respond it right now, or the lord effect will last.

[@crispyimmortal]

I built this deck for FNM like 3 months, because my store is full of Tron players! Usually go 4-0, when I can go.

[@NecroAsphyxia]

DesolatorMagic Needs to take note on how a real budget deck looks! Love your brews Wedge!

[@josephbecker4131]

How favourable for entry to modern would you consider this deck, Wedge? This deck tickles my nostalgia bone with some cards I used to really love, so I'm interested.

[@jorgegarcia1416]

im new to magic but came up with deck tech. 4 oviya pashiri, 4 druid of the cowl for mana purpose, 4 ajanis comrade for trample,4 empyreal voyager flying and trample, 4 verdous gearhulk for counters and trample, 4 paradox engine goes great with cryptolith rite so with oviya i can use ability to cast and untap for infinite servos and constructs to combo with arlinn kords trample ability

[@buzzsaiyan]

what would you cut to fit vials? I'd probably go down on a couple of cantrips, since you can then vial in the angels, and maybe the dragons?

[@eldrazisypathizer7348]

I had the illusion-themed M12 intro deck, the blue white one, and I have wanted to build illusion tribal forever

[@MasterQuestMaster]

Lord of the Unreal is one of my favorite cards. I might have to build this deck. Being aggressive but still able to counter spells? Sign me up.

[@andrewhart5163]

I built this already, I think I've had it about 5 years roughly, surprisingly good apart from with sweep spells lol

[@brynt91]

I thought this was going to be a joke deck because of April fools day, but I love how this looks

[@grymgungus3933]

What do you think about Metallic Mimic/Did you test it?

[@icesnake1573]

I gonna recreate this I love the mono blue aggro deck idea

[@samtrue3]

Waiting for ixalan and jace for this deck

[@SunniestAutumn]

I like Aether Vial for Illusory Angel. Really easens up its clause.

[@chetmanely4986]

This looks like a crazy fun deck to play!

[@SmugLookingBarrel]

Thoughts on Metallic mimic in this deck?

[@Jonasansu]

I might have to make this my first modern deck.

[@ty_sylicus]

Looks a LOT like my budget Casual version of Illusions. The Architect is a nice touch.

[@East_TX_LCR]

Just been playing this on mtgo, it's actually really fun, and crazy strong

[@AramilVandal]

Looks fun. I also like how the non-budget is to just play merfolk. 😉

[@dylannoonan9751]

I'm enjoying the mono colored decks

[@joestaks9395]

How about including metallic mimic? Isn't it hard to play aggro at the same time controlling your opponent?

[@TheMCGamer2012]

If you are running Grand Architect at least run Hall of Triumph and hopefully you can get that double anthem effect by Turn 3.

[@TheMCGamer2012]

Non-budget additions include Door of Destines, Coat of Arms, Adaptive Automation, and Vial.

[@guftders]

Out of interest, did you try out Metallic Mimic? If so, what was your take on it? Super interested in building Illusions, the deck looks great!

[@eugenequek6797]

so if phantasmal gains hexproof becuz of the etb it can never be the target of sacrifice right? except for edict effects ofc?

[@stefelings6382]

This is genius, finally i can play modern for the cheap :D thanks

[@harrymanback5133]

Definitively gonna try this. Mono U aggro !

[@Killer1Nacho]

I love this. it's practically my first magic deck I ever played back when illusions were legal in standard

[@kenjyue140]

This deck was my first mtg deck.

[@elliottreadings8029]

Should you run a play set of cavern of souls or maybe just a two of?

[@TheVideoman22]

Is there a video of this deck being played?

[@TheJeffersonproject]

Phantasmal Image a Reality Smasher your opponent control , living the dream.

[@nicholasgerlach7306]

Sleight of hand fits the illusion theme!✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨

[@ninaenima]

Does skaab ruinator have a place in this deck as a 1-2 off? It's not an illusion but ur creature heavy deck.

[@elliottreadings8029]

so which is better? the casual illusion deck tech or this one?

[@CalderaWolf]

How is this different from the older illusion deck you made?

[@andrewlemaire2636]

Hi Wedge, is there room in this deck for Labyrinth Guardian?

[@HeythatJay]

Does mana leak really protect your board if spells still target a creature even when they are countered?

[@Need4Needle]

i'd use monastery siege instead of some of the counterspells. It's the closest thing to hexproof in blue that works with the spirits, and has game against a lot of decks

[@_mrcrypt]

LOVE this! I'm going to run Vedalken Æthermage, though... get the Lord of the Unreal faster, instead of Grand Architect. See how it goes. Thanks, Wedge! :)

[@c0ym0nty]

It's time to update ☺ I used 2 Psionic blasts before and a set Piracy charm I think 😆

[@SFTortoise]

no metalic mimic?

[@Rapaijas]

How does the architect buff mutavault? It does not become blue, does it?

[@NirDine]

How about metallic mimic over grand architect?

[@teresalaubinger5479]

It would be cool if you did an EDH deck tech for "Latulla, Keldon Overseer".

[@shawndiaz7528]

Mutavault doesn't synergize with the architect so you need to go automaton for that to really work, otherwise it just stresses your mana base in the early turns where you wanna play your Lords snags pierces and cantrips. Adaptive Automaton can't pump your Lord and Illusions at the same time which feels clunky but ultimately changes very little because a 2/2 is just as easy to kill as a 3/3 for a lot of decks but it beats Pyroclasm for the less red-invested decks that skip out on Anger of the Gods. That's noteworthy enough. Architect might actually be the better creature in a Lot of cases

[@shwift8789]

Veiled sentry would be an interesting include in this deck :D

[@sharlesdaviskendy2391]

So the blue deck from Duels of the Planeswalkers 2012?

[@alexwaren2030]

>lord of the unreal WE GET IT ITS APRIL 1

[@nighteyss]

I wonder, how does this resolve with the changeling (white card) illusion creatures must be sacrificed if they become a target by spell of ability. the "x" of the changeling is an active ability. wouldn't that sacrifice all your illusion creatures because they become target by this abillity?

[@honestmaster1932]

Peter Brenk no because is a global effect so it not have a target. It work.

[@jonahk1593]

The new Jace from ixalan would fit in this. Pretty cool to keep generating illusions and making a bunch of copies of him

[@SeraphimKnight]

"red and green, the annoying colors", ironically said while talking about a monoblue deck

[@SuperKingLozer]

pleaze do a G/W standard or mondern humans deck tech

[@nickshinault3712]

I run this deck pretty much to the letter except i included Monastery Siege, Ice Cage, and Halcyon Glaze. list is here: tappedout.net/mtg-decks/and-just-like-that-they-were-gone/

[@sulIy]

Nick Shinault, on Wedge's list what would you take out to make room for the vial?

[@nickshinault3712]

Sully I'll look at wedge's list again and let you know.

[@berkanna8066]

Would this deck be ok against Deaths Shadow?

[@antonperera8940]

if you have preordains would they be better that the draw spells included

[@Ybalde]

That card is banned in modern, so if you are playing for fun and the person you are playing against doesn't care, otherwise what he said is good.

[@demetriusa.phofolos7184]

4x Argothian Wurm 3x Edge of Autumn 4x Elvish Mystic 2x Far Wanderings 4x Gaea's Touch 4x Grapple with the Past 2x Harrow 4x Harvest Wurm 2x Overrun 4x Rogue Elephant 2x Scythe Tiger 1x Splendid Reclamation 4x Tilling Treefolk 20x Forest Budget Legacy?

[@Jans6ever]

I dont think is worth it to play Illusory Angel without gitaxian probe, whats a good replacement? the unblockable phantasm looks like wild trash.

[@silverfangmoonhunter]

Jans6ever Illusionary Servant is a 3 cmc 3/4 flyer with the same sac trigger as Bear, Dragon and Image

[@joshuapelletier8219]

I have been playing this deck for 4-5 years now. In mine i keep grand architect and run wurmcoil engine(1-3). Imagine this.... turn1 bear, turn2, lord, turn3 architect into WURMCOIL!!! then turn four copy it with phantasmal image and maybe a phyrexian metamorph. Also if your on a budget consider hidden strings. It can untap lands so it can let you play illusory angel of turn 3 and also acts like a suedo aether vial if you can deal combat damage.

[@blacknotations]

what does your list look like?

[@joshuapelletier8219]

It Changes alot but the core is... 4 Phantasmal bear 3-4 jace's phantasm 4 lord of the unreal 4 phantasmal image 4 krovikan mist 4 grand architect 1 Phyrexian metamorph (1-3) wurmcoil engine 0-2 vedalken shackles 0-2 adaptive automaton Spells 3-4 vaporsnag 2-4 remand 0-2 dismember 0-1 spell pierce 0-2 spell snare 0-2 manaleak 0-2 gutshot (usualy side board) 0-1 Cryptic If I even run Illusory angel it is usualy along side 4 serum visions and 2 -4 hidden strings

[@LogoMotive11]

Would using the cipher on hidden strings trigger the illusion creatures sack ability? Or is encoding not targeting?

[@joshuapelletier8219]

I have always assumed it didn't because it doesn't say target. I am willing to be proven wrong.

[@LogoMotive11]

joshua pelletier the wording is so touchy probably need to read the oracle text

[@casserolesoupjax9590]

Throwback to when phantasmal image was budget

[@sylvainplouffe9992]

I built it for sure, Did you test Metalic Mimic?

[@AndrewWoodford]

Sylvain Plouffe Adaptive Automaton is leagues better, if you are playing this (Metallic Mimic, Grand Architect, Adaptive Automaton) before your other illusions you've already lost.

[@samuelherbert120]

Why not Metallic Mimic over grand architect?

[@deckbuilderstoolkit4936]

When are you getting the greenscreen back? I wanna see your beautiful mug again wedge!

[@sLaShArChAnGeL]

This is the only modern deck I have. Almost exactly the same but instead of serum visions I have thought scour and run jace's phantasm instead of grand architech. Its much better with aether vial, mutavault and cavern of souls.

[@s0xf4n55]

Hi how you doing wedge love the tech but i do have a request. When amonkhet releases could you look into a hyper agressive/aggro deck tech? All of my guys at fnm are running aggro humans and things along those lines. I got your mechanized clues dech, but it just cant keep up. My friend is already running energy pummeler, so i dont wanna do that. thx

[@babysinclairfan]

Hey Wedge! Awesome video!!!!

[@ValanceJ]

Whaaaa?! I hadn't noticed Phantasmal Image was down to $2 for some reason. Will probably actually pick them up since I've had this deck around since I started playing Magic but never wanted to spend money on them before

[@titaseafell6520]

ValanceJ You should also check inquisition of kozilek (3 bucks) and blood moon (16 bucks), this MM3 brought chaos in the market ;)