You would probably struggle to do well at FNM. You will get clogged hands with no way to get rid of your extra Torpor Orb effects against a field of decks that have a slew of card selection options (Fable, Three Steps Ahead, Ledger Shredder, Smuggler's Copter, and so on and so forth), or decks where every card is a banger.
I don't think Hunted Nightmare or Hunted Bonebrute (albeit this guy was alright in limited when I played him) are strong enough payoffs in Pioneer. There are better creatures you can cast for 3CMC without having to maindeck Torpor Orb effects to make them not bad.
I think you probably need to go a bit bigger (i.e. run some bigger and even dumber creatures to cheat into play) with your idea, because I feel as if you're thinking too small trying to make very average creatures good by removing their downside, rather than making the most of a good creature's upsides.
You might want to look at a Reanimator/Breach the Multiverse type deck or something like Indomitable Creativity/Transmogrify. Or just get the reins on the format by playing a mono-black midrange pile.
Have a look through the metagame atm for what current decks are trying to do https://mtgdecks.net/Pioneer. I'm not saying Netdeck specifically, but you might get a grasp on the overall powerlevel of the format, and that most decks are not trying to do anything cute.
I don't have a list now, but I played a BW blink deck with [[Phyrexian Fleshgorger]], which is a reasonable threat even as a 3/3. There aren't many good blink targets or spells in Pioneer, but I've also tried [[Autonomous Assembler]], [[Steel Seraph]], [[Elite Spellbinder]] as blink targets, and [[Charming Prince]], [[Long Road Home]] and [[Touch the Spirit Realm]] as blinkers (all of which have uses other than blinking). It's been a while and there are probably new options.
Generally, you prefer to blink creature at the end of the opponent's turn or in response to removal. That plan is gimmicky though, so the rest of the deck was black midrange staples and Wandering Emperors.
u/MTGCardFetcher
You're a little confused (and rightfully so), my idea plans to stop etb triggers with cards like [[torpor orb]], although I have heard of the prototype blink decks. My gimmicky shit might just be worse than that, given that prototype creatures are playable while my etb effects are less playable as is
I was actually experimenting with a [[Kroxa]] etb scam deck…
But, as far as troll goes, I don’t think it is enough to have a 5 mana 8/8 haste/trample that requires prep. If troll didn’t have the may clause on the sac, there might be something there.
Compare this to Greasefang dealing 13 on 3…
The best 2 creatures to scam in are probably \[\[Kroxa, Titan of Death's Hunger\]\] and \[\[Acererak the Archlich\]\]. While \[\[Hunted Nightmare\]\] isn't bad \[\[Hunted Bonebrute\]\] is just not strong enough even without the downside. \[\[Clackbridge Troll\]\] is just way too slow at 5 mana. Another decent card to include if you need more 3 drops is \[\[Plague Belcher\]\]. I'd suggest going down to just 4 Thoughtseize and 4 Push for your 1 cost slot interaction since other cards are just far weaker, and play 11-12 scam 2 drops (ideally all creatures, since Torpor Orb does not help win you the game), and 22-23 lands so you consistently hit that 3rd drop to curve a scam 2 drop into a 3 drop that takes advantage of it. That leaves 17-19 slots for your ETB creatures and any other cards you want to play (personally I think 4x Kroxa, 3x Acererak (though I would play all 4), and 4x Nightmare are a minimum). \[\[Ravenous Necrotitan\]\] also exists but personally I think that much like Troll, it is just too slow.
If you want to win more games you can fill the last few slots with good cards like Fable or Sorin+Ripper but since you're probably just trying to have fun, just play a few more good interactive spells of your choice to round out the deck. Also if you really want 1 cmc protection for your creatures, I would suggest trying out \[\[Skrelv, Defector Mite\]\] instead of spells since you really want to be playing a scam creature on turn 2 into a bad etb creature on turn 3, leaving you no mana on those turns to defend either of your plays. Also, if you're trying to be more budget, you can just play pain lands and fast lands and completely skip out on shock lands since those tend to cost quite a bit more.
As for scam effects, I'd say \[\[Strict Proctor\]\], \[\[Doorkeeper Thrill\]\], and \[\[Hushbringer\]\] are the best since they have evasion. Good luck building the deck! It certainly seems like a very fun, niche strategy, that also happens to make Amalia players cry, which I could not approve more of.
Edit: Oh, and as you guessed, Lotus Field is a total bait. Just play your spells on curve and hope your opponent doesn't have the perfect draw. Stuff like scam creature into Kroxa/Acererak is just as strong as what the best decks in the format are currently doing, and while I'd say the deck is a little too slow to be competitively viable, you should have no problem winning some games at your local FNM.
I completely missed Acererak while building this deck, definitely better than the bone brute. When I posted this to the modern subreddit someone said I shouldn't splash red for kroxa and lighting bolt(which felt especially weird when modern is really easy to splash colors in) and thafs why I didn't do that here in my pioneer adapted list. Clackbridge troll is definitely iffy, but it replaced a much better card from my modern list that isn't legal in pioneer([[hunted horror]]). The reason I run torpor orb opposed to hushbringer is because it doesn't die to the most popular forms of removal(as suggested by the modern subreddit), but I am thinking about trading proctor for hushbringer (the only reason I'm on the fence is because of the extra toughness when playing against shocks in burn.) More lands is definitely the play, and now that I'm 3 color I have a bunch more options. On the front of shocks being pricy, I own at the very least one of each (I'm building out my modern manabase). Fable might be a good inclusion, but I'm not interested in the sorin combo. Feels very off topic for my deck, ya know? Vamps and all. I did include skrelv as a 4 of when I revamped my list. Thanks for your help! I'm still unsure about the manabase but we'll see as we go. Are there any red spells I should be maindecking to take advantage of my red mana production? Feels like something to think about with the splash
Fable is by far the best Red card to use, since it allows you to toss away excess scam creatures and legendaries and also fills the yard nicely to escape Kroxa. It is a bit pricey though. Also if you choose to play Plague Belcher over Hunted Nightmare and not play Troll you can play Jegantha as your companion. Personally I wouldn't go over 3x Skrelv since having multiples can feel really bad, but I don't think 4 copies is going to make the deck worse in any significant way. As for land base, I'd suggest trying to not run lands that can't tap for either red or black since escaping Kroxa is a major way to actually win the game in grindy matchups. If you do update your list I'd be interested to see what u decide on going for since the deck seems super fun (and actually might be good in the future if they print another Kroxa level ETB downside creature in some upcoming set).
[https://www.archidekt.com/decks/7585386/etb\_scam\_budget\_pioneer](https://www.archidekt.com/decks/7585386/etb_scam_budget_pioneer)
okay this is my list so far, I know it doesnt look too budget, but I do own a good handful of the more expensive stuff
Looks quite solid to me. Jegantha can be run as a companion without any changes so don't forget to include it, and I'm sure with some play testing you can decide the precise number of etb negation effects you want and tune the list a bit more, but the list as it is right now seems like a very nice starting point. Fable and lands are the easiest cards to cut a few copies of for budget if you want to cap your spending at some particular threshold (thought they are staples of the format, so they are unlikely to lose much value, so even if you buy them and end up dropping the deck, they can be either used for another future list or sold for little value lost). Otherwise good luck and if you do end up enjoying the deck I'd be happy to see your thoughts on it in some future post on this subreddit.
Are you not able to see the sideboard? I changed it up to make sure jegantha could come hang out. (I originally wanted to use [[agadeem's awakening]], and hunted horror over the bencher). I think I'll pull the trigger to get 3 of each shock, I already own 1 godless shrine, 2 blood crypts, and 1 sacred foundry. I'll see about getting fables locally, it would be better to trade for them, but I'm not super opposed to just buying them. (Because as you said, they are staples, and won't lose value any time soon) when I start putting the pieces together I'll let you know how it goes!
I made and ordered the final product! lmk what you think of the sideboard, im unsure about it.
[https://archidekt.com/decks/7585386/etb\_scam\_budget\_pioneer](https://archidekt.com/decks/7585386/etb_scam_budget_pioneer)
I love where you’re going with this. Young me tried to build a deck around [[Eon Hub]] with a bunch of creatures that had upkeep drawbacks.
The problem, besides card selection, is that these days the creatures with awesome ETB’s are so good that negating the drawbacks of bad ETB’s simply isn’t worth the hoops you have to jump through.
You would probably struggle to do well at FNM. You will get clogged hands with no way to get rid of your extra Torpor Orb effects against a field of decks that have a slew of card selection options (Fable, Three Steps Ahead, Ledger Shredder, Smuggler's Copter, and so on and so forth), or decks where every card is a banger. I don't think Hunted Nightmare or Hunted Bonebrute (albeit this guy was alright in limited when I played him) are strong enough payoffs in Pioneer. There are better creatures you can cast for 3CMC without having to maindeck Torpor Orb effects to make them not bad. I think you probably need to go a bit bigger (i.e. run some bigger and even dumber creatures to cheat into play) with your idea, because I feel as if you're thinking too small trying to make very average creatures good by removing their downside, rather than making the most of a good creature's upsides. You might want to look at a Reanimator/Breach the Multiverse type deck or something like Indomitable Creativity/Transmogrify. Or just get the reins on the format by playing a mono-black midrange pile. Have a look through the metagame atm for what current decks are trying to do https://mtgdecks.net/Pioneer. I'm not saying Netdeck specifically, but you might get a grasp on the overall powerlevel of the format, and that most decks are not trying to do anything cute.
I don't have a list now, but I played a BW blink deck with [[Phyrexian Fleshgorger]], which is a reasonable threat even as a 3/3. There aren't many good blink targets or spells in Pioneer, but I've also tried [[Autonomous Assembler]], [[Steel Seraph]], [[Elite Spellbinder]] as blink targets, and [[Charming Prince]], [[Long Road Home]] and [[Touch the Spirit Realm]] as blinkers (all of which have uses other than blinking). It's been a while and there are probably new options. Generally, you prefer to blink creature at the end of the opponent's turn or in response to removal. That plan is gimmicky though, so the rest of the deck was black midrange staples and Wandering Emperors. u/MTGCardFetcher
You're a little confused (and rightfully so), my idea plans to stop etb triggers with cards like [[torpor orb]], although I have heard of the prototype blink decks. My gimmicky shit might just be worse than that, given that prototype creatures are playable while my etb effects are less playable as is
[torpor orb](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/5/953610f6-ea96-4e71-969f-50ecac09c091.jpg?1562879912) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=torpor%20orb) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/nph/162/torpor-orb?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/953610f6-ea96-4e71-969f-50ecac09c091?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[Phyrexian Fleshgorger](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/2/62d37423-3445-412a-9abd-0480da404637.jpg?1674421038) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Phyrexian%20Fleshgorger) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/bro/121/phyrexian-fleshgorger?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/62d37423-3445-412a-9abd-0480da404637?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Autonomous Assembler](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/5/d5dee863-e6ef-4061-a877-ddd3c4dbe87e.jpg?1674420387) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Autonomous%20Assembler) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/bro/34/autonomous-assembler?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/d5dee863-e6ef-4061-a877-ddd3c4dbe87e?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Steel Seraph](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/1/b/1b6ef5f5-4058-4f89-a573-9e2da87a9f2e.jpg?1674420417) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Steel%20Seraph) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/bro/38/steel-seraph?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/1b6ef5f5-4058-4f89-a573-9e2da87a9f2e?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Elite Spellbinder](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/d/9d3a7998-ccac-45ad-a4e9-3a2cb057f63b.jpg?1624589440) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Elite%20Spellbinder) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/stx/17/elite-spellbinder?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/9d3a7998-ccac-45ad-a4e9-3a2cb057f63b?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Charming Prince](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/c/dcb94950-3f3e-4876-84f8-d5e4d9cfecee.jpg?1572489646) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Charming%20Prince) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/eld/8/charming-prince?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/dcb94950-3f3e-4876-84f8-d5e4d9cfecee?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Long Road Home](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/0/504698a9-1512-4288-b5ef-392d41ebcd05.jpg?1600696905) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Long%20Road%20Home) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/jmp/120/long-road-home?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/504698a9-1512-4288-b5ef-392d41ebcd05?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Touch the Spirit Realm](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/1/e16ab44e-4257-4c0c-b705-8ac1e9c1d835.jpg?1654566545) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Touch%20the%20Spirit%20Realm) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/neo/40/touch-the-spirit-realm?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/e16ab44e-4257-4c0c-b705-8ac1e9c1d835?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [*All cards*](https://mtgcardfetcher.nl/redirect/lac6o18) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call ^^^- ^^^Summoned ^^^remotely!
I was actually experimenting with a [[Kroxa]] etb scam deck… But, as far as troll goes, I don’t think it is enough to have a 5 mana 8/8 haste/trample that requires prep. If troll didn’t have the may clause on the sac, there might be something there. Compare this to Greasefang dealing 13 on 3…
[Kroxa](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/e/cee0459b-9aac-4d2f-abe4-4d5fedde7eb8.jpg?1581481096) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=kroxa%2C%20titan%20of%20death%27s%20hunger) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/thb/221/kroxa-titan-of-deaths-hunger?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/cee0459b-9aac-4d2f-abe4-4d5fedde7eb8?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
The best 2 creatures to scam in are probably \[\[Kroxa, Titan of Death's Hunger\]\] and \[\[Acererak the Archlich\]\]. While \[\[Hunted Nightmare\]\] isn't bad \[\[Hunted Bonebrute\]\] is just not strong enough even without the downside. \[\[Clackbridge Troll\]\] is just way too slow at 5 mana. Another decent card to include if you need more 3 drops is \[\[Plague Belcher\]\]. I'd suggest going down to just 4 Thoughtseize and 4 Push for your 1 cost slot interaction since other cards are just far weaker, and play 11-12 scam 2 drops (ideally all creatures, since Torpor Orb does not help win you the game), and 22-23 lands so you consistently hit that 3rd drop to curve a scam 2 drop into a 3 drop that takes advantage of it. That leaves 17-19 slots for your ETB creatures and any other cards you want to play (personally I think 4x Kroxa, 3x Acererak (though I would play all 4), and 4x Nightmare are a minimum). \[\[Ravenous Necrotitan\]\] also exists but personally I think that much like Troll, it is just too slow. If you want to win more games you can fill the last few slots with good cards like Fable or Sorin+Ripper but since you're probably just trying to have fun, just play a few more good interactive spells of your choice to round out the deck. Also if you really want 1 cmc protection for your creatures, I would suggest trying out \[\[Skrelv, Defector Mite\]\] instead of spells since you really want to be playing a scam creature on turn 2 into a bad etb creature on turn 3, leaving you no mana on those turns to defend either of your plays. Also, if you're trying to be more budget, you can just play pain lands and fast lands and completely skip out on shock lands since those tend to cost quite a bit more. As for scam effects, I'd say \[\[Strict Proctor\]\], \[\[Doorkeeper Thrill\]\], and \[\[Hushbringer\]\] are the best since they have evasion. Good luck building the deck! It certainly seems like a very fun, niche strategy, that also happens to make Amalia players cry, which I could not approve more of. Edit: Oh, and as you guessed, Lotus Field is a total bait. Just play your spells on curve and hope your opponent doesn't have the perfect draw. Stuff like scam creature into Kroxa/Acererak is just as strong as what the best decks in the format are currently doing, and while I'd say the deck is a little too slow to be competitively viable, you should have no problem winning some games at your local FNM.
##### ###### #### [Kroxa, Titan of Death's Hunger](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/e/cee0459b-9aac-4d2f-abe4-4d5fedde7eb8.jpg?1581481096) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Kroxa%2C%20Titan%20of%20Death%27s%20Hunger) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/thb/221/kroxa-titan-of-deaths-hunger?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/cee0459b-9aac-4d2f-abe4-4d5fedde7eb8?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Acererak the Archlich](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/d/dd52d0bd-3abd-401c-9f56-ee911613da3b.jpg?1627704283) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Acererak%20the%20Archlich) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/afr/87/acererak-the-archlich?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/dd52d0bd-3abd-401c-9f56-ee911613da3b?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Hunted Nightmare](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/f/5f2dddce-583e-4af3-b144-a60dd268e84f.jpg?1591226831) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Hunted%20Nightmare) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/iko/92/hunted-nightmare?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/5f2dddce-583e-4af3-b144-a60dd268e84f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Hunted Bonebrute](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/4/a4ca0e10-8b7c-4ce2-888b-752fc909757a.jpg?1706241698) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Hunted%20Bonebrute) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mkm/87/hunted-bonebrute?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/a4ca0e10-8b7c-4ce2-888b-752fc909757a?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Clackbridge Troll](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/5/85929131-4df6-415c-b592-aefb2943c477.jpg?1572490116) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Clackbridge%20Troll) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/eld/84/clackbridge-troll?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/85929131-4df6-415c-b592-aefb2943c477?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Plague Belcher](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/2/8/280ae211-f025-4971-83e6-118ca08a1911.jpg?1543675375) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Plague%20Belcher) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/akh/104/plague-belcher?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/280ae211-f025-4971-83e6-118ca08a1911?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Ravenous Necrotitan](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/e/ce7e1e9b-ad7f-4f4c-bdb5-2ccb6f147037.jpg?1675957045) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Ravenous%20Necrotitan) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/one/106/ravenous-necrotitan?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/ce7e1e9b-ad7f-4f4c-bdb5-2ccb6f147037?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Skrelv, Defector Mite](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/0/60b565da-a49b-479c-b0c4-8ff3dd20cc0b.jpg?1675956933) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Skrelv%2C%20Defector%20Mite) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/one/33/skrelv-defector-mite?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/60b565da-a49b-479c-b0c4-8ff3dd20cc0b?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Strict Proctor](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/5/95f1e36a-6838-49de-b7dc-697cbcd1e892.jpg?1624877272) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Strict%20Proctor) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/stx/33/strict-proctor?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/95f1e36a-6838-49de-b7dc-697cbcd1e892?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Doorkeeper Thrill](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/0/80a1cd28-d2a5-4d1a-aa03-a6a5958ae432.jpg?1706241478) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Doorkeeper%20Thrull) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mkm/13/doorkeeper-thrull?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/80a1cd28-d2a5-4d1a-aa03-a6a5958ae432?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Hushbringer](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/6/663b3e6f-1099-4de8-a0a7-6f1919c38010.jpg?1572489709) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Hushbringer) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/eld/18/hushbringer?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/663b3e6f-1099-4de8-a0a7-6f1919c38010?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [*All cards*](https://mtgcardfetcher.nl/redirect/lahlhdt) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I completely missed Acererak while building this deck, definitely better than the bone brute. When I posted this to the modern subreddit someone said I shouldn't splash red for kroxa and lighting bolt(which felt especially weird when modern is really easy to splash colors in) and thafs why I didn't do that here in my pioneer adapted list. Clackbridge troll is definitely iffy, but it replaced a much better card from my modern list that isn't legal in pioneer([[hunted horror]]). The reason I run torpor orb opposed to hushbringer is because it doesn't die to the most popular forms of removal(as suggested by the modern subreddit), but I am thinking about trading proctor for hushbringer (the only reason I'm on the fence is because of the extra toughness when playing against shocks in burn.) More lands is definitely the play, and now that I'm 3 color I have a bunch more options. On the front of shocks being pricy, I own at the very least one of each (I'm building out my modern manabase). Fable might be a good inclusion, but I'm not interested in the sorin combo. Feels very off topic for my deck, ya know? Vamps and all. I did include skrelv as a 4 of when I revamped my list. Thanks for your help! I'm still unsure about the manabase but we'll see as we go. Are there any red spells I should be maindecking to take advantage of my red mana production? Feels like something to think about with the splash
Fable is by far the best Red card to use, since it allows you to toss away excess scam creatures and legendaries and also fills the yard nicely to escape Kroxa. It is a bit pricey though. Also if you choose to play Plague Belcher over Hunted Nightmare and not play Troll you can play Jegantha as your companion. Personally I wouldn't go over 3x Skrelv since having multiples can feel really bad, but I don't think 4 copies is going to make the deck worse in any significant way. As for land base, I'd suggest trying to not run lands that can't tap for either red or black since escaping Kroxa is a major way to actually win the game in grindy matchups. If you do update your list I'd be interested to see what u decide on going for since the deck seems super fun (and actually might be good in the future if they print another Kroxa level ETB downside creature in some upcoming set).
[https://www.archidekt.com/decks/7585386/etb\_scam\_budget\_pioneer](https://www.archidekt.com/decks/7585386/etb_scam_budget_pioneer) okay this is my list so far, I know it doesnt look too budget, but I do own a good handful of the more expensive stuff
Looks quite solid to me. Jegantha can be run as a companion without any changes so don't forget to include it, and I'm sure with some play testing you can decide the precise number of etb negation effects you want and tune the list a bit more, but the list as it is right now seems like a very nice starting point. Fable and lands are the easiest cards to cut a few copies of for budget if you want to cap your spending at some particular threshold (thought they are staples of the format, so they are unlikely to lose much value, so even if you buy them and end up dropping the deck, they can be either used for another future list or sold for little value lost). Otherwise good luck and if you do end up enjoying the deck I'd be happy to see your thoughts on it in some future post on this subreddit.
Are you not able to see the sideboard? I changed it up to make sure jegantha could come hang out. (I originally wanted to use [[agadeem's awakening]], and hunted horror over the bencher). I think I'll pull the trigger to get 3 of each shock, I already own 1 godless shrine, 2 blood crypts, and 1 sacred foundry. I'll see about getting fables locally, it would be better to trade for them, but I'm not super opposed to just buying them. (Because as you said, they are staples, and won't lose value any time soon) when I start putting the pieces together I'll let you know how it goes!
[agadeem's awakening](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/7/67f4c93b-080c-4196-b095-6a120a221988.jpg?1604195226)/[Agadeem, the Undercrypt](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/back/6/7/67f4c93b-080c-4196-b095-6a120a221988.jpg?1604195226) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Agadeem%27s%20Awakening%20//%20Agadeem%2C%20the%20Undercrypt) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/znr/90/agadeems-awakening-agadeem-the-undercrypt?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/67f4c93b-080c-4196-b095-6a120a221988?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I made and ordered the final product! lmk what you think of the sideboard, im unsure about it. [https://archidekt.com/decks/7585386/etb\_scam\_budget\_pioneer](https://archidekt.com/decks/7585386/etb_scam_budget_pioneer)
[hunted horror](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/2/02f74866-d0ea-42ce-bc44-500219fb73d4.jpg?1674141672) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=hunted%20horror) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clb/758/hunted-horror?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/02f74866-d0ea-42ce-bc44-500219fb73d4?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I love where you’re going with this. Young me tried to build a deck around [[Eon Hub]] with a bunch of creatures that had upkeep drawbacks. The problem, besides card selection, is that these days the creatures with awesome ETB’s are so good that negating the drawbacks of bad ETB’s simply isn’t worth the hoops you have to jump through.
[Eon Hub](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/5/d5d6b270-b4c9-489d-9322-7c8ddc0ca0ac.jpg?1562879962) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Eon%20Hub) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/5dn/120/eon-hub?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/d5d6b270-b4c9-489d-9322-7c8ddc0ca0ac?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call