Training Grounds in Derevi

[u/Jesters-Privilege-]

A friend brought something up after a game the other day. I play Derevi, and I've been experimenting with how I want to build out my version of the deck. He suggested running Training Grounds. The idea being that it cuts 2 off Emiel's activation cost, which basically translates to needing two less creature on board to go infinite with Gaea's Cradle. It can also be tutored up with Brightglass Gearhulk.

Just wanted to see if anyone else has had the same idea, whether this is actually a bad idea for some reason, or if there are more powerful things I could be doing instead.

Thanks in advance first time posting.

[u/ChaosMilkTea]

Wouldn't any creature that makes a token kinda do the same thing?

[u/Freestr1ke → u/ChaosMilkTea]

Activating for 1 mana repeatedly to keep winning on top of the stack is much easier than 3

[u/Jesters-Privilege- → u/ChaosMilkTea]

training grounds isnt as bad into bowmasters, and also is there a creature that makes a token for one mana?

[u/ChaosMilkTea → u/Jesters-Privilege-]

For 1 mana I guess not, but it would be vastly more tutorable in GW.

Idk this feels like big braining to achieve something you allready get from badgermole cub: 2 bodies and net 1 mana lost.

Or is this specifically about bowmasters?

[u/Jesters-Privilege- → u/ChaosMilkTea]

I'm already doing the Badgermole cub type things and I'm more just exploring if this is just cute or is this something to think about. because i can consistently get Brightglass Gearhulk into play, and I'm already running the good GW tutors. I bring up bowmasters because is a card that i really have to play around being a creature based deck and in my eyes its a plus for training grounds because it acts as two creatures but doesn't get counter as hard into bowmaster type effects.

[u/International_Bit_25 → u/Jesters-Privilege-]

[[Ocelot Pride]], but obviously much more conditional on boardstate than training grounds

[u/----___--___----]

I run it in my Derevi list and it has been great for me.

I also run both Thrasios and Kinnan tho. There is also a Thrasios or Kinnan every other pod that I'm able to clone or steal.

I wouldn't run it just for Emiel.

[u/Fluffyhitman022]

I think this is a win more situation if you have Emiel on board you should be winning the game I play delney in my list to make my sol ring mana vault a win con with Emiel by double untapping but training grounds is for a lot of activations like thrasios it does cheapen derevi activated but I think training grounds is only good when you should already be winning

[u/RybanGuzban → u/Fluffyhitman022]

It does not lower derevis activated ability cause she’s in the command zone and training grounds only works on creatures on the battle field

[u/Fluffyhitman022 → u/RybanGuzban]

Dang was wrong about that read control and assumed I guess

[u/RybanGuzban]

I’ve been running it in my list since the inception of bright glass. It’s a good card to use but requires building around it. I’m on Eldrazi displacer and Agatha’s soul cauldron. And thras to make drawing cards easier. It’s not a card I ever tutor for except if the brightglass options is worth it. At first no one ever thought much of it cause I’m on on Thras in the zone but now people are aware of it

[u/NectarineLoud6327]

Gear hulk can also tutor it, idk if that's what you are supposed to be doing with a Gearhulk etb but its available.

[u/Jesters-Privilege- → u/NectarineLoud6327]

bright glass gearhulk is becoming a mainstay in the deck, it can get mana, it can get mystic remora, Esper sentinel like its a good toolbox creature.

[u/icepickxii]

Training grounds package is decent but telegraphed- glass bullets for the glass cannon. Some pilots run them but it requires a deck overhaul

[u/Thomas_l]

Training grounds is a good card in the deck, I'm not currently on it, but it makes your Dorks / cradle go mana positive pretty easily.

[u/jcollins14]

You should probably just come join the derevi discord.