EDH/Commander Deck Archetype- Prison Bound

As we have learned over our time together many different mages exist in our multiverse. Some of them are sneaky, others are just pure brutes. For today we will look at yet another different mage. These mages use the means of mental magic in an attempt to take control of the battle and make it end in their way. It's a tough thing to do, but some mages that have become experts at this can be victorious in battle almost all the time. Enough of a broad scope though, today we take a close look at Zur the Enchanter.

Zur is a powerful control mage who channels blue, white and even black magic into one powerful force. He is a little on the abnormal side if compared to normal mages. His personal physical power isn't that great, but his mental magic and defense are. Those two elements alone are what make him a tough opponent for traveling mages. With all of this in mind, let us take a closer look at how Zur and abuse his mental magic in the heat of battle. 

Zur's Mental Prison

Artifact (11)
1xAzorius Signet
1xDimir Signet
1xElixir of Immortality
1xHowling Mine
1xLightning Greaves
1xNorn's Annex
1xOrzhov Signet
1xSol Ring
1xSpellbook
1xTorpor Orb
1xWhispersilk Cloak

Creature (19)
1xAlloy Myr
1xChancellor of the Annex
1xCho-Manno, Revolutionary
1xClone
1xDread
1xGold Myr
1xLeaden Myr
1xMesa Enchantress
1xPhantasmal Image
1xPhyrexian Metamorph
1xRenegade Doppelganger
1xSheoldred, Whispering ..
1xSilver Myr
1xSolemn Simulacrum
1xStuffy Doll
1xTeferi, Mage of Zhalfir
1xWall of Denial
1xWall of Omens
1xWindborn Muse

Enchantment (18)
1xAegis of Honor
1xAjani's Mantra
1xAnimate Dead
1xArcane Laboratory
1xArchmage Ascension
1xCopy Enchantment
1xDiplomatic Immunity
1xDivine Presence
1xFrozen Æther
1xGhostly Prison
1xGreater Auramancy
1xHissing Miasma
1xJourney to Nowhere
1xOblivion Ring
1xPainful Quandary
1xPariah
1xPropaganda
1xTelepathy

Instant (8)
1xAngelsong
1xBlue Sun's Zenith
1xConvolute
1xDoom Blade
1xGo for the Throat
1xHoly Day
1xMana Leak
1xThink Twice

Sorcery (8)
1xBlack Sun's Zenith
1xDamnation
1xDemonic Tutor
1xIncreasing Ambition
1xPreordain
1xSleep
1xUnburial Rites
1xWrath of God

Tribal Enchantment (1)
1xBitterblossom

Land (34)
1xDarkslick Shores
1xDrowned Catacomb
1xEvolving Wilds
1xGlacial Fortress
1xHallowed Fountain
7xIsland
1xMarsh Flats
1xMystic Gate
7xPlains
1xReflecting Pool
1xReliquary Tower
1xScalding Tarn
1xSeachrome Coast
1xSunken Ruins
6xSwamp
1xTerramorphic Expanse

1xWatery Grave

Planeswalkers Imprisoned

As you can see at first glance, this would be a terrible trap for any walker or mage who faces Zur. He can lock down the battle field by the means of Ghostly Prison, Propaganda, Norn's Annex and even Windborn Muse. those for spells can keep an army at a stand still. Ok so he can stall an army, what if I don't have an army? What if I just have a heavy hitter? He has that covered too young walker. Zur can just simply copy your biggest hitter with Clone and the like or he can send him to the grave via black magic. Zur likes to run things at his speed and his speed only. Don't judge him based on looks, it has been the death of many who have done so...

 

  

Parole or Freedom?

To defeat Zur in a battle, you must be able to get around his defenses. That seems obvious yes, and that is because it is true. One way to do so is the obvious way, attempt to out pace Zur and deal the finale blow before he can. You could also try to out control him but that may not work either. A very sneaky way to deal with Zur young planeswalker is to simply destroy what he summons. He can't stop an army if his main spells aren't in existence. The spells cost him such mental distress that he normally can only summon them one time in a battle, on rare occasions has ever summoned them more than once. So if you could disenchant his spells, you may have a shot at taking Zur the Enchanter down.  The choice is yours young planeswalker. What will you choose to do against the control that is Zur the Enchanter?