Hello again. Thanks for reading my random articles :) This week I won't show you any deck in particular - the article is more like reference guide to the price of the decks in the current Pauper Classic meta. I want to apologize in advance for the quality, but writing this article was much, much tougher job than I expected and I ran out of spare time really quickly:( I realized that showing you how to make a budget version of a particular deck is a task worthy of it's own article, so I'll give you mostly rough data and few advices here and there, but I really hope that some of you will like it.
The Staples:
Before we start with the decks I want to show you the staples of every color. If you are a new to pauper I have an advice for you - try to buy the staples for your favorite color/strategy, because they are going to be a vital part of many decks! You can find the list at http://forums.pdcmagic.com/viewtopic.php?t=772 .
Some updates to the list for the current meta:
White:
Black:
Red:
Multi:
Other:
The Decks:
1 Great Furnace 0.30
1 Executioner's Capsule 0.12
4 Duress 0.25
1 AEther Spellbomb 0.05
1 Pyrite Spellbomb 0.05
4 Mulldrifter 0.10
1 Okiba-Gang Shinobi 0.08
1 Dimir Aqueduct 0.10
4 Momentary Blink 0.15
4 Chromatic Star 0.05
2 Agony Warp 0.15
4 Leonin Squire 0.12
1 Azorius Chancery 0.15
4 Blind Hunter 0.05
1 Vault of Whispers 0.30
1 Seat of the Synod 0.30
1 Ancient Den 0.30
1 Orzhov Basilica 0.12
4 Trinket Mage 0.50
2 Chromatic Sphere 0.04
1 Bonesplitter 0.12
2 Mesmeric Fiend 0.08
Sideboard
1 Circle of Protection: Black 0.03
3 Obsidian Acolyte 1.50 - You can replace this one for Circle of Protection: Black 0.03
1 Executioner's Capsule 0.12
3 Dust to Dust 0.03
1 Steel Wall 0.02
1 Dispeller's Capsule 0.02
1 Viridian Longbow 0.03
2 Aven Riftwatcher 0.12
2 Echoing Truth 0.25
Total cost of the Budget version : 8,85 $ .
Comments: I haven't played with this deck at all, so I can't recommend any other budget cuts :( I'll be really glad if Amar can suggest any - after all this is his build.
3 Crypt Rats 2.50 The MVP of this deck! You can replace it with 2 Echoing Decay and 1 Okiba-Gang Shinobi, but the deck will no longer be MBC :)
4 Phyrexian Rager 0.05
4 Sign in Blood 0.25
3 Chittering Rats 0.08
4 Distress 0.03
2 Okiba-Gang Shinobi 0.08
1 Grim Harvest 0.06
4 Tendrils of Corruption 0.05
3 Warren Pilferers 0.02
4 Corrupt 0.10
4 Ravenous Rats 0.03
4 Dross Golem 0.03
2 Echoing Decay 0.15
1 Okiba-Gang Shinobi 0.08
4 Duress 0.25
4 Diabolic Edict 1.25 - You can replace these for Innocent Blood 0.50
Total cost of the Budget version : 6.50$
Comments: The terror of any aggro deck! One of the biggest players in the current meta. I don't recommend the budget version, so avoid this deck if you are low on cash.
3 Crypt Rats 2.50 You can replace this with 1 Echoing Decay 0.15, 1 Doom Blade 0.35 and 1 Dark Banishing 0.02, but only on your own risk...
4 Phyrexian Rager 0.05
4 Innocent Blood 0.50
3 Deep Analysis 0.60 - Replace it with Compulsive Research 0.05
2 Echoing Decay 0.15
4 Distress 0.03
3 Dimir Aqueduct 0.10
1 Grim Harvest 0.06
3 Tendrils of Corruption 0.05
3 Terramorphic Expanse 0.05
4 Mulldrifter 0.10
4 Corrupt 0.10
3 Grixis Panorama 0.02
4 Diabolic Edict 1.25 Replace this one with some kind of removal like Dark Banishing 0.02
4 Dross Golem 0.03
1 Echoing Decay 0.15
1 Tendrils of Corruption 0.05
4 Duress 0.25
2 Relic of Progenitus 0.05
3 Doom Blade 0.35
Total cost of the Budget version : 6,46$
Comments: This deck is evolution of MBC and is one of the major players in the current meta. The budget version actually sucks big time :)
1 Exclude 1.70 - Replace this with Remove Soul 0.02
1 Jilt 0.12
1 Twisted Abomination 0.05
1 Echoing Decay 0.15
4 Spire Golem 0.05
2 Condescend 0.20
1 Grim Harvest 0.08
4 Skred 0.08 - If you switch this one for burn spell like Incinerate 0.20, you'll be able to loose the Snow lands...
11 Snow-Covered Island 0.20
2 Snow-Covered Mountain 0.25
3 Snow-Covered Swamp 0.20
3 Mystical Teachings 0.05
4 Terramorphic Expanse 0.05
4 Mulldrifter 0.10
4 Counterspell 0.50
4 Brainstorm 0.25
1 Negate 0.05
4 Grixis Panorama 0.02
3 Diabolic Edict 1.25 - Replace these with Rend Flesh 0.02
2 Soul Manipulation 0.12
3 Hydroblast 0.50 - Maybe you can replace this one with life gaining spell like (Renew Faith) 0.05
3 Pyroblast 0.65 - This is a toolbox deck, so add whatever you want :) Negate 0.05 is a good alternative
1 Smash 0.03
4 Duress 0.25
2 Relic of Progenitus 0.05
2 Doom Blade 0.35
Total cost of the Budget version : 8,13 $ .
Comments: Teachings rulez :) I strongly recommend this deck(or one of it's many variations) to all control players. My article about teachings:http://puremtgo.com/articles/pure-skill-pauper-teachings .
4 Darksteel Citadel 0.30
2 Krark-Clan Shaman 0.08
4 Thoughtcast 0.20
4 Springleaf Drum 0.05
4 Myr Enforcer 0.25
4 Arcbound Worker 0.15
3 Chromatic Sphere 0.04
4 Rush of Knowledge 0.05
4 Seat of the Synod 0.30
4 Somber Hoverguard 0.05
4 Chromatic Star 0.05
4 Frogmite 0.25
4 Great Furnace 0.30
3 Lotus Petal 2.00
4 Vault of Whispers 0.30
4 Disciple of the Vault 0.12
Sideboard
4 Hydroblast 0.50
4 Circle of Protection: Red 0.03
4 Pyroblast 0.65
2 Circle of Protection: Black 0.03
1 (Grape Shot) 0.08
Total cost of the Budget version : None ( the 4$ cut from the blast cost won't be enough for "budget" variant)
Comments: Really Strong deck. One of the major players, but everybody "hate"(SB) this deck. I think that buying this deck is a investment, because you can gradually upgrade it to Classic deck for about 40-60$.
4 Plated Sliver 0.12
4 Terramorphic Expanse 0.05
4 Spinneret Sliver 0.03
3 Sigil Blessing 0.03
4 Muscle Sliver 1.25
4 Sidewinder Sliver 0.05
4 Virulent Sliver 0.12
3 Temporal Isolation 0.05
4 Lotus Petal 2.00 - Basic Lands FTW :)
4 Sinew Sliver 0.20
4 Metallic Sliver 0.35 -You can replace this one with Avian Changeling 0.03
4 Prismatic Strands 0.35
2 Taunting Elf 0.05
3 Dust to Dust 0.03
2 Holy Light 0.08
1 Circle of Protection: Red 0.03
3 Circle of Protection: Black 0.03
4 Obsidian Acolyte 1.50 - More CoPs 0.03
Total cost of the Budget version : 9,68$ .
Comments: I don't think that the budget version of this deck is weaker than the normal (except for the MBC match-up).
4 Armadillo Cloak 3.00 - The only think in this deck that is not on budget :( I'm not sure that this can be removed without breaking the deck but if you find something to replace this one you'll have yourself a nice budget deck.
3 Basking Rootwalla 0.35
4 Benevolent Bodyguard 0.02
2 Secluded Steppe 0.05
2 Terramorphic Expanse 0.05
4 Dawn Charm 0.03
3 Shield of the Oversoul 0.15
3 Akrasan Squire 0.08
4 Sigil Blessing 0.03
3 Steward of Valeron 0.08
3 Valeron Outlander 0.02
3 Bant Sureblade 0.08
3 Qasali Pridemage 0.15
4 Holy Light 0.08
4 Oblivion Ring 0.12
4 Circle of Protection: Red 0.03
3 Relic of Progenitus 0.05
Total cost of the Budget version :4,32 $ if there is a replacement for Armadillo Cloak
Comments: I really don't like this deck :)
4 Keldon Marauders 0.12
2 Forgotten Cave 0.12
4 Lightning Bolt 0.50 -you can switch this one with some cheap burn like Tarfire 0.02
4 Chain Lightning 0.50 - you can switch this one with some cheap burn like Shock 0.02
4 Volcanic Hammer 0.03
4 Lava Spike 0.12
4 Rift Bolt 0.15
4 Shard Volley 0.05
4 Incinerate 0.20
4 Spark Elemental 0.15
4 Fireblast 2.00 - the functional reprint of Volcanic Hammer from ME3 is a possible candidate for this spot.
4 Pyroblast 0.65 - you can switch this one for some cheap LD like Molten Rain 0.05
4 Smash to Smithereens 0.03
3 Martyr of Ashes 0.15
4 Flaring Pain 0.05
Total cost of the Budget version : 4,76 $ .
Comments: Almost everything that I said about Affinity appilies here too - good deck that can be upgraded to Classic really quickly.
3 Crypt Rats 2.50 - you can replace this one with Shrieking Grotesque 0.05 (it is control meta anyway :) )
4 Phyrexian Rager 0.05
3 Barren Moor 0.05
2 Secluded Steppe 0.05
4 Blind Hunter 0.05
4 Castigate 0.08
4 Orzhov Basilica 0.10
3 Oblivion Ring 0.12
1 Duress 0.25 - Just add 4rth Beckon Apparition 0.05
3 Beckon Apparition 0.05
4 Edge of the Divinity 0.15
4 Nightsky Mimic 0.08
4 Nip Gwyllion 0.08
4 Unmake 0.15
1 Crypt Rats 2.50
4 Echoing Decay 0.15
2 Dawn Charm 0.03
3 Circle of Protection: Red 0.03
2 Duress 0.25
3 Relic of Progenitus 0.05
Total cost of the Budget version : 6.12$ .
Comments: Nice budget deck.
4 Mogg Flunkies 0.08
4 Goblin Sledder 0.02
4 Mogg Raider 0.05
4 Sparksmith 0.02
3 Rites of Initiation 0.02
4 Goblin Cohort 0.02
4 Mogg Conscripts 0.05
4 Mogg Fanatic 0.65 - Replace this one with some cheap 1 mana goblin
4 Intimidator Initiate 0.02
4 Mudbutton Clanger 0.02
4 Mogg War Marshal 0.08
4 Electrostatic Bolt 0.03
4 Gorilla Shaman 0.12
4 Pyroblast 0.65 - Add 4rth Rites of Initiation and (Mudbutton Cohort)
1 Flame Jab 0.05
2 Martyr of Ashes 0.15
Total cost of the Budget version : 2,73 $ .
Comments: If you are a spike on a budget - THIS IS YOUR DECK! The deck is really powerful and the budget version is not much weaker that the original (I think :) ).
4 Shade of Trokair 0.02
4 Order of Leitbur 0.05
4 Temporal Isolation 0.05
2 Ivory Giant 0.02
4 Knight of Sursi 0.02
4 Icatian Javelineers 0.05
4 Sunlance 0.08
4 Razor Golem 0.03
4 Stormfront Pegasus 0.03
4 Akrasan Squire 0.08
Sideboard
4 Dust to Dust 0.03
3 Prismatic Strands 0.35
4 Martyr of Sands 0.15
4 Obsidian Acolyte 1.50 - You can replace this one with (Circle of Protection:Black)
Total cost of the Budget version : 2,97 $ .
Comments: Fun and powerful deck, even when it is on budget. I recommend it for new pauper players.
4 Exclude 1.70 - Remove Soul 0.02 is a possible replacement
4 Prohibit 0.25
2 Repulse 0.30
1 Echoing Truth 0.25
4 Spire Golem 0.05
2 Fathom Seer 0.03
4 Think Twice 0.08
3 Piracy Charm 0.02
3 Faerie Trickery 0.03
4 Counterspell 0.50 - some soft counter like Rune Snag 0.20 can replace this one.
4 Force Spike 0.03
1 Oona's Grace 0.03
4 Hydroblast 0.50
4 Coral Net 0.02
4 Annul 0.05
1 Echoing Truth 0.25
2 Errant Ephemeron 0.10
Total cost of the Budget version : 6,24 $ .
Comments: This deck haven't seen much play lately, but I think that it has potential in the current meta. BTW if you like playing blue you should consider buying 4 x Exclude, because this is the pauper version of Cryptic Command :)
4 Probe 0.25
3 Ravenous Rats 0.03
1 Terminate 0.50
1 Electrostatic Bolt 0.03
1 Echoing Decay 0.15
3 Ninja of the Deep Hours 0.20
1 Death Denied 0.08
3 Dimir Aqueduct 0.10
2 Dimir Infiltrator 0.03
2 Izzet Boilerworks 0.08
2 Izzet Chronarch 0.03
4 Steamcore Weird 0.05
1 Train of Thought 0.02
4 Skred 0.08 - if you change this one with some random burn like Incinerate 0.20, you'll be able to loose the Snow-Lands.
4 Snow-Covered Island 0.20
6 Snow-Covered Mountain 0.25
1 Snow-Covered Plains 0.20
5 Snow-Covered Swamp 0.20
3 Prismatic Lens 0.08
2 Terramorphic Expanse 0.05
2 Mulldrifter 0.10
4 Diabolic Edict 1.25 - Doom Blade is a possible substitution for this one
1 Rolling Thunder 0.10
4 Pyroblast 0.65 you can switch this one with Raven's crime 0.15 for those pesky combo match-ups.
1 Ravenous Rats 0.03
2 Electrostatic Bolt 0.03
1 Echoing Truth 0.25
1 Shred Memory 0.03
4 Ancient Grudge 0.05
1 Circle of Protection: Black 0.03
1 Circle of Protection: Red 0.03
Total cost of the Budget version : 7,25$ .
Comments: The budget version is really weaker than the normal...
4 Ninja of the Deep Hours 0.20
2 Faerie Squadron 0.03
1 Lonely Sandbar 0.05
4 Counterspell 0.50
4 Repulse 0.25
4 Zephyr Sprite 0.03
4 Daze 10.00 - you can replace this one with Force Spike 0.03, but it's not the same :(
4 Spire Golem 0.05
4 Spellstutter Sprite 0.05
4 Pestermite 0.05
3 Latchkey Faerie 0.05
Sideboard
4 Negate 0.05
4 Hydroblast 0.50
4 Annul 0.08
2 Echoing Truth 0.25
1 Rushing River 0.05
Total cost of the Budget version : 7,97 $ .
Comments: A good deck for all Aggro-Control lovers out there :)
4 Resounding Thunder 0.02
2 Edge of Autumn 0.03
4 Tilling Treefolk 0.02
1 Nantuko Vigilante 0.03
3 Swirling Sandstorm 0.03
4 Forgotten Cave 0.12
4 Terramorphic Expanse 0.05
1 Magma Burst 0.03
4 Firebolt 0.25
4 Cartographer 0.02
4 Viscera Dragger 0.05
2 Harrow 0.25 - Can be replaced with Edge of Autumn 0.03
1 Raven's Crime 0.15
2 Harvest Wurm 0.50 - This one will probably suck big time in the budget version, so just replace it with Nantuko Vigilante 0.03
4 Tranquil Thicket 0.12
3 Fireblast 2.00 - I really don't recommend it, but you can replace this one with Incinerate 0.20
1 Terminate 0.50 - Can be replaced with Dark Banishing 0.02
2 Grim Harvest 0.06
3 Nourish 0.02
3 Ancient Grudge 0.05
1 Flame Jab 0.05
1 Raven's Crime 0.15
4 Pyroblast 0.65 - Just replace this one with some cheap LD like Mwonvuli Acid-Moss 0.08
Total cost of the Budget version : 4,67 $ .
Comments: I think that this deck can still work even after all the cuts.
2 Brightstone Ritual 0.05
4 Skirk Prospector 0.08
4 Goblin War Strike 0.15
2 Seething Song 0.10
4 Desperate Ritual 0.12
4 Peer Through Depths 0.15
3 Ideas Unbound 0.15
4 Rite of Flame 0.90
4 Empty the Warrens 0.10
4 Ponder 0.08
3 Distant Melody 0.05
4 Manamorphose 0.08
Total cost of the Budget version : This is kind of budget deck already.
Comments: A really out outdated deck (with no SB), but if you enjoy playing storm this is you budget alternative to Grapeshot Storm Kill.
4 Chromatic Sphere 0.05
1 Desperate Ritual 0.12
4 Compulsive Research 0.05
4 Ideas Unbound 0.15
1 Seething Song 0.10
4 Cabal Ritual 1.00
2 Words of Wisdom 0.15
4 Irrigation Ditch 0.38
4 Chromatic Star 0.04
4 Ancient Spring 0.48
4 Manamorphose 0.08
3 Sign in Blood 0.25
4 Rite of Flame 0.90
3 Dark Ritual 1.00
4 Grapeshot 0.08
4 Sulfur Vent 0.86
4 Lotus Petal 2.00
2 Geothermal Crevice 0.34
Sideboard
3 Flaring Pain 0.05
1 Seething Song 0.10
2 Shred Memory 0.03
4 Empty the Warrens 0.10
3 Deep Analysis 0.60
2 Geothermal Crevice 0.34
Total cost of the Budget version : I've never played with this deck so I'll leave it alone :)
Comments: None.
3 Lys Alana Huntmaster 0.05
4 Quirion Ranger 0.75 - You can replace this one with random mana producing elf, but the combo will become much weaker :(
4 Elvish Visionary 0.12
4 Timberwatch Elf 0.08
4 Birchlore Rangers 0.08
2 Essence Warden 0.15
4 Fyndhorn Elves 0.05
3 Grapeshot 0.08
4 Distant Melody 0.05
4 Wirewood Herald 0.03
4 Llanowar Elves 0.08
4 Viridian Acolyte 0.02
4 Nettle Sentinel 0.15
Sideboard
3 Safehold Elite 0.08
4 Woodland Changeling 0.02
4 Gleeful Sabotage 0.05
4 Wrap in Vigor 0.02
Total cost of the Budget version : 3,53 Without Quirion Ranger
Comments: I recommend you the full version. This deck is cheap anyways :)
4 Impulse 0.75 You can replace this one with more card draw - Think Twice 0.08 or with more combo Crookclaw Transmuter.
4 Confound 0.03
4 Tireless Tribe 0.02
4 Deep Analysis 0.60 Replace it with Compulsive Research 0.05
2 Lonely Sandbar 0.05
2 Secluded Steppe 0.05
4 Daru Spiritualist 0.03
4 Gigadrowse 0.05
4 Terramorphic Expanse 0.05
1 Think Twice 0.08
4 Mana Leak 0.08
4 Inside Out 0.02
4 Nomads en-Kor 0.20
3 Disenchant 0.15
3 Prohibit 0.24
4 Rune Snag 0.20
2 Circle of Protection: Black 0.03
3 Circle of Protection: Red 0.03
Total cost of the Budget version : 4,53 $ .
Comments: The deck is not very strong even when it is not on budget. Use it only if you are hardcore combo player :)
4 Terramorphic Expanse 0.05
4 Mwonvuli Acid-Moss 0.08
4 Mogg Fanatic 0.65 - I have been considering changing this one with Fyndhorn Elves anyways :)
3 Icefall 0.02
4 Aurochs Herd 0.02
4 Llanowar Elves 0.08
4 Stone Rain 0.02
1 Rolling Thunder 0.10
4 Incinerate 0.20
4 Sakura-Tribe Elder 0.25
4 Lightning Bolt 0.50 - Replace this one with Shock 0.02
2 Streetbreaker Wurm 0.02
Sideboard
2 Penumbra Spider 0.02
4 Pyroblast 0.65 - Just add more LD for the control and combo match-up - maximum 0.08
1 Rolling Thunder 0.10
4 Ancient Grudge 0.05
2 Wickerbough Elder 0.03
2 Relic of Progenitus 0.05
Total cost of the Budget version : 3,90 $
Comments: People hate LD, so I don't recommend this one if you play only for the fun (I get flamed pretty often when I'm playing this one)
4 Scatter the Seeds 0.03
3 Terramorphic Expanse 0.05
4 Fists of Ironwood 0.02
2 Marshaling Cry 0.02
4 Pallid Mycoderm 0.02
4 Veteran Armorer 0.02
4 Sprout Swarm 0.05
4 Kjeldoran War Cry 0.02
3 Selesnya Sanctuary 0.05
4 Essence Warden 0.15
4 Llanowar Elves 0.08
2 Sunlance 0.08
4 Selesnya Evangel 0.02
2 Saltskitter 0.02
2 Sunlance 0.08
4 Wrap in Vigor 0.02
3 Lumithread Field 0.02
4 Temporal Isolation 0.05
Total cost of the Budget version : This is the Budget version!
Comments: Nice deck if you don't have big budget. Fun deck even if you have the budget :)
Conclusions:
If you don't have deck and you want to play competitive pauper - buy yourself a goblin deck! Nomidar's version is below 8$ (the money you spend for lunch), so what are you waiting for?
Few Random Final Words:
I want to thank and credit my editor/friend/roommate/test partner Ste!
If you think that the builds of some of the decks are suboptimal or plain wrong just show me a link to more powerful / consistent version and I'll check it out! If you thinks that I have missed some relevant match-up just show me a link and I'll check it out :)
Everything that I wrote here is my opinion and I am open to constructive criticism.
I'll be really busy the next few weeks and from tomorrow I'll be without INTERNET (moving to new apartment sucks), so I was in a hurry to finish this article - please excuse the poor quality.
20 Comments
Good work man!!! Keep on with the good stuff.
I don't see how you get to $32.61 for the grapeshot storm deck.
I haven't added every card up, but I don't see any super expensive card in the deck that would push that price that high, is the math right?
Yep, the math is right. The lands and the rituals are really expensive :( Also Lotus Petal is 2$ :)
where did you get these suboptimal lists?
Top 8 lists. Test partners. And some are added just because they are more "budget". Just point the one that you don't like and more recent, optimal build. If it's better than some of the decks that I post as example I'll change it.
Yes, why don't you show us your optimal builds?
Every time there is an article with multiple decklists someone has to complain. Shut yer trap, the decklists are fine.
You know, I wasn't gonna post back b/c TheDwarf's response was acceptable to me. They are fine - however there are some "problems" I have with the lists.
For example, MBC has only 3 Crypt Rats, Teachings running only 3 of its namesake card, and Affinity (which is going for the combo-kill since 4 Rush of Knowledge) has only 3 Disciple of the Vault. GSK - Sign in Blood seems to work in theory, but it doesn't work in actual play. Those are just a few of the misgivings I have about the lists presented. But however, since the focus of the article is NOT about how to properly build a Pauper deck and rather, just sample decks of archetypes found within Pauper and the "relative" cost of building them, I'm "fine" with the builds since TheDwarf adequately responded that some were from top eight, testing partners and some adjusted for budget builds.
I'm shutting my "trap" now.
WOW great work!
Interesting read, and I like the idea of replacements you provided. Some of these are top eight list, but some either aren't competitive or haven't been competitive in a very long time. Check out www.pdcmagic.com they list each week top deck in there events, and I believe they also track the competitive events as well in there forum.
Nice article. I always thought that this site should provide links that put all of the cards in a shopping cart if the reader ever saw a decklist and wanted to buy it.
They do sort of if you are logged into mtgotraders.com as the pics come from there.
that Standard Pauper is stronger than older cards.
I will prove that soon.
Um, what?
How to budgetize Blink... Here are some things you can do.
Obsidian Acolyte -> Circle of Protection: Black
This is OK. Acolyte is good on offense as well as defense. You can get your guys past blockers, or knock an Edge of Divinity off it's host. But COP protects you from things like Corrupt, Corrupt, Ratbomb, which can always steal a win. Otherwise they accomplish much the same.
Saves: $4.50
Artifact lands -> Basic Lands
There's one of each of 4 artifact lands, for the sole reason that you can fetch them with Trinket Mage. That's not strictly necessary, so you can make those basic lands instead. This will also protect from artifact hate. (Which is really only bad if you are relying on those artifact lands.) However, the trinket ability does help to sure up mana so I might go up another land overall.
Pull: 1 Momentary Blink, Ancient Den, Seat of the Synod, Vault of Whispers, Great Furnace.
Replace with: 2 Swamp, 2 Island, 1 Plains. (No mountain. If you can't fetch it, it's not worth having in.)
Saves: $1.35
4 Duress -> 2 Mesmeric Fiend + 2 Castigate
The Mesmeric Fiend move is fine, but I'd be more reluctant about Castigate. If it was common I might try Addle (but it isn't). Another thing you could try is Ostracize instead. At times this could actually be superior. However, I suspect the environment right now makes you want the anti-spell card over the anti-creature one.
The two important uses of Duress are 1) fight combo, and 2) force a card-advantage card past a counter. So any other discard that has the same effect is fair game.
Savings: $0.60-0.92
2 Echoing Truth -> Something Else
I like Echoing Truth because it offers some answer to stuff you're not expecting. But it's a pretty flexible sideboard slot. Holy Light a reasonable choice (0.08). You could put some black removal to help against Slivers, or even a Negate if you fear combo or control. (0.05)
Savings: up to $0.50
Reduced cost of the deck: about $6
The point of Chromatic Blink is that it's packed with 2-for-1s, so you trade a creature and you're up, or they remove your threat and you're up. With search and recursion it has a fair chance against anything. (But it did take a major hit with M10 rules.) And a lot of things have to happen for very little mana, which is why Leonin Squire and Trinket Mage get a nod over Esper cards. But you could follow this idea to use things like Gravedigger/Warren Pilferers if you wanted to.
Oh, regarding MBC(u) and Crypt Rats:
Evincar's Justice. At $0.05 instead of $2.50, it can be close enough to make the difference worthwhile.
In Orzhov Mimic, I've tried Chittering Rats there instead of crypt rats and though different, it wasn't bad.
Nice article again, and I'm glad to see a few more decks I haven't seen before.
I would also like to add that once you buy some of these cards, like Mulldrifter, Aven Riftwatcher, the dual lands etc that you can use them in any number of decks. That cuts the cost down significantly. I currently have most of these made except a few and a lot of them share cards. Most of the time I can build an entirely new deck just with the 0.98 "change" I have left on a bot. Occasionally, you'll have to dole out for more expensive cards, but I love the cheapness of Pauper.
As often as I switch up decks, I can't imagine trying to play Standard or Classic where each deck is 200 bucks or more.
As for a budget replacement for Obsidian Acolyte in WW I have to recommend Shelter as a better replacement against MBC as it prevents life gain and draws you a card. You really are fast enough you generally don't need repeated use (stop the first tendrils and win). That belief is based on a build using Bonesplitter instead of the giant which just slows you down against almost everything in my testing. Against any MBCu type deck with Agony Warps I agree with the CoP: Black, but for the most part those are tough games regardless of what you bring in.
Just another cheap alternative to try out for those interested.
Great article. Love it all the way.
I had hoped to see some Rock or another midrange deck, as I am on the lookout for such a deck right now :)
I really enjoy reading your articles on the count of the fact that they are rich and written in admirable passion. Keep up the good work.