A 12/12 creature with trample for one mana sounds like an excellent deal. [[Phyrexian Dreadnought]] has some conditions attached, but we have some tricks up our sleeve.

Stiflenought is a blue combo deck built around meeting [[Phyrexian Dreadnought]]'s serious drawback with a very specific answer. Once the enormous artifact creature stays on the battlefield, your next job is to protect it long enough to make an impact.

The central combo

When Dreadnought enters the battlefield, its triggered ability demands a creature sacrifice with enough total power or you must sacrifice Dreadnought, normally making this kind of card nearly unplayable.

But there's a twist.

[[Stifle]] can counter that triggered ability. The sequence is important: cast Dreadnought, let it resolve and enter the battlefield, then respond to its triggered ability with Stifle. You are countering the ability, not your own creature spell.

[[Vision Charm]] offers a second route by phasing Dreadnought out in response to that trigger. Dreadnought is phased out when the ability resolves, then can phase back in during your next untap step without entering the battlefield again.

The idea is compact. The decisions around when to attempt it are what give the deck its depth.

Finding the pieces

[[Opt]], [[Portent]], and [[Impulse]] help you work through your library and find the cards you need. [[Gush]] can draw extra cards, with an alternative cost of returning two Islands to your hand.

That option has a real cost to your mana development. Think about the next turn before picking up your lands. More cards now are useful only if you can still make the plays your hand requires.

Keeping your threat alive

[[Counterspell]], [[Daze]], [[Foil]], and [[Misdirection]] give you different forms of protection. Some can be cast using alternative costs, but that does not mean they are free of consequences. You may be spending lands, extra cards, or future flexibility.

But that's okay. A 12/12 on the battlefield only needs a couple of good swings to close out the game.

Your first game

Look for a hand with blue mana, ways to find your pieces, or a combo you can reasonably assemble. A Dreadnought by itself is not a complete plan.

Keep the sacrifice trigger in mind every time you cast it. If the trigger resolves before you use your answer, you cannot go back and Stifle it afterward.

You also do not have to counter every early spell. Identify the cards that can stop your threat or prevent you from reaching the combo, then decide which exchanges are worth your resources.

One hit is impressive, but it is not automatically a win. Keep track of the opponent’s life total, blockers, and possible answers.

Sideboard options

[[Annul]] provides a cheap answer to artifact and enchantment spells. [[Hydroblast]] and [[Blue Elemental Blast]] help against red, while [[Chain of Vapor]] can temporarily move a troublesome nonland permanent out of the way.

Gamelandia’s Stiflenought loaner decklist

[deck title="Stiflenought | Gamelandia Premodern Loaner"]

Main deck
1 Chain of Vapor
4 Counterspell
2 Daze
2 Flash of Insight
4 Foil
4 Gush
2 Impulse
17 Island
1 Misdirection
4 Opt
1 Peek
4 Phyrexian Dreadnought
4 Portent
1 Powder Keg
4 Stifle
1 Thwart
4 Vision Charm

Sideboard
2 Annul
1 Blue Elemental Blast
2 Brain Freeze
1 Chain of Vapor
2 Dominate
3 Essence Flare
2 Hydroblast
2 Tsabo's Web

[/deck]

Bring something enormous to the table

Try Stiflenought at Gamelandia’s Wednesday Premodern events in Palo Alto. Contact us about loaner availability before your visit if this is the deck you would like to explore.

See upcoming events and register.