Has anyone tried doing this?

[Seeker of Truth]

I just happened to look at a players' guide for the current Magic scene (please bear with me, I'm about a year and a half behind), and I noticed Cognivore, which got me to wondering, is it possible to build a deck around it? This is what I came up with:

4x Obsessive Search
4x Standstill
4x Predict
2x Liquify
4x Syncopate
4x Counterspell
4x Memory Lapse
4x Circular Logic
4x Rites of Refusal

2x Cognivore

24x Island

Of course, this is just basic stuff, and I'm sure you've noticed that it's only Odyssey Block (with the exception of Counterspell and Memory Lapse). Since I missed the whole Invasion Block, I've focused on getting back in with the Odyssey Block, so I'd like to keep this deck within just Odyssey Block and 7th.

For those of you thinking about smashing my face in about now, rest assured that this is merely a theoretical deck, and that I'm not actually trying to build it. I'd just like to know if it's possible, and if so, what would/should be in it. Heck, I don't even own any Cognivores.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Lotus Mox]

When Odyssey was released several control decks tried Cognivore, but then found out that it simply costs too much.

But if you find a way to ignore Cognivore's price tag and fill up the graveyard at the same time it can be tough to deal with, as the success of some extended cognivore-oath decks has shown.
I mean what could be better than a 3rd turn 20+/20+ flyer?

 

[theorgg]

Cognovore is quite good in control decks, actually. All you have to do is have a goody bit of card drawing and counterspells, then pull Cognivore out fiftieth turn. Only have two maximum, and probably only one, because he's a dead card until complete control is gained.

However, once control is gained, he can swing once, or somtimes twice and kill your opponent, as he gets BIG!

I've NEVER seen one at less than 14/14 before. It's no joke!

 

[NorrYtt]

Cognivore used to cost 6. R&D playtesting showed that it was far too good, being a 10/10 on turn 6 if your deck is built right.

During a standard playtest, a buddy had a counter-burn deck that he needed a 'clock' in. Somekind of creature that could just swing while 2 counters kept him alive. Around turn 15 or so I counted the graveyards and Cognivore would've been a 24/24.

He certainly has more style than FatMoti.

 

[Seeker of Truth]

Would you say that there should be more card-drawing (to complement cards like Rites of Refusal and Circular Logic), or are those cards too weak to make the cut here?

Also, I'm not sure the whole Memory Lapse/Predict combo is worth anything. It may just be better to use Words of Wisdom or something like that if the object is to keep drawing cards to fill the graveyard. Or would it just be better to use card-drawing sorceries that don't beef up the Cognivore, like Deep Analysis or Careful Study?

Final question for now: do decks of this type normally include some bounce, or is it safe to rely solely on countering to keep threats off the board?

Thanks for the assistance!

 

[Istanbul]

Splash black.
Play Careful Study (I know, I know, it's a sorcery). Pitch Cognivore.
Play Stitch Together.

Stitch Together (BB)
Sorcery
Return target creature card from your graveyard to your hand.
Threshhold - Instead return that card from your graveyard to play.

You should also play Dark Banishing. I'd say Chainer's Edict, but you need Instants. And yes, I realize it's a dead card against black decks...but I suspect that against black, you're in trouble anyway.

4x Counterspell
3x Circular Logic
4x Syncopate
2x Grip of Amnesia
2x Liquify

4x Inspiration
2x Opportunity
3x Careful Study
4x Boomerang

4x Dark Banishing

2x Stitch Together
3x Cognivore

3x Underground River
7x Swamp
13x Island

 

[Seeker of Truth]

That looks like an interesting deck Istanbul.

I suppose it's better to go black for Stitch Together than to go white for Wrath of God? How about Evacuation, too? It's blue, and an instant.

I guess it's more important to be able to get rid of a creature completely, rather than using bounce.

Do you think this deck is better suited for casual play, or do you think that this could eventually be turned into a competitive tournament-type deck? I just think that the concept is really unusual and that it would be interesting to play. Too bad I don't have the cards to make it.