Aether Storm + Pithing Needle

Aether Storm

Pithing Needle

How it works

1. Aether Storm prevents creature spells from being cast.
2. Because Pithing Needle prevents Aether Storm's activated ability from being activated, it cannot be destroyed due to its ability.

This delightfully oppressive lock leans entirely on shutting down both halves of Aether Storm to grind creature-heavy decks to a complete halt. By deploying Aether Storm to the battlefield, you establish a blanket prohibition that forbids any player from casting creature spells whatsoever. Ordinarily, opponents could simply pay life to destroy the enchantment and break the soft lock, but Pithing Needle steps in at just the right moment to neuter that safety valve by naming Aether Storm as it enters. With its self-destruct button permanently disabled and creature spells locked out, you are left with an impenetrable defensive barrier.