/r/spikes
The serious, play-to-win side of the Magic: The Gathering community.
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/r/spikes
Hi,
as the average 1.4% meta share deck enjoyer, I'm currently thinking about the right answers to the Gruul Aggro / Monored decks that has been very prevalent in the overall (and more so at our local) metagame for a UW Caretaker control, while not being too narrow to not be effective against other decks like Dimir or Domain.
It seems like the right way to go about this is instant removal, as Temporary Lockdown is usually taken care of by Pick your poison. Beza as a 3 of also feels right, as it's a solid Titan (mulldrifer-baneslayer combined).
From the instant removal suite, [[Elspeth's Smite]] seems to be the most prevalent, although [[Not on my watch]] or [[Parting gust]] seem like they could work and be effective to a larger range of potential targets. Then you have [[Stroke of Midnight]] and [[Make your move]], which while being more universal, also cost 3 :/
[[Lay Down Arms]]|s problem is the sorcery speed and unpredictable consistency, while [[Unwanted remake]] simply generates them another creature.
I saw [[Split up]] surfacing in some decks, serving as a single-target removal as the floor.
[[Horned Loch-whale]] could provide useful in case you need to remove your expensive finisher (Teferi, Wanderer, Elspeth) for something that supports instant removal, although the grindiness viability of Whale is pretty bad.
Happy to hear your ideas and what worked for you. Thanks!
I just built the 5C Domain Pre DSK, and I saw that the new list is leaning heavier to black with Zur and the DSK black overlord. Will this new build be better than the old one?
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UPDATE 2: As the meta is settling, Domain and Dimir are causing bigger problems - I've made several changes to reflect a gameplan which is both stronger into white and black removal. UPDATE: Added matchup thoughts and other card considerations
Hi Spikes,
I would like to present my new Simic Dread deck for your consideration and criticism. I think I've iterated on this deck about 15 times and have arrived at what I believe to be the most competitive version of it. If you have thoughts on cards I'd love to discuss.
Here is the deck:
Link: https://www.moxfield.com/decks/47wrNW-agk-nL0l1JY52nA
Deck 3 Abhorrent Oculus (DSK) 42 4 Growing Dread (DSK) 216 6 Forest (DSK) 276 4 Hauntwoods Shrieker (DSK) 182 3 Repulsive Mutation (MKM) 227 4 Restless Vinestalk (WOE) 261 4 Aloe Alchemist (OTJ) 152 5 Island (DSK) 273 3 Plumecreed Escort (BLB) 65 2 Tyvar, the Pummeler (DSK) 202 4 Botanical Sanctum (OTJ) 267 4 Pawpatch Recruit (BLB) 187 4 Hedge Maze (MKM) 262 3 Oblivious Bookworm (DSK) 225 2 Enduring Curiosity (DSK) 51 3 Hard-Hitting Question (MKM) 164 2 Tyvar's Stand (ONE) 190
Sideboard 2 Ghost Vacuum (DSK) 248 1 Negate (STA) 18 3 Floodpits Drowner (DSK) 59 1 Disdainful Stroke (KHM) 54 2 Tishana's Tidebinder (LCI) 81 2 Monstrous Emergence (DSK) 191 2 Lost in the Maze (MKM) 64 2 Balustrade Wurm (DSK) 168
The Core //
The core of the deck is the combination of Abhorrent Oculus, Hauntwoods Shrieker, Growing Dread, and Under the Skin. The manifest dread mechanic by itself will fill our graveyard fairly consistently and quickly provide a way to hard cast the Oculus. In addition, if the Oculus becomes manifested, we can simply cast it without the additional cost. Shrieker and Growing Dread provide consistent value and Shrieker's mana ability can help cheat in 3 drops for value to even sometimes get us that sick value on a bigger threat. Multiple Growing Dreads on the field can even transform our manifested two drops into big combat tricks.
Engine //
Aloe Alchemist is an incredible card, our creatures are small and Alchemist can help Shrieker push an attack through safely or secure that damage needed to go for the kill.
Plumecreed is perhaps an odd choice but the ability to have a second creature card we can play at flash speed allows us to play mind games with our opponent when they see us holding priority. Also our big threats need protection. Due to the prevalence of aggro in the meta, everyone is armed to the teeth with removal.
Pawpatch Recruit. This little guy forces removal out onto him and seems to be saving our actual threats just a little more. Also the early pressure stops decks from doing their ramp/hand hate/proactive gameplan. Also hilariously combos with Plumecreed Escort.
Tyvar was a late addition to the deck but really helps the deck vs aggro and other midrange, plus his mana ability can end games very easily and often seems to surprise players who tapped out to deal with some other threats.
Enduring Curiosity is there as another flash threat - it draws us cards, keeps tempo, and can be cheated into play very cheaply with Shrieker's ability.
Oblivious Bookworm has been added to be an early source of graveyard fill, handfixing, and MAYBE some card draw.
Answers //
Hard-hitting Question - This card is replacing Bushwhack in the deck because of the amount of deathouchers out there and because it is an answer to that super annoying Liliana your opponent just played.
Tyvar's Stand - This is in the deck primarily to combat removal for only one mana but also as a massive pump spell to end the game.
Repulsive Mutation is there because we are simic and we can. This card has secured wins from countering opponents spells but also from just putting counters on our bois. This card often two for ones opponents and can lead to huge blowouts.
Sideboard //
Some fairly typical answers to prominent decks: Ghost Vaccuum vs graveyard antics and Negate vs Control or Black removal piles.
Now on to the specific stuff. Monstrous Emergence provides excellent removal in green vs black deathtouchers and aggro decks. As the meta settles I expect a few more midrange decks to show up and this is excellent assurance.
Balustrade Wurm - This horrifying staircase is brought in vs decks that use discard effects or otherwise will probably win the long game (basically if they play Gix or Sheoldred).
Tishana's Tidebinder is a new addition to our sideboard primarily as a card vs Control. Leyline Binding is an ability which can be stopped, Atraxa can be stopped, and various only annoying things can be ended with her. Depending on the match up I typically swap out Tyvar for her. I will also sometimes put her in if my opponent seems to be playing Liliana on curve a lot.
Floodpits Drowner - I'm taking a page out of Dimir Midrange's book and saying we're going to tempo down aggro rather than try to control the board.
Lost In The Maze - An excellent card vs various types of control that we want to keep smashing our board against. Can also be sided in if you decide you want to aggro down a black midrange pile. Using this and Floodpits Drowner we can actually just prevent our opponent from using their cards.
Matchups //
Domain - Feels fairly okay. If we are on the play there is a high liklihood we win on the draw is certainly harder but we can do it. We have a lot of things which are incredibly annoying to them and we can counter most wraths. Bring Negate, Lost In The Maze, and Tyvar for Tishana's Tidebinder. Its a very close match - there's a lot of weird variations out there for this so it's hard to specifically know what you need to hate on in every match up. Some have graveyard antics - some just bring oops all removal but we now have oops all hexproof, save counter spells for sweepers only.
Azorious Tempo - Actually our best matchup. We just kinda stomp this deck and can side in Ghost Vacuum. The hardest thing is if they god hand us with an Oculus on turn 2.
Golgari/Dimir/Orzhov Midrange - Originally I was playing this game at their speed and trying an honest midrange approach to winning... but I've been messing with my sideboard and decided we actually just want to go under them. I'm typically siding out Curiosity and siding in the Balustrade Wurms. In addition, if they don't seem to be playing Nowhere to run, I'll take Lost In The Maze in order to juke their deathtouchers and force them to play removal proactively. We have lots of sources of hexproof, counter spells, and even indestructible.
Red Aggro - We side in almost all of our removal and side out all of our top end. You need to win with Tyvar, Shrieker or Occulus. You get to drop 3 drop creatures by using Floodpits Drowner on them to buy time. If we are on the play it's not so hard but winning while on the draw is an uphill battle.
Jeskai Convoke - A similarly hard match up, I've only played against it a couple times and not since I've made some fairly large changes to the deck. Tyvar is essential to success against this deck.
Azorious Enchantments - Actually one of our worst match ups. I really don't know what to do about this deck. We've made a lot of changes to the deck to ideally be able to deal with tall creatures and we have lots of access to hexproof now. Not entirely certain how much better it will be.
Other Considerations //
Enduring Vitality - I played this card for awhile thinking it would be great for tempo since we can just get ahead and stay there but ultimately the gy tutoring of Under the Skin has felt more consistent. Plus, there are a lot of Exile effects running around atm.
Faerie Mastermind - Originally in the deck, it is a good source of draw but I feel like you're only ever going to draw like two cards off of it max before it dies. Currently swapped to Oblivious Bookworm. I might switch this back.
Silent Hallcreeper - Originally had this in the Plumecreed spot. It can provide insane tempo but if you are against aggro or Domain you are dead. It's just a tad too slow.
Hunter's Talent - Honestly a great choice, but I've found that we are trying to cram a lot into the deck, so Hard-Hitting Question allows us to maintain higher momemntum in the early game.
Overlord of the Floodpits - We are midrange and need that card advantage. Against control the ticking time bomb of the Overlord can often force weird situations on our opponent and make them inefficiently go for sweepers. Plus that sweet 2-mana Shrieker value is crazy. I played this for awhile but have gone back to Curiosity for now.
Oko - is a hilarious card. I had him in my sideboard originally. I took him out because the matchup it was most helpful for was Golgari and that deck seems to have fallen off. Oko's second ability of becoming a hexproof Oculus, Shrieker, or Flyer creates incredibly annoying situations to deal with.
End //
That is the deck. I hope you all enjoy. I began crafting it because I happened to draft a lot of the cards early and then kept going. The deck is surprisingly resilient and can play a pretty strong tempo game. Then if we get one high roll we can close a game out startlingly quickly.
PS. I'm sure the manabase can be improved but I don't have the two mana fast lands or the pain lands. I originally was running with the surveil lands but having too many tap lands I think was holding us back. The man land is one of the strongest in the format. I could see swapping down to 3 of them and adding more fast dual lands.
I entered Mythic at #14 in my last session alternating between RW and RG aggro in BO3. So which is better?
Firstly, laddering in BO3 is faster than BO1 and I would recommend it if your goal is to ladder quickly.
Every reset I grind my fastest and most competent deck to get the ladder climb over with before I start experimenting again, and mono red is always the way.
However, ever since BLB and the absurdly powerful additions making red aggro so dominant, the meta has adapted with tons of spot removal. Right after BLB release my mono red mouse deck was S tier for a week or two(95% WR at ~30 BO3 matches, 85% at ~60), until people started bringing in 8-12 SB removal against it.
Many spikes use Gruul aggro because of this, for Snakeskin Veil. And it makes sense; my gripe has always been the fact that the poor lands situation makes Gruul or Boros aggro slower than mono red, and therefore generally inferior in the mirror matchups, as well as allowing a lot of decks in the meta to turn the corner on it, whereas mono red more reliably runs opponents over before they can get their feet under them.
But I knew the new verge lands would make Gruul aggro more viable, and while Boros didn’t get a verge land, the new auras are incredible, and the SB is better for the many aggro mirrors you face.
RW Aggro / 68% WR ~30 BO3 matches:
4x Optimistic Scavenger
4x Heartfire Hero
4x Emberheart Challenger
4x Manifold Mouse
2x Picnic Ruiner
2x Slickshot Show-Off
4x Ethereal Armor
4x Monstrous Rage
4x Sheltered by Ghosts
4x Shardmage’s Rescue
2x Etali’s Favor
4x Plains/6x Mountain/4x Battlefield Forge/4x Inspiring Vantage/2x Thran Portal/2x Restless Bivouac
SB:
1x Soul-Guide Lantern
1x Loran’s Escape
1x Surge of Salvation
1x Requisition Raid
2x Dreadmaw’s Ire
3x Rest in Peace
2x Pyroclasm
2x Lightning Helix
1x Split up
1x Screaming Nemesis
[[Optimistic Scavenger]] is sneaky powerful and can win games by himself.
[[Shardmage’s Rescue]] is Snakeskin Veil for white, with additional synergy from the Scavenger, and [[Ethereal Armor]], which yields more concedes than any other card in the list.
I experimented with [[Enduring Innocence]], but it was just too slow. I also tried [[Kellan, the fae-blooded]], because if there’s one deck that he’d fit in, this should be it, but again too slow.
Picnic Ruiner and Slickshot are 2x because I’m still trying to figure out who I prefer—I think Ruiner is underrated and neglected in the current meta. With the Scavenger out it’s especially easy to buff Ruiner to 4+ power.
Etali’s Favor is questionable—expensive and too gamble reliant. You may want to swap it for Feather of Flight—more experimenting needed.
RG Aggro / 65% WR ~30 BO3 matches:
4x Cacophony Scamp
4x Heartfire Hero
4x Emberheart Challenger
4x Manifold Mouse
3x Slickshot Show-Off
4x Leyline of Resonance
4x Turn Inside Out
4x Monstrous Rage
4x Snakeskin Veil
3x Burn Together
8x Mountain/2x Rockface Village/4x Copperline Gorge/4x Thornspire Verge/4x Karplusan Forest
SB:
3x Soul-Guide Lantern
2x Dreadmaw’s Ire
3x Pick Your Poison
2x Pyroclasm
1x Brotherhood’s End
1x Screaming Nemesis
1x Tranquil Frillback
2x Cavern of Souls
The main differences between the decks are no Leyline or Burn Together in RW. It feels good not relying on the glass cannon nature of leyline and fling, but there’s a possibility Burn Together also works in the RW list, I just haven’t experimented enough.
I honestly thought pre DSK that the new Leyline would be BO1 only, too gamble-like in nature to add to a competitive BO3 list—but it feels STRONG. It’s a wicked glee when you’re on the play and your opponent plays a tap land for their T1 and you know they’re already dead. Ridiculous for standard, frankly.
Leyline is legit. Even if you play a slowed down game and don’t have it in starting, it’s certainly not a dead card late if you have the mana and a pump or two.
So, while RG is faster, and will give you T2 wins ~20% of the time if you’re smart and looking for them, RW felt safer and more reliable.
My conclusion is that Boros is the future of aggro. Until the next set, at least.
Bear in mind, my SB’s are still a work in progress because the meta is all over the place right now.
So if you’re wondering why all the GY hate, I’ve been playing a TON of the new UW reanimate decks, delirium decks, and both the B decks that seek to get out either Valgovoth or that mill demon. GY reliant decks are super popular right now, and RIP wins games.
PS—[[Trash the Town]] is underrated in Gruul aggro, but a little slow for the goal of T2 lethal. 2 mana for the draw two cards effect on a double striking creature and then copied by Leyline = hilarity. I ran it as a 1x but decided it was a “backfoot” card and took it out for speed’s sake.
Hey guys, last Friday I was playing some paper magic and got swept by Azorius Convoke. I put up a good grindy game with my Orzhov Midrange list but I wasn't able to break through. I feel like I just get bombarded with threats such as [[Regal Bunicorn]] and [[Zoetic Glyph]]. I can hold em off for a bit not long enough before I'm overwhelmed by [[Steel Seraph]]. What should I run if against a deck like that? Also, how should I go about playing against a deck like that?
Hello everyone, I'm here to ask some advices and suggestions about this deck of mine.
[note: english isn't my native language so please be nice]
https://archidekt.com/decks/9420840/rakdos_50
The concept of deck revolves around sacrifice synergy. I tryed this kind of strategy a lot in the past seasons and maybe could be his right time to shine.
For sac outlet there are [[Callous Sell-Sword]], [[Disturbing Mirth]], [[Tarrian's Journal]] and [[Rottenmouth Viper]]. Any of this cards can trigger the deck's engine: [[Scavenger's Talent]].
I really like this class in combo with our well known [[Urabrask's Forge]], becoming together a milling machine (self or opponent) depending on the situations. Furthermore the food spam helps a lot for sustain and card draw when there are Tarrian's Journal or [[Fountainport]] on the battlefield.
Besides Forge there is [[Lord Skitter, King of the Sewers]] which not only develop board for sac later but also works as graveyard hate in maindeck. [[Undead Sprinter]] has replaced [[Forsaken Miner]] in previous versions and I feel it works much better. Callous is one of my favorite cards since it came out WOE and like in the Aggro version it sometimes manages to close out certain games. It does not have the same function and power as with Prowess decks but sometimes it can make a removal on a creature with the Sprinter, for then ri-cast it from the graveyard. My favourite use of this mini Fling is with [[Furnace Reins]], gaining control of a creature at T3 for sac it after combat thanks to the treasure token.
Obviously the synergy revolves more specifically on enchantments and for that I added recently [[Hopeless Nightmare]] cause with Mirth becomes draw 2 and scry 2 at T2 and it feels so sweet. Also [[Nowhere to Run]] that which proved to be awesome against Innkeeper Talent, Gev, Valgavoth, Terror, etc.
Finally we have spot removals and sweepers to maintain control of the board:
[[Torch the Tower]] is my favorite cmc1 removal since Heartfire Hero came out, and in this deck could work as sac outlet too.
[[Feed the Cycle]] is a relatively new entry and I need to test it further.
[[Brotherhood's End]] and [[Gix's Command]] don't need any introduction.
The manabase is quite reliable, the mana curve is 2.21 (2.11 without considering the Viper). I chose the lands based on the [[Blazemire Verge]], favoring the basic lands and [[Raucous Theater]] for the dual type. [[Fountainport]] in two copies allow you to create and sacrifice the various tokens produced by the deck. For the last, two copies [[Restless Vents]] and three of [[Fabled Passage]] that help us to fix the mana but are also an additional trigger of the Talent after 2nd level.
As for the sideboard I'm trying different combinations and this seems to be the most balanced, but I need some more expert opinions.
I hope I managed to convey my choices and the concept of the deck a bit. I don't think it's at Tier 1 level but it doesn't seem that far below Tier 2 decks. Personally I find it fun and even if it doesn't have Food combo like Jund in Pioneer, it does look similar.
Thank you for everyone who has come this far and wants to help me to ultimate this deck.
DECK LIST
Creatures (10)
3 Callous Sell-Sword//Burn Together
4 Undead Sprinter
2 Lord Skitter, Sewer King
1 Rottenmouth Viper
Spells (11)
3 Torch the Tower
2 Feed the Cycle
3 Brotherhood's End
2 Furnace Reins
1 Gix's Command
Enchantments (13)
3 Hopeless Nightmare
3 Scavenger's Talent
4 Disturbing Mirth
3 Nowhere to Run
Artifacts (4)
1 Tarrian's Journal//The Tomb of Aclazot
3 Urabrask's Forge
Lands (22)
4 Blazemire Verge
3 Fabled Passage
2 Fountainport
5 Mountain
2 Raucous Theater
2 Restless Vents
4 Swamp
Sideboard (15)
2 Cruelclaw's Heist
2 Pyroclasm
2 Untimely Malfunction
1 Furnace Reins
2 Liliana of the Veil
2 Withering Torment
3 Leyline of the Void
1 Rottenmouth Viper
Azorius Control took down the whole Tournament in a bit of a surprising twist, while Enigmatic (No Fires!) took 2nd Place.
In a field full of Rakdos Aggro (most popular deck in the room) and Jund Sacrifice (2nd most popular deck in the room), it was a plethora of different decks cresting the Top 8 - although half of them were in a combination of red-and-black colors, while another one was a Dimir deck - Rogues!
Did the event pan out to your expectations? Did one of the top decks surprise you, or was one missing? How do we feel about the metagame now that we have a larger event under our belts? What about the general sense that Phoenix/Treasure Cruise was too strong - has that opinion changed seeing Phoenix in lower numbers and deck doing well against it?
What about those Spikes playing in the RC in DC next weekend - has anything in your perception of the metagame shifted after seeing the results here? How do you think sample size will factor in, with this event being 212 Players while DC may be 4x the size?
Is there a defacto "deck to beat" in the metagame, or is it a little more open than what you were expecting?
I'm sure there are a few high power level cards in Standard that haven't fully been explored or built around but are easily exploitable. They always fly under the radar until someone brews around them and discovers a new archetype. An example is [[Urabrask's Forge]] that was successfully discovered as an inevitable control finisher rather than just an aggro sideboard card.
I find standard players get tunnel vision with archetypes and metas and a lot of potentially breakable cards hide untouched and never fulfil their potential. Sometimes it's not even an obvious rare or mythic, the 1/1 Soulwarden pushed Soldiers to tier 1 last rotation.
Interested to hear your unappreciated picks that we can brew around. Not Johnny-coded neat interactions and combos, but Spike cards that are clearly slightly stronger than most other available choices and can be exploited.
Example, I'm sure there's a deck that can abuse [[Chandra, Hopes Beacon]]. Untapping with her should always be GG, but maybe the meta is too fast for Chandra+Breach, what else can we do with her? (besides Hellraiser combo).
When playing a deck that's susceptible to sideboard hate, for example Arclight Phoenix in Pioneer but has the flexibility to pivot into an alternate gameplan post-sideboard (such as Crackling Drake or Saheeli), what approach should you take in using mind-games in sideboarding?
Say, if you've lost the first game, sideboarded into drakes and tied the series because your opponent has pivoted into graveyard hate, would it be better to stick with the drake strategy, or should you consider reverting back to the Phoenix plan?
(Written out at the end of this post)
This list has been popping off both on MTGO and Arena recently, but it seems to have a lot of different configurations and people either seem to love or hate their experience playing against the deck. Best of 1 Arena-goers are lamenting decks mulligan-ing into [[Leyline of Resonance]] instant kills, while the deck in Paper seems to be going for more of the "Mono Red Prowess/Heroic" type feel and be a little more consistent or have a tiny bit of reach versus the all-in build. Some decks are going full-blown Disney with 8-10 mice, mostly [[Heartfire Hero]] and [[Emberheart Challenger]] - but I've seen some 5-0 lists from MTGO Leagues or high-up Challenge lists rocking [[Cacophony Scamp]] and even going for [[Bomat Courier]] like it's Amonkhet-Dominaria Standrd part duex!
The recent RC in Brazil had 2 copies of the deck in the Top 8 - although it was the most present deck archetype with 31 decks overall represented. Both lists have trimmed down to 0 or 1 [[Claim // Fame]] while one list had 4 [[Titan's Strength]] and the other used 4 copies of new Duskmourn common [[Turn Inside Out]]. I was thinking TIO was going to be the Standard supplement for Strength - but it looks like Manifest Dread is good enough to run it over Claim as well!
It also suffered at the hands of the Azorius Control builds, and had an abysmal win rate against Izzet Phoenix - is it still worth jamming even if 2 of the top decks seem to be unfavorable match ups? Or was it just RNG/pilot error in these cases? On Paper it doesn't seem like Phoenix can consistently slow you down with only 4-5 maindeck removal spells - but is their Speed a factor, or maybe their interaction on the Stack? I also feel as if [[Temporal Lockdown]] is a hand disruption magnet for the list - I don't think I've been able to get myself to a point where I can "bait it out" without it crushing my game plan, meanwhile if I don't commit I get slowed down long enough for something like [[The Wandering Emperor]] to shut me down.
I'm personally of the opinion that the more removal that's being run, the more I want Claims in my maindeck - but that doesn't seem to be the same across the board. I'm also still running 1 [[Rockface Village]] although it looks like that's gone away in favor of a 2/2 split with [[Den of the Bugbear]]/[[Ramunap Ruins]] which I think might be the play - Village not making Red mana for my spell package has bit me once or twice in my limited time playing the deck already. I'm also still a fan of [[Dreadhorde Arcanist]] as a card that my opponents always remove ahead of my other, actual game-ending threats. If it survives, it gets immense value - but I may just be nostalgic for the old Rakdos Pyromancer decks with Lurrus from a few years ago...
Is everyone kind of in agreement that the deck is going to be in the top 3 - if not the most played deck - at the RC in DC and maybe even EMEA? What configuration are you looking at as the strongest version? If you're playing opposing decks into Rakdos Aggro - what are you most afraid of?
Companion (1)
1 Jegantha, the Wellspring
Creatures (21)
4 Heartfire Hero
4 Monastery Swiftspear
3 Callous Sell-Sword
2 Dreadhorde Arcanist
4 Emberheart Challenger
4 Slickshot Show-Off
Spells (15)
3 Ancestral Anger
4 Monstrous Rage
2 Reckless Rage
4 Titan's Strength
2 Claim // Fame
Enchantments (4)
4 Kumano Faces Kakkazan
Lands (20)
4 Blackcleave Cliffs
1 Blightstep Pathway
4 Blood Crypt
1 Den of the Bugbear
2 Mountain
2 Ramunap Ruins
1 Rockface Village
1 Sokenzan, Crucible of Defiance
4 Sulfurous Springs
Sideboard (15) including Companion
4 Fatal Push
1 Reckless Rage
4 Thoughtseize
1 Magebane Lizard
2 Unlicensed Hearse
1 Ob Nixilis, the Adversary
1 Hazoret the Fervent
Before DSK there were multiple variants of control decks using Caretaker's Talent and a control shell.
The standard is Boros, but mono-white, Azorius, Orzhov or Jeskai variants were not uncommon.
Last season I climbed to Mythic mostly playing the Boros version and a Domain deck, the Azorius and Jeskai versions always seemed very interesting, being able to play [[Ral, Crackling Wit]] instead of Elspeth is pretty nice, and so is having access to both countermagic and [[Urabrask's Forge]].
I think the Boros version is still pretty strong, but don't know exactly which new cards could be good in it, [[Enduring Innocence]] and [[Overlord of the Mistmoors]] sound like they have potential.
The Azorius version has some cracked interactions, like casting [[Deduce]] with a Caretaker's Talent on the field. But not having access to Lightning Helix and Forge always felt bad when playing it.
I've tried building a Jeskai version in the past, but the mana base always felt pretty suspect, the amount of Surveil lands made the deck pretty slow.
Wondering how the deck looks like with [[Floodfarm Verge]] now available, I've put together this list and tried it out.
It doesn't have any new cards other than the new land in it, and I'm trying to save up on wildcards a bit while the meta evolves (hence 1x Teferi and 1x Ral), but the deck did a lot better than I expected.
Played 9 BO3 matches today in Diamond and went 8-1, with the only defeat coming to a Domain deck that after sides shifted into a golgari midrange with a shitload of artifact/enchantment removal.
What do you guys think?
[[Screaming Nemesis]]
2R
Creature — Spirit
Haste
3/3
Whenever Screaming Nemesis is dealt damage, it deals that much damage to any other target. If a player is dealt damage this way, they can’t gain life for the rest of the game.
She sees the faces of those who wronged her in everyone she encounters.
I love this card; it feels like Goddric 2.0 to me in the RDW context.
The only issue—where does it go? It’s a little slow + not particularly fling friendly for the current popular iterations of red aggro, and feels more appropriate as a SB card against lifegain or something.
I threw it in a red hasty deck as a 4x with all the high value red creatures with haste; no Leyline or Burn Together, and it’s competitive albeit inferior to faster aggro.
Do you think there’s a competitive shell this works in? I think I’m going to try Boros next.
Hello spikes!
This is the place where any and all decks can be posted for all spikes to see. The goal of this is to fit all your needs for competitive magic. Maybe it's a card consideration given an X dollar budget. Maybe you need that sweet sideboard tech that no one else thought of? Perhaps you just can't figure out the best card to beat a certain matchup. The ideas here are only limited by your imagination!
Feel free to discuss most anything here. We only ask that with any question, you also make sure to post your decklist so people have some context to answer your question. Otherwise, have at it! If you have any questions, shoot us a modmail and we'll be happy to help you out. Survive your deck check and survive your competition!
I was wondering if I could field some sideboard picks for my physical selesnya rabbits deck. The decklist can be found here. I've had a pretty good go of the deck so far, but it can sometimes struggle against heavy control decks which can remove a lot of early game advantage or against mono-red which can outpace it. I've thought of some general picks for the sideboard but don't know where to start in terms of quantity of each or if there are better choices.
Some picks:
Thanks for any advice!
I would say that sideboarding is the weakest part of my game by far. Whenever I look at decklists and then try to figure out how I would sideboard, I always feel lost, especially when it comes to more linear decks. For example, I've been interested in the new Azorious Auras deck that's been popping up, looks really fun. But trying to figure out how to sideboard with it feels like such a daunting task.
For example, obviously the ossifications and elspeths smites would be candidates to come in vs fast aggro decks, but what do you take out? Maybe some number of protection spells like Fae Flight? What about creature that die to shock like Gremlin Tamer? Then when thinking about the control matchup, again clearly i'm bringing in Negate, but which card is the best cut? Is inquisitive Glimmer the least impactful creature, so that goes?
Do you all have any tips to help make determinations on which cards to cut when sideboarding?
Hi!
My name is Skura, also known as IslandsInFront. I am a European caster and content creator. However, I'm also a competitive player who specialises in Modern.
Today I want to present you with a free 11k word guide on Station Breach Combo - a deck I've been playing for a couple of years now.
I think it's particularly well positioned with a super strong Energy matchup (thanks to combo, not caring about combat, Ring, postboard Pyroclasm), opponent's unfamiliarity, and overall decent matchup spread.
I hope you'll find it useful and some people will convert to Station! :)
Let me know what you think!
Cheers
mtgdecks.net/guides/moder-station-breach-combo-ultimate-guide-mtg-296
Almost a week has passed since DSK was relesed. The meta has not yet settled down, but in my opinion trends are recognizable. I want to share my personal observations and discuss further the impact of the new cards. I play both Bo1 and Bo3 competitively, with my focus being on Bo3.
(1) Red-x Fast Aggro
Is the most played deck in both Bo1 and Bo3. [[Turn inside out]] is already an auto include in most decks. Red Leyline probably won't make the competitive cut in the end, but the card is enraging for the Bo1 community as it allows for more frequent T2/T3 wins. Overall the meta shaping DTB.
(2) Dimir Tempo
Is already tier 1 in Bo3 and is becoming more and more popular in Bo1. [[Floodpits Drowner]] is a damn good card - DSK MVP for me. Gix is still played over [[Enduring Curiosity]], CMC4 might be too much. The Black Overlord seems to be a valuable inclusion. Dimir is a highly adaptable shell that is inherently strong.
(3) Golgari Midrange
Is strong in both Bo3 and Bo1, mainly because of its combo potential and a favorable MU against Fast Red Aggro. [[Nowhere to Run]] hurts the talent line to play a bit. Can contain strong Graveyard hate if the meta shifts in that direction. [[Kona, Rescue Beastie]] is maybe a valuable DSK addition. A strong deck that will remain in the top tier.
(4) Domain Control
Is the dominant control deck in Bo3 and increasingly popular in Bo1. [[Overlord of the Hauntwoods]] is an auto-include. The white Overlord can also be played over [[Archangel of Wrath]]. [[Split Up]] is a valuable piece of removal in the flex spots. An inherently strong and flexible Control option that has become even stronger with DSK.
(5) Orzhov Midrange
Tier 1 deck in Bo3 and Bo1 that revolved around Zoraline. The Black Overlord can be a valuable addition if the creature count is high enough. However, Orzhov seems to be trending towards a reanimator strategy that will likely remain a strong meta contender as long as Fast Red Aggro remains meta-defining.
(6) Rakdos Lizards
Is the most competitive BLB tribal deck that revolves around internal synergy. [[Screaming Nemesis]] is maybe a valuable DSK addition. I think this deck will remain a competitive, but will likely lose favor. Fast Red Aggro is currently the superior aggro strategy.
(7) Token Control
Is a present control choice that is played in different variants in Bo1, but less so in Bo3. DSK offers some alternative control pieces, but nothing I am aware of that has affected the shell so far. DSK offers more recurring threats that are difficult to handle. Time will tell if this remains a dominant Bo1 control variant.
(8) White-x Convoke Aggro
Popular aggro choice in Bo1 with different variants in all colors except black. [[The Wandering Rescuer]] has the potential to make them more resilient. [[Pyroclasm]] and [[Split Up]], on the other hand, offer early removal pieces to counter Convoke decks.
(9) New Brews
Azorius Mentor with [[Abhorrent Oculus]] seems to be flexible, resilient and surprisingly efficient. "True" Gruul Delirium with [[Balustrade Wurm]] and [[Screaming Nemesis]] seems to be a serious meta contender. Boros Aura Aggro utilizes the synergy of mice and combines it with [[Sheltered by Ghosts]], which seems to be pretty effective in Bo1. The Izzet Otter Combo seems decent.
(10) Watchlist
Azorius or Selesnya Enchantments seems both to be strong enough to invest further. Mono Blue seems worth a closer look with all the strong DSK additions so does Simic. [[Unstoppable Slasher]] could revive Mono Black Midrange. I've tested Rakdos Sacrifice extensively myself and can say that it's good, but not there yet in my opinion.
Overall, I think the meta is pretty healthy and diverse, even in Bo1. What do you think? What are your experiences and predictions?
I haven't seen a thread for this deck yet. I know there are Mono Red and Rakdos versions of it around, in general this thread is to discuss variations of the Red deck built around Prowess, 1 CMC pump spells, and Leyline of Resonance.
Here is a link to my "Gruul" take.
Maybe there hasn't been a thread yet, because what is there to say? It feels super strong both pre and post sideboard. Bonus points if you like fast games.
Like other iterations of this deck, winrate increases as brainless jamming of creatures and pump spells decreases. Many of the wins feel downright dirty.
I went with Gruul lands instead of Rakdos because casting that stupid creature on the other side of [[Burn Together]] isn't very important to me, but sideboarding in a full set of [[Snakeskin Veil]] wins games what with how absurdly explosive the deck is. [[Pick Your Poison]] for winning on turn 3 or 4 after getting hit with [[Temporary Lockdown]] is very satisfying. [[Dreadmaw's Ire]] has done surprisingly well, but still feels like a sideboard card. The [[Ghost Vacuum]] in the sideboard doesn't feel very necessary but I am a reanimation hater and at least it's cheap and triggers prowess.
Thanks to anyone taking the time to read. I quit playing the game in 2016 but at the time, I played competitively with good top 8 finishes in PTQs, invitationals, and state tournaments. I could not enjoy the game casually, so have put it on the shelf until now. I almost solely played modern and pioneer did not exist at the time. My main decks were 5c zoo, big zoo, kiki-chord, and jund. I no longer have any cards but am finally looking to reinvest in a competitive deck. My comfort zone was mostly with jund and big zoo.
Can anyone provide any recommendations for either pioneer or modern for those “grind/over power with good answers/disruption”? I’m less interested in the current version of domain zoo that seems to be popping up a lot and it’s hard to get a sense from reviewing top 8 lists what fits that playstyle the best now being so removed from the meta.
Big thanks to anyone who takes the time to read and respond.
I'm sure I am not the first or only person to figure this out, but [[Phyrexian Censor]] is pretty much GG for agro decks this format. It shuts down haste, prowess, plot, forge, pretty much whatever they try to do. And it survives shock which is usually the only targeted damage spell they run.
I'm debating if it is maindeckable honestly but I seem to face more golgari mid ATM.
Surprised no one has posted the regular thread. Interested to hear what you've all been experimenting with.
Been grinding MTGO leagues myself and seen barely any new cards, Overlords haven't made much of an impact and aggro is too fast for all my brews. Eager too see the challenge results for sleepers but suspect I'll be underwhelmed.
With the printing of [[Nantuko Springheart]] there's now an easily abusable hard to interact with clone effect in many formats. After experimenting in Timeless I can say that [[Burning Tree Emissary]] and [[Risen Reef]] both feel fantastic to clone with Springheart, especially BTE as it makes every land drop "free" and allows you to cast all 1G 1R and RG cards off of them if you have the initial mana. Risen Reef itself also loves being copied since it feeds into itself exponentially and likely gives you additional triggers.
The question is, what's the best use for this? [[First Day of Class]] pumps all your creatures and gives them haste allowing you to turn it into a win quickly but is non deterministic and not great outside of that.
[[Ashaya]] turns all of your creatures into landfall triggers which allows you to have a much higher chance of going through your deck but the initial 5 mana cost is steep.
[[Nadu]] is banned in modern and to my knowledge we don't have any zero cost targeters in Timeless and I don't think this shell is good enough for Legacy but both [[Bristly Bill]] and [[Roaring Earth]] are legal in timeless so is there something there?
[[Leyline of Transformation]] turns all of our creatures into elementals for Risen Reef but is otherwise dead.
Changelings like [[Universal Automaton]] and [[Masked Vandal]] could be potentially good off of both RR and BTE but that might be too cute, there are also actual elementals in other formats.
We could play less of a combo gameplan and play counterspells, Bolt, Fable etc but that would slow our deck down a lot and there aren't a ton of stax/hate bear cards at 1R or 1G.
We could add white for [[Soulherder]] since [[Prosperous Inkeeper]] is already a great card in our deck and we have fetches. That would also give us access to better hatebears but we still couldn't cast them off BTE.
I think we could potentially use this kind of shell in a [[Glimpse of Tomorrow]] deck but having only one conditional cascader and not really having any other good ways that fit into our deck construction easily (Electrodominance, As foretold etc) sucks and probably isn't worth it.
The best shell may just be using this for value with good stuff cards like Ragavan or simply including this in something like Temur company. I know [[Basking Broodscale]] has a few combos that could fit in this deck. You could also just play Omnath or a deck similar to it with the evoke elementals or cards like Uro.
What do you think the best shell for this would be? And do you think it would be viable in modern or only timeless or historic?
With Duskmorn finally here I wanted to start trying to add black to the 4c beans deck.
My reasons to do this is 2 fold
[[Overlord of the Balemurk]] works great with the decks gameplan being able to trigger both beans and revels for 2 mana (which is relevant in match ups with [[vexing bauble]] effects in the sideboard)
It allows the addition of hand distribution. Beans worse match up is Shift and Tell decks because it just doesn't have enough good ways interact with them outside of just holding a [[leyline binding]] in hand to put in with [[show and tell]]. Adding effects like [[Thoughtseize]], [[Juggernaut Peddler]], and [[Grief]] means that you can strip their combo pieces from their hand to buy time for your fair gameplan.
The only issue is I don't know what to cut from the deck.
https://mtgazone.com/user-decks/ynop13orphpnfxk0zk/ this is the list I'm using currently.
I feel like cutting the fables is right but idk what else I should be cutting, if anything, it's possible I just run the discard in sideboard.
Thoughts?
I'm trying to design an algorithm to determine whether a player should intentionally draw in order to improve their chances of making some top cut. It needs to support any common type of cut (e.g. top 8, anyone with at least 12 points, anyone tied with 64th place, etc.), needs to support multiplayer, and needs to be able to recognize when it's good to draw in *any* round, not just the final one. (For example in cEDH you can often make the top cut by winning the first two rounds and then drawing every round after that.)
I've spent a while working on this, and all methods I've come up with so far are either unacceptably slow to compute or admit some cases where players make clearly irrational decisions.
Any ideas?
It's the first day of DSK standard, and spoooky season is upon us. What are you trying in standard and are there any new decks which look and feel good enough to compete in the currently diverse standard meta?
From my side I have been trying Overlord Beans Domain and gotta say it feels cracked. [[Overlord of the Hauntwoods]] is a better Topiary Stomper in every way and the latter was already a great card. But I have been pleasantly surprised by [[Overlord of the Floodpits]], it may seem kinda slow but in a deck like this it more than pulls its weight. I mostly faced Boros Mice and a coupla different reanimator type decks but no major new cards yet.
Hey folks,
I really appreciated a recent previous conversation about shifting mental gears from Old Spike Brain (Odyssey block and older) to the reality of contemporary Magic.
I'd like to shift the convo a tad by focusing it on Limited Sealed (re: PreReleases). *Sidenote: PreReleases are obv for fun first and foremost. So what I'm asking about is of course always secondary to just having a good time with a diverse set of MTG players at a Prerelease.
What's the best, BORADLY GENERAL, mindset to approach limited deck construction now?
Back in the day, of COURSE huge bombs mattered, but the sheer number of times I could X-0 just by staying entirely with commons/uncommons and a tight curve + prioritizing basic removal and evasion was wild.
I get the sense that's not a WRONG philosophy today, but it's not quite right either. That is, it feels like big ol' massive bombs are a bigger priority than they used to be. Or maybe , broadly speaking, you just need to lean into SUPER hard to what the intended "builds" are for color pairs*
Obviously this shifts set to set, but I'd live to hear any "big, general philosophy shifts" old spikes have adapted today to thrive in contemporary sealed environments.
Hey everyone, aspiring spike here..
Recently I’ve been looking at a lot of mana bases that have Fetch Lands in them. Something I’ve noticed is that often times these mana bases will have more fetches than fetch-able lands. I was curious as to why this is?
I want to better understand how to build my own Mana Bases and this is one of the biggest stumps for me..
Another question; Say I’m building a Dimir Deck and I’m using fetches. For sure I am going to have 4 polluted delta, but what is the priority of choosing my other fetchs? i.e. Flooded Strand, Scalding Tarn, Misty Rainforest
Thank you for any insight or help.
Link: https://www.moxfield.com/decks/2-t59z-F0EOUhQ8-YN6Ohw
The deck is essentially an Izzet control deck with a combo finish. It uses [[Capricious Hellraiser]] to cast things from the GY, the best option being [[Season of Weaving]], so that you can make a bunch of copies, cast more from your GY and then give them haste with [[Bitter Reunion]].
The deck has lots of options to draw and discard, as well as plenty of red based interaction to deal with aggro. Vs control decks, the sideboard has more countermagic and such tools.
Do you guys have any love for the deck? Any suggestions for cards? Anything new from Duskmourn?
There is a lot of talk about how Pyroclasm will make an impact on Standard and no doubt it will. However, I am not sure I am putting it in my UR control sideboard. Why? because I already have Brotherhood's End there. The extra point of damage on the sweeper and the ability to also hit artifacts like Forge and Synthesizer...is that worth the extra Red? Would things change depending on your manabase (i.e., if double Red is not an issue)?
What are your thoughts? Or am I mis-evaluating?