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By: jake_antonetz, Jacob Antonetz
Jan 24 2011 1:20am
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About the Author: My goal with this video article (and hopefully many articles to follow this one in a series), is to provide entertainment and information regarding competitive formats on MTGO. I make no claims to be a professional and/or an infallible magic player (at least not yet) and will welcome any and all constructive criticism on my play-style and plays.

Today, I will be releasing my video's in two forms.

  • Ingame Recording - I have had multiple requests for this technique of video, it does have pros and cons. On the plus side is does allow for a deeper look at the decisions I have to make in game, on the negative side it does take 2 to 3 times longer than replay recordings.
  • Replay Recording - The format I used last week, please leave comments below on which format you favor.

With no further ado, on to today's deck. 

 

Another of the pillars of today's standard metagame is Caw-go; developed by many notable pros including Brian Kibler. The deck aims to use a sizeable counter suite to stave off ramp decks and control decks, while using powerful white removal against aggro decks. Squadron hawks play a huge role in harrasing control decks and trading with aggro strategies. 

I took this list in to multiple 8 mans this week (being unable to catch many dailies) these first videos are against valakut.

Round 1 Part 1

 

Round 1 Part 2 

Notable Misplay: I didn't consider spreading seas one of my own plains, looking back on the game it was the right play in my opinion.

Round 1 Part 3 

 

Caw-go against Valakut: (As I see it) The key in this match up is to keep your opponent off ramp spells in the early game, if they resolve one or more things can quickly get out of control. If you can stick a Jace on a turn where they cant threaten you with a major threat; things start looking up. End your games with celestial colonnade and Gideon Jura ideally.

 

Round 2 Part 1

Round 2 Part 2

Caw-go against RUG Control: (As I see it) The key in this match up is mana development, cards like explore, Garruk Wildspeaker and the infamous lotus cobra cause imbalances allowing your opponent to ignore cards like spell pierce in the mid game and allow them to play their own threats while keeping counter back up. Without a strong start on mana from RUG things start looking in your favor. RUG is your worst match but it is not unwinnable.

I felt guilty ending the round on a misplay, so I found the replay of another 8 man finals this week against UB control.

 

Caw-go against UB Control: (As I see it) The key card in this matchup is squadron hawk, the card functions as a pseudo bitterblossom putting pressure on opposing planeswalkers and players. Last week I commented that I thought UB had a slight advantage in this match. I no longer hold to that view - putting UW in control of this match; though it certainly isn't an auto-win.

 

Thank you for your time today, I had a lot of fun making these videos. I am looking forward to your feedback regarding: how I record the videos and if you believe I made any other mistakes in the matches. (Banner week for misplays, I am working on it )

 

8 Comments

Good vids by SnakeDoctor at Mon, 01/24/2011 - 13:17
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4

Good videos once again. Watched them all and enjoyed them. Looks like a tough loss there, happens to all of us.

Keep posting videos like this. I don't really have much to say this time. I don't have a problem with whatever video technique you use. I think replay recording allows you to use the hindsight bias to give a better analysis because it's after the fact and after you watch your own replays a few times, you're better able to analyze it and comment on it.

I also noticed you made a much cleaner decklist this time around. Thanks for listening to suggestions :).

Better luck in your next tourneys.

Nice vids, good work by Bauchelain at Tue, 01/25/2011 - 06:10
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Nice vids, good work

Thank you by jake_antonetz at Tue, 01/25/2011 - 10:05
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Thank you for the comments, I will endeavor to improve on this series.

I really enjoyed the videos. by darthibanezowner at Sat, 01/29/2011 - 16:03
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5

I really enjoyed the videos. It gave me a different view on how to play the deck. I sometimes think that I am a little to conservative when I am playing control.

Great videos, Agur! I have by PiDave at Sun, 01/30/2011 - 05:20
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Great videos, Agur!

I have question about the first replay against UB: why did you let the first Grave Titan resolve? You had Spell Pierce mana and he was tapped out.
( I'm not saying you played it wrong, I'm just curious. :) )

PiDave, the reason he didn't by cakins at Sun, 01/30/2011 - 06:36
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PiDave, the reason he didn't use Spell Pierce to counter Grave Titan was because he couldn't. Spell Pierce can only counter non-creature spells. If it could counter creature spells that would be too good lol.

Whoops. :D by PiDave at Sun, 01/30/2011 - 06:52
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Whoops. :D

Thanks for the reviews :D by jake_antonetz at Mon, 01/31/2011 - 01:50
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Thanks for the reviews :D
Looking to put some more out this week.