M11 was released online a few weeks back and I managed to get 2 Primeval Titan from drafts. I have not been playing much recently due to losing heavily for the past 3 months (my account was basically empty with the 2 Titans only) and asked my friends if they have cards for Valakut Ramp deck to maximize the Titans instead of cashing in. Surely with my charm they could hardly say no. Below is the initial deck list I found in the daily event page on our mother ship which is simple enough to start my constructed journey again.
| Maindeck |
| 3 Evolving Wilds |
4 Cultivate |
| 6 Forest |
4 Explore |
| 11 Mountain |
4 Harrow |
| 3 Terramorphic Expanse |
4 Khalni Heart Expedition |
| 4 Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle |
4 Rampant Growth |
| 27 lands |
20 other spells |
| |
|
| 3 Avenger of Zendikar |
Sideboard |
| 2 Oracle of Mul Daya |
4 Back to Nature |
| 4 Primeval Titan |
4 Lightning Bolt |
| 4 Siege-Gang Commander |
4 Obstinate Baloth |
| 13 creatures |
3 Ricochet Trap |
| |
15 sideboard cards |
It is quite consistent but loses to aggro decks which clocks fast and punishes draws that are land heavy, land light, or hands with only ramp spells. This was the list I played the week heading into US Nationals until a certain Conley Woods screwed me up.
| Maindeck |
| 4 Kubira Crossroads |
4 Brave the Elements |
| 15 Plains |
3 Elspeth, Knight-Errant |
| 4 Tectonic Edge |
2 Oblivion Ring |
| 23 lands |
4 Survival Cache |
| |
13 other spells |
| 4 Ajani's Pridemate |
|
| 4 Kor Firewalker |
Sideboard |
| 4 Ranger of Eos |
2 Linvala, Keeper of Silence |
| 4 Serra Ascendant |
4 Luminarch Ascension |
| 4 Soul Warden |
2 Oblivion Ring |
| 4 Soul's Attendant |
3 Path to Exile |
| 24 creatures |
1 Sun Titan |
| |
1 War Priest of Thune |
| |
15 sideboard cards |
The deck is cheap to form and definitely good for players who do not have a high budget to get into constructed. A deck that is under 100 tickets (USD$100) right now is considered dirt cheap with another viable option in RDW. The deck works out to be pretty annoying with life gain from the start in Soul Warden and Soul’s Attendant. Ajani’s Pridemate becomes a 3/3 on turn two if either one of the Soul Sisters are doing the jiggle on turn one. Serra Ascendant would be scary in a couple of turns and Elspeth gives a kick to Pridemate to fly over to your head. My deck can’t handle this!
With only 4 Lightning Bolts in the sideboard I’m definitely not seeing any light in this matchup. I saw some lists with Bloodbraid Elf and Lightning Bolts in the main and thought about tuning my deck to be better equipped to handle those irritating weenies and even against the mirror.
| Maindeck |
| 3 Evolving Wilds |
4 Cultivate |
| 6 Forest |
3 Explore |
| 11 Mountain |
2 Harrow |
| 3 Terramorphic Expanse |
4 Lightning Bolt |
| 4 Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle |
4 Rampant Growth |
| 27 lands |
20 other spells |
| |
|
| 3 Avenger of Zendikar |
Sideboard |
| 4 Bloodbraid Elf |
4 Back to Nature |
| 1 Oracle of Mul Daya |
4 Obstinate Baloth |
| 4 Primeval Titan |
3 Pyroclasm |
| 4 Siege-Gang Commander |
3 Ricochet Trap |
| 16 creatures |
2 Summoning Trap |
| |
15 sideboard cards |
The matchup improved considerably with Bolts and Bloodbraid Elf stalling for some time for me to do my own jiggle back at them (Valakut or Avenger of Zendikar). If I can steal the first game I would most probably win the match.
Sideboard
-4 Bloodbraid Elf -3 Explore
+4 Obstinate Baloth +3 Pyroclasm
Took out the Elf due to Kor Firewalker and it becomes a match of attrition. The combo kill would be my secondary win condition and most of the time just to kill their opposing creatures. In my opinion, I think the main creatures to aim for are the Sisters. Take them out and it nullifies Pridemate and Serra Ascendant.
The deck has another angle of attack now and against the mirror, which depends on who lands Titan first, I can only hope my opponent does not draw the Titan and crumble under pressure. Have been doing ok with this list but still loses now and then due to the wide variety of decks available but I have a near 50% matchup against the mirror, RDW, Soul’s Sisters, Mythic, Naya, Jund. UW and Combo decks are not that good but it is not as heavily represented online due to other decks being able to hold them back. Do let me know on how to improve the deck. Have fun guys.
P.S - On the 3 months losing streak I was 1900+ in total ratings prior to GP:KL and my MtGO account was healthy with around 70 tix. I crash out the GP with 3 byes, PTQ's, and drafts which costs me a slot for Nationals. Ratings dropped to 1600+ and wanted to quit the game as I felt I was not good enough. In reflecting upon what I had achieved in the past, 2 GP day 2's in the old format with top 64 cut off, won an iPod classic tournament, I think it was just a bad patch and took a break from the game. Came back with a different perspective on the game and realized I am a poor player thinking I am good. I am trying slowly to improve my game play win or lose and review the games. Most importantly, I am having more fun than before. With respect to everyone I hope we can be gracious in losing and wish good luck to our opponents after every match.
Sebastian Gua (april_sebastian on MtGO)
6 Comments
Not sure if you have done any otehr articles or not. This one seems a little short and I would of liked to see some detailed match reports. Also if you could use the autocard feature to link to the cards so we don't have to go looking for the card in another browser, that would be cool.
other then that I like the decks. I would suggest Ranger of Eos for the white life gain deck.
to add to Lythands remarks:
http://jamuraa.com/pure/deck_new.php
use this for your deck lists to both fit in with the puremtgo look and also to flesh out the article a bit. Check the forums if you need more formatting advice.
HIYA! Big shout out to Lythand for being the first to comment! Thank you!
This is my first article being published (the first was being rejected cause it was too short) and I will learn how to link the cards and do some videos too.
I will do a short summary regarding sideboard strategies and brief explanation against the most common decks being played.
RDW: -3 Avenger of Zendikar -1 Oracle of Mul Daya +4 Obstinate Baloth.
Slight bad matchup. Avenger is too slow and Oracle is bad here so a direct swap for Baloths. I might be siding in 2 Back to Nature for 2 Explores against Manabarbs or the red Leyline but I rather ramp and cast my spells instead of drawing dead if they don't play them.
White Weenine: -2 Avenger of Zendikar -4 Bloodbraid Elf -3 Explore +4 Obstinate Baloth +3 Pyroclasm +2 Back to Nature.
Even matchup. Avenger is too slow and Bloodbraid is bad against Kor Firewalker. Back to Nature is against Luminarch Ascension and Oblivion Ring. Lightning Bolts would have to be sparingly used for full effect.
Naya: -1 Avenger of Zendikar -2 Explore -1 Oracle of Mul Daya +2 Pyroclasm +2 Summoning Trap.
This is a good matchup as the deck ramp its way past Naya but they do have explosive starts. Summoning Trap goes in for the surprize element where opponent would go all in, EOT trap for Primeval Titan, and knock them out cold like Mike Tyson.
Mythic: -1 Avenger of Zendikar -4 Bloodbraid Elf -3 Explore -1 Oracle of Mul Daya +4 Obstinate Baloth +3 Pyroclasm +2 Summoning Trap.
This is an even matchup IMO. Unless it is in the hands of an experienced player, ramp would be slightly in favour here. The plan is the same and trap is against counter magic. EOT trap to tempt the counter magic and force them to tap out or tap low and cast your threats at your turn.
UW Control: -2 Avenger of Zendikar -2 Harrow -4 Lightning Bolt +2 Back to Nature +4 Obstinate Baloth +2 Summoning Trap.
Slight bad matchup. Plan here is to cast threats to tempt their counter magic and grind it out. Resolve titan = win.
Pyromancer Ascension: -3 Avenger of Zendikar -2 Bloodbraid Elf -2 Harrow -4 Lightning Bolt -1 Oracle of Mul Daya +4 Back to Nature +4 Obstinate Baloth +2 Ricochet Trap +2 Summoning Trap.
Bad matchup. The normal ramp decks are slower and allows Pyromancer players more turns to draw their combo pieces but I have Elf and Bolts to sneak in some damage and steal games which are very crucial. Almost the whole sideboard comes in as we cannot afford combo players luxury of assembling their pieces. Baloth is kinda good against them.
Jund: -2 Avenger of Zendikar -1 Lightning Bolt -1 Oracle of Mul Daya +4 Obstinate Baloth.
Good matchup. Taking out Avenger to negate Pulse and 1 in the main is good enough. Stall the board and kill with Valakut.
Do let me know on what else to improve. (^^)
Ok! Thanks Paul. (^^)
Hey, well Happy First Article! I liked reading it, especially since I've been on said losing streak myself XD
That said, I would like drop one bit of advice that's helped me stay published. While a picture may not be worth a thousand words, it's worth at least 20 or so :P Adding visuals to your articles really does make a difference. Then learning to format them with border-less tables adds another great effect. If I didn't use these ideas in my articles people would quickly realize I'm about as articulate as an 8 year old with a speech impedi.. speech impeded... impo... a speech problem! Just some friendly advice, I recommend you level your desk with it.
There is also a link at the top of the pade that says "Write for Pure MTGO". Click it. There is a 5 or so minute video on some tips on doing an article. Also if you have any questions on what to do, post it in the article help section in the format.
Keep working at it. You will get better with experience, just like playing Magic.