It's like a never learn. Just as I've done in the past I've spend the last few weeks shunning everything I know to be good and holy about Magic in favor of what was "popular". To clarify, I've been playing Jund. Specifically, I've been losing with Jund. I think this is mostly because of Jund's innate inability to generate blue mana, therefore unraveling my entire play style.
The logic was that Jund was easy enough a deck to pilot, that the investment would soon pay for itself, allowing me to play deck I actually "wanted" to play. How wrong I was. I just can't play what I can't play, and Jund was really just an excuse for me. I wasn't comfortable playing those colors, I didn't understand the nuances of playing that kind of aggro, and I simply could not succeed playing that kind of deck.
I missed my Islands!
I finally decided enough was enough. I sold off all my Maelstrom Pulses and Vengevines, pawned a kidney, and picked up a triplet of Jace, The Mind Sculptors. I can't explain how liberating it is to finally be able to play the decks I want to play. UW Control, Grixis, Planeswalkers, Bant, and many other previously inaccessible decks were now well within my reach!
Even with the shiny new blue, Grixis still wasn't treating me very kindly, staying true to its namesake plane, I suppose. Instead I decided to try my hand at UW Control in a Standard Daily event. Mysteriously, my name doesn't appear in any of the daily events that occurred that day, and that makes me sad...
Okay I'm over it!
In my deck construction, I took a little from Chapin and a little from Wafo-Tapa and ended up with a UW build favoring permission a little more than most. I can't tell you how many times I heard "Who the **** mainboards Cancel!" in the TP room. However, I never quite agreed with UW tap out builds, if only as my personal preference as a player, so no matter how I swung this worked out better for me.
The Chalices were generally kind to me, though I definitely never wanted more than two. I decided two would be fine, as there weren't a driving force to the deck. I decided to run Sphinx of Jwar Isle over Baneslayer Angel because, frankly, I think the sphinx is better. Yes, BSA comes down a turn sooner and yes, she's almost an auto win against RDW... but there's just so much spot removal in the format and she dies to all of it. Sure, the $31 price discrepancy is nice, but I honestly believe SoJI to be the better beat stick, and would run him even if I have the angels.
Speaking of angels, I opted for the singleton (Iona (Pronounced, Iownedya) and it really payed off for me. Sure I didn't always draw her, but I didn't always need to. Getting to nine mana is generally easy for this deck, and if I'm able to play her, that usually seals the game.
The two Jace Beleren in the board were for the control match up. Not only did they block an opposing Jace, but against a non-aggressive deck they were very good draw engines, safely going to 1 loyalty. There's been a lot of discussion lately regarding just how good little Jace is in Standard right now, and he's been gaining a lot of popularity. The two Oust in the board were for opposing Noble Hierarchs, which I never saw.
On to the event!
Round 1 - Grixis
So I kick the event off against Grixis. Having spent so much time with the deck, losing against it feels a lot like getting your ass kicked by your best friend. Regardless, I keep what appears to be a solid hand. I think Cancelling his Spreading Seas may have been greedy, but I really really wanted to keep him off red mana. Also, how the hell do you Mind Spring into three lands!?
(Flashfreeze counters nearly half their deck, so I feel it's correct to bring in. Helping Grixis reach 7 mana isn't wise, and Celestial Purge hits nearly all their creatures, so there's that. It seems I was destined to draw every land in my deck this time around, and if nothing else, I succeeded in that endeavor...
After a very quick round one stomping I go lay down for a thirty minute "angry nap".
Round 2 - UWr Planeswalker Control
When that match started I had this tingle in the back of my head telling me I wasn't playing against typical UW control, and the Mountain confirmed it for me. After I found my bearings I slipped into a state of mild comfort and played out the game with few surprises. I often forget that typical control decks don't use as much permission as I do, so that definitely worked to my advantage. I'm able to handle all his threats eventually lock him out with Iona and Jace.
Game two plays out as expected. We're both a little more conservative but I'm ready for everything he's got. I'm just packing too much counter magic for him to deal with and after negating his Ajani, he scoops. As a side note I'll often leave 2-3 Path to Exiles in against control, as it's an out to both man-lands and Gideon, as well as a mana fixer for me if I need it.
I'm feeling better now. I beat a deck I've had very little experience against, and I was dreading the control match up as it was. I calm down a lot and enjoy a short break before the next round.
Round 3 - Jund
I've actually been having a lot of issues with Jund, but as they all had to do with me and my decision making and card values, I was actually fairly confident sitting across from Jund. I feel I played a good game, but between lack of mana and sub-par answers, I just couldn't pull out a win here. I think the match gets much better post-board
This wasn't even fair. I'm able to double-edge him on four lands, then drop a jace after a missed land drop. Semi-godhands for the win, I guess.
Okay, this felt like much more of a game! I had the early blockers and counters I needed, as well as a board wipe if it came down to it. Towards the end my decisions appear to be a little shaky, but I really felt like I had things under control. I had the math figured out, his hand size factored, and the counters to back up any answer he could find before bringing me to zero. I feel really good about that!
I also feel really good about recovering from my early loss, and have a short break before the last round.
Round 4 - UW Control
I feel really calm going into round 4. I think it's because I know we're both playing with packs on the line, so our mindsets are similar. Not only our mindsets, but as it turns out our decks as well! To be fair he got a little mana screwed in the early turns, but I feel I have an edge in the UW mirror anyway. I'm able to deal with all his threats, but then I make a questionable decision. I decided to Mind Spring leaving only 1 mana open. The video shows I was immediately rewarded with packs, but I still twitch a bit when I see it. My line of thought was that I could pretty easily deal with anything he dropped next turn, but I still feel bad for taking that kind of risk. He's got Gideon, but I've got Iona on White. I win!
I already feel good, but him mulling to 5 makes me feel even better. I'm willing to empathize, but not sympathize. I keep what I feel was a bit shaky, but having that Negate in hand was really important to me. He initially gets better mana than me, even go so far as to use my double Tectonic Edge trick on me. Regardless I'm able to stabilize. Most people side out all their Day of Judgments against UW control, but I feel it a great answer to to their creatures, especially if they're running SoJI like I am, as well things like Martial Coup if they keep that in.
I protect my Jace just long enough to keep him off his, and drop Iona for a 3-1 finish!
Conclusion
It's still not a 4-0 "win", but I feel good about it. It's nice to be back home in Control Land. I'm anxiously awaiting M11 so I can really start pushing Permission Control.
As with last time, here's some things I took away...
I gave picking up a couple Gideons a lot of thought before settling on the list I did. In the end, I'm glad I didn't. I never wished I had him and he was always the least threatening of opposing Planeswalkers to hit the table.
Elspeth, on the other hand, is definitely on my list, and even in UW Permission is well worth a couple slots.
For possibly the first time, I don't regret a single card in my deck.
More Jace Belerens in the main deck may be worth exploring.
Mana Leak is replacing Spreading Seas. It hurts my soul to say that, but in a permission focused build, I really don't want to be tapping out on turn 2 for possible prevention. In UW Tapout I wouldn't even consider removing Spreading Seas, but I don't think it meets my goals for the deck.
To compensate, I'll be upping the Tectonic Edge count to 4.
I really had fun for this event, and look forward to tapping more Islands in the future!
Quick Show Of Hands...
I'd like some input on the video formatting. How would you guys like to see future videos? I'm considering:
-Live with commentary
-Live without commentary
-Replays with commentary overlay
-Replays with stock MTGO sounds (current setup)
-Replays with music
I always appreciate video in articles compared with write ups or reports. Live with commentary would probably be my first pick in terms of hearing why you make certain choices at certain points in the game. I know this is much more time consuming than straight up replays so if you are continue to do replays, I think replays with music would be better than stock mtgo sounds. The mtgo sounds can get quite annoying although I know I can mute these videos myself.
Good article though and it will be interesting to see how this deck transforms in the next few weeks as M11 cards become available.
Nice article! I am actually about halfway done with writing up my take on U/W control so I was a little disheartened to see yours, but mine is different enough that I feel it still has a place. Besides it is a fun deck to play!
Uh oh :P I'll warn you I have another UW article coming up for next week, as an analysis on the post M11 changes to permission control. UW Titan Permission has since gotten me 2.5 4-0's since Friday o.O The 2.5 is because I ran UW control in the M11 sealed, so I'm counting it lol.
Yeah, so strong in fact I think about 75% of my games have been the mirror XD I think our styles are different enough our articles will be able to coexist though. Supplementing rather than competing... /grouphug
Videos are awesome. I like them just the way they are - as long as you comment on any key decisions or misplays in the writeup. The speed of a replay is actually pretty nice compared to recording live with commentary. I think I watched your whole daily event in less time than the first round actually took, which is pretty sweet.
If you do go for commentary, I think live is better than replay. It keeps the explanations short and sweet. I've seen some videos with commentary over replay where they pause the replay and talk about something for like five minutes. While that's nice occasionally for really complex decisions, it can also be a real snoozer. If you write it, then people just skip the detailed analysis if they want to.
Thanks a lot! I stopped doing live recordings after YouTube implemented the 10 minute video length limit. I can't realistically finish a control match with a clear head in <10 minutes, and I hate having to split videos. I also don't like it when commentary breaks the pace of the video too much either, though I am considering slowing it down a tad. It looks better ascetically, and it can give me the opportunity to smoothly implement commentary without having to pause too often.
I completely agree about the cancels. I've always felt (as a non tourney player) that Cancel was unfairly treated. It can be enormous against a huge variety of threats and it is at least on par with Deprive. (Costs 3 mana but it doesn't bounce a land to cast.) I think people were SO spoiled with Counterspell and even then there were detractors of that fine spell main deck. They see a higher cost spell that does the same thing and think "scrub card". The fact of the matter is most of the time you aren't going to want to counter their turn 2 play anyway (assuming you are on the play). Well that's how I see it. Unfortunately permission is so frowned upon in casual play that I wouldn't even consider bringing anything like true control there. I want to enjoy my matches not be abused for "Net Decking" etc.
I recall Hinder seeing a fair amount of play as well. You what you can with the cardpool available. I also completely agree with permission in casual. I LOVE playing it in competitive settings, but I'd never pull it out for a casual game... that's what I have my budget Naya deck for XD
12 Comments
I always appreciate video in articles compared with write ups or reports. Live with commentary would probably be my first pick in terms of hearing why you make certain choices at certain points in the game. I know this is much more time consuming than straight up replays so if you are continue to do replays, I think replays with music would be better than stock mtgo sounds. The mtgo sounds can get quite annoying although I know I can mute these videos myself.
Good article though and it will be interesting to see how this deck transforms in the next few weeks as M11 cards become available.
What Drbenwayy said. Interesting article as always and I enjoy the vidoes - comments or music would be appreciated.
Nice article! I am actually about halfway done with writing up my take on U/W control so I was a little disheartened to see yours, but mine is different enough that I feel it still has a place. Besides it is a fun deck to play!
Congratulations on the 3-1!
Uh oh :P I'll warn you I have another UW article coming up for next week, as an analysis on the post M11 changes to permission control. UW Titan Permission has since gotten me 2.5 4-0's since Friday o.O The 2.5 is because I ran UW control in the M11 sealed, so I'm counting it lol.
That's what I am currently working on as well! It is such a strong deck with some amazing card interactions.
Yeah, so strong in fact I think about 75% of my games have been the mirror XD I think our styles are different enough our articles will be able to coexist though. Supplementing rather than competing... /grouphug
"It's like a never learn." lol
I like to get my articles off to a good start, particularly in the grammar department.
Videos are awesome. I like them just the way they are - as long as you comment on any key decisions or misplays in the writeup. The speed of a replay is actually pretty nice compared to recording live with commentary. I think I watched your whole daily event in less time than the first round actually took, which is pretty sweet.
If you do go for commentary, I think live is better than replay. It keeps the explanations short and sweet. I've seen some videos with commentary over replay where they pause the replay and talk about something for like five minutes. While that's nice occasionally for really complex decisions, it can also be a real snoozer. If you write it, then people just skip the detailed analysis if they want to.
Rock on.
Thanks a lot! I stopped doing live recordings after YouTube implemented the 10 minute video length limit. I can't realistically finish a control match with a clear head in <10 minutes, and I hate having to split videos. I also don't like it when commentary breaks the pace of the video too much either, though I am considering slowing it down a tad. It looks better ascetically, and it can give me the opportunity to smoothly implement commentary without having to pause too often.
I completely agree about the cancels. I've always felt (as a non tourney player) that Cancel was unfairly treated. It can be enormous against a huge variety of threats and it is at least on par with Deprive. (Costs 3 mana but it doesn't bounce a land to cast.) I think people were SO spoiled with Counterspell and even then there were detractors of that fine spell main deck. They see a higher cost spell that does the same thing and think "scrub card". The fact of the matter is most of the time you aren't going to want to counter their turn 2 play anyway (assuming you are on the play). Well that's how I see it. Unfortunately permission is so frowned upon in casual play that I wouldn't even consider bringing anything like true control there. I want to enjoy my matches not be abused for "Net Decking" etc.
I recall Hinder seeing a fair amount of play as well. You what you can with the cardpool available. I also completely agree with permission in casual. I LOVE playing it in competitive settings, but I'd never pull it out for a casual game... that's what I have my budget Naya deck for XD