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By: JXClaytor, Joshua Claytor
Jul 03 2014 12:00pm
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Today it seems like I am ripping off at least two things.  The first being the article title, which is a reference to the UnderArmor campaign years ago, you know the one where former NFL player Eric Ogbogu screams, saying "We must protect this house."  I had to look it up, I was going to say that Ray Lewis was the person the commercial featured, but that is not wholly true.  I'm not really sure why I'm going into a bit of history about a ten year old add campaign, so I'm going to go ahead and move away from it. 

The other thing I am ripping off is a decklist from Jacob Van Lunen.  You see we both enjoy Blue Tron in Modern.  Both of us saw the results that shoktroopa was putting up on MTGO with the decklist, and decided to give it a try, though Jacob arrived at the deck from looking at UW Gifts Tron first (source:  A comment he left on my Facebook.).  I enjoyed the budget aspect of the deck, because I love Modern, I love Tron decks and would play Tooth and Nail if it were viable and not in a Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx based deck, and enjoy Mindslaver so much.  The Blue Tron deck allows me to do a lot of things that I enjoy about Magic. Cast a big fatty?  How does Sundering Titan or Wurmcoil Engine sound?  Want to lock an opponent out of the game? You can do that with Mindslaver and Academy Ruins.  Want to cast a Remand?  Yup, you can do that here!   

I have taken a look at Mono Blue Tron before, (you can find that here.)  Jacob Van Lunen really made me want to take a look at his version of the deck as well.  I thought taking out some of the cards like Sundering Titan, the extra Mindslaver and Cyclonic Rift actually improved some of the matchups that I thought were poor.  Replacing them with extra copies of Platinum Angel and Pact of Negation made a lot of sense to me.  4/4 fliers will end games quickly, and those fliers backed up by free countermagic will really make the opponent sad. 

My results with the shoktroopa list were not the best.  I ended up with a record that hovered around the 45 percent mark for the good guys, and that is not a place I wanted to be.  I was losing to good matchups (or so I heard) to stuff like Scapeshift.  I was 1 and 3 against Splinter Twin.  The good news was I was doing well against Storm and Melira Pod.

I firmly believe that this deck is a strong choice for those of you that are still looking at options for the Pro Tour Qualifier season.  I feel so strongly about this that I actually bought the deck in paper form.  Capefeargames.com helped me out a bit with some missing cards, and if my health allows it, I'll be playing paper Magic again for the first time in two years in August.  When I look for a PTQ deck it has to answer a few questions. 

1.  In a terrible assumption, I assume that I will be playing 8-10 hours with the deck.  Will this deck drive me crazy during actual game play?  If so chances are I will not play it.  Caw Blade was an example of a deck that I enjoyed, but the mirror match drove me nuts.  I let players better than me do that, and I would play something like Vampires or Valakut. 

2. Does the deck allow me to do unfair things?  I played Mind's Desire in old Extended. (No, in really old Extended.)   Charbelcher and Dredge are two of my favorite Legacy decks and both of them have the potential to end the game on turn one.  Tron can do some unfair stuff, of course not as unfair as the other three decks I listed, but come on, it has to be a better unfair than Storm right? 

3.  Do I get to make cool plays?  Turn three Platinum Angel?  Bounce an Oboro, Palace in the Clouds to replay it to get my second Blue Mana?  (Ok, that's not really that cool, but it is an overlooked play.) Recur Mindslaver?  If those things are not the Fonz hitting the side of a jukebox, than I have no idea what cool actually is anymore.  

4.  Am I interacting with my opponent?  Used to be, I hated to interact with my opponent.  I wanted to sit down, shuffle, crush, fill the results slip and go back to hanging out with my friends.  Now that I am older and I guess more laid back, I want to have fun. It's rare for me to go to paper events, and while hanging out with my friends will be awesome, I want to enjoy the actual game play as well. 

I think this version of tron answers those questions pretty well. 

Before we get to the recorded section of the article, I wanted to say that I intended on recording with version 4.  I figure if version 3 is getting turned off soon, I need to get used to the new version.  However, try as hard as I might, version 4 and Xsplit were not agreeing with each other.  The only thing I got whenever I added mtgo the streaming program was a blank screen.  I'm sure I'm doing something wrong, maybe I need to use the gamecaster instead, but recording has been harder than it needs to be on this client.  Thankfully I have version 3 on my laptop, so I am able to get you all some game play with the deck.  Of course after about 20 minutes of recording on my laptop without its cooling pad, the poor thing died.  I had to put version 3 on a SD card, and move it to my main pc in order to record.  Rough stuff. 

Let's take a look at the decklist that I will be playing in these videos.


And for reference here is shoktroopa's most recent list. 


Finally here is a neat table that shows the differences between the two builds. 

 

Jacob Van Lunen shoktroopa
23 Lands
-1 Snow-Covered Island
+1 Tolaria West
23 Lands
-1 Tolaria West
+1 Snow-Covered Island
9 Creatures
-1 Snapcaster Mage
-1 Sundering Titan
+2 Platinum Angel
+1 Treasure Mage
8 Creatures
-2 Platinum Angel
-1 Treasure Mage
+1 Snapcaster Mage
+1 Sundering Titan
28 Spells
-1 Fabricate
-1 Mindslaver
-1 Cyclonic Rift
-1 Gifts Ungiven
-1 Oblivion Stone
+1 Talisman of Dominance
+3 Pact of Negation
 
29 Spells
-3 Pact of Negation
-1 Talisman of Dominance
+1 Fabricate
+1 Mindslaver
+1 Cyclonic Rift
+1 Gifts Ungiven
+1 Oblivion Stone
 
Sideboard
-1 Snapcaster Mage
-1 Repeal
-1 Aetherize
-1 Dismember
-2 Spell Pierce
-2 Spell Snare
-1 Squelch
+1 Island
+1 Tectonic Edge
+1 Cyclonic Rift
+2 Negate
+2 Bottle Gnomes
+1 Oblivion Stone
+1 Sundering Titan
Sideboard
-1 Island
-1 Tectonic Edge
-1 Cyclonic Rift
-2 Negate
-2 Bottle Gnomes
-1 Sundering Titan
-1 Oblivion Stone
+1 Snapcaster Mage
+1 Repeal
+1 Aetherize
+1 Dismember
+1 Squelch
+2 Spell Pierce
+2 Spell Snare

If my math is correct, there are eight differences in the main deck between the two.  One I really agree with is the addition of Tolaria West.  Being able to transmute for a missing piece of the Tron, or for Pact of Negation is an outstanding play, and while I understand the Snow-Covered Island in shoktroopas list, I do disagree with it.  However, it is needed as a card to choose with Gifts Ungiven.  I think if you go without the small Gifts package, Jacobs mana base is a bit better.  

The creature differences highlight a different way of thinking for both as well.  Jacob runs 3 Angels opposed to one, and a smaller toolbox from shoktroopa.  I think if you're going to run Pact that Angel is the way to go.  Sundering Titan was never really a huge deal for me in the deck when I played with shoktroopas list.  Sure it would lead to some amazing blowouts, but most of the time the card was number one in my sideboarded out pile, even if I wanted it to be number one in my heart.  I do like the added Treasure Mage in Jacob's list.  Being able to find an Engine, Angle, or Slaver is a must for this deck, and being able to block is not so bad as well!  However, I do miss the flexibility of Fabricate, and I want to find room for one copy of the fixed Tinker in Jacob's list.  I do not want to add it in at the expense of a Treasure Mage though.  Something else will have to get cut. 

That something else may end up being Talisman of Dominance.  Talisman is great at fixing mana, it's good for acceleration, but sometimes the damage dealt from using it adds up.  If shoktroopa can make three work, it may be correct, especially if you are getting to add the flexibility of something powerful like Fabricate.  While it may not have as many targets in Jacobs list, the sorcery does one thing well.

It finds Platinum Angel

The sideboard has some differences as well.  I think the main difference is the kind of countermagic that is being used.  Jacob just goes with Negate and I have to agree with him here.  Spell Pierce and Spell Snare have their reasons, but I like Negate more overall in the metagame, and really cracking open a nice cold Bottle Gnomes has been outstanding!  Another reason I like the addition of Fabricate in Jacob's main deck would be the sideboard.  Notice the Sundering Titan, Oblivion Stone and Wurmcoil Engine?  Being able to tutor up one of those post board seems to be a good thing!  Ok, enough rambling, let's get to the recorded games, then my sideboard suggestions, and what I would suggest to play this weekend in any of your Pro Tour Qualifiers! 

Match one:  Ironworks Combo

Match two:  Infect


I only had the time to record two matches this week, but I am going to take some time and get many many more games recorded.  I hate an issue not only with audio but with video as well this week.  I apologize, and figured I am better off moving on from videos for the rest of the article until I get things better adjusted on my end!  Apparently, and I just found this out, the Ironworks video has audio despite me not knowingly having a mic plugged in.  Neat! 

I went 1-1 in the recorded matches against two fringe Modern decks.  I think I played the match against Ironworks pretty well, and saw the neat Open the Vaults play in game one that allowed me to draw into answers to keep from losing.  The match against Infect, I think I got cute in the first game, I should have cast Repeal while he was tapped out and not walked in to Apostle's Blessing.  Other than that, I see the Infect matchup the same way I see burn.  If you can make the game go long you're going to win. 

Sideboarding suggestions: 


Splinter Twin:
In: 1 Rift, 2 Negate, 2 Dismember
Out: 4 Talisman, 1 Thirst

I was bringing in Squelch in this matchup, but outside of random fetchlands and the one time it gets to stop the combo cold it really is not worth it. 

Melira Pod:
In:  1 Rift, 2 Dismember, 1 Sundering Titan,
Out:  4 Talisman

I want to control the board, remove their harder hitting creatures and clean up with a stupid giant.  Taking out Talismen may slow us down, but that's not an issue, I want to make their hate cards worse, and them having less targets for it, that may potentially mess up my gameplan is better off.

Affinity:
In: 1 Aetherize, 2 Dismember, 2 Bottle Gnomes, 1 Oblivion Stone, 1 Cyclonic Rift, 1 Wurmcoil Engine
Out: 4 Remand, 1 Spell Burst, 3 Condescend

Keeping in the misers Condescend, it may be useless, but if you cast it post board it will make them consider that you left in more than one. 

Jund:
In: 1 Wurmcoil Engine, 1 Sundering Titan
Out: 1 Platinum Angel, 1  Talisman. 

The game play here is to just bury them in Engines.  Keep replaying them off of ruins.  You have a lot of countermagic to deal with their threats, so I do not feel like adding Dismember or Negate is really needed.  This is the sideboarding plan I am most sure of, but least confidant in. 

UWR Control:
In: 1 Island, 1 Tectonic Edge, 2 Squelch, 1 Sundering Titan,
Out: 4 Talisman, 1 Expedition Map

Mr Talis Man is awful against decks that have Stony Silence in them.  Take those out for the extra lands. I'm going with Titan over Engine because a quick titan really messes up their mana, and that is a great feeling! 

Next week I'll be showing the deck off some more, it will focus more on recordings and slight sideboarding changes than anything else.  Hope you all enjoyed the look at one of my favorite decks in the Modern format! 

Joshua Claytor
@Joshuaclaytor
@puremtgodotcom
www.twitch.tv/joshuaclaytor
www.facebook.com/JoshuaClaytorMTG
www.youtube.com/joshuaclaytor
joshua.claytor@gmail.com 

29 Comments

I like the list, but don't by Rerepete at Thu, 07/03/2014 - 14:59
Rerepete's picture

I like the list, but don't understand the use of the talisman over Coldsteel Heart, the only B mana I see in the list is the sideboard Dismember.

Heart comes in to play by JXClaytor at Thu, 07/03/2014 - 15:08
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Heart comes in to play tapped, that is a huge strike against it.

But in most sideboard swaps by Rerepete at Thu, 07/03/2014 - 16:23
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But in most sideboard swaps the talismans are being taken out.

Other than the possibility of making double blue, what function does Oboro serve?

I watched the recorded matches, Match 1, Game 1 you cast talisman and did not use it T2

M1G3, why did you not use Tolaria West to find your missing tron land on T5? (or even a Pact)?

Personal feeling is I would like to have another T. West in the deck.

The ability to add a second by JXClaytor at Thu, 07/03/2014 - 16:43
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The ability to add a second blue mana on the same turn with Oboro has some pretty important corner cases, sometimes you need to remand a spell on your turn and lack the extra blue, sometimes you need it cast a spell and return to have an untapped blue land.

If coldsteel did not come into play tapped I would consider it, the life loss is not that big of a deal, and I have considered mind stone in that slot.

I do like the idea of another west in the deck though. It's been super good.

Nice article. And I've been by Joe Fiorini at Thu, 07/03/2014 - 18:12
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5

Nice article. And I've been playing blue tron for a few weeks. I had been wanting to try modern for a while.
I have three different versions saved , one of which is shoktroopa's. I have to pick up 2 more platinum angels to try van lunen's list. I have been trying the pact of negations, and that card has won me games against scapeshift due to them not planning for it in the counter war as they try to resolve scapeshift .

I had a real issue with by JXClaytor at Fri, 07/04/2014 - 00:02
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I had a real issue with scapeshift before moving to this list, the pacts really help a ton.

I like troopas list, but even with just an 8 card main deck difference I think it is unfair to call them the same decks. JVLs is a platinum angel control deck, troops I think is a toolbox control. If that makes any sense at all!

I also want to test with a by Joe Fiorini at Thu, 07/03/2014 - 18:16
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I also want to test with a version that uses a fabricate toolbox. For instance, run topor orb and other one _of artifacts in the board for certain matches.

I like fabricate a lot, I by JXClaytor at Fri, 07/04/2014 - 00:04
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I like fabricate a lot, I like the idea of 4 fabricates even more sometimes :D

fabricate me a toolbox by Joe Fiorini at Fri, 07/04/2014 - 09:44
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I haven't tried this yet, but i thought about trying to have say, topor orb, pithing needle, phyrexian revoker, crucible of worlds, and/or other artifact silver-bullet type cards in the sideboard so that games 2-3, you could tutor for exactly what you need to help you win.

Obviously, the list of artifacts I listed are incomplete or maybe not the correct choices, but I just wanted to illustrate the tool-box concept i was considering.

I tested a few games with the JVL list, just to try it out. The games went poorly, but it wasn't the deck's fault. Just varience, and my sleep-deprived state, were the culprit for my losses.

I like the idea, but I am not by JXClaytor at Fri, 07/04/2014 - 11:44
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I like the idea, but I am not sure how elegant it would be.

Glaring spotlight for those by Rerepete at Fri, 07/04/2014 - 14:51
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Glaring spotlight for those pesky hexproof decks

Nice Deck! by The Milk Man at Thu, 07/03/2014 - 20:07
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Loving the deck, I also think it is a great choice for PTQ season. Your sideboarding matchup for Jund is interesting and I agree that it might be correct. Reid Duke refers to this sort of proactive approach as "No training-wheels". I prefer the cautious approach with the Negates and Dismembers but maybe this approach is too slow and reactive.

It may not be right, but I by JXClaytor at Fri, 07/04/2014 - 00:05
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It may not be right, but I feel just the minimum amount of changes are needed in the matchup. I also have a month or so to hash everything out :D

Another opinion by Taviscaron at Fri, 07/04/2014 - 06:56
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Not really the fan of van Lunen's list.
Although U Tron is great in the way that there are several ways to configure it. Dunno if Platinum-lists had any success lately, but shocktroopa's and similar lists finished in prizes in dailies regularly. There was an event where shocktroopa, checoso and me all 4-0'd the same daily with variations of the same list :) It is a good budget deck, provided you don't run into the worst matchups too much. Considering U Tron as a backup deck for local PTQ if my primary deck of choice would suddenly get banhammered or something :)

I think it's preference, I by JXClaytor at Fri, 07/04/2014 - 07:19
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I think it's preference, I prefer Van Lunen's list.

How have you done against by Joe Fiorini at Sat, 07/05/2014 - 20:38
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5

How have you done against affinity? I've only played it a few times, but I only won one Match.

Very small sample size, but by JXClaytor at Sun, 07/06/2014 - 22:18
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Very small sample size, but if you land an angel early it is good for you (obviously) I plan on playing a daily a day and a total of 50 matches so I can get a larger size in regards to the decks in the metagame.

Its tough by The Milk Man at Mon, 07/07/2014 - 00:41
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Affinity is quite a rough matchup. Mono Blue Tron has few hard outs to affinity like RG tron does. I treat it like other aggro decks, but Etched Champions and Arcbound Ravagers are difficult without a Cyclonic Rift or two.

I like the idea of the new by JXClaytor at Mon, 07/07/2014 - 06:28
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I like the idea of the new evacuation when m15 comes out against aggro, I wonder if the extra mana will make that card unplayable over aetherize.

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