I honestly just made an editing error there. Had him in the listing (sursi) as I totally agree with you that against islands he's nuts. Up until 3 weeks back I had them maindecked, up until the meta went so goblin crazy.
I read that line differently. To me it read that he could not find anyone other than paupers using the card. Is there an uncommon or rare that does the same job better? Or do full powered players not like blowing out a mono color deck?
I'm just wondering if you drew the wrong conclusion. Yours was the only WW deck top 8, while 5 players made it with Goblins. So in fact the most consistent deck is a Goblin deck. Your deck was a good metagame choice against the most consistent deck, and having made top 8 you were favoured, but the swiss portion was where an amount of luck in your matchups was required. Other WW players were not so lucky. YMMV
wrong on Dreadship Reef. It is totally a legal card that just cant make blue mana. Its just like the bounce lands of ravnica. ex in monoblack dimir aqueduct makes one colorless and one black
I keep pointing out that there needs to be changes in the banned list because there hasn't been any changes in the banned list (other than the recent addition of Tolarian academy) since the last time they did a huge move of the cards around.
The banned cards are supposed to be banned on the basis that they are potentially too powerful and game warping. Improving the power of other decks in no way reduces the current power of mono red. On contrary, the said mono red benefits from decks casting spells that return lands or deal damage to themselves because the cards that actually hurt them are the cards that are doing something and this added power would help regulate the metagame and prevent it from being "too powerful".
Even without looking at the metagame, it is not difficult to make a case for some of the cards in the banned list which I feel don't deserve being in the banned list and some of those can increase the number of viable strategies as seen from formats such as legacy.
This is a valid comment. I've complained about the overly aggressive metagame, but I think you're right that a variety of strategies are viable and things are generally working.
It's still stupid to ban cards that are not powerful enough in 100CS to cause problems, particularly Imperial Seal. The goal should be to have the smallest banned list possible that still allows a healthy metagame.
The report was good. I always love reading reports but I wanted to comment on Round 8 Game 1 and Round 10 game 1.
That game wasn't lost because you failed to draw black mana. That game was lost because you failed to mulligan. Your hand is really 4 Island, Vapor Snare and Voyager Drake. Unless you're hoping to draw 2 straight swamps the next 2 turns.
Game 1 you don't mulligan a hand you should because your afraid what happened last round will happen this round. That is clearly a mistake. The hand that you have gives your first play on turn 4 and that's only if they cast a creature. If you end up casting the Tradewind on turn 3 you're next play isn't until turn 5 if you end up drawing land.
10 Land stompy isn't expensive either. I was a little surprised to not see berserk in the list. I bet you can buy this deck for under $52. Actually I am curious so let me figure it out
4 Elvish Spirit Guide - 1.40
4 Kavu Predator - .20
4 nettle Sentinel - .48
4 Quirion Ranger - 5
4 Skyshroud Elite - 2.60
4 Silhana Ledgewalker - .20
4 Skarrgan Pit_Skulk - .08
4 Talara's Battalion - 6
2 Bounty of the Hunt - .24
4 Invigorate - 12
4 Might of Old Krosa - .16
4 Land Grant - Non Mtgo
4 Rancor - 18 (about to become cheaper with urzas)
Here are a couple of quotes from your article I would like to discuss.
"Again, mono red is still the "deck to beat". I think this is a signal that it might be time to free up more cards from the banned list because a considerable number of cards currently in the banned list don't look like they will make a big impact if speed and life total is going to be a crucial part of the format."
"On the back of being able to control the flow of the game by being able to disrupt your opponent's plan and being able to protect your own, blue is no doubt the most powerful color in Magic."
"However, the most powerful color doesn't mean that it is the most popular."
My question is why you keep making arguments for changing the banned list for 100 singleton in order to weaken goblins and mono-red strategies when you freely write about how it is not the most powerful strategy, it is simply the most popular strategy.
The current banned list seems to be working in regard to keeping decks in check. There are more viable decktypes in 100 singleton than any other format.
If you're going to make an argument for changing the banned list, I don't think it makes sense to base your argument on the current metagame. Personally, I like the current banned list because it means that I can play all of the colors and a wide variety of strategies without being destroyed by one particular deck. Every color combination has ways of beating red decks, and it is nowhere near the point where a change to the banned list is called for to address it.
unsure why you are calling the one guys deck junk...I understand what the name Junk means, but isnt he just playing a Cloak deck with a red splash? which is not that original in the first place...
I like the insight you gave about your experiences with the deck, but I'm not sure it was totally a case for convincing one of the power of the deck, there was more of a leaning in that direction at the top, but it strayed a little... I'm not really complaining though because I still thought it was a good read... woulda gotta 5 'stars' if only the pics at the beginning were centered ;)
I read this article twice, and am still unsure of what you're trying to say. You talk about explaining why White Weenie is always a viable choice, but really just talks in generalities about match ups (except for the check list at the end, which is far too brief).
White Weenie, in my experience, wins where other aggro decks fail because of the mana efficiency of Shade and Order (you touch on this briefly).
Some cards I feel should have been discussed:
Knight of Sursi: An additional one drop that presents a real threat in the air thanks to flanking. In metas crowded with Mulldrifters and Riftwatchers, I love this guy.
Akrasan Squire: Another card that is wholly metagame dependent. When Blue control is at an apex, this guy is stellar, often doing a majority of damage.
Temporal Isolation/Sunlance: More removal options, and cheap to.
The game shots are confusing, and not that easy to follow. I applaud you for including them, but I have issues understanding exactly what is going on in each shot.
"There are some cards which, deservedly or not, are just embarrassing to lose to. Cards like Battle of Wits. One card in today's standard environment that many would put on the same level is Sen Triplets. "5 mana for a 3/3? Building around that card is crazy!" "
while I appreciate the building of a deck around the triplets, and it seems to have turned out pretty nice, I personally disagree with this statement, there is a lot more to the triplets then size and if someone can keep a battle of wits on the table then they deserve a win and I'm not embarrassed to take the loss
one thing you can do if you cant get individual reports up is include a record and perhaps a little more information on how it ran
I think we discussed this during his last walkthrough, but 4-3-2-2 drafts basically say "Here, Wizards, have a pack from us, for free. Nothing like giving back."
It just has to be *their* Leyline of the Void. I would have really liked this card back in the days of Flash, so that as soon as leyline was slapped against me, I could set up whatever B win condition I wanted.
Nick##### used to run Prismatic Strands in his ungodly awful GWB pile of a rogue deck, years ago. It's been around on and off in Pauper for a while, actually. Probably two dozen people independently "discovered" it as soon as Muscle Sliver came out and GW Slivers appeared as a viable deck in a field then full of Grapeshot, MBC, and Burn. I'm pretty sure that I've run it one place or another, too.
If you're going to make claims like that, I ask that you please check Gatherling's deck search first. In less than a minute of searching, I discovered a deck from TPDC 5.09(!) running 4 x Prismatic Strands in the main -- and dozens upon dozens more from recent years.
i hate to be that guy..but game reports are meh in my books. Sure a small handful is nice, but i prefer more deckbuilding...i know personally if i could do nothing but build and test decks all day i would be a happy guy, though at the moment i dont have those funds.
I honestly just made an editing error there. Had him in the listing (sursi) as I totally agree with you that against islands he's nuts. Up until 3 weeks back I had them maindecked, up until the meta went so goblin crazy.
All valid points thanks all.
I read that line differently. To me it read that he could not find anyone other than paupers using the card. Is there an uncommon or rare that does the same job better? Or do full powered players not like blowing out a mono color deck?
Really a fun looking deck ... nice to see an article about a casual off-beat deck ... keep 'em coming :)
I agree with JustSin about the embarrassing comment .... in casual, anything can happen, who cares ...
for example my new deck is 0-1-6 ... Divine Intervention FTTie!!
Really a fun looking deck ... nice to see an article about a casual off-beat deck ... keep 'em coming :)
I agree with JustSin about the embarrassing comment .... in casual, anything can happen, who cares ...
for example my new deck is 0-1-6 ... Divine Intervention FTTie!!
I'm just wondering if you drew the wrong conclusion. Yours was the only WW deck top 8, while 5 players made it with Goblins. So in fact the most consistent deck is a Goblin deck. Your deck was a good metagame choice against the most consistent deck, and having made top 8 you were favoured, but the swiss portion was where an amount of luck in your matchups was required. Other WW players were not so lucky. YMMV
wrong on Dreadship Reef. It is totally a legal card that just cant make blue mana. Its just like the bounce lands of ravnica. ex in monoblack dimir aqueduct makes one colorless and one black
Dreadchip reef is illegal because it has a blue mana symbol and kokusho is on the banned list
I keep pointing out that there needs to be changes in the banned list because there hasn't been any changes in the banned list (other than the recent addition of Tolarian academy) since the last time they did a huge move of the cards around.
The banned cards are supposed to be banned on the basis that they are potentially too powerful and game warping. Improving the power of other decks in no way reduces the current power of mono red. On contrary, the said mono red benefits from decks casting spells that return lands or deal damage to themselves because the cards that actually hurt them are the cards that are doing something and this added power would help regulate the metagame and prevent it from being "too powerful".
Even without looking at the metagame, it is not difficult to make a case for some of the cards in the banned list which I feel don't deserve being in the banned list and some of those can increase the number of viable strategies as seen from formats such as legacy.
This is a valid comment. I've complained about the overly aggressive metagame, but I think you're right that a variety of strategies are viable and things are generally working.
It's still stupid to ban cards that are not powerful enough in 100CS to cause problems, particularly Imperial Seal. The goal should be to have the smallest banned list possible that still allows a healthy metagame.
yeah seems cheap, but mono-green aggro..is just so boring to me lol. i like the risk in combo decks
The report was good. I always love reading reports but I wanted to comment on Round 8 Game 1 and Round 10 game 1.
That game wasn't lost because you failed to draw black mana. That game was lost because you failed to mulligan. Your hand is really 4 Island, Vapor Snare and Voyager Drake. Unless you're hoping to draw 2 straight swamps the next 2 turns.
Game 1 you don't mulligan a hand you should because your afraid what happened last round will happen this round. That is clearly a mistake. The hand that you have gives your first play on turn 4 and that's only if they cast a creature. If you end up casting the Tradewind on turn 3 you're next play isn't until turn 5 if you end up drawing land.
10 Land stompy isn't expensive either. I was a little surprised to not see berserk in the list. I bet you can buy this deck for under $52. Actually I am curious so let me figure it out
4 Elvish Spirit Guide - 1.40
4 Kavu Predator - .20
4 nettle Sentinel - .48
4 Quirion Ranger - 5
4 Skyshroud Elite - 2.60
4 Silhana Ledgewalker - .20
4 Skarrgan Pit_Skulk - .08
4 Talara's Battalion - 6
2 Bounty of the Hunt - .24
4 Invigorate - 12
4 Might of Old Krosa - .16
4 Land Grant - Non Mtgo
4 Rancor - 18 (about to become cheaper with urzas)
SB
4 Krosan Grip - .60
4 Leyline of Lifeforce - .40
3 Root Maze - .36
4 Thorn of Amethyst - .48
Total Cost: $48.20
It's fun to play, but I wouldn't waste 48 bucks anytime soon.
Here are a couple of quotes from your article I would like to discuss.
"Again, mono red is still the "deck to beat". I think this is a signal that it might be time to free up more cards from the banned list because a considerable number of cards currently in the banned list don't look like they will make a big impact if speed and life total is going to be a crucial part of the format."
"On the back of being able to control the flow of the game by being able to disrupt your opponent's plan and being able to protect your own, blue is no doubt the most powerful color in Magic."
"However, the most powerful color doesn't mean that it is the most popular."
My question is why you keep making arguments for changing the banned list for 100 singleton in order to weaken goblins and mono-red strategies when you freely write about how it is not the most powerful strategy, it is simply the most popular strategy.
The current banned list seems to be working in regard to keeping decks in check. There are more viable decktypes in 100 singleton than any other format.
If you're going to make an argument for changing the banned list, I don't think it makes sense to base your argument on the current metagame. Personally, I like the current banned list because it means that I can play all of the colors and a wide variety of strategies without being destroyed by one particular deck. Every color combination has ways of beating red decks, and it is nowhere near the point where a change to the banned list is called for to address it.
unsure why you are calling the one guys deck junk...I understand what the name Junk means, but isnt he just playing a Cloak deck with a red splash? which is not that original in the first place...
I like the insight you gave about your experiences with the deck, but I'm not sure it was totally a case for convincing one of the power of the deck, there was more of a leaning in that direction at the top, but it strayed a little... I'm not really complaining though because I still thought it was a good read... woulda gotta 5 'stars' if only the pics at the beginning were centered ;)
you forgot Contamination to go with the crazy black cards and your ashling lol
I read this article twice, and am still unsure of what you're trying to say. You talk about explaining why White Weenie is always a viable choice, but really just talks in generalities about match ups (except for the check list at the end, which is far too brief).
White Weenie, in my experience, wins where other aggro decks fail because of the mana efficiency of Shade and Order (you touch on this briefly).
Some cards I feel should have been discussed:
Knight of Sursi: An additional one drop that presents a real threat in the air thanks to flanking. In metas crowded with Mulldrifters and Riftwatchers, I love this guy.
Akrasan Squire: Another card that is wholly metagame dependent. When Blue control is at an apex, this guy is stellar, often doing a majority of damage.
Temporal Isolation/Sunlance: More removal options, and cheap to.
The game shots are confusing, and not that easy to follow. I applaud you for including them, but I have issues understanding exactly what is going on in each shot.
-Alex
"There are some cards which, deservedly or not, are just embarrassing to lose to. Cards like Battle of Wits. One card in today's standard environment that many would put on the same level is Sen Triplets. "5 mana for a 3/3? Building around that card is crazy!" "
while I appreciate the building of a deck around the triplets, and it seems to have turned out pretty nice, I personally disagree with this statement, there is a lot more to the triplets then size and if someone can keep a battle of wits on the table then they deserve a win and I'm not embarrassed to take the loss
one thing you can do if you cant get individual reports up is include a record and perhaps a little more information on how it ran
I think we discussed this during his last walkthrough, but 4-3-2-2 drafts basically say "Here, Wizards, have a pack from us, for free. Nothing like giving back."
It just has to be *their* Leyline of the Void. I would have really liked this card back in the days of Flash, so that as soon as leyline was slapped against me, I could set up whatever B win condition I wanted.
Nick##### used to run Prismatic Strands in his ungodly awful GWB pile of a rogue deck, years ago. It's been around on and off in Pauper for a while, actually. Probably two dozen people independently "discovered" it as soon as Muscle Sliver came out and GW Slivers appeared as a viable deck in a field then full of Grapeshot, MBC, and Burn. I'm pretty sure that I've run it one place or another, too.
If you're going to make claims like that, I ask that you please check Gatherling's deck search first. In less than a minute of searching, I discovered a deck from TPDC 5.09(!) running 4 x Prismatic Strands in the main -- and dozens upon dozens more from recent years.
i think its because 4-3-2-2's have the worst EV or something out of the three formats...
i hate to be that guy..but game reports are meh in my books. Sure a small handful is nice, but i prefer more deckbuilding...i know personally if i could do nothing but build and test decks all day i would be a happy guy, though at the moment i dont have those funds.
Exhume is in Urza's Sage which is having Pre-Release begining Friday, March 26. And Release on March 31. http://www.wizards.com/Magic/digital/MagicOnline.aspx?x=mtg/digital/magi...