i am not sure of your reasonning : if you dont get access to some cards doesnt mean you cant beat the decks running it. It doesnt make also all your cards less powerful than they currently are. For sure, you will need to modify some strategic point, but you will have (and this kind of article is a precious help in this)the same knoiwledge of the meta than the guys who will participate to the pre-release...
If the format is so fast, i think Zealous Persecution would be a bomb in the format. I would have been curious to put 2 of them in your pool to see the difference
I understand your logic, and I apologize for meaning to put the Rhox Bodyguard in the 5cc slot rather than the 4cc slot. I do not disagree with your logic behind Spore Burst, and just so you know I believe you undervalue Molten Frame as it is very good in sealed much better than it is in Draft. I don't disagree with your valid points just saying my view in general.
You sure posted a persuasive argument that this won't ruin constructed for the weekend. Oh wait, you didn't post any argument at all.
Playing constructed against people with cards that I have absolutely no way of getting access to... sure sounds like a fair and fun way to play constructed MTG.
There aren't too many answer to that monster are there :-/
I guess if it is too big of a problem, there is mercy killing, but 5 1/1 are a problem of their own.
I do think if you want to keep the Zurs, a more controlling deck is the way to go, so Hindering Lights are a good start. However, the selection of cards to fetch with Zur is so limited in Kaleidoscope that I have a hard time seeing it as worthwhile.
Still, if you do manage it, you will be my hero forever - Zur is my favourite creature of all time. So good luck to you!
Okay, in the first version of the deck, the Hatchlings moved from main deck to sideboard through a couple of iterations of the deck, so I'm sorry for that typo. I believe the Hatchlings in the sideboard were originally Restless Apparitions.
Cavaliers have moved from the main deck from the sideboard because I'm siding them in more often than not. They are really only bad against Red/Green decks, which may start showing up in mass with Alara Reborn (Bloodbraid Elf and Hackblade)
In later versions of the deck I have added Curse of Chains to the sideboard. However the Curse of Chains is blue and can't target Oversoul of Dusk. I haven't really faced too many aggressive creature decks lately, so I'm not sure how valuable they are.
I have also added Hindering Light to the sideboard for all of those nearly creatureless decks that work with targeted removal and Cruel Ultimatum, so I still like the Blue Splash.
I'd drop the Zurs and the blue, bring some cavaliers from the side to the main, play fewer non-basics, play snow covered lands, and add some mouths of ronom as a last resort answer to various problem creatures. Then I'd add some curse of chains to the sideboard for those Oversouls.
BTW, you got 7 Hatchlings in between the main and the board in the first version of the deck.
I completely understand your sentiment however here is why I think that it has a home in this deck, your build, minus the Molten Frame or Rhox Bodyguard for the Spore Burst.
1.) It helps complete the 4 spot curve which currently only has 3 spots (you mistakenly put Rhox Bodyguard at 4cc when he's actually 5cc)
2.) It extends the game or as you put it delays the inevitable for 3-5 turns while you get your Dragonsoul Knight(s)/Bull Ceredon/other win conditions online
3.) It has GREAT synergy with Mycoloth, Rockslide Elemental and Algae Gharial
4.) Even though 1/1's even in multiples of 4 or 5 aren't impressive on their own they make a formidable force on offense or defense when they are turned into instant speed 2/3's with either of the Gleam of Resitance in this deck.
Consider this: a Spore Burst for 4 can block an attacking Fusion Elemental (probably the best non-rare 5 drop in the set) by using a Gleam of Reisitance and only lose 2 of the 4 blockers. Leaving you an even 1 for 1 trade on resources with the Spore Burst still providing 2 tokens from it as a card/resource.
I'm not saying Spore Burst, in general, is an auto-include, I just feel as though you may not be giving it enough credit with the synergy in this build specifically.
I like your articles but I don't have the time to spend 20 minutes or whatever listening to what I can read in 2 mins. Can you ditch the radio or at least write out a summary / transcript?
I would say that at least 90% of anon comments are constructive. I know people hate signing up for sites including me and until the site gets really big I think we need to allow them to continue growing. If we ever get to the point where every article is getting 50+ comments I think it would be a much safer point to have this conversation again though.
As for the people that can't hear one of the speakers it's due to them being in stereo so if you can only hear the left or right speaker that is why. Erik is trying to fix it sorry.
I've been enjoying the webcasts, please keep them coming!
I wanted to add my two cents on the anonymous posting topic. I agree with you guys that it should be restricted. Jamuraa has an excellent point in that it allows people to comment on an article without logging in - this being a good thing because "the site currently doesn't have much to offer a person for logging in except for tracking comments that you have read / are new and posting articles." Is there any possible way to change that? I'm guessing it's difficult (in general) to convince people that signing up/logging in is a good thing, but there's got to be a way. It's frustrating to read an article then get to the bottom and find odd, unproductive, illogical, or insulting comments. The community on PureMTGO provides excellent feedback and insight for all the articles being written. I know we need to consider folks who aren't "part of the community," but there's got to be a way to keep the positive and filter out the negative. I don't really see anything negative coming from users who are logged in. So, to me, it just stands to reason that eliminating anonymous posts is the most simple and effect way at producing quality discussion at the end of an article.
3-3 might not be as good as you think. The first match, my opponent had a broken mouse/f2 button and kept double clicking through main/attack phases. And he still almost beat me. The other matches weren't memorable. I was either beaten badly, or won pretty easily.
I will have to give the Mace another try. I have always found it as too mana intensive to pay off, but great in the long game. The knights were activated a few times and I was still outraced.
The dragonsoul knights were usually fine as a 2/2 first strike, occasionally i got to activate the ability. Although, I still didn't win all of those games. Maybe NayaU would have been a better way to go.
I agree with elambert24 to some extent although I with all my experience behind Shards of Alara Sealed Deck.... Spore Burst has always just prevented the inevitable as they do not attack nor should you base your deck around it. Making 1/1's aren't that spectacular in this format but just my view of the whole format and when my opponents play Spore Burst I am quite pleased to see that rather than anything else.
I agree that it should have been a WGr Naya build with the domain splashes. I think that this is an above average cardpool when built in this manner.
I don't know why you would include Parasite and Iguanar in your build but 1/1's with no relevant abilities are pretty bad. Parasite and Iguanar should almost never make the cut in any deck. I have been able to justify the Thallid in certain builds but it has to be a pretty spectacular, devour-heavy Jund deck but generally it is not worth it.
The only 'beef' I have with the above posters is Nacatls are perfectly playable even without full value. There is nothing wrong with a 2/2 for G. Also, Spore Burst is a solid card especially in the type of build that has been recommended and should definitely make the cut.
It looks decent from a decklist point of view although I am sure your creatures and removal are lacking in the quality department. The Jund archtype I disagree with as 1/1's in the format die very fast these days and Scavenger Drakes etc aren't as good as they used to be. I would also suggest keep on trying as I didn't assume I was going to have a easy time qualifying for the Championships although I am currently up to 18 QP points with not that much time :P although I'm sure I play more than you yet I'm sure you can Top 8 Daily Events and be successful just try to focus on consistency :).
Very good article, and agree with most the analysis although I think green/blue is a going to be a bit more powerful with ARB, but time will tell. Any ways I really liked the layout, and formating which made it all easier to read.
i am not sure of your reasonning : if you dont get access to some cards doesnt mean you cant beat the decks running it. It doesnt make also all your cards less powerful than they currently are. For sure, you will need to modify some strategic point, but you will have (and this kind of article is a precious help in this)the same knoiwledge of the meta than the guys who will participate to the pre-release...
only my opinion
Pretty nice article man, good insight
If the format is so fast, i think Zealous Persecution would be a bomb in the format. I would have been curious to put 2 of them in your pool to see the difference
Nice thoughts and well written article - but please break up those 'walls of text' you started with.
Paragraphs with double spacing = good.
I understand your logic, and I apologize for meaning to put the Rhox Bodyguard in the 5cc slot rather than the 4cc slot. I do not disagree with your logic behind Spore Burst, and just so you know I believe you undervalue Molten Frame as it is very good in sealed much better than it is in Draft. I don't disagree with your valid points just saying my view in general.
You sure posted a persuasive argument that this won't ruin constructed for the weekend. Oh wait, you didn't post any argument at all.
Playing constructed against people with cards that I have absolutely no way of getting access to... sure sounds like a fair and fun way to play constructed MTG.
There aren't too many answer to that monster are there :-/
I guess if it is too big of a problem, there is mercy killing, but 5 1/1 are a problem of their own.
I do think if you want to keep the Zurs, a more controlling deck is the way to go, so Hindering Lights are a good start. However, the selection of cards to fetch with Zur is so limited in Kaleidoscope that I have a hard time seeing it as worthwhile.
Still, if you do manage it, you will be my hero forever - Zur is my favourite creature of all time. So good luck to you!
Okay, in the first version of the deck, the Hatchlings moved from main deck to sideboard through a couple of iterations of the deck, so I'm sorry for that typo. I believe the Hatchlings in the sideboard were originally Restless Apparitions.
Cavaliers have moved from the main deck from the sideboard because I'm siding them in more often than not. They are really only bad against Red/Green decks, which may start showing up in mass with Alara Reborn (Bloodbraid Elf and Hackblade)
In later versions of the deck I have added Curse of Chains to the sideboard. However the Curse of Chains is blue and can't target Oversoul of Dusk. I haven't really faced too many aggressive creature decks lately, so I'm not sure how valuable they are.
I have also added Hindering Light to the sideboard for all of those nearly creatureless decks that work with targeted removal and Cruel Ultimatum, so I still like the Blue Splash.
I'd drop the Zurs and the blue, bring some cavaliers from the side to the main, play fewer non-basics, play snow covered lands, and add some mouths of ronom as a last resort answer to various problem creatures. Then I'd add some curse of chains to the sideboard for those Oversouls.
BTW, you got 7 Hatchlings in between the main and the board in the first version of the deck.
Hi there, I loved reading your articles, but I don't like the podcast format... could you please add some summary at least?
thanks.
@Exodus
I completely understand your sentiment however here is why I think that it has a home in this deck, your build, minus the Molten Frame or Rhox Bodyguard for the Spore Burst.
1.) It helps complete the 4 spot curve which currently only has 3 spots (you mistakenly put Rhox Bodyguard at 4cc when he's actually 5cc)
2.) It extends the game or as you put it delays the inevitable for 3-5 turns while you get your Dragonsoul Knight(s)/Bull Ceredon/other win conditions online
3.) It has GREAT synergy with Mycoloth, Rockslide Elemental and Algae Gharial
4.) Even though 1/1's even in multiples of 4 or 5 aren't impressive on their own they make a formidable force on offense or defense when they are turned into instant speed 2/3's with either of the Gleam of Resitance in this deck.
Consider this: a Spore Burst for 4 can block an attacking Fusion Elemental (probably the best non-rare 5 drop in the set) by using a Gleam of Reisitance and only lose 2 of the 4 blockers. Leaving you an even 1 for 1 trade on resources with the Spore Burst still providing 2 tokens from it as a card/resource.
I'm not saying Spore Burst, in general, is an auto-include, I just feel as though you may not be giving it enough credit with the synergy in this build specifically.
i agree with the log in at least so people dont post things like spam n such
I like your articles but I don't have the time to spend 20 minutes or whatever listening to what I can read in 2 mins. Can you ditch the radio or at least write out a summary / transcript?
i cant hear Erik
Great point about aggro in long tourneys.
Congrats on the success!
I've been enjoying the webcasts, please keep them coming!
I wanted to add my two cents on the anonymous posting topic. I agree with you guys that it should be restricted. Jamuraa has an excellent point in that it allows people to comment on an article without logging in - this being a good thing because "the site currently doesn't have much to offer a person for logging in except for tracking comments that you have read / are new and posting articles." Is there any possible way to change that? I'm guessing it's difficult (in general) to convince people that signing up/logging in is a good thing, but there's got to be a way. It's frustrating to read an article then get to the bottom and find odd, unproductive, illogical, or insulting comments. The community on PureMTGO provides excellent feedback and insight for all the articles being written. I know we need to consider folks who aren't "part of the community," but there's got to be a way to keep the positive and filter out the negative. I don't really see anything negative coming from users who are logged in. So, to me, it just stands to reason that eliminating anonymous posts is the most simple and effect way at producing quality discussion at the end of an article.
Thank you for the build and the encouragement. Also, congratulations on your 18QP.
3-3 might not be as good as you think. The first match, my opponent had a broken mouse/f2 button and kept double clicking through main/attack phases. And he still almost beat me. The other matches weren't memorable. I was either beaten badly, or won pretty easily.
I will have to give the Mace another try. I have always found it as too mana intensive to pay off, but great in the long game. The knights were activated a few times and I was still outraced.
The dragonsoul knights were usually fine as a 2/2 first strike, occasionally i got to activate the ability. Although, I still didn't win all of those games. Maybe NayaU would have been a better way to go.
I appreciate you answering the article. I was leaning toward the pool was built horribly. Looking back, White should have been played.
Can you please link to the decklist presentation that you are referencing.
I thought the toxic iguanar were great in this deck, as they usually allowed me to trade 1/1 and grow 1 or 2 of my scavenger creatures by 2.
It seems like the consensus is a Naya build concentrating on WG would have been best splashing R and or U. Thank you for all of the comments.
I agree with elambert24 to some extent although I with all my experience behind Shards of Alara Sealed Deck.... Spore Burst has always just prevented the inevitable as they do not attack nor should you base your deck around it. Making 1/1's aren't that spectacular in this format but just my view of the whole format and when my opponents play Spore Burst I am quite pleased to see that rather than anything else.
I agree that it should have been a WGr Naya build with the domain splashes. I think that this is an above average cardpool when built in this manner.
I don't know why you would include Parasite and Iguanar in your build but 1/1's with no relevant abilities are pretty bad. Parasite and Iguanar should almost never make the cut in any deck. I have been able to justify the Thallid in certain builds but it has to be a pretty spectacular, devour-heavy Jund deck but generally it is not worth it.
The only 'beef' I have with the above posters is Nacatls are perfectly playable even without full value. There is nothing wrong with a 2/2 for G. Also, Spore Burst is a solid card especially in the type of build that has been recommended and should definitely make the cut.
Here is what I would've submitted if this were my pool:
1cc:
2x Akrasan Squire
1x Magma Spray
2cc:
1x Cylian Elf
1x Molten Frame
1x Resounding Roar
3cc:
2x Dragonsoul Knight
1x Manaplasm
1x Rockslide Elemental
1x Dark Temper
1x Jund Charm
4cc:
1x Algae Gharial
1x Rhox Bodyguard
1x Rhox Meditant
1x Wild Leotau
5cc:
1x Mycoloth
1x Rakeclaw Gargantuan
1x Welkin Guide
2x Gleam of Resistance
6cc:
1x Bull Cerodon
1x Sylvan Bounty
Land:
1x Bant Panorama
1x Naya Panorama
1x Rupture Spire
1x Island
1x Swamp
3x Mountains
4x Plains
5x Forests
It looks decent from a decklist point of view although I am sure your creatures and removal are lacking in the quality department. The Jund archtype I disagree with as 1/1's in the format die very fast these days and Scavenger Drakes etc aren't as good as they used to be. I would also suggest keep on trying as I didn't assume I was going to have a easy time qualifying for the Championships although I am currently up to 18 QP points with not that much time :P although I'm sure I play more than you yet I'm sure you can Top 8 Daily Events and be successful just try to focus on consistency :).
Very good article, and agree with most the analysis although I think green/blue is a going to be a bit more powerful with ARB, but time will tell. Any ways I really liked the layout, and formating which made it all easier to read.