Simple strait forward deck use evasion to get your opponents life total down as low as you can before they set up. Then continue the assault with evasion using your direct damage and removal to keep them on their heels. For decks that pack removal fling provides more direct damage to their face or a fine finisher when combined with a pumped creature.
If I was to name the deck I created, I would go with the punny (pun-funny) "En-Kor encore". One can say it is sort of a pauper, UW Kor-trol deck :)
This is quite different from the other UW suggestion so far, which is an aggro control deck and only has 1 Kor creature (by Whiffy).
I opted on only going to 3x on both available en-Kor creatures. The Kor creatures, as stated in the article, were rather defining cards from Stronghold and some actually saw tournament play in an "infinite life deck". So I decided on building a deck around them, although there is already a Kor deck (Call of the Kor, the WB deck), the existing Sliver pre-con didn't stop WotC from choosing a very Sliver-centric deck in the last pauper contest.
So, forming the "Kor" of the deck:
3x Nomad en-Kor (blocks regular creatures)
3x Spirit en-Kor (also blocks fliers, or can swing for 2 over ground blockers)
In the rest of the choices I wanted to have an "encore" feel of repeated effects - Buyback is a memorable mechanic from Tempest block. I also wanted to have synergy with the Kor creatures.
Starting with the Stronghold choices (most of the deck)
2x Contempt (repeated bounce - encore - you can put this on your creatures for some expensive pseudo-vigilance)
2x Dream Prowler (mostly because of the toughness, for the Kors; thus it can start attacking alone while still providing defensive benefits)
2x Hammerhead Shark (it is a good blocker)
2x Mana Leak (a bit of permission)
2x Sift (a bit of card draw)
2x Smite (this deck likes blocking - other cards can prevent their weaker creature(s) from attacking, then you block and smite the strongest)
2x Tidal Warrior (mini-combo with Hammerhead, Sea Monster, so the deck isn't just about the Kors)
2x Venerable Monk (mini-combo with your own bounce, including Contempt; particularly nice with Capsize after blocking)
1x Change of Heart (buyback - encore - some synergy with Smite)
1x Mind Games (buyback - encore - some synergy with Smite)
Then I added 12 Tempest cards for some variety, and some effects that are unique and go well with the deck
2x Capsize (buyback - encore - versatile, good on your blocker that gets all the Kor damage, particularly Monk or one of the 1-drop creatures)
2x Gaseous Form (put it on something of yours, and ALL Kors can redirect combat damage to that guy to be prevented, turn after turn)
2x Manakin (a bit of mana acceleration, useful to be able to buyback)
2x Sea Monster (huge blocker, good for Kors, and synergy with Tidal Warrior)
1x Anoint (buyback - encore - I included at least 1 of each common buyback spell of the right colors)
1x Horned Turtle (it is a good blocker)
1x Master Decoy (repeated effect - encore)
1x Pacifism (a bit of removal)
Due to the heavier blue requirements (and some of the blue stuff needing UU to cast, or in Mind Games to pay the buyback) I completed the deck with more islands than plains.
What is up with randomly bolding every other word in the first couple of paragraphs ?
That is real strain on the eye and so easy to fix before publishing.
not sure if anyone remember's me going on and on in /auction or w/e through out jan. but i predicted that the classic format atm could not handle a classic elves deck. Anyways just glad too see that this old school real magic player still has insight^.^
Yes I'm. Like I stated he is my favorite all time writer and I thought of this as kind of a tribute to him and to try to pick up where he stopped. I hope everyone that actuaslly read the column doesnt think Im pretensious its just a way of saying from where I got the ideia and inspirtation.
Great article. I was looking to tune up my extended deck when I saw that a Battle of Wits deck made Top8!!! WOW, Ben Bleiweiss must be proud of it.
Maybe I should pack more enchantment removal.......
:-)
Awesome article, I'm psyched to see your Classic coverage in the future. One thing though, do you know that Online Tech was the name of Frank Karsten's longtime column on the mothershup?
Thanks JX _ I'm pretty sure I got the format right on how to get the card to show, but let me know if I didn't, the problem could very well be something that I've done too.
Well I'm covering now that particular date of events and just saw the classic ones. I'll try to make it up in the article.I'm planning on covering always the mtgo decks of the week metagame for this 4 formats and also add in any major real life events to help mix the meta but keeping in mind that they are generaly diferent especially for classic since the card database is a lot smaller Online. But keep in mind that yours and other Classic articles will serve as base since its the format I'm least involved in. I'll try to do my best but of course await for constructive criticism.
I like the article alot.
however there were classic events that week they were just not posted until the next daily decklist which covers 5 classic pe's when there are only 3 weekly. Im very interested to see what you think of classic for what ever time period you plan on covering.
Indeed but for a simple reason, The Column will have classic metagaming as well in due course but if go here: http://www.wizards.com/Magic/Magazine/Article.aspx?x=mtg/daily/activity/124
You can see that there wasn't any Classic Event during this "week".Wait for the next one that actually features the 4 formats.Sorry for the mistake=)
Really liked the interview, great addition to your article. I'd like one day to see you discuss in depth one particular deck, as you seem to have the knowledge and know-how to lead it to top8
I think I missed out Cylian Sunsinger which looks awful at first glance but it is a bear that can be pumped to a 5/5 with 3 mana (which you can get on the very next turn) and maybe an 8/8 with just 6 mana.
It could be worth playing.
I've gotta admit, you do a pretty good Karsten impersonation.
mtgo-dragondung
email-dragonsmtgo@yahoo.com
Honestly been working on this all morning...
Simple strait forward deck use evasion to get your opponents life total down as low as you can before they set up. Then continue the assault with evasion using your direct damage and removal to keep them on their heels. For decks that pack removal fling provides more direct damage to their face or a fine finisher when combined with a pumped creature.
Flinging Boogers
Critters
3x moggflunkies
2x dauthi horror
2x dauthi marauder
2x rabid rats
2x mogg fanatic
2x serpant warrior
2x foul imp
2x mogg bomber
1x craven giant
1x dungeon shade
1x furnace spirit
spells
3x fling
3x seething anger
2x shock
2x dark banishing
2x blood frenzy
1x rolling thunder
2x endless screams
2x brush with death
1x canabalize
2x diabolic edict
10x mountain
10x swamp
r we allowed more than one submision?
Great metagame analysis. Nice job :)
If I was to name the deck I created, I would go with the punny (pun-funny) "En-Kor encore". One can say it is sort of a pauper, UW Kor-trol deck :)
This is quite different from the other UW suggestion so far, which is an aggro control deck and only has 1 Kor creature (by Whiffy).
I opted on only going to 3x on both available en-Kor creatures. The Kor creatures, as stated in the article, were rather defining cards from Stronghold and some actually saw tournament play in an "infinite life deck". So I decided on building a deck around them, although there is already a Kor deck (Call of the Kor, the WB deck), the existing Sliver pre-con didn't stop WotC from choosing a very Sliver-centric deck in the last pauper contest.
So, forming the "Kor" of the deck:
3x Nomad en-Kor (blocks regular creatures)
3x Spirit en-Kor (also blocks fliers, or can swing for 2 over ground blockers)
In the rest of the choices I wanted to have an "encore" feel of repeated effects - Buyback is a memorable mechanic from Tempest block. I also wanted to have synergy with the Kor creatures.
Starting with the Stronghold choices (most of the deck)
2x Contempt (repeated bounce - encore - you can put this on your creatures for some expensive pseudo-vigilance)
2x Dream Prowler (mostly because of the toughness, for the Kors; thus it can start attacking alone while still providing defensive benefits)
2x Hammerhead Shark (it is a good blocker)
2x Mana Leak (a bit of permission)
2x Sift (a bit of card draw)
2x Smite (this deck likes blocking - other cards can prevent their weaker creature(s) from attacking, then you block and smite the strongest)
2x Tidal Warrior (mini-combo with Hammerhead, Sea Monster, so the deck isn't just about the Kors)
2x Venerable Monk (mini-combo with your own bounce, including Contempt; particularly nice with Capsize after blocking)
1x Change of Heart (buyback - encore - some synergy with Smite)
1x Mind Games (buyback - encore - some synergy with Smite)
Then I added 12 Tempest cards for some variety, and some effects that are unique and go well with the deck
2x Capsize (buyback - encore - versatile, good on your blocker that gets all the Kor damage, particularly Monk or one of the 1-drop creatures)
2x Gaseous Form (put it on something of yours, and ALL Kors can redirect combat damage to that guy to be prevented, turn after turn)
2x Manakin (a bit of mana acceleration, useful to be able to buyback)
2x Sea Monster (huge blocker, good for Kors, and synergy with Tidal Warrior)
1x Anoint (buyback - encore - I included at least 1 of each common buyback spell of the right colors)
1x Horned Turtle (it is a good blocker)
1x Master Decoy (repeated effect - encore)
1x Pacifism (a bit of removal)
Due to the heavier blue requirements (and some of the blue stuff needing UU to cast, or in Mind Games to pay the buyback) I completed the deck with more islands than plains.
I felt like plain text could be boring to read but maybe I've exagerated a bit. Noted for improvement in next Article. Thank you
I will post the decklist first, and discuss it in a separate post.
14x Island
10x Plains
----------
3x Nomad en-Kor
3x Spirit en-Kor
2x Contempt
2x Dream Prowler
2x Hammerhead Shark
2x Mana Leak
2x Sift
2x Smite
2x Tidal Warrior
2x Venerable Monk
1x Change of Heart
1x Mind Games
-------------
2x Capsize
2x Gaseous Form
2x Manakin
2x Sea Monster
1x Anoint
1x Horned Turtle
1x Master Decoy
1x Pacifism
What is up with randomly bolding every other word in the first couple of paragraphs ?
That is real strain on the eye and so easy to fix before publishing.
not sure if anyone remember's me going on and on in /auction or w/e through out jan. but i predicted that the classic format atm could not handle a classic elves deck. Anyways just glad too see that this old school real magic player still has insight^.^
Yes I'm. Like I stated he is my favorite all time writer and I thought of this as kind of a tribute to him and to try to pick up where he stopped. I hope everyone that actuaslly read the column doesnt think Im pretensious its just a way of saying from where I got the ideia and inspirtation.
Great article. I was looking to tune up my extended deck when I saw that a Battle of Wits deck made Top8!!! WOW, Ben Bleiweiss must be proud of it.
Maybe I should pack more enchantment removal.......
:-)
Awesome article, I'm psyched to see your Classic coverage in the future. One thing though, do you know that Online Tech was the name of Frank Karsten's longtime column on the mothershup?
Thanks JX _ I'm pretty sure I got the format right on how to get the card to show, but let me know if I didn't, the problem could very well be something that I've done too.
Great! Anyone can take info from this, whatever format they play.
once again, 5-star
Well I'm covering now that particular date of events and just saw the classic ones. I'll try to make it up in the article.I'm planning on covering always the mtgo decks of the week metagame for this 4 formats and also add in any major real life events to help mix the meta but keeping in mind that they are generaly diferent especially for classic since the card database is a lot smaller Online. But keep in mind that yours and other Classic articles will serve as base since its the format I'm least involved in. I'll try to do my best but of course await for constructive criticism.
I like the article alot.
however there were classic events that week they were just not posted until the next daily decklist which covers 5 classic pe's when there are only 3 weekly. Im very interested to see what you think of classic for what ever time period you plan on covering.
The interview gave a nice pace to the rest of the article.
It was choke-full with relevant information and actually helpfull.
Well done.
Thank you, Its a shame you don't have this kind of info for Singleton,lets hope that Wizards pays a little more attention to the format.
No wonder something felt missing although I was very impressed. Keep up the good work anyway! U make me wanna play in one of those formats. =)
Indeed but for a simple reason, The Column will have classic metagaming as well in due course but if go here: http://www.wizards.com/Magic/Magazine/Article.aspx?x=mtg/daily/activity/124
You can see that there wasn't any Classic Event during this "week".Wait for the next one that actually features the 4 formats.Sorry for the mistake=)
I didnt see a break down of classic like the tittle said.
Really liked the interview, great addition to your article. I'd like one day to see you discuss in depth one particular deck, as you seem to have the knowledge and know-how to lead it to top8
Nice work... AGAIN :)
Another great article! Keep going!
Ty! =)
I think I missed out Cylian Sunsinger which looks awful at first glance but it is a bear that can be pumped to a 5/5 with 3 mana (which you can get on the very next turn) and maybe an 8/8 with just 6 mana.
It could be worth playing.
I like your work, you show the draft, you show the games, and you analize both.
Good work, keep it up.
IU thought Conflux was in the Article System already. I'll see what Jamuraa can do to fix it. Sorry !