Nice article (funny) but, except for steel and cohort, how can you remotely have any trouble with the other cards? They are just weak, slow, and won't see competitive nor casual play (except maybe for burn trail, but even that, why tapping your critters and pay 4 when you can thorw incinerates to your opponent's head?). Probably wither commons and shield of the oversoul are the only other cards that really can make a real damage in a game
I've had more difficulty with the Ballyknock Cohort than any other common. I've lost to that one so many friggin times, maybe because there are very few 4 toughness or greater commons out there. Plus, they can easily get +1/+1 from the varied auras... ergh first strike!
On the other hand, in a draft I grabbed up 3 Hungry Spriggans and 3 Nurturer Initiates. It was so ugly most games, my opponents conceded before I had done them more than 3 total damage, hehe. I love the Spriggan!
Landstill is rough, although I missed mentioning it. Fish is much like Thresh, if they can ride a dude while holding you at bay, they will win. Otherwise, you tend to just overwhelm them. Zoo is pretty easy since they tend to be like Burn, but with less instant-speed topdecks to throw at your face.
I have always leaned towards the dark side so I love the decklist, still not convinced it is T1, but I hoped to be proved wrong.
How does it test vs Landstill, Dredge, Fish and Zoo Variants?
You said it owns Flash, but Flash also runs Brainstorms to help hide the necessary cards. I can see how gm 2,3 might be harder for Flash, but not sure how this can be seen as a landslide. Then again, gy based decks are so hated atm that running Flash is a crapshoot at best.
If I am online and you need help testing let me know, I will be happy to help ya.
That's my waffle spot, for some reason I missed it. Right now, I keep going back and for between Ritual and Phyrexian Totem. I missed talking about that for some reason. Thanks for pointing it out.
Been playing the singleton format for about a month now and have found your past articles very helpful. Wondering if you can help me fine tune my G/B/w deck. So far I has some trouble with counter and burn decks. Its not a hopeless match-up but whatever you can suggest would be helpful.
Moldy Brococli & Cauliflower Singleton Deck
Artifacts: Phyrexian Furnace Sensei's Divining Top Sword of Fire and Ice Sword of Light and Shadow
Creature: Birds of Paradise Dark Confidant Doran, the Siege Tower Eternal Witness Genesis Hypnotic Specter Llanowar Elves Loxodon Hierarch Ohran Viper Ravenous Baloth Sakura-Tribe Elder Shriekmaw Tarmogoyf Troll Ascetic
Enchantment: Animate Dead Bitterblossom Pernicious Deed Phyrexian Arena Sylvan Library
Solid article, but like I have said on another preview, Wisps deserves more than one star in limited, 3 or 4 would be about right, as the hybrid aura cycle is just really overpowering, having a cantrip to shut it off for one mana is something that can't be overlooked. Also it is good for dealing with Liege bonuses or those annoying creatures that can't be blocked by a certain colour (for me it was the red/green critter that couldn't be blocked by blue)
I liked the article, but there is one area I really must question you on, Wisps. You give Crimson Wisps a single star in limited, when it deserves 4 easily. Crimson Wisps (or any other Wisp) turns off the nasty hybrid Aura cycle (stopping your opponents creature from being unblockable and having lifelink in the declare attackers phase is kinda good I've heard) shuts down the Liege pumps, and draws you a card to boot. I didn't play my Aphotic Wisps in the release event I went to and regretted it, as that contributed to my only loss of the day.
in most B/U or B/W decks that's just wrong. but if you play it just like so.. all your guys can be whatever color you want them to be, (black preferably of course) But If you did it in such a way that they're not playing black, once that counter hits at the begining of your upkeep you clear the path by dropping a Weave on a Tatterkite.. Insta-Kill to his entire board. and blowfly fails to work And Swing with a crapload of Flying Kites ftw (works really well with Bitterblossom)
Parapet Watchers 2U Creature – Kithkin Soldier; 2/2 (W/U): Parapet Watchers gets +0/+1 until end of turn. Rating: * I can’t think of any possible deck that would use this card.As such, it gets the lowest rating possible. Attack, and pump it's Tough, when they declare no blockers cuz it's just a 2/6 Flash in the Crookclaw Transumuter, 6 to the head! (yes.. note this is meant for casual) Rating: **
Not only can I not get it to update even after I turn off ALL protection and anti-virus programs (no replies from the game maker at all after e-mailing them), but I've been reading some reviews of users who have been playing this game. They are a lot less "glowing" than what's posted here. This game is coming OFF my hard drive right now. :-( MTGO III may have it's problems, but at least it installed on my computer without any deactivating of protection programs.
Torrent of Souls is a draftwinner! I can't believe it was available. Try to stay away from the helms because they're invite your opponent to 2 for 1 you or time walk you.
I watched the video and downloaded the installer. Everything went fine until it started to update the fils. On the first one it came up with an error and said to check the file permissions. Whatever that means.
For limited Crabapple Cohort is a nice top-of-the-curve, as has been mentioned. at least a 3 star. Hungry Spriggan is drafted into aggro decks where he will be turned sideways. Sure, they might kill him, but they might do that to anyone else. He's a 4/4 trampler. 4 stars for limited. Also, the Devoted Druid is a key part of many of the G/x (usually Red) mana-ramp decks that get drafted. They aren't always the best deck, but they fit in a 7/6 or two, and a bunch of other over-costed fatties.
Hey i was just wondering about your rating for Crabapple Cohort. You say it's a very good creature to have at the top of your curve, but you only gave it 1 star.
These cards have been doing bad things in limited on Beta. Now it could just be that its Shadowmoor only, but I suspect that these two cards will have more impact in limited than you rated them. Spriggans are cheap cast and easy to target, but they will want to target it (which saves your later cast fatties) and the Nurturer makes for early beats when you really need to race. I would have rated them both 3 stars in limited.
In draft & sealed, Flourishing Defense is a bomb. I watched one match, one player had Incremental Demise (normally a blow-out), Grim Poppet (the reverse Triskellion) and Grief Tyrant (a 4/4 that deals -4/-4 when it leaves play) - and could not play them. The opponent had Florusihing Defense in play - and if he played any of these cards, the opponent would get 4-6 elves.
I am looking forward to drafting a deck with lots of Wither creatures and Defense....
I didn't know that they triggered the Defenses until a game on beta when a poppet came into play with -1/-1's and I got tokens. Then it dawned on me that it should work like that (I boarded it in in Game 3 and it won me the game against his deck). That makes it better, but it's still needs to be built around/right circumstances though.
I can see Woodfall Primus making a Dramatic Entrance in a moderately good casual deck. Throw in the devoted druid that gives you 5 mana on turn 3, and you have a pretty decent little combo.
Good article with just the right amount of humor!
I love Giantbaiting - such a fun card and hugely powerful in limited.
Nice article (funny) but, except for steel and cohort, how can you remotely have any trouble with the other cards? They are just weak, slow, and won't see competitive nor casual play (except maybe for burn trail, but even that, why tapping your critters and pay 4 when you can thorw incinerates to your opponent's head?). Probably wither commons and shield of the oversoul are the only other cards that really can make a real damage in a game
I've had more difficulty with the Ballyknock Cohort than any other common. I've lost to that one so many friggin times, maybe because there are very few 4 toughness or greater commons out there. Plus, they can easily get +1/+1 from the varied auras... ergh first strike!
On the other hand, in a draft I grabbed up 3 Hungry Spriggans and 3 Nurturer Initiates. It was so ugly most games, my opponents conceded before I had done them more than 3 total damage, hehe. I love the Spriggan!
Landstill is rough, although I missed mentioning it. Fish is much like Thresh, if they can ride a dude while holding you at bay, they will win. Otherwise, you tend to just overwhelm them. Zoo is pretty easy since they tend to be like Burn, but with less instant-speed topdecks to throw at your face.
I have always leaned towards the dark side so I love the decklist, still not convinced it is T1, but I hoped to be proved wrong.
How does it test vs Landstill, Dredge, Fish and Zoo Variants?
You said it owns Flash, but Flash also runs Brainstorms to help hide the necessary cards. I can see how gm 2,3 might be harder for Flash, but not sure how this can be seen as a landslide. Then again, gy based decks are so hated atm that running Flash is a crapshoot at best.
If I am online and you need help testing let me know, I will be happy to help ya.
That's my waffle spot, for some reason I missed it. Right now, I keep going back and for between Ritual and Phyrexian Totem. I missed talking about that for some reason. Thanks for pointing it out.
Hello,
Nice post on the Shadowmoor cards.
Been playing the singleton format for about a month now and have found your past articles very helpful. Wondering if you can help me fine tune my G/B/w deck. So far I has some trouble with counter and burn decks. Its not a hopeless match-up but whatever you can suggest would be helpful.
Moldy Brococli & Cauliflower Singleton Deck
Artifacts:
Phyrexian Furnace
Sensei's Divining Top
Sword of Fire and Ice
Sword of Light and Shadow
Creature:
Birds of Paradise
Dark Confidant
Doran, the Siege Tower
Eternal Witness
Genesis
Hypnotic Specter
Llanowar Elves
Loxodon Hierarch
Ohran Viper
Ravenous Baloth
Sakura-Tribe Elder
Shriekmaw
Tarmogoyf
Troll Ascetic
Enchantment:
Animate Dead
Bitterblossom
Pernicious Deed
Phyrexian Arena
Sylvan Library
Instant:
Evolution Charm
Mortify
Putrefy
Vampiric Tutor
Sorcery:
Chainer's Edict
Duress
Gerrard's Verdict
Hymn to Tourach
Living Wish
Profane Command
Thoughtseize
Vindicate
Planeswalker:
Garruk Wildspeaker
Liliana Vess
Land:
Bloodstained Mire
Horizon Canopy
Llanowar Wastes
Godless Shrine
Mouth of Ronom
Murmuring Bosk
Mutavault
Overgrown Tomb
Pendelhaven
Snow-Covered Forest Qty 4
Snow-Covered Plains Qty 1
Snow-Covered Swamp Qty 4
Temple Garden
Terramorphic Expanse
Treetop Village
Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
Windswept Heath
Sideboard:
Avatar of Woe
Aven Riftwatcher
Chameleon Colossus
Cloudthresher
Deadwood Treefolk
Ghost Quarter
Harmonic Sliver
Mirri, Cat Warrior
Nath of the Gilt-Leaf
Necrotic Sliver
Riftsweeper
Tombstalker
Viridian Shaman
Earwig Squad
Withered Wretch
Excelent article. Especially welcome when i'm considering putting together a mono black list :)
I imagine the missing cards in your list are 4xDark Ritual.
Solid article, but like I have said on another preview, Wisps deserves more than one star in limited, 3 or 4 would be about right, as the hybrid aura cycle is just really overpowering, having a cantrip to shut it off for one mana is something that can't be overlooked. Also it is good for dealing with Liege bonuses or those annoying creatures that can't be blocked by a certain colour (for me it was the red/green critter that couldn't be blocked by blue)
I liked the article, but there is one area I really must question you on, Wisps. You give Crimson Wisps a single star in limited, when it deserves 4 easily. Crimson Wisps (or any other Wisp) turns off the nasty hybrid Aura cycle (stopping your opponents creature from being unblockable and having lifelink in the declare attackers phase is kinda good I've heard) shuts down the Liege pumps, and draws you a card to boot. I didn't play my Aphotic Wisps in the release event I went to and regretted it, as that contributed to my only loss of the day.
in most B/U or B/W decks that's just wrong. but if you play it just like so.. all your guys can be whatever color you want them to be, (black preferably of course) But If you did it in such a way that they're not playing black, once that counter hits at the begining of your upkeep you clear the path by dropping a Weave on a Tatterkite.. Insta-Kill to his entire board. and blowfly fails to work And Swing with a crapload of Flying Kites ftw (works really well with Bitterblossom)
Parapet Watchers 2U
Creature – Kithkin Soldier; 2/2
(W/U): Parapet Watchers gets +0/+1 until end of turn.
Rating: * I can’t think of any possible deck that would use this card. As such, it gets the lowest rating possible. Attack, and pump it's Tough, when they declare no blockers cuz it's just a 2/6 Flash in the Crookclaw Transumuter, 6 to the head! (yes.. note this is meant for casual) Rating: **
hamtastic, well whats the point of vigilance if it can only block creatures with flying?
Check your flolder permissions error??
I didn't notice anything about Mac support... kinda dissapointing... :(
Not only can I not get it to update even after I turn off ALL protection and anti-virus programs (no replies from the game maker at all after e-mailing them), but I've been reading some reviews of users who have been playing this game. They are a lot less "glowing" than what's posted here. This game is coming OFF my hard drive right now. :-(
MTGO III may have it's problems, but at least it installed on my computer without any deactivating of protection programs.
Torrent of Souls is a draftwinner! I can't believe it was available. Try to stay away from the helms because they're invite your opponent to 2 for 1 you or time walk you.
I watched the video and downloaded the installer. Everything went fine until it started to update the fils. On the first one it came up with an error and said to check the file permissions. Whatever that means.
For limited Crabapple Cohort is a nice top-of-the-curve, as has been mentioned. at least a 3 star. Hungry Spriggan is drafted into aggro decks where he will be turned sideways. Sure, they might kill him, but they might do that to anyone else. He's a 4/4 trampler. 4 stars for limited. Also, the Devoted Druid is a key part of many of the G/x (usually Red) mana-ramp decks that get drafted. They aren't always the best deck, but they fit in a 7/6 or two, and a bunch of other over-costed fatties.
Hey i was just wondering about your rating for Crabapple Cohort. You say it's a very good creature to have at the top of your curve, but you only gave it 1 star.
If I get a chance to play with it this weekend I will. Like I said, I am wrong and I am not afraid to admit that, so I will give the card a chance.
These cards have been doing bad things in limited on Beta. Now it could just be that its Shadowmoor only, but I suspect that these two cards will have more impact in limited than you rated them. Spriggans are cheap cast and easy to target, but they will want to target it (which saves your later cast fatties) and the Nurturer makes for early beats when you really need to race. I would have rated them both 3 stars in limited.
In draft & sealed, Flourishing Defense is a bomb. I watched one match, one player had Incremental Demise (normally a blow-out), Grim Poppet (the reverse Triskellion) and Grief Tyrant (a 4/4 that deals -4/-4 when it leaves play) - and could not play them. The opponent had Florusihing Defense in play - and if he played any of these cards, the opponent would get 4-6 elves.
I am looking forward to drafting a deck with lots of Wither creatures and Defense....
I didn't know that they triggered the Defenses until a game on beta when a poppet came into play with -1/-1's and I got tokens. Then it dawned on me that it should work like that (I boarded it in in Game 3 and it won me the game against his deck). That makes it better, but it's still needs to be built around/right circumstances though.
I can see Woodfall Primus making a Dramatic Entrance in a moderately good casual deck. Throw in the devoted druid that gives you 5 mana on turn 3, and you have a pretty decent little combo.