Just wanted to point out that there were 11 distinct Archetypes in the top 16 at the SCGOpen in Milwaukee.
edit: theres a link tag here that isn't working
1. MBD
2. U/W/x control
3. MUD
4. R/W/x burn
5. Mono Green Aggro
6. G/R/x Monsters
7. G/W/x Aggro
8. B/W devotion (not even a single grey merchant)
9. G/B Dredge
10.Naya Hexproof
11.B/W humans
And if it weren't for mutavault a lot of these decks would be very affordable. Further proof that there is plenty to discover in standard and that Mutavault has ruined the format.
And if it weren't for mutavault a lot of these decks would be very affordable. Further proof that there is plenty to discover in standard and that Mutavault has ruined the format.
You had me until "ruined the format." I'd say it is simply proof that people didn't recognize Mutavault's value until too late, and that it needs a reprint in M15 (as well as inclusion in some upcoming supplemental products like an event deck, etc) to lower prices. If Mutavault was 6.50 each, I doubt it would be considered a "format ruiner."
Mutavault makes a $40 deck almost $200. I mean look at mono green aggro, or B/W humans, or the burn decks. Those could be affordable but mutavault doubles or even quadruples the price of them. There shouldn't be any card that goes into 90% of all decks played, that's just bad design. And you're punished quite a bit for not having it in these otherwise cheap strategies.
Regardless, I do recall saying quite awhile ago that it was about time all these fringe decks flipped the metagame on it's head. Hopefully we'll see more results like these as people get tired of the Elite Four dominating the metagame.
You had me until "ruined the format." I'd say it is simply proof that people didn't recognize Mutavault's value until too late, and that it needs a reprint in M15 (as well as inclusion in some upcoming supplemental products like an event deck, etc) to lower prices. If Mutavault was 6.50 each, I doubt it would be considered a "format ruiner."
Or, you know, just don't print it in M15 and let it rotate out.
I don't think one open is an accurate representation of the meta. Here's the 5 decks that exist: UWx control, Bx midrange, Ux aggro, RW burn, RGx midrange.
And if it weren't for mutavault a lot of these decks would be very affordable. Further proof that there is plenty to discover in standard and that Mutavault has ruined the format.
You had me until "ruined the format." I'd say it is simply proof that people didn't recognize Mutavault's value until too late, and that it needs a reprint in M15 (as well as inclusion in some upcoming supplemental products like an event deck, etc) to lower prices. If Mutavault was 6.50 each, I doubt it would be considered a "format ruiner."
What really annoys me is that everything is being labeled 'Devotion' now. Like that "B/W Devotion" deck... what exactly about it makes it devotion? Not a single thing. It's just a monoB list with blood barons instead of grey merchants.
Personally I just don't like devotion as a mechanic. I loved rtr inn meta, but I understand this time just isn't for me. Fortunately though journey's mechanics seem much more interesting!
That's why I labeled it as a completely different archetype. While there are black devotion decks that splash for virtually any other color, the deck in the milwaukee open was truly a B/W midrange deck. And remember when the deck was conceived I believe it used to mainboard erebos making it's strongest synergies revolve around devotion.
The problem with diversity in standard isn't the number of different decks - it's the relative lack of distinct strategies between those decks. In Legacy, for instance, Dredge plays like no other deck. In standard, "Dredge" is just another aggro deck with some yard interactions.
In Legacy, decks like Storm, Lands, Elves, Stoneblade, Miracles, Pox, Jund, Painted Stone (to name a few) play so very differently from one another. There's nothing remotely approaching this diversity of strategies in Standard.
Well there were 2 Mono Blue devotion decks in the top 16, can't really argue with you about the reality of the situation.
And standard dredge is by no stretch an aggro deck. It has so many powerful interactions its truly unique in the metagame. No removal spells. Voyaging Satyr is arguably the most crucial card in the deck, and if a 1/1 for 2 is one of your core cards and you made top 16 at an open, then obviously you have crafted a unique strategy people weren't prepared for. I mean What decks let your play 10/10's for 4? Even just watching BBD pilot this on starcity, there is power and haymakers in this deck. Last time I saw it played i think he had a 16/16 nighthowler and a 26/26 nemesis of mortals. You can't judge this deck by its list, you really have to see it in action, it'w wonderful. When's the last time you saw someone swing for 40 in standard?
The problem with diversity in standard isn't the number of different decks - it's the relative lack of distinct strategies between those decks. In Legacy, for instance, Dredge plays like no other deck. In standard, "Dredge" is just another aggro deck with some yard interactions.
In Legacy, decks like Storm, Lands, Elves, Stoneblade, Miracles, Pox, Jund, Painted Stone (to name a few) play so very differently from one another. There's nothing remotely approaching this diversity of strategies in Standard.
This.
I personally don't have an issue with Standard, as I view it as the constructed entry point for new players and think it is in healthy shape when you keep that purpose in mind. But myself and most others who have played for 15+ years don't see it as a truly diverse environment, as in practice most of the decks/strategies feel pretty similar when being played, at least relative to the more extreme ranges you see outside of Standard.
But like I said, I feel it is at a pretty good spot as it is. Standard is fun for the most part, there is plenty of diversity for newer players, and as they get more experienced and want to branch out to more extremes they have great options in Legacy, Modern, and EDH.
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edit: theres a link tag here that isn't working
1. MBD
2. U/W/x control
3. MUD
4. R/W/x burn
5. Mono Green Aggro
6. G/R/x Monsters
7. G/W/x Aggro
8. B/W devotion (not even a single grey merchant)
9. G/B Dredge
10.Naya Hexproof
11.B/W humans
And if it weren't for mutavault a lot of these decks would be very affordable. Further proof that there is plenty to discover in standard and that Mutavault has ruined the format.
You had me until "ruined the format." I'd say it is simply proof that people didn't recognize Mutavault's value until too late, and that it needs a reprint in M15 (as well as inclusion in some upcoming supplemental products like an event deck, etc) to lower prices. If Mutavault was 6.50 each, I doubt it would be considered a "format ruiner."
How To Keep Your FOIL Cards From Curling: http://youtu.be/QTmubrS8VnI
The Best Deck Boxes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEwgLph_Pjk
The Best Binders: http://youtu.be/H5IauASYWjk
Regardless, I do recall saying quite awhile ago that it was about time all these fringe decks flipped the metagame on it's head. Hopefully we'll see more results like these as people get tired of the Elite Four dominating the metagame.
Brushstrider!
Or, you know, just don't print it in M15 and let it rotate out.
It rotating will cause it to go down in price.
Storm Crow is strictly worse than Seacoast Drake.
Also, one tournament does not a meta make. Take a look at every Grand Prix this season for a better analysis.
Standard: I, for one, welcome our new rhinoceros overlords
Modern: Pod's dead, Bob's back.
Legacy: Lands, Deathblade, Death and Taxes, Elves, MUD
Retired Legacy: Merfolk, Goblins, Jund, Delver, Reanimator
The problem with diversity in standard isn't the number of different decks - it's the relative lack of distinct strategies between those decks. In Legacy, for instance, Dredge plays like no other deck. In standard, "Dredge" is just another aggro deck with some yard interactions.
In Legacy, decks like Storm, Lands, Elves, Stoneblade, Miracles, Pox, Jund, Painted Stone (to name a few) play so very differently from one another. There's nothing remotely approaching this diversity of strategies in Standard.
https://fieldmarshalshandbook.wordpress.com/
RUGLegacy Lands.dec
RUGBLegacy Lands.dec
RGLegacy Lands.dec
WUBRG EDH Lands.dec
UBR EDH Artificer Prodigy
B EDH Relentless Rats
And standard dredge is by no stretch an aggro deck. It has so many powerful interactions its truly unique in the metagame. No removal spells. Voyaging Satyr is arguably the most crucial card in the deck, and if a 1/1 for 2 is one of your core cards and you made top 16 at an open, then obviously you have crafted a unique strategy people weren't prepared for. I mean What decks let your play 10/10's for 4? Even just watching BBD pilot this on starcity, there is power and haymakers in this deck. Last time I saw it played i think he had a 16/16 nighthowler and a 26/26 nemesis of mortals. You can't judge this deck by its list, you really have to see it in action, it'w wonderful. When's the last time you saw someone swing for 40 in standard?
This.
I personally don't have an issue with Standard, as I view it as the constructed entry point for new players and think it is in healthy shape when you keep that purpose in mind. But myself and most others who have played for 15+ years don't see it as a truly diverse environment, as in practice most of the decks/strategies feel pretty similar when being played, at least relative to the more extreme ranges you see outside of Standard.
But like I said, I feel it is at a pretty good spot as it is. Standard is fun for the most part, there is plenty of diversity for newer players, and as they get more experienced and want to branch out to more extremes they have great options in Legacy, Modern, and EDH.