Hey all, I noticed there was a lot of back-and-forth about G/W "Aggro" vs. "Midrange" on the competitive sub-forum. It wouldn't let me post there so I thought I'd post this here.
I'm a fan of the Silverheart/Silverblade build but a lot of people are fans of the Resto + Thragtusk build. A lot of people were trying hyrids, with sublime archangel, restoration angel, thragtusk, and silverheart all in one build. That confused me.
I think a better way to split the difference is a transformational sideboard. Start with the aggro build and if it works, keep it. If not, you side out the highest 15 CC creatures for the sideboard. You only take on 4 more mana cost and the mana base is similar enough that the fixing remains viable.
I like the transformational side board, it tends to throw your opponent for a loop, but I still prefer a side board that both protects my interests and lets me push my agenda more consistently based on their intent. If you don't win game one, transform your deck, you win game two - there's no surprise left - your opponent knows your game plan and can tailor for game three to beat either setup. You also hurt your ability to adjust your deck in game two if you DO win game one. "Okay, aggro variant won game one, I won't sideboard since it worked the first time." Now they know your scheme and can beat you down further because they can make the adjustments you can't. At least that's been my occasional experience with it.
As far as how the sideboard looks above, I like it, its just the methodology I'm not a fan of.
I like the transformational side board, it tends to throw your opponent for a loop, but I still prefer a side board that both protects my interests and lets me push my agenda more consistently based on their intent. If you don't win game one, transform your deck, you win game two - there's no surprise left - your opponent knows your game plan and can tailor for game three to beat either setup. You also hurt your ability to adjust your deck in game two if you DO win game one. "Okay, aggro variant won game one, I won't sideboard since it worked the first time." Now they know your scheme and can beat you down further because they can make the adjustments you can't. At least that's been my occasional experience with it.
This is a valid point, and when I made this sideboard it hurt to throw away cards like Rest in Peace. But that's the nature of the game, you have to give something to get something.
Even though this is a transformational sideboard, you can still use it to some limited extent in the traditional way. If your opponent has heavy removal (like Jund) you can side in just the restoration angels, or if you are fighting zombies you can side in just the thraggies. But I do see your point as to how you are limited on game 3. I like trying new experimental things though so I am excited to run this for awhile.
Also if you win the 1st game you can keep it on the A frame and switch to the B frame if you lose post board on game 2, which will throw them off.
I think the B frame isn't as powerful as the A frame, which is why it's on the sideboard. But the human factor of surprise is often the difference between a win and a loss in my experience (which is why I'm actually leaning towards Wolfir Avenger as one of my three drops, for the surprise block kill you get from his flash).
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I'm a fan of the Silverheart/Silverblade build but a lot of people are fans of the Resto + Thragtusk build. A lot of people were trying hyrids, with sublime archangel, restoration angel, thragtusk, and silverheart all in one build. That confused me.
I think a better way to split the difference is a transformational sideboard. Start with the aggro build and if it works, keep it. If not, you side out the highest 15 CC creatures for the sideboard. You only take on 4 more mana cost and the mana base is similar enough that the fixing remains viable.
Enough TL;DR:
4 Avacyn's Pilgrim
2 Thalia, Guardian of Thraben
3 Loxodon Smiter (possibly Wolfir Avenger)
1 Champion of Lambholt
4 Silverblade Paladin
3 Sublime Archangel
4 Wolfir Silverheart
4 Selesnya Charm
4 Oblivion Ring
8 Forest
3 Plains
4 Temple Garden
4 Sunpetal Grove
4 Cavern of Souls
4 Thragtusk
4 Restoration Angel
4 Centuar Healer
2 Borderland Ranger
1 Armada Wurm
As far as how the sideboard looks above, I like it, its just the methodology I'm not a fan of.
This is a valid point, and when I made this sideboard it hurt to throw away cards like Rest in Peace. But that's the nature of the game, you have to give something to get something.
Even though this is a transformational sideboard, you can still use it to some limited extent in the traditional way. If your opponent has heavy removal (like Jund) you can side in just the restoration angels, or if you are fighting zombies you can side in just the thraggies. But I do see your point as to how you are limited on game 3. I like trying new experimental things though so I am excited to run this for awhile.
I think the B frame isn't as powerful as the A frame, which is why it's on the sideboard. But the human factor of surprise is often the difference between a win and a loss in my experience (which is why I'm actually leaning towards Wolfir Avenger as one of my three drops, for the surprise block kill you get from his flash).