Anyone seen Dimir Charm yet? Looks perfect for destroying aggro in block -- Kill a creature, or counter Rakdos Return? Thanks!
Urban Evolution looks like it could push the current bant ramp/control lists over the top.
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Some facts of magic:
-Terror is an emotion which, when experienced, results in death.
-The pox was a disease notorious for having killed one-third, rounded up, of Europe’s population. Smallpox, on the other hand, killed only a single person.
-A person riding a horse cannot be stopped by foot soldiers, large animals, walls, archers, or even catapults.
Do you think any of those Rakdos lists could support a white splash. The article yesterday said BRW was a favorite draft color and there are a couple of spicy burn spells in WR
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Out of the blackness and stench of the engulfing swamp emerged a shimmering figure. Only the splattered armor and ichor-stained sword hinted at the unfathomable evil the knight had just laid waste.
I'm gonna disagree with you on these: Hands of Binding - Cipher is not going to work with all the good removal in this block. UW control, Bant, and Jund can deal with this effect easily. Gruul Keyrune - It's probably the worst keyrune, and I don't think a dedicated gruul deck would run it. Other decks that want the ramp will likely choose different keyrunes, depending on the colors. Urban Evolution - We'll see... In control and midrange mirrors, resolving this card will put you WAY ahead.
Some facts of magic:
-Terror is an emotion which, when experienced, results in death.
-The pox was a disease notorious for having killed one-third, rounded up, of Europe’s population. Smallpox, on the other hand, killed only a single person.
-A person riding a horse cannot be stopped by foot soldiers, large animals, walls, archers, or even catapults.
Good list so far. Frontline Medic seems like a notable omission though.
Also, did you decide not to include Aurelia and Zegana because you don't think they'll find a home? I think they are both powerful enough to see play in midrange decks, but so far both guilds seem more geared toward aggro.
I overlooked the Medic, not sure how. I don't think Aurelia or Zegana can compete with Armada Wurm or Angel of Serenity. Zegana wants to be in a control shell but requires creatures to be worthwhile, and Aurelia wants to be in aggro deck but costs 7. =\
Anyone else excited for Simic Charm? I've been trying to make a bant tempo deck -- Mizzium Skin has been testing OK, but with an Unsummon tacked on it will be perfect. The mana will be better with breeding pool too. I'm pretty sure this card will be a 4-of in a good tempo deck.
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Some facts of magic:
-Terror is an emotion which, when experienced, results in death.
-The pox was a disease notorious for having killed one-third, rounded up, of Europe’s population. Smallpox, on the other hand, killed only a single person.
-A person riding a horse cannot be stopped by foot soldiers, large animals, walls, archers, or even catapults.
Now THAT is interesting. Instant block staple. Answers walkers, creatures, keyrunes and even Detention sphere with one card. This card could make control matchups very skill testing, since you now want to commit only one kind of each type of permanent to the board, and make sure that your detention spheres stay live.
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Some facts of magic:
-Terror is an emotion which, when experienced, results in death.
-The pox was a disease notorious for having killed one-third, rounded up, of Europe’s population. Smallpox, on the other hand, killed only a single person.
-A person riding a horse cannot be stopped by foot soldiers, large animals, walls, archers, or even catapults.
At least you can counter it. I do like that it nukes walkers as an option. It seems expensive for only "choose 1".
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Out of the blackness and stench of the engulfing swamp emerged a shimmering figure. Only the splattered armor and ichor-stained sword hinted at the unfathomable evil the knight had just laid waste.
I'm fairly certain control will be switching from Bant to Esper, not just because of this card but with Obzedat and a few other potential cards as well. I wouldn't go as far as to call this a staple, but I'm sure it'll see play as a 1 or 2 of in these new control decks.
Dimir keyrune and Lazav both seem like good reasons. Between those two and Obzedat, esper has some difficult to kill threats. The format now has lotleth troll and... keyrunes as the most resilient creatures.
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Some facts of magic:
-Terror is an emotion which, when experienced, results in death.
-The pox was a disease notorious for having killed one-third, rounded up, of Europe’s population. Smallpox, on the other hand, killed only a single person.
-A person riding a horse cannot be stopped by foot soldiers, large animals, walls, archers, or even catapults.
I've played this format a lot recently.
The thing that makes bant better than other options is Gatecreeper Vine, since it gives you a T2 play, that is not dead in the control MU.
So far i've seen nothing that makes me want to leave Mr.Creeps behind.
Selesnya Charm is also very important as it wins the control Mirror.
After Gatecrash you will also need it to deal with Obzedat.
Boros also isn't looking like its going to make UWR the control deck of choice.
I've been playing this format a lot as well and I don't understand Gatecreeper Vine. It's like 90% useless against anything but aggro, and even against aggro it's one chump block. You can't side them out because if your running them you're likely running 24 or 25 land and you can't afford to miss any land drops. The biggest reason for Bant over straight up UW right now is Selesnya Charm, imo. Armada Wurm is a nice plus against aggro as well but he's pretty awful in the control matchup.
You lose alot of the game to mana/color screw withouth the vine, thats the main reason for running vines.
Keyrunes are bad against almost everything except the control mirrors, so you can't play them instead. I don't like the Keyrunes at all, but you need them so that you don't lose to the opponents keyrunes.
I side some vines out sometimes, but why would you wan't to side them out?
The controlmirror is won by having more lands than the opponent. Missing a landdrp before Turn 7 when your opponent hits all his landdrops is going to lose you the game more often than not.
Right but you could just run more land instead like most UW lists do (27-28) and you don't have to pay 2 mana for your land drop.
I'm working on a Borzov (WRB) control list right now, but its hard to predict the field. Anyone else got something new in the works, or do you think it will be mostly updates to existing lists?
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Out of the blackness and stench of the engulfing swamp emerged a shimmering figure. Only the splattered armor and ichor-stained sword hinted at the unfathomable evil the knight had just laid waste.
I'm working on a Borzov (WRB) control list right now, but its hard to predict the field. Anyone else got something new in the works, or do you think it will be mostly updates to existing lists?
Well, there's the aforementioned esper control, but I don't think it will be significantly different from UW control. I'm working on a bant tempo list, here's where I am now (obviously not changing much since I can't really test anything...). There are a lot of 1-of's just so I can test things out.
Keyrune beats will probably win more games than the combo. Ramp, Wrath, and Sphinx's Revelation your way to 12 mana. Then win. I've been testing something like this without the combo finish and it's actually doing pretty well. Vraska has been a real pain, but it does pretty good against bant control and aggro... I mean, since there are no real creatures, many of their cards are just dead! Rakdos's Return and Slaughter Games are both in the board.
Some facts of magic:
-Terror is an emotion which, when experienced, results in death.
-The pox was a disease notorious for having killed one-third, rounded up, of Europe’s population. Smallpox, on the other hand, killed only a single person.
-A person riding a horse cannot be stopped by foot soldiers, large animals, walls, archers, or even catapults.
Alright, I'll go ahead and spoil what I've been brewing. It's more of a laundry list than a deck right now because of how much has yet to be spoiled, it mind wind up going a little more midrangey and probably won't be running SO many creatures depending on what gets spoiled.
Just want to throw this one out there. Sometimes it helps to get a look at the fastest possible deck you can envision in the format. I'd call this "All-in" Boros. 24 creatures, 12 burn spells, and a surprising amount of disruption in the form of Aurelia's Fury, Boros Charm's alternate modes, and Skull Crack.
Good draw:
T1: Cackler
T2: Boros Elite, Dryad Militant, 18
T3: Legion Loyalist, 10. End of opponent's turn, Boros Charm for 4, 6
T4: Aurelia's Fury to tap a blocker and deal 1 damage, swing through another blocker: 0.
Some facts of magic:
-Terror is an emotion which, when experienced, results in death.
-The pox was a disease notorious for having killed one-third, rounded up, of Europe’s population. Smallpox, on the other hand, killed only a single person.
-A person riding a horse cannot be stopped by foot soldiers, large animals, walls, archers, or even catapults.
So disappointed in Master Biomancer. What a terrible card. Hopefully there's still some good yet-to-be spoiled uncommons for Simic, the last rare was jank too. (Simic Manipulator)
Mugging will change the format. It's always big when the block finally has a shock.
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Some facts of magic:
-Terror is an emotion which, when experienced, results in death.
-The pox was a disease notorious for having killed one-third, rounded up, of Europe’s population. Smallpox, on the other hand, killed only a single person.
-A person riding a horse cannot be stopped by foot soldiers, large animals, walls, archers, or even catapults.
I'm definitely sticking with control, I'm not scared of Boros, it can't be that much worse than Rakdos, even with Boros Charm and Medic.
If there's too much haste, I guess Blind Obedience can be very interesting, also doubling up as a win condition on the long term... too bad most Extort is stacked on crappy creatures, having a 2nd extort enchantment could have been neat in control.
Not sure if Aetherize is playable but I think it's worth a try against aggro. It ignores indestructibility and regeneration and it's instant speed. It's also very good against tokens.
Esper Control sounds awesome but losing Selesnya Charm and Armada Wurm is sad. I want to try to keep the green here with the new shocklands and possibly the Gatecreepers for mana fixing. This opens the door to Abrupt Decay and possibly Vraska.
Otherwise, the black brings Obzedat and Merciless Evinction.
In standard those kind of lists win with Jace or the Inistrad land that mills.. I wonder how Mind Grind would do.. possibly backed with Psychic Strike and Psychic Spiral.
Urban Evolution looks like it could push the current bant ramp/control lists over the top.
-Terror is an emotion which, when experienced, results in death.
-The pox was a disease notorious for having killed one-third, rounded up, of Europe’s population. Smallpox, on the other hand, killed only a single person.
-A person riding a horse cannot be stopped by foot soldiers, large animals, walls, archers, or even catapults.
More facts of magic
Cloudfin Raptor
Hands of Binding
Skullcrack
Experiment One
Aurelia's Fury
Boros Charm
Clan Defiance
Dimir Charm
Firemane Avenger
Ghor-Clan Rampager
Obzedat, Ghost Council
Shambleshark
Skarrg Guildmage
Zameck Guildmage
Biomass Mutation
Burning-Tree Emissary
Pit Fight
Dimir Keyrune
Gruul Keyrune
I'm gonna disagree with you on these:
Hands of Binding - Cipher is not going to work with all the good removal in this block. UW control, Bant, and Jund can deal with this effect easily.
Gruul Keyrune - It's probably the worst keyrune, and I don't think a dedicated gruul deck would run it. Other decks that want the ramp will likely choose different keyrunes, depending on the colors.
Urban Evolution - We'll see... In control and midrange mirrors, resolving this card will put you WAY ahead.
-Terror is an emotion which, when experienced, results in death.
-The pox was a disease notorious for having killed one-third, rounded up, of Europe’s population. Smallpox, on the other hand, killed only a single person.
-A person riding a horse cannot be stopped by foot soldiers, large animals, walls, archers, or even catapults.
More facts of magic
Also, did you decide not to include Aurelia and Zegana because you don't think they'll find a home? I think they are both powerful enough to see play in midrange decks, but so far both guilds seem more geared toward aggro.
-Terror is an emotion which, when experienced, results in death.
-The pox was a disease notorious for having killed one-third, rounded up, of Europe’s population. Smallpox, on the other hand, killed only a single person.
-A person riding a horse cannot be stopped by foot soldiers, large animals, walls, archers, or even catapults.
More facts of magic
Spoiler Link
Now THAT is interesting. Instant block staple. Answers walkers, creatures, keyrunes and even Detention sphere with one card. This card could make control matchups very skill testing, since you now want to commit only one kind of each type of permanent to the board, and make sure that your detention spheres stay live.
-Terror is an emotion which, when experienced, results in death.
-The pox was a disease notorious for having killed one-third, rounded up, of Europe’s population. Smallpox, on the other hand, killed only a single person.
-A person riding a horse cannot be stopped by foot soldiers, large animals, walls, archers, or even catapults.
More facts of magic
-Terror is an emotion which, when experienced, results in death.
-The pox was a disease notorious for having killed one-third, rounded up, of Europe’s population. Smallpox, on the other hand, killed only a single person.
-A person riding a horse cannot be stopped by foot soldiers, large animals, walls, archers, or even catapults.
More facts of magic
I've been playing this format a lot as well and I don't understand Gatecreeper Vine. It's like 90% useless against anything but aggro, and even against aggro it's one chump block. You can't side them out because if your running them you're likely running 24 or 25 land and you can't afford to miss any land drops. The biggest reason for Bant over straight up UW right now is Selesnya Charm, imo. Armada Wurm is a nice plus against aggro as well but he's pretty awful in the control matchup.
Right but you could just run more land instead like most UW lists do (27-28) and you don't have to pay 2 mana for your land drop.
Well, there's the aforementioned esper control, but I don't think it will be significantly different from UW control. I'm working on a bant tempo list, here's where I am now (obviously not changing much since I can't really test anything...). There are a lot of 1-of's just so I can test things out.
4 Dryad Militant
1 Experiment one
1 Boros Elite
1 Rapid Hybridization
1 Dispel
1 Giant Growth
4 Shambleshark
4 Syncopate
3 Simic Charm
3 Selesnya Charm
1 Frontline Medic
Sideboard might try to go bigger with Jace and Gideon.
Here's a spicy one that I can't keep to myself anymore...
1 Psychic Spiral
1 Worldspine Wurm
4 Sphinx's Revelation
3 Urban Evolution
2 Dimir Keyrune
2 Rakdos Keyrune
1 Orzhov Keyrune
1 Selesnya Keyrune
2 Izzet Keyrune
3 Mizzium Mortars
2 Cyclonic Rift
1 Detention Sphere
2 Dreadbore
2 Abrupt Decay
2 Orzhov Charm
4 Gatecreeper Vine
Keyrune beats will probably win more games than the combo. Ramp, Wrath, and Sphinx's Revelation your way to 12 mana. Then win. I've been testing something like this without the combo finish and it's actually doing pretty well. Vraska has been a real pain, but it does pretty good against bant control and aggro... I mean, since there are no real creatures, many of their cards are just dead! Rakdos's Return and Slaughter Games are both in the board.
-Terror is an emotion which, when experienced, results in death.
-The pox was a disease notorious for having killed one-third, rounded up, of Europe’s population. Smallpox, on the other hand, killed only a single person.
-A person riding a horse cannot be stopped by foot soldiers, large animals, walls, archers, or even catapults.
More facts of magic
4 Experiment One
4 Cloudfin Raptor
4 Lotleth Troll
4 Shambleshark
4 Dreg Mangler
4 (hopefully yet-to-be spoiled 3 drop with evolve that's not Elusive Krasis)
4 Corpsejack Menace
4 Abrupt Decay
4 Simic Charm
Land
4 Breeding Pool
4 Watery Grave
4 Ovegrown Tomb
5 Forest
5 Island
2 Swamp
4 Rakdos Cackler
4 Dryad Militant
4 Legion Loyalist
4 Boros Charm
4 Skull Crack
4 Aurelia's Fury
24 Lands
Good draw:
T1: Cackler
T2: Boros Elite, Dryad Militant, 18
T3: Legion Loyalist, 10. End of opponent's turn, Boros Charm for 4, 6
T4: Aurelia's Fury to tap a blocker and deal 1 damage, swing through another blocker: 0.
"Nut draw:"
T1: Boros Elite
T2: Boros Elite, Boros Elite, 19
T3: Boros Elite, Boros Charm, 6
T4: Spark Trooper, -12
Could be good, but I think it needs something like Lightning bolt to really take off. Gotta have some way to clear out any early 3/3's from Selesnya.
-Terror is an emotion which, when experienced, results in death.
-The pox was a disease notorious for having killed one-third, rounded up, of Europe’s population. Smallpox, on the other hand, killed only a single person.
-A person riding a horse cannot be stopped by foot soldiers, large animals, walls, archers, or even catapults.
More facts of magic
-Terror is an emotion which, when experienced, results in death.
-The pox was a disease notorious for having killed one-third, rounded up, of Europe’s population. Smallpox, on the other hand, killed only a single person.
-A person riding a horse cannot be stopped by foot soldiers, large animals, walls, archers, or even catapults.
More facts of magic
I'm definitely sticking with control, I'm not scared of Boros, it can't be that much worse than Rakdos, even with Boros Charm and Medic.
If there's too much haste, I guess Blind Obedience can be very interesting, also doubling up as a win condition on the long term... too bad most Extort is stacked on crappy creatures, having a 2nd extort enchantment could have been neat in control.
Not sure if Aetherize is playable but I think it's worth a try against aggro. It ignores indestructibility and regeneration and it's instant speed. It's also very good against tokens.
Esper Control sounds awesome but losing Selesnya Charm and Armada Wurm is sad. I want to try to keep the green here with the new shocklands and possibly the Gatecreepers for mana fixing. This opens the door to Abrupt Decay and possibly Vraska.
Otherwise, the black brings Obzedat and Merciless Evinction.
In standard those kind of lists win with Jace or the Inistrad land that mills.. I wonder how Mind Grind would do.. possibly backed with Psychic Strike and Psychic Spiral.
This is going to be a fun block.
4 Experiment One
4 Cloudfin Raptor
4 Lotleth Troll
4 Shambleshark
4 Thrill-Kill Assassin
4 Dreg Mangler
4 Corpsejack Menace
2 Prime Speaker Zegana
4 Abrupt Decay
4 Simic Charm
2 Golgari Charm
Land - 24
4 Breeding Pool
4 Watery Grave
4 Ovegrown Tomb
4 Forest
2 Island
2 Swamp
4 Dimir Guildgate