There's a slight reanimation theme here. Occasionally everything will come together and I'll get a turn 5 Abhorrent overlord. Either way, I can normally get to 7 mana by stalling with deathtouch guys and Gray Merchant. You don't really need nykthos to do it. Emissary is very good - you can't kill it with lightning strike. Overlord is very good; it's unbeatable with whip out. It's very feasible to win by recurring gray merchant a few times.
The sideboard needs some work. Keepsake Gorgon is for the GR monstrous deck. Viper's kiss is also good against GR monstrous, as well as taking care of cavalry pegasus and that crazy white 2 drop. It's also an Agent of Fates activation in a pinch. I need hero's demise against GR and decks with Ashiok. I want to put Erebos in there for the mirror - lifegain from whip and merchant is very relevant.
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 been eyeballing a mono black list myself. I've seen the first posted results from THS block on MTGO and see the two 3-1 black decks use 3x Erebos. How do you folks feel about the 3 Erebos?
Thoughts?
I haven't played any THS block yet. FNM is just that so I get to jump in head first ;-)
What's the temple of silence for? I don't think I'd play duals just to scry. The rest looks like a good 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.
So after extensive testing and brewing this week with multiple lists and configurations these are my findings:
Tier 1 Decks - Should be the Competitive Forum Decks.
Red Green Satyr Manaramp
White Red Heroic Aggro
Mono Black Devotion
White Red Elspeth Control
Tier 1.5 Decks - Almost, but not quite there yet.
White Blue Heroic
Black Blue Heroic
Green splash Red Devotion
Tier 2 Decks - Has potential.
Black Green Midrange
Black Red Minotaur Aggro
Mono Red Aggro
White Green Bestow
Tier 3 Decks - Not Competitive.
Junk Reanimation
Mono Blue Devotion
Blue Black Control
Blue Green Tempo
Blue Red Control
Mono White Weenie/Devotion
A lot of decks are verging on competitive but suffer from one of two problems: Terrible manabase if the colour combination lacks Scry lands (eg. White Blue Heroic), or just don't have the card interactions yet.
I'm very excited for what the rest of the block will do to the format.
So after extensive testing and brewing this week with multiple lists and configurations these are my findings:
Tier 1 Decks - Should be the Competitive Forum Decks.
Red Green Satyr Manaramp
White Red Heroic Aggro
Mono Black Devotion
White Red Elspeth Control
Tier 1.5 Decks - Almost, but not quite there yet.
White Blue Heroic
Black Blue Heroic
Green splash Red Devotion
Tier 2 Decks - Has potential.
Black Green Midrange
Black Red Minotaur Aggro
Mono Red Aggro
White Green Bestow
Tier 3 Decks - Not Competitive.
Junk Reanimation
Mono Blue Devotion
Blue Black Control
Blue Green Tempo
Blue Red Control
Mono White Weenie/Devotion
A lot of decks are verging on competitive but suffer from one of two problems: Terrible manabase if the colour combination lacks Scry lands (eg. White Blue Heroic), or just don't have the card interactions yet.
I'm very excited for what the rest of the block will do to the format.
What about Big Boros? It has placed several times and is very good. Smashes aggro and has a good/decent matchup with ramp.f
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... proceed to crawl up the wall in crab position with your head hanging backwards until you reach the ceiling. Once you are there, start screaming "For the Glory of Satan" while blood seeps out of your eye sockets (bonus points if they land on her desk).
Generally works for me in those kinds of situations.
I've been eyeballing a mono black list myself. I've seen the first posted results from THS block on MTGO and see the two 3-1 black decks use 3x Erebos. How do you folks feel about the 3 Erebos?
Thoughts?
I haven't played any THS block yet. FNM is just that so I get to jump in head first ;-)
It's very rough, but it's a start. Open to suggestions.
I think I want Keepsake Gorgon instead of return from the underworld or another spell to trigger Agent of Fates.
I play 2 Erebos in main and 1 in sideboard in my list and it works out pretty well. I bring in the 3rd for mirror matches, the black lists can put themselves to 10 or 12 and stopping lifegain really hurts them. Against aggro though I've begun siding them out. Overall the 2-1 split feels right for the moment.
Oh sorry didnt see Red White Elspeth Control on the list.
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... proceed to crawl up the wall in crab position with your head hanging backwards until you reach the ceiling. Once you are there, start screaming "For the Glory of Satan" while blood seeps out of your eye sockets (bonus points if they land on her desk).
Generally works for me in those kinds of situations.
I play 2 Erebos in main and 1 in sideboard in my list and it works out pretty well. I bring in the 3rd for mirror matches, the black lists can put themselves to 10 or 12 and stopping lifegain really hurts them. Against aggro though I've begun siding them out. Overall the 2-1 split feels right for the moment.
2 Erebos worked out well for me @ FNM. I opted not to run the Keepsake Gorgons in the SB & went with Cutthroat maneuver. I took 3rd place with my only loss coming from a R/G rampy monster deck that went 3. Game 3 I drew 12 lands even after sending 3 to the bottom with RTB. It happens Will definitely keep working with the deck as there wasn't a single matchup that was unwinnable.
There were 3 red/white/black decks in the top 8 of the premier, i'm sure the decklists will get posted soon. It plays all high impact cards (downfall, anger, elspeth), but the mana is horrendous.
I've argued with people over the number of cards in a deck many times, and I feel that having a high number of "good cards" is better than having a small number of "really good" cards. I laugh at the people who argue that with a smaller deck you're more likely to draw what you need, because if you get in that situation you're gonna NOT end up drawing it many many more times than you would.
R/W Elspeth Control seems interesting. Red has cheap removal with support from Chained to the Rocls, and you have Elspeth + Stormbreath at the top end of the curve. Ember Swallower will also probably be played, as it's a 4-drop with Theros' magic toughness number and can trade all day.
Hell you could even probably play Yoked Ox in here to stall all the Heroic decks that'll pop up, but that's wishful thinking..
Hell you could even probably play Yoked Ox in here to stall all the Heroic decks that'll pop up, but that's wishful thinking..[/COLOR][/FONT]
don't worry, the heroic aggro decks are awful and I don't expect them to make up a significant part of the meta going forward. They're like agro-combo decks, needing heavily synergistic draws to work and are ridiculously easily disrupted by anything from burn to thoughtsieze to the wrong type of blocker to having to mulligan at all. and they just fold to the pro-white dragon once they get disrupted off their early aggro plan. you dont need to go deep to beat that deck, just play the cards you'd be playing anyway (burn which is still good vs satyrs, and other all-purpose disruption).
I hate that they went away though. It seems like the meta has warped into 2 decks. I know brewers out there can find a use for blue.. right? right?
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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 hate that they went away though. It seems like the meta has warped into 2 decks. I know brewers out there can find a use for blue.. right? right?
ashiok's great against both RG and big boros/BWR control, I'm pretty sure we'll be seeing some more blue decks soon. There's one 4-0 UB list already, I doubt it'll be the only one.
I do agree that it's a bit of a shame the cheap aggro deck is so bad, but it's certainly a change from the last block format and the first half of ISD (sans virtue/souls).
I like there to be a cheep aggro deck in the 3-1 spot. Can't really win premiers but a better pilot can pack out in the dailies. It gives people who want to play block but not invest something to do and possibly put more into block.
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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.
R/W Elspeth Control seems interesting. Red has cheap removal with support from Chained to the Rocls, and you have Elspeth + Stormbreath at the top end of the curve. Ember Swallower will also probably be played, as it's a 4-drop with Theros' magic toughness number and can trade all day.
Hell you could even probably play Yoked Ox in here to stall all the Heroic decks that'll pop up, but that's wishful thinking..
Most of these type of control decks on MTGO also add black for Thoughtseize, Hero's Downfall, and Read the Bones. The deck does really well against R/G and is maybe the best deck in the format.
I've taken my Naya list against UB control and had success. Im looking for play testers on MTGO. I play Sunday, Monday and Thursday nights primarily.
I have Naya, RG, Rw, Red, and UW built and ready to go. Also I do some streaming and recording for youtube so it would be cool to go against some players that don't quit out after 4 turns.
don't worry, the heroic aggro decks are awful and I don't expect them to make up a significant part of the meta going forward. They're like agro-combo decks, needing heavily synergistic draws to work and are ridiculously easily disrupted by anything from burn to thoughtsieze to the wrong type of blocker to having to mulligan at all. and they just fold to the pro-white dragon once they get disrupted off their early aggro plan. you dont need to go deep to beat that deck, just play the cards you'd be playing anyway (burn which is still good vs satyrs, and other all-purpose disruption).
That's true, but I'm guessing that a number of people will want to try it out just because it looks promising. Locally, at least. I agree though, it's more aggro-combo than straight-up aggro.
Quote from Tarpan »
Most of these type of control decks on MTGO also add black for Thoughtseize, Hero's Downfall, and Read the Bones. The deck does really well against R/G and is maybe the best deck in the format.
The black splash seems great, though I'm a bit concerned about the manabase (goes for any 3-color deck in the block) - how has it been working out? WBR has access to a maximum 8 taplands right now. Is the slowness acceptable given how aggro decks don't look that fast here? I don't play on MODO, so I'm not sure where to turn yet for Block lists.
I've taken my Naya list against UB control and had success. Im looking for play testers on MTGO. I play Sunday, Monday and Thursday nights primarily.
modo user: milhouse02
I am up for some playtesting on thursdays. I stream on thursdays as well, and maybe on weekends if I ever have time, but my project course doesn't leave much of that. I have most of the heroic variants built. My modo username is Aphesisbliss. I can be on about 6 pm CST.
The black splash seems great, though I'm a bit concerned about the manabase (goes for any 3-color deck in the block) - how has it been working out? WBR has access to a maximum 8 taplands right now. Is the slowness acceptable given how aggro decks don't look that fast here? I don't play on MODO, so I'm not sure where to turn yet for Block lists.
I am still trying to decide if the deck is a RW list splash black, or a RB list splash white. I am leaning towards RB splash white, essentially for Elspeth and chained to the rocks. Since they have two sets of duals there is a lot of filtering present which really helps these control decks shine with minimal card draw spells. Check the modo daily results to keep an eye on the metagame.
3 Pharika's Cure
4 Read the Bones
4 Agent of the Fates
3 Nighthowler
3 Whip of Erebos
4 Erebos's Emissary
4 Gray Merchant of Asphodel
4 Abhorrent Overlord
24 Swamp
2 Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx
4 Viper's Kiss
1 Pharika's Cure
4 Hero's Demise
4 Keepsake Gorgon
2 Opaline Unicorn
There's a slight reanimation theme here. Occasionally everything will come together and I'll get a turn 5 Abhorrent overlord. Either way, I can normally get to 7 mana by stalling with deathtouch guys and Gray Merchant. You don't really need nykthos to do it. Emissary is very good - you can't kill it with lightning strike. Overlord is very good; it's unbeatable with whip out. It's very feasible to win by recurring gray merchant a few times.
The sideboard needs some work. Keepsake Gorgon is for the GR monstrous deck. Viper's kiss is also good against GR monstrous, as well as taking care of cavalry pegasus and that crazy white 2 drop. It's also an Agent of Fates activation in a pinch. I need hero's demise against GR and decks with Ashiok. I want to put Erebos in there for the mirror - lifegain from whip and merchant is very relevant.
-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
Thoughts?
I haven't played any THS block yet. FNM is just that so I get to jump in head first ;-)
This is where I am at:
3 Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx
17 Swamp
4 Temple of Silence
Creatures
4 Baleful Eidolon
2 Erebos, God of the Dead
4 Gray Merchant of Asphodel
2 Abhorrent Overlord
2 Nighthowler
3 Agent of the Fates
1 Hythonia the Cruel
4 Hero's Downfall
4 Pharika's Cure
4 Read the Bones
4 Thoughtseize
2 Whip of Erebos
4 Dark Betrayal
1 Hythonia the Cruel
2 Keepsake Gorgon
4 Viper's Kiss
4 Tormented Hero
It's very rough, but it's a start. Open to suggestions.
I think I want Keepsake Gorgon instead of return from the underworld or another spell to trigger Agent of Fates.
-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
What can I say... I likes to scry
After states, release events and such the scry lands have grown on me. I may cut them after FNM, but for now I'll give them a whirl correct or not.
Tier 1 Decks - Should be the Competitive Forum Decks.
Tier 1.5 Decks - Almost, but not quite there yet.
Tier 2 Decks - Has potential.
Tier 3 Decks - Not Competitive.
A lot of decks are verging on competitive but suffer from one of two problems: Terrible manabase if the colour combination lacks Scry lands (eg. White Blue Heroic), or just don't have the card interactions yet.
I'm very excited for what the rest of the block will do to the format.
What about Big Boros? It has placed several times and is very good. Smashes aggro and has a good/decent matchup with ramp.f
Generally works for me in those kinds of situations.
I play 2 Erebos in main and 1 in sideboard in my list and it works out pretty well. I bring in the 3rd for mirror matches, the black lists can put themselves to 10 or 12 and stopping lifegain really hurts them. Against aggro though I've begun siding them out. Overall the 2-1 split feels right for the moment.
Theros Myth Origins Part 1 WUBRG Part 2 GRBUW Born of the Gods
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Momir Basic Primer
Full article list
That's what I'd classify as Red White Elspeth control on the list. Finishing with Stormbreath Dragon, Ember Swallower, etc. Controlling the board with Chain to the Rocks, Anger of the Gods, etc. Definitely Tier 1.
Oh sorry didnt see Red White Elspeth Control on the list.
Generally works for me in those kinds of situations.
2 Erebos worked out well for me @ FNM. I opted not to run the Keepsake Gorgons in the SB & went with Cutthroat maneuver. I took 3rd place with my only loss coming from a R/G rampy monster deck that went 3. Game 3 I drew 12 lands even after sending 3 to the bottom with RTB. It happens Will definitely keep working with the deck as there wasn't a single matchup that was unwinnable.
Every Premier Event and one Daily of each type gets posted there.
11 Forest
3 Mountain
2 Plains
4 Temple of Abandon
4 Temple of Triumphlands
Creatures (21)
2 Arbor Colossus
4 Boon Satyr
3 Polukranos, World Eater
4 Stormbreath Dragon
4 Sylvan Caryatid
4 Voyaging Satyr
2 Bow of Nylea
2 Divine Verdict
4 Elspeth, Sun’s Champion
4 Lightning Strike
3 Xenagos, the Reveler
2 Chained to the Rocks
2 Demolish
2 Destructive Revelry
2 Glare of Heresy
2 Hunt the Hunter
2 Peak Eruption
2 Sedge Scorpion
1 Time to Feed
Im not crazy about the sideboard so it could use some work.
Thanks much
yeah, i don't think you can play chained to the rocks on 3 mountains can you? even with all that scry.
Hell you could even probably play Yoked Ox in here to stall all the Heroic decks that'll pop up, but that's wishful thinking..
don't worry, the heroic aggro decks are awful and I don't expect them to make up a significant part of the meta going forward. They're like agro-combo decks, needing heavily synergistic draws to work and are ridiculously easily disrupted by anything from burn to thoughtsieze to the wrong type of blocker to having to mulligan at all. and they just fold to the pro-white dragon once they get disrupted off their early aggro plan. you dont need to go deep to beat that deck, just play the cards you'd be playing anyway (burn which is still good vs satyrs, and other all-purpose disruption).
ashiok's great against both RG and big boros/BWR control, I'm pretty sure we'll be seeing some more blue decks soon. There's one 4-0 UB list already, I doubt it'll be the only one.
I do agree that it's a bit of a shame the cheap aggro deck is so bad, but it's certainly a change from the last block format and the first half of ISD (sans virtue/souls).
Most of these type of control decks on MTGO also add black for Thoughtseize, Hero's Downfall, and Read the Bones. The deck does really well against R/G and is maybe the best deck in the format.
I have Naya, RG, Rw, Red, and UW built and ready to go. Also I do some streaming and recording for youtube so it would be cool to go against some players that don't quit out after 4 turns.
modo user: milhouse02
That's true, but I'm guessing that a number of people will want to try it out just because it looks promising. Locally, at least. I agree though, it's more aggro-combo than straight-up aggro.
The black splash seems great, though I'm a bit concerned about the manabase (goes for any 3-color deck in the block) - how has it been working out? WBR has access to a maximum 8 taplands right now. Is the slowness acceptable given how aggro decks don't look that fast here? I don't play on MODO, so I'm not sure where to turn yet for Block lists.
I am up for some playtesting on thursdays. I stream on thursdays as well, and maybe on weekends if I ever have time, but my project course doesn't leave much of that. I have most of the heroic variants built. My modo username is Aphesisbliss. I can be on about 6 pm CST.
I am still trying to decide if the deck is a RW list splash black, or a RB list splash white. I am leaning towards RB splash white, essentially for Elspeth and chained to the rocks. Since they have two sets of duals there is a lot of filtering present which really helps these control decks shine with minimal card draw spells. Check the modo daily results to keep an eye on the metagame.