I just played a few matches vs White Eldrazi and lost over and over again. By far the worst matchup I've encountered. Much worse than normal Eldrazi. I thought Blessed Alliance would be a way to defend against it. It's still ridiculously bad with Displacer and the Thalia 2.0, and Wastelands. I felt like I've had good matchups vs the whole field, though D&T and Delver are hard-fought and I'm not sure which is favored.
LEGACY: Soldier Stompy WW // Blue Stompy UU // Fit Variants BGRW // Sol Land Brews BGRUWC MODERN: Pure Pili-ness GU // Red Devotion RR // Green Devotion Variants GRWUG // U/G Emerge CGU // Lots and Lots of Brews BGRUWC
Also, had anyone played with Spirit of the Labyrinth in the sideboard? Is it good? I'm running Blessed Alliance in the sideboard now because I think it could be great TNN and Stompy decks. Mostly for White Eldrazi because it's a bad matchup but if the metagame in Japan doesn't have it I'll replace it.
LEGACY: Soldier Stompy WW // Blue Stompy UU // Fit Variants BGRW // Sol Land Brews BGRUWC MODERN: Pure Pili-ness GU // Red Devotion RR // Green Devotion Variants GRWUG // U/G Emerge CGU // Lots and Lots of Brews BGRUWC
From this article on mtggoldfish: "In terms of other lists, although it didn't make Top 8, Soldier Stompy made a powerful run through the tournament. The deck certainly has a lot of amazing tools now thanks to Thalia, Heretic Cathar and Recruiter of the Guard. I'd love to have the list of Mike Gouthro, who ended up being featured. If anyone could get in contact with me about that, it would be much appreciated!"
YEah, he was 7-1 with the deck at eternal weekend tournament.
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LEGACY: Soldier Stompy WW // Blue Stompy UU // Fit Variants BGRW // Sol Land Brews BGRUWC MODERN: Pure Pili-ness GU // Red Devotion RR // Green Devotion Variants GRWUG // U/G Emerge CGU // Lots and Lots of Brews BGRUWC
I would like the list too. It will surface at some point........
On Eldrazi, I use the Charioteers and Eesha, Displacer can't target the latter, and they have to spend a chunk to displace. They are fast as hell, of course.
It is not an easy match, but Charioteers are not bad in the match- chumping on the ground and beating in the air is a way to win. We can't beat every deck. Ghostly prison would slow them down, if you have space.
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Storm is a good matchup but as long as its being pushed down the format gets more fair which makes this deck better. Essentially Storm being bad helps this deck.
Ballyrush seems to be the preference card thats for sure. At worst its Chrome Mox bait and its best its lets you chain. So why not play it?
My biggest concern is how bad SFM has been with Suppression. The more games I play I am realizing its not what I want to be doing and prefer more 1 of's. Time to move on.
I also feel there is to much "local" meta talk and preference on cards but I just play what wins the most and nothing more. I try all to see and dictate my decisions accordingly. So this goes right back to the Ballyrush thing :).
I feel the following cards are a must in the SB:
3 GY hate - RIP is best in the game but I can get someone running Macabre for being on the draw.
2 Crackdown - MVP SB card
2 Thorn of Amethyst - Allows 18 "win cards" wanna go to 4 and I get why but I think 2 is perfect.
2 Disenchants *1 like 1 Disenchant and 1 Relic-Warder to be tutored* but also like Cloudchaser if only it hit Artifacts :(.
1 Palace Jailer - SNT - Fair decks - Eldz.
so that leaves 5 Flexibility slots:
Cards I lose to the most to that I want answers too:
1) TNN - Guy blanks Jailer and just hurts this deck so much (DnT's biggest fear also) when he resolves your playing from behind with little evasion and this Mefolk Rogue getting a uptick in play then its time to dedicate to him.
2) Batterskull - While not as bad as TNN again he is so hard to attack into and block etc...
3) Moat - **** Eldrazi? seriously this anti Draz hits us HARD as well.
4) Terminus - Ok had to put this on the list but we can move on and get its just a hit or die for miracles.
5) Shardless Bug/JUNK decks and that bloody 1-2 of Toxic Deluge
6) MOM/other creature decks evasion - She is what we lack along with some sort of evasion from the skies.
7) Elves but ya we are just gonna lose that one like DnT.
8) Eldrazi sometimes overpowers us and we lack removal
9) a fast Leige
Current flex spots vs those 8:
We can do nothing vs wrath effects so just move on from that
We have should always 2 Disenchants but might look towards more for vs Moat/BS (DnT seeing a uptick for a reason)
1 Counsil's Judgement - Hits ALL issues
2 Swords to Plowshares - A less costly CJ that misses TNN but comes in a lot vs most matches especially where Chalice is terrible.
1 Holy Light
These answer most of those cards we lose to the last card is kinda open: Cards I like: Winter Orb/Revoker/Celestial Flare/Ratchet Bomb/another Disenchant/Jitte/Warmth/Kor Firewalker
I have not tested Blessed Alliance but its VERY flexible so I am going to try 2 and see hows it performs over the Judgement and last flex spot.
Once they get Recruiter/Palace Jailer on MODO ill be able to play this even more against somewhat higher level players.
You can't play "what wins the most", you can only play and beat what is in front of you, and design your deck to do that accordingly.
Nobody is going to change their deck to suit somebody else's development needs, for obvious reasons. They want to beat what is in front of them. There are no "objectively better cards". There is no mythical representative balanced meta. There is no "in a vacuum". Every format has decks designed to beat what other people are playing. Legacy has more variations in that but it is still the same principle as people move decks more slowly due to card availability.
On Ballyrush "it lets you chain" is not enough- because you would win those matches anyway. It never comes down t1 because I will always pitch it to a mox t2 to play a S field, Thalia or Chalice, which tells you something about the card.
Redroc's logic on it is sound- by the time you cast it you could have a Warchief with the same discount and pump. If you cast it early you are making a non disruptive play.
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I'd say the only reason to put in Ballyrush is because it provides some insurance against Wasteland, and since that card is all over the place, and Stompy decks can be very weak to Wasteland depending on the hand. Again, I'd only run as a one of. That gives me 3 sources with Recruiter to help me bounce back after a Wasteland. It's just not worth it though, if playing against Wastelands it just makes sense to try to play around them.
I'm thinking about removing the Karakas to make the deck a little less vulnerable to Wasteland.
LEGACY: Soldier Stompy WW // Blue Stompy UU // Fit Variants BGRW // Sol Land Brews BGRUWC MODERN: Pure Pili-ness GU // Red Devotion RR // Green Devotion Variants GRWUG // U/G Emerge CGU // Lots and Lots of Brews BGRUWC
I think I just found some potentially great additions to help us vs some problematic creature decks. Haazda Shield-Mate is Recruitable, it CAN be used to prevent TNN damage, and it is obviously good against any decks with big beaters. It can be used as soon as it enters the battlefield if you have spare white mana available. Peacekeeper might be the defensive card of choice.
One of it's strongest uses could be against Stoneforge decks, as it can do some work preventing Jitte from going online and also deal with Batterskull attacks.
I'm just a bit worried about the intense white mana requirement.
Another potential card is Lowland Tracker. A first striker with Provoke that can be pumped up could be great at killing creatures. Again, it can be Recruited and that's very important IMO. It's a bit slow to be effective vs White Eldrazi though. It's ok vs any deck running Snapcaster or Delve cards or Goyf, but not worth a mainboard cut.
I will be testing both of these. It hurts, but because of the intense mana requirements from Haazda, I think it just won't be viable. It's not even an issue paying 2 mana a turn, but having to have at least 3 white mana available is not reliable already and I definitely will rarely be able to cast other spells. So I actually have much higher for Lowland Tracker now that I've thought about it more. It's not as good a card I think, but it could be great vs some grindy creature based matchups.
Also, Ghostly Prison might be a good card, it was in the sideboard in the Eternal Weekend 7-2 deck.
Blessed Alliance has been great, and is now a definite inclusion in my sideboard. Currently have 2 there.
It seems like Dredge is very rare these days, at least on Cockatrice, if I don't expect to see it at a tourny, then I might just cut the RIP. I board it in vs Dredge, Storm and some kind of Abzan or Jund deck, other than that, it's useless. It' s ok vs any deck running Snapcaster, Delve creatures, or Goyf, but not worth a cut.
Can anyone help me find out what the metagame is in Japan?
LEGACY: Soldier Stompy WW // Blue Stompy UU // Fit Variants BGRW // Sol Land Brews BGRUWC MODERN: Pure Pili-ness GU // Red Devotion RR // Green Devotion Variants GRWUG // U/G Emerge CGU // Lots and Lots of Brews BGRUWC
Umm, I find it hard to believe I overlooked Mirror Entity all this time, I'm sure I must have thought of it at some point. It's a Soldier, Recruitable, and with fast mana can make our dudes ENORMOUS!!! Definitely testing this card and I have super high hopes, even for mainboard.
Also, when Selfless Squire is legal, I think I will be adding it to the sideboard. It seems amazing, especially when behind, versus some of the creature decks we can struggle with.
Also, Idyllic Tutor is worth looking at. It gives an additional source of SField in the matches that it really matters, like Lands and D&T, and it also fetches RIP and Crackdown and Aegis of the Gods (although this card has been disappointing vs Wish Storm decks so I may remove it) and makes adding a single Ghostly Prison more appealing.
LEGACY: Soldier Stompy WW // Blue Stompy UU // Fit Variants BGRW // Sol Land Brews BGRUWC MODERN: Pure Pili-ness GU // Red Devotion RR // Green Devotion Variants GRWUG // U/G Emerge CGU // Lots and Lots of Brews BGRUWC
Yeah we ran a full Enlightened Tutor sideboard in D&T for years, and you still see the occasional ETutor. Idyllic would be wonderful as well, but I'm wondering how far you'd lean into it. You also get Seal of Cleansing for removal, Spirit of the Labyrinth for additional control avenues, etc.
Yeah we ran a full Enlightened Tutor sideboard in D&T for years, and you still see the occasional ETutor. Idyllic would be wonderful as well, but I'm wondering how far you'd lean into it. You also get Seal of Cleansing for removal, Spirit of the Labyrinth for additional control avenues, etc.
I don't like Etutor with Chalice, especially if I have Chalice on opening hand I want to cast it immediately vs D&T. Idyllic is the sweet 2W CC anyways that this deck is happy with. In regards to how much I lean into it; that will all depend upon the metagame. I'm constructing the best all-around sideboard, but it will inevitably change depending on metagame. The sideboard below probably won't ever be the sideboard I actually use in a tournament. Just for cockatrice. Although, since 50 percent of the field in any given tournament seems to be Rogue, using a well-rounded sideboard might be the best option. It's still extremely good vs any meta.
card updates: not happy with Mirror Entity or Lowland Tracker
Although I never see Dredge on Cockatrice, so I think I might just get rid of any arrangement specifically with that matchup in mind. Doesn't seem worth it to make our other matchups worse. Although that same package is also defends against Reanimator, which is not very common.
LEGACY: Soldier Stompy WW // Blue Stompy UU // Fit Variants BGRW // Sol Land Brews BGRUWC MODERN: Pure Pili-ness GU // Red Devotion RR // Green Devotion Variants GRWUG // U/G Emerge CGU // Lots and Lots of Brews BGRUWC
From what I have been told by a guy who moved to us from there, Japan is a bit less rogue than Europe- a lot of Delver strategies.
I am a big fan of Ghostly Prison. Peacekeeper is great in critterless decks where you can bring it in against Infect style strategies. That is not the case here, we need to attack, they won't be boarding out critter removal. It can buy time but the odds are we can't develop our board well enough to get an alpha when we let it go.
Honestly I would rather a Ghostly Prison and Runed Halo in the board..........
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Peacekeeper is potentially a bit faster than Ghostly Prison and we have more sources with two Recruiters. Against Eldrazi based stompy decks, especially on the draw, it's nice to have something to slow them down if we have a slow start and they're on a full-fledged facerush. Peacekeeper an also stall the board until we can find enough Daru Warchief's and CotW's to overpower.
I have found myself boarding it in a lot, it's surprising how much of a catch-all it is. Stopping Empty the Warrens, Emrakul, and any creature decks when behind on board. It's very nice insurance.
LEGACY: Soldier Stompy WW // Blue Stompy UU // Fit Variants BGRW // Sol Land Brews BGRUWC MODERN: Pure Pili-ness GU // Red Devotion RR // Green Devotion Variants GRWUG // U/G Emerge CGU // Lots and Lots of Brews BGRUWC
Against some decks its fine, those combo decks that won't bring in removal for it can find themselves really cold to it- Sneak and Show being a good example. Most hatebears and most Delver I think its a trap and I would not board it. "Any creature deck" is a bit of a wide catch all- most hatebear based critter decks (Maverick, D n T) run more creature removal (Swords to P, activated Jittes) than straight enchantment or artifact removal (Abrupt Decay doing both), they find it harder to remove Ghostly than Peacekeeper, so I would leave it in the board there as I suspect they will draw removal before I can equalise the board. Its certainly a valid choice, but for my meta now Ghostly is probably better, although both are possible.
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This is what I think is the start to the future of this deck. Though I still prefer Daru WC and Suppression (if I stopped using this I would just play DNT). Ballyrush and Recruiter are so good together and what I have been using to make a nice tool box SB going up to 3 Recruiters. Its plays the most clean.
I have been trying to use Sunstrike Legionnaire but its been so lackluster and so bad with Field.
@DalekXtrminator Well this decklist doesn't seems the most optimal to me, but it's definitely the most unique one I've seen. Amazing that you didn't play Suppression Field. I find it it interesting that it has such a low curve and allows you to play multiple creatures at once, much of the time.
- Catapult Squad seems not great to me, except vs Delver
- Palace Guard seem awful
- Sunstroke obviously too much of a nombo with Field to be worth it on it, and I'm surprised that you didn't run any Palace Jailer as removal.
- Parallax Wave is cool
- I don't understand a lot of your sideboard: Kor Firewalker, Path, Serenity mostly
- the fact that Thalia's effect on the board can last after it's death is quite nice
What would be your ideal decklist?
Things to note:
Daru Warchief and Jailer can be Recruited
I will test something similar to this minus a few cards plus a few cards at least just for fun.
I do appreciate the unique approach and completely altering things is definitely a method that can lead to positive innovation and improvement.
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LEGACY: Soldier Stompy WW // Blue Stompy UU // Fit Variants BGRW // Sol Land Brews BGRUWC MODERN: Pure Pili-ness GU // Red Devotion RR // Green Devotion Variants GRWUG // U/G Emerge CGU // Lots and Lots of Brews BGRUWC
@DalekXtrminator Well this decklist doesn't seems the most optimal to me, but it's definitely the most unique one I've seen. Amazing that you didn't play Suppression Field. I find it it interesting that it has such a low curve and allows you to play multiple creatures at once, much of the time.
- Catapult Squad seems not great to me, except vs Delver
- Palace Guard seem awful
- Sunstroke obviously too much of a nombo with Field to be worth it on it, and I'm surprised that you didn't run any Palace Jailer as removal.
- Parallax Wave is cool
- I don't understand a lot of your sideboard: Kor Firewalker, Path, Serenity mostly
- the fact that Thalia's effect on the board can last after it's death is quite nice
What would be your ideal decklist?
Things to note:
Daru Warchief and Jailer can be Recruited
I will test something similar to this minus a few cards plus a few cards at least just for fun.
I do appreciate the unique approach and completely altering things is definitely a method that can lead to positive innovation and improvement.
That's not my deck just showed up. I don't like the half human Lieutenant option personally but Bally and Recruiter I want that package for sure. Its why I can't fathom how people dislike Ballyrush. He lets you chain which is something decks like Goblins/Sliver/Fish *kinda equal tribal decks* can't do but have Vial which we don't.
Let's assume the Palace Guard is Jailer lol and that was a input error. Squad was on the early pages of this and could be good in this slightly more fair meta but again I prefer Suppression Field.
I was running 2 Swords to Plowshares a week ago before I tested and liked Blessed Alliance. They are great catch alls and helps in match ups like Lands or any fair deck really. I just hate them in conjunction with Chalice and Blessed has been straight Aj Styles. And I think Kor is good when your building around the Recruiter package. I also have 1 but it might be the first card I cut out of the board as Blessed helps so much vs Burn but also can do work vs Bolt based delver and dumb things like Goblins *not that they are dumb*.
This is my current build as of this morning but its not even 60% optimized:
I really don't want a 3rd subtype so I tried to keep it Solider then Cleric if possible to get max value out of Caverns. Well there is Horror but Revoker doesn't count.
The only other creature thats been good out of the board was Prelate but I felt in all match ups I liked it I already felt comfortable and didn't need it but a card I will continue to test.
I don't like Thalia's Lieutenant with all the non-humans. In that version, Field Marshal would be the replacement most likely, if not Daru Warchief, but because the low curve Field Marshall gets a louder shoutout. It also makes measley Banerret's into decent threats and same with Jailer.
I mentioned an issue with Ballyrush before, again, I do not want to be casting this early over anything else.
It's my least priority card to cast, and unless you have a very low curve, the chance of casting a couple creatures in a turn is low. The only potential I see it having is in a deck that forgoes CotW and maybe even Warchief and stays low to the ground. Casting a couple creatures later isn't necessarily better than casting a CotW or Daru anyways. Usually later in the game if the option presents itself, getting CotW on the battlefield is better thank anything else.
About the 3rd Subtype, you can just name Human with Cavern.
Aven Riftwatcher is the best alternative to Dawnbringer Charioteers I've seen, it might be better.
EDIT:
This is my take on the low curve Banneret build.
The Field Marshall is good vs creature decks, and the Warchief helps to chain more, provides more protection vs Wasteland, and the two toughness boost is more important than first strike sometimes. With all the Recruiters, getting to our sideboard hosers is extremely likely.
LEGACY: Soldier Stompy WW // Blue Stompy UU // Fit Variants BGRW // Sol Land Brews BGRUWC MODERN: Pure Pili-ness GU // Red Devotion RR // Green Devotion Variants GRWUG // U/G Emerge CGU // Lots and Lots of Brews BGRUWC
I think Shoal is better. It could actually be great in those close Tempo matchups. It's kill a creature and gains life at the same time. Also a free spell (or 1 mana with Thalia, though I tend to side Thalia 1.0 out in a few creature matches).
LEGACY: Soldier Stompy WW // Blue Stompy UU // Fit Variants BGRW // Sol Land Brews BGRUWC MODERN: Pure Pili-ness GU // Red Devotion RR // Green Devotion Variants GRWUG // U/G Emerge CGU // Lots and Lots of Brews BGRUWC
I think Shoal is better. It could actually be great in those close Tempo matchups. It's kill a creature and gains life at the same time. Also a free spell (or 1 mana with Thalia, though I tend to side Thalia 1.0 out in a few creature matches).
Neither of these cards are needed. I feel the Sideboard is already hard pressed for cards. We already have needed card disadvantage in Chrome Mox. Last thing we need is more that shenanigans.
Funny that last build you put was almost identical to the one I tried before the more current one. In the end I would no run less than 2 Captain of the Watch. It is clunky but its ability and power level outweighs its cost and flaws and with the 8 reduction package/4 sol/Chrome Mox/and of course her fellow captain its never really 6 cost very often.
And Marshal is redundant with FS and always felt bad. Never once did I like it and 4 Sol Lands are fine.
Nothing has really changed in the last week. Main has been fine and minor tweaking of the board. Leyline of the Void kinda feels better than RIP right now. Especially when Reanimator is showing up more B/R. Feels odd and off honestly and the only real reason I dislike it is you can't just bring in 1 vs like a Shardless like you can with RIP but it still might just be better and the few times I drew it after turn 1 like against Lands I pitched it to Chrome Mox. Its a all 4 or none kinda thing too.
Leyline of the Void is black, it's really bad. Faerie Macabre is a turn 0 interaction that isn't effected by Chancellor as well and you can fetch for it with Recruiter, it's much better than Leyline. If more GV decks start popping up I will include RIP too.
4 Leyline seems like such a waste of space, just to hate B/R Reanimator. Use Contaiment Priest and a mix of other hate-cards. I'm not sure if Banisher Priest is anyone better than Jailer really.
I played with low curve Ballyrush list and it's just seemed worse. CotW acts as card advantage because it is so impactful, and if I have in my opening I'm likely to pitch it to Chrome Mox first anyways as it's the highest CC card, but I won't feel so bad because I have a decent chance of drawing another. Sometimes in those grindy matches, when we are both basically top-decking, drawing a CotW can seal the deal.
The reason I had Marshall in the other list, was because I wanted to try your 4x Recruiter and 4x Ballyrush just for fun and it's nice to be able to make those guys useful in combat.
Shining Shoal is a card that would only play 1-of, but it could be good. Free spells are always good, and it's great tempo. Pitching a redundant legendary creature is not card disadvantage.
LEGACY: Soldier Stompy WW // Blue Stompy UU // Fit Variants BGRW // Sol Land Brews BGRUWC MODERN: Pure Pili-ness GU // Red Devotion RR // Green Devotion Variants GRWUG // U/G Emerge CGU // Lots and Lots of Brews BGRUWC
Leyline OTV is not bad, it is rather good in many decks. I do agree that it is, however, not essential for this deck unless the meta is full or BR reanimator.
We can t1 RIP or Containment Priest, can run Surgical Extraction etc. Sure, I fully accept that BR reanimator does a lot of discard and is faster than its blue cousin, but for every super turn when they go off t1 before we lay something there will be a t1 Supression Field on our side that stops them fetching and screws their calcs. That is MTG, sometimes games are unwinnable with what is drawn especially on the draw. A Leyline of Sanctity and more regular would be strong enough against BR reanimator- Sanctity to keep them off our back in terms of discard and protect our cards in hand. After all Iona is not stellar against a Karakas deck, Griselbrand is hard to activate with S field too. For my money BR reanimator is not here yet, so I am happy to run regular Priest and RIP effects only.
I would not use Farie Macabre, it interacts poorly with suppression field if you draw them in the wrong order.
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MODERN: Pure Pili-ness GU // Red Devotion RR // Green Devotion Variants GRWUG // U/G Emerge CGU // Lots and Lots of Brews BGRUWC
MODERN: Pure Pili-ness GU // Red Devotion RR // Green Devotion Variants GRWUG // U/G Emerge CGU // Lots and Lots of Brews BGRUWC
Does anyone knows what hes refering to?
MODERN: Pure Pili-ness GU // Red Devotion RR // Green Devotion Variants GRWUG // U/G Emerge CGU // Lots and Lots of Brews BGRUWC
On Eldrazi, I use the Charioteers and Eesha, Displacer can't target the latter, and they have to spend a chunk to displace. They are fast as hell, of course.
It is not an easy match, but Charioteers are not bad in the match- chumping on the ground and beating in the air is a way to win. We can't beat every deck. Ghostly prison would slow them down, if you have space.
Ballyrush seems to be the preference card thats for sure. At worst its Chrome Mox bait and its best its lets you chain. So why not play it?
My biggest concern is how bad SFM has been with Suppression. The more games I play I am realizing its not what I want to be doing and prefer more 1 of's. Time to move on.
I also feel there is to much "local" meta talk and preference on cards but I just play what wins the most and nothing more. I try all to see and dictate my decisions accordingly. So this goes right back to the Ballyrush thing :).
I feel the following cards are a must in the SB:
3 GY hate - RIP is best in the game but I can get someone running Macabre for being on the draw.
2 Crackdown - MVP SB card
2 Thorn of Amethyst - Allows 18 "win cards" wanna go to 4 and I get why but I think 2 is perfect.
2 Disenchants *1 like 1 Disenchant and 1 Relic-Warder to be tutored* but also like Cloudchaser if only it hit Artifacts :(.
1 Palace Jailer - SNT - Fair decks - Eldz.
so that leaves 5 Flexibility slots:
Cards I lose to the most to that I want answers too:
1) TNN - Guy blanks Jailer and just hurts this deck so much (DnT's biggest fear also) when he resolves your playing from behind with little evasion and this Mefolk Rogue getting a uptick in play then its time to dedicate to him.
2) Batterskull - While not as bad as TNN again he is so hard to attack into and block etc...
3) Moat - **** Eldrazi? seriously this anti Draz hits us HARD as well.
4) Terminus - Ok had to put this on the list but we can move on and get its just a hit or die for miracles.
5) Shardless Bug/JUNK decks and that bloody 1-2 of Toxic Deluge
6) MOM/other creature decks evasion - She is what we lack along with some sort of evasion from the skies.
7) Elves but ya we are just gonna lose that one like DnT.
8) Eldrazi sometimes overpowers us and we lack removal
9) a fast Leige
Current flex spots vs those 8:
We can do nothing vs wrath effects so just move on from that
We have should always 2 Disenchants but might look towards more for vs Moat/BS (DnT seeing a uptick for a reason)
1 Counsil's Judgement - Hits ALL issues
2 Swords to Plowshares - A less costly CJ that misses TNN but comes in a lot vs most matches especially where Chalice is terrible.
1 Holy Light
These answer most of those cards we lose to the last card is kinda open: Cards I like: Winter Orb/Revoker/Celestial Flare/Ratchet Bomb/another Disenchant/Jitte/Warmth/Kor Firewalker
I have not tested Blessed Alliance but its VERY flexible so I am going to try 2 and see hows it performs over the Judgement and last flex spot.
Once they get Recruiter/Palace Jailer on MODO ill be able to play this even more against somewhat higher level players.
Nobody is going to change their deck to suit somebody else's development needs, for obvious reasons. They want to beat what is in front of them. There are no "objectively better cards". There is no mythical representative balanced meta. There is no "in a vacuum". Every format has decks designed to beat what other people are playing. Legacy has more variations in that but it is still the same principle as people move decks more slowly due to card availability.
On Ballyrush "it lets you chain" is not enough- because you would win those matches anyway. It never comes down t1 because I will always pitch it to a mox t2 to play a S field, Thalia or Chalice, which tells you something about the card.
Redroc's logic on it is sound- by the time you cast it you could have a Warchief with the same discount and pump. If you cast it early you are making a non disruptive play.
I'm thinking about removing the Karakas to make the deck a little less vulnerable to Wasteland.
MODERN: Pure Pili-ness GU // Red Devotion RR // Green Devotion Variants GRWUG // U/G Emerge CGU // Lots and Lots of Brews BGRUWC
One of it's strongest uses could be against Stoneforge decks, as it can do some work preventing Jitte from going online and also deal with Batterskull attacks.
I'm just a bit worried about the intense white mana requirement.
Another potential card is Lowland Tracker. A first striker with Provoke that can be pumped up could be great at killing creatures. Again, it can be Recruited and that's very important IMO. It's a bit slow to be effective vs White Eldrazi though. It's ok vs any deck running Snapcaster or Delve cards or Goyf, but not worth a mainboard cut.
I will be testing both of these. It hurts, but because of the intense mana requirements from Haazda, I think it just won't be viable. It's not even an issue paying 2 mana a turn, but having to have at least 3 white mana available is not reliable already and I definitely will rarely be able to cast other spells. So I actually have much higher for Lowland Tracker now that I've thought about it more. It's not as good a card I think, but it could be great vs some grindy creature based matchups.
Also, Ghostly Prison might be a good card, it was in the sideboard in the Eternal Weekend 7-2 deck.
Blessed Alliance has been great, and is now a definite inclusion in my sideboard. Currently have 2 there.
It seems like Dredge is very rare these days, at least on Cockatrice, if I don't expect to see it at a tourny, then I might just cut the RIP. I board it in vs Dredge, Storm and some kind of Abzan or Jund deck, other than that, it's useless. It' s ok vs any deck running Snapcaster, Delve creatures, or Goyf, but not worth a cut.
Can anyone help me find out what the metagame is in Japan?
MODERN: Pure Pili-ness GU // Red Devotion RR // Green Devotion Variants GRWUG // U/G Emerge CGU // Lots and Lots of Brews BGRUWC
Also, when Selfless Squire is legal, I think I will be adding it to the sideboard. It seems amazing, especially when behind, versus some of the creature decks we can struggle with.
Also, Idyllic Tutor is worth looking at. It gives an additional source of SField in the matches that it really matters, like Lands and D&T, and it also fetches RIP and Crackdown and Aegis of the Gods (although this card has been disappointing vs Wish Storm decks so I may remove it) and makes adding a single Ghostly Prison more appealing.
MODERN: Pure Pili-ness GU // Red Devotion RR // Green Devotion Variants GRWUG // U/G Emerge CGU // Lots and Lots of Brews BGRUWC
2) Use the right number of each card.
3) Know your probabilities.
4) Print your deck lists; make yourself and your judges happier.
I don't like Etutor with Chalice, especially if I have Chalice on opening hand I want to cast it immediately vs D&T. Idyllic is the sweet 2W CC anyways that this deck is happy with. In regards to how much I lean into it; that will all depend upon the metagame. I'm constructing the best all-around sideboard, but it will inevitably change depending on metagame. The sideboard below probably won't ever be the sideboard I actually use in a tournament. Just for cockatrice. Although, since 50 percent of the field in any given tournament seems to be Rogue, using a well-rounded sideboard might be the best option. It's still extremely good vs any meta.
card updates: not happy with Mirror Entity or Lowland Tracker
Current sideboard:
Although I never see Dredge on Cockatrice, so I think I might just get rid of any arrangement specifically with that matchup in mind. Doesn't seem worth it to make our other matchups worse. Although that same package is also defends against Reanimator, which is not very common.
In that case, my sideboard will look like this:
MODERN: Pure Pili-ness GU // Red Devotion RR // Green Devotion Variants GRWUG // U/G Emerge CGU // Lots and Lots of Brews BGRUWC
2) Use the right number of each card.
3) Know your probabilities.
4) Print your deck lists; make yourself and your judges happier.
I am a big fan of Ghostly Prison. Peacekeeper is great in critterless decks where you can bring it in against Infect style strategies. That is not the case here, we need to attack, they won't be boarding out critter removal. It can buy time but the odds are we can't develop our board well enough to get an alpha when we let it go.
Honestly I would rather a Ghostly Prison and Runed Halo in the board..........
I have found myself boarding it in a lot, it's surprising how much of a catch-all it is. Stopping Empty the Warrens, Emrakul, and any creature decks when behind on board. It's very nice insurance.
MODERN: Pure Pili-ness GU // Red Devotion RR // Green Devotion Variants GRWUG // U/G Emerge CGU // Lots and Lots of Brews BGRUWC
This is what I think is the start to the future of this deck. Though I still prefer Daru WC and Suppression (if I stopped using this I would just play DNT). Ballyrush and Recruiter are so good together and what I have been using to make a nice tool box SB going up to 3 Recruiters. Its plays the most clean.
I have been trying to use Sunstrike Legionnaire but its been so lackluster and so bad with Field.
- Catapult Squad seems not great to me, except vs Delver
- Palace Guard seem awful
- Sunstroke obviously too much of a nombo with Field to be worth it on it, and I'm surprised that you didn't run any Palace Jailer as removal.
- Parallax Wave is cool
- I don't understand a lot of your sideboard: Kor Firewalker, Path, Serenity mostly
- the fact that Thalia's effect on the board can last after it's death is quite nice
What would be your ideal decklist?
Things to note:
Daru Warchief and Jailer can be Recruited
I will test something similar to this minus a few cards plus a few cards at least just for fun.
I do appreciate the unique approach and completely altering things is definitely a method that can lead to positive innovation and improvement.
MODERN: Pure Pili-ness GU // Red Devotion RR // Green Devotion Variants GRWUG // U/G Emerge CGU // Lots and Lots of Brews BGRUWC
That's not my deck just showed up. I don't like the half human Lieutenant option personally but Bally and Recruiter I want that package for sure. Its why I can't fathom how people dislike Ballyrush. He lets you chain which is something decks like Goblins/Sliver/Fish *kinda equal tribal decks* can't do but have Vial which we don't.
Let's assume the Palace Guard is Jailer lol and that was a input error. Squad was on the early pages of this and could be good in this slightly more fair meta but again I prefer Suppression Field.
I was running 2 Swords to Plowshares a week ago before I tested and liked Blessed Alliance. They are great catch alls and helps in match ups like Lands or any fair deck really. I just hate them in conjunction with Chalice and Blessed has been straight Aj Styles. And I think Kor is good when your building around the Recruiter package. I also have 1 but it might be the first card I cut out of the board as Blessed helps so much vs Burn but also can do work vs Bolt based delver and dumb things like Goblins *not that they are dumb*.
This is my current build as of this morning but its not even 60% optimized:
4 Ballyrush Banneret
4 Thalia, Heretic Cathar
2 Recruiter of the Guard
4 Preeminent Captain
4 Enlistment Officer
2 Palace Jailer
4 Daru Warchief
2 Captain of the Watch
4 Chalice of the Void
4 Suppression Field
4 Chrome Mox
4 Cavern of Souls
9 Plains
1 Karakas
2 Rest in Peace
2 Blessed Alliance
1 Crackdown
1 Thorn of Amethyst
1 Disenchant
1 Ghostly Prison
1 Recruiter of the Guard
1 Leonin Relic-Warder
1 Banisher Priest
1 Phyrexian Revoker
1 Ethersworn Canonist
1 Kor Firewalker
1 Faerie Macabre
I really don't want a 3rd subtype so I tried to keep it Solider then Cleric if possible to get max value out of Caverns. Well there is Horror but Revoker doesn't count.
The only other creature thats been good out of the board was Prelate but I felt in all match ups I liked it I already felt comfortable and didn't need it but a card I will continue to test.
I mentioned an issue with Ballyrush before, again, I do not want to be casting this early over anything else.
It's my least priority card to cast, and unless you have a very low curve, the chance of casting a couple creatures in a turn is low. The only potential I see it having is in a deck that forgoes CotW and maybe even Warchief and stays low to the ground. Casting a couple creatures later isn't necessarily better than casting a CotW or Daru anyways. Usually later in the game if the option presents itself, getting CotW on the battlefield is better thank anything else.
About the 3rd Subtype, you can just name Human with Cavern.
Aven Riftwatcher is the best alternative to Dawnbringer Charioteers I've seen, it might be better.
EDIT:
This is my take on the low curve Banneret build.
2 Karakas
6 Plains
4 Ancient Tomb
2 City of Traitors
4 Preeminent Captain
4 Enlistment Officer
4 Thalia, Guardian of Thraben
4 Chalice of the Void
4 Chrome Mox
4 Thalia, Heretic Cathar
4 Suppression Field
2 Palace Jailer
4 Ballyrush Banneret
4 Recruiter of the Guard
3 Daru Warchief
1 Field Marshal
The Field Marshall is good vs creature decks, and the Warchief helps to chain more, provides more protection vs Wasteland, and the two toughness boost is more important than first strike sometimes. With all the Recruiters, getting to our sideboard hosers is extremely likely.
MODERN: Pure Pili-ness GU // Red Devotion RR // Green Devotion Variants GRWUG // U/G Emerge CGU // Lots and Lots of Brews BGRUWC
I think Shoal is better. It could actually be great in those close Tempo matchups. It's kill a creature and gains life at the same time. Also a free spell (or 1 mana with Thalia, though I tend to side Thalia 1.0 out in a few creature matches).
MODERN: Pure Pili-ness GU // Red Devotion RR // Green Devotion Variants GRWUG // U/G Emerge CGU // Lots and Lots of Brews BGRUWC
Neither of these cards are needed. I feel the Sideboard is already hard pressed for cards. We already have needed card disadvantage in Chrome Mox. Last thing we need is more that shenanigans.
Funny that last build you put was almost identical to the one I tried before the more current one. In the end I would no run less than 2 Captain of the Watch. It is clunky but its ability and power level outweighs its cost and flaws and with the 8 reduction package/4 sol/Chrome Mox/and of course her fellow captain its never really 6 cost very often.
And Marshal is redundant with FS and always felt bad. Never once did I like it and 4 Sol Lands are fine.
4 Ballyrush Banneret
4 Thalia, Heretic Cathar
2 Recruiter of the Guard
4 Preeminent Captain
4 Enlistment Officer
2 Palace Jailer
4 Daru Warchief
2 Captain of the Watch
4 Suppression Field
4 Chrome Mox
4 Ancient Tomb
4 Cavern of Souls
9 Plains
1 Karakas
4 Leyline of the Void
2 Blessed Alliance
1 Crackdown
1 Ghostly Prison
1 Banisher Priest
1 Phyrexian Revoker
1 Leonin Relic-Warder
1 Disenchant
1 Thorn of Amethyst
1 Ethersworn Canonist
1 Flex *I have 3rd recruiter but really anything could work*
Nothing has really changed in the last week. Main has been fine and minor tweaking of the board. Leyline of the Void kinda feels better than RIP right now. Especially when Reanimator is showing up more B/R. Feels odd and off honestly and the only real reason I dislike it is you can't just bring in 1 vs like a Shardless like you can with RIP but it still might just be better and the few times I drew it after turn 1 like against Lands I pitched it to Chrome Mox. Its a all 4 or none kinda thing too.
4 Leyline seems like such a waste of space, just to hate B/R Reanimator. Use Contaiment Priest and a mix of other hate-cards. I'm not sure if Banisher Priest is anyone better than Jailer really.
I played with low curve Ballyrush list and it's just seemed worse. CotW acts as card advantage because it is so impactful, and if I have in my opening I'm likely to pitch it to Chrome Mox first anyways as it's the highest CC card, but I won't feel so bad because I have a decent chance of drawing another. Sometimes in those grindy matches, when we are both basically top-decking, drawing a CotW can seal the deal.
The reason I had Marshall in the other list, was because I wanted to try your 4x Recruiter and 4x Ballyrush just for fun and it's nice to be able to make those guys useful in combat.
Shining Shoal is a card that would only play 1-of, but it could be good. Free spells are always good, and it's great tempo. Pitching a redundant legendary creature is not card disadvantage.
MODERN: Pure Pili-ness GU // Red Devotion RR // Green Devotion Variants GRWUG // U/G Emerge CGU // Lots and Lots of Brews BGRUWC
We can t1 RIP or Containment Priest, can run Surgical Extraction etc. Sure, I fully accept that BR reanimator does a lot of discard and is faster than its blue cousin, but for every super turn when they go off t1 before we lay something there will be a t1 Supression Field on our side that stops them fetching and screws their calcs. That is MTG, sometimes games are unwinnable with what is drawn especially on the draw. A Leyline of Sanctity and more regular would be strong enough against BR reanimator- Sanctity to keep them off our back in terms of discard and protect our cards in hand. After all Iona is not stellar against a Karakas deck, Griselbrand is hard to activate with S field too. For my money BR reanimator is not here yet, so I am happy to run regular Priest and RIP effects only.
I would not use Farie Macabre, it interacts poorly with suppression field if you draw them in the wrong order.