Random comment, but can anyone else envision Maverick making a minor tourney comeback overall? From what I've seen and read, Maverick's biggest downfall has been the rise of our two toughest matchups - Miracles and Elves, plus a rise in a tough 50/50 matchup, BUG (i.e. the winner is whoever plays first). With greedy decks running 4x Treasure Cruise these days, I'm hoping we see less of our tough matchups and more of the greedy CA/GY-based matchups that we can prey on with a package consisting of 4x Thalia, 1-2x Teeg, 4x Wasteland+KotR (for CA/greedy mana bases) and Ooze/DRS for GY-centric decks. I hypothesize that this may well be the reason why DNT has been so successful (i.e. preying on greedy decks).
Actually I'm picking up Maverick again because of the Cruise greedy decks, but I'm definitely going to be packing RIP in the sideboard whenever I play it. DRS and Ooze go a long way Game 1, but post board you sometimes just need to lock out the 'yard entirely.
I sort of disagree with Elves an Miracles being the reason it dropped off, Elves was around in more or less the same form when Maverick was at its peak, and while it can be tough to beat, it wasn't the biggest concern since Elves lost badly to a lot of other decks at the time. In reality it was Sneak and Show and Miracles that did Maverick in. Miracles was and is still rough, but not unbeatable; Sneak and Show however is nearly impossible, they go over the Maverick gameplan faster than Maverick can stop it. Since there are fewer Sneak and Show decks around, Maverick can probably ease in a comeback, but I don't think it will ever really dominate the format again.
Actually I'm picking up Maverick again because of the Cruise greedy decks, but I'm definitely going to be packing RIP in the sideboard whenever I play it. DRS and Ooze go a long way Game 1, but post board you sometimes just need to lock out the 'yard entirely.
I sort of disagree with Elves an Miracles being the reason it dropped off, Elves was around in more or less the same form when Maverick was at its peak, and while it can be tough to beat, it wasn't the biggest concern since Elves lost badly to a lot of other decks at the time. In reality it was Sneak and Show and Miracles that did Maverick in. Miracles was and is still rough, but not unbeatable; Sneak and Show however is nearly impossible, they go over the Maverick gameplan faster than Maverick can stop it. Since there are fewer Sneak and Show decks around, Maverick can probably ease in a comeback, but I don't think it will ever really dominate the format again.
I don't think RIP does much against 'cruise decks. I had this discussion with a bunch of good players and MTG friends. Outside of TC, the deck doesn't need the grave. UR has trouble with efficient spot removal a la STP/PTE/Decay. I'll let them draw for days. They need business to hit me with when all is said and done.
Elves is just annoying. I lost over the weekend to a guy who luckily hardcasted hoof for lethal both games on like turn 4 both games despite me correctly dropping Teeg to disable his NO on turn 3. Utterly frustrating to lose to "well I just win anyway" lines of play. Miracles is disastrous. I've beaten it at SCG but lost to it waaaay too much recently. I am convinced I need LD like 'Geddon and some kind of dedicated CA engine that pumps out creatures (Elspeth 1.0 for example).
Sneak/Show is terrible if you don't plan on seeing it. Maverick actually has a decent matchup against it G1 due to KotR/Karakas. If you expect it to be in the meta, planning accordingly can help significantly improve your odds. But, like Elves, it's possible they just go "ummm I win through your hate. GG"
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
That which nourishes me, destroys me
10th at SCG: Syracuse (2014), GP:NJ Last-Chance Grinder Winner (2014):: Former Legacy Mod
I mean, hell, we're all on a forum for something that most people would describe as a "children's card game"...do what makes you happy. You are never too old to enjoy yourself.
I think SneakShow is relatively positive in Junk; mildly less here since you don't have Lily as a backup plan and miss interaction with their hand and such. I actually think S&T/Reanimator is one of the biggest reasons to play a KotR deck. Having 5 karakas, wasteland spam, and some hand interaction goes a long way.
Miracles, according to their primer, "Single-handedly put Maverick away" and my experience in KotR-Junk (which should be better than Mav's Miracles MU) is that it's just a terrible MU. Even with Bobs and Lilis they just cream you since your win cons are very vulnerable and your clock takes a bit to get going. By the time we're swinging for lethal (on a good start) they're getting ready to angel/jace you out after the next terminus (say, T7/T8.)
Actually I'm picking up Maverick again because of the Cruise greedy decks, but I'm definitely going to be packing RIP in the sideboard whenever I play it. DRS and Ooze go a long way Game 1, but post board you sometimes just need to lock out the 'yard entirely.
I sort of disagree with Elves an Miracles being the reason it dropped off, Elves was around in more or less the same form when Maverick was at its peak, and while it can be tough to beat, it wasn't the biggest concern since Elves lost badly to a lot of other decks at the time. In reality it was Sneak and Show and Miracles that did Maverick in. Miracles was and is still rough, but not unbeatable; Sneak and Show however is nearly impossible, they go over the Maverick gameplan faster than Maverick can stop it. Since there are fewer Sneak and Show decks around, Maverick can probably ease in a comeback, but I don't think it will ever really dominate the format again.
I don't think RIP does much against 'cruise decks. I had this discussion with a bunch of good players and MTG friends. Outside of TC, the deck doesn't need the grave. UR has trouble with efficient spot removal a la STP/PTE/Decay. I'll let them draw for days. They need business to hit me with when all is said and done.
Elves is just annoying. I lost over the weekend to a guy who luckily hardcasted hoof for lethal both games on like turn 4 both games despite me correctly dropping Teeg to disable his NO on turn 3. Utterly frustrating to lose to "well I just win anyway" lines of play. Miracles is disastrous. I've beaten it at SCG but lost to it waaaay too much recently. I am convinced I need LD like 'Geddon and some kind of dedicated CA engine that pumps out creatures (Elspeth 1.0 for example).
Sneak/Show is terrible if you don't plan on seeing it. Maverick actually has a decent matchup against it G1 due to KotR/Karakas. If you expect it to be in the meta, planning accordingly can help significantly improve your odds. But, like Elves, it's possible they just go "ummm I win through your hate. GG"
Story of my Maverick life...
Although I've never lost a series to Sneak and Show, I know I've lost a lot of playtest games to it. However, Miracles is the ever living death of me. I am actually running Armageddons in my side now just for the matchup and so far the geddons have annihilated a lot of decks that are 1-2 turns too slow as make themselves more reactive; but I have not drawn it vs Miracles.
Yea Miracles is horrendous. I think I need to bring in Geddons and Kgrips and Walkers just to break parity. Even then, a well-timed entreat is GG. I also suffer from "wherearemyhatecard"-itis against the deck. I'm thinking about dropping Light and Shadow from my staple build because that card isn't saving creatures. Batterskull has been a better all-around card, despite its cost. I am tempted to forgo 'Bskull as well for Elspeth or Heliod, God of the Sun. Heliod is something I can play for 4 mana under Teeg and Thalia because the god is a creature. Heliod's "everyone has vigilance" allows for KotR attacks + activations, which is nifty. It also lets you drop a small army of tokens if needed. Elspeth can end games but doesn't play well with Teeg/Thalia...and it's Teeg/Thalia who are keeping me in games lately.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
That which nourishes me, destroys me
10th at SCG: Syracuse (2014), GP:NJ Last-Chance Grinder Winner (2014):: Former Legacy Mod
I mean, hell, we're all on a forum for something that most people would describe as a "children's card game"...do what makes you happy. You are never too old to enjoy yourself.
I've been rocking one humility in my board and its done wonders against elves, show/tell, and reanimator among others. I've not considered the Armageddon approach against Miracles and that's something I feel like I can get behind.
Now the reason why I'm posting...
It seems like the national meta and my local meta have been seeing a sudden increase in U/R Cruise players. This is why I started considering Maverick again (I haven't played the deck since its peak and I miss it like a old high school crush). I've been playing BUG Delver for the past couple months and have toyed around with a few other things but it looks like there is no better time to be playing SfM, Scooze, Dr. Shaman and Thalia.
How does everyone feel the deck is positioned in this new meta? I know its early but the format is quickly adapting to a CA one.
On a side note...
I had a chance to chat with Herzog at an open about 6 months ago or so where we were both in top 8 contention at an SCG open (we both narrowly missed it I believe he finished 17th and I was 23rd). I was playing junk blade and he was playing Maverick. I was losing a little faith in the old Maverick build until I talked to that guy. He's got an aura of confidence about him that can rekindle the love of Maverick in anyone. I'm glad he keeps the deck's vein pumping and I'm even more excited that I found this forum. I've read countless pages and this community seems fantastic!
Made Top 8 in a very small event. Didn't earn byes for the GP :/
I honestly can't beat Miracles, however, going with my gut and packing Armageddon did win a game (tied the match R1).
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
That which nourishes me, destroys me
10th at SCG: Syracuse (2014), GP:NJ Last-Chance Grinder Winner (2014):: Former Legacy Mod
I mean, hell, we're all on a forum for something that most people would describe as a "children's card game"...do what makes you happy. You are never too old to enjoy yourself.
I know its wrong, but I always feel better when I'm not the only one who has a bad time versus Miracles.
Honestly it's next to impossible to win. I did it at 'Cuse and I haven't gotten lucky since. Game 1 he mulls to 4 and I still lost the attrition war. One of those days I guess. The pilot is a friend who is very very good at MTG, so I'm not complaining about luck. He just outright outplayed me. G2 I managed to pull a game 1. Game 3 we went to time where he undoubtedly would win if we had another 5 minutes (thank god we didn't)
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
That which nourishes me, destroys me
10th at SCG: Syracuse (2014), GP:NJ Last-Chance Grinder Winner (2014):: Former Legacy Mod
I mean, hell, we're all on a forum for something that most people would describe as a "children's card game"...do what makes you happy. You are never too old to enjoy yourself.
Junk has felt a bit underpowered to me lately so I thought I'd try something different, though I'm not even sure Punishing Fire is a good way to fight the Cruisers.
I usually don't play such greedy decks so the mana might be a bit wonky, I just eyeballed it. I went 4 color because I wanted a mana dork that could produce red to maximize Punishing Fire efficiency but Birds of Paradise doesn't seem great. SFM always underwhelms me so I'm trying Smiter instead...sometimes you just want to resolve a big dumb guy. Sideboard is kind of random right now but I like the idea of being able to play both Thoughtseize, blasts, and sweepers (maybe Pyroclasm over Deluge?).
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Do you like Green midrange decks? Check out my My Magic Blog!
Don't run Thalia in the main with pfires. It gets in the way. You would benefit from thoughtseize > thalia in the maindeck OR run with zero disruption but more threats OR run with alternative disruption a la Mindcensor. pfires concedes to combo in exchange of "punishing" creatures. You have to leverage pfires against thalia, as both on the table create a no-bo. pfires is clunky but grinds the crap out of opponents. You do not want to be paying an additional [1] mana per casting.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
That which nourishes me, destroys me
10th at SCG: Syracuse (2014), GP:NJ Last-Chance Grinder Winner (2014):: Former Legacy Mod
I mean, hell, we're all on a forum for something that most people would describe as a "children's card game"...do what makes you happy. You are never too old to enjoy yourself.
I was 1-2 in the three round tourney (Imperial Painter: loss, Deathblade: win, Miracles: loss), and while there is definitely room for adjustments, the list felt good overall.
I chickened out at the last second over playing 4 colors and decided to just go Naya.
It took a lot for me to drop the 4 maindeck Thalias that have been ironclad for months, but the non-bo with Punishing Fire was staring me in the face. And in fact, I don't regret it at all and would do it again. The decision to play 4 Birds was easier now that I remained with 8 X/1s main instead of 12 with Thalia (plus being able to produce red mana was awesome and even flying was relevant). Also, playing more threats, Green Sun-ing for normal amounts, and being able to cast a creature spell and hold up plow the same turn all felt GOOD.
Losing Thoughtseize definitely hurts against combo, but I think the Red splash offers different strengths that still have value.
I'll continue testing a similar list with some tweaks for the near future, if not at a GPT this weekend then at my local next Monday...
@s3raphix - Why Loxodon Smitter? Is Jund a huge deck in your Meta? I would Jam in a third Stoneforge Mystic and a Batterskull over the two Smitters. That package can easily give you free wins. Also, War and Peace? I don't know how good that sword is over Feast and Famine and Light and Shadow. I don't even think a second sword altogether is necessary. You have options in Scryb Ranger, 3rd Qasali Pridemage, 2nd Sylvan Library, O-Ring, Council's Judgement. Those seem better.
@s3raphix - Why Loxodon Smitter? Is Jund a huge deck in your Meta? I would Jam in a third Stoneforge Mystic and a Batterskull over the two Smitters. That package can easily give you free wins. Also, War and Peace? I don't know how good that sword is over Feast and Famine and Light and Shadow. I don't even think a second sword altogether is necessary. You have options in Scryb Ranger, 3rd Qasali Pridemage, 2nd Sylvan Library, O-Ring, Council's Judgement. Those seem better.
I like Smiter because he's a different kind of threat than Stoneforge. He's more resilient, and isn't subject to artifact hate people board in against Stoneforge that reduces her efficacy.
In my experience trying out almost every Stoneforge configuration in GWx I've been most satisfied with the "half" package of 2 Mystics, Jitte and Fire & Ice. Batterskull is obviously super powerful, but I think its best in a UWx shell with all 4 Stoneforges and the Blue Good Stuff.
War and Peace is in a flexy slot right now. I know probably isn't as good as other options, but I felt like trying it out. For what its worth, the one time I resolved it (against deathblade), it turned an unfavorable race vs two TNN into a win. I'm leaning on making that either the 3rd Pridemage or a 24th land to accommodate Dark Depths combo right now. I love Scryb Ranger but I worry that she is too cute.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Do you like Green midrange decks? Check out my My Magic Blog!
Scryb Ranger is insane and was a part of the "stock list" not too long ago. I would say that she is a must for a dark depths maverick list. Flash/Green Sun her in when you have a Knight of the Reliquary (w/o summoning sickness) and you automatically have you dark depths combo online without having either Thespian Stage or Dark Depths.
I feel like there must be something better than Loxodon Smitter. A 4/4 vanilla for 3 isn't that great in legacy. Sigarda or Thrun seem better if you want a beater. Even Goyf just seems better.
The hate for combo is pretty thin, but if I was worried about combo I would just be playing Death and Taxes instead. The point of using Maverick instead of the more reliably proven D&T is crushing the fair decks with a removal engine and giant Knights, and letting your prey (Delver and D&T) pick off the combo players for you. The board is most heavily skewed towards beating Miracles (the other deck you rely on to keep combo out of the picture) and Elves (the combo deck you can't rely on D&T/Delver to beat for you), with only token E-Tutor targets to fight graveyard decks, Show and Tell decks, and Storm. An effective 3 copies of COP Red are a concession to the burn matchup.
If it looks like the meta at GP NJ will be as fair as I suspect, this might be what I bring. I was rocking D&T all summer and with Nate Sturm putting Punishing Mav back on the map (it's clear that I used his list as square one in testing) I got worried that I might get leveled be people who followed his lead if I brought my Flickerwisps and Vials to battle, so I started testing this. I think the list is what I want, given my assumptions about the meta ... But there's still a couple weeks to go.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Thanks to Gabgabdevo for the awesome sig image!
I'm always looking for foil Madcap Skills and Ghitu Fire-Eater, [trade thread link forthcoming]
If it looks like the meta at GP NJ will be as fair as I suspect
...
I wonder about this. I feel Burn and decks like Oops and Manaless will be out in force due to the cheap buy-in, so it will be imperative to have plans for them. It might be pointless to metagame too much with the expected size of the event though.
Scryb Ranger is insane and was a part of the "stock list" not too long ago. I would say that she is a must for a dark depths maverick list. Flash/Green Sun her in when you have a Knight of the Reliquary (w/o summoning sickness) and you automatically have you dark depths combo online without having either Thespian Stage or Dark Depths.
I feel like there must be something better than Loxodon Smitter. A 4/4 vanilla for 3 isn't that great in legacy. Sigarda or Thrun seem better if you want a beater. Even Goyf just seems better.
I agree that Scryb becomes a lot better with DD combo and that they really come together.
Sigarda + Cradle is another legitimate option I think. Other 3 drops I've tested in the past include Mirran Crusader and Great Sable Stag (!!) but they have their own issues too.
Might Lightning Greaves help against miracles? It provides multiple functions:
-Marit Lage can be much more surprising and is much harder for them to deal with (only Terminus works).
-Protects your hatebears from Karakas, plow and Jace. It's kind of like an extra Mother of Runes that you can tutor for and that's harder to remove for most decks.
-Haste is Jace's worst enemy. Haste also weakens their strategy of going low on life knowing you cannot touch them without giving them a turn to respond.
Sideboard still to be decided. I don't really like Birds of Paradise in here. It should probably be Noble Hierarch, but that card is ridiculously expensive. I also think an extra Savannah over the second Forest would be better.
We run the exact same list except I have the Hierarch over birds and I cut the Greaves (took me a good minute to realize you had 61 cards lol). I would for sure keep the 2nd forest over the 3rd Savannah.
My sideboard is a bit locally tuned and might be a bit odd atm, but it's:
Some cards I'm leaning towards in the board are like, Stony Silence and Oblivion Ring, but I just don't know. (You may also notice I'm really light on the dredge hate, just my main deck cards, but keep in mind killing your own Dryad Arbor is a good strat to exile bridges.) Funny thing though is that my elves matchup is MUCH better after I bring in 12 cards (I don't bother bringing in the needles even though you can name symbiote.)
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
I sort of disagree with Elves an Miracles being the reason it dropped off, Elves was around in more or less the same form when Maverick was at its peak, and while it can be tough to beat, it wasn't the biggest concern since Elves lost badly to a lot of other decks at the time. In reality it was Sneak and Show and Miracles that did Maverick in. Miracles was and is still rough, but not unbeatable; Sneak and Show however is nearly impossible, they go over the Maverick gameplan faster than Maverick can stop it. Since there are fewer Sneak and Show decks around, Maverick can probably ease in a comeback, but I don't think it will ever really dominate the format again.
I don't think RIP does much against 'cruise decks. I had this discussion with a bunch of good players and MTG friends. Outside of TC, the deck doesn't need the grave. UR has trouble with efficient spot removal a la STP/PTE/Decay. I'll let them draw for days. They need business to hit me with when all is said and done.
Elves is just annoying. I lost over the weekend to a guy who luckily hardcasted hoof for lethal both games on like turn 4 both games despite me correctly dropping Teeg to disable his NO on turn 3. Utterly frustrating to lose to "well I just win anyway" lines of play. Miracles is disastrous. I've beaten it at SCG but lost to it waaaay too much recently. I am convinced I need LD like 'Geddon and some kind of dedicated CA engine that pumps out creatures (Elspeth 1.0 for example).
Sneak/Show is terrible if you don't plan on seeing it. Maverick actually has a decent matchup against it G1 due to KotR/Karakas. If you expect it to be in the meta, planning accordingly can help significantly improve your odds. But, like Elves, it's possible they just go "ummm I win through your hate. GG"
10th at SCG: Syracuse (2014), GP:NJ Last-Chance Grinder Winner (2014):: Former Legacy Mod
Miracles, according to their primer, "Single-handedly put Maverick away" and my experience in KotR-Junk (which should be better than Mav's Miracles MU) is that it's just a terrible MU. Even with Bobs and Lilis they just cream you since your win cons are very vulnerable and your clock takes a bit to get going. By the time we're swinging for lethal (on a good start) they're getting ready to angel/jace you out after the next terminus (say, T7/T8.)
Look, Fetch, Draw, Look
Draw
Fetch
Look
Story of my Maverick life...
Although I've never lost a series to Sneak and Show, I know I've lost a lot of playtest games to it. However, Miracles is the ever living death of me. I am actually running Armageddons in my side now just for the matchup and so far the geddons have annihilated a lot of decks that are 1-2 turns too slow as make themselves more reactive; but I have not drawn it vs Miracles.
10th at SCG: Syracuse (2014), GP:NJ Last-Chance Grinder Winner (2014):: Former Legacy Mod
Now the reason why I'm posting...
It seems like the national meta and my local meta have been seeing a sudden increase in U/R Cruise players. This is why I started considering Maverick again (I haven't played the deck since its peak and I miss it like a old high school crush). I've been playing BUG Delver for the past couple months and have toyed around with a few other things but it looks like there is no better time to be playing SfM, Scooze, Dr. Shaman and Thalia.
How does everyone feel the deck is positioned in this new meta? I know its early but the format is quickly adapting to a CA one.
On a side note...
I had a chance to chat with Herzog at an open about 6 months ago or so where we were both in top 8 contention at an SCG open (we both narrowly missed it I believe he finished 17th and I was 23rd). I was playing junk blade and he was playing Maverick. I was losing a little faith in the old Maverick build until I talked to that guy. He's got an aura of confidence about him that can rekindle the love of Maverick in anyone. I'm glad he keeps the deck's vein pumping and I'm even more excited that I found this forum. I've read countless pages and this community seems fantastic!
I honestly can't beat Miracles, however, going with my gut and packing Armageddon did win a game (tied the match R1).
10th at SCG: Syracuse (2014), GP:NJ Last-Chance Grinder Winner (2014):: Former Legacy Mod
Honestly it's next to impossible to win. I did it at 'Cuse and I haven't gotten lucky since. Game 1 he mulls to 4 and I still lost the attrition war. One of those days I guess. The pilot is a friend who is very very good at MTG, so I'm not complaining about luck. He just outright outplayed me. G2 I managed to pull a game 1. Game 3 we went to time where he undoubtedly would win if we had another 5 minutes (thank god we didn't)
10th at SCG: Syracuse (2014), GP:NJ Last-Chance Grinder Winner (2014):: Former Legacy Mod
4 Deathrite Shaman
4 Mother of Runes
4 Thalia, Guardian of Thraben
2 Qasali Pridemage
1 Gaddock Teeg
1 Scavenging Ooze
4 Knight of the Reliquary
2 Loxodon Smiter
14 Noncreature
4 Green Sun's Zenith
4 Swords to Plowshares
3 Punishing Fire
2 Sylvan Library
1 Umezawa's Jitte
4 Windswept Heath
3 Verdant Catacombs
2 Savannah
2 Taiga
1 Bayou
1 Scrubland
1 Forest
3 Grove of the Burnwillows
1 Horizon Canopy
1 Dryad Arbor
1 Karakas
4 Wasteland
3 Thoughtseize
2 Pyroblast
2 Toxic Deluge
2 Relic of Progenitus
2 Krosan Grip
2 Ethersworn Canonist
1 Pithing Needle
1 Gaddock Teeg
Junk has felt a bit underpowered to me lately so I thought I'd try something different, though I'm not even sure Punishing Fire is a good way to fight the Cruisers.
I usually don't play such greedy decks so the mana might be a bit wonky, I just eyeballed it. I went 4 color because I wanted a mana dork that could produce red to maximize Punishing Fire efficiency but Birds of Paradise doesn't seem great. SFM always underwhelms me so I'm trying Smiter instead...sometimes you just want to resolve a big dumb guy. Sideboard is kind of random right now but I like the idea of being able to play both Thoughtseize, blasts, and sweepers (maybe Pyroclasm over Deluge?).
10th at SCG: Syracuse (2014), GP:NJ Last-Chance Grinder Winner (2014):: Former Legacy Mod
4 Birds of Paradise
4 Mother of Runes
2 Qasali Pridemage
2 Scavenging Ooze
2 Stoneforge Mystic
1 Gaddock Teeg
4 Knight of the Reliquary
2 Loxodon Smiter
16 Noncreature
4 Green Sun's Zenith
4 Swords to Plowshares
3 Punishing Fire
1 Sylvan Library
1 Umezawa's Jitte
1 Sword of Fire and Ice
1 Sword of War and Peace
1 Elspeth, Knight-Errant
4 Windswept Heath
3 Verdant Catacombs
2 Savannah
2 Taiga
1 Forest
1 Plains
3 Grove of the Burnwillows
1 Horizon Canopy
1 Cavern of Souls
1 Dryad Arbor
1 Karakas
3 Wasteland
2 Red Elemental Blast
2 Electrickery
2 Krosan Grip
2 Relic of Progenitus
2 Ethersworn Canonist
1 Gaddock Teeg
3 Thalia, Guardian of Thraben
1 Pithing Needle
I was 1-2 in the three round tourney (Imperial Painter: loss, Deathblade: win, Miracles: loss), and while there is definitely room for adjustments, the list felt good overall.
I chickened out at the last second over playing 4 colors and decided to just go Naya.
It took a lot for me to drop the 4 maindeck Thalias that have been ironclad for months, but the non-bo with Punishing Fire was staring me in the face. And in fact, I don't regret it at all and would do it again. The decision to play 4 Birds was easier now that I remained with 8 X/1s main instead of 12 with Thalia (plus being able to produce red mana was awesome and even flying was relevant). Also, playing more threats, Green Sun-ing for normal amounts, and being able to cast a creature spell and hold up plow the same turn all felt GOOD.
Losing Thoughtseize definitely hurts against combo, but I think the Red splash offers different strengths that still have value.
I'll continue testing a similar list with some tweaks for the near future, if not at a GPT this weekend then at my local next Monday...
Unfortunately I didn't see them so I can't judge from experience yet.
I like Smiter because he's a different kind of threat than Stoneforge. He's more resilient, and isn't subject to artifact hate people board in against Stoneforge that reduces her efficacy.
In my experience trying out almost every Stoneforge configuration in GWx I've been most satisfied with the "half" package of 2 Mystics, Jitte and Fire & Ice. Batterskull is obviously super powerful, but I think its best in a UWx shell with all 4 Stoneforges and the Blue Good Stuff.
War and Peace is in a flexy slot right now. I know probably isn't as good as other options, but I felt like trying it out. For what its worth, the one time I resolved it (against deathblade), it turned an unfavorable race vs two TNN into a win. I'm leaning on making that either the 3rd Pridemage or a 24th land to accommodate Dark Depths combo right now. I love Scryb Ranger but I worry that she is too cute.
I feel like there must be something better than Loxodon Smitter. A 4/4 vanilla for 3 isn't that great in legacy. Sigarda or Thrun seem better if you want a beater. Even Goyf just seems better.
1 Birds of Paradise
4 Mother of Runes
2 Scavenging Ooze
2 Qasali Pridemage
1 Scryb Ranger
1 Gaddock Teeg
3 Stoneforge Mystic
4 Knight of the Reliquary
1 Council's Judgment
4 Green Suns Zenith
4 Swords to Plowshares
3 Punishing Fire
1 Umezawa's Jitte
1 Batterskull
1 Sylvan Library
2 Wooded Foothills
1 Arid Mesa
3 Savannah
2 Taiga
1 Plains
1 Forest
3 Wasteland
3 Grove of the Burnwillows
1 Horizon Canopy
1 Karakas
1 Maze of Ith
1 Dryad Arbor
2 Krosan Grip
2 Pyroblast/REB
2 Electrickery
2 Choke
2 Enlightened Tutor
1 Council's Judgment
1 Circle of Protection: Red
1 Tormod's Crypt
1 Ethersworn Canonist
1 Gaddock Teeg
The hate for combo is pretty thin, but if I was worried about combo I would just be playing Death and Taxes instead. The point of using Maverick instead of the more reliably proven D&T is crushing the fair decks with a removal engine and giant Knights, and letting your prey (Delver and D&T) pick off the combo players for you. The board is most heavily skewed towards beating Miracles (the other deck you rely on to keep combo out of the picture) and Elves (the combo deck you can't rely on D&T/Delver to beat for you), with only token E-Tutor targets to fight graveyard decks, Show and Tell decks, and Storm. An effective 3 copies of COP Red are a concession to the burn matchup.
If it looks like the meta at GP NJ will be as fair as I suspect, this might be what I bring. I was rocking D&T all summer and with Nate Sturm putting Punishing Mav back on the map (it's clear that I used his list as square one in testing) I got worried that I might get leveled be people who followed his lead if I brought my Flickerwisps and Vials to battle, so I started testing this. I think the list is what I want, given my assumptions about the meta ... But there's still a couple weeks to go.
Thanks to Gabgabdevo for the awesome sig image!
I'm always looking for foil Madcap Skills and Ghitu Fire-Eater, [trade thread link forthcoming]
I wonder about this. I feel Burn and decks like Oops and Manaless will be out in force due to the cheap buy-in, so it will be imperative to have plans for them. It might be pointless to metagame too much with the expected size of the event though.
I agree that Scryb becomes a lot better with DD combo and that they really come together.
Sigarda + Cradle is another legitimate option I think. Other 3 drops I've tested in the past include Mirran Crusader and Great Sable Stag (!!) but they have their own issues too.
We run the exact same list except I have the Hierarch over birds and I cut the Greaves (took me a good minute to realize you had 61 cards lol). I would for sure keep the 2nd forest over the 3rd Savannah.
My sideboard is a bit locally tuned and might be a bit odd atm, but it's:
Some cards I'm leaning towards in the board are like, Stony Silence and Oblivion Ring, but I just don't know. (You may also notice I'm really light on the dredge hate, just my main deck cards, but keep in mind killing your own Dryad Arbor is a good strat to exile bridges.) Funny thing though is that my elves matchup is MUCH better after I bring in 12 cards (I don't bother bringing in the needles even though you can name symbiote.)