@raystacks in this build how often has outpost siege come in for you? Have you given any testing to a second infernal tutor instead of Night's Whisper?
One of the decks that I don't have a lot of extra sideboarding against is Patriot/Captain America. Overall, I believe we're favored against them, but the tables start to turn in the late game when Snapcaster Mage starts turning card economy in their favor: Cryptic Command and Electrolyze.
Outpost Siege is a critical card when it comes to beating them. It's also strong against Jund/Abzan. I swapped Chandra, Pyromaster for Siege, because I have trouble protecting her. She is better when she is first dropped (the +1 ping ability), but thereafter, it's pretty typical that you'll always do the "0: Free Card" ability. Jund uses her a little more effectively, because they can protect her with their superior creature count.
Testing with Jund last night again revealed my vulnerability to Liliana of the Veil again. It's always the same in our bouts: the Liliana of the Veil race. The trouble being that their Abrupt Decay can kill my best gal, and my Terminate doesn't knock theirs off. So, I've opted to swap Olivia Voldaren for Thundermaw Hellkite. With haste, I can target and knock her off. If my creature has summoning sickness, then they will Liliana -2. In a sense, Thundermaw Hellkite is the return of my Hero's Downfall.....plus, it's titanic against Lingering Souls, Pestermite, and Vendilion Clique. Proactive, baby. Proactive.
I've ordered up a playset of Geralf's Messenger and Young Pyromancer as well as Monastery Swiftspear and Gray Merchant of Asphodel. Truthfully, I don't think these cats are really going to make the cut, but they're close. Geralf's is catching my eye the most, and he is like our version of Kitchen Finks and undying is more powerful than persist. I think we need to continue to focus on those and cards that are so color-intensive in their casting cost that Jund can't use them.
Keep slingin' them! I'd like to see some more feedback on smashpacman's build. Anyone else giving it a spin??
Lastly, Pizzap asked about the absence of Young Pyromancer in our builds. He was tested in our early pages. It was decided that he comes out after the discarding has been done. As such, we don't get his triggers the way a normal aggro-burn-counter-cantrip deck can benefit by his abilities.
So, the BW Tokens matchup is awful. Probably the worst matchup possible for the deck. Unfortunately, cards like Night of Souls Betrayal and Pyroclasm have not always been effective against the deck.
This is a matchup the deck wants to avoid, particularly because of the amount of 1-for-1 removal that is being played. I hate to say it, but one of the sideboard slots might need to be dedicated to strictly that matchup. Pyroclasm helps, but I'm thinking Virulent Plague.
Keep in mind, with Thundermaw Hellkite, if they have an Intangible Virtue in play, it doesn't do nearly enough to stop them. Also, in my version, I can't reasonably expect to get up to five lands.
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I've made any number of small changes to my deck, so I'm going to indulge (as a bit of a perfectionist) with a revised list of where I feel cozy with a traditional, non-fetch, classic ramp Blitzkrieg deck can effectively land. That said, the most pronounced tournament winning results have come from fetch-driven/Delve-fueled builds from Smashpacman. I urge folks to sleeve that action up. With a first turn Faithless Looting, he can land a turn 2 Gurmag Angler. That's kind of massive. I urge people to refer to that build and report back results with testing and iterations. It can be found on the 2nd post in this thread on page 1. Additionally, that slot of this thread has been reserved for other trending, noteworthy decks or those decks that exhibit sparks of top-tier tech evolutions. Tournament reports are encouraged, and I am prompt with my replies to any private messages sent to me. This specific archetype (slower ramp) is no slouch itself (with its own tournament credentials), and here is my offering.....
@smashpacman - I read part of the BW tokens primer earlier. Specifically the Jund match up description (I know that's not what we are, but it was the closest on the list I saw). It mentioned to watch for Anger of the Gods . Maybe that's better in place of Pyroclasm?
Long time no see everyone! Just finished college at Purdue and now I have more time to focus on what I love to do, MAGIC! Time to dust off the old Lightning Rack deck and try to catch up with all the card discussions. I look forward to contributing to the deck to see where it leads. I saw that some people are using Kolaghan's Command. This card would maybe be a sideboard card for the deck I was using. The first mode of returning a creature doesn't bode well in my deck that had very few creatures. I still like the almost creatureless build, but obviously I need more time to catch up with what people are talking about. I don't know if I am a fan of calling my deck Shock and Awesome, but I won't rain on anyone's parade Cheers!
@smashpacman - I read part of the BW tokens primer earlier. Specifically the Jund match up description (I know that's not what we are, but it was the closest on the list I saw). It mentioned to watch for Anger of the Gods . Maybe that's better in place of Pyroclasm?
This is a possibility, especially if Zoo decks make a little bit more of a comeback. The problem in my manabase personally is getting double red every time on turn three, untapped and ready to slam the Anger (if they pose a threat). I'm considering as many options as possible for that matchup.
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but its a problem when we use the version with obliterators... I think that Virulent Plague or, for more flexibility, Drown in Sorrow can make that work well.. Even Illness in the Ranks can work if we need to be fast, but -1/-1 is tied with a single Virtue...
I would think mainboard Pyroclasm is not the best idea just bas ed on the "don't play a potentially dead card game 1" idea. Class still doesn't work with obliterator, too. but there's a lot of merit to the Engineered Explosives since it could work in other instances. A card I played sideboard in mono black was Necroplasm. the first turn 0 cmc mass destroy might be really helpful here? And not totally dead against affinity or other aggro and doesn't touch us Except for Nyxathid, which gives us the prefect sideboard in slot.
@smashpacman why dont' you play pyroclasm main deck? and you can think about engineered explosive on side board with mutliple applications ( token, affinity ,chalice )
since you played one land with white and fetchland, you can 3-CmC permanent with!!?
in your last version maybe you can try:
main: -1 lightning bolt -1 murderous cut +2 pyroclasm
sideboard: -1 pyroclasm + 1 engeenered explosives
If I were expecting nothing but BW Tokens and Elves, then I would play Pyroclasm main deck. While I agree with your assessment that a Lightning Bolt could do without being in the main deck, I don't agree that a two-damage sweeper is effective enough in the current metagame, especially at Sorcery speed.
Also, Murderous Cut is so good. With Faithless Looting that card literally wins me rounds by being in the main deck almost every tournament I play. There is nothing more satisfying than using Murderous Cut on an Eidolon of the Great Revel, and Burn is still the #1 most played deck in the metagame.
Engineered Explosives in the main deck, however, is actually a very reasonable question. It was in there for a short time, but that is a card that is less practical in the flow of my deck's tempo than I would like. It is usually a two-turn investment, and when I need removal, I often times need it immediately. It's a toss-up.
I am currently considering going down to two Lightning Bolt, and adding another technical piece to the deck. Possibly even a third Nyxathid. There are options at that slot. Many, many options.
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Smashpaceman-were you at the RPTQ a couple of weeks ago? I walked past a guy talking about foiling out a RB deck and now I'm wondering if it was you. I should have stopped to say hello.
Smashpaceman-were you at the RPTQ a couple of weeks ago? I walked past a guy talking about foiling out a RB deck and now I'm wondering if it was you. I should have stopped to say hello.
I was at the one in Illinois, yes.
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Welcome Back Airmanmaki! Gots to see where you're taking the 'bridge too far' build of Blitzkrieg next!!
B/W is rough. There's a B/W Tokens player at my LGS, and I have run the table on her for ages with a Tezzeret, Agent of Bolas deck and lately Blitzkrieg. It's generally never even close. But, since I've removed all but 1 of my ensnaring bridge from the deck, I've gotten stomped 2 weeks in a row. My answers are Damnation, Drown in Sorrow, and a couple Night of Souls' Betrayal with careful attention paid to discarding her Honor of the Pure and similar cards. I may even consider bringing in Nihil Spellbomb as a cantrip and Lingering Souls killer. Speaking of that card, I really feel like it's a superior option compared to Rakdos' Charm - which I see getting included in a lot of decks, so I'll address that later on.
FrenchFryNinja suggested Necroplasm! How cool is that li'l fella? The only real downside is that they may Path to Exile the guy before the turn end. Otherwise, he's aces. Same cost as a drown in sorrow, and I can even recur him through "dredge" or kolaghan's command. I like it dude. Is it better than Virulent Plague, smash's suggestion? Against B/W token decks, straight up? I would say....not really, but it can be close (especially if they side out their paths). Is virulent plague good against any other deck? Nooooope. How much value can we get from Necroplasm against other decks? I can see my overall opinion swinging towards the little ball of goo. But, where is the room!?!
As for talks about mainboard sweepers, I think the champion is Anger of the Gods. Lucas points out it can't be done with an Obliterator build, but if your deck can generate about....13 red mana sources, I think it's your go-to answer. Consume the Meek has totally fallen out of favor due to delve creatures and Rhino/Resto Angel. Engineered Explosives (I've played with it a ton) is strong, but less so when it can't be recurred. Most decks that run this card do so with a tutor and a recurring element. It's kill zone is pretty narrow, and if you fire it at 1, then you lose your The Rack or Shrieking Affliction. Sure, it can hit non-creature permanents like Pyromancer's Ascension and a lot of buggers from Affinity, but overall? This is a creature's world. This is a creature's world. This is a creature's world. James Brown recommends creature sweepers.
Quick review of Rakdos Charm and its modulars: Firstly, it is generally brought in for only one of it's modulars: there are very few decks where you'd use more than one of its options. It's not like Kolaghan's Command, where you are tempted by any 3-4 of its uses upon casting it. With the Charm, you side it in to kill a graveyard, shatter an artifact, or cheese out a swarm deck/mise out a Twin deck. By the by, I don't dig trying to cheese a win against a twin deck with Rakdos Charm. It's rope-a-dope silliness, and you're fighting somebody far bigger than Floyd Mayweather. When Twin goes off, that's it. They don't fall for the Charm trick, and if it takes one extra turn to kill you, then so be it. And, if you're sandbagging a charm hoping that they will go off and not have a single counterspell in hand and they will max their creature replications, you've got a death wish. In short, the modular about killing a dude by the virtue that he has a swarm of creatures is not a wise play, thus negating competitive usage of this modular.
If it's artifact kill you want, there is so much better: Smash to Smithereens, Vandalblast, Shattering Spree, Shatterstorm (if you don't play racks, i.e. shriek), and Shattering Spree. In fact, I think rakdos charm as an artifact killer is the single worst option in all of competitive Modern. I put this against the backdrop of playing cards with more adaptable responses like: Kolaghan's Command. I play 2 in the main deck, and I would add a third to the sideboard before I ever considered a rakdos charm for the purposes of artifact removal.
If it's graveyard removal, just play nihil spellbomb. It fires off when you're tapped out or/and cantrips. It costs one, and can cause tears to come to the eyes of so many decks. Again, I play 2 nihil spellbomb in the sideboard, and would consider a third before adding a rakdos charm as a graveyard killer or even a surgical extraction as it seems far too reactive. It also doesn't cantrip, so it's not giving me my X-for-1 benefit. Ultimately, it's not that the charm is bad. It just doesn't do the job you assign it as well as more dedicated cards which I'm already using at (khommand / nihil) 2 a piece (smashpacman only runs 1 rakdos charm).
FNM report: small turnout due to the local GP. Nonetheless, I laced up the boots and shoed my way to a 3-0-1 -- 1st Place finish! Wins were against Junk, Jund, and UWB. I intentionally drew, but lost (played for the heck of it), to a Junk build that featured Loxodon Smiter andWilt-Lief Mage. I ran the deck that I posted up most recently in this thread. Again, I feel really strong with what I've got.
Noteworthy contributors include Infernal Tutor andThundermaw Hellkite main deck. The tutor was cast on turn 2 when I had a Phyrexian Obliterator in hand, and the Hellkite swept away Lingering Souls tokens for the win. There is just something to this measured, methodical Shock and Awesome machine. Stick with the 'power discard suite', and it will serve you well.
For those that are splashing white (though seemingly for less and less cards) and you can bear the brunt of 5-CMC, consider Blood Baron of Vizkopa. He's kind of like the new Batterskull. On a different note, One interesting question that I heard from an experienced player that has faced Blitzkrieg a couple times was, "Are the lightning bolts in the sideboard?" I was kind of incredulous at the query, but said, "no, that's where they always end up after game 1." Then he said, "yeah, I don't think bolt is good for that deck. you're rarely gonna burn someone out for the win." Huh. No......Bolt????
/mind blown
Well, if I lose the bolts (which I side out constantly - is bolt any good in this meta??), then I'll prob swap one for a 3rd shrieking affliction and the other for a form of creature kill to keep that count high. I want it in the 1-2 cmc range. So, it will probably Victim of the night, or more likely Dreadbore -- due to pesky Liliana of the Veil. I know I said I'm not a fan, but whatever I choose really needs to be in that 1-2 slot and Hero's Downfall (the superior card) ain't in that ball park.
EDIT: I actually settled on removing all lightning bolt from the 75. Who'd a thunk it, huh?! I feel liberated, amigos. It's got branding, name recognition, clout, and is a standy, but....times change. It's gone. I've replaced (2) of them with a dreadbore {{maaay still turn into a Victim of the Night}} and a Geralf's Messenger. Testing last night with the messenger was very positive. Lotsa tricks: He is a shock upon playing him. He sticks around. You can play him, and then liliana of the veil him or terminate him (if the opponent is running little/no creatures which renders your dedicated creature removal useless), so that he becomes a Boros Charm to the opponent's head as well as a 4/3. With my (2) Kolaghan's command, I can rinse and repeat.
I really wanted another creature threat, and he beat out Nyxathid, Tasigur, Gurmag, (fancifully considered Vampire Nighthawk and hypnotic specter too) for the slot. Hear the message of Geralf!!! Heed his call!!!
I'm on vacation right now and have very limited internet access, but I read what JesterBlack said about the deck and started thinking about possible changes to the list.
Oddly enough, the weakest card in the deck right now is Lightning Bolt. The idea that it is "removal early" is not something that is required in this deck. I am not saying that it should be removed altogether, but the 4th Faithless Looting almost definitely wants to be in the deck, and the Lightning Bolt count should be no greater than two. I thought back to the number of games where Lightning Bolts were ineffective, especially when appearing in multiples, and that number is very high.
Raystack, I also disagree heavily with your comments about Rakdos Charm. While my recent thoughts about BW tokens have been answered, Rakdos Charm is a card I feel is the most well-rounded in the deck. In addition to hitting graveyards, removing Artifacts is frequently useful in the format. If you do not feel the same, Nihil Spellbomb is a fine choice. I prefer well-rounded, flexible cards that span more varieties of decks. Specifically, cards like Batterskull, Spellskite, and all of Affinity are reasons that I want more answers to artifacts. Also, Surgical Extraction helps in the graveyard hate package quite considerably.
There are various removal pieces to be considered as potential replacements for Lightning Bolt. Go For The Throat is currently at the top of my list, with Slaughter Pact and Doom Blade not far behind. There is also the potential of going to Phyrexian Metamorph, a concept that I REALLY like and just have not had time to test with too much.
At this point, I am simply being nitpicky, as the deck is in a great place at the moment. I'm just going through potential cards on the mental checklist. Right now, the deck actually lacks consistent turn three plays other than trying to cast multiple spells, and two-CMC spells would round out the curve nicely. It might be time to revisit the idea of a Liliana's Caress, as well as other possibilities, such as the removal cards listed earlier, Shrine of Burning Rage, Bloodghast (with 4 Faithless Looting, there are worse cards, and even though it was brought up previously in a highly unprofessional manner it could be playable), Curse of the Pierced Heart, Tormenting Voice, Night's Whisper, Tasigur's Cruelty as a singleton, and even the rogue Tibalt*, who knows?
*DISCLAIMER: Don't actually do that.
There are also some possible landbase changes. Leyline of Sanctity just got reprinted, but the more threats I add, the less I fear that card. The Godless Shrine might just want to be a Swamp, and main deck Blood Moon become part of the discussion in that case, along with increases in tanks.
There are a few ways to spin all this at the moment. Don't be afraid to try some crazy new tech in my absence.
I spent some time going through possible options. Here are a number of cards that I would consider at least testing, how many, and why:
Blind Obedience - This is a possible stop to Twin, as well as a theoretic detriment to Burn. Max of 1 in the sideboard.
Bloodchief Ascension - A card that I have not really ever used, but I have seen the power of. It's not hard to turn it on, it works well against a number of decks, but it has the unfortunate side effect of not being very good off of the top of the deck. Max of 2-3 in the main, in theory, if the deck was built around it more.
Delirium Skeins - The only card at 3 CMC or less that forces the opponent to discard three cards. Max of 1 in the main board.
Devastating Summons - A last-ditch effort card for creatures, and a way to slam multiple threats onto the field late game. More of a cute option though. Max of 1 in the main board.
Dragonmaster Outcast - This is more directed at Raystack and other decks that play 24 or more lands. It's an easy way to start gaining insane board presence as the game drags on. Max of 2 in the main board.
Dreadbore - If Planeswalkers become bigger in the format, this becomes the go-to. Max of 2 in the sideboard.
Fiery Gambit - Do you feel lucky, punk? Max of 1 in the main deck, but only for an FNM or other non-competitive REL event.
Geth's Verdict - A number of decks are beginning to rely on only one threat to carry them home. Max of 2 in the main board.
Goblin Assault - A win condition that doesn't cause your opponent to have no cards in hand. Max of 1 in the total 75.
Haakon, Stromgald Scourge - As I'm likely going up to 4 Faithless Looting and 4 Liliana of the Veil in the main deck, I rather like this guy conceptually. Max of 1 in the main board.
Hallow - My pet card for beating Burn in any deck that runs white. Dragon's Claw has been effective enough thus far at colorless mana, however. Max of 2 in the sideboard.
Imp's Mischief - Another way to be 'cute' at an FNM. Can you tell that I really like my tech cards? Max of 1 in the main board, only at a non-competitive REL event.
Infernal Tutor - I rather like this card's idea. Many of you are already testing it. It's just mathematically risky to run in multiples. Max of 1 in the main deck.
Lifebane Zombie - Here's the easy way to deal with cards like Loxodon Smiter and Wilt-Leaf Liege. It's also a beater! I loved this card when it was in Standard and I see no reason that it can't work now. Max of 2 in the sideboard.
Lightning Storm - To be honest, if you get ahead, this can just win the game. Max of 1 in the sideboard.
Monastery Mentor - He's powerful enough to force more than one white source in the deck, and I mean up to four sources. He's a game winner, and can theoretically support the build fully. Max of 4 in the main board.
Myth Realized - Same as Mentor, although requires far less of a splash and allows the deck to play a lot more of the control element. I've seen this thing in action, and it gets out of hand in a hurry. Max of 2 in the main board.
Pack Rat - I know he's a big element of some player's decks, and I didn't use to like the card at all. It has, however, fully evolved since then and as I am looking for 2 CMC game changers, he could see a return. Max of 4 in the main board.
Pain's Reward - Proclaim dominance over your opponent. Some spice. Max of 1 in the main board in a non-competitive REL event.
Spoils of the Vault - The more I see this card played, the more I like it. This might not be the deck for it, however, but it can go and find a win condition when necessary without needing the hellbent element of Infernal Tutor. Max of 2 in the main board.
Timely Reinforcements - This is hate for both Burn and Zoo, along with other decks that we might need to buy some time against. Max of 1 in the sideboard.
Valorous Stance - Very good against several of the format's creatures and has the ability to protect our creatures. The only drawback is that the decks that run the creatures affected by this card also run Path to Exile, so at that rate, spot removal like Murderous Cut is just better. Max of 1 in the sideboard.
I've already mentioned cards like Kolaghan's Command and Virulent Plague, so I won't get back into that right now. Remember, these are just possible cards to test with, and I am in no way saying that a single one of them is necessarily correct. These are just ideas that I have not yet tested extensively.
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Had a thought about splashing for Blue instead of White to get access to Taigam's Scheming. It fits the 2-drop deficit and fuels the delve idea while providing filtering. No, I don't want to go down the "Well, you may as well add Snapcaster Mage, Remand, and Mana Leak since you're already blue!" rabbit hole. This isn't a blue based control deck, its a denial based control deck. Just saying that preemptively.
Here's what I'm thinking about running next time I'm out for the Pre-PTQ in a few weeks:
In initial testing I haven't seen the lavamancer show up yet, but the toss-ability of the Bloodghast is really, really nice. Also, since the Tiagam's Scheming makes the Gurmag Angler drop more of a turn 3 play, I went with Tombstalker, since he flies and is pretty likely to come out T3 after a fetchland, a thoughtseize, and a scheming resolve.
Had a thought about splashing for Blue instead of White to get access to Taigam's Scheming. It fits the 2-drop deficit and fuels the delve idea while providing filtering. No, I don't want to go down the "Well, you may as well add Snapcaster Mage, Remand, and Mana Leak since you're already blue!" rabbit hole. This isn't a blue based control deck, its a denial based control deck. Just saying that preemptively.
Here's what I'm thinking about running next time I'm out for the Pre-PTQ in a few weeks:
In initial testing I haven't seen the lavamancer show up yet, but the toss-ability of the Bloodghast is really, really nice. Also, since the Tiagam's Scheming makes the Gurmag Angler drop more of a turn 3 play, I went with Tombstalker, since he flies and is pretty likely to come out T3 after a fetchland, a thoughtseize, and a scheming resolve.
Taigam's Scheming is an interesting choice. I'm not personally opposed to it, but if you are going THAT deep immto your graveyard, then you definitely want as much interaction with it as possible. The 4th Faithless Looting, for example, is far superior to the 3rd Blightning. The Rack is outclassed simply by all Delve threats because your discard package is already slightly less consistent. Also, Tasigur becomes the best call here, since the Blue splash can activate her ability.
You are leaning somewhere in between my list and a straight Delve list, so make sure you don't get caught out in no man's land.
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On the topic of a light splash (for things like Taigam's Scheming or some of the white tech out there), I'd be careful not to splash for the low cost spells as this can require a higher frequency of the splash color mana to appear. Fetch lands can offset that demand nicely. In general, if it's a 1-4 splash of an off-color, those off color spells are usually a higher mana cost (Keranos, God of Storms, Blood Baron of Vizkopa, Sorin, Lord of Innistrad, Utter End, or Crackling Doom). Again, I get that fetchlands (at the cost of life) can mediate this generalization.
@Jesterblack: Hide // Seek is some interesting tech. Such a shame that, unlike Wear // Tear, you'll never be able to cast both halves of the spell since they both require white, and you run only 1 white source in the deck. Hide offers 'tucking' the permanent which is often better than putting it in the graveyard - pretty neat. On it's own though, wear // tear does a 2-for-1 which is probably better (except for wurmcoil engine, as you point out - Yoink!). As for seek, the single shot Bitter Ordeal has merit, but the life gain is probably a meager game advantage. Decks that run Emrakul, the Aeons Torn, Iona, Shield of Emeria, Karn Liberated don't generally win by any means of a damage race. In the case that you're facing such a deck, I'd reach for another sideboard card (slaughter games or ensnaring bridge or surgical extraction) before Hide // Seek.
Titanic write up there, Smashpacman! It's just the kind of spice this thread was looking for: Mixing up the pot with some novel suggestions. But, FrenchFryNinja nailed it when he said that the 3rd color addition can slippery slope you guys into a Grixis Delver deck (if you add ) or, in my case, a Jund deck (if I added to my Blitzkrieg build). Logical next question...should we?
I remain resolute that I can edge out my counterpart (Jund) by focusing on cards that they can't use since their manabase is so fractured. They can't run Phyrexian Obliterator or Wrench Mind. Wrench Mind when paired with Blightning opens doors to The Rack/Shrieking Affliction, Nyxathid, and further legitimizes the viability of your 'tanks' as the 'power discard suite' will leave them utterly senseless. The Rack/Shrieking Affliction/Nyxathid open doors to a 4th Liliana of the Veil which they also can't run. My latest addition, Geralf's Messenger, is out of the question for them. Before you p'fshaw him, consider all of the ways that he shocks an opponent, grows, and returns with a Kolaghan's Command. JUST: (1) Kolaghan's Command + (1) Geralf's Messenger = 10 damage. That's 10 damage without once dealing combat damage! A final quick thought: Against burn, Jund doesn't have Pharika's Cure which will swing a game when you have a fetchless, painless manabase. I edge myself into a lot of wins with juuuust enough life left on the clock to squeak by.
I'm just one cat talking, and I'm down for new spices in the soup...just be mindful to not dilute the key ingredients into lesser versions of other decks. Blitzkrieg.....Is......Sparta!!!!!
Titanic write up there, Smashpacman! It's just the kind of spice this thread was looking for: Mixing up the pot with some novel suggestions. But, FrenchFryNinja nailed it when he said that the 3rd color addition can slippery slope you guys into a Grixis Delver deck (if you add ) or, in my case, a Jund deck (if I added to my Blitzkrieg build). Logical next question...should we?
Honestly, I do not believe that playing a third color is the correct answer at the present moment. We are in a metagame where Blood Moon can be just as ineffective as it is effective, and remains a necessary card against several matchups while still flying a bit under the radar in others (strange as that sounds with the price spike up to $30).
This is just my opinion, however. I have the one-half-of-a-card White Splash presently, and I'm always testing cards, but I'm also always contemplating doing away with the Godless Shrine and just playing three Blood Moons and no Wear // Tear. Going too deep into a third color takes away from the consistency that this deck thrives upon. You are also very right about the "slippery slope." In my opinion, if you are splashing Green, there is no reason to not play Tarmogoyf, and thus, to simply play Jund. With Blue, the same goes for Snapcaster Mage and Grixis. With White, there is no reality of expectation of "where are your more powerful known cards?" Also, for consistency's sake, any more than the one-card splash should require more than one land of a split color.
For example, let's say I opted to run a main deck Path to Exile. As the card is an inherently powerful removal spell, I would want to ensure that I could see the lands in order to play the card. I would consider more Godless Shrines, and maybe even a Nomad Outpost. This makes the deck less consistent, however, in addition to the fact that we will wind up in other archetypes. The Red splash is plenty, and I would support a white-only splash on the original 8-Rack deck (for cards like Tidehollow Scullor and Flickerwisp) as well, but I believe that going into three colors is too deep.
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Modern: BR Control BR Standard: Temur Energy RUG Pauper: Fireball Black B Commander: Kaervek the MercilessBR
After further testing, I found that the most successful runs of the Grixis colored Blitzkreig that I built were simply the ones that the cards I added didn't show up so I was effectively running smashpackman's list. |o|. Oh well, live and learn. I did consider Keranos, God of Storms and keeping a lighter blue splash, and I like the idea of running Creeping Tar Pit (one of the Lavaclaw Reaches in my list was actually one of those), but against most decks the board is so clear already that Lavaclaw Reaches can still bring it home. If I get my hands on a Keranos (Someone around here has one I'm sure) I might give the blue splash a second look. Until further inspiration, it has been shelved.
So back to the "what can I attempt to do better than everyone else in the world" drawing board. Some comments on what else has been discussed:
First, because I never said it. That is some great commentary smashpacman. Awesome! Thank you!
Geralf's Messenger is a really interesting suggestion, Raystacks. I might have to look harder at that. I loved him in Zombies/Mono-black devotion after Gary became a thing (Gray Merchant of Asphodel).
I was also looking at Pit Fight as a 1-of in the Raystacks style list. It does a couple things, besides the obvious Phyrexian Obliterator for the win. It can basically lead to "kill target creature with power 4 or less and gain 4 life" if Batterskull is out. If running Geralf's Messenger it can kill things and him, ensuring that he gets all his damage in and gets bigger.
I really like the Dragonmaster Outcast in the 24 land version, too. That might need another look.
Monastery Mentor - Love the guy, but I think that if running 4-of we are going to run into the same problem as the early Young Pyromancer idea: You just wanted to play the disruption before playing the guy. But! I would say maybe 1-or-2-of for a late game to give the topdeck that 2 to 1 feel when drawing into the otherwise useless at that point Inquisition of Kozilek? I would argue on theory that Myth Realized is the same.
Pack Rat - Without Mutavault it just seems wrong. But my intuition when it comes to MTG isn't always that great.
I like Lifebane Zombie. There are a couple of those Junk-Leige decks running around my meta. I'll have to find a place for him. Thanks!
It for now. Late here. Thanks for all that you all have done for this deck!
After a long break, I just recently started to get into magic again. smallpox is one of my favorite cards, but It did never really fit into any deck I could come up with or they ended up way too expensive :3.
I love the archetype you built, and wanted to give it a shot with reader,and more land destruction focused disruption.
Lately, I also found jwelt's small moon deck, which took the same approach: http://www.mtgsalvation.com/forums/the-game/modern/deck-creation-modern/554509-small-moon-smallpox-blood-moon?page=3
Maybe you can find something, too.
I am not sure about the elecktrickery, or if I should rather go with forked bolt, since it can also hit planes walkers.
Also, would you prefer rise//fall over wrench mind, since I don't know if my discard is enough to get my opponent to topdeckmode anyway. But then again, wrench mind might also discard some lands, and is sure to be 2:1.
Also, after looking at sygg, river cutthroat, I just realized that he can draw you a card during our opponents turn too, which sounds really nice especially, with the rack.
Although it might just be win-more, it isn't so bad considering that he has potential anyway.
It would be against your trend away from lightning bolt, though.
@danntev. I like your primarily creature-less build.
IMHO: I would say that for your curve I don't think you'd need to run 23 lands. 21 or 22 should be enough. I'd drop 1 Rix Maadi, Dungeon Palace. The Dreadbore call is a meta decision. The only time I run into planeswalkers in my meta is when I'm against BW Tokens. And there's only 1 guy who plays that deck sometimes here. If you see a lot of planeswalkers, then it might be helpful. 1x Murderous Cut is what I would run in place of the 2nd Rix Maadi. Even without fetches there is enough fuel with all the early turn spells we cast.
I would also consider finding/borrowing the Blackcleave Cliffs to run in place of Temple of Malice prior to the PPTQ. OR since you'r running Wear // Tear it might be a good idea to find a couple more fetches like Polluted Delta or Marsh Flats or Verdant Catacombs to ensure that you can always cast it. To be able to cast that kind of spell reliably (90%) by turn 3 you'd need at least 7 white sources. With 4 fetches and 1 Godless Shrine you're at 5. 2, possibly 3, more fetches and your mana base will be more reliable.
And if you're considering Faithless Looting in lieu of the Bolt, then maybe make the swap and put the zombie fish (Gurmag Angler) into your sideboard in place of Nyxathid? I love that it is Abrupt Decay proof. The flashback of looting, I think, is great for the late game filtering.
Just thoughts. Take everything I say with a giant grain of salt
I think your comments are spot on, FrenchFryNinja.
As much as I want 2 Rix Maadi, Dungeon Palace to work, it really is a 1-of....unless you're running Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth (but we don't have filtering or self-discard (read: raven's crime) to make multiples work). Dreadbore made the cut as a 1-of in my sideboard. I crow about the merits of Hero's Downfall, but I have other dedicated creature kill cards that best a 3-cmc price. I wouldn't run dreadbor main deck, Danntev. I prefer Victim of Night, but Murderous Cut is popular.
FrenchFry is right about the land count: you're low for running those 3 white cards. You've got to up your fetch count or drop the wear // tear in favor of other sweepers (to stop Leyline of Sanctity) like Ratchet Bomb. I know there is a real fear of Leyline, but strangely enough I have a winning record (slight) against it getting played against me. OR, you can go for a more transformative SB, and rock out with some more creatures.
Faithless Looting is an all-in approach type - not a splashy, 1-of add. In Smashpacman's build, it serves as a Dark Ritual for Delve Creatures and an Izzet Charm loot to crank through cards. I do have my reservations about its usage as I'd like to see more graveyard interactions, like "Dredge" cards or "Reanimation" or Vengevine/Bloodghast mechanics. It's also hard to use against an unknown opponent as a Turn 1 play: What do I keep, and what do I pitch? Additionally, it falls flat as a topdeck draw when you're hellbent, and flashback filtering only works when you hold one card back. All that said, it's a card that can hit the turbo arrow on the racetrack, and put you in the driver's seat. I was playtesting Smashpacman's list last night, and Faithless Looting was granting me a 1 turn advantage pretty consistently....but, it comes with a cost of card economy and fetch life loss of 3 on a turn 1 play. As you know, I rock a more graduated mana ramp, so I'm coming at it from a traditional perspective. Still, you have to play the card to see it's power in a Blitzkrieg build - it's there. I do think it's time to drop 1 wear // tear (since it's the only white card in the deck) and the one white land.....last night, I had an opening hand of 3 faithless looting and one land: Godless Shrine. Oooof!
Modern: Bogles // 8-Whack/Goblins // UW Titan // Hollow One // Affinity // Dredge
EDH: Nissa, Vastwood Seer // Atraxa, Praetor's Voice // Meren of Clan Nel Toth
Outpost Siege is a critical card when it comes to beating them. It's also strong against Jund/Abzan. I swapped Chandra, Pyromaster for Siege, because I have trouble protecting her. She is better when she is first dropped (the +1 ping ability), but thereafter, it's pretty typical that you'll always do the "0: Free Card" ability. Jund uses her a little more effectively, because they can protect her with their superior creature count.
Testing with Jund last night again revealed my vulnerability to Liliana of the Veil again. It's always the same in our bouts: the Liliana of the Veil race. The trouble being that their Abrupt Decay can kill my best gal, and my Terminate doesn't knock theirs off. So, I've opted to swap Olivia Voldaren for Thundermaw Hellkite. With haste, I can target and knock her off. If my creature has summoning sickness, then they will Liliana -2. In a sense, Thundermaw Hellkite is the return of my Hero's Downfall.....plus, it's titanic against Lingering Souls, Pestermite, and Vendilion Clique. Proactive, baby. Proactive.
As for Infernal Tutor number 2 vs. Night's Whisper, frenchfryninja, more testing is needed. I'm also considering a Tasigur, The Golden Fang for the Whisper slot.
Brainstorming....Braaaainss!!!!: I've been reading up on a couple of our peer's forums for ideas, and I'm kicking around some very scattered thoughts when it comes to strategies involved in The Gate http://www.mtgsalvation.com/forums/the-game/modern/deck-creation-modern/541352-the-gate-in-modern-mono-black-aggro
B/x Devotion: http://www.mtgsalvation.com/forums/the-game/modern/deck-creation-modern/597491-bx-devotion
And, Blitzkrieg contributor Pizzap's's Bad Moon-Rakdos deck: http://www.mtgsalvation.com/forums/the-game/modern/deck-creation-modern/602689-bad-moon-rakdos-midrange-aggro-control.
These are great resources for ideas.
I've ordered up a playset of Geralf's Messenger and Young Pyromancer as well as Monastery Swiftspear and Gray Merchant of Asphodel. Truthfully, I don't think these cats are really going to make the cut, but they're close. Geralf's is catching my eye the most, and he is like our version of Kitchen Finks and undying is more powerful than persist. I think we need to continue to focus on those and cards that are so color-intensive in their casting cost that Jund can't use them.
Keep slingin' them! I'd like to see some more feedback on smashpacman's build. Anyone else giving it a spin??
Lastly, Pizzap asked about the absence of Young Pyromancer in our builds. He was tested in our early pages. It was decided that he comes out after the discarding has been done. As such, we don't get his triggers the way a normal aggro-burn-counter-cantrip deck can benefit by his abilities.
This is a matchup the deck wants to avoid, particularly because of the amount of 1-for-1 removal that is being played. I hate to say it, but one of the sideboard slots might need to be dedicated to strictly that matchup. Pyroclasm helps, but I'm thinking Virulent Plague.
Keep in mind, with Thundermaw Hellkite, if they have an Intangible Virtue in play, it doesn't do nearly enough to stop them. Also, in my version, I can't reasonably expect to get up to five lands.
Standard: Temur Energy RUG
Pauper: Fireball Black B
Commander: Kaervek the Merciless BR
"Always Bolt the Bird."
Stewie's Sexy Panzer Party
Hors D'Oeovres Served
4 Phyrexian Obliterator
1 Batterskull
1 Thundermaw Hellkite
4 Liliana of the Veil
1 Ensnaring Bridge
4 Terminate
2 Lightning Bolt
2 Shrieking Affliction
4 Inquisition of Kozilek
4 Blightning
4 Wrench Mind
2 Thoughtseize
2 Kolaghan's Command
1 Infernal Tutor
1 Night's Whisper
4 Blood Crypt
4 Dragonskull Summit
3 Blackcleave Cliffs
3 Lavaclaw Reaches
1 Rix Maadi, Dungeon Palace
2 Night of Souls' Betrayal
2 Slaughter Pact
2 Pharika's Cure
2 Nihil Spellbomb
2 Nyxathid
1 Damnation
1 Drown in Sorrow
1 Hero's Downfall
1 Outpost Siege
1 Sowing Salt
Modern: Bogles // 8-Whack/Goblins // UW Titan // Hollow One // Affinity // Dredge
EDH: Nissa, Vastwood Seer // Atraxa, Praetor's Voice // Meren of Clan Nel Toth
This is a possibility, especially if Zoo decks make a little bit more of a comeback. The problem in my manabase personally is getting double red every time on turn three, untapped and ready to slam the Anger (if they pose a threat). I'm considering as many options as possible for that matchup.
Standard: Temur Energy RUG
Pauper: Fireball Black B
Commander: Kaervek the Merciless BR
"Always Bolt the Bird."
Modern: Bogles // 8-Whack/Goblins // UW Titan // Hollow One // Affinity // Dredge
EDH: Nissa, Vastwood Seer // Atraxa, Praetor's Voice // Meren of Clan Nel Toth
If I were expecting nothing but BW Tokens and Elves, then I would play Pyroclasm main deck. While I agree with your assessment that a Lightning Bolt could do without being in the main deck, I don't agree that a two-damage sweeper is effective enough in the current metagame, especially at Sorcery speed.
Also, Murderous Cut is so good. With Faithless Looting that card literally wins me rounds by being in the main deck almost every tournament I play. There is nothing more satisfying than using Murderous Cut on an Eidolon of the Great Revel, and Burn is still the #1 most played deck in the metagame.
Engineered Explosives in the main deck, however, is actually a very reasonable question. It was in there for a short time, but that is a card that is less practical in the flow of my deck's tempo than I would like. It is usually a two-turn investment, and when I need removal, I often times need it immediately. It's a toss-up.
I am currently considering going down to two Lightning Bolt, and adding another technical piece to the deck. Possibly even a third Nyxathid. There are options at that slot. Many, many options.
Standard: Temur Energy RUG
Pauper: Fireball Black B
Commander: Kaervek the Merciless BR
"Always Bolt the Bird."
I was at the one in Illinois, yes.
Standard: Temur Energy RUG
Pauper: Fireball Black B
Commander: Kaervek the Merciless BR
"Always Bolt the Bird."
B/W is rough. There's a B/W Tokens player at my LGS, and I have run the table on her for ages with a Tezzeret, Agent of Bolas deck and lately Blitzkrieg. It's generally never even close. But, since I've removed all but 1 of my ensnaring bridge from the deck, I've gotten stomped 2 weeks in a row. My answers are Damnation, Drown in Sorrow, and a couple Night of Souls' Betrayal with careful attention paid to discarding her Honor of the Pure and similar cards. I may even consider bringing in Nihil Spellbomb as a cantrip and Lingering Souls killer. Speaking of that card, I really feel like it's a superior option compared to Rakdos' Charm - which I see getting included in a lot of decks, so I'll address that later on.
FrenchFryNinja suggested Necroplasm! How cool is that li'l fella? The only real downside is that they may Path to Exile the guy before the turn end. Otherwise, he's aces. Same cost as a drown in sorrow, and I can even recur him through "dredge" or kolaghan's command. I like it dude. Is it better than Virulent Plague, smash's suggestion? Against B/W token decks, straight up? I would say....not really, but it can be close (especially if they side out their paths). Is virulent plague good against any other deck? Nooooope. How much value can we get from Necroplasm against other decks? I can see my overall opinion swinging towards the little ball of goo. But, where is the room!?!
As for talks about mainboard sweepers, I think the champion is Anger of the Gods. Lucas points out it can't be done with an Obliterator build, but if your deck can generate about....13 red mana sources, I think it's your go-to answer. Consume the Meek has totally fallen out of favor due to delve creatures and Rhino/Resto Angel. Engineered Explosives (I've played with it a ton) is strong, but less so when it can't be recurred. Most decks that run this card do so with a tutor and a recurring element. It's kill zone is pretty narrow, and if you fire it at 1, then you lose your The Rack or Shrieking Affliction. Sure, it can hit non-creature permanents like Pyromancer's Ascension and a lot of buggers from Affinity, but overall? This is a creature's world. This is a creature's world. This is a creature's world. James Brown recommends creature sweepers.
Quick review of Rakdos Charm and its modulars: Firstly, it is generally brought in for only one of it's modulars: there are very few decks where you'd use more than one of its options. It's not like Kolaghan's Command, where you are tempted by any 3-4 of its uses upon casting it. With the Charm, you side it in to kill a graveyard, shatter an artifact, or cheese out a swarm deck/mise out a Twin deck. By the by, I don't dig trying to cheese a win against a twin deck with Rakdos Charm. It's rope-a-dope silliness, and you're fighting somebody far bigger than Floyd Mayweather. When Twin goes off, that's it. They don't fall for the Charm trick, and if it takes one extra turn to kill you, then so be it. And, if you're sandbagging a charm hoping that they will go off and not have a single counterspell in hand and they will max their creature replications, you've got a death wish. In short, the modular about killing a dude by the virtue that he has a swarm of creatures is not a wise play, thus negating competitive usage of this modular.
If it's artifact kill you want, there is so much better: Smash to Smithereens, Vandalblast, Shattering Spree, Shatterstorm (if you don't play racks, i.e. shriek), and Shattering Spree. In fact, I think rakdos charm as an artifact killer is the single worst option in all of competitive Modern. I put this against the backdrop of playing cards with more adaptable responses like: Kolaghan's Command. I play 2 in the main deck, and I would add a third to the sideboard before I ever considered a rakdos charm for the purposes of artifact removal.
If it's graveyard removal, just play nihil spellbomb. It fires off when you're tapped out or/and cantrips. It costs one, and can cause tears to come to the eyes of so many decks. Again, I play 2 nihil spellbomb in the sideboard, and would consider a third before adding a rakdos charm as a graveyard killer or even a surgical extraction as it seems far too reactive. It also doesn't cantrip, so it's not giving me my X-for-1 benefit. Ultimately, it's not that the charm is bad. It just doesn't do the job you assign it as well as more dedicated cards which I'm already using at (khommand / nihil) 2 a piece (smashpacman only runs 1 rakdos charm).
Well, it's FNM......I'm ready! Are you?
Noteworthy contributors include Infernal Tutor andThundermaw Hellkite main deck. The tutor was cast on turn 2 when I had a Phyrexian Obliterator in hand, and the Hellkite swept away Lingering Souls tokens for the win. There is just something to this measured, methodical Shock and Awesome machine. Stick with the 'power discard suite', and it will serve you well.
For those that are splashing white (though seemingly for less and less cards) and you can bear the brunt of 5-CMC, consider Blood Baron of Vizkopa. He's kind of like the new Batterskull. On a different note, One interesting question that I heard from an experienced player that has faced Blitzkrieg a couple times was, "Are the lightning bolts in the sideboard?" I was kind of incredulous at the query, but said, "no, that's where they always end up after game 1." Then he said, "yeah, I don't think bolt is good for that deck. you're rarely gonna burn someone out for the win." Huh. No......Bolt????
/mind blown
Well, if I lose the bolts (which I side out constantly - is bolt any good in this meta??), then I'll prob swap one for a 3rd shrieking affliction and the other for a form of creature kill to keep that count high. I want it in the 1-2 cmc range. So, it will probably Victim of the night, or more likely Dreadbore -- due to pesky Liliana of the Veil. I know I said I'm not a fan, but whatever I choose really needs to be in that 1-2 slot and Hero's Downfall (the superior card) ain't in that ball park.
EDIT: I actually settled on removing all lightning bolt from the 75. Who'd a thunk it, huh?! I feel liberated, amigos. It's got branding, name recognition, clout, and is a standy, but....times change. It's gone. I've replaced (2) of them with a dreadbore {{maaay still turn into a Victim of the Night}} and a Geralf's Messenger. Testing last night with the messenger was very positive. Lotsa tricks: He is a shock upon playing him. He sticks around. You can play him, and then liliana of the veil him or terminate him (if the opponent is running little/no creatures which renders your dedicated creature removal useless), so that he becomes a Boros Charm to the opponent's head as well as a 4/3. With my (2) Kolaghan's command, I can rinse and repeat.
I really wanted another creature threat, and he beat out Nyxathid, Tasigur, Gurmag, (fancifully considered Vampire Nighthawk and hypnotic specter too) for the slot. Hear the message of Geralf!!! Heed his call!!!
Oddly enough, the weakest card in the deck right now is Lightning Bolt. The idea that it is "removal early" is not something that is required in this deck. I am not saying that it should be removed altogether, but the 4th Faithless Looting almost definitely wants to be in the deck, and the Lightning Bolt count should be no greater than two. I thought back to the number of games where Lightning Bolts were ineffective, especially when appearing in multiples, and that number is very high.
Raystack, I also disagree heavily with your comments about Rakdos Charm. While my recent thoughts about BW tokens have been answered, Rakdos Charm is a card I feel is the most well-rounded in the deck. In addition to hitting graveyards, removing Artifacts is frequently useful in the format. If you do not feel the same, Nihil Spellbomb is a fine choice. I prefer well-rounded, flexible cards that span more varieties of decks. Specifically, cards like Batterskull, Spellskite, and all of Affinity are reasons that I want more answers to artifacts. Also, Surgical Extraction helps in the graveyard hate package quite considerably.
There are various removal pieces to be considered as potential replacements for Lightning Bolt. Go For The Throat is currently at the top of my list, with Slaughter Pact and Doom Blade not far behind. There is also the potential of going to Phyrexian Metamorph, a concept that I REALLY like and just have not had time to test with too much.
At this point, I am simply being nitpicky, as the deck is in a great place at the moment. I'm just going through potential cards on the mental checklist. Right now, the deck actually lacks consistent turn three plays other than trying to cast multiple spells, and two-CMC spells would round out the curve nicely. It might be time to revisit the idea of a Liliana's Caress, as well as other possibilities, such as the removal cards listed earlier, Shrine of Burning Rage, Bloodghast (with 4 Faithless Looting, there are worse cards, and even though it was brought up previously in a highly unprofessional manner it could be playable), Curse of the Pierced Heart, Tormenting Voice, Night's Whisper, Tasigur's Cruelty as a singleton, and even the rogue Tibalt*, who knows?
*DISCLAIMER: Don't actually do that.
There are also some possible landbase changes. Leyline of Sanctity just got reprinted, but the more threats I add, the less I fear that card. The Godless Shrine might just want to be a Swamp, and main deck Blood Moon become part of the discussion in that case, along with increases in tanks.
There are a few ways to spin all this at the moment. Don't be afraid to try some crazy new tech in my absence.
Standard: Temur Energy RUG
Pauper: Fireball Black B
Commander: Kaervek the Merciless BR
"Always Bolt the Bird."
Blind Obedience - This is a possible stop to Twin, as well as a theoretic detriment to Burn. Max of 1 in the sideboard.
Bloodchief Ascension - A card that I have not really ever used, but I have seen the power of. It's not hard to turn it on, it works well against a number of decks, but it has the unfortunate side effect of not being very good off of the top of the deck. Max of 2-3 in the main, in theory, if the deck was built around it more.
Delirium Skeins - The only card at 3 CMC or less that forces the opponent to discard three cards. Max of 1 in the main board.
Devastating Summons - A last-ditch effort card for creatures, and a way to slam multiple threats onto the field late game. More of a cute option though. Max of 1 in the main board.
Dragonmaster Outcast - This is more directed at Raystack and other decks that play 24 or more lands. It's an easy way to start gaining insane board presence as the game drags on. Max of 2 in the main board.
Dreadbore - If Planeswalkers become bigger in the format, this becomes the go-to. Max of 2 in the sideboard.
Fiery Gambit - Do you feel lucky, punk? Max of 1 in the main deck, but only for an FNM or other non-competitive REL event.
Geth's Verdict - A number of decks are beginning to rely on only one threat to carry them home. Max of 2 in the main board.
Goblin Assault - A win condition that doesn't cause your opponent to have no cards in hand. Max of 1 in the total 75.
Haakon, Stromgald Scourge - As I'm likely going up to 4 Faithless Looting and 4 Liliana of the Veil in the main deck, I rather like this guy conceptually. Max of 1 in the main board.
Hallow - My pet card for beating Burn in any deck that runs white. Dragon's Claw has been effective enough thus far at colorless mana, however. Max of 2 in the sideboard.
Imp's Mischief - Another way to be 'cute' at an FNM. Can you tell that I really like my tech cards? Max of 1 in the main board, only at a non-competitive REL event.
Infernal Tutor - I rather like this card's idea. Many of you are already testing it. It's just mathematically risky to run in multiples. Max of 1 in the main deck.
Lifebane Zombie - Here's the easy way to deal with cards like Loxodon Smiter and Wilt-Leaf Liege. It's also a beater! I loved this card when it was in Standard and I see no reason that it can't work now. Max of 2 in the sideboard.
Lightning Storm - To be honest, if you get ahead, this can just win the game. Max of 1 in the sideboard.
Monastery Mentor - He's powerful enough to force more than one white source in the deck, and I mean up to four sources. He's a game winner, and can theoretically support the build fully. Max of 4 in the main board.
Myth Realized - Same as Mentor, although requires far less of a splash and allows the deck to play a lot more of the control element. I've seen this thing in action, and it gets out of hand in a hurry. Max of 2 in the main board.
Pack Rat - I know he's a big element of some player's decks, and I didn't use to like the card at all. It has, however, fully evolved since then and as I am looking for 2 CMC game changers, he could see a return. Max of 4 in the main board.
Pain's Reward - Proclaim dominance over your opponent. Some spice. Max of 1 in the main board in a non-competitive REL event.
Spoils of the Vault - The more I see this card played, the more I like it. This might not be the deck for it, however, but it can go and find a win condition when necessary without needing the hellbent element of Infernal Tutor. Max of 2 in the main board.
Timely Reinforcements - This is hate for both Burn and Zoo, along with other decks that we might need to buy some time against. Max of 1 in the sideboard.
Valorous Stance - Very good against several of the format's creatures and has the ability to protect our creatures. The only drawback is that the decks that run the creatures affected by this card also run Path to Exile, so at that rate, spot removal like Murderous Cut is just better. Max of 1 in the sideboard.
I've already mentioned cards like Kolaghan's Command and Virulent Plague, so I won't get back into that right now. Remember, these are just possible cards to test with, and I am in no way saying that a single one of them is necessarily correct. These are just ideas that I have not yet tested extensively.
Standard: Temur Energy RUG
Pauper: Fireball Black B
Commander: Kaervek the Merciless BR
"Always Bolt the Bird."
Here's what I'm thinking about running next time I'm out for the Pre-PTQ in a few weeks:
2x Blackcleave Cliffs
3x Blood Crypt
4x Bloodstained Mire
2x Lavaclaw Reaches
4x Polluted Delta
1x Rix Maadi, Dungeon Palace
2x Swamp
3x Watery Grave
Artifact (4)
4x The Rack
Planeswalker (4)
4x Liliana of the Veil
3x Blightning
3x Faithless Looting
4x Inquisition of Kozilek
3x Taigam's Scheming
3x Thoughtseize
3x Wrench Mind
Creature (7)
3x Bloodghast
1x Grim Lavamancer
3x Tombstalker
Instant (5)
2x Murderous Cut
3x Terminate
3x Bile Blight
2x Blood Moon
2x Pithing Needle
2x Pyroclasm
2x Shattering Spree
3x Surgical Extraction
1x Wrench Mind
In initial testing I haven't seen the lavamancer show up yet, but the toss-ability of the Bloodghast is really, really nice. Also, since the Tiagam's Scheming makes the Gurmag Angler drop more of a turn 3 play, I went with Tombstalker, since he flies and is pretty likely to come out T3 after a fetchland, a thoughtseize, and a scheming resolve.
Modern: Bogles // 8-Whack/Goblins // UW Titan // Hollow One // Affinity // Dredge
EDH: Nissa, Vastwood Seer // Atraxa, Praetor's Voice // Meren of Clan Nel Toth
Taigam's Scheming is an interesting choice. I'm not personally opposed to it, but if you are going THAT deep immto your graveyard, then you definitely want as much interaction with it as possible. The 4th Faithless Looting, for example, is far superior to the 3rd Blightning. The Rack is outclassed simply by all Delve threats because your discard package is already slightly less consistent. Also, Tasigur becomes the best call here, since the Blue splash can activate her ability.
You are leaning somewhere in between my list and a straight Delve list, so make sure you don't get caught out in no man's land.
Standard: Temur Energy RUG
Pauper: Fireball Black B
Commander: Kaervek the Merciless BR
"Always Bolt the Bird."
@Jesterblack: Hide // Seek is some interesting tech. Such a shame that, unlike Wear // Tear, you'll never be able to cast both halves of the spell since they both require white, and you run only 1 white source in the deck. Hide offers 'tucking' the permanent which is often better than putting it in the graveyard - pretty neat. On it's own though, wear // tear does a 2-for-1 which is probably better (except for wurmcoil engine, as you point out - Yoink!). As for seek, the single shot Bitter Ordeal has merit, but the life gain is probably a meager game advantage. Decks that run Emrakul, the Aeons Torn, Iona, Shield of Emeria, Karn Liberated don't generally win by any means of a damage race. In the case that you're facing such a deck, I'd reach for another sideboard card (slaughter games or ensnaring bridge or surgical extraction) before Hide // Seek.
Titanic write up there, Smashpacman! It's just the kind of spice this thread was looking for: Mixing up the pot with some novel suggestions. But, FrenchFryNinja nailed it when he said that the 3rd color addition can slippery slope you guys into a Grixis Delver deck (if you add ) or, in my case, a Jund deck (if I added to my Blitzkrieg build). Logical next question...should we?
I remain resolute that I can edge out my counterpart (Jund) by focusing on cards that they can't use since their manabase is so fractured. They can't run Phyrexian Obliterator or Wrench Mind. Wrench Mind when paired with Blightning opens doors to The Rack/Shrieking Affliction, Nyxathid, and further legitimizes the viability of your 'tanks' as the 'power discard suite' will leave them utterly senseless. The Rack/Shrieking Affliction/Nyxathid open doors to a 4th Liliana of the Veil which they also can't run. My latest addition, Geralf's Messenger, is out of the question for them. Before you p'fshaw him, consider all of the ways that he shocks an opponent, grows, and returns with a Kolaghan's Command. JUST: (1) Kolaghan's Command + (1) Geralf's Messenger = 10 damage. That's 10 damage without once dealing combat damage! A final quick thought: Against burn, Jund doesn't have Pharika's Cure which will swing a game when you have a fetchless, painless manabase. I edge myself into a lot of wins with juuuust enough life left on the clock to squeak by.
I'm just one cat talking, and I'm down for new spices in the soup...just be mindful to not dilute the key ingredients into lesser versions of other decks. Blitzkrieg.....Is......Sparta!!!!!
Honestly, I do not believe that playing a third color is the correct answer at the present moment. We are in a metagame where Blood Moon can be just as ineffective as it is effective, and remains a necessary card against several matchups while still flying a bit under the radar in others (strange as that sounds with the price spike up to $30).
This is just my opinion, however. I have the one-half-of-a-card White Splash presently, and I'm always testing cards, but I'm also always contemplating doing away with the Godless Shrine and just playing three Blood Moons and no Wear // Tear. Going too deep into a third color takes away from the consistency that this deck thrives upon. You are also very right about the "slippery slope." In my opinion, if you are splashing Green, there is no reason to not play Tarmogoyf, and thus, to simply play Jund. With Blue, the same goes for Snapcaster Mage and Grixis. With White, there is no reality of expectation of "where are your more powerful known cards?" Also, for consistency's sake, any more than the one-card splash should require more than one land of a split color.
For example, let's say I opted to run a main deck Path to Exile. As the card is an inherently powerful removal spell, I would want to ensure that I could see the lands in order to play the card. I would consider more Godless Shrines, and maybe even a Nomad Outpost. This makes the deck less consistent, however, in addition to the fact that we will wind up in other archetypes. The Red splash is plenty, and I would support a white-only splash on the original 8-Rack deck (for cards like Tidehollow Scullor and Flickerwisp) as well, but I believe that going into three colors is too deep.
Standard: Temur Energy RUG
Pauper: Fireball Black B
Commander: Kaervek the Merciless BR
"Always Bolt the Bird."
After further testing, I found that the most successful runs of the Grixis colored Blitzkreig that I built were simply the ones that the cards I added didn't show up so I was effectively running smashpackman's list. |o|. Oh well, live and learn. I did consider Keranos, God of Storms and keeping a lighter blue splash, and I like the idea of running Creeping Tar Pit (one of the Lavaclaw Reaches in my list was actually one of those), but against most decks the board is so clear already that Lavaclaw Reaches can still bring it home. If I get my hands on a Keranos (Someone around here has one I'm sure) I might give the blue splash a second look. Until further inspiration, it has been shelved.
So back to the "what can I attempt to do better than everyone else in the world" drawing board. Some comments on what else has been discussed:
First, because I never said it. That is some great commentary smashpacman. Awesome! Thank you!
Geralf's Messenger is a really interesting suggestion, Raystacks. I might have to look harder at that. I loved him in Zombies/Mono-black devotion after Gary became a thing (Gray Merchant of Asphodel).
I was also looking at Pit Fight as a 1-of in the Raystacks style list. It does a couple things, besides the obvious Phyrexian Obliterator for the win. It can basically lead to "kill target creature with power 4 or less and gain 4 life" if Batterskull is out. If running Geralf's Messenger it can kill things and him, ensuring that he gets all his damage in and gets bigger.
I really like the Dragonmaster Outcast in the 24 land version, too. That might need another look.
Monastery Mentor - Love the guy, but I think that if running 4-of we are going to run into the same problem as the early Young Pyromancer idea: You just wanted to play the disruption before playing the guy. But! I would say maybe 1-or-2-of for a late game to give the topdeck that 2 to 1 feel when drawing into the otherwise useless at that point Inquisition of Kozilek? I would argue on theory that Myth Realized is the same.
Pack Rat - Without Mutavault it just seems wrong. But my intuition when it comes to MTG isn't always that great.
I like Lifebane Zombie. There are a couple of those Junk-Leige decks running around my meta. I'll have to find a place for him. Thanks!
It for now. Late here. Thanks for all that you all have done for this deck!
Modern: Bogles // 8-Whack/Goblins // UW Titan // Hollow One // Affinity // Dredge
EDH: Nissa, Vastwood Seer // Atraxa, Praetor's Voice // Meren of Clan Nel Toth
After a long break, I just recently started to get into magic again.
smallpox is one of my favorite cards, but It did never really fit into any deck I could come up with or they ended up way too expensive :3.
I love the archetype you built, and wanted to give it a shot with reader,and more land destruction focused disruption.
Lately, I also found jwelt's small moon deck, which took the same approach:
http://www.mtgsalvation.com/forums/the-game/modern/deck-creation-modern/554509-small-moon-smallpox-blood-moon?page=3
Maybe you can find something, too.
4 blackcleave cliffs
4 blood crypt
4 bloodstained more
2 March flats
2 Mutavault
1 mountain
5 swamps
4 young pyromancer
4 bloodghast
2 tombstalker
2 pack rat
10 Land disruption:
4 smallpox
3 blood moon
3 crack the earth
4 wrench mind / rise//fall
4 inquisition of Kozilek
3 blackmail
Removal:
2 terminate
1 electrickery
2 Liliana of the veil
I am not sure about the elecktrickery, or if I should rather go with forked bolt, since it can also hit planes walkers.
Also, would you prefer rise//fall over wrench mind, since I don't know if my discard is enough to get my opponent to topdeckmode anyway. But then again, wrench mind might also discard some lands, and is sure to be 2:1.
Also, after looking at sygg, river cutthroat, I just realized that he can draw you a card during our opponents turn too, which sounds really nice especially, with the rack.
Although it might just be win-more, it isn't so bad considering that he has potential anyway.
It would be against your trend away from lightning bolt, though.
1x Grim Lavamancer
1x Mogis, God of Slaughter
Planeswalker
4x Liliana of the Veil
Spells
4x Wrench Mind
4x Blightning
4x Terminate
4x Inquisition of Kozilek
3x Lightning Bolt
4x Thoughtseize
Artifact
4x The Rack
4x Ensnaring Bridge
1x Blackcleave Cliffs
3x Blood Crypt
4x Bloodstained Mire
4x Dragonskull Summit
1x Godless Shrine
2x Rix Maadi, Dungeon Palace
4x Swamp
1x Stensia Bloodhall
3x Temple of Malice
3x Nyxathid
3x Syphon Life
3x Wear // Tear
3x Surgical Extraction
3x Darkblast
After reading through the last few pages, I.m unsure of Lightning Bolt now. Perhaps Dreadbore? Lingering Souls just for the flashback? Faithless Looting even though I have no delve? It really needs to be a 1 or 2 drop. Also, Darkblast is open in the side. Spellskite? Quite often, Ensnaring Bridge will come out G2 for Nyxathid. Thanks!
IMHO: I would say that for your curve I don't think you'd need to run 23 lands. 21 or 22 should be enough. I'd drop 1 Rix Maadi, Dungeon Palace. The Dreadbore call is a meta decision. The only time I run into planeswalkers in my meta is when I'm against BW Tokens. And there's only 1 guy who plays that deck sometimes here. If you see a lot of planeswalkers, then it might be helpful. 1x Murderous Cut is what I would run in place of the 2nd Rix Maadi. Even without fetches there is enough fuel with all the early turn spells we cast.
I would also consider finding/borrowing the Blackcleave Cliffs to run in place of Temple of Malice prior to the PPTQ. OR since you'r running Wear // Tear it might be a good idea to find a couple more fetches like Polluted Delta or Marsh Flats or Verdant Catacombs to ensure that you can always cast it. To be able to cast that kind of spell reliably (90%) by turn 3 you'd need at least 7 white sources. With 4 fetches and 1 Godless Shrine you're at 5. 2, possibly 3, more fetches and your mana base will be more reliable.
And if you're considering Faithless Looting in lieu of the Bolt, then maybe make the swap and put the zombie fish (Gurmag Angler) into your sideboard in place of Nyxathid? I love that it is Abrupt Decay proof. The flashback of looting, I think, is great for the late game filtering.
Just thoughts. Take everything I say with a giant grain of salt
Modern: Bogles // 8-Whack/Goblins // UW Titan // Hollow One // Affinity // Dredge
EDH: Nissa, Vastwood Seer // Atraxa, Praetor's Voice // Meren of Clan Nel Toth
As much as I want 2 Rix Maadi, Dungeon Palace to work, it really is a 1-of....unless you're running Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth (but we don't have filtering or self-discard (read: raven's crime) to make multiples work). Dreadbore made the cut as a 1-of in my sideboard. I crow about the merits of Hero's Downfall, but I have other dedicated creature kill cards that best a 3-cmc price. I wouldn't run dreadbor main deck, Danntev. I prefer Victim of Night, but Murderous Cut is popular.
FrenchFry is right about the land count: you're low for running those 3 white cards. You've got to up your fetch count or drop the wear // tear in favor of other sweepers (to stop Leyline of Sanctity) like Ratchet Bomb. I know there is a real fear of Leyline, but strangely enough I have a winning record (slight) against it getting played against me. OR, you can go for a more transformative SB, and rock out with some more creatures.
Faithless Looting is an all-in approach type - not a splashy, 1-of add. In Smashpacman's build, it serves as a Dark Ritual for Delve Creatures and an Izzet Charm loot to crank through cards. I do have my reservations about its usage as I'd like to see more graveyard interactions, like "Dredge" cards or "Reanimation" or Vengevine/Bloodghast mechanics. It's also hard to use against an unknown opponent as a Turn 1 play: What do I keep, and what do I pitch? Additionally, it falls flat as a topdeck draw when you're hellbent, and flashback filtering only works when you hold one card back. All that said, it's a card that can hit the turbo arrow on the racetrack, and put you in the driver's seat. I was playtesting Smashpacman's list last night, and Faithless Looting was granting me a 1 turn advantage pretty consistently....but, it comes with a cost of card economy and fetch life loss of 3 on a turn 1 play. As you know, I rock a more graduated mana ramp, so I'm coming at it from a traditional perspective. Still, you have to play the card to see it's power in a Blitzkrieg build - it's there. I do think it's time to drop 1 wear // tear (since it's the only white card in the deck) and the one white land.....last night, I had an opening hand of 3 faithless looting and one land: Godless Shrine. Oooof!