We played some weird "Powder Belcher" today, I'll have to comment on it later, but basically, we are looking to utilize Serum Powder to fix our draws... I don't know yet, we'll think, more to come, just got off the stream so tired, but wanted to offer the little highlight for the tease.
We played some weird "Powder Belcher" today, I'll have to comment on it later, but basically, we are looking to utilize Serum Powder to fix our draws... I don't know yet, we'll think, more to come, just got off the stream so tired, but wanted to offer the little highlight for the tease.
Mega props on the super long stream. I caught a bit with powder, and some of the Eldrazi Stompy lists run it (they aim for a Chalice on t1 too) and I think it has merit for testing further; granted they can leverage Eternal Scourge, but still...
Wow, bad beats. Sometimes you end up on the wrong side of variance. That being said, it does feel like big mana decks are getting more and more popular, and big mana decks give us a problem. Our clock is not that fast and it relies on a creature that can get easily removed. As big mana decks continue to do well, it puts this deck in an underdog position. The old jeskai build was good for us(with geist, queller), but the new one with gearhulk and nahiri is problematic, because it's a big mana deck. charbelcher is probably better than Koth right now, but I'm hesitant to run two. Pia and Kiran Nalaar still has a place and I don't want to go to more than six 4-drops. If there was a cheaper card other than Belcher, I'd use that. As far as a clock goes, Rabblemaster is still king. It gets under bridge, attacks for a lot, and ends the game quicker than any other card if left unchecked. King for now.....all it takes is a decent, not even great, just a decent three mana red planeswalker in dominaria (looking at you, Jaya!) and I can see rabblemaster getting pushed out and going with an almost creature-less build.
That was a long way to answer...yes....the meta is shifting towards an area where this deck might not be well positioned. That being said, I was undefeated at the IQ I attended in game that I did't scoop to my friend or draw 6+ lands in a row. Also, Fluffy routinely puts up 4-1 or 5-0 finishes on MTGO with the deck.
Need ideas for a faster clock than rabblemaster that cost three or less.
It's 2cmc; we drag the game out so we're going to net a bunch of upkeep counters, every spell we can cast barring bridge/chalice ticks it up... and it can deal with a Noble Hierarch or other creature getting under bridge in a pinch.
Seems iffy late-game, but worth a test run I think.
I have an idea that's so crazy, it just might work. I'm removing slagstorm from the main deck completely and also taking out the KOTH. putting in three eidolins in their place. this will free up three sideboard slots. those are going to be eidolin #4, and extra anger, and something else....maube another boil, or a witchbane orb, or a ratchet bomb or a phrexyan revoker....something. But the move away from slagstorm main deck could work and give us another avenue to close out the games quicker. also, the addition of additional creatures will psuedi protect the rabblemasters becuase eidolin is a must answer threat. And, we'll also be kinda presideboarded against scapeshift, ad nausem, and storm while not losing that much in the other matches. I know slagstorm has been nuts when the opportunity arises, but with the way to format is changing to big mana decks, I just don't see it being something thats NEEDED right now. Plus, Walking ballista is also pretty good vs a creature swarm, unless it's affinity and they get lots in play on turn two.
Some discouraging news came in from The Front this weekend. Bummer on the two premier event performances, but I think Proxy's FNM records were perfectly serviceable leading up to his SCG IQ demise. Both he and Stickballruss spoke to the pitfalls of variance: drawing the 'wrong half' of the deck. As a Sideboard Deck, trying to shut down the whole of the Modern meta is no small task, so misfires will occur. I believe there are a couple ways to improve our chances for survival & streamline our draws.
Present an early threat. If we're lucky it will double as a lock piece. But, at a minimum, it needs to ramp smoothly in our scheme and present an obstacle.
Provide ourselves with an adaptable draw which allows for grooming, and permit that responsive shift to occur early in the game.
1.) - The early threat is Eidolon of the Great Revel which can sometimes double as a lock. Without any 1-drops, this hot potato is such a welcome addition as a turn 2 summoning. Caligula described its role extremely well, and I do look at this card as I wrote just recently as our Dark Confidant
Caligula wrote: My theory on Eidolon is this; if you look at the top decks on MTGGoldfish, Eidolon isn't bad against any of them, and good to great against most. The incidental damage to our own face could definitely be a problem in situations where we need to hide behind a Bridge, sure.. but what decks are we slamming the Bridge down that low against, and how do they get wide enough to be a threat with sufficient Eidolon pressure? Only a few decks come to mind, in which case he becomes a 2-drop blocker as opposed to the 3-drop goblin chump-blocker we all know and love. In my opinion, we have a unique shell for Eidolon, based on the weight of our lock pieces. Rituals aside, we typically cast 1 spell a Turn, where most other decks at the top of the format start to cast multiple spells a turn by turn 3 or so. Some run cheap, efficient removal spells to deal with creatures. We run Ensnaring Bridge. We cast it once. Some decks have counterspells to deal with said removal and such. We jam a Chalice. A spell we cast typically effects the game more significantly than the average spell our opponents are casting, so why not make them pay for all their cantrips, removal and various flim-flam? As I said, this is just my theory. Testing shall be done.:
2.) - The adaptable grooming cards are Tormenting Voice and Tezzeret's Gambit. As I watch games from a number of people online, I consistently see how these cards can speed you right into a superior hand. Sure, we generally want to keep and play all of our cards, however there are times when there's a given card in your hand that actually don't want to be there (duplicate/preventing a bridge-dump down play). T. Voice will assist more than you'd think. I was iffy on playing this alongside Eidolon for fear of too much damage, but the roll out of these spells aren't that conflicting when taken into context of how an opponent affects our development. And, Tezzeret's Gambit makes the 2-damage from Eidolon a mute point (acutally 0 if lucky enough to Gemstone Caverns), and there are (9) targets for a proliferate.
Oh, and I'd love to see some more decklists, particularly what you've been doing well with at FNM Proxy. And, a formatting tip for those not in the know: when you are discussing a card, it can be hyperlinked by typing [card] in front of the word and [/card***] after the word. Although, you don't type in the 3 asterisks. Similarly, if you want to format a deck, it's [deck] in front of the list and [/deck***] after the list. For the purposes of explanation, I have to type in the *** otherwise, it will try to hyperlink.
Ray, if by drawing the wrong half of out llr deck, you mean the lands part, then yes, I drew the wrong half. I still think this is well positioned and am going to try the move the eidolins into the main, dropping koth, pia, slag. Going to keep the 4th in the board. This will free two sideboard slots, which will be anger #3 and possibly a molten rain.
Speaking as someone who magequit when Lightning Bolt was removed in 5th Edition, I've been following this thread with interest for several months. Considering several of the card suggestions the past couple months -- Walking Ballista especially -- I finally got an account so I can ask about a card that hasn't come up: Braid of Fire. It seems like it's been a card in search of a deck that can afford a, shall we say, slow burn.
Consider that Braid of Fire synergizes with the following cards under discussion:
Magma Jet - Do the scry during your upkeep and, during the main phase, still have all your lands for your chosen topdeck.
Goblin Charbelcher - So much more fun when you get to spin the wheel for free every turn.
Crystal Ball - Nice to decide what you're drawing every turn, without committing any mountains. Even if that is just bottomdecking a mountain that would otherwise guarantee a Charbelcher misfire.
Blood Moon - A stretch as far as synergy goes, there seems to be value in forcing an opponent to decide whether to disenchant your moon or Goblin Rabblemaster's weird cousin.
Volt Charge - OK, not sure anyone's mentioned it, but if you run Tezzeret's Gambit because of proliferate...don't forget that this exists.
Hammer of Bogardan - This almost becomes playable when you can rely on a runaway fusion reactor to return it to your hand each turn, for free, so that you can cast it. (This might be a better Lavamancer!)
Rimescale Dragon - No, no help casting this - and hard to imagine actually running it - but if you're going to run Snow-Covered Mountains, remember that this exists. Nice prison for all creatures that can be targeted before letting Rabblemaster over the bridge to wrap up a game. Path to Exile spoils the party.
(As a quick aside: it's a real shame that Stormcaller of Keranos has an activation cost of 1U instead of 1R...or even 3R.)
Alright, maindeck 3 eidolin report. 4-1 comp league and was one game away from 5-0. Why is game three after going 4-0 the hardest game? Anyway, not convinced yet, but there was one situation vs affinity where I almost died to my own eidolin behind a bridge, but the affinity player made a few mistakes. Otherwise it didn't come up maindexk at all, so for testing purposes, I couldn't tell if it's better. It is nice having an extra slot in the board, but still not convinced it's the way to go. More testing is needed.
Alright. I'm going to be in Philly for the team event in the legacy seat this weekend. If we wash out I'm going to run Fluffy's general list in the Modern Challenge on Sunday.
Should that come to pass I'll be posting a report -
Fluffy - any tweaks you think you'd want to make at this point?
I just want to say that I was also strongly advocating the use of Eidolon before it was accepted as an auto SB include. It was something I saw a Big Red list in Legacy use and I thought it would be strong against stuff like Storm and Affinity. It is easily the best card in the board, coming in almost every matchup. I recently sold off my Chalice of the Voids as I expect a reprint sometime this year so unfortunately I wont be able to play this deck for awhile. Ive been on a few other lists recently but I know sometime this year we'll be getting something strong for our deck that may make it more popular. It may not be the new Jaya but there could be plenty of spice in Dominaria and the Core Set. Here's to hoping for a Chalice reprint so I may once again join you in ruining people's Fridays!
Walked, I'm 50/50 on going to the classic. If you're playing in the Sunday classic and see a Russell Colosi in the pairings, come over and say hi!
If I do play, I'll probably be running my open list from a few months ago. I haven't done enough testing with main deck eidolin to make it official and live paper events are very different than MTGO. Expect to see burn, affinity, and jeskai.
Walked, I'm 50/50 on going to the classic. If you're playing in the Sunday classic and see a Russell Colosi in the pairings, come over and say hi!
If I do play, I'll probably be running my open list from a few months ago. I haven't done enough testing with main deck eidolin to make it official and live paper events are very different than MTGO. Expect to see burn, affinity, and jeskai.
Awesome! Similarly look for a Francis Setash in the pairings!
Agree re: meta if Philly is anything like the DC area. I 100% agree those are the three most common decks around here
FWIW I'll be there Friday - Sunday, staying at a hotel right at the location of the event. If anyone wants to grab food / casually play some matches, just drop me a PM.
edit: Would you guys be interested in a discord server for Modern prison chat? We have one for Lands in legacy and its pretty great.
Hey guys! Just got back from my trip to Ireland and I've been thinking a lot about different possible angles that the deck could operate on. I am fully willing to accept that I'm crazy, but has anyone ever considered Obliterate? I didn't know that this card even existed, but think about our board state a lot of the time: Blood Moon + Planeswalker + Ensnaring Bridge. Both Koth and Chandra ramp into an uncounterable destroy literally everything except my Planeswalker + Blood Moon.
The major caveat is that the deck would need a bit of retooling. I haven't gone through and put together a proper deck list yet, but I'll be working on it tonight. I was mostly curious if anyone had tried or thought of it.
Alright. I'm going to be in Philly for the team event in the legacy seat this weekend. If we wash out I'm going to run Fluffy's general list in the Modern Challenge on Sunday.
Should that come to pass I'll be posting a report -
Fluffy - any tweaks you think you'd want to make at this point?
Right now we dropped Stormbreath and are playing +2 Koth (dropped walking balista also). The Meta shifts though and so if you have a good read on your Meta tailor your sideboard to fill those gaps as necessary. Best of luck! Awesome to be running my list, hopefully it serves you well!
Alright. I'm going to be in Philly for the team event in the legacy seat this weekend. If we wash out I'm going to run Fluffy's general list in the Modern Challenge on Sunday.
Should that come to pass I'll be posting a report -
Fluffy - any tweaks you think you'd want to make at this point?
Right now we dropped Stormbreath and are playing +2 Koth (dropped walking balista also). The Meta shifts though and so if you have a good read on your Meta tailor your sideboard to fill those gaps as necessary. Best of luck! Awesome to be running my list, hopefully it serves you well!
Thanks! I think I'm going to run 1 Koth / 1 Ballista instead of 2/0; but otherwise I'm pretty much on board with your list. Probably running two Boil in the side, too.
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I'll leave this little game candy here for those:
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/videos/221059298
Youtube: https://youtu.be/urOT06bZHkQ
We played some weird "Powder Belcher" today, I'll have to comment on it later, but basically, we are looking to utilize Serum Powder to fix our draws... I don't know yet, we'll think, more to come, just got off the stream so tired, but wanted to offer the little highlight for the tease.
Mega props on the super long stream. I caught a bit with powder, and some of the Eldrazi Stompy lists run it (they aim for a Chalice on t1 too) and I think it has merit for testing further; granted they can leverage Eternal Scourge, but still...
That was a long way to answer...yes....the meta is shifting towards an area where this deck might not be well positioned. That being said, I was undefeated at the IQ I attended in game that I did't scoop to my friend or draw 6+ lands in a row. Also, Fluffy routinely puts up 4-1 or 5-0 finishes on MTGO with the deck.
Need ideas for a faster clock than rabblemaster that cost three or less.
Shring of Burning Rage
It's 2cmc; we drag the game out so we're going to net a bunch of upkeep counters, every spell we can cast barring bridge/chalice ticks it up... and it can deal with a Noble Hierarch or other creature getting under bridge in a pinch.
Seems iffy late-game, but worth a test run I think.
2.) - The adaptable grooming cards are Tormenting Voice and Tezzeret's Gambit. As I watch games from a number of people online, I consistently see how these cards can speed you right into a superior hand. Sure, we generally want to keep and play all of our cards, however there are times when there's a given card in your hand that actually don't want to be there (duplicate/preventing a bridge-dump down play). T. Voice will assist more than you'd think. I was iffy on playing this alongside Eidolon for fear of too much damage, but the roll out of these spells aren't that conflicting when taken into context of how an opponent affects our development. And, Tezzeret's Gambit makes the 2-damage from Eidolon a mute point (acutally 0 if lucky enough to Gemstone Caverns), and there are (9) targets for a proliferate.
So, this is my current tournament deck..
Creatures (9)
3 Eidolon of the Great Revel
2 Goblin Rabblemaster
2 Magus of the Moon
1 Pia and Kiran Nalaar
1 Walking Ballista
Accelerators (10)
4 Simian Spirit Guide
4 Desperate Ritual
1 Tormenting Voice
1 Tezzeret's Gambit
4 Chandra, Torch of Defiance
Power Locks (12)
4 Ensnaring Bridge
4 Chalice of the Void
4 Blood Moon
Disruption (4)
2 Abrade
2 Sweltering Suns
Lands (21)
18 Mountains
3 Gemstone Caverns
2 Anger of the Gods
2 Grafdigger's Cage
2 Relic of Progenitus
2 Damping Matrix
2 Torpor Orb
2 Goblin Rabblemaster
1 Sorcerous Spyglass
1 Witchbane Orb
1 Spellskite
Oh, and I'd love to see some more decklists, particularly what you've been doing well with at FNM Proxy. And, a formatting tip for those not in the know: when you are discussing a card, it can be hyperlinked by typing [card] in front of the word and [/card***] after the word. Although, you don't type in the 3 asterisks. Similarly, if you want to format a deck, it's [deck] in front of the list and [/deck***] after the list. For the purposes of explanation, I have to type in the *** otherwise, it will try to hyperlink.
Consider that Braid of Fire synergizes with the following cards under discussion:
Starting point for a decklist:
2 Walking Ballista
4 Goblin Rabblemaster
Acceleration
4 Desperate Ritual
1 Pyretic Ritual
4 Simian Spirit Guide
4 Chandra, Torch of Defiance
2 Braid of Fire
3 Magma Jet
1 Crystal Ball
1 Goblin Charbelcher
4 Blood Moon
1 Magus of the Moon
4 Ensnaring Bridge
4 Chalice of the Void
Lands
16 Snow-Covered Mountain
2 Scrying Sheets
3 Gemstone Caverns
Should that come to pass I'll be posting a report -
Fluffy - any tweaks you think you'd want to make at this point?
RG BBE Ponza
UX Eldrazi Tron
UR Jace Breach
If I do play, I'll probably be running my open list from a few months ago. I haven't done enough testing with main deck eidolin to make it official and live paper events are very different than MTGO. Expect to see burn, affinity, and jeskai.
Awesome! Similarly look for a Francis Setash in the pairings!
Agree re: meta if Philly is anything like the DC area. I 100% agree those are the three most common decks around here
edit: Would you guys be interested in a discord server for Modern prison chat? We have one for Lands in legacy and its pretty great.
The major caveat is that the deck would need a bit of retooling. I haven't gone through and put together a proper deck list yet, but I'll be working on it tonight. I was mostly curious if anyone had tried or thought of it.
Right now we dropped Stormbreath and are playing +2 Koth (dropped walking balista also). The Meta shifts though and so if you have a good read on your Meta tailor your sideboard to fill those gaps as necessary. Best of luck! Awesome to be running my list, hopefully it serves you well!
Thanks! I think I'm going to run 1 Koth / 1 Ballista instead of 2/0; but otherwise I'm pretty much on board with your list. Probably running two Boil in the side, too.