That deck is rather laughable. 1 gemstone cavern won't ever do anything to make it's spot worthwhile and manamophose isn't even a ritual it's a just there to get double blue because you bloodmooned out your ability to reliably play jace. There is no early game interaction no sweepers you said this was premium article?
On the topic of credit, correct me if I'm wrong, but I do believe that Russ's SCG top 8 deck was Ray's Titanium 1K 1st place deck, with the addition of Abrade and Ballista.
It is disappointing to see the household names in magic malign credit for Pyro Prison. On a more positive note, I'm currently 3-0 in my league. Bridge crumbled Zoo, D-Shad scooped to my turn 2 Chalice on 1 b/c they kept a one lander and U/W control threw a hissy fit when I ripped Turn 2 Chandra into Blood Moon while they were tapped out. I love this deck and I'm so confident in its position in the meta. I'm realizing that it really requires superb piloting. All the games I've won have been 2-1 so I like to think I'm piloting it well and I also like to think that a lot of my good piloting has come from the help of the crew. Having people take the time to understand the line I see, and then explain to me why that may not be the best line, has been sincerely helpful. Also the videos are the Shiz.
Ray what are you thinking about as you're gearing up for Hartford? Russ are you going to make it Hartford?
Congrats on the 5-0 Fluffy!
I'm thinking of going down at least 1 Anger for Pyroclasm next league, but no major changes.
I also wasn't kidding when I said Jaya into Obliterate.
Dev, you are correct. 100%. Ray's initial win is what put this deck on the map and all credit for it and it's evolution go to him. If you google my name, you'll see that I made top 8 at an IQ several months before the Open with Ray's EXACT LIST, except I was dumb and used snow covered lands to try to fake out my opponents to get them to think I was on a blood moon Skred Red strategy....DOH!
Ray and I are cut from the same cloth. We both like prison strategies from a long time ago. Without talking to him, I can tell we both like Smokestack, Tangle wire, winter orb, stasis strategies that negate everything our opponents are trying to do. Still waiting for that meekstone reprint in a modern legal set....
alright guys, I need help and this is not something I can test anywhere because, well, it's not a format. MTGO doesn't have it....local game stores don't have it...so I'm going with a deck in theory....No Banned List Modern. At the SCG Invitational (or SCGCON as they are billing it this year), the invitational starts on Friday, and if I scrub out like I did laast year, I am going to play in the open. the problem - it's a no banned list modern open. we're talking real affinity with skullclamp, Jittes, Blazing Shoals, and hypergenesis all over the place. Oh, and there alwyas drawing your entire deck with elves...that's a thing too.
Think about this before answering....would throwing 4 chrome mox in the deck, replacing three gemstone caverns and a ritual make this deck good enough to compete? How about doing that and throwing in a few trinispheres? Or is that just a bad idea? Would be really funny if I made top 8 at the open again with this in a no banned list modern format.
Let me know your thoughts? am I nuts or would a super fast format that thrives on turn one emrakul and drawing 48 cards off skullclamp be weak to a turn one blood moon or chalice of the void?
I don't think you are entirely crazy, look how the legacy version goes. Though I think the biggest weakness is the lack of SOL lands. On the play though we are probably highly favored.
No holds-barred, everything is legal Modern? What is this madness, Stickballruss! The only thing more goofy was "Iron Man Magic" tournaments (I know you were playing at the time). For the benefits of others, this format existed back in the day: if you cast a spell which killed your opponents permanents (or any permanents for that matter), then you had to physically destroy the card. Yup. Pick up his Shivan Dragon and shred it into confetti. Laughing was optional...but encouraged.
Yeah, I don't know enough on that format (new no-banned format) to hazard any advice. As for mutual affections on the cards you listed, hells yeah. I was in NYC for the Urza's Saga pre-release tourney. I pulled a Smokestack and fell in love. It went into nearly all my Type 2 tourney decks later, including a wacked-out homebrew black deck with skittering skirge and splashed blue for miscalculation -- which did really well by beating out the time spiral/mind over matter/tolarian academy decks of the day. Nothing beat those decks back then, thus the emergency ban hammer on academy.
I gotta find time to watch the 5-0, fluffy. Meantime, I have put the last premier event's (Classics) decks under the microscope. I suspect there will be a shift in our 'pre-sideboard' deck in response. We had a 400 person event a couple weeks ago down the road from DevtheRevRyan and me, but the winning decks were only testing the waters. It'll be the upcoming 3rd major tourney where we will start to see what is really happening in the meta. Let's be ready.
This test proto-type has 100% of the signature locks and 100% of the typical mana acceleration. The difference: I am trying to get out in front of the opponent - Go over them. It's has more threat density, and yet more 'answer' cards in the main deck. Spellskite, Phyrexian Revoker and Hazoret the Fervent are sideboard style cards which are now in the mainboard. The swap out comes at the hands of dedicated removal cards. So, this has a lot of X-for-1 card advantage synergies and less 1-for-1 spells like Abradeorrr creature sweepers like Anger/Pyroclasm/Sweltering.
Rather than sweep away the board at the cost of losing our own creatures, just use Ratchet Bomb or Bonfire of the Damned. Also, go creature-strong, so there's something to charge through: Eidolon/Berserker/Revoker. This is twice the number of ground pounders usually seen.
PURPOSE: reduce the 'lull'. Rather than my fallback on the mechanic of loot/draw, overwhelm in game 2 - attack & press with 2-point ping triggers. Plus, the use of selected toolbox artifact spells in this iteration spreads soooo wide for applications - some of them even attack and block. I think I like the diversity, and will run it tonight.
Another evolution: 'Living Locks' or 'Locks on a Stick' provide pressure. Compare a developed game state of Blood Moon / Sorcerous Spyglass / Ensnaring Bridge (0 damage) versus Magus of the Moon / Phyrexian Revoker / Hazoret the Fervent (recurring damage). Then, with a couple creatures on our side of the board, compare Anger of the Gods to a Bonfire of the Damned (0 damage versus win-con development). Well, we'll see...
Round 1: 5C Humans || Game 1 - I ritual out a Magus of the Moon. He drops a non-basic and an aether vial. I drop a 2nd land and a phyrexian revoker naming the vial. Game Over. He never draws a basic land and I have 4 damage 'on a stick'. Game 2 - I've brought in my 4th gemstone cavern, and see one of them in my opening hand. It hits the board before the game starts. He plays a nonbasic and passes. I drop another land, ritual and a blood moon. I win with a couple SSG beats and he can only manage to cast an aether vial and a thalia's lieutenant over the course of 2 games.
The takeaway: It's a popular deck and we're fantastically matched up against it. Blood moon polices greed. (2) critical plays: the phyrexian revoker in G1 and the ripped 4th gemstone in G2.
Round 2: Blood-braid elf JUND || There is so much interaction that occurs in this matchup that it's hard to recall much. This build seemed a little more creature based, or maybe i got lucky on dodging abrupt decay, maelstrom pulse, liliana of the veil. I did see all of those cards in the matchup, but not enough of them for him to break through. I won 2 in a row.
The takeaway: my inclusion of a 2nd spellskite helped and there was a neat bonfire of the damned miracle rip that leveled 3 elves and a scooze. I will continue to use them. I get that BBE-Jund is not a favorable matchup, but it's far from hopeless. A friend is coming over later, and will playtest some more.
Round 3: Mardu Tokens || Hazoret damn this unholy creation to hell! In game 1, I had a monster start with 2 goblin rabblemasters on turn 2 and then turn 3. It did not matter. I tried to shield up in game 2, and it did not matter. Yes, this was my one loss for the night.
Round 4: Todd Steven's 'Value Town' || This is a unique G/W deck that avoids combo loops of life/damage and uses simple synergies to overwhelm the opponent. Like Jund, it's a terrifically entertaining bout. I dismantled this deck both games. It wasn't even close. Look at the board state at the end of game 2 in the pic below.
So, it's a small sample size (on top of the cockatrice testing), but I like where this is going. We all know that (53) cards are predetermined for building a Pyro Prison deck. The top of the Official Primer has had a box of unchanged, listed-off Core cards for well over a year. The only card not listed is the 1 Pyretic Ritual, but I think we all agree that is a must have. [[note: if mountainfolk want to introduce a deck that doesn't have the stock 53 cards, that's perfectly cool]].
MAINDECK
My (7) swing slots echo builds from over a year ago. Spellskite used to be a main deck staple. Sometimes in multiples. Phyrexian Revoker was maindeck too. These are anticipatory spells. Today's meta has me expecting their need in game 1. I am doubling down on both of them with 2 more in the sideboard.
SIDEBOARD
My sideboard operates on a theme of totality. No narrow cards. No responsive cards. I draw it - I play it. No sandbagging. Since I'm expecting a bull rush from my opponent, my job is to set the traps as fast as I can: Grafdigger's Cage, Torpor Orb, Witchbane Orb, Phyrexian Revoker, Spellskite, Ratchet Bomb, and Damping Matrix. Otherwise, I'm coming right back at him just as fast as I can: Eidolon, Scab-Clan, Bonfire, and Shattering Spree.
Remember, nobody walks into a tournament with a game plan to take down mono-red prison. They do not have the right tools in their deck. They do not have the right tools in their sideboard. So, steer hard into their waves. Use spells that ruin with totality. That requires the discipline to get hurt by your own spells - like Damping Matrix. Damping matrix obliterated Todd Steven's deck last night, but it also harshed my Pia and Kiran Nalaar. That's the cost.
I guess what I'm trying to say, in a single word, is 'earthquake'. I distinctly remember the moment I first saw that card. It's power laid bare as a wrath of god and fireball and doomsday device of mutual annihilation. But, shrewdly deployed, earthquake is a game winner. That card. Its mechanic - Its cost - Its damage. It's our battle flag!
Sorry about haven't been in the game lately. Had lots of adult stuff going on and I haven't had much time to play, practice, or write over the last two weeks.
Ray, been a while since we have a tournament report from you. Nicely done. 3-1 is my usual record. Literally, I've went exactly 3-1 in every Thursday night modern I've attended since before Thanksgiving.
Anyway, for the mardu pyromancer deck, you can't turtle up. Actually, you gotta drop all theoons and bridges. I think I posted a few weeks back about this match. Friend came over one night and we tested this match exclusively. Going all in aggro gave us the best chance to win. Moon really doesn't do anything and bridge never put them in a bad position. Next time try the all aggro plan and let me.know how it goes.
I've opted to play more creatures and no Bridge because I dislike playing bridge. As a result of that, I'm also playing a little more spot removal so I can get around those pesky gurmag anglers and goyfs. I considered Dire Fleet Daredevil but I don't think it's good enough. No cavern of souls because those are expensive as hell and bad with moons.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Modern:UBRDeath's ShadowUBR, CEldrazi StompyC,WUBRGSliversWUBRG, UBRGTraverse ShadowUBRG,RUGtempo pileRUG Pauper:UdelverU they slaughtered my deck i miss gush and daze..
You've got some interesting things going on here, but honestly, if you start to go this route, you're better of just playing Skred than a mediocre-prison deck. On another note, has anyone tried 2 Hazoret in the MB? I feel like he helps our Jund matchup which is sorely needed right now, plus he closes out games really fast. I cut a P&K and put the 2 Abrades in the side for 2 Hazoret and another Pyretic Ritual to empty our hand faster so he is live quicker. Only went 3-2, but the losses could have easily been wins with just a touch more luck on my side.
I like what you are trying to do here. I also thought about dropping bridge for a more aggressive game plan. Few notes....blood moon gives so many free wins, it's silly not to play 4. I see you loaded up on magus, which is a mistake with elf running rampart, decks are back to bolts, which is the perfect answer to magus. Try the full set of moons and instead of magus, try something bigger like glory bringer. It's removal and a haste dude. Also, I don't think you'll find those 2/2 dragons much good, so maybe those can be chandras? I know I'm raising the curve, but with all those rituals, the power here is playing powerful things ahead of schedule.
Those sent dragons they are Human Warriors Russ, knowledge courteous of my Lovisa Coldeyes EDH. But all kidding aside I think the Dragon lords are a little slow and s huge mana investment just to die to a bolt in response to leveling up. I fully would beg you to consider rabblemasters in that regard an easy t1 or 2 rabble unanswered will easily over run the game. And with your threat density they will be even more impactful in your list.
Played this deck at gp phoenix this last weekend started off 5-0 then hit a rough patch. Ended at 7-5. 2 loses to affinity 1 to control 1 to elves and 1 to jund. The elves match up should have been a win I just kept a bad hand game 3 and mulled to 4 game one. Overall deck is a blast would like to test taking bridge out for the sb hazoret + eidolon package main.
If we are going without the bridge, I would strongly consider Glory Bringer, as a 4/4 flying haste dragon that can also act as removal would be great in it's place.
I streamed last night and we learned a few things.
#1. Vs eggs/Krark Clan Ironworks, keep in Spyglass. It stops Engineered Explosives, which is their only source of interaction against you. I didn't realize this until I was getting destroyed game three, but more important than winning is learning, and that we did.
#2. you need to be EXTREMELY familiar with the meta game, by turn one, need to correctly identify the deck your opponent is playing, and must have a game plan formulated around it. that was on full display last night in my final match. From the first land drop, it felt like we were out of it. Opponent was playing some random deck that felt like a todd stevens special that it not popular yet and we were just fumbling around and had no idea what to do. This is not a deck you can just pick up and run with. If you are going to take this for a spin, know your matches and how to play each one.
Played this deck at gp phoenix this last weekend started off 5-0 then hit a rough patch. Ended at 7-5. 2 loses to affinity 1 to control 1 to elves and 1 to jund. The elves match up should have been a win I just kept a bad hand game 3 and mulled to 4 game one. Overall deck is a blast would like to test taking bridge out for the sb hazoret + eidolon package main.
I really happy you picked it up and were off the the races with an impressive start. I'm sure you would agree with proper testing and some luck, this deck could be a real contender in modern. I'm curious to know a little more about your event. any chance you have your matches memorized and could give us a tournament report? the people who read this forum are always looking to learn from other people's successes and mistakes.
Hey Ray thanks for the tournament report. I'll have one of my own coming up this week, due to the fact that I just 5-0'd a friendly. Yeah crew, it was my first, i know - isn't it beautiful? I was pumped. Won my last match during my hour lunch break at work.
Russ - the videos and twitch-cast [or w/e] have been DOPE. You do explain your lines really well, it was certainly awkward when I had to watch you play instead of listen during that quiet period. I have learned so much about the meta and the deck. I've gotten away from thinking, am I the aggressor or controller here? and I ask myself more, how are they going to try to win and how do I win? I think you do a really good job of conveying that to viewers. How do I win? What do I need to shut this POS deck I'm against off.
Ray that new deck is looking spicy^2. I def need to tweak my board prior to Hartford. I love Hazoret. Love her. When she's in my hand... I feel this sense of power, similar to Chandra. Usually with Chandra I am afraid I'll lose her, but you Hazoret, I know you'll be here unless something wild... Thoughtseize... where'd you go!?! happens... lol
I'm going to graduate to the Comp Leagues now and will re-evaluate the boarding. I like Pyroclasm, Damping Matrix, Trinisphere, Ratchet. Not feeling Boils as hard as I was. I like Torpor Orb too... that card can do some serious work in the right match-up.
Well I've written a lot and said very little. I def wanted to get a post in and say hey to the Reggies. Russ if you're streaming tonight I'll try to get on around 9.
As always crew, it is a pleasure.
DR
Oh and Russ... isn't this Black Burn? https://www.mtggoldfish.com/articles/much-abrew-black-burn-modern
I wasn't sure if this was the build you were alluding too in your Black Burn discussion, but I like this deck and think its spicy. Full disclosure I've been running BBE Ponza in the Tournament Practice Lobby and crushing it. I'm open-minded. I like seeing what's out there from a different vantage point - but at the end of the day... I know what sword is my favorite.
That is why in addition to Koth there are the rabbles and Nalaar's lending their support.
It is disappointing to see the household names in magic malign credit for Pyro Prison. On a more positive note, I'm currently 3-0 in my league. Bridge crumbled Zoo, D-Shad scooped to my turn 2 Chalice on 1 b/c they kept a one lander and U/W control threw a hissy fit when I ripped Turn 2 Chandra into Blood Moon while they were tapped out. I love this deck and I'm so confident in its position in the meta. I'm realizing that it really requires superb piloting. All the games I've won have been 2-1 so I like to think I'm piloting it well and I also like to think that a lot of my good piloting has come from the help of the crew. Having people take the time to understand the line I see, and then explain to me why that may not be the best line, has been sincerely helpful. Also the videos are the Shiz.
Ray what are you thinking about as you're gearing up for Hartford? Russ are you going to make it Hartford?
Congrats on the 5-0 Fluffy!
I'm thinking of going down at least 1 Anger for Pyroclasm next league, but no major changes.
I also wasn't kidding when I said Jaya into Obliterate.
Rock on.
DR
Ray and I are cut from the same cloth. We both like prison strategies from a long time ago. Without talking to him, I can tell we both like Smokestack, Tangle wire, winter orb, stasis strategies that negate everything our opponents are trying to do. Still waiting for that meekstone reprint in a modern legal set....
Think about this before answering....would throwing 4 chrome mox in the deck, replacing three gemstone caverns and a ritual make this deck good enough to compete? How about doing that and throwing in a few trinispheres? Or is that just a bad idea? Would be really funny if I made top 8 at the open again with this in a no banned list modern format.
Let me know your thoughts? am I nuts or would a super fast format that thrives on turn one emrakul and drawing 48 cards off skullclamp be weak to a turn one blood moon or chalice of the void?
Thanks again for taking the time to get your gameplay videos up.
Yeah, I don't know enough on that format (new no-banned format) to hazard any advice. As for mutual affections on the cards you listed, hells yeah. I was in NYC for the Urza's Saga pre-release tourney. I pulled a Smokestack and fell in love. It went into nearly all my Type 2 tourney decks later, including a wacked-out homebrew black deck with skittering skirge and splashed blue for miscalculation -- which did really well by beating out the time spiral/mind over matter/tolarian academy decks of the day. Nothing beat those decks back then, thus the emergency ban hammer on academy.
I gotta find time to watch the 5-0, fluffy. Meantime, I have put the last premier event's (Classics) decks under the microscope. I suspect there will be a shift in our 'pre-sideboard' deck in response. We had a 400 person event a couple weeks ago down the road from DevtheRevRyan and me, but the winning decks were only testing the waters. It'll be the upcoming 3rd major tourney where we will start to see what is really happening in the meta. Let's be ready.
Creatures (9)
4 Goblin Rabblemaster
1 Pia and Kiran Nalaar
1 Hazoret the Fervent
1 Walking Ballista
1 Spellskite
1 Phyrexian Revoker
Power Locks (14)
4 Ensnaring Bridge
4 Chalice of the Void
4 Blood Moon
2 Magus of the Moon
4 Chandra, Torch of Defiance
1 Koth of the Hammer
Disruption (2)
2 Slagstorm
Accelerators (9)
4 Simian Spirit Guide
4 Desperate Ritual
1 Pyretic Ritual
Lands (21)
17 Mountains
3 Gemstone Caverns
1 Mutavault
3 Eidolon of the Great Revel
1 Scab-Clan Berserker
2 Damping Matrix
1 Phyrexian Revoker
1 Spellskite
1 Torpor Orb
1 Grafdigger's Cage
1 Witchbane Orb
1 Ratchet Bomb
1 Bonfire of the Damned
1 Shattering Spree
1 Gemstone Caverns
This test proto-type has 100% of the signature locks and 100% of the typical mana acceleration. The difference: I am trying to get out in front of the opponent - Go over them. It's has more threat density, and yet more 'answer' cards in the main deck. Spellskite, Phyrexian Revoker and Hazoret the Fervent are sideboard style cards which are now in the mainboard. The swap out comes at the hands of dedicated removal cards. So, this has a lot of X-for-1 card advantage synergies and less 1-for-1 spells like Abrade orrr creature sweepers like Anger/Pyroclasm/Sweltering.
Rather than sweep away the board at the cost of losing our own creatures, just use Ratchet Bomb or Bonfire of the Damned. Also, go creature-strong, so there's something to charge through: Eidolon/Berserker/Revoker. This is twice the number of ground pounders usually seen.
PURPOSE: reduce the 'lull'. Rather than my fallback on the mechanic of loot/draw, overwhelm in game 2 - attack & press with 2-point ping triggers. Plus, the use of selected toolbox artifact spells in this iteration spreads soooo wide for applications - some of them even attack and block. I think I like the diversity, and will run it tonight.
Another evolution: 'Living Locks' or 'Locks on a Stick' provide pressure. Compare a developed game state of Blood Moon / Sorcerous Spyglass / Ensnaring Bridge (0 damage) versus Magus of the Moon / Phyrexian Revoker / Hazoret the Fervent (recurring damage). Then, with a couple creatures on our side of the board, compare Anger of the Gods to a Bonfire of the Damned (0 damage versus win-con development). Well, we'll see...
Good luck to all at tonight's FNM!
Round 1: 5C Humans || Game 1 - I ritual out a Magus of the Moon. He drops a non-basic and an aether vial. I drop a 2nd land and a phyrexian revoker naming the vial. Game Over. He never draws a basic land and I have 4 damage 'on a stick'. Game 2 - I've brought in my 4th gemstone cavern, and see one of them in my opening hand. It hits the board before the game starts. He plays a nonbasic and passes. I drop another land, ritual and a blood moon. I win with a couple SSG beats and he can only manage to cast an aether vial and a thalia's lieutenant over the course of 2 games.
The takeaway: It's a popular deck and we're fantastically matched up against it. Blood moon polices greed. (2) critical plays: the phyrexian revoker in G1 and the ripped 4th gemstone in G2.
Round 2: Blood-braid elf JUND || There is so much interaction that occurs in this matchup that it's hard to recall much. This build seemed a little more creature based, or maybe i got lucky on dodging abrupt decay, maelstrom pulse, liliana of the veil. I did see all of those cards in the matchup, but not enough of them for him to break through. I won 2 in a row.
The takeaway: my inclusion of a 2nd spellskite helped and there was a neat bonfire of the damned miracle rip that leveled 3 elves and a scooze. I will continue to use them. I get that BBE-Jund is not a favorable matchup, but it's far from hopeless. A friend is coming over later, and will playtest some more.
Round 3: Mardu Tokens || Hazoret damn this unholy creation to hell! In game 1, I had a monster start with 2 goblin rabblemasters on turn 2 and then turn 3. It did not matter. I tried to shield up in game 2, and it did not matter. Yes, this was my one loss for the night.
Round 4: Todd Steven's 'Value Town' || This is a unique G/W deck that avoids combo loops of life/damage and uses simple synergies to overwhelm the opponent. Like Jund, it's a terrifically entertaining bout. I dismantled this deck both games. It wasn't even close. Look at the board state at the end of game 2 in the pic below.
So, it's a small sample size (on top of the cockatrice testing), but I like where this is going. We all know that (53) cards are predetermined for building a Pyro Prison deck. The top of the Official Primer has had a box of unchanged, listed-off Core cards for well over a year. The only card not listed is the 1 Pyretic Ritual, but I think we all agree that is a must have. [[note: if mountainfolk want to introduce a deck that doesn't have the stock 53 cards, that's perfectly cool]].
MAINDECK
My (7) swing slots echo builds from over a year ago. Spellskite used to be a main deck staple. Sometimes in multiples. Phyrexian Revoker was maindeck too. These are anticipatory spells. Today's meta has me expecting their need in game 1. I am doubling down on both of them with 2 more in the sideboard.
SIDEBOARD
My sideboard operates on a theme of totality. No narrow cards. No responsive cards. I draw it - I play it. No sandbagging. Since I'm expecting a bull rush from my opponent, my job is to set the traps as fast as I can: Grafdigger's Cage, Torpor Orb, Witchbane Orb, Phyrexian Revoker, Spellskite, Ratchet Bomb, and Damping Matrix. Otherwise, I'm coming right back at him just as fast as I can: Eidolon, Scab-Clan, Bonfire, and Shattering Spree.
Remember, nobody walks into a tournament with a game plan to take down mono-red prison. They do not have the right tools in their deck. They do not have the right tools in their sideboard. So, steer hard into their waves. Use spells that ruin with totality. That requires the discipline to get hurt by your own spells - like Damping Matrix. Damping matrix obliterated Todd Steven's deck last night, but it also harshed my Pia and Kiran Nalaar. That's the cost.
I guess what I'm trying to say, in a single word, is 'earthquake'. I distinctly remember the moment I first saw that card. It's power laid bare as a wrath of god and fireball and doomsday device of mutual annihilation. But, shrewdly deployed, earthquake is a game winner. That card. Its mechanic - Its cost - Its damage. It's our battle flag!
Ray, been a while since we have a tournament report from you. Nicely done. 3-1 is my usual record. Literally, I've went exactly 3-1 in every Thursday night modern I've attended since before Thanksgiving.
Anyway, for the mardu pyromancer deck, you can't turtle up. Actually, you gotta drop all theoons and bridges. I think I posted a few weeks back about this match. Friend came over one night and we tested this match exclusively. Going all in aggro gave us the best chance to win. Moon really doesn't do anything and bridge never put them in a bad position. Next time try the all aggro plan and let me.know how it goes.
This is the list I was thinking:
3 Gemstone Caverns
18 Mountain
Artifacts
4 Chalice of the Void
1 Sword of Body and Mind
1 Sword of War and Peace
Enchantments
3 Blood Moon
Instants
2 Abrade
4 Desperate Ritual
2 Dismember
2 Pyretic Ritual
2 Koth of the Hammer
Creatures
1 Hazoret the Fervent
4 Kargan Dragonlord
4 Magus of the Moon
1 Pia and Kiran Nalaar
4 Prophetic Flamespeaker
4 Simian Spirit Guide
2 Anger of the Gods
2 Boil
2 Eidolon of the Great Revel
2 Grafdigger's Cage
2 Harsh Mentor
2 Shattering Spree
2 Sorcerous Spyglass
1 Torpor Orb
I've opted to play more creatures and no Bridge because I dislike playing bridge. As a result of that, I'm also playing a little more spot removal so I can get around those pesky gurmag anglers and goyfs. I considered Dire Fleet Daredevil but I don't think it's good enough. No cavern of souls because those are expensive as hell and bad with moons.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Pauper: UdelverUthey slaughtered my deck i miss gush and daze..Turn 6 Karn > Turn 2 Phage
Let me know how this goes.
I streamed last night and we learned a few things.
#1. Vs eggs/Krark Clan Ironworks, keep in Spyglass. It stops Engineered Explosives, which is their only source of interaction against you. I didn't realize this until I was getting destroyed game three, but more important than winning is learning, and that we did.
#2. you need to be EXTREMELY familiar with the meta game, by turn one, need to correctly identify the deck your opponent is playing, and must have a game plan formulated around it. that was on full display last night in my final match. From the first land drop, it felt like we were out of it. Opponent was playing some random deck that felt like a todd stevens special that it not popular yet and we were just fumbling around and had no idea what to do. This is not a deck you can just pick up and run with. If you are going to take this for a spin, know your matches and how to play each one.
I really happy you picked it up and were off the the races with an impressive start. I'm sure you would agree with proper testing and some luck, this deck could be a real contender in modern. I'm curious to know a little more about your event. any chance you have your matches memorized and could give us a tournament report? the people who read this forum are always looking to learn from other people's successes and mistakes.
Russ
Russ - the videos and twitch-cast [or w/e] have been DOPE. You do explain your lines really well, it was certainly awkward when I had to watch you play instead of listen during that quiet period. I have learned so much about the meta and the deck. I've gotten away from thinking, am I the aggressor or controller here? and I ask myself more, how are they going to try to win and how do I win? I think you do a really good job of conveying that to viewers. How do I win? What do I need to shut this POS deck I'm against off.
Ray that new deck is looking spicy^2. I def need to tweak my board prior to Hartford. I love Hazoret. Love her. When she's in my hand... I feel this sense of power, similar to Chandra. Usually with Chandra I am afraid I'll lose her, but you Hazoret, I know you'll be here unless something wild... Thoughtseize... where'd you go!?! happens... lol
I'm going to graduate to the Comp Leagues now and will re-evaluate the boarding. I like Pyroclasm, Damping Matrix, Trinisphere, Ratchet. Not feeling Boils as hard as I was. I like Torpor Orb too... that card can do some serious work in the right match-up.
Well I've written a lot and said very little. I def wanted to get a post in and say hey to the Reggies. Russ if you're streaming tonight I'll try to get on around 9.
As always crew, it is a pleasure.
DR
Oh and Russ... isn't this Black Burn?
https://www.mtggoldfish.com/articles/much-abrew-black-burn-modern
I wasn't sure if this was the build you were alluding too in your Black Burn discussion, but I like this deck and think its spicy. Full disclosure I've been running BBE Ponza in the Tournament Practice Lobby and crushing it. I'm open-minded. I like seeing what's out there from a different vantage point - but at the end of the day... I know what sword is my favorite.
Stickballruss and fluffywolf2.