Bolas? As in the grixis colored planes walkers? If you're going to be a 4 color deck, you might as well start with that gifts devotion deck that did well on modo recently
Edit: Okay, so oath is indeed a card. But still I don't think you want a card that completely depends on a 4 of in the deck. But, hey, cards are good until they are proven bad. Brew it, test it, and tell us what your results are!
Dalton don't take it to heart. Let me tell you a true story.
Shortly after Goyf was printed I went to Dallas regionals. You know how many goyfs were at the tournament? 4. My 4. I placed 9th with a vexing sphinx goyf beat down deck. Only losing to dragonstorm in the 2nd round and round 5 ID with a friend I rode up there with. He placed 2nd to the same dragonstorm deck that beat him in round 4.
What's the point of this? Play the cards people haven't caught on to yet. Sometimes you are just ahead of the curve.
Every deck starts out as a fringe. The only thing I gain by telling you that a card is bad is I get to be right because no one has had any success with Bolas in a g devotion deck. I don't want to be wrong because that opens up too many possibilities.
Agreed. I am a big fan of Karn. Kind of an "answer to everything" on the board. Nicol Bolas can be strong in the sense that he actually ticks up to destroy a non-creature permanent....so I can see the argument for him. I've just always played Karn because it can be cast without Oath.
In all honesty, however, if Bolas is performing, keep playing it! I will test it out and see how often his casting cost is a problem. He does tick up to destroy everything but creatures (and taking them is better than destroying them)...so if he IS reliably castable than it is a great, powerful option.
We do have Oath and can play cards like Fertile Ground and/or Abundant Growth to fix (not to mention hitting it off of Genesis Hydra so his casting cost may not be an issue too often. You know me...the only way to truly know is to play the card
If you are looking for a reliable, surefire "answer" card, Karn is the way to go. Bolas, however, may be an answer enough of the time and a blowout the rest
Sorry for delay posting my list. I've been testing Chord of Calling in the walker list and before I posted it I wanted to see if it worked.
I just noticed I was generating a LOT of tokens (especially with Nissa VOZ and Elspeth) and when I saw that video with Elesh Norn I thought I might give it a try...that, and Wood Elves is good with Chord.
I'll post more tonight once I get more testing in.
Edit- Nevermind, I just needed to read the cards more closely... but does the tapped land outweigh less Devotion?
I think so in my build...only because you can use the land right away. I wouldn't say it is "Strictly better" (as Druid has 2 power, the Forestwalk can come into play, and like you said it does create 2-devotion)...but it is just likely they fit better in different builds.
All right, I've been playing that genesis wave list that placed in online events a few times last month. They didn't have walking ballista in it but I thought I should wedge it in. I took out the eponymous wave because I thought it as more win more and often took it out vs aggro (which may be wrong). Anyway, I love it and want more. What should I take out? Or should I be reassessing putting any in?
I'm honestly super overwhelmed with Green Devotion. There are so many potential variants and builds, and a bunch have had good results. I don't know which deck to play anymore.
That version looks really cool, and it did place first. I think the Japanese are generally the best deckbuilders in magic, so I immediately trust the this Jap.
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LEGACY: Soldier Stompy WW // Blue Stompy UU // Fit Variants BGRW // Sol Land Brews BGRUWC MODERN: Pure Pili-ness GU // Red Devotion RR // Green Devotion Variants GRWUG // U/G Emerge CGU // Lots and Lots of Brews BGRUWC
I am new to the devotion deck and need help with playing against control. Every time I run into it I get stomped.For reference here is the list I am running.
Keep in mind that my budget is limited so I won't be able to make too many major changes to the deck. Is there a certain way I am supposed to play this match-up?
I feel like going all in on big dudes is a bad idea. What should I side in and out?
Also the control decks I am referring to are mardu contol (with infinite planeswalkers and removal) and UW control.
Really crazy cool List won a recent event. Some cards here we haven't discussed in a long time!
Wow. Calamity? Why? Just another dumb beater. And I never liked Gurruk. I've always wanted to try Xenagos. I've also tried Samut, but often times storm breath is better bc Path is a card. Looks like big dumb beater.dec. But hey, I'll run this list!
I am new to the devotion deck and need help with playing against control. Every time I run into it I get stomped.For reference here is the list I am running.
Keep in mind that my budget is limited so I won't be able to make too many major changes to the deck. Is there a certain way I am supposed to play this match-up?
I feel like going all in on big dudes is a bad idea. What should I side in and out?
Also the control decks I am referring to are mardu contol (with infinite planeswalkers and removal) and UW control.
Any help is appreciated
There are plenty of big pro blue creatures you could play in the side or even as a 1 of in the main.
I've been gone for some time. Been playing Esper Goryo's Gift and some Eldrazi Tron. But couldn't keep away from my favorite deck.
Great discussion, as usual, the blue splash is very good. Big fan of Kiora, Master of the depths synergizes really well with Eternal Witness
So anyways, we finally have a shop here and took my green devotion to a 4-0 1st Place Finish (Renegade Rallier Promo, nice!)
List:
R1: 8Rack 2-1
G1: I am able to land a Tireless Tracker T2 and he pretty much takes over the game, LOTV is weak because of all the dorks. Luckily he doesn't draw bridge and I can finish it rather quick.
G2: In: Acidic Slimes, Scooze (vs Raven's Crime&lifegain), Reclamation Sage, Terastodon. Out: Hornet Queen, Atarka, Genesis Hydra, Craterhoof, Nissa.
I kept a greedy hand with a 1 lander but two dorks and a courser. He discards 1 dork and kills the other. I don't find a land and cant play courser or anything else before he strips my hand.
G3: He finds bridge just in time and I have courser, tireless tracker, garruk and some dorks on the field, no cards in hand and he has a shrieking affliction on board. with 2 life left I finally find Terastodon on top, kill only his bridge, ultimate garruk and swing. gg
R2: BR Burn 2-0
G1: Although he can slow me down, his creatures can't break Courser and the steady lifegain is key. Casting Primeval Titan seals the deal.
G2: In: Thragtusk, Scooze, Kitchen Finks, Polukranos, Out: Nissas, Hornet Queen, Atarka.
Dork, Courser into Primal Command giving me 7 life and grabbing Eternal Witness. He can't fight through all the lifegain and the blockers.
R3: Affinity 2-1
G1: He has a very explosive start, 3 Ornithopters, Signal Pest, and T2 Master of Etherium. I cannot interact or block the flyers.
G2: In: Creeping Corrosions, Cloudthresher, Reclamation Sage, Acidic Slimes, Polukranos. Out: Nissas, Garruks.
He has a slower start but kills my T1 arbor elf and starts hitting with Inkmoths. I can build up and he fails to find action. Casting Cloudthresher was saving me from the slow infect death.
G3: Again a slow start but T2 Ravager, T3 Etched Champion. I can get up a decent board with courser, polukranos and a bird. Courser revealing Creeping corrosion gets him into math mode, he cannot find a line and concedes.
R4: RG Zoo 2-1
This is a good matchup. Can't remember much but having tons of blockers and post board game is just amazing against them.
The Sideboard is all over the place. Definitely get Relic of Progenitus over Scooze. In the matchups we dearly need GY hate: Living End, Storm, GDS it's too slow.
Heroic Intervention: The Idea here is to safe the board against Control.
Will be contributing to the discussion later on.
anywho, gl and hf!
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Modern: GNykthos Devotion - Eldrazi Tron - RW Boros Burn - UW UW Control
I've been gone for some time. Been playing Esper Goryo's Gift and some Eldrazi Tron. But couldn't keep away from my favorite deck.
Great discussion, as usual, the blue splash is very good. Big fan of Kiora, Master of the depths synergizes really well with Eternal Witness
So anyways, we finally have a shop here and took my green devotion to a 4-0 1st Place Finish (Renegade Rallier Promo, nice!)
List:
R1: 8Rack 2-1
G1: I am able to land a Tireless Tracker T2 and he pretty much takes over the game, LOTV is weak because of all the dorks. Luckily he doesn't draw bridge and I can finish it rather quick.
G2: In: Acidic Slimes, Scooze (vs Raven's Crime&lifegain), Reclamation Sage, Terastodon. Out: Hornet Queen, Atarka, Genesis Hydra, Craterhoof, Nissa.
I kept a greedy hand with a 1 lander but two dorks and a courser. He discards 1 dork and kills the other. I don't find a land and cant play courser or anything else before he strips my hand.
G3: He finds bridge just in time and I have courser, tireless tracker, garruk and some dorks on the field, no cards in hand and he has a shrieking affliction on board. with 2 life left I finally find Terastodon on top, kill only his bridge, ultimate garruk and swing. gg
R2: BR Burn 2-0
G1: Although he can slow me down, his creatures can't break Courser and the steady lifegain is key. Casting Primeval Titan seals the deal.
G2: In: Thragtusk, Scooze, Kitchen Finks, Polukranos, Out: Nissas, Hornet Queen, Atarka.
Dork, Courser into Primal Command giving me 7 life and grabbing Eternal Witness. He can't fight through all the lifegain and the blockers.
R3: Affinity 2-1
G1: He has a very explosive start, 3 Ornithopters, Signal Pest, and T2 Master of Etherium. I cannot interact or block the flyers.
G2: In: Creeping Corrosions, Cloudthresher, Reclamation Sage, Acidic Slimes, Polukranos. Out: Nissas, Garruks.
He has a slower start but kills my T1 arbor elf and starts hitting with Inkmoths. I can build up and he fails to find action. Casting Cloudthresher was saving me from the slow infect death.
G3: Again a slow start but T2 Ravager, T3 Etched Champion. I can get up a decent board with courser, polukranos and a bird. Courser revealing Creeping corrosion gets him into math mode, he cannot find a line and concedes.
R4: RG Zoo 2-1
This is a good matchup. Can't remember much but having tons of blockers and post board game is just amazing against them.
The Sideboard is all over the place. Definitely get Relic of Progenitus over Scooze. In the matchups we dearly need GY hate: Living End, Storm, GDS it's too slow.
Heroic Intervention: The Idea here is to safe the board against Control.
Will be contributing to the discussion later on.
anywho, gl and hf!
Welcome back!!! 4-0 is awesome...congrats! Glad to hear you have a great shop to go to...of course now your the guy to beat (the BMOC ).
Love your list. Straight up strong devotion! I love the use of Nissa Vital Force as well. She can be a powerhouse all her own.
I'm interested to hear how you liked Raging Ravine. I had a fun List I toiled around with for a sec with Hardened Scales (with Strangleroot Geist, Walking Ballista, Nissa Voice of Zendikar, Ajani Mentor, Tireless Tracker, etc.) that played Raging Ravine...and it was super powerful. We had another member on here swear by it...and I think they are right. It may be the single non-forest, come into play tapped land that still has enough upside to be played
Great to hear from you! I'm so excited you're back to aid in the discussion.
I am new to the devotion deck and need help with playing against control. Every time I run into it I get stomped.For reference here is the list I am running.
Keep in mind that my budget is limited so I won't be able to make too many major changes to the deck. Is there a certain way I am supposed to play this match-up?
I feel like going all in on big dudes is a bad idea. What should I side in and out?
Also the control decks I am referring to are mardu contol (with infinite planeswalkers and removal) and UW control.
Any help is appreciated
Against Blue-Based control (I.e. Counterspells) I have always used Genesis Hydra...it puts a hurt on anyone trying to cast counterspells.
In terms of Mardu Control...that is a different ballgame. Mardu would tend to struggle with anything that can out-value them. We tend to not have an issue out-value-ing opponents; but I'll try to think of some more specific cards to deal with Mardu in particular...
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Edit: Okay, so oath is indeed a card. But still I don't think you want a card that completely depends on a 4 of in the deck. But, hey, cards are good until they are proven bad. Brew it, test it, and tell us what your results are!
Shortly after Goyf was printed I went to Dallas regionals. You know how many goyfs were at the tournament? 4. My 4. I placed 9th with a vexing sphinx goyf beat down deck. Only losing to dragonstorm in the 2nd round and round 5 ID with a friend I rode up there with. He placed 2nd to the same dragonstorm deck that beat him in round 4.
What's the point of this? Play the cards people haven't caught on to yet. Sometimes you are just ahead of the curve.
Agreed. I am a big fan of Karn. Kind of an "answer to everything" on the board. Nicol Bolas can be strong in the sense that he actually ticks up to destroy a non-creature permanent....so I can see the argument for him. I've just always played Karn because it can be cast without Oath.
In all honesty, however, if Bolas is performing, keep playing it! I will test it out and see how often his casting cost is a problem. He does tick up to destroy everything but creatures (and taking them is better than destroying them)...so if he IS reliably castable than it is a great, powerful option.
We do have Oath and can play cards like Fertile Ground and/or Abundant Growth to fix (not to mention hitting it off of Genesis Hydra so his casting cost may not be an issue too often. You know me...the only way to truly know is to play the card
If you are looking for a reliable, surefire "answer" card, Karn is the way to go. Bolas, however, may be an answer enough of the time and a blowout the rest
I just noticed I was generating a LOT of tokens (especially with Nissa VOZ and Elspeth) and when I saw that video with Elesh Norn I thought I might give it a try...that, and Wood Elves is good with Chord.
I'll post more tonight once I get more testing in.
Edit- Nevermind, I just needed to read the cards more closely... but does the tapped land outweigh less Devotion?
I think so in my build...only because you can use the land right away. I wouldn't say it is "Strictly better" (as Druid has 2 power, the Forestwalk can come into play, and like you said it does create 2-devotion)...but it is just likely they fit better in different builds.
19 Forest
2 Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx
//Spells
4 Garruk Wildspeaker
2 Harmonize
4 Primal Command
4 Utopia Sprawl
//Creatures
4 Arbor Elf
1 Chameleon Colossus
1 Craterhoof Behemoth
3 Elvish Visionary
3 Eternal Witness
4 Llanowar Elves
1 Polukranos, World Eater
4 Primeval Titan
4 Wistful Selkie
3 Acidic Slime
1 Chameleon Colossus
2 Creeping Corrosion
2 Kitchen Finks
1 Natural State
1 Obstinate Baloth
2 Relic of Progenitus
1 Scavenging Ooze
2 Summoning Trap
4x Arbor Elf
4x Birds of Paradise
2x Kiora's Follower
4x Burning-Tree Emissary
3x Wistful Selkie
4x Eternal Witness
4x Primeval Titan
1x Polukranos, World-Eater
1x Craterhoof Behemoth
1x Walking Ballista
4x Utopia Sprawl
1x Oath of Nissa
Planeswalker (3)
4x Garruk Wildspeaker
Sorcery (4)
4x Primal Command
Land (21)
3x Wooded Foothills
2x Windswept Heath
1x Raging Ravine
1x Kessig Wolf Run
2x Stomping Grounds
8x Forest
4x Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx
2x Grafdigger's Cage
1x Crumble to Dust
2x Scavenging Ooze
1x Courser of Kruphix
1x Creeping Corrosion
1x Deglamer
1x Nature's Claim
1x Nylea's Disciple
3x Blood Moon
2x Bonfire of the Damned
Really crazy cool List won a recent event. Some cards here we haven't discussed in a long time!
That version looks really cool, and it did place first. I think the Japanese are generally the best deckbuilders in magic, so I immediately trust the this Jap.
MODERN: Pure Pili-ness GU // Red Devotion RR // Green Devotion Variants GRWUG // U/G Emerge CGU // Lots and Lots of Brews BGRUWC
I am new to the devotion deck and need help with playing against control. Every time I run into it I get stomped.For reference here is the list I am running.
https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/689832#paper
Keep in mind that my budget is limited so I won't be able to make too many major changes to the deck. Is there a certain way I am supposed to play this match-up?
I feel like going all in on big dudes is a bad idea. What should I side in and out?
Also the control decks I am referring to are mardu contol (with infinite planeswalkers and removal) and UW control.
Any help is appreciated
Wow. Calamity? Why? Just another dumb beater. And I never liked Gurruk. I've always wanted to try Xenagos. I've also tried Samut, but often times storm breath is better bc Path is a card. Looks like big dumb beater.dec. But hey, I'll run this list!
There are plenty of big pro blue creatures you could play in the side or even as a 1 of in the main.
I've been gone for some time. Been playing Esper Goryo's Gift and some Eldrazi Tron. But couldn't keep away from my favorite deck.
Great discussion, as usual, the blue splash is very good. Big fan of Kiora, Master of the depths synergizes really well with Eternal Witness
So anyways, we finally have a shop here and took my green devotion to a 4-0 1st Place Finish (Renegade Rallier Promo, nice!)
List:
6 Forest
1 Kessig Wolf Run
4 Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx
1 Raging Ravine
2 Stomping Ground
2 Windswept Heath
4 Wooded Foothills
Creatures (23)
4 Arbor Elf
3 Birds of Paradise
3 Courser of Kruphix
1 Craterhoof Behemoth
1 Dragonlord Atarka
3 Eternal Witness
3 Primeval Titan
1 Scavenging Ooze
2 Tireless Tracker
1 Genesis Hydra
1 Hornet Queen
4 Oath of Nissa
4 Utopia Sprawl
4 Garruk Wildspeaker
2 Nissa, Vital Force
3 Primal Command
2 Acidic Slime
1 Cloudthresher
2 Creeping Corrosion
1 Heroic Intervention
1 Kitchen Finks
1 Polukranos, World Eater
1 Reclamation Sage
3 Scavenging Ooze
1 Terastodon
1 Thragtusk
1 Thrun, the Last Troll
R1: 8Rack 2-1
G1: I am able to land a Tireless Tracker T2 and he pretty much takes over the game, LOTV is weak because of all the dorks. Luckily he doesn't draw bridge and I can finish it rather quick.
G2: In: Acidic Slimes, Scooze (vs Raven's Crime&lifegain), Reclamation Sage, Terastodon. Out: Hornet Queen, Atarka, Genesis Hydra, Craterhoof, Nissa.
I kept a greedy hand with a 1 lander but two dorks and a courser. He discards 1 dork and kills the other. I don't find a land and cant play courser or anything else before he strips my hand.
G3: He finds bridge just in time and I have courser, tireless tracker, garruk and some dorks on the field, no cards in hand and he has a shrieking affliction on board. with 2 life left I finally find Terastodon on top, kill only his bridge, ultimate garruk and swing. gg
R2: BR Burn 2-0
G1: Although he can slow me down, his creatures can't break Courser and the steady lifegain is key. Casting Primeval Titan seals the deal.
G2: In: Thragtusk, Scooze, Kitchen Finks, Polukranos, Out: Nissas, Hornet Queen, Atarka.
Dork, Courser into Primal Command giving me 7 life and grabbing Eternal Witness. He can't fight through all the lifegain and the blockers.
R3: Affinity 2-1
G1: He has a very explosive start, 3 Ornithopters, Signal Pest, and T2 Master of Etherium. I cannot interact or block the flyers.
G2: In: Creeping Corrosions, Cloudthresher, Reclamation Sage, Acidic Slimes, Polukranos. Out: Nissas, Garruks.
He has a slower start but kills my T1 arbor elf and starts hitting with Inkmoths. I can build up and he fails to find action. Casting Cloudthresher was saving me from the slow infect death.
G3: Again a slow start but T2 Ravager, T3 Etched Champion. I can get up a decent board with courser, polukranos and a bird. Courser revealing Creeping corrosion gets him into math mode, he cannot find a line and concedes.
R4: RG Zoo 2-1
This is a good matchup. Can't remember much but having tons of blockers and post board game is just amazing against them.
The Sideboard is all over the place. Definitely get Relic of Progenitus over Scooze. In the matchups we dearly need GY hate: Living End, Storm, GDS it's too slow.
Heroic Intervention: The Idea here is to safe the board against Control.
Will be contributing to the discussion later on.
anywho, gl and hf!
I really want to know what their meta is like when 4x Polukranos is a safe option haha
Welcome back!!! 4-0 is awesome...congrats! Glad to hear you have a great shop to go to...of course now your the guy to beat (the BMOC ).
Love your list. Straight up strong devotion! I love the use of Nissa Vital Force as well. She can be a powerhouse all her own.
I'm interested to hear how you liked Raging Ravine. I had a fun List I toiled around with for a sec with Hardened Scales (with Strangleroot Geist, Walking Ballista, Nissa Voice of Zendikar, Ajani Mentor, Tireless Tracker, etc.) that played Raging Ravine...and it was super powerful. We had another member on here swear by it...and I think they are right. It may be the single non-forest, come into play tapped land that still has enough upside to be played
Great to hear from you! I'm so excited you're back to aid in the discussion.
Against Blue-Based control (I.e. Counterspells) I have always used Genesis Hydra...it puts a hurt on anyone trying to cast counterspells.
In terms of Mardu Control...that is a different ballgame. Mardu would tend to struggle with anything that can out-value them. We tend to not have an issue out-value-ing opponents; but I'll try to think of some more specific cards to deal with Mardu in particular...