Hey all. New Affinity player joining the team. Been playing for six months now and had a really great time with my Gruul Zoo, even won my first FNM with it but I wanten something with more options. I love playing aggro and Affinity caught me and did not let me go. Got a nice deal for most cards, ordered some to bulk it out but I am only looking for two more Arcbound Ravagers and two more Mox Opals but I will finding them and finish my deck.
Moving to Tokyo, Japan in three months and U know Magic is really populair so I an adming to do some damage with my new Affinity deck.
I will probably drop in for some tips and tricks and I will post my deck later.
Greetings,
Vissah
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Legacy - Reanimator
Modern - Burn
EDH - Neheb the Eternal
There is word going around the net of a new Jeskai Ascendancy storm deck that can consistently combo off on turn 3, and sometimes turn 2. Since the deck breaks the 'turn 4 rule' it can be a problem for the format, and I think we should discuss it just incase it becomes a thing. A few things I have gathered on it are 1) Jeskai Ascendancy is the lynchpin of the deck, which brings me to 2) the deck is more vulnerable to discard than Storm, and 3) killing their mana dorks sets them back.
Game 1, assuming we don't know what deck our opponent is playing, can prove very difficult. The key is Galvanic Blast, but if you don't have it, you HAVE to go for your fastest kill. Got an Inkmoth Nexus and an Arcbound Ravager? Get ready to sac your board without looking back. We must win turn 3-4-5. If we DO have Galvanic Blast in hand (and the appropriate mana source in play), it becomes slightly less stressful. However, keep in mind they run several mana dorks, so it's more or less buying you one turn. Something else to keep in mind is, assuming they believe we are too fast, they can Glittering Wish for Firespout or Abrupt Decay.
Game 2 and Game 3 are in our favor because they are more unfair than we are. We get to side out our slow threats like Etched Champion (sure, it can block a very fat Noble Hierarch on the combo turn, but literally everything in our deck can just chump it) and add strong hate like Thoughtseize, Wear // Tear. Whipflare doesn't sound too bad, but it barely misses the kill on Sylvan Caryatid and it's a Sorcery. Gut Shot is an all-star in this matchup because it plows every dork they have (bar the Caryatid) and doesn't force you to leave a red mana open. Dismember can be used as an alternative to Gut Shot if you don't have it in the sideboard.
Hahaha Yeah I know mate been there last summier for a month and I seen a lot. Only problem is that I got married with a Japanese woman last summer so I already got my asian with skirt :-p
I also think she wants me to have my mind on magic, don't want her to become jealous :-D
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Legacy - Reanimator
Modern - Burn
EDH - Neheb the Eternal
Yeah, I know Mono-Black isn't the most competitive list; nor is it well positioned to do well against an artifact based deck. However, I'd like to see if I could increase my odds post-board to atleast 50-50. The best idea I've got is -1 Pithing Needle, -1 Sudden Death, +2 Drown in Sorrow. I fear 5 sweepers (3 BSZ, 2 Drown in Sorrow) might be too much. Opinions? Any other suggestions?
Yeah, I know Mono-Black isn't the most competitive list; nor is it well positioned to do well against an artifact based deck. However, I'd like to see if I could increase my odds post-board to atleast 50-50. The best idea I've got is -1 Pithing Needle, -1 Sudden Death, +2 Drown in Sorrow. I fear 5 sweepers (3 BSZ, 2 Drown in Sorrow) might be too much. Opinions? Any other suggestions?
This is my deck for now. Two Ravagers and two Opals are being searched for so don't worry they are coming
My sideboard is not the best and needs some tweeking but that is one part of this game that I find very very difficult to do. I only played one FNM modern tournament and I won it with my Gruul Zoo and I loved playing the tournament so I will be playing more ofcourse, also when I moved to Japan end this year I will be joining them in some tournaments so the sideboard is gonna change ofcourse.
For now I love my Etched Champions so I will probably play him the most but wioth only 15 games played with Affinity I can not really say that much about everything cause I am still learning how to play this deck the way it chould be played.
Some tips on how to play this and later with the Ravaggers and Opals up to four will be really appreciated.
Thanx for taking your time reading this and looking at my list.
Thanks for th advice. The two islands are just there because I only got two Mox Opals.
The sideboard got cards in it that can take on most decks at my local shop so I am ok for now. I also got four copies of Ensoul Artifact so I will be trying that out soon.
I will check out Karsten thanks for the tip.
And ofcourse I will playboy deck lots of times to get a better geel for it.
I managed to top 8 the indy premier IQ this weekend playing affinity. The deck ran well and I liked the way I had the deck and board put together. Here is the list: http://sales.starcitygames.com//deckdatabase/displaydeck.php?DeckID=73437
The only difference I think ill make is taking out 1 or 2 of the relics for 1 or 2 thoughtseizes, especially because of the new jeskai ascendancy combo deck. If they have the ascendancy in hand thoughtseize is literally the only way we can win that game. The deck is very very strong and I only managed to beat it in my win and in because he stumbled a bit in game 3 and had no ascendancy. It consistently turn 2 and 3s (guaranteed turn 3 virtually if u have ascendancy)
i don't get which is the problem with caryatid since it cannot attack being a defender.
the only problem remains the grapeshot closure, which caryatid could contribute giving mana. but we can maybe be faster than that closure?
Well, Caryatid doesn't get hit by Galvanic Blast, Dismember or Whipflare.
Also, it doesn't need to attack, they play Flesh//Blood, which can be tutored by Glittering Wish.
They can go off turn 3 with Caryatid quite regularly.
And then they go of the next turn. I think the deck is much more resilient to hate than thought of. The problem is, that the main part of the combo is mana-ramp. This enables them to cast more expensive spells negating our hate (most common one is Slaughter Games). The inclusion of Glittering Wish enables them to have a toolbox of removal outside of their maindeck. The maindeck remains optimal for the combo (especially with all the cantrips) whereas the sideboard functions as the beforementioned toolbox.
I'm more thinking of things like Stain The Mind to disrupt them. The only question is, whether we should target it at the Ascendancy or at the Wish. Going to Madrid, there is one thing I know. I need to test against this deck, because it will be there in huge numbers.
I assume you mean Milan, but I agree.
I actually watched Ethersworn Canonist brickwall this deck quite easily. Perhaps run that in the SB?
i think i will give a try to stain the mind and swan song, what do you think? i think i am a little uncovered for urw, scapeshift, and tron. what would you play?
+ 1 ancient
+ 1 wear
+ 1 dismsmber
+ 1 stain the mind
+ 1 spellskite
Personally, I am not a fan of Swan Song in this deck. Especially because you side it in against Jund. The toekn is actually quite good at blocking us because it has flying. If you've tried it and it works, all the power to you.
I am definitely not a fan of Stain the Mind though. That card just seems so bad.
My updated list, seeing Dyne's success with it I have moved to 4 Galvanic Blast over 2/2 with Thoughtcast, and I also have a similar sideboard but obviously i tweaked it a bit
Moving to Tokyo, Japan in three months and U know Magic is really populair so I an adming to do some damage with my new Affinity deck.
I will probably drop in for some tips and tricks and I will post my deck later.
Greetings,
Vissah
Modern - Burn
EDH - Neheb the Eternal
Just saying. lol
YOUTUBE CHANNEL: GOBOTS
Game 1, assuming we don't know what deck our opponent is playing, can prove very difficult. The key is Galvanic Blast, but if you don't have it, you HAVE to go for your fastest kill. Got an Inkmoth Nexus and an Arcbound Ravager? Get ready to sac your board without looking back. We must win turn 3-4-5. If we DO have Galvanic Blast in hand (and the appropriate mana source in play), it becomes slightly less stressful. However, keep in mind they run several mana dorks, so it's more or less buying you one turn. Something else to keep in mind is, assuming they believe we are too fast, they can Glittering Wish for Firespout or Abrupt Decay.
Game 2 and Game 3 are in our favor because they are more unfair than we are. We get to side out our slow threats like Etched Champion (sure, it can block a very fat Noble Hierarch on the combo turn, but literally everything in our deck can just chump it) and add strong hate like Thoughtseize, Wear // Tear. Whipflare doesn't sound too bad, but it barely misses the kill on Sylvan Caryatid and it's a Sorcery. Gut Shot is an all-star in this matchup because it plows every dork they have (bar the Caryatid) and doesn't force you to leave a red mana open. Dismember can be used as an alternative to Gut Shot if you don't have it in the sideboard.
I also think she wants me to have my mind on magic, don't want her to become jealous :-D
Modern - Burn
EDH - Neheb the Eternal
Non-affinity player here looking for some advice how to increase my post-board match-ups against Affinity.
Here's the list: tappedout.net/mtg-decks/29-08-14-mono-black-midrange/
4 Korlash, Heir to Blackblade
4 Vampire Nighthawk
4 Gatekeeper of Malakir
4 Nantuko Shade
[2 Artifacts]
2 Lashwrithe
[3 Enchantments]
3 Phyrexian Arena
2 Slaughter Pact
4 Victim of Night
[10 Sorceries]
4 Thoughtseize
4 Inquisition of Kozilek
2 Black Sun's Zenith
[23 Lands]
23 Swamp
3 Grafdigger's Cage
2 Relic of Progenitus
3 Wrench Mind
3 Rain of Tears
3 Sudden Death
1 Black Sun's Zenith
Yeah, I know Mono-Black isn't the most competitive list; nor is it well positioned to do well against an artifact based deck. However, I'd like to see if I could increase my odds post-board to atleast 50-50. The best idea I've got is -1 Pithing Needle, -1 Sudden Death, +2 Drown in Sorrow. I fear 5 sweepers (3 BSZ, 2 Drown in Sorrow) might be too much. Opinions? Any other suggestions?
Thanks Affinity!
-Rav
One great mono-black answer to us is Darkblast.
My sideboard is not the best and needs some tweeking but that is one part of this game that I find very very difficult to do. I only played one FNM modern tournament and I won it with my Gruul Zoo and I loved playing the tournament so I will be playing more ofcourse, also when I moved to Japan end this year I will be joining them in some tournaments so the sideboard is gonna change ofcourse.
For now I love my Etched Champions so I will probably play him the most but wioth only 15 games played with Affinity I can not really say that much about everything cause I am still learning how to play this deck the way it chould be played.
Some tips on how to play this and later with the Ravaggers and Opals up to four will be really appreciated.
Thanx for taking your time reading this and looking at my list.
Vissah's Deck
4x Blinkmoth Nexus
4x Darksteel Citadel
4x Glimmervoid
4x Inkmoth Nexus
2x Island
Creatures
2x Memnite
4x Ornithopter
4x Signal Pest
2x Arcbound Ravager
3x Steel Overseer
4x Vault Skirge
3x Etched Champion
2x Master of Etherium
2x Mox Opal
4x Galvanic Blast
4x Springleaf Drum
4x Cranial Plating
4x Thoughtcast
3x Dispatch
2x Relic of Progenitus
3x Ancient Grudge
2x Back to Nature
2x Torpor Orb
2x Choke
1x Etched Champion
Modern - Burn
EDH - Neheb the Eternal
The sideboard got cards in it that can take on most decks at my local shop so I am ok for now. I also got four copies of Ensoul Artifact so I will be trying that out soon.
I will check out Karsten thanks for the tip.
And ofcourse I will playboy deck lots of times to get a better geel for it.
Modern - Burn
EDH - Neheb the Eternal
http://sales.starcitygames.com//deckdatabase/displaydeck.php?DeckID=73437
The only difference I think ill make is taking out 1 or 2 of the relics for 1 or 2 thoughtseizes, especially because of the new jeskai ascendancy combo deck. If they have the ascendancy in hand thoughtseize is literally the only way we can win that game. The deck is very very strong and I only managed to beat it in my win and in because he stumbled a bit in game 3 and had no ascendancy. It consistently turn 2 and 3s (guaranteed turn 3 virtually if u have ascendancy)
Lost the mirror in swiss due to my own stupidity, and lost to UWR Gifts in the top 8.
I beat:
Zoo
Goryo's
Junk
UWR Gifts (same person who beat me in top 8)
UW
RG Scapeshift
Thanks to Heroes of the Plane Studios for the amazing sig.
NO RUG: Primer
Tempo Thresh: Primer
Congrats, all of you.
Frenzy-Affinity-Ghost Quarter-Rock-Tokens- RGWPhyrexian Zoo- WVial KnightsStandard:
BW Knights(Rotated)Pioneer: RW Knights - BW Rally Zombies - UW Heroes
Commander:WUG
Jenara, Asura of War- WGSigarda, Host of HeronsCasualties of economicsLegacy: Good-night, sweet prince. Mono-R Burn
Frenzy-Affinity-Ghost Quarter-Rock-Tokens- RGWPhyrexian Zoo- WVial KnightsStandard:
BW Knights(Rotated)Pioneer: RW Knights - BW Rally Zombies - UW Heroes
Commander:WUG
Jenara, Asura of War- WGSigarda, Host of HeronsCasualties of economicsLegacy: Good-night, sweet prince. Mono-R Burn
The problem is, they still play Caryatid.
I already play 4 Galvanic Blasts with Dismember and Whipflare in the SB, so Arbor Elf and Noble Hierarch weren't the issue.
Thanks to Heroes of the Plane Studios for the amazing sig.
NO RUG: Primer
Tempo Thresh: Primer
So, that just leaves Edict effects for Sylvan Caryatid. The only ones we can reliably cast are Cruel Edict and Devour Flesh.
Well, Caryatid doesn't get hit by Galvanic Blast, Dismember or Whipflare.
Also, it doesn't need to attack, they play Flesh//Blood, which can be tutored by Glittering Wish.
They can go off turn 3 with Caryatid quite regularly.
Thanks to Heroes of the Plane Studios for the amazing sig.
NO RUG: Primer
Tempo Thresh: Primer
I assume you mean Milan, but I agree.
I actually watched Ethersworn Canonist brickwall this deck quite easily. Perhaps run that in the SB?
Thanks to Heroes of the Plane Studios for the amazing sig.
NO RUG: Primer
Tempo Thresh: Primer
The good thing about they're hate, is even if they search for it, they'll never be able to cast it that turn. I'm going to test it against them.
Thanks to Heroes of the Plane Studios for the amazing sig.
NO RUG: Primer
Tempo Thresh: Primer
Personally, I am not a fan of Swan Song in this deck. Especially because you side it in against Jund. The toekn is actually quite good at blocking us because it has flying. If you've tried it and it works, all the power to you.
I am definitely not a fan of Stain the Mind though. That card just seems so bad.
Thanks to Heroes of the Plane Studios for the amazing sig.
NO RUG: Primer
Tempo Thresh: Primer
4 Ornithopter
4 Signal Pest
4 Arcbound Ravager
3 Steel Overseer
4 Vault Skirge
2 Etched Champion
2 Master of Etherium
4 Mox Opal
3 Galvanic Blast
4 Springleaf Drum
4 Cranial Plating
3 Ensoul Artifact
4 Darksteel Citadel
3 Glimmervoid
4 Inkmoth Nexus
1 Island
1 Grafdigger's Cage
1 Relic of Progenitus
2 Thoughtseize
1 Wear//Tear
2 Ancient Grudge
2 Spellskite
2 Ethersworn Cannonist
1 Whipflare
1 Dismember
2 Etched Champion
Been very happy with this 75 actually
Thanks Hero's of the Plane
Modern
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xRxAffinityxRx