Bad beats, getting Ad naus and ponza right off the bad is demoralizing. At least you didn't face Mill in round 3, that would be the holy trinity.
Reading your report on round 2 really reinforces how much i absolutely detestNature's Claim. That 4 life gain means that if the game goes down to manual valakut triggers, you need 2 mountains to make up for it. That means at least 2 turns where your valakut is exposed to hate or where your opponent will draw an ulamog and exile whatever relevant permanent you have (yes, that happened to me this weekend during the pptq). That has lost me so many grindy games in the past that I'm happy with just Destructive Revelry now
I will admit that Destructive Revelry is almost certainly the correct choice. A few months ago, I had allowed a friend to use my Titanshift deck (different composition than now obviously) for around 3-4 months. He came to the conclusion that Destructive Revelry is better in almost any situation and had me loan 3 Destructive Revelry in the place of 3 Nature's Claim to him for the SB.
I think for me it's a mental thing. I got "intimate" with Nature's Claim for so long, using it in other decks, namely Bogles. I didn't care about my opponent gaining 4 life because I was doing HUGE chunks of damage. Also, I could destroy my own Enchantment in a pinch to gain life vs. Burn. I figured that with Valakut often doing HUGE chunks of damage, it wouldn't matter. Also, I used to play 3 Khalni Heart Expedition, so I felt that in a pinch, it could possibly save me from being burned out, similar to when I ran 4 in my Bogles' SB. I don't even run Khalni Heart Expedition anymore and I need to get over the fact that R extra is not that big a deal. My friend felt the same way you did about Nature's Claim. But my previous experience with the card is something that I have to get over mentally. (The card saved me numerous times against Burn when they played Deflecting Palm on my big Bogle, only to see me gain 4 and shrink it enough to not lose.)
But as for the situation that I had at the PPTQ, I'm fine with the card. He had 2 cards in hand with 4 mana out. If one of those cards is a Beast Within and he hasn't used it on a land already and the Omen draw is what I have, then he deserves to win. Drawing the 2nd and 3rd Blood Moon directly after I Scapeshifted puts him in the "he kind of deserves to win category" in my book, especially after the Beast Within. I know it's bad to say so, but there were a lot of signs that I wasn't supposed to win this match. He won the die roll with a Blood Moon/land destruction deck vs. Titanshift. He played Blood Moon in every game, including 3 in game 3. He played Utopia Sprawl/Arbor Elf in every game. I am upset to lose. Don't get me wrong. But I don't think there's much I could have done about it.
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Legacy - Sneak Show, BR Reanimator, Miracles, UW Stoneblade
Premodern - Trix, RecSur, Enchantress, Reanimator, Elves https://www.facebook.com/groups/PremodernUSA/ Modern - Neobrand, Hogaak Vine, Elves
Standard - Mono Red (6-2 and 5-3 in 2 McQ)
Draft - (I wish I had more time for limited...)
Commander - Norin the Wary, Grimgrin, Adun Oakenshield (taking forever to build) (dead format for me)
I am honestly still fine with Natures Claim. But I also seem to value 1 mana interaction much higher than other people in this thread hence why I'm on Jund Titan when other people support Roast to kill Deaths Shadow.
But, I am kinda curious about trying destructive revelry.
I don't think the extra protection from Snapcaster Mage and Merfolk is worth the creature never getting bigger than a 3/3.
But what do I know? His game win percentage was off the charts and something to strive for.
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Legacy - Sneak Show, BR Reanimator, Miracles, UW Stoneblade
Premodern - Trix, RecSur, Enchantress, Reanimator, Elves https://www.facebook.com/groups/PremodernUSA/ Modern - Neobrand, Hogaak Vine, Elves
Standard - Mono Red (6-2 and 5-3 in 2 McQ)
Draft - (I wish I had more time for limited...)
Commander - Norin the Wary, Grimgrin, Adun Oakenshield (taking forever to build) (dead format for me)
How many Prismatic Omens do I need? I have two because that is what most deck lists run. But I am starting to see some people run three. I don't really want to buy a third if I don't need it. But I am afraid that the price might spike soon, and I will end up regretting not buy a third.
Your thoughts?
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Now Playing Modern RUBW Affinity BGR Midrange UWR Control RG Titan Shift RW Burn GW Bogles G Tron
I personally run 3 but I'm also in 3 colors. I don't think you have to have a certain number. But if you are anticipating a spike, you might regret not getting the third. I buy every card that I reasonably think I will want to play in this deck. I keep them all in a binder along with things like spare fetches and stuff. If you do anything like that, a third Omen is a good choice
I've gone up to three in my RG build. I found myself wanting 1 every game so might as well. In my limited testing so far since going up to 3, I haven't had multiples stuck in hand yet.
What are your plans vs storm? It feels almost unwinnable if they have Baral/Electromancer, Gifts and one Remand. I am playing very un-interactive version of the deck with playset of Hours but I have also played with two Angers and set of Bolts and it has always felt a nightmare matchup. Is it just bad luck or is the matchup really that abysmal?
So I picked up Titan Shift recently and am looking for resources on sideboarding against the meta game. Does anyone here have a guide they can post up for it or can they point me in the right direction? This deck is great and I want to learn how to play it across the board.
So I picked up Titan Shift recently and am looking for resources on sideboarding against the meta game. Does anyone here have a guide they can post up for it or can they point me in the right direction? This deck is great and I want to learn how to play it across the board.
For right now, I would suggest reading the sideboarding section of the Primer. Then, read through recently posted tournament results. If you want to jump into the archives, I wrote a pretty long sideboarding guide in a post in the old Primer.
Hey, I need to add on to the sideboarding section in the Primer. Not just some more matchups, but common sideboard cards and how good they are in the matchup, and in what order I think you should cut common mainboard cards for sideboard stuff. But I'm not gonna be able to do all of that today. So, if you can post a handful of decks that you have trouble with or expect to see or just generally want advice on, I and others can give opinions about how the match should play out and what effects are important.
Hey, I need to add on to the sideboarding section in the Primer. Not just some more matchups, but common sideboard cards and how good they are in the matchup, and in what order I think you should cut common mainboard cards for sideboard stuff. But I'm not gonna be able to do all of that today. So, if you can post a handful of decks that you have trouble with or expect to see or just generally want advice on, I and others can give opinions about how the match should play out and what effects are important.
No problem mate, no stress:) I expect the mirror a lot. I know it is 50/50 usually and is mostly decided by the diceroll and starting hands. After SB the player on the draw can draw the advantage on his side with (unexpected) hatecards. I asked for some SB cards for the mirror. You suggested Crumble to Dust. I don't like the variance of the card. If they play their Valakut early, its obviously awesome. (But good players often play around it, so do I now) Otherwise it is not very useful and just a overcosted Stone Rain. Mwonvuli Acid-Moss is a great card with uses in other matchups, but it doesn't just "win you the game". Leyline of Sanctity is great in the starter (and useable in different matchups), but only there and Witchbane Orb is great in the mirror but has no good use against other decks. It's a difficult question but which one is the best?
May I also ask the question how you play out the game vs UW Control (not a SB guide)? I feel like the longer the game goes, the lower our odds are to win. Are you just casting your Titans and Scapeshift into counterspells or do you wait? I know it takes only 1 card to win, but resolving these is almost impossible. The best way to win has been Thrun, but I haven't drawn him or Pacts very much... If you have 8-9 Lands on the battlefield, do you keep your Ramp Spells and Lands in your hand? And do you keep in your Prismatic Omen after SB? they are great against Spreading Seas but can be answered later.
Just generally: How have you achieved your wins against UW? These are all questions that I would be glad if someone could answer:) Thanks:)
Sorry man, if you had answered this morning I could have given a nice write up. But I've been frantically packing and trying to leave to head back to school and I'm about to start driving. I would check back in the last few weeks of comments for discussion on UW. Sorry I can't help more right now
May I also ask the question how you play out the game vs UW Control (not a SB guide)? I feel like the longer the game goes, the lower our odds are to win. Are you just casting your Titans and Scapeshift into counterspells or do you wait? I know it takes only 1 card to win, but resolving these is almost impossible. The best way to win has been Thrun, but I haven't drawn him or Pacts very much... If you have 8-9 Lands on the battlefield, do you keep your Ramp Spells and Lands in your hand? And do you keep in your Prismatic Omen after SB? they are great against Spreading Seas but can be answered later.
Just generally: How have you achieved your wins against UW? These are all questions that I would be glad if someone could answer:) Thanks:)
You're correct, crumble can be useless against the Mirror if they can get 2 valakuts down before you cast it on turn 3, or if they fetch both using Primeval Titan or Hour. I've lost with a crumble in hand after the opponent played a second vakalut on turn 2 off of explore (he played the first during turn 1). I crumbled one valakut, but to what end? scapeshift ended me. For the mirror usually we don't have much to bring in. Witchbane Orb is relatively new tech that was picked up during the double GP weekend recently, and seems the perfect mirror breaker if the opponent does not expect it. Other options you can consider is to bring in some life gain (Baloth, pulse etc) and stay above 18 life so you delay the combo by 1 turn. Just keep in mind that the Titanshift mirror is a pure race so don't dilute your ramp and win con by too much in trying to slow them down. Absolutely don't try to go for the mid-range route, you'll eat a mouthful of lava.
Against UW control, it depends on the build they're running and whether they have pressure on board. Keep in mind Engineered Explosives on 2 takes care of any spreading seas handily. Don't expose valakuts too quicky if you can help it because of GQ. We are worse than the breach decks in this regard because it's harder to overload counterspells, but you can try having 2 or more wincons in hand and try to push them through by casting them one after the other. Many UW decks will bring clique in from the sideboard, which is very bad news for us (it will come down during our draw step on turn 4 or 5, remove the win con, them proceed to tempo us out); for this reason, you can consider leaving in some number of bolts for it. Otherwise taking 3 dmg a turn while having everything relevant countered feels really bad.
Thrun, of course, destroys them outside of blessed alliance. Maybe cast it on 6 mana for insurance against verdict, althought UW tend to side out verdict against us. I've also won a UW game or two off a cheeky singleton guttural response from the Sideboard. Bait them to tap out for cryptic, then counter their cryptic.
The biggest thing I would add to the UW discussion is that prismatic Omen is strong. Makes the late game plan of 'you can't counter my land drops so ha' plan much stronger. If you ever think you can get them to tap out to counter one shift then cast a second, do it.
I've been running Great Sable Stag and Gaea's Revenge against control and such, I've like them both a lot so far. Great Sable Stag can really speed the game up on control, hoses grixis as well.
Thanks a lot wtyyy for the long answer. The mirror is a pure race, that's why you're really disadvantaged on the draw, a mirrorbreaker like Witchbane Orb seems perfect in this situation, so I agree. What do you think on Witchbane Orb vs. Leyline, this has been the hardest decision in the past days for me. 2 Leylines seem reasonable but I haven't included White mana in my deck to cast. My plan is just to put it onto the battlefield from the starter. Does that seem bad? It's just so much better against GDS, Burn and other Discardheavy decks (that don't expect it at all, Burn won't bring in Destructive Revelry).
I'm definitely with Spike, that Omen is a very good card against UW, I've liked it a lot so far. Unfortunately the scenario often looks like you get it down early and they counter all your threats, you can't play your Valakuts because they have GQ and Tec Edge ready, and then in the late game Omen gets removed by Detention Sphere and suddenly you find yourself with only 5-6 Mountains in play and they start killing your lands. It really is a tricky matchup.
Sandfrog, I'm happy that Great Stable Stag works for you. Could you explain me why you prefer it over Chameleon Colossus? Does the Pro Blue come up often? Can you close out the game against DS with it or do you just use it as a wall blocker?
I'll stick with Witchbane Orb over Leyline, which will require you to splash a third colour and make your mana worse. You're only able to run 12 mountains when you splash a third colour, not to mention you make yourself even more vulnerable to land hate like blood moon. If you only run 2 Leylines, it's harder to see it in your starting 7 - which effectively makes it a 2W Witchbane Orb that screws your colours.
If Burn sees a prismatic omen in game 1, you bet they'll bring in D. Rev.
I've seen lists that pair Great Sable Stag with Gaea's Revenge. Personally I prefer the pairing of Chameleon Colossus with Thrun. Colossus is lights out against GDS (you can attack for 8 in one go). The upside of Stag is that its protected against both blue and black, so even Snapcaster cannot come down in a pinch to block it. Gaea's Revenge just feels a bit too slow for me although it usually closes the game out by the next turn. I value the regeneration on Thrun more though.
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I will admit that Destructive Revelry is almost certainly the correct choice. A few months ago, I had allowed a friend to use my Titanshift deck (different composition than now obviously) for around 3-4 months. He came to the conclusion that Destructive Revelry is better in almost any situation and had me loan 3 Destructive Revelry in the place of 3 Nature's Claim to him for the SB.
I think for me it's a mental thing. I got "intimate" with Nature's Claim for so long, using it in other decks, namely Bogles. I didn't care about my opponent gaining 4 life because I was doing HUGE chunks of damage. Also, I could destroy my own Enchantment in a pinch to gain life vs. Burn. I figured that with Valakut often doing HUGE chunks of damage, it wouldn't matter. Also, I used to play 3 Khalni Heart Expedition, so I felt that in a pinch, it could possibly save me from being burned out, similar to when I ran 4 in my Bogles' SB. I don't even run Khalni Heart Expedition anymore and I need to get over the fact that R extra is not that big a deal. My friend felt the same way you did about Nature's Claim. But my previous experience with the card is something that I have to get over mentally. (The card saved me numerous times against Burn when they played Deflecting Palm on my big Bogle, only to see me gain 4 and shrink it enough to not lose.)
But as for the situation that I had at the PPTQ, I'm fine with the card. He had 2 cards in hand with 4 mana out. If one of those cards is a Beast Within and he hasn't used it on a land already and the Omen draw is what I have, then he deserves to win. Drawing the 2nd and 3rd Blood Moon directly after I Scapeshifted puts him in the "he kind of deserves to win category" in my book, especially after the Beast Within. I know it's bad to say so, but there were a lot of signs that I wasn't supposed to win this match. He won the die roll with a Blood Moon/land destruction deck vs. Titanshift. He played Blood Moon in every game, including 3 in game 3. He played Utopia Sprawl/Arbor Elf in every game. I am upset to lose. Don't get me wrong. But I don't think there's much I could have done about it.
Premodern - Trix, RecSur, Enchantress, Reanimator, Elves https://www.facebook.com/groups/PremodernUSA/
Modern - Neobrand, Hogaak Vine, Elves
Standard - Mono Red (6-2 and 5-3 in 2 McQ)
Draft - (I wish I had more time for limited...)
Commander -
Norin the Wary, Grimgrin, Adun Oakenshield (taking forever to build)(dead format for me)But, I am kinda curious about trying destructive revelry.
Marath, Will of the Wild Tokens!! / Karrthus, Tyrant of Jund Dragons! / Muzzio, Visionary Architect / Brago, King Eternal / Daretti, Scrap Savant / Narset, Enlightened Master / Alesha, Who Smiles at Death / Bruna, Light of Alabaster / Marchesa, the Black Rose / Iroas, God of Victory / Freyalise, Llanowar's Fury / Omnath, Locus of rage / Titania, Protector of Argoth / Kozilek, the Great Distortion
Modern
Elves / Titanshift / Merfolk
http://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/mtgo-standings/modern-challenge-2017-08-20
I don't think the extra protection from Snapcaster Mage and Merfolk is worth the creature never getting bigger than a 3/3.
But what do I know? His game win percentage was off the charts and something to strive for.
Premodern - Trix, RecSur, Enchantress, Reanimator, Elves https://www.facebook.com/groups/PremodernUSA/
Modern - Neobrand, Hogaak Vine, Elves
Standard - Mono Red (6-2 and 5-3 in 2 McQ)
Draft - (I wish I had more time for limited...)
Commander -
Norin the Wary, Grimgrin, Adun Oakenshield (taking forever to build)(dead format for me)Your thoughts?
Modern
RUBW Affinity
BGR Midrange
UWR Control
RG Titan Shift
RW Burn
GW Bogles
G Tron
Marath, Will of the Wild Tokens!! / Karrthus, Tyrant of Jund Dragons! / Muzzio, Visionary Architect / Brago, King Eternal / Daretti, Scrap Savant / Narset, Enlightened Master / Alesha, Who Smiles at Death / Bruna, Light of Alabaster / Marchesa, the Black Rose / Iroas, God of Victory / Freyalise, Llanowar's Fury / Omnath, Locus of rage / Titania, Protector of Argoth / Kozilek, the Great Distortion
Modern
Elves / Titanshift / Merfolk
Modern
WUBRG
Board in hate and removal, and pray.
For right now, I would suggest reading the sideboarding section of the Primer. Then, read through recently posted tournament results. If you want to jump into the archives, I wrote a pretty long sideboarding guide in a post in the old Primer.
Marath, Will of the Wild Tokens!! / Karrthus, Tyrant of Jund Dragons! / Muzzio, Visionary Architect / Brago, King Eternal / Daretti, Scrap Savant / Narset, Enlightened Master / Alesha, Who Smiles at Death / Bruna, Light of Alabaster / Marchesa, the Black Rose / Iroas, God of Victory / Freyalise, Llanowar's Fury / Omnath, Locus of rage / Titania, Protector of Argoth / Kozilek, the Great Distortion
Modern
Elves / Titanshift / Merfolk
Hey, I need to add on to the sideboarding section in the Primer. Not just some more matchups, but common sideboard cards and how good they are in the matchup, and in what order I think you should cut common mainboard cards for sideboard stuff. But I'm not gonna be able to do all of that today. So, if you can post a handful of decks that you have trouble with or expect to see or just generally want advice on, I and others can give opinions about how the match should play out and what effects are important.
Marath, Will of the Wild Tokens!! / Karrthus, Tyrant of Jund Dragons! / Muzzio, Visionary Architect / Brago, King Eternal / Daretti, Scrap Savant / Narset, Enlightened Master / Alesha, Who Smiles at Death / Bruna, Light of Alabaster / Marchesa, the Black Rose / Iroas, God of Victory / Freyalise, Llanowar's Fury / Omnath, Locus of rage / Titania, Protector of Argoth / Kozilek, the Great Distortion
Modern
Elves / Titanshift / Merfolk
No problem mate, no stress:) I expect the mirror a lot. I know it is 50/50 usually and is mostly decided by the diceroll and starting hands. After SB the player on the draw can draw the advantage on his side with (unexpected) hatecards. I asked for some SB cards for the mirror. You suggested Crumble to Dust. I don't like the variance of the card. If they play their Valakut early, its obviously awesome. (But good players often play around it, so do I now) Otherwise it is not very useful and just a overcosted Stone Rain. Mwonvuli Acid-Moss is a great card with uses in other matchups, but it doesn't just "win you the game". Leyline of Sanctity is great in the starter (and useable in different matchups), but only there and Witchbane Orb is great in the mirror but has no good use against other decks. It's a difficult question but which one is the best?
May I also ask the question how you play out the game vs UW Control (not a SB guide)? I feel like the longer the game goes, the lower our odds are to win. Are you just casting your Titans and Scapeshift into counterspells or do you wait? I know it takes only 1 card to win, but resolving these is almost impossible. The best way to win has been Thrun, but I haven't drawn him or Pacts very much... If you have 8-9 Lands on the battlefield, do you keep your Ramp Spells and Lands in your hand? And do you keep in your Prismatic Omen after SB? they are great against Spreading Seas but can be answered later.
Just generally: How have you achieved your wins against UW? These are all questions that I would be glad if someone could answer:) Thanks:)
Marath, Will of the Wild Tokens!! / Karrthus, Tyrant of Jund Dragons! / Muzzio, Visionary Architect / Brago, King Eternal / Daretti, Scrap Savant / Narset, Enlightened Master / Alesha, Who Smiles at Death / Bruna, Light of Alabaster / Marchesa, the Black Rose / Iroas, God of Victory / Freyalise, Llanowar's Fury / Omnath, Locus of rage / Titania, Protector of Argoth / Kozilek, the Great Distortion
Modern
Elves / Titanshift / Merfolk
You're correct, crumble can be useless against the Mirror if they can get 2 valakuts down before you cast it on turn 3, or if they fetch both using Primeval Titan or Hour. I've lost with a crumble in hand after the opponent played a second vakalut on turn 2 off of explore (he played the first during turn 1). I crumbled one valakut, but to what end? scapeshift ended me. For the mirror usually we don't have much to bring in. Witchbane Orb is relatively new tech that was picked up during the double GP weekend recently, and seems the perfect mirror breaker if the opponent does not expect it. Other options you can consider is to bring in some life gain (Baloth, pulse etc) and stay above 18 life so you delay the combo by 1 turn. Just keep in mind that the Titanshift mirror is a pure race so don't dilute your ramp and win con by too much in trying to slow them down. Absolutely don't try to go for the mid-range route, you'll eat a mouthful of lava.
Against UW control, it depends on the build they're running and whether they have pressure on board. Keep in mind Engineered Explosives on 2 takes care of any spreading seas handily. Don't expose valakuts too quicky if you can help it because of GQ. We are worse than the breach decks in this regard because it's harder to overload counterspells, but you can try having 2 or more wincons in hand and try to push them through by casting them one after the other. Many UW decks will bring clique in from the sideboard, which is very bad news for us (it will come down during our draw step on turn 4 or 5, remove the win con, them proceed to tempo us out); for this reason, you can consider leaving in some number of bolts for it. Otherwise taking 3 dmg a turn while having everything relevant countered feels really bad.
Thrun, of course, destroys them outside of blessed alliance. Maybe cast it on 6 mana for insurance against verdict, althought UW tend to side out verdict against us. I've also won a UW game or two off a cheeky singleton guttural response from the Sideboard. Bait them to tap out for cryptic, then counter their cryptic.
Marath, Will of the Wild Tokens!! / Karrthus, Tyrant of Jund Dragons! / Muzzio, Visionary Architect / Brago, King Eternal / Daretti, Scrap Savant / Narset, Enlightened Master / Alesha, Who Smiles at Death / Bruna, Light of Alabaster / Marchesa, the Black Rose / Iroas, God of Victory / Freyalise, Llanowar's Fury / Omnath, Locus of rage / Titania, Protector of Argoth / Kozilek, the Great Distortion
Modern
Elves / Titanshift / Merfolk
I'm definitely with Spike, that Omen is a very good card against UW, I've liked it a lot so far. Unfortunately the scenario often looks like you get it down early and they counter all your threats, you can't play your Valakuts because they have GQ and Tec Edge ready, and then in the late game Omen gets removed by Detention Sphere and suddenly you find yourself with only 5-6 Mountains in play and they start killing your lands. It really is a tricky matchup.
Sandfrog, I'm happy that Great Stable Stag works for you. Could you explain me why you prefer it over Chameleon Colossus? Does the Pro Blue come up often? Can you close out the game against DS with it or do you just use it as a wall blocker?
If Burn sees a prismatic omen in game 1, you bet they'll bring in D. Rev.
I've seen lists that pair Great Sable Stag with Gaea's Revenge. Personally I prefer the pairing of Chameleon Colossus with Thrun. Colossus is lights out against GDS (you can attack for 8 in one go). The upside of Stag is that its protected against both blue and black, so even Snapcaster cannot come down in a pinch to block it. Gaea's Revenge just feels a bit too slow for me although it usually closes the game out by the next turn. I value the regeneration on Thrun more though.