Always board in leyline if you suspect your opponent has discard (imho). I've never dropped a match to Mardu just because I always get lucky and either open/mull to Leyline games 2-3.
@reno If you do encounter it, board in leylines and pray that they open a bunch of thought-knots and scullers.
It's honestly just a really bad matchup overall, discard that doubles as clock along with Thalias and whatnot
Also apologies for doublepost, haven't posted on salvation in a while
Humans is definitely the worst matchup. There's just no way to make it favorable.
On the bright side, we are favored vs the Arclight phoenix decks that are currently very popular. Unlike humans, they have very minimal ways to interact with our spells game 1.
2-0 KCI (also qualified)
2-0 Living End
2-1 Jund
2-0 Titan Shift
ID
ID
2-1 Amulet titan (Im on the draw)
I owe my success to every spirits pilot losing round 1. Everyone came prepared to beat that deck (except for me) and it really showed round 1. Once I was in the X-0 bracket every matchup was great for me.
Cheers.
2-0 KCI (also qualified)
2-0 Living End
2-1 Jund
2-0 Titan Shift
ID
ID
2-1 Amulet titan (Im on the draw)
I owe my success to every spirits pilot losing round 1. Everyone came prepared to beat that deck (except for me) and it really showed round 1. Once I was in the X-0 bracket every matchup was great for me.
Cheers.
Why did you choose to play 2 plains rather than 1 plains 1 island?
Why did you choose to play 2 plains rather than 1 plains 1 island?
I play two plains because it is the strongest basic land you could possibly play. Basic Island cannot cast either of your important spells needed to win the game. Without basic plains, you need atleast two mana rocks to win through a bloodmoon, only needing one mana rock to win with basic plains. Every single land besides basic plains taps for blue mana. If I were to cut any number of plains I would probably play a temple of enlightenment.
MB Truth is just a concession to humans. Its good against random aggro decks as well. I don't love the card but I also don't love being completely cold to meddling mage game one even more.
I really liked spoils at the tournament. It often felt like a strictly better ancient stirrings. The reason I don't like 3 is that your hand can get awfully clunky when you draw multiple spoils. I don't like that, so I try to avoid it by playing two. Mystical teachings is great, and its even better post board because I play clique and settle. I used to play 1 peer over teachings in the main with the teachings in the sb, but I wanted more SB slots and I also wanted my deck to be stronger vs the grindy decks as I saw a lot of them at regionals. Maybe that was incorrect. TL;DR I would not leave home without a teachings in my 75. where you find the space for it is up to you. for me, spoils number 3 is not as good as teachings number 1.
To prepare for the spirits matchup - what, if anything, would you change?
I probably would run more spot removal to deal with the mausoleam wanderer. don't forget to bring in thoughtseize to check for spell queller. Some people are testing grand abolisher as an out to spirits as they cant sac the wanderer or tap the vial. I like that technology and I think it should be explored further. Would I change anything right now? No. AdNaus isn't my focus on the moment so I haven't put in enough to time to really think of a solution for spirits. Would I test the abolisher plan? yes absolutely.
Thanks for the great questions, I'd be happy to answer anyones questions about my list or the tournament.
Why did you choose to play 2 plains rather than 1 plains 1 island?
I play two plains because it is the strongest basic land you could possibly play. Basic Island cannot cast either of your important spells needed to win the game. Without basic plains, you need atleast two mana rocks to win through a bloodmoon, only needing one mana rock to win with basic plains. Every single land besides basic plains taps for blue mana. If I were to cut any number of plains I would probably play a temple of enlightenment.
Even though basic island gives you the blue mana to cast Echoing Truth to bounce blood moon?
any of your 8 mana rocks can cast echoing truth. Being able to cast your white cards will buy you time to get there. Also if you get field of ruin'd, you'll never be short on blue mana, only black or white. basic island just doesn't do enough in our deck in my opinion.
any of your 8 mana rocks can cast echoing truth. Being able to cast your white cards will buy you time to get there. Also if you get field of ruin'd, you'll never be short on blue mana, only black or white. basic island just doesn't do enough in our deck in my opinion.
Great point! Will totally try it, but why do you run 4 Prisms instead of 3 with 1 Ritual?
Mainly the reason is because prism is a more powerful card. I also run only two spoils. The % points you lose to playing ritual, a bad ramp spell, vs prism, a great ramp spell, compared to the % points you gain if you happen to cast spoils and you happen to exile two SSG and happen to not be able to play a land.. Yeah I'm not sold.
Add in the fact that most people play and side in damping sphere and the ritual starts to look even worse. I did try it at one point though, just not a fan of it now.
My sideboard strategy for spirits is to bring in removal. I think two pact is an appropriate amount as they do side in a few counter spells against us. I like taking out some artifacts as they usually have stony silence. Most people will know that they are favored and try to not overboard though. If it looks like they're bringing in a plethora of cards, expect artifact hate.
+1 Thoughtseize
+2 fatal push
+2 Bontu's last reckoning
-3 pentad prism
-1 mystical teachings
-1 sleight of hand
I will say again I do like the grand abolisher tech, and its something I definitely want (maybe even need) for this matchup.
Honestly, I hate the fatty backup plan. I play sphinx because it can actually stick and also is an automatic win vs UWX. no other card does the job quite as well. I only side it in vs control, and wouldn't leave home without one in my sideboard.
I knew this was a terrible matchup, so I was not expecting to win this one. Game 1 he assembles Glistener Elf + 2 Hierarchs and begins to attack, but the elf comes out a turn too late and he is short on lethal. I deploy a Lab Man to block the attack that would have been lethal. Then kill on my following turn. Game 2 I check him with a timely Bontu's Last Reckoning, and he never finds another creature after that.
Round 2: 2-0 Counters Company
Game 1 I he assembles Druid + Vizier but only has company as a payoff. He hits something like Tracker + Birds, plays two more trackers from hand, and attempts to draw to his win via clues. Ultimately he misses and I kill the following turn. Game 2 I kill of his first two druids with Fatal Pushes. In response to his 3rd, I cast Ad Nauseam to draw into my 3rd fatal push, as well as set up to kill in two more turns.
Round 3: 2-0 Arclight Phoenix
He never played against Ad Nauseam before so I had a distinct advantage here in that regards. Game 1 he hardcasts Arclight Phoenix and I kill the following turn. Game 2 he casts Cracking Drake, and I assemble the kill with double pact against his Dispel and Izzet Charm.
Overall deck was a blast to play. I had switched back to this deck after losing too much to Tron while on Jeskai, and I'm not sure I want to even go back.
Against Aggro decks +3 Bontus +1 Verdict +1 Push +1 Sl. Pact // -3 Pact of negation -3 Lotus Bloom
Against Blue Controll decks +4 Abolisher +2 Thoughtseize // -3 Spoils of the vault -3 Pentad Prism
The last 3 slots depends on the cards i see, with EE being the only card there that is still in testing, but it has performed great, destroy hate enchantments/artifacts and also cleans creatures.
Im playing the standard spoils list with 2 Lightning storm and 1 echoing truth maindeck
Against Aggro decks +3 Bontus +1 Verdict +1 Push +1 Sl. Pact // -3 Pact of negation -3 Lotus Bloom
Against Blue Controll decks +4 Abolisher +2 Thoughtseize // -3 Spoils of the vault -3 Pentad Prism
The last 3 slots depends on the cards i see, with EE being the only card there that is still in testing, but it has performed great, destroy hate enchantments/artifacts and also cleans creatures.
Im playing the standard spoils list with 2 Lightning storm and 1 echoing truth maindeck
Wouldn't it be better instead of 2 main storms, take the maniac and then on the side a conflagrar, and why don't you use 4 lines?
i have a question to who is really experienced with the deck.
if im playing aganist a deck which is not very interactive, lets say tron. i know it will be a race, i need to combo before a karn starts eating my resources.
Im on the play, i look at my seven cards and it has the combo, angel's grace, ad nauseam, some lands and a spoils but no mana acceleration making it too slow.
Is it too risky to try turn 1 spoils for lotus bloom? should i try that or mulligan to 6? i know my life aganist tron is not very important, but it can exile key pieces, also aganist decks like scapeshift being above 18 life means an extra turn.
It's honestly just a really bad matchup overall, discard that doubles as clock along with Thalias and whatnot
Also apologies for doublepost, haven't posted on salvation in a while
spell peirce should be pact of negation. no question. Grafdiggers cage does nothing to help us win the game.
EE is a decent SB card, but you need to look out for stony silence. I'd rather just see another wear tear in that slot.
Unlife should be in the main, and you should go up to 3 bontus.
These are my opinions, I've taken down a PPTQ with the list and will most likely be slinging this deck at the RPTQ next week.
I went 4-0-2 in the swiss of the RPTQ, and won in the finals for top 4. I'm going to the pro tour! woo!
On the bright side, we are favored vs the Arclight phoenix decks that are currently very popular. Unlike humans, they have very minimal ways to interact with our spells game 1.
this was the list I won the RPTQ with.
4 Lotus Bloom
4 Pentad Prism
4 Simian Spirit Guide
White
4 Phyrexian Unlife
4 Angel's Grace
Black
4 Ad Nauseam
2 Spoils of the Vault
1 Mystical Teachings
Dig
4 Serum Visions
4 Sleight of Hand
2 Pact of Negation
1 Lightning Storm
1 Echoing Truth
1 Laboratory Maniac
Land
3 Seachrome Coast
3 Darkslick Shores
4 Temple of Deceit
2 Temple of Enlightenment
4 Gemstone Mine
2 City of Brass
2 Plains
1 Sphinx of the Final Word
1 Vendilion Clique
4 Leyline of Sanctity
2 Pact of Negation
2 Fatal Push
1 Settle the Wreckage
2 Bontu's Last Reckoning
2 Thoughtseize
2-0 KCI (also qualified)
2-0 Living End
2-1 Jund
2-0 Titan Shift
ID
ID
2-1 Amulet titan (Im on the draw)
I owe my success to every spirits pilot losing round 1. Everyone came prepared to beat that deck (except for me) and it really showed round 1. Once I was in the X-0 bracket every matchup was great for me.
Cheers.
Why did you choose to play 2 plains rather than 1 plains 1 island?
How important was the mainboard Echoing Truth?
Mystical Teachings - better than simply playing 3 Spoils?
To prepare for the spirits matchup - what, if anything, would you change?
I play two plains because it is the strongest basic land you could possibly play. Basic Island cannot cast either of your important spells needed to win the game. Without basic plains, you need atleast two mana rocks to win through a bloodmoon, only needing one mana rock to win with basic plains. Every single land besides basic plains taps for blue mana. If I were to cut any number of plains I would probably play a temple of enlightenment.
MB Truth is just a concession to humans. Its good against random aggro decks as well. I don't love the card but I also don't love being completely cold to meddling mage game one even more.
I really liked spoils at the tournament. It often felt like a strictly better ancient stirrings. The reason I don't like 3 is that your hand can get awfully clunky when you draw multiple spoils. I don't like that, so I try to avoid it by playing two. Mystical teachings is great, and its even better post board because I play clique and settle. I used to play 1 peer over teachings in the main with the teachings in the sb, but I wanted more SB slots and I also wanted my deck to be stronger vs the grindy decks as I saw a lot of them at regionals. Maybe that was incorrect. TL;DR I would not leave home without a teachings in my 75. where you find the space for it is up to you. for me, spoils number 3 is not as good as teachings number 1.
I probably would run more spot removal to deal with the mausoleam wanderer. don't forget to bring in thoughtseize to check for spell queller. Some people are testing grand abolisher as an out to spirits as they cant sac the wanderer or tap the vial. I like that technology and I think it should be explored further. Would I change anything right now? No. AdNaus isn't my focus on the moment so I haven't put in enough to time to really think of a solution for spirits. Would I test the abolisher plan? yes absolutely.
Thanks for the great questions, I'd be happy to answer anyones questions about my list or the tournament.
Even though basic island gives you the blue mana to cast Echoing Truth to bounce blood moon?
That makes sense. Thanks.
Mainly the reason is because prism is a more powerful card. I also run only two spoils. The % points you lose to playing ritual, a bad ramp spell, vs prism, a great ramp spell, compared to the % points you gain if you happen to cast spoils and you happen to exile two SSG and happen to not be able to play a land.. Yeah I'm not sold.
Add in the fact that most people play and side in damping sphere and the ritual starts to look even worse. I did try it at one point though, just not a fan of it now.
Do you like Sphinx of the Final Word over Dragonlord Dromoka?
My sideboard strategy for spirits is to bring in removal. I think two pact is an appropriate amount as they do side in a few counter spells against us. I like taking out some artifacts as they usually have stony silence. Most people will know that they are favored and try to not overboard though. If it looks like they're bringing in a plethora of cards, expect artifact hate.
+1 Thoughtseize
+2 fatal push
+2 Bontu's last reckoning
-3 pentad prism
-1 mystical teachings
-1 sleight of hand
I will say again I do like the grand abolisher tech, and its something I definitely want (maybe even need) for this matchup.
Honestly, I hate the fatty backup plan. I play sphinx because it can actually stick and also is an automatic win vs UWX. no other card does the job quite as well. I only side it in vs control, and wouldn't leave home without one in my sideboard.
Round 1: 2-0 Infect
I knew this was a terrible matchup, so I was not expecting to win this one. Game 1 he assembles Glistener Elf + 2 Hierarchs and begins to attack, but the elf comes out a turn too late and he is short on lethal. I deploy a Lab Man to block the attack that would have been lethal. Then kill on my following turn. Game 2 I check him with a timely Bontu's Last Reckoning, and he never finds another creature after that.
Round 2: 2-0 Counters Company
Game 1 I he assembles Druid + Vizier but only has company as a payoff. He hits something like Tracker + Birds, plays two more trackers from hand, and attempts to draw to his win via clues. Ultimately he misses and I kill the following turn. Game 2 I kill of his first two druids with Fatal Pushes. In response to his 3rd, I cast Ad Nauseam to draw into my 3rd fatal push, as well as set up to kill in two more turns.
Round 3: 2-0 Arclight Phoenix
He never played against Ad Nauseam before so I had a distinct advantage here in that regards. Game 1 he hardcasts Arclight Phoenix and I kill the following turn. Game 2 he casts Cracking Drake, and I assemble the kill with double pact against his Dispel and Izzet Charm.
Overall deck was a blast to play. I had switched back to this deck after losing too much to Tron while on Jeskai, and I'm not sure I want to even go back.
4 Grand Ablisher
3 Bontus Last Reckoning
2 Thoughtseize
1 Fatal push
1 Slaughter pact
1 Supreme Verdict
1 Wear/Tear
1 Laboratory Maniac
1 Eng. Explosives
Against Aggro decks +3 Bontus +1 Verdict +1 Push +1 Sl. Pact // -3 Pact of negation -3 Lotus Bloom
Against Blue Controll decks +4 Abolisher +2 Thoughtseize // -3 Spoils of the vault -3 Pentad Prism
The last 3 slots depends on the cards i see, with EE being the only card there that is still in testing, but it has performed great, destroy hate enchantments/artifacts and also cleans creatures.
Im playing the standard spoils list with 2 Lightning storm and 1 echoing truth maindeck
Wouldn't it be better instead of 2 main storms, take the maniac and then on the side a conflagrar, and why don't you use 4 lines?
if im playing aganist a deck which is not very interactive, lets say tron. i know it will be a race, i need to combo before a karn starts eating my resources.
Im on the play, i look at my seven cards and it has the combo, angel's grace, ad nauseam, some lands and a spoils but no mana acceleration making it too slow.
Is it too risky to try turn 1 spoils for lotus bloom? should i try that or mulligan to 6? i know my life aganist tron is not very important, but it can exile key pieces, also aganist decks like scapeshift being above 18 life means an extra turn.
Nope. Think about it.. are you winning that game without bloom? I would argue its too risky to not spoils for bloom there.
my question is if its too risky to keep and do that or should i mull to 6?