Hey I don't know if anyone saw the GP Prague breakdown of Day 2. I wanted to post it for a discussion about how hard to meta-game a tournament. I'm thinking about playing in one the 2nd weekend in September, so yeah. Check attachments.
At the PPTQ I did well in, I had to beat U/W control twice, and it was basically 3 out of the top 8. Then the next day at the same store, SCG IQ, it was 2 out of the top 8. I recently saw the data from GP Prague, and I'm going to assume that at least in paper, there's going to be a lot of U/W.
So how do I game this? I am a 4 Eidolon fan, and I've also been on the 1x card to stick it to control. I've selected Defense Grid as my weapon of choice, but completely love Boil as well. My question is - how hard do I customize my deck assuming I'll see 2/3 U/W in 7/8 matches. Do I go Grid and Boil? Do I go down Avaricious Dragon for StormyB? Does B just stay in the board? Do I go x2 Boil? Dump the Grid and add Stormy B to the board? Do I add some Scabbies? Jund, Mardu and Affinity also have a strong presence there, so I was thinking leaning on a Dragon resolution helps there as well. Or do I go 1x Molten and 1x Boil? I know Molten's instant speed, but y'all catch my drift.
So how hard do you metagame and if its U/W you see, what customizations do you prioritize into the deck to win that MU?
Hey I don't know if anyone saw the GP Prague breakdown of Day 2. I wanted to post it for a discussion about how hard to meta-game a tournament. I'm thinking about playing in one the 2nd weekend in September, so yeah. Check attachments.
At the PPTQ I did well in, I had to beat U/W control twice, and it was basically 3 out of the top 8. Then the next day at the same store, SCG IQ, it was 2 out of the top 8. I recently saw the data from GP Prague, and I'm going to assume that at least in paper, there's going to be a lot of U/W.
So how do I game this? I am a 4 Eidolon fan, and I've also been on the 1x card to stick it to control. I've selected Defense Grid as my weapon of choice, but completely love Boil as well. My question is - how hard do I customize my deck assuming I'll see 2/3 U/W in 7/8 matches. Do I go Grid and Boil? Do I go down Avaricious Dragon for StormyB? Does B just stay in the board? Do I go x2 Boil? Dump the Grid and add Stormy B to the board? Do I add some Scabbies? Jund, Mardu and Affinity also have a strong presence there, so I was thinking leaning on a Dragon resolution helps there as well. Or do I go 1x Molten and 1x Boil? I know Molten's instant speed, but y'all catch my drift.
So how hard do you metagame and if its U/W you see, what customizations do you prioritize into the deck to win that MU?
Boil or Grid. Pick one, not both. the meta is too diverse to dedicate two sideboard slots to one match in particular. That's why, despite how I loathe playing against tron, I don't play crumble to dust. there are many flavors of blue based control, whether it's grixis shadow, UW, Jeski, blue moon, you get the idea, which is why I dedicate a slot to it. Dedicated cards to a single deck is not where you want to be. Hell, I even played esper control.....twice, at scg Philly last month and that's not even a deck!
I've been testing Grid on my stream lately and it hasn't done anything. Not enough blue opponents and the few I played against, I didn't draw it. So, we're still testing grid. also, boil is a better top deck where grid is better in the opening hand. later game boil is amazing, late game grid is weak, however, dropping an early grid guarantees everything else that follows resolves. It's a tough choice, no doubt. Boil is proven and grid is still in testing mode, so do we go with Blue Chip Stock or a new company to invest in?
Hey I don't know if anyone saw the GP Prague breakdown of Day 2. I wanted to post it for a discussion about how hard to meta-game a tournament. I'm thinking about playing in one the 2nd weekend in September, so yeah. Check attachments.
At the PPTQ I did well in, I had to beat U/W control twice, and it was basically 3 out of the top 8. Then the next day at the same store, SCG IQ, it was 2 out of the top 8. I recently saw the data from GP Prague, and I'm going to assume that at least in paper, there's going to be a lot of U/W.
So how do I game this? I am a 4 Eidolon fan, and I've also been on the 1x card to stick it to control. I've selected Defense Grid as my weapon of choice, but completely love Boil as well. My question is - how hard do I customize my deck assuming I'll see 2/3 U/W in 7/8 matches. Do I go Grid and Boil? Do I go down Avaricious Dragon for StormyB? Does B just stay in the board? Do I go x2 Boil? Dump the Grid and add Stormy B to the board? Do I add some Scabbies? Jund, Mardu and Affinity also have a strong presence there, so I was thinking leaning on a Dragon resolution helps there as well. Or do I go 1x Molten and 1x Boil? I know Molten's instant speed, but y'all catch my drift.
So how hard do you metagame and if its U/W you see, what customizations do you prioritize into the deck to win that MU?
Also, you said you've been testing grid. How's that been working out?
I'm not a fan of dragon and really been liking hazoret. Lately, on stream, I've been winning games out of nowhere with it. Fluffy even won a game at the PPTQ with hazoret by baiting an attack, then dropping a hazoret and swinging for the win.
If mardu is present and humans and affinity, then chainwhirler is what you want. Like, he's what you really want. also decent vs jund, 3/3 first strike is a good creature and it takes out bob as well.
Yeah that's a good point. I got rolled by Hardened Scales by the guy that ended up 3rd and I think Whirler would help there too.
Grid has been a huge thorn for control players. We all know they want to play draw-go magic and do their casting on your turn, but with Grid it disrupts that whole strategy. 4 mana for an EOT Opt and playing with Grid and Blood Moon down makes their life hard. When I've seen Grid in MUs I have gotten it down early and seen Eidolon, Rabble resolve without any sort of fear - so I may be a little biased. I know its dead after they hit land 6 or 7.... but having that time to set-up pressure and add annoying locks, really closes out their ability to get to the late game firmly on two feet.
I liked it and wouldn't want to cut it, but would also be comfortable adding a Boil even though I know Boil's dead in a lot of MUs.
I run grid as a 3 of in my Ballbreaker list as my answer to control ( along with a choke but we dont have that option) and to use it as a parallel since we take the aggro route in the matchup it is like russ says. An early grid shuts off everything out opponent tries to do for the next 3-4 turns or forced them to play their answers on our turn which let's us continue to deploy threats. Whether or not it's a good sideboard card for us or not idk yet and remains to be tested still but the earlier we land it the better. Boil on the other hand can help us in more variety of matchups such as turns, GDS, storm, UR moon/breach/wizards ect.
I run grid as a 3 of in my Ballbreaker list as my answer to control ( along with a choke but we dont have that option) and to use it as a parallel since we take the aggro route in the matchup it is like russ says. An early grid shuts off everything out opponent tries to do for the next 3-4 turns or forced them to play their answers on our turn which let's us continue to deploy threats. Whether or not it's a good sideboard card for us or not idk yet and remains to be tested still but the earlier we land it the better. Boil on the other hand can help us in more variety of matchups such as turns, GDS, storm, UR moon/breach/wizards ect.
So I learned something interesting today:
Played a couple games today; lost to Burn (still thinking about SB Dragon’s Claw for this), and wrecked Merfolk with Bridge.
The Merfolk player is the son of a judge, and during game 2 when we both mulled from 6 to 5 he informed me that the winner of a match is not the best 2 out of 3 but ACTUALLY the first to 2 wins.
I haven’t checked this, but according to his logic you can both agree to draw the second game (usually in the case of a savage mulling) and draw the usual 7 cards.
This probably only works in paper, but like I said, I’m not sure.
ANYWAY, after I crushed him G2 he suggested that I would have been better off taking the draw 7 rather than mull to 5. I argued that because bridge was my main lock I was better off at 5.
SO if his ruling is correct, what do you guys think? Draw 5, or 7 all?
I feel like our mull to 5 with the scry would be better than his, especially if I draw the lock.
Thoughts?
While the card draw is nice, I've always considered the "combo" to be the interaction between the Bridge wanting you to have as few cards in hand as possible and the Dragon saying "discard your hand". Guarantees that you'll have no cards in hand going into your opponent's turn. A similar option is Bottled Cloister, but doing so means you CAN'T play on your opponent's turn - like no casting Boil on their end step. If you're OK with that, the artifact can/could be an alternate option.
As far as the "first to 2 wins" question goes, I believe that is true. If both players are mulling and want to "reset" to 7 card hands, you can technically do it - game just goes down as an agreed draw and the match usually gets recorded as 2-1-1 (or 2-0-1). It's the most common version of 4 game matches, although you can have a simultaneous death scenario (where one effect kills both players or both die during the same combat damage step) as well.
Had some last minute shake-ups with my unified team for GP Detroit.
Mardu player bailed and we picked a Tron player, which forced my other teammate into Infect
No more Ballista
No more Cage
No more Spellskite
Can I cope? Is this gonna pooch the deck? If Prison is sub-optimal I might have to switch to Hollow One.
I’m not really sure what to expect out of this Unified meta.
Had some last minute shake-ups with my unified team for GP Detroit.
Mardu player bailed and we picked a Tron player, which forced my other teammate into Infect
No more Ballista
No more Cage
No more Spellskite
Can I cope? Is this gonna pooch the deck? If Prison is sub-optimal I might have to switch to Hollow One.
I’m not really sure what to expect out of this Unified meta.
I've been the biggest cheerleader of Spellskite since I've picked up the deck, and it's time for it to go. Decks are too focused now and we need more answers or threats. Can't be spending time protecting out stuff anymore. This make us weaker vs burn, but that's a concession I'm willing to make.
Esteemed publication "The New Yorker" just printed a very long retrospective article. How would I critique it? It starts off harmlessly enough with an in depth history of the early days of MTG. But, about halfway through the article, the author - who does not play our game - starts to paint a picture of a Magic community that I simply do not recognize.
Author Neima Jahromi writes, "In our culturally embattled present, Magic has found millions of new fans, but the same unrealized hopes for a diverse, plural, welcoming community persist. The long-running efforts in Magic reflect our struggles everywhere."
In Magic terms, "If Pithing Needle is A Solution in Search of a Problem", then this Article is a "Victim in Search of a Crime". What should read as a celebration of the successful propagation of the most intellectually stimulating and entertaining game on the planet instead tells a 25 year history of a trail of tears.
Barely mentioned are the triumphs of bringing people together - the fellowship - the lifelong bonds and laughs. Instead, we are presented with a portrait of marginalized minorities (be it race, gender, sexual identity, or social outcasts) systemically oppressed by the 18 to 24 year-old, white male culture of Magic the Gathering. Libelous hogwash.
The agenda driven narrative of the author to present the Magic community as perpetually engaged in a struggle to free itself from toxic intolerance simply isn't true. And, the article struggles to find evidence for this claim. In 25 years with millions of players, the article cites some instances of human indecency cited - not an institutionalized pattern of poor behavior specific to Magic players.
Beware identity politics, kinfolk. Be it competitive Chess, Scrabble, Trivia, Soccer or Axe Throwing, a very small percentage of people involved are simply going to be jackasses. Unfortunately, that's just humanity. Please don't highlight the actions of a few players - say its indicative of the majority of players - and then struggle to cobble together a narrative of a community in crisis needing the rescue of a social justice warrior.
I have always strived to keep this thread cordial, and I've never seen outright rudeness here. We offer a welcoming, progressive place to develop ideas and friendships, and it's been a smashing success. Mountainfolk are a breed devoid of prejudice - bully for us! In 24 years of playing this game, I have not seen what this non-player claims to be in plain sight. I think that "The New Yorker" author started with a preconceived notion of an intolerant Magic community, and shamefully distorted the facts in an effort to sell a story.
Was I the only one that found that New Yorker article difficult to read? Felt like the author was all over the place, with one random idea after another with no cohesive story to tell or news to report.
Ray is 100% correct. I've been playing since 1995 and I've NEVER seen someone act like an ******** at a card shop or a tournament (and I've been to a LOT of them) in regards to racist or sexist comments. I've had opponents pissed they lost, not shake my hand, or other visibly upset behavior, but never in a way that would rise classify as politically incorrect.
Just stay out of politics, treat others with respect, and you'll have no problems....unless your opponent turn one blood moons you, then all bets are off!
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At the PPTQ I did well in, I had to beat U/W control twice, and it was basically 3 out of the top 8. Then the next day at the same store, SCG IQ, it was 2 out of the top 8. I recently saw the data from GP Prague, and I'm going to assume that at least in paper, there's going to be a lot of U/W.
So how do I game this? I am a 4 Eidolon fan, and I've also been on the 1x card to stick it to control. I've selected Defense Grid as my weapon of choice, but completely love Boil as well. My question is - how hard do I customize my deck assuming I'll see 2/3 U/W in 7/8 matches. Do I go Grid and Boil? Do I go down Avaricious Dragon for StormyB? Does B just stay in the board? Do I go x2 Boil? Dump the Grid and add Stormy B to the board? Do I add some Scabbies? Jund, Mardu and Affinity also have a strong presence there, so I was thinking leaning on a Dragon resolution helps there as well. Or do I go 1x Molten and 1x Boil? I know Molten's instant speed, but y'all catch my drift.
So how hard do you metagame and if its U/W you see, what customizations do you prioritize into the deck to win that MU?
Boil or Grid. Pick one, not both. the meta is too diverse to dedicate two sideboard slots to one match in particular. That's why, despite how I loathe playing against tron, I don't play crumble to dust. there are many flavors of blue based control, whether it's grixis shadow, UW, Jeski, blue moon, you get the idea, which is why I dedicate a slot to it. Dedicated cards to a single deck is not where you want to be. Hell, I even played esper control.....twice, at scg Philly last month and that's not even a deck!
I've been testing Grid on my stream lately and it hasn't done anything. Not enough blue opponents and the few I played against, I didn't draw it. So, we're still testing grid. also, boil is a better top deck where grid is better in the opening hand. later game boil is amazing, late game grid is weak, however, dropping an early grid guarantees everything else that follows resolves. It's a tough choice, no doubt. Boil is proven and grid is still in testing mode, so do we go with Blue Chip Stock or a new company to invest in?
Also, you said you've been testing grid. How's that been working out?
I'm not a fan of dragon and really been liking hazoret. Lately, on stream, I've been winning games out of nowhere with it. Fluffy even won a game at the PPTQ with hazoret by baiting an attack, then dropping a hazoret and swinging for the win.
If mardu is present and humans and affinity, then chainwhirler is what you want. Like, he's what you really want. also decent vs jund, 3/3 first strike is a good creature and it takes out bob as well.
Grid has been a huge thorn for control players. We all know they want to play draw-go magic and do their casting on your turn, but with Grid it disrupts that whole strategy. 4 mana for an EOT Opt and playing with Grid and Blood Moon down makes their life hard. When I've seen Grid in MUs I have gotten it down early and seen Eidolon, Rabble resolve without any sort of fear - so I may be a little biased. I know its dead after they hit land 6 or 7.... but having that time to set-up pressure and add annoying locks, really closes out their ability to get to the late game firmly on two feet.
I liked it and wouldn't want to cut it, but would also be comfortable adding a Boil even though I know Boil's dead in a lot of MUs.
WDeath and TaxesW
RWGBurnGWR
https://discordapp.com/channels/442575196700934144/442575197397057557
Just tweeted out, thank you for seeing it HugeElfBoy! While at the PPTQ so didn't get to watch much of that event. So Hype!
Played a couple games today; lost to Burn (still thinking about SB Dragon’s Claw for this), and wrecked Merfolk with Bridge.
The Merfolk player is the son of a judge, and during game 2 when we both mulled from 6 to 5 he informed me that the winner of a match is not the best 2 out of 3 but ACTUALLY the first to 2 wins.
I haven’t checked this, but according to his logic you can both agree to draw the second game (usually in the case of a savage mulling) and draw the usual 7 cards.
This probably only works in paper, but like I said, I’m not sure.
ANYWAY, after I crushed him G2 he suggested that I would have been better off taking the draw 7 rather than mull to 5. I argued that because bridge was my main lock I was better off at 5.
SO if his ruling is correct, what do you guys think? Draw 5, or 7 all?
I feel like our mull to 5 with the scry would be better than his, especially if I draw the lock.
Thoughts?
-Rg valakut
-U/W control
-U/R storm
-G/W value town
Legacy :
-Storm
As far as the "first to 2 wins" question goes, I believe that is true. If both players are mulling and want to "reset" to 7 card hands, you can technically do it - game just goes down as an agreed draw and the match usually gets recorded as 2-1-1 (or 2-0-1). It's the most common version of 4 game matches, although you can have a simultaneous death scenario (where one effect kills both players or both die during the same combat damage step) as well.
Mardu player bailed and we picked a Tron player, which forced my other teammate into Infect
No more Ballista
No more Cage
No more Spellskite
Can I cope? Is this gonna pooch the deck? If Prison is sub-optimal I might have to switch to Hollow One.
I’m not really sure what to expect out of this Unified meta.
I've been the biggest cheerleader of Spellskite since I've picked up the deck, and it's time for it to go. Decks are too focused now and we need more answers or threats. Can't be spending time protecting out stuff anymore. This make us weaker vs burn, but that's a concession I'm willing to make.
Hazoret over P&K.
https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/the-twenty-five-year-journey-of-magic-the-gathering
Esteemed publication "The New Yorker" just printed a very long retrospective article. How would I critique it? It starts off harmlessly enough with an in depth history of the early days of MTG. But, about halfway through the article, the author - who does not play our game - starts to paint a picture of a Magic community that I simply do not recognize.
Author Neima Jahromi writes, "In our culturally embattled present, Magic has found millions of new fans, but the same unrealized hopes for a diverse, plural, welcoming community persist. The long-running efforts in Magic reflect our struggles everywhere."
In Magic terms, "If Pithing Needle is A Solution in Search of a Problem", then this Article is a "Victim in Search of a Crime". What should read as a celebration of the successful propagation of the most intellectually stimulating and entertaining game on the planet instead tells a 25 year history of a trail of tears.
Barely mentioned are the triumphs of bringing people together - the fellowship - the lifelong bonds and laughs. Instead, we are presented with a portrait of marginalized minorities (be it race, gender, sexual identity, or social outcasts) systemically oppressed by the 18 to 24 year-old, white male culture of Magic the Gathering. Libelous hogwash.
The agenda driven narrative of the author to present the Magic community as perpetually engaged in a struggle to free itself from toxic intolerance simply isn't true. And, the article struggles to find evidence for this claim. In 25 years with millions of players, the article cites some instances of human indecency cited - not an institutionalized pattern of poor behavior specific to Magic players.
Beware identity politics, kinfolk. Be it competitive Chess, Scrabble, Trivia, Soccer or Axe Throwing, a very small percentage of people involved are simply going to be jackasses. Unfortunately, that's just humanity. Please don't highlight the actions of a few players - say its indicative of the majority of players - and then struggle to cobble together a narrative of a community in crisis needing the rescue of a social justice warrior.
I have always strived to keep this thread cordial, and I've never seen outright rudeness here. We offer a welcoming, progressive place to develop ideas and friendships, and it's been a smashing success. Mountainfolk are a breed devoid of prejudice - bully for us! In 24 years of playing this game, I have not seen what this non-player claims to be in plain sight. I think that "The New Yorker" author started with a preconceived notion of an intolerant Magic community, and shamefully distorted the facts in an effort to sell a story.
Well, I'm not buying it.
Ray is 100% correct. I've been playing since 1995 and I've NEVER seen someone act like an ******** at a card shop or a tournament (and I've been to a LOT of them) in regards to racist or sexist comments. I've had opponents pissed they lost, not shake my hand, or other visibly upset behavior, but never in a way that would rise classify as politically incorrect.
Just stay out of politics, treat others with respect, and you'll have no problems....unless your opponent turn one blood moons you, then all bets are off!