I think the RB Version seems more fun to play and the power level is high. Although without playtesting the RB Version I dont understand about Rituals being dropped. Its the match ups like Jund, Rock, UW Control where you would want to be quick as possible with a Blood Moon. Against Tron the clock also seems slower. So i do not see the RB Version making the hard matches better but on the contrary.
okay everyone, i have a local SCG IQ coming up next weekend where i plan on taking the deck so i’m here asking for everyone’s tips, tricks and guidelines they play by. Knowing what most of the local players play i expect to see a good bit of Izzet Phoenix and Dredge, as well as, Amulet Titan, GB Rock, Humans, Tron and possibly Living End to name the ones i know. Haven’t seen any Whir Prison around but i wouldn’t be surprised if someone brings it.
so, if anyone has any tried and true tips, let’s have’em
here’s the list i’m planning on taking. If there are any glaring omissions or something that one would think would be better changed, i’m all ears to suggestions with explanation. By that same token, if there’s a question regarding my choices i’m happy to explain and have a discussion
Maindeck (60)
4 Goblin Rabblemaster
1 Jaya Ballard, Task Mage
3 Legion Warboss
4 Simian Spirit Guide
2 Hazoret the Fervent
1 Purphoros, God of the Forge
4 Chandra, Torch of Defiance
4 Desperate Ritual
2 Magma Jet
2 Anger of the Gods
4 Chalice of the Void
4 Ensnaring Bridge
4 Blood Moon
3 Gemstone Caverns
14 Mountain
1 Mutavault
3 Ramunap Ruins
Sideboard (15)
3 Eidolon of the Great Revel
1 Jaya Ballard, Task Mage
1 Shattering Spree
2 Abrade
1 Anger of the Gods
2 Ravenous Trap
1 Ratchet Bomb
2 Sorcerous Spyglass
1 Uba Mask
1 Witchbane Orb
Good luck at your IQ, Charlie! I really like Jaya here with the information you have on the meta, and assuming you don't run into alot of unknown players, I like the extra Warboss. I'm not too sure about Purphoros though.. along with already having 6 other 4 drops, I might cut him for Warboss number 4.
Interesting choice with Magma Jet.. obviously for the scry, which is great. While 2 damage rather than 3 is not too bad given your expected matchups (a few humans are x/3, but not much else), Abrade is much better against Amulet and Tron.
If you expect to see a number of Humans, 2 Hazoret in the main is risky. I always side Hazoret out against Humans because of Phantasmal Image, as it's hard to beat a Haz on the wrong side of the field. It's going to be tough to side out all the dead cards in this matchup with so many creatures in the main, you'll probably just have to risk it.
Cutting Uba Mask could free up a spot in the side for another control card that's good in creature matchups, as you don't expect to see Control, and packing 7-8 Rabble should help that matchup anyway.. I might consider another Anger. It gives you 1 more card to bring in for a dead creature.
Lastly, Mutavault vs Scavenger Grounds.. the 2 decks you expect to see the most of are graveyard based.. that might be a good switch as well.
Good luck at your IQ, Charlie! I really like Jaya here with the information you have on the meta, and assuming you don't run into alot of unknown players, I like the extra Warboss. I'm not too sure about Purphoros though.. along with already having 6 other 4 drops, I might cut him for Warboss number 4.
Interesting choice with Magma Jet.. obviously for the scry, which is great. While 2 damage rather than 3 is not too bad given your expected matchups (a few humans are x/3, but not much else), Abrade is much better against Amulet and Tron.
If you expect to see a number of Humans, 2 Hazoret in the main is risky. I always side Hazoret out against Humans because of Phantasmal Image, as it's hard to beat a Haz on the wrong side of the field. It's going to be tough to side out all the dead cards in this matchup with so many creatures in the main, you'll probably just have to risk it.
Cutting Uba Mask could free up a spot in the side for another control card that's good in creature matchups, as you don't expect to see Control, and packing 7-8 Rabble should help that matchup anyway.. I might consider another Anger. It gives you 1 more card to bring in for a dead creature.
Lastly, Mutavault vs Scavenger Grounds.. the 2 decks you expect to see the most of are graveyard based.. that might be a good switch as well.
Good luck and be sure to let us know how you do!
thanks for the reply....i. regards to Jaya, i’m definitely including it to help with Thing in the Ice for the Phoenix match-up, the additional discard/burn abilities also fall in line with staying behind a Bridge and could give me a reason to cut the second Hazoret, like you said, i hadn’t thought of the Phantasmal Image copy so i appreciate the point there. My main reason for two was to keep behind the bridge with discard and failing that, it’s hard to remove.
As far as Purphoros goes it serves several purposes as well...1) it’s a big threat that’s relatively hard to remove, it’s triggered ability works very nicely with rabblemaster and warboss’ token making abilites doing 2 damage anytime you make a token so if you are just hiding behind bridge and not attacking you are at least still doing damage while building a wide board of tokens in case your bridge is blown up and lastly, the activated ability is nice when you are holding a card in order to attack with goblin tokens underneath your own Bridge by pumping them after attacks are declared.
Magma Jet is my maindeck choice over Abrade for two reasons, those being the scry, as you said, which i have found very helpful to smooth draws and to set up Chandra’s +1 and knowing what you’re going to flip with it. and also because when i’ve lost with the deck it’s because i got a lock and couldn’t close quick enough so while it’s not much, having the option to burn the opponent for 2 rather than only creatures is helpful. I also considered Lava Coil for the exile but with Anger it seems redundant and more benefit would come from scry & burn damage
Control, i forgot control. there are a few (UW & Jeskai) however of the ones i know, they have gone to phoenix mostly or bounce between other decks. so yes the Uba Mask is there for those but it seems like it may be okay against the looting decks as well (however i have not tested that)
Mutavault and Scavenger Grounds i go back and forth on but your point is correct with what i know. however they mostly become slightly irrelevant in my experience once Blood Moon hits the board. so i’ve always been iffy on either
I totally get your reasoning behind Jet, but I wanted to expand on Purphoros. Yes, he feels like he could be great in some situations, but he's a 4-drop that does nothing when you play him, and if he's actually effective, you're probably already winning the game. If he's able to swing, you've probably already won, and if you have some Rabbles going you're probably ahead.. game 1 behind a hellbent Bridge vs a creature deck is probably close to GG anyway, which is the only time I can see him being good, because in games 2-3 you're boarding out as many goblins as possible, making him a dead card. Obviously you'll side him out, meaning you'll have to keep a less than optimal card in in it's place.
I totally get your reasoning behind Jet, but I wanted to expand on Purphoros. Yes, he feels like he could be great in some situations, but he's a 4-drop that does nothing when you play him, and if he's actually effective, you're probably already winning the game. If he's able to swing, you've probably already won, and if you have some Rabbles going you're probably ahead.. game 1 behind a hellbent Bridge vs a creature deck is probably close to GG anyway, which is the only time I can see him being good, because in games 2-3 you're boarding out as many goblins as possible, making him a dead card. Obviously you'll side him out, meaning you'll have to keep a less than optimal card in in it's place.
i see you’re point about already being ahead.
i do have a question though, being newer to the deck, and maybe just playing things differently...i don’t typically side out many goblins for games 2 or 3. maybe one or two here or there. my theory is that usually people will be boarding in their artifact/enchantment hate there by weakening the Blood Moon/Chalice/Bridge plan. my question is, what is your theory behind boarding out most goblins. I’m not questioning you as you are obviously more well versed in the deck than i by far, i’m genuinely asking (to be clear because this is the internet after all)
also, assuming i took out Purphoros for the 4th Warboss as you mentioned, at that point would you leave in the second Hazoret? My trepidation is in removing too many sac outlets in order to stay behind the bridge.
In matchups like Humans, Spirits, etc, where they puke out creatures, the tokens our goblins make just die and we end up with useless 2/2s. Against those matchups we take a control role, siding out aggro and bringing in Angers, Torpor Orb/Spyglass/Matrix, etc, whatever you need, and plan to lock the opponent out and win with walkers or Hazoret discard. For matchups like Control, Storm, Tron, etc, where ending the game quickly is most important, we side out useless lock pieces for more aggro. That leaves matchups like Burn, where we have no problem killing their creatures, but it's hard to empty your hand for Bridge, where you swap some goblins for Eidolons, drop Bridges for Angers and Witchbane Orb, in your case (gotta watch out for those curses!). Fluffywolf or Stickballruss will help you clear all that kind of stuff if you watch their streams.
As for Hazoret, have you considered Koth of the Hammer? Many of us run him with 14 Mountains with no problem, and he ends the game pretty quick behind Bridge. I wouldn't worry too much about a discard outlet, we have 34 free cards in the deck (21 land, 9 Rituals and Chalice), we can just throw them away in a pinch.
In matchups like Humans, Spirits, etc, where they puke out creatures, the tokens our goblins make just die and we end up with useless 2/2s. Against those matchups we take a control role, siding out aggro and bringing in Angers, Torpor Orb/Spyglass/Matrix, etc, whatever you need, and plan to lock the opponent out and win with walkers or Hazoret discard. For matchups like Control, Storm, Tron, etc, where ending the game quickly is most important, we side out useless lock pieces for more aggro. That leaves matchups like Burn, where we have no problem killing their creatures, but it's hard to empty your hand for Bridge, where you swap some goblins for Eidolons, drop Bridges for Angers and Witchbane Orb, in your case (gotta watch out for those curses!). Fluffywolf or Stickballruss will help you clear all that kind of stuff if you watch their streams.
As for Hazoret, have you considered Koth of the Hammer? Many of us run him with 14 Mountains with no problem, and he ends the game pretty quick behind Bridge. I wouldn't worry too much about a discard outlet, we have 34 free cards in the deck (21 land, 9 Rituals and Chalice), we can just throw them away in a pinch.
that makes sense, i really appreciate all the help.
I have considered Koth, and actually have one on hand. i will try to get in a few games during the week and try it out. and definitely try to catch a couple of streams....very much appreciated.
You're welcome! Everyone here is always happy to help. Good luck and make sure we get a tournament report!
i will do my best on the report.
i started watching some of FluffyWolf’s streams last night, already picked up a trick or two. Going to continue with both streams when i can through the week and work on some sideboard notes as well.
here is where i am on the list, with what i know of the meta and suggestions made. i’m thinking of going back down to 3 warboss and adding a walking ballista
Maindeck (60)
4 Goblin Rabblemaster
1 Jaya Ballard, Task Mage
4 Legion Warboss
4 Simian Spirit Guide
1 Hazoret the Fervent
4 Chandra, Torch of Defiance
1 Koth of the Hammer
4 Desperate Ritual
2 Magma Jet
2 Anger of the Gods
4 Chalice of the Void
4 Ensnaring Bridge
4 Blood Moon
3 Gemstone Caverns
14 Mountain
3 Ramunap Ruins
1 Scavenger Grounds
Sideboard (15)
3 Eidolon of the Great Revel
1 Jaya Ballard, Task Mage
1 Hazoret the Fervent
1 Shattering Spree
2 Abrade
1 Anger of the Gods
2 Ravenous Trap
2 Sorcerous Spyglass
1 Torpor Orb
1 Witchbane Orb
I love the Ballista idea, I actually split Warboss and Ballista 2/2. I've been running the stock list for over a year straight, and I totally stand by the list, I just try not to steer everyone to it when they've customized the list to their liking. Your list is very close now, and I expect you can do well.
Also, I forgot to mention this yesterday, but with GB, Tron, Humans etc.. Magus of the Moon could be decent over the Jaya in the board. Just a thought.
I love the Ballista idea, I actually split Warboss and Ballista 2/2. I've been running the stock list for over a year straight, and I totally stand by the list, I just try not to steer everyone to it when they've customized the list to their liking. Your list is very close now, and I expect you can do well.
Also, I forgot to mention this yesterday, but with GB, Tron, Humans etc.. Magus of the Moon could be decent over the Jaya in the board. Just a thought.
i’ve been on the fence about that Jaya in the board anyway
I have been trying to get an RB prison deck going while I really like Fluffy's list I was hoping to get some feedback on my own thoughts on some other cards I want to include in my build just to see if anyone has tested them before or can provide some perspective other than my own;
Firstly I going with a more midrange mana base with 8 fetches (four mires, four deltas), 2 Blood Crypt, 4 Swamps, 1 Mountain, 2 Mutavault and 4 Blackcleave Cliffs. Is there a significant downside in running a faster mana base in a prison or off-prison deck? I can't see it being too more of a hindrance as we should see 2 fetches/shocks/swamp before we play Blood Moon.
How do we feel about Terminate and Dreadbore? I was thinking to diversify spot removal in the main board with a 2 Terminate/1 Dreadbore/2 Bedevil. Once again I think I am going in with a more midrange mindset. I can see Terminate being a dead card in a some match-ups but the more aggressive casting cost seems relevant.
Also looking at Goblin Cratermaker in the main. Maybe 1 main 1 sideboard. In my experience this thing takes out Karns, problem artifacts and small stuff like Bob all in one tight package.
Any big difference between going 4 Leyline of the void vs. 2 Nihil Spellbomb and 2 Rakdos Charm? The latter again seem like more flexible sideboard pieces that can you slot in 1 or 2 of instead of having to commit to a playset of leylines.
Pack Rat Does this deck have room for these guys? I love that they can recycle dead draws and building up a screen of these guys and blowing up your own bridge seems like it could work. Mostly look at these guys as a back-up plan to the prison itself. Am I being too greedy? I know BR Moon Rats is a decent deck, but don't see many prison lists run Pack Rat.
Rakdos Augermage as a 1-of. This is a pet card that I feel has potential. With Lilianas and Pack Rats this guys seems like he could do some work. He's slow but at least his casting cost isn't really an issue in a pure BR manabase. Going to test him online but for now any feedback would be nice.
Hit side of Hit // Run. Maybe i'm being too cute here but it seems like a solid sideboard vs any big creature/artifact deck. My concern is how often you'll be able to force your opponent to sac a big, isolated target but using it in response to a Griselbrand draw activation seem like it could just win on the spot.
@Dreadbore: Rakdos Pyro Prison, eh?
Sharp thoughts including some outlier sniper plays.
I started with Master Prison - Fluffy copied an undefeated Day 1 lost from GP LA and ran it on MODO to a 5-0 finish. Massive revisions since. Boy Howdy! Maybe 15+ changes. Beforehand it was a Mid-Range control deck. Now?
Now, it’s RAKDOS PYRO PRISON.
The record of performance illustrates the learning curve and performance improvements. I’m approaching an optimal list. Heh, but isn’t that Always the case. LOL.
Fluffy’s Best observation, and it has been echoed by you and Hadji: the good/bad matchups get flipped — to a degree — from mono-red. I’ll post more soon. At work now.
As for CharlieSwords, Caligula, and Russ’ write-UPS, on point.
Have your swaps ready for aggro/control.
Koth is better than Purphoros (I’ve put in testing with the God in a *Goblin’ Gun* build — lotsa Gobbos.
Also — leave in 2 Rabblemasters or Warboss against Humans decks (and the like) that run Noble Hierarch. You’ll need blockers when hellbent behind bridge .
I love the Ballista idea, I actually split Warboss and Ballista 2/2. I've been running the stock list for over a year straight, and I totally stand by the list, I just try not to steer everyone to it when they've customized the list to their liking. Your list is very close now, and I expect you can do well.
Also, I forgot to mention this yesterday, but with GB, Tron, Humans etc.. Magus of the Moon could be decent over the Jaya in the board. Just a thought.
Truth right here. I'x had magus in the board and maindeck when I felt it was right to play him. we are one faithless looting away from Magus coming back into the main deck as a 2 of and completely ditching warboss. Not there yet because everyone and their mom are playing red because of looting and dredge, but if that changes, I expect magus to make a comeback!
Attending a 150ppl modern tournament this weekend with Stickballruss' Decklist - and thinking bout some sideboard slots.
For which matchups the Damping Matrix is needed? I can't remember any game where it would have helped me :'D
Beside that im quite unsure bout the 3xEidolon of the Great Revel - when they come in? Only to fight Storm/Fenix?
Damping matrix is great against affinity, Dominate against devoted druid and eldrazi tron, and good against tron and spirits.
Eidolon comes in when we are on the aggro plan. it's a low cc creature that punishes the opponent just for playing spells. It usually gets killed immediately, but in the rare circumstances when it doesn't, it takes over a game. also, when it dies, it does do 2 damage. Over the course of a game, that adds up. especially vs deaths shadow when all we really need to do is 4-6 damage to win those games.
@Dreadbore:
2 interesting points you raised —- Land & Leyline substitutes.
Land. You’re going 8 fetches and 4 speed lands. I’m on 6 fetch and 0 fetch lands. Instead, 2 Graven Cairns and 2 Dragonskull summits. The fetch pings aren’t worth it Plus I am light on early black spells except collective brutality.
I’ve only gotten screwed on ETB tapped penalty once in this scheme:
7 swamp
2 mountain
1 ramunap
2 graven
2 dragonskull
2 bloodcrypt
6 fetch
1 lavaclaw reaches
I think you’re far more likely to get frigged by a speed land on a 4th land drop. As for the thoughts of terminate or dreadbore, nah. Too likely to be a dead draw. I’m on 0 abrade. And, I’m down to 1 Bedeviled. My crusade is to eliminate all 1-for-1 removal.
Leyline replacement. Wow. Some very interesting tech that can impact in mid/late game and this’ll be the first time that I use Rakdos Charm. Sooooo long have I maligned that charm. Izzet! Now that’s a charm, baby!!!
so, if anyone has any tried and true tips, let’s have’em
here’s the list i’m planning on taking. If there are any glaring omissions or something that one would think would be better changed, i’m all ears to suggestions with explanation. By that same token, if there’s a question regarding my choices i’m happy to explain and have a discussion
Maindeck (60)
4 Goblin Rabblemaster
1 Jaya Ballard, Task Mage
3 Legion Warboss
4 Simian Spirit Guide
2 Hazoret the Fervent
1 Purphoros, God of the Forge
4 Chandra, Torch of Defiance
4 Desperate Ritual
2 Magma Jet
2 Anger of the Gods
4 Chalice of the Void
4 Ensnaring Bridge
4 Blood Moon
3 Gemstone Caverns
14 Mountain
1 Mutavault
3 Ramunap Ruins
Sideboard (15)
3 Eidolon of the Great Revel
1 Jaya Ballard, Task Mage
1 Shattering Spree
2 Abrade
1 Anger of the Gods
2 Ravenous Trap
1 Ratchet Bomb
2 Sorcerous Spyglass
1 Uba Mask
1 Witchbane Orb
Interesting choice with Magma Jet.. obviously for the scry, which is great. While 2 damage rather than 3 is not too bad given your expected matchups (a few humans are x/3, but not much else), Abrade is much better against Amulet and Tron.
If you expect to see a number of Humans, 2 Hazoret in the main is risky. I always side Hazoret out against Humans because of Phantasmal Image, as it's hard to beat a Haz on the wrong side of the field. It's going to be tough to side out all the dead cards in this matchup with so many creatures in the main, you'll probably just have to risk it.
Cutting Uba Mask could free up a spot in the side for another control card that's good in creature matchups, as you don't expect to see Control, and packing 7-8 Rabble should help that matchup anyway.. I might consider another Anger. It gives you 1 more card to bring in for a dead creature.
Lastly, Mutavault vs Scavenger Grounds.. the 2 decks you expect to see the most of are graveyard based.. that might be a good switch as well.
Good luck and be sure to let us know how you do!
thanks for the reply....i. regards to Jaya, i’m definitely including it to help with Thing in the Ice for the Phoenix match-up, the additional discard/burn abilities also fall in line with staying behind a Bridge and could give me a reason to cut the second Hazoret, like you said, i hadn’t thought of the Phantasmal Image copy so i appreciate the point there. My main reason for two was to keep behind the bridge with discard and failing that, it’s hard to remove.
As far as Purphoros goes it serves several purposes as well...1) it’s a big threat that’s relatively hard to remove, it’s triggered ability works very nicely with rabblemaster and warboss’ token making abilites doing 2 damage anytime you make a token so if you are just hiding behind bridge and not attacking you are at least still doing damage while building a wide board of tokens in case your bridge is blown up and lastly, the activated ability is nice when you are holding a card in order to attack with goblin tokens underneath your own Bridge by pumping them after attacks are declared.
Magma Jet is my maindeck choice over Abrade for two reasons, those being the scry, as you said, which i have found very helpful to smooth draws and to set up Chandra’s +1 and knowing what you’re going to flip with it. and also because when i’ve lost with the deck it’s because i got a lock and couldn’t close quick enough so while it’s not much, having the option to burn the opponent for 2 rather than only creatures is helpful. I also considered Lava Coil for the exile but with Anger it seems redundant and more benefit would come from scry & burn damage
Control, i forgot control. there are a few (UW & Jeskai) however of the ones i know, they have gone to phoenix mostly or bounce between other decks. so yes the Uba Mask is there for those but it seems like it may be okay against the looting decks as well (however i have not tested that)
Mutavault and Scavenger Grounds i go back and forth on but your point is correct with what i know. however they mostly become slightly irrelevant in my experience once Blood Moon hits the board. so i’ve always been iffy on either
i see you’re point about already being ahead.
i do have a question though, being newer to the deck, and maybe just playing things differently...i don’t typically side out many goblins for games 2 or 3. maybe one or two here or there. my theory is that usually people will be boarding in their artifact/enchantment hate there by weakening the Blood Moon/Chalice/Bridge plan. my question is, what is your theory behind boarding out most goblins. I’m not questioning you as you are obviously more well versed in the deck than i by far, i’m genuinely asking (to be clear because this is the internet after all)
As for Hazoret, have you considered Koth of the Hammer? Many of us run him with 14 Mountains with no problem, and he ends the game pretty quick behind Bridge. I wouldn't worry too much about a discard outlet, we have 34 free cards in the deck (21 land, 9 Rituals and Chalice), we can just throw them away in a pinch.
that makes sense, i really appreciate all the help.
I have considered Koth, and actually have one on hand. i will try to get in a few games during the week and try it out. and definitely try to catch a couple of streams....very much appreciated.
i will do my best on the report.
i started watching some of FluffyWolf’s streams last night, already picked up a trick or two. Going to continue with both streams when i can through the week and work on some sideboard notes as well.
here is where i am on the list, with what i know of the meta and suggestions made. i’m thinking of going back down to 3 warboss and adding a walking ballista
Maindeck (60)
4 Goblin Rabblemaster
1 Jaya Ballard, Task Mage
4 Legion Warboss
4 Simian Spirit Guide
1 Hazoret the Fervent
4 Chandra, Torch of Defiance
1 Koth of the Hammer
4 Desperate Ritual
2 Magma Jet
2 Anger of the Gods
4 Chalice of the Void
4 Ensnaring Bridge
4 Blood Moon
3 Gemstone Caverns
14 Mountain
3 Ramunap Ruins
1 Scavenger Grounds
Sideboard (15)
3 Eidolon of the Great Revel
1 Jaya Ballard, Task Mage
1 Hazoret the Fervent
1 Shattering Spree
2 Abrade
1 Anger of the Gods
2 Ravenous Trap
2 Sorcerous Spyglass
1 Torpor Orb
1 Witchbane Orb
Also, I forgot to mention this yesterday, but with GB, Tron, Humans etc.. Magus of the Moon could be decent over the Jaya in the board. Just a thought.
i’ve been on the fence about that Jaya in the board anyway
Firstly I going with a more midrange mana base with 8 fetches (four mires, four deltas), 2 Blood Crypt, 4 Swamps, 1 Mountain, 2 Mutavault and 4 Blackcleave Cliffs. Is there a significant downside in running a faster mana base in a prison or off-prison deck? I can't see it being too more of a hindrance as we should see 2 fetches/shocks/swamp before we play Blood Moon.
How do we feel about Terminate and Dreadbore? I was thinking to diversify spot removal in the main board with a 2 Terminate/1 Dreadbore/2 Bedevil. Once again I think I am going in with a more midrange mindset. I can see Terminate being a dead card in a some match-ups but the more aggressive casting cost seems relevant.
Also looking at Goblin Cratermaker in the main. Maybe 1 main 1 sideboard. In my experience this thing takes out Karns, problem artifacts and small stuff like Bob all in one tight package.
Any big difference between going 4 Leyline of the void vs. 2 Nihil Spellbomb and 2 Rakdos Charm? The latter again seem like more flexible sideboard pieces that can you slot in 1 or 2 of instead of having to commit to a playset of leylines.
Pack Rat Does this deck have room for these guys? I love that they can recycle dead draws and building up a screen of these guys and blowing up your own bridge seems like it could work. Mostly look at these guys as a back-up plan to the prison itself. Am I being too greedy? I know BR Moon Rats is a decent deck, but don't see many prison lists run Pack Rat.
Rakdos Augermage as a 1-of. This is a pet card that I feel has potential. With Lilianas and Pack Rats this guys seems like he could do some work. He's slow but at least his casting cost isn't really an issue in a pure BR manabase. Going to test him online but for now any feedback would be nice.
Hit side of Hit // Run. Maybe i'm being too cute here but it seems like a solid sideboard vs any big creature/artifact deck. My concern is how often you'll be able to force your opponent to sac a big, isolated target but using it in response to a Griselbrand draw activation seem like it could just win on the spot.
Sharp thoughts including some outlier sniper plays.
I started with Master Prison - Fluffy copied an undefeated Day 1 lost from GP LA and ran it on MODO to a 5-0 finish. Massive revisions since. Boy Howdy! Maybe 15+ changes. Beforehand it was a Mid-Range control deck. Now?
Now, it’s RAKDOS PYRO PRISON.
The record of performance illustrates the learning curve and performance improvements. I’m approaching an optimal list. Heh, but isn’t that Always the case. LOL.
9 LEAGUES, Competitive
2/3 2/3 2/3 2/3 3/2 3/2 4/1 4/1 3/2
Fluffy’s Best observation, and it has been echoed by you and Hadji: the good/bad matchups get flipped — to a degree — from mono-red. I’ll post more soon. At work now.
As for CharlieSwords, Caligula, and Russ’ write-UPS, on point.
Have your swaps ready for aggro/control.
Koth is better than Purphoros (I’ve put in testing with the God in a *Goblin’ Gun* build — lotsa Gobbos.
Also — leave in 2 Rabblemasters or Warboss against Humans decks (and the like) that run Noble Hierarch. You’ll need blockers when hellbent behind bridge .
Truth right here. I'x had magus in the board and maindeck when I felt it was right to play him. we are one faithless looting away from Magus coming back into the main deck as a 2 of and completely ditching warboss. Not there yet because everyone and their mom are playing red because of looting and dredge, but if that changes, I expect magus to make a comeback!
Pyro Prison
U/B Mill
Ponza Land destruction
Mono Green Tron
For which matchups the Damping Matrix is needed? I can't remember any game where it would have helped me :'D
Beside that im quite unsure bout the 3xEidolon of the Great Revel - when they come in? Only to fight Storm/Fenix?
flowers shall grow
and I am in them
and that is eternity."
Damping matrix is great against affinity, Dominate against devoted druid and eldrazi tron, and good against tron and spirits.
Eidolon comes in when we are on the aggro plan. it's a low cc creature that punishes the opponent just for playing spells. It usually gets killed immediately, but in the rare circumstances when it doesn't, it takes over a game. also, when it dies, it does do 2 damage. Over the course of a game, that adds up. especially vs deaths shadow when all we really need to do is 4-6 damage to win those games.
2 interesting points you raised —- Land & Leyline substitutes.
Land. You’re going 8 fetches and 4 speed lands. I’m on 6 fetch and 0 fetch lands. Instead, 2 Graven Cairns and 2 Dragonskull summits. The fetch pings aren’t worth it Plus I am light on early black spells except collective brutality.
I’ve only gotten screwed on ETB tapped penalty once in this scheme:
7 swamp
2 mountain
1 ramunap
2 graven
2 dragonskull
2 bloodcrypt
6 fetch
1 lavaclaw reaches
I think you’re far more likely to get frigged by a speed land on a 4th land drop. As for the thoughts of terminate or dreadbore, nah. Too likely to be a dead draw. I’m on 0 abrade. And, I’m down to 1 Bedeviled. My crusade is to eliminate all 1-for-1 removal.
Leyline replacement. Wow. Some very interesting tech that can impact in mid/late game and this’ll be the first time that I use Rakdos Charm. Sooooo long have I maligned that charm. Izzet! Now that’s a charm, baby!!!