Lately, I'm coming to find myself in between both the uwr control build, and the tempo version. I don't run Geist in my list, as I prefer kitchenfinx. I find that finx does more work for me against the aggro builds, and blinking finx with resto is just awesome. Currently, I'm running 4x Snapcaster Mage, 3x Vendilion Clique, 2x Restoration Angel, and 2x Kitchen Finx. Right now, I'm looking to replace my electrolize, as I find them to be less handy. I like the idea of using Brimaz in place of 2 electrize, and maybe up my Helix or Path count up to 4, but I'm still looking for something with better synergy than Brimaz. If I'm throwing in a creature I want something that can benefit from Resto, or a cryptic command EOT bounce. Something like Wall of Omens or Blade Splicer. I feel like UWR doesn't have as much cantrips as it should for a midrange control deck.
Our meta is very control and combo heavy. We have 2-3 Splinter twins, 2-3 American control, 1 U/R control, 2 Melira Pod (Which I lose to EVERY week), a weird U/W control deck with a ton of blink effects that was pretty good, Tron, 3 Affinity, Scapeshift... It's all over the place. Affinity isn't ever a problem as long as I have a few removal. Splinter Twin is always a scary match up but I usually win. I lose game 1 to Tron every week and then hit it with Sowing Salt. Scapeshift I feel like should be a good match up but I lost the one time we played. Anyway, I'm struggling with some card choices. I know most mid-range don't run Spinx's Rev but I've been a fan. I'm also running more Cryptics than most people do but with all the control/combo in our meta, having a hard counter is pretty nice.
My sideboard changes every week and is a mess. I'm currently running 2 Aven Mindcensor, 2 Counterflux, 2 Engineered Explosives, 1 Path to Exile, 2 Sowing Salt, 2 Supreme Verdict, 2 Spellskite, and 2 Thundermaw Hellkite. However, Pod destroys me. And I'm finding my control matchups to be harder and harder every week. For Pod I was thinking about Torpor Orb. I don't usually lose to them comboing, I generally get Finks and Red Cap hitting me over and over and gaining lots of life. Plus, the Orb hurts Twin, the one bloom titan deck we have, and the other control decks (If they run snapcaster and Clique). It however shuts down my Snapcaster and Clique as well. Not sure what to do about it. Another card I was thinking about is Luminarch Ascension. It seems really strong against control and Tron.
Anyway... any advice on my sideboard or deck list would be appreciated. And even general play style notes. I tend to play very conservatively against all the control decks but maybe I'd be better off trying to be aggressive with my Geists immediately.
You'd have a much better time by dropping the Sphinx's Revelations in favor of more removal. In fact, just do -2 for +2 Lightning Helix. This will help immensely.
Either -1 or -2 Cryptic Commands as well. I'd honestly go for -2. Fill those spots with +1 Remand (since you said your meta is control and combo heavy. (I'd recommend +1 PtE for anyone else)) and +1 Thundermaw Hellkite for the reach, or even +1 more counter spell.
Half of Cryptic Command is the absolute definition of a great tempo card: tap all their dudes, and return target permanent to its owner's hand. What gets more tempo than that?
The fact that it costs 1UUU is my beef with it being a 'tempo' card.
I feel like Cryptic Tap and Bounce is the blue Overrun that you play at your opponent's EoT because you know, you're playing blue.
What about Brimaz, king of oreskos in the new meta. Tested him and hes good but not great and have tried 2-2 splits with him and geists but I haven't seen any dailies with him. Has anyone else shifted over to him or tried him?
I support this. Surviving red sweepers and bolt is important now and he is much stronger against Zoo and Faeries.
Thanks for the feedback. Makes sense as well. I have to learn the neat kinda fast. I'm in type 2 mode and my shop doesn't really play modern. I have to travel for tournaments. Really enjoy this format. I play living end as of now but looking to go into a more interactive build. I want to better my ability to play the game.
Cutting the search unfortunately wont work, there is no stiffle in the format, and shadow of doubt isnt good enough.
I found that just stopping the pod trough stony silence, or simply keeping his board clean are the most efficient ways to win.
I suppose mindsensor CAN work, but for it to actually do his job, you would need to play 3~4, since you want to have him as soon as possible. Letting the pod player search 2 times is usually enough to outvalue you, or simply go off.
BTW @sympaticos, i would never play remand in a list like yours. I prefer mana leak, or even izzet charm before i even touch remand in a control build.
I get you are trying to play an hybryd version, but in that deck remand just doesnt do enough.
Yeah I actually hate Remand if I use it anytime after turn 2-3. I just don't really like Izzet Charm either. Hate how few good counters there are in this format I was considering Spell Snare. How do you feel about that?
What about pithing needle turning off pod? I love that card in the side as vs any planeswalker is just awesome. Also against pod, holding your PtE for their persist creatures in response to them trying to combo out is key.
Yeah I actually hate Remand if I use it anytime after turn 2-3. I just don't really like Izzet Charm either. Hate how few good counters there are in this format I was considering Spell Snare. How do you feel about that?
I'm testing -1 Electrolyze -3 Remand for +4 Spell Snare tonight at a tournament. I'll report back how it goes.
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Yes please tes spell snare in good numbers. Remand/mana leak has been good but somewhat clunky recently and spell snare can be so nice and cheap sometimes.
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Currently Playing:
Modern: RUGScapeshift[RUG...Occasionally with goyfs RUGTarmotwinRUG(RIP)
Legacy: UWxuwr miracles and stonebladeUWx
Commander: UWRShu Yun/Ruhan SmashUWR
I feel like Remand is just too good. It may even just be the best counter in Modern. This deck wants everything to do with Remand. Sure, Spell Snare is quite good in the format, but yeah, I want to play Remand every time. I understand it gets worse as the game goes on, but it draws you a card and gives you tempo, that's what this deck wants when you've got your Geist crashing in.
Good point. Your right and we probably should just be playing 2-3 of it because it is so good. It seems like spell snare though. Its really good against some decks but against others it can be bad.
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Currently Playing:
Modern: RUGScapeshift[RUG...Occasionally with goyfs RUGTarmotwinRUG(RIP)
Legacy: UWxuwr miracles and stonebladeUWx
Commander: UWRShu Yun/Ruhan SmashUWR
If you pay attention to his build, you will notice he doesnt want tempo, he wants answers, sicne hes playing a lot more controlthan the standard midrange list. Its not as controlish as shenhar´s worlds list, but its close.
In a tipical midrange, yeah, play remand. As many as you can fit.
Dude...what do y'all make of the Azorius midrange popping up on MTGO. I have no idea what to think of this deck. The only removal it runs is 4 path and 2 dismember which it is always paying 4 life for. I just have no idea what to think of a UW midrange deck that runs as many creatures as spells and no face burn. Is it just a flash in the pan, or where we want to be headed? I feel like Blade Splicer is potentially a legitimate card, although it still seems like a slight knee jerk against zoo. Wall of Omens clearly SCREAMS zoo to me.
You're correct Rhinne but I'm finding that I need to lean more towards the tempo route in order to compete with a significant portion of my matchups. I took out 2 Sphinx's Revelation for 1 path and 1 lightning Helix. Replaced the Path spot in my sideboard with Volcanic Fallout. Still running 4 Cryptic because it's been good to me but I might drop down to 3 and put a Hellkite main deck
I'd also like to test out Wall of Omens in an UWr list. Not sure what I'd cut for it though. Maybe Thundermaw and Electrolyze for 2x Wall of Omens. Seems like a pocket meta choice though.
Not exactly. Electrolyze could be dropped in favor of +1 Remand and +2 Mana Leak. My issue with Mana Leak is that I'd rather Remand early game for cantrip/tempo purposes, and late game it's near useless. Especially when I'm running 4x PtE mainboard. I'm relying on my removal suite to help me push through with my creatures instead of Mana Leaking it.
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Thoughts?
You'd have a much better time by dropping the Sphinx's Revelations in favor of more removal. In fact, just do -2 for +2 Lightning Helix. This will help immensely.
Either -1 or -2 Cryptic Commands as well. I'd honestly go for -2. Fill those spots with +1 Remand (since you said your meta is control and combo heavy. (I'd recommend +1 PtE for anyone else)) and +1 Thundermaw Hellkite for the reach, or even +1 more counter spell.
I feel like Cryptic Tap and Bounce is the blue Overrun that you play at your opponent's EoT because you know, you're playing blue.
I support this. Surviving red sweepers and bolt is important now and he is much stronger against Zoo and Faeries.
Storm Crow is strictly worse than Seacoast Drake.
I found that just stopping the pod trough stony silence, or simply keeping his board clean are the most efficient ways to win.
I suppose mindsensor CAN work, but for it to actually do his job, you would need to play 3~4, since you want to have him as soon as possible. Letting the pod player search 2 times is usually enough to outvalue you, or simply go off.
BTW @sympaticos, i would never play remand in a list like yours. I prefer mana leak, or even izzet charm before i even touch remand in a control build.
I get you are trying to play an hybryd version, but in that deck remand just doesnt do enough.
UWRMiraclesRWU
Modern
UWRControlRWU
Standard
Ummm no...
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I'm testing -1 Electrolyze -3 Remand for +4 Spell Snare tonight at a tournament. I'll report back how it goes.
Modern:
RUGScapeshift[RUG...Occasionally with goyfs
RUGTarmotwinRUG(RIP)
Legacy:
UWxuwr miracles and stonebladeUWx
Commander:
UWRShu Yun/Ruhan SmashUWR
Grixis Death's Shadow, Jund, UW Tron, Jeskai Control, Storm, Counters Company, Eldrazi Tron, Affinity, Living End, Infect, Merfolk, Dredge, Ad Nauseam, Amulet, Bogles, Eldrazi Tron, Mono U Tron, Lantern, Mardu Pyromancer
Modern:
RUGScapeshift[RUG...Occasionally with goyfs
RUGTarmotwinRUG(RIP)
Legacy:
UWxuwr miracles and stonebladeUWx
Commander:
UWRShu Yun/Ruhan SmashUWR
In a tipical midrange, yeah, play remand. As many as you can fit.
Grixis Death's Shadow, Jund, UW Tron, Jeskai Control, Storm, Counters Company, Eldrazi Tron, Affinity, Living End, Infect, Merfolk, Dredge, Ad Nauseam, Amulet, Bogles, Eldrazi Tron, Mono U Tron, Lantern, Mardu Pyromancer
3x Arid Mesa
4x Celestial Colonnade
2x Hallowed Fountain
2x Island
1x Mountain
1x Mystic Gate
1x Plains
1x Sacred Foundry
4x Scalding Tarn
3x Steam Vents
1x Sulfur Falls
2x Tectonic Edge
3x Electrolyze
4x Lightning Bolt
4x Lightning Helix
4x Path to Exile
3x Remand
2x Spell Snare
4x Geist of Saint Traft
2x Restoration Angel
4x Snapcaster Mage
1x Thundermaw Hellkite
2x Vendilion Clique
1x Celestial Purge
1x Counterflux
1x Engineered Explosives
2x Relic of Progenitus
1x Spell Snare
2x Stone Rain
1x Stormbreath Dragon
1x Supreme Verdict
2x Threads of Disloyalty
2x Wear / Tear
I'd also like to test out Wall of Omens in an UWr list. Not sure what I'd cut for it though. Maybe Thundermaw and Electrolyze for 2x Wall of Omens. Seems like a pocket meta choice though.
Not exactly. Electrolyze could be dropped in favor of +1 Remand and +2 Mana Leak. My issue with Mana Leak is that I'd rather Remand early game for cantrip/tempo purposes, and late game it's near useless. Especially when I'm running 4x PtE mainboard. I'm relying on my removal suite to help me push through with my creatures instead of Mana Leaking it.