As for the new cards, none of them went spectacularly well. Eternal Scourge sounds good in theory, but was just too slow and didn't affect the board. Collective Brutality was the best-performing of the tryouts, and the versatility was worth the 2-mana casting cost. I might go up to 2 copies.
I agree, I tried out the new cards: eternal scourge, collective brutality, and a bit of blessed alliance (which was in the sideboard) and I found that eternal scrouge was meh, I like matter reshaper better. I found that collective brutality was AMAZING! It was so useful in every match. It is not hard to pitch a useless card to activate several modes. I have only played five matches so far and I'll probably try another league match online tonight to further test the new cards. I'll probably try them with the deck in my sig and not with the processor list that I have been trying:
Well I took my show on the road and got whupped soundly today while playing in a different state, going 1-2-1 with my only "win" a bye in the final round… I have loads of really good excuses but won't trouble you with them.
vs. UW Turbo Fog: 1-1-1 [0-0-1]
SIDE IN: Bomb x2, Extraction x3, Unmaking x1 / SIDE OUT: Souls x4, Sorin x1, Go for the Throat x1
OP: Thoughtseize, Extraction, TKS
UP: Souls, Smasher Notes: 40 minute rounds meant we went to time in G3; in G1 he easily assembled his draw engine after dropping a T0 Leyline of Sanctity on the play; I ceded to get to G2 after the lock became apparent. In G2 I kept a 6 card opener with Thoughtseize in hand and another on top; I Extracted a Dictate of Kruphix after processing it with Herder, getting a just-drawn Dictate on his draw step. I was able to swing in for the win after keeping him off card draw with disruption. In G3 he probably would have had it after I was forced to mull to 5 and keep a bad hand, but he was too slow to close the game out.
vs. Blue Moon/Hangarback Walker/Tezzeret: 0-2 [0-1-1]
SIDE IN: Stony x2, Needle x2, Extraction x3, Unmaking x1 / SIDE OUT: Relic x4, Go for the throat x1, Sorin x1, Smasher x1
OP: His Simian Spirit Guide
UP: All my C-needing Eldrazi Notes: In G1 on the draw he dropped a T1 Blood Moon using two SSGs. Dammit! Then I punted hugely by failing to process one of them to kill his T2 Hangarback Walker with a Strangler; fatigue or carelessness, either way it was an atrocious misplay. In G2 He dropped a T2 Moon and a T3 Chalice of the Void for 1, killing my Path-a-Spirit-token plan (I never drew any Souls anyway). I easily won G3 after he flooded (we played for fun) but so what. I mis-sided here; should have brought in Ratchet Bomb and not Stony Silence, especially since I should have expected the Ensnaring Bridge I saw after Extracting a fetch. No herders or Mind Stones turned up for me in this match.
vs. Kiki Chord: 0-2 [0-2-1]
SIDE IN: Damnation x2, Needle x2 / SIDE OUT: Sorin x1, Unmaking x1, Herder x1
OP: Damnation, his Elesh Norn
UP: Lingering Souls Notes: In G1 I had six Spirit tokens, three Scions, and a Herder on board when he hard cast Elesh Norn and cleared my board to swing in for lethal. In G2 I sandbagged a Damnation and hit a load of guys on his side, with an active Relic, but he was able to Eldritch Evolution into Kiki and then Chord into Resto. In this game I saw zero Thoughtseize, zero TKS, zero Path and had lethal on board when he combo'ed off. I hadn't run into the new Norn build of this deck before but it was pretty good against tokens.
Round 4, as mentioned, was a bye.
Thoughts: It was a bad night for me but I had some bad luck after a very long and tiring day. I did not make any changes to put Engineered Explosives or Flaying Tendrils in the side after both were miserable failures for me some online play last week. I think the side is still in pretty good shape.
I would like to make a case for trying an alternative direction for a processor deck I think is under-tested and should be explored. I am not claiming it is better than B/W processors, but my testing indicates it is at least viable and worth a shot.
I hope that you find my deck interesting at the very least. Sorry to interrupt your discussion...
Thanks
Interesting, keep us posted. I would worry about the mana, personally, as well as having enough processing fodder for Nullifier and Herder. Since you're not running Lingering Souls I would probably drop the Relics and go with 3x Rest in Peace (thinking not 4x because multiples are essentially dead cards). It looks to me like you'd get run over by aggro.
I would like to make a case for trying an alternative direction for a processor deck I think is under-tested and should be explored. I am not claiming it is better than B/W processors, but my testing indicates it is at least viable and worth a shot.
The biggest problem I see with that version is lack of ability to turn the corner and win the game. The B/W processor build counts on turning the corner against the aggro decks with smashers/going wide with tokens, and uses those same things to beat down other mid-range decks. With TKS and Smashers, there is still some occasions where matches go to time (usually against other control decks), and I wouldn't want to play an even slower version of processors. I feel like the value alone of processing isn't enough to get you there. I'm certainly no more experienced than anyone else here, but that is what my initial impression of that list.
In G1 on the draw he dropped a T1 Blood Moon using two SSGs. Dammit!
I think I just died a little bit inside when I read T1 Blood Moon. I fully experienced this over the weekend at the no-banlist tournie, where many of the U/R Delver decks had Blood Moon in the side. That topped with the clunky Eye of Ugin mana-base made for really inconsistent games, either I got a turn 2 TKS/Turn 3 Smasher and ran them over, or my deck played too fair for a no-ban tournie. I would definitely recommend playing the aggro version of eldrazi that caused the Eye ban rather than trying processors for any no-bans in the future, someone was playing it and made it to the finals I believe.
There was definitely silver lining in that tournament, I was looking for a Gemstone Caverns to try out in the deck, and traded for a foil one early in the day from another player. Later in the day I traded for the second Damnation for the sideboard, which I was super happy about. I've been wanting to pick up the second but didn't want to shell out the cash for it, just wanted to trade cards, and was not expecting it to happen so soon.
Experiencing the older version of processors over the weekend got me thinking about the list I've been running, and I think I had been over-critical of a non-processable Strangler or Herder. I was thinking it was really bad to make that play, when in reality it's not a bad play if having more copies of the cards in your list opens you up for more opportunities to cast for full value. So I bumped each back up to 3, and I also tried to get more 2-ofs in the sideboard rather than singles, just to try and get the deck performing more consistently overall.
I'm still stuck between Stony Silences and Disenchants, I'm not seeing affinity or tron right now but I don't want to be missing Stony when I do see them. I'm starting to like the idea of Ratchet Bomb more since the need for disenchant would be less, and Ratchet Bomb can be an out for Blood Moon whereas EE cannot. My current sideboard with EE and Stony does not look set-up for a Blood Moon to make an appearance, I'd be relying heavily on Herders and Anguished, and Anguished is basically not going to be cast for B and W while there's a Blood Moon on the field. My big turn off of Ratchet Bomb has always been how slow it is, especially against stuff like zoo, but maybe in those situations it's not too bad if it's played T1 for 0 or to cast for 1 on T2. Deaddrift, how effective has Ratchet Bomb been at stopping aggro for you? I'm assuming probably well enough that you aren't missing EE and favor Ratchet Bomb being more useful against more things, especially given you said EE did not perform well for you.
I've updated my list for what I'll (hopefully) be playing in two events over the next weekend, it's here and in my sig. I'm pretty sold on every card except the aforementioned sideboard cards, and I'm not sure if trimming GftT was the right call in order to keep Batterskull, or if a Mind Stone would be better. I like having two Mind Stones to increase the odds of an opening hand with ramp, but having an opening hand with two Mind Stones can be pretty awful if it's got not much else. I guess Anguished could be taken out over GftT, but I don't like that thought really. Oh and I pulled out Westvale Abbey in favor of that Gemstone Caverns, after I made those changes to my deck I did some goldfishing and the very first opening hand had my singleton Gemstone Caverns and singleton Scourge (and an eldrazi temple allowing for a T1 Scourge!). I felt the results warranted at least trying it out for some fun this weekend.
I would like to make a case for trying an alternative direction for a processor deck I think is under-tested and should be explored. I am not claiming it is better than B/W processors, but my testing indicates it is at least viable and worth a shot.
I hope that you find my deck interesting at the very least. Sorry to interrupt your discussion...
Thanks
Interesting, keep us posted. I would worry about the mana, personally, as well as having enough processing fodder for Nullifier and Herder. Since you're not running Lingering Souls I would probably drop the Relics and go with 3x Rest in Peace (thinking not 4x because multiples are essentially dead cards). It looks to me like you'd get run over by aggro.
Declaration in Stone is a card I initially dismissed - can you elaborate on that suggestion? I think you might be right but I am worried about the investigate clause.
So far processing fodder has been easy to come by. Relic of Progenitus is a card I prefer over Rest in Peace for the exact reason you stated - it is dead in multiples. Also it costs more, and does not cantrip. Relic keeps the flow of exiled cards steady in a similar way when you don't crack it immediately.
My toughest match I had so far was against Merfolk. the matchup wasn't as bad as I thought it would be as my deck runs a ton of cheap removal. The problem ended up being that darn islandwalk.
@Tituba9 - to add your thoughts to this discussion.
This deck does have the ability to "turn the corner" as you say in how it outvalues the opponent and overwhelms with cards like Blight Herder and Ancestral Vision. SO far most wins have been through either overwhelming card advantage, or nullifier pinging away with counter backup and removal support. Also don't underestimate the versatility of the counterspell suite the deck runs (delay + nullifier). This is very effective at stopping opposing threats, combos, and whatever else they might throw at you. Ancestral Vision is a huge draw (pun intended) to have blue in the deck.
Back to merfolk - this was difficult when the opponent had island walk as just when I turned the corner he was able to get through for exact damage while I was sitting on answers in my hand and tapped out. (the match was 1-2 and both losses were due to the islandwalk problem).
Against aggro decks without such efficient evasion, I have no fear with 4x wasteland stranglers, 4x path, journey to nowhere, inquisition of kozilek, delays, and blight herder to thoroughly clog the red zone.
Since I played that match I added more sweepers to my sideboard and variable removal options for aggro matchups.
Legacy:B The Gate // B Pox Modern:RGB Dredge // RBG Goblins // B The Gate // UBR Tezz AoB Control // RBG Prison Pox EDH:RBU Thraximundar // R Norin the Wary // RWB Kaalia of the Vast // BUR Grixis Combos // BU Gisa and Geralf Tribal Tiny Leaders:BUW Sydri, Galvanic Genius // R Feldon of the Third Path
I'm pretty sure the manabase on a esper build will screw amazingly. Playing bw i'm often screwed... consider the deck will be now 4c, wubc.
Back to the bw processors, I've been testing it on Cockatrice for the past few weeks and was like 20-2, and IRL played a 50 players pptq opening 3-0 against Nahiri, Grixis control and Zoo and losing the next 3 rounds to Zoo and 2 Junds, mostly by misplays made by myself. I was confident with the list, but this last week I'm constantly screwing and having bad draws... played a bigger pptq on sunday and on first match on both games opened with 2 lands 1 mindstone and in 5 turns never drew the 3rd land... on match2 same, and at one moment i had 2 lands on table (swamp and urborg) and in hand 3 stranglers and 4 paths... and I play 25 lands instead of 24.
Better believe I was just unlucky.
Just to register my experience with the deck:
- I really don't know if I want to play Smasher on this deck. He's great for an aggro strategy, but Processors isn't an aggro deck. If everything goes ok, and by this I mean resolve a Relic and have cards to process, Herder seems much better than a Smasher.
- Reshaper I also found very weak, at least on this build. Aparently he does nothing but die and give you a draw or a ramp.
- Displacer is amazing against Infect and Affinity, but on other matches he doesn't do much and has a target on his head.
- Most of the times IoK won't take off that card that will f*** your life (CoCo, Scapeshift, Ad Nauseam, Kalitas, Cryptic). So I'm really considering changing it for a Collective Brutality. Probably the worst part on it is that now Ill have a target for their Snares, but at least now I don't have an endgame dead draw.
- Talking about endgame, I'm trying hard to fit Endbringer in this deck. Probably will cut Displacer and Smashers to add him.
- I'm running 1 Anguished in this list for like 1 month and until now I never drew or casted it, so I really don't know if he is worth or not.
- I don'know how you guys can play with 24 lands. And I run so many utilites lands that's hard to find one to cut.
On SB:
- Used to run 3 Disenchant, changed to 2Celestial Purge, and moved back to 2 Disenchants as Purge don't break Leylines.
- Moved from 2 Surgicals from 2 Memoricides. With Surgical, I have to make the op discard the threat, or kill the threat. Ok, Surgical hits lands against Tron and Valakut (with a cost of a GQ), but Memoricide hits Karn and Scapeshift/ Titan as well. And is much better agains ANT. Anyway, still not sure cause didnt have a oportunity to test it yet.
- I'm running 1 Grafidgger and 1 RIP agains Chords build. Seems enough.
I'm pretty sure the manabase on a esper build will screw amazingly. Playing bw i'm often screwed... consider the deck will be now 4c, wubc.
Mana base is UBW - no C
This mana base is no more challenging than the deck you already run... and is probably even more stable because of the fetch/shock manabase.
My build does not run TKS or smashers and their friends.
Private Mod Note
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Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Legacy:B The Gate // B Pox Modern:RGB Dredge // RBG Goblins // B The Gate // UBR Tezz AoB Control // RBG Prison Pox EDH:RBU Thraximundar // R Norin the Wary // RWB Kaalia of the Vast // BUR Grixis Combos // BU Gisa and Geralf Tribal Tiny Leaders:BUW Sydri, Galvanic Genius // R Feldon of the Third Path
Well, then it might wotk. Before Eye's ban (and probably before OGW release but not sure), I saw a guy playing an UB Eldrazi processors, running Ashiok and Sire of Stagnation. If I'm not mistaken he made top4 on a 30 playes tournament with the deck. Maybe you can fit Ashiok in your deck, besides helping processings she's amazing only by herself. Maybe on RIP spot.
And isn't Serum better than AV?
Just came back from a 17 players tourn, got 1st place playing the list above, exchanging 1 Displacer for 1 Endbringer and 2 IoK for 2 Collective Brutallity.
Round1 played against Burn, G1 made TKS on T2, Smasher T3 and Smasher T4. G2 made CB on T2 upgraded by discarding a Souls, and discarded a burn and killed Mulan, following Souls on T3 and Herder T4.
Round2 against RG LD. G1 he mulled to 5, I made T2 TKS, T3 TKS, gg. G2 he broke 4 lands, but I stablished with a dual and a Temple, being able to killing his 2 Arbor Elfs with 2 Stranglers. At one moment, he was at 4 life and had only a Baloth, I had only a Smasher and a CB in hand. I played upgraded and gave -2-2 to Baloth and swap 2 life. GG.
Round3 against a Seancè IDFK what that deck was about. I know G1 Relic made it's job. G2 sided out all Ligering Souls and end up being finished by a Reveilark. G3 came back with 2 Souls MD, opened with a TKS on T4, Sorin T5, levelup Sorin til 6 and Sorin Emblem won the game.
Round4 split with the other guy 3-0, dunno what he was playing.
Last considerations:
Don't know about Endbringer, he never showed up. Maybe Ill be trying something else on this spot.
CB has won me 2 games. Amazing card!
Well, then it might wotk. Before Eye's ban (and probably before OGW release but not sure), I saw a guy playing an UB Eldrazi processors, running Ashiok and Sire of Stagnation. If I'm not mistaken he made top4 on a 30 playes tournament with the deck. Maybe you can fit Ashiok in your deck, besides helping processings she's amazing only by herself. Maybe on RIP spot.
And isn't Serum better than AV?
Just came back from a 17 players tourn, got 1st place playing the list above, exchanging 1 Displacer for 1 Endbringer and 2 IoK for 2 Collective Brutallity.
Round1 played against Burn, G1 made TKS on T2, Smasher T3 and Smasher T4. G2 made CB on T2 upgraded by discarding a Souls, and discarded a burn and killed Mulan, following Souls on T3 and Herder T4.
Round2 against RG LD. G1 he mulled to 5, I made T2 TKS, T3 TKS, gg. G2 he broke 4 lands, but I stablished with a dual and a Temple, being able to killing his 2 Arbor Elfs with 2 Stranglers. At one moment, he was at 4 life and had only a Baloth, I had only a Smasher and a CB in hand. I played upgraded and gave -2-2 to Baloth and swap 2 life. GG.
Round3 against a Seancè IDFK what that deck was about. I know G1 Relic made it's job. G2 sided out all Ligering Souls and end up being finished by a Reveilark. G3 came back with 2 Souls MD, opened with a TKS on T4, Sorin T5, levelup Sorin til 6 and Sorin Emblem won the game.
Round4 split with the other guy 3-0, dunno what he was playing.
Last considerations:
Don't know about Endbringer, he never showed up. Maybe Ill be trying something else on this spot.
CB has won me 2 games. Amazing card!
Nice work!!! I tested out endbringer a while ago and found him to be too slow. BUT if he (or she?) lands it is an absolute beast.
I have played in two leagues on MTGO now testing out some new cards and the processor deck. I went 3-2 both times, withs several mistakes on my part. Such as forgetting to put a basic plains in my deck, which I could of sworn that I did. I am still in the process of tweaking my deck, but here is the current iteration is in my signature (CBW eldrazi processor deck). The sideboard is still a work in progress, I am trying to nail down the 60 before I start thinking about the sideboard.
I have been testing out some of the new cards:
collective brutality - This card is hands down awesome. Almost every modern deck has an instant or sorcery card that feels great to grab and the card can two-for-one our opponents if we discard a useless card in hand. I found that it wasn't very hard to ditch an extra land or lingering souls because the payoff is worth it.
eternal scourge - I am still unsure about this card. It is great against control, they have no way to get rid of it. It is much better than shambling vent in that matchup. I am happy with running matter reshaper, wasteland strangler, and eternal scourge in the main 60 since each card passes my first test (3 power) and is okay in every matchup but down right amazing in the right matchup. This is why I run a split of the three creatures.
blessed alliance - This card is better than rest for the weary in the sideboard. I played a match against burn and gaining 4 life was enough most of the time. With the addition of collective brutality and the fact that our creatures are larger than theirs, the burn matchup is just fine. This card also hits emrakul the aeons torn and slippery bogle, which is a huge plus.
As a side note, has anybody tried worship in their sideboard. It hoses aggro decks such as merfolk.
Hi all! I'm a Standard player that's been looking over several modern decks the past weeks or so as I plan on making the jump between formats. While I've been primarily looking at Dredge, Affinity, Bant Eldrazi, Zooicide and Burn, seeing this thread has really intrigued me and I've been reading through the most recent 15 pages or so over the past few hours. I made a Reddit thread over on /r/spikes (where I originally saw this deck's creator link to this thread) looking for suggestions on a deck to buy into and the replies varied mostly from either playing Affinity/Zooicide or not buying into a deck at all, and just going for staples to begin with.
After reading through the majority of this thread, I have to saw I really really like the look of this deck! I played a BW midrangey standard deck for a while, that TKS and Smasher, along with Gideons, Ayli and Sorin. I'm a huge fan of Eldrazi so this deck seems like something I'd really enjoy playing. Bonus points for being something that from what people in this thread have said, is also competitive with established t1 decks.
Is this a deck that you all would recommend to a new Modern player? I like that it does contain 4x Path and a split of Thoughtseize and IoK (Which I may just buy the full playset of each anyway) which I could run in other in-color decks in the future.
I have a sideboard question. If I need some artifact destruction, is it worth it to run the slower (sorcery) speed Revoke Existence to get things directly into exile, or is it better to run the instant speed Disenchant?
I have a sideboard question. If I need some artifact destruction, is it worth it to run the slower (sorcery) speed Revoke Existence to get things directly into exile, or is it better to run the instant speed Disenchant?
Thanks.
IMO the fact that Disenchant is an instant is way more important than having another tool to exile things for processing. The ability to disenchant an affinity robot post combat tricks, or to cast on a tidehollow sculler the same turn it steals your card in Eldrazi and Taxes. Those are just a couple examples off the top, but the ability to use it more flexibly around your lands (you may have the mana open on your opponents turn as he casts a Blood Moon or Wurmcoil Engine, but wouldn't have that two mana open the following turn as a sorcery). That far outweighs another exiling source. You just have to depend on Relics/etc. and blame the heart of the cards if you aren't able to process every time.
Hi all! I'm a Standard player that's been looking over several modern decks the past weeks or so as I plan on making the jump between formats. While I've been primarily looking at Dredge, Affinity, Bant Eldrazi, Zooicide and Burn, seeing this thread has really intrigued me and I've been reading through the most recent 15 pages or so over the past few hours. I made a Reddit thread over on /r/spikes (where I originally saw this deck's creator link to this thread) looking for suggestions on a deck to buy into and the replies varied mostly from either playing Affinity/Zooicide or not buying into a deck at all, and just going for staples to begin with.
After reading through the majority of this thread, I have to saw I really really like the look of this deck! I played a BW midrangey standard deck for a while, that TKS and Smasher, along with Gideons, Ayli and Sorin. I'm a huge fan of Eldrazi so this deck seems like something I'd really enjoy playing. Bonus points for being something that from what people in this thread have said, is also competitive with established t1 decks.
Is this a deck that you all would recommend to a new Modern player? I like that it does contain 4x Path and a split of Thoughtseize and IoK (Which I may just buy the full playset of each anyway) which I could run in other in-color decks in the future.
My obviously biased opinion is going to come off as trying to sell you on the deck, because I really like it if I'm here and posting in the first place. I just got into modern in January 2016, and hadn't played any MtG at all for over a decade since my early teens. I chose the modern format because I prefer to make a one time investment instead of continually spending on standard, but more-so I chose it because I like the idea of picking a deck/color(s)/w.e. and grinding with it, learning the ins-and-outs, and mastering it (as well as the modern format) over time. When you play for those reasons it's important to never get too focused on winning, short-term success or losses, but improving as a player of the game over time, investing your time in the game to be better than you were yesterday.
There is a steep learning curve to the powerful decks in modern, and to piloting a deck that is reactive and control, not aggro or linear. It's like you're playing a combo deck except rather than piecing the same combo you're solving the puzzle of how to win the game, and it's going to be differently every game you aren't T2 Thought-Knotting into T3 Reality Smashing. Jumping into modern with any deck you're going to get stomped many many times. When you don't know what you're up against it's hard to plan lines to win/not lose around it. But searching opposing decklists or primers, or reading through forums such as these, combined with practicing the deck will over time reward you with a flexible deck that has a chance against much of the modern meta. This deck is super fun to play and Deaddrift has shown with remarkable consistency that it's capable of going 3-1, 3-0-1, or 4-0 at large FNM/local tournaments.
As for the cards in B/W Processors being used in other modern decks, there are a few that you could transition to. The discard package is used in both Jund and B/W tokens, the Marsh Flats and Godless Shrines, and Lingering Souls, are used in B/W Tokens, and all the Eldrazi are/can be used in Bant Eldrazi and Eldrazi and taxes. With this deck you basically have a large portion of the mana-base for all of B/W Tokens and Eldrazi and Taxes. A big price difference in B/W Processors and all the aforementioned is the price of the decks. Jund is obviously the most expensive modern deck, so I won't explain that one too much. B/W tokens has the $30+ each Bitterblossoms, as well as both Fetid Heaths and Marsh Flats for lands which are each very expensive. Bant Eldrazi has Noble Heirarchs and some additional expensive lands (and sometimes even Tarmogoyfs), and Eldrazi and Taxes Runs Aether Vials. B/W Processors does not have any of these big cost items outside of the unnecessary Cavern of Souls and unnecessary Batterskull and sideboard tech. You can build a pretty budget but effective shell of processors, I made one for MTGO just this weekend and I'll mention it more later in this post.
Current list. Should I cut anything MB for Collective Brutality or just make it a SB slot instead?
I'm a huge fan of Smasher in the deck, a 5/5 for 5 with trample, haste, and removal protection that can be out as early as turn 3 is so huge and I'm going to suggest going back up to at least 3, and siding them out as needed. From that list if you're wanting to bring in two Coll. Brut., I'd do -2 Inquisition, -1 Dismember, +2 C.B., +1 Smasher.
I have just joined mtgo this weekend, playing processors and running 1 scourge in my list, and it has been underwhelming. Maybe because I'm only running one, but I'd say half the time it dies in combat and sits in the yard while the game is decided before his recur even comes into play. There are games where I draw him and play him early, and his recur comes into play just a turn or two later, but those are few and far between. Also, it is just a vanilla 3/3 for 3, and doesn't do much other than provide board presence. We have board presence with beefy eldrazi and Herder Processing and Lingering Souls, not sure Scourge is the direction to take the deck. I just realized this is more of a reply to herf's post, I got them mixed up with the quoting.
So as I said, I decided to invest into getting the processor deck on mtgo so I could both get more practice/playtime with the deck (I only average 1 event a week on paper most often, sometimes less). I also wanted to play on mtgo because it forces proper mechanics/usage of the stack.etc. I built processors for about $150, obviously missing big cards like 1 copy of Cavern of Souls and any wrath effects in the sideboard, but it is mostly the standard build we see around here otherwise. Here is the link. I have played in a couple friendly modern leagues so far, going 2-3 the first time and 3-2 the second. Ill try to do a report on the 3-2 league.
Before I get into the matches, I have to say the online meta is very Wasteland Strangler friendly, there is almost always something on the board to kill with the -3/-3 and I am so often wishing to topdeck either a strangler or an exile effect for some value. I have also found Scoruge to be underwhelming so far, and Sorin to be an all-star. On paper Sorin has been above decent, but online so far he has been crushing it, even his (-) has seen at least a couple uses. I have dropped the 1 scourge from that list for a second Sorin because of this, and look forward to trying that out in more leagues.
Match 1: vs. Elves - 1-2 [0-1]
SIDE IN: Ratchet x2, Flaying Tendrils x2, Timely x2 / SIDE OUT: Anguished x 1, Thoughtseize x2, Mind Stone x2, Smasher x1.
Should have included Surgicals here as I could have used more cards in exile since he is not filling the yard with fetches/spells, and the key legendary elves needing extracted and caused me trouble). I had never played against elves before, so any tips on these or any other side board decisions are very welcomed.
Game 1: I got T2 TKS into T3 smasher, into T3 Herder +process, he conceded.
Game 2: Kept a hand with 2x souls, 2x relic, and a shambling vent and Vault. I was afraid the 5 would be worse. Drew a TKS turn 1, and a temple to play it the next turn, however the opponent had 7 elves on the board turn 3 and on my turn 4 I drew the Flaying Tendrils I needed to live but did not have the double black to cast it and lost the next turn to a board full of 8/8 tramples from 17 life.
Game 3: Kept a hand with 2 relics, a sorin, and 3 lands, drew a souls early but he had 9 elves out on turn 3 thanks to a CoCo and I got ran over very quickly.
OP: His board presence, Flaying Tendrils (had I been able to cast it), Herder + Processing for our own presence
UP: Lack of exiling ability since they run mostly basic lands and mostly creatures with little noncreature spells.
Notes: Elves come out fast and wide, and if you aren't getting Strangler or Herder Processing off for board presence, you better have ratchet bombs and/or Flaying Tendrils to wipe them before they beef up and swing for the kill.
Match 2: vs. B/U/R Delver (not really sure) - 0-2 [0-2]
SIDE IN: surgical x2 / SIDE OUT: Anguished x 1, Eternal Scourge x1
Game 1: He got T1 delver into T2 flip, I tried to Path it early but he Mana Leaked the Path and then swing a few times in the air and cast two Lightning Bolts for a quick win.
Game 2: I inquisitioned his delver T1, he delved for a Tasigur on T3, and mana leaked my lingering souls shortly after. I extracted his mana leak asap and managed to steal one from his hand. We both build a bunch of ground board presence, meanwhile I'm just under 10 life, he gets out a Vendilion Clique and swings over the top a few turns for the win.
OP: Delver, delve mechanic, counterspells.
UP: Eldrazi being countered due to no Cavern of Souls.
Notes: Haven't seen much of this deck, but I think some lingering souls and knowing ahead of time I was up against delve would have helped last longer.
Match 3: vs. Jeskai Nahiri - 2-0 [1-2]
SIDE IN: Ratchet x2, Pithing x2, Anguished x1, Surgical x2 / SIDE OUT: strangler x2. path x2, not sure what else maybe mind stones and a Herder.
Game 1: I got there with scourge and souls tokens (went through 3 Lingering Souls cards in one game). On turn 5 I cast a smasher for him to insta-Path it.
Game 2: Turn 1 inquisition a Path into T2 thoughtseize a cryptic command. Game went super long with both players drawing lots of lands, I got lucky by topdecking a smasher the turn after he played a Nahiri, and had enough mana to double cast it through remand thanks to having 3 temples on the field. Beat down Nahiri with Smasher, scourge, and spirit tokens and immediately tried to extract Nahiri only for the extraction to get countered. Won the game a couple turns later.
OP: Lingering Souls was huge in both games, smasher puts on a very quick clock.
UP: Nahiri with no board presence to protect it, strangler with not much to target with -3/-3.
Notes: I've played against this several times on paper, and I think we have quite the favorable matchup unless the card draws are heavily in their favor.
Match 4: vs. R/W allies - 2-1 [2-2]
SIDE IN:Rest x2, Timely x2, ratchet x2, tendrils x2 / SIDE OUT: thoughtseize x2, anguished x1, mind stone x2, relic x1, smasher x2
Game 1: Kept a hand with 4 lands, a path, relic, and anguished. As it was game1 I felt this was safe against the field and I got overrun quickly thanks to no board presence. I drew two herders eventually but could process neither and he went wide very fast. One large mistake made by me was not realizing all 4 of my lands were colorless, leaving the path and inquisition I drew into useless.
Game 2: I dominated the board early to late through an early TKS, into casting two blight herders with processing one turn after the other, and finally a strangler to process and kill an ally.
Game 3: T2 cast rest for the weary, T3 he had zero creatures out and I played a ratchet bomb, T4 he played a creature and the following turn I played Sorin and (-) for a 2/2 flyer and a creature of my own. He bolts my 2/2 in response and the next turn I draw into a smasher and proceed to beatdown with that and sorin's (+) for the win. I had a flaying tendrils ready to cast since turn 3 but it was never needed.
OP: Eldrazi Processing for board presence.
UP: Game 1 without sideboard cards or enough board presence to trade favorably.
Notes: Seems to be a pretty decent matchup post sideboard.
Match 5: vs. Naya burn? - 2-0 [3-2]
SIDE IN:Rest x2, Timely x2, ratchet x2, tendrils x2 / SIDE OUT: thoughtseize x2, anguished x1, mind stone x2, relic x1, smasher x2
Game 1: I process a rift bolt to -3/-3 a swiftspear on T3,play a Sorin and (+) on an empty board, then next turn play a smasher for lifelink from sorin and to begin the beatdown. I was at one life before I got the heal from that turn back up to 7. He conceded after that heal.
Game 2: He opens strong with a T1 Wild Nacatl T2 goblin guide, I t2 rest for the weary, followed by him casting Eidolon of the Great Revel. On my T3 I cast flaying tendrils, taking two from Eidolon but killing his eidolon and guide, leaving the nacatl behind. Next turn I get a herder out with processing, he boros charms me down to 4, I inquisition, he responds by atarka's commanding me down to 1. By turn 4 through a rest heal he had me down to 1, just insane. I swing with smasher + scions to get him down to 10, leaving herder back to block. His draw card didn't get him there and I played another smasher and swung out. What a last game to seal the last match and get my first 3-2 online!
OP: Strangler processing rift bolt to -3/-3 a Monastery Swiftspear on T3. Rest for the Weary literally saves a game.
UP: Wish I could start with 30 life against burn so I wouldn't always think I'm almost dead.
Notes: Find a way to heal or you lose. G1 it may be sorin, or it may be getting lucky with T2 or T3 eldrazi ramping for smashing them down, but post sideboard you'd better buffer your life total asap. Watch out for them to respond to heal spells like Rest or Timely with an instant that prevents you from healing, this negating your heal. Always be paying attention to their open mana and cards in hand and try to guarantee that heal.
Holy hell this thing took a couple hours to type. And that was with the ease of being able to sit there and re-watch all my games at lightning speed on the mtgo client, props to you deaddrift for doing your writeups from paper matches. I will try to keep putting out reports like this from my mtgo leagues, just keep in mind that this is a budget version and not my ideal card setup at all for the 75. And once again please give any advice or criticisms on my sideboarding/plays/etc.
Hi all! I'm a Standard player that's been looking over several modern decks the past weeks or so as I plan on making the jump between formats. While I've been primarily looking at Dredge, Affinity, Bant Eldrazi, Zooicide and Burn, seeing this thread has really intrigued me and I've been reading through the most recent 15 pages or so over the past few hours. I made a Reddit thread over on /r/spikes (where I originally saw this deck's creator link to this thread) looking for suggestions on a deck to buy into and the replies varied mostly from either playing Affinity/Zooicide or not buying into a deck at all, and just going for staples to begin with.
After reading through the majority of this thread, I have to saw I really really like the look of this deck! I played a BW midrangey standard deck for a while, that TKS and Smasher, along with Gideons, Ayli and Sorin. I'm a huge fan of Eldrazi so this deck seems like something I'd really enjoy playing. Bonus points for being something that from what people in this thread have said, is also competitive with established t1 decks.
Is this a deck that you all would recommend to a new Modern player? I like that it does contain 4x Path and a split of Thoughtseize and IoK (Which I may just buy the full playset of each anyway) which I could run in other in-color decks in the future.
My obviously biased opinion is going to come off as trying to sell you on the deck, because I really like it if I'm here and posting in the first place. I just got into modern in January 2016, and hadn't played any MtG at all for over a decade since my early teens. I chose the modern format because I prefer to make a one time investment instead of continually spending on standard, but more-so I chose it because I like the idea of picking a deck/color(s)/w.e. and grinding with it, learning the ins-and-outs, and mastering it (as well as the modern format) over time. When you play for those reasons it's important to never get too focused on winning, short-term success or losses, but improving as a player of the game over time, investing your time in the game to be better than you were yesterday.
There is a steep learning curve to the powerful decks in modern, and to piloting a deck that is reactive and control, not aggro or linear. It's like you're playing a combo deck except rather than piecing the same combo you're solving the puzzle of how to win the game, and it's going to be differently every game you aren't T2 Thought-Knotting into T3 Reality Smashing. Jumping into modern with any deck you're going to get stomped many many times. When you don't know what you're up against it's hard to plan lines to win/not lose around it. But searching opposing decklists or primers, or reading through forums such as these, combined with practicing the deck will over time reward you with a flexible deck that has a chance against much of the modern meta. This deck is super fun to play and Deaddrift has shown with remarkable consistency that it's capable of going 3-1, 3-0-1, or 4-0 at large FNM/local tournaments.
As for the cards in B/W Processors being used in other modern decks, there are a few that you could transition to. The discard package is used in both Jund and B/W tokens, the Marsh Flats and Godless Shrines, and Lingering Souls, are used in B/W Tokens, and all the Eldrazi are/can be used in Bant Eldrazi and Eldrazi and taxes. With this deck you basically have a large portion of the mana-base for all of B/W Tokens and Eldrazi and Taxes. A big price difference in B/W Processors and all the aforementioned is the price of the decks. Jund is obviously the most expensive modern deck, so I won't explain that one too much. B/W tokens has the $30+ each Bitterblossoms, as well as both Fetid Heaths and Marsh Flats for lands which are each very expensive. Bant Eldrazi has Noble Heirarchs and some additional expensive lands (and sometimes even Tarmogoyfs), and Eldrazi and Taxes Runs Aether Vials. B/W Processors does not have any of these big cost items outside of the unnecessary Cavern of Souls and unnecessary Batterskull and sideboard tech. You can build a pretty budget but effective shell of processors, I made one for MTGO just this weekend and I'll mention it more later in this post.
Hey man, thanks for the response and the tournament writeup! I was actually thinking that if I did choose to jump in with this deck, I'd be doing it slightly on a budget that actually looked almost identical to your MTGO list (Tendrils for Damnation, Westvale/SGW for Cavern) so awesome to hear you managed to perform well with it! I'm planning to load this up into Cockatrice or XMage sometime today to get some testing in with it to see if it has a feel that I like to a deck. Regarding the extra Sorin for the list, do you feel that he's better than the 1x Matter Reshaper (that I'm assuming you replaced for the 1x Scourge)? Also, in your list you played on MTGO, do you think there is room for 2x Collective Brutality and if so where would you put them?
Don't remember much details about the matchs, I don't write notes during the game, I even don't write my life total and let my op do the job, but anyways...
M1 agains Naya Bushwhacker(1-0, 2-1):
G1: lost very quick, around T4 or T5. when I made my first Souls he already had Ape, Nacatl and Guide on table. Double blocked his Guide with both tokens and he Ghor-rampaged him. Tried to CB Guide with -2/-2 and lifeswap but he answered with Atarka Command (which he had 3 on hand) and GG.
+SI: 2 Blessed Alliance, 1 Damnation, 2 Celestial Purge, maybe Ratchet Bomb
-SO: 2 Thoughtseize, 1 Ob Nixilis, maybe I sidedout Relics and AU too
G2: Don't remember much, but at 3 life I established my board and with Sorin or Vault I could turn the game.
G3: He opened with Guide, T2 Emissary> Bushwacker. I was at 9 life and had in hand 1 Souls and 1 Damnation. T3 chumplocked 2 creatures, he played a Nacatl and another creature and had no cards in hand. I Damnated him on T4, and he kept drawin lands while I played some Eldrazis and gained life with Sorin.
Considerations: Timely Reinforcement is better than Blessed Alliance, but I will keep trying with Blessed, just because there was at least 2 guys playing Boggles and Blessed is better against it.
M2 against Merfolk(2-0, 4-2):
G1: kept a slow hand with almost no removals, got trampled.
+SI: 2 Ratchet Bomb, 1 Pithing Needle, 1 Flaying tendrils, 1 Damnation, 2 Disenchant, 2 Blessed Alliance
-SO: 2 Thoughtseize, 4 Relics, 1 AU, 1 Ob Nixilis, 1 something
G2 and G3 almost same as against Naya. Many times I had to GQ my flooded lands to stop his islandwalk ability and that was enough to stop him.
M3 against Nahiri UWR(2-1, 5-4):
G1 won, G2 and G3 lost. G2 was beaten by a Snapcaster army while being hit by like 6 Lightning Helix. On G3 I sided wrong, uping 2 Blessed Aliance, cause I remember someone saying up in here that "it may be good against Emrakul", but it does nothing against Emrakul, cause normally Emmy doesn't attack alone (mostly together with a Snap or a Colonnade) and what hurts more than 15 dmg is annihilator, which BA doesn't stop.
Considerations: What some specs told me after the game is that I should've sided out some Relics against him. I disagreed in a first moment, but reconsidering again there were times when he had nothing on grave and I was saccing 2 Relics to draw nothing...
M4 agains Some kind of Esper Control(3-1, 7-5):
The guy had his own list, with Finks MD and Resto Angel, Ravnics's Jace and Spreading Seas.
G1: lost, don't remember much but he screwd a little on lands and I tried to GQ a nonbasic believing he didn't had another basic. He fetched his land and followed by 3 Colonnade.
Well, didn't know what he was playing.
+SI: 1 Pithing Needle
-SO: 1 Ob Nixilis maybe
G2: Could stomp him with TKs and Smashers.
G3: don't remember much but I believe I had some discards, TKs and Cavern of Souls, which was enough.
M5 against Living End(4-1, 9-5):
Well...
By the end of G1 the opponent wasn't very happy by facing MD Relics, and he was like throwing his cards to graveyard.
In G2 I answered one LE by saccing Relic. He had another in hand and suspended, which I processed with Herder. When he tried to play the last one, he didn't find it on cascade cause while he was throwing cards on graveyard during G1, it slipped down the table.
Happens.
M6 against RG Valakut(5-1, 11-5):
G1: I Seized him on T1 and he had Sakura, Courser, Bold, Explore and lands. Discarded Sakura. Followed by he playing Courser on T3 and playing with topdeck revealed, which I could control with GQ and Paths. Stomped him with Souls + Sorin.
+SI: 2 Memoricide
-SO: 1 Ob Nixilis, 1 Relic maybe
G2: Opened a hand with Seize, Memo and 5 lands. Drew a Seer I played on T3 and T4 Memoricide for Scapeshift. Again I could handle his top with his Courser and Played 2 processed Herders. GG
Considerations: I'm still not sure over Memo or Surgical. Memoricide is slow, but hits what you need. Surgical needs many requirements to work, but it's instant speed makes a difference. I didn't sided in Memoricide against Nahiri for it's cost, while Surgical could have been better.
Top 8 lost to same Nahiri on G1 by 1-2.
Finals was this Nahiri agains Bant Eldrazi. Bant Eldrazi won.
Last consideration:
I firmly believe that the secret of success for this deck lies in the flex spot. This time I tried Ob Nixilis, for it's a 2 for 1 (kill and draw) and actually cast him only once agains Nahiri while the game was already won.
While he isn't that much, what to put on his place? 3rd Smasher? 4th Herder? Eternal Scourge? Batterskull? Endbringer? Expedition Map?
Another thing that bothered me was Sea Gate. I almost never activated it, and I'm considering change it for that new land that everybody draws and discard. Or for another Cavern of Souls, the card that made Bant Eldrazi win the Top8.
So, how is the testing on Eternal Scourge going for you guys ??
I started with it as a MD 4-of in my list and have since cut 3 and moved 1 copy to the SB for grindy matchups. The card is very slow and doesn't have much use until you run out of other things to do. It is powerful, but definitely a late game player. You don't want to see more than 1 per game imo unless you are focusing on it as a core part of your strategy.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Legacy:B The Gate // B Pox Modern:RGB Dredge // RBG Goblins // B The Gate // UBR Tezz AoB Control // RBG Prison Pox EDH:RBU Thraximundar // R Norin the Wary // RWB Kaalia of the Vast // BUR Grixis Combos // BU Gisa and Geralf Tribal Tiny Leaders:BUW Sydri, Galvanic Genius // R Feldon of the Third Path
I agree, I tried out the new cards: eternal scourge, collective brutality, and a bit of blessed alliance (which was in the sideboard) and I found that eternal scrouge was meh, I like matter reshaper better. I found that collective brutality was AMAZING! It was so useful in every match. It is not hard to pitch a useless card to activate several modes. I have only played five matches so far and I'll probably try another league match online tonight to further test the new cards. I'll probably try them with the deck in my sig and not with the processor list that I have been trying:
3 Eternal Scourge
3 Wasteland Strangler
2 Matter Reshaper
4 Thought-Knot Seer
4 Reality Smasher
2 Inquisition of Kozilek
2 Thoughtseize
2 Collective Brutality
4 Path to Exile
4 Lingering Souls
2 Mind Stone
4 Relic of Progenitus
Lands (24):
24x Lands
CBW midrange deck
CBW eldrazi processor deck
CBW bw eldrazi shadow midrange
vs. UW Turbo Fog: 1-1-1 [0-0-1]
SIDE IN: Bomb x2, Extraction x3, Unmaking x1 / SIDE OUT: Souls x4, Sorin x1, Go for the Throat x1
OP: Thoughtseize, Extraction, TKS
UP: Souls, Smasher
Notes: 40 minute rounds meant we went to time in G3; in G1 he easily assembled his draw engine after dropping a T0 Leyline of Sanctity on the play; I ceded to get to G2 after the lock became apparent. In G2 I kept a 6 card opener with Thoughtseize in hand and another on top; I Extracted a Dictate of Kruphix after processing it with Herder, getting a just-drawn Dictate on his draw step. I was able to swing in for the win after keeping him off card draw with disruption. In G3 he probably would have had it after I was forced to mull to 5 and keep a bad hand, but he was too slow to close the game out.
vs. Blue Moon/Hangarback Walker/Tezzeret: 0-2 [0-1-1]
SIDE IN: Stony x2, Needle x2, Extraction x3, Unmaking x1 / SIDE OUT: Relic x4, Go for the throat x1, Sorin x1, Smasher x1
OP: His Simian Spirit Guide
UP: All my C-needing Eldrazi
Notes: In G1 on the draw he dropped a T1 Blood Moon using two SSGs. Dammit! Then I punted hugely by failing to process one of them to kill his T2 Hangarback Walker with a Strangler; fatigue or carelessness, either way it was an atrocious misplay. In G2 He dropped a T2 Moon and a T3 Chalice of the Void for 1, killing my Path-a-Spirit-token plan (I never drew any Souls anyway). I easily won G3 after he flooded (we played for fun) but so what. I mis-sided here; should have brought in Ratchet Bomb and not Stony Silence, especially since I should have expected the Ensnaring Bridge I saw after Extracting a fetch. No herders or Mind Stones turned up for me in this match.
vs. Kiki Chord: 0-2 [0-2-1]
SIDE IN: Damnation x2, Needle x2 / SIDE OUT: Sorin x1, Unmaking x1, Herder x1
OP: Damnation, his Elesh Norn
UP: Lingering Souls
Notes: In G1 I had six Spirit tokens, three Scions, and a Herder on board when he hard cast Elesh Norn and cleared my board to swing in for lethal. In G2 I sandbagged a Damnation and hit a load of guys on his side, with an active Relic, but he was able to Eldritch Evolution into Kiki and then Chord into Resto. In this game I saw zero Thoughtseize, zero TKS, zero Path and had lethal on board when he combo'ed off. I hadn't run into the new Norn build of this deck before but it was pretty good against tokens.
Round 4, as mentioned, was a bye.
Thoughts: It was a bad night for me but I had some bad luck after a very long and tiring day. I did not make any changes to put Engineered Explosives or Flaying Tendrils in the side after both were miserable failures for me some online play last week. I think the side is still in pretty good shape.
Declaration in Stone seems much better than Journey to Nowhere.
The biggest problem I see with that version is lack of ability to turn the corner and win the game. The B/W processor build counts on turning the corner against the aggro decks with smashers/going wide with tokens, and uses those same things to beat down other mid-range decks. With TKS and Smashers, there is still some occasions where matches go to time (usually against other control decks), and I wouldn't want to play an even slower version of processors. I feel like the value alone of processing isn't enough to get you there. I'm certainly no more experienced than anyone else here, but that is what my initial impression of that list.
I think I just died a little bit inside when I read T1 Blood Moon. I fully experienced this over the weekend at the no-banlist tournie, where many of the U/R Delver decks had Blood Moon in the side. That topped with the clunky Eye of Ugin mana-base made for really inconsistent games, either I got a turn 2 TKS/Turn 3 Smasher and ran them over, or my deck played too fair for a no-ban tournie. I would definitely recommend playing the aggro version of eldrazi that caused the Eye ban rather than trying processors for any no-bans in the future, someone was playing it and made it to the finals I believe.
There was definitely silver lining in that tournament, I was looking for a Gemstone Caverns to try out in the deck, and traded for a foil one early in the day from another player. Later in the day I traded for the second Damnation for the sideboard, which I was super happy about. I've been wanting to pick up the second but didn't want to shell out the cash for it, just wanted to trade cards, and was not expecting it to happen so soon.
Experiencing the older version of processors over the weekend got me thinking about the list I've been running, and I think I had been over-critical of a non-processable Strangler or Herder. I was thinking it was really bad to make that play, when in reality it's not a bad play if having more copies of the cards in your list opens you up for more opportunities to cast for full value. So I bumped each back up to 3, and I also tried to get more 2-ofs in the sideboard rather than singles, just to try and get the deck performing more consistently overall.
I'm still stuck between Stony Silences and Disenchants, I'm not seeing affinity or tron right now but I don't want to be missing Stony when I do see them. I'm starting to like the idea of Ratchet Bomb more since the need for disenchant would be less, and Ratchet Bomb can be an out for Blood Moon whereas EE cannot. My current sideboard with EE and Stony does not look set-up for a Blood Moon to make an appearance, I'd be relying heavily on Herders and Anguished, and Anguished is basically not going to be cast for B and W while there's a Blood Moon on the field. My big turn off of Ratchet Bomb has always been how slow it is, especially against stuff like zoo, but maybe in those situations it's not too bad if it's played T1 for 0 or to cast for 1 on T2. Deaddrift, how effective has Ratchet Bomb been at stopping aggro for you? I'm assuming probably well enough that you aren't missing EE and favor Ratchet Bomb being more useful against more things, especially given you said EE did not perform well for you.
I've updated my list for what I'll (hopefully) be playing in two events over the next weekend, it's here and in my sig. I'm pretty sold on every card except the aforementioned sideboard cards, and I'm not sure if trimming GftT was the right call in order to keep Batterskull, or if a Mind Stone would be better. I like having two Mind Stones to increase the odds of an opening hand with ramp, but having an opening hand with two Mind Stones can be pretty awful if it's got not much else. I guess Anguished could be taken out over GftT, but I don't like that thought really. Oh and I pulled out Westvale Abbey in favor of that Gemstone Caverns, after I made those changes to my deck I did some goldfishing and the very first opening hand had my singleton Gemstone Caverns and singleton Scourge (and an eldrazi temple allowing for a T1 Scourge!). I felt the results warranted at least trying it out for some fun this weekend.
WG G/W Tron GW
BG G/B Tron GB
GG Mono G Tron GG
RG G/R Tron GR
Declaration in Stone is a card I initially dismissed - can you elaborate on that suggestion? I think you might be right but I am worried about the investigate clause.
So far processing fodder has been easy to come by. Relic of Progenitus is a card I prefer over Rest in Peace for the exact reason you stated - it is dead in multiples. Also it costs more, and does not cantrip. Relic keeps the flow of exiled cards steady in a similar way when you don't crack it immediately.
My toughest match I had so far was against Merfolk. the matchup wasn't as bad as I thought it would be as my deck runs a ton of cheap removal. The problem ended up being that darn islandwalk.
@Tituba9 - to add your thoughts to this discussion.
This deck does have the ability to "turn the corner" as you say in how it outvalues the opponent and overwhelms with cards like Blight Herder and Ancestral Vision. SO far most wins have been through either overwhelming card advantage, or nullifier pinging away with counter backup and removal support. Also don't underestimate the versatility of the counterspell suite the deck runs (delay + nullifier). This is very effective at stopping opposing threats, combos, and whatever else they might throw at you. Ancestral Vision is a huge draw (pun intended) to have blue in the deck.
Back to merfolk - this was difficult when the opponent had island walk as just when I turned the corner he was able to get through for exact damage while I was sitting on answers in my hand and tapped out. (the match was 1-2 and both losses were due to the islandwalk problem).
Against aggro decks without such efficient evasion, I have no fear with 4x wasteland stranglers, 4x path, journey to nowhere, inquisition of kozilek, delays, and blight herder to thoroughly clog the red zone.
Since I played that match I added more sweepers to my sideboard and variable removal options for aggro matchups.
Thanks, I appreciate the discussion!
Modern: RGB Dredge // RBG Goblins // B The Gate // UBR Tezz AoB Control // RBG Prison Pox
EDH: RBU Thraximundar // R Norin the Wary // RWB Kaalia of the Vast // BUR Grixis Combos // BU Gisa and Geralf Tribal
Tiny Leaders: BUW Sydri, Galvanic Genius // R Feldon of the Third Path
Projects:
Gisa and Geralf Extreme-Tribal EDH
Esper Eldrazi Processor Control
Brewing with Kuldotha Forgemaster
Primer: "The Gate" - Mono Black in Modern
Modern Prison Pox - building a better plague
Back to the bw processors, I've been testing it on Cockatrice for the past few weeks and was like 20-2, and IRL played a 50 players pptq opening 3-0 against Nahiri, Grixis control and Zoo and losing the next 3 rounds to Zoo and 2 Junds, mostly by misplays made by myself. I was confident with the list, but this last week I'm constantly screwing and having bad draws... played a bigger pptq on sunday and on first match on both games opened with 2 lands 1 mindstone and in 5 turns never drew the 3rd land... on match2 same, and at one moment i had 2 lands on table (swamp and urborg) and in hand 3 stranglers and 4 paths... and I play 25 lands instead of 24.
Better believe I was just unlucky.
Just to register my experience with the deck:
- I really don't know if I want to play Smasher on this deck. He's great for an aggro strategy, but Processors isn't an aggro deck. If everything goes ok, and by this I mean resolve a Relic and have cards to process, Herder seems much better than a Smasher.
- Reshaper I also found very weak, at least on this build. Aparently he does nothing but die and give you a draw or a ramp.
- Displacer is amazing against Infect and Affinity, but on other matches he doesn't do much and has a target on his head.
- Most of the times IoK won't take off that card that will f*** your life (CoCo, Scapeshift, Ad Nauseam, Kalitas, Cryptic). So I'm really considering changing it for a Collective Brutality. Probably the worst part on it is that now Ill have a target for their Snares, but at least now I don't have an endgame dead draw.
- Talking about endgame, I'm trying hard to fit Endbringer in this deck. Probably will cut Displacer and Smashers to add him.
- I'm running 1 Anguished in this list for like 1 month and until now I never drew or casted it, so I really don't know if he is worth or not.
- I don'know how you guys can play with 24 lands. And I run so many utilites lands that's hard to find one to cut.
On SB:
- Used to run 3 Disenchant, changed to 2Celestial Purge, and moved back to 2 Disenchants as Purge don't break Leylines.
- Moved from 2 Surgicals from 2 Memoricides. With Surgical, I have to make the op discard the threat, or kill the threat. Ok, Surgical hits lands against Tron and Valakut (with a cost of a GQ), but Memoricide hits Karn and Scapeshift/ Titan as well. And is much better agains ANT. Anyway, still not sure cause didnt have a oportunity to test it yet.
- I'm running 1 Grafidgger and 1 RIP agains Chords build. Seems enough.
The list I was running below:
03 Blight Herder
04 Thought-knot Seer
04 Wasteland Strangler
02 Reality Smasher
01 Eldrazi Displacer
Instant(5)
01 Anguished Unmaking
04 Path to Exile
Artifacts(7)
01 Expedition Map
04 Relic of Progenitus
02 Mind Stone
Planeswalker(1)
01 Sorin, Solemn Visitor
Sorcery(8)
04 Lingering Souls
02 Inquisition of Kozilek
02 Thoughtseize
01 Bojuka Bog
01 Cavern of Souls
04 Caves of Koilos
04 Eldrazi Temple
03 Ghost Quarter
02 Godless Shrine
03 Marsh Flats
01 Plains
01 Sea Gate Wreckage
02 Shambling Vent
01 Swamp
01 Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
01 Vault of the Archangel
01 Pithing Needle
01 Grafdigger's Cage
01 Rest in Peace
01 Damnation
02 Disenchant
02 Memoricide
02 Ratchet Bomb
02 Flaying Tendrils
03 Timely Reinforcements
Mana base is UBW - no C
This mana base is no more challenging than the deck you already run... and is probably even more stable because of the fetch/shock manabase.
My build does not run TKS or smashers and their friends.
Modern: RGB Dredge // RBG Goblins // B The Gate // UBR Tezz AoB Control // RBG Prison Pox
EDH: RBU Thraximundar // R Norin the Wary // RWB Kaalia of the Vast // BUR Grixis Combos // BU Gisa and Geralf Tribal
Tiny Leaders: BUW Sydri, Galvanic Genius // R Feldon of the Third Path
Projects:
Gisa and Geralf Extreme-Tribal EDH
Esper Eldrazi Processor Control
Brewing with Kuldotha Forgemaster
Primer: "The Gate" - Mono Black in Modern
Modern Prison Pox - building a better plague
And isn't Serum better than AV?
Just came back from a 17 players tourn, got 1st place playing the list above, exchanging 1 Displacer for 1 Endbringer and 2 IoK for 2 Collective Brutallity.
Round1 played against Burn, G1 made TKS on T2, Smasher T3 and Smasher T4. G2 made CB on T2 upgraded by discarding a Souls, and discarded a burn and killed Mulan, following Souls on T3 and Herder T4.
Round2 against RG LD. G1 he mulled to 5, I made T2 TKS, T3 TKS, gg. G2 he broke 4 lands, but I stablished with a dual and a Temple, being able to killing his 2 Arbor Elfs with 2 Stranglers. At one moment, he was at 4 life and had only a Baloth, I had only a Smasher and a CB in hand. I played upgraded and gave -2-2 to Baloth and swap 2 life. GG.
Round3 against a Seancè IDFK what that deck was about. I know G1 Relic made it's job. G2 sided out all Ligering Souls and end up being finished by a Reveilark. G3 came back with 2 Souls MD, opened with a TKS on T4, Sorin T5, levelup Sorin til 6 and Sorin Emblem won the game.
Round4 split with the other guy 3-0, dunno what he was playing.
Last considerations:
Don't know about Endbringer, he never showed up. Maybe Ill be trying something else on this spot.
CB has won me 2 games. Amazing card!
Nice work!!! I tested out endbringer a while ago and found him to be too slow. BUT if he (or she?) lands it is an absolute beast.
I have played in two leagues on MTGO now testing out some new cards and the processor deck. I went 3-2 both times, withs several mistakes on my part. Such as forgetting to put a basic plains in my deck, which I could of sworn that I did. I am still in the process of tweaking my deck, but here is the current iteration is in my signature (CBW eldrazi processor deck). The sideboard is still a work in progress, I am trying to nail down the 60 before I start thinking about the sideboard.
I have been testing out some of the new cards:
collective brutality - This card is hands down awesome. Almost every modern deck has an instant or sorcery card that feels great to grab and the card can two-for-one our opponents if we discard a useless card in hand. I found that it wasn't very hard to ditch an extra land or lingering souls because the payoff is worth it.
eternal scourge - I am still unsure about this card. It is great against control, they have no way to get rid of it. It is much better than shambling vent in that matchup. I am happy with running matter reshaper, wasteland strangler, and eternal scourge in the main 60 since each card passes my first test (3 power) and is okay in every matchup but down right amazing in the right matchup. This is why I run a split of the three creatures.
blessed alliance - This card is better than rest for the weary in the sideboard. I played a match against burn and gaining 4 life was enough most of the time. With the addition of collective brutality and the fact that our creatures are larger than theirs, the burn matchup is just fine. This card also hits emrakul the aeons torn and slippery bogle, which is a huge plus.
As a side note, has anybody tried worship in their sideboard. It hoses aggro decks such as merfolk.
CBW midrange deck
CBW eldrazi processor deck
CBW bw eldrazi shadow midrange
3 Wasteland Strangler
3 Eternal Scourge
2 Blight Herder
2 Reality Smasher
4 Relic of Progenitus
4 Lingering Souls
4 Path to Exile
4 Inquisition of Kozilek
2 Thoughtseize
2 Dismember
4 Caves of Koilos
4 Marsh Flats
3 Ghost Quarter
3 Swamp
2 Plains
2 Godless Shrine
2 Shambling Vents
Current list. Should I cut anything MB for Collective Brutality or just make it a SB slot instead?
Collective brutality is a discard or kill spell; therefore, you could cut 2 inquisitions, 1/1 with inquisition and dismember, or 2 dismember.
CBW midrange deck
CBW eldrazi processor deck
CBW bw eldrazi shadow midrange
Oops forgot to mention I have 2 Sorin, Solemn Visitor in there as well.
After reading through the majority of this thread, I have to saw I really really like the look of this deck! I played a BW midrangey standard deck for a while, that TKS and Smasher, along with Gideons, Ayli and Sorin. I'm a huge fan of Eldrazi so this deck seems like something I'd really enjoy playing. Bonus points for being something that from what people in this thread have said, is also competitive with established t1 decks.
Is this a deck that you all would recommend to a new Modern player? I like that it does contain 4x Path and a split of Thoughtseize and IoK (Which I may just buy the full playset of each anyway) which I could run in other in-color decks in the future.
I have a sideboard question. If I need some artifact destruction, is it worth it to run the slower (sorcery) speed Revoke Existence to get things directly into exile, or is it better to run the instant speed Disenchant?
Thanks.
IMO the fact that Disenchant is an instant is way more important than having another tool to exile things for processing. The ability to disenchant an affinity robot post combat tricks, or to cast on a tidehollow sculler the same turn it steals your card in Eldrazi and Taxes. Those are just a couple examples off the top, but the ability to use it more flexibly around your lands (you may have the mana open on your opponents turn as he casts a Blood Moon or Wurmcoil Engine, but wouldn't have that two mana open the following turn as a sorcery). That far outweighs another exiling source. You just have to depend on Relics/etc. and blame the heart of the cards if you aren't able to process every time.
My obviously biased opinion is going to come off as trying to sell you on the deck, because I really like it if I'm here and posting in the first place. I just got into modern in January 2016, and hadn't played any MtG at all for over a decade since my early teens. I chose the modern format because I prefer to make a one time investment instead of continually spending on standard, but more-so I chose it because I like the idea of picking a deck/color(s)/w.e. and grinding with it, learning the ins-and-outs, and mastering it (as well as the modern format) over time. When you play for those reasons it's important to never get too focused on winning, short-term success or losses, but improving as a player of the game over time, investing your time in the game to be better than you were yesterday.
There is a steep learning curve to the powerful decks in modern, and to piloting a deck that is reactive and control, not aggro or linear. It's like you're playing a combo deck except rather than piecing the same combo you're solving the puzzle of how to win the game, and it's going to be differently every game you aren't T2 Thought-Knotting into T3 Reality Smashing. Jumping into modern with any deck you're going to get stomped many many times. When you don't know what you're up against it's hard to plan lines to win/not lose around it. But searching opposing decklists or primers, or reading through forums such as these, combined with practicing the deck will over time reward you with a flexible deck that has a chance against much of the modern meta. This deck is super fun to play and Deaddrift has shown with remarkable consistency that it's capable of going 3-1, 3-0-1, or 4-0 at large FNM/local tournaments.
As for the cards in B/W Processors being used in other modern decks, there are a few that you could transition to. The discard package is used in both Jund and B/W tokens, the Marsh Flats and Godless Shrines, and Lingering Souls, are used in B/W Tokens, and all the Eldrazi are/can be used in Bant Eldrazi and Eldrazi and taxes. With this deck you basically have a large portion of the mana-base for all of B/W Tokens and Eldrazi and Taxes. A big price difference in B/W Processors and all the aforementioned is the price of the decks. Jund is obviously the most expensive modern deck, so I won't explain that one too much. B/W tokens has the $30+ each Bitterblossoms, as well as both Fetid Heaths and Marsh Flats for lands which are each very expensive. Bant Eldrazi has Noble Heirarchs and some additional expensive lands (and sometimes even Tarmogoyfs), and Eldrazi and Taxes Runs Aether Vials. B/W Processors does not have any of these big cost items outside of the unnecessary Cavern of Souls and unnecessary Batterskull and sideboard tech. You can build a pretty budget but effective shell of processors, I made one for MTGO just this weekend and I'll mention it more later in this post.
I'm a huge fan of Smasher in the deck, a 5/5 for 5 with trample, haste, and removal protection that can be out as early as turn 3 is so huge and I'm going to suggest going back up to at least 3, and siding them out as needed. From that list if you're wanting to bring in two Coll. Brut., I'd do -2 Inquisition, -1 Dismember, +2 C.B., +1 Smasher.
I have just joined mtgo this weekend, playing processors and running 1 scourge in my list, and it has been underwhelming. Maybe because I'm only running one, but I'd say half the time it dies in combat and sits in the yard while the game is decided before his recur even comes into play. There are games where I draw him and play him early, and his recur comes into play just a turn or two later, but those are few and far between. Also, it is just a vanilla 3/3 for 3, and doesn't do much other than provide board presence. We have board presence with beefy eldrazi and Herder Processing and Lingering Souls, not sure Scourge is the direction to take the deck. I just realized this is more of a reply to herf's post, I got them mixed up with the quoting.
So as I said, I decided to invest into getting the processor deck on mtgo so I could both get more practice/playtime with the deck (I only average 1 event a week on paper most often, sometimes less). I also wanted to play on mtgo because it forces proper mechanics/usage of the stack.etc. I built processors for about $150, obviously missing big cards like 1 copy of Cavern of Souls and any wrath effects in the sideboard, but it is mostly the standard build we see around here otherwise. Here is the link. I have played in a couple friendly modern leagues so far, going 2-3 the first time and 3-2 the second. Ill try to do a report on the 3-2 league.
Before I get into the matches, I have to say the online meta is very Wasteland Strangler friendly, there is almost always something on the board to kill with the -3/-3 and I am so often wishing to topdeck either a strangler or an exile effect for some value. I have also found Scoruge to be underwhelming so far, and Sorin to be an all-star. On paper Sorin has been above decent, but online so far he has been crushing it, even his (-) has seen at least a couple uses. I have dropped the 1 scourge from that list for a second Sorin because of this, and look forward to trying that out in more leagues.
Match 1: vs. Elves - 1-2 [0-1]
SIDE IN: Ratchet x2, Flaying Tendrils x2, Timely x2 / SIDE OUT: Anguished x 1, Thoughtseize x2, Mind Stone x2, Smasher x1.
Should have included Surgicals here as I could have used more cards in exile since he is not filling the yard with fetches/spells, and the key legendary elves needing extracted and caused me trouble). I had never played against elves before, so any tips on these or any other side board decisions are very welcomed.
Game 1: I got T2 TKS into T3 smasher, into T3 Herder +process, he conceded.
Game 2: Kept a hand with 2x souls, 2x relic, and a shambling vent and Vault. I was afraid the 5 would be worse. Drew a TKS turn 1, and a temple to play it the next turn, however the opponent had 7 elves on the board turn 3 and on my turn 4 I drew the Flaying Tendrils I needed to live but did not have the double black to cast it and lost the next turn to a board full of 8/8 tramples from 17 life.
Game 3: Kept a hand with 2 relics, a sorin, and 3 lands, drew a souls early but he had 9 elves out on turn 3 thanks to a CoCo and I got ran over very quickly.
OP: His board presence, Flaying Tendrils (had I been able to cast it), Herder + Processing for our own presence
UP: Lack of exiling ability since they run mostly basic lands and mostly creatures with little noncreature spells.
Notes: Elves come out fast and wide, and if you aren't getting Strangler or Herder Processing off for board presence, you better have ratchet bombs and/or Flaying Tendrils to wipe them before they beef up and swing for the kill.
Match 2: vs. B/U/R Delver (not really sure) - 0-2 [0-2]
SIDE IN: surgical x2 / SIDE OUT: Anguished x 1, Eternal Scourge x1
Game 1: He got T1 delver into T2 flip, I tried to Path it early but he Mana Leaked the Path and then swing a few times in the air and cast two Lightning Bolts for a quick win.
Game 2: I inquisitioned his delver T1, he delved for a Tasigur on T3, and mana leaked my lingering souls shortly after. I extracted his mana leak asap and managed to steal one from his hand. We both build a bunch of ground board presence, meanwhile I'm just under 10 life, he gets out a Vendilion Clique and swings over the top a few turns for the win.
OP: Delver, delve mechanic, counterspells.
UP: Eldrazi being countered due to no Cavern of Souls.
Notes: Haven't seen much of this deck, but I think some lingering souls and knowing ahead of time I was up against delve would have helped last longer.
Match 3: vs. Jeskai Nahiri - 2-0 [1-2]
SIDE IN: Ratchet x2, Pithing x2, Anguished x1, Surgical x2 / SIDE OUT: strangler x2. path x2, not sure what else maybe mind stones and a Herder.
Game 1: I got there with scourge and souls tokens (went through 3 Lingering Souls cards in one game). On turn 5 I cast a smasher for him to insta-Path it.
Game 2: Turn 1 inquisition a Path into T2 thoughtseize a cryptic command. Game went super long with both players drawing lots of lands, I got lucky by topdecking a smasher the turn after he played a Nahiri, and had enough mana to double cast it through remand thanks to having 3 temples on the field. Beat down Nahiri with Smasher, scourge, and spirit tokens and immediately tried to extract Nahiri only for the extraction to get countered. Won the game a couple turns later.
OP: Lingering Souls was huge in both games, smasher puts on a very quick clock.
UP: Nahiri with no board presence to protect it, strangler with not much to target with -3/-3.
Notes: I've played against this several times on paper, and I think we have quite the favorable matchup unless the card draws are heavily in their favor.
Match 4: vs. R/W allies - 2-1 [2-2]
SIDE IN:Rest x2, Timely x2, ratchet x2, tendrils x2 / SIDE OUT: thoughtseize x2, anguished x1, mind stone x2, relic x1, smasher x2
Game 1: Kept a hand with 4 lands, a path, relic, and anguished. As it was game1 I felt this was safe against the field and I got overrun quickly thanks to no board presence. I drew two herders eventually but could process neither and he went wide very fast. One large mistake made by me was not realizing all 4 of my lands were colorless, leaving the path and inquisition I drew into useless.
Game 2: I dominated the board early to late through an early TKS, into casting two blight herders with processing one turn after the other, and finally a strangler to process and kill an ally.
Game 3: T2 cast rest for the weary, T3 he had zero creatures out and I played a ratchet bomb, T4 he played a creature and the following turn I played Sorin and (-) for a 2/2 flyer and a creature of my own. He bolts my 2/2 in response and the next turn I draw into a smasher and proceed to beatdown with that and sorin's (+) for the win. I had a flaying tendrils ready to cast since turn 3 but it was never needed.
OP: Eldrazi Processing for board presence.
UP: Game 1 without sideboard cards or enough board presence to trade favorably.
Notes: Seems to be a pretty decent matchup post sideboard.
Match 5: vs. Naya burn? - 2-0 [3-2]
SIDE IN:Rest x2, Timely x2, ratchet x2, tendrils x2 / SIDE OUT: thoughtseize x2, anguished x1, mind stone x2, relic x1, smasher x2
Game 1: I process a rift bolt to -3/-3 a swiftspear on T3,play a Sorin and (+) on an empty board, then next turn play a smasher for lifelink from sorin and to begin the beatdown. I was at one life before I got the heal from that turn back up to 7. He conceded after that heal.
Game 2: He opens strong with a T1 Wild Nacatl T2 goblin guide, I t2 rest for the weary, followed by him casting Eidolon of the Great Revel. On my T3 I cast flaying tendrils, taking two from Eidolon but killing his eidolon and guide, leaving the nacatl behind. Next turn I get a herder out with processing, he boros charms me down to 4, I inquisition, he responds by atarka's commanding me down to 1. By turn 4 through a rest heal he had me down to 1, just insane. I swing with smasher + scions to get him down to 10, leaving herder back to block. His draw card didn't get him there and I played another smasher and swung out. What a last game to seal the last match and get my first 3-2 online!
OP: Strangler processing rift bolt to -3/-3 a Monastery Swiftspear on T3. Rest for the Weary literally saves a game.
UP: Wish I could start with 30 life against burn so I wouldn't always think I'm almost dead.
Notes: Find a way to heal or you lose. G1 it may be sorin, or it may be getting lucky with T2 or T3 eldrazi ramping for smashing them down, but post sideboard you'd better buffer your life total asap. Watch out for them to respond to heal spells like Rest or Timely with an instant that prevents you from healing, this negating your heal. Always be paying attention to their open mana and cards in hand and try to guarantee that heal.
Holy hell this thing took a couple hours to type. And that was with the ease of being able to sit there and re-watch all my games at lightning speed on the mtgo client, props to you deaddrift for doing your writeups from paper matches. I will try to keep putting out reports like this from my mtgo leagues, just keep in mind that this is a budget version and not my ideal card setup at all for the 75. And once again please give any advice or criticisms on my sideboarding/plays/etc.
WG G/W Tron GW
BG G/B Tron GB
GG Mono G Tron GG
RG G/R Tron GR
Hey man, thanks for the response and the tournament writeup! I was actually thinking that if I did choose to jump in with this deck, I'd be doing it slightly on a budget that actually looked almost identical to your MTGO list (Tendrils for Damnation, Westvale/SGW for Cavern) so awesome to hear you managed to perform well with it! I'm planning to load this up into Cockatrice or XMage sometime today to get some testing in with it to see if it has a feel that I like to a deck. Regarding the extra Sorin for the list, do you feel that he's better than the 1x Matter Reshaper (that I'm assuming you replaced for the 1x Scourge)? Also, in your list you played on MTGO, do you think there is room for 2x Collective Brutality and if so where would you put them?
Thanks again!
List:
03 Blight Herder
04 Thought-knot Seer
04 Wasteland Strangler
02 Reality Smasher
Instant(5)
01 Anguished Unmaking
04 Path to Exile
Artifacts(7)
01 Expedition Map
04 Relic of Progenitus
02 Mind Stone
Planeswalker(2)
01 Sorin, Solemn Visitor
01 Ob Nixilis Reignited
Sorcery(8)
04 Lingering Souls
02 Collective Brutality
02 Thoughtseize
01 Bojuka Bog
01 Cavern of Souls
04 Caves of Koilos
04 Eldrazi Temple
04 Ghost Quarter
02 Godless Shrine
02 Marsh Flats
01 Plains
01 Sea Gate Wreckage
02 Shambling Vent
01 Swamp
01 Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
01 Vault of the Archangel
01 Pithing Needle
01 Grafdigger's Cage
01 Rest in Peace
01 Damnation
02 Disenchant
02 Memoricide
02 Ratchet Bomb
01 Flaying Tendrils
02 Blessed Alliance
02 Celestial Purge
Don't remember much details about the matchs, I don't write notes during the game, I even don't write my life total and let my op do the job, but anyways...
M1 agains Naya Bushwhacker(1-0, 2-1):
G1: lost very quick, around T4 or T5. when I made my first Souls he already had Ape, Nacatl and Guide on table. Double blocked his Guide with both tokens and he Ghor-rampaged him. Tried to CB Guide with -2/-2 and lifeswap but he answered with Atarka Command (which he had 3 on hand) and GG.
+SI: 2 Blessed Alliance, 1 Damnation, 2 Celestial Purge, maybe Ratchet Bomb
-SO: 2 Thoughtseize, 1 Ob Nixilis, maybe I sidedout Relics and AU too
G2: Don't remember much, but at 3 life I established my board and with Sorin or Vault I could turn the game.
G3: He opened with Guide, T2 Emissary> Bushwacker. I was at 9 life and had in hand 1 Souls and 1 Damnation. T3 chumplocked 2 creatures, he played a Nacatl and another creature and had no cards in hand. I Damnated him on T4, and he kept drawin lands while I played some Eldrazis and gained life with Sorin.
Considerations: Timely Reinforcement is better than Blessed Alliance, but I will keep trying with Blessed, just because there was at least 2 guys playing Boggles and Blessed is better against it.
M2 against Merfolk(2-0, 4-2):
G1: kept a slow hand with almost no removals, got trampled.
+SI: 2 Ratchet Bomb, 1 Pithing Needle, 1 Flaying tendrils, 1 Damnation, 2 Disenchant, 2 Blessed Alliance
-SO: 2 Thoughtseize, 4 Relics, 1 AU, 1 Ob Nixilis, 1 something
G2 and G3 almost same as against Naya. Many times I had to GQ my flooded lands to stop his islandwalk ability and that was enough to stop him.
M3 against Nahiri UWR(2-1, 5-4):
G1 won, G2 and G3 lost. G2 was beaten by a Snapcaster army while being hit by like 6 Lightning Helix. On G3 I sided wrong, uping 2 Blessed Aliance, cause I remember someone saying up in here that "it may be good against Emrakul", but it does nothing against Emrakul, cause normally Emmy doesn't attack alone (mostly together with a Snap or a Colonnade) and what hurts more than 15 dmg is annihilator, which BA doesn't stop.
Considerations: What some specs told me after the game is that I should've sided out some Relics against him. I disagreed in a first moment, but reconsidering again there were times when he had nothing on grave and I was saccing 2 Relics to draw nothing...
M4 agains Some kind of Esper Control(3-1, 7-5):
The guy had his own list, with Finks MD and Resto Angel, Ravnics's Jace and Spreading Seas.
G1: lost, don't remember much but he screwd a little on lands and I tried to GQ a nonbasic believing he didn't had another basic. He fetched his land and followed by 3 Colonnade.
Well, didn't know what he was playing.
+SI: 1 Pithing Needle
-SO: 1 Ob Nixilis maybe
G2: Could stomp him with TKs and Smashers.
G3: don't remember much but I believe I had some discards, TKs and Cavern of Souls, which was enough.
M5 against Living End(4-1, 9-5):
Well...
By the end of G1 the opponent wasn't very happy by facing MD Relics, and he was like throwing his cards to graveyard.
In G2 I answered one LE by saccing Relic. He had another in hand and suspended, which I processed with Herder. When he tried to play the last one, he didn't find it on cascade cause while he was throwing cards on graveyard during G1, it slipped down the table.
Happens.
M6 against RG Valakut(5-1, 11-5):
G1: I Seized him on T1 and he had Sakura, Courser, Bold, Explore and lands. Discarded Sakura. Followed by he playing Courser on T3 and playing with topdeck revealed, which I could control with GQ and Paths. Stomped him with Souls + Sorin.
+SI: 2 Memoricide
-SO: 1 Ob Nixilis, 1 Relic maybe
G2: Opened a hand with Seize, Memo and 5 lands. Drew a Seer I played on T3 and T4 Memoricide for Scapeshift. Again I could handle his top with his Courser and Played 2 processed Herders. GG
Considerations: I'm still not sure over Memo or Surgical. Memoricide is slow, but hits what you need. Surgical needs many requirements to work, but it's instant speed makes a difference. I didn't sided in Memoricide against Nahiri for it's cost, while Surgical could have been better.
Top 8 lost to same Nahiri on G1 by 1-2.
Finals was this Nahiri agains Bant Eldrazi. Bant Eldrazi won.
Last consideration:
I firmly believe that the secret of success for this deck lies in the flex spot. This time I tried Ob Nixilis, for it's a 2 for 1 (kill and draw) and actually cast him only once agains Nahiri while the game was already won.
While he isn't that much, what to put on his place? 3rd Smasher? 4th Herder? Eternal Scourge? Batterskull? Endbringer? Expedition Map?
Another thing that bothered me was Sea Gate. I almost never activated it, and I'm considering change it for that new land that everybody draws and discard. Or for another Cavern of Souls, the card that made Bant Eldrazi win the Top8.
GXTronGX
RWxBurnRWx
I started with it as a MD 4-of in my list and have since cut 3 and moved 1 copy to the SB for grindy matchups. The card is very slow and doesn't have much use until you run out of other things to do. It is powerful, but definitely a late game player. You don't want to see more than 1 per game imo unless you are focusing on it as a core part of your strategy.
Modern: RGB Dredge // RBG Goblins // B The Gate // UBR Tezz AoB Control // RBG Prison Pox
EDH: RBU Thraximundar // R Norin the Wary // RWB Kaalia of the Vast // BUR Grixis Combos // BU Gisa and Geralf Tribal
Tiny Leaders: BUW Sydri, Galvanic Genius // R Feldon of the Third Path
Projects:
Gisa and Geralf Extreme-Tribal EDH
Esper Eldrazi Processor Control
Brewing with Kuldotha Forgemaster
Primer: "The Gate" - Mono Black in Modern
Modern Prison Pox - building a better plague