Figure would fill Clique's/Resto's spot as a better lategame beater. While Figure has no real utility, it does beatdown very effectively and, like resto, needs a hard removal spell to kill it lategame.
It was unfortunate he didn't get to elaborate much on the deck. Other than he picked it up because it won those 2 PTQs. But he did also say he didn't expect many mirror matches for it.
It's interesting he kept the mindcensors in. The only main deck change he made looks like switching a mana leak to a remand. And for the sideboard he hedged against RG Tron and put in 2 threads over 2 sowing salts. And he has 1 spellskite over a 2nd tempest of light. Seemed like the correct choice for that tournament.
Now it looks like you may want some cards for the mirror since this deck will become even more popular.
I love the Geist deck, but I tried it a few days ago when it won some PTQ and honestly... how do you beat the Auras deck?
I know it's probably going to dissappear now that people are finally packing Tempest of Light and Back to Nature hate, but this deck can't race it G1, nor remove any of its threats, nor disrupt it's plan except countering some key enchantments...
I love the Geist deck, but I tried it a few days ago when it won some PTQ and honestly... how do you beat the Auras deck?
I know it's probably going to dissappear now that people are finally packing Tempest of Light and Back to Nature hate, but this deck can't race it G1, nor remove any of its threats, nor disrupt it's plan except countering some key enchantments...
I don't think you can win game 1, you're forced to draw sideboard cards in games 2/3 and hope they mulligan.
Woo! Glad to see this deck with the GP! It's a good deck and hope to see it more in the future.
I stream most days in the week and last week I streamed a modern daily with the deck, taking out avens and putting in Resto Angels. They were fine and only noticed marginal advantages. I think one thing I do want to try is taking out those angels and a clique and putting in 3 lingering souls. Obv adding a blood crypt somewhere. Could make the jund matchup that more solid and even better against the mirror.
I think the electrolyzes are what make this deck work actually. They are so, so good in this meta, taking guys for value, drawing cards, or even just plain old burn to the face <3
How important is the Thundermaw? I've been playing this deck without it and it's still so, so good, I win left and right, but I'd be willing to pay that ridiculous "Standard-legal price" (god I hate those) for a Thundermaw if it really gives the deck even more of a late game punch.
IMO thunder maw is worth it the late game haste amazing
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--Laboratory notes, final entry
A lot of control decks pack 3-4 Lingering Souls just to chump aggro/tempo forever. Thundermaw gives a tiny wrath/tap on their relevant blockers and then Thunderous Wraths. Its even more relevant since Geist's angel, Mindcensor/Resto, and Clique also all fly. Thundermaw gets them in too.
Glaring Spotlight I think is not good enough for Modern, and even so if they play it it's card disadvantage against our deck which only plays 4 hexproof creatures, AND they still have to kill the geist which still hits like a truck, AND they have to get past all our counters. Scary for the Auras deck for sure, not for Geist of Saint Win at all.
Boros Charm is very good but more for a Delver-like deck, I prefer being able to kill creatures, the double strike is irrelevant except with Thundermaw, and indestructibility is awesome but usually the path is clear for Mr Traft.
Aurelia's Fury on the other hand could be AMAZING, we commonly get to 6+ mana and this can be used to Silence a Scapeshift/Storm/Twin player the crucial turn, kill 4 mana dorks or some Dark Confidants and Deathrite Shamans, or even tap out some big ass creatures so that our Geist can swing for the WIN!
Edit: also, what about Aurelia herself instead of Thundermaw? Technically it hits for 6 instead of 5 while costing 1 more mana (flying blockers non withstanding), but it has the potential to deal a whooping 18 DAMAGE in ONE TURN with a Geist out :000
Re Thundermaw Hellkite - The card is a fantastic finisher in the deck. Once you get in the late game, Colonnade usually gets there but so does a top-decked Hellkite. It also helps as it kills lingering souls. It's a one of because you don't want to have two in your opening hand but it's an out to a lot of stuff.
Glaring spotlight - This isn't actually a card. No one will ever play this card, even if Bogles was the best deck in the format and is 60% of the field. That card is that bad.
Boros Charm - I've said this on my stream and I can reiterate it here. The card is nowhere need an auto include in the deck. The charm actually only has two modes, as you will never ever ever use double strike mode. Further 4 damage to dome is nice but bolt does that for one less mana and one less damage. The other ability is protecting your geist, which is the better of the abilities, however almost every other card in your deck will also do that by removing blockers. Therefore the card doesn't add anything to the deck and lacks the versatility that the deck needs, and probably doesn't belong in the flash version of the deck. Might work in delver version, but I did that version to currently be inferior.
Aurila's Fury - Electrolyze is probably just better.
How important is the Thundermaw? I've been playing this deck without it and it's still so, so good, I win left and right, but I'd be willing to pay that ridiculous "Standard-legal price" (god I hate those) for a Thundermaw if it really gives the deck even more of a late game punch.
Don't want it to clog my hand though
Thundermaw is very good and fits this deck well, but if you must make a substitution, Baneslayer Angel is an option.
If your opposed to Baneslayer Angel, you could try Wurmcoil Engine. Hell either might work in replacement of Thundermaw Hellkite, that is if you dont own one or cant be bothered paying the current $32-$41 standard price.
For those apposed to watching the video found here. Larry Swasey goes over the sideboard options for his ptq win, which I found quite helpful (Ive listed them).
Well it's kind of a tempo deck but it still has so few threats. You cake on the burn roll vs combo decks as the beauty of the bolts is they let you change rolls and are never dead. Any deck with this much removal and permissions is still control in my book.
Well it's kind of a tempo deck but it still has so few threats. You cake on the burn roll vs combo decks as the beauty of the bolts is they let you change rolls and are never dead. Any deck with this much removal and permissions is still control in my book.
So does Tempo Delver. In fact, the now defunct RUG Delver only had 14 creatures, even less than this one (and 11 counterspells). I've played a lot with Geist of Saint Win these days and honestly it plays like a tempo deck in which you counter and burn the opponent (or Geistsmash him out) but with the great advantage in that it has a good lategame because of the Colonnades. It's not really control though
I'd say that its about halfway between tempo and control, and I can play either role depending on the match-up.
I'm considering building this for FMN and how would you play side against RDW since its the most common deck at my LGS. Is there really anything relevant for this deck other than bringing in one or more spellskites?
I'm thinking the swords aren't great here. You do so much, and pay so much mana to get one out, and you've lost tempo, board presence and cards.
The only time I can see one doing work is when you are up on cards and you can safely drop one. If you can do this, you'll probably win the game, but getting to that point could be more trouble than a sword is worth.
Unless Stoneforge Mystic gets unbanned in which caseSWORDSYESOHMYGOD.
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Set a man on fire, he'll be warm for the rest of his life.
There has never been a land that enters the battlefield untapped unconditionally and taps for two colors unconditionally. That would be strictly better than a basic land
Why isn't Cryptic Command played? The deck seems able to accommodate 2 Cryptic Commands if instead of splitting the early game counterspells, it adopts a playset of Mana Leak or Remand. Is it a mana issue or a curve issue, or something else?
An alternative would be playing Restoration Angels with 1-2 Venser, Shaper Savant. Venser has fallen off the radar for the later half of last year. Is it really that bad right now? He seems to be one of the few ways to counter Abrupt Decay and Supreme Verdict, and generally a catch-all answer for permanents that got past the counterspell wall.
When Gatecrash becomes legal, I'd probably try 1 Aurelia's Fury in place of the 3rd Electrolyze as well.
Why isn't Cryptic Command played? The deck seems able to accommodate 2 Cryptic Commands if instead of splitting the early game counterspells, it adopts a playset of Mana Leak or Remand. Is it a mana issue or a curve issue, or something else?
An alternative would be playing Restoration Angels with 1-2 Venser, Shaper Savant. Venser has fallen off the radar for the later half of last year. Is it really that bad right now? He seems to be one of the few ways to counter Abrupt Decay and Supreme Verdict, and generally a catch-all answer for permanents that got past the counterspell wall.
When Gatecrash becomes legal, I'd probably try 1 Aurelia's Fury in place of the 3rd Electrolyze as well.
This deck is very proactive when compared with the straight UW version. Cryptic Command lends itself more to a reactive gameplan.
It's a good card, but this deck doesnt need it basically.
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Build a man a fire, he'll be warm for the night.
Set a man on fire, he'll be warm for the rest of his life.
There has never been a land that enters the battlefield untapped unconditionally and taps for two colors unconditionally. That would be strictly better than a basic land
I only suggest the Sword of War and Peace because Larry Swasey himself (creator of the deck) suggested "If the mirror starts to become a thing, I'm pretty sure I want to have at least one Sword of War and Peace". Now why would he think that it would work in the mirror? Pro red and Pro white neuters lightning bolt, lightning helix and path to exile. Sure you might loose a little tempo, but tempo means nothing if you cant keep something on the field. And Im not saying its better than the other options, it was suggested to help a player with a meta full of RDW (Kor Firewalker is pretty much your best bet).
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4 Celestial Colonnade
1 Eiganjo Castle
2 Hallowed Fountain
2 Island
1 Mountain
1 Plains
1 Sacred Foundry
4 Scalding Tarn
2 Steam Vents
1 Sulfur Falls
2 Tectonic Edge
4 Geist of Saint Traft
4 Snapcaster Mage
1 Thundermaw Hellkite
3 Vendilion Clique
3 Electrolyze
2 Izzet Charm
4 Lightning Bolt
4 Lightning Helix
2 Mana Leak
3 Path to Exile
3 Remand
1 Baneslayer Angel
1 Batterskull
2 Counterflux
1 Disenchant
2 Engineered Explosives
2 Pyroclasm
2 Rule of Law
1 Spellskite
1 Tempest of Light
2 Threads of Disloyalty
Id that!
Trade with me, h:Alters and EdhFoils:)
Cards I have altered
It's interesting he kept the mindcensors in. The only main deck change he made looks like switching a mana leak to a remand. And for the sideboard he hedged against RG Tron and put in 2 threads over 2 sowing salts. And he has 1 spellskite over a 2nd tempest of light. Seemed like the correct choice for that tournament.
Now it looks like you may want some cards for the mirror since this deck will become even more popular.
I know it's probably going to dissappear now that people are finally packing Tempest of Light and Back to Nature hate, but this deck can't race it G1, nor remove any of its threats, nor disrupt it's plan except countering some key enchantments...
How do you get an edge in the mirror?
I don't think you can win game 1, you're forced to draw sideboard cards in games 2/3 and hope they mulligan.
I stream most days in the week and last week I streamed a modern daily with the deck, taking out avens and putting in Resto Angels. They were fine and only noticed marginal advantages. I think one thing I do want to try is taking out those angels and a clique and putting in 3 lingering souls. Obv adding a blood crypt somewhere. Could make the jund matchup that more solid and even better against the mirror.
Don't want it to clog my hand though
--Laboratory notes, final entry
It's probably worth it.
Splintertwin (?)
Are there any potential additions to the deck from gatecrash? Boros Charm, Aurila's Fury?
Boros Charm is very good but more for a Delver-like deck, I prefer being able to kill creatures, the double strike is irrelevant except with Thundermaw, and indestructibility is awesome but usually the path is clear for Mr Traft.
Aurelia's Fury on the other hand could be AMAZING, we commonly get to 6+ mana and this can be used to Silence a Scapeshift/Storm/Twin player the crucial turn, kill 4 mana dorks or some Dark Confidants and Deathrite Shamans, or even tap out some big ass creatures so that our Geist can swing for the WIN!
Edit: also, what about Aurelia herself instead of Thundermaw? Technically it hits for 6 instead of 5 while costing 1 more mana (flying blockers non withstanding), but it has the potential to deal a whooping 18 DAMAGE in ONE TURN with a Geist out :000
Glaring spotlight - This isn't actually a card. No one will ever play this card, even if Bogles was the best deck in the format and is 60% of the field. That card is that bad.
Boros Charm - I've said this on my stream and I can reiterate it here. The card is nowhere need an auto include in the deck. The charm actually only has two modes, as you will never ever ever use double strike mode. Further 4 damage to dome is nice but bolt does that for one less mana and one less damage. The other ability is protecting your geist, which is the better of the abilities, however almost every other card in your deck will also do that by removing blockers. Therefore the card doesn't add anything to the deck and lacks the versatility that the deck needs, and probably doesn't belong in the flash version of the deck. Might work in delver version, but I did that version to currently be inferior.
Aurila's Fury - Electrolyze is probably just better.
Thundermaw is very good and fits this deck well, but if you must make a substitution, Baneslayer Angel is an option.
Suggesting the addition of Sword of War and Peace over the initial Sword of Fire and Ice. As well as some additional sideboard changes, notably the removal of Sowing Salt for Relic of Progenitus for graveyard hate and additional anti-goyf game plans (since goyf is the hardest obstacle for the deck to overcome. Also the addition of Eiganjo Castle to protect Geist of Saint Traft or Vendilion Clique seems sweet.
In his replay he also suggests that Tempest of Lightcould be replaced by a third Engineered Explosive and the first Supreme Verdict.
If your opposed to Baneslayer Angel, you could try Wurmcoil Engine. Hell either might work in replacement of Thundermaw Hellkite, that is if you dont own one or cant be bothered paying the current $32-$41 standard price.
For those apposed to watching the video found here. Larry Swasey goes over the sideboard options for his ptq win, which I found quite helpful (Ive listed them).
Sideboarding by Deck.
- 2 Aven Mindcensor
- 1 Vendilion Clique
- 1 Geist of Saint Traft
+ 2 Pyroclasm
+ 2 Engineered Explosives
+ 1 Disenchant
- 3 Remand
+ 1 Batterskull
+ 1 Baneslayer Angel
+ 1 Counterflux
+ 2 Engineered Explosives
- 1 Vendilion Clique
- 3 Remand
+ 2 Pyroclasm
+ 2 Engineered Explosives
+ 1 Batterskull
+ 1 Baneslayer Angel
Vs UW Control
- 3 Remand
+ 1 Engineered Explosives
+ 2 Counterflux
+ 1 Batterskull
+ 1 Disenchant
+2 Tempest of Light
+1 Disenchant
- 2 Remand
+ 2 Pyroclasm
+ 1 Disenchant
- 1 Thundermaw Hellkite
+ 2 Counterflux
+ 1 Disenchant
- 2 ...
+ 2 Counterflux
+ 2 Rule of Law
So does Tempo Delver. In fact, the now defunct RUG Delver only had 14 creatures, even less than this one (and 11 counterspells). I've played a lot with Geist of Saint Win these days and honestly it plays like a tempo deck in which you counter and burn the opponent (or Geistsmash him out) but with the great advantage in that it has a good lategame because of the Colonnades. It's not really control though
I'm considering building this for FMN and how would you play side against RDW since its the most common deck at my LGS. Is there really anything relevant for this deck other than bringing in one or more spellskites?
UWRasputin DreamweaverUW
UWBSen TripletsUWB
The only time I can see one doing work is when you are up on cards and you can safely drop one. If you can do this, you'll probably win the game, but getting to that point could be more trouble than a sword is worth.
Unless Stoneforge Mystic gets unbanned in which caseSWORDSYESOHMYGOD.
Set a man on fire, he'll be warm for the rest of his life.
An alternative would be playing Restoration Angels with 1-2 Venser, Shaper Savant. Venser has fallen off the radar for the later half of last year. Is it really that bad right now? He seems to be one of the few ways to counter Abrupt Decay and Supreme Verdict, and generally a catch-all answer for permanents that got past the counterspell wall.
When Gatecrash becomes legal, I'd probably try 1 Aurelia's Fury in place of the 3rd Electrolyze as well.
This deck is very proactive when compared with the straight UW version. Cryptic Command lends itself more to a reactive gameplan.
It's a good card, but this deck doesnt need it basically.
Set a man on fire, he'll be warm for the rest of his life.