Some of the choices are meta-calls like Mindcensor to combat Scapeshift and Pod. Replacing Izzet Charm with Boros Charm seems obvious to me; giving Geist's angel double-strike to get in for 8 or protecting your team? Sounds good to me. With Jund's temporary loss of popularity I think going down to 2 Lightning Helix is fine and going up to 4 Electrolyze and 4 Path to Exile. I'm trying to test out the 4th Remand vs Thundermaw or Resto Angel since I expect to see more blue. Considering testing out Spell Snare in place of Mana Leak as well but I'm not sure if that is a good idea...
While these are minor changes, they have been doing amazing for me. Let me know what you guys think.
On Boros Charm:
LargeBrandon - "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".
So though Boros Charm might work out for these manoeuvres in your local FMN, it does not reflect the significance the card lacks in the overall meta. Removing Lightning Helix?! REALLY? WHY! Path removes a creature, sure but at a cost. It ramps your opponent. Lightning Helix at worst case is a six point life swing (opponents down three, your up three)... It is just as effective as lightning bolt (it kills A LOT in the modern format) and has more reach than path to exile in my opinion. On an empty board path just sits in your hand while at least Bolt and Helix are win more! Im not going to defend Izzet Charm, its one of the weaker cards in the deck, but it provides more than Boros Charm does. Oh and Jund wont see a huge decline in play, its still a strong deck; the lack of BBE will not diminish its popularity it has many options to fall back on. I suppose if your seeing larger creatures then Path to Exile is a good choice, but removing 4 sources of removal (2 Helix and 2 Izzet Charms) for 2 (1 Path and 1 Electrolyze) seems odd. This doesn't explain the Elecryolyze however, which says your seeing a lot of smaller creatures.....
Im partial to Thundermaw Hellkite, it has won me a lot of games if it sticks to the board... its just hard to remove from play, plus it helps vs lingering souls or other flying token generators (these impede tempo, and with an added bolt you can kill resto angel...), if your not going to play it, I suggest you replace it with Baneslayer Angel or at least a pair of Restoration Angels. Your going to need something in the mirror that just doesn't get blown out by Bolt, Helix or Electrolyze. Your decks worst matchup is facing itself. Electrolyze can three for one pretty much your entire creature base.
Spell Snare is just more narrow than Mana Leak even though Spell Snare remains a hard counter vs 2cc spells in the late game... Mana Leak does provide you with a strategy though, it says to your opponents I have them you know it and it might be in my hand, so you might not want to tap out, and yes im fine with you playing 2cc things on turn five. However, Spell Snare should be your go to if you think more blue is going to be played in your meta. It effectively kills mana leak and remand and snapcaster allowing you to stick what you want when you need too without playing around the opponents counters.
Again, they might be doing well for you in your current meta, but i think your removing some of the reach the deck has. You have to remember these are tournament based decks and are poised to deal with a wider variety of decks than what you might encounter at FNM.
I'm currently testing it as a 2-of instead of izzet charm, it is great against so many decks, shutting down any non-creatures for a turn is amazing vs control decks and Jund. Plus, lategame it can be a wincon on its own.
I would suggest keeping the Izzet Charm's in. I have been playing a very similar UW deck for a long time now, and occasionaly splashed for Electrolyze and Artifact hate. The deck was heavy on early game counters to slow you down. Izzet Charm is perfect for the situation, and even a burn if needed. It gives a great balance of options for early game in this deck that I actually have thought about adding a third. Also having the option of Faithless Looting is excellent when you are looking for your sideboard hate. 'Hold on, let me dig for my 2 Rule of Law since I'm up against Storm!'
Aurelia's Fury is at its worst, a turn 3 or 4 spell. If anything I would suggest taking out a Resto or Thundermaw. I personally dont like the feel of Thundermaw in the deck. Hes a great finisher, no doubt, but I hate seeing him early game. He lacks flash like the rest of the deck, and subject to counter and Path. I prefer Resto. She works well with the other creatures in the deck, has flash, and is a decient beater as well. But we all have are taste and flavor.
How do you guys like the RG Tron matchup for this deck? I'm really keen to play this, but recently discovered my local meta is infested with Tron so i thought I should tailor my deck choice to suit.
Aven Mindcensor helps slow them down, no more searching for Urza Lands consistently. Vendilion Clique to disrupt their plans helps too. Tectonic Edge to impede them more and Path to Exile for their win conditions. Your main problem is just making sure they dont stick a turn three Karn Liberated, which is where Remand and Mana Leak come in handy. Plus you can always pack addition sideboard hate vs tron, but typically your looking at Disenchant, Sowing Salt and Counterflux.
Anyone have tips for the Affinity matchup? I can't seem to beat it. I tried to follow krazykirby4's sideboarding plan for that matchup and that isn't working out very well. The main issue I have is that he advises to leave in Geist (cutting only one), which seems to be a big mistake. He just rots in my hand almost all game. Anyone have boarding ideas for that match? For reference, I'm using a list very similar to his but +1 Electrolyze and - 1 Sword in the main and + 1 Spellskite and - 1 Tempest of Light in the side.
Anyone have tips for the Affinity matchup? I can't seem to beat it. I tried to follow krazykirby4's sideboarding plan for that matchup and that isn't working out very well. The main issue I have is that he advises to leave in Geist (cutting only one), which seems to be a big mistake. He just rots in my hand almost all game. Anyone have boarding ideas for that match? For reference, I'm using a list very similar to his but +1 Electrolyze and - 1 Sword in the main and + 1 Spellskite and - 1 Tempest of Light in the side.
Well, that's a pretty good SB plan. Geist is supposed to come down late game and end the game in 2-3 swings. You just play like a complete control deck and use Geist for the win. I play 1 Hurkyl's Recall in the SB for affinity, just to make myself stronger against it.
I don't think he's good a brewing decks or tuning them, but his results speak otherwise. Though i'd wager that he won because Geist is a good card no matter what you put around it.
He cuts thundermaw hellkite and aven mindcensor then loses to gifts in the top 8. Thundermaw and aven mindcensor are pretty good against lingering souls and gifts ungiven. I don't like the land changes either especially slayers' stronghold.
He then makes the suggestion to add desperate ravings in future builds. It seems sweet with moorland haunt and snapcaster. Though I think the problem with ravings and cards like thought scour is that they turn on opposing goyfs and deathrite shamans. So milling yourself for marginal value might not be that good.
Yeah, I didn't like Hetrick's list at all. I haven't tested it, but cutting the Helixs and Leaks for cards like Desperate Ravings just feels really bad.
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Top 8 of SCG Invitational, Las Vegas, NV, Dec 13-15, 2013
Top 8 of SCG Invitational, Somerset, NJ, Aug 28-30, 2015
Winner of SCG Worcester Team Sealed Open with Gerard Fabiano and Curtis Sheu, September 28, 2013
Yeah, I didn't like Hetrick's list at all. I haven't tested it, but cutting the Helixs and Leaks for cards like Desperate Ravings just feels really bad.
My thoughts exactly. The deck already has an advantage engine in Snapcaster. Electrolyze generally works for advantage. Restoration Angels and Vendilion Cliques work for value. I think this is an issue of "if it ain't broke". The initial decklist handled the field well, packed a lot of power, and gave a polished, well thought out initial impression. As much as I encourage brewing, I don't think there's much room to do so, here, without diluting the decklist.
Again, saving Path is key, as Tarmogoyf blanks much of your damage-based removal. The best card in the Jund deck against us is Lilliana of the Veil. An early Lily (unless it’s killing a Geist) will eat a card in your hand, and then require two burn spells or one plus an attack to remove. If Lily is not removed, you will be very dead.
This contradicts what Larry and Brandon have said in their commentary on the deck. They actually die more often to tarmogoyf than liliana. Liliana's best feature is she can kill Geist. Otherwise just +1ing her at the start doesn't do much as jund will be losing cards as well, the +1 is not a free roll for jund in the early turns. This deck has numerous ways to kill liliana without 2 for 1ing itself with colonnade, electrolyze and snapcaster. And even if they edict away your geist, electrolyze brings you back to card parity though you lost your best card.
He makes some changes to the deck, he added 2 restoration angels over a remand and a clique main (i'm assuming this, as his article/decklist is poorly written). He also liked batterskull and is thinking about cutting a dragon for it.
Round 3 – The Mirror
The following things happened at some point:
• I was burned out from 15 life. Manage your fetches and shocks!
• Restoration Angel arrived many times to attack and block. She was awesome at both.
• Batterskull was unbeatable.
<snip>
That said, I liked the UWR deck a lot and would definitely play it again. Aside from the changes I mentioned above, I’m on the verge of cutting the 1 Thundermaw Hellkite (Batterskull might be better), and the two maindeck Aven Mindcensors. I think this deck wants to play a 4th Electrolyze and could probably find other ways to beat Pod and Scapeshift.
It would be nice for him to give solutions to beat pod and scapeshift instead of assuming they are out there.
This contradicts what Larry and Brandon have said in their commentary on the deck. They actually die more often to tarmogoyf than liliana. Liliana's best feature is she can kill Geist. Otherwise just +1ing her at the start doesn't do much as jund will be losing cards as well, the +1 is not a free roll for jund in the early turns. This deck has numerous ways to kill liliana without 2 for 1ing itself with colonnade, electrolyze and snapcaster. And even if they edict away your geist, electrolyze brings you back to card parity though you lost your best card.
He makes some changes to the deck, he added 2 restoration angels over a remand and a clique main (i'm assuming this, as his article/decklist is poorly written). He also liked batterskull and is thinking about cutting a dragon for it.
It would be nice for him to give solutions to beat pod and scapeshift instead of assuming they are out there.
I'm sure Pithing needle will catch on soon enough. I like he provided a list. Would love to know what he boarded in and out against Splinter Twin, Pod, and Affinity.
Anyone know why Michael Hetrick hates Lightning Helix in this deck, while all the other lists run it as a 4-of? What do you guys think of the card?
Helix is great against fast aggro decks and decks you want to keep your life total high against, but is just a Searing Spear against slower or control decks. Overall, with the current meta, I think Helix should be a 3-4 of in every WUR deck.
I'm sure Pithing needle will catch on soon enough.
The clique + needle interaction is pretty good. And I guess paying 1 mana for an answer to a resolved permanent is a fair price since it allows you to not tap out during your turn.
Referencing my earlier post (in the spoiler below) During a stream after winning krazykirby4 gave details as to how he boarded in the matches. I figured that it might help out some people
Anyone have tips for the Affinity matchup? I can't seem to beat it. I tried to follow krazykirby4's sideboarding plan for that matchup and that isn't working out very well. The main issue I have is that he advises to leave in Geist (cutting only one), which seems to be a big mistake. He just rots in my hand almost all game. Anyone have boarding ideas for that match? For reference, I'm using a list very similar to his but +1 Electrolyze and - 1 Sword in the main and + 1 Spellskite and - 1 Tempest of Light in the side.
So yeah, my questions;
1. Mainboard slots. Should I just run with what the consensus seems to be (2 more Lightning Helix), or could I consider running 2x Restoration Angel to fight the mirror? I'm leaning towards Helix but i'm not sure.
2. Sideboarding. Scrabbling Claws seems weak but could be decent as graveyard hate. Sword of War and Peace is also a free spot really, as I thought it might work against the mirror but I think Batterskull will be more than sufficient there. I also think I want to add Tempest of Light for the Auras matchup.
What do you guys think? Is there room in the 75 for Resto Angel?
The latest lists (look at the MTGO Stats web) all have 2 Restos and less Lightning Helixes. Thundermaw seems to have completely fallen out of favor because of being too slow.
I too am waiting for the next evolution on this deck, since Jund is again adapting and winning with Thruns and Bloodhall Oozes (not again... :rolleyes:) lol
What have been people cutting when SBing vs. Auras?
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Top 8 of SCG Invitational, Las Vegas, NV, Dec 13-15, 2013
Top 8 of SCG Invitational, Somerset, NJ, Aug 28-30, 2015
Winner of SCG Worcester Team Sealed Open with Gerard Fabiano and Curtis Sheu, September 28, 2013
What have been people cutting when SBing vs. Auras?
Helix and Bolt mostly, targeted removal is not very good against them, and Path gets rid of anything that is targetable. I cut Bolts first though, Helix can give enough life to matter.
The latest lists (look at the MTGO Stats web) all have 2 Restos and less Lightning Helixes. Thundermaw seems to have completely fallen out of favor because of being too slow.
I too am waiting for the next evolution on this deck, since Jund is again adapting and winning with Thruns and Bloodhall Oozes (not again... :rolleyes:) lol
Yeah, most of them have moved Mindcensor to the sideboard, too. I think I'll add an extra Izzet Charm, and maybe play 3 Helix. Not sure what I'd add in place of Thundermaw.
Another question; Molten Rain or Sowing Salt for the sideboard? I prefer the latter, because in the Cryptic Command Scapeshift lists you can completely disable their combo if you hit one of their red Shocklands (they don't run many basic mountains). But it does come down a turn later so I'm not sure.
Yeah, most of them have moved Mindcensor to the sideboard, too. I think I'll add an extra Izzet Charm, and maybe play 3 Helix. Not sure what I'd add in place of Thundermaw.
Another question; Molten Rain or Sowing Salt for the sideboard? I prefer the latter, because in the Cryptic Command Scapeshift lists you can completely disable their combo if you hit one of their red Shocklands (they don't run many basic mountains). But it does come down a turn later so I'm not sure.
As for Thundermaw, I like going with 1 MD Batterskull and one in the side. It's so good in so many matchups.
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Top 8 of SCG Invitational, Somerset, NJ, Aug 28-30, 2015
Winner of SCG Worcester Team Sealed Open with Gerard Fabiano and Curtis Sheu, September 28, 2013
Whats the opinion on Aurelia's Fury in this deck? I know that early reports say that it's underwhelming, but I think it has so much potential in this deck. Don't want to shell out the money still, lol
Has anyone tested it?
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2 Aven Mindcensor
4 Geist of Saint Traft
4 Snapcaster Mage
3 Vendilion Clique
Instants (22)
2 Boros Charm
4 Electrolyze
4 Lightning Bolt
2 Lightning Helix
2 Mana Leak
4 Path to Exile
4 Remand
4 Arid Mesa
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
Some of the choices are meta-calls like Mindcensor to combat Scapeshift and Pod. Replacing Izzet Charm with Boros Charm seems obvious to me; giving Geist's angel double-strike to get in for 8 or protecting your team? Sounds good to me. With Jund's temporary loss of popularity I think going down to 2 Lightning Helix is fine and going up to 4 Electrolyze and 4 Path to Exile. I'm trying to test out the 4th Remand vs Thundermaw or Resto Angel since I expect to see more blue. Considering testing out Spell Snare in place of Mana Leak as well but I'm not sure if that is a good idea...
While these are minor changes, they have been doing amazing for me. Let me know what you guys think.
LargeBrandon - "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".
So though Boros Charm might work out for these manoeuvres in your local FMN, it does not reflect the significance the card lacks in the overall meta. Removing Lightning Helix?! REALLY? WHY! Path removes a creature, sure but at a cost. It ramps your opponent. Lightning Helix at worst case is a six point life swing (opponents down three, your up three)... It is just as effective as lightning bolt (it kills A LOT in the modern format) and has more reach than path to exile in my opinion. On an empty board path just sits in your hand while at least Bolt and Helix are win more! Im not going to defend Izzet Charm, its one of the weaker cards in the deck, but it provides more than Boros Charm does. Oh and Jund wont see a huge decline in play, its still a strong deck; the lack of BBE will not diminish its popularity it has many options to fall back on. I suppose if your seeing larger creatures then Path to Exile is a good choice, but removing 4 sources of removal (2 Helix and 2 Izzet Charms) for 2 (1 Path and 1 Electrolyze) seems odd. This doesn't explain the Elecryolyze however, which says your seeing a lot of smaller creatures.....
Im partial to Thundermaw Hellkite, it has won me a lot of games if it sticks to the board... its just hard to remove from play, plus it helps vs lingering souls or other flying token generators (these impede tempo, and with an added bolt you can kill resto angel...), if your not going to play it, I suggest you replace it with Baneslayer Angel or at least a pair of Restoration Angels. Your going to need something in the mirror that just doesn't get blown out by Bolt, Helix or Electrolyze. Your decks worst matchup is facing itself. Electrolyze can three for one pretty much your entire creature base.
Spell Snare is just more narrow than Mana Leak even though Spell Snare remains a hard counter vs 2cc spells in the late game... Mana Leak does provide you with a strategy though, it says to your opponents I have them you know it and it might be in my hand, so you might not want to tap out, and yes im fine with you playing 2cc things on turn five. However, Spell Snare should be your go to if you think more blue is going to be played in your meta. It effectively kills mana leak and remand and snapcaster allowing you to stick what you want when you need too without playing around the opponents counters.
Again, they might be doing well for you in your current meta, but i think your removing some of the reach the deck has. You have to remember these are tournament based decks and are poised to deal with a wider variety of decks than what you might encounter at FNM.
I would suggest keeping the Izzet Charm's in. I have been playing a very similar UW deck for a long time now, and occasionaly splashed for Electrolyze and Artifact hate. The deck was heavy on early game counters to slow you down. Izzet Charm is perfect for the situation, and even a burn if needed. It gives a great balance of options for early game in this deck that I actually have thought about adding a third. Also having the option of Faithless Looting is excellent when you are looking for your sideboard hate. 'Hold on, let me dig for my 2 Rule of Law since I'm up against Storm!'
Aurelia's Fury is at its worst, a turn 3 or 4 spell. If anything I would suggest taking out a Resto or Thundermaw. I personally dont like the feel of Thundermaw in the deck. Hes a great finisher, no doubt, but I hate seeing him early game. He lacks flash like the rest of the deck, and subject to counter and Path. I prefer Resto. She works well with the other creatures in the deck, has flash, and is a decient beater as well. But we all have are taste and flavor.
Has anyone tested Venser?
Modern:
:symu::symw::symr: UWr Geist :symr::symw::symu:
EDH:
:symb::symb::symr::symr: Rakdos, Lord of Riots :symr::symr::symb::symb:
http://www.twitch.tv/bingluke
Aven Mindcensor helps slow them down, no more searching for Urza Lands consistently. Vendilion Clique to disrupt their plans helps too. Tectonic Edge to impede them more and Path to Exile for their win conditions. Your main problem is just making sure they dont stick a turn three Karn Liberated, which is where Remand and Mana Leak come in handy. Plus you can always pack addition sideboard hate vs tron, but typically your looking at Disenchant, Sowing Salt and Counterflux.
Here's the list for refference.
Also, for refference are his sideboard recommendations.
- 1 Thundermaw Hellkite
- 2 Aven Mindcensor
- 1 Vendilion Clique
- 1 Geist of Saint Traft
+ 2 Engineered Explosives
+ 2 Pyroclasm
+ 1 Disenchant
Thanks!
Well, that's a pretty good SB plan. Geist is supposed to come down late game and end the game in 2-3 swings. You just play like a complete control deck and use Geist for the win. I play 1 Hurkyl's Recall in the SB for affinity, just to make myself stronger against it.
http://www.channelfireball.com/articles/hetricks-of-the-trade-modern-styles/
I don't think he's good a brewing decks or tuning them, but his results speak otherwise. Though i'd wager that he won because Geist is a good card no matter what you put around it.
He cuts thundermaw hellkite and aven mindcensor then loses to gifts in the top 8. Thundermaw and aven mindcensor are pretty good against lingering souls and gifts ungiven. I don't like the land changes either especially slayers' stronghold.
He then makes the suggestion to add desperate ravings in future builds. It seems sweet with moorland haunt and snapcaster. Though I think the problem with ravings and cards like thought scour is that they turn on opposing goyfs and deathrite shamans. So milling yourself for marginal value might not be that good.
4 Arid Mesa
4 Celestial Colonnade
1 Eiganjo Castle
2 Hallowed Fountain
2 Island
1 Mountain
1 Plains
1 Sacred Foundry
4 Scalding Tarn
1 Moorland Haunt
1 Slayers' Stronghold
2 Steam Vents
1 Sulfur Falls
4 Geist of Saint Traft
2 Restoration Angel
4 Snapcaster Mage
3 Vendilion Clique
Spells 22
4 Electrolyze
2 Izzet Charm
4 Lightning Bolt
2 Lightning Helix
2 Mana Leak
4 Path to Exile
4 Remand
2 Aven Mindcensor
2 Batterskull
1 Celestial Purge
2 Engineered Explosives
2 Negate
2 Runed Halo
1 Sowing Salt
1 Stony Silence
2 Threads of Disloyalty
4 Arid Mesa
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
2 Aven Mindcensor
4 Geist of Saint Traft
4 Snapcaster Mage
1 Thundermaw Hellkite
3 Vendilion Clique
Spells 21
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
Top 8 of SCG Invitational, Las Vegas, NV, Dec 13-15, 2013
Top 8 of SCG Invitational, Somerset, NJ, Aug 28-30, 2015
Winner of SCG Worcester Team Sealed Open with Gerard Fabiano and Curtis Sheu, September 28, 2013
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My thoughts exactly. The deck already has an advantage engine in Snapcaster. Electrolyze generally works for advantage. Restoration Angels and Vendilion Cliques work for value. I think this is an issue of "if it ain't broke". The initial decklist handled the field well, packed a lot of power, and gave a polished, well thought out initial impression. As much as I encourage brewing, I don't think there's much room to do so, here, without diluting the decklist.
4 Snapcaster Mage
4 Geist of Saint Traft
2 Vendilion Clique
2 Restoration Angel
1 Thundermaw Hellkite
1 Aven Mindcensor
Lands (25):
4 Arid Mesa
4 Scalding Tarn
2 Steam Vents
1 Hallowed Fountain
1 Sacred Foundry
2 Island
1 Mountain
1 Plains
1 Sulfur Falls
1 Mystic Gate
1 Glacial Fortress
3 Celestial Colonnade
2 Tectonic Edge
1 Eiganjo Castle
3 Electrolyze
4 Lightning Helix
4 Lightning Bolt
3 Path to Exile
3 Remand
2 Mana Leak
2 Izzet Charm
IMO this is a solid list that I plan on playing until the meta shifts in some manner.
Im running Manders list.
http://www.channelfireball.com/articles/tournament-report-the-ptq-triangle/
One thing that caught my eye was this comment:
This contradicts what Larry and Brandon have said in their commentary on the deck. They actually die more often to tarmogoyf than liliana. Liliana's best feature is she can kill Geist. Otherwise just +1ing her at the start doesn't do much as jund will be losing cards as well, the +1 is not a free roll for jund in the early turns. This deck has numerous ways to kill liliana without 2 for 1ing itself with colonnade, electrolyze and snapcaster. And even if they edict away your geist, electrolyze brings you back to card parity though you lost your best card.
He makes some changes to the deck, he added 2 restoration angels over a remand and a clique main (i'm assuming this, as his article/decklist is poorly written). He also liked batterskull and is thinking about cutting a dragon for it.
It would be nice for him to give solutions to beat pod and scapeshift instead of assuming they are out there.
I'm sure Pithing needle will catch on soon enough. I like he provided a list. Would love to know what he boarded in and out against Splinter Twin, Pod, and Affinity.
Modern:
:symu::symw::symr: UWr Geist :symr::symw::symu:
EDH:
:symb::symb::symr::symr: Rakdos, Lord of Riots :symr::symr::symb::symb:
Helix is great against fast aggro decks and decks you want to keep your life total high against, but is just a Searing Spear against slower or control decks. Overall, with the current meta, I think Helix should be a 3-4 of in every WUR deck.
The clique + needle interaction is pretty good. And I guess paying 1 mana for an answer to a resolved permanent is a fair price since it allows you to not tap out during your turn.
My guess is that he played against a string of decks where it's not very good, like combo decks, control decks and lingering souls decks.
There's also the possibility he wants to add his own mark to the deck so he changed it without even testing.
•• Jund ••
- 3 Remand
- 1 Aven Mindcensor
+ 1 Baneslayer Angel
+ 1 Batterskull
+ 2 Engineered Explosives
+ 1 Counterflux
•• Twin ••
- 1 Thundermaw Hellkite
- 2 Aven Mindcensor
+ 2 Counterflux
+ 1 Disenchant
•• Affinity ••
- 1 Thundermaw Hellkite
- 2 Aven Mindcensor
- 1 Vendilion Clique
- 1 Geist of Saint Traft
+ 2 Engineered Explosives
+ 2 Pyroclasm
+ 1 Disenchant
•• Pod ••
- 2 Remand
- 1 Thundermaw Hellkite
+ 2 Pyroclasm
+ 1 Disenchant
•• UWx Control ••
- 2 Aven Mindcensor
- 3 Remand
+ 1 Disenchant
+ 1 Batterskull
+ 2 Counterflux
+ 1 Engineered Explosives (if Geist build, if not -1 Remand)
•• BW Tokens ••
- 2 Aven Mindcensor
- 1 Vendilion Clique
- 3 Remand
+ 2 Pyroclasm
+ 2 Engineered Explosives
+ 1 Batterskull
+ 1 Baneslayer Angel
(link for the list he used is in the spoiler'd quote below)
2x Restoration Angel
4x Snapcaster Mage
4x Geist of Saint Traft
3x Vendilion Clique
1x Thundermaw Hellkite
Spells:
3x Path to Exile
4x Lightning Bolt
3x Lightning Helix
3x Electrolyze
3x Remand
2x Mana Leak
3x Izzet Charm
4x Arid Mesa
4x Scalding Tarn
4x Celestial Colonnade
2x Hallowed Fountain
2x Steam Vents
1x Sacred Foundry
1x Sulfur Falls
1x Glacial Fortress
1x Island
1x Mountain
1x Plains
2x Tectonic Edge
1x Eiganjo Castle
2x Batterskull
2x Pyroclasm
2x Sowing Salt
2x Engineered Explosives
1x Counterflux
1x Pithing Needle
1x Spellskite
1x Threads of Disloyalty
1x Goblin Ruinblaster
2x Aven Mindcensor
Modern:
:symu::symw::symr: UWr Geist :symr::symw::symu:
EDH:
:symb::symb::symr::symr: Rakdos, Lord of Riots :symr::symr::symb::symb:
The latest lists (look at the MTGO Stats web) all have 2 Restos and less Lightning Helixes. Thundermaw seems to have completely fallen out of favor because of being too slow.
I too am waiting for the next evolution on this deck, since Jund is again adapting and winning with Thruns and Bloodhall Oozes (not again... :rolleyes:) lol
Top 8 of SCG Invitational, Las Vegas, NV, Dec 13-15, 2013
Top 8 of SCG Invitational, Somerset, NJ, Aug 28-30, 2015
Winner of SCG Worcester Team Sealed Open with Gerard Fabiano and Curtis Sheu, September 28, 2013
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Helix and Bolt mostly, targeted removal is not very good against them, and Path gets rid of anything that is targetable. I cut Bolts first though, Helix can give enough life to matter.
Yeah, most of them have moved Mindcensor to the sideboard, too. I think I'll add an extra Izzet Charm, and maybe play 3 Helix. Not sure what I'd add in place of Thundermaw.
Another question; Molten Rain or Sowing Salt for the sideboard? I prefer the latter, because in the Cryptic Command Scapeshift lists you can completely disable their combo if you hit one of their red Shocklands (they don't run many basic mountains). But it does come down a turn later so I'm not sure.
Modern:
:symu::symw::symr: UWr Geist :symr::symw::symu:
EDH:
:symb::symb::symr::symr: Rakdos, Lord of Riots :symr::symr::symb::symb:
I like Sowing Salt myself.
As for Thundermaw, I like going with 1 MD Batterskull and one in the side. It's so good in so many matchups.
Top 8 of SCG Invitational, Las Vegas, NV, Dec 13-15, 2013
Top 8 of SCG Invitational, Somerset, NJ, Aug 28-30, 2015
Winner of SCG Worcester Team Sealed Open with Gerard Fabiano and Curtis Sheu, September 28, 2013
twitter
Has anyone tested it?