MTG Salvation

Isn't GR better against Affinity than GW?

Quote from Tanukimo »

Isn't GR better against Affinity than GW?

IMO, yes. Clasm > Path in that matchup, and we can't run the best white SB card against Affinity (Stony Silence) as it also wrecks us. Red also has really good SB options for that matchup between extra sweepers, Sudden Shock and Ancient Grudge.

I did a lot of testing with BGand I think GW > RG > BG mainly because of path (a couple of times push is stuck in my hand because i cant deal with the threat on board and triggering revolt is not as easy as it looks) and better SB options (RIP, alliance)..

for scapeshift decks warping wail works (counters bring to light, crumble an scapeshft).

im having success now in using 3x ghostly prison main to replace 2 planar bridge and emmy. I ran the same build during eldrazi winter. my idea is to cover the aggro decks which path or any other shenanigans we have to stay alive. it works nicely against affinity, merfolk, zoo and basically all go wide strategy.

Quote from Rafael_Remy »

Has anyone using Grim Poppet in SB, against agroo decks, like: STOMPY, AFFINITY, INFECT ?

It works ?

I've seen it playing on several lists in MTGGOLDFISH and I think its worth testing, what do you guys think about it ?


Note: I am currently loving the JUND and ABZAN lists (mainly these two decks so far) using at least 3 copies of Fatal Push on the main deck, only the existence of this card in modern is already a great addition to our Deck, even without even playing in it (of course the BG TRON lists should use it), because the fatal push simply does not remove anything from our deck except for a few lists (which are very few) that use TKS.

I've been running 1x walking ballista my sideboard and loving it against Affinity and similar strategies. It's a great grindy card against decks that try to swarm or weenie you out.

(it's also a fun out to ensnaring bridge)

Quote from purklefluff »

I've been running 1x walking ballista my sideboard and loving it against Affinity and similar strategies. It's a great grindy card against decks that try to swarm or weenie you out.

(it's also a fun out to ensnaring bridge)

I'm in. I got one in the Pre-Release and put it directly into my Ezuri, Claw of Progress EDH deck but I think it could be sick in Tron. I might even maindeck it over my single Spellskite that's still in there.

Quote from halophilic »

Quote from purklefluff »

I've been running 1x walking ballista my sideboard and loving it against Affinity and similar strategies. It's a great grindy card against decks that try to swarm or weenie you out.

(it's also a fun out to ensnaring bridge)

I'm in. I got one in the Pre-Release and put it directly into my Ezuri, Claw of Progress EDH deck but I think it could be sick in Tron. I might even maindeck it over my single Spellskite that's still in there.

I was on the Grim Poppet train in the past (in place of a world breaker) and I loved it against most aggro decks. I've also switched to a Walking Ballista in it's place now since the ability to dump mana into it when the game starts getting grindy is so nice. I'm interested to hear how it's performed for people after the bannings.

I agree that in most circumstances, Walking Ballista would be preferable to Grim Poppet. The ability to use it as a mana sink, threat, and answer seems solid.

We shouldn't need it to beat anything with Ensnaring Bridge though; between Karn, O-Stone, World Breaker, Ulamog, and Nature's Claim, we have everything we need to get through that already.

I have been thinking of testing out Hope of Ghirapur, but I don't think it will be optimal unless the combo decks and Burn really take off. Probably not worth it, but I do love the card.

Quote from Thenarus »

We shouldn't need it to beat anything with Ensnaring Bridge though; between Karn, O-Stone, World Breaker, Ulamog, and Nature's Claim, we have everything we need to get through that already.

Oh, totally agree, which is why I put it in brackets. Worth mentioning though because this game is all about these corner case scenarios that crop up in tournament settings when something's on the line and you really value that sort of niche interaction.

Also, surely we just beat lantern control 100% of the time, due to chromatic sphere and start right? We get to always draw what we want at instant speed and they can't respond because it's a mana ability (judge confirmed, works this way).

Quote from Rafael_Remy »

Has anyone using Grim Poppet in SB, against agroo decks, like: STOMPY, AFFINITY, INFECT ?

It works ?

I've seen it playing on several lists in MTGGOLDFISH and I think its worth testing, what do you guys think about it ?


Note: I am currently loving the JUND and ABZAN lists (mainly these two decks so far) using at least 3 copies of Fatal Push on the main deck, only the existence of this card in modern is already a great addition to our Deck, even without even playing in it (of course the BG TRON lists should use it), because the fatal push simply does not remove anything from our deck except for a few lists (which are very few) that use TKS.

Grim Poppet is useless against fast decks, since you can't play it before turn 3. If you're not playing red, the next best thing might be leonin bladetrap

the sphere is a mana ability; but the card draw off of the star is an enter the graveyard effect and can definitely be responded to.

I play a pretty threat heavy main deck with 4 stone, 4 karn, 3 coil, 3 thought-not and 2 ulamog which has been great at keeping lantern from guaranteeing me no threats.

Quote from heckler15 »

the sphere is a mana ability; but the card draw off of the star is an enter the graveyard effect and can definitely be responded to.

I play a pretty threat heavy main deck with 4 stone, 4 karn, 3 coil, 3 thought-not and 2 ulamog which has been great at keeping lantern from guaranteeing me no threats.

Star has a graveyard trigger, but sphere works as I said. Perfect way to get around a lantern player's shenanigans.

Quote from purklefluff »

I've been running 1x walking ballista my sideboard and loving it against Affinity and similar strategies. It's a great grindy card against decks that try to swarm or weenie you out.

Was going to ask if anyone had tested this one. Lots of comments about this card being good on Legacy MUD discussions.

Quote from purklefluff »

(it's also a fun out to ensnaring bridge)

Not that Bridge is usually an issue for us.

I think Walking Ballista shines most against Infect. I'd run 2x in the sideboard just for that match-up, regardless of how good/bad it might be in others. Jitte is a nuts card, and Walking Ballista is basically Umezawa's Jitte as a creature, minus the life gain.

EDIT: I guess it fights with Spellskite... Both cards are so versatile. Which has broader implications?

Quote from purklefluff »

Oh, totally agree, which is why I put it in brackets. Worth mentioning though because this game is all about these corner case scenarios that crop up in tournament settings when something's on the line and you really value that sort of niche interaction.

Also, surely we just beat lantern control 100% of the time, due to chromatic sphere and start right? We get to always draw what we want at instant speed and they can't respond because it's a mana ability (judge confirmed, works this way).

Lantern's been in my experience about 50/50. If they can get their lock in place and keep us with a hand of expensive spells we can never cast or just lands then they can beat us. Our cast triggers are good, but sometimes we just never get there, especially if they're playing faster clocks like aether grid. Chromatic Sphere's stock skyrockets in that matchup though.

Hi guys,

First of all I would like to thank for the constructive answers guys, currently I'm using 2x Grim Poppet, in SB usually against agros decks I exchange for my 2x World Breaker (which are main deck) and works well.

For sure I'm going make some test with the Walking Ballista in his place, online for a while, because on paper the price of it still very high.

Anyway depending on the meta of the place where I'm going to play I usually take out the 2x Grim Poppet from my SB, to put 2x Orbs of Warding in his place, and that work great against combo deck's like: VALAKUT, AD NAUSEAM, Etc.

And to finish i play with G/W TRON, and I would like to know of you according to the current meta, if I should use 3x Timely Reinforcements or 3x Blessed Alliance in my SB ?

I've never switched off of GR myself, but I feel like Blessed Alliance is a much stronger card, especially if Infect is present at all in your meta. Save your life on T2, and provide nice advantage later.

Quote from halophilic »

I've never switched off of GR myself, but I feel like Blessed Alliance is a much stronger card, especially if Infect is present at all in your meta. Save your life on T2, and provide nice advantage later.

I primarily play GW and I prefer Blessed Alliance. I may test a Timely Reinforcements, but I like the versatility of the Blessed Alliance. Being active a turn earlier is great.

For the GR players, could someone share a current list? I'm looking to build it on MTGO and am interested in some specifics. Hit me up by PM if you prefer. Thanks!

This is from memory so may be off:



4 Karn, 4 Ostone is non-negotiable with me.

My GR list:


I went back and forth between Pyroclasm and Kozilek's return many times, but eventually settled on Kozilek's Return. It's great discard fodder, and let's you target lands with Ulamog or World Breaker if the opponent went wide with creatures and KR is in your graveyard. Being fetchable with Stirrings is definitely a plus.

I've been testing 2x Planar Bridge, with the build being the same except for:
-1 Wurmcoil Engine
-1 Oblivion Stone
-1 Spellskite
+1 Emrakul, the Aeons Torn
+2 Planar Bridge

Planar Bridge was great vs Ad Naus - just kept chaining Karn's FTW. However, I've found myself boarding Planar Bridge out a lot, especially on the draw. It's awesome when it hits, letting you tutor for T4 Ugin, or an attacking T5 Emrakul, but the problem is that I find myself wanting to cast other cards in my hand rather than Planar Bridge (if I have a threat) - and usually if I'm doing that, I've probably already won the match and Bridge is just overkill.

Are most people playing only one Sanctum of Ugin?