What changes from the stock list would people recommend for a LGS that features a lot of Eldrazi and control (mostly U/W or R/B). Lots of Blood Moons running around, but no Storm or combo in general. The fast decks are in red with some dredge. Don't really see Elves/Affinity and a lot of the mid-range decks like bgx have been dying out.
My decks changes a bit, right now it looks something like this...
With lots of control I may consider cutting Kopala for Kira. If the game goes long the Kopala tax won't be as effective as it would against a leaner deck like death's shadow. Kira will force them to sweep the board or two for one themselves. I like Clique against Supreme Verdict and Anger, but Negate or Disdainful Stroke would fit in well to combat planeswalkers, conflagrate, All is Dust.
What changes from the stock list would people recommend for a LGS that features a lot of Eldrazi and control (mostly U/W or R/B). Lots of Blood Moons running around, but no Storm or combo in general. The fast decks are in red with some dredge. Don't really see Elves/Affinity and a lot of the mid-range decks like bgx have been dying out.
My decks changes a bit, right now it looks something like this...
With lots of control I may consider cutting Kopala for Kira. If the game goes long the Kopala tax won't be as effective as it would against a leaner deck like death's shadow. Kira will force them to sweep the board or two for one themselves. I like Clique against Supreme Verdict and Anger, but Negate or Disdainful Stroke would fit in well to combat planeswalkers, conflagrate, All is Dust.
Clique is definitely there for cards like Verdict. Regarding Kopala vs. Kira, that was mostly a hedge against Walking Balista shooting down my board. I agree that Negate or Disdainful Stroke could find a home. My problem is that vs. control I'm likely already bringing in 4x Relic, 3x Dispel and 2x Clique. Probably boarding out some number of Seas, Kopala & removal. Finding additional room for more counters seems tricky since I still need to be able to apply preasure, while holding some back for post-wrath. The 2 ET's and unblockable fish also help with PW, so not super concerned with them. Anger is a bigger concern for me. And All Is Dust is definitely a disaster lol
My problem is I've spent the last few months playing silly budget decks and homebrews, so while I know the meta I haven't really battled it with fish recently. I'm just trying to think of all the angles I need to consider. Appreciate the feedback.
I feel like our sideboard is stretched so much right now. It's been difficult to build because once I get to a point where I feel comfortable against deck X and Y then I feel like I'm weak to deck Z. I suppose modern has always been that way, but for whatever reason I feel like it's worse at the moment.
Exactly. Where is your countermagic? It's not always enough to disrupt Storm's graveyard.
i main 4 Deprive.
you also run 4 lands that come in to play tapped that don't even tap for the double blue you need to cast and 4 more land that come in to play tapped beyond your third land drop. That's asking for awkwardness when it's time to cast deprive on turn 3 or 4.
You say the list is tuned to beat storm, but you don't have anything in the board. Chalice on two on turn four can't possibly be your solution. Dispel is miles better than deprive against storm and bog against storm isn't even a thing. There is no reason to play bog over relic.
Are you trolling us?
i answered rothgar's question definitively. "i main 4 Deprive." not acknowledging that, you criticize, "you also run 4 lands that come in to play tapped that don't even tap for the double blue you need to cast and 4 more land that come in to play tapped beyond your third land drop. That's asking for awkwardness when it's time to cast deprive on turn 3 or 4." was my response to him not good enough for you?
my list is tuned to beat storm main deck, leaving options for other match ups in the side. no, chalice isn't my plan. i'm relying on main deck deprive so save sb space for other match ups so that's why no dispel.
i run bog over relic to save spell space. way i figure it, i can replace 4 enters tapped lands (faerie conclave) w/4 other enters tapped lands (bojuka bog.) bog is a combo w/my main deck deprive. and w/16 blue sources, i hopefully don't have to drop bog until turn 3 (optimal anyways.)
no, i'm not trolling. i just like brewing. playing exact copies of someone else's deck is boring for me. i refuse to do it. it's how i have fun, this game is meant to be fun. i also ordered cards from TCG player so i'm trying to get feedback before my cards arrive in the mail.
way i see it, most ppl here are casual to low level grinders. no elite pros here in a rush to win next week's GP. driemer, you act like i'm costing you precious play testing time and unless you're a serious pro, surrounded by other serious pros, i don't understand your aggression.
Hi, I main gifts storm at this point in time. There is no way your main-phase only, GY hate will be enough. Ditto the UU counterspell that your manabase doesn't support. Even spell pierce would do a better job, because the storm player is trying to race you, and when doing so their mana and sequence will be tight. A 2 mana "tax" counterspell will often fizzle out the storm player.
I don't support relic in merfolk because I think you have enough to do with your mana that you can't afford to pay. I'd go for Tormod's crypt, since you only need to crack it with Past in Flames on the stack.
PS: Your fellow merfolk players are annoyed because your ideas aren't put across well; and frankly they're not very good, no offense. Take criticism in stride especially when it is constructive, which I observe the comments so far have been. Cheers.
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BGW Elves BGW|BW Tokens BW|WBR Sword&ShieldWBR|BUG DelverBUG|UWR Kiki UWR | UR Storm UR
Lantern Control (1-0): An opener Echoing Truth saves my day, when he hits Ensnaring Bridge I just assemble lethal to bounce and win. Second game I got crushed by 2 Collective Brutality to get rid of my answers. Third match was a win thanks to Hurkyl's Recall. 2-1.
Naya Wish (2-0): A rogue deck. I wasn't really sure what I was playing against until I saw Glittering Wish on game 2. I just sticked to the plan of beating on both games to win. 2-0.
8-Rack (3-0): First game was a race, I was on the play so I barely made it on time. Second game he got another annoying Ensnaring Bridge that I couldn't answer. Third match I think he didn't draw anything of his sideboard so it went kinda like the first game. 2-1.
Merfolk (3-1): Never played against the mirror before, so it was kinda awkward. His list had Vapor Snag instead of Echoing Truth and Dismember. Both cards I had didn't feel so good against it I must say. First game I got Vial and raced him. Both other games he got Pearl Trident and I got Lord of Atlantis (yikes), so he totally outraced me with them and some tempo moves. 1-2.
Eggs (4-1): First game I got him to 2 lives, but he assemble the combo. Second game two Rejections and a top-deck Lord allowed me to make it on time. Third game was a rough one, but a Hurkyl's after both Lotus Bloom resolved helped me to win some time to make a decent board. He did played his Emrakul but it wasn't enough as I sack'd my lands and some fish, but killed him on the backswing. 2-1.
Ad Nauseam (5-1): He was on the play so I got Turn 4 combo on first game. On the second game he had a slow start and 2 Cursecatcher on board slowed him down so I could get there on time. Third game it was a long game, as I kept a hand with counters but few creatures. Thankfully he didn't find the combo quickly enough so I started pinging slowly. Saved my asnwers for the combo pieces, survived a Damnation and took the win on third game. 2-1.
I'm liking this configuration a lot. 1-of Kopala, Kira and Clique may not give me consistency, but it helps me having odds on game one against almost any deck. Kopala definitely is getting a room on the deck, I'm enjoying him.
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Mostly Modern Player RBridgevineB RGR/G EldraziX UBlue MoonR UU/W TronW
I would say that if Storm were our only consideration, Tormod's Crypt would be the card. But because we also want graveyard hate that's useful against Shadow and control decks, Relic of Progenitus gets the nod.
@pabloduque: Good to hear Kopala's doing well for you - I've had a similar experience with testing him.
@sibin thanks, you're right. I like running 12 Island. Maybe I start playing 2 Cavern of Souls, but I like to be able to have extra protection to name Wizards for the Clique mostly. 2 Caverns 1 Minamo and 1 Oboro should be the best config.
@pabloduque32: I actually run a similar list and I've gotten a few top8 PPTQ finishes with the list so I can say that I'm quite comfortable with it. Just note that it was +1 Harbinger, -1 Kopala before Ixalan.
Anyway, I just wanted to post here again to let you guys know of my appreciation for all the info I've found on this forum. I've played with Merfolk for just a bit over a year ever since I got back into Magic and I'm happy with the deck and how it performs. Plus the fact that I couldn't for the life of me figure out my twitch account.
I'm probably going to pick up a few copies of Delay to test out as a replacement for Negate. It seems like it ought to do the trick in a lot of matches.
Just finished getting Speakers today so now I have all the cards for UG.
But I can't play Modern until November, clashing "real life" with every tournament
This is a promising first round of results for UG Merfolk. We may have a viable variant on our hands. That said, we'll need a bit more data as to whether it truly performs at a comparable level to mono-U Merfolk. But this is a very good start.
How about Aquitect's Will in a Simic build instead of Spreading Seas, because we don't need the devotion off of the enchantment? Obviously, it does not colorscrew the opponent, but it is cheaper and thus lower to the ground, which is exactly the plan of MerfolkJoe's list and is also what Nikachu often sais in his videos. What do you think?
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With lots of control I may consider cutting Kopala for Kira. If the game goes long the Kopala tax won't be as effective as it would against a leaner deck like death's shadow. Kira will force them to sweep the board or two for one themselves. I like Clique against Supreme Verdict and Anger, but Negate or Disdainful Stroke would fit in well to combat planeswalkers, conflagrate, All is Dust.
BLiliana, Heretical HealerB| |GTitania, Protector of ArgothG
GWBDoom Plane EnchantressBWG
My problem is I've spent the last few months playing silly budget decks and homebrews, so while I know the meta I haven't really battled it with fish recently. I'm just trying to think of all the angles I need to consider. Appreciate the feedback.
BLiliana, Heretical HealerB| |GTitania, Protector of ArgothG
GWBDoom Plane EnchantressBWG
Bant Eldrazi
UW Control
U Merfolk
Legacy
Merfolk
UR Delver
Hi, I main gifts storm at this point in time. There is no way your main-phase only, GY hate will be enough. Ditto the UU counterspell that your manabase doesn't support. Even spell pierce would do a better job, because the storm player is trying to race you, and when doing so their mana and sequence will be tight. A 2 mana "tax" counterspell will often fizzle out the storm player.
I don't support relic in merfolk because I think you have enough to do with your mana that you can't afford to pay. I'd go for Tormod's crypt, since you only need to crack it with Past in Flames on the stack.
PS: Your fellow merfolk players are annoyed because your ideas aren't put across well; and frankly they're not very good, no offense. Take criticism in stride especially when it is constructive, which I observe the comments so far have been. Cheers.
BGW Elves BGW|BW Tokens BW|WBR Sword&ShieldWBR|BUG DelverBUG|UWR Kiki UWR | UR Storm UR
12 Island
4 Mutavault
3 Cavern of Souls
1 Oboro, Palace in the Clouds
Creatures
4 Cursecatcher
4 Silvergill Adept
4 Lord of Atlantis
4 Master of the Pearl Trident
4 Harbinger of the Tides
4 Merrow Reejerey
3 Master of Waves
1 Kopala, Warden of Waves
1 Kira, Great Glass-Spinner
1 Vendilion Clique
4 Aether Vial
4 Spreading Seas
1 Echoing Truth
1 Dismember
1 Pithing Needle
2 Relic of Progenitus
1 Grafdigger's Cage
2 Hurkyl's Recall
3 Ceremonious Rejection
2 Negate
2 Dispel
1 Dismember
1 Echoing Truth
Lantern Control (1-0): An opener Echoing Truth saves my day, when he hits Ensnaring Bridge I just assemble lethal to bounce and win. Second game I got crushed by 2 Collective Brutality to get rid of my answers. Third match was a win thanks to Hurkyl's Recall. 2-1.
Naya Wish (2-0): A rogue deck. I wasn't really sure what I was playing against until I saw Glittering Wish on game 2. I just sticked to the plan of beating on both games to win. 2-0.
8-Rack (3-0): First game was a race, I was on the play so I barely made it on time. Second game he got another annoying Ensnaring Bridge that I couldn't answer. Third match I think he didn't draw anything of his sideboard so it went kinda like the first game. 2-1.
Merfolk (3-1): Never played against the mirror before, so it was kinda awkward. His list had Vapor Snag instead of Echoing Truth and Dismember. Both cards I had didn't feel so good against it I must say. First game I got Vial and raced him. Both other games he got Pearl Trident and I got Lord of Atlantis (yikes), so he totally outraced me with them and some tempo moves. 1-2.
Eggs (4-1): First game I got him to 2 lives, but he assemble the combo. Second game two Rejections and a top-deck Lord allowed me to make it on time. Third game was a rough one, but a Hurkyl's after both Lotus Bloom resolved helped me to win some time to make a decent board. He did played his Emrakul but it wasn't enough as I sack'd my lands and some fish, but killed him on the backswing. 2-1.
Ad Nauseam (5-1): He was on the play so I got Turn 4 combo on first game. On the second game he had a slow start and 2 Cursecatcher on board slowed him down so I could get there on time. Third game it was a long game, as I kept a hand with counters but few creatures. Thankfully he didn't find the combo quickly enough so I started pinging slowly. Saved my asnwers for the combo pieces, survived a Damnation and took the win on third game. 2-1.
I'm liking this configuration a lot. 1-of Kopala, Kira and Clique may not give me consistency, but it helps me having odds on game one against almost any deck. Kopala definitely is getting a room on the deck, I'm enjoying him.
RBridgevineB
RGR/G EldraziX
UBlue MoonR
UU/W TronW
@pabloduque: Good to hear Kopala's doing well for you - I've had a similar experience with testing him.
Legacy: Merfolk U; Shadow UB; Eldrazi Stompy C
Pauper: Delver U
Vintage: Merfolk U
Primers:
Also, I strongly recomend MINAMO in your list full of Legendaries....its very useful
RBridgevineB
RGR/G EldraziX
UBlue MoonR
UU/W TronW
My actual list:
4 Cursecatcher
4 Silvergill Adept
4 Master of the Pearl Trident
4 Lord of Atlantis
2 Harbinger of the Tides
2 Phantasmal Image
2 Merrow Reejerey
2 Master of Waves
1 Kira, Great Glass-spinner
1 Vendilion Clique
1 Kopala, Warden of Waves
4 Spreading Seas
2 Smuggler's Copter
2 Vapor Snag
1 Dismember
10 Island
2 Wanderwine Hub
2 Cavern of Souls
1 Oboro, Palace in the Clouds
1 Minamo, School at Water's Edge
4 Mutavault
3 Sea's Claim
3 Ceremonious Rejection
2 Negate
2 Echoing Truth
2 Tidebinder Mage
1 Pithing Needle
1 Grafdigger's Cage
1 Relic of Progenitus
Anyway, I just wanted to post here again to let you guys know of my appreciation for all the info I've found on this forum. I've played with Merfolk for just a bit over a year ever since I got back into Magic and I'm happy with the deck and how it performs.
Plus the fact that I couldn't for the life of me figure out my twitch account.I'm probably going to pick up a few copies of Delay to test out as a replacement for Negate. It seems like it ought to do the trick in a lot of matches.
But I can't play Modern until November, clashing "real life" with every tournament
Modern: Merfolk UU // Green Devotion GG // SkRed Red RR
Legacy: Death & Taxes WW // Burn RR // Death's Shadow Delver UB
Commander: Brago UW // Karlov WB
Looks a lot solid to me
Legacy: Merfolk U; Shadow UB; Eldrazi Stompy C
Pauper: Delver U
Vintage: Merfolk U
Primers:
Legacy: Merfolk U; Shadow UB; Eldrazi Stompy C
Pauper: Delver U
Vintage: Merfolk U
Primers: