I was perusing the decklists from SCG Dallas and was a bit puzzled by how few WU Control/Esper Gift/Esper Control decks had copies of Solemnity in their sideboards--my MTGGoldfish search returned just a single sideboard copy in the top 64 (the 19th place WU Gift deck).
It seems to me that with the heavy representation of energy decks in the meta--fully half of the top-12 decks were either Sultai or Temur energy--you'd want a sideboard card that completely hoses energy's gameplan if you have any splash of white and you're not relying on counters yourself.
Just curious if folks had thoughts on why that was the case. Was it overlooked? Tested and rejected? Too much competition for the 3-drop spot? I'm wrapping my head around some new standard decks, and it seems like you'd want to have access to Solemnity for energy matchups and Authority of the Consuls for the RDW matchup...
I think it's mostly that it's slow and finding slots to sub in a preventative hate card like it over some removal is difficult. It's pretty nasty against energy, though. Also, the energy deck that you'd be siding it in against is 4C Energy and temur, and even if you sided it in against them that card will not shut it down. You'll stop the energy, but they have some of the best value creatures in the format and they are using The Scarab God + Hostage Taker.
The top four decks that I think are popping up in the current format are Sultai Energy (Really just Winding Constrictor, the second coming), 4C energy, Red Rush (They need to adjust to the meta because they only placed due to sheer numbers), and Blue White Approach. I'm a huge fan of Sultai Energy and Blue White Approach.
1. (Ravnica Allegiance): You can't keep a good esper control deck down... Or Wilderness Reclamation... or Gates...
2. (War of the Spark): Guys, I know what we need! We need a cycle of really idiotic flavor text victory cards! Jace's Triumph...
3. (War of the Spark): Lets make the format with control have even more control!
I think it's mostly that it's slow and finding slots to sub in a preventative hate card like it over some removal is difficult. It's pretty nasty against energy, though.
Basically this. I don't play Standard but I imagine how tough it can be in a "slower" format. (I only use the term "slower" in the sense there's none of the old mana ramps)
If the card was one CMC less, I imagine this would be an all star.
I guess the worst problems I encounter in every deck I build with the card are true with most enchantments. Sometimes, I can't cast it fast enough to stop Energy engines. If/when I do cast it, any other copies are usually dead cards because the ability isn't stackable. So these probably go without saying to be honest.
The card did backfire on me when my opponent played an Undying card and I had no answer to get rid of it permanently or bouncing Solemnity. That matchup was brutal because I couldn't clear the board of that pesky thing.
I think it's mostly that it's slow and finding slots to sub in a preventative hate card like it over some removal is difficult. It's pretty nasty against energy, though.
I dunno. On the play, it seems like it’s right on curve. If they T1 Attune with Aetherand then T2 longtusk cub(or servant of the conduit, or winding constrictor), isn’t it better to cast Solemnity on T3 than to cast a removal spell, or to keep lands up for a counterspell? Solemnity hoses the engine of their deck, and removal/counters just get rid of one threat.
I realize I may just be shouting into the wind, but seems like great sideboard hate for a large portion of the meta. To which the appropriate response might just be “then you should test it out/play it...”
I think it's mostly that it's slow and finding slots to sub in a preventative hate card like it over some removal is difficult. It's pretty nasty against energy, though.
I dunno. On the play, it seems like it’s right on curve. If they T1 Attune with Aetherand then T2 longtusk cub(or servant of the conduit, or winding constrictor), isn’t it better to cast Solemnity on T3 than to cast a removal spell, or to keep lands up for a counterspell? Solemnity hoses the engine of their deck, and removal/counters just get rid of one threat.
I realize I may just be shoutingj into the wind, but seems like great sideboard hate for a large portion of the meta. To which the appropriate response might just be “then you should test it out/play it...”
But it's one of those cards that has the usual problems. It's about a 50% (give or take) probability you'll draw into a (out of 4) card by T3 without mulligan. Miss it and the opponents engine goes off.
The alternative is to use cards with a broader range of uses. A counterspell can usually be used on other cards, not just counter-centric cards. Point is, there are a few other more flexible, strategies for dealing with cards with counters so Solemnity is more like a "Plan B" I guess.
Honestly, it seems like Solemnity works the best when it's to the owners benefit, not suppressing or shuting down the opponent. My initial deck ideas for Solemnity was to treat it like a CoP in Pillow Fort-like decks. But I find that it seems to work best as part of an offensive strategy. Like negating undying for your cards for instance.
Admittedly, the card would be bonkers if it hit PW by default. Oh well....
Actually the two things I don't like about standard right now is the undercosted indestructible god cards and energy decks. The gods force players to need exiling effects to deal with and wizards just can't seem to get themselves to print actual answers that fit better in curve. We need swords to plowshares or path to exile (maybe not exactly those cards, but something earlier than turn 4), and we really need a green exile or a single target red removal version of hour of devastation.
1. (Ravnica Allegiance): You can't keep a good esper control deck down... Or Wilderness Reclamation... or Gates...
2. (War of the Spark): Guys, I know what we need! We need a cycle of really idiotic flavor text victory cards! Jace's Triumph...
3. (War of the Spark): Lets make the format with control have even more control!
1. If you don't drop it turn 3 or 4, it gets really bad later on.
2. The creatures in them are generally still pretty good without gaining any more energy. It doesn't exactly stop stuff like Glorybringer or The Scarab God.
3. It hurts Sultai more than Temur, but they're also bringing in Duress, Negate, and Vraska.
It seems to me that with the heavy representation of energy decks in the meta--fully half of the top-12 decks were either Sultai or Temur energy--you'd want a sideboard card that completely hoses energy's gameplan if you have any splash of white and you're not relying on counters yourself.
Just curious if folks had thoughts on why that was the case. Was it overlooked? Tested and rejected? Too much competition for the 3-drop spot? I'm wrapping my head around some new standard decks, and it seems like you'd want to have access to Solemnity for energy matchups and Authority of the Consuls for the RDW matchup...
The top four decks that I think are popping up in the current format are Sultai Energy (Really just Winding Constrictor, the second coming), 4C energy, Red Rush (They need to adjust to the meta because they only placed due to sheer numbers), and Blue White Approach. I'm a huge fan of Sultai Energy and Blue White Approach.
1. (Ravnica Allegiance): You can't keep a good esper control deck down... Or Wilderness Reclamation... or Gates...
2. (War of the Spark): Guys, I know what we need! We need a cycle of really idiotic flavor text victory cards! Jace's Triumph...
3. (War of the Spark): Lets make the format with control have even more control!
Basically this. I don't play Standard but I imagine how tough it can be in a "slower" format. (I only use the term "slower" in the sense there's none of the old mana ramps)
If the card was one CMC less, I imagine this would be an all star.
I guess the worst problems I encounter in every deck I build with the card are true with most enchantments. Sometimes, I can't cast it fast enough to stop Energy engines. If/when I do cast it, any other copies are usually dead cards because the ability isn't stackable. So these probably go without saying to be honest.
The card did backfire on me when my opponent played an Undying card and I had no answer to get rid of it permanently or bouncing Solemnity. That matchup was brutal because I couldn't clear the board of that pesky thing.
I dunno. On the play, it seems like it’s right on curve. If they T1 Attune with Aetherand then T2 longtusk cub(or servant of the conduit, or winding constrictor), isn’t it better to cast Solemnity on T3 than to cast a removal spell, or to keep lands up for a counterspell? Solemnity hoses the engine of their deck, and removal/counters just get rid of one threat.
I realize I may just be shouting into the wind, but seems like great sideboard hate for a large portion of the meta. To which the appropriate response might just be “then you should test it out/play it...”
But it's one of those cards that has the usual problems. It's about a 50% (give or take) probability you'll draw into a (out of 4) card by T3 without mulligan. Miss it and the opponents engine goes off.
The alternative is to use cards with a broader range of uses. A counterspell can usually be used on other cards, not just counter-centric cards. Point is, there are a few other more flexible, strategies for dealing with cards with counters so Solemnity is more like a "Plan B" I guess.
Honestly, it seems like Solemnity works the best when it's to the owners benefit, not suppressing or shuting down the opponent. My initial deck ideas for Solemnity was to treat it like a CoP in Pillow Fort-like decks. But I find that it seems to work best as part of an offensive strategy. Like negating undying for your cards for instance.
Admittedly, the card would be bonkers if it hit PW by default. Oh well....
1. (Ravnica Allegiance): You can't keep a good esper control deck down... Or Wilderness Reclamation... or Gates...
2. (War of the Spark): Guys, I know what we need! We need a cycle of really idiotic flavor text victory cards! Jace's Triumph...
3. (War of the Spark): Lets make the format with control have even more control!
I also like the idea of pairing it with Tocatli Honor Guard, Kinjalli's Sunwing and other 'Death & Taxes' type hose cards that slow the opponent down.
In other words, I think there's a viable prison deck somewhere in the new Standard. And, 2 or so sideboard copies of Solemnity may have a home there.
1. If you don't drop it turn 3 or 4, it gets really bad later on.
2. The creatures in them are generally still pretty good without gaining any more energy. It doesn't exactly stop stuff like Glorybringer or The Scarab God.
3. It hurts Sultai more than Temur, but they're also bringing in Duress, Negate, and Vraska.
Standard: BG Golgari Midrange
Modern: U Merfolk GWUBR 5 Color Humans UBW Esper Gifts GW Bogles