In my local shop last FNM, at least 50 percent of the field was esper. I currently run just straight GR and feel that esper is my toughest matchup, so I have been wanting to splash a color. I thought at first that B was the color, with access to rakdos's return and golgari charm, but then I've seen several lists running U for access to more planes walkers and counter magic (negate/gainsay). Which color offers a better strategy? I've gone back and forth, and I think B offers a good strategy for control while also having access to spot removal to make other matchups more favorable. Is that sound logic? I Dont want to weaken myself to other matchups while trying to shore up another. Advice would be greatly appreciated.
I'm actually not sure of that at all. Negate is good, but I'm not sure it's better than say Golgari Charm. Having uncounterable Wrath really makes the blue splash a lot weaker in aggressive midrange decks aiming to leverage their early board presence. It makes playing a Tempo game very hard. I'm not saying Negate isn't good, and I'd play it if I had access, but is it better than Thoughtseize + Golgari Charm?.. It's probably better than say Dreadbore since it hits more things if you have it on time, but some people might argue that with the tap out nature of these decks that isn't true. I think though since the control opponent is unlikely to tap out you probably have some time before you need to hold up mana since they will be trying to deal with your threats every turn. Especially if you are holding the Negate it's likely you have drawn one less threat than you could have so you probably will find you have the right window.
From a proactive stance GR handles pretty well but does blue have anything equivalent to say Sire of Insanity. Or even Rakdos' Return. I think stuff like Slaughter Games is probably pretty unnecessary but there is that too. Duress.. etc.. I do wonder if there are any Izzet/Simic cards that are particularly stronger since that could provide something. Generally thought I think it's more blue that has to prove it's good against control than black in this card pool.
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Current Decks: GWUKnightfall Modern UWTempo Legacy UGRBurning Wish Cobra Vintage
Black, although that splash is more for the mirror and mono blue devotion. Blue would allow Kiora, Jace and dispel. Kiora by herself might just be back breaking enough.
What you might do is look at CVM's article for his side boarding guide. I put it on note cards as you are allowed to reference them between games. It definitely helped me. (I use the u/w for esper).
Black has the edge with the sheer power of its hand disruption. But blue gets you access to Ætherling, which is basically a death sentence for control if it resolves with blue mana up.
I think countermagic is overrated for Monsters, as powerful as it is. It's worth running some, but just by looking at your lands the control player will tend to sequence differently until they 'seize you. I find Dispel to be the best counterspell for Monsters since it answers cards that Monsters has innate difficulty answering, like instant-speed kill spells, counterspells, and Revelation. And all at a reasonable price of leaving 1 blue mana up. Negate's fine but double cost which takes you into the territory of slower sequencing, and Monsters has plenty of answers to the things Negate covers that Dispel doesn't.
Verdict sucks, but you can do just like traditional Gruul and play around it, which history shows is sufficient.
Beyond that, Izzet Charm is a solid hedge against builds running Mutavault, and there's Counterflux if you REALLY want to have the final word on that late Domri.
Black, GR already does well against Azorius Control based decks. With golgari charm it just gets nasty. Personally I made the "free" splash with GB shock, RB shock, and RB Scryland. I find I am able to cast golgari charm by turn 4 or 5 about as often as control is able to verdict by then. I have missed a few verdicts that actually did not win them the game.
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RGWNaya MidrangeWGR
RGR/G MonstersGR
From a proactive stance GR handles pretty well but does blue have anything equivalent to say Sire of Insanity. Or even Rakdos' Return. I think stuff like Slaughter Games is probably pretty unnecessary but there is that too. Duress.. etc.. I do wonder if there are any Izzet/Simic cards that are particularly stronger since that could provide something. Generally thought I think it's more blue that has to prove it's good against control than black in this card pool.
GWU Knightfall Modern
UW Tempo Legacy
UGR Burning Wish Cobra Vintage
Realistically, you don't need either for esper.
http://www.starcitygames.com/article/28194_Esper-Control-Guide.html
What you might do is look at CVM's article for his side boarding guide. I put it on note cards as you are allowed to reference them between games. It definitely helped me. (I use the u/w for esper).
http://www.starcitygames.com/article/27978_Patience-Is-A-Virtue.html
I think countermagic is overrated for Monsters, as powerful as it is. It's worth running some, but just by looking at your lands the control player will tend to sequence differently until they 'seize you. I find Dispel to be the best counterspell for Monsters since it answers cards that Monsters has innate difficulty answering, like instant-speed kill spells, counterspells, and Revelation. And all at a reasonable price of leaving 1 blue mana up. Negate's fine but double cost which takes you into the territory of slower sequencing, and Monsters has plenty of answers to the things Negate covers that Dispel doesn't.
Verdict sucks, but you can do just like traditional Gruul and play around it, which history shows is sufficient.
Beyond that, Izzet Charm is a solid hedge against builds running Mutavault, and there's Counterflux if you REALLY want to have the final word on that late Domri.
BEEEES!
Rabble Red
Modern
Burn
Infect