Consider 1 or 2 less AOT, I feel like they might clog your hand and you've got nothing to do with them....
Also you might like Tamiyo, in the main.
What's the Elixir of Immortality there for?
And feeling of dread feels a bit meh, have you considered more removal like o-ring or more d-spheres? I'd suggest that relying on your verdicts/terminus to remove trouble threats will be a problem.
Control is very reliant on spot removal and U/W is lacking in that regard.
Yeah, I've been vacillating between a combo of Jace and Tamiyo in the MB. I'm thinking all Jace for the card advantage option, but I may go with 2 Jace and a Tamiyo. I've also been considering Gideon, Champion of Justice in the MB as well. What do you think of that?
What's the Elixir of Immortality there for?
I like the life gain in a pinch. It also lets me recycle cards in my graveyard. Finally it allows me to shuffle my deck. It's also protection against milling out.
And feeling of dread feels a bit meh, have you considered more removal like o-ring or more d-spheres? I'd suggest that relying on your verdicts/terminus to remove trouble threats will be a problem.
I kinda like the Feeling of Dread; it allows me to lock down two targets for two turns. I realize that it's not, strictly speaking, card advantage; but it does slow down aggro decks until a sweeper comes along. I could swap out one Feeling of Dread for a 2nd Detention Sphere.
Thanks for the input!
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"What doesn't grow, dies. And what dies grows the Tarmogoyf."
Current Decks: Modern: BRG Jund BRG Legacy: UBG BUG UBG
Yeah, I've been vacillating between a combo of Jace and Tamiyo in the MB. I'm thinking all Jace for the card advantage option, but I may go with 2 Jace and a Tamiyo. I've also been considering Gideon, Champion of Justice in the MB as well. What do you think of that?
Gideon certainly can find a home in the right deck. Give it a go and see, I've yet to really play around with him myself, so I don't have a lot of insight for you there.
I like the life gain in a pinch. It also lets me recycle cards in my graveyard. Finally it allows me to shuffle my deck. It's also protection against milling out.
Fair enough, that seems reasonable. I don't know if I'd run it main board, but you reasons sounds fair
I kinda like the Feeling of Dread; it allows me to lock down two targets for two turns. I realize that it's not, strictly speaking, card advantage; but it does slow down aggro decks until a sweeper comes along. I could swap out one Feeling of Dread for a 2nd Detention Sphere.
Yeah, personally I love Feeling of Dread as well, I guess it just feels like a stronger card in tempo. Definitely consider 1 more D-sphere for a Feeling of Dread.
Round 1: Jund Aggro (2-0)
Fairly easy match up for me. He got out to a quick start, but I was able to stabilize with my wrath effects and revelations. Eventually got Aetherling out in both games and put the beat on.
Round 2: Junk Aristocrats (0-2)
First game wasn't even close as Sorrin was able to put a consistent beat on me with his vampire tokens. The second game was close...up to a point. He managed to do 15 points of damage to me in one turn with double Blood Artist and his sac outlets. My main problem was I couldn't get any wrath cards in this round. Oh well...
Round 3: Bant Hexproof/Aura (1-0)
The first game took forever. He got out Invisible Stalker and Geist of Saint Traft out early. The only thing that kept me in the game was using two Azorius Charms on the angel token. Turn four, I top-decked a Supreme Verdict and wiped the board. A few turns later, I was able to miracle a Terminus and wipe the board again. Big, juicy Revelation for six stabilized my life total and I was able to get Jace and Tamiyo out and go ultimate. We never got to game two as my opponent took awhile to sideboard; I was happy to take the victory.
Round 4: U/W/r Flash-Control (2-0)
The first game was a typical control mirror match (land...go) for the first few turns. My opponent broke the monotony with a few burn spells and a Snapcaster Mage to flash those burns back. I miracles a Terminus to wipe the board (a bit of a waste, but what else could I do). He countered a Tamiyo, but I was able to get a timely Revelation and an Aetherling out. Game two he was mana-screwed. I was able to get Tamiyo out and kept tapping down his only white source. When he saw that Tamiyo was about to go ultimate, he scooped.
A very satisfying evening for me and my best FNM performance to date (I'm a relatively new player)!!!
All my main board cards performed well and did what they were supposed to do. I noticed if I can stabilize my life total and get Ætherling out, it's pretty much game over; he's a powerhouse!
Knowing from your PM that you started from my old primer, a few notes:
I had tested Tamiyo in the main a lot and found she didn't fit the style that well, but you've shifted the style of the deck so perhaps she works better now, the reason I didn't like her was that generally I just wanted to either keep the board clear or igonre damage and cast a big Sphinx's Revelation. Another key factor was that generally I was looking to recycle my deck with elixir and so Tamiyo's Ultimate was actually kinda irrelevant...
Rest in Peace feels bad with think twice and elixir of immortality but I guess if you're relying on aetherling that's less of a thing.
The original list obviously didn't have aetherling as I made it pre GTC let along DGM, AEtherling is an amazing card but a key stylistic change that perhaps lends itself to wanting to make some other changes, hard to say, main board elixir though is probably not so relevant now unless you play against a lot of control.
I note that you're not running ghost quarter, I would definately add those as fancy lands can be all sorts of problems.
I would run 4 Terminus between main and side (it's great vs aristocrats for one :p).
I also would be quite uncomfortable with cutting Feeling of Dread the last time I was testing this is was amazing, but my experience is somewhat out of date as I'm playing a rather different deck now.
Key problems I found for this in the current meta are:
a) Aetherling, but I guess running your own aetherling gives you the best answer to that (this is another reason to run feeling of dread as it helps you win the aetherling race)
b) Sire of Insanity, possibly a reason to run renounce the guilds, having to ship your hand sucks and you don't run instant speed removal (obviously cavern of souls can dodge your counters)
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I'm a control player, because I like to reserve the right to say no.
I second the call on Renounce the Guilds. The only thing you could possibly hit in your board is the singleton d-sphere.
I'm personally fan of the Feeling of Dreads, as they let you stall out the board against aggro to wipe them, and they an tap down the limited threats that midrange throws at you. Even against control, they can help keep in check a resolved AEtherling for a bit with the flashback.
I had tested Tamiyo in the main a lot and found she didn't fit the style that well, but you've shifted the style of the deck so perhaps she works better now, the reason I didn't like her was that generally I just wanted to either keep the board clear or igonre damage and cast a big Sphinx's Revelation. Another key factor was that generally I was looking to recycle my deck with elixir and so Tamiyo's Ultimate was actually kinda irrelevant...
Yeah, Tamiyo was a champ for me last Friday. I do realize I've taken the deck concept in a slightly different direction having more things that I would tap out on my turn for; but the shell is still there. I did manage to recycle the Elixir once that night; the five life is a plus.
Rest in Peace feels bad with think twice and elixir of immortality but I guess if you're relying on aetherling that's less of a thing.
I go back and forth between RIP and Purify the Grave. I understand the drawback with my flashback spells.
The original list obviously didn't have aetherling as I made it pre GTC let along DGM, AEtherling is an amazing card but a key stylistic change that perhaps lends itself to wanting to make some other changes, hard to say, main board elixir though is probably not so relevant now unless you play against a lot of control.
I note that you're not running ghost quarter, I would definately add those as fancy lands can be all sorts of problems.
Didn't see too many "fancy" lands last Friday. Saw one Gavony Township, that's it.
I would run 4 Terminus between main and side (it's great vs aristocrats for one :p).
Yeah, I need one more Terminus (only have three). It will be a sad day when that rotates out...
I also would be quite uncomfortable with cutting Feeling of Dread the last time I was testing this is was amazing, but my experience is somewhat out of date as I'm playing a rather different deck now.
This is another card I go back and forth on. It's a great card, but it's more of a tempo card. I do have to Cyclonic Rift in the SB. I could add two FoD there as well. Curious...what are you running these days?
Key problems I found for this in the current meta are:
a) Aetherling, but I guess running your own aetherling gives you the best answer to that (this is another reason to run feeling of dread as it helps you win the aetherling race)
b) Sire of Insanity, possibly a reason to run renounce the guilds, having to ship your hand sucks and you don't run instant speed removal (obviously cavern of souls can dodge your counters)
Yeah, Sire is a b*tch!
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"What doesn't grow, dies. And what dies grows the Tarmogoyf."
Current Decks: Modern: BRG Jund BRG Legacy: UBG BUG UBG
The thinking behind Feeling of Dread is simple, I'm going to cast Sphinx's Revelation, hopefully multiple times. I'm going to sweep and take out multiple creatures. Lets stay alive and waste the opponents turns until I can do those things. Feeling of Dread is one of the best ways of doing that.
When did you find Tamiyo good?
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I'm a control player, because I like to reserve the right to say no.
In round three vs. Bant Aura, I was able to ultimate Tamiyo (along with Jace) and continue recycling my Dissipate and Verdict.
In round four vs. U/W/r Flash-Control, she kept my opponent's only white source (a Clifftop Retreat) tapped down and keep him off his white mana. I had also ticked her up to 8 loyalty counters when he scooped after not drawing a white source on his turn. I would have gone ultimate the next turn.
Like I said, though, I love Feeling of Dread. I may bring it back in; just not sure what to take out. Suggestions???
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"What doesn't grow, dies. And what dies grows the Tarmogoyf."
Current Decks: Modern: BRG Jund BRG Legacy: UBG BUG UBG
I second the call on Renounce the Guilds. The only thing you could possibly hit in your board is the singleton d-sphere.
Not true...I can miracle a Terminus or top deck a Verdict. Granted, not an ideal position to be in (top decking), but the only other way is to have a counter in my hand when he attempts to resolve a Sire.
Though I hear what you're saying about Renounce; though if he has another multi-colored creature, then it's kind of moot, no?
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"What doesn't grow, dies. And what dies grows the Tarmogoyf."
Current Decks: Modern: BRG Jund BRG Legacy: UBG BUG UBG
Not true...I can miracle a Terminus or top deck a Verdict. Granted, not an ideal position to be in (top decking), but the only other way is to have a counter in my hand when he attempts to resolve a Sire.
Though I hear what you're saying about Renounce; though if he has another multi-colored creature, then it's kind of moot, no?
He meant that the only thing of your own that it would destroy is d-sphere as all your other stuff is mono-colour.
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I'm a control player, because I like to reserve the right to say no.
Solid looking deck you've got here, dude. If I were playing this deck though, I'd take two of the Jaces out, 4 seems too many I think, also I'd be running 3 Sphinx's revelations at most, but again that's just me.
Solid looking deck you've got here, dude. If I were playing this deck though, I'd take two of the Jaces out, 4 seems too many I think, also I'd be running 3 Sphinx's revelations at most, but again that's just me.
Thanks, man! I'm always looking to tweak the deck to make it a little more efficient. I think I've got the base of the deck down -- i.e., I've got the right cards. Now it's just a matter of the proper distribution of the cards.
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"What doesn't grow, dies. And what dies grows the Tarmogoyf."
Current Decks: Modern: BRG Jund BRG Legacy: UBG BUG UBG
Oh this is interesting. How long have you been playing this?
Have you thought about using Gideon, Champion of Justice as a 1 of in the deck? Sure he's not the original one, but he might be useful.
Also a copy of Martial Law or two might help against midrange decks, and where is your Staff of Nin??? That would be prefect here.
Thanks! The list started out as a budget Esper list until I broke down and added the Sphinx's Revelations and Jace, Architect of Thought. I then decided to ditch black and go straight U/W Control. I have gone through various versions of this deck where I had only Planeswalkers (Jace, Tamiyo and Gideon), just Jace + AEtherling, and now the current version. I like the idea of adding Gideon, Champion of Justice, and he might slide into Tamiyo's slot when she rotates out. Last Friday was this version of the deck's debut at an FNM. It has performed very well in casual play.
You know? I hadn't considered Staff of Nin. It would be a good fit. The 6 CMC is a bit high for me to tap out on my turn, and by the time where my mana is sufficient, it might be too little too late; but I will consider it and test it.
Thanks!!!
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"What doesn't grow, dies. And what dies grows the Tarmogoyf."
Current Decks: Modern: BRG Jund BRG Legacy: UBG BUG UBG
Hey, I'm just kinda curious why you are sticking to just UW?
Not being critical or anything, but with the sort of mana base that are available currently, why not add a third color?
Hey, I'm just kinda curious why you are sticking to just UW?
Not being critical or anything, but with the sort of mana base that are available currently, why not add a third color?
I got this.
Esper just doesn't have it vs the various Midrange decks in the format, and against the fast decks (RDW (with and without Green), Naya Blitz, Aristocrats, etc) it loses before it can board wipe.
Hey, I'm just kinda curious why you are sticking to just UW?
Not being critical or anything, but with the sort of mana base that are available currently, why not add a third color?
I kind of echo what Mr Industrial Pants said. While I'm nowhere near an experienced player (having only played in about a dozen or so FNM's so far), I do understand the idea of a cost-benefit analysis as it applies to playing MTG.
Three colors (Esper, Bant, UWR, etc.) provides more options; that's the plus. Given the full set of RTR shock lands makes it easier to play three color as well; which is also a plus. However, with only 60 slots available (26-27 of them devoted to land), that leaves me 33-34 slots for my spells. More options being available means the potential of spreading yourself too thin at times and not being able to draw the response you need for a given threat.
For example, I had previously mentioned that I began this deck as an Esper Control deck. My first incarnation didn't have Sphinx's Revelation because I didn't want to spend ~$80 on a playset. However, even to compete at an FNM, you need the best cards you can get, so I took the plunge and bought them. Adding four Revelations means cutting four other cards out. For me, it came down to running only 3-4 counters (which I thought was a little light); and I got stomped at a FNM (0-2-2 I believe).
The other problem was even though the additional dual lands makes three-color decks more feasible, there are going to be times where you can't get one of your three colors. Again, going back to the Esper version of this deck, I was running an Obzedat Ghost Council along with my AEtherling. In one game, I had Obzedat in hand, but couldn't get the second black needed to play him. Another case in point, in my last FNM, I beat a UWr deck by using Tamiyo to tap down his RW land keeping him off his white source. I understand everyone gets mana-screwed from time to time; even mono-colored decks; but statistically, three-colors means more of an opportunity to get screwed on one of your colors.
Since I'm a relatively newer player, I wanted to minimize the things I was doing and try to do them well, rather than have more options at my disposal. That meant, for me, going down to two colors. Control is very new to me, so I wanted to give myself the best chance of learning how to play this demanding deck archetype. The kind of control I want to play is 1) Counter specific threats; 2) Sweep the threats I don't counter; 3) Gain significant card advantage; 4) Eventually win with AEtherling or going ultimate with either Jace or Tamiyo. Once I get this down well, I'll probably experiment again with a third color (black for Esper or green for Bant).
Thanks for asking!!!
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"What doesn't grow, dies. And what dies grows the Tarmogoyf."
Current Decks: Modern: BRG Jund BRG Legacy: UBG BUG UBG
Esper just doesn't have it vs the various Midrange decks in the format, and against the fast decks (RDW (with and without Green), Naya Blitz, Aristocrats, etc) it loses before it can board wipe.
The thinking is this: I really do like FoD for its stalling ability. My main goal is to stall and control the board until I can drop an AEtherling. Once he's on the board, it's pretty much game over. Secondary win-con is go ultimate on either Jace or Tamiyo.
Planeswalkers like liliana, domri, garruk are the real deal. One slipping through early and you are screwed.
Well, renounce the guilds can deal with Domri. I do have the 2 SB Detention Spheres. That and the 2 Cyclonic Rifts. Also the Witchbane Orb can protect me from Liliana's 2nd & 3rd abilities.
Any other suggestions?
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"What doesn't grow, dies. And what dies grows the Tarmogoyf."
Current Decks: Modern: BRG Jund BRG Legacy: UBG BUG UBG
2 AEtherling
Planeswalkers
4 Jace, Architect of Thought
Sorceries
4 Supreme Verdict
2 Terminus
Instants
4 Azorius Charm
4 Think Twice
4 Sphinx's Revelation
3 Feeling of Dread
3 Dissipate
2 Syncopate
1 Detention Sphere
Artifacts
1 Elixir of Immortality
Land
4 Hallowed Fountain
4 Glacial Fortress
4 Azorius Guildgate
8 Islands
6 Plains
2 Jace, Memory Adept
2 Negate
2 Syncopate
1 Dissipate
1 Pithing Needle
2 Angel of Serenity
1 Witchbane Orb
1 Detention Sphere
2 Entreat the Angels
1 Tamiyo, The Moon Sage
My strategy is to control the early and mid game with counter and removal while trying to gain card advantage through Jace, Architect of Thought, Think Twice. and Sphinx's Revelation.
My win conditions are getting AEtherling out or going ultimate on Jace, Architect of Thought.
The sideboard is still a WIP.
I welcome any comments and suggestions.
Current Decks:
Modern: BRG Jund BRG
Legacy: UBG BUG UBG
Also you might like Tamiyo, in the main.
What's the Elixir of Immortality there for?
And feeling of dread feels a bit meh, have you considered more removal like o-ring or more d-spheres? I'd suggest that relying on your verdicts/terminus to remove trouble threats will be a problem.
Control is very reliant on spot removal and U/W is lacking in that regard.
Yeah, I've been vacillating between a combo of Jace and Tamiyo in the MB. I'm thinking all Jace for the card advantage option, but I may go with 2 Jace and a Tamiyo. I've also been considering Gideon, Champion of Justice in the MB as well. What do you think of that?
I like the life gain in a pinch. It also lets me recycle cards in my graveyard. Finally it allows me to shuffle my deck. It's also protection against milling out.
I kinda like the Feeling of Dread; it allows me to lock down two targets for two turns. I realize that it's not, strictly speaking, card advantage; but it does slow down aggro decks until a sweeper comes along. I could swap out one Feeling of Dread for a 2nd Detention Sphere.
Thanks for the input!
Current Decks:
Modern: BRG Jund BRG
Legacy: UBG BUG UBG
Gideon certainly can find a home in the right deck. Give it a go and see, I've yet to really play around with him myself, so I don't have a lot of insight for you there.
Fair enough, that seems reasonable. I don't know if I'd run it main board, but you reasons sounds fair
Yeah, personally I love Feeling of Dread as well, I guess it just feels like a stronger card in tempo. Definitely consider 1 more D-sphere for a Feeling of Dread.
Here's the modified deck...
2 Ætherling
Planeswalkers
4 Jace, Architect of Thought
2 Tamiyo, the Moon Sage
Sorceries
4 Supreme Verdict
2 Terminus
Instants
4 Azorius Charm
4 Think Twice
4 Sphinx's Revelation
4 Dissipate
2 Syncopate
1 Detention Sphere
Artifacts
1 Elixir of Immortality
Land
4 Hallowed Fountain
4 Glacial Fortress
4 Azorius Guildgate
8 Island
6 Plains
2 Jace, Memory Adept
2 Rest in Peace
2 Witchbane Orb
1 Detention Sphere
2 Negate
2 Dispel
2 Cyclonic Rift
1 Glaring Spotlight
1 Terminus
My matches were...
Round 1: Jund Aggro (2-0)
Fairly easy match up for me. He got out to a quick start, but I was able to stabilize with my wrath effects and revelations. Eventually got Aetherling out in both games and put the beat on.
Round 2: Junk Aristocrats (0-2)
First game wasn't even close as Sorrin was able to put a consistent beat on me with his vampire tokens. The second game was close...up to a point. He managed to do 15 points of damage to me in one turn with double Blood Artist and his sac outlets. My main problem was I couldn't get any wrath cards in this round. Oh well...
Round 3: Bant Hexproof/Aura (1-0)
The first game took forever. He got out Invisible Stalker and Geist of Saint Traft out early. The only thing that kept me in the game was using two Azorius Charms on the angel token. Turn four, I top-decked a Supreme Verdict and wiped the board. A few turns later, I was able to miracle a Terminus and wipe the board again. Big, juicy Revelation for six stabilized my life total and I was able to get Jace and Tamiyo out and go ultimate. We never got to game two as my opponent took awhile to sideboard; I was happy to take the victory.
Round 4: U/W/r Flash-Control (2-0)
The first game was a typical control mirror match (land...go) for the first few turns. My opponent broke the monotony with a few burn spells and a Snapcaster Mage to flash those burns back. I miracles a Terminus to wipe the board (a bit of a waste, but what else could I do). He countered a Tamiyo, but I was able to get a timely Revelation and an Aetherling out. Game two he was mana-screwed. I was able to get Tamiyo out and kept tapping down his only white source. When he saw that Tamiyo was about to go ultimate, he scooped.
A very satisfying evening for me and my best FNM performance to date (I'm a relatively new player)!!!
All my main board cards performed well and did what they were supposed to do. I noticed if I can stabilize my life total and get Ætherling out, it's pretty much game over; he's a powerhouse!
Current Decks:
Modern: BRG Jund BRG
Legacy: UBG BUG UBG
I had tested Tamiyo in the main a lot and found she didn't fit the style that well, but you've shifted the style of the deck so perhaps she works better now, the reason I didn't like her was that generally I just wanted to either keep the board clear or igonre damage and cast a big Sphinx's Revelation. Another key factor was that generally I was looking to recycle my deck with elixir and so Tamiyo's Ultimate was actually kinda irrelevant...
Rest in Peace feels bad with think twice and elixir of immortality but I guess if you're relying on aetherling that's less of a thing.
The original list obviously didn't have aetherling as I made it pre GTC let along DGM, AEtherling is an amazing card but a key stylistic change that perhaps lends itself to wanting to make some other changes, hard to say, main board elixir though is probably not so relevant now unless you play against a lot of control.
I note that you're not running ghost quarter, I would definately add those as fancy lands can be all sorts of problems.
I would run 4 Terminus between main and side (it's great vs aristocrats for one :p).
I also would be quite uncomfortable with cutting Feeling of Dread the last time I was testing this is was amazing, but my experience is somewhat out of date as I'm playing a rather different deck now.
Key problems I found for this in the current meta are:
a) Aetherling, but I guess running your own aetherling gives you the best answer to that (this is another reason to run feeling of dread as it helps you win the aetherling race)
b) Sire of Insanity, possibly a reason to run renounce the guilds, having to ship your hand sucks and you don't run instant speed removal (obviously cavern of souls can dodge your counters)
I'm personally fan of the Feeling of Dreads, as they let you stall out the board against aggro to wipe them, and they an tap down the limited threats that midrange throws at you. Even against control, they can help keep in check a resolved AEtherling for a bit with the flashback.
Yeah, Tamiyo was a champ for me last Friday. I do realize I've taken the deck concept in a slightly different direction having more things that I would tap out on my turn for; but the shell is still there. I did manage to recycle the Elixir once that night; the five life is a plus.
I go back and forth between RIP and Purify the Grave. I understand the drawback with my flashback spells.
Didn't see too many "fancy" lands last Friday. Saw one Gavony Township, that's it.
Yeah, I need one more Terminus (only have three). It will be a sad day when that rotates out...
This is another card I go back and forth on. It's a great card, but it's more of a tempo card. I do have to Cyclonic Rift in the SB. I could add two FoD there as well. Curious...what are you running these days?
Yeah, Sire is a b*tch!
Current Decks:
Modern: BRG Jund BRG
Legacy: UBG BUG UBG
When did you find Tamiyo good?
In round three vs. Bant Aura, I was able to ultimate Tamiyo (along with Jace) and continue recycling my Dissipate and Verdict.
In round four vs. U/W/r Flash-Control, she kept my opponent's only white source (a Clifftop Retreat) tapped down and keep him off his white mana. I had also ticked her up to 8 loyalty counters when he scooped after not drawing a white source on his turn. I would have gone ultimate the next turn.
Like I said, though, I love Feeling of Dread. I may bring it back in; just not sure what to take out. Suggestions???
Current Decks:
Modern: BRG Jund BRG
Legacy: UBG BUG UBG
Not true...I can miracle a Terminus or top deck a Verdict. Granted, not an ideal position to be in (top decking), but the only other way is to have a counter in my hand when he attempts to resolve a Sire.
Though I hear what you're saying about Renounce; though if he has another multi-colored creature, then it's kind of moot, no?
Current Decks:
Modern: BRG Jund BRG
Legacy: UBG BUG UBG
Ahhh...I get it now...a little slow on the uptake today. Need more caffeine.
Current Decks:
Modern: BRG Jund BRG
Legacy: UBG BUG UBG
Thanks, man! I'm always looking to tweak the deck to make it a little more efficient. I think I've got the base of the deck down -- i.e., I've got the right cards. Now it's just a matter of the proper distribution of the cards.
Current Decks:
Modern: BRG Jund BRG
Legacy: UBG BUG UBG
Have you thought about using Gideon, Champion of Justice as a 1 of in the deck? Sure he's not the original one, but he might be useful.
Also a copy of Martial Law or two might help against midrange decks, and where is your Staff of Nin??? That would be prefect here.
currently playing:
Standard
UW Control
UWB Control
UB Control
MODERN
BRGJund
X Affinity
UWR Control
LEGACY
Dredge
R Burn
UWx Miracles
EDH
BRW Kaalia
______
Quotes:
My Magic Card nicknames.
Thanks! The list started out as a budget Esper list until I broke down and added the Sphinx's Revelations and Jace, Architect of Thought. I then decided to ditch black and go straight U/W Control. I have gone through various versions of this deck where I had only Planeswalkers (Jace, Tamiyo and Gideon), just Jace + AEtherling, and now the current version. I like the idea of adding Gideon, Champion of Justice, and he might slide into Tamiyo's slot when she rotates out. Last Friday was this version of the deck's debut at an FNM. It has performed very well in casual play.
You know? I hadn't considered Staff of Nin. It would be a good fit. The 6 CMC is a bit high for me to tap out on my turn, and by the time where my mana is sufficient, it might be too little too late; but I will consider it and test it.
Thanks!!!
Current Decks:
Modern: BRG Jund BRG
Legacy: UBG BUG UBG
Not being critical or anything, but with the sort of mana base that are available currently, why not add a third color?
I got this.
Esper just doesn't have it vs the various Midrange decks in the format, and against the fast decks (RDW (with and without Green), Naya Blitz, Aristocrats, etc) it loses before it can board wipe.
I played Esper at SCG Columbus this weekend and got Rick Rolled. You can try the list that Sam Black posted on The Mothership a few days ago: http://www.wizards.com/magic/magazine/Article.aspx?x=mtg/daily/deck/1256
I like the UW version though. I may have to try this.
currently playing:
Standard
UW Control
UWB Control
UB Control
MODERN
BRGJund
X Affinity
UWR Control
LEGACY
Dredge
R Burn
UWx Miracles
EDH
BRW Kaalia
______
Quotes:
My Magic Card nicknames.
I kind of echo what Mr Industrial Pants said. While I'm nowhere near an experienced player (having only played in about a dozen or so FNM's so far), I do understand the idea of a cost-benefit analysis as it applies to playing MTG.
Three colors (Esper, Bant, UWR, etc.) provides more options; that's the plus. Given the full set of RTR shock lands makes it easier to play three color as well; which is also a plus. However, with only 60 slots available (26-27 of them devoted to land), that leaves me 33-34 slots for my spells. More options being available means the potential of spreading yourself too thin at times and not being able to draw the response you need for a given threat.
For example, I had previously mentioned that I began this deck as an Esper Control deck. My first incarnation didn't have Sphinx's Revelation because I didn't want to spend ~$80 on a playset. However, even to compete at an FNM, you need the best cards you can get, so I took the plunge and bought them. Adding four Revelations means cutting four other cards out. For me, it came down to running only 3-4 counters (which I thought was a little light); and I got stomped at a FNM (0-2-2 I believe).
The other problem was even though the additional dual lands makes three-color decks more feasible, there are going to be times where you can't get one of your three colors. Again, going back to the Esper version of this deck, I was running an Obzedat Ghost Council along with my AEtherling. In one game, I had Obzedat in hand, but couldn't get the second black needed to play him. Another case in point, in my last FNM, I beat a UWr deck by using Tamiyo to tap down his RW land keeping him off his white source. I understand everyone gets mana-screwed from time to time; even mono-colored decks; but statistically, three-colors means more of an opportunity to get screwed on one of your colors.
Since I'm a relatively newer player, I wanted to minimize the things I was doing and try to do them well, rather than have more options at my disposal. That meant, for me, going down to two colors. Control is very new to me, so I wanted to give myself the best chance of learning how to play this demanding deck archetype. The kind of control I want to play is 1) Counter specific threats; 2) Sweep the threats I don't counter; 3) Gain significant card advantage; 4) Eventually win with AEtherling or going ultimate with either Jace or Tamiyo. Once I get this down well, I'll probably experiment again with a third color (black for Esper or green for Bant).
Thanks for asking!!!
Current Decks:
Modern: BRG Jund BRG
Legacy: UBG BUG UBG
Mr Industrial Pants,
Just wanted to say that I like your DubStep Esper deck. I may give it a whirl sometime (I so desperately WANT to mill someone out, just once!!!)
Current Decks:
Modern: BRG Jund BRG
Legacy: UBG BUG UBG
That's a nifty list! I may need to check out Renounce the Guilds for myself. I don't know if I would MB it, but definitely for the SB.
Current Decks:
Modern: BRG Jund BRG
Legacy: UBG BUG UBG
2 Ætherling
Planeswalkers (4)
2 Jace, Architect of Thought
2 Tamiyo, the Moon Sage
Sorceries (6)
4 Supreme Verdict
2 Terminus
Instants (22)
4 Azorius Charm
4 Think Twice
4 Sphinx's Revelation
4 Dissipate
3 Syncopate
3 Feeling of Dread
4 Hallowed Fountain
4 Glacial Fortress
4 Azorius Guildgate
8 Island
6 Plains
2 Jace, Memory Adept
2 Rest in Peace
2 Witchbane Orb
2 Detention Sphere
2 Negate
2 Dispel
1 Glaring Spotlight
1 Terminus
1 Elixir of Immortality
Basically, I moved the singleton Detention Sphere and the singleton Elixir of Immortality to the SB, cut out 2 Jace, Architect of Thought and added one Syncopate and three Feeling of Dread. I took out the two Dispel from the SB to make some room.
The thinking is this: I really do like FoD for its stalling ability. My main goal is to stall and control the board until I can drop an AEtherling. Once he's on the board, it's pretty much game over. Secondary win-con is go ultimate on either Jace or Tamiyo.
Thoughts???
Current Decks:
Modern: BRG Jund BRG
Legacy: UBG BUG UBG
Well, renounce the guilds can deal with Domri. I do have the 2 SB Detention Spheres. That and the 2 Cyclonic Rifts. Also the Witchbane Orb can protect me from Liliana's 2nd & 3rd abilities.
Any other suggestions?
Current Decks:
Modern: BRG Jund BRG
Legacy: UBG BUG UBG
Current Decks:
Modern: BRG Jund BRG
Legacy: UBG BUG UBG