Progenitus has the distinct pleasure of giving your opponent 2 draw steps to rip a TON of answers. He doesn't actually affect a game state outside of just attacking twice and hoping it's enough. He can easily be raced with something as simple as Baneslayer: both players at 20, Baneslayer hits first 25 15, Proggy hits 15 15, Baneslayer hits 20 10, Proggy hits 10 10, Baneslayer hits 15 5, Proggy hits 5 5, Baneslayer hits 10 0 GG Proggy.
U/R has the distinct disadvantage in that the goblin tokens are terribad at trying to save your life.
...YES, it's the Chapin Polymorph build...tested it and Awakening Zone wasn't needed at all.
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9-1-0 vs Jund
10-0-0 vs UW control
0-9-1 vs Mystic (wich I doubt that I will have to deal with in Montréal)
So, if I play against jund and UW control all my 7 matchs, I'll be happy
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11:15, restate my assumptions: 1. Mathematics is the language of nature. 2. Everything around us can be represented and understood through numbers. 3. If you graph these numbers, patterns emerge. Therefore: There are patterns everywhere in nature. - Maximillian Cohen.
As far as I can see Goblin Assault is similar to Awakening Zone in that both have a 3CMC and create a token every turn.
Zone tokens are better in a way since you can hold them back to chump, or use them for mana, but on the flipside they can't do damage; and both serve the purpose of giving you a Polymorph target.
I'm just looking at the UG lists and thinking what they have over UR. Garruk obviously, but other then that G doesn't look like it's contributing a whole lot.
I'm not trying to make an argument for one over the other since I have no experience playing this deck, but I just wanted to get all the facts straight before I attempt to put something together.
The problem with your logic here is that you are basing your opinions on the Pre-ROE metagame. And even then your assumptions are pretty much wrong. Just looking at the 3 online PTQs (and that is a pretty good sample size just based on the attendence), Jund has been getting ROCKED by U/W. It's not even close. The 2 National's qualifiers have shown that Mythic is in fact a force to be reckoned with but we already knew that. Polymoprh is going to warp the format. This forum will be moved to the competitive decks forum VERY soon. It is going to be one of the decks to beat, if not the deck to beat so your assumptions here are pretty far off base.
Against U/W: Iona kolds them to just 3-4 outs in Jace MD. The matchup is VERY favorable as U/W doesn't do anything that worries you, outside of resolving Jace and you can win that fight. They can NEVER tap out, so their X spells are pretty bad, and if they ever do: you win. Iona wins in this matchup not close.
Against Jund (what's left of it): Iona kolds them to hoping to draw every SGC BBE and Lightning Bolt to HOPE to race you. This while you are still streaming out chump blockers. I do, however, agree with you that Emrakul is much better in this matchup. It basically kolds all their cards and forces them to hope to kill you in one turn. That being said, an SGC or a couple Thrinaxes and you still might just lose. Emrakul wins in this matchup but just barely.
Mythic: They run main deck removal now so that makes Emrakul less good. If they run 0 removal you might still lose turn 3 Baneslayer turn 4 Rafiq/Finest Hour although you can always block and kill Baneslayer (as bad as that sounds). The matchup against Mythic Conscription is better since they don't run the Rafiq/Finest Hour extend the hand plan. Bouncing the guy who they use Conscription on is pretty sick. Iona on White is pretty back breaking against this deck also as all their threats have white in the casting cost. Leaves them to Jace outs once again. Iona wins in this matchup.
Naya: Pretty sure Iona on white leaves them in a pretty awkward spot if they don't have a ton of little guys out. Even if they do, Iona is always bigger. Emrakul ends games faster here but they run O-Rings and that's bad for you. They also might just be able to puke out enough guys to threaten lethal even after being forced to sac 6 permanents. I think this is a pretty even one on Emrakul or Iona.
RDW: Iona kolds the entire deck, nuff said. They can EASILY kill you before Emrakul ever gets to attack. Iona, not close again.
U/G Mirror: Iona blue makes it so they can only ever HOPE to hard cast that Emrakul before you kill them. Emrakul leaves them the option of polying your other token and ruining your day. Iona not close.
U/W/g Mirror: Iona white shuts off removal but leaves them to bounce/Jace outs which is less than ideal but gets the job done often enough. Personally I think this is a bad matchup for U/G since they've got access to better spells overall and can do more things to warp the board in their favor. Emrakul is even WORSE in this matchup because they have both U and W removal for it. Iona not close once again.
I left out fringe decks but it is pretty clear cut that Iona is the way to go here. 7 decks and Iona is clearly the best in 5 of them, tied in one, and only marginally worse in the other. Albeit the one it's marginally worse in is Jund but it's not to say she's not a house against Jund, it's just saying Emrakul is more of a house. Why play a guy that gives you a better matchup against 35% of the field but hurts you against the other 65% when you can play a guy that's good in all of the matchups.
I'm also assuming that we are agreeing that 2 of the same is much better than 2 or 3 different guys.
I could be wrong, I hadn't checked any modo results because I've found modo to be a random-wierd meta. I also never said Emrakul was leaps and bounds better than Iona, I gave it a slight edge in a meta where decks run multiple colors of removal\threats like jund does\did.
and with 4 see beyond and 4 jace i've found you can get greedy and run just one bomb.
I think that Polymorphing into Progenitus is very underwhelming. I know its been said but it bears repeating.... Progenitus does not win you the game.... I would rather morph into a Darksteel Colossus (another creature nobody has mentioned... not saying its good, just a very budget Morph target....)
Anyway, just my two thoughts on that. I'm interested in seeing what others have to say in regards to some of my other comments... I'll post some serious test results tomorrow with some data that I gathered... both from MWS and IRL testing with my team. Morph has quickly become a favorite and so we're running it through the ringer for DC.
Note: Most of our good players are apparently in Denver for whatever PTQ or something.
Round 1: Some crappy RB Burn deck. Not much to say here, homeboy got Emrakul'd tenderly. This round showed me that having one big creature is not quite enough if you can't pull a jace. This matchup would have been won with either Emrakul or Iona (Would have called Black).
Round 2: Valakut Ramp. First game he called me on Polymorph with the Ponder, whilst still never having played this deck before. He essentially scooped after Poly resolved. Second game was just blah, as he didnt get any combo cards. This was a match that would have been decided by either Emrakul or Iona (Calling green), but I felt keeping in the Emrakul was the right choice. The last thing I need is my win con killed by mountains.
Round 3: Green Eldrazi Ramp. God this was painful. I won first game, then proceeded to make two aweful hand keeps, as I was undefeated up til this point. Key point: Don't let your edge of "Wow, this deck is new and can take people off guard" get to you. I lost. This was an interesting matchup, as Emrakul was technically worse than Iona (Call Green), but she would have gotten All is Dusted quickly on. Sure the goal was to have counterspell backup, but I ran Emrakul just to see it out.
Round 4: R/G Eldrazi ramp. I lost first round to him top decking that Eldrazi that destroys target permanent when it comes into play. After that, I crushed him. This matchup went to Emrakul, as he was nearly perfectly set on both colors. Just when I was countering Green spells, he was pulling red ones that did the same basic thing. Also, he was relying on Eldrazi as win cons.
So, I'm not saying this is the same as all your Metas, but this was mine tonight. I never once fielded Iona (Prolly a dumb play on some, but a eye opening experience). Also, I did not see a single Jund deck. This is likely because the top tourny players were out of state, but for a little while, people are going to be playing a lot of home brews. Play accordingly.
Round 1: U/W Levers. (Training Grounds, Student of Warfare, Venerated Teacher, Time of Heroes). Game 1 I Spreading Seas away the white sources and get Jace out. I Brainstorm into Day of Judgment and stabilize at 1 life. Never saw a Polymorph, so I beat down with Celestial Colonnade. Game 2 he gets a strong opening hand, but runs into my Day of Judgment. I Polymorph into Iona and get my beat on.
Round 2: Valakut Ramp. Game 1, I Tectonic Edge away 2 Valakuts and he lands a Siege Gang that gets a Day of Judgement. I beat down with pumped up Elspeth tokens. Game 2, I board in Emerkul and Polymorph into him after he taps out for Siege Gang Commander. After my attack and bouncing a token, he is left with only a lonely Valakut. Scooping ensues.
Round 3. Vampires. Game 1, He gets stuck on 3 lands and taps out turn 5 for a Nighthawk. Iona enters play off a Polymorph and he scoops. Game 2, I get Duressed a forced to get rid of my See Beyond when I am on a 2 land hand. I rip two lands and play Jace bouncing his Nocturnus. He then plays Bloodwitch and I Brainstorm to hide my Polymorph in case of Mind Sludge. I Day of Judgment and he sees this as an opening to land Nocturnus and Hexmage killing Jace. With him tapped out, I Polymorph into Iona. He reveals a 4 land hand...bummer.
Round 4. White Weenie (Honor of the Pure, Ranger of Eos version). Game 1, He gets a good opening and starts beating me to 9. I land Elspeth and start to chump block. He overextends and runs into a Day of Judgment. He then taps out for Conqueror's Pledge which gets hit by Negate. I make a soldier token and Polymorph. He scoops it up. Game 2, I am on curve with Day, Jace, Elspeth, and Into the Roil. I just play control and beat down with Colonnades for the win.
Round 5. Rematch with White Weenie. Game 1 is horrible. I don't see a second white source until turn 10+. I am holding off with Into the Roil and Jace, blocking with Wind Zendikons to survive. I get a See Beyond then Brainstorm a new set off cards. I see 2 Day of Judgments and a Celestial Colonnade. I play Day, then Elspeth, then Day, then Jace, and win via Jace's Ultimate a few turns later. Game 2, the game is going well in my favor and I land a Lightmine Field and wait for the opportunity to Polymorph. He trumps me with Ranger of Eos followed by Eldrazi Monument. He attacks me to 4 and dumps his hand into play. I play See Beyond and 2 Wind Zendikons for blocking. He attacks with his team, Lightmine Field puts 4 damage on his creatures and I bounce the Monument with Into the Roil. His board vanishes. I hard cast Iona and win the game.
Overall, I won all my matches and didn't drop a single game. Many players believed they were playing against U/W Chapin Control only to be suprised by a Polymorph to end the game. The abilty to disguise the deck really played to my advantage. Never got the chance to play the Jund or U/W that was there because the store had to close early. It was 4 Rounds, Top 4 because of time restrictions. So I just split with the Vampires from Round 3 for the top prize so the owner could close up the store.
Also, if you look closely, this deck has a huge advantage in the mirror match. Both colors have solid answers to Iona/Emerkul and Luminarch Ascension in the SB is almost an auto win.
Here is the decklist for anyone interested in trying it out:
I just went 5-0-1 (unintentional draw last round) to win FNM last night with a UWG polymorph deck.
Round 1: Random Pro-red and Pro-black deck with outlanders
not much to say as it was pretty much a bye. Poly morphed into emrakuel and had the counter for his o-ring.
Round 2 Jund
game 1 - Kind of back and forth I keep ousting/ pathing his dudes and discard an emrakuel and garruk to blightning. Eventually polymorph into emrakeul. He plays sarkhan and makes it a dragon. I start beating down with the dragon after I bound his broodmate token with Jace,
Game 2- Very long stalled out game as I have elspeth and garruk and awakening zone. He has dudes and manlands that I keep chump blocking. Eventually Polymorph emrakeul and silence during his upkeep to keep sarkhan from hitting.
Round 3 White Weenie with Student of warfare ect..
Game 1 Polymorph quite early on emrakeul and he doesnt have an answer
Game 2 - I borded in iona and took out emrakeul. I lost because I am dumb and shuffled in Iona after a see beyond when I could have hardcasted it next turn.
Game 3 Ironically I end up hard casting Iona with jace on table at 7 life. Named white obviously and started bouncing his creatures with jace.
Round 4- Mono black eldrazi
Game 1 - he mulls to 5 and stays in it for a while but I polymoprh emrakeul and silence during upkeep cause I know he has consuming vapors and all is dust
Game 2 - he uses sadistic sacrament to take out both emrauels and a jace. I play jace and start fateselaing him. On the turn before I win with jace I silence him on his upkeep and go off with jace next turn.
Round 5 open the vaults
Game1 - All I remember is a very long game with he ended up getting off an open the vaults and pathing my attempt at poly morph once and wrathing the time I got emrakeul out.
Game 2 -
Polymorph into emrakeula dn silence him durning upkeep after a couple of polymorph attempts.
Game 3- Draw cause we ran out of time
Round x - Forgot this round it was around 3 or 4 though
Game 1 - He plays red black with blightning and bolts/ good stuff however after and emrakuel gatekeepered I get another out and win
Game 2- I am very lucky as he has answer to both emrakeuls I got out, however I topdeck a third polymorph attempt and get him with an emrakeul. I borded in the iona however it was in my hand most of the game
Overall Silence is way better than I expected because you can use it on your turn to prevent bolt or path or terminate on token in response to polymorph, or you can use it during their upkeep after polymorph. Elspeth was great as she can be such a threat on her own. I was unsure about oust but it did help a little in the white weenie matchup. I didnt say much about my sideboard because it was pretty bad and I didnt use much it so it needs some work.
4x Awakening Zone
4x Jace the mind Sculptor
4x See Beyond
4x Oust
2x Path to exile
3x Silence
2x Garruk Wildspeaker
3x Elspeth Knight Errant
4x Polymorph
2x Emrakeul the Aeons Torn
4x Deprive
4x Misty Rain Forest
4x Khalni Garden
3x Island
2x Plains
2x Forest
3x Celestial Collonade
2x Sunpetal Grove
4x Glacial Fortress
Sideboard (testing out this, and it needs to change)
4x Spell Pierce ( kinda cool sometimes but probably could just be negate)
4x Refraction Trap (I didn't play against any red so still unsure)
3x O-Ring (These are good vs. other walkers, plus you can o-ring another journey or o-ring that took your emrakeul)
3x Pithing Needle (these are just not that good seeing as I play 3 different plainswalkers I won't being naming them. So they only hit manlands and Ajani's unless I am forgetting something)
1x Iona (I like her in the board better than main deck, mostly I try to set up emrakuel with counter or silence backup anyways, but against the mono colored decks obviously and early Iona Is game)
ive played it a bunch and i dont really care for green the only reason i like green is garden but heck i figure u can still play it and run a u/w list heres an idea what do u guys think
1 emrakul
4 jace the mind scultpor
3 elspeth knight errant
4 silence
4 ponder
2 see beyond
4 polymorph
4 negate
3 into the roil
4 wind zendikon
3 day of judgment
got second in the WPN qualifier today. Lost of RDW 2x but that was my only lost... best mill 2-0, beat GW aggro 2-0, Beat UW control 2-0, Lost my last round to RDW then n the top 4 i beat jund 2-0 and lost to RDW for 2nd.
while playing uwg, do u ever think about using doj ? oust n pte is only 1 for 1 card, while with doj u'll gain big advantage.
n how much of a use is the 3 colonade, don't u think 2 is maximum number ? u won't be attacking with 2 collonade using 10 mana right ? n it's cipt land, could cost u tempo.
i'm intrested in playing this deck, been playing turbofog all this time. n thinking this deck is quite fun.
And 1 more thing, why is progenitus is overlooked these days. it's auto win if u can hold on for 2 more turns. even emrakul can be bounced by jace, o-ring, jtn..
ive played it a bunch and i dont really care for green the only reason i like green is garden but heck i figure u can still play it and run a u/w list heres an idea what do u guys think
1 emrakul
4 jace the mind scultpor
3 elspeth knight errant
4 silence
4 ponder
2 see beyond
4 polymorph
4 negate
3 into the roil
4 wind zendikon
3 day of judgment
sideboard
2 iona
4 flash freeze
4 dispel
2 lightmine field
3 path to exile
So now you have 4 lands that do not produce Blue, and they also do not produce any other relevant color. I don't like Khalni Garden in a non-Green deck, as I don't like lands that produce an "off" color in this deck at all. This deck is so blue hungry that its impossible to allow any additional non-blue lands that are not required to cast your supporting color. Even Tectonic Edge is too much in most scenarios, and that is why you see people who play it playing only 1-2. If you want the garden, that is, the "free" creature, just play Wind Zendikan, because it does essentially the same thing.
while playing uwg, do u ever think about using doj ? oust n pte is only 1 for 1 card, while with doj u'll gain big advantage.
n how much of a use is the 3 colonade, don't u think 2 is maximum number ? u won't be attacking with 2 collonade using 10 mana right ? n it's cipt land, could cost u tempo.
i'm intrested in playing this deck, been playing turbofog all this time. n thinking this deck is quite fun.
And 1 more thing, why is progenitus is overlooked these days. it's auto win if u can hold on for 2 more turns. even emrakul can be bounced by jace, o-ring, jtn..
Yes Day of Judgement is what I will be trying on monday, however, I do not know if I want them main deck or sideboard, but they seem like they would be better.
Yes Collonade comes into play tapped but it also helps with the double blue and double white for jace and elspeth. you are right I usually wouldn't be attacking with two but it can also be nice to have another in the case your other gets pathed or tectonic edged.
I guess progentitus could be okay, I don't see much of a problem with it, but emrakeul with annilate 6 is pretty much game in 1 swing anyways. Besides progenitus could also be raced but emrakuel is much harder to race because he makes them sac their board. Progenitus still gets wrathed away as well. Mostly I try to set up polymorph with counterback up or a silence anyways.
ive played it a bunch and i dont really care for green the only reason i like green is garden but heck i figure u can still play it and run a u/w list heres an idea what do u guys think
1 emrakul
4 jace the mind scultpor
3 elspeth knight errant
4 silence
4 ponder
2 see beyond
4 polymorph
4 negate
3 into the roil
4 wind zendikon
3 day of judgment
sideboard
2 iona
4 flash freeze
4 dispel
2 lightmine field
3 path to exile
As being the biggest advocate of UW Polymorph (My deck is Post #898), I foresee a few problems with your build. Do not run Khalni Garden in UW! It hurts the mana base, reveals that you are playing Polymorph, and is unnecessary. Silence is cute, but is not important either. You should be able to time your Polymorphs or back them up with Negate. Never in all my games have I ever wished I had a Silence in hand. Also, Iona should be maindeck. The only matches that Emerkul is marginally better are Jund and Valakut Ramp.
UW is not about casting Polymorph Turn 3-4, but casting it Turn 5+. It is a control deck first with an "oops, I win" factor built in.
I strongly suggest Iona as your Main Deck Polymorph creature with Emerkul in the SB (as he pulls double duty versus Mill/Turbo Fog decks). The mana base looks really solid now. I think if you are going to run only 1 creature, then you need 4x Jace and 3x See Beyond.
I would try to find a way to get Oblvion Ring and/or Into the Roil into the deck some where. You could easily cut 1-2 Silence and add a little more business spells. Overall I think your deck is going in a good direction!
So now you have 4 lands that do not produce Blue, and they also do not produce any other relevant color. I don't like Khalni Garden in a non-Green deck, as I don't like lands that produce an "off" color in this deck at all. This deck is so blue hungry that its impossible to allow any additional non-blue lands that are not required to cast your supporting color. Even Tectonic Edge is too much in most scenarios, and that is why you see people who play it playing only 1-2. If you want the garden, that is, the "free" creature, just play Wind Zendikan, because it does essentially the same thing.
I agree wholeheartedly with this, I run UW polymorph, because I like the surprise aspect of Game1 polymorphing into winning, representing UW control pretty solidly in turns 1-4. then poly-ing to win turn4-6 depending upon opposing deck/tapping out.
I use two khalni garden, and only 2...no more, cos drawing a second one is terrible. I use 2 Wind Zendikon, because it does the same as khalni, tricks nicely off fetch lands, and gets in for 2 occasionally if needed.
Generally I try to avoid playing the khalni garden until I need the token, ie polymorph turn, or if I've been "made" as playing polymorph.
As being the biggest advocate of UW Polymorph (My deck is Post #898), I foresee a few problems with your build. Do not run Khalni Garden in UW! It hurts the mana base, reveals that you are playing Polymorph, and is unnecessary. Silence is cute, but is not important either. You should be able to time your Polymorphs or back them up with Negate. Never in all my games have I ever wished I had a Silence in hand. Also, Iona should be maindeck. The only matches that Emerkul is marginally better are Jund and Valakut Ramp.
Silence is terrible, there's no time negate, or even dispel(vomits a bit), is better, the only chance the opponent has is to kill the poly target or what you make, negate will stop this, silence you would need two copies of to safely defend.
UW is not about casting Polymorph Turn 3-4, but casting it Turn 5+. It is a control deck first with an "oops, I win" factor built in.
yupz.
And it has the added bonus of having won game 1 with a cheeky surprise polymorph, sideboarding into a full UW control deck, with no intention of polymorphing again.
I strongly suggest Iona as your Main Deck Polymorph creature with Emerkul in the SB (as he pulls double duty versus Mill/Turbo Fog decks). The mana base looks really solid now. I think if you are going to run only 1 creature, then you need 4x Jace and 3x See Beyond.
I would try to find a way to get Oblvion Ring and/or Into the Roil into the deck some where. You could easily cut 1-2 Silence and add a little more business spells. Overall I think your deck is going in a good direction!
I like varying the poly targets, running 1 of Iona, 1 of Emrakul, polying into either is never disappointing.
What needs to be considered, like legacy reanimator decks, is what we want to hit in game 2...
darksteel colossus is great vs jund(and can bounce a 2nd polymorph off it's back if needed.
rdw falls over pretty badly to empyrial archangel
inkwell leviathan gets control pretty badly
emrakul gets everyone, but is far from ideal vs UW as they have DoJ, O-ring, Jace2
Iona is a house vs most things, bad vs grixis(uncommon these days), best vs mono decks and jund.
the rest of my sb is probably gonna be hard control transitional SB into UW(g) control (g leaving up option to hard cast empyrial archangel, already running misty rainforests, adding one forest maybe)
@wizbit: Could you post your list? I've been playing U/G up until now, but with your reasons above, I might try switching to U/W for my national qualifier in two weeks and I would like a list that has been tested as much as yours.
I think Awakening zone is a must have in U/G because it gives you a steady stream of chump blockers if necessary, lets you have a bunch of creatures if you ultimate garruk, and can ramp you up to emrakul
I don't actually like either list. They both have the potential to do powerful things, but I don't like them. Just because those are the lists that did well, does not mean we should immitate them. However, there are strong points with both lists.
First, UWG is viable. I've been interested in a Bant version of the deck, and this is a very good starting point.
Second, the Wurm in the board is very nice. It provides a potential "polymorph" target that also serves as an instant plus against Red, and something you dont' mind drawing and casting OR morphing into. Not sure if he sided out his morphs here or not, but, it seems like it could/should be for real.
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U/R has the distinct disadvantage in that the goblin tokens are terribad at trying to save your life.
4x Into the Roil
4x Deprive
4x Polymorph
4x Ponder
4x See Beyond
4x Explore
4x Growth Spasm
1x Garruk Wildspeaker
7x Island
4x Khalni Garden
4x Halimar Depths
4x Misty Rainforest
4x Forest
1x Scalding Tarn
1x Verdant Catacombs
4x Negate
3x Mind Control
3x Ice Cage
1x Emrakul, the Aeons Torn
...YES, it's the Chapin Polymorph build...tested it and Awakening Zone wasn't needed at all.
Standard: XDon't play.X
Legacy: BUReanimatorUB
Vintage: URBWGDBRU
9-1-0 vs Jund
10-0-0 vs UW control
0-9-1 vs Mystic (wich I doubt that I will have to deal with in Montréal)
So, if I play against jund and UW control all my 7 matchs, I'll be happy
Standard: XDon't play.X
Legacy: BUReanimatorUB
Vintage: URBWGDBRU
Explore. You get Explore.
BGStandard Green AggroGB
UWRGModern Saheeli CobraGRWU
UBRGLegacy StormGRBU
Wizards Certified Rules Advisor
I could be wrong, I hadn't checked any modo results because I've found modo to be a random-wierd meta. I also never said Emrakul was leaps and bounds better than Iona, I gave it a slight edge in a meta where decks run multiple colors of removal\threats like jund does\did.
and with 4 see beyond and 4 jace i've found you can get greedy and run just one bomb.
Anyway, just my two thoughts on that. I'm interested in seeing what others have to say in regards to some of my other comments... I'll post some serious test results tomorrow with some data that I gathered... both from MWS and IRL testing with my team. Morph has quickly become a favorite and so we're running it through the ringer for DC.
Note: Most of our good players are apparently in Denver for whatever PTQ or something.
Round 1: Some crappy RB Burn deck. Not much to say here, homeboy got Emrakul'd tenderly. This round showed me that having one big creature is not quite enough if you can't pull a jace. This matchup would have been won with either Emrakul or Iona (Would have called Black).
Round 2: Valakut Ramp. First game he called me on Polymorph with the Ponder, whilst still never having played this deck before. He essentially scooped after Poly resolved. Second game was just blah, as he didnt get any combo cards. This was a match that would have been decided by either Emrakul or Iona (Calling green), but I felt keeping in the Emrakul was the right choice. The last thing I need is my win con killed by mountains.
Round 3: Green Eldrazi Ramp. God this was painful. I won first game, then proceeded to make two aweful hand keeps, as I was undefeated up til this point. Key point: Don't let your edge of "Wow, this deck is new and can take people off guard" get to you. I lost. This was an interesting matchup, as Emrakul was technically worse than Iona (Call Green), but she would have gotten All is Dusted quickly on. Sure the goal was to have counterspell backup, but I ran Emrakul just to see it out.
Round 4: R/G Eldrazi ramp. I lost first round to him top decking that Eldrazi that destroys target permanent when it comes into play. After that, I crushed him. This matchup went to Emrakul, as he was nearly perfectly set on both colors. Just when I was countering Green spells, he was pulling red ones that did the same basic thing. Also, he was relying on Eldrazi as win cons.
So, I'm not saying this is the same as all your Metas, but this was mine tonight. I never once fielded Iona (Prolly a dumb play on some, but a eye opening experience). Also, I did not see a single Jund deck. This is likely because the top tourny players were out of state, but for a little while, people are going to be playing a lot of home brews. Play accordingly.
Round 1: U/W Levers. (Training Grounds, Student of Warfare, Venerated Teacher, Time of Heroes). Game 1 I Spreading Seas away the white sources and get Jace out. I Brainstorm into Day of Judgment and stabilize at 1 life. Never saw a Polymorph, so I beat down with Celestial Colonnade. Game 2 he gets a strong opening hand, but runs into my Day of Judgment. I Polymorph into Iona and get my beat on.
Round 2: Valakut Ramp. Game 1, I Tectonic Edge away 2 Valakuts and he lands a Siege Gang that gets a Day of Judgement. I beat down with pumped up Elspeth tokens. Game 2, I board in Emerkul and Polymorph into him after he taps out for Siege Gang Commander. After my attack and bouncing a token, he is left with only a lonely Valakut. Scooping ensues.
Round 3. Vampires. Game 1, He gets stuck on 3 lands and taps out turn 5 for a Nighthawk. Iona enters play off a Polymorph and he scoops. Game 2, I get Duressed a forced to get rid of my See Beyond when I am on a 2 land hand. I rip two lands and play Jace bouncing his Nocturnus. He then plays Bloodwitch and I Brainstorm to hide my Polymorph in case of Mind Sludge. I Day of Judgment and he sees this as an opening to land Nocturnus and Hexmage killing Jace. With him tapped out, I Polymorph into Iona. He reveals a 4 land hand...bummer.
Round 4. White Weenie (Honor of the Pure, Ranger of Eos version). Game 1, He gets a good opening and starts beating me to 9. I land Elspeth and start to chump block. He overextends and runs into a Day of Judgment. He then taps out for Conqueror's Pledge which gets hit by Negate. I make a soldier token and Polymorph. He scoops it up. Game 2, I am on curve with Day, Jace, Elspeth, and Into the Roil. I just play control and beat down with Colonnades for the win.
Round 5. Rematch with White Weenie. Game 1 is horrible. I don't see a second white source until turn 10+. I am holding off with Into the Roil and Jace, blocking with Wind Zendikons to survive. I get a See Beyond then Brainstorm a new set off cards. I see 2 Day of Judgments and a Celestial Colonnade. I play Day, then Elspeth, then Day, then Jace, and win via Jace's Ultimate a few turns later. Game 2, the game is going well in my favor and I land a Lightmine Field and wait for the opportunity to Polymorph. He trumps me with Ranger of Eos followed by Eldrazi Monument. He attacks me to 4 and dumps his hand into play. I play See Beyond and 2 Wind Zendikons for blocking. He attacks with his team, Lightmine Field puts 4 damage on his creatures and I bounce the Monument with Into the Roil. His board vanishes. I hard cast Iona and win the game.
Overall, I won all my matches and didn't drop a single game. Many players believed they were playing against U/W Chapin Control only to be suprised by a Polymorph to end the game. The abilty to disguise the deck really played to my advantage. Never got the chance to play the Jund or U/W that was there because the store had to close early. It was 4 Rounds, Top 4 because of time restrictions. So I just split with the Vampires from Round 3 for the top prize so the owner could close up the store.
Also, if you look closely, this deck has a huge advantage in the mirror match. Both colors have solid answers to Iona/Emerkul and Luminarch Ascension in the SB is almost an auto win.
Here is the decklist for anyone interested in trying it out:
4 Celestial Colonnade
4 Glacial Fortress
8 Island
7 Plains
2 Tectonic Edge
2 Iona, Shield of Emeria
4 Spreading Seas
4 Wind Zendikon
2 Oblivion Ring
4 Into the Roil
2 See Beyond
3 Day of Judgment
4 Polymorph
3 Jace the Mind Sculptor
3 Elspeth, Knight's Errant
1 Emerkul, the Aeons Torn
1 Day of Judgment
1 Lightmine Field
2 Dispel
2 Telemin Performance
4 Flashfreeze
4 Luminarch Acension
Round 1: Random Pro-red and Pro-black deck with outlanders
not much to say as it was pretty much a bye. Poly morphed into emrakuel and had the counter for his o-ring.
Round 2 Jund
game 1 - Kind of back and forth I keep ousting/ pathing his dudes and discard an emrakuel and garruk to blightning. Eventually polymorph into emrakeul. He plays sarkhan and makes it a dragon. I start beating down with the dragon after I bound his broodmate token with Jace,
Game 2- Very long stalled out game as I have elspeth and garruk and awakening zone. He has dudes and manlands that I keep chump blocking. Eventually Polymorph emrakeul and silence during his upkeep to keep sarkhan from hitting.
Round 3 White Weenie with Student of warfare ect..
Game 1 Polymorph quite early on emrakeul and he doesnt have an answer
Game 2 - I borded in iona and took out emrakeul. I lost because I am dumb and shuffled in Iona after a see beyond when I could have hardcasted it next turn.
Game 3 Ironically I end up hard casting Iona with jace on table at 7 life. Named white obviously and started bouncing his creatures with jace.
Round 4- Mono black eldrazi
Game 1 - he mulls to 5 and stays in it for a while but I polymoprh emrakeul and silence during upkeep cause I know he has consuming vapors and all is dust
Game 2 - he uses sadistic sacrament to take out both emrauels and a jace. I play jace and start fateselaing him. On the turn before I win with jace I silence him on his upkeep and go off with jace next turn.
Round 5 open the vaults
Game1 - All I remember is a very long game with he ended up getting off an open the vaults and pathing my attempt at poly morph once and wrathing the time I got emrakeul out.
Game 2 -
Polymorph into emrakeula dn silence him durning upkeep after a couple of polymorph attempts.
Game 3- Draw cause we ran out of time
Round x - Forgot this round it was around 3 or 4 though
Game 1 - He plays red black with blightning and bolts/ good stuff however after and emrakuel gatekeepered I get another out and win
Game 2- I am very lucky as he has answer to both emrakeuls I got out, however I topdeck a third polymorph attempt and get him with an emrakeul. I borded in the iona however it was in my hand most of the game
Overall Silence is way better than I expected because you can use it on your turn to prevent bolt or path or terminate on token in response to polymorph, or you can use it during their upkeep after polymorph. Elspeth was great as she can be such a threat on her own. I was unsure about oust but it did help a little in the white weenie matchup. I didnt say much about my sideboard because it was pretty bad and I didnt use much it so it needs some work.
4x Awakening Zone
4x Jace the mind Sculptor
4x See Beyond
4x Oust
2x Path to exile
3x Silence
2x Garruk Wildspeaker
3x Elspeth Knight Errant
4x Polymorph
2x Emrakeul the Aeons Torn
4x Deprive
4x Misty Rain Forest
4x Khalni Garden
3x Island
2x Plains
2x Forest
3x Celestial Collonade
2x Sunpetal Grove
4x Glacial Fortress
Sideboard (testing out this, and it needs to change)
4x Spell Pierce ( kinda cool sometimes but probably could just be negate)
4x Refraction Trap (I didn't play against any red so still unsure)
3x O-Ring (These are good vs. other walkers, plus you can o-ring another journey or o-ring that took your emrakeul)
3x Pithing Needle (these are just not that good seeing as I play 3 different plainswalkers I won't being naming them. So they only hit manlands and Ajani's unless I am forgetting something)
1x Iona (I like her in the board better than main deck, mostly I try to set up emrakuel with counter or silence backup anyways, but against the mono colored decks obviously and early Iona Is game)
Modern
R/ Boros W/
U/ Eldrazi-Post G/
Top 8'd:
2x Tcg Player Qualifiers
1x MWS Series Trial
Top'16:
PTQ Austin
PTQ Paris
Extended:
RIP
Legacy: Zoo
"I am the beast of America"
Props to Hakai Studios for the banner
1 emrakul
4 jace the mind scultpor
3 elspeth knight errant
4 silence
4 ponder
2 see beyond
4 polymorph
4 negate
3 into the roil
4 wind zendikon
3 day of judgment
4 celestial colonnade
4 khlani garden
4 glacial fortress
3 island
6 plains
4 halimar depths
sideboard
2 iona
4 flash freeze
4 dispel
2 lightmine field
3 path to exile
n how much of a use is the 3 colonade, don't u think 2 is maximum number ? u won't be attacking with 2 collonade using 10 mana right ? n it's cipt land, could cost u tempo.
i'm intrested in playing this deck, been playing turbofog all this time. n thinking this deck is quite fun.
And 1 more thing, why is progenitus is overlooked these days. it's auto win if u can hold on for 2 more turns. even emrakul can be bounced by jace, o-ring, jtn..
So now you have 4 lands that do not produce Blue, and they also do not produce any other relevant color. I don't like Khalni Garden in a non-Green deck, as I don't like lands that produce an "off" color in this deck at all. This deck is so blue hungry that its impossible to allow any additional non-blue lands that are not required to cast your supporting color. Even Tectonic Edge is too much in most scenarios, and that is why you see people who play it playing only 1-2. If you want the garden, that is, the "free" creature, just play Wind Zendikan, because it does essentially the same thing.
Yes Day of Judgement is what I will be trying on monday, however, I do not know if I want them main deck or sideboard, but they seem like they would be better.
Yes Collonade comes into play tapped but it also helps with the double blue and double white for jace and elspeth. you are right I usually wouldn't be attacking with two but it can also be nice to have another in the case your other gets pathed or tectonic edged.
I guess progentitus could be okay, I don't see much of a problem with it, but emrakeul with annilate 6 is pretty much game in 1 swing anyways. Besides progenitus could also be raced but emrakuel is much harder to race because he makes them sac their board. Progenitus still gets wrathed away as well. Mostly I try to set up polymorph with counterback up or a silence anyways.
As being the biggest advocate of UW Polymorph (My deck is Post #898), I foresee a few problems with your build. Do not run Khalni Garden in UW! It hurts the mana base, reveals that you are playing Polymorph, and is unnecessary. Silence is cute, but is not important either. You should be able to time your Polymorphs or back them up with Negate. Never in all my games have I ever wished I had a Silence in hand. Also, Iona should be maindeck. The only matches that Emerkul is marginally better are Jund and Valakut Ramp.
UW is not about casting Polymorph Turn 3-4, but casting it Turn 5+. It is a control deck first with an "oops, I win" factor built in.
4 jace the mind scultpor
3 elspeth knight errant
Creatures: 1
1 emrakul, the aeons torn
Spells:27
4 silence
4 ponder
4 polymorph
4 negate
4 spreading seas
4 wind zendikon
3 day of judgment
4 celestial colonnade
4 glacial fortress
5 island
6 plains
4 halimar depths
2 Tectonic Edge
I strongly suggest Iona as your Main Deck Polymorph creature with Emerkul in the SB (as he pulls double duty versus Mill/Turbo Fog decks). The mana base looks really solid now. I think if you are going to run only 1 creature, then you need 4x Jace and 3x See Beyond.
I would try to find a way to get Oblvion Ring and/or Into the Roil into the deck some where. You could easily cut 1-2 Silence and add a little more business spells. Overall I think your deck is going in a good direction!
I agree wholeheartedly with this, I run UW polymorph, because I like the surprise aspect of Game1 polymorphing into winning, representing UW control pretty solidly in turns 1-4. then poly-ing to win turn4-6 depending upon opposing deck/tapping out.
I use two khalni garden, and only 2...no more, cos drawing a second one is terrible. I use 2 Wind Zendikon, because it does the same as khalni, tricks nicely off fetch lands, and gets in for 2 occasionally if needed.
Generally I try to avoid playing the khalni garden until I need the token, ie polymorph turn, or if I've been "made" as playing polymorph.
Silence is terrible, there's no time negate, or even dispel(vomits a bit), is better, the only chance the opponent has is to kill the poly target or what you make, negate will stop this, silence you would need two copies of to safely defend.
yupz.
And it has the added bonus of having won game 1 with a cheeky surprise polymorph, sideboarding into a full UW control deck, with no intention of polymorphing again.
I like varying the poly targets, running 1 of Iona, 1 of Emrakul, polying into either is never disappointing.
What needs to be considered, like legacy reanimator decks, is what we want to hit in game 2...
darksteel colossus is great vs jund(and can bounce a 2nd polymorph off it's back if needed.
rdw falls over pretty badly to empyrial archangel
inkwell leviathan gets control pretty badly
emrakul gets everyone, but is far from ideal vs UW as they have DoJ, O-ring, Jace2
Iona is a house vs most things, bad vs grixis(uncommon these days), best vs mono decks and jund.
the rest of my sb is probably gonna be hard control transitional SB into UW(g) control (g leaving up option to hard cast empyrial archangel, already running misty rainforests, adding one forest maybe)
http://sales.starcitygames.com//deckdatabase/displaydeck.php?DeckID=32434
U/G/W:
http://sales.starcitygames.com//deckdatabase/displaydeck.php?DeckID=32427
Lists from SCG Open Atlanta.
Modern
R/ Boros W/
U/ Eldrazi-Post G/
Top 8'd:
2x Tcg Player Qualifiers
1x MWS Series Trial
Top'16:
PTQ Austin
PTQ Paris
Extended:
RIP
Legacy: Zoo
"I am the beast of America"
Props to Hakai Studios for the banner
I don't actually like either list. They both have the potential to do powerful things, but I don't like them. Just because those are the lists that did well, does not mean we should immitate them. However, there are strong points with both lists.
First, UWG is viable. I've been interested in a Bant version of the deck, and this is a very good starting point.
Second, the Wurm in the board is very nice. It provides a potential "polymorph" target that also serves as an instant plus against Red, and something you dont' mind drawing and casting OR morphing into. Not sure if he sided out his morphs here or not, but, it seems like it could/should be for real.