I gotta agree on the argument against hellrider. falkenrath aristocrat and thundermaw are leagues better and while most mono-red lists might run him, they only do so because they aren't splashing black for aristocrat.
Though I definitely think he's better than ash zealot... Saying otherwise is like saying strangleroot geist is better than huntmaster of the fells.
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Big thanks to DarkNightCavalier from heroes of the planes studios for the sig!
Top 5 Cards in Standard:
Deathrite Shaman
Snapcaster Mage
Lingering Souls
Liliana of the Veil
Geist of Saint Taft
This is practically spot on. I'd change snapcaster mage for restoration angel at the moment for standard cards because snapcaster lacks juicy targets.
Perhaps geralf's messenger needs to be on there too but it's so narrow and doesn't come in the best deck. It's the only reason zombies exists and is decent though.
I find cards that affect the board with no other required cards to be powerful cards. Cards that change the game when they hit the board, or are going to affect the rest of the game after they have hit the board.
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The red mage lives by the variance and dies by the variance. May the variance be with you, always.
Perfect list. Those aggressive 4-drops single-handily make aggro viable. Resto keeps midrange relevant, Tusk is format defining, and Revelation represents the upper end.
Perfect list. Those aggressive 4-drops single-handily make aggro viable. Resto keeps midrange relevant, Tusk is format defining, and Revelation represents the upper end.
Yet there are aggro decks that don't even play any red cards and midrange decks that don't play any white.
I think Hellrider is more valuable for what it represents than what it does - another Hastey big guy whos going to always get in there for something and who needs to be answered - similar to more Aristocrats and Hellkites, really.
I really think that Geist of Saint Traft needs more credit for what people are giving it in the discussion of the best stand alone cards in standard.
It's fast, effective, hexproof, and it just wins games against people left unanswered. Sure it's only a 2/2, but most of the time it will still do damage.
I dunno though, this is a guy who never played Hellrider in a competitive environment.
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Notable Outcomes
2nd @ PTQ San Juan 2010 [RDW]
3rd @ Provincials 2011 [Solar Flare]
1st @ GPT Orlando 2011 [Mono G Wolf Run]
T8'd @ GPT LA 2012 [UW Delver]
T8'd @ GPT Vancouver 2012 [RW Humans]
T8'd @ GPT Toronto 2012 [UWR Midrange]
Attended GP Toronto 2012, but didn't get there [UR Twin]
Currently top 8'd every GPT I ever entered
Sphinx's Revelation is an excellent card and currently the best, but the rest are debatable.
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Sig by the amazing Rivenor
Avatar by the one and only DOLZero
What you are about to read the absolute truth about the deck that once nearly killed WotC's revenue.
Quote:
Originally Posted by DallasM
Caw Blade is based on the ancient powerful strategy of equipping Storm Crow with Worldslayer, blowing everything up, punching your opponent in the face, stealing his cards, and running away. This new deck is a mere shell of the original caw blade's power.
Yet there are aggro decks that don't even play any red cards and midrange decks that don't play any white.
What can I say, people play subpar decks? Resto is the best midrange card, and the 4 drops are the best way to be playing aggro. You can play other versions, but the versions with those cards just better. Like a control deck with no Revelation is just worse than one with.
I feel like Supreme Verdict, Hellrider, Sphinx's Revelation, Huntmaster, Kessig Wolf Run, GoST, detention sphere, and Garruk Primal Hunter are all worth mentioning as well.
I feel like all of these are key cards to their respective decks. I suppose you could substitute Hellrider or Aristocrat in for Hellkite but the Hellkite originally made UWR Midrange a thing and spawned the idea of big aggro.
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Standard:
N/A
Modern:
Grishoalbrand / Grixis Death's Shadow / Jeskai Control / UW Control
Top 5:
1 and 2: Thragtusk and Sphinx's Revelation. These two were neck and neck, but way ahead of the field.
3: Farseek + shocklands. Enabling our infinitely greedy mana bases.
4: Restoration Angel. Almost always in conjunction with Thragtusk.
5: Big hasty red flier: the next two spots were earned by Thundermaw Hellkite and Falkenrath Aristocrat. Combined, they're even with Restoration Angel.
Full data for the curious.
Thragtusk 44
Sphinx's Revelation 41
Farseek 28
Restoration Angel 27
Thundermaw Hellkite 16
Falkenrath Aristocrat 11
Geist of Saint Traft 8
Snapcaster Mage 8
Unburial Rites 7
Angel of Serenity 6
Hellrider 6
Cavern of Souls 5
Supreme Verdict 3
Jace, Architect of Thought 2
Terminus 2
Lingering Souls 2
Rakdos's Return 2
Garruk, Primal Hunter 1
Tamiyo, the Moon Sage 1
Augur of Bolas 1
Azorius Charm 1
Sublime Archangel 1
Gravecrawler 1
Ash Zealot 1
Selesnya Charm 1
Silverblade Paladin 1
Rancor 1
Deathrite Shaman 1
Liliana of the Veil 1
Griselbrand 1
Huntmaster of the Fells 1
I tweaked a couple when there was a nonsense answer, or someone put two cards in the same spot.
What can I say, people play subpar decks? Resto is the best midrange card, and the 4 drops are the best way to be playing aggro. You can play other versions, but the versions with those cards just better. Like a control deck with no Revelation is just worse than one with.
GW aggro is faster than any red aggro deck and Jund midrange is not a subpar deck.
Why rakdos returns? My RDW and Rb deck just gets crushed when they kill my hand. There's a lot of naya and its basically who can Rakdos return or bonfire first will win.
Before nay a became a thing,I would rate
1)Farseej
2)thragtusk
3)Sphinx
4)Snapcaster
5)curse of echoes
Honorable mentions to rhox faithmender. I don't see much bant anymore and definitely no more UW flash as a simple grafdigger's cage will crush that deck.
Curse of echoes because shenanigans and Sphinx+counter
#1 restoration angel, seriously, she makes the best cards better
#2 thragtusk, great in any situation plus add card #1
#3 rancor, more damage, trample, and super hard to get rid of for 1 mana? Yes please
#4 thalia, she is HUGE. The shop I play at plays a ton of control. They cry when she hits play
#5 pillar of flame, gets rid of all those pesky zombies and undying things. Not instant speed, but still important in standard. Haven't seen a red deck played without them.
Ya im quite fond of green/white midrange. So ya im a bit bias. But either way. I think these are top 5
I think it's very hard to compare a spell that does a certain thing, and a creature. That is why my top 5 will be different.
Best Creature : Restoration Angel : This mama is sick in the head, it's played in multiple format, and multiple deck, it's the most played creature from Innistrad block and it's a card people should keep a playset of. It's just that good.
Best Sorcery : Farseek : With access to all those great shocklands, it's just the best right now.
Best Instant : Charm(s) : This huge cycle of 10 cards has the most impact in standard than any other instant, these cards are going to be played until they rotates out.
Best Enchantment : Rancor : 'Nuff said...
Best Artifact : Keyrune(s) Again with a "cycle" choice, but artifacts are so bad right now, these will be the most useful & powerful
Best Planewalker : Tamiyo, the Moon Sage : This is really a personal choice here, i think Tamiyo should be played more, she's got a + that protects her, she's got a way to draw cards and a crazy crazy ultimate. Planewalker are less attractive right now cuz of all the Flying/Haste out there, but i still love my Tamiyo !
Best Land : Shocklands : it's no debate, they are the most usefull lands in standard, end of story.
here's my list based on the meta in MY AREA. i do NOT play high level magic, nor do i pretend to
1: farseek. i don't care. it's EVERYWHERE
2: thragtusk. also everywhere. and the bane of my rdw deck. if they live to cast this, im in some trouble
3: restoration angel. if they flicker tusk, i quit
4: supreme verdict/terminus. either one of these upsets me
5: ........drawing a blank here so im going with.....*gasp*...hellrider. the boss of my deck. be weary of turn 4, especially when im on the play
I think it's very hard to compare a spell that does a certain thing, and a creature. That is why my top 5 will be different.
Best Creature : Restoration Angel : This mama is sick in the head, it's played in multiple format, and multiple deck, it's the most played creature from Innistrad block and it's a card people should keep a playset of. It's just that good.
Best Sorcery : Farseek : With access to all those great shocklands, it's just the best right now.
Best Instant : Charm(s) : This huge cycle of 10 cards has the most impact in standard than any other instant, these cards are going to be played until they rotates out.
Best Enchantment : Rancor : 'Nuff said...
Best Artifact : Keyrune(s) Again with a "cycle" choice, but artifacts are so bad right now, these will be the most useful & powerful
Best Planewalker : Tamiyo, the Moon Sage : This is really a personal choice here, i think Tamiyo should be played more, she's got a + that protects her, she's got a way to draw cards and a crazy crazy ultimate. Planewalker are less attractive right now cuz of all the Flying/Haste out there, but i still love my Tamiyo !
Best Land : Shocklands : it's no debate, they are the most usefull lands in standard, end of story.
Tusk is definitely better than Angel and Revelation is definitely better than all the charms.
Though I definitely think he's better than ash zealot... Saying otherwise is like saying strangleroot geist is better than huntmaster of the fells.
Modern:
Twinning End
Commander:
Mayael the Anema
This is practically spot on. I'd change snapcaster mage for restoration angel at the moment for standard cards because snapcaster lacks juicy targets.
Perhaps geralf's messenger needs to be on there too but it's so narrow and doesn't come in the best deck. It's the only reason zombies exists and is decent though.
Perfect list. Those aggressive 4-drops single-handily make aggro viable. Resto keeps midrange relevant, Tusk is format defining, and Revelation represents the upper end.
He wanted to put a bad/mediocre card in the top 5 to see if anyone was paying attention.
Yet there are aggro decks that don't even play any red cards and midrange decks that don't play any white.
Fires Rf Salvation
It's fast, effective, hexproof, and it just wins games against people left unanswered. Sure it's only a 2/2, but most of the time it will still do damage.
I dunno though, this is a guy who never played Hellrider in a competitive environment.
2nd @ PTQ San Juan 2010 [RDW]
3rd @ Provincials 2011 [Solar Flare]
1st @ GPT Orlando 2011 [Mono G Wolf Run]
T8'd @ GPT LA 2012 [UW Delver]
T8'd @ GPT Vancouver 2012 [RW Humans]
T8'd @ GPT Toronto 2012 [UWR Midrange]
Attended GP Toronto 2012, but didn't get there [UR Twin]
Currently top 8'd every GPT I ever entered
Sig by the amazing Rivenor
Avatar by the one and only DOLZero
What you are about to read the absolute truth about the deck that once nearly killed WotC's revenue.
Originally Posted by DallasM
Caw Blade is based on the ancient powerful strategy of equipping Storm Crow with Worldslayer, blowing everything up, punching your opponent in the face, stealing his cards, and running away. This new deck is a mere shell of the original caw blade's power.
What can I say, people play subpar decks? Resto is the best midrange card, and the 4 drops are the best way to be playing aggro. You can play other versions, but the versions with those cards just better. Like a control deck with no Revelation is just worse than one with.
2. Farseek
3. Thragtusk
4. Snapcaster Mage
5. Resto Angel
I feel like Supreme Verdict, Hellrider, Sphinx's Revelation, Huntmaster, Kessig Wolf Run, GoST, detention sphere, and Garruk Primal Hunter are all worth mentioning as well.
2. Thragtusk
3. Sphinx's Revelation
4. Thundermaw Hellkite
5. Unburial Rites
I feel like all of these are key cards to their respective decks. I suppose you could substitute Hellrider or Aristocrat in for Hellkite but the Hellkite originally made UWR Midrange a thing and spawned the idea of big aggro.
N/A
Modern:
Grishoalbrand / Grixis Death's Shadow / Jeskai Control / UW Control
Top 5:
1 and 2: Thragtusk and Sphinx's Revelation. These two were neck and neck, but way ahead of the field.
3: Farseek + shocklands. Enabling our infinitely greedy mana bases.
4: Restoration Angel. Almost always in conjunction with Thragtusk.
5: Big hasty red flier: the next two spots were earned by Thundermaw Hellkite and Falkenrath Aristocrat. Combined, they're even with Restoration Angel.
Full data for the curious.
Thragtusk 44
Sphinx's Revelation 41
Farseek 28
Restoration Angel 27
Thundermaw Hellkite 16
Falkenrath Aristocrat 11
Geist of Saint Traft 8
Snapcaster Mage 8
Unburial Rites 7
Angel of Serenity 6
Hellrider 6
Cavern of Souls 5
Supreme Verdict 3
Jace, Architect of Thought 2
Terminus 2
Lingering Souls 2
Rakdos's Return 2
Garruk, Primal Hunter 1
Tamiyo, the Moon Sage 1
Augur of Bolas 1
Azorius Charm 1
Sublime Archangel 1
Gravecrawler 1
Ash Zealot 1
Selesnya Charm 1
Silverblade Paladin 1
Rancor 1
Deathrite Shaman 1
Liliana of the Veil 1
Griselbrand 1
Huntmaster of the Fells 1
I tweaked a couple when there was a nonsense answer, or someone put two cards in the same spot.
GW aggro is faster than any red aggro deck and Jund midrange is not a subpar deck.
Fires Rf Salvation
1)farseek
2)Thragtusk
3)Sphinx Rev
4)Rakdos Returns
5)Bonfire
Why rakdos returns? My RDW and Rb deck just gets crushed when they kill my hand. There's a lot of naya and its basically who can Rakdos return or bonfire first will win.
Before nay a became a thing,I would rate
1)Farseej
2)thragtusk
3)Sphinx
4)Snapcaster
5)curse of echoes
Honorable mentions to rhox faithmender. I don't see much bant anymore and definitely no more UW flash as a simple grafdigger's cage will crush that deck.
Curse of echoes because shenanigans and Sphinx+counter
2# Sphinx's revelation
3# thundermaw hellkite
4# Falkenrath Aristocrat
5# restoration angel
1st place GPT Seattle
1st place GPT Anaheim
#2 thragtusk, great in any situation plus add card #1
#3 rancor, more damage, trample, and super hard to get rid of for 1 mana? Yes please
#4 thalia, she is HUGE. The shop I play at plays a ton of control. They cry when she hits play
#5 pillar of flame, gets rid of all those pesky zombies and undying things. Not instant speed, but still important in standard. Haven't seen a red deck played without them.
Ya im quite fond of green/white midrange. So ya im a bit bias. But either way. I think these are top 5
Best Creature : Restoration Angel : This mama is sick in the head, it's played in multiple format, and multiple deck, it's the most played creature from Innistrad block and it's a card people should keep a playset of. It's just that good.
Best Sorcery : Farseek : With access to all those great shocklands, it's just the best right now.
Best Instant : Charm(s) : This huge cycle of 10 cards has the most impact in standard than any other instant, these cards are going to be played until they rotates out.
Best Enchantment : Rancor : 'Nuff said...
Best Artifact : Keyrune(s) Again with a "cycle" choice, but artifacts are so bad right now, these will be the most useful & powerful
Best Planewalker : Tamiyo, the Moon Sage : This is really a personal choice here, i think Tamiyo should be played more, she's got a + that protects her, she's got a way to draw cards and a crazy crazy ultimate. Planewalker are less attractive right now cuz of all the Flying/Haste out there, but i still love my Tamiyo !
Best Land : Shocklands : it's no debate, they are the most usefull lands in standard, end of story.
2. Farseek
3. Thragtusk
4. Falkenrath Aristocrat
5. Sphinx's Revelation
HM: Thundermaw Hellkite
1: farseek. i don't care. it's EVERYWHERE
2: thragtusk. also everywhere. and the bane of my rdw deck. if they live to cast this, im in some trouble
3: restoration angel. if they flicker tusk, i quit
4: supreme verdict/terminus. either one of these upsets me
5: ........drawing a blank here so im going with.....*gasp*...hellrider. the boss of my deck. be weary of turn 4, especially when im on the play
Tusk is definitely better than Angel and Revelation is definitely better than all the charms.