Just consider it the Modern Core Set. It is literally no different than the previous Core Sets that were made up of reprints. Standard is not the only way to play Magic, and just because a set does not rotate through Standard does not make it any "less real".
I always reply with "no one." No one is really winning and board state is a greater determining factor than life totals but that's hard to explain to someone who doesn't understand the game.
SCG Open just showed Todd Anderson and Brad Nelson playing Sultai Delve. Both of them lost. BBD out aggro'd Anderson with Abzan midrange and Brad couldn't find an answer to new Sarkhan.
That Lands vs Enchantress match-up wasn't as interesting as I thought it would be. Apparently Enchantress has no answer for 20/20 flying indestructible creatures.
Threw this deck together on MTGO and began testing it in the Just for Fun room so I could get a feel for how the deck drew/mulliganed and how it typically played out. Ended up going 30-10 there and then moved to the Tournament Practice room. So far I'm 4-0 in matches there (haven't had time to do much testing there yet).
What I've noticed:
- The deck is increadibly resilient and can get itself out of almost any situation. No match-up or board-state is unwinnable for this deck.
- Aggro might as well fold to this deck; especially post sideboard.
- Aetherling and Assemble the Legion are probably the two best win conditions in Standard right now, and this deck plays both of them.
- Just about any hand is keepable thanks to Think Twice and Azorius Charm
Questions:
- How does Ral Zarek fit in with this deck? His +1 ability seems underwhelming at best. His -2 seems good, but I'm not sure it warrants him being in this deck. He seems to fit a U/R aggro/midrange deck better.
- For those of you using Niv-Mizzet: how long does he typically last? Is he worth having to spend additional cards to protect (whereas Aetherling has built in protection)?
This deck loses almost nothing with the loss of M13, and should still be well positioned after Innistrad Block rotates, which is one of the main advantage points for me. Looking forward to discussing the deck with you guys!
3x Snapcaster Mage
2x Aetherling
Sorceries
3x Supreme Verdict
1x Mizzium Mortars
Instants
3x Think Twice
3x Azorius charm
3x Syncopate
2x Warleader's Helix
2x Searing Spear
2x Dissipate
2x Turn//Burn
1x Essense Scatter
1x Rewind
1x Sphinx's Revelation
1x Tamio, the Moon Sage
1x Jace, Architect of Thought
Enchantments
2x Detention Sphere
1x Assemble the Legion
Lands
4x Steam Vents
4x Hallowed Fountain
4x Glacial Fortress
4x Sulfur Falls
2x Sacred Foundry
1x Clifftop Retreat
1x Desolate Lighthouse
3x Island
3x Plains
3x Pillar of Flame
3x Terminus
2x Augur of Bolas
2x Rolling Temblor
2x Dispel
1x Turn//Burn
1x Negate
1x Jace, Memory Adept
I know I need to increase the Sphinx's Revelation by at least one more, and add a Cavern of Souls for the control match-up.
What I've noticed:
- The deck is increadibly resilient and can get itself out of almost any situation. No match-up or board-state is unwinnable for this deck.
- Aggro might as well fold to this deck; especially post sideboard.
- Aetherling and Assemble the Legion are probably the two best win conditions in Standard right now, and this deck plays both of them.
- Just about any hand is keepable thanks to Think Twice and Azorius Charm
Questions:
- How does Ral Zarek fit in with this deck? His +1 ability seems underwhelming at best. His -2 seems good, but I'm not sure it warrants him being in this deck. He seems to fit a U/R aggro/midrange deck better.
- For those of you using Niv-Mizzet: how long does he typically last? Is he worth having to spend additional cards to protect (whereas Aetherling has built in protection)?
This deck loses almost nothing with the loss of M13, and should still be well positioned after Innistrad Block rotates, which is one of the main advantage points for me. Looking forward to discussing the deck with you guys!