I mostly play on MTGO, so I pack 4 artifact removal spells, split between Revelry and other spells, two dragon's claws for the burn match up, some forked bolts and an electrickery for tokens. I might need a rabblemaster or two in the board for grindier matchups as well
This is the list I've been running the last three FNM's, to an 8-4 record. I've destroyed other ground-based midrange matchups, but usually lose in 3 to red based aggro that goes wide.
This deck prioritizes flying creatures to go over opponents Courses and Rhinos. There are a few things that are certain after 12 rounds of FNM play
1. Outpost siege is the real deal. I've lost 1 game when I've stuck an Outpost Siege, to RW Aggro, when I was unable to find a second Anger of the Gods that I boarded in.
2. Phoenix + Butcher can be great. Other times it sets up a two for one, but if you play around it you should be fine.
My biggest problem recently, with a rash of red aggro players playing at my LGS, is that Butcher rarely gets anything to eat turn four, and by that time my life total is precariously low. I'm thinking of switching out Butcher for 2 Sorin, Solemn Visitor and 2 Ashcloud Phoenix. Other than wide-aggro, I have trouble with control. Phoenix is good as both a blocker vs. aggro, and as a recursive threat vs. control, which Butcher is not. I understand the potential 5 points of lifelink, but the only time that has actually happened for me vs. aggro, I was already ahead in that game on the play. On the draw, Butcher isn't nearly as good, as Rabblemaster is usually boarded out and Flamewake usually eats a burn spell before Butcher can come in and eat him. Sorin will give Seeker, Rabble & Tokens, and the phoenix's lifelink against aggro, and create a creature against control, making another 2 for 1 that Butcher doesn't allow. Without Butcher, I'm also thinking of dropping 1 or 2 Phoenix's for Wild Slash to stop Rabbles, opposing Seekers, and as more burn.
One sideboard card I've been thinking of is 3-4 Circle of Flame over something like Anger. My problem last night is that I would Anger, then they would reload with another outburst. Circle of Flame can come down turn two and proactively shut off token strategies, while making it easier to burn out bigger threats as well with Slash or Lightning Strike. I'd likely keep two End Hostilities in the board for Abzan/Whip matchups.
I play Standard because I like the deck building aspect of it that isn't available in limited. I get to choose each and every one of the 75 cards I'm going to play with, making my own unique deck. It's cheaper than the eternal formats, and the power level is lower, which in my opinion makes match-ups more even and for me, a decent player who isn't all that competitive, for fun. And like Buzzsaw said, two years is a lot longer than you'd think. I just got a play set of Thoughtseize and Hero's Downfall, and I still have them for over a year, which is a long time
Only get a booster box if you love the sensation of opening packs. If that applies to you, I'd go with either of the Fall sets, Return to Ravnica and Theros
Mono-black aggro is a worthwhile investment. I just started running it with a splash of white for banishing light. Almost all of the creatures and spells stay in after rotation, you only really lose Lifebane Zombie and Devour Flesh
Just starting to get into to mildly competitive play, going to FNMs and such. I'm looking for a deck that will be able to make it in standard once KTK comes into play. I know its hard to judge without knowing what is going to be coming out in the fall, but with my minimal budget (around $200) over time, it is best to plan ahead instead of getting RTR cards for the next few months. Thanks!
I'm probably at my best using an aggro deck, but do like some sort of removal in there as well. This has me leaning to GW, with a beater like Fleecemane Lion and removal like Banishing Light. Considering my budget, sticking to two colors is probably best.
I've been trying to brew up a fun BW deck that uses flicker along with some creature control elements.
The cards I want to work around flickering are Inquisitor Exarch, Wall of Omens, and Blade Splicer as I will deal damage (or gain life) draw cards while defending, and gather an attacking force.
To control what my opponents are doing, I'd run Path to Exile, Smother (a pet card of mine that hits Goyf and most Twin targets), as well as Thoughseize.
Is there anything else in BW I need in this deck to make it semi-competitive? As it stands now it's a budget deck with (maybe) some potential. I'd certainly like to keep the budget part at least. Let me know what you think, and thanks for the help!
Hi, I was thinking about a white based boros deck that utilizes protective cards like boros charm and brave the elements. Let me know what y'all think.
Basically, you put out a few creatures, 2 of which create tokens, and then protect them with Charm and Brave the Elements, while burning/creature controlling with Path, and the Lightnings. Sideboard would consist of normal amount of enchantment and artifact hate, maybe some Mana Tithes.
Is this a potentially viable deck? Or is it too slow/small for the current Modern game? Let me know what you think
As a college student I don't have the best budget for Magic, and I've decided that it'll be easier, at least for now, to build a budget Modern deck and update it over time than to build a budget Standard deck and have it rotate out.
I've been playing Soul Sisters with limited results, in part because the deck doesn't fit my playing style completely. I like removal and sneaking in for damage, and while Soul Sisters can definitely do damage, only having 3 or 4 path to exiles generally doesn't fit my removal itch.
I've been thinking of a Black/White brew that utilizes white's abilities to get rid of enchantments and artifacts as well as protect itself, and black's ability to get rid of creatures and disrupt the opponents hand.
A basic control template that I've thought of thus far is:
4 Path to Exile
4 Smother
4 Duress (or Inquisition of Kozilek
4 Brave the Elements to protect my creatures
In my opinion that is a fairly firm base, let me know if I have the wrong idea or if BW control is unplayable.
My biggest trouble is finding creatures that will help this deck. Grand Abolisher slows them to sorcery speed and Hypnotic Specter helps with discard and has evasion, but I'm not sure what else to add. Unfortunately Bob is just too expensive as well.
I plan on playing the deck on Modo, since its cheaper to get cards on there, and then eventually getting it on paper to enter local tournaments. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
4 Foundry Street Denizen
4 Goblin Guide
4 Legion Loyalist
4 Mogg Fanatic
4 Mogg War Marshal
4 Goblin Bushwhacker
3 Reckless Bushwhacker
3 Goblin Piledriver
4 Atarka's Command
4 Lightning Bolt
3 Goblin Grenade
Land
4 Copperline Gorge
4 Arid Mesa
4 Wooded Foothills
5 Mountain
2 Stomping Ground
It plays fast with potential turn 3 kills, and the green splash adds valuable sideboard options as well
4 Seeker of the Way
4 Flamewake Phoenix
4 Goblin Rabblemaster
4 Butcher of the Horde
4 Stormbreath Dragon
Spells
4 Crackling Doom
4 Lightning Strike
4 Chained to the Rocks
2 Outpost Siege
1 Utter End
6 Mountain
4 Bloodstained Mire
4 Nomadic Outpost
4 Temple of Triumph
3 Battlefield Forge
2 Temple of Silence
1 Caves of Koilos
1 Swamp
This deck prioritizes flying creatures to go over opponents Courses and Rhinos. There are a few things that are certain after 12 rounds of FNM play
1. Outpost siege is the real deal. I've lost 1 game when I've stuck an Outpost Siege, to RW Aggro, when I was unable to find a second Anger of the Gods that I boarded in.
2. Phoenix + Butcher can be great. Other times it sets up a two for one, but if you play around it you should be fine.
My biggest problem recently, with a rash of red aggro players playing at my LGS, is that Butcher rarely gets anything to eat turn four, and by that time my life total is precariously low. I'm thinking of switching out Butcher for 2 Sorin, Solemn Visitor and 2 Ashcloud Phoenix. Other than wide-aggro, I have trouble with control. Phoenix is good as both a blocker vs. aggro, and as a recursive threat vs. control, which Butcher is not. I understand the potential 5 points of lifelink, but the only time that has actually happened for me vs. aggro, I was already ahead in that game on the play. On the draw, Butcher isn't nearly as good, as Rabblemaster is usually boarded out and Flamewake usually eats a burn spell before Butcher can come in and eat him. Sorin will give Seeker, Rabble & Tokens, and the phoenix's lifelink against aggro, and create a creature against control, making another 2 for 1 that Butcher doesn't allow. Without Butcher, I'm also thinking of dropping 1 or 2 Phoenix's for Wild Slash to stop Rabbles, opposing Seekers, and as more burn.
One sideboard card I've been thinking of is 3-4 Circle of Flame over something like Anger. My problem last night is that I would Anger, then they would reload with another outburst. Circle of Flame can come down turn two and proactively shut off token strategies, while making it easier to burn out bigger threats as well with Slash or Lightning Strike. I'd likely keep two End Hostilities in the board for Abzan/Whip matchups.
Any thoughts?
I'm probably at my best using an aggro deck, but do like some sort of removal in there as well. This has me leaning to GW, with a beater like Fleecemane Lion and removal like Banishing Light. Considering my budget, sticking to two colors is probably best.
The cards I want to work around flickering are Inquisitor Exarch, Wall of Omens, and Blade Splicer as I will deal damage (or gain life) draw cards while defending, and gather an attacking force.
The cards I would use to flicker are Flickerwisp, Restoration Angel, and Cloudshift
To control what my opponents are doing, I'd run Path to Exile, Smother (a pet card of mine that hits Goyf and most Twin targets), as well as Thoughseize.
So the deck looks something like this so far:
Creatures- 20
4 Inquisitor Exarch
4 Wall of Omens
4 Blade Splicer
4 Flickerwisp
4 Restoration Angel
Other- 16
4 Path to Exile
4 Smother
4 Thoughtseize
4 Cloudshift
Land- 22ish,
Is there anything else in BW I need in this deck to make it semi-competitive? As it stands now it's a budget deck with (maybe) some potential. I'd certainly like to keep the budget part at least. Let me know what you think, and thanks for the help!
Creatures- 20
4Figure of Destiny
4Soldier of the Pantheon
4Precinct Captain
4Leonin Arbiter
4Brimaz, King of Oreskos
Spells- 18
4Lightning Bolt
4Lightning Helix
4Path to Exile
3Boros Charm
3Brave the Elements
Land- 22 (Budget lands for now)
10 Plains
4Sacred Foundry
4Clifftop Retreat
3 other dual lands
1 Mountain
Basically, you put out a few creatures, 2 of which create tokens, and then protect them with Charm and Brave the Elements, while burning/creature controlling with Path, and the Lightnings. Sideboard would consist of normal amount of enchantment and artifact hate, maybe some Mana Tithes.
Is this a potentially viable deck? Or is it too slow/small for the current Modern game? Let me know what you think
As a college student I don't have the best budget for Magic, and I've decided that it'll be easier, at least for now, to build a budget Modern deck and update it over time than to build a budget Standard deck and have it rotate out.
I've been playing Soul Sisters with limited results, in part because the deck doesn't fit my playing style completely. I like removal and sneaking in for damage, and while Soul Sisters can definitely do damage, only having 3 or 4 path to exiles generally doesn't fit my removal itch.
I've been thinking of a Black/White brew that utilizes white's abilities to get rid of enchantments and artifacts as well as protect itself, and black's ability to get rid of creatures and disrupt the opponents hand.
A basic control template that I've thought of thus far is:
4 Path to Exile
4 Smother
4 Duress (or Inquisition of Kozilek
4 Brave the Elements to protect my creatures
In my opinion that is a fairly firm base, let me know if I have the wrong idea or if BW control is unplayable.
My biggest trouble is finding creatures that will help this deck. Grand Abolisher slows them to sorcery speed and Hypnotic Specter helps with discard and has evasion, but I'm not sure what else to add. Unfortunately Bob is just too expensive as well.
I plan on playing the deck on Modo, since its cheaper to get cards on there, and then eventually getting it on paper to enter local tournaments. Any help would be greatly appreciated!