I recently got into Cockatrice as a way to experience some popular formats without spending a ton of dough.
I have been playing standard and pauper - I enjoy MBDg and MBC/Cawblade/RDW in those formats respectively.
I would like to break into Modern but it seems pretty intimidating. Please suggest a deck to play that would help me learn the format!
Relevant info: I would like to try Aggro so I can play some quicker games and level up faster. I enjoy RDW but I prefer to play with synergy - for example my pauper RDW is built around Reckless Abandon, Perilous Myr, Spark Elemental etc.
I like tempoish decks - ones that utilize varied resources like the graveyard and my own life/creatures etc.
Ah, and I like journey over o-ring because it fits better in the curve. I felt like I had better things to be doing on turn 3 vs aggro than casting the ring, like casting a mage and playing a tutored shield sphere.
You're pushing a more controlling build, which I find to be fine, maybe even better but I haven't tested it yet. However in the control build I feel you definitely want the aethersnipes. They are such a huge tempo swing when you evoke and blink them. Not to mention a 4/4 is a huge plus. I might suggest finding room for a second bonesplitter as they are just too strong on our hawks. I love the rune snags. I wish I had a playset lol. However my 4 Counterspells work great for me. Each is better in it's own way. Suprised to see a blink deck running only 3 cloudshifts. I run the full set AND 4 ghostly flickers. I know 8 is way to many but I'm still working the kinks.
How has Journey to Nowhere done as your removal? Is there a reason you don't play O-ring? A control build seems like it wouldn't mind the extra mana to gain access to targeting anything.
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About the hexproof match-up I would definitely bring in a suitable number of celestial flares. That's what I board in against Modern Boogles and it's basically GG for them. I'm not sure how much different it wouldbe in pauper but it would be my go-to SB choice. Plus it has uses against Ulamog's crusher in tron, and Atog against affinity.
I like aethersnipe too. In fact I tested it in a more dedicated blink deck with titanic bulvox and the whole suite of UW blink spells. The one time I was able to evoke/blink it into play I didn't have enough effective targets and had to bounce one of my guys to my disadvantage. That being said, his potential power is clear.
I decided to shy away from a blink heavy strategy and focus more on the synergy between trinkets, hawks and brainstorms.
I tested my build against what turned out to be a UB blink build. I got smashed both games by rats and trinket mages being recurred with grim harvest and undying evil. It got me down on the archetype of UW blink altogether until I realized that I was essentially playing a mirror match heavily stacked in my opponent's favor.
Moving forward, I would like to test more blink synergies in the deck as opposed to pure control. Additionally, I dug up the following article on this deck type and found many useful insights and card choices. Check it out and let me know how your testing goes!
Wow, I was about to post this decklist when I spotted your post! How appropriate.
2 Guardian of the Guildpact
3 Trinket Mage
4 Squadron Hawk
4 Rune Snag
3 Snap
3 Journey to Nowhere
1 Lotus Petal
1 Bonesplitter
3 Cloudshift
2 Mulldrifter
3 Aven Riftwatcher
1 Ancient Den
7 Plains
1 Seat of the Synod
13 Island
4 Brainstorm
2 Terramorphic Expanse
1 Leonin Bola
1 Shield Sphere
1 AEther Spellbomb
SB: 1 Library of Leng
SB: 2 Court Homunculus
SB: 2 Dispeller's Capsule
SB: 1 Relic of Progenitus
SB: 1 Viridian Longbow
SB: 3 Standard Bearer
SB: 4 Steel Sabotage
SB: 1 Journey to Nowhere
That's my UW blink control deck. I set out to build a deck around synergies found between cloudshift and ETB creatures like trinket mage, aven riftwatcher and evokers like mulldrifter. Later, I decided to toss in a playset of 4 Squadron Hawk to thin the deck. It was at this point I realized how many shuffle effects I had to unlock brainburst...
The strategy is to control early game with rune snags, journey to nowhere and snap. Then turn 4 or so start to rely on the synergy between brainstorm, squadron hawk and trinket mage to keep my hand full and tempo up.
I would normally use far less 3 and 2-ofs but thanks to the thinning and toolbox effects of hawks and trinkets, I needed to retain the utility of a variety of cards.
Could use some help on the sideboard - I found auras to be a tough matchup and added the flagbearers.
I am interested in checking out an MTG sim. I tried out MTGO but considered it 10 bucks down the drain - just didn't appeal.
I have played Apprentice before but am now concerned that it looks like on the official site it has been years since a new set patch has been released. Plus, apprentice seemed pretty janky over 5 years ago - what with the basic card sprites and rudimentary matchmaking multiplayer system.
I am really looking for a smooth play experience with simple multiplayer, timely updates and a healthy playerbase.
I am aware of Cockatrice and Octgn - which is more popular? It looks like the creator of Cockatrice had to stop supporting the website. Which sims should I check out?
Can someone convince me on running 4 copies of Tribal Flames?
It tends to be a worse lightning bolt until you hit a presence or the match is drawn out to where you can legitimately get domain.
I have been running 2 copies of flames and 3 of matca rioters. Yet every deck I see runs 4 flames.
Additionally, has anyone discovered any new tech with the deck? New sideboard stuff?
I recently got into Cockatrice as a way to experience some popular formats without spending a ton of dough.
I have been playing standard and pauper - I enjoy MBDg and MBC/Cawblade/RDW in those formats respectively.
I would like to break into Modern but it seems pretty intimidating. Please suggest a deck to play that would help me learn the format!
Relevant info: I would like to try Aggro so I can play some quicker games and level up faster. I enjoy RDW but I prefer to play with synergy - for example my pauper RDW is built around Reckless Abandon, Perilous Myr, Spark Elemental etc.
I like tempoish decks - ones that utilize varied resources like the graveyard and my own life/creatures etc.
I like aethersnipe too. In fact I tested it in a more dedicated blink deck with titanic bulvox and the whole suite of UW blink spells. The one time I was able to evoke/blink it into play I didn't have enough effective targets and had to bounce one of my guys to my disadvantage. That being said, his potential power is clear.
I decided to shy away from a blink heavy strategy and focus more on the synergy between trinkets, hawks and brainstorms.
I tested my build against what turned out to be a UB blink build. I got smashed both games by rats and trinket mages being recurred with grim harvest and undying evil. It got me down on the archetype of UW blink altogether until I realized that I was essentially playing a mirror match heavily stacked in my opponent's favor.
Moving forward, I would like to test more blink synergies in the deck as opposed to pure control. Additionally, I dug up the following article on this deck type and found many useful insights and card choices. Check it out and let me know how your testing goes!
http://puremtgo.com/articles/timmy-gone-spike-jund-and-caw-blade-pauper
2 Guardian of the Guildpact
3 Trinket Mage
4 Squadron Hawk
4 Rune Snag
3 Snap
3 Journey to Nowhere
1 Lotus Petal
1 Bonesplitter
3 Cloudshift
2 Mulldrifter
3 Aven Riftwatcher
1 Ancient Den
7 Plains
1 Seat of the Synod
13 Island
4 Brainstorm
2 Terramorphic Expanse
1 Leonin Bola
1 Shield Sphere
1 AEther Spellbomb
SB: 1 Library of Leng
SB: 2 Court Homunculus
SB: 2 Dispeller's Capsule
SB: 1 Relic of Progenitus
SB: 1 Viridian Longbow
SB: 3 Standard Bearer
SB: 4 Steel Sabotage
SB: 1 Journey to Nowhere
That's my UW blink control deck. I set out to build a deck around synergies found between cloudshift and ETB creatures like trinket mage, aven riftwatcher and evokers like mulldrifter. Later, I decided to toss in a playset of 4 Squadron Hawk to thin the deck. It was at this point I realized how many shuffle effects I had to unlock brainburst...
The strategy is to control early game with rune snags, journey to nowhere and snap. Then turn 4 or so start to rely on the synergy between brainstorm, squadron hawk and trinket mage to keep my hand full and tempo up.
I would normally use far less 3 and 2-ofs but thanks to the thinning and toolbox effects of hawks and trinkets, I needed to retain the utility of a variety of cards.
Could use some help on the sideboard - I found auras to be a tough matchup and added the flagbearers.
I am interested in checking out an MTG sim. I tried out MTGO but considered it 10 bucks down the drain - just didn't appeal.
I have played Apprentice before but am now concerned that it looks like on the official site it has been years since a new set patch has been released. Plus, apprentice seemed pretty janky over 5 years ago - what with the basic card sprites and rudimentary matchmaking multiplayer system.
I am really looking for a smooth play experience with simple multiplayer, timely updates and a healthy playerbase.
I am aware of Cockatrice and Octgn - which is more popular? It looks like the creator of Cockatrice had to stop supporting the website. Which sims should I check out?