Yeah, that exact line of logic went through my mind as well. The reality is that you can't even rely on a turn 3 beseech the queen anyway because a lot of times you won't have BBB unless you have urborg. I'm not thinking of it so much as a tool to race out a bridge necessarily (although occasionally it will serve in that role), but rather as good topdeck in the late game, which I feel this deck lacks (though it has been vastly improved by pack rat). It'll let you grab whatever you need to put the nail in the coffin, whether that's Liliana to keep both hands empty, a 2nd bridge to ensure they don't topdeck a decay and ruin your day at the last minute, or a rat to agro out or make taking out the bridge a bad idea for them. I'm uncertain if it's worth it and that's why I'm only going to run it as a 1-of. If I was intending to use it as a reliable tutor, I'd be running 4x. Infernal tutor is cheaper, but probably even slower, and if I'm going to run something slow than beseech the queen is the most versatile.
I think if I really wanted dig/tutor cards, I'd either run a red splash for faithless looting, a green splash for ancient stirrings, or blue for assorted cantrips.
I've been using Infernal Tutor in my list for a while now and it's definitely proven itself. Don't get me wrong, there have most certainly been times when it was lackluster, but in those situations any other tutors mentioned would have been equally terrible if not more-so. Honestly, if you're looking for better topdecks, the lower mana cost gives you more options to tutor and cast the tutored card in the same turn. This is especially important when it comes to games 2 and 3 when you need to see a sideboard card. The only time the difference shows in favor of the other tutors is when you want to hold something in hand such as removal, I suppose. Though there aren't too many times I'm stockpiling cards in hand, I can see where that might be an issue too. Anyway, if you haven't already, I suggest trying it out as at least a one of.
I believe the last time Pack Rat was mentioned it was dismissed as a bad card and unplayable in the 8rack shell. Around page 172-173. Funny how things turn out sometimes.
I like the addition of pack rat, though. It's an absurdly fast clock if left to itself which makes up for its lack of evasion.
I was wondering what everyone thought of pack rat. It has been barely discussed and it is slow, but our deck is slow. Lots of decks like Jund and deadguy ale have been trying it out to some success so I was wondering if there was any testing done here as I looked through the thread and saw little to none. Maybe in the sideboard for after they sided out their removal spells? I know everyone here is on the "no creatures makes their removal a dead draw." idea and I am too for the most part, but after we have destroyed their hand and locked things down it seems like he could do some work. Reason I ask is because soon everyone will be testing waste not, so it will get pushed even further under the rug before it had a good chance. All the decks that play rats, play it for the same reason, the excess do nothing cards our deck is prone to having at a certain point in the game.
Also, has everyone else been having as awful a time with angel pod, and melira pod, as I am lately. Their maindeck harmonics just keep tearing me a new one even with spellskite (which I am not currently playing anymore). I keep having to sideboard heavily to be able to even have a chance.
I've been testing pack rat for a while now in my list replacing the three Bitterblossoms. It's actually an incredibly quick clock, four turns exactly from 20 to 0, if left unanswered. It's a pretty potent threat even without the card advantage it's usually seen with. I find it helps a lot against decks that we need a relevant clock in that can play through the hand hate. Turns out it's very effective against Karn since he can't effectively remove multiples by himself. I'm not sure if it's really worth the slots I've given it. However, it's performed well in most matches I've seen it in.
Pithing Needle won't hit the star or sphere since they're mana abilities, but the rest is good. Another option for twin, though not exactly desirable, is to Pithing Needle either Exarch or Pestermite since Splinter Twin gives the creature the ability.
As for other decks, needle can hit affinity's Cranial Plating, Overseer, as well as Ravager. It hits Scavenging Ooze to prevent life gain that could stall opponents into an answer as well as stops Grim Lavamancer from finishing the job.
These are all hypothetical situations and many of the decks these cards are in you wouldn't bring needle in for anyway. Just some food for thought. The best deck I think it would go against is affinity, honestly. Once we've stabilized, the only way we lose is through burn from Galvanic Blast or a swing from a 0 power creature with backup from ravager or plating.
Hey, guys. I've been following this thread for a few months now. Had the deck built the whole time, but unfortunately haven't been able to go to too many events as my LGS runs its modern events WAY too late at night. I'm really liking the way spellskite compliments the deck, though. Totally agree with everyone else on that first list.
Would also like to note, MCSA, that the sideboards you posted are not 15 cards. In case you didn't notice!
I've been using Infernal Tutor in my list for a while now and it's definitely proven itself. Don't get me wrong, there have most certainly been times when it was lackluster, but in those situations any other tutors mentioned would have been equally terrible if not more-so. Honestly, if you're looking for better topdecks, the lower mana cost gives you more options to tutor and cast the tutored card in the same turn. This is especially important when it comes to games 2 and 3 when you need to see a sideboard card. The only time the difference shows in favor of the other tutors is when you want to hold something in hand such as removal, I suppose. Though there aren't too many times I'm stockpiling cards in hand, I can see where that might be an issue too. Anyway, if you haven't already, I suggest trying it out as at least a one of.
I like the addition of pack rat, though. It's an absurdly fast clock if left to itself which makes up for its lack of evasion.
I've been testing pack rat for a while now in my list replacing the three Bitterblossoms. It's actually an incredibly quick clock, four turns exactly from 20 to 0, if left unanswered. It's a pretty potent threat even without the card advantage it's usually seen with. I find it helps a lot against decks that we need a relevant clock in that can play through the hand hate. Turns out it's very effective against Karn since he can't effectively remove multiples by himself. I'm not sure if it's really worth the slots I've given it. However, it's performed well in most matches I've seen it in.
As for other decks, needle can hit affinity's Cranial Plating, Overseer, as well as Ravager. It hits Scavenging Ooze to prevent life gain that could stall opponents into an answer as well as stops Grim Lavamancer from finishing the job.
These are all hypothetical situations and many of the decks these cards are in you wouldn't bring needle in for anyway. Just some food for thought. The best deck I think it would go against is affinity, honestly. Once we've stabilized, the only way we lose is through burn from Galvanic Blast or a swing from a 0 power creature with backup from ravager or plating.
Would also like to note, MCSA, that the sideboards you posted are not 15 cards. In case you didn't notice!