MTG Salvation

Black/X constellation is tromping everything. BR constellation with Forgeborn Oreads is rage-quit inspiring.

Do NOT run Dictate of Karmetra against a RG opponent. I just finished destroying a fellow who kept ultra ramping me into my 5-7 drop monsters.

~M

Quote from pierrebai

I Loled when you called Polis Crusher a meh card.

Well, it is a GW deck...

~M

THE DRAFT

THE DECK

THE RESULTS:


I still love Theros!

~M

THE DRAFT:

THE DECK:

The Results:

Thoughts? I didn't see any other option, but I'm curious where/when someone else would have changed strategy.

~M

I honestly have no idea what the subject heading means...but it got you to open yet another THS draftcap!

I'm posting this in between rounds, so we'll see how it goes...

THE DRAFT
[spoiler]

------ THS ------

Pack 1 pick 1:
Ill-Tempered Cyclops
Leafcrown Dryad
Chosen by Heliod
Annul
Traveling Philosopher
Wild Celebrants
Silent Artisan
Time to Feed
Mnemonic Wall (FOIL)
Borderland Minotaur
Horizon Scholar
Sealock Monster
Evangel of Heliod
--> Master of Waves
Swamp

"I have a new strategy, R2. Let the Wookie win."

Pack 1 pick 2:
Dragon Mantle
Nessian Asp
Bronze Sable
Asphodel Wanderer
Voyaging Satyr
Titan's Strength
--> Baleful Eidolon
Benthic Giant
Disciple of Phenax
Ray of Dissolution
Phalanx Leader
Shipwreck Singer
Sentry of the Underworld
Plains

Someone said UB is a deck. I briefly consider GU, but that has been a pile every time I run it, Asps or no Asps. UW is also a deck, but I'm not convinced I want to be white just yet. If this pack had Wingsteed...

Pack 1 pick 3:
Mnemonic Wall
Cavalry Pegasus
Loathsome Catoblepas
Nylea's Presence
Fleetfeather Sandals
Agent of Horizons
Crackling Triton
Spark Jolt
Setessan Griffin
Kragma Warcaller
Dauntless Onslaught
--> Tymaret, the Murder King
Swamp

Well, darn. Should have been UW. I take the splash card.

Pack 1 pick 4:
Battlewise Valor
Loathsome Catoblepas
Omenspeaker
March of the Returned
Time to Feed
Baleful Eidolon
Traveling Philosopher
Two-Headed Cerberus
Felhide Minotaur
--> Voyage's End
Decorated Griffin
Swamp

Pack 1 pick 5:
Pheres-Band Centaurs
Nylea's Presence
Spark Jolt
Last Breath
Scourgemark
--> Borderland Minotaur
Shredding Winds
Chronicler of Heroes
Artisan's Sorrow
Evangel of Heliod
Mountain

Holy empty packs, Bat(eleur)man

Pack 1 pick 6:
Loathsome Catoblepas
Nylea's Presence
Fleetfeather Sandals
--> Pharika's Cure
Returned Centaur
Cavern Lampad
Vanquish the Foul
Akroan Hoplite
Shipwreck Singer
Swamp

Pack 1 pick 7:
Demolish
Ephara's Warden
Fleshmad Steed
Yoked Ox
Annul
Wild Celebrants
--> Wavecrash Triton
Spellheart Chimera
Mountain

Pack 1 pick 8:
Chosen by Heliod
Mnemonic Wall
--> Annul
Opaline Unicorn
Ray of Dissolution
Witches' Eye
Psychic Intrusion
Island

Pack 1 pick 9:
Chosen by Heliod
Annul
Wild Celebrants
Silent Artisan
--> Mnemonic Wall (FOIL)
Evangel of Heliod
Swamp

Pack 1 pick 10:
Bronze Sable
Asphodel Wanderer
Benthic Giant
--> Disciple of Phenax
Ray of Dissolution
Plains

That's a late Disciple, I think.

Pack 1 pick 11:
--> Mnemonic Wall
Loathsome Catoblepas
Crackling Triton
Setessan Griffin
Swamp

Pack 1 pick 12:
Loathsome Catoblepas
--> March of the Returned
Decorated Griffin
Swamp

Pack 1 pick 13:
Last Breath
--> Scourgemark
Mountain

Pack 1 pick 14:
--> Loathsome Catoblepas
Swamp

Pack 1 pick 15:
--> Mountain

------ THS ------

Pack 2 pick 1:
Guardians of Meletis
Battlewise Valor
Loathsome Catoblepas
Annul
Wingsteed Rider
Wild Celebrants
Wingsteed Rider (FOIL)
Time to Feed
Boulderfall
Savage Surge
Centaur Battlemaster
--> Keepsake Gorgon
Satyr Piper
Rageblood Shaman
Swamp

Huzzah! My draft might not be an epic pile after all.

Pack 2 pick 2:
--> Nimbus Naiad
Nylea's Disciple
Lash of the Whip
Fate Foretold
Portent of Betrayal
Defend the Hearth
Agent of Horizons
Borderland Minotaur
Shredding Winds
Ordeal of Erebos
Horizon Chimera
Arena Athlete
Ember Swallower
Forest

I cry a little bit, but Naiad >> Ordeal at the moment. Goodbye, Ember Swallower. I still need you for my redemption set. Goodbye, Lash.

Pack 2 pick 3:
Sip of Hemlock
Bronze Sable
Messenger's Speed
Mnemonic Wall
Returned Phalanx
Lagonna-Band Elder
Lost in a Labyrinth
Traveler's Amulet
--> Horizon Scholar
Anvilwrought Raptor
Flamecast Wheel
Temple of Abandon
Island

Why did Returned Phalanx have to be in this pack?

Pack 2 pick 4:
Messenger's Speed
Two-Headed Cerberus
Time to Feed
Asphodel Wanderer
Breaching Hippocamp
Silent Artisan
Boulderfall
Setessan Battle Priest
Mogis's Marauder
Sentry of the Underworld
--> Temple of Deceit
Plains

I'm not made of stone, and this is in my likely colors.

Pack 2 pick 5:
Dragon Mantle
Omenspeaker
Pharika's Cure
Rage of Purphoros
Feral Invocation
Returned Centaur
Cutthroat Maneuver (FOIL)
--> Voyage's End
Rescue from the Underworld
Reverent Hunter
Plains

Pack 2 pick 6:
Battlewise Valor
Viper's Kiss
--> Blood-Toll Harpy
Breaching Hippocamp
Aqueous Form
Vulpine Goliath
Cavern Lampad
Sedge Scorpion
Prowler's Helm
Forest

Regretfully, three drop flier > Lampad at the moment.

Pack 2 pick 7:
Dragon Mantle
--> Omenspeaker
Unknown Shores
Crackling Triton
Portent of Betrayal
Commune with the Gods
Setessan Griffin
Triton Shorethief
Plains

Pack 2 pick 8:
Bronze Sable
Messenger's Speed
--> Fate Foretold
Defend the Hearth
Setessan Battle Priest
Gainsay
Pharika's Mender
Island

Pack 2 pick 9:
Guardians of Meletis
Loathsome Catoblepas
--> Annul
Wild Celebrants
Boulderfall
Satyr Piper
Swamp

Pack 2 pick 10:
Fate Foretold
Portent of Betrayal
Defend the Hearth
--> Agent of Horizons
Borderland Minotaur
Forest

I'm probably not playing the one copy of Fate Foretold I already have. Hate the unblockable fellow.

Pack 2 pick 11:
--> Bronze Sable
Messenger's Speed
Mnemonic Wall
Flamecast Wheel
Island

Pack 2 pick 12:
Messenger's Speed
--> Asphodel Wanderer
Boulderfall
Plains

Pack 2 pick 13:
Dragon Mantle
--> Returned Centaur
Plains

Pack 2 pick 14:
--> Breaching Hippocamp
Forest

What? Was blue really deep in this pack, or are the packs weak and no one is drafting my color? It's not amazing, but it's maindeckable.

Pack 2 pick 15:
--> Plains

------ THS ------

Pack 3 pick 1:
Omenspeaker
March of the Returned
Lightning Strike
Fade into Antiquity
Returned Centaur
Griptide
Commune with the Gods
Hopeful Eidolon
Akroan Crusader
Setessan Griffin
Stoneshock Giant
--> Sea God's Revenge
Flamecast Wheel
Firedrinker Satyr
Mountain

Windmill slam. My PXP1s have been kind.

Pack 3 pick 2:
Demolish
Ephara's Warden
Fleshmad Steed
Wild Celebrants
Silent Artisan
Time to Feed
Defend the Hearth (FOIL)
Breaching Hippocamp
Scholar of Athreos
Felhide Minotaur
--> Ordeal of Thassa
Triton Fortune Hunter
Temple of Mystery
Mountain

Pack 3 pick 3:
Viper's Kiss
Pheres-Band Centaurs
Leonin Snarecaster
Priest of Iroas
Read the Bones
Lost in a Labyrinth
Wavecrash Triton
Cavern Lampad
Purphoros's Emissary
Ordeal of Erebos
--> Insatiable Harpy
Meletis Charlatan
Swamp

Interestingly, I might actually have enough instants to make Charlatan playable. I go for the Harpy, hoping to pick up a Gary.

Pack 3 pick 4:
Messenger's Speed
Gods Willing
Aqueous Form
Spearpoint Oread
Vulpine Goliath
Yoked Ox
Baleful Eidolon
Boon of Erebos
--> Vaporkin
Heliod's Emissary
Pyxis of Pandemonium
Plains

Alright, people. That is quite enough of putting high-pick two drops in the same pack.

Pack 3 pick 5:
Nimbus Naiad
Nylea's Disciple
Lash of the Whip
Last Breath
Scourgemark
Satyr Rambler
Traveler's Amulet
Shredding Winds
Peak Eruption
--> Triton Tactics
Forest

Please discuss this pick. I'm still not sure if it should more properly have been Naiad.

Pack 3 pick 6:
Ephara's Warden
--> Sip of Hemlock
Stymied Hopes
Read the Bones
Last Breath
Unknown Shores
Crackling Triton
Wavecrash Triton
Dark Betrayal
Island

Pack 3 pick 7:
Omenspeaker
March of the Returned
Satyr Hedonist
Fate Foretold
Ray of Dissolution
Chronicler of Heroes
--> Dissolve
Decorated Griffin
Mountain

Pack 3 pick 8:
Fleshmad Steed
Cavalry Pegasus
Nylea's Disciple
Unknown Shores
--> Aqueous Form
Asphodel Wanderer
Pharika's Mender
Forest

Pack 3 pick 9:
--> Omenspeaker
March of the Returned
Commune with the Gods
Akroan Crusader
Setessan Griffin
Flamecast Wheel
Mountain

Pack 3 pick 10:
Demolish
Ephara's Warden
Silent Artisan
Defend the Hearth (FOIL)
--> Breaching Hippocamp
Mountain

Pack 3 pick 11:
Viper's Kiss
Priest of Iroas
--> Read the Bones
Lost in a Labyrinth
Swamp

It wheels? I have no idea what's going on to the left and right of me.

Pack 3 pick 12:
Messenger's Speed
Yoked Ox
--> Pyxis of Pandemonium
Plains

You know how many times I have seen this in draft? Yet I still had zero copies. Finally, one for my redemption set!

Pack 3 pick 13:
--> Last Breath
Scourgemark
Forest

Pack 3 pick 14:
--> Stymied Hopes
Island

Pack 3 pick 15:
--> Mountain

[/spoiler]

THE DECK:
[spoiler]


I know...16 land again...but I figured I had a ton of scry and a relatively low curve. I'm not really planning to bestow much.

[/spoiler]

THE RESULTS:
[spoiler]
Round 1 vs UG good stuff
Game 1: I land a Harpy while he puts out a Voyaging Satyr. I suit up my harpy with +2/+2 flying pants while he brings a Centaur Battlemaster in to play. During his next attack, I untap my 4/3 Harpy with a Breached Hippo, but decline to block. That turns out to be tech, because he starts creatively cussing at me for not walking in to his obviously telegraphed combat trick. I Cure the Satyr, then drop Master of Waves to block the obscene 6/6 centaur for four turns. Somewhere along the way, I Stymied Hopes his flashy Chimera. I have never run that spell before, and I already love it. He mutters some imprecations in chat, then slams his hexproof monster flyer on the table...which taps when you use its ability to protect it from Sip of Hemlock. Game point to me.

Game 2: I land a Harpy and he responds with silence. After my next combat phase, he flashes in his Chimera again, which meets Voyage's End. I suit it up with +1/+1 deathtouch pants. Akroan Horse joins my side (that seems like a really bad idea for GU to be playing) and serves as a blocker for most of the stuff he plays the next three turns. Eventually, my double Breaching Hippos cause him to rage quit. Man, I haven't played with those either. I didn't realize no one plays around them.

1-0

Round 2 vs BW Heroic Wingsteeds
Game 1: I am off to a good start with Omenspeaker, setting up my draws. I manage to outrace his 6/6 Wingsteed with Breaching Hippos and insatiable Harpy by using every tempo and counter spell in my deck. I actually go out of my way to show both Stymied Hopes and Dissolve, in hopes that it will make him over cautious in game 2. It must really hurt to have your Hopeful Eidolon plan dissolved and then Stymied in two consecutive turns.

Game 2: He is mana screwed, I mulligan to 5 and then flood. I scry away EIGHT, yes EIGHT lands before he finds a wingsteed to eat my face. Quick - someone calculate me the odds that I would flush eight lands and draw lands in between those scrys! Fortunately, I saw signs that he was definitely playing around my counterspells.

Game 3: I keep a sketchy hand of island, swamp, Omenspeaker, Voyage's End, Pharika's Cure, Read the Bones and Stymied Hopes. He plinks me with his Drain Life on a 1/4 stick while I'm hitting back with...you guessed it...Hippo. This one is under Ordeal of Thassa and I can't wait to pop it because Read the Bones and Omenspeaker both scryed away land and I STILL drew two =P. By turn four, he gets his second plans and goes to the tank, but declines to cast what I'm certain is his Wingsteed Rider. Next turn, I go to the tank myself, trying to decide whether to let Chosen By Heliod turn his 1/4 into a 1/6, but eventually I decide that he's trying to bait me and I let him draw the card. Turns out to be the right move, because he thinks the path is clear to tapout for Wingsteed, and I blow it away with my carefully horded Cure. At which point, he concedes. Keepsake Gorgon is sad, because with all this mana, I'm prepared to cast her then go monstrous the next turn.

Here's hoping this is my toughest match, because it was a squeaker and could easily have gone his way.

2-0

Round Three vs BW Aggro
Game 1: He appears vaguely heroic, but his double Tormented hero and 1/3 heroic healer suggest that he's more about weenie rush than he is about Wingsteed riders. It is axiomatic by now that he's not going to play around my Hippos. His stuff is so small, though, that I elect to keep my 3/2 guy for offense. I do manage to eat his healer for free, though. Despite the fact that I got down to 12 life at one point (while he was at 28!) I never felt that this game was out of reach. My stuff just had bigger butts to block with. I do really despise that 3/3 Flying Vigiliant Regenerate fellow. Fortunately, I had Dissolve for it. This opponent picked up all the Baleful Eidolons I was passing, and I was certain that was going to be a problem.

Game 2: I cast an Omenspeaker to smooth my draws with a hand of 2x island, Sip of Hemlock, Omenspeaker, Insatiable Harpy, Keepsake Gorgon and Voyage's End. It works. I scry away an island/keep a swamp, draw one next turn and follow it up with my fourth mana and second swamp. Very soon, I regret scrying that fifth land away, but eventually I hit the mana pockets I'm famous for the world over and cast the Gorgon. We're stalemated and he's holding back my entire team with a Baleful Eidolon and the stupid 1/2 that taps anything with 3 power or less. Amazingly, I have a bunch of those. He gets me to 10, but I pull Horizon Scholar, activate the Gorgon to remove a hero he finally started to pump with another Eidolon. Sip of Hemlock crushes that 3/3 Flying Vigilant nightmare, and then I manage to scry deep enough to set up a topdeck of Pharika's Cure to remove his Icy Manipulator for weenies. Insatiable Harpy finally does some work, putting me safely out of range, and Triton Tactics crushes his only hope of an alpha strike. My Voyage's End on his 2/2 lifelinked Baleful Eidolon prevents him from bestowing Heliod's Emmisary on it as well and staging a comeback, then I fly over for exactly lethal.

3-0

I didn't think this was a 3-0 deck. I have new respect for Dissolve (which I've always liked) and Stymied Hopes (which I have never before maindecked). I thought about sideboarding in Annuls during Round three, in the end I kept the deck intact throughout the whole draft.
[/spoiler]

I'd really like to thank the folks in the Limited Forum. I would never have understood the power of Stymied Hopes without the comments on the boards this week, and I can say that what success I had was linked directly to that card. And Breaching Hippos.

~M

[/spoiler]

THE DRAFT:


THE DECK:

THE RESULTS:

If I don't respond to your posts, it is because work is blocking forum posting now...darn the luck.

~M

Three Gods Willing? The gods were willing indeed! I don't think I would have been willing to split in that final round, but I see your point. Fortunately, it worked out for you!

Nicely done...though I hate the players in your second pod a little bit. Where are they when I'm trying to put together heroic?!

=P

~M

THE DRAFT:


THE DECK:

THE RESULTS:

~M

Quote from urafever

I mean, I don't think a 2/3 for five is unbeatable. But it is good, certainly excellent in sealed and im sure reasonable in draft as well.

Not as a beater, obviously - but as an enabler? ZOMGWow.

Again: Assuming you still have a reasonable number of cards in hand worth playing or critters you can monstrify.

~M

Friday & Saturday nights, Pacific time. I get all the kitchen passes I want after the kids are put to bed on the weekends =D

~M

Oh lord. Without reading your match recap, I'm guessing SOMEBODY got the nuts W/x Heroic deck with multiple Gods Willings. Let's see if I'm right...

~M

EDIT: Huh. Guess not. I'll go look for the related draftcaps.

Believe there is an interesting article on SCG about the power of this card (and other one-mana spells) in the R/W heroic deck. I never get to draft that (and I don't like red in THS), so I have yet to maindeck one.

I have hated a few out of late picks, though. Just in case.

~M

+1 for Asp. Nemesis is cute if you can power it out on T4 with some self mill. Otherwise, I'd rather have the Asp and reach on T5.

~M

Aww...middle of the week? Darn.

Have fun!

~M

Late to the party, and boy would I hate to open that P1P1 head-scratcher.

I would seriously have considered Griptide P1P1: Splashable! With that pack, I don't want to commit early to Blue or White. I'm not a fan of flamespeaker (or red in Theros). Battlewise hoplite is an all-in bet on two colors that are going to be heavily cut. Where griptide leaves you flexible, Hoplite nails you down. Divine Verdict and Prescient Chimera will both be available later. Griptide probably won't.

EDIT: Just read Bateleur's mental dialogue on P1P1... As I have yet to see a mono-black deck, let alone construct one in draft, I'm staying away from Nighthowler. I think it is overcosted for the format and would rather see almost anything else in that slot.

~M