For the fae players going to GP LA.
The rendezvous will be Friday, May 20th @ 6PM.
Just inside the hall, under the red "gathering point" banner.
Bring a questioning look. I'll be the guy with a red backpack and glasses. =)
I am thinking Friday might be the best day to prepare for Day 1 on Saturday.
For everyone to be settled/checked into their hotels, evening seems to be the best plan.
Thinking around 5 or 6 pm?
Wanted to check up on the faerie players going to GP LA this weekend.
If enough people are going, want to have a meetup?
We are a rare breed so getting to know like-minded players is always fun!
Well, if you are using Essence Flux on a Mutavault, then your game must be going terribly wrong.
But good insight however! Instead, use the card on Faeries like SSS, Vendilion and Mistbind that have ETB effects.
EDIT: Wait, I don't believe a counter is put on Mutavault because it flickers back as a land. (considered as a new card)
So the check step does not register Muta as a spirit.
For those that want a Flicker effect in UB but know that Quickling is a trap and don't splash White for Restoration Angel
I present to you: Essence Flux
Although we don't take advantage of the +1/+1 counter, this is quite cost efficient for our faeries.
The enemy will have to use a counter or removal for something so cheap, which reduces their hand advantage.
Either way, it is a win/win. I'll be adding one to my deck. =)
It won't be useful as Burn would have already sideboarded in Destructive Revelry to deal with our Bitterblossom. Our best bet comes in the form of Monastery Siege. It would give us the time we need to counter their removal.
I am going to put my perspective in as an answer to this question, but that perspective is also slightly messy. So the cards that are commonly played in faeries command some abilities to disrupt the opponent. Scion in this case is not a bad card. I just believe he is better in mono blue aggro faeries than here (because you often need to play a playset of scion to produce a stable board that is impacted by scion). IMO there is also the situation of scion eating removal and your opponent just getting you because the scion held more value in play than the board state at that time but needed a second one to be solid. If it were built more like drogskol captain at a 2/2 body Id say it was worth the investment because it has a decent body (by comparison to the played faeries because they generate virtual advantage)
Your argument holds some weight on multiple points. However, the reason why Scion of Oona works particularly well in UB is because of Bitterblossom.
I would even say that it synergizes. I do run a playset of Oona in my UB deck and have gotten great results.
If you'll allow me to explain its strategy by somebody that plays 4:
While Scion of Oona is able to fizzle target removal or damage, countering the enemy's spell with another counterspell is always priority.
This is because Scion of Oona cost 3 mana while some of the better counterspells are cheaper. ONLY use Scion this way if the enemy is tapped out.
In addition, Scion acts as a great lightning rod so that your better creatures (Mistbind/Vendilion/Muta) are able to survive.
(Reasoning: This causes the enemy to have less removal in hand)
Of course, having two Scions on the board is the best strategy. But that has not always happened to me. Even with my play-set.
EDIT: A lot of you are insinuating that I would cast Scion as fast as possible. And that is simply not the case.
That would be like casting Snapcaster on turn two.
As I said previously, my definition of Midrange is prioritizing control before aggro.
It would be after setting up creatures on board that the Scions are cast out.
The Midrange Argument
For the longest time, I thought that our best chance of success was to go full control by playing cards such as Snapcaster Mage.
If faerie players were to deviate from that strategy into early aggression, I believed we would only wind up playing a worse Merfolk deck.
So it was either by luck or fortune (yes, they are different) that I was reminded how big the spectrum between agro and control was.
Decks such as Abzan Midrange (early control into late aggression) and Merfolk (early aggro into late control) are successful hybrid types.
By acknowledging that faeries themselves are control-oriented, I understood that midrange could become a possibility with cards such as Scion of Oona.
I am not saying that Snapcaster is anything else but an amazing card. But I do believe that a different, yet successful, build can be created with Scion.
It can create a protective strategy where our creatures are able to deal the finishing blow faster (global combat trick).
Why play a battle of attrition when doubling or tripling our 1/1's can finish the match with success?
@D90Dennis14 Board wipes usually only affect creatures which planeswalkers are not.
So while your creatures may have been destroyed, the planewalkers will remain to create more tokens.
The Sylesnya guild and its Populate mechanic only have one-and-done spells.
So a board wipe would have wasted spells such as Wake the Reflections, Call of the Conclave & Advent of the Wurm
However, I found out how difficult it was to recover from a board wipe or a single Engineered Explosives.
If you don't have Rootborn Defenses or a similar effect, it quickly becomes a loosing battle.
Meanwhile, the tokens this deck creates are via Planeswalkers. They won't die from board clear so the enemy will need to use their army to attack them.
This gives you time to recover.
What most of you are trying to imply is the synergy between Garruk Wildspeaker and Utopia Sprawl.
I would say that is a trap. The deck doesn't need so much mana as it should run at a low curve.
Wildspeaker is better in a Tooth and Nail deck. Most of our hand should be in play so we'll be left with an abundance of mana with no use for it.
That is why Xenagos, the Reveler seems like the better card. Gives you mana as its +1 and a Satyr to defend for 0 loyalty.
This deck has the ability to produce 4 Mana on turn two. (Percentage is around 45)
Turn 1: Forest & Arbor Elf. Turn 2: Forest mana & Utopia Sprawl.
Place Utopia on the untapped Forest. And voila, you are now cooking with FIRE
I decided to only have a 3/3 split of Utopia & Arbor because I began drawing the cards at awkward times late in the game.
Instead of a full playset, I added Oath of Nissa as a faux Anticipate in order to better coordinate my draws.
There are two ways to build a Green/Red token deck. Go Big or go Wide. I chose to go wide (amass smaller creatures) because Eldrazi bodies can't be beat in the big dept at this time.
And people who oppose them are currently running Ensnaring Bridge. So smaller creatures seemed to be the better idea (at least until April Bannings).
Currently, I am looking at maximizing the best potential this deck has to offer so cards like Goblin Rabblemaster will be play-tested (The deck is on the new side).
Good catch with Gruul Charm it certainly needs to be in the sideboard!
The 5cmc slot creature came down between Mycoloth or Mitotic Slime. I chose the former to help strengthen the "Go Wide" strategy. It has been rather underwhelming however. Purphoros, God of the Forge Has been nothing short of amazing in this deck. It has won me the game multiple times. 2 DMG per creature * 2 per Doubling effect = excellent.
I get what you mean about it being overcosted, I do want an effect similar so I will try utilizing Impact Tremors.
I have no sideboard as of yet (the concept is brand new)
So that is something I will work towards for now.
I do believe the deck can one day be good enough for competitive play.
"There will come a time when the only prey left will be each other." —Ulrich of Krallenhorde Pack
INTRODUCTION Doubling Season is a pushed card.
And yet, it is shamefully underutilized in the Modern format because it is seen as too "high costed".
You kidding me? It is located within GREEN. The mother of Mana Ramp.
And Parallel Lives is only evidence to the fact that doubling counters became too powerful once Planeswalkers had entered the scene.
(And right they are! Do you know what Doubling Season does to Sarkhan Vol? Do the math people!!)
This deck is a new take on the SUPERFRIENDS/TEAM AMERICA archetype.
Unlike the former which is largely control focused, the Atarka colors do their best at creating an offensive board presence.
WHY PLAY ATARKA TOKENS? It is true that B/W tokens already exists in Modern. So why play Green/Red over it? Well, replacing black for green mana offers two good reasons: Value & Acceleration.
Unlike B/W, Green offers big creatures with massive board presence. Would you rather be sitting pretty with two 1/1 flyers on turn 3 or a 2/2 Satyr w/ Haste on turn 2?
An argument could be made that the Satyr is able to die to removal right away, while black would be able to retain some tokens.
Which is true, except that Xenagos would survive to make more. Then on your next turn, you can slam literally anything down (the mana cost is easy to achieve).
What Green provides are Planeswalkers that create creatures with ease.
The rendezvous will be Friday, May 20th @ 6PM.
Just inside the hall, under the red "gathering point" banner.
Bring a questioning look. I'll be the guy with a red backpack and glasses. =)
pm me for contact details
I am thinking Friday might be the best day to prepare for Day 1 on Saturday.
For everyone to be settled/checked into their hotels, evening seems to be the best plan.
Thinking around 5 or 6 pm?
If enough people are going, want to have a meetup?
We are a rare breed so getting to know like-minded players is always fun!
Either post on the forum or pm me. =)
Thanks for backing that up! =)
But good insight however! Instead, use the card on Faeries like SSS, Vendilion and Mistbind that have ETB effects.
EDIT: Wait, I don't believe a counter is put on Mutavault because it flickers back as a land. (considered as a new card)
So the check step does not register Muta as a spirit.
I present to you: Essence Flux
Although we don't take advantage of the +1/+1 counter, this is quite cost efficient for our faeries.
The enemy will have to use a counter or removal for something so cheap, which reduces their hand advantage.
Either way, it is a win/win. I'll be adding one to my deck. =)
Your argument holds some weight on multiple points. However, the reason why Scion of Oona works particularly well in UB is because of Bitterblossom.
I would even say that it synergizes. I do run a playset of Oona in my UB deck and have gotten great results.
If you'll allow me to explain its strategy by somebody that plays 4:
While Scion of Oona is able to fizzle target removal or damage, countering the enemy's spell with another counterspell is always priority.
This is because Scion of Oona cost 3 mana while some of the better counterspells are cheaper. ONLY use Scion this way if the enemy is tapped out.
In addition, Scion acts as a great lightning rod so that your better creatures (Mistbind/Vendilion/Muta) are able to survive.
(Reasoning: This causes the enemy to have less removal in hand)
Of course, having two Scions on the board is the best strategy. But that has not always happened to me. Even with my play-set.
EDIT: A lot of you are insinuating that I would cast Scion as fast as possible. And that is simply not the case.
That would be like casting Snapcaster on turn two.
As I said previously, my definition of Midrange is prioritizing control before aggro.
It would be after setting up creatures on board that the Scions are cast out.
For the longest time, I thought that our best chance of success was to go full control by playing cards such as Snapcaster Mage.
If faerie players were to deviate from that strategy into early aggression, I believed we would only wind up playing a worse Merfolk deck.
So it was either by luck or fortune (yes, they are different) that I was reminded how big the spectrum between agro and control was.
Decks such as Abzan Midrange (early control into late aggression) and Merfolk (early aggro into late control) are successful hybrid types.
By acknowledging that faeries themselves are control-oriented, I understood that midrange could become a possibility with cards such as Scion of Oona.
I am not saying that Snapcaster is anything else but an amazing card. But I do believe that a different, yet successful, build can be created with Scion.
It can create a protective strategy where our creatures are able to deal the finishing blow faster (global combat trick).
Why play a battle of attrition when doubling or tripling our 1/1's can finish the match with success?
So while your creatures may have been destroyed, the planewalkers will remain to create more tokens.
The Sylesnya guild and its Populate mechanic only have one-and-done spells.
So a board wipe would have wasted spells such as Wake the Reflections, Call of the Conclave & Advent of the Wurm
http://www.mtgsalvation.com/forums/the-game/modern/deck-creation-modern/619252-selesnya-tokens
However, I found out how difficult it was to recover from a board wipe or a single Engineered Explosives.
If you don't have Rootborn Defenses or a similar effect, it quickly becomes a loosing battle.
Meanwhile, the tokens this deck creates are via Planeswalkers. They won't die from board clear so the enemy will need to use their army to attack them.
This gives you time to recover.
The biggest reason why I am using Garruk, Primal Hunter is for card draw and amass wurm tokens.
If Purphoros, God of the Forge is already out, that is GG most of the time.
What most of you are trying to imply is the synergy between Garruk Wildspeaker and Utopia Sprawl.
I would say that is a trap. The deck doesn't need so much mana as it should run at a low curve.
Wildspeaker is better in a Tooth and Nail deck. Most of our hand should be in play so we'll be left with an abundance of mana with no use for it.
That is why Xenagos, the Reveler seems like the better card. Gives you mana as its +1 and a Satyr to defend for 0 loyalty.
Turn 1: Forest & Arbor Elf. Turn 2: Forest mana & Utopia Sprawl.
Place Utopia on the untapped Forest. And voila, you are now cooking with FIRE
I decided to only have a 3/3 split of Utopia & Arbor because I began drawing the cards at awkward times late in the game.
Instead of a full playset, I added Oath of Nissa as a faux Anticipate in order to better coordinate my draws.
There are two ways to build a Green/Red token deck. Go Big or go Wide. I chose to go wide (amass smaller creatures) because Eldrazi bodies can't be beat in the big dept at this time.
And people who oppose them are currently running Ensnaring Bridge. So smaller creatures seemed to be the better idea (at least until April Bannings).
Currently, I am looking at maximizing the best potential this deck has to offer so cards like Goblin Rabblemaster will be play-tested (The deck is on the new side).
Good catch with Gruul Charm it certainly needs to be in the sideboard!
The 5cmc slot creature came down between Mycoloth or Mitotic Slime. I chose the former to help strengthen the "Go Wide" strategy. It has been rather underwhelming however.
Purphoros, God of the Forge Has been nothing short of amazing in this deck. It has won me the game multiple times. 2 DMG per creature * 2 per Doubling effect = excellent.
I get what you mean about it being overcosted, I do want an effect similar so I will try utilizing Impact Tremors.
Thanks for the feedback!
3 Arbor Elf
3 Champion of Lambholt
3 Courser of Kruphix
2 Purphoros, God of the Forge
2 Mycoloth
SPELLS 25
2 Oath of Nissa
4 Lightning Bolt
3 Utopia Sprawl
3 Nissa, Voice of Zendikar
2 Beast Within
2 Parallel Lives
2 Sarkhan Vol
3 Xenagos, the Reveler
3 Doubling Season
1 Garruk, Primal Hunter
7 Forest
3 Mountain
4 Stomping Ground
3 Wooded Foothills
3 Copperline Gorge
2 Rootbound Crag
I have no sideboard as of yet (the concept is brand new)
So that is something I will work towards for now.
I do believe the deck can one day be good enough for competitive play.
Feedback is always welcomed!!
INTRODUCTION
Doubling Season is a pushed card.
And yet, it is shamefully underutilized in the Modern format because it is seen as too "high costed".
You kidding me? It is located within GREEN. The mother of Mana Ramp.
And Parallel Lives is only evidence to the fact that doubling counters became too powerful once Planeswalkers had entered the scene.
(And right they are! Do you know what Doubling Season does to Sarkhan Vol? Do the math people!!)
This deck is a new take on the SUPERFRIENDS/TEAM AMERICA archetype.
Unlike the former which is largely control focused, the Atarka colors do their best at creating an offensive board presence.
It is true that B/W tokens already exists in Modern. So why play Green/Red over it? Well, replacing black for green mana offers two good reasons: Value & Acceleration.
Unlike B/W, Green offers big creatures with massive board presence. Would you rather be sitting pretty with two 1/1 flyers on turn 3 or a 2/2 Satyr w/ Haste on turn 2?
An argument could be made that the Satyr is able to die to removal right away, while black would be able to retain some tokens.
Which is true, except that Xenagos would survive to make more. Then on your next turn, you can slam literally anything down (the mana cost is easy to achieve).
What Green provides are Planeswalkers that create creatures with ease.
DECK & CARD CHOICES
Coming soon!
But money may be an issue. It is a 45-55 dollar card.