So I've been playtesting Be_lakor's list online (Chaos scum!) .... couple comments:
1. What do you guys think about running the 4x street wraith+4x gitaxian package to thin the deck?
2. With mox mana and the ornithopter engine .... is this actually a good place for eldritch evolution? T1 thopter/mox opal/mantle, T2 Eldritch evolution into puresteel paladin seems like a strong alternative.
I think the key to playing an all-in combo list like mine is mulligan strategy. This deck might very well justify being on the draw to improve your chances, both with T1 hands and the mulligan scry.
18+4 is pretty good, as that is basically what the original friggord list ran. (4 delta/4 strand/4 grave/1 tomb/islands + 4 chrome mox).
As for the "perfect draws" comment, my SSG list has actually won @ a 2% higher clip across 100 sample games vs the traditional list. Remember, I cut some of the marginal 57-60th cards in the deck as I still run 18 lands. Maybe goldfish my version across 10 2 of 3 sets before trashing it.
We must not be playing the same deck if burning inquiry is hurting you guys. The card is flat out the main reason to play this deck.
Went 3-0-1 in a local modern event.
Round 1: 2-0 vs Bant Eldrazi. G1 went Looting -> SSG -> Inquiry -> 3 amalgam+2 narco, G2 i ended up conflagrating his 2/1 flyer/hierarch/eldrazi token, then swinging for 20+ with narcos/ghasts using rally
Round 2: 2-0 vs Grixis Delver. G1 went Looting -> T2 looting off SSG -> T3 fback looting -> T4 loam+conflag win. G2 was a long grinder where my 15/15 GGT managed to beat his face in. (**** anger of the gods btw)
Round 3: 2-1 vs Nahiri. G1 mulled to 4, but then went ballistic with T1 Looting into GGT into SSG+burning inquiry. G2 I crushed his hand/colonades using loam+GQ/raven's crime, then beat him in with a huge GGT.
Round 4: Drew with Burn.
Overall I think the deck is ready to rock and roll, but the sideboard definitely needs some work, particularly vs Burn and "wide" zoo decks. I think the central challenge is always going to be determining how much speed you are willing to give up for resiliency
I've played over 400 games with the deck testing both tormented voice and inquiry. A poor excuse for a tolarian winds effect is quite inferior to what amounts to an ancestral recall. If you really want the effect and aren't concerned with speed, maybe the new red collective card might be up your alley.
As for sideboarding, what are your guys general thoughts on the "intensity" of your sideboarding strategies? Do you favor a light strategy (i.e. 4-5 anti hate cards like abrupt decay/ancient grudge) or a more expansive approach that slows the deck down (5-8)?
2x conflag, 1x rally, then find room for 4x inquiry.
As for DB, I tend to go between MD 3x loam/0x dblast & 2x loam/1x dblast. The former allows you to hit lands 3-4 consistently, whereas the latter provides good utility.
I think reclamation works better in a gifts based scapeshift deck.
t3 gifts for reclamation, shift, bring to light, and noxious revival. Assuming your opponent isnt braindead you noxious the reclamation, t5 bring to light into scapeshift, then reclaim into for 4-5 fetches/mountains for the win.
1. What do you guys think about running the 4x street wraith+4x gitaxian package to thin the deck?
2. With mox mana and the ornithopter engine .... is this actually a good place for eldritch evolution? T1 thopter/mox opal/mantle, T2 Eldritch evolution into puresteel paladin seems like a strong alternative.
As for the "perfect draws" comment, my SSG list has actually won @ a 2% higher clip across 100 sample games vs the traditional list. Remember, I cut some of the marginal 57-60th cards in the deck as I still run 18 lands. Maybe goldfish my version across 10 2 of 3 sets before trashing it.
Went 3-0-1 in a local modern event.
Round 1: 2-0 vs Bant Eldrazi. G1 went Looting -> SSG -> Inquiry -> 3 amalgam+2 narco, G2 i ended up conflagrating his 2/1 flyer/hierarch/eldrazi token, then swinging for 20+ with narcos/ghasts using rally
Round 2: 2-0 vs Grixis Delver. G1 went Looting -> T2 looting off SSG -> T3 fback looting -> T4 loam+conflag win. G2 was a long grinder where my 15/15 GGT managed to beat his face in. (**** anger of the gods btw)
Round 3: 2-1 vs Nahiri. G1 mulled to 4, but then went ballistic with T1 Looting into GGT into SSG+burning inquiry. G2 I crushed his hand/colonades using loam+GQ/raven's crime, then beat him in with a huge GGT.
Round 4: Drew with Burn.
Overall I think the deck is ready to rock and roll, but the sideboard definitely needs some work, particularly vs Burn and "wide" zoo decks. I think the central challenge is always going to be determining how much speed you are willing to give up for resiliency
I think ghost quarter, abrupt decay, and grudge are must haves, but not set on darkblast, gnaw, and lightning axe count. Gemstone caverns?
As for sideboarding, what are your guys general thoughts on the "intensity" of your sideboarding strategies? Do you favor a light strategy (i.e. 4-5 anti hate cards like abrupt decay/ancient grudge) or a more expansive approach that slows the deck down (5-8)?
Why doesn't this deck run riddlesmith as a poor man's 5-8 puresteel paladin? Seems pretty strong tbh
As for DB, I tend to go between MD 3x loam/0x dblast & 2x loam/1x dblast. The former allows you to hit lands 3-4 consistently, whereas the latter provides good utility.
t3 gifts for reclamation, shift, bring to light, and noxious revival. Assuming your opponent isnt braindead you noxious the reclamation, t5 bring to light into scapeshift, then reclaim into for 4-5 fetches/mountains for the win.
As for the SBD, I think the best approach is to avoid over diluting your deck as speed often trumps answers.