Great article. It's really made me think more about the current block format, which I haven't even looked at this year.
I do hope that B/R doesn't become too popular though, as at last years UK Nats there was very little representation of Faeries due to the overwhelming amount of Burn. Partly due to Eventide being released just before it, and everyone going mad for Figure.
...that's if you're not rolled over before you even get to equip the Warhammer. Honestly RB shouldn't be played right now, but there are those who love to play it only so they can beat up on Faeries. Plumeveil and Mistbind help against Hellspark Elemental, which can be a problem card due to unearth.
Hmm I disagree with the Lark comment, the guys on the old Blink threads realised very quickly how strong Lark is. And I also remember a lot of threads talking about interactions with Body Double and Reveilark.
I think that most people at the time knew that Bitterblossom was an auto-include to U/B Fairies at the time it was spoiled, but they/we didn't know to the full extent how strong the card is at that point. I remember trading for Bitterblossoms very easily (and cheaply) before the prices went into the stratosphere. Thankfully I was lucky with that one, wish I could say the same for Tarmogoyf...
Ah thanks for clarification. It's beginning to seem useful for a lot of mu's apart for against 5cc. What about Plumeveil in the mirror? Is anyone siding it in?
Yeah the rumoured Exalted on the Noble Heirarch is a nice bonus. It certainly increases the possibility of Bant being decent in block. Although very early to tell atm.
Actually looking at some of the more recent lists, I'm surprised to not actually see Cloudthresher MD. Not just for Fairies but for all the other decks running Spectral Procession. I know they kill BoP... but still
Yup bounce the windbrisk heights! And search for the Cloudthresher that blocks Cloudgoat ranger and wipes Spectra Procession tokens.. Ahh satisfying stuff.
Ah I see. Unfortunately my local metagame hasn't forgotten about Bitterblossom You were just mentioning it in regards to using PtE on evoked creatures.
As well as other cards, why so much hate for Faerie Conclave?
Am I the only one here that's been running 3 all along and never been unhappy to draw more than 1 in a game? Conclave is like amazing? It's a slightly worse version of Mutavault, but it lets you do all the "I need an extra Faerie" tricks. I honestly don't know why so many people hate it.
Well.. I don't hate it. Merely considering dropping down to 1 from 2. I've had a fair amount of annoying situations, where the cipt on the conclave has caused issues. I suspect that 2 is still the correct number though.
I'm curious about your deck running three. Is your manabase different than most, to allow for 3? Like perhaps running 26 lands, or running more basics?
TheRad; About the Vengeant Lark MU. I personally have been finding that one tough. Perhaps it's 50/50 at a guess. Infest as you know in this MU is the lifesaver, the reset to stay alive. That and any quick spot removal for early an Figure of Destiny. I'd probably Mulligan to get an Agony Warp/terror or infest. Sower is also good here. Still not sure myself on boarding for this one. I've recently been taking the Thoughtseize's out.
I've recently gone the route of dropping from 4 Underground River to 3. I've been getting the opening hand of Underground River + Thoughtseize + Sunken Ruins far too often. Some games, dealing myself 10 damage without Bitterblossom, just because I didn't draw a Island/Swamp. This is usually after mulligans too.
My 75 is very similar to your deathjester. Although I'm still running the 2 Faerie Conclaves. I've been considering dropping 1. How's it been for you? I recommend upping the infest from 3 to 4. You absolutly need 4 infest vs Kithkin and Vengeant Lark.
Yeah it's a possible SB card at best for standard vs 5cc or something similar. Fun card for casual. If the metagame becomes far far more predictable, then maybe, just maybe this card could be seen MD in standard. Like for instance, if every deck included the Vivid lands, then it'd be very much worthwhile playing Exotic Orchard.
I think MajoraX mentioned some interesting tricks. Like PtE an Evoked Mulldrifter. It was going to die anyway, but you get 2 cards + 1 land. It kinda reminds me a little of last years standard, when Momentary Blink was being used for cute tricks with evoked creatures (although the tricks with blink is better).
I think if PtE's wording doesn't change slightly by the time of release (like target opponent) then it'll just offer that extra flexibility. It's primary function will still be why it's in a deck in the 1st place.
It's impact on standard will be strong, but I also think that it's not an answer to opponents own tokens. It's not going to really help all that much vs an opponents Spectral Procession, or Bitterblossom faerie tokens. And in standard, there's a lot of token producing cards seeing play.
Speculating on block (although it's prob far to early to tell), will an Exalted WW deck be strong? Seeing as there's PtE, Knight of the White Orchid and Sigiled Paladin. Not to mention more expensive white cards like Elspeth and Ranger of Eos.
I do hope that B/R doesn't become too popular though, as at last years UK Nats there was very little representation of Faeries due to the overwhelming amount of Burn. Partly due to Eventide being released just before it, and everyone going mad for Figure.
I think that most people at the time knew that Bitterblossom was an auto-include to U/B Fairies at the time it was spoiled, but they/we didn't know to the full extent how strong the card is at that point. I remember trading for Bitterblossoms very easily (and cheaply) before the prices went into the stratosphere. Thankfully I was lucky with that one, wish I could say the same for Tarmogoyf...
Actually looking at some of the more recent lists, I'm surprised to not actually see Cloudthresher MD. Not just for Fairies but for all the other decks running Spectral Procession. I know they kill BoP... but still
Well.. I don't hate it. Merely considering dropping down to 1 from 2. I've had a fair amount of annoying situations, where the cipt on the conclave has caused issues. I suspect that 2 is still the correct number though.
I'm curious about your deck running three. Is your manabase different than most, to allow for 3? Like perhaps running 26 lands, or running more basics?
TheRad; About the Vengeant Lark MU. I personally have been finding that one tough. Perhaps it's 50/50 at a guess. Infest as you know in this MU is the lifesaver, the reset to stay alive. That and any quick spot removal for early an Figure of Destiny. I'd probably Mulligan to get an Agony Warp/terror or infest. Sower is also good here. Still not sure myself on boarding for this one. I've recently been taking the Thoughtseize's out.
My 75 is very similar to your deathjester. Although I'm still running the 2 Faerie Conclaves. I've been considering dropping 1. How's it been for you? I recommend upping the infest from 3 to 4. You absolutly need 4 infest vs Kithkin and Vengeant Lark.
If Stillmoon cavalier wasn't a required 4 of before, it sure will be when conflux hits. Well for those decks that can play it.
I think if PtE's wording doesn't change slightly by the time of release (like target opponent) then it'll just offer that extra flexibility. It's primary function will still be why it's in a deck in the 1st place.
It's impact on standard will be strong, but I also think that it's not an answer to opponents own tokens. It's not going to really help all that much vs an opponents Spectral Procession, or Bitterblossom faerie tokens. And in standard, there's a lot of token producing cards seeing play.
Speculating on block (although it's prob far to early to tell), will an Exalted WW deck be strong? Seeing as there's PtE, Knight of the White Orchid and Sigiled Paladin. Not to mention more expensive white cards like Elspeth and Ranger of Eos.