Thanks guys and in specific reply to you amalek0, the dredge guy specifically showed me that he had 3 copies of Abrupt Decay in his board ready for Rest in Peace so for me it kind of makes sense not to be playing that card. And yes, my blood barons will (as soon as I can) get replaced with baneslayers. Also thanks amalek0 and CodyX for the advice in mulligans.
Oh, BTW, should I knock down one of the purges for another extract?
I am extremely new to modern though haven posted a few times here before. I went and re-read the newly updated beginning of the primer and it answered many questions I had. I attended what I thought was to be my first local tournament this past Sunday in modern only to find that they were having Game Day and it was in fact Standard. Bummer. Though I did find one person there playing modern and we played a few games casually. he was playing dredge and tore right through me several times. I was not sure what to do and post-board what to side in. I sided in purges and the second time extracts (since we were playing casually). I also felt that I was not mulliganing aggressively enough. Here is my list:
Note that I will have to order another colonnade and the 2 baneslayers as the shops in my town did not have either of these. I hope to do that this week and *might* be able to get them here in time for this Sunday's modern event, but am not certain.
Any help on side-boarding and mulliganing in general and especially against dredge would be appreciated as I know I will be facing that dredge player this coming Sunday.
Again, first modern event for me though I have played a little standard (not for a while though) and casually since Lorwyn block. Thanks, and thank you all for this primer and all your testing - I really am excited to be learning how to play this style of deck in modern and learning how to properly pilot this type of deck!
So if I can transform the Heir after all the blockers are declared and if the blocker he blocks with is a ground creature as above, then I get my damage through? And even though his creature is declared as a blocker, then my creature "flies over" and nothing that triggers from his creature dying (he has Zulaport Cutthroat on the field)?
I am attacking my opponent (who has only 8 life) with Olivia, Mobilized for War, Olivia's Bloodsworn, and Heir of Falkenrath. He has several creatures that can block the Heir, including a Sultai Emissary. He blocks the Heir with the Emissary and we want to know at what point in the Combat Stage is the latest that I can transform the Heir and kill him? For some reason I was thinking instant speed and in the Declare Blockers step but I must be wrong??? Thanks!
Hi everyone. I have been playing mtg for idk about 10+ years but not too much competitive play except for a little bit of FNM at my local shops here and there and almost every friday night a few years ago while I was in college obtaining my BS in Math. We live in a very rural area and have to drive a bit (@45 mins) to the nearest shop and they only have standard FNM - and I much prefer Modern anyways. So, I have to go during the week on a Wed night. No problem though. I am a control player by nature since my mtg "teacher" played lots of control against me - and I have been "lurking" here for some time. Having read most of the posts (at least the past several months) and the primer info at the beginning I really want to play Esper Control and have for the most part of my time playing magic been attracted to "draw-go" decks anyway. I thought it would be helpful to share this by way of introduction.
I probably cannot go to my local Wed. night this coming week, 12 April; but will definitely be able to attend the following week, 19 April and hopefully thereafter regularly. So, here is my list and all helpful critique is welcome. For one, I want Leyline of Sanctity to be my 75, but am not sure how to fit it in as amalek0 seems to indicate it should rightly be in the main. So, I'll try that configuration, but I then need some help with the SB - I know there are a lot of Naya burn decks which deal with spell mastery; at least one mono green deck with things like Thrun; and I think a couple of Abzan builds. I hope to have my last copy of Celestial Colonnade ordered and hopefully in before that Wednesday - currently a tar pit is standing in stead of the fourth one. Anyway on to my list:
For the SB, I definitely would like to try the unmaking, but should I split 1/1 unmaking and purge? Or 2 unmaking? Also, I have 2 copies of Runed Halo that I think would work well in the board, but not sure how to get them in there. Additionally, I wish that I could have 2 copies of Condemn in the main but then I couldn't have but 1 of the leyline there.
Also, a friend of mine asked me why not play Tectonic Edge over Ghost Quarter? I didn't know quite what to tell him or he wanted to know why not split 1 and 1. I was curious myself especially if playing 3 quarters (which not many of us are admittedly) since the edge does not allow them to search for any land. Just wondering.
Any help is well appreciated as I prepare for the tournament. I shall be testing with my friends here as much as I can and I do have a little over a week to get ready. I value your opinions. Thanks!
Also, wouldn't it better to have 2 of the extractions/extirpates and if so, not sure how to fit them into what I am suggesting. Sorry for being so annoying here. Thanks again.
There is not much I would change about your md except the mana base, your def running some questionable numbers as the lack of 4 colonnades is I assume budget issues as you want 4 colonnade before any amount of tar pits and I would flip the numbers on ur plains and island you want 3 islands to be able to cryptic command under blood moon. Once you get back to 4 colonnade your glacial fortress can become another catacomb and I would def look into an additional fetch as 7 is the minimum I would consider running with logic knot in mind.
Sb looks okay tho the 1 of rest I. Peace seems suspect I would suggest an elsprth for midrange matchups.
What is suspect about the Rest in Peace in the side? And what would you recommend me taking out for an Elspeth, Sun's Champion in the side? Thanks.
There is not much I would change about your md except the mana base, your def running some questionable numbers as the lack of 4 colonnades is I assume budget issues as you want 4 colonnade before any amount of tar pits and I would flip the numbers on ur plains and island you want 3 islands to be able to cryptic command under blood moon. Once you get back to 4 colonnade your glacial fortress can become another catacomb and I would def look into an additional fetch as 7 is the minimum I would consider running with logic knot in mind.
Sb looks okay tho the 1 of rest I. Peace seems suspect I would suggest an elsprth for midrange matchups.
I have just acquired a third colonnade, and now my mana base is as follows:
I should be able to get a third delta this weekend. Once I do any advice on what land to replace? Also, I should be able to order a fourth colonnade. As far as the SB, I do have another rest, but if I put that in dunno what you would suggest replacing?
Thanks for the advice and help. My sister-in-law was in the hospital so I was unable to attend the tournament this past Tues but am hoping to go next week with at least another delta and maybe those changes to the SB. Thanks again!
I am very new to Esper Control but have been reading a lot of the threads off and on. Below is the list I am planning on taking to my local tournament tomorrow (as they hold modern on Tuesday nights every week). A few of the workers (who also play there) suggested that I take out on of the Cryptic Commands and one of the Spell Snares for 2 copies of Inquisition of Kozilek as it gives me something more to do early on and can help me get threats out of my opponents hand. That would drop my counterspells from 12 to 10 and most all of these lists I have seen have 12. What do you all think about that? Anyway, here is my list:
Not sure if 2 copies of Thoughtseize is enough though but if I add the 3rd then I don't have enough room for 2 copies of something else? Anyway I look forward to your comments especially on the SB as I still have difficulty knowing when to side in against what (been ages since my last standard tournament and only my second modern tournament - 1st time I played Abzan). Also tomorrow before the tournament I shall be getting in the mail my 3rd colonnade and hopefully this weekend my 4th and my 3rd delta.
Hi. I am looking to getting into some modern tournaments and have already begun modifying my Abzan deck. I am aiming for a "midrangy" build and could use some advise as to what to do next as I have already added several things. Here is the current build:
Hi. I am looking to getting into some modern tournaments and have already begun modifying my Abzan deck. I am aiming for a "midrangy" build and could use some advise as to what to do next as I have already added several things. Here is the current build:
I realize I probably need cards like 2 copies of Abrupt Decay and 3-4 Windswept Heath but atm I cannot afford all of those at once so I am wondering what to get first? Also am uncertain about the board. Thanks!
Oh, BTW, should I knock down one of the purges for another extract?
Thanks again guys!!!
04 Flooded Strand
04 Polluted Delta
03 Hallowed Fountain
02 Watery Grave
01 Drowned Catacomb
01 Glacial Fortress
02 Ghost Quarter
03 Island
02 Plains
01 Swamp
02 Logic Knot
04 Cryptic Command
04 Think Twice
04 Esper Charm
02 Sphinx's Revelation
04 Path to Exile
03 Supreme Verdict
02 Blessed Alliance
02 Snapcaster Mage
02 Leyline of Sanctity
01 White Sun's Zenith
02 Surgical Extraction
03 Thoughtseize
02 Stony Silence
02 Blood Baron of Vizkopa
02 Celestial Purge
01 Elspeth, Sun's Champion
01 Wrath of God
02 Negate
Note that I will have to order another colonnade and the 2 baneslayers as the shops in my town did not have either of these. I hope to do that this week and *might* be able to get them here in time for this Sunday's modern event, but am not certain.
Any help on side-boarding and mulliganing in general and especially against dredge would be appreciated as I know I will be facing that dredge player this coming Sunday.
Again, first modern event for me though I have played a little standard (not for a while though) and casually since Lorwyn block. Thanks, and thank you all for this primer and all your testing - I really am excited to be learning how to play this style of deck in modern and learning how to properly pilot this type of deck!
-MD
I probably cannot go to my local Wed. night this coming week, 12 April; but will definitely be able to attend the following week, 19 April and hopefully thereafter regularly. So, here is my list and all helpful critique is welcome. For one, I want Leyline of Sanctity to be my 75, but am not sure how to fit it in as amalek0 seems to indicate it should rightly be in the main. So, I'll try that configuration, but I then need some help with the SB - I know there are a lot of Naya burn decks which deal with spell mastery; at least one mono green deck with things like Thrun; and I think a couple of Abzan builds. I hope to have my last copy of Celestial Colonnade ordered and hopefully in before that Wednesday - currently a tar pit is standing in stead of the fourth one. Anyway on to my list:
03 Celestial Colonnade
01 Creeping Tar Pit
04 Flooded Strand
04 Polluted Delta
02 Hallowed Fountain
02 Watery Grave
01 Drowned Catacomb
01 Glacial Fortress
02 Ghost Quarter
02 Plains
03 Island
01 Swamp
03 Spell Snare
02 Remand
02 Logic Knot
04 Cryptic Command
Card Draw=10
04 Think Twice
04 Esper Charm
02 Sphinx's Revelation
Removal=08
01 Condemn
04 Path to Exile
03 Supreme Verdict
Utility=05
02 Leyline of Sanctity
01 White Sun's Zenith
02 Snapcaster Mage
02 Baneslayer Angel
01 Dispel
01 Negate
02 Celestial Purge/Anguished Unmaking
02 Stony Silence
01 Wrath of God
01 Elspeth, Sun's Champion
02 Rest in Peace
02 Timely Reinforcements
01 ???
For the SB, I definitely would like to try the unmaking, but should I split 1/1 unmaking and purge? Or 2 unmaking? Also, I have 2 copies of Runed Halo that I think would work well in the board, but not sure how to get them in there. Additionally, I wish that I could have 2 copies of Condemn in the main but then I couldn't have but 1 of the leyline there.
Also, a friend of mine asked me why not play Tectonic Edge over Ghost Quarter? I didn't know quite what to tell him or he wanted to know why not split 1 and 1. I was curious myself especially if playing 3 quarters (which not many of us are admittedly) since the edge does not allow them to search for any land. Just wondering.
Any help is well appreciated as I prepare for the tournament. I shall be testing with my friends here as much as I can and I do have a little over a week to get ready. I value your opinions. Thanks!
02 Dispel
01 Celestial Purge
01 Wrath of God
01 Extirpate
02 Thoughtseize
02 Stony Silence
02 Timely Reinforcements
02 Leyline of Sanctity
01 Elspeth, Sun's Champion
Also, wouldn't it better to have 2 of the extractions/extirpates and if so, not sure how to fit them into what I am suggesting. Sorry for being so annoying here. Thanks again.
What is suspect about the Rest in Peace in the side? And what would you recommend me taking out for an Elspeth, Sun's Champion in the side? Thanks.
I have just acquired a third colonnade, and now my mana base is as follows:
I should be able to get a third delta this weekend. Once I do any advice on what land to replace? Also, I should be able to order a fourth colonnade. As far as the SB, I do have another rest, but if I put that in dunno what you would suggest replacing?
Thanks for the advice and help. My sister-in-law was in the hospital so I was unable to attend the tournament this past Tues but am hoping to go next week with at least another delta and maybe those changes to the SB. Thanks again!
02 Snapcaster Mage
Counterspells=12
04 Spell Snare
02 Remand
04 Cryptic Command
02 Logic Knot
Draw=10
04 Think Twice
04 Epser Charm
02 Sphinx's Revelation
Removal=07
04 Path to Exile
03 Supreme Verdict
Utility=03
02 Runed Halo
01 White Sun's Zenith
02 Celestial Colonnade
02 Creeping Tar Pit
01 Drowned Catacomb
04 Flooded Strand
01 Glacial Fortress
02 Ghost Quarter
03 Hallowed Fountain
02 Polluted Delta
01 Shambling Vent
02 Watery Grave
03 Plains
02 Island
01 Swamp
01 Teferi, Mage of Zhalfir
02 Thoughtseize
02 Dispel
01 Disenchant
01 Celestial Purge
01 Wrath of God
01 Rest in Peace
02 Stony Silence
02 Timely Reinforcements
02 Leyline of Sanctity
Not sure if 2 copies of Thoughtseize is enough though but if I add the 3rd then I don't have enough room for 2 copies of something else? Anyway I look forward to your comments especially on the SB as I still have difficulty knowing when to side in against what (been ages since my last standard tournament and only my second modern tournament - 1st time I played Abzan). Also tomorrow before the tournament I shall be getting in the mail my 3rd colonnade and hopefully this weekend my 4th and my 3rd delta.
03 Scavenging Ooze
03 Qasali Pridemage
02 Courser of Kruphix
03 Wilt-Leaf Liege
04 Siege Rhino
Removal=08
04 Path to Exile
02 Dismember
02 Languish
Hand Disruption=06
03 Inquisition of Kozilek
03 Thoughtseize
03 Lingering Souls
02 Abrupt Decay
02 Abzan Charm
Lands=24
02 Gavony Township
02 Godless Shrine
03 Overgrown Tomb
02 Stirring Wildwood
02 Temple Garden
05 Plains
02 Swamp
05 Forest
01 Erase
01 Oblivion Ring
01 Go for the Throat
02 Drown in Sorrow
01 Black Sun's Zenith
02 Stony Silence
02 Zealous Persecution
02 Golgari Charm
01 Feed the Clan
01 Relic of Progenitus
I realize I probably need probably another copy of Abrupt Decay? and for the mana base 3-4 Windswept Heath? Also am uncertain about the board. Thanks!
03 Scavenging Ooze
03 Qasali Pridemage
02 Courser of Kruphix
03 Wilt-Leaf Liege
04 Siege Rhino
Removal=08
04 Path to Exile
02 Dismember
02 Languish
Hand Disruption=06
03 Inquisition of Kozilek
03 Thoughtseize
03 Lingering Souls
02 Dromoka's Command
03 Abzan Charm
Lands=24
02 Gavony Township
02 Godless Shrine
03 Overgrown Tomb
02 Stirring Wildwood
02 Temple Garden
05 Plains
02 Swamp
05 Forest
01 Erase
01 Oblivion Ring
01 Go for the Throat
02 Drown in Sorrow
01 Black Sun's Zenith
02 Stony Silence
02 Zealous Persecution
02 Golgari Charm
01 Feed the Clan
01 Relic of Progenitus
I realize I probably need cards like 2 copies of Abrupt Decay and 3-4 Windswept Heath but atm I cannot afford all of those at once so I am wondering what to get first? Also am uncertain about the board. Thanks!