I'm just now delving into the modern format after playing standard for the past few years. I know this isn't the "ideal" list, but that's why I'm posting. Which upgrades are needed, and which would be the priority? I know my land/mana situation is a wreck, but I'm starting this from what I have and going from there. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks for any help! I know this isn't a pure "budget" deck, but the more expensive cards that are present I've opened in packs. I'm not opposed to spending some money to make this better, but it's really just a kitchen table deck to play with my friends. Thanks modern community!
Really liking the Rakdos version of this deck so far. The Mogis's Marauder inclusion is a fantastic 3 drop, and there's great resiliance after board wipes. I'm playing one guild gate right now, as I've had games where the 12/7/4 setup (swamp favor) left me wanting another red source. It might be correct to just 11/8 and not mess with the CIPT clause.
The sideboard is where I've really struggled though. Currently boarding is below:
I've found a one of mainboard Counterflux to be a great catch all. It's just an unconditional counter that can keep other things from happening that turn as well. Great for protecting your board state, and ensuring you get another turn to hammer down.
Aoi: Are you still playing this deck? How is it working out for you? Have you made any changes to the deck or is it still as posted in the OP?
I have been runneing cyclops combo for some time now but it seems too inconsistent, i figured going more control, less combo would help that and thought this was a good place to start asking stupid questions
I was a non-believer in cyclops until I really started testing diverse matchups with the deck. He's comboish...sure, but he does so many things for you. He gives you early game defense...he survives rolling temblor, pillar, spear, price, and more. When you do cast removal (on your turn) you remove your blocker and go to the face. That 2 damage izzet charm just became a +3/0 for your cyclops. Maybe flashback a Think Twice if you need the extra push. He's not a consistent attacker, more just a "tool" in the izzet shell.
Games I struggle with are usually when the board is stalled and you NEED that Aetherling to push through. Sometimes you draw him, sometimes you don't, but the deck doesn't feel like it has a lot of good "outs" when things clog. I'm continuing to modify and test, as I trade for other pieces of the deck.
Further testing with this guy, and currently have 2 in the sideboard. For most matchups I feel like he gets the job done on turn 2, whereas Lotleth Troll usually does not. Troll is realistically a three drop unless you want to utilize his discard...not downplaying how vital that can be.
In the very heavy aggro meta that I play in, I'm starting to lean towards the High Priest for consideration into the main 60. Right now the more "defensive" suite consists of 4 Trolls, and 4 Smiters. The Smiters recently replaced Centaur Healers, and the Trolls, while always good, let me down this last FNM. It's almost always a 2 for one, or at the minimum prevents a turn two creature to go with the turn 1 play.
Spike Jester has been insane, and of course Thundermaw is great, when I have seen Pyrewlld Shaman I have managed to get real use out of him. Still need to tweek the SB and MB a bit
Curious to hear about your Pyrewild Shaman usage. I've found him underwhelming as a singleton, but likely because I only drew him on rare occasions that it didn't matter.
Unless you really need the pro-white from KoI, go with the spiky Jester. In fact, just go with the Jester. It can really punish slower decks, and you'll want that extra damage to prevent them from either establishing a good board presence or stabilizing before you can drop the hammer. If you do, then you'll want the other two Godless Shrines for 12 black sources.
I'm guessing you don't have the other two Reckoners or Aristocrats. Otherwise, I see no reason not to run the full 4 Aristocrats.
I'm not sold on Hellrider in this build. Thundermaw is a much better finisher that isn't as easily answered as the 'rider.
Correct, I'm at 2 Falkenraths and Reckoners because that's all I have right now. Working on finishing out the playsets. I've even preferred Exava over Hellrider lately so I get your point on Hellrider and his "vulnerabilities". I'm going to do some significant testing with the Jester over the next few days, he really does intrigue me and I've got the other 2 shrines to up the count to 4.
Here's the list I'm working with for FNM this week, still doing some last minute tweaking to the sideboard. I guess my biggest decision is whether to stick with 4 KOI mainboard or switch it up to 4 Spike Jester to be more aggressive.
I've played several variants of the Dos Rakis deck over the past few months, and now I'm back on the bandwagon. (Sadly after trading away 2 of my Aristocrats). I like the one drops:
4 Noble
4 Cackler
2 Stonewright (Needed reach)
I'm comfortable with the 2 drops:
4 Ash Zealot
4 Knight of Infamy
The 3 drop department is where I'm not satisfied. I've tried combinations of;
Hellhole Flailer
Boros Reckoner
Pyreheart Wolf
I never get to a point where I'm happy with the mix. I'm playing a singleton Exava, Rakdos Blood Witch which has made a small difference with top deck Flailers in the rare circumstance. Pyreheart has been helpful for pushing through that last strike, and Boros SEEMS more defensive. Thoughts?
Played with a similar deck this weekend testing against rdw and a golgari midrange brew. Rdw was surprisingly an easy matchup due mainly to bonds of faith, and Gideon, Champion of Justice. In fact Gideon was such trump card in that matchup that towards the end of our tests he would just scoop when it landed. I tried to be cute and splash in a few Moorland Haunt with duals but removed them due to inconsistency. Anybody else do any testing this weekend?
I'm really having trouble with aggro testing right now. I usually board in 3 Tragic Slip, some Blind Obedience if we're dealing with hasty creatures, and the occasional Sever the Bloodline. Feel like I'm doing something wrong, or maybe just need more Abrupt Decay.
I've always enjoyed playing green, and this type of deck really suits my playstyle. I'm looking for suggestions to improve or develop. I know I need more Stomping Grounds, and I'm working on trading for a full playset.
I like the way the deck feels, but it just seems games without Predator Ooze are a coin toss. It's resiliant to sweepers thanks to undying effects, indestructability, and regeneration. Here are a few considerations.
1. Is Pit Fight worth the extra mana over Prey Upon? Sorcery speed vs instant for another mana seems bad...but the instant speed has been relevant in response to effects. I'm still undecided on this.
2. I'm not really happy with the one drops. Arbor Elf is nice to accelarate into a turn two Ooze, Rancored Geist, or Avenger, but doesn't feel "essential". Two Trackers feels right. Experiment One feels like the best of the worst. I've tested with Dryad Militant and Wasteland Viper, and don't see any one option proving to be better than the next.
3. I know an all in Gruul deck will be faster, but this deck is borderline aggro/midrange because I see a lot of sweepers in my meta.
3 Drowned Catacomb
1 Temple of Deceit
2 Isolated Chapel
1 Godless Shrine
1 Orzhov Guildgate
3 Glacial Fortress
1 Azorius Guildgate
5 Plains
3 Swamp
2 Island
1 Halimar Depths
1 Terramorphic License
2 Obzedat, Ghost Council
Planeswalkers
1 Liliana Vess
1 Gideon Jura
1 Elspeth, Sun's Champion
Enchantments
1 Detention Sphere
2 Oblivion Ring
Spells
2 Condemn
2 Go for the Throat
2 Doom Blade
1 Hero's Downfall
2 Day of Judgment
1 Supreme Verdict
2 Think Twice
4 Mana Leak
3 Lingering Souls
1 Surgical Extraction
4 Azorius Charm
2 Thoughtseize
1 Timely Reinforcements
Thanks for any help! I know this isn't a pure "budget" deck, but the more expensive cards that are present I've opened in packs. I'm not opposed to spending some money to make this better, but it's really just a kitchen table deck to play with my friends. Thanks modern community!
The sideboard is where I've really struggled though. Currently boarding is below:
3 Duress
1 Thoughtseize
2 Dreadbore
3 Boon of Erebos
3 Act of Treason
Feedback or helpful tips? Namely against the bigger Selesnya or Green variants?
I was a non-believer in cyclops until I really started testing diverse matchups with the deck. He's comboish...sure, but he does so many things for you. He gives you early game defense...he survives rolling temblor, pillar, spear, price, and more. When you do cast removal (on your turn) you remove your blocker and go to the face. That 2 damage izzet charm just became a +3/0 for your cyclops. Maybe flashback a Think Twice if you need the extra push. He's not a consistent attacker, more just a "tool" in the izzet shell.
Games I struggle with are usually when the board is stalled and you NEED that Aetherling to push through. Sometimes you draw him, sometimes you don't, but the deck doesn't feel like it has a lot of good "outs" when things clog. I'm continuing to modify and test, as I trade for other pieces of the deck.
In the very heavy aggro meta that I play in, I'm starting to lean towards the High Priest for consideration into the main 60. Right now the more "defensive" suite consists of 4 Trolls, and 4 Smiters. The Smiters recently replaced Centaur Healers, and the Trolls, while always good, let me down this last FNM. It's almost always a 2 for one, or at the minimum prevents a turn two creature to go with the turn 1 play.
Has anybody tested with this guy? Any feedback?
Curious to hear about your Pyrewild Shaman usage. I've found him underwhelming as a singleton, but likely because I only drew him on rare occasions that it didn't matter.
Correct, I'm at 2 Falkenraths and Reckoners because that's all I have right now. Working on finishing out the playsets. I've even preferred Exava over Hellrider lately so I get your point on Hellrider and his "vulnerabilities". I'm going to do some significant testing with the Jester over the next few days, he really does intrigue me and I've got the other 2 shrines to up the count to 4.
13 Mountain
4 Blood Crypt
4 Dragonskull Summit
2 Godless Shrine
Creatures 27
4 Stromkirk Noble
4 Rakdos Cackler
2 Stonewright
4 Ash Zealot
4 Knight of Infamy
2 Boros Reckoner
2 Falkenrath Aristocrat
1 Exava, Rakdos Blood Witch
4 Hellrider
2 Pillar of Flame
4 Searing Spear
4 Brimstone Volley
Still tweaking the sideboard, but some combination of Slaughter Games, Skullcrack, Flames of the Firebrand, and Dreadbore to start with. Thoughts?
4 Noble
4 Cackler
2 Stonewright (Needed reach)
I'm comfortable with the 2 drops:
4 Ash Zealot
4 Knight of Infamy
The 3 drop department is where I'm not satisfied. I've tried combinations of;
Hellhole Flailer
Boros Reckoner
Pyreheart Wolf
I never get to a point where I'm happy with the mix. I'm playing a singleton Exava, Rakdos Blood Witch which has made a small difference with top deck Flailers in the rare circumstance. Pyreheart has been helpful for pushing through that last strike, and Boros SEEMS more defensive. Thoughts?
17 Forest
4 Rootbound Crag
1 Stomping Ground
Creatures 28
4 Arbor Elf
4 Experiment One
2 Ulvenwald Tracker
4 Strangleroot Geist
4 Wolfir Avenger
4 Predator Ooze
4 Deadbridge Goliath
2 Wolfir Silverheart
4 Rancor
1 Revenge of the Hunted
2 Pit Fight
Planeswalkers 3
1 Domri Rade
2 Garruk Relentless
I like the way the deck feels, but it just seems games without Predator Ooze are a coin toss. It's resiliant to sweepers thanks to undying effects, indestructability, and regeneration. Here are a few considerations.
1. Is Pit Fight worth the extra mana over Prey Upon? Sorcery speed vs instant for another mana seems bad...but the instant speed has been relevant in response to effects. I'm still undecided on this.
2. I'm not really happy with the one drops. Arbor Elf is nice to accelarate into a turn two Ooze, Rancored Geist, or Avenger, but doesn't feel "essential". Two Trackers feels right. Experiment One feels like the best of the worst. I've tested with Dryad Militant and Wasteland Viper, and don't see any one option proving to be better than the next.
3. I know an all in Gruul deck will be faster, but this deck is borderline aggro/midrange because I see a lot of sweepers in my meta.
Thoughts?