I have been running 2x Grafdigger's Cage alongside 2x Relic of Progenitus for the longest time in my SB as y grave hate of choice. Lately, though, I find that I am rarely ever siding in the Cage. Do you all swear by the card?
I've also used 2x Grafdigger's Cage and 2x Relic of Progenitus for my grave hate as Reanimator, Elves, and Storm were decks I played against a lot so I didn't mind that split.
But doing 3x Relic of Progenitus wouldn't be all that bad seeing it can free you up for one more SB spot.
Now I honestly haven't played Merfolk yet, but if the D&T matchup is so bad, isn't it worth splashing black or red for Dread of Night or Sulfur Elemental? Just a thought.
It's certainly doable.
I personally don't like splashing colors, which is why I play both Merfolk and D&T being mono color...
And I'm already bringing in a bunch of cards from the sideboard to deal with D&T...
My point is that he was riding TNN all the way through, with a relatively slow deck that crushes Miracles. That sounds really familiar and is a good sign for Merfolk players.
Even better if more people play his deck (this is close to a bye as it has horrible mana, slow, plays Islands and have no combo finish or mass removal).
Here's two more pictures of how the card differed from real cards in case it help anyone out.
The coloring is off and the DECKMASTER font is too crisp in the fake.
After comparing to some other cards, I could tell that my finger would easily slide down the card (while that didn't happen with others).
I also noticed that on the back of the card...
The DECKMASTER text was perfect quality while other of my real cards tend to be slightly more pixelated or not as crisp or smooth of text.
This card did pass the light test as light went through all of the card...
So I'm curious to hear some extra input.
Thanks.
Tuxdev would definitely have some intel on that, as I know he's used the Trickster a few times.
I personally like both, my deck is posted below to see.
That definitely does seem to be the case.
I also (highly) recommend having at least 1 copy of Echoing Truth.
When I played Fish a ton on untap (online), Death and Taxes was the one deck that beat me the most.
So I ended up buying the cards so I can play against myself and I've noticed that aside from the other great cards to board in:
Dismember
Sorcerous Spyglass
Manriki-Gusari
Echoing Truth, has been up there with Dismember.
Most of the wins against D&T end up being very close (from my personal playing experience)...
And the ability to return an equipment to their hand once they attack can many times be the little extra you need to win.
Plus they never see it coming
Here is what I currently run:
4 Cursecatcher
4 Lord of Atlantis
4 Master of the Pearl Trident
4 Phantasmal Image
4 Silvergill Adept
4 True-Name Nemesis
2 Daze
1 Echoing Truth
4 Force Of Will
3 Aether Vial
3 Chalice Of The Void
3 Smuggler's Copter
12 Island
4 Mutavault
1 Echoing Truth
2 Flusterstorm
2 Back To Basics
1 Chalice Of The Void
2 Grafdigger's Cage
2 Relic Of Progenitus
2 Sorcerous Spyglass
Unfortunately no Submerge in the SB at the time, but it seems like it could make an appearance.
And something I have been pondering doing is taking out 1 Daze, 1 Cavern Of Souls, and 1 Mutavault...
And replacing them with 3 Wasteland.
I was going to say ask tuxdev as he plays against them a ton on stream then remembered he said this in an earlier thread.
Overall your SB plan isn't all that bad, more so how you play it is what's going to matter most.
Dismember isn't the greatest card to bring in, but a possible option if that's how you want to roll.
Just keep in mind your targets would be: Deathrite Shaman, Baleful Strix, Snapcaster Mage, and Leovold, Emissary of Trest.
It will be a very easy replacement over the 2 lackluster Harbinger Of The Tides.
But doing 3x Relic of Progenitus wouldn't be all that bad seeing it can free you up for one more SB spot.
Grafdigger's Cage is a great card if you're playing against those decks you mentioned above very often.
Relic of Progenitus mostly for cards that are annoying to deal with like Deathrite Shaman, Tarmogoyf. Knight of the Reliquary...
And of course to deal with problematic graveyard mumbo jumbo.
Grafdigger's Cage specifically because it also comes in against elves, and of course it's amazing against reanimator.
.
On a side not I would love more people to transition to decks that focus on using green creatures ever since Miracles took the gas...
It only makes Submerge that more fun to play
2 more Cursecatchers would do the trick, as they really aren't that helpful.
If you're having a lot of trouble against D&T (which can be expected)...
I'd recommend you testing out bringing in a couple Null Rod and maybe even a Manriki-Gusari.
Having Null Rod in against D&T is a pretty big deal...
It allows you to take out the Aether Vials (which really aren't as awesome as many people think)...
And you get to keep more bodies and blue cards which can be needed.
Having those cards has allowed me to win a helluva lot more
But anyway, all the above extra is if D&T is abundant wherever you play.
Glad to hear you're okay after the car accident
It's certainly doable.
I personally don't like splashing colors, which is why I play both Merfolk and D&T being mono color...
And I'm already bringing in a bunch of cards from the sideboard to deal with D&T...
3 Dismember
2 Null Rod
1 Manriki-Gusari
1 Echoing Truth
While also having 3 Tidal Warrior main deck that help as well.
With the help of all of those cards and usually being on the play game 2 (no surprise there), the match-up from then on becomes slightly better.
Here's an example of a deck that splashed black if you're looking for inspiration:
http://mtgtop8.com/event?e=14717&d=288521&f=LE
According to their SB, I'm going to take a shot in the dark and say that they don't seem to like D&T and Elves all that much
Does opponent B discard a card, then return a permanent to their hand?
Does opponent B return a permanent to their hand, then discard a card?
Or do both go on the stack at the same time and it doesn't matter?
Also, Chalice of The Void isn't too shabby on the play with 16 one drops.
Yeah I wouldn't mind playing that deck at all, the more the merrier!