Good morning 5CB. It is I, bateleur, your Assistant to the Acting Deputy Moderator!
This was another excellent round. Not only did many of our new players prove that they can handle special formats just as well as the regular stuff, but in fact all four heats ended up closely fought. And the overall winner? Hasn't been calculated yet, for reasons I will now explain...
This round was moderated by ced395, but because he's fairly busy (and neither of us are as hardcore as Mogg) we split the results processing between us. Then when we started checking a few of each other's results we discovered that we weren't agreeing quite as much as we might have hoped for. (And no, it wasn't just that I got every single result wrong, thanks for asking!:p) So here's the thing: it's possible that the players we've calculated as qualifying for the final might not be the right set. And of course if they're not, that will change the result of the final.
So what we're going to do is give you a few days to dispute any results you think look dodgy. Then I'll edit the finals results in to this post and congratulate someone!
In the meantime, congratulations to our heats winners. Top three scores from each heat go through, which wasn't three people in all cases. And no, not because we had farm animals playing in this round. You work it out!
Here comes the huge wall of data!
(Comments on heats A and B are ced. Comments on heats C and D are me unless marked otherwise.)
4 phoenix33 - Gemstone Caverns, Mana Tithe, Mishra’s Factory, Savannah, Sprout Interesting attempt at Caverns, fitting in a manland. However, Mana Tithe as your only disruption was rarely enough to push through your creatures.
7 Math_geek - Bitterblossom, Daze, Mutavault, Thoughtseize, UndergroundSea A variant on a pretty common theme this round, and one of the best of them. Two difficult to disrupt threats, two powerful pieces of disruption did the job very well.
Five Card Blind (5CB) is a weekly Magic tournament, run entirely within this forum. To compete, players submit five-card decks which are played against each other. Scoring assumes optimal play, without randomness or concealed information.
1.2. Players' decks contain exactly five cards, which begin the game in hand. Players do not mulligan or sideboard.
1.3. Players' libraries begin the game empty. A player does not lose the game as a result of being unable to draw a card.
1.4. A random effect produces the result that least benefits the owner of the source of the effect.
2. Tournament Rules
2.1. Players submit their decks to the 5CB moderator (ced395).
2.1a. The moderator acknowledges submissions and informs players of mistakes in a timely manner.
2.1b. A player may submit multiple decks, but only the most recent is counted.
2.1c. If a player's final deck is illegal, the moderator replaces cards in the deck with Library of Alexandria until the deck is made legal. Replacements are made such that the revised deck functions as closely as possible to the original.
2.2. A player may not submit a deck that can, against any deck, win the game or force more than one card in an opponent's hand to change zones before an opponent's second turn.
For example, Cabal Therapy + Swamp x4 is illegal because an opponent's deck may have duplicates of a card, but Cabal Therapy + Subterranean Hangar x4 is legal because Cabal Therapy can't be played until the third turn.
2.3. A deck may include any number of any card legal in Vintage (Type 1), with the exception of the following banned cards:
2.4. Each player plays one match, consisting of two games, against each other player. Each player is the starting player once per match. Results assume optimal play and perfect information (a player that can't win or draw plays to not lose for as many turns as possible).
2.5. Points determine tournament standings. Players are ranked, first to last, in order of decreasing number of points.
2.5a. For each match, a player earns 3 points per game win and 1 point per drawn game. However, a player that wins one game and loses the other earns only 2 points.
2.5b. A table of match results is posted each round. Its rows represent players and its columns represent opponents. Match results reflect the combined result of both games played in a match; 3 is a game win, 1 a drawn game, and 0 a game loss. A player's points are listed at the end of his or her row.
2.6. The player with the most points over the course of a month becomes the Player of the Month.
Format: Block Party
Choose an Extended-legal block (Onslaught, Mirrodin, Kamigawa, Ravnica, Time Spiral, Lorwyn, or Alara). At least three cards in your deck must be from the chosen block.
Please use this thread to discuss any aspect of 5CB. Also, consider a subscription to 5CB. Subscribed players who have not already submitted a deck receive a reminder PM about two days before deadline. PM Mogg to subscribe.
--
(I'm on on this site much anymore. If you want to get in touch it's probably best to email me: dom@heffalumps.org)
Forum Awards: Best Writer 2005, Best Limited Strategist 2005-2012
5CB PotM - June 2005, November 2005, February 2006, April 2008, May 2008, Feb 2009
MTGSalvation Articles: 1-20, plus guest appearance on MTGCast #86!
<Limited Clan>
--
(I'm on on this site much anymore. If you want to get in touch it's probably best to email me: dom@heffalumps.org)
Forum Awards: Best Writer 2005, Best Limited Strategist 2005-2012
5CB PotM - June 2005, November 2005, February 2006, April 2008, May 2008, Feb 2009
MTGSalvation Articles: 1-20, plus guest appearance on MTGCast #86!
<Limited Clan>
How does the heat system work with POTM?
Can beat a Goldfish by Foiling his own Seize.
Once the top 3 of each pod are determined, they will be grouped into a final round. Think of it as a cut to the top 12. Whatever those twelve players earn are their points for the Player of the Month race.
to ced395 and bateleur:
Thank you very much for handling this week. Quick question: How did you determine who plays in which pod?
bat, the 2 blinkmoths were because I had to use 3 cards from Mirrodin block, since I've already used up 2 slots for Smokestack and Mishra's Workshop, the only available manland left for me was Blinkmoth Nexus (if I included a Mishra's Factory, it would have been a DQ).
It's listed as 3-3, but I think it's 6-0. I believe that I win on both accounts.
Going first, I set chalice@1 and win, and going second, Mogg has to take chalice with Thoughtseize, or else lose to chalice@1 (balance doesn't take out artifacts) again, to which it would play like this:
Mogg: Swamp, TS (take Chalice, life: 18)
Apex: Nexus
Mogg: Rack
Apex: Nexus, swing for 1 (Mogg:17)
Mogg: Rack deals 1 to me (Apex: 19)
so I win the race @ 1 damage a turn without playing anything else. He can't balance away my 2 Nexuses ever since Balance needs 2 lands in play for Mogg to cast it.
Right now it's listed as 3-3, but I think it should be 6-0 in my favour too.
If I play first, I set chalice@1 and he can't play Sol Ring, and therefore, can't win.
If he plays first, then, it's like this:
Gamerz: City, Sol Ring, Coretapper (take a manaburn, Gamerz(19)).
me: Nexus
Gamerz: Gemstone Array
me: Workshop, Stax, Chalice@0 (eot, Gemstone array@1)
Gamerz: Door, Array@0
me: Stax@1 (stack the trigger so I don't have to sacrifice), Nexus, attack (Gamerz(18)), eot, array@1
Gamerz: upkeep, float mana, sac Sol Ring, array@2.
me: stax@2 (stack the trigger so I only have to sac 1 permanent), sac Chalice, attack (Gamerz(17)). eot, array@3
Gamerz: upkeep, tap Coretapper, float mana, array@5, sac coretapper and city, and I win, since he can't activate door at all (I sacrifice stax and workshop next turn, leaving 2 Nexuses to attack).
If he didn't play the door then, then he can get more counters on the array (3 more to be exact), but then he couldn't possible play the door after all of the Stax sacrifices, and he cannot outrace me with Coretapper, so I believe I win this match too.
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bat, the 2 blinkmoths were because I had to use 3 cards from Mirrodin block, since I've already used up 2 slots for Smokestack and Mishra's Workshop, the only available manland left for me was Blinkmoth Nexus (if I included a Mishra's Factory, it would have been a DQ).
It's listed as 3-3, but I think it's 6-0. I believe that I win on both accounts.
Going first, I set chalice@1 and win, and going second, Mogg has to take chalice with Thoughtseize, or else lose to chalice@1 (balance doesn't take out artifacts) again, to which it would play like this:
Mogg: Swamp, TS (take Chalice, life: 18)
Apex: Nexus
Mogg: Rack
Apex: Nexus, swing for 1 (Mogg:17)
Mogg: Rack deals 1 to me (Apex: 19)
so I win the race @ 1 damage a turn without playing anything else. He can't balance away my 2 Nexuses ever since Balance needs 2 lands in play for Mogg to cast it.
Balance also causes discard. You have to play Stack lest I make you discard it and win. The board becomes 2 lands + Rack vs. 2 lands + Stack. You have to sacrifice your win to make me sacrifice mine. 1-4.
On the play I thoughtseize the gargadon and it's pretty self-explanatory from then on out; this is not the issue.
On the draw, he suspends arc blade and GG - 3/10 with vamp link in hand.
I play mutavault.
He has 2/9 suspend counters.
I play urborg and attack. - he is at 18
He has 1/8 suspend counters.
I play tabernacle, thoughtseize him, and attack - he is at 16, i am at 18
He plays arc lightning - i am at 16 - he has 3/7 suspend counters
I play Fulminator Mage
He has 2/6 Suspend Counters
I attack for 4, he is at 12
He has 1/5 suspend counters
I attack for 4, he is at 8
He kills the fulminator mage, and I destroy his land, he has 3/3 suspend counters.
I attack - he is at 6
He has 2/2 suspend counters.
I attack - he is at 4
He has 1/1 suspend counters
I attack - he is at 2.
Both of his spells resolve, I go to 14. If he attacks, he loses, and if he does not, he just loses the next turn because of tabernacle, he must sacrifice the gargadon.
Balance also causes discard. You have to play Stack lest I make you discard it and win. The board becomes 2 lands + Rack vs. 2 lands + Stack. You have to sacrifice your win to make me sacrifice mine. 1-4.
I don't see it, you can't cast Balance fast enough for you to get to 2 lands + Rack, since Stax would have kicked in and you would have to start saccing lands, and I can always sac Workshop and the stax itself (2 sacrifices for me as the controller of stax means 3 turns, which meant you would have sacrificed 3 permanents, enough to deal with both of your lands and the rack, and not enough time for the rack to kill me with).
you: Swamp, TS(Chalice), you@18
me: Nexus
you: Pool, Rack
me: Shop, Stax
you: rack me for 2 (me@18), charge pool
me: stax@1, nexus, attack (you@17)
now you have 2 lands, pool with 1 charge counter and a swamp. You have to sac a land every turn to keep the rack on the board, and you can't possibly cast Balance off a single land (even if you sac swamp first and charged in response, the pool is tapped on that turn, and you would need to sacrifice it the next turn, as you can't float mana to cast a sorcery).
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If you add a counter now, I sacrifice my board, and you sacrifice Stack and a Nexus. Draw. If you don't add a counter, I sacrifice Rack, and play Balance (with only one land), and you sacrifice Nexus. Draw.
Id say for tie breakers go their matches against eachother. If 2 players both have 30 points, then you use their match vs eachother to choose a winner. If that's a tie then I'm out of ideas.
Hey, just wanted to let everyone know that deadline for this round is next Friday, June 12th, 6:00 pm PST. I'll send reminders to subscribed players on Wednesday.
Hey, just wanted to let everyone know that deadline for this round is next Friday, June 12th, 6:00 pm PST. I'll send reminders to subscribed players on Wednesday.
how can we have a deadline if we don't even know the challenge yet?
i'm glad you guys liked my deck, and that it managed to compete. i wasn't sure what to prepare for.
i originally had a Keldon Megaliths as a backup wincon but i had to replace it with a Mountain to make the "block" requirements. it speeds up the deck so i'm not sure now which is better.
Glad to have actually won some matches this time :p; on a side note, would an illegal deck for this round have to have something other than Library of Alexandria to replace cards, as it isn't in a block?
bat, the 2 blinkmoths were because I had to use 3 cards from Mirrodin block, since I've already used up 2 slots for Smokestack and Mishra's Workshop, the only available manland left for me was Blinkmoth Nexus (if I included a Mishra's Factory, it would have been a DQ).
Doh! Good point.
Corrections
Mogg vs Apex: 1-4
Apex vs Gamerz: 6-0
Mogg vs Umbacano: 1-4
SomeOne vs SaumZ: 6-0
The Final
Tiebreakers were resolved using game point totals (as opposed to match points). The top 12 are:
--
(I'm on on this site much anymore. If you want to get in touch it's probably best to email me: dom@heffalumps.org)
Forum Awards: Best Writer 2005, Best Limited Strategist 2005-2012
5CB PotM - June 2005, November 2005, February 2006, April 2008, May 2008, Feb 2009
MTGSalvation Articles: 1-20, plus guest appearance on MTGCast #86!
<Limited Clan>
I thought alot more shop powered artifact decks were going to show up, lol, I was thinking playing some massive artifact hate, but I'm surprised by the number of Bitterblossom tokens! Though Bitterblossom + Thoughtseize + Swamp does make for a very good block selection.
Correct. It can only pay for casting costs, which Daze actually isn't.
Private Mod Note
():
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--
(I'm on on this site much anymore. If you want to get in touch it's probably best to email me: dom@heffalumps.org)
Forum Awards: Best Writer 2005, Best Limited Strategist 2005-2012
5CB PotM - June 2005, November 2005, February 2006, April 2008, May 2008, Feb 2009
MTGSalvation Articles: 1-20, plus guest appearance on MTGCast #86!
<Limited Clan>
"2.5. Points determine tournament standings. Players are ranked, first to last, in order of decreasing number of points.
2.5a. For each match, a player earns 3 points per game win and 1 point per drawn game. However, a player that wins one game and loses the other earns only 2 points.
2.5b. A table of match results is posted each round. Its rows represent players and its columns represent opponents. Match results reflect the combined result of both games played in a match; 3 is a game win, 1 a drawn game, and 0 a game loss. A player's points are listed at the end of his or her row."
2.5a. explains the points a player can get. For any match, the possibilities are: 0, 1, 2, 4, or 6.
2.5b. explains the results table. The numbers listed there reflect how each match plays out, and points are listed at the end of a row according to 2.5a.
The table uses 3's and 2's to be as specific as possible regarding gameplay. This is useful both for settling disputes and for getting data on how a deck performs in various matchups.
Just wanted to explain the heat and tiebreaker system I'll be using.
Heats:
Players are divided randomly into equally-sized heats. The top three players in each heat – top four players in heats of more than eleven players – play in a final heat. The winner of this heat is the round winner, and points earned in this heat count toward the Player of the Month race. If there is only one heat, no final round is played, and the top 8 receive POTM points.
# Players
20
# Heats
4 – 19
40
1
20 – 29
32
2
30 – 39
32
3
etc.
Tiebreakers:
1. Number of match wins (6-0)
2. Number of game wins
3. Points scored against higher-scoring decks
4. Points scored against each other
If they're still even, both move on to the final round.
This was another excellent round. Not only did many of our new players prove that they can handle special formats just as well as the regular stuff, but in fact all four heats ended up closely fought. And the overall winner? Hasn't been calculated yet, for reasons I will now explain...
This round was moderated by ced395, but because he's fairly busy (and neither of us are as hardcore as Mogg) we split the results processing between us. Then when we started checking a few of each other's results we discovered that we weren't agreeing quite as much as we might have hoped for. (And no, it wasn't just that I got every single result wrong, thanks for asking!:p) So here's the thing: it's possible that the players we've calculated as qualifying for the final might not be the right set. And of course if they're not, that will change the result of the final.
So what we're going to do is give you a few days to dispute any results you think look dodgy. Then I'll edit the finals results in to this post and congratulate someone!
In the meantime, congratulations to our heats winners. Top three scores from each heat go through, which wasn't three people in all cases. And no, not because we had farm animals playing in this round. You work it out!
Here comes the huge wall of data!
(Comments on heats A and B are ced. Comments on heats C and D are me unless marked otherwise.)
Heat A
1 ced395 - Dread, Dreadship Reef, Energy Field, Swamp, Thoughtseize
Apparently, delaying that Energy Field by one turn does make a difference. Thoughtseize
2 falcon - City of Traitors, Elvish Spirit Guide, Oxidize, Myr Retriever, Myr Retriever
Your threats are almost unstoppable, but most of the time, they just continually chump-blocked. Oxidize didn’t do much.
3 FuriouslySleepingIdea - City of Traitors, Ensnaring Bridge, Grand Coliseum, Reminisce, Words of War
There’s some interesting ideas here. Unfortunately, It takes a while to get set up, and that Reminisce got in the way of the EnsnaringBridge.
4 phoenix33 - Gemstone Caverns, Mana Tithe, Mishra’s Factory, Savannah, Sprout
Interesting attempt at Caverns, fitting in a manland. However, Mana Tithe as your only disruption was rarely enough to push through your creatures.
5 Halinn - Errant Ephemeron, Island, Karakas, Leyline of Singularity, Remand
Karakas is strong as always (particularly when it could bounce the Ephemeron when it was threatened), but Remand was somewhat useless.
6 Magus819 - Golgari Thug, Hunted Horror, Karakas, Leyline of Singularity, Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
Hunted Horror is usually paired with Tel-Jilad Stylus, but Karakas was a fine fit too.
7 Math_geek - Bitterblossom, Daze, Mutavault, Thoughtseize, UndergroundSea
A variant on a pretty common theme this round, and one of the best of them. Two difficult to disrupt threats, two powerful pieces of disruption did the job very well.
8 Farik - Black Lotus, Chain of Vapor, Daze, Glowrider, Island
Glowrider was questionable as a lone wincon, especially because it shuts you off your own spells.
9 Shadow Knight - Mishra’s Workshop, Myr Servitor, Myr Servitor, Sword of the Meek, The Rack
The Rack and a wall of Myr Servitors won a fair few points.
10 LeadMagnet - Leyline of Lifeforce, Saltcrusted Steppe, Simic Growth Chamber, Simic Sky Swallower, Waterveil Cavern
The problem with this deck is that it’s too slow, and the Sky Swallower comes under more angles of attack than just counterspells.
X| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
1| X 2 2 6 2 2 3 6 2 6 | 30
2| 2 X 0 2 0 0 0 6 2 0 | 12
3| 2 6 X 6 6 6 0 0 0 6 | 32
4| 0 2 0 X 0 0 0 6 0 6 | 14
5| 2 6 0 6 X 2 2 6 0 3 | 26
6| 2 6 0 6 2 X 0 6 6 6 | 34
7| 3 6 6 6 2 6 X 4 6 6 | 44
8| 0 0 6 0 0 0 1 X 0 0 | 7
9| 2 2 6 6 6 0 0 6 X 6 | 34
0| 0 6 0 0 3 0 0 6 0 X | 14
----
Heat B
1 IOput - Culling Scales, Darksteel Ingot, Eater of Days, Mishra’s Workshop, Thoughtseize
I really liked the Scales/Ingot combo, to kill anything of CMC 3 or below. However, the Ingot was extremely vunerable to Thoughtseize.
2 Dethwing - Æther Vial, Chalice of the Void, Energy Chamber, Mishra's Workshop, Progenitus
Powering out an early Progenitus was an interesting choice, but the deck’s weakness lay in the single Vial that you need to win.
3 Stuckpixel - Bitterblossom, Black Lotus, Black Lotus, Thoughtseize, Scion of Oona
A Lotus variant on the 2land Seize builds. Scion of Oona won the occasional race.
4 Fruan - Mutavault, Pithing Needle, Swamp, Thorn of Amethyst, Thoughtseize
This felt like a set of good cards, rather than something which gels as a whole. Thorn wasn’t much use by turn two.
5 Carrion Pigeons - Akki Blizzard-Herder, Crack the Earth, Gods' Eye, Gate to the Reikai, Greater Gargadon, Mox Ruby
It looks good on paper, but that Mox Ruby was a huge weak point.
6 Chimpanzee - Chain of Vapor, Mishra's Factory, Oona's Prowler, Secluded Glen, Thoughtseize
Oona’s Prowler was an unusual choice. Rather strong otherwise.
7 Omegaorb - Bitterblossom, Mishra’s Factory, Oona's Blackguard, Swamp, Thoughtseize
Good deck. Oona’s Blackguard is a fine Lord and pressurer of slow decks.
8 Riftbot - Adarkar Wastes, Karakas, Nix, Serra Avenger, The Rack
There isn’t any pressure for Nix to achieve anything most of the time. Serra Avenger was too easily raced.
9 CanadianGreenBeret - Bloodhall Ooze, Leyline of Lifeforce, Leyline of the Void, Robe of Mirrors, Steam Vents
Bloodhall Ooze grew large very quickly. However, this deck didn’t really have a backup plan.
10 Jskura - Æther Vial, Æther Vial, City of Traitors, Coretapper, Dread
OK, so you have a plan to get an uncounterable Dread onto the table.
X| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
1| X 6 3 3 3 3 3 6 6 6 | 34
2| 0 X 3 3 6 0 0 6 3 4 | 22
3| 3 3 X 3 6 3 3 6 6 6 | 34
4| 3 3 3 X 3 1 0 6 3 6 | 23
5| 3 0 0 3 X 3 3 3 0 0 | 10
6| 3 6 3 4 3 X 0 6 6 6 | 34
7| 3 6 3 6 3 6 X 6 6 6 | 42
8| 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 X 0 0 | 2
9| 0 3 0 3 6 0 0 6 X 0 | 16
0| 0 1 0 0 6 6 0 6 6 X | 25
----
Heat C
1 Kotoso - Academy Ruins, Dreadship Reef, Epochrasite, Nevinyrral's Disk, Mishra’s Factory
Slow, but quite powerful. Interestingly, Disk activation was only relevant in a single match during the qualifying heat!
2 Some One - Fulminator Mage, Mutavault, The Tabernacle At Pendrell Vale, Thoughtseize, Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
This deck has some interesting synergies, but ultimately Fulminator Mage didn't do enough to be worth the effort.
3 Freakflag - Mutavault, Nezumi Shortfang, Swamp, The Rack, Thoughtseize
Outstanding performance! The Rack was very useful as a backup threat.
4 No Stress - Mishra’s Factory, Nether Spirit, Smallpox, Smallpox, Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
It was a shame for you that casting Smallpox cost you your manland. Nonetheless, this deck was occasionally very strong.
5 Darko121 - Black Lotus, Black Lotus, Eiganjo Castle, Isamaru, Hound of Konda, Konda, Lord of Eiganjo
This deck impressed me. Looked weak at first glance, but sacrificing even one thing crippled some decks.
6 Riddle - Crack the Earth, Gods’ Eye, Gate to Reikai, Mountain, Mox Sapphire, Soldevi Digger
This deck impressed me. Looked weak at first glance, but sacrificing even one thing crippled some decks. (Agreed. Probably my favourite deck of the round -ced)
7 SaumZ - Arc Blade, Badlands, Black Lotus, Greater Gargadon, Vampiric Link
This turned out to be too slow. Vampiric Link was potentially a good solution to this, except that it doesn't work against manlands!
8 IBJeremy - Mishra’s Factory, Nezumi Shortfang, Pithing Needle, Swamp, Thoughtseize
Very good, but Pithing Needle wasn't quite as useful as The Rack.
9 Joedredd - Dark Depths, Forest, Keldon Megaliths, Maelstrom Pulse, Molten Slagheap
This was another deck that was just too slow. Sometimes Maelstrom Pulse put you back in the game, but mostly it wasn't enough.
10 MadManquail – Meddling Mage, Mox Pearl, Noble Hierach, Qasali Pridemage, TropicalIsland
(Qasali Pridemage is a rather powerful card in 5CB, and is worth watching for later. Meddling Mage is always a crippling play too –ced)
X| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
1| X 6 0 6 0 0 6 0 6 0 | 24
2| 0 X 0 2 6 1 6 0 6 6 | 27
3| 6 6 X 6 6 6 6 3 6 6 | 50
4| 0 2 6 X 3 0 0 6 6 0 | 22
5| 6 0 0 3 X 0 0 3 6 3 | 18
6| 6 4 0 6 6 X 6 3 3 0 | 32
7| 0 0 0 6 6 0 X 0 0 0 | 12
8| 6 6 3 0 3 3 6 X 6 6 | 36
9| 0 0 0 0 0 3 6 0 X 0 | 8
0| 6 0 0 6 3 6 6 0 6 X | 32
----
Heat D
1 bateleur - Black Lotus, Channel, March of the Machines, Mycosynth Lattice, Oblivion Stone
Comedy gold! Managed to end up in the worst possible heat for this kind of risky plan.
2 Umbacano - Bitterblossom, Mox Jet, Sinkhole, Swamp, Thoughtseize
Nicely balanced deck, though you were lucky not to face more threats capable of racing Bitterblossom.
3 Haoban3 - Foil, Island, Nether Spirit, Swamp, Thoughtseize
Oops... were you aware that you submitted a deck that cannot beat a goldfish?
4 Mogg - Balance, Calciform Pools, Swamp, The Rack, Thoughtseize
Superb inevitability! The lone win condition was this deck's only weakness.
5 Kekekekeke - Flash, Gemstone Caverns, Island, Simian Spirit Guide, Symbiotic Wurm
Nice combo! The lack of Tabernacles in this round made this better than it would usually be.
6 Yawg07 - Black Lotus, Disrupting Shoal, Evermind, Gilded Drake, Kira Great Glass Spinner
This was a harsh round for you as only one other player ran Lotus! Kira's lack of ability to race effectively also hurt you a bit.
7 Iron_Blood - Fetid Heath, Hand of Cruelty, Hand of Honor, Plains, Umezawa’s Jitte
By the standards of 5CB this deck is slow. It also plays very fair, which is seldom a good thing.
8 Apex - Blinkmoth Nexus, Blinkmoth Nexus, Chalice of the Void, Mishra’s Workshop, Smokestack
Smokestack is good as always, but your choice of manlands has me slightly perplexed. Surely it would at least have been worth one Mishra's Factory to give you more options?
9 Gamerz – City of Traitors, Coretapper, Door to Nothingness, Gemstone Array, Sol Ring
(The Door to Nothingness is a strong threat, but it’s very easily disruptible, and the deck lacked disruption elsewhere –ced)
X| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
1| X 3 2 3 2 0 6 3 6 | 22
2| 3 X 2 1 0 6 6 3 6 | 25
3| 2 2 X 2 2 2 2 6 2 | 20
4| 3 4 2 X 6 6 6 1 6 | 33
5| 2 6 2 0 X 0 6 6 6 | 28
6| 6 0 2 0 6 X 0 0 0 | 14
7| 0 0 2 0 0 6 X 0 0 | 8
8| 3 3 0 4 0 6 6 X 6 | 26
9| 0 0 2 0 0 6 6 0 X | 14
----
The Final
Tiebreakers were resolved using game point totals (as opposed to match points). The top 12 are:
1 Math_geek (A7)
2 Magus819 (A6)
3 Shadow Knight (A9)
4 Omegaorb (B7)
5 IOput (B1)
6 Stuckpixel (B3)
7 Freakflag (C3)
8 IBJeremy (C8)
9 Riddle (C6)
10 Mogg (D4)
11 Kekekekeke (D5)
12 Apex (D8)
5CB #84 Results
This week's format was Block Party.
1 Math_geek - Bitterblossom, Daze, Mutavault, Thoughtseize, UndergroundSea
This proved to be an excellent design, nice work.
2 Magus819 - Golgari Thug, Hunted Horror, Karakas, Leyline of Singularity, Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
Your inability to do much on turn one hurt a bit in the finals.
3 Shadow Knight - Blinkmoth Nexus, Blinkmoth Nexus, Myr Servitor, Myr Servitor, The Rack
Well, you made it out of the small pond... erm... better luck next time!
4 Omegaorb - Bitterblossom, Mishra’s Factory, Oona's Blackguard, Swamp, Thoughtseize
This deck did somewhat less well with fewer slow decks to exploit.
5 IOput - Culling Scales, Darksteel Ingot, Eater of Days, Mishra’s Workshop, Thoughtseize
Being unable to safely drop Scales on turn one usually meant it got Thoughtseized. Also, big drawback was big!
6 Stuckpixel - Bitterblossom, Black Lotus, Black Lotus, Thoughtseize, Scion of Oona
As you might expect this deck did well going first... not so much playing second.
7 Freakflag - Mutavault, Nezumi Shortfang, Swamp, The Rack, Thoughtseize
Very respectable attempt. Might have won in a different metagame.
8 IBJeremy - Mishra’s Factory, Nezumi Shortfang, Pithing Needle, Swamp, Thoughtseize
Even in the finals, Rack is still preferable.
9 Riddle - Crack the Earth, Gods’ Eye, Gate to Reikai, Mountain, Mox Sapphire, Soldevi Digger
So... why not a Mox Ruby?
10 Mogg - Balance, Calciform Pools, Swamp, The Rack, Thoughtseize
...and one threat was even less viable here.
11 Kekekekeke - Flash, Gemstone Caverns, Island, Simian Spirit Guide, Symbiotic Wurm
Perfectly metagamed against the lack of Foil! Congratulations on the big win!
12 Apex - Blinkmoth Nexus, Blinkmoth Nexus, Chalice of the Void, Mishra’s Workshop, Smokestack
Inability to drop Chalice for two on turn one really hurt. This deck misses Sol Ring!
X| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2
1| X 6 6 6 6 3 0 6 3 3 0 6 | 42
2| 0 X 6 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 6 4 | 20
3| 0 0 X 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 | 6
4| 0 2 6 X 6 3 0 3 1 6 0 6 | 31
5| 0 2 6 0 X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | 8
6| 3 6 6 3 6 X 3 3 3 3 0 3 | 32
7| 6 6 6 6 6 3 X 2 1 4 0 3 | 47
8| 0 6 6 3 6 3 2 X 1 6 0 3 | 33
9| 3 6 0 4 6 3 4 4 X 3 0 0 | 30
0| 3 6 6 0 6 3 1 0 3 X 0 0 | 25
1| 6 0 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 X 6 | 66
2| 0 1 6 0 6 3 3 3 6 6 0 X | 31
Tournament Standings
1) Kekekekeke (11) - 66
2) Freakflag (7) - 47
3) Math_geek (1) - 42
4) IBJeremy - 33
5) Stuckpixel - 32
6) Omegaorb - 31
7) Apex - 31
8) Riddle - 30
9) Mogg - 25
10) Magus819 - 20
11) IOput - 8
12) Shadow Knight - 6
Kekekekeke wins 5CB #84.
POTM Standings:
Freakflag: 97
Kekekekeke: 94
Math_geek: 86
Omegaorb: 73
IBJeremy: 69
Stuckpixel: 66
Riddle: 62
Mogg: 58
Apex: 57
Magus819: 54
IOput: 42
Shadow Knight: 40
Chimpanzee: 34
FuriouslySleepingIdea: 32
MadManquail: 32
ced395: 30
Some One: 27
Halinn: 26
Jskura: 25
Umbacano: 25
Kotoso: 24
Fruan: 23
bateleur: 22
No Stress: 22
Dethwing: 22
Haoban3: 20
Darko121: 18
CanadianGreenBeret: 16
Yawg07: 14
Gamerz: 14
LeadMagnet: 14
phoenix33: 14
falcon: 12
SaumZ: 12
Carrion Pigeons: 10
Joedredd: 8
Iron_Blood: 8
Farik: 7
Riftbot: 2
0. Overview
Five Card Blind (5CB) is a weekly Magic tournament, run entirely within this forum. To compete, players submit five-card decks which are played against each other. Scoring assumes optimal play, without randomness or concealed information.
1. Game Rules
1.1. Except for the changes described in these rules, games follow the Magic: The Gathering Comprehensive Rules.
1.2. Players' decks contain exactly five cards, which begin the game in hand. Players do not mulligan or sideboard.
1.3. Players' libraries begin the game empty. A player does not lose the game as a result of being unable to draw a card.
1.4. A random effect produces the result that least benefits the owner of the source of the effect.
2. Tournament Rules
2.1. Players submit their decks to the 5CB moderator (ced395).
2.2. A player may not submit a deck that can, against any deck, win the game or force more than one card in an opponent's hand to change zones before an opponent's second turn.
2.3. A deck may include any number of any card legal in Vintage (Type 1), with the exception of the following banned cards:
2.4. Each player plays one match, consisting of two games, against each other player. Each player is the starting player once per match. Results assume optimal play and perfect information (a player that can't win or draw plays to not lose for as many turns as possible).
2.5. Points determine tournament standings. Players are ranked, first to last, in order of decreasing number of points.
2.6. The player with the most points over the course of a month becomes the Player of the Month.
Season 1
March 2005
Round 1 r_x, Greebo, zorbop
Round 2 Ankh-Morpokian
Round 3 Greebo
Round 4 Chimpanzee
POTM: Greebo
April 2005
Round 5 help im a bug, Draco9_1_1 (Only Creatures)
Round 6 Greebo (Only Creatures)
Round 7 spuzzem king
Round 8 bateleur
POTM: spuzzem king
May 2005
Round 9 Feyd_Ruin (Only Multicolor)
Round 10 jcsuperstar (Only Multicolor)
Round 11 Lone Warrior
Round 12 Wanderer359
POTM: WhammWhamme
June 2005
Round 13 Silver Seraph, Greebo (Titania's Song)
Round 14 WhammWhamme (Titania's Song)
Round 15 Tahn (Artist Tribute)
Round 16 Lone Warrior (Artist Tribute)
POTM: bateleur, Greebo
July 2005
Round 17 Shadowlord
Round 18 bateleur
Round 19 Shadowlord (Pay 19: Add 1)
Round 20 Greebo (Pay 19: Add 1)
POTM: Shadowlord
August 2005
Round 21 Greebo
Round 22 Greebo
Round 23 spuzzem king (One-Million Life)
Round 24 WhammWhamme (One-Million Life)
POTM: Greebo
September 2005
Round 25 Chimpanzee, Shadowlord
Round 26 dasheiff
Round 27 Chimpanzee (Orrery)
Round 28 Halinn (Orrery)
POTM: jcsuperstar
October 2005
Round 29 Beaker
Round 30 Feuerdrache, Wanderer359
Round 31 r_x (Dream Halls)
Round 32 Puzzle (Dream Halls)
POTM: Chimpanzee
November 2005
Round 33 bateleur
Round 34 Shadowlord
Round 35 jcsuperstar (Backbuild)
Round 36 jcsuperstar (Backbuild)
POTM: bateleur
December 2005
Round 37 bateleur
Round 38 Wanderer359
Round 39 WhammWhamme (Ban a Card)
Round 40 dasheiff, Lone Warrior (Ban a Card)
POTM: Beaker
January 2006
Round 41 Lone Warrior
Round 42 Silver Seraph
Round 43 Trojan (1984)
Round 44 Beaker (1984)
POTM: Lone Warrior
February 2006
Round 45 bateleur
Round 46 Halinn
Round 47 bateleur (7 Life)
Round 48 Chimpanzee (7 Life)
POTM: bateleur
March 2006
Round 49 armlx
Round 50 bateleur
Round 51 armlx (Leyline)
Round 52 Chimpanzee, Greebo (Leyline)
POTM: armlx
April 2006
Round 53 jcsuperstar
Round 54 armlx
Round 55 bateleur (Epic)
Round 56 Xyre (Epic)
POTM: jcsuperstar
May 2006
Round 57 jcsuperstar
Round 58 Pingele_Pats (Banathon)
Round 59 Amadi (Banathon)
Round 60 Solitaire (Banathon)
POTM: Pingele_Pats
June 2006
Round 61 Farik (One-Million Life)
Round 62 Wrath_of_Dog, zu_Faul (Leyline)
Round 63 Beaker (7 Life)
POTM: silicon
July 2006
Round 64 Pingele_Pats (Multi-Set)
Round 65 WhammWhamme, zu_Faul (Extended)
POTM: None
September 2007
Round 1 (Introduction)
Round 2 andelijah
POTM: None
October 2007
Round 3 Mogg
Round 4 Chimpanzee (Lorwyn)
Round 5 Meat Popsicle (Repeat Letters)
Round 6 Mogg (10 Life)
POTM: Mogg
November 2007
Round 7 Death_By_Beebles
Round 8 jcsuperstar (Mindslaver)
Round 9 Mogg (Thanksgiving Special)
Round 10 Mogg (Thanksgiving Special, Part Two)
POTM: Mogg
December 2007
Round 11 carrion pigeons
Round 12 Mogg (Later Alphabet)
Round 13 Mogg (Backbuild)
Round 14 Xyre (Backbuild)
POTM: Mogg
January 2008
Round 15 armlx
Round 16 Chimpanzee (Auras)
Round 17 Mogg (Doubling Season)
Round 18 carrion pigeons, Chimpanzee (Doubling Season)
Round 19 WhammWhamme (31 Bans)
POTM: Mogg
February 2008
Round 20 Chimpanzee
Round 21 Mogg (Combat)
Round 22 Mogg (Combat)
Round 23 Knowledge
POTM: Mogg
March 2008
Round 24 Mogg (Consecutive Names)
Round 25 Chimpanzee (Consecutive Names)
Round 26 The Mad Tapper
Round 27 The Mad Tapper
POTM: The Mad Tapper
April 2008
Round 28 The Mad Tapper (DC5)
Round 29 jcsuperstar (DC5)
Round 30 jcsuperstar (< 20)
Round 31 bateleur
POTM: bateleur
May 2008
Round 32 WhammWhamme (Leyline)
Round 33 Silver Seraph (Mana Market)
Round 34 bateleur (Helm of Awakening and Mirari)
Round 35 Alfred (Pre-entered Decks)
POTM: bateleur
June 2008
Round 36 bateleur
Round 37 WhammWhamme (Favorite Colors)
Round 38 YuanTi (Lotus)
Round 39 Mogg (Mogg Week)
POTM: WhammWhamme
July 2008
Round 40 bateleur (Mulligans)
Round 41 Mogg
Round 42 Chimpanzee
Round 43 ced395 (Even)
POTM: Mogg
August 2008
Round 44 WhammWhamme (Odd)
Round 45 Farik (No Bans)
Round 46 Mogg
POTM: Error1
September 2008
Round 47 ghweiss (Low-Scoring)
Round 48 theeguy (Backbuild, Part Two)
Round 49 Mogg
Round 50 Mogg (50 Life)
Round 51 Error1 (Landline)
POTM: Mogg
October 2008
Round 52 Shogun17 (Exploration)
Round 53 MT_Gunn (Multicolor Discount)
Round 54 Silkenfist (2-2)
Round 55 bateleur, WhammWhamme
POTM: Error1
November 2008
Round 56 Error1 (Colorless Creatures)
Round 57 Knowledge, Silkenfist (Legendary Creatures)
POTM: None
December 2008
Round 58 (Introduction)
Round 59 Halinn
Round 60 Halinn
Round 61 ced395 (Christmas Special)
Round 62 MyNameIsFourteen (New Year's Special)
POTM: None
January 2009
Round 63 Mogg
Round 64 Mogg (Nemesis)
Round 65 MyNameIsFourteen (Nemesis)
Round 66 Mogg
POTM: Mogg
February 2009
Round 67 Chimpanzee
Round 68 MyNameIsFourteen (Lovely Letters)
Round 69 Naphtali (Lovely Letters, Part 2)
Round 70 bateleur
POTM: bateleur
March 2009
Round 71 ced395, Chimpanzee
Round 72 ced395 (Activated)
Round 73 WhammWhamme (Activated)
Round 74 bateleur
POTM: Chimpanzee
April 2009
Round 75 Xyre
Round 76 Mogg, ngollon (Leyline-Orrery)
Round 77 Mogg (Leyline-Orrery)
Round 78 Mogg
POTM: Mogg
May 2009
Round 79 bateleur
Round 80 ced395 (Upwelling)
Round 81 Mogg (Upwelling)
Round 82 Halinn
Round 83 r_x_
New Player Round math_geek
POTM: Mogg
Rounds
Mogg: 22
bateleur: 16
Chimpanzee: 12
WhammWhamme: 10
Greebo: 8
jcsuperstar: 8
Halinn: 5
ced395: 5
armlx: 4
Lone Warrior: 4
Shadowlord: 4
Beaker: 3
MyNameIsFourteen: 3
r_x_: 3
Silver Seraph: 3
The Mad Tapper: 3
Wanderer359: 3
Xyre: 3
carrion pigeons: 2
dasheiff: 2
Error1: 2
Farik: 2
help im a bug: 1
Knowledge: 2
Pingele_Pats: 2
Silkenfist: 2
spuzzem king: 2
zu_Faul: 2
Alfred: 1
Amadi: 1
andelijah: 1
Ankh-Morpokian: 1
Death By Beebles: 1
Draco9_1_1: 1
Feuerdrache: 1
Feyd_Ruin: 1
ghweiss: 1
Meat Popsicle: 1
MT Gunn: 1
Naphtali: 1
ngollon: 1
Puzzle: 1
Shogun17: 1
Solitaire: 1
Tahn: 1
theeguy: 1
Trojan: 1
Wrath_of_Dog: 1
YuanTi: 1
zorbop: 1
POTM
Mogg: 10
bateleur: 6
Greebo: 3
Chimpanzee: 2
Error1: 2
jcsuperstar: 2
WhammWhamme: 2
armlx: 1
Beaker: 1
Lone Warrior: 1
Pingele_Pats: 1
Shadowlord: 1
silicon: 1
spuzzem king: 1
The Mad Tapper: 1
Dom Camus
Five Card Blind
Nick Chandler-Klein:
Three Card Blind: A Whole Different Format (Part 1)
Three Card Blind: A Whole Different Format (Part 2)
Three Card Blind: A Whole Different Format (Part 3)
Alex Hoffman:
Going Blind: A First Look at Lands
Going Blind: A Non-Basic Approach
Going Blind: Metagaming – Being Overly Analytical
Going Blind: Metagaming #2 – All Decked Out
Going Blind: XCB Metagaming – A Prolonged Conclusion
Choose an Extended-legal block (Onslaught, Mirrodin, Kamigawa, Ravnica, Time Spiral, Lorwyn, or Alara). At least three cards in your deck must be from the chosen block.
Deck Submission Deadline:
Friday, June 12th, 6:00 pm PST.
Moderator: Mogg
Please use this thread to discuss any aspect of 5CB. Also, consider a subscription to 5CB. Subscribed players who have not already submitted a deck receive a reminder PM about two days before deadline. PM Mogg to subscribe.
(I'm on on this site much anymore. If you want to get in touch it's probably best to email me: dom@heffalumps.org)
Forum Awards: Best Writer 2005, Best Limited Strategist 2005-2012
5CB PotM - June 2005, November 2005, February 2006, April 2008, May 2008, Feb 2009
MTGSalvation Articles: 1-20, plus guest appearance on MTGCast #86!
<Limited Clan>
9 Shadow Knight - Mishra’s Workshop, Myr Servitor, Myr Servitor, Sword of the Meek, The Rack
The extended legal cards are
Myr Servitor x2 (mirroden block)
Sword of the Meek (Time Spiral Block)
The Rack (Time Spiral Block)
No three of these cards are from the same block, so it doesn't meet the format requirements.
Looks like we have a DISQUALIFICATION!
That leaves... A3 FuriouslySleepingIdea in the finals!
(Heh, I see why you were checking those now! ;))
Stop press! Shadow Knight did apparently squeak in a replacement decklist before the deadline (see below). It is:
Blinkmoth Nexus
Blinkmoth Nexus
The Rack
Myr Servitor
Myr Servitor
(What is it with people and pairs of identical manlands? ;))
I don't have time to update the results table right now since I'm running a Magic tournament in a couple of hours... hopefully later today!
(I'm on on this site much anymore. If you want to get in touch it's probably best to email me: dom@heffalumps.org)
Forum Awards: Best Writer 2005, Best Limited Strategist 2005-2012
5CB PotM - June 2005, November 2005, February 2006, April 2008, May 2008, Feb 2009
MTGSalvation Articles: 1-20, plus guest appearance on MTGCast #86!
<Limited Clan>
Anyway I'm glad to be in the finals
Experience tells me there are a lot of ways to be wrong in 5CB, so sarcasm might be worth avoiding.
bateleur can cast March of the Machines because Mycosynth Lattice says "Players may spend mana as though it were mana of any color".
Once the top 3 of each pod are determined, they will be grouped into a final round. Think of it as a cut to the top 12. Whatever those twelve players earn are their points for the Player of the Month race.
to ced395 and bateleur:
Thank you very much for handling this week. Quick question: How did you determine who plays in which pod?
BWTeysa, Orzhov Scion
GWRhys the Redeemed
GUKruphix, God of Horizons
GRXenagos, God of Revels
GThrun, the Last Troll
GStompy
And for corrections:
4 Mogg - Balance, Calciform Pools, Swamp, The Rack, Thoughtseize
vs
8 Apex - Blinkmoth Nexus, Blinkmoth Nexus, Chalice of the Void, Mishra’s Workshop, Smokestack
It's listed as 3-3, but I think it's 6-0. I believe that I win on both accounts.
Going first, I set chalice@1 and win, and going second, Mogg has to take chalice with Thoughtseize, or else lose to chalice@1 (balance doesn't take out artifacts) again, to which it would play like this:
Mogg: Swamp, TS (take Chalice, life: 18)
Apex: Nexus
Mogg: Rack
Apex: Nexus, swing for 1 (Mogg:17)
Mogg: Rack deals 1 to me (Apex: 19)
so I win the race @ 1 damage a turn without playing anything else. He can't balance away my 2 Nexuses ever since Balance needs 2 lands in play for Mogg to cast it.
And another one:
9 Gamerz – City of Traitors, Coretapper, Door to Nothingness, Gemstone Array, Sol Ring
vs me.
Right now it's listed as 3-3, but I think it should be 6-0 in my favour too.
If I play first, I set chalice@1 and he can't play Sol Ring, and therefore, can't win.
If he plays first, then, it's like this:
Gamerz: City, Sol Ring, Coretapper (take a manaburn, Gamerz(19)).
me: Nexus
Gamerz: Gemstone Array
me: Workshop, Stax, Chalice@0 (eot, Gemstone array@1)
Gamerz: Door, Array@0
me: Stax@1 (stack the trigger so I don't have to sacrifice), Nexus, attack (Gamerz(18)), eot, array@1
Gamerz: upkeep, float mana, sac Sol Ring, array@2.
me: stax@2 (stack the trigger so I only have to sac 1 permanent), sac Chalice, attack (Gamerz(17)). eot, array@3
Gamerz: upkeep, tap Coretapper, float mana, array@5, sac coretapper and city, and I win, since he can't activate door at all (I sacrifice stax and workshop next turn, leaving 2 Nexuses to attack).
If he didn't play the door then, then he can get more counters on the array (3 more to be exact), but then he couldn't possible play the door after all of the Stax sacrifices, and he cannot outrace me with Coretapper, so I believe I win this match too.
Check out my pauper cube!
and thanks to PurpleD @ [<--- Left Play Design <---] for making this awesome banner!
Limited is awesome, join us at [Limited]!
Balance also causes discard. You have to play Stack lest I make you discard it and win. The board becomes 2 lands + Rack vs. 2 lands + Stack. You have to sacrifice your win to make me sacrifice mine. 1-4.
EDIT: 1 further correction to my score.
2 Umbacano - Bitterblossom, Mox Jet, Sinkhole, Swamp, Thoughtseize
Nicely balanced deck, though you were lucky not to face more threats capable of racing Bitterblossom.
4 Mogg - Balance, Calciform Pools, Swamp, The Rack, Thoughtseize
Superb inevitability! The lone win condition was this deck's only weakness.
3-3 -> 1-4
Turn 1 Bitterblossom meets an effective Rack race. Seize Rack, Seize Blossom: Draw.
Also, C-pod should have IBjeremy listed over joedredd.
BWTeysa, Orzhov Scion
GWRhys the Redeemed
GUKruphix, God of Horizons
GRXenagos, God of Revels
GThrun, the Last Troll
GStompy
On the play I thoughtseize the gargadon and it's pretty self-explanatory from then on out; this is not the issue.
On the draw, he suspends arc blade and GG - 3/10 with vamp link in hand.
I play mutavault.
He has 2/9 suspend counters.
I play urborg and attack. - he is at 18
He has 1/8 suspend counters.
I play tabernacle, thoughtseize him, and attack - he is at 16, i am at 18
He plays arc lightning - i am at 16 - he has 3/7 suspend counters
I play Fulminator Mage
He has 2/6 Suspend Counters
I attack for 4, he is at 12
He has 1/5 suspend counters
I attack for 4, he is at 8
He kills the fulminator mage, and I destroy his land, he has 3/3 suspend counters.
I attack - he is at 6
He has 2/2 suspend counters.
I attack - he is at 4
He has 1/1 suspend counters
I attack - he is at 2.
Both of his spells resolve, I go to 14. If he attacks, he loses, and if he does not, he just loses the next turn because of tabernacle, he must sacrifice the gargadon.
I don't see it, you can't cast Balance fast enough for you to get to 2 lands + Rack, since Stax would have kicked in and you would have to start saccing lands, and I can always sac Workshop and the stax itself (2 sacrifices for me as the controller of stax means 3 turns, which meant you would have sacrificed 3 permanents, enough to deal with both of your lands and the rack, and not enough time for the rack to kill me with).
you: Swamp, TS(Chalice), you@18
me: Nexus
you: Pool, Rack
me: Shop, Stax
you: rack me for 2 (me@18), charge pool
me: stax@1, nexus, attack (you@17)
now you have 2 lands, pool with 1 charge counter and a swamp. You have to sac a land every turn to keep the rack on the board, and you can't possibly cast Balance off a single land (even if you sac swamp first and charged in response, the pool is tapped on that turn, and you would need to sacrifice it the next turn, as you can't float mana to cast a sorcery).
Check out my pauper cube!
and thanks to PurpleD @ [<--- Left Play Design <---] for making this awesome banner!
Limited is awesome, join us at [Limited]!
1: 18, Seize (Chalice)
2: Nexus
1: 1
2: Shop, Stack
1: Rack
2: 18, 1, Nexus (or discarded next turn)
1: 2, sac Swamp
2: 15, sac Shop
If you add a counter now, I sacrifice my board, and you sacrifice Stack and a Nexus. Draw. If you don't add a counter, I sacrifice Rack, and play Balance (with only one land), and you sacrifice Nexus. Draw.
BWTeysa, Orzhov Scion
GWRhys the Redeemed
GUKruphix, God of Horizons
GRXenagos, God of Revels
GThrun, the Last Troll
GStompy
Ah well, good on paper, right? I'll reform for the next round.
The game vs #9 was SO close
If I go first ...
Me: Black Lotus, Kira
Him: City of Traitors, Sol Ring (he can't play Core Tapper, because I'll Shoal removing Gilded Drake) burn for 1
Me: Swing 2 (3)
Him: Gemstone Array
Me: Swing 2 (5)
Him: 2 counters
Me: Swing 2 (7)
Him: 4 counters
Me: Swing 2 (9)
Him: 6 counters, play Door, 1 counter left
Me: Swing 2 (11)
Him: 3 counters
Me: Swing 2 (13)
Him: 5 counters
Me: Swing 2 (15)
Him: 7 counters
Me: Swing 2 (17)
Him: 9 counters
Me: Swing 2 (19)
Him: 11 counters, remove 10, I die :/
BLARGH!
I forgot how much I love 5CB, I'll keep coming back!
Granted, I had to burn for a point to do it, but I wasn't that fussed about it.
BWTeysa, Orzhov Scion
GWRhys the Redeemed
GUKruphix, God of Horizons
GRXenagos, God of Revels
GThrun, the Last Troll
GStompy
how can we have a deadline if we don't even know the challenge yet?
i'm glad you guys liked my deck, and that it managed to compete. i wasn't sure what to prepare for.
i originally had a Keldon Megaliths as a backup wincon but i had to replace it with a Mountain to make the "block" requirements. it speeds up the deck so i'm not sure now which is better.
Gathering Magic
Goblin Artisans
Channel Fireball
Daily MTG Making Magic
Daily MTG Latest Developments
MTG Color Pie
Doh! Good point.
Corrections
Mogg vs Apex: 1-4
Apex vs Gamerz: 6-0
Mogg vs Umbacano: 1-4
SomeOne vs SaumZ: 6-0
The Final
Tiebreakers were resolved using game point totals (as opposed to match points). The top 12 are:
1 Math_geek (A7)
2 Magus819 (A6)
3 Shadow Knight (A9)
4 Omegaorb (B7)
5 IOput (B1)
6 Stuckpixel (B3)
7 Freakflag (C3)
8 IBJeremy (C8)
9 Riddle (C6)
10 Mogg (D4)
11 Kekekekeke (D5)
12 Apex (D8)
1 Math_geek - Bitterblossom, Daze, Mutavault, Thoughtseize, UndergroundSea
This proved to be an excellent design, nice work.
2 Magus819 - Golgari Thug, Hunted Horror, Karakas, Leyline of Singularity, Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
Your inability to do much on turn one hurt a bit in the finals.
3 Shadow Knight - Blinkmoth Nexus, Blinkmoth Nexus, Myr Servitor, Myr Servitor, The Rack
Well, you made it out of the small pond... erm... better luck next time!
4 Omegaorb - Bitterblossom, Mishra’s Factory, Oona's Blackguard, Swamp, Thoughtseize
This deck did somewhat less well with fewer slow decks to exploit.
5 IOput - Culling Scales, Darksteel Ingot, Eater of Days, Mishra’s Workshop, Thoughtseize
Being unable to safely drop Scales on turn one usually meant it got Thoughtseized. Also, big drawback was big!
6 Stuckpixel - Bitterblossom, Black Lotus, Black Lotus, Thoughtseize, Scion of Oona
As you might expect this deck did well going first... not so much playing second.
7 Freakflag - Mutavault, Nezumi Shortfang, Swamp, The Rack, Thoughtseize
Very respectable attempt. Might have won in a different metagame.
8 IBJeremy - Mishra’s Factory, Nezumi Shortfang, Pithing Needle, Swamp, Thoughtseize
Even in the finals, Rack is still preferable.
9 Riddle - Crack the Earth, Gods’ Eye, Gate to Reikai, Mountain, Mox Sapphire, Soldevi Digger
So... why not a Mox Ruby?
10 Mogg - Balance, Calciform Pools, Swamp, The Rack, Thoughtseize
...and one threat was even less viable here.
11 Kekekekeke - Flash, Gemstone Caverns, Island, Simian Spirit Guide, Symbiotic Wurm
Perfectly metagamed against the lack of Foil! Congratulations on the big win!
12 Apex - Blinkmoth Nexus, Blinkmoth Nexus, Chalice of the Void, Mishra’s Workshop, Smokestack
Inability to drop Chalice for two on turn one really hurt. This deck misses Sol Ring!
X| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2
1| X 6 6 6 6 3 0 6 3 3 0 6 | 42
2| 0 X 6 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 6 4 | 20
3| 0 0 X 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 | 6
4| 0 2 6 X 6 3 0 3 1 6 0 6 | 31
5| 0 2 6 0 X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | 8
6| 3 6 6 3 6 X 3 3 3 3 0 3 | 32
7| 6 6 6 6 6 3 X 2 1 4 0 3 | 47
8| 0 6 6 3 6 3 2 X 1 6 0 3 | 33
9| 3 6 0 4 6 3 4 4 X 3 0 0 | 30
0| 3 6 6 0 6 3 1 0 3 X 0 0 | 25
1| 6 0 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 X 6 | 66
2| 0 1 6 0 6 3 3 3 6 6 0 X | 31
First post now updated (except for PotM scores).
(I'm on on this site much anymore. If you want to get in touch it's probably best to email me: dom@heffalumps.org)
Forum Awards: Best Writer 2005, Best Limited Strategist 2005-2012
5CB PotM - June 2005, November 2005, February 2006, April 2008, May 2008, Feb 2009
MTGSalvation Articles: 1-20, plus guest appearance on MTGCast #86!
<Limited Clan>
Btw, a question, Mishra's Workshop mana can't be used to pay for Daze/Force Spike no? I know that you can use it to pay for "taxing" effects like Sphere of Resistance, but doesn't work for Daze right?
Check out my pauper cube!
and thanks to PurpleD @ [<--- Left Play Design <---] for making this awesome banner!
Limited is awesome, join us at [Limited]!
(I'm on on this site much anymore. If you want to get in touch it's probably best to email me: dom@heffalumps.org)
Forum Awards: Best Writer 2005, Best Limited Strategist 2005-2012
5CB PotM - June 2005, November 2005, February 2006, April 2008, May 2008, Feb 2009
MTGSalvation Articles: 1-20, plus guest appearance on MTGCast #86!
<Limited Clan>
2.5a. explains the points a player can get. For any match, the possibilities are: 0, 1, 2, 4, or 6.
2.5b. explains the results table. The numbers listed there reflect how each match plays out, and points are listed at the end of a row according to 2.5a.
The table uses 3's and 2's to be as specific as possible regarding gameplay. This is useful both for settling disputes and for getting data on how a deck performs in various matchups.
BWTeysa, Orzhov Scion
GWRhys the Redeemed
GUKruphix, God of Horizons
GRXenagos, God of Revels
GThrun, the Last Troll
GStompy
doh! yeah, it was supposed to be a Mox Ruby! did that effect any of my matches?!
and so, we're doing the Block challenge again?
Yes.
EDIT:
Just wanted to explain the heat and tiebreaker system I'll be using.
Heats:
Players are divided randomly into equally-sized heats. The top three players in each heat – top four players in heats of more than eleven players – play in a final heat. The winner of this heat is the round winner, and points earned in this heat count toward the Player of the Month race. If there is only one heat, no final round is played, and the top 8 receive POTM points.
# Players
4 – 19
20 – 29
30 – 39
etc.
Tiebreakers:
1. Number of match wins (6-0)
2. Number of game wins
3. Points scored against higher-scoring decks
4. Points scored against each other
If they're still even, both move on to the final round.
BWTeysa, Orzhov Scion
GWRhys the Redeemed
GUKruphix, God of Horizons
GRXenagos, God of Revels
GThrun, the Last Troll
GStompy