This may or may not be the correct forum for my build, hopefully my permission build isnt too unwelcome. Please forgive me if im out of place.
Im a long time Black Discard based pilot, everything from Jund to Sultai to Mardu, and i wanted to try something different. I built Esper Geist, running mostly at instant speed for answers, but some threats are at sorcery.
It should be noted that the subpar Jace in the board is a stand in for another Mind Sculpter, and I dont think Ojutai is gonna make the cut either. In fact, the whole sideboard is in flux; RIP may become Surgical Extraction, Disdainful may become Ceremonious Rejection, could probably stand to find room for some Runed Halo for Valukut (perhaps Spreading Seas?) and Bogles, same with Enchantment Hate. Maybe.
Let me know what you think, looking for input after a very small modern shindig last night. 3 rounds, had the bye first round (Lame) and then beat Affinity and Jund 2-0 each. Affinity game one stabilized at 2 life, cluttering board with souls, spot removing threats wherever possible, then 3 turn beatdown with Geist and Tarpit. Jund G1 won on the back of Souls and an uncontested Jace, disrupting and tempoing him out. G2 He lands early LotV, but discards 2nd Lily to +1, having not seen geist in G1. Pressure Lily with souls, then drop Geist and control game til done. The deck felt good, and didnt play nearly as rusty as I thought i would, but always on the lookout for feedback. Also, if this deck is grossly misplaced here, i can accept that too.
Normally i would advise against running sculler in a deck so light on creatures, as he tends to lightning-rod removal without other beaters pressuring the opp (see D&T), but pairing him with queller is very intriguing. I may have to test that one out. I will maintain, however, that Lingering Souls is strong enough in any meta to warrent finding 3-4 slots for them. There are so many decks that struggle with them game 1. Also, Collective Brutality is incredibly versatile and a HOUSE against burn, finding homes for a couple of those would be worthwhile as well. Not to mention the synergy between Brutality and Souls. Happy brewing bud, please post results.
There 8s definately an inverse relationship between bolts prevalence and mentors viability. Also having disrupting shoal in your main 60 makes mentor a little more likely to live.
Another option on the burn sideboard slots is kabal. Has additional hate towards storm, though with discard and permission that shouldnt be TOO bad a matchup.
I know most pros would disagree with me, but ive always been a fan of mixing discard with permission, have been since my days brewing sultai. As such im a fan of your list @thedougler1, couple of questions though
4 quellers: being that they are the only real creature worth removing, have you found them to survive long enough to impact game favorably?
2 Snaps: is this a budget/availability decision? I run 3, dont own a fourth yet but not sure id go up to four if i did. Has 2 seemed like enough?
2 spell snare: great when it lines up, horrid when it doesnt. Is this a meta choice? How has it performed?
3 timely reinforcements: i used to run them as well as side against burn and aggro, but have since moved to blessed alliance. My rationale being that its cheaper to snap back and has versatile utility against bogles, infect, and decks that run a few big beaters at a time (eldrazi, midrange) How would you compare the two competing for the same side slots?
Sorry for the wall of text, ive been building esper geist for a couple months now, with stark silence in this thread, and im happy to see some life here. Perhaps we can turn this into a thing in the meta, cuz while 'bolt-snap-bolt' may end games, 'IoK-snap-IoK' hamstrings the opp before they can even start one.
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Im a long time Black Discard based pilot, everything from Jund to Sultai to Mardu, and i wanted to try something different. I built Esper Geist, running mostly at instant speed for answers, but some threats are at sorcery.
The List:
3 Spell Queller
3 Snapcaster Mage
1 Vendilion Clique
3 Fatal Push
3 Path To Exile
2 Opt
3 Remand
3 Logic Knot
2 Cryptic Command
4 Serum Visions
3 Lingering Souls
2 Collective Brutality
2 Search For Azcanta
1 Jace, The Mind Sculpter
4 Flooded Strand
4 Polluted Delta
1 Watery Grave
2 Hallowed Fountain
1 Godless Shrine
2 Island
1 Plains
1 Swamp
3 Creeping Tarpit
1 Celestial Colonnade
1 Glacial Fortress
1 Drowned Catacomb
2 Rest In Peace
2 Blessed Alliance
2 Dispel
2 Disdainful Stroke
2 Supreme Verdict
1 Jace, Architect of Thought
1 Dragonlord Ojutai
It should be noted that the subpar Jace in the board is a stand in for another Mind Sculpter, and I dont think Ojutai is gonna make the cut either. In fact, the whole sideboard is in flux; RIP may become Surgical Extraction, Disdainful may become Ceremonious Rejection, could probably stand to find room for some Runed Halo for Valukut (perhaps Spreading Seas?) and Bogles, same with Enchantment Hate. Maybe.
Let me know what you think, looking for input after a very small modern shindig last night. 3 rounds, had the bye first round (Lame) and then beat Affinity and Jund 2-0 each. Affinity game one stabilized at 2 life, cluttering board with souls, spot removing threats wherever possible, then 3 turn beatdown with Geist and Tarpit. Jund G1 won on the back of Souls and an uncontested Jace, disrupting and tempoing him out. G2 He lands early LotV, but discards 2nd Lily to +1, having not seen geist in G1. Pressure Lily with souls, then drop Geist and control game til done. The deck felt good, and didnt play nearly as rusty as I thought i would, but always on the lookout for feedback. Also, if this deck is grossly misplaced here, i can accept that too.
4 quellers: being that they are the only real creature worth removing, have you found them to survive long enough to impact game favorably?
2 Snaps: is this a budget/availability decision? I run 3, dont own a fourth yet but not sure id go up to four if i did. Has 2 seemed like enough?
2 spell snare: great when it lines up, horrid when it doesnt. Is this a meta choice? How has it performed?
3 timely reinforcements: i used to run them as well as side against burn and aggro, but have since moved to blessed alliance. My rationale being that its cheaper to snap back and has versatile utility against bogles, infect, and decks that run a few big beaters at a time (eldrazi, midrange) How would you compare the two competing for the same side slots?
Sorry for the wall of text, ive been building esper geist for a couple months now, with stark silence in this thread, and im happy to see some life here. Perhaps we can turn this into a thing in the meta, cuz while 'bolt-snap-bolt' may end games, 'IoK-snap-IoK' hamstrings the opp before they can even start one.