Someone top 8ed two PTQs on Modo playing a very interesting version of Caw-Blade. He placed 5th in one event and 2nd in the other. This is the list he was using.
After testing this, I have come to the conclusion that it is one of the strongest decks in this format. I think this and Twin and the real tier 1 decks, and that they are probably the decks you should be looking at if you want to play in a PTQ. If anyone has any suggestions for this sort of deck I would like to hear them.
I think there's some discussion of Caw-Go in the UW/x Control thread in Developing Competitive.
I'm personally fond of Vedalken Shackles. It kicks just about every aggro deck's butt, taunts Teachings, and maddens Exarch Twin a lot. Kessig Wolf Run can be a problem for it, but I don't see that card an awful lot. Cranial Plating hurts it, though, but try gaining control of their Etched Champion in response.
It does require a good amount of Islands in the deck, though. Maybe Mystic Gate might have to go.
He top8'd today in Manchester PTQ, and the co-pilot (the one who actually top8'd the online events) went 6-2, so a really strong showing by the deck.
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Original quote byTacosnape "All ideas that give me knowledge without any effort involved on my part are good ideas. Chop chop, my dear fellow."
DCI L2 Judge GP:Madrid 2010 45th GP:Amsterdam 2011 74th GP:London 2013 67th Bazaar of Moxen 2013 32nd
He top8'd today in Manchester PTQ, and the co-pilot (the one who actually top8'd the online events) went 6-2, so a really strong showing by the deck.
Do you know what other decks made top 8? I had to dash as soon as the swiss finished so didn't really get to hang around so only one I know is U/B Delver going 6-0 then two ID's in.
P.S. 5-3 on Red Affinity for me and know there were other affinity decks further up table
I don't know the full top 8, but I was there running Bant, there was a red affinity list, UB Delver tempo, and a Jund list which knocked me out.
Caw Blade was 9th too- IDd with me last round, and he lost the tiebreak lottery. Still feeling bad about that.
Between these...there was either a 3rd caw blade pilot (I know of 2...Marco Orsini-Jones went 6-2 so he's out, leaving Jonathan Randle) or one of you is mistaken ;-)
@Hunter - the thing I don't understand there though; the standings were put up after round 7...phone camera and break out the notepad and paper for maths the second the pairings go up? (should be quicker than the threshold for no show = game loss)
Randle top8'd, Marco was 12th. Don't know any other CawBlade players. Player in 9th was Bradley Barclay.
I went 6-2 myself, with Jund.
@Hero: you can try and work out some maths, but you don't know the other player decisions. It seems one more match ID'd than they hoped they would.
Oh, and Delver Blade won.
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Original quote byTacosnape "All ideas that give me knowledge without any effort involved on my part are good ideas. Chop chop, my dear fellow."
DCI L2 Judge GP:Madrid 2010 45th GP:Amsterdam 2011 74th GP:London 2013 67th Bazaar of Moxen 2013 32nd
Was the Delver Blade the Irish guy (forgot his fist name, surname Murphy) running U/B? Never saw any swords over the 3 games, but could see them being a sensible deck choice there
I know Bruno Panara won, and I saw him deckbuilding with Delvers and swords.
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Original quote byTacosnape "All ideas that give me knowledge without any effort involved on my part are good ideas. Chop chop, my dear fellow."
DCI L2 Judge GP:Madrid 2010 45th GP:Amsterdam 2011 74th GP:London 2013 67th Bazaar of Moxen 2013 32nd
Going back on topic anyway, particularly since the archetype is starting to explore other swords (WaP in board, or suggestions of LaS) I don't think Steelshaper's Gift would be a bad call to give a bit of flexibility in game 1 by allowing single copies of 2 different swords.
A slightly less likely adoption right now (but probably worth bearing in mind with deck evolution, metagame shifts etc.): Crucible of Worlds could be quite cute with the tricks the deck pulls via lands.
you can find a copy of this decklist here: http://www.blackborder.com/q/node/13951
After testing this, I have come to the conclusion that it is one of the strongest decks in this format. I think this and Twin and the real tier 1 decks, and that they are probably the decks you should be looking at if you want to play in a PTQ. If anyone has any suggestions for this sort of deck I would like to hear them.
I'm personally fond of Vedalken Shackles. It kicks just about every aggro deck's butt, taunts Teachings, and maddens Exarch Twin a lot. Kessig Wolf Run can be a problem for it, but I don't see that card an awful lot. Cranial Plating hurts it, though, but try gaining control of their Etched Champion in response.
It does require a good amount of Islands in the deck, though. Maybe Mystic Gate might have to go.
DCI L2 Judge
GP:Madrid 2010 45th
GP:Amsterdam 2011 74th
GP:London 2013 67th
Bazaar of Moxen 2013 32nd
Do you know what other decks made top 8? I had to dash as soon as the swiss finished so didn't really get to hang around so only one I know is U/B Delver going 6-0 then two ID's in.
P.S. 5-3 on Red Affinity for me and know there were other affinity decks further up table
Inkfox Aesthetics by Xen
Between these...there was either a 3rd caw blade pilot (I know of 2...Marco Orsini-Jones went 6-2 so he's out, leaving Jonathan Randle) or one of you is mistaken ;-)
@Hunter - the thing I don't understand there though; the standings were put up after round 7...phone camera and break out the notepad and paper for maths the second the pairings go up? (should be quicker than the threshold for no show = game loss)
Inkfox Aesthetics by Xen
I went 6-2 myself, with Jund.
@Hero: you can try and work out some maths, but you don't know the other player decisions. It seems one more match ID'd than they hoped they would.
Oh, and Delver Blade won.
DCI L2 Judge
GP:Madrid 2010 45th
GP:Amsterdam 2011 74th
GP:London 2013 67th
Bazaar of Moxen 2013 32nd
Inkfox Aesthetics by Xen
DCI L2 Judge
GP:Madrid 2010 45th
GP:Amsterdam 2011 74th
GP:London 2013 67th
Bazaar of Moxen 2013 32nd
A slightly less likely adoption right now (but probably worth bearing in mind with deck evolution, metagame shifts etc.): Crucible of Worlds could be quite cute with the tricks the deck pulls via lands.
Inkfox Aesthetics by Xen