Can we discuss the 5th place list running through the breach?
It's essentially the same Jeskai Tempo shell with an oops, I win button in place of quller/geist.
I think the 4 Opt are great here as you basically play from turn 3 on as a flash deck. The only issue I saw was Patrick having a hard time finding his second piece. It's not compact like Nahiri, so you essentially have 8 dead cards in your deck until at least turn 5. I guess the search for Azcanta helps.
As an early adopter of the Standard Spirits deck during EMN, I know how Rattlechains can be a toolbox creature. It can 1) Be flashed in to chip-in damage, especially against Storm or other decks where you want to hold up mana for counterpsells and where you need a constant source of damage; 2) Flash in Geist of Saint Traft; 3) Protect Spell Queller from targeted removal.
That said, I am still learning to play the deck (and modern in general), so I am wondering if it really makes sense to sacrifice Serum Visions for an additional creature.
Missed Top Eight of an IQ by one match, which I got crushed by Affinity. Even though this is supposed to be a good MU, I've struggled with it repeatedly. Any tips?
Whenever I bring this topic up im shouted down by ppl that insist that Affinity is a bye. That is total BS - and it highlights how many ppl play against bad Affinity players on here. Im on UWR Geist - but its likely better for pure UWR control players
Affinity is at least 50/50 IMO. They generally win game 1 - so then you have to win both sb games - you'll generally win on the play and then have to win game three on the draw.
Problematic cards are Grid, Moon, Champion and Bitterblossom (if they play it). Other problems are just nut draws with opal where they accelerate into a board state that you just cant deal with. Ive got to the point where im putting back in my stonies and/or playing Shatterstorm. Non-specific cards that are good against them are EE, P&K, Halo.
As an early adopter of the Standard Spirits deck during EMN, I know how Rattlechains can be a toolbox creature. It can 1) Be flashed in to chip-in damage, especially against Storm or other decks where you want to hold up mana for counterpsells and where you need a constant source of damage; 2) Flash in Geist of Saint Traft; 3) Protect Spell Queller from targeted removal.
That said, I am still learning to play the deck (and modern in general), so I am wondering if it really makes sense to sacrifice Serum Visions for an additional creature.
I'm also very intrigued by this list for all the reasons you state - its def worthy of testing and i'll be doing so over the next week(s). I wont be going to less then 3-4x Serum Visions - so ill have to find something else to cut..
As an early adopter of the Standard Spirits deck during EMN, I know how Rattlechains can be a toolbox creature. It can 1) Be flashed in to chip-in damage, especially against Storm or other decks where you want to hold up mana for counterpsells and where you need a constant source of damage; 2) Flash in Geist of Saint Traft; 3) Protect Spell Queller from targeted removal.
That said, I am still learning to play the deck (and modern in general), so I am wondering if it really makes sense to sacrifice Serum Visions for an additional creature.
I'm also very intrigued by this list for all the reasons you state - its def worthy of testing and i'll be doing so over the next week(s). I wont be going to less then 3-4x Serum Visions - so ill have to find something else to cut..
I am considering trying the Rattlechains as well. I also don't want to remove the Serums. I am considering something like this:
Also considering 3 Colonnades and 3 Islands for the mana base instead since we are going down to 23 lands. Maybe 3 is better and safer than 4 colonnades.
Will likely test this next week at some Local Modern Events
I think in a 23 land build you cut 1 colonnade and consider lowering the curve. Im thinking about going down to 2x Cryptic but at first ill keep 3x and see how it goes. I'm also keen on trying remand with the idea of pushing the list even further in the 'tempo' direction'. Overall im not sure what the counter package should look like..
I have tested 23 lands with 3 collonades extensively and can say that it is fine for the tempo list. Just avoid elspeth, Sun's champion and thundermaw helkite.
As for rattlechains, never tested it but I can imagine it being a fine fun-of rather than multiples card.
Remand has the unique position of being the perfect card for the deck, in the wrong meta for it to be a first pick. I could see myself running 3 logic knot and 1 remand though. Remand into queller is a strong line and remand makes logic knot better by fuelling delve.
I've been running 23 lands 4 colonnades, it's fine that way. I'm still looking for a good singleton finisher card in the flash lists though; Thundermaw Hellkite has been powerful but has to be boarded out a lot, I've also tried Gearhulk but I am not impressed. I'm trying out Ajani Vengeant now, but I might just make one more room and run 2 Search for Azcanta
Rattlechains is a neat addition but having only Queller as a target is kind of a shame. Just a 2/1 flyer is not really impressive if you don't get the 2 for 1 protection
I've been running 23 lands 4 colonnades, it's fine that way. I'm still looking for a good singleton finisher card in the flash lists though; Thundermaw Hellkite has been powerful but has to be boarded out a lot, I've also tried Gearhulk but I am not impressed. I'm trying out Ajani Vengeant now, but I might just make one more room and run 2 Search for Azcanta
Rattlechains is a neat addition but having only Queller as a target is kind of a shame. Just a 2/1 flyer is not really impressive if you don't get the 2 for 1 protection
I've been playing an Archangel Avacyn and have been liking it. It plays well with Quellers and Geists and has flash.
I've had my eye on her, to be honest she seems a little medium to me; this would be for a flash list that only has 4 snaps 4 quellers 2 clique as the creaturebase, so there is no Geist to protect. Without that she'd be mostly just a Serra Angel with flash
Other than that she fits the bill quite well however; ideally I'd have a 5drop (pushproof but not too expensive) with flash that closes out the game quickly. With Rivals of Ixalan coming up I really hope the legendary blue dinosaur will live up to those standards
EDIT In other news I've started updating the OP from the ground up. Instead of adapting it to whatever flavour of jeskai is getting results in this month I am trying to keep it very general information majorly and having a section on subtypes as well, outlining what is doing the best right now without always having to completely redo everything
Any suggestions are highly appreciated: I'm writing the matchups of tier 1 right now which will always be met with disagreement
I've had my eye on her, to be honest she seems a little medium to me; this would be for a flash list that only has 4 snaps 4 quellers 2 clique as the creaturebase, so there is no Geist to protect. Without that she'd be mostly just a Serra Angel with flash
Other than that she fits the bill quite well however; ideally I'd have a 5drop (pushproof but not too expensive) with flash that closes out the game quickly. With Rivals of Ixalan coming up I really hope the legendary blue dinosaur will live up to those standards
EDIT In other news I've started updating the OP from the ground up. Instead of adapting it to whatever flavour of jeskai is getting results in this month I am trying to keep it very general information majorly and having a section on subtypes as well, outlining what is doing the best right now without always having to completely redo everything
Any suggestions are highly appreciated: I'm writing the matchups of tier 1 right now which will always be met with disagreement
I would argue that playing a full flash list makes Archangel Avacyn even better because it protects your Quellers and Clique.
Hey all, just wanted to share with you my recent 5-match MTGO Modern Competitive League with the Jeskai Flash build mentioned above (4 Snap, 4 Queller, 2 Clique, 2 Resto creature-base). I was testing out Opt over Serum Visions, Vendilion Clique over Geist of Saint Traft and 2 Restoration Angel over Cryptic #3 and #4. The main 60 can play completely at instant speed. I also try out 2 Spell Snare in the main and they overperformed in the matches I needed them (mostly Storm and even Titanshift).
The deck performed very well, being 1 game away from the glorious MTGO 5-0. You can catch the first of five matches here: Jeskai Flash Control Match 1.
For those without access to YouTube currently, I also have the 75 card decklist shown below:
And for those that don't want to watch the videos, I'll summarize my thoughts below:
1) Ultimately, Restoration Angel felt like a lot of mana for a 3/4 and its synergies didn't come up as often as I expected them to. However, 5 matches is quite a small sample size and had the games gone different slightly, it may have been relevant. I think the 3rd Cryptic Command is more important than the 2nd Restoration Angel, so that would be my first swap. I still like Restoration Angel, though.
4) Because the deck is more aggressively slanted, the Thundermaw Hellkite was actually quite cool from the SB and can often be game over in fair matchups.
5) Opt allowed for some really cool plays, like main-phase scry to the bottom to draw a potentially relevant card. End-of-turn Snapcaster Mage into Opt was also quite relevant. Whether it should be an all or nothing split between it and Serum Visions is unclear to me at this point, but it definitely added a nice angle of attack.
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Check out some Magic Gameplay and Commentary videos here, including Modern Grixis, Jeskai, and Esper videos as well as some Standard and Drafts too: My YouTube Channel!
So I just got back from a long holiday and was wondering did the discussion about Jeskai between GreatNate, Harlan Firer and Jonathan Rosum actually take place? I can't find it anywhere.
Same here. Anybody know?
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Modern Decks
------------ URW Jeskai Control GUWRB Amulet Titan GR Ponza
Just saw GreatNate pull 15 damage out of thin air with bolt-snap-bolt into thundermaw hellkite with a queller in play and was very impressed. Might have to give the dragon another run in my tempo main-deck!
Ran hot 4-0 with Jeskai Azcanta control with main-deck settle the wreckage at FNM. Gearhulk flashing back Settle popped up twice! Gearhulk flashing back Glimmer of Genius was also mouth-wateringly awesome. I didn't face storm or titanshift though which are the MUs I feel the control list is weak to.
For those on Control lists - are spell snares worth it in multiples in the main-deck (thinking about these 2 MU's in particular). Or is it better to focus on them post-board and solidify the decks good MU's with say an extra sweeper (Anger or Verdict or Settle). Or maybe just an extra negate or 2 for all round strength?
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Modern Decks
------------ URW Jeskai Control GUWRB Amulet Titan GR Ponza
So can I ask maybe a stupid question? This is more directed at the draw-go version rather than the queller version. Is it a bad idea to use the Gideon's as a finish? I mean you do have all the power of burn spells in Jeskai, but would it be bad to mix flavors? Or do the Gideon's only really work in straight UW?
Ok, the first drafts of the Matchup Analyses are now in the OP!
I have done quite expansive explanations for Burn, Affinity and Grixis Death Shadow for now. These are my opinions so I am sure people will disagree, and I'd like to hear input.
I'll add card tags tomorrow but now I have to go to bed
So can I ask maybe a stupid question? This is more directed at the draw-go version rather than the queller version. Is it a bad idea to use the Gideon's as a finish? I mean you do have all the power of burn spells in Jeskai, but would it be bad to mix flavors? Or do the Gideon's only really work in straight UW?
Gideons can work in a Jeskai shell, especially Gideon of the Trials I like a lot. But I do think Spell Queller is just an excellent card in Jeskai and would disagree with not running them.
Ok, the first drafts of the Matchup Analyses are now in the OP!
I have done quite expansive explanations for Burn, Affinity and Grixis Death Shadow for now. These are my opinions so I am sure people will disagree, and I'd like to hear input.
I'll add card tags tomorrow but now I have to go to bed
So can I ask maybe a stupid question? This is more directed at the draw-go version rather than the queller version. Is it a bad idea to use the Gideon's as a finish? I mean you do have all the power of burn spells in Jeskai, but would it be bad to mix flavors? Or do the Gideon's only really work in straight UW?
Gideons can work in a Jeskai shell, especially Gideon of the Trials I like a lot. But I do think Spell Queller is just an excellent card in Jeskai and would disagree with not running them.
So can I ask maybe a stupid question? This is more directed at the draw-go version rather than the queller version. Is it a bad idea to use the Gideon's as a finish? I mean you do have all the power of burn spells in Jeskai, but would it be bad to mix flavors? Or do the Gideon's only really work in straight UW?
Absolutely both Gideon of the Trials and Gideon, Ally of Zendikar are fine choices. I like OTT main-deck and AoZ in the Board if I run them, but it's reasonable to have a copy of both main-deck. Ajani and Nahiri are usually my 1st 2 choices and I currently run OTT in the Board.
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Modern Decks
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It's essentially the same Jeskai Tempo shell with an oops, I win button in place of quller/geist.
I think the 4 Opt are great here as you basically play from turn 3 on as a flash deck. The only issue I saw was Patrick having a hard time finding his second piece. It's not compact like Nahiri, so you essentially have 8 dead cards in your deck until at least turn 5. I guess the search for Azcanta helps.
I don't know. Thoughts?
3 Rattlechains
4 Snapcaster Mage
3 Geist of Saint Traft
4 Spell Queller
Spells (22)
4 Lightning Bolt
4 Path to Exile
2 Spell Snare
3 Lightning Helix
2 Mana Leak
1 Negate
2 Electrolyze
4 Cryptic Command
4 Celestial Colonnade
4 Flooded Strand
2 Hallowed Fountain
3 Island
1 Mountain
1 Plains
1 Sacred Foundry
4 Scalding Tarn
2 Steam Vents
2 Sulfur Falls
3 Ceremonious Rejection
1 Dispel
3 Rest in Peace
2 Runed Halo
2 Stony Silence
1 Izzet Staticaster
1 Supreme Verdict
1 Elspeth, Sun's Champion
1 Wear // Tear
As an early adopter of the Standard Spirits deck during EMN, I know how Rattlechains can be a toolbox creature. It can 1) Be flashed in to chip-in damage, especially against Storm or other decks where you want to hold up mana for counterpsells and where you need a constant source of damage; 2) Flash in Geist of Saint Traft; 3) Protect Spell Queller from targeted removal.
That said, I am still learning to play the deck (and modern in general), so I am wondering if it really makes sense to sacrifice Serum Visions for an additional creature.
WBC Eldrazi & Taxes CBW
UR Keep on Cantripin' (UR Phoenix) RU
WU Surprise! It's not UW Control! (UW Midrange) UW
BG The Rock, Straight BG
U Mono-Blue Fish U
RBW Mardu Pyromancer BWR
RG Rabble! Rabble! (GR Blood Moon Aggro) GR
Legacy
W Death & Taxes W
Whenever I bring this topic up im shouted down by ppl that insist that Affinity is a bye. That is total BS - and it highlights how many ppl play against bad Affinity players on here. Im on UWR Geist - but its likely better for pure UWR control players
Affinity is at least 50/50 IMO. They generally win game 1 - so then you have to win both sb games - you'll generally win on the play and then have to win game three on the draw.
Problematic cards are Grid, Moon, Champion and Bitterblossom (if they play it). Other problems are just nut draws with opal where they accelerate into a board state that you just cant deal with. Ive got to the point where im putting back in my stonies and/or playing Shatterstorm. Non-specific cards that are good against them are EE, P&K, Halo.
Bant Eldrazi
UW Control
U Merfolk
Legacy
Merfolk
UR Delver
I'm also very intrigued by this list for all the reasons you state - its def worthy of testing and i'll be doing so over the next week(s). I wont be going to less then 3-4x Serum Visions - so ill have to find something else to cut..
Bant Eldrazi
UW Control
U Merfolk
Legacy
Merfolk
UR Delver
I am considering trying the Rattlechains as well. I also don't want to remove the Serums. I am considering something like this:
23 LANDS
4 Celestial Colonnade
4 Flooded Strand
2 Hallowed Fountain
2 Island
1 Mountain
1 Plains
1 Sacred Foundry
4 Scalding Tarn
2 Steam Vents
2 Sulfur Falls
13 CREATURES
3 Geist of Saint Traft
2 Rattlechains
4 Snapcaster Mage
4 Spell Queller
24 INSTANTS and SORC.
4 Serum Visions
3 Cryptic Command
2 Electrolyze
4 Lightning Bolt
3 Lightning Helix
2 Logic Knot
4 Path to Exile
2 Spell Snare
Also considering 3 Colonnades and 3 Islands for the mana base instead since we are going down to 23 lands. Maybe 3 is better and safer than 4 colonnades.
Will likely test this next week at some Local Modern Events
//Mana
4 Flooded Strand
3 Celestial Colonnade
3 Scalding Tarn
1 Arid Mesa
2 Steam Vents
2 Hallowed Fountain
1 Sacred Foundry
2 Sulfur Falls
3 Island
1 Plains
1 Mountain
//Creatures/PWs
4 Spell Queller
4 Snapcaster Mage
3 Geist of Saint Traft
3 Rattlechains
//Counters
3 Remand
3 Cryptic Command
2 Spell Snare
//Removal
4 Path to Exile
4 Lightning Bolt
3 Lightning Helix
//Other
4 Serum Visions
//Sideboard
SB: 2 Relic of Progenitus
SB: 2 Runed Halo
SB: 2 Stony Silence
SB: 2 Negate
SB: 2 Pia and Kiran Nalaar
SB: 1 Engineered Explosives
SB: 1 Wear // Tear
SB: 1 Settle the Wreckage
SB: 1 Supreme Verdict
SB: 1 Jace, Architect of Thought
Bant Eldrazi
UW Control
U Merfolk
Legacy
Merfolk
UR Delver
As for rattlechains, never tested it but I can imagine it being a fine fun-of rather than multiples card.
Remand has the unique position of being the perfect card for the deck, in the wrong meta for it to be a first pick. I could see myself running 3 logic knot and 1 remand though. Remand into queller is a strong line and remand makes logic knot better by fuelling delve.
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URW Jeskai Control
GUWRB Amulet Titan
GR Ponza
Rattlechains is a neat addition but having only Queller as a target is kind of a shame. Just a 2/1 flyer is not really impressive if you don't get the 2 for 1 protection
I've been playing an Archangel Avacyn and have been liking it. It plays well with Quellers and Geists and has flash.
UW Control
UWR Geist
UWR Control
Other than that she fits the bill quite well however; ideally I'd have a 5drop (pushproof but not too expensive) with flash that closes out the game quickly. With Rivals of Ixalan coming up I really hope the legendary blue dinosaur will live up to those standards
EDIT In other news I've started updating the OP from the ground up. Instead of adapting it to whatever flavour of jeskai is getting results in this month I am trying to keep it very general information majorly and having a section on subtypes as well, outlining what is doing the best right now without always having to completely redo everything
Any suggestions are highly appreciated: I'm writing the matchups of tier 1 right now which will always be met with disagreement
I would argue that playing a full flash list makes Archangel Avacyn even better because it protects your Quellers and Clique.
UW Control
UWR Geist
UWR Control
The deck performed very well, being 1 game away from the glorious MTGO 5-0. You can catch the first of five matches here: Jeskai Flash Control Match 1.
For those without access to YouTube currently, I also have the 75 card decklist shown below:
4 Snapcaster Mage
4 Spell Queller
2 Vendilion Clique
2 Restoration Angel
Instants/Sorceries (24):
4 Lightning Bolt
4 Path to Exile
4 Opt
2 Spell Snare
3 Lightning Helix
3 Logic Knot
2 Electrolyze
2 Cryptic Command
4 Flooded Strand
4 Scalding Tarn
2 Steam Vents
2 Hallowed Fountain
1 Sacred Foundry
4 Celestial Colonnade
3 Island
1 Plains
1 Mountain
1 Glacial Fortress
1 Sulfur Falls
1 Celestial Purge
1 Rest in Peace
1 Elspeth, Sun's Champion
2 Ceremonious Rejection
2 Dispel
2 Disdainful Stroke
1 Negate
1 Thundermaw Hellkite
1 Supreme Verdict
1 Izzet Staticaster
1 Wear // Tear
1 Relic of Progenitus
And for those that don't want to watch the videos, I'll summarize my thoughts below:
1) Ultimately, Restoration Angel felt like a lot of mana for a 3/4 and its synergies didn't come up as often as I expected them to. However, 5 matches is quite a small sample size and had the games gone different slightly, it may have been relevant. I think the 3rd Cryptic Command is more important than the 2nd Restoration Angel, so that would be my first swap. I still like Restoration Angel, though.
2) Spell Snare overperformed.
3) Playing a flash game with Vendilion Clique over Geist of Saint Traft helps a lot in matchups like Titanshift and Storm, which I like over the occasional T3 tap-out plan with the Geist of Saint Traft builds.
4) Because the deck is more aggressively slanted, the Thundermaw Hellkite was actually quite cool from the SB and can often be game over in fair matchups.
5) Opt allowed for some really cool plays, like main-phase scry to the bottom to draw a potentially relevant card. End-of-turn Snapcaster Mage into Opt was also quite relevant. Whether it should be an all or nothing split between it and Serum Visions is unclear to me at this point, but it definitely added a nice angle of attack.
Same here. Anybody know?
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URW Jeskai Control
GUWRB Amulet Titan
GR Ponza
That seems to be where it’s at (well, going to be at).
Ran hot 4-0 with Jeskai Azcanta control with main-deck settle the wreckage at FNM. Gearhulk flashing back Settle popped up twice! Gearhulk flashing back Glimmer of Genius was also mouth-wateringly awesome. I didn't face storm or titanshift though which are the MUs I feel the control list is weak to.
For those on Control lists - are spell snares worth it in multiples in the main-deck (thinking about these 2 MU's in particular). Or is it better to focus on them post-board and solidify the decks good MU's with say an extra sweeper (Anger or Verdict or Settle). Or maybe just an extra negate or 2 for all round strength?
------------
URW Jeskai Control
GUWRB Amulet Titan
GR Ponza
I have done quite expansive explanations for Burn, Affinity and Grixis Death Shadow for now. These are my opinions so I am sure people will disagree, and I'd like to hear input.
I'll add card tags tomorrow but now I have to go to bed
Gideons can work in a Jeskai shell, especially Gideon of the Trials I like a lot. But I do think Spell Queller is just an excellent card in Jeskai and would disagree with not running them.
Those seem pretty accurate to me, nice work
UWR Control
BR Hollow One
Absolutely both Gideon of the Trials and Gideon, Ally of Zendikar are fine choices. I like OTT main-deck and AoZ in the Board if I run them, but it's reasonable to have a copy of both main-deck. Ajani and Nahiri are usually my 1st 2 choices and I currently run OTT in the Board.
------------
URW Jeskai Control
GUWRB Amulet Titan
GR Ponza