If you're playing Geist and black lands, but not playing Shizo, Death's Storehouse, you're doing it wrong. I've played around with 4c Geist before, but I don't think adding the black mana helps your bad matchups and makes your good matchups against the aggro decks worse.
If you're playing Geist and black lands, but not playing Shizo, Death's Storehouse, you're doing it wrong. I've played around with 4c Geist before, but I don't think adding the black mana helps your bad matchups and makes your good matchups against the aggro decks worse.
What would you clasify as a bad matchup for the geist version of this deck?
Currently cut the geists (never liked the card much)
Yeah Shizo, Death's Storehouse would be great; I will fit one into the mana base.
Can you be more specific about the matchups you're referring to? I don't feel as though my aggro matchups have gotten worse. Fatal Push is great and I would like to make space somewhere for a fourth.
A couple years ago, I ran an Elspeth, Knight Errant in the deck and it was incredible. Has anyone else been playing with one?
Yeah Shizo, Death's Storehouse would be great; I will fit one into the mana base.
Can you be more specific about the matchups you're referring to? I don't feel as though my aggro matchups have gotten worse. Fatal Push is great and I would like to make space somewhere for a fourth.
A couple years ago, I ran an Elspeth, Knight Errant in the deck and it was incredible. Has anyone else been playing with one?
He's probably more referring to the combo and tron match-ups, where you want to present a fast clock. I'd much rather be playing Bolt over Fatal Push against Ad Nauseum, Valakut, and Tron. I would rather have Thoughtsieze over Mana Leak in those match-ups, but that improvement doesn't outweigh having access to bolt. Thoughtsieze is awful verses aggro. I'd much rather access to have Lightning Helix. Again midrange, I would still want access to Bolt over Fatal Push just to ping walkers and to turn the corner quickly.
Fatal Push is a great card, but switching over to UWb from UWr for builds of this deck doesn't seem to make any sense. We want the reach that red provides and we already have access to Path. Red sideboard cards are much better in general. The only real improvement that I can see from playing black is Shizo, Death's Storehouse... UWb decks are probably better off going the straight control route.
I've played with Elspeth, and she can be amazing at times, but is generally a win-more card. The four drops of choice for this deck are Restoration Angel and Cryptic. They are much more versatile for the same mana cost, and instant speed.
Yeah Shizo, Death's Storehouse would be great; I will fit one into the mana base.
Can you be more specific about the matchups you're referring to? I don't feel as though my aggro matchups have gotten worse. Fatal Push is great and I would like to make space somewhere for a fourth.
A couple years ago, I ran an Elspeth, Knight Errant in the deck and it was incredible. Has anyone else been playing with one?
Basically what ebrosef said.
On the note of Elspeth, I've played as many as two in the main before, and I think the card is great. I'm considering going back to playing her again.
Yeah Shizo, Death's Storehouse would be great; I will fit one into the mana base.
Can you be more specific about the matchups you're referring to? I don't feel as though my aggro matchups have gotten worse. Fatal Push is great and I would like to make space somewhere for a fourth.
A couple years ago, I ran an Elspeth, Knight Errant in the deck and it was incredible. Has anyone else been playing with one?
He's probably more referring to the combo and tron match-ups, where you want to present a fast clock. I'd much rather be playing Bolt over Fatal Push against Ad Nauseum, Valakut, and Tron. I would rather have Thoughtsieze over Mana Leak in those match-ups, but that improvement doesn't outweigh having access to bolt. Thoughtsieze is awful verses aggro. I'd much rather access to have Lightning Helix. Again midrange, I would still want access to Bolt over Fatal Push just to ping walkers and to turn the corner quickly.
Fatal Push is a great card, but switching over to UWb from UWr for builds of this deck doesn't seem to make any sense. We want the reach that red provides and we already have access to Path. Red sideboard cards are much better in general. The only real improvement that I can see from playing black is Shizo, Death's Storehouse... UWb decks are probably better off going the straight control route.
I've played with Elspeth, and she can be amazing at times, but is generally a win-more card. The four drops of choice for this deck are Restoration Angel and Cryptic. They are much more versatile for the same mana cost, and instant speed.
Absolutely not. Bolt is a VERY real win condition against them. You basically have to play that matchup like T1 Bolt, T2 Helix, T3 Geist, T4 Snap+Bolt. Kill them fast.
I've playing Caleb Durward's jeskai delver list (http://www.channelfireball.com/videos/channel-calebd-modern-jeskai-delver-2/). I really liked the deck, but it feels like missing something. A friend suggested me a more midrande list (with resto angel and more spell quellers), but I got suspiscious of how are the aggro matchups of this kind of deck with a heavier mana curve.
So, how do you guys feel about the deck? Restoration angel looks great, but as I am a long time aggro player I think it may be too slow as a 4 drop...
The midrange version is good against aggro decks, but I don't think Spell Queller is good enough. Resto is also great, the flexibility of it far outweighs the cost at 4 mana.
If you're coming from playing aggro decks, any 4 drop will probably feel too slow, but we're looking to close out the game a few turns later than any fast deck would. Like @JulsSkogs said, the aggro matchups are very favored. Resto is the best 4 drop possible against aggro, since it serves as a removal spell or an end-of-turn beater. By switching over from the delver version of the deck, you'll lose a few win percentage points off of the control/combo match-up, but you'll gain those points against aggro and midrange.
I played Jeskai Delver before I played this deck, and I think you'll find that the midrange build is much more balanced. You can still out-tempo your opponent with Geist + counter magic, but your long game is much better with access to Colonnade.
My experience with Spell Queller has been great so far, but he needs to be backed up with only hard counters in the deck. No remands, just mana leak, negate, logic knot, or cryptic commands.
This list is truly all-in on aggression. He's playing 0 copies of Serum or Ancestral Vision in the 75, with no Cryptics either. Looks like he replaced the Serums with a 4th Helix, Electrolyze, and a 25th land. Maybe this is the direction this deck should be moving towards again? I'll be testing this list in the mean time.
The Dutch list is a lot more towards "Old School" Geist, and I'm favoring that version in the current meta honestly. I have been wanting to try out a Visions-less list again for a while and I don't miss it honestly.
I am coming back to Magic after 3 Years break. I used to play America Midrange, I guess it Jeskai now. Started looking into it couple weekand ago, looked at couple list online and this is what I came up with. I went to play GPT NJ last week and finished 3-2.
First round on the draw lost first game to Ad Naseum, tapped for Vendilion clique on t3, got instant combo in response. 2nd game tried to play control and waited too long until he had 2 pacts of negation. Retroactively it feels like ok matchup but I really need to understand all the combos/win possibilities for that deck.
Second round won against Grixis Control, Geist turn 3 in the first, early Adjani in the second. I felt like old days where all you need to do is just push the Geist through.
Third Round won against Paladin Combo. Won the dice Bolt, Snapcaster Bolt in the first. Lost turn two in the second. Path/Both/Helix in the third. Matchup felt very easy.
4th lost to Bant Eldrazi. Those creatures feel way too big and outside of the burn. I am not sure what are we supposed to play and whats our most likely win condition.
5th won against burn. Kor Firewalkers in the sideboards did their job.
I would really appreciate any comments on the deck/sideboard and some hits what to do against Tron and Bant Eldrazi matchups.
Is there anywhere I can read on a good sideboard for the deck with an examples for what to do on draw/play against different decks.
Also my the question about the manabase. Do we need 4th colonade and how many fetchlands should the deck run.
I'd say the number of Colonnades depends on where the meta is and how fast it is. 3-4 is correct right now. 8 or 9 fetches is fine.
As far as the Ad Nauseum matchup up goes the combination of Geist and Spell Queller is fantastic in the matchup. Spell Queller pulls double duty in being able to counter almost any card in their deck and providing a clock, and Geist is obviously a fast clock as well. Matchup knowledge is extremely important however.
I don't know how I feel about the Chandra in your mainboard. I think it would be better off as an Elspeth Knight-Errant or Gideon, Ally of Zendikar.
2 Vendilion Clique
4 Geist of Saint Traft
3 Spell Queller
2 Restoration Angel
4 Serum Vision
3 Thoughtseize
2 Spell Snare
4 Path to Exile
3 Fatal Push
1 Blessed Alliance
2 Countersquall
2 Cryptic Command
2 Darkslick Shores
3 Celestial Colonnade
4 Flooded Strand
4 Polluted Delta
2 Hallowed Fountain
2 Watery Grave
1 Godless Shrine
3 Island
1 Plains
1 Swamp
2 Duress
1 Wrath of God
2 Surgical Extraction
1 Dispel
2 Disenchant
4 Leyline of Sanctity
1 Engineered Explosives
If you're playing Geist and black lands, but not playing Shizo, Death's Storehouse, you're doing it wrong. I've played around with 4c Geist before, but I don't think adding the black mana helps your bad matchups and makes your good matchups against the aggro decks worse.
UW Control
UWR Geist
UWR Control
What would you clasify as a bad matchup for the geist version of this deck?
Currently cut the geists (never liked the card much)
Twitter: twitter.com/axmanonline
Stream: twitch.tv/axman
Current Decks
Modern: Affinity
Standard: BW Control
Legacy: Death and Taxes :symw::symr:
Vintage: NA
Can you be more specific about the matchups you're referring to? I don't feel as though my aggro matchups have gotten worse. Fatal Push is great and I would like to make space somewhere for a fourth.
A couple years ago, I ran an Elspeth, Knight Errant in the deck and it was incredible. Has anyone else been playing with one?
He's probably more referring to the combo and tron match-ups, where you want to present a fast clock. I'd much rather be playing Bolt over Fatal Push against Ad Nauseum, Valakut, and Tron. I would rather have Thoughtsieze over Mana Leak in those match-ups, but that improvement doesn't outweigh having access to bolt. Thoughtsieze is awful verses aggro. I'd much rather access to have Lightning Helix. Again midrange, I would still want access to Bolt over Fatal Push just to ping walkers and to turn the corner quickly.
Fatal Push is a great card, but switching over to UWb from UWr for builds of this deck doesn't seem to make any sense. We want the reach that red provides and we already have access to Path. Red sideboard cards are much better in general. The only real improvement that I can see from playing black is Shizo, Death's Storehouse... UWb decks are probably better off going the straight control route.
I've played with Elspeth, and she can be amazing at times, but is generally a win-more card. The four drops of choice for this deck are Restoration Angel and Cryptic. They are much more versatile for the same mana cost, and instant speed.
Basically what ebrosef said.
On the note of Elspeth, I've played as many as two in the main before, and I think the card is great. I'm considering going back to playing her again.
UW Control
UWR Geist
UWR Control
Don't you cut lightning bolts vs Tron?
Twitter: twitter.com/axmanonline
Stream: twitch.tv/axman
Current Decks
Modern: Affinity
Standard: BW Control
Legacy: Death and Taxes :symw::symr:
Vintage: NA
UW Control
UWR Geist
UWR Control
I've playing Caleb Durward's jeskai delver list (http://www.channelfireball.com/videos/channel-calebd-modern-jeskai-delver-2/). I really liked the deck, but it feels like missing something. A friend suggested me a more midrande list (with resto angel and more spell quellers), but I got suspiscious of how are the aggro matchups of this kind of deck with a heavier mana curve.
So, how do you guys feel about the deck? Restoration angel looks great, but as I am a long time aggro player I think it may be too slow as a 4 drop...
UW Control
UWR Geist
UWR Control
I played Jeskai Delver before I played this deck, and I think you'll find that the midrange build is much more balanced. You can still out-tempo your opponent with Geist + counter magic, but your long game is much better with access to Colonnade.
My experience with Spell Queller has been great so far, but he needs to be backed up with only hard counters in the deck. No remands, just mana leak, negate, logic knot, or cryptic commands.
http://sales.starcitygames.com//deckdatabase/displaydeck.php?DeckID=111654
This list is truly all-in on aggression. He's playing 0 copies of Serum or Ancestral Vision in the 75, with no Cryptics either. Looks like he replaced the Serums with a 4th Helix, Electrolyze, and a 25th land. Maybe this is the direction this deck should be moving towards again? I'll be testing this list in the mean time.
BGX Midrange
URX Control
This is where I'm at now:
4 Geist of Saint Traft
4 Spell Queller
2 Restoration Angel
1 Thundermaw Hellkite
4 Serum Visions
2 Spell Snare
4 Lightning Bolt
4 Path to Exile
2 Negate
1 Blessed Alliance
3 Lightning Helix
2 Cryptic Command
2 Celestial Colonnade
2 Seachrome Coast
4 Scalding Tarn
3 Flooded Strand
1 Arid Mesa
2 Steam Vents
1 Hallowed Fountain
1 Sacred Foundry
3 Island
1 Mountain
1 Plains
1 Ghost Quarter
2 Gideon, Ally of Zendikar
3 Ancestral Vision
1 Celestial Purge
1 Wrath of God
2 Surgical Extraction
1 Dispel
2 Disenchant
1 Engineered Explosives
1 Stony Silence
UW Control
UWR Geist
UWR Control
I am coming back to Magic after 3 Years break. I used to play America Midrange, I guess it Jeskai now. Started looking into it couple weekand ago, looked at couple list online and this is what I came up with. I went to play GPT NJ last week and finished 3-2.
3 Celestial Colonnade
2 Flooded Strand
3 Arid Mesa
1 Ghost Quarter
3 Hallowed Fountain
2 Island
1 Mountain
1 Plains
1 Sacred Foundry
4 Scalding Tarn
3 Steam Vents
Creature
3 Geist of Saint Traft
2 Restoration Angel
4 Snapcaster Mage
2 Spell Queller
2 Vendilion Clique
1 Chandra, Torch of Defiance
Spells
4 Lightning Bolt
4 Path to Exile
4 Serum Visions
2 Lightning Helix
2 Mana Leak
2 Remand
1 Spell Snare
1 Negate
1 Electrolyze
1 Cryptic Command
2 Kor Firewalker
1 Lightning Helix
1 Negate
1 Sphinx's Revelation
1 Supreme Verdict
1 Rest in Peace
2 Relic of Progenitus
1 Ajani Vengeant
1 Threads of Disloyalty
1 Crumble to dust
1 Surgical Extraction
1 Stony Silence
1 Anger of the Gods
First round on the draw lost first game to Ad Naseum, tapped for Vendilion clique on t3, got instant combo in response. 2nd game tried to play control and waited too long until he had 2 pacts of negation. Retroactively it feels like ok matchup but I really need to understand all the combos/win possibilities for that deck.
Second round won against Grixis Control, Geist turn 3 in the first, early Adjani in the second. I felt like old days where all you need to do is just push the Geist through.
Third Round won against Paladin Combo. Won the dice Bolt, Snapcaster Bolt in the first. Lost turn two in the second. Path/Both/Helix in the third. Matchup felt very easy.
4th lost to Bant Eldrazi. Those creatures feel way too big and outside of the burn. I am not sure what are we supposed to play and whats our most likely win condition.
5th won against burn. Kor Firewalkers in the sideboards did their job.
I would really appreciate any comments on the deck/sideboard and some hits what to do against Tron and Bant Eldrazi matchups.
Is there anywhere I can read on a good sideboard for the deck with an examples for what to do on draw/play against different decks.
Also my the question about the manabase. Do we need 4th colonade and how many fetchlands should the deck run.
As far as the Ad Nauseum matchup up goes the combination of Geist and Spell Queller is fantastic in the matchup. Spell Queller pulls double duty in being able to counter almost any card in their deck and providing a clock, and Geist is obviously a fast clock as well. Matchup knowledge is extremely important however.
I don't know how I feel about the Chandra in your mainboard. I think it would be better off as an Elspeth Knight-Errant or Gideon, Ally of Zendikar.
UW Control
UWR Geist
UWR Control
I run 2-3 colonnade and 8 fetches.
its not up to date but its something!
RBW Mardu Pyro
X Eldrazi
Pauper:
X Affinity
G Stompy