Hi guys, I have a complete tempered steel deck for standard and block already, but if you've ever played tempered steel, you know how boring it can be...
That's why I dreamed this version up. I'm not sure if it's been done before, and I haven't playtested it *yet* but I'm hoping you all will have a look and weigh in on what you think. It should play similarly to your standard issue tempered steel, but I think the addition of the relatively inexpensive (to cast) planeswalker Tezzeret should make the gameplay a lot more fun and allow you to feel like you have more control over what you're drawing.
Essentially, get a Kuldotha out, sac your crap (preferably ichor wellsprings, or whatever hasn't been converted to 5/5 by tezz), then beat them down with Blightsteel Colossus.
You should run at least 20-22 land, you can't reliably have myr out to provide you mana. Tempered Steel's main threat is board wipes and you'll be twice as devastated if you lose all your creatures AND all your mana sources in a single board wipe. I'm not too familiar with block so I don't know how common board wipes are but it just doesn't seem advisable to be running 15 land... Myr Galvanizer might be something to think about. Myrsmith is a good choice to come back from a board wipe. I like the drawing power, its something regular tempered steel wishes it had. Again, my advice might just be totally off cause I don't play block, but I might be adapting this idea to standard soon, cause it looks pretty solid!
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Galvanizer in all my testing seemed rather "win more".
I have big concerns for midrange decks in this environment. How does this keep from getting run over by steel or puresteel?
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Out of the blackness and stench of the engulfing swamp emerged a shimmering figure. Only the splattered armor and ichor-stained sword hinted at the unfathomable evil the knight had just laid waste.
I'm pretty sure scars of mirrodin block can't support two color mana bases without running a ton of lands. The reason tempered steel does so well is because it can cast all it's spells on curve and run 4 inkmoth nexus.
If you're bored with mono-white, kudos for brewing, but this is honestly a rough block to brew for. There isn't a card pool or lands available to be that creative in scars. Sorry.
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I'll be sad if people don't start calling The Chain Veil "Fleetwood Mac."
I'm pretty sure scars of mirrodin block can't support two color mana bases without running a ton of lands. The reason tempered steel does so well is because it can cast all it's spells on curve and run 4 inkmoth nexus.
If you're bored with mono-white, kudos for brewing, but this is honestly a rough block to brew for. There isn't a card pool or lands available to be that creative in scars. Sorry.
Unfortunately, I think you're right. It's a darn shame that tempered steel is as strong as it is, and I think unless Wizards makes some drastic changes come Innistrad block, it's going to continue to be the tier 1 standard deck to beat.
WTB less powerful decks to promote freedom of creativity/variety while still standing a chance of winning.
It's rare for there to be a break out deck so late in the format. You see the most creativity when the format is new because the card pool is smaller and decisions are weaker. Usually you get 4-5 decks in a well designed Single Set block (ISD Only).
As the card pool increases the number of decks usually shrink because the power level of certain cards are high, but the answers are not there. I always thought Legacy was an anomoly for having the variety it did until I realized the huge card pool answered as many problems as it created. The issue Legacy is having right now is that a card like Mental Misstep answers too many different types of decks which directly kept control decks in check.
Modern formats (including Modern) don't have access to quick card advantage creating discard or reasonably priced land destruction due to it being deemed unfun. This makes control decks more powerful which allows only the most blistering fast combos or aggro decks to compete.
At any rate, I'm glad you're here. Keep brewing.
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Out of the blackness and stench of the engulfing swamp emerged a shimmering figure. Only the splattered armor and ichor-stained sword hinted at the unfathomable evil the knight had just laid waste.
It's rare for there to be a break out deck so late in the format. You see the most creativity when the format is new because the card pool is smaller and decisions are weaker. Usually you get 4-5 decks in a well designed Single Set block (ISD Only).
As the card pool increases the number of decks usually shrink because the power level of certain cards are high, but the answers are not there. I always thought Legacy was an anomoly for having the variety it did until I realized the huge card pool answered as many problems as it created. The issue Legacy is having right now is that a card like Mental Misstep answers too many different types of decks which directly kept control decks in check.
Modern formats (including Modern) don't have access to quick card advantage creating discard or reasonably priced land destruction due to it being deemed unfun. This makes control decks more powerful which allows only the most blistering fast combos or aggro decks to compete.
At any rate, I'm glad you're here. Keep brewing.
Cardfather, I read your blog about Tezzeret (here: http://mtgcatalyst.com/construction/talking-about-tezzeret/), but it's a little dated now. I would REALLY like to work Tezz into a block format deck.... How did you find tezzeret architect?
Would you modify your tezz architect list if you were to build now? Would you consider tezz's gambit and a few treasure mages instead of perhaps volition reigns? I'll put something together in a minute, we'll see what you think...
Ya those articles are a bit dated. I wrote that Tezz article before he was even released on MTGO, so it was nice to see I at least got some things right, although I underestimated Kuldotha Forgemaster.
I know it seems counterproductive, but I think I might try to squeeze a couple Ratchet Bombs in there they might be too slow for steel, but if you are looking at the combo variant I'd want some form of ground control. I'd look at Mycosynth Wellspring, and although I don't think its tournament worthy, I would want to know how often I could power out Myr Superion for free on T3.
Forgemaster Combo decks did a lot better than I expected them too, but I just think either white deck is too fast for them right now.
Concecrated Sphinx largely replaced Tezz as a card engine and reduced the board dependancy of UB which is why most no longer run him.
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Out of the blackness and stench of the engulfing swamp emerged a shimmering figure. Only the splattered armor and ichor-stained sword hinted at the unfathomable evil the knight had just laid waste.
Ya those articles are a bit dated. I wrote that Tezz article before he was even released on MTGO, so it was nice to see I at least got some things right, although I underestimated Kuldotha Forgemaster.
I know it seems counterproductive, but I think I might try to squeeze a couple Ratchet Bombs in there they might be too slow for steel, but if you are looking at the combo variant I'd want some form of ground control. I'd look at Mycosynth Wellspring, and although I don't think its tournament worthy, I would want to know how often I could power out Myr Superion for free on T3.
Forgemaster Combo decks did a lot better than I expected them too, but I just think either white deck is too fast for them right now.
Concecrated Sphinx largely replaced Tezz as a card engine and reduced the board dependancy of UB which is why most no longer run him.
What about Black Sun's Zenith rather than Ratchet bomb? It's about as good as it gets for white removal, it spares your non-creatures, and your kuldotha forgemaster will be an 0/1 if you have to wreck a hero of bladehold.
Block is currently a sad state of affairs without a whole lot of imagination (competitively). If you're not playing WW, Tempered Steel WW or a Kuldotha Rebirth variant, you're probably not going to win the tourney.
Thankfully, locally, I can still play somewhat more creative decks and place 2nd from time to time, and still in the money.
Love brewing, might be my favorite part of the game.
Edit: As an aside. I found this idea for a standard deck (I realize this is getting off track), you might find it interesting. http://www.mtgvault.com/ViewDeck.aspx?DeckID=220438 I have yet to playtest it, but I've heard it can work well. I suspect it gets swarmed by TS and RDW, mind you, we shall see.
That's why I dreamed this version up. I'm not sure if it's been done before, and I haven't playtested it *yet* but I'm hoping you all will have a look and weigh in on what you think. It should play similarly to your standard issue tempered steel, but I think the addition of the relatively inexpensive (to cast) planeswalker Tezzeret should make the gameplay a lot more fun and allow you to feel like you have more control over what you're drawing.
Here's a link: http://www.mtgvault.com/ViewDeck.aspx?DeckID=220544
And here's the decklist:
4x Ichor Wellspring
4x Origin Spellbomb
2x Steel Hellkite
4x Vault Skirge
1x Alloy Myr
2x Gold Myr
2x Leaden Myr
2x Silver Myr
4x Signal Pest
1x Thopter Assembly
1x Mox Opal
2x Trinket Mage
Enchantments:
4x Tempered Steel
Lands:
2x Island
4x Plains
1x Swamp
4x Darkslick Shores
4x Seachrome Coast
Other Spells:
4x Dispatch
4x Tezzeret's Gambit
And the sideboard is just essentially a different win strategy...
3x Kuldotha Forgemaster
1x Blightsteel Colossus
3x Spellskite
4x Dispense Justice
4x Stoic Rebuttal
Essentially, get a Kuldotha out, sac your crap (preferably ichor wellsprings, or whatever hasn't been converted to 5/5 by tezz), then beat them down with Blightsteel Colossus.
What do you guys think?
GRBKarrthus, the CheatinatorBRG
RWGMayael, Who Sneaks her Friends into PartiesGWR
BWRKaalia, Angel PimpRWB
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I have big concerns for midrange decks in this environment. How does this keep from getting run over by steel or puresteel?
4x Plains
1x Swamp
4x Darkslick Shores
4x Seachrome Coast
This is a problem.
I'm pretty sure scars of mirrodin block can't support two color mana bases without running a ton of lands. The reason tempered steel does so well is because it can cast all it's spells on curve and run 4 inkmoth nexus.
If you're bored with mono-white, kudos for brewing, but this is honestly a rough block to brew for. There isn't a card pool or lands available to be that creative in scars. Sorry.
Unfortunately, I think you're right. It's a darn shame that tempered steel is as strong as it is, and I think unless Wizards makes some drastic changes come Innistrad block, it's going to continue to be the tier 1 standard deck to beat.
WTB less powerful decks to promote freedom of creativity/variety while still standing a chance of winning.
GRBKarrthus, the CheatinatorBRG
RWGMayael, Who Sneaks her Friends into PartiesGWR
BWRKaalia, Angel PimpRWB
As the card pool increases the number of decks usually shrink because the power level of certain cards are high, but the answers are not there. I always thought Legacy was an anomoly for having the variety it did until I realized the huge card pool answered as many problems as it created. The issue Legacy is having right now is that a card like Mental Misstep answers too many different types of decks which directly kept control decks in check.
Modern formats (including Modern) don't have access to quick card advantage creating discard or reasonably priced land destruction due to it being deemed unfun. This makes control decks more powerful which allows only the most blistering fast combos or aggro decks to compete.
At any rate, I'm glad you're here. Keep brewing.
Cardfather, I read your blog about Tezzeret (here: http://mtgcatalyst.com/construction/talking-about-tezzeret/), but it's a little dated now. I would REALLY like to work Tezz into a block format deck.... How did you find tezzeret architect?
Would you modify your tezz architect list if you were to build now? Would you consider tezz's gambit and a few treasure mages instead of perhaps volition reigns? I'll put something together in a minute, we'll see what you think...
Thanks for adding your insight
GRBKarrthus, the CheatinatorBRG
RWGMayael, Who Sneaks her Friends into PartiesGWR
BWRKaalia, Angel PimpRWB
4x Ichor Wellspring
4x Sphere of the Suns
4x Kuldotha Forgemaster
2x Steel Hellkite
1x Blightsteel Colossus
3x Palladium Myr
4x Perilous Myr
2x Myr Battlesphere
2x Mox Opal
2x Volition Reins
Land
10x Island
6x Swamp
4x Darkslick Shores
4x Inkmoth Nexus
4x Tezzeret, Agent of Bolas
Spells
4x Stoic Rebuttal
1x Tumble Magnet
3x Necropede
2x Wurmcoil Engine
3x Dismember
3x Go for the Throat
GRBKarrthus, the CheatinatorBRG
RWGMayael, Who Sneaks her Friends into PartiesGWR
BWRKaalia, Angel PimpRWB
I know it seems counterproductive, but I think I might try to squeeze a couple Ratchet Bombs in there they might be too slow for steel, but if you are looking at the combo variant I'd want some form of ground control. I'd look at Mycosynth Wellspring, and although I don't think its tournament worthy, I would want to know how often I could power out Myr Superion for free on T3.
Forgemaster Combo decks did a lot better than I expected them too, but I just think either white deck is too fast for them right now.
Concecrated Sphinx largely replaced Tezz as a card engine and reduced the board dependancy of UB which is why most no longer run him.
What about Black Sun's Zenith rather than Ratchet bomb? It's about as good as it gets for white removal, it spares your non-creatures, and your kuldotha forgemaster will be an 0/1 if you have to wreck a hero of bladehold.
Block is currently a sad state of affairs without a whole lot of imagination (competitively). If you're not playing WW, Tempered Steel WW or a Kuldotha Rebirth variant, you're probably not going to win the tourney.
Thankfully, locally, I can still play somewhat more creative decks and place 2nd from time to time, and still in the money.
Love brewing, might be my favorite part of the game.
Edit: As an aside. I found this idea for a standard deck (I realize this is getting off track), you might find it interesting. http://www.mtgvault.com/ViewDeck.aspx?DeckID=220438 I have yet to playtest it, but I've heard it can work well. I suspect it gets swarmed by TS and RDW, mind you, we shall see.
GRBKarrthus, the CheatinatorBRG
RWGMayael, Who Sneaks her Friends into PartiesGWR
BWRKaalia, Angel PimpRWB