I just read LSV's B&R constructed review and he has this card as number one card out of both colours and a given for MBD. I had been thinking it was not worth it because it does not add to devotion and what would we cut? What do you guys think? I may have to try this:
i think while sign and blood is strong, underworld connections is where this deck wants to be. if i were to play any sign in bloods, it wouldnt be over a underworlds connections as in your list.
i tend to agree with franks analysis of the card in this article. 26 lands seems high for MBD but you cannot afford mana screws, so cutting a land for a sign and blood and testing how that effects games is a good place to start
where sign and blood will probably help is in the more aggressive matches, where you want card advantage but cant afford t sit around durdling with connections.
Sign in Blood is absolutely amazing, and running less than 3 will seem absurd to people soon. Connections has its place and is powerful, but Sign in Blood affects the early game in positive ways giving the deck velocity and digging deep before all but the most aggressive starts can punish you. More importantly, by running no temples and fewer connections you drop your curve and get to the point where you can cast 2 spells per turn quicker. If you have star city premium, check out this article: http://www.starcitygames.com/article/28960_Where-Do-I-Sign.html I don't agree 100% with his decklist, but his explanation of what the card does for the deck is spot on.
and he took that deck to the open and went 0-2 drop. sign in blood is good but it does not replace connections in MBD unless your not running 4 gray merchants, at which point you're not actually running MBD. its a great card in general but in this particular deck i think its best as a 2 of. i ran it last night and it seemed just right over 5 rounds.
i like the concepts in general from that article. its funny i won a month of premium as a random prize last night so i just read it about an hour ago
4 Nightveil Specter
4 Desecration Demon
4 Gray Merchant of Asphodel
4 Thoughtseize
3 Sign in Blood
3 Devour Flesh
2 Bile Blight
4 Hero's Downfall
3 Underworld Connections
21 Swamp
1 Dark Betrayal
4 Doom Blade
4 Duress
2 Erebos, God of the Dead
4 Lifebane Zombie
2nd place behind Paulo after round 3 of Pro Tour M15
(finished 8-8, but beat Alexander Hayne and Ben Stark)
http://www.channelfireball.com/articles/frank-analysis-m15-updates-for-the-top-standard-decks/
i tend to agree with franks analysis of the card in this article. 26 lands seems high for MBD but you cannot afford mana screws, so cutting a land for a sign and blood and testing how that effects games is a good place to start
where sign and blood will probably help is in the more aggressive matches, where you want card advantage but cant afford t sit around durdling with connections.
i like the concepts in general from that article. its funny i won a month of premium as a random prize last night so i just read it about an hour ago
1st place GPT Seattle
1st place GPT Anaheim
1st place GPT Seattle
1st place GPT Anaheim