MTG Salvation

I just started playing Vintage about two weeks ago, and before then I wouldn't have given the format a second look. I was filled with the stereotype that games would end on turn one and the game would be decided based on who would go first. ( ) Well, I was wrong and now I can't stop playing Vintage. My first deck that I had enough to assemble was Stax, but I also really liked the Selkie Fish concept, however I didn't like the reasoning behind the white in that deck and felt it could be replaced with a prettier black shell. Comments are appreciated:

I think the white is very good for Qasali Pridemage, which (unlike Trygon Predator), supports your main draw engine and actually stops Vault/Key.

Quote from D00msday

I think the white is very good for Qasali Pridemage, which (unlike Trygon Predator), supports your main draw engine and actually stops Vault/Key.

It might not be as big of a problem as you state.
Going over the list, he has 4 seizes to eat the combo if it is in their hand and deemed relevant. And for every exalted bonus he misses for Selkie he has cutpurse which is just as devastating if it connects. In conjunction with DC, this deck looks to have a superior draw engine compared to traditional Selkie.

This is all just speculation, but I think I will try out the list and see how it does.

Edit, however against other fish decks it might be uphill if they stick a tarmo. He looks to be king unless the flying predator or islandwalk can get there.

First off, thanks for the comments!

Vault / Key combo hasn't been much of a problem for me in my small amount of testing against it. I have found that Thoughtseize, Stifle, Null Rod, and Trygon Predator are more than willing to complete the task in shutting down my opponent.

As for competitive Noble Fish, I'll admit that I haven't playtested against it. This thread just reminded me that I was missing Tarmy's mainboard. Question is, how relevant will it be for this deck, and if relevant enough what would I take out for it?

Speaking of Stifle, I think I am really beginning to find joy in mainboarding it as my local meta seems to be filled with Oath of Druids and Ichorid. Stifle stops both, if only for just a turn.

Also, Noble Hercules has been pretty good as my only source of exalted. Granted, Selkie is usually only a 2/2 in combat where as Noble Fish does a better job of getting him up to a 3/3 or 4/4, but in all honest Dimir Cutpurse really creates a great gap when attacking with the selkie. Creating a three card seperation from combat alone is just disgusting.

Thinking about the deck some, I wonder if a 1 of darkblast could be useful. Its a nice random draw and can be tutored for if needed. Gives you a way to kill opposing confidants, welders, cliques, nobles, selkies, etc. and the usual 2toughness crowds as needed. Stealth wins creature trades too.

Make sure you check out the thread in competitive:

http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/showthread.php?t=183119

I think most builds do include Tarmo, but I am not really analyzing the deck specifically, I look at it mostly as an archetype of Selkie or Noble Fish (the names vary) - nonetheless the archetype is played and is at least reasonably viable.

How often does your own Confidant kill you?

I would guess that in an average game you take about 5-8 damage from an early Confidant on top of possible Thoughtseizes. This is a lot if you play in an environment with any amount of agro. Still I have not tried the deck out, so this is just an approximation from your list.

I also like the Pridemages a lot, as they are very good at what they do, but I might test this if I get the time later on. The lack of Tarmogoyfs is slightly worrying, as you do not have removal for your opponents Tarmos, so you have to chump at some point.

As much as I hate tarmo for being the "if you play this colour you have to play this card" of green You probably need it just to fight other tarmos, 5/3 and decks that can't handle the clock (or at least add in 1 crule edict or something to kill inkwell or opposing tarmos)