As a fairly new player to modern, and having never played against either nacatl or bitterblossom when they were in standard, here are my questions / concerns / musings about pod going forward:
1 - Noble Hierarch, while not anywhere near the power level of Deathrite Shaman, is probably the best replacement due to the heavy amount of white in the deck.
2 - As Hierarch can't cast Muderous Redcap, is it better to go down to 1 copy for combo purposes?
3 - Is it better to have more Scavenging Ooze at the 2 drop spot to combat graveyard decks and the mirror, or better to have more Wall of Roots for zoo decks?
I like the list, I will probably end up using something similar.
Why use Blood Crypt? You're not using the red for anything and it would seem like an unnecessary loss of life.
How's the Demigod of Revenge working? It seems like it's a bit too cute with Lilliana. I realise it's there to power out a massive devotion, I'm genuinely curious if it works. Perhaps either Profane Command and/or move some Phyrexian Arenas to the mainboard? This will help some card advantage and help with permanents with devotion.
Why use Grafdigger's Cage in the sideboard? It seems like it shuts off your Bloodghast, Geralf's Messenger and Demigod. I realise it shuts off (part of) Melira Pod and makes Kiki Pod work for it's combo but that's it. Why not try Leyline of the Void? It'll nuke theirs, keep yours and up your devotion. Plus it'll also stop Living End (Graf diggers cage does not, due to living end bringing them from the exile).
I'll be doing something similar and testing this Friday at my local.
You make valid points. I'm going to try the list with 4 ofs of both Messenger and Obliterator, and go for the 3rd Grey merchant. Leyline is a much better sideboard option as well.
I played 2 copies last FNM and they were stellar for me. Instead of my usual 3 azorious charms, I went to 2 Dimir Charms and 1 Warped Physique. Some highlights:
- Against my round 1 R/W opponent, I was able to dig for the supreme verdict I needed to stay alive. I would have been dead if only able to dig 1 deep with A. Charm.
- Against my round 3 R/G opponent, he hit me with Magma Jet down to 8 and kept both cards with the scry. I end of turned Dimir Charmed and saw Lightning Strike, Lightning Strike, Magma Jet. Dumping both Lightning Strikes felt awesome.
All in all, I think that Dimir Charm is far better than Azorious Charm, which I had begun to phase out anyways. I will be going up to 3 and seeing how that works.
1 - Noble Hierarch, while not anywhere near the power level of Deathrite Shaman, is probably the best replacement due to the heavy amount of white in the deck.
2 - As Hierarch can't cast Muderous Redcap, is it better to go down to 1 copy for combo purposes?
3 - Is it better to have more Scavenging Ooze at the 2 drop spot to combat graveyard decks and the mirror, or better to have more Wall of Roots for zoo decks?
Any opinions / insights would be awesome.
You make valid points. I'm going to try the list with 4 ofs of both Messenger and Obliterator, and go for the 3rd Grey merchant. Leyline is a much better sideboard option as well.
Creatures:21
4 Deathrite Shaman
4 Bloodghast
2 Gatekeeper of Malakir
3 Geralf's Messenger
3 Phyrexian Obliterator
3 Demigod of Revenge
2 Gray Merchant of Asphodel
Spells:15
2 Inquisition of Kozilek
4 Thoughtseize
3 Abrupt Decay
2 Go for the Throat
4 Liliana of the Veil
Lands:24
4 Blood Crypt
1 Forest
4 Marsh Flats
2 Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx
4 Overgrown Tomb
5 Swamp
4 Verdant Catacombs
Sideboard:15
3 Disfigure
1 Abrupt Decay
2 Grafdigger's Cage
2 Inquisition of Kozilek
2 Consume Spirit
3 Fulminator Mage
2 Phyrexian Arena
- Against my round 1 R/W opponent, I was able to dig for the supreme verdict I needed to stay alive. I would have been dead if only able to dig 1 deep with A. Charm.
- Against my round 3 R/G opponent, he hit me with Magma Jet down to 8 and kept both cards with the scry. I end of turned Dimir Charmed and saw Lightning Strike, Lightning Strike, Magma Jet. Dumping both Lightning Strikes felt awesome.
All in all, I think that Dimir Charm is far better than Azorious Charm, which I had begun to phase out anyways. I will be going up to 3 and seeing how that works.