Hey guys. A month and a half back I knew I wanted to start playing a deck with Boom//Bust and Nahiri, so I scoured the internet to look for something that wasn't the Jeskai deck, and found this. I've played this the past five weeks, varying maindeck and sideboard cards from week-to-week to try new stuff. This deck is GREAT. It's a lot of fun and it's actually extremely competitive. A couple weeks into my testing, Shaun McLaren started streaming using his version, which is more of a RW Control deck without the Stax/Lock pieces and more burn/Blood Moon, but I'm not sure I'm willing to sacrifice the set of maindeck Chalice in my metagame.
Here's a rough idea of my metagame:
Elves (several)
Burn/Zoo (several)
Death & Taxes
Tron (GR & Mono-U)
BtL Scapeshift
Living End
Abzan Company
Bogles
Plus other strategies that vary week-to-week (Affinity, a Lantern player that doesn't always come out, a Gerry T Gifts/Foundry deck, etc)
I'll preface this explanation by saying Magus of the Tabernacle and Chalice of the Void win me most of my matches by being the most fantastic nuisances ever, and I'm not in a position to cut either of them right now. But then again, those cards are a big part of what make this deck what it is.
I'm currently testing Aven Mindcensor as a utility creature that might randomly snuff an opponent's fetchland and can beat down a bit. I'm not convinced this card is necessary, but this is only my second week trying this card and out of eight matches I've only gotten one real use out of it other than a block here or an attack there. I might cut this.
I maindeck a singleton Anger for my metagame, as listed above. Against Elves it gives me an extra edge game one in an otherwise pretty difficult game (assuming their deck plays out the way it's supposed to).
Banishing Light and Oblivion Ring are both cards I'm trying just as more pieces of early removal and catch-all utility. I didn't get a chance to cast either of these cards tonight, so I'm not sure if they're that great or not. I'm open for suggestions on this slot, but Ghostly Prison has been pretty terrible for me the first few weeks and I don't think I want it back in the deck.
I'm considering adding a second Wrath of God to the board at the expense of an Anger of the Gods because it serves as a sort of creature deck catch-all as well. It's another way to fight the Bogles deck (barring totem armor), it can kill an Elf army that's got too many lords, and so on and so forth. Wrath helped me tonight in conjunction with Chalice because I forced my Living End opponent into waiting for Ingot Chewer and only being able to cast Demonic Dread (and not Violent Outburst), so he expended all of his resources on his turn and I untapped, Wrathed, and played another Chalice at 0 to lock the game out. I guess Wrath's incidental utility is very appealing to me.
I usually play Kor Firewalker or Sanctimony over Timely Reinforcements, but I figured since I'm running Goblin Dark-Dwellers and I usually shave some land destruction against Burn, I might as well give it a try. Didn't get a chance to tonight, so I'm not sure how good this change is either.
I'm not sure if Rugged Prairie would be better than the Clifftops straight up, if I should split them, or if I shouldn't play Prairie at all. There are a few games here and there where I don't have double red, but it doesn't happen often. Maybe I should try one or two?
This is version one, and it's pretty rough. I felt like making something a little spicy and fun, and it appears to be running pretty smoothly so far. I need to evaluate my current card choices with more play testing as well as get some insight on possible new inclusions. The deck is pretty heavy on three drops, so I'd like to focus on trimming that down, but making the replacements just as good. I'd also like to add that I never was very good at planning out mana bases. Any help would be appreciated, though.
It honestly looks like a cool deck to use. I can totally see where Geist + tempo gets even better when the Geist first-strikes everything. I'm not sure of its consistency, but I definitely think I'm going to give it a try.
The metagames I play in tend to vary pretty heavily, which is kind of a dilemma. Some weeks I'll play three control decks and a token deck, some weeks I'll play against a couple RDW decks and a couple control decks, some weeks I'll play against assorted aggro decks or whatever. Usually from what I can gather before a tournament starts, the Crusaders (or a combination of other cards in the sideboard) could become Thruns as well.
I really have to say, this is the version of the deck that brings me the most success. I haven't performed weaker than an X-1 record in the past two weeks of FNMs and MNMs.
It has a disastrous match-up against GW Tokens/Aggro decks from what I've found (especially if you choose not to use Viridian Emissary), but I suppose some tweaking could help there. I find myself having no problem against RDW, Infect, Blade variants, Pod variants. Some match-ups that could go either way are U/B/x control variants and decks that run out early Delvers and control tempo with Snags and such cards, like the deck Counterburn. Tempered Steel absolutely destroys me game one and depending on if I see the cards I put in against them, I should be able to grind it out and stabilize. It's dependent on turn three Hero (or Splicers, since both usually come in) and Dispatch spammage.
As you can see, I'm trying to hit my bad match-ups hard with the sideboard. Timely, Grudge, and Tree to help grind the Tempered Steel/Counterburn match-ups out a bit. Crusader and Mayor to punish UBx Control decks. Spellskite is just more utility. Anything with heavy spot removal or burn will see this guy staring them down in game two/three.
This is an idea that's been rolling around in my head for a few days now. There are a few questionable choices, and the manabase is definitely rough, but overall, this is the direction I like for Bant Pod. It works for an early game card advantage engine with possible aggro and turns into a Sun Titan type game, an Elesh Norn swarm game, or a Township swarm game. I tried to build this deck to operate as best as possible under circumstances where Birthing Pod isn't available.
I was unsure of whether to revive an old thread with old advice or perhaps ask for new advice. Despite that, I think it's more common for a person to first check out a thread with few posts and less clutter.
Back on topic, I think you're probably right about Rite of Replication. It's probably a necessity. I would just need some way to make Harabaz Druid/Halimar Excavator/Random acceleration/Rite of Replication.dek more consistent. Do you have an example list of a build based more on Rite of Replication?
I haven't really thought about a potential sideboard yet. The main deck is definitely something along the lines of what I want to use. Give me some ideas! Thanks.
I agree, Leatherback Baloth turn two is one of the best tricks we have with this deck. A threat that requires an immediate answer as early as turn two is simply great for tempo. Not to mention that the Llanowar Elves you used to turbo him out early game turn into 'Manowar Elves' when Eldrazi Monument and Elvish Archdruid are on the table to complement them.
I'm stoked to see how well Momentous Fall plays in this deck. I'm more than willing to give it a try. The only thing I'm concerned with is how it affects the curve with Master of the Wild Hunt, Garruk Wildspeaker, and Nissa Revane already in the four-spot. I think if I try it out, I'm going to be playing four-of both Arbor Elf and Llanowar Elves, since I don't already (I don't like starting really strong and then fizzling).
I updated the deck a bit to complement my metagame. I used a lot of the ideas you guys suggested and they seem to be doing fantastic. Let me know on anymore ideas. Thanks!
I got the deck together completely on Friday after obtaining a few copies of Wolfbriar Elemental and needless to say, it's nutty if you can manage to drop him with enough ramp.
Three Howl of the Night Pack seems to be working fine for me, since I seem to have this problem that prevents me from drawing kill conditions.
As for the random other ideas, I'm not really fond of them. I did, however, decide to take a third Garruk Wildspeaker over one Eldrazi Monument, as I more often than not drew the pair together. I also fixed the board to contribute against the Jund matchup, with Great Sable Stag.
Any other ideas for the deck? It's working pretty well based on the updated list in the original post.
I'm testing with three Howl of the Night Pack to see how it works. I don't want to compromise the bombs in the deck, as I want something like that as early as possible if I have the right acceleration.
I wanted to fit a third Garruk Wildspeaker in, but I'm not sure what to take out. As for four of them, I'm not so sure about that.
Here's a rough idea of my metagame:
Here's my list:
1 Aven Mindcensor
4 Magus of the Tabernacle
3 Goblin Dark-Dwellers
1 Emrakul, the Aeons Torn
Instants/Sorceries: 15
4 Boom//Bust
4 Lightning Helix
4 Stone Rain
2 Molten Rain
1 Anger of the Gods
Artifacts/Enchantments: 6
4 Chalice of the Void
1 Banishing Light
1 Oblivion Ring
4 Nahiri, the Harbinger
1 Ajani Vengeant
Lands: 25
4 Arid Mesa
4 Sacred Foundry
4 Clifftop Retreat
4 Flagstones of Trokair
3 Mountain
2 Plains
2 Ghost Quarter
2 Darksteel Citadel
1 Wear//Tear
3 Timely Reinforcements
3 Anger of the Gods
1 Wrath of God
2 Rest in Peace
2 Stony Silence
3 Leyline of Sanctity
I'll preface this explanation by saying Magus of the Tabernacle and Chalice of the Void win me most of my matches by being the most fantastic nuisances ever, and I'm not in a position to cut either of them right now. But then again, those cards are a big part of what make this deck what it is.
Let me know what you guys think.
4 Noble Hierarch
4 Tarmogoyf
2 Qasali Pridemage
4 Geist of Saint Traft
3 Troll Ascetic
3 Phyrexian Metamorph
4 Path to Exile
4 Thirst for Knowledge
4 Æther Vial
2 Azorius Keyrune
1 Sword of Fire and Ice
1 Sword of Feast and Famine
2 Bident of Thassa
2 Verdant Catacombs
2 Breeding Pool
2 Temple Garden
1 Hallowed Fountain
2 Forest
2 Island
1 Plains
2 Treetop Village
2 Horizon Canopy
1 Mystic Gate
1 Academy Ruins
2 Ethersworn Canonist
2 Spellskite
1 Thrun, the Last Troll
2 Krosan Grip
2 Grafdigger's Cage
2 Torpor Orb
2 Defense Grid
2 Engineered Explosives
The metagames I play in tend to vary pretty heavily, which is kind of a dilemma. Some weeks I'll play three control decks and a token deck, some weeks I'll play against a couple RDW decks and a couple control decks, some weeks I'll play against assorted aggro decks or whatever. Usually from what I can gather before a tournament starts, the Crusaders (or a combination of other cards in the sideboard) could become Thruns as well.
It has a disastrous match-up against GW Tokens/Aggro decks from what I've found (especially if you choose not to use Viridian Emissary), but I suppose some tweaking could help there. I find myself having no problem against RDW, Infect, Blade variants, Pod variants. Some match-ups that could go either way are U/B/x control variants and decks that run out early Delvers and control tempo with Snags and such cards, like the deck Counterburn. Tempered Steel absolutely destroys me game one and depending on if I see the cards I put in against them, I should be able to grind it out and stabilize. It's dependent on turn three Hero (or Splicers, since both usually come in) and Dispatch spammage.
But, without further adieu, my list:
2 Birds of Paradise
3 Solemn Simulacrum
2 Acidic Slime
4 Primeval Titan
1 Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite
Instants/Sorceries: 10
4 Rampant Growth
3 Day of Judgment
3 Green Sun's Zenith
Artifacts: 3
3 Sphere of the Suns
Enchantments: 2
2 Oblivion Ring
3 Garruk, Primal Hunter
3 Garruk Relentless
2 Gideon Jura
Lands: 25
4 Razorverge Thicket
1 Copperline Gorge
3 Sunpetal Grove
3 Inkmoth Nexus
2 Kessig Wolf Run
7 Forest
3 Plains
2 Mountain
3 Timely Reinforcements
3 Mirran Crusader
1 Tree of Redemption
3 Mayor of Avabruck
3 Ancient Grudge
2 Spellskite
As you can see, I'm trying to hit my bad match-ups hard with the sideboard. Timely, Grudge, and Tree to help grind the Tempered Steel/Counterburn match-ups out a bit. Crusader and Mayor to punish UBx Control decks. Spellskite is just more utility. Anything with heavy spot removal or burn will see this guy staring them down in game two/three.
4 Avacyn’s Pilgrim
3 Viridian Emissary
2 Oculus
2 Phantasmal Image
4 Mentor of the Meek
1 Blade Splicer
1 Fiend Hunter
2 Solemn Simulacrum
1 Phyrexian Metamorph
1 Hero of Bladehold
2 Acidic Slime
1 Archon of Justice
2 Sun Titan
1 Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite
2 Beast Within
4 Razorvirge Thicket
4 Seachrome Coast
9 Forest
2 Plains
1 Island
3 Gavony Township
4 Birds of Paradise
2 Llanowar Elves
3 Viridian Emissary
2 Phantasmal Image
3 Blade Splicer
1 Sylvok Replica
1 Viridian Corrupter
1 Glissa, the Traitor
4 Solemn Simulacrum
2 Phyrexian Metamorph
2 Acidic Slime
1 Archon of Justice
2 Wurmcoil Engine
1 Sun Titan
1 Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite
1 Sheoldred, Whispering One
4 Birthing Pod
Instants: 2
2 Beast Within
Lands: 23
4 Razorverge Thicket
4 Sunpetal Grove
2 Glacial Fortress
5 Forest
3 Plains
2 Swamp
2 Island
1 Buried Ruin
3 Ratchet Bomb
3 Celestial Purge
3 Dismember
1 Sylvok Replica
1 Tree of Redemption
1 Thrun, the Last Troll
2 Hollowhenge Scavenger
1 Steel Hellkite
This is what appears to be working the best for me.
4 Hada Freeblade
3 Jwari Shapeshifter
4 Kazandu Blademaster
3 Ondu Cleric
4 Harabaz Druid
3 Oran-Rief Survivalist
3 Umara Raptor
4 Kabira Evangel
4 Talus Paladin
3 Mind Spring
4 Ancient Ziggurat
4 Glacial Fortress
2 Seaside Citadel
2 Misty Rainforest
5 Plains
4 Island
1 Forest
4 Kor Firewalker
3 Negate
3 Celestial Purge
3 Flashfreeze
2 Path to Exile
Back on topic, I think you're probably right about Rite of Replication. It's probably a necessity. I would just need some way to make Harabaz Druid/Halimar Excavator/Random acceleration/Rite of Replication.dek more consistent. Do you have an example list of a build based more on Rite of Replication?
4 Hedron Crab
4 Hada Freeblade
4 Harabaz Druid
4 Halimar Excavator
4 Jwari Shapeshifter
4 Ondu Cleric
4 Kabira Evangel
2 Sea Gate Loremaster
4 Join the Ranks
4 Glacial Fortress
7 Island
2 Forest
4 Misty Rainforest
3 Plains
2 Marsh Flats
I'm stoked to see how well Momentous Fall plays in this deck. I'm more than willing to give it a try. The only thing I'm concerned with is how it affects the curve with Master of the Wild Hunt, Garruk Wildspeaker, and Nissa Revane already in the four-spot. I think if I try it out, I'm going to be playing four-of both Arbor Elf and Llanowar Elves, since I don't already (I don't like starting really strong and then fizzling).
Three Howl of the Night Pack seems to be working fine for me, since I seem to have this problem that prevents me from drawing kill conditions.
As for the random other ideas, I'm not really fond of them. I did, however, decide to take a third Garruk Wildspeaker over one Eldrazi Monument, as I more often than not drew the pair together. I also fixed the board to contribute against the Jund matchup, with Great Sable Stag.
Any other ideas for the deck? It's working pretty well based on the updated list in the original post.
I wanted to fit a third Garruk Wildspeaker in, but I'm not sure what to take out. As for four of them, I'm not so sure about that.
As for the Terra Stomper and Basilisk Collar ideas, I'll check them out. They seem like interesting choices.
Thanks to everyone who posted. Anyone else with some input?