I agree with the mana being a tad shaky from time to time. It's a deck that's getting the fine tuning and such, but it performed very well against most tier 1 decks. Both matches this list lost to was RG Breachshift (our friend), and we thought that the Burn matchup was going to be atrocious. Oddly enough, we only lost one game to burn, and it was because we were stuck on three land.
After looking at the mana, I'd probably change it like this:
Looking to make fine tuning to this deck. Originally, we were playing with one main Resolute Archangel, as it's a reset versus red, but I feel Grave Titan is much stronger. I also feel that the sideboard could use a little bit of work.
Raid Bombardment, Dragon Fodder are two cards I want, as well as Altar of Dementia. I just have no idea what to take out. I am also on the fence with Brimaz, or Spectral Procession. I think Brimaz is the right call, but flying tokens are no joke. Lastly, with the anthem effects, I am also unsure of Mentor of the Meek. It's a rough draft, but I think with some fine-tuning, this deck can be gross.
It's definitely something to test. I see the Hordemate, and I think of a recurring Spellskite, or Pridemage to increase the disruption this deck is capable of. I just feel like a 4 cmc 3/2 isn't the best. As for Baloth, I have him in my SB. And to cut him for a second Scooze isn't a bad idea, but I also think that the one Scooze is enough.
Avalanche Riders for me has had an impact against multiple decks. I've kept Living End on two lands, I have taken out countless Colonnades with him, and I have made Tron succumb to it with the Resto Angel and such. I think he's a must have!
I am slowly getting the pieces to make the transition from Kiki-Pod to Abzan Pod. I have had a few ideas that I find innovative and different, and I want to know what the more experienced player thinks. Basically, I want to be able to play two pod variants.
First, one main board Shadowborn Demon. I dig this card SO MUCH right now. It's a fat flier, blows up pretty much anything on board (except BSA, Sigarda, and Griselbrand), and comes in at 5/6, which beats out Sigarda and such. I feel like the 6 creatures in your graveyard is easy to achieve, and that running Finks plus Gavony makes it such a bearable upkeep to pay. I want to know what you guys think. Of course, this goes in over Shriekmaw, but I would be rocking Junk Pod. Just podding for value creatures, no combos.
Second, what is this decks worst matchup? I want to know before I take this to a Modern event, or at least prep a decent sideboard.
I feel like 8 mana dorks is just too much. The Abzan/Rhino (whatever it's called) rocks 6 dorks it seems, and I know that I would not want to see a Birds or Hierarch off the top.
Thalia is a very interesting choice for a two drop. I dig the spiciness a lot. Gives it that classic Naya Pod feel. It sounds like she can slow down quite a few decks from doing anything.
I want to know how you think the Pod matchup is versus Scapeshift. So far, I have found it to be fairly even, and we generally win when we have the flying Negate machine!
Match 1 vs Mono Green Devotion:
Game 1 goes by quickly. Turn two Pod nets me tons of value off of Kitchen Finks and Restoration Angel. Swing in enough times for the beats to win. (Take out Murderous Redcap, Izzet Staticaster, and Linvala for 2 Negate and Avalanche Riders.)
Game 2, an early Garruk Wildspeaker makes a couple of dudes, and one of them gets triple Rancor.
Game 3, another turn 2 Birthing Pod means value all over. Avalanche Riders takes out a Forest that has two Utopia Sprawls on it, and Restoration Angel them to take out a Nykthos. He gets left with one Forest, and that sealed the deal.
Match 2 vs UWR Flash:
Game 1: Turn 2 Pod means get to Purphoros ASAP. Once I stuck a Finks into play, I podded immediately for the God. I eventually land a Murderous Redcap, and pod him off for a Kiki-Jiki to deal a grand total of 16 damage in one turn. Pretty nice! (I take out the combo. -2 Kiki, -2 Exarch, -1 Image, -1 Izzet Staticaster, -1 Linvala for Avalanche Riders, Reclamation Sage, Thrun, Sigarda, Keranos, and 2 Negate)
Game 2: This was a war of attrition. I know this player has adapted her deck for the current meta, and main decks Anger of the Gods. Luckily I didn't see any of them against me. Once I stuck a Pod, I quickly went for Glen Elendra, Keranos, and Sigarda. At one point, I used Avalanche Riders to take her off of all of her white mana sources, which was enough to keep me in the game to commence the beats.
Match 3 vs UR Burn:
Game 1: Turn two pod means pod for value. Kitchen Finks and Restoration Angel takes it. (Take out 2 Kiki, 1 Image, 1 Conscripts, bring in Sigarda, Thrun, Obstinate Baloth, and Eidolon)
Game 2: He gets stuck on one land, but almost gets there with Lava Spikes and Rift Bolts. Once again, Finks and Angels seal the deal.
Match 4 vs Affinity: Split, but I lost hard.
Game 1, Double Cranial Plating. Hurts bad.
Game 2, same deal, just on Inkmoth. Didn't see any sideboard cards, and I brought in quite a few.
It should be noted that Brian Kibler played a RUG list at the GP this weekend. It's not a monsters list, but more of an aggro build. He went 9-0 on day one, and just rolled through folks all day. I am not sure about what happened to him on day two though
There are a lot of solid critters in this set that have 3 toughness or more. This doesn't seem like a 4-of in a control list, but I see it as a 2-3 of for sure.
I feel like you're missing either a second Township, or a second Stomping Grounds. I like having my colors fixed, so I'd rock at least one more land, maybe even a basic Island if you're blue heavy.
I do have to agree with Beano0 though, Misty seems much better here. Maybe 4 Foothills, 2 Misty, 2 Strand?
I should also say that I am playing 1 of each basic (excluding swamp) in my list. Mostly because I am in a Path heavy meta, so they feel it's a free StP after I get my second basic.
I played a Modern event today right after work. I can't tell you how stoked I was to play this deck, and walk out with a 3-1 record. THAT NET ME FIVE MOUNTAIN DEWS.
Before I recall my games to the best of my abilities, I want to say that my sideboard is not complete. The Harmonic Sliver is going to become Ancient Grudge or Combust. Depends on what the meta calls for. Also, siding in a Gifts package is super fun when your opponent expects Pod.
I know I will get CRUCIFIED for running 4 basics. I am in a PtE heavy area. Having the 4 basics throws my opponent off quite a bit, and it helped me win past Fulminator Mage tonight.
Match 1 vs BUG Midrange:
This guy is a good friend of mine. This is his homebrew list that feels REALLY good and consistent.
Game 1: I manage to land a turn 2 Birthing Pod, it is quickly answered by Maelstrom Pulse, and I proceed to play TONS of creatures. Eventually, he attempts to stabilize with a Phyrexian Obliterator in play, and gets close. He's at 7 life, and I cast BoP to shock him, and make my two Elemental tokens 5/5 for the final swing.
Game 2: I wind up taking out Izzet Staticaster, Redcap, and one Kiki-Jiki for 3 Path. In this game, he casts three Obliterators and whomps me down with ease.
Game 3: Turn 2 pod is answered by Unravel the AEther, but there's a second one in hand. I cast it, and pod my Kitchen Finks into a Purpouros. Over the next few turns with his Dark Confidant and my Purphoros triggers, he takes a massive 15 damage, leaving him at one life. I cannot push through the two Obliterators with my guys. I have a BoP, Kitchen Finks (with a counter), and a Spellskite in play. I top deck Noble Hierarch for the win.
Match 2 vs RG Tron:
Another good friend of mine. Well known Tron player in our area, and a damn good pilot.
Game 1: His first Karn starts to take control, and is at 14 loyalty with a Purphoros and Linvala under it. I have Zealous Conscripts in hand, and only four mana available. I top deck Breeding Pool and steal his Karn, restarting the game with my guys in play. New turn 1, I cast Noble Hierarch, he takes two, and I swing for 4 damage. Next turn, I cast Pridemage and swing in for five. He scoops.
Game 2: I take out Staticaster, 4 Pods, and Phantasmal Image for the Gifts Package with Iona, and an Aven Mindcensor. I am whooped this game. Natural Tron in hand with two Karn. NEXT GAME.
Game 3: This game goes long! I use Voice, Finks, and Purphoros as bait for Karn so I don't have to deal with it later on. After some small beats here and there, I have him at 1 life. My draw for the turn is Gifts Ungiven. I pass the turn to him. He attempts to Karn my last card away, but I cast Gifts and grab Unburial Rites and Kiki-Jiki. That was the last push needed to end this terrible matchup.
Match 3 vs Living End:
Game 1-2: Mull to five both games and get split open like a coconut. Damn.
Match 4 vs Mono Green Devotion:
Game 1: Turn three pod leads to a solid turn 4 combo. Easy win.
Game 2: I mull to five and keep a solid five. It wasn't solid enough though, as a turn 2 Garruk leads to a turn 4 Genesis Wave for QUIT FOREVER. I think the total was going to be 32. I forgot.
Game 3: I bring the gifts package in and it goes off. EOT Gifts for Iona and Rites. Cast Rites, call green, instant scoop.
All in all, I LOVE PLAYING TWO DECKS IN ONE. I also brought Purphoros to test out, and he gives this deck some mad reach. He makes top deck dorks into shocks, and is just abusive with Resto Angel, persist, etc. It's pretty disgusting, and I think he should be on our radar. I can't think of any change I'd make to this list yet, I feel extremely comfortable with it so far.
After looking at the mana, I'd probably change it like this:
-1 Tec Edge
-1 Polluted Delta
+1 Urborg
+1 Swamp
1 Iona, Shield of Emeria
1 Sun Titan
1 Grave Titan
1 Snapcaster Mage
3 Wall of Omens
2 Unburial Rites
2 Cryptic Command
4 Gifts Ungiven
1 Wrath of God
1 Day of Judgment
1 Damnation
1 Supreme Verdict
2 Liliana of the Veil
3 Mana Leak
2 Spell Snare
4 Path to Exile
1 Murderous Cut
3 Lingering Souls
2 Flooded Strand
3 Celestial Colonnade
2 Creeping Tar Pit
1 Glacial Fortress
1 Drowned Catacomb
2 Watery Grave
2 Hallowed Fountain
1 Godless Shrine
2 Island
2 Plains
1 Swamp
2 Tectonic Edge
2 Ashiok, Nightmare Weaver
3 Thoughtseize
2 Duress
1 Slaughter Pact
1 Engineered Explosives
2 Celestial Purge
1 Spellskite
1 Illness in the Ranks
1 Griselbrand
1 Disenchant
Looking to make fine tuning to this deck. Originally, we were playing with one main Resolute Archangel, as it's a reset versus red, but I feel Grave Titan is much stronger. I also feel that the sideboard could use a little bit of work.
1 Goblin Rabblemaster
1 Mardu Ascendancy
1 Lingering Souls
1 Mogg War Marshal
1 Raise the Alarm
1 Terminate
1 Spectral Procession
1 Swords to Plowshares
1 Monastery Mentor
1 Blade Splicer
1 Krenko's Command
1 Intangible Virtue
1 Spear of Heliod
1 Rakdos's Return
1 Blood Artist
1 Goblin Bombardment
1 Martial Coup
1 Hammer of Purphoros
1 Mobilization
1 Mentor of the Meek
1 Hero's Blade
1 Dreadbore
1 Mardu Strike Leader
1 Tuktuk the Explorer
1 Hordeling Outburst
1 Crackling Doom
1 Lightning Bolt
1 Path to Exile
1 Marsh Flats
1 Bloodstained Mire
1 Sacred Foundry
1 Godless Shrine
1 Blood Crypt
1 Vault of the Archangel
1 Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
1 High Market
1 Command Tower
1 Isolated Chapel
1 Clifftop Retreat
1 Dragonskull Summit
1 Nomad Outpost
2 Mountain
1 Swamp
3 Plains
Raid Bombardment, Dragon Fodder are two cards I want, as well as Altar of Dementia. I just have no idea what to take out. I am also on the fence with Brimaz, or Spectral Procession. I think Brimaz is the right call, but flying tokens are no joke. Lastly, with the anthem effects, I am also unsure of Mentor of the Meek. It's a rough draft, but I think with some fine-tuning, this deck can be gross.
Other than that, I am rocking Yasova with tons of sac outlets. SO GOOD.
Avalanche Riders for me has had an impact against multiple decks. I've kept Living End on two lands, I have taken out countless Colonnades with him, and I have made Tron succumb to it with the Resto Angel and such. I think he's a must have!
First, one main board Shadowborn Demon. I dig this card SO MUCH right now. It's a fat flier, blows up pretty much anything on board (except BSA, Sigarda, and Griselbrand), and comes in at 5/6, which beats out Sigarda and such. I feel like the 6 creatures in your graveyard is easy to achieve, and that running Finks plus Gavony makes it such a bearable upkeep to pay. I want to know what you guys think. Of course, this goes in over Shriekmaw, but I would be rocking Junk Pod. Just podding for value creatures, no combos.
Second, what is this decks worst matchup? I want to know before I take this to a Modern event, or at least prep a decent sideboard.
Thalia is a very interesting choice for a two drop. I dig the spiciness a lot. Gives it that classic Naya Pod feel. It sounds like she can slow down quite a few decks from doing anything.
I want to know how you think the Pod matchup is versus Scapeshift. So far, I have found it to be fairly even, and we generally win when we have the flying Negate machine!
3 Noble Hierarch
3 Kitchen Finks
3 Restoration Angel
2 Deceiver Exarch
2 Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker
2 Voice of Resurgence
2 Wall of Omens
1 Qasali Pridemage
1 Phantasmal Image
1 Spellskite
1 Izzet Saticaster
1 Murderous Redcap
1 Purphoros, God of the Forge
1 Glen Elendra Archmage
1 Scavenging Ooze
1 Linvala, Keeper of Silence
2 Domri Rade
4 Birthing Pod
1 Mountain
1 Plains
1 Island
1 Razorverge Thicket
1 Gavony Township
1 Steam Vents
1 Temple Garden
1 Hallowed Fountain
1 Sacred Foundry
1 Breeding Pool
1 Fire-Lit Thicket
2 Stomping Ground
1 Misty Rainforest
2 Wooded Foothills
3 Windswept Heath
3 Grove of the Burnwillows
1 Avalanche Riders
1 Keranos, God of Storms
1 Sigarda, Host of Herons
1 Izzet Staticaster
1 Reclamation Sage
2 Negate
3 Path to Exile
1 Obstinate Baloth
1 Thrun, the Last Troll
1 Eidolon of Rhetoric
1 Combust
1 Ancient Grudge
Match 1 vs Mono Green Devotion:
Game 1 goes by quickly. Turn two Pod nets me tons of value off of Kitchen Finks and Restoration Angel. Swing in enough times for the beats to win. (Take out Murderous Redcap, Izzet Staticaster, and Linvala for 2 Negate and Avalanche Riders.)
Game 2, an early Garruk Wildspeaker makes a couple of dudes, and one of them gets triple Rancor.
Game 3, another turn 2 Birthing Pod means value all over. Avalanche Riders takes out a Forest that has two Utopia Sprawls on it, and Restoration Angel them to take out a Nykthos. He gets left with one Forest, and that sealed the deal.
Match 2 vs UWR Flash:
Game 1: Turn 2 Pod means get to Purphoros ASAP. Once I stuck a Finks into play, I podded immediately for the God. I eventually land a Murderous Redcap, and pod him off for a Kiki-Jiki to deal a grand total of 16 damage in one turn. Pretty nice! (I take out the combo. -2 Kiki, -2 Exarch, -1 Image, -1 Izzet Staticaster, -1 Linvala for Avalanche Riders, Reclamation Sage, Thrun, Sigarda, Keranos, and 2 Negate)
Game 2: This was a war of attrition. I know this player has adapted her deck for the current meta, and main decks Anger of the Gods. Luckily I didn't see any of them against me. Once I stuck a Pod, I quickly went for Glen Elendra, Keranos, and Sigarda. At one point, I used Avalanche Riders to take her off of all of her white mana sources, which was enough to keep me in the game to commence the beats.
Match 3 vs UR Burn:
Game 1: Turn two pod means pod for value. Kitchen Finks and Restoration Angel takes it. (Take out 2 Kiki, 1 Image, 1 Conscripts, bring in Sigarda, Thrun, Obstinate Baloth, and Eidolon)
Game 2: He gets stuck on one land, but almost gets there with Lava Spikes and Rift Bolts. Once again, Finks and Angels seal the deal.
Match 4 vs Affinity: Split, but I lost hard.
Game 1, Double Cranial Plating. Hurts bad.
Game 2, same deal, just on Inkmoth. Didn't see any sideboard cards, and I brought in quite a few.
4 Elvish Mystic
4 Heir of the Wilds
4 Rattleclaw Mystic
4 Savage Knuckleblade
4 Boon Satyr
3 Polukranos, World Eater
1 Sarkhan, the Dragonspeaker
3 Forest
2 Mountain
4 Frontier Bivouac
3 Mana Confluence
1 Shivan Reef
2 Temple of Epiphany
4 Wooded Foothills
4 Yavimaya Coast
3 Lightning Strike
3 Temur Charm
4 Crater's Claws
1 Sarkhan, the Dragonspeaker
2 Disdainful Stroke
2 Magma Spray
3 Stubborn Denial
2 Surrak Dragonclaw
3 Hunt the Hunter
2 Stormbreath Dragon
EDIT: It looks like he placed 9th-16th. Congrats to Kibler for the top16 finish!
I do have to agree with Beano0 though, Misty seems much better here. Maybe 4 Foothills, 2 Misty, 2 Strand?
4 Wooded Foothills + 2 Arid Mesa
4 Wooded Foothills + 2 Windswept Heath
3 Wooded Foothills + 2 Arid Mesa + 1 Misty Rainforest
I should also say that I am playing 1 of each basic (excluding swamp) in my list. Mostly because I am in a Path heavy meta, so they feel it's a free StP after I get my second basic.
3 Noble Hierarch
1 Phantasmal Image
1 Scavenging Ooze
1 Spellskite
1 Qasali Pridemage
2 Wall of Omens
3 Voice of Resurgence
1 Izzet Staticaster
2 Deceiver Exarch
2 Kitchen Finks
1 Purphoros, God of the Forge
1 Glen Elendra Archmage
1 Murderous Redcap
1 Linvala, Keeper of Silence
3 Restoration Angel
1 Zealous Conscripts
2 Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker
4 Birthing Pod
4 Arid Mesa
2 Misty Rainforest
3 Grove of the Burnwillows
2 Stomping Ground
1 Steam Vents
1 Temple Garden
1 Sacred Foundry
1 Breeding Pool
1 Hallowed Fountain
1 Fire-Lit Thicket
1 Razorverge Thicket
1 Gavony Township
1 Forest
1 Plains
1 Mountain
1 Island
3 Path to Exile
3 Gifts Ungiven
1 Aven Mindcensor
1 Reclamation Sage
1 Harmonic Sliver
1 Izzet Staticaster
1 Eidolon of Rhetoric
1 Thrun, the Last Troll
1 Iona, Shield of Emeria
1 Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite
1 Unburial Rites
Before I recall my games to the best of my abilities, I want to say that my sideboard is not complete. The Harmonic Sliver is going to become Ancient Grudge or Combust. Depends on what the meta calls for. Also, siding in a Gifts package is super fun when your opponent expects Pod.
I know I will get CRUCIFIED for running 4 basics. I am in a PtE heavy area. Having the 4 basics throws my opponent off quite a bit, and it helped me win past Fulminator Mage tonight.
Match 1 vs BUG Midrange:
This guy is a good friend of mine. This is his homebrew list that feels REALLY good and consistent.
Game 1: I manage to land a turn 2 Birthing Pod, it is quickly answered by Maelstrom Pulse, and I proceed to play TONS of creatures. Eventually, he attempts to stabilize with a Phyrexian Obliterator in play, and gets close. He's at 7 life, and I cast BoP to shock him, and make my two Elemental tokens 5/5 for the final swing.
Game 2: I wind up taking out Izzet Staticaster, Redcap, and one Kiki-Jiki for 3 Path. In this game, he casts three Obliterators and whomps me down with ease.
Game 3: Turn 2 pod is answered by Unravel the AEther, but there's a second one in hand. I cast it, and pod my Kitchen Finks into a Purpouros. Over the next few turns with his Dark Confidant and my Purphoros triggers, he takes a massive 15 damage, leaving him at one life. I cannot push through the two Obliterators with my guys. I have a BoP, Kitchen Finks (with a counter), and a Spellskite in play. I top deck Noble Hierarch for the win.
Match 2 vs RG Tron:
Another good friend of mine. Well known Tron player in our area, and a damn good pilot.
Game 1: His first Karn starts to take control, and is at 14 loyalty with a Purphoros and Linvala under it. I have Zealous Conscripts in hand, and only four mana available. I top deck Breeding Pool and steal his Karn, restarting the game with my guys in play. New turn 1, I cast Noble Hierarch, he takes two, and I swing for 4 damage. Next turn, I cast Pridemage and swing in for five. He scoops.
Game 2: I take out Staticaster, 4 Pods, and Phantasmal Image for the Gifts Package with Iona, and an Aven Mindcensor. I am whooped this game. Natural Tron in hand with two Karn. NEXT GAME.
Game 3: This game goes long! I use Voice, Finks, and Purphoros as bait for Karn so I don't have to deal with it later on. After some small beats here and there, I have him at 1 life. My draw for the turn is Gifts Ungiven. I pass the turn to him. He attempts to Karn my last card away, but I cast Gifts and grab Unburial Rites and Kiki-Jiki. That was the last push needed to end this terrible matchup.
Match 3 vs Living End:
Game 1-2: Mull to five both games and get split open like a coconut. Damn.
Match 4 vs Mono Green Devotion:
Game 1: Turn three pod leads to a solid turn 4 combo. Easy win.
Game 2: I mull to five and keep a solid five. It wasn't solid enough though, as a turn 2 Garruk leads to a turn 4 Genesis Wave for QUIT FOREVER. I think the total was going to be 32. I forgot.
Game 3: I bring the gifts package in and it goes off. EOT Gifts for Iona and Rites. Cast Rites, call green, instant scoop.
All in all, I LOVE PLAYING TWO DECKS IN ONE. I also brought Purphoros to test out, and he gives this deck some mad reach. He makes top deck dorks into shocks, and is just abusive with Resto Angel, persist, etc. It's pretty disgusting, and I think he should be on our radar. I can't think of any change I'd make to this list yet, I feel extremely comfortable with it so far.