Great job everyone at GP Pittsburgh. I have high hopes for this deck in the future. Thanks to the Skred community for pushing this deck to new heights.
@Munchyman81: How were the spellbombs for you? How often did you use them to draw vs. burn? I played a version with SSG in the past, but it always felt fragile. Did you like the SSG overall?
General question for everyone: What is the game plan vs. Tron? The struggle is real.
RSZ, Vortex, and Valakut are there for mana sinks. One of the biggest weaknesses I have found with this deck is getting mana flooded at inopportune times. I feel sheets is kind of slow and hurts my curve of Eidolon into Reckoner, but I could be convinced otherwise.
I really like the focus of this deck. I'm curious how your matchup vs Jund, Grixis, and other Midrange/Control lists pans out. What are your sideboard plans vs major Tier 1-Tier 2 lists?
Pyroclasm, Volcanic Fallout, or Anger of the Gods are all acceptable sweepers. Which one(s) you choose depend on how you build your deck. Personally, I prefer Pyroclasm to clean up fast aggressive creatures. The important thing to remember is that sweepers are one of our few ways to generate card advantage.
On a separate note, does anybody else run Eidolon maindeck?
Round 1: Win 2-1 vs. Jundvine
Game 1: Keep a 1 land hand with 2 SSGs and 2 Eidolons. Doesn't get there.
Game 2: Blood Moon locks him. Relic does work.
Game 3: This game is same as Game 2 but I exhaust my Relics. He has an out to trigger all of the Vengevines out for the kill, but he doesn't have it (Thanks, Blood Moon!)
SB: -1 Eidolon, +1 Anger of the Gods
Round 2: Win 2-1 vs. Jund
Game 1: I jump on the beat train.
Game 2: He gets out a quick Confidant and keeps me off the board to get there.
Game 3: Tight match, but Spellskite does work. Valakut actually gets the win for me.
SB: +2 Dismember, +1 Spellskite, +1 Eidolon, -3 Pyroclasm, -1 Skred
Round 3: Win vs. Abzan Company
Game 1: Relic T1 does work vs a deck with Finks and Witness. Blood Moon x3 is not fair. This guy had the new Liliana. Pretty good card. I flipped it on purpose so I could kill the PW with TMaw.
Game 2: More of the same.
SB: -3 Eidolon, +1 Anger, +1 Volley, +1 Combust
Round 4: Grixis Control featuring New Jace
Game 1: Grindy match. Killed Jace a couple times. He killed my Eidolons. Eventually, I was able to stick a threat and beat. He was counter light.
Game 2: More grindy stuff. I held up a Boil for too long. He was able to get out Keranos. Do not be afraid to 1-for-1 with a Boil. This game came down to him drawing a Terminate to kill my TMaw, but he didn't have it.
SB: -4 Reckoner, -3 Pyroclasm, -1 Skred, +4 Goblin Guide, +1 Eidolon, +1 Spree, +1 Dismember
Analysis:
Again, Relic keeps proving itself. The addition of Magma Jet helped smooth out some draws, but I'm not sure it's good enough. I lost a lot of games at DC from not drawing the correct amount of land (either too much or too little), but I like have a kill spell that hits 4 toughness. Guess it's a meta call. Any feedback on this?
Round 1: Win 2-1 vs Scapeshift
I dominated this matchup with Relic, Eidolon, and Blood Moon. I lost the second game because I missed a Relic activation that allowed him to Snap-Bolt me to death. I sided in some Goblin Guides to clock him.
Round 2: Win 2-1 vs Affinity
He gets the nuts game 1, I see a good amount of sb cards the next two games. I kill all his guys and just beat down.
Round 3: Win 2-1 vs Scapeshift
What? Another one? Again, Relic, Eidolon, and Blood Moon lock him up. My opponent made some misplays that cost him. Both Scapeshift players sb'd Baloths vs me, which are tough, but not impossible to get through.
Round 4: Loss 1-2 vs Grixis Control
I get the beats game 1. We go back and forth the next two games, but that Zombie Fish gets there. I made a misplay and did not Relic in response to a Thought Scour, which allowed him to cast Angler at a key point.
Round 5: Loss 0-2 vs Jund
Everyone knows how this match up goes. I have a hard time dealing with Seizes followed up with Goyf/Tasigur/Scooze beats.
Round 6: Loss 0-2 vs Naya Burn
I thought I liked my Burn matchup until playing this guy. Never saw a Blood Moon, but it was a close one both times. Definitely need some practice vs this match up. My opponent was good at playing Burn.
Round 7: Win 2-0 vs Abzan Guys
Any deck that relies on dudes is usually a win for Skred. Just keep the ground clear, mess up their mana with Moon, and get the beats in.
Round 8: Win vs No-Show
Played a Merfolk deck for fun and beat him. Eh.
Analysis:
So, I need some work vs the big boy decks. I feel Skred has the tools to do it. Relic is the best card in the deck, hands down. The curve of Relic-Eidolon-Blood Moon is a tough one for any deck to beat.
It has been my experience that Wildfire, etc. are too slow for Modern and often don't do enough for the resources you commit. I find Fulminator Mage and Molten Rain to be more effective. They are actually better vs. Tron than Blood Moon, too.
@DSynergy--Which match ups do you side in Kazuul? How has he been? How do you like running Relic in the side? I have found it is the most important card in the deck.
@Natesroom--Just wanted to share my two cents on Vexing Devil. I originally based my version of Skred on Herbert West's version back on Page 16. It is very aggressive with Eidolon and Devil. I found Devil to accelerate your clock, but not consistently. I switched to Swiftspear because they survive Pyroclasm and Fallout. Again, I was disappointed because it wasn't enough of a clock. They could get quickly outclassed. What I finally arrived at is 4 Goblin Guide in the board. I swap them for sweepers vs. Twin and slow decks to keep pressure on. Guide's secret ability to see what your opponent is drawing is also key. Between Eidolon and Guide, the deck can really play beats.
RWU Geist:
Out: 4 Pyroclasm
In: 4 Goblin Guide
(This was horribly wrong. I tried to go aggro and I should have went control)
Out: 3 Eidolon
In: 2 Combust, 1 Fulminator Mage
(This is what I should have done)
Guides help you vs. slower decks. Dismember is for big guys, especially Goyf. Goyf is tough for this deck. I have an extra Spree for Affinity and the Claws are for Burn, but I did not play either of those decks.
I'm sure this has been discussed somewhere. If you are not willing to help directly, kindly point me in the right direction.
Does anybody have a "Double Dragon" list of Skred handy?
Thanks!
@Munchyman81: How were the spellbombs for you? How often did you use them to draw vs. burn? I played a version with SSG in the past, but it always felt fragile. Did you like the SSG overall?
General question for everyone: What is the game plan vs. Tron? The struggle is real.
Thanks in advance!
4 Thunderbreak Regent
4 Boros Reckoner
3 Eidolon of the Great Revel
4 Lightning Bolt
2 Skred
1 Dismember
1 Roast
3 Pyroclasm
1 Anger of the Gods
4 Relic of Progenitus
2 Koth of the Hammer
1 Red Sun's Zenith
1 Molten Vortex
1 Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle
1 Cavern of Souls
21 Snow-Covered Mountain
1 Dismember
2 Shattering Spree
4 Goblin Guide
2 Pithing Needle
1 Chandra, Pyromaster
1 Blood Moon
2 Dragon's Claw
RSZ, Vortex, and Valakut are there for mana sinks. One of the biggest weaknesses I have found with this deck is getting mana flooded at inopportune times. I feel sheets is kind of slow and hurts my curve of Eidolon into Reckoner, but I could be convinced otherwise.
Thoughts?
I really like the focus of this deck. I'm curious how your matchup vs Jund, Grixis, and other Midrange/Control lists pans out. What are your sideboard plans vs major Tier 1-Tier 2 lists?
Thanks!
On a separate note, does anybody else run Eidolon maindeck?
3 Thundermaw Hellkite
1 Batterskull
1 Wurmcoil Engine
3 Eidolon of the Great Revel
3 Simian Spirit Guide
1 Koth of the Hammer
4 Lightning Bolt
3 Pyroclasm
1 Skred
2 Magma Jet
4 Relic of Progenitus
1 Scrabbling Claws
1 Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle
1 Mutavault
23 Snow-Covered Mountain
Sideboard
2 Spellskite
2 Dismember
1 Boil
1 Anger of the Gods
1 Eidolon the Great Revel
2 Shattering Spree
1 Combust
1 Rending Volley
Round 1: Win 2-1 vs. Jundvine
Game 1: Keep a 1 land hand with 2 SSGs and 2 Eidolons. Doesn't get there.
Game 2: Blood Moon locks him. Relic does work.
Game 3: This game is same as Game 2 but I exhaust my Relics. He has an out to trigger all of the Vengevines out for the kill, but he doesn't have it (Thanks, Blood Moon!)
SB: -1 Eidolon, +1 Anger of the Gods
Round 2: Win 2-1 vs. Jund
Game 1: I jump on the beat train.
Game 2: He gets out a quick Confidant and keeps me off the board to get there.
Game 3: Tight match, but Spellskite does work. Valakut actually gets the win for me.
SB: +2 Dismember, +1 Spellskite, +1 Eidolon, -3 Pyroclasm, -1 Skred
Round 3: Win vs. Abzan Company
Game 1: Relic T1 does work vs a deck with Finks and Witness. Blood Moon x3 is not fair. This guy had the new Liliana. Pretty good card. I flipped it on purpose so I could kill the PW with TMaw.
Game 2: More of the same.
SB: -3 Eidolon, +1 Anger, +1 Volley, +1 Combust
Round 4: Grixis Control featuring New Jace
Game 1: Grindy match. Killed Jace a couple times. He killed my Eidolons. Eventually, I was able to stick a threat and beat. He was counter light.
Game 2: More grindy stuff. I held up a Boil for too long. He was able to get out Keranos. Do not be afraid to 1-for-1 with a Boil. This game came down to him drawing a Terminate to kill my TMaw, but he didn't have it.
SB: -4 Reckoner, -3 Pyroclasm, -1 Skred, +4 Goblin Guide, +1 Eidolon, +1 Spree, +1 Dismember
Analysis:
Again, Relic keeps proving itself. The addition of Magma Jet helped smooth out some draws, but I'm not sure it's good enough. I lost a lot of games at DC from not drawing the correct amount of land (either too much or too little), but I like have a kill spell that hits 4 toughness. Guess it's a meta call. Any feedback on this?
A couple of brief tournament reports.
First one, I played in the Modern Premier IQ at Washington DC. I finished 5-3 with this deck:
3 Thundermaw Hellkite
1 Batterskull
1 Wurmcoil Engine
3 Eidolon of the Great Revel
3 Simian Spirit Guide
1 Fulminator Mage
1 Koth of the Hammer
4 Lightning Bolt
4 Pyroclasm
3 Skred
4 Relic of Progenitus
1 Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle
1 Mutavault
20 Snow-Covered Mountain
Sideboard
2 Spellskite
2 Dismember
1 Boil
1 Anger of the Gods
2 Shattering Spree
2 Combust
1 Fulminator Mage
Round 1: Win 2-1 vs Scapeshift
I dominated this matchup with Relic, Eidolon, and Blood Moon. I lost the second game because I missed a Relic activation that allowed him to Snap-Bolt me to death. I sided in some Goblin Guides to clock him.
Round 2: Win 2-1 vs Affinity
He gets the nuts game 1, I see a good amount of sb cards the next two games. I kill all his guys and just beat down.
Round 3: Win 2-1 vs Scapeshift
What? Another one? Again, Relic, Eidolon, and Blood Moon lock him up. My opponent made some misplays that cost him. Both Scapeshift players sb'd Baloths vs me, which are tough, but not impossible to get through.
Round 4: Loss 1-2 vs Grixis Control
I get the beats game 1. We go back and forth the next two games, but that Zombie Fish gets there. I made a misplay and did not Relic in response to a Thought Scour, which allowed him to cast Angler at a key point.
Round 5: Loss 0-2 vs Jund
Everyone knows how this match up goes. I have a hard time dealing with Seizes followed up with Goyf/Tasigur/Scooze beats.
Round 6: Loss 0-2 vs Naya Burn
I thought I liked my Burn matchup until playing this guy. Never saw a Blood Moon, but it was a close one both times. Definitely need some practice vs this match up. My opponent was good at playing Burn.
Round 7: Win 2-0 vs Abzan Guys
Any deck that relies on dudes is usually a win for Skred. Just keep the ground clear, mess up their mana with Moon, and get the beats in.
Round 8: Win vs No-Show
Played a Merfolk deck for fun and beat him. Eh.
Analysis:
So, I need some work vs the big boy decks. I feel Skred has the tools to do it. Relic is the best card in the deck, hands down. The curve of Relic-Eidolon-Blood Moon is a tough one for any deck to beat.
@Natesroom--Just wanted to share my two cents on Vexing Devil. I originally based my version of Skred on Herbert West's version back on Page 16. It is very aggressive with Eidolon and Devil. I found Devil to accelerate your clock, but not consistently. I switched to Swiftspear because they survive Pyroclasm and Fallout. Again, I was disappointed because it wasn't enough of a clock. They could get quickly outclassed. What I finally arrived at is 4 Goblin Guide in the board. I swap them for sweepers vs. Twin and slow decks to keep pressure on. Guide's secret ability to see what your opponent is drawing is also key. Between Eidolon and Guide, the deck can really play beats.
4 Lightning Bolt
3 Skred
4 Pyroclasm
2 Chandra, Pyromaster
1 Koth of the Hammer
1 Fulminator Mage
4 Boros Reckoner
3 Thundermaw Hellkite
3 Eidolon of the Great Revel
3 Simian Spirit Guide
1 Batterskull
1 Wurmcoil Engine
1 Mutavault
1 Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle
20 Snow-Covered Mountain
Sideboard:
1 Fulminator Mage
2 Spellskite
1 Boil
1 Anger of the Gods
2 Dismember
2 Combust
2 Shattering Spree
The best card vs. Obliterator is Wrack with Madness.
I'll try to remember the sideboards I made...
RWU Control:
Out:4 Pyroclasm, 3 Skred
In: 4 Goblin Guide, 2 Combust, 1 Shattering Spree
Naya Zoo:
Out: 3 Eidolon
In: 2 Dismember, 1 Anger of the Gods
Abzan:
Out: 3 Eidolon
In: 2 Dismember, 1 Combust?
Grixis Shackles:
Out: 4 Pyroclasm, 2 Blood Moon
In: 4 Goblin Guide, 2 Shattering Spree
4 Color Control:
Out: 4 Pyroclasm, 1 Skred
In: 4 Goblin Guide, 1 Fulminator Mage
UR Twin:
Out: 4 Blood Moon, 4 Pyroclasm
In: 4 Goblin Guide, 2 Combust, 2 Dismember
Esper:
Out: 4 Pyroclasm
In: 4 Goblin Guide
RWU Geist:
Out: 4 Pyroclasm
In: 4 Goblin Guide
(This was horribly wrong. I tried to go aggro and I should have went control)
Out: 3 Eidolon
In: 2 Combust, 1 Fulminator Mage
(This is what I should have done)
Guides help you vs. slower decks. Dismember is for big guys, especially Goyf. Goyf is tough for this deck. I have an extra Spree for Affinity and the Claws are for Burn, but I did not play either of those decks.
Hope this helps!