I really like Lavamancer main for the meddling mage argument. On a general note though, I think I would still always play 4 bolts before I would play more pushes. Meddling mage is not that problematic compared to the fact that in the current modern diverse format, bolt is so much stronger than push. I am willing to make this small sacrifice for the overal better performing card. And we are almost "Mono removal" anyway, so i think we have plenty of other ways to deal with creatures from humans to be blown out by meddling mage.
I agree. its also a better cascade spell for bbe. I think that's the reason why we have 1-off terminate, dreadbore, maelstrom pulse, fatal push because its not a good cascade spell.
i think u cant just switch bob with tracker without any changes in the mainboard. as you can see the list GB list thats popping up right now that without bob. they realize that they are missing a 2 drop so they put in a 9 early removal to fight the aggresive matchups. we can immitate the same thing. play control until turn 3.
also good points is cascading with tracker is better than bob. and you dont have to crack the clue right away. people think is mana intensive but the card advantage is always there and use it only when you need it. mana intensive is only a problem when you're getting pressured. when you're getting pressured then don't crack the clue.
what do you guys think of replacing bob with tireless tracker? would it help against aggressive strategies? it also does well with high land count build. and sometimes on topdeck mode, its a guaranteed/immediate draw. it also can dodge bolt in some cases.
what do you guys think of windborn muse as pseudo searchable wrath/anti-swarm effect for our deck. seems like aggressive strategies are so taking over so much right now. we need a wrath effect that's searchable.
ive dropped 2 rhino for a moment because of all harden affinity, spirits, humans and bridge vine. added more sweepers like 2nd damnation and engineered explosives. ive put ghost quarter and shriekmaw in the main again. and I've added choke to fight uw control with gaddock teeg.
In currently saving up for 2x engineered explosives. What is a good substitute in the mean while?
Sold my Engineered explosives months ago... now I just use one crime // punishment in it's place. Still works decently to get rid of tokens from token decks, and enchantments from bogles, which is what I use EE for anyway.
woah this card is good. crime is a good top deck too.
i don't know why this deck is not widely played but the deck should be tier 1. every matchup is so winnable if you want it to. 4-0 on FNM this week and my matchups are Traditional Abzan, Jeskai, amulet titan, Affinity Scales. Affinity scales is a tough matchup. I only won because I race with lingering souls. they can even win with stony silence in play.
what do you guys think of vampire hexmage? I think we have all traversable answers except for planeswalker. we got lock pieces like gaddock teeg, and fulminator for them to prevent from getting to that point but it would be nice to have an answer if they are already in play.
yeah I've dropped kataki too. eidolon of rhetoric is actually good target against KCI. I do have stony silence tho. I figured you just need 1 target for traverse in a specific matchup and the rest can be something you can draw naturally that would be powerful.
I agree. its also a better cascade spell for bbe. I think that's the reason why we have 1-off terminate, dreadbore, maelstrom pulse, fatal push because its not a good cascade spell.
https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/1293578#paper
also good points is cascading with tracker is better than bob. and you dont have to crack the clue right away. people think is mana intensive but the card advantage is always there and use it only when you need it. mana intensive is only a problem when you're getting pressured. when you're getting pressured then don't crack the clue.
heres my list right now.
https://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/28-08-18-xtW-abzan/?cb=1535485308
woah this card is good. crime is a good top deck too.
gaze of granite comes to mind. it would be same investment at 2cmc cost and more.