When resolving a modal spell, are the choices resolved in the order printed on the card? For example, I am playing against Death's Shadow. Opponent has a Monastery Swiftspear and a 2/2 Deaths Shadow.
Assuming both have been declared as an attacker, If I choose to have my opponent gain 4 life and sacrifice an attacking creature, would the life gain kill the Shadow before the sacrifice, thus allowing for a 2 for 1?
I saw one list on MTG Goldfish that had Displacement Wave in the sideboard. With Tokens and Company running around, I was drawn to this as an earlier tempo play that can't be prevented by Avacyn (2 mana to clean some tokens, 4 mana to reset the Humans deck, 5 to reset Company). Has anyone given this a shot?
Neo7thinker, I played a list very similar to your Clash of the Titans for the local Modern Monday. I'd say it's a decently competitive meta (couple of guys have been to the Pro Tour), so felt like I got some good games in. The list was based on what's posted here: http://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/382264#paper
Went 4-0, which was my first time doing so. Previously had topped out at 3-1. Matchups were:
Abzan Company 2-0
Game 1 I was able to wrath a couple of times and keep him off the combo. Eventually the board was clear and Gideon got in for 3 swings and GG
Game 2 was closer. He got an infinite life combo off. However, I was able to wipe his board clear of creatures afterwards, and eventually started recurring Ghost Quarter with Sun Titan to keep him off all mana. He eventually conceded to me.
Affinity 2-0
Game 1 he started off rather slowly and I was able to wrath on turn 4 with lots of life. He played out the rest of his hand on turn 5, which met another wrath. From there, a Gideon came down and closed it out
Game 2 he kept a one lander. I was stuck on two lands for a while, but was able to Spreading Seas his nexus and then keep his Mox Opal turned off. I found lands, he didn't and the game ended pretty quickly
Living End 2-0
Game 1 was back and forth. He got me down pretty low, but I was able to find some well timed Cryptics and stay alive. Gideon was able to soak up lots of damage for me, and after he played his fourth living end, I was able to wrath and close it out
Game 2 he got stuck on lands early. I was getting in some decent beats with Gideon and should have closed the game out when he Violent Outburst'ed. Instead, I punted hard and Cryptic Commanded that instead of waiting for Living End. He got me down a bit lower, but I was able to regain control and close the game
Infect 2-1
Game 1 I think he killed me on Turn 3 or 4. I was stuck on three lands with a wrath in hand, but he had Inkmoth + Become Immense so I was dead anyway.
Game 2 I got a Runed Halo down the turn after he played a Blighted Agent and then when he followed up with Glistener a couple turns later I was able to find my second Halo. Some running Ghost Quarters and a hand full of answers kept his Inkmoth off line and Gideon/Clique did the beat down
Game 3 was similar. No Halo's, but my answers lined up well with his protection spells. Condemn+Path+Dispel made it tough sledding to get through for any damage.
Overall, I felt the deck played really well. I never saw Venser in any game, and only saw Knight Errant once (the game against infinite life, so she was kind of useless). I had fun playing it (helps when you're winning), but can't wait to run it out again
Went 3-1-1 at a GPT with a list very similar to the one that came second in the Magic Online PTQ. Only changes were a Tamiyo (didn't have a second Gideon) and Surgical Extraction in the sideboard (instead of two Torpor Orbs). I really liked Tamiyo, her plus ability played well with the mana denial strategy and there was one time against Eldrazi I drew five cards off a bunch of tapped scions to find the Verdict I needed (he likely should have saved those Scions but I'm not sure what he had in hand).
Matches were:
0-2 to Mono Green Tooth and Nail. Couldn't find a sweeper in either game. I think if I played this more often it'd be a closer match. Made a play error in game one when I let an Arbor Elf live instead of Pathing.
2-0 Esper Mentor. I felt I was just grinder than him. Combined with the four Spreading Seas and Ghost Quarters I made it really hard to find black game one and in Game 2 i completely cut all his white sources. No Mentor or Souls for you! He made a misplay in G2 when he tried to Snap - Mana Leak a verdict. Unfortunately for him that's a legal move, just a bad one...
1-1 UR Eldrazi. Game one he beat me down pretty well. Game 2 was super grindy and I was able to deny him the mana needed to really get going. Tamiyo and Elspeth finished the game off. We started Gane 3 and if we'd had time I probably had a decent shot but alas, it was a draw.
2-1 Griselshoal. He killed me on Turn 2 in game 1. Ugh. Game two I kept counter magic in hand and was able to stick some Flickerwisp beats. He bricked on finding creatures to cheat in. Game three I was able to keep him off colour and had 3-4 counters in hand. I mana leaked an Inquistion to force him to either pay or be left without info. He took a counter spell. His attempt to flashback a Nourishing Shoal was met with Extraction and he conceded.
Was happy with how I played this match. Never played it before and thought my sequencing was on point.
2-1 Abzan. He got me game one with a mana tithe and was then able to chip in for beats with Goyfs and such. Couldn't draw enough answers to keep up. Gsme 2 I had the answers and cast two or three verdicts. Some Sun Titan recursion a were enough to move to game 3. Game 3 was full on mana denial. My opponent revealed in G1 he only had two basics in the deck. I liberally used my Ghost Quarters and had 3/4 Spreading Seas out by end of match. When I used two ghost quarters first main phase, recurred one with a sun Titan attack and then the second with another sun Titan in second main phase, leaving him with nothing but islands he casually tossed all my Spreading Seas back to my side of the table and walked away without saying anything. Never fun to feel like you've ruined someone's day but a wins a win.
The Top 8 all decided to draw so ended up with a fifth place finish.
Didn't end up bringing it in at all. I had just bought one the morning of the Tourney and thought it could be fun to play. I think it might Come out of the list again
Also, what do you think about Knight of the Holy Nimbus as a regenerating blocker that can buy time for the deck ?
With the Gifts Estates, it is not actually getting you there faster as the cards go in to hand. I don't see any cards in the list I would want to cut to make room for it.
I'm also not sure, even if I did play it, how I would use it. If we take a not untypical opening like this (on the draw):
Turn 1- draw a card, play a land. 7 cards in hand
Turn 2- draw a card, play a land, play a Wall. 7 cards in hand
Etc, Etc
I guess what I'm saying is if we got three plains it feels like it would put us in a position to discard frequently if played early, and if we played it late, ensuring out 7/8/9 land drops, while nice for Emeria, isn't going to win the game. I'd rather draw cards that will have an impact
Here is the deck I piloted on Friday at GP Vancouver in the 11:30 Modern event. Went 2-1-1. Loss to Bogles, beat Dredge and Burn, drew with G/R Tron. Great opponents all around.
Felt the deck was playing really well. Lost a close one to Bogles. Had a bunch of turns to find any of the four wraths and just couldn't do it. Such is life sometimes.
After making some nice plays with my Mirrorpool in the Sealed main event, I have been wondering if there is room for it in this deck. The dream scenario (opponent Paths a Titan, respond with a copy, bring back a Flickerwisp, bounce the original target) sounds amazing, but I'm not sure what I'd cut to fit in a colourless land. Perhaps the answer is nothing and there isn't enough room for it.
Played a four round event last night and went 3-1. Only change from previous was the addition of a second Surgical Extraction to the sideboard - took out an Ojutai's Command that was there more because I didn't have options on me. I will post a fully updated list next time I have it in front of me. Games were:
Temur Delver - 2-1 - think it was a bit of a budget list as he had no Goyfs (though maybe those aren't played in the deck). He won the first game with well times counters on my answers. Game 2 it seemed like he drew all counters, of which his are things like Leak and Pierce, so with no pressure to back it up I was able to play around. Game 3 was super grindy, it eventually came down to me protecting a single Hussar to beat him from 4 to 0 to avoid turns.
Game 2 - 1-2 - BW Hatebears. I took game one when he kept a greedy one lander. I was able to D-Sphere his Vial on T3 removing his method of getting creatures in to play. When he did draw lands I kept him off colours with GQ. Game two was close but he got the mana denial going and I couldn't keep up. Game three was my turn for a greedy keep and was punished by his Scullers taking my low drops as he beat me down.
Game 3 - 2-0 - Burn. I think I drew well in both matches but My opponent was new to modern so I think he might have missed some lines that would have given more outs. However, I think in both games I saw numerous alone Missionaries and was able to flicker or return them at least once
Game 4 - 2-1 - Primetime Scapeshift. It was Scapeshift but with Protean Hulk and Primetime. Game 1 he got me with Valakut triggers. I had a negate in hand but probably misplayed by not using it as I wasn't sure what was going on. Game 2 he kept a greedy hand and I was able to punish him. Game 3 I was able to spreading seas one Valakut and then later in the game GQ and Surgical Extraction the rest. Some well timed negates kept him from doing much else and I was able to eithe me path or detention sphere his big guys
Played a four round event on Wednesday and made some changes to the deck I posted a page or two back. Took out all the black cards,the Gifts, Emeria Shepherd and cut a land. Added in another Titan, two Pilgrim's Eye, a Restoration Angel and a Snapcaster. I felt it played a lot smoother now, though I still went 2-2.
Wins were against Amulet (he stumbled a bit but I thought I played this really well. Resto and Snapcaster both came in handy) and Jeskai Geist/Delver (he just wasn't fast enough and I got Emeria going in Games 2 and 3. Geist is a tough card to beat, though Phantasmal Image was helpful as a blocker to copy him).
Losses were to infect (just too many pump spells in Game 3, combined with protection effects) and to a red aggro deck playing Koth, Boros Reckoner, Chandra and Stormbreath. Stormbreath is not a fun card to play with as this deck. I won Game 2 by continually replaying Spellbomb off Sun Titan to keep it off the table. G3 he got two dragons and I couldn't stop him.
My next thinking is what to do with Spellbomb. It was a way to stop twin without running in to their counters but that's gone now. It can be handy against infect but feels not great against other decks. Thoughts? Keep it in or out? I've thought about maybe trading it for two main deck Spreading Seas. Open to ideas.
I agree FDL. The Gifts package is a lot of fun to play with, but I don't think it should be part of the more competitive versions of the list. I'll perhaps look at shifting toward yours for my next tourney (though I don't have any Spellskites, nor will I for the near future).
Played a GPT today and it didn't go very well. Felt I ran in to a number of matchups in which this deck finds itself as the underdog. Finally made a note of the decklist I've been playing, so please provide any comments
1.) UR Delver 2-0: Found this one rather straight forward. He was never able to get ahead on tempo with his combination of Swiftspears, Delvers and Abbots. Partly some bad draws in Game 2 for him, but I had a number of answers in hand should he have found some action.
2.) GW Hatebears 1-2: First game he was able to do a really good job keeping me off both colours and lands in general. Struggled back and forth for a while but eventually had to succumb. Second game I was able to get a T2 Spreading Seas on his GW source and then was able to answer his creatures pretty well. Eventually got the Emeria engine online and he conceded. Third game was tight, got ahead to 28 life early, but Smiter beat downs quickly turned that around. Had a number of chances to find a wrath as he dumped his hand on the board, but didn't and lost.
3.) Affinty 1-2: This was annoying. I had a decent chance in the first game but he was eventually able to turn the corner. The second game I landed a T3 Stony Silence and kept his board very clean. However, he played quite slowly and we were left with only 10 minutes left at the end of this game. I asked numerous times for him to play quicker, yet he continually went in the tank. I've never played Affinity, but I don't think there were that many lines for him to consider. Game three I found myself a bit frustrated and think I played quite sloppily. Stuck on 2 lands made it tough to turn the corner, but I felt I could have done a better job. He likely still would have won, but I certainly helped him along.
4.) Infect 0-2: First game I found a lot of life gain but it obviously didn't mean much as he got the 10 infect quite quickly Game two was similar, I had some answers but eventually couldn't answer a Blighted Agent and three pumps later I was dead. My opponent was 12-14 or so and he mentioned this was his first ever win at a comp REL. Plus, he was super jazzed to be playing against Emeria. Hard to be too mad when losing to someone so passionate
5.) GR Tron 0-2: Another bad match. First game he got a natural tron on T3, though I was able to negate his Karn and then path the Wurmcoil. A Ulamog (new one) turn after made it very unlikely and the Emrakul after that was enough. Game 2, I got him to 5 life but I think that was more luck than skill. He must have played nearly all of of his draw artifacts (Spheres, etc) and not found any action until Turn 12-15 or so. Alas, I was living on borrowed time anyway.
So, 1-4. I built my deck today expecting lots of burn and didn't see any. Such is the way it goes. Open to feedback on any changes to make. Found myself siding out the Gifts package quite frequently, as well as Venser. Might be time to just remove him. He's fun to have when ahead, but never helps when I'm behind.
Went to another Modern Monday last night. Reverse of the last one as I ended up 1-3, though I do feel there was a large amount of variance at play. Playing an Esper version with minimal counter spells - tap out control I guess.
Round 1 - Burn
Game 1 he landed an early Eidolon but I was able to keep up with some Lone Misssionaries to offset some of the life loss. I was stuck on three lands this game so it didn't help. Just when I thought I stabilized he went Strike, Strike, Boros Charm for exact.
Game 2 was similar but this time I drew too many lands. Nearly had Emeria online to recur Lone Missionaries but he again got me. Thought I played this as well as I could, typically I have had good results against burn.
Round 2 - Tezzeret Control
This did not feel like a good matchup at all. Game 1 he put down an early Ashiok and started milling. He managed to mill 2/3 detention spheres leaving me with little recourse when he put down Agent of Bolas. The two Planeswalkers worked in unison and I scooped as I didn't see any outs.
Game 2 I brought in some more negates to fight the Walkers but he got the one in my opening hand and then put down a T3 Ashiok. The game went on for a while, but Relic of Progenitus and Grafdiggers Cage limited my outs.
Overall, this felt like a really tough match, but I guess it's rather fringe so have to hope I don't see it often
Game 3 - UR Twin
My opponent was obviously new to modern so the game lagged a bit. I helped him to try and understand my cards and worked on small things like shuffling after a fetch and presenting to your opponent. I got Emeria and won the game. He landed a Exarch into Twin at one point and was pretty jazzed to make a million tokens. I felt bad when I told him the Twin didn't resolve as I was negating it
Second game was similar to the first. We went to turns and he again tried a Twin combo on Turn 4. Fortunately the Spellbomb I played on the opening turn was still around and bounced the exarch
Round 4 - Goblins
Again, I feel variance punished me. Game 1 I had Emeria, Plains and Ghost Quarter for lands as well as two Walls. Those were the only lands I saw all game, leaving me a bunch of blue cards in hand. I had many chances to draw an out but it didn't work.
Game 2 was again the reverse. I had 5 lands but a wall and a hussar. Risky but figured it would be better than a 6. Even with all the draws I found one Verdict and just more lands. Krenkon came down and took over and that was that
First time poster. I've been playing this online and in paper where I can, to some mostly average results (2-2 most nights).
Took it to local Modern Monday last night and went 3-1, had a reasonable shot at 4-0 but flooded out against a good player.
I'm running the list that splashes black for Unburial Rites. Creature list is mostly stock. I'm not running any Mortarpods or Pilgrims Eye and did not find myself Ina situation where I missed either. May be more a function of the match ups but still.
Only counters are two main board negates (2 negate and 2 dispel in board). 3 Detention Sphere and 3 Supreme Verdict seemed to do well.
Matches were:
Martyr Proc 1-0 - it was a long game 1, so long we finished it just before turns were called. He got up to around 80 life and kind of stayed there. I was able to D Sphere his protection enchantments, negate one board wipe and get three Emerias online. I eventually realized I should just go full land denial to turn off Martyr and used my two Titans plus an Imaged Titan to continually recur Ghost Quarters and lock him out of the game.
Naya Zoo 2-1 - Game 1 he was able to burn me out. Game 2 I had a hand with two Missionaries and was able to chump block and work my way to a Titan - Missionary recursion. He scooped. Game 3 I saw all the good sideboard cards. Three Missionaries, some Paths, a Spreading Seas to turn off his Kird Apes for a couple of turns, timely Dispels. Won the game at 13 or so life
Bant CoCo 0-2 - I wasn't able to find a wrath in either match and I think it did me in. He just had too many strong threats, between Smiter, Knight of the Reliquary and Goyf I started behind and stayed behind in both games
UR Twin 1-0 - game 1 I led with a Spellbomb on the play. I think that was the key as I was able to keep him off twin for quite a while. I played a Gideon Jura around turn 7 or so and continually plussed it. He did get the combo, but everyone had to go for Gideon and I got rid of the Exarch and was able to get an Emeria online. Game 2 was equally grindy. I got him to 3 life as we entered turns, and could have won outright with one more turn. Left him a single out on my final turn, which was a punt - I had been using Venser to flicker a Flickerwisp, which then bounced his Exarch until the end of his next turn. He responded to Venser with bolt on Flickerwisp which i let resolve, even though I had dispel in hand. If he had top decked a Twin it would have been a draw.
All in all, I really enjoy playing the deck. My side boarding could use some work but it felt OK last night.
Thanks for the discussion on the preceding 40 pages, laid a great foundation for me to learn from
Assuming both have been declared as an attacker, If I choose to have my opponent gain 4 life and sacrifice an attacking creature, would the life gain kill the Shadow before the sacrifice, thus allowing for a 2 for 1?
My changes (largely due to budget):
Mainboard
-2 Mystic Gate
+1 Seachrome Coast
+1 Polluted Delta
Sideboard
-1 Spellskite
-1 Vendilion Clique
-1 Glen Elandra Archmage
-1 Batterskull
-1 Disenchant
+1 Wrath of God
+2 Condemn
+2 Tormod's Crypt
Went 4-0, which was my first time doing so. Previously had topped out at 3-1. Matchups were:
Abzan Company 2-0
Game 1 I was able to wrath a couple of times and keep him off the combo. Eventually the board was clear and Gideon got in for 3 swings and GG
Game 2 was closer. He got an infinite life combo off. However, I was able to wipe his board clear of creatures afterwards, and eventually started recurring Ghost Quarter with Sun Titan to keep him off all mana. He eventually conceded to me.
Affinity 2-0
Game 1 he started off rather slowly and I was able to wrath on turn 4 with lots of life. He played out the rest of his hand on turn 5, which met another wrath. From there, a Gideon came down and closed it out
Game 2 he kept a one lander. I was stuck on two lands for a while, but was able to Spreading Seas his nexus and then keep his Mox Opal turned off. I found lands, he didn't and the game ended pretty quickly
Living End 2-0
Game 1 was back and forth. He got me down pretty low, but I was able to find some well timed Cryptics and stay alive. Gideon was able to soak up lots of damage for me, and after he played his fourth living end, I was able to wrath and close it out
Game 2 he got stuck on lands early. I was getting in some decent beats with Gideon and should have closed the game out when he Violent Outburst'ed. Instead, I punted hard and Cryptic Commanded that instead of waiting for Living End. He got me down a bit lower, but I was able to regain control and close the game
Infect 2-1
Game 1 I think he killed me on Turn 3 or 4. I was stuck on three lands with a wrath in hand, but he had Inkmoth + Become Immense so I was dead anyway.
Game 2 I got a Runed Halo down the turn after he played a Blighted Agent and then when he followed up with Glistener a couple turns later I was able to find my second Halo. Some running Ghost Quarters and a hand full of answers kept his Inkmoth off line and Gideon/Clique did the beat down
Game 3 was similar. No Halo's, but my answers lined up well with his protection spells. Condemn+Path+Dispel made it tough sledding to get through for any damage.
Overall, I felt the deck played really well. I never saw Venser in any game, and only saw Knight Errant once (the game against infinite life, so she was kind of useless). I had fun playing it (helps when you're winning), but can't wait to run it out again
Matches were:
0-2 to Mono Green Tooth and Nail. Couldn't find a sweeper in either game. I think if I played this more often it'd be a closer match. Made a play error in game one when I let an Arbor Elf live instead of Pathing.
2-0 Esper Mentor. I felt I was just grinder than him. Combined with the four Spreading Seas and Ghost Quarters I made it really hard to find black game one and in Game 2 i completely cut all his white sources. No Mentor or Souls for you! He made a misplay in G2 when he tried to Snap - Mana Leak a verdict. Unfortunately for him that's a legal move, just a bad one...
1-1 UR Eldrazi. Game one he beat me down pretty well. Game 2 was super grindy and I was able to deny him the mana needed to really get going. Tamiyo and Elspeth finished the game off. We started Gane 3 and if we'd had time I probably had a decent shot but alas, it was a draw.
2-1 Griselshoal. He killed me on Turn 2 in game 1. Ugh. Game two I kept counter magic in hand and was able to stick some Flickerwisp beats. He bricked on finding creatures to cheat in. Game three I was able to keep him off colour and had 3-4 counters in hand. I mana leaked an Inquistion to force him to either pay or be left without info. He took a counter spell. His attempt to flashback a Nourishing Shoal was met with Extraction and he conceded.
Was happy with how I played this match. Never played it before and thought my sequencing was on point.
2-1 Abzan. He got me game one with a mana tithe and was then able to chip in for beats with Goyfs and such. Couldn't draw enough answers to keep up. Gsme 2 I had the answers and cast two or three verdicts. Some Sun Titan recursion a were enough to move to game 3. Game 3 was full on mana denial. My opponent revealed in G1 he only had two basics in the deck. I liberally used my Ghost Quarters and had 3/4 Spreading Seas out by end of match. When I used two ghost quarters first main phase, recurred one with a sun Titan attack and then the second with another sun Titan in second main phase, leaving him with nothing but islands he casually tossed all my Spreading Seas back to my side of the table and walked away without saying anything. Never fun to feel like you've ruined someone's day but a wins a win.
The Top 8 all decided to draw so ended up with a fifth place finish.
Didn't end up bringing it in at all. I had just bought one the morning of the Tourney and thought it could be fun to play. I think it might Come out of the list again
With the Gifts Estates, it is not actually getting you there faster as the cards go in to hand. I don't see any cards in the list I would want to cut to make room for it.
I'm also not sure, even if I did play it, how I would use it. If we take a not untypical opening like this (on the draw):
Turn 1- draw a card, play a land. 7 cards in hand
Turn 2- draw a card, play a land, play a Wall. 7 cards in hand
Etc, Etc
I guess what I'm saying is if we got three plains it feels like it would put us in a position to discard frequently if played early, and if we played it late, ensuring out 7/8/9 land drops, while nice for Emeria, isn't going to win the game. I'd rather draw cards that will have an impact
1 Gideon Jura
Creatures
3 Sun Titan
3 Lone Missionary
1 Snapcaster Mage
3 Flickerwisp
4 Wall of Omens
1 Restoration Angel
3 Court Hussar
2 Pilgrims Eye
1 Phantasmal Image
Instants
4 Path to Exile
3 Negate
3 Detention Sphere
Artifacts
2 Aether Spellbomb
Sorceries
2 Supreme Verdict
Lands
4 Flooded Strand
6 Plains
4 Ghost Quarter
4 Hallowed Fountain
3 Emeria, the Sky Ruin
2 Island
1 Prairie Stream
2 Spreading Seas
1 Geist of St Traft
1 Lone Missionary
2 Meddling Mage
1 Dispel
1 Negate
2 Surgical Extraction
1 Disenchant
2 Stony Silence
1 Supreme Verdict
Felt the deck was playing really well. Lost a close one to Bogles. Had a bunch of turns to find any of the four wraths and just couldn't do it. Such is life sometimes.
After making some nice plays with my Mirrorpool in the Sealed main event, I have been wondering if there is room for it in this deck. The dream scenario (opponent Paths a Titan, respond with a copy, bring back a Flickerwisp, bounce the original target) sounds amazing, but I'm not sure what I'd cut to fit in a colourless land. Perhaps the answer is nothing and there isn't enough room for it.
Temur Delver - 2-1 - think it was a bit of a budget list as he had no Goyfs (though maybe those aren't played in the deck). He won the first game with well times counters on my answers. Game 2 it seemed like he drew all counters, of which his are things like Leak and Pierce, so with no pressure to back it up I was able to play around. Game 3 was super grindy, it eventually came down to me protecting a single Hussar to beat him from 4 to 0 to avoid turns.
Game 2 - 1-2 - BW Hatebears. I took game one when he kept a greedy one lander. I was able to D-Sphere his Vial on T3 removing his method of getting creatures in to play. When he did draw lands I kept him off colours with GQ. Game two was close but he got the mana denial going and I couldn't keep up. Game three was my turn for a greedy keep and was punished by his Scullers taking my low drops as he beat me down.
Game 3 - 2-0 - Burn. I think I drew well in both matches but My opponent was new to modern so I think he might have missed some lines that would have given more outs. However, I think in both games I saw numerous alone Missionaries and was able to flicker or return them at least once
Game 4 - 2-1 - Primetime Scapeshift. It was Scapeshift but with Protean Hulk and Primetime. Game 1 he got me with Valakut triggers. I had a negate in hand but probably misplayed by not using it as I wasn't sure what was going on. Game 2 he kept a greedy hand and I was able to punish him. Game 3 I was able to spreading seas one Valakut and then later in the game GQ and Surgical Extraction the rest. Some well timed negates kept him from doing much else and I was able to eithe me path or detention sphere his big guys
Wins were against Amulet (he stumbled a bit but I thought I played this really well. Resto and Snapcaster both came in handy) and Jeskai Geist/Delver (he just wasn't fast enough and I got Emeria going in Games 2 and 3. Geist is a tough card to beat, though Phantasmal Image was helpful as a blocker to copy him).
Losses were to infect (just too many pump spells in Game 3, combined with protection effects) and to a red aggro deck playing Koth, Boros Reckoner, Chandra and Stormbreath. Stormbreath is not a fun card to play with as this deck. I won Game 2 by continually replaying Spellbomb off Sun Titan to keep it off the table. G3 he got two dragons and I couldn't stop him.
My next thinking is what to do with Spellbomb. It was a way to stop twin without running in to their counters but that's gone now. It can be handy against infect but feels not great against other decks. Thoughts? Keep it in or out? I've thought about maybe trading it for two main deck Spreading Seas. Open to ideas.
4 Wall of Omens
3 Court Hussar
3 Flickerwisp
3 Lone Missionary
1 Emeria Shepherd
2 Sun Titan
1 Phantasmal Image
Instants
4 Path to Exile
3 Negate
1 Gifts Ungiven
Sorceries
2 Supreme Verdict
1 Unburial Rites
3 Detention Sphere
Planeswalkers
1 Gideon Jura
1 Vensor, the Sojourner
Lands
4 Flooded Strand
4 Hallowed Fountain
1 Prairie Stream
1 Godless Shrine
3 Emeria, the Sky Ruin
4 Ghost Quarter
6 Plains
2 Island
1 Ojutai's Command
1 Lone Missionary
2 Meddling Mage
1 Negate
1 Dispel
1 Disenchant
1 Surgical Extraction
2 Stony Silence
1 Celestial Purge
2 Spreading Seas
1 Wrath of God
1 Supreme Verdict
Matches were
1.) UR Delver 2-0: Found this one rather straight forward. He was never able to get ahead on tempo with his combination of Swiftspears, Delvers and Abbots. Partly some bad draws in Game 2 for him, but I had a number of answers in hand should he have found some action.
2.) GW Hatebears 1-2: First game he was able to do a really good job keeping me off both colours and lands in general. Struggled back and forth for a while but eventually had to succumb. Second game I was able to get a T2 Spreading Seas on his GW source and then was able to answer his creatures pretty well. Eventually got the Emeria engine online and he conceded. Third game was tight, got ahead to 28 life early, but Smiter beat downs quickly turned that around. Had a number of chances to find a wrath as he dumped his hand on the board, but didn't and lost.
3.) Affinty 1-2: This was annoying. I had a decent chance in the first game but he was eventually able to turn the corner. The second game I landed a T3 Stony Silence and kept his board very clean. However, he played quite slowly and we were left with only 10 minutes left at the end of this game. I asked numerous times for him to play quicker, yet he continually went in the tank. I've never played Affinity, but I don't think there were that many lines for him to consider. Game three I found myself a bit frustrated and think I played quite sloppily. Stuck on 2 lands made it tough to turn the corner, but I felt I could have done a better job. He likely still would have won, but I certainly helped him along.
4.) Infect 0-2: First game I found a lot of life gain but it obviously didn't mean much as he got the 10 infect quite quickly Game two was similar, I had some answers but eventually couldn't answer a Blighted Agent and three pumps later I was dead. My opponent was 12-14 or so and he mentioned this was his first ever win at a comp REL. Plus, he was super jazzed to be playing against Emeria. Hard to be too mad when losing to someone so passionate
5.) GR Tron 0-2: Another bad match. First game he got a natural tron on T3, though I was able to negate his Karn and then path the Wurmcoil. A Ulamog (new one) turn after made it very unlikely and the Emrakul after that was enough. Game 2, I got him to 5 life but I think that was more luck than skill. He must have played nearly all of of his draw artifacts (Spheres, etc) and not found any action until Turn 12-15 or so. Alas, I was living on borrowed time anyway.
So, 1-4. I built my deck today expecting lots of burn and didn't see any. Such is the way it goes. Open to feedback on any changes to make. Found myself siding out the Gifts package quite frequently, as well as Venser. Might be time to just remove him. He's fun to have when ahead, but never helps when I'm behind.
Round 1 - Burn
Game 1 he landed an early Eidolon but I was able to keep up with some Lone Misssionaries to offset some of the life loss. I was stuck on three lands this game so it didn't help. Just when I thought I stabilized he went Strike, Strike, Boros Charm for exact.
Game 2 was similar but this time I drew too many lands. Nearly had Emeria online to recur Lone Missionaries but he again got me. Thought I played this as well as I could, typically I have had good results against burn.
Round 2 - Tezzeret Control
This did not feel like a good matchup at all. Game 1 he put down an early Ashiok and started milling. He managed to mill 2/3 detention spheres leaving me with little recourse when he put down Agent of Bolas. The two Planeswalkers worked in unison and I scooped as I didn't see any outs.
Game 2 I brought in some more negates to fight the Walkers but he got the one in my opening hand and then put down a T3 Ashiok. The game went on for a while, but Relic of Progenitus and Grafdiggers Cage limited my outs.
Overall, this felt like a really tough match, but I guess it's rather fringe so have to hope I don't see it often
Game 3 - UR Twin
My opponent was obviously new to modern so the game lagged a bit. I helped him to try and understand my cards and worked on small things like shuffling after a fetch and presenting to your opponent. I got Emeria and won the game. He landed a Exarch into Twin at one point and was pretty jazzed to make a million tokens. I felt bad when I told him the Twin didn't resolve as I was negating it
Second game was similar to the first. We went to turns and he again tried a Twin combo on Turn 4. Fortunately the Spellbomb I played on the opening turn was still around and bounced the exarch
Round 4 - Goblins
Again, I feel variance punished me. Game 1 I had Emeria, Plains and Ghost Quarter for lands as well as two Walls. Those were the only lands I saw all game, leaving me a bunch of blue cards in hand. I had many chances to draw an out but it didn't work.
Game 2 was again the reverse. I had 5 lands but a wall and a hussar. Risky but figured it would be better than a 6. Even with all the draws I found one Verdict and just more lands. Krenkon came down and took over and that was that
Took it to local Modern Monday last night and went 3-1, had a reasonable shot at 4-0 but flooded out against a good player.
I'm running the list that splashes black for Unburial Rites. Creature list is mostly stock. I'm not running any Mortarpods or Pilgrims Eye and did not find myself Ina situation where I missed either. May be more a function of the match ups but still.
Only counters are two main board negates (2 negate and 2 dispel in board). 3 Detention Sphere and 3 Supreme Verdict seemed to do well.
Matches were:
Martyr Proc 1-0 - it was a long game 1, so long we finished it just before turns were called. He got up to around 80 life and kind of stayed there. I was able to D Sphere his protection enchantments, negate one board wipe and get three Emerias online. I eventually realized I should just go full land denial to turn off Martyr and used my two Titans plus an Imaged Titan to continually recur Ghost Quarters and lock him out of the game.
Naya Zoo 2-1 - Game 1 he was able to burn me out. Game 2 I had a hand with two Missionaries and was able to chump block and work my way to a Titan - Missionary recursion. He scooped. Game 3 I saw all the good sideboard cards. Three Missionaries, some Paths, a Spreading Seas to turn off his Kird Apes for a couple of turns, timely Dispels. Won the game at 13 or so life
Bant CoCo 0-2 - I wasn't able to find a wrath in either match and I think it did me in. He just had too many strong threats, between Smiter, Knight of the Reliquary and Goyf I started behind and stayed behind in both games
UR Twin 1-0 - game 1 I led with a Spellbomb on the play. I think that was the key as I was able to keep him off twin for quite a while. I played a Gideon Jura around turn 7 or so and continually plussed it. He did get the combo, but everyone had to go for Gideon and I got rid of the Exarch and was able to get an Emeria online. Game 2 was equally grindy. I got him to 3 life as we entered turns, and could have won outright with one more turn. Left him a single out on my final turn, which was a punt - I had been using Venser to flicker a Flickerwisp, which then bounced his Exarch until the end of his next turn. He responded to Venser with bolt on Flickerwisp which i let resolve, even though I had dispel in hand. If he had top decked a Twin it would have been a draw.
All in all, I really enjoy playing the deck. My side boarding could use some work but it felt OK last night.
Thanks for the discussion on the preceding 40 pages, laid a great foundation for me to learn from