Neo, I follow your facebook page. Is there any reason why there are no Spell snare in the 75? Or are you just tailoring your deck for the current meta? We know that post April we won't have as many Eldrazi decks running around. So I guess what I'm saying is in the future, could you see yourself switching out the Mana Leak for Remand or Spell snare? I like the idea of Remand in your type of list, as its a really good tempo card.
Spell Snare is a great counter, and I'd probably play it over Leak. Leak is currently the main deck's weakest link. This deck can feasibly play 6 counters -
This versatile deck is designed to stabilize between turns 2-5, clear the board, and recover with value and pressure through various angles. Post-board, it can transition into a more reactive gameplan vs Combo.
I've been discussing aspects of this this deck for the past couple of weeks, explaining why it's one of the best gameplans with UWx vs Eldrazi (based on my knowledge and experience), and why tapout is the way to go for UWx Midrange/Control while creature-based decks dominate the format; but it's also one of the most versatile, resilient, and adaptive decks I've played since 2011-2012, when I played a deck very similar to this one vs Caw-Blade, Valakut, and Eldrazi.
Note: I'm currently playing without Spreading Seas as I've found it better vs Tron than Eldrazi. Though it's still a fine card vs non-Blue decks, as well as Infect/Affinity (Inkmoth Nexus).
I like this "midrange" version, I've tried it for hours and I think it's great against midrange, aggro, and generally fair decks. The problem is, and that seemed obvious, combo. UW is already pretyy vulnerable to that, but without counters it's almost impossible. Tron is also a major problem for that reason. How do you play against these decks?
Thanks for testing it. Yes, it's been fantastic vs those types of decks. It has inevitability.
As for Tron and Combo, the deck has 8 total counters + Glen Elendra Archmage and Clique/Resto/Image (copying Clique/Resto) for pressure. Don't forget, Image can also copy Glen, which can be back-breaking vs combo. That's the gameplan vs them, but Runed Halo can also come in vs Nauseam and Scapeshift (naming Lightning Storm and Valakut, respectively). Spheres are good vs Karn/Ugin/Wurmcoil/Ulamog (if you don't have Path). I was actually running 2 more counters in the side (to make it a total of 11 with Glen). You can also add 2-3 Spreading Seas back to the mix if you're concerned about Tron. Geist of Saint Traft is strong vs it, too. The deck is very flexible.
A deck like this also doesn't want more than 1-2 Snapcaster Mage in the 75.
This versatile deck is designed to stabilize between turns 2-5, clear the board, and recover with value and pressure through various angles. Post-board, it can transition into a more reactive gameplan vs Combo.
I've been discussing aspects of this this deck for the past couple of weeks, explaining why it's one of the best gameplans with UWx vs Eldrazi (based on my knowledge and experience), and why tapout is the way to go for UWx Midrange/Control while creature-based decks dominate the format; but it's also one of the most versatile, resilient, and adaptive decks I've played since 2011-2012, when I played a deck very similar to this one vs Caw-Blade, Valakut, and Eldrazi.
Note: I'm currently playing without Spreading Seas as I've found it better vs Tron than Eldrazi. Though it's still a fine card vs non-Blue decks, as well as Infect/Affinity (Inkmoth Nexus).
Among the numerous relevant creatures Phantasmal Image can copy, including Eldrazi (i.e. Thought-Knot Seer and Reality Smasher) or your own Omens/Finks(great with Persist as it can return as a copy of another creature)/Restos/etc. (even nuttier if you have multiple copies in your hand), it can also become a Planeswalker copy of Gideon Jura if Gideon Jura becomes a creature. Therefore, you can attack with the original Gideon Jura, replace it with Image copy of Gideon, and +2 in your second main phase.
This means you can chain this with other copies of Image, replacing one another, without having to use another original Gideon Jura. Attack as a 6/6 Image Gideon, defend with +2 as another Image Gideon, rinse and repeat. Yes, Image allows you to theoretically play more than 4 copies of Gideon Jura throughout the game...for 2 mana. Let that sink in.
Another important thing to remember is spells that are redirected to Walker Image, such as Lightning Bolt; Since the spell doesn't target Walker Image, the redirect clause would only remove Loyalty counters from Walker Image. If, however, it becomes a creature, Image will still die to any targeted spell or ability, including Lightning Bolt.
To make a long story short, Phantasmal Image has been an MVP vs several decks. It allows you to pull off some unexpected, unorthodox, and unfair explosive plays that aren't typically common for UW. Not to mention, the blowout interaction between Sun Titan + Phantasmal Image, which has been fantastic vs Eldrazi. In fact, it's a gameplan that mirrors what Eldrazi does between turns 2 to 5 - efficiently swarm the board with bombs and dominate through value.
- Vs Eldrazi -
Based on my knowledge and experience, this is one of the best gameplans with UWx vs Eldrazi. The main idea is to stabilize between turns 2-4, interact with their board via Path/Halo/Seas/Sphere/Verdict. Rinse and recover with value and pressure through Gideon Jura, Batterskull, Celestial Colonnade, Elspeth, Sun's Champion, and Sun Titan/Phantasmal Image. The game can end quickly, shortly after that, by using Cryptic Command (tap down creatures), Gideon's +2, and/or Venser's -1.
If you have any questions regarding this archetype, such as our best card options, adapting to the meta, design directions, decklist help, MU's (i.e. Eldrazi), etc., please feel free to ask.
Spell Snare is a great counter, and I'd probably play it over Leak. Leak is currently the main deck's weakest link. This deck can feasibly play 6 counters -
2 Spell Snare
2 Remand
2 Cryptic Command
Or any combination of the 3.
Good suggestion.
Thanks for testing it. Yes, it's been fantastic vs those types of decks. It has inevitability.
As for Tron and Combo, the deck has 8 total counters + Glen Elendra Archmage and Clique/Resto/Image (copying Clique/Resto) for pressure. Don't forget, Image can also copy Glen, which can be back-breaking vs combo. That's the gameplan vs them, but Runed Halo can also come in vs Nauseam and Scapeshift (naming Lightning Storm and Valakut, respectively). Spheres are good vs Karn/Ugin/Wurmcoil/Ulamog (if you don't have Path). I was actually running 2 more counters in the side (to make it a total of 11 with Glen). You can also add 2-3 Spreading Seas back to the mix if you're concerned about Tron. Geist of Saint Traft is strong vs it, too. The deck is very flexible.
A deck like this also doesn't want more than 1-2 Snapcaster Mage in the 75.
I've been discussing aspects of this this deck for the past couple of weeks, explaining why it's one of the best gameplans with UWx vs Eldrazi (based on my knowledge and experience), and why tapout is the way to go for UWx Midrange/Control while creature-based decks dominate the format; but it's also one of the most versatile, resilient, and adaptive decks I've played since 2011-2012, when I played a deck very similar to this one vs Caw-Blade, Valakut, and Eldrazi.
Note: I'm currently playing without Spreading Seas as I've found it better vs Tron than Eldrazi. Though it's still a fine card vs non-Blue decks, as well as Infect/Affinity (Inkmoth Nexus).
Stay tuned for updates!
2 Phantasmal Image
4 Wall of Omens
4 Kitchen Finks
2 Vendilion Clique
3 Restoration Angel
1 Sun Titan
Planeswalkers (5)
1 Elspeth, Knight-Errant
2 Gideon Jura
1 Venser, the Sojourner
1 Elspeth, Sun's Champion
Enchantments (3)
3 Detention Sphere
4 Path to Exile
2 Mana Leak
2 Cryptic Command
3 Supreme Verdict
Lands (25)
4 Celestial Colonnade
4 Flooded Strand
4 Ghost Quarter
3 Glacial Fortress
2 Hallowed Fountain
3 Island
2 Mystic Gate
3 Plains
2 Dispel
1 Disenchant
2 Negate
2 Runed Halo
2 Stony Silence
1 Vendilion Clique
1 Glen Elendra Archmage
1 Jace, Architect of Thought
1 Wrath of God
1 Batterskull
1 Elspeth, Sun's Champion
This means you can chain this with other copies of Image, replacing one another, without having to use another original Gideon Jura. Attack as a 6/6 Image Gideon, defend with +2 as another Image Gideon, rinse and repeat. Yes, Image allows you to theoretically play more than 4 copies of Gideon Jura throughout the game...for 2 mana. Let that sink in.
Another important thing to remember is spells that are redirected to Walker Image, such as Lightning Bolt; Since the spell doesn't target Walker Image, the redirect clause would only remove Loyalty counters from Walker Image. If, however, it becomes a creature, Image will still die to any targeted spell or ability, including Lightning Bolt.
To make a long story short, Phantasmal Image has been an MVP vs several decks. It allows you to pull off some unexpected, unorthodox, and unfair explosive plays that aren't typically common for UW. Not to mention, the blowout interaction between Sun Titan + Phantasmal Image, which has been fantastic vs Eldrazi. In fact, it's a gameplan that mirrors what Eldrazi does between turns 2 to 5 - efficiently swarm the board with bombs and dominate through value.
- Vs Eldrazi -
Based on my knowledge and experience, this is one of the best gameplans with UWx vs Eldrazi. The main idea is to stabilize between turns 2-4, interact with their board via Path/Halo/Seas/Sphere/Verdict. Rinse and recover with value and pressure through Gideon Jura, Batterskull, Celestial Colonnade, Elspeth, Sun's Champion, and Sun Titan/Phantasmal Image. The game can end quickly, shortly after that, by using Cryptic Command (tap down creatures), Gideon's +2, and/or Venser's -1.
I'm the founder and community manager of the following pages on Facebook:
MTG Modern - Competitive: UWx Midrange/Control
https://www.Facebook.com/ModernUWxControl
MTG Modern - Competitive: UWx Midrange/Control Community
https://www.Facebook.com/Groups/MTGModernUWx
(Ali Aintrazi and Shawn Soorani are there, too, among others)
I'm also an Admin for one of the premier Modern communities on Facebook:
Magic the Gathering: Modern Meta Masters
https://www.facebook.com/groups/ModernMetaMasters/
If you have any questions regarding this archetype, such as our best card options, adapting to the meta, design directions, decklist help, MU's (i.e. Eldrazi), etc., please feel free to ask.
Thank you.
Francesco Neo Amati