I had a heart-to-heart talk w/one of the judges on staff. Told him of the beef I had in post #30:
-I said, "After some thought, if I'm beefing w/multiple ppl, maybe I'M the one who's toxic, not them." Him, "..."
-I said, "Or maybe everyone thinks the same way I do but no one wants to be the bad guy for saying something." Him, *nods*
-I want to apologize to most who read post #30 and got turned off by my complaints. But to the anonymous haters out there, work on your social skills!
While waiting for more players, we played 3 player commander and I won my first commander match tonight!
Test vs Mono Blue Wizards, 5-0 games.
-No SB (opponent didn't have a SB.)
-After our match, I suggested some elements of my UB Wizard list, from post #3:
Guy who laughed at me 2 weeks ago for playing a Modern card in Pioneer showed up today for tomorrows tournament and even tried to pay $5 for entry fee! He even went 0-1 drop last week. Karma's a balding *****, LOL.
Round 1 vs Mono Black Devotion. 1-2 games.
SB +3 Nightwind Glider, -3 Zealot il-Vec.
Can't seem to win this matchup no matter what I try.
Round 2 vs Mono Green Stompy. 2-0 games.
No SB.
Round 3 vs Red Black Direct Damage. 2-1 games.
SB +4 Lone Missionary, -4 Journey to Nowhere.
-In game one, my opponent thought he could pay RR on Chain Lightning to "fork it," even tho I didn't return it to him. The judge on duty even agreed w/him! I wasn't satisfied so I asked another store employee who explained the card text to the judge…
-I won the next 2 games via massive life gain.
-After our match my opponent asked to play for fun. I agreed. Then he asked if he could play first. I asked him if he was using the same deck. He said he wasn't so I opted for a dice roll instead. When the store closed, I had total board control and my opponent had zero cards in hand. He says, "I guess it's a draw." Whatever dude /rolleyes
Conclusion: I gotta figure out a way to beat Mono Black Devotion. I'm open to suggestions…
4 Chain Lightning
4 Fireblast
4 Lava Spike
4 Lightning Bolt
4 Reckless Impulse
4 Rift Bolt
4 Searing Blaze
4 Skewer the Critics
4 Gurmag Angler
4 Voldaren Epicure
(2) Enchantments:
2 Curse of the Pierced Heart
(18) Land:
9 Mountain
4 Evolving Wilds
4 Terramorphic Expanse
1 Swamp
4 Blightning
4 Molten Rain
4 Smash to Smithereens
1 Pyroblast
1 Red Elemental Blast
1 Swamp
Evolving Wilds/Terramorphic Expanse aid Searing Blaze/Gurmag Angler.
4 Chain Lightning
4 Fireblast
4 Lava Spike
4 Lightning Bolt
4 Needle Drop
4 Reckless Impulse
4 Rift Bolt
4 Searing Blaze
4 Skewer the Critics
2 Swirling Sandstorm
4 Curse of the Pierced Heart
(18) Land:
10 Mountain
4 Evolving Wilds
4 Terramorphic Expanse
4 Molten Rain
4 Smash to Smithereens
4 Voldaren Epicure
2 Flaring Pain
1 Swirling Sandstorm
-Built Red Deck Wins to beat Mono Black Devotion.
-Inspired by this list: https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/4556721#paper
-Evolving Wilds/Terramorphic Expanse aid Searing Blaze/Swirling Sandstorm.
4 Illuminator Virtuoso
4 Ledger Shredder
4 Stormchaser Drake
(16) Auras:
4 Curious Obsession
4 Gryff's Boon
4 Security Bypass
4 Witness Protection
4 Consider
4 Opt
(4) Counters:
4 Dovin's Veto
(20) Lands:
4 Hallowed Fountain
4 Island
4 Mistgate Pathway
4 Sejiri Glacier
4 Temple of Enlightenment
4 Aether Gust
4 Slip Out the Back
4 Soul-Guide Lantern
3 Brazen Borrower
4 Ascendant Spirit
4 Mausoleum Wanderer
4 Rattlechains
4 Spectral Sailor
4 Supreme Phantom
4 Consider
4 Curious Obsession
4 Lofty Denial*
4 Opt
4 Witness Protection
20 Snow-Covered Island
4 Aether Gust
4 Essence Capture
4 Soul-Guide Lantern
3 Brazen Borrower
*Everyone plays around 3 mana counters (Geistlight Snare/Mystical Dispute.) Lofty Denial (4 mana) should throw them off.
4 Ledger Shredder
4 Mavinda, Students' Advocate
4 Stormchaser Drake
(12) Auras:
4 Curious Obsession
4 Security Bypass
4 Witness Protection
(8) Mavinda:
4 Dive Down
4 Slip Out the Back
4 Consider
4 Opt
(20) Lands:
4 Hallowed Fountain
4 Island
4 Mistgate Pathway
4 Sejiri Glacier
4 Temple of Enlightenment
4 Aether Gust
4 Dovin's Veto
4 Soul-Guide Lantern
3 Brazen Borrower
Credit to Hugh for introducing me to this archtype. Feedback welcome!
4 Aven Riftwatcher
4 Bound in Silence
4 Defiant Falcon
4 Ramosian Lieutenant
4 Ramosian Sergeant
4 Zealot il-Vec
4 Swords to Plowshares (uncommon)
4 Venomous Changeling (common)
(28) Mana:
14 Plains (common)
4 Cave of Temptation (rare)
4 Cavern of Souls (rare)
4 Mind Stone (common)
2 Karakas (rare)
4 Karma (uncommon)
4 Patrician's Scorn (common)
4 Warmth (uncommon)
2 Lin Sivvi, Defiant Hero (rare)
1 Rebel Informer (rare)
-Pauper Rebels tested too slow for tribal wars.
-Here's the link to the deck I actually played (post #10), https://www.mtgsalvation.com/forums/the-game/other-formats/816407-tribal-wars
I had a heart-to-heart talk w/one of the judges on staff. Told him of the beef I had in post #30:
-I said, "After some thought, if I'm beefing w/multiple ppl, maybe I'M the one who's toxic, not them." Him, "..."
-I said, "Or maybe everyone thinks the same way I do but no one wants to be the bad guy for saying something." Him, *nods*
-I want to apologize to most who read post #30 and got turned off by my complaints. But to the anonymous haters out there, work on your social skills!
4 Lord of Atlantis
4 Master of the Pearl Trident
4 Merfolk Mistbinder
4 Merfolk Soverign
4 Merrow Reejerey
4 Silvergill Adept
4 Tide Shaper
(12) Non-Merfolk:
4 Aether Vial (modern)
4 Force of Will (legacy)
4 Spreading Seas (modern)
4 Cavern of Souls (modern)
4 Misty Rainforest (modern)
4 Mutavault (modern)
4 Tropical Island (legacy)
3 Island
1 Forest
4 Compost (legacy)
4 Master of the Waves (modern)
4 Submerge (legacy)
3 Llawan, Cephalid Empress (legacy)
-After losing to Humans in modern (post #10382), I decided I needed more interaction. So I went w/Faeries over Merfolk.
-Here's the deck I actually played (post #10), https://www.mtgsalvation.com/forums/the-game/other-formats/816407-tribal-wars
4 players, event cancelled due to lack of attendance.
4 Bitterblossom
4 Brazen Borrower
4 Faerie Seer
4 Scion of Oona
4 Spellstutter Sprite
(20) Non-Faeries:
4 Force of Will
4 Ponder
4 Preordain
4 Witch's Vengeance
4 Witness Protection (synergy w/Dread of Night)
4 Mutavault
4 Polluted Delta
4 Secluded Glen
4 Underground Sea
3 Island
1 Swamp
4 Dread of Night (-4 Ponder)
4 Sea Sprite (-4 Brazen Borrower)
4 Submerge (-4 Ponder)
3 Llawan, Cephalid Empress (-2 Ponder, -1 Witch's Vengeance)
Notes from #8:
-Witness Protection replaced Fatal Push (Witness Protection pitches to Force of Will.)
-Force of Will replaced Jace, Vryn's Prodigy (Can't flashback Fatal Push anymore.)
While waiting for more players, we played 3 player commander and I won my first commander match tonight!
Test vs Mono Blue Wizards, 5-0 games.
-No SB (opponent didn't have a SB.)
-After our match, I suggested some elements of my UB Wizard list, from post #3:
4 Dark Confidant (Highly recommended. Got him thinking.)
4 Harbinger of the Tides
4 Jace, Vryn’s Prodigy
4 Merfolk Trickster
4 Siren Stormtamer
(20) Other:
4 Fatal Push
4 Mental Note
4 Skaab Ruinator
4 Thought Scour
4 Witch’s Vengeance
4 Cavern of Souls
4 Creeping Tar Pit (I suggested Riptide Laboratory but I also admitted I cut it in favor of Creeping Tar Pit.)
4 Darkslick Shores
4 Underground Sea
4 Watery Grave
4 Dread of Night
4 Tidebender Mage
3 Leyline of the Void
3 Llawan, Cephalid Empress
1 Kira, Great Glass-Spinner
10 players, 3 rounds, 2-1 matches, 5-3 games, 5th place.
4 Aven Riftwatcher
4 Bound in Silence
4 Defiant Falcon
4 Ramosian Lieutenant
4 Ramosian Sergeant*
4 Zealot il-Vec
4 Journey to Nowhere
4 Venomous Changeling (credit to Upkeep, post #21)
(28) Mana:
20 Plains
4 Cave of Temptation
4 Mind Stone (ramp)
4 Gut Shot (my LGS metas vs Gut Shot)
4 Lone Missionary
4 Patrician's Scorn (-4 Journey to Nowhere)
3 Nightwind Glider
*Mind Stone compensates for Ramosian Sergeant slow tempo.
Guy who laughed at me 2 weeks ago for playing a Modern card in Pioneer showed up today for tomorrows tournament and even tried to pay $5 for entry fee! He even went 0-1 drop last week. Karma's a balding *****, LOL.
Round 1 vs Mono Black Devotion. 1-2 games.
SB +3 Nightwind Glider, -3 Zealot il-Vec.
Can't seem to win this matchup no matter what I try.
Round 2 vs Mono Green Stompy. 2-0 games.
No SB.
Round 3 vs Red Black Direct Damage. 2-1 games.
SB +4 Lone Missionary, -4 Journey to Nowhere.
-In game one, my opponent thought he could pay RR on Chain Lightning to "fork it," even tho I didn't return it to him. The judge on duty even agreed w/him! I wasn't satisfied so I asked another store employee who explained the card text to the judge…
-I won the next 2 games via massive life gain.
-After our match my opponent asked to play for fun. I agreed. Then he asked if he could play first. I asked him if he was using the same deck. He said he wasn't so I opted for a dice roll instead. When the store closed, I had total board control and my opponent had zero cards in hand. He says, "I guess it's a draw." Whatever dude /rolleyes
Conclusion: I gotta figure out a way to beat Mono Black Devotion. I'm open to suggestions…
20 players, 3 rounds, 2-1 matches, 5-3 games, 8th place.
4 Lord of Atlantis
4 Master of the Pearl Trident
4 Merfolk Mistbinder
4 Merfolk Sovereign
4 Merrow Reejerey
(20) Non-Lords:
4 Aether Vial
4 Force of Negation
4 Silvergill Adept
4 Spreading Seas
4 Tide Shaper
4 Breeding Pool
4 Cavern of Souls
4 Misty Rainforest
4 Mutavault
3 Island
1 Forest
4 Brazen Borrower
4 Masked Vandal (synergy w/lords and Aether Vial)
4 Serum Visions (when Spreading Seas isn't necessary)
3 Grafdigger's Cage
Round 1 vs Humans, 1-2 games.
No SB
Aether Vial seemed to determine games.
Round 2 vs Living End 2-1 games.
Game 1, my opponent resolved Living End and won.
SB +3 Grafdigger's Cage, -3 Merfolk Sovereign (game 2.)
Game 2, my opponent explained how Grafdigger's Cage doesn't affect Living End. He couldn't cascade tho so I won.
SB, revert to default (+3 Merfolk Sovereign, -3 Grafdigger's Cage.)
Game 3, I Force of Negation his Living End and won.
Test vs legacy Death & Taxes, 2-1.
SB +4 Masked Vandal (Stoneforge Mystic), -4 Force of Negation.
My modern Merfolk deck fared better vs his legacy Death & Taxes, than my legacy Splinter Twin:
https://www.mtgsalvation.com/forums/the-game/legacy-type-1-5/developing-legacy/827174-lava-twin
Afterward, he recommended Soul-Guide Lantern for graveyard hate.
Round 3 vs UW Phasing/Connive 2-0 games.
No SB
We played a game 3 for fun and he got me.
4 Masked Vandal
4 Relic of Progenitus (prefer over Soul-Guide Lantern b/c in multiples, you can keep opponent's graveyard empty.)
4 Serum Visions
3 Spellskite (boggles/connive/infect)
4 Deceiver Exarch
4 Grim Lavamancer (vs Death & Taxes)
(32) Spells:
4 Brainstorm
4 Consider
4 Force of Negation
4 Force of Will
4 Ponder
4 Preordain
4 Splinter Twin
4 Swan Song
4 Bloodstained Mire (credit to Ben)
4 Polluted Delta
4 Scalding Tarn
4 Volcanic Island
3 Island
1 Mountain (credit to Ben)
4 Submerge
3 Surgical Extraction
2 Blood Moon
2 Null Rod
2 Search for Azcanta
2 Spellskite
Note: I tend to mulligan hands that don't have a combo piece or Grim Lavamancer.
Ben helped out my mana base by Wastelanding me.
15 players, 3 rounds, 2-1 matches, 5-3 games, 7th place.
4 Lord of Atlantis
4 Master of the Pearl Trident
4 Merfolk Mistbinder
4 Merfolk Sovereign
4 Merrow Reejerey
(20) Non-Lords:
4 Aether Vial
4 Force of Negation
4 Serum Visions
4 Silvergill Adept
4 Tide Shaper
4 Botanical Sanctum
4 Breeding Pool
4 Cavern of Souls
4 Island
4 Lumbering Falls
4 Master of Waves
4 Mistcaller
4 Tidebinder Mage
3 Brazen Borrower
"Oops, All Lords" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOFaveogbag
Test 1 vs Mono White Equip, 1-2 games.
No SB
Round 1 vs Tron, 1-2 games.
No SB
Test 2 vs UB Mill, 1-1 games.
No SB
Round 2 vs UW Standard 2-0 games.
No SB
Test 3 vs UW Standard 1-0 games.
No SB
Round 3 vs Death & Taxes, 2-1 games.
SB +3 Brazen Borrower, -3 Force of Negation.
Conclusion:
-Stoneforge Mystic was a popular card tonight.
-My merfolk themed board was useless.
New build:
4 Lord of Atlantis
4 Master of the Pearl Trident
4 Merfolk Mistbinder
4 Silvergill Adept
4 Svyelun of Sea and Sky
4 Tide Shaper
(16) Non-Merfolk:
4 Aether Vial
4 Force of Negation
4 Serum Visions
4 Spreading Seas
4 Botanical Sanctum
4 Breeding Pool
4 Cavern of Souls
4 Island
4 Lumbering Falls
4 Ceremonious Rejection (Tron)
4 Masked Vandal (Stoneforge Mystic)
4 Witness Protection
3 Brazen Borrower
4 Bloodbraid Elf
4 Fauna Shaman (discard Progenitus)
4 Reclamation Sage
4 Steel Leaf Champion (credit to Ernest)
2 Elvish Mystic
2 Llanowar Elves
(17) Other:
4 Green Sun’s Zenith
4 Lightning Bolt
4 Natural Order
4 Punishing Fire
1 Progenitus
4 Forest
4 Grove of the Burnwillows
4 Taiga
4 Raging Ravine
2 Misty Rainforest
2 Verdant Catacombs
2 Windswept Heath
1 Dryad Arbor (Green Sun for 0)
4 Feed the Clan
4 Pyroblast
4 Red Elemental Blast
3 Scavenging Ooze
-Fun brew but too "clunky" and not as smooth as Pioneer Spirits.
-The deck I actually used is here - https://www.mtgsalvation.com/forums/the-game/pioneer/826834-mono-blue-spirits
8 players, 3 rounds, 3-0 matches, 6-2 games, 1st place.
4 Ascendant Spirit
4 Mausoleum Wanderer
4 Rattlechains
4 Spectral Sailor
4 Supreme Phantom
4 Curious Obsession (pioneer)
4 Force of Negation (pioneer)
4 Force of Will (legacy)
4 Preordain (legacy)
4 Witness Protection (pioneer)
20 Snow-Covered Island
4 Brazen Borrower (pioneer)
4 Ceremonious Rejection (pioneer)
4 Submerge (legacy)
3 Llawan, Cephalid Empress (legacy)
Test vs U/W Spirits, 1-0-1 games.
SB: none (no time.)
Round 1 vs Elf Boggles, 2-1 games.
SB +4 Brazen Borrower (for auras.) -4 Witness Protection (hexproof creatures.)
Round 2 vs U/W Spirits, 2-1 games.
SB: +3 Llawan, Cephalid Empress, -3 Force of Negation.
Game 1, I mulled to 5 but Curious Obsession kept me competitive. When he played blockers, my Curious Obsession fell off and that was my end.
Game 2, 4 Ascendant Spirit showed up during a stalemate and they grew too big for his blockers.
Game 3, He tapped out so Llawan, Cephalid Empress cinched me the game and match.
Round 3 vs Mono Black Zombies, 2-0 games.
No SB: I was unprepared. Grave hate seems appropriate tho.
Conclusion: Basically judge Matt's pioneer list w/legacy upgrades. Ceremonious Rejection was for Eldrazi.
8 Island
4 Ash Barrens
4 Forest
4 Thornwood Falls
(24) U Spells:
4 Careful Study
4 Deep Analysis
4 Force of Will
4 Quiet Speculation
4 Witness Protection
4 Wonder
4 Roar of the Wurm
4 Werebear
4 Wild Mongrel
(4) R/W Spells:
2 Ancient Grudge
2 Ray of Revelation
4 Compost
4 Feed the Clan
4 Submerge
1 Ancient Grudge
1 Nature’s Claim
1 Ray of Revelation
Notes:
-Witness Protection improved this deck's removal over Pongify and Rapid Hybridization.
-I main artifact/enchantment hate now so I don't get caught naked game 1.
-Careful Study and Wild Mongrel need chaff to discard.
-I like late Quiet Speculation still having targets.
SB vs Black:
+4 Compost. -2 Ancient Grudge, -2 Ray of Revelation.
SB vs Red:
+4 Feed the Clan. -2 Ancient Grudge, -2 Ray of Revelation.
SB vs Green:
+4 Submerge. -2 Ancient Grudge, -2 Ray of Revelation.
SB vs Artifacts:
+1 Ancient Grudge, +1 Nature's Claim. -2 Ray of Revelation.
SB vs Enchantments:
+1 Ray of Revelation, +1 Nature's Claim. -2 Ancient Grudge.