05/15/21 Standard Pauper
8-10 players, 3 rounds, 1st place.
I haven't played standard since 2019. Idk standard's meta or format defining cards. So I called my LGS today and asked Fox (LGS judge) if he could lend me a deck. He told me he had Elves and allowed me to modify it.
I felt pretty grateful to judge Fox and bought a deck box, sleeves and all the commons I used!
Round 1 vs Azorious, 2-0.
SB: none.
Round 2 vs MonoRed, 2-0.
SB: +4 Gnarled Sage. -3 Raven Wings, -1 Pridemalkin.
I don't need Raven Wings to close games. If I survive long enough, the fatties will out-attrition him.
Round 3 vs MonoRed, 2-0.
SB: +4 Gnarled Sage. -3 Raven Wings, -1 Pridemalkin.
I don't need Raven Wings to close games. If I survive long enough, the fatties will out-attrition him.
Playtest vs Orhzov, 2-0.
I drew cards, played threats and removed blockers. Basically I imposed my gameplan while denying him his.
After game 2, he announced he was going to play commander and left in a hurry.
Round 1 vs Naya Burn, 2-0.
SB: +4 Spellskite, -4 Inquisition of Kozilek. Spellskite reduces damage off burn and his hand empties too fast for Inquisition of Kozilek.
I haven't seen my opponent in years and he apparently rebuilt his old deck just prior to this event.
After our match, I recommended Cindervines to him.
Round 2 vs Orhzov 2-0.
SB: none
Same playtest opponent. Same result.
This time he got really salty after our match. He announced he would play commander, found everyone else busy, then hurriedly left the venue.
Before game 1, he disclosed he's new to competitive magic. If I had to assume, I think he beats all his friends and expected the same here.
Also, I haven't researched at all so Izzet Prowess caught me off guard. I probably wouldn't have played him in a sanctioned event since I was 2-0 matches/4-0 games heading into round 3, while he was only 1-1 matches. I heard the pairings were randomized. Who knows? ¯\_()_/¯
The 3-0 winner ran Golgari Death's Shadow, which I can only assume is a budget build b/c he shouldn't be afraid of running too many shock lands. IDK what the runner up ran. I was third and my round 3 opponent finished fourth.
Tourney Rules:
The Tribal Wars event will use the following rules:
The banned list found here: https://mtg.gamepedia.com/Tribal_Wars
As well as any card currently banned in the modern format
Tourney Rules:
The Tribal Wars event will use the following rules:
The banned list found here: https://mtg.gamepedia.com/Tribal_Wars
As well as any card currently banned in the modern format
8-10 players, 3 rounds, 1st place.
I haven't played standard since 2019. Idk standard's meta or format defining cards. So I called my LGS today and asked Fox (LGS judge) if he could lend me a deck. He told me he had Elves and allowed me to modify it.
"Elves"
4 Bayou Groff (fatty, sac 1/1's)
4 Guardian Gladewalker (sac to Bayou Groff, elf)
4 Jaspera Sentinel (ramp, elf)
4 Llanowar Visionary (ramp, elf)
4 Professor of Zoomancy (fatty, sac to Bayou Groff)
4 Ravenous Lindwurm (fatty, lifegain)
3 Pridemalkin (trample for fatties)
4 Mammoth Growth (foretell bluff)
4 Struggle for Skemfar (foretell bluff)
3 Raven Wings (flying for fatties)
(22) Lands:
18 Forest
4 Radiant Fountain (underrated lifegain)
4 Gnarled Sage (additional fatty)
4 Masked Vandal (vs aggro + equip/aura, like Boros)
4 Tangletrap (artifact + flying hate seemed practical)
2 Broken Wings (versatile)
1 Raven Wings (4th copy if opponent has artifact hate)
I felt pretty grateful to judge Fox and bought a deck box, sleeves and all the commons I used!
Round 1 vs Azorious, 2-0.
SB: none.
Round 2 vs MonoRed, 2-0.
SB: +4 Gnarled Sage. -3 Raven Wings, -1 Pridemalkin.
I don't need Raven Wings to close games. If I survive long enough, the fatties will out-attrition him.
Round 3 vs MonoRed, 2-0.
SB: +4 Gnarled Sage. -3 Raven Wings, -1 Pridemalkin.
I don't need Raven Wings to close games. If I survive long enough, the fatties will out-attrition him.
Conclusion: Idk if Gnarled Sage is the optimal SB fatty but I ain't complaining!
I saw Alex (limited guru) rocking Sarulf's Packmate. 05/22/21 - I'd cut 3 Pridemalkin and 1 Mammoth Growth for space.
05/22/21 Update:
4 Aven Riftwatcher
4 Guardian of the Guildpact
4 Looter il-Kor
4 Squadron Hawk
4 Trinket Mage
(20) Non-Creatures:
4 Bonesplitter (Opponents can ignore Sylvok Lifestaff)
4 Brainstorm
4 Counterspell
4 Journey to Nowhere
4 Ponder
6 Island
4 Ash Barrens
4 Tranquil Cove
2 Ancient Den
2 Plains
2 Seat of the Synod
4 Gut Shot
4 Patrician's Scorn
4 Relic of Progenitus
3 Circle of Protection: Red
4 Aven Riftwatcher (helps stabilize)
4 Guardian of the Guildpact
4 Looter il-Kor
4 Squadron Hawk
4 Trinket Mage
(20) Non-Creatures:
4 Brainstorm
4 Counterspell
4 Journey to Nowhere
4 Ponder
4 Sylvok Lifestaff (perfect w/Riftwatcher)
6 Island
4 Ash Barrens
4 Tranquil Cove
2 Ancient Den
2 Plains
2 Seat of the Synod
4 Gut Shot
4 Patrician's Scorn
4 Relic of Progenitus
3 Disenchant
10 players, 3 rounds, 3rd place.
4 Birds of Paradise
4 Courser of Kruphix (4/4 w/Doran)
4 Dark Confidant
4 Doran, the Siege Tower
4 Siege Rhino
(16) Spells:
4 Abrupt Decay
4 Fatal Push
4 Inquisition of Kozilek
4 Liliana of the Veil
4 Blooming Marsh
4 Hissing Quagmire
4 Marsh Flats
4 Windswept Heath
2 Forest
2 Swamp
1 Godless Shrine
1 Overgrown Tomb
1 Plains
1 Temple Garden
4 Spellskite (vs Boggles, -4 Fatal Push/vs Infect, -4 Inquisition of Kozilek. 4/4 w/Doran.)
4 Witch’s Vengeance (vs Tribal, -4 Inquisition of Kozilek)
3 Rest In Peace (vs Dredge, -3 Inquisition of Kozilek)
3 Stony Silence (vs Affinity, -3 Inquisition of Kozilek)
1 Path to Exile (4th RIP/Silence)
Notes: IMO Abzan (Doran, the Siege Tower/Siege Rhino) > Jund (Bloodbraid Elf/Lightning Bolt).
Playtest vs Orhzov, 2-0.
I drew cards, played threats and removed blockers. Basically I imposed my gameplan while denying him his.
After game 2, he announced he was going to play commander and left in a hurry.
Round 1 vs Naya Burn, 2-0.
SB: +4 Spellskite, -4 Inquisition of Kozilek.
Spellskite reduces damage off burn and his hand empties too fast for Inquisition of Kozilek.
I haven't seen my opponent in years and he apparently rebuilt his old deck just prior to this event.
After our match, I recommended Cindervines to him.
Round 2 vs Orhzov 2-0.
SB: none
Same playtest opponent. Same result.
This time he got really salty after our match. He announced he would play commander, found everyone else busy, then hurriedly left the venue.
Before game 1, he disclosed he's new to competitive magic. If I had to assume, I think he beats all his friends and expected the same here.
Round 3 vs Izzet Prowess, 1-2.
SB: +4 Spellskite, -4 Inquisition of Kozilek.
His hand empties too fast for Inquisition of Kozilek. Spellskite can redirect his burn and his Mutagenic Growths.
I lost games 2 and 3 b/c I had no removal for his Stormwing Entity. All my Fatal Pushes and Abrupt Decays looked rediculous in my hand.
Conclusion: Got too caught up in theme when I brewed this deck. Inquisition of Kozilek and Abrupt Decay only affect 3 mana or less cards. Fatal Push is only 4 mana or less. My lack of Assassin's Trophy didn't cost me until round 3. My round 3 opponent didn't even counter spell anything. I was too scared of ramping my opponents to run Assassin's Trophy. Going forward, I would +4 Assassin's Trophy, -4 Abrupt Decay.
Also, I haven't researched at all so Izzet Prowess caught me off guard. I probably wouldn't have played him in a sanctioned event since I was 2-0 matches/4-0 games heading into round 3, while he was only 1-1 matches. I heard the pairings were randomized. Who knows? ¯\_()_/¯
The 3-0 winner ran Golgari Death's Shadow, which I can only assume is a budget build b/c he shouldn't be afraid of running too many shock lands. IDK what the runner up ran. I was third and my round 3 opponent finished fourth.
Is white really worse than blue? I'll have to do another limited tourney...
Tourney Rules:
The Tribal Wars event will use the following rules:
The banned list found here: https://mtg.gamepedia.com/Tribal_Wars
As well as any card currently banned in the modern format
MonoBlue Merfolk Tribe:
4 Benthic Biomancer
4 Lord of Atlantis
4 Master of the Pearl Trident
4 Merfolk Trickster
4 Silvergill Adept
4 True-Name Nemesis
4 Aether Vial (helps under Chalice)
4 Ancestral Vision (0 mana cost)
4 Chalice of the Void
4 Phantasmal Image
(20) Land:
16 Island
4 Cavern of Souls (helps under Chalice)
4 Mistcaller (vs Recur, -4 Benthic Biomancer)
4 Submerge (vs Elves, -4 Phantasmal Image)
3 Harbinger of the Tides (vs Mirror, -3 Lord of Atlantis)
3 Spreading Seas (vs ???, -3 Chalice of the Void)
1 Kira, Great Glass-Spinner (4th Harbinger/Seas)
8 players, 3 rounds, Black/Green/blue.
2 Springmane Cervin
1 Bookwurm
1 Cogwork Archivist
1 Dina, Soul Streeper
1 Fractal Summoning
1 Hunt for Specimens
1 Overgrown Arch
1 Pest Summoning
1 Professor of Zoomancy
1 Scurrid Colony
1 Silverquill Pledgemage
1 Specter of the Fens
1 Umbral Juke
2 Mage Hunters' Onslaught
1 Charge Through (situational - NOT a cantrip)
1 Flunk (reliable removal)
1 Rise of Extus
1 Snakeskin Veil
1 Tangletrap
(1) Planeswalker:
1 Kasmina, Enigma Sage (MVP, worth the blue splash)
(18) Lands:
7 Forest
7 Swamp
2 Island (Kasmina)
1 Archway Commons (Kasmina)
1 Witherbloom Campus
Round 1 vs Bant, 2-1.
I lost the game where he grinded me out via his Bookwurm. Other two I won.
Round 2 vs BG, 2-0.
Round 3 vs UR, 2-0.
My tier list for Strixhaven pairings:
1. BG
2. BW
3. RW
4. GU
5. RU
My tier list for individual colors:
1. B
2. G
3. R
4. W
5. U
Tourney Rules:
The Tribal Wars event will use the following rules:
The banned list found here: https://mtg.gamepedia.com/Tribal_Wars
As well as any card currently banned in the modern format
Wizard Tribe:
4 Dark Confidant
4 Harbinger of the Tides*
4 Jace, Vryn’s Prodigy (flashback Witch’s Vengeance)
4 Merfolk Trickster*
4 Siren Stormtamer
(20) Other:
4 Fatal Push
4 Mental Note**
4 Skaab Ruinator (finisher)
4 Thought Scour**
4 Witch’s Vengeance (makes black the best tribal color)
4 Cavern of Souls
4 Creeping Tar Pit (proactive mana sink. replaced Riptide Laboratory)
4 Darkslick Shores
4 Underground Sea
4 Watery Grave
4 Dread of Night (-4 Fatal Push)
4 Tidebender Mage* (-4 Fatal Push)
3 Leyline of the Void (-3 Fatal Push)
3 Llawan, Cephalid Empress (vs Mirror, -3 Witch’s Vengeance)
1 Kira, Great Glass-Spinner (4th Leyline/Llawan)
Still rocking the merfolk*
Self-mill is why I don't run fetch lands**
Giant Tribe:
4 Frost Titan
4 Grave Titan
4 Inferno Titan
4 Primeval Titan
4 Sun Titan
(20) Other (All non-creature spells are 1-2 mana.)
4 Animate Dead
4 Enlightened Tutor
4 Exhume
4 Reanimate (ALWAYS choose to draw/go second. discard giant turn 1. Reanimate giant turn 2.)
4 Zombie Infestation
5 Swamp
4 Concealed Courtyard
4 Marsh Flats
4 Scrubland
1 Plains
1 Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
1 Vault of the Archangel (fetch w/PrimeTime)
4 Dread of Night (-4 Exhume)
4 Inquisition of Kozilek (-4 Exhume)
3 Leyline of the Void (-3 Exhume)
3 Perish (-3 Exhume)
1 Seal of Cleansing (4th Leyline/Perish)
Faerie Tribe:
4 Bitterblossom
4 Brazen Borrower
4 Faerie Seer
4 Scion of Oona
4 Spellstutter Sprite
(20) Other:
4 Ancestral Vision
4 Brainstorm
4 Fatal Push
4 Smuggler’s Copter
4 Standstill
4 Darkslick Shores
4 Mutavault
4 Secluded Glen (added 04/06/21)
4 Underground Sea
2 Polluted Delta
1 Island
1 Swamp
4 Dread of Night (-4 Standstill)
4 Sea Sprite (-4 Standstill)
2 Leyline of the Void (-2 Standstill)
2 Llawan, Cephalid Empress (-2 Standstill)
2 Perish (-2 Standstill)
1 Emrakul/Kozilek/Ulamog (vs mill, -1 Standstill)
04/07/21 Perish replaced Submerge in the SB. After adding 4 Secluded Glen, I had 2 less Island/2 less Polluted Delta.)
04/14/21 Llawan, Cephalid Empress and Emrakul/Kozilek/Ulamog added to SB. Brainstorm and Smuggler’s Copter get Eldrazi out of your hand.
4 Carnophage
4 Dauthi Horror
4 Dauthi Slayer
4 Erg Raiders
4 Priest of Gix
4 Sarcomancy
4 Cursed Scroll
(4) Enchantments:
4 Bad Moon
(4) Instants:
4 Dark Ritual
(3) Sorceries:
3 Persecute (Mind Twist)
(21) Land:
15 Swamp
4 Wasteland
2 City of Traitors (combo w/Priest of Gix)
4 Dread of Night
4 Perish
4 Wall of Souls
3 Duress
Persecute is underrated and allowed me to defeat RDW once.
standard - https://decks.tcgplayer.com/magic/standard/byron-juarez/boat-brew/361111