I wouldn't build my SB that way, anyone know why he did?
Sideboards are flexible and meta-specific. If you don't agree with my choices, then by all means run whatever you want.
To be honest I totally forgot about Brutality. It seems like a good fit and so does 1-2x copies of Tasigur/Angler.
Collective Brutality actually goes incredibly well with Tasigur/Gurmag Angler. Turns can have some trouble filling its graveyard compared to other decks with delve threats, and Brutality is a great way to help enable an early delve threat by ditching 2 cards for free while getting pretty reasonable effects in the process.
if its not Push, and Brutality that you are playing, the reasons to splash black are limited.
If you're not playing some combination of Fatal Push, Brutality, and delve threats, then I agree there's not much reason to play with a black splash, as those are the black cards that I feel most help the bad matchups for mono-blue. Those three cards and Engineered Explosives and the entire reason I was splashing.
I'm still not sure I want to do Push only because I basically NEED Fetchlands
As for number of fetchlands, you don't actually need that many, as even the non-revolt mode on Push is fine (and I don't think I even Pushed a CMC 3+ creature during the whole tournament). Fetchlands do make delve creatures easier to cast, but I agree that you don't want too painful of a manabase. I've had a reasonable number of games would have completely changed based on a difference of 1 - 3ish life, so it's a tough line to walk.
Thanks for the welcome! Apparently I forgot the part where I write about how strongly I dislike Remand. I think that was my biggest difference in opinion, the other being Ancestral (though I suppose that's a more split camp thing).
I've been lurking this thread for a long time and want to thank everyone for their contributions. I posted a tournament report and discussion thread on Reddit. Be forewarned that some of my opinions clash with the majority opinions here, but they're just opinions so do what you want with them.
I'll answer any questions there. Keep taking turns!
Sideboards are flexible and meta-specific. If you don't agree with my choices, then by all means run whatever you want.
Collective Brutality actually goes incredibly well with Tasigur/Gurmag Angler. Turns can have some trouble filling its graveyard compared to other decks with delve threats, and Brutality is a great way to help enable an early delve threat by ditching 2 cards for free while getting pretty reasonable effects in the process.
If you're not playing some combination of Fatal Push, Brutality, and delve threats, then I agree there's not much reason to play with a black splash, as those are the black cards that I feel most help the bad matchups for mono-blue. Those three cards and Engineered Explosives and the entire reason I was splashing.
As for number of fetchlands, you don't actually need that many, as even the non-revolt mode on Push is fine (and I don't think I even Pushed a CMC 3+ creature during the whole tournament). Fetchlands do make delve creatures easier to cast, but I agree that you don't want too painful of a manabase. I've had a reasonable number of games would have completely changed based on a difference of 1 - 3ish life, so it's a tough line to walk.
Edit: Yeah, pretty sure I just had too many links in my post.
Edit: Shadowban is lifted
I'll answer any questions there. Keep taking turns!