As I've said before, I will keep playing Blood Moon in the main until it stops giving me free wins. It hasn't yet, so I'm happy to keep running it, especially given how good that this deck is at churning through cards and discarding cards that aren't currently useful.
Someone I'd consider one of the experts on Mardu, Galan Falakfarsa (who gave the deck it's first major result in a paper tournament) is currently not running any Lilianas or Manamorphoses in his list - due to a combination of running into a lot of Burn online in which Manamorphose is a terrible card and because he feels like cutting removal for card draw is counterproductive against a lot of decks. His list is also currently running 2 mainboard Moons.
While Fatal Push is an incredibly powerful card, I'm decidedly unimpressed with it in general, but that's mainly because when I'm trying to Blood Moon my opponent, if I land it and they then have a creature I need to remove, getting revolt can be very difficult.
I'm currently experimenting with a list with 4x Manamorphose and a list with 0 of them. The 4x Manamorphose list feels super powerful, but since they're all sold out from where I get my cards, I have to borrow them rather than use my own.
Interesting. What have you removed to make room for the additional Manamorphose?
I am still having a lot of fun and success with the Pack Rat/Rabblemaster iteration of this deck. I was previously running one Chandra and 3 Pack Rat, but have decided to remove the Chandra in favour of another Pack Rat. I want as much consistency as possible and I also want an environment that will increase the likelihood of my being able to hit with Hazoret as soon as I plant her. Hazoret has won me many games -- she is a monster.
I will be trying to find a place for Chandra in the sideboard, but I'm not really sure what to remove. I'm thinking I may remove Pithing Needle for now, as I can't remember the last time I used it successfully.
Also, I'm weighing up Anger of the Gods versus Kozilek's Return. Kozilek seems to have the benefits of being single red and instant, but the extra damage and exile function of Anger is desirable. Anyone here have any thoughts?
Corey Burkhart just posted a new list on Channel Fireball. It's pretty sweet. I was just beaten by it in a mirror match on XMage. Bedlam Reveler is extremely strong. https://www.channelfireball.com/articles/rat-moon/
I often find Bristling Hydra is the MVP period. It's interesting to me that so many people play 3.
Every time I play the mirror, if the other guy sticks a Hydra--I find myself back pedaling the rest of the game. any tips?
I agree. I insist on playing 4 Hydra. It is an extremely strong Magic card and I'm generally happy to see it in my hand/on my side of the battlefield.
Opposing Hydras are tricky to deal with -- it depends on how much energy they have. Sometimes there are moments where you can coax the opponent into draining their energy to make thopters and hence burn the Hydra. Otherwise, I often meet their Hydra with my own Hydra, trade, and then play an additional threat to re-stabilise.
Busy work week for me, I did jump into 2 friendly leagues to get my bearings (and mining play points ). Both leagues went 3-2, with 3 of those losses being mono red. Sand Strangler is MEAN card lol.
Here's my list and it's not exactly "updated", I just really like my 6 counterspells out of the SB:
Now that I've racked up enough play points I'll jump into the competitive league. What did I beat?:
UW Gift 2-0
Temur Mirror 2-0
BR Midrange 2-0
2 Mono Black Aggro both 2-0
1 Sultai Pummeler 2-0
What did I lose this week?
Ramunap Red x3 YEAH... I might need a little advice on SB'ing against this, the Strangler version is not a fun experience
1) 0-2
2) 1-2
3) 0-2
All three found a ferocidon to screw with my Whirler's. Being on the draw G1 is so...BLAH!!
Temur 1x in 3.
G1 Win, G2 I flooded and died, G3 he stuck an early chandra and I couldn't beat it.
Howdy. I do not have a huge amount of experience playing against the Sandstrangler version of mono-red, but I typically find that Bristling Hydra is the MVP in the red match-up. If you can land a Hydra or two with sufficient energy to provide them hexproof, you're in an extremely advantageous position. I'd imagine that Hydra would also be quite strong against Sandstrangler considering Hydra's hexproof ability. If you're able to stabilise with Hydras and then curve into a Glorybringer or two, they're essentially done.
Against Red, I usually remove Chandra, Flagship and some Servants/Cubs, to make way for Chandra's Defeat, Abrade, Confiscation Coup and Commit/Memory.
Have started jamming this deck both in paper and mtgo. The more experience I get with it, the more I see why it's considered the "best deck" in the format. The options are crazy good in this deck. Went 2-1 last night in a paper tournament and tested this week on mtgo with strong results. I'll jump into a competitive league and start getting my teeth kicked soon. The decisions trees are complex and you get rewarded for tight play.
I lost to 4c energy last night. G1 I outplayed him and won with a single thopter :p. G2 and G3 he resolved Scarab God and I didn't have the answers (plus I flooded supa hard in G2-3). I don't like the black splash, a lot of players in my area on still on ramunap red and you get punished hard when lose 4x glorybringers and mana consistency. The same 4c energy player got rolled by red 2-0 and afterwards we laughed about it but it wasn't pretty.
Yes, I love this deck due to its flexibility. What's your build like?
I've included a Commit/Memory, because last week I got wrecked by a few too many Vraskas and Scarab Gods and I want additional means of dealing with these threats.
I have substituted Abrades for Lightning Strikes due to the paucity of artifacts in my meta (mostly consists of 4C energy, UB midrange, UB control, UW Approach, some red). Lightning Strikes have the obvious added benefit of being able to go to the face and can hit Planeswalkers (ie. Vraska). I have also decided that Strikes are a better source of burn than Magma Spray; there has been too many times where I have held a Magma Spray in hand whilst staring down a 3-toughness threat.
I am looking forward to seeing how this list fares, although I'm not entirely sure about the sideboard. Nissa, Vital Force is still a maybe, only because I haven't had the opportunity to cast her yet! Anyone here have any suggestions about my main or sideboard that might be helpful in tackling the above described meta?
Be aware that Vraska's Contempt and other BB spells are not the same as splashing for B. There are decks with Vraska's Contempt, but they are really Sultai Red with Glint-Sleeve Siphoner and no RR cards like Chandra or Glorybringer, from what I've seen.
I see. I will study some lists and see what's viable. Thank you!
Hey folks. Does anyone here have any insight on how to deal with Vraska with 3C Temur? I find her to be an absolute pain the backside. Glorybringer and Flagship are often helpful, but it would be nice to have access to additional tools. I'm considering including 1 x Liliana's Defeat in sideboard (to cast with Aether Hub), but it seems like a lot to dedicate for one pesky Planeswalker.
I think that having B cards that you may not be able to cast is the worst option. Running B cards is no doubt possible. Changing the manabase is a cost, although if your only B cards are in the sideboard, you could put the Swamp in the sideboard.
In your shoes, I would step back and look at the best Temur Black list you can find. They are a reasonable competitive choice. Decide whether you want the splash. But give yourself the best chance to play your cards.
Thanks for the response, Hoser. I agree that playing the one black spell in sideboard is less than ideal. I have considered moving into 4C energy, and maybe picking up a Vraska or two of my own (fighting fire with fire!). That way, cards like Vraska's Contempt will also be at my disposal.
Hey folks. Does anyone here have any insight on how to deal with Vraska with 3C Temur? I find her to be an absolute pain the backside. Glorybringer and Flagship are often helpful, but it would be nice to have access to additional tools. I'm considering including 1 x Liliana's Defeat in sideboard (to cast with Aether Hub), but it seems like a lot to dedicate for one pesky Planeswalker.
I thought I would try tuning the main a little to have better game against control and randoms. Gonna see how the planeswalker package does, along with the Supreme Wills. Still on the gearhulk plan this week. If it doesn't go my way I'll look into alternatives. If I'm lucky I'll be able to find the 4th Blooming Marsh that I need...
Sideboard has mostly well-known choices. I tested against control on the weekend with Lifecrafter's Bestiary and it was insane. So much card quality and extra draw. Obelisk Spider is there for RR and Temur. Dunno if it'll pan out but no harm in trying. I'll report back either way!
That's interesting, re: Lifecrafter's Bestiary. What match-ups did you bring it in for?
Forgot about that one. Good point.
Why is Manamorphose a terrible card against Burn?
Do you find that you miss the Blood Moons at all?
When do you typically board in Hazoret?
Interesting. What have you removed to make room for the additional Manamorphose?
Does anyone have any thoughts as to why GT is using an Arid Mesa instead of the fourth Marsh Flats?
I am still having a lot of fun and success with the Pack Rat/Rabblemaster iteration of this deck. I was previously running one Chandra and 3 Pack Rat, but have decided to remove the Chandra in favour of another Pack Rat. I want as much consistency as possible and I also want an environment that will increase the likelihood of my being able to hit with Hazoret as soon as I plant her. Hazoret has won me many games -- she is a monster.
I will be trying to find a place for Chandra in the sideboard, but I'm not really sure what to remove. I'm thinking I may remove Pithing Needle for now, as I can't remember the last time I used it successfully.
Also, I'm weighing up Anger of the Gods versus Kozilek's Return. Kozilek seems to have the benefits of being single red and instant, but the extra damage and exile function of Anger is desirable. Anyone here have any thoughts?
Here's my list for reference.
Corey Burkhart just posted a new list on Channel Fireball. It's pretty sweet. I was just beaten by it in a mirror match on XMage. Bedlam Reveler is extremely strong.
https://www.channelfireball.com/articles/rat-moon/
I agree. I insist on playing 4 Hydra. It is an extremely strong Magic card and I'm generally happy to see it in my hand/on my side of the battlefield.
Opposing Hydras are tricky to deal with -- it depends on how much energy they have. Sometimes there are moments where you can coax the opponent into draining their energy to make thopters and hence burn the Hydra. Otherwise, I often meet their Hydra with my own Hydra, trade, and then play an additional threat to re-stabilise.
Howdy. I do not have a huge amount of experience playing against the Sandstrangler version of mono-red, but I typically find that Bristling Hydra is the MVP in the red match-up. If you can land a Hydra or two with sufficient energy to provide them hexproof, you're in an extremely advantageous position. I'd imagine that Hydra would also be quite strong against Sandstrangler considering Hydra's hexproof ability. If you're able to stabilise with Hydras and then curve into a Glorybringer or two, they're essentially done.
Against Red, I usually remove Chandra, Flagship and some Servants/Cubs, to make way for Chandra's Defeat, Abrade, Confiscation Coup and Commit/Memory.
Here's my list for reference!
Yes, I love this deck due to its flexibility. What's your build like?
Here's the list I am going to be playing over the weekend: https://deckstats.net/decks/83317/854686-temur-energy
I've included a Commit/Memory, because last week I got wrecked by a few too many Vraskas and Scarab Gods and I want additional means of dealing with these threats.
I have substituted Abrades for Lightning Strikes due to the paucity of artifacts in my meta (mostly consists of 4C energy, UB midrange, UB control, UW Approach, some red). Lightning Strikes have the obvious added benefit of being able to go to the face and can hit Planeswalkers (ie. Vraska). I have also decided that Strikes are a better source of burn than Magma Spray; there has been too many times where I have held a Magma Spray in hand whilst staring down a 3-toughness threat.
I am looking forward to seeing how this list fares, although I'm not entirely sure about the sideboard. Nissa, Vital Force is still a maybe, only because I haven't had the opportunity to cast her yet! Anyone here have any suggestions about my main or sideboard that might be helpful in tackling the above described meta?
I see. I will study some lists and see what's viable. Thank you!
Thanks for the response, Hoser. I agree that playing the one black spell in sideboard is less than ideal. I have considered moving into 4C energy, and maybe picking up a Vraska or two of my own (fighting fire with fire!). That way, cards like Vraska's Contempt will also be at my disposal.
That's interesting, re: Lifecrafter's Bestiary. What match-ups did you bring it in for?