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  • posted a message on Casual Mono Green Druid deck - focus on 2HG
    Quote from Kain123 »
    I assume this is for casual play and not supposed to respect any format other than Vintage. I'll also assume that you dont want to put too much money on that deck.

    Ok...let's evaluate your cards a bit...




    Kain, thanks for all the advice.

    I have already bought the majority of cards, and I play tested it last night. Someone dropped out so we played 3 player.

    The things I learnt:
    - you are totally right about traproot kami and elvish mystic
    - the managorger hydra must play in any multiplayer
    - the elvish mystic was surprisingly useful, I think I need some llanowar elves. I need one in my opening hand.
    - land creatures does not mean 'creatures without flying' as I thought... haha doh

    You are right that the deck is bit 'all over the place' and struggles to deal with mass removal but it is as it is.

    The sylvian advocate is still a 2/3 vigilance druid for 1G
    Also the Harbinger is really good... it lets me get my archdruid when I need to pump, my llanowar when I am blocked, and my glit-leaf when I can afford it.

    The craterhoof is the most amazing card ever and would be perfect for this deck, but I can't spend that much sorry.

    The sylvian primordial could be useful given all my mana.

    Gaea's anthem was always my cheap version of Coat of Arms. I was surprised at how useful it was in the game.

    Currently the deck is going to be:

    DeckMagic OnlineOCTGN2ApprenticeBuy These Cards
    Creatures (25)
    4 Llanowar Elves
    4 Sylvan Advocate
    4 Elvish Archdruid
    4 Managorger Hydra (would drop if single player)
    4 Elvish Harbinger
    4 Glit-Leaf Archdruid
    1 Freyalise, Llanowar's Fury (Don't know how to create a plainswalker category

    Enchantment (4)
    4 Gaea's Anthem

    Spells (4)
    4 Overwhelming Stampede

    Lands (20)
    20 Forest



    That is 53 cards. Last night I got mana blocked twice so I was thinking of bumping the forests up to 22. Though I might not need to if I add 4 Elvish Mystic.

    I think some Slyvian Primordial would be useful.

    I would love another Freyalise but I don't think I can afford it.

    I guess I could just add 3 Sylvian Primordial and take it from there. If I drop managorger hydra, then Awakener Druid might be good, also goes well with Sylvian Advocate. Although now I know how the +2/+2 works, I could easily drop Slyvian Advocate for the right druid.

    Posted in: Multiplayer
  • posted a message on Casual Mono Green Druid deck - focus on 2HG
    Damn that's a good card, no I didn't get it and I wish I had.

    Although I do wonder about all this mana. Not a huge amount of draw and no big creatures I wonder how it will go.
    Posted in: Multiplayer
  • posted a message on Red / Blue RU, Ping Deck - Megathread!
    Quote from Horrornick »
    [quote from="discomute »" url="/forums/magic-fundamentals/magic-general/789890-red-blue-ru-ping-deck-megathread?comment=7"]
    he is a machine gun with Deathtouch,or a 1/1 token boardwipe like Deathbringer Thoctar


    Wow, yes that is a good point. Put a basilisk collar on him and presto, opposition can't have creatures.

    In other news, I realised a dirty trick with hidetsugu in two headed giant. Just use your other pingers to ensure the opposition has an even number of life, and you have an odd number of life. Then tap him for the instant win.
    Posted in: Magic General
  • posted a message on Sick of foils? You are not alone.
    They look terrible. I just spent an extra $3 to avoid a Freyalise foil. Meh.

    edit - ooops I did not realise just how old this thread was! Sorry to necro this from six years ago...
    Posted in: Magic General
  • posted a message on Red / Blue RU, Ping Deck - Megathread!
    Quote from Horrornick »
    No Goblin Sharpshooter or Spikeshot Goblin ? they are favorites also master of ping Heartless Hidetsugu :p


    Thanks for stopping by!

    The goblins were an oversight of mine, thanks for pointing that out. I have never shared the love for the sharpshooter, perhaps I'm missing something there.

    I had never encountered the ogre before - wow. I play a lot of two headed giant, I guess that card is an instant draw!
    Posted in: Magic General
  • posted a message on Casual Mono Green Druid deck - focus on 2HG
    This is my attempt at a druid deck in 2HG. The aim of this deck is to stablise early with cheap creatures. Nearly all my mates end up playing the mid-long game, so this should partner well. Once we get to mid-long, I can add a few tricks in my stealing the opponents land, and attempting a big stampede.

    20 Forest

    4 Elvish Mystic
    4 Essence Warden
    4 Traproot Kami
    4 Elvish Archdruid
    4 Sylvian Advocate
    4 Managorger Hydra
    4 Elvish Harbinger
    4 Glit-Leaf Archdruid

    4 Gaea's Anthem
    4 Overwhelming Stampede


    ----
    Sideboard - to subract traproot kami, essence warden, and/or managorger hydra when not in 2HG. Want to add Freyalise for some fun. Also 20 Forest might not be enough.

    4 Imperious Perfect
    4 Mul Daya Channellers
    4 Jagged-Scar Archers
    1 Freyalise, Llanowar's Fury

    ---

    Just after some general thoughts?

    Posted in: Multiplayer
  • posted a message on Red / Blue RU, Ping Deck - Megathread!
    Deathrite is very cool, but as he isn't U or R I won't include him.

    I am still plugging away updating this. Boy I'd like to be able for afford a Torch of Defiance...
    Posted in: Magic General
  • posted a message on Red / Blue RU, Ping Deck - Megathread!
    Quote from TBuzzsaw »
    Nice write up, but several things:

    - Grim Lavamancer are Lightning Bolt are most definitely top tier and are clearly above and beyond anything else on the list.
    - Thermo-Alchemist is missing. It was part of a UR deck in Standard that did similar to what you're describing.
    - The post might fit better in the casual forum.


    I will update lightning bolt. Regarding Grim Lavamancer, do you think you should put 4 of them in your deck? I agree it is a must include, but should it be Tier 2 if you are only likely to take 2?

    Yes I did think about casual forum, but I figured that someone might want to make a competitive deck (standard/modern or whatever) in the future (I know right now this isn't competitive, but who knows what 5 years of mtg would bring, so it sat better here. I will not be offended if any mods decide to move it.

    PS. Thermo-Alchemist was there, he is under Tier 4. EDIT: my mistake. You meant I spelt him wrong and therefore wasn't linking. Fixed.
    Posted in: Magic General
  • posted a message on Red / Blue RU, Ping Deck - Megathread!
    Hi everyone,

    I am have played MTG for 20 years very casually. My favourite deck is a RU Ping Deck. (Sometimes called Laser decks or Tim decks). I decided to do some research in relation to the best way to build such a deck to find very few sources. The last decent thread on here was in 2010 and that was brief. (Yes I'm aware it's probably because the deck isn't that good!)

    I thought rather than "build a deck" I would simply list cards that people might find useful. I will try to assess them on the basis of how good they are - but it is very much a work in progress, and I am eager for some discussion as to what everyone thinks. That way, depending on the format future googlers want to play, they can use this as a recourse and build their own.

    Tier One - So awesome that you are crazy to make your deck without it
    Tier Two - Generally a very good option, you are unlikely to regret taking such a card
    Tier Three - Depending on your matchup it might suit you
    Tier Four - This card is unlikely to be one to use, unless a specific style or matchup dictates it
    Tier Five - People may suggest this, but I would avoid it

    Tier One
    Razorfin Hunter
    Two mana for a standard pinger. Perfect
    Curiosity
    A single U for such a great card advantage.
    Niv-Mizzet, the Firemind*
    Is the Firemind tier 1? Well, you probably won't take 4 of the same legend. And he is expensive. However, combine him with curiosity (or ophidian eye) and you get an auto-win. A lot of people might avoid this cheese. In which case, he is probably tier 2. Nevertheless if you are building to win, you gotta put him in there.
    Lightning Bolt
    It's a great card, and can help you immensely with board control.
    Brainstorm
    Not exactly a pinging deck card, but is great. Combines well with the Firemind.
    Chandra, Torch of Defiance
    The best Chandra, also rather expensive (in dollars, not mana). Fits what you do very well.

    Tier Two
    Gelectrode
    Superficially might look like a Teir One card, but the problem is that enchantments tend to do better in this deck than Instants or Sorcery. If you are only taking 4-8 cards that untap him, is he worth it?
    Cunning Sparkmage
    You need pingers, and aside from Razorfin, the sparkmage is as good as they come.
    Niv-Mizzet, Dracogenius
    If you disregard the Firemind's auto win loophole, Dracogenius is probably a nose in front of him. Probably.
    Charisma
    Such an amazing combo, I just couldn't put this into tier 1 because of the cost. UUU makes it expensive and means you will get it late. Generally with this deck once you get to this stage you probably have control of the board. Still - it's awesome.
    Basilisks Collar
    Very cheap for what it does, the only reason it is Tier 2 is because you might already be rocking 4 curiosities and 4 charismas. In which case, do you want another 4 enchant creatures, especially when it doesn't combo with charisma? Probably. But not definitely.
    Pemmin's Aura
    It can uptap and it and it can keep your creatures alive. There are so many great enchantments to pick from, do you have room
    for it?
    Bonfire of the Damned
    One of the best burn spells in the game, and helps you control the board, which is what you need as a pinger.
    Chandra, Pyromaster
    The next best Chandra after the torch, again fits your deck very well. About 1/10 of the money-cost of the Torch.
    Chandra, fire of kaladesh
    Quite an odd card, given the shaman version of Chandra is better (at least for your deck) than the transformed planeswalker version. Not that hard to avoid making the swap, meaning the 1RR shaman is a very useful pinger. Note you can have Chandra as a legend and as a planeswalker at the same time. Just don't let her transform!
    Keranos, God of Storms
    At first glance it seems amazing, but its expensive when you really need board control early. Perhaps a tier three, but he is very suited to your deck.
    Goblin Sharpshooter
    I'm not an expert in MTG. This is probably evident by the fact my favourite deck is UR Ping. A lot of people who make this deck love this card. I do not. I would rank it lower, except to say that I am not an expert. I can't see why this would be taken over 'normal' pingers, that are the same cost, and often have fun abilities like untapping at instants or haste. But still untap normally. So that's me.
    After I wrote that it was pointed out that he is particularly good with deathtouch - something like the basilisk collar. He would literally clear the board and ensure no creatures could ever drop. So I upgraded him from tier three to tier two. Nevertheless, without that combo he won't do much, so if you take him you might want to add additional deathtouch.
    Izzet Staticaster
    Borderline tier two and three. Same price as a normal pinger. Does a few things well. Firstly it can deal with mass token creatures, which is a natural weakness of a ping deck. Secondly at 0/3 it can withstand a small amount of damage itself. Thirdly with haste and flash the Staticaster can surprise your opponent and trick them into using their turn on something that's about to get blown away anyhow. Downside is that you cannot use it to attack the player, but getting board control is more important.

    Tier Three
    Goblin Fireslinger
    I wonder if people might think this is too high, but a single R allows you to get things going nice and early. A good card to put curiosity and other player-damage enchantments on in the later game. Cheap and decent. But doesn't give you board control which you really want.
    Cinder Pyromancer
    You will need pingers. About half your deck is going to uptap it. But then, you can't hit creatures.
    Gorgon Flail
    Great effect, but curiosity and basilisks collar exist.
    Quietus Spike
    Same as gorgon flail. Unless you are going to mass removal, there are better enchantments.
    Vulshook Sorcerer
    Significantly more expensive than the Sparkmage for the same thing (1RR v 2R) but you do need pingers in your deck.
    Suq'Ata Firewalker
    Arguably blue's best pinger, great in certain match ups and silly to take in most. Only this high as Blue has few really good pingers.
    Shock / Lava Spike / Shard Volley etc
    Going for mass removal is a viable option, and red's spells are always useful, and generally uptape a few of your pingers
    Sigil of Sleep
    So cheap. So good. I feel like in 2010 this card was tier 1. Now we have charismas and deathtouch enchantments, not to mention so many more creatures that have amazing "when this card comes into play" effects.
    Manamorphose
    Simple effect but the card gives you a lot for what it does. But can you fit in there?
    Lava Dart
    Probably a smidge in front of standard red burn due to its ability to increase your untap at crucial stages.
    Freed from the Real
    A lot of fun, but you're probably taking Pemmin's Aura instead.
    Needle Drop
    Not great until suddenly it's the best thing ever. High risk, high reward card.
    Electrolyze
    2 damage for 1RU? Okay, but you can split it up (which is of limited use here) but you also get to draw. It also untaps some creatures. It's alright.
    Izzet Charm
    Does a lot of things okay, doesn't do anything great.
    Grim Lavamancer
    Very hard card to rate here.
    It is considered to be a fantastic card.
    Here is the problem - you wont be running much instants or sorcery.
    If you run a lot of fetchlands it is pretty good
    If not, it just is not going to give you control.
    This card relies on your deck being constructed in a certain way. And even then, you only want 2 of them, as more than 1 out is not worth it.

    Tier Four
    Kamahl, Pit Fighter
    He looks great, but... has a toughness of 1, and has two legends better than him. Probably avoid, but will go okay if you need that extra large creature.
    Cerulean Wisps
    Card advantage and an uptap, maybe more. It's okay.
    Thermo-Alchemist
    If your deck is functioning, generally you won't need a defender. He is cheap and his use is limited. He gets a bit better in multiplayer.
    Fireslinger
    Adding board control early, but with a big side effect. Unless you a desperate for early control I would look elsewhere.
    Ophidian Eye
    If you want to try to hit the Firemind insta-win combo, it is pretty good. Otherwise it is super expensive compared to curiosity. And there are so many good enchantments.
    Neko-Te
    It's expensive and why just tap when you can destroy? It does deal twice the damage to the player though, so could be useful in certain situations.
    Prodigal Sorcerer, and all 2U 1/1 Ping cards.
    There are better cards out there now, so try to avoid the generic 2U Ping. Sometimes you want to add it so it isn't so red-creature heavy. Only reason I can see.
    Spikeshot Goblin
    A very good card if used in a specific way. The deck would need to be constructed around it, if so, it could be very good.
    Heartless Hidetsugu
    Before you explode with love remember each player counts you. Certainly very good against certain decks, like GW. I view this card as a "win faster card". If you are using it correctly, you probably have control of the game anyway. Therefore I have to place it in tier four.

    Tier Five
    Mogg Fanatic
    The new stack rules have greatly reduced their ability to control the board early. Avoid.
    Snakeform
    There are better ways to kill creatures.
    Repurcussion
    It is just too risky to take. You put it down and you can ping away at creatures and deal damage to the player, but opponents deck that deal damage are going to hurt you. There are so many better enchantments to take, I don't see why it would be taken.
    Prodigal Pyromancer
    Zero reason to take this card. So many better pingers are out there. At least with the 2U blue you might do it to balance your red and blue. Here, take the sparkmage, or vulshook, or just about any pinger.
    Other Chandras
    Until the Torch came along, Red Chandra was never that good. No reason not to take the Torch, or the Pyromaster if expense is an issue. Ablaze at 6 mana is too expensive, I would think a normal pinger is better than firebrand. PS. Everyone loves Jace but he doesn't fit this decktype at all.

    Posted in: Magic General
  • posted a message on Very Casual gamer who has been out for 10 years
    Hey thanks so much for auto linking. I will learn how to do that in future.

    Giving the green article you posted a skim, it's great I am looking forward to getting stuck right in.

    I'd say my winning percentage is around 1/3 with the RU deck and 1/4 with the G deck.

    The green deck needs and overall but I think you've provided me with all I need

    The RU deck I would like to keep the theme in tact. Only a few changes I think, I like it.
    Posted in: Casual & Multiplayer Formats
  • posted a message on Very Casual gamer who has been out for 10 years
    Hi everyone,
    I am a very casual gamer. I generally only play 2 headed giant with mates and beers. About 12 years ago I spent about $50 on cheap cards and made two decks (well three, but one sucks... okay you will think they all suck). Yesterday I was getting ripped on for using Multani's Acolyte, which I deep down always knew I deserved. Anyway so I have been out of the game for 10 years and I am back my deck is bad because
    a) my friends take it more serious than they used to
    b) some power creep has happened.
    c) probably I am more aware of how ordinary they are
    I don't really care that much about winning, but I also don't want to be the short straw in a team game. And I thought it might be fun to freshen things up. So I am curious for suggestions of cards, the cheaper the better.

    Yes I am aware they are probably lame by everyone's standards but I am very casual and don't want to spend a long. My decks are:

    B/R - Ping Deck
    9 Islands
    9 Mountains
    2 Izzet Boilerworks

    4 Razorfin Hunters
    4 Vulshook Sorcerer
    4 Gelectrode
    4 Suq'Ata Firewalker
    4 Mogg Fanatic
    4 Fireslinger

    4 Shock
    3 Incinerate
    1 Electrolyze

    4 Sigil of Sleep
    4 Curiosity

    ----
    So - Mogg Fanatic is a lot worse now he can't stack his damage, and I have never loved Fireslinger. But I do need some cheap creatures.
    I have seen the Basalisk's Collar getting around and obviously I think 4 of them would fit quite well.
    (And yeah no reason not to get lightning bolt instead of shock)

    -----
    G - Boost deck
    19 Forest
    1 Treetop Village

    2 Essence Warden
    4 Multani's Acolyte
    4 Horned Troll
    4 Scryb Sprites
    4 Traproot Kami

    4 Living Terrain
    1 Gaea's Embrace
    4 Quiet Disrepair

    2 Giant Growth
    3 Gather Courage
    2 Explosive Growth
    2 Aggressive Urge
    4 Wildsize
    ----
    I am sure this needs a lot of work. Essence Wardens are good in two headed giant. MA can be thrown out. This deck is better than it looks (I didn't say good) in two headed giant as it allows early stabilisation so your partner can get some legends of plainswalkers or whatever out.


    So just after general card suggestions, for both things to add and things that need to go. Thanks in advance.
    Posted in: Casual & Multiplayer Formats
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