To me, neither the Snake Umbra nor Uktabi Drake seem that great. The Drake just seems... bad, and it's too easy to get 2-for-1'd by bounce if you run the Umbra. Obviously, if it were something as strong as Boar Umbra, that wouldn't be a problem, but the +1/+1 and Ophidian-esque ability just don't seem worth the risk.
I like all of the white dudes, but I reckon Ballynock Trapper is the best; in aggro it shuts down two blockers and in control it's another decent tapper.
Definitely Chittering Rats, but the Imp is pretty decent still. One of my favourite decks to draft is the constructed Pauper-like UB control deck with Ninjas, come-into-play dudes, it's just so much fun, especially Chittering Rats. It's such a griefer card.
M11 prerelease was sick. Went 5-0, then lost the last round and came second. Aether Adept is every bit as sick as it seems, and it is so nice to play with Mana Leak again, even if the new artwork sucks. Grave Titan is also just as nuts as it looks, but that doesn't bother us.
Memorable match:
Game 1: My opponent casts Baneslayer Angel (yep, that's right), but I Mind Control it then give it a shiny Sword of Akroma and beat him down to 0.
Game 2: He gets BSA, I don't draw Mind Control, and die.
Game 3: He gets BSA, beats me down to <5, I rip Mind Control (as always, my only out), then beat him down from 30 to win the match. So. sick.
My packs overall were pretty janky (Phylactery Lich ftw!), but I managed to acquire all of the commons I needed, plus it was great fun. Any fellow common cubers go to M11?
You should leave the Raiders and the Cutthroat in their actual colours; you want to put cards in the section where they perform at their best.
I have to disagree with Lanxal; Remove Soul and Negate are definitely worth it. Not so much Negate, but Remove Soul/Essence Scatter are pretty much staple... after all, counters are pretty much blue's only way to deal with critters.
You're probably right there. Ogre Savant had to go as I had it listed under red the whole time (so UR actually had an extra card), and it was the weakest of them.
I've never actually used Blazing Salvo before, but I do recall a friend saying it was pretty poor.
+ Manic Vandal
Turn 3 on the play, smash their Signet/Borderpost and have a dude in play? Just brutal.
+ Chandra's Outrage
Not convinced, but I suppose it's better to try a card then dismiss it rather than dismiss it outright. As I've said before, 2RR is a lot for a burn spell, and Flame Slash deals 4 as well, for R. Well, we'll see.
More OCD changes!
White bordered 7th Force Spike -> super-hot FNM version
White bordered 4th Flood -> The Dark version
I agree with you overall, but Scroll Thief and Aether Adept are pretty much staple for pauper. The Man-'O-War effect is just so powerful; the tempo swing is amazing in control and aggro. Also, blue has 101 ways to make Scroll Thief connect (counters, bounce, tap effects).
Also, I'm pretty sure Sylvan Ranger is staple... in my opinion it's better than Civic Wayfinder, and he's definitely staple (you can finally keep 2 land hand with it and definitely get there).
I'm not 100% convinced with Chandra's Outrage, 2RR is a lot for a burn spell; I mean Flame Slash deals 4 damage for R, but I guess it's worth trying out; the two to the face is pretty sweet. Instant speed is always nice too. Totally stoked about Manic Vandal; love the art, flavour text and name, and it's pretty decent to boot. Smashing a turn 2 signet on the play seems pretty harsh.
Overall, great job. Can't wait to get my hands on the real cards and cube... only two days to wait!!
About time Snakeform was in and Zephyr Sprite was out. I'm glad you;re trying Scroll Thief, but Echo Tracer deserves to stay - bouncing a creature has great synergy with tons of blue stuff like CitP effects, Ninjas, tempo, even Scroll Thief himself! Plus, taking out a morph actually makes all other morphs worse.
I tried Angelic Renewal, only because someone played it against me in Pauper online with Mulldrifter, which was sweet. Turns out it's pretty bad in cube.
+ Scroll Thief 2U
Whenever ~ deals combat damage to a player, draw a card.
Better than Ophidian in most situations.
+ Ashes to Ashes
Can't believe I haven't had it all this time, a hugely powerful removal spell, exile can be relevant against B/x recursion control decks.
+ Liliana's Specter 1BB
Flying, When ~ enters the battlefield, each opponent discards a card. 2/1
Better than Ravenous Rats (which I run), and another solid critter to combine with Ninjas.
+ Some red card
Currently undecided, hopefully a sweet red M11 common will be spoiled.
+ Sylvan Ranger 1G
When ~ enters the battlefield, you may search your library for a basic land card, reveal it, and put it into your hand. If you do, shuffle your library. 1/1
Better than Civic Wayfinder IMO, getting the land a turn earlier is a lot more useful. Also better than Elvish Visionary in many situations.
+ Cultivate 2G
Sorcery, Search your library for up to two basic land cards, reveal those cards, and put one onto the battlefield tapped and the other in your hand. Then shuffle your library.
Another solid ramp spell.
+ Garruk's Companion GG
Trample, 3/2
An awesome beater, just what my green needs. Shame they gave him 5 lines of reminder text. :@
+ Sacred Wolf 2G
Sacred Wolf can't be the target of spells or abilities your opponents control. 3/1
Another aggro creature.
Of course Magpie would be in... if it were common.
Ophidian is definitely good. U/x control will almost definitely have removal or bounce (or both), or counters for that matter, so connecting with it isn't a problem. I once got basically locked out of game because of Ophidian combined with Waterfront Bouncer.
@Duckpants: totally agree with the Guardian, it's nuts. A friend once gave it an Armadillo Cloak. That ends games pretty fast. Also, I see you have Kabuto Moth. That got better with M10 rules, is it any good?
I like all of the white dudes, but I reckon Ballynock Trapper is the best; in aggro it shuts down two blockers and in control it's another decent tapper.
Definitely Chittering Rats, but the Imp is pretty decent still. One of my favourite decks to draft is the constructed Pauper-like UB control deck with Ninjas, come-into-play dudes, it's just so much fun, especially Chittering Rats. It's such a griefer card.
02 Faith's Fetters
03 Temporal Isolation
04 Kor Skyfisher
05 Kor Hookmaster
06 Guardian of the Guildpact
07 Journey to Nowhere
08 Shelter
09 Goldmeadow Harrier
10 Kami of Ancient Law
11 Pacifism
12 Castle Raptors
13 Blinding Beam
14 Prismatic Strands
15 Burrenton Bombadier
16 Steppe Lynx
17 Kor Sanctifier
18 Amrou Seekers
19 Blade of the Sixth Pride
20 Soltari Trooper
No coincidence the top few are all removal.
If I could pick Exile it would be number 2.
Aether Adept is every bit as sick as it seems, and it is so nice to play with Mana Leak again, even if the new artwork sucks. Grave Titan is also just as nuts as it looks, but that doesn't bother us.
Memorable match:
Game 1: My opponent casts Baneslayer Angel (yep, that's right), but I Mind Control it then give it a shiny Sword of Akroma and beat him down to 0.
Game 2: He gets BSA, I don't draw Mind Control, and die.
Game 3: He gets BSA, beats me down to <5, I rip Mind Control (as always, my only out), then beat him down from 30 to win the match. So. sick.
My packs overall were pretty janky (Phylactery Lich ftw!), but I managed to acquire all of the commons I needed, plus it was great fun. Any fellow common cubers go to M11?
I have to disagree with Lanxal; Remove Soul and Negate are definitely worth it. Not so much Negate, but Remove Soul/Essence Scatter are pretty much staple... after all, counters are pretty much blue's only way to deal with critters.
I've never actually used Blazing Salvo before, but I do recall a friend saying it was pretty poor.
Thanks for the feedback.
- Blazing Salvo
+ Bogardan Rager
Also, would you happen to have any better red two drops/ spells to replace the Rager, Cohort and/or Blast?
- Ogre Savant
- Bogardan Rager
+ Manic Vandal
Turn 3 on the play, smash their Signet/Borderpost and have a dude in play? Just brutal.
+ Chandra's Outrage
Not convinced, but I suppose it's better to try a card then dismiss it rather than dismiss it outright. As I've said before, 2RR is a lot for a burn spell, and Flame Slash deals 4 as well, for R. Well, we'll see.
More OCD changes!
White bordered 7th Force Spike -> super-hot FNM version
White bordered 4th Flood -> The Dark version
I agree with you overall, but Scroll Thief and Aether Adept are pretty much staple for pauper. The Man-'O-War effect is just so powerful; the tempo swing is amazing in control and aggro. Also, blue has 101 ways to make Scroll Thief connect (counters, bounce, tap effects).
Also, I'm pretty sure Sylvan Ranger is staple... in my opinion it's better than Civic Wayfinder, and he's definitely staple (you can finally keep 2 land hand with it and definitely get there).
I'm not 100% convinced with Chandra's Outrage, 2RR is a lot for a burn spell; I mean Flame Slash deals 4 damage for R, but I guess it's worth trying out; the two to the face is pretty sweet. Instant speed is always nice too. Totally stoked about Manic Vandal; love the art, flavour text and name, and it's pretty decent to boot. Smashing a turn 2 signet on the play seems pretty harsh.
Overall, great job. Can't wait to get my hands on the real cards and cube... only two days to wait!!
I'd cut Cloud of Faeries, it seems terrible.
Not 100% sure on the following changes, would love to hear people's opinions.
- Awe Strike
+ Exile
Awe Strike has been pretty poor, and I hate the artwork. Exile is sweet.
+ Illusionary Forces
+ Arcane Denial
- Treasure Hunt
- Noggle Bandit, Jilt moved to UR
I'm not 100% sure if the Forces are good, but it seems solid enough. Not entirely sure if these are the right cuts. Suggestions are appreciated.
+ Suq'Ata Lancer
In the change above, I was missing a red card. Here it is.
- Evolution Charm
- Utopia Vow
- Ondu Giant
+ Fyndhorn Elves
+ River Boa
+ Mtenda Lion
More green aggro!
Random OCD changes.
White-bordered 4th Ray of Command -> Mirage
White-bordered Prodigal Sorceror -> Ice Age Zuran Spellcaster
Ugly Mercadian Masques Counterspell -> Ice Age
Coldsnap theme deck Dark Ritual -> Unlimited/Revised, not sure how to tell.
Alara Reborn Terminate -> planeshift
Think Twice --> Aether Adept
Already done, see above
Cutting down Multicolour:
- Turn to Mist
- Gravelgill Axeshark
- Cultbrand Cinder
- Riot Spikes
(Soul Burn moved to BR)
- Scab-Clan Mauler
- Ember Weaver
- Shield of the Oversoul
+ Shelter
Solid combat trick/pseudo-counterspell.
+ Scroll Thief 2U
Whenever ~ deals combat damage to a player, draw a card.
Better than Ophidian in most situations.
+ Ashes to Ashes
Can't believe I haven't had it all this time, a hugely powerful removal spell, exile can be relevant against B/x recursion control decks.
+ Liliana's Specter 1BB
Flying, When ~ enters the battlefield, each opponent discards a card. 2/1
Better than Ravenous Rats (which I run), and another solid critter to combine with Ninjas.
+ Some red card
Currently undecided, hopefully a sweet red M11 common will be spoiled.
- Nantuko Shaman
- Overgrown Battlement
Shaman has been unimpressive, and I want more aggro creatures in green.
+ Sylvan Ranger 1G
When ~ enters the battlefield, you may search your library for a basic land card, reveal it, and put it into your hand. If you do, shuffle your library. 1/1
Better than Civic Wayfinder IMO, getting the land a turn earlier is a lot more useful. Also better than Elvish Visionary in many situations.
+ Cultivate 2G
Sorcery, Search your library for up to two basic land cards, reveal those cards, and put one onto the battlefield tapped and the other in your hand. Then shuffle your library.
Another solid ramp spell.
+ Garruk's Companion GG
Trample, 3/2
An awesome beater, just what my green needs. Shame they gave him 5 lines of reminder text. :@
+ Sacred Wolf 2G
Sacred Wolf can't be the target of spells or abilities your opponents control. 3/1
Another aggro creature.
Ophidian is definitely good. U/x control will almost definitely have removal or bounce (or both), or counters for that matter, so connecting with it isn't a problem. I once got basically locked out of game because of Ophidian combined with Waterfront Bouncer.
@Duckpants: totally agree with the Guardian, it's nuts. A friend once gave it an Armadillo Cloak. That ends games pretty fast. Also, I see you have Kabuto Moth. That got better with M10 rules, is it any good?
The one time where Ophidian is better though is with Ninjas.