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  • posted a message on [New Info] Warlords of Khanar - Potential Fall 2014 Expansion
    Seems like a super odd name for an expansion. And with WotC alternating between returning to a plane then visiting a new one it seems suspect. I've heard rumors that next block is a return to zendikar (unconfirmed.)



    This would make a certain amount of sense. Nodding the Affirmative They keep the fetches and shocks from coming together in Standard, but feed the shocks in to Modern. Pretty much what we saw them drifting towards when Modern was first announced.
    Posted in: The Rumor Mill
  • posted a message on [[M14]] DailyMTG Previews 7/5: Barrage of Expendables; Encroaching Wastes; no dual land cycle
    Quote from Tackman
    And Thoughtseize is...



    OUT!



    Makes sense. Thoughtseize is more useful in Theros where there should be lots of creatures you want to nab early.

    Although, somehow the land anouncement will be seen as reassurance for the marketplace as well as a cash grab.
    Posted in: The Rumor Mill
  • posted a message on [[M14]] DailyMTG Previews 7/1: Chandra, Pyromaster; Pyromancer's Gauntlet; Manaweft Sliver
    Quote from R**
    Yes, the article that revealed her did just that. Smile



    Is it just me, or did they pull the article due to a negative reaction? I click on the link and it isn't there.


    Unless it's this one:

    http://www.wizards.com/Magic/Magazine/Article.aspx?x=mtg/daily/feature/254
    Posted in: The Rumor Mill
  • posted a message on [[MM]] Modern Masters - Modern Legal Booster Product Announced at Pro Tour RtR
    Quote from Demagogue
    Is it just me or does this set feel like a little bit of a mess in terms of limited? I mean we still have half a set to go, and it's not terrible, but it just feels like they've tried to cram in so many archetypes that some will probably do nothing, and others will do worse and hinder playability altogether.


    No different than when you started playing during Unlimited and had a deck with only one Bird of Paradise in it. Tongue
    Posted in: The Rumor Mill
  • posted a message on [[MM]] Modern Masters - Modern Legal Booster Product Announced at Pro Tour RtR
    i think in the long term the people claiming all this value in these packs are going to be incorrect.

    its a nice buy because of getting cards you wouldnt otherwise be able to still in packs, but i think the actual value is being overestimated


    I'm perfectly fine with Modern Masters depressing the prices on my cards. I was hoping it would be a Chronicles II and depress these ridiculous prices allowing people in my area to build competative modern decks. In part this keeps you from getting sideswiped by the non-optimal junk decks they are otherwise forced to play.

    However, boxes at my store are expected to pre-order for $300 a piece. No idea if there will be any chance to draft the set as WoTC intended. But it seems that while this will increase supply it is increasing demand by more. Unless this is all just speculators driving up the price.



    Disclaimer: As far as i have seen, I own 4 or more of everything on the list. (Except Vendillion Clique and Aethersworn Canonist which a friend lost. :mad:). I always collect 4 of everything in a set when it comes out and have been doing that for more than 20 years. Doing so means I got things like Tarmogoyf's in trade for $3-5 a piece.
    Posted in: The Rumor Mill
  • posted a message on [Official Thread] Elves
    Quote from beatkids
    What do you think about not running Llanowar Elves?


    Tried it when I cut Wayfinder. Put them back when I put back in Wayfinder. Cut them to 3, and now they are back to 4. I also increased the number of 3-drops, so that had something to do with it.

    Really no compelling reason not to run it at the moment.

    Best of luck to everyone at Provincials / States.

    ELVISH LIVES! Grin

    ....Thank you. Thank you very much.....
    Posted in: Standard Archives
  • posted a message on [Official Thread] Elves
    Quote from BlackYoshi
    BW Tokens? Maybe. Stillmoon? It's unplayable in this format. It either dies to Fallout, or it dies to Zealous Persecution/Wrath of God. It a 2/1 for 3. It's awful.


    ...And yet they are still running it.

    I believe the argument is that it dodges most of the remocal in the format and heps in the mirror. Not sure if that applies any longer, but Persecution cuts both ways and is only effective if they don't already have Adjani or Anthem out.

    I would like it if they didn't run it, but I know a handful going to regionals who are. I'm just hoping that I don't randomly meet them climing through the ranks at Regionals.
    Posted in: Standard Archives
  • posted a message on [Official Thread] Elves
    I like Mindshatter and while I had not run it last year, and wish I had, this year I am not so sure. I seem to have problems resolving it mid-game against control and still keeping up my tempo. So far Necrogenesis has been a better card for this.

    I think the biggest challenge will be from Stillmoon Cavalier and the BW token decks, so SB slots are dedicated to that.
    Posted in: Standard Archives
  • posted a message on [Official Thread] G/B Elves
    Quote from Shinjutsei
    The last step of a spell resolving is to place it into the graveyard. And, since nothing can interrupt the resolution of a spell, you certainly can put Profane Command on top of your library with the Hag Hedge-Mag you just reanimated with it - just like you could create a "loop" with Eternal Witness (as long as it died every turn).

    Of course, since we don't play very many basics, we really can't consider it for this deck. And, even if we could, how is it better than, well, anything else in the deck?


    Thanks for the reply. Its what I thought.

    And well....you made my point for me. You use it to get back everything else in the deck. While the thought of giving my guys recurring Fear is appealing, you can use it to recur Collosus and any number of non-creature items like your man-lands and both Commands. Even if she cost you a draw step there is the chance of a 2 or 3-1 card advantage.

    You can trigger her more often than you think. I frequently have 2 forests out, Urborg is rampant in the environment on both sides of the table, and You are one of the ones saying you should run 3-4 Wayfinder in every version of the deck. Triggering one of those abilities consistantly should not be an issue.

    Her main weakness is that she is Reclaim at sorcery speeds. She will also come into play as a Grey Ogre some of the time, like Viridian Shaman and Riftsweeper. That said she is Reclaim on a stick. Anything on a stick has been abusable in the past in the right deck.

    I was considering 3 in the deck, but that could go +/-1 depending on how useful the abilities are early.


    I was also considering the bg bg bg 3/2 forest/swamp walker. She feels more like a sideboard card and doesn't really address the fact that what I really want is a couple more solid 2-drops to go with Vanquisher. Slant
    Posted in: Standard Archives
  • posted a message on [Official Thread] G/B Elves
    A little bit of Necroing here, but I've been taking a break since Regionals...


    Quote from Rubin8or
    WHO was wrong about Goyf? As soon as it came out here in NZ it was about $40 and quickly went up to $80, lurking for a short time at $100 and now it's back down to $75. Maybe you guys over there were dumb but the reason it was so expensive so quickly was because everyone was right about it, it is broken and that is obvious.


    We'll. Between opening a couple boxes and trading I spent $0 on Goyfs. I traded for them early because I didn't have 4 of that card. Trades were for really small stuff (I think they were $5 in the showcase). Even then, I didn't play them until this last regionals even though I was playing a green deck. I was playing a hyper-tribal hyper-aggressive BG Elf deck which work really, really well. I built my Faerie deck with the winnings.

    Goyf (at least in NA) only became retardedly stupid expensive when Extended season started up and people eyes glazed over when the realized what a it could do with Fetch lands and such.



    Quote from Jujuhawk
    There are too many fliers in my meta. It may be good in the mirror but this is completely irrelevant because snakeform is going to wreck the mirror's sh*t.

    I'm gonna make it work. Besides, the best player in MN who won regionals cut garruk. :/



    Quote from Jujuhawk
    There are too many fliers in my meta. It may be good in the mirror but this is completely irrelevant because snakeform is going to wreck the mirror's sh*t.

    I'm gonna make it work. Besides, the best player in MN who won regionals cut garruk. :/


    I went 6-2 and cut Garruk. Didn't regret it all day. Too many fliers...even in Reanimator. Say what you will against cards like Archers (either one), but at least they made including him easier to justify.



    Quote from Jujuhawk

    Now, onto that fitting in of the Snakeform.


    I feel the same way as when I considered 1-2 Mercy Killing. Cute trick. Possibly back-breaking. But isn't there something better?




    As far as the current crop: I'm only part way through the list so far, but it seems like Hag Hedge-Mage may be the only viable inclusion. I do not want that many things in the 3 cc slot, but the CA is reminicent of Eternal Witness and it has much of the same interactions. The only drawback is that its costing you a draw step for its extra ability.

    One question: How does her ability stack with Proane? IIRC, Profane hits the bin before the CiP effect.
    Posted in: Standard Archives
  • posted a message on [Official Thread] G/B Elves
    Quote from Shinjutsei
    Riftsweeper is the best choice.
    Also, if you run Chameleon Colossus (like you should), Bramblewood Paragon is a decent choice, too.

    But, yes...it really needs to be Tarmogoyf, but it's understandable if you don't have them.


    Eh...I can't even begin to tell you how many times I have wished for Goyf to be anything else. It really depends on how many 2-drops you have, how aggressive your deck is, and how tribal it is. If you are planning to end the game around T 5-6, then Goyf is not the right choice for you in Standard.

    I used to run Riftsweepers maindeck, but they don't do enough these days. Used to be you could hit Bloom, AV, Gargadon, Cloudskates, Extirpated stuff, Epocrisites, and Aeon Chronicler. All I have seen these days is Bloom, AV, and Gargadon. Lark decks don't seem to be running enough Suspend to make it worthwhile. It can't hit Gargadon against a good player since they will not suspend it until they are ready to go off.

    I would say the best bet at this point is to just toss in 4 Archer and call it a day. At least they have deathtouch and can take down the cards you don't have (ie Colossus and Goyf) to help level the field a bit.

    Magus of the Vineyard could work. My impression is that you will just be helping the Faeries player get to the late game early. Its also a guy and dies to a lot of things.
    Posted in: Standard Archives
  • posted a message on [Official Thread] G/B Elves
    Quote from Sasori21
    Ive been testing this deck lately, and Ive been having trouble with Lark, what do you guys side-in and out in this matchup? Any help is gladly accepted.

    Also, which do you prefer on board? Tresher, Line or both? or do you prefer to add blossom to the board insted of those to have more free spaces. Thanks in advance


    Primal Command, Squall Line and Wheel of Sun and Moon.

    Sweeper, Wheel to stall and Primal as a backup for whatever gets through The Wheel not being in play.

    At least that is the way it should have gone. Didn't face a lark player all day. Instead the only combos were reanimator and Swath Storm.



    Quote from DjJoe227

    I posted this about two pages ago, however I edited in the suggestions that were made to me. I went to go do fixes on the Civic Wayfinders, however the deck is running 62 Cards at the moment. I need help in bumping the deck back down to 60, if anyone even thinks that it is necessary.

    Please do not suggest Thoughtseize, Tarmogoyf, or Chameleon Collossus. I know of their value to the deck but I simply do not have access to them at the moment, neither thru trade or purchase.


    You either need to go straight aggro-elves with as much Deathtouch as possible and 2 Overrun / 2 Garruk, or go for as many good Elf-Warriors as possible to support a couple (say 2-3) Obsidian Axe. The Axe version is not in favor right now, but haste on a stick is powerful against control decks.





    Go 4 Thorweald Archers and Maybe 2 Squall Line main.

    Drop Herald. Control decks will just Terror him these days. Nothing like Sonic Boom hanging around at the moment. Might as well drop the Eyes of the Wisent too.

    Go with 4 Prowess and 3-4 Champion and swarm the opponent. Prowess is best in mutiples in a true elf deck. There are also enough elf-rock decks that you can play the same game as Merfolk and play 8 lords.


    Quote from Ziene
    Also another primal command to buy me life and dig for removal.
    Taking way a land with an island counter and searching for a shriekmaw is a nice tech, wont be land on top and no more islandwalk for them.

    might want to run only 2 or 3 deathmarks sb and use terrors for instant speed and more removal range if u dont fear dorans.

    removal wins the game against merfolk. Hope that helps.

    Also how are bramblewood paragons compared to wolf skull shaman? I prefer the latter as its usually a bitterblossom on legs. any pros and cons?


    There are many effective ways to kill Doran. Including Nameless Inversion on a block. Deathmark is a bit narrow. I would only use it if Kithkin started upping the clock in your area.

    vs green decks it tend to go into a race for Colossus and/or Goyf. With Profane and Primal you will win those attrition wars.

    WS Shaman only belongs in either a Shaman deck, or a deck that wants to win through Overrun (ie Swarming). Paragon decks try to go the warrior route and pack as many elf-warrior generating effects as possible inot the deck. Like G/x warriors and Elf-Ball.
    Posted in: Standard Archives
  • posted a message on [Official Thread] G/B Elves
    Quote from Jujuhawk
    Why do you think the deck does well from time to time? It's unexpected.


    I mean really, realy lucky.

    T1 on the play Thoughtseize revealing a bunch of combo pieces, Ponder, a charge land (RG) and Bloom. Take bloom. Proceed to play out a fast beatdown. He draw his second and third land off the top. Ponders, doesn't see his combo piece, so he shuffles, draws it blind and goes off.

    Game 2 I went off to a fast start with Lan Elf, Vanquisher, Perfect in subsequent turns. On his turn 3 he goes Rite, Rite, Rite, Tarfire Perfect, Grapeshot team and me, Empty for 10.

    I had him dead to rights both times and he had ridicoulous hands/draws. Rolleyes

    It happens.



    Quote from Astinus

    Without goyf, definitely (Paragons being the best substitute if you play a lot of Warriors). Without Thoughtseize, it depends on your meta. My meta has a lot of burn and very little control, so I don't even play it in my deck. In a more general meta, Thoughtseize really helps. A lack doesn't ruin the deck by far, but it's good to have.


    A good substitute for Thoughtseize is Stupor. In some cases its better since it can hit lands as well.
    Posted in: Standard Archives
  • posted a message on [Official Thread] G/B Elves
    Quote from ShalanRz
    I went 4-1-1 then finished first in NB Regionals. I will do a report later matchups were


    Heh...much easier to qualify there than here. In Ontario the Central Regionals are a minimum of 8 rounds. Its literally easier to grind in than grab one of the T8 spots.

    That said, a only dropped the first game to a faeries deck (ending each game with him at 1 life), and a very, very lucky Storm Combo player in the last round. Even is he wasn't lucky, who is really boarding cards to disrupt Storm?

    Final Record 6-2. Miss T8 with that last loss. Could not draw in because of losing the first round. Apparently winning the next 6 doesn't really matter unless its winning all 7 after.

    I'll post a breakdown of what I faced tomorrow when I have my notes with me, but the environment was really all over the place. So much so I didn't play 1 Lark player all day. I died play two Faeries players, however.

    Here is the deck I took:




    A couple observations.

    Essence Warden worked really well against Faeries and random aggro decks like Persist. With a BB out it was a two point life swing a turn since they rarely attacked for need of a chump blocker. However, I am not generating as many guys as I did with my dedicated elf build, so I'll stick her in Elf VBall where she can really shine.

    Yes, I am running only 3 Goyfs. In testing and in the tournament every time I drew one early it was really, really bad and easily killed. If this deck did not run Profane or enhanced Goyf more like Doran I would say you need the 4th. In this deck he is not as synergistic as he should be so i only want to see him after turn 6.

    The extra free kill maindeck was critical in many matches. That's said, with the next set on the horizon I think running 6 "Terror" effects main is dangerous. I would prefer to run 3-4 more Deathtouch guys, but I'm not sure Thornweald Archer is good enough in this build.

    The mana base was solid all day except for some random weird mulls of 1 swamp or 1 swap and 1 Mutavault openings. 4 TTVillage in this build would be a mistake because of qall the 1-drops.

    Sudden Death was meant to be a board card against Sygg, but it came in many more times as solutions to Shield of the Oversoul, Faeries, and MBC.

    Seal of Primordium is there to pump Goyf. It did really well nailing a Hammer just before I dropped a huge 5/6 in to play. Still, I would like to add 1 Krosan Grip for those times against Faeries when Masticore just has to die.

    Wheel of Sun and Moon was just soo good all day. I won whenever it hit the board in the early turns. I didn't even play against Lark. It came in against Persist and slowed down a reanimator deck long enough for me to Primal Command twice for the win. If it has not hit turn 2 in those games I would have lost.

    Yes, no garruk. He is really not needed and would have been really fragile against what I faced. The extra kill was much more necessary. I question wether even with 24 real guys wether a fuzzy-elephant maker is required. It seemed that all day I was running out 2-3 guys at the most. There are a lot of sweepers at the moment. Hardly enough guys to justify a possible Overrun.


    Only changes I would make is -3 Essence Warden, -1-2 Pact from the MD. +1 Wheel, +1 Seal/Grip, and +2 Mindshatter or Anti-red card in the board.
    Posted in: Standard Archives
  • posted a message on [Official Thread] G/B Elves
    Quote from mikey k159

    i see what you mean about goyf, like... vs doran he is amazing, vs the mirror a 3/4 is damn good, as much as i love my goyfs and dont think they are that good


    Case in point. Last night I go T1 Lan Elf. My hand had no man-lands and no three drops. No Thoughtseize and I was playing against WG persist who was around 90% creatures. I played 2 0/1 Goyfs on the next turn and lost the match. If they had been Thornweald Archers I would have traded with the bigger creatures on the other side of the board.

    Note: Thornweald Archers could read as Unblockable. The number of time people have been willing to trade with them is very small, and they only get better if you are running something less-rock and more tribal.
    Posted in: Standard Archives
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