sideboard Spirit Link is something that may be worth considering again, not only for Eidolon, but also to force 2 for 1 on other decks without Snapcaster that want to kill every creature we play. Particularly effective against opponents willing to mull for sideboard hate and keep with that plus a threat/removal, the card alone isnt broken but combined with circumstances can shift the game
Ah, I didn't mention Grid as its already established and as you mentioned, does the job without an engine if necessary. Totally agree. Was referencing the lifegain situation. I wouldn't choose Mentor over Grid, nor cut Grid completely from the list, but Mentor can do some phenomenal things
The deck was always weak to Turn 1 discard, and Chalice, and Shoals card disadvantage could potentially be offset by the increased amount of draw engine creatures. Specifically Discard and 1 mana removal/Spell Snare if you're on the draw*, which is where Shoal really shines (besides tapping out and countering removal).
I agree with your point about Muddle, though, something I had overlooked
I'm glad the deck has renewed interest, the overarching goal was always to break the deck and abuse Mox to its full potential. I always liked the full combo versions.
It's a shame Probe is not around, else I would be considering Disrupting Shoal again. The deck is greedy enough and from memory, Force of Will wanted a blue count of 22 for 'safe play'? I think it's a little too much to attempt 4x playsets of blue cards plus Shoal. Although it would make Muddle worth considering again but with a severe cost in speed.
Acknowledging the slower speed and tech/manabase issues, would it be worth testing Shoal in a cantrip/Muddle version, along with the increased presence of engine cards?
Am having mixed results. Retract and Thopters/Foundary don't play well together, but Sword digs with paladin and if your creatures are removed and you've made a few land drops, Meek Foundary can keep you in the game. Can also sacrifice sword and retract in response to the token triggering the sword, meaning you only bounce the foundary (and thopters, etc) and Sword comes back to draw with paladin. There are also times when you can T1 foundary, T2 sword, and just try to stay alive until more action happens, but it doesn't usually become crazy due to the limited amount of land in the deck.
I still like the scry package and even though I am very wary about grave/artifact hate, I'd much rather have them main board and swap them out for my own hate (Sanctity, Rest in Peace etc)
I also miss not having the Mass Hysteria but will probably keep one in the sideboard, just for Mentor.
Why would you play Wastes? You've got no interactions for it, and Wasteland isn't a thing. Why not play a random utility land that taps for C instead? There are a lot to choose from.
I'm actually wondering if its worth something like Amulet of Vigor to help fuel T2 Though-Knots or T3 six mana plays, or Desperate Ritual out T3 Smashers (even without Mimic spam).
I don't know if it's a good idea straight away, to have an artifact based transformation sideboard. I personally expect to see a spike in Stony Silence, Kataki, Ancient Grudge, Nature's Claim etc with Affinity and the unbanning having targets on their heads.
I unfortunately have the same thought with Traverse, will probably see a renewed focus of graveyard answers in the sideboard.
The other consideration is that both of these strategies (Traverse/Meek) require more main deck slots whilst having the same catch-all weaknesses, and the larger amount of slots makes it harder on the sideboard
Obviously we can't answer everything, but I think it's worth testing and observing how things settle in the coming weeks
Also, Snapcaster Mage cannot flashback Ancestral Vision for zero mana, so no Thought Scour/Liliana shenanigans (I assume some people considered already)
Well, with Ancestral Visions and Sword of the Meek unbanned, they at least play directly into our sideboard tech of Silence and Rest in Peace. We also still have Mox Opal, just need to learn if Traverse can make us strong enough in the coming months or we find something else!
Problem is that banning Eye of Ugin will also weaken Tron, which has done nothing wrong (yet).
I don't want to aim this at *you* specifically because you're not wrong, but this is another sentence that gets repeated over and over and over again, and usually with a more detrimental tone.
I played pre-Tron in the the days of Summoning Trap/Breach/Shusher, through its Chromatic evolution until the inclusion of Ugin and Newlamog.
I didn't play Tron because Eye gave me a turn 5/6 discount, nor did I play Tron because late game I could basically tutor-loop Wurmcoils or get Emrakul.
I played Tron for the turn 3 -> huge mana -> tapout huge threat/dig -> go. If that didn't work, you were digging and tapping out turn after turn.
Eye of Ugin was a bonus. I even played Academy Ruins, that's how greedy I was!
Who honestly cares if poor ol' Tron loses their single Eye tech? Honestly? It matters, sure, and matter-of-factly it does weaken them a bit, so you're correct Sugar.... but I don't think anyone should use it as an excuse to say "dear God! Eldrazi is such a problem but poor Tron! How will it remain a sweet deck without its inevitability via this single land tech!?!"
Definitely agree with you, Microjfox, Geist is great. But I haven't been sold on it being in my 75 permanently until we see how the meta changes. He isn't as explosive but having Hexproof when you Retract is a huge huge upside, and any defensive equip allows him to dodge all the usual red sweepers. Vigilance is icing on the cake!
I'm part of the group who decided to keep their money in eternal formats, rather than rotate my wallet in standard Sure, Vintage is brown. So what would you consider the dominant *color* (rhetorical question).
I never said anything was epitome, apologize if that's how it sounded. I'm saying it's becoming laughable how often the same people repeat 'muh Blue Tier-senses aren't tingling'. Play control, by all means. Unbannings and new printings, sure! But asking for Force of Will and nonsense like that is laughable.
Grinding Station was another singleton we tried in sideboard, Sphinx's Tutelage as well. Most* are focused on being able to combodraw though.
I still like the Mentor route, although it doesn't help in a lot of circumstances such as lifegain.
*edit
I agree with your point about Muddle, though, something I had overlooked
*edited
It's a shame Probe is not around, else I would be considering Disrupting Shoal again. The deck is greedy enough and from memory, Force of Will wanted a blue count of 22 for 'safe play'? I think it's a little too much to attempt 4x playsets of blue cards plus Shoal. Although it would make Muddle worth considering again but with a severe cost in speed.
Acknowledging the slower speed and tech/manabase issues, would it be worth testing Shoal in a cantrip/Muddle version, along with the increased presence of engine cards?
Am having mixed results. Retract and Thopters/Foundary don't play well together, but Sword digs with paladin and if your creatures are removed and you've made a few land drops, Meek Foundary can keep you in the game. Can also sacrifice sword and retract in response to the token triggering the sword, meaning you only bounce the foundary (and thopters, etc) and Sword comes back to draw with paladin. There are also times when you can T1 foundary, T2 sword, and just try to stay alive until more action happens, but it doesn't usually become crazy due to the limited amount of land in the deck.
I still like the scry package and even though I am very wary about grave/artifact hate, I'd much rather have them main board and swap them out for my own hate (Sanctity, Rest in Peace etc)
I also miss not having the Mass Hysteria but will probably keep one in the sideboard, just for Mentor.
Edit: Grinding Station
As AK mentioned, Path to Exile is everywhere, Ghost Quarter, Blood Moon etc.
I'm actually wondering if its worth something like Amulet of Vigor to help fuel T2 Though-Knots or T3 six mana plays, or Desperate Ritual out T3 Smashers (even without Mimic spam).
I unfortunately have the same thought with Traverse, will probably see a renewed focus of graveyard answers in the sideboard.
The other consideration is that both of these strategies (Traverse/Meek) require more main deck slots whilst having the same catch-all weaknesses, and the larger amount of slots makes it harder on the sideboard
Obviously we can't answer everything, but I think it's worth testing and observing how things settle in the coming weeks
I was specifically referencing Snapcaster and AV. 5cmc Divination with a 4/4 body is hardly format breaking
Dweller is nice and flexible, lots of utility, grixis control etc etc, but c'mon guys, be reasonable
Also, Snapcaster Mage cannot flashback Ancestral Vision for zero mana, so no Thought Scour/Liliana shenanigans (I assume some people considered already)
I don't want to aim this at *you* specifically because you're not wrong, but this is another sentence that gets repeated over and over and over again, and usually with a more detrimental tone.
I played pre-Tron in the the days of Summoning Trap/Breach/Shusher, through its Chromatic evolution until the inclusion of Ugin and Newlamog.
I didn't play Tron because Eye gave me a turn 5/6 discount, nor did I play Tron because late game I could basically tutor-loop Wurmcoils or get Emrakul.
I played Tron for the turn 3 -> huge mana -> tapout huge threat/dig -> go. If that didn't work, you were digging and tapping out turn after turn.
Eye of Ugin was a bonus. I even played Academy Ruins, that's how greedy I was!
Who honestly cares if poor ol' Tron loses their single Eye tech? Honestly? It matters, sure, and matter-of-factly it does weaken them a bit, so you're correct Sugar.... but I don't think anyone should use it as an excuse to say "dear God! Eldrazi is such a problem but poor Tron! How will it remain a sweet deck without its inevitability via this single land tech!?!"
I never said anything was epitome, apologize if that's how it sounded. I'm saying it's becoming laughable how often the same people repeat 'muh Blue Tier-senses aren't tingling'. Play control, by all means. Unbannings and new printings, sure! But asking for Force of Will and nonsense like that is laughable.