Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Standard 8/18/12 Brains...
So I decide to go to Xanadu on Saturday as they are having a standard event. I really wanted to go to the Legacy on Sunday that Mike went to, but had plans (I like Legacy more than standard). I brought with me my Zombies deck, the same one I posted before which I had taken to SCG Open in DC. The turn out had around 26 players.
Round 1: Jason playing Ramp
I had played against Jason before in other tournaments. His ability in magic is not as strong as mine, but with the right draws anything is possible.
Game 1 - I get out some early beats from Gravecrawlers and Highborn. He quickly ramps up to a Huntsmaster and then Primeval Titan. I have a blood artist out, but cannot kill his primeval. He also drops a Thragtusk which seems like game ending. Instead of holding back blockers and killing me a turn later with inkmoth he swings over for 9 total poison counters after Kessig Wolf Run. I swing back putting him to 3 with a bonfire in hand and 3 lands. I can only kill a birds on his side. With my blood artist this doesn't seem like enough. Luckily I have 2 highborn ghouls that are still alive with the blood artist so I end up Bonfiring myself for the win.
Game 2 - I get an early tragic slip on his bird, allowing me to run him over with zombies. His hand was hingent on the bird staying alive for more ramp.
Round 2: Jeremy playing U/W Delver
I have played Jeremy before, but only in Legacy. He gave me credit as after the match he told me I made his head hurt from the stress of having to play against a formidable opponent.
Game 1 - I get some early beats and it's pretty much elementary
Game 2 - I get to see a new card I had never seen before, but it's pretty good against Zombies. It is a pro black for 2 exalted white creature. I later die to it as I don't have a way to stop him.
Game 3 - I have a slow hand this game and see the same white creature mid game. The game comes down who can top deck better and it ends up being him as I am a turn away from beating him
Round 3: Random guy (Chris Peterman) with black/white tokens
Game 1 - I'm beating him early with creatures and killing off his tokens. He gets a late Sorin and dies
Game 2 - I cannot draw a solid creature and only 1 of my Gravecrawlers can attack each turn to be able to recast the other. I have tons of spot removal, but it is no good against the massive amounts of tokens. I die
Game 3 - I get out some beats and a timely bonfire helps me stablize. I manage to force him into playing his killing wave to stop my Falkenwrath, I'm at 5 he's at 6. I top deck a messenger and he tops a land.
Round 4: Darrin playing U/W/G control
Darrin always plays a U/W control variant and he thinks he always gets bad luck from draws. It's actually because he plays terrible decks. Anyway, I don't think I have ever lost a match to him.
Game 1 - U/W control cannot win against really fast creatures. I dropped two Gravecrawlers and that was pretty much it.
Game 2 - Again I have fast creatures out the gate, he wipes the board and I play a Falkenwrath. He wipes the board again and again I play a Falkenwrath. Day of Judgement is only a 1 turn fix against zombies not a cure all. He dies with 2 Thragtusks in play.
Round 5 - I was able to Draw into top 8, actually it was locked after the 4th round so no one played the fifth
Top 8 round 1 - Dude I have seen before (Name ?) playing Ramp Miracles
Game 1 - I come out gunz blazzin to kill him a turn after he has a Frost Titan, he dies to Falkenwrath, Gravecrawl, blood artist wash and repeat.
Game 2 - Again I come out gunz blazzin, but this time he ramps up and is a land away from Kessiging me out. I luckily draw a mortarpod to deal enough damage from blood artist and shooting him to take him from 6 to dead
Top 4 decides to split so we each get a Bonfire, Cavern of Souls, Huntsmaster, and U/W Geist. I am very pleased with my deck and feel like I have a grasp on the sideboarding.
Monday, August 20, 2012
Legacy 8/19/12
I went to a Legacy tournament on Sunday at Games and Stuff in Glen Burnie, MD.
I took Maverick (list in post before). I was pretty excited because it would be my first game of Legacy...ever.
Round 1: Alex with Epic Storm.
So, I have no idea what decks are in Legacy. In game 1 Alex played a few things. I had a Quasali Pridemage on the field, but was tapped out. Alex combo'd out in turn 4, I died to a 20 point Tendrils of Agony.
Game 2: So I had a hand with 3 lands and a Green Suns Zenith. My plan was to grab Gaddock Teeg in turn 3 and shut him down. I drop a Dryad Arbor on turn 1. Alex combos off in turn 1. Ouch.
(0-2)
Round 2: Daniel with Reanimator.
Game 1: Daniel got off to a slow start and I had a Cavern of Souls so I was able to drop a turn 2 Knight of the Reliquary. I got an Umezawa's Jitte out with a Qasali Pridemage, and a Noble Hierarch. I started rocking out damage. Daniel unleashed an Angel of Despair, killing the Jitte, but was only able to chump block a Knight. I rolled over him.
Game 2: This time Cavern of Souls dropped a Scavenging Ooze. Daniel conceded.
(2-0)
Round 3: Mike Wayne with Sneak and Show.
Game 1: MikeWayne got out to a pretty slow start. I had two 10/10 Knights in play when he finally dropped Show and Tell throwing a Progenitus into play. I dropped a Mother of Runes and swung with an unblockable Knight.
Game 2: I did not get out to a big start, but I had a Karakas, two scavenging Oozes, an Umezawa's Jitte, and a Qasali Pridemage in play and two Swords to Plowshares in hand. Mike Wayne is at 7. When the Show and Tell hits, I am ready for anything...Progenitus appears again. Luckily I top deck the man...Garruk Relentless. I am able to attack through Progenitus with a Wolf Token. (and my arsenal of dudes who valiantly gave their lives against Progenitus)
(2-0)
Round 4: Paul with Dredge.
At this point in my Legacy career, I have no idea what Dredge is.
Game 1: Paul opens by playing a land, drawing 4 and discarding 9 cards. I wonder what exactly he is doing. He explains how Dredge works. He concedes after I swords his third (and I assume final) Ichorid.
Game 2: He combos out in turn 3. I understand how his deck works now.
Game 3: I am on the play with two lands and a Gaddock Teeg. Booya.
In Pauls turn 1, he says, the only thing that can fuck me now is Gaddock Teeg, "Cabal therapy for Gaddock Teeg". DICKS. I pull a Green Sun's Zenith on turn 3, but only had one Gaddock, and he was in my graveyard. Paul wins the next turn.
(1-2)
Round 5: Trent with Red Deck Wins.
Game 1: I get an Umezawa's Jitte on a Scavenging Ooze. Trent concedes.
Game 2: I get burnt out, pretty badly.
Game 3: I die to Barbarian ring. Ouch.
Summary: In my first five games of Legacy, I go 0-2, 2-0, 2-0, 1-2, and 1-2.
Not too shabby. I faced some good stuff, but my sideboard needs a TON of work. I had Abeyance to stop any combo shenanigans, but what do you do when your opponent combos off on turn 1? I need a way to stop burn decks. I have some answers brewing (see the comment from Jimmy in the previous post) and I will flesh them out tomorrow.
Until next time.
I took Maverick (list in post before). I was pretty excited because it would be my first game of Legacy...ever.
Round 1: Alex with Epic Storm.
So, I have no idea what decks are in Legacy. In game 1 Alex played a few things. I had a Quasali Pridemage on the field, but was tapped out. Alex combo'd out in turn 4, I died to a 20 point Tendrils of Agony.
Game 2: So I had a hand with 3 lands and a Green Suns Zenith. My plan was to grab Gaddock Teeg in turn 3 and shut him down. I drop a Dryad Arbor on turn 1. Alex combos off in turn 1. Ouch.
(0-2)
Round 2: Daniel with Reanimator.
Game 1: Daniel got off to a slow start and I had a Cavern of Souls so I was able to drop a turn 2 Knight of the Reliquary. I got an Umezawa's Jitte out with a Qasali Pridemage, and a Noble Hierarch. I started rocking out damage. Daniel unleashed an Angel of Despair, killing the Jitte, but was only able to chump block a Knight. I rolled over him.
Game 2: This time Cavern of Souls dropped a Scavenging Ooze. Daniel conceded.
(2-0)
Round 3: Mike Wayne with Sneak and Show.
Game 1: MikeWayne got out to a pretty slow start. I had two 10/10 Knights in play when he finally dropped Show and Tell throwing a Progenitus into play. I dropped a Mother of Runes and swung with an unblockable Knight.
Game 2: I did not get out to a big start, but I had a Karakas, two scavenging Oozes, an Umezawa's Jitte, and a Qasali Pridemage in play and two Swords to Plowshares in hand. Mike Wayne is at 7. When the Show and Tell hits, I am ready for anything...Progenitus appears again. Luckily I top deck the man...Garruk Relentless. I am able to attack through Progenitus with a Wolf Token. (and my arsenal of dudes who valiantly gave their lives against Progenitus)
(2-0)
Round 4: Paul with Dredge.
At this point in my Legacy career, I have no idea what Dredge is.
Game 1: Paul opens by playing a land, drawing 4 and discarding 9 cards. I wonder what exactly he is doing. He explains how Dredge works. He concedes after I swords his third (and I assume final) Ichorid.
Game 2: He combos out in turn 3. I understand how his deck works now.
Game 3: I am on the play with two lands and a Gaddock Teeg. Booya.
In Pauls turn 1, he says, the only thing that can fuck me now is Gaddock Teeg, "Cabal therapy for Gaddock Teeg". DICKS. I pull a Green Sun's Zenith on turn 3, but only had one Gaddock, and he was in my graveyard. Paul wins the next turn.
(1-2)
Round 5: Trent with Red Deck Wins.
Game 1: I get an Umezawa's Jitte on a Scavenging Ooze. Trent concedes.
Game 2: I get burnt out, pretty badly.
Game 3: I die to Barbarian ring. Ouch.
Summary: In my first five games of Legacy, I go 0-2, 2-0, 2-0, 1-2, and 1-2.
Not too shabby. I faced some good stuff, but my sideboard needs a TON of work. I had Abeyance to stop any combo shenanigans, but what do you do when your opponent combos off on turn 1? I need a way to stop burn decks. I have some answers brewing (see the comment from Jimmy in the previous post) and I will flesh them out tomorrow.
Until next time.
Legacy: The Beginning
If you know me, you know that I rarely like to leave my house on Sundays. I use this day to get my weekly affairs in order, clean up from the weekend, and prepare for the week to come. It is a very tight regime. Since the beginning of my brief foray into Magic, I have been watching the Star City Games tournament coverage. Legacy coverage is usually on Sundays, I began to watch it. This led into an interest in playing legacy.
The deck I most enjoyed watching was "Maverick", it seemed fun and interactive. (I will admit that "Trading Stacks" also looked fun, I am not that experienced in playing control) It seemed to have all the tools it needed to be able to compete. I purchased and built a Maverick deck.
4 Mother of Runes
4 Noble Hierarch
1 Fauna Shaman
1 Gaddock Teeg
4 Qasali Pridemage
3 Scavenging Ooze
2 Scryb Ranger
1 Stoneforge Mystic
4 Knight of the Reliquary
1 Path to Exile
4 Swords to Plowshares
2 Green Sun's Zenith
1 Umezawa's Jitte
1 Batterskull
1 Sylvan Library
2 Garruk Relentless
2 Cavern of Souls
1 Dryad Arbor
3 Forest
1 Horizon Canopy
1 Karakas
1 Maze of Ith
3 Plains
4 Savannah
4 Wasteland
4 Windswept Heath
Sideboard
1 Bojuka Bog
1 Homeward Path
1 Path to Exile
1 Abeyance
2 Scryb Ranger
2 Krosan Grip
2 Armageddon
4 Blastoderm
1 Gideon Jura
As far as the sideboard goes, I did not really know what to expect, since I have never played Legacy.
Turns out, I was woefully unprepared.
Until next time.
The deck I most enjoyed watching was "Maverick", it seemed fun and interactive. (I will admit that "Trading Stacks" also looked fun, I am not that experienced in playing control) It seemed to have all the tools it needed to be able to compete. I purchased and built a Maverick deck.
4 Mother of Runes
4 Noble Hierarch
1 Fauna Shaman
1 Gaddock Teeg
4 Qasali Pridemage
3 Scavenging Ooze
2 Scryb Ranger
1 Stoneforge Mystic
4 Knight of the Reliquary
1 Path to Exile
4 Swords to Plowshares
2 Green Sun's Zenith
1 Umezawa's Jitte
1 Batterskull
1 Sylvan Library
2 Garruk Relentless
2 Cavern of Souls
1 Dryad Arbor
3 Forest
1 Horizon Canopy
1 Karakas
1 Maze of Ith
3 Plains
4 Savannah
4 Wasteland
4 Windswept Heath
Sideboard
1 Bojuka Bog
1 Homeward Path
1 Path to Exile
1 Abeyance
2 Scryb Ranger
2 Krosan Grip
2 Armageddon
4 Blastoderm
1 Gideon Jura
As far as the sideboard goes, I did not really know what to expect, since I have never played Legacy.
Turns out, I was woefully unprepared.
Until next time.
FNM 8/17/12
Took my Naya (see previous posts) to FNM at Gotham Comics in Westminster, MD.
The only change that I made was to my sideboard.
I removed the 2 Wolfir Silverhearts and 2 Wolfir Avengers; I added 4 Magmaquakes to try to combat the increasingly popular G/W elves.
Round 1: Eric with Mono White Weenie (Budget)
Eric played a budget deck with Mikaeus the Lunarch being the only rare I saw.
Game 1 was pretty one sided, I Fiend Hunter'd his Mikaeus, and they everyone else flew over his blockers.
In Game 2 he got off to a pretty quick start, dropping me as low as 2 life before I stabilized with Huntmaster and Thragtusk. I then began flickering the Thragtusks with Restoration Angels and the fliers once again prevailed.
(2-0)
Round 2: Mark with Green/White/Blue Infect.
Infect decks have given me trouble in the past. I dodged some bullets in this one.
In game one he got out pretty quick with a Blighted agent, which I Fiend Huntered. He then dropped two Inkmoth Nexus, activated and played a rancor on one of them. I respond with Restoration Angel flickering the Fiend Hunter, exiling the Inkmoth Nexus, but giving him back Blighted agent. Rancor, with no legal targets, failed to resolve. He then attacked with the second Inkmoth, which was killed by Restoration Angel.
I bonfired on the next turn, killing the Blighted agent. I then swung for a bunch since he had an open field.
In game two, I got Thalia out early, which helped against a Rancor-enchanted Blight Mamba. I was at 6 poison counters when he hard-cast "Revenge of the Hunted", but was one mana short due to Thalia. I used Fiend Hunter to Exile the Blight Mamba the following turn, and took board control.
(2-0)
Round 3: Jimmy Cannon with Green/White Elves.
This is a matchup that I dread because the elf deck has the ability to get so big so fast that it becomes impossible to race.
Game one, luckily I am on the play. My hand is "Ok", I have two lands, but two of them come into play tapped. Jimmy plays Arbor elf turn 1 and then birds and a Elvish Archdruid. Me and the T.O. begin joking about being able to smell brimstone as I am about to top-deck a bonfire. I top-deck a bonfire, wipe the board and play a land. Jimmy responds by replaying most of what he had lost. I drop a Huntmaster of the Fells. Jimmy gets two more elves into play. I top-deck another Bonfire. Jimmy scoops.
I go to my sideboard, remove 2 Thalias and 4 Elvish Visionaries. I put in 2 Grafdigger's cages and 4 Magmaquakes. I am on the draw, my opening hand is land, land, land, Grafdigger's cage, Bonfire, Huntmaster, and Restoration Angel. Party on. Long story short, I drop the Cage turn 2 and Bonfire on 3 for the Win.
Round 4: My opponent and I are the lone 3-0's. We Intentionally Draw (ID) and split 1st and 2nd. This move was met with some disdain by some of the other players. I was called "gay" and a "pussy" by some. Not being easily riled, I let these slide and engage the offenders in some dialogue about IDing.
I asked if there was a sort of stigma surrounding IDing, apparently there is. However, I want to point out that one of the people offended by my actions was someone who I had offered an ID to just a few weeks earlier. He was on board until I told him that there was a miniscule chance that he would not get 1st place and might get second because of tie-breakers (but it was pretty likely that he would get first)
With this new info, he declined a draw and we played. Not informing me of the stigma this past time throws his recent comments into the realm of "suspect" to be sure.
I wish to investigate if IDing is frowned upon or "business as usual" (as I have seen it done MANY times)
Until next time.
The only change that I made was to my sideboard.
I removed the 2 Wolfir Silverhearts and 2 Wolfir Avengers; I added 4 Magmaquakes to try to combat the increasingly popular G/W elves.
Round 1: Eric with Mono White Weenie (Budget)
Eric played a budget deck with Mikaeus the Lunarch being the only rare I saw.
Game 1 was pretty one sided, I Fiend Hunter'd his Mikaeus, and they everyone else flew over his blockers.
In Game 2 he got off to a pretty quick start, dropping me as low as 2 life before I stabilized with Huntmaster and Thragtusk. I then began flickering the Thragtusks with Restoration Angels and the fliers once again prevailed.
(2-0)
Round 2: Mark with Green/White/Blue Infect.
Infect decks have given me trouble in the past. I dodged some bullets in this one.
In game one he got out pretty quick with a Blighted agent, which I Fiend Huntered. He then dropped two Inkmoth Nexus, activated and played a rancor on one of them. I respond with Restoration Angel flickering the Fiend Hunter, exiling the Inkmoth Nexus, but giving him back Blighted agent. Rancor, with no legal targets, failed to resolve. He then attacked with the second Inkmoth, which was killed by Restoration Angel.
I bonfired on the next turn, killing the Blighted agent. I then swung for a bunch since he had an open field.
In game two, I got Thalia out early, which helped against a Rancor-enchanted Blight Mamba. I was at 6 poison counters when he hard-cast "Revenge of the Hunted", but was one mana short due to Thalia. I used Fiend Hunter to Exile the Blight Mamba the following turn, and took board control.
(2-0)
Round 3: Jimmy Cannon with Green/White Elves.
This is a matchup that I dread because the elf deck has the ability to get so big so fast that it becomes impossible to race.
Game one, luckily I am on the play. My hand is "Ok", I have two lands, but two of them come into play tapped. Jimmy plays Arbor elf turn 1 and then birds and a Elvish Archdruid. Me and the T.O. begin joking about being able to smell brimstone as I am about to top-deck a bonfire. I top-deck a bonfire, wipe the board and play a land. Jimmy responds by replaying most of what he had lost. I drop a Huntmaster of the Fells. Jimmy gets two more elves into play. I top-deck another Bonfire. Jimmy scoops.
I go to my sideboard, remove 2 Thalias and 4 Elvish Visionaries. I put in 2 Grafdigger's cages and 4 Magmaquakes. I am on the draw, my opening hand is land, land, land, Grafdigger's cage, Bonfire, Huntmaster, and Restoration Angel. Party on. Long story short, I drop the Cage turn 2 and Bonfire on 3 for the Win.
Round 4: My opponent and I are the lone 3-0's. We Intentionally Draw (ID) and split 1st and 2nd. This move was met with some disdain by some of the other players. I was called "gay" and a "pussy" by some. Not being easily riled, I let these slide and engage the offenders in some dialogue about IDing.
I asked if there was a sort of stigma surrounding IDing, apparently there is. However, I want to point out that one of the people offended by my actions was someone who I had offered an ID to just a few weeks earlier. He was on board until I told him that there was a miniscule chance that he would not get 1st place and might get second because of tie-breakers (but it was pretty likely that he would get first)
With this new info, he declined a draw and we played. Not informing me of the stigma this past time throws his recent comments into the realm of "suspect" to be sure.
I wish to investigate if IDing is frowned upon or "business as usual" (as I have seen it done MANY times)
Until next time.
Friday, August 17, 2012
TNM 8/16/2012
I went to Beyond Comics in Frederick, MD for a 4-round standard event. 16 people showed up for the event. I got another FNM Staff of Nin just for showing up.
I took my regular Naya Deck. (Outlined in previous Blog Posts)
Round 1: Daniel with Green/White token blink.
In our first game, Daniel had mana problems and I won handily.
In game 2, Daniel got off to a surprisingly fast start, generating 4 3/3 golems that had first strike and regenerate. He got me down to 7 life before I dropped a Thragtusk to stabilize the board.
Daniel stopped attacking, even though he had a veritable army of tokens. I was able to drop a Thundermaw Hellkite and a restoration angel. I swung twice in the air, pumped up Kessig Wolf Run and ran over him.
(2-0)
Round 2: William with Black/Red Exalted
Pre sideboard, there is very little I can do against Williams deck, it comes out fast and hits hard.
In game 1, he outraced me.
In game 2, I got a timely Bonfire of the Damned to stablilize the board. He hit me with a Thundermaw Hellkite. I responded by playing Zealous Conscripts, hitting him with his own dragon, putting him to 6.
He played a Servant of Nefarox, I was at 4.
I played Restoration Angel, blinking the Conscripts, who stole the Servant and swung back for 6.
In game 3, I wasn't able to stabilize due to some missed land drops and was run over.
(1-2)
Round 3: Caleb with Blue/Red Delver.
Caleb is young. I would estimate 11 or 12. His deck is not bad, but is a bad matchup for him against my deck. Caleb made some mistakes and I was able to easily overcome him based on my creature rush. UR Delver is a tough deck to pilot. Caleb needs more practice.
(2-0)
Round 4: Alex with Red/Blue/Green (RUG) Delver.
Alex plays RUG Delver with Quirion Dryad as his main beatstick.
In game 1, I was able to kill the Dryads with either Garruk Relentless or Fiend Hunter. After that I started dropping Thragtusk bombs and overwhelmed him.
In Game 2, Alex was not able to draw an Island. He died quickly with 6 Blue cards in hand and no blue mana on his lands. (a classic mana screw)
(2-0)
I finished 2-0, 1-2, 2-0, 2-0 which was good enough to get fourth place and net me 4 packs for my efforts.
Until next time.
I took my regular Naya Deck. (Outlined in previous Blog Posts)
Round 1: Daniel with Green/White token blink.
In our first game, Daniel had mana problems and I won handily.
In game 2, Daniel got off to a surprisingly fast start, generating 4 3/3 golems that had first strike and regenerate. He got me down to 7 life before I dropped a Thragtusk to stabilize the board.
Daniel stopped attacking, even though he had a veritable army of tokens. I was able to drop a Thundermaw Hellkite and a restoration angel. I swung twice in the air, pumped up Kessig Wolf Run and ran over him.
(2-0)
Round 2: William with Black/Red Exalted
Pre sideboard, there is very little I can do against Williams deck, it comes out fast and hits hard.
In game 1, he outraced me.
In game 2, I got a timely Bonfire of the Damned to stablilize the board. He hit me with a Thundermaw Hellkite. I responded by playing Zealous Conscripts, hitting him with his own dragon, putting him to 6.
He played a Servant of Nefarox, I was at 4.
I played Restoration Angel, blinking the Conscripts, who stole the Servant and swung back for 6.
In game 3, I wasn't able to stabilize due to some missed land drops and was run over.
(1-2)
Round 3: Caleb with Blue/Red Delver.
Caleb is young. I would estimate 11 or 12. His deck is not bad, but is a bad matchup for him against my deck. Caleb made some mistakes and I was able to easily overcome him based on my creature rush. UR Delver is a tough deck to pilot. Caleb needs more practice.
(2-0)
Round 4: Alex with Red/Blue/Green (RUG) Delver.
Alex plays RUG Delver with Quirion Dryad as his main beatstick.
In game 1, I was able to kill the Dryads with either Garruk Relentless or Fiend Hunter. After that I started dropping Thragtusk bombs and overwhelmed him.
In Game 2, Alex was not able to draw an Island. He died quickly with 6 Blue cards in hand and no blue mana on his lands. (a classic mana screw)
(2-0)
I finished 2-0, 1-2, 2-0, 2-0 which was good enough to get fourth place and net me 4 packs for my efforts.
Until next time.
Sunday, August 12, 2012
FNM 8/10/12
I went to FNM at Gotham Comics in Westminster, MD.
I took my regular Naya deck for their 4-round standard event.
Round 1: Chris with mono-green elves.
Chris' version of this deck is nothing new, it uses cheap elves to get more elves. Eventually (like turn 5) he will genesis wave for a bunch, drop a craterhoof behemoth and swing for the win.
In game 1, he did just that. I sided in Geistflame and Grafdigger's cage to try to slow the tide.
It worked in game 2, as I also got a bonfire to wipe his side of the board then take control.
In game 3, I kept a hand that was just a little too slow. He drew the behemoth, hard cast it, and swung to take me down.
(1-2)
Round 2: Eric with budget home brew.
Eric had a White Blue budget homebrew that apparently relies on Aether Adept to do something. I think his mana base was a little off as I easily rolled over him.
(2-0)
Round 3: Colin with Mono White
This was Colin's second time at FNM, he had a mono white token/weenie deck. I did not see most of it because he had some mana issues (we talked after and he only had 23 land, while thinking he had 24). This was another easy win.
(2-0)
Round 4: Becca and Mono-Red Goblins.
With ample time left in rounds 2 and 3, I was able to watch this terrifying deck in action. It comes out quick, ramps up fast and drops TONS of Goblins on the field.
In game 1 I got a bonfire at a key moment to leave Becca with just a Mogg Flunkies. Becca played another Flunkies; I then dropped a thragtusk to gain back some of the life I lost. In her turn she swung in with both Flunkies against the Thragtusk and ran into a restoration angel who blinked the Thragtusk, the Beast token traded with a flunkies, the Angel took care of the other.
In game 2 I was able to kill off Krenko with a Garruk Relentless before he could make an armada. I then dropped Thragtusk and Huntmaster to up my life total and apply pressure. She missed a spell and Huntmaster was able to transform, take out the only blocker she had, then Thundermaw Hellkite arrived and sealed it. (2-0)
So, I went 1-2, 2-0, 2-0, 2-0 putting me as one of FIVE 3-1. I was in fifth due to tiebreakers (from Rounds 2 and 3) and was given 5th place, denying me any prize support :(
Only the elves gave me trouble, I may want to think about putting in Magmaquake so I can respond to the Craterhoof drop. I did not use Either Wolfir card in my sideboard, so maybe those can go. I do worry about the double Red requirement though, I will playtest to see if my land base can support it.
Until next time.
I took my regular Naya deck for their 4-round standard event.
Round 1: Chris with mono-green elves.
Chris' version of this deck is nothing new, it uses cheap elves to get more elves. Eventually (like turn 5) he will genesis wave for a bunch, drop a craterhoof behemoth and swing for the win.
In game 1, he did just that. I sided in Geistflame and Grafdigger's cage to try to slow the tide.
It worked in game 2, as I also got a bonfire to wipe his side of the board then take control.
In game 3, I kept a hand that was just a little too slow. He drew the behemoth, hard cast it, and swung to take me down.
(1-2)
Round 2: Eric with budget home brew.
Eric had a White Blue budget homebrew that apparently relies on Aether Adept to do something. I think his mana base was a little off as I easily rolled over him.
(2-0)
Round 3: Colin with Mono White
This was Colin's second time at FNM, he had a mono white token/weenie deck. I did not see most of it because he had some mana issues (we talked after and he only had 23 land, while thinking he had 24). This was another easy win.
(2-0)
Round 4: Becca and Mono-Red Goblins.
With ample time left in rounds 2 and 3, I was able to watch this terrifying deck in action. It comes out quick, ramps up fast and drops TONS of Goblins on the field.
In game 1 I got a bonfire at a key moment to leave Becca with just a Mogg Flunkies. Becca played another Flunkies; I then dropped a thragtusk to gain back some of the life I lost. In her turn she swung in with both Flunkies against the Thragtusk and ran into a restoration angel who blinked the Thragtusk, the Beast token traded with a flunkies, the Angel took care of the other.
In game 2 I was able to kill off Krenko with a Garruk Relentless before he could make an armada. I then dropped Thragtusk and Huntmaster to up my life total and apply pressure. She missed a spell and Huntmaster was able to transform, take out the only blocker she had, then Thundermaw Hellkite arrived and sealed it. (2-0)
So, I went 1-2, 2-0, 2-0, 2-0 putting me as one of FIVE 3-1. I was in fifth due to tiebreakers (from Rounds 2 and 3) and was given 5th place, denying me any prize support :(
Only the elves gave me trouble, I may want to think about putting in Magmaquake so I can respond to the Craterhoof drop. I did not use Either Wolfir card in my sideboard, so maybe those can go. I do worry about the double Red requirement though, I will playtest to see if my land base can support it.
Until next time.
Friday, August 10, 2012
Standard 8/9/12
On Thursday, August 9th I attended a small standard event (8 people) at Beyond Comics in Frederick, MD.
I took my Naya Mid-Range Aggro deck.
4 Elvish Visionary
3 Thalia, Guardian of Thraben
3 Fiend Hunter
3 Huntmaster of the Fells
4 Restoration Angel
2 Acidic Slime
2 Sigarda, Host of Herons
3 Thragtusk
2 Thundermaw Hellkite
2 Inferno Titan
4 Bonfire of the Damned
3 Garruk Relentless
4 Clifftop Retreat
5 Forest
2 Kessig Wolf Run
3 Mountain
4 Plains
3 Rootbound Crag
4 Sunpetal Grove
Sideboard
4 Geistflame
2 Grafdigger's Cage
3 Ancient Grudge
2 Wolfir Avenger
2 Wolfir Silverheart
2 Zealous Conscripts
Round 1
I played against a guy named Jason with a mono red aggro deck. His deck had a lot of burn, but only one Bonfire. His main attacks came in the form of Archwing Dragon...He got me as low as 6 before Thragtusk and Thundermaw Hellkite came in and ruined his day.
In game 2, he did not draw into his archwing and his lone bonfire killed a Huntmaster, Wolf Token, and Elvish Visionary. After that, Thragtusk came in, got bounced by a restoration angel and buried him.
His deck appeared to be a budget deck and/or a work in progress.
I won 2-0
Round 2
I played against William (who was running the event) and his Black/Red exalted aggro. In game 1 he overwhelmed me because I was not able to deal with early Duty-Bound Dead.
In game 2, I drew a total of 15 lands and 8 other cards. Lucky for me, William only drew one source of Red mana (So he could not cast the two Tundermaw Hellkites he had in his hand. He got me to 4 life before Thragtusk came in. My saving grace in this game was that I was able to use Kessig Wolf Run to hit for 13 with my Elvish Visionary and Wolf Token.
In game 3, I kept a hand I should not have kept. I only got 3 land all game and was quickly dispatched.
I lose 1-2
Round 3
I played against Alex and his Black-White-Red Mimic Vat Zoo kind of deck. In game 1 I did not actually see a Mimic Vat and Thundermaw Hellkite and Inferno Titan made short work of his "wall" of Lingering Souls.
In game 2, he got out a mimic vat and began copying Elvish Visionary Tokens, oops. I got out Garruk Relentless, and was able to "tutor" for an Acidic Slime to kill the Mimic Vat. He eventually got out a Sun Titan, who brought back the Mimic Vat, I tutored for my last slime and killed it. I then cast Thundermaw Hellkite, also attacked with an Inferno Titan, and he died since he was 8, (Sun and Inferno Titans traded)
I win 2-0.
So, I went 2-0, 1-2, 2-0 and won three booster packs of M13, in which I pulled nothing of consequence. I was quite pleased with how the deck performed, although I still need a little more experience in deciding if a hand is worth keeping.
Until next time.
I took my Naya Mid-Range Aggro deck.
4 Elvish Visionary
3 Thalia, Guardian of Thraben
3 Fiend Hunter
3 Huntmaster of the Fells
4 Restoration Angel
2 Acidic Slime
2 Sigarda, Host of Herons
3 Thragtusk
2 Thundermaw Hellkite
2 Inferno Titan
4 Bonfire of the Damned
3 Garruk Relentless
4 Clifftop Retreat
5 Forest
2 Kessig Wolf Run
3 Mountain
4 Plains
3 Rootbound Crag
4 Sunpetal Grove
Sideboard
4 Geistflame
2 Grafdigger's Cage
3 Ancient Grudge
2 Wolfir Avenger
2 Wolfir Silverheart
2 Zealous Conscripts
Round 1
I played against a guy named Jason with a mono red aggro deck. His deck had a lot of burn, but only one Bonfire. His main attacks came in the form of Archwing Dragon...He got me as low as 6 before Thragtusk and Thundermaw Hellkite came in and ruined his day.
In game 2, he did not draw into his archwing and his lone bonfire killed a Huntmaster, Wolf Token, and Elvish Visionary. After that, Thragtusk came in, got bounced by a restoration angel and buried him.
His deck appeared to be a budget deck and/or a work in progress.
I won 2-0
Round 2
I played against William (who was running the event) and his Black/Red exalted aggro. In game 1 he overwhelmed me because I was not able to deal with early Duty-Bound Dead.
In game 2, I drew a total of 15 lands and 8 other cards. Lucky for me, William only drew one source of Red mana (So he could not cast the two Tundermaw Hellkites he had in his hand. He got me to 4 life before Thragtusk came in. My saving grace in this game was that I was able to use Kessig Wolf Run to hit for 13 with my Elvish Visionary and Wolf Token.
In game 3, I kept a hand I should not have kept. I only got 3 land all game and was quickly dispatched.
I lose 1-2
Round 3
I played against Alex and his Black-White-Red Mimic Vat Zoo kind of deck. In game 1 I did not actually see a Mimic Vat and Thundermaw Hellkite and Inferno Titan made short work of his "wall" of Lingering Souls.
In game 2, he got out a mimic vat and began copying Elvish Visionary Tokens, oops. I got out Garruk Relentless, and was able to "tutor" for an Acidic Slime to kill the Mimic Vat. He eventually got out a Sun Titan, who brought back the Mimic Vat, I tutored for my last slime and killed it. I then cast Thundermaw Hellkite, also attacked with an Inferno Titan, and he died since he was 8, (Sun and Inferno Titans traded)
I win 2-0.
So, I went 2-0, 1-2, 2-0 and won three booster packs of M13, in which I pulled nothing of consequence. I was quite pleased with how the deck performed, although I still need a little more experience in deciding if a hand is worth keeping.
Until next time.
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
A Weekend at Bernie's
After not playing standard for over a year I decided to get back into it after recent exciting posts by Mike. I wanted to play a deck that would not lose a lot of cards when the rotation hits in October. I looked for a relatively inexpensive deck that had recently won a StarCityGames open. My choice was B/R Zombies. I gathered all the cards quickly and set off for my first FNM in over 2 years. I was able to pick up some wins making it into top 4 with my only loss being to a U/B Zombies deck. I was shaky on the sideboarding, but had a strong grip on the deck mechanics. I liked not having to know the other decks in the format to win. With this new found confidence in standard I set my eyes on an upcoming local event - SCG DC open.
I set out with my new Zombies deck changing only 2 cards, 2 Brimstone Volleys for a 4th Blood Artist and a Killing Wave. The power of Blood Artist with lots of creatures out and the ability to kill everything on the board would prove to be a game winner if the option presented itself. As a veteran of traveling to DC I managed to make it to the tourney 5 minutes before it started. SCG has now increased the tournament cost from $30 to $40 which I grumbled about as they only take cash. I sit down for my first round and my opponent is playing U/W delver. I had previously played against it at FNM and quickly swept him and my next round opponent also playing U/W delver. My third round opponent was playing Naya pod. It was a close game coming down to game 3. It came down to me not drawing a creature for 4 turns and him casting Elesh Norn instead of podding him into play. He was able to beat me both games with an Elesh Norn. That guy just hammers Zombies. My 4th round opponent was playing a G/W aggro deck. He managed to play Mirran Crusader on turn 3 with Angelic Destiny attaching to him turn 4. I was a turn later only to miss play killing off my Geralf's Messenger to Aristocrat the turn before. Had I done that I could have copied Messenger with Phyrexian Metamorph sacked to Aristocrat again for the exact damage needing to kill him. I crushed him game 2 then fizzled out game 3 to a 2-2 record. I decided to drop and play in a $10 m13 draft. I drafted B/R with what I thought was a decent deck. My opponent funny enough drafted the same colors. I was able to take game one after his mull to 5. Game 2 I got to see doubled Krenko which were quickly dispatched with double Essence Drain. Game 3 I had a slow start and he capitalized. I left for the day to play test my more veteran format: Legacy.
After play testing the night before I set out once again down to DC. I was playing a deck that I have had the most success with, Ad Nauseam Tendrils 4 color. 2 mistakes I made prior to starting the tournament was not taking out the 2 Ad Nauseam and not having Dread of Night in my sideboard. I knew I needed them, but forgot them at home. I started the tournament against a local Games & Stuff player. He is a nice guy that usually play's fun decks (not the norm, but are good). Today, he was playing welder. He got out an early Revoker on Lion's Eye Diamond that proved to be problematic until I Shattering Spree'd it away from my sideboard. Game 2 he had a turn 1 Chalice for 0. Since I kept a Gambling hand of Chrome Mox and Lotus Petal I quickly fell to welder with Jitte. Game 3 I had lands and the Chalice for 0 was not as effective. I had planned to Shattering Spree it away with my next turn. He was able to draw 3 cards on his turn to find a Revoker. I was fortunate enough to rip a rite of flame off the top to get the extra red I needed to destroy both the Chalice and Revoker. I pulled out the win. Round 2 I was matched against Team America by a good Asian player. He started with swamp, Thoughtsieze, turn 2 wasteland. Thinking he was mono black I was able to combo with just the cards in my hand for the exact 18 life. I knew he was good when he let the storm go on the stack and resolve before Forcing the original Tendrils of Agony. I was at 36 and he was at 1. He dropped 2 fetchlands which did not help him. I was able to build back up to Burning wish for the Tendrils in my sideboard. Game 2 I was able to start to go off with an Orim's Chant. He flashed in Vendillion Clique to stop my plans forcing me to pitch my only burning wish. I was lucky enough to draw one off the clique. I wished for Infernal Tutor, then grabbed Ad Nauseam out of my deck. He wanted me to show him the bottom of my deck to prove the burning wish actually went there from his Clique. I beat him 2-0. Round 3 I played against G/W Maverick. Now, in the past G/W has never been an issue even with Gaddock Teeg and Ethersworn Canonist, but with the intro of Thalia it proved to be different. I was able to squeak out game one to him over extending into a pyroclasm killing Thalia. I went off the turn after. Games 2 and three were met with a turn 2 protected by MOM Thalia. This is where the Dread of Night's were needed. I have gladly mulled down to 2 cards Land & Dread. I was defeated. Round 4 I played against another local Seth. Seth is a really nice guy. He was playing his usual Painter Servant. We had a friendly match and I took it down 2-0. Round 5 I had to play against another G/W Maverick where I took my 2nd loss and dropped from the tournament. I once again played in an m13 draft. This time I drafted a good G/R deck. My opponent also drafted a G/R deck. He was able to beat me with mountain walk game one when I had board control. I lost in game 3 and left for home. All in all it was a blast.
I set out with my new Zombies deck changing only 2 cards, 2 Brimstone Volleys for a 4th Blood Artist and a Killing Wave. The power of Blood Artist with lots of creatures out and the ability to kill everything on the board would prove to be a game winner if the option presented itself. As a veteran of traveling to DC I managed to make it to the tourney 5 minutes before it started. SCG has now increased the tournament cost from $30 to $40 which I grumbled about as they only take cash. I sit down for my first round and my opponent is playing U/W delver. I had previously played against it at FNM and quickly swept him and my next round opponent also playing U/W delver. My third round opponent was playing Naya pod. It was a close game coming down to game 3. It came down to me not drawing a creature for 4 turns and him casting Elesh Norn instead of podding him into play. He was able to beat me both games with an Elesh Norn. That guy just hammers Zombies. My 4th round opponent was playing a G/W aggro deck. He managed to play Mirran Crusader on turn 3 with Angelic Destiny attaching to him turn 4. I was a turn later only to miss play killing off my Geralf's Messenger to Aristocrat the turn before. Had I done that I could have copied Messenger with Phyrexian Metamorph sacked to Aristocrat again for the exact damage needing to kill him. I crushed him game 2 then fizzled out game 3 to a 2-2 record. I decided to drop and play in a $10 m13 draft. I drafted B/R with what I thought was a decent deck. My opponent funny enough drafted the same colors. I was able to take game one after his mull to 5. Game 2 I got to see doubled Krenko which were quickly dispatched with double Essence Drain. Game 3 I had a slow start and he capitalized. I left for the day to play test my more veteran format: Legacy.
After play testing the night before I set out once again down to DC. I was playing a deck that I have had the most success with, Ad Nauseam Tendrils 4 color. 2 mistakes I made prior to starting the tournament was not taking out the 2 Ad Nauseam and not having Dread of Night in my sideboard. I knew I needed them, but forgot them at home. I started the tournament against a local Games & Stuff player. He is a nice guy that usually play's fun decks (not the norm, but are good). Today, he was playing welder. He got out an early Revoker on Lion's Eye Diamond that proved to be problematic until I Shattering Spree'd it away from my sideboard. Game 2 he had a turn 1 Chalice for 0. Since I kept a Gambling hand of Chrome Mox and Lotus Petal I quickly fell to welder with Jitte. Game 3 I had lands and the Chalice for 0 was not as effective. I had planned to Shattering Spree it away with my next turn. He was able to draw 3 cards on his turn to find a Revoker. I was fortunate enough to rip a rite of flame off the top to get the extra red I needed to destroy both the Chalice and Revoker. I pulled out the win. Round 2 I was matched against Team America by a good Asian player. He started with swamp, Thoughtsieze, turn 2 wasteland. Thinking he was mono black I was able to combo with just the cards in my hand for the exact 18 life. I knew he was good when he let the storm go on the stack and resolve before Forcing the original Tendrils of Agony. I was at 36 and he was at 1. He dropped 2 fetchlands which did not help him. I was able to build back up to Burning wish for the Tendrils in my sideboard. Game 2 I was able to start to go off with an Orim's Chant. He flashed in Vendillion Clique to stop my plans forcing me to pitch my only burning wish. I was lucky enough to draw one off the clique. I wished for Infernal Tutor, then grabbed Ad Nauseam out of my deck. He wanted me to show him the bottom of my deck to prove the burning wish actually went there from his Clique. I beat him 2-0. Round 3 I played against G/W Maverick. Now, in the past G/W has never been an issue even with Gaddock Teeg and Ethersworn Canonist, but with the intro of Thalia it proved to be different. I was able to squeak out game one to him over extending into a pyroclasm killing Thalia. I went off the turn after. Games 2 and three were met with a turn 2 protected by MOM Thalia. This is where the Dread of Night's were needed. I have gladly mulled down to 2 cards Land & Dread. I was defeated. Round 4 I played against another local Seth. Seth is a really nice guy. He was playing his usual Painter Servant. We had a friendly match and I took it down 2-0. Round 5 I had to play against another G/W Maverick where I took my 2nd loss and dropped from the tournament. I once again played in an m13 draft. This time I drafted a good G/R deck. My opponent also drafted a G/R deck. He was able to beat me with mountain walk game one when I had board control. I lost in game 3 and left for home. All in all it was a blast.
EDH - Trimming the Fat
I have 16 EDH decks. This is about 11 too many. Time to trim the fat. Just for illustrative purposes, I will list the decks that I have, their commander, and the deck type. Hopefully, after that exercise, I will rank them and keep the top 5. (Because I have 5 of the leather deck boxes.) Without further ado.
-Scion of the Ur-Dragon: A utility deck that has Scion swinging in as different dragons.
-Wort- Boggart Auntie: An all-foil Goblin deck.
-Gisela, Blade of Goldnight: A burn deck (even though I did buy a Sunforger)
-Grimgrin, Corpse Born: A zombie deck that wins by Grimgrin attacking for Lethal Commander Damage.
-Arcades Sabboth: A Bant control-ish deck with Tokens, there are 1 or 2 locks built in.
-Karador, Ghost Chieftan: A reanimator style deck that usually wins with Vish-Kal attacking for a 50+.
-Numot, the Devastator: Land Destruction
-Kaho, Minamo Historian: This is a "Splice into Arcane" deck. I do not think there is actually a win condition.
-Kazuul, Tyrant of the Cliffs: This deck makes ogres.
-Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobyte: A white token deck, it sucks.
-Azusa, lost but seeking: A ramp/stompy deck.
-Volrath: A favorite of mine, this is just filled with Black removal, and Volrath.
-Nicol Bolas: This is the first EDH deck I ever built. It is TERRIBLE.
-Niv-Mizzet, the Firemind: I built this deck on the false assumption that 21 general damage could come from anywhere, so it was built to combo out with Niv-Mizzet. It can't.
-Zur the Enchanter: a Turn 3-5 combo lock deck. Very unfun to play against.
-Vaevictus: A Vaevictus Voltron deck.
So, lets first start by taking the decks that are absolute ass to play and play against.
Zur, Wort, Gisela, Kaho, Kazuul, Elesh Norn, Niv-Mizzet, and Volrath.
Wow, that is 8 already.
Now for my favorites:
Grimgrin, Karador, Arcades, Bolas, Vaevictus
Time to rank.
1) Grimgrin, Corpse Born
2) Arcades "Defense" Sabboth
3) Nicol "Booksmart" Bolas
4) Vaevictus "Ballhard" Asmadi
5) Karador, Ghost-Horse
6) Scion of Ur-Dragon
7) Numot, the Devastator
8) Azusa, Lost but seeking
9) Niv-Mizzet, the Firemind
10) Kaho, Minamo Historian
11) Gisela, Blade of Goldnight
12) Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobyte
13) Volrath, the Fallen
14) Kazuul, Tyrant of the Cliffs
15) Wort, Boggart Auntie
16) Zur, the enchanter
I look at this list and I am actually ok with the rankings. Well, mostly. If I look at the rankings based on deck type, I get the following.
1) Voltron (Black/Blue)
2) Control (White/Green/Blue)
3) Crap (Red/Blue/Black)
4) Voltron (Red/Black/Green)
5) Reanimator Voltron (Black/White/Green)
Not super diverse...
Color breakdown:
Black - 4
White - 2
Blue - 3
Red - 2
Green - 3
Not a bad spread.
I think though, I am tired of Karador. It is not as consistent as Grimgrin or Vaevictus and is similar to both. (Grimgrin also has Graveyard manipulation, but can win without it. If Karador loses his graveyard, he loses)
So, I will keep the top four. But Bolas is still in shambles. (I had cards like Lim-Dul's Paladin and unearth cards that were low P/T) Luckily, M13 brought some love to Bolas colors in the form of fluffy cards.
I will leave the 5 slot for whatever legend in Return to Ravnica looks coolest (Save Niv-Mizzet).
Until next time.
-Scion of the Ur-Dragon: A utility deck that has Scion swinging in as different dragons.
-Wort- Boggart Auntie: An all-foil Goblin deck.
-Gisela, Blade of Goldnight: A burn deck (even though I did buy a Sunforger)
-Grimgrin, Corpse Born: A zombie deck that wins by Grimgrin attacking for Lethal Commander Damage.
-Arcades Sabboth: A Bant control-ish deck with Tokens, there are 1 or 2 locks built in.
-Karador, Ghost Chieftan: A reanimator style deck that usually wins with Vish-Kal attacking for a 50+.
-Numot, the Devastator: Land Destruction
-Kaho, Minamo Historian: This is a "Splice into Arcane" deck. I do not think there is actually a win condition.
-Kazuul, Tyrant of the Cliffs: This deck makes ogres.
-Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobyte: A white token deck, it sucks.
-Azusa, lost but seeking: A ramp/stompy deck.
-Volrath: A favorite of mine, this is just filled with Black removal, and Volrath.
-Nicol Bolas: This is the first EDH deck I ever built. It is TERRIBLE.
-Niv-Mizzet, the Firemind: I built this deck on the false assumption that 21 general damage could come from anywhere, so it was built to combo out with Niv-Mizzet. It can't.
-Zur the Enchanter: a Turn 3-5 combo lock deck. Very unfun to play against.
-Vaevictus: A Vaevictus Voltron deck.
So, lets first start by taking the decks that are absolute ass to play and play against.
Zur, Wort, Gisela, Kaho, Kazuul, Elesh Norn, Niv-Mizzet, and Volrath.
Wow, that is 8 already.
Now for my favorites:
Grimgrin, Karador, Arcades, Bolas, Vaevictus
Time to rank.
1) Grimgrin, Corpse Born
2) Arcades "Defense" Sabboth
3) Nicol "Booksmart" Bolas
4) Vaevictus "Ballhard" Asmadi
5) Karador, Ghost-Horse
6) Scion of Ur-Dragon
7) Numot, the Devastator
8) Azusa, Lost but seeking
9) Niv-Mizzet, the Firemind
10) Kaho, Minamo Historian
11) Gisela, Blade of Goldnight
12) Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobyte
13) Volrath, the Fallen
14) Kazuul, Tyrant of the Cliffs
15) Wort, Boggart Auntie
16) Zur, the enchanter
I look at this list and I am actually ok with the rankings. Well, mostly. If I look at the rankings based on deck type, I get the following.
1) Voltron (Black/Blue)
2) Control (White/Green/Blue)
3) Crap (Red/Blue/Black)
4) Voltron (Red/Black/Green)
5) Reanimator Voltron (Black/White/Green)
Not super diverse...
Color breakdown:
Black - 4
White - 2
Blue - 3
Red - 2
Green - 3
Not a bad spread.
I think though, I am tired of Karador. It is not as consistent as Grimgrin or Vaevictus and is similar to both. (Grimgrin also has Graveyard manipulation, but can win without it. If Karador loses his graveyard, he loses)
So, I will keep the top four. But Bolas is still in shambles. (I had cards like Lim-Dul's Paladin and unearth cards that were low P/T) Luckily, M13 brought some love to Bolas colors in the form of fluffy cards.
I will leave the 5 slot for whatever legend in Return to Ravnica looks coolest (Save Niv-Mizzet).
Until next time.
Monday, August 6, 2012
New Authors
Two additional authors have been added to "The Lone Mage", making the name of the blog now ridiculous.
Welcome to Nick Ditizio and Eric Berlett, two of my long time friends and fellow Magic: The Gathering players.
Until next time.
Welcome to Nick Ditizio and Eric Berlett, two of my long time friends and fellow Magic: The Gathering players.
Until next time.
Evolution of Naya
I had a poor showing at Julys PTQ. I identified what I believed to be the reasons for it and have made some changes to my Naya deck. It is now as follows:
4 Elvish Visionary
3 Thalia, Guardian of Thraben
3 Fiend Hunter
3 Huntmaster of the Fells
4 Restoration Angel
2 Acidic Slime
2 Sigarda, Host of Herons
3 Thragtusk
2 Thundermaw Hellkite
2 Inferno Titan
4 Bonfire of the Damned
3 Garruk Relentless
4 Clifftop Retreat
5 Forest
2 Kessig Wolf Run
3 Mountain
4 Plains
3 Rootbound Crag
4 Sunpetal Grove
Sideboard
4 Geistflame (vs Zombies, Delver, and Mana dudes)
2 Grafdigger's Cage (vs Zombies and reanimator)
3 Ancient Grudge (vs Swords and Pikes)
2 Wolfir Avenger (vs Control and Bonfire, they replace the Fiend Hunters)
2 Wolfir Silverheart (vs the Mirror, great to soulbind them with Thundermaw Hellkites)
2 Zealous Conscripts (vs Control)
Everything in the deck (save the Inferno Titans) is good post-rotation.
I think I will substitute in Silklash Spider when the Titan leaves, just so I can wipe out opposing Angels/Dragons. That is, unless Return to Ravnica has some worthwhile Naya creatures.
I played a couple of games on Friday with this deck. I lost a lot to BR Zombies w/o sideboard.
I won a lot against a UR Delver deck that uses Jace's Phantasm and Sword of Body and Mind.
(With and without sideboards)
I like this new version, I feel like I am still getting a quick start while not having to rely on my mana dorks to cast creatures. I revamped my land to be able to support all of my creatures and I added a play set of the best card in the format, Bonfire of the Damned. I learned that Thundermaw Hellkite is just plain awesome, coupled with Restoration Angel, flying blockers can be removed for Multiple Turns.
I will continue to try this deck out to see how it fares.
Until next time.
4 Elvish Visionary
3 Thalia, Guardian of Thraben
3 Fiend Hunter
3 Huntmaster of the Fells
4 Restoration Angel
2 Acidic Slime
2 Sigarda, Host of Herons
3 Thragtusk
2 Thundermaw Hellkite
2 Inferno Titan
4 Bonfire of the Damned
3 Garruk Relentless
4 Clifftop Retreat
5 Forest
2 Kessig Wolf Run
3 Mountain
4 Plains
3 Rootbound Crag
4 Sunpetal Grove
Sideboard
4 Geistflame (vs Zombies, Delver, and Mana dudes)
2 Grafdigger's Cage (vs Zombies and reanimator)
3 Ancient Grudge (vs Swords and Pikes)
2 Wolfir Avenger (vs Control and Bonfire, they replace the Fiend Hunters)
2 Wolfir Silverheart (vs the Mirror, great to soulbind them with Thundermaw Hellkites)
2 Zealous Conscripts (vs Control)
Everything in the deck (save the Inferno Titans) is good post-rotation.
I think I will substitute in Silklash Spider when the Titan leaves, just so I can wipe out opposing Angels/Dragons. That is, unless Return to Ravnica has some worthwhile Naya creatures.
I played a couple of games on Friday with this deck. I lost a lot to BR Zombies w/o sideboard.
I won a lot against a UR Delver deck that uses Jace's Phantasm and Sword of Body and Mind.
(With and without sideboards)
I like this new version, I feel like I am still getting a quick start while not having to rely on my mana dorks to cast creatures. I revamped my land to be able to support all of my creatures and I added a play set of the best card in the format, Bonfire of the Damned. I learned that Thundermaw Hellkite is just plain awesome, coupled with Restoration Angel, flying blockers can be removed for Multiple Turns.
I will continue to try this deck out to see how it fares.
Until next time.
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
PTQ: Baltimore 7/28/12
I went to a local PTQ in Baltimore, MD on Saturday, July 28.
The event was sponsored by Games & Stuff, a game store in Glen Burnie, MD.
I took Naya Midrange to the 8-round event.
4 Avacyn's Pilgrim
2 Primordial Hydra
3 Thalia, Guardian of Thraben
2 Daybreak Ranger
4 Somberwald Sage
3 Wolfir Avenger
3 Huntmaster of the Fells
4 Restoration Angel
2 Acidic Slime
2 Wolfir Silverheart
2 Inferno Titan
2 Gisela, Blade of Goldnight
3 Garruk Relentless
4 Cavern of Souls
4 Clifftop Retreat
12 Forest
2 Kessig Wolf Run
2 Mountain
I went 0-4 before I dropped. Definitely a disappointing showing as I thought that my deck was much better than it was.
In Round 1 I faced against Wolf-Run-Ramp, I got off to a good start, by turn 3, I had a Pilgrim and a Sage in play and was about to drop some threats, Slagstorm hit and killed my mana guys. I never got more than two forests in play, one of them was Acidic Slimed.
In Round 2 I faced Mono Green Infect. The deck was just too fast for me. I have no instant speed removal.
I managed to steal a game with Inferno Titan, but only because I got very lucky with my Mana.
Game 3 went like this:
Opponent: Forest, Glisener Elf.
Me: Land, pass.
O: Inkmoth Nexus, Rancor on Glistener Elf, 3 Poison.
Me: Land, pass.
O: Forest, activate Inkmoth, Rancor Inkmoth, swing for 6 Poison.
Me: Land, concede.
Ouch.
In Round 3 I faced another Wolf-Run-Ramp deck. Bonfire made short work of my creatures, Inferno Titan killed me. I got lucky in Game 2 and was able to win it with yet another Inferno Titan. In the end,. his two Inferno Titans trumped me.
In Round 4, I faced what I assumed was RWU Miracles. Frost Titan removed blockers and tapped land. Bonfire Killed my Mana Guys. The Match was decided by a Temporal Mastery cast as a miracle with a Frost Titan in play. (All I had was a super-tapped Wolfir Avenger and a hand full of cards I could not afford.
I entered an M13 draft, and lost Round 1, putting me at 0-5 on the day. Despite my poor showing, I did enjoy myself and I learned a lot about what current decks are out there.
So, what did I learn about MY deck? Well, for starters, it seemed that whenever I lost a Mana producer, I lost a game. My land base can simply not support my creature base on its own without any Mana producers (Avacyn's Pilgrim, Somberwald Sage) It seems I need to go back to the drawing board on the Naya-Midrange
I also made a lot of in-game mistakes due to being a relatively inexperienced player. In at least one, I failed to see a game winning play as it was happening. Hopefully more practice will help.
Until next time.
The event was sponsored by Games & Stuff, a game store in Glen Burnie, MD.
I took Naya Midrange to the 8-round event.
4 Avacyn's Pilgrim
2 Primordial Hydra
3 Thalia, Guardian of Thraben
2 Daybreak Ranger
4 Somberwald Sage
3 Wolfir Avenger
3 Huntmaster of the Fells
4 Restoration Angel
2 Acidic Slime
2 Wolfir Silverheart
2 Inferno Titan
2 Gisela, Blade of Goldnight
3 Garruk Relentless
4 Cavern of Souls
4 Clifftop Retreat
12 Forest
2 Kessig Wolf Run
2 Mountain
I went 0-4 before I dropped. Definitely a disappointing showing as I thought that my deck was much better than it was.
In Round 1 I faced against Wolf-Run-Ramp, I got off to a good start, by turn 3, I had a Pilgrim and a Sage in play and was about to drop some threats, Slagstorm hit and killed my mana guys. I never got more than two forests in play, one of them was Acidic Slimed.
In Round 2 I faced Mono Green Infect. The deck was just too fast for me. I have no instant speed removal.
I managed to steal a game with Inferno Titan, but only because I got very lucky with my Mana.
Game 3 went like this:
Opponent: Forest, Glisener Elf.
Me: Land, pass.
O: Inkmoth Nexus, Rancor on Glistener Elf, 3 Poison.
Me: Land, pass.
O: Forest, activate Inkmoth, Rancor Inkmoth, swing for 6 Poison.
Me: Land, concede.
Ouch.
In Round 3 I faced another Wolf-Run-Ramp deck. Bonfire made short work of my creatures, Inferno Titan killed me. I got lucky in Game 2 and was able to win it with yet another Inferno Titan. In the end,. his two Inferno Titans trumped me.
In Round 4, I faced what I assumed was RWU Miracles. Frost Titan removed blockers and tapped land. Bonfire Killed my Mana Guys. The Match was decided by a Temporal Mastery cast as a miracle with a Frost Titan in play. (All I had was a super-tapped Wolfir Avenger and a hand full of cards I could not afford.
I entered an M13 draft, and lost Round 1, putting me at 0-5 on the day. Despite my poor showing, I did enjoy myself and I learned a lot about what current decks are out there.
So, what did I learn about MY deck? Well, for starters, it seemed that whenever I lost a Mana producer, I lost a game. My land base can simply not support my creature base on its own without any Mana producers (Avacyn's Pilgrim, Somberwald Sage) It seems I need to go back to the drawing board on the Naya-Midrange
I also made a lot of in-game mistakes due to being a relatively inexperienced player. In at least one, I failed to see a game winning play as it was happening. Hopefully more practice will help.
Until next time.
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