2022 April
-
Your sideboard guide has -2 lantern vs control but only one in the main.
2019 December
-
Well, I'm not sure my Gruul list is optimal either, but I do enjoy it:
Deck
4 Stomping Ground (RNA) 259
4 Rootbound Crag (XLN) 256
3 Llanowar Elves (DAR) 168
7 Mountain (ANA) 64
4 Paradise Druid (WAR) 171
4 Gruul Spellbreaker (RNA) 179
8 Forest (ANA) 65
4 Zhur-Taa Goblin (RNA) 215
4 Burning-Tree Emissary (GTC) 216
3 Embercleave (ELD) 120
4 Questing Beast (ELD) 171
4 Once Upon a Time (ELD) 169
4 Pelt Collector (GRN) 141
2 Domri's Ambush (WAR) 192
1 Castle Garenbrig (ELD) 240
Sideboard
3 Veil of Summer (M20) 198
2 Cindervines (RNA) 161
2 Lava Coil (GRN) 108
1 Rekindling Phoenix (RIX) 111
2 Shifting Ceratops (M20) 194
2 Flame Sweep (M20) 139
1 Collision // Colossus (RNA) 223
2 Bonecrusher Giant (ELD) 115
If you're facing a lot of aggro, I do like bant scapeshift better.
-
Sorry, after I posted the comment above, I didn't have much time to grind Arena that month so I don't have much more input. The deck is sweet but it fares much better against aggro decks than the various ramp and control decks that become more prevalent once you're in Diamond or higher.
For this month, I've switched to Gruul aggro for Historic BO3, the games tend to go a lot faster :)
2019 November
-
Gave this a quick run and won 5 consecutive BO3 matches easily, barely any struggle. And I never even cast scapeshift! The one close match was vs Fires; Game 1 I almost ran out of cards before I closed the game with a huge krasis, Game 2 he hit me with Unmoored Ego, but I responded with Growth Spiral to play the 2nd Field so it was fine (I never seem to have the Veils when I want them). Granted, this was in Gold, but I look forward to trying to use this deck to grind as far up as I can til end of month.
Since I never got the chance to cast scapeshift, I'd like to confirm that if I sacrifice exactly 7 lands and search for 7 uniques including field of the dead, I get 7 zombie triggers yes? (I assume if I have more than 7 and at least one of them is field, I shouldnt sac the field so that I get more triggers)
2019 October
-
💬 Reply to '[standard] 53 B01 games with Best Kept Secret (secretkeeper dredge + spicy tech)' on /r/spikes:
something weird happened to your formatting in the second half boss
2019 September
-
Obviously you just put an [[Ethereal Elk]] on top of it. Looking forward to this card spiking as people collect it for use as a marker.
2019 January
-
I started tracking my BO1 Arena games today. Out of 35 matches, I faced 8 RDW, won 50% (4 matches). I think the matchup overall is about 50-50, maybe 55-45 in Golgari's favor, and your win rate goes up if you get at least one life gain off Wildgrowth Walker. The 3 out of the 4 games I lost I either didn't have access to one color, or never got off 2 lands. (I might need to mulligan better or add more duals - I've been saving my rare WCs so I only have 3 shock 2 check)
I've played both decks on Arena; red has some explosive hands, but has a tendency to run out of steam. If they get the nut draw, there's not much you can do, and you'll be down to 6-8 before turn 4.
Having wildgrowth isn't necessary to win - 2 out of my 4 wins I didn't draw one.
The ideal opening hand has 2-3 explore creatures (ideally two 2-drops, squire is preferred over branchwalker and a jadelight) to ensure a steady flow of lands. On turn one you play an elf if you have it, even if you have to use a shock, because they'll bolt it everytime, and 2 <= 2-3. I kind of wish I had been tracking who was going first - I suspect it matters a lot, I'll do that tomorrow.
You want to play creatures on turns 2-3 and just assume they're going to die. You want them to waste their burn spells on your creatures. Play wildgrowth last, but if he's your only guy, it's okay to run him on 2 (especially if you have Find to get him back later).
When exploring during the early turns, send to the graveyard Tyrant, Karn, big Vraska, or Vivienne, those won't be much help. Getting more creatures is better, just make sure you can play them.
You're going to stabilize at around turns 4-6, with around 6-10 life, and hopefully the red deck's hand is spent. 6 life is scary - you're basically hoping he doesn't have two bolts, but it happens. Stay scared, never attack without leaving a blocker for a hasted 2/2 mage. You're hoping he doesn't draw LUtS, Risk Factor or Frenzy (frenzy is the worst for him, light up is the best)
From turn 4, your priorities are:
- if you have wildgrowth and an explorer, judge whether he might have an instant bolt. If you're at 6 he probably doesn't, and even if he did, you're dead to it if you don't gain some life. If he's at one card in hand, I say go for it. If the wildgrowth was revealed (via an explore), the red player will hold back a bolt in anticipation so be aware of that. But in many cases it's better to just go for the lifegain anyway, better the wildgrowth eats the bolt than you
- start playing removal. Chupacabra takes out Chainwhirler/Steamkin and can block or eat a bolt. Contempt gains some life. If you have smaller Vraska on 4, use the -3 if he still has a creature - don't worry about letting her die, it's better than the bolt going to your head.
- play more blockers
Past turn 6ish, if you're still at 8 life or more, you've probably won. Heck, even just getting to turn 6 is pretty good. From my notes, I finished 3 of my 4 wins at 6 life, 10 life and 9 life (I didnt note it for the 4th win).
I also run... um, that 3/2 black guy, forget his name, "when a creature you control dies draw a card and gain 1 life". He's a bit of a disadvantage against red, you have to be careful with him. If I have enough creatures, I will explore him to the yard.
My 2-drop removal is Assassin's Trophy. If you want to improve your RDW matchup, you should use moment of craving instead, but Trophy is better vs control decks (can hit PWs) and white weenie (since it can counter their exile effects) and any of the riot decks.
2018 June
-
which deck is 60-40 vs red?
-
💬 Reply to '[Tournament Report] GB Snakes on a crashing and burning plane - a PT Report (top 64)' on /r/spikes:
How do you feel about adding Divest to the SB to help against RB? i.e. make sure they dont have whirler before committing to the board? Or pick the soul scar out of their hand before they can combo it with a whirler?
Also thinking about shapers' sanctuary, to help against all their spot.
2016 August
-
💬 Reply to '[Discussion] Planning to go to my first GP in March. What should I do now to prepare?' on /r/spikes:
Play-wise, it's impossible to predict what kind of decks there'll be in March, so just practice general tight play for now.
Aside from that, the biggest difference a large tournament like a GP has compared to an FNM is the sheer length of the tournament. I'm not sure how large GPs in your area get, but I would typically expect 9 or 10 rounds on the first day. If you're used to just playing 4-5 rounds of FNM, it can get exhausting. You need to build up both your physical and mental stamina. So what I would suggest is playing at other large tournaments near you to start getting used to it. 7-8 rounds should be fine, if you have trouble looking for something with at least 9 rounds. PPTQs and SCG stuff are your best bet, although some stores might have larger GPT events too if they have a large enough playerbase.
2016 July
-
Posted on r/spikes: [Modern] Jeskai control sideboard choices
Cross-Posted on r/ModernMagic: Jeskai sideboard choices
Hey, looking for some advice. Here's the deck I played at the last tournament: http://mtgtop8.com/event?e=12828&d=274476&f=MO
I'm mostly fine with the main deck (except maybe Tamiyo, a bit weak, if I think of something better in that slot I might swap her out). I'm not playing Nahiri because I don't have time to get them before Saturday, and also because I'm quite used to this build already and in Modern I prefer piloting the deck I already really know
I'm thinking of tweaking the sideboard. No idea the meta to expect for this weekend's WMCQ so I want to hit as wide a base as possible.
Permission magic:
- Thinking of changing 1 Negate 2 Dispel to 2 Negate 1 Dispel to give better game against Tron
- Counterflux. This slot is really only good vs Storm, is it worth it? I figure vs Storm you just always stop the start of the storm chain instead of the end, so maybe not worth it?
Anti-aggro:
- 2 Supreme Verdict or 1 Anger of the Gods + 1 Supreme Verdict? Or should I free up another slot and have 1 Anger + 2 Verdict?
- is Shatterstorm even good against Affinity or should I have 2 Stony Silence instead? (I don't have the 2nd Stony yet though...)
GY hate:
- Relic or RIP? RIP turns off GY stuff forever while Relic is a one-off, but RIP is symmetrical so it turns off my own Snaps
Also, is there some guide somewhere that tells me what's the optimal number to choose for EE in various matchups? I just got this EE, so I'm not to used to boarding it in.
Any other suggestions? What matchups should I look out for? Thanks!
2016 June
-
Quick, concise and easy to read. There should be primers like this for every draft format.
2016 May
-
Posted on r/spikes: [Standard] Can anyone recommend any good Bant Company guides?
- Main deck card choices
- Good/bad matchups
- Sideboarding choices and options
- Things to watch out for
I haven't been playing Standard since SOI came in but I just found out I'm qualified for our WMCQs so I'm planning to put together the deck (It's the standard deck I already have most of the cards for and can buy/borrow the rest), but I won't have too much time to playtest due to reasons, so I'm hoping to read up as much as I can in the next two weeks
-
Posted on r/spikes: [Modern] jeskai control or grixis control
So I have the option of assembling either jeskai control or grixis control. What are the differences to consider? Do they have different bad matchups? I like having lightning helix to help stabilize vs burn but I'm not sure if jeskai is better positioned than grixis atm
2016 February
-
Posted on r/spikes: [Modern] Is there any good primer for the infect deck somewhere?
Sideboarding choices, options, flex slots, matchups, things to watch out for, etc
2015 August
-
Posted on r/spikes: [Standard] Jeskai: Erase or Revoke Existence in the SB?
Erase works as well as Revoke against Ensoul, I think the only problem is that Erase doesnt hit hangarback.
I'm leaning towards Revoke since it hits more things, but the sorcery-ness worries me...
2015 February
-
It's a trap
2014 October
-
Posted on r/spikes: [Standard] Any tips for the Jeskai Wins vs Abzan midrange matchups post-board?
Game 1 seems easier because Thoughtseize + painlands deal them a bunch of free damage
Post-board, should you be aiming to be the aggressor, or go for the long grindy game?
What do you board out? I'm thinking something like Seekers and Magma Jets and probably Steam Augury out, and bringing in some combination of Negate, Disdainful Stroke, Erase (if they have Whip/Banishing Light/Herald of Torment). Should I consider Keranos and go for the long game? I've also tried boarding in Narset, but havent had a chance to actually cast it, not sure how good it is in the match up.
I'm also thinking about playing some Glare of Heresy in the board. Answers Rhino, Sorin/Elspeth/Ajani, Banishing Light, Fleecemane Lion, Wingmate Roc. What do you guys think?
Siege Rhino by itself isnt actually too bad, since you can still try to race it. The problem is when it comes with Sorin and/or a Whip, then the lifelink makes things tough. I'm also wary of Fleecemanes, it seems you need to kill them before they get a chance to go monstrous; once they're monstrous you don't have easy answers
2014 June
-
As a UWR player relatively new to modern, I appreciate this a lot! For future installments, would you mind including a discussion of the common sideboard choices for each matchup?
-
Posted on r/spikes: [Modern] UWR Geist?
Hi, I'm looking to get into Modern (mostly because we have a PTQ in a few weeks), and I've been checking some decklists and I already have most of the cards for UWR Geist (based on some decklists off the Top Modern Decks from PT:BOTG)
Is this deck currently well-positioned? Looking at recent MTGO event results, most of the UWR decks are the more controllish types without Geist.
Is there a good primer I can read somewhere, something that tells me what are the good/bad matchups, sideboard choices, etc?