- deaddrift
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Member for 8 years, 10 months, and 6 days
Last active Fri, Apr, 24 2020 11:16:30
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Dec 1, 2017deaddrift posted a message on If You Can't Take Criticism of Jeremy Hambly, You're Part of the ProblemawesomePosted in: Articles
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Dec 1, 2017deaddrift posted a message on If You Can't Take Criticism of Jeremy Hambly, You're Part of the ProblemOutstanding piece, thank you.Posted in: Articles
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Jun 19, 2017deaddrift posted a message on Treasure Cruisin' with Norin's SistersY'know what's real good at getting rid of Norin? Wasteland Strangler, that's what.Posted in: Articles
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I have found Unsettled Mariner to be excellent against many decks that are tough for Humans. There's no question that it helps with Burn, Mono-R-Prowess, and Jund, which are all pairings where we can use an assist. The stacking with itself and with Thalia (who, unlike Mariner, nonbos with herself and with Phantasmal Image) can be gross. How does a 3-CMC Bolt, or a 4-CMC Lili who can't minus, sound?
One thing that makes Burn and aggro decks tougher for Humans players are the Canopy lands--most lists run five total. I have only four and prefer that.
I don't favor Tajic and Kambal, personally.
In general, I think cutting Ancient Ziggurat is probably a mistake, especially in a list that (like mine) runs Phantasmal Image, Deputy of Detention, and Gaddock Teeg. Even Mantis Rider probably needs Ziggurat--I've had problems casting Rider many times. And, you run Collector Ouphe, which is probably fine, but my Yixlid Jailers definitely require it.
As always, playing the deck will let you know. Good luck! I'm glad that Humans still has so much game in the current degeneracy.
4x Champion of the Parish
2x Deputy of Detention
3x Kitesail Freebooter
4x Mantis Rider
4x Meddling Mage
2x Militia Bugler
4x Noble Hierarch
3x Phantasmal Image
3x Reflector Mage
4x Thalia, Guardian of Thraben
4x Thalia's Lieutenant
4x Ancient Ziggurat
4x Cavern of Souls
2x Horizon Canopy
1x Island
1x Plains
2x Seachrome Coast
4x Unclaimed Territory
1x Waterlogged Grove
Artifact (4)
4x Aether Vial
2x Auriok Champion
2x Damping Sphere
2x Deputy of Detention
1x Dismember
2x Gaddock Teeg
1x Grafdigger's Cage
1x Sin Collector
4x Yixlid Jailer
I would not go back to 4x Image, but it might be wrong to cut the fourth Freebooter. The 2x Militia Buglers are flex slots that dig for SB hate and provide near-certain value against removal of all kinds, but maybe one of the newer MH1 or M20 cards would be better overall.
WHoops, second Lavinia ability counters Hogaak. Seems potentially good
Do you side in the hate rocks in G2/3, or not? If so, do you side out Karn? How do you accommodate the fact that he only tutors from exile?
Eidolon of Rhetoric and Kira, Great Glass-Spinner together are as good as or better than 2x Drogskol, anybody try this angle out at all?
Speaking of tax effects, Jordan, have you played (or played against) the WC Thalia/Arbiter deck at all? I'd love a knowledgeable and experienced perspective on the relative pros and cons of the two builds as they play out in practice. And W buys us peerless hate, in Stony and RiP, that are just better at what they do than what the Colorless decks can put together.
Thanks for continuing to tinker with and post up about this fun aggro deck.
Regarding leading with Soul-Scar/Swiftspear: If we have the choice, then we have both cards in-hand. Imagine this opener: Soul-Scar, Swiftspear, Lava Spike, Mountain x2, and two other cards. In this scenario we´ll get more damage total by T2 if we play the Soul-Scar first (7 points vs. 6 by leading with Swiftspear), because of dual prowess triggers. Also, if the opponent has removal, we still get to swing with a prowess creature on T2 by sequencing this way (5 points total damage vs. 4 from a T1 Swftspear). OTOH, with only one Mountain by T2, the Swiftspear leads by a point.
I´m curious how others evaluate this. One thing is that my example above disregards the option of playing Manamorphose T2 instead of playing out the second prowess creature. I guess in an opener with two lands and the two prowess critters, PLUS Manamorphose, Arclight, and Looting, the Swiftspear is better by a point? But then do we want to go all-in on T2, or do we want to hold off a turn and get an even bigger swing T3? My guess is that Soul-Scar is a better lead most of the time.
After reflection, I don´t think Bomat Courier is a good fit. Since we play so many sorceries, I find myself tapping out frequently. Keeping R up for Bomat seems tempo-negative. And, a 1/1 is just too small. Not sure I´m in love with Reveler, though.
Also, I wish I could fit in some copies of Mutagenic Growth, and I´m kind of tempted to heresy, and just jam a couple in there and go to 62 cards. Anybody else playing this deck? Seems great, and with Tormod´s Crypt over Surgical Extraction, it´s only $325 or so.
I feel better about maxing out Powder with my playset of Zhalfirin Void, and wonder at these lists that pass on that land, seems like a huge boost to me.
First, what I understand to be the "current accepted 60" (obviously there are exceptions):
18x Mountain
Critters (14)
4x Arclight Phoenix
4x Soul-Scar Mage
4x Monastery Swiftspear
2x Bedlam Reveler
4x Gut Shot
4x Lightning Bolt
4x Lava Spike
4x Skewer the Critics
4x Manamorphose
4x Faithless Looting
4x Light Up the Stage
Sideboards vary widely, but as I understand it they tend to feature:
Grave Hate (3-4)
- Surgical Extraction
- Tormod's Crypt
- Ravenous Trap
Artifact Hate (3-4)- Abrade
- Shattering Spree
- Shatterstorm
More Removal (3-4)- Rending Volley
- Flame Slash
- Dismember
Burn Hate (2-4)- Dragon's Claw
- Leyline of Sanctuary
Land Hate (2-3)So what do the players of this deck think? Did I overlook something important? What does your sideboard look like? What are the good and bad matches for this deck? What are some tips about sequencing? For instance, am I right generally playing Soul-Scar T1 over Swiftspear?
And: How often do you mull an opener with no one-drop creature? Could Bomat Courier be an early-game card-advantage replacement for Bedlam Reveler, while providing an extra discard outlet for Arclight Phoenix? Or am I crazy?
We don't want a Smasher or Seer to have to wait around in hand because we're mana constrained. And unlike any other deck, all our lands have spells attached to them, so flood is less of an issue. Make your 23rd land a Mutavault or Blinkmoth Nexus and you should be good to go.