I'm currently testing 2 negate and 1 essence scatter in the board. The scatter is for temur, while I have 2 die young and 1 essence extraction to bring in against other aggressive decks.
The problem with comparing scarab god to glorybringer is that glorybringer gets ramped into and immediately starts attacking and affection the board. Scarab god gets gunned up on the ground and takes a turn or two for the advantage to start working. That being said, I did like him in the control match-ups, but those already seek pretty ok to me as long as we curve attune cub snake plus blossoming defense.
I also really like Vraska's Contempt. I go back and forth between 2 main and 1 main 1 side if I'm playing confiscation coup in the main.
By extra mediocre, I mean the deck relies so much on synergy and we don't have many single card power plays. I played the deck with scarab god in it, and in the current low land count deck it's hard for it to be a comeback card. Compared to something like glorybringer out of temur, it takes several turns to turn around a game where we are behind.
So because of that aspect, I've just built my deck to be really good at being the best mediocre deck it can be.
So, I've been running a wonky lost for fnms lately (I know not the best testing grounds). I've been having a lot of success with a scarab god-less deck. Instead I cap out at 4 cmc with 3 hydra and 2 hostage taker, other than one confiscation coup main. I'm running 21 lands/4 attune, but my manabase is 1 fetid pools, 3 drowned catacombs, 1 island for the blue splash.
I still feel like the deck is just extra-mediocre, but I don't feel like there are a lot of bad match-ups other than temur, but that might just be me.
As much as I love this deck, I feel like it's very medium and am surprised it won.especially compared to decks like Temur and 4 color energy. Props for the pilot for being able to take it all the way.
Thanks for the input. I've never had a problem hitting double blue, with 10 sources plus 3 attune. But I plan on cutting down to 22 lands. To address some points:
1. No scarab god for me. I tried him during the PPTQ, and so far Gonti has performed better.
2. The decks I bring the cartouche in against I'd rather curve 2 drop into cartouche for quick life gain. Waiting on hydra is usually too late. As for cutting a hydra, Multiform is a hedge against red based decks and performed.....wonderfully.
Sorry this won't look great, but I'm not sure how to make the deck list look pretty. This is what I've been playing for the last several weeks. I took a very slightly (one or two cards) to a PPTQ and went 3-2-1 one it. Feedback is great.
The problem with comparing scarab god to glorybringer is that glorybringer gets ramped into and immediately starts attacking and affection the board. Scarab god gets gunned up on the ground and takes a turn or two for the advantage to start working. That being said, I did like him in the control match-ups, but those already seek pretty ok to me as long as we curve attune cub snake plus blossoming defense.
I also really like Vraska's Contempt. I go back and forth between 2 main and 1 main 1 side if I'm playing confiscation coup in the main.
So because of that aspect, I've just built my deck to be really good at being the best mediocre deck it can be.
I still feel like the deck is just extra-mediocre, but I don't feel like there are a lot of bad match-ups other than temur, but that might just be me.
1. No scarab god for me. I tried him during the PPTQ, and so far Gonti has performed better.
2. The decks I bring the cartouche in against I'd rather curve 2 drop into cartouche for quick life gain. Waiting on hydra is usually too late. As for cutting a hydra, Multiform is a hedge against red based decks and performed.....wonderfully.
Main deck:
4x Longtusk Cub
4x Winding Constrictor
2x Rishkar, Peema Renegade
4x Rogue Refiner
1x Gonti, Lord of Luxury
2x Bristling Hydra
4x Walking Ballista
3x Attune with Aether
4x Blossoming Defense
1x Confiscation Coup
4x Aether Hub
4x Blooming Marsh
1x Fetid Pools
4x Drowned Catacombs
1x Island
5x Swamp
4x Forest
Sideboard:
2x Deathgorge Scavenger
1x Multiform Wonder
3x Negate
1x Confiscation Coup
2x Duress
1x Vraska's Contempt
2x Cartouche of Ambition
2x Appetite for the Unnatural
Sorry I don't know how to make the decklist layout. I'm probably going to tool around with the deck tomorrow but I'd appreciate any thoughts.