I'm not the most experienced with this deck, so take what I say with a grain of salt. Any correction from more seasoned players are obviously more than welcomed.
1. Should I be running some number of Cabal Therapy or Inquisition of Kozilek(perhaps due to being stuck w/ shocklands for the time being)? I have playsets of each.
I've recently switched Hymns to Therapys and I'm really liking it. Therapy is a difficult card to play, but it's another T1 disruptive spell plus the 2drop slot is already pretty crowded in this deck. It's also easier in the mana base.
I don't think IoK is good in this deck since you can't really afford to miss with your T1 play.
2. How much hand disruption is too much/not enough?
I'm running 4 Thoughtseize, 3 cabals and 3 Tidehollow Scullers (I'm only BW though) and I don't think its too much, but sculler comes with a body too.
I think Vindicate is better here. I used to run Pulse, but being able to blow up trouble lands comes up waay more often than killing duplicates in my experience.
I like my hate to be paired up with some pressure, but that does makes it less reliable. Needle is also a little more versatile if you want to hit lands, but that may or may not be relevant to you. I like that Revoker worst case scenario is a 2/1.
7. I am expecting to see several Delver decks and several TNN+SFM decks as the main archetypes. Are Choke and Spirit of the Labyrinth going to help me in those matchups? Do I even need to worry about those matchups?
I haven't gotten any testing with Spirit yet, but I'm not sure it's good enough in a non vial deck.
8. Lastly, are there any matchups that I should be worried about?
In my experience decks with Punishing fire are hard to beat since you pretty much rely on Batterskull if they get it online. Also, remember that Massacre is a card.
I think that running a Sword of Fire and Ice is better than the second Jitte. Pro red is useful against Punishing Fire (as long as you manage to actually equip something of course), works as removal too while also giving netting you some card advantage something this deck really lacks. On that note, I run 2 Tops to help with the card selection and I'm quite fond of them, have you tried them and not liked them?
I traded for a couple Sinkholes a while back meaning to test it in my Junkblade build. Never got around to it, though. The Scullers in your list make the lack of Hymn's (or additional discard of your choice) a bit more palatable. With those, your 6 targeted removal and Liliana, I think you've got enough hand disruption to skip the Hymns. Now, whether or not the Sinkholes are worth the slot is another question altogether. You'll have to let us know how it goes! I think they do compliment your Wastelands quite nicely. There are occasionally game states when Wasteland doesn't do a whole lot, but I suspect in conjunction with 4 x Sinkhole, said game states won't occur nearly as often. *Edit* Incidentally makes your Vindicates better and your sideboard Surgical Extractions pretty deadly, too.
I kind of want to jam mine into a blue/black land destruction build, with Snapcaster and Stifle and maybe Smallpox. Maybe Crucible of Worlds. Seems like the basis for a strong LD deck is there somewhere...
Also, the lack of Deathrite Shaman in your list is a concern. Card is good. *Edit* Maybe with more land destruction, you don't need as much hand disruption, and the Sculler's could be swapped for them?
I've considered Deathrite Shaman and other green additions like Abrupt Decay/Sylvan Library but I'm just more comfortable with a 2 color manabase. I've got the cards got Junk but between playing around wasteland, my own RiP in the side, and fetching decisions I'd rather K.I.S.S.
As for the Skullers, I ran 3 at the Orlando Open and they were great so I want to see If 4 is too many. Here is the list I ran in Orlando for reference:
The two vindicates in this list were good on equipment, various creatures, but also surprisingly effective as stonerain, which is why I want to try sinkhole. Thinking to all the times the vindicates DID hit non-lands, though, I'm pondering ways to keep two. Running more LD than some decks have colored sources, including 6 ways to kill "safe" basics, just appeals to the griefer in me. Maybe I'll shave Lingering Souls to 2?
Souls is the only card you have that plays nicely with Liliana, though. Hard to shave one of those.
As for the green splash, it's not entirely necessary to run Deathrite. The mana ramp and flashback hate is probably enough to justify it's inclusion. However, tossing a Bayou/Savannah in the 60 somewhere to shut down reanimator strategies and gain back life from self-inflicted wounds seems very worth it to me, even if you don't bother with the other green cards.
With only two equipment to grab in the deck, maybe you don't need the full four SFM's?
I really have liked the mainboard Golgari Charm. It laughs at True Name, and helps out a lot in the Sneak and Show matchup. It lacks the good game against combo that Esper has, but If you're patient and don't stupidly overextend, you're never that far away from being able to drop a very strong threat.
My wife is high on B/W Stoneblade right now. We've been testing the last week or so against Deathblade, Esper Stoneblade, and Jund. The deck excels in these midrange grindy matchups. We did a bit of testing against Goblins, and after B/W thoroughly trounced it 7/8 games, we moved on.
The one thing neither of us care for is the mana base. We started out on 2x Mishra's Factory, which was okay. I love Mishra's Factory in certain decks, but it's not particularly a standout in this one, and not having room for the full 4 (due to color constraints w/ already running 4x Wasteland) takes away from the benefit of having them in the first place. What we'd really like access to is something the level of Creeping Tar Pit, but no such card exists to my knowledge.
The one we settled on, but really don't like, is Vault of the Archangel. Basically, a 22 land build can afford a 1-of something colorless in its mana base. Personally, I wanted to go with Library of Alexandria, but she mentioned something about getting DQ'd or whatever (Women - always worrying about some technicality, right? )
So, does anyone have any thoughts on the mana base, or are you guys more or less content with the fetch/duals/basics/wasteland package?
Thanks.
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Currently playing:
Standard: I, for one, welcome our new rhinoceros overlords
Modern: Pod's dead, Bob's back.
Legacy: Lands, Deathblade, Death and Taxes, Elves, MUD
Retired Legacy: Merfolk, Goblins, Jund, Delver, Reanimator
My opinion is that the reason to play this deck is to dodge the non-basic land hate that junkblade and esper run into. For that reason, I would suggest playing enough basics to minimize the effects of Price of Progress, Stifle and wasteland- as a way of offsetting the disadvantage from losing off-color cards like JTMS or Abrupt Decay.
If you were to play with "cute" non-basics, then why not play duel lands for BWG or BWU?
My opinion is that the reason to play this deck is to dodge the non-basic land hate that junkblade and esper run into. For that reason, I would suggest playing enough basics to minimize the effects of Price of Progress, Stifle and wasteland- as a way of offsetting the disadvantage from losing off-color cards like JTMS or Abrupt Decay.
If you were to play with "cute" non-basics, then why not play duel lands for BWG or BWU?
Point taken. For what it's worth, I think there are valid reasons to play the deck over Esper or Junk beyond Price of Progress (which is really a nonfactor for most competitive considerations) and Wasteland. The lists I've seen placing well aren't running any less fetches than most other decks, so Stifle isn't really part of the equation either. Basics certainly do have appeal with the rise in popularity of Blood Moon and Back to Basics though.
I believe the deck has enough flexibility in its mana to play a nonbasic package while still having 1-2 spots (probably just 1) available for utility. I'm just not sure what that one land would be, which is probably good enough reason not to play one.
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Currently playing:
Standard: I, for one, welcome our new rhinoceros overlords
Modern: Pod's dead, Bob's back.
Legacy: Lands, Deathblade, Death and Taxes, Elves, MUD
Retired Legacy: Merfolk, Goblins, Jund, Delver, Reanimator
Stifle is a consideration in 2 color vs 3 color because saclands are more important to be able to get the correct colors to cast your cards. Also, surgical/extirpate can put the crunch on 3 color.
I realized as I was reading your last post that I do have a one-of utility land: Karakas. Have you already counted the karakas? It can singlehandedly turn the game vs reanimator or sneak/show. Also good against D&T etc. I have been testing a couple isolated chapels, too, which I have been seeing used for kicking gatekeepers and such.
A vial build similar to D&T or the old Deadguy Ale would have more room for utility lands and maybe it might be good even though the move has been away from that sort of build. Double black spells are kinda what makes the deck, though- Liliana, Sinkhole/Hymn, . .
Stifle is a consideration in 2 color vs 3 color because saclands are more important to be able to get the correct colors to cast your cards. Also, surgical/extirpate can put the crunch on 3 color.
I realized as I was reading your last post that I do have a one-of utility land: Karakas. Have you already counted the karakas? It can singlehandedly turn the game vs reanimator or sneak/show. Also good against D&T etc. I have been testing a couple isolated chapels, too, which I have been seeing used for kicking gatekeepers and such.
A vial build similar to D&T or the old Deadguy Ale would have more room for utility lands and maybe it might be good even though the move has been away from that sort of build. Double black spells are kinda what makes the deck, though- Liliana, Sinkhole/Hymn, . .
Karakas is easily one of the best utility lands you can run. I'm not a fan of Aether Vial for this deck. Once you start down that road, I think you either (a) end up with a watered down version of two separate decks, or (b) just end up playing Death and Taxes.
We've got a small Legacy event tomorrow. We'll likely just settle on a stock 22 lands, probably something akin to the Top 8 finish from SCG Seatle. I'm always up for exploring other possibilities though, so I thought I'd toss some ideas out there.
Thanks for the input. ^^
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Currently playing:
Standard: I, for one, welcome our new rhinoceros overlords
Modern: Pod's dead, Bob's back.
Legacy: Lands, Deathblade, Death and Taxes, Elves, MUD
Retired Legacy: Merfolk, Goblins, Jund, Delver, Reanimator
So I'm just wondering what the general consensus is on either keeping the list mainly BW and using vindicate, or if its worth it for a bigger green splash to support main deck abrupt decays. The thought of keeping it mainly BW with green for DRS is attractive to me (including $$ wise), but have been talking to many people and they all say decay is worth it. Just wanted to know people opinions. I play death and taxes now and am currently building this deck. Thanks!
So I'm just wondering what the general consensus is on either keeping the list mainly BW and using vindicate, or if its worth it for a bigger green splash to support main deck abrupt decays. The thought of keeping it mainly BW with green for DRS is attractive to me (including $$ wise), but have been talking to many people and they all say decay is worth it. Just wanted to know people opinions. I play death and taxes now and am currently building this deck. Thanks!
Depending on your meta, I just don't see a reason NOT to splash green for Decay. It isn't the hardest splash to make and it's 100% worth it. I wouldn't dream of dropping Decay right now. Add in DRS for grave hate/reach/utility, it's definitely a no brainer IMO.
To try and revive discussions, I'd really like to add more 'beef' to this and wanted a threat I could play that just wins right there. So I was thinking of putting some Knight of Reliquary's to tutor up Thespian's Stage/Dark Depths combo. Which also just happens to help to find Karakas for the reanimator matchup. I've never been a fan of 'goyf and so he's not really an option. Also I cut the Lingering Souls. With so many -1/-1 effects because of TNN they just became lackluster.
This may totally not be worth it and make the deck clunky but who knows. So many decks are running the Depths/Stage combo it can't be horrible right? Below is a list I was thinking of starting from to try. If anyone has some suggestions let me know. BTW didn't list a sideboard but would probably be pretty basic. Canonist, Pithing Needle, RiP, Golgari Charm, etc.
thieving magpie i don't like having pernicious deed in the main board with lingering souls and bitter blossom. i also don't like having enlightened tutor main deck as it creates a cda situation if it inst just to fetch the win. if you want to go heavy with top/fetch lands interaction try an urborg readily available in standard now even, and also works well with wastelands.also slap some bobs in there great great great with top and a fetch. even then you could probably cut down to 2 tops because 2 at once doesn't really have a benefit and its really hard to destroy, allowing for more cheap discard slots. and jitte works really well with lingering souls and bitter blossom and Ive had more overall success with the jitte than the swords . so yeah i think destiny cloud fist 2.0 should go no pernicious deed with less top/tutor and more of the stuff you don't have four of like Liliana or lingering souls and more cheap discard or just slap some bobs and a jitte in there, or all that stuff, but I'm terrible
personally i'm playing UR delver right now and i kinda abandonned the idea of BW stoneblade. Hymn to Tourach is not where the deck want to be anymore. http://www.mtgtop8.com/event?e=8439&d=248461&f=LE This deck seem awesome, Spirit of Labyrinthe is good right now! 2 Mirri's Guile would not have been my first choice since i prefer Top or Sylvan Library but with all the deck costing 2mana, i can understand the choice.
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Kakwann, Lvl 39 Sorcerer
Currently Playing
Standard:GWRU 4C Collected Company Modern:GUWRB Bloom Titan Legacy:BUG SHARDLESS BUG
EDH : GR BORBORYGMOS ENRAGED GU PRIME SPEAKER ZEGENA UWR ZEDRUU THE GREATHEARTED UBR MISHRA ARTIFICER PRODIGY B SHEOLDRED WHISPERING ONE R ASHLING THE PILGRIM
Here I go necro-ing another thread again...oh well! Is it realistic to build a BW Stoneblade deck I can play while saving up for the blue and green splash to make it Deathblade?
I'm having a hard time beating BUG Shardless. Does anyone have any recommendations for the matchup? I currently sideboard in 3 Chokes, 1 Sword of Fire and Ice, and I have a spare sideboard slot to devote to BUG. I'm thinking Lingering Souls or possibly even Nahiri, the Lithomancer in that spot. This also happens to be the same cards I bring in against Miracles (although I also would bring in Teeg vs Miracles), which makes me wonder if I am incorrectly sideboarding for either or both of those matchups.
I played BWg Deathblade at the SCG Philly open this weekend and went 6-2-1 day 1, tying for 65th and just barely missing the cut to day 2 (top 64 made day 2).
My SB was a hot mess, and it showed in my two losses (to Miracles and to Lands). Basically, I had zero graveyard interaction outside of DRS, and in the one match I needed to really use my DRS I totally forgot about it and punted the match. (It was early and against a pro and, well, I just sucked that match.)
I beat Miracles, Shardless, Esper Mentor, Goblins, and Infect twice. The draw was to a GBx mirror.
Lingering Souls beats Miracles by not over extending. Cast it once, apply pressure, and when they cast Terminus cast it from your graveyard. Because they don't play many 3-mana spells, souls can usually sneak past their counterbalance lock. Plus you have 4 main abrupt decays.
I think this is a good list for someone who likes fair magic and wants to get into Legacy. The decision trees are very limited, and you generally only have 2-3 good plays/things you can do each turn. You're only interested in eeking out value, disrupting their hand while advancing your board. I had a lot of fun, and didn't feel really taxed between matches. It's also a very cheap deck by Legacy's standards. The format is really bad against lingering souls right now, especially fair decks, and unfair decks are fragile enough that the ability to disrupt and apply pressure can keep them off their gameplan.
I think we're at the point that Deadguy Ale and this have converged to the point where there is no longer a distinction. Accordingly, I'm consolidating discussion into the other thread.
Just got to say, you've definitely earned distinction as an MTGS hero
Quote from Stardust »
Because he's the hero MTGS deserves, and the one it needs right now. So we'll global him. Because he can take it. Because he's not just our hero. He's a silent guardian, a watchful protector. An expired rascal.
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ExpiredRascals you sir are a god-like hero.
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ER is a masterful god who cannot be beaten in any endeavour.
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:ER:, you suck as a hero
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I've recently switched Hymns to Therapys and I'm really liking it. Therapy is a difficult card to play, but it's another T1 disruptive spell plus the 2drop slot is already pretty crowded in this deck. It's also easier in the mana base.
I don't think IoK is good in this deck since you can't really afford to miss with your T1 play.
I'm running 4 Thoughtseize, 3 cabals and 3 Tidehollow Scullers (I'm only BW though) and I don't think its too much, but sculler comes with a body too.
I think Vindicate is better here. I used to run Pulse, but being able to blow up trouble lands comes up waay more often than killing duplicates in my experience.
I wouldn't go for more than 3 LS since sometimes they just rote in your hand and other times they are just too slow. 2 may be good enough though.
I like my hate to be paired up with some pressure, but that does makes it less reliable. Needle is also a little more versatile if you want to hit lands, but that may or may not be relevant to you. I like that Revoker worst case scenario is a 2/1.
I haven't gotten any testing with Spirit yet, but I'm not sure it's good enough in a non vial deck.
In my experience decks with Punishing fire are hard to beat since you pretty much rely on Batterskull if they get it online. Also, remember that Massacre is a card.
I think that running a Sword of Fire and Ice is better than the second Jitte. Pro red is useful against Punishing Fire (as long as you manage to actually equip something of course), works as removal too while also giving netting you some card advantage something this deck really lacks. On that note, I run 2 Tops to help with the card selection and I'm quite fond of them, have you tried them and not liked them?
4 Dark Confidant
4 Tidehollow Sculler
1 Umezawa's Jitte
1 Batterskull
3 Inquisition of Kozilek
3 Thoughtseize
4 Sinkhole
4 Swords to Plowshares
3 Lingering Souls
4 Liliana of the Veil
1 Vindicate
2 Sensei's Divining Top
4 Marsh Flats
3 Swamp
1 Polluted Delta
3 Verdant Catacombs
1 Plains
1 Flooded Strand
1 Karakas
4 Wasteland
1 Manriki-Gusari
2 Enlightened Tutor
1 Oblivion Ring
1 Ethersworn Canonist
1 Rest in Peace
1 Humility
1 Grafdigger's Cage
2 Spirit of the Labyrinth
1 Crucible of Worlds
3 Surgical Extraction
1 Zealous Persecution
I kind of want to jam mine into a blue/black land destruction build, with Snapcaster and Stifle and maybe Smallpox. Maybe Crucible of Worlds. Seems like the basis for a strong LD deck is there somewhere...
Also, the lack of Deathrite Shaman in your list is a concern. Card is good. *Edit* Maybe with more land destruction, you don't need as much hand disruption, and the Sculler's could be swapped for them?
As for the Skullers, I ran 3 at the Orlando Open and they were great so I want to see If 4 is too many. Here is the list I ran in Orlando for reference:
4 Dark Confidant
3 Tidehollow Sculler
1 Umezawa's Jitte
1 Batterskull
3 Inquisition of Kozilek
3 Thoughtseize
3 Hymn to Tourach
4 Swords to Plowshares
3 Lingering Souls
4 Liliana of the Veil
2 Vindicate
2 Sensei's Divining Top
1 Zealous Persecution
3 Swamp
1 Plains
4 Wasteland
3 Verdant Catacombs
4 Marsh Flats
1 Karakas
1 Polluted Delta
1 Arid Mesa
1 Sword of Feast and Famine
1 Sword of Fire and Ice
3 Enlightened Tutor
1 Oblivion Ring
1 Ethersworn Canonist
1 Diabolic Edict
1 Crucible of Worlds
1 Rest in Peace
1 Grafdigger's Cage
3 Surgical Extraction
1 Zealous Persecution
The two vindicates in this list were good on equipment, various creatures, but also surprisingly effective as stonerain, which is why I want to try sinkhole. Thinking to all the times the vindicates DID hit non-lands, though, I'm pondering ways to keep two. Running more LD than some decks have colored sources, including 6 ways to kill "safe" basics, just appeals to the griefer in me. Maybe I'll shave Lingering Souls to 2?
As for the green splash, it's not entirely necessary to run Deathrite. The mana ramp and flashback hate is probably enough to justify it's inclusion. However, tossing a Bayou/Savannah in the 60 somewhere to shut down reanimator strategies and gain back life from self-inflicted wounds seems very worth it to me, even if you don't bother with the other green cards.
With only two equipment to grab in the deck, maybe you don't need the full four SFM's?
4 Verdant Catacombs
3 Bayou
4 Wasteland
4 Marsh Flats
1 Scrubland
1 Savannah
2 Forest
1 Plains
2 Swamp
1 Karakas
23 Lands
4 Tarmogoyf
4 Deathrite Shaman
4 Dark Confidant
3 Stoneforge Mystic
15 Creatures
Spells
3 Abrupt Decay
1 Sylvan Library
4 Thoughtseize
4 Hymn to Tourach
3 Liliana of the Veil
1 Golgari Charm
1 Sword of Fire and Ice
1 Umezawa's Jitte
3 Swords to Plowshares
1 Batterskull
22 Other Spells
I really have liked the mainboard Golgari Charm. It laughs at True Name, and helps out a lot in the Sneak and Show matchup. It lacks the good game against combo that Esper has, but If you're patient and don't stupidly overextend, you're never that far away from being able to drop a very strong threat.
My wife is high on B/W Stoneblade right now. We've been testing the last week or so against Deathblade, Esper Stoneblade, and Jund. The deck excels in these midrange grindy matchups. We did a bit of testing against Goblins, and after B/W thoroughly trounced it 7/8 games, we moved on.
The one thing neither of us care for is the mana base. We started out on 2x Mishra's Factory, which was okay. I love Mishra's Factory in certain decks, but it's not particularly a standout in this one, and not having room for the full 4 (due to color constraints w/ already running 4x Wasteland) takes away from the benefit of having them in the first place. What we'd really like access to is something the level of Creeping Tar Pit, but no such card exists to my knowledge.
We've considered a few different things: Volrath's Stronghold (not enough creatures for this one really), Dust Bowl (too slow), Maze of Ith + Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth, Kjeldoran Outpost (okay, we were just getting silly at this point).
The one we settled on, but really don't like, is Vault of the Archangel. Basically, a 22 land build can afford a 1-of something colorless in its mana base. Personally, I wanted to go with Library of Alexandria, but she mentioned something about getting DQ'd or whatever (Women - always worrying about some technicality, right? )
So, does anyone have any thoughts on the mana base, or are you guys more or less content with the fetch/duals/basics/wasteland package?
Thanks.
Standard: I, for one, welcome our new rhinoceros overlords
Modern: Pod's dead, Bob's back.
Legacy: Lands, Deathblade, Death and Taxes, Elves, MUD
Retired Legacy: Merfolk, Goblins, Jund, Delver, Reanimator
If you were to play with "cute" non-basics, then why not play duel lands for BWG or BWU?
Point taken. For what it's worth, I think there are valid reasons to play the deck over Esper or Junk beyond Price of Progress (which is really a nonfactor for most competitive considerations) and Wasteland. The lists I've seen placing well aren't running any less fetches than most other decks, so Stifle isn't really part of the equation either. Basics certainly do have appeal with the rise in popularity of Blood Moon and Back to Basics though.
I believe the deck has enough flexibility in its mana to play a nonbasic package while still having 1-2 spots (probably just 1) available for utility. I'm just not sure what that one land would be, which is probably good enough reason not to play one.
Standard: I, for one, welcome our new rhinoceros overlords
Modern: Pod's dead, Bob's back.
Legacy: Lands, Deathblade, Death and Taxes, Elves, MUD
Retired Legacy: Merfolk, Goblins, Jund, Delver, Reanimator
I realized as I was reading your last post that I do have a one-of utility land: Karakas. Have you already counted the karakas? It can singlehandedly turn the game vs reanimator or sneak/show. Also good against D&T etc. I have been testing a couple isolated chapels, too, which I have been seeing used for kicking gatekeepers and such.
A vial build similar to D&T or the old Deadguy Ale would have more room for utility lands and maybe it might be good even though the move has been away from that sort of build. Double black spells are kinda what makes the deck, though- Liliana, Sinkhole/Hymn, . .
Karakas is easily one of the best utility lands you can run. I'm not a fan of Aether Vial for this deck. Once you start down that road, I think you either (a) end up with a watered down version of two separate decks, or (b) just end up playing Death and Taxes.
We've got a small Legacy event tomorrow. We'll likely just settle on a stock 22 lands, probably something akin to the Top 8 finish from SCG Seatle. I'm always up for exploring other possibilities though, so I thought I'd toss some ideas out there.
Thanks for the input. ^^
Standard: I, for one, welcome our new rhinoceros overlords
Modern: Pod's dead, Bob's back.
Legacy: Lands, Deathblade, Death and Taxes, Elves, MUD
Retired Legacy: Merfolk, Goblins, Jund, Delver, Reanimator
BTW, how does someone named Mongers 'n Deeds not play Green in this deck? Deathrite and Abrupt Decay?
In a related story, I cannot think of any card that is worse for BW control to face than Deed. Good think Nic Fit is in remission.
Depending on your meta, I just don't see a reason NOT to splash green for Decay. It isn't the hardest splash to make and it's 100% worth it. I wouldn't dream of dropping Decay right now. Add in DRS for grave hate/reach/utility, it's definitely a no brainer IMO.
To try and revive discussions, I'd really like to add more 'beef' to this and wanted a threat I could play that just wins right there. So I was thinking of putting some Knight of Reliquary's to tutor up Thespian's Stage/Dark Depths combo. Which also just happens to help to find Karakas for the reanimator matchup. I've never been a fan of 'goyf and so he's not really an option. Also I cut the Lingering Souls. With so many -1/-1 effects because of TNN they just became lackluster.
This may totally not be worth it and make the deck clunky but who knows. So many decks are running the Depths/Stage combo it can't be horrible right? Below is a list I was thinking of starting from to try. If anyone has some suggestions let me know. BTW didn't list a sideboard but would probably be pretty basic. Canonist, Pithing Needle, RiP, Golgari Charm, etc.
3 Scrubland
1 Bayou
1 Savannah
4 Marsh Flats
3 Verdant Catacombs
3 Wasteland
1 Karakas
1 Forest
1 Plains
2 Swamp
1 Dark Depths
1 Thespian's Stage
3 Dark Confidant
4 Stoneforge Mystic
4 Deathrite Shaman
2 Knight of Reliquary
Spells:
4 Hymn to Tourach
3 Thoughtseize
2 Inquisition of Kozilek
4 Liliana of the Veil
4 Abrupt Decay
1 Vindicate
1 Sylvan Library
1 Batterskull
1 Umezawa's Jitte
1 Sword of Fire and Ice
4 Swords to Plowshares
BUG Reanimator
BWG Nic-Fit
BGR Punishing Nic-Fit
Destiny Cloudfist 1.0
Threats: 8
4 Serra Avenger
2 Lingering Souls
1 Bitterblossom
1 Batterskull
Disruption: 6
4 Thoughtseize
2 Liliana of the Veil
Control: 10
4 Swords to Plowshares
4 Abrupt Decay
1 Pernicious Deed
1 Umezawa's Jitte
Utility: 8
4 Deathrite Shaman
3 Enlightened Tutor
1 Sword of Fire and Ice
Draw Modifiers: 8
4 Sensei's Divining Top
4 Stoneforge Mystic
Mana: 22
4 Windswept Heath
4 Marsh Flats
4 Verdant Catacombs
3 Scrubland
3 Bayou
1 Plains
1 Swamp
1 Forest
1 Savannah
Sideboard: 15
3 Duress
2 Liliana of the Veil
2 Council's Judgement
2 Rest in Peace
2 Sigarda, Host of Herons
1 Enlightened Tutor
1 Engineered Plague
1 Ethersworn Canonist
1 Humility
Standard: GWRU 4C Collected Company
Modern: GUWRB Bloom Titan
Legacy: BUG SHARDLESS BUG
EDH :
GR BORBORYGMOS ENRAGED
GU PRIME SPEAKER ZEGENA
UWR ZEDRUU THE GREATHEARTED
UBR MISHRA ARTIFICER PRODIGY
B SHEOLDRED WHISPERING ONE
R ASHLING THE PILGRIM
If you know you want to get to the Deathblade list, then it seems like a good starting point, for sure.
Help please!
Legacy: Strawberry Shortcake, Aggro Loam, DnT+b
Modern: Devoted Karn
Vintage: Survival
My list:
3 Mother of Runes
3 Dark Confidant
4 Stoneforge Mystic
4 Swords to Plowshares
1 Thoughtseize
2 Inquisition of Kozilek
4 Abrupt Decay
2 Hymn to Tourach
2 Bitterblossom
1 Sylvan Library
3 Lingering Souls
2 Painful Truths
1 Sword of Fire and Ice
1 Batterskull
4 Wasteland
4 Windswept Heath
2 Verdant Catacombs
1 Marsh Flats
2 Bayou
2 Savannah
2 Scrubland
1 Karakas
1 Shambling Vent
1 Plains
1 Forest
1 Swamp
My SB was a hot mess, and it showed in my two losses (to Miracles and to Lands). Basically, I had zero graveyard interaction outside of DRS, and in the one match I needed to really use my DRS I totally forgot about it and punted the match. (It was early and against a pro and, well, I just sucked that match.)
I beat Miracles, Shardless, Esper Mentor, Goblins, and Infect twice. The draw was to a GBx mirror.
Bitterblossom was not a good card for me. I would replace the two in this list with one Hymn to Tourach and the fourth Lingering Souls.
Painful Truths is insanely good. Basically, this deck beats all fair decks handily, and loses really hard to combo. Don't even worry about fair matches in your SB, just fill it with Rest in Peace and Pithing Needle and Ethersworn Canonist and Thalia, Guardian of Thraben and you should be fine. EDIT: well, and Zealous Persecution deserves a slot, along with Containment Priest.
Lingering Souls beats Miracles by not over extending. Cast it once, apply pressure, and when they cast Terminus cast it from your graveyard. Because they don't play many 3-mana spells, souls can usually sneak past their counterbalance lock. Plus you have 4 main abrupt decays.
I think this is a good list for someone who likes fair magic and wants to get into Legacy. The decision trees are very limited, and you generally only have 2-3 good plays/things you can do each turn. You're only interested in eeking out value, disrupting their hand while advancing your board. I had a lot of fun, and didn't feel really taxed between matches. It's also a very cheap deck by Legacy's standards. The format is really bad against lingering souls right now, especially fair decks, and unfair decks are fragile enough that the ability to disrupt and apply pressure can keep them off their gameplan.
Body Count: GRRRUUUUUUUUUUU
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