Question for my man Russ, I’m going to be attending GP Detroit and participating in the side events for it. Is your list still the “stock” list for an unknown meta? Have you added Sarkhan to the stock list? Just trying to get an idea of what I’m bringing to get the most bang for my buck
Question for my man Russ, I’m going to be attending GP Detroit and participating in the side events for it. Is your list still the “stock” list for an unknown meta? Have you added Sarkhan to the stock list? Just trying to get an idea of what I’m bringing to get the most bang for my buck
I guess people call my list the "Stock" list because it's the most well rounded and prepared for a completely open meta, like a GP, SCG Open/Classic, or an IQ. While everyone has their flavors, I do beleive my list is the most well rounded of all the lists and give the best chance to win in a large event. that said, if you are doing side events, you could definitely do well with some of the other lists. And this is in no way talking down on the toher lists. I think they are tuned for different meta than what I usually go for. Ray's list with all the rituals and no interaction, Fluffy's list with the three anger maindeck are better in some matches while giving away % points in others.
That said, I have been testing Avarcious dragon over P&K and Koth and so far, results have been good. We still aren't beating Jund with those changes, so it's not like that match gets any better. but every turn it stays in play vs the grindy decks, like jund and mardu pyromancer, the better it gets.
My other changes is taking out a cainwhirler for a magus of the moon. while similar to moon and Damping Sphere, magus attacks for two, which us big deal as tron tried to assemble the lands, the 2 points a turn could be 8-10 damage before they can get out. Take out a chainwhirler from the board for that.
FNM. I'm on vacation, so why not? 33 players. I've never been to this store, and I recognize nobody. I cut my Scab-clans before I showed up, and my walk around the room made me confident in my decision. 4 rounds and a top 8 for a M19 box. Let's get to it!
Twas an awesome read man - thanks for taking the time to post it, and sorry things didn't pan out as perfectly as they could have.
...
I finished second at my very first PPTQ (40 players) yesterday with this list :
...
Quarters :
UW Control wins vs Infect (Sad news)
Jund losts to Vizier Company (Good news)
Humans losts to Traverse Shadow
I won 2-1 vs Bant Spirits (Lost the first one very fast, CoCo doing its job. Early blood moon and molten rain made game2, and a clean anger with a bridge follow up was enough for game3)
Welcome and glad you had an excellent showing for your first time around with the deck! Great read for your French/English. I had to laugh though the "Vizier Company" although I agree is Good news for everyone, it is the worst news for me. I've lost to that deck so many times on T3, it's gotta be my luck.
Either way nicely done and I'll be examining your sideboard for sure, as I have my own PPTQ to run through this coming weekend!
I was all aboard on Avarcious Dragon, but every time I play it, it gets killed before I get any value. Anyone else having this problem. terminate, path, aether vial in a reflector mage with the discard trigger on the stack, lily down tick.....I think I've cast it 8 times and only one did it do it's job. all the other times, it died. Almost going back to P&K and Koth....someone talk me off the ledge.
Russ, I think Dragon has some potential, and when he works, it's a pretty good draw engine.. but I still can't get behind him. We only run 6 4-drops, I don't think we can afford to play ones that do nothing until you untap. That's just me though.
Raised Chalice to Caligula, MrCorbac, and Revenged on their recent tournament finishes. Entertaining stories of victory told around the campfire.
All (3) Decklists are extraordinarily similar to each other in the Main Deck - good amount of variance in the SB. Their (60) are classic examples of 'The Stock List' of Pyro Prison. Russ uses it as well. At any given time, I am developing several different versions of Pyro Prison. Lately I've been writing about Trash Dragons, but sure - I've been playing the 'Stock List' all along
Shortly after inception, the accepted list of Pyro Prison core cards settled into the following 'Stock List' Deck Design.
21-22 Lands
8-9 Rituals
5 Planeswalkers
12 Power Suite Locks
4 Rabblemasters
2-4 Targeted Removal
2-3 Sweeper Removal
0-1 Pia and Kiran Nalaar depending on the Removal # complement
TOTAL = 56-ish Cards // 4-ish Cards for Swing Slots
Ever since Sarkhan, Fireblood marched up our side of the mountain, he was dismissed at first glance by pretty much all of the veteran players here. I recall chucking a hunk of igneous at his flowing locks when he ambled by. But, then he won over our hearts out on the battlefield. Read over his evolving assessments by the kinfolk - interesting. As far as I'm concerned, that dude has earned a spot in the Core List of cards.
A far more fair/balanced/consistent (but less explosive) than a Trash Dragons construction is 'The Stock List'. My current version is pretty typical. I did transition (2) Sarkhan and (1) Avaricious into my (60) [speaking to Russ/Caligula conversation - I am definitely down with a singleton Dragon the Grouch]. With an increased base of removal spells, Koth of the Hammer is also able to proliferate. Like Revenged, I went up to (22) land - buried ruin is a perfect "1/2 Land- 1/2 Spell" card - agree. Especially, if you adopt a Toolbox Sideboard.
There are some differences between Ray and my list, but these differences are tailoring to what we are both seeing. I'm trying to condense my sideboard this week. We also look at this and I'm a big fan of "4 ofs" which some people like the "Singletons" I do have some, but I look for consistency, so you'll see me run usually a pair of anything in the sideboard doing same things. (Hazoret + Stormbreath example is more midrange power) (Torpor Orb literally the best card against ETB) etc.
Just some thoughts. I am trying to avoid the "Graveyard Red Decks love Ancient Grudge" problem. This is what I'm actually tackling at the moment.
I love the 3-4 Angers in the main, but after some thought I decided not to make the switch. I think Russ and I are on the same page with this, and it's because I would rather win game 1 vs control than game 1 in matchups where Anger is a factor. I find bringing in 5 sweepers total in games 2/3 is more than enough to win 2 in a row, while things tend to get worse for us against control post-board. If I stopped running into as much control I would gladly make the switch, I just prefer to keep dead cards vs control at a minimum in the main.
Alright, tested one Hazoret in the main and one in the side last night and I mnaged to beat Jund twice over two leagues. 2-0 vs jund with Hazoret. I think it's better than dragon. If you know you're playing vs control, you don't have to play a bridge. Also, hazoret attacks the turn you play it, so it's hard to kill and very fast. I thought of running two Hazoret maindeck and taking out a Koth, but Koth does things that Hazoret cannot. Koth still attacks for 4 the turn it's plays, and while it's easy to remove, should you topdeck it while behind a bridge, it give the opponent two draw steps to deal with it before he ultimates. I think having the 2nd hazoret in the baord is the way to go. Also, two molten rain int he board did work. it killed a basic from Jund, which was all i needed. Also, if I would have hit a dual land instead of a basic swamp with a molten rain vs grixis shadow, I would have 4-1 my league last night. Either way, I think molten rain will continued to be tested, but Hazoret is definetly better than P&K right now.
Sarkhaan.....Modern is getting FAST. I find myself siding him out a lot because I need interaction and sarkhan does literally nothing the turn you play him. I don't know what else to bring in, so for now, he stays, but he's on notice. If something else gets printed at the two or three slot, like a two mana grim lavamancer, he might be replaced. the inability to protect himself is a liability vs the aggrresive decks and his speed is a big problem vs tron and combo. He's good vs control and midrange, but not vs aggro or combo. Basically, if the match is a race in any way, Sarkhan is not where you want to be. We need a card that can grind and race. that's why rabblemaster is so good. That can race like ntohing else in modern and can grind out wins by creating a lot of tokens. maybe it's time to start testing eidolon nint he main deck again? who knows.....
By the way, notice how a lot of my posts lately have been around the idea that playing something that doesn't have an immediate impact has been bad lately? Feels like the opponent always has the answer, so we need things that impact the game NOW, not if I untap, not if I get three turns with this, but NOW. Blood moon, chalice, rabblemaster, chandra, and even ensnaring bridge impact the game NOW. Avarcious dragon, and Sarkhan do not. those need turns to do their thing and I'm not sure that's where we want to be. I still think more testing is needed.
So, homework assignment for everyone. Don't tell me when you played sarkhaan and it stuck around for a while. Tell me when you played Sarkhan and you literally died because he didn't do anything to affect the board or game state. does that happen more often than I think or and I just overreacting to a problem that doesn't exist?
It's not an overreaction, Russ. Though, we do all love your reactions.
You had the exact same reservations about Sarkhan, Fireblood when he was printed. We all did. And, you were the last to come over to accepting him, I think. Speaking to your NOW dictate: that's precisely why Trash Dragons only works with THREE (3) Sarkhan and (11) Rituals. Because the occurrence of NOW happens even faster than NOW.
What the hell does that mean? It means that Sarkhan is hitting the board ahead of the curve - before he logistically should be able to. SO, by your next turn, you have Rummaged twice and have a 5-Loyalty walker that will only grow. MATHING: 3 cards drawn and a target that will likely attract 5-7 damage from your opponent. That's generally how I have experienced the life cycle of Sarkhan IF they go after him.
If you wanna get really, really goofy with how this can be viewed in the context of a gamescape. This means....This means that I started the game with 26 life and a free Faithless Looting. NOW, that's the Power of Now!
Also, I highly recommend the book "The Power of Now" by Ekhart Tolle
I also want to double down on the praise for Caligula's victory - great report and performance from a pal that doesn't get to throw down as often as others. Second, he makes a good point on our positioning for game 1. Is it to best defeat Control or Aggro? Lately, we're all in agreement that Control has been the tougher road. Yet, this rise of Hollow/Bridge/Vine decks created quite a stir for us - eliciting a full 3-4 Anger in the mainboard. Hmmm...I just might shave down to (2) Anger in the Main and swap in a Pyretic Ritual. This addition can only serve to increase my power of NOW, right?!?!?
NOW -- I think I like this new terminology in our lexicon, Russ. I think I like it a lot. In that Saturday Night Live sketch, Christopher Walken needed his Cowbell with Will Ferrell in the studio with the Blue Oyster Cult, but for me? This fever? I gotta have more NOW, baby!
Yeah, you get it. Having hard hitting cards that impact the board state NOW is a good plan vs aggro and also works well vs control. Having cards that need a turn or two for full effect can be good, and when they are, they simply take over the game. Just feels like those are more swingy plays. either they take over the game or they don't. And when they don't, you're in a bad spot.
This is also why i'm down on P&K right now. yes, you get two tokens, but so what? Koth comes down and attacks for 4 NOW. Hazoret attacks for 5 NOW. Chandra does two damage or kills something. Late game, she gets you an extra card to cast if yo have 7 or more manaa. Really the only cards left in my deck that don's have a NOW impact is Sarkaan. Maybe that's a good thing. I guess we could use some things that can help us slog through a long game.
I've noticed that big first and second turn plays lead to many more wins than big second and third turn plays when it comes to this type of deck. I'm sure 8 rituals and 4 SSG are overkill, but i need that speed too, man! First turn Chandra/Koth into second turn koth/Chandra is backbreaking for a lot of decks, along with first turn Blood Moon/Chalice(1) into second turn Chalice(1)/Blood Moon. Or any combination of the two scenarios.
I haven't posted my pile since i added Chalice to the main, so this is what i'm playing with now:
I've been thinking of cutting thopters and memnites for 2 more land and 4 cards that actually do something other than be chumps and block for my walkers, now that i don't have need for them. Any suggestions for the 4 open slots?
Thanks Ray, I cant wait to finish up these last few months grinding the Cockatrice circuit and finally hit MTGO in early 2019. MODO, consider yourself on notice!
Ernest, the 4 cards you're looking for are called Goblin Rabblemaster.. he's a decent inclusion
I love the 3-4 Angers in the main, but after some thought I decided not to make the switch. I think Russ and I are on the same page with this, and it's because I would rather win game 1 vs control than game 1 in matchups where Anger is a factor. I find bringing in 5 sweepers total in games 2/3 is more than enough to win 2 in a row, while things tend to get worse for us against control post-board. If I stopped running into as much control I would gladly make the switch, I just prefer to keep dead cards vs control at a minimum in the main.
Yeah I'm going to echo the same feeling. I thought that's why we run Bridge too. I know Anger takes away Bloodghast, Flamewake, Venge etc., but how much do they matter if you're behind a Bridge and hellbent? Okay so additional Angers are pseudo additional copies of Bridge - sure. I've never been a big fan of Angering to stay empty handed when I have a goblin brigade building - so maybe its not an additional copy of Bridge. I like how Suns and Slag present options. I want more options maindeck, and more pinpointed strategy G2/G3.
As far as Sarkhan. Russ I'm often on the same page as you, but I'm def on board with Sarkhan and Avaricious.
Last night in the 4-0 Monday Night Magic shreadfest that I boogied down with I locked up the board against Delver - got Avaricious down and it did work. Being behind a Bridge and getting THREE cards a turn - Thanks Chandra - was AWESOME.
Then against Lantern, Sarkhan was his worst nightmare. I mean you obviously know how that went. LanternGuy had me draw trash, I dumped it via Sarkhan, found Abrade, blew his lock apart, found chalice, locked him out.
Even against Burn Sarkhan worked as a gain 6 life b/c he ate a spike and a bolt.
Anecdotal - I agree, but it felt really good. I understand the "Impact the Game Now" theme going on here, but just going up to 4 w/ no rummage or ramp still feels like I'm significantly impacting the board. Let me untap with this, and there will be MAJOR problems. Sarkhan into Koth or Chandra or PnK or shoot Rabble or Dragon feels great. Or how about they bolt and attack Sarkhan down on their turn and you follow up with one the above 4-drops.
I'm not making the case that this is a must have in the stock list or anything like that. I'm just providing my anecdotal experiences for the OGs to vet. I'm certainly down with 2x Sarkhan and 1x Avaricious at the moment.
What's with the memnite and ornithopter? Are they just speed bumps so your planeswalkers can ultimate quicker?
I did have two Infernal Plunge in my 60 as well, but they didn't pull as much weight as i was hoping they would. So, more often than not, thopters and memnites were speed bumps that work well considering the lack of early game trample and flying. Free blockers really helped me protect my walkers an hit ultimates frequently, but they're seriously lacking when it comes to closing the game. That's why i'd prefer creatures or cards that i can block with as well as shell out some damage. I might just switch up a couple cards for two Pia & what'sHisFace to use the 0-drops as blockers and potential removal/2 damage.
Thanks Ray, I cant wait to finish up these last few months grinding the Cockatrice circuit and finally hit MTGO in early 2019. MODO, consider yourself on notice!
Ernest, the 4 cards you're looking for are called Goblin Rabblemaster.. he's a decent inclusion
I put some thought into rabblemaster and decided i don't like that all goblins have to attack. Not saving blockers could throw me in a sticky situation, but it might not. I haven't tested it yet, so my thoughts on him might be moot. What's your experience with him?
Everyone will tell you Rabble is gas. He's a 4-turn clock that gets under Bridge. Sometimes t1 Rabble is better than a lock piece. He's a core component.
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I guess people call my list the "Stock" list because it's the most well rounded and prepared for a completely open meta, like a GP, SCG Open/Classic, or an IQ. While everyone has their flavors, I do beleive my list is the most well rounded of all the lists and give the best chance to win in a large event. that said, if you are doing side events, you could definitely do well with some of the other lists. And this is in no way talking down on the toher lists. I think they are tuned for different meta than what I usually go for. Ray's list with all the rituals and no interaction, Fluffy's list with the three anger maindeck are better in some matches while giving away % points in others.
That said, I have been testing Avarcious dragon over P&K and Koth and so far, results have been good. We still aren't beating Jund with those changes, so it's not like that match gets any better. but every turn it stays in play vs the grindy decks, like jund and mardu pyromancer, the better it gets.
My other changes is taking out a cainwhirler for a magus of the moon. while similar to moon and Damping Sphere, magus attacks for two, which us big deal as tron tried to assemble the lands, the 2 points a turn could be 8-10 damage before they can get out. Take out a chainwhirler from the board for that.
http://www.starcitygames.com/decks/123026
Twas an awesome read man - thanks for taking the time to post it, and sorry things didn't pan out as perfectly as they could have.
Welcome and glad you had an excellent showing for your first time around with the deck! Great read for your French/English. I had to laugh though the "Vizier Company" although I agree is Good news for everyone, it is the worst news for me. I've lost to that deck so many times on T3, it's gotta be my luck.
Either way nicely done and I'll be examining your sideboard for sure, as I have my own PPTQ to run through this coming weekend!
All (3) Decklists are extraordinarily similar to each other in the Main Deck - good amount of variance in the SB. Their (60) are classic examples of 'The Stock List' of Pyro Prison. Russ uses it as well. At any given time, I am developing several different versions of Pyro Prison. Lately I've been writing about Trash Dragons, but sure - I've been playing the 'Stock List' all along
Shortly after inception, the accepted list of Pyro Prison core cards settled into the following 'Stock List' Deck Design.
21-22 Lands
8-9 Rituals
5 Planeswalkers
12 Power Suite Locks
4 Rabblemasters
2-4 Targeted Removal
2-3 Sweeper Removal
0-1 Pia and Kiran Nalaar depending on the Removal # complement
TOTAL = 56-ish Cards // 4-ish Cards for Swing Slots
Ever since Sarkhan, Fireblood marched up our side of the mountain, he was dismissed at first glance by pretty much all of the veteran players here. I recall chucking a hunk of igneous at his flowing locks when he ambled by. But, then he won over our hearts out on the battlefield. Read over his evolving assessments by the kinfolk - interesting. As far as I'm concerned, that dude has earned a spot in the Core List of cards.
A far more fair/balanced/consistent (but less explosive) than a Trash Dragons construction is 'The Stock List'. My current version is pretty typical. I did transition (2) Sarkhan and (1) Avaricious into my (60) [speaking to Russ/Caligula conversation - I am definitely down with a singleton Dragon the Grouch]. With an increased base of removal spells, Koth of the Hammer is also able to proliferate. Like Revenged, I went up to (22) land - buried ruin is a perfect "1/2 Land- 1/2 Spell" card - agree. Especially, if you adopt a Toolbox Sideboard.
MY CURRENT DECK --- 'STOCK LIST'
4 Ensnaring Bridge
4 Chalice of the Void
4 Blood Moon
Targeted Removal (2)
2 Abrade
Sweeper Removal (3)
3 Anger of the Gods
Creatures (6)
4 Goblin Rabblemaster
1 Avaricious Dragon
1 Walking Ballista
Planeswalkers (7)
4 Chandra, Torch of Defiance
2 Sarkhan, Fireblood
1 Koth of the Hammer
4 Simian Spirit Guide
4 Desperate Ritual
Lands (22)
14 Mountains
3 Gemstone Caverns
3 Ramunap Ruins
1 Mutavault
1 Buried Ruins
2 Damping Matrix
2 Torpor Orb
2 Grafdigger's Cage
2 Sorcerous Spyglass
1 Anger of the Gods
1 Boil
1 Spellskite
1 Witchbane Orb
1 Damping Sphere
1 Dire Fleet Daredevil
1 Leyline of the Void
MY (FluffyWolf2) CURRENT DECK --- 'STOCK LIST'
4 Ensnaring Bridge
4 Chalice of the Void
4 Blood Moon
Utility (6)
2 Abrade
4 Anger of the Gods
Creatures (6)
4 Goblin Rabblemaster
1 Avaricious Dragon
1 Walking Ballista
4 Chandra, Torch of Defiance
2 Sarkhan, Fireblood
Ramp (8)
4 Simian Spirit Guide
4 Desperate Ritual
Lands (21)
14 Mountains
3 Gemstone Caverns
3 Ramunap Ruins
1 Scavenger Grounds
2 Damping Matrix
2 Torpor Orb
2 - 3 (Graveyard - Debating this)
4 Eidolon of the Great Revel
4 - 5 Flex Slots (Usually 1 Hazoret/1 Koth & 1 Stormbreath + Others)
There are some differences between Ray and my list, but these differences are tailoring to what we are both seeing. I'm trying to condense my sideboard this week. We also look at this and I'm a big fan of "4 ofs" which some people like the "Singletons" I do have some, but I look for consistency, so you'll see me run usually a pair of anything in the sideboard doing same things. (Hazoret + Stormbreath example is more midrange power) (Torpor Orb literally the best card against ETB) etc.
Just some thoughts. I am trying to avoid the "Graveyard Red Decks love Ancient Grudge" problem. This is what I'm actually tackling at the moment.
Sarkhaan.....Modern is getting FAST. I find myself siding him out a lot because I need interaction and sarkhan does literally nothing the turn you play him. I don't know what else to bring in, so for now, he stays, but he's on notice. If something else gets printed at the two or three slot, like a two mana grim lavamancer, he might be replaced. the inability to protect himself is a liability vs the aggrresive decks and his speed is a big problem vs tron and combo. He's good vs control and midrange, but not vs aggro or combo. Basically, if the match is a race in any way, Sarkhan is not where you want to be. We need a card that can grind and race. that's why rabblemaster is so good. That can race like ntohing else in modern and can grind out wins by creating a lot of tokens. maybe it's time to start testing eidolon nint he main deck again? who knows.....
So, homework assignment for everyone. Don't tell me when you played sarkhaan and it stuck around for a while. Tell me when you played Sarkhan and you literally died because he didn't do anything to affect the board or game state. does that happen more often than I think or and I just overreacting to a problem that doesn't exist?
You had the exact same reservations about Sarkhan, Fireblood when he was printed. We all did. And, you were the last to come over to accepting him, I think. Speaking to your NOW dictate: that's precisely why Trash Dragons only works with THREE (3) Sarkhan and (11) Rituals. Because the occurrence of NOW happens even faster than NOW.
What the hell does that mean? It means that Sarkhan is hitting the board ahead of the curve - before he logistically should be able to. SO, by your next turn, you have Rummaged twice and have a 5-Loyalty walker that will only grow. MATHING: 3 cards drawn and a target that will likely attract 5-7 damage from your opponent. That's generally how I have experienced the life cycle of Sarkhan IF they go after him.
If you wanna get really, really goofy with how this can be viewed in the context of a gamescape. This means....This means that I started the game with 26 life and a free Faithless Looting. NOW, that's the Power of Now!
Also, I highly recommend the book "The Power of Now" by Ekhart Tolle
I also want to double down on the praise for Caligula's victory - great report and performance from a pal that doesn't get to throw down as often as others. Second, he makes a good point on our positioning for game 1. Is it to best defeat Control or Aggro? Lately, we're all in agreement that Control has been the tougher road. Yet, this rise of Hollow/Bridge/Vine decks created quite a stir for us - eliciting a full 3-4 Anger in the mainboard. Hmmm...I just might shave down to (2) Anger in the Main and swap in a Pyretic Ritual. This addition can only serve to increase my power of NOW, right?!?!?
NOW -- I think I like this new terminology in our lexicon, Russ. I think I like it a lot. In that Saturday Night Live sketch, Christopher Walken needed his Cowbell with Will Ferrell in the studio with the Blue Oyster Cult, but for me? This fever? I gotta have more NOW, baby!
This is also why i'm down on P&K right now. yes, you get two tokens, but so what? Koth comes down and attacks for 4 NOW. Hazoret attacks for 5 NOW. Chandra does two damage or kills something. Late game, she gets you an extra card to cast if yo have 7 or more manaa. Really the only cards left in my deck that don's have a NOW impact is Sarkaan. Maybe that's a good thing. I guess we could use some things that can help us slog through a long game.
I haven't posted my pile since i added Chalice to the main, so this is what i'm playing with now:
3 Memnite
3 Ornithopter
4 Bomat Courier
4 Simian Spirit Guide
2 Magus of the Moon
Noncreature Spells(26):
4 Chalice of the Void
3 Abrade
4 Desperate Ritual
4 Pyretic Ritual
4 Blood Moon
4 Koth of the Hammer
3 Chandra, Torch of Defiance
16 Mountain
2 Ramunap Ruins
1 Abrade
1 Fulminator Mage
2 Shattering Spree
2 Slagstorm
4 Anger of the Gods
4 Leyline of Sanctity
1 Hazoret the Fervent
I've been thinking of cutting thopters and memnites for 2 more land and 4 cards that actually do something other than be chumps and block for my walkers, now that i don't have need for them. Any suggestions for the 4 open slots?
Ernest, the 4 cards you're looking for are called Goblin Rabblemaster.. he's a decent inclusion
Yeah I'm going to echo the same feeling. I thought that's why we run Bridge too. I know Anger takes away Bloodghast, Flamewake, Venge etc., but how much do they matter if you're behind a Bridge and hellbent? Okay so additional Angers are pseudo additional copies of Bridge - sure. I've never been a big fan of Angering to stay empty handed when I have a goblin brigade building - so maybe its not an additional copy of Bridge. I like how Suns and Slag present options. I want more options maindeck, and more pinpointed strategy G2/G3.
As far as Sarkhan. Russ I'm often on the same page as you, but I'm def on board with Sarkhan and Avaricious.
Last night in the 4-0 Monday Night Magic shreadfest that I boogied down with I locked up the board against Delver - got Avaricious down and it did work. Being behind a Bridge and getting THREE cards a turn - Thanks Chandra - was AWESOME.
Then against Lantern, Sarkhan was his worst nightmare. I mean you obviously know how that went. LanternGuy had me draw trash, I dumped it via Sarkhan, found Abrade, blew his lock apart, found chalice, locked him out.
Even against Burn Sarkhan worked as a gain 6 life b/c he ate a spike and a bolt.
Anecdotal - I agree, but it felt really good. I understand the "Impact the Game Now" theme going on here, but just going up to 4 w/ no rummage or ramp still feels like I'm significantly impacting the board. Let me untap with this, and there will be MAJOR problems. Sarkhan into Koth or Chandra or PnK or shoot Rabble or Dragon feels great. Or how about they bolt and attack Sarkhan down on their turn and you follow up with one the above 4-drops.
I'm not making the case that this is a must have in the stock list or anything like that. I'm just providing my anecdotal experiences for the OGs to vet. I'm certainly down with 2x Sarkhan and 1x Avaricious at the moment.
I did have two Infernal Plunge in my 60 as well, but they didn't pull as much weight as i was hoping they would. So, more often than not, thopters and memnites were speed bumps that work well considering the lack of early game trample and flying. Free blockers really helped me protect my walkers an hit ultimates frequently, but they're seriously lacking when it comes to closing the game. That's why i'd prefer creatures or cards that i can block with as well as shell out some damage. I might just switch up a couple cards for two Pia & what'sHisFace to use the 0-drops as blockers and potential removal/2 damage.
I put some thought into rabblemaster and decided i don't like that all goblins have to attack. Not saving blockers could throw me in a sticky situation, but it might not. I haven't tested it yet, so my thoughts on him might be moot. What's your experience with him?
I really wish Dragon Broodmother was straight red...