Collective Brutality is your absolute all-star against Burn. Eldrazi Tron is just hard, but you could sideboard Ceremonious Rejection, otherwise you just need to disrupt them with Thoughtseize and outrace them, Terminate is good too.
My feeling right now is that I want to play 3 Collective Brutality in the side, specifically for Burn, but also splash damage for U/R Gifts. I'm trying to squeeze a 2nd Terminate in the main with +1 in the sideboard as well. Still not sure about dedicating any sideboard slots to Ceremonious Rejection yet.....
Vs. Eldrazi Tron he likes bolt. But it's awful there. It speeds up your clock sometimes, but most of the time it will rot in your hand or trade unfavorably with a Matter Reshaper or a Ballista. You really need disruption. He highlights Fulminator, which is disruptionTerminate, on the other hand, deals with most of their annoying threats so your big guys can keep beating. (Btw this is one of the matchups that really motivates my decision to cut IOK for Leaks, and to cut Bolts for Terminates. I pretty much crush Eldrazi Tron with my build.)
What is your most current build? I'm playing Modern in Louisville this weekend and doing some last minute testing and my biggest concerns are EldraziTron and Burn. IOK does a lot, I feel, against the burn matchup. What is your plan for this?
The full 4 terminates between main and board? I'd like to hear why you went that route. Seems like it could be somewhat excessive. Unless you expect Eldrazi that much.
Part of me wonders if you could get away from playing 2 IOK's. I've tried cutting one from the main. Instead, I've been playing a 2nd Terminate. Bant Eldrazi and EldraziTron have been painful to play against. You do lose some percentage points against linear strategy though by doing this. But between 4 T.S. 1 IOK and 2 Stubborn Denials, I would hope you could keep a deck like AdNas off course game one long enough to give you a fighting chance to win. Unlike Eldrazi, where Denials and the IOK don't amount to much. TS is good though. Any thoughts?
So how does this deck beat eldrazi & taxes? I'm getting whooped on a constant basis.
It's not a linear matchup nor its easy. Both of you try to disrupt the other. I must confess that I'm not the most experienced player because I always seem to dodge the only player I know that plays that deck. The answer I can give you is somewhat theorycrafting and it will depend on the sideboard configuration.
I reckon you'll lose g1 more often than not. Hand disruption is key here. You have to remove their disruptive combos or tempo advantage engine if you're on the play. If you set them back they have no way to recover. You'll have to be as aggressive as possible and win as fast as possible. With Vial+Wisp and with Displacer they can lock you out of attack phases and you'll just die.
After board I think it might get trickier depending if they draw their hate. Snapcaster will be an ambush viper because they'll probably side in 2~4 Rest in Peace against you. The Delve threats will be tough to cast for the same reason. You'll have to try to win with a Death's Shadow but they'll have more removal than you'll have threats. Anger of the Gods will be stellar, as will be LtLH because they won't have great ways to remove it. Ceremonious Rejection hits almost half their threats so it might be a good card to bring in, but bear in mind that Vial makes it a bit worse but if you counter a Vial with it it's almost 50% of a win. Artifact hate won't do you much good, so only bring it in if you have to. Be careful with the Kommand. It's recursion mode is only decent and the other modes aren't that relevant.
Again, take this with a pinch of salt. There are probably other players more experienced in the matchup than me. If I manage to test it or play it later today I'll get back to you.
I agree with this. Sideboard configuration changes how you play against them too, however. I take out all counters and play removal, threats, and discard. Discard is prioritized on Path to Exile and combo pieces like Eldrazi Displacer. You need to get them to play to your hand, so if you have to proper removal for their threats, go after the other cards in hand. Collective Brutality is sweet as you can kill a Arbiter or Thalia and remove Path in hand. If they target your graveyard with Rest in Peace, then you need to make sure you are protecting Death's Shadow and Snapcaster Mage as those are going to be your win conditions. The game goes long more often than not, so bringing in LtLH and your late game cards is good. Vial is annoying, but Kolaghan's Command keeps it in check. I've noticed they take them out Post-Sideboard though. The times I've played against D&T, I've typically lost the 1st game, but win both sideboarded games.
Looks like that 5-0 deck played the 2 Deprives instead of Lightning Bolts. Also, -1 Serum Vision for additional Terminate. I like the Terminates with Eldrazi in the format, but Deprive scares me with it's mana restrictions.
Decks I often shave a Snapcaster against (depending on what I have to bring in): Ad Nauseum, Storm, GR Valakut, Tron variants, etc. Basically in matchups where you need to win fast, and clunkiness gets you killed. Siding one out vs. some of the fast aggro decks isn't the worst for similar reasons, but you need to have a ton of stuff to bring in because Street Wraith and sometimes Thoughtseize are on the chopping block first, so I don't think I've ever shaved a Snapcaster against those decks.
I suppose it matters what you're sideboard configuration is. The first thing I usually cut is most of the spot removal. With surgicals extraction and stubborn denial, I'd prefer to have "more copies" of interaction that Snapcaster allows.
As ridiculous as it may sound, doesn't getting rid of Snapcaster lower your threat count as well as the ability to play spells at instant speed? Multiple times I have needed to snap a Stubborn Denial or even Snap --> Thought Scour to have the ability to play a Gurmag or Tasigur on my turn.
I don't think I've ever sided snapcaster out. Nor,been upset about having multiples in hand. With Fatal Push, Bolt, discard, Serum, scour, I don't know if Snapcaster has ever been an irrelevant card. It also allows me to play aggressively knowing that my graveyard is just an extension of my hand on turns 3 and beyond. Especially with thought scour milling instants and soceries into the graveyard.
Throwing my 2 cents in here. This is the most fun I've had playing a modern deck since Splinter Twin. I really like the main deck configuration and don't know if there's much that I would want to change. I added a second Terminate in the main because of EldraziTron and Bant Eldrazi. (Local meta is filled with Eldrazi right now). If Eldrazi became unpopular, I could see removing it and replacing with the 3rd Lightning Bolt. Aside from this, I like the main. Concern for me replacing Bolts and discard for cards like Mana Leak are that you are increasing your 2 CMC cards. I feel like this is a deck that wants to have multiple plays in the early turns (example: Thought Scour & Gurmag Angler on turn 2. Mana Leak, while being a solid card, is quite reactive and typically stronger in the early turns; turns in which I want to establish board position. Which I suppose is my argument for Disdainful Stroke. I don't need to worry about using this card until later in the game. And most cards I want to counter are 4 CMC or higher typically. If not, chances are they can be Pushed or I'm not entirely worried about it. I could be convinced though that Stroke is wrong.
Ashiok, Nightmare Weaver: I wanted to test it out. So far I've only brought it in against EldraziTron. I stole a Thought-Knot Seer which felt incredible. Not convinced it is as good as it felt then though. I'd assume creature based decks like Company variants and perhaps BGx decks it could do some work. Thought was that, yes they play Abrupt Decay, but if the only good targets are Death's Shadow Do they even keep it in? My assumption is that they would keep their Pushes and Paths instead.
Graveyard Shenanigans: I played Fulminator Mage in DSJund and Grixis Jund. I didn't like tapping out to play it, so I'm trying a different route. Discard + Surgical Extraction is what I'm testing out. Also, Though Scour + Extraction is a real possibility. So, truly, Surgical is pulling "double duty" as a graveyard removal and pseudo-land destruction/removal of problem cards (i.e. Ad Nauseam).
By all means comments, questions and suggestions are more than welcome.
If Zoo, Robots, and Bogles are tougher matchups, would it be legitimate to run a third Engineered Explosives?
Also, DOLZero, you wouldn't be able to post some sort of in/out sideboard strategy? I'd love to take a look at what your thoughts are on the meta-matchups.
With 2 Spellskites MB, I'd suggest Mirran Crusaders (as they're the Glass Cannon of the group), and you can negate some of the risk of them that way.
Swords would also be excellent.
Really though, it depends on what you want to beat, what you think you're going to face, and what your meta looks like.
ok. i think i'll put in 2 mirran and a sword of war and peace. modern plays every other week at my LGS so it won't be until next week when I can play it.
I'd also consider trying Linvala. She pretty solid and has evasion.
Doesn't this take the same slot as TBR? All are trying to be evasive and make sure damage is dealt.
My feeling right now is that I want to play 3 Collective Brutality in the side, specifically for Burn, but also splash damage for U/R Gifts. I'm trying to squeeze a 2nd Terminate in the main with +1 in the sideboard as well. Still not sure about dedicating any sideboard slots to Ceremonious Rejection yet.....
What is your most current build? I'm playing Modern in Louisville this weekend and doing some last minute testing and my biggest concerns are EldraziTron and Burn. IOK does a lot, I feel, against the burn matchup. What is your plan for this?
I agree with this. Sideboard configuration changes how you play against them too, however. I take out all counters and play removal, threats, and discard. Discard is prioritized on Path to Exile and combo pieces like Eldrazi Displacer. You need to get them to play to your hand, so if you have to proper removal for their threats, go after the other cards in hand. Collective Brutality is sweet as you can kill a Arbiter or Thalia and remove Path in hand. If they target your graveyard with Rest in Peace, then you need to make sure you are protecting Death's Shadow and Snapcaster Mage as those are going to be your win conditions. The game goes long more often than not, so bringing in LtLH and your late game cards is good. Vial is annoying, but Kolaghan's Command keeps it in check. I've noticed they take them out Post-Sideboard though. The times I've played against D&T, I've typically lost the 1st game, but win both sideboarded games.
I suppose it matters what you're sideboard configuration is. The first thing I usually cut is most of the spot removal. With surgicals extraction and stubborn denial, I'd prefer to have "more copies" of interaction that Snapcaster allows.
4 Bloodstaind Mire
4 Polluted Delta
4 Scalding Tarn
1 Steam Vents
2 Blood Crypt
2 Watery Grave
1 Swamp
1 Island
4 Death's Shadow
4 Street Wraith
4 Snapcaster Mage
2 Gurmag Angler
2 Tasigur, the Golden Fang
2 Inquisition of Kozilek
2 Stubborn Denial
3 Fatal Push
2 Terminate
2 Lightning Bolt
2 Kolaghan's Command
4 Serum Visions
4 Thought Scour
1 Fatal Push
1 Terminate
3 Surgical Extraction
1 Nihil Spellbomb
2 Disdainful Stroke
1 Kozilek's Return
1 Izzet Staticaster
1 Stubborn Denial
1 Liliana, the Last Hope
1 Ashiok, Nightmare Weaver
2 Collective Brutality
Throwing my 2 cents in here. This is the most fun I've had playing a modern deck since Splinter Twin. I really like the main deck configuration and don't know if there's much that I would want to change. I added a second Terminate in the main because of EldraziTron and Bant Eldrazi. (Local meta is filled with Eldrazi right now). If Eldrazi became unpopular, I could see removing it and replacing with the 3rd Lightning Bolt. Aside from this, I like the main. Concern for me replacing Bolts and discard for cards like Mana Leak are that you are increasing your 2 CMC cards. I feel like this is a deck that wants to have multiple plays in the early turns (example: Thought Scour & Gurmag Angler on turn 2. Mana Leak, while being a solid card, is quite reactive and typically stronger in the early turns; turns in which I want to establish board position. Which I suppose is my argument for Disdainful Stroke. I don't need to worry about using this card until later in the game. And most cards I want to counter are 4 CMC or higher typically. If not, chances are they can be Pushed or I'm not entirely worried about it. I could be convinced though that Stroke is wrong.
Not so sure-ables:
Izzet Staticaster: Could be just a second sweeper. Aside from Lingering Souls most small/go wide creatures increase their toughness through cards like Intangible Virtue or Elvish Archdruid. Makes me think Return or even Radiant Flames would be a better choice.
Ashiok, Nightmare Weaver: I wanted to test it out. So far I've only brought it in against EldraziTron. I stole a Thought-Knot Seer which felt incredible. Not convinced it is as good as it felt then though. I'd assume creature based decks like Company variants and perhaps BGx decks it could do some work. Thought was that, yes they play Abrupt Decay, but if the only good targets are Death's Shadow Do they even keep it in? My assumption is that they would keep their Pushes and Paths instead.
Graveyard Shenanigans: I played Fulminator Mage in DSJund and Grixis Jund. I didn't like tapping out to play it, so I'm trying a different route. Discard + Surgical Extraction is what I'm testing out. Also, Though Scour + Extraction is a real possibility. So, truly, Surgical is pulling "double duty" as a graveyard removal and pseudo-land destruction/removal of problem cards (i.e. Ad Nauseam).
By all means comments, questions and suggestions are more than welcome.
Also, DOLZero, you wouldn't be able to post some sort of in/out sideboard strategy? I'd love to take a look at what your thoughts are on the meta-matchups.
I'd also consider trying Linvala. She pretty solid and has evasion.