3rd FNM victory, this time with my mono red sideboard since I forgot the boros side at home:
1st: Soul Sisters 2-1
I had to drible quite a lot of lifegain and, with no skullcracks, managed two quick wins with decent hands. Her game, the second one, was a goyf smash with one or two ajanis. I'm getting quite the legend at my LGS'S for a bunch of wins against seemingly impossible matchups.
2nd: Elves 2-0
Bolted archdruid game 1 and raced for another easy win. Game 2 sided in 2 Volcanic Fallouts and, with a big grin, watched as 7-10 elves each time kept falling as the fallouts kept showing up.
3rd: Bogles 1-2
Leyline of Sanctity and coronet bogle game 1. I didn't stand a chance. My only hope would be Deflecting Palm (since I don't have bridges), but I had forgotten them at home. Game 2 was a fun one: He kept an hand with LoS but no threats, and i was able to deploy a crappy ratchet bom turn 6 or 7 to destroy it. Game 3 was game 1 all over again.
4rd: Titanshift 2-0
I haven't lost a match against this deck for some reason, I don't think the matchup is that lopsided in my favor. Two quick wins with decent hands.
Semifinals: Mardu Death's Shadow 2-1
Screwed up big time game one. Kept a hand with one land and few 1 cmc spells, oh and it was a Canyon. Won game 2 and 3 by easily sandbagging the burn spells to kill him in one shot.
Final: Hardened Scales 2-1
Fast hand ensured he didn't stand a chance game 1. Game 2 was more interesting. He was able to combo off with ballista and hit me for 60 damage. The final game was first game all over again.
I want to initiate my son to MtG and I am looking for some kind of budget build for him that would be efficient and fun to play in Pioneer. Any suggestion? The manabase can be non-budget, as I have playsets of most of the shocklands/scrylands/checklands.
The mono-B lists use Mutavault, otherwise they are nearly budget. Some use Kalitas, Traitor of Ghet and the Vampires use Sorin, Imperious Bloodlord. Kalitas is a bit steep, but usually a two or three-of. Sorin is a middling priced card.
I've been experimenting with Boros Knights and BWRally Zombies. Nothing expensive in the Knight deck but the Zombies have Mutavaults.
There are also some mono-R lists that seem cheap.
I can search up some lists later but I've got pressing errands to run right now.
What would you think about making room for 1 or 2 of History of Benalia?
Seems good in a world full of removal. Could also "dodge" Possibility Storm on turn 4 or 5 if you cast it just before opponents can play PS.
I can't get behind History of Benalia even though all of the decks I've found online have three or four copies. I'm sure everyone else is probably right and I'm wrong, but I just don't want to roll that way. I want to play something that impacts the board right away.
At some point, I might just go for it but I'm not ready yet.
The trouble with Possibility Storm is the game is usually over the next turn.
3-1 this week, lost the last game to Possibility Storm the turn before I could win. C'est la vie.
My Rally Zombies won a prize pack with the second Embercleave in the first tournament of the night, which was a nice little bonus. I almost went with a Theros pack but decided on Eldraine instead. It turned out to be a good call.
My list is also budget-restrained, but I had the lands on hand and most of the other cards. I've only bought a few things to get it where it is.
Thalia's Lieutenant is not a Knight but all of the Knights are Human, so she works well. The Giant benefits only from the Marshal but the Giant brings a little something extra to the party and he's above the curve to begin with.
There is no way I'd try a third color in Pioneer. Not happening! I generally stayed away from three-color decks even in Modern although I did run a few from time to time.
I have thought about a Gx Knight deck but it hasn't gotten beyond that stage yet. Knight of Autumn is a sweet card and I have a warm feeling for Syr Faren, the Still Mispelled (it's HeNgehammer, not HeDgehammer LOL). Unfortunately the missing lands for allied colors is a big problem in Pioneer.
One thing I have to say about your list is FIVE MOUNTAINS! FIVE! I mean, FIVE! Benalish Marshal has to be wondering what you're thinking! I questioned including one Mountain.
Bonecrusher Giant's Stomp does often seem over-costed or just plain inadequate, but it's a little card advantage, so I think one has to try it. Nonetheless, I see the appeal of more versatile, direct-damage spells.
I haven't heard anything about an event deck and I can't find anything on-line. That will be nice as long as there's something of value besides the Embercleave.
KotWO is capable of fetching Sacred Foundry; that's the main reason I have him. I still don't think he'll stick around.
Boros Charm is just the best anti-Wrath tool. It's cheap and the other modes are good. All of the mono-W anti-wrath cards I can think of are 3-CMC.
3-1 This week, lost the last game to Possibility Storm the turn before I could win. C'est la vie.
My Rally Zombies won a prize pack with the second Embercleave in the first tournament of the night, which was a nice little bonus. I almost went with a Theros pack but decided on Eldraine instead. It turned out to be a good call.
This is a list I've been tinkering with for the last two weeks. It's modeled after a list I saw on MtgGoldfish, but I couldn't find it tonight to link to it.
On the plus side, it can legitimately kill a non-interactive deck on turn-four. On the minus side, it's a dog to highly interactive red decks.
Boros Charm has been super and I've discovered - probably to no one's surprise - that Embercleave is pretty awesome. Even if it's attached only to a 3/3 that makes a mediocre turn-four into a back-breaker. I should probably just suck it up and buy two more Embercleaves and be done with it, but I'm a little stingier these days than I used to be.
White Orchid guy seems pretty sweet on turn three on the draw, but he may still just not be really worth it. He's pretty bad on the play but first strike does not suck, especially with a little pump from the team.
I want a copy or two of Fiendslayer Paladin for the side-board and I've ordered them. I had three copies but they mysteriously vanished, which probably isn't even interesting, much less relevant but I've already typed it.
Another copy or two of Brave the Elements might be worth a try.
Anyone trying anything similar? Any ideas, especially on the mono-red match-up?
Mono-Black aggro is probably a little beyond $350 - closer to $450 or a little more. Thoughtseize and Mutavault are the money sinks here. Kalitas, Traitor of Ghet makes a contribution but it is usually a one or two-of.
One suspects they will ban Dig through Time and call it a day as far as Inverter goes. Players will probably try Treasure Cruise in its place. Next month, maybe Treasure Cruise will get the hammer.
I could try Regisaur instead of the Lupine Prototype, but I'm not sure about Alms for the Vein, I prefer Fiery Temper as it can it any target.
Overall, Fiery Temper is a better card, but it's not either or, it's both for me! I could see AotV being cut if there's not room, but it's a good life-swing and one needs some good, cheap Madness cards. It's definitely on the initial list along with Fiery Temper.
A forgotten Madness enabler worth considering is Collective Defiance. A copy or two will probably get a try-out; I remember some good times with it; pitch a hand full of 1-casting-cost Madness spells and reload at the same time!
Just having a look.
The mono-B lists use Mutavault, otherwise they are nearly budget. Some use Kalitas, Traitor of Ghet and the Vampires use Sorin, Imperious Bloodlord. Kalitas is a bit steep, but usually a two or three-of. Sorin is a middling priced card.
I've been experimenting with Boros Knights and BW Rally Zombies. Nothing expensive in the Knight deck but the Zombies have Mutavaults.
There are also some mono-R lists that seem cheap.
I can search up some lists later but I've got pressing errands to run right now.
At some point, I might just go for it but I'm not ready yet.
The trouble with Possibility Storm is the game is usually over the next turn.
My Rally Zombies won a prize pack with the second Embercleave in the first tournament of the night, which was a nice little bonus. I almost went with a Theros pack but decided on Eldraine instead. It turned out to be a good call.
O.P. updated with current list.
Thalia's Lieutenant is not a Knight but all of the Knights are Human, so she works well. The Giant benefits only from the Marshal but the Giant brings a little something extra to the party and he's above the curve to begin with.
There is no way I'd try a third color in Pioneer. Not happening! I generally stayed away from three-color decks even in Modern although I did run a few from time to time.
I have thought about a Gx Knight deck but it hasn't gotten beyond that stage yet. Knight of Autumn is a sweet card and I have a warm feeling for Syr Faren, the Still Mispelled (it's HeNgehammer, not HeDgehammer LOL). Unfortunately the missing lands for allied colors is a big problem in Pioneer.
Bonecrusher Giant's Stomp does often seem over-costed or just plain inadequate, but it's a little card advantage, so I think one has to try it. Nonetheless, I see the appeal of more versatile, direct-damage spells.
KotWO is capable of fetching Sacred Foundry; that's the main reason I have him. I still don't think he'll stick around.
Boros Charm is just the best anti-Wrath tool. It's cheap and the other modes are good. All of the mono-W anti-wrath cards I can think of are 3-CMC.
4 Dauntless Bodyguard
4 Venerable Knight
2 Fervent Champion
4 Inspiring Veteran
4 Thalia's Lieutenant
4 Worthy Knight
4 Benalish Marshal
4 Bonecrusher Giant
22 Lands
4 Battlefield Forge
2 Castle Ardenvale
4 Clifftop Retreat
4 Inspiring Vantage
1 Mountain
3 Plains
4 Sacred Foundry
2 Brave the Elements
3 Boros Charm
1 Godsend
2 Embercleave
15 Side-board cards
2 Fiendslayer Paladin
2 Silence
2 Soul-Guide Lantern
1 Boros Charm
2 Blessed Alliance
2 Declaration in Stone
1 Return to the Ranks
1 Banishing Light
2 Settle the Wreckage
3-1 This week, lost the last game to Possibility Storm the turn before I could win. C'est la vie.
My Rally Zombies won a prize pack with the second Embercleave in the first tournament of the night, which was a nice little bonus. I almost went with a Theros pack but decided on Eldraine instead. It turned out to be a good call.
4 Dauntless Bodyguard
4 Venerable Knight
4 Inspiring Veteran
3 Knight of the White Orchid
4 Thalia's Lieutenant
4 Worthy Knight
4 Benalish Marshal
4 Bonecrusher Giant
22 Lands
4 Battlefield Forge
2 Castle Ardenvale
4 Clifftop Retreat
4 Inspiring Vantage
1 Mountain
3 Plains
4 Sacred Foundry
2 Brave the Elements
3 Boros Charm
1 Gideon, Ally of Zendikar
1 Embercleave
15 Side-board cards
2 Embereth Shieldbreaker
1 Knight of the White Orchid
1 Blast Zone
2 Silence
2 Soul-Guide Lantern
1 Boros Charm
2 Declaration in Stone
1 Return to the Ranks
1 Banishing Light
2 Settle the Wreckage
On the plus side, it can legitimately kill a non-interactive deck on turn-four. On the minus side, it's a dog to highly interactive red decks.
Boros Charm has been super and I've discovered - probably to no one's surprise - that Embercleave is pretty awesome. Even if it's attached only to a 3/3 that makes a mediocre turn-four into a back-breaker. I should probably just suck it up and buy two more Embercleaves and be done with it, but I'm a little stingier these days than I used to be.
White Orchid guy seems pretty sweet on turn three on the draw, but he may still just not be really worth it. He's pretty bad on the play but first strike does not suck, especially with a little pump from the team.
I want a copy or two of Fiendslayer Paladin for the side-board and I've ordered them. I had three copies but they mysteriously vanished, which probably isn't even interesting, much less relevant but I've already typed it.
Another copy or two of Brave the Elements might be worth a try.
Anyone trying anything similar? Any ideas, especially on the mono-red match-up?
Here's a list with links to many similar lists.
A forgotten Madness enabler worth considering is Collective Defiance. A copy or two will probably get a try-out; I remember some good times with it; pitch a hand full of 1-casting-cost Madness spells and reload at the same time!