Back from the FNM. Played against UB Fairies, Mono U tron , Blue devotion. New notes:
Unsettled Mariner felt bit lackluster since people would just end up play around it. Might want to play this along Curscatcheror or save the UW version for interaction heavy metas.
A few nice interactions happened with vialing Sygg and then activating protection against removal.
Didnt pulled any Teferi so i cannot gauge its usefulness.
Force was, as expected, great: beign able to tapout and then counter a T4 Ugin it where its at. Being able to answer EE was crucial too.
Manabase was fine. I played three blue decks so yeah i would have loved a cavern of souls or two.
So, not too sure what to think of this first run. I'll try the list some more online but i'm on the fence about mariner. If anything I might keep at least Sygg and the 4 wanderwines. I really liked this card.
Thanks for the feedback.
So here's the list i'm willing to try tomorrow at an FNM (Beating them quick with Infect, then offering to test out the deck ;))
I'm torn between Revoker and Stony Silence, but I like the versatility and Vialability of Revoker
Land wise, I'm trying to fit in a cavern of souls or two, but the balance seems so delicate. Cutting Mutas maybe?
Retort instead of deprive since silans count is quite reduced.
I'm open to ideas. final test list will be locked in at around 8AM EDT
I'm doing pretty well without either of those cards, though they will of course help.
On the subject of MTGSalvation's closure and what that means for the primer, I'll be migrating the information over to a Google document. Please be patient, as some reformatting will be required during the transition.
I've been playing around with (proxies of) Force of Negation and Unsetteled Mariner with quite interesting results so far. Looking at your Simic list makes me want to give this one a go:
I might want to make space for the extra seas since this list isn't getting the extra from Mistbinder, but at the same time First strke and Lifelink might just do it to let them through or force the opponent to chump.
I do agree that word is strong. However, having a source of stable/constant draw is always been something I believe our archetype needs to really push to the highest tiers.
I mean, that same vehicle with islandwalk or a Merfolk subtype...
There is also the need of a strictly better Deprive, but we're most likely getting that in June
We've been testing Benthic Biomancer, and I must say that I'm impressed. I was initially skeptical, but it's nice to have a 1-drop to curve out with again, and the loot has been pretty darn good (turning a topdecked Vial or a late land into a live draw never gets old). It's also freed my curve up to test bigger counterspells like Mana Leak, which has also been impressive. This is the list I've been jamming of late. It's preliminary, but I feel good about it.
Gave a shot at your list yesterday, for a 6th place finish @ 3-1. Only difference is -3 island, +1 Cavern, Minamo and Oboro. Gotta say Benthic Biomancer made a small difference every matches.
Match 1 vs Phoenix in the Ice (2-1) - Basically Tricksters and Harbingers did their job.
Match 2 vs UW control (1-2) - Lost game 3 to Sphinx of the Final Word, pretty much. Managed to pull off a Benthic Bionancer Adapt draw into Clique to block it while threatening lethal, but in the end, had all the (now uncounterable) answers. He got all his fields of ruin to keep mutavaults and cavern in check too.
Match 3 vs BW Eldrazi Aggro (2-0) - 3 spreading seas game 1 (thanks Benthic Biomancer for cycling that extra Vial) and my opponent mana screwing game 2
Match 4 vs 8 Rack (2-1) - Notable moment was when I kept an Island + Cavern + 2 Deprive hand game 2...of course Bridge came out turn 3 with no second island on the board for me. Game 3 Opponent didn't get enough gas to pick all the bounce and counters I had in hand.
Biomancer was a nice addition all around. Enjoying this list quite a bit too. Mana leak never ended up a dead card either, not even cycled to Biomancer once.
Looks indeed narrow/meta depdndant at first glance. That said i'll be sure to get a playset while they'll be on the low demand. This is the kind of merfolk that i'm sure will prove useful in the,if not near, far future.
Affinity is really just a match to where can I out aggro the other aggro deck? Games 2 and possibly 3 is, I need to draw sideboard hate and fast.
What does everyone else think is the bane for Merfolk in our current meta?
As a Tron player myself I can tell you this is where Spell pierce and Deprive will help you much more than sea's claim.
You switch to being proactive and Pierce Stirrings, Sylvan scrying and even Expedition map in order to deny them T3/4 Tron. Echoing Truth helps as well to get an extra turn on an OStone.
If you seem to have trouble in a heavy Tron and Affinity meta you may want to consider ceremonious rejection, which pretty much hits all the cards of both archetypes.
It stays a creature, yes. The way you beat Bogles mostly revolves around Coronet - if you can counter it (with Deprive or Spell Pierce), bounce it (or bounce other Auras in response to it being cast to blow them out), or fade it, you can win.
Was packing 4 deprives and 3 echoing thruths in the SB (which I guess i should have mulliganed to have one). With the pieces in MD i should be all set then, thanks!
Tested Trickster along with Chalice MD last FNM. Didn't took extensives notes but here's a few highlights.
Round 1: vs Marvel Combo
G1:
Thankfully I had Tricker in hand and a Vial @ 2 8D . Swarmed him Game 2
Round 2: vs Counters Company
G1: Tons of interaction with trickster to avoid my opponent to go infinite, game lasted quite a while but i ended running out of gas.
G2: Made the mistake or keeping a hand with 2 deprives, minamo and wanderwine. Never drew an Island... Also should have sided tidebinders
Round 3: vs Jund+U?
G1-G2: Shut off his red mana, MoW did the job as he never got to draw maelstrom pulse.
Round 4: vs Boggles
G1-G2: First time I played against this deck. Wish I had spell pierce, I guess.
- Chalice was fun MD During Treasure Cruise/Delver mania. It is not as fun right now.
- So, Boggles. This matchup feel worse than Affinity. How are we supposed to beat this?
- Spell Pierce seems like the go-to for now.
- TricksterBlock Goyf is awesome. TricksterSac into Lili too. Trickster Emrakul Mind Blew everyone. #TricksterMVP
Spreading Seas takes care of the lands and Ceremonious rejection any eldrazi/tron spells we don't want in. So good for affinity and storm, i guess? Not sure what I would remove from my SB to get them in..
Hi everyone, just wanted to share my report on my Top-16 run at the SCG Classic this past weekend. Check it out and let me know what you think!
About your list:
Would you think going 19 lands to get one Echoing Thruth, in the MB (either opening a spot in the SB or leave SB as is) worth it? Thruth never felt like a dead card and got me out of trouble in several Game1s. axing a land for it don't sound too much of a stretch.
About Tropical Fish in modern:
I'm seeing a lot of people try to cram several of the new green folks in their MB. What about splashing just enough green (-1 Oboro,- 1 Minamo, -2 Islands, +4 Sacntum) to replace the Rejerries by the new lord? Curving all lords @ 2 looks interesting, at least on paper.
How well did the Mana Leaks work? I'm never a fan of conditional counters (usually using Negate, unless the meta blatantly calls for another 1U counter) but I'd love to be convinced to try them.
Also, regarding UG. It seems that the deck's puzzle is only missing 1 piece to come together. With the fact that merfolks were introduced late in Ixlaham and with Dominaria around the corner, there will be more testing coming in 2018. But right now, something's missing.
Unsettled Mariner felt bit lackluster since people would just end up play around it. Might want to play this along Curscatcheror or save the UW version for interaction heavy metas.
A few nice interactions happened with vialing Sygg and then activating protection against removal.
Didnt pulled any Teferi so i cannot gauge its usefulness.
Force was, as expected, great: beign able to tapout and then counter a T4 Ugin it where its at. Being able to answer EE was crucial too.
Manabase was fine. I played three blue decks so yeah i would have loved a cavern of souls or two.
So, not too sure what to think of this first run. I'll try the list some more online but i'm on the fence about mariner. If anything I might keep at least Sygg and the 4 wanderwines. I really liked this card.
So here's the list i'm willing to try tomorrow at an FNM (Beating them quick with Infect, then offering to test out the deck ;))
4 Mutavault
4 Wanderwine Hub
3 Hallowed Fountain
3 Flooded Strand
4 Aether Vial
4 Benthic Biomancer
4 Merfolk Trickster
4 Master of the Pearl Trident
4 Lord of Atlantis
4 Silvergill Adept
4 Spreading Seas
4 Force of Negation
4 Unsettled Mariner
2 Teferi, Time Raveler
2 Sygg, River Guide
2 Echoing Truth
2 Dismember
3 Wizard's Retort
2 Rest in Peace
2 Phyrexian Revoker
2 Grafdigger's Cage
2 Flusterstorm
I'm torn between Revoker and Stony Silence, but I like the versatility and Vialability of Revoker
Land wise, I'm trying to fit in a cavern of souls or two, but the balance seems so delicate. Cutting Mutas maybe?
Retort instead of deprive since silans count is quite reduced.
I'm open to ideas. final test list will be locked in at around 8AM EDT
I've been playing around with (proxies of) Force of Negation and Unsetteled Mariner with quite interesting results so far. Looking at your Simic list makes me want to give this one a go:
4 Sejiri Merfolk
4 Lord of Atlantis
4 Master of the Pearl Trident
4 Unsettled Mariner
4 Merfolk Trickster
4 Merrow Reejerey
4 Silvergill Adept
4 Deprive
4 Aether Vial
2 Spreading Seas
4 Hallowed Fountain
2 Cavern of Souls
4 Flooded Strand
4 Island
2 Dismember
3 Echoing Truth
2 Phyrexian Revoker
2 Relic of Progenitus
2 Rest in Peace
4 Force of Negation
I might want to make space for the extra seas since this list isn't getting the extra from Mistbinder, but at the same time First strke and Lifelink might just do it to let them through or force the opponent to chump.
I mean, that same vehicle with islandwalk or a Merfolk subtype...
There is also the need of a strictly better Deprive, but we're most likely getting that in June
http://mythicspoiler.com/war/cards/silentsubmarine.html
"Silent Submarine"
UU
Artifact - Vehicle
Whenever Silent Submarine deals combat damage to a player or planeswalker, draw a card.
Crew 2 (Tap any number of creatures you control with total power 2 or more. This Vehicle becomes an artifact creature until end of turn.)
Gave a shot at your list yesterday, for a 6th place finish @ 3-1. Only difference is -3 island, +1 Cavern, Minamo and Oboro. Gotta say Benthic Biomancer made a small difference every matches.
Match 1 vs Phoenix in the Ice (2-1) - Basically Tricksters and Harbingers did their job.
Match 2 vs UW control (1-2) - Lost game 3 to Sphinx of the Final Word, pretty much. Managed to pull off a Benthic Bionancer Adapt draw into Clique to block it while threatening lethal, but in the end, had all the (now uncounterable) answers. He got all his fields of ruin to keep mutavaults and cavern in check too.
Match 3 vs BW Eldrazi Aggro (2-0) - 3 spreading seas game 1 (thanks Benthic Biomancer for cycling that extra Vial) and my opponent mana screwing game 2
Match 4 vs 8 Rack (2-1) - Notable moment was when I kept an Island + Cavern + 2 Deprive hand game 2...of course Bridge came out turn 3 with no second island on the board for me. Game 3 Opponent didn't get enough gas to pick all the bounce and counters I had in hand.
Biomancer was a nice addition all around. Enjoying this list quite a bit too. Mana leak never ended up a dead card either, not even cycled to Biomancer once.
As a Tron player myself I can tell you this is where Spell pierce and Deprive will help you much more than sea's claim.
You switch to being proactive and Pierce Stirrings, Sylvan scrying and even Expedition map in order to deny them T3/4 Tron. Echoing Truth helps as well to get an extra turn on an OStone.
If you seem to have trouble in a heavy Tron and Affinity meta you may want to consider ceremonious rejection, which pretty much hits all the cards of both archetypes.
Calling it: you guys will start seeing Merfolk Assassins in ppl's sideboard
Was packing 4 deprives and 3 echoing thruths in the SB (which I guess i should have mulliganed to have one). With the pieces in MD i should be all set then, thanks!
Round 1: vs Marvel Combo
G1:
Round 2: vs Counters Company
G1: Tons of interaction with trickster to avoid my opponent to go infinite, game lasted quite a while but i ended running out of gas.
G2: Made the mistake or keeping a hand with 2 deprives, minamo and wanderwine. Never drew an Island... Also should have sided tidebinders
Round 3: vs Jund+U?
G1-G2: Shut off his red mana, MoW did the job as he never got to draw maelstrom pulse.
Round 4: vs Boggles
G1-G2: First time I played against this deck. Wish I had spell pierce, I guess.
- Chalice was fun MD During Treasure Cruise/Delver mania. It is not as fun right now.
- So, Boggles. This matchup feel worse than Affinity. How are we supposed to beat this?
- Spell Pierce seems like the go-to for now.
- TricksterBlock Goyf is awesome. TricksterSac into Lili too. Trickster Emrakul Mind Blew everyone. #TricksterMVP
About your list:
Would you think going 19 lands to get one Echoing Thruth, in the MB (either opening a spot in the SB or leave SB as is) worth it? Thruth never felt like a dead card and got me out of trouble in several Game1s. axing a land for it don't sound too much of a stretch.
About Tropical Fish in modern:
I'm seeing a lot of people try to cram several of the new green folks in their MB. What about splashing just enough green (-1 Oboro,- 1 Minamo, -2 Islands, +4 Sacntum) to replace the Rejerries by the new lord? Curving all lords @ 2 looks interesting, at least on paper.
How well did the Mana Leaks work? I'm never a fan of conditional counters (usually using Negate, unless the meta blatantly calls for another 1U counter) but I'd love to be convinced to try them.
Also, regarding UG. It seems that the deck's puzzle is only missing 1 piece to come together. With the fact that merfolks were introduced late in Ixlaham and with Dominaria around the corner, there will be more testing coming in 2018. But right now, something's missing.