This list looks like it's tuned for the UW Control matchup with the Sorcerous Spyglass to specifically hit Teferi. This seems like a tough matchup (as I experienced this past weekend at a PPTQ with 3 UW Control matchups three rounds in a row...).
This is the RG Monsters list I ran to a 10th place (4-2) finish at a local PPTQ. I lost my win-and-in to RW Monsters. My losses in the 6 round swiss were to UR God Pharoah's Gift and RW Monsters, and the matches I took were Mono Green Monument, Esper Midrange (splashing blue for only Champion of Wits and The Scarab God), RB Aggro, and GW Tokens. Moving forward, I don't think this list really needs Llanowar Elves. It is a small sample size, but I boarded them out a lot throughout the swiss. I would most likely go back to the original configuration of 3 Resilient Khenras and the 25th land (See list below). Verix was fine as a 4-drop, but I never got to cast it for 7. I will still keep them in and see how this goes as I play the list more.
So looking at the Dominaria spoiler, I am excited about the Llanowar Elves reprint and new cards like Verix Bladewing, but I am running into a problem. At first, I want to build a RG Monsters list similar to that of RTR-THS standard, so I know I wanted to run these cards:
The issue that I am running into is my 2-3 drop slots. I'm not sure what ahould fill those roles. Jadelight Ranger is perfect as a 3-drop, but there is no decent 2-drop value creature aside from the Khenras but those lists don't really need the Elf in my opinion. Also Drover of the Mighty seems perfect but for a dinos-focused list. Without a decent 2-drop, the deck seems really clunky mana-wise as you have a double green spell and then you want ro move into a double red spell. Anyone have any auccess, or is this one of those times where RG doesn't really need to change a whole lot with Dominaria.
The only problem matchup I've been running into lately is the God Phaoroh's Gift lists when they are getting a bit more value out of their creatures than you do. I'm not sure what I can do with my current list, but I saw the list that one the most recent MOCS, which seemed to be tuned towards beating that matchup:
It seems a bit slower as it goes for a bigger direction, but with 4 main deck Deathgorge Scavenger and access to 3 Struggle // Survive, it seems to have a better game plan than the Khenra version of the archetype. Thoughts?
Hi guys, I'm not sure if it has been thoroughly discussed, so if someone can link me where the discussion took place that would be helpful, but if not, I can use the insight. I took Titanshift to a Top 4 finish this past weekend at a GPT. I got knocked out by Jund Death's Shadow. Just wondering what is everyone's approach to this matchup?
I've never played the original GW Tokens list from the past standard, but I always admired the plays that it was able to make, so as soon as I saw Walking Ballista spoiled, I knew I had to at least give this archetype a try.
There were 21 players and we were going to play 5 rounds. The field looked like a mix composed of a majority of Saheeli Combo and GB (Aggro and Delirium).
Round 1 - Bye: Got lucky this round and got to scope out the field a bit more.
Round 2 - UB Control (2-0): I got to see a bit of this deck during Round 1 and remembered him getting value off of Metalurgic Summonings against his Metalworks Collosus opponent. With his removal and counter suite, this may be an uphill battle for me, but Games 1 and 2, I started with Heart of Kiran on turn 2 and curved out with Pacifist into Gideon.
Sideboard
Out - 2 Stasis Snare, 1 Nissa, Voice of Zendikar, and 1 Walking Ballista
In - 2 Declaration in Stone, 1 Nissa, Vital Force, and 1 Ajani Unyielding
Round 3 - GB Aggro (Counters) (1-2): This matchup was really difficult. She was playing the energy package (Longtusk Cut, Glint-Sleeve Siphoner, and Aethersphere Harvester). Her list was a lot lower to the ground and during all three games, I felt like I was playing catch up. I was able to get some early aggression with an Turn 2 Heart of Kiran, but her creatures got bigger super quick with access to Winding Constrictor. During Games 2 and 3, I had access to Fumigate, which allowed me to slow her down some, but in Game 3, the Glint-Sleeve Siphoner's Menace allowed it to get too much damage in with the Verdurous Gearhulk and Rishkar counters for me to stabilize.
Sideboard
Out - 4 Oath of Nissa, 1 Lambholt Pacifist, 1 Nissa, Vastwood Seer
In - 3 Fumigate, 2 Declaration in Stone, 1 Thalia, Heretic Cathar
Round 4 - Jeskai Saheeli (2-0): Unfortunately for my opponent, we had a random deck check, and he had the Game 1 loss due to having two of his sideboard cards in his main. We were to proceed with Game 2, no sideboard, and with my opponent having the choice of play or draw. My plan was to build an aggressive board and force him to search for the Saheeli combo. I brought him down to 10 life with a Felidar Guardian on the field. He eventually found the Saheeli, but I had a Walking Ballista with 4 counters on the field. Sideboard - None
Round 5 - GW Tokens (Draw)
Top 8 - GW Tokens (0-2): I ended playing the opponent that I drew with to get in to Top 8. This was a tough back and forth match up, and I felt my inexperience with the deck fell through a bit. My opponent had a much more aggressive start than I did Game 1, and for Game 2, I decided to go a bit more towards the control route with more removal and boardwipes. During Game 2, I was able to clear the board twice with 2 Fumigates, but with each time, my opponent was able rebuild a stable field presence quicker than I could. Sideboard
Out - 4 Oath of Nissa, 4 Walking Ballista, 1 Lambholt Pacifist
In - 1 Thalia, Heretic Cathar, 3 Fumigate, 1 Descend Upon the Sinful, 2 Blessed Alliance, 2 Declaration in Stone
Overall, it was an interesting tournament for me on GW Tokens. The only sideboard cards that I debated about in my 75 was Fragmentize. With the Verdurous Gearhulk and Metalwork Collosus seeing some more play, I'm thinking of moving to Appetite for the Unnatural, since it doesn't have the restrictions of Fragmentize and hits a lot more targets at instant speed.
So I'm currently on Gruul Zoo, but I'm having issues with the BGx matchups. I can get them to a low life total but they just seem to be able to stabilize before I can finish them off. Any tips on how to approach these matchups and how to sideboard against them?
In my testing, I haven't decided whether or not 19 or 20 lands is the way to go, but I have yet to figure out what should go in that open slot. With the 4th Arid Mesa, I know for sure that I have one card that I can take out along with any spells that I deemed inefficient in the matchup. At least, that is my thought process in playing the 4th Arid Mesa and continually take it out post board.
This is the list I took yesterday to a Top 4 finish (3rd place) at a GPT. There were no Eldrazi decks, but the field consisted in a lot of creature decks (5 Zoo decks!), a few control decks, and a few combo decks.
Round 1 - Zoo? (2-0)
I couldn't determine whether or not this list was Gruul Zoo or Nacatl Burn. The only creature that I saw was a Wild Nacatl during Game 1 and a few Lightning Helix. I had the upper hand both games with a full board that he couldn't answer.
Sideboard: -2 Paths, -1 Arid Mesa, +2 Scavenging Ooze, +1 Unfliching Courage
Round 2 - UG Infect (2-1)
This matchup is very interesting in that I can develop a much larger board than my opponent, but he has spells and creatures to get through (Blighted Agent, Distortion Strike, etc.). Game 1, my opponent swung through all my blockers and was able to pump to kill me with infect. Game 2, I boarded in more removal to answer his creatures and pump to keep the board clear. I got him to a low life total and cast Eidolon to lock him out of his cheap pumps. Game 3, there was a moment I held up GR mana and was able to take advantage of no blocks in order to kill him with Atarka's Command.
Note: I gave my opponent (a buddy of mine who traveled with me to the GPT) the win, since I wasn't planning to go to Charlotte and he needed the byes.
Sideboard: -2 Boros Charm, -1 Ghor-Clan Rampager, -1 Arid Mesa, -1 Experiment One, +3 Eidolon, +1 Path, +1 Deflecting Palm
Round 3 - UWR Control (2-0)
The control matchup seems really good for me, since I was able to develop my board quick and kill my opponent before he had the chance to wipe my board. With the way he was sequencing his land drops, I did not get a read for Anger of the Gods, so I took advantage of killing him with Experiment One and a bunch of Goblin Guides. Game 2 was an attrition match. I tried to force him to cast a turn 4 Supreme Verdict, but it never occurred, and it seemed that he was digging for it. In the end, 2 5/6 Taromogoyfs and big Experiment One took it home.
Sideboard: -2 Path, -1 Arid Mesa, +3 Eidolon
Round 4 - Jeskai Ascendancy Combo (2-0)
Not much happened in the matchup. My opponent cast a lot of cantrips and a Monastery Mentor, which I bolted. This was a pretty uneventful match. Eidolon was able to lock up Game 2.
Sideboard: -2 Path, -1 Arid Mesa, +3 Eidolon
Top 8 - Living End (2-1)
Game 1 was rough with a turn 3 Living End. I had my opponent at 6 with a Bolt in hand and needed to draw a second one. Games 2 and 3 were much better as I brought in more Paths and Scavenging Ooze to deal with his graveyard. I was able to accelerate my pressure early and kill him before he was able to build his graveyard. Also, having to cycle 2 Street Wraiths turn 1 really hurt him.
Sideboard: -1 Arid Mesa, -2 Boros Charm, -1 Burning-Tree Emissary, +2 Paths, +2 Scavenging Ooze
Top 4 - Ad Nauseum (1-2)
I am unfamiliar with this matchup and may have misboarded due to my inexperience. Game 1 was pretty straight forward. My opponent had a slow hand and I punished him for it. During Game 2, my opponent was able to draw into the turn 3 combo. At the start of Game 3, I had a difficult decision to make. My opening 7 was 1 Wooded Foothills, 1 Experiment One, 2 Goblin Guides, 2 Bolts, and 1 Ghor-Clan Rampager. I took a minute trying to decide whether to keep it or mulligan for a better hand. It all depended on whether or not I was able to draw the second land. Unfortunately, I was not able to draw the 2nd land, and my opponent was able to hit his Phyrexian Unlife at 2 life. This gave him enough time to find his combo for the win.
Sideboard: -2 Paths, -1 Arid Mesa, -2 Ghor-Clan Rampager, +3 Eidolon, +2 Destructive Revelry (Looking back, I probably should have boarded in all 4 Revelries)
Overall, this was a great performance on my part. My buddy was able to take the win and earn his byes. We were able to pull our store credit prizes together to purchase a box of Battle for Zendikar with some really decent pulls.
4 Earthshaker Khenra
4 Merfolk Branchwalker
4 Jadelight Ranger
1 Rhonas the Indomitable
4 Rekindling Phoenix
2 Verix Bladewing
4 Glorybringer
4 Abrade
2 Struggle // Survive
6 Forest
2 Hashep Oasis
8 Mountain
4 Rootbound Crag
4 Sheltered Thicket
3 Deathgorge Scavenger
2 Thrashing Brontodon
2 Carnage Tyrant
2 Chandra, Torch of Defiance
2 Chandra's Defeat
1 Naturalize
1 Struggle // Survive
2 Sweltering Suns
This is the RG Monsters list I ran to a 10th place (4-2) finish at a local PPTQ. I lost my win-and-in to RW Monsters. My losses in the 6 round swiss were to UR God Pharoah's Gift and RW Monsters, and the matches I took were Mono Green Monument, Esper Midrange (splashing blue for only Champion of Wits and The Scarab God), RB Aggro, and GW Tokens. Moving forward, I don't think this list really needs Llanowar Elves. It is a small sample size, but I boarded them out a lot throughout the swiss. I would most likely go back to the original configuration of 3 Resilient Khenras and the 25th land (See list below). Verix was fine as a 4-drop, but I never got to cast it for 7. I will still keep them in and see how this goes as I play the list more.
4 Merfolk Branchwalker
3 Resilient Khenra
4 Jadelight Ranger
1 Rhonas the Indomitable
4 Rekindling Phoenix
2 Verix Bladewing
4 Glorybringer
4 Abrade
2 Struggle // Survive
7 Forest
2 Hashep Oasis
8 Mountain
4 Rootbound Crag
4 Sheltered Thicket
3 Deathgorge Scavenger
2 Thrashing Brontodon
2 Carnage Tyrant
2 Chandra, Torch of Defiance
2 Chandra's Defeat
1 Naturalize
1 Struggle // Survive
2 Sweltering Suns
Edit: Fixed the list to what I played at the PPTQ
4 Llanowar Elves
4 Rekindling Phoenix
1-2 Verix Bladewing
4 Glorybringer
The issue that I am running into is my 2-3 drop slots. I'm not sure what ahould fill those roles. Jadelight Ranger is perfect as a 3-drop, but there is no decent 2-drop value creature aside from the Khenras but those lists don't really need the Elf in my opinion. Also Drover of the Mighty seems perfect but for a dinos-focused list. Without a decent 2-drop, the deck seems really clunky mana-wise as you have a double green spell and then you want ro move into a double red spell. Anyone have any auccess, or is this one of those times where RG doesn't really need to change a whole lot with Dominaria.
4 Merfolk Branchwalker
3 Resilient Khenra
4 Jadelight Ranger
1 Pia Nalaar
2 Rhonas the Indomitable
4 Rekindling Phoenix
4 Glorybringer
4 Abrade
2 Struggle // Survive
7 Forest
2 Hashep Oasis
8 Mountain
4 Rootbound Crag
4 Sheltered Thicket
2 Deathgorge Scavenger
2 Thrashing Brontodon
2 Carnage Tyrant
2 Chandra, Torch of Defiance
2 Chandra's Defeat
1 Magma Spray
1 Naturalize
1 Struggle // Survive
2 Sweltering Suns
The only problem matchup I've been running into lately is the God Phaoroh's Gift lists when they are getting a bit more value out of their creatures than you do. I'm not sure what I can do with my current list, but I saw the list that one the most recent MOCS, which seemed to be tuned towards beating that matchup:
2 Ghalta, Primal Hunger
4 Merfolk Branchwalker
4 Regisaur Alpha
4 Rekindling Phoenix
2 Rhonas the Indomitable
2 Thrashing Brontodon
4 Commune with Dinosaurs
2 Struggle // Survive
4 Abrade
2 Blossoming Defense
1 Magma Spray
7 Forest
2 Hashep Oasis
7 Mountain
4 Rootbound Crag
3 Sheltered Thicket
1 Thrashing Brontodon
2 Magma Spray
1 Struggle // Survive
2 Carnage Tyrant
2 Chandra, Torch of Defiance
3 Chandra's Defeat
2 Lifecrafter's Bestiary
2 Sweltering Suns
It seems a bit slower as it goes for a bigger direction, but with 4 main deck Deathgorge Scavenger and access to 3 Struggle // Survive, it seems to have a better game plan than the Khenra version of the archetype. Thoughts?
Decklist: http://decks.deckedbuilder.com/d/271227
There were 21 players and we were going to play 5 rounds. The field looked like a mix composed of a majority of Saheeli Combo and GB (Aggro and Delirium).
Round 1 - Bye: Got lucky this round and got to scope out the field a bit more.
Round 2 - UB Control (2-0): I got to see a bit of this deck during Round 1 and remembered him getting value off of Metalurgic Summonings against his Metalworks Collosus opponent. With his removal and counter suite, this may be an uphill battle for me, but Games 1 and 2, I started with Heart of Kiran on turn 2 and curved out with Pacifist into Gideon.
Sideboard
Out - 2 Stasis Snare, 1 Nissa, Voice of Zendikar, and 1 Walking Ballista
In - 2 Declaration in Stone, 1 Nissa, Vital Force, and 1 Ajani Unyielding
Round 3 - GB Aggro (Counters) (1-2): This matchup was really difficult. She was playing the energy package (Longtusk Cut, Glint-Sleeve Siphoner, and Aethersphere Harvester). Her list was a lot lower to the ground and during all three games, I felt like I was playing catch up. I was able to get some early aggression with an Turn 2 Heart of Kiran, but her creatures got bigger super quick with access to Winding Constrictor. During Games 2 and 3, I had access to Fumigate, which allowed me to slow her down some, but in Game 3, the Glint-Sleeve Siphoner's Menace allowed it to get too much damage in with the Verdurous Gearhulk and Rishkar counters for me to stabilize.
Sideboard
Out - 4 Oath of Nissa, 1 Lambholt Pacifist, 1 Nissa, Vastwood Seer
In - 3 Fumigate, 2 Declaration in Stone, 1 Thalia, Heretic Cathar
Round 4 - Jeskai Saheeli (2-0): Unfortunately for my opponent, we had a random deck check, and he had the Game 1 loss due to having two of his sideboard cards in his main. We were to proceed with Game 2, no sideboard, and with my opponent having the choice of play or draw. My plan was to build an aggressive board and force him to search for the Saheeli combo. I brought him down to 10 life with a Felidar Guardian on the field. He eventually found the Saheeli, but I had a Walking Ballista with 4 counters on the field. Sideboard - None
Round 5 - GW Tokens (Draw)
Top 8 - GW Tokens (0-2): I ended playing the opponent that I drew with to get in to Top 8. This was a tough back and forth match up, and I felt my inexperience with the deck fell through a bit. My opponent had a much more aggressive start than I did Game 1, and for Game 2, I decided to go a bit more towards the control route with more removal and boardwipes. During Game 2, I was able to clear the board twice with 2 Fumigates, but with each time, my opponent was able rebuild a stable field presence quicker than I could. Sideboard
Out - 4 Oath of Nissa, 4 Walking Ballista, 1 Lambholt Pacifist
In - 1 Thalia, Heretic Cathar, 3 Fumigate, 1 Descend Upon the Sinful, 2 Blessed Alliance, 2 Declaration in Stone
Overall, it was an interesting tournament for me on GW Tokens. The only sideboard cards that I debated about in my 75 was Fragmentize. With the Verdurous Gearhulk and Metalwork Collosus seeing some more play, I'm thinking of moving to Appetite for the Unnatural, since it doesn't have the restrictions of Fragmentize and hits a lot more targets at instant speed.
2x Tireless Tracker
2x Archangel Avacyn
3x Verdurous Gearhulk
2x Skywhaler's Shot
4x Declaration in Stone
3x Radiant Flames
1x Fumigate
4x Oath of Nissa
3x Nissa, Voice of Zendikar
3x Gideon, Ally of Zendikar
2x Nahiri, the Harbinger
2x Chandra, Flamecaller
3x Plains
1x Mountain
4x Evolving Wilds
2x Inspiring Vantage
3x Needle Spire
3x Cinder Glade
1x Canopy Vista
3x Fortified Village
1x Game Trail
1x Cataclysmic Gearhulk
1x Linvala the Preserver
2x Stasis Snare
2x Make a Stand
2x Gideon's Reproach
2x Fumigate
2x Nissa, Vital Force
2x Appetite for the Unnatural
1x Descend Upon the Sinful
4 Experiment One
4 Goblin Guide
4 Kird Ape
4 Wild Nacatl
4 Burning-Tree Emissary
4 Tarmogoyf
4 Ghor-Clan Rampager
Instants
4 Lightning Bolt
4 Atarka's Command
2 Boros Charm
2 Path to Exile
4 Arid Mesa
4 Windswept Heath
4 Wooded Foothills
2 Sacred Foundry
2 Stomping Ground
1 Temple Garden
2 Forest
1 Mountain
4 Destructive Revelry
2 Gruul Charm
2 Path to Exile
1 Deflecting Palm
3 Eidolon of the Great Revel
2 Scavenging Ooze
1 Unflinching Courage
This is the list I took yesterday to a Top 4 finish (3rd place) at a GPT. There were no Eldrazi decks, but the field consisted in a lot of creature decks (5 Zoo decks!), a few control decks, and a few combo decks.
Round 1 - Zoo? (2-0)
I couldn't determine whether or not this list was Gruul Zoo or Nacatl Burn. The only creature that I saw was a Wild Nacatl during Game 1 and a few Lightning Helix. I had the upper hand both games with a full board that he couldn't answer.
Sideboard: -2 Paths, -1 Arid Mesa, +2 Scavenging Ooze, +1 Unfliching Courage
Round 2 - UG Infect (2-1)
This matchup is very interesting in that I can develop a much larger board than my opponent, but he has spells and creatures to get through (Blighted Agent, Distortion Strike, etc.). Game 1, my opponent swung through all my blockers and was able to pump to kill me with infect. Game 2, I boarded in more removal to answer his creatures and pump to keep the board clear. I got him to a low life total and cast Eidolon to lock him out of his cheap pumps. Game 3, there was a moment I held up GR mana and was able to take advantage of no blocks in order to kill him with Atarka's Command.
Note: I gave my opponent (a buddy of mine who traveled with me to the GPT) the win, since I wasn't planning to go to Charlotte and he needed the byes.
Sideboard: -2 Boros Charm, -1 Ghor-Clan Rampager, -1 Arid Mesa, -1 Experiment One, +3 Eidolon, +1 Path, +1 Deflecting Palm
Round 3 - UWR Control (2-0)
The control matchup seems really good for me, since I was able to develop my board quick and kill my opponent before he had the chance to wipe my board. With the way he was sequencing his land drops, I did not get a read for Anger of the Gods, so I took advantage of killing him with Experiment One and a bunch of Goblin Guides. Game 2 was an attrition match. I tried to force him to cast a turn 4 Supreme Verdict, but it never occurred, and it seemed that he was digging for it. In the end, 2 5/6 Taromogoyfs and big Experiment One took it home.
Sideboard: -2 Path, -1 Arid Mesa, +3 Eidolon
Round 4 - Jeskai Ascendancy Combo (2-0)
Not much happened in the matchup. My opponent cast a lot of cantrips and a Monastery Mentor, which I bolted. This was a pretty uneventful match. Eidolon was able to lock up Game 2.
Sideboard: -2 Path, -1 Arid Mesa, +3 Eidolon
Top 8 - Living End (2-1)
Game 1 was rough with a turn 3 Living End. I had my opponent at 6 with a Bolt in hand and needed to draw a second one. Games 2 and 3 were much better as I brought in more Paths and Scavenging Ooze to deal with his graveyard. I was able to accelerate my pressure early and kill him before he was able to build his graveyard. Also, having to cycle 2 Street Wraiths turn 1 really hurt him.
Sideboard: -1 Arid Mesa, -2 Boros Charm, -1 Burning-Tree Emissary, +2 Paths, +2 Scavenging Ooze
Top 4 - Ad Nauseum (1-2)
I am unfamiliar with this matchup and may have misboarded due to my inexperience. Game 1 was pretty straight forward. My opponent had a slow hand and I punished him for it. During Game 2, my opponent was able to draw into the turn 3 combo. At the start of Game 3, I had a difficult decision to make. My opening 7 was 1 Wooded Foothills, 1 Experiment One, 2 Goblin Guides, 2 Bolts, and 1 Ghor-Clan Rampager. I took a minute trying to decide whether to keep it or mulligan for a better hand. It all depended on whether or not I was able to draw the second land. Unfortunately, I was not able to draw the 2nd land, and my opponent was able to hit his Phyrexian Unlife at 2 life. This gave him enough time to find his combo for the win.
Sideboard: -2 Paths, -1 Arid Mesa, -2 Ghor-Clan Rampager, +3 Eidolon, +2 Destructive Revelry (Looking back, I probably should have boarded in all 4 Revelries)
Overall, this was a great performance on my part. My buddy was able to take the win and earn his byes. We were able to pull our store credit prizes together to purchase a box of Battle for Zendikar with some really decent pulls.