Well, I guess I'm going to swap in Dismembers and see how it feels! The Vents also ETB tapped, so the downside remains anyways. I'm wondering if they are more useful as manland (i.e. attacking and/or blocking regularly) than heights as a single conditional combat trick/pseudo draw effect.
Against grindy matchups (except Jund) I usually side in my x2 Hero of Bladeholds. The opponent's heavy removal is usually sided out (except Jund, because they can't even if they want to) and the x/4 toughness is huge against what's usually left (bolts, helixes, electrolyzes, pyroclasms, anger of the gods and so forth). I can see an argument for the card draw on +1 for Ob Nixilis Reignited. People also keep trying to fit a couple of Phyrexian Arena to the 75, but it's CMC is way too crowded already. How is your list looking?
Also, another card that I'm trying in unusual matchups is x2 Extirpate. It has obvious uses against graveyard strategies and combos, but it feels almost like extra discard in longer games. Denying your opponent their best card, specially when you know they probably run 4-ofs, can be huge. It also works as a Cabal Therapy if you have previous information on the opponent's hand.
So is 2 Vents + 2 Heights a good split? I see people trying to play around heights by removing the 3rd token pre-combat. Vents have more utility late game and as a blocker, I guess?
Yep, Bile Blight is also either amazing or uncastable. I've been testing it to see how far I can push my manabase. The Fetid Heaths are on double duty, though. Actually I already have 2 Dismembers, but I fear the lifeloss as lifegain is only real by turn 4 with Sorin, Solemn Visitor, except the occasional Timely Reinforcements. Besides I'm also running 3 Thoughtseizes, which definitely makes extra lifeloss worse. Do you think it is still worth it?
You wouldn't believe how sick can a game 1 Worship be. It will win games we had no business in against most beat-them-up strategies. Affinity, Merfolk, Burn, Zoo, and so forth are all usually unprepared for it on game 1. It is likely that I'll side it out as enchantment removal is expected. Definitely not recommended against a combo-heavy meta.
[Moving from the BW Tokens Developing Competitive thread]
Hey everyone,
I've been playing WB Tokens for over a year now, slowly upgrading the Modern Event Deck. I've got a Raise the Alarm build expecting mostly an aggro meta. As it is a semi-budget build, I've been waiting for a Marsh Flats reprint and run none. However, I've just recently acquired 2 extra Windswept Heath and these are pretty much my first major buys into fetch lands, adding up to a total of 3 copies. I would appreciate any thoughtful comments on the build, specially on the manabase. Is it correct to -1 Plains and -1 Isolated Chapel for the new fetches, as Isolated Chapel has a high chance of ETB tapped? 2 Shambling Vent are feasible and on my radar for a next buy. Are they worth it over a couple of Windbrisk Heights? How do I make room for at least 2 Ghost Quarter?
I've been playing WB Tokens for over a year now, slowly upgrading the Modern Event Deck. I've got a Raise the Alarm build expecting mostly an aggro meta. As it is a semi-budget build, I've been waiting for a Marsh Flats reprint and run none. However, I've just recently acquired 2 extra Windswept Heath and these are pretty much my first major buys into fetch lands. I would appreciate any thoughtful comments on the build, specially on the manabase. Is it correct to -1 Plains and -1 Isolated Chapel for the new fetches? 2 Shambling Vent are feasible and on my radar for a next buy. Are they worth it over a couple of Windbrisk Heights? How do I make room for at least 2 Ghost Quarter?
Relatively new magic player here. I've been experimenting with budget-friendly variations of Delver by keeping it UR with no fetches or Snapcasters, and I'm fascinated by this particular UR iGrow archetype as it seems fun and appropriate for a FNM level of play. I'm planning on acquiring the missing cards very soon, but snappy is way out of my league. However, I do have a lot of UR tools that have seen play in modern. I will not ask for a direct functional replacer for Snapcaster, as we all know it doesn't exist, but rather ask for your opinion on cards that may be impactful for the matches we're siding them in.
This is my untested idea for an UR iGrow semi-budget build:
It feels weird not to sideboard any graveyard hate like Tormod's Crypt or Surgical Extraction. What is the gameplan vs Storm or Living End, for example? General sideboarding guidelines are much appreciated.
Against grindy matchups (except Jund) I usually side in my x2 Hero of Bladeholds. The opponent's heavy removal is usually sided out (except Jund, because they can't even if they want to) and the x/4 toughness is huge against what's usually left (bolts, helixes, electrolyzes, pyroclasms, anger of the gods and so forth). I can see an argument for the card draw on +1 for Ob Nixilis Reignited. People also keep trying to fit a couple of Phyrexian Arena to the 75, but it's CMC is way too crowded already. How is your list looking?
Also, another card that I'm trying in unusual matchups is x2 Extirpate. It has obvious uses against graveyard strategies and combos, but it feels almost like extra discard in longer games. Denying your opponent their best card, specially when you know they probably run 4-ofs, can be huge. It also works as a Cabal Therapy if you have previous information on the opponent's hand.
So is 2 Vents + 2 Heights a good split? I see people trying to play around heights by removing the 3rd token pre-combat. Vents have more utility late game and as a blocker, I guess?
Yep, Bile Blight is also either amazing or uncastable. I've been testing it to see how far I can push my manabase. The Fetid Heaths are on double duty, though. Actually I already have 2 Dismembers, but I fear the lifeloss as lifegain is only real by turn 4 with Sorin, Solemn Visitor, except the occasional Timely Reinforcements. Besides I'm also running 3 Thoughtseizes, which definitely makes extra lifeloss worse. Do you think it is still worth it?
You wouldn't believe how sick can a game 1 Worship be. It will win games we had no business in against most beat-them-up strategies. Affinity, Merfolk, Burn, Zoo, and so forth are all usually unprepared for it on game 1. It is likely that I'll side it out as enchantment removal is expected. Definitely not recommended against a combo-heavy meta.
Hey everyone,
I've been playing WB Tokens for over a year now, slowly upgrading the Modern Event Deck. I've got a Raise the Alarm build expecting mostly an aggro meta. As it is a semi-budget build, I've been waiting for a Marsh Flats reprint and run none. However, I've just recently acquired 2 extra Windswept Heath and these are pretty much my first major buys into fetch lands, adding up to a total of 3 copies. I would appreciate any thoughtful comments on the build, specially on the manabase. Is it correct to -1 Plains and -1 Isolated Chapel for the new fetches, as Isolated Chapel has a high chance of ETB tapped? 2 Shambling Vent are feasible and on my radar for a next buy. Are they worth it over a couple of Windbrisk Heights? How do I make room for at least 2 Ghost Quarter?
I appreciate your time and assistance.
Here is the current deck minus the extra Windswept Heaths:
4 Godless Shrine
3 Isolated Chapel
1 Windswept Heath
4 Windbrisk Heights
2 Fetid Heath
2 Vault of the Archangel
5 Plains
2 Swamp
Discard (6)
3 Thoughtseize
3 Inquisition of Kozilek
Removal (8)
4 Path to Exile
2 Bile Blight
2 Zealous Persecution
4 Intangible Virtue
2 Honor of the Pure
Token Generators (13)
4 Lingering Souls
4 Spectral Procession
3 Raise the Alarm
2 Timely Reinforcements
Planeswalkers (3)
2 Sorin, Solemn Visitor
1 Elspeth, Knight-Errant
For the lulz of course (1)
1 Worship
2 Hero of Bladehold
2 Auriok Champion
2 Leyline of Sanctity
2 Extirpate
2 Relic of Progenitus
2 Sundering Growth
3 Stony Silence
I've been playing WB Tokens for over a year now, slowly upgrading the Modern Event Deck. I've got a Raise the Alarm build expecting mostly an aggro meta. As it is a semi-budget build, I've been waiting for a Marsh Flats reprint and run none. However, I've just recently acquired 2 extra Windswept Heath and these are pretty much my first major buys into fetch lands. I would appreciate any thoughtful comments on the build, specially on the manabase. Is it correct to -1 Plains and -1 Isolated Chapel for the new fetches? 2 Shambling Vent are feasible and on my radar for a next buy. Are they worth it over a couple of Windbrisk Heights? How do I make room for at least 2 Ghost Quarter?
I appreciate your time and assistance.
Here is the deck:
4 Godless Shrine
3 Isolated Chapel
1 Windswept Heath
4 Windbrisk Heights
2 Fetid Heath
2 Vault of the Archangel
5 Plains
2 Swamp
Discard (6)
3 Thoughtseize
3 Inquisition of Kozilek
Removal (8)
4 Path to Exile
2 Bile Blight
2 Zealous Persecution
4 Intangible Virtue
2 Honor of the Pure
Token Generators (13)
4 Lingering Souls
4 Spectral Procession
3 Raise the Alarm
2 Timely Reinforcements
Planeswalkers (3)
2 Sorin, Solemn Visitor
1 Elspeth, Knight-Errant
For the lulz of course (1)
1 Worship
2 Hero of Bladehold
2 Auriok Champion
2 Leyline of Sanctity
2 Extirpate
2 Relic of Progenitus
2 Sundering Growth
3 Stony Silence
Relatively new magic player here. I've been experimenting with budget-friendly variations of Delver by keeping it UR with no fetches or Snapcasters, and I'm fascinated by this particular UR iGrow archetype as it seems fun and appropriate for a FNM level of play. I'm planning on acquiring the missing cards very soon, but snappy is way out of my league. However, I do have a lot of UR tools that have seen play in modern. I will not ask for a direct functional replacer for Snapcaster, as we all know it doesn't exist, but rather ask for your opinion on cards that may be impactful for the matches we're siding them in.
This is my untested idea for an UR iGrow semi-budget build:
4 Mountain
5 Island
4 Steam Vents
4 Sulfur Falls
1 Wandering Fumarole
Creatures (16)
4 Delver of Secrets
4 Monastery Swiftspear
4 Stormchaser Mage
4 Young Pyromancer
4 Lightning Bolt
4 Vapor Snag
4 Disrupting Shoal
4 Day's Undoing
4 Serum Visions
4 Gitaxian Probe
2 Twisted Image
2 Abbot of Keral Keep
2 Grim Lavamancer
3 Forked Bolt
2 Spell Snare
2 Electrickery
2 Threads of Disloyalty
2 Smash to Smithereens
Based on my budget restrictions, what can be improved or tweaked on this list? Did anyone test x2 Twisted Image in the Sleight of Hand slots? How about x2 Grim Lavamancer + x2 Abbot of Keral Keep for the midrange creature package?
It feels weird not to sideboard any graveyard hate like Tormod's Crypt or Surgical Extraction. What is the gameplan vs Storm or Living End, for example? General sideboarding guidelines are much appreciated.
Thank you for your time and patience.