I saw this deck when it was posted and boy do I like this engine. The ability to constantly rebuy Deprive with Mystic Sanctuary seems extremely powerful in the late game. Fitting this into a three color deck would be tough though and I'm wondering if the Delver of Secrets are even needed. Maybe swap them out with another potent threat, but I can see the potential our little bug friend has with Mystic Sanctuary as the game goes on. I think I'll be running this engine in a variety of two color U tempo decks moving forward. Fantastic find @StevomatUWR!
I saw AspiringSpike playing this deck awhile back and it forced me to look more seriously at Archmage's Charm. It took the place of my beloved Bedlam Reveler because a spell is always better than a creature in our deck. This is why my current build is set up more towards this style of deck. I still have a slightly more aggressive take, but I am up to 7-8 counters. I have really like Mystic Sanctuary in my deck. I has really been great. I have currently been playing remand. I have played deprive in the past, but have preferred remand in my style of deck.
The deprive, sanctuary, charm engine is really strong. However, it does take awhile to get going. I have found that the UR version really depends on the sideboard and really depends on Young Pyromancer to win games. I feel like this style of delver deck is great in certain metas. It also takes a player with a lot of control experience. It tends to play more like a control deck in most games that unless they start delver on turn 1 and young pyromancer on turn 2. I don't have that type of experience and don't prefer the control roll in modern so I play a slightly different style.
I love to see people finally coming around to Delver in modern! Hopefully we will see some evolution in the deck. I know that I personally can learn a lot from these pro players.
Have you been able to make the Deprive/Mystic Sanctuary/Archmage's Charm (DMA) combination work in Jeskai, or have you been using it in the Izzet colors? If so I would love to see how you've configured your mana base to accompany the requirement on blue sources and specifically islands.
I would love to see your tempo decks in the future. It's a really powerful engine. If you go even more control you could add a Cryptic Command also to add to the engine with mystic sanctuary.
At the moment I'm rocking a Simic Flash list centered around DMA and a creature suite consisting of Ice-Fang Coatl, Brazen Borrower, and Nightpack Ambusher to name a few. It's been fun, but I've missed jamming Delver of Secrets alongside Snapcaster Mage so I may shift back to UR Delver or Jeskai/RUG Delver if I can some how shove the DMA combination into them. I've even been brewing up a UW and UG Delver list just for fun, but they'll come later.
I saw this deck when it was posted and boy do I like this engine. The ability to constantly rebuy Deprive with Mystic Sanctuary seems extremely powerful in the late game. Fitting this into a three color deck would be tough though and I'm wondering if the Delver of Secrets are even needed. Maybe swap them out with another potent threat, but I can see the potential our little bug friend has with Mystic Sanctuary as the game goes on. I think I'll be running this engine in a variety of two color U tempo decks moving forward. Fantastic find @StevomatUWR!
I don't have a problem with you posting a lot of Jeskai CopyCat information here since I feel that this is the Jeskai Tempo/Aggro/Combo forum (and as long as the combo is has some control or aggro elements). That's some valuable data you just posted there StevomatUWR! I've always wanted to give CopyCat a try but I've never pulled the trigger on picking up Saheeli Rais. Quick question regarding Stoneforge Mystic, did the fourth copy feel like too much or was there another reason?
At the moment I've been playing RUG Delver because I really wanted to jam some Nimble Mongoose, but two weekends ago I played Jeskai Breach with Stoneforge Mystic for fun. I'll probably switch back to a Jeskai variant after a while, but I like to jump around and play stuff that I've brewed up in my head. Things like UG Flash (in modern mind you), UB Midrange, and Blue Skred just need to played for... reasons. Anyways, I'll still be brewing up Jeskai stuff so I'll be around.
@Cholenburg: Sorry for being late. Back before Force of Negation we used to run Disrupting Shoal, but that requires you to measure the number of blue cards in the deck and what their converted mana costs are. It's a fairly cheap alternative to FoN, but obviously not as versatile. Another needed addition would be Snapcaster Mage, but I know you're on a budget so this can't be a feasible option until later. There's just nothing that can replace the ol' 2/1. Without Snappy and FoN where does that leave us? I believe a very forward leaning deck so Delver of Secrets, Young Pyromancer, or Monastery Swiftspear are solid aggressive creatures, as CurdBros mentioned before. Geist of Saint Traft is a fine finisher because of its hexproof ability, however we need to be careful with our instant and sorcery count if we're going to include Delver of Secrets. As a rule I generally hate going below 26 instants/sorcerys and I try to at least stay above 28+ just to try to more consistently flip the 1/1, but that's my personal preference when running a delver deck. With your landbase I like what you're rocking if you're unable to upgrade to the fetch plus shock mana base. Flooded Strand is the cheapest fetch in our colors atm and what you're working towards looks great, but I also want to note here that if you do manage to jump up to 6-8 fetchs then Logic Knot can become a consideration for your deck.
With that said I also wanted to say that I went 3-0 this weekend with Jeskai Stoneblade! I managed to add the three Teferi, Time Ravelers like you suggested StevomatUWR and it worked as well as we predicted they would with Spell Queller and Stoneforge Mystic. My games were against Eldrazi Tron, Grixis Wherza, and Mardu Stoneblade. I'm having so much fun with this deck. I'm glad to be on Jeskai right now!
@ManDolphin: Nice list! Spell Queller works best in combination with T3feri though. If you somehow can jam 3x Teferi in this list it should work even better.
What I really find interesting in your SB is Sword of Truth and Justice! I never paid a lot of attention to this card but it could really help in one of my worst match-ups with the new CopyCat deck, which is UW Control. And with 8 PWs in my deck proliferate should be really good... I have to test it.
Thanks! Not sure what I'd take out for T3teri, but I really want to try him out with Spell Queller. Sword of Truth and Justice was a test card for the UW matchup and it was very good there, however fairly useless against everything else. If you're looking for a card specifically for UW Stoneblade/Control then it's great, but if you want a sword that's all around good in the U matchups then I'd recommend Sword of Fire and Ice (Note: I wish I had the money for this thing but it's too expensive!!!). Since Sword of Truth and Justice is so inexpensive then I recommend picking it up for testing especially in CopyCat since you've got so many PW's that would benefit from the proliferate like you said. I think they're $10 right now at the time of this post? I also picked up a Sword of Sinew and Steel just in case since they're even cheaper then its UW cousin.
Wow it's been a while since I've been able to post anything. School has been rough this last week and I barely managed to get out and play last Saturday. Seems like I've got a lot to catch up on from everyone!
@StevomatUWR: Ok, now you've got me excited to want to try CopyCat. I own a playset of Stoneforge Mystics as well as a Batterskull and Sword of Feast and Famine so I've been jamming Jeskai Stoneblade decks. I NEED to give your deck a try because if it's anything like Jeskai Twinblade then I'll be hooked. I also wanted to note that the article you posted got my brewing gears turning once again. Here's the list that I played last weekend to a 3-1 finish. I'll try and type a more accurate report, but that'll come later. Thanks for posting the article SteomatUWR! Really got me thinking how powerful Spell Queller can be with SFM.
I would definitely say to go with an additional land. You could just play the deck at 61 cards and simply add another land. With that curve I would definitely want 24 lands. I actually play most of my decks at 61 cards. If you are worried about flooding you could add a copy of fiery islet giving you an additional land and also a draw outlet later in games.
I think that's what I'm leaning towards is the 24th lands. Not so sure about the 61 card deck as I've been a firm believer in trimming as much fat as possible. Fiery Islet was exactly what I was thinking of running, great idea!
@Curdbros how do you like going 61 cards? ive been really thinking about doing it but its "frowned upon" by pros so ive kind of been putting it off. They say it really messes with consistency. But i honestly feel it depends on what that 61st card (which could be any card depending on how you look at it lol).
@mandoplhin congrats!! I was surprised to see no force of negation in your main deck! What was you reasoning behind this? and what decks do you bring it in against? Also after playing with Mu, how do you think she performs? Would you consider here for a competitive event ever?
Also new set is looking F***ING sick. the art is so so good and completely blows my preconceived notion and opinions out of the water. I am so happy to have been proven wrong about this set too. i hope we get something nice in our colors.
Force of Negation comes in against unfair decks such as Storm or even G Tron if I have enough cards to take out. I also bring it in against control if, again, there are enough dead cards that I feel it can better replace. As for Mu Yanling, Sky Dancer she was fine, but after the reveal of The Royal Scions I believe it's probably a better fit in this slot.
Quick update for anyone interested. went 4-0 last Saturday with Jeskai Stoneblade beating G Tron, Grixis Control, Burn, and GB Elves. Here's the list I ran which felt really good, however I almost feel there should either be a 24th land or more cantrips. Not sure which. Tell me what you think!
Note: The Mu Yanling, Sky Dancer was in the SB mostly for fun. If I went to a bigger tournament then it would be replaced with something else.
Is anyone thinking of trying a jeskai stoneblade style deck? I have a playset of stoneforge so I could give it a try, but I really like my current build so I will likely stick with it instead and see what happens. I am hoping for a meta full of creature based decks with random combo based decks sprinkled in. I have a feeling we will have a very cyclical meta like aggro is hot, then midrange, then control ,then combo and the circle of lie continues. That is really how the meta is supposed to go anyways. I will stop rambling now, but it is a really fun time to be a modern player.
I brewed a deck earlier today that's pure Jeskai Stoneblade without Delver of Secrets in it. It's more control than tempo, but it's a starting point.
I really like the idea of Delver of Secrets paired with SFM as both are must answer threats early and require your opponent to make a difficult choice CurdBros! Whenever playing a delver deck I always feel bad going below 28 instant/sorceries because it hampers its ability to flip, but with SFM it could just be another equip target.
StevomatUWR: I'll check out your video after I get off work!
EDIT: been hearing alot about D&T becoming really powerful with SFM's unbanning. This would merit running 3 spell snares as E&T runs chalice too. So Abrade and spell snare should be in somewhere in the 75.
I definetly like the idea of running at least 2-3 Spell Snare in our decks, and Abrade has been one of my favorite inclusions because of its ability to fight Aether Vial decks plus affinity decks (this now includes SFM decks now as well). I'm wondering what I'd shave for the spell and the first thing that comes to mind would be the Dispel because the main deck is already full of counters. How many Abrades would you suggest we run?
Ojutai's Command is certainly interesting, and I can see it as a one of somewhere in the board. Plays well with both snappy and SFM, maybe shave the main deck Electrolyze for it? Just thoughts, but this is all preliminary brainstorming so I'll be testing it over the course of the next couple of weeks.
You're right when you say that it's a spicy B&R announcment. I figured Hogaak, Arisen Necropolis was going to eat a ban, but not Faithless Looting. Yes the card very much could be banned, but I wasn't expecting it. Same with the unbanning of Stoneforge Mystic. While happy for its unbanning I certainly wasn't expecting it here. With that said here's the delver list I'm thinking of running next weekend.
My old Jeskai deck with some SB upgrades. I think Stoneforge Mystic is a fantastic card for the grindy decks and if Jund is going to grow in popularity then I'm hoping it will give us an edge there.
I did want to get some opinions on the idea of adding Watcher for Tomorrow to the Copycat list in place of Wall of Omens. While less defensive than the wall we do get to see more cards while applying pressure. It even acts as an Impulse when copied by Saheeli Rai, but unfortunately it is unable to attack when it's copied (I believe, but correct me if I'm wrong). For those uninterested, like StevomatUWR has stated, please ignore this.
This is sort of a rough draft, and the Through the Breach combo in the sideboard is there because I can't make up my mind between playing either Copycat or Breach so I shoved it in there. I'm hoping to see how Watcher for Tomorrow preforms next time I play the deck as I've seen other people use the card in their Copycat lists after a quick search on mtg top 8.
Since there is no active Jeskai CopyCat thread I'd like to ask you all for your opinion, but since this is (except for being Jeskai) off topic I'll put my question below in a spoiler. If you're not interested please ignore this post.
I'd like to add one card that can take over the game if it's blinked with Felidar or copied with Saheeli (therefore no legendary).
A 1-of with CMC4 or CMC5 that can win even after the combo get's removed by Surgical. I'll play 1 Seasoned Pyromancer btw.
Here's my candidate: Cavalier of Gales
Pros: Saheeli Copy let's me attack for 10 in the air and double Brainstorm
Cons: UUU cost, but the deck aims for Narset on T3 so it should be possible late game.
What do you think? Would he make a good 1-of? Is CMC5 too hard with 22 lands and 9-12 redraws?
Also, in my opinion Spellskite should be better than Wall since you already draw enough cards and Spellskite can protect both combo pieces not only by blocking but also by redirecting Bolt, Path and Trophy. Do you agree or disagree?
Thanks
As a potential one of you could run Crackling Drake as the finisher. It gains value with the copy effect and dodges bolt in the late game. It can even end the game on the spot depending on the board state and how low they are after fetches and your burn spells. As for Spellskite I'm not so sure. Is the draw effect on Wall of Omens ever come up as being extremely important? If not then I can see you replacing it for more protection if your local meta is removal heavy.
It's been a while since I've commented on this thread, but I've been kinda off this deck for a while with my only recent time piloting a Jeskai deck being a Through the Breach version. I'm thinking about returning to the deck since my ventures into RUG Delver has been giving mixed results, but I wanted to look here for any ideas regarding Jeskai Midrange/Delver variants. From the looks of it we're off Delver of Secrets for the time being?
Sorry for not being able to relpy as often as I would have liked, but I was on vacation for the last couple of weekends. Before I went, however, I did manage to play in a five round tournament to a mediocre finish of 3-2. Same list as before with the Wrenn and Six's in the side board. My two loses were to Thing in the Ice.dec, one being UR Phoenix and the other being UR Temur Battle Rage. I've had trouble with this card in the past, but the three Vapor Snags and a single Dismember managed to barely pull me through. I think I'm going to replace the Burst Lightning with a second Dismember and see how that feels before drastically changing anything.
@CatParty: I don't hate the addition of adding a third Mana Leak to the board as I've always liked having at least three two mana counterspells in the deck. In a way, I like how well Simic Charm is posistioned right now if UR Pheniox is going to be becoming more previlent in the meta moving forward. You could shave a land, but that's always dangerous depanding on the number of cantrips are in the deck, and with seven cantrips in yours I'm not so sure. Other than that the only cards I see removing for the third Mana Leak would be the Simic Charm or Echoing Truth.
Have you been able to make the Deprive/Mystic Sanctuary/Archmage's Charm (DMA) combination work in Jeskai, or have you been using it in the Izzet colors? If so I would love to see how you've configured your mana base to accompany the requirement on blue sources and specifically islands.
At the moment I'm rocking a Simic Flash list centered around DMA and a creature suite consisting of Ice-Fang Coatl, Brazen Borrower, and Nightpack Ambusher to name a few. It's been fun, but I've missed jamming Delver of Secrets alongside Snapcaster Mage so I may shift back to UR Delver or Jeskai/RUG Delver if I can some how shove the DMA combination into them. I've even been brewing up a UW and UG Delver list just for fun, but they'll come later.
I saw this deck when it was posted and boy do I like this engine. The ability to constantly rebuy Deprive with Mystic Sanctuary seems extremely powerful in the late game. Fitting this into a three color deck would be tough though and I'm wondering if the Delver of Secrets are even needed. Maybe swap them out with another potent threat, but I can see the potential our little bug friend has with Mystic Sanctuary as the game goes on. I think I'll be running this engine in a variety of two color U tempo decks moving forward. Fantastic find @StevomatUWR!
At the moment I've been playing RUG Delver because I really wanted to jam some Nimble Mongoose, but two weekends ago I played Jeskai Breach with Stoneforge Mystic for fun. I'll probably switch back to a Jeskai variant after a while, but I like to jump around and play stuff that I've brewed up in my head. Things like UG Flash (in modern mind you), UB Midrange, and Blue Skred just need to played for... reasons. Anyways, I'll still be brewing up Jeskai stuff so I'll be around.
With that said I also wanted to say that I went 3-0 this weekend with Jeskai Stoneblade! I managed to add the three Teferi, Time Ravelers like you suggested StevomatUWR and it worked as well as we predicted they would with Spell Queller and Stoneforge Mystic. My games were against Eldrazi Tron, Grixis Wherza, and Mardu Stoneblade. I'm having so much fun with this deck. I'm glad to be on Jeskai right now!
Thanks! Not sure what I'd take out for T3teri, but I really want to try him out with Spell Queller. Sword of Truth and Justice was a test card for the UW matchup and it was very good there, however fairly useless against everything else. If you're looking for a card specifically for UW Stoneblade/Control then it's great, but if you want a sword that's all around good in the U matchups then I'd recommend Sword of Fire and Ice (Note: I wish I had the money for this thing but it's too expensive!!!). Since Sword of Truth and Justice is so inexpensive then I recommend picking it up for testing especially in CopyCat since you've got so many PW's that would benefit from the proliferate like you said. I think they're $10 right now at the time of this post? I also picked up a Sword of Sinew and Steel just in case since they're even cheaper then its UW cousin.
@StevomatUWR: Ok, now you've got me excited to want to try CopyCat. I own a playset of Stoneforge Mystics as well as a Batterskull and Sword of Feast and Famine so I've been jamming Jeskai Stoneblade decks. I NEED to give your deck a try because if it's anything like Jeskai Twinblade then I'll be hooked. I also wanted to note that the article you posted got my brewing gears turning once again. Here's the list that I played last weekend to a 3-1 finish. I'll try and type a more accurate report, but that'll come later. Thanks for posting the article SteomatUWR! Really got me thinking how powerful Spell Queller can be with SFM.
4 Snapcaster Mage
4 Stoneforge Mystic
4 Spell Queller
2 Geist of Saint Traft
Instant/Sorcery(20)
4 Opt
4 Lightning Bolt
3 Path to Exile
2 Spell Snare
2 Lightning Helix
3 Logic Knot
2 Cryptic Command
Artifacts (2)
1 Sword of Feast and Famine
1 Batterskull
4 Flooded Strand
4 Scalding Tarn
1 Arid Mesa
2 Hallowed Fountain
2 Steam Vents
1 Sacred Foundry
3 Celestial Colonnade
1 Fiery Islet
4 Island
1 Plains
1 Mountain
3 Alpine Moon
1 Ceremonious Rejection
1 Path to Exile
2 Abrade
1 Dovin's Veto
2 Anger of the Gods
2 Force of Negation
1 Ral, Izzet Viceroy
1 Sword of War and Peace
1 Sword of Truth and Justice
I think that's what I'm leaning towards is the 24th lands. Not so sure about the 61 card deck as I've been a firm believer in trimming as much fat as possible. Fiery Islet was exactly what I was thinking of running, great idea!
Force of Negation comes in against unfair decks such as Storm or even G Tron if I have enough cards to take out. I also bring it in against control if, again, there are enough dead cards that I feel it can better replace. As for Mu Yanling, Sky Dancer she was fine, but after the reveal of The Royal Scions I believe it's probably a better fit in this slot.
Note: The Mu Yanling, Sky Dancer was in the SB mostly for fun. If I went to a bigger tournament then it would be replaced with something else.
4 Snapcaster Mage
4 Stoneforge Mystic
3 Geist of Saint Traft
1 Vendilion Clique
Instant/Sorcery(22)
4 Opt
4 Lightning Bolt
4 Path to Exile
2 Spell Snare
2 Lightning Helix
3 Logic Knot
3 Cryptic Command
Planeswalkers (1)
1 Jace, the Mind Sculptor
1 Sword of Feast and Famine
1 Batterskull
Lands (23)
4 Flooded Strand
4 Scalding Tarn
2 Hallowed Fountain
2 Steam Vents
1 Sacred Foundry
3 Celestial Colonnade
2 Field of Ruin
3 Island
1 Plains
1 Mountain
3 Alpine Moon
1 Ceremonious Rejection
1 Wear // Tear
2 Abrade
1 Dovin's Veto
2 Anger of the Gods
2 Force of Negation
1 Mu Yanling, Sky Dancer
1 Sword of War and Peace
1 Batterskull
I brewed a deck earlier today that's pure Jeskai Stoneblade without Delver of Secrets in it. It's more control than tempo, but it's a starting point.
4 Snapcaster Mage
4 Stoneforge Mystic
3 Geist of Saint Traft
1 Vendilion Clique
Instant/Sorcery(22)
4 Opt
4 Lightning Bolt
4 Path to Exile
2 Spell Snare
2 Lightning Helix
3 Logic Knot
3 Cryptic Command
1 Jace, the Mind Sculptor
Artifacts (2)
1 Sword of Feast and Famine
1 Batterskull
Lands (23)
4 Flooded Strand
4 Scalding Tarn
2 Hallowed Fountain
2 Steam Vents
1 Sacred Foundry
3 Celestial Colonnade
2 Field of Ruin
3 Island
1 Plains
1 Mountain
23 lands may be too many for this deck, and I want to fit in another Vendilion Clique to fill out the threats. I would either put Sword of Fire and Ice or Sword of Truth and Justice in the sideboard for more equipment on top of another Batterskull, but this all requires testing of course.
I really like the idea of Delver of Secrets paired with SFM as both are must answer threats early and require your opponent to make a difficult choice CurdBros! Whenever playing a delver deck I always feel bad going below 28 instant/sorceries because it hampers its ability to flip, but with SFM it could just be another equip target.
StevomatUWR: I'll check out your video after I get off work!
I definetly like the idea of running at least 2-3 Spell Snare in our decks, and Abrade has been one of my favorite inclusions because of its ability to fight Aether Vial decks plus affinity decks (this now includes SFM decks now as well). I'm wondering what I'd shave for the spell and the first thing that comes to mind would be the Dispel because the main deck is already full of counters. How many Abrades would you suggest we run?
Ojutai's Command is certainly interesting, and I can see it as a one of somewhere in the board. Plays well with both snappy and SFM, maybe shave the main deck Electrolyze for it? Just thoughts, but this is all preliminary brainstorming so I'll be testing it over the course of the next couple of weeks.
4 Delver of Secrets
4 Snapcaster Mage
4 Spell Queller
Spells(28)
4 Lightning Bolt
4 Path to Exile
4 Serum Visions
4 Opt
3 Spell Snare
3 Lightning Helix
3 Logic Knot
2 Mana Leak
1 Electrolyze
4 Flooded Strand
4 Scalding Tarn
2 Steam Vents
2 Hallowed Fountain
1 Sacred Foundry
2 Spirebluff Canal
1 Seachrome Coast
2 Island
1 Plains
1 Mountain
2 Ceremonious Rejection
1 Dispel
1 Wear // Tear
2 Damping Sphere
3 Force of Negation
4 Stoneforge Mystic
1 Sword of Feast and Famine
1 Batterskull
My old Jeskai deck with some SB upgrades. I think Stoneforge Mystic is a fantastic card for the grindy decks and if Jund is going to grow in popularity then I'm hoping it will give us an edge there.
4 Snapcaster Mage
2 Watcher for Tomorrow
4 Felidar Guardian
Instants/Sorceries(18)
4 Lightning Bolt
4 Path to Exile
4 Serum Visions
2 Lightning Helix
4 Remand
Enchantments(1)
1 Detention Sphere
Planeswalkers(9)
4 Saheeli Rai
3 Teferi, Time Raveler
1 Jace, the Mind Sculptor
1 Nahiri, the Harbinger
4 Flooded Strand
4 Scalding Tarn
2 Steam Vents
2 Hallowed Fountain
1 Sacred Foundry
3 Island
1 Plains
1 Mountain
1 Desolate Lighthouse
2 Alpine Moon
1 Wear // Tear
2 Rest in Peace
2 Stony Silence
2 Force of Negation
3 Through the Breach
3 Emrakul, the Aeons Torn
This is sort of a rough draft, and the Through the Breach combo in the sideboard is there because I can't make up my mind between playing either Copycat or Breach so I shoved it in there. I'm hoping to see how Watcher for Tomorrow preforms next time I play the deck as I've seen other people use the card in their Copycat lists after a quick search on mtg top 8.
As a potential one of you could run Crackling Drake as the finisher. It gains value with the copy effect and dodges bolt in the late game. It can even end the game on the spot depending on the board state and how low they are after fetches and your burn spells. As for Spellskite I'm not so sure. Is the draw effect on Wall of Omens ever come up as being extremely important? If not then I can see you replacing it for more protection if your local meta is removal heavy.
@CatParty: I don't hate the addition of adding a third Mana Leak to the board as I've always liked having at least three two mana counterspells in the deck. In a way, I like how well Simic Charm is posistioned right now if UR Pheniox is going to be becoming more previlent in the meta moving forward. You could shave a land, but that's always dangerous depanding on the number of cantrips are in the deck, and with seven cantrips in yours I'm not so sure. Other than that the only cards I see removing for the third Mana Leak would be the Simic Charm or Echoing Truth.