Thanks for the report! Definately interested in the Kiln Fiend sideboard and may try it out at some point!
I am always underwhelmed with Izzet Charm but it is the only real main-deck interaction that Izzet lists have outside of Burn spells, and all the modes work in the deck, so it's hard to find a replacement in the colours.
I have been running Brutality main-deck over Charm (yes, Grixis mana base). I simply think the quality of the card is higher than charm and I prefer proactive interaction. Holding up mana in this deck is often detrimental to our game plan.
With a Grixis mana base your EE also becomes higher impact, too.
I'm not sure it's strictly superior to run Grixis, its definately more painful, and every now and again it makes sequencing a little awkward. But I sure have been relieved to drop Charm and still be able to keep quality interaction for spells matter match-ups in my main.
In any case, congrats on the result and a nicely put together list!
The list is still in its infant stages, but it is poweful! It has a horrendous matchup vs the blue version with Thing in the ice, but it is superior to the blue variant speed-wise. It can race agro and combo. It has a lot less CA though, in fact, it has some card disadvantage with the phyrexian spells in there. The noxious revival/mutagenic growth spot is still hotly contended, as they both do amazing things: Revival bringing back milled sideboard cards or hollowed ones, growth allowing your other creatures to trigger flamewakes.
I would love some suggestions on the list <3. Working hard to make it something. I cannot stress enough just how powerful this will be when its been ironed out.
I like the approach here... to maximize the impact of your free spells amd threats, as quickly as possible. I do think Noxious Revival is just s bit too cute. I would replace these with 3x Desperate Ritual. This would be another "free" spell, but also fuel busted turn 2's that go ritual, goblin lore, burning inquiry/looting reccuring multiple Phoenix and casting multiple Hollow Ones.
The strategy seems pretty explosive, but very all-in. You could afford to run Bedlam Reveler.
I can confirm that Rakdos Phoenix is also viable. Collective Brutality holds all the black builds together, but a Rakdos build also opens up Alms of the Vein and Claim / Fame. Claim / Fame is very good in a shell with both Runaway Steam-Kin AND Swiftspear, and Alms of the Vein being very good in a burn focused shell with no Steam-Kin (too Many black spells).
Out of all my testing, Grixis is my choice at the moment though. Way more interaction and resiliency IMO.
The black sideboard is a lot better than the blue options I am finding, as we are a proactive deck not a reactive or co from deck. We can grind, but we do so proactively with a lot of game actions on our own turn. Discard is the perfect interaction to mix into a Phoenix chain, or to use t1 to clear the path for your TiTi. You can't really do these things with spell pierce, for example.
The one blue sideboard card that has been the nuts has been Firemind's Research. It completely dodges grave and creature hate, only really being weak to Trophy and Decay.
I still like the angels; even though they're expected now, most aggro decks simply do not have many answers to it and cant possibly win as long as one stays on the table.
The new rise of dredge is a big deal though, together with spirits finally getting the respect the deck deserves. I think with Terminus we have a good shot at besting dredge, but running gravehate always stays an issue for this deck.
How do you guys adapt your stock terminus list to better beat dredge?
My answer has been 3 Surgical and 2 Anger with 2 Timely as additional key pieces of my post board plan. I haven't adapted my main for dredge, I think we are always dogs game 1. I once believed the old Jeskai Tempo lists to be the best Jeskai deck VS. Dredge because of Geist, but Crippling Chill makes it hard to race now, so it's probably a bad plan.
I think Lyra and Baneslayer are more mediocre now than they were. People are prepared for them now, and Dredge can easily Trophy an Angel or Conflagrate for 5+.
Hollow One is really the MU that brought Baneslayer back to modern. I don't think the angels are amazing in a GBx meta.
Hey quick question. Do we bring in Wear//Tear against Amulet Titan or is it usually too slow?
100% Yes if you see Lotus Bloom or Hive Mind. Otherwise it's meh. Bring it in if you have nothing else. Many amulet players cut Amulet in the UWx match-up anyway.
This is my take currently. Black splash for Collective Brutality main, Thoughtsieze side.
Funnily enough, this has proved to be an excellent Thoughtseize deck post-board, as we can grind very well, and Thoughtsieze is an easy and useful part of a 3 spell chain to recur Phoenix that also lets you attack with Phoenix through hate like Settle the Wreckage, PtE or Celestial Purge. Needless to say t1 Thoughtseize you take your RiP is very satisfying.
Main-deck brutalities have been excellent, and combined with Fiery Temper is a 7 point life swing with extra value. I also feel this is a huge upgrade to the sideboard (although i know Dragons Claw is stupidly effective in this deck).
I'm conflicted about Detention Sphere right now. One the one hand, Dredge has come back to life and D-Sphere is bonkers against dredge. On the other hand, Trophy makes D-Sphere pretty risky, and Dredge had Abrupt Decay, Pulse, Trophy and/or Nature's Claim out of the board.
What are your thoughts guys - I'm on Terminus remember, so I'm not necessarily dodging the MU. I may instead just up my surgical count to 3.
I will likely try something close to your suggested board next time! I would like to find a way to keep in 1x Path or 1x Azcanta though!
Regarding Counterflux;
Counterflux is, in my opinion, a very strong and underutilized card, but I do get that the 3cmc tag is off-putting. I wanted my sideboard to be full of stack-based interaction (local meta full of storm and UWx), since adopting Terminus has meant lowering my main-deck Countermagic numbers. I usually bring it in for;
-UWx
-Storm
-URx
-Ad Naus
-Tron
-Scapeshift
I'm open to changes, and those Fluxes can definately be flexed. I may indeed just have too many cards for the mirror.
Regarding Angels;
You've all convinced me they are bad in the mirror, which follows my own experiences.
I think my next board plan will look something like this;
I am always underwhelmed with Izzet Charm but it is the only real main-deck interaction that Izzet lists have outside of Burn spells, and all the modes work in the deck, so it's hard to find a replacement in the colours.
I have been running Brutality main-deck over Charm (yes, Grixis mana base). I simply think the quality of the card is higher than charm and I prefer proactive interaction. Holding up mana in this deck is often detrimental to our game plan.
With a Grixis mana base your EE also becomes higher impact, too.
I'm not sure it's strictly superior to run Grixis, its definately more painful, and every now and again it makes sequencing a little awkward. But I sure have been relieved to drop Charm and still be able to keep quality interaction for spells matter match-ups in my main.
In any case, congrats on the result and a nicely put together list!
I like the approach here... to maximize the impact of your free spells amd threats, as quickly as possible. I do think Noxious Revival is just s bit too cute. I would replace these with 3x Desperate Ritual. This would be another "free" spell, but also fuel busted turn 2's that go ritual, goblin lore, burning inquiry/looting reccuring multiple Phoenix and casting multiple Hollow Ones.
The strategy seems pretty explosive, but very all-in. You could afford to run Bedlam Reveler.
My next iteration i'll go -1 Thought Scour -1 Chart a Course -1 JVP for +3 Serum Visions.
Out of all my testing, Grixis is my choice at the moment though. Way more interaction and resiliency IMO.
http://www.starcitygames.com/articles/37987_The-Best-Standard-Modern-And-Legacy-Decks-For-SCG-Vegas.html
Grixis Arclight Thing (URB):
2 Jace, Vryn's Prodigy
4 Thing in the Ice
4 Arclight Phoenix
3 Bedlam Reveler
Spells
4 Faithless Looting
3 Inquisition of Kozilek
4 Lightning Bolt
4 Thought Scour
3 Chart a Course
3 Collective Brutality
4 Manamorphose
4 Fiery Temper
2 Blackcleave Cliffs
1 Blood Crypt
2 Bloodstained Mire
1 Island
1 Mountain
3 Scalding Tarn
4 Spirebluff Canal
2 Steam Vents
1 Swamp
1 Watery Grave
1 Lightning Axe
2 Spell Pierce
2 Surgical Extraction
2 Thoughtseize
2 Abrade
2 Anger of the Gods
2 Alpine Moon
2 Firemind's Research
Shared via TopDecked MTG
https://www.topdecked.me/decks/7d6af2ed-e7b5-486d-afe3-af85a88682fd
The black sideboard is a lot better than the blue options I am finding, as we are a proactive deck not a reactive or co from deck. We can grind, but we do so proactively with a lot of game actions on our own turn. Discard is the perfect interaction to mix into a Phoenix chain, or to use t1 to clear the path for your TiTi. You can't really do these things with spell pierce, for example.
The one blue sideboard card that has been the nuts has been Firemind's Research. It completely dodges grave and creature hate, only really being weak to Trophy and Decay.
My answer has been 3 Surgical and 2 Anger with 2 Timely as additional key pieces of my post board plan. I haven't adapted my main for dredge, I think we are always dogs game 1. I once believed the old Jeskai Tempo lists to be the best Jeskai deck VS. Dredge because of Geist, but Crippling Chill makes it hard to race now, so it's probably a bad plan.
Hollow One is really the MU that brought Baneslayer back to modern. I don't think the angels are amazing in a GBx meta.
100% Yes if you see Lotus Bloom or Hive Mind. Otherwise it's meh. Bring it in if you have nothing else. Many amulet players cut Amulet in the UWx match-up anyway.
Funnily enough, this has proved to be an excellent Thoughtseize deck post-board, as we can grind very well, and Thoughtsieze is an easy and useful part of a 3 spell chain to recur Phoenix that also lets you attack with Phoenix through hate like Settle the Wreckage, PtE or Celestial Purge. Needless to say t1 Thoughtseize you take your RiP is very satisfying.
Main-deck brutalities have been excellent, and combined with Fiery Temper is a 7 point life swing with extra value. I also feel this is a huge upgrade to the sideboard (although i know Dragons Claw is stupidly effective in this deck).
Runaway Red: Black Splash
3 Monastery Swiftspear
4 Runaway Steam-Kin
4 Arclight Phoenix
4 Bedlam Reveler
Spells (26)
4 Faithless Looting
4 Lightning Bolt
2 Collective Brutality
3 Desperate Ritual
4 Manamorphose
2 Tormenting Voice
4 Fiery Temper
3 Risk Factor
4 Blackcleave Cliffs
2 Blood Crypt
4 Bloodstained Mire
7 Mountain
2 Scalding Tarn
3 Surgical Extraction
3 Thoughtseize
1 Abrade
1 Collective Brutality
1 Anger of the Gods
3 Molten Rain
3 Shrine of Burning Rage
Shared via TopDecked MTG
https://www.topdecked.me/decks/caddcaee-5502-48b4-85d4-5b3eb266ed17
Do you use Xmage?
What are your thoughts guys - I'm on Terminus remember, so I'm not necessarily dodging the MU. I may instead just up my surgical count to 3.
SCG Modern Classic
------------------
2 Jace, 3 Snapcaster, 3 Ancestral Vision, 3 Terminus MD
Shared via TopDecked MTG https://www.topdecked.me/decks/54cd40a4-67ef-4166-a708-37a8ea71ec47
Jeskai Tempo ft. Geist, Queller, Jace, Settle MD
Shared via TopDecked MTG https://www.topdecked.me/decks/d71d3ff3-4fdc-4f2e-bba1-61e1b4b61ce5
Modern Challenge
----------------
Jeskai Breach
Shared via TopDecked MTG https://www.topdecked.me/decks/d018ce81-0d4a-46de-9ee4-bd3fda6d3d7e
Competative Modern League 5-0 Lists
Shared via TopDecked MTG https://www.topdecked.me/decks/e2483cbf-5303-4c74-8749-1809a2163a81
With Hieroglyphic Illumination
Shared via TopDecked MTG https://www.topdecked.me/decks/896a4c8e-f077-4a62-ac70-5a81c01f4c87
With Saheeli Combo
Shared via TopDecked MTG https://www.topdecked.me/decks/b5bb0c21-d7fe-4119-9c71-ef2b1c0bad42
@TheAller;
I will likely try something close to your suggested board next time! I would like to find a way to keep in 1x Path or 1x Azcanta though!
Regarding Counterflux;
Counterflux is, in my opinion, a very strong and underutilized card, but I do get that the 3cmc tag is off-putting. I wanted my sideboard to be full of stack-based interaction (local meta full of storm and UWx), since adopting Terminus has meant lowering my main-deck Countermagic numbers. I usually bring it in for;
-UWx
-Storm
-URx
-Ad Naus
-Tron
-Scapeshift
I'm open to changes, and those Fluxes can definately be flexed. I may indeed just have too many cards for the mirror.
Regarding Angels;
You've all convinced me they are bad in the mirror, which follows my own experiences.
I think my next board plan will look something like this;
-4 Path
-3 Terminus
-1 Azcanta
-1 Logic Knot
+1 Geist
+1 Clique
+2 Dispel
+1 Negate
+2 Counterflux
+2 AV