Just wanted to pop and say to keep up the good work. I have been tweaking my own lists for a couple of weeks now and it's nice to see that so many of us have similar ideas. Thanks for all the field reports as well, as I have not been able to take to an FNM yet. If I do, I'll post list and my own results, though it looks a lot like TacticalCelebrant's list.
Played the original decklist (yes the one with SGM) at a casual Modern tournament the other weekend (at a convention so it was only an 8-man) but have to chime in that SGM was the least effective card in the deck for me. I maybe gained 2-3 life tops from her anytime she was out, and was basically only good for me as a chump blocker.
On the plus, had a fantastic game against a Tasigur Delve player. Ended up getting close to time and he had 10 life. I would die next turn to a Tasigur + Angler but he was tapped out because I had Remanded his Tasigur and he then recast it without ability to Delve. I had Swans and a Snap on the BF with a Snap, Skred, a second Swans and 2 lands in hand. I attack for 4, he takes it. I count my snow perms, I have 9. I count the cards in my library, I have 9. I skred the Swans, draw into two bolts for the win. It was fantastic and we both got a big laugh out of me winning with 0 cards left in my library. But I figure, if I was going to die next turn anyway, do it in style.
Anyway, the deck is super fun, but I might end up heading in a more casual direction. I've been eyeing Molten Vortex and might try and brew up a goofy UR deck with Swans, Treasure Hunt, Magmatic Insight, counterburn and a snow/Skred theme.
So the real question before FNM tonight... how are people sideboarding? There are very few cards I feel comfortable to take out for fear I lose an early game cantrip or dig. Do you just play the control game until they tap out and you can go bananas?
This is unless the Modern version of the deck gets really out of control and causes people to freak out a bit, I wouldn't be betting the farm on this being a $10 rare, esp in a set that is selling very well and will be opened up like crazy for the next 6 months. That and the vast majority of Magic players don't want to touch combo enablers like this because the can be such hard decks to play with. Much easier to put your money on a card like Mantis Rider or Siege Rhino, which don't take a toolbox and complicated interactions to make you want to jam four of in a deck.
I was wondering the same thing today. I use two Cornicopias, but Purse really would matter more in a tournament. Now that we are an expected part of the metagame, it's important to consider that ability now.
Wow! Impressive! Having been unable to watch this weekend's open myself I was wondering if the deck got any coverage?
Not that I'm aware of, as Indianapolis didn't have coverage, just NJ. There was another one that placed in the top 36 that made a couple of different choices, but were pretty similar:
Honestly? No. We're more likely to see Jeskai Ascendency banned in older formats if decks like Sam Black's list suddenly become dominant. In Standard? No... as much as we all want this to be a great deck, it's really too easy to disrupt. The more popular it becomes, the more people will be able to hate it out. We'll see tonight's FNM reports and this weekend's SCG results to see if anyone can make it work though.
So then the question is what to do transform to? Goblin Rabblemaster style agro (they get rid of their removal post SB)? Sarkhan/Elspeth style control (They won't expect the long game)? Jeskai Burn (They may bring in fast threats)? Narset (free Dig Through Time)?
It seems unlikely that your opponent would side out spot removal against a deck that absolutely requires crappy mana dorks to win the game. Big threats powered out early like Elspeth or Narset could be pretty effective though.
Great point. I agree though, it would be awesome to power out something disgusting.
[quote from="FubsyGamr »
You have 4 fetchlands but only 2 fetchable sources?[/quote]
Yup, There is no reason to have any more. They are basically there to make sure you have a green source turn 1-3, then turn 4 you're usually going off and any other fetches you draw will be dumped into the gy. The plains honestly should be another forest, because I've never once needed to fetch for a W source.
So then the question is what to do transform to? Goblin Rabblemaster style agro (they get rid of their removal post SB)? Sarkhan/Elspeth style control (They won't expect the long game)? Jeskai Burn (They may bring in fast threats)? Narset (free Dig Through Time)?
[quote from="pandafarmer »" url="http://www.mtgsalvation.com/forums/the-game/standard-type-2/standard-new-card-discussion/572039-jeskai-ascendancy-storm?comment=166"]I've added back the Astral/Helix combo and now consistently hit 4th turn combo. Before I would often fizzle or have to wait till turn 5-6. Pretty happy with this deck, but now worried about sideboarding in prep for real life play!
It's goldfishing VERY well, but not sure how it will fair in a "live" environment. Also considering having a transformational sideboard of sorts... abusing tokens/convoke spells or something. Seems like once people know the game plan, it'll be sort of easy for them to disrupt. We're going to be living in a land of good stuff decks again, and with that comes counterspells and disruption in every deck regardless of color.
I've added back the Astral/Helix combo and now consistently hit 4th turn combo. Before I would often fizzle or have to wait till turn 5-6. Pretty happy with this deck, but now worried about sideboarding in prep for real life play!
I guess that's the thing.. why would I want to draw my deck and copy my 8-12 dorks twice when I could cast Burning Anger and shoot them as many times as I need?
Gifts Ungiven. You can build so many interesting decks with it, and we've seen several that were tournament viable. Watching pros play that deck during CHK Standard taught me more about how to play Magic than anything else.
When someone operates on a strong "moral" compass and expects me and my family to live by their belief structure... I sure as heck am going to make sure she practices what she preaches just as she would the same if the roles were reversed... that reminds me...
Reanimate
Jace the Mind Sculptor
Show and Tell
Snapcaster Mage
Sensei's Divining Top
Will not:
Brainstorm
Golgari Charm
Thoughtseize
Rest In Peace
Deathrite Shaman
On the plus, had a fantastic game against a Tasigur Delve player. Ended up getting close to time and he had 10 life. I would die next turn to a Tasigur + Angler but he was tapped out because I had Remanded his Tasigur and he then recast it without ability to Delve. I had Swans and a Snap on the BF with a Snap, Skred, a second Swans and 2 lands in hand. I attack for 4, he takes it. I count my snow perms, I have 9. I count the cards in my library, I have 9. I skred the Swans, draw into two bolts for the win. It was fantastic and we both got a big laugh out of me winning with 0 cards left in my library. But I figure, if I was going to die next turn anyway, do it in style.
Anyway, the deck is super fun, but I might end up heading in a more casual direction. I've been eyeing Molten Vortex and might try and brew up a goofy UR deck with Swans, Treasure Hunt, Magmatic Insight, counterburn and a snow/Skred theme.
Not that I'm aware of, as Indianapolis didn't have coverage, just NJ. There was another one that placed in the top 36 that made a couple of different choices, but were pretty similar:
http://sales.starcitygames.com//deckdatabase/displaydeck.php?DeckID=73359
Great point. I agree though, it would be awesome to power out something disgusting.
You have 4 fetchlands but only 2 fetchable sources?[/quote]
Yup, There is no reason to have any more. They are basically there to make sure you have a green source turn 1-3, then turn 4 you're usually going off and any other fetches you draw will be dumped into the gy. The plains honestly should be another forest, because I've never once needed to fetch for a W source.
Sure thing, sorry I didn't see this earlier...
4 Kiora's Follower
2 Rattleclaw Mystic
2 Twinflame
4 Jeskai Ascendancy
2 Astral Cornucopia
2 Retraction Helix
1 Burning Anger
4 Defiant Strike
4 Dragon Mantle
4 Treasure Cruise
4 Commune with the Gods
2 Dig Through Time
4 Mana Confluence
4 Mystic Monastery
4 Yavimaya Coast
3 Shivan Reef
4 GW Fetch
1 Forest
1 Plains
It's goldfishing VERY well, but not sure how it will fair in a "live" environment. Also considering having a transformational sideboard of sorts... abusing tokens/convoke spells or something. Seems like once people know the game plan, it'll be sort of easy for them to disrupt. We're going to be living in a land of good stuff decks again, and with that comes counterspells and disruption in every deck regardless of color.