Search found 43 matches

by Valdarith
Mon Mar 17, 2014 5:32 pm
Forum: Scalding Tarn (Modern)
Topic: [Article] - Winning my way into Modern.
Replies: 162
Views: 62579

Use winnings from infect to buy your manabase and convert to UG infect. Once you have all the fetches Kiki Pod is within reach.
by Valdarith
Sat Feb 01, 2014 7:40 pm
Forum: Scalding Tarn (Modern)
Topic: [Article] - Winning my way into Modern.
Replies: 162
Views: 62579

I wouldn't run more than two Pike. They're not good in multiples.
by Valdarith
Sat Feb 01, 2014 6:30 pm
Forum: Scalding Tarn (Modern)
Topic: [Article] - Winning my way into Modern.
Replies: 162
Views: 62579

I like some mix of Forked Bolt and Electrolyze in the 75.
by Valdarith
Mon Jan 27, 2014 2:49 am
Forum: Scalding Tarn (Modern)
Topic: [Article] - Winning my way into Modern.
Replies: 162
Views: 62579

Sulfur Falls are pretty cheap.
by Valdarith
Fri Jan 24, 2014 7:25 pm
Forum: Scalding Tarn (Modern)
Topic: [Article] - Winning my way into Modern.
Replies: 162
Views: 62579

Yeah that can be a huge beating. Fetching a land you say? I think not...
by Valdarith
Fri Jan 24, 2014 7:00 pm
Forum: Scalding Tarn (Modern)
Topic: [Article] - Winning my way into Modern.
Replies: 162
Views: 62579

I wouldn't run Gigadrowse, and I'd definitely want all four Remand if you can get them.

I've been very happy with Magma Jet in my list. It looks bad on paper but is amazing in practice. Helps me continue drawing gas, and the format is dominated by x/2s.

I also wouldn't bother with Izzet Charm in the side. You don't want flexible cards for the sideboard, you want answers to specific archetypes.
by Valdarith
Fri Jan 24, 2014 6:31 pm
Forum: Scalding Tarn (Modern)
Topic: [Article] - Winning my way into Modern.
Replies: 162
Views: 62579

Remand on a Scepter in this deck is ridiculous and something I really want to try.
by Valdarith
Fri Jan 24, 2014 3:34 pm
Forum: Scalding Tarn (Modern)
Topic: [Article] - Winning my way into Modern.
Replies: 162
Views: 62579

My list for reference:

[deck]
Creatures (12)
4 Delver of Secrets
4 Young Pyromancer
4 Snapcaster Mage

Spells (30)
4 Serum Visions
4 Gitaxian Probe
4 Lightning Bolt
3 Vapor Snag
2 Spell Pierce
4 Magma Jet
4 Remand
3 Mana Leak
2 Runechanter's Pike

Lands (18)
2 Scalding Tarn
4 Steam Vents
4 Sulfur Falls
2 Mountain
6 Island

Sideboard (15)
2 Dispel
2 Pillar of Flame
1 Vandalblast
1 Shattering Blow
2 Combust
3 Hibernation
2 Electrolyze
2 Counterflux
[/deck]
by Valdarith
Fri Jan 24, 2014 3:31 pm
Forum: Scalding Tarn (Modern)
Topic: [Article] - Winning my way into Modern.
Replies: 162
Views: 62579

I happen to like the sideboard in my list quite a bit. Hibernation vs Boggles is a game-winner, Affinity gets hosed by Electrolyze + Recall, Combust + Counterflux makes UWR Wafo-Tapa a breeze.

I don't like siding in permanents like Threads or Pithing Needle since it lowers my instant and sorcery count. Plus Jund runs Abrupt Decay so I've never understood why blue decks ran it to steal a Tarmogoyf that they're just going to steal back. Runechanter's Pike has a similar problem with Abrupt Decay but my strategy is to just side those out since the game is more about attrition with them. You just want to win with a swarm of 1/1s from Young Pyromancer. Granted, I've yet to play Jund (no one around here can afford it) but the strategy sounds good in my head.
by Valdarith
Thu Jan 16, 2014 9:00 pm
Forum: Scalding Tarn (Modern)
Topic: [Article] - Winning my way into Modern.
Replies: 162
Views: 62579

I'm hoping to do the same with my UR Delver list, working my way toward Volcanic Islands, Forces, and Stifles as funds and trades allow.
by Valdarith
Mon Jan 13, 2014 3:17 pm
Forum: Scalding Tarn (Modern)
Topic: [Article] - Winning my way into Modern.
Replies: 162
Views: 62579

The thing I like most about this deck is that all my opponents are playing Modern and I feel like I'm playing Legacy.
by Valdarith
Sun Jan 12, 2014 8:55 pm
Forum: Scalding Tarn (Modern)
Topic: [Article] - Winning my way into Modern.
Replies: 162
Views: 62579

Of course 3/4 of the deck is mostly locked in...
by Valdarith
Sun Jan 12, 2014 8:41 pm
Forum: Scalding Tarn (Modern)
Topic: [Article] - Winning my way into Modern.
Replies: 162
Views: 62579

http://www.wizards.com/Magic/Magazine/A ... /welcome#1

It's actually scary how close his list is to mine. The spell suite is almost exactly like mine down to the numbers. Two maindeck Pillar of Flame, full set of Remand, three Vapor Snag, two Spell Pierce. The differences are that he's running two Clique and one Lavamancer maindeck and two Mutavault to go up to 20 land. Oh, and no Mana Leak. I don't like that.
by Valdarith
Sun Jan 12, 2014 5:13 pm
Forum: Scalding Tarn (Modern)
Topic: [Article] - Winning my way into Modern.
Replies: 162
Views: 62579

Carlos Moral just made top 4 in GP Prague with UR Delver beating Junk. Looks like he's running something very similar to my list except with Grim Lavamancer instead of Runechanter's Pike.
by Valdarith
Tue Dec 31, 2013 7:44 pm
Forum: Scalding Tarn (Modern)
Topic: [Article] - Winning my way into Modern.
Replies: 162
Views: 62579

http://www.mtgtop8.com/event?e=6355&d=236588

This list 4-0d a daily a few days ago. Pretty similar to what I'm building but with Lavaman instead of Pike.
by Valdarith
Tue Dec 31, 2013 4:14 am
Forum: Scalding Tarn (Modern)
Topic: [Article] - Winning my way into Modern.
Replies: 162
Views: 62579

I goldfished my deck a bit in a few different iterations.

1) I tested with and without Magma Jet and really preferred the deck with Magma Jet. It just made my draws so much smoother and in a format dominated by x/2s it is basically a hard counter against creature decks. Even against an empty board it's never a dead card. It's not quite Electrolyze but it's good enough.

2) It's either Grim Lavamancer or Runechanter's Pike. Despite not having fetches I usually had a full grave for him to use, and he's nuts against aggro but terrible against control and combo. Pike is good against aggro and control but bad against combo. I'm wondering if I should mainboard Pikes and side in Lavamancers vs decks like Affinity and Jund. The fact that Pike dies to Abrupt Decay makes me not want it in the Jund matchup.

3) 28 spells for Delver is really nice. Blind flips are good.

4) I'm not going to run this deck without Serum
Visions. I could do it without Remand and in that case I'd probably run Electrolyze and another couple of spells in its place.
by Valdarith
Tue Dec 31, 2013 2:34 am
Forum: Scalding Tarn (Modern)
Topic: [Article] - Winning my way into Modern.
Replies: 162
Views: 62579

I like Assault Strobe over Double Cleave here since if you don't have the Artful Dodge they're going to block regardless of what you do. One less mana is big.

I was going to suggest Mizzium Skin but you have so many damn cantrips that finding multiple dudes shouldn't be a problem.
by Valdarith
Mon Dec 30, 2013 9:16 pm
Forum: Scalding Tarn (Modern)
Topic: [Article] - Winning my way into Modern.
Replies: 162
Views: 62579

I actually think it's not too bad.

[deck]
Creatures (15)
4 Nivmagus Elemental
3 Snapcaster Mage
4 Kiln Fiend
4 Nivix Cyclops

Spells (26)
4 Lightning Bolt
4 Gitaxian Probe
4 Faithless Looting
4 Artful Dodge
4 Assault Strobe
4 Mizzium Skin
2 Apostle's Blessing

Lands (19)
4 Steam Vents
4 Sulfur Falls
3 Island
8 Mountain
[/deck]
by Valdarith
Mon Dec 30, 2013 6:22 pm
Forum: Scalding Tarn (Modern)
Topic: [Article] - Winning my way into Modern.
Replies: 162
Views: 62579

I like that Double Cleave can double (lol) as removal in UR Delver.

I could take a more aggressive approach to the deck and run stuff like Kiln Fiend or Nivix Cyclops. It would just be less tempo and more of a tapout strategy. Do you have the KilnClops list? If I don't get my Remands and Serum Visions in time I might have to go a different route.
by Valdarith
Mon Dec 30, 2013 5:53 pm
Forum: Scalding Tarn (Modern)
Topic: [Article] - Winning my way into Modern.
Replies: 162
Views: 62579

Kinda has a Kiln Fiend feel with a toughness boost too. It pushes me to cast spells during my turn though which is not really what the deck wants to do outside of Visions and Probe.
by Valdarith
Mon Dec 30, 2013 3:01 am
Forum: Scalding Tarn (Modern)
Topic: [Article] - Winning my way into Modern.
Replies: 162
Views: 62579

Ordered my Remands and Serum Visions yesterday. Hope they get here by Friday, but if not I'll just run Thought Scours and Grim Lavamancer. ;)
by Valdarith
Sat Dec 28, 2013 10:00 pm
Forum: Scalding Tarn (Modern)
Topic: [Article] - Winning my way into Modern.
Replies: 162
Views: 62579

I figured it would be a decent one of to kill dudes, counter spells, or filter my hand late. It could always be Electrolyze but I'm trying to keep the curve low preboard.
by Valdarith
Sat Dec 28, 2013 9:52 pm
Forum: Scalding Tarn (Modern)
Topic: [Article] - Winning my way into Modern.
Replies: 162
Views: 62579

What I'm thinking now.

[deck]
creatures (12)
4 delver of secrets
4 snapcaster mage
4 young pyromancer

spells (30)
4 serum visions
4 gitaxian probe
4 lightning bolt
2 spell pierce
4 vapor snag
4 remand
3 mana leak
1 izzet charm
2 magma jet
2 runechanter's pike

lands (18)
4 steam vents
4 sulfur falls
2 mountain
8 island

sideboard (15)
2 dispel
2 forked bolt
2 combust
1 counterflux
3 hibernation
2 electrolyze
3 open slots
[/deck]
by Valdarith
Sat Dec 28, 2013 9:19 pm
Forum: Scalding Tarn (Modern)
Topic: [Article] - Winning my way into Modern.
Replies: 162
Views: 62579

Nonbo with Pike and Lavamancer is concerning. I also question Burst Lightning in a deck with 18 lands. This is what keeps me moving toward Magma Jet. Two damage for two mana is not good but scry two late game seems so big to me.
by Valdarith
Sat Dec 28, 2013 7:48 pm
Forum: Scalding Tarn (Modern)
Topic: [Article] - Winning my way into Modern.
Replies: 162
Views: 62579

How have you liked Pike? I keep second guessing myself on it with running 18 land.

I keep wondering what the best number is for burn spells. I have also read the majority of the UR Delver thread on Sally and there seems to be little consensus on anything. Some are high on Magma Jet, others use Spellstutter Sprite instead of Young Pyromancer. I think they're just playing a different deck entirely since most of them play 22 lands and only 22 spells.
by Valdarith
Sat Dec 28, 2013 3:12 pm
Forum: Scalding Tarn (Modern)
Topic: [Article] - Winning my way into Modern.
Replies: 162
Views: 62579

Can you share your list, Khaos? I'm debating exactly how much removal I should pack.
by Valdarith
Sat Dec 28, 2013 12:31 am
Forum: Scalding Tarn (Modern)
Topic: [Article] - Winning my way into Modern.
Replies: 162
Views: 62579

I guess Pillar should be Runechanter's Pike. Gives me huge game against Soul Sisters and Wafo-Tapa UWr, the former of which this deck could have issues with and the latter of which has issues dealing with artifacts.
by Valdarith
Fri Dec 27, 2013 3:24 pm
Forum: Scalding Tarn (Modern)
Topic: [Article] - Winning my way into Modern.
Replies: 162
Views: 62579

It's for Finks and Voice which are a pain for this matchup. I could play a better burn spell in its place. Also thought about Flashfreeze in the board so I'll make some room for it. I'm not totally sold on Molten Rain with the RR cost in a fetchless deck and this deck ought to already have a favorable tron matchup.
by Valdarith
Thu Dec 26, 2013 8:21 pm
Forum: Scalding Tarn (Modern)
Topic: [Article] - Winning my way into Modern.
Replies: 162
Views: 62579

Yeah and 8 fetches. No go for me.

I'm still messing around with Pike vs no Pike. Came up with this for a no Pike list.

[deck]
Creatures (12)
4 Delver of Secrets
4 Snapcaster Mage
4 Young Pyromancer

Spells (30)
4 Gitaxian Probe
4 Serum Visions
4 Vapor Snag
4 Lightning Bolt
2 Pillar of Flame
2 Spell Pierce
1 Dispel
4 Remand
3 Mana Leak
1 Izzet Charm
1 Electrolyze

Lands (18)
4 Steam Vents
4 Sulfur Falls
2 Mountain
8 Island

Sideboard (15)
1 Dispel
2 Forked Bolt
2 Annul
2 Essence Scatter
2 Combust
1 Counterflux
3 Molten Rain
2 Turn / Burn
[/deck]
by Valdarith
Thu Dec 26, 2013 4:54 pm
Forum: Scalding Tarn (Modern)
Topic: [Article] - Winning my way into Modern.
Replies: 162
Views: 62579

I see what you're saying Alex. I hate not having Ponder and Preordain, and I thought about Delverless Delver too but came to the same conclusion: why am I not just playing Tempo Twin or UWR control? I could fork the extra 40 for Splinter Twin and play without fetches, Cryptics, and Cliques, but the Cryptics seem like a necessity for the deck so I'm probably going to stay away for now.

Here's an updated list with a completely thrown together sideboard.

[deck]
Creatures (12)
4 Delver of Secrets
4 Snapcaster Mage
4 Young Pyromancer

Spells (29)
4 Serum Visions
4 Gitaxian Probe
4 Lightning Bolt
3 Vapor Snag
2 Spell Pierce
4 Remand
3 Mana Leak
2 Izzet Charm
2 Runechanter's Pike
1 Electrolyze

Land (19)
4 Steam Vents
4 Sulfur Falls
2 Mountain
9 Island

Sideboard (15)
2 Dispel
1 Electrickery
2 Annul
1 Negate
2 Combust
1 Counterflux
2 Hibernate
3 Molten Rain
1 Electrolyze
[/deck]
by Valdarith
Thu Dec 26, 2013 5:05 am
Forum: Scalding Tarn (Modern)
Topic: [Article] - Winning my way into Modern.
Replies: 162
Views: 62579

With four Snapcasters would 19 land be okay? I'd cut the Lighthouse in that case since I need colored land most with absence of fetches. I could get away with 12 creatures if I ran the full set of Remand, Visions, and Probe. That's 12 cantrips right there.
by Valdarith
Thu Dec 26, 2013 2:56 am
Forum: Scalding Tarn (Modern)
Topic: [Article] - Winning my way into Modern.
Replies: 162
Views: 62579

Yeah I think Sprite is my only option, and if I'm going to run Pike the evasion would be wonderful. Plus running Vapor Snag means I can buy it back.

Perhaps I overvalue scry here. I know two damage for two mana is terrible but I like being able to scry away lands and draw into live spells. At least Izzet Charm can bin extra lands though.
by Valdarith
Thu Dec 26, 2013 2:20 am
Forum: Scalding Tarn (Modern)
Topic: [Article] - Winning my way into Modern.
Replies: 162
Views: 62579

The Chimera is basically a placeholder for Clique. Do you think 12 creatures is enough? Pike would be nice to add, but I wish I had more evasion in the deck to take full advantage of it.

How about -2 Chimera, -1 Electrolyze, -1 Magma Jet for the Probes?
by Valdarith
Wed Dec 25, 2013 9:06 pm
Forum: Scalding Tarn (Modern)
Topic: [Article] - Winning my way into Modern.
Replies: 162
Views: 62579

I'd like some input on my UR Delver list. I'm eventually going to play Splinter Twin but while I acquire the cards I want to play UR Delver since I can just get my playset of Remands and have the deck minus fetches and Vclique.

[deck]
Creatures (14)
4 Delver of Secrets
4 Snapcaster Mage
4 Young Pyromancer
2 Spellheart Chimera

Spells (26)
4 Serum Visions
4 Lightning Bolt
2 Spell Pierce
3 Vapor Snag
2 Izzet Charm
2 Negate
3 Remand
2 Mana Leak
3 Magma Jet
1 Electrolyze

Land (20)
1 Desolate Lighthouse
4 Steam Vents
4 Sulfur Falls
2 Mountain
9 Island
[/deck]
by Valdarith
Thu Dec 19, 2013 1:51 pm
Forum: Scalding Tarn (Modern)
Topic: [Article] - Winning my way into Modern.
Replies: 162
Views: 62579

That's fine. It's unfortunate that there are no good cantrips in Modern. Casting Visions or Sleight feels so icky.
by Valdarith
Thu Dec 19, 2013 4:21 am
Forum: Scalding Tarn (Modern)
Topic: [Article] - Winning my way into Modern.
Replies: 162
Views: 62579

[deck]
4 nivmagus elemental
4 blistercoil weird
4 delver of secrets
4 frostburn weird

4 mizzium skin
4 vapor snag
4 peek
4 serum visions
4 clout of the dominus
4 mana leak
3 gigadrowse

17 island
[/deck]

I want it to be good. Take out the Serum Visions and this deck is hilariously cheap. Like less than five tickets cheap.
by Valdarith
Sat Nov 02, 2013 4:51 pm
Forum: Scalding Tarn (Modern)
Topic: [Article] - Winning my way into Modern.
Replies: 162
Views: 62579

Do you think the lack of hard removal outside of wrath effects in my deck is much of a problem? Bad part about Condemn is that it only hits attackers but at least it doesn't feed my opponent a land.
by Valdarith
Fri Nov 01, 2013 8:17 pm
Forum: Scalding Tarn (Modern)
Topic: [Article] - Winning my way into Modern.
Replies: 162
Views: 62579

The deck definitely has Teachings in it. Look again.
by Valdarith
Fri Nov 01, 2013 5:57 pm
Forum: Scalding Tarn (Modern)
Topic: [Article] - Winning my way into Modern.
Replies: 162
Views: 62579

I thought I would post this here since Alex made a previous post regarding an Esper control deck that looked like Esper Teachings but without the Teachings.

I have an idea on a budget UWb Teachings list with the black only being for the Teachings flashback and wanted some critique.

[deck]
Creatures (4)
3 Snapcaster Mage
1 Restoration Angel

Spells (31)
4 Condemn
2 Spell Snare
3 Peer Through Depths
3 Think Twice
3 Mana Leak
2 Azorius Charm
1 Negate
1 Rest for the Weary
1 Echoing Truth
2 Dissipate
2 Wrath of God
1 Supreme Verdict
4 Mystical Teachings
1 White Sun's Zenith
1 Sphinx's Revelation

Lands (25)
4 Hallowed Fountain
4 Glacial Fortress
1 Godless Shrine
1 Watery Grave
1 Drowned Catacomb
1 Swamp
7 Island
6 Plains

Sideboard (15)
2 Marrow Shards
2 Righteous Blow
2 Dispel
2 Negate
1 Rest for the Weary
1 Disenchant
3 Celestial Purge
2 Essence Scatter
[/deck]
by Valdarith
Wed Sep 25, 2013 6:40 pm
Forum: Scalding Tarn (Modern)
Topic: [Article] - Winning my way into Modern.
Replies: 162
Views: 62579

I tried this deck out last night on MODO:

[deck]
Creatures (26)
4 Foundry Street Denizen
4 Legion Loyalist
4 Goblin Bushwhacker
2 Frenzied Goblin
2 Akki Avalanchers
4 Mogg War Marshall
2 Goblin Wardriver
4 Goblin Chieftain

Spells (14)
4 Lightning Bolt
4 Goblin Grenade
2 Dynacharge
4 Krenko's Command

Lands (20)
20 Mountain

Sideboard (15)
3 Tormod's Crypt
2 Pithing Needle
2 Electrickery
2 Pillar of Flame
2 Smash to Smithereens
2 Dragon's Claw
2 Combust
[/deck]

It performed well. Some findings:

1) I found myself wanting more lord effects. Many of the decks I was playing against had Mountains, and Goblin King would have wrecked face here. My opponent basically kept his removal for my Chieftains, Loyalists, and Denizens. I think I want at least two Kings in the main and maybe two in the side for Mountain-heavy decks. I could side out Lightning Bolt for him in creature-light decks.

2) I
liked Dynacharge as a two-of. I tried varying numbers of this card from two to four and found that anything more than two was pretty clunky. I did alpha strike with it a few times last night though so I think two is the correct number.

3) Goblin Grenade is very good, but there were a couple of times last night where I had two in hand and only a couple of goblins on the board with my opponent above ten life and with blockers out. Felt a little clunky then, but I'm running War Marshal and Krenko's Command so I feel fine playing all four.

4) Wardriver as a two-of was good. Might drop him completely in favor of Goblin King though. I never wanted to play him on turn two anyway, so he was basically a 3 drop for me.

5) Frenzied Goblin was never relevant in any of my matches. I do expect him to be useful during the times our opponent plays a Wurmcoil Engine or the like, but the times I was playing Tron and my opponent was able to get it out early I was pretty much dead anyway with the lifelink clause
keeping him in the game.

6) I REALLY want a way to deal with flood. Akki Avalanchers was okay but underwhelming in the early game. Being an x/1 doesn't help during the late game either, especially since his effect can only be used once per turn. Plese print a Goblin with firebreathing, Wizards! EDIT: maybe Spikeshot Elder is what I'm looking for.

7) I miss Goblin Guide. He would be a huge upgrade for the deck, but I'm sticking with my budget constraint for now. Plus I need to use the tickets for post-rotation Standard.

[deck]
Creatures (25)
4 Foundry Street Denizen
4 Legion Loyalist
1 Akki Avalanchers
2 Spikeshot Elder
4 Goblin Bushwhacker
4 Mogg War Marshal
4 Goblin Chieftain
2 Goblin King

Spells (15)
4 Lightning Bolt
3 Goblin Grenade
2 Dynacharge
4 Krenko's Command
2 Dragon Fodder

Lands (20)
20 Mountain

Sideboard (15)
3 Tormod's Crypt
2 Shattering Spree
2 Pithing Needle
2 Magma Spray
2 Combust
2 Dragon's Claw
2 Goblin King
[/deck]

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