Search found 22 matches

by Platypus
Mon Feb 03, 2014 12:18 am
Forum: Scalding Tarn (Modern)
Topic: [Article] - Winning my way into Modern.
Replies: 162
Views: 62485

Lo and behold, I have made a primer!

viewtopic.php?f=41&t=2275

Who would have thought that...

Still a work in progress, but it's a start. Let's move all UR Delver discussions there.
by Platypus
Sat Feb 01, 2014 7:51 pm
Forum: Scalding Tarn (Modern)
Topic: [Article] - Winning my way into Modern.
Replies: 162
Views: 62485

You're probably right about that. I realized when I wrote that about bad topdecks that I'm not sure I want to draw a second Pike either. So two is right. Well, it's a second Lavamancer then for now, but I'll hopefully have access to a third Snapcaster next time.
by Platypus
Sat Feb 01, 2014 7:03 pm
Forum: Scalding Tarn (Modern)
Topic: [Article] - Winning my way into Modern.
Replies: 162
Views: 62485

I think I'll try this one next time:

[deck]
Lands (18)
3 Scalding Tarn
1 Arid Mesa
4 Steam Vents
1 Faerie Conclave
3 Mountain
6 Island

Creatures (11)
4 Delver of Secrets
4 Young Pyromancer
2 Snapcaster Mage
1 Grim Lavamancer

Artifacts (3)
2 Runechanter's Pike
1 Isochron Scepter

Spells (28)
4 Serum Visions
4 Gitaxian Probe
4 Lightning Bolt
3 Magma Jet
3 Mana Leak
4 Remand
4 Vapor Snag
2 Spell Pierce

Sideboard (15)
2 Tormod's Crypt
3 Combust
2 Arc Trail
2 Pillar of Flame
1 Mana Leak
2 Negate
3 Flashfreeze
[/deck]

I'm tempted to try dropping the Scepter for a third Runechanter's Pike, because it was such a welcome draw. Isochron Scepter is good, but force you to keep some good stuff to imprint. It might be a bad topdeck, and it's often drawn late because it's a singleton. A second Lavamancer might be good as well. You don't want any wasted draws with this deck, that I
noticed yesterday.
by Platypus
Sat Feb 01, 2014 6:53 pm
Forum: Scalding Tarn (Modern)
Topic: [Article] - Winning my way into Modern.
Replies: 162
Views: 62485

I have to go with Arc Trail for the moment, since I have only one Forked Bolt and no Electrolyzes.
by Platypus
Sat Feb 01, 2014 1:03 pm
Forum: Scalding Tarn (Modern)
Topic: [Article] - Winning my way into Modern.
Replies: 162
Views: 62485

Yeah, I didn't expect to master it the first time. But a 2-2 result would have been nice. Felt a bit lost with the sideboarding as well.
by Platypus
Sat Feb 01, 2014 9:00 am
Forum: Scalding Tarn (Modern)
Topic: [Article] - Winning my way into Modern.
Replies: 162
Views: 62485

Lingering Souls seems to be popular around here as well, so something like Forked Bolt, Arc Trail, or Electrickery might be good. Or are there any better cheap 2-4-1s/sweepers that don't kill my stuff as well?
by Platypus
Fri Jan 31, 2014 10:45 pm
Forum: Scalding Tarn (Modern)
Topic: [Article] - Winning my way into Modern.
Replies: 162
Views: 62485

Ok, so some short notes.

Match 1: Gruul Zoo

I knew when I saw a Kird Ape first round that this would be tough. I've played enough Gruul Zoo myself to know how fast it can be. This deck had a full set of Tarmogoyfs as well, and when multiple of them hit the table it's hard to win. I realized that I need more anti-creature stuff in the deck. 0-2

Match 2: Domain Zoo of some kind

This match went better. First game went a bit grindy, but I managed to get a win. Second game I was in control and he got a bit mana flooded. Runechanter's Pike takes away large chunks of life. 2-0

Match 3: Mono Green Ramp

First game went really grindy, me with lots of creatures out, creating blockers with YP and holding the hordes of big creatures at bay with Pike-equipped creatures. In the end I just get overwhelmed though. Second game was a walk in the park. Removed every mana elf, got some Delvers flipped, a YP out and just was
in control the whole game. Third game needed to go fast, only five minutes left due to the lengthy first game. I kept a one lander. In my defense it was a Scalding Tarn, with two Delvers, one Magma Spray, one Lavamancer, and something else. Drew Delvers during the first rounds, I sat with them all either on the table or in my hand. Did they flip? No, not fast enough. Did I draw another land? No way...should have mulliganed that one after all. 1-2

Match 4: 4 Color Gifts

What can I say, don't have any graveyard manipulation so he had an inevitable win against me. 0-2

So 1-3 match record, I'm going to put the blame on lack of experience with the deck for this one. In general the deck felt solid, there's not much I want to change. The pikes were great to have, they either do damage quickly or create a big blocker (or attack, then blocker when you have the mana). The single Scepter stays for now, got to play it against the green deck. Don't think I want two though. Lavamancer was ok as well. The
spell section and sideboard need to be tweaked though. I need more spells that can handle creatures or protect mine. The fourth Vapor Snag might be worth it. And Magma Spray was ok, but I sometimes would have liked them to be Pillar of Flames in order to burn my opponent. So those I will change. Flame Slash might be needed to take down big creatures. So sideboard...I'm actually considering a couple of Flashfreeze, maybe three. They seem very flexible against our meta game, several green creatures, and many play with red spells (Bolt, Pillar, Helix) or Abrupt Decay. I could use Negate and Essence Scatter, but I think Flashfreeze might be better and more flexible. I need some anti-graveyard stuff. I think I will go with some Tormod's Crypts for now, don't have any Relic of Progenitus. Faerie Macabre might be better though, you usually just want to remove specific cards and instant speed would be nice to have. Surgical Extraction is another option, and those wouldn't disturb the Delver flipping either. What
else did I think about...right, creature protection. We seem to have a removal heavy meta, so I'm thinking Mizzium Skin? But maybe a full set of Vapor Snag is enough? Turn to Mist?

Oh, and despite my losses I got a promo Warleader's Helix. Got lucky in the random draw for one.
by Platypus
Fri Jan 31, 2014 11:45 am
Forum: Scalding Tarn (Modern)
Topic: [Article] - Winning my way into Modern.
Replies: 162
Views: 62485

Ok, last chance to grab one of the Warleader's Helix promos tonight. FNM Modern, so time to try this out:

[deck]
Lands (18)
3 Scalding Tarn
1 Arid Mesa
4 Steam Vents
1 Faerie Conclave
3 Mountain
6 Island

Creatures (11)
4 Delver of Secrets
4 Young Pyromancer
2 Snapcaster Mage
1 Grim Lavamancer

Artifacts (3)
2 Runechanter's Pike
1 Isochron Scepter

Spells (28)
4 Serum Visions
4 Gitaxian Probe
4 Lightning Bolt
2 Magma Spray
2 Magma Jet
3 Mana Leak
4 Remand
3 Vapor Snag
2 Spell Pierce

Sideboard (15)
1 Hibernation
3 Combust
2 Dispel
2 Hurkyl's Recall
2 Magma Spray
2 Shattering Blow
2 Negate
1 Mana Leak
[/deck]
by Platypus
Mon Jan 27, 2014 8:09 am
Forum: Scalding Tarn (Modern)
Topic: [Article] - Winning my way into Modern.
Replies: 162
Views: 62485

I agree, and I think the fetches are future Standard possible as well, once Shocklands leave. Snapcaster Mage, on the other hand, will never see Standard again. Which means it's event decks and Modern Masters 2 for him, and that won't lower the value much.
by Platypus
Mon Jan 27, 2014 6:34 am
Forum: Scalding Tarn (Modern)
Topic: [Article] - Winning my way into Modern.
Replies: 162
Views: 62485

I'm not that worried about it. But it's a good point. How high can those fetches go, really? They're bound to be reprinted sooner or later. Right now I could get three Snapcasters of my own for my two Verdant Catacombs (selling them for store credits). Perhaps I should go for it...those VCs aren't really working in any deck I want to play right now.
by Platypus
Sun Jan 26, 2014 11:03 pm
Forum: Scalding Tarn (Modern)
Topic: [Article] - Winning my way into Modern.
Replies: 162
Views: 62485

Right, so this is what I've sleeved up so far:

[deck]
Lands (18)
3 Scalding Tarn
1 Arid Mesa
4 Steam Vents
1 Faerie Conclave
3 Mountain
6 Island

Creatures (11)
4 Delver of Secrets
4 Young Pyromancer
2 Snapcaster Mage
1 Grim Lavamancer

Artifacts (3)
2 Runechanter's Pike
1 Isochron Scepter

Spells (28)
4 Serum Visions
4 Gitaxian Probe
4 Lightning Bolt
2 Magma Spray
2 Burst Lightning
4 Mana Leak
4 Remand
2 Vapor Snag
2 Spell Pierce

Sideboard (15)
1 Hibernation
3 Combust
2 Dispel
2 Hurkyl's Recall
2 Magma Spray
2 Shattering Blow
2 Gigadrowse
1 Vapor Snag
[/deck]

The Grim Lavamancer is supposed to be a Snapcaster Mage, I hope to be able to borrow the third one from another friend of mine. Dropped the Gigadrowses to the sideboard for now, but I debating whether to drop them and the single Hibernation completely. I'd be adding more counters in their place. Is Flashfreeze worth it?
n
Lands are a bit worrying as well. I can't do much about the fetches, and I don't have any Sulfur Falls or Shivan Reefs. Thinking about adding two City of Brass, but I don't like it. Other options (Gemstone Mine?) aren't good either.
by Platypus
Fri Jan 24, 2014 7:55 pm
Forum: Scalding Tarn (Modern)
Topic: [Article] - Winning my way into Modern.
Replies: 162
Views: 62485

Hmm...Squelch is a cantrip...
by Platypus
Fri Jan 24, 2014 7:40 pm
Forum: Scalding Tarn (Modern)
Topic: [Article] - Winning my way into Modern.
Replies: 162
Views: 62485

Have to put Shadow of Doubt on my to get list. Don't have any, and they're more expensive than I'd like right now. Trickbind instead as a budget alternative? As long as we're stopping fetchlands it should work. It isn't a cantrip though, that's a bummer.
by Platypus
Fri Jan 24, 2014 7:04 pm
Forum: Scalding Tarn (Modern)
Topic: [Article] - Winning my way into Modern.
Replies: 162
Views: 62485

Yeah, I have the Remands. Maybe I should drop the Gigadrowses to the sideboard at least, and don't try anything fancy as a first go. The Izzet Charms were just "I have to put something in there...but what?"
by Platypus
Fri Jan 24, 2014 6:52 pm
Forum: Scalding Tarn (Modern)
Topic: [Article] - Winning my way into Modern.
Replies: 162
Views: 62485

[deck]
Lands (18)
3 Scalding Tarn
1 Arid Mesa
4 Steam Vents
1 Faerie Conclave
3 Mountain
6 Island

Creatures (11)
4 Delver of Secrets
4 Young Pyromancer
3 Snapcaster Mage

Artifacts (3)
2 Runechanter's Pike
1 Isochron Scepter

Spells (28)
4 Serum Visions
4 Gitaxian Probe
4 Lightning Bolt
2 Magma Spray
2 Burst Lightning
2 Gigadrowse
4 Mana Leak
2 Remand
2 Vapor Snag
2 Spell Pierce

Sideboard (15)
1 Hibernation
3 Combust
2 Dispel
2 Hurkyl's Recall
2 Magma Spray
2 Shattering Blow
2 Izzet Charm
1 Vapor Snag
[/deck]

Very unsure about the SB to be honest, it feels like a pile. More confident with the maindeck. Oh well, it's a start.
by Platypus
Fri Jan 24, 2014 5:51 pm
Forum: Scalding Tarn (Modern)
Topic: [Article] - Winning my way into Modern.
Replies: 162
Views: 62485

@Alex, I always forget Hurkyl's Recall is Modern legal. A few of those will certainly go into the sideboard.

@Valdarith, I've seen your list, but for some reason I copied an earlier version into my OneNote deck repository. Good point on Threads and Needle. As for the rest, I currently don't have any Electrolyzes or Counterfluxes, and only one Hibernation. So I can't copy your SB as such.

I haven't decided on my maindeck yet. I really like the idea of a single Isochron Scepter, so I'm going to try that. I don't have four Snapcasters anyway, so it will take one of those slots. And I'm thinking of trying 1-2 Gigadrowse in the deck as well.
by Platypus
Fri Jan 24, 2014 9:17 am
Forum: Scalding Tarn (Modern)
Topic: [Article] - Winning my way into Modern.
Replies: 162
Views: 62485

I'm at work, going from memory, so here it goes :

[Deck]
Creature 12
4 Delver of Secrets
2 Grim Lavamancer
3 Snapcaster Mage
3 Young Pyromancer

Weapon 2
2 Runechanter's Pike

Spells 28
4 Lightning Bolt
2 Pillar of Flame
2 Burst Lightning
2 Vapor Snag
4 Serum Visions
4 Gitaxian Probe
2 Thought Scour
4 Mana Leak
2 Remand
2 Spell Pierce

Land 18
4 Scalding Tarn
2 Misty Rainforest
3 Steam Vents
1 Sulfur Falls
2 Mountain
4 Island
2 Mutavault
[/deck]

Trust me, there's plenty of room for tweaks.
I'm planning on trying this out in my next Modern FNM. I've acquired the Snapcasters (read: borrowed...) that was missing from this list (ok, my lands are a bit different). Any recent changes? Sideboard? I'm thinking
about adding a single Isochron Scepter for some lulz (in this case I'd change Pillar of Flame into Magma Spray).

As for sideboard: I'm thinking Molten Rain, Threads of Disloyalty, Magma Spray, Combust, Pithing Needle, Forked Bolt, Hibernation.

Has anyone tried cards like Exhaustion and Early Frost for some tempo play? But maybe that dilutes the deck too much for little gain?
by Platypus
Thu Dec 19, 2013 9:45 am
Forum: Scalding Tarn (Modern)
Topic: [Article] - Winning my way into Modern.
Replies: 162
Views: 62485

^Sleight of Hand instead of Serum Visions? For the cheaper version...
by Platypus
Fri Sep 20, 2013 6:54 am
Forum: Scalding Tarn (Modern)
Topic: [Article] - Winning my way into Modern.
Replies: 162
Views: 62485

From what I've played around (just goldfishing yet) with my modern (and my extended) goblin deck, here are some things I've noticed:

- Goblin Wardriver just feels so slow. I'd rather play two 1-drops on turn 2 than him. He feels more like a turn 4 play after Chieftain or together with Bushwhacker (if you can find 4 lands). I'd definitely drop them down to 2 and add an Akki Avalanchers. Perhaps just go with 2 Dynacharge instead of those last 2 Wardrivers.
- You want to drop two goblins on your second turn. Either 1-drops, War Marshal, or Krenko's Command. That way you can get 4 goblins with Chieftain on turn three, or 5 with 1-drop + Bushwhacker. In this case you just finish up on turn four. With Goblin Guides you can win on turn three, but there goes the budget version.
- Teetering Peaks can mess up some starting hands, but at 1-2 of them it isn't so bad. But I'm not sure it's worth it either.

This is what I'
d try:

[deck]
Creatures (25)
4 Foundry Street Denizen
4 Legion Loyalist
4 Goblin Bushwhacker
2 Frenzied Goblin
3 Akki Avalanchers
4 Mogg War Marshal
4 Goblin Chieftain

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

Lands (20)
20 Mountain

Sideboard (15)
3 Tormod's Crypt
2 Electrickery
2 Krenko's Mob Boss (might want an extra mountain in the side for him)
2 Pillar of Flame
2 Smash to Smithereens
2 Dragon's Claw
2 Combust
[/deck]
by Platypus
Thu Sep 19, 2013 8:22 pm
Forum: Scalding Tarn (Modern)
Topic: [Article] - Winning my way into Modern.
Replies: 162
Views: 62485

You might want to consider two Teetering Peaks, Dynacharges instead of Krenko's Command, and perhaps more Akki Avalanchers and less Wardrivers. Shouldn't affect the cost much. Looks good though.
by Platypus
Wed Sep 11, 2013 12:29 pm
Forum: Scalding Tarn (Modern)
Topic: [Article] - Winning my way into Modern.
Replies: 162
Views: 62485

(what kind of store doesn't offer store credit these days?)
The ones that don't sell singles...like mine. I should probably ask if price boosters can be used in future tournaments as buy-in. Could pay for a few drafts (if I ever win anything...).
by Platypus
Mon Jul 29, 2013 1:58 pm
Forum: Scalding Tarn (Modern)
Topic: [Article] - Winning my way into Modern.
Replies: 162
Views: 62485

Yet another reason why I love my 4 sideboard Rakdos Charm.
That would be the literal most brutal beats ever. One does not simply "forget" about a beating that bad.
The Seismic Assault version would be immune to Rakdos Charm, and perhaps safer altogether. How would that list look? just replace Zombie Infestation with Seismic Assault and the Swamps with Mountains? Or is the casting cost of SA too difficult without duals?

I want to play that deck! But my go-to place is all out of Reliquary Towers, wtf...!

About red/green lands in the AIR
deck, what about Karplusan Forest? It's cheaper than both Rootbound Crag and Copperline Gorge, and always comes untapped in play.

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