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by BlakLanner
Sat May 09, 2015 4:57 pm
Forum: Aggressive Variants
Topic: (POST ROTATION) JESKAI BURN
Replies: 1016
Views: 295965

(POST ROTATION) JESKAI BURN

If I were to drop the Regents and Ojutai, I would probably bring in 2 Brimaz, 2 Phoenix and the third Stance that I cut earlier. The Roars would go back to being Strikes, obviously. Having said that, my first impulse would be to bring back SBD, but I think he might simply die too often since I can't protect him with Stance.
by BlakLanner
Sat May 09, 2015 3:40 pm
Forum: Aggressive Variants
Topic: (POST ROTATION) JESKAI BURN
Replies: 1016
Views: 295965

(POST ROTATION) JESKAI BURN

Dragons are indeed an all or nothing sort of thing. Phoenix was high on my list before Regent. Perhaps I will test with it. I will miss Draconic Roar though. Have you had any issues with your Phoenix surviving a Drifting Death on the other side of the board?
by BlakLanner
Sat May 09, 2015 2:06 pm
Forum: Aggressive Variants
Topic: (POST ROTATION) JESKAI BURN
Replies: 1016
Views: 295965

(POST ROTATION) JESKAI BURN

Do you feel that Ashcloud is better than Thunderbreak? Can you reliably cast Brimaz with 15-16 white sources? I had to distort my manabase in order to get him on the field.
by BlakLanner
Sat May 09, 2015 6:24 am
Forum: Aggressive Variants
Topic: (POST ROTATION) JESKAI BURN
Replies: 1016
Views: 295965

(POST ROTATION) JESKAI BURN

I like it because it protects itself until I am ready to protect it myself. Stormbreaths just die to Stoke/Price these days. As for the rest of my list, still tweaking the Slash/Stance/Anticipate/Dig numbers.
by BlakLanner
Sun May 03, 2015 5:31 pm
Forum: Aggressive Variants
Topic: (POST ROTATION) JESKAI BURN
Replies: 1016
Views: 295965

I have found that I have been playing more reactive as of late. This could be because of the heavy Atarka Red presence in my meta and on MODO. Trying this loadout for IQs next week (found out that I am still a few points short of an Invitational invite).

[deck]Jeskai[/deck]

Basically, I cut a Slash and a Stance for two Anticipates for selection and, even though I don't like it, moved to Digs so I can take advantage of doing things at instant speed. Mana base skewed more toward blue to help with this. I am back to Glare in the sideboard due to an uptick of Elspeth, Sorin, and Heroic. The Clever Impersonator is something I am toying with. It has been a lovely little surprise that has copied Drifting Death, Atarka, Garruk, and Ugin so far. At worst it is a Siege Rhino, at best it opens up the game for us.
by BlakLanner
Fri May 01, 2015 10:19 pm
Forum: Aggressive Variants
Topic: (POST ROTATION) JESKAI BURN
Replies: 1016
Views: 295965

I am very curious as to what he fought against. Pre-boarded counters is neat and all but I question the offense and staying power of his threats. I have no idea how that list beats control outside of a large number of his 11 burn spells.
by BlakLanner
Mon Apr 27, 2015 6:31 pm
Forum: Aggressive Variants
Topic: (POST ROTATION) JESKAI BURN
Replies: 1016
Views: 295965

Something I need to work on that I forgot to include: I really need to work out a sideboard plan for the various Abzan strategies, especially aggro. I was pretty much winging it and it wasn't all that consistent. I really am indecisive on bringing in Negate to stop all the removal they have that Stance can't defend against.
by BlakLanner
Mon Apr 27, 2015 2:32 am
Forum: Aggressive Variants
Topic: (POST ROTATION) JESKAI BURN
Replies: 1016
Views: 295965

Tournament Report - SCG Cleveland (69th)
[deck]Jeskai[/deck]

Round 1 - Jeskai Tokens (2-1)
Win die roll
Game 1: Mull 6. Opponent curves Seeker into Ascendency into triple Stoke.
Game 2: Opponent didn't see Ascendency and got beaten down by two Regents
Game 3: Multiple Mantis Riders helped along by opposing pain lands make this one easy.
1-0

Round 2 - Esper Dragons (2-0) Fake feature match vs Lauren Nolan
Win die roll
Game 1: Soulfire and burn easily brings this home. I didn't see much opposition.
Game 2: My little stuff dies. I counter his Ojutai and he gets it back with Haven. I have to Stance and then Charm it to the top of his deck. I then drop a pair of Regents to finish the job.
2-0

Round 3 - Jeskai Tokens (1-2)
Lose die roll
Game 1: I beat him down to 5 when he end steps a Raise, then goes off with Ascendency for 10 points of lifelink. I lose the ensuing race.
Game 2: My opponent had a slow hand and died to Regent.
Game 3: On the draw and having seen my opponent mulligan, I kept a risky hand of Soulfire, Seeker, Erase, Glare, Epiphany, Shivan Reef, Mountain. I figured that I had 4 looks to find a white source and would easily win if I saw it. I didn't see the white source until I used a Dig on turn 5 and it was the 6th card down. I was hanging on with a Rabblemaster but lost to a lifelink attack and topdecked Stoke. It didn't pan out but I probably would keep that hand again.
2-1

Round 4 - Temur Aggro (2-0)
Win die roll
Game 1: Opponent drops two Rabblemasters but I had 3 Mantis Riders to counter. I dodged a fatal Crater's Claws by one mana.
Game 2: My opponent stalled early and gave me time to remove his little stuff and drop Regent + Rider to finish him.
3-1

Round 5 - Esper Dragons (1-2)
Win die roll
Game 1: Rabblemaster with Stance for protection and burn to finish finishes this one fast.
Game 2: I stalled on two lands for 4 turns which gave him time to develop. I never was in this game.
Game 3: Mull to 5, Opponent mull to 6. This was an epic game. A few early trades has him digging for an answer to Regent. He finds it on a Dig but gives me an opening to land Keranos. Keranos hits 4 times but I brick on my last three draws looking for a burn spell or another hit. I am unsure about my decision to mull my opener. I had Keranos, Disdainful, Temple, 4 other lands on the play. I ended up sending it back but wonder if that was correct. Perhaps if I had more than one Temple.
3-2

Round 6 - Sultai Reanimator (2-1)
Lose die roll
Game 1: I see 11 lands and stupidly forget that Dragonlord Silumgar has deathtouch when I block and Slash it. I probably lose anyway if I don't but still a very bad play.
Game 2: Rabblemaster makes this one easy. No real resistance.
Game 3: A slower game. I Anger after his Sidisi gets a token and drop a Rider. I Charm his Dragonlord Atarka to the top to buy timeand drop a replacement Rider. It ends up enough as I finish with burn.
4-2

Round 7 - Abzan Aggro (2-1)
Win die roll
Game 1: I kill his two early creatures and let Rabblemaster get there.
Game 2: I have to burn out two Rhinos and end up losing the race.
Game 3: My opponent stalls on three lands with two Rhinos in hand. I had Strokes for them but he still puts up quite a fight killing three Riders and a Regent before dying to burn.
5-2

Round 8 - Abzan Aggro (2-0)
Lose die roll
Game 1: Opponent stalls out and Rabblemaster takes advantage.
Game 2: I flood out but a Rider and timely Glare for her Brimaz buys me enough time to draw action.
6-2

Round 9 - Abzan Midrange (2-0)
Game 1: He knocks out my early creatures and lands a Whisperwood but Ojutai and burn is enough to win the race.
Game 2: I flooded badly but he was unable to interact with my Mantis Rider long enough to get there.
7-2


After day 1 I was feeling pretty comfortable. I had most likely secured enough points for an invite to the Invitational and was still quite live to do well.


Round 10 - Abzan Aggro (1-2)
Lose die roll
Game 1: Mantis Rider and burn handles this one easily.
Game 2: Saw 12 lands and not much else.
Game 3: This was a close game. He gets a pair of Death Dealers on the board and drops a Sorin to get 6 points of lifelink in. I glare the Sorin and try to race. I brick on two draws and a Treasure Cruise looking for a final burn spell or Rider while he topdecks a Rhino for the last three damage.
7-3

Round 11 - GW Megamorph (2-0)
Lose die roll
Game 1: Soulfire and burn is enough to race a pair of Fleecemane Lions.
Gane 2: I take a control role and drop an early Anger and burn out everything else afterwards. Mantis Rider to finish.
8-3

Round 12 - Atarka Red (1-2)
Win die roll
Game 1: Seeker, Rider and burn are a perfect draw.
Game 2: I keep based on having Anger and Regent. He only plays two creatures all game and finishes me off with 6 burn spells between my end step and his main phase, much to the surprise to myself and the spectators.
Game 3: I don't see any cheap removal again and my pain lands cause problems in a close race. He plays Swiftspear into Hall of Triumph for exactsies.
8-4

Round 13 - RG Dragons (0-2)
Game 1: Opponent has three Draconic Roar, two Stormbreath Dragons and an Atarka. I burn out the SBDs and pray to draw one more burn to finish him. Bricked for three turns and lost.
Game 2: I fail to find my second red source until turn 7 with 2 Regents and 2 Stokes. He plays turn 4 Xenagos into back to back Atarkas after I kill the first. Dig misses on an answer.
8-5

Round 14 - Abzan Control (1-2)
Game 1: I can't get anything going while he drops two Rhinos and Elspeth.
Game 2: Opponent was removal light and I wond with Soulfire, Mantis, and burn.
Game 3: Opponent plays Rhinos on turns 4, 5, and 6. I Stance one, double burn the second, and try to block the third with a Regent and Charm but he has an Abzan Charm for the Regent and I die.
8-6

Round 15 - Mono Red (2-1)
Game 1: He kills two Mantis Riders, a Seeker, and a Soulfire but my third Mantis is enough to win.
Game 2: I drew all four of my pain lands. I kept it close but could not handle all the damage I was dealing myself.
Game 3: Opponent mulliganed to 4 and was never really in it.
9-6

I ended up placing 69th and missing on prizes. It was a clean cut at 9-5-1 so tiebreakers were not an issue. It was an incredibly disappointing and frustrating end to the tournament and the second straight time I do well on day 1 only to go 2-4 on day 2. I lost to what should have been good matchups as well. I need to find some way to convert these chances into wins. Luck was varied. I bricked a lot looking for a final burn spell but was able to take advantage of opponents stumbling quite a bit as well. I am not sure I ever found anything useful on my Digs or Cruises though.

Overall, I was reasonably pleased with the deck. I certainly found the Charms useful. I am likely going to remove the Glares and maybe even the Erase for Radiant Purges. Death Dealers were troublesome all weekend as my opponents were wisely not dropping their regenerate shields at all. Purge gets me around that. I missed my Deflecting Palms in a few fights as well. Drawing one against any Atarka would have ended the game on the spot. My Seekers did very little overall and my Rabblemasters did much better than expected.

Likely Changes:
Main Deck
-1 Dig Through Time (Always main phased and never found anything)
-3 Seeker of the Way (Did very little)
+1 Soulfire Grand Master (Excellent throughout the day)
+1 Goblin Rabblemaster (Did well enough to earn its slot back)
+2 Jeskai Charm (Solid all day, gives me room in the sideboard)

Sideboard
-2 Jeskai Charm (To the main deck)
-2 Glare of Heresy (Hitting the Sorin and Brimaz were nice but I don't think the game changes if I don't)
-1 Erase (Whip still exists but that is about all I fear)
+3 Radiant Purge (Exile every creature Glare hits as well as Death Dealer and Atarka)
+2 Deflecting Palm (I missed these today. I also saw some Heroic decks around where I would want it as well)
by BlakLanner
Fri Apr 24, 2015 7:44 pm
Forum: Aggressive Variants
Topic: (POST ROTATION) JESKAI BURN
Replies: 1016
Views: 295965

Based on card availability (stupid USPS) and a slight epiphany I had, I have updated the previously posted list. I think this is what I will sleeve up tomorrow.
by BlakLanner
Fri Apr 24, 2015 2:44 am
Forum: Aggressive Variants
Topic: (POST ROTATION) JESKAI BURN
Replies: 1016
Views: 295965

Translation: I am looking for solutions to problems that don't exist. Sideboard edited.
by BlakLanner
Fri Apr 24, 2015 2:09 am
Forum: Aggressive Variants
Topic: (POST ROTATION) JESKAI BURN
Replies: 1016
Views: 295965

Purge is something I am trying as an alternative to Glare that also hits annoying things like Rakshasa Deathdealer. I lose the ability to hit Elspeth and Sorin, but gain instant speed.

The cards I would need for RG or Esper are on loan.

The real trick is trying to figure out how much Abzan Aggro I will fight. That deck is really throwing a wrench in the works with regards to my sideboard.

Or I could just be desperate and out of my mind and should go back to my original plans.
by BlakLanner
Fri Apr 24, 2015 1:39 am
Forum: Aggressive Variants
Topic: (POST ROTATION) JESKAI BURN
Replies: 1016
Views: 295965

Two options for Cleveland:

[deck]Jeskai[/deck]

The second option cuts the Regents, swaps the Roars for Strikes, and adds 2 Stormbreath Dragon and 2 Seeker of the Way. I might want both Radiant Purge and Surge of Righteousness.
by BlakLanner
Thu Apr 23, 2015 8:32 pm
Forum: Aggressive Variants
Topic: (POST ROTATION) JESKAI BURN
Replies: 1016
Views: 295965

Not keen on Thunderbreak? How does this fare against the other decks?
by BlakLanner
Tue Apr 21, 2015 8:10 pm
Forum: Aggressive Variants
Topic: (POST ROTATION) JESKAI BURN
Replies: 1016
Views: 295965

This is what I will likely play at Cleveland:
[deck]Jeskai[/deck]

Circle of Flame was great but didn't come in very much. It also felt a bit like overkill. Surge is a nice alternative that I can bring in against Abzan as well. The only card I am not 100% sold on is Anticipate. The selection is nice but finding time to cast it is difficult unless playing against control. Alternatives include a single Jeskai Charm, Stormbreath Dragon, Dig Through Time (if I change a Triumph to an Epiphany), or Treasure Cruise.
by BlakLanner
Tue Apr 14, 2015 6:57 pm
Forum: Aggressive Variants
Topic: (POST ROTATION) JESKAI BURN
Replies: 1016
Views: 295965

There is no way that I would ever cut Anger. This is in addition to that.
by BlakLanner
Tue Apr 14, 2015 5:16 pm
Forum: Aggressive Variants
Topic: (POST ROTATION) JESKAI BURN
Replies: 1016
Views: 295965

How so? It stops their tokens, Berzerker, and Denizen unless they have Command. I only need it to slow him down, not brick wall him completely.
by BlakLanner
Tue Apr 14, 2015 1:30 pm
Forum: Aggressive Variants
Topic: (POST ROTATION) JESKAI BURN
Replies: 1016
Views: 295965

We can go back and forth about this until the day I finally die but this is not the place.

On a more productive note, I think I am going to cut the Brimaz for a second Grand Master and fourth Seeker. This will let me remove the skew towards white in my color base. For the sideboard, I will cut the Sarkhan and one Glare to add two Circle of Flame to help against mono red since I will be losing the blocker. I will also trade in one Negate for one Disdainful Stroke. I really want to replace the last two Lightning Strikes for Draconic Roar as they have been so good for me but I will wait and see how much more control shows up after its performance at the PT.
by BlakLanner
Mon Apr 13, 2015 7:44 pm
Forum: Aggressive Variants
Topic: (POST ROTATION) JESKAI BURN
Replies: 1016
Views: 295965

I can't tolerate emotional decisions in others or myself.
I used to be like you. Then things fell apart. You would start to get emotional too if everything you did ended up in failure. It tends to make one more desperate and willing to take crazy risks. Not just referring to Magic, btw.
by BlakLanner
Mon Apr 13, 2015 5:35 pm
Forum: Aggressive Variants
Topic: (POST ROTATION) JESKAI BURN
Replies: 1016
Views: 295965

23 lands is not variance. You need 25.
I was repeatedly flooding horribly at 24 as it was. Even on 23 I only stalled out twice when I didn't mull to 5. I flooded out about as often as I stalled. At FNM the night before I never stalled but flooded in 4 out of 9 games. With 6 scries and 3 Anticipates, I should be ok. I operate very well on 4 lands and never want more than 6.
The fact is Jeskai already has ambitious color requirements and you pumped my variance into your manabase by adding several dual colored cards AND cutting mana-sources.
I do not argue that the color requirements are being difficult. The one without blue I was frustrated but understood since I am only on 12 blue sources. The one where I saw no red hurt. I am seriously considering cutting the Brimaz to lower my need for white mana and add some blue and possibly another red. I just don't know what to put in their place. Perhaps a second Soulfire and the fourth Seeker even if they are lower impact.
by BlakLanner
Mon Apr 13, 2015 5:23 am
Forum: Aggressive Variants
Topic: (POST ROTATION) JESKAI BURN
Replies: 1016
Views: 295965

Tournament Report - SCG States NY - Standard (29th)

[deck]Jeskai[/deck]

Round 1 - Jeskai Myth 2-0
Win die roll
I am not sure this was a real deck as my opponent only showed me two or three cards total in two games. I saw Myth Realized and Monastery Siege.
1-0

Round 2 - Mardu Dragons 0-2
Win die roll
G1: Mull 5, Opponent mull 6. I saw no red mana and died pretty fast.
G2: He burned down my early plays and landed a Sarkhan I had trouble removing. He then dropped a Stormbreath that I killed twice but was re-bought each time with Haven of the Spirit Dragon
1-1

Round 3 - RG Monsters 2-0
G1: Mull 6. I stall on 2 mana for a few turns but he keeps blocking my Seeker and I throw out a cheap burn spell to kill his blocker and gain 12 life overall. I start hitting land drops and burn him out in a somewhat close race.
G2: A game I had no right to win. He has 2 Thunderbreak, a Stormbreath, and 2 Coursers and sits there against my Thunderbreak, Mantis Rider, Soulfire, and Brimaz while I continually buy back Draconic Roar to hit him and gain 6 each turn, knocking out his mana creatures and Ashcloud Phoenix. He had a reasonable chance of winning a straight race, even with Soulfire on my side.
2-1

Round 4 - Mono Red 2-1
G1: Opponent mull 6. Opponent opens with Mana Confluence and takes 8 damage off it over the game. I burn his two Swiftspears and let a pair of Thunderbreaks finish the job.
G2: Mull 6. I kept a slightly land heavy 6 and drew zero nonland cards all game.
G3: My opponent started very early with burn and no creatures. I dropped a pair of Seekers and started beating in and dropped a Stormbreath to finish the job.
3-1

Round 5 - Jeskai Tokens 1-2
G1: Mull 5. Stalled on two lands and died.
G2: I glare his Ascendency and drop a pair of Thunderbreaks. A timely Negate on his Stoke targeting one of them seals this game.
G3: Mull 6. My first three lands are Battlefield Forge. I manage to hold out even with the pain lands, never seeing blue until he drops an Elspeth late. I draw a tapped blue source a turn later but it is too late. Held Dig, Negate, Stroke, Anticipate in hand at that point.
3-2

Round 6 - GW Devotion
G1: I kept a two land hand with two Temples but didn't see land 3 until it was too late.
G2: His draw was a bit slow and I dropped multiple dragons on his head.
G3: A slow start for both of us. He bricks on a pair of Genesis Hydras and he rage concedes. I was starting to lose control of the game at that point as well since my draw was mediocre at best.
4-2

Round 7 - RB Dragons
G1: A Soulfire drops two opposing Thunderbreaks with Stokes but he plays Ambuscade Shaman into Stormbreath into a dashed Heelcutter that takes out my last blocker to finish me off.
G2: He stalled on two lands, had his Dragon Whisperer Roared at as soon as it lands, and I drop two Mantis Riders.
G3: I kept a slow hand and drew a few extra lands while he beats me with a Lightning Berserker. I end up trading off his attacker with Thunderbreaks to stabilize. He Roars away Mantis Rider showing me Kolaghan. At 6 life, I hold up Disdainful Stroke and attack with my only creature with him holding two cards when he Kolaghan's Commands me to shock me and buy back the Berserker and hit me for exactsies. He never cast the dragon.
4-3


Wins
Soulfire Grand Master: The card was excellent every time I had him. I probably want to bump him up to two.

Seeker of the Way: Won me at least one game with the lifelink.


Losses
Colored Mana: Several issues with color screw cost me games.

Dig Through Time: Instant speed was nice but couldn't cast it at least twice due to double blue. Never got me what I wanted.


Notes
This was a very wierd tournament. Lots of variance and games I should never have won. I certainly think I could have done better, R7G3 especially. Perhaps I mulligan the slow hand or drop my shields to deploy another threat. I definitely need to reevaluate how I sideboard as a few of my lost games had dead cards in hand that I perhaps should have boarded out.

I have been thinking about cutting the Brimaz for something else in order to smooth out my mana base. I have to skew heavily to white in order to cast him on time. Not sure what I would do from there.
by BlakLanner
Mon Apr 06, 2015 3:45 pm
Forum: Aggressive Variants
Topic: (POST ROTATION) JESKAI BURN
Replies: 1016
Views: 295965

This is my next version for testing. It has shown some promise so far.

[deck]Jeskai[/deck]

I decided to cut the Charm altogether since I am not sure how many racing situations I might actually get into. I didn't use lifelink mode at all in the Open. Cutting that and the Chandra gave me room for the 4th Slash and 3rd Anticipate to help me dig better. I am experimenting with cutting one Cruise for a Dig just to see how reliably I can cast it when I want it and if the instant factor is of more use than extra cards.

I cut the Chandra and Narset in the sideboard for 2 Deflecting Palms to help fight against RG. I really want to try out Narset more but I think having something to help fight against the new menace is more important than a 1-of in the sideboard for the control fight. The only card I could realistically see cutting to put her back in is Sarkhan. I think he is more valuable in the RG fight than Narset will be against control. Eventually, testing will decide that.
by BlakLanner
Mon Apr 06, 2015 12:55 am
Forum: Aggressive Variants
Topic: (POST ROTATION) JESKAI BURN
Replies: 1016
Views: 295965

Tournament Report - SCG Open Syracuse

[deck]Jeskai[/deck]

I was unable to get any real testing on this deck before the event (people on Cockatrice really suck) other than some input from the forum. I just knew that I wanted to get off Rabblemaster as the ground has gotten more and more clogged and that I wanted to try out a few of the new cards from DTK.

Round 1: Abzan Constellation (2-0)
G1: Opponent mulled to 5 but drew 4 lands off Courser and 2 off of Eidolon of Blossoms to put up a close fight that I managed to eke out with Thunderbreak.
G2: Opponent mulled to 4 and got ran over.
1-0

Round 2: GW Devotion (2-1)
G1: A close race that I won with fliers, most importantly Stormbreath Dragon and its protection from white stopping Dromoka's Command.
G2: I mulled to 5 and put up a bit of a fight but he gained 50 life and I never saw my sweeper.
G3: He had 2x Caryatid and 1x Voyaging Satyr on turn 3. I played a Brimaz on turn 3 and an Anger on turn 4. The game ended right there.
2-0

Round 3: UB Control (0-2)
G1: I drew 9 lands and nothing else but dead cards for the matchup and died horribly.
G2: His Dragonlord Silumgar stole my Thunderbreak and I saw none of my sideboard with witch to fight back.
2-1

Round 4: Esper Control (2-0)
G1: I played a few Mantis Riders and Draconic Roared the one he stole. Relatively easy win.
G2: Keranos and burn beats 2x Silumgar.
3-1

Round 5: Abzan Aggro (2-1)
G1: Opponent stalled on 3 lands with no white mana.
G2: I mistook him for a larger deck and sided out my Slashes incorrectly. He beats me down with Death Dealers and Rhinos.
G3: Opponent mulled to 5 and Seeker plus Brimaz was able to beat his slower draw, even with two Rhinos.
4-1

Round 6: Esper Control (1-2)
G1: I kept what I thought was a reasonable hand but it was way too slow for what he had.
G2: I kept a very reactive hand, dropped a Rider and a Thunderbreak and protected them to win.
G3: Drew too many Glares when, as I found out later, he borded out his Narsets. He had more counters than I had threats.
4-2

Round 7: GW Devotion (2-1)
G1: I swear that he snuck in a Raptor during one of our turns but I couldn't convince a judge that I was right. Guy didn't speak much English and I couldn't follow all his movements. I probably lose this game anyway.
G2: I kill his mana dorks and let Mantis, Thunderbreak, and Stormbreath beat him down.
G3: Opponent mulls to 5 against triple Mantis Rider. Justice.
5-2

Round 8: Esper Control (2-0)
G1: Opponent mulled to 6, missed his 4th land drop for a turn and I protected my Seeker and Regent long enough to win.
G2: Opponent again missed 4th land drop for a few turns. Beat him down with an Ojutai that I protected with a very reactive hand.
6-2

Round 9: Abzan Aggro (1-2)
G1: It was a major attrition battle where both of us had no hands, 7+ lands and playing off the top of our deck. He drew Fleecemane Lion, I drew Stormbreath. I win that fight.
G2: I ran out of removal and he dropped a raided Roc into Sorin.
G3: Mulled to 6, kept Plains, Temple, Glare, Roar, Strike, Rider. I never see land 3 and he plays back to back Rhinos.
6-3


After day 1 I felt pretty good, even with the last round loss. I had only won two of the die rolls (and lost those matches) and the deck was playing reasonably well aside from some variance issues. I got a reasonable night's sleep and prepared for day 2.


Round 10: Jeskai Aggro (0-2)
G1: I keep a two land hand and draw two more. Only problem is that I had all 3 Plains in my deck at that point.
G2: I tried to put up a fight but ended up drawing 11 lands by the end.
6-4

Round 11: Abzan Aggro (0-2)
G1: Stalled on two lands and drew all my Treasure Cruises.
G2: I removed some early creatures but drew 10 lands (and had 3 more on top of my deck) against multiple Rhinos.
6-5

Round 12: Jeskai Aggro (2-0)
Simply put, this was a textbook mirror match. Removed his threats and protected my own.
7-5

Round 13: Mono Red (2-1)
G1: Opponent started slow which gave my Riders time to win the race. Valorous Stance proved essential.
G2: Opponent played Denizen, Fodder, Outburst, Fodder and I didn't see a sweeper.
G3: Removal and Mantis Rider beats make this one look simple.
8-5

Round 14: RG Dragons (0-2)
G1: He double Draconic Roar, with reveal, my Stormbreath in a slower game. I can't catch up from there.
G2: Multiple Draconic Roar into Ashcloud with a Craters Claws finisher.
8-6

Round 15: RG Dragons (0-2)
G1: He had Roar, Ashcloud, and Claws. I had little to fight back with.
G2: I managed to keep my head above water with removal for a while but end up drawing 11 lands and bricking on 2 Treasure Cruises before he finishes me off with Craters Claws.
8-7


This was a very disappointing finish to a reasonable start. I feel like variance wasn't on my side today. I mentioned my worst floods but still often ended up with 7-8 lands in a lot of games.


Wins
23 lands: I know people were saying that I was nuts for playing less than 24 but I still drew a ton of them. The scries and Anticipates proved enough to give me what I needed. I would not want to go lower than 23 just for consistency sake. I did win a lot of games with 4-6 in play and I don't want to jeopardize that.

Draconic Roar: This card was great. I only had it truly dead once in a control matchup, even if some of those non-dead points were hitting creatures he stole from me. About 2/3 of the time, I had a dragon for extra value but didn't feel bad if I didn't as I would have used a Lightning Strike anyway. I don't think I want to increase the count any more just to protect against it being dead.

Brimaz: This card won me a lot of games where Rabblemaster would not have. His extra resilience to removal and vigilance made a big difference.

Thunderbreak Regent: Unless I needed a specific answer to something, I was never unhappy to see it. My opponents cringed every time they tried to remove it and I watched their shoulders slump any time I managed to protect it.

Anger of the Gods: The key to beating GW Devotion is to drop one early.

Keranos: Won every time he hit the board.


Losses
Chandra: Nearly dead all day. I almost always wanted to play a different 4 drop when I had her. Outpost Siege would have been no better in those spots so she will probably just get cut to put the Slash back in the deck. I might keep the sideboard copy out of stubbornness.

Jeskai Charm: I burned a few faces and bounced a creature but never lifelinked it. Not sure if I want to keep it as it got awkward farily often.

3 Treasure Cruises: I feel like I drew far too many that I could never cast and often shaved one during sideboarding. Might cut to 2.


Draws
Dragonlord Ojutai: Cast 3 times, resolved once. Won the game due to protection but most other spells would have done it there. I will keep it in just in case.

Anticipate: It was neat and did help smooth my draws but I had a lot of trouble finding the time to cast it. I may go up to 3 just to see if it helps if I see it more.

Narset: Only saw it once. It missed and died to a Downfall. Will keep in for now until testing shows I should do otherwise.


Matchup notes
RG Dragons: This matchup is hard. We really need a game plan to fight this deck. They hit harder and nearly as fast as we do, especially with easier access to Searing Blaze mode on Roar. They are keeping Ashclouds around so maybe bringing in Anger to neuter them and their mana creatures is a start.

Esper Control: I played against 4-ish of these on day 1. Dragonlord Silumgar is a pain. We have to have a sideboard plan to deal with them. These were the only matches where I wish I had kept in Rabblemaster. They really, really hate Thunderbreak.

Changes
Most likely going to try the following:
-1 Chandra, -1 Jeskai Charm, +1 Anticipate, +1 Wild Slash
I need to find a better plan for RG but not sure where to go after Stoke and Anger. Maybe it is time to put Deflecting Palm back in the board like I had the last time it was popular.
by BlakLanner
Fri Apr 03, 2015 3:18 pm
Forum: Aggressive Variants
Topic: (POST ROTATION) JESKAI BURN
Replies: 1016
Views: 295965

I hate these weeks prior to MODO release. I have no idea if I want to run my default list of the one with the two Anticpates for the Open this weekend.
by BlakLanner
Thu Apr 02, 2015 2:36 pm
Forum: Aggressive Variants
Topic: (POST ROTATION) JESKAI BURN
Replies: 1016
Views: 295965

Thinking of shaving the Chandra and one Slash from my list above to get 2 Anticipate. I don't want to lose the engine Chandra provides but this might make the deck run a little smoother.

Edit: Changed my mind. -1 Jeskai Charm (even though I really like having 2), -1 Wild Slash, +2 Anticipate.
by BlakLanner
Wed Apr 01, 2015 6:33 pm
Forum: Aggressive Variants
Topic: (POST ROTATION) JESKAI BURN
Replies: 1016
Views: 295965

I am almost positive that one Dragonlord will replace a Stormbreath in my deck. The hexproof is quite valuable if I need to use him as a blocker.
by BlakLanner
Mon Mar 30, 2015 2:43 pm
Forum: Aggressive Variants
Topic: (POST ROTATION) JESKAI BURN
Replies: 1016
Views: 295965

Next edition of the deck after looking at the Invi and Open results:

[deck]Jeskai[/deck]
by BlakLanner
Fri Mar 27, 2015 6:42 am
Forum: Aggressive Variants
Topic: (POST ROTATION) JESKAI BURN
Replies: 1016
Views: 295965

For your consideration given that people are really starting to hate on Rabblemaster and red aggro is very likely to be a thing, especially early on:

[deck]
Creatures
2 Brimaz, King of Oreskos
4 Mantis Rider
3 Seeker of the Way
2 Stormbreath Dragon
4 Thunderbreak Regent

Spells
2 Jeskai Charm
4 Lightning Strike
4 Stoke the Flames
3 Treasure Cruise
3 Valorous Stance
4 Wild Slash

Planeswalkers
1 Chandra, Pyromaster
1 Narset Transcendent

Land
1 Mountain
1 Island
3 Plains
3 Flooded Strand
4 Mystic Monastery
2 Temple of Epiphany
4 Temple of Triumph
2 Shivan Reef
3 Battlefield Forge

Sideboard
3 Anger of the Gods
1 Chandra, Pyromaster
2 Disdainful Stroke
2 Erase
3 Glare of Heresy
1 Keranos, God of Storms
1 Narset Transcendent
2 Negate
[/deck]
by BlakLanner
Fri Mar 13, 2015 8:10 pm
Forum: Aggressive Variants
Topic: (POST ROTATION) JESKAI BURN
Replies: 1016
Views: 295965

I also wanted a flyer that punishes people for trying to remove it.
by BlakLanner
Fri Mar 13, 2015 8:00 pm
Forum: Aggressive Variants
Topic: (POST ROTATION) JESKAI BURN
Replies: 1016
Views: 295965

Now that the full set is spoiled I can say that I am less than impressed as to what this will do for our deck. This is my starting point for next seasion:

[deck=Jeskai (DRK)]
Creatures
3 Goblin Rabblemaster
4 Mantis Rider
3 Seeker of the Way
2 Thunderbreak Regent

Spells
1 Elspeth, Sun's Champion
2 Jeskai Charm
4 Lightning Strike
2 Narset Transcendent
2 Sarkhan, the Dragonspeaker
4 Stoke the Flames
3 Treasure Cruise
3 Valorous Stance
3 Wild Slash

Lands
2 Battlefield Forge
4 Flooded Strand
1 Island
2 Mountain
4 Mystic Monastery
3 Plains
2 Shivan Reef
2 Temple of Epiphany
4 Temple of Triumph

Sideboard
3 Anger of the Gods
2 Brimaz, King of Oreskos
2 Disdainful Stroke
2 Erase
3 Glare of Heresy
1 Keranos, God of Storms
2 Negate
[/deck]
by BlakLanner
Mon Feb 23, 2015 4:28 pm
Forum: Aggressive Variants
Topic: (POST ROTATION) JESKAI BURN
Replies: 1016
Views: 295965

I liked Phoenix when I had room for it. I stopped when everyone started playing more exile effects. As far as Crater's Claws, I would rather play Miindswipe since ferocious is so hard to us to trigger. May as well try for some extra value.
by BlakLanner
Mon Feb 23, 2015 4:13 pm
Forum: Aggressive Variants
Topic: (POST ROTATION) JESKAI BURN
Replies: 1016
Views: 295965

I prefer Cruise myself but it is hard to argue against 4 of either.
by BlakLanner
Fri Feb 20, 2015 2:48 pm
Forum: Aggressive Variants
Topic: (POST ROTATION) JESKAI BURN
Replies: 1016
Views: 295965

I never was a fan of Roc in this deck. Having a 5 drop that relies on other creatures attacking just to get its value seems a bit off with only 12-16 in our deck.
by BlakLanner
Wed Feb 18, 2015 4:45 pm
Forum: Aggressive Variants
Topic: (POST ROTATION) JESKAI BURN
Replies: 1016
Views: 295965

I definitely don't like Dissolve. The only card I care about that isn't hit by Stroke or Negate is Anafenza and I have Glare and Stance to knock that out.

Hybridizing Juza's list, I came up with this. Submitting for opinions:

[deck]Jeskai[/deck]

I would like to fit in a second Erase and the Elspeth but I don't think I can without giving up the Deflecting Palms that have saved my ass so many times.
by BlakLanner
Tue Feb 17, 2015 5:56 pm
Forum: Aggressive Variants
Topic: (POST ROTATION) JESKAI BURN
Replies: 1016
Views: 295965

Maybe it is because I use the other two modes often enough that I might feel the loss. I can certainly see running less than 4. I am certainly going to spend some time looking at the list and massaging the numbers.
by BlakLanner
Tue Feb 17, 2015 5:05 pm
Forum: Aggressive Variants
Topic: (POST ROTATION) JESKAI BURN
Replies: 1016
Views: 295965

He completely cut the Jeskai Charms. Interesting. I am not sure how I feel about that.
by BlakLanner
Thu Feb 12, 2015 4:31 pm
Forum: Aggressive Variants
Topic: (POST ROTATION) JESKAI BURN
Replies: 1016
Views: 295965

I kinda like the Alesha as a way to rebuy Rabblemasters. I am not sure if it is worth it for my deck as it would be replacing Brimaz but I will at least consider such a thing for the sideboard in removal heavy fights.
by BlakLanner
Sun Feb 08, 2015 1:19 pm
Forum: Aggressive Variants
Topic: (POST ROTATION) JESKAI BURN
Replies: 1016
Views: 295965

I also managed to salvage a 6-3 for 55th place at my SCG 5k after an 0-2 start.

[deck]Jeskai[/deck]

Round 1: RW Aggro (0-2)
Kept solid hand game 1 and drew nothing but lands. Kept a one land hand on a mull to 5 game 2 and never saw any more lands.
0-1

Round 2: Abzan Midrange (1-2)
Burned him hard game 1 but ended up with him at one and one mana short to Cruise and cast the Slash I drew. I managed to burn him out through two Rhinos game 2. Game 3 had him draw a lot of his sideboard cards while I flooded out.
0-2

Round 3: Temur Ascendency (2-1)
I had him very low game 1 before he barely managed to go off and finish me game 1. I made a misstep casting a Cruise instead of holding up Jeskai Charm to bounce the Polukranos he went infinite with. Games 2 and 3 had him stall out while I beat him down.
1-2

Round 4: Sultai Control (2-0)
Both games had me overloading his removal and finishing him off with burn.
2-2

Round 5: Jund (2-0)
I burn him out fairly easily game one. Game two I get him low but start drawing lands while he drops a Sarkhan and hits me with it. I managed to get the lethal burn spell one turn before I would have died.
3-2

Round 6: UW Heroic (2-1)
I lose the race in game 1 to Shu Yun, the Silent Tempest. I squeak out game 2 with a pair of Deflecting Palms. My opponent was either tilted or exhausted after that and conceded the match for some reason.
4-2

Round 7: Abzan Aggro (2-0)
My opponent has slow starts both games that allow Rabblemaster to do what he does.
5-2

Round 8: Jeskai Tokens (1-2)
I manage to burn him out game 1 with support from a pair of Mantis Riders. Game 2, I fail to force a draw with Deflecting Palm due to a final burn spell in his hand. I might have mistimed my spells giving him that out. Game 3 he drops his tokens while I draw air. All three games he had Outburst into Stoke and usually had an Ascendency active.
5-3

Round 9: Temur Monsters (2-0)
I burn out all three of his Elvish Mystics game 1, leaving him with one land in play. Game 2 he stumbles and falls to 3 Mantis Riders.


Final Analysis
A very discouraging start but managed to salvage something out of it and fell just short of cashing. Monastery Mentor was disappointing, the only tokens he made were from effects that I cast to try and protect my Mentor from sweepers and therefore died immediately. I also found that I need more answers to Hordeling Outburst as my normal removal doesn't work very well against them. Manabase was a bit rough. I really want 23.5 lands but will likely have to stay at 24.

Deck adjustments:
Main: -2 Monastery Mentor, +2 Brimaz, -1 Temple of Epiphany, +1 Temple of Triumph
Sidebaord: -2 Brimaz, +1 Anger of the Gods, +1 Chandra, Pyromaster
by BlakLanner
Tue Feb 03, 2015 5:07 pm
Forum: Aggressive Variants
Topic: (POST ROTATION) JESKAI BURN
Replies: 1016
Views: 295965

Very recently I have started getting my ass handed to me by the Sultai Tasigur deck. Aside from Valorous Stance and praying on Disdainful Stroke. What other options do we have to fight this new menace?
by BlakLanner
Mon Jan 26, 2015 4:26 am
Forum: Aggressive Variants
Topic: (POST ROTATION) JESKAI BURN
Replies: 1016
Views: 295965

I don't need to outgrind. I just need to squeak out the last few points of damage. I think we are just going to have to agree to disagree on the usefulness of Keranos in our sideboard.

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