Dies to Removal

Starting in the dailies next week Downloading Camtasia now

All I've played is the Beta, is it that bad?

I just had bad experiences with it, I tried it during the early stages had trouble exiling cards, using basic abilities from cards like Grim Lavamancer and everything just felt messy. (app. its better now, but I'm not going to touch it again till they force me)

No it's still terrible.

Another version of Walter White. Yes, I'm fighting the Emily train. Mainly because I just dislike the card, and I don't currently have Firefist Strikers. No one around me seems to have them available.

[deck]Walter White[/deck]

One less land and one less Chandra freed up two slots that are now filled with Mortars. I added two Lyev Decrees to the sideboard to test them out vs. problem creatures. The thinking is that they should either buy me
time to find solutions or enable me to push through extra damage to seal the game.

I started on the Beta and then went to the current version and was thoroughly confused. So I went back to the Beta.

I suppose I should practice more on the current version.

I don't really care for 4 terrors maindeck. I'd go as far to say that it's just bad. You'll need to sell me on Lyev Decree over Seismic Stomp or Act of Treason in the board.

Apparently this is how I get at 2am on no sleep. Justify your choices dammit!

I don't really care for 4 terrors maindeck. I'd go as far to say that it's just bad. You'll need to sell me on Lyev Decree over Seismic Stomp or Act of Treason in the board.

Apparently this is how I get at 2am on no sleep. Justify your choices dammit!

Fair enough. I get cranky too.

I wanted more spells to trigger Pyromancer, and Mortars seemed like the best choice since it kills most of the things I'd want it to kill, like Weirds and Spectres. More removal should mean more board control to allow for more damage from the creatures. As I'm not diluting my creature base, I'm increasing answers. I'm also seeing Blood Baron more, and a maindeck way to
kill it would be nice.

As for Lyev Decree, it can hit fliers, which Stomp doesn't do, and the detain prevents the creatures from attacking back. It can lock down Gods and their abilities, so no more unblockable Thassa swinging at me when I can't find a Chained. It can be used earlier than Stomp to buy time to find answers.

There are some uses for it.

This is precisely why I don't like writing primers anymore, people take my thoughts as absolutes and apply them too rigidly. Playing the YP turn 2 vs. Esper should obviously be the correct play. Adding 2 to your clock now in unarguably better than waiting to try and make a 1/1 later.

I still think it's better to force them to spend two wraths instead of 1 until the other options are used up. That's been my play
experience at least. That said, I understand wanting to stay away from the absolutes. I'll drop the matter.

Playing his hand out like he did, his value was:
- Shock for 2, one hit with a 1/1; and
- Phoenix for 2.
For 5 damage.

If he saved the Shock he would have got:
- Phoenix for 2;
- Shock for 2, re-buy Phoenix; and
- Phoenix for 2.
For 6 damage with an extra card in play.

That seems strictly better in the situation.

Saving the shock until post verdict we're in agreement with.

I tend to have a habit of scrying early if I'm sitting on high land, low spell hands that I don't think have a real chance of getting there if they a 75%+ chance of stopping it. I'm a notoriously defensive player though.

@MDU: It's all good. No offense intended or taken.

I really want to try out your Fanatic SB plan.

quick question how many DtR grind Dailies? Aside from Z I havn't seen anyone else

I try and play in a few every week. I went 3-1 yesterday on MonoRed (2 mutavault, 20 mountain, reckoner + mogis SB plan); Mono U was mean to me in the Final Round

I thought about trying some dailies but I'm very new at MTGO and I don't quite have all the mechanics down yet. I'd probably get smashed by some noob because I can't figure out how to work my triggers or do things at the beginning/end of certain phases.

Just don't play the beta and you should be ok.

I actually like the beta quite a bit more

Random build:

[deck=OhGodWhatHaveIDone?]
Creatures:
4 Rakdos Cackler
4 Firedrinker Satyr
4 Ash Zealot
4 Young Pyromancer
4 Chandra's Phoenix

Burn:
4 Magma Jet
4 Lightning Strike
4 Shock
4 Mizzium Mortars

Thighs:
2 Chandra, Pyromaster

Land:
21 Mountain
1 Mutavault


Sideboard:
3 Act of Treason
2 Skullcrack
4 Boros Reckoner
1 Hammer of Purphoros
3 Fanatic of Mogis
2 Frostburn Weird
[/deck]

I actually did a tiny bit of testing today vs a Monoblack control, and an rakdos aggro.
It worked really well both games, though yp never quite managed to token up. I'm really enjoying the deck.

One issue is that vs the rakdos aggro, my lack of big finishers did hurt me some, as he at one point managed to removed my
threats, and I was ledt with a hand full of removal, just burning out his stuff, hoping for a creature or chandra.
Eventually I pulled a few phoenixes off the top, and won from there, but it was still bothersome for a few turns. Guess that's what happens when you swap some creatures for some burn.

Also, I think in an ideal world, I'd drop one mortars, and throw in 1 more chandra, since that card advantage is so amazing here. Also the synergy.


Thoughts?

Yes to -1 Mortars, +1 Chandra.

The first two sets of videos which I'll upload will be the version running Act of Treason, as it stands I'm currently testing Boros Charm in its spot.

Any conclusions on this? Looks like Act saved you against big flying demons. But Charm is good against timely Verdicts. And to face an extra 4 and recur a bird. And to... do something else... what was it.. give a creature double strike?

The first two sets of videos which I'll upload will be the version running Act of Treason, as it stands I'm currently testing Boros Charm in its spot.

Any conclusions on this? Looks like Act saved you against big flying demons. But Charm is good against timely Verdicts. And to face an extra 4 and recur a bird. And to... do something else... what was it.. give a creature double strike?

Act oF Treason you Demon, swing for 8, boros charm for double strike... live the dream

I'm so embarassed, that didn't even cross my mind

Always a joy to watch your videos MDU. You don't like Mortars again Mono-black as another way to deal with Specter's and Gary if need be?

You need the reach from the other burn and don't really need to card for card them.

He already has Chained, which is a huge tempo play. You can't just try to control their board, you need to kill them.

I see. As Pyrored I normally like bringing in all 4 and a couple of Skullcracks and Act against it. I then take out 4x Jet and Shock, would you recommend only bringing in a couple of Mortars instead and keep a few Jets in?

You only bring in Act & Skullcrack.

Guess I've been doing it all wrong then Well, thanks for the feedback, will definitely try that at FNM tomorrow

I like to take out 4 Jet, 4 Shock and bring in 2 Mortars, 3 Act, 3 Skullcrack; I find you just need to have an answer to turn 3 Spectre.

@MDU:

a) could you post what the music is in your video descriptions? my girlfriend overheard the music from the first game in your latest set, said it sounded very familiar and it's bugging her. Not to mention I really like some of these songs (usually not a huge fan of video game music but you pick some great tunes). If you don't want it getting flagged for copyright or whatever (since I imagine having the song names down might pop up on some kind of search), understandable.

b) When does Fanatic come in against control? And what do you side out? I'm gonna go back and sift through the thread in case I missed it... I'm guessing -2 Chained -3 Shock -1 Flames -2 ???, +4 Reckoner +2 Mogis, +2 'crack? I like the idea of using Mogis to push through the last bits of damage, I just hate siding in Reckoner against Control because of all their removal and such.

[edit] Or does Fanatic come in against mono-U and not U-
control... I may be dumb.

I think I'm trying that build tomorrow night (was gonna try Z's anti-MODO but I only have two Mutavault* and annoyingly I'm missing one FFS ._.). Something different, and I've seen lots of Mono-U/Mono-B starting to pop up at my LGS.

*I have three, but one's foil and I don't want to play and damage it since it's a relevant card in Eternal formats.

[edit2] goddammit do I really only have one FotF and Fanatic. wtf.
[edit3, revenge of the edit] nvm, found a Fanatic. I'm pretty sure I can pick up a Flames of the Firebrand, but the new store I go to sometimes is out of random commons/uncommons. worst-case I can add a random one-of, like a Shock or the third Chandra or something.

I'd only bring in Fanatic of Mogis vs. mono U devotion. It should never hit for more than 4 or so vs. control if they've drawn decently

I'd only bring in Fanatic of Mogis vs. mono U devotion. It should never hit for more than 4 or so vs. control if they've drawn decently

He actually brings it in vs the red decks too since the board can stall out after the initial wave of burn spells flying around. He can afford to play defense for quite a while and finish with a surprise swing. I was pleasantly surprised.

It's awful versus black, tis true.

Trying Walter White tonight at FNM. Will post results.

@MDU:

a) could you post what the music is in your video descriptions? my girlfriend overheard the music from the first game in your latest set, said it sounded very familiar and it's bugging her. Not to mention I really like some of these songs (usually not a huge fan of video game music but you pick some great tunes). If you don't want it getting flagged for copyright or whatever (since I imagine having the song names down might pop up on some kind of search), understandable.

b) When does Fanatic come in against control? And what do you side out? I'm gonna go back and sift through the thread in case I missed it... I'm guessing -2 Chained -3 Shock -1 Flames -2 ???, +4 Reckoner +2 Mogis, +2 'crack? I like the idea of using Mogis to push through the last
bits of damage, I just hate siding in Reckoner against Control because of all their removal and such.

[edit] Or does Fanatic come in against mono-U and not U-control... I may be dumb.

I think I'm trying that build tomorrow night (was gonna try Z's anti-MODO but I only have two Mutavault* and annoyingly I'm missing one FFS ._.). Something different, and I've seen lots of Mono-U/Mono-B starting to pop up at my LGS.

*I have three, but one's foil and I don't want to play and damage it since it's a relevant card in Eternal formats.

[edit2] goddammit do I really only have one FotF and Fanatic. wtf.
[edit3, revenge of the edit] nvm, found a Fanatic. I'm pretty sure I can pick up a Flames of the Firebrand, but the new store I go to sometimes is out of random commons/uncommons. worst-case I can add a random one-of, like a Shock or the third Chandra or something.

I bring in Fanatic in every MU where you'll would want Reckoner so that would include: Mono U, GR, Mono R, WW, GW,
Junk, Jund, RW and maybe some random brew (I'll admit I did bring in Fanatic at one stage against UW, but that was only because I had nothing better in my boards - chains is pretty worthless in that MU).

In regards to the music, most of the BGM as of late comes from the Japanese Otaku Culture festival's Orchestra Event (They had I, II, III and IV in a bundle on Ebay so I just snapped them up) the one you heard was called (I think, my Japanese to English isn't great) Taiyou Iwaku Moeyo Chaos it was composed by Tanaka Hidekazu (for MONACA), the version you heard was the special Orchestra version played on the third festival.

The first two sets of videos which I'll upload will be the version running Act of Treason, as it stands I'm currently testing Boros Charm in its spot.

Any conclusions on this? Looks like Act saved you against big flying demons. But Charm is good against timely Verdicts. And to face an extra 4 and recur a bird. And to... do something else... what was it.. give a creature double strike?

Both are good,

Act of Treason tends to lead to 6-8 damage blowouts when the stars
a line - its esp. strong against MonoBlack Devotion.

Boros Charm is very good at protecting us against sweeper effect and is always relevant (anyone who has played RBW Burn in Modern will understand how strong pointing 4 damage to face at instant speed is).

I decided I don't care much for the MonoBlack MU since I'm starting to believe rolling my face on my keyboard would be enough to win that MU, so the real question is - what is better vs B/x/x - its a tough call. (as of now I personal prefer Boros Charm but taking Act of Treason isn't bad at all)

I decided I don't care much for the MonoBlack MU since I'm starting to believe rolling my face on my keyboard would be enough to win that MU

If you do it that way, you'd better post the video.

Excerpt from my upcoming 8-man report
Game 3. I keep Cackler, BTE, YP, Lightning Strike, Act of Treason and two mountain.

I blow my load on the board, whereas he goes Prophetic Prism into Spectre. Strike your Spectre, put you to 12. He plays Desecration Demon, I sac my token and put him to six. He plays Gray Merchant going to 10. I cast Act on the Gray Merchant, sacrificing it to the Demon and putting him to four. He plays Whip of Erobos and concedes and doesn't let me reveal my grip full of spells. What a jerk.

He already has Chained, which is a huge tempo play. You can't just try to control their board, you need to kill them.

Point taken, Great One.

pretty cool to see it in the print:

http://www.wizards.com/Magic/Digital/Ma ... rn/6162693

MDU 4-0 pyro red baby

pretty cool to see it in the print:

http://www.wizards.com/Magic/Digital/Ma ... rn/6162693

MDU 4-0 pyro red baby

Z and I have tons of finishes, we just don't get much coverage due too our ungodly timezone (I was honestly shocked to see that one even made it through).

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Anyhow here is 4-0 during Standard Daily Event 6210675 running:

[deck=MDU's Australian Winter ]Lands 22
12x Mountain
04x Sacred Foundry
04x Temple of Triumph
02x Mutavault

Creatures 22
04x Firedrinker Satyr
04x Rakdos Cackler
04x Burning-Tree Emissary
03x Firefist Striker
03x Young
Pyromancer
04x Chandra's Phoenix

Planeswalkers 02
02x Chandra, Pyromaster

Enchantments 02
02x Chained to the Rocks

Pew Pew 12
04x Lightning Strike
04x Magma Jet
03x Shock
01x Flames of the Firebrand

Sideboard 15
04x Boros Reckoner
02x Skullcrack
02x Boros Charm
02x Chained to the Rocks
02x Mizzium Mortars
02x Fanatic of Mogis
01x Flames of the Firebrand[/deck]

Here are the replays:

G1: MonoBlue Devotion
G2: Esper Brew (I suggest keeping an eye out for his list, he went 3-1 this event and 4-0 right after)
G3: Esper Control
G4: Wr Weenies (lols....)

The Sideboard Plan has not changed much since my first lot of explanations, so just look at
the front page where all my reports are grouped together.

Question for those on the Emily plan:

On average, how many activations of Firefist Striker's falter ability do you usually see or want to see?

Question for those on the Emily plan:

On average, how many activations of Firefist Striker's falter ability do you usually see or want to see?

Against what deck(s)? You probably only need it 1-2 times versus black to kill them, blue a few more, and vs red not at all unless they're running reckoner too?

[quote="[url=viewtopic.php?p=133622#p133622:38hg4u3l]windstrider » Sat Nov 02, 2013 12:29 am[/url:38hg4u3l]":38hg4u3l]Question for those on the Emily plan:

On average, how many activations of Firefist Striker's falter ability do you usually see or want to see?[/quote:38hg4u3l]

I don't really care about [card:38hg4u3l]Firefist Striker[/card:38hg4u3l] much outside the stall MUs where you desperately need to squeeze is damage before they take over (MonoU, GR, GW, Junk and Jund).

P.S. Finally had my encounter with Colossal Gruul during the DE and I manage to pull a win 2-1,

P.S.S. the MOCS11 Prelims start tomorrow - if anyone is interested I can record the names of every deck which hits 6-0 or 5-1 which will give you a rough clue in how the MOCS11 finals meta will look like. Any DtR players going play the Prelims?

I do not own any Strikers, so I want to determine if I should make the effort to get them.

Yes

I do not own any Strikers, so I want to determine if I should make the effort to get them.

It depends on your meta, against GR and/or MonoU turn two BtE into Firefist Striker is huge enough to shift the balance in your favor.

Against lets say Control or Midrange you can live without him.

Anyone have experience with a Pyro build against the new Naya Control list?