101 Reply by DarrenM

(3 replies, posted in Decks and Deckbuilding)

I think that you can get away with moving the bubbling witch newt combo to the mono black deck, and making the Accord deck about the green. I think that without Immortal Servitude to bring back newts, the brindleboar sac is just as, if not more, effective than the newts because you dont need to search for pieces.

As for the other decks, I haven't play tested them, so I couldn't tell you how balanced they actually are. If you feel that they are balanced, go ahead and keep them. I'm just putting in some thoughts based strictly on observations. They may be totally fine with the walkers in, but i'm saying that at a quick glance they look slightly uneven.

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102 Reply by DarrenM

(3 replies, posted in Decks and Deckbuilding)

I really like this concept. I've also recently started building pauper-esque decks to play casually.

In your lists, I feel that only a couple of changes could happen.

Firstly, I would swap out the black in the angelic accord deck for green. That way, you have access to brindle boar, at least. It will also offer up some diversity, as you have I believe 3 decks with black in them.

If you're going to include Garruk in the beasts deck, i'd suggest putting one of the walkers into every deck to even it out, or take garruk out. I feel that having a $20 PWalker is kind of cheating when the objective is to play casually.

Other than that, I think you did a pretty good job here.

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103 Reply by DarrenM

(5 replies, posted in Decks and Deckbuilding)

Thanks for the feedback!

I chose to use Path over the spear for a couple of reasons, the first of which is that I'm not running Devotion anything, but I am running 4 mutavaults. If I keep a hand that has Plains Mutavault Mutavault as the lands, I want to be able to play it out with the path. Secondly, my red splash is for Akroan Hoplite, which encourages attacking with as much as possible every turn. Path also shares this encouragement, and can save me in a hyper aggressive mirror. While being able to remove creatures is nice late game, I don't really expect there to be a late game. Even if there is, I have Banisher priest and Azorius Arrester to get rid of big problem blockers.

In regards to Boros charm, it is definitely something that I considered. but unfortunately I traded away all 20 copies that I had accumulated back at the dawn of rotation when everyone in my playgroup was specing that Naya Hexproof would become dominant. As soon as I get some, They'll be in the Sideboard. I don't think that I'll be putting them main board because I feel that it's too obvious. 'A bunch of plains with some red splash, he's obviously running boros charm.' I believe that the opponent will be playing around it without me even having to show it, which will allow me to run more threats and answers main board. I could be wrong though, but this is at least what I have seen happen with other similar builds (I ran Jund for about a week, and all of my opponent were playing around thragtusks that weren't there).

I like Cavalry pegasus, but I would rather keep my 1 drops high. As I mentioned in my origional post, This is meant to act as a tempo deck, so I want to be playing as much as possible every turn, and by replacing a 1 drop with a 2 drop, I'm cutting back on my tempo potential. I will, however, be putting the pegasus in my sideboard to replace what is currently Viashino Firstblade, which is admittedly in there to help justify running red mana...

Nykthos is not really necessary here. I think it'd be a sort of Lili of the Dark Realms situation; Here's a bunch of mana, hope you have something to do with it. I do want to get a couple of Heliods though for the SB just in case things slow down for me and I need something to power through.

I think you're right about the Gideon, but I put him in because he provides a large body that evades removal in the control matchup. While Ajani is very good utility in the midrange / aggro matchup, I'm much more afraid of being shut out by board wipes and having to face an AEtherling. I  want the Gideon because he is a constant, practically non-removable threat, whereas the Ajani doesn't do anything by himself when he's left alone after a wipe. Again, I may be wrong about this, but how I see it, Gideon is just so much better as a last resort card. I am very excited for the new Ajani that's coming in one of the later Theros sets though, and I really want to see what he can add to this deck.

I do have another question here, is Boros Elite something that I should be picking up? Sure, it's a 3/3 for 1, but the battalion is very situational, and he seems very unreliable as a 1 drop. Yet, I see a lot of the white weenie decks using him...

Again, thanks for the posts.

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104 Topic by DarrenM

(5 replies, posted in Decks and Deckbuilding)

Hey guys!

So as of last Friday, i'm ditching Mono Black. Its becoming far too popular, and while it was fun while it lasted, I don't like when people know what i'm playing. That, and I got destroyed at FNM because everyone had prepped against it...

So I'm going to be switching gears here this week. I'm shooting for a sort of White Weenies, Mono White tempo-esque build. What I have so far (http://deckbox.org/sets/528489) has, in testing, been very effective against all non-aggressive strategies. Every Control or Midrange build that I took it up against pretty much fell by turn 10 at the latest (It's usually around turn 6-7 that I find the win). Anyway, I'd like to get some feedback from this community on this build. Ive got the drop (Hardly even a splash) of red in there for Akroan Hoplite MB and some other stuff SB that i'm still yet to get proper numbers on.

The main idea of the deck is to have at least 1, possibly 2 plays every turn and just out tempo your opponent. Spot removal is a very big thing right now, what with all the Demons and Dragons running around, and I think that this deck is a good answer to that. I curve out at 3 with Frontline Medic and Path of Bravery, so I should be seeing a new guy hit the field every turn. Then I try to take advantage of that with cards like Akroan Hoplite and Path of Bravery. The Hoplite can get very nasty very quickly. With an unchecked Precinct captain, I had him swinging in for 6 and 7 very often, though at that point its pretty much gg....

Anyway, aside from the obvious things (Gates into shocks, get a playset of SotP), what do you feel that I should do to make this deck more efficient, if anything? I'm thinking that I need at least one, possibly two more frontline medic, but i'm not sure if that's all I need to do.

Thanks for any/all input!

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105 Reply by DarrenM

(1 replies, posted in Reddit MTG Trades)

Still looking for any of these.

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106 Topic by DarrenM

(1 replies, posted in Reddit MTG Trades)

Hey guys!
I'm looking to get some copies of some modern staples. Geist of Saint Traft, Snapcaster Mage, Celestial Colonnade...
I'm also looking to get some more copies of commons and uncommons for modern as well, namely steppe linx.
I have a decent sized trade list, most of which is standard. I'm looking to hold on to the mono black devotion cards, but otherwise everything is game. Check my wish list for everything that i'm looking for!
Thanks!

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107 Topic by DarrenM

(1 replies, posted in Site Discussion)

I'm not entirely sure if this is where I am meant to post this, but I figure that it is. If not, I apologize.

Link to trade: http://deckbox.org/trades/131698?s=46326

So on the 15th of October, I had sent out for a trade with Speediurdi. He had told me that he was sending out on the 16th, but ended up sending on the 22nd. This wasn't really an issue. I received his cards on the 28th (He got mine on I believe the 22nd or 23rd), and tried to end up the trade, leaving feedback. However, Speediurdi logged off on the 25th of October, and has not been on since. He did not leave any feedback for me. I posted on the chat asking him to leave feedback if and when he logged back on, but I figure that this will resolve my issue quicker. Is there a way to get feedback for my end?

Thanks.

Edit: On a related note, I am having a similar issue with helgh4st, though he has been online since the completion of the trade. Not sure if this needs to be a separate thread or not.

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108 Topic by DarrenM

(3 replies, posted in General Discussion)

Hey guys

So a buddy of mine and I were talking while at FNM last week, and we came to an interesting conversation. So the situation is you are playing a deck that is entirely colorless. There are no colored mana requirements in any costs or abilities of any card in your main or side board. The question is; What lands do you choose to play, and why?

He had suggested that you just play any random assortment of basic lands, and gave the argument that that would be a huge move in the mind game for your opponent. My stance was to play all lands that tap for colorless mana, even if their secondary ability gives you no forseeable benefit, because you at least have options that are outside of spells in your deck. For the sake of the argument, this deck is not being played in any highly competitive scene, but just something that you might take to an FNM for funzies. What lands would you use? All the same art basics? A variety? or something else? And why are you using those lands?

I had just thought that this was an interesting question, and figured that some decent conversation would come up here.

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109 Reply by DarrenM

(2 replies, posted in General Discussion)

If you're being overrun with commons and such, many card shops / places that deal Magic sell large white boxes that store anywhere from 100-5000 cards. I recently bought one of those, and found that I have much more room for storage now. For rares, any binder with card pages should keep them in good condition. You could go all fancy and buy a monster / ultra pro brand black page binder, but any 3 ring with the traditional sport card pages will work just the same.

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110 Topic by DarrenM

(0 replies, posted in Trading Post)

Hey guys!

I'm looking to get some copies of some modern staples. Geist of Saint Traft, Snapcaster mage, celestial colonnade...

I'm also looking to get some more copies of commons and uncommons for modern as well, namely steppe linx.

I have a decent sized trade list, most of which is standard. I'm looking to hold on to the mono black cards (That's y current deck for standard), but otherwise everything is game.

Thanks!

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111 Reply by DarrenM

(6 replies, posted in Decks and Deckbuilding)

Alright, so from what I can see, your curve is the reason that you dont get rolling until turn 5. you have way too many cards that are at or above 4 cmc. I think that lowering your curve will allow you to see more success and have a better early game. You can do this by taking out unnecessary cards and replacing them with spot removal such as doom blade, ultimate price, and devour flesh. Some unnecessary cards that you can take out are Rescue from the Underworld (You have the whip of erebos to have the same function), and a couple of copies of sanguine bond (You really only need 1 on the field, if any). As cute as Stionic resonator is, it really isn't going to be as beneficial as you are hoping, because it will essentially add 2 cmc to any card that you're casting, pushing your effectiveness in the game back two turns minimum. If you really must have it, keep a copy, but I think having two is a bit too much. I do like necropolis regent, she gives awesome devotion and provides a good body, but I feel the effect is a bit lack luster in a deck with as few creatures in it as this one. Cutting down on these as well could prove beneficial. Im not sure if you have one or not, I didnt see one, but you could also use an effective draw engine like underworld connections or dark prophecy because you'll be going through cards quickly.

Anyway, by adding in spot removal for these big bulky cards, you should see more effectiveness early game, and find that your deck works better together. Hope you find good luck with any changes that you make.

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112 Reply by DarrenM

(6 replies, posted in Decks and Deckbuilding)

So i've got an updated list: http://deckbox.org/sets/520074

Its still rather budgeted at the moment, and I don't have any of the lands that I need so that current set up will have to do for the time being.

Is Young Pyromancer something that I should be using in this build? In testing, he's been pretty good with all of the cheap spells in the deck, especially if I get im out turn 2.

And in regards to "Delver = Tempo", Im not too familiar with what that means, though with what i've seen of other delver decks,  they seem to run along the same lines as this one. Could I get some input on this newer build?

-I'm also looking to trade for a few more copies of the staple cards in here that I only have as 1 or 2 of's, if anyone would be willing to help out. Dissipate, electrolyze, and Lightning Helix are the biggest things on my need list-

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113 Topic by DarrenM

(6 replies, posted in Decks and Deckbuilding)

Hey guys!

So i'm trying to get into modern, and am testing out my decks in my casual group for the time (Nothing needs to be ground breaking). I would like to try out Delver, but I wasn't around in the Scars / Innistrad seasons when Delver was huge. I tinkered with it in DGM standard, but it was pretty much not a thing at that point. I've no idea how the deck is supposed to work, and would like some insight; Perhaps from someone who used this deck in its prime?
I understand that ponder and preordain were apparently the best things ever for Delver, so I made sure to include some of those type effects in my build. I will post up the list that I came up with in a bit. It's in essence a UW control shell with Delver things in it. I would prefer to keep it UW as I don't want to buy up the duals to add red or go RUG.

Thanks for the help!

Edit: here's my list so far. I pretty much just threw it together today with things that I had, so any suggestions for things to trade for would be sweet! http://deckbox.org/sets/517972

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114 Reply by DarrenM

(4 replies, posted in Decks and Deckbuilding)

My stance on it is if you know how to beat it, then they're your best match up.

If you're devoted to net decking, then you're probably going to have to stick with mono blue / black or esper, but if you're johnny enough to find a way to beat em (And ways do exist), then you have that option. Personally I love the devotion decks. They were really innovative, and a nice refreshment over what we had pre-pro tour.

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115 Reply by DarrenM

(3 replies, posted in Decks and Deckbuilding)

Well, the reason that i'm leaning towards playing it is that in testing, It's won pretty much every match up. Due to some limits on cards on hand, I'm not using thoughtseize, erebos, the 4th lifebane, or any nightveil specters. Instead, I put in 4 copies of Rakdos Shredfreak to provide some more defence against the early 1 drop decks, 2 Blood scriveners to help out when I'm dropping my hand to rats, and a larger removal package than most decks of this type. I'm trying out disciple of phenax SB to act as a late game thoughtseize, and provide 2 more devotion, and that seems to be doing very well against control decks. I may try out the overlord, but I don't really think that its necessary because I've already Gary'd for 12 the turn before I can play it.

Thanks for the advice though, it's really appreciated. I'll definitely be changing up my list a lot with this new info.

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116 Topic by DarrenM

(3 replies, posted in Decks and Deckbuilding)

Hey guys!

So At my local FNM, there's 3 guys that have been winning with mono black devotion for the last few events. No one there has any clue on how to stop it. I'm wondering if you guys would happen to know how to shut it down?

Also, I was considering making the deck for myself (If ya can't beat em, join em, right?), and would like the same question answered for the mirror match.

Thanks!

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117 Topic by DarrenM

(5 replies, posted in Decks and Deckbuilding)

Hey guys!

So since the release of Theros, i've been mulling over what deck to use for standard. I know that I want to use something that seems to be off the radar, and now that we have a good idea of what the meta looks like, my options are also opening up.

Right now, I have playsets of the bant colored shocks, so I figure that that would be the easiest color combo to work with. I'm just wondering if you guys think that a Bant control deck would work in today's standard? What I have so far is in essence a UW control shell with some green splashed in for things like selesnya charm, advent of the wurm, Vitu-ghazi guildmage, and bow of nylea as a one of.

I'll try to put up a deck list for what I have now to make it easier for you guys to tell me what needs to be either added / removed. Also, if you don't feel that bant control is viable right now, let me know and i'll consider switching to something else.

Thanks for any posts I get on this!

Edit: here's the deck list, at least what I have so far. I know it needs tweaking, but i'm not sure which direction to take it. http://deckbox.org/sets/511743

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118 Reply by DarrenM

(3 replies, posted in Decks and Deckbuilding)

You've only got 6 cards that target the leader (Being the armors and Ajanis). If you're looking to abuse that ability, I would recommend a more heroic centered build that includes token generators like the red heroic 1/1 that pops out a guy, precinct captain, and even akroan horse. At the moment, I don't think that you'll be able to use the leader's effect to its full potential with what you've got going on right now.

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119 Reply by DarrenM

(1 replies, posted in Trading Post)

Bump

Still looking for temples of deceit, mystery, and triumph.

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120 Reply by DarrenM

(4 replies, posted in Decks and Deckbuilding)

I've been playing Bant Control for all of theros, and i've had zero issues with the blue devotion decks. Thassa falls to essence scatter, Master can be countered, and supreme verdict happens either the turn before or after Master or thassa can go big. Then its all down to my 5/5 stompy wurm tokens to clean up the mess. Basically, you have to play like you know what you're playing against. that means keeping your counters around for the stuff that matters, and using spot removal on the things that dont. If blue devotion is a problem in your area, build a deck that is full of removal and wraths. I also heard that Gideon, Champ of Justice was awesome against Master of waves.

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121 Topic by DarrenM

(1 replies, posted in Trading Post)

Hey guys

I'm looking to get my hands on some Theros temple lands of all colors. Ive got plenty of stuff in my trade list for them, so if you have any that you're not using, i'd love to trade for em.

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122 Reply by DarrenM

(4 replies, posted in Trading Post)

If you're in it to make money, don't be offering it up for trade, just sell it on ebay...

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123 Topic by DarrenM

(2 replies, posted in Decks and Deckbuilding)

Hey guys!

So i'm attempting to make a modern legal BW Infect deck. Now, I am pretty much totally new to playing modern, and I feel that infect is a decent place to start. I was around for most of the scars block, so I worked with infect in standard, but i'm looking to know if there's anything different about playing it in modern?

The deck isn't going to be like most modern infect decks that i've found online, in that I'm not using many pump spells. I've got a bunch of protection spells, however (Things like Stave off, Apostle's Blessing and Gods Willing). I'm shooting for more of a midrangy build with infect as the kill condition. If i'm totally off base here - say, this is a crap idea - please let me know! Otherwise, i'd like any / all input on some cards to include in this type of build.

Things I have already / am planning to get:
Inkmoth nexus, Lost leonin, priests of norn, phyrexian unlife, plague stinger, flensermite, whispering specter, the protection spells listed

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124 Reply by DarrenM

(3 replies, posted in Trading Post)

I would assume that that is an attempt to get themselves out of any issues when trading with those that have not fully read the rules. Granted, it is still against the rules of the site, but if trader B doesn't know that, they won't try to take any action for it. I'd think twice before trading with someone who has that posted, because they either havent read the site rules themselves, or are willing to rip you off (ie not send things and claim that they have been sent, claim that they didn't get your cards when they actually have, etc) at any given point.

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125 Topic by DarrenM

(0 replies, posted in Trading Post)

I've got a foil chandra that i'm looking to trade for a non-foil plus extras.

I've also got a Wants list with plenty of stuff in it. All standard. My trade list is also mostly standard. I've got more things that are not posted, so if you're looking for something in specific, just contact me!

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