Topic: Mob Tactics - help a n00b

I'm brand new to MTG. My BF played tournaments many years ago and then quit. We decided last weekend to play casually as a fun together activity. He promptly picked up a Blue / White deck that, almost out of the package, is a killer deck (and his experience helped him immediately tweak it to be even better). I, meanwhile, am struggling. I could get him to build me something, but that's not how I am. I'd rather lose and lose and lose based on my own bad choices, than win because he did it for me.

But really, I want to kick his behind on my own choices. smile With your help, of course!

I'm working on this deck, based on the Mob Rule, but with black instead of green, and more balanced between them. I just put this together tonight, and haven't used it yet, but I've used most of the parts in other decks. (In the last week. This is addictive, isn't it?) http://deckbox.org/sets/291763

A few notes on what's in there and why:
His 60-card Blue/White deck has 4 Serra Angels, 4 Ajani's Sunstriker, 2 or 3 Attended Knights, and 3 Arctic Avens, plus some Healers of the Pride. He generally just smacks me HARD with the Avens and Angels until I'm dead, which is usually in 6 rounds, while he racks up the Lifelink points. (I've been telling him to build something new; that deck is getting boring to play against. Whatever he builds next will make this whole exercise pointless. But I want to learn!)

He HATES the Shimian Specter, since he has so many of the same cards. The Chronomatons and any Goblins and tokens (thanks to Krenko and his Command) tend to overwhelm him , while the Knights of Infamy protect me from all that White in his deck. The rest, I'm not married to. I need some flyers (Bloodhunter Bats and Daggerdrome Imps and the Furnace Whelp) to give me some kind of sacrifice for his Angels and Avens. All of my Instants are just stuff I've found so far, and open to replacement.

Any ideas or suggestions? Thanks in advance!

Re: Mob Tactics - help a n00b

I would recommend going to four Mizzium Mortars.  Either you can burn off one of his bigger guys for two mana, or most likely wipe their board late game.  Other than that, if you put more focus on the aggro red part of this deck, you'll most likely outpace your opponents life gain.  At that point, you don't need to block his flyers.  Also, burn spells are your friends against this kind of deck.  Get some Searing Spears if you're playing standard, or Lightning Bolt if it is more casual.

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Re: Mob Tactics - help a n00b

Definitely Mizzium Mortars.  Overloaded, it is a massive blow to most opponents.

I didn't catch whether you are committed to playing any particular format (e.g., Standard, Modern).

If playing Modern or just casual games, pick up Leyline of Punishment.  He won't like it at all:

  • If Leyline of Punishment is in your opening hand, you may begin the game with it on the battlefield.

  • Players can't gain life.

  • Damage can't be prevented.

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Black and Blue--not just for bruises anymore.

Re: Mob Tactics - help a n00b

HikingStick wrote:

I didn't catch whether you are committed to playing any particular format (e.g., Standard, Modern).

Probably Modern; we're just playing with what's available in stores, and we've made a solemn vow to stay out of tournaments. (We shall see if that vow lasts...)

Thanks for the suggestions, both of you!!!

Re: Mob Tactics - help a n00b

If you are playing Krenko, go mono-red full Goblin...

Currently the only thing unique your green cards are providing is Death Touch...

Titanic Growth  can be replaced with Brute Force
Replace Fervor with Goblin Chieftain

Beyond that there are a number of cheap goblins that will strengthen your deck and Goblins are a lot of fun to play...

This is my Goblin Deck: http://deckbox.org/sets/291536?
This isn't tournament quality (that would take at least another $100), but it plays well...

Re: Mob Tactics - help a n00b

Thanks, Acefreemok. An interesting idea!

I'm not actually using the Green from Mob Rule, though. I replaced that all with Black stuff. My Mob deck is a bit different. I agree that the Green in Mob Rule was kinda weak. smile