"I want to use Puca's Mischief to give Lich's Mirror to my opponent, kill him somehow, and watch him gain 20 and draw seven cards. Since my opponent doesn't own Lich's Mirror, it stays in play. The key card I have in play, however, is Rain of Gore. Instead of gaining enough life to get to 20, my opponent will lose that much life. Thus, he or she loses the game again—or would, if Lich's Mirror weren't still in play. Instead, he or she shuffles up again, tries to gain enough life to get to 20 again, and loses even more life this time.
"Yes, that's right. I want to kill my opponent an infinite number of times. Ultimate defeat!"
Another phenomenal article on draft archetypes in ROE. These articles are really the best on drafting ROE that are being published anywhere right now. I think in some ways the author has saved one of the best archetypes for last. I have seen a number of people playing U/x (usually x = R) control-type decks, and they are often very effective. I'm going to try to start drafting them myself, and now that I've read this excellent article I am much better equipped to do so. Thanks!
I know we've talked about it in game from time to time... good to see you got it out! This is certainly a strange deck restriction, but a really unique and un-filterable one. :)
I want to steal your 2nd deck cards and all. Very nice. That first deck is just pure evil. Desolation Giant is one of my "Pets" (according to Splendid Belt anyway) so I am always happy to see him wreck a team. Sun titan is sadly rising in price as people realize how good he is so I might not get my copies. But anyway well done as per usual.
Lol, Yeah but that's so cliche :p Anyway I don't think that really covers what I feel. I know verbosity is frowned upon in a society where conciseness and cool laconic attitudes are the hallmark of the hero. But I am how I am. Also you weren't really hatin'. Just being a bit too harsh imho.
Out: 1 Gelatinous Genesis, 1 Oracle of Mul Daya, 1 Vines of Vastwood
In: 3 Bestial Menace
For sideboarding against blue/white control, bring in River Boas and Windstorms. Against mono-red, you bring in Jaddi Lifestriders. I'm thinking the pithing needles in the board could swap for Mold Shamblers or Acidic Slimes, which I would bring in against decks with troublesome enchantments or artifacts, like Pyromancer's Ascension for instance. I like Moldy 'cause for 1 extra mana, he can hit planeswalkers too which the Slime can't.
Any deck with a lot of flyers, you want Windstorm in, 'cause otherwise your only defense against those is the Eldrazi Monuments. And of course Ulamog comes in against any mill deck you might run into.
At first I thought "Oh boy! He's building around one of my pet cards!" I was so excited that I skipped right over the "Fun with Vanguard" part. Doh. I like the interaction with the Necropotence avatar, but I don't really want to build the deck.
What is the combo with LM that kills as soon as you cast it? I've only ever seen it paired with Channel.
Mike: Thanks for the replies and civility. I look forward to your next article. If you have any Stompy questions, feel free to ask me on modo or pdc or wherever.
Paul Emerson Leicht: Next time you can just write "Haters gonna hate." It is less words, but everyone will understand what you mean.
I wasn't trying to be negative, or positive... Keep writing. At the very least, it opens a dialogue. I also forgot to mention how good Choking Vines is against Fae. :)
First of all, every week you do this and do a good job of it so kudos. Second, everyone who reads articles on pure should take things said here with some salt as these all primarily opinion articles not factual pro writings by top pros. As it is this is a service. Even if the opinions are in people's opinions incorrect or some of the facts stated are inaccurate a modicum of respect is due the writers. Particular those who put real effort and talent into their work when it is not necessary to do so. That is MY opinion of course. Keep doing what you are doing Kal and don't let the negativity get you down. There will be those who feel the need to knock you for any variety of reasons. Imho that means you are doing something right.
As far as the specific things go that people are quibbling about good on you for owning your mistakes. Nothing says adulthood like owning what you do wrong. Keep them coming!
ok so i have an idea for my deck its a mono green deck. i have some of the lesser eldrazi, the spawn token generators, some elves and my favorite card eldrazi monument. its sort of based off of a deck i've seen on some websites and forums. there's one problem i play against a mono blue control deck with tons of spells and he gets me almost every time with his spells and abilities. now i have ordered four eldrazi monuments but again he can destroy them with his spells, it definitely gets me angry that all of my work that i put into my deck is wasted by is silly little spells. but alas this sight has given me a wonderful idea. Tajuru Preserver this is that nice little green fella that you had mentioned it has "Spells and abilities your opponents control can't cause you to sacrifice permanents." this is definitely the card i was looking for now when i ramp up my lands to bring out my eldrazi and i play my eldrazi monument he can't destroy my eldrazi monument with his dumb little spells. I hope i am correct in this assumption. anyway i thank the writer of this page very much for introducing me to this card i am fairly new at magic but i know my way around the game. i will continue to read your work it has solved a major issue with my deck.
First, I fully acknowledge the skill and knowledge held by brett and gwheiss and other top players, and if anything I have said has seemed negative towards them, that was never my intent. If I didn't care about the format and the innovations being developed in an eternal format and put on display in the PE, I wouldn't spend the effort putting these together.
In the finals, at least, Twiddle Storm lost to MUC on Aug 1 and Goblins, as you said, on July 25.
I assume you are talking about Twiddle Storm in regards to Choking Vines as it would be too mana costly for Stompy. I think between the number of Goblins that have 2 Toughness plus Goblin Sledder/Mogg Raider, Choking Sands would be risky against goblins. Moment's Peace seems a better option as one copy buys the Storm player two turns. Both brettwkjayne and MakingSmartPlays ran Moment's Peace in their sideboard and I saw it used effectively in a couple of matches in the past PE.
After the first UW article was published by westane I seriously reconsidered posting mine. I was nearly done with it and it took quite a while to write up so I figured why not?
It is a strong deck though and it seems to be the deck to play online. I am sure it has to do with how easy Sun Titan is to get compared to the other titans.
I am getting tired of playing the mirror though, but since my shop has recently been overrun with UW it is good practice.
I have always taken constructive criticism with any article I have written, and just like anyone I can get things wrong. I do look at the pdcmagic forums to see different thoughts on decks being played and, to what extent possible, I am watching as much of a variety of the matches in the PE that I can. This means that I am seeing good plays, bad plays, and lucky plays - all of which are valid components of the metagame.
I continue to try to educate myself not just on what one player is doing with a deck, but how a deck is being played across a tournament. I would be more than happy to take information from players who perform well with a deck, but basically have not had a desire to intrude. In the future, I will IM the players when we are both online and hopefully this will improve the article.
Overall, I stand by the fact that relying on a creature to generate storm count in an environment with substantial creature kill at instant speed (burn, goblins, blue/black control, serrated arrows in a variety of sideboards, etc.) is risky. I have seen others worry about the Benevolent Unicorn's impact and I knew Snap could handle the Unicorn, but my witnessing different pilots failing to go off properly made me weary that wasting a Snap on the Unicorn was really an easy solution for the deck. This is not based on a deck list, but observation of games played. For a more skilled pilot, timing and resource utilization probably changes the viability of using a key engine part to deal with an opposing hosure card.
The seismic shudder incident was seen during an attack. While I agree that it has reprecussions to non-attackers that one incident showed that during an attack it could be devastating. I expanded that witnessed event to cover Sandstorm. From the sounds of it, this was an extrapolation of an uncharacteristic event for Stompy. I bow my head to you on the point.
Last - it was never my intent to tell brettjwayne how to build his deck. Just like anyone in a discussion, I provided insight into my thoughts on the deck. I think he has a great deck or I wouldn't have about it to begin with.
I do not nearly have the hubris to tell anyone how to play any deck. I am willing to share my insights and preferences on a deck and allow readers to take what they want from the discussion. Maybe I spark an idea for someone else to build on, maybe I get something wrong and relevant and interesting dialogue takes place - either way a win for anyone visiting this site. I would prefer to not be flat out wrong, but even a difference of opinion isn't a bad building block.
from http://www.wizards.com/Magic/Magazine/Article.aspx?x=mtg/daily/ftl/6
"I want to use Puca's Mischief to give Lich's Mirror to my opponent, kill him somehow, and watch him gain 20 and draw seven cards. Since my opponent doesn't own Lich's Mirror, it stays in play. The key card I have in play, however, is Rain of Gore. Instead of gaining enough life to get to 20, my opponent will lose that much life. Thus, he or she loses the game again—or would, if Lich's Mirror weren't still in play. Instead, he or she shuffles up again, tries to gain enough life to get to 20 again, and loses even more life this time.
"Yes, that's right. I want to kill my opponent an infinite number of times. Ultimate defeat!"
It's actually a pretty great idea
Thanks for the comments, I have a few ideas for the Inferno Titan now as well
I like both of these decks, but the second looks like the most fun!
Another phenomenal article on draft archetypes in ROE. These articles are really the best on drafting ROE that are being published anywhere right now. I think in some ways the author has saved one of the best archetypes for last. I have seen a number of people playing U/x (usually x = R) control-type decks, and they are often very effective. I'm going to try to start drafting them myself, and now that I've read this excellent article I am much better equipped to do so. Thanks!
Very nice decks Flippers, I especially liked the second one. Crypt Rats every turn with pro black creatures walking around freely? Very evil!
Good stuff over all.
LE
I actually just managed to get a triplet for under 5 so Im good. On the ohter hand that means the promos are sinking.
I picked up an extra promo set during the pre-release. 2.5 tix then, haven't checked since.
Also, great article!
DISCLAIMER: I bear no ill will towards Sun Titan articles this week, since they were all probably written lastish week around the same time anyway XD
I want to steal your 2nd deck cards and all. Very nice. That first deck is just pure evil. Desolation Giant is one of my "Pets" (according to Splendid Belt anyway) so I am always happy to see him wreck a team. Sun titan is sadly rising in price as people realize how good he is so I might not get my copies. But anyway well done as per usual.
Lol, Yeah but that's so cliche :p Anyway I don't think that really covers what I feel. I know verbosity is frowned upon in a society where conciseness and cool laconic attitudes are the hallmark of the hero. But I am how I am. Also you weren't really hatin'. Just being a bit too harsh imho.
Right now I'm thinking something like:
Out: 2 Beastmaster's Ascension
In: 2 Eldrazi Monument
Out: 1 Omnath, 2 Elvish Visionary, 1 Vines of Vastwood
In: 3 Leatherback Baloth
Out: 1 Gelatinous Genesis, 1 Oracle of Mul Daya, 1 Vines of Vastwood
In: 3 Bestial Menace
For sideboarding against blue/white control, bring in River Boas and Windstorms. Against mono-red, you bring in Jaddi Lifestriders. I'm thinking the pithing needles in the board could swap for Mold Shamblers or Acidic Slimes, which I would bring in against decks with troublesome enchantments or artifacts, like Pyromancer's Ascension for instance. I like Moldy 'cause for 1 extra mana, he can hit planeswalkers too which the Slime can't.
Any deck with a lot of flyers, you want Windstorm in, 'cause otherwise your only defense against those is the Eldrazi Monuments. And of course Ulamog comes in against any mill deck you might run into.
At first I thought "Oh boy! He's building around one of my pet cards!" I was so excited that I skipped right over the "Fun with Vanguard" part. Doh. I like the interaction with the Necropotence avatar, but I don't really want to build the deck.
What is the combo with LM that kills as soon as you cast it? I've only ever seen it paired with Channel.
Mike: Thanks for the replies and civility. I look forward to your next article. If you have any Stompy questions, feel free to ask me on modo or pdc or wherever.
Paul Emerson Leicht: Next time you can just write "Haters gonna hate." It is less words, but everyone will understand what you mean.
Thanks!
Hey I totally understand.
its nothing personal, article is good, deck looks sweet, I'm just already tired of all the UW lol
I wasn't trying to be negative, or positive... Keep writing. At the very least, it opens a dialogue. I also forgot to mention how good Choking Vines is against Fae. :)
First of all, every week you do this and do a good job of it so kudos. Second, everyone who reads articles on pure should take things said here with some salt as these all primarily opinion articles not factual pro writings by top pros. As it is this is a service. Even if the opinions are in people's opinions incorrect or some of the facts stated are inaccurate a modicum of respect is due the writers. Particular those who put real effort and talent into their work when it is not necessary to do so. That is MY opinion of course. Keep doing what you are doing Kal and don't let the negativity get you down. There will be those who feel the need to knock you for any variety of reasons. Imho that means you are doing something right.
As far as the specific things go that people are quibbling about good on you for owning your mistakes. Nothing says adulthood like owning what you do wrong. Keep them coming!
ok so i have an idea for my deck its a mono green deck. i have some of the lesser eldrazi, the spawn token generators, some elves and my favorite card eldrazi monument. its sort of based off of a deck i've seen on some websites and forums. there's one problem i play against a mono blue control deck with tons of spells and he gets me almost every time with his spells and abilities. now i have ordered four eldrazi monuments but again he can destroy them with his spells, it definitely gets me angry that all of my work that i put into my deck is wasted by is silly little spells. but alas this sight has given me a wonderful idea. Tajuru Preserver this is that nice little green fella that you had mentioned it has "Spells and abilities your opponents control can't cause you to sacrifice permanents." this is definitely the card i was looking for now when i ramp up my lands to bring out my eldrazi and i play my eldrazi monument he can't destroy my eldrazi monument with his dumb little spells. I hope i am correct in this assumption. anyway i thank the writer of this page very much for introducing me to this card i am fairly new at magic but i know my way around the game. i will continue to read your work it has solved a major issue with my deck.
Nice job.
First, I fully acknowledge the skill and knowledge held by brett and gwheiss and other top players, and if anything I have said has seemed negative towards them, that was never my intent. If I didn't care about the format and the innovations being developed in an eternal format and put on display in the PE, I wouldn't spend the effort putting these together.
In the finals, at least, Twiddle Storm lost to MUC on Aug 1 and Goblins, as you said, on July 25.
I assume you are talking about Twiddle Storm in regards to Choking Vines as it would be too mana costly for Stompy. I think between the number of Goblins that have 2 Toughness plus Goblin Sledder/Mogg Raider, Choking Sands would be risky against goblins. Moment's Peace seems a better option as one copy buys the Storm player two turns. Both brettwkjayne and MakingSmartPlays ran Moment's Peace in their sideboard and I saw it used effectively in a couple of matches in the past PE.
After the first UW article was published by westane I seriously reconsidered posting mine. I was nearly done with it and it took quite a while to write up so I figured why not?
It is a strong deck though and it seems to be the deck to play online. I am sure it has to do with how easy Sun Titan is to get compared to the other titans.
I am getting tired of playing the mirror though, but since my shop has recently been overrun with UW it is good practice.
I have always taken constructive criticism with any article I have written, and just like anyone I can get things wrong. I do look at the pdcmagic forums to see different thoughts on decks being played and, to what extent possible, I am watching as much of a variety of the matches in the PE that I can. This means that I am seeing good plays, bad plays, and lucky plays - all of which are valid components of the metagame.
I continue to try to educate myself not just on what one player is doing with a deck, but how a deck is being played across a tournament. I would be more than happy to take information from players who perform well with a deck, but basically have not had a desire to intrude. In the future, I will IM the players when we are both online and hopefully this will improve the article.
Overall, I stand by the fact that relying on a creature to generate storm count in an environment with substantial creature kill at instant speed (burn, goblins, blue/black control, serrated arrows in a variety of sideboards, etc.) is risky. I have seen others worry about the Benevolent Unicorn's impact and I knew Snap could handle the Unicorn, but my witnessing different pilots failing to go off properly made me weary that wasting a Snap on the Unicorn was really an easy solution for the deck. This is not based on a deck list, but observation of games played. For a more skilled pilot, timing and resource utilization probably changes the viability of using a key engine part to deal with an opposing hosure card.
The seismic shudder incident was seen during an attack. While I agree that it has reprecussions to non-attackers that one incident showed that during an attack it could be devastating. I expanded that witnessed event to cover Sandstorm. From the sounds of it, this was an extrapolation of an uncharacteristic event for Stompy. I bow my head to you on the point.
Last - it was never my intent to tell brettjwayne how to build his deck. Just like anyone in a discussion, I provided insight into my thoughts on the deck. I think he has a great deck or I wouldn't have about it to begin with.
I do not nearly have the hubris to tell anyone how to play any deck. I am willing to share my insights and preferences on a deck and allow readers to take what they want from the discussion. Maybe I spark an idea for someone else to build on, maybe I get something wrong and relevant and interesting dialogue takes place - either way a win for anyone visiting this site. I would prefer to not be flat out wrong, but even a difference of opinion isn't a bad building block.
Not even articles, more like UW in general. Do you know how many UW mirrors I've played in since M11? Ugh -.-
Did you see the results for the latest Standard Premiere? Of the top 8 SEVEN were UW Control o.O
anyone else see Sun Titan articles becoming the flavor of the month?