I've always seen burn decks online run four skullcrack main and sometimes a couple flames of the bloodhand. I'm surprised that shenhar only ran a 2/2 md/sb split with skullcrack, but I assume he was thinking that at worlds there wouldn't be as much life gain.
I know that I've played against burn a lot with tron, and I lost many a game even playing a wurmcoil engine ON THE PLAY. Turn one goblin guide plus they ALWAYS have the skullcrack against me. I side in two thragtusk, as you're much more likely to get the five life off that card. Most burn opponents arent holding up skullcrack and mana to play it. They are expecting to use it the turn after you hit over six mana.
I find the lifegain from kitchen finks to be the best remedy.
Nice work on the article. I've enjoyed your writing for a while, and have missed the modern content. It's my favorite format, until I can afford legacy or vintage at least.
It is a frankenstein of ideas we threw backnforth. Not sure how Ob Nix made the final cut but it was due to something at the time. The control elements were very helpful but living death might have been better. Thanks for your input. :)
I really like AJ & Winter Wolf's Angel creation but I think it needs more reanimation and less control. Also, wft is Ob Nixilis doing in there? No thank you.
Some of what you say has merit (seems likely) but also I think there was a ton of pressure from the top down (Hasbro) to get it done and not spend another 4-5 years nattering about how they have no clue how to build a competent client. So they did. It is ugly (in the sense of Frankenstein's monster) and sometimes horrible (again like that monster) but it does function which is a bare minimum to move forward. Sadly that functionality has been stripped down to the point where it is not fun.
It is my hope that since they put it together in such a stripped down way they can add functionality back and soon. I am counting on it. However I don't have it in me to write yet one more article decrying their proclivity to underperform in this area. Sort of starts to sound repetitive. And as some have pointed out, too negative.
I'm having trouble finding how Wizards thought the new client was ready to go public. Even now, months after it has been released, it still has gigantic problems, memory issues, bulky, slow and bugs that crash the client, ruin limited. The only way I can see is that Wizards is full of yes men and the leadership is full of people with the view of "Everyone has to be on the same page," which means if the management says that they will have the client ready for a certain release date, people can't push back because then it means that they are not on the same page and management can't deal with people rocking the boat.
Yeah I am having trouble finding words for this month's article. I think it may not happen because I am not playing as much as I was. Why? Partially because other games and partially because MTGO isn't as fun as it was before the switch.
I'm familiar with the bait & switch, and have used it to great effect.
As far as writing about playing MTGO, I'd first have to start playing MTGO again. And since WotC [REDACTED] everything I loved about MTGO, burnt it to the ground, and scattered the ashes to the winds, that might be a while. :/
Here's a list for you to take for a test run. It's mono-red so you don't have to worry about whether or not you have the right color mana or if your lands come in untapped or not. Major subthemes: burn and scry.
4 Firedrinker Satyr (AKA The Bad Penny)
4 Valley Dasher
4 Minotaur Skullcleaver
4 Stormcaller of Keranos
4 Lightning Strike
4 Magma Jet
4 Bolt of Keranos
4 Arc Lightning
4 Titan's Strength
3 Crater's Claws
21 Mountains
Titan's Strength mainly is used to bust down blockers but the Scry effect is great. The trick to the deck is knowing when to stop burning blockers and start burning your opponent's face off. Don't be afraid to keep a hand with nothing but lands and burn. Just start incinerating their face and scrying.
Throw the deck together (it's super cheap!) and have fun. Decks that start slow or stumble on their mana just aren't prepared for that many hasty critters.
I find control match ups easier if you play the bait and switch game. Show them something they want to counter and then play what you really want once they are tapped out. If they happen to sneak in a 2nd counter anyway on to next turn. Eventually you land something. This technique does not always work of course because Variance + Cagy opponents. But it works often enough to make a difference. Of course I tend to run midrange decks that have an easier time doing this. Aggro's battles are largely uphill vs a true control match up even if you do apply this.
It is encouraging to watch your struggle with the paper magic. Are you ever going to start writing about playing online again?
That's interesting because I had some talks with BigBee and DrChrisBakerDC about making a Std Pauper sealed league some months ago. I played some matches when the clan was trying this format and it is quite fun. BigBee created a sealed pool generator that would allow only commons. Maybe you should check and evaluate it. I'm not sure that having more commons for boosters was the reason for the decks being so fun. Good luck with this league. Count on me in the ranks! :)
Yeah Sheoldred is a better target for sure.
I've always seen burn decks online run four skullcrack main and sometimes a couple flames of the bloodhand. I'm surprised that shenhar only ran a 2/2 md/sb split with skullcrack, but I assume he was thinking that at worlds there wouldn't be as much life gain.
I know that I've played against burn a lot with tron, and I lost many a game even playing a wurmcoil engine ON THE PLAY. Turn one goblin guide plus they ALWAYS have the skullcrack against me. I side in two thragtusk, as you're much more likely to get the five life off that card. Most burn opponents arent holding up skullcrack and mana to play it. They are expecting to use it the turn after you hit over six mana.
I find the lifegain from kitchen finks to be the best remedy.
Nice work on the article. I've enjoyed your writing for a while, and have missed the modern content. It's my favorite format, until I can afford legacy or vintage at least.
I'm hoping for at least 2 out of three playable hands next time on overdrive.
How about Sheoldred?
I'll look you up when I'm on. I'll even let you talk trash to me so I feel at home! What do you play in Standard?
It is a frankenstein of ideas we threw backnforth. Not sure how Ob Nix made the final cut but it was due to something at the time. The control elements were very helpful but living death might have been better. Thanks for your input. :)
I sure hope batterskull gets a reprint. Who wants to pay $40 for an equipment?
I really like AJ & Winter Wolf's Angel creation but I think it needs more reanimation and less control. Also, wft is Ob Nixilis doing in there? No thank you.
Nice article and if you ever want to test on MTGO feel free to send me a message. I would be happy to help. I can relate to a lot of what you wrote.
Thanks! I have the second installment mostly written. I should have it done and submitted by next Monday. So glad everyone is enjoying it!
I really enjoyed the article and was really excited to set it up for publication. I think there is going to be some great stuff to come from this!
Yeah the spam guards are fierce :D You gotta spray em with pepper and throw em a steak or something.
Tried to reply to you Paul but the spam filter ate it. Glad it made you smile. More to come next week.
Thanks! Appreciate the comment!
Some of what you say has merit (seems likely) but also I think there was a ton of pressure from the top down (Hasbro) to get it done and not spend another 4-5 years nattering about how they have no clue how to build a competent client. So they did. It is ugly (in the sense of Frankenstein's monster) and sometimes horrible (again like that monster) but it does function which is a bare minimum to move forward. Sadly that functionality has been stripped down to the point where it is not fun.
It is my hope that since they put it together in such a stripped down way they can add functionality back and soon. I am counting on it. However I don't have it in me to write yet one more article decrying their proclivity to underperform in this area. Sort of starts to sound repetitive. And as some have pointed out, too negative.
Lets hope the new year brings good things, eh?
Welcome to Puremtgo. Rarely has an introductory article made me smile. Thank you. :) I wish you luck in both your quest and documenting it.
Nice work, and good luck in your preparations.
I'm having trouble finding how Wizards thought the new client was ready to go public. Even now, months after it has been released, it still has gigantic problems, memory issues, bulky, slow and bugs that crash the client, ruin limited. The only way I can see is that Wizards is full of yes men and the leadership is full of people with the view of "Everyone has to be on the same page," which means if the management says that they will have the client ready for a certain release date, people can't push back because then it means that they are not on the same page and management can't deal with people rocking the boat.
Yeah I am having trouble finding words for this month's article. I think it may not happen because I am not playing as much as I was. Why? Partially because other games and partially because MTGO isn't as fun as it was before the switch.
I'm familiar with the bait & switch, and have used it to great effect.
As far as writing about playing MTGO, I'd first have to start playing MTGO again. And since WotC [REDACTED] everything I loved about MTGO, burnt it to the ground, and scattered the ashes to the winds, that might be a while. :/
Here's a list for you to take for a test run. It's mono-red so you don't have to worry about whether or not you have the right color mana or if your lands come in untapped or not. Major subthemes: burn and scry.
4 Firedrinker Satyr (AKA The Bad Penny)
4 Valley Dasher
4 Minotaur Skullcleaver
4 Stormcaller of Keranos
4 Lightning Strike
4 Magma Jet
4 Bolt of Keranos
4 Arc Lightning
4 Titan's Strength
3 Crater's Claws
21 Mountains
Titan's Strength mainly is used to bust down blockers but the Scry effect is great. The trick to the deck is knowing when to stop burning blockers and start burning your opponent's face off. Don't be afraid to keep a hand with nothing but lands and burn. Just start incinerating their face and scrying.
Throw the deck together (it's super cheap!) and have fun. Decks that start slow or stumble on their mana just aren't prepared for that many hasty critters.
I find control match ups easier if you play the bait and switch game. Show them something they want to counter and then play what you really want once they are tapped out. If they happen to sneak in a 2nd counter anyway on to next turn. Eventually you land something. This technique does not always work of course because Variance + Cagy opponents. But it works often enough to make a difference. Of course I tend to run midrange decks that have an easier time doing this. Aggro's battles are largely uphill vs a true control match up even if you do apply this.
It is encouraging to watch your struggle with the paper magic. Are you ever going to start writing about playing online again?
Sounds fun. See me about helping with prize support gwyned. Joe
Now that the meta has shifted back a bit, it might be time to dust off this deck and karn some stuff.
That's interesting because I had some talks with BigBee and DrChrisBakerDC about making a Std Pauper sealed league some months ago. I played some matches when the clan was trying this format and it is quite fun. BigBee created a sealed pool generator that would allow only commons. Maybe you should check and evaluate it. I'm not sure that having more commons for boosters was the reason for the decks being so fun. Good luck with this league. Count on me in the ranks! :)