Let's go for an in dept explanation on how to use the most important cards of the deck.
-Boom/bust: while some of you may have noticed the most obvious combo wich is using
Flagstones of Trokair
. Destroy a land for two mana and fix your mana with a
Sacred Foundry
for two mana? Yes please! However, in late game, that sounds weak. So, instead, let's break some rules and call some judges! As a land destruction deck, the card it is lacking is obviously the powerhouse
Armageddon
. And what if I told you that for only you could get a nuke and a 4/4 menace? Indeed, when
Goblin Dark-Dwellers
check the converted mana cost of Boom/bust they may see either 2 or 6. If they see 2, you can play the card without paying its mana cost... And by the card, I mean the half you want. You can ask a jugde, it works.
-On another note, try to keep
Molten Rain
for non basics UNLESS your opponent is definitively having a color issue or is close to not having a single land anymore. Also, never uses
Ghost Quarter
on non-utility lands unless once again you're sure than your opponent is running out of basics. Ghost quarter are the your last hope measure against a tron/eldrazi land,
Gavony Township
, any manland or another
Ghost Quarter
/
Tectonic Edge
-yet tapped- menacing a Needle spire.
-
Chalice of the Void
: this isn't the easiest tool you've got here to play with. Most deck will suffer greatly from a chalice on 1, and the other won't be able to play anymore if it is on 2 (unless they are playing hentai tentacles bullshit). However keep in mind that, once played, you're not going to be able to play
Mana Tithe
or Boom anymore (however bust will be fine). It is a card that you may sideboard often, but its lock power is real against many decks.
-
Nahiri, the Harbinger
: it may sounds funny, but she is what makes the deck playable. However, you have to keep in mind a few things while playing her. First of all, she isn't protected by
Ghostly Prison
: creatures can attack her without hving to pay the tax. Then, on her abilities. You don't have to discard to trigger her +2, which means that if you don't want to lose one of the cards of your hand, you may just as well +2 her just to protect her and get closer of mr Spaghettis. Be careful: her -2 is hard to use and may even end up killing her. The best time to use it is the turn she comes into play. It should only be used on extremly dangerous threats like
Eidolon of the Great Revel
,
Siege Rhino
, any bloody eldrazi, lords or super value cards like
Young Pyromancer
. Note: it can exile tapped
Darksteel Citadel
which is a really nice feat against affinity. Finally, about her ultimate, depending on the situations I do prefer have Nahiri at 10 counters before unleashing flying Cthulu, has it may not go for a clean 1-shot and thus may need a little help to succeed in it. A few situations may see an ultimate targeting a
Goblin Dark-Dwellers
more useful, but an unpathable anihilator 6 15/15 is often better.
-
Magus of the Tabernacle
: I already told you how strong this card is, but it's a double edged sword as you still have to pay too. Sure, you pay less than your opponent does, but still... The best synergy there is with him is it to unleash Bust with a Flagstone of Trokair on the board. A better version of this implies bust with the dwellers and a land in hand, creating an undefeatable lockdown on your opponent and allowing you to keep 6 power on the board. Important note: it taxes your opponent first. ;)
-Dead/gone: wtf is a shitty card like this in there? Because once a creature hits the board, if your opponent do not have enough mana anymore to play it once again... Well, I think you've got the picture. Also, I am not using Bolt for Chalice (and Eldrazi actually) issues. The "dead" is still a chock, which may prove itself useful in some situations. It's a versatile tool that you shouldn't look down on.
-
Simian Spirit Guide
: as you can see, the main problem of land destruction is that most cards have a cmc of 3 or above... Playing those faster, even if it requires card disadvantage, may seal the game in your favor. Many players remembered this the hard way during Pro Tour Oath of the Gatewatch with turn one
Chalice of the Void
... Note: don't forget that this is a creature card. You can play it if you need a chump blocker or even an attacker if your opponent is already locked out! :p
