The Obscure Tribe Challenge 2: Electric Boogaloo
Challenges and Articles forum
Posted on Oct. 18, 2014, 6:54 a.m. by pookypuppy6
A long time ago when the Magna Carta was being signed I held The Obscure Tribe Challenge, where small and unsupported creatures types had decks built for them by community memhers that endeavoured to be the best obscure tribe in all of Magic. From Beebles to Eyes, from Bringers to Aurochs, in the end it was the Gargoyles that reigned supreme.
Now the war rages anew, with slightly altered deckbuilding rules. Your challenge is to make a deck based around your chosen obscure tribe. Forget Dragons and Elves and Humans, PAH! We are looking at small, unsupported or otherwise obscure creature types. Then, competing decks will be fighting in a variety of matches against their opponents and be scored on their performance, the awesomeness of their chosen tribe, AND the deck's creativity in using them to their full potential. HERE ARE THE RULES!!
1) 60 card minimum Legacy legal deck. However, your creatures will all be of the same type. Choosing Octopus as your tribe will grant you a maximum of 16 Octopi thanks to the 4 in the game. If you choose Nautilus as your creature type, your deck is confined to Crystalline Nautilus and Chambered Nautilus . And if you choose Lamia... well, your deck has 4 Thoughtrender Lamia in it, what with the ONE Lamia in the game.
2) However, there is one exception to this. In addition to your chosen creatures, there is one creature that you can include that is NOT from your chosen tribe. To celebrate the Lord Of All Unsupported Tribes, Adaptive Automaton is available to you as well. His creature type will always be chosen to be the type your deck is based around, so imagine a construct with eyes forming into the creature type of your choice. So your Lamia deck is supported, you can have 4 Adaptive Automaton and 4 Thoughtrender Lamia for a total of 8 creatures.
However, there will be no Changelings in your decks unless you specifically choose Shapeshifter as your tribe (and while interesting, that's not the most obscure one you could be going for).
3) Less a rule and more advice. If you want to score highly with your deck on the deck's creativity, let me define terms. The deck will be scored on the way it uses its MAIN CREATURES to win. That's right, I'm not just asking you to make a combo deck that just happens to have Beebles in it. I want your Beebles to be the focal point of your entire strategy, your win condition, or have the deck thematically built around them (flavourfully and/or mechanically). THIS is what will score you good points in this category.
Here is as a sample deck: Obscure Tribe Challenge: Horse Force!. This deals with an unsupported (if medium-sized) tribe that ONLY uses horses and nothing else, and also uses a strategy revolving around the mad stallions. It is okay if you choose a creature type with a few cards, as long as it is low on support. Rhinos for example are a good choice, despite having a few creatures in Magic over the years. Minotaurs are less of a good choice nowadays thanks to the tribal support in Theros. Eldrazi are not a good choice, as they have a set named after them and focused around them with plenty of support cards.
The cutoff point for deck submission is nconfirmed but I will make sure to make it plenty clear to everyone competing, and then keep you updated on the progress and results of the WAAAARRRRRR!!! Happy deckbuilding, and may Brushwagg reign supreme!
pookypuppy6 says... #4
Not familiar with the works of that band I'm afraid.
October 18, 2014 7:54 a.m.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danza_II:_Electric_Boogaloo
hilariously similar name :D
October 18, 2014 8:29 a.m.
quesobueno123 says... #6
October 18, 2014 8:33 a.m.
Homarid Spawning Tides Playtest
Legacy
SCORE: 0 | 0 COMMENTS | 4 VIEWSAnd here's mine!
Note: This is a Homarid deck (obviously, considering the title). I'm using Homarid Spawning Bed , which produces Camarid tokens for some silly reason. It is an enchantment so I think it should be fine, but if it violates the rules I'll have to rework a bit.
October 18, 2014 9:04 a.m.
Mans Best Friend Playtest
Legacy
SCORE: 0 | 0 COMMENTS | 7 VIEWSAnd heres mine, custom tailor made for this challenge! It was quite the challenge.
October 18, 2014 9:13 a.m.
JakeHarlow says... #9
This looks fun! What is the deadline for deck submission?
October 18, 2014 9:44 a.m.
AGunWithLegs says... #10
Can we only submit one deck? 'Cause My favorite thing to do on tappedout is make unsupported tribal decks and I have four that I would want to submit...
October 18, 2014 10:08 a.m.
pookypuppy6 says... #11
@JakeHarlow: As I stated at the bottom of my post, the deadline is currently unconfirmed. I don't want to impose a deadline until I'm sure we have enough submitted decks and interested users that would like to follow how things play out.
@AGunWithLegs: Preferably one if you have a clear favourite. I want as many people competing as possible and I feel that keeping each person to one tribe each would be more inclusive. I'd feel bad if I went to build The Nautilus Deck and someone else had already posted one plus decks for three other tribes.
Mind you, if we don't have enough people competing, then I'd be happy for you to fire away on my command! :D
October 18, 2014 11:09 a.m.
October 18, 2014 11:16 a.m.
Although I created this deck a little while ago I feel it fits perfectly into the obscure tribe label. Tremble for the badgers!
October 18, 2014 11:28 a.m.
pookypuppy6 says... #15
@williamgp99: DON'T FORGET. We've already had three excellent submissions (Hounds, Homarids and BADGERS), so if you ever wanted a match report on your favourite obscure tribe battling puppies, this is the challenge for it! It looks like a good one!
October 18, 2014 11:45 a.m.
AGunWithLegs says... #16
It was between whales or unicorns for me, but ultimately, whales came out on top. Here is my submission:
It's a 'Whale' of a Good Time! Playtest
Legacy*
SCORE: 8 | 1 COMMENTS | 666 VIEWSOctober 18, 2014 11:47 a.m.
pookypuppy6 says... #17
OH GOD, I missed a submission browsing through! Sorry quesobueno123!! I'll have a look now and put that up to 4 AMAZING SUBMISSIONS!!
October 18, 2014 11:49 a.m.
The reigning champ will return... Gonna claim Licids, if claiming is allowed. Gonna brew, and be back shortly.
October 18, 2014 noon
pookypuppy6 says... #19
@erabel: Better claim Licids quick. Because now you've mentioned them and people are looking them up, then the Licid fanbase membership is gonna go up like a Primordial Hydra 's power and toughness after a flashbacked Increasing Savagery during a lucky Lottery jackpot upkeep on Krosa .
October 18, 2014 12:18 p.m.
The Red-Headed Slut and her Pet's Playtest
Casual
SCORE: 6 | 4 COMMENTS | 718 VIEWSHere is my submission, I've always been fascinated with Phoenix (i?,es? 's?) and built this deck sometime ago. I hope it is legal, and if not, I'll make it legal. No description yet because I'm to tired to write it up.
October 18, 2014 12:18 p.m.
Finally!! It's time for my Frogs to shine!!
Ribbit, Rub It, Rip It Playtest
Casual
SCORE: 17 | 17 COMMENTS | 2183 VIEWSI know my deck isn't new either, but this was the entry I wanted to add into the first Obscure challenge, but sadly didn't make the deadline.
October 18, 2014 12:21 p.m.
@erabel: I look forward to your Licid deck. Licids are another obscure creature type I'm quite fond of! (Along with Spikes, also from Tempest.) Already submitted my Homarids though, and I'm not gonna try to go back on that.
October 18, 2014 12:51 p.m.
fayfeirings says... #23
Just whipped up a submission. Get ready to get STONED!!!
Just don't look it in the eyes... Playtest
Legacy*
SCORE: 0 | 0 COMMENTS | 14 VIEWS(I wanted to do starfish, but couldn't think of a wincon. I imagine someone else will now.)
October 18, 2014 12:54 p.m.
Okay, then. I think I've figured this out.
Unso-licid-ed remarks Playtest
Casual*
SCORE: 0 | 0 COMMENTS | 5 VIEWSOctober 18, 2014 12:59 p.m.
do the creatures have to be mono typed? like in the case of advisers, would i be able to use human advisers, or would i have to find just plain advisers?
October 18, 2014 2:28 p.m.
pookypuppy6 says... #28
@nemesis101: While you can have any ol' advisers you liked (as long as all your creatures were Advisors, it'd be fine), I'm more interested in creature classes like Human, Elf and Hydra than sub-classes like Advisor and Rigger. So I'd prefer if you kept to that kind of tribe rather than the other. (Or in shorter terms: "Species over social class" )
Oh god, that's a contentious sentiment out of context.
October 18, 2014 5:04 p.m.
pookypuppy6 says... #29
So just to keep track of our submissions: Ooze, Hound, Homunculus, Badger, Whale, Phoenix, Frog, Basilisk, Licid and Noggle.
Good god, 10 submissions... that's already better than last time and it's been less than a day.
October 18, 2014 5:53 p.m.
okay, here's mine. my tribe are the Dauthi
Darkness Descends Playtest
Legacy
SCORE: 0 | 0 COMMENTS | 4 VIEWSOctober 19, 2014 12:12 a.m.
nighthawk101 says... #31
Alright, looks like I should change mine too...
I'll go with Bears.
With that comes two questions: can I use nonBear creatures that make Bears (Caller of the Claw ) ? And a more hypothetical question: can I use nonBear token maker spells?
October 19, 2014 8:57 a.m.
pookypuppy6 says... #32
@williamgp99: To answer your questions: No, and yes. Creatures that aren't Bear type aren't permitted even if they make bears. Caller of the Claw and Bear's Companion are not bear creatures, so you can't use it in your bear-only deck. However, a noncreature spell that makes bears is not Elf or a non-Bear type like that, so a card like Bearscape works fine. It's just nonbear creatures that are disallowed bar Adaptive Automaton .
October 19, 2014 9:13 a.m.
pookypuppy6 says... #33
@williamgp99: As a side note however, while not technically illegal, including Bestial Menace in your Bear deck would raise my eyebrows a bit mainly due to thematic concerns. As in "What do these bears need with elephants, wolves and snakes?" I would not be an impressed bunny unless your deck involved sacrificng them all instantly to buf your bears.
October 19, 2014 9:14 a.m.
nighthawk101 says... #35
Bear Deck is Best Deck Playtest
Legacy
SCORE: 1 | 0 COMMENTS | 1 VIEWSAll done!
Yet another question: can we make a sideboard, and will it be used? (Are the matches best of three or just one game?)
October 19, 2014 9:15 p.m.
biggestmtgnerd says... #36
Please look at the deck and read the description before making any judgements.
October 19, 2014 10:48 p.m.
pookypuppy6 says... #37
@biggestmtgnerd: While I appreciate your enthusiasm, I'm gonna have to ask you to pick one of your above decks to compete with and not both. I'm really not up for a situation where people wanting to do certain tribes are discouraged because people already did them by making more than one deck (also, it means you've got more chance of winning the tournament by virtue of having a deck more than other competitors). If you can't decide on which one, I'm picking your Lammasu.
October 20, 2014 5:02 a.m.
October 20, 2014 6:19 a.m.
Here is my Assembly Worker Tribal deck! I'm glad you are allowing for less creatures because otherwise this would not work!
They Took Our Jobs! Playtest
Legacy*
SCORE: 0 | 0 COMMENTS | 3 VIEWSOctober 20, 2014 9:26 p.m.
Why is everyone running 2 copies if Coat of Arms in a tribal contest?
October 21, 2014 12:21 a.m.
I loved Zendikar block so much, I decided to bring Surrakar Tribal! Surrakar Smashers
October 21, 2014 2:52 a.m.
pookypuppy6 says... #42
Okay guys, listen up.
It's only been about two or so days and already we have a whopping 16 submissions and thus 16 tribes fighting for attention: Ooze, Homarid, Hound, Badger, Whale, Phoenix, Frog, Basilisk, Licid, Noggle, Dauthi, Lammasu, Bear, Chimera, Assembly-Worker and Surrakar. As my Tappedout playtester is temperamental on my computer and this challenge is twice as big as its predecessor, I feel it is necessary to cut the deadline here to the first 16 entries.
This means we have a good even number of entries without spiralling out into mismanagement, and there will be plenty of matches for you guys to read about and express joy or despair over. I will likely start new threads for each round of combat (of which there will be three), and another thread afterwards with final scores and commentary.
Apologies to anyone who is missing out on the Obscure Tribe Challenge, I just feel any more than 16 entries will be too stretching on my resources. And we have 16 fantastic challengers for you to pick from to support in the battles ahead!
October 21, 2014 11:13 a.m.
I like the Licid and Assembly-Worker decks and think they've got potential. I'm confident the Dauthi will do well.
I think my Homarids are gonna get wrecked, but maybe the counterspells will get them there. Still gotta root for them though!
October 21, 2014 12:39 p.m.
AGunWithLegs says... #44
Cutting off also leaves those of us with more submissions to compete in challenge number 3!
October 21, 2014 1:24 p.m.
Oh dear, my frogs is gonna have a hard time, lots of amazing decks and such tho', can't wait to see how this will all go!
October 23, 2014 8:52 a.m.
pookypuppy6 says... #46
@AGunWithLegs: indeed! Though next time I'll likely do a different kind of challenge.
@Infral: There are some competitive decks battle-wise yes, but remember tribe obscurity and deck creativity are also scoring factors.
October 23, 2014 9:52 a.m.
pookypuppy6 says... #47
Notice to everyone: I will be beginning the matchups for the first round NEXT WEEK, and hopefully during that week I will post a new thread telling of the results! I will of course at the time link that thread here.
October 24, 2014 9:37 a.m.
Ah dang, I missed this. I did have a Phoenix deck that I had built for the first challenge as a backup, but I guess it works out since someone had already taken that tribe.
October 24, 2014 12:46 p.m.
Sure, Rocknj06.
Looking back at it, it doesn't seem all that great now, especially since there are some new phoenixes in circulation since I built this. It was adapted from another combo deck of mine.
Flight of Phoenix Playtest
Casual
SCORE: 0 | 0 COMMENTS | 151 VIEWSTo ensure no confusion, this is not an attempted entry, I'm just linking the deck here for convenience.
pookypuppy6 says... #2
For clarification of the scoring categories:
Performance: How many points you win in the beat 'em ups during the tournaments. Competing decks will whack each other and the one who whacks best will be strongest in this category.
Tribeness: The obscurity of your tribe. This will be scored based on the number of creatures in your chosen tribe, how much specific tribal support they have and their overall buildability and infamy (which is why Eldrazi is such a crap choice here despite there not being many in the game)
Creativity: How well your deck utilizes your chosen tribe. I'm not interested in the best deck ever in Legacy with some Sheep thrown in (for one, I might not get the subtleties of playing it!). To score highly in this category you must use whatever means to make your deck support your chosen creatures. Combos and interactions involving your creatures are admired, from Nyx-Fleece Ram partnered with Sunbond to Evil Eye of Urborg with Inquisitor's Flail or Phyresis . Or just a deck that can fish out and get its creatures out readily for some brawling. You have all of Legacy to play with: use it! :D
October 18, 2014 7:09 a.m.