Looking for some Esper help in Modern.
Deck Help forum
Posted on Sept. 27, 2014, 3:14 p.m. by ReymondKira
Hello all, I have stepped out of the game competitively for a long long time now (4ish years) and I am looking to try and get back into it by starting with modern.
I know next to nothing about the competitive modern lists these days but last I remember Esper was one of the decks that could hold its own against twin, pod and delver lists. Please the more help I can get the better.
VampireArmy says... #3
Channel fireball had a list that was very fun and actually really effective
September 27, 2014 3:41 p.m.
ReymondKira says... #4
What about a midrange shell? is that viable or is control the best one for Esper, which by the sounds of it is not that good an option.
September 27, 2014 4:40 p.m.
VampireArmy says... #5
Control is by far the best option but by all means brew it up. Maybe you'll find something that people haven't thought of
September 27, 2014 4:42 p.m.
GlistenerAgent says... #6
I'm not saying control is bad for Esper, I'm saying Esper isn't the best for control. I recommend you rough out a basic list and try to tweak it as you feel necessary.
September 27, 2014 4:44 p.m.
CanadianShinobi says... #7
GlistenerAgent is right. To some extent.
As a straight up control deck, Esper pales in comparison to UWR (Jeskai? Do we have to call it that now?). BUT! There is one thing Esper is good at! Gifts Control. Oh, sure, it isn't exactly top tier, but it's viable. The alternative is Tron Gifts, though I tend to dislike that since I find it less consistent.
Essentially Esper Gifts utilizes Gifts Ungiven to seek out something like Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite and Unburial Rites resurrect your fatty and beat face. However, you can also utilize control elements to stabilize and protect yourself. Ideally though you'll be using Iona, Shield of Emeria to shut down your opponent. The nice thing is that Gifts Control just become a lot most consistent with the fetchlands.
You don't have to run Liliana of the Veil but I would highly suggest that you do. Oh, and if someone tells you to run Goyf, just slap them. Goyf isn't necessary.
GlistenerAgent says... #2
Esper isn't really that great of a control shell. Grixis and UWR are better, with UWR being the premier deck. That said, you get access to Path to Exile and black removal, in addition to whatever blue can give you. The premier blue spells to be playing are Cryptic Command , Mana Leak , Remand , Spell Snare , Snapcaster Mage , Vendilion Clique and Mystical Teachings if you like it. Supreme Verdict , Wrath of God and Sphinx's Revelation are also played in small numbers in control decks. Your removal suite should mainly comprise Dismember , Slaughter Pact , Path to Exile , and other cheap spells that you may know of.
I recommend you try Esper Charm , as it is very versatile and more castable in Modern with the allied fetchlands. Celestial Colonnade and Creeping Tar Pit are the finishers of choice, while Batterskull is also a solid option.
September 27, 2014 3:25 p.m.