what do do with Prognostic Sphinx?
Deck Help forum
Posted on Sept. 17, 2014, 5:25 p.m. by abenz419
Soooo, I've been testing out a couple of Abzan decks, one hard control with hand disruption and removal and sweepers, the other is midrange control with strong creatues and a removal suite to help control their board and punch damage through. One thing I've come across that is a problem is Prognostic Sphinx . It's extremely tough to do with since all they need is a card in their hand to protect it. Plus being able to scry 3 every combat really sets up their draws making sure they can answer anything I play. What are some options for dealing with this pest. His hexproof means he's able to dodge my removal most of the time, unless i catch them with no cards in hand, and having only a 3 power stops him from dying to Elspeths's -3. The only success I've had against it has been with the hard control deck because of the board wipes, but in my testing I'm finding I like the midrange version better because there just isn't enough card draw to keep your hand reliably stocked with answers. So other than board wipes, what can I do about this guy?
Nigeltastic says... #4
He's a bastard to deal with, that's why he's going to become popular as a finisher (most likely), and why he wrecked the block constructed pro tour. The things GoldGhost012 said are basically what you need to do to him, or counter him as they try to jam him (obviously not an option for abzan though).
September 17, 2014 5:29 p.m.
ahhh yes, i hadn't thought about that. That's actually something I should probably add to the sideboard regardless. Lots of decks I've tested against are going all in on planeswalkers and I can only run so many downfalls and exile effects ya know. Just the tempo I get from making them deal with that first would be useful enough i think. THANKS
September 17, 2014 5:30 p.m.
I already run Thoughtseize and Despise , but those are only as useful if you see them while they have the sphinx in hand. Even when I do hit one early, because they're playing blue they have draw power and usually find another one to stick on the board. That's why the biggest issue is dealing with them once they hit the board. The Phyrexian Revoker idea is a good one, it'll have more utility than just stopping sphinx as well.
September 17, 2014 5:34 p.m.
gnarlicide says... #7
Or everyone can just accept that I was right when I said he would be a boss.
People literally gave me them as they pulled them. I told everyone I was collecting them. Now I have around 138 of them and another 40 foils. If they get busted, I am selling them.
September 17, 2014 6 p.m.
gnarlicide says... #8
Lol. I am kidding. Except for how many I have, that's for real.
Revoker would fuck up the sphinx plan though. It's really your best bet
September 17, 2014 6:02 p.m.
GoldGhost012 says... #9
It always seems you make the best specs gnarlicide. I might just have to copy you on whatever you spec on from now on.
September 17, 2014 6:02 p.m.
Nigeltastic says... #10
How about Meandering Towershell ? Has the prophet gnarlicide spoken of him yet? I think that big turtle dude's gonna do some work. He seems pretty difficult to fully get rid of, especially with Whip of Erebos (which I believe will work similarly to how it did with Obzedat, Ghost Council ).
September 17, 2014 6:15 p.m.
What makes him tougher is the lack of flying in my deck. The advantage they get from being able to freely attack into me and scy is what puts it over the top. In most cases I have to use my removal as tempo plays and force them to tap him from gaining hexproof or he dies. In a close game it can be enough for me to push damage through or prevent some damage but obviously it's not reliable. Against decks playing red with Stormbreath Dragon , Sarkhan, the Dragonspeaker , and Butcher of the Horde (for example) it's probably not as effective. Sure it can profitably block Sarkhan or an unmonstrous dragon, but like I said the real advantage is being able to repeatedly set up your next 3 draws based on the current board state. If your holding it back to block a big flyer your not getting full advantage of the sphinx and they're probably pushing damage through with other creatures. It definitely has quite a few good matchups though.
September 17, 2014 6:23 p.m.
Meandering Towershell wouldn't really help against the sphinx. By the time I play it, attack and exile it, then have it return during my next turn they would have already gotten to swing with sphinx at least once if not twice giving them every opportunity needed to find an answer for something they see coming a mile away. Sultai has removal and Jeskai has tempo and exile spells, and those have been the two most common decks I've seen the sphinx in since the Temur decks seem to be more about the bigger more efficient creatures. Giving either of those decks the chance to search the top 3 cards even once means they'll probably have an answer for when the Meandering Towershell returns making it a high risk investment since he didn't actually attack until 2 turns I played him and can still be easily answered (just not blocked).
September 17, 2014 6:32 p.m.
gnarlicide says... #13
Lol. I am thinking if you can get the Towershell to work in a re-animator build, you will be golden. I do think that wizards isn't too keen on making reanimation a "thing" since ISD/RTR standard abused it into oblivion.
GoldGhost012, dude, thanks for the kind words. I am not gonna lie, though, I have made many bad specs before too. But I will give you my top 5 "You better get your grubby mits on these mo' fuckas" picks right now.
Theros Block: (most of these cards will be U/B because they didn't get enough love last standard and were widely overlooked)
Prognostic Sphinx - for obvious reasons.
Hero's Downfall - I spec'd on this when it came out, and did nothing but great things... it went down from its $20 high... but removal is scarce in the next block, so it will go up.
Silence the Believers - Mana ramp is coming. Which means this might be a great SB card to remove some stuff. Removal is scarce.
Ashiok, Nightmare Weaver - This card had almost nothing to do with last standard. With creature decks being a thing next block, this might be a bit of a powerhouse.
Mana Confluence - This card is going to help a lot of players hit their multiple colors next standard. It might not go up too much, but it will be harder to get off of other folks.
Khans of Tarkir: (the moment you all are waiting for)
note: If I had to pick cards that would go way up, these would be it. these would be (for the most part) low risk/high reward cards. Don't be spending your money because "I said so", but these are what I bought last night.
Empty the Pits - Control is going to come at you in the colors of UGB. Which means a lot of cards are going in to their GY. This card, adds a little boost out of the sideboard to give the player a "blowout" finish when the opponent is in top deck mode. I have tested this card, and it has done well. Its weakness is to Bile Blight and Drown in Sorrow
Clever Impersonator - This card is nuts. Its pricey, but it might just go up a bit. Look at it. It can copy ANYTHING. Even PW's. Think about that.
Mantis Rider - I really like this card. And I think a 1.99 price tag is really undervaluing it. Pick a few of these up and sit on them.
Savage Knuckleblade - This dude is going to cause problems. I will tell you this now. He gains haste, he protects himself, and he pumps. In a wedge that has gotten a little ramp heavy, he is going to be an all star.
Bloodsoaked Champion - This dude is the nuts. MB aggro is going to continue to be a thorn in everyones side until this guy leaves. Think about his ability: You swing with him, they chump block and trade dudes, you pay 2 mana and bring him back for another go around next turn... his can trigger his own ability as long as you attack that turn... BRILLIANT! I am actually building a mono black aggro deck around him and his shenanigans. I am calling it "Black Weenies"... lol. (fluffybunnypants).
For real, my rotation ready black deck has more black weenies in it than Kim Kardashian.... BOOOM!
I am here all week.
September 17, 2014 6:49 p.m.
Nigeltastic says... #15
Oh my apologies for the confusion, I wasn't recommending Meandering Towershell vs. Prognostic Sphinx , I sort of co-hijacked the thread and was discussing possible sleeper cards...
September 17, 2014 6:55 p.m.
gnarlicide says... #16
Fuck it, me too. It got brought up. Ask and thou shalt receive.
September 17, 2014 6:58 p.m.
Rasta_Viking29 says... #17
Windstorm might be a thing. It helps with Stormbreath Dragon too.
September 17, 2014 7:15 p.m.
Nigeltastic says... #18
Windstorm is actually not a bad idea for sideboards depending on how much takes to the skies. If we start seeming some heavy black demon play as well as these other tricky fliers, it might be worth a slot or two. It also kills Elspeth, Sun's Champion soldiers after her emblem.
September 17, 2014 7:32 p.m.
the only problem with that is to kill the sphinx or the fat demons, x has to = at least 5 (assuming no buffs), so it cost at least 6 mana or 5 mana for a Stormbreath. When the demon is hitting the board on turn 3 Windstorm won't be enough at that high of a cost.
September 17, 2014 7:37 p.m.
GlistenerAgent says... #20
Your Abzan wrath deck should have no problem. The midrange deck will always have difficulty with the resilient control finisher, so I wouldn't include any maindeck pointed answers. Sideboarded Phyrexian Revoker in addition to your removal is golden.
September 17, 2014 9:35 p.m.
Yeah, I'm still testing both deck to see which one I want to play and making any changes I see, but I think the revoker might be the best way to go.
GoldGhost012 says... #2
Phyrexian Revoker him first.
September 17, 2014 5:26 p.m.