Combo Viable in Modern?
Modern Deck Help forum
Posted on Oct. 8, 2016, 2:25 p.m. by the.beanpole
So I realized that Boros Reckoner/Spitemare and the new Rush of Vitality form a 2-card infinite life combo with damage from any source. Is this combo viable in Modern? What would be it's best home? I've built a midrange-y Mardu deck that looks like it could support the combo, while also being able to function fine without the combo:
The Reckoning
Modern
0 VIEWS
I would love to hear any suggestions to improve the deck!
MindAblaze says... #3
I like Volcano Hellion in this shell. It has the potential for a huge damage redirection.
October 8, 2016 3:21 p.m.
There's no 2 card combo here infinite or otherwise. All you get is a 4/3 Lifelink Indestructible that retaliates, you'd need 4 cards, plus a damage source to go infinite. 2 Reckoner/Spitemare + 2 Rush of Vitality, a 10 mana investment. This is frankly entirely unplayable.
October 8, 2016 4:30 p.m.
wbroomhead says... #5
DHamlin the idea is to play the Reckoner/spitemare, and cast Rush of Vitality on it. Then, somehow deal it at least 1 damage (be it Gut Shot or a blocker), then target itself with it's own ability, infinitely many times (say 1 damage to Boros Reckoner, then because of that 1 damage, you gain 1 life, and reckoner triggers, you choose to target itself. Rinse and repeat).
October 8, 2016 4:55 p.m.
wbroomhead lol idk how I missed that, nvm my previous comment then. It still seems pretty clunky but definitely funny and worth trying.
October 8, 2016 6:18 p.m.
Serendipitous_Hummingbird says... #7
Dunno. Seems like Lifelink might be a better part of the combo. Or a similar instant. There have to be cards at 1cmc that can give lifelink
EDIT: forgot about needing indestructibility
October 8, 2016 7:06 p.m. Edited.
Serendipitous_Hummingbird says... #8
What I do like about the combo is that they have to be VERY careful about bolting reckoner when you have up. You might still be digging for a source of damage.
And then they hand you one
October 8, 2016 7:08 p.m.
the.beanpole says... #9
thecakeisalie42: that was my first inclination as well. I've looked at a Mardu Nahiri/Emrakul control deck, but having to force in a spell that is there to buff creatures is kind of the opposite of what a control deck running few creatures wants to be doing. I wanted a shell where it had utility other places as well. Casting this on Monastery Mentor or Bob in response to removal or blocks seems really great too.
MindAblaze: while that certainly utilizes the combo effectively toward ending the game, it is another slot in the deck that doesn't feed Young Pyromancer or Monastery Mentor and fights against you (along with Bob) until you get the combo down. Certainly worth looking at, but I think I'd rather test without for the time being. I'll definitely keep it in mind though, thanks!
Serendipitous_Hummingbird: I'm very curious to learn how people react to the combo. The natural hesitancy to Bolt is there, but if they know of the combo, would they even risk attacking into Boros Reckoner when I have the mana up? Potentially stonewalling any creature seems pretty decent for 3 mana.
October 8, 2016 9:58 p.m.
Serendipitous_Hummingbird says... #10
the.beanpole can't say. I haven't attacked with creatures since I started playing bubble hulk*
*Not entirely true. A singleton Thopter Engineer is my way around Leyline of Sanctity
October 9, 2016 8:01 p.m.
Old_Dog_Old_Trix says... #11
my I suggest using creatures such as Ajani's Pridemate or maybe Cradle of Vitality to just simply beat down your opponent with infinitely huge creatures.
thecakeisalie42 says... #2
Maybe something a bit more controlly would be a bit better, with the midrangey aspects of Mardu used for anti-aggro. Could maybe try a Skred shell with a black splash or bw tokens. I like this combo though:
Reasons it is good:
1: Fast- Comes down turn 4
2: Resilient- Reckoner is a beefy body with self-protection built in; not only will your opponent be hesitant to bolt it, but it can give itself first strike to survive combat. Also, Rush grants indestructible.
3: Colors- Black gives disruption, and black and white can keep opposing creatures off the board.
Weaknesses:
1:Fragile- Although Boros Reckoner is large, he still dies to Lightning Bolt and Path to Exile. The combo also gets shut down by counterspells.
2:Slow/Shaky- You have to drop Reckoner, make it to the combat step, swing with it, have your opponent have a blocker, and resolve the Rush of Vitality if you have no burn (On the other hand, if you do have burn, you can go off at instant speed with Reckoner on the board #Gut Shot).
3:Doesn't win: Infinite life is nice, but still loses to infinite damage and mill like Kiki-Chord and Lantern Control. It needs something to do with that life.
Final Thoughts:
This has all the requirements to be playable in modern- it will probably just take lots of good deckbuilders than me to put some hours into it. Good idea and good luck!
October 8, 2016 2:55 p.m.