1, 2, or 3 drop threats that are Abrupt Decay proof?
Modern forum
Posted on Sept. 29, 2015, 2:35 a.m. by kengiczar
So ever since Abrupt Decay came into the modern format I have approached the format without much zeal or really any interest as anything other than a way to waste time. I decided there has to be "something" worth playing that can beat abrupt decay even though it's a 3 drop.
A quick google search revealed that Simic Keyrune dropped mid/late game can make all their Abrupt Decay worthless, so long as I have mana to activate it, and in some cases mana enough to activate it twice in case my opponent tries for a 2-for-1 in my favor. I realize death by Crab is pretty slow but I'm willing to do it.
Does anybody know of other cards worth playing as control closers in a format with as many Abrupt Decays as their are Verdant Catacombs, that is to say a lot of them? Things that can be played in control decks are the best.
Mirran Crusader, Gurmag Angler, Chandra's Phoenix, Geist of Saint Traft, Great Sable Stag, Etched Champion, Any Manland, Boros Charm, Predator Ooze, Chalice of the Void, Blood Moon.
September 29, 2015 3:08 a.m.
As a Rock player, I can tell you Celestial Colonnade, Creeping Tar Pit, and Gurmag Angler are my worst nightmares. Geist of Saint Traft, like StopShot mentioned, is also a bitch to deal with. Just keep in mind that there is nothing a Rock deck cannot deal with. It's why we play the deck.
September 29, 2015 3:16 a.m.
omnipotato says... #5
>control closers
>1, 2, and 3 drop
Just play Restoration Angels and Dragonlord Ojutais like Yuuya Watanabe
September 29, 2015 4:54 a.m.
Tyrant-Thanatos says... #6
@StopShot I may be wrong, but I don't think Chalice of the Void would do jack squat to Abrupt Decay. The rest of that list is pretty solid though. ;)
September 29, 2015 5:26 a.m.
Redirect decay to their stuff?
"A quick google search revealed that Simic Keyrune dropped mid/late game can make all their Abrupt Decay worthless, so long as I have mana to activate it, and in some cases mana enough to activate it twice in case my opponent tries for a 2-for-1 in my favor"
Simic Keyrune does not make their decays worthless any more than Slippery Bogle does. Its only the keyrune that has hexproof, and activating it twice makes no difference.
September 29, 2015 6:05 a.m.
Hallowed_Titan says... #10
Dungrove Elder if you have enough forests for it to be good.
Great Sable Stag not that good but pretty cheap.
September 29, 2015 6:52 a.m.
gnarlicide says... #11
meh, I am not sure what card you would wan to play to avoid decay. Honestly, there is only one deck that runs it. So I wouldn't worry about it. Shit, any dude that you produce that won't be decayed, can be Terminated, Dismembered, Go for the Throated, Path to Exiled... hell even probably Lightning Bolted.
You might as well just run Mirran Crusader. And hope nobody is playing bolt or path. good luck.
September 29, 2015 7 a.m.
NateJH: RG Tron is an especially difficult match up for Rock, but land and hand destruction are all it takes. You just have to sideboard accordingly.
September 29, 2015 7:11 a.m.
Lumbering Falls isn't amazing, but it's an option and in the same colors as the keyrune you mentioned while probably being much better overall
September 29, 2015 7:58 a.m.
also the aforementioned Celestial Colonnade is a much better option if you're in those colors
September 29, 2015 7:59 a.m.
JakeHarlow says... #17
Protection spells will counter Abrupt Decay. Gods Willing, etc.
You've also got creatures with protection, too. Soldier of the Pantheon, Paladin en-Vec, Fiendslayer Paladin, Mirran Crusader, etc. These guys are good. You have to be a little creative to defeat this powerful removal spell, but it isn't too hard to do.
Also, like some folks mentioned, hexproof is good.
September 29, 2015 10:39 a.m.
Oh yes, Chalice of the Void does not work.
There's also Nevermore, Surgical Extraction, and Spellskite
Boza says... #2
Play death and taxes and run 4 Voice of Resurgence? It is pretty much the card made to curtail decay. Also from DGM, Blood Baron of Vizkopa is an awesome and underrated finisher that basically does not die to removal.
Otherwise, you can divide your targets with cards like Lingering Souls or Kitchen Finks or just play virtual vanilla creatures (creatures with etb effects that do not have anything more after their ETB, like Eternal Witness). Play reactive cards like Cloudshift with said virtual vanilla creatures to abuse their effect and "counter" Decay.
The list is endless. For example, i am playing faeries and I am worried about Abrupt Decay killing Bitterblossom. So, I upped the count of Scion of Oona to 3 main and 1 side in order to "counter" it.
September 29, 2015 2:47 a.m.