Any ideas on how to make tree-phobia a usable modern combo?
Modern forum
Posted on June 29, 2016, 11:32 p.m. by Atony1400
Ok, we know Tree of Perdition and Triskaidekaphobia are a possible win con together, but is there a way to make it a viable deck in Modern?
Hmmmmm, The_Redpill, you might be onto something. I might also splash 
for something that causes haste, and a t4 Tree into a t5 Trisky into a t6 win.
June 30, 2016 12:02 a.m.
JANKYARD_DOG says... #4
U/B control, shrink the tree with something like Reduce in Stature, then 2 to the face.
June 30, 2016 12:27 a.m.
WizardOfTheNorthernCoast says... #5
Ahah yeh that might work but that's clunky as f*ck! I love that though, might brew a lot with this :D
June 30, 2016 3:14 a.m.
The problem with the "tree-phobia" combo is it takes at least six turns to put together (T4 tree, T5 Triskaidekaphobia, win on T6 upkeep). And since the Tree doesn't have haste, you'll have to wait an entire turn to do the life-switching, which is bad - look at the best combo decks in Modern (including the ones that got banned recently) and notice how none of them gives the opponent an entire turn to respond to them, because they all involve haste (Grishoalbrand, Bloom Titan), flash (Twin) or no creatures at all (Scapeshift, Storm).
So no, I don't think it's viable. Fun, yes, but not viable. A heavy U/B/x control shell with the combo as a primary wincon might not be too bad, but there are much better wincons for Grixis/Sultai/Esper control out there (and Necrotic Ooze and the Diminish + Bolt strategy are more efficient than Triskaidekaphobia anyway).
June 30, 2016 9:11 a.m.
ducttapedeckbox says... #7
This interaction is also foiled by simply cracking a fetch. It may have a chance Game 1 when your opponent doesn't know what you're up to, but they'll be prepared for the next game.
June 30, 2016 10:12 a.m.
MasterofMirrodin says... #8
You could run Grove of the Burnwillows to counter the fetch's life loss?
This probably wouldn't work, but what about a card like Devour Flesh? You could use it as instant-speed removal or a 2 mana gain 13 life.
June 30, 2016 3:35 p.m.
June 30, 2016 3:54 p.m.
If we're looking for haste, Mass Hysteria probably fits the bill better. Or an instant like Crimson Wisps. But that's another combo piece you're adding that can be interacted with, thus making the combo even more fragile - and taking up deck space that could've been used for protection, card draw etc. From a competitive standpoint (i.e. comparing this to every other successful combo deck in the format), that's bad.
July 1, 2016 12:18 a.m.
JaceArveduin says... #11
You're thinking about this all wrong. We now have two 0/13's that can be bigger, add Doran and Assault Formation and you're off to the races. Not to mention that Terminate, Path, and board wipes are the only way they're getting the things off the field. So Abzan Siege Formation with a copy or two of Triskaidekaphobia as alt win cons?
July 1, 2016 11:41 p.m.
The_Redpill says... #12
JaceArveduin I already made it in Standard:
Standard Tree Assault
Standard*
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July 2, 2016 1:33 a.m.
JaceArveduin says... #13
The_Redpill Neat, though you currently have both trees in there :P
I'd have gone White over Red though, better removal and add some more walls.
July 2, 2016 10:58 a.m.
The_Redpill says... #14
JaceArveduin whoops, I thought I took the old tree out. Thanks for mentioning that. It's still a work in progress, that was just what I threw up there to get the idea down
July 2, 2016 2:18 p.m.
I like The_Redpill's suggestion. You can use Gifts Ungiven to get a full combo package into the graveyard. Something like Necrotic Ooze, tree, Faithless Looting, Unburial Rites.
July 3, 2016 3:37 p.m.
JaceArveduin says... #17
For extra fun you can put a single Demonic Pact with a few harmless kittens.
July 3, 2016 6:22 p.m.
Seems good with the tree.
You get an 1/1 that can set your opponent's life to 1, and a big body without abilities.
The_Redpill says... #2
Some people in the spoiler thread were talking about discarding the Tree and then using Necrotic Ooze and Lightning Bolt, but I guess that doesn't include Phobia.
I think the best way that the Tree and Phobia will be in a deck together is some primary thing with just the Tree, like the above, and then have Phobia as a secondary wincon in case the original plan didn't work out.
I was thinking a B/R/x deck with Necrotic Ooze and some damage spells like Bolt and whatever else, with Phobia as a one- or two-of as a backup plan. Or if you are adamant about using Phobia, do like B/W life gain and enchantment tutors
June 29, 2016 11:56 p.m.