Caw-Blade
Modern forum
Posted on March 31, 2015, 12:37 p.m. by kameenook
Is Caw-Blade viable in modern? If anything, what do you think is the reason Caw-Blade, or decks utilizing Squadron Hawk, are not being played (nearly) at all.
Epochalyptik says... #3
Also, lack of access to Stoneforge Mystic means that your tutoring is limited to Steelshaper's Gift, which doesn't put the card onto the field and can't serve as a body.
March 31, 2015 12:43 p.m.
jandrobard says... #4
The key cards were banned, and what's left is a crappy delver.
March 31, 2015 12:50 p.m.
lemmingllama says... #5
Caw-Blade is lacking the pieces it needs. However, you can still run the swords in fun builds, like AEther Vial white weenie strategies. Turn 4 uncounterable Mirran Crusader with a Sword of Fire and Ice equipped and Path to Exile/Thalia, Guardian of Thraben backup is somewhat terrifying.
March 31, 2015 2:56 p.m.
jandrobard says... #6
Yeah, but that's basically Kevin Crimin's modern D&T list.
March 31, 2015 2:58 p.m.
lemmingllama says... #7
You are correct, white weenie is similar to white weenie! However his lists typically run just Sword of Feast and Famine, but we could easily swap a couple of the components out for some more swords.
There are also some brews going around that use them. The Blade part of Caw-Blade is still viable, but the Caw-Blade deck as a whole can't really work. The only deck I can think of that actually wants Squadron Hawk in it is budget Soul Sisters lists.
March 31, 2015 3:07 p.m.
Epochalyptik says... #8
It basically comes down to the incomplete translation between formats. What's good in one format can't be assumed to be good in another on solely that basis.
Unfortunately, it's something that comes up a lot in Modern.
March 31, 2015 3:15 p.m.
Well my thoughts for a deck involved AEther Vial. Alos Mistveil Plains is nice to try and reuse dead Squadron Hawks. Other than actual blades themselves, I would consider Favorable Winds, Warden of Evos Isle, Lingering Souls, and Vendilion Clique. On this base, do you think it is a deck that could be competitive?
March 31, 2015 3:35 p.m.
jandrobard says... #10
On the base? you'd need to add a fair bit of disruption, seeing as you can't (as far as I can see) t4 someone.
March 31, 2015 4:02 p.m.
elpokitolama says... #11
I'm currently playing a caw blade list that has an esper token basis. All I can say is that with some lifegain it is good against burn, weak vs U/W control and affinity and that it doesn't yet have a defeat against any Abzan deck or even Splinter twin. In my opinion, what would make it viable is a solid control backup and token swarming. The list shown on my profile isn't the one I'm testing right now and will be updated after the end of T/O's modern league. Depending on its results, I will or I won't play it at MKM official series by the next year :)
April 3, 2015 8:48 a.m.
elpokitolama says... #12
By the way, I don't use hawks. I can't lose four slots to them. The only matchup where they would be relevant is control tho :)
Epochalyptik says... #2
JTMS was one of the reasons Squad Hawk was good enough. You could tutor them all, then put them back with the brainstorm effect and get card advantage.
JTMS is illegal in Modern, and Squad Hawk is a relatively expensive for a Modern 1/1 with no protection from removal of any kind.
March 31, 2015 12:40 p.m.