New o modern
Modern forum
Posted on July 28, 2014, 8:17 p.m. by apple41792
Can someone explain to me what the meta for modern is like? Is it as broken as legacy or is it more like standard? Do we get to play magic and have competitive match or will I watch my opponent take 10 minutes for their turn and beat me down before I can play anything? Is the matches 2-3 turns or 5+?
brandontraps says... #3
Most decks goal is to win by turn 5, some can do it faster. I would say most of the time its longer than 5 turns unless you're playing against affinity or another aggro build. Google modern meta for a rundown of the most popular decks.
July 28, 2014 8:26 p.m.
apple41792 says... #4
I am plannimg on playing a merfolk deck. From what I can tell it is an aggro deck tha can ein fast sith right stuff
July 28, 2014 8:39 p.m.
GlistenerAgent says... #5
Merfolk is a very solid deck. I wouldn't call it Tier 1, but it's certainly good at disrupting opposing mana and providing a quick clock. However, the main issue is that removal spells hurt your synergy-based aggro deck, and there are faster aggressive/combo-oriented tools in the format.
July 28, 2014 8:41 p.m.
slovakattack says... #6
In general, people would call Modern a 'turn 5-format', but from what I have seen, two semi-equally matched decks will invariably stall the game out longer.
Most Modern decks plan to win by turn 5, though.
July 28, 2014 9:10 p.m.
GlistenerAgent says... #7
Modern is actually a turn 4 format, because that is the turn Splinter Twin and Affinity generally win the game, and the turn Cryptic Command comes online. It's also where Birthing Pod starts to really do work, even if it was in play for a turn or two prior.
Nevertheless, most combo decks won't just go for it unless you tap out or if they are all-in, so you get to enjoy long games a lot of the time.
July 28, 2014 9:19 p.m.
alpinefroggy says... #8
nonaggro decks dont really design themselves to win quickly as most matchups tend to be extremely grindy and long. Even aggro mirrors and midrange decks against aggro decks can take 10+ turns because both players are playing an attrition game. Overall I feel modern is a much slower format than legacy but faster than standard. Its also in between standard and legacy in terms of skill and power level needed to play in the format well so it can be a nice entrance to a nonrotating format
July 28, 2014 9:20 p.m.
slovakattack says... #9
(I'd definitely take thispersonisagenius's opinion over mine, btw. He's loads better than me.)
July 28, 2014 9:21 p.m.
Modern is traditionally a turn 4 format, but it has been slowing down since recent bannings. I play Twin, and it is not uncommon for a turn 4 win to occur if I am uninterrupted and have decent draws.
I highly suggest playing modern if you are interested in highly interactive games. The most important part of being successful in the format is knowing all the decks and knowing your decks matchups!
July 28, 2014 9:34 p.m.
GlistenerAgent says... #11
I'll give one more note in favor of the format. In Legacy, you see a lot of non-interactive combo decks like Storm, Belcher, etc. The aggro decks play a lot like Faeries from old Standard, and are even more obnoxious than normal. Brainstorm and Force of Will are overplayed, and many people see them almost every round in tournaments.
In Modern, I would argue that the most played card is Lightning Bolt or Misty Rainforest , and at that only about a third of the format. The combo decks are extremely interactive, and every deck in the format gives you interesting games, no matter what. yes, even Infect can play longer games. I know. I play it. The decks that do well are naturally interesting to play against, as they all have lots of options and play out very differently every game, unlike comboing early in the game or playing Gary on turn seven and winning the game.
Standard gives you a smaller card pool, and therefore less cool decks and less wiggle room for the format to change. I don't play it much, so that's all I got.
July 28, 2014 9:39 p.m.
APPLE01DOJ says... #12
Modern is where it's at. Very well balanced and a huge variety of decks to go against.
July 29, 2014 12:56 p.m.
FalkensteinAZ says... #13
Another point in favor of Modern is that a skillfully piloted Tier 2 deck is fully capable of putting up great numbers, especially at the local level. Like wnorris17 said, the first key is to fully understand your own deck, then to understand all your matchups. This is a process which could take quite some time to accomplish, so it's important to stay loyal to your deck. Choose something you really love to play, something that fits just right with your playstyle. If you're just getting your feet wet, and you're excited about Merfolk, play it!
GlistenerAgent says... #2
At Pro Tour Return to Ravnica, the Eggs deck piloted by Cifka took 10-12 minute turns to kill you, but thankfully one of the key pieces was banned in Modern. Now, Modern is an extremely healthy and diverse format, with lots of drawn out, interesting games. There are some combo-style decks that can put out a winning board state very quickly, but there are a fair share of midrange attrition decks.
The combo decks of the format feel more like midrange decks, as Birthing Pod and Splinter Twin decks both have combos, but can play as GW base midrange or UR base control a lot of the time. The best aggro deck is Affinity, using cheap artifact creature alongside Steel Overseer , Arcbound Ravager and Cranial Plating to win the game blisteringly fast.
Here's a website that gives fairly accurate numbers on the Modern metagame, as well as decklists that exemplify the decks being played. I also recommend you check out dailymtg.com to see the metagame breakdown and round-by-round features of GP Boston, which just went down this weekend.
July 28, 2014 8:22 p.m.