Pod unbanning?
Modern forum
Posted on March 27, 2015, 2:39 a.m. by IndepenentMeta
Is this gonna happen anytime soon? It's just I feel like they took apart a good tech for junk decks and it was totally unnesscessary.
IndepenentMeta says... #3
Yeah but that was literally too fast... I just picked up these cards with pod, treasured find, and eternal witness in the same format them they go banning it. Such awkward bullshit...
March 27, 2015 2:45 a.m.
Epochalyptik says... #4
That's unfortunate, but your acquisitions have nothing to do with the banning process.
March 27, 2015 2:46 a.m.
IndepenentMeta says... #5
Plus I'm kinda curious on what the list looks like and the regulations of the unbanning and banning process
March 27, 2015 2:47 a.m.
JexInfinite says... #6
Dig Through Time and Bloodbraid Elf will probably get unbanned way before. Don't expect to see Mr Poddy back any time soon.
March 27, 2015 2:48 a.m.
Epochalyptik says... #7
The list is publicly available.
The banning and unbanning process is heavily data-driven and is meant to control the meta to prevent format stagnation and the statistical overrepresentation of certain decks.
March 27, 2015 2:48 a.m.
IndepenentMeta says... #8
Oh I didn't make an acquisition i just pointed out that I didn't get to play it.... And right now I'm on the junk hunt. Sooo bringing it back might make a good birthday present
March 27, 2015 2:49 a.m.
IndepenentMeta says... #9
Those are prolly two cards that should come off the list JexInfinite they really were good examples of sort and gimmick
March 27, 2015 2:51 a.m.
JexInfinite says... #10
IndepenentMeta There are usually a couple reasons for a ban.
It makes for a shit format i.e. Jace, the Mind Sculptor, Stoneforge Mystic, Treasure Cruise
It makes certain archetypes/decks far too good i.e. Deathrite Shaman, Punishing Fire
Other reasons (Artificially lengthens games, makes games take forever) i.e. Sensei's Divining Top, Second Sunrise
March 27, 2015 2:51 a.m.
IndepenentMeta says... #11
I know the reasons behind banning I just think Birthing Pod shouldn't have been on there
March 27, 2015 2:53 a.m.
JexInfinite says... #12
Birthing Pod made up 30% of the meta, was an oppressing force for at least a year, preventing other decks from being played, and the format was very much 'Beat it, or join it', which is really unhealthy.
It should definitely have been banned. Arguing against it does nothing.
March 27, 2015 3:05 a.m.
IndepenentMeta says... #13
I don't think it got that bad I mean now at days you guys have a better selection of modern cards you can run with the kahns block. It just got banned for no reason at all. I mean I think even a good mardu modern build has a strong chance against this oppressive force
March 27, 2015 3:17 a.m.
GoldGhost012 says... #14
One of the reasons Pod was banned was because it was heavily played, yes. But one could also argue that the printing of Siege Rhino helped push Pod over the edge. As long as WotC continues printing sets, they will make more value creatures like Rhino, making Pod only better over time as more and more powerful value creatures are created.
March 27, 2015 3:24 a.m.
GoldGhost012 says... #15
Besides, even without Birthing Pod, Abzan decks, which were the core of the Pod decks, are still doing very well right now.
March 27, 2015 3:25 a.m.
IndepenentMeta says... #16
That true over time it will gain more value so I guess we re just gonna have to miss out on the tech choices we could've ran. Because it will only get better overtime... So we fuck it up for everyone lol
Naw just kidding but yeah your right man. I know abzan decks could still be viable but what if another creature comes out that's not abzan right? And you wanna run it.. What if that monster gets dropped as quick as orgins. Then we just miss out on it? Or what about other viable cards that could've gone well with pod?
March 27, 2015 3:31 a.m.
JexInfinite says... #17
GoldGhost012 Claiming that Pod was just an Abzan deck is preposterous. A BGx attrition deck is VERY different to a creature based combo/midrange deck. Little Kid Abzan is basically just GW aggro/midrange and runs some of the cards that Pod did. It is not Pod, though.
March 27, 2015 3:46 a.m.
quesobueno123 says... #18
Pod was 30% of the fucking meta. It will never be unbanned since they will keep printing more and more value creatures making pod better and better if they were to unban it.
March 27, 2015 5:56 a.m.
Pod isn't "good tech" for junk decks, it is itself an archetype with a deck built around the card. That one card made the deck one of the best in the format if not the best and that resulted in it being the most played archetype. How can you say it shouldn't have been banned?
March 27, 2015 7:08 a.m.
Pod was an engine that allowed the deck to do way too much. Id love to get deathrite shaman back too, but when something is oppressing the meta, it must be stopped. Dont get your hopes up for an unban, it was just banned, and the meta hasnt changed a huge amount since then. give it like 3 years and a meta shift and i could potentially see it unbanned MAYBE. Not bloody likely for now though.
Im saying we need a 2-drop, instant speed removal spell that can hit planeswalkers, and JtMS could come off the ban list. Hes counterable, removable, and i think would end up being a 4 mana brainstorm a lot of the time.
March 27, 2015 10:04 a.m.
mathimus55 says... #23
If you want a post-pod "pod" deck, Jacob Wilson went top 8 of the Pro Tour right after with this podless Junk deck
March 27, 2015 10:09 a.m.
The problem with pod was essentially that there was no better creature based midrange deck and it just made the format a little boring. You couldn't brew a creature based midrange deck that was better than pod - it was impossible. Now you can - the format is more open.
March 27, 2015 11:19 a.m.
GoldGhost012 says... #25
JexInfinite I never said Pod was just an Abzan deck. I said most of its core cards are played in today's Abzan decks. Rhino, Finks, Hierarch, etc.
March 27, 2015 11:57 a.m.
IndepenentMeta says... #26
That whole time been playing tcg one card gets banned every single time.its not themort oppressive deck in the format and if I remember correctly during the time that it got hit UR delver was running the format... So there are things that could beat pod easy. Plus right now you guys have a turn 4 kill with splinter twin. Idk how that just flys under the radar.
March 27, 2015 12:21 p.m.
PepsiAddicted says... #27
Because turn 4 win in modern doesnt bother any1, thats why
March 27, 2015 12:28 p.m.
turn 4 is where modern is supposed to be at. On turn 4 in modern you should either be stabilizing and have the board in your favor going for the win or have flat out won.
Before the most recent bannings the decks were Pod/Delver. Look at the top 8 results from most tournaments in 2014 It was Pod/Delver winning with 3 other pod decks in the top 8 and 2 other delver decks.
Now in contrast look at the most recent top 8s and in Dallas there are 8 different decks in the top 8, Baltimore there are 6 different decks, 6 different decks GP Vancouver, 6 different at the god series, and the least diverse Washington still had 5 different decks
March 27, 2015 12:36 p.m.
Named_Tawyny says... #30
Aren't you the one who always claims that you're designing cards that they steal from you? Why not just design an alternative to Pod, so it doesn't matter if it gets unbanned or not?
March 27, 2015 1:06 p.m.
IndepenentMeta says... #31
I've seen a couple of modern tournaments when I'm this far into the game I wanna be the first to say that whole 5 round game is bullshit. I mean in modern you have so many other good answers that it makes it nearly impossible to get the win by the 5th turn. Now before you guys misinterpret me let me explain it. I'm not saying there is no turn 5 kill. But with the right cards you can drag turn 5 decks into turn 50. And I've watched about 8-10 modern tournaments where the matches either go overtime or finish with like 5-15 mins on the clock. the point is not every game is a 5 turn game so it's not really a five turn format...
March 27, 2015 1:06 p.m.
IndepenentMeta says... #32
Ok see that's what I'm talking bout this guy just basically answered the question like this
"I don't have a problem loosing on turn 4 but I do have a problem with pod being played" that is one of the most narrow minded answers I've heard in the game. So because players have a problem with it it's banned, yeah ok I have a problem with vendilion clique, siege rhino, dark confidant, burn spells, storm engine, goblins, but I'm ok with loosing to whitered and maybe mono blue lets just make the format like that guys
March 27, 2015 1:11 p.m.
IndepenentMeta says... #33
Because we vs done that for years and it's pretty lame to be wasting prints on cards that basically do the same thing. But it makes other players think their playing something else. I used to be part of the damn team man not anymore fr years now... Realistically speaking kahns is prolly the last block they stole. But don't worry I'm ok with that. Let's see what direction the other designers take you in. Cause you know it's not only one guy that calls the shots
March 27, 2015 1:14 p.m.
PepsiAddicted says... #34
its a turn3 format imo. if you dont know whos gonna win by turn3 something is wrong or its a crazy mirror match. and you are talking about how f.e. control works against combo. that has nothing to do with the amount of turns a deck needs in theory to win a game.
also.. the ususal 
March 27, 2015 1:17 p.m.
IndepenentMeta says... #35
If you seen a bunch of games last longer than 5 turns that has nothing to do with our theory... Lol tapped out logic.....
March 27, 2015 1:22 p.m.
brycecream says... #36
Sigh. I don't think you're doing it on purpose but you are trollin' hard
March 27, 2015 1:22 p.m.
fluffybunnypants says... #37
Duck Fayden
Because this thread makes no sense anyway.
March 27, 2015 1:26 p.m.
mathimus55 says... #38
Every time that I see this guy starts I thread I throw in an obligatory comment just so I can have entertainment at work for the whole day.
March 27, 2015 1:26 p.m.
CanadianShinobi says... #39
PepsiAddicted arguably it isn't. Especially with the recent meta the game has slowed down somewhat. I would still argue that it is a turn 4 format, especially with Abzan decks running around. Though Burn is also doing well. The fact that Control isn't around is really troublesome to me since (and I won't get into it here) the metagame has become very skewed in a sense. I also don't think IndepenentMeta is trolling, but is expressing the thoughts of someone inexperienced with the Modern format.
Oh... he's still going on about them stealing card designs. No, just fucking stop that.
IndepenentMeta also did you just try and explain how Modern works to us? I'm actually not quite sure what you were getting at in post #10. Also, can I make a request? Could you please stop creating these threads in such a haphazard manner and perhaps do some research before creating a discussion?
March 27, 2015 1:29 p.m.
Yes many games do go past turn 4.
THAT'S WHY I SAID YOU NEED TO STABILIZE BY TURN 4
Control and midrange stabilize turn 4 against aggro. Aggro tries to win by turn 4. Twin may be able to win turn 4 but its a control combo deck and will rarely go for the win without it be a for sure thing. Bloom Titan can win turn 2 off of a god hand so can infect.
Games lasting longer is what happens when two good decks with tons of answers go against each other. I may have a turn 4 win hand but if you have the right kill/counterspell that won't happen.
March 27, 2015 1:32 p.m.
PepsiAddicted says... #41
Yeah i ment to type turn 4, just like in my previous comment. I guess turn 3 is still stuck in my head after all that time... Anyway that wasnt the important part ;)
March 27, 2015 1:32 p.m.
IndepenentMeta says... #42
I'm just telling you wat I've see. As far as modern goes. I also wanted to start a thread how in about 20 different packs there's only like 30 cards that are viable in the format. I just don't think people r looking hard enough. Or trying to break away from the cirrent meta enough. Reason being is if some of these other guys wanna run something else they have to hear shit like this first. It discourages orginallty in the format. Altough ive been looking through magics top8 web page and it top 8 is always so veristile. So yes I do notice these types of things
March 27, 2015 1:39 p.m.
PepsiAddicted says... #45
Awlryte, ale begun because this is getting too funny for my taste.
Ye notte non feedest yon trolles.
March 27, 2015 1:49 p.m.
CanadianShinobi says... #46
IndepenentMeta there is a difference between encouraging good deck building and "discouraging versatility". When someone tells you that are card in nonviable, or there are better alternatives, they are giving you advice in which to improve your deck building. The great thing about Modern is that you can build a deck that no one expects and win, but you have to know how to play it. And you need to build a good deck. That means using good cards. The nature of a TCG is that there will always be cards that are better than others. However, if you want to talk about a versatile format... Allow me to present two current deck building theories that I am currently working on.
One of the potential problems that many players run into when building a Control deck is that because one style of Control deck was prominent in the past, that is the only control deck that is viable. Notably: Jeskai Control.
However, in theory, two options present themselves to me. The first in Grixis Control, which has been given access to overlooked tools with the coming of DTK. The second is Sultai Control.
Sultai Control 
Let me work backwards and start with Sultai Control, since it is, perhaps the more obvious deck due to its recent showing. The obvious assumption is that since you're running green, then you must run 4x Tarmogoyf because you're running green. This is dangerous thinking and shifts the deck into a Midrange deck because then you begin to play various B/G/X components. I would argue that Sultai control is perfectly viable with a set of Snapcasters, 1-2 Tasigurs and potentially 1-2 Thragtusk. This configuration of creatures allows for greater access to elements of control. It also removes itself from the concept of being a pure midrange deck since the theory and game plan of the deck have changed. Tarmogoyf is such an influential card that it does change deck building theories. Another potential set up is to place 2x Eternal Witness into the deck so that you can recall anything should you lose it.
Grixis Control 
The next is Grixis. Grixis is often overshadowed by Jeskai control for a variety of reasons. Removal, creatures and life gain are the notable reasons, especially with the printing of Sphinx's Revelation. However, Grixis has recently been given two key tools which, again in theory, solve certain problems. The first is Kolaghan's Command and the next is Commune with Lava. While people have initially praised Kolaghan's Command for it's versatility, they often overlook the first ability: Return Target creature from your graveyard to your hand. Couple that with a shock and/or discard and you have an incredibly powerful card. In This card allows you to further recycle Snapcaster Mage, thus gaining further advantage from a creature that is already a huge boon to any control deck. The second overlooked tool that Grixis has gained is Commune with Lava. Those who analyzed DTK have all overlooked this card, dismissing it as the poor man's Sphinx's Revelation. However, what such players have failed to realize is that for something like Grixis, especially in Modern, this is an excellent late game card. Firstly it allows you to sort through however many cards you cast it for. It's 1 cheaper. Many control spells, like Cryptic Command are perfectly fine at sorcery speed and it allows you to dig deeper to find your win con. Not only that, but it removes late game dead draws such as Mana Leak and unnecessary land.
March 27, 2015 1:53 p.m.
IndepenentMeta says... #47
No the thing is I already understand that. Most of the time I reason with some of y'alls tech choices. Sometimes you guys are right. But I wouldn't be doing my part as a tcg player if I didnt try to find my own tech choices. Idk thats what I think.
Oh btw I too am working on sultai control wanna take a look at my build on my page it's one of the last ones
March 27, 2015 2:02 p.m.
CanadianShinobi says... #48
None of your decks have been made to appear on your profile.
March 27, 2015 2:08 p.m.
Pod was banned not just because of its 30% metagame share, but also because it consistently won GPs and larger tournaments with startling regularity. Thus increasing its metagame percentage.
Also it's just not a fun deck to play against.
Epochalyptik says... #2
They literally just banned it.
March 27, 2015 2:40 a.m.