Need a little help understanding my color.
Standard forum
Posted on July 23, 2014, 9:25 a.m. by Equinox_Shift
So, to be clear, Blue is quickly becoming my favorite color in Magic.
I would like to make an effective Standard Blue Deck, which can be very competitive. For some reason, I always appear to be a little off in creating decks, and I feel like Blue is truly what I like.
Any Blue players have advice as to how to work with a Blue Deck, tips and tricks, adjustments to my Blue Deck deck?
Thanks!
Equinox_Shift says... #3
Mill-Style Control Deck? Sounds interesting. Can you explain the concept a little more?
Also, I would like a good Blue Deck that wins consistently. Any thoughts on that, ThatBlueMage?
July 23, 2014 9:44 a.m.
The blue deck that wins consistently in Standard is known as Blue Devotion... with Master of Waves as its centrepiece.
July 23, 2014 9:47 a.m.
Equinox_Shift says... #5
I see, so you would recommend I look this up? I should find ample resources, correct Long_Con ?
July 23, 2014 9:50 a.m.
Servo_Token says... #6
Yeah, that list is everywhere. Just Search for Blue Devotion, there's really only one list.
As for the mill deck, You want to stall the game as long as possible with bounce spells like Cyclonic Rift , AEtherize , and Voyage's End , Counter spells such as Dissolve and Dissipate , and an engine, as previously mentioned, Grindclock .
Getting the engine online early is key, and filling your deck with cantrips or draw spells like Divination and Opportunity will help you keep up the pressure.
Mill decks like this aren't widely used, but can be a good meta call if you're surrounded by other control decks.
July 23, 2014 9:59 a.m.
You should have no problem finding Blue Devotion decklists, but here: http://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/search/?q=&format=standard-2012-10-05&cards=&o=date_updated&d=desc&general=&hubs=devotion&hubs=blue&price_0=&price_1=&submit=Filter+results
July 23, 2014 9:59 a.m.
Equinox_Shift says... #8
Would you recommend cards like Mind Sculpt and Tome Scour ThatBlueMage ?
Long_Con , Thanks for your help!
July 23, 2014 10:18 a.m.
Blue devotion is going to lose a lot of important cards with the rotation of rtr. In fact blue in a generic sense is losing A LOT of solid cards. I would recommend waiting to see what happens.
July 23, 2014 10:18 a.m.
KrosanTusker says... #10
Equinox_Shift I'm not sure how well mill works as a burn deck. Cards like Hedron Crab , Jace's Erasure and Temple Bell don't seem as cool, but they're more reliable. Of course, If you splash black, you get Glimpse the Unthinkable and Breaking , which could help.
July 23, 2014 10:26 a.m.
Dalektable says... #11
Equinox_Shift Nooo. You want to be a controlling deck, adding in those would take away from a counterspell or three you couldve had. Grindclock would be slow, grind-y win con which i love.
July 23, 2014 10:27 a.m.
Equinox_Shift says... #12
If you guys have a chance, take a look at my Blue Deck I currently have. I based it off cards I enjoy playing, and the little tricks here or there. I do so quite enjoy Stormtide Leviathan , so any recommendations that will help me bring him out as a win-con would really be appreciated.
Let me know what you think.
July 23, 2014 10:32 a.m.
Servo_Token says... #13
Seems ok, but I think that you'd want more counter spells and / or removal. Scry fish isn't really the best defense when facing down a midrange deck, and you want to be able to stall more until you can get your leviathan out.
July 23, 2014 11:01 a.m.
BlueEyesRedMage says... #14
I took a look at your blue deck Equinox_Shift and you've definitely got the start of something cool. Personally, I'm a massive fan of all things Stormtide Leviathan , he is AWESOME...if you can have him hit the table. Some notes on your deck though:
Statute of Denial : Whilst it does say "counter spell + upside if you have a blue guy", there are better and cheaper ways to counter things. Cancel is the same effect, for 1 mana cheaper, Dissolve is Cancel plus scry 1 and Dissipate adds on the additional exile effect. Any of these cards in your deck would be much better that the Statute of Denial s, as they will help you slam a big NO to their spells for cheaper :)
Jalira, Master Polymorphist : This card, like alot of the cards in your deck, is awesome but unfortunately for you, dosen't quite fit. Whilst it is quite easy to see yourself saccing a Sigiled Starfish or Squid token and landing a massive Stormtide Leviathan as a result, there are way too many other creatures in your deck to guarantee that. It'd feel pretty bad to sac a starfish and accidentaly find another starfish no? If you ran less creatures and more counter spells, you will increase your chances of lucking into an enormous leviathan :)
Also, of you have the Jace, the Living Guildpact s, why don't you run them in the main deck? At 4 mana, Jace is a much better card for your deck that something like your Paragon of Gathering Mists , who is unfortunately small and lackluster compared to a planeswalker :)
Just a couple of things to take int account, I'd love to see your deck grow and develop, I can see you've latched onto some very cool cards from the new set!
July 23, 2014 11:05 a.m.
Equinox_Shift says... #15
Alright, made some changes, however, I'm still looking for a suitable replacement for Jalira, Master Polymorphist
July 23, 2014 11:16 a.m.
GoldGhost012 says... #18
If we're talking mono-Blue control and Grindclock as a wincon, why was I not invited?!?!
July 23, 2014 1:09 p.m.
Equinox_Shift says... #19
Well GoldGhost012 welcome aboard!
Really pleased so many people are so kind as to help me. I keep revising it, but I'd gladly take any advice I can get from you :), also it is a pleasure speaking with you all.
July 23, 2014 1:27 p.m.
BlueEyesRedMage and ThatBlueMage both made great comments that I agree with. Playing with your deck is the first time I've seen the true power of Chasm Skulker in action, and I have to say, I am a fan.
Void Snare makes me sad as a sorcery (still miss Vapor Snag ), and I would run Cyclonic Rift instead. You don't REALLY need to cast it turn 1, and the Rift becomes a game-winner in the late-game.
Kiora's Dismissal could be sideboarded, and you could consider Rapid Hybridization as a potent board-stabilizer while you pump your Skulkers.
Hover Barrier might save your ass more often than Coral Barrier , especially if you're phasing out the Jalira factor.
July 23, 2014 1:27 p.m.
Equinox_Shift says... #21
Thanks everyone, hopefully I can pull out a win.
I'll do my best to try and make this work.
Only one way to find out.
Servo_Token says... #2
Depends on the kind of deck. Do you want a good blue deck that wins consistently, though at the cost of not feeling very blue?
There's the standard Mono Blue Devotion deck that is in essence an aggro deck that uses little creatures to power out some fatties later on.
If you want a true blue feel in standard right now, your best bet is to play a mill-style control deck that utilizes things like Grindclock as a win condition. aetherspouts, Dissolve , Dissipate , Cyclonic Rift are all things that will help you get there, along with a secondary mill package in Traumatize and Jace, Memory Adept .
Traditional blue control really just isn't that competitive right now, though with the additions from M15, it seems like it can make a bit of a stronger presence. Just need to find the right build.
July 23, 2014 9:29 a.m.