Problems with life gain

Pioneer Deck Help forum

Posted on March 26, 2021, 9:34 a.m. by Argy

My partner StuBi played against a life gain deck tonight, that caused him trouble.

Are there any cards in red or green that punish opponents for gaining life?

I know there is Tainted Remedy in black.

I don't know what could punish but Rampaging Ferocidon seems good.

March 26, 2021 10:07 a.m.

Argy says... #3

It's funny I was looking through cards and just came across Rampaging Ferocidon and went, "Of COURSE! How could I forget THAT card?" :0)

March 26, 2021 10:15 a.m.

legendofa says... #4

Best I can offer is just saying no. Roiling Vortex for sideboard, Rampaging Ferocidon is probably better than Quakebringer for general use, Skullcrack or Tibalt, Rakish Instigator if there's burn or tokens involved.

March 26, 2021 10:16 a.m.

goodair says... #5

March 26, 2021 10:31 a.m.

TriusMalarky says... #6

What kind of life gain? Stopping lifegain is fine, but oftentimes there's far better ways to stop the deck than just saying no lifegain.

Although Ferocidon is 100% playable maindeck anyways, a 3 mana 3/3 with menace is an amazing body.

March 26, 2021 1:58 p.m.

Argy says... #7

TriusMalarky the only problem with Mainboarding Rampaging Ferocidon is that the Dino deck is also Creature heavy.

The Opponent deck was pretty much just gain life, with Fliers.

Not many Dinos who fly.

March 26, 2021 3:38 p.m.

RNR_Gaming says... #8

Honestly, what's the decks pay off? I've not seen any meta data for life gain decks doing well. Usually, you just play creatures that go over and just keep smacking in and removal for angels.

March 26, 2021 3:40 p.m.

Icbrgr says... #9

Idk life gain for the longest time has been a joke but I think its gotten serious support over the last few years.

My best advice is appropriate removal that green has to offer for artifacts amd enchantments and red probably Skullcrack / Tibalt, Rakish Instigator .

Outside that do what does best and beat up up with creatures until they die from it.

March 26, 2021 7:34 p.m.

One of the red leylines also prevents life gain I believe

March 26, 2021 8:47 p.m.

Argy says... #11

Gabe_The_Controller unfortunately none of the Leylines do. I checked.

March 27, 2021 1:21 a.m.

Argy says... #12

RNR_Gaming that's not easy for or to do if Creatures are getting +1/+1 counters from the Lifelink.

March 27, 2021 1:24 a.m.

MagicMarc says... #13

Both Shifting Ceratops and Zacama, Primal Calamity are great versus flyers. The ceratops is amazing versus blue.

Stopping the life gain with stuff like Everlasting Torment or Leyline of Punishment is good alongside stopping the flyers.

March 27, 2021 1:57 a.m.

Argy says... #14

March 27, 2021 5:02 a.m.

MagicMarc says... #15

I apologize, neither Everlasting Torment nor Leyline of Punishment are legal in Pioneer.

Both of the dinos I mentioned are legal in Pioneer however.

March 27, 2021 6:47 a.m.

Erza420 says... #16

you should be up front with "all" the information you have on the life gain deck from the start, rather than waiting for people to offer advice and then revealing more informtion that negates that advice.

TriusMalarky had no way of knowing the lifegain deck had fliers.

RNR_Gaming had no way of knowing the lifegain deck used +1/+1 counters.

use Elder Gargaroth to block, along with Fall of the Hammer and Ram Through for removal. or Plummet . or splash black.

March 27, 2021 3:03 p.m.

MagicMarc says... #17

You could use the new Vorinclex, Monstrous Raider to mess up them getting counters.

Or maybe splash for white and go Naya for Solemnity .

March 27, 2021 3:56 p.m.

Please login to comment