First Time
kfcl, 12 years ago
First time playing this today in FFA, starting hand was so-so and card draws got worse and worse, and basically everyone targeted me from the start so I lost all my engines, will probably need some better way to protect my commander and board position. Might also fare better in 2HG with someone to protect me. Need more games to find out.
More updates.
julienk, 12 years ago
Added:
4x Blood Artist
2x Desecration Demon
Removed:
2x Diregraf Ghoul
2x Stromkirk Noble
2x Vampire Nighthawk
Came in 5th at FNM this time.
First match was a semi-mirror match. Opponent had a very similar deck but was running Bonfire of the Damned and Abrupt Decay. I ended up winning the first game very quickly, then the second went surprisingly slow. Took 13+ turns, but I ended up winning. 2-0
2nd match was against u/w deck. He had Geist of Saint Traft in play, and ended up beating me first game. 2nd game got me down to four life with Geist in play, but I had a Desecration Demon and Blood Artist in play. He had to sacrifice one creature for Demon, then I killed two more before he could ever swing with Geist which put me at 7 life, just out of range for the Geist and Angel to kill me. The 3rd game went over quickly with some really fast creatures and kill spells. 2-1
3rd match I lost. 0-2. I kept an opening hand with 3 Rakdos Cacklers, 3 Vexing Devils, but no land. And was just hoping for a turn 1 or 2 land. I ended up not getting any until like turn 5 and lost this first one badly. 2nd game I had to mulligan to 5 I think. I just didn't have any luck with this matchup. Not sure what all he was playing, but he had G/W/B cards. Sorin, Thragtusk, a lot of token stuff.
4th match was another semi-mirror match. Opponent was playing more Zombies though. 1st game I got Vexing Devil and 3 Pillar of Flames in my opening hand and was able to kill off his Zombies and exile those Gravecrawlers. 2nd game, I got out a Desecration Demon and Blood Artist and killed off his zombies to stop Crawlers again. 2-0.
So, wasn't too bad. Considering switching out the remaining 2 Diregraf Ghouls for Deathrite Shamans. I pulled 3 of these but have sold them all... I could use it on instants/sorceries to make opponents lose life. Or if any land hits the graveyard, as mana excel. If I do this, I may add some Overgrown Tomb
or Stomping Ground when it becomes standard just to have a slim possibility of using Shaman's third ability. And I may add Abrupt Decay if I do this.
FNM 1
deathtopop, 12 years ago
Before the most recent slew of updates. Went 3 - 2, with mana troubles that've been corrected, and lost in a close game in the first round of top 8. A good start.
Malefactor, 12 years ago
Last night I went 3-1 at FNM. Lost to a U/W Spirit deck 2-1. Won the first round but couldn't get the the last two. I'm thinking about a few changes.
Patavian, 12 years ago
Went 3-1 at my FNM last night, losing only in the last round to the store owner who had the perfect deck against me (B/R Human Vampires). Beat some really well designed decks, including a Bant Midrange, RUW Control and a Bant Humans. Overall i'm fairly satisfied with how this deck is doing, especially considering i don't have a sideboard. Suggestions for sideboard welcome.
FNM
Frostblade, 12 years ago
Went 3-1 at FNM last night and got 2nd place.
1st Round- Rakdos Sacrifice and Blood Artist deck Won 2-0 easily. Sacrificing your only creatures against an aggro deck doesn't go so well.
2nd Round- Grixis Control Won 2-0. First match opponent wasn't prepared for the onslaught from Strangleroot Geist and Loxodon Smiter. Second match was a turn 4 kill with Loxodon Smiter, Rancor, and Ajani, Caller of the Pride.
3rd Round- Mono-Red Sledgehammer Lost 0-2. First match he Pillar of Flame my mana dork and I got stuck on two mana until it was too late to recover. Second match I sided in all my anti-aggro cards and he sided in more burn. I drew a good hand but no creature ever stuck since he burned every one that hit the battlefield or used Bonfire of the Damned to wipe my board.
4th Round- Red Deck Wins Won 2-1. First match I had to mulligan to five while my opponent pulled a perfect hand. If I would had survived one more turn I would have won but he had Hellrider and Brimstone Volley. Second match he got mana screwed? and I just ran over him in four turns. Third match I just gained life and negated all the damage he did.
The game against Red Sledgehammer was a really bad matchup. It was just too easy for him to play against my deck. I played him again afterwards and I would win when he let my creatures stick but any tips to help my deck better face this matchup would be nice. Thanks.
BearHugsHurt, 12 years ago
In it's current form it won FNM, and a Store Cash Prize toruney before a little tuning I came 5th out of 25, and at another tourney I went undefeated 3-0
FNM - Gold Star Anime
xunclekevinx, 12 years ago
This was the last shop that I normally play at that hadn't seen my new zombie deck, and this place tends to not exactly be a cesspool of competitiveness. Actually, most people that play here tend to have no idea what they're doing. Luckily, four of the ten competitors at this FNM were me and my friends, so there was at least a little bit of talent added to the normally disappointing talent level. At the start of the night, I still hadn't seen a reason to use Lotleth Troll, since he hadn't proven himself as a good creature to have, but I figured I would leave it in.
Round 1 vs. Red Deck Wins
Just like last week, in the first round, I played against a shoddy, unsleeved, mono-red deck that someone just threw together. This guy had been talking up being a very good player, but having most of his favorite cards rotate out, but I'm not sure about it. In game 1, he came out quickly with Goblin Arsonist, to which I summoned Gravecrawler and just attacked and let him die. All through this series he would make plays like using Pillar of Flame on me, which left me very skeptical, considering there were many better targets on the board. He didn't get much mana game 1, so my zombie swarm just ran him over. In game 2, it went the other way for him, and he got lots of mana, but not much else. I used my regular shenanigans with my zombies coming out quick, using 2 Gravecrawlers and Rancor to hit him hard even quicker. He decided that a topdeck Bonfire of the Damned for 0 was worth it, which left me shaking my head. Before he could think, he was already dead. Sad.
Result: 2-0 Win
Round 2 vs. Selesnya Midrange
This deck type seems to be the achilles heel for my deck, but luckily I had seen this guy beat one of my friends last round, due to the fact that my friend was playing a fun tribal dragons deck, and he had to deal with Silklash Spider mainboard. Not an easy task. So here I was, in game 1, he took an opening hand that was risky, to which he said he hoped he wasn't playing against anything aggro, and my blue sleeves were misleading. I had an amazing opening hand, coming out with Gravecrawler turn 1, followed by Gravecrawler, Rancor turn 2, followed by Geralf's Messenger. Meanwhile, he was struggling, sitting on 2 white mana, and no spells to cast, after winning that game, he told me he took a hand with 2 white mana and an Avacyn's Pilgrim, believing he would draw a Forest. It didn't work out. In game 2, I sideboarded out my Lotleth Trolls for Highborn Ghoul and Pillar of Flame, due to the fact that I didn't trust Lotleth Troll enough at the time. I made a mistake, taking a hand with 1 mana, which was a Dragonskull Summit, which left me playing a one drop a turn for awhile, because I didn't get much else. He was going much faster, getting a Centaur Healer turn 2, as well as a Selesnya Keyrune. By the time I had some mana, I played a few Gravecrawlers and company. He came out with lots of Oblivion Rings and Fiend Hunters, which left me reeling. Just when I thought it couldn't get worse, he played Thragtusk and eventually used him to swing lethal, due to the fact that I was sitting on 3 mana. We went on to game 3, where we both came out quickly, me with my zombies, and him with his Fiend Hunters to get rid of them. Luckily, my sideboarded Highborn Ghoul and combination of two Gravecrawlers and a Rancor was hitting hard, while I sat at 20 life. He had a Healer of the Pride out, but kept missing the trigger, so that was a huge misplay on his part. Eventually, I was able to get him to 1 life, then play Geralf's Messenger to win.
Result: 2-1 Win
Round 3 vs. Grixis Control
Now that I was 2-0, I would have to begin playing my friends, who were helping me dominate the regular competition at the shop. I had helped my friend out with his build of Grixis Control, and I was looking forward to playing it, especially since I needed to redeem myself from him beating me last time we played casually. In game 1, I was able to play a few zombies quickly, with Gravecrawler, Diregraf Ghoul and Geralf's Messenger all swinging early. Unluckily for him, he wasn't getting any of the cards he needed, not even Pillar of Flame to stop my swarm, and I won game 1 quickly, on the pins and needles I decided to put myself on after an over-confident loss in the previous round. In game 2, he had about 9 cards he sideboarded in just for my deck, I didn't have much to put in, so we started it up. I came out with a similar start as game 1, he quickly used Rolling Temblor in back to back turns, to slow me down, but luckily, the undead Geralf's Messenger lived through the second wave, since he had 3 toughness. After some stalling, I brought back a Gravecrawler and he was able to play a [Tamiyo, Moon Sage to help stop me from swinging lethal by keeping my Geralf's Messenger tapped. With one Abrupt Decay in hand and not much to do about the planeswalker on board, I topdecked a Dreadbore, which I laughed about, considering I did not deserve what I got. In the next turn, I was able to swing lethal.
Result: 2-0 Win
Round 4 vs. America Control
This was the last round of the night, with both of us at 3-0. He had beaten my brother in the previous round, due to the fact that my brother had gotten mana-screwed, which happens, and is pretty sad. My opponent offered to split the prize with me, but I decided that I pretty much never want to do that, and I needed to avenge my brother. We started off, and I realized how consistent my openings of games are, coming out with 3 one-drop zombies in two turns. He was able to slow me down with Feeling of Dread, which he flashed back in the next turn. Even though he had at least 8 board wipes, he wasn't getting any at the time, and I kept bashing him in the skull. I soon played Falkenrath Aristocrat and smashed him down to 7. He played Supreme Verdict, and I kept my heavy hitter alive by making her indestructible. After that play, he scooped, even though I couldn't swing lethal next turn, but I looked at the next card, and it was Geralf's Messenger, so I could have won next turn anyway. Lots of sideboarding was done on his end, and I decided to sit with what I had. We started game 2, and I quickly played Gravecrawler and Lotleth Troll. I remained ever-cognizant of board wipes, leaving a mana open to regenerate the troll many times. He eventually used Pillar of Flames on Lotleth Troll, so I discarded two creatures to keep him alive, at 4/3, which was the play of the night. After that, I kept swinging, and the only answer he had was an Entreat the Angels for 1, which I shut down with a Dreadbore. I can only assume it was a disappointing game for him, and I came out with another easy win.
Result: 2-0 Win
Final Result: 4-0 in rounds, 8-1 in games. 1st place
mails, 12 years ago
My mentor pointed out, what was pretty obvious: with all those discards, opponents graveyards are filled with cards to exile, so no draw with Gravestorm. So gravestorm bites the dust
Deck Update
Solomon, 12 years ago
Hello Everyone!
Click here to jump to this week's discussion.
Thank you so very much for your wonderful suggestions! For this week's update, I carefully went through all of the comments posted under this topic as of November 24, 2012.
I have to say that I am very pleased with the advice given to me throughout the development of this deck. Without further ado, I would like to explain the changes incorporated into the creation of the deck's final revision.
Change Log:
- Removed 4x Pyromancer Ascension from the maybeboard.
Thank you so very much for the helpful suggestions that were submitted over the last couple of weeks in the comment section. As we reach the deck's final revision, I want to take a moment to thank everyone for your each and individual contributions to this deck's amazing turnout. To be honest, I did not expect nearly this much success in feedback and audience participation when I first premiered this deck idea a month ago.
Following this post are my comments for the last Card of the Week. Again, thanks for all of the thoughtful comments! As I am still relatively new to Magic the Gathering, I would very much appreciate any further suggestions and/or constructive criticism that you may have to offer.
Elemental Appeal
As I'm sure most know by now, this card lies indispensable as part of the core strategy of this deck. Exchanging four mana for seven damage never proved more satisfying; Elemental Appeal provides the additional option of doubling your output for only five more mana, making it superior (for this deck's intents and purposes) to Blistering Firecat.
When paired with the doubling effect of Quest for Pure Flame, the effects of the card become more and more devastating. Given that there are multiple copies of the former card in the deck, Elemental Appeal could serve as your opponent's one way ticket to heaven. If played at the proper time, this creature can close the gap and bring you a victory on your fourth or fifth turn. In the words of bakofried, "Do people like Blistering Firecat? Yes. Do people like options? Yes. Good card." I am pleased with the Gatherer's community rating of this card, as its abilities significantly advance the concept of this deck.
For a deck that seeks to destroy its opponent quickly, brutally, and intimidatingly, Elemental Appeal demonstrates itself as an awesomely powerful card that is a must-have in anyone's Magic shopping list.
oh boy
Mkorb, 12 years ago
ok, since everebody keep telling me that Increasing Confusion is not fitting well, I tried to look up to some nice artifacts or finisher, wantig to avoid the Draksteel Colossus and similar because they are too mainstream I choose Prototype Portal wich can combo with most of my finishers.
Well, the results are amazing. I feel like I've build a good deck, I had even an easy win against a Red deck win . Thank you guys. gl hf.
Minor change and FNM
Kitran, 12 years ago
I made a minor change before FNM started. I changed Daggerdrome Imp to Falkenrath Noble. The imp turned out to be alright, but the synergy between Falkenrath Noble, Vampire Nocturnus, Stromkirk Captain and Blood Artist is crazy. However, I am now realizing that I should have gone with the Vampire Interloper over the Falkenrath Noble because I can get them out earlier. I made the change when I got home this evening.
I went 2-0 first game, then 0-2 and 0-2.
Game 1: I started off strong, got several artists and interlopers up. When he came at me with fliers I used my single Vampire Nighthawk to kill them off one at a time. Round ended up going 30+ minutes! I drew a Rakdos's Return and hit him with that and all my creatures for the win.
Game 2: This one went pretty fast, maybe 8 turns. I got a Vampire Nighthawk and a Vampire Nocturnus out, then just used the nighthawk to grind out some life changes. I ended up winning on turn 0 because the timer had just ran out, got a lucky Rakdos's Return and used that and what creatures I had on the board to finish him off.
Game 3: Wow, removal sucks! As soon as I seemed to get a creature out, it was removed the next turn. I could not get anything out and died pretty fast.
Game 4: Same problem, only this time my Olivia Voldaren was countered by my opponent playing one. That killed my momentum and I lost the attrition war.
Game 5: Had to mulligan to 5, wasn't getting any land draws. This killed my opening, and I couldn't recover.
Game 6: Had a decent start, but an early attack ended up making me lose more than my opponent and I couldn't recover.
Seems like I can do very well when there isn't any removal in opposing decks, but if I have a couple of creatures removed or do bad blocks/attacks then I don't recover.
Wondering what I can do to get over removal, most likely will need to change the Tragic Slip to Duress or at least get some Duress into my sideboard.
Tournament at Samurai Comics - 57-10-11
Demarge, 12 years ago
Round 1: went up against u/w flash. Game 1 made sure his creatures were nice and dead while I milled him out. Game 2 a turn 2 Rest in Peace with a memory adept on turn 5 allowed for a quick victory.
Round 2: Played against junk reanimator. Game 1 milled him out. Game 2 he beat me to death. Game 3 I milled him out after a long battle, but an early memory adept stayed alive to do his job, also Cyclonic Rift was great for the matchup when added with Feeling of Dread.
Round 3: Played against Bant control. In game 1 and 2 the deck ran almost exactly like the playtest I did against zandl's deck, I out controled and then milled him out.
Round 4: Played against RDW. Won game 1 thanks to a hand of land and cheap control spells, but lost game 2-3 due to bad color fixing and RDW's nut draws.
Round 5: drew into top 8.
Top 8: Played against zombies. Milled him out game 1, he beat me to death game 2. And game 3 I kept a greedy 1 land hand, saw my 2nd land around turn 3 and my 3rd land not until turn 5ish, but a timely Terminus miracle saved me just as he overextended. From there I took as much control as I could and eventually milled him out while I was at 2 life.
Top 4: split, but rolled d10's to determine standings.
First FNM Results!
arkaedes135, 12 years ago
Ran Vault of the Archangel in stead if Gavony Township. Over All: 4/2. Round 1: Went up against UW flash 2/1, WIN; Won game 1 with no issue, Loxodon Smiter did its job beautifully. Game 2 was a loss, sided in Thalia, Guardian of Thraben for Dreg Mangler, I didn't draw an answer to his turn 2 delver flip. Game 3, Elite Inquisitor with Rancor stomps through everything to win. Round 2: Faced GW soul bond 0/2, LOSS; couldn't stand against Silverblade Paladin bonded with Wolfir Silverheart. Round 3: Battled a Red Deck Wins 2/1, WIN; Lost game 1. Game 2 victory, sided in Thalia, Guardian of Thraben for Dreg Mangler and 1 Golgari Charm for 1 Selesnya Charm for a suedo board wipe against his weak red creatures, once again Elite Inquisitor with Rancor stomps through everything. Game 3 win, he can't deal with the first strike mechanic. Round 4: Played against a Nyah deck 2/0, WIN; Game 1 triumph, Elite Inquisitor and Loxodon Smiter crush his Huntsmaster of the Fellss. Game 2, kept a creatureless hand, 2 Golgari Charms 1Abrupt Decay and 4 lands in the appropriate colors, used the charms as a suedo board wipe to take out 2 Avacyn's Pilgrims that got buffed once by Gavony, and used the abrupt decay to remove the Huntsmaster once he flipped, Elite Inquisitor wins it again. Round 5: UW flash 2/1, WIN; Game 1 smiters go for gold. Game 2 sided in Thalia, Guardian of Thraben for Dreg Mangler, was not rewarded by seeing her. Game 3, who with thalia and smiters. Round 6: Nyah ramp, LOSS; Desecration demon was the only creature I ever even drew that I could play, very disappointed with how this match went, personally believe that I got screwed. SUMMARY: Quite pleased with the overall performance of the deck, making a few tweaks, very excited to see how it runs next week!
Almost done!
McClair_Bear, 12 years ago
-3 Cremate. Kinda slow, and wasn't there for much more than draw. +1 Geralf's Messenger (finally got the playset!!) +1 Bone Splinters and +1 Duress.
Now I'm just looking for some Cavern of Souls...
Won Sat Tournament!
Eskimole, 12 years ago
Went 3-0. Round 1: Bye (2-0) Round 2: Bant Control: 2-1 Round 3: Esper Control: 2-0 Against Bant Control, the games were extremely grindy. In game 1, he eventually conceded as he was confident he could beat me in games 2 and 3, as the game was going for so long and there was no end in sight. His Tamiyo's ultimate in Game 2 gave him the win. Game 3 was won by a number of Geist of Saint Trafts, and a Devil's Play to finish it off. Against Esper Control, the games were considerably easy. The counterspells were really effective at stopping the Planeswalkers and Sphinx's Revelations. If he did get a Planewalker out, it got Detention Sphered. He didn't have any threats, so I was able to just Devil's Play for huge both games. Overall, the deck works. I was extremely grateful that I didn't have to play against any aggro decks, which are the main problem for this deck. I also only resolved Arcane Melee once in the tournament, and it got Detention Sphered away. I don't think that it is a very effective card, to be honest. It just seems to be overkill that isn't necessary, and that hinders me against aggro. I might take them out.
Adjustments, and FNM
shirtninja, 12 years ago
Swapped out two Vitu-Ghazi Guildmage for two Restoration Angel. A small change, but the effect is nice. Considering pulling out two Rancor for two Oblivion Ring. I think the Oblivion Ring might be better suited, but I need some advice on that one.
Went 4-1 at FNM tonight (2-0, 2-0, 2-1, 0-2, 2-1) and took second overall, so I'm pleased.
Time for a Change
omen37, 12 years ago
11/23/12 Learned about the update button :p. On a serious note I played at FNM again and played out at 1-2-1 again.The tie game admitedly if it had gone on one more turn I would have won it but time limit is a time limit. The tie was against a UWR Niv-Mizzet Control deck, it played really poorly and really only slowed down the enevitable by taking long turns and using oblivion rings. My first loss was handed to me by a GW human deck this was unexpected but they did it by using oblivion rings on my key cards while buffing the humans with so many community benefit cards. It was a game I truly should not have lost and this is where I need to improve as a player to win against this certain player. My one win of the night was against a BW Exalted deck, the deck never got a chance to kick into high gear due to my creature removal and the pacifism they used to stall did not affect my Bloodline Keeper's ability to pump out 2/2 vampire tokens and when I was able to flip him over the game was decided. The changes I want to make this deck mainly include getting further away from Vampires and just turning this into a fast paced aggro, by adding creatures.
