Can someone please explain Scapeshift?
General forum
Posted on Dec. 6, 2014, 1:44 a.m. by SpaceTeddyBear
I understand what the card Scapeshift text reads, but I don't understand why there are decks that are named after it? Can someone please explain how Scapeshift interactions with the deck make it so powerful? Thank you.
GreatSword says... #3
The deck works because of Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle. You cast Scapeshift and search for it and at least 5 Mountains and put them all into play at once. This will trigger Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle once for every Mountain you search for, and probably kill your opponent. From the card's Gatherer entry:
- If multiple Mountains enter the battlefield under your control at the same time, Valakut's second ability could trigger that many times. Each ability takes into consideration the other Mountains that entered the battlefield at the same time as the one that caused it to trigger.
December 6, 2014 3:01 a.m.
Hjaltrohir says... #4
You basically play the control game and then play Scapeshift, fetching up Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle and a bunch of mountains to win.
December 6, 2014 12:22 p.m.
Greatsword is wrong.
It is 6 mountains.
The deck is a control deck with a clock. It plays counterspells like Remand or Cryptic Command. It plays some ramp spells to gain a mana advantage. It can race aggro decks using its tempo plays and mana advantage. Then it casts Scapeshift, fetches 1 valakut and 6 mountains by saccing 7 lands for 18 damage or 2 valakuts and 6 mountains for 36 damage.
December 6, 2014 12:37 p.m.
Well to be fair LeaPlath, many decks will lose at least 5 from fetches/shocks/Thoughtseize/etc. so I wouldn't say GS is totally wrong.
December 6, 2014 1:02 p.m.
Jp3ngu1nb0y No. He is. It wont trigger at 5 mountains, because valakut says 5 other mountains.
Unless, of course you are chosing to leave a mountain behind and deal only 15.
December 6, 2014 1:27 p.m.
Ah my bad, forgot about that clause on Valakut. Good catch.
December 6, 2014 1:44 p.m.
GlistenerAgent says... #9
Note that this is a very common trick with the deck. If you know how many Mountains are left in your deck, you can deal 6 * that many Mountains worth of damage assuming you also have access to two Valakuts. The simplest combo is 7 lands --> Valakut, 6 Mountains, but it should be known that if you draw more than four of your Mountains you can still win the game.
Basically, it's a combo kill. When they cast it, concede. :)
December 6, 2014 2:08 p.m.
VampireArmy says... #10
Just gonna last this out there :
Never just concede when they cast scapeshift. There are times they will cast it knowing that they can't kill you with it just to see if you concede. If the game doesn't matter than do whatever but don't take an unnecessary loss at fnm...some people will get ya ;0. Personally i make everyone go through the combo until i see enough mountains unless i personally know my opponent won't try to pull a fast one.
DeathChant17 says... #2
Maybe there is something I don't know about that goes with it, but the fact that it lets you pull out more land out of your deck is sweet,. It helps make sure you get your draws. Also it says 'land cards'. That's pretty epic in itself. You can search for whatever land you have in your deck, it doesn't have to be just basic lands.Need Arcane Lighthouse? Okay. Rogue's Passage? Cool.
December 6, 2014 2:26 a.m.