How exactly does the Scapeshift deck win?
Modern forum
Posted on Nov. 2, 2014, 8:47 p.m. by munkeylord
I was just curious as to how Scapeshift
wins for its namesake deck? I know it has something to do with Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle
, is it just something along the lines of stack manipulation?
Epochalyptik says... #3
First, the Q&A is for rules questions only. This belongs in Modern. Moved.
Scapeshift wins by finding Mountains with its titular card. If multiple Mountains enter the battlefield simultaneously, and you control six or more Mountains counting the ones that are entering, then Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle 's ability will trigger for every Mountain entering.
Say you control three Mountains, four Forests, and a Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle . You resolve Scapeshift , sacrificing your four Forests and fetching three more Mountains and another Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle . Because the three entering Mountains would give you six total Mountains, and because they're entering simultaneously, all three of them will trigger each Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle 's ability. The end result is six triggers, resulting in 18 damage.
November 2, 2014 8:58 p.m.
merrowMania says... #4
In addition to what Slycne said, Scapeshift decks run Prismatic Omen instead of a critical mass of Mountain s. This makes the deck more versatile with control elements and such.
November 2, 2014 8:59 p.m.
GlistenerAgent says... #6
Prismatic Omen is only played in the Primeval Titan versions of Scapeshift , and sometimes not even there.
The way the Scapeshift deck wins is by resolving the namesake card to get at least six Mountain cards and a Valakut into play. Every Mountain that entered play will see five other Mountains, triggering the Valakut(s) for three damage. Ideally you'll be able to search your deck for six Mountain cards and a Valakut to deal 18 damage, but there are cases where you draw too many Mountain cards. This is circumvented by leaving some Mountains in play to reach the threshold of six, and fetching an extra Valakut to deal twice as much damage.
November 2, 2014 10:14 p.m.
CrazyLittleGuy says... #7
No, you pump up some number of Steppe Lynx and Knight of the Reliquary to swing for lethal of course!
Before you try it, don't. I tried making Naya Scapeshift for months only to have it crash and burn whenever I shuffled it up for a game. Honestly, no version is better than the typical RUG version, where the biggest debate (at least for me) is Lightning Bolt or Serum Visions .
Coming back to OP's question though, RUG Scapeshift also has the potential to go on the beatdown plan postboard, where it has access to some number of Inferno Titan , Obstinate Baloth , Batterskull , and/or Vendilion Clique .
November 3, 2014 12:38 a.m.
GlistenerAgent says... #8
Wurmcoil Engine and Teferi, Mage of Zhalfir can also get in there.
Lightning Bolt is better for the deck right now. Delver is a big deal, and Bolt makes that matchup a great deal better.
Slycne says... #2
It wins by getting enough lands in play then casting Scapeshift . You then get some number of Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle s and Mountain s. All these lands see each other entering play and Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle triggers a bunch for enough damage to kill the opponent.
November 2, 2014 8:54 p.m.