Turbo-Fog Modern Viable?
Modern forum
Posted on May 3, 2016, 2:14 a.m. by miracleHat
Currently looking at The Modern Meta and seeing the following:
Midrange, Aggro, Midrange, Aggro, Aggro, Midrange, Combat-Damage Combo, A bunch more Combat Oriented Winning Decks, and a random Lantern Control(?!).
So in looking at this: I am currently thinking the following:
Turn 1: something
Turn 2: Isochron Scepter + Fog
Turn 3: counterspell/fog
Turn X: Consecrated Sphinx/Jace Beleren
This keeps happening until you finally win...
Why doesn't this work? The biggest problems towards this deck idea is the color blue and Abrupt Decay on scepter. Spoiler alert: you can cast the Fog in response to the decay, and Wizards has banned blue from the format (don't deny it, Ancestral Vision unban meant nothing). Also: I am not referring to this garbage (but it is close to the idea that I have), I am talking about a deck that actually uses protection and self reliability rather than hoping that you draw good and your opponent draws horribly.
I agree that artifact hate is a problem, but Abrupt Decay isn't quite as disruptive as you would think. Most decks that run it are no longer running them 4 off witch is a godsend.
How To Lose Friends 101 is my current bant turbofog list. It doesn't run Isochron Scepter but it does work pretty well. Thing in the Ice Flip has made for a great finisher, and cuts the cmc greatly for the deck. If you do build with scepter I would suggest Swan Song and Beast Within for support, as the tokens should be irrelevant.
May 3, 2016 2:44 a.m.
TheRedMage says... #4
Isochron Scepter is sadly a huge problem in a format where people maindeck Kolaghan's Command. It's a shame, since that's one of my favorite cards ever.
The fact is, a turbofog-type list already exists. It's called "taking turns" and most of the time the fog you use is taking your opponent's attack step away... Along with the rest of their turn :) The idea is the same though.
May 3, 2016 2:55 a.m.
RoarMaster says... #5
Without a scepter start, life is tough without some good draw support to fog every turn.
There are options to protect the scepter though that are mostly legit. Spellskite, Apostle's Blessing, Simic Charm, Boros Charm, all of which dodge abrupt decay and kolaghans command.
Running just a few big creature finishers is also kinda sketchy without some counterspell or other protection going on as they will have had many turns to draw into their removal while you were fogging away. Oddly enough, all the above cards act as protection for critters as well.
I think its a playable idea, dont know if its going to break the meta though. But who knows.
May 3, 2016 3:47 a.m.
Dalektable says... #6
A long time ago I piloted Mono White Turbofog that was fairly popular on the site (the list is still on the site) and it was fun. But this was before K-Command. scepter is honestly such a critical component, main deck hate is rough.
May 3, 2016 10:16 a.m.
I think that if you're looking to use scepter in modern, putting on burn, counter, or draw spells is the best way to go, since boros charm is so good in this shell. However, I think a sideboard plan against decks without GB where you bring in fogs could be really good. I think that turbofog is just not viable enough with maindeck artifact hate, since eventually you will get unlucky and run out of fogs, and then you just lose. Taking turns is a much better version of the deck that could be/is modern viable (never played it), though.
May 3, 2016 1:10 p.m.
Kolaghan's command, and abrupt decay are definitely still cards. Also everyone sideboards to hate on affinity. But not only that, cards like Inquisition of Kozilek can also make things tricky.
I've seen this kind of deck before, and I've lost to it too. It basically comes down to whether you assemble the combo before hate. It's tough to do and unlikely but can happen from time to time.
May 3, 2016 4:33 p.m.
miracleHat says... #9
I feel as though if you are going first and can shove in enough Spell Pierce/Spell Snare/is there another 1 mana counterspell(?!) to protect yourself, then you can do fine. Also: the deck should be able to function without Isochron Scepter, but greatly benefits with it on the battlefield.
From what I can see, Kolaghan's Command is only used in Jund, and while jund is a big part of the meta, Kolaghan's Command is easily answered by any of the following: backup Fog, any counterpsell etc. The bigger problem would be Liliana of the Veil grinding the deck out...
Edit: I can provide a theoretical decklist soon!
May 3, 2016 4:48 p.m.
miracleHat says... #10
Yes grixis is a thing. Compared to the following: collected company brews, robots, B/G/x attrion, and American Control (Jeskai, whatever!), it is not as big of a presence.
Unrelated note: Look at Me, I'm the DCI + Laboratory Maniac + Relentless Rats = could be fun (in a pathetic way) right?!
May 3, 2016 5:07 p.m.
miracleHat says... #11
There are a plentiful amount of fogs to stay alive. There are 8 counterspells, 6 of which take care of kommand (10% of the deck). There is also insurance against a-decay.
May 3, 2016 6:35 p.m.
RoarMaster says... #14
How would you get rid of the lands in your deck for your lab maniac win after banning the rats?
May 4, 2016 3:21 p.m.
miracleHat says... #15
Uhh.... Put in 2 plains, 1 island, 1 mountain, 3 mystic monastery, and then stack the deck.
May 4, 2016 4:12 p.m.
RoarMaster says... #16
I didnt realize we were talking about cheating and stacking the deck.
icehit6 says... #2
You honestly might have something there, but the problem with it there's too much artifact hate. Without Isochron Scepter, you're pretty boned.
May 3, 2016 2:25 a.m.