Pauper: the Final Frontier
Pauper forum
Posted on Feb. 17, 2014, 8:32 p.m. by Jay
As what I would like to think of as a well-versed Magic player, I have forayed into almost every format in the game- emphasis on almost. I have recently become infatuated with the completely foreign nature of Pauper, and have to say it has left me dumbfounded on a few counts.
I have for you a few questions in regards to the format:
Why is Firebolt used so much? The only reason I can think of is perhaps the format is slower, in which case the Flashback is useful.
Exactly how fast is Pauper? They say Modern is a turn 4 format, and EDH can go into dozens and dozens of turns easily, but exactly when is a Pauper game generally decided?
Why is Cuombajj Witches run in MBC? It seems like a pretty dreadful card.
Why are the Ravnica Bouncelands used so religiously (Other than the synergy with Cloud of Faeries and friends)? I understand their aren't a lot of common duals, but these don't seem like they would pay off overall, in my opinion. This could also be due to the pace of the game, which I'm still trying to grasp.
Anyway, I have to say I'm thoroughly enjoying what is turning out to be a well-balanced and fresh format, with virtually no barrier-of-entry. I'm sure I'll be spending lots of time with it henceforth.
If any well-versed Pauper players would be so kind as to take a quick look at my deck, Zoolander, that would be swell also!
And hey, if you have any tips or information in regards to the format in general that you find worth sharing, I'm more than interested!
Thanks yo
-Jay
Unforgivn_II says... #3
As far as the speed of pauper goes, it can go from being crazy fast (GW Auras or Izzet Delver are T3-4 wins), where stuff like Mono-U Faeries and MBC are more control/tempo, and take however long it needs. They can usually finish you by turn 6.
Cuombajj Witches are played because they give 2 devotion to Gary, plus have a sturdy blocking body and being able to do 1 extra damage at will is pretty nice. It can kill quite a bit of Faeries, an unflipped Delver, or finish off attackers like an unbuffed Atog that it just blocked and such.
February 17, 2014 9:44 p.m.
infinitemana says... #5
Most decks, except for some crazy storm combos (that are now almost entirely nonexistent due to bannings) run creatures, and being able to Cancel a creature and draw a card is great value.
February 18, 2014 12:23 p.m.
Wouldn't Essence Scatter be more apt? And why doesn't anybody use Mana Leak ?
February 18, 2014 2:23 p.m.
Unforgivn_II says... #7
Spell Pierce is typically played over Mana Leak . Less utility, but being cast for less is great. Although Spell Pierce is typically sideboarded. But Spellstutter Sprite is Faeries' version of Mana Leak , and the other mono-U uses Daze or good ol' Counterspell . And Exclude is good for the same reason that Remand is in modern. Refilling your resources is key. Essence Scatter may be cheaper, but if you draw a card, the value you gain from that one mana is great. They're losing some spent mana and a card in hand, where you are only losing mana.
flyguy says... #2
Theres a difference between pauper and standard pauper. My friend cmg635 insists that standard pauper isn't a real format, however. (If we want to be really technical, neither is pauper).
In standard pauper (which i'm sure you already hate), aggro composes most decks, but the most successful tend to be orzhov, mono black, or dimir mill. RDW and big boros are pretty successful.
In normal pauper this helps a ton. Its missing UR delver, probably the biggest meta. Delver of Secrets Flip has almost completely shaped the meta, sometimes with help from its friends Lightning Bolt , Nivix Cyclops , and Kiln Fiend . It almost always travels with Ponder and Brainstorm . The link is pretty thorough. Some of the reasonings of the cards you asked fly by me, but I hope I answered a lot of your questions.
February 17, 2014 9:38 p.m.