Dies to Removal

Generally if you're cutting one drops against a particular deck you're either sideboarding wrong or built your 75 wrong. Your x/1s may be weak to tokens but I'd rather cut cards like Stoke the Flames for more effective removal like Arc Lightning, Twin Bolt, and Scouring Sands.

I haven't been cutting one-drops I was just wondering if it was ever correct. X/1s just feel weak sometimes. Usually if I'm bringing in removal I'm cutting less-effective removal.

If you're playing cards like Outpost Siege in the board I can definitely see cutting one drops to bring them in.

Generally if you're cutting one drops against a particular deck you're either sideboarding wrong or built your 75 wrong. Your x/1s may be weak to tokens but I'd rather cut cards like Stoke the Flames for more effective removal like Arc Lightning, Twin Bolt, and Scouring Sands.

I haven't been cutting one-drops I was just wondering if it was ever correct. X/1s just feel weak sometimes. Usually if I'm bringing in removal I'm cutting less-effective removal.

In the earlier versions running Firedrinker Satyrs it was usually correct to side out some of them against the mirror or other aggressive decks, especially on the draw. In this version that isn't so necessary, so swapping out removal for better cards is probably a better idea. Unless you go with a bigger transform into a more controlling role.

[deck=Mono-Red Aggro- Michael Egolf- 4th Place at StarCityGames.com Standard Open on 4/4/2015]
Creatures (22)
4 Foundry Street Denizen
3 Goblin Heelcutter
2 Goblin Rabblemaster
4 Lightning Berserker
2 Mardu Scout
4 Monastery Swiftspear
3 Zurgo Bellstriker

Lands (20)
20 Mountain

Spells (18)
4 Lightning Strike
1 Searing Blood
4 Stoke the Flames
4 Wild Slash
2 Dragon Fodder
2 Hordeling Outburst
1 Roast

Sideboard
2 Mardu Scout
2 Vaultbreaker
2 Outpost Siege
3 Searing Blood
1 Harness by Force
3 Roast
2 Scouring Sands[/deck]

Notable difference here is the -2 Fodder -2 Hordeling for +4 Swiftspear, -4 Eidolon +2 Mardu Scout +1 Rabblemaster +1 Roast, -1 Zurgo +1 Blood

The board looks widely different and looks to be on the beatdown plan all the time.

It's completely acceptable to cut some number of Denizens on the draw against certain decks.

I generally trim x-number of one-drops when I'm playing against black decks to diversify in the face of bile blight and to mititgate having to overcommit into drown in sorrow(this mostly applies to denizen).

I generally trim x-number of one-drops when I'm playing against black decks to diversify in the face of bile blight and to mititgate having to overcommit into drown in sorrow(this mostly applies to denizen).

This is very interesting and makes a lot of sense. Having hands that scream Denizen > Dragon Fodder > Outburst in post-board games against Drown in Sorrow decks are certainly conflicting.

so have the Eidolon of the Revel maindeck been performing well? I never seen it before aside from Braverman's list.

Here is my sort of tournament report for Nebraska's States. I Lost my win and in for top 8 to finish 15th at 5-2 with Mono-red.
I played Braverman's exact list from the scg invitational.

Round 1: Jeskai aggro (0-2) He played 3 mantis riders in game one, and i couldn't kill the last one. In game 2 he played a circle of flame on turn 2 and 3.


Round 2 Sultai Control. (2-0) He did typical sultai control things, I played threat and around his kill spells. I almost died to a deathdealer game 2 but managed to get there just in time.

Round 3: Esper control (2-0) Basically the same as last round, but easier, since he was packing ultimate price and 0 bile blights.

Round 4: Jeskai Tokens (2-1) Game one I died to a flood of token spells and cheap removal. Game 2 saw him brick a couple draws while i landed an outpost siege. Game 3 he missed his 3 land drop for two turns and that was enough to get out ahead with a rabble master.

Round 5: Mono Red (2-0) I won the die roll and he had to mulligan both games and never drew more than 2 lands in either. I don't think I played more than 8 minutes in this round.

Round 6: Abzan Aggro (2-1) Game 1 managed to go just wide enough to beat out his double fleece mane and an anafenza. finished him off with double wild slash. Game 2 I kept 1 land zurgo and 5 two drops and never drew another land. game 3 was a tight one that I managed to escape with double stokes off the top. he also took 5 damage off of pain lands to help me.

Round 7: Abzan Aggro. (1-2) Won game 1 due to goblin heel cutter making it real hard for his dudes to block. Game 2 I got him down to 2 with double stoke in my hand and just needed him to not have sorin. He had the sorin. Game 3 I kept Land land land Beserker Double Outburst and lightning strike and drew 5 lands in a row.

Frustrating way to end the day. But 5-2 wasn't too bad and I was happy with my performance in hindsight.
Aggro decks were everywhere at the top tables here. Just everywhere.

[deck=Mono-Red Aggro- Michael Egolf- 4th Place at StarCityGames.com Standard Open on 4/4/2015]
Creatures (22)
4 Foundry Street Denizen
3 Goblin Heelcutter
2 Goblin Rabblemaster
4 Lightning Berserker
2 Mardu Scout
4 Monastery Swiftspear
3 Zurgo Bellstriker

Lands (20)
20 Mountain

Spells (18)
4 Lightning Strike
1 Searing Blood
4 Stoke the Flames
4 Wild Slash
2 Dragon Fodder
2 Hordeling Outburst
1 Roast

Sideboard
2 Mardu Scout
2 Vaultbreaker
2 Outpost Siege
3 Searing Blood
1 Harness by Force
3 Roast
2 Scouring Sands[/deck]

Notable difference here is the -2 Fodder -2 Hordeling for +4 Swiftspear, -4 Eidolon +2 Mardu Scout +1 Rabblemaster +1 Roast, -1 Zurgo +1 Blood

The board looks widely different and looks to be on the beatdown plan all the time.

Went 3-0 at an 8 man GPT that was being hosted by my lgs. Not sure why there was such a small turn out, probably cuz they had states, and a pptq in the same area at the same time? Took the exact same list except I just left the four Eidolons in. I just love how if I land that card in early, it really makes it tough on my opponent. And in certain matches just makes it so much easier.

yea i've been playing eidolon main. (so ignore my question two posts above) I absolutely love it, and it is a great card to have post board vs scouring sands, arc lightning, ect. Sort of pre boards you.

Greatness

[deck]Creatures:
3 Zurgo Bellstriker
4 Foundry Street Denizen
4 Monastery Swiftspear
1 Lightning Berseker
1 Frenzied Goblin
4 Goblin Rabblemaster

Spells:
1 Become Immense
4 Atarka's Command
4 Lightning Strike
4 Wild Slash
4 Stoke the Flames
2 Hordeling Outburst
4 Dragon Fodder

Lands:
1 Forest
1 Temple of Abandon
4 Wooded Foothills
4 Mana Confluence
10 Mountain

SB:
4 Roast
1 Hall of Triumph
1 Goblin Heelcutter
4 Searing Blood
1 Magmatic Chasm
1 Harness by Force
1 Collateral Damage
2 Eidolon of the Great Revel[/deck]

LP, between the Atarka Red you posted above and the new Big Red which do you think is in a better spot overall?

Pretty sure the answer is RG Command.

LP, I arrived at a very similar version as yours after a lot of testing & talking with LaZer online

[deck]Creatures:
2 Zurgo Bellstriker
4 Foundry Street Denizen
4 Monastery Swiftspear
2 Lightning Berseker
4 Goblin Rabblemaster

Spells:
1 Become Immense
4 Atarka's Command
4 Lightning Strike
4 Wild Slash
4 Stoke the Flames
2 Hordeling Outburst
4 Dragon Fodder

Lands:
1 Forest
3 Temple of Abandon
4 Wooded Foothills
3 Mana Confluence
10 Mountain

SB:
4 Roast
2 Hall of Triumph
1 Siege Outpost
4 Searing Blood
4 Eidolon of the Great Revel[/deck]

I run 1 more land than you and a bit of a diff manabase, a 2nd Berserker over the Frenzied Goblin and inly 2 Zurgo, otherwise the same

Few questions if I may:
1. What do you tend to do with your tokens post SB when you expect Drown, Plague or Seismic Rupture? Tokens in our out? Foundry in our out?
2. Thoughts on Temple of Abandon? I would think it fits our specific curve quite well (often you play 2 1-drops in first 2 turns)
3. Thoughts on Prophetic Flamespeaker in the side? Plummet? (Space is an issue obv.)
4. How good is Frenzied Goblin in your opinion, esp. running a playset of Rabble?

Thanks!

1. Eh, play it by ear. Usually out some number of denizens along with 1 copy of some other 1-drops(playing around bile blight) and 3 drop's get taken out in some relationship with amount of three's I'm bringing in. Still gotta preserve the curve.

2. Temple seems fine.

3. No and no. Not actually bad per se, but I'm not really a fan.

4. Denizen got dropped for berserker.

Current 75

[deck]Creatures:
4 Foundry Street Denizen
4 Monastery Swiftspear
4 Goblin Rabblemaster
2 Zurgo Bellstriker
2 Lightning Berserker

Spells:
1 Become Immense
4 Atarka's Command
4 Lightning Strike
4 Wild Slash
4 Stoke the Flames
4 Dragon Fodder
3 Hordeling Outburst

Lands:
1 Forest
3 Temple of Abandon
4 Wooded Foothills
3 Mana Confluence
9 Mountain

SB:
4 Roast
2 Hall of Triumph
2 Searing Blood
2 Eidolon of the Great Revel
1 Chandra, Pyromaster
1 Xenagos, the Reveler
1 Mardu Scout
1 Destructive Revelry
1 Goblin Heelcutter
[/deck]

SB Plan

Got first at an IQ yesterday with the following list. Put it together the night before, following some of the things you guys were talking about in the thread. Got my invite just in time for Columbus, my old home town.

[deck]Scrumptarka[/deck]

[deck]Sideboard[/deck]

Become Butthurt

I'll post my thoughts and potential changes later. Went undefeated, no draws, and im glad i declined drawing in. Really needed to be on the play in the semis and finals.

Current 75

[deck]Creatures:
4 Foundry Street Denizen
4 Monastery Swiftspear
4 Goblin Rabblemaster
2 Zurgo Bellstriker
2 Lightning Berserker

Spells:
1 Become Immense
4 Atarka's Command
4 Lightning Strike
4 Wild Slash
4 Stoke the Flames
4 Dragon Fodder
3 Hordeling Outburst

Lands:
1 Forest
3 Temple of Abandon
4 Wooded Foothills
3 Mana Confluence
9 Mountain

SB:
4 Roast
2 Hall of Triumph
2 Searing Blood
2 Eidolon of the Great Revel
1 Chandra, Pyromaster
1 Xenagos, the Reveler
1 Mardu Scout
1 Destructive Revelry
1 Goblin Heelcutter
[/deck]

SB Plan

vs. Control

---

-4 Wild Slash
-1 Become Immense
+1 Mardu Scout
+2 Eidolon of the Great Revel
+1 Xenagos the Reveler
+1 Chandra, Pyromaster

vs. Abzan Midrange

---

-4 Wild Slash
-1 FSD
-1 Dragon Fodder
-3 Hordeling Outburst
+4 Roast
+1 Scout
+1 Revelry
+1 Goblin Heelcutter
+1 Xenagos the Reveler
+1 Chandra, Pyromaster

vs. Abzan / GW Aggro

---

-4 Wild Slash
-1 FSD
-2 Dragon Fodder
-3 Hordeling Outburst
+4 Roast
+2 Blood
+1 Scout
+1 Goblin Heelcutter
+1 Xenagos the Reveler
+1 Chandra, Pyromaster

vs. Mirror

---

-4 FSD
-2 Berserker
+2 Searing Blood
+2 Hall
+1 Xenagos the Reveler
+1 Heelcutter (Eidolon on the Play)

How has testing been fairing for you in the online landscape? Atarka Sligh really looks like the type of deck I'll enjoy playing

Took this deck to the SCG standard 5k over ther weekend.

[deck]
Creatures
4 Foundry Street Denizen
2 Lightning Berserker
4 Monastery Swiftspear
2 Zurgo Bellstriker
2 Eidolon of the Great Revel
4 Goblin Rabblemaster

Spells
4 Wild Slash
4 Atarka’s Command
4 Dragon Fodder
4 Lightning Strike
2 Hordeling Outburst
4 Stoke the Flames

Land
1 Forest
3 Mana Confluence
10 Mountain
2 Temple of Abandon
4 Wooded Foothills

Sideboard
2 Eidolon of the Great Revel
2 Goblin Heelcutter
2 Hall of Triumph
2 Outpost Siege
3 Roast
1 Scouring Sand
2 Searing Blood[/deck]

Finished the tourney in 32nd place with a 10-5 record. Overall I am happy with my performance; I was still in the running for top 8 going into round 14 and facing off a deck I felt that I had a decent chance against (U/G Devotion). Anyways I don’t remember many details of my matches but I do remember I had a lot of wins where I just get exactly what I need. In my losses I can remember dropping three games to Abzan Aggro, one to U/G Devotion, one to Ojutai control. All my losses felt pretty winnable, just couldn’t get it done because of flooding or my opponent being able to stabilize with some life gain. There was also a questionable call that I felt benefitted my opponent in the 12th round where in his second turn he drops a Rakasha first, then sacs a fetch to get a land but he realizes he probably needs the white mana and takes it back.

This tournament did provide me with a good learning experience. Atarkas command is just retarded. It just wins you games you should have no business winning. The splash for green is so worth it for just that card alone. Abzan matches are winnable, but still a pain. Eidolon is awesome in many different matches but pretty bad in others. 12 one drops I think it’s where the deck wants to be. I would have liked to have one more solid two drop creature. Rabble master is good sometimes, but not as good in other times. I think 4 might have been a mistake. Scouring sands in the board was huge vs red so I might want one more. Didn’t really see much of outpost siege or hall but it feels that they might have helped in the matches I used them. Decided to drop a become immense since I don’t like having crazy one offs and rather have something more consistent. Everything else seems really solid.

Current 75

---

[deck]Creatures:
4 Foundry Street Denizen
4 Monastery Swiftspear
4 Goblin Rabblemaster
2 Zurgo Bellstriker
2 Lightning Berserker

Spells:
1 Become Immense
4 Atarka's Command
4 Lightning Strike
4 Wild Slash
4 Stoke the Flames
4 Dragon Fodder
3 Hordeling Outburst

Lands:
1 Forest
3 Temple of Abandon
4 Wooded Foothills
3 Mana Confluence
9 Mountain

SB:
4 Roast
2 Hall of Triumph
2 Searing Blood
2 Eidolon of the Great Revel
1 Chandra, Pyromaster
1 Xenagos, the Reveler
1 Mardu Scout
1 Destructive Revelry
1 Goblin Heelcutter
[/deck]

SB Plan

vs. Control

---

-4 Wild Slash
-1 Become Immense
+1 Mardu Scout
+2 Eidolon of the Great Revel
+1 Xenagos the Reveler
+1 Chandra, Pyromaster

vs. Abzan Midrange

---

-4 Wild Slash
-1 FSD
-1 Dragon Fodder
-3 Hordeling Outburst
+4 Roast
+1 Scout
+1 Revelry
+1 Goblin Heelcutter
+1 Xenagos the Reveler
+1 Chandra, Pyromaster

vs. Abzan / GW Aggro

---

-4 Wild Slash
-1 FSD
-2 Dragon Fodder
-3 Hordeling Outburst
+4 Roast
+2 Blood
+1 Scout
+1 Goblin Heelcutter
+1 Xenagos the Reveler
+1 Chandra, Pyromaster

vs. Mirror

---

-4 FSD
-2 Berserker
+2 Searing Blood
+2 Hall
+1 Xenagos the Reveler
+1 Heelcutter (Eidolon on the Play)

How has testing been fairing for you in the online landscape? Atarka Sligh really looks like the type of deck I'll enjoy playing

The deck is great online, it has the tools to beat anything

There are some good vids of Tom Ross and Ari Lax playing it on SCG Premium that will give you a good idea of what it plays like -
http://www.starcitygames.com/article/30 ... otion.html
http://www.starcitygames.com/article/30 ... ndard.html

Fwiw, if I could justify it, I'd play 2 become immense.

I built this on MTGO for pennies on the dollar. Well, not that cheap, but damn near free with the winnings from my Modern playing in the last few days.

[deck]
Creature 19
4 Foundry Street Denizen
4 Monastery Swiftspear
3 Lightning Berserker
3 Zurgo Bellstriker
2 Mardu Scout
3 Goblin Hellcutter

Spells 21
1 Hall of Triumph
4 Dragon Fodder
4 Hordeling Outburst
4 Wild Slash
4 Lightning Strike
4 Stoke the Flames

Land 20
20 Mountain

Sideboard 15
4 Eidolon of the Great Revel
4 Roast
2 Vaultbreaker
2 Searing Blood
3 Magmatic Chasm
[/deck]

Haven't played it yet, since I have some things to do today, but I can't wait to try it.

I ran 2-3 Become Immense the last three weeks with 8 fetches. It seemed fine in every match-up... It lets you turn the corner hard and fast if you've stabilized in the mirror, win before the mirror can get its footing, serves as PTE or finisher against midrange, and you can usually cast it as a 6 damage burn spell against control because it's easy to navigate through their mainboard removal.

Is Wild Slash good enough? I've been playing 0 in my Atarka list since more Rabbles and BI seem better unless you have 2-3 Swiftspear starts or you're able to pick of an opposing Den Protector/Rabble EOT.

It's good enough in Game 1. But then again, I haven't played Standard on MTGO yet. And it's been 2 weeks since I've played in paper.

However, almost all of the top ranked Red decks are running a set, so I'd imagine that it's still well positioned.

Wilds slash is generally terrible, but you need it for the mirror. If I could find a way to cut it, I would.

I actually think I'm gonna try the jund version of atarka sligh because the 4 extra fetches justify the second become immense.

[deck]1 Lightning Berseker
3 Zurgo Bellstriker
4 Monastery Swiftspear
4 Foundry Street Denizen
4 Dragon Fodder
2 Dragon Whisperer
4 Goblin Rabblemaster
2 Hordeling Outburst

2 Lightning Strike
3 Wild Slash
4 Stoke the Flames
4 Atarka's Command
2 Become Immense

1 Forest
4 Wooded Foothills
4 Mana Confluence
7 Mountain
4 Bloodstained Mire
1 Llanowar Wastes

1 Swamp
3 Self-Inflicted Wound
1 Murderous Cut
2 Scouring Sands
1 Hall of Triumph
2 Searing Blood
1 Vaultbreaker
2 Goblin Heelcutter
1 Wild Slash
1 Magmatic Chasm[/deck]

@MDU
Welcome back! Deck runs well online, despite it being quite common and everyone kind of expecting it. At 20 lands you still get to keep speculative hands at times and there are certainly decks that can have draws you can't beat, no matter what you have or play. If you can live with those two drawbacks it's a good choice in the current meta.

Lately, my feeling is that online meta has gotten VERY diverse, so being proactive is well positioned. Den Protector decks are common and come in all shapes and forms which makes Searing Blood quite good I think. I would at least play 2 in the side.

@ LP
One of the issues I had in testing the Jund Build was that in the matches where you bring in self-inflicted wound, I want access to it as early as t2, which with the manabase is far from guaranteed. Have you experienced the same? I also don't like the Llanowar Wastes at all. Guess I wouldn't mind running the extra fetches for just the second become immense and maybe a singleton self-inflicted wound or Murderous Cut out of the SB - in connection with a SB plan that justifies going to 21 land post board

In a deck which runs 8-12 token producers why doesn't Hall of Triumph see a spot in the MD?

Seems like overkill, although you bring it in against almost every MU i think

although top 8 GP paris list ran 1 maindeck...i'm looking for some tech, so I think ill try it out lol

The list is very tight with few flex slots. The 3-drop spot is crowded and people rather run that extra Outburst or Rabble. Become Immense fulfills a similar role but does a better job in terms of damage output and versatility

[deck=MDU's Atarka Sligh]
Lands 20
7 Mountain
4 Bloodstained Mire
4 Mana Confluence
4 Wooded Foothills
1 Forest

Creatures 14
4 Foundry Street Denizen
4 Monastery Swiftspear
2 Lightning Berserker
2 Zurgo Bellstriker
2 Goblin Rabblemaster

Spells 26
4 Atarka's Command
4 Lightning Strike
4 Stoke the Flames
4 Dragon Fodder
4 Hordeling Outburst
3 Wild Slash
3 Become Immense

Sideboard 15
4 Eidolon of the Great Revel
4 Searing Blood
4 Roast
2 Goblin Heelcutter
1 Vaultbreaker[/deck]

I went 3-0 in a SE - I rather like the deck so far.

My thoughts on Goblin Rabblemaster vs Hordeling Outburst: I prefer Hordeling Outburst since its usually harder to deal with
My thoughts on 3x Become Immense: Its greedy as **** but YOLO + I don't really think this is a format where we can grind people out hence more risky choices and aggressive gameplays.

P.S. Website is still horrible I demand fixes

you used the [glow*] tag instead of the [deck*] tag!

I fixed your post

Gonna make more vids ever MDU? I used to watch your burn ones every day!

Gonna make more vids ever MDU? I used to watch your burn ones every day!

Cheers, it really does make me happy to read comments like this.

I'm currently building a small bank of videos, so next week I'll be uploading 3 sets 1 Standard and 2 Modern - this will continued for at least 3 weeks.

That said, since I took such a long break I'm entering these meta blind thus my card selection, sequencing and SB'ing will be kinda messed up .

How are you guys beating megamorph decks??

That said, since I took such a long break I'm entering these meta blind thus my card selection, sequencing and SB'ing will be kinda messed up .

I know the feeling, I know the feeling.