Dies to Removal

Your list JS is so close to mine

-2 satyrs, +1 reckoner +1 legions initiative in mb, however I dont like 8 one drops.

It is however metagame choice. If you side it out in more than 50% games in given metagame, you just shouldnt play it in a mb. See a Shrout and Wescoe deck in SCG invi plus explanation of choices. They played 4 md skylashers and 4 md hydras. Qhy? Because they npticed they are bringing it much more than not bringing them in predicted metagame.

Why argue with it? Why saying beijg agressive in game 1 is correct, when for example in some fields not playing 1 drops is better. We should aim for a win, not for just playing 1 drops just because we want to be more agressive. I could kill my control oponents with 4 reckoners in a main easily, ame as even post board against agro if they not force me to play control I can kill them fast with zealots and phoenixes.

Personally I would play 1 LI in sb, as it
blanks last breath and dimir charm while giving option of damage AND protection.

My current list/thoughts:

[deck]Lands 24
3x Mutavault
4x Sacred Foundry
4x Temple of Triumph
2x Boros Guildgate
11x Mountain

Creatures 18
3x Firedrinker Satyr
4x Rakdos Cackler
4x Ash Zealot
4x Chandra's Phoenix
3x Stormbreath Dragon

Spells 16
4x Lightning Strike
4x Magma Jet
3x Chained to the Rocks
2x Boros Charm
2x Mizzium Mortars
1x Legions Initiative

Thighs 2
2x Chandra, Pyromaster

Sideboard 15
3x Boros Reckoner
2x Mizzium Mortars
1x Chained to the Rocks
1x Assemble the Legion
2x Flames of The Firebrand
1x Boros Charm
2x Last Breath
3x Skullcrack
[/deck]

I like having the 1-of LI mainboard, it can lead to some fun situations.

Sb is:

Vs U/x-Devo: -7 1drops, +2 Mortars, +1 Chain, +2 Last Breath, +2 Fotf
Vs U/W Control: -3 chain, -2 mortars, -1 jet, +1 charm, +3 skullcrack, +2 Last Breath
Vs Esper Control: -3 chain, -2 Jet, +1 Charm, +3 Skullcrack, +1 Mortars (might bring
in an assemble and the last mortars instead of the last 2 jets, but I think this is better for now)
Vs Small Red Aggro: -7 1drops, -1 Charm, +3 Reckoner, +2 Mortars, +2 Flames, +1 Chained
Vs Red Devo: -7 1drops, -2 Charm, +3 Reckoner, +2 Mortars, +2 Flames, +1 Chained, +1 Assemble
Vs B/W Control: (Is is still a thing? Seemed like it cropped up a bit but dunno if it stuck around) -3 dragon, -1 guildgate, -4 jet, +1 chain, +2 Mortars, +1 charm, +3 skullcrack, +1 assemble.

Ones I'm not 100% on:
Vs White-Weenie: -7 1drops, -2 Charms, -1 SOMETHING (thoughts?), +3 Reckoner, +2 Mortars, +2 Fotf, +1 Chain, +2 Last Breath.
The something could be LI, but I like it blanking the spear. Should I just run 61 in this, cause I really don't know what to remove...


Vs B/x-Devo: -3 Dragon, -1 Guildgate, -2(4?) Jet, +1 Chain, +1 Charm, +3 Skullcrack, +1 Assemble, (+2 flames to stop rat or +2 mortars to remove things? I think flames would be better here. since it can stop rats better then mortars [overload not
withstanding] and can do the three damage to stop specter. I went with mortars vs b/w cause of bb.)

@ Pedros:

I hate one ofs

My meta is mostly UW / Esper / Mono Black

Reckoner is terrible VS those decks

I tested LI and wished it was a creature everytime

Hope that helps to explain my thought process.

@ Pedros:

I hate one ofs

My meta is mostly UW / Esper / Mono Black

Reckoner is terrible VS those decks

I tested LI and wished it was a creature everytime

Hope that helps to explain my thought process.

If your meta is like that, then yes, go for 8 1 drops. I would even consider going with 4 MD boros charms in place of mortars/magma jets.

I tried it in my final testing. I don't think the deck can really opperate properly without Magma Jet.

I tried it in my final testing. I don't think the deck can really opperate properly without Magma Jet.

I tested LI and wished it was a creature everytimeHope that helps to explain my thought process.

I've always wanted to have this discussion but never really had the chance, I'm going to assume now that pretty much all you guys who follow this thread has finally abandon that one dimensional removal lite SCG list.

So we're all value:

04x Lightning Strike
04x Magma Jet
03x Chained to the Rocks
02x Mizzium Mortars

Right? we all agree? Good...

So
lets discuss playing the deck (building the deck is only half the game, sequencing, predicting and planning is the other half) I want to discuss planning, we can plan with our deck by looking at our hands and via scrying - I notice from one of J_S post (which I quoted) that whenever he sees LI is always wishes it was a creature. So here is my question for you lot (those who watch my videos you would know what I'll do) so I'll just ask you guys.

Turn 4 vs Black/Control - you have no creatures in hand but your scry hits a 1-Drop, would you:

A) Put the One-Drop under
or
B) Keep it on top

Please explain your choice?

Edit: I wish we could do polls on this site, I would like to have a few people answer this question it would be beneficial for future dialogue.

Depends on the board. Needs more info. Against black though, your turn x 1 drop is a lot better then vs. most decks.

It would depend on board state some too. If I have no creatures on field, but had been throwing them out previously, and had exhausted some/most of their removal, then most likely I'd keep it.

If I hadn't seen/played any creatures at all yet (they t1 thoughtsiezed the only one in hand for instance), I'd probably ship it, trying to get something a bit more powerful, since I'd be in a tough spot.

As others have said, it depends on board state / what's been played / your hand.

In general, on T4, I'd likely ship it. Of course if I have 8 power on the board and just need demon fodder that is an exception.

If I have dragon in hand and need a land I would almost certainly ship it.

It's hard to know without more information.

I think a T5 LI is nearly as bad as a one drop. I feel that it's only rwally a good play on T2. It often gets stuck in your hand, or you draw it after a sweep or they just 1 for 1 you with removal and the fact that it isn't a threat puts you behind.

I would never keep a 1 creature hand vs Black (but I guess G1 one you don't really know) personally by T4 no matter the board state I'll ship the creature because Control or Black by T4+ wouldn't have any issues blocking with vaults or dropping something that would negate your 1 drop (removal, Gary, Paladin, BBV) I value almost everything (except maybe land) over 1-Drops against those list on turn 4+ which I why I'm happy with 6-7 one-drops - because in my view point even against the decks where they're strong against their value decreases after the T3 mark.

I actually think T5 is the best turn to cast LI btw, since T1-3 is your creature casting turns while T4 is usually the removal turn (you'll see a few game where I have LI in my opening hand but won't cast it).

I would never keep a 1 creature hand vs Black (but I guess G1 one you don't really know) personally by T4 no matter the board state I'll ship the creature because Control or Black by T4+ wouldn't have any issues blocking with vaults or dropping something that would negate your 1 drop (removal, Gary, Paladin, BBV) I value almost everything (except maybe land) over 1-Drops against those list on turn 4+ which I why I'm happy with 6-7 one-drops - because in my view point even against the decks where they're strong against their value decreases after the T3 mark.

I actually think T5 is the best turn to cast LI btw, since T1-3 is your creature casting turns while T4 is usually the removal turn (you'll see a few game where I have LI in my opening hand
but won't cast it).

Precisely what I meant by stuck in your hand. Every turn you don't cast it you are losing value.

I understand why you like it, but it is not for me.

I love discussions like this!

Generally speaking I'm in agreement with Johnny and MDU about shipping it but as everyone else has said it is dependant on board state, cards in hand etc so there are exceptions - a 1 drop can allow you to cast multiple spells to work around Devour Flesh for example.

I also agree that 1 drops are not as good as the game goes on, generally speaking. My reasoning behind wanting to run 8 is to ensure that we draw 1+ in the early turns. I need to check the numbers on this in Ham's article but I don't have the time right now, I'll come back to this when I get in from work

I don't quite understand what you mean by losing value if you don't cast LI on T2 Johnny. I'm not trying to be argumentative, I just think my
understanding of value is a bit lacking

Let me explain:

Game 1 (Stone cold nuts)

T1 Rakdos Cackler

T2 [card]Legion's Initiative[/card], swing 3 (opponent at 17)

T3 [card]Chandra's Phoenix[/card], swing 6 (opponent at 11)

T4 Ash Zealotx2, swing 12 (lethal)

In this scenario LI was worth 7 damage and 3 turns of Last Breath protection. That is a lot of value.

Game 2

T1 Rakdos Cackler

T2 Ash Zealot, swing 4 (opponent at 16)

T3 [card]Chandra's Phoenix[/card], swing 6 (opponent at 10)

T4 Ash Zealot, [card]Legion's Initiative[/card] swing 12 (lethal)

In this scenario, LI was worth 4 damage and 0 turns of [card]
Last Breath[/card] protection. Good value, but less than on T2.


Game 3 (on the play vs control)

T1 Rakdos Cackler

T2 Ash Zealot, swing 4 (opponent at 16)

Opponent casts doom blade.

T3 [card]Chandra's Phoenix[/card], swing 4 (opponent at 12)

Opponent casts Detention Sphere.

T4 Ash Zealot, [card]Legion's Initiative[/card] (opponent at 8 )

Opponent plays Blood Baron.

In this scenario, LI was worth 2 damage and 1 turn of Last Breath protection. Not good enough to play.


Game 4 (on the draw vs control)

T1 Rakdos Cackler

T2 Ash Zealot, swing 4 (opponent at 16)

T3 [card]Chandra's Phoenix[/card], swing 6
(opponent at 10)

Opponent Wraths

T4 Ash Zealot, [card]Legion's Initiative[/card] swing 3 (Opponent at 7)

In this scenario, LI was worth 1 damage and 1 turn of Last Breath protection. Terrible value.



Game 5 (on the draw vs control, nightmare mode)

T1 Rakdos Cackler

They cast Devour Flesh

T2 Ash Zealot, swing 2 (opponent at 18)

They cast Doom Blade

T3 [card]Chandra's Phoenix[/card], swing 2 (opponent at 16)

Opponent casts Detention Sphere

T4 Ash Zealot, [card]Legion's Initiative[/card] swing 3 (Opponent at 13)

They play Blood Baron of Vitzkopa T5 +6

In this scenario, LI was worth 1 damage and 1 turn of [
card]Last Breath[/card] protection. Terrible value.


Game 6 (on the draw vs control, total nightmare mode)

They cast Soldier of the Pantheon

T1 Rakdos Cackler

T2 Ash Zealot, swing with Ash, it eats Doom Blade (opponent at 20)

Opponent casts Fiendslayer Paladin

T3 [card]Chandra's Phoenix[/card], swing 2 (opponent at 18)

Opponent casts Detention Sphere

T4 Ash Zealot, [card]Legion's Initiative[/card] swing 0 (Opponent at 18)

They play Blood Baron of Vitzkopa T5 +6

In this scenario, LI was worth 0 damage and 1 turn of Last Breath protection. Terrible value.


Does that make sense?

Going by Hams Data (on the draw):

Running 8 One Drops:

T0: 65% (see 1), 23.2% (see 2)
T1: 70.6% (see 1), 28.8% (see 2)
T2: 75.1% (see 1), 34.4% (see 2)
T3: 79.0% (see 1), 40% (see 2)

Running 6 One Drops:

T0: 54.1% (see 1), 14% (see 2)
T1: 59.3% (see 1), 17.8% (see 2)
T2: 64% (see 1), 21.8% (see 2)
T3: 68% (see 1), 25.1% (see 2)

T1-3 are arguably the clutch turns in the black and control MU thus running eight one drops seem like the correct choice however based on our earlier discussion we mostly agree that on T4(+) the one drops become dead weight (in most situations) thus by having 8 one drops your more then likely to hit more dead draws as the game progresses, its a double edge sword.

- - - - - - - - -

I dislike Chapin Data collection since he based his predictions by adding all the past events and dividing the numbers, he forgot the human element - most humans will run
the deck they're most comfortable with or has done well in the most recent event (look at MTGO).

I predict that Ux Control will be the most played deck follow by Control, Bx Devotion and Rx Devotion. Rx Devotion is often overlooked but it made results in two GP in a row thus not taking them into account would be silly.

Thus if I was to play a GP excepting that Control, Black and Blue will be the top3 decks with Red running closely behind, I would want to run a MD which is strong against the largest portion of the meta and since 2/3 requires early plays I would take 7 one Drops and 4 two-drops which have haste (since they act like 1 drops in a sense) this way I don't just lose to Red or Blue and minimize the T4+ risk of hitting one drops.

EDIT: On the LI Discussion, I don't play game expecting I will win them on T5 often so even if I hit LI in T5+ (LI in my list replaces a 1 drop btw) I'll still happy since all my future creatures will have LB protection and have extra power making Jace less
impressive.

Its not the greatest card so I wouldn't say its a must include buts its a rather strong "cute" card which works the same way has Shaman did in the past (the card shines in the Black and Green MU, but its decent vs everything else).

@ MDU, I just want consistency. I want 4 ofs, so the deck plays out the same as often as possible. It's hard to beat this deck when it curves out.

That is true, esp. in the meta you described where its Control and Black infested (though in the Clan thread you said the Japanese player prefer aggro decks which has me slightly confused).

When your not playing against Bx and Control the other decks like Gx, Rx and Ux decks don't really care if you curve out all your 1 drops, I play in a ever changing meta (MTGO) thus I always build my list to be open - if you know for a fact control and black will be dominate run eight one drops.

That is true, esp. in the meta you described where its Control and Black infested (though in the Clan thread you said the Japanese player prefer aggro decks which has me slightly confused).

When your not playing against Bx and Control the other decks like Gx, Rx and Ux decks don't really care if you curve out all your 1 drops, I play in a ever changing meta (MTGO) thus I always build my list to be open - if you know for a fact control and black will be dominate run eight one drops.

The meta in Japan is very regional. In Tokyo and the north they like aggro. In Nagoya (the middle) and south, they favour control. The GP is one province away. While players will come down from Tokyo, I think every local
player will be there. I expect the decks where one drops are better to out-number the decks where one drops are bad. I could be wrong, but that's my meta expectation.

I'm willing to give up a little bit to Aggro G1 to gain a little vs Control G1. I think G2 +3 vs Control are typically harder than G2 +3 vs Aggro. With Shock and Reckoner in the SB, aggro should be very favorable.

In either case, I don't really think [card]Legion's Initiative[/card] is great against aggro. It seems good against decks running Last Breath and Hexproof Plant.

Good discussion, and yes I agree LI is horrible vs aggro (I side it out ) its mainly for those Plants, Nightveil Specter and Frostburn. I see lots of Ux which is why I run LI and lower my Drinker count .

Next Topic of discussion:

Your playing against Ux devotion, Rx devotion or Bx devotion, your only two sudo removals in hand are Magma Jet and Lightning Strike.

On T2 your Opp. casts a 1/1 or 2/2 creature, which spell would you use to kill it? Explain why? (please read Z article on MJ before answering)

EDIT: Added more detail to my question to prevent people from typing quick answers like "it depends".

Versus Bx I think it's wise to save your lightning strikes to kill nightveil specters but that's just my 2 cents

Good discussion, and yes I agree LI is horrible vs aggro (I side it out ) its mainly for those Plants, Nightveil Specter and Frostburn. I see lots of Ux which is why I run LI and lower my Drinker count .

Next Topic of discussion:

Your playing against Ux, Rx or Bx, your only two sudo removals in hand are Magma Jet and Lightning Strike.

The Opp. casts a 1/1 or 2/2 creature, which spell would you use to kill it? Explain why? (please read Z article on MJ before answering)

Omg MDU it depends if u need lands / action, if u have perfect hand, if
lightning strike have important card to kill (like specter, 2/3 raptor), if u have phoenix in the graveyard and you want to shot person. Even if u have chandra on boad or any blocker that can block. It all depends.

Good discussion, and yes I agree LI is horrible vs aggro (I side it out ) its mainly for those Plants, Nightveil Specter and Frostburn. I see lots of Ux which is why I run LI and lower my Drinker count .

Next Topic of discussion:

Your playing against Ux, Rx or Bx, your only two sudo removals in hand are Magma Jet and Lightning Strike.

The Opp. casts a 1/1 or 2/2 creature, which spell would you use to kill
it? Explain why? (please read Z article on MJ before answering)

Omg MDU it depends if u need lands / action, if u have perfect hand, if lightning strike have important card to kill (like specter, 2/3 raptor), if u have phoenix in the graveyard and you want to shot person. Even if u have chandra on boad or any blocker that can block. It all depends.

QFT.

Jet is good when there are targets in the meta and/or if you have much synergy in the deck. Strike is simpler; the maximum available bang for the buck. From there it´s all depends.

I would use Magma Jet to kill the threat. Everytime. Lightning Strike is just too good to waste on a 1/1 or 2/2 creature, and I'd much rather save the Strike for a Specter or dome damage later.

In a perfect world, I would've cast a 1 drop, Jetted their blocker, set up a Scry into either more land or gas, and then hold back the Strike for a more deserving threat.

I was more after what you would do when you know your Opp. is running cards which can't be dealt with via Magma Jet (which is why I provided you with the archetypes you would be facing) thus something like Tyreal and Khaospawn answer is preferred (its also what I'll do as well) even in all the example pedros provided his answer should of been to use MJ on the 1/1 or 2/2 since in all the situation he listed holding LS would of been better so saying 'it depends' is wrong.

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

Scry is really powerful tool and should be reserved until your on a stage where your really after certain cards (as discussed in Z's article, it is something I agree upon and have now taking steps into putting it into practice (I still fail at it since its hard to break habits)) what I wanted was to create an opportunity for dialogue on the exception for the rule - vs lets say Gx Devotion, Small Aggro or Control casting
Strike before jet is correct since 3 or 2 doesn't make a difference in that MU but gaining the perfect draw in the latter game does.

Home now Fantastic thread to catch up on I LOVE this type of discussion; I find it far more interesting and helpful (as it aids me in improving my technical skill as a player) than fretting over the last card to make my list 'perfect', not that I'd ever do such a thing

Does that make sense?

Yes, perfectly Massive thanks for taking the time to explain in such detail what you meant Johnny,
it is much appreciated While I agree entirely with your rationale here I don't assess LI entirely on it's impact on the T5 Goldfish. While curving out is always pleasing it's not my primary goal/expectation with the deck (if it was I'd be running AIR or Boss Sligh) LI is a card which still has value in the later game.

Its not the greatest card so I would say its a must include buts its a rather strong "cute" card which works the same way has Shaman did in the past (the card shines in the Black and Green MU, but its decent vs everything else).

@ MDU, I just want
consistency. I want 4 ofs, so the deck plays out the same as often as possible. It's hard to beat this deck when it curves out.

Totally agree with you both here In my latest list which I tweaked to improve the Aggro match up I've dropped LI in the interests of consistency over 'cute' (I've also been seeing LOTS of MonoB and very little MonoU) Generally speaking I favour 'consistency' over 'cute' but the inclusion of 1 offs by both MDU and Zem has lead me to reconsider my stance and I found Zem's comment today on the Pyro thread http://diestoremoval.com/viewtopic.php?p=164712#p164712 very insightful.

Going by
Hams Data (on the draw):
T1-3 are arguably the clutch turns in the black and control MU thus running eight one drops seem like the correct choice however based on our earlier discussion we mostly agree that on T4(+) the one drops become dead weight (in most situations) thus by having 8 one drops your more then likely to hit more dead draws as the game progresses, its a double edge sword.

Thanks for running the numbers MDU Yet again I agree with your conclusions, I'm happier going for the early drop and risking the dead draws if I fail to kill my opp in a timely fashion

I'm a bit late for the Magma Jet question but my first thought on reading the question was 'Nightveil Spectre'

I agree with what others have said. When you do any job, you need the right tool for that particular job. When it comes to removing creatures, you need to pick the most appropriate tool. Scry does get better as the game goes longer, but T4 scry vs T5 scry isn't that big. Use the removal that fits the creature.

My current list/thoughts:

[deck]Lands 24
3x Mutavault
4x Sacred Foundry
4x Temple of Triumph
2x Boros Guildgate
11x Mountain

Creatures 18
3x Firedrinker Satyr
4x Rakdos Cackler
4x Ash Zealot
4x Chandra's Phoenix
3x Stormbreath Dragon

Spells 16
4x Lightning Strike
4x Magma Jet
3x Chained to the Rocks
2x Boros Charm
2x Mizzium Mortars
1x Legions Initiative

Thighs 2
2x Chandra, Pyromaster

Sideboard 15
3x Boros Reckoner
2x Mizzium Mortars
1x Chained to the Rocks
1x Assemble the Legion
2x Flames of The Firebrand
1x Boros Charm
2x Last Breath
3x Skullcrack
[/deck]

I like having the 1-of LI mainboard, it can lead to some fun situations.

Sb is:

Vs U/x-Devo: -7 1drops, +2 Mortars, +1 Chain, +2 Last Breath, +2 Fotf
Vs B/
x Devo: -3 Dragon, -1 Guildgate, -4 Jet, +1 Chain, +1 Charm, +3 Skullcrack, +1 Assemble, +2 FoTF
Vs U/W Control: -1 chain, -2 mortars, -1 jet, +1 charm, +3 skullcrack
Vs Esper Control: -3 chain, -2 Jet, +1 Charm, +3 Skullcrack, +1 Mortars
Vs Small Red Aggro: -7 1drops, -1 Charm, +3 Reckoner, +2 Mortars, +2 Flames, +1 Chained
Vs Red Devo: -7 1drops, -2 Charm, +3 Reckoner, +2 Mortars, +2 Flames, +1 Chained, +1 Assemble
Vs B/W Control: (Is is still a thing? Seemed like it cropped up a bit but dunno if it stuck around) -3 dragon, -1 guildgate, -4 jet, +1 chain, +2 Mortars, +1 charm, +3 skullcrack, +1 assemble.
Vs White-Weenie: -7 1drops, -2 Charms, -1 LI, +3 Reckoner, +2 Mortars, +2 Fotf, +1 Chain, +2 Last Breath.

This is the list and sideboard plan I'm taking with me to an IQ tomorrow (today by timezone technicality).

Any complaints/thoughts?

(Edit done to u/w because I'm a dumb )

List and plan looks solid Raida, best of luck!

EDIT - Why are you only running 3 Vaults?

EDIT - I've just read MDU's comment and looked back over your list and plan. Apologies for missing this before, it's very early here (I've just thrown away my first Match in the DE by playing REALLY REALLY BADLY so clearly I am not entirely with it yet but I digress).

Vs Esper I'd run 2 Mortars only
Vs UW I'd run 2 Chains only

@MDU - Hope you're doing good and enjoying your break

@RaidaTheBlade

Last breath vs Control is a mistake, why would you as the aggro deck want to provide them life? just run 1-2 Chains to deal with the 2/2.

4x Mortars vs Control is also a mistake, I think 3x mortars is a mistake as well but we've been through this so I'm not going to try to convince you otherwise but my stance remains the same: you'll be running too many dead cards and without Jets your options to ship those dead cards becomes even worst (you do know you can just block and burn or double burn the vampire rather then devote 3-4 slots with cards which only deal with him) when you run too much narrow hate and you'll just end up dying to Elsepth or the Changling.
2nd SE report 6472946
Standard Elimination R1: Boros Aggro vs Br Control (Event 6472946)
Standard Elimination R2: Boros Aggro vs Bx Devotion (Event 6472946)
Standard Elimination R3: Boros Aggro vs Ux Devotion (Event 6472946)

Note: My current list now looks different.

How it is diferent? I had run your version since last week to multiple cash finishes.

@LaZerBurn: cheers I'm doing great

@Pedros: I was hoping you would be testing BR Aggro, I havn't made any changes to my MODO list (I think the configuration is solid for MODO so your finishes don't shock me) though I've been tempted in adding another MD Reck - for RL major magic events I'll be running 7 one-drops over the MD Reck.

@Lazerburn- I'm running 3 mutas for several reasons. First I'm a broke college student, but also to just help with colors some, since I run into issues with that more often then I'd like.

@LB/MDU- I run 3 mortars vs Esper, not 4. I only have 4 in my sb plans for B/W control, which is not a list I have any exoerience against, but from what little I know they love them some blood barons.
The 3 mortars vs esper is just me hedging things. I could hope to multi-burn or block/burn, but the mortars approach has worked out better for me in the past.

As for vs U/W control, this is another matchup I don't have a huge amount of experience against. The way I understood it, postboard they seem to go more white weenie-ish, so I made my sideboard plans accordingly.
Actually, looking back, why the hell am I taking out all he chains but bringing in last breath? I must have contracted the stupid, yeah I'm gonna fix that. I'll
keep 2 chains in, and bugger last breath.

@LaZerBurn: cheers I'm doing great

@Pedros: I was hoping you would be testing BR Aggro, I havn't made any changes to my MODO list (I think the configuration is solid for MODO so your finishes don't shock me) though I've been tempted in adding another MD Reck - for RL major magic events I'll be running 7 one-drops over the MD Reck.

I/only play Big Boros in bigger tournaments with better prices IRL, but i test rb everywhere else. 2* 3-1-1, 3-0 on mtgo and 3-0 irl so far with rb, but it isnt good enough for ptq or 15$ tournaments yet.

@MDU - your video links are pointing to your YT dashboard by the way, rather than the videos. Really enjoying these though, definitely helps being able to see the plays and why you're making them!

@RaidaTheBlade

2nd SE report 6472946
Standard Elimination R1: Boros Aggro vs Br Control (Event 6472946)
Standard Elimination R2: Boros Aggro vs Bx Devotion (Event 6472946)
Standard Elimination R3: Boros Aggro vs Ux Devotion (Event 6472946)

Note: My current list now
looks different.

7-2. Good enough for Day 2. I'll take it!

7-2. Good enough for Day 2. I'll take it!

Great work Johnny! Well done! Really pleased for you

I played the deck I played last week, swapping the MB Civic Saber out for an additional [card]Legion's Initiative[/card], and the SB [card]Elspeth, Sun's Champion[/card] out for a Chained to the Rocks.

Match 1 - Rewarding win against UW Control (outplayed him in the decisive game)

• Key Learning 1 - Explicitly tell people if they're distracting you.
• Key Learning 2 - Don't make the lazy play, ever.
• Key Learning 3 - Don't get lazy because you think you should beat your opponent.
• Key Learning 4 - If you're playing a deck you're not familiar, take extra time to think through what you're boarding in.

If GW Hexproof get a decent draw you just die to them MonoB with 4 Devour Flesh keeps the deck in check and Control has Wrath so it's not that widely played, on MTGO at least.

Good lessons learned from FNM though

Oh, one more thing I wanted to post about FNM.

I mostly play MTGO, and every once in a while I get surprised by a [card]Chandra's Phoenix[/card] tigger I had forgotten ("Oh, right!"). I figured if I can "forget" about it online, I'm surely going to miss it now and then IRL.

So I started putting a dice on the top of my graveyard the first time a [card]Chandra's Phoenix[/card] goes there. Having it there is a reminder for me to trigger its recursion when I hit my opp with burn.

It's a simple thing, but I've found it to be very useful.

47th place starting Day 2.

Burn 'em all down Johnny!