Dies to Removal

Fate convinced me to sideboard X ash zealouts in my gruul deck against Flash control. Randomly get paired down vs. my worst matchup, aristocrats act 2. Won game 3 from my opponent taking 9 total damage from ash zealot triggers.

I really don't think the mana base is that bad... It's a two color deck running all 8 duals don't know what else you could do to the mana base

I'm gonna test it tonight and see how it feels.

Ugh, that mana curve is a wreck. Tons of BB and RR spells, especially at 3cmc. Not a fan of this deck at all.

It's not a curve-driven deck per se. With 26 land plus keyrunes, it is designed to hit its drops so that by T5 it's set up to completely control the board. The removal suite is very diverse to deal with early turn aggression, and if you're hitting Anger by T4-5 with some spot shots along the way against most aggro plans you're taking the game. The deck will need a sideboard that provides some roadblocks against red aggro so as to keep the driver out of burn range by the time he clears things out, but the mana is as good as BR is going to get until there is a black sweeper available.

The days of effortless mana curves in multiple
colors are behind us...this is the face of midrange/control for the next few months. Which of course is why (mostly) red aggro and sligh are going to be the decks to beat...

@wraspy - Point on Baron..he was a bad example all around in that he can be dealt with by MM anyway. Concept remains that Reckoner can be used to channel some damage against big butts in a pinch (yuk yuk).

This Just In! Redthirst has a man crush on Kamahl: http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/showpost.php?p=10791460&postcount=483

Fixed your link, butthole.
-redthirst

I understand that the deck is not curve-driven, but I'm way too conservative a deck builder to be running a deck like that. I can imagine being in some sticky situations with two Swamps and a dual with no way to cast Anger when I need it, or two Mountains and a dual and no way to cast Hero's Downfall when I need it. Just not my cup of tea.

This Just In! Redthirst has a man crush on Kamahl: http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/showpost ... tcount=483

I knew I was going to get flak for that, but players that work hard on something and show improvement deserve recognition despite how wad-like they've been.

Man you redbros have been sporting some sexy signatures lately

I really wish I had the skills (and software) to make one now

Man you redbros have been sporting some sexy signatures lately

I really wish I had the skills (and software) to make one now

I've never made a single sig I've sported. In fact, Khaos's girl is making me one right now with just the perfect amount of

Jerry made mine.

I'm amused that redthirst has been so critical of Kamahl in the past that effectively saying "hey, good job, you are sucking a lot less" sounds like they're besties now.

Man you redbros have been sporting some sexy signatures lately

I really wish I had the skills (and software) to make one now

I've never made a single sig I've sported. In fact, Khaos's girl is making me one right now with just the perfect amount of

Where has that smiley been all my life

I'm amused that redthirst has been so critical of Kamahl in the past that effectively saying "hey, good job, you are sucking a lot less" sounds like they're besties now.

It wasn't easy to write either.

Man you redbros have been sporting some sexy
signatures lately

I really wish I had the skills (and software) to make one now

I've never made a single sig I've sported. In fact, Khaos's girl is making me one right now with just the perfect amount of

Where has that smiley been all my life

It is my very favorite one.

Man you redbros have been sporting some sexy signatures lately

I really wish I had the skills (and software) to make one now

I've never made a single sig I've sported. In fact, Khaos's girl is making me one right now with just the perfect amount of

Where has that smiley been all my life

Wiggle
wiggle wiggle

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It's so hypnotic...

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Suga have you printed out my Scumbag Magma Jet mod for states yet?

Suga have you printed out my Scumbag Magma Jet mod for states yet?

I was going to send you a real Magma jet to mod for me.

I have no art skills, I'd just paste the Photoshopped image over it. #yolo

This Just In! Redthirst has a man crush on Kamahl: http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/showpost ... tcount=483

I knew I was going to get flak for that, but players that work hard on something and show improvement deserve recognition despite how wad-like they've been.

We're men hear. We give credit where credit is due.

I have no art skills, I'd just paste the Photoshopped image over it. #yolo

#YOLO I'll take stickers from a sticker book too.

I think redthirst's comment to Kamahl was the right thing to say.

He's a classy guy, that redthirst ...

I think I broke that thread, though...

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It's so hypnotic...

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I understand that the deck is not curve-driven, but I'm way too conservative a deck builder to be running a deck like that. I can imagine being in some sticky situations with two Swamps and a dual with no way to cast Anger when I need it, or two Mountains and a dual and no way to cast Hero's Downfall when I need it. Just not my cup of tea.

That's my thinking as well. I get what he's trying to do, but It feels too unfocused.

Does anyone remember trying to get Nighthawk into Dos Rakis? That double-black cost really hurt what was an otherwise good creature. Going from double-black to double-red costs here is not going to be good. Sure, tap lands like the Gates can be worked around, but when you really need that extra red, that land coming in
tapped is going to hurt. Mutavault does not help in that regard.

Can he really afford to drop his shocklands untapped with two other pain spells? Six points of damage is a lot with the red lists floating around.

http://www.mememaker.net/meme/i-dont-al ... ash-zealot

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can iz haz smexy sig if/when i get off probation??

Can he really afford to drop his shocklands untapped with two other pain spells? Six points of damage is a lot with the red lists floating around.

Here's something to think about: no one else knows about our red deck. I mean, we all assume it's going to be a thing because it's pretty much all we're talking about, but have you seen a decent list show up anywhere else?

I mean, look at the RDW list from Kamahl's article - if that's what most people think RDW is going to look like then no wonder everyone thinks that's going to be an easy MU.

can iz haz smexy sig if/when i get off probation??

You can have one now if you make it/get someone to make it.

I understand that the deck is not curve-driven, but I'm way too conservative a deck builder to be running a deck like that. I can imagine being in some sticky situations with two Swamps and a dual with no way to cast Anger when I need it, or two Mountains and a dual and no way to cast Hero's Downfall when I need it. Just not my cup of tea.

I'm not questioning your acumen, Val...your skills far exceed mine. But "conservative", "consistent" and "control" are not going to be shared descriptors for many (if any) decks for now as the card pool just ain't there.

Still, Mutavault admittedly does add another level of "oh shit" to that particular base; there's a tension between
having access to board presence and the tough color requirements, as windstrider opined. Rakdos mid/control may very well not be viable, but only time will tell. The same is true of all the Bx controllish builds...there's not a clear "best" option because they all have holes arising from the lack of a pure black sweep/wipe. Fury is potentially faster and cheaper than Gaze in BG, but less flexible, and BW and BU don't have answers that are likely to come down soon enough to stave off a swarm deck. Each flavor has certain strengths, but they are all going to struggle for now.

Can he really afford to drop his shocklands untapped with two other pain spells? Six points of damage is a lot with the red lists floating around.

Here's something to think about: no one else knows about our red deck. I mean, we all assume it's going to be a thing because it's pretty much all we're talking about, but have you seen a decent list show up anywhere else?

I mean, look at the RDW list from Kamahl's article - if that's what most people think RDW is going to look like then no wonder everyone thinks that's going to be an easy MU.

This is true.
But if they aren't anticipating that, then they're in for some very rough rides. I like that idea.

Edit: Just looked at that red list. Um, wow. That's not a good list at all.

I have had fools tell me there's no agro deck...after I've repeatedly demonstrated that Red is always a thing when there's no timely reinforcments in the format. And people are telling me firedrinker satyr is unplayable. If I wasn't so deep on jund, I would just show up with mono-sligh.burn your fucking face on Friday.

can iz haz smexy sig if/when i get off probation??

You can have one now if you make it/get someone to make it.

Lol. I meant if Khaos' lady friend could do it. Just kinda assumed it was open to full members for some reason.

The more you know

Everybody's popping up with epic signatures, and I'm just sitting here masturbatingwithout Photoshop. I need to update. >.>

Glad to hear stuff worked out with your girl by the way, Christen.

Lol. I meant Khaos' lady friend. Just kinda assumed it was open to full members for some reason.

I mean... we ain't that close.

Lol. I meant Khaos' lady friend. Just kinda assumed it was open to full members for some reason.

I mean... we ain't that close.

Unless Khaos is cool with that sort of thing...

I think redthirst's comment to Kamahl was the right thing to say.

He's a classy guy, that redthirst ...

I agree completely.

But I had to give him shit for it anyway

Jerry!! I need a new sig.

Disregard signatures, acquire Mountains... for your signatures?

Lol. I meant Khaos' lady friend. Just kinda assumed it was open to full members for some reason.

I mean... we ain't that close.

Unless Khaos is cool with that sort of thing...

Everybody's popping up with epic signatures, and I'm just sitting here masturbatingwithout Photoshop. I need to update. >.>

Glad to hear stuff worked out with your girl by the way, Christen.

*Calamity

Everybody's popping up with epic signatures, and I'm just sitting here masturbatingwithout Photoshop. I need to update. >.>

Glad to hear stuff worked out with your girl by the way, Christen.

*Calamity

I'm pretty sure what Kaze meant to say was: fuck women and fuck you too.

*That's just a guess based on what I remember from being in Kaze's place.