[Deck] GW/x Maverick

[pettdan]

@Vial discussion: I have been playing a Vial-based, Maverick-esque hatebear deck for 2-3 years, haven't gotten around to bringing it closer to Maverick yet despite trying a few times. Anyway, for inspiration and loads of tech (that deck is all tech, I sometimes refer to it as "aggro-durdle") you could have a look at: http://www.mtgthesource.com/forums/showthread.php?23898-Trade-Pod-(Tradewind-Rider-Birthing-Pod)

@RDP: when playing vs burn I think I try to gain life if I can rather than trying to race them (he has 4 cards in hand, could be a situation of untap and burn you out). So if there is an opportunity to get two counters on a Jitte with a tapped down opponent that is very attractive to me. The Sulphuric Vortex in that specific situation is definitely complicating things though, since you're not guaranteed to get life out of it.

[lordofthepit]

How is cradle in the vial build? Without GSZ it seems like there's a lot less to do with the mana.

I'm eyeing my next purchases, and turns out the cards I need for the vial build (prelates + marsh flats) is roughly the same amount as a cradle.
So if cradle is a requirement in the vial build, then cradle makes sense (useful for both), if it's not, then I have to decide if I want to play with vials or GSZ ;)

Cradle was an important part of the really old versions of Vial Maverick that were built around synergies involving Weathered Wayfarer and Knight of the Reliquary. You don't have GSZ as a mana sink, but you do have a lot more Stoneforges and equipment, and being able to do all of that in one turn is amazing.

I have cut Cradle from my deck (and added additional lands) since cutting Weathered Wayfarer, but ironclad seems to still love it!

[Megadeus]

After playing cradle in maverick, I don't think there's any way I want to cut it from any stoneforge deck I play.

[ironclad8690]

Yes @doomrabbit it is awesome but I would get the flats first and just play another plains/dual in that spot until you can get cradle easily. The white mana is super important, the green is really just a splash. Cradle is mostly for "surprise! Enough mana to play AND equip!" Factor.

[Claymore]

The other part of the purchase is Prelates though. Are they necessary for Maverick these days?

I don't see either Cradle or Prelates as really a lynch pin of the deck, so seems more a dialect path you want to go down. In that case it seems Cradle would be more flexible/important.

[ironclad8690]

Cavern would actually be really good in that slot too if you have one.

The Prelates have been very good for me. Once you land that puppy on 2 it locks a lot of plays from loam/pfire not to mention protecting hatebears vs combo (teeg from decay, can't cast show and tell kozilek's return or cunning wish out of omnisneak etc) it good vs anything but the mirror, d&t, shardless, and other varied cmc decks. It can bee a huge trump vs miracles too.

[TMagpie]

The other part of the purchase is Prelates though. Are they necessary for Maverick these days?

I don't see either Cradle or Prelates as really a lynch pin of the deck, so seems more a dialect path you want to go down. In that case it seems Cradle would be more flexible/important.

Prelates are one of the best things to have happened to Maverick in a while--specifically for the lands and miracles matchups. But its a sideboard card at best--so gauge wisely what you want to prioritize for purchases.

[warai]

I wouldn't consider it a sideboard card at all.
Prelate has been amazing to me in the most tricky match ups like PfireLoam/Miracles/SneakAndShow which make it maindeck material.

On a side note, got my Renegade Ralliers today and ready for local store saturday event :smile:, will post a mini report afterwards.

[TMagpie]

I wouldn't consider it a sideboard card at all.
Prelate has been amazing to me in the most tricky match ups like PfireLoam/Miracles/SneakAndShow which make it maindeck material.

On a side note, got my Renegade Ralliers today and ready for local store saturday event :smile:, will post a mini report afterwards.

No disagreement here :)

Keeping my curve low is the only reason I run 3 in the SB instead of 2 main 2 side.

[Cpt-Qc]

I wouldn't consider it a sideboard card at all.
Prelate has been amazing to me in the most tricky match ups like PfireLoam/Miracles/SneakAndShow which make it maindeck material.

On a side note, got my Renegade Ralliers today and ready for local store saturday event :smile:, will post a mini report afterwards.

I can't wait to try 1 or 2 of rallier. As much as I like THC, in a growing field of DnT she feels awful.

[ironclad8690]

So Fatal Push is proving to be very problematic for me. I just got a number of knights Pushed/snapcaster pushed and it felt so terrible.

I am honestly wondering if I can keep playing this deck with how prevalent the card is. We used to get by on the inconsistencies of the delver manabase and Bolt/Decay awkwardness, but now postboard games vs any bug deck feel so much worse. All those times they had Disfigure and couldn't answer Knight, those are all different now.

[Megadeus]

Push is another reason I've moved to souls in junk now. One thing you could try is more value stuff. Rallier was solid in junk for me, but BUG Decks still have deathrite.

[warai]

Decklist:
4 Mother of Runes
4 Deathrite Shaman
4 Thalia, Guardian of Thraben
3 Flickerwisp
3 Stoneforge Mystic
2 Recruiter of the Guard
2 Renegade Rallier
1 Scryb Ranger
1 Phyrexian Revoker
1 Qasali Pridemage
1 Sanctum Prelate
1 Serra Avenger
1 Mirran Crusader

4 Aether Vial
1 Umezawa's Jitte
1 Sword of Fire and Ice
1 Batterskull

4 Swords to Plowshares

4 Windswept Heath
4 Wasteland
1 Forest
2 Plains
1 Scrubland
1 Bayou
2 Savannah
1 Horizon Canopy
3 Marsh Flats
1 Verdant Catacombs
1 Karakas

SB: 1 Qasali Pridemage
SB: 2 Gaddock Teeg
SB: 1 Choke
SB: 1 Zealous Persecution
SB: 2 Thoughtseize
SB: 2 Ethersworn Canonist
SB: 1 Containment Priest
SB: 2 Abrupt Decay
SB: 2 Faerie Macabre
SB: 1 Pithing Needle

Ok so first time playing Renegade Rallier in a local store legacy event.

Match 1 - Miracles - WIN 2-0

First game he can't find Top and I just lock him out with Thalia + Mom.
Second game, he cast one terminus and I just keep pumping gas. Gaddock Teeg as usual, is a star in this matchup.

Match 2 - Affinity - Loss 1-0

First game took a very long time until we had a stalled board but with me having a Serra Avenger equipped with Jitte and Skull. He used some dirty tricks by anouncing passing the priority in combat and then I passed back and couldn't activate any Jitte effects - sloppy play from my side - otherwise it would be a win.
Second game I had control on the board and was going for the win but time in the rounds was not enough.

Match 3 - Miracles - Win 2-1

First game, Vial Turn 1 countered. Renegade Rallier bringing Vial back from graveyard was game breaking to bypass Counterbalance + SDT lock.
Second game, I open a hand with 3 dual lands no vial and somehow decided to keep it. He plays Blood Moon T3 and I am dead.
Third game, Mom + Teeg + Revoker = GG

Match 4 - Death and Taxes - Draw 1-1

D&T is a very grindy matchup for us, but we have the upper hand here with Zealous Persecution and Rallier to get back a threat. Felt I could win our G3 but no time to close it out.

Final: 2-1-1

Conclusions:
Rallier is nuts, 2 felt like the right number to be playing with Recruiter to fetch him. There is way too many exile effects this days to make it full value to go 4 of.
Seems like a lot of miracle players are on the Mentor plan this days, which make our life easier by going flying mode on them.
I need more practice with this deck and play it faster.

[Seraphix]

I made top 8 at a small tournament with my trusty Maverick deck. List:

4x Mother of Runes
3x Noble Hierarch
1x Birds of Paradise
1x Dryad Arbor
3x Stoneforge Mystic
2x Scavenging Ooze
2x Qasali Pridemage
1x Scryb Ranger
1x Gaddock Teeg
4x Knight of the Reliquary

4x Green Sun's Zenith
4x Swords to Plowshares
3x Punishing Fire
1x Sylvan Library
1x Umezawa's Jitte
1x Batterskull

4x Windswept Heath
3x Wooded Foothills
3x Savannah
2x Taiga
1x Plateau
1x Forest
1x Plains
3x Grove of the Burnwillows
1x Karakas
3x Wasteland
1x Thespian's Stage
1x Dark Depths

SB: 2x Surgical Extraction
SB: 2x Pyroblast
SB: 2x Crop Rotation
SB: 1x Bojuka Bog
SB: 1x Gaddock Teeg
SB: 1x Reclamation Sage
SB: 1x Ethersworn Canonist
SB: 1x Phyrexian Revoker
SB: 1x Pithing Needle
SB: 1x Sword of Fire and Ice
SB: 1x Garruk Relentless
SB: 1x Council's Judgment


Matches went as follows:


R1: W Death & Taxes (2-0)
R2: W Burn (2-0)
R3: W Mono-G Cloudpost (2-1)
R4: L Miracles: (0-2)
R5: W Lands (2-0)
R6: ID
QF: L Lands (0-2)


Got the good and bad ends of variance. I think Pyroblast (and to a lesser extent, Council's Judgment) is good right now due to all the Show & Tell, Leovold, TNN, and Miracles in the meta.

[oSeabass]

1. BR Reanimator destroys me. It is so fast and interacts way more then a normal storm deck in terms of disruption. It seems like a faster Show and Tell deck which spells doom for us since turn 2 is really where our hatebears shine. I have started running a Grafdigger's Cage in the board, might bump it up to two copies. Also thinking about running 1-2 Leyline for graveyard hate (over RiP) that gets in at the start and can't be discarded. The only problem is black mana is hard to come by with the version I run (no DRS) so it would be tough to hard cast late, if the game ever went that long which I doubt. The Unmask into combo T1 is just super strong, and I'm trying to find ways to interact.

2. Rallier seems amazing when he works. I have stuck to 2 copies cus it seems the right number, but I also cut down on Kotr and added in more random stuff in the 3 drop slot. I have been running a mixed up GW Vial based list and he is bonkers in fair matches. I think he will be big if the Push numbers do up (which I am expecting them to cus that card is bonkers).

3. I have started playing around with the 4 drops in the side for the Miracles match. Garruk seems good vs BUG decks because their main removal suite consists of things that can't hit him (Push, Lilly, ADecay, etc.). Also started playing back with Thrun some more, an uncounterable regenerating tough to kill body seemed to be what I wanted.

4. Smugglers Copter seems great in Vial style lists as a 2 ish of. Not having a dork and going, T1 Vial, T2 Copter (vial 1 drop if you have it), T3 Qasali with 1 mana open for his ability, vial a 2 drop another Qasali maybe, turn on Copter, swing for 5 in the air. Seems a little bad with the mana dorks I run in NH since they can't enable it where DRS could. It makes any late game creature better, makes Mom seem way more useful instead of just drawing removal instantly.

5. Vial seems fun. I miss GSZ and the ability to just tutor up Teeg father in G1 vs Storm. But the mana being tight and now being able to play almost a Delver/Goblins/DnT style mana denial with Wastes and still provide board pressure seems good. Also being able to instant speed in stuff opponents EoT has been enjoyable.

6. Running a 2x ETutor sideboard seems ok, but slow. It makes me have a lot more utility in that it can search up Vials, Copters, Banishing Light, Equipment, etc. but it has felt slow (as it should). Dunno if I wanna pull these out and just go with the Leylines/2 Cage approach.

7. Creature decks have been giving me troubles. It seems they are so much more efficient then they used to be and their removal has only gotten better. DRS is still nuts as he first was. To combat this I have started running a single Path in the main, as well as some Celestial Flare in the side to try and handle these. I couldn't find the right removal in GW and it makes me wanna go back to Black splash for ZP, Push, ADecay, etc.

-- end rambling thoughts --


-List for reference- (https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/558616#online)
2 Phyrexian Revoker
3 Mother of Runes
3 Thalia, Guardian of Thraben
3 Knight of the Reliquary
2 Qasali Pridemage
3 Stoneforge Mystic
2 Renegade Rallier
4 Noble Hierarch
1 Recruiter of the Guard
1 Scryb Ranger

4 Swords to Plowshares
1 Path to Exile

2 Smuggler's Copter
4 Aether Vial
1 Batterskull
1 Umezawa's Jitte
1 Sword of Fire and Ice

4 Windswept Heath
4 Savannah
3 Plains
1 Forest
4 Wasteland
1 Karakas
1 Cavern of Souls
3 Marsh Flats
1 Horizon Canopy

Sideboard
2 Gaddock Teeg
2 Enlightened Tutor
1 Grafdigger's Cage
1 Rest in Peace
1 Reclamation Sage
2 Banishing Light
2 Celestial Flare
2 Ethersworn Canonist
1 Thrun, the Last Troll
1 Garruk Relentless

[RPD]

After playing a bit of maverick lately (both online and now in a paper tournament) I really think that I should be playing death and taxes. I want more karakas (not just knight to fetch it), a more stable manabase, aether vial so I can drop dudes while wastelanding everything... Don't know. Maybe I'm a bit salty, maybe I'm bad with the deck, probably a mix of both.

Anyway, I'll try to do a small report of the paper tournament with my thoughts and stuff, maybe you can help me out and make me realize my mistakes. This deck can't be THAT bad, it must be about me making a ton of mistakes. It would be amazing, seriously, I just don't know what to do to get better with this deck. So many new tools that I don't have in modern, mistakes being harshly penalized in the format, cards and manabases being more homogeneous makes identifying an opposing deck much more difficult. I can correct one mistake at a time, but I feel like I do so many things wrong...

List https://deckstats.net/decks/2563/652028-maverick-v3/en

R1 lose 0-2 - 4c delver
Here I really missed at classifying the deck. I thought that it was some kind of 4c midrange and wasn't expecting pyromancers at the end. Game one I saw no delvers, no pyros, just a bunch of spells and a gurmag angler (which killed me). I guess that a midrange deck doesn't run stifle. This made me not side in the zealous persecutions, which got 2 pyros to kill me game 2.

SB: -2 knight of the reliquary +2 chokes

R2 lose 0-2 - nahiri miracles
His list was like a miracles deck, but without counterbalance and adding more jaces and nahiri+emrakul. Felt as hopeless as against miracles, but lost faster due to emrakul.

SB: -4 swords to plowshares -4 mother of runes +1 qasali +2 choke +2 zealous persecution +2 pithing needle +1 gaddock teeg

Zealous persecution were because it could kill any win condition other than walkers and the 4/4 angels (snap/vendilion/mentor/tokens). He told me that I should not side mother of runes out because it's my only way to protect gaddock teeg but I feel like other than that situation, card is not useless. Doesn't even protect against council's judgement if I understand correctly.
I tried to play a game of "drop a creature, attack and disrupt as much as possible" so I wasn't super vulnerable to terminus but I couldn't. If anyone has any tips for the miracles/control matchup it's appreciated.

R3 win 2-1 - Merfolk
This one feels pretty easy. Both jitte or sword are so good on their own... anyway now I think that sword is even better, because jitte can be named with pithing needle and sword grants unblockability (which means a faster clock).

SB: -1 ooze -1 gaddock -3 thalia guardian of thraben +2 choke +1 qasali +2 zealous persecution

R4 lose 0-2 - UG omnitell
I think that he had the green was just for sylvan library but I'm not sure. He gave me tons upon tons of time to do things and I still lost both games. What's the usual procedure against show and tell? qasali is good, karakas too, but other than that I don't know what should be my gameplan

SB: -4 mother of runes -1 ooze -1 tireless tracker +2 choke +3 thoughtseize +1 qasali

I guess that decays are good here since they kill sylvan library? maybe. Don't think that they had more targets. Left swords for griselbrand, but maybe those should have left instead of mother or something. Thought about including surgical (so I could go thoughtseize+surgical a key piece) but didn't include them.

R5 draw 1-1 - punishing jund

Kind of grindy games. T1 mother was the best that I could do all games, so I guess those are good here. Sided in qasali and 2 pithing needles (for liliana and few more things) but I don't remember what I took out.

[ironclad8690]

Vs miracles, zealous isn't good enough. I go

-4 Swords to Plowshares
-1 Mother of Runes
-1 Deathrite/or Noble
-1 Scavenging Ooze

+2 Abrupt Decay
+1 Gaddock Teeg
+1 Choke
+1 Garruk Relentless
+1 Pithing Needle
+1 Reclamation Sage

With a Zenith list.

I cut a couple 1 mana creatures to hedge against Terminus. I still want 3 Mother of Runes, because it is very good vs Swords to Plowshares, their main way to deal with teeg and out-tempo our equips. If they draw the Judgment when your teeg is out, so be it. You have to force them to have it, and usually they wont. That % of the time they do will be annoying, but shouldn't come up often. Swords is dead for a vast majority of the game and a liability.

[ironclad8690]

As for Delver, that matchup is tough. I think you have a decent enough maindeck vs them, but there are unbeatable draws from both sides, and play/draw is extremely important.

Omnitell, I would bring in Ethersworn Canonist as well as Chokes. Omnitell is a little slower to go off, so choke can actually do some worry combined with Thalia. Surgical extraction is worth it here too, show and tell is their only card to get omniscience in play, and thus their only way to win. Thoughtseize it, surgical it, can win the game on the spot.

[TMagpie]

GP San Jose Side Event Report

I played in three of the side events during the weekend. Each event is a 4 round Swiss with payout based on record. I played three events for a total of 12 rounds over two days.

Saturday Morning:

Miracles 1-1-1

First game was close, but a timely Entreat the Angels broke serve, preventing me from getting there. Umezawa’s Jitte did a lot of work for me this game and it even had 4 counters on it allowing me to prevent Monastery Mentor from saving him; but then he reminded me why Entreat is such a beating.

The second and third games had a quick Sword of Fire and Ice take over the games on my end. Game two was pretty much over before it began but a Moat was cast in game three during turns stopped me from finishing the game in time.

Miracles 0-2

Both games were textbook cases why this matchup is unfavored. Between Terminus, Supreme Verdict, and Monastery Mentor; I was continually forced to overextend to a sweeper. Lost two games fairly easily here.

Death and Taxes 2-0

This guy was fairly inexperienced. His discipline in announcing effects and actions showed that he's been working hard on learning the deck--but it also announced his lines of play super clearly. Jitte and Moms won the day, but this should have been much closer.

Turbo Depths 2-0

Both games he had fast Dark Depths draws without disruption. So between Swords to Plowshares, Wasteland, and Karakas he was just blown out of resources as my board slowly snowballed. Didn’tmatter that he was at 30+ life, he was unable to stop me from just turning dorks sideways over and over again.

Game two he had a chance to cast Pithing Needle on an early Knight of the Reliquary, but inexperience told him to wait for Karakas or Maze of Ith instead. The mistake cost him as 4 wastelands later he was unable to cast spells at all.

Final morning result: 2-1-1 (5-3-1)

Saturday Afternoon:

Shardless BUG: 2-0

Game one consisted of every creature I cast dying to removal until I resolved a Knight of the Reliquary. Two turns later I had a Marit Lage token out and it was off to sideboards.

Game two was much closer as I had to navigate an active Liliana of the Veil. I built up land drops to hard cast Batterskull while applying steady pressure to force him into using Lili’s -2 ability—Batterskull was bounced many times this match. Both sides used up a lot of resources but eventually he ran out of removal and started chump blocking the Germ Token. He never found the Maelstrom pulse I saw from game one and it cost him the game as Batterskull eventually closed things out rather quickly.

BR Reanimator 2-0

Both games started with a turn zero Chancellor but no action until turn three. As such I burned a one drop on my first turns to eat up the Chancellor trigger, and then took over the game with Thalia, Thoughtseize, and Deathrite Shaman.

Sneak and Show 2-0

Game one started with me playing a Karakas on my first turn to "keep mana up for Swords to Plowshare," he had kept a first turn Griselbrand hand and proceeded to lose the game soon after. Sometimes its better to be lucky than good.

The second game was actually worse for him as I we had both kept sketchy hands, except mine had 2x Wastelands. I was able to destroy his volcanic and city of traitors during the first two turns followed by a Thoughtseize into a Thalia. On his side he was forced to activate his Sensei’s Top with an Ancient Tomb, speeding up the clock tremendously. At some point he was forced to cast a Through the Breach to put an emrakul into play--but I had 7 permanents and more than 15 life. The beats continued with my Thalia still in play and him having no access to mana (he was at 2 with only 2 Ancient Tombs in play after burning through lotus Petals to cast Through the Breach.

Turbo Depths 0-0-1

Chose to draw as it's been a long day and it wasn't *that* much more tickets to win 4-0 anyway.

Final afternoon result 3-0-1 (6-0-1)

Sunday Morning

Lands 2-1

Knight of the Reliquary is too big to punish game one, game was over before it really begun.

Game three a midgame Knight was bricked by a maze of Ith--but Scryb ranger allowed knight to Wasteland the maze, attack with knight, and then counter a life from the Loam by untapping the Knight and fetching a Bojuka Bog on his turn. He was forced to pass tapped out against a lethal board and just hoped I drew my card before I paid for Tabernacle upkeep—I paid for tabernacle and he picked up his cards.

Death and Taxes 1-1

A 45 minute game one that went back and forth for ages. I was able to break serve with appropriate use of Deathrite Shaman drains after he had lost too much life from Knight of the Reliquary hits before stabilizing. Game two was me keeping a sketchy hand against a fast Jitte draw. We went to time and I was able to Deluge the board away on turn four, but he vialed a Crusader at eot and was able to crack back for twenty exactly which drew the match.

Turbo Depths 2-1

This matchup is fairly interesting because he runs heavy removal in place of a slower combo compared to most Turbo Depths lists. As such, the matchup leans heavily on whether he draws Toxic Deluge against me or not.

He didn’t draw Deluge in game one but drew it game two. In the third game he was able to draw two Deluges but he was too far behind in life in game three for it to stop my attacks. Eventually I just went wide against his maze of Ith to deal lethal.

Shardless BUG 2-0

At 2-0-1 there was zero incentive for either of us to draw as the prize was the same for 2-0-2 as it was for 2-1-1, so we played it out.

Game one lasted 45 minutes with him only having three cards left in his library by the end of it. He favored protecting his Jace too strongly and threw away 3 of his 4 deathrite shamans to protect him. He was never able to rebuild a board after that as Thalia + Batterskull eventually outclassed his Goyfs.

With only 5 minutes left a smarter maverick player would have played to stall the game--instead I got a fast Depths out and killed him on turn 4 of turns.

Final Morning result 3-0-1 (7-3-0)

Final score for the weekend: 8-1-3 (18-6-2)

The list I brought:

Creatures: 26
4 Mother of Runes
4 Deathrite Shaman
4 Stoneforge Mystic
4 Thalia, Guardian of Thraben
4 Knight of the Reliquary
1 Qasali Pridemage
1 Scavenging Ooze
1 Gaddock Teeg
1 Scryb Ranger
1 Birds of Paradise
1 Dryad Arbor

Spells: 12
4 Green Sun's Zenith
4 Swords to Plowshares
1 Umezawa's Jitte
1 Batterskull
1 Maze of Ith
1 Dark Depths

Lands: 22
4 Wasteland
4 Windswept Heath
4 Verdant Catacombs
2 Forest
2 Savannah
1 Bayou
1 Scrubland
1 Plains
1 Karakas
1 Horizon Canopy
1 Thespian's Stage

Sideboard: 15
3 Thoughtseize
3 Sanctum Prelate
2 Abrupt Decay
2 Toxic Deluge
1 Qasali Pridemage
1 Scavenging Ooze
1 Gaddock Teeg
1 Sword of Fire and Ice
1 Bojuka Bog

[Thunderknight]

I got 2nd place at a 1K over the weekend. Here's my TR.

Top Deck Games – Legacy 1K – Tournament Report.
Tournament Logistics: 24 players. 5 Rounds. Top 8.

Introduction:
I haven’t played competitive REL Legacy since External Extravaganza 5. I am also a L1 judge so I’ve been working a lot of events, and played a very few large events. I was convinced by my friends to come up to the tournament, so I laid out the deck and make some last minute changes. They were the following:

• Took out 3x Dark Confidant, Thrun, and Sylvan Safekeeper, and inserted Leovold, Tireless Tracker, Renegade Railler, and 3rd Stoneforge Mystic and Sword of Light and Shadow for the MD.
• Took out A Tropical island and a 2nd Forest for a 2nd Cavern of Souls and a Horizon Canopy
• Took out Garruk and Bojika Bog and inserted Nissa, Vital Force and Pithing Needle.

I will put all my Sideboard decisions and analysis at the end of the Report, as well as my list. I felt that I would be expecting more Miracles and D&T, and that I prayed to god to not face Storm or LANDS. Sadly, I lost to one of these decks, but onto the day.

Round 1: UG Eldrazi. (Lose 0-2) {0-1}
You heard it right. They were running UG for the two emerge Eldrazi cards (Mockery of Nature and Wretched Gryff). Game 1 they smashed my reality…twice (2 5/5 Haste, Trample is really hard to fight through). Game 2 I was able to deal with the 2 Reality Smasher by double swords. I only have 2 Caverns, a Knight and a Pridemage, while they had a Matter Shaper and Thought Knot Seer. Haven’t I cracked my Horizon Canopy I could have won that game, but I was brought to my end with an Endbringer. I talked to my opponent after and I realized that they play Powerless Eldrazi in vintage, so I didn’t feel as bad losing to them. They played really great, and I hope that one day I get my REVENGE!

Round 2: Colorless Eldrazi (Won 2-1) {1-1}
Game 1 they beat me down with a Smasher till I was able to land a Knight and Sword the TKS to draw a card. However it wasn’t enough, because they played another Reality Smasher and I was dead. Game 2 I landed a Jitte and equipped it to a Pridemage and started to go snipe their creatures, and they conceded. Game 3 I was playing the control deck and try to eliminate as much creatures as I could, then I landed a Knight, followed up with a 2nd Knight and a Light and Shadow next turn. Lights out.

Round 3: Solider Stompy (Won 2-1) {2-1}
Game one my opponent mulled down to three cards, and I was thinking, “Well...They only need Entomb, Swamp, Reanimate Sire of insanity to kill me” But it turn out that it was Chrome Mox, pitching Thalia, Guardian of Thaben, and pass. I quickly kill them with just Ooze +Knight Beats. Game 2 they were able to turn 1 Suppression Field, and I quickly lose to that, along with an unanswered Precinct Captain. Game 3 they drop two Chrome Mox, and 2 Ballyrush banneret, and 1 Cavern. I Wasteland their land and drop a bird. Over the next couple of turns I landed a Knight, Light and Shadow, and Tireless Tracker, to attack to end the game.

Round 4: Mono-Red Sneak Attack (Won 2-0) {3-1}
Game one I play T1 DRS. My opponent turn one was mountain, lotus petal, pass. I made the assumption that I was playing against a Sneak and Show Variant, so I landed Gaddock to hope not get Turn 2 Sneak Attack. Turns out that they had a Turn two sneak attack, and I won that game with gaddock + Scooze beats. Game 2 my opponent performed Mulligan Procedure Error on a mull to 6 they drew 7. They choose to mulligan down to 5. They went Ancient Tomb pass. My hand was: Bayou, Thoughtseize, Fetch, Canonist, Fetch, Rec Sage, Swords: I am not losing this game. My thoughseize shown: Pyromancy, Seething Song, Interno Titan, and Trinisphere. I pick the Titan because that’s the one card that I can’t deal current out of the hand. On Turn three they got a red source and cast trinisphere. Seeing how it hurts them more than me, I didn’t pop it with Sage. I preceded to win that game with Knight beatdown.

Round 5: (Drew 0-3) {3-1-1}
I realized after the tournament Chinese Food isn’t the best food to eat while a tournament, but hey I can’t complain that I top 8 another 1K.

QUATERFINALS: UR Delver (Won 2-1) {4-1-1}
The person I drew with is my opponent. They came off real strong with a T2 flip Delver, swiftswpears, got my life down to 4. But I established with Gaea’s cradling a Light and Shadow and equipping to a Thalia, and start swinging. Eventually I was able to get enough life to not get Price of Progress (I have an activate Wasteland). Game 2 I only had Horizon Canopy as my source of mana after I mulled to 6. And It lost me the game because I couldn’t activate it under scooze to gain the 2 life I needed to get out of Price of Progress range for lethal. If I left it the forest I would have saved 4 LP. Game 3: I had bird, DRS, and Knight, fetch, fetch, wasteland ,forest. Every creature I drop was dealt with by a bolt or chain lightning. I landed a Sylvan Library to help me found a Choke, and choke down their only island. Once Knight was start swinging, it was GG.

SEMIFINALS: Death & Taxes (Won 2-1) {5-1-1}
Game one was over in 4 turns. T1 Bird Go, T2 Stoneforge, get Light and Shadow pass, T3 Knight pass, T4 equipped knight with Light and Shadow and my opponent conceded. Game 2 I wasn’t so lucky because I kept a one land hand, and I didn’t get there. I got land screwed and got Flickerwisp out the game. Game 3 was very similar to game one, except that I was able to Rec sage the Revoker naming Jitte. They conceded.

At this point I’ve never enter the finals of a Legacy tournament in my life, and at this point I was fighting for the trophy. I have enough points for a bye. And this is where I faced a match-up where I totally need a Bojika Bog.

FINALS: RG Combo Lands (Lost 0-2) {5-2-1}
My opponent turn one was Mox pitch Riftstone Portal, Cast Exploration, played Grove and Wasteland, cast Life of the Loam, chose no targets, pass. I played a Fetch and pass. Then they turn two make a 20/20 and pass. I drew no swords and pass. They attacked me and cast two P fires. Game 2 I lead off with a Mother of Runes, and for a while now it did a lot of work. The game was in a little statlemate, because he had the combo ready, but I surgical all the life of the loams. I made a huge misplay and attacked with the team, thinking that it was lethal, but I miscounted by 2, and I was killed with the 20/20 on the swingback.

Conclusion:
I was very happy with my performance for this tournament. I know that I need to improve my technical plays, but overall I finally broke the curse of only losing in the Quarters or Semis. I’ve also notice that throughout the tournament a few players knew what deck I was playing before I sat down. So I find that I’m becoming this Maverick mascot, which I’m fine with it. Regardless, even though my opponents know what I’m playing, it doesn’t help that much in the long run because I change my configuration of the deck every tournament I participate. I will say that Maverick is one of those decks where you really need to know what you’re doing, and rewards experienced pilots well. You really need to know the meta and how to adapt and just grind through the hate.
Next Time:
My next event is the SCG Classic at Baltimore. I would love to see more Maverick players and talk more about optimization the build to deal with problematic matchups

List.
4x Deathrite Shaman
1x Bird of Paradise
3x Mother of Runes
3x Thalia, Guardian of Thraben
3x Stoneforge Mystic
1x Scavenging Ooze
1x Scrub Ranger
1x Gaddock Teeg
1x Qasli Pridgemage
4x Knight of Reliquary
1x Leovold, Emissary of Trest
1x Tireless Tracker
1x Renegade Railler
1x Dryad Arbor

4x Swords to Plowshares
4x Green Sun’s Zenith
1x Umezawa’s Jitte
1x Sword of Fire and Ice
1x Sword of Light and Shadow
1x Sylvan Library
4x Winswepth Heath
3x Verdant Catacomb
4x Wasteland
2x Savnannah
1x Scrubland
1x Bayou
2x Cavern of Souls
1x Horizon Canopy
1x Karakas
1x Gaea’s Cradle
1x Forest
1x Plain

Sideboard:
2x Zealous Persecution
2x Thoughtseize
2x Choke
2x Ethersworn Canonist
2x Abrupt Decay
1x Nissa, Vital Force
1x Maelstrom Pulse
1x Pithing Needle
1x Surgical Extraction
1x Reclamation Sage

SIDEBOARD CHOICES W ANALYSIS
[Imgur](http://i.imgur.com/fQX4fja.png) ([Imgur](http://i.imgur.com/fQX4fja.png))


Eldrazi Analysis:
Thalia and Mom are completely bad in this match up. However at least thalia has first strike so when you equipped a sword it can at kill a Thought-Knot Seer. Nissa’s plus one makes a 5/5 that can block a smasher or TKS. I didn’t see any of my sideboard cards for either Eldrazi matches, but I feel that I need to improve this area the most.

Solider Stompy Analysis:
Again, Thalia is bad in this matchup since they will most likely board out their Thalia’s and the lack of spells they have. Leovold and Tracker are not fast enough to beat them down. My thought was I need to remove problematic cards like the captains. Also, Suppression field is the bane of this deck’s existence, so I need more ways to remove it. I didn’t see any of my sideboard cards of either games.

Mono Red Sneak Attack Analysis:
one of the few combo decks that isn’t as scary as more I practice playing against it. Removing all Weapons package and insert combo hate cards is the way to go in this match-up. I did see my sideboard cards and they did help me win the game. Although I should have called a judge when my opponent tried to cast a sudden shock under a Trinisphere. Either way Canonist is the way to go here.

UR Delver Analysis:
Decay for the Blood Moon, Zealous for the True Name Nemesis, and Choke because they are playing Delver. I took out the weapon package because I feel that it’s too slow against a slight aggressive delver variant that runs Price of progress. I did see a sideboard card: Choke, which helps me just tap the only island on the battlefield.

Death and Taxes Analysis:
Thalia and Gaddock come out of this match, since they also have a karakas. I leave leovold in because they run ports and wasteland and Jitte so I can use to draw a card. I shave a DRS because they are running that many fetches so I feel that I need to maximize the cards that I want to see. Zealous Persecution is a card that D&T can’t deal of. Not only it removes all problematic creatures, but it can be used as an anthem pre-combat to do more damage. I felt that Tracker is too slow to set up in this match-up, but I could be wrong.

RG Combo Land Analysis:
Tbh, I still don’t know what I’m doing in this match-up, but I do know that active mom ruins their P Fire plan. Molten Vortex is also a problematic card so this match-up I brought in all the cards that can deal with enchantment or artifacts. Nissa, in theory, is an all star in this match-up because she makes 5/5, and retrieve creatures or artifacts that were destroyed. I was able to cast her, but I will still run her. I remove Thalia because I feel that they can cast the spells since they are running enough lands that produce mana to pay for spell cost under her.

Overall Analysis:
• Bird is staying in the deck.
• MB Leovold isn’t that great. I could see just putting him in the board and just bring him in the matches where he shines, but other than that he’s a 3/3 at best.
• If you are playing Maverick, you need to get your copies of Renegade Railler. This guy is insane. I wasteland the 2nd Eldrazi deck out of the game because of stripping their 3 lands in one turn. I maybe just add a 2nd Railler to the MB instead of leovold. This guy has multiple targets in the deck to get back on the battlefield.
• I’m cutting the Horizon Canopy and the 2nd Cavern of Souls for a 2nd forest and 2nd Bayou.
• I’m still debating on the 3rd Stoneforge and Sword of Light and Shadow. I want to put Dark Confidants back in the deck, but I need to do more testing to see.
• I’m not entirely sold on Tireless Tracker. While he can be Green Sun, it requires to set him up in order to effective get usages out of him. I might take him out.

Thanks for reading this report. If you have any questions, feel free to message me and I’ll do my best to respond. I’ll see y’all at SCG Baltimore Legacy Classic. Ride On.

[TMagpie]

So Fatal Push is proving to be very problematic for me. I just got a number of knights Pushed/snapcaster pushed and it felt so terrible.

I am honestly wondering if I can keep playing this deck with how prevalent the card is. We used to get by on the inconsistencies of the delver manabase and Bolt/Decay awkwardness, but now postboard games vs any bug deck feel so much worse. All those times they had Disfigure and couldn't answer Knight, those are all different now.

I have not had a problem with Push on any level yet. Mainly because BUG has always been so removal heavy that them running a different removal spell hasn't mattered much while Grixis has always had such a shitty late game against us that having 1-4 more removal spells was never the "answer" they were looking for.

[Thunderknight]

Weekly Legacy Update. Record 2-0-1

2-0 aganist Sneak and Show:
It felt good revealing Leovold off from a show and tell, and your opponent reveals a Grislebrand

2-0 aganist Elves

Spilt with the Miracles player.
Nissa, Vital Force ultimate feels so good.

[Cpt-Qc]

It felt good revealing Leovold off from a show and tell, and your opponent reveals a Grislebrand


Have you pushed Leo to the sb?

I'm considering trying 1 of him since it's basically a GSZable Chains of M. effect but I'm not sure if it belongs to the main or the side.

[Thunderknight]

Have you pushed Leo to the sb?

I'm considering trying 1 of him since it's basically a GSZable Chains of M. effect but I'm not sure if it belongs to the main or the side.

I came to conclusion to put him in the sideboard. I've made the decision to go back to Dark Confidants in the MB again, in anticipating for SCG Baltimore.

[oSeabass]

Trying to make a little more time to play. Went 4-1 with this deck (https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/564817#online) and just wanted to share results.

Wins against BUG Delver, Fish, Combo, Depths Combo.
Lost to Eldrazi.

Eldrazi seems rough to me since they are so explosive and their creatures are just troublesome. I like having 2 ADecay in the main for extra removal. So many decks run off the wall stuff game 1 this allows me to have an answer to most of them. So far I have never been sad about these. In game 1's if I think they are on combo I can easily rush to a GSZ for Teegfather and that normally locks up the game quick. They were super helpful vs Merfolk just killing lords and forcing them to play fair.

Scryb Ranger continues to impress me, it coupled with a Mom allowed me to beat an on board Merit Lage at 4 life. Getting attackers in and then being able to use Mom again to block Lage is just great.

DRS keeps seeming more and more meh to me. It's nice in games when it gets active but I feel like it eats removal early and when I rely on it for mana I normally get burned by it.

Surgical will stay in my board for now. Being able to just Wasteland a Dark Depths and then Surgical = gg in that match. I have also done this similar move against 12 post on a turn 1 Cloudpost.

Maindeck TS is just cus I wanted a 3rd discard option and I couldn't fit it into the board, so I figured a misers one of couldn't hurt. It's been ok in Game 1 where I am flying blind, I like being able to know how to sequence. Knowing how to sequence GSZ, what to hunt for, etc. is what I like about Legacy, having opponents nailed on a deck turn 1 make those options way easier.

Choke continues to be eh in the board. I feel like I might switch and go for a more Armageddon style, maybe even Ghost Quarter and Loam instead of the 2x Choke. I feel like recurring Wasteland/GQuarter would be useful in more matches then a 3 mana enchantment.

Chains was in the board to test against Leovold and just the value blue decks get from Brainstorm/Ponder/etc. When I brought it in I boarded out Library, but never landed the Chains. Still dunno if this is what I want. I just wanna find a way to get value back against blue decks.

I missed that new 3 drop that is EWitness on crack. Might squeeze him in as a 1 of.

2 SFM has been working for me. Batterskull normally gets stripped in some way (either kill SFM or discard) so it's tough to land it. With Cradle it seems unfair sometimes. I still think I prefer having this vs the Dark Depths combo. After beating the DD combo, there are just too many ways to stop the 20/20 in most matches. Fire and Ice has been good to go so far. I haven't missed Light/Shadow since I took it out. I would LOVE to get a Blue/Black sword, I can dream :)

2 Qasali main is not changing for me any time soon. In the same way I like having AD for random things, having a spare Qasali to tutor up for weird removal really helps in some matches.

Thanks for reading.
-Seabass

[ironclad8690]

I really want them to print the cycle of swords with allied color protection. They have to one day, and I really want sword of protection UW to make miracles players cry.

[oSeabass]

I really want them to print the cycle of swords with allied color protection. They have to one day, and I really want sword of protection UW to make miracles players cry.

Any thoughts on other equipment? I used to enjoy the GB effect. War and Peace seems cool but eh protection wise. I feel like BodyMind could be ok, but I hesitate with reanimator being "on the rise".
Sword of Vengence could be fun with a KotR. Elbrus seems silly. Livewire Lash seems ok. Quietus Spike seems interesting. Just thinking and getting the cogs turning.

[ironclad8690]

I've always wanted to play lightning greaves and teeg together, of course that isn't a hard lock anymore, still a dream.

[oSeabass]

I've always wanted to play lightning greaves and teeg together, of course that isn't a hard lock anymore, still a dream.

Lightning Greaves seems like a good one. I could see in really grindy games, any late game creature draw is active right away in any capacity... KotR land or attack, Mom protection to get past blockers, SFM, BoP, DRS activation. Could be fun.

[pettdan]

I agree it's a very interesting equipment. I've played Lightning Greaves with the main purpose of causing trouble for Miracles in game 1 before they get to board in Wear/Tear; this was obviously better before they started maindecking Engineered Explosives and other Chalice removal. With a Scryb Ranger in play it potentially allows you to play a Knight, equip Greaves to Knight and use it to get Depths, untap Knight with the Ranger (moving equipment to Ranger then back), get Stage, activate Stage, equip Greaves to Marit Lage and attack in the same turn. This costs 5 mana, with Ranger and Greaves already in play [just to give an idea of how much impact the card can actually have]. I was experimenting with it some 18 months ago, also maindecking Bitterblossom to mess further with Miracles (a constant struggle of mine) and giving your Fearie Rogues haste is pretty good too.

Since I'm posting, I went 3-1 last week in our local weekly tournament with a Dark Maverick/Leovold version, hardly drew any of my experimental cards though so from a testing perspective it didn't give much.

[TMagpie]

Any thoughts on other equipment? I used to enjoy the GB effect. War and Peace seems cool but eh protection wise. I feel like BodyMind could be ok, but I hesitate with reanimator being "on the rise".
Sword of Vengence could be fun with a KotR. Elbrus seems silly. Livewire Lash seems ok. Quietus Spike seems interesting. Just thinking and getting the cogs turning.

Sword of Body and Mind is one of the best equipment in the game. Specifically, it provides the 2 most important evasion colors (pro green and pro True-Name) as well as produce threats against miracles while helping feed Deathrite Shamans.

[ironclad8690]

So I have been at odds with Sylvan Library since Leovold became a thing. I think now it is actually worth considering running Mirri's Guile in it's place. The main thing that I would use library for is drawing the situational best in my top3 each turn, with the alternate mode of drawing 3 once vs non-delver decks. I think Mirri's keeps the consistency intact while not being totally useless to the format's many Leovold decks.

What say the general public? Worth replacing library?

[oSeabass]

So I have been at odds with Sylvan Library since Leovold became a thing. I think now it is actually worth considering running Mirri's Guile in it's place. The main thing that I would use library for is drawing the situational best in my top3 each turn, with the alternate mode of drawing 3 once vs non-delver decks. I think Mirri's keeps the consistency intact while not being totally useless to the format's many Leovold decks.

What say the general public? Worth replacing library?

I like the idea it's cheaper. I like the idea it's during upkeep, so if you don't want any of the three you can crack a fetch before draw step. I used the draw ability of library a few times, but normally like you said it's, draw the best of three cards.

[Megadeus]

Library just has much more upside. In miracles when you can overpower them by drawing multiple cards and let a knight get swords to get more life to draw more cards... it's just so good. The only way guile in my opinion should be over library is if you need more 1 drops to fit the curve

[ironclad8690]

Started playing again. Went 3-2 in a league with my vial list.

UB Pox: 1-2
BUG Delver w/Fatal Push & TNN: 2-1
Grixis Delver: 0-2
BURG Midrange w/ TNN & Fatal Push: 2-1
BUG Delver w/Fatal Push & TNN: 2-1

Slogging through all of these fatal pushes sucks, but I guess it is doable.

I am thinking of putting the Prelates in the sideboard for Ralliers for the time being. Not exactly sure how the cuts will go though. Thanks for reading!

[4eshir]

Hi everyone.

I just started play this deck, and i have some questions.

4 Knight of the Reliquary
4 Mother of Runes
4 Deathrite Shaman
3 Thalia, Heretic Cathar
2 Thalia, Guardian of Thraben
2 Stoneforge Mystic
1 Birds of Paradise
1 Noble Hierarch
1 Gaddock Teeg
1 Scryb Ranger
1 Dryad Arbor
1 Qasali Pridemage

4 Green Sun's Zenith
4 Swords to Plowshares
2 Abrupt Decay
1 Tireless Tracker

1 Umezawa's Jitte
1 Sword of Fire and Ice
1 Batterskull

1 Bayou
1 Scrubland
2 Savannah
1 Forest
1 Plains
4 Wasteland
4 Windswept Heath
1 Dark Depths
1 Thespian's Stage
1 Gaea's Cradle
2 Cavern of Souls
2 Marsh Flats
1 Karakas

Sideboard
2 Zealous Persecution
2 Surgical Extraction
2 Duress
1 Thoughtseize
1 Abrupt Decay
2 Ethersworn Canonist
1 Garruk Relentless
1 Reclamation Sage
1 Mirran Crusader
2 Path to Exile

How we can beat Burn?
What is better cards to outside and inside vs BUG decks?
And how we fight vs eldrazi

[oSeabass]

How we can beat Burn?
What is better cards to outside and inside vs BUG decks?
And how we fight vs eldrazi

Versus Burn you just try your best. Try and stick an early board that can apply a clock. Qasali helps a lot to blow up Eidolons and such. You can cast GSZ with extra mana to get around Eidolon. Teeg helps Fireblast from being cast. Swords your own guys for HP. Stick a DRS/Scooze for life gain. You basically need to just survive to like turn 4 and then it's easier. Batterskull, Jitte, etc. help. Thalia is nice forcing them to be less mana efficient. In sideboard games I like Canonist to slow them down to a spell a turn.

Eldrazi is tough. I don't think I've pulled a match against Eldrazi. They have a fast aggressive start and I feel like Wasteland just doesn't slow them down enough. I have started running more main deck removal to try and help. Take Mom out game 2 and just bring in cards that do more.

[aspsnake]

Hi everyone.

I just started play this deck, and i have some questions.

4 Knight of the Reliquary
4 Mother of Runes
4 Deathrite Shaman
3 Thalia, Heretic Cathar
2 Thalia, Guardian of Thraben
2 Stoneforge Mystic
1 Birds of Paradise
1 Noble Hierarch
1 Gaddock Teeg
1 Scryb Ranger
1 Dryad Arbor
1 Qasali Pridemage

4 Green Sun's Zenith
4 Swords to Plowshares
2 Abrupt Decay
1 Tireless Tracker

1 Umezawa's Jitte
1 Sword of Fire and Ice
1 Batterskull

1 Bayou
1 Scrubland
2 Savannah
1 Forest
1 Plains
4 Wasteland
4 Windswept Heath
1 Dark Depths
1 Thespian's Stage
1 Gaea's Cradle
2 Cavern of Souls
2 Marsh Flats
1 Karakas

Sideboard
2 Zealous Persecution
2 Surgical Extraction
2 Duress
1 Thoughtseize
1 Abrupt Decay
2 Ethersworn Canonist
1 Garruk Relentless
1 Reclamation Sage
1 Mirran Crusader
2 Path to Exile

How we can beat Burn?
What is better cards to outside and inside vs BUG decks?
And how we fight vs eldrazi

Hi 4eshir,

thanks for your interest in Maverick, the most fun deck of Legacy of all times :smile:
I will start with some random advice in italics that you didn't ask for, but I will still say it. So, feel free to just ignore it. :laugh:

So, you've started playing GSZ Maverick with the Depths/Stage combo. While the combo can be very tempting and powerful, and I used to play it too btw, if you're just starting with the deck I would recommend to refrain from playing the combo at least for the first 2-3 tournaments, even though it will probably decrease your winrate. Why?
I see many starting players of Maverick who have basically no idea about interactions in their deck. They use the Knight only to attack/block, or only to find combo pieces. They also often only use GSZ to search for Dryad turn 1, manadork turn 2, and the Knight once they have enough mana :p Once they get a Rest in Piece or their combo is broke by Wasteland/Karakas, they simply scoop. They don't realize how powerful is Jitte in fair games, or how to play around True-Name, when opponent has a Wasteland and winning with the combo is just not an option. But Maverick is just simply much more than that!

The interactions in this deck are endless and are something that make it unique to Legacy. You have probably 100 ways how to win a game, and every single game is so different from the others :) If you play combo version as your starting list, you might just fall in that category, as the combo kind of demotivates you to analyze every situation and find the right play. In the end, I've seen people fetch for their 20/20 (and in the end get a Wasteland that ruins their day) even when they could simply win by attacking with the Knight in 1 or 2 turns. This is just bizarre :D
Combo in this list is designed as a very situational win condition (20/20 out of nowhere with Knight of Reliquary and Scryb Ranger), not as your primary wincon. If you like winning with 20/20s, then play Aggro Depths deck or Lands.
By the way, I'm not implying in any way that Depths combo is bad in Maverick, but I don think that it hurts your future skills when you are still learning how to play the deck.

Ok, now the random advice part ends and I will proceed to answering your question.

Maverick is an Aggro/Midrange deck and we win against Burn by killing them faster than they kill us. Luckily for us, almost everything in our deck is good against Burn.

Crucial cards to win vs Burn:
1) Deathrite Shaman: this humble but cruel boy gains us 2 life every turn. He is so tough, that burn players have to immediately bolt him, or they will be just not fast enough on the clock, or will run out of resources. If you have the option to play either Mom or Deathrite turn 1 against Burn, go for Mom: if they let her live, they won't be able to deal with the Shaman; if they kill her, they are forced to kill Shaman as well and they have just wasted 6 burn damage on 2 1-drop creatures, which gives you a plenty of time further on.

2) Thalia, Guardian of Thraben: this small but proud girl does so much to Burn players that they are basically forced to bolt her (for 2 mana) immediately, or they won't be fast enough. She is so good in the current meta (blue fair decks, miracles, burn, storm, any combo deck except Aluren/Elves etc.) that you should definitely play 4-of. Sure she's legendary, but they don't live for long anyways, and after one's killed you immediately play another :wink:

3) Umezawa's Jitte and Batterskull: these 2 gain you so much life that Burn simply can't keep up. They have to either kill all your creatures (which is very hard and resource-consuming) or win before they become online. After sideboard they become significantly worse though (but not too bad to side them out), as all Burn players immediately side in a playset of Smash to Smithereens. Btw I see that you're playing only 2 Stoneforge Mystics, although to support Batterskull you need at least 3 and ideally 4. I would suggest either dropping Batterskull, or adding more Mystics, or (my personal tech, you should proceed with caution here) switch it to a Sword of Light and Shadow.
http://static.starcitygames.com/sales/cardscans/MTG/ORI/en/nonfoil/SmashToSmithereens.jpg http://static.starcitygames.com/sales/cardscans/MTG/MPS/KLD/SwordofLightandShadow.jpg

4) Swords to Plowshares: novice players often forget that this extremely cheap removal not only is perfectly suited to exile early burn threats, but also is perfect to exile your 10/10 Knight of Reliquary and keep Burn way down.

5) Qasali Pridemage: Burn heavily relies (especially after sideboarding) on Sulfuric Vortex in order to prevent you from gaining life and to continue playing their game. Pridemages are a very good mainboard solution to this. You can wait until their Vortex will deal them two damage, and end of turn sacrifice your Pridemage and gain life with Shaman or StP.
Abrupt Decay also kills Sulfuric Vortex, but requires us to fetch non-basics, which I will discuss in a moment, so is worse than Qasali here (while still being good ofc).
https://cdn1.mtggoldfish.com/images/gf/Sulfuric%2BVortex%2B%255BDDK%255D.jpg

6) Basic Lands and Wasteland: one of the big differences between Modern Burn and Legacy Burn is the Price of Progress card. Always keep it in your head when playing, as usually Legacy Burn players bring 4-of. However, to your big help comes Wasteland: you can still play your duals and creatures early game (never overextend non-basic land count on the table though), and starting turn 3-4 you can keep your Wastelands untapped to waste yourself in resp to a Price, should the need arise.
http://i.tcgplayer.com/4377_200w.jpg

7) Ethersworn Cannonist: you really want to play threats against Burn that they have to deal with. Cannonist is perfect, as they are forced to bolt her and waste another 3 dmg, or keep playing 1 spell per turn (bye-bye, you just won't keep up). Mother of Runes here again comes as a very nice turn 1 removal-asker, that will protect our MVPs when the time comes.

Now, the BUG matchups.

1) As with all blue decks, we really want our Chokes. It's a shame that you don't play any in the sideboard, they are amazing. Squeeze in 1 or 2 ;)
http://i.tcgplayer.com/11197_200w.jpg

2) As Leovold is making his appearance to a large variety of decks and forces them to splash or change colors to BUG, let's distinguish between different BUG decks:
2a) vs Aggro/Tempo BUG, or simply say Delver decks, we really want all our removal we could get: Swords, Abrupt Decays, Garruk and Path to Exiles get in in maximum amounts. Although, I personally don't think you have enough slots in sideboard to afford smth like Path. We are not Jund to run so much removal :tongue:
2b) vs Midrange True-name BUG, we want real badly our 2x Zealous Persecutions (where are they btw? :D). No seriously, this card is very strong in the current metagame, on its own giving us wins vs mirror matches, Elves, DnT, Delver decks, True-names, Belcher/Storm tokens, Esper Lingering Souls Stoneforges and whatever else.
http://static.starcitygames.com/sales/cardscans/MTG/ARB/en/nonfoil/ZealousPersecution.jpg
2c) vs Aluren, we want our Ethersworn cannonists, Teegs and all discard we could find :p

3) what do we want out:
2a) vs Delver, we don't really need our Teegs, Qasali Pridemages, and any 3+ cmc creatures except the Knight.
2b) vs Midrange, Teeg goes out, possibly (depending on our opponent's list), also Qasali and - if they play playsets of non-targetable Mongeese and True-names - Abrupt Decays as well.
2c) vs Aluren, Tracker leaves us, and so do Batterskull (or whatever replacements for it), Birds of Paradise (you run many dorks - and they have Baleful Strix) and possibly the big Thalias, depending on your final list.

Also some comments on your list:
-> In certain matchups (Miracles, Jund) searching for a Dryad Arbor from your fetches to equip them next turn with a Jitte/Sword and attack (or in resp to Lili activation in case of Jund) is crucial for winning, so I highly recommend swapping your Marsh Flats for Verdant Catacombs.
-> Double Cavern of Souls AND Thespian's Stage mainboard is too heavy for your mana-intensive shaman activations, mainboard Abrupt Decays, Sword to Plowshares, Mystics, Qasali Pridemages etc. You should certainly switch one for a Horizon Canopy (finding this card EoT with Knight and drawing a card is bonkers in fair matchups). I recommend playing 1 mainboard and possibly 1 in sideboard, depending on your meta (when sideboarding vs decks like Delver, just add a land, so they had a harder time Dazing/Wasting you out of mana in early game; vs Miracles, switch a Gaea's Cradle - you shouldn't play many creatures into a mass-removal anyways; vs other blue decks, you could e.g. swing out a basic land, a fetch or a dual, depending on the match).

Now for Eldrazi.
The key strategy to winning vs Eldrazi is Wasteland. Last two games I played vs them went 2-0.
Sure, they will have those exploding starts when they have a turn 1 Chalice followed by several Mimics, and suddenly there are 4 5/5 creatures running at you out of nowhere on turn 3. But - this happens way less often than you would imagine. If you get to play your turn 2 Knight and start Wastelanding them while playing more creatures, you're in a good spot.

Keep in mind after sideboarding that in this matchup Mom is not particularly good against colorless spells and creatures, so just keep her out and get some extra removal if possible.

Have fun playing Maverick! ;)

[TMagpie]

Versus Burn you just try your best. Try and stick an early board that can apply a clock. Qasali helps a lot to blow up Eidolons and such. You can cast GSZ with extra mana to get around Eidolon. Teeg helps Fireblast from being cast. Swords your own guys for HP. Stick a DRS/Scooze for life gain. You basically need to just survive to like turn 4 and then it's easier. Batterskull, Jitte, etc. help. Thalia is nice forcing them to be less mana efficient. In sideboard games I like Canonist to slow them down to a spell a turn.

Eldrazi is tough. I don't think I've pulled a match against Eldrazi. They have a fast aggressive start and I feel like Wasteland just doesn't slow them down enough. I have started running more main deck removal to try and help. Take Mom out game 2 and just bring in cards that do more.

I have never lost a match to eldrazi in the 4-5 times I've faced in GPs and big tournaments.

Early Knight => Maze => Wasteland 4x usually results with them chump blocking with Reality smashers.

Game 2 they bring in gravehate and I usually kill them with an early Knight => Maze => Marit Lage.

If they're smart they would board in 2-3 Pithing Needles in the matchup.

[Megadeus]

Burn and Drazi are both good match ups for this deck imo. They must answer every creature in burn basically and eldrazi petty much can't beat a Knight.

[ironclad8690]

I actually lost to Eldrazi yesterday in a quite embarrassing fashion XD

I played Knight and Wasted him every turn, but I was on the draw and he was able to get up to enough mana to cast an Endbringer, which drew a card each turn for him, and kept my Knight from doing anything. His chalices kept me from playing STP, and I never drew a Phyrexian Revoker or Qasali Pridemage. Eventually he drew All is Dust.

In game 3, he mulled to 5 but curved out really well, stuck another Enbringer, and again I didn't draw removal until it was too late. I wasted him a bunch but he just kept drawing Sol-Lands, I think his opener must have been Endbringer TKS 3 Sol Lands, then he drew into 2 Smashers and an Oblivion Sower. I brought in Teeg to stop Chalice and All is Dust, but maybe that's not correct.

---

Anyways, in other news I picked my vial list back up and 5-0d again. This time I tried Mirran Crusader since everyone and their mother is playing Fatal Push, I replaced the Sanctum Prelate (I was cutting them A LOT and also getting really frustrated when I would name 1 then draw a crucial Swords to Plowshares).

WotC Coverage Neil R (Neil Rigby I assume): Grixis Punishing Dack: 0-1 (in game 2 things weren't looking so good, but for some reason he up and left and conceded)
Miracles: 2-0 (Got to swing for 16 with a Mirran Crusader g2 which was awesome)
4c Delver: 2-1
Elves: 2-1
Tin Fins: 2-0

Aside from the first match, these all felt very winnable. I am starting to realize that tempo decks are really just a mirror match. You may think that sounds strange, but it really is just who has the right tools for the given moment. In the tempo mirror, one player usually has a better start with creatures and removal or counterspells while the other has to waste valuable time cantripping. In the tempo mirror, cantripping early often puts you behind on board. Our deck just capitalizes on that by pressuring them and making their cantrips cost 2. If they have a solid hand with lots of removal, or counter the first couple of relevant things we do, we will often just lose without being able to do anything, but most of the rest of the time it just comes down to if we can stick enough things. Extremely draw dependent on both sides.

Anyhow I am now 49-30 in total matches played with the deck, which may not sound good but it is a 62% win rate, which is the highest I have been able to keep consistently. I continue to be very impressed with the power of Vial -> dudes.

[4eshir]

Hi 4eshir,

thanks for your interest in Maverick, the most fun deck of Legacy of all times :smile:
I will start with some random advice in italics that you didn't ask for, but I will still say it. So, feel free to just ignore it. :laugh:

So, you've started playing GSZ Maverick with the Depths/Stage combo. While the combo can be very tempting and powerful, and I used to play it too btw, if you're just starting with the deck I would recommend to refrain from playing the combo at least for the first 2-3 tournaments, even though it will probably decrease your winrate. Why?
I see many starting players of Maverick who have basically no idea about interactions in their deck. They use the Knight only to attack/block, or only to find combo pieces. They also often only use GSZ to search for Dryad turn 1, manadork turn 2, and the Knight once they have enough mana :p Once they get a Rest in Piece or their combo is broke by Wasteland/Karakas, they simply scoop. They don't realize how powerful is Jitte in fair games, or how to play around True-Name, when opponent has a Wasteland and winning with the combo is just not an option. But Maverick is just simply much more than that!

The interactions in this deck are endless and are something that make it unique to Legacy. You have probably 100 ways how to win a game, and every single game is so different from the others :) If you play combo version as your starting list, you might just fall in that category, as the combo kind of demotivates you to analyze every situation and find the right play. In the end, I've seen people fetch for their 20/20 (and in the end get a Wasteland that ruins their day) even when they could simply win by attacking with the Knight in 1 or 2 turns. This is just bizarre :D
Combo in this list is designed as a very situational win condition (20/20 out of nowhere with Knight of Reliquary and Scryb Ranger), not as your primary wincon. If you like winning with 20/20s, then play Aggro Depths deck or Lands.
By the way, I'm not implying in any way that Depths combo is bad in Maverick, but I don think that it hurts your future skills when you are still learning how to play the deck.

Ok, now the random advice part ends and I will proceed to answering your question.

Maverick is an Aggro/Midrange deck and we win against Burn by killing them faster than they kill us. Luckily for us, almost everything in our deck is good against Burn.

Crucial cards to win vs Burn:
1) Deathrite Shaman: this humble but cruel boy gains us 2 life every turn. He is so tough, that burn players have to immediately bolt him, or they will be just not fast enough on the clock, or will run out of resources. If you have the option to play either Mom or Deathrite turn 1 against Burn, go for Mom: if they let her live, they won't be able to deal with the Shaman; if they kill her, they are forced to kill Shaman as well and they have just wasted 6 burn damage on 2 1-drop creatures, which gives you a plenty of time further on.

2) Thalia, Guardian of Thraben: this small but proud girl does so much to Burn players that they are basically forced to bolt her (for 2 mana) immediately, or they won't be fast enough. She is so good in the current meta (blue fair decks, miracles, burn, storm, any combo deck except Aluren/Elves etc.) that you should definitely play 4-of. Sure she's legendary, but they don't live for long anyways, and after one's killed you immediately play another :wink:

3) Umezawa's Jitte and Batterskull: these 2 gain you so much life that Burn simply can't keep up. They have to either kill all your creatures (which is very hard and resource-consuming) or win before they become online. After sideboard they become significantly worse though (but not too bad to side them out), as all Burn players immediately side in a playset of Smash to Smithereens. Btw I see that you're playing only 2 Stoneforge Mystics, although to support Batterskull you need at least 3 and ideally 4. I would suggest either dropping Batterskull, or adding more Mystics, or (my personal tech, you should proceed with caution here) switch it to a Sword of Light and Shadow.
http://static.starcitygames.com/sales/cardscans/MTG/ORI/en/nonfoil/SmashToSmithereens.jpg http://static.starcitygames.com/sales/cardscans/MTG/MPS/KLD/SwordofLightandShadow.jpg

4) Swords to Plowshares: novice players often forget that this extremely cheap removal not only is perfectly suited to exile early burn threats, but also is perfect to exile your 10/10 Knight of Reliquary and keep Burn way down.

5) Qasali Pridemage: Burn heavily relies (especially after sideboarding) on Sulfuric Vortex in order to prevent you from gaining life and to continue playing their game. Pridemages are a very good mainboard solution to this. You can wait until their Vortex will deal them two damage, and end of turn sacrifice your Pridemage and gain life with Shaman or StP.
Abrupt Decay also kills Sulfuric Vortex, but requires us to fetch non-basics, which I will discuss in a moment, so is worse than Qasali here (while still being good ofc).
https://cdn1.mtggoldfish.com/images/gf/Sulfuric%2BVortex%2B%255BDDK%255D.jpg

6) Basic Lands and Wasteland: one of the big differences between Modern Burn and Legacy Burn is the Price of Progress card. Always keep it in your head when playing, as usually Legacy Burn players bring 4-of. However, to your big help comes Wasteland: you can still play your duals and creatures early game (never overextend non-basic land count on the table though), and starting turn 3-4 you can keep your Wastelands untapped to waste yourself in resp to a Price, should the need arise.
http://i.tcgplayer.com/4377_200w.jpg

7) Ethersworn Cannonist: you really want to play threats against Burn that they have to deal with. Cannonist is perfect, as they are forced to bolt her and waste another 3 dmg, or keep playing 1 spell per turn (bye-bye, you just won't keep up). Mother of Runes here again comes as a very nice turn 1 removal-asker, that will protect our MVPs when the time comes.

Now, the BUG matchups.

1) As with all blue decks, we really want our Chokes. It's a shame that you don't play any in the sideboard, they are amazing. Squeeze in 1 or 2 ;)
http://i.tcgplayer.com/11197_200w.jpg

2) As Leovold is making his appearance to a large variety of decks and forces them to splash or change colors to BUG, let's distinguish between different BUG decks:
2a) vs Aggro/Tempo BUG, or simply say Delver decks, we really want all our removal we could get: Swords, Abrupt Decays, Garruk and Path to Exiles get in in maximum amounts. Although, I personally don't think you have enough slots in sideboard to afford smth like Path. We are not Jund to run so much removal :tongue:
2b) vs Midrange True-name BUG, we want real badly our 2x Zealous Persecutions (where are they btw? :D). No seriously, this card is very strong in the current metagame, on its own giving us wins vs mirror matches, Elves, DnT, Delver decks, True-names, Belcher/Storm tokens, Esper Lingering Souls Stoneforges and whatever else.
http://static.starcitygames.com/sales/cardscans/MTG/ARB/en/nonfoil/ZealousPersecution.jpg
2c) vs Aluren, we want our Ethersworn cannonists, Teegs and all discard we could find :p

3) what do we want out:
2a) vs Delver, we don't really need our Teegs, Qasali Pridemages, and any 3+ cmc creatures except the Knight.
2b) vs Midrange, Teeg goes out, possibly (depending on our opponent's list), also Qasali and - if they play playsets of non-targetable Mongeese and True-names - Abrupt Decays as well.
2c) vs Aluren, Tracker leaves us, and so do Batterskull (or whatever replacements for it), Birds of Paradise (you run many dorks - and they have Baleful Strix) and possibly the big Thalias, depending on your final list.

Also some comments on your list:
-> In certain matchups (Miracles, Jund) searching for a Dryad Arbor from your fetches to equip them next turn with a Jitte/Sword and attack (or in resp to Lili activation in case of Jund) is crucial for winning, so I highly recommend swapping your Marsh Flats for Verdant Catacombs.
-> Double Cavern of Souls AND Thespian's Stage mainboard is too heavy for your mana-intensive shaman activations, mainboard Abrupt Decays, Sword to Plowshares, Mystics, Qasali Pridemages etc. You should certainly switch one for a Horizon Canopy (finding this card EoT with Knight and drawing a card is bonkers in fair matchups). I recommend playing 1 mainboard and possibly 1 in sideboard, depending on your meta (when sideboarding vs decks like Delver, just add a land, so they had a harder time Dazing/Wasting you out of mana in early game; vs Miracles, switch a Gaea's Cradle - you shouldn't play many creatures into a mass-removal anyways; vs other blue decks, you could e.g. swing out a basic land, a fetch or a dual, depending on the match).

Now for Eldrazi.
The key strategy to winning vs Eldrazi is Wasteland. Last two games I played vs them went 2-0.
Sure, they will have those exploding starts when they have a turn 1 Chalice followed by several Mimics, and suddenly there are 4 5/5 creatures running at you out of nowhere on turn 3. But - this happens way less often than you would imagine. If you get to play your turn 2 Knight and start Wastelanding them while playing more creatures, you're in a good spot.

Keep in mind after sideboarding that in this matchup Mom is not particularly good against colorless spells and creatures, so just keep her out and get some extra removal if possible.

Have fun playing Maverick! ;)

Thank you very much for your help!!! I keep in mind your advice.
Before this deck, i've play manaless dredge for 1.5 year, and it's hard to play fair, to play with op.)
I play 2 Cavern, coz in local meta i have some RUG, Miracles and TA.

About Eldrazi. Our players play with grim monolith, so they play oblivion sower on 2nd turn... And this is very bad for us...

[autonom]

How come most play 2 Abrupt Decay in the side? That card is good against almost all decks and strong. Why dont players squeeze them into the main?

[TMagpie]

Thank you very much for your help!!! I keep in mind your advice.
Before this deck, i've play manaless dredge for 1.5 year, and it's hard to play fair, to play with op.)
I play 2 Cavern, coz in local meta i have some RUG, Miracles and TA.

About Eldrazi. Our players play with grim monolith, so they play oblivion sower on 2nd turn... And this is very bad for us...

I keep forgetting that most maverick players don't often play Phyrexian Revoker...

[ironclad8690]

How come most play 2 Abrupt Decay in the side? That card is good against almost all decks and strong. Why dont players squeeze them into the main?

The main reason is that we already have so many dead cards against combo. The more removal you put into your maindeck, the weaker you become vs combo decks. Of course, to some people, this is justified by the strength you gain vs fair decks. I have often thought about putting them maindeck.

As for the guy with the Eldrazi problem: Try playing Meekstone, Ensnaring Bridge, Glissa, the Traitor, Basilisk Collar, or Intrepid Hero. Also, Peacekeeper could do some work.

[menloe]

The main reason is that we already have so many dead cards against combo. The more removal you put into your maindeck, the weaker you become vs combo decks. Of course, to some people, this is justified by the strength you gain vs fair decks. I have often thought about putting them maindeck.

As for the guy with the Eldrazi problem: Try playing Meekstone, Ensnaring Bridge, Glissa, the Traitor, Basilisk Collar, or Intrepid Hero. Also, Peacekeeper could do some work.

Ghostly Prison has been good for me as a budget alternative to Moat against Eldrazi. Basically any of the Moat-like effects are a good fit, but I chose it over Peacekeeper because I run Enlightened Tutor in the side and like that I can tutor for it.

[TMagpie]

How come most play 2 Abrupt Decay in the side? That card is good against almost all decks and strong. Why dont players squeeze them into the main?

If Miracles did not exist I would be running zero. I think that the further we move away the GW core of Maverick the weaker we make the deck.

With that being said, Abrupt Decay provides a lot of tools that are very interesting to be had in Maverick--but I would not bring them in unless I knew exactly what it was that I needed it for.

[Megadeus]

I keep forgetting that most maverick players don't often play Phyrexian Revoker...

I personally love the card because it's super versatile. Unfortunately it can't be found with green Sun. That and it loses value when you can't flash it in with a vital

[TMagpie]

I personally love the card because it's super versatile. Unfortunately it can't be found with green Sun. That and it loses value when you can't flash it in with a vital

I actually often run it over thoughtseize in my SB in a taxes heavy meta as it stops most combo while stopping mom/vial/provide a colorless source of equipment holder. The faster the combo meta the more I lean to thoughtseize, the more taxes the meta the more I lean to Revoker.

[Megadeus]

I actually often run it over thoughtseize in my SB in a taxes heavy meta as it stops most combo while stopping mom/vial/provide a colorless source of equipment holder. The faster the combo meta the more I lean to thoughtseize, the more taxes the meta the more I lean to Revoker.

Essentially my thoughts. The only match it's dead is delver match ups. It's an incredibly versatile card. I ran it as a two of in dead guy and it was always fine. Unfortunately it's an X-1 and doesn't battle too well. But yeah at worst it suicides with a jitte. I love it also to cut off opposing deathrites to continually cut mana. It's a card that probably isn't worth it, but I can't give it up.

[ironclad8690]

Essentially my thoughts. The only match it's dead is delver match ups. It's an incredibly versatile card. I ran it as a two of in dead guy and it was always fine. Unfortunately it's an X-1 and doesn't battle too well. But yeah at worst it suicides with a jitte. I love it also to cut off opposing deathrites to continually cut mana. It's a card that probably isn't worth it, but I can't give it up.

I have actually thought about running Birds of Paradise just so I never have to worry about shutting off my own mana dork with revoker.

[Schryver]

Speaking of Eldrazi I played the matchup for the first time the other night. Game 1 his start was too fast but a large Knight almost got me back in it until he landed an Endbringer. Game 2 I mull to 5 and had fetch, Wasteland, 3x Green Sun Zenith. Went for Dryad Arbor ramp turn 1 and he played Pithing Needle on Wasteland. I drew a second Wasteland and went land-go while he put a creature into play. Next turn I draw the 3rd GSZ again and am able to put a Knight onto the battlefield 3 turns in a row while he plays dudes that can't afford to attack into me. Once I have the third Knight I sacrifice a few lands, swing for 21 and he chump blocks before conceding. Game 3 he had a fast start again and I couldn't get my Jitte online in time to save me from a Reality Smasher.

In my list I tried out two Renegade Ralliers and think they basically won me 2 games. One was against Shardless when I got my Jitte back and that allowed me to take the game over. The other time was also against Shardless when I got the turn 3 double Wasteland dream and he never recovered.

[aspsnake]

Hi all,

I have been playing Zenith Maverick for a long time since printing of Thalia, Guardian of Thraben. Then, at some point, Maverick became not as good in the meta, and I switched to Nic Fit for some time. Now, watching Maverick gaining some popularity (rising to just 1% of the meta, but still), I decided to make a comeback and to play Maverick with Vials.

I do feel like the printing of Sanctum Prelate gave Vial Maverick a new breath, as a proper maindeck replacement for Gaddock Teeg, who you obviously can't find with a Zenith in a Vial list. I've had some good success in online tests with my list:

// Recruiterless Vial Maverick

// 60 Maindeck
// 7 Artifact
4 Aether Vial
1 Umezawa's Jitte
1 Sword of Fire and Ice
1 Sword of Light and Shadow

// 27 Creature
4 Deathrite Shaman
4 Knight of the Reliquary
4 Mother of Runes
2 Qasali Pridemage
2 Sanctum Prelate
2 Scryb Ranger
3 Stoneforge Mystic
4 Thalia, Guardian of Thraben
2 Mirran Crusader

// 1 Enchantment
1 Sylvan Library

// 4 Instant
4 Swords to Plowshares

// 21 Land
1 Bayou
1 Cavern of Souls
1 Forest
1 Karakas
1 Marsh Flats
2 Plains
2 Savannah
1 Scrubland
4 Wasteland
4 Windswept Heath
1 Horizon Canopy
1 Verdant Catacombs
1 Gaea's Cradle

// 15 Sideboard
SB: 1 Containment Priest
SB: 2 Ethersworn Canonist
SB: 2 Gaddock Teeg
SB: 1 Choke
SB: 2 Abrupt Decay
SB: 2 Zealous Persecution
SB: 2 Surgical Extraction
SB: 3 Thoughtseize

Some comments:
-> I'm still doubting between Sylvan Library and a 3rd Qasali Pridemage. The deck is very vulnerable (compared to Zenith lists) to Chalice for 1, but Library is so good in fair games that go into topdeck mode :tongue:
-> I do not run Revokers. Still not sure about them, but I feel that they are worse in the deck compared to D&T, as they have additional ways to tax opponents with ports. The upside is that all my creatures (except maybe Prelates) are really good in combat.
-> No Recruiters. I miss a lot the possibility to search for something with a Zenith, but they are not fast enough for my taste. The faster we finish the game, the more chances we have against combo decks (and vs fair blue decks what I've got is usually enough).
-> Batterskull is switched to a Sword of Light and Shadow. Its primary purpose is the same (attacking/gaining life), but it gives an extra hand with gaining CA. With enought mana (e.g. with Cradle), it can be used on the same turn as Stoneforge is played (or next for just 4 mana), while Batterskull might take up 2-3 turns to gain any life, and is more fragile to removal into the Mystic. Stats of my creatures (especially Mirran Crusader & Knight) and their numbers are already high enough, and I don't feel like I want another 4/4, but I love the possibility of attaching the Sword to Sanctum Prelate for <6> against Miracles in order to shut their Terminus for a while, until they find their Jace or Council's Judgement. After sideboard, the same operation can be implied to Gaddock Teeg for better protection. The Sword is underplayed a lot due to the popularity of Deathrite Shaman, but I barely yet faced any issues with the B/W Sword and opponents' Shamans. Also, it is really strong vs Death & Taxes and rather works against Leovold and Shamans, unlike its blue-red twin. The sword is also rather good with Qasali Pridemages, as you can sacrifice one to destroy something and immediately get it back. With Vial for 2 and a Mirran Crusader equipped with this Sword, we can even sacrifice Qasali to destroy something, then get it back from first strike, play it with Vial, destroy something else and get the same Qasali back for the second time (though I do agree that this is a dream case scenario).

I'm planning to wipe the dust from my deck and go to a local Legacy FNM next Friday. What do you guys think about the list and my tweaks? Any advice is appreciated :)

[ironclad8690]

Love the list @aspsnake

I have been coming to similar conclusions about Recruiter. I tried him today and went 4-1, losing only to Burn (1-2), but beating Elves, Painter, Miracles, and BUG Aether Vial. I feel like we just want to be more aggressive, though he did save my butt in Painter and Elves matchups (fetching Revoker and Pontiff respectively).

Here was the list:

http://i.imgur.com/a2hJeyK.jpg

I do really like the Crusader too. With Fatal Push.meta we seem to find ourselves in (at least me), Crusader is basically like our own True-Name Nemesis.

I might try out the Sword of Light & Shadow again, last time I was using it it felt like the life gain wasn't enough vs tempo decks. The main reason I switched to Skull was actually because you can get by on only 2 mana. Untap with SFM then opp can't attack profitably, whereas with SoLaS it takes a turn to be able to equip and then reap the benefits. Either way I can't fault anyone for running Skull, Light and Shadow, Feast and Famine, or Body and Mind in those slots, they all have great usages. Heck maybe even War and Peace could be good in certain metagames. I feel like the only 2 "locks" are Jitte and Fire and Ice.

I think I will try switching the creatures around back to the 4-4-4-4-4-2-2-2-2 config, or maybe cutting the prelates for scryb 3 and qasali 3. Those feel like creatures that I want pretty often, with the last two being Crusader instead of Revoker.

[aspsnake]

Love the list @aspsnake

Thanks man! ^^


I think I will try switching the creatures around back to the 4-4-4-4-4-2-2-2-2 config, or maybe cutting the prelates for scryb 3 and qasali 3. Those feel like creatures that I want pretty often, with the last two being Crusader instead of Revoker.

It's surprising that you suggest cutting Prelates. I feel like they do really A LOT in the current meta, at least for me. When played turn 2-4 with a Cavern/Vial against Delver players for 1, they very often instantly scoop. Loam decks, including Lands, that run PushFire & Decay as removal, are hurt really hard by a Prelate for 2. They hurt so much OmniShow, if we manage to squeeze one for 3 on time (often with some help from Thoughtseize). In certain cases, one for 4 just makes games vs Storm. One for 6 (and also opponent's manascrew) is the only way we can normally win vs Miracles.

I think, I win every second game I play with the help of a Prelate :p

[TMagpie]

Thanks man! ^^



It's surprising that you suggest cutting Prelates. I feel like they do really A LOT in the current meta, at least for me. When played turn 2-4 with a Cavern/Vial against Delver players for 1, they very often instantly scoop. Loam decks, including Lands, that run PushFire & Decay as removal, are hurt really hard by a Prelate for 2. They hurt so much OmniShow, if we manage to squeeze one for 3 on time (often with some help from Thoughtseize). In certain cases, one for 4 just makes games vs Storm. One for 6 (and also opponent's manascrew) is the only way we can normally win vs Miracles.

I think, I win every second game I play with the help of a Prelate :p

I run 3 Prelate in my 75

Versus Miracles I lean heavily on Prelate for 1 plus a Teeg to turn off their deck.

[jmlima]

Just to be double sure, but I assume I am right in saying that this deck is not playable nor competitive without wastelands?

Thanks.

[aspsnake]

Just to be double sure, but I assume I am right in saying that this deck is not playable nor competitive without wastelands?

Thanks.

This is correct. Wasteland/Thalia interaction is one of the core strategies of the deck.

Cheers!

[ironclad8690]

Yeah, maybe I won't cut the prelates. I have been finding them weak lately, but then again maybe they are doing more work than I think.

If you want to play this without wastelands, try building a deck similar to Clone9's WG Post deck. You can find it by googling clone9 recent decklists.

[BlackNight]

Hi all :smile:,

i need help guys! Each month i play in my local shop in Rome (usually 40-50 players), sometimes with Aggro Loam and sometimes with Maverick GWB (zenith version).

This is my current Maverick's list:

Creatures

1 Dryad Arbor
1 Gaddock Teeg
1 Noble Hierarch
3 Qasali Pridemage
1 Scavenging Ooze
1 Scryb Ranger
2 Stoneforge Mystic
4 Deathrite Shaman
4 Knight of the Reliquary
4 Mother of Runes
4 Thalia, Guardian of Thraben

Instants

4 Swords to Plowshares

Sorceries

4 Green Sun's Zenith

Enchantments

1 Sylvan Library

1 Sword of Fire and Ice
1 Sword of Light and Shadow
1 Umezawa's Jitte

Lands

1 Bayou
1 Gaea's Cradle
1 Horizon Canopy
1 Karakas
1 Scrubland
2 Forest
1 Plains
2 Savannah
4 Windswept Heath
4 Verdant Catacombs
4 Wasteland

Sideboard:

2 Abrupt Decay
4 Thoughtseize
2 Zealous Persecution
2 Ethersworn Canonist
1 Gaddock Teeg
2 Choke
1 Surgical Extraction
1 Banishing Light

And this is exactly the metagame last time:

5 BURN (1 in top)
4 BR REANIMATOR
4 AGGRO LOAM
3 BUG DELVER
3 SHARDLESS BUG
2 BUG CONTROL
2 DEATH & TAXIS (1 in top)
2 ELVES
2 MIRACLES
2 TURBO DEPTHS
2 UR DELVER (1 in top)
1 4-C DELVER
1 4-C MIDRANGE (1 in top)
1 ANT
1 DARK MAVERICK
1 DRAGON STOMPY (1 in top)
1 DREDGE
1 ELDRAZI
1 ENCHANTRESS
1 GOBLINS (1 in top)
1 GRIXIS DELVER
1 MAVERICK (1 in top)
1 MUD
1 OMNI-MIRACLES-TELL
1 SNEAK & SHOW
1 THE ROCK (1 in top)
1 UB REANIMATOR

Anyone can help me for make some change on main/side?

Thx All :smile:

[aspsnake]

Hi all :smile:,

i need help guys! Each month i play in my local shop in Rome (usually 40-50 players), sometimes with Aggro Loam and sometimes with Maverick GWB (zenith version).

This is my current Maverick's list:

Creatures

1 Dryad Arbor
1 Gaddock Teeg
1 Noble Hierarch
3 Qasali Pridemage
1 Scavenging Ooze
1 Scryb Ranger
2 Stoneforge Mystic
4 Deathrite Shaman
4 Knight of the Reliquary
4 Mother of Runes
4 Thalia, Guardian of Thraben

Instants

4 Swords to Plowshares

Sorceries

4 Green Sun's Zenith

Enchantments

1 Sylvan Library

1 Sword of Fire and Ice
1 Sword of Light and Shadow
1 Umezawa's Jitte

Lands

1 Bayou
1 Gaea's Cradle
1 Horizon Canopy
1 Karakas
1 Scrubland
2 Forest
1 Plains
2 Savannah
4 Windswept Heath
4 Verdant Catacombs
4 Wasteland

Sideboard:

2 Abrupt Decay
4 Thoughtseize
2 Zealous Persecution
2 Ethersworn Canonist
1 Gaddock Teeg
2 Choke
1 Surgical Extraction
1 Banishing Light

And this is exactly the metagame last time:

5 BURN (1 in top)
4 BR REANIMATOR
4 AGGRO LOAM
3 BUG DELVER
3 SHARDLESS BUG
2 BUG CONTROL
2 DEATH & TAXIS (1 in top)
2 ELVES
2 MIRACLES
2 TURBO DEPTHS
2 UR DELVER (1 in top)
1 4-C DELVER
1 4-C MIDRANGE (1 in top)
1 ANT
1 DARK MAVERICK
1 DRAGON STOMPY (1 in top)
1 DREDGE
1 ELDRAZI
1 ENCHANTRESS
1 GOBLINS (1 in top)
1 GRIXIS DELVER
1 MAVERICK (1 in top)
1 MUD
1 OMNI-MIRACLES-TELL
1 SNEAK & SHOW
1 THE ROCK (1 in top)
1 UB REANIMATOR

Anyone can help me for make some change on main/side?

Thx All :smile:

Hi BlackNight,

I like your list a lot :) I used to play a very similar one back in the days when I played Maverick with Zeniths.
It seems that your meta is highly fair (with just a few Show&Tell/Reanimator players).

I feel like 3 Qasalis are a bit too many for a Zenith version and I would swap one for a Fauna Shaman. This humble shaman can just win games against fair (and unfair, if game goes long enough, too) decks on his own in hands of an experienced Maverick player, not to notice its interaction with the B/W sword. The powerful part of it is that it allows all creatures, not just green, to be fetchable with a Zenith (although in two turns). One of the really powerful usages I often went for was returning a previously fetched (or accidentially drawn) Dryad Arbor to hand (with a Scryb Ranger) to discard it and search for a Mother of Runes / Thalia / Knight of the Reliquary / Faerie Macabre / Ethersworn Cannonist / Whatever Creature Card You Need Atm :tongue:. You can also just get rid of useless cards in certain matchups, e.g. Qasali Pridemages against Delver decks, to find something you really need. If going for Fauna Shaman, you might want some postboard hate slots that you can fetch (e.g., maybe swapping 1 Zealous Persecution in sb for an Orzhov Pontiff). I heard, 1x Sanctum Prelate and/or 1x Phyrexian Revoker post-board can be an interesting solution as well :wink:

http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?multiverseid=205059&type=card http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?multiverseid=393888&type=card http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?multiverseid=96844&type=card http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?multiverseid=416780&type=card

Also, in such a meta full of Dredge & Reanimator decks, I would run in total 3x additional graveyard hate slots post-board, e.g. Surgical Extractions, a Faerie Macabre (this one's our best answer to BR Reanimator as you don't cast it and it's therefore not affected by their Chancellor of the Annex) and/or a Bojuka Bog. And 4x Thoughtseize is a bit too many imo (not so many combo/stoneforge decks in your meta), 2-3 should do the trick.

http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?multiverseid=218083&type=card

I guess, Banishing Light is targeting decks like Omni-Show and is supposed to help vs Miracles and such. However, classic Omni-Tell that runs Cunning Wish often won't care about trigger-based hate cards against Show&Tell. You might want something like Containment Priest (also helps against Reanimator/Dredge/possibly D&T!) against Sneak Attack version and just hope to squeeze in a Qasali against the Wish version and win some time by threatening to crack Omniscience in response to a Cunning Wish instead :tongue:. But when playing the Priest, make sure that you are not screwed yourself by turning off your Green Sun's Zeniths (same like you do it with Teeg).

http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?multiverseid=389470&type=card

Good luck with Maverick!

[pettdan]

Since Burn is so prevalent, I would change one or two Thoughtseizes into Duresses. It's usually an even matchup and tipping the point in your favor with a few life points seems very valuable. Also the second top deck in your meta is BR Reanimator and you never want to grab a creature vs them anyway.

I generally like the configuration of 1 Leyline of the Void, 1 Rest in Peace, 1 Enlightened Tutor since it provides lots of flexibility and tutorability, increasing the value of other sideboard slots such as Ethersworn Canonist. Rest in Peace should be valuable in your meta due to the large amount of BUG decks, IF most of them play Goyfs. Not sure whether this would be the best approach in your meta though. Perhaps 2 Leylines would be better. Leyline is pretty good vs Aggro Loam too, they can't decay it and their KotR's will be much smaller than yours. Faerie Macabre probably works too, I'm not a fan yet though. It seems much weaker then Leyline in the majority of matchups where it matters.

[aspsnake]

Since Burn is so prevalent, I would change one or two Thoughtseizes into Duresses. It's usually an even matchup and tipping the point in your favor with a few life points seems very valuable. Also the second top deck in your meta is BR Reanimator and you never want to grab a creature vs them anyway.

I generally like the configuration of 1 Leyline of the Void, 1 Rest in Peace, 1 Enlightened Tutor since it provides lots of flexibility and tutorability, increasing the value of other sideboard slots such as Ethersworn Canonist. Rest in Peace should be valuable in your meta due to the large amount of BUG decks, IF most of them play Goyfs. Not sure whether this would be the best approach in your meta though. Perhaps 2 Leylines would be better. Leyline is pretty good vs Aggro Loam too, they can't decay it and their KotR's will be much smaller than yours. Faerie Macabre probably works too, I'm not a fan yet though. It seems much weaker then Leyline in the majority of matchups where it matters.

@BlackNight

As one could see, there are as many opinions as there are Maverick players, as this is not a deck one could "solve", like ANT or RUG Delver, and find an optimal configuration that is the "best".

Tbh, Duress is not exactly the card I would like to see vs Burn, as it basically forces you to fetch non-basics and makes you more vulnerable to Price of Progress.

Leyline of the Void works well against Reanimators indeed, especially now, when they are increasingly relying on Abrupt Decay instead of other disenchant spells. But if playing those, it's worth playing 3-4 then (I personally like Surgical Extraction more as they work against Loams better (Krosan Grip ends our day), and are better off topdeck, but it's just my opinion). Although I do dislike Rest in Peace a lot in Maverick, as it shuts to the size of 2/2 our Knights, disables our Deathrites and makes your B/W sword worse.

But don't listen to us in the end, consider our opinions, but listen to your heart & personal experience, it always works for me at least ;)

[oSeabass]

I was lucky to have some time to jam League games this weekend, and ended up wishing I hadn't. I ended up going 0-7 in matches with old Maverick. I was running this list: https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/569781#online.

Out of the bad times I can remember losing to:
Elves: quick NO into Hoof just overrun me.
Same Burn Deck Twice: Price of Progress is nasty as is just having all the Fireblasts.
Miracles: was close, but in the end they out grinded cus Mentor is nuts as is having 2 Tops.
Big Nic Fit: Turn out if they can answer everything we do efficiently, then being able to drop fatties is a good way to go.

As the format seems to be slowing down in a weird way, yet getting super aggro at the same time, I dunno what to do with Mav. Slower midrange decks go over the top if they can get setup, control has tricks up their sleeves to get more aggressive. Combo has been almost invisible to me, except for creature based combo like Reanimator, Elves, and "Burn" to a lesser extent.

I dunno what to do with the list for now, I'm tempted to shelve it and switch to some BUG deck with TNN online. Being a Maverick player I feel like we can always tweak to meet the meta, but there are sometimes when I feel like that just isn't the case and it's better to lay low for a while. We have come through dark times before when Miracles came out, etc. Just looking for a good ole' "everyone has bad beats that's Legacy, Maverick is still great". Thanks yall.

[aspsnake]

I was lucky to have some time to jam League games this weekend, and ended up wishing I hadn't. I ended up going 0-7 in matches with old Maverick. I was running this list: https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/569781#online.

Out of the bad times I can remember losing to:
Elves: quick NO into Hoof just overrun me.
Same Burn Deck Twice: Price of Progress is nasty as is just having all the Fireblasts.
Miracles: was close, but in the end they out grinded cus Mentor is nuts as is having 2 Tops.
Big Nic Fit: Turn out if they can answer everything we do efficiently, then being able to drop fatties is a good way to go.

As the format seems to be slowing down in a weird way, yet getting super aggro at the same time, I dunno what to do with Mav. Slower midrange decks go over the top if they can get setup, control has tricks up their sleeves to get more aggressive. Combo has been almost invisible to me, except for creature based combo like Reanimator, Elves, and "Burn" to a lesser extent.

I dunno what to do with the list for now, I'm tempted to shelve it and switch to some BUG deck with TNN online. Being a Maverick player I feel like we can always tweak to meet the meta, but there are sometimes when I feel like that just isn't the case and it's better to lay low for a while. We have come through dark times before when Miracles came out, etc. Just looking for a good ole' "everyone has bad beats that's Legacy, Maverick is still great". Thanks yall.

I share your pain, pal.

Although: it is objectively true that you had an amazing unluck with matchups. You collected all the worst matchups that the deck has.

> Elves: very bad
> Nic Fit: very bad
> Miracles: unfavorable
> Burn x2: favorable, but requires very careful fetching landbase, and welcomes 2-3 basic land choices. I see you do run 3 basics, but with black cards mainboard... oh well.

Now about the meta becoming faster. It is true indeed. And this is the primary reason why I turned to AEther Vials from GSZs. You may see my list if you scroll a bit above (and lots of others' lists if you Google a bit). At first, playing Vials seems very strange - no cool tutoring, no Gaddock Teeg in the first game, no Ooze. You might also say that we lose so much gas - GSZ is potentially a creature, while Vial is just a Vial. Oh well. But we just become so much faster, and can react to the board instant speed. Vial tremendously improves matchups with Miracles (Vial in Prelate/Teeg in resp to the Miracle trigger!) and blue aggro/midrange decks. If you get your Vial online, you may not even cast any spells throughout the game anymore. Their drawn FoWs/Dazes will be just looking silly. Vialing in Gaddock Teeg somewhere in the middle of Storm's going nuts can be fun as well :)

Hope next time you'll be more lucky with your matchups!

Cheers,
aspsnake ;)

[Thunderknight]

Anyone heading to Baltimore for the SCG Tri-Wizard Tournament.

[oSeabass]

I share your pain, pal.

Although: it is objectively true that you had an amazing unluck with matchups. You collected all the worst matchups that the deck has.

> Elves: very bad
> Nic Fit: very bad
> Miracles: unfavorable
> Burn x2: favorable, but requires very careful fetching landbase, and welcomes 2-3 basic land choices. I see you do run 3 basics, but with black cards mainboard... oh well.

Now about the meta becoming faster. It is true indeed. And this is the primary reason why I turned to AEther Vials from GSZs. You may see my list if you scroll a bit above (and lots of others' lists if you Google a bit). At first, playing Vials seems very strange - no cool tutoring, no Gaddock Teeg in the first game, no Ooze. You might also say that we lose so much gas - GSZ is potentially a creature, while Vial is just a Vial. Oh well. But we just become so much faster, and can react to the board instant speed. Vial tremendously improves matchups with Miracles (Vial in Prelate/Teeg in resp to the Miracle trigger!) and blue aggro/midrange decks. If you get your Vial online, you may not even cast any spells throughout the game anymore. Their drawn FoWs/Dazes will be just looking silly. Vialing in Gaddock Teeg somewhere in the middle of Storm's going nuts can be fun as well :)

Hope next time you'll be more lucky with your matchups!

Cheers,
aspsnake ;)

Yea, I have run the Vial version based on what Ironclad was running with some nice results. I felt like it moved the deck in a more D&T feel and more into a White creature base with a little G/B splashed in. I feel less big on KOTR as BUG decks run rampant and DRS is a 4x in every dang deck.

I do love the inclusion of the Looter Scooter Thopter Copter whatever we call it. Plays of T1 Vial/Dork, T2 Copter (maybe a 1 drop too if dork) vial to 1, T3 Vial to 2 with 3 mana maybe 4 and a Copter in play.... was big. Being able to drop double 2 drops T3 to pilot the Copter felt gross when the drops were both Qasali, or a Qasali and Thalia or something nasty. Copter also made Mom feel a lot more relevant in a format with Push becoming big she dies REAL quick, but being able to have her pilot the Copter feels like cheating. Copter is also really nice at flying over TNN, Mentor Tokens, Gurmag, Goyf, etc. It also allows us to trade favorably with Delvers by letting our SFM and such "fight" in a weird roundabout way. Not to mention Scryb Ranger's flash/untap plays real nasty with the ability to pilot 2 Copters or just in general mess stuff up.

Vial seems strong and I think helped the Miracles match a decent bit by allowing us to focus mana on denying them with Wastelands and such, and getting uncounterable instant speed creatures. I just like GSZ too much :). Running Vial and Wg as the main colors makes me wanna try maybe splashing Red for Punishing Fire and the likes. I feel like without GSZ some creatures come back into consideration: Bloodbraid, Red Imperial Recruiter Tutor dude, Magus of the Moon, Wild Nacatyl, Huntmaster, Burning-Tree Shaman (great vs durdle decks), Mina and Denn, Wolf Run as a land cus we have spare mana cus vial, Vexing Shusher, etc.

It's more the debate/thinking why go Green is we don't use GSZ, are there more benefits in other colors? Maybe more Black for Bob Orzhov things, Blue for flying nastys ability to splash Brainstorm/Force/etc. If Maverick at it's core is a GSZ deck with Thalia/Wasteland, by removing GSZ we can branch out into other colors and think outside the box, similar to what happened with the printing of DRS and ADecay pushing us into Black as almost a staple color now.

[aspsnake]

Hi all once again,

I wanted to ask other Vial Maverick players, how do you guys sideboard against Miracles.

Here's my current list (https://deckstats.net/deck-12393615-afd0bd5534186c112055770c78fa769c.html).

I have 3 possible scenarios of sideboarding in mind:
1) +2 Gaddock Teeg, +1 Choke, +2 Abrupt Decay; -4 Swords to Plowshares, -1 Scryb Ranger
2) +2 Gaddock Teeg, +1 Choke, +2 Abrupt Decay, +3 Thoughtseize, +2 Surgical Extraction; -4 Swords to Plowshares, -2 Scryb Ranger, -4 Deathrite Shaman
3) Option (1) on the draw and option (2) on the play.

I'm quite curious how does the game plan of discarding a Swords/Terminus/Top (or any card that is present 2+ more times in their hand) and immediately extracting these works. It seems that losing any one of these turn 1 makes their decks so much worse against us. The lock of Mom+Prelate/Tegg becomes so much more real (in fact, a single Teeg is so much pain if they have no Swords in the deck left). In addition, on the play, we have an option to punish greedy hands with 1-2 lands and a single Top/cantrip spell. In addition, knowledge about their cards allows us to play our threats much better-timed.
On the draw, however, they can hide their important stuff with Brainstorm and the plan becomes way less viable.

On the other hand, discard is generally weak vs Miracles, and if they consider that we play discard they will often keep a Brainstorm in their hand or an important card on top (and draw it with Top, should the need arise). 1-drop spells are also rather useless when the top+balance lock becomes real.

Any thoughts on this?

[frogczar]

Hi Maverick players,
I was playing some casual Legacy with a friend of mine who was running Eldrazi Stompy and I was running G/W Maverick. I've been away from Legacy for a little while so the deck's incredible speed at dropping huge threats caught me by surprise. What means does Maverick have to combat the deck? I was thinking of running Retribution of the Meek in the sideboard or even in the main since there are a lot of huge threats roaming around these days. What are other typical or tried and tested solutions?

[ironclad8690]

I have been enjoying Vial for these same reasons. GSZ is awesome and I love it, but GSZ version was having too much trouble with Miracles and Delver decks.

So elves is catching on in a big way because of BUG's comeback, I have faced a ton in the leagues. My most recent was 2-3

http://i.imgur.com/ShWhAx0.png

Elves: 1-2
Death and Taxes: 0-2
TES: 2-1
Dragon Stompy: 2-0
UWr Blade: 1-2

The blade matchup was terrible. g1 I wasted his two early tundras and he scooped, but g2 and 3 I got wrecked by STP, Snapcaster, Batterskull, Kozilek's Return (I hate this card so much, it killed my board of Mom Mom Teeg Thalia), and Jace.

Perhaps if my tilt ends by tomorrow I will play another. Trying to think of ways to make the deck better, but I can't really think of anything.

[ironclad8690]

Option 1 sounds good aspsnake, though I might cut a DRS instead of Scryb, Scryb is good when they have a Jace to bounce your guys.

As for Eldrazi, it is very play/draw dependant. Starting off with a DRS and then following up with Wasteland into Stoneforge is probably the dream scenario (at least if you run Batterskull). Knight often outclasses their threats, but they will have unbeatable draws when they are on the play. Just practice the matchup a bit, they don't get the nut draw that often.

[aspsnake]

Option 1 sounds good aspsnake, though I might cut a DRS instead of Scryb, Scryb is good when they have a Jace to bounce your guys.

So, you think, the possibility to exile all Terminuses on the play is not strong enough to justify topdecking these in late game? Good point about DRS btw.


Hi Maverick players,
I was playing some casual Legacy with a friend of mine who was running Eldrazi Stompy and I was running G/W Maverick. I've been away from Legacy for a little while so the deck's incredible speed at dropping huge threats caught me by surprise. What means does Maverick have to combat the deck? I was thinking of running Retribution of the Meek in the sideboard or even in the main since there are a lot of huge threats roaming around these days. What are other typical or tried and tested solutions?

There was a similar question how to fight Eldrazi a couple of pages ago, check it out ;) Overall, I would say, the matchup is favorable to Maverick, unless they have crazy hands.

[BlackNight]

Thanks for answers @aspsnake and @pettdan :smile::smile::smile:. I will try some changes in the near future, will let you know in the next tournament.

[lordofthepit]

Hi all once again,

I wanted to ask other Vial Maverick players, how do you guys sideboard against Miracles.

Here's my current list (https://deckstats.net/deck-12393615-afd0bd5534186c112055770c78fa769c.html).

I have 3 possible scenarios of sideboarding in mind:
1) +2 Gaddock Teeg, +1 Choke, +2 Abrupt Decay; -4 Swords to Plowshares, -1 Scryb Ranger
2) +2 Gaddock Teeg, +1 Choke, +2 Abrupt Decay, +3 Thoughtseize, +2 Surgical Extraction; -4 Swords to Plowshares, -2 Scryb Ranger, -4 Deathrite Shaman
3) Option (1) on the draw and option (2) on the play.

I'm quite curious how does the game plan of discarding a Swords/Terminus/Top (or any card that is present 2+ more times in their hand) and immediately extracting these works. It seems that losing any one of these turn 1 makes their decks so much worse against us. The lock of Mom+Prelate/Tegg becomes so much more real (in fact, a single Teeg is so much pain if they have no Swords in the deck left). In addition, on the play, we have an option to punish greedy hands with 1-2 lands and a single Top/cantrip spell. In addition, knowledge about their cards allows us to play our threats much better-timed.
On the draw, however, they can hide their important stuff with Brainstorm and the plan becomes way less viable.

On the other hand, discard is generally weak vs Miracles, and if they consider that we play discard they will often keep a Brainstorm in their hand or an important card on top (and draw it with Top, should the need arise). 1-drop spells are also rather useless when the top+balance lock becomes real.

Any thoughts on this?

I would hedge halfway between each. I definitely like Teeg, Choke, and Decay, and I usually like two copies of Surgical Extraction, depending on factors such as how many Snapcasters they run and how many non-STP/Terminus removal options they play. I'm not a fan of Thoughtseize, but it's justifiable on the play and if you suspect they board out Counterbalance (which I would if I were playing Miracles). I usually like 1 Thalia, 2 Deathrite Shaman, and some number of Knights, although the Knights go back in if they're playing damage-based Sweepers like Pyroclasm and Kozilek's Return.

[oSeabass]

Started toying around with Red as a color in addition to the White. Most of the Vial lists look very similar to D&T so it's still a very strong White creature base. Figured I'd play around with a few fun ofs to see how they handle. Also having access to Bolt makes me feel happy just having more maindeck removal and reach as well as a quick way to deal with some Planeswalkers. I really like Copter so I'm seeing how it works.

https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/571566#online

Cavern 2x because almost everything is a Human. Board is still in flux, I want to find another spot for something, but I don't know what I need yet. This explains the YOLO One of Magus of the Moon in the main, he was a 2x in side 16 no good, so he came in and I'm running 61 like a true Maverick. If anyone wants to test some games on MTGO hit me up (jtw11632 on MTGO).

Frontline Medic is an inclusion for Miracles to surprise counter a late game Entreat. Also he is in there to stop things like Engineered Explosives, Bonfire?, GSZ, BSZ, Chalice, etc. I'm probably going to stick to Tournament Practice lobby for now until i tune it a bit more, then I'll try and take it into a League if I am feeling gutsy.

[ironclad8690]

http://i.imgur.com/QSGZ53K.png

You know how to lose with this board state? Choosing white with Mother of Runes.

I chose white. Then I attack and he flashes in Izzet Staticaster. When I untap MoR with my Scryb Ranger, I can't force Qasali through because he already has pro White. I have to let him block, and then I lose the game because he Shoots Revoker, I protect with mom, he bounces Prelate and Terminuses, and the game is over from there. I almost make a comeback, but he topdecks live after regaining use of his top and jace.

I can't believe I managed to lose this game. Makes for a 1-3 drop in the league. It has been fun playing this deck for a while, but I think this single game has been enough to tilt me off of Maverick for good. I am selling out and saving up for some BUG deck. I will see you guys on the other side.

[aspsnake]

http://i.imgur.com/QSGZ53K.png

You know how to lose with this board state? Choosing white with Mother of Runes.

I chose white. Then I attack and he flashes in Izzet Staticaster. When I untap MoR with my Scryb Ranger, I can't force Qasali through because he already has pro White. I have to let him block, and then I lose the game because he Shoots Revoker, I protect with mom, he bounces Prelate and Terminuses, and the game is over from there. I almost make a comeback, but he topdecks live after regaining use of his top and jace.

I can't believe I managed to lose this game. Makes for a 1-3 drop in the league. It has been fun playing this deck for a while, but I think this single game has been enough to tilt me off of Maverick for good. I am selling out and saving up for some BUG deck. I will see you guys on the other side.

Maverick is a tricky deck to play :) But this is what we love it for ;)

The cool thing is that it's also very tricky to play vs us for our opponents. When Maverick has just appeared, people were saying: "This deck is too fair for this format, it shouldn't win. How the hell does it win??" - we actually do often win because our opponents are not very knowledgeable about how our deck works.

Have fun with BUG!

[TMagpie]

http://i.imgur.com/QSGZ53K.png

You know how to lose with this board state? Choosing white with Mother of Runes.

I chose white. Then I attack and he flashes in Izzet Staticaster. When I untap MoR with my Scryb Ranger, I can't force Qasali through because he already has pro White. I have to let him block, and then I lose the game because he Shoots Revoker, I protect with mom, he bounces Prelate and Terminuses, and the game is over from there. I almost make a comeback, but he topdecks live after regaining use of his top and jace.

I can't believe I managed to lose this game. Makes for a 1-3 drop in the league. It has been fun playing this deck for a while, but I think this single game has been enough to tilt me off of Maverick for good. I am selling out and saving up for some BUG deck. I will see you guys on the other side.

You didn't you replay the Savannah and untap the mom on his turn when he attempts to bounce the prelate?

[ironclad8690]

I had to bounce the Savannah to untap mom to protect Phyrexian Revoker from Izzet Staticaster. I had actually played that Savannah in 1st Main phase because I had to use mom 2 times previous turn.

In hindsight though, maybe it would have been better to not use Mom there, and then protect Prelate if he bounces. Truth be told I was so surprised at the Staticaster I probably wasn't thinking straight.

Now that I have had a full night of sleep, I think I am off tilt enough not to quit the deck, but I am definitely going to take a break to clear my head. Getting too upset when I do poorly in a league.

[Roland_Deschain]

Hi guys!
Going back to Maverick (have a 2 years break from MTG).
I plan to run a vial maverick.
So to no expend my time in useless research, have you tested the Thalia 2.0?
And about that new guy Renegade Rallier? wasteland 2 times in a turn seems good to me.
Prelate and that white imperial guy is a thing on this deck?

Thanks, and sorry for the english XD

[aspsnake]

Hi guys!
Going back to Maverick (have a 2 years break from MTG).
I plan to run a vial maverick.
So to no expend my time in useless research, have you tested the Thalia 2.0?
And about that new guy Renegade Rallier? wasteland 2 times in a turn seems good to me.
Prelate and that white imperial guy is a thing on this deck?

Thanks, and sorry for the english XD

Hi Roland,

I think it's a good time for Vial Maverick atm.
Thalia 2.0 is okay. However, in Maverick she struggles in the 3-drop slot against the following dudes:

Top-tier:
- Knight of the Reliquary
- Sanctum Prelate
- Mirran Crusader
- Recruiter of the Guard
- Flickerwisp
Second-tier:
- Tireless tracker
- Eternal Witness
- and so on and so on and so on.

Exactly same problems has Rallier.

Are these guys good? Yes.
Are these good enough? Well, it really depends on your build, I guess.
In a list with Revokers and/or ports, I would possibly consider Thalia 2.0 as a 1-2 of.
Rallier didn't really work for me - he's good on paper, but keeping fetches in order to possibly make him work is not always what we really want.

Good luck with piloting Maverick! ;)

[Megadeus]

http://i.imgur.com/QSGZ53K.png

You know how to lose with this board state? Choosing white with Mother of Runes.

I chose white. Then I attack and he flashes in Izzet Staticaster. When I untap MoR with my Scryb Ranger, I can't force Qasali through because he already has pro White. I have to let him block, and then I lose the game because he Shoots Revoker, I protect with mom, he bounces Prelate and Terminuses, and the game is over from there. I almost make a comeback, but he topdecks live after regaining use of his top and jace.

I can't believe I managed to lose this game. Makes for a 1-3 drop in the league. It has been fun playing this deck for a while, but I think this single game has been enough to tilt me off of Maverick for good. I am selling out and saving up for some BUG deck. I will see you guys on the other side.

Why not simply attack with a 2/2 Scryb Ranger? It gives him another turn I guess, but with double mom activation, Prelate on 6, and ranger being pro jace bounce I can't imagine what he could have to beat you in two turns.

[TMagpie]

I had to bounce the Savannah to untap mom to protect Phyrexian Revoker from Izzet Staticaster. I had actually played that Savannah in 1st Main phase because I had to use mom 2 times previous turn.

In hindsight though, maybe it would have been better to not use Mom there, and then protect Prelate if he bounces. Truth be told I was so surprised at the Staticaster I probably wasn't thinking straight.

Now that I have had a full night of sleep, I think I am off tilt enough not to quit the deck, but I am definitely going to take a break to clear my head. Getting too upset when I do poorly in a league.

I have lost games to miracles with them at 1 life and what seemed like no cards in hand, only for runner runner runner to just dismantle my seemingly solid board many many times--the salt is definitely real.

[ironclad8690]

Why not simply attack with a 2/2 Scryb Ranger? It gives him another turn I guess, but with double mom activation, Prelate on 6, and ranger being pro jace bounce I can't imagine what he could have to beat you in two turns.

This is likely the correct play, even though it goes against my main philosophy of finishing them off as quickly as possible. It is overall less risky and that probably makes it a winning line.

[aspsnake]

This is likely the correct play, even though it goes against my main philosophy of finishing them off as quickly as possible. It is overall less risky and that probably makes it a winning line.

It is not true that you should kill as quickly as possible, this is completely against any winning ideology when playing vs Miracles :)
You usually have some time, so as a Maverick player you should take your time and resolve a single threat (or two at max). Then, attacking with your creatures (keeping in mind possible Snapcaster), you just force them to use Terminus against a single dude (or 2).

It is of course a bit different when you've succeeded to build a lock with Mom+Prelate/Teeg. Then, you can go a bit more aggressive. Not worth though losing your lock just to kill them a turn earlier :p I mean - what could they possibly do anyways? :D
There is probably a small chance that that additional turn will give some time for them to dig up a Kozilek's Return or a Council's Judgement. But - still not worth to lose the lock imo :D

It's only worth risking it if they kill you faster than you do, you've got nothing to lose then.

[Megadeus]

I admittedly forgot about Kozileks return. That does sound miserable to lostlose to. I hate miracles. I guess if you took my line he would eot staticaster. Force you to use mom, untap, attempt to bounce something, you have to scryb mom, then he gets to staticaster Revoker to free up top and then must find an answer? It's still probably in your favor, but it's not a position I love to be in

[TMagpie]

This is likely the correct play, even though it goes against my main philosophy of finishing them off as quickly as possible. It is overall less risky and that probably makes it a winning line.

I don't like concepts of "correct" or "wrong" play when making a risk heavy decision. Your opponent seeing 2 cards vs using up a Mom activation is fairly 50/50 in my opinion. Just because he "had it" this time doesn't mean he'd "have it" next time.

I would say the biggest mistake was trying to use Mom when you already used up a land drop. Had you not used the land drop and could untap your Mom next turn with scryb--I'd be in full agreement to make the play you made.

[TMagpie]

I admittedly forgot about Kozileks return. That does sound miserable to lostlose to. I hate miracles. I guess if you took my line he would eot staticaster. Force you to use mom, untap, attempt to bounce something, you have to scryb mom, then he gets to staticaster Revoker to free up top and then must find an answer? It's still probably in your favor, but it's not a position I love to be in

The advent of Sanctum Prelate is making me change up my sweeper package in my Miracles list to spread the casting cost a bit.

[aspsnake]

The advent of Sanctum Prelate is making me change up my sweeper package in my Miracles list to spread the casting cost a bit.

What are you going to take then? :D Mom(or Prelate for 1)+Teeg+Prelate for 3 is usually enough, unless you go wild and take a Pyroclasm to your sideboard.

But, seriously. Maverick and D&T are really favorable for Miracles. There is no use to tech against these too much, hurting other matchups. According to mtgtop8 (http://www.mtgtop8.com), Prelate is played in only 5.4% of the winning decks.

You'd be better off playing a singleton of Tropical Island and a Harmonic Convergence in sideboard. You never know, what if you face an Enchantress deck? :D

http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?multiverseid=12437&type=card

[TMagpie]

What are you going to take then? :D Mom(or Prelate for 1)+Teeg+Prelate for 3 is usually enough, unless you go wild and take a Pyroclasm to your sideboard.

But, seriously. Maverick and D&T are really favorable for Miracles. There is no use to tech against these too much, hurting other matchups. According to mtgtop8 (http://www.mtgtop8.com), Prelate is played in only 5.4% of the winning decks.

You'd be better off playing a singleton of Tropical Island and a Harmonic Convergence in sideboard. You never know, what if you face an Enchantress deck? :D

http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?multiverseid=12437&type=card

Primarily it is leaning more heavily on Kozilek's Return, Engineered Explosives, and Supreme Verdicts in the 75

What I am testing right now is 3 Terminus 1 Explosives main, 1 Verdict, 1 Return in the side. D&T is a 50/50 matchup for Miracles because Vial is super good, and the advent of Recruiter + Prelate allows them to use vial to counter Terminus. Maverick is less of the issue and its more that usually a few Taxes lists gets to the win and in rounds. Explosives also allows greater flexibility with vs walkers, lands, and random things like Aluren.

Pyroclasm over Supreme Verdict is also an option, but Grixis has zombie fish and I don't like the idea of dying to it without good reason.

[lordofthepit]

Vial Maverick is picking up steam. I am so happy right now! :laugh:

http://i.imgur.com/pSr0GTo.jpg

[DoomRabbit]

Has anyone looked at :0: mana acceleration (lotus petal, spirit guides, chrome mox etc.) for those explosive turn 1 plays?
I've been thinking that dropping a turn 1 thalia on the play wrecks a lot of decks, and while we're very good at dropping in 3 mana plays on turn 2, we can't accelerate 2 mana plays, which would really help against some matchups.
Maybe it's not worth it, and I'd be happy to hear from someone who's tried that out already.

[aspsnake]

Has anyone looked at :0: mana acceleration (lotus petal, spirit guides, chrome mox etc.) for those explosive turn 1 plays?
I've been thinking that dropping a turn 1 thalia on the play wrecks a lot of decks, and while we're very good at dropping in 3 mana plays on turn 2, we can't accelerate 2 mana plays, which would really help against some matchups.
Maybe it's not worth it, and I'd be happy to hear from someone who's tried that out already.
Of course, people have thought about that :)

There is one deck that abuses turn 1 Thalia/Dark Confidant and it's called Loam.

Every deck in Legacy has a playstyle, which determines, in which aspect is it better than other decks. For Maverick, this is consistency. Our topdecks in the late game are just so good (our knight filters out lands, and almost every topdeck does something). There is no other deck in Legacy that would be as consistent as Maverick, and that is how we win.

If you add petals/spirits though, you will start winning 20% more matchups due to a powerful start and losing 80% more matchups due to having shitty topdecks.

[Cpt-Qc]

Even if the name of the game is consistency, many are moving towards vial maverick which sacrifices consistency for counterspell protection.

I for one would rather play a true vial deck (DnT) rather than change the core of maverick but it does have advantages.

[oSeabass]

Even if the name of the game is consistency, many are moving towards vial maverick which sacrifices consistency for counterspell protection.

I for one would rather play a true vial deck (DnT) rather than change the core of maverick but it does have advantages.

I think it's providing more then just counter protection. The ability to give all the creatures psuedo flash is very strong in some matchups. Some lists are running a more denial heavy plan similar to DnT which makes more sense as that style is very similar. I think the usual style Maverick lists (like the one posted above) use it to just be that much more mana efficient. The deck runs some lands, but always feels very tight still on mana. Vial provides the ability to be very aggressive with mana denial with Wastelands and similar things while freeing that mana up from casting creatures.

Counter protection is nice, but Cavern exists and most of the creature bases make it tricky to play, but not out of the question. Especially in the more DnT style lists where Cavern on Human seems like a no-brainer.

The question is: does Vial adding counter protection, flash, etc. out weight the tutor power of GSZ? It seems in a lot of cases people are leaning towards yes. I agree with the notion to just play DnT at some point, because having extra mana sometimes feels clunky and having ways to use it like Port would seem to be REAL strong.

==========================
Completely different thought:
I have been researching random 1-3 drop G creatures for GSZ targets. My knowledge of the old style Maverick is stronger then new age Black splash, but I still think there can be some meta tweaks that help the deck against the new meta. I might dabble with some of these and see how they do.

Abzan Beastmaster (2G 2/1) - Upkeep draw a card if you control greatest (or tied) toughness dude.
Seems real useful against something like lands where they don't play any threats until the end. Useful against BUG since (save Goyf) most of their stuff is = toughness to most our dudes ~2. Great vs Miracles (Snapcaster, SFM, Clique, etc.) all around 2. Another deck that stalls the board a bunch before going big later. Elves/DnT = free cards.

Anurid Brushhopper (1GW 3/4) - Discard 2: Exile, return to play EoT.
Decent sized body (survives Bolt) and has built in resiliency. Discard 2 is a steep cost, so I don't think it's really worth the tempo swing... still something.

Anurid Scavenger (2G 3/3) - Pro Black. Upkeep, card from graveyard onto bottom of library or sac.
Pro black is relevant today more then before. The recur ability is nice in a GSZ style shell in the ability to grind out removal battles.

Bloodline Shaman (1G 1/1) - Tap: choose a creature type, flip top card = into hand if same, grave if not.
Useful in tandem with stuff like Library/Mirri's Guile to get some extra value. With Courser it seems better with the ability to always know the top card.

Brown Ouphe (G 1/1) - 1G Tap: counter artifact activated ability.
Grindy vs Miracles. Makes opposing Vial bad. Other fringe uses. Don't think he is worth it really, but interesting.

Burning-Tree Shaman (1RG 3/4) - When anyone activates a non mana ability, 1 dmg.
Grindy as all hell. Survives Bolt. Seems fun in the Punishing builds. Con: hits you too.

Cold-Eyed Selkie (1 G/U G/U 1/1) - Islandwalk. Deals combat to player, draw that many.
Most decks run Islands now a days so it's more or less unblockable. With equipment and random Exalted triggers the draw becomes better.

Daybreak Ranger (2G 2/2) - Tap: 2 dmg to flyer. Flips to 4/4 R: Fight.
Kills most the annoying flyers in decks (Delver, Strix, Clique, Wisp, Souls tokens, etc.) The fight seems eh.

Doran (BGW 0/5) - Assign all combat based on toughness.
Most our beaters are symmetric. This nerfs things more, like TNN. Makes things like SFM slightly better.

Dryad Militant (W/G 2/1) - Instant/Sorc exile instead of go to grave.
Nonbo with DRS but seems eh against flashback style decks like Storm, Dredge (Dread Return), any Cabal Therapy, etc. Would be better in a strict GW build no DRS.

Heartwood Storyteller (1GG 2/3) - Player plays noncreature spell, opponents may draw.
Works against you too, but at worst replaces itself when it gets targeted similar to Leovold.

Ichneumon Druid (1GG 1/1) - 4 dmg to an opponent when they cast an instant that isn't their first of the turn.
Seems real silly and old but fun to think about. Burn lol.

Mold Adder (G 1/1) - When opponent casts blue/black spell, may +1/1 counter.
Grindy vs BUG. Dies to every removal in the format. Probably just better being a Mom or Safekeeper. I dunno what U/B player wouldn't instantly removal this with one of its many removal spells.

[aspsnake]

The question is: does Vial adding counter protection, flash, etc. out weight the tutor power of GSZ? It seems in a lot of cases people are leaning towards yes. I agree with the notion to just play DnT at some point, because having extra mana sometimes feels clunky and having ways to use it like Port would seem to be REAL strong.

Vial is much more than counter protection. Vial also provides:
1) great reusable tempo (as opposed to e.g. lotus petal suggestions, which are not reusable), and, in particular, faster online equipments with Stoneforge Mystic - we can activate it and get more creatures into play from AEther Vial simultaneously. And faster/less predictable equipments do generate CA.
2) virtual advantage over opponents who draw their Dazes and Force of Wills, but sometimes literally don't have anything to counter, as we don't cast anything after the Vial, at least in the first game (postboard they might probably side it all out). They may try to shuffle these away with fetches, but there is no guarantee that they won't just draw some more counterspells or lands.
3) sorcery-speed board wipe protection (at least partial, as the creature vialed in will survive it) - not to mention prelate for 6 against Terminus. And board wipes are something that Maverick is in particular
4) 2 less lands maindeck (21 rather than 23) - partially compensates for drawing Vials in the late game.
5) battle tricks - sometimes, opponent will not attack you just because you have vial for 2, and who knows what that might be.
6) Thalia + Wastelands going even faster and harsher.
7) and so on and so on

It is true that Maverick loses consistency with Vials, but the tempo gain is just so big that I've won some games against GSZ Maverick versions.

Now, to the Vial Maverick vs D&T debate. Before expressing any points myself, I will let myself point out that top8 meta currently consists of Maverick (mostly Vial version) for 2% and D&T for 4%. Not that much of a difference, and it keeps changing towards Maverick lately.

Reasons to play D&T over Vial Maverick:
1) better manabase, more Cavern of Souls
2) better taxing due to Ports

Reasons to play Vial Maverick of D&T:
1) better choice of creatures:
a) mainboard graveyard-hate from Deathrite Shaman - something D&T lacks a lot imho! Sure, they get their Rest in Peace several times after sb, but it can be not fast enough. Also, a possibility to win without attacking, e.g. vs Ensnaring Bridge.
b) Qasali Pridemage can be a huge deal in fair matchups (and non-fair as well)
c) Knight - good Show&Tell pick against Emrakul, Wasteland engine, big body, etc.
d) Scryb Ranger is just sooo good
2) more consistency - land filtering, instant-speed land search, generally stronger cards
3) more flexible sideboard options, including Decay, Zealous Persecution and Thoughtseize
4) people don't know the deck that well, at least yet, and are not 100% sure what to expect, which is always a big deal in Legacy.

There are matchups, that are slightly better for D&T, such as Nic Fit or 4c delver, and matchups that are (imo) slightly better for Maverick - Storm or BUG Nemesis. It really depends on the meta, I guess.

I do have both decks and actually like Maverick more, possibly because I had more experience with playing it. Although what to play - is always your own choice :)

[oSeabass]

There are matchups, that are slightly better for D&T, such as Nic Fit or 4c delver, and matchups that are (imo) slightly better for Maverick - Storm or BUG Nemesis. It really depends on the meta, I guess.

I do have both decks and actually like Maverick more, possibly because I had more experience with playing it. Although what to play - is always your own choice :)

I have thought more and more about Standstill and adding Blue when we start playing Vial. Going towards more of a Bant shell we lose DRS but we gain things like Counterspells, Brainstorm (great with KotR shuffles), TNN (super resistance). Standstill I don't think adds anything unless we play FoW or Daze or something where we can actually draw into counters in response to stuff. Dunno if diluting into Blue takes away too much of the Maverick ish ness, also plays odd with things like Thalia where now we only have a few things that are affected.

[aspsnake]

I have thought more and more about Standstill and adding Blue when we start playing Vial. Going towards more of a Bant shell we lose DRS but we gain things like Counterspells, Brainstorm (great with KotR shuffles), TNN (super resistance). Standstill I don't think adds anything unless we play FoW or Daze or something where we can actually draw into counters in response to stuff. Dunno if diluting into Blue takes away too much of the Maverick ish ness, also plays odd with things like Thalia where now we only have a few things that are affected.

Bant is an existing (though almost forgotten by now) deck that runs Stoneforge, KotR and Brainstorm/Ponder/FoW package in one deck, and even though it has a couple of similarities it's really distanced from Maverick in playstyle - it's in any way not your Legacy Hatebears. And I wouldn't play Vial there, just no real use, that deck is not exactly about creatures :p

In addition, Sultai is just plain better than Bant atm. There has been a 4-color deck few months ago though called "Dark Bant" that made some use of Leovolds, Brainstorms, Abrupt Decays and Stoneforge Mystics, it seemed fun.

[DoomRabbit]

How different are you guys finding playing with vial is?
I have a tournament on the weekend and I'm considering what to put in my list. I'm familiar/comfortable with the GSZ version, but I do own vials, so easy enough to transition to a list like this one. (https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/572996#online) (features no prelates/recruiters which I can't get in time)
I just haven't tested with the vial list. I can probably get a few games in the day before, but that's about it. I have played other vial decks before (modern hate bears W and G/W mostly), so I'm not new to that at least.
If it's not too different and the power level is there (definitely looks that way, vial seems to be beating GSZ results-wise recently), I'll happily swap my GSZ for vials.

--EDIT--

Here's my current GSZ list for comparison

4 Deathrite
1 Noble Hierarch
3 Mother of Runes
2 Stoneforge Mystic
1 Scryb Ranger
1 Qasali Pridemage
1 Gaddock Teeg
1 Scavenging Ooze
4 Knight of the Reliquary
4 Thalia Guardian of Thraben
2 Flex creatures: Undecided between 2x Rallier, 2x spirit of the labyrinth, 2x thalia heretic cathar, Mix of sylvan library/Titania/tireless tracker

2 Abrupt Decay
4 Swords to Plowshares
4 GSZ

1 Jitte
1 Sword of Fire and Ice
1 Batterskull

1 Dryad Arbor
1 Bayou
2 Savannah
1 Scrubland
1 Gaea's Cradle
1 Karakas
1 Horizon Canopy
4 Wasteland
4 Windswept Heath
3 Verdant Catacombs
2 Forest
1 Plains
1 Swamp

[aspsnake]

How different are you guys finding playing with vial is?
I have a tournament on the weekend and I'm considering what to put in my list. I'm familiar/comfortable with the GSZ version, but I do own vials, so easy enough to transition to a list like this one. (https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/572996#online) (features no prelates/recruiters which I can't get in time)
I just haven't tested with the vial list. I can probably get a few games in the day before, but that's about it. I have played other vial decks before (modern hate bears W and G/W mostly), so I'm not new to that at least.
If it's not too different and the power level is there (definitely looks that way, vial seems to be beating GSZ results-wise recently), I'll happily swap my GSZ for vials.

I've just had a Vial vs Zenith Maverick game in Cockatrice (I lost 1-2 in the end, but it was close). It almost felt like playing vs Miracles at some point :) I needed to kill him as fast as possible, as Zenith version topdecks are just better.

With Vial, you sacrifice some gas of your deck for faster speed and Vial shennanigans. Your Thalia/Wasteland interaction becomes much better, especially in the part where you don't need a lot of lands in play to pay for your overcosted Zeniths with Thalia. I would borrow a Prelate though if I were you, he is insane in many matchups, and maybe even play the Zenith version if there's no way to find a Prelate for the game.

It's not too different indeed to play Vials. If you played Vial decks and Zenith Maverick before, you will figure it out in no time ;) The only thing that's slightly different is mulligans. I often keep a one-lander hand with Vial, sometimes even on the draw and with a non-basic land (with 6 cards on the draw, I even once kept a zero-lander hand - risky, but was worth it). In a nutshell, there should be serious reasons in order not to keep a hand with a Vial. There have been many games where I had 2 vials and 0 lands at the end of the game :D

[oSeabass]

In my testing last night Abzan Beastmaster seemed real nice in fair matchups. On the play with a DRS he was able to draw me like 3 extra cards before opponents got a Goyf in play. Then again I did have magical happy Christmas land (vial version) where I had a Scryb Ranger with a Vial and DRS, Wasteland, Thalia, and Rallier.... it was gross. In a turn with like 2 land I was able to Vial in SFM, get a Sword, Drop the sword for 3, bounce a Forest/untap DRS, drop Forest, DRS + Forest equip to Scryb Ranger, swing.

Vial allows for some real friggin explosive stuff to happen. I dunno if I want the Cradle still in the tighter Vial version, I still feel it's wrong running Batterskull without a Cradle. Rallier continues to impress me in this more fair meta. Abzan Beastmaster will be the focus of my testing over the weekend.

[4eshir]

Hi again.
I want switch 1-2 DRS on birds or noble, coz so many time he can't give me some mana.
For example, atm I play 4 drs, 1 bird and 1 noble. What is better, 2-2-2, 2-3-1 or 3-2-1?
My meta is: 3-4 bug, 2 eldrazi, 1 burn/dnt/painter/Omni/elfs/miracles

GSZ ver.

[oSeabass]

Hi again.
I want switch 1-2 DRS on birds or noble, coz so many time he can't give me some mana.
For example, atm I play 4 drs, 1 bird and 1 noble. What is better, 2-2-2, 2-3-1 or 3-2-1?
My meta is: 3-4 bug, 2 eldrazi, 1 burn/dnt/painter/Omni/elfs/miracles

GSZ ver.

Depends on other stuff too. If you are running cheaper EQ BoP might be nice being able to fly. If your splash is more heavy in black, BoP probably works a little better. If you are closer to the GW shell, then Noble is nice because of Exalted.
I have been running 4 DRS 1 NH (vial version). 5 dorks seems about right, 6 seems a little much esp. in a GSZ version probably running slightly more lands and Dryad Arbor for GSZ 0 (extra ish "dork). If your black splash isn't too heavy try running 3-1-1 and see which works out more. Birds having flying might help more chump blocking in matchups, holding EQ, etc. Where NH might work better in spots where creatures are tighter and the Exalted comes into play a lot more.

[ET1]

Hi again.
I want switch 1-2 DRS on birds or noble, coz so many time he can't give me some mana.
For example, atm I play 4 drs, 1 bird and 1 noble. What is better, 2-2-2, 2-3-1 or 3-2-1?
My meta is: 3-4 bug, 2 eldrazi, 1 burn/dnt/painter/Omni/elfs/miracles

GSZ ver.

I feel like give your meta the 4th death rite is much better than an additional birds or hierarch. If you're really set on switching one out I would say the noble is going to be the better of the two

[TMagpie]

I feel like give your meta the 4th death rite is much better than an additional birds or hierarch. If you're really set on switching one out I would say the noble is going to be the better of the two

It is also possible the curve is too high. I find cutting 3+ drops is often as good or better than squeezing a 6th mana dork.

[ET1]

It is also possible the curve is too high. I find cutting 3+ drops is often as good or better than squeezing a 6th mana dork.

Same, I always feel weird about having more 3 drops. I personally only run the 4 knights, but yes I think 5 should be the maximum number most lists should play main deck (gsz version), 5 dorks has always felt correct.

[4eshir]

Thanks for answer folks(:
I'll play 3-1-1.
About 3rd drops. I play 4 KotR and 2 Rallier. Last guy showed well himself in last tournament.

[TMagpie]

Thanks for answer folks(:
I'll play 3-1-1.
About 3rd drops. I play 4 KotR and 2 Rallier. Last guy showed well himself in last tournament.

I've played many 3drops that all proved themselves powerful. I've cut most of them because mana becomes an issue and I get to the whole "6th mana dork to feed the 5th/6th 3+ creature. It's really about power level vs consistency.

If you really want to squeeze in another high cc card--cut a Plow or Mom for the 6th mana dork.

[RPD]

I've played many 3drops that all proved themselves powerful. I've cut most of them because mana becomes an issue and I get to the whole "6th mana dork to feed the 5th/6th 3+ creature. It's really about power level vs consistency.

After all this 3 drop discussion, I thought about trying a list with knight of the reliquary as the only 3 drop and it ran way more smoothly. I think that I like this configuration with zenith, maybe x1 tireless tracker, but nothing more.

https://deckstats.net/decks/2563/672755-maverick-v4

This was what I played today (finished 3-2, which is pretty good for the time that I've been playing this deck). List was okay, only awkward card was spirit of the labyrinth (not super good when playing sylvan library). I think that I like the mainboard decays.

Won vs burn, infect, manaless dredge. Lost to UR delver and the mirror.

Quick questions on the matches that I lost. First of all, which is the key to winning vs delver decks? it really is a tempo battle, and feels like whoever wins the dice takes the match. If I was on the play, his answers and threats were lining up one turn too late an viceversa. Not sure if it really is this way or I'm misinterpreting how this pairing works.

Similar question for the mirror. My opponent told me that stoneforge is one really good card there but I don't really get why (equipments are miserable against decay). Also, which is the most important target for swords to plowshares? plowing mother of runes as soon as possible is probably the best, but knights get out of hand quickly too.

[ET1]

After all this 3 drop discussion, I thought about trying a list with knight of the reliquary as the only 3 drop and it ran way more smoothly. I think that I like this configuration with zenith, maybe x1 tireless tracker, but nothing more.

https://deckstats.net/decks/2563/672755-maverick-v4

This was what I played today (finished 3-2, which is pretty good for the time that I've been playing this deck). List was okay, only awkward card was spirit of the labyrinth (not super good when playing sylvan library). I think that I like the mainboard decays.

Won vs burn, infect, manaless dredge. Lost to UR delver and the mirror.

Quick questions on the matches that I lost. First of all, which is the key to winning vs delver decks? it really is a tempo battle, and feels like whoever wins the dice takes the match. If I was on the play, his answers and threats were lining up one turn too late an viceversa. Not sure if it really is this way or I'm misinterpreting how this pairing works.

Similar question for the mirror. My opponent told me that stoneforge is one really good card there but I don't really get why (equipments are miserable against decay). Also, which is the most important target for swords to plowshares? plowing mother of runes as soon as possible is probably the best, but knights get out of hand quickly too.

I play a very similar mainboard, only difference is I play dark depths combo over cradle. Versus delver, getting a turn 1 dork is always pretty important as they either answer it with a counter/bolt or you have the mana advantage letting you play around daze very easily. Things to keep in mind would be to be aware of daze. When you can play around it, do it. I generally try to play out the cards I need the least first. Generally this means I hold up my thalia's as that card destroys delver. If you have multiples of cards such as thalia and stoneforge play those out first. Sticking a stoneforge is huge as delver decks of all varieties generally can't beat a sword of fire and ice or a jitte. Most of your threats are lights out against delver, they win through super aggressive starts backed by counter magic and disruption.

Against the mirror stoneforge is highly important as maverick also has a tough time beating a jitte. The first player with an active jitte will likely win the game. Maverick never seems to run more than 3 copies of abrupt decay and we don't have much library manipulation to find abrupt decay making it somewhat likely that your jitte will stick.

[nicoleptik]

Maverick never seems to run more than 3 copies of abrupt decay and we don't have much library manipulation to find abrupt decay making it somewhat likely that your jitte will stick.

You seem to forget the 2 Pridemages and the 4 GSZ to fetch them...

[aspsnake]

You seem to forget the 2 Pridemages and the 4 GSZ to fetch them...

I would say that the key cards to these matchups are not Stoneforge or Jitte, but Mother of Runes and Knight of the Reliquary.

What Stoneforge & Mystic do is killing Mother with Jitte and plowing the Knight (not the other way around, no jokes here).

Then, Qasalis and Abrupt Decays can destroy Jitte, but Mom(s) will be already dead, and you gain an upper hand.

[TMagpie]

I would say that the key cards to these matchups are not Stoneforge or Jitte, but Mother of Runes and Knight of the Reliquary.

What Stoneforge & Mystic do is killing Mother with Jitte and plowing the Knight (not the other way around, no jokes here).

Then, Qasalis and Abrupt Decays can destroy Jitte, but Mom(s) will be already dead, and you gain an upper hand.

They're all important--the key part is to know which one of the packages your opponent is preparing against, and then leaning on the other aspects.

For example--if they go equipment hate focused, then shift the focus to be about moms and fatties. If they don't run heavy hate--punish them with Jitte.

The matchup usually follows a similar script.

Early build up of mana and moms.

A threat resolves on both sides--followed by a board stall as neither is able to push through.

A player is then able to find a way to push through for damage--and if an equipment is involved the match ends quickly after.

Figure out how you plan to break the stalemate, setup your hand to fit that scenario, look for your opening, and when you think you've got it you overextend and pounce.

[Cpt-Qc]

So I'm running 4 drs and thinking about the fifth dork to run. Is it a consensus that Noble is strictly better over birds?

I wonder how often exalted vs producing black mana matter in the end since I run 2 decays main...

[RobNC]

So I'm running 4 drs and thinking about the fifth dork to run. Is it a consensus that Noble is strictly better over birds?

I wonder how often exalted vs producing black mana matter in the end since I run 2 decays main...

How many black producing lands are you running? I ran Noble Hierarch because I had two Bayou and a Scrubland I could fetch, black mana was rarely an issue except the games where I had to sideboard a lot of black cards (such as Infect, for Thoughtseize and Zealous Persecution). I don't think I used Exalted very much though; I only ran it because I already owned it, and had I not owned it I would've happily run a Birds.

[Cpt-Qc]

I run the same black lands as you do and I do not own a noble, hence my pondering..

I would like not to spend 50$ on the card only to find out it's not even optimal.

[RobNC]

In that case I'd stick with a single Birds of Paradise. You still have Qasali Pridemage for exalted if you want it. The majority of the time you're going to GSZ you'll want a Deathrite Shaman anyways; I only ever fetched a Hierarch when there was no chance of a land in the graveyard the first few turns of the game.

[TMagpie]

I run the same black lands as you do and I do not own a noble, hence my pondering..

I would like not to spend 50$ on the card only to find out it's not even optimal.

I run Birds of Paradise in my list specifically over Noble Hierarch (I already own 4)

Although my black sources are less than yours (1 Scrub 1 Bayou, 1 sideboard Bog) I find that I rarely need the Birds for black mana specifically except against Death and Taxes.

However, the flying has been super essential in everything from blocking Griselbrand (with the help of Mother of Runes) to being able to use SOFI against elves after they've decayed the Jitte. It was from a friend's suggestion when I complained to him that I wanted another mana dork but I also needed more evasion (I had cut Scryb from my list at this point and was feeling the pain of no flyers) in which he suggested Birds of Paradise. I've sworn by it since.

In a more combo heavy metagame where damage is more important than evasion I would replace it with Noble, but if you're a more midranged meta where evasion is a premium--Birds is great. Also great against Bloodmoon/Taxes/RUG type decks where you can't guarantee the black mana game 2 and 3 from the non-basic hate.

[DoomRabbit]

Short tournament report, went 3-3 (Started 3-0 :frown:) in a 60 man tournament this weekend.

My list:
1 Batterskull
1 Umezawa's Jitte
1 Sword of Fire and Ice

4 Deathrite Shaman
4 Knight of the Reliquary
3 Mother of Runes
1 Noble Hierarch
1 Qasali Pridemage
1 Scavenging Ooze
1 Scryb Ranger
3 Stoneforge Mystic
1 Gaddock Teeg
4 Thalia, Guardian of Thraben
1 Dryad Arbor

1 Sylvan Library
2 Abrupt Decay
4 Swords to Plowshares
4 Green Sun's Zenith

2 Forest
1 Plains
1 Bayou
2 Savannah
1 Scrubland
3 Verdant Catacombs
4 Wasteland
4 Windswept Heath
1 Karakas
1 Gaea's Cradle
1 Swamp
1 Horizon Canopy

SB: 1 Sword of Light and Shadow
SB: 1 Pithing Needle
SB: 2 Ethersworn Canonist
SB: 1 Containment Priest
SB: 1 Gaddock Teeg
SB: 1 Banishing Light
SB: 2 Zealous Persecution
SB: 2 Surgical Extraction
SB: 1 Garruk Relentless
SB: 1 Elspeth, Knight-Errant
SB: 2 Thoughtseize

Round 1: 2-0 vs Miracles
Not much to say, I don't think my opponent did a great job of piloting the deck against me.
G1 he kept one land + top, and whiffed for a while, and I had wasteland ready when he hit another land.
G2 I surgical terminus, and land a stoneforge with Sword of Light and Shadow and beat him down from there. From the surgical I knew he had a council's judgement in hand the whole game, but he never cast it. Maybe he thought pro-white stopped it?

Round 2: 2-1 vs Eldrazi
Knight is so good in this matchup, churns out wastelands and gets way bigger than their threats.
I lost G1 by forgetting about eye of ugin's ability, and he got ulamog and exiled two giant knights on my side, opening up the way to beat me down.
G2-G3 I get knights online early and make sure to keep his mana base down this time...

Round 3: Landstill
G1-G2: I get a thalia down early in the face of a top, and get wastelanding. My opponent never got to get going either game. I thought I was playing against weird miracles with lots of non-basics. Had to ask my opponent after the game what he was up to.

Round 4: 1-2 Miracles
Really exciting and close games came right down to the wire in G3.
G1 I assemble gaddock teeg and mother of runes, and have enough removal to blank monastery mentor. This game was quite long maybe 30mins?
G2 Game goes for a while, but he has all the answers and finally I lose to mentor + double top.
G3 Is very fast, we only had 6 minutes to play it. I get some early threats into play and start beating down, they get terminused, I redeploy, keep going and draw a surgical. I decide to proactively surgical the terminus, but in response he activates top and draws the terminus that was right on top! He then kills me on turn 5 of extra turns with a mix of mentor and entreat.
Learned my lesson there, if I'd just waited for him to go for a terminus I could have responded to the trigger with surgical for a pretty big blowout. I had a deathrite on board, so blockers would not have cut it for him, he finished the game on 5 life.

Round 5: 0-2 RUG delver
G1 keep a slow reliable hand in the dark. He goes turn 1 delver, flips on turn 2 and it's all downhill from there, I get killed very fast, and all my threats get bolted/dazed.
G2 I keep scavenging ooze thalia jitte deathrite, which I thought was pretty good, but he had the ancient grudge, blows up the jitte, and I don't draw any other form of interaction, so similar story to g1, lose to flipped delver + TNN. At least the mongoose never got to attack because of the scavenging ooze :frown:

Round 6: 0-2 Eldrazi
G1 he gets the beatdown on and I never got to do much, thoughtnot discarded my knight in hand, and I only drew another way too late.
G2 I'm kicking myself about. I have two giant knights brick walling him + a scryb ranger, have the potential to wasteland him to oblivion but want to keep my mana base somewhat alive, as I had batterskull and another knight in hand. Too late I think of all is dust, which he drew the land for that turn, and wrecked my board. My lands were savannah, cradle, dryad arbor, so I went from 6 mana to 1 mana, so I could never deploy the knight. I then died very fast to two reality smashers.

Overall I felt like I had outs in every game, and the deck is a blast to play, so quite happy with my weekend even if I made some mistakes that cost me a shot at top 8 (I had the best breakers in my bracket so I think something like 4-1-1 might have been enough). Live and learn right?

[aspsnake]

Short tournament report, went 3-3 (Started 3-0 :frown:) in a 60 man tournament this weekend.

Overall I felt like I had outs in every game, and the deck is a blast to play, so quite happy with my weekend even if I made some mistakes that cost me a shot at top 8 (I had the best breakers in my bracket so I think something like 4-1-1 might have been enough). Live and learn right?

Exactly!

Did you play in Mol, Belgium as well? :D I saw one guy playing Zenith Maverick 3rd game against Miracles, maybe it was you.

I've been playing a 6-round tournament and went 3-3 as well. Won vs Storm (2-0), Elves (2-0) and UR Delver (2-0), while lost to Pox (0-2, OMG that Collective Brutality), Dragon Stompy (0-2, WTF is this xD, Chandra, Torch of Defiance is literally insane) and BUG Delver (1-2, my mistakes, exposing to Daze & keeping bad hands).

http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?multiverseid=414380&type=card http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?multiverseid=417683&type=card

I think I could make it a 4-2 if I played a bit better, but 5-1 and top8 was probably beyond my reach given the matchups.

Decklist:
// Recruiterless Vial Maverick

// 60 Maindeck

// 7 Artifact
4 Aether Vial
1 Umezawa's Jitte
1 Sword of Fire and Ice
1 Sword of Light and Shadow

// 28 Creature
4 Deathrite Shaman
4 Knight of the Reliquary
4 Mother of Runes
3 Qasali Pridemage
2 Sanctum Prelate
2 Scryb Ranger
3 Stoneforge Mystic
4 Thalia, Guardian of Thraben
2 Mirran Crusader

// 4 Instant
4 Swords to Plowshares

// 21 Land
1 Bayou
1 Cavern of Souls
1 Forest
1 Karakas
1 Marsh Flats
2 Plains
2 Savannah
1 Scrubland
4 Wasteland
4 Windswept Heath
1 Horizon Canopy
1 Verdant Catacombs
1 Gaea's Cradle

// 15 Sideboard

// 5 Creature
SB: 1 Containment Priest
SB: 2 Ethersworn Canonist
SB: 1 Gaddock Teeg
SB: 1 Tireless Tracker

// 1 Enchantment
SB: 1 Choke

// 6 Instant
SB: 2 Abrupt Decay
SB: 2 Zealous Persecution
SB: 2 Surgical Extraction

// 3 Sorcery
SB: 3 Thoughtseize

Lessons learned:
1) There's much fewer BUG decks in our meta than I have expected and there are quite a lot of fair decks, including D&T, Maverick, various Delvers and Miracles. So, I will drop 2x Mirran Crusaders towards 2x Tireless Trackers (still need to be tested, but first tests showed them to be decent for CA while being rather okay in combat, especially when pumped).

2) Whatever we do, we have quite some matchups that are very hard to beat, like Nic Fit, Pox or Stompy. Winning tournaments is directly connected to not facing those on the way, or having good hands while our opponents don't :p (Pox is quite doable for the Zenith version though).

3) Damn planeswalkers :D I think of adding something (1x) that gets rid of them to the sideboard. Currently deciding between Council's Judgement, Maelstrom Pulse and To the Slaughter.

[DoomRabbit]

Did you play in Mol, Belgium as well? :D I saw one guy playing Zenith Maverick 3rd game against Miracles, maybe it was you.


Hah! Yes, I saw someone was playing vial mav, must have been you!

I've been testing out banishing light in the side for show and tell and planeswalkers, and I brought it in each time it had a target and never saw it, so I'm not sure if it's any good.

[aspsnake]

Hah! Yes, I saw someone was playing vial mav, must have been you!

I've been testing out banishing light in the side for show and tell and planeswalkers, and I brought it in each time it had a target and never saw it, so I'm not sure if it's any good.

I'm pretty sure I've been the only one playing Vial Maverick, so yes :)

I don't really like Oblivion Ring/Banishing Light because of popularity of Abrupt Decay (and Wear//Tear & Council's Judgement for Miracles, Qasalis for Maverick and so on and so on). I like to get rid of things like ones I mentioned above forever :D

P.S. I was standing behind the Miracles player and saw his hand when you went to turns in the 3rd game. It was really impossible to beat him with such hands (he had loads of lands, Brainstorm, Swords and Terminus in hand, then topped and saw Entreat + Mentor). And you didn't even draw a 3rd land :p

[DoomRabbit]

I don't really like Oblivion Ring/Banishing Light because of popularity of Abrupt Decay (and Wear//Tear & Council's Judgement for Miracles, Qasalis for Maverick and so on and so on). I like to get rid of things like ones I mentioned above forever :D

I figure at least against miracles that there's only so many things they can wear/tear/judgement. With equipment, needle, sylvan library, and banishing light (+ the two walkers for council's judgement) there has to be a limit to what they can deal with.



P.S. I was standing behind the Miracles player and saw his hand when you went to turns in the 3rd game. It was really impossible to beat him with such hands (he had loads of lands, Brainstorm, Swords and Terminus in hand, then topped and saw Entreat + Mentor). And you didn't even draw a 3rd land :p

Truth is a draw would have been good and probably the correct thing to play for, but a win would have sealed top8 and I didn't think he could kill me in time so I went for it. Hindsight ;)

[Thunderknight]

I went with 5-3 with Levold's Maverick this past weekend at SCG Baltimore Legacy Classic. Will write tournament report later.

Wins: Tin Fins, Miracles, BUG Delver, Jund, Reanimator

Loses: Storm, Burn, Shardless.

[Claymore]

With Rallier, could Ghost Quarter see some inclusion here?

Was watching modern during the SCG Team Open and a player was mana screwed, but ended up GQ'ing his own land, got a basic, Rallied to get a fetch back, and got a little back in the game from there (he did this like 3 turns too late and lost anyway).

It's a corner case for mana fixing and not particularly a good one, but the Rallier does give the GQ a little extra utility. Extra card to hit the yard, not a negligible effect against something like Shardless, Delver, or Sensei's Top, and with Rallier you can recur the one copy you have.

[aspsnake]

With Rallier, could Ghost Quarter see some inclusion here?

Was watching modern during the SCG Team Open and a player was mana screwed, but ended up GQ'ing his own land, got a basic, Rallied to get a fetch back, and got a little back in the game from there (he did this like 3 turns too late and lost anyway).

It's a corner case for mana fixing and not particularly a good one, but the Rallier does give the GQ a little extra utility. Extra card to hit the yard, not a negligible effect against something like Shardless, Delver, or Sensei's Top, and with Rallier you can recur the one copy you have.

I don't think that Ghost Quarter is that amazing here.
Our favored matchups (Delver, Eldrazi) become even slightly more favorable, while our bad matchups (Elves, Miracles, Dragon Stompy, Pox) couldn't care less.

[TMagpie]

How necessary is Batterskull? Being that we are a Knight of the Reliquary deck, how essential is having a 4/4 lifelink vigilance in our maindeck?

[ET1]

How necessary is Batterskull? Being that we are a Knight of the Reliquary deck, how essential is having a 4/4 lifelink vigilance in our maindeck?

For a while most lists didn't run it, I believe most green sun's lists still don't run it. I don't run it and haven't really felt a huge need to run it.

[RobNC]

How necessary is Batterskull? Being that we are a Knight of the Reliquary deck, how essential is having a 4/4 lifelink vigilance in our maindeck?

I loved it against Eldrazi but that was about it. It was a sideboard card for me.

[Megadeus]

My personal meta is getting a bit overrun by BUG decks so I'm breaking out NOverick. Prog and Wurm the best two targets probably?

[aspsnake]

My personal meta is getting a bit overrun by BUG decks so I'm breaking out NOverick. Prog and Wurm the best two targets probably?

When has getting a Daze into a Natural Order been an effective strategy vs BUG?) I'd say that most BUG decks are very grindy, and 1-for-2 cards (like Sylvan Library, Tireless Tracker) show good results vs them, while 2-for-1 (Natural Order, Force of Will) are quite bad.

[Megadeus]

There's also a fair amount of non blue BG and such around. It's just the way to go over the top.

[aspsnake]

There's also a fair amount of non blue BG and such around. It's just the way to go over the top.

I see your excitement, but I have to state that the times when Natural Order into Progenitus were amazing are long ago. With Terminus and Council's Judgement played in a considerable percentage of decks, from Miracles and Bant Post to Death & Taxes and Bant Stoneblade (at least in sideboard), it has lost its "I pull it off - I win" thing. Not to say it's rather slow (t5 win at best, I believe?) :p

It's also disrupted by popular Containment Priest and Gaddock Teeg, not to mention that many decks can win before turn 5.

But if you have any success with NOverick, let us know, times proves us wrong time to time ;)

[ironclad8690]

My favorite way to go over the top of BUG decks is Stage/Depths.

Perhaps Lightning Greaves could be effective as a way to protect Knight for a couple turns while he sets up the combo then give Lage haste, or perhaps running a Crop Rotation package to turbo out the Marit Lage?

[JackaBo]

Greaves should be good vs miracles giving each creature haste


Skickat från min iPhone med Tapatalk

[Warden]

My personal meta is getting a bit overrun by BUG decks so I'm breaking out NOverick. Prog and Wurm the best two targets probably?

I would go more towards hate cards and stuff that's naturally strong against BUG: DD/Stage (okay), Scryb Ranger (pro-blue is big, the lines of play it does with Knight and Mom are very strong against BUG), Wilt-Leaf, Mirran Crusader, etc.
NO would be a tough call -- as BUG is going high counters and low with discard. The solution is to play shit that messes them up (RIP, anti-blue, anti discard, nukes their mana) or straight ignores their plan (ie, shroud, pro-colors).

I would also advocate for Sanctum Prelate -- as it shuts down a chunk of their "problem" cards like X=1, 3, or 4.

[TMagpie]

I would go more towards hate cards and stuff that's naturally strong against BUG: DD/Stage (okay), Scryb Ranger (pro-blue is big, the lines of play it does with Knight and Mom are very strong against BUG), Wilt-Leaf, Mirran Crusader, etc.
NO would be a tough call -- as BUG is going high counters and low with discard. The solution is to play shit that messes them up (RIP, anti-blue, anti discard, nukes their mana) or straight ignores their plan (ie, shroud, pro-colors).

I would also advocate for Sanctum Prelate -- as it shuts down a chunk of their "problem" cards like X=1, 3, or 4.

Pelate on 0 is also good against Shardless, as it prevents their way of recovering from the 1:1 trades.

[oSeabass]

My favorite way to go over the top of BUG decks is Stage/Depths.

Perhaps Lightning Greaves could be effective as a way to protect Knight for a couple turns while he sets up the combo then give Lage haste, or perhaps running a Crop Rotation package to turbo out the Marit Lage?

Greaves makes any creature into a must answer. Either that or force them to 2 for 1 themselves by killing Greaves and then the dude. It seems like more and more ppl have been cutting Batterskull, in that case the "I win" I move to might be the DD combo. I have never tried it so I don't know how OP broken it feels. I feel like Greaves is worth testing out (esp in a NO build too). I mean isn't Hexproof style stuff why so many of us run Sylvan Safekeeper in addition to Mom? I know I run it as a "hastey" Mom protection saver, and Mom is more a "force through blocks" too. Dunno.

I have played 3 outta my 5 league matches (work is busy busy) so I haven't had a ton of time to test. So far I have been very pleased with Abzan Beastmaster. I know we are really tight on 3 drops as it is, which makes it harder to justify him. I know he has been a gem in sideboard games where we go late and grind for a while. Being able to draw free cards vs something like Death & Taxes, or a free draw vs. like a Delver stalled on X/2's. He digs super deep in those games when he lives. I may start running Mirri's Guile again just to see how the "upkeep" synergy plays with our fetch effects. I know I have more then once just started cracking Knight lands to filter the deck a bunch in even matches to draw into more action. Being able to see three cards, draw the best, shuffle the others away and draw a fresh card... seems very strong in grindy matches. Almost feels like we are playing Blue ;)

[Cpt-Qc]

What exactly are you cutting for Beastmaster? I'm running 2x Sylvan Library atm and could be considering going 1:1 split if he is that good.

Also, Mirri's Guile seems interesting in the current meta of Leovolds.

[oSeabass]

What exactly are you cutting for Beastmaster? I'm running 2x Sylvan Library atm and could be considering going 1:1 split if he is that good.

I am at work so I don't have the full build on me. I am running the Vial version, 3SFM 3 EQ. 2 Qasali, 2 Scryb, 2 Revoker, no Teeg main. I don't think I am running any Library type effects right now. I made Beastmaster a 2x of in my current league run. I feel like against combo the 3 drops don't matter as much (we need Thalia & disruption) but against fair decks he has been nice. I have been thinking about the 1:1 split on him and a Mirri's Guile/Library (I think he plays nicer with Guile, and it's cheaper). I don't recall if I have a Scooze main. If I were to try and pull of the top of my head...

22 lands (no arbor)
11 spells
4 Vial, 4 Swords, 3 Equipment
28 dudes (iirc)
2 Scryb Ranger, 2 Qasali, 3 SFM, 4 Kotr, 4 Mom, 1 Safekeeper, 3 Thalia, 2 Revoker, 4 DRS, 1 NHierarch, 2 Beastmaster

[Cpt-Qc]

Here I just had a thought. I might suggest something crazy but here goes: Could we not play Vryn Wingmare as a 1 or 2 of? It seems it would be much better in Maverick than it was for it's brief time in DnT since we can reliably get her out T2. We could really use more flyers and it helps our lackluster taxing plan. Has it even been tested?

It's probably better in the vial version but I think there's something to do with this pegasus.

[aspsnake]

So far I have been very pleased with Abzan Beastmaster.

I'm currently testing 2 Tireless Trackers in my Vial list and having quite some success with them online, will go to a local Legacy event soon and report how it went. Given a bit of time, they with Knight and Gaea's Cradle just wreck fair decks [emoji14]. And, unlike Beastmaster, it's another fatty :wink:

[Megadeus]

Went 3-1 to get a bye for Saturday Quarterly win a mox with NOverick. Only lost to bad miracles man because he drew very well. But NO won me a game against DnT, a game against Junk Pod Nic Fit, and a game against Mono Red Sneak attack. Might play it Saturday. Deck is basically the normal shell but Teeg in the side, a 6th mana dork, a couple Fauna Shaman, 3 GSZ, 3 Knight, no stoneforge package and 3 NO with Wurm and Prog main.

[aspsnake]

Went 3-1 to get a bye for Saturday Quarterly win a mox with NOverick. Only lost to bad miracles man because he drew very well. But NO won me a game against DnT, a game against Junk Pod Nic Fit, and a game against Mono Red Sneak attack. Might play it Saturday. Deck is basically the normal shell but Teeg in the side, a 6th mana dork, a couple Fauna Shaman, 3 GSZ, 3 Knight, no stoneforge package and 3 NO with Wurm and Prog main.

Could you pls share a list?

[autonom]

I'm coming from Death & Taxes and am trying out Maverick with Vials. I wanted to splash green for pridemage and rallier and black for turn 1 interaction in the form of discard.


I am testing without Deathrite as he has anti-synergy with KoR, Vials and Revokers (who often names Deathrite).

I have a heavy focus on winning equipment wars (rallier, pridemage, revoker) and mana denial (revoker, ports, rallier).

I'm hoping it is good, but have only a small sample size yet.


Creatures:27
4 Mother of Runes
2 Phyrexian Revoker
2 Qasali Pridemage
2 Spirit of the Labyrinth
4 Stoneforge Mystic
4 Thalia, Guardian of Thraben
4 Knight of the Reliquary
2 Recruiter of the Guard
3 Renegade Rallier

Spells:10
4 AEther Vial
4 Swords to Plowshares
1 Umezawa's Jitte
1 Sword of Fire and Ice

Lands:23
1 Forest
1 Karakas
4 Marsh Flats
1 Plains
4 Rishadan Port
2 Savannah
2 Scrubland
4 Verdant Catacombs
4 Wasteland

Sideboard:15
1 Ethersworn Canonist
1 Gaddock Teeg
1 Scavenging Ooze
2 Surgical Extraction
4 Thoughtseize
2 Abrupt Decay
2 Zealous Persecution
1 Choke
1 Garruk Relentless

[aspsnake]

I'm coming from Death & Taxes and am trying out Maverick with Vials. I wanted to splash green for pridemage and rallier and black for turn 1 interaction in the form of discard.


I am testing without Deathrite as he has anti-synergy with KoR, Vials and Revokers (who often names Deathrite).

I have a heavy focus on winning equipment wars (rallier, pridemage, revoker) and mana denial (revoker, ports, rallier).

Tbh, splashing green/black doesn't add much to D&T as much as it takes away the manabase consistency.

Playing Maverick is another story though. Few things:

1) DRS is bonkers. He has absolutely no anti-synergy with vial and you really need him in games when you don't draw vial. I would play DRS over Revoker any day.

2) Scryb Ranger is bonkers too. Synergy with Mom & Knight is insane, and the thing has flying.

3) Ports are just not viable with 3 colors. Maybe 1, but I'd say play 0.

You might enjoy playing BW taxes deck though :)

[T-101]

I'm coming from Death & Taxes and am trying out Maverick with Vials. I wanted to splash green for pridemage and rallier and black for turn 1 interaction in the form of discard.


I am testing without Deathrite as he has anti-synergy with KoR, Vials and Revokers (who often names Deathrite).

I have a heavy focus on winning equipment wars (rallier, pridemage, revoker) and mana denial (revoker, ports, rallier).

I'm hoping it is good, but have only a small sample size yet.

That's a false anti-synergy.

While Knight wants lands in the yard, and Deathrite takes them away, both of those cards are good at winning the game, and together they can win quite quickly. They can give you plenty of mana, search up Wastelands, and hate on the yard. When you're done doing that, they combine to create a scary fast clock.

The cost of shrinking Knight by 1 is mostly irrelevant.

And asp is right. Scryb is very good with tapping creatures, and Port is too clunky for this deck.

[Megadeus]

Playing NOverick at the win a Mox. Got a bye. Wish me luck:

4 Deathrite Shaman
2 Birds of Paradise
4 Green Sun's Zenith
2 Qasali Pridemage
3 Thalia, Guardian of Thraben
2 Thalia, Heretic Cathar
2 Scavenging Ooze
4 Knight of the Reliquary
1 Scryb Ranger
1 Fauna Shaman
3 Mother of Runes
1 Progenitus
1 Worldspine Wurm

4 Swords to Plowshares
1 Abrupt Decay
3 Natural Order
3 Green Sun's Zenith
1 Sylvan Library

2 Savannah
2 Bayou
1 Scrubland
2 Forest
1 Plains
4 Windswept Heath
4 Wooded Foothills
1 Gaea's Cradle
4 Wasteland
1 Horizon Canopy
1 Dryad Arbor

Sideboard undecided as of an hour before the event

[aspsnake]

Playing NOverick at the win a Mox. Got a bye. Wish me luck:

4 Deathrite Shaman
2 Birds of Paradise
4 Green Sun's Zenith
2 Qasali Pridemage
3 Thalia, Guardian of Thraben
2 Thalia, Heretic Cathar
2 Scavenging Ooze
4 Knight of the Reliquary
1 Scryb Ranger
1 Fauna Shaman
3 Mother of Runes
1 Progenitus
1 Worldspine Wurm

4 Swords to Plowshares
1 Abrupt Decay
3 Natural Order
3 Green Sun's Zenith
1 Sylvan Library

2 Savannah
2 Bayou
1 Scrubland
2 Forest
1 Plains
4 Windswept Heath
4 Wooded Foothills
1 Gaea's Cradle
4 Wasteland
1 Horizon Canopy
1 Dryad Arbor

Sideboard undecided as of an hour before the event

Love your list! Good luck! :)

[RobNC]

That NOverick list looks fun as hell, hopefully I can catch you on the stream today. I was unfortunately unable to make the drive down to Atlanta this morning :frown:

What's the Fauna Shaman for, purely to get Progenitus or Worldspine Wurm shuffled back into your library if you happen to draw them?

[Rascalyote]

Went 3-0-1 at double legacy side event at GP Vancouver last Sunday, had pretty good matchups (Cat wizard, best wizard) but played against local players first 2 rounds which felt blegh.

Rd 1 2-1 Infect -I lose game 2 because I made a greedy play of casting a plow on his infect creature before my Thalia when he had an open mana so I could wasteland him that turn but he had the vines for it plus lethal on his turn despite being wastelanded, so oops

Rd 2 2-1 vs Tezzeret -I win game one with a flavour win of revolting against Tezzeret (I use jitte to kill my drayad arbor then zenith for renegade rallier getting back pridemage (which was relevent because I already used both my cats) to kill his bridge for lethal). Game 2 I mulligan to a weak (I believe 5 card) hand containing a Deathrite but a dryad arbor as my only green source and he has a turn 2 Daretti off a mox diamond so -1 stripmine pretty good. Game 3 I have a bunch of wastelands and he lets me pithing needle his fetch, rip.

Rd 3 2-0 vs painter -I forget how game 1 goes I think I just jam huge knights and blow up his painters with cats but I can't recall. Game 2 I have deathrite and noble and then play Garruk making a wolf. He plays Chandra Torch of Defiance and has no choice but to tick up and deal 2 to my garruk because she just dies if he -3's her. Flipped Garruk makes a sick wolf and I go after chandra with the healthy wolf putting her to 2. She kills garruk on her turn going to 3 and he plays a painter to block but I have plow so my wolf kills her. I play a Knight before I get bloodmooned which lets me sac my basic forest for a swamp and abrupt decay the moon a few turns later freeing up my fetchlands which I sac for more basics when he plays another moon. I play a library then next turn see a zenith and a decay which I keep on top, on his turn he plays a bridge and passes. GG.

Chandra doesn't feel threatening as -3 to kill a creature leaves her very vulnerable and she doesn't do anything against a bigger Knight, but I still like her in that deck and think she's pretty good.

Decklist was as follows-

2 Forest
1 Plains
1 Swamp
2 Savannah
1 Scrubland
1 Bayou
4 Windswept Heath
3 Verdant Catacombs
1 Marsh Flats
1 Horizon Canopy
1 Dryad Arbor
1 Karakas
4 Wasteland
4 Swords to Plowshares
4 Green Sun's Zenith
1 Sylvan Library
1 Garruk, Relentless
1 Umezawa's Jitte
1 Sword of Fire and Ice
4 Deathrite Shaman
1 Noble Hierarch
4 Mother of Runes
2 Stoneforge Mystic
4 Thalia, Guardian of Thraben
2 Qasali Pridemage
1 Gaddock Teeg
1 Scavenging Ooze
1 Scryb Ranger
4 Knight of the Reliquary
1 Renegade Rallier

---

2 Sanctum Prelate
1 Containment Priest
1 Gaddock Teeg
1 Toxic Deluge
2 Abrupt Decay
2 Zealous Persecution
3 Thoughtseize
2 Surgical Extraction
1 Pithing Needle

@Megadeus cool decklist! I started legacy with a NO deck (NO Bant) so it takes me back a bit. Do you not have Verdant Catacombs though? Wooded Foothills doesn't get Scrubland.

[Cpt-Qc]

@Megadeus cool decklist! I started legacy with a NO deck (NO Bant) so it takes me back a bit. Do you not have Verdant Catacombs though? Wooded Foothills doesn't get Scrubland.

I also play this deck with foothills until verdant gets reprinted :frown: so far it has never mattered and it can mislead people into thinking you're on 4c Loam :tongue:

[Megadeus]

Wussed out last second and went back to normal list. Top 8 out of 80. Fucked up my deck list real bad and screwed myself. But better lucky than good I suppose. God I love scavenging ooze

[Cpt-Qc]

God I love scavenging ooze

Maybe I don't play it correctly but I don't particularly enjoy it. For me it's a goyf shrinker at best but it's such a removal magnet that it never sticks. Do you run it down asap and bait removal with it or wait late and make it a beater?

[Megadeus]

I love scavenging ooze. It's why I play two main. Turns off Deathrites which is one of the best card against us, shrinks goyfs, is a good beater and gains life while hating on graveyard strategies. I beat a BUG player that Hymned me on turn 2, forced a turn 3 knight, and shardless into ancestral because I had a scooze with a Mom to protect him. If only he was pro blue to walk past a true name. Oh he also turns off snapcasters. I love the card.

[aspsnake]

In my Vial Maverick, lately, I had too often the problem of drawing a 1st turn Thoughtseize without a black source vs combo decks (after sb). So, I've decided to increase the black-producing land count from 8 (6x fetches + Bayou, Scrubland) to 10 (7x fetches + 2x Bayou, Scrubland) and increase the land count from 21 to 22.

In my tracker list, 22 lands seems good - I can turn late land topdecks into cards. That's my current list:

// Recruiterless Vial Maverick

// 60 Maindeck
// 7 Artifact
4 Aether Vial
1 Umezawa's Jitte
1 Sword of Fire and Ice
1 Batterskull

// 27 Creature
4 Deathrite Shaman
4 Knight of the Reliquary
4 Mother of Runes
3 Qasali Pridemage
2 Sanctum Prelate
2 Scryb Ranger
3 Stoneforge Mystic
3 Thalia, Guardian of Thraben
2 Tireless Tracker

// 4 Instant
4 Swords to Plowshares

// 22 Land
2 Bayou
1 Cavern of Souls
1 Forest
1 Karakas
2 Marsh Flats
1 Plains
2 Savannah
1 Scrubland
4 Wasteland
4 Windswept Heath
1 Horizon Canopy
1 Verdant Catacombs
1 Gaea's Cradle

// 15 Sideboard
// 4 Creature
SB: 1 Containment Priest
SB: 1 Ethersworn Canonist
SB: 2 Gaddock Teeg

// 1 Enchantment
SB: 1 Choke

// 5 Instant
SB: 1 Abrupt Decay
SB: 2 Zealous Persecution
SB: 2 Surgical Extraction

// 1 Planeswalker
SB: 1 Garruk Relentless

// 4 Sorcery
SB: 3 Thoughtseize
SB: 1 Council's Judgment

I adapted the list slightly to our local meta, with fewer combo & blue decks than there usually are (and popularity of Dread of Night), so I dropped 1x Thalia and 1x Plains to fit 1x Bayou and an extra fetchland. What do you guys about the decklist & specifically the new land count?

[DoomRabbit]

Can't comment on the land count, I'm still on GSZ, but I've been running a basic swamp in my list, and that's been pretty good at increasing my black mana production.
I am running abrupt decays main though, so getting wasteland/blood mooned off of black is a bit rougher than usual.
Being able to cast abrupt decays through blood moon is also wonderful. Downside is pretty obvious though, can only fetch it with the verdants (and knight!, that does come up ;)), and can't cast green/white one drops.

[aspsnake]

Can't comment on the land count, I'm still on GSZ, but I've been running a basic swamp in my list, and that's been pretty good at increasing my black mana production.
I am running abrupt decays main though, so getting wasteland/blood mooned off of black is a bit rougher than usual.
Being able to cast abrupt decays through blood moon is also wonderful. Downside is pretty obvious though, can only fetch it with the verdants (and knight!, that does come up ;)), and can't cast green/white one drops.

I don't have any mainboard black cards/activations (except Deathrite Shaman) and just 1 Ab. Decay in sideboard, so basic Swamp will be probably not helpful.

I've been testing for few days in Cockatrice and I think that 22 lands work well with Trackers (and the guys showed themselves really good in the vial version as well). Tomorrow, will test the list at the local FNM.

[aspsnake]

Just finished 4-0 with the list above at our FNM (small tweaks in sb: -1 containment priest, +1 abrupt decay). Won vs Merfolks, RUG Delver, Enchantress and Infect.

Trackers are insane with Gaea's Cradle. There was a turn when I generated 3 Clues, drew cards from them into a blue-red sword vs Merfolks, played, equipped it and attacked [emoji14]

[TMagpie]

Are there any tips or hints on how to think about the Aluren matchup?

I went to the CFB 3k last week losing only to Aluren the entire time--and it wasn't even close.

Any tips?

[TMagpie]

Just finished 4-0 with the list above at our FNM (small tweaks in sb: -1 containment priest, +1 abrupt decay). Won vs Merfolks, RUG Delver, Enchantress and Infect.

Trackers are insane with Gaea's Cradle. There was a turn when I generated 3 Clues, drew cards from them into a blue-red sword vs Merfolks, played, equipped it and attacked [emoji14]

Did you know that Tireless Tracker doesn't care how the clues are sacrificed? Because the last time I brought him to a GP, my opponent didn't know that interaction either when he attacked with Emrakul and immediately died to the crackback.

[aspsnake]

Did you know that Tireless Tracker doesn't care how the clues are sacrificed? Because the last time I brought him to a GP, my opponent didn't know that interaction either when he attacked with Emrakul and immediately died to the crackback.

Yes, but didn't get to abuse it just yet :p


Are there any tips or hints on how to think about the Aluren matchup?

I went to the CFB 3k last week losing only to Aluren the entire time--and it wasn't even close.

Any tips?

First of all, which list are you playing? Advice might depend a lot on that.

MVP in this matchup are Ethersworn Cannonists, that don't allow them to combo off until they find a way to deal with it, and with Mom can be devastating.

Swords is not that useful in breaking the birds combo if they play it right, but Qasali can be. Just make sure to play Qasali in resp to them casting Recruiter (if it's the Recruiter version) or the "pay 1 life: return to hand" bird, as they are the most vulnerable while these are in the air.

Remember that after sb they often side out some combo pieces and try to play midrange-style, overunning with creatures, as expect you to be prepaired to disrupt their combo. So, you have to be prepaired to play 2 games - a fair one and an unfair one, which is indeed challenging.

How I would sb with my list against Aluren:

+2 Gaddock Teeg
+1 Ethersworn Cannonist
+3 Thoughtseize

-3 Thalia, Guardian of Thraben (too many creatures in their list, we hurt ourselves more than them)
-1 AEther Vial (don't want to draw too many of them)
-1 Batterskull (sloow & non-disruptive vs combo)
-1 Sanctum Prelate (2 Teegs + 1 Prelate should be normally enough).

[Megadeus]

Are there any tips or hints on how to think about the Aluren matchup?

I went to the CFB 3k last week losing only to Aluren the entire time--and it wasn't even close.

Any tips?

Be aggressive with wasteland, use your deathrites to keep them off of their deathrite mana. Scooze does work there too. Teeg and Thalia keeps them off of Aluren itself. Pridemages also are nice to add damage and essentially prevent them from going off with Aluren as long as your timing is fine. I feel is a generally positive match up as long as you play tight

[TMagpie]

Yes, but didn't get to abuse it just yet :p



First of all, which list are you playing? Advice might depend a lot on that.

MVP in this matchup are Ethersworn Cannonists, that don't allow them to combo off until they find a way to deal with it, and with Mom can be devastating.

Swords is not that useful in breaking the birds combo if they play it right, but Qasali can be. Just make sure to play Qasali in resp to them casting Recruiter (if it's the Recruiter version) or the "pay 1 life: return to hand" bird, as they are the most vulnerable while these are in the air.

Remember that after sb they often side out some combo pieces and try to play midrange-style, overunning with creatures, as expect you to be prepaired to disrupt their combo. So, you have to be prepaired to play 2 games - a fair one and an unfair one, which is indeed challenging.

How I would sb with my list against Aluren:

+2 Gaddock Teeg
+1 Ethersworn Cannonist
+3 Thoughtseize

-3 Thalia, Guardian of Thraben (too many creatures in their list, we hurt ourselves more than them)
-1 AEther Vial (don't want to draw too many of them)
-1 Batterskull (sloow & non-disruptive vs combo)
-1 Sanctum Prelate (2 Teegs + 1 Prelate should be normally enough).

Here's my list: http://mtgtop8.com/event?e=14857&d=289550&f=LE

I was paired against Aluren in the first round of the top 8

Game one I had wasteland + thalia + mom, resolved a SFM to look for Jitte. He played mana dorks and cast aluren on turn 5 and I died.

Game two I had double wasteland, thoughtseize discarding his Aluren, and had Mom, revoker (on Cavern Harpy) and a DRS on the board. I died taking 4 damage a turn from his flyers, unable to race him since I drew disruption to his combo.

I feel like I have the tools, but I just wasn't playing them properly.

[aspsnake]

Here's my list: http://mtgtop8.com/event?e=14857&d=289550&f=LE

I was paired against Aluren in the first round of the top 8

Game one I had wasteland + thalia + mom, resolved a SFM to look for Jitte. He played mana dorks and cast aluren on turn 5 and I died.

Game two I had double wasteland, thoughtseize discarding his Aluren, and had Mom, revoker (on Cavern Harpy) and a DRS on the board. I died taking 4 damage a turn from his flyers, unable to race him since I drew disruption to his combo.

I feel like I have the tools, but I just wasn't playing them properly.
Just practice the matchup with friends :) E.g. in Cockatrice.

If nobody of your friends plays Aluren, I could give it a try, just ask.

[DoomRabbit]

Just come back from a 30 player tournament, made top8 and lost in the quarters.
Went:
2-0 vs Aluren
2-0 vs Death and Taxes
2-0 vs Goblins
2-0 vs U/R delver
Drew with Reanimator (although we played the games for fun, and I went 2-1, the 1 being a game loss for being an idiot and having random commons in my deck box...)

Went into top 8 number one seed, only player on 13 points

0-2 vs T.E.S. - had perfect hands both games (read turn 2 thalias/canonists on the play), g1 he goes off turn 1, ok not much I can do there, g2 he durdles, I land a canonist, he burning wishes for massacre, next turn massacres then goes off. Not much I could do.

Cracked a wasteland in my prize packs, so that's nice, but overall am just pretty happy with the run, deck felt great all day -- dodged miracles/shardless so that might have something to do with it ;)

The list:
// 60 Maindeck
// 3 Artifact
1 Umezawa's Jitte
1 Sword of Fire and Ice
1 Sword of Light and Shadow

// 24 Creature
4 Deathrite Shaman
4 Knight of the Reliquary
4 Mother of Runes
1 Noble Hierarch
1 Qasali Pridemage
1 Scavenging Ooze
1 Scryb Ranger
2 Stoneforge Mystic
1 Gaddock Teeg
4 Thalia, Guardian of Thraben
1 Dryad Arbor

// 1 Enchantment
1 Sylvan Library

// 6 Instant
2 Abrupt Decay
4 Swords to Plowshares

// 4 Sorcery
4 Green Sun's Zenith


// 22 Land
2 Forest
1 Plains
1 Bayou
2 Savannah
1 Scrubland
3 Verdant Catacombs
4 Wasteland
4 Windswept Heath
1 Karakas
1 Gaea's Cradle
1 Swamp
1 Horizon Canopy


// 15 Sideboard
// 2 Artifact
SB: 2 Pithing Needle

// 3 Creature
SB: 2 Ethersworn Canonist
SB: 1 Gaddock Teeg

// 2 Enchantment
SB: 2 Choke

// 4 Instant
SB: 2 Zealous Persecution
SB: 2 Surgical Extraction

// 2 Planeswalker
SB: 1 Garruk Relentless
SB: 1 Elspeth, Knight-Errant

// 2 Sorcery
SB: 2 Thoughtseize

[aspsnake]

Just come back from a 30 player tournament, made top8 and lost in the quarters.
Went:
2-0 vs Aluren
2-0 vs Death and Taxes
2-0 vs Goblins
2-0 vs U/R delver
Drew with Reanimator (although we played the games for fun, and I went 2-1, the 1 being a game loss for being an idiot and having random commons in my deck box...)

Went into top 8 number one seed, only player on 13 points

0-2 vs T.E.S. - had perfect hands both games (read turn 2 thalias/canonists on the play), g1 he goes off turn 1, ok not much I can do there, g2 he durdles, I land a canonist, he burning wishes for massacre, next turn massacres then goes off. Not much I could do.

Cracked a wasteland in my prize packs, so that's nice, but overall am just pretty happy with the run, deck felt great all day -- dodged miracles/shardless so that might have something to do with it ;)

The list:
// 60 Maindeck
// 3 Artifact
1 Umezawa's Jitte
1 Sword of Fire and Ice
1 Sword of Light and Shadow

// 24 Creature
4 Deathrite Shaman
4 Knight of the Reliquary
4 Mother of Runes
1 Noble Hierarch
1 Qasali Pridemage
1 Scavenging Ooze
1 Scryb Ranger
2 Stoneforge Mystic
1 Gaddock Teeg
4 Thalia, Guardian of Thraben
1 Dryad Arbor

// 1 Enchantment
1 Sylvan Library

// 6 Instant
2 Abrupt Decay
4 Swords to Plowshares

// 4 Sorcery
4 Green Sun's Zenith


// 22 Land
2 Forest
1 Plains
1 Bayou
2 Savannah
1 Scrubland
3 Verdant Catacombs
4 Wasteland
4 Windswept Heath
1 Karakas
1 Gaea's Cradle
1 Swamp
1 Horizon Canopy


// 15 Sideboard
// 2 Artifact
SB: 2 Pithing Needle

// 3 Creature
SB: 2 Ethersworn Canonist
SB: 1 Gaddock Teeg

// 2 Enchantment
SB: 2 Choke

// 4 Instant
SB: 2 Zealous Persecution
SB: 2 Surgical Extraction

// 2 Planeswalker
SB: 1 Garruk Relentless
SB: 1 Elspeth, Knight-Errant

// 2 Sorcery
SB: 2 Thoughtseize

Congrats with the result!

Because of Massacre, against ANT/TES I try not to play Plains (using Horizon Canopy, Karakas, Deathrite Shaman or Cavern of Souls for white). If I have to play Scrubland/Savannah because there is no other option, I Wasteland it asap or follow it with a Gaddock Teeg or Prelate for 4.

[DoomRabbit]

Because of Massacre, against ANT/TES I try not to play Plains (using Horizon Canopy, Karakas, Deathrite Shaman or Cavern of Souls for white). If I have to play Scrubland/Savannah because there is no other option, I Wasteland it asap or follow it with a Gaddock Teeg or Prelate for 4.

I've learned my lesson, first time playing against the wishboard version, didn't even know to play around the card.

[aspsnake]

I've learned my lesson, first time playing against the wishboard version, didn't even know to play around the card.

ANT (the one that doesn't run wishes) also plays Massacre in sb, but only 1-2 and you've probably just not seen them draw it.

[TMagpie]

I've learned my lesson, first time playing against the wishboard version, didn't even know to play around the card.

Most lists run Massacre for their hate because they are most worried about Death and Taxes--which normally does not have Teeg. The matchup gets weird when they face off against a GSZ list who gets a Teeg out turn 2 fairly consistently. People ready for that often don't bother boarding in non-pyroclasm sweepers at all and just lean on Chain of Vapor/Abrupt Decay.

Both versions run Massacre, as the card is very good against Taxes lists. This gives Maverick a very strong metagame advantage versus Storm that is nor normally accounted for in larger events (GPs) but very much accounted for in smaller events (30-60 person locals) where the meta is more inbred.

[Cpt-Qc]

I can't decide on what third equipment to run in the sideboard betweem Bskull, Sword of L&S, Sword of W&P...

Bskull is for Eldrazi, Burn and most stompy decks.
L&S is for Burn (although worse than Jitte), Miracles, DnT and to an extent Shardless (recurring Pridemade, protection from Strix).
W&P is for Burn, Miracles and DnT.

I know there are more decks but those are most prevalent in my meta.
I really hate facing burn and L&S feels lackluster in the lifegain department but otherwise it can be used in so many more matchups...

[aspsnake]

I can't decide on what third equipment to run in the sideboard betweem Bskull, Sword of L&S, Sword of W&P...

Bskull is for Eldrazi, Burn and most stompy decks.
L&S is for Burn (although worse than Jitte), Miracles, DnT and to an extent Shardless (recurring Pridemade, protection from Strix).
W&P is for Burn, Miracles and DnT.

I know there are more decks but those are most prevalent in my meta.
I really hate facing burn and L&S feels lackluster in the lifegain department but otherwise it can be used in so many more matchups...
I'd say BS is more of a mainboard equip, it's good against everybody but requires at least 3 Mystics in case one gets removed.

Now for L&S vs W&P. Both create a lock against Miracles with Teeg attached, both allow getting through D&T lines with ease, W&P is better vs Burn due to pro-R, L&S is better in grindy slow matchups, when opponents play lots of black removal (and not just Swords/Terminus).

What to play in the end depends on your list & which matchups do you want to improve. But I'd not play more equipments in sb at all. Many people side in artifact removal post-board (e.g. Burn sides in 4x Smash to Smithereens), and giving them more targets is meh. I'd rather play other stuff like Garruk Relentless against Miracles or (if you desperately need heal) smth like Kitchen Finks / Obstinate Baloth.

[ChrisDissent]

Hi everyone !

This deck recently drew my attention, and after a little testing it felt amazing. So I'm building IRL something close to Tmagpie's list.

Just not sure what to bring in the sideboard though, and I wanted to ask :
1°) are those decks I'm usually facing good/bad/balanced MUs ? (see list below)
2°) basically, what would you put SB to face those archetypes ?

My local meta : Infect, Miracles, Shardless BUG, DnT, Pikula, Sneak show.

Thanks in advance and have a good day !

[aspsnake]

Hi everyone !

This deck recently drew my attention, and after a little testing it felt amazing. So I'm building IRL something close to Tmagpie's list.

Just not sure what to bring in the sideboard though, and I wanted to ask :
1°) are those decks I'm usually facing good/bad/balanced MUs ? (see list below)
2°) basically, what would you put SB to face those archetypes ?

My local meta : Infect, Miracles, Shardless BUG, DnT, Pikula, Sneak show.

Thanks in advance and have a good day !

Infect : bad mu. Sideboarding: all removal you could find, from Persecutions and Abrupt Decays to Garruk Relentless.

Miracles: bad. Sideboarding: All Teegs you could find, as well as Chokes, Surgical Extractions, ADs, Needles (or other removal for Jace). Combat planeswalkers like Garruk and Elspeth help a lot too.

Shardless BUG: neutral. The deck can ride on CA, but is clunky, especially manabase-wise. Thalia+Wasteland has won me many games vs these guys. Sideboarding: all CA generators you can find, Chokes.

DnT: good. We are both creature decks, while ours is bigger. Watch out for SFMs eot from Vial, sudden Flickerwisp and mana denial tools. Side removal and CA.

Pikula: good. Remove their CA generators like DC quickly enough and suddenly average value of your topdecks is so much better. Side in extra removal and CA.

Sneak Show: neutral. Depends on your list (and skills to play vs Maverick from your opponent) a lot, but Thalias/Wastes, Knights, Revokers/Needles, Sanctum Prelates and post-board Thoughtseizes help a lot. Also side Surgicals for Intuition and Teegs for manual Sneak Attacks. Choke can do some work too.

[ChrisDissent]

Thank you aspsnake !
Looks like a little gambling to bring Maverick at my LGS atm, but I think I'll give it a try if I'm able to gather the cards in time ;)

[Seraphix]

I can't decide on what third equipment to run in the sideboard betweem Bskull, Sword of L&S, Sword of W&P...

Bskull is for Eldrazi, Burn and most stompy decks.
L&S is for Burn (although worse than Jitte), Miracles, DnT and to an extent Shardless (recurring Pridemade, protection from Strix).
W&P is for Burn, Miracles and DnT.

I know there are more decks but those are most prevalent in my meta.
I really hate facing burn and L&S feels lackluster in the lifegain department but otherwise it can be used in so many more matchups...

I think Light & Shadow is the best positioned 3rd Equip right now since it is still fine VS Miracles and D&T while being a lot more relevant against BUG/Fatal Push than War & Peace.

[Cpt-Qc]

I'd say BS is more of a mainboard equip, it's good against everybody but requires at least 3 Mystics in case one gets removed.

Now for L&S vs W&P. Both create a lock against Miracles with Teeg attached, both allow getting through D&T lines with ease, W&P is better vs Burn due to pro-R, L&S is better in grindy slow matchups, when opponents play lots of black removal (and not just Swords/Terminus).

What to play in the end depends on your list & which matchups do you want to improve. But I'd not play more equipments in sb at all. Many people side in artifact removal post-board (e.g. Burn sides in 4x Smash to Smithereens), and giving them more targets is meh. I'd rather play other stuff like Garruk Relentless against Miracles or (if you desperately need heal) smth like Kitchen Finks / Obstinate Baloth.

I did recently switch to 3 sfm to power up the eventual BS and because without equipments we don't have much CA. I felt I was always getting behind, especially against Shardless and DnT who does get the jitte very often. I also think BS would be okay against Eldrazi but I have not been able to test it yet. The only times I faced the deck I was crushed within a few turns. This deck is so fast and mom can't stop their threats so I thought about adding some medium sized T3 blocker to stabilize while KoTr grows.

I got to suit up L&S against Miracles once and it was heaven. Spamming pridemage was the best thing that ever happened but I can't help to think the game would have been done 5 turns earlier if it was W&P.

As for burn running artifact removal, I don't think it's that big of a deal since 1 swing with BS/Jitte/Swords negates smash damage. I usually put my equips in play when I know I can suit them up and swing at least once anyway. Besides, I usually switch equips 1 for 1 so it doesn't make the targets more likely.


I think Light & Shadow is the best positioned 3rd Equip right now since it is still fine VS Miracles and D&T while being a lot more relevant against BUG/Fatal Push than War & Peace.

While it is almost always worse than the other options in the mu I'd side it in, I have to agree that it looks better as a sideboard card since it's usable against a wider range of decks.

[aspsnake]

I did recently switch to 3 sfm to power up the eventual BS and because without equipments we don't have much CA. I felt I was always getting behind, especially against Shardless and DnT who does get the jitte very often. I also think BS would be okay against Eldrazi but I have not been able to test it yet. The only times I faced the deck I was crushed within a few turns. This deck is so fast and mom can't stop their threats so I thought about adding some medium sized T3 blocker to stabilize while KoTr grows.

I'm personally a fan of number_of_equipments >= number_of_mystics strategy pre-board. As a person who has been playing SoL&S mainboard last month, I'd say one needs really big reasons to play the sword over BS right now, e.g. meta infested by Miracles and D&T. When choosing between Jitte, SoF&I and BS from trigger of Stoneforge, every equip fulfills a very specific role (need to get through non-blue/red creatures? Jitte; need to get through the fish? Sword; need to gain life asap? BS). I just noticed that never go for SoL&S over SoF&I, except D&T and Miracles (while in these matchups you can do just well with Jitte and SoF&I respectively), so I abandoned the sword and didn't regret the decision since.

[Cpt-Qc]

I'm personally a fan of number_of_equipments >= number_of_mystics strategy pre-board. As a person who has been playing SoL&S mainboard last month, I'd say one needs really big reasons to play the sword over BS right now, e.g. meta infested by Miracles and D&T. When choosing between Jitte, SoF&I and BS from trigger of Stoneforge, every equip fulfills a very specific role (need to get through non-blue/red creatures? Jitte; need to get through the fish? Sword; need to gain life asap? BS). I just noticed that never go for SoL&S over SoF&I, except D&T and Miracles (while in these matchups you can do just well with Jitte and SoF&I respectively), so I abandoned the sword and didn't regret the decision since.

I had put L&S away for that exact reason but once I brought BS to the side I found out I rarely sided it in. At least I used to side in L&S a lot (since it's okayish in more matchups). And for the record, my meta is litterally infested by DnT with miracles/eldrazi/shardless closely following.

I like 3:2 or 4:3 Stoneforge-equips ratio but 3:3 would be optimal if I had flex slots (which I don't atm). 2:2 was the bare minimum but I felt I didn't get equipments often enough.

[DoomRabbit]

Spamming pridemage was the best thing that ever happened but I can't help to think the game would have been done 5 turns earlier if it was W&P.

I got to do that this weekend against D&T and it was ridiculous, blew up a jitte, batterskull, and SoFI over a few turns.
SoLS was equipped to scryb ranger so I could pseudo vigilance the whole time too, just blanked everything he was doing. Was nuts!

[Rascalyote]

I just play 2 SFM with Jitte and SoFI main and either no equipment or SoWaP in the board. SoLaS has been so disappointing lately, it's sweet when you loop pridemages against DnT but you're already favoured against that deck and you hardly get value out of it in other matchups you bring it in because your creatures are ending up in exile or at the bottom of your deck. War and Peace applies directly to your opponents forehead, and that I can get behind.

As far as matchups go I was going to say Sneak n Show seems like a horrible matchup but then I realized everyone locally plays Omni in their sneak/show and Show and Tell -> Omni -> cast Emrakul rolls us unless we have something like Etersworn Canonist + Pridemage or enough permanents and life to be able to crack back for lethal (which happens but is rare). They also seems to just play basics and can wait to play a sol land until they need to go off making Wasteland blegh. If they're just trying to show and tell in a creature then you crush that because you have so many ways to put a Knight into play to get a Karakas.

I feel like Shardless is slightly favoured against us as we can't do much if they suspend a visions as we don't have the greatest clock in the world, and there's awkward moments where you play Thalia is staring down goyfs, but yes going after their fragile mana base is a good way to secure the W.

I play against infect a lot and I win most of my matches, if they have the game one turn 2 lethal on the play with counter magic then there's obviously not much you can do about that but that doesn't happen that often. Other decks struggle a lot against inkmoth nexus because decay doesn't hit it but you have plow, pridemage and wasteland. Scryb Ranger can also block it. Your creatures can get in the way of glistener elf sans the couple copies of berserk. Save plow for blighted agent, and don't blow your removal early to get killed by vines, just take the 1 or 2 infect then kill the creature at their end step, or during your own turn if you can. Live until you can establish jitte and then pew pew. Game 1 is definitely the hardest to win vs this deck as they could either just have the nuts or have an agent and save their vines// force of will to protect it as the only ways we have to deal with agent game 1 are plow, equipment, and maybe flex slots like Garruk. Postboarded games feel a lot easier as you tend to have more answers than they have threats. Discard is very good against them as it can take a threat, take away lethal pump, take away vines, and just let us know what's up. Decay is an uncounterable way of killing all their threats except inkmoth which we already have a lot of answers for, just watch out for vines. Zealous is just an absolute blowout if timed right, it even kills their hierarchs.

[timmyod17]

Yesterday split the top 4 of the TJ Collectibles Titanium Series event with my Maverick list. Had a few on stream feature matches including both quarterfinals and semifinals (which was a pretty heartbreaking loss to Miracles). Here is my list:

23 Lands:
2 Bayou
1 Cavern of Souls
1 Dryad Arbor
1 Forest
1 Gaea's Cradle
1 Horizon Canopy
1 Karakas
1 Plains
2 Savannah
1 Scrubland
3 Verdant Catacombs
4 Wasteland
4 Windswept Heath

24 creatures:
4 Deathrite Shaman
1 Gaddock Teeg
4 Knight of the Reliquary
4 Mother of Runes
2 Qasali Pridemage
1 Renegade Rallier
1 Scavenging Ooze
1 Scryb Ranger
2 Stoneforge Mystic
3 Thalia, Guardian of Thraben
1 Tireless Tracker

13 Other Spells:
2 Abrupt Decay
4 Green Sun's Zenith
4 Swords to Plowshares
1 Umezawa's Jitte
1 Sword of Fire and Ice
1 Sylvan Library


Sideboard:

1 Abrupt Decay
1 Blessed Alliance
1 Choke
2 Ethersworn Canonist
1 Gaddock Teeg
1 Garruk Relentless
1 Pithing Needle
1 Sanctum Prelate
1 Sword of Light and Shadow
3 Thoughtseize
2 Zealous Persecution

Can do a more complete tournament report later, but this is what I faced.
Rd 1 - Draw vs Deathblade (0-0-1)
Rd 2 - Win vs Omni-Sneak (1-0-1)
Rd 3 - Win vs 12 Post (2-0-1)
Rd 4 - Win vs Grixis good stuff (3-0-1)
Rd 5- Win vs Death & Taxes (4-0-1)
Rd 6 - Intentional draw (4-0-2)

Had the #7 seed going into top 8.
Top 8 - Win vs Grixis good stuff (same guy, Noah Walker, that I faced in rd 4)
Top 4 - Loss vs Miracles

Had a good mix of fair and unfair matches, and the deck performed really well, though I think I was luckier than usual with my draws. Have been running a one-of Renegade Rallier which really shined. It lets you just cast your potent game-changing two drops (Library, Jitte, Thalia) into obvious FoW and is backbreaking when you get them back next turn. Also I lived the dream and had double wasteland turns with Rallier in at least 2 matches. Cavern of Souls also overperformed - would maybe even like to go up to 2, but it's tough making the mana work since I run 2x Abrupt Decay in the main. Also was happy with 3 Abrupt Decays in the 75 - it has applications in nearly every matchup. Miracles as usual did me in, though I mulliganed to 4 (and kept a no-lander) in game 1. Also I played sort of loose since we had agreed to split prizes before the match :)

[aspsnake]

Yesterday split the top 4 of the TJ Collectibles Titanium Series event with my Maverick list. Had a few on stream feature matches including both quarterfinals and semifinals (which was a pretty heartbreaking loss to Miracles). Here is my list:

23 Lands:
2 Bayou
1 Cavern of Souls
1 Dryad Arbor
1 Forest
1 Gaea's Cradle
1 Horizon Canopy
1 Karakas
1 Plains
2 Savannah
1 Scrubland
3 Verdant Catacombs
4 Wasteland
4 Windswept Heath

24 creatures:
4 Deathrite Shaman
1 Gaddock Teeg
4 Knight of the Reliquary
4 Mother of Runes
2 Qasali Pridemage
1 Renegade Rallier
1 Scavenging Ooze
1 Scryb Ranger
2 Stoneforge Mystic
3 Thalia, Guardian of Thraben
1 Tireless Tracker

13 Other Spells:
2 Abrupt Decay
4 Green Sun's Zenith
4 Swords to Plowshares
1 Umezawa's Jitte
1 Sword of Fire and Ice
1 Sylvan Library


Sideboard:

1 Abrupt Decay
1 Blessed Alliance
1 Choke
2 Ethersworn Canonist
1 Gaddock Teeg
1 Garruk Relentless
1 Pithing Needle
1 Sanctum Prelate
1 Sword of Light and Shadow
3 Thoughtseize
2 Zealous Persecution

Can do a more complete tournament report later, but this is what I faced.
Rd 1 - Draw vs Deathblade (0-0-1)
Rd 2 - Win vs Omni-Sneak (1-0-1)
Rd 3 - Win vs 12 Post (2-0-1)
Rd 4 - Win vs Grixis good stuff (3-0-1)
Rd 5- Win vs Death & Taxes (4-0-1)
Rd 6 - Intentional draw (4-0-2)

Had the #7 seed going into top 8.
Top 8 - Win vs Grixis good stuff (same guy, Noah Walker, that I faced in rd 4)
Top 4 - Loss vs Miracles

Had a good mix of fair and unfair matches, and the deck performed really well, though I think I was luckier than usual with my draws. Have been running a one-of Renegade Rallier which really shined. It lets you just cast your potent game-changing two drops (Library, Jitte, Thalia) into obvious FoW and is backbreaking when you get them back next turn. Also I lived the dream and had double wasteland turns with Rallier in at least 2 matches. Cavern of Souls also overperformed - would maybe even like to go up to 2, but it's tough making the mana work since I run 2x Abrupt Decay in the main. Also was happy with 3 Abrupt Decays in the 75 - it has applications in nearly every matchup. Miracles as usual did me in, though I mulliganed to 4 (and kept a no-lander) in game 1. Also I played sort of loose since we had agreed to split prizes before the match :)

Love your list, Timmy! If I'd decide to play GSZ Maverick nowadays, I would copy mainboard 1-to-1. A singleton of Tireless Tracker and a Rallier are nuts! Probably the only change I'd make is adding a couple of Surgicals to the sb, they are so good atm, in particular vs Miracles.

[NEELEY]

Yesterday split the top 4 of the TJ Collectibles Titanium Series event with my Maverick list. Had a few on stream feature matches including both quarterfinals and semifinals (which was a pretty heartbreaking loss to Miracles). Here is my list:

23 Lands:
2 Bayou
1 Cavern of Souls
1 Dryad Arbor
1 Forest
1 Gaea's Cradle
1 Horizon Canopy
1 Karakas
1 Plains
2 Savannah
1 Scrubland
3 Verdant Catacombs
4 Wasteland
4 Windswept Heath

24 creatures:
4 Deathrite Shaman
1 Gaddock Teeg
4 Knight of the Reliquary
4 Mother of Runes
2 Qasali Pridemage
1 Renegade Rallier
1 Scavenging Ooze
1 Scryb Ranger
2 Stoneforge Mystic
3 Thalia, Guardian of Thraben
1 Tireless Tracker

13 Other Spells:
2 Abrupt Decay
4 Green Sun's Zenith
4 Swords to Plowshares
1 Umezawa's Jitte
1 Sword of Fire and Ice
1 Sylvan Library


Sideboard:

1 Abrupt Decay
1 Blessed Alliance
1 Choke
2 Ethersworn Canonist
1 Gaddock Teeg
1 Garruk Relentless
1 Pithing Needle
1 Sanctum Prelate
1 Sword of Light and Shadow
3 Thoughtseize
2 Zealous Persecution

Can do a more complete tournament report later, but this is what I faced.
Rd 1 - Draw vs Deathblade (0-0-1)
Rd 2 - Win vs Omni-Sneak (1-0-1)
Rd 3 - Win vs 12 Post (2-0-1)
Rd 4 - Win vs Grixis good stuff (3-0-1)
Rd 5- Win vs Death & Taxes (4-0-1)
Rd 6 - Intentional draw (4-0-2)

Had the #7 seed going into top 8.
Top 8 - Win vs Grixis good stuff (same guy, Noah Walker, that I faced in rd 4)
Top 4 - Loss vs Miracles

Had a good mix of fair and unfair matches, and the deck performed really well, though I think I was luckier than usual with my draws. Have been running a one-of Renegade Rallier which really shined. It lets you just cast your potent game-changing two drops (Library, Jitte, Thalia) into obvious FoW and is backbreaking when you get them back next turn. Also I lived the dream and had double wasteland turns with Rallier in at least 2 matches. Cavern of Souls also overperformed - would maybe even like to go up to 2, but it's tough making the mana work since I run 2x Abrupt Decay in the main. Also was happy with 3 Abrupt Decays in the 75 - it has applications in nearly every matchup. Miracles as usual did me in, though I mulliganed to 4 (and kept a no-lander) in game 1. Also I played sort of loose since we had agreed to split prizes before the match :)

Great finish. I'm sure you have been told already, you missed blowing up the top with pridemage on his turn, he terminused you and you would of won that turn. I know it's easy for me to say as a viewer. I kept saying blow his top now and you untapped untapped. Great tournament!

[timmyod17]

Love your list, Timmy! If I'd decide to play GSZ Maverick nowadays, I would copy mainboard 1-to-1. A singleton of Tireless Tracker and a Rallier are nuts! Probably the only change I'd make is adding a couple of Surgicals to the sb, they are so good atm, in particular vs Miracles.

I've gone back and forth on what to bring in vs Miracles. Currently I bring in +1 Needle, +1 Decay, +1 Gaddock Teeg, +1 Garruk, +1 Sanctum Prelate, +1 Sword of Light and Shadow, and +1 Choke. I bring out -4 Swords to Plowshares, -1 Scavenging Ooze, -1 Gaea's Cradle, -1 Knight of the Reliquary.

I like the thought of Surgicals (or even Extirpate) in response to snapcasters. I generally don't like to surgical just to rid them of Terminus/Jace/etc permanently, as they have so many different ways to win and it's card disadvantage. I also dislike diluting the deck and taking away too many threats.

I am considering maybe a second Sanctum Prelate (with another Cavern of Souls in the main) perhaps. It is another good choice across a variety of decks.

[aspsnake]

I've gone back and forth on what to bring in vs Miracles. Currently I bring in +1 Needle, +1 Decay, +1 Gaddock Teeg, +1 Garruk, +1 Sanctum Prelate, +1 Sword of Light and Shadow, and +1 Choke. I bring out -4 Swords to Plowshares, -1 Scavenging Ooze, -1 Gaea's Cradle, -1 Knight of the Reliquary.

I like the thought of Surgicals (or even Extirpate) in response to snapcasters. I generally don't like to surgical just to rid them of Terminus/Jace/etc permanently, as they have so many different ways to win and it's card disadvantage. I also dislike diluting the deck and taking away too many threats.

I am considering maybe a second Sanctum Prelate (with another Cavern of Souls in the main) perhaps. It is another good choice across a variety of decks.

Removing Snapcaster's StP is just a secondary purpose of Surgical Extractions in the Miracles matchup. The primary purpose is removing first Terminus in GY in response to the second Terminus' miracle trigger, it is just bonkers and is pure advantage (you remove Terminus from their hand and save your board state, I've done it several times and each time it was hilarious). Extirpate is generally much worse against Reanimator decks, so I would stick to Surgicals (and it's good against Miracles too as you can tap out properly, with Thalia you need to always keep 2 mana open). But what really bothers me in your list is that you have no sideboard answers to Reanimator/Dredge at all :p

Now for sideboarding. With your list, I'd bring +1 AD, +1 Teeg, +1 Choke, +1 Sanctum Prelate, +1 Garruk, +1 SoL&S, +2 Surgical Extraction (virtual ones), remove -1 Gaea's Cradle, -3 Swords (or -4 Swords, depending whether they play Snapcasters and double Entreat - trust your inner feelings ^^), -3/4 Deathrite Shaman (hard to cast vs cbalance, not amazing topdeck & we don't wanna ramp and put lots of creatures in play early just to be eaten by Terminus). Knight and ooze are certainly not the ones to go out xD. What is also amazing in the matchup is a singleton of Council's Judgement in sb to remove Jace, I would maybe swap a Needle for it, but it's a very personal decision. Although, remember that I'm judging from a Vial Maverick player's perspective, haven't played GSZ Maverick for years.

Your manabase is perfect and I do strongly advise against second Cavern of Souls mainboard: with 2 Abrupt Decays mainboard + 1 sb, you will have too many issues casting them. With 4x GSZ(which you can cast for x=6 in the lategame to avoid being countered), 2x Qasali Pridemages and Decays, I doubt that you have hard times getting through the cbalance. If Delver matchups are a problem, you might stick 1 Cavern to sb and exchange it for a Cradle against Miracles (against Delvers, you can just add +land to safely play around Daze and manabase disruption), but I'm not sure if that's really needed.

Prelates are good, but not so much without vials. I can see why playing 1x in sb, but 2 will probably be not that amazing (ofc, it really depends on the matchups you want to improve).

[timmyod17]

Great finish. I'm sure you have been told already, you missed blowing up the top with pridemage on his turn, he terminused you and you would of won that turn. I know it's easy for me to say as a viewer. I kept saying blow his top now and you untapped untapped. Great tournament!

Yeah, I realized this after he cast that Terminus. I was pretty exhausted mentally at that point (long tourney plus the three-hour drive to get there) and tilted a bit that I couldn't just finish him off. Also probably played a bit loose given we had previously agreed on prize split :p

[Jimbrewersbro]

timmyod17, what stream were you on? I would really like to go back and watch.

Also Neeley, I saw that you went undefeated in a league. Did you already discuss? If not what did you run up against?

Thanks

[timmyod17]

timmyod17, what stream were you on? I would really like to go back and watch.

Also Neeley, I saw that you went undefeated in a league. Did you already discuss? If not what did you run up against?

Thanks

https://www.twitch.tv/tjcollectibles

Don't know if there are replays going, though.

[Jimbrewersbro]

https://www.twitch.tv/tjcollectibles

Don't know if there are replays going, though.

That sucks. I just looked and it doesn't look like they posted it to past videos. Anyone know of a work around?

[NEELEY]

Also Neeley, I saw that you went undefeated in a league. Did you already discuss? If not what did you run up against?

Thanks

I didn't write anything up on it. I've been on 4 color loam and haven't played Maverick much lately. 1st time back playing it and like always, it was consistent. I beat some tough matchups. I played vs sneak and show, elves, miracles, painter and tnn bug. I like the 75 i was on and the sideboard seemed great, used all 15 cards.

https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/586509#online

[Cpt-Qc]

That sucks. I just looked and it doesn't look like they posted it to past videos. Anyone know of a work around?

There is an box you have to check so that videos are automatically added to past videos (and stay for at least 2 weeks if I recall).

[Cpt-Qc]

Had a good mix of fair and unfair matches, and the deck performed really well, though I think I was luckier than usual with my draws. Have been running a one-of Renegade Rallier which really shined. It lets you just cast your potent game-changing two drops (Library, Jitte, Thalia) into obvious FoW and is backbreaking when you get them back next turn. Also I lived the dream and had double wasteland turns with Rallier in at least 2 matches. Cavern of Souls also overperformed - would maybe even like to go up to 2, but it's tough making the mana work since I run 2x Abrupt Decay in the main. Also was happy with 3 Abrupt Decays in the 75 - it has applications in nearly every matchup. Miracles as usual did me in, though I mulliganed to 4 (and kept a no-lander) in game 1. Also I played sort of loose since we had agreed to split prizes before the match :)

About Rallier, did you just naturally draw him or did you have to zenith? I was wondering if it was ever worth being zenithed over knight.

[Megadeus]

I have only played the card in non maverick decks so far, but I could see instances where you want to zenith for it over knight if the tempo from a waste is needed or if you want to return something. I just have a hard time playing it over New Thalia personally right now

[Cpt-Qc]

I have only played the card in non maverick decks so far, but I could see instances where you want to zenith for it over knight if the tempo from a waste is needed or if you want to return something. I just have a hard time playing it over New Thalia personally right now

Believe me, I am already sold on THC. The problem is she makes the DnT matchup miserable and my meta is filled with them. You can't just play 1 of her to be effective since she can't be tutored (I think 2 is the right number).

[timmyod17]

About Rallier, did you just naturally draw him or did you have to zenith? I was wondering if it was ever worth being zenithed over knight.

Most matches I naturally drew Rallier. Typically I would prefer to Zenith for a knight, but Rallier can be an amazing tempo play if you can double wasteland or something. Against removal heavy decks in particular, the ETB value of Rallier is really strong whereas sometimes your knight just eats an abrupt decay or fatal push.

[oSeabass]

Finally got around to finishing off my last league, 2-3 bad times. Don't remember the first three games (a while back) but was 2-1. The last 2 I played yesterday evening and went bad beat style.

Round 4 was a grindy match vs DnT that went to three games, in the last game a Jitte became active a turn and kinda wiped me out and made it hard to come back from. There was one game where I had 3 vial in play (on 1, 2, 3 respectively) and had minimal land after Wasteland fighting. My build runs more spells though so this came to be a bit of a burden, especially later drawing into like Batterskull.

Round 5 was BUG Delver and G1 was a blowout. I kept a semi greedy land light hand and he was able to kill everything I played and then tempo me even greater with a Lili. Game ended quick. G2 was a little longer, but I got stuck on the wrong color lands and couldn't cast a needed Pridemage to blow up a Needle on Mom to help drag the game out. I stalled a bit looking for action with Thalia blocking a huge Goyf and bouncing with Karakas, then replaying every turn (kept drawing no action). Eventually he stuck a Delver and was able to value me with DRS/Delver beats.

So far the deck seems ok still. It's been a while since I have played MTG so I probably made some wrong plays. I think I might go back to the GSZ version in favor of dropping Vial, Revoker. Revoker IS very nice G1 in some places, but I think having a more consistent tutor G1 to get our silver bullets is nicer. Knight for Wasteland, Scooze for Graveyard, Scryb Ranger for Delver/BUG, Qasali for blowing up stuff, Teeg for Combo, etc. I have never really tried Punishing Mav, but I feel with the number of DRS in the meta it's a poor choice ATM. Probably better sticking to my own DRS.

[aspsnake]

I have never really tried Punishing Mav, but I feel with the number of DRS in the meta it's a poor choice ATM. Probably better sticking to my own DRS.

I would say that the amount of DRS being played is more of an advantage of the Punishing version. Think of this:
1) DRS never comes out of nowhere - it needs to stay 1 turn in play to become active.
2) Punishing fire kills DRS (with fire)
3) Nobody restricts you from playing DRS in Punishing Maverick - DRS taps for red just as well. PF provides you with some more food for your DRS compared to just Swords (when you need to get those last 2 HP).
4) You can often win the staring game PF vs DRS, especially if you've been lucky to get a Knight into play (activate Knight in resp, fetch Grove).
5) Exiled PF simply means you made a 1-to-1 trade with a creature or a Planeswalker.
6) Relying on DRS for graveyard hate, your opponent probably won't have more than 2 GY-hate slots in sb.

Punishing Maverick has its own disadvantages, e.g. the combo matchup, but it becomes better, not worse, in the DRS meta.

[NEELEY]

I would say that the amount of DRS being played is more of an advantage of the Punishing version. Think of this:
1) DRS never comes out of nowhere - it needs to stay 1 turn in play to become active.
2) Punishing fire kills DRS (with fire)
3) Nobody restricts you from playing DRS in Punishing Maverick - DRS taps for red just as well. PF provides you with some more food for your DRS compared to just Swords (when you need to get those last 2 HP).
4) You can often win the staring game PF vs DRS, especially if you've been lucky to get a Knight into play (activate Knight in resp, fetch Grove).
5) Exiled PF simply means you made a 1-to-1 trade with a creature or a Planeswalker.
6) Relying on DRS for graveyard hate, your opponent probably won't have more than 2 GY-hate slots in sb.

Punishing Maverick has its own disadvantages, e.g. the combo matchup, but it becomes better, not worse, in the DRS meta.

In my experience, dropping Thalia for punishing fire is not worth it. If you wanna play punishing fire I would consider 4 color loam. I don't think there is enough disruption without Thalia. I mean if your local meta is a lot of delver and death and taxes, I would certainly play the punishing version. I just would have a hard time taking punishing Maverick to a open meta. But who knows maybe you are a lucky person that seems to always get good match ups.

[ET1]

I would say that the amount of DRS being played is more of an advantage of the Punishing version. Think of this:

3) Nobody restricts you from playing DRS in Punishing Maverick - DRS taps for red just as well. PF provides you with some more food for your DRS compared to just Swords (when you need to get those last 2 HP).


Running DRS in a punishing maverick shell pushes you into 4 color territory which is not exactly where we want to be, not to mention the reduction in consistency which is what make maverick good.

[aspsnake]

Running DRS in a punishing maverick shell pushes you into 4 color territory which is not exactly where we want to be, not to mention the reduction in consistency which is what make maverick good.

I gave it a bit of thought and have to agree on Shamans. Also, even in D&T/Delver - infestated meta, I'd rather play a greedy Jund deck than Punishing Maverick.

[Seraphix]

In my experience, dropping Thalia for punishing fire is not worth it. If you wanna play punishing fire I would consider 4 color loam. I don't think there is enough disruption without Thalia. I mean if your local meta is a lot of delver and death and taxes, I would certainly play the punishing version. I just would have a hard time taking punishing Maverick to a open meta. But who knows maybe you are a lucky person that seems to always get good match ups.

Dropping Thalia from the main undoubtedly worsens your G1 combo matchups, but G. Teeg, Ooze, QPM, DRS, and Knight all provide some degree of interaction against various combo decks. And while its not what you want to be doing against combo, Punishing Fire always goes upstairs.


I gave it a bit of thought and have to agree on Shamans. Also, even in D&T/Delver - infestated meta, I'd rather play a greedy Jund deck than Punishing Maverick.

Having played a ton of Aggro Loam, Punishing Jund, and Punishing Maverick I can confidently say that Punishing Maverick is significantly more consistent than the other two.

In regards to the influx of BUG decks, I think any Maverick variant is well-situated against them (maybe its time to dust off the old Thrun or Wilt-Leaf Liege). I'm off fair Brainstorm decks right now because Leovold is so damn annoying and back on the Maverick train.

[TMagpie]

Dropping Thalia from the main undoubtedly worsens your G1 combo matchups, but G. Teeg, Ooze, QPM, DRS, and Knight all provide some degree of interaction against various combo decks. And while its not what you want to be doing against combo, Punishing Fire always goes upstairs.



Having played a ton of Aggro Loam, Punishing Jund, and Punishing Maverick I can confidently say that Punishing Maverick is significantly more consistent than the other two.

In regards to the influx of BUG decks, I think any Maverick variant is well-situated against them (maybe its time to dust off the old Thrun or Wilt-Leaf Liege). I'm off fair Brainstorm decks right now because Leovold is so damn annoying and back on the Maverick train.

My real question is--what creature decks are so impossible for Maverick to beat that we need to trim Thalia's for Punishing Fire?

[aspsnake]

My real question is--what creature decks are so impossible for Maverick to beat that we need to trim Thalia's for Punishing Fire?
Punishing Fire is not only better against creature decks: it kills Planeswalkers, is an alternative wincon and a finisher.

The losses though are huge: Thalia, Abrupt Decay, DRS, Persecutions, Thoughtseizes, you name it [emoji14]

Right now, Maverick with black is the most flexible and effective one.

[Schryver]

Does anyone side in thoughtseize against D&T? I feel like discarding their Aether Vial or more importantly their Batterskull would be worth it. Also curious about when to bring in Sylvan Library (thinking of putting it back in my main actually). Would you bring it in against combo decks in order to increase the chances of finding the necessary hate cards or is that stupid?

[TMagpie]

Does anyone side in thoughtseize against D&T? I feel like discarding their Aether Vial or more importantly their Batterskull would be worth it. Also curious about when to bring in Sylvan Library (thinking of putting it back in my main actually). Would you bring it in against combo decks in order to increase the chances of finding the necessary hate cards or is that stupid?

I have tested this extensively--and the answer is that Thoughtseize is ridiculous vs D&T.

it counteracts SFM, but it also allows you to "force" their Vial tricks before committing to an attack or line of play--so that you don't get blown out.

Sadly, I already side in 3 Decay, 2 Revoker, 2 Toxic Deluge, 1 Pridemage versus D&T so I never have room to side in Thoughtseize. However--it's not because it isn't strong in the matchup. Even just discarding their STP's before casting your Knights is worth it.

[aspsnake]

Does anyone side in thoughtseize against D&T? I feel like discarding their Aether Vial or more importantly their Batterskull would be worth it. Also curious about when to bring in Sylvan Library (thinking of putting it back in my main actually). Would you bring it in against combo decks in order to increase the chances of finding the necessary hate cards or is that stupid?
Thoughtseize is good in combo matchups, where you can discard a combo piece or removal for your hate in order to be fast enough to win. It is also good vs "big" decks like Nic Fit or Eldrazi, where they rely on a part of their deck to ramp and on another part to actually win with big threats.

D&T matchup is very different though. Every card is their deck (just like ours) is a fighter on its own, except maybe Mom and Vial, and we don't gain much by discarding their stuff, we'd rather play something of our own. Thoughtseize is a very bad topdeck; don't decrease the consistency (and tempo) of your deck just to have an option to discard a Jittte or a BS.

P.S. Thoughtseize also forces you to fetch non-basics turn 1, which can be sometimes a disaster vs D&T.

[beardstorm]

What do you guys think about playing Dark Depths + Thespian's Stage in a three-colored list?
I've been running it myself with fair results but most of the decks with good results I can find online does not play it.

[Megadeus]

I think it's terrible.

As for thought seize I like spot discard against stone forge decks, but I feel like I already have trouble finding room to bring it in when I already bring in so many other cards.

[aspsnake]

What do you guys think about playing Dark Depths + Thespian's Stage in a three-colored list?
I've been running it myself with fair results but most of the decks with good results I can find online does not play it.

There are several issues with the DD+TS combo in Maverick atm.

1) It doesn't improve our current bad matchups, e.g. combo or Miracles
2) It does take a spell slot (DD) and hurt your manabase (TS).
3) When you have a knight + scryb rotating around, you are often already winning and don't need the combo.

It can be a nice sudden-thing for a certain meta that generally can't deal with the token, but I'd play a 2-color version then.

[Luthiereisfun]

I play GWb mainly and I have to agree that dark depths although very sweet sometimes can be quite awkward and overall doesn't help the bad matchups. It is tempting though.

How do you guys feel about sfm?

I have cut sfm for awhile and haven't really missed her.

To me she just always felt slow and the payoff was not always good. Here's an example

t1: do whatever

t2: sfm grab jitte

t3: play jitte off sfm and then they abrupt decay/answer it

Some line or form of the above play seemed to happen often. Basically I spent 2 turns playing a 1/2 ....Yes they did spend a piece of removal on the equipment or TS so technically I came out on CA in that type of situation but the loss of tempo seemed brutal.

SFM is obviously not bad but I've been more happy running Garruk Relentless, More abrupt decays,an extra copy of sylvan library and generally more hatebears depending on the meta.

I want to hear your guy's experience if you haven't been on sfm and how you feel about it?

Maybe you ran without SFM and hated it.

Just want to hear your thoughts Maverick friends.

[Megadeus]

You should be picking your spot better. There's little times that trying to get jitte on a dude and trying to connect that early is right. You should be forcing them to answer other things before the jitte if it's that important.

[Luthiereisfun]

You should be picking your spot better. There's little times that trying to get jitte on a dude and trying to connect that early is right. You should be forcing them to answer other things before the jitte if it's that important.



That's fair. Part of why I ask! I know I can always be improving and learning. So generally would you say sfm is something you save for the mid to late game, generally speaking? I know there are no hard fast rules :tongue:

[ET1]

That's fair. Part of why I ask! I know I can always be improving and learning. So generally would you say sfm is something you save for the mid to late game, generally speaking? I know there are no hard fast rules :tongue:

It depends on the match-up and how important resolving stoneforge or getting the equipment into play is. Against decks where jitte wrecks house and wins you the game I often try to bait force of wills, dazes, decays or whatever on other cards before casting the stoneforge, but I really do believe its context dependent as sometimes just slamming mystic turn 2 is the correct play or even the best play.

[Megadeus]

I am fine with stone forge on turn two, but I generally let the weapon sit in my hand until I need it or find a window where they tap down or are vulnerable. Cradle really helps with that as with 2 or three mana your opponent may tap out expecting you to not have the ability to cast and equip in the same turn, then cradle drops and you poop on their chest

[Luthiereisfun]

Thanks guys, that all makes sense and seems well. Looks like I should bust sfm out again and play a bit more smart

[aspsnake]

I play GWb mainly and I have to agree that dark depths although very sweet sometimes can be quite awkward and overall doesn't help the bad matchups. It is tempting though.

How do you guys feel about sfm?

I have cut sfm for awhile and haven't really missed her.

To me she just always felt slow and the payoff was not always good. Here's an example

t1: do whatever

t2: sfm grab jitte

t3: play jitte off sfm and then they abrupt decay/answer it

Some line or form of the above play seemed to happen often. Basically I spent 2 turns playing a 1/2 ....Yes they did spend a piece of removal on the equipment or TS so technically I came out on CA in that type of situation but the loss of tempo seemed brutal.

SFM is obviously not bad but I've been more happy running Garruk Relentless, More abrupt decays,an extra copy of sylvan library and generally more hatebears depending on the meta.

I want to hear your guy's experience if you haven't been on sfm and how you feel about it?

Maybe you ran without SFM and hated it.

Just want to hear your thoughts Maverick friends.
Don't play creatures, they can be plowed... Don't play non-basics, those can be wasted...

Seriously, SFM and Jitte are very strong against any kind of creature decks, including those that run decays. You should just diversify your threats, so that they couldn't decay your Knight, Sword and Jitte, something will live [emoji14]

In the worst case scenario, a decayed Jitte trades 1-by-1 to decay, and sfm stays, so you are still in an advantage by a 1/2 body. Just play your Knight now and stomp them ;)

If you're playing a Zenith version, consider a singleton of Rallier to get Jitte back, he can be really interesting :)

P.S. if tempo is your issue, give Vial Maverick a try, it's notably faster.

[Megadeus]

I think it's all about picking your spots with the weapons. Sometimes it is best to simply jam them and see if it's good enough, and sometimes it is. My favorite is if I untap with stoneforge is to then deploy other threats and keep beating my opponent with those so it forces them to answer, then at some point you just flash in equipment end of turn and wreck them. It's often not about using all of your mana every turn. Maybe I just play differently then others, but I probably waste a lot of mana by simply being patient.

[aspsnake]

I think it's all about picking your spots with the weapons. Sometimes it is best to simply jam them and see if it's good enough, and sometimes it is. My favorite is if I untap with stoneforge is to then deploy other threats and keep beating my opponent with those so it forces them to answer, then at some point you just flash in equipment end of turn and wreck them. It's often not about using all of your mana every turn. Maybe I just play differently then others, but I probably waste a lot of mana by simply being patient.

Strategy here really depends on who are you playing against. Playing patiently is usually a good decision for Maverick, but sometimes it becomes a race (often vs D&T or Delvers) and really just depends on who is the first to slam the door :p

Sometimes, e.g. if opponent plays Stifle, Vendillion Clique or Sudden Shock, it's better to slam the equip outright while they're tapped, so that they couldn't respond. Sometimes, it's important to play mind games, keeping opponent confused whether you will Swords/Decay or activate Mystic.

P.S. and leaving Mystic's activation for EOT, keep an eye on the vial for 2 - sometimes, angry Revokers come outta there :p

[ET1]

I think it's all about picking your spots with the weapons. Sometimes it is best to simply jam them and see if it's good enough, and sometimes it is. My favorite is if I untap with stoneforge is to then deploy other threats and keep beating my opponent with those so it forces them to answer, then at some point you just flash in equipment end of turn and wreck them. It's often not about using all of your mana every turn. Maybe I just play differently then others, but I probably waste a lot of mana by simply being patient.

Definitely an interesting strategical topic that doesn't come up much, especially with non-blue decks. Saving your equipment and just deploying threats is always a fun line of play given that your opponent knows that they get wrecked by the jitte, but have to mount a defense against our aggression. Definitely a good way to put our opponents in a tight squeeze.

[NEELEY]

I play GWb mainly and I have to agree that dark depths although very sweet sometimes can be quite awkward and overall doesn't help the bad matchups. It is tempting though.

How do you guys feel about sfm?

I have cut sfm for awhile and haven't really missed her.

To me she just always felt slow and the payoff was not always good. Here's an example

t1: do whatever

t2: sfm grab jitte

t3: play jitte off sfm and then they abrupt decay/answer it



Some line or form of the above play seemed to happen often. Basically I spent 2 turns playing a 1/2 ....Yes they did spend a piece of removal on the equipment or TS so technically I came out on CA in that type of situation but the loss of tempo seemed brutal.

SFM is obviously not bad but I've been more happy running Garruk Relentless, More abrupt decays,an extra copy of sylvan library and generally more hatebears depending on the meta.

I want to hear your guy's experience if you haven't been on sfm and how you feel about it?

Maybe you ran without SFM and hated it.

Just want to hear your thoughts Maverick friends.


I never played Maverick without stoneforge. The power level of Maverick isn't very high and you need the equipment to help make your creatures a threat. Without the equipment, the only real threat attacking wise is KOTR.

[NEELEY]

Been playing Maverick again, I'm currently in a league with a darker version with 3 bobs 2 Liliana 2 gsz 2 kotr 2 tracker. I beat bug delver, 4 color control and dark depths. I loss to Miracles. Game 3 I wasted his turn 1 tundra and struggled to get pass 2 lands that game, blind counterbalance on turn 3 hit my confidant unfortunately or I easliy would of taken the game over since he only had island and volcanic. Tireless tracker has been a great threat and took over quite a few games. I'm liking the number at 2.

[beardstorm]

There are several issues with the DD+TS combo in Maverick atm.

1) It doesn't improve our current bad matchups, e.g. combo or Miracles
2) It does take a spell slot (DD) and hurt your manabase (TS).
3) When you have a knight + scryb rotating around, you are often already winning and don't need the combo.

It can be a nice sudden-thing for a certain meta that generally can't deal with the token, but I'd play a 2-color version then.

These are all very valid points. I have been running into recurring problems with colored mana and have been cutting a Wasteland as a result, but perhaps going for a more solid manabase is a better course of action. Thanks!

[aspsnake]

Been playing Maverick again, I'm currently in a league with a darker version with 3 bobs 2 Liliana 2 gsz 2 kotr 2 tracker. I beat bug delver, 4 color control and dark depths. I loss to Miracles. Game 3 I wasted his turn 1 tundra and struggled to get pass 2 lands that game, blind counterbalance on turn 3 hit my confidant unfortunately or I easliy would of taken the game over since he only had island and volcanic. Tireless tracker has been a great threat and took over quite a few games. I'm liking the number at 2.

The number really depends on your build. I will probably never again play Maverick without Trackers :p Currently I'm running 3.

Although, from your explanation (Liliana, Bob) your deck seems to be closer to Abzan Rock than to Maverick. Maverick doesn't run much removal mainboard.


These are all very valid points. I have been running into recurring problems with colored mana and have been cutting a Wasteland as a result, but perhaps going for a more solid manabase is a better course of action. Thanks!

Glad to help! I personally like solid manabase so much that don't run any black spells mainboard, which helps a lot while you're figuring out who are you playing against, and allows to fetch basics in the first turns and not get hurt much by that.

[beardstorm]

Also, what do you guys think about playing a one-of bomb such as Sigarda, Host of Herons? Any other fatties you prefer nowadays, like Thrun or Titania, Protector of Argoth? Has anyone tried playing Atraxa, Praetors' Voice?

[aspsnake]

Also, what do you guys think about playing a one-of bomb such as Sigarda, Host of Herons? Any other fatties you prefer nowadays, like Thrun or Titania, Protector of Argoth? Has anyone tried playing Atraxa, Praetors' Voice?

The issue with Maverick is much more often is not being fast enough, rather than not having enough resources to finish the game. If I had a slot and needed more fuel, I'd rather squeeze in another Tireless Tracker than any of the abovementioned ones :p

[NEELEY]

The number really depends on your build. I will probably never again play Maverick without Trackers :p Currently I'm running 3.

Although, from your explanation (Liliana, Bob) your deck seems to be closer to Abzan Rock than to Maverick. Maverick doesn't run much removal mainboard.

No it's def Maverick, just trying to add cards to be better vs miracles mainly.

[aspsnake]

No it's def Maverick, just trying to add cards to be better vs miracles mainly.
Liliana is good with discard and lots of removal, however, all those don't go that well together with Mother of Runes and Thalia. If Miracles is your major concern, consider:

1) 2x mainboard Sylvan Library, those are house against them
2) Garruk+Gideon in sb and something to deal with their Jace: Pithing Needles and/or Council's Judgement
3) after sideboard, don't leave in creatures that don't win the game on their own, except for the Prelate/Teeg+Mother lock; try to have nearly every card winning when unanswered or a direct threat to their strategy.
4) or, alternatively, switching to Abzan Rock. Recently, there has been a very greedy list (check mtgtop8) with 3x Hymn, 3x Bobs, 3x Trackers, 2x Sylvans, 4 Lilianas and Garruk mainboard. No way you can lose to Miracles with smth like that (but fast decks like burn is an autoloss :p)

[pettdan]

Regarding beating Miracles, this question pops up here regularly. Miracles has at times been one of the most popular decks in my local meta so I've been trying to figure out ways to beat them for the last two and a half years or so. Not playing too much Maverick during the last few months but thought I'd comment. The Rock was btw very strong vs them when I played it. In Maverick I've tried Bitterblossoms; Lightning Greaves; Trackers plus Leovolds; and Garruk plus Elspeth and nothing gave strong results in my (limited) playing. I was thinking of putting two Nissa, Vital Force in the sideboard, an approach I think has been tried by Elves too.

[TMagpie]

These are all very valid points. I have been running into recurring problems with colored mana and have been cutting a Wasteland as a result, but perhaps going for a more solid manabase is a better course of action. Thanks!

I have run the Depths Combo in my maverick list for the past year and a half with favorable results. There are many matchups that I think go from 50/50 to favored because of the combo. I often find both elves, shardless, and True-Name decks 50/50 at worse and favored at best because of the options the combo provides--but therein lies the rub of the matter.

The Dark Depths combo has only two reasons for being in Maverick; evasion and blocking.

Maverick, unlike Death and Taxes, is often lacking when it comes to evasion. This is because it favors GSZ targets + KotR instead of Flickerwhisps + Serra Avengers for its beaters. As such, during board stalls, Dark Depths allows you a way to break parity using Knight of the Reliquary.

The other reason for Dark Depths is when you are put in a losing position, hence my comment on blocking.

Imagine this board state--you have zero creatures in play and you topdeck a Green Sun's Zenith, what do you search for to maximize the Gaea's Cradle you have in play? The answer jack and shit. Gaea's Cradle is great when you have a bunch of dudes out, but when you're in a bad position not so much. Resolving a KotR when your board is empty can often be the move that stabilizes you from dying--but its often not good enough on its own to 180 the game, especially if your opponent already has a board out. However, if you have the Dark Depths combo, it simply takes two untap steps to get you from being forced to block with Knight in order to live into winning with a 20/20 token.

My kinship with the combo primarily comes from the 2nd game state. When I already have several creatures in play, I don't really care about having Gaea's cradle turning my winning position into a win-more position. I do, however, like having Knight plus the combo be able to transform bad positions into winning positions.

The drawbacks to Dark Depths is heavy. My list only runs black cards in my sideboard and often it doesn't matter if the black cards are good--I can't side in too many of them in wasteland centered matchups. The deck space is also atrocious. I don't run decays, sylvan library, or even cool zenith targets like Tireless Tracker because I only have room for the barest of bare bones maverick cards and have recently starting running 61 cards in my maindeck to fit everything.

I would not have this problem had I decided against running the Dark Depths package. The real question you should ask is--how many win more cards do you like running in Maverick?

[Megadeus]

Cradle is certainly not win more. It helps break an even board stall and allows you to cast things nicely through a Thalia. Plus like you said, you have to give up a lot of cards to run Depths combo. Without it I'm able to play multiple decays and bring in many things post board in games. Plus getting Library is huge in the fair match ups. Also cradle is fucking insane with a Scavenging Ooze. And for those not running it, Rogue's Passage is an excellent card for punching through a ton of damage with an active Knight. Also, unlike Depths it taps for mana so it makes hands better. It also does something without needing an active knight. Also Cradle with Tracker is pretty nutty.

[Warden]

@TMagpie:
Usually I'm on the same page with you but I disagree with your recent post.

I agree the DD/Stage plan is run in Maverick for 2 reasons. However, I disagree with your conclusion. Maverick runs DD to 1) have a clock towards inevitability and 2) to surprise the opponent.
I will not delve into whether DD/Stage > 2 misc lands. There are a lot of good points in the theory-craft world.

Maverick, like every creature-dependent mid-range deck, has next to zero inevitability. Maybe if you had several large KotR with Mom support vs their "nothing on the table" board-state, we can concede there's an inevitable win in our favor. But I'm taking a more global position: against a decent legacy deck, you have no way to reach a high % chance that you'll be the victor. In my experiences, DD/Stage actually gives me clock. A clock that says "you'll likely end the game by pulling this off". It's never been an automatic win, but it's certainly been overwhelmingly in my favor. If the opponent lets me bullshit for a few turns, all the better because my DD clock is ticking. The surprise factor is also something you cannot gloss over. Large-scale events you can be sandbagging the combo. If KotR isn't tutoring up wastelands (the main strategy) or fetches (beat-down and math tricks), you can bet I'm setting up the DD combo. Hell, I've won rounds I really shouldn't have because my opening 7 had the natural combo. I still think DD shouldn't be the main strategy of Maverick. The combo simply lets you meander into a decision tree of "sudden finisher" that catches many opponents off-guard. When you have 2 KotR or 1 Kotr + a playable Scryb in hand, you have the advantage of "oops here's a 20/20".

I won't speak on the GSZ/Cradle comments except that "GSZ is the reason to run Maverick in the first place"....I think you're searching for negative situations.

@Luthiereisfun: SFM is insane. I have no idea what your meta is, but she's a staple for the foreseeable future.

[TMagpie]

I did not mean to sound so harsh--I do not believe Dark Depths is meant to be a primary plan for Maverick, ever. I am simply saying that when you are running Dark Depths you *have* to think of your cards differently from a philosophical level.

Depths is a card meant to give you an out when you *should* be dead. Sometimes there are openings to use it proactively to get "free wins," but I often find that doing so outside of game 2 or 3 hurts in the long run more than it helps. The combo is meant to be leaned on when your opponent is able to get into a winning position. Most often, when opponents are in a winning position, it becomes almost impossible to even keep more than 1-2 creatures on the board if any at all. Depths shines the most in those matchups since resolving a KotR means you could theoretically stabilize and, so long as KotR holds the fort to keep you alive, you can assemble the combo and win the game you were supposed to lose.

To be okay with that, Thespian Stage hurts your mana base, Dark Depths does nothing on its own, and if you keep a Maze of Ith and Batterskull in your list (like I do) you will quickly find you have little to no room for much else outside of the skeleton crew of the Maverick deck. In other words, the Depths combo is a much BIGGER commitment than just 2 lands. The only real way to be okay with running it is if you believe squeezing as many "outs" to Maverick as you can is a net boon for the deck as a whole.

Cradle is a very powerful land. I have lost to it MANY times be it from Elves or Maverick. The reason I talked down about it is because its a deck that really wants you to already have a board. The card is fairly bad after a Toxic Deluge, or a Terminus, or a Supreme Verdict, or a Pernicious Deed, or an Ugin. When I say that it "wins more" what I mean is that it does not help much if the opponent is easily killing most all of your creatures. It neither protects your threats, makes threats, or is a threat itself. I have sided out Dark Depths and have the opponent cast a Pithing Needle for Thespian Stage on the first turn of the game because they want to neuter the threat of a Marit Lage token. I have forced a standstill deck to crack its own standstill because I simply played 3 lands and a depths and started thawing. People actively change the way they play against you when they see the Depths Combo; because it's proactive, and because it is often a way for your to win the game even if they are killing everything else on the table.

it comes with HEFTY drawback, and comes with some of the deadest draws in Maverick. So if you feel brave enough to run Depths accepts that you will make a lot of cuts to fit it. I don't recommend it for people who likes running fun cards, flexible cards, or non-threat cards like Sylvan Library. You just don't have room in the deck to run that many cards that don't kill the opponent.

[Schryver]

Interesting decision at a tournament this weekend. Game 3 on the draw against Sneak and Show and he plays Show & Tell turn 2. I have to decide between Rec Sage and Knight. I chose Rec Sage because if he puts an Omniescence or Sneak Attack in play I have a huge advantage but if I put Knight in and he goes Omni into Emrakul its instantly game over. He ended up putting a Grizelbrand in play, so the Knight would have ultimately been the better choice

[aspsnake]

Interesting decision at a tournament this weekend. Game 3 on the draw against Sneak and Show and he plays Show & Tell turn 2. I have to decide between Rec Sage and Knight. I chose Rec Sage because if he puts an Omniescence or Sneak Attack in play I have a huge advantage but if I put Knight in and he goes Omni into Emrakul its instantly game over. He ended up putting a Grizelbrand in play, so the Knight would have ultimately been the better choice
As Maverick players, we often have this choice.

There is a small guide that I've came with, which helps.
1) have you seen red sources? If opponent has only 3x Islands in play, chances that she plays pure Omni-Tell. Should there be a Volcanic, that is either a pure Sneak Attack or a merged one. Keep an eye on whether they have a red mana open. Pure Omni-tell doesn't care about a Sage, they win with a trigger on the stack.
2) which turn is this? Sometimes they have those perfect hands: S&T, Omni, Emrakul. But oh well, not so often. Unless it's turn 5 of constant pondering/brainstorming, chances of them having everything are low.

Summing up all the above said, it's almost always better to go for a Knight than for a Sage. Should they have Sneak into Emrakul, this choice probably won't matter much. Omni into Wish - choice doesn't matter. Should they have Omni into Emrakul/Grisel (hard to obtain all pieces) - now, Sage would save you. In all other cases, Knight is the way to go, and he is a faster finisher too.

[Megadeus]

Not saying you were necessarily wrong, but I think I put in knight most of the time. It's easier for them on turn 2 to have Griselbrand. They're more likely to anyway just by a numbers standpoint right?

[TMagpie]

Interesting decision at a tournament this weekend. Game 3 on the draw against Sneak and Show and he plays Show & Tell turn 2. I have to decide between Rec Sage and Knight. I chose Rec Sage because if he puts an Omniescence or Sneak Attack in play I have a huge advantage but if I put Knight in and he goes Omni into Emrakul its instantly game over. He ended up putting a Grizelbrand in play, so the Knight would have ultimately been the better choice

In the end, its really about making gut calls based on your read of the opponent over a bo3--BUT, here is the guide I use when making that call without context..

For reference:

Show and Tell

2Card Combo:
If Griselbrand => Knight
If Emrakul => Knight
If Omniscience + Instants => Either
If Omniscience + Sorcery => Reclamation Sage

3Card Combo
If Sneak Attack + Griselbrand (No Mana) => Either
If Sneak Attack + Griselbrand (With Mana) => Either
If Sneak Attack + Emrakul (No Mana) => Reclamation Sage
If Sneak Attack + Emrakul (With Mana) => Either
If Omniscience + Emrakul => Reclamation Sage
If Omniscience + Griselbrand => Reclamation Sage

The shorthand is simple. If you have been pressuring them. Destroying lands, resolving hatebears, all that jazz--then you should choose KotR because 3/4 of the time it is the correct play.

If it turns out you have not been pressuring them hard enough, and they actually have the 3card combo of Show and Tell + Enchantment + Fatty, 50% of the time Knight of the Reliquary would have been as effective, albeit Rec Sage is "technically" more effective.

[aspsnake]

Hey guys/gals,

I recently have noticed that my matchup vs 4c delver (not the grixis + green one, but the one running lots of creatures) is really bad. The cards they play (bolt, decay, shaman, delver, true-name, leovold, snapcaster etc.) are sort of a collection of cards that we never wanna see in one deck as Maverick. And those kolaghan's commands usually send me to oblivion, e.g. destroying a sword + creature. There is literally no card in their deck that would be bad or ignorable for us.

I start with siding out vials, but MU is still incredibly bad, even after sb (they bring even more nasty stuff like golgari charm, needle, dread of night, sulfur elemental, diabolic edict). One might think that Wasteland is a MVP in this matchup, but my opponents somehow always find a way to get out of Thalia/Wasteland situation and flood the board with lots of lands, they probably just play a lot of them (or, possibly, 4 Ponders/4 Brainstorms is the issue). At the same time, many of their cards trade 1-to-2 or 1-to-many vs ours. Does anybody have any ideas how to improve the MU? Or tips how to play against 4c delver? Or it's just our nemesis MU?

My current list can be found here (https://deckstats.net/deck-12654736-cc85ea32ec573815b965fc307b7a89c7.html).

[ET1]

Hey guys/gals,

I recently have noticed that my matchup vs 4c delver (not the grixis + green one, but the one running lots of creatures) is really bad. The cards they play (bolt, decay, shaman, delver, true-name, leovold, snapcaster etc.) are sort of a collection of cards that we never wanna see in one deck as Maverick. And those kolaghan's commands usually send me to oblivion, e.g. destroying a sword + creature. There is literally no card in their deck that would be bad or ignorable for us.

I start with siding out vials, but MU is still incredibly bad, even after sb (they bring even more nasty stuff like golgari charm, needle, dread of night, sulfur elemental, diabolic edict). One might think that Wasteland is a MVP in this matchup, but my opponents somehow always find a way to get out of Thalia/Wasteland situation and flood the board with lots of lands, they probably just play a lot of them (or, possibly, 4 Ponders/4 Brainstorms is the issue). At the same time, many of their cards trade 1-to-2 or 1-to-many vs ours. Does anybody have any ideas how to improve the MU? Or tips how to play against 4c delver? Or it's just our nemesis MU?

My current list can be found here (https://deckstats.net/deck-12654736-cc85ea32ec573815b965fc307b7a89c7.html).


Play Green Sun's Zenith.

Jokes Aside, even though you're playing a vial version your list looks really heavy on three drops. You're currently playing 10 three drops which although vial may mitigate, the games you don't have vial seem like they could be clunky again delver decks that can pressure your mana. I currently run the GSZ version so it's not the best comparison, but I'm running functionally 9 ways to accelerate my mana turn one, but i'm only running 5 three drops (including Sword of Fire and Ice).

[Luthiereisfun]

Would something like Sigarda in that matchup be good? I don't know how reliable that would be without GSZ but you do have cradle. That said it seems most list now don't run the big 5 drops. I also wouldn't want to run Sigarda against a delver deck where you want more early interaction but what your describing sounds like it might be going to a more midrange grind scenario.

[aspsnake]

Would something like Sigarda in that matchup be good? I don't know how reliable that would be without GSZ but you do have cradle. That said it seems most list now don't run the big 5 drops. I also wouldn't want to run Sigarda against a delver deck where you want more early interaction but what your describing sounds like it might be going to a more midrange grind scenario.

Sigarda doesn't really go that well with Vial :p But yes, for GSZ versions of the deck she will probably help a lot.


Play Green Sun's Zenith.

Jokes Aside, even though you're playing a vial version your list looks really heavy on three drops. You're currently playing 10 three drops which although vial may mitigate, the games you don't have vial seem like they could be clunky again delver decks that can pressure your mana. I currently run the GSZ version so it's not the best comparison, but I'm running functionally 9 ways to accelerate my mana turn one, but i'm only running 5 three drops (including Sword of Fire and Ice).

When playing vials, you have to compensate for the lack of gas from GSZ, and playing more 3-drops is inevitable if you want to keep doing smth after turn 3.
And no, it's not the too many 3-drops that's the problem in the matchup :p When vial is up for 3, putting 3-drops every turn (and using mana to draw cards from Tracker) is quite crazy. But they manage to kill all my threats in a very fast pace, while keeping landdropping.

I do of course agree that in this particular matchup GSZ version is better, and it is certainly so it is for 2 more matchups: Jund and Pox. But after sb vs those 3 decks I side out vials and become some kind of midrange maverick without gsz, which is fine given the number of late drops. Sure, I become slower, but they side out Dazes and Forces vs Maverick. Probably, the real problem is just incredibly high quality of their cards.

I was even thinking of some extreme ideas like siding out all cards that don't do stuff on their own, e.g. Mother of Runes (it will die to some kind of -1/-1 sweeper or Dread of Night anyways) & Scryb Rangers, and filling these with discard, Garruk and removal, trying to play their game, so basically becoming an Abzan Rock deck with Thalias post-board (Knights roleplay Tarmogoys here :p). Example sb:

+2 Abrupt Decay
+2 Zealous Persecution
+3 Thoughtseize
+1 Council's Judgement
+1 Garruk Relentless
-4 AEther Vial
-2 Mother of Runes
-1 Thalia, Guardian of Thraben
-2 Scryb Ranger

I will give it a try.

P.S. What might actually help is a sb Chains of Mephistopheles: those decks draw a lot of cards. But it's not really viable in my case because of 3x Trackers.

[TMagpie]

I play a GSZ version of Maverick. I have little to no problems with any version of Delver. However, and I do wish to emphasize this, often times its simply because I run them out of removal. This is done by way of Knight of the Reliquary and Mother of Runes. Against the removal heavy versions, it is usually the 3rd time I resolve a Knight (possible because of 4 GSZ) that breaks them. If I played a list without GSZ, I can see how the matchup would feel really bad.

[Luthiereisfun]

Scryb Ranger is just the best. During a game today I realized you can get Rallier triggers off bouncing your forests back. It wasn't apparent to me at first (I am also new to Rallier but liking him) so I thought I would share.

[TMagpie]

Scryb Ranger is just the best. During a game today I realized you can get Rallier triggers off bouncing your forests back. It wasn't apparent to me at first (I am also new to Rallier but liking him) so I thought I would share.

I love that Scryb, Deathrite, and Maze of Ith is 6 damage a turn

[DoomRabbit]

Browsing MTGTOP8 for interesting deck lists, and found these two that definitely fit the interesting mould so I thought I'd share:

1) Who needs GSZ or Vial, smuggler's copter time!: Top 8 (http://mtgtop8.com/event?e=14972&d=290546&f=LE)
2) All in on rallier, + eldrazi, no knight GSZ or vial: 2 top 8s (http://mtgtop8.com/event?e=14993&d=290668&f=LE)

[Claymore]

4x Displacer with 4x Rallier, combined with 3-3 Wasteland/Ghost Quarter. Savage.

13 cards that are 3+ mana. I think it'd be better off going with a few Cradles or some Birds (drop Batterskull), but seems like a potent combo.

[aspsnake]

Browsing MTGTOP8 for interesting deck lists, and found these two that definitely fit the interesting mould so I thought I'd share:

1) Who needs GSZ or Vial, smuggler's copter time!: Top 8 (http://mtgtop8.com/event?e=14972&d=290546&f=LE)
2) All in on rallier, + eldrazi, no knight GSZ or vial: 2 top 8s (http://mtgtop8.com/event?e=14993&d=290668&f=LE)

It's important to remember that even a deck with 59 Islands and 1 Frost Titan has chances to enter top8, given perfect hands, right matchups and lots of luck :)
On a serious note, Smugglers can be devastating in a Maverick/Delver/D&T meta: colorless flying creatures with a good equipment are pain for either of the decks. But in the majority of other metas, they honestly won't do that much.
I also absolutely agree that this conversion of Modern Eldrazi into Legacy Maverick is bizarre at the very least. It's just too slow for whatever they were trying to do. There is not even a way you could possibly play TKS before turn 3 in the deck (it's very crucial for playability of Eldrazi Stompy to be able to play TKS on turn 2).

[Megadeus]

I've played copter before and even though that deck has no Green sun, fetching up Dryad arbor to crew a copter is pretty sick

[TMagpie]

I've played copter before and even though that deck has no Green sun, fetching up Dryad arbor to crew a copter is pretty sick

In my playtest with compter, my favorite play has always been Deluge the board, fetch an arbor, then attack with copter.

My second favorite was activating scryb and discarding the bounced lands to the copter to draw cards while vialing out the threats I drew.

Overall opinion on copter has been bad--but it has led to sweet sweet plays

[Claymore]

Holy moly today's deck was fun! I really liked the prison-y aspects of it. I thought I was going to miss having Green Sun's Zenith in a maverick build, but having every creature be great value made up for it. I honestly am not sure what I'd change about the list, other than maybe cut an eldrazi displacer to make room for something else. I realize displacer + most of the creatures in the deck = super great value, but honestly I never even cast a displacer, and didn't feel like having one in play would have made much of a difference in most games. It's a little slow, and there's probably another card that could take at least 1 slot of it. Conclusions made from playing this deck: 1) Palace Jailer is amazing! 2) Renegade Rallier has some serious value. I recurred wasteland and ghost quarter several times by casting this dude, and the tempo swing was generally enough to put at least one nail in the coffin.


http://www.mtgthesource.com/forums/showthread.php?31160-A-deck-per-week-challenge&p=995968&viewfull=1#post995968

Worth considering...