[Deck] Team America (BUG Delver)

[wcm8]

So you try to transform the tempodeck into a midrange deck with a low landcount?
Hm...Why? ;D

Because it wins? Because it's unexpected, and that itself is an advantage?

It seems like a lot of MtG players are opposed to experimentation. Deathrite Shaman was met with initial opposition by some people on this thread since it was viewed as a "midrange" card. I think Agent's power is obvious given how well BUG Cascade is doing. The only thing required to make it work is cutting Daze, which you are often doing against decks you'd like to bring him in against.

Transforming into a more midrange-y style of play has pretty much *always* been the case in post-board games with Team America when you're faced against midrange or control. TA has perhaps the *best* combo matchup, even game 1, so the sideboard should be geared towards winning the more troublesome matchups.

Some lists run bombs to win these kind of matchups, e.g. Jace TMS, additional Sylvan Library, or Notion Thief. While this is a perfectly valid approach, I am finding that Agent is a great way of keeping pressure up. With UWr Miracles being so prevalent, having some method of consistently winning this matchup is pretty important. Agent + Liliana are partly why BUG Cascade does so well against Miracles. It also gives you a better fighting chance against other BUG decks.

Example sideboard:

4 Shardless Agent
2 Disfigure
2 Golgari Charm
1 Maelstrom Pulse
2 Grafdigger's Cage
1 Null Rod
1 Umezawa's Jitte OR Night of Soul's Betrayal (Jitte is better with the high creature count, but NoSB is really great against the format right now)
1 Vendilion Clique
1 Envelop

3 mana is pretty easy to reach with the help of DRS, and against many of the decks you'd be bringing him in against, your mana-base isn't usually under as much pressure.

I've actually tested Baleful Strix in the past, but I think Agent is the more explosive card.

I am not trying to argue that this is 'the future of BUG Delver', merely a valid option in a metagame full of midrange and control matchups.

[TheHeff]

So I just picked up the duals I needed for TA (been playing RUG Delver the last few months or so), my meta's fairly balanced with (out of ~12 regulars) 3-4 combo, 3-4 delver, 1-2 jank, 1-2 midrangey (stoneblade, shardless, miracles).

For my first build, I'm going to try the 2x Tombstalker, 4x Hymn, 2x Liliana package (4-of the other usual cards) but am looking for some sideboard opinions:

4x Spell Pierce
2x Disfigure
2x Golgari Charm
1x Grafdigger's Cage
1x Surgical Extraction
1x Sylvan Library
1x Krosan Grip
1x Pithing Needle
1x Null Rod
1x Vendilion Clique

Wondering if I should add a Jace or an additional Clique in the SB, 4 Pierce might be a bit much. Trying to keep the SB fairly diverse to cover a wide range of decks.

[Esper3k]

In the 2x Tombstalker builds, I liked 2x Clique just to give you a straight 1 for 1 trade when you board out Stalkers.

[wwoning]

Because it's unexpected, and that itself is an advantage?

I find that a very valid argument indeed. It helps in making opponents unsure in what and how to play and sideboard, which can be a huge advantage. I'm very interested in hearing your testing results! BUG has a lot of 2 CC bombs, so I'd like to see how this works out.

[Manipulato]

So I just picked up the duals I needed for TA (been playing RUG Delver the last few months or so), my meta's fairly balanced with (out of ~12 regulars) 3-4 combo, 3-4 delver, 1-2 jank, 1-2 midrangey (stoneblade, shardless, miracles).

For my first build, I'm going to try the 2x Tombstalker, 4x Hymn, 2x Liliana package (4-of the other usual cards) but am looking for some sideboard opinions:

4x Spell Pierce
2x Disfigure
2x Golgari Charm
1x Grafdigger's Cage
1x Surgical Extraction
1x Sylvan Library
1x Krosan Grip
1x Pithing Needle
1x Null Rod
1x Vendilion Clique

Wondering if I should add a Jace or an additional Clique in the SB, 4 Pierce might be a bit much. Trying to keep the SB fairly diverse to cover a wide range of decks.

Hi,
4 Pierce is a bit to much, cut 1 Pierce for a 2nd Clique, its important to keep your threat count high against RIP/Plow Decks, so you can switch 2 Stalker for 2 Cliques after boarding + its great against Miracles and SFM decks, rest looks solid (even if I prefer the 2nd Cage over the Surgical) and is about personally preferences...

Greetings

[TheHeff]

Appreciate the feedback guys, will make some modifications for this week's legacy FNM. Special shoutout to Esper, watching your QF match against Lossett was a great watch for someone like me learning the deck. Sorry you had to play him but congrats on the great run! This is what I'm thinking right now for an updated SB:

2x Disfigure
1x Flusterstorm
2x Golgari Charm
1x Grafdigger's Cage
1x Krosan Grip
1x Pithing Needle
2x Spell Pierce
1x Surgical Extraction
1x Sylvan Library
1x Toxic Deluge
2x Vendilion Clique

Anyone have success with the Toxic Deluge? I saw it work out well in a vod from a recent SCG open (not sure which one atm, it was the B/W Stoneblade vs. TA game) but I'm worried about the splash effect it has on our own dudes (barring Tombstalker and Goyf). I'm basically just looking for a catch-all sweeper that's not Charm.

[Esper3k]

Hah thanks, too bad I couldn't play better / win! Much of my credit needs to go to phazonmutant though since I pretty much took his decklist that he won Portland with (check out the videos of his matches if you're looking for more content to learn from).

I haven't tested Deluge yet since I'm playing TNNs but my gut says it's not great for us since most of our guys will die to any decently sized Deluge. Tombstalker builds will be better with it, of course.

Marsh Casualties sees some play in mostly TNN lists. Even more narrow than Charm, but it's 1-sided and can potentially hit bigger things. I'm not advocating it since I like Charm quite a bit but just throwing options out there.

[Barbed Blightning]

Appreciate the feedback guys, will make some modifications for this week's legacy FNM. Special shoutout to Esper, watching your QF match against Lossett was a great watch for someone like me learning the deck. Sorry you had to play him but congrats on the great run! This is what I'm thinking right now for an updated SB:

2x Disfigure
1x Flusterstorm
2x Golgari Charm
1x Grafdigger's Cage
1x Krosan Grip
1x Pithing Needle
2x Spell Pierce
1x Surgical Extraction
1x Sylvan Library
1x Toxic Deluge
2x Vendilion Clique

Anyone have success with the Toxic Deluge? I saw it work out well in a vod from a recent SCG open (not sure which one atm, it was the B/W Stoneblade vs. TA game) but I'm worried about the splash effect it has on our own dudes (barring Tombstalker and Goyf). I'm basically just looking for a catch-all sweeper that's not Charm.

I tested it for a bit; the combination of life loss and loss of DRS (Delver was usually acceptable) just made it bad.

If you are looking for a catch-all, Deluge is it; however, the collateral damage is too high.

(Sent from my phone, please ignore typos and grammar errors)

[Purgatory]

Hah thanks, too bad I couldn't play better / win! Much of my credit needs to go to phazonmutant though since I pretty much took his decklist that he won Portland with (check out the videos of his matches if you're looking for more content to learn from).

I haven't tested Deluge yet since I'm playing TNNs but my gut says it's not great for us since most of our guys will die to any decently sized Deluge. Tombstalker builds will be better with it, of course.

Marsh Casualties sees some play in mostly TNN lists. Even more narrow than Charm, but it's 1-sided and can potentially hit bigger things. I'm not advocating it since I like Charm quite a bit but just throwing options out there.

Where is this match archived?

[CroSS.24]

I play deluge in my sideboard because there are 2+ merfolk players where I play. It is only there to beat merfolk. I did bring it in once against 12 post as a fun pay 12 life to kill an eldrazi, but for the most part I only use it for merfolk.

[Megadeus]

Anyone have success with the Toxic Deluge? I saw it work out well in a vod from a recent SCG open (not sure which one atm, it was the B/W Stoneblade vs. TA game) but I'm worried about the splash effect it has on our own dudes (barring Tombstalker and Goyf). I'm basically just looking for a catch-all sweeper that's not Charm.

That was indeed a blow out. I think in a deck with Goyf and Stalker it is probably pretty good.

[Esper3k]

Where is this match archived?

Here's Phazonmutant's finals match (it was SCG Seattle):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leQW...4ql2EUTK4ipuEQ

[Purgatory]

Here's Phazonmutant's finals match (it was SCG Seattle):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leQW...4ql2EUTK4ipuEQ

In my work-related fatigue, I quoted the wrong post. I meant your match :)

[Esper3k]

In my work-related fatigue, I quoted the wrong post. I meant your match :)

Oh heh, here's the link for that:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5P8i...g1wqUFnf3EwI2L

[Griselpuff]

Hey all,

This is my current TA list. It's been doing quite well for me lately, and has the adjustments needed in the new metagame.

4 Deathrite Shaman
4 Delver of Secrets
4 Tarmogoyf
1 Vendilion Clique
1 Tombstalker

4 Daze
4 Brainstorm
4 Force of Will
4 Hymn to Tourach
4 Ponder
4 Abrupt Decay
2 Liliana of the Veil
1 Sylvan Library

4 Wasteland
4 Polluted Delta
4 Verdant Catacombs
1 Misty Rainforest
3 Underground Sea
2 Bayou
1 Tropical Island


SB: 1 Pithing Needle
SB: 1 Null Rod
SB: 1 Grafdigger's Cage
SB: 3 Golgari Charm
SB: 3 Disfigure
SB: 1 Envelop
SB: 1 Spell Pierce
SB: 1 Sylvan Library
SB: 1 Vendilion Clique
SB: 1 Creeping Tar Pit
SB: 1 Liliana of the Veil

Tombstalker is still excellent pre-board, and Clique is reasonable to great in a lot of match-ups. Still not a fan of Confidant or TNN though. Golgari Charm is too good and I don't want to hamstring the card by playing creatures that I don't want to die. I think Confidant is better with Thoughtseize than with Hymn, but I'm not playing this deck without less than 4 Hymns because that card just screams free wins. I'm also playing 2 Libraries, in the 75, it's seriously hard to lose when your deck is all heavy hitters and you can draw a bunch of free cards. I also cut a land to fit in everything, which I think is fine because Sylvan Library helps you find more lands and RUG is the only deck maindecking Stifle anyways. Other than that, the SB is mostly geared to deal with Miracles/Elves/D&T, which I find to be the harder match-ups.

Combo is pretty bad right now, so Spell Pierces get trimmed and one of them becomes an Envelop.

[KobeBryan]

Hey all,

This is my current TA list. It's been doing quite well for me lately, and has the adjustments needed in the new metagame.

4 Deathrite Shaman
4 Delver of Secrets
4 Tarmogoyf
1 Vendilion Clique
1 Tombstalker

4 Daze
4 Brainstorm
4 Force of Will
4 Hymn to Tourach
4 Ponder
4 Abrupt Decay
2 Liliana of the Veil
1 Sylvan Library

4 Wasteland
4 Polluted Delta
4 Verdant Catacombs
1 Misty Rainforest
3 Underground Sea
2 Bayou
1 Tropical Island


SB: 1 Pithing Needle
SB: 1 Null Rod
SB: 1 Grafdigger's Cage
SB: 3 Golgari Charm
SB: 3 Disfigure
SB: 1 Envelop
SB: 1 Spell Pierce
SB: 1 Sylvan Library
SB: 1 Vendilion Clique
SB: 1 Creeping Tar Pit
SB: 1 Liliana of the Veil

Tombstalker is still excellent pre-board, and Clique is reasonable to great in a lot of match-ups. Still not a fan of Confidant or TNN though. Golgari Charm is too good and I don't want to hamstring the card by playing creatures that I don't want to die. I think Confidant is better with Thoughtseize than with Hymn, but I'm not playing this deck without less than 4 Hymns because that card just screams free wins. I'm also playing 2 Libraries, in the 75, it's seriously hard to lose when your deck is all heavy hitters and you can draw a bunch of free cards. I also cut a land to fit in everything, which I think is fine because Sylvan Library helps you find more lands and RUG is the only deck maindecking Stifle anyways. Other than that, the SB is mostly geared to deal with Miracles/Elves/D&T, which I find to be the harder match-ups.

Combo is pretty bad right now, so Spell Pierces get trimmed and one of them becomes an Envelop.

how are you doing against Jund with that list?

[Purgatory]

Oh heh, here's the link for that:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5P8i...g1wqUFnf3EwI2L

Thanks. I watched it last night while re-sleeving my own TA for a couple of upcoming tournaments.

I didn't catch any bad plays at all on your part, the only mistake that I could see was playing a Tarmogoyf when you already had a clock (Delver, I think) on the board right into a Terminus at the very beginning of game 1. Maybe I'm playing the match-up wrong, but I'm rather ardent about not getting 2-for-1'd. That said, I'm about 50/50 against Miracles, even though I have TNN in the deck instead of Tombstalker, so I might be doing something wrong.

[wwoning]

Hey all,

This is my current TA list. It's been doing quite well for me lately, and has the adjustments needed in the new metagame.

4 Deathrite Shaman
4 Delver of Secrets
4 Tarmogoyf
1 Vendilion Clique
1 Tombstalker

4 Daze
4 Brainstorm
4 Force of Will
4 Hymn to Tourach
4 Ponder
4 Abrupt Decay
2 Liliana of the Veil
1 Sylvan Library

4 Wasteland
4 Polluted Delta
4 Verdant Catacombs
1 Misty Rainforest
3 Underground Sea
2 Bayou
1 Tropical Island


SB: 1 Pithing Needle
SB: 1 Null Rod
SB: 1 Grafdigger's Cage
SB: 3 Golgari Charm
SB: 3 Disfigure
SB: 1 Envelop
SB: 1 Spell Pierce
SB: 1 Sylvan Library
SB: 1 Vendilion Clique
SB: 1 Creeping Tar Pit
SB: 1 Liliana of the Veil

Tombstalker is still excellent pre-board, and Clique is reasonable to great in a lot of match-ups. Still not a fan of Confidant or TNN though. Golgari Charm is too good and I don't want to hamstring the card by playing creatures that I don't want to die. I think Confidant is better with Thoughtseize than with Hymn, but I'm not playing this deck without less than 4 Hymns because that card just screams free wins. I'm also playing 2 Libraries, in the 75, it's seriously hard to lose when your deck is all heavy hitters and you can draw a bunch of free cards. I also cut a land to fit in everything, which I think is fine because Sylvan Library helps you find more lands and RUG is the only deck maindecking Stifle anyways. Other than that, the SB is mostly geared to deal with Miracles/Elves/D&T, which I find to be the harder match-ups.

Combo is pretty bad right now, so Spell Pierces get trimmed and one of them becomes an Envelop.

Thanks for sharing your list akatsuki! I love it with the 4 Hymns (indeed: Free wins!) and Library MB. I'm also leaning towards more cards in the 75 to beat Miracles, it is just so prevalent right now. Therefore I like the Clique & 2 Liliana's MB and a lot to fight them in the SB.

[Griselpuff]

Jund becomes harder as you cut half of your Tombstalkers. Still, my record against Jund with 2 Tombstalkers was very, very good, so I'm okay with it getting worse.

[KobeBryan]

Jund becomes harder as you cut half of your Tombstalkers. Still, my record against Jund with 2 Tombstalkers was very, very good, so I'm okay with it getting worse.

how does it feel to only have 5 real lands against rug? or UR delver?