[Deck] Spanish Inquisition (B/x Storm Combo)

[Vacrix]

DSI might also be worth exploring again now with access to Past in Flames as a better storm engine.



Pulled from the Stormboards around when DireLemming and I were testing the D7 SI lists:

I was having some problem balancing the number of lands to at once maximize the probability of making a land drop and not have lands stranded in hand. Spent quite some time doing this, until it hit me, why not go back to Land Grants? We can always dump them and they imprint on Chrome Mox. The latter being the second major change. Lack of initial black was really problematic, not so any more. I'm just not sure whether I want all 4 or are 3 enough. An open question remains whether having a blue-producing land is worth it. With Land Grants this proposition has become less inviting as it necessitates Tropical.

The focus on lands also revealed Dryad Arbor can be a bit inconsistent as the sole 0cc creature for Culling. Enter Skyshroud Cutter. I'm still not convinced it's entirely necessary, but it has been quite good in testing so far.

With all the improvements to mana consistency I found myself increasingly casting Manamorphose just for the free draw. Judging by past combo decks, this is not a sufficient reason, therefore it got cut. This opened some space and enabled me to try something that's been bugging me for some time. Why not run both Muse and IGG? As powerful as the D4/7 engine is, sometimes it's good win right here and now. Especially when you are under the gun because of Pacts or low life.

Results so far have been very encouraging. We have sufficient bomb density and ability to generate initial mana from non-land sources, that IGG is almost never a dead draw, be it opening 7 or mid chain.

Current list:

Business (19)
1 Tendrils of Agony
1 Slithermuse
4 Infernal Tutor
4 Burning Wish
4 Infernal Contract
3 Cruel Bargain
1 Ill Gotten Gains
1 Eternal Witness

Mana: (41)
1 Wild Cantor
4 Summoner's Pact
4 Elvish Spirit Guide
4 Lion's Eye Diamond
4 Lotus Petal
2 Tinder Wall
4 Dark Ritual
4 Cabal Ritual
4 Culling the Weak
1 Skyshroud Cutter
3 Chrome Mox
4 Land Grant
1 Bayou
1 Dryad Arbor

SB
4 Xantid Swarm
1 Diminishing Returns
1 Balance of Power
1 Tendrils of Agony
1 Empty the Warrens
1 Cruel Bargain/IGG
1 Grape Shot
4 Carpet of Flowers
1 Duress

Following the success of IGG main, I'm testing if it's worth a slot in the wishboard as well. Probably in place of D4.

I'm pushing 70% T1 with this list; no fizzles in the last 50 games, even on a mulligan to 4. Keep in mind it's impossible to separate me becoming a better SI pilot from actual deck improvements. It may well be, some past incarnation is objectively (or for your playstyle) better. The other issue with my results is, they are mostly goldfishing which can lead to optimizing for the wrong qualities. My thinking here is, being a glass cannon has more to do with (in)consistency than strategy.

This is the fastest known list.

[Namida]

What would you change to the D7 list to accommodate Past in Flames? I'm not sure how much I like Skyshroud Cutter in the list, but the only other free guy I can think of is Vine Dryad and I don't know that having to spend a card means the card is truly free.

So I tried Past in Flames. It was amazing--holy shit. To be honest though, I feel like you need Manamorphose in this deck because you're playing four colors in a deck that wants to consistently kill turn one. I also don't like that the Probe can make both itself and your D4 uncastable, but the main thing I've been finding in my limited testing is that the card being a free cantrip does nothing for me and I'd rather have it fix my mana so I can actually cast Past in Flames/Slithermuse (though Manamorphose is just as bad in multiples). I'm not entirely sure about Tinder Wall, either. I can say that I haven't missed Eternal Witness too much because of Past in Flames, but Summoner's Pact being a business spell with LED is probably still good.

[1maarten1]

I think that in the D7 list, cutting the IGG for 1 PiF and then run another one in the sideboard is fine too. But the thing that bothers me is playing Burning Wish without Manamorphose or a red ritual. Sure you have your pacts for Tinder Wall, but I would like some MM in the list. Anyway, I do really like where we are heading, just one question: do we want to stick to 1 land even if we don't run belcher in the 75??

[1maarten1]

Ok so here is what I'll be testing for the upcoming days! Please leave any thoughts you guys have! The main (and even more the sideboard is pretty based on the D7 list posted above)

Business: 21
4 Cruel bargain
3 Infernal contract
4 Infernal tutor
3 Burning wish
3 Manamorphose
1 Past in Flames
1 Slithermuse
1 Eternal Witness
1 Tendrils of agony

Mana: 39
4 Dark Ritual
4 Cabal Ritual
4 Culling the Weak
4 Lion's eye diamond
4 Lotus Petal
3 Chrome mox
4 Summoner's pact
4 Elvish spirit guide
1 Odious trow
1 Tinder wall
4 Land grant
1 Dryad arbor
1 Bayou

Sideboard: (rough sketch)
1 Past in Flames
1 Tendrils of agony
1 Infernal Contract
1 Empty the warrens
1 Duress
1 Simplify
1 Grapeshot (kinda uneeded, but atm I did not really have a great replacement)
4 Xantid Swarm
4 Carpet of Flowers (not sure about this one in a list without belcher, suggestions welcome)

I added in some Manamorphose, but kept 1 Tinder Wall for tricks with Pact. Going down to 3 Burning wish and 3 Chrome mix is not something I'm sure about, but testing will have to show how that works out.

So any criticism/input is very welcome!

[Maarten]

[DarthVicious]

I only run 3 Chrome in my list quite effectively, but I'm also running the 'artifact' version of the deck. The pact version makes me... frustrated. I like a more brute-force storm-in-your-face-until-you-die-from-my-dark-power approach. If I wanted to get all convoluted I'd play another deck.

[Vacrix]

Darth, whats your list? I'd think a list with Mox Opal would want the playset of Chrome Moxen. Or are you referring to the LGSI list?

[DarthVicious]

Darth, whats your list? I'd think a list with Mox Opal would want the playset of Chrome Moxen. Or are you referring to the LGSI list?

Land Grant reveals too much, and a full playset of Chrome is too many when 1/3 of your deck is artifacts. So I present to you the exact same list I posted on the storm boards:

4 Mox Opal
4 Lotus Petal
4 Badlands
3 Chrome Mox

4 Dark Ritual
4 Culling the Weak
4 Cabal Ritual
4 Lion's Eye Diamond

4 Shield Sphere
3 Phyrexian Walker

4 Cruel Bargain
4 Infernal Contract
4 Infernal Tutor
4 Burning Wish
3 Tendrils of Agony
2 Empty the Warrens
1 Past in Flames

SB:
4 Lotus Bloom
3 Grapeshot
2 Empty the Warrens
2 Past in Flames
1 Tendrils of Agony
1 Pyroclasm
1 Temporal Fissure
1 Diminishing Returns


Just straightforward storm. I've never really had to worry about manafixing. I'll accept the loss to Chalice decks. Honestly, if you're expecting Chalice to show up a lot, you shouldn't be running this deck in any variation. Blooms, an additional Warrens and PiF come in against blue. Grapeshot comes in if you expect hatebears. Pyroclasm is always a nice wish target. Fissure is versatile, but expensive. The fact that you can bounce and replay mana sources effectively makes it cheaper, allowing you to continue the chain. Returns is the OSHIT button. I don't really like the idea of Returns, but... I don't think there's anything better.

I've also been looking at Storm Entity. Kinda like Warrens, but it's smaller and has haste. It also doesn't get smaller when chump blockers get thrown in it's way. It's not Wishable though.

[Tucard]

I´m new to SI and was wondering what list to play in my local Meta (some Tempo, UW Control, GW Maverick, Dredge, Reanimator, very few combo).
I never played combo before in a tournament, just some Zoo, Dredge and WhiteLifegain.

@Darth:
how are you doing with your list against Tempo and Control?

I´m testing this list atm:

4 Cruel Bargain
4 Infernal Contract
4 Infernal Tutor
2 Past in Flames

1 Goblin Charbelcher
2 Tendrils of Agony

3 Culling the Weak
4 Cabal Ritual
4 Dark Ritual
4 Lion's Eye Diamond
4 Chrome Mox
4 Lotus Petal
4 Summoner's Pact
4 Elvish Spirit Guide
1 Wild Cantor
3 Land Grant
1 Bayou
1 Dryad Arbor
1 Tinder Wall
1 Odious Trow
4 Manamorphose

Side is just an idea but I think Ißm going with EtW against Control and Tempo (take out pacts)

SB: x Rebuild
SB: 1 Goblin Charbelcher
SB: 4 Empty the Warrens
SB: x Reverent Silence
SB: (x Autumn's Veil)
SB: x Wipe Away
SB: x Deathmark

I´m currently thinking about the "Burning Wish"-idea. would it be good in my Meta?
Also what list would you guys take to a bigger tournament at the moment?


EDIT:
Darth why are you not playing Kobolds? They are cmc0 and can be imprinted in Chrome mox for red

[Dark Ritual]

I like diminishing returns here. Good against discard, all you need is 2R + LED to fire off returns and if you have mana floating AFTER returns you should almost always win with this deck I'd imagine since TES having mana floating post returns is a good thing but the thing we have over TES is we don't play as much land and random cantrips so it's hard to hit dead cards off of returns sans culling the weak perchance, but that has always been the drawback of culling the weak, if we could play it every time we drew it I would love the card ten times more. Then again multiple tallmen without multiple culling the weak or worse no culling the weak count as dead typically unless you can still get to 9 storm + tendrils.

Also for chalice decks I suggest pulverize or meltdown as a wish target. It will work wonders for you against that deck and that takes up only one slot. Also against chalice decks if you win the die roll you should be fine; you can either EtW for a bunch or just win turn 1. Hell, even with chalice on 1 you can still win with just artifact's, cabal rit's, and burning wish/infernal tutor into EtW or tendrils preferably. Storm entity is also a good plan against chalice decks since it's like EtW. Only problem might be ensnaring bridge, which tokens get around pretty handily if they get stuck with a card in hand or you win before they can play all their cards.

[DarthVicious]

@Darth:
how are you doing with your list against Tempo and Control?

Darth why are you not playing Kobolds? They are cmc0 and can be imprinted in Chrome mox for red

Honestly haven't done much testing lately. Between building my new computer and work I've had little time.

Anyway, Kobolds are red for Mox. They're also not artifacts for the other Mox, and a Mox that can make multiple colors is better than a Mox that can only make one. This is why I only run 3 Chrome, and 4 Opal. Opal is far nastier than Chrome.

[The]

So. I have little to go on in this post, considering I have minimal experience in Legacy, and that experience is with Spiral Tide, but supposing one wanted to build a slightly less Glass-Cannon version of this deck, (Maybe running some Cabal Therapy, and possibly a Savannah for Orim's Chant) would it be possible?
What would you recommend to replace for protection? Or should I just go over to the TES thread?

[Vacrix]

If you want to play protection, SITES has variations that incorporate Cabal Therapy. Check the opening post for a list. It also runs post-board EtW and can play stuff like Pyroblast, Duress, etc. for additional protection.

I wouldn't run Orim's Chant in SI. Autumn's Veil is a better card. It can be played after countermagic, unlike Chant, and you already have access to green if you play the Pact list. Its not a bad choice of protection post-board.

TES is easier to play and has better protection. SI has the best turn 1 percentage of any deck ever in Legacy (even Hulk flash) at about 60% turn 1 kills and it mulligans better than any other deck in the format. Its ideal metagame consists mostly of aggro and combo decks because it outraces any deck that doesn't play force and can win before a solid lock piece comes down on turn 2. The control matchup (landstill/countertop) is pretty difficult. If you play a man-plan post-board plan, then you have a good chance against an opponent who doesn't expect to encounter 11 creatures + 4 Duress post-board, and it helps if they board out removal because they don't know what you are playing. Tomb of Urami has won me so many games this way, namely because its uncounterable. The aggro control matchup actually isn't that bad but the man plan doesn't work as well here because they have more blockers. Carpet of Flowers, however, is excellent against aggro control. Works like a charm in a deck thats so business heavy. In game 2/3 (Pact list), you can usually land 2 threats on the first turn, usually some combination of Swarm/Duress/Carpet/D4/Belcher. If you can get Carpet to stick, then you have a perpetual resource in a deck with 18/19 business spells. You bait with the D4's until you can sneak a Belcher through.

If you are thinking about getting into this deck, I'd suggest reading the opening post. Everything you need to know is in there, and lists.

[The]

Okay, I read (And re-read, just for kicks) the OP, and I'm loving the intricacy and unforgiving nature of the deck, and the raw speed of the PSI list. I also like the Sideboard plan that it has going.
I'm wondering though, what is the recommended board plan for it? What's best to take out/put in? Obviously Carpet, Duress and Tomb for control, but all the parts of the deck seem so integral, plus I have about Zero play experience, and I can't fathom what you'd remove.

[DerFern]

Okay, I read (And re-read, just for kicks) the OP, and I'm loving the intricacy and unforgiving nature of the deck, and the raw speed of the PSI list. I also like the Sideboard plan that it has going.
I'm wondering though, what is the recommended board plan for it? What's best to take out/put in? Obviously Carpet, Duress and Tomb for control, but all the parts of the deck seem so integral, plus I have about Zero play experience, and I can't fathom what you'd remove.

seriously, I never liked the man-plan postboard. Tomb of Urami is such a bad card and only the worst players board out ALL of their removal. Tomb could only win games against some slow controllish CB decks, but any tempo deck will still crush you. Plus, Tomb can not be fetched with Land Grant but its ability is vulnerable to Stifle. Still, you should decide whether you like it or not.

My latest sideboard looks like this:
4 Xantid Swarm
4 Carpet of Flowers
2 Goblin Charbelcher
3 Slaughter Pact
2 Natures Claim

Against any blue deck my boarding is
+4 Swarm
+4 Carpet
+2 Belcher
-1 Odious Trow / Wild Cantor
-1 Slithermuste
-4 Summoners Pact
-1 Tendrils of Agony
-1 Ill-Gotten Gains / Past in Flames
-1 Manamorphose
-1 Infernal Tutor

Slaughter Pact and/or Natures Claim get in if I expect any sort of Leyline, Gaddock, Canonist, Chalice

Sticking a turn one Swarm or Carpet is key in those matchups. With 4 Belcher postboard, you don´t rely on the storm-plan, but still have the option to chain d4s into a lethal Tendrils. You might wanna give it a try...

[Jodahae]

For anyone who has or is using Tukatongue Thallid to increase the consistancy of their Cullings; there is a new replacement for thallid from DKA. Young Wolf is a 1cmc Green 1/1 with Undying.

[The]

seriously, I never liked the man-plan postboard. Tomb of Urami is such a bad card and only the worst players board out ALL of their removal. Tomb could only win games against some slow controllish CB decks, but any tempo deck will still crush you. Plus, Tomb can not be fetched with Land Grant but its ability is vulnerable to Stifle. Still, you should decide whether you like it or not.

My latest sideboard looks like this:
4 Xantid Swarm
4 Carpet of Flowers
2 Goblin Charbelcher
3 Slaughter Pact
2 Natures Claim

Against any blue deck my boarding is
+4 Swarm
+4 Carpet
+2 Belcher
-1 Odious Trow / Wild Cantor
-1 Slithermuste
-4 Summoners Pact
-1 Tendrils of Agony
-1 Ill-Gotten Gains / Past in Flames
-1 Manamorphose
-1 Infernal Tutor

Slaughter Pact and/or Natures Claim get in if I expect any sort of Leyline, Gaddock, Canonist, Chalice

Sticking a turn one Swarm or Carpet is key in those matchups. With 4 Belcher postboard, you don´t rely on the storm-plan, but still have the option to chain d4s into a lethal Tendrils. You might wanna give it a try...

Belcher seems nice. I'm waiting for a bunch of cards to arrive in the mail so that I can get some testing done and maybe draft a list of my own.

[DarthVicious]

Belcher seems nice. I'm waiting for a bunch of cards to arrive in the mail so that I can get some testing done and maybe draft a list of my own.

Belcher is pretty nice in this deck. In my experience, you don't want more than 1-2 land if you're running Belchers due to fizzling too often. I designed my list with 4 Badlands because I want more initial mana sources, but it forces me to go the storm plan every time. Yes, IMO 4 Badlands rules out Belcher as a win condition.

[surly]

Since our LGS is hosting some Legacy events again, I'm currently trying getting back into the Format. I played mainly Storm or other Combo decks most of the time, therefore I'm looking forward playing a similar deck again ;)

I really liked SI since it became popular a few years ago, though (at least for me) it always seemed inferior compared with the other Storm decks, especially when Mystical Tutor was popular.
However, after reading through some pages of this thread, I think I'll give SI a shot this time, since I really like how the deck evolved.

Although most cardchoices are obvious (I use Vacrix list posted above as my initial draft), I don't really understand the importance of those cards for the list:

Slithermuse - seems to be in every deck right know, but I don't see the reasoning behind it actually. It can't be tutored with Summoner's Pact, so what's the point in playing this card over, say, Draw4 #8? (I see that it can be sacrificed for Culling the weak, but I doubt that's the only reason^^)

Eternal Witness - sure, all your Summoner's Pact become Regrowth for 1GG, but I don't see in which situations you go for this card. I expect it's useful when you have a ton of mana but no business, right? How often will this card be relevant?

Skyshroud Cutter - I understand that you go for this guy when you need somethign to sacrifice for zero, but giving your opponent 5 Life in return seems like a lot. As already stated, I haven't had any time playing this deck so far, so I can't evaluate this properly ... in case SI always plays Tendrils with Storm 15+ it's no big deal, would be great if someone could clarify.

Tinder Wall / Wild Cantor - already played them in Belcher and some other decks, I'm just curious when you go for those two cards.


Thanks for clarifying, cheers

[Dark Ritual]

Well tinder wall in the draw 7 list colorfixes for burning wish and wild cantor does as well (imprints on mox as a red card for wish and in a pinch can be used to convert green mana to red mana, black mana, or blue in the case of slithermuse.)

Eternal witness increases the amount of business spells you run essentially. There have been times where I needed witness to continue the spell chain.

Skyshroud cutter is culling fodder at its finest since it's free. The 5 life is only really 3 life since it provides +1 storm count and I often find with this deck that I get lots of storm i.e. I have spell chains with 15+ spells in them. Skyshroud cutter is only bad with very specific hands that get to only 10 storm total/exactsies.

Slithermuse is a draw 7. You could run diminishing returns over it if you felt so inclined to do so however it can refill your opponents hand with spells that interact with you. Often with muse you usually never use muse as culling fodder although when you do it feels so good

[Vacrix]

Stumbled upon a new potential synergy today:

Burnt Offering + Skyshroud Cutter

This combination can function as a 2nd Culling the Weak, producing BBBB for the investment of B, and either Skyshroud Cutter, or Pact --> Cutter.

I have no idea whether or not its any good yet or how we might have to reconfigure the Pact list to incorporate it, but if it allows us to get a consistently higher storm count (around 13), I see no problem in running more Skyshroud Cutters, and maybe cutting a few Cabal Rituals. Also, Belcher kinda laughs at +5 life.


EDIT:
I forgot to add its also a ritual that can potential add RRRR to your mana pool.. meaning it will work well with Past in Flames and Burning Wish.